Ceragenin CSA-13 as free molecules and attached to magnetic nanoparticle surfaces induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via disruption of cell oxidative balance.

Ceragenin CSA-13 as free molecules and attached to magnetic nanoparticle surfaces induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via disruption of cell oxidative balance. Oncotarget. 2018 Apr 24;9(31):21904-21920 Authors: Piktel E, Prokop I, Wnorowska U, Król G, Cieśluk M, Niemirowicz K, Savage PB, Bucki R Abstract Natural antimicrobial peptides and ceragenins, as non-peptide amphipathic mimics, have been proposed as anti-cancer agents. To date, it has been confirmed that cathelicidin LL-37 and ceragenin CSA-13, both in free form and immobilized on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP@LL-37, MNP@CSA-13) induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Nevertheless, the question remains whether ceragenins, as synthetic analogs of LL-37 peptide and mimicking a number of its properties, act as antineoplastic agents in breast cancer cells, where LL-37 peptide stimulates oncogenesis. Considering potential anticancer activity, we determined whether CSA-13 and MNP@CSA-13 might be effective against breast cancer cells. Our study provides evidence that both CSA-13 and MNP@CSA-13 decreased viability and inhibit proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells despite the protumorigenic properties of LL-37 peptide. Flow cytometry-based analyses revealed that ceragenin treatment results in increases in dead and PI-negative/low-viability cells, which was associated with glutathione (GSH) depletion and increased reactive oxygen species ...
Source: Oncotarget - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncotarget Source Type: research