Project description:Cysteine thiols of many cancer-associated proteins are attractive targets of anti-cancer agents. Herein, we unequivocally demonstrate a distinct thiol-targeting property of gold(III) mesoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (AuMesoIX) and its anti-cancer activities. While the binding of cysteine thiols with metal complexes usually occurs via M–S bond formation, AuMesoIX is unique in that the meso-carbon atom of the porphyrin ring is activated by the gold(III) ion to undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution with thiols. AuMesoIX was shown to modify reactive cysteine residues and inhibit the activities of anti-cancer protein targets including thioredoxin, peroxiredoxin, and deubiquitinases. Treatment of cancer cells with AuMesoIX resulted in the formation of gold-bound sulfur-rich protein aggregates, oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity, and accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins. Importantly, AuMesoIX exhibited effective anti-tumor activity in mice. Our study has uncovered a gold(III)-induced ligand scaffold reactivity for thiol targeting that can be exploited for anti-cancer applications.
Project description:Gold salts has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but has been replaced by biologicals such as TNF-alpha inhibitors. The mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory effect of metallic gold ions are still unknown, however, recent data showed that charged gold atoms are released from pure metallic gold implants by macrophages via a dissolucytosis membrane, and that gold ions are taken up by local macrophages, mast cells and to some extent fibroblasts. These current findings offer new treatment options for metallic gold and deeper understanding of the effect of metallic gold on key inflammatory cells as macrophages are essential. In the present study the impact of phagocytised gold ions on the global gene expression profile of the human monocytic cell line THP-1 was investigated, using microarray analysis comprising approximately 20,000 genes. The gene expression data was confirmed by measurement of three secreted proteins. A unique gene expression signature of dissolucytotic macrophages that had taken up gold ions was demonstrated. A large number of regulated genes were functionally related to immunomodulation/protection. Gold ion uptake into macrophages induced downregulation of central inflammatory cytokines as TNF-alpha, IL-32 and CD28. The data obtained in this study offer new insights into the mode of action of gold ions and suggest a future role of metallic gold as implants or topical applications in treating inflammation.
Project description:Gold salts has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but has been replaced by biologicals such as TNF-alpha inhibitors. The mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory effect of metallic gold ions are still unknown, however, recent data showed that charged gold atoms are released from pure metallic gold implants by macrophages via a dissolucytosis membrane, and that gold ions are taken up by local macrophages, mast cells and to some extent fibroblasts. These current findings offer new treatment options for metallic gold and deeper understanding of the effect of metallic gold on key inflammatory cells as macrophages are essential. In the present study the impact of phagocytised gold ions on the global gene expression profile of the human monocytic cell line THP-1 was investigated, using microarray analysis comprising approximately 20,000 genes. The gene expression data was confirmed by measurement of three secreted proteins. A unique gene expression signature of dissolucytotic macrophages that had taken up gold ions was demonstrated. A large number of regulated genes were functionally related to immunomodulation/protection. Gold ion uptake into macrophages induced downregulation of central inflammatory cytokines as TNF-alpha, IL-32 and CD28. The data obtained in this study offer new insights into the mode of action of gold ions and suggest a future role of metallic gold as implants or topical applications in treating inflammation. To determine the effect of gold phagocytosis on global gene expression