Targeting cancer cell death with a bcl-XS adenovirus

Group VIA Phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β) Modulates Bcl-x 5'-Splice Site Selection and Suppresses Anti-apoptotic Bcl-x(L) in β-Cells

Diabetes is a consequence of reduced β-cell function and mass, due to β-cell apoptosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is induced during β-cell apoptosis due to various stimuli, and our work indicates that group VIA phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β) participates in this process. Delineation of underlying mechanism(s) reveals that ER stress reduces the anti-apoptotic Bcl-x(L) protein in INS-1 cells. The Bcl-x pre-mRNA undergoes alternative pre-mRNA splicing to generate Bcl-x(L) or Bcl-x(S) mature mRNA. We show that both thapsigargin-induced and spontaneous ER stress are associated with reductions in the ratio of Bcl-x(L)/Bcl-x(S) mRNA in INS-1 and islet β-cells. However, chemical inactivation or knockdown of iPLA2β augments the Bcl-x(L)/Bcl-x(S) ratio. Furthermore, the ratio is lower in islets from islet-specific RIP-iPLA2β transgenic mice, whereas islets from global iPLA2β(-/-) mice exhibit the opposite phenotype. In view of our earlier reports that iPLA2β induces ceramide accumulation through neutral sphingomyelinase 2 and that ceramides shift the Bcl-x 5'-splice site (5'SS) selection in favor of Bcl-x(S), we investigated the potential link between Bcl-x splicing and the iPLA2β/ceramide axis. Exogenous C6-ceramide did not alter Bcl-x 5'SS selection in INS-1 cells, and neutral sphingomyelinase 2 inactivation only partially prevented the ER stress-induced shift in Bcl-x splicing. In contrast, 5(S)-hydroxytetraenoic acid augmented the ratio of Bcl-x(L)/Bcl-x(S) by 15.5-fold. Taken together, these data indicate that β-cell apoptosis is, in part, attributable to the modulation of 5'SS selection in the Bcl-x pre-mRNA by bioactive lipids modulated by iPLA2β.

Real-time quantitative RT-PCR shows variable, assay-dependent sensitivity to formalin fixation: implications for direct comparison of transcript levels in paraffin-embedded tissues

Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a versatile tool for precise quantification of gene expression. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is well suited for qRT-PCR, if RNA extraction is optimized and small amplicon sizes are used. However, little is known whether individual assays may show variable sensitivity to fixation. This is of great importance, if a direct comparison of different transcripts is performed within the same sample, such as for mRNA splice variants. We established a cell culture model to test for and quantify differences in performance of individual qRT-PCR assays on FFPE as compared with fresh material, using TaqMan methodology. RNA was isolated from 7 different cell lines either directly or after preparation of a FFPE cell block. RNA from both sources was reverse transcribed and gene expression quantified using 13 different TaqMan assays. All assays allowed highly reproducible target quantification, using both fresh and FFPE-derived cDNA. The 13 assays showed an average Ct difference of 3.2 between fresh and FFPE cells, if identical amounts of cDNA were used as template. However, the Ct shifts varied from 1.8 to 5.1 for individual assays, indicating variable resistance to fixation. These Ct shift differences were statistically highly significant in 27/78 (35%) of all possible combinations of assays. Because the Ct shift remained constant for each assay, they could be used for calculation of correction factors which rendered FFPE-derived expression data highly comparable to those obtained from fresh material, and as a consequence among each other. Thus, a standardized assessment of qRT-PCR assay efficiencies in FFPE allows for precise intraindividual comparison of mRNA species, such as splice variants with different biologic functions, in archival tissues.

Bak but not Bax is essential for Bcl-xS-induced apoptosis

Bcl-x(S), a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family, is localized in the mitochondria and induces apoptosis in a caspase- and BH3-dependent manner by a mechanism involving cytochrome c release. The way in which Bcl-x(S) induces caspase activation and cytochrome c release, as well as the relationship between Bcl-x(S) and other proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, is not known. Here we used embryonic fibroblasts derived from mice deficient in the multidomain proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family (Bax and Bak) and the apoptotic components of the apoptosome (Apaf-1 and caspase-9) to unravel the cascade of events by which Bcl-x(S) promotes apoptosis. Our results show that Bak but not Bax is essential for Bcl-x(S)-induced apoptosis. Bcl-x(S) induced activation of Bak, which in turn promoted apoptosis by apoptosome-dependent and -independent pathways. These findings provide the first evidence that a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein induces apoptosis exclusively via Bak.

Bcl-xS induces an NGF-inhibitable cytochrome c release

Bcl-x(S), a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family, is localized in the mitochondrial outer membrane and induces caspase-dependent and nerve growth factor (NGF)-inhibitable apoptosis in PC12 cells. The mechanism of action of Bcl-x(S) and how NGF inhibits this death are not fully understood. It is still unknown whether Bcl-x(S) induces mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and which apoptotic step NGF inhibits. We show that Bcl-x(S) induces cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation in several cell types, and that in PC12 cells, these events are inhibited by NGF treatment. The survival effect of NGF was inhibited by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors GF109203X, LY294002, and U0126. These findings show that cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation participate in Bcl-x(S)-induced apoptosis, and that NGF inhibits Bcl-x(S)-induced apoptosis at the mitochondrial level via the PKC, PI 3-kinase, and MEK signaling pathways.

Cellular response to an antisense-mediated shift of Bcl-x pre-mRNA splicing and antineoplastic agents

Overexpression of Bcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, negatively correlates with the sensitivity of various cancers to chemotherapeutic agents. We show here that high levels of expression of Bcl-xL promoted apoptosis of cells treated with an antisense oligonucleotide (5'Bcl-x AS) that shifts the splicing pattern of Bcl-x pre-mRNA from the anti-apoptotic variant, Bcl-xL, to the pro-apoptotic variant, Bcl-xS. This surprising finding illustrates the advantage of antisense-induced modulation of alternative splicing versus down-regulation of targeted genes. It also suggests a specificity of the oligonucleotide effects since non-cancerous cells with low levels of Bcl-xL should resist the treatment. 5'Bcl-x AS sensitized cells to several antineoplastic agents and radiation and was effective in promoting apoptosis of MCF-7/ADR cells, a breast cancer cell line resistant to doxorubicin via overexpression of the mdr1 gene. Efficacy of 5'Bcl-x AS combined with chemotherapeutic agents in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line may be translated to clinical prostate cancer since recurrent prostate cancer tissue samples expressed higher levels of Bcl-xL than benign prostate tissue. Treatment with 5'Bcl-x AS may enhance the efficacy of standard anti-cancer regimens and should be explored, especially in recurrent prostate cancer.

Modification of alternative splicing of Bcl-x pre-mRNA in prostate and breast cancer cells. analysis of apoptosis and cell death

There is ample evidence that deregulation of apoptosis results in the development, progression, and/or maintenance of cancer. Since many apoptotic regulatory genes (e.g. bcl-x) code for alternatively spliced protein variants with opposing functions, the manipulation of alternative splicing presents a unique way of regulating the apoptotic response. Here we have targeted oligonucleotides antisense to the 5'-splice site of bcl-x(L), an anti-apoptotic gene that is overexpressed in various cancers, and shifted the splicing pattern of Bcl-x pre-mRNA from Bcl-x(L) to Bcl-x(S), a pro-apoptotic splice variant. This approach induced significant apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. In contrast, the same oligonucleotide treatment elicited a much weaker apoptotic response in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, although the shift in Bcl-x pre-mRNA splicing inhibited colony formation in both cell lines, this effect was much less pronounced in MCF-7 cells. These differences in responses to oligonucleotide treatment were analyzed in the context of expression of Bcl-x(L), Bcl-x(S), and Bcl-2 proteins. The results indicate that despite the presence of Bcl-x pre-mRNA in a number of cell types, the effects of modification of its splicing by antisense oligonucleotides vary depending on the expression profile of the treated cells.

Apoptosis and its clinical impact

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an orderly cascade that can be regulated and ultimately results in the demise of the cell. Induction of apoptosis can occur by various chemical and biologic agents. Initiation of apoptosis leads to activation of effector molecules particularly caspases. These proteases cleave distinct protein substrates, resulting in the morphologic changes seen in apoptosis. This form of cell death is involved in almost every physiologic and pathogenic process in the body. For this reason the ability to control apoptosis has important therapeutic ramifications.

RESULTS

This article reviews the history of the investigation of apoptosis and summarizes the most important pathways and regulatory molecules involved in this process. The major regulators of apoptosis, including the Bcl-2, caspase, and inhibitor of apoptosis families, are examined. The two major apoptotic pathways, including the extrinsic/cell surface death receptor and the intrinsic/mitochondrial pathways, are discussed. A major emphasis is given to examining the relationship between apoptosis and certain disease processes. This review specifically focuses on the importance of apoptosis research in the development of new methods of management of cancer with an emphasis in head and neck oncology.

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis is a rapidly growing field. The understanding of the mechanisms and effector molecules controlling this form of cell death is evolving. On the basis of increasing knowledge of how programmed cell death is regulated and the improvements in designing and developing gene therapies and chemicals that are more accurate in targeting specific molecules, the control of apoptosis will become more important in the clinical setting. This possibility will open the door for new therapeutic endeavors in many areas of medicine and specifically in the area of oncology.

Microbial pathogens and apoptotic anticancer therapy

In spite of tremendous efforts to control cancer, the mortality associated with this disease has been increasing in developed countries in the recent decades. Inadequate efficiency of existing therapeutic regimens and the rise of multi-drug resistant cancer cells are the main factors which require a broadening of investigations into novel anticancer strategies. Enhancement of apoptosis in tumours has been suggested recently as a new anticancer strategy. It targets the disruption of equilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death in tumours and suggests to restore it through the use of pharmacological agents or genetic approaches. Apoptotic therapy has attracted many groups of investigators and several companies have entered the race to develop the first generation of apoptotic anticancer agents. The review discusses the role that pathogenic microorganisms may have as the source of agents for apoptotic therapy.

Apoptosis and therapy

The dogma that antineoplastic treatments kill tumour cells by damaging essential biological functions has been countered by the notion that treatment itself initiates a programmed cellular response. This response often produces the morphological features of apoptosis and is determined by a network of proliferation and survival genes, some of which are differentially expressed in normal and malignant cells. Correspondingly, mutations that interfere with the initiation or execution of apoptosis may produce tumour-cell drug resistance. Remarkably, many of the genes that modulate apoptosis in response to cytotoxic drugs also affect apoptosis during tumour development; hence, the process of apoptosis provides a conceptual framework for understanding how cancer genes can influence the outcome of cancer therapy. Although the relative contribution of apoptosis to radiation and drug-induced cell death remains controversial, clinical studies have associated anti-apoptotic mutations with treatment failure. While careful preclinical and clinical studies will be necessary to resolve this point, our current understanding of apoptosis should facilitate the design of rational new therapies.