Erianin regulates programmed cell death ligand 1 expression and enhances cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl is a cultivation of Dendrobium which belongs to the family of Orchidaceae. D. chrysotoxum Lindl is a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of clinical applications including tonic, astringent, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties as early as the 28th century B.C. Erianin is a representative index component for the quality control of the D. chrysotoxum Lindl, which is included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 version).

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To clarify the anti-tumour mechanisms of erianin in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We detected the anti-tumour activity of erianin using in vitro HeLa cell models and in vivo cervical cancer xenograft models. We performed MTT, western blot, RT-PCR, homology modeling, flow cytometry, and immunoprecipitation assays to study the proteins, genes, and pathways related to erianin's anti-tumour activity. LysoTracker Red staining was performed to detect lysosome function. Transwell, wound healing, tube formation, colony formation and EdU labelling assays were performed to determine cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities, respectively. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes ability was confirmed using HeLa/T-cell co-culture model.

RESULTS:

Experimental data demonstrated that erianin inhibited PD-L1 expression and induced the lysosomal degradation of PD-L1. Erianin suppressed HIF-1α synthesis through mTOR/p70S6K/4EBP1 pathway, and inhibited RAS/Raf/MEK/MAPK-ERK pathway. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that erianin reduced the interaction between RAS and HIF-1α. Experiments using a co-cultivation system of T cells and HeLa cells confirmed that erianin restored cytotoxic T lymphocytes ability to kill tumour cells. Erianin inhibited PD-L1-mediated angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion and migration. The anti-proliferative effects of erianin were supported using in vivo xenotransplantation experiments.

CONCLUSIONS:

Collectively, these results revealed previously unknown properties of erianin and provided a new basis for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy against cervical cancer and other malignant tumours through PD-L1.

• Authors: Ao Yang, Ming Yue Li, Zhi Hong Zhang, Jing Ying Wang, Yue Xing, MyongHak Ri, Cheng Hua Jin, Guang Hua Xu, Lian Xun Piao, Hong Lan Jin, Hong Xiang Zuo, Juan Ma, Xuejun Jin
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 273 Pg. 113598 (Jun 12 2021) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 33220359 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
• B7-H1 Antigen
• Bibenzyls
• CD274 protein, human
• Cell Cycle Proteins
• EIF4EBP1 protein, human
• Erianin
• HIF1A protein, human
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Phenol
• MTOR protein, human
• Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• raf Kinases
• ras Proteins

Topics

• Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing (metabolism)
• Animals
• B7-H1 Antigen (genetics, metabolism)
• Bibenzyls (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Cycle Proteins (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit (genetics, metabolism)
• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Lysosomes (metabolism)
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Nude
• Molecular Docking Simulation
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (metabolism)
• Phenol (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa (metabolism)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (drug effects, immunology)
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
• raf Kinases (metabolism)
• ras Proteins (metabolism)