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The effects of TPL-PEI-CyD on suppressing performance of MCF-7 stem cells
1The First Affiliated Hospital of Lishui University / College of Medicine and Health, Lishui University, Lishui, China.
Abstract:
Triptolide, an ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii, has been demonstrated to possess many biological activities such as immunomodulatory, antitumor activity in experiment. The purpose of this study was to survey the toxicity of TPL-PEI-CyD on renal cells and its effects on breast carcinoma stem cells. The cytotoxicity of TPL-PEI-CyD and TPL on HK-2 was comparatively assessed by CCK-8. After incubation and culturing with TGF-β1, the MCF-7 cells were assessed by flow cytometry for the proportion of CD44+> CD24- cells; then the CD44>+> CD24- cells were sorted by immunomagnetic beads as MCF-7 stem cells. To assess the effect of TPL-PEI-CyD on MCF-7 stem cells, Western Blot was used to detect the expression of Oct-4 and ALDHl in MCF-7 stem cells after being dosed with TPL- PEI-CyD. Results showed that, compared with TPL, the toxicity of TPL-PEI-CyD on HK-2 cells was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Breast carcinoma stem cells can be enriched by TGF-β1 and isolated from MCF-7 cells by immunomagnetic sorting. TPL- PEI-CyD can even more significantly suppress the expression of Oct-4 and ALDHA1 in MCF-7 stem cells than TPL (P<0.05). In conclusion, after coupling TPL and PEI-CyD, TPL-PEI-CyD showed characteristics of effective suppression to breast carcinoma stem cell and decrease of cytotoxicity. It presented the unique effect of traditional Chinese medicine as an efficient and low toxic drug carrier complex for breast carcinoma treatment.
Insights
Triptolide-polyethylenimine-cyclodextrin (TPL-PEI-CyD) effectively suppresses breast carcinoma stem cells while reducing toxicity to renal cells. This novel complex shows promise as a low-toxicity treatment for breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Triptolide (TPL), derived from Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits immunomodulatory and antitumor properties.
- Developing targeted drug delivery systems is crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxicity in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity of TPL-PEI-CyD on renal cells (HK-2) and its impact on breast carcinoma stem cells.
- To investigate the potential of TPL-PEI-CyD as a targeted therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay on HK-2 cells.
- Breast carcinoma stem cells were enriched from MCF-7 cells using TGF-β1 and isolated via immunomagnetic sorting.
- Western Blot analysis was employed to detect Oct-4 and ALDH1 expression in treated stem cells.
Main Results:
- TPL-PEI-CyD demonstrated significantly reduced toxicity on HK-2 cells compared to TPL (P<0.05).
- TPL-PEI-CyD markedly suppressed Oct-4 and ALDH1 expression in breast carcinoma stem cells more effectively than TPL (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- The TPL-PEI-CyD complex effectively targets and suppresses breast carcinoma stem cells.
- This novel formulation offers a promising approach for breast cancer treatment with decreased cytotoxicity, leveraging traditional Chinese medicine components.

