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Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis with H31 Metabolites from Marine Bacillus SW31 in Head and Neck Cancer Cells
Young Chang Lim1, Ki Woong Cho, Hak Cheol Kwon
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Objectives:
To determine whether a novel marine micro-organism with anticancer properties, H31, the metabolic product of Bacillus SW31, has anti-tumor effects on head and neck cancer, and potential for apoptotic-enhancing anti-cancer treatment of affected patients.
Methods:
The cell viability and apoptosis assays were performed. Changes in the signal pathway related to apoptosis were investigated. Then, the therapeutic effects of H31 were explored in mouse xenograft model and drug toxicity of H31 was examined in zebrafish model.
Results:
We identified the anticancer activity of H31, a novel metabolic product of Bacillus SW31. Bacillus SW31, a new marine micro-organism, has 70% homology with Bacillus firmus and contains potent cytotoxic bioactivity in head and neck cancer cells using MTT assay. Combined with c-JUN, p53, cytochrome C, and caspase-3, H31 induced apoptosis of KB cells, a head and neck cancer cell line. In a separate in vivo model, tumor growth in C3H/HeJ syngeneic mice was suppressed by H31. In addition, in a zebrafish model used for toxicity testing, a considerable dose of H31 did not result in embryo or neurotoxicity.
Conclusion:
Growth inhibition and apoptosis were achieved both in vitro and in vivo in head and neck cancer cells after exposure to H31, a metabolite from the marine Bacillus species, without any significant toxicity effects even at considerable H31 dose concentrations.
Insights
A novel marine microbe metabolite, H31, effectively inhibits head and neck cancer growth and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. This compound demonstrated anticancer activity without significant toxicity in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Cancer biology
- Drug discovery
Background:
- Head and neck cancer (HNC) remains a significant health challenge.
- Novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed for HNC treatment.
- Marine microorganisms are a promising source of bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-tumor effects of H31, a metabolite from marine Bacillus SW31.
- To investigate H31's potential in enhancing apoptosis for HNC treatment.
- To assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of H31.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays: cell viability (MTT) and apoptosis assays on HNC cells.
- Molecular analysis: investigation of apoptosis-related signaling pathways (c-JUN, p53, cytochrome C, caspase-3).
- In vivo studies: mouse xenograft model for anti-tumor efficacy and zebrafish model for drug toxicity.
Main Results:
- H31 exhibits potent cytotoxic activity against HNC cells.
- H31 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model.
- Apoptosis induction in HNC cells was confirmed, involving key signaling proteins.
- No significant embryo or neurotoxicity was observed in zebrafish at considerable doses.
Conclusions:
- H31, a metabolite from marine Bacillus SW31, demonstrates significant in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer effects on head and neck cancer.
- H31 effectively inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis in HNC cells.
- H31 presents a promising therapeutic candidate with a favorable safety profile.
