title: Ultrafine particles of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via activation of caspase and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
abstract: Small-sized particles are more suitable for targeted delivery and are therapeutically more effective than large-sized particles. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of ultrafine particles of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (ufUJ) on human gastric cancer cell lines SNU-1, SNU-216, and SNU-484. ufUJ induced apoptosis by the proteolytic activation of caspase-9, caspase-6, and caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. The expression levels of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein BiP markedly increased after ufUJ treatment. BiP knockdown decreased ufUJ-induced cell death. ufUJ-induced apoptosis was inhibited by the caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk, caspase-6 inhibitor z-VEID-fmk, and caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk, and by siRNAs against caspases 3, 6, and 9. Gastric cancer cells did not show anchorage-independent growth in the presence of ufUJ. However, cells treated with caspase inhibitors showed an enhanced colony-forming ability. These findings may be helpful in the prevention of gastric cancer and in the development of functional foods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Industry, Jungwon University, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Joungjwa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Jong Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyung Mi
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010316:Particle Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D034403:Ulmus
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020169:Caspases