Shiva Azimee1, Marveh Rahmati2, Hossein Fahimi3, Mohammad Amin Moosavi4. 1. Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box: 14965/161, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2. Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box: 14965/161, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: a-moosavi@nigeb.ac.ir.
Abstract
AIMS: Nanoparticles (NPs)-based drugs have been recently introduced to improve the efficacy of current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms by which a NP interacts with cellular systems still need to be delineated. Here, we utilize the autophagic potential of TiO2 NPs for improving chemotherapeutic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in human AGS gastric cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell growth and viability were determined by trypan blue exclusion test and MTT assay, respectively. Vesicular organelles formation was evaluated by acridine orange staining of cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis were monitored by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were measured by DCHF-DA staining. Autophagy was examined by q-PCR and western blotting. Molecular docking was used for studying NP interaction with autophagic proteins. KEY FINDINGS: TiO2 NPs increase ROS production, impair lysosomal function and subsequently block autophagy flux in AGS cells. In addition, the autophagy blockade induced by non-toxic concentrations of TiO2 NPs (1 μg/ml) can promote cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of 5-FU in AGS cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These results confirm the beneficial effects of TiO2 NPs in combination with chemotherapy in in vitro model of gastric cancer, which may pave the way to develop a possible solution to circumvent chemoresistance in cancer.
AIMS: Nanoparticles (NPs)-based drugs have been recently introduced to improve the efficacy of current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms by which a NP interacts with cellular systems still need to be delineated. Here, we utilize the autophagic potential of TiO2 NPs for improving chemotherapeutic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in humanAGS gastric cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell growth and viability were determined by trypan blue exclusion test and MTT assay, respectively. Vesicular organelles formation was evaluated by acridine orange staining of cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis were monitored by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were measured by DCHF-DA staining. Autophagy was examined by q-PCR and western blotting. Molecular docking was used for studying NP interaction with autophagic proteins. KEY FINDINGS:TiO2 NPs increase ROS production, impair lysosomal function and subsequently block autophagy flux in AGS cells. In addition, the autophagy blockade induced by non-toxic concentrations of TiO2 NPs (1 μg/ml) can promote cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of 5-FU in AGS cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These results confirm the beneficial effects of TiO2 NPs in combination with chemotherapy in in vitro model of gastric cancer, which may pave the way to develop a possible solution to circumvent chemoresistance in cancer.
Authors: Jayaseelan Arun; S Nachiappan; Goutham Rangarajan; Ram Prasath Alagappan; K P Gopinath; Eric Lichtfouse Journal: Environ Chem Lett Date: 2022-08-27 Impact factor: 13.615