MKP1 repression is required for the chemosensitizing effects of NF-κB and PI3K inhibitors to cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer

Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cisplatin has a level of antitumor activity still modest. We have shown previously that MKP1/DUSP1 inhibits cisplatin-induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells and is overexpressed in tumors from most patients with stage I–II NSCLC. Here, using different NSCLC cell lines we found that MKP1 and NF-κB are differentially expressed. We studied whether targeting MKP1, NF-κB or both affects cisplatin-induced cell death. MKP1 is expressed in H460 and H727 cells. H727 and H1299 cells showed constitutive phosphorylation of Akt and increased NF-κB activity than did H460 cells. H460-MKP1-siRNA-expressing cells (but not H727-MKP1-siRNA or H1299-MKP1-siRNA cells) exhibit a marked increase in cisplatin response compared with parental cells. Treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 or the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 enhanced cisplatin antitumor activity in parental H1299 cells but only weakly affected responses of H727 and H460 cells. MKP1-siRNA expression enhanced the chemosensitization effect of LY294002 and BAY11-7082 on H727 and H460 cells. Additionally, NSCLC cell lines with higher NF-κB-constitutive activation were the most sensitive to PS-341 (Bortezomib), a non-specific NF-κB inhibitor. This finding suggests the proteasome as a suitable strategy in treating NSCLC tumors with high constitutive NF-κB activity. Altogether, these results showed that either an activated PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and/or high MKP1 was linked to reduced sensitivity to cisplatin in NSCLC cells. Inhibition of NF-κB or PI3K potently enhanced cisplatin cytotoxicity in cells with endogenous or genetically induced low MKP1 levels. These findings support the potential improvement in cisplatin responses by co-targeting NF-κB or Akt and MKP1.     

DUSP1/MKP1 promotes angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer

DUSP1/MKP1 is a dual-specific phosphatase that regulates MAPKs activity, with an increasingly recognized role in tumor biology. To understand more about the involvement of DUSP1 in lung cancer, we performed gene expression analyses of parental and DUSP1-interfered H460 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Downregulation of DUSP1 induced changes in the expression levels of genes involved in specific biological pathways, including angiogenesis, MAP kinase phosphatase activity, cell-cell signaling, growth factor and tyrosine-kinase receptor activity. Changes in the expression of some of these genes were due to modulation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase and/or p38 activity by DUSP1. Complementary functional assays were performed to focus on the implication of DUSP1 in angiogenesis and metastasis. In H460 cells, interference of DUSP1 resulted in a diminished capacity to invade through Matrigel, to grow tumors in nude mice and also to induce metastasis through tail-vein injection. Furthermore, the angiogenic potential of H460 cells was also impaired, correlating with a decrease in VEGFC production and indicating that DUSP1 could be required to induce angiogenesis. Finally, we studied whether a similar relationship occurred in patients. In human NSCLC specimens, DUSP1 was mainly expressed in those tumor cells close to CD31 vascular structures and a statistically significant correlation was found between VEGFC and DUSP1 expression. Overall, these results provide evidence for a role of DUSP1 in angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in NSCLC.     

MKP1 mediates chemosensitizer effects of E1a in response to cisplatin in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells

The adenoviral gene E1a is known to enhance the antitumor effect of cisplatin, one of the cornerstones of the current cancer chemotherapy. Here we study the molecular basis of E1a mediated sensitivity to cisplatin in an experimental model of Non-small cell lung cancer. Our data show how E1a blocks the induction of autophagy triggered by cisplatin and promotes the apoptotic response in resistant cells. Interestingly, at the molecular level, we present evidences showing how the phosphatase MKP1 is a major determinant of cisplatin sensitivity and its upregulation is strictly required for the induction of chemosensitivity mediated by E1a. Indeed, E1a is almost unable to promote sensitivity in H460, in which the high expression of MKP1 remains unaffected by E1a. However, in resistant cell as H1299, H23 or H661, which display low levels of MKP1, E1a expression promotes a dramatic increase in the amount of MKP1 correlating with cisplatin sensitivity. Furthermore, effective knock down of MKP1 in H1299 E1a expressing cells restores resistance to a similar extent than parental cells.In summary, the present work reinforce the critical role of MKP1 in the cellular response to cisplatin highlighting the importance of this phosphatase in future gene therapy approach based on E1a gene.     

Emodin enhances cisplatin sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer through Pgp downregulation

Cisplatin resistance is one of the main causes of chemotherapy failure and tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Emodin has been demonstrated to induce NSCLC cell apoptosis and act as a potential cancer therapeutic agent. However, whether emodin could affect NSCLC cell sensitivity toward cisplatin remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine the effect of emodin and cisplatin combination on the chemosensitivity of NSCLC cells. A549 and H460 cells were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin and/or emodin. Cell Counting Kit-8, fluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence assays and flow cytometry were used to determine cell proliferation, drug efflux, DNA damage level and cell apoptosis, respectively. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) expression was detected by western blotting. The results demonstrated that emodin and cisplatin inhibited the proliferation of A549 and H460 cells. Furthermore, emodin inhibited the drug efflux in A549 and H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, emodin enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and DNA damage in A549 and H460 cells. Emodin also decreased Pgp expression in A549 and H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner; however, it had no effect on MRP1 expression. Taken together, the results from the present study demonstrated that emodin can increase A549 and H460 cell sensitivity to cisplatin by inhibiting Pgp expression. Emodin may therefore be considered as an effective adjuvant for cisplatin treatment.     

MiR-613 induces cell cycle arrest by targeting CDK4 in non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been associated with a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated anomalous miR-613 expression and its possible functional consequences in primary NSCLC samples and NSCLC-derived cell lines.

Methods

The expression of miR-613 was measured by quantitative RT-PCR in 56 primary NSCLC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. The effect of miR-613 up- or down-regulation in NSCLC-derived cells was evaluated in vitro by cell viability and colony formation assays and in vivo by growth assays in xenografted nude mice.

Results

Using quantitative RT-PCR, we found that miR-613 was down-regulated in 76.8 % (43/56) of the primary NSCLC tissues tested when compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues. We also found that the miR-613 mimic used reduced in vitro cell viability and colony formation by inducing cell cycle arrest in NSCLC-derived cells, and inhibited in vivo tumor cell growth in xenografted nude mice. Inversely, we found that the miR-613 inhibitor used increased the viability and colony forming capacity of NSCLC-derived cells and tumor cell growth in xenografted nude mice. In addition, we identified CDK4 as a potential target of miR-613 using in silico Miranda predictions. Subsequent dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that CDK4 acts as a direct target of miR-613. Concordantly, we found that both miR-613 mimics and inhibitors could decrease and increase CDK4 protein levels in NSCLC-derived cells, respectively.

Conclusions

From our results we conclude that miR-613 may act as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC and may serve as a tool for miRNA-based NSCLC therapy.

     

慢病毒介导β4整合素shRNA对人非小细胞肺癌H460SM细胞皮下移植瘤生长的影响

目的:研究慢病毒介导的β4整合素(integrinβ4,ITGB4) shRNA对人非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)裸鼠皮下移植瘤生长的抑制作用.方法:采用实时荧光定量-PCR (real-time fluorogenic quantitative-PCR,RFQ-PCR)和蛋白质印迹法检测ITGB4在不同人NSCLC细胞中的表达水平;慢病毒介导ITGB4 shRNA抑制NSCLC H460SM细胞中ITGB4的表达,再用RFQ-PCR和蛋白质印迹法检测ITGB4的表达水平,评价基因沉默效率;裸鼠随机分为3组,皮下分别接种H460SM-NS细胞(对照组)、稳定表达ITGB4 shRNA的H460SM-68和H460SM-71细胞.每隔1d测量裸鼠体质量和肿瘤大小,比较各组裸鼠肿瘤生长情况.处死裸鼠,剥离肿瘤,测量肿瘤大小和质量.结果:ITGB4在大多数人NSCLC细胞中均有表达,其中大细胞肺癌H460SM和NCI-H460细胞中ITGB4表达量明显高于NCI-H661细胞(P＜0.01),H460SM细胞中ITGB4表达水平明显高于亲本NCI-H460细胞(P＜0.01):ITGB4 shRNA转染组细胞中ITGB4的表达水平明显低于阴性对照组细胞(P＜0.01); ITGB4 shRNA转染组皮下移植瘤生长速度明显低于阴性对照组(P＜0.01).结论:ITGB4表达可能与人NSCLC细胞的致瘤、侵袭、转移的表型有关;抑制ITGB4的表达,可以抑制人NSCLC细胞H460SM裸鼠皮下移植瘤的生长.     

The functional status of DNA repair pathways determines the sensitization effect to cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Purpose

Cisplatin can cause a variety of DNA crosslink lesions including intra-strand and inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs), which are associated with the sensitivity of cancer cells to cisplatin. Here, we aimed to assess the contribution of the Fanconi anemia (FA), homologous recombination (HR) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways to cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-derived cells.

Methods

The expression of FA, HR and NER pathway-associated genes was assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. siRNAs were used to knock down the expression of these genes. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to assess the viability and apoptotic rate of NSCLC-derived cells, respectively. Immunofluorescence and alkaline comet assays were used to assess the repair of ICLs.

Results

We found that acquired cisplatin-resistant NSCLC-derived A549/DR cells exhibited markedly enhanced FA and HR repair pathway capacities compared to its parental A549 cells and another independent NSCLC-derived cell line, Calu-1, which possesses a moderate innate resistance to cisplatin. siRNA-mediated silencing of the FA-associated genes FANCL and RAD18 and the HR-associated genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 significantly potentiated the sensitivity of A549/DR cells to cisplatin compared to A549 and Calu-1 cells, suggesting that the acquired cisplatin resistance in A549/DR cells may be attributed to enhanced FA and HR pathway capacities responsible for ICL repair. Although we found that expression knockdown of the NER-associated genes XPA and ERCC1 sensitized the three NSCLC-derived cell lines to cisplatin, the sensitization effect was more significant in Calu-1 cells than in A549 and A549/DR cells, implying that the innate cisplatin resistance in Calu-1 cells may result from an increased NER activity.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the functional status of DNA repair pathways determine the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cisplatin. Direct targeting of the pathway that is involved in cisplatin resistance may be an effective strategy to surmount cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

     

Retaining MKP1 expression and attenuating JNK-mediated apoptosis by RIP1 for cisplatin resistance through miR-940 inhibition

The elucidation of chemoresistance mechanisms is important to improve cancer patient survival. In this report, we investigated the role and mechanism through which receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1), a mediator in cell survival and death signaling, participates in cancer''s response to chemotherapy. In lung cancer cells, knockdown of RIP1 substantially increased cisplatin-induced apoptotic cytotoxicity, which was associated with robust JNK activation. The expression of the JNK inactivating phosphatase, MKP1, was substantially reduced in RIP1 knockdown cells. Although MKP1 protein stability was not altered by RIP1 suppression, the synthesis rate of MKP1 was dramatically reduced in RIP1-suppressed cells. Furthermore, we found that the expression of miR-940 was substantially increased in RIP1 knockdown cells. Knockdown of miR-940 restored MKP1 expression and attenuated cisplatin-induced JNK activation and cytotoxicity. Importantly, ectopic expression of MKP1 effectively attenuated cisplatin-induced JNK activation and cytotoxicity. In addition, activation of the JNK upstream signaling kinase, MKK4, was also potentiated in RIP1 knockdown cells. Altogether, our results suggest that RIP1 contributes to cisplatin resistance by suppressing JNK activation that involves releasing miR-940-mediated inhibition of MKP1 and suppressing activation of MKK4. Intervention targeting the RIP1/miR-940/MKP1/JNK pathway may be used to sensitize platinum-based chemotherapy.     

Roles of AKT1 and AKT2 in non-small cell lung cancer cell survival, growth, and migration

Although AKT/protein kinase B is constitutively active in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and is an attractive target for enhancing the cytotoxicity of therapeutic agents, the distinct roles of the AKT isoforms in NSCLC are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the roles of AKT1 and AKT2 in NSCLC cells using RNAi. The siRNA targeting of AKT1 or AKT2 effectively decreased protein levels of AKT1 and AKT2, respectively, in A549 and H460 cells. Cisplatin treatment of these cells increased apoptotic cell death compared with control. The siRNA‐induced knockdown of AKT1 in H460 cells significantly decreased basal MEK/ERK1/2 activity, resulting in nuclear factor‐κB activation, whereas knockdown of AKT2 resulted in anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family protein MCL‐1 (MCL‐1) cleavage, the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and activation of the caspase cascade. Consequently, both siRNA treatments enhanced the chemosensitivity of H460 cells to cisplatin. However, neither AKT1 nor AKT2 siRNA treatment had any effect of p27 expression, and although both treatments tended to induced G₂/M phase arrest, the effect was not statistically significant. Treatment with AKT1 siRNA markedly decreased colony formation growth and migration, but AKT2 siRNA had no significant effects on these parameters. These data suggest that AKT1 and AKT2 both contribute to cell survival, albeit via different mechanisms, and that the effects on cell growth and migration are predominantly regulated by AKT1. These findings may aid in refining targeted strategies for the inhibition of AKT isoforms towards the sensitization of NSCLC cells to therapeutic agents. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1822–1828)     

Alterations of EGFR/HER, angiogenesis and apoptosis pathways after therapy with antagonists of growth hormone releasing hormone and bombesin in non-small cell lung cancer

New therapeutic strategies are necessary to improve the treatment of lung cancer. We investigated the effects of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonist, RC-3940-II, and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonists, MZ-J-7-114 and MZ-J-7-118, on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER (-2, -3, and -4) family, angiogenic factors, VEGF-A and VEGF receptors (VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2), and the apoptotic molecules Bax and Bcl-2, in H-460 and A-549 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Nude mice bearing xenografts of H-460 and A-549 NSCLC were treated daily with these peptide analogues for 4 weeks. The treatment resulted in growth inhibition of H-460 by 22-77% and A-549 NSCLCs by 64-84%. The inhibition of tumor growth was associated with a down-regulation of members of EGFR/HER family. A significant reduction of the levels of expression of EGFR/HER family on both tumors varied from 29-96%: the greatest inhibition being induced by RC-3940-II. Similarly, a significant decrease in the levels of VEGF-A in tumors by 19-60% and VEGF receptors (VEGF-R1, 24-74% and VEGF-R2, 25-50%) was detected after therapy. An up-regulation of Bax by 21-63% and a down-regulation of Bcl-2 by 23-39% was observed only for H-460 NSCLC. Our study demonstrates that human H-460 and A-549 NSCLC, express receptors for GHRH and bombesin/GRP, and respond to the respective antagonists. The antagonists of bombesin/GRP and GHRH could provide a new strategy for treatment of NSCLC through down-regulation of EGFR/HER family and an interference with the angiogenic and apoptotic pathways.     

In vitro establishment of cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum(II) resistant lung cancer cell line and modulation of apoptotic gene expression as a mechanism of resistant phenotype

After exposure of H460 cells to an increasing concentrations of cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin, CDDP) for 6 months, cisplatin resistant cells were isolated (H460/CIS). The biologic behaviors of H460 and H460/CIS cells were tested using animal experiments. Only the resistant cells developed lung metastases despite cisplatin treatment. The characteristics of H460/CIS cells are as follows, MTT analyses revealed that H460/CIS cells were markedly resistant to cisplatin compared with their parental cells. Also, H460/CIS cells exhibited cross-resistance to DNA damaging agents such as doxorubicin (DXR) and etoposide. Cisplatin treatment dramatically increased p53 expression in parental cells but not in H460/CIS cells which expressed basal levels of p53. Without cisplatin treatment, Bcl-2 and Bax were expressed in H460/CIS cells, but not in parental cell. Our data suggested that p53, Bax and Bcl-2 were up-regulated in H460/CIS cells. These changes could explain some of the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance. Thus, H460/CIS could be useful to investigate the mechanisms of drug resistance to cisplatin including apoptotic gene expressions conferring drug resistance, thereby making progress in the treatment of cisplatin-resistant tumor cells.     

活性氧在导致吉非替尼耐药细胞凋亡中的作用

研究针对K-ras突变小分子NSC-741909是否可特异性杀伤吉非替尼原发耐药细胞,并对活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）在其中的作用进行探讨。方法:选取H322（K-ras野生）及A549（K-ras突变）人源非小细胞肺癌细胞系,观察吉非替尼对不同细胞系生长的影响;NSC-741909作用于吉非替尼耐药细胞,观察细胞增殖与凋亡的变化;DCFH-DA荧光探针标记细胞内ROS,FCM检测细胞内ROS水平的变化,Western blot检测细胞内JNK通路蛋白变化。结果:K-ras突变型细胞对吉非替尼原发耐药,但NSC-741909可使这种原发耐药细胞出现凋亡;细胞内产生ROS,p-JNK表达增加而总JNK无改变,MKP1表达受抑制。结论:针对K-ras突变的小分子NSC-741909可使吉非替尼耐药细胞产生凋亡,NSC-741909通过使细胞内产生ROS持续激活JNK通路,是其导致吉非替尼耐药细胞凋亡的可能机制之一。      

Therapeutic targeting of polo-like kinase 1 using RNA-interfering nanoparticles (iNOPs) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the most common cause of cancer death worldwide due its resistance to chemotherapy and aggressive tumor growth. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a serine-threonine protein kinase which is overexpressed in cancer cells, and plays a major role in regulating tumor growth. A number of PLK1 inhibitors are in clinical trial; however, poor tumor bioavailability and off-target effects limit their efficacy. Short-interfering-RNA (siRNA) holds promise as a class of therapeutics, which can selectively silence disease-causing genes. However, siRNA cannot enter cells without a delivery vehicle. Herein, we investigated whether RNAi-interfering nanoparticles could deliver siRNA to NSCLC cells and silence PLK1 expression in vitro and in vivo. iNOP-7 was non-toxic, and delivered siRNA with high efficiency to NSCLC cells. iNOP-7-PLK1 siRNA silenced PLK1 expression and reduced NSCLC growth in vitro. Notably, iNOP-7 delivered siRNA to orthotopic lung tumors in mice, and administration of iNOP-7-PLK1 siRNA reduced lung tumor burden. These novel data show that iNOP-7 can deliver siRNA against PLK1 to NSCLC cells, and decrease cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. iNOP-7-PLK1 siRNA may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NSCLC as well as other cancers which aberrantly express this gene.     

HIF-1α siRNA and cisplatin in combination suppress tumor growth in a nude mice model of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: The esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most deadly malignances, and a current challenge is the development of effective therapeutic agents. Our present work addressed the effect of HIF-1α siRNA alone or in combination with cisplatin on the growth of ESCC in nude mice. Materials and Methods: Xenografts were established by inoculating ESCC TE-1 cells in nude mice, and transplanted tumors were treated with HIF-1α siRNA, cisplatin alone or together. Growth was assessed by measuring tumor volume. HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Apoptosis of ESCC TE-1 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: In our nude mice model, HIF-1α siRNA effectively inhibited the growth of transplanted ESCC, downregulating HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression, and inducing ESCC TE-1 cell apoptosis. Notably when combinated with cisplatin, HIF-1α siRNA showed synergistic interaction in suppressing tumor growth. Furthermore, the proportion of apoptotic cells in HIF-1α siRNA plus cisplatin group was significantly higher than that in cisplatin or HIF-1α siRNA-treated groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Down-regulated HIF-1α expression induced by siRNA could effectively suppress the growth of transplanted ESCC in vivo. HIF-1α siRNA could enhance the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, which suggests that a combination of these two agents may have potential for therapy of advanced ESCC.     

CXCL4对非小细胞肺癌H460细胞顺铂耐药性的影响及其机制探讨

目的:探讨血小板因子4（CXCL4）对人非小细胞肺癌H460细胞顺铂耐药性的影响及其作用机制。方法:体外诱导法建立顺铂耐药的非小细胞肺癌细胞株H460/DDP,并鉴定其生物学特性。采用CCK-8法分别检测H460及H460/DDP对顺铂的耐药性。qRT-PCR及Western Blot检测亲本细胞株H460及顺铂耐药株H460/DDP中CXCL4的mRNA及蛋白表达水平。通过CCK-8法检测过表达或者敲低CXCL4后亲本细胞株H460或顺铂耐药株H460/DDP对顺铂的敏感性。最后利用Western Blot及qRT-PCR法探讨CXCL4抵抗非小细胞肺癌化疗敏感性的调控机制。结果:成功构建了非小细胞肺癌顺铂耐药株H460/DDP（H460/DDP IC50=55.005 μg/ml）,CCK-8结果提示顺铂耐药株H460/DDP与亲本细胞株H460细胞的增殖速度没有明显差异（P＞0.05）;顺铂耐药株H460/DDP中,CXCL4 mRNA及蛋白水平均显著增高（P＜0.000 1）;在亲本细胞株H460中稳定过表达CXCL4能显著降低其对顺铂的敏感性（P＜0.000 1）,而于顺铂耐药株H460/DDP中敲低CXCL4能显著增加H460/DDP对顺铂的敏感性（P＜0.000 1）;Western Blot及qRT-PCR结果显示,CXCL4能激活Wnt/β-catenin 信号通路,促进下游基因MYC、CyclinD1、MMP-7、CDK4的表达。结论:CXCL4通过调控Wnt/β-catenin 信号通路促进非小细胞肺癌对顺铂的耐药性。