Additive effect of TRAIL and p53 gene transfer on apoptosis of human lung cancer cell lines

TRAIL is a cytokine that can induce tumor-specific apoptosis through its specific death receptors (DR4 and DR5) and p53 has been proven to increase the expression of death receptors. To examine their interaction in tumor suppression, p53 and TRAIL genes were inserted in recombinant adenovirus vectors and transferred simultaneously into non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H157, NCI-H358, NCI-H460 and A549). Western blot assay demonstrated production of TRAIL protein in NCI-H157 and A549 cell lines. Increased expressions of DR4 and DR5 of NCI-H157 and DR4 of A549 after p53 overexpression were confirmed by flow cytometry. p53 or TRAIL gene transfer increased sub-G1 fraction in cell cycle analysis and inhibited the tumor growth dose-dependently and the degree was potentiated by co-transfer. But isobologram analysis indicated an additive effect. Together, these data indicate that p53 and TRAIL interact additively on tumor apoptosis despite theoretical synergism.     

Protective effect of RIP and c-FLIP in preventing liver cancer cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL

TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily that can induce tumor selective death by up-regulating death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5 expression. The study aimed to explore the role of RIP and c-FLIP genes in TRAIL induced liver cancer cell HepG2 and Hep3B apoptosis and related mechanism. RIP and c-FLIP silenced HepG2 and Hep3B cell model were established through siRNA. Western blot was applied to test c-FLIP, RIP, DR4, DR5, FADD, Caspase-3/8/9, ERK1/2, and DFF45 protein expression. Caspase-8 kit was used to detect Caspase-8 expression. Flow cytometry was performed to measure cell apoptosis rate. Acid phosphatase method was applied to determine cell cycle. TRAIL had no significant effect on Caspase-3/8/9, DR4, DR5, ERK1/2, and DFF45 protein expression, but up-regulated c-FLIP and RIP protein expression and reduced FADD expression level. After treated by the chemotherapy drug mitomycin and adriamycin, c-FLIP and RIP expression decreased significantly, while FADD increased. After knockout c-FLIP and RIP gene, HepG2 and Hep3B cell apoptosis rate induced by TRAIL increased obviously. Meanwhile, cell subG1 percentage increased markedly and exhibited G1 phase growth retardation. In addition, after two kinds of gene knockout, Caspase-8 was activated and produce Caspase-3 P20 and P24, leading DFF45 appeared DNA fragment P17 and P25. c-FLIP and RIP can inhibit Caspase-8 activation and prompting HepG2 and Hep3B resistant to cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL.     

Ionizing radiation sensitizes leukemic MOLT-4 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

One of perspective approaches in treatment of hematological malignancies is activation of death receptors for TRAIL. However, leukemia cells studied to date have shown variable susceptibility to TRAIL. Our study demonstrates that cells of acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia MOLT-4 are resistant to TRAIL and that ionizing radiation in the therapeutically achievable dose of 1 Gy sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cells MOLT-4 to the TRAIL-induced apoptosis by increase in death receptors for TRAIL DR5. When TRAIL is applied after the irradiation in the time of increased DR5 positivity more efficient cell killing is achieved.     

重组人可溶性TRAIL分子诱导白血病细胞株凋亡的研究

比较重组人可溶性TRAIL(rhsTRAIL)诱导Jurkat细胞株、K562细胞株以及HL-60细胞株凋亡之间的差异,探讨这些差异与细胞表面TRAIL受体(DR4、DR5、DcR1和DcR2)表达量的关系。不同浓度的rhsTRAIL分别处理Jurkat细胞、K562细胞和HL-60细胞12 h、24 h和48 h后,用流式细胞仪检测经碘化丙啶(PI)染色后的细胞凋亡情况;用RT-PCR方法检测细胞表面受体DR4、DR5、DcR1、DcR2的表达。培养12 h、24 h、48 h后,不同浓度rhsTRAIL诱导Jurkat细胞株的凋亡率均明显高于对照组,且具有剂量依赖性和时间依赖性;但K562细胞株和HL-60细胞株未见明显的凋亡发生。RT-PCR结果显示,培养12 h、24 h、48 h后,Jurkat细胞株表面DR4的表达随时间的延长和rhsTRAIL浓度的升高而升高,而DR5、DcR1和DcR2的表达未检出;K562和HL-60细胞株表面DR4的表达没有明显变化,而且DR5、DcR1和DcR2的表达也未检出。rhsTRAIL诱导Jurkat细胞株的凋亡具有剂量依赖性和时间依赖性,且与其细胞表面DR4的表达呈正相关;在一定的浓度条件下,rhsTRAIL未能诱导K 562和HL-60细胞株发生明显凋亡,且其细胞表面DR4的表达也未见明显变化。这些结果提示,应用TRAIL治疗不同种类白血病时,应注意它的使用剂量和适应范围。     

COX-2 inhibitors sensitize human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is upregulated in a variety of human cancers, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whereas it is undetectable in most normal tissue. Evidence suggests that COX-2 is likely to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and, thus, COX-2 may be involved in an early process in carcinogenesis, dedifferentiation. To address this possibility, we investigated the effect of COX-2 inhibitors on TNF-related apoptosis, inducing ligand (TRAIL) sensitivity and its molecular mechanisms, with special attention to anti-apoptotic proteins. We used the highly selective COX-2 inhibitors, NS398 and CAY10404. We also used the MTT assay and cytological analysis of DAPI-stained DNA to assess viability and apoptosis in two HCC cells (SK-Hep1 and HLE). In order to ask what led to increased sensitivity to TRAIL in HCC cells, cell surface expression of TRAIL and TRAIL-receptors was investigated using flow cytometry analysis. Expression of survivin, X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), Bcl-xL, AKT and phospho-AKT was also investigated using immunoblotting. COX-2 inhibitors resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability in the two HCC cell lines tested. Subtoxic levels of COX-2 inhibitors did not significantly augment TNFalpha-induced apoptosis but did dramatically enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in both cell lines. TRAIL receptor 2/death receptor 5 (TRAIL-R2/DR5) expression was significantly up-regulated in SH-Hep1 and HLE cells. TRAIL receptor 1/death receptor 4 (TRAIL-R1/DR4) expression was up-regulated only in SK-Hep1. Expression of survivin and Bcl-xL was down-regulated in SK-Hep1 and HLE cells in the presence of CAY10404 but XIAP was not affected. Expression of survivin, Bcl-xL and XIAP was down-regulated in SK-Hep1 cells in the presence of NS398. Survivin expression was also down-regulated in the presence of NS398 in HLE cells. Finally, NS398 also decreased phospho-AKT in SK-Hep1 cells. These results demonstrate that COX-2 inhibitors can induce apoptosis and augment TRAIL sensitivity by up-regulation of TRAIL receptors and down-regulation of both survivin and AKT signaling.     

欧前胡素通过上调细胞表面死亡受体5的数量增强TRAIL对乳腺癌细胞的杀伤活性

目的:探讨中药活性成分欧前胡素对肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)的协同抗乳腺癌效应及分子机制。方法:将人乳腺癌细胞T-47D和MCF-7按对照组、欧前胡素组、TRAIL组、欧前胡素+TRAIL组及欧前胡素+TRAIL+死亡受体5(DR5)siRNA组进行分组,MTT法检测T-47D和MCF-7细胞活力,流式细胞术检测T-47D细胞凋亡和线粒体膜电位,Western blot实验和流式细胞术检测T-47D细胞表面DR5的表达水平及caspase-8、caspase-3的活化水平。结果:MTT实验结果显示,欧前胡素联合用药能显著提高各浓度TRAIL对T-47D和MCF-7细胞的杀伤活性;流式细胞术和Western blot结果显示欧前胡素处理能显著提高T-47D细胞DR5的表达水平和活性氧簇产生水平(P0.05)。另外,流式细胞术和Western blot结果还显示,欧前胡素联合用药能显著增强TRAIL促进T-47D细胞线粒体膜电位损伤、caspase-8和caspase-3活化及凋亡的作用。结论:欧前胡素通过上调乳腺癌细胞DR5的表达水平发挥对TRAIL的协同抗乳腺癌效应。     

hTERT启动子驱动的TRAIL诱导宫颈癌细胞的凋亡作用

目的：探讨端粒酶（hTERT）启动子驱动的肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）对宫颈癌细胞生长抑制的作用。方法：脂质体转染将hTERT-TRAIL转染至宫颈癌细胞HeLa,RT-PCR检测TRAILmRNA的表达;通过MTT、流式细胞术检测稳定转染细胞的生长情况,电镜观察转染细胞的超微结构。结果：转染真核表达载体hTERT-TRAIL组细胞中TRAILmRNA细胞表达量高于对照组（P〈0.05）;hTERT-TRAIL组细胞对宫颈癌细胞的抑制率高于CMV-TRAIL组和对照组（P〈0.05）;hTERT-TRAIL组细胞对宫颈癌细胞的凋亡率明显高于转染CMV-TRAIL组和对照组（P〈0.01）;电镜结果显示,hTERT-TRAIL对细胞作用是以细胞凋亡为主。结论：hTERT启动子驱动的肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体对人宫颈癌细胞的生长有明显的抑制作用和诱导凋亡作用,为宫颈癌的研究奠定基础和临床治疗提供思路。     

Expression of TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) and its receptors in normal colonic mucosa,adenomas, and carcinomas

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in tumour cell lines. Four membrane-bound receptors for TRAIL have been identified, two apoptosis-mediating receptors, DR4 and DR5, and two apoptosis-inhibiting receptors, DcR1 and DcR2. The aim of this study was to examine the role of TRAIL and its receptors in colorectal cancer development. The immunohistochemical expression and localization of TRAIL and its receptors were investigated in normal mucosa (n=10), adenomas (n=19), and carcinomas (n=21). Correlations between the expression of TRAIL and its receptors and the degree of apoptosis (assessed by M30 expression) and histopathological characteristics were explored. TRAIL and its receptors were expressed in normal mucosal epithelium. Expression of the receptors was seen in adenomas and carcinomas. TRAIL expression was lost in a subset of colorectal tumours, more frequently in carcinomas than in adenomas (p<0.05). DR4 and DR5 staining was stronger in neoplastic cells than in normal cells and was accompanied by a higher degree of apoptosis. No differences were found between tumour and normal cells regarding DcR1 and DcR2 expression. No correlations were found between TRAIL or TRAIL receptor expression and histopathological characteristics. In conclusion, marked changes were seen in the course of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence with respect to the expression of TRAIL and TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5. The stronger expression of DR4 and DR5 in neoplastic cells than in normal cells, together with a higher degree of apoptosis, suggests a possible functional role for these receptors in apoptosis induction in neoplastic colorectal cells.     

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and chemotherapy cooperate to induce apoptosis in mesothelioma cell lines

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce apoptosis in certain tumor cells. In addition, TRAIL and chemotherapy can act cooperatively, possibly as a result of chemotherapy-induced increases in expression of a TRAIL receptor, DR5. We used cell lines derived from a highly chemoresistant tumor, malignant mesothelioma, to learn whether TRAIL was effective alone or together with chemotherapy and whether cooperativity depended on increases in DR5 expression. TRAIL (codons 95-285) was expressed in a bacterial expression vector and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. TRAIL alone (25 to 500 ng/ml) had little effect on mesothelioma cells. TRAIL plus chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cis-platinum, etoposide, or gemcitabine) acted cooperatively to induce apoptosis in mesothelioma cells (M28, REN, VAMT, and MS-1). For example, in M28 cells treated for 18 h, apoptosis from TRAIL (100 ng/ml) plus doxorubicin (0.6 microg/ml; 71 +/- 11%) greatly exceeded that from TRAIL alone (21 +/- 8%) or from doxorubicin alone (6 +/- 2%) (means +/- standard deviation; P < 0.03). Mesothelioma cells treated with chemotherapy showed no change in DR5 protein by Western analysis or by immunocytochemistry. TRAIL plus chemotherapy was associated with an increase in mitochondrial cytochrome c release and mitochondrial depolarization. We conclude that TRAIL and chemotherapy act cooperatively to kill mesothelioma cell lines, not by increases in DR5 receptor but in association with mitochondrial amplification of apoptotic signals.     

杭白菊增强TRAIL基因诱导大肠癌细胞凋亡及机制的实验研究

目的：探讨杭白菊提取液对肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体基因（TRAIL）抑制人大肠癌细胞株DLD-1作用的影响及其可能机制。 方法： 杭白菊提取液联合重组腺病毒载体（Ad）介导的TRAIL基因作用于人大肠癌细胞株DLD-1，通过倒置显微镜、MTT比色法和流式细胞仪，研究分析其对DLD-1细胞抑制作用的效果。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和流式细胞术检测杭白菊提取液作用前后DLD-1细胞TRAIL、TRAIL受体（TRAIL-Rs）mRNA以及细胞表面TRAIL蛋白表达的变化。 结果： Ad/hTERT-gTRAIL对DLD-1细胞的生长抑制率和凋亡率分别为31.4%和13.5%；联合杭白菊提取液后，生长抑制率和凋亡率均显著提高，达93.1%和45.4%（P<0.05）。杭白菊提取液作用后DLD-1细胞TRAIL mRNA的表达量从作用前的0.46上调至1.01, 细胞表面TRAIL蛋白表达的百分率从作用前的2.2%升高到5.0%（P<0.05）。TRAIL死亡受体（DR4、DR5）mRNA的表达量分别从0.70和0.22上调至1.10和0.83（P<0.05），而TRAIL诱骗受体（DcR1、DcR2）mRNA的表达量从0.60和1.15下调至0.19和0.78（P<0.05）。 结论： 杭白菊提取液联合重组腺病毒载体（Ad）介导的TRAIL基因(Ad/hTERT-gTRAIL)能有效诱导DLD-1细胞的凋亡。杭白菊提取液上调TRAIL死亡受体表达以及下调TRAIL诱骗受体的表达可能在增强TRAIL诱导的凋亡作用中起着重要作用。     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体在多种疾病中的生物学作用

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（Apo2L/TRAIL）是肿瘤坏死因子家族的一员,可以诱导表达特异性死亡受体TRAIL-R1 （DR4）或TRAIL-R2 （DR5）的细胞凋亡.TRAIL可诱导多种肿瘤细胞凋亡,对正常细胞无杀伤性,因此将其作为抗肿瘤靶向治疗候选药物之一,备受关注.近期研究发现,TRAIL既通过其受体介导细胞凋亡信号通路,又可传导非凋亡的信号通路,在自身免疫病和感染性疾病中发挥重要生物学作用.因而简单阐明TRAIL在人类多种疾病中生物学作用的研究进展,对今后TRAIL研究方向和治疗策略的选择具有指导意义.     

重组人可溶性TRAIL的制备及其联合硼替佐米诱导肿瘤细胞的凋亡作用

目的:构建重组人肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体(tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL)原核表达质粒p ET-28a(+)-TRAIL114-281,优化蛋白表达和纯化条件,制备重组人可溶性TRAIL并鉴定其活性。方法:使用CCK-8初步验证TRAIL是否具有抑制肿瘤细胞生长的生物活性;将制备的TRAIL单独或联合50 nmol/L硼替佐米应用于H460细胞(对TRAIL敏感)和K562细胞(对TRAIL抵抗)24 h,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,比色法检测caspase-8、-9、-3的活化程度,Western blot分析细胞中Bax、Bcl-2和c FLIP蛋白的表达。流式细胞术检测硼替佐米处理H460细胞和K562细胞24 h后DR4和DR5的表达量变化。结果:制备了具有生物学活性且性质稳定的重组人可溶性TRAIL,且成功诱导H460和K562细胞凋亡。不同浓度TRAIL处理H460细胞后其凋亡率随着TRAIL浓度升高而显著升高(P0.05),但K562细胞凋亡率并未随着TRAIL浓度明显升高。联合用药组的H460和K562细胞凋亡率均显著高于单独用药组(P0.05),凋亡过程中caspase-8、-9、-3均被活化,药物处理组的Bcl-2和c FLIP表达量均比对照组下降,尤其联合用药组表达量下降最为显著(P0.05),而Bax表达量无明显变化。硼替佐米处理H460和K562细胞后DR4和DR5表达量均上调(P0.05)。结论:硼替佐米能协同TRAIL启动内源性凋亡途径诱导H460和K562细胞凋亡,其可能机制是通过上调死亡受体DR4和DR5的表达量、下调抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和c FLIP的表达量来实现的。     

Adenovirus-mediated TRAIL expression and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression suppresses non-small cell lung cancer growth in vitro and in vivo

Primary or acquired resistance to current treatment methods remains a major factor in clinical oncology and may be caused by failures in apoptosis programs. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce apoptosis in several human cancer cell types. However, not all cancer cells are susceptible to TRAIL and mechanisms of resistance and new strategies to enhance sensitivity are an area of intense investigation. Therefore, we investigated whether TRAIL resistance is due to Bcl-2 levels. In this study, we generated an adenoviral vector, Ad5.TRAIL/siBcl2, that permitted co-expression of shRNA against Bcl-2 and the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) therapeutic gene from a cytomegalovirus promoter. Infection with Ad5.TRAIL/siBcl2 resulted in significant cytotoxicity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vitro. In contrast, it had no effect on a normal lung cell line, WI-38. Impressively, treatment of the established NSCLC tumor model with Ad5.TRAIL/siBcl2 resulted in significant tumor regression, compared with other adenoviruses. This potent antitumor activity induced by Ad5.TRAIL/siBcl2 was due to strong inhibition of Bcl-2 and high expression of TRAIL. Thus, this study may provide a framework for future clinical applications of Ad5.TRAIL/siBcl2 in lung tumor gene therapy.     

Application of flow cytometry to molecular medicine: detection of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors in acute myeloid leukaemia blasts

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), a cytokine belonging to the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) family, is currently regarded as a potential anti-cancer agent. Nevertheless, several types of cancer cells display a low sensitivity to TRAIL or are completely resistant to this pro-apoptotic cytokine. TRAIL signalling is dependent on four receptors. Two of them, death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and DR5), induce apoptosis, whereas decoy receptors 1 and 2 (DcR1 and DcR2) are unable to evoke cell death upon TRAIL binding. TRAIL resistance may be related to the expression of TRAIL decoy receptors. TRAIL has been proposed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of haematological disorders, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Surprisingly, however, very limited information is available concerning the expression of TRAIL receptors in AML blasts. Here, we have evaluated, using flow cytometry, TRAIL receptor surface expression and sensitivity to TRAIL-dependent apoptosis of AML blasts from 30 patients. We observed frequent expression of TRAIL DcR1 and DcR2, while expression of DR4 and DR5 was less frequent. Nevertheless, the expression of DR4 or DR5 in leukaemic cells was always matched by a similar expression of one of the decoy receptors. Leukaemic blasts were invariably resistant, even to a high concentration (1000 ng/ml) of TRAIL. We suggest that AML blasts are resistant to TRAIL apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, it is unlikely that TRAIL alone might be used in the future as an innovative pharmacological agent for the treatment of AML.     

人端粒酶逆转录酶核心启动子调控的人TRAIL蛋白在人卵巢癌细胞中的表达

目的：构建人端粒酶逆转录酶基因核心启动子（hTERT）调控的肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体真核表达载体，并检测TRAIL在转染的卵巢癌细胞SKOV3中的表达情况。方法：利用基因重组方法将TRAIL基因克隆人带有hTERT基因核心启动子pIRES2-EGFP真核表达载体中。获得由hTERT基因核心启动子调控的绿色荧光蛋白和带有效应型TRAIL基因的真核表达载体hTERTpromoter-pIRES2-EGFP-TRAIL。采用脂质体介导的方法将hTERT调控的TRAIL基因真核表达载体转染人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞，采用G418筛选获得阳性克隆；应用免疫细胞化学法、蛋白质印迹分析、流式细胞术（FCM）结合间接免疫荧光、RT—PCR法检测转染前后卵巢癌细胞中外源基因的表达。结果：经酶切鉴定及测序结果证实所构建载体正确。转染细胞中的TRAIL表达明显高于对照组细胞。结论：成功地构建了hTRET基因核心启动子调控的TRAIL基因真核表达载体，并在人卵巢癌细胞系SKOV3中得到稳定表达，为进一步研究其对卵巢癌细胞生物学行为的影响奠定了实验基础。     

TRAIL联合紫杉醇诱导胃腺癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡作用研究

目的:观察紫杉醇联合肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)诱导人胃腺癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡的作用及其协同作用机制。方法:将TRAIL、紫杉醇及TRAIL联合紫杉醇诱导SGC-7901细胞48小时,用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测细胞凋亡率和线粒体跨膜电位的改变;用MTT法检测SGC-7901细胞增殖反应;用免疫印迹(Westernblot)法检测TRAIL死亡受体DR4(TRAIL-R1)、DR5(TRAIL-R2)的表达变化。结果:TRAIL和/或紫杉醇对SGC-7901细胞增殖有抑制作用,两者联合用药组对细胞增殖的抑制率较单独用药明显增加(P<0.01);联合用药组细胞凋亡率较单独用药组明显增加(P<0.01);0.3μmol/L紫杉醇作用48小时后,DR4表达明显升高(P<0.05),而DR5表达没有明显改变(P>0.05)。结论:紫杉醇可协同TRAIL诱导SGC-7901细胞凋亡,DR4表达增加可能是其协同作用的机制。