Radiation-induced apoptosis of two nasopharangeal carcinoma cell lines

Apoptosisnowhasbecomeahotspotofcancerresearchbecauseitisregardedthatapoptosishasrelationshipwithcarcinogenesis,development,treatmentandprognosis.[1-3]Manyfactorscaninduceapoptosis,includingradiation;simultaneouslymanygenescanregulatethedevelopmentofa...     

辐射诱导鼻咽癌细胞系凋亡及其相关基因的研究

目的Ｘ线诱导人鼻咽癌细胞系ＣＮＥ和ＣＮＥ－２凋亡及其相关基因的研究。方法应用ＤＮＡ荧光染料Ｈｏｅｃｈｓｔ３３３４２、免疫组化、ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ、ＤＮＡ杂交等方法进行观察和检验。结果一定剂量照射后,ＣＮＥ凋亡指数与时间、剂量有相关性,ＣＮＥ和ＣＮＥ－２两种细胞系存在明显不同的凋亡反应。免疫组化方法检测,ＣＮＥ的ｂｃｌ－２蛋白呈强阳性,而ＣＮＥ－２为阴性;进一步采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法检测,发现ＣＮＥ－２存在ｐ５３ｍＲＮＡ扩增产物,而ＣＮＥ却不存在。ＣＮＥ和ＣＮＥ－２的ｐ５３及ｂｃｌ－２基因的ＤＮＡ杂交结果均为阳性,但ＣＮＥ细胞ｐ５３基因的２．８ｋｂ片段较５．６ｋｂ片段明显减弱,说明在ＣＮＥ中存在ｐ５３基因的部分缺失。结论人鼻咽癌细胞系的凋亡指数有时间、剂量相关性;ＣＮＥ、ＣＮＥ－２两种细胞系的凋亡指数有明显差异,可能与ＣＮＥ中抗凋亡基因ｂｃｌ－２的过度表达及ｐ５３基因部分缺失密切相关。     

Verotoxin-1 induction of apoptosis in Gb3-expressing human glioma cell lines

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and mechanism of apoptosis induction of verotoxin-1 (VT-1) in human glioma cell lines. VT-1 is a member of the shiga-toxin family expressed by some serotypes of Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae. Shiga-toxins have been shown to induce apoptosis by binding to its membrane receptor Gb3. The human glioma cell lines SF-767, U-343 MG, and U-251 MG were studied together with BT4C, a rat glioma cell line. Cells were first screened for Gb3 expression by flow cytometry. Fluorescein diacetate was used to determine cell viability after VT-1 and irradiation exposure and apoptosis was studied by TUNEL staining, a mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and caspase activity assays. SF-767 and U-343 MG cells were found to express Gb3 and were also sensitive to VT-1-induced cytotoxicity, whereas nonGb3-expressing U-251 MG and BT4C glioma cells were not. VT-1 depolarized the mitochondrial membrane and activated caspase-9 and -3 of SF-767 and U-343 MG cells. VT-1 exposure for 72 h resulted in approx. 60 and 90% TUNEL-stained cells, respectively. D, L-Threo-1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP) an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthesis was used to block Gb3 synthesis. Two mumol/L PPMP for 72 h abolished SF-767 and U-343 MG expression of Gb3 and made the cells completely resistant to VT-1 induced apoptosis. Key components of MAP kinase signalling pathways that control BAX and mitochondrial function were investigated. VT-1 induced JNK phosphorylation in both cell lines, suggesting that survival signal pathways were overruled by VT-1-induced JNK activation leading to mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-9 activation and apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry of cryostat section from glioma biopsies demonstrated expression of Gb3 was in the vascular endothelial cells as well as tumor cells, but not in astrocytes. The high specificity and apoptosis inducing properties of verotoxin-1 indicates that the toxin may be a potential anti-neoplastic agent for Gb3-expressing gliomas.     

Oncostatin M signaling in human glioma cell lines

We have recently found that oncostatin M (OSM) is overexpressed in most human brain tumors. The effects of OSM are unclear with conflicting reports of growth stimulatory or inhibitory effects in various cell types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OSM in 5 glioma cell lines and 7 short-term cultures of human gliomas and in normal cultured human astrocytes. None of the cell lines and short-term cultured tumor cells expressed OSM in vitro. OSM signals through a gp130 containing receptor complex over the JAK/STAT pathway. Immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analysis showed that the tumor cells express gp130 and the other receptor components, LIFRbeta and OSMRbeta. OSM treatment induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT1 indicating presence of a functional JAK/STAT pathway. No OSM effect on proliferation was observed. OSM gave no protective effects against tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cytotoxicity.     

Lovastatin-induced apoptosis in human melanoma cell lines

The cholesterol-lowering medications, statins, inhibit cellular proliferation and induce apoptosis in an array of cancer cell lines, including melanoma. We investigated the apoptotic mechanism of lovastatin on human melanoma cell lines in vitro. The cytotoxicity of statins on multiple cell lines was examined by Cell Titer 96 Aqueous One solution cell proliferation assay (MTS assay). Apoptosis was assayed by ethidium bromide and acridine orange morphologic assays, an Annexin V apoptosis detection kit and active caspase 3 assays. Farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate add-back experiments were performed to better define the molecular mechanisms mediating lovastatin cytotoxicity. Lovastatin caused cytotoxicity in human and murine melanoma cells, but did not induce toxicity in an epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431. For human melanoma cells, lovastatin precipitated cell rounding, increased the percentage of apoptotic cells detected by ethidium bromide and acridine orange staining and by the Annexin V apoptosis detection kit, and resulted in a 50-fold increase in active caspase 3, corroborating that lovastatin induced apoptosis. Adding back geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but not farnesyl pyrophosphate, reversed the effects of lovastatin in A375 cells. Of the five statins tested, pravastatin was least effective in killing melanoma cells. Lovastatin induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in multiple melanoma cell lines via a geranylation-specific mechanism. This study supports a possible role of lovastatin as a therapeutic, adjuvant or chemopreventive agent for melanoma.     

Etoposide sensitivity of radioresistant human glioma cell lines

Purpose: Malignant gliomas display aggressive local behavior and are not cured by existing therapy. Etoposide, a topoisomerase-II-inhibitor agent, is one of the most active and useful antineoplastic agents. However, etoposide is not usually used on these tumors. We undertook an in vitro study to prove that etoposide is a useful drug for malignant gliomas. Methods: Five human glioma cell lines were the basis for this study. Following exposure to various concentrations of etoposide, the glioma cell lines were found to be sensitive; the median concentration inhibiting the number of cells by 50% (IC₅₀) was 8.76 μg/ml (range 8–15.8 μg/ml). Since topoisomerase II is the critical target for etoposide, it was of interest to determine the topoisomerase II activity (decatenation of kinetoplast DNA isolated from Cryphtidia fasciculata) and the etoposide-induced inhibition of topoisomerase II activity. Results: The topoisomerase II activity was homogeneous in glioma cell lines (average of 50% decatenation with 7,000 cells), and topoisomerase II was the target of the etoposide. Conclusions: Our results suggest that topoiomerase II-reactive agents may prove to be clinically useful drugs for patients with malignant gliomas. Received: 4 March 1997 / Accepted: 1 June 1997     

Radiation-induced PGE2 sustains human glioma cell growth and survival through EGF signaling

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain cancer in adults. Radiotherapy (RT) is the most effective post-operative treatment for the patients even though GBM is one of the most radio-resistant tumors. Dead or dying cells within the tumor are thought to promote resistance to treatment through mechanisms that are very poorly understood. We have evaluated the role of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), a versatile bioactive lipid, in GBM radio-resistance. We used an in vitro approach using 3D primary cultures derived from representative GBM patients. We show that irradiated glioma cells produced and released PGE₂ in important quantities independently of the induction of cell death. We demonstrate that the addition of PGE₂ enhances cell survival and proliferation though its ability to trans-activate the Epithelial Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) and to activate β-catenin. Indeed, PGE₂ can substitute for EGF to promote primary cultures survival and growth in vitro and the effect is likely to occur though the Prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2.     

Radiation-induced sarcoma

Opinion statement Radiation-induced sarcomas can originate in either the irradiated bone or soft tissues. Most of these tumors are high-grade. The most common histologic subtypes are malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) and osteosarcoma, although other histologies (eg, angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma) can occur. Tumor size and grade are the two most important prognostic factors for soft tissue sarcomas, including those associated with radiation therapy. The therapy is therefore dictated by the risk of distant metastases. High-grade tumors that are larger than 5 cm should be treated with primary chemotherapy followed by a margin-negative surgical excision of the residual disease. All low-grade tumors and high-grade tumors 5 cm or smaller should be treated with a margin-negative surgical excision, and systemic chemotherapy should be considered when a negative margin is difficult or impossible to accomplish. Radiationinduced sarcomas (either MFH or osteosarcoma) originating in bone should be approached with primary chemotherapy followed by a margin-negative excision similar to de novo bone sarcomas. The dose-intensity of the active agents should be adjusted appropriately for the age, performance status, and prior therapy in a given patient.     

Canthaxanthin induces apoptosis in human cancer cell lines

To investigate the possibility that canthaxanthin inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, human WiDr colon adenocarcinoma and SK- MEL-2 melanoma cells were treated with two different doses of the carotenoid for 48 h. Canthaxanthin was incorporated and/or associated to cells. The treatment with the carotenoid caused growth inhibition in both cell types. Concomitantly, apoptosis was induced. Increasing time of exposure and carotenoid concentration, this effect was more pronounced. At 48 h, the percentages of apoptotic cells were 13 and 15, using 1 microM canthaxanthin, and 18 and 20, using 10 microM canthaxanthin in WiDr and SK-MEL-2 cells, respectively. This study represents the first demonstration that canthaxanthin is able to induce apoptosis in tumour cells.      

Trail-induced apoptosis and interaction with cytotoxic agents in soft tissue sarcoma cell lines

Five human soft tissue sarcoma (STS) cell lines (HTB-82 rhabdomyosarcoma, HTB-91 fibrosarcoma, HTB-92 liposarcoma, HTB-93 synovial sarcoma and HTB-94 chondrosarcoma) were analysed for their sensitivity to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and the function of the TRAIL apoptotic pathway in these cells. TRAIL induced significant apoptosis (>90%) in HTB-92 and HTB-93 cells, whereas no effect was observed in HTB-82, HTB-91 and HTB-94 cells. TRAIL-Receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) was expressed in TRAIL-sensitive HTB-92 and HTB-93 cell lines, but not in TRAIL-resistant HTB-91 and HTB-94 cells. HTB-82 cells, which expressed the long (c-FLIP(L)) and short (c-FLIP(S)) splice variants of the FLICE-like inhibitory protein (FLIP), were resistant to TRAIL in spite of the presence of TRAIL-R1. TRAIL-R2,-R3,-R4 and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression did not correlate with TRAIL sensitivity. Coincubation of TRAIL and doxorubicin led to the overexpression of TRAIL-R2 resulting in a synergistic effect of doxorubicin and TRAIL in TRAIL-sensitive cell lines and in the overcoming of TRAIL-resistance in all of the TRAIL-resistant cell lines, except HTB-91, which lacked caspase 8 expression. These data suggest that TRAIL, either as a single agent or in combination with cytotoxic agents, might represent a new treatment option for advanced STS, which constitutes a largely chemotherapy-resistant disease.     

放射诱导胃癌细胞的凋亡及其相关基因的研究

目的观察放射诱导人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901凋亡的作用，并进一步研究bcl-2基因及家族、bax基因、p53基因在此过程中的作用。方法用不同剂量的9 MeV β线照射SGC-7901细胞，观察细胞在受照后的不同时间生长情况。电子透射电镜下观察细胞形态变化。琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测DNA条带变化。流式细胞仪检测受照前后细胞周期及凋亡率的变化。免疫细胞化学法检测受照前后bcl-2、bax、p53基因的表达水平。结果单次剂量照射后，SGC-7901细胞凋亡率与时间、剂量有相关性。在放射诱导SGC-7901细胞凋亡的过程中，bcl-2基因表达水平下降，bax基因表达水平升高，而p53基因表达水平无变化。结论放射能够诱导胃癌细胞株SGC-7901凋亡，凋亡率在72h达高峰。bcl-2及bax基因参与了放射诱导凋亡的调控。细胞凋亡主要是通过p53基因非依赖途径。     

Dasatinib inhibits migration and invasion in diverse human sarcoma cell lines and induces apoptosis in bone sarcoma cells dependent on SRC kinase for survival

Sarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors for which there are limited treatment options. One potential molecular target for sarcoma treatment is the Src tyrosine kinase. Dasatinib (BMS-354825), a small-molecule inhibitor of Src kinase activity, is a promising cancer therapeutic agent with p.o. bioavailability. Dasatinib exhibits antitumor effects in cultured human cell lines derived from epithelial tumors, including prostate and lung carcinomas. However, the action of dasatinib in mesenchymally derived tumors has yet to be shown. Based on our previous findings of Src activation in human sarcomas, we evaluated the effects of dasatinib in 12 cultured human sarcoma cell lines derived from bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Dasatinib inhibited Src kinase activity at nanomolar concentrations in these sarcoma cell lines. Downstream components of Src signaling, including focal adhesion kinase and Crk-associated substrate (p130(CAS)), were also inhibited at similar concentrations. This inhibition of Src signaling was accompanied by blockade of cell migration and invasion. Moreover, apoptosis was induced in the osteosarcoma and Ewing's subset of bone sarcomas at nanomolar concentrations of dasatinib. Inhibition of Src protein expression by small interfering RNA also induced apoptosis, indicating that these bone sarcoma cell lines are dependent on Src activity for survival. These results show that dasatinib inhibits migration and invasion of diverse sarcoma cell types and selectively blocks the survival of bone sarcoma cells. Therefore, dasatinib may provide therapeutic benefit by preventing the growth and metastasis of sarcomas in patients.     

Gli1 inhibition induces cell-cycle arrest and enhanced apoptosis in brain glioma cell lines

The Hedgehog (HH)-Gli1 signaling pathway plays an important role in the patterning and development of the central nervous system during embryogenesis. Recent data have shown its possible involvement in a subset of human gliomas, and inhibition of the pathway resulted in tumor suppression in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The underlying mechanisms of tumor suppression, however, remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we investigated Gli1 expression in 65 surgically resected malignant glioma tissues and found the Ki-67 labeling index to be higher in Gli1-positive gliomas than in Gli1-negative gliomas. Depletion of Gli1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference led to remarkably decreased cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in U87 glioma cell line. To explore the molecular mechanisms of the phenotypic changes, we performed real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis to monitor the changes of a series of genes which play critical roles in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. The result showed that downregulation of G₁ cyclins, downregulation of Bcl-2, and upregulation of p21 were detected after Gli1 downregulation. Additionally, cyclopamine was used to inhibit the HH signaling activity as an indirect approach to decrease Gli1 expression, and we observed that cyclopamine exclusively inhibited cell growth in HH-pathway-active glioma cell lines. The cell phenotypic and molecular changes induced by cyclopamine were consistent with those caused by siGli1 interference. In conclusion, our findings support an important role of Gli1 in cell-cycle and apoptosis regulation in human brain gliomas; hence, it can serve as a potential target of new therapeutic strategies for these diseases.     

In vitro radiobiological parameters of human sarcoma cell lines

In vitro radiobiologic survival parameters have been determined for 7 human osteosarcoma, 5 human soft tissue and bone sarcomas, and 4 Ewing's sarcoma cell lines. The mean D0 values were 99.5 +/- 11.6 cGy, 90.5 +/- 7.7 cGy and 95.8 +/- 7.9 cGy for osteosarcomas, soft tissue and bone sarcomas and Ewing's sarcomas, respectively. These in vitro survival data do not predict the clinical radiation resistance generally attributed to osteosarcomas and soft tissue and bone sarcomas, and do not differ substantially from the results obtained with the clinically radioresponsive Ewing's sarcomas.     

Radiosensitivity, recovery and dose-rate effect in three human glioma cell lines

The results of radiotherapy in the treatment of high-grade gliomas are disappointing. In this study three recently established cell lines from high-grade human gliomas have been found to exhibit a sensitivity that is at the resistant end of the spectrum of radiosensitivities seen in human tumour cells generally. The results support the view that inherent cellular radioresistance may be an important cause of failure in this disease. All three cell lines showed an increase in survival when the radiation dose rate was reduced. In split-dose experiments, recovery was found to increase with dose in a manner consistent with the predictions of the linear-quadratic equation.     

p53 protein accumulation and gene mutations in human glioma cell lines

Mutations in, and aberrant expression of, the p53 tumor suppressor gene were assessed in 17 cell lines derived from human malignant brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme). Ex-ons 5 through 8 were screened by single strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP), followed by direct DNA sequencing. Mutations were found in 6 of 17 glioma cell lines, i.e., at a frequency similar to that found in primary malignant gliomas. Loss of the wild type allele was observed in 4 of the mutated cell lines. Two cell lines had the same mutation (CGG → TGG; Arg → Trp) in codon 248. Five of 6 mutations were transitions, 4 of which occurred at CpG dinucleotides. In one cell line a 10-bp deletion at the intron 4/exon 5 junction was found. Five of 6 glioma cell lines contained a mutation identical to that in the respective primary tumor despite prolonged in vitro culture (140-221 passages). Thus, the acquisition of p53 mutations during culture appears to be infrequent. Two cell lines derived from heterozygous tumors maintained the wild type p53 allele during long term culture. p53 protein levels were assessed by immunofluorescence cytochemistry and immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis and revealed elevated levels of the p53 protein, although to a variable extent, in all cell lines with p53 mutations. A marked p53 protein accumulation was also observed in two cell lines lacking p53 mutations in exons 5 through 8, indicating that a prolonged half life of the gene product is not solely dependent on an aberrant coding sequence. The remaining cell lines had either low levels or no detectable p53 protein; one of the latter contained a gross rearrangement of the p53 gene. Our results suggest that with respect to p53 gene status, glioma cell lines usually resemble the original tumors and may, therefore, be suitable for studying the biological changes associated with p53 mutations in glial tumors.