Direct binding of Fas-associated death domain (FADD) to the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor DR5 is regulated by the death effector domain of FADD

Members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of receptors induce apoptosis by recruiting adaptor molecules through death domain interactions. The central adaptor molecule for these receptors is the death domain-containing protein Fas-associated death domain (FADD). FADD binds a death domain on a receptor or additional adaptor and recruits caspases to the activated receptor. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) signals apoptosis through two receptors, DR4 and DR5. Although there is much interest in TRAIL, the mechanism by which FADD is recruited to the TRAIL receptors is not clear. Using a reverse two-hybrid system we previously identified mutations in the death effector domain of FADD that prevented binding to Fas/CD95. Here we show that these mutations also prevent binding to DR5. FADD-deficient Jurkat cells stably expressing these FADD mutations did not transduce TRAIL or Fas/CD95 signaling. Second site compensating mutations that restore binding to and signaling through Fas/CD95 and DR5 were also in the death effector domain. We conclude that in contrast to current models where the death domain of FADD functions independently of the death effector domain, the death effector domain of FADD comes into direct contact with both TRAIL and Fas/CD95 receptors.     

Combination of TRAIL with Bortezomib Shifted Apoptotic Signaling from DR4 to DR5 Death Receptor by Selective Internalization and Degradation of DR4

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) mediates apoptosis in cancer cells through death receptors DR4 and DR5 preferring often one receptor over another in the cells expressing both receptors. Receptor selective mutant variants of TRAIL and agonistic antibodies against DR4 and DR5 are highly promising anticancer agents. Here using DR5 specific mutant variant of TRAIL - DR5-B we have demonstrated for the first time that the sensitivity of cancer cells can be shifted from one TRAIL death receptor to another during co-treatment with anticancer drugs. First we have studied the contribution of DR4 and DR5 in HCT116 p53+/+ and HCT116 p53−/− cells and demonstrated that in HCT116 p53+/+ cells the both death receptors are involved in TRAIL-induced cell death while in HCT116 p53−/− cells prevailed DR4 signaling. The expression of death (DR4 and DR5) as well as decoy (DcR1 and DcR2) receptors was upregulated in the both cell lines either by TRAIL or by bortezomib. However, combined treatment of cells with two drugs induced strong time-dependent and p53-independent internalization and further lysosomal degradation of DR4 receptor. Interestingly DR5-B variant of TRAIL which do not bind with DR4 receptor also induced elimination of DR4 from cell surface in combination with bortezomib indicating the ligand-independent mechanism of the receptor internalization. Eliminatory internalization of DR4 resulted in activation of DR5 receptor thus DR4-dependent HCT116 p53−/− cells became highly sensitive to DR5-B in time-dependent manner. Internalization and degradation of DR4 receptor depended on activation of caspases as well as of lysosomal activity as it was completely inhibited by Z-VAD-FMK, E-64 and Baf-A1. In light of our findings, it is important to explore carefully which of the death receptors is active, when sensitizing drugs are combined with agonistic antibodies to the death receptors or receptor selective variants of TRAIL to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.     

Generation of new TRAIL mutants DR5-A and DR5-B with improved selectivity to death receptor 5

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis-inducing ligand) has been introduced as an extrinsic pathway inducer of apoptosis that does not have the toxicities of Fas and TNF. However, the therapeutic potential of TRAIL is limited because of many primary tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL. Despite intensive investigations, little is known in regards to the mechanisms underlying TRAIL selectivity and efficiency. A major reason likely lies in the complexity of the interaction of TRAIL with its five receptors, of which only two DR4 and DR5 are death receptors. Binding of TRAIL with decoy receptors DcR1 and DcR2 or soluble receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) fail to induce apoptosis. Here we describe design and expression in Escherichia coli of DR5-selective TRAIL variants DR5-A and DR5-B. The measurements of dissociation constants of these mutants with all five receptors show that they practically do not interact with DR4 and DcR1 and have highly reduced affinity to DcR2 and OPG receptors. These mutants are more effective than wild type TRAIL in induction of apoptosis in different cancer cell lines. In combination with the drugs targeted to cytoskeleton (taxol, cytochalasin D) the mutants of TRAIL induced apoptosis in resistant Hela cells overexpressing Bcl-2. The novel highly selective and effective DR5-A and DR5-B TRAIL variants will be useful in studies on the role of different receptors in TRAIL-induced apoptosis in sensitive and resistant cell lines. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Deficient tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptor transport to the cell surface in human colon cancer cells selected for resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Many tumor cell types are sensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. Incubation of TRAIL-sensitive cells with TRAIL invariably leads to resistant survivors even when high doses of TRAIL are used. Because the emergence of resistance to apoptosis is a major concern in successful treatment of cancer, and TRAIL survivors may contribute to therapeutic failure, we investigated potential resistance mechanisms. We selected TRAIL-resistant SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells by repeatedly treating them with high and/or low doses of TRAIL. The resulting TRAIL-resistant clones were not cross-resistant to Fas or paclitaxel. Expression of modulators of apoptosis was not changed in the resistant cells, including TRAIL receptors, cFLIP, Bax, Bid, or IAP proteins. Surprisingly, we found that DISC formation was deficient in multiple selected TRAIL-resistant clones. DR4 was not recruited to the DISC upon TRAIL treatment, and caspase-8 was not activated at the DISC. Although total cellular DR4 mRNA and protein were virtually identical in TRAIL-sensitive parental and TRAIL-resistant clones, DR4 protein expression on the cell surface was essentially undetectable in the TRAIL-resistant clones. Moreover, exogenous DR4 and KILLER/DR5 were not properly transported to the cell surface in the TRAIL-resistant cells. Interestingly, TRAIL-resistant cells were resensitized to TRAIL by tunicamycin pretreatment, which increased cell surface expression of DR4 and KILLER/DR5. Our data suggest that tumor cells may become resistant to TRAIL through regulation of the death receptor cell surface transport and that resistance to TRAIL may be overcome by the glycosylation inhibitor/endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducing agent tunicamycin.     

Potentiation of Fas-mediated apoptosis by an engineered glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked Fas

FasL and TRAIL are apoptotic ligands of the TNF-like cytokines family, acting via activation of the transmembrane death domain containing receptors Fas for FasL, and DR4 or DR5 for TRAIL. A glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked TRAIL receptor called DcR1 behaves as a decoy receptor inhibiting TRAIL-mediated cell death in several cellular systems. We engineered and stably expressed a chimeric GPI-linked Fas receptor (Fas-GPI) in T-lymphocyte cell lines constitutively expressing functional transmembrane Fas. Surprisingly, despite lacking the death domain region of functional Fas, Fas-GPI was able to significantly increase Fas-mediated cell death triggered by membrane bound or soluble FasL, whereas engagement of Fas-GPI alone did not trigger apoptosis. This potentiating effect, but not transmembrane Fas activation, was selectively inhibited by protein kinase C activation with phorbol esters, demonstrating that Fas-GPI activated a specific synergistic signal transduction pathway. Fas-GPI and transmembrane Fas were localized in distinct membrane compartments, since Fas-GPI, but not transmembrane Fas, was found in the glycolipid-rich membrane microdomains. These results suggest that apoptosis induced by members of this ligand/receptors family may be differentially modulated through other and parallel signalling pathways.     

Increased expression of death receptors 4 and 5 synergizes the apoptosis response to combined treatment with etoposide and TRAIL

Chemotherapeutic genotoxins induce apoptosis in epithelial-cell-derived cancer cells. The death receptor ligand TRAIL also induces apoptosis in epithelial-cell-derived cancer cells but generally fails to induce apoptosis in nontransformed cells. We show here that the treatment of four different epithelial cell lines with the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in combination with TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) induces a synergistic apoptotic response. The mechanism of the synergistic effect results from the etoposide-mediated increase in the expression of the death receptors 4 (DR4) and 5 (DR5). Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by expression of kinase-inactive MEK kinase 1(MEKK1) or dominant-negative IkappaB (DeltaIkappaB) blocked the increase in DR4 and DR5 expression following etoposide treatment. Addition of a soluble decoy DR4 fusion protein (DR4:Fc) to cell cultures reduced the amount of etoposide-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of a soluble TNF decoy receptor (TNFR:Fc) was without effect, demonstrating the specificity of DR4 binding ligands in the etoposide-induced apoptosis response. Thus, genotoxin treatment in combination with TRAIL is an effective inducer of epithelial-cell-derived tumor cell apoptosis relative to either treatment alone.     

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Induces Caspase-Dependent Interleukin-8 Expression and Apoptosis in Human Astroglioma Cells

Among the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines, FasL and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) are known to induce cell death via caspase activation. Recently, other biological functions of these death ligands have been postulated in vitro and in vivo. It was previously shown that Fas ligation induces chemokine expression in human glioma cells. In this study, we investigated whether the TRAIL-DR5 system transduces signals similar to those induced by other TNF family ligands and receptors. To address this issue, two human glioma cell lines, CRT-MG and U87-MG, were used, and an agonistic antibody against DR5 (TRA-8) and human recombinant TRAIL were used to ligate DR5. We demonstrate that DR5 ligation by either TRAIL or TRA-8 induces two functional outcomes, apoptosis and expression of the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8); the nonspecific caspase inhibitor Boc-D-Fmk blocks both TRAIL-mediated cell death and IL-8 production; the caspase 3-specific inhibitor z-DEVD-Fmk suppresses TRAIL-mediated apoptosis but not IL-8 induction; caspase 1- and 8-specific inhibitors block both TRAIL-mediated cell death and IL-8 production; and DR5 ligation by TRAIL mediates AP-1 and NF-kappaB activation, which can be inhibited by caspase 1- and 8-specific inhibitors. These findings collectively indicate that DR5 ligation on human glioma cells leads to apoptosis and that the activation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB leads to the induction of IL-8 expression; these responses are dependent on caspase activation. Therefore, the TRAIL-DR5 system has a role not only as an inducer of apoptotic cell death but also as a transducer for proinflammatory and angiogenic signals in human brain tumors.     

The Herbal Compound Cryptotanshinone Restores Sensitivity in Cancer Cells That Are Resistant to the Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces apoptosis and kills cancer cells but not normal cells. However, TRAIL resistance due to low level of TRAIL receptor expression is widely found in cancer cells and hampers its development for cancer treatment. Thus, the agents that can sensitize the tumor cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis are urgently needed. We investigated whether tanshinones, the major bioactive compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza (danshen), can up-regulate TRAIL receptor expression. Among the major tanshinones being tested, cryptotanshinone (CT) showed the best ability to induce TRAIL receptor 2 (DR5) expression. We further showed that CT was capable of promoting TRAIL-induced cell death and apoptosis in A375 melanoma cells. CT-induced DR5 induction was not cell type-specific, as DR5 induction was observed in other cancer cell types. DR5 knockdown abolished the enhancing effect of CT on TRAIL responses. Mechanistically, induction of the DR5 by CT was found to be p53-independent but dependent on the induction of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP). Knockdown of CHOP abolished CT-induced DR5 expression and the associated potentiation of TRAIL-mediated cell death. In addition, CT-induced ROS production preceded up-regulation of CHOP and DR5 and consequent sensitization of cells to TRAIL. Interestingly, CT also converted TRAIL-resistant lung A549 cancer cells into TRAIL-sensitive cells. Taken together, our results indicate that CT can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis through up-regulation of DR5.     

Combinatorial treatment with anacardic acid followed by TRAIL augments induction of apoptosis in TRAIL resistant cancer cells by the regulation of p53, MAPK and NFκβ pathways

TRAIL, an apoptosis inducing cytokine currently in phase II clinical trial, was investigated for its capability to induce apoptosis in six different human tumor cell lines out of which three cell lines showed resistance to TRAIL induced apoptosis. To investigate whether Anacardic acid (A1) an active component of Anacardium occidentale can sensitize the resistant cell lines to TRAIL induced apoptosis, we treated the resistant cells with suboptimal concentration of A1 and showed that it is a potent enhancer of TRAIL induced apoptosis which up-regulates the expression of both DR4 and DR5 receptors, which has been observed in the cellular, protein and mRNA levels. The death receptors upregulation consequent to A1 treatment was corroborated by the activation of p53 as well as phosphorylation of p38 and JNK MAP kinases and concomitant inactivation of NFκβ and ERK signaling cascades. Also, A1 modulated the expression of key apoptotic players like Bax, Bcl-2 and CAD along with the abatement of tumor angiogenesis in vivo in EAT mouse model. Thus, post A1 treatment the TRAIL resistant cells turned into TRAIL sensitive cells. Hence our results demonstrate that A1 can synergize TRAIL induced apoptosis through the upregulation of death receptors and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins in cancer context.     

Nimbolide sensitizes human colon cancer cells to TRAIL through reactive oxygen species- and ERK-dependent up-regulation of death receptors, p53, and Bax

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) shows promise as a cancer treatment, but acquired tumor resistance to TRAIL is a roadblock. Here we investigated whether nimbolide, a limonoid, could sensitize human colon cancer cells to TRAIL. As indicated by assays that measure esterase activity, sub-G(1) fractions, mitochondrial activity, and activation of caspases, nimbolide potentiated the effect of TRAIL. This limonoid also enhanced expression of death receptors (DRs) DR5 and DR4 in cancer cells. Gene silencing of the receptors reduced the effect of limonoid on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we found that activation of ERK and p38 MAPK was required for DR up-regulation by nimbolide. Gene silencing of ERK abolished the enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Moreover, our studies indicate that the limonoid induced reactive oxygen species production, which was required for ERK activation, up-regulation of DRs, and sensitization to TRAIL; these effects were mimicked by H(2)O(2). In addition, nimbolide down-regulated cell survival proteins, including I-FLICE, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, and up-regulated the pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and Bax. Interestingly, p53 and Bax up-regulation by nimbolide was required for sensitization to TRAIL but not for DR up-regulation. Overall, our results indicate that nimbolide can sensitize colon cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through three distinct mechanisms: reactive oxygen species- and ERK-mediated up-regulation of DR5 and DR4, down-regulation of cell survival proteins, and up-regulation of p53 and Bax.     

Mitomycin C potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through p53-independent upregulation of death receptors

The discovery of the molecular targets of chemotherapeutic medicines and their chemical footprints can validate and improve the use of such medicines. In the present report, we investigated the effect of mitomycin C (MMC), a classical chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL. We found that MMC not only potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HCT116 (p53?/?) colon cancer cells but also sensitized TRAIL-resistant colon cancer cells HT-29 to the cytokine both in vitro and in vivo. MMC also augmented the pro-apoptotic effects of two TRAIL receptor agonist antibodies, mapatumumab and lexatumumab. At a mechanistic level, MMC downregulated cell survival proteins, including Bcl2, Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL, and upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax, Bim and the cell surface expression of TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5. Gene silencing of DR5 by short hairpin RNA reduced the apoptosis induced by combination treatment of MMC and TRAIL. Induction of DR4 and DR5 was independent of p53, Bax and Bim but was dependent on c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) as JNK pharmacological inhibition and siRNA abolished the induction of the TRAIL receptors by MMC.     

Bile acid regulation of hepatic physiology: IV. Bile acids and death receptors

Toxic bile acids facilitate Fas and tumor necrosis factor-associated apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death-receptor oligomerization and activation. Bile acid modulation of death-receptor signaling is multifactorial and includes trafficking of Fas to the cell surface, enhancing TRAIL-R2/DR5 expression, and suppression of function of cFLIP, an antiapoptotic protein modulating death-receptor function. Because bile acid-associated death receptor-mediated apoptosis is a common mechanism for cholestatic hepatocyte injury, inhibition of death receptors and their cascades may prove useful in attenuating liver injury during cholestasis.     

The C-terminal tails of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Fas receptors have opposing functions in Fas-associated death domain (FADD) recruitment and can regulate agonist-specific mechanisms of receptor activation

Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of receptors such as Fas/CD95 and the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors DR4 and DR5 induce apoptosis by recruiting adaptor molecules and caspases. The central adaptor molecule for these receptors is a death domain-containing protein, FADD, which binds to the activated receptor via death domain-death domain interactions. Here, we show that in addition to the death domain, the C-terminal tails of DR4 and DR5 positively regulate FADD binding, caspase activation and apoptosis. In contrast, the corresponding region in the Fas receptor has the opposite effect and inhibits binding to the receptor death domain. Replacement of wild-type or mutant DR5 molecules into DR5-deficient BJAB cells indicates that some agonistic antibodies display an absolute requirement for the C-terminal tail for FADD binding and signaling while other antibodies can function in the absence of this mechanism. These data demonstrate that regions outside the death domains of DR4 and DR5 have opposite effects to that of Fas in regulating FADD recruitment and show that different death receptor agonists can use distinct molecular mechanisms to activate signaling from the same receptor.     

Mitomycin C potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through p53-independent upregulation of death receptors: Evidence for the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation

The discovery of the molecular targets of chemotherapeutic medicines and their chemical footprints can validate and improve the use of such medicines. In the present report, we investigated the effect of mitomycin C (MMC), a classical chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL. We found that MMC not only potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HCT116 (p53−/−) colon cancer cells but also sensitized TRAIL-resistant colon cancer cells HT-29 to the cytokine both in vitro and in vivo. MMC also augmented the pro-apoptotic effects of two TRAIL receptor agonist antibodies, mapatumumab and lexatumumab. At a mechanistic level, MMC downregulated cell survival proteins, including Bcl2, Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL, and upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax, Bim and the cell surface expression of TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5. Gene silencing of DR5 by short hairpin RNA reduced the apoptosis induced by combination treatment of MMC and TRAIL. Induction of DR4 and DR5 was independent of p53, Bax and Bim but was dependent on c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) as JNK pharmacological inhibition and siRNA abolished the induction of the TRAIL receptors by MMC.