1
|
Alaskar A, Abdulraqeb Ali A, Hassan S, Shinwari Z, Alaiya A, von Holzen U, Miller L, Kulik G. Inhibition of signaling downstream of beta-2 adrenoceptor by propranolol in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 2023; 83:237-245. [PMID: 36373761 PMCID: PMC10100053 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is accumulating evidence that propranolol, an antagonist of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoreceptors, extends survival of patients with prostate cancer; yet it is not known whether propranolol inhibits beta-adrenergic signaling in prostate cancer cells, or systemic effects of propranolol play the leading role in slowing down cancer progression. Recently initiated clinical studies offer a possibility to test whether administration of propranolol inhibits signaling pathways in prostate tumors, however, there is limited information on the dynamics of signaling pathways activated downstream of beta-2 adrenoreceptors in prostate cancer cells and on the inactivation of these pathways upon propranolol administration. METHODS Western blot analysis was used to test the effects of epinephrine and propranolol on activation of protein kinase (PKA) signaling in mouse prostates and PKA, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and protein kinase B/AKT (AKT) signaling in prostate cancer cell lines. RESULTS In prostate cancer cell lines epinephrine induced robust phosphorylation of PKA substrates pS133CREB and pS157VASP that was evident 2 min after treatments and lasted for 3-6 h. Epinephrine induced phosphorylation of AKT in PTEN-positive 22Rv1 cells, whereas changes of constitutive AKT phosphorylation were minimal in PTEN-negative PC3, C42, and LNCaP cells. A modest short-term increase of pERK in response to epinephrine was observed in all tested cell lines. Incubation of prostate cancer cells with 10-fold molar excess of propranolol for 30 min inhibited all downstream pathways activated by epinephrine. Subjecting mice to immobilization stress induced phosphorylation of S133CREB, whereas injection of propranolol at 1.5 mg/kg prevented the stress-induced phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of pS133CREB and pS157VASP allows measuring activation of PKA signaling downstream of beta-2 adrenoreceptors. Presented results on the ratio of propranolol/epinephrine and the time needed to inhibit signaling downstream of beta-2 adrenoreceptors will help to design clinical studies that examine the effects of propranolol on prostate tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aljoharah Alaskar
- Department of Life Sciences and Life Sciences Program, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amaal Abdulraqeb Ali
- Department of Life Sciences and Life Sciences Program, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sazzad Hassan
- Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Zakia Shinwari
- Stem Cell & Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayodele Alaiya
- Stem Cell & Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Urs von Holzen
- Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, Indiana, USA
- Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Goshen, Indiana, USA
| | - Lance Miller
- Department of Cancer Biology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - George Kulik
- Department of Life Sciences and Life Sciences Program, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Cancer Biology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shackleton EG, Ali HY, Khan M, Pockley GA, McArdle SE. Novel Combinatorial Approaches to Tackle the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment of Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1145. [PMID: 33800156 PMCID: PMC7962457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most common cancer in men worldwide and treatment options for patients with advanced or aggressive prostate cancer or recurrent disease continue to be of limited success and are rarely curative. Despite immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) efficacy in some melanoma, lung, kidney and breast cancers, immunotherapy efforts have been remarkably unsuccessful in PCa. One hypothesis behind this lack of efficacy is the generation of a distinctly immunosuppressive prostate tumor microenvironment (TME) by regulatory T cells, MDSCs, and type 2 macrophages which have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including solid cancers. In PCa, Tregs and MDSCs are attracted to TME by low-grade chronic inflammatory signals, while tissue-resident type 2 macrophages are induced by cytokines such as IL4, IL10, IL13, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced by Th2 cells. These then drive tumor progression, therapy resistance and the generation of castration resistance, ultimately conferring a poor prognosis. The biology of MDSC and Treg is highly complex and the development, proliferation, maturation or function can each be pharmacologically mediated to counteract the immunosuppressive effects of these cells. Herein, we present a critical review of Treg, MDSC and M2 involvement in PCa progression but also investigate a newly recognized type of immune suppression induced by the chronic stimulation of the sympathetic adrenergic signaling pathway and propose targeted strategies to be used in a combinatorial modality with immunotherapy interventions such as ICB, Sipuleucel-T or antitumor vaccines for an enhanced anti-PCa tumor immune response. We conclude that a strategic sequence of therapeutic interventions in combination with additional holistic measures will be necessary to achieve maximum benefit for PCa patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin G. Shackleton
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (E.G.S.); (H.Y.A.); (G.A.P.)
| | - Haleema Yoosuf Ali
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (E.G.S.); (H.Y.A.); (G.A.P.)
| | - Masood Khan
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK;
| | - Graham A. Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (E.G.S.); (H.Y.A.); (G.A.P.)
- Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Stephanie E. McArdle
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK; (E.G.S.); (H.Y.A.); (G.A.P.)
- Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gosain R, Gage-Bouchard E, Ambrosone C, Repasky E, Gandhi S. Stress reduction strategies in breast cancer: review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic based strategies. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:719-734. [PMID: 32948909 PMCID: PMC7704484 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00815-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. It is associated with multiple symptoms in both patients and caregivers, such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Stress appears to promote cancer progression via activation of the sympathetic nervous system releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine as well as activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis releasing cortisol. These stress hormones have been shown to promote the proliferation of cancer cells. This review focuses on stress-reducing strategies which may decrease cancer progression by abrogating these pathways, with a main focus on the β-adrenergic signaling pathway. Patients utilize both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to reduce stress. Non-pharmacologic stress-reduction strategies include complementary and alternative medicine techniques, such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, exercise, use of natural products, support groups and psychology counseling, herbal compounds, and multivitamins. Pharmacologic strategies include abrogating the β2-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway to antagonize epinephrine and norepinephrine action on tumor and immune cells. β-Blocker drugs may play a role in weakening the pro-migratory and pro-metastatic effects induced by stress hormones in cancer and strengthening the anti-tumor immune response. Preclinical models have shown that non-selective β1/2-blocker use is associated with a decrease in tumor growth and metastases and clinical studies have suggested their positive impact on decreasing breast cancer recurrence and mortality. Thus, non-pharmacological approaches, along with pharmacological therapies part of clinical trials are available to cancer patients to reduce stress, and have promise to break the cycle of cancer and stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Gosain
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Chautauqua, NY, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Gage-Bouchard
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Christine Ambrosone
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Shipra Gandhi
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang M, Wang Q, Sun X, Yin Q, Chen J, Xu L, Xu C. β 2 -adrenergic receptor signaling drives prostate cancer progression by targeting the Sonic hedgehog-Gli1 signaling activation. Prostate 2020; 80:1328-1340. [PMID: 32894788 PMCID: PMC7540401 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considerable evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system, mainly via adrenergic signaling, contributes to prostate cancer (PCa) progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. METHODS The expression level of β2 -adrenergic receptor (β2 -AR) in tissue microarray was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The effects of isoproterenol (ISO) or Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling inhibitor on tumor growth were analyzed in proliferation and colony formation assays. The apoptosis of cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Small hairpin RNA-based knockdown of β2 -AR or Gli1 was validated by Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Effects of β2 -AR on prostate carcinogenesis in vivo were observed in a mouse xenograft model. The expression levels of the indicated proteins in xenograft tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of Shh signaling components and downstream proteins were assessed by immunoblotting. RESULTS We determined that β2 -AR was expressed at significantly higher levels in carcinoma than in normal prostate tissues. β2 -AR signaling also played an essential role in sustaining PCa cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. We also found that inhibition of Shh signaling or knockdown of Gli1 expression significantly restrained ISO-induced cell proliferation in vitro. ISO alleviated the apoptosis induced by suppressing or knocking down of Gli1. The β2 -AR agonist ISO upregulated the transcription and protein expression of target genes of Shh signaling, including c-Myc, Cyclin D1, and VEGFA. Conversely, knocking down β2 -AR markedly suppressed the expression of Shh components in vivo and in vitro. In Gli1 knockdown cells, ISO failed to increase the expression of target genes of Shh signaling. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we uncovered an important role of β2 -AR signaling in regulating the Shh pathway activity in PCa tumorigenesis and provide further insight into the mechanism of the involvement of the Hh signaling pathway. Furthermore, given the efficacy of β2 -adrenergic modulation on PCa, our study might also add evidence for potential therapeutic options of β-blockers for PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi Zhang
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Qianhui Wang
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xueqing Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and InflammationShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Qingqing Yin
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jinying Chen
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Linhui Xu
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chen Xu
- Institute of Life SciencesChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hassan S, Pullikuth A, Nelson KC, Flores A, Karpova Y, Baiz D, Zhu S, Sui G, Huang Y, Choi YA, D'Agostino R, Hemal A, von Holzen U, Debinski W, Kulik G. β2-adrenoreceptor Signaling Increases Therapy Resistance in Prostate Cancer by Upregulating MCL1. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:1839-1848. [PMID: 32928910 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-1037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that continuous activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to psychosocial stress increases resistance to therapy and accelerates tumor growth via β2-adrenoreceptor signaling (ADRB2). However, the effector mechanisms appear to be specific to tumor type. Here we show that activation of ADRB2 by epinephrine, increased in response to immobilization stress, delays the loss of MCL1 apoptosis regulator (MCL1) protein expression induced by cytotoxic drugs in prostate cancer cells; and thus, increases resistance of prostate cancer xenografts to cytotoxic therapies. The effect of epinephrine on MCL1 protein depended on protein kinase A (PKA) activity, but was independent from androgen receptor expression. Furthermore, elevated blood epinephrine levels correlated positively with an increased MCL1 protein expression in human prostate biopsies. In summary, we demonstrate that stress triggers an androgen-independent antiapoptotic signaling via the ADRB2/PKA/MCL1 pathway in prostate cancer cells. IMPLICATIONS: Presented results justify clinical studies of ADRB2 blockers as therapeutics and of MCL1 protein expression as potential biomarker predicting efficacy of apoptosis-targeting drugs in prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sazzad Hassan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, Indiana
| | - Ashok Pullikuth
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Kyle C Nelson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Anabel Flores
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Yelena Karpova
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Daniele Baiz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Sinan Zhu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Guangchao Sui
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Yue Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Young A Choi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ralph D'Agostino
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ashok Hemal
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Urs von Holzen
- Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, Indiana
- Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Goshen, Indiana
| | - Waldemar Debinski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - George Kulik
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Department of Life Sciences, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kulik G. ADRB2-Targeting Therapies for Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E358. [PMID: 30871232 PMCID: PMC6468358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that β-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) signaling contributes to the progression and therapy resistance of prostate cancer, whereas availability of clinically tested β-blocker propranolol makes this pathway especially attractive as potential therapeutic target. Yet even in tumors with active ADRB2 signaling propranolol may be ineffective. Inhibition of apoptosis is one of the major mechanisms by which activation of ADRB2 contributes to prostate cancer pathophysiology. The signaling network that controls apoptosis in prostate tumors is highly redundant, with several signaling pathways targeting a few critical apoptosis regulatory molecules. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of ADRB2 signaling in the context of other signaling mechanisms is necessary to identify patients who will benefit from propranolol therapy. This review discusses how information on the antiapoptotic mechanisms activated by ADRB2 can guide clinical trials of ADRB2 antagonist propranolol as potential life-extending therapy for prostate cancer. To select patients for clinical trials of propranolol three classes of biomarkers are proposed. First, biomarkers of ADRB2/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway activation; second, biomarkers that inform about activation of other signaling pathways unrelated to ADRB2; third, apoptosis regulatory molecules controlled by ADRB2 signaling and other survival signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Kulik
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
- Department of Life Sciences, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Reyes-Corral M, Sørensen NM, Thrasivoulou C, Dasgupta P, Ashmore JF, Ahmed A. Differential Free Intracellular Calcium Release by Class II Antiarrhythmics in Cancer Cell Lines. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 369:152-162. [PMID: 30655298 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.254375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Class II antiarrhythmics or β-blockers are antisympathetic nervous system agents that act by blocking β-adrenoceptors. Despite their common clinical use, little is known about the effects of β-blockers on free intracellular calcium (Ca2+ i), an important cytosolic second messenger and a key regulator of cell function. We investigated the role of four chemical analogs, commonly prescribed β-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, and sotalol), on Ca2+ i release and whole-cell currents in mammalian cancer cells (PC3 prostate cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines). We discovered that only propranolol activated free Ca2+ i release with distinct kinetics, whereas atenolol, metoprolol, and sotalol did not. The propranolol-induced Ca2+ i release was significantly inhibited by the chelation of extracellular calcium with ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and by dantrolene, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ryanodine receptor channels, and it was completely abolished by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, an inhibitor of the ER inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor channels. Exhaustion of ER stores with 4-chloro-m-cresol, a ryanodine receptor activator, or thapsigargin, a sarco/ER Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor, precluded the propranolol-induced Ca2+ i release. Finally, preincubation of cells with sotalol or timolol, nonselective blockers of β-adrenoceptors, also reduced the Ca2+ i release activated by propranolol. Our results show that different β-blockers have differential effects on whole-cell currents and free Ca2+ i release and that propranolol activates store-operated Ca2+ i release via a mechanism that involves calcium-induced calcium release and putative downstream transducers such as IP3 The differential action of class II antiarrhythmics on Ca2+ i release may have implications on the pharmacology of these drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Reyes-Corral
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naja M Sørensen
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Thrasivoulou
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Prokar Dasgupta
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan F Ashmore
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aamir Ahmed
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (M.R.-C., A.A.) and MRC Centre for Transplantation (P.D.), King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Denmark (N.M.S.); and Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (C.T.) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Ear Institute (J.F.A.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Qiao G, Chen M, Bucsek MJ, Repasky EA, Hylander BL. Adrenergic Signaling: A Targetable Checkpoint Limiting Development of the Antitumor Immune Response. Front Immunol 2018; 9:164. [PMID: 29479349 PMCID: PMC5812031 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An immune response must be tightly controlled so that it will be commensurate with the level of response needed to protect the organism without damaging normal tissue. The roles of cytokines and chemokines in orchestrating these processes are well known, but although stress has long been thought to also affect immune responses, the underlying mechanisms were not as well understood. Recently, the role of nerves and, specifically, the sympathetic nervous system, in regulating immune responses is being revealed. Generally, an acute stress response is beneficial but chronic stress is detrimental because it suppresses the activities of effector immune cells while increasing the activities of immunosuppressive cells. In this review, we first discuss the underlying biology of adrenergic signaling in cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system. We then focus on the effects of chronic adrenergic stress in promoting tumor growth, giving examples of effects on tumor cells and immune cells, explaining the methods commonly used to induce stress in preclinical mouse models. We highlight how this relates to our observations that mandated housing conditions impose baseline chronic stress on mouse models, which is sufficient to cause chronic immunosuppression. This problem is not commonly recognized, but it has been shown to impact conclusions of several studies of mouse physiology and mouse models of disease. Moreover, the fact that preclinical mouse models are chronically immunosuppressed has critical ramifications for analysis of any experiments with an immune component. Our group has found that reducing adrenergic stress by housing mice at thermoneutrality or treating mice housed at cooler temperatures with β-blockers reverses immunosuppression and significantly improves responses to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. These observations are clinically relevant because there are numerous retrospective epidemiological studies concluding that cancer patients who were taking β-blockers have better outcomes. Clinical trials testing whether β-blockers can be repurposed to improve the efficacy of traditional and immunotherapies in patients are on the horizon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanxi Qiao
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Minhui Chen
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Mark J. Bucsek
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Repasky
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Bonnie L. Hylander
- Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Repasky EA, Eng J, Hylander BL. Stress, metabolism and cancer: integrated pathways contributing to immune suppression. Cancer J 2015; 21:97-103. [PMID: 25815849 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The potential for immune cells to control cancers has been recognized for many decades, but only recently has real excitement begun to spread through the oncology community following clear evidence that therapeutic blockade of specific immune-suppressive mechanisms is enough to make a real difference in survival for patients with several different advanced cancers. However, impressive and encouraging as these new clinical data are, it is clear that more effort should be devoted toward understanding the full spectrum of factors within cancer patients, which have the potential to block or weaken antitumor activity by immune cells. The goal of this brief review is to highlight recent literature revealing interactive stress and metabolic pathways, particularly those mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which may conspire to block immune cells from unleashing their full killing potential. There is exciting new information regarding the role of neurogenesis by tumors and adrenergic signaling in cancer progression (including metabolic changes associated with cachexia and lipolysis) and in regulation of immune cell function and differentiation. However, much more work is needed to fully understand how the systemic metabolic effects mediated by the brain and nervous system can be targeted for therapeutic efficacy in the setting of immunotherapy and other cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Repasky
- From the Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Functional upregulation of the H2S/Cav3.2 channel pathway accelerates secretory function in neuroendocrine-differentiated human prostate cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 97:300-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
11
|
Dickerson EB, Bryan BA. Beta Adrenergic Signaling: A Targetable Regulator of Angiosarcoma and Hemangiosarcoma. Vet Sci 2015; 2:270-292. [PMID: 29061946 PMCID: PMC5644640 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci2030270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human angiosarcomas and canine hemangiosarcomas are highly aggressive cancers thought to arise from cells of vascular origin. The pathological features, morphological organization, and clinical behavior of canine hemangiosarcomas are virtually indistinct from those of human angiosarcomas. Overall survival with current standard-of-care approaches remains dismal for both humans and dogs, and each is likely to succumb to their disease within a short duration. While angiosarcomas in humans are extremely rare, limiting their study and treatment options, canine hemangiosarcomas occur frequently. Therefore, studies of these sarcomas in dogs can be used to advance treatment approaches for both patient groups. Emerging data suggest that angiosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas utilize beta adrenergic signaling to drive their progression by regulating the tumor cell niche and fine-tuning cellular responses within the tumor microenvironment. These discoveries indicate that inhibition of beta adrenergic signaling could serve as an Achilles heel for these tumors and emphasize the need to design therapeutic strategies that target tumor cell and stromal cell constituents. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries and present new hypotheses regarding the roles of beta adrenergic signaling in angiosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas. Because the use of beta adrenergic receptor antagonists is well established in human and veterinary medicine, beta blockade could provide an immediate adjunct therapy for treatment along with a tangible opportunity to improve upon the outcomes of both humans and dogs with these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin B Dickerson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
- Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Brad A Bryan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79912, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Braadland PR, Ramberg H, Grytli HH, Taskén KA. β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2015; 4:375. [PMID: 25629002 PMCID: PMC4290544 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced sympathetic signaling, often associated with obesity and chronic stress, is increasingly acknowledged as a contributor to cancer aggressiveness. In prostate cancer, intact sympathetic nerves are critical for tumor formation, and sympathectomy induces apoptosis and blocks tumor growth. Perineural invasion, involving enrichment of intra-prostatic nerves, is frequently observed in prostate cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), the most abundant receptor for sympathetic signals in prostate luminal cells, has been shown to regulate trans-differentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cells and to affect apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, and metastasis. Epidemiologic studies have shown that use of β-blockers, inhibiting β-adrenergic receptor activity, is associated with reduced prostate cancer-specific mortality. In this review, we aim to present an overview on how β-adrenergic receptor and its downstream signaling cascade influence the development of aggressive prostate cancer, primarily through regulating neuroendocrine differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peder Rustøen Braadland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Håkon Ramberg
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Helene Hartvedt Grytli
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Kristin Austlid Taskén
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Theory and empirical evidence suggest that psychological stress and other adverse psychosocial experiences can contribute to cancer progression. Research has begun to explore the potential role of epigenetic changes in these pathways. In basic, animal and human models, exposure to stressors or to the products of the physiological stress response (e.g., cortisol) has been associated with epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and microRNA (miR) expression, which may influence tumor growth, progression, metastasis, or chemoresistance. However, the specific biological pathways linking stress, epigenetic changes, and cancer outcomes remain unclear. Numerous opportunities exist to extend the preliminary evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the biopsychosocial pathways contributing to cancer progression. Such work will improve our understanding of how the psychosocial environment influences cancer risk and survival, potentially leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Akbar S, Alsharidah MS. Are Beta Blockers New Potential Anticancer Agents? Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2014; 15:9567-74. [DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.22.9567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
15
|
Eng JWL, Kokolus KM, Reed CB, Hylander BL, Ma WW, Repasky EA. A nervous tumor microenvironment: the impact of adrenergic stress on cancer cells, immunosuppression, and immunotherapeutic response. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:1115-28. [PMID: 25307152 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1617-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Long conserved mechanisms maintain homeostasis in living creatures in response to a variety of stresses. However, continuous exposure to stress can result in unabated production of stress hormones, especially catecholamines, which can have detrimental health effects. While the long-term effects of chronic stress have well-known physiological consequences, recent discoveries have revealed that stress may affect therapeutic efficacy in cancer. Growing epidemiological evidence reveals strong correlations between progression-free and long-term survival and β-blocker usage in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine, affect cancer cell survival and tumor progression. We also highlight new data exploring the potential contributions of stress to immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and the implications of these findings for the efficacy of immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason W-L Eng
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cardwell CR, Coleman HG, Murray LJ, O'Sullivan JM, Powe DG. Beta-blocker usage and prostate cancer survival: a nested case-control study in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink cohort. Cancer Epidemiol 2014; 38:279-85. [PMID: 24786858 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2014.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent laboratory and epidemiological evidence suggests that beta-blockers could inhibit prostate cancer progression. METHODS We investigated the effect of beta-blockers on prostate cancer-specific mortality in a cohort of prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2006 were identified from the UK Clinical Practice Research Database and confirmed by cancer registries. Patients were followed up to 2011 with deaths identified by the Office of National Statistics. A nested case-control analysis compared patients dying from prostate cancer (cases) with up to three controls alive at the time of their death, matched by age and year of diagnosis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Post-diagnostic beta-blocker use was identified in 25% of 1184 prostate cancer-specific deaths and 26% of 3531 matched controls. There was little evidence (P=0.40) of a reduction in the risk of cancer-specific death in beta-blocker users compared with non-users (OR=0.94 95% CI 0.81, 1.09). Similar results were observed after adjustments for confounders, in analyses by beta-blocker frequency, duration, type and for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS Beta-blocker usage after diagnosis was not associated with cancer-specific or all-cause mortality in prostate cancer patients in this large UK study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris R Cardwell
- Cancer Epidemiology & Health Services Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Helen G Coleman
- Cancer Epidemiology & Health Services Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Liam J Murray
- Cancer Epidemiology & Health Services Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Joe M O'Sullivan
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Des G Powe
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK; The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hassan S, Karpova Y, Flores A, D'Agostino R, Danhauer SC, Hemal A, Kulik G. A pilot study of blood epinephrine levels and CREB phosphorylation in men undergoing prostate biopsies. Int Urol Nephrol 2013; 46:505-10. [PMID: 24057680 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-013-0513-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In mouse models of prostate cancer, increased epinephrine levels accelerated tumor growth via the beta2-adrenoreceptor/PKA signaling pathway. It is unknown, however, whether men experience increased epinephrine levels sufficient to activate the beta2-adrenoreceptor/PKA pathway in the prostate gland. We measured epinephrine levels in blood samples collected immediately prior to prostate biopsies and measured phosphorylation of S133CREB (PKA site), S112BAD, T202/Y204ERK, and S473 Akt in prostate biopsy tissue samples. METHODS Tissue samples and 3 ml of blood were obtained from men (n = 20) recruited from the patients scheduled for prostate biopsies. Epinephrine levels were measured by ELISA. Proteins were extracted from biopsied tissue, and protein phosphorylation was measured by Western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies. Pearson and Spearman's rank correlations were analyzed to assess relationships between blood epinephrine levels and phosphorylation of CREB, BAD, AKT, and ERK. RESULTS Epinephrine levels above 1 nM were detected in 5 of 20 patients. A strong positive correlation was observed between increased epinephrine levels and CREB phosphorylation. In contrast, no correlation was observed between epinephrine levels and phosphorylation of ERK, BAD, or AKT. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that increased blood epinephrine levels activate the beta2-adrenoreceptor/PKA signaling pathway in human prostate glands. These results will inform future studies to examine whether beta2-selective blockers can inhibit activation of the epinephrine/ADRB2/PKA pathway in prostate tumors of men with increased epinephrine levels and explore the use of beta2-selective blockers as adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sazzad Hassan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hassan S, Karpova Y, Baiz D, Yancey D, Pullikuth A, Flores A, Register T, Cline JM, D'Agostino R, Danial N, Datta SR, Kulik G. Behavioral stress accelerates prostate cancer development in mice. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:874-86. [PMID: 23348742 DOI: 10.1172/jci63324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer patients have increased levels of stress and anxiety. Conversely, men who take beta blockers, which interfere with signaling from the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, have a lower incidence of prostate cancer; however, the mechanisms underlying stress-prostate cancer interactions are unknown. Here, we report that stress promotes prostate carcinogenesis in mice in an adrenaline-dependent manner. Behavioral stress inhibited apoptosis and delayed prostate tumor involution both in phosphatase and tensin homolog-deficient (PTEN-deficient) prostate cancer xenografts treated with PI3K inhibitor and in prostate tumors of mice with prostate-restricted expression of c-MYC (Hi-Myc mice) subjected to androgen ablation therapy with bicalutamide. Additionally, stress accelerated prostate cancer development in Hi-Myc mice. The effects of stress were prevented by treatment with the selective β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) antagonist ICI118,551 or by inducible expression of PKA inhibitor (PKI) or of BCL2-associated death promoter (BAD) with a mutated PKA phosphorylation site (BADS112A) in xenograft tumors. Effects of stress were also blocked in Hi-Myc mice expressing phosphorylation-deficient BAD (BAD3SA). These results demonstrate interactions between prostate tumors and the psychosocial environment mediated by activation of an adrenaline/ADRB2/PKA/BAD antiapoptotic signaling pathway. Our findings could be used to identify prostate cancer patients who could benefit from stress reduction or from pharmacological inhibition of stress-induced signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sazzad Hassan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Al-Wadei HAN, Ullah MF, Al-Wadei MH. Intercepting neoplastic progression in lung malignancies via the beta adrenergic (β-AR) pathway: implications for anti-cancer drug targets. Pharmacol Res 2012; 66:33-40. [PMID: 22487140 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of signaling cascades involved in the induction, promotion, and progression of cancer, although advanced in recent years, is still incomplete. Tracing the imbalance of the impaired, physiologically-essential cellular signaling that drives the neoplastic process is a complex issue. This review discusses the role of the regulator of the fight or flight response, the beta-adrenergic signaling cascade, as a mediator of cancer growth and progression in in vitro and in vivo cancer models. We review a series of experiments from our own laboratory and those of others examining the contribution of this signaling network to lung and other human malignancies and thereby identifying potential targets for chemotherapeutic interventions. The stimulation of the β-adrenergic receptor by lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as a preexisting risk for neoplasm, activates downstream effector molecules (adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/PKA/CREB) concomitant to the transactivation of related pathways (EGFR) that lead to pro-oncogenic signaling; this β-adrenergic pathway thereby encourages cancer growth by evasion of apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. GABAergic signaling acts as an antagonist to the β-adrenergic cascade by intercepting adenylyl cyclase activation, and thereby neutralizing the pro-oncogenic effects of β-adrenergic stimulation. The regulation of cancer cell growth by neurobiological signals expands the possibilities for pharmacological interventions in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussein A N Al-Wadei
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Al-Wadei HAN, Ullah MF, Al-Wadei M. GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), a non-protein amino acid counters the β-adrenergic cascade-activated oncogenic signaling in pancreatic cancer: a review of experimental evidence. Mol Nutr Food Res 2011; 55:1745-58. [PMID: 21805621 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201100229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2011] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
GABA is a bioactive constituent of fruits, vegetables, cereals and is believed to play a role in defense against stress in plants. In animals, it acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain while also expressed in non-neuronal cells. Studies have implicated the regulator of fight or flight stress responses, β-AR signaling cascade, as mediators of cancer growth and progression in in vitro and in vivo models of pancreatic malignancies. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in western countries. This malignancy is generally unresponsive to conventional radio- and chemotherapy, resulting in mortality rate near 100% within 6 months of diagnosis. We review a series of experiments from our laboratory and those of others examining the contribution of this signaling network to pancreatic and other human malignancies. Stimulation of the β-adrenergic receptor by lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as a pre-existing risk of neoplasm, activates downstream effector molecules that lead to pro-oncogenic signaling and thereby aid cancer growth. GABAergic signaling mediated by the serpentine receptor GABA(B) acts as an antagonist to β-adrenergic cascade by intercepting adenylyl cyclase. These evidences enhance the pharmacological value of human diets rich in GABA for use as an adjuvant to standard therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussein A N Al-Wadei
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lutgendorf SK, DeGeest K, Sung CY, Arevalo JM, Penedo F, Lucci J, Goodheart M, Lubaroff D, Farley DM, Sood AK, Cole SW. Depression, social support, and beta-adrenergic transcription control in human ovarian cancer. Brain Behav Immun 2009; 23:176-83. [PMID: 18550328 PMCID: PMC2677379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2008.04.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2008] [Revised: 04/25/2008] [Accepted: 04/27/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivated by previous indications that beta-adrenergic signaling can regulate tumor cell gene expression in model systems, we sought to determine whether similar dynamics occur in primary human ovarian cancer. DNA microarray analyses of 10 ovarian carcinomas identified 266 human transcripts that were differentially expressed in tumors from patients with elevated biobehavioral risk factors (high depressive symptoms and low social support) relative to grade- and stage-matched tumors from low-risk patients. Promoter-based bioinformatic analyses indicated increased activity of several beta-adrenergically-linked transcription control pathways, including CREB/ATF, NF-kappaB/Rel, STAT, and Ets family transcription factors. Consistent with increased beta-adrenergic signaling, high biobehavioral risk patients also showed increased intra-tumor concentrations of norepinephrine (but no difference in plasma norepinephrine). These data show that genome-wide transcriptional profiles are significantly altered in tumors from patients with high behavioral risk profiles, and they identify beta-adrenergic signal transduction as a likely mediator of those effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan K. Lutgendorf
- Department of Psychology, University of Iowa,Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Iowa,Urology, University of Iowa,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa
| | | | - Caroline Y. Sung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, and the Norman Cousins Center
| | - Jesusa M. Arevalo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, and the Norman Cousins Center
| | - Frank Penedo
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
| | - Joseph Lucci
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami
| | | | - David Lubaroff
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Iowa,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA
| | | | - Anil K. Sood
- Departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
| | - Steve W. Cole
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, and the Norman Cousins Center,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA AIDS Institute, and the UCLA Molecular Biology Institute,Correspondence: Steve W. Cole, Ph.D.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Shen SG, Zhang D, Hu HT, Li JH, Wang Z, Ma QY. Effects of α-adrenoreceptor antagonists on apoptosis and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:2358-63. [PMID: 18416462 PMCID: PMC2705090 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.2358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To discuss the expression of α-adrenoreceptors in pancreatic cancer cell lines PC-2 and PC-3 and the effects of α1- and α2-adrenoreceptor antagonists, yohimbine and urapidil hydrochloride, on the cell lines in vitro.
METHODS: We cultured the human ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines PC-2 and PC-3 and analyzed the mRNA expression of α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of yohimbine and urapidil hydrochloride on cell proliferation were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,4,-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was detected using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry (FCM).
RESULTS: PC-2 expressed mRNA in α1- and α2-adrenoreceptors. MTT assays showed that urapidil hydrochloride had no effect on PC-3 cell lines. However, exposure to urapidil hydrochloride increased DNA synthesis in PC-2 cell lines as compared to the control group. PC-2 cell lines were sensitive to both drugs. The proliferation of the 2 cell lines was inhibited by yohimbine. Cell proliferation was inhibited by yohimbine via apoptosis induction.
CONCLUSION: The expression of α1- and α2-adrenoreceptors is different in PC-2 and PC-3 cell lines, which might be indicative of their different functions. The α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, can inhibit the proliferation of both cell lines and induce their apoptosis, suggesting that yohimbine can be used as an anticancer drug for apoptosis of PC-2 and PC-3 cells.
Collapse
|
23
|
Danyi S, Degand G, Duez C, Granier B, Maghuin-Rogister G, Scippo ML. Solubilisation and binding characteristics of a recombinant β2-adrenergic receptor expressed in the membrane of Escherichia coli for the multianalyte detection of β-agonists and antagonists residues in food-producing animals. Anal Chim Acta 2007; 589:159-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2007.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2006] [Revised: 02/19/2007] [Accepted: 02/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
24
|
Sastry KSR, Karpova Y, Prokopovich S, Smith AJ, Essau B, Gersappe A, Carson JP, Weber MJ, Register TC, Chen YQ, Penn RB, Kulik G. Epinephrine protects cancer cells from apoptosis via activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and BAD phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:14094-100. [PMID: 17353197 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m611370200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The stress hormone epinephrine is known to elicit multiple systemic effects that include changes in cardiovascular parameters and immune responses. However, information about its direct action on cancer cells is limited. Here we provide evidence that epinephrine reduces sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis through interaction with beta(2)-adrenergic receptors. The antiapoptotic mechanism of epinephrine primarily involves phosphorylation and inactivation of the proapoptotic protein BAD by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Moreover, BAD phosphorylation was observed at epinephrine concentrations found after acute and chronic psychosocial stress. Antiapoptotic signaling by epinephrine could be one of the mechanisms by which stress promotes tumorigenesis and decreases the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Konduru S R Sastry
- Department of Cancer Biology, Section on Comparative Medicine, and Center for Human Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Michel MC, Vrydag W. Alpha1-, alpha2- and beta-adrenoceptors in the urinary bladder, urethra and prostate. Br J Pharmacol 2006; 147 Suppl 2:S88-119. [PMID: 16465187 PMCID: PMC1751487 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
1 We have systematically reviewed the presence, functional responses and regulation of alpha(1)-, alpha(2)- and beta-adrenoceptors in the bladder, urethra and prostate, with special emphasis on human tissues and receptor subtypes. 2 Alpha(1)-adrenoceptors are only poorly expressed and play a limited functional role in the detrusor. Alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, particularly their alpha(1A)-subtype, show a more pronounced expression and promote contraction of the bladder neck, urethra and prostate to enhance bladder outlet resistance, particularly in elderly men with enlarged prostates. Alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonists are important in the treatment of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but their beneficial effects may involve receptors within and outside the prostate. 3 Alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, mainly their alpha(2A)-subtype, are expressed in bladder, urethra and prostate. They mediate pre-junctional inhibition of neurotransmitter release and also a weak contractile effect in the urethra of some species, but not humans. Their overall post-junctional function in the lower urinary tract remains largely unclear. 4 Beta-adrenoceptors mediate relaxation of smooth muscle in the bladder, urethra and prostate. The available tools have limited the unequivocal identification of receptor subtypes at the protein and functional levels, but it appears that the beta(3)- and beta(2)-subtypes are important in the human bladder and urethra, respectively. Beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists are promising drug candidates for the treatment of the overactive bladder. 5 We propose that the overall function of adrenoceptors in the lower urinary tract is to promote urinary continence. Further elucidation of the functional roles of their subtypes will help a better understanding of voiding dysfunction and its treatment.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adrenergic Agonists/pharmacology
- Animals
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Male
- Muscle Contraction
- Muscle, Smooth/metabolism
- Prostate/drug effects
- Prostate/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic/drug effects
- Receptors, Adrenergic/genetics
- Receptors, Adrenergic/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/metabolism
- Urethra/drug effects
- Urethra/metabolism
- Urinary Bladder/drug effects
- Urinary Bladder/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin C Michel
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapy, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ramos-Jiménez J, Soria-Jasso LE, López-Colombo A, Reyes-Esparza JA, Camacho J, Arias-Montaño JA. Histamine augments beta2-adrenoceptor-induced cyclic AMP accumulation in human prostate cancer cells DU-145 independently of known histamine receptors. Biochem Pharmacol 2006; 73:814-23. [PMID: 17196553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2006.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Revised: 11/24/2006] [Accepted: 11/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU-145 express a number of G protein-coupled receptors, including histamine H1 receptors. There is evidence for the presence of beta-adrenoceptors in the human prostate, and in this work we set out to characterise the expression of beta-adrenoceptors by DU-145 cells, their linking to cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation and the possible modulation by histamine H1 receptors of beta-adrenoceptor function. Saturation [3H]-dihydroalprenolol binding indicated that DU-145 cells express moderate levels of beta-adrenoceptors (22.7+/-2.5 fmol/mg protein), which belong to the beta2-subtype as assessed by inhibition by the antagonists ICI-118,551 and CGP-20712A. Inhibition of [3H]-dihydroalprenolol binding by agonists (noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoproterenol) showed the presence of both high-(53-59%) and low-affinity binding sites. beta-Adrenoceptor stimulation with isoproterenol resulted in robust [3H]-cAMP accumulation (10-30-fold of basal, EC50 142 nM; pEC50 6.85+/-0.05). While not having effect of its own on basal [3H]-cAMP accumulation, histamine significantly augmented the beta2-adrenoceptor-induced response (overall effect 152+/-6% of isoproterenol alone) with EC50 1.35 microM (pEC50 5.87+/-0.06). This effect was independent of extracellular Ca2+, insensitive to antagonists/agonists at H1, H2 or H3/H4 receptors and mimicked by drugs containing an imidazole ring in their chemical structure and by imidazole itself. Taken together, our results show that in DU-145 cells histamine augments beta2-adrenoceptor-induced cAMP independently of the activation of known histamine receptors. The effect may involve other mechanisms such as allosteric modulation of beta2-adrenoceptors by the imidazole moiety of histamine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Ramos-Jiménez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Cinvestav, México, D.F., Mexico; Sección Externa de Farmacología, Cinvestav, México, D.F., Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Glaser S, Alvaro D, Francis H, Ueno Y, Marucci L, Benedetti A, De Morrow S, Marzioni M, Mancino MG, Phinizy JL, Reichenbach R, Fava G, Summers R, Venter J, Alpini G. Adrenergic receptor agonists prevent bile duct injury induced by adrenergic denervation by increased cAMP levels and activation of Akt. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2006; 290:G813-26. [PMID: 16339297 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00306.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Loss of parasympathetic innervation after vagotomy impairs cholangiocyte proliferation, which is associated with depressed cAMP levels, impaired ductal secretion, and enhanced apoptosis. Agonists that elevate cAMP levels prevent cholangiocyte apoptosis and restore cholangiocyte proliferation and ductal secretion. No information exists regarding the role of adrenergic innervation in the regulation of cholangiocyte function. In the present studies, we investigated the role of adrenergic innervation on cholangiocyte proliferative and secretory responses to bile duct ligation (BDL). Adrenergic denervation by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) during BDL decreased cholangiocyte proliferation and secretin-stimulated ductal secretion with concomitant increased apoptosis, which was associated with depressed cholangiocyte cAMP levels. Chronic administration of forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator) or beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists (clenbuterol or dobutamine) prevented the decrease in cholangiocyte cAMP levels, maintained cholangiocyte secretory and proliferative activities, and decreased cholangiocyte apoptosis resulting from adrenergic denervation. This was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of Akt. The protective effects of clenbuterol, dobutamine, and forskolin on 6-OHDA-induced changes in cholangiocyte apoptosis and proliferation were partially blocked by chronic in vivo administration of wortmannin. In conclusion, we propose that adrenergic innervation plays a role in the regulation of biliary mass and cholangiocyte functions during BDL by modulating intracellular cAMP levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Glaser
- Division of Research and Education, College of Medicine, Scott and White Hospital and The Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, Temple, 76504, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Algazi M, Plu-Bureau G, Flahault A, Dondon MG, Lê MG. [Could treatments with beta-blockers be associated with a reduction in cancer risk?]. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2004; 52:53-65. [PMID: 15107693 DOI: 10.1016/s0398-7620(04)99022-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between the use of anti-hypertensive drugs and cancer risk remains controversial. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential effect of beta-blocker use on cancer risk. METHODS In a cohort of 839 patients with cardiovascular disease, followed up prospectively for an average period of 10 years, cancer occurrence was recorded according to the exposure to beta-blockers. The relative risk of cancer associated with beta-blocker use was estimated using a Cox model adjusted on gender and age. Ever- vs never-use of beta-blockers and duration of exposure to the drug were analyzed as time-dependent variables. In addition, the standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated using the corresponding age- and gender-adjusted cancer incidences in the French general population. RESULTS A total of 326 beta-blocker users and 513 users of other treatments were included in the cohort. During the follow-up period, representing 8,466 person-years, incident cancer cases were 15 and 59 in beta-blocker ever-users versus never-users, respectively. Using the Cox model, the overall relative risk of cancer was 0.51 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.29-0.90) in the beta-blocker ever-users versus never-users (p=0.02), with a 6% decrease per year of use (95% CI: 1%-12%; p=0.03). The corresponding SIR ratio between these two groups was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.24-0.76). CONCLUSION In this cohort, the beta-blocker treatments appeared to decrease the cancer risk significantly. However, this result should be considered with caution; further work is needed, as some sources of bias associated with this type of epidemiological study cannot be totally excluded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Algazi
- Service de Cardiologie et Médecine Interne, Hôpital Privé des Diaconesses, 18, rue du Sergent-Bauchat, 75012 Paris.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
The number of technologies that enable high-throughput functional screening of G-protein-coupled receptors has expanded markedly over the past 5 years. Consequently, choosing the most appropriate technology can be a daunting task, particularly for Gi- or Gs-coupled receptors. The most common systems for cyclic AMP detection are reviewed, highlighting the practical and theoretical aspects that are important in their application to high-throughput screening. Current technologies can do the job, but it is likely that the future may require development of technologies that provide even greater biological information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Williams
- Hit Discovery Group, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|