Effects of interferon gamma on native human acute myelogenous leukaemia cells

T cell targeting immunotherapy is now considered a possible strategy in acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), and IFNγ release may then contribute to the antileukaemic effects. We investigated the effects of IFNγ on native human AML cells. Normal T cells could be activated to release IFNγ in the presence of AML cells. Furthermore, high levels of CD119 (IFNγ receptor α chain) expression were observed for all 39 patients examined. Receptor expression was decreased after exposure to exogenous IFNγ, and receptor ligation caused Stat1 phosphorylation but no phosphorylation of the alternative messengers Erk1/2. The effect of exogenous IFNγ on AML blast proliferation was dependent on the local cytokine network and IFNγ (1) inhibited proliferation in the presence of exogenous IL1β, GM-CSF, G-CSF and SCF; (2) had divergent effects in the presence of IL3 and Flt3 (65 patients examined); (3) inhibited proliferation in the presence of endothelial cells but had divergent effects in the presence of fibroblasts, osteoblasts and normal stromal cells (65 patients examined). IFNγ increased stress-induced (spontaneous) in vitro apoptosis as well as cytarabine-induced apoptosis only for a subset of patients. Furthermore, IFNγ decreased the release of proangiogenic CXCL8 and increased the release of antiangiogenic CXCL9–11. We conclude that IFNγ can be released in the presence of native human AML cells and affect AML cell proliferation, regulation of apoptosis and the balance between pro- and antiangiogenic chemokine release.     

Modulation of the rhythmic patterns of expression of phosphoprotein phosphatases in human leukaemia cells

Temporal variations in the expression of phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PP1), phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) were monitored in the human acute, promyelocytic leukaemia cell line, HL60. Granulocytic differentiation was induced using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and monocytic differentiation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Expression of the enzyme proteins in cell extracts was determined by SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblotting using specific antibodies. For PP1, a single immunospecific band of molecular mass 38 kDa was detected corresponding to the catalytic subunit; induction of differentiation with either ATRA or PMA showed differences in the patterns of expression and, in the case of the latter, the mean value. Two immunospecific bands, of mass 34 and 37 kDa, possibly corresponding to dephosphorylated and phosphorylated forms, respectively, were detected for PP2A, as well as a minor band of mass 46 kDa; dynamic variations in the expression of all 3 forms were observed and there were differences between the control and treated cells. The catalytic domain of PTP1B was detected as a 46 kDa band. A 42 kDa form of the protein was also seen, which may represent a change in phosphorylation state, or be the result of proteolytic cleavage; usually the 46 kDa band was the major form, but on occasion there was a change to predominance of the 42 kDa band.     

Growth inhibitory effect of quercetin on SW 872 human liposarcoma cells

Adipocytic tumors represent the largest single group of soft tissue tumors. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative potential of quercetin in SW 872 human liposarcoma cells. Cell viability was significantly influenced by quercetin treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analyses of SW 872 human liposarcoma cells exposed to quercetin showed that the increase of apoptotic cells was time- and dose-dependent. The percentages of normal cells were decreased and apoptotic cells (including early apoptotic and late apoptotic) were increased with increasing concentrations of quercetin. Quercetin-induced apoptosis in SW 872 human liposarcoma cells was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)). The apoptosis in SW 872 human liposarcoma cells induced by quercetin was mediated through the activation of caspase-3, Bax, and Bak and then cleavage of PARP and downregulation of Bcl-2. These results demonstrate that quercetin may prevent atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas from mature adipocytic proliferation, which may contribute to its antiproliferative function.     

Apoptosis induction in DU-145 human prostate carcinoma cells

Due to the recent importance assumed by the apoptotic process as a tool in the therapeutic protocols, we investigated the onset and rate of drug-induced apoptosis in a cell model of prostatic tumor: the DU-145 cells. The human prostatic cancer cells, DU-145, have been treated with pro-apoptotic substances like puromycin (1 microg/ml for 4 and 6 h) and oxygen peroxide (1 mM for 1 h) or exposed to hyperthermic treatment (43 degrees C for 1 h followed by 2 h of recovery). The conventional techniques of preparation and observation of biological samples for electron scanning microscopy were used to estimate the sensitivity of these cells to the pro-apoptotic treatments and to establish their ability to undergo apoptosis. The ultrastructural changes occurring in the different phases of the phenomenon were characterized in parallel with the evaluation of the rate of apoptosis and in parallel with the evaluation of the expression levels of hsp-70 proteins.     

Mechanosensitive channel activity and F-actin organization in cholesterol-depleted human leukaemia cells

This study focuses on the functional role of cellular cholesterol in the regulation of mechanosensitive cation channels activated by stretch in human leukaemia K562 cells. The patch-clamp method was employed to examine the effect of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), a synthetic cholesterol-sequestering agent, on stretch-activated single currents. We found that cholesterol-depleting treatment with MbetaCD resulted in a suppression of the activity of mechanosensitive channels without a change in the unitary conductance. The probability that the channel was open significantly decreased after treatment with MbetaCD. Fluorescent microscopy revealed F-actin reorganization, possibly involving actin assembly, after incubation of the cells with MbetaCD. We suggest that suppression of mechanosensitive channel activation in cholesterol-depleted leukaemia cells is due to F-actin rearrangement, presumably induced by lipid raft destruction. Our observations are consistent with the notion that stretch-activated cation channels in eukaryotic cells are regulated by the membrane-cytoskeleton complex rather than by tension developed purely in the lipid bilayer.     

Doxorubicin-transferrin conjugate selectively overcomes multidrug resistance in leukaemia cells

Neoplastic cells frequently have an increased number of transferrin receptors. Coupling transferrin to an anti-neoplastic drug has the potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution and action of doxorubicin-transferrin conjugate (DOXTRF) in a leukaemia cell line (HL60), a multidrug-resistant leukaemia cell line (HL60ADR) and a normal tissue cell line (human fibroblasts). The intracellular accumulation of DOX and DOX-TRF was monitored by direct fluorescence. More DOX-TRF than free DOX was delivered to the tumour cells, and consecutively the levels of DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis increased even in the multidrug-resistant cell line. In the normal tissue cell line, DOX-TRF did not accumulate, and therefore, the levels of DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis did not increase. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. The IC₅₀ for DOX-TRF was lower than the IC₅₀ value for the free drug in both leukaemia cell lines. The IC₅₀ values for the HL60 cells were 0.08 μM for DOX and 0.02 μM for DOX-TRF. The IC₅₀ values for HL60ADR cells were 7 μM for DOX and 0.035 μM for DOX-TRF. In conclusion, DOX-TRF was able to overcome MDR in the leukaemia cell lines while having only a very limited effect on normal tissue cells.     

Hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a representative ROS, has been used to study the apoptosis of cancer cells to oxidative stress. In this study, we exploited the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells. Exposure of cells to H(2)O(2) might cause significant viability loss and the increase in apoptotic rate. Treatment with 0.4 mmol/L H(2)O(2) up-regulated Bax but down-regulated Bcl-2 in a time-dependent manner, while Bcl-xL expression remained unchanged. Our results also showed that the levels of Fas and Fas-L were increased, the pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9 were down-regulated in H(2)O(2)-treated MGC803 cells. Under H(2)O(2) stress, we found that the protein p53 also participated in MGC803 cells apoptosis. Taken together, the present study indicated that Fas-mediated cell surface death receptor pathway and mitochondria-mediated pathway may participate in regulating the MGC803 cells apoptosis under oxidative stress.     

Modulation of arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis by genistein and functionally related agents in U937 human leukaemia cells. Regulation by ROS and mitogen-activated protein kinases

The proved radio- and chemo-sensitizing capacity of genistein supports the potential use of this isoflavone in antitumour therapies. In this regard, we recently reported that genistein potentiates apoptosis induction by the anti-leukaemic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO) via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and p38-MAPK activation. In the present study we analyze the action of agents sharing functional similarities with the isoflavone, namely 17-β-estradiol, the DNA topoisomerase II poison etoposide, and the tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors herbimycin A, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and adaphostin, in U937 and other human acute myeloid leukaemia cell lines. Co-treatment with 17-β-estradiol or etoposide failed to stimulate ROS production and potentiate ATO-provoked apoptosis, although etoposide caused G₂/M cycle arrest, in the same manner as genistein. By contrast, all PTK inhibitors increased ATO-provoked apoptosis, with similar efficacy as genistein. Daidzein, a genistein analogue without PTK-inhibiting activity, failed to potentiate apoptosis, and co-treatment with orthovanadate attenuated the sensitizing capacity of genistein. Apoptosis potentiation by PTK inhibitors was associated to ROS over-accumulation and stimulation of p38-MAPK phosphorylation, was mimicked by conventional pro-oxidant agents (exogenous H₂O₂ and the glutathione-depleting agent dl-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine), and was attenuated by the antioxidant agent N-acetyl-l-cysteine, and by the p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580 or p38-MAPK-directed siRNAs. On the other hand, the PTK inhibitors caused disparate effects on ERK phosphorylation, and co-treatment with the MEK/ERK inhibitor PD98059 enhanced the pro-apoptotic capacity of the PTK inhibitors. These results suggest that PTK inhibition, together with ROS generation and p38-MAPK activation, are responsible for the chemo-sensitizing action of genistein and functionally related agents in leukaemia cells.     

Dipropylcyclopentylxanthine triggers apoptosis in cells from patients with myeloid leukaemia

1,3-Dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), a xanthine analogue used as a selective antagonist of adenosine receptors, caused apoptosis in a variety of leukaemia-derived cell lines as well as in cells from patients with myeloid leukaemia. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, by DNA fragmentation and by accumulation of histones, H2A, H2B, R3 and H4, in the nucleoplasm of cells. Cell cycle analysis indicated that apoptosis occurred irrespective of the cell cycle phase. DPCPX did not trigger apoptosis in resting human peripheral blood lymphocytes; neither did it potentiate the apoptotic effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), when these cells were activated by PHA. These results indicate that DPCPX may be useful in the therapy of proliferative disorders of the hematopoietic system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pre-clinical evaluation of a whole-parasite vaccine to control human babesiosis

1. Download : Download high-res image (114KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Effects of epigenetic-based anti-cancer drugs in leukaemia and multiple myeloma cells

Here, we focus on epigenetic changes in leukaemia and MM (multiple myeloma) cells. We show how the histone signature, DNA methylation and levels of select tumour-suppressor proteins can be affected by inhibitors of HDACs (histone deacetylases) and Dnmts (DNA methyltransferases). Both inhibitors, TSA (trichostatin A) and 5-AZA (5-azacytidine), have the ability to change the histone signature in a tumour-specific manner. In MM cells, we observed changes in H3K4 methylation, while in leukaemia cells, H3K9 methylation was especially affected by select inhibitors. Compared with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, tumour cell samples were characterized by increased H3K9 acetylation, increased H3K4me2, H3K9me2 and HP1α (heterochromatin protein 1α) levels and specific changes were also observed for DNA methylation. Additionally, we showed that the tumour suppressor pRb1 (retinoblastoma protein) is more sensitive to epigenetic-based anti-cancer stimuli than p53. We have found significant decrease in the levels of pRb1 and p53 in both myeloma and leukaemia cells after HDAC inhibition.     

以人皮肤成纤维细胞作为饲养层细胞培养人胚胎干细胞

目的：比较人皮肤成纤维细胞（humandermalfibroblasts,HDFs）与小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞（Mouseembryonicfibroblasts,MEFs）的增殖能力及研究人皮肤成纤维细胞作为饲养层支持人胚胎干细胞（humanembryonicstemcells,hESCs）未分化生长的能力。方法：利用组织贴壁法从人皮肤中分离出HDFs,通过细胞形态的观察和生长曲线的绘制比较HDFs与MEFs的体外增殖能力。将HDFs作为饲养层细胞与hESCs共培养,传代12代后,检测hESCs碱性磷酸酶（AKP）、表面特异性标志及胚胎干细胞特异性转录因子。结果：HDFs可连续传代培养15代以上,10代以下的HDFs增殖迅速,而MEFs自第4代起,增殖能力就明显下降;hESCs在HDFs饲养层上可传代培养12代以上,克隆边界清晰,细胞排列紧密,碱性磷酸酶、表面标志物检测均呈阳性,表达了hESCs特异性转录因子。结论：HDFs比MEFs具有更强的增殖能力;HDFs可作为培养hEscs的饲养层细胞。     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of alpha-bromoacryloylamido indolyl pyridinyl propenones as potent apoptotic inducers in human leukaemia cells

The combination of two pharmacophores into a single molecule represents one of the methods that can be adopted for the synthesis of new anticancer molecules. To investigate the influence of the position of the pyridine nitrogen on biological activity, two different series of α-bromoacryloylamido indolyl pyridinyl propenones 3a–h and 4a–d were designed and synthesized by a pharmacophore hybridization approach and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of six human cancer cell lines. These hybrid molecules were prepared to combine the α-bromoacryloyl moiety with two series of indole-inspired chalcone analogues, possessing an indole derivative and a 3- or 4-pyridine ring, respectively, linked on either side of 2-propen-1-one system. The structure-activity relationship was also investigated by the insertion of alkyl or benzyl moieties at the N-1 position of the indole nucleus. We found that most of the newly synthesized displayed high antiproliferative activity against U-937, MOLT-3, K-562, and NALM-6 leukaemia cell lines, with one-digit to double-digit nanomolar IC₅₀ values. The antiproliferative activities of 3-pyridinyl derivatives 3f–h revealed that N-benzyl indole analogues generally exhibited lower activity compared to N-H or N-alkyl derivatives 3a–b and 3c–e, respectively. Moreover, cellular mechanism studies elucidated that compound 4a induced apoptosis along with a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and activated caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner.     

Cartilage polysaccharide induces apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells

In this study, we extracted a polysaccharide (short-chain polysaccharide [PS]) from porcine cartilage and examined its function in chronic myeloid leukaemia by using human K562 cells and mouse L1210 cells. Results of cell proliferation assay indicated that PS inhibited cancer cell growth at different concentrations, while it had little effect on normal cells. The presence of morphological aspects of apoptosis, such as nuclear shrinkage, was shown in H&E stained sections. The occurrence of PS-induced apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assay and cell cycle analysis. The results of immunofluorescent staining indicated the molecular mechanism underlying. Through interfering with the cell cycle of tumor cells, PS may induce apoptosis by downregulating the expression level of cyclin D1 and upregulating the level of p21 protein. Correlation analysis of apoptosis and MAPK suggested that inactivation of ERK was crucial for PS induced apoptosis, while JNK phosphorylation had a small effect and p38 was not involved. In vivo assay showed that PS inhibited L1210 cell growth in vivo and prolonged the life span of L1210-bearing mice. We conclude that PS is a polysaccharide with anticancer effects and induced apoptosis in human K562 cells.     

探讨屎肠球菌的VanA调控人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC凋亡的机制

目的 探讨屎肠球菌的万古霉素替考拉宁A型抗性蛋白/D-丙氨酸-D-丙氨酸连接酶（Vancomycin Teicoplanin A-type resistance protein D-alanine-D-alanine ligase,vanA）调控人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC凋亡的机制。方法 在人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC中使用屎肠球菌感染,Annxin-V染色检测细胞凋亡情况。使用屎肠球菌的VanA蛋白刺激,检测FHC细胞凋亡情况、ROS水平以及ROS标志蛋白MDA、GSH和SOD的表达水平。ROS抑制Acetylcysteine处理VanA刺激的FHC细胞后,检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平。结果 屎肠球菌与人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC共培养后,人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC的凋亡水平明显升高（t=2.876,P=0.045 2）,并且VanA蛋白能促进FHC凋亡水平（t=5.579,P=0.005 1）,同时细胞凋亡相关蛋白CLEAVED-CAS9、BAK的表达量上升,BCL-2的表达量下降。屎肠球菌的VanA蛋白刺激后,发现正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC的ROS水平上升（t=10.190,P=0.000 5）,ROS标志蛋白MDA（t=4.315,P=0.012 5）和SOD（t=5.751,P=0.004 5）的表达水平上升,GSH（t=5.225,P=0.006 4）的表达水平下降,但是,ROS抑制剂Acetylcysteine能够抑制这种现象。结论 屎肠球菌的VanA通过提高细胞内ROS水平来促进人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC凋亡。     

Apoptosis induced in L1210 leukaemia cells by an inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome

Of a number of factors involved in apoptosis, protease activity may play a crucial role. We show that N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu(O-t-butyl)-Ala-leucinal (PSI), a selective inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome, induces massive apoptosis in murine leukaemia L1210 cells. At 50 nM concentration, PSI induces a block of cytokinesis, while higher concentrations (500 nM) cause S phase block and massive apoptosis. Z-Leu-leucinal, a specific calpain inhibitor, did not induce apoptosis. In contrast to previous reports, TNF-α did not enhance apoptosis when combined with PSI. Our results suggest that proteasome inhibitors may be considered as potential anti-neoplastic agents. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Epigenetic regulation of microRNA-128a expression contributes to the apoptosis-resistance of human T-cell leukaemia Jurkat cells by modulating expression of Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD)

Increased expression of miR-128a is often observed in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) compared with its expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The objective of this study was to investigate the role of miR-128a, especially that in the Fas-signalling pathway, in T-cell leukaemia cells. The role of miR-128a in Fas-mediated apoptosis was examined by using Fas-activating antibody (CH-11)-susceptible Jurkat cells and -resistant Jurkat/R cells. Whereas ectopic expression of miR-128a conferred Fas-resistance on Jurkat cells by directly targeting Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), antagonizing miR-128a expression sensitized Jurkat/R cells to the Fas-mediated apoptosis through derepression of FADD expression. Myeloid leukaemia HL60 and K562 cells were also CH-11-resistant, sharing a similar resistant mechanism with Jurkat/R cells. Furthermore, CH-11 induced demethylation of the promoter region of miR-128a with resultant up-regulation of miR-128a expression in Jurkat/R cells, which was shown to be a mechanism for the resistance of Jurkat/R cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Our results indicate that the induction of miR-128a expression by DNA demethylation is a novel mechanism of resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis.     

Proteomic analysis of enriched lysosomes at early phase of camptothecin-induced apoptosis in human U-937 cells

A lysosomal pathway, characterized by partial rupture or labilization of lysosomal membranes and cathepsin activation, is evoked during camptothecin-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells, including human histiocytic lymphoma U-937 cells. These lysosomal events begin rapidly and simultaneously with mitochondrial permeabilization and caspase activation within 3 h after drug treatment. In this study, comparative and quantitative proteome analyses were performed to identify early changes in lysosomal protein expression/localization from U-937 cells undergoing apoptosis. In 2 independent experiments, among a total of more than 538 proteins putatively identified and quantitated by iTRAQ isobaric labeling and LC-ESI-MS/MS, 18 proteins were found to be upregulated and 9 downregulated in lysosomes purified from early apoptotic compared to control cells. Protein expression was validated by Western blotting on enriched lysosome fractions, and protein localization confirmed by fluorescence confocal microscopy of representative protein candidates, whose functions are associated with lysosomal membrane fluidity and dynamics. These include sterol-4-alpha-carboxylate 3-dehydrogenase (NSDHL), prosaposin (PSAP) and protein kinase C delta (PKC-δ). This comparative proteome analysis provides the basis for novel hypothesis and rationale functional experimentation, where the 3 validated candidate proteins are associated with lysosomal membrane fluidity and dynamics, particularly cholesterol, sphingolipid and glycosphingolipid metabolism.     

Equol induces apoptosis through cytochrome c-mediated caspases cascade in human breast cancer MDA-MB-453 cells

This study investigated the role of the caspase activation cascade in extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis induced by equol in human breast cancer MDA-MB cells. First, the antiproliferative effect of equol was determined in cells treated with 1-100 μM equol for 24, 48, and 72 h. Equol significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Exposure to 50 or 100 μM equol for 72 h strongly promoted apoptosis. Under the same conditions, remarkable cytochrome c release was observed. Subsequently, caspase-9, which acts in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, was cleaved by equol at high concentrations, but caspase-8 activation of receptor-mediated apoptosis was not observed. At both equol concentrations, the caspase-8 and -9 activity assays showed similar patterns. In addition, equol treatment activated caspase-3, which is downstream from caspase-9, and this was accompanied by the cleavage of capase-6 and -7. Activation of these caspases leads to increased activation of PARP, lamin, and ICAD. This study suggests that equol induces the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis via caspase-9 and cytochrome c, independent of caspase-8, in human breast cancer MDA-MB-453 cells.