Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is overexpressed in cancer, contributing to disease progression. We previously showed that ET-1 stimulated proliferative, migratory, and contractile tumorigenic effects via the ET A receptor. Here, for the first time, we evaluate zibotentan, a specific ET A receptor antagonist, in the setting of colorectal cancer, in cellular models. Pharmacologic characteristics were further determined in patient tissues. Colorectal cancer lines (n ¼ 4) and fibroblast strains (n ¼ 6), isolated from uninvolved areas of colorectal cancer specimens, were exposed to ET-1 and/or ET A/B receptor antagonists. Proliferation (methylene blue), migration (scratch wounds), and contraction (gel lattices) were assessed. Receptor distribution and binding characteristics (K d , B max ) were determined using autoradiography on tissue sections and homogenates and cytospun cells, supported by immunohistochemistry. Proliferation was inhibited by ET A (zibotentan > BQ123; P < 0.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major confounding factor in adjuvant solid tumour chemotherapy. Increasing intracellular amounts of chemotherapeutics to circumvent MDR may be achieved by a novel delivery method, photochemical internalisation (PCI). PCI consists of the co-administration of drug and photosensitiser; upon light activation the latter induces intracellular release of organellebound drug. We investigated whether co-administration of hypericin (photosensitiser) with mitoxantrone (MTZ, chemotherapeutic) plus illumination potentiates cytotoxicity in MDR cancer cells. We mapped the extent of intracellular co-localisation of drug/ photosensitiser. We determined whether PCI altered drug-excreting efflux pump P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression or function in MDR cells. Bladder and breast cancer cells and their Pgp-overexpressing MDR subclones (MGHU1, MGHU1/R, MCF-7, MCF-7/R) were given hypericin/MTZ combinations, with/without blue-light illumination. Pilot experiments determined appropriate sublethal doses for each. Viability was determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Intracellular localisation was mapped by confocal microscopy. Pgp expression was detected by immunofluorescence and Pgp function investigated by Rhodamine123 efflux on confocal microscopy. MTZ alone (0.1 -0.2 mg ml À1 ) killed up to 89% of drug-sensitive cells; MDR cells exhibited less cytotoxicity (6 -28%). Hypericin (0.1 -0.2 mM) effects were similar for all cells; light illumination caused none or minimal toxicity. In combination, MTZ /hypericin plus illumination, potentiated MDR cell killing, vs hypericin or MTZ alone. (MGHU1/R: 38.65 and 36.63% increase, Po0.05; MCF-7/R: 80.2 and 46.1% increase, Po0.001). Illumination of combined MTZ/hypericin increased killing by 28.15% (Po0.05 MGHU1/R) compared to dark controls. Intracytoplasmic vesicular co-localisation of MTZ/hypericin was evident before illumination and at serial times post-illumination. MTZ was always found in sensitive cell nuclei, but not in dark resistant cell nuclei. In illuminated resistant cells there was some mobilisation of MTZ into the nucleus. Pgp expression remained unchanged, regardless of drug exposure. Pgp efflux was blocked by the Pgp inhibitor verapamil (positive control) but not impeded by hypericin. The increased killing of MDR cancer cells demonstrated is consistent with PCI. PCI is a promising technique for enhancing treatment efficacy.

Trace elements are involved in many key pathways involving cell cycle control. The influence of zinc and zinc chelator (TPEN) on transcription levels of the main zinc transporters (ZnT1 and ZIP1) in the HT-29 colorectal cell line has not been reported. Proliferation of HT-29 cells was measured using the methylene blue assay after exposure to zinc (two concentrations), TPEN (two concentrations), or a combination of zinc and TPEN (simultaneously and sequentially) for 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h. The transcription levels of ZnT1, ZIP1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and caspase-3 were determined using reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after exposure of cells to zinc and TPEN. The zinc content in the substrate (medium used for culture) was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. TPEN decreased cellular proliferation causing complete cell death by 8 h. Zinc had a protective effect against short periods of exposure to TPEN. There was no correlation between the transcripts of main zinc transporters and the zinc content in the substrate. The zinc content in the substrate remained constant after varying periods of cell culture. TPEN decreased the transcript levels of caspase-3 and VEGF, which are surrogate markers for apoptosis and angiogenesis. Zinc chelation of HT-29 cells causes cell death. Zinc appears to be protective for short periods of exposure to TPEN but has no protective effect on prolonged exposure. HT-29 cells are not able to counteract the effect of intracellular chelation of zinc by altering zinc transport. Further research into the mechanisms of these findings is necessary and may lead to novel therapeutic options.

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