Inhibition of Cell Growth and Proliferation in Human Glioma Cells and Normal Human Astrocytes Induced by 8-Cl-cAMP and Tiazofurin

Abstract

8–Cl-cAMP and tiazofurin (TR) are anti-tumor agents that besides their antiproliferative effect, also induce differentiation of tumor cells. Although, these agents exert a profound effect on the same events of tumor cell life, it is thought that 8-Cl-cAMP and TR act by modulating the signal transduction pathway through distinct mechanisms. We have compared their effect on two human glioma cell lines (U87 MG and U251 MG) and examined if there is selectivity in their action toward normal human astrocytes.     

Action of tiazofurin and 8-Cl-cAMP in human colon and pancreatic cancer cells.

Tiazofurin and 8-Cl-cAMP are novel chemotherapeutic agents shown to be effective against various cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. They act through distinct mechanisms that might modulate the signal transduction pathway, which causes growth inhibition, differentiation and down-regulation of c-ras and c-myc oncogene expression. We examined the effects of tiazofurin and 8-Cl-cAMP on colony formation of HT-29 human colon cancer and BxPC-3 and PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The IC50 of 8-Cl-cAMP was 0.1 and 0.2 microM in the pancreatic and colon cancer cell lines, respectively, and tiazofurin yielded IC50s from 4 (PANC-1) to 18 microM (HT-29). Simultaneous incubation with 8-Cl-cAMP and tiazofurin had additive effects on the inhibition of colony formation in the three examined cell lines. These results indicate possible clinical usefulness of a combination of tiazofurin and 8-Cl-cAMP in the treatment of colon and pancreatic carcinomas.     

8-Chloro-cyclic AMP and protein kinase A I-selective cyclic AMP analogs inhibit cancer cell growth through different mechanisms

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) inhibits the proliferation of several tumor cells. We previously reported an antiproliferative effect of PKA I-selective cAMP analogs (8-PIP-cAMP and 8-HA-cAMP) on two human cancer cell lines of different origin. 8-Cl-cAMP, another cAMP analog with known antiproliferative properties, has been investigated as a potential anticancer drug. Here, we compared the antiproliferative effect of 8-Cl-cAMP and the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs in three human cancer cell lines (ARO, NPA and WRO). 8-Cl-cAMP and the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs had similarly potent antiproliferative effects on the BRAF-positive ARO and NPA cells, but not on the BRAF-negative WRO cells, in which only 8-Cl-cAMP consistently inhibited cell growth. While treatment with the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs was associated with growth arrest, 8-Cl-cAMP induced apoptosis. To further investigate the actions of 8-Cl-cAMP and the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs, we analyzed their effects on signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Interestingly, the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs, but not 8-Cl-cAMP, inhibited ERK phosphorylation, whereas 8-Cl-cAMP alone induced a progressive phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), via activation of AMPK by its metabolite 8-Cl-adenosine. Importantly, the pro-apoptotic effect of 8-Cl-cAMP could be largely prevented by pharmacological inhibition of the p38 MAPK. Altogether, these data suggest that 8-Cl-cAMP and the PKA I-selective cAMP analogs, though of comparable antiproliferative potency, act through different mechanisms. PKA I-selective cAMP analogs induce growth arrest in cells carrying the BRAF oncogene, whereas 8-Cl-cAMP induce apoptosis, apparently through activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.     

Dominant negative pleiotrophin induces tetraploidy and aneuploidy in U87MG human glioblastoma cells

Pleiotrophin (PTN, Ptn) is an 18kDa secretory cytokine that is expressed in many human cancers, including glioblastoma. In previous experiments, interruption of the constitutive PTN signaling in human U87MG glioblastoma cells that inappropriately express endogenous Ptn reversed their rapid growth in vitro and their malignant phenotype in vivo. To seek a mechanism for the effect of the dominant-negative PTN, flow cytometry was used to compare the profiles of U87MG cells and four clones of U87MG cells that express the dominant-negative PTN (U87MG/PTN1-40 cells); here, we report that the dominant-negative PTN in U87MG cells induces tetraploidy and aneuploidy and arrests the tetraploid and aneuploid cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. The data suggest that PTN signaling may have a critical role in chromosomal segregation and cell cycle progression; the data suggest induction of tetraploidy and aneuploidy in U87MG glioblastoma cells may be an important mechanism that contributes to the loss of the malignant phenotype of U87MG cells.     

A study on the genotoxic effects of 8-Cl-cAMP on human lymphocytes in vitro

8-chloro-cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) is the most potent cAMP analogue that selectively inhibits a variety of cancer cell lines in vitro and tumors in vivo. Its action toward a variety of tumors, especially when coupled with other antitumor agents, have lead to phase I clinical investigations and recently phase II clinical investigations. Until today very little was done to evaluate its genotoxic potential. In order to evaluate its genotoxic potential we used the cytogenetic and cytokinesis block micronucleus assay in vitro on peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy individuals. Using three concentrations (1 microM, 5 microM and 15 microM), 8-Cl-cAMP in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes did not induce any cytogenetic aberrations of the structural type [chromatid breakage, isochromatid breakage and gaps], but did induce premature centromere separation (PCS) in all respective doses and increased the frequency of micronuclei (p <0.05) only in the highest dose (15 microM). Antiproliferative action of 8-Cl-cAMP was estimated by using the cytokinesis block nuclear division index (NDI). The results showed a decrease in the NDI of cells exposed to all doses of 8-Cl-cAMP when compared to control. Therefore, the overall results show a genotoxic potential of 8-Cl-cAMP in peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.     

The proteasome inhibitor MG132 potentiates TRAIL receptor agonist-induced apoptosis by stabilizing tBid and Bik in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and thus requires novel treatment regimens. Here, we investigated the effects of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 in combination with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) or agonistic TRAIL receptor 1 (DR4)-specific monoclonal antibody, AY4, on sensitization of TRAIL- and AY4-resistant human HNSCC cell lines. Combination treatment of HNSCC cells synergistically induced apoptotic cell death accompanied by caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activation and Bid cleavage into truncated Bid (tBid). Generation and accumulation of tBid through the cooperative action of MG132 with TRAIL or AY4 and Bik accumulation through MG132-mediated proteasome inhibition are critical to the synergistic apoptosis. In HNSCC cells, Bak was constrained by Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L), but not by Bcl-2. Conversely, Bax did not interact with Mcl-1, Bcl-X(L), or Bcl-2. Importantly, tBid plays a major role in Bax activation, and Bik indirectly activates Bak by displacing it from Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L), pointing to the synergistic mechanism of the combination treatment. In addition, knockdown of both Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L) significantly sensitized HNSCC cells to TRAIL and AY4 as a single agent, suggesting that Bak constraint by Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L) is an important resistance mechanism of TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptotic cell death. Our results provide a novel molecular mechanism for the potent synergy between MG132 proteasome inhibitor and TRAIL receptor agonists in HNSCC cells, suggesting that the combination of these agents may offer a new therapeutic strategy for HNSCC treatment.     

A study on the genotoxic effects of 8-Cl-cAMP on human lymphocytes in vitro

8-chloro-cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) is the most potent cAMP analog that selectively inhibits a variety of cancer cell lines in vitro and tumors in vivo. Its action toward a variety of tumors, especially when coupled with other antitumor agents, have lead to phase I clinical investigations and recently phase II clinical investigations. Until today, very little was done to evaluate its genotoxic potential. In order to evaluate its genotoxic potential we used the cytogenetic and cytokinesis block micronucleus assay in vitro on peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy individuals. In three concentrations (1 μM, 5 μM and 15 μM), 8-Cl-cAMP in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes did not induce any cytogenetic aberrations of the structural type (chromatid breakage, isochromatid breakage and gaps), but did induce premature centromere separation (PCS) at all respective doses and increased the frequency of micronuclei (p < 0.05) only at the highest dose (15 μM). Antiproliferative action of 8-Cl-cAMP was estimated by using the cytokinesis block nuclear division index (NDI). The results showed a decrease in NDI of cells exposed to all doses of 8-Cl-cAMP when compared to control. Therefore, the overall results show a genotoxic potential of 8-Cl-cAMP in peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

UMSCs对U87MG细胞增殖的影响

目的：通过对研究脐带间充质干细胞（Umbilical cord mesenchymalstellcells,UCMSCs）与人恶性胶质母细胞瘤细胞U87MG细胞（U87 Malignant glioma cells）体外共培养,模拟肿瘤生长的内环境,以及其对U87MG细胞增值作用的影响及肿瘤细胞与间充质干细胞的共培养方法。方法：提取人脐带间充质干细胞进行体外培养、扩增,用MTT法测定uMSCS上清液对U87MG的影响,用瑞士染色法检测U87MG形态学变化。结果：MTT比色法结果显示UMSCS对U87MG有抑制作用。96小时培养后1：8、1：4、1：2及未稀释的UMSCs上清液对u87MG的抑制率分别为17％,24％,37．2％及46．4％,u87MG细胞形态亦随着培养时间的延长由多角形变为梭形,突起消失,细胞间骨架结构断裂。结论：通过对共培养前后U87MG与UMSCs共培养后形态学变化、生长曲线变化及对生长周期的影响作用的观察分析,得出UMSCs及其上清液对U87MG有抑制作用,而且呈时间及浓度依赖性。     

Regulation of interferon and retinoic acid-induced cell death activation through thioredoxin reductase

Interferons (IFNs) and retinoids are potent biological response modifiers. The IFN-beta and all-trans-retinoic acid combination, but not these single agents individually, induces death in several tumor cell lines. To elucidate the molecular basis for these actions, we have employed an antisense knockout approach to identify the gene products that mediate cell death and isolated several genes associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality (GRIMs). One of the GRIM cDNAs, GRIM-12, was identical to human thioredoxin reductase (TR). To define the functional relevance of TR to cell death and to define its mechanism of death-modulating functions, we generated mutants of TR and studied their influence on the IFN/RA-induced death regulatory functions of caspases. Wild-type TR activates cell death that was inhibited in the presence of caspase inhibitors or catalytically inactive caspases. A mutant TR, lacking the active site cysteines, inhibits the cell death induced by caspase 8. IFN/all-trans-retinoic acid-induced cytochrome c release from the mitochondrion was promoted in the presence of wild type and was inhibited in the presence of mutant TR. We find that TR modulates the activity of caspase 8 to promote death. This effect is in part caused by the stimulation of death receptor gene expression. These studies identify a new mechanism of cell death regulation by the IFN/all-trans-retinoic acid combination involving redox enzymes.     

Monokine modulation of human astroglial cell production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. I. Effects of IL-1 alpha and IL-beta.

Granulocyte (G)-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF enhance phagocyte survival and function and are produced by fibroblasts and endothelial cells after induction by inflammatory mediators such as IL-1. Our ability to detect G-CSF and GM-CSF activity in the conditioned medium of the human astroglial tumor cell line, U87MG, and molecularly clone the cDNA for G-CSF from a U87MG cDNA library raised the possibility that astroglial cells are capable of G-CSF and GM-CSF production within the central nervous system; if so, the production of these CSF by astroglial cells may be inducible by IL-1. We examined the effects of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta on the production of G-CSF and GM-CSF by U87MG and U373MG, another astroglial tumor cell line that does not constitutively produce CSF. We demonstrate that both U87MG and U373MG can be induced to produce G-CSF and GM-CSF by exposure to IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. This response, measured by accumulation of increased CSF mRNA, is rapid, sensitive and due to the enhanced stability of CSF message following IL-1 exposure. The implications of these findings to the immunopathogenesis of central nervous system infections are discussed.     

Synergistic anti-cancer mechanisms of curcumin and paclitaxel for growth inhibition of human brain tumor stem cells and LN18 and U138MG cells

Glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor in humans, responds poorly to conventional chemotherapeutic agents because of existence of highly chemoresistant human brain tumor stem cells (HBTSC). An effective therapeutic strategy is urgently needed to target HBTSC as well as other glioblastoma cells. We explored synergistic efficacy of a low dose of curcumin (CCM) and a low dose of paclitaxel (PTX) in HBTSC and human glioblastoma LN18 (p53 mutant and PTEN proficient) and U138MG (p53 mutant and PTEN mutant) cells. The highest expression of the cancer stem cell markers aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and CD133 occurred in HBTSC when compared with LN18 and U138MG cells. Combination of 20 μM CCM and 10 nM PTX worked synergistically and more effectively than either drug alone in decreasing viability in all cells. Combination of CCM and PTX was highly effective in inducing both morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis. Apoptosis required activation of caspase-8, cleavage of Bid to tBid, increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, Smac, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Phosphorylation of Bcl-2 following combination therapy appeared to promote Bax homodimerization and mitochondrial release of pro-apoptotic factors into the cytosol. Increases in activities of cysteine proteases confirmed the completion of apoptotic process. Combination therapy inhibited invasion of cells, reduced expression of survival and proliferation factors and also angiogenic factors, and prevented HBTSC, LN18, and U138MG cells from promoting network formation. Collectively, the combination of CCM and PTX worked as a promising therapy for controlling the growth of HBTSC and other glioblastoma cells.     

Up-regulated EGF receptors undergo to rapid internalization and ubiquitin-dependent degradation in human cancer cells exposed to 8-Cl-cAMP

8-Cl-cAMP, a cAMP analogue that antagonizes type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase, is a novel anti-tumor agent presently under investigation in clinical trials. Herein we report the effects of this agent on epidermal growth factor receptor expression and degradation in human KB cancer cells. Exposure to 10 microM 8-Cl-cAMP for 48 h induced a 65% increase in epidermal growth factor receptor surface expression while the receptor synthesis was 22-fold enhanced. Analysis of epidermal growth factor-dependent receptor internalization in 8-Cl-cAMP-treated cells showed a higher endocytosis rate as well as an accelerated degradation which occurred together with an increased receptor ubiquitination. The enhanced degradation of epidermal growth factor receptor correlated with the lack of epidermal growth factor-induced proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase stimulation. The disregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor internalization and ubiquitin-dependent degradation could underlay a new mechanism of the anti-tumor activity of 8-Cl-cAMP suggesting its combination with agents that disrupt epidermal growth factor receptor signalling.     

Combined RNAi-Mediated Suppression of Rictor and EGFR Resulted in Complete Tumor Regression in an Orthotopic Glioblastoma Tumor Model

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is commonly over activated in glioblastoma (GBM), and Rictor was shown to be an important regulator downstream of this pathway. EGFR overexpression is also frequently found in GBM tumors, and both EGFR and Rictor are associated with increased proliferation, invasion, metastasis and poor prognosis. This research evaluated in vitro and in vivo whether the combined silencing of EGFR and Rictor would result in therapeutic benefits. The therapeutic potential of targeting these proteins in combination with conventional agents with proven activity in GBM patients was also assessed. In vitro validation studies were carried out using siRNA-based gene silencing methods in a panel of three commercially available human GBM cell lines, including two PTEN mutant lines (U251MG and U118MG) and one PTEN-wild type line (LN229). The impact of EGFR and/or Rictor silencing on cell migration and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro was determined. In vivo validation of these studies was focused on EGFR and/or Rictor silencing achieved using doxycycline-inducible shRNA-expressing U251MG cells implanted orthotopically in Rag2M mice brains. Target silencing, tumor size and tumor cell proliferation were assessed by quantification of immunohistofluorescence-stained markers. siRNA-mediated silencing of EGFR and Rictor reduced U251MG cell migration and increased sensitivity of the cells to irinotecan, temozolomide and vincristine. In LN229, co-silencing of EGFR and Rictor resulted in reduced cell migration, and increased sensitivity to vincristine and temozolomide. In U118MG, silencing of Rictor alone was sufficient to increase this line’s sensitivity to vincristine and temozolomide. In vivo, while the silencing of EGFR or Rictor alone had no significant effect on U251MG tumor growth, silencing of EGFR and Rictor together resulted in a complete eradication of tumors. These data suggest that the combined silencing of EGFR and Rictor should be an effective means of treating GBM.     

Dual anticancer activity of 8-Cl-cAMP: inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptotic cell death

8-Cl-cAMP induces apoptotic cell death in human cancer cells. To look at this more closely, we examined the changes in the levels of Bcl-2 family proteins during 8-Cl-cAMP-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Following the treatment with 8-Cl-cAMP, Bcl-2 was transiently down-regulated and Bad was increased continuously up to day 5. In addition, overexpression of Bcl-2 efficiently blocked the 8-Cl-cAMP-induced apoptosis, suggesting Bcl-2 family proteins may be involved in the 8-Cl-cAMP-induced apoptosis. The contribution of the apoptotic cell death and the inhibition of cell proliferation in the 8-Cl-cAMP-induced growth inhibition was closely monitored in the Bcl-2-overexpressing cells. Though the apoptosis was reduced significantly, no significant difference was observed in the inhibition of cell proliferation up to day 2 of 8-Cl-cAMP treatment. These results suggest that 8-Cl-cAMP exerts anticancer activity by two distinct mechanisms, i.e. , through the inhibition of cell proliferation as well as the induction of apoptosis. Supporting this notion was the observations that (1) suppression of apoptosis by zVAD did not abrogate 8-Cl-cAMP-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, and (2) 8-Cl-cAMP did not show additive inhibition of cell proliferation in RIIbeta-overexpressing cells.     

8-Cl-cAMP and its metabolite, 8-Cl-adenosine induce growth inhibition in mouse fibroblast DT cells through the same pathways: protein kinase C activation and cyclin B down-regulation

8-Chloro-cyclic AMP (8-Cl-cAMP) is known to be most effective in inducing growth inhibition and differentiation of a number of cancer cells. Also, its cellular metabolite, 8-Cl-adenosine was shown to induce growth inhibition in a variety of cell lines. However, the signaling mechanism that governs the effects of 8-Cl-cAMP and/or 8-Cl-adenosine is still uncertain and it is not even sure which of the two is the key molecule that induces growth inhibition. In this study using mouse fibroblast DT cells, it was found that adenosine kinase inhibitor and adenosine deaminase could reverse cellular growth inhibition induced by 8-Cl-cAMP and 8-Cl-adenosine. And 8-Cl-cAMP could not induce growth inhibition in the presence of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, but 8-Cl-adenosine could. We also found that protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor could restore this growth inhibition, and both the 8-Cl-cAMP and 8-Cl-adenosine could activate the enzymatic activity of PKC. Besides, after 8-Cl-cAMP and 8-Cl-adenosine treatment, cyclin B was down-regulated and a CDK inhibitor, p27 was up-regulated in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that it is not 8-Cl-cAMP but 8-Cl-adenosine which induces growth inhibition, and 8-Cl-cAMP must be metabolized to exert this effect. Furthermore, there might exist signaling cascade such as PKC activation and cyclin B down-regulation after 8-Cl-cAMP and 8-Cl-adenosine treatment.     

Cooperative effect of 8-Cl-cAMP and rhGM-CSF on the differentiation of HL-60 human leukemia cells

In HL-60 leukemia cells the site-selective cAMP analog, 8-Cl-cAMP, at a dose of 5 microM produced growth inhibition with no signs of toxicity, whereas granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) exerted an early transient increase of cell proliferation which was followed by differentiation toward monocytes. 8-Cl-cAMP in combination with GM-CSF blocked the growth stimulation due to GM-CSF and demonstrated a synergistic effect on the differentiation of HL-60 cells. The early proliferative effect of GM-CSF was correlated with an increased expression of type I regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (RI alpha). Treatment with an RI alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide suppressed the GM-CSF-inducible cell proliferation and differentiation. Conversely, an RII beta antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, which suppresses the RII beta and causes a compensatory increase in RI alpha level, greatly enhanced the early proliferative input and the differentiation induced by GM-CSF. These results provide an insight into the mechanism of action of GM-CSF and the rationale for a combination differentiation therapy with 8-Cl-cAMP and GM-CSF.     

M2 receptor activation inhibits cell cycle progression and survival in human glioblastoma cells

Muscarinic receptors, expressed in several primary and metastatic tumours, appear to be implicated in their growth and propagation. In this work we have demonstrated that M2 muscarinic receptors are expressed in glioblastoma human specimens and in glioblastoma cell lines. Moreover, we have characterized the effects of the M2 agonist arecaidine on cell growth and survival both in two different glioblastoma cell lines (U251MG and U87MG) and in primary cultures obtained from different human biopsies. Cell growth analysis has demonstrated that the M2 agonist arecaidine strongly decreased cell proliferation in both glioma cell lines and primary cultures. This effect was dose and time dependent. FACS analysis has confirmed cell cycle arrest at G1/S and at G2/M phase in U87 cells and U251 respectively. Cell viability analysis has also shown that arecaidine induced severe apoptosis, especially in U251 cells. Chemosensitivity assays have, moreover, shown arecaidine and temozolomide similar effects on glioma cell lines, although IC50 value for arecaidine was significantly lower than temozolomide. In conclusion, we report for the first time that M2 receptor activation has a relevant role in the inhibition of glioma cell growth and survival, suggesting that M2 may be a new interesting therapeutic target to investigate for glioblastoma therapy.     

Gamma interferon primes productive human immunodeficiency virus infection in astrocytes

Considerable controversy exists over whether astrocytes can support human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We evaluated the impact of three cytokines critical to the development of HIV neuropathogenesis, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, on priming astrocytes for HIV infection. We demonstrate that IFN-gamma was the most potent in its ability to facilitate substantial productive HIV infection of an astroglioma cell line (U87MG) and human fetal astrocytes (HFA). The mechanism of IFN-gamma-mediated priming of HIV in HFA is unlikely to be at the level of up-regulation of receptors and coreceptors relevant to HIV entry. These data demonstrate that cytokine priming can alter HIV replication in astrocytes.     

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors control A172 human glioblastoma cell death through cAMP-mediated activation of protein kinase A and Epac1/Rap1 pathways

AimsWe investigated whether cAMP-mediated protein kinase A(PKA) and Epac1/Rap1 pathways differentially affect brain tumor cell death using 4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone(rolipram), specific phosphodiesterase type IV(PDE IV) inhibitor.Main methodsA172 and U87MG human glioblastoma cells were used. Percentage of cell survival was determined by MTT assay. PKA and Epac1/Rap1 activation was determined by western blotting and pull-down assay, respectively. Cell cycle and hypodiploid cell formation were assessed by flow cytometry analysis.Key findingsNon-specific PDE inhibitors, isobutylmethylxanthine(IBMX) and theophylline reduce survival percentage of A172 and U87MG cells. The expression of PDE4A and PDE4B was detected in A172 and U87MG cells. Rolipram-treated A172 or U87MG cell survival was lower in the presence of forskolin, adenylate cyclase activator, than that in its absence. Co-treatment with rolipram and forskolin also enhanced CREB phosphorylation on serine 133 that was inhibited by H-89, PKA inhibitor and cAMP-responsive guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1(Epac1), a Rap GDP exchange factor-mediated Rap1 activity in A172 cells. When A172 cells were treated with cell-permeable dibutyryl-cAMP(dbcAMP), PKA activator or 8-(4-chloro-phenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate(CPT), Epac1 activator, basal level of cell death was increased and cell cycle was arrested at the phase of G2/M. Rolipram-induced A172 cell death was also increased by the co-treatment with dbcAMP or CPT, but it was inhibited by the pre-treatment with H-89.SignificanceThese findings demonstrate that PKA and Epac1/Rap1 pathways could cooperatively play a role in rolipram-induced brain tumor cell death. It suggests that rolipram might regulate glioblastoma cell density through dual pathways of PKA- and Epac1/Rap1-mediated cell death and cell cycle arrest.     

Staphylococcus epidermidis polysaccharide intercellular adhesin induces IL-8 expression in human astrocytes via a mechanism involving TLR2

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic biofilm-forming pathogen associated with neurosurgical device-related meningitis. Expression of the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) on its surface promotes S. epidermidis biofilm formation. Here we investigated the pro-inflammatory properties of PIA against primary and transformed human astrocytes. PIA induced IL-8 expression in a dose- and/or time-dependent manner from U373 MG cells and primary normal human astrocytes. This effect was inhibited by depletion of N -acetyl-β- d -glucosamine polymer from the PIA preparation with Lycopersicon esculentum lectin or sodium meta -periodate. Expression of dominant-negative versions of the TLR2 and TLR4 adaptor proteins MyD88 and Mal in U373 MG cells inhibited PIA-induced IL-8 production. Blocking IL-1 had no effect. PIA failed to induce IL-8 production from HEK293 cells stably expressing TLR4. However, in U373 MG cells which express TLR2, neutralization of TLR2 impaired PIA-induced IL-8 production. In addition to IL-8, PIA also induced expression of other cytokines from U373 MG cells including IL-6 and MCP-1. These data implicate PIA as an important immunogenic component of the S. epidermidis biofilm that can regulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production from human astrocytes, in part, via TLR2.