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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Bithiophene derivatives show a promising anti-cancer potential. We previously showed that Bithienyl Fluorobenzamidine (BFB) has an anti-proliferative effect against several leukemia cell lines. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounts for 18% of the total leukemia cases worldwide with heavier burden during the past 30 years. Therefore, the main aim remains the discovery of safe and effective medications.

OBJECTIVE:

The current research aims to investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of BFB and its effect on the apoptosis in the 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced AML in mice.

METHODS:

AML was induced in mice by DMBA and then treated by 2 different doses of BFB. After BFB treatment, the hematological and histological pattern changes was examined. Furthermore, the molecular effect of BFB on apoptosis, cell cycle markers and Protein kinase B (Akt) pathway was examined using qPCR, Western blotting and ELISA.

RESULTS:

BFB treatment ameliorates leukemia histological and hematological markers significantly, despite non-significant changes in normal mice. This improvement exhibits cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, represented by elevation of tp53/p53, p21/p21, Caspase3 and downregulation of ckk1/Cdk1 in the bone marrow, as well as Akt pathway suppression.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results establishes BFB as a promising therapeutic candidate against AML through cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and Akt pathway modulation.

Keywords

Acute myeloid leukemia bithienyl fluorobenzamidine cell cycle apoptosis Akt pathway

List of abbreviations

Akt

Protein kinase B

ANOVA

Analysis of variance

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate

BFB

Bithienyl Fluorobenzamidine

Bone marrow

Cdk1

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 1

Cdkn1a

Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1A

cDNA

complementary DNA

Central vein

gapdh

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Hemoglobin

LD₅₀

Median Lethal Dose

Mdm2

Mouse double minute 2 homolog

1 Introduction

Leukemias are a complex heterogeneous group of disorders, the classification of which has been aided by advances in diagnostic techniques into myeloid and lymphoid, according to the affected stem cell type [1]. Leukemia has two types, chronic and acute. Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressive type that starts in the bone marrow (BM) and causes large number of white blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream [2]. Although the risk for cancer is multifactorial and often seems to have confusing causes with no easy cures, a substantial portion of cancer incidence rates is believed to be due to environmental factors [3]. One of the agents which have previously been identified to be responsible for the development of neoplasia is the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), which is an immuno-suppressor as well as a potent carcinogen [4].

In the cell, tumor protein 53 (p53) binds DNA to stimulate the expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cdkn1a; p21), that interacts with a cell division stimulating protein, the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). When p21 is complexed with CDK1 the cell cannot pass to the next stage of cell division. Mutant p53 can no longer bind DNA in an effective way, and as a consequence the p21 protein becomes unavailable to act as the stop signal for cell division. Thus, cells divide uncontrollably, and form tumors [5]. As important components of cell cycle activation and control, the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) protein family contributes to tumor development [6]. It is well known that Cdk1 dysregulation stops cell division [7] and the cell cycle checkpoints should recognize any deviations in DNA replication and induce the repair mechanisms. If the damage is irreparable, p53 is elevated and plays a crucial role in resisting of the carcinogenesis and tumor growth by arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, and/or blocking angiogenesis [8]. The p53 elevation stimulates apoptosis through activating initiator caspases, which in turn activates endonucleases resulting in DNA digestion [9]. Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) is common in 50% –80% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases [10]. Moreover, continuous stimulation of PI3K/Akt pathway has been involved in apoptosis inhibition and cell cycle progression through alteration of tp53 and p21 expression and activation in various types of cancer [10 –13]. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway dysregulation and abnormal stimulation lead to high proliferation and survival of the abnormal hematopoietic progenitors (blast cells), which induce leukemia initiation [14]. In addition, associated deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten), which acts as an inhibitor for the PI3K/Akt pathway, has been recognized in different leukemia types along with PI3K/Akt pathway sustained activation [15].

The notorious side effects of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, cytotoxic to both normal and cancerous cells, have been reported previously [16]. Drug resistance is regarded a key mechanism of treatment failure that contributs to AML’s short-term survival and relapse [17]. Thiophene belongs to a class of heterocyclic compounds containing a five membered ring with one sulfur hetero-atom. In medicinal chemistry, thiophene derivatives have been very well known for their therapeutic applications [18]. We have reported that thiophene-based compounds have antimicrobial [19, 20], anti-mutagenic [21], and anticancer [22 –24] activities. The bithienyl fluorobenzamidine (BFB) is a novel bithiophene derivative that was previously synthesized and characterized by Hussin et al. (2014) [21]. BFB was reported to have an anti-proliferative effect against several leukemia cell lines, such as CCRF-CEM, HL-60(TB), K-562, MOLT-4, RPMI-8226 and SR cell lines [25]. However, the molecular mechanism of this anti-leukemic activity is not yet fully elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo antitumor activity of BFB and its effect on the apoptosis induction against DMBA-induced AML.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Experimental animals

A total of 60 male Swiss albino mice aged 45 days and weighing 25–35 g were purchased from Egyptian Company for Vaccines and Sera (VACSERA, Giza, Egypt). The animals were left for one week without any treatment for adaptation at 22±2°C and 40–60% humidity with alternative 12 h light and dark cycles. The animals were housed in steel mesh cages, ten per each, with water and a commercial pellet diet (Feedmi Company, Cairo, Egypt) ad libitum. The experiment was performed in the animal house at the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University. Research Ethics Committee (REC) for animal research at National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI) has approved the research protocol (A2 -2021).

2.2 Experimental design

Treatment dosage was determined according to the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of BFB, which has been performed according to LeBeau [26] on four doses 8 mg/kg, 13 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg body weight. Briefly, for each dose, twenty adult Swiss albino mice were used (10 males & 10 non-pregnant females) and injected with a 0.1 ml single intraperitoneal (ip) dose of BFB (dissolved in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); Sigma, USA diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Animals were kept under observation in cages with food and water. Two weeks after BFB injection, mortality was recorded (50% mortality). The observed LD₅₀ was 13 mg/kg body weight.

The mice were randomly divided into six groups as follows:

Group I (Normal control): 10 mice in this group were kept as control.

Group II (DMBA treated): 10 mice were given 4 intravenous doses (i.v.) (30 mg/kg body weight) of DMBA (Sigma, USA) in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; Sigma, USA) at intervals of 10 days.

Group III (BFB -treated 1/10): 10 mice were given 4 i.v. doses (30 mg/kg body weight) of DMBA in 10% DMSO at 10 days intervals, followed by administration of 17 intraperitoneal (i.p) doses of LD50_1/10 BFB in 10% DMSO over a month.

Group IV (BFB -treated 1/5): 10 mice were given 4 i.v. doses (30 mg/kg body weight) of DMBA in 10% DMSO at 10 days intervals, followed by administration of 17 intraperitoneal (i.p) doses of LD50_1/5 BFB in 10% DMSO over a month.

Group V (BFB -control 1/10): 10 mice were administrated with 17 intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of LD50_1/10 BFB in 10% DMSO over a month at the 105^th day after birth.

Group VI (BFB -control 1/5): 10 mice were administrated with 17 i.p. doses of LD50_1/5 BFB in 10% DMSO over a month at the 105^th day after birth.

The chemical structure of the BFB [21, 25] and the timeline of treatment are shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

A) Schematic diagram of experimental design and B) Structure of Bithienyl fluorobenzamidine derivative (BFB) [25].

2.3 Bone marrow and blood sample collection

At the end of the experimental period, all animals were fasted for 12 hours, weighed and sacrificed using diethyl ether; blood was collected via heart puncture. Whole blood was collected on EDTA for hematological study including complete blood count (CBC) and preparation of blood smears. Both femurs were removed immediately; one was used for the preparation of BM smear. The BM was flushed out and stored at -80°C for the molecular analysis.

2.4 Histopathological examination

Liver and spleen from different groups were weighed and fixed in 10% formalin solution (El Nasr Pharmaceutical Chemicals, Egypt). The samples then embedded in paraffin blocks and 4μm sections were cut for hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining (Sigma, USA). Examination of the slides was performed under light microscope (Olympus, Japan).

2.5 Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)

Total RNA was extracted from BM using RNeasy Mini Kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Qiagen, Germany). The purity of the extracted RNA was assessed at 260/280 nm using the UV-spectrophotometer (PG Instruments Limited, England). A total of 1μg of RNA was reverse transcribed into a single-stranded complementary DNA (cDNA) using (High-Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit Applied Biosystems, Life Technologies, USA). cDNA synthesis was performed using Gene Amp PCR System 9700 Applied Biosystems (Life Technologies, USA). The relative expression levels of tp53, cdk1 and p21 genes were assessed in BM by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) using SYBR green master mix (Maxima SYBR Green/ROX qPCR Master Mix (Thermofisher Scientific, USA). Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh) was used as a housekeeping gene for normalizing mRNA expression. qPCR was performed in an optical 96-well plate using thermal cycler (Agilent Stratagene MX3000P, USA) and cycling conditions (10 min at 95°C, followed by 40 cycles at 95°C for 15 sec, 60°C for 60 sec and 72°C for 15 sec). Primers for qPCR were obtained from (Invitrogen, Belgium) and are listed in Table 1. Gene expression was expressed as fold change (RQ = 2^-ΔΔCT).

Table 1
Primers used for qPCR

Gene symbol Primers Sequence

tp53 Forward primer: 5^′-AAACTACTTCCTCCAGAAGATAT-3^′

Reverse primer: 5^′-GCTTCACTTGGGCCTTCAAA-3^′

cdk1 Forward primer: 5^′-AAATATAGTCAGCCTGCAGGAT-3^′

Reverse primer: 5^′-AGTAACTCTTAACGAGTGAAGAAT-3^′

p21 Forward primer: 5^′-GTACTTCCTCTGCCCTGCT-3^′

Reverse primer: 5^′-TTGGAGTGATAGAAATCTGTCA-3^′

gapdh Forward primer: 5^′-GCATCTTGGGCTACACTGAG-3^′

Reverse primer: 5^′-TATTCATTGTCATACCAGGAAATG-3^′

Gene symbol	Primers Sequence
tp53	Forward primer: 5^′-AAACTACTTCCTCCAGAAGATAT-3^′
	Reverse primer: 5^′-GCTTCACTTGGGCCTTCAAA-3^′
cdk1	Forward primer: 5^′-AAATATAGTCAGCCTGCAGGAT-3^′
	Reverse primer: 5^′-AGTAACTCTTAACGAGTGAAGAAT-3^′
p21	Forward primer: 5^′-GTACTTCCTCTGCCCTGCT-3^′
	Reverse primer: 5^′-TTGGAGTGATAGAAATCTGTCA-3^′
gapdh	Forward primer: 5^′-GCATCTTGGGCTACACTGAG-3^′
	Reverse primer: 5^′-TATTCATTGTCATACCAGGAAATG-3^′

2.6 Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

BM homogenate was prepared as previously mentioned in [27], then p53 was assayed using an ELISA kit provided by MyBioSource (USA) (Cat. No. MBS721665), cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) was assayed using an ELISA kit provided by ELISAGenie (UK) (Cat. No. MOEB1754), p21 was assayed using an ELISA kit provided by MyBioSource (USA) (Cat. No. MBS2510310) and Caspase 3 was assayed using an ELISA kit provided by CUSABIO (USA) (Cat. No. CSB-E08858m), according to the manufacturer instructions.

2.7 Immunoblotting investigation (Western blot)

Determination of relative protein expression of protein kinase (pAkt) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) was performed by Western blotting. Proteins were extracted from bone marrow and their concentration were measured according to [28]. Equal amounts of proteins were loaded onto an SDS-PAGE. Separated proteins were electroblotted to a nitrocellulose membrane (PVDF), then membranes were incubated with a specific antibody recognizing the target proteins, and subsequently with a HRP-conjugated secondary antibody. Proteins were detected through an optical documentation system, and band intensities were quantified using a densitometer to determine specific protein levels. β-actin was used as an internal loading control protein.

2.8 Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 for Windows (SPSS software package, Chicago, USA). Distribution of data was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Individual data in experimental groups are presented as the mean±SD and their 95% confidence intervals were obtained by nonlinear regression. To compare the difference between the groups, post hoc testing was performed by Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons between the different treated groups and their respective controls. P values were considered significant at p < 0.05. The percentage of change was calculated in comparison with the normal control.

3 Results

3.1 BFB ameliorates the resulted hepatosplenomegaly and total body weight loss in leukemic mice

Administration of BFB with both doses to DMBA-treated mice causes significant (p < 0.05) reduction in relative liver (Fig. 2A) and spleen weight (Fig. 2B), but a significant gain in total body weight (Fig. 2C) compared to DMBA-treated group. On the contrary, DMBA-treated mice showed a significant increase in relative liver (66%, p < 0.05) (Fig. 2A) and spleen (100%, p < 0.05) weight (Fig. 2B), which indicates hepatosplenomegaly occurrence concomitant with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in body weight (Fig. 2C).

Fig. 2

Effect of treatments on the relative organ weights of A) liver, B) spleen and C) total weight gain. Data are represented as Mean±SD, n = 10. (^*) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against normal control and (#), denotes significance (p < 0.05) against DMBA-treated positive control.

3.2 BFB improves the hematological and histological parameters in leukemic mice

To investigate the hematological effect of BFB treatment, BM smear examination and CBC were carried out. In comparison to DMBA-treated mice, which showed significant elevation of myeloid/erythroid ratio denoting the occurrence of AML, administration of BFB with both doses to DMBA-treated mice reversed the DMBA action causing a significant increase of lymphocytes and metamyelocytes (Meta) & band cells (p < 0.05) (Fig. 3A), in addition to significant reduction (p < 0.05) in myeloid/erythroid ratio (Fig. 3B). Table 2 shows the effect of DMBA and BFB on hematological parameters in the complete blood count (CBC). Treatment with both doses of (BFB) significantly (p < 0.05) alleviated DMBA effects of the significant reduction (p < 0.05) in red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelet counts and in hemoglobin (Hb) as compared to normal healthy group.

Fig. 3

Effect of treatments on BM hematological cells count A) Lymphocytes and Metamyelocyte & Band cells, B) Myeloid / Erythroid ratio. Data are represented as Mean±SD, n = 10. (^*) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against normal control, (#) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against DMBA-treated group. Data are represented as Mean±SD (standard deviation), (^*) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against normal healthy control, (#) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against DMBA-treated positive control.

Table 2

Effect of treatments on WBCs, RBCs, Platelets count and Hb content

Group	WBCs (10³/mm³)	RBCs (10⁶/mm³)	Hb (g/dL)	Platelets (10⁵/mm³)
Normal healthy
Mean±SD	8.78±0.49	8.27±0.26	13.17±0.48	6.87±0.22
DMBA-treated
Mean±SD	3.91±0.29^*	5±0.37^*	10.1±0.38^*	4.62±0.33^*
BFB -treated 1/10
Mean±SD	6.98±0.32^#	6.71±0.44^#	11.9±0.28^#	5.83±0.25^#
BFB -treated 1/5
Mean±SD	7±0.33^#	6.63±0.42^#	11.35±0.31^#	5.68±0.35^#
BFB control 1/10
Mean±SD	9.49±0.41	8.12±0.32	12.71±0.48	6.37±0.38
BFB control 1/5
Mean±SD	9.39±0.6	8±0.21	12.12±0.39	6.47±0.47

To investigate the histological effect of the BFB treatment on the liver and spleen, sections of both organs stained with H&E were examined (Fig. 4 5, Tables 3 4). BFB showed a significant amelioration in both liver and spleen histology in leukemic mice after treatment with both doses. Leukemic mice (DMBA-treated) showed dilated portal veins (Fig. 4B) and noticeable infiltration of markedly pleomorphic leukemic cells with large nuclei and prominent eosinophilic nucleoli in portal tracts and in blood sinusoid. There was mildly dilated central vein with minimal leukemic infiltrate in peri-venular area, preserved hepatocytes in the interface area (peri-portal area) and apoptotic hepatocytes in per-venular area (Fig. 4C). Treatment of leukemic mice with LD50_1/10 of BFB for a month showed mildly dilated central and portal veins and mild leukemic infiltrate in portal tracts (Fig. 4D), blood sinusoids and in peri-venular area. There were also distinct apoptotic hepatocytes in peri-venular and peri-portal areas (Fig. 4E). Treatment of leukemic mice with LD50_1/5 BFB for a month showed average central vein (Fig. 4F) with mild leukemic infiltrate in peri-venular area. In addition, mildly dilated portal veins and surrounding hepatocytes showing scattered apoptosis, karyomegaly and bi-nucleation have been observed (Fig. 4G).

Fig. 4

Photos of liver sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Normal healthy group showing average CV (black arrows) with average PT showing average BD (red arrow) and average PV (blue arrow) (H&E x200). (B) DMBA-treated group showing dilated PV with marked leukemic infiltrate in PT (black arrows) and in blood sinusoids (red arrow) (H&E x200). (C) DMBA-treated group showing markedly pleomorphic leukemic cells (black arrows) with large nuclei and prominent eosinophilic nucleoli (red arrows), and preserved hepatocytes in the interface area (blue arrow) (H&E x1000). (D) BFB -treated 1/10 group showing average CV and mildly dilated PV (black arrows) with mild leukemic infiltrate in PT (red arrow) (H&E x200). (E) BFB -treated 1/10 group showing dilated CV with markedly apoptotic hepatocytes in perivenular area (black arrows) (H&E x400). (F) BFB -treated 1/5 group showing CV (black arrow) and mildly dilated PV (H&E x200). (G) BFB -treated 1/5 group showing average CV with scattered apoptotic (black arrow) and bi-nucleated hepatocytes (blue arrow) with mild leukemic infiltrate (red arrow) (H&E x400). (H) BFB control 1/10 group showing dilated CV with detached lining (black arrow) and mildly apoptotic hepatocytes in peri-venular area (blue arrow) with intra-parenchymal inflammatory infiltrate (red arrow) (H&E x200). (I) BFB control 1/5 group showing dilated CV with detached lining (black arrow) and dilated PV with apoptotic hepatocytes more marked in peri-venular area (blue arrow) (H&E x200).

Fig. 5

Photos of spleen sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. (A) Normal healthy group showing average lymphoid follicle (white bulb) with central arteriole (black arrow) and average blood sinusoids (red bulb) (red arrow) (H&E X200). (B) DMBA-treated group showing atrophied lymphoid follicles (black arrows) with markedly expanded red bulb showing leukemic cells with large nuclei (red arrows) (H&E X200). (C) DMBA-treated group showing part of atrophied lymphoid follicles with central arteriole (black arrow) and markedly expanded red bulb with leukemic blast cells with large convoluted nuclei (red arrows) (H&E X400). (D) BFB -treated 1/10 group showing average lymphoid follicles (white bulb) (black arrows) with mildly expanded red bulb (red arrow) (H&E X200). (E) BFB -treated 1/10 group showing expanded red bulb with leukemic infiltrate showing most of blast cells with faint apoptotic nuclei (black arrows) (H&E X400). (F) BFB -treated 1/5 group showing average lymphoid follicles with central arterioles (black arrows) and mildly expanded red bulb (red arrow) (H&E X200). (G) BFB -treated 1/5 group showing expanded red bulb showing necrotic cells (black arrow) with scattered bi-nucleated and multi-nucleated giant cells (red arrows) (H&E X400). (H) BFB control 1/10 group showing average lymphoid follicles (black arrows) with mildly expanded red bulb showing areas of necrosis (red arrow), and extra-capsular inflammatory infiltrate (blue arrow) (H&E X200). (I) BFB control 1/5 group showing red bulb with areas of necrosis (black arrows) and extra capsular inflammatory infiltrate (red arrow) (H&E X400). (J) BFB control 1/5 group showing atrophied lymphoid follicles (black arrow) with markedly expanded red bulb showing areas of necrosis (red arrows) (H&E X 200).

Table 3

Summary of the histologic abnormalities in liver of the different studied groups

Abnormalities	Normal healthy	DMBA-treated positive control	BFB-treated 1∖10	BFB-treated 1∖5	BFB control 1∖10	BFB control 1∖5
Dilated central vein	None	+++	+	None	++	++
Expanded portal tract	None	+	None	None	+	+
Dilated portal vein	None	+++	+	+	+	+
Karyomegaly hepatocyte	None	None	None	+	None	None
Inflammatory infiltration	None	None	None	None	+	+
Binucleation	None	None	None	+	None	None
Leukemic infiltration	None	+++	+	+	None	None
Apoptotic hepatocytes	None	++	+++	+++	+	+

+ means mild, ++ means moderate, +++ means severe.

Table 4

Summary of the histologic abnormalities in spleen of the different studied groups

Abnormalities	Normal healthy	DMBA-treated positive control	BFB-treated 1∖10	BFB-treated 1∖5	BFB control 1∖10	BFB control 1∖5
Atrophied lymphoid follicles	None	++	None	None	None	None
Expanded red bulb	None	++	+	+	+	+
Pleomorphic blast cells	None	++	None	+	None	None
Inflammatory infiltration	None	None	None	None	+	+
Leukemic infiltration	None	++	+	+	None	None
Necrotic cells	None	None	+	++	+	+

+ means mild, ++ means moderate.

Spleen sections of DMBA-treated mice showed atrophied lymphoid follicles with markedly expanded red bulb infiltrated by distinct large pleomorphic leukemic blast cells (Fig. 5B & 5C) compared to normal healthy group sections (Fig. 5A). Administration of BFB in both doses to DMBA-treated mice ameliorated the spleen tissue architecture by showing average lymphoid follicles and mildly expanded red bulb with leukemic infiltrate showing few blast cells with faint and apoptotic nuclei, and scattered necrotic cells (Fig. 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G).

3.3 BFB induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

To assess the molecular mechanism of BFB anti-leukemic effect, we investigated some cell cycle markers in the BM of all studied groups as represented in Fig. 6. When compared to DMBA-treated group, the BFB-treated groups showed significant up-regulation (p < 0.05) of the gene and protein expression of tp53 and p21 (Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D), while the expression of cdk1 was significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05) (Fig. 6E, 6F) after BFB treatment. To address the apoptotic BFB effect, Caspase-3 level was measured to show a significant increase in BFB-treated group compared to DMBA-treated group (Fig. 6G).

Fig. 6

Expression of cell cycle and apoptosis markers in the BM: (A) and (B) represent tp53 relative gene and protein expressions, respectively. (C) and (D) represent p21 relative gene and protein expressions, respectively. (E) and (F) represent cdk1 relative gene and protein expressions, respectively. (G) represents Caspase 3 level. Data are presented as Mean±SD of 6 values/group. (^*) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against normal healthy control, (#) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against DMBA-treated positive control. Each result is representative of 3 independent experiments.

3.4 BFB modulates Akt pathway

As the Akt pathway is directly correlated with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in AML [11], we sought to investigate the BFB effect on Akt pathway. While LD50_1/10 BFB treatment markedly decreased the expression of pAkt; the active form of Akt [15 , 29–31] (Fig. 7A & 7B), it resulted in an increase in Pten expression; the PI3K-Akt pathway inhibitor [32], (Fig. 7C & 7D) as compared to DMBA-treated positive controls.

Fig. 7

Protein expression of pAkt and Pten in the BM. (A) and (C) represent Western blot analysis for pAkt and Pten, respectively. (B) and (D) represent densitometric analysis of the ratio of pAkt and Pten to β-Actin, respectively. (^*) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against normal healthy control, (#) denotes significance (p < 0.05) against DMBA-treated positive control. The result is representative of 3 independent experiments.

3.5 The effect of BFB on normal mice

It was necessary to study the side effects and safety of BFB. BFB was intraperitoneally administered to normal mice as described in methods (Fig. 1). Administration of BFB in both doses caused a non-significant change in the body weight, as well as in relative liver and spleen weights, when compared to normal healthy group as shown in (Fig. 2). Also, administration of BFB in both doses caused a non-significant change in BM hematological parameters, including myeloblasts, erythroblasts, lymphocytes and metamyelocytes & bands, as well as in blood parameters such as RBCs, WBCs and platelets counts and in Hb, in comparison to normal healthy group as shown in (Fig. 3 & Table 2). Although the high BFB dose (LD50_1/5) caused necrotic/apoptotic and inflammatory changes, markedly dilated central veins with detached lining and expanded portal tracts (Fig. 4H, 4I, 5H, 5I, 5J & Table 3 4), the administration of BFB low dose (LD501/10) to normal mice caused fewer histological changes. Administration of LD50_1/10 BFB had no significant effect on the expression of either p53, Cdk1 or p21 (Fig. 6), when compared to normal mice. On the other hand, administration of LD50_1/5 BFB significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated the relative expression of tp53 (Fig. 6). BFB showed no effect on pAkt, Pten and Caspase-3 expression as shown in (Fig. 6 7). All the above results showed that the low BFB dose (LD50_1/10) caused minimal damage in the BFB-control mice.

4 Discussion

In the present study, we have investigated the role and molecular mechanism of a novel bithiophene derivative in inducing apoptosis in DMBA-induced AML mouse model. Here, the administration of BFB to DMBA-treated mice showed comparable hematological parameters to the control groups. Pulsed DMBA doses have proven to show carcinogenic effects as it is weakening BM stem cells, diminishing peripheral WBCs count and inducing leukemia in rats [33, 34] and clearly showed AML hematopoiesis impairment along with the immature myeloid blasts move to blood and to other body organs [35, 36]. DMBA here showed myeloid nature with similarities with human AML as demonstrated by marked hypocellularity with increased granulocytic immature precursors, lower erythroid precursors and confirmed by a decline in the peripheral blood cells. In our study, BFB showed an ameliorative effect on liver and spleen relative weights and total body weight, as well as the leukemia histological alterations through opposing DMBA action [37 –39]. The ameliorative effect of BFB here might be explained by its antioxidant and anti-proliferative characteristics as we previously reported by testing BFB on AML cell line HL-60(TB) [25].

The histological examinations in our study indicated marked apoptotic cells in both liver and spleen following treatment with BFB. Therefore, it was rational to investigate cell cycle and apoptotic markers in order to examine the impact of BFB on the expression of the involved essential genes namely, tp53, cdk1, p21 and Caspase 3 protein. Cell cycle mediators drives cell growth and differentiation and its disturbances may lead to transformation from normal to cancerous cell [40]. This is apparent here in the DMBA induction of AML by the DMBA adducts causing DNA mutations in growth-responsible oncogenes, such as tp53 [41, 42]. Our results revealed that the expression level of tp53 and p21 genes were significantly upregulated in BFB-treated groups. On the contrary, the expression level of cdk1 gene was significantly downregulated in these groups. cdk1 downregulation along with tp53 upregulation anticipate cell cycle arrest [43], while p21 is a universal cell-cycle inhibitor through Cdk inhibition, which is directly activated by the action of p53 [44]. Our results were in agreement with the findings of the anti-proliferative role of another novel bithiophene derivative, which caused significant upregulation of tp53 expression and caspases activity, along with cdk1 downregulation [45].

In the pathogenesis of AML, PI3K/Akt/mTOR plays a crucial role, and its activation is common in 50% –80% of AML cases, particularly in the immature leukemic population. We are suggesting here that the anti-leukemic effect of BFB is exerted by acting as Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive inhibitors for Akt pathway, which is known to be involved in phosphorylation and nucleus translocation of the oncoprotein Mouse double minute 2 homolog (Mdm2) and a consequent enhancement of Mdm2-mediated p53 proteasomal degradation [10], as well as regulation of p21 expression as a Cdks inhibitor [12, 13]. In multiple types of leukemia and different solid cancers, thiophene derivatives showed high efficacy through inhibition of Akt with very low adverse effects in high grade patients [13], which is compatible with our results that showed the BFB as a potentially safe prospective anti-leukemic drug, especially at a low dose. Hence, this anti-cancer effect of BFB can also be expected in multiple cancer therapies. We have shown here that, while low dose of BFB LD50_1/10 caused mildly apoptotic hepatocytes in peri-venular area with intra-parenchymal inflammatory infiltrate, the higher dose LD50_1/5 caused dilated PV, with more marked apoptotic hepatocytes in peri-venular area. More studies are required with more doses to identify the safest dose to be used with the highest therapeutic potential. Also, further studies are necessary in order to explore detailed effects of BFB in AML and other cancer types. In conclusion, here we present evidence on chemo-therapeutic anti-AML potential of BFB, which boosts cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and modulates Akt pathway with minimal cytotoxic effects.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

Authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Sayed Abdel Raheem, Assistant Professor of Histopathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University for Boys, Cairo, Egypt, for his assistance with the histological study.

Authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Samer Abbass, Professor of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, for his assistance with the pathological study.

Author contributions

CONCEPTION: A.S.A and A.B.A

DATA CURATION: A.S.A

ANALYSIS OF DATA: A.S.A and R.H.M.

PREPARATION OF THE MANUSCRIPT: A.S.A. and R.H.M.

REVISION FOR IMPORTANT INTELLECTUAL CONTENT: R.H.M, A.B.A., M.A.I. and G.M.S.

SUPERVISION: G.M.S

Conflict of interest

The Authors has no conflict of interest to report.

Data availability

All relevant data are within the paper.

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Bithiophene derivative induced apoptosis and suppression of Akt pathway in mouse leukemic model

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

OBJECTIVE:

METHODS:

RESULTS:

CONCLUSIONS:

Keywords

List of abbreviations

1 Introduction

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Experimental animals

2.2 Experimental design

2.4 Histopathological examination

2.5 Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)

2.7 Immunoblotting investigation (Western blot)

2.8 Statistical analysis

3 Results

3.1 BFB ameliorates the resulted hepatosplenomegaly and total body weight loss in leukemic mice

4 Discussion

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

Author contributions

Conflict of interest

Data availability

References