Preferential inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis and protein tyrosine phosphorylation by nordihydroguaiaretic acid

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits transforming growth factor beta type 1 receptor activity and downstream signaling

It has been well documented that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a phenolic lignan isolated from the creosote bush, Larrea tridentate, has anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Several mechanisms have been identified that could contribute to these actions, as NDGA directly inhibits metabolic enzymes and receptor tyrosine kinases that are established anti-cancer targets. In the present study, we show that NDGA inhibits the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type I receptor, a serine threonine kinase receptor. In cultured cells, NDGA treatment repressed Smad2 phosphorylation induced by TGF-beta treatment and by a constitutively active mutant of TGF-beta type I receptor (T202D). NDGA also inhibited downstream transcriptional activation mediated by both TGF-beta treatment and the constitutively active mutant receptor. In vitro, NDGA inhibited TGF-beta type I receptor mediated Smad2 phosphorylation in crude cell lysates and in a purified preparation. Importantly, screening select analogs demonstrated that modification of NDGA's structure resulted in altered potency against the receptor. These results indicated that the structure of NDGA can be modified to achieve increased potency. Together our data provide a novel mechanism for NDGA activity which could help explain its anti-cancer activity, and suggest that NDGA could serve as a structural motif for developing serine/threonine kinase inhibitors with selectivity for TGF-beta type I receptor.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits an activated fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 mutant and blocks downstream signaling in multiple myeloma cells

Activating mutations within fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), a receptor tyrosine kinase, are responsible for human skeletal dysplasias including achondroplasia and the neonatal lethal syndromes, Thanatophoric Dysplasia (TD) type I and II. Several of these same FGFR3 mutations have also been identified somatically in human cancers, including multiple myeloma, bladder carcinoma, and cervical cancer. Based on reports that strongly activated mutants of FGFR3 such as the TDII (K650E) mutant signal preferentially from within the secretory pathway, the inhibitory properties of nordihydroguaiartic acid (NDGA), which blocks protein transport through the Golgi, were investigated. NDGA was able to inhibit FGFR3 autophosphorylation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, signaling molecules downstream of FGFR3 activation such as signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1, STAT3, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were inhibited by NDGA treatment. Using HEK293 cells expressing activated FGFR3-TDII, together with several multiple myeloma cell lines expressing activated forms of FGFR3, NDGA generally resulted in a decrease in MAPK activation by 1 hour, and resulted in increased apoptosis over 24 hours. The effects of NDGA on activated FGFR3 derivatives targeted either to the plasma membrane or the cytoplasm were also examined. These results suggest that inhibitory small molecules such as NDGA that target a specific subcellular compartment may be beneficial in the inhibition of activated receptors such as FGFR3 that signal from the same compartment.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits insulin-like growth factor signaling, growth, and survival in human neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric malignancy that metastasizes to the liver, bone, and other organs. Children with metastatic disease have a less than 50% chance of survival with current treatments. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) stimulate neuroblastoma growth, survival, and motility, and are expressed by neuroblastoma cells and the tissues they invade. Thus, therapies that disrupt the effects of IGFs on neuroblastoma tumorigenesis may slow disease progression. We show that NVP-AEW541, a specific inhibitor of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), potently inhibits neuroblastoma growth in vitro. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a phenolic compound isolated from the creosote bush (Larrea divaricata), has anti-tumor properties against a number of malignancies, has been shown to inhibit the phosphorylation and activation of the IGF-IR in breast cancer cells, and is currently in Phase I trials for prostate cancer. In the present study in neuroblastoma, NDGA inhibits IGF-I-mediated activation of the IGF-IR and disrupts activation of ERK and Akt signaling pathways induced by IGF-I. NDGA inhibits growth of neuroblastoma cells and induces apoptosis at higher doses, causing IGF-I-resistant activation of caspase-3 and a large increase in the fraction of sub-G0 cells. In addition, NDGA inhibits the growth of xenografted human neuroblastoma tumors in nude mice. These results indicate that NDGA may be useful in the treatment of neuroblastoma and may function in part via disruption of IGF-IR signaling.

Inhibition of IGF-1R and lipoxygenase by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) analogs

Herein, we pursue the hypothesis that the structure of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) can be refined for selective potency against the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer while diminishing its action against other cellular targets. Thus, a set of NDGA analogs (7a-7h) was prepared and examined for inhibitory potency against IGF-1R kinase and an alternative target, 15-lipoxygenase (15 LOX). The anti-cancer effects of these compounds were determined by their ability to inhibit IGF-1 mediated cell growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The design of the analogs was based upon a cursory Topliss approach in which one of NDGA's aromatic rings was modified with various substituents. Structural modification of one of the two catechol rings of NDGA was found to have little effect upon the inhibitory potency against both kinase activity of the IGF-1R and IGF-1 mediated cell growth of MCF-7 cells. 15-LOX was found to be most sensitive to structural modifications of NDGA. From the limited series of NDGA analogs examined, the compound that exhibited the greatest selectivity for IGF-1 mediated growth compared to 15-LOX inhibition was a cyclic analog 7h with a framework similar to a natural product isolated from Larrea divaricata. The results for 7h are significant because while NDGA displays biological promiscuity, 7h exhibits greater specificity toward the breast cancer target IGF-1R with that added benefit of possessing a 10-fold weaker potency against 15-LOX, an enzyme which has a purported tumor suppressing role in breast cancer. With increased specificity and potency, 7h may serve as a new lead in developing novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid affects multiple dynein-dynactin functions in interphase and mitotic cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a well known lipoxygenase inhibitor, actually has pleiotropic effects on cells, which include cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and chemotaxis. We and others have shown previously that this compound causes Golgi disassembly by an unknown mechanism. In this study, we show that, in parallel with Golgi disassembly, NDGA induces the accumulation of the microtubule minus-end-directed motor dynein-dynactin complex at the centrosome, where microtubules minus-ends lie. Concomitant with this accumulation, dynein-dynactin-interacting proteins, such as ZW10 and EB1, were also redistributed to the centrosomal region. In cells where microtubules were depolymerized by nocodazole, NDGA promoted the formation of filaments consisting of dynein-dynactin and its interacting proteins, suggesting that it stimulates the association of these proteins in an ordered, not random, manner. Loss of dynactin function abolished not only NDGA-induced redistribution in intact cells but also filament formation in nocodazole-treated cells. The latter finding implies that dynactin is a key molecule for the association between dynein-dynactin and its interacting proteins. In mitotic cells, NDGA induced robust accumulation of dyneindynactin and its interacting proteins at the spindle poles. These results taken together suggest that NDGA perturbs membrane traffic by affecting the function of the microtubule motor dynein-dynactin complex and its auxiliary proteins. To our knowledge, NDGA is the first case of a reagent that can modulate dynein-dynactin-related processes.

Differential effects of COX inhibitors against β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cells

Retrospective epidemiological studies have suggested that chronic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provides some degree of protection from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although most NSAIDs inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of prostanoids from arachidonic acid (AA), the precise mechanism through which NSAIDs act upon AD pathology remains to be elucidated. Classical NSAIDs like indomethacin inhibit both the constitutive COX-1 and the inducible COX-2 enzymes. In the present work, we characterize the protective effect of the indomethacin on the neurotoxicity elicited by amyloid-beta protein (A beta, fragments 25-35 and 1-42) alone or in combination with AA added exogenously as well as its effects on COX-2 expression. We also compared the neuroprotective effects of indomethacin with the selective COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitors, SC-560, NS-398 and NDGA, respectively. Our results show that indomethacin protected from A beta and AA toxicity in naive and differentiated human neuroblastoma cells with more potency than SC-560 while, NS-398 only protected neurons from AA-mediated toxicity. Present results suggest that A beta toxicity can be reversed more efficiently by the non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin suggesting its role in modulating the signal transduction pathway involved in the mechanism of A beta neurotoxicity.

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (NDGA) Inhibits the IGF-1 and c-erbB2/HER2/neu Receptors and Suppresses Growth in Breast Cancer Cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a phenolic compound isolated from the creosote bush Larrea divaricatta that has anti-cancer activities both in vitro and in vivo. We can now attribute certain of these anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells to the ability of NDGA to directly inhibit the function of two receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and the c-erbB2/HER2/neu (HER2/neu) receptor. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, low micromolar concentrations of NDGA inhibited activation of the IGF-1R, and downstream phosphorylation of both the Akt/PKB serine kinase and the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. In mouse MCNeuA cells, NDGA also inhibited ligand independent phosphorylation of HER2/neu. To study whether this inhibitory effect in cells was due to a direct action on these receptors, we studied the IGF-1-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity of isolated IGF-1R, which was inhibited by NDGA at 10 muM or less. NDGA was also effective at inhibiting autophosphorylation of the isolated HER2/neu receptor at similar concentrations. In addition, NDGA inhibited IGF-1 specific growth of cultured breast cancer cells with an IC50 of approximately 30 muM. NDGA treatment (intraperitoneal injection 3 times per week) also decreased the activity of the IGF-1R and the HER2/neu receptor in MCNeuA cells implanted into mice. This inhibition of RTK activity was associated with decreased growth rates of MCNeuA cells in vivo. These studies indicate that the anti-breast cancer properties of NDGA are related to the inhibition of two important RTKs. Agents of this class may therefore provide new insights into potential therapies for this disease.

The arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha activation of microglia and extends survival of G93A-SOD1 transgenic mice

Familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be caused by mutations in copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Mice expressing SOD1 mutants demonstrate a robust neuroinflammatory reaction characterized, in part, by up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and its primary receptor TNF-RI. In an effort to identify small molecule inhibitors of neuroinflammation useful in treatment of ALS, a microglial culture system was established to identify TNFalpha antagonists. Walker EOC-20 microglia cells were stimulated with recombinant TNFalpha, with or without inhibitors, and the cell response was indexed by NO2- output. Three hundred and fifty-five rationally selected compounds were included in this bioassay. The arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase (5LOX) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a natural dicatechol, was one of the most potent non-cytotoxic antagonists tested (IC50 8 +/- 3 microm). Investigation of the G93A-SOD1 mouse model for ALS revealed increased message and protein levels of 5LOX at 120 days of age. Oral NDGA (2500 p.p.m.) significantly extended lifespan and slowed motor dysfunction in this mouse, when administration was begun relatively late in life (90 days). NDGA extended median total lifespan of G93A-SOD1 mice by 10%, and life expectancy following start of treatment was extended by 32%. Disease-associated gliosis and cleaved microtubule-associated tau protein, an indicator of axon damage, were likewise reduced by NDGA. Thus, TNFalpha antagonists and especially 5LOX inhibitors might offer new opportunities for treatment of ALS.

Estrogenic activity of an antioxidant, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA)

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an antioxidant which has been used to preserve oils and foods, has recently become well known as a putative anticancer agent. Although NDGA is a member of the lignan family, its hormonal activities have not been well investigated. Here we show that NDGA has in vitro estrogenic activity in the ERE-luc reporter system using NIH3T3 cells, and in the estrogen-responsive cell growth assay in a pituitary cell line, MtT/E-2. Uterotropic assay in rats indicated that NDGA has estrogenic activity in vivo as well, albeit weak. Interestingly it preferentially induced ERalpha mediated ERE-luc activity, although it showed similar binding affinity to both ERalpha and ERbeta. With ERbeta, on the other hand, NDGA showed only weak agonistic action, and antagonized the estrogenic action of 17beta-estradiol when the two were coadministered. These data suggest that NDGA is an estrogenic agonist for ERalpha : ERE transcription and a mixed agonist/antagonist for ERbeta mediated ERE transactivation.

Short-term regulation of basolateral organic anion uptake in proximal tubular OK cells: EGF acts via MAPK, PLA(2), and COX1

The organic anion transport system of the kidney is of major importance for the excretion of a variety of endogenous compounds, drugs, and potentially toxic substances. The basolateral uptake into proximal tubular cells is mediated by a tertiary active transport system. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) leads to an increase in the basolateral uptake rate of the model substrate para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) in opossum kidney (OK) cells. This stimulation is mediated by successive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases,mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular regulated kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). This study investigates the regulatory network of EGF action on PAH uptake downstream ERK1/2 in more detail. EGF stimulation of the basolateral uptake rate of [(14)C]PAH was abolished by the phospholipase A(2) inhibitor AACOCF3.[(14)C]PAH uptake was enhanced by arachidonic acid. Furthermore, EGF led to an increase in arachidonic acid release and to the generation of prostaglandins. AACOCF3 did not influence EGF-induced ERK1/2 activation, indicating that ERK1/2 is upstream of PLA(2). In addition, EGF stimulated the influx of extracellular Ca(2+). However, Ca(2+)-influx was not required for the stimulatory action of EGF on [(14)C]PAH uptake. Inhibitors of COX and lipoxygenases reduced [(14)C]PAH uptake dose-dependently, whereas inhibition of cytochrome P450 did not. In the presence of indomethacin, EGF had no stimulatory effect on [(14)C]PAH uptake. The inhibitory effect of indomethacin was not due to competitive action on PAH uptake. Furthermore, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) increased basolateral [(14)C]PAH uptake rate dose-dependently, and this increase was also observed in the presence of indomethacin. Selective inhibition of COX2 by indomethacin amid or indomethacin n-heptyl ester did not inhibit [(14)C]PAH uptake, whereas selective inhibition of COX1 dose-dependently inhibited [(14)C]PAH uptake. This and previous data lead to the conclusion that EGF successively activates MEK, ERK1/2, and PLA(2), leading to an increased release of arachidonic acid. Subsequently, arachidonic acid is metabolized to prostaglandins via COX1, which then mediate EGF-induced stimulation of basolateral organic anion uptake rate.

Mechanisms of nordihydroguaiaretic acid-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in human cancer cells

Lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid can act as growth promoting factors for various cancer cell lines. Here we demonstrate that the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid potently inhibits anchorage-independent growth of human pancreatic and cervical cancer cells in soft agar and delays growth of pancreatic and cervical tumours established in athymic mice. Furthermore, nordihydroguaiaretic acid induces apoptosis of these cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Potential mechanisms mediating these effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid were examined. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid had no inhibitory effect on growth and survival signals such as tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor or basal and growth factor-stimulated activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p70(s6k) and AKT but selectively inhibited expression of cyclin D1 in the cancer cells. In addition, treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid lead to a disruption of the filamentous actin cytoskeleton in human pancreatic and cervical cancer cells which was accompanied by the activation of Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38(mapk). Similar effects were obtained by treatment of the cancer cells with cytochalasin D. These results suggest that nordihydroguaiaretic acid induces anoikis-like apoptosis as a result of disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in association with the activation of stress activated protein kinases. In conclusion, nordihydroguaiaretic acid could constitute a lead compound in the development of novel therapeutic agents for various types of cancer.

Involvement of arachidonic acid in chemical stress-induced interleukin-6 synthesis in osteoblast-like cells: comparison with heat shock protein 27 induction

In a previous study, we have demonstrated that sodium arsenite (arsenite) as chemical stress stimulates heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) induction and arachidonic acid release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that the response of HSP27 induction is coupled with metabolic activity of the arachidonic acid cascade. In the present study, we examined the effect of exposure to arsenite on the synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in these cells. Arsenite induced the synthesis of IL-6 after 6 h from the stimulation up to 48 h. The effect of arsenite on IL-6 synthesis was dose-dependent in the range between 10 and 500 microM. The arsenite-induced IL-6 synthesis was enhanced by the pretreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, significantly amplified the arsenite-induced IL-6 synthesis. Melittin, an activator of phospholipase A2, which by itself hardly affected the levels of IL-6, markedly enhanced the arsenite-induced IL-6 synthesis. These results strongly suggest that chemical stress induces IL-6 synthesis in osteoblasts, and that the IL-6 synthesis is coupled to the arachidonic acid cascade as well as the HSP27 induction by arsenite.

Lipoxygenase inhibitors abolish proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells

Epidemiologic and animal studies have linked pancreatic cancer growth with fat intake, especially unsaturated fats. Arachidonic acid release from membrane phospholipids is essential for tumor cell proliferation. Lipoxygenases (LOX) constitute one pathway for arachidonate metabolism, but their role in pancreatic cancer growth is unknown. The expression of 5-LOX and 12-LOX as well as their effects on cell proliferation was investigated in four human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, MiaPaca2, Capan2, and ASPC-1). Expression of 5-LOX and 12-LOX mRNA was measured by nested RT-PCR. Effects of LOX inhibitors and specific LOX antisense oligonucleotides on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation were measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Our results showed that (1) 5-LOX and 12-LOX were expressed in all pancreatic cancer cell lines tested, while they were not detectable in normal human pancreatic ductal cells; (2) both LOX inhibitors and LOX antisense markedly inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner; (3) the 5-LOX and 12-LOX metabolites 5-HETE and 12-HETE as well as arachidonic and linoleic acids directly stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation; (4) LOX inhibitor-induced growth inhibition was reversed by 5-HETE and 12-HETE. The current studies indicate that both 5-LOX and 12-LOX expression is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer cells and LOX plays a critical role in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. LOX inhibitors may be valuable for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Inhibitors of intracellular phospholipase A2 activity: their neurochemical effects and therapeutical importance for neurological disorders

Intracellular phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are a diverse group of enzymes with a growing number of members. These enzymes hydrolyze membrane phospholipids into fatty acid and lysophospholipids. These lipid products may serve as intracellular second messengers or can be further metabolized to potent inflammatory mediators, such as eicosanoids and platelet-activating factors. Several inhibitors of nonneural intracellular PLA2 have been recently discovered. However, nothing is known about their neurochemical effects, mechanism of action or toxicity in human or animal models of neurological disorders. Elevated intracellular PLA2 activities, found in neurological disorders strongly associated with inflammation and oxidative stress (ischemia, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease), can be treated with specific, potent and nontoxic inhibitors of PLA2 that can cross blood-brain barrier without harm. Currently, potent intracellular PLA2 inhibitors are not available for clinical use in human or animal models of neurological disorders, but studies on this interesting topic are beginning to emerge. The use of nonspecific intracellular PLA2 inhibitors (quinacrine, heparin, gangliosides, vitamin E) in animal model studies of neurological disorders in vivo has provided some useful information on tolerance, toxicity, and effectiveness of these compounds.

Signal transduction via platelet-derived growth factor receptors

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) exerts its stimulatory effects on cell growth and motility by binding to two related protein tyrosine kinase receptors. Ligand binding induces receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation, allowing binding and activation of cytoplasmic SH2-domain containing signal transduction molecules. Thereby, a number of different signaling pathways are initiated leading to cell growth, actin reorganization migration and differentiation. Recent observations suggest that extensive cross-talk occurs between different signaling pathways, and that stimulatory signals are modulated by inhibitory signals arising in parallel.

Regulation of c-fos transcription by chemopreventive isoflavonoids and lignans in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells

Isoflavonoids and lignans are diet constituents with chemopreventive properties. We compared the ability of the isoflavonoids genistein and equol, the lignans enterodiol, enterolactone and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and the lignan metabolite methyl p-hydroxyphenyllactate to interfere with mitogenic and tumour promotional signal transduction pathways. Their effects on c-fos mRNA levels after induction by either epidermal growth factor (EGF) or the tumour promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was measured in human breast cancer-derived MDA-MB-468 cells. Of the six agents, only genistein decreased EGF-induced, c-fos transcription (by 63% compared to control at 100 mumol/l). In contrast, both genistein and equol at 100 mumol/l decreased TPA-induced c-fos levels, by 75 and 67%, respectively. NDGA and methyl p-hydroxyphenyllactate did not inhibit TPA mediated c-fos transcription and enterolactone and enterodiol had only a weak inhibitory effect. NDGA at 0.1-10 mumol/l increased c-fos mRNA levels. None of the agents inhibited protein kinase C and only genistein inhibited EGF receptor-linked protein tyrosine kinase obtained from MDA-MB-468 cells, with an IC50 of 60 mumol/l. NDGA and genistein arrested cell colony formation potently, genistein was 15-fold more growth-inhibitory than equol. The results suggest that both genistein and equol interfere similarly with TPA-induced signal transduction pathways. Inhibition by genistein of EGF-induced c-fos mRNA transcription is probably related to its interruption of EGF receptor-linked protein tyrosine kinase, whereas genistein-induced growth arrest is not. If ability to antagonise phorbol ester effects is important for chemopreventive efficacy, equol and genistein might be equi-efficacious chemopreventors, whereas enterolactone, enterodiol and NDGA should be much less potent. If phorbol ester antagonism together with antimitogenic activity determine optimal chemopreventive activity of this type of agent, genistein would be more potent than equol.

Augmentation of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C) cytotoxicity in leukaemia cells by co-administration with antisignalling drugs

The ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU), arabinosyl-2-fluoroadenine (F-Ara-A) and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) and the antisignalling drugs all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), staurosporine and quercetin have been reported to enhance the cytotoxicity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). We tested the hypothesis that the ara-C-sensitising potency of the antisignalling agents is equipotent with that of the ribonucleotide inhibitors. The cytotoxicity, determined by the 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl-)5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, of combinations of ara-C with the agents named above was compared in the leukaemia cell lines HL-60, ara-C-resistant HL-60 (HL-60/ara-C) and U937. Furthermore, a range of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, CGP 52411, tyrphostin A48 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), for which ara-C-sensitisation has hitherto not been described, were included in the study. All three cell types acquired increased sensitivity to ara-C when co-incubated with HU or ATRA, but their ara-C sensitivity was not affected by quercetin or genistein. 2-CdA, CGP 52411, tyrphostin A48, staurosporine and NDGA were active as sensitisers against ara-C in HL-60 cells, CGP 52411 and tyrphostin A48 also in HL-60/ara-C cells, and 2-CdA, staurosporine and NDGA also in U937 cells. F-Ara-A increased ara-C toxicity in HL-60/ara-C and U937 cells. To address the mechanism of the observed sensitisation, the influence of agents with ara-C-sensitising properties on ara-C-induced apoptosis was investigated in HL-60 cells as measured by cell shrinkage, DNA loss and DNA fragmentation. HU, ATRA, tyrphostin A48 and NDGA augmented apoptosis induced by ara-C as assessed by all three indicators. CGP 52411 decreased the effect of ara-C on apoptotic indicators after incubation for 4 h, but not after 12 h. The results suggest that ATRA, CGP 52411, tyrphostin A48, staurosporine and NDGA may be suitable alternatives to the clinically applied ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors as modifiers of ara-C cytotoxicity in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Arachidonic acid metabolites of the lipoxygenase as well as the cyclooxygenase pathway may be involved in regulating preadipocyte differentiation

Conditions that trigger preadipocyte differentiation in vivo have yet to be elucidated. To investigate the role of endogenous arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites on adipose tissue growth, rat preadipocytes in primary culture were induced to differentiate using medium conditioned by isolated mature adipocytes (ACM). Differentiation was determined by assay of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). When collected in the presence of indomethacin (10 nmol/L) to inhibit prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by adipocytes, ACM induced greater differentiation (GPDH activity, 405 +/- 68 nmol NADH used/min/mg protein) than when indomethacin was added postcollection to inhibit preadipocyte PG synthesis (205 +/- 24, P < .05) or ACM alone (304 +/- 55). This suggested that PGs released by adipocytes inhibited differentiation, whereas those released by preadipocytes appeared to act in an autocrine manner to stimulate differentiation. However, 24-hour collections of ACM contained 125 pmol/L PGE2 and 900 pmol/L PGI2, concentrations too low to promote differentiation when added exogenously. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 10 pmol/L), an inhibitor of lipoxygenase (LOX), stimulated the ACM-induced increase in GPDH activity (ACM, 99 +/- 13; ACM + NDGA, 369 +/- 130). In contrast, when differentiation was induced by a hormonal cocktail (MIX), including insulin and corticosterone, NDGA decreased GPDH activity (MIX, 329 +/- 66; MIX + NDGA, 142 +/- 40; P < .03). We concluded that preadipocyte differentiation within adipose tissue may be subject to both positive and negative regulators derived from AA metabolism resulting from both LOX and cyclooxygenase (COX) activity.

In vivo and in vitro induction of sister-chromatid exchanges by nordihydroguaiaretic acid

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a phenolic lignan previously used as an antioxidant in commercial products, and with a number of properties potentially useful to man. As its genotoxic capacity has been poorly evaluated, in this investigation we determined its effect on the production of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and on the level of mitotic index (MI) in cultured human lymphocytes and in mouse bone marrow cells in vivo. The proliferative index (PI), and the average generation time (AGT) were also determined for human lymphocytes and in mouse bone marrow cells respectively. The in vitro study was made in two donors using NDGA doses of 1.1, 3.6, 6.7, 13.5, and 27.0 microM; and for the in vivo study the tested doses were 8.8, 17.6, 35.3, and 70.7 mg/kg of body weight. The results concerning SCE induction in human lymphocytes showed a dose-dependent response with a maximum mean increase of 5.52 SCE in relation to the control level, and with respect to MI and PI a decrement of more than 50% and a cell cycle delay was detected only with the high dose. In the study with bone marrow cells, a statistically significant difference was determined with the high two doses (an increase of 1.06 SCEs with 70.7 mg/kg in relation to the control level). The MI decreased only with the high dose and no modification was observed with respect to AGT. In conclusion, in both used models the study demonstrated that NDGA produced genotoxic and cytotoxic effects.

Aspirin enhances platelet-derived growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

PURPOSE

Aspirin is frequently used after vascular reconstruction to pharmacologically prevent graft occlusion and to suppress the development of myointimal hyperplasia in vascular surgery, but its efficacy is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct effects of aspirin on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation.

METHODS

Human aortic SMCs were grown to confluence in 96 well plates. 3 x 10(-5) mol/L aspirin was added 24 hours previously and PDGF 10 ng/ml at the beginning of each experiment. Cell proliferation at 48 hours was determined using tritiated thymidine uptake. Supernatant 12-L-hydroxy 5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Aspirin did not change vascular SMC proliferation rates relative to controls (4665 +/- 181 counts per minute [CPM] vs 4749 +/- 155 CPM). However, aspirin pretreatment of PDGF-stimulated vascular SMCs increased proliferation (9408 +/- 237 CPM vs 7283 +/- 283 CPM; p < 0.001). 5,8,10,14-eicosatriynoic acid, a 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor, decreased basal (2037 +/- 181 CPM vs 2306 +/- 158 CPM; p < 0.05) and PDGF-stimulated vascular SMC proliferation (4909 +/- 1089 CPM vs 4310 +/- 1022 CPM; p < 0.001). Aspirin increased supernatant 12-HETE levels and decreased PGE2 levels in both basal and PDGF-stimulated cell cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin enhances PDGF-stimulated vascular SMC proliferation. The effects of aspirin on vascular SMC proliferation may be mediated by changes in vascular SMC arachidonic acid metabolism.

Enhancement of stress-induced synthesis of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin by modulators of the arachidonic acid cascade

The regulation by intrinsic factors of responses to stress of two small stress proteins, hsp27 and alpha B crystallin, was examined in C6 rat glioma cells. Levels of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin were low in C6 glioma cells in confluent cultures. However, levels of the two proteins increased after exposure of cells to heat (42 degrees C for 30 min) or arsenite (50 microM for 1 h) stress. When cells were exposed to arsenite or hear in the presence of indomethacin (50 microM), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, or in the presence of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 50 microM), an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, induction of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin was markedly stimulated as detected by specific immunoassays, Western blot analysis, and Northern blot analysis. The presence of melittin (1 microM), an activator of phospholipase A2, during the stress period also stimulated the induction of the two proteins. The expression of hsp70 to each stress was also enhanced in the presence of indomethacin, NDGA, or melittin. The gel mobility shift assay revealed that these chemicals prolonged the arsenite-induced activation of heat shock element (HSE)-binding activity of heat shock transcriptional factor (HSF) in cells. Induction of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin in adrenal glands of heat-stressed (42 degrees C for 15 min) rats was also enhanced by prior injection of aspirin, another inhibitor of cyclooxygenase. These results indicate that the responses to stress of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin, as well as the response of hsp70, are coupled with the metabolic activity of the arachidonic acid cascade and the mechanism for regulation of stress responses observed in C6 cells is operative in tissues and organs in vivo.

A rapid bioassay for platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor tyrosine kinase function

We have extended a melanophore-based bioassay for G-protein coupled receptors to include the functional expression of the murine platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor. The homodimeric ligand PDGF-BB induced activation of the transiently expressed receptor in melanophore cells. This led to dose dependent pigment dispersion whereas it did not induce pigment dispersion in wild type cells. The effective concentration of PDGF-BB giving half-maximal pigment dispersion (EC50) was 1nM after 30 minutes exposure. PDGF-AA had no ability to induce pigment dispersion in melanophore cells transiently expressing the beta-PDGF receptor. PDGF-BB-induced pigment dispersion could be blocked by the bis-indolylmaleimide Ro 31-8220 which is an inhibitor of protein kinase C isoenzymes. Functional expression of the PDGF beta-receptor extends the use of the pigment translocation assay to include transmembrane signaling receptor tyrosine kinases. It opens the opportunity for the discovery of potent agonists and antagonists through massive drug screening and investigations of functional ligand-receptor interactions for single transmembrane domain receptors.