KR20180071722A - Inducing apoptosis of cancer cells selectively by targeting of glutathione, thioreodoxin, Nrf2 antioxidant systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating cancer comprising an expression or activity inhibitor of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 as an active ingredient. More specifically, the composition can be effectively used for preventing or treating cisplatin-resistant cancer by inhibiting the expression of the gene or inhibiting the expression or activity of the protein in the cisplatin-resistant cancer.

Description

Inducing apoptosis of cancer cells selectively by glutathione, thioredoxin, and Nrf2 antioxidant systems.

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating cancer comprising as an active ingredient an inhibitor of glutathione, glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 or an activity inhibitor.

Head and neck cancer is a cancer that occurs in tissues such as nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, salivary gland, and thyroid gland, and it accounts for about 5% of all malignant tumors worldwide. The incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing worldwide, and cisplatin, which is the most potent anticancer drug currently in clinical use, is being used for the treatment of head and neck cancer. However, although cisplatin is a highly effective anticancer agent for a variety of cancers, recent studies have shown that clinical resistance is increasing due to its resistance. Recently, a variety of studies have been conducted to treat cancer that has become resistant to cisplatin using proteins and genes of cancer cells that induce tolerance to cisplatin.

The increased amount of oxidative stress in cancer cells is due to the imbalance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Toyokuni S, Okamoto K, Yodoi J, Hiai H. FEBS Lett 358: 1-3, 1995). Persistent oxidative stress in cancer has partially explained why cancer cells have different properties than normal cells, which are susceptible to damage by ROS (Trachootham D, Alexandre J, Huang P. Nat Rev Drug Discov 8: 579-91, 2009). To address the imbalanced redox state, cancer cells respond to elevated free radical scavenging systems with high ROS levels (Diehn M et al., Nature 458: 780-3, 2009). It has been reported that the redox changes in cancer cells and the increased antioxidant defense mechanisms make cancer cells insensitive to the treatment of radiation and chemotherapy (Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Cell 144: 646-74, 2011). The increased amount of ROS leads to aggressive phenotypes and poor treatment outcome of tumors (Kumar B, Koul S, Khandrika L, Meacham RB, Koul HK. Cancer Res 68: 1777-85, 2008). Thus, further enhancement of ROS production in cancer cells or regulation of oxidation-reduction by weakening antioxidant defense may be a promising strategy for selectively removing cancer cells leaving normal cells (Schumacker PT. Cancer Cell 10: 175-6, 2006 ).

GSH, an intracellular antioxidant, has been reported to be synthesized by glutamate cysteine ligase modifier (GCLM) and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCCL) subunits (Liu Y, Hyde AS, Simpson MA, Barycki JJ , Adv . Cancer Res . 122: 69-101, 2014), it has been reported that the Trx system is essential for maintaining the intracellular redox state in the presence of thioredoxin reductase (Mahmood DF, Abderrazak A , El Hadri K, Simmet T, Rouis M. Antioxid Redox Signal 19: 1266-303, 2013). Nrf2 is a transcription factor that binds to the ARE (antioxidant responsive element) and plays an important role in regulating the homeostasis of redox in the cell (Hayes JD, Dinkova-Kostova AT. Trends Biochem Sci 39: 199-218, 2014). However, cancer cells have been known to actively upregulate various antioxidative pathways that contribute to tumor progression to compensate for stress due to intracellular ROS levels (DeNicola GM et al., Nature 475: 106-9, 2011; Diehn M et al , Nature 458: 780-3, 2009; and Schafer ZT et al., Nature 461: 109-13, 2009).

1. Food Nutr Res. 2015 Dec 22; 59: 29884 2. Oncol Rep. 2016 Jan; 35 (1): 546-51

An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer comprising as an active ingredient an inhibitor or an inhibitor of expression of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) To provide a composition.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating cancer, comprising the steps of: (a) treating a test substance to cancer cells; (b) confirming that mRNA expression level or protein expression level of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) is inhibited And to provide a screening method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the expression of cancer, which comprises an inhibitor of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) Or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the expression inhibitor is complementarily bound to the mRNA of a gene that is complementarily bound to mRNA of glutathione, thioredoxin, and Nrf2 gene or promotes expression of the gene, , An antisense oligonucleotide, siRNA (small interfering RNA), shRNA (Short Hairpin RNA), and ribozyme.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the siRNA complementarily binding to the mRNA of the glutamate cysteine ligase modifier (GCLM) gene that promotes the expression of the glutathione gene is represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2; SEQ ID NOS: 3 and 4; Or SEQ ID NOS: 5 and 6, and the siRNA complementarily binding to the mRNA of the TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1) gene promoting the expression of the thioredoxin gene are represented by SEQ ID NOS: 7 and 8; SEQ ID NOS: 9 and 10; Or SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12, wherein the siRNA complementarily binding to the mRNA of the Nrf2 gene is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14; SEQ ID NOS: 15 and 16; Or SEQ ID NOS: 17 and 18, and the siRNA complementarily binding to the mRNA of the HO1 (heme oxygenase 1) gene promoting the expression of the Nrf2 gene are represented by SEQ ID NOs: 19 and 20; SEQ ID NOS: 21 and 22; Or the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 23 and 24.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the activity inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a compound specifically binding to Glutathione, Thioredoxin and Nrf2, a peptide, a peptide mimetic, a substrate analogue, a group consisting of an aptamer and an antibody And the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound specifically binding to glutathione is BSO (buthionine sulfoximine) or NOV-002 (glutathione disulfide mimetic), and the compound specifically binding to thioredoxin is auranopin auronofin, nitrosourea or curcumin, and the compound specifically binding to Nrf2 is trigonelline, chrysin, apigenin, brusatol, ), Ascorbic acid, or luteolin.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cancer may be cancer resistant to cisplatin.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cancer is selected from the group consisting of head and neck cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, small bowel cancer, small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, cystic neoplasia, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, But are not limited to, thyroid cancer, pituitary cancer, renal cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, urethral cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, psoriasis or fibrosarcoma.

The present invention also relates to a method for the treatment of cancer, comprising the steps of: (a) treating a test substance with a cancer cell; (b) confirming that mRNA expression level or protein expression level of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) is inhibited Screening method.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cancer may be cancer resistant to cisplatin.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cancer is selected from the group consisting of head and neck cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, small bowel cancer, small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, cystic neoplasia, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, But are not limited to, thyroid cancer, pituitary cancer, renal cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, urethral cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, psoriasis or fibrosarcoma.

The inhibitor or inhibitor of the expression of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) according to the present invention inhibits the growth of cancer cells resistant to cisplatin, And thus can be useful for the treatment of cancer.

Figure 1 shows the results of the killing effect of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant HNC cells on BSO (buthionine sulfoximine), a GSH inhibitor, and auronopin, a Trx inhibitor. (A) shows the cell death killing effect on auranopin depending on the concentration, (B) shows the cell death killing effect with BSO according to the concentration, and (C) shows the cell killing effect with BSO and auranopine (D) shows the cell killing effect by BSO and auranopine in different kinds of HNC cell line and SNU cell line.
FIG. 2 shows the results of ROS (reactive oxygen species) induction and apoptosis effect on HNC cells against BSO (buthionine sulfoximine) as a GSH inhibitor and auronopine as a Trx inhibitor. (A) is a result of comparing the survival rate of HNC cells after treatment with BOS, auranopin or BSO-auranopin, (B) is a result of microscopic observation of HNC cells, (D) is a result of measuring the cell survival rate under the condition of (C) (*). The results are shown in FIG. P < 0.01; and ** P < 0.001).
FIG. 3 shows the results of the lane effect of apoptosis in HNC cells resistant to GSH and Trx inhibition. (A) is GCLM or TXNRD1 (B) is the result of analyzing the amount of GSH in the cells after introducing the siRNA of the gene, and (C) shows the siRNA of the gene. , And (D) shows the results of analysis of TrxR activity after GCLM And / or TXNRD1 (E) is the result of measuring the relative number of cells after treatment with BSO, auranofine or BSO-auranophene, and HN3 and HN3-cisR cells transfected with siRNA of the gene, (* P <0.05 in A to D and * P <0.01, ** P <0.05, *** P <0.01 in E).
Figure 4 shows the results for the induction of Nrf2-ARE activity by BSO and auranopin. (A) shows the result of western blotting of protein expression levels of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and HO-1 after treatment with BOS, auranopin or BSO-auranophenone on HN3 and HN3-cisR cells, NFE2L2 And HMOX1 (C) expresses NFE2L2 < / RTI &gt;< RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; And / or siRNAs against the HMOX1 gene (si GCLM , si TXNRD1 , respectively ) were transfected into HN3-cisR cells, and NFE2L2 , HMOX1 SiRNA & lt ; / RTI &gt; (si NFE2L2 , si HMOX1 , respectively) Or trigonellin, and (D) shows the results of NFE2L2 ( SiNFE2L2 ) was transfected into HN3-cisR cells and treated with BSO, auranofine, trolox, or a combination thereof, and the results of the apoptosis effect through annexin-V and PI staining (B , * P <0.05 in C and * P <0.01, ** P <0.05, *** P <0.05 in D).
FIG. 5 shows the results of the improvement of cancer cell death of BSO and auranopin by inhibition of Nrf2. (A) shows the result of measuring the cell survival rate by treating BSO, auranofine or BSO-auranopine after transfection of siRNA against NFE2L2 and HMOX1 genes into HN3-cisR cells, and (B) BSO, auranopin, or BSO-auranopin, and (C) is the result of measuring the number of cells in the HN3-cisR cell with BSO, auranopin or BSO-auranopyrine, and / or Troloxin (D) shows the results of measuring apoptotic effects after annexin V and PI staining (A * P < 0.05, ** P &lt; 0.01; and B to D * P &lt; 0.05, ** P &lt; 0.01).
FIG. 6 shows the results of inhibiting growth after tumor implantation with BSO, auranopine, and trigonelline. (A) is a result of measuring the volume of tumor after treatment with BSO, auranofine, trigonelline or a combination thereof, (B) is a result of measuring the weight of tumor, and (C) (D) is the result of measuring TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells (* P <0.05, ** P <0.01).
Figure 7 shows that it is possible to target malignant tumor cells with resistance by blocking the GSH, Trx and Nrf2 antioxidant pathways.
FIG. 8 shows the results of confirming the expression level of each gene after introducing siRNA for GCLM , TXNRD1 and NFE2L2 genes in HN3-cisR cells.
Figure 9 shows the results of Western blotting of the amount of Nrf2 expression in cisplatin-sensitive or resistant HNC cells.
10 is a result determined in the HN3-cisR cells transfected with si NFE2L2 the protein expression level of Nrf2 and HO-1 by Western blotting.
FIG. 11 shows the results of cell death killing by the GSH and Trx inhibition. (A) shows the apoptotic effect by annexin V and PI staining after treatment of BSO, auranopine, Trolox or a combination thereof in HN9 and HN9-cisR cells, and (B) shows the effect of siNFE2L2 transfected HN9 -cisR cells after treatment with BSO, auranofine, Trolox or a combination thereof.
12 shows the results of measurement of cell viability after exposure of BSO, auranofine and trigonelline to normal keratinocytes (A) and fibroblast (B).
Figure 13 shows mice with tumors treated with control (A) and BSO-auranopine-trigonellin (B).
FIG. 14 shows the results of comparing the degree of tissue damage in the treatment of BSO-oranopine-trigonelline with the control group.
15 shows the results of microscopic analysis of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in the tumor sections of the group treated with the control (A) and BSO-oranopine-trigonellin (B).
FIG. 16 shows the results of measuring intracellular GSH levels in tumor tissues of mice treated with BSO, auranopin, trigonellin, or a combination thereof (** P <0.01).

A "pharmaceutical composition" according to the present invention refers to a mixture or solution containing one or more therapeutic agents administered to a subject, such as a mammal or a human, in order to prevent or treat the particular disease or condition suffered by the mammal .

A "pharmaceutical composition" according to the present invention is an expression vector capable of simultaneously inhibiting at least one of genes or proteins of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) An inhibitor or an activity inhibitor.

In the present invention, inhibitors of the expression of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) complementarily bind to mRNA of the gene or promote expression of the gene (Small interfering RNA), shRNA (short hairpin RNA), and ribozyme, which are complementary to the mRNA of the gene encoding the gene of the present invention, It is not.

The term "siRNA" of the present invention means a short double-stranded RNA capable of inducing RNAi (RNA interference) phenomenon through cleavage of a specific mRNA. A sense RNA strand having a sequence homologous to the mRNA of the target gene and an antisense RNA strand having a sequence complementary thereto. Since siRNA can inhibit expression of a target gene, it is provided by an efficient gene knock-down method or gene therapy method.

The term "antisense oligonucleotide " of the present invention encompasses a nucleic acid-based molecule capable of forming a duplex with a miRNA, in particular, a complementary sequence to the leader sequence of the miRNA, to form a miRNA. Thus, the term "antisense oligonucleotide" herein can be described as a "complementary nucleic acid-based inhibitor ".

The term "complementary" of the present invention means that the antisense oligonucleotide is sufficiently complementary to selectively hybridize to a miR-BART1-3p target under any hybridization or annealing conditions, preferably physiological conditions, Substantially complementary &quot; and &quot; perfectly complementary &quot;, and preferably means completely complementary.

In the present invention, inhibitors of the activity of Glutathione, Thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) are specific for Glutathione, Thioredoxin and Nrf2 , A peptide, a peptide mimetic, a substrate analog, an aptamer, and an antibody, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The term "prevention" of the present invention means any action that inhibits cancer or delays the onset of cancer by administration of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.

The term "treatment" of the present invention means all the actions of improving or alleviating the symptom caused by cancer by administration of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are those conventionally used in the field of application and include, but are not limited to, saline, sterile water, Ringer's solution, buffered saline, cyclodextrin, dextrose solution, maltodextrin solution, glycerol, ethanol, And may further contain other conventional additives such as antioxidants and buffers as needed. In addition, it can be formulated into injectable formulations, pills, capsules, granules or tablets such as aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions and the like by additionally adding diluents, dispersants, surfactants, binders, lubricants and the like. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and formulations can be suitably formulated according to the respective ingredients using the method disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, Mack Publishing Company, Easton PA. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is not particularly limited to a formulation, but may be formulated into injections, inhalants, external skin preparations, and the like.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered orally or parenterally (for example, intravenously, subcutaneously, subcutaneously, nasally, or intracavitally) depending on the intended method, and the dosage may vary depending on the condition and the weight of the patient, The mode of administration, the route of administration, and the time, but may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.

The composition according to the invention is administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. In the present invention, "pharmaceutically effective amount" means an amount sufficient to treat a disease at a reasonable benefit / risk ratio applicable to medical treatment, and an effective dosage level is determined depending on the type of disease, severity, , Sensitivity to the drug, time of administration, route of administration and rate of release, duration of treatment, factors including co-administered drugs, and other factors well known in the medical arts. The composition according to the present invention can be administered as an individual therapeutic agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents, and can be administered sequentially or simultaneously with conventional therapeutic agents, and can be administered singly or in multiple doses. It is important to take into account all of the above factors and to administer the amount in which the maximum effect can be obtained in a minimal amount without side effects, which can be easily determined by those skilled in the art.

The term "combination administration" of the present invention is defined as including administration of a selected therapeutic agent to a single patient, and includes inclusion of a therapeutic regimen wherein the agent does not necessarily have to be administered by the same route of administration or concurrently.

Specifically, the effective amount of the composition according to the present invention may vary depending on the age, sex, and body weight of the patient. In general, 0.001 to 150 mg, preferably 0.01 to 100 mg, One to three doses may be administered. However, the dosage may be varied depending on the route of administration, the severity of obesity, sex, weight, age, etc. Therefore, the dosage is not limited to the scope of the present invention by any means.

The term "subject" or "patient" of the present invention includes cancer, or an animal that may or may suffer from any disorder directly or indirectly involving cancer. Examples of subjects include mammals such as humans, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, cats, mice, rabbits, rats, and transgenic non-human animals. In a preferred embodiment, the subject is a human, for example a human suffering from cancer, at risk of having cancer, or potentially at risk of cancer.

The term "synergistic effect" or "synergistic action" of the present invention is intended to include (a) inhibitors of glutathione, (b) inhibitors of thioredoxin, and (c) inhibitors of Nrf2 (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) alone. Advantageously, such synergistic effects provide greater efficacy at the same or lower doses.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. These examples are for further illustrating the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example  1. Materials and Methods

1.1. Cell line

HN2 to HN10 were obtained from the Head and neck cancer cell line (Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1997; 117: 775-784) received from Asan Medical Center Head and Neck Cancer Research Institute, and SNU cell line was obtained from Korea Cell Line Bank Korea) and demonstrated by STR (short tandem repeat) -based DNA fingerprinting and multiplex PCR. Cells were cultured in 5% CO ₂ , 37 ° C incubator using MEM (Eagle's minimum essential medium) or RPMI 1640 (Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium) medium containing 10% FBS (fetal bovine serum) Normal oral keratinocytes were obtained from patients undergoing oral surgery and used for in vitro assays. In addition, three cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines (HN3-cisR, HN4-cisR and HN9-cisR) were used and these three cell lines were developed from HN3, HN4 and HN9 respectively through continuous exposure to increased cisplatin concentration (Nakamura M et al., Oncol Rep 14: 1281-6, 2005). The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of cisplatin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., USA) were determined by cell survival assay, 2.2-3.5 μM for blast cells, 25.5-5.5 μg for cisplatin- 38.9 μM.

1.2. Cell survival rate Assay

Cell viability after exposure to BSO (buthionine sulfoximine; Sigma-Aldrich), auranofin (Sigma-Aldrich) or trigonelline (Sigma-Aldrich) was measured by MTT and trypan blue exclusion. MTT assays were performed with tetrazolium compound MTT (3- [4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl] -2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide; Sigma-Aldrich) for 4 h and incubated in a solubilization buffer The absorbance was measured at 570 nm using a SpectraMax M2 microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif., USA). Trypan blue exclusion was performed with 0.4% trypan blue staining and counted using a hemocytometer. Cell death assays were performed with annexin V (Sigma-Aldrich) and PI (propidium iodide; Sigma-Aldrich) staining and analyzed by flow cytometry and Cell Quest Pro software (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ , USA) was used to count annexin V or PI-positive cells. All assays were performed three times in triplicate. The combination index of drug action was calculated using the Chou-Talalay method, and "CI <1" was considered a synergistic effect (Chou TC. Cancer Res 70: 440-6, 2010).

1.3. Glutathione ( glutathion : GSH ) synthesis, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and Trx (thioredoxin) activity measurement

The amount of GSH in the lysates of HNC cells was measured using a GSH colorimetric detection kit (BioVision Inc., Milpitas, CA, USA) after exposure to other drugs for 24 hours. ROS production of cells in supernatants of HNC cell lysates treated differently for 24 hours was measured using DCF-DA (2 ', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate; Enzo Life Sciences, Farmingdale, NY, USA). The amount of ROS was analyzed by FACSCalibur flow cytometer equipped with CellQuest Pro (BD Biosciences). Trx activity was measured using a Trx activity fluorescent assay kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA) after treatment with HNC cells for 24 h.

1.4. siRNA  Transduction

Resistant HN3-cisR cells and HN9-cisR cells in order to silence glutathione (GSH), TXNRD1 (thioreodoxin reductase-1, TrxR1), NFE2L2 (Nrf2) and HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1; cisR cells were inoculated and the cells were transfected 24 hours later with 10 nmol / L siRNA (small interfering RNA) or scrambled control siRNA (Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA, USA) targeting human genes. The siRNA-induced gene inhibition was determined by RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) from 1-2 μg total RNA for each sample using Western blotting and SuperScript® III RT-PCR system (Thermo Fisher Scientific) .

siRNA  Kinds company number Forward Reverse GCLM
(GSH) IDTDNA One 5'-GCAAUAGAGCUAGGAAUUAAGAATC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 1) 5'-GAUUCUUAAUUCCUAGCUCUAUUGCCC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 2) 2 5'-ACCAAAUAGUAACCAAGUUAAUCTT-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 3) 5'- AAGAUUAACUUGGUUACUAUUUGGUUU-3 '
(SEQ ID NO: 4) 3 5'-CUAAACAAUUUGACAUACAGCUGT-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 5) 5'-ACAGCUGUAUGUCAAAUUGUUUAGCAA-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 6) TXNRD1 (TrxR1) IDTDNA One 5'-GGUGAUAAACUUGUAGUAGUUGACT -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 7) 5'-AGUCAACUACUACAAGUUUAUCACCUG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 8) 2 5'-AGCCACCAUUAAUGAAUUAGUCUAA-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 9) 5'-UUAGACUAAUUCAUUAAUGGUGGCUUC -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 10) 3 5'-CAGAGUGUGAAGUCAAAUGCAUGCC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 11) 5'-GGCAUGCAUUUGACUUCACACUCUGAA -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 12) NFE2L2
(Nrf2) IDTDNA One 5'-GUUACAACUAGAUGAAGAGACAGGT-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 13) 5'-ACCUGUCUCUUCAUCUAGUUGUAACUG-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 14) 2 5'-GCAAGAUUUAGAUCAUUUGAAAGAT-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 15) 5'-AUCUUUCAAAUGAUCUAAAUCUUGCUC -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 16) 3 5'-UCAACGAAAUGAUGUCCAAAGAGCA -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 17) 5'-UGCUCUUUGGACAUCAUUUCGUUGAAG -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 18) HO1 IDTDNA One 5'-AACAUUGUCUGAUAGUAGCUUGAAA -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 19) 5'-UUUCAAGCUACUAUCAGACAAUGUUGU -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 20) 2 5'-UAAACAACAUUGUCUGAUAGUAGCT -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 21) 5'-AGCUACUAUCAGACAAUGUUGUUUAUU -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 22) 3 5'-GGUCCUUACACUCAGCUUUCUGGTG -3 '(SEQ ID NO: 23) 5'-CACCAGAAAGCUGAGUGUAAGGACCCA-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 24)

* IDT DNA = Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA, USA

1.5. Western Blotting

Cells were cultured in 70% confluence and treated with the indicated drug or conditioned media. Cells were lysed at 4 ° C using RIPA (radioimmunoprecipitation assay) lysis buffer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). A total of 50 μg of protein was identified on SDS-PAGE of 10-20% gel, transferred to nitrocellulose or PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride) membrane, and labeled with primary and secondary antibodies. Primary antibodies are as follows: Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and HO-1 (Abcam, Cambridge, UK). β-actin (Sigma-Aldrich) was used as a control. All antibodies were diluted at 1: 500 to 1: 5000.

1.6. In vivo  Mouse xenotransplantation ( xenograft ) Model

All animal studies were conducted with the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Six-week-old athymic BALB / c male nude mice (nu / nu) were purchased from Central Laboratory of Korea (Seoul, Republic of Korea). HN3-cisR cells were injected subcutaneously into the side of nude mice. From the day that total nodules were identified from tumor implants, they were divided into 6 different treatment groups: vehicle; BSO (daily intraperitoneal injection at 450 mg / kg); Auranofin (intraperitoneal injection daily at 2 mg / kg); Trigonelin (orally administered daily at 50 mg / kg); BSO and auranofin; Or a combination of BSO, auranopine and trigonelline (n = 10 each). Tumor size and body weight of each mouse were measured twice a week, and the volume was calculated as (length x width ² ) / 2. Mice were sacrificed on day 25, and tumors were isolated and analyzed by GSH measurement of the cells. The AFU (arbitrary fluorescence units) were compared with the differently treated tumors. Cells killed in tumors were analyzed using in situ TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assays. The two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare statistical differences between treatment groups.

Example  2. BSO  And Auranofin  Synergistic HNC  Induction effect

Treatment of cisplatin-sensitive or cisplatin-resistant HNC cells, one of the compounds specifically binding to thioredoxin, results in a decrease in the survival of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant HNC cells in a concentration-dependent manner (Fig. 1A). On the other hand, treatment of cells with BSO (up to 50 mM), which is one of the compounds specifically binding to glutathione, did not induce cell survival inhibition up to 50% or more of the control group (Fig. 1B).

However, it was confirmed that low concentrations of BSO (5-25 μM) and auranopin (0.1-0.5 μM) can induce effective killing of HNC cells by synergistic action (CI <1.0; FIGS. 1C and 1D). The combination of BSO and auranofin significantly decreased the number of cells from day 1 after treatment, whereas their low treatment alone did not decrease the number of cells (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

However, it has been confirmed that the combination of BSO or BSO-auranopin induces ROS accumulation in the cells, and this can be accomplished by pretreatment of antioxidant trolox ((6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) (Fig. 2C), and inhibition of cell growth by BSO and auranofine was inhibited when trolox was treated (CI <1.0; Fig. 2D).

Thus, it was found that BSO acts as a photosensitizer for auranopin-induced cell death, and inhibition of the GSH and Trx systems can lead to the death of cancer cells.

Example  3. GSH  And Trx  By binary blocking system HNC  Induction effect

GSH has been reported to be synthesized by GCL (glutamate cysteine ligase) with GCLM (glutamate cysteine ligase modifier) and GCLC (glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic) subunits (Liu Y, Hyde AS, Simpson MA, Barycki JJ. Adv Cancer Res 122: 69-101, 2014), and TXNRD1 is a gene for thioredoxin reductase 1 (Thioredoxin reductase 1). The inhibition of the GCLM and TXNRD1 genes could induce GSH depletion and Trx activity inhibition, respectively (Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 8).

Genetically or pharmacologically, it was found that the double interception system of GSH and Trx could induce the death of cisplatin-specific and cisplatin-resistant cells by synergistic action (FIGS. 3D and 3E). However, some of the cisplatin-resistant HNC cells such as HN3-cisR and HN9-cisR showed suboptimal effects, i.e., some cell death was not inhibited (Fig. 1C and Fig. 9).

Thus, it was found that inhibition of the GSH and Trx systems did not significantly induce the death of some cisplatin-resistant cancer cells.

Example  4. GSH  And Trx  By inhibition of the system Nrf2 Active effect of -ARE path

The present inventors have found that the combination treatment of auranofin or BSO-auranophene inhibits Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2), NQO1 (NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase 1) and HO- (Fig. 4A). Thus, the GCLM gene to suppress the synthesis of GSH and the siRNA of the TXNRD1 gene (si GCLM , respectively, in order to inhibit Trx synthesis) were found to increase the expression of the antioxidant response element siRNAs TXNRD1 ) were used to inhibit NFE2L2 (Nrf2) or HMOX1 gene, or to inhibit Nrf2 by trigonelline.

As a result, it was confirmed that the cell survival rate of HNC cells transfected by si GCLM and / or si TXNRD1 was decreased as compared with the control (FIGS. 4B and 4C). Genetic inhibition of Nrf2 and / or HO-1 enhanced cell death of synergistic action by BSO and auranopine in cisplatin-resistant HN3-cisR and HN9-cisR cells (Figs. 4D and 5A). The pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2 by trigonelline further induced cell growth inhibition, ROS accumulation, and cell death by BSO and auranopine (Fig. 5B, 5C and 5D) compared to pretreatment of trigonellin or pre-treatment of antioxidant Trolox . The increased amount of Nrf2 was found in cisplatin-resistant HNC cells compared to cisplatin-sensitive HNC cells (Fig. 10). Nrf2 silencing prevented the Nrf2 increase induced by BSO and auranopine in a time-dependent manner (Figure 11).

However, it was confirmed that the three combinations do not significantly inhibit normal cell growth (Fig. 12).

Thus, it has been found that inhibition of GSH, Trx and Nrf2 effectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells, particularly cisplatin-resistant cancer cells, without affecting the inhibition of normal cell growth.

Example  5. GSH , Trx  And Nrf2  By blocking the system in vivo HNC  Growth inhibitory effect

Pharmaceutical double blocking of the GSH and Trx systems by BSO and auranopine significantly inhibited HNC cells in vivo growth, which was confirmed by the addition of trigonellin (Figs. 6A, 6B and 13). BSO, auranopine or trigonellin alone or a combination thereof did not cause significant changes in body weight or other complications of the major organs of tumor-implanted mice (Figs. 6C and 14), BSO and auranopin or trigonellin combination Treatment significantly increased apoptosis in transplanted tumors (Figures 6D and 15). The GSH level of the cells was significantly reduced in tumors of mice treated with BSO, BSO-auranopin or BSO-auranopin-trigonellin (Fig. 16).

Thus, BSO has been shown to be biocompatible in vivo tissue, acting as a photosensitizer for other drugs, and inhibiting the growth of cisplatin-resistant cancer cells by blocking GSH, Trx and Nrf2 systems .

<110> Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Ulsan University          Asan Medical Center <120> Inducing apoptosis of cancer cells selectively by targeting          glutathione, thioredoxin, Nrf2 antioxidant systems <130> PN1611-419 <160> 24 <170> KoPatentin 3.0 <210> 1 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM F <400> 1 gcaauagagc uaggaauuaa gaatc 25 <210> 2 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM R <400> 2 gauciuaau uccuagcucu auugccc 27 <210> 3 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM F <400> 3 accaaauagu aaccaaguua auctt 25 <210> 4 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM R <400> 4 aagauuaacu ugguuacuau uugguuu 27 <210> 5 <211> 24 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM F <400> 5 cuaaacaauu ugacauacag cugt 24 <210> 6 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> GCLM R <400> 6 acagcuguau gucaaauugu uuagcaa 27 <210> 7 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 F <400> 7 ggugauaaac uuguaguagu ugact 25 <210> 8 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 R <400> 8 agucaacuac uacaaguuua ucaccug 27 <210> 9 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 F <400> 9 agccaccauu aaugaauuag ucuaa 25 <210> 10 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 R <400> 10 uuagacuaau ucauuaaugg uggcuuc 27 <210> 11 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 F <400> 11 cagaguguga agucaaaugc augcc 25 <210> 12 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> TXNRD1 R <400> 12 ggcaugcauu ugacuucaca cucugaa 27 <210> 13 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 F <400> 13 guuacaacua gaugaagaga caggt 25 <210> 14 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 R <400> 14 accugucucu ucaucuaguu guaacug 27 <210> 15 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 F <400> 15 gcaagauuua gaucauuuga aagat 25 <210> 16 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 R <400> 16 aucuuucaaa ugaucuaaau cuugcuc 27 <210> 17 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 F <400> 17 ucaacgaaau gauguccaaa gagca 25 <210> 18 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> NFE2L2 R <400> 18 ugcucuuugg acaucauuuc guugaag 27 <210> 19 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 F <400> 19 aacauugucu gauaguagcu ugaaa 25 <210> 20 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 R <400> 20 uuucaagcua cuaucagaca auguugu 27 <210> 21 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 F <400> 21 uaaacaacau ugucugauag uagct 25 <210> 22 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 R <400> 22 agcuacuauc agacaauguu guuuauu 27 <210> 23 <211> 25 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 F <400> 23 gguccuuaca cucagcuuuc uggtg 25 <210> 24 <211> 27 <212> RNA <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HO1 R <400> 24 caccagaaag cugaguguaa ggaccca 27

Claims (10)

A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer comprising an inhibitor or an inhibitor of the expression of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) as an active ingredient. The method according to claim 1,
The expression inhibitor may be an antisense oligonucleotide that binds complementarily to mRNA of Glutathione, Thioredoxin and Nrf2 gene or complementary mRNA of a gene that promotes expression of the gene, siRNA ((small interfering RNA, shRNA (Short Hairpin RNA), and ribozyme. 3. The method of claim 2,
SiRNAs complementarily binding to mRNA of a glutamate cysteine ligase modifier (GCLM) gene that promotes expression of the glutathione gene include SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2; SEQ ID NOS: 3 and 4; Or the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 5 and 6,
SiRNAs complementarily binding to the mRNA of the TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1) gene promoting the expression of the thioredoxin gene are shown in SEQ ID NOS: 7 and 8; SEQ ID NOS: 9 and 10; Or the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12,
SiRNAs complementarily binding to the mRNA of the Nrf2 gene are SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14; SEQ ID NOS: 15 and 16; Or the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 17 and 18,
The siRNA complementarily binding to the mRNA of the HO1 (heme oxygenase 1) gene that promotes the expression of the Nrf2 gene is shown in SEQ ID NOs: 19 and 20; SEQ ID NOS: 21 and 22; Or a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 24. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the activity inhibitor is any one selected from the group consisting of a compound specifically binding to glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2, a peptide, a peptide mimetic, a substrate analog, an aptamer and an antibody / RTI &gt; 5. The method of claim 4,
The compound specifically binding to glutathione is BSO (buthionine sulfoximine) or NOV-002 (glutathione disulfide mimetic)
The compound specifically binding to thioredoxin is auranofin, nitrosourea, or curcumin,
The compound specifically binding to Nrf2 is characterized by being trigonelline, chrysin, apigenin, brusatol, ascorbic acid or luteolin. / RTI &gt; The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cancer is a cancer resistant to cisplatin. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of head and neck cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, cystic neuropathy, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, Sarcoma, prostate cancer, urethra cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, psoriasis or fibroin adenoma. (a) treating the test substance with a cancer cell;
(b) confirming that mRNA expression level or protein expression level of glutathione, thioredoxin and Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) -like 2) is inhibited Screening method. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein said cancer is cancer resistant to cisplatin. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of head and neck cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, cystic neuropathy, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, Sarcoma, prostate cancer, urethral cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, psoriasis or fibroin adenoma.

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