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Drug Res (Stuttg) 2022; 72(08): 457-465
DOI: 10.1055/a-1867-4805
Original Article

Curcumin Upregulates miR-148a to Increase the Chemosensitivity of CD44-Positive Prostate Cancer Stem Cells to Paclitaxel Through Targeting the MSK1/IRS1 axis

Mohammad Amin Vatankhah 
1   Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
,
Reza Panahizadeh 
1   Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
,
Kazem Nejati-Koshki 
2   Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
,
Mahsa Arabzadeh
3   Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
,
Amir Ahmad Arabzadeh 
3   Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
,
Nowruz Najafzadeh 
1   Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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Abstract

Background In men, prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. However, paclitaxel resistance is a major challenge in advanced PC. Curcumin, a natural antioxidant, has been demonstrated to have cytotoxic effects on cancer stem cells (CSCs). The goal of this study is to explore if curcumin can help lower chemoresistance to paclitaxel through the regulation of miR-148a-mediated apoptosis in prostate CSCs.

Methods The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPi) labeling were used to determine cell survival. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of P-glycoprotein protein (P-gp) and CD44 proteins. Finally, real-time PCR was used to evaluate the regulatory effects of curcumin and paclitaxel on miR-148a and its target genes.

Results Curcumin and paclitaxel co-treatment significantly reduced the IC50 value in CD44+cells compared to paclitaxel alone. Additionally, combining these drugs considerably increased apoptosis in CD44+cells. We also discovered that when curcumin and paclitaxel were combined, the expression of CD44 and P-gp was significantly reduced compared to paclitaxel alone. Curcumin and paclitaxel co-treatment also increased miR-148a levels and regulated the levels of its target genes MSK1 and IRS1.

Conclusion Curcumin may restore paclitaxel sensitivity by raising miR-148a expression and inhibiting its target genes.

Keywords

prostate cancer - cancer stem cells - curcumin - paclitaxel - miR-148a - P-gp - CD44


Publication History

Received: 08 April 2022

Accepted: 30 May 2022

Article published online:
22 July 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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