Pretreatment with DNA-damaging agents permits selective killing of checkpoint-deficient cells by microtubule-active drugs

Cell-cycle checkpoint mechanisms, including the p53- and p21-dependent G(2) arrest that follows DNA damage, are often lost during tumorigenesis. We have exploited the ability of DNA-damaging drugs to elicit this checkpoint, and we show here that such treatment allows microtubule drugs, which cause cell death secondary to mitotic arrest, to kill checkpoint-deficient tumor cells while sparing checkpoint-competent cells. Low doses of the DNA-damaging drug doxorubicin cause predominantly G(2) arrest without killing HCT116 cells that harbor wt p53. Doxorubicin treatment prevented mitotic arrest, Bcl-2 phosphorylation, and cell death caused by paclitaxel, epothilones, and vinblastine. In contrast, doxorubicin enhanced cytotoxicity of FR901228, an agent that does not affect microtubules. Low doses of doxorubicin did not arrest p21-deficient clones of HCT116 cells and did not protect these cells from cytotoxicity caused by microtubule drugs, but cells in which p21 expression was restored enjoyed partial protection under these conditions. Moreover, in p53-deficient clones of HCT116 cells doxorubicin did not induce either p53 or p21 and provided no protection against paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity. Therefore, (a) p53-dependent p21 induction caused by doxorubicin protects from microtubule drug-induced cytotoxicity, and (b) pretreatment with cytostatic doses of DNA-damaging drugs before treatment with microtubule drugs results in selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells with defective p53/p21-dependent checkpoint.     

Differential modulation of signaling pathways and apoptosis of ras-transformed 10T1/2 cells by the depsipeptide FR901228

(E)-(1S,4S,10S,21R)-7-[(Z)-ethylidene]-4,21-diisopropyl-2-oxa-12,13-dithia-5,8,20,23-tetraazabicyclo[8,7,6]-tricos-16-ene-3,6,9,19,22-pentanone (FR901228), a natural anticancer depsipeptide, induces apoptosis of ras-transformed 10T1/2 cells whereas it induces growth arrest of nontransformed counterpart cells in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Our study of the effect of FR901228 treatment on intracellular signaling pathways reveals a discriminating activity of FR901228 to regulate signaling cascades differently in ras-transformed 10T1/2 cells and nontransformed counterpart cells. Induction of apoptosis of ras-transformed cells by FR901228 correlates with suppression of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway through reduction of Raf expression and deactivation of Mek and Erk, inhibition of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3-K) pathway indexed by suppression of Akt activity, suppression of p38 activity, and activation of caspase-3. Expression of p21(Cip1) is not induced in ras-transformed cultures undergoing apoptosis induced by FR901228. In contrast, FR901228 induces p21(Cip1) expression in nontransformed counterpart cultures growth-arrested in G0/G1 that is also accompanied by moderate induction of the kinase activities of Raf, Mek, Erk, and Akt, but not accompanied by activation of caspase-3 or changes in p38 activity. Our study indicates a potential value of FR901228 in the treatment of cancer cells involving aberrant regulation of Ras through preferential induction of the caspase cascade and suppression of the ERK, PI3-K, and p38 pathways.     

TSA诱导MOLT-4细胞中p21WAF1/Cip-1表达的功能机制研究

为了研究去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA诱导MOLT-4细胞周期阻滞和凋亡反应中p21^WAF1/Cip-1的表达及其功能，以组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA处理急性淋巴细胞白血病细胞系MOLT-4，流式细胞仪和细胞吖啶橙染色、瑞士染色检测细胞周期和凋亡，Western检测p21^WAF1/Cip-1。的表达。结果表明：组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA可有效的诱导MOLT-4细胞发生G2／M阻滞和凋亡，并且呈现明显的剂量效应关系和时间效应关系；在此周期阻滞与凋亡反应过程中，p21“…“‘川蛋白的表达水平在周期阻滞前快速增高，而在凋亡早期开始下降。p21^WAF1/Cip-1分子在细胞中的表达规律与TSA诱导的细胞G2／M阻滞和凋亡反应间存在明显的剂量效应关系和时间效应关系；蛋白酶体抑制剂MG—132提升p21^WAF1/Cip-1分子在细胞中的表达可以增进细胞的G2／M阻滞反应而延缓凋亡。结论：蛋白酶体途径参与TSA诱导的MOLT-4细胞周期阻滞向凋亡转换过程中p21^WAF1/Cip-1分子的降解调控；p21^WAF1/Cip-1在TSA诱导的MOLT4细胞G2／M阻滞和凋亡反应中起着重要调节作用。     

Histone deacetylase inhibitors and paclitaxel cause synergistic effects on apoptosis and microtubule stabilization in papillary serous endometrial cancer cells

The use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors has shown promise for a variety of malignancies. In this investigation, we define the activity of this class of inhibitors in combination with traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy in endometrial cancer cells. Significant reductions in growth were observed in Ark2 and KLE endometrial cancer cells following treatment with paclitaxel, doxorubicin, carboplatin, or the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). However, only combined treatment with TSA/paclitaxel caused synergistic inhibition of cell growth. This combination also resulted in significant changes in cell morphology. Using cell cycle analysis, nuclear staining, and Western blot analysis for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase-9 degradation products, TSA/paclitaxel showed the most dramatic activation of the apoptotic cascade. These effects were also observed when the HDAC inhibitors HDAC inhibitor-1 or oxamflatin were substituted for TSA. The anticancer properties of paclitaxel are known to result in part from inhibition of microtubule depolymerization, which results in apoptosis. We show that TSA administration also stabilizes microtubules via alpha-tubulin acetylation. Furthermore, using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis, treatment with TSA/paclitaxel led to a significant increase in acetylated tubulin and microtubule stabilization. These effects were confirmed in a mouse xenograft model. Moreover, TSA/paclitaxel resulted in a 50% reduction in tumor weight compared with either agent alone. This study provides in vivo evidence of nonhistone protein acetylation as one possible mechanism by which HDAC inhibitors reduce cancer growth. The TSA/paclitaxel combination seems to hold promise for the treatment of serous endometrial carcinoma and other malignancies with limited sensitivity to paclitaxel.     

Cell cycle blockade and differentiation of ovarian cancer cells by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A are associated with changes in p21, Rb,and Id proteins

Inhibitors of histone deacetylase activity are emerging as a potentially important new class of anticancer agents. In the current studies, exposing A2780 ovarian cancer cells to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) produced a marked change in cellular morphology, proliferation, and differentiation. Within 24 h of TSA treatment, there was a morphological transformation of the cells, with increased cytoplasm, a more epithelial-like columnar appearance, and the emergence of distinct cellular boundaries. Commensurate with the morphological transformation, TSA also inhibited cell proliferation; cells treated with TSA for 72 h increased to 110% of the initial cell numbers versus control cell numbers of 622%, with a corresponding reduction in mitotic activity and a flow cytometry S-phase fraction of 3.9% in TSA-treated cells versus 28.8% for control. TSA also induced epithelial-like differentiation with increased cytokeratin expression from 2% of controls to 22-25% of TSA-treated cells and the reappearance of intercellular plasma membrane junctions and primitive microvilli. Immunocytochemical analyses indicate the molecular mechanism underlying the actions of TSA on A2780 cell cycle progression and differentiation involves reexpression of the CDK inhibitor p21. Elevated levels of p21, in TSA-treated cells, were associated with a reduction in the phosphorylation of the cell cycle regulator retinoblastoma protein (Rb). TSA also caused a decrease in the helix-loop-helix inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding protein Id1, with no change in Id2 levels. In conclusion, the observed TSA-induced changes in p21, Rb, and Id1 are consistent with cell cycle senescence and differentiation of A2780 ovarian cancer cells.     

A thalidomide analogue with in vitro antiproliferative, antimitotic, and microtubule-stabilizing activities

We discovered a thalidomide analogue [5-hydroxy-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3-dione (5HPP-33)] with antiproliferative activity against nine cancer cell lines in vitro. Flow cytometric analyses showed that the compound caused G2-M arrest, which occurred mainly at the mitotic phase. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy and in vitro tubulin polymerization studies showed that 5HPP-33 has antimicrotubule activity with a paclitaxel-like mode of action. It is effective against four different paclitaxel-resistant cell lines. Thus, 5HPP-33 represents a potential antitumor agent.     

A histone deacetylase inhibitor enhances recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene expression in tumor cells.

The transduction of cancer cells using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) occurs with low efficiency, which limits its utility in cancer gene therapy. We have previously sought to enhance rAAV-mediated transduction of cancer cells by applying DNA-damaging stresses. In this study, we examined the effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor FR901228 on tumor transduction mediated by rAAV types 2 and 5. FR901228 treatment significantly improved the expression of the transgene in four cancer cell lines. The cell surface levels of alpha v integrin, FGF-R1, and PDGF-R were modestly enhanced by the presence of FR901228. These results suggest that the superior transduction induced by the HDAC inhibitor was due to an enhancement of transgene expression rather than increased viral entry. Furthermore, we characterized the association of the acetylated histone H3 in the episomal AAV vector genome by using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The results suggest that the superior transduction may be related to the proposed histone-associated chromatin form of the rAAV concatemer in transduced cells. In the analysis with subcutaneous tumor models, strong enhancement of the transgene expression as well as therapeutic effect was confirmed in vivo. The use of this HDAC inhibitor may enhance the utility of rAAV-mediated transduction strategies for cancer gene therapy.     

曲古菌素A对HL-60细胞组蛋白乙酰化水平和凋亡的作用

本研究旨在探讨曲古菌素A(trichostatinA ,TSA)高效低毒的抗癌机理。应用细胞培养、MTT法 ,免疫细胞化学技术和Annexin V FITC PI双标流式细胞术观察TSA对HL 6 0细胞和正常人外周血单个核细胞 (normalhumanperipheralbloodmononuclearcell,NPBMNC)的生长抑制 ,组蛋白乙酰化水平以及诱导凋亡的影响。结果表明 :TSA能够以时间、剂量依赖性方式抑制HL 6 0细胞增殖 ,36小时IC50 为 10 0ng ml。TSA能够诱导HL 6 0细胞凋亡 ,其作用也呈时间、剂量依赖性。TSA在显著诱导HL 6 0细胞凋亡的浓度和时间范围内对NPBMNC无明显的诱导凋亡作用。TSA处理 4小时后 ,HL 6 0细胞和NPBMNC组蛋白乙酰化水平上调显著高于未用TSA各组 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,但两者之间无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :TSA对HL 6 0细胞有明确的抑制增殖能力 ;TSA有明确的诱导HL 6 0细胞凋亡的能力 ,这可能是TSA体外抑制白血病细胞系HL 6 0生长和发挥抗白血病作用的主要机理之一 ;与NPBMNC相比较 ,TSA能够选择性诱导HL 6 0细胞凋亡 ;TSA选择性抑制HL 6 0细胞的机理与TSA调控HL 6 0细胞和NPBMNC组蛋白乙酰化水平的差异无关。     

腺病毒介导白细胞介素-10基因转染抑制血管平滑肌细胞的增殖及机制

目的：观察白细胞介素（interleukin，IL-10基因转染对血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响，初步研究其相关机制。方法：不同感染复数（multiplicity of infection，MOI）的IL-10重组腺病毒（Ad／IL-10）转染原代培养的人脐带动脉平滑肌细胞（HUASMcs），用酶联免疫吸附试验检测培养上清中IL-10的表达，噻唑蓝法测定吸光度值（OD570值），绘制细胞生长曲线，流式细胞术分析细胞周期、细胞凋亡，实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测p21的表达。结果：MOI=100时培养上清中IL-10含量最高，为5．746ng／ml；转染72h、96h，MOI为100、150、200组与MOI为10、20组及空白对照组比较，显著抑制HUASMCs的增殖（P〈0．01）；与空白及空载体转染对照组比较，MOI100的Ad／IL-10转染组的Gn-1期细胞数、凋亡细胞的平均百分数均显著增加（P〈0．01），p21基因表达的拷贝数较低。结论：MOI为100的Ad／IL-10可有效抑制HUASMCs的增殖，此作用与细胞周期阻滞和凋亡有关，为ID-10基因转染治疗血管内膜增生提供了理论依据。     

Decitabine,a DNA methyltransferases inhibitor,induces cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase through p53-independent pathway in human cancer cells

Decitabine (5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases, has a wide range of anti-metabolic and anti-cancer activities. Decitabine also induces cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and apoptosis in human cancer cells. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this cell cycle arrest are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the roles of the tumor suppressor p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 following decitabine-induced G2/M arrest in human cancer cells. DNA flow cytometric analyses indicated that decitabine induced a G2/M arrest in AGS gastric and A549 lung carcinoma cell lines, which have wild type p53. Western blot analyses using whole cell lysates from AGS cells demonstrated that decitabine treatment did not change the steady-state level of Cdks and Cdk inhibitor p27, but it partially inhibited expression of cyclin A, cyclin B1, and Cdc25C proteins. However, similar results were found using the A549 cell line, where decitabine induced a dramatic up-regulation of both p53 and p21 expression, and the increased levels of p21 were associated with increased binding of p21 with Cdks, cyclin A, and cyclin B1. Knockdown of p53 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly abolished p53 induction by decitabine in AGS cells, yet p53 siRNA had no attenuating effect on p21 induction. In addition, depletion of p21 expression with siRNA, but not p53, significantly attenuated decitabine-induced G2/M arrest. We also observed that decitabine strongly induced G2/M arrest associated with p21 induction in both p53 allele-null (–/–) HCT116 and wild type p53 (+/+) HCT116 cell lines. Therefore, our data indicated that p21 plays a crucial role in decitabine-induced G2/M arrest and operates in a p53-independent manner.     

The DNA minor groove-alkylating cyclopropylpyrroloindole drugs adozelesin and bizelesin induce different DNA damage response pathways in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells

As members of the cyclopropylpyrroloindole family, adozelesin and bizelesin cause genomic DNA lesions by alkylating DNA. Adozelesin induces single-strand DNA lesions, whereas bizelesin induces both single-strand lesions and double-strand DNA cross-links. At equivalent cytotoxic concentrations, these agents caused different biological responses. Low adozelesin concentrations (e.g., 0.5 nM) induced a transient S-phase block and cell cycle arrest in G(2)-M, as well as increased induction of p53 and p21, whereas a high drug concentration (e.g., 2.5 nM) caused apoptosis but no p21 induction. In contrast, both low and high bizelesin concentrations enhanced p53 and p21 induction and triggered G(2)-M cell cycle arrest and eventual senescence without significant apoptotic cell death. However, in cells lacking p21, bizelesin, as well as adozelesin, triggered apoptosis, indicating that p21 was crucial to sustained bizelesin-induced G(2)-M arrest. Thus, despite similar abilities to alkylate DNA, the chemotherapeutic agents adozelesin and bizelesin caused a decrease in HCT116 tumor cell proliferation by different pathways (i.e., adozelesin induced apoptosis, and bizelesin induced senescence).     

G(1) and G(2) cell-cycle arrest following microtubule depolymerization in human breast cancer cells

Microtubule-depolymerizing agents are widely used to synchronize cells, screen for mitotic checkpoint defects, and treat cancer. The present study evaluated the effects of these agents on normal and malignant human breast cell lines. After treatment with 1 microM nocodazole, seven of ten breast cancer lines (type A cells) arrested in mitosis, whereas the other three (type B cells) did not. Similar effects were observed with 100 nM vincristine or colchicine. Among five normal mammary epithelial isolates, four exhibited type A behavior and one exhibited type B behavior. Further experiments revealed that the type B cells exhibited a biphasic dose-response curve, with mitotic arrest at low drug concentrations (100 nM nocodazole or 6 nM vincristine) that failed to depolymerize microtubules and a p53-independent p21(waf1/cip1)-associated G(1) and G(2) arrest at higher concentrations (1 microM nocodazole or 100 nM vincristine) that depolymerized microtubules. Collectively, these observations provide evidence for coupling of premitotic cell-cycle progression to microtubule integrity in some breast cancer cell lines (representing a possible "microtubule integrity checkpoint") and suggest a potential explanation for the recently reported failure of some cancer cell lines to undergo nocodazole-induced mitotic arrest despite intact mitotic checkpoint proteins.     

The sulindac derivatives OSI-461, OSIP486823, and OSIP487703 arrest colon cancer cells in mitosis by causing microtubule depolymerization

Exisulind (sulindac sulfone) and three highly potent derivatives, OSI-461 (CP461), OSIP486823 (CP248), and OSIP487703, inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in SW480 human colon cancer cells, with IC(50)s of 200, 2, 0.1, and 0.003 micromol/L, respectively. The latter three compounds, but not exisulind, induce marked M-phase cell cycle arrest in these cells. This effect seems to be independent of the known ability of these compounds to cause activation of protein kinase G. When tested at twice their IC(50) concentration for growth inhibition, OSI-461, OSIP486823, and OSIP487703 cause depolymerization of microtubules in interphase cells, inhibit spindle formation in mitotic cells, and induce multinucleated cells. In vitro tubulin polymerization assays indicate that all three compounds interact with tubulin directly to cause microtubule depolymerization and/or inhibit de novo tubulin polymerization. These results suggest that the dual effects of OSI-461, OSIP486823, and OSIP487703 on impairment of microtubule functions and protein kinase G activation may explain the potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of these compounds in cancer cells.