• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.531-536
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• 2015

Gecko proteins have long been used as anti-tumor agents in oriental medicine, without any scientific background. Although anti-tumor effects of Gecko proteins on several cancers were recently reported, their effect on bladder cancer has not been investigated. Thus, we explored the anti-tumor effect of Gecko proteins and its cellular mechanisms in human bladder cancer 5637 cells. Gecko proteins significantly reduced the viability of 5637 cells without any cytotoxic effect on normal cells. These proteins increased the Annexin-V staining and the amount of condensed chromatin, demonstrating that the Gecko proteinsinduced cell death was caused by apoptosis. Gecko proteins suppressed Akt activation, and the overexpression of constitutively active form of myristoylated Akt prevented Gecko proteins-induced death of 5637 cells. Furthermore, Gecko proteins activated caspase 9 and caspase 3/7. Taken together, our data demonstrated that Gecko proteins suppressed the Akt pathway and activated the intrinsic caspase pathway, leading to the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 531-536]

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2016

An ethanolic extracts of Scutellaria Baicalensis GEORGI are used to treat cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an ESBG on the growth and survival of 5637 cells, a human bladder carcinoma cell line. Cells were treated with different concentrations of an ethanolic extract of Scutellaria Baicalensis GEORGI (ESBG), and cell death was assessed using a MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Analyses of the sub G1 peak, caspase-3 and -9 activities, and mitochondrial membrane depolarizations were conducted to confirm cell death by apoptosis. ESBG had a cytotoxic effect on 5637 cells, and increased the sub G1 peak, caspase-3 and -9 activities, and mitochondrial depolarization, indicating ESBG induced apoptosis. Furthermore, MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) inhibitors suppressed this apoptosis. In an in vitro study, a combination of sub-optimal doses of ESBG and paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, or docetaxel noticeably suppressed tumor growth by 5637 cells. Our findings provide insight of the mechanisms underlying cellular apoptosis induced by ESBG, and suggest new therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.16-25
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• 2016

Objectives: Gilgyung-tang (GGT) has been used as one of the main multi-herb formulas to treat “Peo-ong” (lung abscess). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of water extracts of GGT on cell migration and invasion, two critical cellular processes that are often deregulated during metastasis, in human bladder cancer 5637 cells.Methods: Effects on cell viability were quantified using an MTT assay. To analyze the anti-metastatic effects, we conducted a wound healing migration assay, an in vitro invasiveness assay, and a measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The expression of protein and mRNA were measured by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.Results: GGT markedly inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of 5637 cells within the concentration range that was not cytotoxic. The inhibitory effects of GGT on cell invasiveness were associated with tightening of the tight junctions (TJs), which was demonstrated by an increase in the TER. The RT-PCR and Western blotting results indicated that GGT decreased the levels of claudin proteins. GGT also inhibited the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and simultaneously increased the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GGT reduces both the migration and the invasion of 5637 cells by modulating the activity of TJs and MMPs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the inhibitory effects of Hwangheuk-san (HHS), a Korean multi-herb formula comprising four medicinal herbs, on cell migration and invasion, two critical cellular processes that are often deregulated during metastasis, using the human bladder cancer 5637 cell line.Methods: Cell viability, motility, and invasion were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2,5-diphnyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound healing migration, and Transwell assays, respectively. Gene expression was detected by Western blot analysis. In addition, the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the values for transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were analyzed using a Gelatinase Activity Assay Kit and an Epithelial Tissue Voltohmmeter, respectively.Results: Our data indicated that within the concentration range that was not cytotoxic, HHS effectively inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of 5637 cells. HHS markedly decreased the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which was associated with unregulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. Further investigation revealed that phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT was decreased in HHS-treated 5637 cells, and a PI3K/AKT inhibitor synergistically reduced the inhibition of migration and invasion and also inactivated MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, HHS increased the tightening of tight junctions (TJs), which was demonstrated by an increase in the TER, and reduced the expression the levels of claudin family members (claudin-3 and -4), which are major components involved in the tightening of TJs.Conclusions: The present findings demonstrated that HHS attenuated the migration and invasion of bladder cancer 5637 cells by modulating the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and also through TJ tightening.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1422-1429
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• 2016

Kombucha is a slightly sour beverage fermented by symbiotic micro-organisms, including bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we examined the biological activities of citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by addition of citrus extract to original Kombucha (K). After fermentation for 10 days, radical scavenging activity examined by ABTS and DPPH assays increased by approximately 20% compared to that of K. Moreover, content of total phenolic compounds significantly increased by 60% compared to that of K. Cell proliferation assays utilizing MTT showed that CK treatment significantly inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells, T-24 and 5637, in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 4 and 7 mg/mL, respectively. Annexin V staining showed that CK treatment led to apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T-24 cells were more sensitive to CK treatment than 5637 cells, as 8 mg/mL of CK resulted in 97% apoptosis of T-24 cells. Western blotting showed that CK treatment led to up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, including caspases-3, -8, -9, and PARP, in bladder cells not in K-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK may be developed as a functional beverage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2016

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered a promising anticancer agent due to its unique ability to induce cancer cell death having only negligible effects on normal cells. However, many cancer cells tend to be resistant to TRAIL. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of sodium butyrate (SB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in sensitizing TRAIL-induced apoptosis in 5637 human bladder cancer cells. Our results indicated that co-treatment with SB and TRAIL significantly increased the apoptosis induction, compared with treatment with either agent alone. Co-treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively increased the cell-surface expression of death receptor (DR) 5, but not DR4, which was associated with the inhibition of cellular Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE) inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Furthermore, the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9) and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) were markedly increased in 5637 cells co-treated with SB and TRAIL; however, the synergistic effect was perfectly attenuated by caspase inhibitors. We also found that combined treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively induced the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c and cleave Bid to truncated Bid (tBid), along with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL expression. These results collectively suggest that a combined regimen of SB plus TRAIL may offer an effective therapeutic strategy for safely and selectively treating TRAIL-resistant bladder cancer cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), one kind of non-coding RNA, have been reported as critical regulators for modulating gene expression in cancer. In this study, microarray analysis was used to screen circRNA expression profiles of bladder cancer (BC) 5637 cells, T24 cells and normal control SV-HUC-1 cells. The data from the microarray showed that hsa_circ_0075828 (named circCASC15) was most highly expressed in 5637 and T24 cells. circCASC15 was highly expressed in BC tissues and cells. Overexpression of circCASC15 was closely associated with BC tumor stage and promoted cell proliferation significantly in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circCASC15 could act as miR-1224-5p sponge to activate the expression of CREB1 to promote cell proliferation in BC. In short, circCASC15 promotes cell proliferation in BC, which might be a new molecular target for BC diagnosis and therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5941-5948
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• 2013

Tumor response to antineoplastic drugs is not always predictable. This is also true for bladder carcinoma, a highly recurrent neoplasia. Currently, the combination of cisplatin and gemcitabine is well accepted as a standard protocol for treating bladder carcinoma. However, in some cases, this treatment protocol causes harmful side effects. Therefore, we investigated the roles of the genes TP53, RASSF1A (a tumor suppressor gene) and hMLH1 (a gene involved in the mismatch repair pathway) in cell susceptibility to cisplatin/gemcitabine treatment. Two bladder transitional carcinoma cell (TCC) lines, RT4 (wild-type TP53) and 5637 (mutated TP53), were used in this study. First, we evaluated whether the genotoxic potential of cisplatin/gemcitabine was dependent on TP53 status. Then, we evaluated whether the two antineoplastic drugs modulated RASSF1A and hMLH1 expression in the two cell lines. Increased DNA damage was observed in both cell lines after treatment with cisplatin or gemcitabine and with the two drugs simultaneously, as depicted by the comet assay. A lack of RASSF1A expression and hypermethylation of its promoter were observed before and after treatment in both cell lines. On the other hand, hMLH1 downregulation, unrelated to methylation status, was observed in RT4 cells after treatment with cisplatin or with cisplatin and gemcitabine simultaneously (wild-type TP53); in 5637 cells, hMLH1 was upregulated only after treatment with gemcitabine. In conclusion, the three treatment protocols were genotoxic, independent of TP53 status. However, cisplatin was the most effective, causing the highest level of DNA damage in both wild-type and mutated TP53 cells. Gemcitabine was the least genotoxic agent in both cell lines. Furthermore, no relationship was observed between the amount of DNA damage and the level of hMLH1 and RASSF1A expression. Therefore, other alternative pathways might be involved in cisplatin and gemcitabine genotoxicity in these two bladder cancer cell lines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1957-1962
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• 2012

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy worldwide. Despite the increased use of cisplatin-based combination therapy, the outcomes for patients with advanced disease remain poor. Recently, altered activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has been associated with reduced patient survival and advanced stage of bladder cancer, making its upstream or downstream components attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. In the present study, we showed that treatment with DTCM-glutaramide, a piperidine that targets PDK1, results in reduced proliferation, diminished cell migration and G1 arrest in 5637 and T24 bladder carcinoma cells. Conversely, no apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy were detected after treatment, suggesting that reduced cell numbers in vitro are a result of diminished proliferation rather than cell death. Furthermore previous exposure to 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ DTCM-glutarimide sensitized both cell lines to ionizing radiation. Although more studies are needed to corroborate our findings, our results indicate that PDK1 may be useful as a therapeutic target to prevent progression and abnormal tissue dissemination of urothelial carcinomas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1838-1842
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• 2016

Kombucha (K) is a fermented beverage made from black tea by symbiotic micro-organisms of bacteria and yeasts. To enhance bio-activities of K, we produced citrus/green tea Kombucha (CK) by adding extracts of citrus peel and green tea obtained from Jeju Island. ORAC assays showed that anti-oxidative capacity of CK increased by approximately 3-folds compared to K. We examined anti-cancer properties of extracts from citrus peel and/or green tea using 5637 human bladder cancer cells and B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Proliferation of B16F10 cells was markedly inhibited at concentrations higher than $10{\mu}L/mL$. At a concentration of $20{\mu}L/mL$, anti-cancer activities of extracts were in the order of citrus peel< green tea< combination of both. Interestingly, a combination of both extracts showed a synergistic effect on inhibition of growth of cancer cells. CK fermented with citrus peel and green tea extracts showed enhanced anti-cancer activity compared to K. Cytotoxicity of CK on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages was negligible up to $100{\mu}L/mL$. Taken together, these results indicate that citrus Kombucha is safe to be developed as a functional beverage.