Nanmu Yang1, Feng Han1, Hong Cui2, Jinxi Huang1, Tao Wang3, Yi Zhou1, Jinxue Zhou1. 1. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. 2. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. Electronic address: cuihong_dr@163.com. 3. Department of Anesthesia, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling contributes to apoptosis resistance in cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study is to check whether matrine, an alkaloid isolated from traditional Chinese herb Sophora flavescens ait, can exert cytotoxic effects against cholangiocarcinoma cells via inactivation of STAT3 signaling. METHODS: Mz-ChA-1 and KMCH-1 cholangiocarcinoma cells were treated with matrine at 0.25-2.0 g/L for 48 h and cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. Apoptosis-related molecular changes and STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activities were measured after matrine treatment for 48 h. The effect of expression of a constitutively active STAT3 mutant on matrine-induced apoptosis was determined. RESULTS: Matrine significantly inhibited the viability and induced apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Matrine treatment caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and -3. Matrine-induced apoptosis was inhibited in the presence of the caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. Matrine reduced the phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and STAT3, inhibited STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity, and downregulated STAT3 target gene Mcl-1. Notably, expression of the constitutively active form of STAT3 significantly antagonized matrine-induced apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSION: Matrine can trigger mitochondrial apoptotic death of cholangiocarcinoma cells largely through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Therefore, matrine represents a potentially effective anticancer agent for cholangiocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling contributes to apoptosis resistance in cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study is to check whether matrine, an alkaloid isolated from traditional Chinese herb Sophora flavescens ait, can exert cytotoxic effects against cholangiocarcinoma cells via inactivation of STAT3 signaling. METHODS: Mz-ChA-1 and KMCH-1 cholangiocarcinoma cells were treated with matrine at 0.25-2.0 g/L for 48 h and cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. Apoptosis-related molecular changes and STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activities were measured after matrine treatment for 48 h. The effect of expression of a constitutively active STAT3 mutant on matrine-induced apoptosis was determined. RESULTS:Matrine significantly inhibited the viability and induced apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Matrine treatment caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and -3. Matrine-induced apoptosis was inhibited in the presence of the caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. Matrine reduced the phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and STAT3, inhibited STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity, and downregulated STAT3 target gene Mcl-1. Notably, expression of the constitutively active form of STAT3 significantly antagonized matrine-induced apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSION:Matrine can trigger mitochondrial apoptotic death of cholangiocarcinoma cells largely through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Therefore, matrine represents a potentially effective anticancer agent for cholangiocarcinoma.
Authors: Thomas Efferth; Mohamed E M Saeed; Elhaj Mirghani; Awadh Alim; Zahir Yassin; Elfatih Saeed; Hassan E Khalid; Salah Daak Journal: Oncotarget Date: 2017-07-25