Acacetin, a flavone with diverse therapeutic potential in cancer, inflammation, infections and other metabolic disorders.

Voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is an integral membrane protein, which is selectively permeable for potassium ions and is activated upon a change of membrane potential. Channel activation enables transportation of potassium ions down their electrochemical gradient. Kv1.3 channel is expressed in many cell types, both normal and cancer. Activity of the channel plays an important role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Inhibition of Kv1.3 channel may be beneficial in therapy of several diseases including some cancer disorders. This review focuses on Kv1.3 channel as a new potentially attractive molecular target in cancer therapy. In the first part, changes in the channel expression in selected cancer disorders are described. Then, the role of the channel activity in cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis is presented. Finally, it is shown that some low molecular weight organic inhibitors of the channel including selected biologically active plant-derived polycyclic compounds may selectively induce apoptosis of Kv1.3-expressing cancer cells while sparing normal cells and healthy organs. These compounds may be promising candidates for putative application in therapy of some cancer disorders, such as melanoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), or B-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

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Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3 as a Target in Therapy of Cancer.

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a common cause of morbidity. Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation and atrial fibrosis contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition. Interleukin (IL)-17A, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the development of a number of cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in post-operative AF remains unknown. In the present study, sterile pericarditis (SP) was induced in rats by the epicardial application of sterile talc. AF was induced by transesophageal burst pacing. Western blot analysis was applied to quantify the expression of IL-17A. Quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of IL-17A, IL-6, IL-1β, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type 1 (Col-1), collagen type 3 (Col-3) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Gelatin zymography and reverse gelatin zymography were used to quantify the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Histological analyses were performed to determine the extent of tissue inflammation and fibrosis. The rats with SP presented with a shorter refractoriness, a higher incidence and duration of AF, an enhanced susceptibility to developing AF, increased mRNA levels of AF-related pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TGF-β1), as well as marked atrial inflammation and fibrosis. The atrial IL-17A levels were elevated and correlated with the probability of developing AF. Treatment with anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody decreased the levels of atrial IL-17A, prolonged refraction and markedly suppressed the development of AF. Simultaneously, inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated, which was further demonstrated by a decreased expression of AF-related pro-inflammatory cytokines, a down-regulation in fibrosis-related mRNA expression (Col-1, Col-3 and α-SMA) and by the decreased activity of MMP-2/9 and TIMPs. Thus, the findings of our study indicate that IL-17A may play a pathogenic role in post-operative AF by inducing inflammation and fibrosis in rats with SP.

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Interleukin-17A contributes to the development of post-operative atrial fibrillation by regulating inflammation and fibrosis in rats with sterile pericarditis

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is highly expressed in heart and vessels and can be activated during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Recently, we found that treatment with a selective TRPV4 antagonist HC-067047 significantly reduced infarct size, decreased troponin T levels and improved cardiac function in murine model myocardial I/R. This study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism underlying TRPV4-mediated myocardial I/R injury. To mimic myocardial I/R injury, we established a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model in H9C2 cells and neonatal rat ventricle myocytes (NRVMs) in vitro. TRPV4 mRNA and protein expression was confirmed in the H9C2 and NRVM, whereas functional TRPV4 activity was assessed from Ca2+ influx response to a TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A. TRPV4 functional expression was significantly enhanced during H/R. Furthermore, H/R increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and induced cell injury, which were reversed by HC-067047 but was further aggravated by GSK1016790A. Moreover, HC-067047 treatment significantly alleviated the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) during H/R. On the contrary, GSK1016790A exacerbated those effects. Meanwhile, increase in [Ca2+]i and ROS induced by activation of TRPV4 was almost abolished when cells were cultured in Ca2+-free medium. In addition, ROS scavenger NAC obviously reversed activation of TRPV4-induced changes of Δψm and mPTP opening. Finally, we confirmed the direct roles of TRPV4 on cardiac injury and ROS generation in murine model myocardial I/R in vivo. In conclusion, activation of TRPV4 induces Ca2+ influx in cardiomyocytes, with subsequent ROS release, depolarizing of Δψm, opening mPTP, inducing injury and TRPV4 has key roles during I/R via these pathways.

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Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 involves in hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes.

Acacetin—A simple flavone exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities

Backgrounds/Aims: Acacetin, a natural flavonoid compound, has been proven to exert antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Kv1.3 channels, highly expressed in human T cells, are attractive therapeutic targets to treat inflammatory and immunological disorders. The present study was designed to characterize the inhibition of Kv1.3 channels by Acacetin in human T cells and examine its role in T cell activation. Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp was applied to record the Kv1.3 and KCa currents in human T cells; Western blot was used to detect Kv1.3 expression as well as NFAT1 and NF-κB activity; Fluo-4, CCK-8 and an ELISA kit were used to measure Ca2+ influx, proliferation, and IL-2 secretion, respectively. Results: Acacetin decreased the Kv1.3 current, accelerated the decay rate and negatively shifted the steadystate inactivation curves in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values at +40 mV for peak and the current at end of pulse were 21.09 ± 2.75 and 3.63 ± 0.25 μmol/L, respectively. Treatment with Acacetin for 24 h significantly inhibited Kv1.3 protein expression. Additionally, paralleling Kv1.3 inhibition, Acacetin also inhibited Ca2+ influx, the Ca2+-activated transcription factors NFAT1, NF-κB p65/p50 activity, and proliferation as well as IL-2 production. Small interfering RNA against Kv1.3 reduced the inhibitory effect of Acacetin on IL-2 secretion. Conclusions: Acacetin blocks the Kv1.3 channel and inhibits human T cell activation. This action most likely contributes to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions.

Xiang Chenga

Papers

Acacetin Blocks Kv1.3 Channels and Inhibits Human T Cell Activation