Calcium influx modulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (72-kDa type IV collagenase, gelatinase A)

Regulation of TIMP-1 phenotypic expression in Epstein--Barr virus-immortalized B lymphocytes

Normal B lymphocytes as well as malignant B cells extravasate from blood circulation during physiological and pathological processes and require matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to facilitate trafficking through the subendothelial basal lamina and the extracellular matrix. We have previously shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B lymphocytes constitutively synthesized low levels of MMP-9 and huge amounts of its preferential inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In the present study, TIMP-1 phenotypic expression was extensively investigated in response to various mediators including interleukins, chemokines, growth factors and tumor promotor, and was compared to MMP-9 synthesis. Results showed a roughly constitutive TIMP-1 expression opposed to an inducible MMP-9 synthesis. Nevertheless, further analysis of TIMP-1 synthesis showed the existence of regulation mechanisms: modulation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration as well as cation ionophore monensin were demonstrated to influence TIMP-1 production and secretion. The precise pathways implicated in these regulation mechanisms are currently under survey.

Regulation of MMP-9 production by human corneal epithelial cells

The matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are known to be critical extracellular-remodeling enzymes in wound healing and other diseases of the ocular surface. This study investigated the regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human corneal epithelial cells by growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) they are exposed to, and by doxycycline, a medication used to treat ocular surface disease. Primary human corneal epithelial cell cultures were treated with one of the following cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) or growth factors (EGF, HGF, KGF, PDGF-BB, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta), with or without their corresponding inhibitors. The conditioned media were collected after 24 hr for gelatin zymography and MMP-9 activity assay. Total RNA was extracted from the cells treated for 6 hr and was subjected to RT-PCR and Northern hybridization. Between the two gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, detected by zymography, the 92 kDa MMP-9 in the conditioned medium was markedly up-regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. The MMP-9 protein and activity were dose-dependently stimulated by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha at 0.1, 1.0 and 10 ng ml(-1). This up-regulation was nearly abolished by neutralizing antibodies (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) and by IL-1 receptor antagonist. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern hybridization disclosed that the MMP-9 transcript was also markedly up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Doxycycline (10 microg ml(-1)) suppressed MMP-9 protein level and activity, but not its mRNA, that was stimulated by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (1 ng ml(-1)). In contrast, the 72 kDa MMP-2 was not significantly modulated by any of these cytokines. In conclusion, production of MMP-9 is stimulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. These factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of MMP-9 mediated corneal matrix degradation. The efficacy of doxycycline in treating ocular surface diseases may be related to its ability to suppress MMP-9 production in the corneal epithelium.

Ionizing radiation enhances matrix metalloproteinase-2 production in human lung epithelial cells

Radiation pneumonitis is a major complication of radiation therapy. However, the detailed cellular mechanisms have not been clearly defined. Based on the recognition that basement membrane disruption occurs in acute lung injury and that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 can degrade type IV collagen, one of the major components of the basement membrane, we hypothesized that ionizing radiation would modulate MMP-2 production in human lung epithelial cells. To evaluate this, the modulation of MMP-2 with irradiation was investigated in normal human bronchial epithelial cells as well as in A549 cells. We measured the activity of MMP-2 in the conditioned medium with zymography and the MMP-2 mRNA level with RT-PCR. Both of these cells constitutively expressed 72-kDa gelatinolytic activity, corresponding to MMP-2, and exposure to radiation increased this activity. Consistent with the data of zymography, ionizing radiation increased the level of MMP-2 mRNA. This radiation-induced increase in MMP-2 expression was mediated via p53 because the p53 antisense oligonucleotide abolished the increase in MMP-2 activity as well as the accumulation of p53 after irradiation in A549 cells. These results indicate that MMP-2 expression by human lung epithelial cells is involved in radiation-induced lung injury.

CAIR-1/BAG-3 forms an EGF-regulated ternary complex with phospholipase C-gamma and Hsp70/Hsc70

CAIR-1/BAG-3 forms an EGF-regulated ternary complex with Hsp70/Hsc70 and latent phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma). The expression of CAIR-1, CAI stressed-1, was induced in A2058 human melanoma cells by continuous exposure to CAI, an inhibitor of nonvoltage-gated calcium influx. CAIR-1 sequence is identical, save 2 amino acids, to BAG-3 also cloned recently as Bis, a member of the bcl-2-associated athanogene family. We show that CAIR-1/BAG-3 binds to Hsp70/Hsc70 in intact cells and this binding is increased by short term exposure to CAI (P<0.007). CAIR-1/BAG-3 is phosphorylated in vivo in the absence of stimulation. Basal phosphorylation is inhibited by treatment with d-erythrosphingosine (d-ES), a broad inhibitor of the protein kinase C family. CAIR-1/BAG-3 contains several PXXP SH3 binding domains leading to the hypothesis that it is a partner protein of phospholipase C-gamma. PLC-gamma is bound to CAIR-1/BAG-3 in unstimulated cells. It is increased by CAI or d-ES (P=0.05) treatment, and abrogated by EGF (r2=0.99); d-ES treatment blocks the EGF-mediated dissociation. We show that CAIR-1/BAG-3 binds to PLC-gamma and Hsp70/Hsc70 through separate and distinct domains. Hsp70/Hsc70 binds to the BAG domain of BAGs-1 and -3. CAIR-1/BAG-3 from control and EGF-treated cell lysates bound selectively to the SH3 domain of PLC-gamma, but not its N-SH2 or C-SH2 domains. Confirming the SH3 interaction, PLC-gamma was pulled down by CAIR-1/BAG-3 PXXP-GST fusions, but GST-PXXP constructs confronted with lysates from EGF-treated cells did not bind PLC-gamma as was seen in intact cells. Hsp70/Hsc70 was brought down by the PLC-gamma SH3 construct equally from native and EGF-treated cells, but did not bind the PXXP construct under either condition. We propose that CAIR-1/BAG-3 may act as a multifunctional signaling protein linking the Hsp70/Hsc70 pathway with those necessary for activation of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.

Differential role of Fas/Fas ligand interactions in cytolysis of primary and metastatic colon carcinoma cell lines by human antigen-specific CD8+ CTL

We have previously identified mutated ras peptides reflecting the glycine to valine substitution at position 12 as HLA-A2-restricted, CD8+ CTL neo-epitopes. CTL lines produced against these peptide epitopes lysed the HLA-A2+ Ag-bearing SW480 primary colon adenocarcinoma cell line, although IFN-gamma treatment of the targets was necessary to achieve efficient cytotoxicity. Here, we compared the lytic phenotype of the SW480 cell line to its metastatic derivative, SW620, as an in vitro paradigm to further characterize the nature of a HLA class I-restricted, Ag-specific CTL response against neoplastic cell lines of primary and metastatic origin. Although both colon carcinoma cell lines were lysed by these Ag-specific CTL following IFN-gamma pretreatment, the mechanisms of lysis were distinct, which reflected differential levels of sensitivity to the Fas pathway. Whereas IFN-gamma pretreatment rendered SW480 cells sensitive to both Fas-dependent and -independent (perforin) pathways, SW620 cells displayed lytic susceptibility to Fas-independent mechanisms only. Moreover, pretreatment of SW480 cells with the anti-colon cancer agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), led to enhanced Fas and ICAM-1 expression and triggered Ag-specific CTL-mediated lysis via Fas- and perforin-based pathways. In contrast, these phenotypic and functional responses were not observed with SW620 cells. Overall, these data suggested that 1) IFN-gamma and 5-FU may enhance the lytic sensitivity of responsive colon carcinoma cells to immune effector mechanisms, including Fas-induced lysis; 2) the malignant phenotype may associate with resistance to Fas-mediated lysis in response to Ag-specific T cell attack; and 3) if Ag-specific CTL possess diverse lytic capabilities, this may overcome, to some extent, the potential "escape" of Fas-resistant carcinoma cells.

Screening assay for promigratory/antimigratory compounds

Large-scale screening strategies aimed at finding anticancer drugs traditionally focus on identifying cytotoxic compounds that attack actively dividing cells. Because progression to malignancy involves acquisition of an aggressively invasive phenotype in addition to hyperproliferation, simple and effective screening strategies for finding compounds that target the invasive aspects of cancer progression may prove valuable for identifying alternative and preventative cancer therapies. Here, we describe a fluorescence-based automated assay for identifying antimigratory compounds, with the ability to discern cytotoxic from noncytotoxic modes of action. With this assay, we analyzed the effects of two drugs on tumorigenic (MDA-MB-435) and nontumorigenic (MCF-10A) human breast cell lines. We chose to compare carboxyamidotriazole (CAI), an experimental compound shown to inhibit migration of various cell types, with tamoxifen, a common preventative and therapeutic anticancer compound. Our assay demonstrated that both these compounds inhibit migration at sublethal concentrations. Furthermore, CAI was more effective than tamoxifen at inhibiting chemotactic and haptotactic migration of both cell lines at all concentrations tested.

Homocyst(e)ine induces calcium second messenger in vascular smooth muscle cells

Homocysteine found in the plasma of patients with coronary heart disease, induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and increases deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Yet, the mechanism by which homocysteine mediates this effect and its role in vascular disease is largely unknown. We hypothesized that homocysteine induces ECM production via intracellular calcium release in VSMC. To test this hypothesis, aortic VSMC from Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and characterized by positive labeling for vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin. Early passage cells (p2-3) were grown in monolayer on coverslips. Calcium transients were quantified with fura2/AM spectrofluorometry. Homocysteine induced intracellular calcium [Ca(2+)](i) transients with an EC(50) of 60 +/- 5 nM. The EC(50) for glutathione and cysteine were 10 and 100-fold lower, respectively. Depleting extracellular calcium did not alter the homocysteine effect on intracellular calcium; however, thapsigargin pretreatment, which depletes intracellular Ca(2+) stores, abolished the homocysteine effect, demonstrating its dependence on intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Extracellular sodium depletion significantly (P < 0.05) increased [Ca(2+)](i) also suggesting a possible role of sodium-calcium exchange in the process. To begin to elucidate the intracellular pathways by which homocysteine might act, VSMC were pretreated with specific inhibitors and stimulators prior to homocysteine stimulation. Staurosporine and phorbol myrisate acetate (PMA), potent simulators of protein kinase C, augmented the release of Ca(2+) by homocysteine. Interestingly, pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) greatly exacerbated the sensitivity of VSMC to homocysteine. In contrast, pretreatment with either the phospholipase A(2) activator neomycin, the antioxidant and hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor, pravastatin, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genestein, or the calcium channel blocker, felodipine completely inhibited the homocysteine-induced Ca(2+) signal in VSMC. This suggests the role of multiple signaling pathways in the homocysteine effect on VSMC Ca(2+). Effects of homocysteine on collagen production, as ascertained by immunoblot analysis, correlated with its effect in intracellular calcium. Regardless of the signaling pathways involved, homocysteine, by virtue of its role on VSMC proliferation and ECM deposition, has the potential to affect vascular reactivity. To determine the effect of homocysteine on the ability of VSMC to react to potent agonist such as angiotensin II, VSMC were pretreated with homocysteine and exposed to a range of angiotensin II concentrations which normally have no effect on intracellular Ca(2+). After homocysteine pretreatment, VSMC were extremely responsive to angiotensin II at concentrations well below the physiologic range. These data taken together suggested that an initial effect of homocysteine is to induce release of intracellular Ca(2+) in VSMC and may induce vascular reactivity. The transient in Ca(2+) correlates with the effect on ECM associated with homocysteine.

Increased E1AF expression in mouse fibrosarcoma promotes metastasis through induction of MT1-MMP expression

In this study, we investigated the role of E1AF, a member of ets family transcription factor, in the acquisition of metastatic capacity by non-metastatic mouse fibrosarcoma cell clone, QR-32. The QR-32 cell clone grows progressively after co-implantation with gelatin sponge in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. The cell lines (QRsP) established from arising tumors after the co-implantation exhibited enhanced tumorigenicity and pulmonary metastasis in vivo as compared with parent QR-32 cells. The enhanced pulmonary metastasis of QRsP cells was correlated well with augmented production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and increased expression of membrane-type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP). The QRsP cells also acquired higher chemokinetic activities to fibronectin and higher invasive activities through a reconstituted basement membrane. Furthermore we observed the elevated mRNA expression of E1AF in QRsP cells compared to parent QR-32 cells. Therefore, we transfected QR-32 cells with E1AF cDNA. Overexpression of E1AF in the QR-32 cells resulted in the induction of MT1-MMP expression and converting an exogenously added precursor MMP-2 into active form. E1AF transfectants exhibited more motile and invasive activities, and moderately increased pulmonary metastatic activities than parental QR-32 cells in vivo, although their metastatic activities were lower than those of QRsP cells. These findings suggest that the increased expression of E1AF in fibrosarcoma contributes to invasive phenotypes including MT1-MMP expression and enhanced cell migration, but not sufficient for exhibiting highly metastatic activity in vivo.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 stimulates osteoblast differentiation and suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human bone cells isolated from mandibulae

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a member of the transforming growth factor superfamily, is one of the most potent growth factors that stimulate osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. We investigated the effects of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) on osteoblast differentiation and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production in human bone cells (HBC) isolated from mandibulae of 3 adult patients. rhBMP-2 at concentrations over 50 ng/ml significantly stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation, which are early markers of osteoblast differentiation, in HBCs. rhBMP-2 (500 ng/ml) also enhanced the level of PTH/PTH related-peptide receptor mRNA expression in HBCs. Although neither HBCs untreated nor treated with rhBMP-2 produced measurable amounts of osteocalcin, which is a marker of more mature osteoblasts, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] induced ostocalcin mRNA expression and its protein synthesis in these cells. rhBMP-2 inhibited 1,25(OH)2D3-induced osteocalcin synthesis in HBCs at both the mRNA and protein level. rhBMP-2 also significantly suppressed MMP-1 production and MMP-1 mRNA expression at concentrations over 500 ng/ml. These results suggest that rhBMP-2 exerts anabolic effects on human osteoblastic cells derived from mandibulae by stimulation of osteoblast differentiation and down-regulation of MMP-1 synthesis.

Stretch-induced membrane type matrix metalloproteinase and tissue plasminogen activator in cardiac fibroblast cells

In the normal heart, cardiomyocytes are surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM) and latent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are produced primarily by cardiac fibroblasts. An activator of latent MMPs might be induced by ischemic conditions or pressure-induced stretching. To test the hypothesis that an activator of latent MMP is induced in the ischemic heart during transformation of a compensatory hypertrophic response to a decompensatory failing response in cardiac fibroblast cells, we stretched the human cardiac fibroblasts at 25 cycles/min in serum-free or 5% serum culture condition. The membrane type (MT)-MMP activity in stretched cells was measured by zymography and immuno-blot analyses using MT-MMP-2 antibody. The MT-MMP activity was further characterized by transverse-urea gradient (TUG)-zymography. The results suggested that stretch induced a membrane MMP in the fibroblasts that was similar to the MT-MMP induced in ischemic heart. Furthermore, we observed that membrane MMP has distinct mobility in TUG-zymography. To localize the MT-MMP and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) of latent MMPs, the membrane and cytosol were separated by a method employing a detergent and sedimentation. The MT-MMP and tPA activities of cytosol and membrane fractions were measured by gelatin- and plasminogen-zymography, respectively. Differential-display mRNA analysis was performed on control and stretched cells. In situ immuno-labelling was performed to localize the MT-MMP. The results indicate that induction of MT-MMP occurred in the membrane fractions. The secretion of tPA was elevated in the stretched cells. The MT-MMP activity was inhibited by prior incubation with an antibody generated to membrane MMP. The tPA activity was inhibited by using tPA antibody. These results suggest that, under stretched conditions, neutral transmembrane matrix proteinases are induced in the cardiac fibroblasts. This may lead to activation of adverse ECM remodeling, cardiac dilatation, and failure.

Cancer metastasis: a search for therapeutic inhibition

Failure of cancer treatment is often due to the growth of secondary, metastatic lesions in distant organs. Because initiation of metastasis is an early event in malignancy, patients often present not only with a primary tumor but also with occult metastases. Treatment of these metastases requires aggressive, systemic chemotherapy, since surgical removal of all metastatic foci is normally not feasible. However, drug toxicity caused by many of the currently used anticancer agents often limits chemotherapeutic approaches to malignant disease. In contrast, the development and use of novel cytostatic, antimetastatic agents could be less toxic and more applicable for long-term treatment in combating latent and/or residual disease. Practical intervention with such nontoxic agents has been envisioned as maintenance therapy after cytoreduction of a tumor or as a prophylactic treatment after the removal of a precancerous tumor exhibiting a genetic predisposition to a carcinomatous state. In this review, we discuss targets of the metastatic cell that may be potentially exploitable with chemotherapy, and present the current status of several novel, antimetastatic agents. Clinical evaluation of such agents will require new and appropriate clinical models for evaluating their antimetastatic efficacy. The recent successes achieved with certain proteinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer are paving the way for the development of other therapeutic agents of this type, aimed at unique biochemical pathways associated with oncogenic behavior.

Cytokine inducible matrix metalloproteinase expression in immortalized rat chondrocytes is independent of nitric oxide stimulation

The objective of this study was to determine if an immortalized mammalian chondrocyte cell line had a profile of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression that was consistent with what has been reported for primary chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. A combination of zymography, Western, and Northern analysis was used to examine the expression of MMPs that are relevant to cartilage degradation. Both interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha induced a 4- to 9-fold increase in the level of MMP-9 expression in conditioned media, and a 17- to 24-fold increase in MMP-3 mRNA. Other compounds such as basic fibroblast growth factor and staurosporine each increased MMP-9 expression individually and potentiated the effects of the two cytokines. Transforming growth factor beta had no positive or inhibitory effects. N-methyl arginine blocked the increase in nitric oxide observed following treatment with the cytokines but did not prevent the increased expression of MMPs. The pattern of metalloproteinase expression observed in IRC cells and the response to cytokines is very similar to what has been reported during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. The IRC cells should be useful as a model system to study basic mechanisms controlling chondrocyte MMP expression and to identify pharmacological modulators of this process.

Effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide on expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, and -9 in growth plate chondrocyte cultures

The roles of PTH and PTH-related peptide (PTH-rp) in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) during endochondral bone formation were investigated, using various cartilages obtained from young rabbits and rabbit chondrocyte cultures. Immunohistochemical, immunoblotting, zymographical, and/or Northern blot analyses showed that MMP-2 and -9 levels were much higher in the growth plate than in permanent cartilage in vivo. In growth plate chondrocyte cultures, PTH, PTH-rp, and (Bu)2cAMP increased the amount of MMP-2 present in the culture medium, as revealed by zymograms and immunoblots, whereas the other tested growth factors or cytokines, including bone morphogenetic protein-2 and interleukin-1, did not increase the MMP-2 level. PTH also increased the MMP-2 messenger RNA level within 24 h. In addition, PTH increased MMP-3 and -9 levels in the growth plate chondrocyte cultures. However, in articular chondrocyte cultures, PTH had little effect on the levels of MMP-2, -3, and -9. In contrast to PTH, interleukin-1 induced MMP-3 and -9, but not MMP-2, in growth plate and articular chondrocytes. These findings suggest that in ossifying cartilage, PTH/PTH-rp plays a pivotal role in the induction of various MMPs, including MMP-2 (which is considered to be a constitutive enzyme), and that PTH/PTH-rp is involved in the control of cartilage-matrix degradation during endochondral bone formation.

Putrescine-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ release for invasiveness of rat ascites hepatoma cells

Our previous study showed that treatment of highly invasive rat ascites hepatoma (LC-AH) cells with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, decreased both their intracellular level of putrescine and their in vitro invasion of a monolayer of calf pulmonary arterial endothelial (CPAE) cells, and that both these decreases were completely reversed by exogenous putrescine, but not spermidine or spermine. Here we show that all adhering control (DFMO-untreated) cells migrated beneath CPAE monolayer with morphological change from round to cauliflower-shaped cells (migratory cells). DFMO treatment increased the number of cells that remained round without migration (nonmigratory cells). Exogenous putrescine, but not spermidine or spermine, induced transformation of all nonmigratory cells to migratory cells with a concomitant increase in their intracellular Ca2+ level, [Ca2+]i. The putrescine-induced increase in their [Ca2+]i preceded their transformation and these effects of putrescine were not affected by antagonists of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, but were completely suppressed by ryanodine, which also suppressed the invasiveness of the control cells. The DFMO-induced decreases in both [Ca2+]i and the invasiveness of the cells were restored by thapsigargin, which elevated [Ca2+]i by inhibiting endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase, indicating that thapsigargin mimics the effects of putrescine. These results support the idea that putrescine is a cofactor for Ca2+ release through the Ca2+ channel in the endoplasmic reticulum that is inhibited by ryanodine, this release being initiated by cell adhesion and being a prerequisite for tumor cell invasion.

Calcium influx inhibits MT1-MMP processing and blocks MMP-2 activation

We have previously reported that concanavalin A (ConA)-induced MMP-2 activation involves both transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms. Here we examined the effects of calcium influx on MT1-MMP expression and MMP-2 activation in MDA-MB-231 cells. The calcium ionophore ionomycin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ConA-induced MMP-2 activation, but had no effect on MT1-MMP mRNA levels. However, Western analysis revealed an accumulation of pro-MT1-MMP (63 kDa), indicating that ionomycin blocked the conversion of pro-MT1-MMP protein to the active 60 kDa form. This suggests that increased calcium levels inhibit the processing of MT1-MMP. This finding may help to elucidate the mechanism(s) which regulates MT1-MMP activation.

Antiproliferative and antiinvasive effects of carboxyamido-triazole on breast cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Basement membrane invasion is one of the critical components of the metastatic cascade. The antiproliferative and antiinvasive activity of carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), a calcium influx inhibitor, was studied in five human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MCF-7/ADRR, MDA-231, MDA-231R44, and BT-474).

METHODS

Sensitivity of the cell lines to CAI was measured with a microculture tetrazolium assay. The Boyden chamber Matrigel chemoinvasion assay was used to measure the antiinvasive activity of CAI. Matrix metalloproteinase activity was analyzed by gelatin zymography.

RESULTS

The 50% inhibitory concentrations of CAI were cell line dependent and ranged from 7.49 +/- 4.05 mumol/L to 46.1 +/- 8.6 mumol/L. CAI at a low, minimally toxic concentration (5 mumol/L) inhibited invasion by greater than 75% in the four invasive cell lines (MCF-7/ADRR, MDA-231, MDA-231R44, and BT-474) regardless of estrogen receptor or p-glycoprotein status (p < 0.01). CAI treatment also reduced matrix metalloproteinase activity in conditioned media from three of the four invasive lines (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CAI at clinically achievable concentrations is an effective antiproliferative and antiinvasive agent against human breast cancer cell lines regardless of estrogen receptor or p-glycoprotein status. Reduction in matrix metalloproteinase activity may be partially responsible for CAI inhibition of invasion.

Regulation of cell spreading during differentiation in the muscarinic M5 receptor tumor-suppressor model

Activation of the muscarinic receptor in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells results in a reversal of the malignant phenotype for which spreading into a bipolar, fibroblastic morphology is a marker. The process of morphologic change requires multiple events, including alterations in adhesions to substrates and cytoskeletal re-arrangement. In this report, we demonstrate the calcium-dependent involvement of p125FAK in this cellular shape change using an inhibitor of ligand-induced calcium influx, carboxyamido-triazole (CAI). p125FAK becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated after exposure to the agonist carbachol (CC), reaching maximal phosphorylation prior to initiation of cellular shape change at 1 hr into CC exposure (386 +/- 103%). Phosphorylation remained elevated through the shape change (4-12 hr). CHOm5 cell exposure to the Ca2+-mobilizing agents maitotoxin and ionomycin also resulted in p125FAK phosphorylation. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx with CAI, an inhibitor of ligand-induced Ca2+ influx, had little effect on CC-induced phosphorylation but partially inhibited ionomycin-mediated p125FAK phosphorylation. While the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA failed to prevent CC-induced p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation, it inhibited phosphorylation due to ionomycin. CC induced Ca2+-independent binding of phosphorylated p125FAK selectively to the C-terminal SH2 domain of phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3K). Further, CC, maitotoxin and ionomycin induced in vitro kinase activity of p125FAK for the exogenous substrate poly(Glu4Tyr1). Kinase activity stimulated by all 3 agonists was inhibited by preincubation with either CAI or BAPTA. Our results indicate that increasing intracellular Ca2+ can stimulate both p125FAK autophosphorylation and kinase activity; however, p125FAK phosphorylation in response to CC also may be induced through a Ca2+-independent pathway.

The biochemistry of cancer dissemination

The progression of a tumor cell from one of benign delimited proliferation to invasive and metastatic growth is the major cause of poor clinical outcome of cancer patients. Recent research has revealed that this complex process requires many components for successful dissemination and growth of the tumor cell at secondary sites. These include angiogenesis, enhanced extracellular matrix degradation via tumor and host-secreted proteases, tumor cell migration, and modulation of tumor cell adhesion. Each individual component is multifaceted and is discussed within this review with respect to historical and recent findings. The identification of components and their interrelationship have yielded new therapeutic targets leading to the development of agents that may prove effective in the treatment of cancer and its metastatic progression.

Matrilysin expression in human prostate carcinoma

The metalloproteinases, a multigene family of metal-requiring enzymes, have been suggested to play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Previously, we demonstrated that human primary prostate tumors express higher levels of matrilysin and gelatinase A mRNA than normal prostate does. In the study presented here, we used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining of serial sections of paraffin-embedded primary prostate tumors to compare the sites of matrilysin and gelatinase A expression and protein localization. These results confirmed the epithelial nature of matrilysin expression and protein localization. In contrast, gelatinase A mRNA was localized to the interstitial stroma, whereas the protein was associated with the epithelial tumor cells. In situ hybridization was also used to demonstrate that gelatinase B expression was restricted to macrophages infiltrating the tumors. Proteins isolated from an additional set of frozen tumor specimens were analyzed by western blotting to determine the relative amounts of matrilysin in the active and proenzyme forms. The western analyses demonstrated that in all cases in which matrilysin was detected, at least some of the enzyme was in the active form. These results are discussed with respect to the possible role these enzymes may play in prostate tumor progression.

In vitro and in vivo myelotoxicity of CAI to human and murine hematopoietic progenitor cells

Carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), an agent that targets calcium-sensitive signal transduction pathways, has both antiproliferative and antimetastatic properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the myelotoxicity of CAI to normal human and murine hematopoietic cells. In vitro toxicity of CAI was determined by inhibition of myeloid [colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-gm)] and erythroid [burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-e)] colony formation in clonal assays. The effects of oral CAI on CD2F1 mouse marrow and splenic cellularity, marrow progenitor content, and peripheral blood cell counts were assessed in relation to plasma CAI levels. In vitro, CAI caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of CFU-gm and BFU-e colonies following continuous drug exposure. Murine CFU-gm and BFU-e were inhibited > 90% by 10 and 15 micrograms/mL CAI, respectively. However, suppression of human CFU-gm and BFU-e did not exceed 65% at the same concentrations. In vivo, CAI reduced the number of CFU-gm and BFU-e per femur after the initial dose and through day 4. Variations in colony inhibition paralleled changes in CAI plasma concentrations. While colony inhibition increased in vitro with escalating drug concentrations, this was not observed in vivo with additional CAI doses. The low toxicity of CAI in vivo combined with the significant difference between toxicity for human and mouse progenitors in vitro suggests a relatively low adverse potential to the bone marrow for this new signal transduction inhibitory agent.

Quercetin: synergistic action with carboxyamidotriazole in human breast carcinoma cells

Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, blocks signal transduction pathways by inhibiting 1-phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (EC 2.7.1.67, PI kinase) and 1-phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (EC 2.7.1.68, PIP kinase), resulting in a reduction of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) concentration which decreases the release of calcium from intracellular sources. Carboxyamidotriazole (CAI), a novel anticancer agent, inhibits calcium entry into cells. Because both drugs reduce cytosolic calcium levels, we tested the action of quercetin and CAI in human carcinoma cells. Human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-435 cells were grown in minimum essential medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. In growth inhibition assay the IC50s for quercetin and CAI were 55 and 4.8 microM, respectively; in clonogenic assay, 28 and 1.4 microM, respectively. When quercetin and CAI were added to the cultures, synergism was observed in isobolograms in growth inhibition and clonogenic assays. In growth inhibition assay, the best combination was 20 microM quercetin with 4 microM CAI; in clonogenic assay, 30 microM quercetin with 1.2 microM CAI. Since these drugs are in phase I trials the synergistic action of quercetin and CAI may be of interest in clinical trials for breast carcinoma.

Calcium ionophores decrease pericellular gelatinolytic activity via inhibition of 92-kDa gelatinase expression and decrease of 72-kDa gelatinase activation

To understand the roles of intracellular calcium levels on gelatinase/type IV collagenase expression, we analyzed the effects of calcium ionophores on the expression of 92- and 72-kDa gelatinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2) in human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080). Calcium ionophores ionomycin and A23187 reduced the levels of pericellular gelatinolytic activity in both untreated and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha)-stimulated cells as determined by degradation of radiolabeled gelatin. Gelatin zymography and immunoblotting revealed a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of secreted 92-kDa gelatinase, which was paralleled by a decrease of its mRNA. Treatment of cells with thapsigargin caused similar decreases of 92-kDa gelatinase mRNA and protein. The decrease of 92-kDa gelatinase expression was due to lower transcription rate as determined by transfection assays with 92-kDa gelatinase/luciferase construct. The expression of 72-kDa gelatinase was only slightly decreased by ionophores. Treatment of HT-1080 cells with PMA, TNF alpha, or concanavalin A resulted in the conversion of 72-kDa gelatinase proenzyme to its presumed 64- and 62-kDa active forms as determined by gelatin zymography and immunoblotting. Simultaneous treatment with the ionophores or thapsigargin resulted in inhibition of PMA-induced gelatinase activation. The expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase, a potential activator of 72-kDa gelatinase, was not affected by ionophores. The results indicate that calcium ionophores decrease gelatinolysis by repressing both the expression of 92-kDa gelatinase and the activation of the 72-kDa gelatinase.