Photochemical internalization (PCI) of HER2-targeted toxins: Synergy is dependent on the treatment sequence

Background

Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a modality for cytosolic release of drugs trapped in endocytic vesicles. The method is based upon photosensitizers localized in the membranes of endocytic vesicles which create membrane rupture upon light exposure by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), predominantly singlet oxygen (¹O₂).

Methods

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted immunotoxin (IT), trastuzumab–saporin, was evaluated in combination with PCI using TPCS_2a (Amphinex®), a new photosensitizer approved for clinical use.

Results

PCI synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of trastuzumab–saporin on trastuzumab-resistant HER2⁺ Zr-75-1 cells. The PCI effect was only observed when the IT was administered prior to the photochemical treatment (“light after” strategy), while administration of a non-targeted drug may equally well be performed after light exposure. Mechanistic studies showed reduced ligand-induced HER2 phosphorylation and receptor-mediated endocytosis after TPCS_2a-PDT. Photochemical disruption of the cytoplasmic domain of HER2 was found to be induced by ¹O₂ generated both by photosensitizer located in the endocytic vesicles and in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane.

Conclusions

Administration of the HER2-targeted toxin prior to light exposure is a prerequisite for successful PCI-mediated delivery of HER2-targeted toxins.

General significance

PCI of HER2-targeted toxins is demonstrated as a highly effective treatment modality which may overcome trastuzumab resistance. The mechanistic studies of the lack of PCI effect of the “light first” procedure is of outermost importance when designing a clinical PCI treatment protocol for delivery of HER2-targeted therapies.     

Developmental signaling pathways in cancer stem cells of solid tumors

Background

The intricate regulation of several signaling pathways is essential for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Cancers commonly display aberrant activity within these pathways. A population of cells identified in several cancers, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) show similar properties to normal stem cells and evidence suggests that altered developmental signaling pathways play an important role in maintaining CSCs and thereby the tumor itself.

Scope of review

This review will focus on the roles of the Notch, Wnt and Hedgehog pathways in the brain, breast and colon cancers. We describe the roles these pathways play in normal tissue homeostasis through the regulation of stem cell fate in these three tissues, and the experimental evidence indicating that the role of these pathways in cancers of these is directly linked to CSCs.

Major conclusions

A large body of evidence is accumulating to indicate that the deregulation of Notch, Wnt and Hedgehog pathways play important roles in both normal and cancer stem cells. We are only beginning to understand how these pathways interact, how they are coordinated during normal development and adult tissue homeostasis, and how they are deregulated during cancer. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that if we are to target CSCs therapeutically, it will likely be necessary to develop combination therapies.

General significance

If CSCs are the driving force behind tumor maintenance and growth then understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating CSCs is essential. Such knowledge will contribute to better targeted therapies that could significantly enhance cancer treatments and patient survival. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Stem Cells.     

Resveratrol inhibits pancreatic cancer stem cell characteristics in human and KrasG12D transgenic mice by inhibiting pluripotency maintaining factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can proliferate and self-renew extensively due to their ability to express anti-apoptotic and drug resistant proteins, thus sustaining tumor growth. Therefore, the strategy to eradicate CSCs might have significant clinical implications. The objectives of this study were to examine the molecular mechanisms by which resveratrol inhibits stem cell characteristics of pancreatic CSCs derived from human primary tumors and Kras^G12D transgenic mice.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Human pancreatic CSCs (CD133⁺CD44⁺CD24⁺ESA⁺) are highly tumorigenic and form subcutaneous tumors in NOD/SCID mice. Human pancreatic CSCs expressing high levels of CD133, CD24, CD44, ESA, and aldehyde dehydrogenase also express significantly more Nanog, Oct-4, Notch1, MDR1 and ABCG2 than normal pancreatic tissues and primary pancreatic cancer cells. Similarly, CSCs from Kras^G12D mice express significantly higher levels of Nanog and Oct-4 than pancreatic tissues from Pdx-Cre mice. Resveratrol inhibits the growth (size and weight) and development (PanIN lesions) of pancreatic cancer in Kras^G12D mice. Resveratrol inhibits the self-renewal capacity of pancreatic CSCs derived from human primary tumors and Kras^G12D mice. Resveratrol induces apoptosis by activating capase-3/7 and inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP in human CSCs. Resveratrol inhibits pluripotency maintaining factors (Nanog, Sox-2, c-Myc and Oct-4) and drug resistance gene ABCG2 in CSCs. Inhibition of Nanog by shRNA enhances the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on self-renewal capacity of CSCs. Finally, resveratrol inhibits CSC''s migration and invasion and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Zeb-1, Slug and Snail).

Conclusions/Significance

These data suggest that resveratrol inhibits pancreatic cancer stem cell characteristics in human and Kras^G12D transgenic mice by inhibiting pluripotency maintaining factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, resveratrol can be used for the management of pancreatic cancer.     

Drug-selected human lung cancer stem cells: cytokine network, tumorigenic and metastatic properties

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be responsible for tumor regeneration after chemotherapy, although direct confirmation of this remains forthcoming. We therefore investigated whether drug treatment could enrich and maintain CSCs and whether the high tumorogenic and metastatic abilities of CSCs were based on their marked ability to produce growth and angiogenic factors and express their cognate receptors to stimulate tumor cell proliferation and stroma formation.

Methodology/Findings

Treatment of lung tumor cells with doxorubicin, cisplatin, or etoposide resulted in the selection of drug surviving cells (DSCs). These cells expressed CD133, CD117, SSEA-3, TRA1-81, Oct-4, and nuclear β-catenin and lost expression of the differentiation markers cytokeratins 8/18 (CK 8/18). DSCs were able to grow as tumor spheres, maintain self-renewal capacity, and differentiate. Differentiated progenitors lost expression of CD133, gained CK 8/18 and acquired drug sensitivity. In the presence of drugs, differentiation of DSCs was abrogated allowing propagation of cells with CSC-like characteristics. Lung DSCs demonstrated high tumorogenic and metastatic potential following inoculation into SCID mice, which supported their classification as CSCs. Luminex analysis of human and murine cytokines in sonicated lysates of parental- and CSC-derived tumors revealed that CSC-derived tumors contained two- to three-fold higher levels of human angiogenic and growth factors (VEGF, bFGF, IL-6, IL-8, HGF, PDGF-BB, G-CSF, and SCGF-β). CSCs also showed elevated levels of expression of human VEGFR2, FGFR2, CXCR1, 2 and 4 receptors. Moreover, human CSCs growing in SCID mice stimulated murine stroma to produce elevated levels of angiogenic and growth factors.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that chemotherapy can lead to propagation of CSCs and prevention of their differentiation. The high tumorigenic and metastatic potentials of CSCs are associated with efficient cytokine network production that may represent a target for increased efficacy of cancer therapy.     

Protein C inhibitor regulates both cathepsin L activity and cell-mediated tumor cell migration

Background

Protein C inhibitor (PCI) is a plasma serine protease inhibitor (serpin) that regulates several serine proteases in coagulation including thrombin and activated protein C. However, the physiological role of PCI remains under investigation. The cysteine protease, cathepsin L, has a role in many physiological processes including cardiovascular diseases, blood vessel remodeling, and cancer.

Methods and results

We found that PCI inhibits cathepsin L with an inhibition rate (k₂) of 3.0 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Whereas, the PCI P1 mutant (R354A) inhibits cathepsin L at rates similar to wild-type PCI, mutating the P2 residue results in a slight decrease in the rate of inhibition. We then assessed the effect of PCI and cathepsin L on the migration of human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. Cathepsin L was expressed in both the cell lysates and conditioned media of MDA-MB-231 cells. Wound-induced and transwell migration of MDA-MB-231 cells was inhibited by exogenously administered wtPCI and PCI P1 but not PCI P14 mutant. In addition, migration of MDA-MB-231 cells expressing wtPCI was significantly decreased compared to non-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells or MDA-MB-231 cells expressing the PCI P14 mutant. Downregulation of cathepsin L by either a specific cathepsin L inhibitor or siRNA technology also resulted in a decrease in the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells.

Conclusions

Overall, our data show that PCI regulates tumor cell migration partly by inhibiting cathepsin L.

General significance

Consequently, inhibiting cathepsin L by serpins like PCI may be a new pathway of regulating hemostasis, cardiovascular and metastatic diseases.     

Deregulation of Bmi-1 is associated with enhanced migration,invasion and poor prognosis in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

Background

Bmi-1 had been found to involve in self renewal of stem cells and tumorigenesis in various malignancies. In this study, we investigated the role of Bmi-1 in the development of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC).

Methods

At first, we confirmed that the deregulation of Bmi-1 was a frequent event in SACC; up-regulation of Bmi-1 was correlated with clinical stages, vital status and distant metastasis and associated with reduced overall survival and disease free survival. SACC-LM cells, higher migration and invasion abilities, elevated the expression of Bmi-1 protein, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins (Snail, Slug and Vimentin) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) related proteins (ABCG₂, Notch, ALDH-1, Oct-4, Nanog and Epcam) compared to the SACC-83 cells (lower migration and invasion abilities). The migration and invasion abilities were inhibited in SACC-LM cells upon Bmi-1 knockdown. Meanwhile, Bmi-1 knockdown resulted in simultaneous loss of stem cell markers and EMT markers in SACC-LM cells.

Conclusion

Our studies confirm that Bmi-1 deregulation plays an important role in the development of SACC and contributes to the migration and the invasion abilities of SACC, which is involved in EMT and CSCs.

General significance

To our knowledge, this is the first study revealing that Bmi-1 deregulation is associated with enhanced migration, invasion and poor prognosis in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma.     

Expression of cancer stem cell marker during 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced rat tongue carcinogenesis

One of the theories regarding oral carcinogenesis is that the tumor growth is initiated from cancer stem cells (CSCs) that self-renew and give rise to differentiated tumor cells, like stem cells do in normal tissues. The most common methods of CSC identification are based on CSC marker expression in carcinogenesis. This study examined the expression of CD133 and CD44, the most commonly used CSC biomarkers in oral squamous cell sarcoma (SCC), with the goal of identifying molecular biomarkers whose expression is associated with the multistep oral carcinogenesis. The expression of CD133, CD44, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Cytokeratin (CK) was examined by Western blot analysis and confirmed by immunohistochemistry in a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced rat tongue carcinogenesis model. Also, the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), OCT-4 and Nanog were investigated for alteration of cancer cell stemness by Western blot. Along with the progress of multistep carcinogenesis, there were slight increases of CD133 and CD44 expression in the dysplasia group compared with normal rats. However, CD133 protein level was significantly overexpressed in SCC. The expression of PCNA and CK were low in normal group, but sequentially increased in SCC. ALDH1, Nanog and OCT-4 expression were significantly increased according to SCC grade during carcinogenesis. The findings indicate that CD133 is useful in identifying oral CSCs, which suggests that CD133 may serve as a predictor to identify CSCs with a high risk of oral cancer development.     

The inhibitory effect of naringenin on atopic dermatitis induced by DNFB in NC/Nga mice

Aims

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory dermatitis characterized by pruritic and eczematous skin lesions. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effect of the fruit flavonoid naringenin on DNFB induced atopic dermatitis mice model.

Main methods

AD-like skin lesion was induced by repetitive skin contact with DNFB in NC/Nga mice and the effects of the fruit flavonoid naringenin were evaluated on the basis of histopathological findings of skin, ear swelling and cytokine production of CD4⁺T cells.

Key findings

Intraperitoneal injection of naringenin for one week after DNFB challenge significantly lowered ear swelling and improved back skin lesions. In addition, naringenin significantly suppressed production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by activated CD4⁺ T cells and serum IgE level. Furthermore, naringenin reduced DNFB-induced infiltration of eosinophils, mast cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD8⁺ T cells in skin lesions.

Significance

Naringenin may suppress the development of AD-like skin lesions in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing IFN-γ production of activated CD4⁺ T cells, serum IgE levels and infiltration of immune cells to skin lesion.     

Heterogeneity of Functional Properties of Clone 66 Murine Breast Cancer Cells Expressing Various Stem Cell Phenotypes

Introduction

Breast cancer grows, metastasizes and relapses from rare, therapy resistant cells with a stem cell phenotype (cancer stem cells/CSCs). However, there is a lack of studies comparing the functions of CSCs isolated using different phenotypes in order to determine if CSCs are homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Methods

Cells with various stem cell phenotypes were isolated by sorting from Clone 66 murine breast cancer cells that grow orthotopically in immune intact syngeneic mice. These populations were compared by in vitro functional assays for proliferation, growth, sphere and colony formation; and in vivo limiting dilution analysis of tumorigenesis.

Results

The proportion of cells expressing CD44^highCD24^low/neg, side population (SP) cells, ALDH1⁺, CD49f^high, CD133^high, and CD34^high differed, suggesting heterogeneity. Differences in frequency and size of tumor spheres from these populations were observed. Higher rates of proliferation of non-SP, ALDH1⁺, CD34^low, and CD49f^high suggested properties of transit amplifying cells. Colony formation was higher from ALDH1⁻ and non-SP cells than ALDH1⁺ and SP cells suggesting a progenitor phenotype. The frequency of clonal colonies that grew in agar varied and was differentially altered by the presence of Matrigel™. In vivo, fewer cells with a stem cell phenotype were needed for tumor formation than “non-stem” cells. Fewer SP cells were needed to form tumors than ALDH1⁺ cells suggesting further heterogeneities of cells with stem phenotypes. Different levels of cytokines/chemokines were produced by Clone 66 with RANTES being the highest. Whether the heterogeneity reflects soluble factor production remains to be determined.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that Clone 66 murine breast cancer cells that express stem cell phenotypes are heterogeneous and exhibit different functional properties, and this may also be the case for human breast cancer stem cells.     

Plasma Membrane Proteomics of Tumor Spheres Identify CD166 as a Novel Marker for Cancer Stem-like Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a poor prognosis with the currently available therapy, and tumor recurrence is frequently observed. The discovery of specific membrane-associated cancer stem cell (CSC) markers is crucial for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to target these CSCs. To address this issue, we established sphere cultures to enrich CSCs and used them for plasma membrane proteomics to identify specific membrane signatures of the HNSCC spheres. Of a dataset that included a total of 376 identified proteins, 200 were bona fide membrane proteins. Among them, 123 proteins were at least 1.5-fold up- or down-regulated in the spheres relative to the adherent cultures. These proteins included cell adhesion molecules, receptors, and transporter proteins. Some of them play key roles in wnt, integrin, and TGFβ signaling pathways. When we compared our dataset with two published hESC membrane protein signatures, we found 18 proteins common to all three of the databases. CD166 and CD44 were two such proteins. Interestingly, the expression of CD166, rather than that of the well-established HNSCC CSC marker CD44, was significantly related to the malignant behavior of HNSCC. Relative to CD166^low HNSCC cells, CD166^high HNSCC cells had a greater sphere-formation ability in vitro and tumor formation ability in vivo. Patients whose tumors expressed high levels of CD166 had a significantly poorer clinical outcome than those whose tumors expressed low levels of CD166 (cohort 1: 96 cases, p = 0.040), whereas the level of CD44 expression had only a marginal influence on the clinical outcome of patients with HNSCC (p = 0.078). The level of CD166 expression in HNSCC tumors was also associated with the tumor recurrence rate (cohort 2: 104 cases, p = 0.016). This study demonstrates that CD166 is a valuable cell surface marker for the enrichment of HNSCC stem cells and that plasma membrane proteomics is a promising biological tool for investigating the membrane proteins of CSCs.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)¹ is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Despite ongoing improvement in traditional treatments, the long-term survival rate of patients with HNSCC has not significantly improved over the past several decades. More than 60% of patients with advanced tumors or localized lymph node metastases die within five years of their diagnosis (1). Tumor recurrence and resistance to therapy are the major causes of death. Recently, newly recognized cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells have been associated in a cause-and-effect manner with tumor recurrence and resistance to therapy. The concept of CSCs was established because of the heterogeneous nature of cancer and suggests that CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-cell-like traits and the source of all cells in the cancer. Conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy may destroy only those cells that form the bulk of the tumor, leaving the CSCs intact and able to give rise to tumor recurrence. Based on this theory, researchers are searching for therapies that would destroy CSCs in the hope of finally curing cancer (2). In order to develop strategies that target CSCs, experimental assays are required to determine how to distinguish CSCs from their progeny. Different methods have been used to isolate CSCs from a range of hematopoietic and solid tumors, and some CSC-specific cell surface markers have been found. These markers are primarily selected from the corresponding normal stem-cell markers based on their heterogeneous expression in the pertinent cancers. Despite some controversy, the CD34+CD38- marker signature was chosen to define the CSCs of leukemia (3), the CD44+CD24- signature was chosen to define breast cancer CSCs (4), and the CD44 marker was chosen to define the CSCs of HNSCC (5). Though membrane proteins represent only one-third of the proteins encoded by the human genome, they represent more than two-thirds of the known protein targets of drugs. These cell surface markers are not only useful for enriching CSCs from different tumors, but also of significant interest for drug discovery.However, as more cell surface markers for different cancers have been identified, conflicting results have been reported regarding the usefulness of some of the markers and the reproducibility of some of the marker profiles (6). Quintana et al. examined the expression of 22 common CSC markers in melanoma and found that none of them were exclusively enriched in tumorigenic cells relative to non-tumorigenic cells derived from melanoma (7). CD133 is a widely accepted cell surface marker for glioblastoma CSCs, but Beier et al. found that some glioblastoma CSCs were CD133- (8). CD44 is a CSC marker that is commonly expressed by different malignancies of hematopoietic and epithelial origin, including HNSCC (5). However, increasing data have demonstrated a high level of expression of CD44 in the great majority of cells in head and neck tissues, including normal mucosa and carcinomas, and its subsequent expression could not be used to distinguish normal from benign or malignant epithelia of the head and neck. These observations suggest the need for a comprehensive investigation and greater understanding of the cell surface molecules of CSCs.Many different “omic” technologies have shown promise as means to identify markers for cancer stem cells and tumors (9). Among them, membrane proteomics can directly detect changes in the cell surface content and provide insights into the post-translational regulation of cell surface functions. Therefore, in this study, we chose to use membrane proteomics both to investigate the cell surface molecules of CSCs that were enriched from the HNSCC cell populations based on their ability to form spheres and to relate their expression to that of stem cell traits. Our results may contribute to further clinical applications of CSCs by providing tools for purifying and identifying CSCs.     

CD1d favors MHC neighborhood,GM1 ganglioside proximity and low detergent sensitive membrane regions on the surface of B lymphocytes

Background

Cluster of differentiation 1 (CD1) represents a family of proteins which is involved in lipid-based antigen presentation. Primarily, antigen presenting cells, like B cells, express CD1 proteins. Here, we examined the cell-surface distribution of CD1d, a subtype of CD1 receptors, on B lymphocytes.

Methods

Fluorescence labeling methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), were employed to investigate plasma membrane features of CD1d receptors.

Results

High FRET efficiency was observed between CD1d and MHC I heavy chain (MHC I-HC), β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) and MHC II proteins in the plasma membrane. In addition, overexpression of CD1d reduced the expression of MHC II and increased the expression of MHC I-HC and β₂m proteins on the cell-surface. Surprisingly, β₂m dependent CD1d isoform constituted only ~ 15% of the total membrane CD1d proteins. Treatment of B cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) / simvastatin caused protein rearrangement; however, FRET demonstrated only minimal effect of these chemicals on the association between CD1d and GM₁ ganglioside on cell-surface. Likewise, a modest effect was only observed in a co-culture assay between MβCD/simvastatin treated C1R–CD1d cells and invariant natural killer T cells on measuring secreted cytokines (IFNγ and IL4). Furthermore, CD1d rich regions were highly sensitive to low concentration of Triton X-100. Physical proximity between CD1d, MHC and GM₁ molecules was also detected in the plasma membrane.

Conclusions

An intricate relationship between CD1d, MHC, and lipid species was found on the membrane of human B cells.

General significance

Organization of CD1d on the plasma membrane might be critical for its biological functions.     

T cells expressing VHH-directed oligoclonal chimeric HER2 antigen receptors: Towards tumor-directed oligoclonal T cell therapy

Background

Adoptive cell therapy with engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) originated from antibodies is a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Several unsuccessful trials, however, highlight the need for alternative conventional binding domains and the better combination of costimulatory endodomains for CAR construction to improve the effector functions of the engineered T cells. Camelid single-domain antibodies (VHHs), which are the smallest single domain antibodies, can endow great targeting ability to CAR-engineered T cells.

Methods

We have developed a method to generate genetically engineered Jurkat T cells armed with a CAR comprising the anti-HER2 VHH as targeting moiety. From an immune camel library, five VHH clones were selected as a set of oligoclonal anti-HER2 VHHs that exhibited diverse binding abilities and joined them to CD28-CD3ζ and CD28-OX40-CD3ζ signaling endodomains. Jurkat T cells expression of VHH-CARs and cell functions were evaluated.

Results

The oligoclonal engineered T cells showed higher proliferation, cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity than each individual VHH-CAR-engineered Jurkat T cells.

Conclusions

The combination of superior targeting ability of oligoclonal VHHs with the third generation CAR can substantially improve the function of engineered T cells.

General significance

Antigen-specific directed oligoclonal T cells are alternatively promising, but safer systems, to combat tumor cells.     

Effect of CD44 Binding Peptide Conjugated to an Engineered Inert Matrix on Maintenance of Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Tumorsphere Formation

Introduction

As cancer cells are affected by many factors in their microenvironment, a major challenge is to isolate the effect of a specific factor on cancer stem cells (CSCs) while keeping other factors unchanged. We have developed a synthetic inert 3D polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) gel culture system as a unique tool to study the effect of microenvironmental factors on CSCs response. We have reported that CSCs formed in the inert PEGDA gel by encapsulation of breast cancer cells maintain their stemness within a certain range of gel stiffness. The objective was to investigate the effect of CD44 binding peptide (CD44BP) conjugated to the gel on the maintenance of breast CSCs.

Methods

4T1 or MCF7 breast cancer cells were encapsulated in PEGDA gel with CD44BP conjugation. Control groups included dissolved CD44BP and the gel with mutant CD44BP conjugation. Tumorsphere size and density, and expression of CSC markers were determined after 9 days. For in vivo, cell encapsulated gels were inoculated in syngeneic Balb/C mice and tumor formation was determined after 4 weeks. Effect of CD44BP conjugation on breast CSC maintenance was compared with integrin binding RGD peptide (IBP) and fibronectin-derived heparin binding peptide (FHBP).

Results

Conjugation of CD44BP to the gel inhibited breast tumorsphere formation in vitro and in vivo. The ability of the encapsulated cells to form tumorspheres in the peptide-conjugated gels correlated with the expression of CSC markers. Tumorsphere formation in vitro was enhanced by FHBP while it was abolished by IBP.

Conclusion

CD44BP and IBP conjugated to the gel abolished tumorsphere formation by encapsulated 4T1 cells while FHBP enhanced tumorsphere formation compared to cells in the gel without peptide. The PEGDA hydrogel culture system provides a novel tool to investigate the individual effect of factors in the microenvironment on CSC maintenance without interference of other factors.     

Detection and identification of cancerous murine fibroblasts,transformed by murine sarcoma virus in culture,using Raman spectroscopy and advanced statistical methods

Background

Cancer is one of the leading worldwide causes of death. It may be induced by a variety of factors, including carcinogens, radiation, genetic factors, or DNA and RNA viruses. The early detection of cancer is critical for its successful therapy, which can result in complete recovery from some types of cancer.

Methods

Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in medicine and biology. It is a noninvasive, nondestructive, and water-insensitive technique that can detect changes in cells and tissues that are caused by different disorders, such as cancer.In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used for the identification and characterization of murine fibroblast cell lines (NIH/3T3) and malignant fibroblast cells transformed by murine sarcoma virus (NIH-MuSV) cells.

Results

Using principal component analysis and LDA it was possible to differentiate between the NIH/3T3 and NIH-MuSV cells with an 80–85% success rate based on their Raman shift spectra.

Conclusions

The best results for differentiation were achieved from spectra that were obtained from the rich membrane sites.

General significance

Because of its homogeneity and complete control of most factors affecting its growth, cell culture is a preferred model for the detection and identification of specific biomarkers related to cancer transformation or other cellular modifications.     

Morphine induces DNA damage and P53 activation in CD3 T cells

Background

Morphine has been shown to affect the function of immune system, but the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study was aimed to clarify the mechanism for the morphine-induced immune suppression by analyzing the direct effect of morphine on human CD3⁺ T cells.

Methods

To identify genes up-regulated by action of morphine on the opioid receptor expressed in CD3⁺ T cells, PCR-select cDNA subtraction was performed by the use of total RNA from human CD3⁺ T cells treated with morphine in the presence and absence of naloxone.

Results

We show that p53 and damage-specific DNA binding protein 2 (ddb2) genes are up-regulated by morphine in a naloxone-sensitive manner. Furthermore, the results indicate that DNA damage, quantified by apurinic–apyrimidinic site counting assay and phosphorylation of Ser-15 in P53 protein, is induced in CD3⁺ T cells by morphine in a naloxone-sensitive manner.

General significance

Because it was shown that only the κ opioid receptor gene is expressed in CD3⁺ T cells in the opioid receptor family, the present study suggests that morphine induces DNA damage through the action on the κ opioid receptor, which leads to immune suppression by activation of P53-mediated signal transduction.     

Autocrine GM-CSF transcription in the leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a is mediated by the transcription factor ETS1 and is negatively regulated through SECTM1 mediated ligation of CD7

Background

CD7 expression is found on ~ 30% of acute myeloblastic leukemias (AML). The leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a (CD7 +) constitutively expresses GM-CSF while the parental KG1 (CD7-) cell line does not. This study focuses on the molecular basis of CD7 mediated GM-CSF regulation.

Methods

KG1a cells were treated with recombinant SECTM1-Fc protein, the PI3K kinase inhibitors wortmannin, LY292004, or PI4K activator spermine. Stable KG1-CD7 +, KG1a-shCD7, KG1a-shETS1 as well as KG1a-GFP, KG1a-PKCβII-GFP cell lines were generated and the levels of CD7, GM-CSF and ETS-1 mRNA and protein were compared by real-time-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry and ELISA.

Results

SECTM1 is expressed in Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells (HBMEC) and its expression can be upregulated by both IFN-γ. KG1a cells demonstrated high expression levels of CD7 and ETS-1 allowing a constitutative signaling through the PI3K/Atk pathway to promote GM-CSF expression, while KG1 cells with low expression of CD7 and ETS-1 showed low GM-CSF expression. On KG1a cells GM-CSF expression could be negatively regulated by PI3K inhibitors or by recombinant SECTM1-Fc. Overexpression of CD7 in KG1 cells was insufficient to promote GM-CSF expression, while silencing of CD7 or ETS-1 resulted in reduced GM-CSF expression levels. Differentiation capable KG1a cells overexpressing PKCβII illustrated complete loss of CD7, but maintained normal levels of both ETS-1 and GM-CSF expression.

Conclusion

These findings add an additional layer to the previously described autocrine/paracrine signaling between leukemic progenitor cells and the bone marrow microenvironment and highlight a role for SECTM1 in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

General Significance

This work shows that SECTM1 secreted from bone marrow stromal cells may interact with CD7 to influence GM-CSF expression in leukemic cells.