Chelerythrine inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy.

backgroundChelerythrine (CHE) exhibits notable anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, while its impact on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), especially the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the roles and mechanism of CHE in the ESCC treatment.

methodsHuman ESCC cell lines and organoids were used for in vitro cell experiments, BALB/c nude mice were used for in vivo animal experiments. To investigate the underlying mechanism of CHE treatment, drug library screen, RNA sequencing analysis, TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis, western blotting analysis, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, apoptosis assay, detection of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), autophagic flux monitoring, transmission electron microscopy, and seahorse XF-96 metabolic flux analysis were used to assess the effect of CHE and relevant mechanism.

resultsCHE dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells. CHE also induced cell apoptosis and triggered PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin-mediated mitophagy-mediated cell death by elevating the production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and diminishing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, the production of autophagosomes and autolysosomes induced by CHE altered when used in combination with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or bafilomycin A1 (BafA1), indicating that it induced complete autophagic flux in the cells. Mechanistically, CHE affected multiple signaling pathways associated with ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, mitophagy, and mitochondrial energy metabolism, indicating its close involvement in mitophagy occurrence. In addition, CHE treatment significantly reduced tumor size and weight in nude mice bearing KYSE150 tumors and retarded the growth of organoids derived from patients, it also reduced the ratio of M2 macrophage in tumor microenvironment and cell metabolism.

conclusionsCHE activates PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy and disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis, and it also affects the tumor environment and cell metabolism, ultimately leading to cell death, supporting the potential of CHE for ESCC therapy.