Restoration of cyclin D2 has an inhibitory potential on the proliferation of LNCaP cells

Despite well known oncogenic function of G1-S cell-cycle progression, cyclin D2 (CCND2) is often silenced epigenetically in prostate cancers. Here we show that CCND2 has an inhibitory potential on the proliferation of androgen receptor (AR)-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Forced expression of CCND2 suppressed the proliferative ability and induced cell death in LNCaP cells in a cdk-independent manner. Knocking down CCND2 restored the proliferation of LNCaP subclones with relatively high CCND2 expression and low proliferative profiles. Immunoprecipitation using deletion mutants of CCND2 indicated that a central domain of CCND2 is required for binding to AR. A deletion mutant lacking the central domain failed to hinder LNCaP cells. Collectively, our results indicated that CCND2 inhibits cell proliferation of AR-dependent prostate cancer through the interaction with AR. Our study suggests that restoration of CCND2 expression potentially prevents the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer, which is mostly AR-dependent in the initial settings.     

Androgen Suppresses the Proliferation of Androgen Receptor-Positive Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells via Inhibition of Cdk2, CyclinA,and Skp2

The majority of prostate cancer (PCa) patient receiving androgen ablation therapy eventually develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We previously reported that androgen treatment suppresses Skp2 and c-Myc through androgen receptor (AR) and induced G1 cell cycle arrest in androgen-independent LNCaP 104-R2 cells, a late stage CRPC cell line model. However, the mechanism of androgenic regulation of Skp2 in CRPC cells was not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the androgenic regulation of Skp2 in two AR-positive CRPC cell line models, the LNCaP 104-R1 and PC-3^AR Cells. The former one is an early stage androgen-independent LNCaP cells, while the later one is PC-3 cells re-expressing either wild type AR or mutant LNCaP AR. Proliferation of LNCaP 104-R1 and PC-3^AR cells is not dependent on but is suppressed by androgen. We observed in this study that androgen treatment reduced protein expression of Cdk2, Cdk7, Cyclin A, cyclin H, Skp2, c-Myc, and E2F-1; lessened phosphorylation of Thr14, Tyr15, and Thr160 on Cdk2; decreased activity of Cdk2; induced protein level of p27^Kip1; and caused G1 cell cycle arrest in LNCaP 104-R1 cells and PC-3^AR cells. Overexpression of Skp2 protein in LNCaP 104-R1 or PC-3^AR cells partially blocked accumulation of p27^Kip1 and increased Cdk2 activity under androgen treatment, which partially blocked the androgenic suppressive effects on proliferation and cell cycle. Analyzing on-line gene array data of 214 normal and PCa samples indicated that gene expression of Skp2, Cdk2, and cyclin A positively correlates to each other, while Cdk7 negatively correlates to these genes. These observations suggested that androgen suppresses the proliferation of CRPC cells partially through inhibition of Cyclin A, Cdk2, and Skp2.     

AZGP1 is androgen responsive and involved in AR-induced prostate cancer cell proliferation and metastasis

Alpha-2-glycoprotein 1, zinc-binding (AZGP1), known as zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG), is a multifunctional secretory glycoprotein and relevant to cancer metastasis. Little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms of AZGP1 in prostate cancer (PCa). In the present study, we report that AZGP1 is an androgen-responsive gene, which is involved in AR-induced PCa cell proliferation and metastasis. In clinical specimens, the expression of AZGP1 in PCa tissues is markedly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. In cultures, expression of AZGP1 is upregulated by the androgen-AR axis at both messenger RNA and protein levels. Furthermore, Chip-Seq assay identifies canonical androgen-responsive elements (AREs) at AZGP1 enhancer; and dual-luciferase reporter assays reveal that the AREs is highly responsive to androgen whereas mutations of the AREs abolish the reporter activity. In addition, AZGP1 promotes G1/S phase transition and cell cycle progress by increasing cyclin D1 levels in PCa cells. Functional studies demonstrate that knocking down endogenous AZGP1 expression in LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 cells largely weaken androgen/AR axis-induced cell migration and invasion. In vivo xenotransplantation tumor experiments also show that AZGP1 involves in androgen/AR axis-mediated PCa cell proliferation. Taken together, our study implicates for the first time that AZGP1 is an AR target gene and is involved in androgen/AR axis-mediated cell proliferation and metastasis in primary PCa.     

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) disrupts androgen receptor signaling in human prostate cancer cells and patient-derived xenograft

White button mushroom (WBM) (Agaricus bisporus) is a potential prostate cancer (PCa) chemo-preventative and therapeutic agent. Our clinical phase І trial of WBM powder in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa indicated that WBM intake reduced the circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We hypothesized that WBM exerts its effects on PCa through the androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. Therefore, we conducted a reverse translational study with androgen-dependent PCa cell lines (LNCaP and VCaP) and patient-derived-xenografts (PDX) from a prostate tumor (TM00298). In both LNCaP and VCaP cells, western blots and qRT-PCR assays indicated that WBM extract (6–30 mg/mL) suppressed DHT-induced PSA expression and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis of AR revealed that WBM extract interrupted the AR nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution. PSA promotor-luciferase assay suggested that WBM extract inhibited DHT-induced luciferase activity. RNA-Seq on WBM-treated LNCaP cells confirmed that WBM treatment suppressed the androgen response pathways and cell-cycle control pathways. Our PDX showed that oral intake of WBM extract (200 mg/kg/d) suppressed tumor growth and decreased PSA levels in both tumors and serum. In the present study, we also identified a conjugated linoleic acid isomer (CLA-9Z11E) as a strong AR antagonist by performing LanthaScreen TR-FRET AR Coactivator Interaction Assays. The inhibitory effect of CLA-9Z11E (IC50: 350 nM) was nearly two times stronger than the known AR antagonist, cyproterone acetate (IC50: 672 nM). The information gained from this study improves the overall understanding of how WBM may contribute to the prevention and treatment of PCa.     

Androgen receptor agonist and antagonist reduce response of cytokine-induced killer cells on prostate cancer cells

Despite many advances, prostate cancer (PCa) is still the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. So far, the promising field of onco-immunology has not yet provided a satisfactory treatment option for PCa. Here we show that the ex vivo expansion and activation of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells isolated from primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells induce immune-mediated apoptosis in both human PCa LNCaP and C4-2 cells. Interestingly, pretreating LNCaP and C4-2 cells with either androgen or the androgen receptor (AR) antagonist enzalutamide mediates resistance to this immunogenic attack. This is associated with a reduction of both total cell loss and apoptosis levels suggesting one possible mechanism blunting onco-immunological activity. The data also suggest that secreted factors from AR ligand-treated PCa cell suppress lymphocyte proliferation. Further, we analysed immune-mediated killing activity using conditioned media from LNCaP and C4-2 treated cells. The obtained data suggest that the conditioned media from PCa treated cells does not influence a measurable lymphocyte-mediated apoptosis. However, analysing clonal expansion of activated lymphocytes, the androgen-derived conditioned media suppresses lymphocyte proliferation/expansion suggesting inhibition of onco-immunological activity by pretreatment of PCa cells with AR ligands.     

长链非编码RNA LINC01006对前列腺癌细胞增殖和侵袭的影响

摘要 目的：探究长链非编码RNA LINC01006对前列腺癌（prostate cancer, PCa）细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响。方法：体外培养人前列腺正常上皮细胞系RWPE-1,人PCa细胞系LNCaP、22Rv1、PC3、C4-2b,应用实时定量PCR（qRT-PCR）技术检测上述细胞LINC01006的表达;分别通过转染小干扰RNA（siRNA）或过表达LINC01006的慢病毒载体,在LNCaP和PC3细胞中敲减LINC01006或稳定过表达LINC01006;应用CCK8、克隆形成实验检测LINC01006对PCa细胞增殖能力的影响;应用Transwell侵袭实验检测LINC01006对PCa细胞侵袭能力的影响;通过网站预测LINC01006的转录调控因子及其结合位点。结果：相较于正常前列腺上皮细胞系RWPE-1,PCa细胞系LNCaP、22Rv1、C4-2b和PC3中LINC01006表达明显升高（P<0.05）。敲减LINC01006后的PCa细胞系LNCaP和PC3的增殖和侵袭能力被显著抑制（P<0.05）,过表达LINC1006则明显促进PCa细胞系LNCaP和PC3的增殖、侵袭能力（P<0.05）。通过PROMO网站预测可见AR是LINC01006的潜在转录调控因子,通过Cistrome DB数据库发现LINC01006上游启动子区域存在AR富集;敲减、抑制AR后LNCaP细胞中LINC01006表达明显升高（P<0.05）。结论：LINC01006在PCa细胞系中呈高表达,促进PCa细胞的增殖和侵袭,其受到AR负向调控,可能在PCa发生发展和去势抵抗形成过程中发挥作用。     

FAM64A is an androgen receptor-regulated feedback tumor promoter in prostate cancer

Endocrine therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) mainly inhibits androgen receptor (AR) signaling, due to increased androgen synthesis and AR changes, PCa evolved into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The function of Family With Sequence Similarity 64 Member A (FAM64A) and its association with prostate cancer has not been reported. In our research, we first reported that FAM64A is up-regulated and positively associated with poor prognosis of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) by TCGA database and immunohistochemistry staining. Moreover, knockdown of FAM64A significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of PCa cells in vitro. Mechanistically, FAM64A expression was increased by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through direct binding of AR to FAM64A promoter, and notably promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of androgen-dependent cell line of PCa. In addition, abnormal expression of FAM64A affects the immune and interferon signaling pathway of PCa cells. In conclusion, FAM64A was up-regulated by AR through directly binding to its specific promoter region to promote the development of PCa, and was associated with the immune mechanism and interferon signaling pathway, which provided a better understanding and a new potential for treating PCa.Subject terms: Penile cancer, Predictive markers     

Androgen-Regulated Expression of Arginase 1, Arginase 2 and Interleukin-8 in Human Prostate Cancer

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in North American men. Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) accentuates the infiltration of immune cells within the prostate. However, the immunosuppressive pathways regulated by androgens in PCa are not well characterized. Arginase 2 (ARG2) expression by PCa cells leads to a reduced activation of tumor-specific T cells. Our hypothesis was that androgens could regulate the expression of ARG2 by PCa cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this report, we demonstrate that both ARG1 and ARG2 are expressed by hormone-sensitive (HS) and hormone-refractory (HR) PCa cell lines, with the LNCaP cells having the highest arginase activity. In prostate tissue samples, ARG2 was more expressed in normal and non-malignant prostatic tissues compared to tumor tissues. Following androgen stimulation of LNCaP cells with 10 nM R1881, both ARG1 and ARG2 were overexpressed. The regulation of arginase expression following androgen stimulation was dependent on the androgen receptor (AR), as a siRNA treatment targeting the AR inhibited both ARG1 and ARG2 overexpression. This observation was correlated in vivo in patients by immunohistochemistry. Patients treated by ADT prior to surgery had lower ARG2 expression in both non-malignant and malignant tissues. Furthermore, ARG1 and ARG2 were enzymatically active and their decreased expression by siRNA resulted in reduced overall arginase activity and l-arginine metabolism. The decreased ARG1 and ARG2 expression also translated with diminished LNCaP cells cell growth and increased PBMC activation following exposure to LNCaP cells conditioned media. Finally, we found that interleukin-8 (IL-8) was also upregulated following androgen stimulation and that it directly increased the expression of ARG1 and ARG2 in the absence of androgens.

Conclusion/Significance

Our data provides the first detailed in vitro and in vivo account of an androgen-regulated immunosuppressive pathway in human PCa through the expression of ARG1, ARG2 and IL-8.     

Anti-androgen receptor ASC-J9 versus anti-androgens MDV3100 (Enzalutamide) or Casodex (Bicalutamide) leads to opposite effects on prostate cancer metastasis via differential modulation of macrophage infiltration and STAT3-CCL2 signaling

Despite androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) suppression of prostate cancer (PCa) growth, its overall effects on PCa metastasis remain unclear. Using human (C4-2B/THP1) and mouse (TRAMP-C1/RAW264.7) PCa cells–macrophages co-culture systems, we found currently used anti-androgens, MDV3100 (enzalutamide) or Casodex (bicalutamide), promoted macrophage migration to PCa cells that consequently led to enhanced PCa cell invasion. In contrast, the AR degradation enhancer, ASC-J9, suppressed both macrophage migration and subsequent PCa cell invasion. Mechanism dissection showed that Casodex/MDV3100 reduced the AR-mediated PIAS3 expression and enhanced the pSTAT3-CCL2 pathway. Addition of CCR2 antagonist reversed the Casodex/MDV3100-induced macrophage migration and PCa cell invasion. In contrast, ASC-J9 could regulate pSTAT3-CCL2 signaling using two pathways: an AR-dependent pathway via inhibiting PIAS3 expression and an AR-independent pathway via direct inhibition of the STAT3 phosphorylation/activation. These findings were confirmed in the in vivo mouse model with orthotopically injected TRAMP-C1 cells. Together, these results may raise the potential concern about the currently used ADT with anti-androgens that promotes PCa metastasis and may provide some new and better therapeutic strategies using ASC-J9 alone or a combinational therapy that simultaneously targets androgens/AR signaling and PIAS3-pSTAT3-CCL2 signaling to better battle PCa growth and metastasis at castration-resistant stage.     

Androgen receptor signaling is required for androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival

Background  

Androgens and androgen receptors (AR) regulate normal prostate development and growth. They also are involved in pathological development of prostatic diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Antiandrogen therapy for PCa, in conjunction with chemical or surgical castration, offers initial positive responses and leads to massive prostate cell death. However, cancer cells later appear as androgen-independent PCa. To investigate the role of AR in prostate cell proliferation and survival, we introduced a vector-based small interfering RNA (siRNA). This siRNA targeted 5'-untranslated region of AR mRNA for extended suppression of AR expression in androgen-sensitive human prostate LNCaP cells.     

Pterostilbene-Isothiocyanate Conjugate Suppresses Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells Irrespective of Androgen Receptor Status

Chemotherapy and anti-hormonal therapies are the most common treatments for non-organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa). However, the effectiveness of these therapies is limited, thus necessitating the development of alternative approaches. The present study focused on analyzing the role of pterostilbene (PTER)-isothiocyanate (ITC) conjugate – a novel class of hybrid compound synthesized by appending an ITC moiety on PTER backbone – in regulating the functions of androgen receptor (AR), thereby causing apoptosis of PCa cells. The conjugate molecule caused 50% growth inhibition (IC₅₀) at 40±1.12 and 45±1.50 μM in AR positive (LNCaP) and negative (PC-3) cells, respectively. The reduced proliferation of PC-3 as well as LNCaP cells by conjugate correlated with accumulation of cells in G2/M phase and induction of caspase dependent apoptosis. Both PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways played an important and differential role in conjugate-induced apoptosis of these PCa cells. While the inhibitor of Akt (A6730) or Akt-specific small interference RNA (siRNA) greatly sensitized PC-3 cells to conjugate-induced apoptosis, on the contrary, apoptosis was accelerated by inhibition of ERK (by PD98059 or ERK siRNA) in case of LNCaP cells, both ultimately culminating in the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein. Moreover, anti-androgenic activity of the conjugate was mediated by decreased expression of AR and its co-activators (SRC-1, GRIP-1), thus interfering in their interactions with AR. All these data suggests that conjugate-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis are partly mediated by the down regulation of AR, Akt, and ERK signaling. These observations provide a rationale for devising novel therapeutic approaches for treating PCa by using conjugate alone or in combination with other therapeutics.     

Overexpression of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in LNCaP cells diverts androgen metabolism towards testosterone resulting in resistance to the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride

Type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) is the major enzyme in the prostate that reduces 4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ(4)-Adione) to the androgen receptor (AR) ligand testosterone. AKR1C3 is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) and castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that develops after androgen deprivation therapy. PCa and CRPC often depend on intratumoral androgen biosynthesis and upregulation of AKR1C3 could contribute to intracellular synthesis of AR ligands and stimulation of proliferation through AR signaling. To test this hypothesis, we developed an LNCaP prostate cancer cell line overexpressing AKR1C3 (LNCaP-AKR1C3) and compared its metabolic and proliferative responses to Δ(4)-Adione treatment with that of the parental, AKR1C3 negative LNCaP cells. In LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells, metabolism proceeded via 5α-reduction to form 5α-androstane-3,17-dione and then (epi)androsterone-3-glucuronide. LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells made significantly higher amounts of testosterone-17β-glucuronide. When 5α-reductase was inhibited by finasteride, the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was further elevated in LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. When AKR1C3 activity was inhibited with indomethacin the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was significantly decreased. Δ(4)-Adione treatment stimulated cell proliferation in both cell lines. Finasteride inhibited LNCaP cell proliferation, consistent with 5α-androstane-3,17-dione acting as the major metabolite that stimulates growth by binding to the mutated AR. However, LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells were resistant to the growth inhibitory properties of finasteride, consistent with the diversion of Δ(4)-Adione metabolism from 5α-reduced androgens to increased formation of testosterone. Indomethacin did not result in differences in Δ(4)-Adione induced proliferation since this treatment led to the same metabolic profile in LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. We conclude that AKR1C3 overexpression diverts androgen metabolism to testosterone that results in proliferation in androgen sensitive prostate cancer. This effect is seen despite high levels of uridine glucuronosyl transferases suggesting that AKR1C3 activity can surmount the effects of this elimination pathway. Treatment options in prostate cancer that target 5α-reductase where AKR1C3 co-exists may be less effective due to the diversion of Δ(4)-Adione to testosterone.