The polyphenol-rich extract of a consumer-relevant apple juice blend was found to potently inhibit the growth of the human colon cancer cell line HT29 in vitro. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its subsequent signaling cascade play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation in HT29 cells. The protein tyrosine kinase activity of an EGFR preparation was effectively inhibited by the polyphenol-rich apple juice extract. Treatment of intact cells with this extract resulted in the suppression of the subsequent mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Amongst the so far identified apple juice constituents, the proanthocyanidins B1 and B2 as well as quercetin-3-glc (isoquercitrin) and quercetin-3-gal (hyperoside) were found to possess substantial EGFR-inhibitory properties. However, as to be expected from the final concentration of these potential EGFR inhibitors in the original polyphenol-rich extract, a synthetic mixture of the apple juice constituents identified and available so far, including both proanthocyanidins and the quercetin glycosides, showed only marginal inhibitory effects on the EGFR. These results permit the assumption that yet unknown constituents contribute substantially to the potent EGFR-inhibitory properties of polyphenol-rich apple juice extract. In summary, the polyphenol composition of apple juice possesses promising growth-inhibitory properties, affecting proliferation-associated signaling cascades in colon tumor cells.
The flavonoids quercetin (QUE) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are discussed as potential chemopreventive food constituents. Both compounds have been shown to affect a spectrum of different cellular signaling pathways. Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta) is one of the key elements of the Wnt pathway, governing beta-catenin homeostasis. The inhibition of GSK3 kinase activity might lead to the onset of beta-catenin/TCF/LEF-mediated gene transcription, representing a potentially mitogenic stimulus. The aim of the study was to elucidate whether QUE and EGCG possibly mediate undesired proliferative stimuli in human colon carcinoma cells by interference with the Wnt pathway. In HT29 cells QUE did not inhibit the activity of GSK3alpha and -beta, measured as phosphorylation at Ser21 and Ser9, respectively. In accordance, QUE did not substantially affect beta-catenin homeostasis. In a reporter gene assay QUE was found to act as a weak inductor of T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) mediated luciferase expression, which was, however, not associated with a stimulation of cell growth. Treatment of HT29 cells with EGCG led to a potent inhibition of GSK3alpha and -beta activity. Subsequently, the amount of phosphorylated beta-catenin was diminished in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the overall amount of beta-catenin was decreased to a similar extent, which might result from a downregulation of beta-catenin neogenesis, indicated by reduced levels of beta-catenin mRNA. In accordance, no induction of TCF/LEF-mediated luciferase expression was observed. In conclusion, the results allow the assumption that QUE and EGCG do not mediate proliferative stimuli in HT29 cells by interference with key elements of the Wnt pathway.
Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta) is one of the key elements of the Wnt pathway involved in the regulation of beta-catenin homeostasis. The inhibition of GSK3beta kinase activity might lead to the onset of beta-catenin/TCF/LEF-mediated gene transcription, representing a potentially mitogenic stimulus. Apple polyphenols have been shown to mediate several biological effects that might be of interest with respect to chemoprevention. The objective of the study was to elucidate whether apple polyphenols also modulate key elements of the Wnt pathway, an effect that might limit the usefulness of these compounds for the prevention of carcinogenesis. A polyphenol-rich apple juice extract (AE02) was found to effectively inhibit the kinase activity of GSK3beta, immunoprecipitated from HT29 cells. Treatment of HT29 cells with AE02 for 24 h resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease of the cellular GSK3beta kinase activity. The inhibition of the kinase activity in HT29 cells was observed at polyphenol concentrations corresponding to the concentration of the constituents in the original apple juice. The apple characteristic dihydrochalcone glycoside phloridzin was found to be inactive up to 500 muM. The free aglycon phloretin as well as the flavonol quercetin effectively inhibited isolated GSK3beta, but did not affect the respective kinase activity within HT29 cells. In accordance with the inhibition of GSK3beta kinase activity by AE02, treatment of HT29 cells resulted in a significant decrease of phosphorylated beta-catenin. However, the total intracellular beta-catenin level was also found to be diminished, indicating that the interference of the apple constituents with GSK3beta was not associated with a stabilization of beta-catenin in HT29 cells. In line with these results, TCF/LEF-mediated gene transcription remained unaffected by treatment with AE02 as shown in a reporter gene approach. We can assume from the results that at consumer-relevant concentrations apple polyphenols do not mediate growth-stimulating effects in HT29 cells via the Wnt pathway.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.