Tumor cell-specific inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase activation by tiazofurin

T Samardzic1, S Stosic-Grujicic, N Raicevic

  • 1Institute for Biological Research Sinisa Stankovic, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Insights

Tiazofurin (TR) inhibits L929 fibrosarcoma cell growth and nitric oxide (NO) production by decreasing inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. This effect appears tumor-selective, as murine embryonic fibroblasts were resistant to TR.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes.
  • Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is a key enzyme in NO production, often upregulated in cancer.
  • Tiazofurin (TR) is an investigational antineoplastic agent with known effects on cell proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of tiazofurin (TR) on cell proliferation.
  • To determine the impact of TR on cytokine-induced nitric oxide (NO) production.
  • To explore the potential tumor-selective action of TR.

Main Methods:

  • Cell culture of L929 fibrosarcoma cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts.
  • Treatment with varying concentrations of tiazofurin (TR).
  • Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression using techniques like RT-PCR, and measurement of NO production.

Main Results:

  • Tiazofurin (TR) inhibited the proliferation of nonconfluent L929 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
  • TR significantly decreased interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced iNOS mRNA expression and NO production in confluent L929 cells, without affecting cell viability.
  • TR did not inhibit IFN-gamma-induced IRF-1 mRNA expression, suggesting an intracellular pathway downstream of IRF-1 is affected.
  • Murine embryonic fibroblasts showed resistance to TR-mediated inhibition of iNOS induction, indicating potential tumor selectivity.

Conclusions:

  • Tiazofurin (TR) exhibits anti-proliferative effects on L929 fibrosarcoma cells.
  • TR effectively suppresses inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent NO production in L929 cells, independent of IRF-1.
  • The observed resistance of murine embryonic fibroblasts to TR suggests a potential for tumor-selective therapeutic application of tiazofurin.

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