Type I IFN induced IL1-Ra expression in hepatocytes is mediated by activating STAT6 through the formation of STAT2: STAT6 heterodimer

The biological activities of type I interferons (IFNs) are mediated by their binding to a heterodimer receptor complex (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), resulting in the activation of the JAK (JAK1 and TYK2)-STAT (1, 2, 3, 5 isotypes) signalling pathway. Although several studies have indicated that IFN-alpha and IFN-beta can activate complexes containing STAT6, the biological role of this activation is still unknown. We found that exposure of hepatoma cells (HuH7 and Hep3B) to IFN-alpha or IFN-beta led to the activation of STAT6. Activated STAT6 in turn induced the formation of STAT2: STAT6 complexes, which led to the secretion of IL-1Ra. The activation of STAT6 by type I IFN in hepatocytes was mediated by JAK1 and Tyk2. In addition, IFN-alpha or IFN-beta significantly enhanced the stimulatory effect of IL-1beta on production of IL-1Ra. The present study suggests a novel function of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta signalling in human hepatocytes. Our results provide evidence for the mechanism how IFN-alpha and IFN-beta modulate inflammatory responses through activation of STAT6 and production of secreted IL-1Ra.     

BUD13 Promotes a Type I Interferon Response by Countering Intron Retention in Irf7

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Caspase-1 Is Not Involved in CD95/Fas-Induced Apoptosis in Jurkat T Cells

It is now well established that the caspases, a family of cysteine proteases, play a key role in apoptosis. Although overexpressing each of the caspases in cells triggered apoptosis, the precise role and contribution of individual caspases are still unclear. Caspase-1, the first caspase discovered, was initially implicated in mammalian apoptosis because of its similarity to the gene productced-3.Using whole cells as well as anin vitrosystem to study apoptosis, the role of caspase-1 in Fas-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cells was examined in greater detail. Using various peptide-based caspase inhibitors, our results showed thatN-acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp chloromethyl ketone and benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethyl ketone efficiently blocked Fas-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cells, whereasN-acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp aldehyde, which is more specific for caspase-1, had little effect. Cell lysates derived from anti-Fas-stimulated cells, which readily induced apoptotic nuclei morphology and DNA fragmentation in isolated thymocyte nuclei, had no caspase-1 activity using proIL-1β as a substrate. Time-course studies showed no caspase-1 activity during the activation of apoptosis in Jurkat cells by agonistic Fas antibodies. Furthermore, no pro-caspase-1 protein nor activated form of the protein was detected in normal or apoptotic Jurkat cells. In contrast, both caspase-2 and caspase-3 were readily detected as proenzymes in control cells and their activated forms were detected in apoptotic cells. Incubation of recombinant active caspase-1 with control cell lysates did not activate the apoptotic cascade as shown by the lack of detectable apoptotic nuclei promoting activity using isolated nuclei as substrate. However, under similar conditions proIL-1β was readily processed into the mature cytokine, indicating that the recombinant caspase-1 remained active in the presence of control cell lysates. Taken together our results demonstrate that caspase-1 is not required for the induction of apoptosis in Jurkat T cells mediated by the Fas antigen.     

Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) I Down-Regulates Type 1 IGF Receptor (IGF 1R) and Reduces the IGF I Response in A549 Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Saos-2/B-10 Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma Cells

The insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF 1R) mediates the acute metabolic effects of IGF I as well as IGF I-stimulated cell proliferation and protection from apoptosis. IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) can modulate these responses. We, therefore, investigated whether intrinsic IGFBPs interfere with IGF I-induced regulation of IGF 1R expression and with the biological response to IGF I in two human tumor cell lines, the non-small-cell lung cancer cell line A549 and the osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2/B-10. We compared the growth rates, IGFBP production, IGF I binding characteristics, IGF 1R protein and mRNA levels, and the acute IGF I response (stimulation of glycogen synthesis) after pretreatment of the cells in serum-free medium with or without added IGF I or medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS). In contrast to A549 cells, which produce IGF I and significant amounts of IGFBPs, survival and proliferation of Saos-2/B-10 cells, which do not produce IGF I or significant amounts of IGFBPs, depended on the addition of exogenous IGF I. IGF I increased the concentration of IGFBP-2 and -3 and decreased the concentration of IGFBP-4 in the medium of A549 cells. As compared to FCS, IGF I pretreatment in both cell lines decreased the number of specific IGF I binding sites, down-regulated total and membrane IGF 1R protein, and largely reduced or abolished the acute IGF I response without affecting IGF 1R mRNA levels. The data suggest that the IGF 1R protein of the two cell lines is translationally and/or posttranslationally down-regulated by its ligand in the presence and in the absence of locally produced IGFBPs and that the cell lines have retained this negative feedback to counteract IGF I stimulation.     

CD95/Apo-1/Fas: independent cell death induced by doxorubicin in normal cultured cardiomyocytes

Doxorubicin is a commonly used cytotoxic drug for effective treatment of both solid tumors and leukemias, which may cause severe cardiac adverse effects leading to heart failure. In certain tumor cells, doxorubicin-induced cell death is mediated by death receptors such as CD95/Apo-1/Fas. Here we studied the role of death receptors for doxorubicin-induced cell death in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and the embryonic cardiomyocytic cell line H9c2.1. Doxorubicin-induced cell death of cardiomyocytes was associated with cleavage of caspases 3 and 8, a drop in mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and release of cytochrome c. Doxorubicin-treated cardiomyocytes secreted death-inducing ligands into the culture supernatant, but remained resistant toward cell death induction by death receptor triggering. In contrast to the chelator dexrazoxane, blockade of death receptor signaling by stable overexpression of transdominant negative adapter molecule FADD did not inhibit doxorubicin-induced cell death. Our data suggest that cultured cardiomyocytes secrete death-inducing ligands, but undergo death receptor–independent cell death upon exposure to doxorubicin.This work was supported by Wilhelm Sander Stiftung and Bettina-Bräu-Stiftung.     

Glyoxalase 1 as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a dicarbonyl compound formed in cells mainly by the spontaneous degradation of the triose phosphate intermediates of glycolysis. MG is a powerful precursor of advanced glycation end products, which lead to strong dicarbonyl and oxidative stress. Although divergent functions of MG have been observed depending on its concentration, MG is considered to be a potential anti-tumor factor due to its cytotoxic effects within the oncologic domain. MG detoxification is carried out by the glyoxalase system. Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), the ubiquitous glutathione-dependent enzyme responsible for MG degradation, is considered to be a tumor promoting factor due to it catalyzing the removal of cytotoxic MG. Indeed, various cancer types exhibit increased expression and activity of Glo1 that closely correlate with tumor cell growth and metastasis. Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that Glo1 contributes to cancer stem cell survival. In this review, we discuss the role of Glo1 in the malignant progression of cancer and its possible use as a promising therapeutic target for tumor therapy. We also summarize therapeutic outcomes of Glo1 inhibitors as prospective treatments for the prevention of cancer.     

NRSE/RE-1 dsRNA诱导小鼠胚胎干细胞分化为NSE阳性的神经元样细胞

应用电打孔的方法将化学合成的NRSE/RE-1d sRNA转染小鼠胚胎干细胞,在去除LIF的条件下,直接接种培养,观察其分化情况,并对分化结果进行相关检测.结果显示分化细胞呈明显的神经样改变,免疫荧光显示NSE阳性率为（82.3±8.1）%.说明通过转染NRSE/RE-1d sRNA能有效地诱导小鼠胚胎干细胞向神经元细胞分化.     

间充质干细胞诱导分化为胰岛分泌细胞治疗1型糖尿病

糖尿病是严重危害人类健康的一类疾病,注射胰岛素和胰岛移植虽能用于治疗糖尿病,但都存在一定的局限性。大量研究表明,间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cell,MSC）可以在化学以及生物因子的作用下,或通过基因转染的方式在体外被诱导分化为胰岛素分泌细胞,且移植后对糖尿病鼠模型有一定降血糖效果,因而成为糖尿病治疗领域的研究热点。文章综述了不同来源的MSC诱导分化为胰岛分泌细胞（insulin—producing cells,IPC）的方法及诱导分化后用于治疗1型糖尿病的研究进展。     

Bimodal CD40/Fas-Dependent Crosstalk between iNKT Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages Impairs Prostate Cancer Progression

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TSA通过抑制STAT1磷酸化与核转位下调人肝癌细胞HepG2内 IDO的表达

目的:研究曲古抑菌素A (Trichostatin A, TSA)下调γ干扰素(interferon-gamma, IFN-γ)诱导的人肝癌细胞HepG2内吲哚胺2, 3-双加氧酶(indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, IDO)表达的分子机制。方法: Western blot 检测TSA在IFN-γ诱导的HepG2细胞中IDO的表达、信号转导及转录激活子1(STAT1)的磷酸化和干扰素调节因子1(IRF-1)的诱导表达情况。用免疫细胞化学法检测TSA处理HepG2细胞后对IDO表达的影响。流式细胞术分析TSA处理后IFN-γ受体2表达量的变化,进一步在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察TSA对STAT1核转位的影响,利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测TSA对IFN-γ激活位点(γ-activated sites, GAS)、干扰素刺激应答元件(interferon stimulated response elements, ISRE)和核因子-κB (NF-κB)的激活的影响。结果:TSA以剂量依赖方式下调HepG2细胞内IFN-γ诱导的IDO表达、能明显抑制STAT1第701位酪氨酸的磷酸化和STAT1的核转位,但是上调IFN-γ受体2受体的表达。双荧光素酶报告基因分析和Western blot结果表明:TSA能显著抑制GAS和IRF-1 的激活却不能抑制NF-κB和ISRE的激活。 结论:TSA能下调IFN-γ诱导的HepG2细胞中IDO的表达,其机制可能是与其抑制STAT1的磷酸化和核转位,以及抑制STAT1与GAS的结合有关,而不是通过下调IFN-γ受体的表达来实现的。     

Changes in the Balance between Membrane-Bound and Soluble Forms of CD95 (Fas) during Selection of Tumor Cells in vivo

Studies concerning the expression of the receptor CD95 (Fas) by tumor cells and the role of this protein in apoptosis induced by the effector host cells that bear Fas-ligand are mainly focused on the membrane-bound form of Fas. There are only a few data about the production of the soluble form of Fas by the tumor cells, its role in the interaction with the effector host cells, and the possible changes in the synthesis of this protein during tumor progression. In the present work, three in vivo transformed parental cell lines of different origin and 24 of their variants isolated after a short cycle of natural selection in vivo were studied. It was demonstrated for the first time that: 1) production of the soluble Fas by all selected in vivo variant tumor cell lines increased significantly (2-10-fold) in comparison to the initial (parental) cell lines and did not depend on the origin of the parental lines. At the same time, the expression of the membrane bound form of Fas decreased considerably; 2) variations of the balance between membrane-bound and soluble forms of Fas in selected in vivo variant cells and the expression of the [H₂O₂ ^CA + PGE^S]-phenotype by these cells (this phenotype determines one of the essential mechanisms of the protection of a tumor cell in vivo) possibly represent independent secondary changes acquired during tumor progression in vivo.     

Induction of Apoptosis and Effect on the FAK/AKT/mTOR Signal Pathway by Evodiamine in Gastric Cancer Cells

Evodiamine isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa has been known to have anti-tumor activity against various cancer cell types. Although there have been reports showing the inhibitory effect of evodiamine on cell survival of gastric cancer cell, it is not clearly explained how evodiamine affects the expression and modification of proteins associated with apoptosis and upstream signal pathways. We confirmed the cytotoxic activity of evodiamine against AGS and MKN45 cells by a WST assay, cell morphological change, and clonogenic assay. The apoptotic cells were evaluated by Annexin V/PI analysis and Western blot and the expressions of apoptosis-related molecules were confirmed by Western blot. Evodiamine promoted apoptosis of AGS gastric cancer cells through both intrinsic and extrinsic signal pathways in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Evodiamine attenuated the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2, XIAP, and survivin, and elevated that of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Evodiamine also suppressed the FAK/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. Based on these results, we expect that the results from this study will further elucidate our understanding of evodiamine as an anti-cancer drug.     

Soluble Fas/Apo-1 (CD95) levels during T cell activation in the presence of acute myelogenous leukemia accessory cells; contributions from local release and variations in systemic levels

Fas (CD95/Apo-1) exists both in membrane-bound and in biologically active soluble (s) forms. Ligation of membrane-expressed Fas can induce apoptosis, and Fas-mediated signaling seems to be involved in T-cell-induced apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) blasts. The local release of sFas by AML blasts may then function as a protective mechanism by competing with membrane-bound Fas for binding sites on the common Fas ligand (FasL). sFas was released by AML blasts during in vitro culture, and this release was modulated by several cytokines that can be secreted by activated T cells. Increased levels of sFas could be detected during in vitro activation of T cells in the presence of native AML accessory cells, and this was observed both for (i) mitogenic activation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell clones derived from acute leukemia patients with therapy-induced leukopenia and (ii) allostimulated activation of T cells derived from normal donors. However, local in vivo levels of sFas will also be influenced by variations in systemic levels. High serum levels of sFas were detected in acute leukemia patients during chemotherapy-induced cytopenia, but these levels decreased during complicating bacterial infections. In contrast, serum levels of sFasL were normal in leukopenic patients. The present results support the hypothesis that local release of sFas can function as a protective mechanism against AML-reactive T cells, but the effects of this local release are, in addition, modulated by variations in systemic levels of sFas (but not sFasL). Received: 9 March 2000 / Accepted: 25 May 2000     

柚皮素通过Notch1/Hes1通路抑制肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化

为探讨柚皮素对肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化的分子机制,本研究应用免疫磁珠法分选肺癌干细胞(A549-CSCs),并通过流式细胞术进行表面分子的鉴定;通过CCK8法检测不同浓度的柚皮素(25μg/m L,50μg/mL, 100μg/mL)对肺癌干细胞(A549-CSCs)活力的影响,Transwell检测柚皮素对A549-CSCs细胞迁移能力的影响,Q-PCR检测柚皮素对肺癌干细胞分化相关因子Sox2和Oct4 m RNA表达的影响,Western blotting法检测柚皮素对细胞内Notch1和Hes1蛋白表达的影响。流式细胞术检测结果显示,A549-CSCs细胞表面分子CD133呈阳性表达,符合肺癌干细胞特征。CCK8结果显示,与对照组(control)比较,25μg/m L、50μg/mL、100μg/mL柚皮素处理A549-CSCs 24 h,细胞活力显著降低(p<0.05);Transwell检测结果显示,与对照组比较,不同浓度柚皮素处理组A549-CSCs迁移能力显著降低(p<0.05);定量PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction, Q-PCR)结果显示,与对照组比较,柚皮素处理组细胞Sox2和Oct4 m RNA表达水平显著降低(p<0.05);蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)结果显示,与对照组相比柚皮素处理组细胞Notch1和Hes1蛋白表达水平均降低。本研究发现柚皮素可能通过抑制Notch1/Hes1通路抑制肺癌干细胞增殖、迁移和分化。这为柚皮素治疗肺癌提供临床依据。     

Houttuynia cordata Thunb extract modulates G0/G1 arrest and Fas/CD95-mediated death receptor apoptotic cell death in human lung cancer A549 cells

Background

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is commonly used in Taiwan and other Asian countries as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the anti-human lung cancer activity and growth inhibition mechanisms of HCT in human lung cancer A549 cells.

Results

In order to investigate effects of HCT on A549 cells, MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability. Flow cytometry was employed for cell cycle analysis, DAPI staining, and the Comet assay was used for DNA fragmentation and DNA condensation. Western blot analysis was used to analyze cell cycle and apoptotic related protein levels. HCT induced morphological changes including cell shrinkage and rounding. HCT increased the G₀/G₁ and Sub-G₁ cell (apoptosis) populations and HCT increased DNA fragmentation and DNA condensation as revealed by DAPI staining and the Comet assay. HCT induced activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3. Fas/CD95 protein levels were increased in HCT-treated A549 cells. The G₀/G₁ phase and apoptotic related protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin A, CDK 4 and CDK 2 were decreased, and p27, caspase-8 and caspase-3 were increased in A549 cells after HCT treatment.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that HCT-induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest and Fas/CD95-dependent apoptotic cell death in A549 cells     

Tumor metastasis in an orthotopic murine model of head and neck cancer: possible role of TGF-beta 1 secreted by the tumor cells

In an orthotopic murine model of head and neck cancer, combined subcutaneous and intratumoral vaccination with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing interleukin-2 (rvv-IL-2) induced significant tumor regression early on therapy. However, its efficacy was restricted by recurrent tumor growth and loco-regional metastases. In this study, we explored the mechanism of tumor metastasis. We compared the levels of expression of a number of molecules involved in tumor metastasis, which included transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), E-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MT1-MMP, MMP-2, MMP-9, their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs): TIMP-1/TIMP-2, and pro-angiogenic factors CD31, VEGF-R2, and iNOS between primary and metastatic tumors by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. We detected spontaneous lymph node and tongue metastasis. Metastasis was delayed in rvv-IL-2 treated mice. Cultured tumor cells expressed negligible amount of TGF-beta1. Untreated or metastatic tumors, on the other hand, expressed high levels of TGF-beta1 and secreted TGF-beta1 in the sera of tumor-bearing mice. Levels of TGF-beta1 in the sera suddenly jumped at the time when tumor metastasis started. In the metastatic tumors, levels of MT1-MMP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were significantly elevated (P < 0.001), while levels of TIMP-1/TIMP-2 and E-cadherin were decreased (P < 0.001) compared to control or primary tumors. Levels of CD31, VEGF-R2, and iNOS were also significantly elevated in the metastatic lesions (P < 0.001). The concurrence of high levels of TGF-beta1 in the sera, expression of proteins involved in metastasis and initiation of metastasis suggested possible role of TGF-beta1 in on setting the metastatic cascade in this model.     

Type I interferons induce autophagy in certain human cancer cell lines

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular recycling mechanism that occurs at a basal level in all cells. It can be further induced by various stimuli including starvation, hypoxia, and treatment with cytokines such as IFNG/IFNγ and TGFB/TGFβ. Type I IFNs are proteins that induce an antiviral state in cells. They also have antiproliferative, proapoptotic and immunomodulatory activities. We investigated whether type I IFN can also induce autophagy in multiple human cell lines. We found that treatment with IFNA2c/IFNα2c and IFNB/IFNβ induces autophagy by 24 h in Daudi B cells, as indicated by an increase of autophagy markers MAP1LC3-II, ATG12–ATG5 complexes, and a decrease of SQSTM1 expression. An increase of MAP1LC3-II was also detected 48 h post-IFNA2c treatment in HeLa S3, MDA-MB-231, T98G and A549 cell lines. The presence of autophagosomes in selected cell lines exposed to type I IFN was confirmed by electron microscopy analysis. Increased expression of autophagy markers correlated with inhibition of MTORC1 in Daudi cells, as well as inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and changes in cell cycle progression. Concomitant blockade of either MTOR or PI3K-AKT signaling in Daudi and T98G cells treated with IFNA2c increased the level of MAP1LC3-II, indicating that the PI3K-AKT-MTORC1 signaling pathway may modulate IFN-induced autophagy in these cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrated a novel function of type I IFN as an inducer of autophagy in multiple cell lines.