Carnosol, a rosemary polyphenol, displays anticancer properties and is suggested as a safer alternative to conventional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Given that its effects on gingiva ...carcinoma have not yet been investigated, the aim of this study was to explore its anti-tumor selectivity and to unravel its underlying mechanisms of action. Hence, oral tongue and gingiva carcinoma cell lines exposed to carnosol were analyzed to estimate cytotoxicity, cell viability, cell proliferation, and colony formation potential as compared with those of normal cells. Key cell cycle and apoptotic markers were also measured. Finally, cell migration, oxidative stress, and crucial cell signaling pathways were assessed. Selective anti-gingiva carcinoma activity was disclosed. Overall, carnosol mediated colony formation and proliferation suppression in addition to cytotoxicity induction. Cell cycle arrest was highlighted by the disruption of the c-myc oncogene/p53 tumor suppressor balance. Carnosol also increased apoptosis, oxidative stress, and antioxidant activity. On a larger scale, the alteration of cell cycle and apoptotic profiles was also demonstrated by QPCR array. This was most likely achieved by controlling the STAT5, ERK1/2, p38, and NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Lastly, carnosol reduced inflammation and invasion ability by modulating IL-6 and MMP9/TIMP-1 axes. This study establishes a robust foundation, urging extensive inquiry both in vivo and in clinical settings, to substantiate the efficacy of carnosol in managing gingiva carcinoma.
Adoption of plant-derived compounds for the management of oral cancer is encouraged by the scientific community due to emerging chemoresistance and conventional treatments adverse effects. ...Considering that very few studies investigated eugenol clinical relevance for gingival carcinoma, we ought to explore its selectivity and performance according to aggressiveness level. For this purpose, non-oncogenic human oral epithelial cells (GMSM-K) were used together with the Tongue (SCC-9) and Gingival (Ca9-22) squamous cell carcinoma lines to assess key tumorigenesis processes. Overall, eugenol inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation while inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cells as compared to normal counterparts. The recorded effect was greater in gingival carcinoma and appears to be mediated through apoptosis induction and promotion of p21/p27/cyclin D1 modulation and subsequent Ca9-22 cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, in a p53-independent manner. At these levels, distinct genetic profiles were uncovered for both cell lines by QPCR array. Moreover, it seems that our active component limited Ca9-22 and SCC-9 cell migration respectively through MMP1/3 downregulation and stimulation of inactive MMPs complex formation. Finally, Ca9-22 behaviour appears to be mainly modulated by the P38/STAT5/NFkB pathways. In summary, we can disclose that eugenol is cancer selective and that its mediated anti-cancer mechanisms vary according to the cell line with gingival squamous cell carcinoma being more sensitive to this phytotherapy agent.
Cannabinoids, the active components of cannabis exert palliative effects in cancer patients by preventing nausea, vomiting and pain as well as by stimulating appetite. Recent studies indicated that ...cannabinoids could be helpful in treating certain rare forms of cancer and other inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of a cannabinoid mixture (CM) in oral cells. Thus, normal and cancer gingival cells were treated with different concentrations of CM to evaluate their proliferation by MTT assay, cytotoxicity by using LDH assay, colony formation with crystal violet and migration by the scratch method. In addition, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, antioxidant level, DNA damage and the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) generated by proton pumps were measured by flow cytometry. Furthermore, deactivation of the key signaling pathways involved in cancer progression such as NF-κB, ERK1/2, p38, STAT1, STAT3, STAT5 was also evaluated by this technique. These outcomes indicate that CM, at a concentration higher than 0.1 µg/mL, provokes high cytotoxicity in Ca9-22 oral cancer cells but not in GMSM-K gingival normal cells. Apoptosis, autophagy, antioxidant levels and mitochondrial stress as well as DNA damage in oral cells were increased following exposure to low concentration (1 µg/mL). In addition, major signaling pathways that are involved such as MAPKase, STATs and NF-κB pathways were inhibited by CM as well as cell migration. Our results suggest that cannabinoids could potentially have a beneficial effect on oral cancer therapy.
Abstract Background We recently showed that transient warming effects decreased the functional and adhesion properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) while post-thaw viability remained high. In ...an attempt to better predict functional impairment of cryopreserved MSC, we further analysed the correlation between viability, immunosuppressive activity and adhesion of cells exposed or not to warming events. Methods MSC prepared from six umbilical cords were frozen to −130°C and immediately transferred in a dry ice container or exposed to room temperature for 2 to 10 min (warming events) prior to storage in liquid nitrogen. Viability, functionality (inhibition of T-cell proliferation), adhesion and expression of various integrins were evaluated. Results The monotonic loss of functional activity with time was proportional to the length of warming events to which MSC were subjected and correlated with the monotonic loss of adhesion capacity. In contrast, post-thaw viability assessment did not predict functional impairment. Interestingly, flow cytometry analyses revealed the emergence of a FSClow population present in the viable cell fraction of freshly thawed MSC, which displayed poor adhesion capacity and expressed low levels of integrin β5. The prevalence of this FSClow population increased with the length of warming events and correlated with impaired functional and adhesion properties. Discussion Our results reveal that loss of functional activity (4-day test) induced by transient warming events could be predicted by evaluating adhesion (2-hr test) or FSC profile (10-min test) of MSC immediately post-thaw. These observations could lead to the development of surrogate tests for rapidly assessing the functional quality of cryopreserved MSC.
Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) has gained significant attention since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, clinical trials designed to study the efficacy of CPT ...based on antibody concentrations were inconclusive. Lymphatic transport is at the interplay between the immune response and the resolution of inflammation from peripheral tissues, including the artery wall. As vascular complications are a key pathogenic mechanism in COVID-19, leading to inflammation and multiple organ failure, we believe that sustaining lymphatic vessel function should be considered to define optimal CPT. We herein sought to determine what specific COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) characteristics should be considered to limit inflammation-driven lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) dysfunction. CCP donated 16 to 100 days after the last day of symptoms was characterized and incubated on inflammation-elicited adult human dermal LEC (aHDLEC). Plasma analysis revealed that late donation correlates with higher concentration of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from LEC are more abundant in early donated plasma (r = -0.413,
= 0.004). Thus, secretion of LEC-EVs by an impaired endothelium could be an alarm signal that instigate the self-defense of peripheral lymphatic vessels against an excessive inflammation. Indeed, in vitro experiments suggest that CCP obtained rapidly following the onset of symptoms does not damage the aHDLEC junctions as much as late-donated plasma. We identified a particular signature of CCP that would counteract the effects of an excessive inflammation on the lymphatic endothelium. Accordingly, an easy and efficient selection of convalescent plasma based on time of donation would be essential to promote the preservation of the lymphatic and immune system of infected patients.
Background Airway disorders are common in regular chlorinated swimming pool attendees, particularly competitive athletes, but the impact of intense swimming training on airway function and structure ...remains unclear. Objective This study aimed to evaluate airway inflammation and remodeling in elite swimmers. Methods Twenty-three elite swimmers were tested during off-training season. All had exhaled nitric oxide measurement, methacholine test, eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea challenge, allergy skin prick tests, and bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsies. Clinical data and tissues from 10 age-matched mild-asthmatic and 10 healthy nonallergic subjects were used for comparison. Results Swimmers had increased airway mucosa eosinophil and mast cell counts than did controls ( P < .05). They had more goblet cell hyperplasia and higher mucin expression than did healthy or asthmatic subjects ( P < .05). A greater submucosal type I and III collagen expression and tenascin deposition was also observed in swimmers than in controls ( P < .05). Neither exhaled nitric oxide nor airway responsiveness to methacholine or eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea challenge correlated with these inflammatory and remodeling changes. Conclusion Intense, long-term swimming training in indoor chlorinated swimming pools is associated with airway changes similar to those seen in mild asthma, but with higher mucin expression. These changes were independent from airway hyperresponsiveness. The long-term physiological and clinical consequences of these changes remain to be clarified.
Cannabis use is continuously increasing in Canada, raising concerns about its potential impact on immunity. The current study assessed the impact of a cannabinoid mixture (CM) on B cells and the ...mechanisms by which the CM exerts its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with different concentrations of the CM to evaluate cytotoxicity. In addition, flow cytometry was used to evaluate oxidative stress, antioxidant levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, caspase activation, and the activation of key signaling pathways (ERK1/2, NF-κB, STAT5, and p38). The number of IgM- and IgG-expressing cells was assessed using FluoroSpot, and the cytokine production profile of the B cells was explored using a cytokine array. Our results reveal that the CM induced B-cell cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, which was mediated by apoptosis. The levels of ROS and those of the activated caspases, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage increased following exposure to the CM (3 µg/mL). In addition, the activation of MAP Kinase, STATs, and the NF-κB pathway and the number of IgM- and IgG-expressing cells were reduced following exposure to the CM. Furthermore, the exposure to the CM significantly altered the cytokine profile of the B cells. Our results suggest that cannabinoids have a detrimental effect on B cells, inducing caspase-mediated apoptosis.
Despite the advancement of vaccination and therapies currently available, deaths due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still heavily documented. Severely infected individuals experience ...a generalized inflammatory storm, caused by massive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can lead to endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, multi-organ failure, and even death. COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy, selected primarily based on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, has not been as convincing as expected in the fight against COVID-19. Given the consequences of a dysfunctional endothelium on the progression of the disease, we propose that the selection of plasma for CCP therapy should be based on more specific parameters that take into consideration the effect on vascular inflammation. Thus, in the present study, we have characterized a subset of CCP that have been used for CCP therapy and measured their anti- or pro-inflammatory effect on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Our data revealed that the longer the time lapse between the onset of symptoms and the plasma donation, the more mitochondrial dysfunction can be evidenced. The concentration of blood endothelial cell extracellular vesicles (BEC-EVs) was increased in the plasma of young individuals with mild symptoms. This type of selected convalescent plasma promoted the activation of the blood vascular endothelium, as reflected by the overexpression of ICAM1 and NFκB1 and the downregulation of VE-Cadherin. We propose this mechanism is a warning signal sent by the injured endothelium to trigger self-defense of peripheral blood vessels against excessive inflammation. Therefore, these results are in line with our previous data. They suggest that a more specific selection of COVID-19 convalescent plasma should be based on the time of donation following the onset of the clinical symptoms of the donor, the severity of the symptoms, and the age of the donor. These characteristics are relatively easy to identify in any hospital and would reflect the concentration of plasma BEC-EVs and be optimal in CCP therapy.
Airway inflammation is an important characteristic of asthma and has been associated with airway remodelling and bronchial hyperreactivity. The mucosal microenvironment composed of structural cells ...and highly specialised extracellular matrix is able to amplify and promote inflammation. This microenvironment leads to the development and maintenance of a specific adaptive response characterized by Th2 and Th17. Bronchial fibroblasts produce multiple mediators that may play a role in maintaining and amplifying this response in asthma.
To investigate the role of bronchial fibroblasts obtained from asthmatic subjects and healthy controls in regulating Th17 response by creating a local micro-environment that promotes this response in the airways.
Human bronchial fibroblasts and CD4(+)T cells were isolated from atopic asthmatics and non-atopic healthy controls. CD4(+)T were co-cultured with bronchial fibroblasts of asthmatic subjects and healthy controls. RORc gene expression was detected by qPCR. Phosphorylated STAT-3 and RORγt were evaluated by western blots. Th17 phenotype was measured by flow cytometry. IL-22, IL17, IL-6 TGF-β and IL1-β were assessed by qPCR and ELISA.
Co-culture of CD4(+)T cells with bronchial fibroblasts significantly stimulated RORc expression and induced a significant increase in Th17 cells as characterized by the percentage of IL-17(+)/CCR6(+) staining in asthmatic conditions. IL-17 and IL-22 were increased in both normal and asthmatic conditions with a significantly higher amount in asthmatics compared to controls. IL-6, IL-1β, TGF-β and IL-23 were significantly elevated in fibroblasts from asthmatic subjects upon co-culture with CD4(+)T cells. IL-23 stimulates IL-6 and IL-1β expression by bronchial fibroblasts.
Interaction between bronchial fibroblasts and T cells seems to promote specifically Th17 cells profile in asthma. These results suggest that cellular interaction particularly between T cells and fibroblasts may play a pivotal role in the regulation of the inflammatory response in asthma.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK