肝癌细胞来源外泌体对肿瘤相关M2型巨噬细胞极化的影响

目的 探讨来源于肝癌细胞的外泌体对肿瘤相关巨噬细胞极化的影响，揭示肝癌形成新机制。方法 通过超速离心法分离肝癌细胞来源外泌体，透射电子显微镜、动态光散射粒度分析仪、蛋白免疫印迹法对外泌体表征进行鉴定；诱导巨噬细胞极化模型，实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白免疫印迹法验证其极化状态。符合正态分布的计量资料两组间比较采用t检验；多组间比较采用单因素方差分析，进一步两两比较采用LSD-t检验。结果 透谢电子显微镜显示肝癌细胞来源外泌体为圆形或椭圆形囊泡结构，外泌体粒径大小为(172.65±2.34)nm,蛋白免疫印迹分析显示肝癌细胞来源的外泌体中标志蛋白TSG101和CD63呈高阳性表达。佛波酯15 ng诱导人源单核细胞巨噬细胞24 h贴壁后CD68表达显著增加(6.67±0.98 vs 1.00±0.25,t=11.20,P<0.001)。蛋白免疫印迹分析显示，相比对照组(L02来源外泌体组),HCC细胞来源外泌体(低、中、高3种剂量)诱导巨噬细胞表达M2型巨噬细胞标志物Arg-1、CD163均明显增加(P值均<0.05)。结论 肝癌细胞来源外泌体可促进巨噬细胞M2型极化。     

不同肺转移潜能的大鼠肝癌细胞外泌体对巨噬细胞转录组的影响

目的 比较不同肺转移潜能的大鼠肝癌细胞来源外泌体对巨噬细胞转录组的影响。方法 通过转录组测序技术,比较经两株不同肺转移潜能的大鼠肝癌细胞(WB1和WN1)来源外泌体处理的巨噬细胞的转录组差异,筛选差异基因并使用KEGG分析、GO分析和蛋白互作网络分析,探索癌细胞来源外泌体影响巨噬细胞功能促进肺转移的潜在机制。结果 对比高肺转移肝癌细胞WN1和低肺转移肝癌细胞WB1来源外泌体处理的巨噬细胞转录组,存在318个差异表达基因【log2(差异倍数)≥1;P<0.05】,其中上调基因296个,下调基因22个;KEGG分析发现上调差异基因主要富集在PI3K-Akt信号通路、IL-17信号通路、TNF信号通路等炎症分子相关的信号通路和细胞黏附相关的信号通路上;GO分析发现上调差异基因主要富集在血管形成、上皮间质转化和金属肽酶活动等条目中;更进一步的蛋白质相互作用网络分析筛选得到的核心基因Vegfa、Il6和Mmp3等也位于上述富集通路中。结论 巨噬细胞受不同肺转移潜能的大鼠肝癌细胞外泌体处理后,转录组存在显著性差异,高肺转移肝癌细胞来源外泌体可能通过调控巨噬细胞多个信号通路发挥促进肝癌肺转移的作用。     

M2型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体对快速起搏HL-1细胞KCa3.1的作用及可能机制

目的 探究M2型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体对快速起搏小鼠心房肌细胞(HL-1)KCa3.1的作用及可能机制。方法 提取C57/6J小鼠骨髓巨噬细胞并分为未分化组(未加干预的骨髓巨噬细胞)和分化组(骨髓巨噬细胞经白细胞介素-4干预24 h分化为M2型巨噬细胞)。分别收集分化组和未分化组细胞培养液上清，采用超速离心法得到外泌体。实时荧光聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)检测miR-146a-5p在分化组和未分化组外泌体中的表达情况。将HL-1细胞分为8组，分别为对照组(HL-1细胞未施加任何干预)、起搏组(HL-1细胞快速起搏)、共培养组(HL-1细胞快速起搏的同时与M2型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体共培养)、模拟物组(HL-1细胞快速起搏同时转染miR-146a-5p模拟物)、模拟物对照组(HL-1细胞快速起搏同时转染模拟物对照)、抑制物组(HL-1细胞快速起搏同时转染miR-146a-5p抑制物)、抑制剂物对照组(HL-1细胞快速起搏同时转染抑制剂物对照)、PDTC组[HL-1细胞起搏同时给予核因子-κBp65(NF-κB p65)特异性阻断剂PDTC]。采用qRT-PCR检测各组中miR-146a-...     

巨噬细胞外泌体抑制HBV DNA复制

目的探讨巨噬细胞(macrophage,M?)外泌体抑制HBV DNA复制的机制及与慢性乙型肝炎(chronic viral hepatitis B,CHB)肝损伤的相关性。方法体外分离鉴定M?外泌体,并将其与Hep G2.2.15细胞共培养,利用实时定量PCR检测共培养后HBV DNA复制的变化,分别分析M?及其上清外泌体中微小RNA(micro RNA,mi RNA)-638的表达;同时入组CHB免疫活化(immune activation,IA)期、低(非)复制(inactive carrier,IC)期患者,并以同期健康者作为对照组,通过实时定量PCR检测血清外泌体中mi RNA-638的表达,并与肝损伤、HBV DNA载量进行相关性分析。结果 M?外泌体可以抑制HBV DNA复制;M?及其上清外泌体中mi RNA-638高表达;CHB患者IA期mi RNA-638的表达水平低于IC期;CHB患者血清外泌体中mi RNA-638的表达水平与ALT、AST和HBV DNA水平呈负相关。结论 M?外泌体可以抑制HBV DNA复制,外泌体中mi RNA-638的表达水平与肝脏炎性损伤和病毒复制密切相关,M?外泌体相关mi RNA可能是潜在的抑制HBV复制、减轻肝脏炎症的靶点。     

外泌体来源微小RNA在心血管疾病中作用研究进展

在不同的病理生理状态下,细胞可分泌包含有特定内含物的外泌体至细胞外环境中。其中,来源于外泌体的微小RNA(miRNA)能够参与细胞间的物质传递和信号转导。近年来,人们逐渐认识到外泌体及其相关的miRNA在心血管疾病发病过程中的重要作用。本文介绍了外泌体的基本特征及外泌体来源的miRNA的生物学特性,讨论了外泌体来源的miRNA在不同心血管疾病中的表达情况。     

M1型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体微小RNA-16-5p对心房肌细胞电生理的影响

目的 探讨M1型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体微小RNA(miR)-16-5p对心房肌细胞电生理的影响及可能机制。方法 将小鼠单核巨噬细胞(RAW264.7细胞)分为脂多糖(LPS)组(LPS诱导刺激RAW264.7细胞24 h使其分化为M1型巨噬细胞)、miR-16-5p阴性对照(NC)组(将miR-16-5p NC转染RAW264.7细胞后诱导分化)、miR-16-5p模拟物(mimics)组(将miR-16-5p mimics转染RAW264.7细胞后诱导分化)、miR-16-5p抑制物(inhibitor)组(将miR-16-5p inhibitor转染RAW264.7细胞后诱导分化)及LPS+中性鞘磷脂酶抑制剂(GW4869)组(RAW264.7细胞经LPS诱导完成后加入10μM GW4869继续培养)。5组巨噬细胞培养48～72 h后收集上清液,采用超速离心法提取外泌体。采用实时荧光PCR(qRT-PCR)检测转染后巨噬细胞miR-16-5p相对表达水平。将心房肌细胞(HL-1细胞)暴露于快速电刺激(1.0 V/cm, 10 Hz)48 h构建快速起搏诱导的房颤细胞模型,与各组外泌体...     

M2型巨噬细胞来源外泌体对食管癌细胞生长行为及人脐静脉血管内皮细胞血管生成的影响

目的 探讨M2型巨噬细胞来源的外泌体(Exo)对食管癌细胞生长及人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVEC)血管生成的影响。方法 采用佛波酯(PMA)和白细胞介素(IL)-4将人单核细胞系THP1细胞诱导为M2型巨噬细胞,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测巨噬细胞相关基因肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、IL-6、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)、重组人精氨酸酶(Arg)1、转化生长因子(TGF)-β及CD206的表达变化;超速离心法分离M2型巨噬细胞来源的Exo,透射电镜观察形态,粒径分析仪检测粒径分布,Western印迹法检测Exo标志蛋白表达;利用PKH67标记Exo后再与食管癌细胞株EC9706共培养,细胞免疫荧光染色检测Exo被EC9706细胞摄取情况;将分离的Exo与EC9706细胞共培养,CCK-8法和EdU染色检测细胞增殖,Transwell实验检测细胞迁移与侵袭,细胞成管实验检测HUVEC血管生成情况。结果 经PMA和IL-4诱导后的细胞内M1型巨噬细胞相关基因TNF-α、IL-6和iNOS的mRNA表达水平显著下调(P<0.05),M2型巨噬细胞相关基因Arg1、T...     

细粒棘球蚴原头节源外泌体体外刺激髓源抑制性细胞极化的研究

目的 探究细粒棘球蚴原头节源外泌体体外刺激髓源抑制性细胞(MDSC)向M2型巨噬细胞极化的动态变化，并探讨二者协同发挥免疫抑制作用的生物学意义。方法体外培养细粒棘球蚴原头节并收集培养上清，超速离心上清获得外泌体。透射电镜观察外泌体形态，蛋白质免疫印迹(Western blotting)检测外泌体蛋白CD9和烯醇化酶的表达。取3只健康BALB/c小鼠，制备股骨髓系细胞，刺激分化为MDSC后，分为实验组、阳性对照组和阴性对照组。于6孔板中每孔加入1×10~6个MDSC细胞，实验组、阳性对照组和阴性对照组分别加入20μl外泌体(5μg)、白细胞介素-4 (IL-4)(40 ng)和RPMI 1640培养基进行刺激。于刺激24、 48和72 h后，分别收集3组MDSC，采用流式细胞术分析单核型MDSC (M-MDSC)的细胞比例变化及其M2型巨噬细胞分子标志F4/80和CD206的表达情况。采用GraphPad Prism 8.0.2统计学软件进行统计学分析。结果透射电镜下可见细粒棘球蚴原头节源外泌体为圆形的膜状结构，直径集中在60～90 nm。Western blotting分析结果显示，外...     

香烟暴露的前列腺基质细胞促进上皮细胞胶原沉积

目的 研究香烟暴露下前列腺基质细胞对上皮细胞的影响。方法 建立前列腺基质-上皮细胞共培养体系。观察不同条件下的基质细胞对上皮细胞增殖、胶原沉积、上皮-间质转化(EMT)的影响。收集前列腺基质细胞来源的外泌体，观察外泌体对上皮细胞的影响。通过高通量测序分析外泌体LncRNAs和mRNAs表达差异。结果 相对于空白对照，香烟暴露的基质细胞和基质来源外泌体均促进上皮细胞增殖、EMT和胶原沉积。测序和功能分析结果显示相对于空白对照，香烟暴露基质细胞来源的外泌体中有197个差异表达LncRNAs(158个上调，39个下调)和2 564个差异表达mRNAs(2 482个上调，82个下调)。差异表达的LncRNAs和mRNAs在调节细胞周期和增殖、细胞连接、纤维化等生物过程中发挥重要作用。结论 香烟暴露的前列腺基质细胞和其来源的外泌体能够促进上皮细胞增殖和胶原沉积。     

骨髓间充质干细胞来源外泌体通过PI3K/Akt途径减轻过氧化氢诱导心肌细胞损伤

目的 研究骨髓间充质干细胞(BMMSC)来源外泌体通过PI3K/Akt途径减轻过氧化氢(H2 O2)诱导心肌细胞损伤.方法 培养心肌H9c2细胞,采用0.5 mmol/L H2 O2诱导心肌细胞损伤,给予BMMSC来源外泌体、对照溶剂二甲基亚砜或PI3K抑制剂LY294002干预,检测细胞存活率、凋亡率及Bcl-2、B...     

Indomethacin suppresses growth of colon cancer via inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo

AIM: It has been reported that regular consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin decreases the incidence and mortality rate of a number of gastrointestinal cancers. We aimed to explore the efficacy and possible mechanisms of indomethacin on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis of human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: MTT (thiazolyl blue) assay was used to assess the effect of indomethacin on cultured human colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. HCT116 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c-nu/nu mice. After oral administration of indomethacin, 3 mg/kg·d for 4 wk, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to determine the microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, significantly decreased the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with 50% inhibition at approximately 318.2±12.7 μmol/L Growth of HCT116 cell tumor was significantly suppressed by indomethacin. The tumor volume was significantly decreased in the treated group (458.89±32.07 mm3) compared to the control group (828.21±31.59 mm3) (P<0.05). The MVD of the treated group (19.50±5.32) was markedly decreased compared to the control group (37.40±4.93) (P<0.001). The VEGF expression of the treated group (1.19±0.17) was obviously reduced as compared to the control group (1.90±0.48) (P<0.01). The decrease in MVD was positively correlated with the decrease of VEGF expression (rs = 0.714, P<0.05). We did not see gastrointestinal complications in the treated group and no differences were noted in the body weight of the mice between the two groups throughout the study CONCLUSION: Indomethacin can significantly decrease the viability of cultured HCT116 cells and retard human colorectal HCT116 cell tumor growth via inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, which might be through reduction of VEGF expression.     

错配修复基因MLH1激活p53和线粒体凋亡通路参与雌激素诱导的结肠癌细胞凋亡

临床和流行病学研究显示雌激素替代治疗可降低绝经后妇女的结直肠癌发生风险。前期研究发现雌激素能上调结肠癌细胞的错配修复(MMR)基因MLH1表达,在MLH1基因缺失的结肠癌细胞中再表达MLH1能明显增强雌激素诱导的细胞凋亡。目的:探讨MLH1参与雌激素诱导结肠癌细胞凋亡所涉及的信号通路以及p53及其相关基因在此凋亡通路中的作用。方法:以含人野生型MLH1(hMLH1)全长cDNA的质粒转染MLH1基因缺失的人结肠癌细胞株HCT116。以转染空质粒的HCT1 16细胞作为对照,在有或无雌激素作用的条件下,采用电泳法检测凋亡DNA Ladder,蛋白质印迹法检测p53等凋亡相关蛋白表达。结果:转染hMLH1后,10~(-8)mol/L雌二醇(E_2)能明显诱导HCT116细胞凋亡。转染hMLH1并经E_2处理的HCT116细胞(D组)与经E_2处理但未转染hMLH1的HCT116细胞(B组)相比,其caspase-3、caspase-9、p53、Bax、胞质细胞色素C蛋白表达均显著增强,D组上述蛋白表达亦均高于转染hMLH1但未经E_2处理的HCT116细胞(C组)。结论:MMR基因MLH1主要通过激活p53和线粒体凋亡通路参与雌激素诱导的人结肠癌细胞株HCT116凋亡。     

Tumor targeted gene therapy with plasmid expressing human tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro and in vivo

We have assessed the effect of exogenous human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNFalpha) in three human cancer cell lines; MDA-MB-361 (breast adenocarcinoma), HCT 116 (colon carcinoma) and 8-MG-BA (glioma). In vitro transfection of a plasmid containing hTNFalpha under the control of a hybrid promoter resulted in expression of hTNFalpha gene in all three cell lines and secretion into the culture medium was seen with MDA-MB-361 cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant increase in apoptotic and necrotic cells in MDA-MB-361 and to a lesser extent in HCT 116 cells. Increased apoptosis was confirmed by an increase in pro-caspase 3 activation. No effects of hTNFalpha expression were seen in 8-MG-BA cells. Intratumoral delivery of the hTNFalpha expression plasmid into MDA-MB-361 tumor xenografts grown in nude mice caused hemorrhagic tumor necrosis. This strategy may be a simple and promising gene therapy approach to the treatment of some human tumors.     

HT29和HCT116结肠癌细胞无血清培养形成肿瘤干细胞球特性的差异性研究

目的比较HT29和HCT116两种结肠癌细胞系中肿瘤干细胞的差异，初步探讨结肠癌干细胞研究模型。方法以无血清培养法培养HT29和HCT116细胞，观察其在不同时间形成肿瘤干细胞球的差异，用限制性稀释法计算两者的成球率；流式细胞术分析HT29和HCT116细胞系中CD44／CD24的表达情况；裸鼠体内成瘤实验鉴定HT29细胞球与HCT116细胞球成瘤能力。结果无血清培养法发现HCT116较HT29更易形成肿瘤干细胞球且所需时间更短，即HT29在无血清培养的第7天开始形成规则的球体，而HCT116则在第5天就已形成规则的球体，HCT116成球率（11．4±1．15）％高于HT29（3．31±0．27）％，且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；HT29和HCT116中CD44±／CD24±各细胞含量有显著差异，结果显示具有干细胞特性的CD44＋／CD24＋结肠癌细胞在HCT116中所占比例（60．33±5．75）％明显高于HT29（9．23±2．15）％，差异有统计学意义（t=13．939，P〈0．05）；体内成瘤实验发现HCT116细胞球在裸鼠体内的成瘤能力明显强于HT29细胞球，HCT116细胞球的成瘤速度及瘤体生长速度都较HT29细胞球快。结论与HT29相比，HCT116结肠癌细胞系更适合作为肿瘤干细胞研究的模型。     

Survivin靶向RNA干扰对人结肠癌HCT116细胞生长影响的研究

目的设计和构建survivin特异性的siRNA真核表达载体,观察survivin siRNA重组体对人大肠癌HCT116细胞株生长的影响,为大肠癌的基因治疗提供理论依据。方法针对survivin mRNA序列设计合成编码siRNA的DNA模板,构建2个survivin RNAi真核表达载体;实验分为survivin siRNA重组质粒转染组、空载体组和HCT116组,转染大肠癌细胞HCT116细胞,采用RT-PCR法检测survivin mRNA的表达,观察重组质粒对转染的HCT116细胞survivin基因表达的影响;用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法测量细胞生长情况;用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果测序表明survivin干扰序列完全正确,RT-PCR结果显示2条survivin siRNA真核表达质粒均能有效抑制survivin mRNA的转录表达。MTT比色法检测显示,与阴性对照组及未转染组细胞比较,干扰组细胞增殖率明显下降（P〈0．05）。流式细胞术检测的转染重组质粒组细胞凋亡率高于脂质体对照组和空质粒对照组（P〈0．05）。结论成功构建了survivin干扰真核表达载体,siRNA重组体能有效抑制人大肠癌细胞survivin mRNA表达,并抑制结肠癌细胞生长,促进其凋亡。     

Study of inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human colonadenocarcinoma cell line HCT

AIM To explore the anti-tumor effect of indomethacin (IN) on human colon adenocarcinoma cells anddetermine the influence of indomethacin on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis and elucidate the anti-tumor mechanism of Indomethacin.METHODS Human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line were cultured separately in vitro. Indomethacin(final concentration 100 μm - 800 gm) was administered alone or altogether with 5-Fu (50 μm). Agarose gelelectrophoresis, MTT, and Flow cytometry were used to study cell proliferation and apoptosis in humancolon carcinoma cell RT-PCR, western blot were used to detect the expression level of Bcl-2, bax gene andcdk4 protein expression in HCT116 cell lines after treated with IN for 24 hours.RESULTS Indomethacin can inhibit significantly the proliferation of HCT116 cell, change the morphology,and cause the cells to accumulate in the G0/Gl phase of the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis. The apoptosis oftumor cells was confirmed by DNA ladder formation on gel electrophoresis and sub-Gl peak on flowcytometry. These responses were time-and concentration-dependent. A synergic effect of inhibiting cancercell proliferation was observed when combined with Indomethacin and 5-Fu. RT-PCR results showed that INdown-regulated Bcl-2 mRNA expression, and did not change Bax mRNA expression. Western blot resultsconfirmed that IN inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression. No influence was found in the translation of Baxprotein. In inhibited cdk4 protein expression.CONCLUSION Our study results indicate that IN induce apoptosis of HCT116 cell by down-regulating Bcl-2expression and inhibiting cdk4 protein expression partially. This explains the mechanisms of antitumoractivity of the Indomethacin.     

吲哚美辛对结肠癌细胞CDK2、CDK4、P21WAF1/CIP1、Bcl-2及Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的：非甾体类抗类药通过环氧合酶途径是抑制肿瘤的机制之一，是否还有其他途径抑制细胞增殖及诱导凋亡。探讨吲哚美辛抗肿瘤的作用机制。为其临床应用实验依据。方法：不同浓度的吲哚美辛作用于结肠癌细胞株HCT116细胞24h，通过Western蛋白印迹技术检测CDK2、CDK4、p21s^WAF1/CIP1、Bcl-2及Bax蛋白表达。结果：吲哚美辛降低细胞周期素依赖蛋白激酶CDK2、CDK4及抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达上，上调细胞周期依赖蛋白激酶抑制剂p21s^WAF1/CIP1蛋白，而对促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达无影响。结论：吲哚美辛通过降低CDK2、CDK4、Bcl-2蛋白，上调p21s^WAF1/CIP1的表达来抑制细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡。     

Hydrogen sutfide protects colon cancer cells from chemopreventative agent β-phenylethyl isothiocvanate induced apoptosis

AIM: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a prominent gaseous constituent of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with known cytotoxic properties. Endogenous concentrations of H2S are reported to range between 0.2-3.4 mmol/L in the GI tract of mice and humans. Considering such high levels we speculate that, at non-toxic concentrations, H2S may interact with chemical agents and alter the response of colonic epithelium cells to such compounds. The GI tract is a major site for the absorption of phytochemical constituents such as isothiocyanates, flavonoids, and carotenoids, with each group having a role in the prevention of human diseases such as colon cancer. The chemopreventative properties of the phytochemical agent p-phenyethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) are well recognized. However, little is currently known about the physiological or biochemical factors present in the GI tract that may influence the biological properties of ITCs. The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of H2S on PEITC mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells. METHODS: Induction of apoptosis by PEITC in human colon cancer HCT116 cells was assessed using classic apoptotic markers namely SubGl population analysis, caspase-3 like activity and nuclear fragmentation and condensation coupled with the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrasodium bromide) viability assay and LDH leakage. RESULTS: PEITC significantly induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells as assessed by SubGl population formation, nuclear condensation, LDH leakage and caspase-3 activity after 24 h, these data being significant from control groups (P<0.01). In contrast, co-treatment of cells with physiological concentrations of H2S (0.1-1 mmol/L) prevented PEITC mediated apoptosis as assessed using the parameters described. CONCLUSION: PEITC effectively induced cell death in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HCT116 in vitro through classic apoptotic mechanisms. However, in the presence of H2S, apoptosis was abolished. These data suggest that H2S may play a significant role in the response of colonic epithelial cells to beneficial as well as toxic agents present within the GI tract.     

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells in vitro

ABM: To study the effect of caffeic add phenethyl ester (CAPE) on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and expression of β-catenin in cultured human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116. METHODS: HCT116 cells were treated with CAPE at serial concentrations of 80,40,20,10,5,2.5 mg/L. The proliferative status of HCT116 cells was measured by using methaben-zthiazuron (MTT) assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by using flow cytometry (FCM) with propidium iodide (PI) labeling method. The rate of apoptosis was detected by using FCM with annexin V-FITC and PI double labeling method, β-catenin levels were determined by Western blotting, β-catenin localization in HCT116 was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: After HCT116 cells were exposed to CAPE (80, 40, 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 mg/L) for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, CAPE displayed a strong growth inhibitory effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner against HCT116 cells. FCM analysis showed that the ratio of G0/G1 phase cells increased, S phase ratio decreased and apoptosis rate increased after HCT116 cells were exposed to CAPE (10, 5, and 2.5 mg/L) for 24 h. CAPE treatment was associated with decreased cytoplasmic β-catenin, nuclear p-catenin and a concurrent increase in β-catenin protein expression at cell-cell junctions. CONCLUSION: CAPE could inhibit HCT116 cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Decreased β-catenin protein expression may mediate the anti-proliferative effects of CAPE.