Fas and Fas-ligand expression in human pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Fas and FasL expression in pancreatic tissues and cultured pancreatic cancer cell lines, and to assess the ability of anti-Fas antibodies to induce apoptosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Activation of the Fas receptor by Fas-ligand (FasL) results in apoptosis, and dysregulation of this pathway may contribute to abnormal cell proliferation. METHODS: Northern blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to compare Fas and FasL expression in normal and cancerous tissues. DNA 3'-OH end labeling was used to detect apoptotic cells. The effects of Fas activation on cell growth and signaling pathways were investigated in culture. RESULTS: Pancreatic cancers exhibited increased Fas RNA levels, whereas FasL mRNA levels were similar in both groups. Despite the colocalization of Fas and FasL in the cancer cells, an apoptotic signal was present in approximately 10% of these cells in only 2 of 16 cancer samples. Fas and FasL were coexpressed in all four cell lines, whereas Fas-associated phosphatase 1 was below the level of detection in all cell lines. Only COLO-357 cells underwent apoptosis after Fas activation. Apoptosis was associated with enhanced activation of jun kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In the presence of actinomycin D, Fas antibody also induced apoptosis in the other three cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis by mechanisms excluding receptor downregulation or Fas-associated phosphatase upregulation and raise the possibility that Fas-mediated apoptosis may be dependent on the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway in these cells.     

Fas配体在泌尿生殖肿瘤细胞系及肾癌组织中的表达

目的 明确Ｆａｓ配体在泌尿生殖肿瘤细胞系及肾癌组织中的表达情况。方法 采用免疫细胞化学和反转录ＰＣＲ（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）法检测膀胱癌（Ｔ２４、ＢＩＵ－８７、ＥＪ）、肾癌（ＧＲＣ－１、ＲＣＣ－９４９）、前列腺癌（ＰＣ－３Ｍ）及１０例肾癌组织上Ｆａｓ配体的表达。结果 免疫细胞化学方法检测细胞系中Ｆａｓ配体表达于ＢＩＵ－８７、ＲＣＣ－９４９和ＧＲＣ－１细胞,而以ＢＩＵ－８７和ＲＣＣ－９４９细胞系表达较强,在     

Expression of survivin in bladder cancer cell lines using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

ObjectivePrevious studies have reported that survivin expression is significantly associated with various malignancies including bladder cancer. However, the relationship between the expression of survivin and the tumor stage and grade of bladder cancer still require further study.MethodsTo determine whether survivin plays a role in the differentiation of bladder cancer cells, we conducted a preliminary study to examine the expression of survivin in bladder cancer cell lines.ResultsIn this study, we observed that the gene expression fold changes of survivin ranged from 3.2 to 16.7 in various tumor grades (G1–G4) of bladder cancer cell lines, which were higher than that in normal human urothelial cell line. With the worse differentiation of bladder cancer cell lines, the gene expression fold changes of survivin increased significantly (3.2-fold in RT4, 5.8-fold in 5637, 6.6-fold in T24, and 16.7-fold in HT1197). In addition, we observed different genotypes among various cell lines (C/C in HUC4449, C/G in RT4, C/G in 5637, G/G in T24, and C/C in HT1197). The relationship between survivin ?31 C/G polymorphism and various bladder cancer cell lines was non-significant. However, the overexpression of survivin may be associated with aggressive features of bladder cancer.ConclusionOur findings suggest that survivin could be a potential therapeutic target through the inhibition of cell proliferation in bladder cancer.     

Effects of bacillus Calmette-Guèrin and interferon alpha-2B on cytokine production in human bladder cancer cell lines

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of live BCG, autoclaved BCG and interferon alpha-2b on cytokine production in human bladder cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The release of nine cytokines from the human bladder cancer cell lines, RT4, RT112, SD, MGH and J82, was measured by ELISA assay. The mRNA level of IL-6 and GM-CSF was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: BCG and/or interferon alpha-2b differentially increased IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha production in the bladder cancer cells. High grade cell lines were more responsive to BCG whereas low grade lines were more sensitive to interferon alpha-2b. This correlated with cytotoxicity and growth inhibition induced by these agents. BCG could also induce low levels of IFN-alpha production in all the cell lines. Compared with live BCG, autoclaved BCG had no antiproliferative effect on MGH cells and was less effective in stimulating the production of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF. However, autoclaved BCG was as effective as live BCG in inhibiting growth and stimulating IL-6 and TNF-alpha production of J82 cells. The combination of BCG and interferon alpha-2b also completely suppressed TGF-beta1 production in the MGH and RT112 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of BCG and interferon alpha-2b has additive effects in cytokine production from bladder cancer cells. This correlates with cytotoxicity and growth inhibition induced by these agents.     

Fas-Fas ligand system in the peripheral blood of patients with renal diseases

To clarify the role of the Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system in the peripheral blood from patients with various renal diseases, the Fas and FasL expression on mononuclear cells (MNCs) and serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble FasL were investigated. Patients were selected from those with various types of glomerular diseases showing various degrees of renal function. Fas expression on MNCs was analyzed by a FACScan, sFas and soluble FasL were measured with an ELISA kit, and FasL expression on MNCs was counted using a FACScan after a bioassay. Fas-positive MNCs and sFas increased with statistical significance concomitantly with deterioration in renal function. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between them. sFas- and FasL-positive MNCs were significantly correlated with proteinuria. However, the Fas expression percentage on MNCs and/or serum levels of sFas did not correlate with the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the glomeruli. Also, there was no disease specificity in the activation of Fas. These results indicate that Fas expression on MNCs is activated in accordance with the deterioration in renal function without disease specificity, corresponding to the elevation of serum sFas levels to protect against Fas-mediated apoptosis.     

人膀胱移行细胞癌各种透明质酸合成酶基因亚型的表达及意义

目的:研究各种透明质酸合成酶亚型(HASs)mRNA在人膀胱移行细胞癌中的表达及其潜在的临床价值.方法:运用半定量RT-PCR方法,对145例不同恶性度的人膀胱移行细胞癌、22例正常人膀胱黏膜组织标本和4种人BTCC细胞系的HAS亚型mRNA的表达情况进行研究.结果:PCR 23循环后,正常膀胱黏膜组织中7例扩增出微弱的HASl mRNA条带(28%,7/25),其余无任何条带扩增出来;所有膀胱移行细胞癌组织标本和细胞系有一种以上的HAS亚型mRNA被扩增出来.不同膀胱癌组织、细胞系表达的HASs mRNA的种类及表达程度各不相同,但随着肿瘤恶性程度的增高,其表达的各种HASs mRNA的种类趋向相同.每个膀胱癌组织、细胞系均有一种HASs mRNA优势表达,但其类型及优势表达程度互不相同.结论:人膀胱移行细胞癌出现了HAS亚型mRNA的异常高表达,可能与肿瘤的发生、发展有密切关系,是BTCC生物治疗潜在的靶点;同时进一步证实了尿透明质酸作为膀胱癌的"标志物"的可靠性.     

Differential ectonucleotidase expression in human bladder cancer cell lines

Bladder cancer is the most prevalent tumor in the genitourinary tract. Nucleotides are important molecules that regulate many pathophysiological functions in the extracellular space. Studies have revealed evidence of a relationship between purinergic signaling and urothelial malignancies. Nucleotide-mediated signaling is controlled by a highly efficient enzymatic cascade, which includes the members of the ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDases), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (E-NPPs), ecto-alkaline phosphatases, and ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73. In an attempt to identify possible differential expression of ectonucleotidases during bladder cancer progression, a comparative analysis between RT4 (grade 1) and T24 (grade 3) bladder cancer cell lines was performed. In RT4 cells, the hydrolysis of tri- and diphosphate nucleosides was higher than monophosphonucleosides. T24 cells, however, presented the opposite profile, a low level of hydrolysis of tri- and diphosphate nucleosides and a high level of hydrolysis of monophosphates. Phosphodiesterase activity was negligible in both cell lines at physiological pH, indicating that these enzymes are not active under our assay conditions, although they are expressed in both cell lines. The T24 cells expressed NTPDase5 mRNA, while the RT4 cells expressed NTPDase3 and NTPDase5 mRNA. Both cell lines expressed ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 mRNA. The present work describes, for the first time, the differential pattern of ectonucleotidases in the more malignant bladder cancer cells compared with cells derived from an early stage of bladder cancer. Our results open new avenues for research into the physiological roles of this family of enzymes and their possible therapeutic potential in bladder cancer.     

VEGF在膀胱癌细胞中的表达

探讨血管内皮生长因子在膀胱肿瘤发生发展中的作用。方法采用逆转录聚合酶链反应方法检测三种人膀胱癌细胞系和正常膀胱组织中ＶＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ的表达,同时用免疫化学方法检测三种人膀胱癌细胞系ＶＥＧＦ蛋白表达。结果三种膀胱纱均有ＶＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ的表达,正常膀组织无表达;     

Membrane and soluble forms of Fas (CD95) in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in serum from burns patients

Burn trauma results in disorders of regulation of programmed cell death called apoptosis. Apoptosis of immunocytes is associated with the expression of Fas antigen. There are two major forms of Fas molecule, membranous Fas (mFas) and soluble Fas (sFas). The last form is generated by alternative splicing and differs from mFas by lacking 21 amino acid residues containing the transmembrane domain. We determined the expression of mCD3, mCD4, mCD8 and mFas in peripheral blood lymphocytes and the level of the soluble form of Fas in serum in patients with acute thermal trauma (n=32). As the control blood of healthy volunteers (n=25) was investigated. Compared to healthy volunteers, burn patients showed a remarkable reduction in number of CD3+ lymphocytes in the 24 h following injury, which was accompanied by a decrease in CD4+ but not CD8+ subsets by indirect immunofluorescence method. The decrease of expression of mFas in the patients with acute thermal trauma at all burn disease time was determined simultaneously. We established the decrease of level of sFas during the first (404+/-25 U/ml) and second (352+/-38 U/ml) postburn 10-day periods by the ELISA method. The contents of sFas in serum of healthy volunteers was 534+/-31.8 U/ml. There were no relations between the level of membrane Fas expression and contents of the soluble Fas in serum both in clinical manifestation and survival. We suppose that it is impossible to predict outcomes of burn disease by quantity of CD95+ cells and contents of sFas in serum. However, it is probable that significant deviations from the level of sFas may be attributes of non-revealed accompanying pathology.     

Role of thymidine phosphorylase in an in vitro model of human bladder cancer invasion

PURPOSE: It has been previously demonstrated that the angiogenic factor thymidine phosphorylase is elevated significantly in invasive bladder cancer. We report that it is not merely an incidental finding. Thymidine phosphorylase has a functional role in bladder cancer invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The superficial bladder cancer cell line RT112 was transfected by retroviral techniques to generate the RT112-TP clone that expressed significantly elevated levels of thymidine phosphorylase, comparable to those of invasive human bladder cancers. The empty vector control RT112-EV was generated for comparison. Growth of these transfectants was examined using a new in vitro model of bladder cancer invasion based on de-epithelialized rat bladder and by assessing growth as xenografts in nude mice. The effect of 5-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, a prodrug activated by TP to produce 5-fluorouracil, was also examined. RESULTS: RT112-TP high thymidine phosphorylase expressing cells invaded into the stroma of the in vitro model but wild-type RT112 and RT112-EV cells did not. This invasion was abolished by 5-deoxy-5-fluorouridine. Invasion correlated with thymidine phosphorylase expression on immunohistochemical testing. There was also a significantly greater xenograft growth rate for RT112-TP than for RT112-EV, confirming the malignant growth advantage conferred by thymidine phosphorylase. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that thymidine phosphorylase may have a functional role in bladder cancer invasion and the apparent advantage of thymidine phosphorylase expression to tumor cells can be exploited by therapies that utilize prodrugs such as 5-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, which is activated by thymidine phosphorylase and inhibited invasion in our model.     

膀胱移行细胞癌组织中环氧化酶-2的表达及其意义

目的　探讨环氧化酶 2 (COX 2 )在膀胱移行细胞癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法应用逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)检测 5 2例膀胱移行细胞癌患者的癌组织及 17例患者距离肿瘤组织 3cm以外的正常膀胱黏膜组织中COX 2mRNA的表达 ,应用Westernblot法检测其中 4 9例膀胱癌组织及全部 17例正常膀胱黏膜组织中COX 2蛋白的表达 ,并应用条带密度分析软件半定量分析Westernblot条带密度。结果　COX 2mRNA在 83% (43/ 5 2 )的癌组织中表达 ,仅在 2 9% (5 / 17)的正常膀胱黏膜组织中表达 (P <0 .0 0 1) ;4 9例膀胱癌组织COX 2蛋白的表达量与肿瘤的分级、分期相关 (P<0 .0 0 1)。结论　COX 2在膀胱移行细胞癌组织中高表达 ,可能在肿瘤的发生发展中起一定的作用 ,可能成为膀胱癌化学预防的一个靶点。     

Dual epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibition with vandetanib sensitizes bladder cancer cells to cisplatin in a dose‐ and sequence‐dependent manner

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the activity of the combination of vandetanib and cytotoxic agents using in vitro models of bladder cancer, as modern chemotherapy regimens are built around cisplatin, with gemcitabine or a taxane such as docetaxel also commonly added in combination for the treatment of advanced bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human bladder cancer cells HTB3, HT1376, J82, RT4, CRL1749, T24, SUP and HTB9 were cultured. The activity of gefitinib (ZD1839) and vandetanib (ZD6474) was assessed in these eight bladder cancer cell lines with a tetrazolium‐based assay of cell viability. RT4 bladder cancer cells, determined to have moderate cisplatin resistance and also moderate sensitivity to vandetanib, were treated with vandetanib and cisplatin. RT4 and T24 cells were treated with six different regimens. The apoptosis and cell‐cycle analysis were studied by flow cytometry. Expression of p21 and p27 was detected by Western blotting. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 was performed for all cell lines.

RESULTS

At equal concentrations, vandetanib was a more potent inhibitor of cell viability, compared to gefitinib. At vandetanib concentrations of ≤2 µM, the combination with cisplatin was synergistic, especially in the treatment sequence of cisplatin followed by vandetanib, and additive with vandetanib followed by cisplatin. An analysis of the cell‐cycle distribution showed that vandetanib treatment induced G1 arrest at high concentrations, but not at lower concentrations. High‐concentration treatment was associated with increased levels of the cyclin‐dependent kinase p27. FISH analysis showed that there was a low level of genomic gain, and no gene amplification. Mutational analysis of exons 18, 19, and 21 of EGFR in each cell line revealed no mutation.

CONCLUSION

Vandetanib has synergistic activity when given at low concentration with cytotoxic chemotherapy. The addition of vandetanib to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy regimens merits further study.     

Circulating Soluble Fas in Patients with Breast Cancer

It has been suggested that circulating soluble Fas (sFas) contributes to tumor progression. However, little is known about the role of sFas in breast cancer. This study was designed with the aim of elucidating the possible relation between sFas and breast cancer. A series of 57 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer undergoing surgery were prospectively included in the study and evaluated. Venous blood samples were collected before surgery. Sera were obtained by centrifugation and stored at -70 degrees C until assayed. The control group consisted of 12 patients with benign breast tumors (6 with fibrocystic disease, 6 with fibroadenoma). Serum concentrations of sFas were measured by the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. The data on primary tumor staging, age, estrogen receptor status, lymph node status, tumor grading, and TNM staging were reviewed and recorded. The mean value of circulating sFas in patients with invasive breast cancer was 794.2 +/- 183.0 pg/ml and that of the control group 582.1 +/- 62.8 pg/ml; the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there were significantly higher serum levels of sFas in the older patients (age > or = 50) (p = 0.020) and in those with a more advanced TNM stage (p = 0.021). In the multivariate analysis, TNM stage (p = 0.005) appeared to be an independent factor for significantly higher circulating sFas in patients with invasive breast cancer. Thus circulating sFas levels may reflect the severity of invasive breast cancer. Hence the possible prognostic value of sFas for breast cancer deserves further elucidation and evaluation with long-term patient follow-up.     

Investigation of the influence of Fas antigen on Hep G2 cells, an erythropoietin producing cell line

We have already reported that serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and Fas-positive mononuclear cells increased concomitantly with deterioration in renal function and the increases were statistically significant. Moreover, the severity of renal anemia in renal failure patients was significantly correlated with serum levels of sFas. Therefore, we investigated whether or not Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) influenced the production of erythropoietin (EPO). Hep G2 cells, an EPO productive human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, were cultured in MEM medium with 10% of FCS containing 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml of sFas, or sFasL. The EPO concentrations of the supernatants were measured by the ELISA method, Annexin V positive cells were calculated by flow cytometry, H3 leucin uptake was measured by a liquid scintillation counter, an MTT assay was performed using the light absorption method, fragmented nuclei were stained by the TUNEL method and DNA laddering was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Their characteristics evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Both EPO production and H3 leucin uptake were suppressed in culture with sFas or sFasL, dose-dependently and declines in MTT activities accompanied these changes at 24 hrs. In addition, nuclear fragmentation and DNA laddering were found to be stimulated in culture with sFas or sFasL at 48 hrs. These data suggest that sFas induced apoptosis and had a cytotoxic effect on Hep G2 cells. In conclusion, hyper-sFas-emia observed in chronic renal failure may regulate the production of EPO, which indicates that sFas acts as a uremic toxin.     

The inhibitory effects of interferon gamma on the growth of bladder cancer cells.

The inhibitory effect of interferon-gamma on the growth of three human bladder cancer cell lines, RT4, RT112 and MGH-U1, representing tumour grades 1, 2 and 3 respectively, was studied. The effects of 10, 100 and 1000 Uml.-1 of interferon-gamma on cell numbers and thymidine incorporation were measured at 24 hour intervals up to a maximum of seven days. Morphological appearances were also studied. Each line was susceptible to the growth inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma and this was both dose and time dependent. The effects of interferon-gamma, on the RT4 and RT112 cells were apparent from 24 hours, and were both cytostatic and cytotoxic in nature, whereas the effects on MGH-U1 cells were seen from 48 hours onwards and were only cytostatic. Cytological changes occurred in all three cell lines, being most pronounced in RT112. The growth of bladder cancer cells was inhibited by interferon-gamma, and in this study high grade tumour cells were least sensitive.