Mechanistic insights into anticancer properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seeds in colorectal cancer

Carcinogenesis. 2018 May 28;39(6):767-777. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgy034.

Abstract

Although the anticancer properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from grape seeds have been well recognized, the molecular mechanisms by which they exert anticancer effects are poorly understood. In this study, through comprehensive RNA-sequencing-based gene expression profiling in multiple colorectal cancer cell lines, we for the first time illuminate the genome-wide effects of OPCs from grape seeds in colorectal cancer. Our data revealed that OPCs affect several key cancer-associated genes. In particular, genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication were most significantly and consistently altered by OPCs across multiple cell lines. Intriguingly, our in vivo experiments showed that OPCs were significantly more potent at decreasing xenograft tumor growth compared with the unfractionated grape seed extract (GSE) that includes the larger polymers of proanthocyanidins. These findings were further confirmed in colorectal cancer patient-derived organoids, wherein OPCs more potently inhibited the formation of organoids compared with GSE. Furthermore, we validated alteration of cell cycle and DNA replication-associated genes in cancer cell lines, mice xenografts as well as patient-derived organoids. Overall, this study provides an unbiased and comprehensive look at the mechanisms by which OPCs exert anticancer properties in colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • Grape Seed Extract / pharmacology*
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Vitis / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Grape Seed Extract
  • Proanthocyanidins