Janus activated kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway mediates icariside II-induced apoptosis in U266 multiple myeloma cells.

Although the flavonoid icariside II exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, its molecular targets/pathways in human multiple myeloma cells are poorly understood. To analyze the effects on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling and apoptosis, U266 multiple myeloma cells were treated with icariside II and performed Western blotting, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay (EMSA), RT-PCR, proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Icariside II inhibited STAT3 activation and enhanced the expression of SHP-1 and PTEN through inhibiting Janus activated kinase 2 (JAK2) and c-Src. Icariside II down-regulated the expression of STAT3 target genes Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), survivin, cyclin D(1), COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Also, icariside II enhanced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caspase-3 activation. Pervanadate reversed the icariside II-mediated STAT3 inactivation and also blocked the cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP, suggesting involvement of STAT3 pathway in icariside II-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, icariside II enhanced the apoptotic effects of clinically used drugs thalidomide and bortezomib in U266 cells. Icariside II could be a potential therapeutic intervention agent alone or in combination with current drugs for multiple myeloma as a novel blocker of STAT3 signaling cascades at multiple levels, contributing to its anti-proliferative and anti-apoptosis.

Kim SH ，Ahn KS ，Jeong SJ ，Kwon TR ，Jung JH ，Yun SM ，Han I ，Lee SG ，Kim DK ，Kang M ，Chen CY ，Lee JW ，Kim SH ... -  《-》

Decursin chemosensitizes human multiple myeloma cells through inhibition of STAT3 signaling pathway.

Recent reports have indicated that decursin can induce apoptosis, suppress tumor growth, and inhibit angiogenesis. In this experiment, we investigated how decursin could potentiate the cytotoxic effects of bortezomib in human multiple myeloma cells. We found that decursin inhibited cell viability in U266, MM.1S and ARH77 cells, but not in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Decursin-induced apoptosis through the activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 in U266 cells. This correlated with the down-regulating of cyclin D1, bcl-2, bcl-xL, survivin, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are all regulated by the activation of signal transducers and the activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Indeed, decursin inhibited constitutive STAT3 activation through inhibition of the activation of Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) in U266 cells. In addition, decursin inhibited interleukin-6-inducible STAT3 activation in a time-dependent manner in MM.1S cells. Interestingly, decursin significantly potentiated the apoptotic effects of bortezomib in U266 cells. These effects of decursin were correlated with the suppression of constitutive STAT3 activation in U266 cells. Overall, these results suggest that decursin is a novel blocker of STAT3 activation and it may be a potential candidate for overcoming chemo-resistance through suppression of this signaling.

Kim HJ ，Kim SM ，Park KR ，Jang HJ ，Na YS ，Ahn KS ，Kim SH ，Ahn KS ... -  《-》

Embelin suppresses STAT3 signaling, proliferation, and survival of multiple myeloma via the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTEN.

Even though embelin, an inhibitor of the XIAP, is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, very little is known about its mechanism of action. Here, we investigated whether embelin mediates its effect through interference with the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. We found that embelin inhibited constitutive STAT3 activation in a variety of human cancer cell lines such as U266, DU-145, and SCC4 cells. The suppression of STAT3 was mediated through inhibition of the activation of JAK2 and c-Src. Pervanadate treatment also reversed the embelin-induced down-regulation of STAT3, suggesting the involvement of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Indeed, we found that embelin-induced the expression of the tyrosine phosphatase PTEN and deletion of the PTEN gene by small interfering RNA abolished the ability of embelin to inhibit STAT3 activation. Besides, embelin failed to suppress STAT3 activation in PTEN-null PC3 cells, thus indicating that the inhibitory effect of embelin on STAT3 is PTEN-dependent. Embelin down-regulated the expression of STAT3-regulated gene products; this correlated with the suppression of cell proliferation and invasion, and the induction of apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. Overall, our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities previously assigned to embelin may be mediated in part through the suppression of the STAT3 pathway.

Heo JY ，Kim HJ ，Kim SM ，Park KR ，Park SY ，Kim SW ，Nam D ，Jang HJ ，Lee SG ，Ahn KS ，Kim SH ，Shim BS ，Choi SH ，Ahn KS ... -  《-》

Icariside II induces apoptosis in U937 acute myeloid leukemia cells: role of inactivation of STAT3-related signaling.

Kang SH ，Jeong SJ ，Kim SH ，Kim JH ，Jung JH ，Koh W ，Kim JH ，Kim DK ，Chen CY ，Kim SH ... -  《PLoS One》

Identification of beta-escin as a novel inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/Janus-activated kinase 2 signaling pathway that suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Tan SM ，Li F ，Rajendran P ，Kumar AP ，Hui KM ，Sethi G ... -  《-》