1
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Wong DCP, Lee EHC, Er J, Yow I, Koean RAG, Ang O, Xiao J, Low BC, Ding JL. Lung Cancer Induces NK Cell Contractility and Cytotoxicity Through Transcription Factor Nuclear Localization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:871326. [PMID: 35652099 PMCID: PMC9149376 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.871326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Actomyosin-mediated cellular contractility is highly conserved for mechanotransduction and signalling. While this phenomenon has been observed in adherent cell models, whether/how contractile forces regulate the function of suspension cells like natural killer (NK) cells during cancer surveillance, is unknown. Here, we demonstrated in coculture settings that the evolutionarily conserved NK cell transcription factor, Eomes, undergoes nuclear shuttling during lung cancer cell surveillance. Biophysical and biochemical analyses revealed mechanistic enhancement of NK cell actomyosin-mediated contractility, which is associated with nuclear flattening, thus enabling nuclear entry of Eomes associated with enhanced NK cytotoxicity. We found that NK cells responded to the presumed immunosuppressive TGFβ in the NK-lung cancer coculture medium to sustain its intracellular contractility through myosin light chain phosphorylation, thereby promoting Eomes nuclear localization. Therefore, our results demonstrate that lung cancer cells provoke NK cell contractility as an early phase activation mechanism and that Eomes is a plausible mechano-responsive protein for increased NK cytotoxicity. There is scope for strategic application of actomyosin-mediated contractility modulating drugs ex vivo, to reinvigorate NK cells prior to adoptive cancer immunotherapy in vivo (177 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Chen Pei Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Junzhi Er
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ivan Yow
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Owen Ang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jingwei Xiao
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Chuan Low
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeak Ling Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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2
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Jobin K, Müller DN, Jantsch J, Kurts C. Sodium and its manifold impact on our immune system. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:469-479. [PMID: 33962888 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Western diet is rich in salt, and a high salt diet (HSD) is suspected to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It is now widely accepted that an experimental HSD can stimulate components of the immune system, potentially exacerbating certain autoimmune diseases, or alternatively, improving defenses against certain infections, such as cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, recent findings show that an experimental HSD may also aggravate other infections (e.g., pyelonephritis or systemic listeriosis). Here, we discuss the modulatory effects of a HSD on the microbiota, metabolic signaling, hormonal responses, local sodium concentrations, and their effects on various immune cell types in different tissues. We describe how these factors are integrated, resulting either in immune stimulation or suppression in various tissues and disease settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Jobin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max-Planck Research Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dominik N Müller
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine, and Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany; Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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3
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Knoll G, Ehrenschwender M. The non-peptidomimetic IAP antagonist ASTX660 sensitizes colorectal cancer cells for extrinsic apoptosis. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:714-723. [PMID: 33484626 PMCID: PMC7931242 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis resistance worsens treatment response in cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins can restore cell death and improve treatment efficacy. cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP belong to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and block apoptosis. Targeting IAPs with peptides or peptidomimetics mimicking the IAP-antagonizing activity of the cell's endogenous IAP antagonist SMAC (SMAC mimetics) showed promising results and fueled development of novel compounds. ASTX660 belongs to the recently introduced class of non-peptidomimetic IAP antagonists and successfully completed phase I clinical trials. However, ASTX660 has thus far only been evaluated in few cancer entities. Here, we demonstrate that ASTX660 has cell death-promoting activity in colorectal cancer and provide a head-to-head comparison with birinapant, the clinically most advanced peptidomimetic IAP antagonist. ASTX660 facilitates activation of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway upon stimulation with the death ligands TNF and TRAIL and boosts effector caspase activation and subsequent apoptosis. Mechanistically, ASTX660 enhances amplification of death receptor-generated apoptotic signals in a mitochondria-dependent manner. Failure to activate the mitochondria-associated (intrinsic) apoptosis pathway attenuated the apoptosis-promoting effect of ASTX660. Further clinical studies are warranted to highlight the therapeutic potential of ASTX660 in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrud Knoll
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and HygieneUniversity Hospital RegensburgGermany
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4
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Heimer S, Knoll G, Neubert P, Hammer KP, Wagner S, Bauer RJ, Jantsch J, Ehrenschwender M. Hypertonicity counteracts MCL-1 and renders BCL-XL a synthetic lethal target in head and neck cancer. FEBS J 2020; 288:1822-1838. [PMID: 32710568 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer entity. Current therapies ultimately aim to activate the mitochondria-controlled (intrinsic) apoptosis pathway, but complex alterations in intracellular signaling cascades and the extracellular microenvironment hamper treatment response. On the one hand, proteins of the BCL-2 family set the threshold for cell death induction and prevent accidental cellular suicide. On the other hand, controlling a cell's readiness to die also determines whether malignant cells are sensitive or resistant to anticancer treatments. Here, we show that HNSCC cells upregulate the proapoptotic BH3-only protein NOXA in response to hyperosmotic stress. Induction of NOXA is sufficient to counteract the antiapoptotic properties of MCL-1 and switches HNSCC cells from dual BCL-XL/MCL-1 protection to exclusive BCL-XL addiction. Hypertonicity-induced functional loss of MCL-1 renders BCL-XL a synthetically lethal target in HNSCC, and inhibition of BCL-XL efficiently kills HNSCC cells that poorly respond to conventional therapies. We identify hypertonicity-induced upregulation of NOXA as link between osmotic pressure in the tumor environment and mitochondrial priming, which could perspectively be exploited to boost efficacy of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Heimer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gertrud Knoll
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Neubert
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karin P Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard J Bauer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical Biotechnology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Ehrenschwender
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Knoll G, Riffelsberger P, Raats D, Kranenburg O, Ehrenschwender M. NOXA-dependent contextual synthetic lethality of BCL-XL inhibition and "osmotic reprogramming" in colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:257. [PMID: 32312973 PMCID: PMC7171071 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2446-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A sophisticated network of BCL-2 family proteins regulates the mitochondria-associated (intrinsic) apoptosis pathway. Antiapoptotic members such as BCL-XL or MCL-1 safeguard the outer mitochondrial membrane and prevent accidental cell death in a functionally redundant and/or compensatory manner. However, BCL-XL/MCL-1-mediated “dual apoptosis protection” also impairs response of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Here, we show that hyperosmotic stress in the tumor environment abrogates dual BCL-XL/MCL-1 protection. Hypertonicity triggers upregulation of NOXA and loss of MCL-1 and thereby enforces exclusive BCL-XL addiction. Concomitant targeting of BCL-XL is sufficient to unlock the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in colorectal cancer cells. Functionally, “osmotic reprogramming” of the tumor environment grants contextual synthetic lethality to BCL-XL inhibitors in dually BCL-XL/MCL-1-protected cells. Generation of contextual synthetic lethality through modulation of the tumor environment could perspectively boost efficacy of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrud Knoll
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Riffelsberger
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Danielle Raats
- Department of Surgical Oncology, UMC Utrecht Cancer Centre, PO Box 85500, 3506 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Onno Kranenburg
- Department of Surgical Oncology, UMC Utrecht Cancer Centre, PO Box 85500, 3506 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Ehrenschwender
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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6
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Neubert P, Weichselbaum A, Reitinger C, Schatz V, Schröder A, Ferdinand JR, Simon M, Bär AL, Brochhausen C, Gerlach RG, Tomiuk S, Hammer K, Wagner S, van Zandbergen G, Binger KJ, Müller DN, Kitada K, Clatworthy MR, Kurts C, Titze J, Abdullah Z, Jantsch J. HIF1A and NFAT5 coordinate Na +-boosted antibacterial defense via enhanced autophagy and autolysosomal targeting. Autophagy 2019; 15:1899-1916. [PMID: 30982460 PMCID: PMC6844503 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2019.1596483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection and inflammation are able to induce diet-independent Na+-accumulation without commensurate water retention in afflicted tissues, which favors the pro-inflammatory activation of mouse macrophages and augments their antibacterial and antiparasitic activity. While Na+-boosted host defense against the protozoan parasite Leishmania major is mediated by increased expression of the leishmanicidal NOS2 (nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible), the molecular mechanisms underpinning this enhanced antibacterial defense of mouse macrophages with high Na+ (HS) exposure are unknown. Here, we provide evidence that HS-increased antibacterial activity against E. coli was neither dependent on NOS2 nor on the phagocyte oxidase. In contrast, HS-augmented antibacterial defense hinged on HIF1A (hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit)-dependent increased autophagy, and NFAT5 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 5)-dependent targeting of intracellular E. coli to acidic autolysosomal compartments. Overall, these findings suggest that the autolysosomal compartment is a novel target of Na+-modulated cell autonomous innate immunity. Abbreviations: ACT: actins; AKT: AKT serine/threonine kinase 1; ATG2A: autophagy related 2A; ATG4C: autophagy related 4C, cysteine peptidase; ATG7: autophagy related 7; ATG12: autophagy related 12; BECN1: beclin 1; BMDM: bone marrow-derived macrophages; BNIP3: BCL2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3; CFU: colony forming units; CM-H2DCFDA: 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester; CTSB: cathepsin B; CYBB: cytochrome b-245 beta chain; DAPI: 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DMOG: dimethyloxallyl glycine; DPI: diphenyleneiodonium chloride; E. coli: Escherichia coli; FDR: false discovery rate; GFP: green fluorescent protein; GSEA: gene set enrichment analysis; GO: gene ontology; HIF1A: hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit; HUGO: human genome organization; HS: high salt (+ 40 mM of NaCl to standard cell culture conditions); HSP90: heat shock 90 kDa proteins; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; Lyz2/LysM: lysozyme 2; NFAT5/TonEBP: nuclear factor of activated T cells 5; MΦ: macrophages; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MFI: mean fluorescence intensity; MIC: minimum inhibitory concentration; MOI: multiplicity of infection; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NaCl: sodium chloride; NES: normalized enrichment score; n.s.: not significant; NO: nitric oxide; NOS2/iNOS: nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible; NS: normal salt; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; PGK1: phosphoglycerate kinase 1; PHOX: phagocyte oxidase; RFP: red fluorescent protein; RNA: ribonucleic acid; ROS: reactive oxygen species; sCFP3A: super cyan fluorescent protein 3A; SBFI: sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate; SLC2A1/GLUT1: solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 1; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; ULK1: unc-51 like kinase 1; v-ATPase: vacuolar-type H+-ATPase; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Neubert
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Weichselbaum
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carmen Reitinger
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valentin Schatz
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Agnes Schröder
- Institute of Orthodontics, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - John R. Ferdinand
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michaela Simon
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lorena Bär
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Karin Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Katrina J. Binger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Dominik N. Müller
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation of Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kento Kitada
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Menna R. Clatworthy
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jens Titze
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital of Regensburg and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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7
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Zhang B, van Roosmalen IAM, Reis CR, Setroikromo R, Quax WJ. Death receptor 5 is activated by fucosylation in colon cancer cells. FEBS J 2019; 286:555-571. [PMID: 30589515 PMCID: PMC6849799 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable pro‐apoptotic properties of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) have led to considerable interest in this protein as a potential anticancer therapeutic. However, TRAIL is largely ineffective in inducing apoptosis in certain cancer cells, and the mechanisms underlying this selectivity are unknown. In colon adenocarcinomas, posttranslational modifications including O‐ and N‐ glycosylation of death receptors were found to correlate with TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. Additionally, mRNA levels of fucosyltransferase 3 (FUT3) and 6 (FUT6) were found to be high in the TRAIL‐sensitive colon adenocarcinoma cell line COLO 205. In this study, we use agonistic receptor‐specific TRAIL variants to dissect the contribution of FUT3 and FUT6‐mediated fucosylation to TRAIL‐induced apoptosis via its two death receptors, DR4 and DR5. Triggering of apoptosis by TRAIL revealed that the low FUT3/6‐expressing cells DLD‐1 and HCT 116 are insensitive to DR5 but not to DR4‐mediated apoptosis. By contrast, efficient apoptosis is mediated via both receptors in high FUT3/6‐expressing COLO 205 cells. The reconstitution of FUT3/6 expression in DR5‐resistant cells completely restored TRAIL sensitivity via this receptor, while only marginally enhancing apoptosis via DR4 at lower TRAIL concentrations. Interestingly, we observed that induction of the salvage pathway by external administration of l‐fucose restores DR5‐mediated apoptosis in both DLD‐1 and HCT 116 cells. Finally, we show that fucosylation influences the ligand‐independent receptor association that leads to increased death inducing signalling complex (DISC) formation and caspase‐8 activation. Taken together, these results provide evidence for the differential impact of fucosylation on signalling via DR4 or DR5. These findings provide novel opportunities to enhance TRAIL sensitivity in colon adenocarcinoma cells that are highly resistant to DR5‐mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojie Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid A M van Roosmalen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carlos R Reis
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Setroikromo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim J Quax
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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8
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Hypertonicity-imposed BCL-XL addiction primes colorectal cancer cells for death. Cancer Lett 2018; 435:23-31. [PMID: 30075205 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Induction of mitochondria-controlled (intrinsic) apoptosis is a mainstay of current anti-neoplastic chemotherapies. Activation of this death pathway is counteracted by BCL-2-like proteins, which functionally set the threshold for apoptosis and determine whether malignant cells are sensitive or resistant to anti-cancer treatments. Hence, unlocking the intrinsic apoptotic cascade and promoting the cell's commitment to undergo apoptosis concordantly promotes efficacy of anti-cancer treatments. Here, we show that hyperosmotic stress enforces addiction of colorectal cancer cells to BCL-XL, thereby exhausting the protective capacity of BCL-2-like proteins and priming mitochondria for death. Our work identifies osmotic pressure as a cell extrinsic factor that modulates responsiveness of colorectal cancer cells to therapy.
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