Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and serum synergize to promote rapamycin-insensitive cell proliferation via protein kinase C-eta

Previously, we have shown that PKC-eta (protein kinase C-eta) positively regulates glioblastoma proliferation and confers resistance to irradiation-induced apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of rapamycin in inhibiting cell proliferation in two glioblastoma cell lines U-251MG (PKC-eta expressing) and U-1242MG (PKC-eta deficient) following PKC-eta activation. In U-251MG cells, rapamycin (10 nM) treatment was less effective as an antiproliferative agent when cells were concurrently stimulated with 10% serum and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 100 nM), a potent activator of PKC isozymes. Rapamycin-insensitive growth was owing to PKC-eta, as U-1242MG and U-251MG cells infected with a kinase-dead form of PKC-eta (U-251kr) were susceptible to rapamycin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. Furthermore, U-251MG cells transfected with PKC-eta antisense oligonucleotides were sensitive to rapamycin. PKC-eta-expressing cells stimulated with PMA maintained p70S6K phosphorylation on Thr389 and phosphorylation of rpS6 (ser235/36), suggesting p70S6K kinase activity was still intact. Inhibition of p70S6K expression with small interfering RNA oligonucleotides inhibited cell proliferation greater than 50% in the presence of a combination of PMA and serum. Additionally, p70S6K co-precipitated with PKC-eta, suggesting a physical interaction between PKC-eta and p70S6K regulates the observed phosphorylation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that rapamycin-insensitive glioblastoma proliferation involves PKC-eta signaling.     

PKC-eta mediates glioblastoma cell proliferation through the Akt and mTOR signaling pathways

We previously demonstrated that protein kinase C-eta (PKC-eta) mediates a phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced proliferative response in human glioblastoma (GBM) cells. In this report, we show that PMA-stimulated activation of PKC-eta in U-251 GBM cells resulted in activation of both Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways and an increase in cell proliferation. Expression of a kinase dead PKC-eta (PKC-etaKR) construct reduced the basal and PMA-evoked proliferation of PKC-eta-expressing U-251 GBM cells, as well as abrogated the PMA-induced activation of Akt, mTOR, and the mTOR targets 4E-BP1 and STAT-3. Treatment of cells with the PI-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 (10 muM) or the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (10 nM) also reduced PMA-induced proliferation and cell-cycle progression. Expression of a constitutively active PKC-eta (PKC-etaDeltaNPS) construct in a GBM cell line with no endogenous PKC-eta (U-1242) also provided evidence that PKC-eta targets the Akt and mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, activation of 4E-BP1 and STAT-3 in both PMA-treated U-251 and PKC-etaDeltaNPS-expressing U-1242 GBM cells was inhibited by rapamycin. However, activation of Akt, but not mTOR was inhibited by the PI-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002. This study identifies Akt and mTOR as downstream targets of PKC-eta that are involved in GBM cell proliferation.     

Protein kinase C-eta regulates resistance to UV- and gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by preventing caspase-9 activation.

Both increased cell proliferation and apoptosis play important roles in the malignant growth of glioblastomas. We have demonstrated recently that the differential expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-eta increases the proliferative capacity of glioblastoma cells in culture; however, specific functions for this novel PKC isozyme in the regulation of apoptosis in these tumors has not been defined. In the present study of several glioblastoma cell lines, we investigated the role of PKC-eta in preventing UV- and gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis and in caspase-dependent signaling pathways that mediate cell death. Exposure to UV or gamma irradiation killed 80% to 100% of PKC-eta-deficient nonneoplastic human astrocytes and U-1242 MG cells, but had little effect on the PKC-eta-expressing U-251 MG and U-373 MG cells. PKC-eta appears to mediate resistance to irradiation specifically such that when PKC-eta was stably expressed in U-1242 MG cells, more than 80% of these cells developed resistance to irradiation-induced apoptosis. Reducing PKC-eta expression by transient and stable expression of antisense PKC-eta in wild-type U-251 MG cells results in increased sensitivity to UV irradiation in a fashion similar to U-1242 MG cells and nonneoplastic astrocytes. Irradiation of PKC-eta-deficient glioblastoma cells resulted in the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and a substantial increase in subdiploid DNA content that did not occur in PKC-eta-expressing tumor cells. A specific inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) of caspase-3 blocked apoptosis in PKC-eta-deficient U-1242 MG cells. The data demonstrate that resistance to UV and gamma irradiation in glioblastoma cell lines is modified significantly by PKC-eta expression and that PKC-eta appears to block the apoptotic cascade at caspase-9 activation.     

AKIP1 promotes glioblastoma viability,mobility and chemoradiation resistance via regulating CXCL1 and CXCL8 mediated NF-κB and AKT pathways

This study aimed to investigate the interaction of A-kinase-interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) with C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL2, CXCL8, and their effects on regulating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) malignant behaviors. AKIP1 expression was modified by pcDNA and pGPH1 vectors in U-87 MG and U-251 MG cells. Subsequently, multiple compensative experiments were conducted via adding CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL8 in the pGPH1-AKIP1 (AKIP1 knockdown) transfected U-87 MG and U-251 MG cells, respectively. Furthermore, AKIP1, CXCL1/2/8 expressions in 10 GBM and 10 low-grade glioma (LGG) tumor samples were detected. AKIP1 was elevated in various GBM cell lines compared to normal human astrocytes. AKIP1 overexpression promoted U-87 MG and U-251 MG cell proliferation and invasion while inhibited apoptosis; and it enhanced chemoresistance to temozolomide (but not cisplatin) and radiation resistance; then AKIP1 knockdown showed the opposite effects. Meanwhile, AKIP1 positively regulated CXCL1/2/8, NF-κB pathway, AKT pathway and PD-L1 expression. Further multiple compensative experiments uncovered that CXCL1 and CXCL8 promoted proliferation, invasion, chemoradiation resistance, NF-κB pathway, AKT pathway and PD-L1 expression in U-87 MG and U-251 MG cells, also in pGPH1-AKIP1 (AKIP1 knockdown) transfected U-87 MG and U-251 MG cells; although CXCL2 exhibited similar treads, but its effect was much weaker. Besides, NF-κB pathway inhibitor and AKT pathway inhibitor attenuated the effect of CXCL1&CXCL8 on promoting GBM cell malignant behaviors. Clinically AKIP1 and CXCL1/8 were elevated in GBM compared to LGG tumor samples, and they were inter-correlated. AKIP1 promotes GBM viability, mobility and chemoradiation resistance via regulating CXCL1 and CXCL8 mediated NF-κB and AKT pathways.     

Substance P receptor in U373 MG human astrocytoma cells activates mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 through Src

Substance P (SP) acting through substance P receptor (SPR) increases the proliferation of glioblastoma cells. At the molecular level, stimulation of SPR in human U373 MG glioblastoma cells results in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2. Examination of the underlying mechanism reveals that SPR mediates ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner. Surprisingly, blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is transactivated by SPR, has a minimal effect on SPR-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, SPR-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation is significantly reduced by the Src kinase inhibitor PP2. Interestingly, ERK1/2 in U373 MG cells is also activated by several other mitogenic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) including α_1B-adrenergic, M₃-muscarinic, and H₁-histaminergic in an Src-dependent manner. We conclude that c-Src is a mediator of SP-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in human U373 MG glioblastoma cells.     

整合素-β1、PKC与胶质瘤细胞骨架结构改变及侵袭性的实验研究

目的:探讨整合素β1(β1-integrin)、蛋白激酶C(protein kinase C,PKC)与细胞骨架结构改变的关系及其对人脑胶质瘤细胞的生物学行为的影响和作用机制.方法:以U251胶质母细胞瘤细胞为研究模型,应用抗Inβ1抗体抑制内源性Inβ1作用,应用PKC激活剂PMA、PKC抑制剂Calphostin C干扰PKC的功能,通过细胞黏附实验、迁移实验和体外侵袭实验,检测及PKC对人恶性胶质瘤细胞黏附、迁移和侵袭能力的影响.通过免疫荧光化学染色结合激光共聚焦显微镜和扫描电镜方法,观察细胞微丝F-actin和胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)等骨架蛋白数量、分布和细胞表面伪足情况,比较整合素β1、PKC对微丝、GFAP等骨架蛋白的影响.结果:PKC激活剂PMA增加U251MG细胞在FN上的黏附能力(P<0.05),但PKC抑制剂Calphostin C 及抗整合素β1抗体对细胞黏附能力无明显影响.PKC激活剂PMA增加U251MG细胞在FN的运动、迁移能力(P<0.01),PKC抑制剂Calphostin C及抗整合素β1抗体减弱U251MG细胞在FN上的运动、迁移能力(P<0.01).PMA可促进U251MG细胞的体外侵袭能力(P<0.01),Calphostin C及抗整合素β1抗体可减弱此作用(P<0.01).U251MG细胞内可见散在的微丝结构,在PKC激活剂PMA 处理的细胞内,难以见到清晰的细胞微丝骨架,并常见大量絮团状的F-actin小体,但对GFAP的表达和结构并无影响.PKC抑制剂Calphostin C使微丝沿细胞膜成簇状排列,而抗整合素β1抗体可使细胞内F-actin微丝形成束状纤维(应力纤维),粗壮而密集,且GFAP表达增强.扫描电镜观察显示,加入PMA后,U251细胞表面的伪足数量明显增加,而PKC抑制剂Calphostin C及抗整合素β1抗体处理的细胞内,伪足数量明显减少,甚至消失.结论:整合素β1与FN协同作用,可改变U251MG细胞微丝骨架结构、数量和排列分布,以及细胞表面伪足结构和数量,从而影响肿瘤细胞的运动、迁移及体外侵袭能力,激活PKC信号通路是其作用途径之一.PKC参与了FN介导的细胞黏附作用,但整合素β1受体与FN介导的细胞黏附关系不密切.PKC参与了整合素β1受体与FN相互作用所介导的细胞运动迁移及体外侵袭作用.     

Ganglioside modulation of the PDGF receptor

Summary Gangliosides are a family of glycolipids that are present at the cell surface of all mammalian cells. Patterns of gangliosides are different in gliomas than normal brain, and exogenously added gangliosides affect the growth of cultured glioma cells. Gangliosides inhibit the activities of several kinases, including protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-kinase. U-1242 MG cells (derived from a human malignant glioma) have receptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) that become phosphorylated on tyrosine when exposed to PDGF. Exposure of these cells to PDGF also causes an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and induces a translocation of PKC to the membrane. Preincubation of U-1242 MG cells with several species of gangliosides inhibits the increase in ([Ca²⁺]_i) and PKC translocation in response to PDGF, but GM3 is much less effective than other species tested. This is due to a lack of activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase as monitored by phosphorylation of the receptor on tyrosine residues, but is not due to an inhibition of binding of PDGF to its receptors. The lack of activation of the PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase is due to an inhibition of dimerization of the receptor monomers by gangliosides GM1, GM2, GD1a, GT1b, but not GM3. Therefore, gangliosides may be involved in coordinating the activities of multiple trophic factors simultaneously acting on a cell by regulating the dimerization of their respective receptor monomers.     

Synergistic Effects of Taurine and Temozolomide Via Cell Proliferation Inhibition and Apoptotic Induction on U-251 MG Human Glioblastoma Cells

Objective: The combination treatment is a way to improve the therapeutic strategy of temozolomide (TMZ) -resistant glioblastoma (GBM). Taurine (TAU) has the potential to inhibit growth in various cancer cells. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effects of TMZ and TAU on cultured human GBM, U-251 MG cells. Methods: The cells were incubated with TMZ, TAU, and the combination of both in various ratios. MTT assay was performed to measure the cell viability of the treatments and then the synergistic interactions were evaluated by the Chou-Talalay method. The cell cycle and apoptotic properties of the combined treatment on U-251 MG cells were examined by flow cytometry. The Hoechst 33342 stainings were applied to visualize the morphologic change in the apoptotic process. Results: The combined treatment with a dose reduction of each expressed synergistic effect on the decrease of cell viability. The study on the cell cycle resulted in G2/M phase arrest with increasing apoptotic cells in the SubG1 phase. Moreover, the apoptotic effects of the combinations on U-251 MG cells were explained by the increase of apoptotic cells in both early and late stages and illustrated by some characteristics of the apoptotic process including condensed chromatin and fragmented nuclei. Conclusion: The study showed that the combination between TMZ and TAU has a potential in anticancer properties against U-251 MG manifested by the induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis. These results suggest that this combination may be useful to enhance the efficacy and reduce some adverse events of GBM treatment in the future.     

Inhibition of histamine receptor 3 suppresses glioblastoma tumor growth,invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Histamine receptor 3 (H3R) is expressed in various tumors and correlated with malignancy and tumor proliferation. However, the role of H3R in tumor invasion and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains unknown. Here, we explored the H3R in the highly invasive glioblastoma (GBM) and U87MG cells. We found that H3R mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in the GBM and glioma cell lines compared to normal brain tissue and astrocytes. In U87MG cell line, inhibition of H3R by siRNA or the antagonist ciproxifan (CPX) suppressed proliferation, invasiveness, and the expression of EMT activators (Snail, Slug and Twist). In addition, expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin and ZO-1) was up-regulated and expression of mesenchymal markers (vimentin and N-cadherin) was down-regulated in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft model. In addition, we also showed that inhibition of H3R by siRNA or CPX inactivated the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways, while inhibition of Akt or ERK activity with antagonists or siRNAs suppressed H3R agonist (R)-(α)-(−)- methylhistamine dihydrobromide (RAMH) mediated invasion and reorganization of cadherin-household. In conclusion, overexpression of H3R is associated with glioma progression. Inhibition of H3R leads to suppressed invasion and EMT of GBM by inactivating the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways in gliomas.     

Extremely low-dose ionizing radiation causes activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and enhances proliferation of normal human diploid cells.

We demonstrated here that X-ray irradiation at very low doses of between 2 and 5 cGy stimulated proliferation of normal human diploid cells and human tumor cells. Higher doses of irradiation at >1 Gy accumulated p53 protein and induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 decreased with dose down to 50 cGy, however, doses of between 5 cGy and 2 cGy phosphorylated ERK1/2 as efficiently as higher doses of X-rays, whereas the p53 protein level was not changed by doses <50 cGy. We found that mitogen-activated protein /ERK kinase (MEK) 1 was phosphorylated with both 2 cGy and 6 Gy of X-rays, and that activated ERK1/2 augmented phosphorylation of Elk-1 protein. The specific epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478, decreased phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 proteins induced by 2 cGy or 6 Gy of X-rays, and similar suppressive effect was observed with MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Suppression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with these inhibitors alleviated enhanced proliferation of normal human cells by low-dose irradiation. Furthermore, overexpression of ERK2 in NCI-H1299 human lung carcinoma cells potentiated enhanced proliferation, whereas down-regulation of ERK2 using the antisense ERK2 gene abrogated the stimulative effect of low-dose irradiation. These results indicate that a limited range of low-dose ionizing radiation differentially activates ERK1/2 kinases via activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and MEK, which causes enhanced proliferation of cells receiving very low doses of ionizing radiation.     

Growth inhibition of malignant glioblastoma by DING protein

Malignant gliomas are a highly aggressive type of brain tumor with extremely poor prognosis. These tumors are highly invasive and are often surgically incurable and resistant to chemotherapeutics and radiotherapy. Thus, novel therapies that target pathways involved in growth and survival of the tumor cells are required for the treatment of this class of brain tumors. Previous studies revealed that epidermal growth factor receptor and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), which are involved in the induction of cell proliferation, are activated in the most aggressive type of glioma, i.e. glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In fact, GBMs with increased levels of ERK activity exhibit a more aggressive phenotype than the others with moderate ERK activity, pointing to the importance of ERK and its kinase activity in the development and progression of these tumors. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of p38SJ, a novel member of the DING family of proteins, derived from Hypericum perforatum calluses, on the growth of malignant glioma cell lines, T98G and U-87MG by focusing on cell cycle and signaling pathways controlled by phosphorylation of various regulatory proteins including ERK. p38SJ, which exhibits profound phosphatase activity, shows the capacity to affect the phosphorylation status of several important kinases modulating signaling pathways, and cell growth and proliferation. Our results demonstrate that p38SJ reduces glioma cell viability and arrests cell cycle progression at G0/G1. The observed growth inhibitory effect of p38SJ is likely mediated by the downregulation of several cell cycle gatekeeper proteins, including cyclin E, Cdc2, and E2F-1. These results suggest that p38SJ may serve as a potential candidate for development of a therapeutic agent for the direct treatment of malignant gliomas and/or as a potential radiosensitizer.     

Multiple signal pathways are involved in the mitogenic effect of 5(S)-HETE in human pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic carcinoma is characterized by poor prognosis and lack of response to conventional therapy. The reasons for this are not fully understood. We have reported that inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase abolished proliferation and induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells while the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [5(S)-HETE] stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. The current study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms for 5(S)-HETE-stimulated proliferation of pancreatic cells. Two human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and HPAF, were used. Cell proliferation was monitored by thymidine incorporation and cell counting. Phosphorylation of P42/44(MAPK) (mitogen activated protein kinase, ERK), MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase), P38 kinase, JNK/SAPK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase/ stress-activated protein kinase), AKT and tyrosine residues of intracellular proteins was measured by Western blot using their corresponding phospho-specific antibodies. The results showed that (1) 5(S)-HETE markedly stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner; (2) 5(S)-HETE induced tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple intracellular proteins while the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genestein, blocked 5(S)-HETE-stimulated cell proliferation; (3) 5(S)-HETE significantly stimulated both MEK and P42/44(MAPK) phosphorylation and the MEK inhibitors, PD098059 and U0126, inhibited 5(S)-HETE-stimulated proliferation in these two cell lines; (4) 5(S)-HETE also stimulated P38 kinase phosphorylation but the P38 inhibitor, SB203580, did not effect 5(S)-HETE-stimulated cell proliferation; (5) 5(S)-HETE markedly stimulated AKT phosphorylation while the phosphatidylinositide-3 (PI3)-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, blocked 5(S)-HETE-stimulated cell proliferation; (6) phosphorylation of JNK/SAPK was not induced by 5(S)-HETE, and (7) the general protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, GF109203X, did not affect 5(S)-HETE-stimulated cancer cell proliferation. These findings suggest that intracellular tyrosine kinases, MEK/ERK and PI3 kinase/AKT pathways are involved in 5(S)-HETE-stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation but P38 kinase, JNK/SAPK and PKC are not involved in this mitogenic effect.     

Phenoxazine derivatives induce caspase-independent cell death in human glioblastoma cell lines, A-172 and U-251 MG

The apoptotic effects of 2-amino-4,4alpha-dihydro-4alpha, 7-dimethyl-3H-phenoxazine-3-one (Phx-1) and 2-aminophenoxazine-3-one (Phx-3) on human glioblastoma cell lines, A-172 and U-251 MG were studied. These phenoxazines extensively decreased the viability of A-172 and U-251 MG cells (IC50 of Phx-1: 60 microM, in both lines; IC50 of Phx-3: 10 and 3 microM, for A-172 and U-251 cells, respectively). Phx-1 and Phx-3 increased the population of annexin V and PI double-positive cells in A-172 and U-251 MG cells, resulting in cell death at late stage apoptosis/necrosis. The activities of caspase-3/7 were greatly increased in A-172 and U-251 MG cells treated with Phx-1 or Phx-3. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, failed to reverse the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Phx-1 and Phx-3 in both cell lines. In conclusion, Phx-1 and Phx-3 exert significant anti-cancer effects against human glioblastoma cell lines, A-172 and U-251 MG, mediated by the caspase-independent apoptotic cell death pathway.     

Pharmacological targeting of the constitutively activated MEK/MAPK-dependent signaling pathway in glioma cells inhibits cell proliferation and migration

Activated mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK cascade leading to ERK1/2 phosphorylation is expressed in the majority of glial neoplasms and negatively correlates with survival time of patients. Here we show that ERK1/2 kinases are constitutively activated in glioma cell lines and stem cell-enriched primary cultures of glioblastoma. Pharmacological targeting of the activated MEK/ERK1/2 module with the MEK inhibitor U0126 attenuates cell cycle progression (11 out of 11 cell lines), impairs single (7 out of 10) and collective cell migration (9 out of 11) and abolishes single cell emigration from monolayers (4 out of 9). Attacking the activated MEK/ERK1/2 module thus partially blocks the tumorigenic potential of glial cancer cells on different levels and strongly suggests the application of combination molecularly targeted therapies to interfere more efficiently with glial tumor development and progression.     

Glutamate Promotes Cell Growth by EGFR Signaling on U-87MG Human Glioblastoma Cell Line

Accumulating evidences suggest that glutamate plays a key role in the proliferation and invasion of malignant glioblastoma (GBM) tumors. It has been shown that GBM cells release and exploit glutamate for proliferation and invasion through AMPA glutamate receptors. Additionally, amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene occurs in 40–50% of GBM. Since, PI3K/Akt is considered one of the main intracellular pathways involved in EGFR activation, AKT functions could trigger EGFR signaling. Thus, we investigated whether EGFR-phospho-Akt pathway is involved on the glutamate inducing U-87MG human GBM cell line proliferation. For these purpose, we treated the U-87MG cell line with 5 to 200 mM of glutamate and assessed the number of viable cells by trypan blue dye exclusion test. An increase in cell number (50%) was found at 5 mM glutamate, while the addition of DNQX (500 μM), an antagonist of AMPA receptor, inhibited the effect of glutamate on the U87-MG cells proliferation. Also, at 5 mM glutamate we observed an increase on the EGFR and phospho-Akt contents evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, U-87MG cells treated with glutamate exhibited an increase about 2 times in the EGFR mRNA expression. While, in the presence of the anti-EGFR gefitinib (50 μM) or the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (5 μM), the U-87MG proliferation was restored to control levels. Together, our data suggest that glutamate signaling mediated by AMPA receptor induces U-87MG human GBM cell line proliferation via EGFR-phospho-Akt pathway.