Pioglitazone, a synthetic ligand for PPARγ, induces apoptosis in RB-deficient human colorectal cancer cells

No published data are available about the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and the role of PPARγ in retinoblastoma protein (RB)-deficient human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (SNU-C4 and SNU-C2A). Our aim was to investigate whether PPARγ is expressed in SNU-C4 and SNU-C2A cells and to elucidate possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of pioglitazone, a synthetic ligand for PPARγ, on cell growth in these cell lines. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that both human CRC cell lines expressed PPARγ mRNA and protein. Pioglitazone inhibited the cell growth of both cell lines through G2/M phase block and apoptosis. In addition, pioglitazone caused a down-regulation of the X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), Bcl-2, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) under conditions leading to PPARγ down-regulation. These results suggest that pioglitazone may have therapeutic relevance or significance in the treatment of human CRC, and the down-regulation of XIAP, Bcl-2, and COX-2 may contribute to pioglitazone-induced apoptosis in these and other RB-deficient cell lines and tumors.     

Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 and 5 Ligands Enhance the Expression of Cyclin D1 and D3 and Induce Proliferation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a still undefined etiology. Several lines of evidence are consistent with the possible involvement of peculiar microenvironmental stimuli sustaining tumor cell growth and survival, as the activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 4 and 9. However, little is known about the contribution of other TLRs of pathogenic relevance in the development of MCL. This study reports evidence that MCL cell lines and primary MCL cells express different levels of TLR2 and TLR5, and that their triggering is able to further activate the Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling cascades, known to be altered in MCL cells. This leads to the enhancement of cyclin D1 and D3 over-expression, occurring at post-translational level through a mechanism that likely involves the Akt/GSK-3α/β pathway. Interestingly, in primary B cells, TLR1/2 or TLR5 ligands increase protein level of cyclin D1, which is not usually expressed in normal B cells, and cyclin D3 when associated with CD40 ligand (CD40L), IL-4, and anti-human-IgM co-stimulus. Finally, the activation of TLR1/2 and TLR5 results in an increased proliferation of MCL cell lines and, in the presence of co-stimulation with CD40L, IL-4, and anti-human-IgM also of primary MCL cells and normal B lymphocytes. These effects befall together with an enhanced IL-6 production in primary cultures. Overall, our findings suggest that ligands for TLR1/2 or TLR5 may provide critical stimuli able to sustain the growth and the malignant phenotype of MCL cells. Further studies aimed at identifying the natural source of these TLR ligands and their possible pathogenic association with MCL are warranted in order to better understand MCL development, but also to define new therapeutic targets for counteracting the tumor promoting effects of lymphoma microenvironment.     

The effect of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) on human monocyte function: PPARγ ligands do not inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α release in human monocytic cell line THP-1

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation by its ligands reportedly inhibits monocyte function. However, because the concentrations of PPARγ ligands used in previous studies were higher than typically expected to activate PPARγ, we clarified whether PPARγ ligands influence monocyte function and cell viability of the human monocyte cell line THP-1. We determined tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release as a monocyte function and cell viability using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Both troglitazone and 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14-prostaglandin J₂ (15-d-PGJ2) seemed to inhibit phorbol ester-induced TNF-α release from THP-1 cells. On the other hand, neither pioglitazone nor rosiglitazone inhibited phorbol ester-induced TNF-α release. Because the cytotoxicity of troglitazone and 15-d-PGJ2 was significantly (p<0.05, Tukey–Kramer) stronger than that of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, the inhibition of TNF-α release seemed to parallel the lack of cell viability. We concluded that PPARγ ligands did not directly inhibit TNF-α release in THP-1 cells. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Altered PPARγ expression inhibits myogenic differentiation in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily known to regulate adipocyte differentiation. However, its role in skeletal muscle differentiation is not known. To investigate possible involvement of PPARγ in skeletal muscle differentiation, we modulated its expression in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells by stable transfection with sense or antisense plasmid constructs of PPARγ cDNA. Phenotypic observations and biochemical analysis of different myogenic markers showed that altered expression of PPARγ inhibited the formation of myotubes, as well as expression of muscle-specific myogenic proteins including myogenin, MyoD and creatine kinase activity. Together, we show that critical expression of PPARγ is required for skeletal muscle cells differentiation. *These authors contributed equally to this work.     

PPARγ is a key target of butyrate-induced caspase-3 activation in the colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2

Background: Butyrate, a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, belongs to a promising new class of antineoplastic agents with the capacity to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of action have yet not been elucidated. Aim: To further investigate the molecular events involved in butyrate-induced caspase-3 activation in Caco-2 wild-type, empty-vector and dominant-negative PPARγ mutant cells along the signalling pathway. In this context, the involvement and up-regulation of PPARγ was examined. Results: Stimulation of cells with butyrate resulted in increased expression of PPARγ mRNA, protein, and activity as well as phospho-p38 MAPK protein expression and caspase-3 activity. Arsenite, a direct stimulator of p38 MAPK, also led to an increased PPARγ expression, thereby mimicking the effects of butyrate. In contrast, butyrate-mediated up-regulation of PPARγ was counteracted by co-incubation with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Treatment of cells with butyrate resulted in both increased caspase-8 and -9 activity and reduced expression of XIAP and survivin. However, butyrate-mediated effects on these apoptosis-regulatory proteins leading to caspase-3 activation were almost completely abolished in Caco-2 dominant-negative PPARγ mutant cells. Conclusions: Our data clearly unveil PPARγ as a key target in the butyrate-induced signalling cascade leading to apoptosis via caspase-3 in Caco-2 cells.     

Ciglitazone Induces Caspase-Independent Apoptosis through Down-Regulation of XIAP and Survivin in Human Glioma Cells

Induction of apoptosis may be a promising therapeutic approach in cancer therapy. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonists induce apoptosis in various cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains to be defined. The present study was undertaken to determine the precise mechanism of cell death induced by ciglitazone, a synthetic PPARγ agonist, in A172 human glioma cells. Ciglitazone resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent apoptotic cell death. Similar results were obtained with troglitazone, another synthetic PPARγ agonist. Ciglitazone induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and ciglitazone-induced cell death was prevented by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, suggesting an important role of ROS generation in the ciglitazone-induced cell death. The cell death induced by ciglitazone was inhibited by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. Although ciglitazone treatment caused a transient activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, the ciglitazone-induced cell death was not affected by inhibitors of these kinses. Ciglitazone caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and its effect was prevented by N-acetylcysteine and GW9662. The specific inhibitor of caspases-3 DEVD-CHO and the general caspase inhibitor z-DEVD-FMK did not exert the protective effect against the ciglitazone-induced cell death and caspase-3 activity also was not altered by ciglitazone. The ciglitazone-induced cell death was accompanied by down-regulation of XIAP and Survivin, but not by release of apoptosis-inducing factor. Taken together, these findings suggest that down-regulation of XIAP and Survivin may play an active role in mediating a caspase-independent and -PPARγ-dependent cell death induced by ciglitazone in A172 human glioma cells. These data may provide a novel insight into potential therapeutic strategies for treatment of glioblastoma.     

T-cell activation induced by anti-CD3 × anti-B-cell lymphoma monoclonal antibody is enhanced by pretreatment of lymphoma cells with soluble CD40 ligand

 T cells play a key role in the control of abnormal B cell proliferation. Factors that play a role in inadequate T cell responses include absence of expression of costimulatory and adhesion molecules by the malignant B cells and lack of cytotoxic T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens. A number of approaches have been used to enhance T cell response against malignant B cells. Agents such as soluble CD40 ligand can enhance expression of costimulatory molecules by the malignant B cells and improve their ability to activate T cells. Anti-CD3-based bispecific antibodies can retarget T cells toward the tumor cells irrespective of T cell specificity. We used the V 38C13 murine lymphoma model to assess whether the combination of soluble CD40 ligand and anti-CD3-based bispecific antibody can enhance T cell activation induced by malignant B cells more effectively than either approach alone. Expression of CD80, CD86, and ICAM-1 on lymphoma cells was up-regulated by soluble CD40 ligand. Syngeneic T cells were activated more extensively by lymphoma cells when the lymphoma cells were pre-treated with soluble CD40 ligand. Bispecific-antibody induced T cell activation was more extensive when lymphoma cells pretreated with soluble CD40 ligand were present. The combination of soluble CD40 ligand plus bispecific antibody enhanced the median survival of mice compared to mice treated with bispecific anibody alone. We conclude that pretreatment of tumor cells with agents capable of inducing costimulatory molecule expression, such as soluble CD40 ligand can enhance the ability of malignant B cells to activate T cells. This effect is enhanced by the addition of bispecific antibody. The combination of enhanced expression of costimulatory molecules and retargeting of T cells by bispecific antibody may allow for a more effective T-cell-based immunotherapy. Accepted: 14 October 1997     

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isoforms in the rat uterus during early pregnancy

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play an important role in different compartments of the female reproductive system in rodents and humans. However, expressional profiles and physiological functions of PPARs in the endometrium prior to the placentation are not well understood. In this study, we determined expressional profiles of the PPARs during early pregnancy. Immunocytochemistry revealed that both PPARα and PPARβ/δ were strongly detected in the endometrial stroma on days 4.5–6.5 of pregnancy, which is just a starting time of implantation. Delayed implantation animal model showed that the expressions of PPARα and PPARβ/δ occurred after the initiation of implantation in the endometrial stroma. Moreover, an in vitro decidualization model further revealed that the expression of PPARα increased in the cultured rat endometrial stromal cells at 24 h after the decidualization treatment, but the expression of PPARβ/δ was delayed and increased at 48 h after the treatment. PPARγ was expressed in the endometrial stroma and its expression decreased significantly at 2.5 days post-coitum and maintained a low level of expression during the period of implantation. These results indicate that PPARα is expressed and induced by the initiation of implantation, prior to the expression of PPARβ/δ in decidualized endometrium. Increasing expression of PPARγ during fertilization and its decline during the period of implantation further suggest that PPARs may play important roles during early pregnancy.     

Inhibition of Oxidative Stress-Elicited AKT Activation Facilitates PPARγ Agonist-Mediated Inhibition of Stem Cell Character and Tumor Growth of Liver Cancer Cells

Emerging evidence suggests that tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are the most malignant cell subpopulation in tumors because of their resistance to chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Targeting TICs may be a key innovation for cancer treatment. In this study, we found that PPARγ agonists inhibited the cancer stem cell-like phenotype and attenuated tumor growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) initiated by NOX2 upregulation were partially responsible for the inhibitory effects mediated by PPARγ agonists. However, PPARγ agonist-mediated ROS production significantly activated AKT, which in turn promoted TIC survival by limiting ROS generation. Inhibition of AKT, by either pharmacological inhibitors or AKT siRNA, significantly enhanced PPARγ agonist-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and stem cell-like properties in HCC cells. Importantly, in nude mice inoculated with HCC Huh7 cells, we demonstrated a synergistic inhibitory effect of the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone and the AKT inhibitor triciribine on tumor growth. In conclusion, we observed a negative feedback loop between oxidative stress and AKT hyperactivation in PPARγ agonist-mediated suppressive effects on HCCs. Combinatory application of an AKT inhibitor and a PPARγ agonist may provide a new strategy for inhibition of stem cell-like properties in HCCs and treatment of liver cancer.     

Rosiglitazone as a regulator of innate immunity in a cell model of hyperglycemia

Epidemiological studies have shown that severe inflammatory responses occur in patients with hyperglycemia. The molecular nature of these changes is currently under intense investigations. A central role of nuclear receptors PPAR has been shown in the regulation of metabolic changes associated with hyperglycemia, a selective agonist of nuclear receptor PPARγ rosiglitazone is used as a hypoglycemic drug. Rosiglitazone is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, but its properties as an anti-inflammatory drug in hyperglycemic conditions have not been studied. This was an aim of our work. We used a human cell culture model of hyperglycemia: HeLa cells incubated in the conditions of 25 mM glucose for 3 days. Control cells were incubated with 5 mM glucose. The cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is known to trigger innate immune response through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 and influence mRNA expression levels of three of PPAR (α, β/δ, γ) isotypes as well as cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). We have shown that under hyperglycemic conditions expression levels of PPARα and PPARβ/δ decreased almost twofold, expression level of COX-2 also decreased, while expression levels of COX-1 and PPARγ remained unchanged compared to those under normal glucose concentration. LPS administration in control cells leads to a 1.5–2.5-fold stimulation of expression of COX-2 and PPAR isotypes. In contrast, under hyperglycemia, LPS exhibited no effect on expression of COX-2 and the PPAR isotypes, which indicates potential mechanisms of hyperglycemia-related alterations in innate immunity. Rosiglitazone, an agonist of PPARγ, decreased expression level of PPARβ/δ and abolished the effect of LPS under hyperglycemia. Rosiglitazone also reduced expression level of COX-1 and COX-2, which indicates on the agonist possible role as an anti-inflammatory agent under high glucose concentrations. These data broaden applicability of rosiglitazone as an anti-inflammatory agent in hyperglycemic conditions.     

PTB-Associated Splicing Factor (PSF) Is a PPARγ-Binding Protein and Growth Regulator of Colon Cancer Cells

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that plays an essential role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. It is over-expressed in many types of cancer, including colon, stomach, breast, and lung cancer, suggesting that regulation of PPARγ might affect cancer pathogenesis. Here, using a proteomic approach, we identify PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) as a novel PPARγ-interacting protein and demonstrate that PSF is involved in several important regulatory steps of colon cancer cell proliferation. To investigate the relationship between PSF and PPARγ in colon cancer, we evaluated the effects of PSF expression in DLD-1 and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines, which express low and high levels of PPARγ, respectively PSF affected the ability of PPARγ to bind, and expression of PSF siRNA significantly suppressed the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, PSF knockdown induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3. Interestingly, DLD-1 cells were more susceptible to PSF knockdown-induced cell death than HT-29 cells. Our data suggest that PSF is an important regulator of cell death that plays critical roles in the survival and growth of colon cancer cells. The PSF-PPARγ axis may play a role in the control of colorectal carcinogenesis. Taken together, this study is the first to describe the effects of PSF on cell proliferation, tumor growth, and cell signaling associated with PPARγ.     

PTEN and PI-3 kinase inhibitors control LPS signaling and the lymphoproliferative response in the CD19+ B cell compartment

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), e.g. toll receptors (TLRs) that bind ligands within the microbiome have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. LPS is a ligand for two TLR family members, TLR4 and RP105 which mediate LPS signaling in B cell proliferation and migration. Although LPS/TLR/RP105 signaling is well-studied; our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling these PRR signaling pathways remains incomplete. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for PTEN/PI-3K signaling in B cell selection and survival, however a role for PTEN/PI-3K in TLR4/RP105/LPS signaling in the B cell compartment has not been reported. Herein, we crossed a CD19cre and PTEN^fl/fl mouse to generate a conditional PTEN knockout mouse in the CD19+ B cell compartment. These mice were further crossed with an IL-14α transgenic mouse to study the combined effect of PTEN deletion, PI-3K inhibition and expression of IL-14α (a cytokine originally identified as a B cell growth factor) in CD19+ B cell lymphoproliferation and response to LPS stimulation. Targeted deletion of PTEN and directed expression of IL-14α in the CD19+ B cell compartment (IL-14+PTEN-/-) lead to marked splenomegaly and altered spleen morphology at baseline due to expansion of marginal zone B cells, a phenotype that was exaggerated by treatment with the B cell mitogen and TLR4/RP105 ligand, LPS. Moreover, LPS stimulation of CD19+ cells isolated from these mice display increased proliferation, augmented AKT and NFκB activation as well as increased expression of c-myc and cyclinD1. Interestingly, treatment of LPS treated IL-14+PTEN-/- mice with a pan PI-3K inhibitor, SF1126, reduced splenomegaly, cell proliferation, c-myc and cyclin D1 expression in the CD19+ B cell compartment and normalized the splenic histopathologic architecture. These findings provide the direct evidence that PTEN and PI-3K inhibitors control TLR4/RP105/LPS signaling in the CD19+ B cell compartment and that pan PI-3 kinase inhibitors reverse the lymphoproliferative phenotype in vivo.