Methoxy-stilbenes downregulate the transcription of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent genes and lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human T98G glioblastoma cells.

Abstract Purpose Glioblastoma is the most common and the deadliest brain cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of resveratrol and its five analogs: 3,4,4′-trimethoxy, 3,4,2′-trimethoxy, 3,4,2′,4′-tetramethoxy, 3,4,2′,6′-tetramethoxy and 3,4,2′,4′,6′-pentamethoxy-trans-stilbenes (MS) on human glioblastoma T98G cells. Materials and methods The Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeation Assay (PAMPA) was used for the prediction of blood-brain barrier penetration ability of the tested stilbenes (PAMPA-BBB). MTT test was applied to analyze the cytotoxicity of the compounds, whereas their ability to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin target genes expression was verified using qPCR. The potential DNA demethylating properties of the analyzed compounds were tested by Methylation-Sensitive High Resolution Melting (MS-HRM). Cell cycle distribution was tested using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), whereas apoptosis was analyzed using FITC Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay and Western blot. Results High blood-brain barrier permeability coefficient was obtained for both resveratrol as well as methoxy-stilbenes. Their ability to downregulate the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway–related genes was confirmed. The 4′-methoxy substituted derivatives showed higher activity, whereas 3,4,4′-tri-MS was the most potent Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor. None of the compounds affected DNA methylation level of MGMT, SFRP1, or RUNX3, despite inducing moderate changes in the level of expression of epigenetic modifiers DNMT3B and TET1-3. Importantly, treatment with 3,4,4′-tri-MS and 3,4,2′,4′-tetra-MS led to cycle arrest in the S phase and induced apoptosis. Conclusions Both, resveratrol, as well as its synthetic methoxy-derivatives, should be further studied as promising adjuvants in glioblastoma treatment.