Constitutional activation of IL-6-mediated JAK/STAT pathway through hypermethylation of SOCS-1 in human gastric cancer cell line

The interleukin-mediated Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT pathway plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis. Recently, increased STAT3 activity was found in hepatocellular carcinoma and multiple myeloma in which there was silencing of SOCS-1 (suppressor of cytokine signalling-1) by gene promoter hypermethylation. We investigated the expression level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and SOCS-1 in gastric cancer cell lines. Expression of SOCS-1 correlated with IL-6 level in most of the cell lines, except for AGS cells in which SOCS-1 was absent despite a high level of IL-6 production. Methylation analysis by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulphite sequencing revealed that CpG island of SOCS-1 was densely methylated in AGS cells. Demethylation treatment by 5'aza-deoxycytidine restored SOCS-1 expression and also suppressed constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in AGS cells. Moreover, methylation of SOCS-1 was detected in 27.5% (11 of 40) of primary gastric tumours samples, 10% (one of 10) of adjacent noncancer tissues but not in any (zero of nine) normal gastric mucosa. Methylation of SOCS-1 also correlated with the loss of mRNA expression in some primary gastric cancers. In conclusion, this is the first report to demonstrate that hypermethylation of SOCS-1 led to gene silencing in gastric cancer cell line and primary tumour samples. Downregulation of SOCS-1 cooperates with IL-6 in the activation of JAK/STAT pathway in gastric cancer.     

Silencing of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 due to Methylation Results in Phosphorylation of STAT3 in Imatinib Resistant BCR-ABL Positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Background: Silencing due to methylation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3), a negative regulatorgene for the JAK/STAT signaling pathway has been reported to play important roles in leukemogenesis. Imatinibmesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets the BCR-ABL protein and induces hematologicalremission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Unfortunately, the majority of CML patientstreated with imatinib develop resistance under prolonged therapy. We here investigated the methylation profileof SOCS-3 gene and its downstream effects in a BCR-ABL positive CML cells resistant to imatinib. Materials andMethods: BCR-ABL positive CML cells resistant to imatinib (K562-R) were developed by overexposure of K562cell lines to the drug. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTS assays and IC50 values calculated. Apoptosis assayswere performed using annexin V-FITC binding assays and analyzed by flow cytometry. Methylation profileswere investigated using methylation specific PCR and sequencing analysis of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 genes. Geneexpression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, and protein expression and phosphorylation of STAT1,2 and 3 were examined by Western blotting. Results: The IC50 for imatinib on K562 was 362nM compared to3,952nM for K562-R (p=0.001). Percentage of apoptotic cells in K562 increased upto 50% by increasing theconcentration of imatinib, in contrast to only 20% in K562-R (p<0.001). A change from non-methylation ofthe SOCS-3 gene in K562 to complete methylation in K562-R was observed. Gene expression revealed downregulationof both SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 genes in resistant cells. STAT3 was phosphorylated in K562-R but notK562. Conclusions: Development of cells resistant to imatinib is feasible by overexposure of the drug to the cells.Activation of STAT3 protein leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation in imatinib resistant BCR-ABL due to DNAmethylation of the SOCS-3 gene. Thus SOCS-3 provides a suitable candidate for mechanisms underlying thedevelopment of imatinib resistant in CML patients.     

Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene SOCS-1 in classical Hodgkin lymphoma are frequent and associated with nuclear phospho-STAT5 accumulation

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are critically involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation, survival, and apoptosis via cytokine-induced JAK/STAT signaling. SOCS-1 silencing by aberrant DNA methylation contributes to oncogenesis in various B-cell neoplasias and carcinomas. Recently, we showed an alternative loss of SOCS-1 function due to deleterious SOCS-1 mutations in a major subset of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) and in the PMBL line MedB-1, and a biallelic SOCS-1 deletion in PMBL line Karpas1106P. For both cell lines our previous data demonstrated retarded JAK2 degradation and sustained phospho-JAK2 action leading to enhanced DNA binding of phospho-STAT5. Here, we analysed SOCS-1 in laser-microdissected Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). We detected SOCS-1 mutations in HRS cells of eight of 19 cHL samples and in three of five Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)-derived cell lines by sequencing analysis. Moreover, we found a significant association between mutated SOCS-1 of isolated HRS cells and nuclear phospho-STAT5 accumulation in HRS cells of cHL tumor tissue (P < 0.01). Collectively, these findings support the concept that PMBL and cHL share many overlapping features, and that defective tumor suppressor gene SOCS-1 triggers an oncogenic pathway operative in both lymphomas.     

Effect of promoter methylation of the p16 gene on phosphorylation of retinoblastoma gene product and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The biological significance of hypermethylation of p16 gene promoter in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remains to resolved. In order to clarify the significance of methylation of p16 gene promoter, we examined the methylation status of p16 gene in association with phosphorylation of retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) and cell growth in human HCC cell lines. The presence of methylation was examined by methylation-specific PCR. Expression and phosphorylation of p16 and pRb were examined by Western blot analysis. Genetic changes were analyzed by multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing. The effect of demethylation of p16 was assessed by cell growth. p16 gene promoter was methylated in HuH7 and HLF cells. The demethylating agent, 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), upregulated p16 mRNA in HuH6 and HuH7 cells. 5-Aza-CdR increased p16 protein expression in HuH6, HuH7, and HLF cells, and it clearly decreased the phosphorylation level of pRb in HuH6, HuH7 and PLC/PRF/5 cells. Treatment with 5-Aza-CdR inhibited the growth of HuH7 cells. Homozygous deletion and significant mutations were absent. Methylation in the p16 promoter region is biologically significant, being associated with phosphorylation of pRb and cell growth in human HCC cells.     

三氧化二砷诱导骨髓瘤细胞SOCS-1基因去甲基化及其对P—STAT3蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨三氧化二砷（AS2O3）对多发性骨髓瘤（MM）细胞内细胞因子信号转导抑制因子-1（SOCS-1）基因甲基化状态的影响及其对磷酸化的信号转导与转录激活因子-3（P．STA33）表达的影响。方法采用甲基特异性PCR法检测AS2O3作用前后MM细胞株U266和CZ-1细胞内SOCS-1基因的甲基化状态,应用蛋白免疫印迹法检测AS2O3处理前后细胞内P—STAT3蛋白的表达变化,并采用流式细胞技术检测AS2O3作用前后MM细胞增殖和凋亡的变化。结果MM细胞株内SOCS-1基因存在程度不同的甲基化状态,与对照组相比,AS2O3作用后MM细胞内SOCS-1基因甲基化程度明显减弱或消失,P—STAT3蛋白的表达也明显减弱,同时细胞生长受抑,凋亡比率升高。AS2O3浓度分别为0、0．5、1．0、2．0μmol／L时,U266细胞株的总凋亡率分别为0．06％、0．56％、48．96％、61．07％（x2=9．19,P〈0．05）;而CZ-1细胞株的总凋亡率分别为4．20％、40．30％、47．72％、68．49％（X2=8．96,P〈0．05）。结论AS2O3可能通过诱导MM细胞内SOCS-1基因去甲基化作用,进-步抑制细胞增殖信号Janus激酶（JAK）-STAT通路的活化,从而诱导MM细胞的凋亡。     

地西他滨对人急性髓系白血病细胞株HL-60的调控作用及其机制研究

目的 研究地西他滨(DAC)对人急性髓系白血病细胞株HL-60体外生长及自然杀伤(NK)细胞活化性受体配体(NKG2DL)表达的调节作用,并探讨JAK-STAT3-SOCS信号通路相关的分子机制.方法 CCK-8法检测DAC对HL-60细胞增殖活性的影响,Annexin-V/PI双标法检测细胞凋亡,流式细胞术检测HL-60细胞表面NKG2DL分子MICA/B、ULBP的表达,羧基荧光素双乙酸盐(CFSE)法检测NK细胞的杀伤活性,蛋白印迹法分析细胞内JAK-STAT3通路中STAT3、STAT3上游激酶JAK1、JAK2及STAT3活性负调控因子细胞因子信号抑制物(SOCS)-1、SOCS-3的蛋白表达水平,甲基化敏感性高分辨率熔解曲线分析(MS-HRM)检测DAC处理后SOCS-1、SOCS-3基因甲基化程度.结果 DAC可抑制HL-60细胞活性:0.2、0.5和1.0 μmol/L DAC处理48 h,HL-60细胞活性较对照组分别下降(25±11)%、(39±8)%和(50±7)%(P<0.01);48 h时,细胞凋亡发生率分别为(24.77±7.50)%、(27.10±4.48)%和(30.53±3.93)%,均较对照组细胞的(3.11±0.50)%增加(P<0.01).DAC可诱导HL-60细胞表面MICA/B、ULBP-1及ULBP-3分子的表达增高,增强HL-60细胞对NK细胞的杀伤敏感性.DAC处理后HL-60细胞内STAT3、JAK1、JAK2及p-STAT3、p-JAK1、p-JAK2表达下降,SOCS-1和SOCS-3蛋白表达增高.DAC可抑制SOCS-3基因甲基化.结论 DAC抑制人急性髓系白血病细胞株HL-60增殖,上调HL-60细胞对NKG2DL的表达,增强NK细胞对其的杀伤活性,其机制可能与细胞内JAK-STAT3-SOCS信号通路的活性调控有关.     

DNA damage induces the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, which has anti-senescence and growth-promoting functions in human tumors

IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine that is important for immune responses, cell survival, apoptosis, and proliferation. However, little is known about the correlation between the IL-6 signaling pathway and DNA damage in human tumors. The present study demonstrates the role of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway in human tumor cells exposed to DNA damage. Tumor cells exposed to DNA damage increase the expression and secretion of IL-6 and the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3. The activation of the JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway is inhibited by knockdown of gp130 or neutralization of soluble IL-6, implying that DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 by autocrine IL-6. Interestingly, inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway impairs the growth of tumor cells exposed to DNA damage and results in the induction of senescence. Therefore, the present study suggests that IL-6 inhibits senescence but promotes the survival and proliferation of tumor cells exposed to DNA damage through the activation of the JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway.     

三氧化二砷诱导骨髓瘤细胞SOCS-1基因-去甲基化及其对P-STAT3蛋白表达的影响

 目的 探讨三氧化二砷（AS₂O₃) 对多发性骨髓瘤 (MM) 细胞内细胞因子信号转导抑制因子-1（SOCS-1）基因甲基化状态的影响及其对磷酸化的信号转导与转录激活因子-3（P-STAT3）表达的影响。方法 采用甲基特异性PCR法检测AS₂O₃作用前后MM细胞株U266和CZ-1细胞内 SOCS-1基因的甲基化状态,应用蛋白免疫印迹法检测AS₂O₃处理前后细胞内P-STAT3蛋白的表达变化,并采用流式细胞技术检测AS₂O₃作用前后MM细胞增殖和凋亡的变化。结果 MM细胞株内SOCS-1基因存在程度不同的甲基化状态,与对照组相比,AS₂O₃作用后MM细胞内SOCS-1基因甲基化程度明显减弱或消失,P-STAT3蛋白的表达也明显减弱,同时细胞生长受抑,凋亡比率升高。AS₂O₃浓度分别为0、0.5、1.0、2.0 μmol/L时,U266细胞株的总凋亡率分别为0.06%、0.56%、48.96%、61.07%（χ²=9.19,P<0.05）;而CZ-1细胞株的总凋亡率分别为4.20%、40.30%、47.72%、68.49%（χ²=8.96,P<0.05）。结论 AS₂O₃可能通过诱导MM细胞内SOCS-1基因去甲基化作用,进一步抑制细胞增殖信号Janus激酶（JAK）-STAT通路的活化,从而诱导MM细胞的凋亡。     

Apoptotic speck protein-like, a highly homologous protein to apoptotic speck protein in the pyrin domain, is silenced by DNA methylation and induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

We have identified a novel gene encoding a pyrin domain protein of 89 amino acids that is expressed in various tissues including liver, brain, and spleen. The protein is highly homologous to the pyrin domain of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC). Therefore, we termed it ASC-like (ASCL). We found that ASCL gene was densely and frequently (80%) methylated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. In contrast, normal liver samples did not show any significant methylation. This aberrant methylation correlated well with the suppression of RNA expression. Furthermore, a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, reactivated the ASCL expression in the methylation-silenced cells, indicating that ASCL is silenced by the associated DNA methylation. ASCL methylation was also found in primary HCC (4 of 17 samples), although the frequency was less than that in cell lines. In addition, we found that ASC was also methylated in primary samples (6 of the 17). Interestingly, either ASCL or ASC methylation was observed in 53% (9 of the 17) of primary HCC samples. Significantly, the restoration of ASCL in the methylation-silenced cells demonstrated growth suppression in colony formation assay. This growth suppression effect of ASCL was supported by apoptotic changes observed in ASCL-transfected cells in which annexin-V binding was positive and caspase-3 was activated. Based on the methylation-silencing and the growth suppression activity, we propose that ASCL plays a significant role in the development of HCC.