Cathelicidin-encoding Lactococcus lactis promotes mucosal repair in murine experimental colitis.

Background And Aim: The preventive effect of intrarectal administration of mouse cathelicidin (mCRAMP) and oral administration of mCRAMP-encoding Lactococcus lactis (N4I) has been shown in murine experimental colitis. It is pivotal to understand the ability of N4I whether it can promote mucosal repair in existing colitis.

Methods: Mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) were treated orally with L.

FK-16 derived from the anticancer peptide LL-37 induces caspase-independent apoptosis and autophagic cell death in colon cancer cells.

Host immune peptides, including cathelicidins, have been reported to possess anticancer properties. We previously reported that LL-37, the only cathelicidin in humans, suppresses the development of colon cancer. In this study, the potential anticancer effect of FK-16, a fragment of LL-37 corresponding to residues 17 to 32, on cultured colon cancer cells was evaluated.

Host immune defense peptide LL-37 activates caspase-independent apoptosis and suppresses colon cancer.

Cathelicidins are a family of bacteriocidal polypeptides secreted by macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). LL-37, the only human cathelicidin, has been implicated in tumorigenesis, but there has been limited investigation of its expression and function in cancer. Here, we report that LL-37 activates a p53-mediated, caspase-independent apoptotic cascade that contributes to suppression of colon cancer.

miRNAs in gastrointestinal and liver cancers: their perspectives and clinical applications.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. They have been found to be dysregulated in many pathological conditions including cancer and play an important role during the progression of such disease. Recent efforts have been directed in translating the primary findings of miRNAs into clinical uses.

Protective effects of cathelicidin-encoding Lactococcus lactis in murine ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: Intrarectal administration of mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (mCRAMP) reduced intestinal inflammation in mice. In the current study, we examined whether mCRAMP-transformed Lactococcus lactis given orally attained similar protective effects.

Method: mCRAMP was produced and secreted from the transformed L.

Antibacterial peptides and gastrointestinal diseases.

Defensins and cathelicidins are small cationic peptides produced by neutrophils and epithelial cells. They are highly expressed during infection. The role of constitutive and inducible antibacterial peptides has been extensively studied over the recent years; especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the balance between the luminal bacteria and antibacterial peptides is crucial in the maintenance of a healthy GI tract.

A novel peptide specifically targeting the vasculature of orthotopic colorectal cancer for imaging detection and drug delivery.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Ligand-mediated diagnosis and targeted therapy would have vital clinical applications in cancer treatment. In this study, an orthotopic model of colorectal cancer was established in mice.

Cathelicidins in inflammation and tissue repair: Potential therapeutic applications for gastrointestinal disorders.

Cathelicidins, a family of host defense peptides, are highly expressed during infection, inflammation and wound healing. These peptides not only have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, but also modulate inflammation by altering cytokine response and chemoattraction of inflammatory cells in diseased tissues. In this connection, a mouse cathelicidin has been demonstrated to prevent inflammation in the colon through enhancing mucus production and reducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

2,3',4,4',5'-Pentamethoxy-trans-stilbene, a resveratrol derivative, inhibits colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis in mice.

Background And Purpose: Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant, has been shown to exhibit chemoprophylactic effects on cancer development. Previously, we reported that 2,3',4,4',5'-pentamethoxy-trans-stilbene (PMS), a methoxylated resveratrol derivative, exerted a highly potent anti-proliferative effect on human colon cancer cells as compared with its parent compound. In the present study, the chemopreventive effect of PMS was evaluated in a mouse model of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis.

3,3',4,5,5'-Pentahydroxy-trans-stilbene, a resveratrol derivative, induces apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cells via oxidative stress.

Resveratrol exhibits anti-tumor properties against different types of cancer. In this study, several polyhydroxylated resveratrol derivatives were prepared with the aim of discovering new leading compounds with clinical potential for human colon cancer chemotherapy. Among these compounds, 3,3',4,5,5'-pentahydroxy-trans-stilbene (PHS) displayed the most potent cytotoxicity and triggered apoptosis in HT-29 cells as evidenced by increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, elevated levels of cytoplasmic nucleosomes and DNA fragmentation.

Macroautophagy and ERK phosphorylation counteract the antiproliferative effect of proteasome inhibitor in gastric cancer cells.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system and macroautophagy are two complementary pathways for protein degradation. Emerging evidence suggests that proteasome inhibition might be a promising approach for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we show that proteasome inhibitor MG-132 suppressed gastric cancer cell proliferation and induced macroautophagy.

Inhibition of macroautophagy by bafilomycin A1 lowers proliferation and induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Macroautophagy is a process by which cytoplasmic content and organelles are sequestered by double-membrane bound vesicles and subsequently delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Macroautophagy serves as a major intracellular pathway for protein degradation and as a pro-survival mechanism in time of stress by generating nutrients. In the present study, bafilomycin A(1), a vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase inhibitor, suppresses macroautophagy by preventing acidification of lysosomes in colon cancer cells.