Adrenal glands are the major organs releasing catecholamines and regulating our stress response. The mechanisms balancing generation of adrenergic chromaffin cells and protecting against neuroblastoma tumors are still enigmatic. Here we revealed that serotonin (5HT) controls the numbers of chromaffin cells by acting upon their immediate progenitor "bridge" cells via 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A), and the aggressive HTR3Ahigh human neuroblastoma cell lines reduce proliferation in response to HTR3A-specific agonists. In embryos (in vivo), the physiological increase of 5HT caused a prolongation of the cell cycle in "bridge" progenitors leading to a smaller chromaffin population and changing the balance of hormones and behavioral patterns in adulthood. These behavioral effects and smaller adrenals were mirrored in the progeny of pregnant female mice subjected to experimental stress, suggesting a maternal-fetal link that controls developmental adaptations. Finally, these results corresponded to a size-distribution of adrenals found in wild rodents with different coping strategies.

• MeSH
• chromafinní buňky * metabolismus   MeSH
• katecholaminy metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nadledviny metabolismus   MeSH
• neuroblastom * metabolismus   MeSH
• serotonin metabolismus   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• katecholaminy MeSH
• serotonin MeSH

The main objective of this study was to analyze changes in the antiproliferative effect of vitamin D3, in the form of calcitriol and calcidiol, via its combined application with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in osteosarcoma cell lines. The response to treatment with calcitriol and calcidiol alone was specific for each cell line. Nevertheless, we observed an enhanced effect of combined treatment with ATRA and calcitriol in the majority of the cell lines. Although the levels of respective nuclear receptors did not correlate with the sensitivity of cells to these drugs, vitamin D receptor (VDR) upregulation induced by ATRA was found in cell lines that were the most sensitive to the combined treatment. In addition, all these cell lines showed high endogenous levels of retinoic acid receptor α (RARα). Our study confirmed that the combination of calcitriol and ATRA can achieve enhanced antiproliferative effects in human osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro. Moreover, we provide the first evidence that ATRA is able to upregulate VDR expression in human osteosarcoma cells. According to our results, the endogenous levels of RARα and VDR could be used as a predictor of possible synergy between ATRA and calcitriol in osteosarcoma cells.

• Klíčová slova
• all-trans retinoic acid, calcidiol, calcitriol, osteosarcoma, retinoic acid receptor α, vitamin D receptor,
• MeSH
• alfa receptor kyseliny retinové metabolismus   MeSH
• kalcifediol aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• kalcitriol aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• osteosarkom farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• protinádorové látky aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• protokoly protinádorové kombinované chemoterapie MeSH
• receptory kalcitriolu metabolismus   MeSH
• screeningové testy protinádorových léčiv MeSH
• tretinoin aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• vitaminy aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa receptor kyseliny retinové MeSH
• kalcifediol MeSH
• kalcitriol MeSH
• protinádorové látky MeSH
• receptory kalcitriolu MeSH
• tretinoin MeSH
• vitaminy MeSH

The three most frequent pediatric sarcomas, i.e., Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, were examined in this study: three cell lines derived from three primary tumor samples were analyzed from each of these tumor types. Detailed comparative analysis of the expression of three putative cancer stem cell markers related to sarcomas-ABCG2, CD133, and nestin-was performed on both primary tumor tissues and corresponding cell lines. The obtained results showed that the frequency of ABCG2-positive and CD133-positive cells was predominantly increased in the respective cell lines but that the high levels of nestin expression were reduced in both osteosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas under in vitro conditions. These findings suggest the selection advantage of cells expressing ABCG2 or CD133, but the functional tests in NOD/SCID gamma mice did not confirm the tumorigenic potential of cells harboring this phenotype. Subsequent analysis of the expression of common stem cell markers revealed an evident relationship between the expression of the transcription factor Sox2 and the tumorigenicity of the cell lines in immunodeficient mice: the Sox2 levels were highest in the two cell lines that were demonstrated as tumorigenic. Furthermore, Sox2-positive cells were found in the respective primary tumors and all xenograft tumors showed apparent accumulation of these cells. All of these findings support our conclusion that regardless of the expression of ABCG2, CD133 and nestin, only cells displaying increased Sox2 expression are directly involved in tumor initiation and growth; therefore, these cells fit the definition of the cancer stem cell phenotype.

• Klíčová slova
• Cancer stem cells, Markers, Pediatric sarcomas, Sox2, Tumorigenicity,
• MeSH
• ABC transportér z rodiny G, člen 2 metabolismus   MeSH
• antigen AC133 metabolismus   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• myši inbrední NOD MeSH
• myši SCID MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorová transformace buněk metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádorové kmenové buňky metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• nádorové proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• nestin metabolismus   MeSH
• osteosarkom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• rhabdomyosarkom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• sarkom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory SOXB1 metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ABC transportér z rodiny G, člen 2 MeSH
• ABCG2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• antigen AC133 MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH
• nádorové proteiny MeSH
• nestin MeSH
• PROM1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• SOX2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory SOXB1 MeSH

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate is an important chemotherapeutic drug widely known as an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) which inhibits the reduction of folic acid. DHFR-mediated effects are apparently responsible for its primary antineoplastic action. However, other non-DHFR-mediated effects of methotrexate have been recently discovered, which might be very useful in the development of new strategies for the treatment of pediatric malignancies. The principal goal of this study was to analyze the possible impact of clinically achievable methotrexate levels on cell proliferation, mechanisms of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation and histone acetylation), induced differentiation and the expression of differentiation-related genes in six osteosarcoma cell lines. METHODS: The Saos-2 reference cell line and five other patient-derived osteosarcoma cell lines were chosen for this study. The MTT assay was used to assess cell proliferation, DNA methylation and histone acetylation were detected using ELISA, and western blotting was used for a detailed analysis of histone acetylation. The expression of differentiation-related genes was quantified using RT-qPCR and the course of cell differentiation was evaluated using Alizarin Red S staining, which detects the level of extracellular matrix mineralization. RESULTS: Methotrexate significantly decreased the proliferation of Saos-2 cells exclusively, suggesting that this reference cell line was sensitive to the DHFR-mediated effects of methotrexate. In contrast, other results indicated non-DHFR-mediated effects in patient-derived cell lines. Methotrexate-induced DNA demethylation was detected in almost all of them; methotrexate was able to lower the level of 5-methylcytosine in treated cells, and this effect was similar to the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Furthermore, methotrexate increased the level of acetylated histone H3 in the OSA-06 cell line. Methotrexate also enhanced all-trans retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation in three patient-derived osteosarcoma cell lines, and the modulation of expression of the differentiation-related genes was also shown. CONCLUSIONS: Overall non-DHFR-mediated effects of methotrexate were detected in the patient-derived osteosarcoma cell lines. Methotrexate acts as an epigenetic modifier and has a potential impact on cell differentiation and the expression of related genes. Furthermore, the combination of methotrexate and all-trans retinoic acid can be effective as a differentiation therapy for osteosarcoma.

• Klíčová slova
• All-trans retinoic acid, DNA methylation, Epigenetic regulation, Histone acetylation, Methotrexate, Osteogenic differentiation, Osteosarcoma,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

CD133 (also known as prominin-1) is a cell surface glycoprotein that is widely used for the identification of stem cells. Furthermore, its glycosylated epitope, AC133, has recently been discussed as a marker of cancer stem cells in various human malignancies. During our recent experiments on rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS), we unexpectedly identified an atypical nuclear localization of CD133 in a relatively stable subset of cells in five RMS cell lines established in our laboratory. To the best of our knowledge, this atypical localization of CD133 has not yet been proven or analyzed in detail in cancer cells. In the present study, we verified the nuclear localization of CD133 in RMS cells using three independent anti-CD133 antibodies, including both rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy followed by software cross-section analysis, transmission electron microscopy and cell fractionation with immunoblotting were also employed, and all the results undeniably confirmed the presence of CD133 in the nuclei of stable minor subpopulations of all five RMS cell lines. The proportion of cells showing an exclusive nuclear localization of CD133 ranged from 3.4 to 7.5%, with only minor differences observed among the individual anti-CD133 antibodies. Although the role of CD133 in the cell nucleus remains unclear, these results clearly indicate that this atypical nuclear localization of CD133 in a minor subpopulation of cancer cells is a common phenomenon in RMS cell lines.

• MeSH
• antigen AC133 MeSH
• buněčné jádro metabolismus   MeSH
• CD antigeny imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• fluorescenční protilátková technika nepřímá MeSH
• glykoproteiny imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky imunologie   MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• peptidy imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• rhabdomyosarkom metabolismus   MeSH
• transmisní elektronová mikroskopie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antigen AC133 MeSH
• CD antigeny MeSH
• glykoproteiny MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH
• peptidy MeSH
• PROM1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• Prom1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč

The crucial role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the pathology of malignant diseases has been extensively studied during the last decade. Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament protein, was originally detected in neural stem cells during development. Its expression has also been reported in different tissues under various pathological conditions. Specifically, nestin has been shown to be expressed in transformed cells of various human malignancies, and a correlation between its expression and the clinical course of some diseases has been proved. Furthermore, the coexpression of nestin with other stem cell markers was described as a CSC phenotype that was subsequently verified using tumorigenicity assays. The primary aim of this review is to summarize the recent findings regarding nestin expression in CSCs, its possible role in CSC phenotypes, particularly with respect to capacity for self-renewal, and its utility as a putative marker of CSCs.

• Klíčová slova
• Cancer stem cells, cytoskeleton, intermediate filaments, nestin, tumor markers,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové kmenové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• nestin metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH
• NES protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• nestin MeSH

The induced differentiation of tumor cells into mature phenotypes is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. In this study, the effects of combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors were examined in two osteosarcoma cell lines, Saos-2 and OSA-01. Caffeic acid and celecoxib were used as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and of cyclooxygenase-2, respectively. Changes in the cell proliferation, matrix mineralization, and occurrence of differentiation markers were evaluated in treated cell populations at intervals. The results confirmed the capability of caffeic acid to enhance the antiproliferative effect of ATRA in both cell lines. In contrast, celecoxib showed the same effect in Saos-2 cells only. Furthermore, the extension of matrix mineralization was observed after combined treatment with ATRA and celecoxib or caffeic acid. The increased expression of osteogenic differentiation markers was observed in both cell lines after the combined application of ATRA and inhibitors. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the capability of lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors to enhance the antiproliferative and differentiating effect of ATRA in osteosarcoma cells, although some of these effects are specific and depend on the biological features of the respective tumor or cell line.

• MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   MeSH
• celekoxib MeSH
• inhibitory cyklooxygenasy farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory lipoxygenas farmakologie   MeSH
• kyseliny kávové farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory kostí farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• osteosarkom farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• protinádorové látky farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrazoly farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfonamidy farmakologie   MeSH
• tretinoin farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• caffeic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• celekoxib MeSH
• inhibitory cyklooxygenasy MeSH
• inhibitory lipoxygenas MeSH
• kyseliny kávové MeSH
• protinádorové látky MeSH
• pyrazoly MeSH
• sulfonamidy MeSH
• tretinoin MeSH

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a detailed cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of a tumor taken from a 14.5-year-old boy with glioblastoma multiforme who showed an atypical clinical course. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tumor tissue and the corresponding HGG-02 cell line derived from this tumor were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), G-banding, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), functional analysis of separated alleles in yeast (FASAY), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunocytochemistry (ICC). RESULTS: Mutation of the p53 gene and hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene were detected by FASAY and MLPA, respectively. Cytogenetic analysis showed a polyploid karyotype with extensive heterogeneity in chromosome number. Using FISH, we identified a very unusual genetic change - a loss of EGFR gene copy in both the tumor tissue and the HGG-02 cell line. In accordance with the cytogenetic findings, IHC and ICC did not demonstrate overexpression of EGFR in the tumor tissue or HGG-02 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Despite his very poor prognosis, the patient experienced 34 months of event-free survival after surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The detected loss of the EGFR gene copy may contribute to the unusual biological features of this tumor, but the forthcoming detailed expression analysis of cancer regulatory pathways is necessary to better understand this tumor phenotype.

• MeSH
• adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční genetika   MeSH
• erbB receptory genetika   MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• genová dávka * MeSH
• geny p53 MeSH
• glioblastom genetika   patologie   terapie   MeSH
• jaderné proteiny genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mozek metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• MutL homolog 1 MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory mozku genetika   patologie   terapie   MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční MeSH
• EGFR protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• erbB receptory MeSH
• jaderné proteiny MeSH
• MLH1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• MutL homolog 1 MeSH