Interferon gamma (IFNgamma ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha synergism in ME-180 cervical cancer cell apoptosis and necrosis. IFNgamma inhibits cytoprotective NF-kappa B through STAT1/IRF-1 pathways

We investigated the molecular mechanism of the synergism between interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) documented in a variety of biological occasions such as tumor cell death and inflammatory responses. IFNgamma/TNFalpha synergistically induced apoptosis of ME-180 cervical cancer cells. IFNgamma induced STAT1 phosphorylation and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) expression. Transfection of phosphorylation-defective STAT1 inhibited IFNgamma/TNFalpha-induced apoptosis, whereas IRF-1 transfection induced susceptibility to TNFalpha. Dominant-negative IkappaBalpha transfection sensitized ME-180 cells to TNFalpha. IFNgamma pretreatment attenuated TNFalpha- or p65-induced NF-kappaB reporter activity, whereas it did not inhibit p65 translocation or DNA binding of NF-kappaB. IRF-1 transfection alone inhibited TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activity, which was reversed by coactivator p300 overexpression. Caspases were activated by IFNgamma/TNFalpha combination; however, caspase inhibition did not abrogate IFNgamma/TNFalpha-induced cell death. Instead, caspase inhibitors directed IFNgamma/TNFalpha-treated ME-180 cells to undergo necrosis, as demonstrated by Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide staining and electron microscopy. Taken together, our results indicate that IFNgamma and TNFalpha synergistically act to destroy ME-180 tumor cells by either apoptosis or necrosis, depending on caspase activation, and STAT1/IRF-1 pathways initiated by IFNgamma play a critical role in IFNgamma/TNFalpha synergism by inhibiting cytoprotective NF-kappaB. IFNgamma/TNFalpha synergism appears to activate cell death machinery independently of caspase activation, and caspase activation seems to merely determine the mode of cell death.     

Novel synergistic mechanism for sst2 somatostatin and TNFalpha receptors to induce apoptosis: crosstalk between NF-kappaB and JNK pathways

Somatostatin is a multifunctional hormone that modulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Mechanisms for somatostatin-induced apoptosis are at present mostly unsolved. Therefore, we investigated whether somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) induces apoptosis in the nontransformed murine fibroblastic NIH3T3 cells. Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 expression induced an executioner caspase-mediated apoptosis through a tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 (Src homology domain phosphatase-1)-dependent stimulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity and subsequent inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase JNK. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) stimulated both NF-kappaB and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activities, which had opposite action on cell survival. Importantly, sst2 sensitized NIH3T3 cells to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis by (1) upregulating TNFalpha receptor protein expression, and sensitizing to TNFalpha-induced caspase-8 activation; (2) enhancing TNFalpha-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, resulting in JNK inhibition and subsequent executioner caspase activation and cell death. We have here unraveled a novel signaling mechanism for a G protein-coupled receptor, which directly triggers apoptosis and crosstalks with a death receptor to enhance death ligand-induced apoptosis.     

Inactivation of the inhibitory kappaB protein kinase/nuclear factor kappaB pathway by Par-4 expression potentiates tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis.

Par-4 is a novel protein identified in cells undergoing apoptosis. The ability of Par-4 to promote apoptotic cell death is dependent on the binding and inactivation of the atypical protein kinases C (PKCs). This subfamily of kinases has been reported to control nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) through the regulation of the IkappaB kinase activity. NF-kappaB activation by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) provides a survival signal that impairs the TNFalpha-induced apoptotic response. We show here that expression of Par-4 inhibits the TNFalpha-induced nuclear translocation of p65 as well as the kappaB-dependent promoter activity. Interestingly, Par-4 expression blocks inhibitory kappaB protein (IkappaB) kinase activity, which leads to the inhibition of IkappaB phosphorylation and degradation, in a manner that is dependent on its ability to inhibit lambda/iotaPKC. Of potential functional relevance, the expression of Par-4 allows TNFalpha to induce apoptosis in NIH-3T3 cells. In addition, the down-regulation of Par-4 levels by oncogenic Ras sensitizes cells to TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation.     

TWEAK-FN14 signaling induces lysosomal degradation of a cIAP1-TRAF2 complex to sensitize tumor cells to TNFalpha

Synthetic inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) antagonists induce degradation of IAP proteins such as cellular IAP1 (cIAP1), activate nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling, and sensitize cells to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). The physiological relevance of these discoveries to cIAP1 function remains undetermined. We show that upon ligand binding, the TNF superfamily receptor FN14 recruits a cIAP1-Tnf receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) complex. Unlike IAP antagonists that cause rapid proteasomal degradation of cIAP1, signaling by FN14 promotes the lysosomal degradation of cIAP1-TRAF2 in a cIAP1-dependent manner. TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)/FN14 signaling nevertheless promotes the same noncanonical NF-kappaB signaling elicited by IAP antagonists and, in sensitive cells, the same autocrine TNFalpha-induced death occurs. TWEAK-induced loss of the cIAP1-TRAF2 complex sensitizes immortalized and minimally passaged tumor cells to TNFalpha-induced death, whereas primary cells remain resistant. Conversely, cIAP1-TRAF2 complex overexpression limits FN14 signaling and protects tumor cells from TWEAK-induced TNFalpha sensitization. Lysosomal degradation of cIAP1-TRAF2 by TWEAK/FN14 therefore critically alters the balance of life/death signals emanating from TNF-R1 in immortalized cells.     

The E3 ubiquitin ligase itch couples JNK activation to TNFalpha-induced cell death by inducing c-FLIP(L) turnover

The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha signals both cell survival and death. The biological outcome of TNFalpha treatment is determined by the balance between NF-kappaB and Jun kinase (JNK) signaling; NF-kappaB promotes survival, whereas JNK enhances cell death. Critically, identity of a JNK substrate that promotes TNFalpha-induced apoptosis has been outstanding. Here we show that TNFalpha-mediated JNK activation accelerates turnover of the NF-kappaB-induced antiapoptotic protein c-FLIP, an inhibitor of caspase-8. This is not due to direct c-FLIP phosphorylation but depends on JNK-mediated phosphorylation and activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch, which specifically ubiquitinates c-FLIP and induces its proteasomal degradation. JNK1 or Itch deficiency or treatment with a JNK inhibitor renders mice resistant in three distinct models of TNFalpha-induced acute liver failure, and cells from these mice do not display inducible c-FLIP(L) ubiquitination and degradation. Thus, JNK antagonizes NF-kappaB during TNFalpha signaling by promoting the proteasomal elimination of c-FLIP(L).     

Ubiquitination of RIP is required for tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation

Stimulation of cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) triggers a recruitment of various signaling molecules, such as RIP, to the TNFalpha receptor 1 complex, leading to activation of NF-kappaB. Previous studies indicate that RIP plays an essential role for TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation, but the molecular mechanism by which RIP mediates TNFalpha signals to activate NF-kappaB is not fully defined. Earlier studies suggest that RIP undergoes a ligand-dependent ubiquitination. However, it remains to be determined whether the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. In this study, we have identified Lys377 of RIP as the functional ubiquitination site, because mutating this residue to arginine completely abolished RIP-mediated NF-kappaB activation. The K377R mutation of RIP cannot undergo ligand-dependent ubiquitination and fails to recruit its downstream signaling components into the TNFalpha receptor 1 complex. Together, our studies provide the first genetic evidence that the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation.     

Casein kinase 1alpha interacts with RIP1 and regulates NF-kappaB activation

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) triggers a signaling pathway converging on the activation of NF-kappaB, which forms the basis for many physiological and pathological processes. In a kinase gene screen using a NF-kappaB reporter, we observed that overexpression of casein kinase 1alpha (CK1alpha) enhanced TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation, and a CK1alpha kinase dead mutant, CK1alpha (K46A), reduced NF-kappaB activation induced by TNFalpha. We subsequently demonstrated that CK1alpha interacted with receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) but not with TRADD, TRAF2, MEKK3, IKKalpha, IKKbeta, or IKKgamma in mammalian cells. RIP1 is an indispensable molecule in TNFalpha/NF-kappaB signaling. We demonstrated that CK1alpha interacted with and phosphorylated RIP1 at the intermediate domain. Finally, we showed that CK1alpha enhanced RIP1-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, our studies suggest that CK1alpha is another kinase that regulates RIP1 function in NF-kappaB activation.     

A possible involvement of ion transporter in tumor necrosis factor alpha and cycloheximide-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells

We examined the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells from the standpoint of ion channels. Cultured vascular endothelial cells from bovine carotid artery were used. Apoptosis was determined by a propidium iodide assay. Treatment of the endothelial cells with TNFalpha and cycloheximide for 6 h induced nuclear fragmentation in a TNFalpha dose-dependent manner (1-10 ng/ml). Concomitant treatment of endothelial cells with TNFalpha at a dose of 10 ng/ml and cycloheximide at a dose of 10 microg/ml elicited endothelial cell apoptosis as high as 23.4+/-4.1% at 6 h after administration. However, 10 ng/ml TNFalpha alone elicited a little apoptosis at 6 h after its administration (% apoptosis=4.1+/-0.8%). Cycloheximide (10 microg/ml) did not induce apoptosis at all. Concomitant treatment of endothelial cells with 1 mmol/l of 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid, which is a chloride bicarbonate exchanger blocker, partially inhibited the TNFalpha and cycloheximide-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. On the other hand, endothelial cell apoptosis due to TNFalpha and cycloheximide was completely inhibited by benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-CH2OC(O)-2,6-dichlorobenzene (50 micromol/l), an inhibitor of caspase. Moreover, pyrrolidine dithiocarbanate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), also suppressed endothelial cell apoptosis induced by TNFalpha and cycloheximide completely. These findings suggest that the endothelial cell apoptosis induced by TNFalpha and cycloheximide is closely related to not only chloride ions, but also both NF-kappaB and caspase activation. That is to say, there is a possibility that chloride ions or bicarbonate (pH) may play an important role in signal transduction such as NF-kappaB and caspase activation in the apoptosis induced by TNFalpha and cycloheximide.     

Effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha and infliximab on apoptosis of B lymphocytes infected or not with Epstein-Barr virus

Chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive therapies increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated or not with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. A possible link between infliximab treatment and increased risk of lymphoma has been suggested. Indeed, infliximab induces apoptosis of monocytes and activated T lymphocytes, but its effect on B lymphocytes infected or not with EBV is unknown. Secreted tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and the expression level of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2 were compared in EBV-positive and negative B-cell lines. The impact of TNFalpha and infliximab on apoptosis of EBV-positive cells was analyzed regarding the activity of NF-kappaB. Increased expression of TNFalpha in EBV-positive cells suggested that infliximab could affect their survival. However, TNFalpha or infliximab incubation had no effect on apoptosis of EBV-positive cells. Loss of NF-kappaB activity sensitized lymphoblastoid cell lines to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis, but no direct effect of infliximab on apoptosis was detected. On the basis of our in vitro data, neither TNFalpha nor infliximab has a direct effect on apoptosis of B lymphocytes and EBV-positive cell lines. Thus, if an increased incidence of lymphoma were induced by TNFalpha blockers, it would not involve a direct effect on B cells but rather an impaired immune surveillance by T cells.     

NF-kappaB activation prevents apoptotic oxidative stress via an increase of both thioredoxin and MnSOD levels in TNFalpha-treated Ewing sarcoma cells

Repression of activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) participates in the anti-apoptotic effect of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in TNFalpha-treated Ewing sarcoma cells. As oxidative stress is one of the most prominent activators of JNK, we investigated the relationship between TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation and the control of oxidative stress. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation resulted in an increase in TNFalpha-induced ROS production, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. Those ROS and lipid peroxides were both involved in TNFalpha-induced apoptosis, whereas only ROS elevation triggered sustained JNK activation. TNFalpha increased the level of two antioxidant enzymes, thioredoxin and manganese superoxide dismutase by an NF-kappaB-dependent mechanism. Inhibition of expression or activity of these enzymes sensitized cells to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis, indicating their functional role in protection from cell death. Thus, agents that inhibit activities of these enzymes may prove helpful in the treatment of Ewing tumors.     

NF-kappaB inhibition by an adenovirus expressed aptamer sensitizes TNFalpha-induced apoptosis

Prolonged activation of NF-kappaB is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases and associated cancers. NF-kappaB activation is considered to be a main mechanism opposing TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. We investigated whether inhibition of NF-kappaB could sensitize tumor and endothelial cells to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. As such, we developed a novel H1 RNA polymerase III promoter driven adenoviral vector to express an RNA aptamer, Ad-A-p50, which selectively inhibits NF-kappaB activation in the nucleus. This event sensitizes human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and human endothelial cells (HUVEC) to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis through the multiple pathways regulated by NF-kappaB, including Bcl-XL, HIF-1alpha, and VEGF. Our findings also suggest a new mechanism of HIF-1alpha regulation by NF-kappaB in the normoxic environment. RNA aptamer inhibition of NF-kappaB offers exciting opportunities for sensitizing inflammatory and tumor cells to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis.