Lactobacillus plantarum induces apoptosis in oral cancer KB cells through upregulation of PTEN and downregulation of MAPK signalling pathways

Abstract

Introduction: The oral tumor is the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Although chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the main strategies for the treatment of oral cancer, an emergence of inevitable resistance to these treatment modalities is the major drawback that causes recurrence of the disease. Nowadays, probiotics have been suggested as adjunctive and complementary treatment modalities for improving the impacts of chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents. Probiotics, the friendly microflora in our bodies, contribute to the production of useful metabolites with positive effects on the immune system against various diseases such as cancer. Methods: Lactobacillus plantarum is one of the most important bacteria, which commensally live in the human oral system. In the current study, the impacts of L. plantarum on maintaining oral system health were investigated, and the molecular mechanisms of inhibition of oral cancer KB cells mediated by L. plantarum were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and FACS flow cytometry analyses. Results: Our findings showed that L. plantarum is effective in the signal transduction of the oral cancer cells through upregulation and downregulation of PTEN and MAPK pathways, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the biological effects of oral candidate probiotics candidate bacterium L. plantarum on functional expression of PTEN and MAPK pathways, this microorganism seems to play a key role in controlling undesired cancer development in the oral system. Taken all, L. plantarum is proposed as a potential candidate for probiotics cancer therapy.

Role of <em>Lactobacillus</em> in cervical cancer

“…In addition to cervical cancer, Lactobacillus is associated with the proliferation and regulation of cells of other cancer types, such as breast cancer, 32 colorectal cancer, 33 gastric cancer, 34 and oral cancer. 35 , 36 Observations in these other cancers may offer insights into the study of Lactobacillus in cervical cancer. The main observations regarding Lactobacillus in cancers are as follows: 1) Lactobacillus can activate and strengthen the antitumor effects of immunocytes such as thymus-derived cells (T cells), natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages and immunological factors produced by immunocytes; 37 – 39 2) a large amount of unmethylated dinucleotide repeat sequences present in the nuclei of Lactobacillus can activate the innate immune response by binding to a specific receptor that exists on the surface of human cells; 40 3) Lactobacillus that is suitable for reproduction and growth in an anaerobic environment can selectively accumulate in the hypoxic zones of solid cancers; 41 and 4) Lactobacillus can selectively locate to solid cancers and can be used as a vector for gene therapy and targeted therapies.…”

Association of oral dysbiosis with oral cancer development (Review)

“…In particular, in a synergistic manner, LGG intensified the antineoplastic action of geniposide, supporting the tentative use of this combined therapy also in clinical practice. In another study, Asoudeh-Fard et al (196) demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum was able to inhibit and activate the MAPKs and PTEN pathways, respectively, playing a potential role in the regulation of cancer. Indeed, it is well known that PTEN and MAPKs are associated with the inhibition and the initiation of cancer development, respectively (196).…”

“…In another study, Asoudeh-Fard et al (196) demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum was able to inhibit and activate the MAPKs and PTEN pathways, respectively, playing a potential role in the regulation of cancer. Indeed, it is well known that PTEN and MAPKs are associated with the inhibition and the initiation of cancer development, respectively (196). Consequently, a possible use of L. plantarum for probiotics cancer therapy was proposed.…”

Lactobacillus plantarum induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells via modulation of signaling pathways in Helicobacter pylori

“…Similarly, the authors reported that the probiotic bacterium could increase the expression level of the PTEN gene and subsequently diminish the cancer cells. 35 Moreover, it has been reported that the inactivation of PTEN in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer cell line can increase the expression of AKT gene and suppress the p53 gene. Indeed, over-expression of the PTEN gene can significantly inhibit the growth of the tumor.…”