1. Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death around the world (1). The global burden of CRC is predicted to increase by 60% (more than 2.2 million new cases) and cause 1.1 million deaths by 2030 (2). The American Cancer Society (ACS) used age-specific CRC screening to develop screening by race and sex and proposed a model to include changes in the US CRC incidence. The results of screening showed a significant reduction in CRC incidence (3).
During CRC development, the balance between cell growth and apoptosis, which maintains the intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis, is progressively disturbed (4). Disturbances in the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways are associated with increased carcinogenesis (5). Cancer cells are usually more prone to apoptotic mechanisms compared to normal cells; this characteristic is probably the most widely used therapeutic indicator of cancer chemotherapy (6). Generally, tumor cells resistance to apoptosis is caused by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins or downregulation/mutation of pro-apoptotic proteins. The evasion of immune surveillance is another mechanism in cancer cells (7). Also, it is known that some tumor cells reduce the response of Fas to Fas receptors (FasL), which are produced by T cells to avoid immune destruction (8).
In cancer cells, the balance between histone transacetylase (HAT) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) is often disturbed, leading to changes in the expression of proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes (9). The HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) induce apoptosis in tumor cells by regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes (10). Lenalidomide (LEN) is an analog of thalidomide (11) with HDACi activities (12). However, it was withdrawn from the market in 1961 because of its teratogenic effects (13). Thalidomide analogs were synthesized by reducing toxicity to optimize their anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and anti-angiogenic properties (11). LEN directly induces cell growth inhibition and apoptosis (14). Clinically, this medication has shown anti-tumor activity in patients with refractory multiple myeloma and/or relapse. In 2006, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the combination of LEN with dexamethasone (DEX).
2. Objectives
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LEN (HDACi) and DEX, both individually and in combination, on the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic gene expression profiles in the colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line.
3. Methods
3.1. Cell Culture
The human colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line was purchased from the Iranian Biological Resource Center (Tehran, Iran). The cells were grown in RPMI-1640 medium (Gibco, UK), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Gibco, UK) and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Dacell, Iran). The cells were cultured at 37°C in a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere.
3.2. Preparation of LEN and DEX
LEN (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA) was prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diluted in a culture medium immediately before use. The final concentration of DMSO in all experiments was 1%. All treatment conditions were compared with the control group (untreated cells). In this study, a stock solution of DEX (4 mg/mL) (Aburaihan Co., Iran) was diluted in a culture medium immediately before use.
3.3. Cytotoxicity Assay
The cells were individually treated with various concentrations of LEN (from 0.1 to 2000 μM) and DEX (from 0.1 to 1000 μM) and in combination for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was also estimated by MTT assay (Sigma, USA). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated using the following formula:
3.4. RNA Preparation and cDNA Synthesis
According to the instructions of the manufacturer, total RNA was extracted from the treated and control cells using the RNX-Plus Solution (Sinaclon, Iran). For the removal of genomic DNA from RNA samples, a DNase treatment was used. RNA (2000 ng) was used to synthesize cDNA using a cDNA synthesis kit (Yekta Tajhiz, Iran).
3.5. Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR)
The qRT-PCR assay was performed for Fas, FasL, Bax, and Bcl2 genes, while the GAPDH gene was used as an internal control, using the SYBER green method in a Rotor-Gene 6000 RT PCR machine (Corbett, Australia). Table 1 presents the primer sequences in qRT-PCR. The primers were mainly designed from a specific exon-exon junction; we also made sure that DNA would not be amplified. The cycling conditions for amplifying all genes were as follows: at 95°C for 15 minutes, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 15 seconds, annealing, and extension at 60°C for 60 seconds. The relative mRNA expression levels were calculated using the comparative Ct method (2ΔΔCt). Electrophoresis of the PCR products was also performed using an agarose gel.
Table 1.
Primer Sequences for Detecting Target Gene Expression by qRT-PCR
| Name of Genes | Forward Primer Sequence (5′–3′) | Reverse Primer Sequence (5′–3′) |
|---|---|---|
| GAPDH | GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGTC | GAAGATGGTGATGGGATTTC |
| Fas | TGCCAAGAAGGGAAGGAGTA | CGGGTGCAGTTTATTTCCAC |
| FasL | AGCAAATAGGCCACCCCAGTCC | TGGCTCAGGGGCAGGTTGTTG |
| Bax | AACATGGAGCTGCAGAGGAT | CAGTTGAAGTTGCCGTCAGA |
| Bcl-2 | ATGTGTGTGGAGAGCGTCAA | TCTTCAGAGACAGCCAGGAGA |
3.6. Statistical Analysis
All experiments were performed in triplicate. A one-way ANOVA test was used for data analysis, and P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
4. Results
4.1. Anti-proliferative Effects of LEN and DEX on the HT-29 Cell Line
Figure 1A shows that the viability of treated HT-29 cells did not significantly decrease at any concentration of LEN (from 0.1 to 2000 µM) as compared to the control group (untreated cells). Also, the viability of cells treated with different concentrations of DEX (from 0.1 to 1000 µM) was significantly reduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The IC50 of DEX was 1000 µM after 48 hours of treatment (Figure 1B).
Figure 1.
The anti-proliferative effects of LEN and DEX on the human colorectal cancer cell line. (A) The HT-29 cells were treated with different concentrations of LEN (from 0.1 to 2000 µM) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. (B) The HT-29 cells were treated with different concentrations of DEX (from 0.1 to 1000 µM) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Control (+): Cells treated with DMSO 20% as positive controls. Control (-): Untreated cells as negative controls. All experiments were performed in triplicate.
4.2. Anti-proliferative Effects of LEN in Combination with DEX on the HT-29 Cell Line
The cytotoxic effect of LEN was more significant than LEN and DEX individually. DEX synergized with LEN to trigger the apoptosis of HT-29 cells. Treating HT-29 cells with a combination of LEN and DEX (1000 μM of LEN plus 1000 μM of DEX) diminished the cell viability by 35% for 48 hours (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
The anti-proliferative effect of LEN and DEX in combination on the human colorectal cancer cell line. The HT-29 cells were treated with different concentrations of LEN in combination with different concentrations of DEX for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Control (+): Cells treated with DMSO 20% as positive controls. Control (-): Untreated cells as negative controls. All experiments were performed in triplicate.
4.3. Effects of LEN and DEX Individually and in Combination on the Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptotic Gene Expression Profiles
4.3.1. Fas and FasL Genes
In the treated cells, the Fas gene mRNA expression significantly increased with 1000 µM of LEN by almost 3.663 folds in comparison with the control cells (P < 0.05). This gene was overexpressed with a combination of 1000 µM of LEN and 100 µM of DEX by almost 1.825 folds compared to the control cells (Figure 3A). The results showed that the mRNA expression of the FasL gene significantly decreased (by about 0.072 folds) with 1000 µM of LEN and 100 µM of DEX compared to the control cells (P < 0.05) (Figure 3B).
Figure 3.
The effects of LEN and DEX on apoptosis-related mRNA expression in the human colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line. (A) Fas mRNA expression; (B) FasL mRNA expression; (C) Bax mRNA expression; (D) Bcl2 mRNA expression. The mRNA expression was investigated using qRT-PCR assay; the GAPDH gene was used as an internal control. Values are presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) of the expression levels of genes (*A significant increase or decrease in gene expression at P < 0.05 compared to the control untreated group). All experiments were performed in duplicate.
4.3.2. Bax Gene
The Bax gene mRNA expression significantly increased (by about 5.629 folds) in the cells treated with 1000 µM of LEN for 48 hours compared to the controls (P < 0.05). By using DEX at 1000 µM for 48 hours, the Bax gene mRNA expression significantly increased (by about 1.795 folds) compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Also, the Bax gene mRNA expression significantly increased (by about 1.68 folds) via treatment with a combination of 1000 µM of LEN and 100 µM of DEX (P < 0.05). Also, when using 100 µM of LEN plus 1000 µM of DEX, significant upregulation of the Bax gene was observed (by almost 1.481 folds), compared to the control cells (P < 0.05) (Figure 3C).
4.3.3. Bcl2 Gene
A significant reduction was observed (by about 0.323 folds) in the Bcl2 gene mRNA expression in the cells treated with 100 µM of LEN compared to the control cells (P < 0.05). Individually, 1000 µM and 100 µM of DEX (by about 0.453 and 0.595 folds, respectively) led to a significant decrease in the Bcl2 gene mRNA expression compared to the controls (P < 0.05). However, by using a combination of these 2 drugs, the level of Bcl2 gene mRNA expression significantly increased (by about 1.186 folds) in comparison with the control cells (P < 0.05) (Figure 3D).
Figure 4 illustrates the results of agarose gel electrophoresis. The length of Fas and FasL PCR products was 110 and 241 bp, respectively, and the length of Bax and BcL2 PCR products was 104 and 187 bp, respectively.
Figure 4.
Agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products. (A) Fas gene; (B) FasL gene; (C) Bax gene; and (D) Bcl2 gene. NTC: Negative control (without template); Ladder: 100 bp (SMOBIO DM2300). L: LEN, D: DEX (L and D concentrations are expressed as µM).
5. Discussion
Tumor cells can be resistant to apoptosis by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and downregulation or mutation of pro-apoptotic proteins (15). According to immunohistochemistry studies, the Fas gene expression is diminished in a subpopulation of colorectal tumors (16). The present study investigated the anti-proliferative effects of LEN and DEX on the HT-29 cell line. In this regard, a previous study showed that thalidomide and its analogs induced apoptosis and exerted cytotoxic effects on the Hep-G2 and MCF-7 cell lines (17). Another study reported the anti-tumor activities of thalidomide analogs against the HCT-116 and Hep-G2 cell lines (18).
Moreover, Mitsiades et al. (19) suggested that LEN was a more potent apoptosis activator than thalidomide. Other studies found that LEN induced growth inhibitory effects in several NSCLC cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner and regulated the expression of several genes (20). According to the present results, although only Fas and Bax mRNA expression increased via treatment with 1000 µM of LEN in the HT-29 cell line, compared to untreated cells, LEN had no anti-proliferative effects on the HT-29 cell line at a concentration of 1000 µM independently. Also, no growth inhibitory effect was observed at different concentrations of LEN independently.
The current results showed that DEX induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The MTT assays showed that treatment with DEX at 1000 µM significantly inhibited the growth of treated HT-29 cells compared to untreated cells (P < 0.05). The cell viability was 68%, 50%, and 24% after 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively, and the IC50 was 1000 µM after 48 hours of incubation. DEX alone at 1000 µM caused a reduction only in the Bcl2 gene mRNA expression. Moreover, we used a combination of LEN with DEX against the HT-29 cell line. The cell viability was 61%, 35%, and 15% after 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. The combination of LEN (1000 µM) with DEX (100 µM) showed greater anti-proliferative effects compared to LEN and DEX alone.
Based on the present results, LEN in combination with DEX synergistically induced apoptosis through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in the HT-29 cell line. Therefore, in the treated cells, the expression of Fas and FasL genes was upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Besides, the Bcl2 gene expression, as an anti-apoptotic gene, was upregulated with this combination. However, the Bax gene expression, as a pro-apoptotic gene, was upregulated more than the Bcl2 gene in the HT-29 cell line compared to untreated cells. In this regard, previous studies have been reported that the expression of the FasL gene gradually increased during progression from adenoma to colorectal carcinoma (21, 22); the downregulation of Fas receptors in colon cancer cells conferred resistance to apoptosis (21).
Moreover, consistent with our results, a previous study showed that the combination of LEN with DEX only synergistically activated mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Nonetheless, in the present study, this combination could activate both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in the HT-29 cell line (23). Another study showed that LEN inhibited the proliferation of multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia cell lines, which was enhanced by DEX (24).
5.1. Conclusions
The present study is the first in vitro study, showing the anti-proliferative effects of LEN and DEX individually and in combination on the colorectal cancer HT-29 cell line by inducing apoptosis and affecting apoptosis genes. The cytotoxic effect of LEN plus DEX was more significant than each medication used individually. By studying the molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by examining Fas, FasL, Bax, and Bcl2 gene expression, we found that the combination of these 2 medications could induce cell death via activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. However, the combination of LEN with DEX was the most effective apoptotic drug compared to LEN and DEX alone. Therefore, this combination can be a promising treatment for CRC in the future. Further in vivo studies are needed for a better understanding of the anti-proliferative effects of this combination treatment.
