TRAIL induces apoptosis but not necroptosis in colorectal and pancreatic cancer cells preferentially via the TRAIL-R2/DR5 receptor

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine that can trigger apoptosis in many types of human cancer cells via engagement of its two pro-apoptotic receptors TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5). TRAIL can also activate several other signaling pathways such as activation of stress kinases, canonical NF-κB signaling and necroptosis. Though both receptors are ubiquitously expressed, their relative participation in TRAIL-induced signaling is still largely unknown. To analyze TRAIL receptor-specific signaling, we prepared Strep-tagged, trimerized variants of recombinant human TRAIL with high affinity for either DR4 or DR5 receptor. Using these receptor-specific ligands, we examined the contribution of individual pro-apoptotic receptors to TRAIL-induced signaling pathways. We found that in TRAIL-resistant colorectal HT-29 cells but not in pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells, DISC formation and initial caspase-8 processing proceeds comparably via both DR4- and DR5-activated signaling. TRAIL-induced apoptosis, enhanced by the inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family ABT-737, or by the translation inhibitor homoharringtonine, proceeded in both cell lines predominantly via the DR5 receptor. ShRNA-mediated downregulation of DR4 or DR5 receptors in HT-29 cells also pointed to a stronger contribution of DR5 in TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In contrast to apoptosis, necroptotic signaling was activated similarly by both DR4- or DR5-specific ligands. Activation of auxiliary signaling pathways involving NF-κB or stress kinases proceeded under apoptotic conditions mainly in a DR5-dependent manner, while these signaling pathways were during necroptosis similarly activated by either of these ligands. Our study provides the first systematic insight into DR4 ?/DR5-specific signaling in colorectal and pancreatic cancer cells.     

Differential inhibition of TRAIL-mediated DR5-DISC formation by decoy receptors 1 and 2

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family that induces cancer cell death by apoptosis with some selectivity. TRAIL-induced apoptosis is mediated by the transmembrane receptors death receptor 4 (DR4) (also known as TRAIL-R1) and DR5 (TRAIL-R2). TRAIL can also bind decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) (TRAIL-R3) and DcR2 (TRAIL-R4) that fail to induce apoptosis since they lack and have a truncated cytoplasmic death domain, respectively. In addition, DcR1 and DcR2 inhibit DR4- and DR5-mediated, TRAIL-induced apoptosis and we demonstrate here that this occurs through distinct mechanisms. While DcR1 prevents the assembly of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) by titrating TRAIL within lipid rafts, DcR2 is corecruited with DR5 within the DISC, where it inhibits initiator caspase activation. In addition, DcR2 prevents DR4 recruitment within the DR5 DISC. The specificity of DcR1- and DcR2-mediated TRAIL inhibition reveals an additional level of complexity for the regulation of TRAIL signaling.     

Ursolic acid, a pentacyclin triterpene, potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through p53-independent up-regulation of death receptors: evidence for the role of reactive oxygen species and JNK

Discovery of the molecular targets of traditional medicine and its chemical footprints can validate the use of such medicine. In the present report, we investigated the effect of ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in rosemary and holy basil, on apoptosis induced by TRAIL. We found that UA potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. In addition, UA also sensitized TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to the cytokine. When we investigated the mechanism, we found that UA down-regulated cell survival proteins and induced the cell surface expression of both TRAIL receptors, death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and -5). Induction of receptors by UA occurred independently of cell type. Gene silencing of either receptor by small interfering RNA reduced the apoptosis induced by UA and the effect of TRAIL. In addition, UA also decreased the expression of decoy receptor 2 (DcR2) but not DcR1. Induction of DRs was independent of p53 because UA induced DR4 and DR5 in HCT116 p53(-/-) cells. Induction of DRs, however, was dependent on JNK because UA induced JNK, and its pharmacologic inhibition abolished the induction of the receptors. The down-regulation of survival proteins and up-regulation of the DRs required reactive oxygen species (ROS) because UA induced ROS, and its quenching abolished the effect of the terpene. Also, potentiation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by UA was significantly reduced by both ROS quenchers and JNK inhibitor. In addition, UA was also found to induce the expression of DRs, down-regulate cell survival proteins, and activate JNK in orthotopically implanted human colorectal cancer in a nude mouse model. Overall, our results showed that UA potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through activation of ROS and JNK-mediated up-regulation of DRs and down-regulation of DcR2 and cell survival proteins.     

Cl-IB-MECA enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis via the modulation of NF-κB signalling pathway in thyroid cancer cells

Apoptosis is an endogenous process that can be a useful anti-cancer tool. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Cl-IB-MECA, adenosine receptor A3 agonist, on TRAIL-induced apoptosis of thyroid carcinoma cells. Cl-IB-MECA enhanced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in FRO but not in ARO cells. This effect was correlated to higher expression levels of DR5 on FRO than ARO cells, that instead presented higher levels of decoy receptors, DcR1 and DcR2. To understand the cross-talk between the effect of Cl-IB-MECA and TRAIL, we evaluated the nuclear translocation of p65 and c-Rel. Since the dependency by NF-κB, TRAIL promoted the nuclear translocation of both p65 and c-Rel subunits. However, the addition of Cl-IB-MECA led to the predominant translocation of c-Rel after TRAIL addition. Furthermore, Bcl-2, cFLIP and pAkt were lower induced than caspase-3 and -9 in FRO cells. To discriminate a specific effect of TRAIL, we used tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) with Cl-IB-MECA. In this case, no synergism was observed. In addition, the effect of Cl-IB-MECA was not A3 receptor-dependent since its antagonists, MRS1191 and FA385, failed to block Cl-IB-MECA activity on TRAIL-treated FRO cells. In conclusion, Cl-IB-MECA enhanced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via NF-κB/c-Rel activation and DR5-dependent manner. This study may shed light on a potential drug cocktail that may prove useful as anti-cancer in an in vivo animal model. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 378–386, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Celastrol, a Triterpene, Enhances TRAIL-induced Apoptosis through the Down-regulation of Cell Survival Proteins and Up-regulation of Death Receptors

Whether celastrol, a triterpene from traditional Chinese medicine, can modulate the anticancer effects of TRAIL, the cytokine that is currently in clinical trial, was investigated. As indicated by assays that measure plasma membrane integrity, phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial activity, and activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, celastrol potentiated the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells, and converted TRAIL-resistant cells to TRAIL-sensitive cells. When examined for its mechanism, we found that the triterpene down-regulated the expression of cell survival proteins including cFLIP, IAP-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin, and XIAP and up-regulated Bax expression. In addition, we found that celastrol induced the cell surface expression of both the TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5. This increase in receptors was noted in a wide variety of cancer cells including breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer cells, and myeloid and leukemia cells. Gene silencing of the death receptor abolished the effect of celastrol on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Induction of the death receptor by the triterpenoid was found to be p53-independent but required the induction of CAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), inasmuch as gene silencing of CHOP abolished the induction of DR5 expression by celastrol and associated enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We found that celastrol also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and ROS sequestration inhibited celastrol-induced expression of CHOP and DR5, and consequent sensitization to TRAIL. Overall, our results demonstrate that celastrol can potentiate the apoptotic effects of TRAIL through down-regulation of cell survival proteins and up-regulation of death receptors via the ROS-mediated up-regulation of CHOP pathway.     

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.     

Receptor-selective mutants of apoptosis-inducing ligand 2/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand reveal a greater contribution of death receptor (DR) 5 than DR4 to apoptosis signaling

Apoptosis-inducing ligand 2 (Apo2L), also called tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), triggers programmed cell death in various types of cancer cells but not in most normal cells. Apo2L/TRAIL is a homotrimeric protein that interacts with five receptors: death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5 mediate apoptosis activation, whereas decoy receptor 1 (DcR1), DcR2, and osteoprotegerin counteract this function. Many cancer cell lines express both DR4 and DR5, and each of these receptors can initiate apoptosis independently of the other. However, the relative contribution of DR4 and DR5 to ligand-induced apoptosis is unknown. To investigate this question, we generated death receptor-selective Apo2L/TRAIL variants using a novel approach that enables phage display of mutated trimeric proteins. Selective binding to DR4 or DR5 was achieved with three to six-ligand amino acid substitutions. The DR4-selective Apo2L/TRAIL variants examined in this study showed a markedly reduced ability to trigger apoptosis, whereas the DR5-selective variants had minimally decreased or slightly increased apoptosis-inducing activity. These results suggest that DR5 may contribute more than DR4 to Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells that express both death receptors.     

Down-regulation of DcR2 sensitizes androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Background

Dysregulation of many apoptotic related genes and androgens are critical in the development, progression, and treatment of prostate cancer. The differential sensitivity of tumour cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis can be mediated by the modulation of surface TRAIL receptor expression related to androgen concentration. Our previous results led to the hypothesis that downregulation of TRAIL-decoy receptor DcR2 expression following androgen deprivation would leave hormone sensitive normal prostate cells vulnerable to the cell death signal generated by TRAIL via its pro-apoptotic receptors. We tested this hypothesis under pathological conditions by exploring the regulation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis related to their death and decoy receptor expression, as also to hormonal concentrations in androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer, LNCaP, cells.

Results

In contrast to androgen-insensitive PC3 cells, decoy (DcR2) and death (DR5) receptor protein expression was correlated with hormone concentrations and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells. Silencing of androgen-sensitive DcR2 protein expression by siRNA led to a significant increase in TRAIL-mediated apoptosis related to androgen concentration in LNCaP cells.

Conclusions

The data support the hypothesis that hormone modulation of DcR2 expression regulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells, giving insight into cell death induction in apoptosis-resistant hormone-sensitive tumour cells from prostate cancer. TRAIL action and DcR2 expression modulation are potentially of clinical value in advanced tumour treatment.     

Acivicin induces apoptosis independently of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity

To elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the TRAIL-induced apoptosis sensitivity, we conducted the following experiments utilizing TRAIL-sensitive and -resistant glioma cells. We examined the expression of TRAIL receptors mRNA, but no significant differences were detected in those cells. TRAIL-resistant cells were sensitized to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by staurosporine pretreatment and preferentially expressed PKCepsilon. Since several lines of evidence suggest that PKC may play a protective role for apoptosis, we analyzed the involvement of PKCepsilon in TRAIL-induced apoptosis by an adenovirus vector expression system. We found that TRAIL susceptibility was augmented by the expression of a dominant negative PKCepsilon in TRAIL-resistant cells. Conversely, PKCepsilon introduction in TRAIL-sensitive cells resulted in the reduction of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these data suggest that PKCepsilon may be a regulator of susceptibility to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gliomas and probably other malignancies.     

E1A sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through enhancement of caspase activation

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been shown to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Sensitization of cancer cells to TRAIL, particularly TRAIL-resistant cancer cells, could improve the effectiveness of TRAIL as an anticancer agent. The adenovirus type 5 E1A that associates with anticancer activities including sensitization to apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor is currently being tested in clinical trials. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity to TRAIL in the E1A transfectants ip1-E1A2 and 231-E1A cells and the parental TRAIL-resistant human ovarian cancer SKOV3.ip1 and TRAIL-sensitive human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The results indicated that the percentage of TRAIL-induced apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the E1A transfectants of both cell lines than it was in the parental cell lines. To further investigate the cellular mechanism of this effect, we found that E1A enhances TRAIL-induced activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3. Inhibition of caspase-3 activity by a specific inhibitor, Z-DEVD-fmk, abolished TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In addition, E1A enhanced TRAIL expression in ip1-E1A2 cells, but not in 231-E1A cells, and the anti-TRAIL neutralizing antibody N2B2 blocked the E1A-mediated bystander effect in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that E1A sensitizes both TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which occurs through the enhancement of caspase activation; activation of caspase-3 is required for TRAIL-induced apoptosis; and E1A-induced TRAIL expression is involved in the E1A-mediated bystander effect. Combination of E1A and TRAIL could be an effective treatment for cancer.     

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.     

The death receptor DR5 is involved in TRAIL-mediated human osteoclast apoptosis

The number and activity of osteoclasts (OCs) are critical for maintaining normal bone turnover. The number is determined by the rates of cell differentiation and death. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF superfamily, induces apoptosis by interacting with its death receptors, (DR4, DR5). However, its activity can be modulated by two decoy receptors, (DcR1 and DcR2). In this paper we show that TRAIL treatment causes reduced OC viability as well as an increased apoptotic OC number. Loss of nuclei integrity and derangement of the actin microfilament were also induced by TRAIL in OCs. Moreover, we demonstrated the expression of all TRAIL receptors in both precursors and differentiated OCs, and the upregulation of DR5 during OC differentiation. Interestingly, DcR2 was upregulated in the early stage of osteoclastogenesis and downregulated at the end of the differentiation process. We showed that DR5, upregulated by TRAIL, could be the mediator of TRAIL-induced OC apoptosis, since the addition of anti-DR5 neutralizing antibodies restores the OC viability previously reduced by TRAIL. Furthermore, the intracellular pathway induced by TRAIL in OCs involves caspase-8 and Bid activation. In conclusion, our data highlight an important role for the TRAIL/TRAIL receptor system in the regulation of OC apoptosis.     

Gefitinib enhances human colon cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis of via autophagy- and JNK-mediated death receptors upregulation

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent cancer cell-specific apoptosis-inducing cytokine with little toxicity to most normal cells. Here, we report that gefitinib and TRAIL in combination produce a potent synergistic effect on TRAIL-sensitive human colon cancer HCT116 cells and an additive effect on TRAIL-resistant HT-29 cells. Interestingly, gefitinib increases the expression of cell surface receptors DR4 and DR5, possibly explaining the synergistic effect. Knockdown of DR4 and DR5 by siRNA significantly decreases gefitinib- and TRAIL-mediated cell apoptosis, supporting this idea. Because the inhibition of gefitinib-induced autophagy by 3-MA significantly decreases DR4 and DR5 upregulation, as well as reduces gefitinib- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis, we conclude that death receptor upregulation is autophagy mediated. Furthermore, our results indicate that death receptor expression may also be regulated by JNK activation, because pre-treatment of cells with JNK inhibitor SP600125 significantly decreases gefitinib-induced death receptor upregulation. Interestingly, SP600125 also inhibits the expression CHOP, yet CHOP has no impact on death receptor expressions. We also find here that phosphorylation of Akt and ERK might also be required for TRAIL sensitization. In summary, our results indicate that gefitinib effectively enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis, likely via autophagy and JNK- mediated death receptor expression and phosphorylation of Akt and ERK.     

Membrane expression of DR4, DR5 and caspase-8 levels, but not Mcl-1, determine sensitivity of human myeloma cells to Apo2L/TRAIL

The improved recombinant form of the death ligand Apo2L/TRAIL (Apo2L/TRAIL.0) is not cytotoxic for normal human cells and is a good candidate for the therapy of multiple myeloma (MM), a B-cell neoplasia that remains incurable. We have analyzed the molecular determinants of myeloma sensitivity to Apo2L/TRAIL.0 in a number of MM cell lines, the mechanisms of resistance and a possible way of overcoming it. Expression of one death receptor for Apo2L/TRAIL (DR4 or DR5) is sufficient to transduce death signals, though DR5 was more efficient when both receptors were present. Membrane expression of decoy receptors (DcR1, DcR2) and intracellular levels of c-FLIP(L), XIAP and Mcl-1 were not predictive of resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL. Inhibition of Mcl-1 degradation did not prevent Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In IM-9 cells, resistance was associated to a reduced caspase-8 expression. U266 cells, though expressing significant levels of DR4 and caspase-8, were nevertheless resistant to Apo2L/TRAIL. This resistance could be overcome by co-treatment with valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. VPA caused the redistribution of DR4 to plasma membrane lipid rafts and restored DR4 signaling. Overexpression of Mcl-1 in U266 cells did not prevent Apo2L/TRAIL cytotoxicity in VPA-sensitized cells. These results, taken together, support the possible use of Apo2L/TRAIL.0 in the treatment of MM.     

Progesterone induces apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant ovarian cancer cells by circumventing c-FLIPL overexpression

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) holds great potential as an anticancer drug, since it induces selective cell death in cancer cells but not in normal ones. However, cancer cells often acquire resistance to TRAIL, which hinders its clinical efficacy. We previously demonstrated that progesterone triggers apoptosis in human ovarian cancer (OCa) cells. In the present study, we evaluated the prospect of utilizing progestins in combination with TRAIL to enhance cell death in TRAIL-sensitive (OVCA 420, OVCA 429, and OVCA 433) and -resistant (OVCA 432) OCa cell lines. TRAIL sensitivity (60-80% cell kill) bore no correlation with expression of the TRAIL receptors (DR4, DR5) or their decoys (DcR1 and DcR2), but was associated with activation of caspase-8 and -3, and downregulation of the long isoform of FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP(L)), an anti-apoptosis mediator. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of c-FLIP(L) expression restored TRAIL sensitivity in OVCA 432 cells. Induction of c-FLIP(L) overexpression increased TRAIL resistance in TRAIL-sensitive lines. Thus, persistent high level of c-FLIP(L) expression likely mediates TRAIL resistance in OCa cells. Treatment of OCa cells with progesterone enhanced TRAIL-induced cell death (>85%), but only in TRAIL-sensitive cell lines. Combined treatment with two progestins was superior to single progestin treatment, with progesterone plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) achieving over 85% cell kill in both TRAIL-sensitive and -resistant OCa cell lines. Significantly, unlike TRAIL, progestin-induced cell death did not involve c-FLIP(L) downregulation. Hence, combined progestin regimens, with or without TRAIL, may serve as an effective therapy for OCa by circumventing the anti-apoptotic action of c-FLIP(L).