Molecular mechanisms of TNF-α-induced ceramide formation in human glioma cells:P53-mediated oxidant stress-dependent and -independent pathways

Signaling controversy and future therapeutical perspectives of targeting sphingolipid network in cancer immune editing and resistance to tumor necrosis factor-α immunotherapy

Anticancer immune surveillance and immunotherapies trigger activation of cytotoxic cytokine signaling, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathways. The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may be secreted by stromal cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and by cancer cells, indicating a prominent role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, tumors manage to adapt, escape immune surveillance, and ultimately develop resistance to the cytotoxic effects of TNF-α. The mechanisms by which cancer cells evade host immunity is a central topic of current cancer research. Resistance to TNF-α is mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms, such as mutation or downregulation of TNF/TRAIL receptors, as well as activation of anti-apoptotic enzymes and transcription factors. TNF-α signaling is also mediated by sphingosine kinases (SphK1 and SphK2), which are responsible for synthesis of the growth-stimulating phospholipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Multiple studies have demonstrated the crucial role of S1P and its transmembrane receptors (S1PR) in both the regulation of inflammatory responses and progression of cancer. Considering that the SphK/S1P/S1PR axis mediates cancer resistance, this sphingolipid signaling pathway is of mechanistic significance when considering immunotherapy-resistant malignancies. However, the exact mechanism by which sphingolipids contribute to the evasion of immune surveillance and abrogation of TNF-α-induced apoptosis remains largely unclear. This study reviews mechanisms of TNF-α-resistance in cancer cells, with emphasis on the pro-survival and immunomodulatory effects of sphingolipids. Inhibition of SphK/S1P-linked pro-survival branch may facilitate reactivation of the pro-apoptotic TNF superfamily effects, although the role of SphK/S1P inhibitors in the regulation of the TME and lymphocyte trafficking should be thoroughly assessed in future studies.

Association of TNFRSF19 with a TNF family-based prognostic model and subtypes in gliomas using machine learning

Purpose

TNF family members (TFMs) play a crucial role in different types of cancers, with TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 19 (TNFRSF19) standing out as a particularly important member in this category. Further research is necessary to investigate the potential impact of TFMs on prognosis prediction and to elucidate the function and potential therapeutic targets linked to TNFRSF19 expression in gliomas.

Methods

Three databases provided the data on gene expression and clinical information. Fourteen prognostic members were found through univariate Cox analysis and subsequently utilized to construct TFMs-based model in LASSO and multivariate Cox analyses. TFMs-based subtypes based on the expression profile were identified using an unsupervised clustering method. Machine learning algorithm identified key genes linked to prognostic model and subtype. A sequence of immune infiltrations was evaluated using the ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the patterns of expression and the clinical significance of TNFRSF19.

Results

Our development of a prognostic model and subtypes based on the TNF family was successful, resulting in accurate predictions of prognosis. The findings indicate that TNFRSF19 exhibited strong performance. Upregulation of TNFRSF19 was correlated with malignant phenotypes and poor prognosis, which was confirmed through immunohistochemistry. TNFRSF19 played a role in reshaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment in gliomas, and multiple drug-targeted TNFRSF19 molecules were identified.

Conclusions

The TMF-based prognostic model and subtype can facilitate treatment decisions for glioma. TNFRSF19 is an outstanding representative of a predictor of prognosis and immunotherapy effect in gliomas.

Monocyte depletion enhances neutrophil influx and proneural to mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma

Myeloid cells comprise the majority of immune cells in tumors, contributing to tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Incomplete understanding of myeloid cells response to tumor driver mutation and therapeutic intervention impedes effective therapeutic design. Here, by leveraging CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, we generate a mouse model that is deficient of all monocyte chemoattractant proteins. Using this strain, we effectively abolish monocyte infiltration in genetically engineered murine models of de novo glioblastoma (GBM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which show differential enrichment patterns for monocytes and neutrophils. Eliminating monocyte chemoattraction in monocyte enriched PDGFB-driven GBM invokes a compensatory neutrophil influx, while having no effect on Nf1-silenced GBM model. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that intratumoral neutrophils promote proneural-to-mesenchymal transition and increase hypoxia in PDGFB-driven GBM. We further demonstrate neutrophil-derived TNF-a directly drives mesenchymal transition in PDGFB-driven primary GBM cells. Genetic or pharmacological inhibiting neutrophils in HCC or monocyte-deficient PDGFB-driven and Nf1-silenced GBM models extend the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Our findings demonstrate tumor-type and genotype dependent infiltration and function of monocytes and neutrophils and highlight the importance of targeting them simultaneously for cancer treatments.

Modulation of signaling cross-talk between pJNK and pAKT generates optimal apoptotic response

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a well-known modulator of apoptosis by maintaining a balance between proliferation and cell-death in normal cells. Cancer cells often evade apoptotic response following TNFα stimulation by altering signaling cross-talks. Thus, varying the extent of signaling cross-talk could enable optimal TNFα mediated apoptotic dynamics. Herein, we use an experimental data-driven mathematical modeling to quantitate the extent of synergistic signaling cross-talk between the intracellular entities phosphorylated JNK (pJNK) and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) that orchestrate the phenotypic apoptosis level by modulating the activated Caspase3 dynamics. Our study reveals that this modulation is orchestrated by the distinct dynamic nature of the synergism at early and late phases. We show that this synergism in signal flow is governed by branches originating from either TNFα receptor and NFκB, which facilitates signaling through survival pathways. We demonstrate that the experimentally quantified apoptosis levels semi-quantitatively correlates with the model simulated Caspase3 transients. Interestingly, perturbing pJNK and pAKT transient dynamics fine-tunes this accumulated Caspase3 guided apoptotic response. Thus, our study offers useful insights for identifying potential targeted therapies for optimal apoptotic response.

Dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DES1) promotes anchorage-independent survival downstream of HER2-driven glucose uptake and metabolism

Oncogenic reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of many cancers, but our mechanistic understanding of how such dysregulation is linked to tumor behavior remains poor. In this study, we have identified dihydroceramide desaturase (DES1)-which catalyzes the last step in de novo sphingolipid synthesis-as necessary for the acquisition of anchorage-independent survival (AIS), a key cancer enabling biology, and establish DES1 as a downstream effector of HER2-driven glucose uptake and metabolism. We further show that DES1 is sufficient to drive AIS and in vitro tumorigenicity and that increased DES1 levels-found in a third of HER2+ breast cancers-are associated with worse survival outcomes. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel pro-tumor role for DES1 as a transducer of HER2-driven glucose metabolic signals and provide evidence that targeting DES1 is an effective approach for overcoming AIS. Results further suggest that DES1 may have utility as a biomarker of aggressive and metastasis-prone HER2+ breast cancer.

Lead Nitrate Induces Inflammation and Apoptosis in Rat Lungs Through the Activation of NF-κB and AhR Signaling Pathways

Lead (Pb) is one of the most frequent hazardous air contaminants, where the lungs are particularly vulnerable to its toxicity. However, the Pb distribution and its impact on lung inflammation/apoptosis and particularly the involvement of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways in Pb-induced lung toxicity have not yet been fully investigated. Adult male Wistar albino rats were exposed to Pb nitrate 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg b.w. orally for 3 days. The histopathological changes of several rat organs were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The concentrations of Pb ion in different organ tissues were quantified using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify organic compounds. The changes in the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory and apoptotic genes in response to Pb exposure were quantified by using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Treatment of rats with Pb for three consecutive days significantly increased the accumulation of Pb in lung tissues causing severe interstitial inflammation. Pb treatment also increased the percentage of lung apoptotic cells and modulated apoptotic genes (Bc2, p53, and TGF-α), inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers (iNOS, CYP1A1, EphX) in rat lung tissues. These effects were associated with a significant increase in organic compounds, such as 3-nitrotyrosine and myeloperoxidase, and some inorganic elements, such as selenium. Importantly, the Pb-induced lung inflammation and apoptosis were associated with a proportional increase in the expression of NF-κB and AhR mRNAs and proteins. These findings clearly show that Pb induces severe inflammation and apoptosis in rat lungs and suggest that NF-κB and AhR may play a role in Pb-induced lung toxicity.

The Role of Sphingomyelin and Ceramide in Motor Neuron Diseases

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are motor neuron diseases (MNDs) characterised by progressive motor neuron degeneration, weakness and muscular atrophy. Lipid dysregulation is well recognised in each of these conditions and occurs prior to neurodegeneration. Several lipid markers have been shown to predict prognosis in ALS. Sphingolipids are complex lipids enriched in the central nervous system and are integral to key cellular functions including membrane stability and signalling pathways, as well as being mediators of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review highlights the metabolism of sphingomyelin (SM), the most abundant sphingolipid, and of its metabolite ceramide, and its role in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration, focusing on MNDs. We also review published lipidomic studies in MNDs. In the 13 studies of patients with ALS, 12 demonstrated upregulation of multiple SM species and 6 demonstrated upregulation of ceramides. SM species also correlated with markers of clinical progression in five of six studies. These data highlight the potential use of SM and ceramide as biomarkers in ALS. Finally, we review potential therapeutic strategies for targeting sphingolipid metabolism in neurodegeneration.

Targeting the Sphingolipid Rheostat in Gliomas

Gliomas are highly aggressive cancer types that are in urgent need of novel drugs and targeted therapies. Treatment protocols have not improved in over a decade, and glioma patient survival remains among the worst of all cancer types. As a result, cancer metabolism research has served as an innovative approach to identifying novel glioma targets and improving our understanding of brain tumors. Recent research has uncovered a unique metabolic vulnerability in the sphingolipid pathways of gliomas that possess the IDH1 mutation. Sphingolipids are a family of lipid signaling molecules that play a variety of second messenger functions in cellular regulation. The two primary metabolites, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide, maintain a rheostat balance and play opposing roles in cell survival and proliferation. Altering the rheostat such that the pro-apoptotic signaling of the ceramides outweighs the pro-survival S1P signaling in glioma cells diminishes the hallmarks of cancer and enhances tumor cell death. Throughout this review, we discuss the sphingolipid pathway and identify the enzymes that can be most effectively targeted to alter the sphingolipid rheostat and enhance apoptosis in gliomas. We discuss each pathway’s steps based on their site of occurrence in the organelles and postulate novel targets that can effectively exploit this vulnerability.

Emerging Roles of Ceramide in Cardiovascular Diseases

Ceramide is a core molecule of sphingolipid metabolism that causes selective insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Research on its involvement in cardiovascular diseases has grown rapidly. In resting cells, ceramide levels are extremely low, while they rapidly accumulate upon encountering external stimuli. Recently, the regulation of ceramide levels under pathological conditions, including myocardial infarction, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, has drawn great attention. Increased ceramide levels are strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular risks and events while inhibiting the synthesis of ceramide or accelerating its degradation improves a variety of cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we summarize the role of ceramide in cardiovascular disease, investigate the possible application of ceramide as a new diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for cardiovascular disorders, and highlight the remaining problems.

TNF-α-induced p53 activation induces apoptosis in neurological injury

It was previously confirmed that the apoptotic and necrotic neurons are found during the acute post‐traumatic period, suggesting the induction of apoptosis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). To further explore the involvement of apoptotic factors in TBI, an apoptosis antibody array was conducted to measure the alterations of apoptotic factors in rat brain cortex after TBI. As a result, the Neurological Severity Scale (NSS) scores after TBI were increased, and the cell morphology of the brain cortex was destructed with increased neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, the caspase‐3 activity was increased, and the apoptotic‐related factors TNF‐α and p53 were up‐regulated in the brain cortex. More importantly, in vitro experiments demonstrated that down‐regulation of TNF‐α in oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cells increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis and the p53 expression. These results suggested the involvement of TNF‐α–induced apoptotic signalling pathway by activating p53 in the molecular mechanism of neurological injury.

[Diabetes mellitus and chronic liver diseases. Part 1: general mechanisms of etiology and pathogenesis]

In recent years there has been an active discussion about the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic liver diseases (CLD). On the one hand, patients with diabetes have an increased risk of developing CLD. On the other hand, patients with CLD very often identify abnormal glucose metabolism which ultimately leads to impaired glucose tolerance and the development of diabetes. This review outlines potential causal relationships between some CLD and DM. Common mechanisms that provoke metabolic and autoimmune disorders in the development of various nosologies of the CKD group, leading to steatosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and the development of diabetes are described. Certain features of the assessment of carbohydrate metabolism compensation in patients with hepatic dysfunction, anemia and protein metabolism disorders are described.

Effect of combined testing of ceramides with high-sensitive troponin T on the detection of acute coronary syndrome in patients with chest pain in China: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

Ceramides are associated with coronary plaque vulnerability. We aim to investigate the potential diagnostic value of ceramides for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Chinese patients with chest pain.

DESIGN

Prospective observational survey.

SETTING

Shanghai, China, 2016-2017.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2773 patients with chest pain from four hospitals in Shanghai, China, between August 2016 and October 2017.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Performance of metabolites model in detection of ACS cases including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and unstable angina.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of 12 ceramide molecules and corresponding ratios were compared between patients diagnosed with ACS and those without. Cer(d18:1/24:1(15Z))/Cer(d18:1/24:0) ratio, Cer(d18:1/14:0) and Cer(d18:1/22:0) were independent predictors of ACS after adjustment of traditional risk factors and high-sensitivecardiac troponin T. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a significant improvement in detecting ACS in the multivariable model with ceramides compared with that without (0.865 (0.840 to 0.889) vs 0.808 (0.776 to 0.841), p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Distinct plasma ceramides are independent diagnostic predictors of ACS among patients with chest pain. Ceramides together with high-sensitive troponin and traditional factors showed great potential in identifying ACS among patients with chest pain.

Contribution of Adipose Tissue Inflammation to the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The objective of this comprehensive review is to summarize and discuss the available evidence of how adipose tissue inflammation affects insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Low-grade, chronic adipose tissue inflammation is characterized by infiltration of macrophages and other immune cell populations into adipose tissue, and a shift toward more proinflammatory subtypes of leukocytes. The infiltration of proinflammatory cells in adipose tissue is associated with an increased production of key chemokines such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α and interleukins 1β and 6 as well as reduced expression of the key insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin. In both rodent models and humans, adipose tissue inflammation is consistently associated with excess fat mass and insulin resistance. In humans, associations with insulin resistance are stronger and more consistent for inflammation in visceral as opposed to subcutaneous fat. Further, genetic alterations in mouse models of obesity that reduce adipose tissue inflammation are-almost without exception-associated with improved insulin sensitivity. However, a dissociation between adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance can be observed in very few rodent models of obesity as well as in humans following bariatric surgery- or low-calorie-diet-induced weight loss, illustrating that the etiology of insulin resistance is multifactorial. Taken together, adipose tissue inflammation is a key factor in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in obesity, along with other factors that likely include inflammation and fat accumulation in other metabolically active tissues. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:1-58, 2019.

TNFα promotes glioblastoma A172 cell mitochondrial apoptosis via augmenting mitochondrial fission and repression of MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to explore the roles of mitochondrial fission and MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways and to determine their mutual relationship in TNFα-mediated glioblastoma mitochondrial apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cellular viability was measured via TUNEL staining, MTT assays, and Western blot. Immunofluorescence was performed to observe mitochondrial fission. YAP overexpression assays were conducted to observe the regulatory mechanisms of MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways in mitochondrial fission and glioblastoma mitochondrial apoptosis.

RESULTS

The results in our present study indicated that TNFα treatment dose dependently increased the apoptotic rate of glioblastoma cells. Functional studies confirmed that TNFα-induced glioblastoma apoptosis was attributable to increased mitochondrial fission. Excessive mitochondrial fission promoted mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased mitochondrial potential, repressed ATP metabolism, elevated ROS synthesis, and downregulated antioxidant factors. In addition, the fragmented mitochondria liberated cyt-c into the cytoplasm/nucleus where it activated a caspase-9-involved mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, our data identified MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways as the primary molecular mechanisms by which TNFα modulated mitochondrial fission and glioblastoma apoptosis. Reactivation of MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways via overexpression of YAP neutralized the cytotoxicity of TNFα, attenuated mitochondrial fission, and favored glioblastoma cell survival.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our data highlight that TNFα-mediated glioblastoma apoptosis stems from increased mitochondrial fission and inactive MAPK-ERK-YAP signaling pathways, which provide potential targets for new therapies against glioblastoma.

Vitamin E alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase deficient mice

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) converts phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC), mainly in the liver. Pemt^-/- mice are protected from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance, but develop severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) when fed a HFD, mostly due to impaired VLDL secretion. Oxidative stress is thought to be an essential factor in the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has been clinically used to improve NAFLD pathology. Our aim was to determine whether supplementation of the diet with vitamin E could attenuate HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and its progression to NASH in Pemt^-/- mice. Treatment with vitamin E (0.5 g/kg) for 3 weeks improved VLDL-TG secretion and normalized cholesterol metabolism, but failed to reduce hepatic TG content. Moreover, vitamin E treatment was able to reduce hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. We also observed abnormal ceramide metabolism in Pemt^-/- mice fed a HFD, with elevation of ceramides and other sphingolipids and higher expression of mRNAs for acid ceramidase (Asah1) and ceramide kinase (Cerk). Interestingly, vitamin E supplementation restored Asah1 and Cerk mRNA and sphingolipid levels. Together this study shows that vitamin E treatment efficiently prevented the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis in mice lacking PEMT.

Omics-based identification of the combined effects of idiosyncratic drugs and inflammatory cytokines on the development of drug-induced liver injury

The mechanisms of idiosyncratic drug-induced hepatotoxicity remain largely unclear. It has demonstrated that the drug idiosyncrasy is potentiated in the context of inflammation and intracellular ceramides may play a role in this process. To study the mechanisms, HepG2 cells were co-treated with high and low doses of three idiosyncratic (I) and three non-idiosyncratic (N) compounds, with (I+ and N+) or without (I- and N-) a cytokine mix. Microarray, lipidomics and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the genome-wide expression patterns, the intracellular ceramide levels and the induction of apoptosis. We found that all I+ treatments significantly influenced the immune response- and response to stimulus-associated gene ontology (GO) terms, but the induction of apoptotic pathways, which was confirmed by flow cytometry, only appeared to be induced after the high-dose treatment. The ceramide signaling-, ER stress-, NF-kB activation- and mitochondrial activity-related pathways were biologically involved in apoptosis induced by the high-dose I+. Additionally, genes participating in ceramide metabolism were significantly altered resulting in a measurable increase in ceramide levels. The increases in ceramide concentrations may induce ER stress and activate the JNK pathway by affecting the expression of the related genes, and eventually trigger the mitochondria-independent apoptosis in hepatocytes. Overall, our study provides a potential mechanism to explain the role of inflammation in idiosyncratic drug reactions.

Ceramides and depression: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder is a significant contributor to global disability and mortality. The mechanisms of depression are vast and not fully understood, and as a result current treatment of depression is suboptimal. Aberrant sphingolipid metabolism has been observed in some cases of depression, specifically alterations in ceramide concentrations. The role of ceramides and other sphingolipids in depression is a novel concept. This review summarizes and evaluates the current state of evidence for a role of ceramides in depression pathophysiology and the potential for novel depression pharmacotherapies targeting ceramide metabolism.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched through October 2016 for English-language studies using combinations of the search terms: ceramide, depression, sphingolipid, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Of the 489 articles screened, 14 were included in the qualitative synthesis of this review article. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggest that ceramide species may contribute to depression pathophysiology. In human studies, ceramides C18:0 and C20:0 are the species most strongly linked to depression. Evidence for altered ceramide metabolism in depression is present, but data for a causal role of ceramides in depression are lacking.

LIMITATIONS

This review was limited by potential reporting bias. Furthermore, a lack of specificity of which ceramides were altered in depression was common.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacotherapy targeting ceramide metabolism may be a novel treatment option for depression. A number of pharmacological targets exists for ceramide reduction and a number of currently approved medications inhibit ceramide production. More evidence, pre-clinical and clinical, is warranted to determine the extent and consistency of the role of ceramides in depression.

Sphingomyelinase promotes oxidant production and skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction through activation of NADPH oxidase

Elevated concentrations of sphingomyelinase (SMase) have been detected in a variety of diseases. SMase has been shown to increase muscle derived oxidants and decrease skeletal muscle force; however, the sub-cellular site of oxidant production has not been elucidated. Using redox sensitive biosensors targeted to the mitochondria and NADPH oxidase (Nox2), we demonstrate that SMase increased Nox2-dependent ROS and had no effect on mitochondrial ROS in isolated FDB fibers. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown of Nox2 activity prevented SMase induced ROS production and provided protection against decreased force production in the diaphragm. In contrast, genetic overexpression of superoxide dismutase within the mitochondria did not prevent increased ROS production and offered no protection against decreased diaphragm function in response to SMase. Our study shows that SMase induced ROS production occurs in specific sub-cellular regions of skeletal muscle; however, the increased ROS does not completely account for the decrease in muscle function.

ROS-mediated cytotoxic effect of copper(II) hydrazone complexes against human glioma cells

2-Acetylpyridine acetylhydrazone (H2AcMe), 2-benzoylpyridine acetylhydrazone (H2BzMe) and complexes [Cu(H2AcMe)Cl2] (1) and [Cu(H2BzMe)Cl2] (2) were assayed for their cytotoxicity against wild type p53 U87 and mutant p53 T98 glioma cells, and against MRC-5 fibroblast cells. Compounds 1 and 2 proved to be more active than the corresponding hydrazones against U87, but not against T98 cells. Compound 1 induced higher levels of ROS than H2AcMe in both glioma cell lines. H2AcMe and 1 induced lower levels of ROS in MRC5 than in U87 cells. Compound 2 induced lower levels of ROS in MRC5 than in T98 cells. The cytotoxic effect of 1 in U87 cells could be related to its ability to provoke the release of ROS, suggesting that the cytotoxicity of 1 might be somehow p53 dependent.

Sphingosine kinase 1 regulates tumor necrosis factor-mediated RANTES induction through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase but independently of nuclear factor κB activation

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) produces the pro-survival sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate and has been implicated in inflammation, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Recent studies identified TRAF2 as a sphingosine 1-phosphate target, implicating SK1 in activation of the NF-κB pathway, but the functional consequences of this connection on gene expression are unknown. Here, we find that loss of SK1 potentiates induction of the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted; also known as CCL5) in HeLa cells stimulated with TNF-α despite RANTES induction being highly dependent on the NF-κB pathway. Additionally, we find that SK1 is not required for TNF-induced IKK phosphorylation, IκB degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits, and transcriptional NF-κB activity. In contrast, loss of SK1 prevented TNF-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and inhibition of p38 MAPK, like SK1 knockdown, also potentiates RANTES induction. Finally, in addition to RANTES, loss of SK1 also potentiated the induction of multiple chemokines and cytokines in the TNF response. Taken together, these data identify a potential and novel anti-inflammatory function of SK1 in which chemokine levels are suppressed through SK1-mediated activation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, in this system, activation of NF-κB is dissociated from SK1, suggesting that the interaction between these pathways may be more complex than currently thought.

Multi-targeted DATS prevents tumor progression and promotes apoptosis in ectopic glioblastoma xenografts in SCID mice via HDAC inhibition

Glioblastoma, the most lethal brain tumor, remains incurable despite aggressive chemotherapy and surgical interventions. New chemotherapeutics for glioblastoma have been explored in preclinical models and some agents have reached the clinical setting. However, success rates are not significant. Previous investigations involving diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a garlic compound, indicated significant anti-cancer effects in glioblastoma in vitro. DATS has also been shown to inhibit histone deacetylase activity and impede glioblastoma tumor progression. We hypothesized that DATS would block ectopic U87MG tumor by multiple pro-apoptotic pathways via inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC). To prove this, we developed ectopic U87MG tumors in SCID mice and treated them daily with intraperitoneal injections of DATS for 7 days. Results indicated that DATS (10 μg/kg-10 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced tumor mass and number of mitotic cells within tumors. Histological and biochemical assays demonstrated that DATS reduced mitosis in tumors, decreased HDAC activity, increased acetylation of H3 and H4, inhibited cell cycle progression, decreased pro-tumor markers (e.g., survivin, Bcl-2, c-Myc, mTOR, EGFR, VEGF), promoted apoptotic factors (e.g., bax, mcalpian, active caspase-3), and induced DNA fragmentation. Our data also demonstrated an increase in p21Waf1 expression, which correlated with increased p53 expression and MDM2 degradation following DATS treatment. Finally, histological assessment and enzyme assays showed that even the highest dose of DATS did not negatively impact hepatic function. Collectively, our results clearly demonstrated that DATS could be an effective therapeutic agent in preventing tumor progression and inducing apoptosis in human glioblastoma in vivo, without impairing hepatic function.

Folate stress induces apoptosis via p53-dependent de novo ceramide synthesis and up-regulation of ceramide synthase 6

We have investigated the role of ceramide in the cellular adaptation to folate stress induced by Aldh1l1, the enzyme involved in the regulation of folate metabolism. Our previous studies demonstrated that Aldh1l1, similar to folate deficiency, evokes metabolic stress and causes apoptosis in cancer cells. Here we report that the expression of Aldh1l1 in A549 or HCT116 cells results in the elevation of C16-ceramide and a transient up-regulation of ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6) mRNA and protein. Pretreatment with ceramide synthesis inhibitors myriocin and fumonisin B1 or siRNA silencing of CerS6 prevented C16-ceramide accumulation and rescued cells supporting the role of CerS6/C16-ceramide as effectors of Aldh1l1-induced apoptosis. The CerS6 activation by Aldh1l1 and increased ceramide generation were p53-dependent; this effect was ablated in p53-null cells. Furthermore, the expression of wild type p53 but not transcriptionally inactive R175H p53 mutant strongly elevated CerS6. Also, this dominant negative mutant prevented accumulation of CerS6 in response to Aldh1l1, indicating that CerS6 is a transcriptional target of p53. In support of this mechanism, bioinformatics analysis revealed the p53 binding site 3 kb downstream of the CerS6 transcription start. Interestingly, ceramide elevation in response to Aldh1l1 was inhibited by silencing of PUMA, a proapoptotic downstream effector of p53 whereas the transient expression of CerS6 elevated PUMA in a p53-dependent manner indicating reciprocal relationships between ceramide and p53/PUMA pathways. Importantly, folate withdrawal also induced CerS6/C16-ceramide elevation accompanied by p53 accumulation. Overall, these novel findings link folate and de novo ceramide pathways in cellular stress response.

Ceramide-orchestrated signalling in cancer cells

One crucial barrier to progress in the treatment of cancer has been the inability to control the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis: enter ceramide. Discoveries over the past 15 years have elevated this sphingolipid to the lofty position of a regulator of cell fate. Ceramide, it turns out, is a powerful tumour suppressor, potentiating signalling events that drive apoptosis, autophagic responses and cell cycle arrest. However, defects in ceramide generation and metabolism in cancer cells contribute to tumour cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. This Review focuses on ceramide signalling and the targeting of specific metabolic junctures to amplify the tumour suppressive activities of ceramide. The potential of ceramide-based therapeutics in the treatment of cancer is also discussed.

Defining a role for sphingosine kinase 1 in p53-dependent tumors

p53 is a crucial tumor suppressor that is mutated or deleted in a majority of cancers. Exactly how p53 prevents tumor progression has proved elusive for many years; however, this information is crucial to define targets for chemotherapeutic development that can effectively restore p53 function. Bioactive sphingolipids have recently emerged as important regulators of proliferative, apoptotic and senescent cellular processes. In this study, we demonstrate that the enzyme sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1), a critical enzyme in the regulation of the key bioactive sphingolipids ceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), serves as a key downstream target for p53 action. Our results show that SK1 is proteolysed in response to genotoxic stress in a p53-dependent manner. p53 null mice display elevation of SK1 levels and a tumor-promoting dysregulation of bioactive sphingolipids in which the anti-growth sphingolipid ceramide is decreased and the pro-growth sphingolipid S1P is increased. Importantly, deletion of SK1 in p53 null mice completely abrogated thymic lymphomas in these mice and prolonged their life span by ~30%. Deletion of SK1 also significantly attenuated the formation of other cancers in p53 heterozygote mice. The mechanism of p53 tumor suppression by loss of SK1 is mediated by elevations of sphingosine and ceramide, which in turn were accompanied by increased expression of cell cycle inhibitors and tumor cell senescence. Thus, targeting SK1 may restore sphingolipid homeostasis in p53-dependent tumors and provide insights into novel therapeutic approaches to cancer.

Ryanodine receptor leak mediated by caspase-8 activation leads to left ventricular injury after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

Myocardial ischemic disease is the major cause of death worldwide. After myocardial infarction, reperfusion of infracted heart has been an important objective of strategies to improve outcomes. However, cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is characterized by inflammation, arrhythmias, cardiomyocyte damage, and, at the cellular level, disturbance in Ca(2+) and redox homeostasis. In this study, we sought to determine how acute inflammatory response contributes to reperfusion injury and Ca(2+) homeostasis disturbance after acute ischemia. Using a rat model of I/R, we show that circulating levels of TNF-α and cardiac caspase-8 activity were increased within 6 h of reperfusion, leading to myocardial nitric oxide and mitochondrial ROS production. At 1 and 15 d after reperfusion, caspase-8 activation resulted in S-nitrosylation of the RyR2 and depletion of calstabin2 from the RyR2 complex, resulting in diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) leak. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase-8 before reperfusion with Q-LETD-OPh or prevention of calstabin2 depletion from the RyR2 complex with the Ca(2+) channel stabilizer S107 ("rycal") inhibited the SR Ca(2+) leak, reduced ventricular arrhythmias, infarct size, and left ventricular remodeling after 15 d of reperfusion. TNF-α-induced caspase-8 activation leads to leaky RyR2 channels that contribute to myocardial remodeling after I/R. Thus, early prevention of SR Ca(2+) leak trough normalization of RyR2 function is cardioprotective.

TNF-α contributes to caspase-3 independent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells: role of NFAT

There is increasing evidence that soluble factors in inflammatory central nervous system diseases not only regulate the inflammatory process but also directly influence electrophysiological membrane properties of neurons and astrocytes. In this context, the cytokine TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) has complex injury promoting, as well as protective, effects on neuronal viability. Up-regulated TNF-α expression has also been found in various neurodegenerative diseases such as cerebral malaria, AIDS dementia, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke, suggesting a potential pathogenic role of TNF-α in these diseases as well. We used the neuroblastoma cells SK-N-MC. Transcriptional activity was measured using luciferase reporter gene assays by using lipofectin. We performed cotransfection experiments of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) promoter constructed with a dominant negative version of NFAT (dn-NFAT). Cell death was performed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)5,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and TUNEL assays. NFAT translocation was confirmed by Western blot. Involvement of NFAT in cell death was assessed by using VIVIT. P53, Fas-L, caspase-3, and caspase-9 expressions were carried out by Western blot. The mechanisms involved in TNF-α-induced cell death were assessed by using microarray analysis. TNF-α causes neuronal cell death in the absence of glia. TNF-α treatment results in nuclear translocation of NFAT through activation of calcineurin in a Ca²⁺ independent manner. We demonstrated the involvement of FasL/Fas, cytochrome c, and caspase-9 but the lack of caspase-3 activation. NB cell death was absolutely reverted in the presence of VIVIT, and partially diminished by anti-Fas treatment. These data demonstrate that TNF-α promotes FasL expression through NFAT activation in neuroblastoma cells and this event leads to increased apoptosis through independent caspase-3 activation.

Ceramide in stress response

Evidence has consistently indicated that activation of sphingomyelinases and/or ceramide synthases and the resulting accumulation of ceramide mediate cellular responses to stressors such as lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, serum deprivation, irradiation and various antitumor treatments. Recent studies had identified the genes encoding most of the enzymes responsible for the generation of ceramide and ongoing research is aimed at characterizing their individual functions in cellular response to stress. This chapter discusses the seminal and more recent discoveries in regards to the pathways responsible for the accumulation of ceramide during stress and the mechanisms by which ceramide affects cell functions. The former group includes the roles of neutral sphingomyelinase 2, serine palmitoyltransferase, ceramide synthases, as well as the secretory and endosomal/lysosomal forms of acid sphingomyelinase. The latter summarizes the mechanisms by which ceramide activate its direct targets, PKCzeta, PP2A and cathepsin D. The ability of ceramide to affect membrane organization is discussed in the light of its relevance to cell signaling. Emerging evidence to support the previously assumed notion that ceramide acts in a strictly structure-specific manner are also included. These findings are described in the context of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions, namely septic shock, obesity-induced insulin resistance, aging and apoptosis of tumor cells in response to radiation and chemotherapy.

p53 and regulation of bioactive sphingolipids

Both the sphingolipid and p53 pathways are important regulators- and apparent collaborators-of cell-fate decisions. Whereas some investigations have suggested that ceramide and more complex sphingolipids function upstream of p53 or in a p53-independent manner, other studies propose that p53-dependent alterations in these sphingolipids can also contribute to apoptosis. Further studies focusing on sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes have revealed that they function similarly both upstream and downstream of p53 activation. However, whereas various components of the sphingolipid and p53 pathways may simultaneously function to elicit apoptosis and/or growth inhibition, SMase and SK1 may undergo explicit regulation by p53 that could contribute to ceramide-induced senescence in cells. Thus, we propose that regulation of bioactive sphingolipid signaling molecules could be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of p53-dependent cancers.

TNFalpha-induced macrophage death via caspase-dependent and independent pathways

Macrophages are the principal source of TNFalpha, yet they are highly resistant to TNFalpha-mediated cell death. Previously, employing in vitro differentiated human macrophages, we showed that following the inhibition of NF-kappaB, TNFalpha-induced caspase-8 activation contributes to DNA fragmentation but is not necessary for the loss of the inner mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) or cell death. We here extend these observations to demonstrate that, when NF-kappaB is inhibited in macrophages, TNFalpha alters lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP). This results in the release of cathepsin B with subsequent loss of DeltaPsim and caspase-8 independent cell death. Interestingly, the cytoprotective, NF-kappaB-dependent protein A20 was rapidly induced in macrophages treated with TNFalpha. Ectopic expression of A20 in macrophages preserves LMP following treatment with TNFalpha, and as a result, mitochondrial integrity is safeguarded and macrophages are protected from cell death. These observations demonstrate that TNFalpha triggers both caspase 8-dependent and -independent cell death pathways in macrophages and identify a novel mechanism by which A20 protects these cells against both pathways.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway regulates the endoplasmic reticulum to golgi traffic of ceramide in glioma cells: a link between lipid signaling pathways involved in the control of cell survival

Different lines of evidence indicate that both aberrant activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt survival pathway and down-regulation of the death mediator ceramide play a critical role in the aggressive behavior, apoptosis resistance, and adverse clinical outcome of glioblastoma multiforme. Furthermore, the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway and the up-regulation of ceramide have been found functional to the activity of many cytotoxic treatments against glioma cell lines and glioblastomas as well. A reciprocal control between PI3K/Akt and ceramide signaling in glioma cell survival/death is suggested by data demonstrating a protective role of PI3K/Akt on ceramide-induced cell death in glial cells. In this study we investigated the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the regulation of the ceramide metabolism in C6 glioma cells, a cell line in which the PI3K/Akt pathway is constitutively activated. Metabolic experiments performed with different radioactive metabolic precursors of sphingolipids and microscopy studies with fluorescent ceramides demonstrated that the chemical inhibition of PI3K and the transfection with a dominant negative Akt strongly inhibited ceramide utilization for the biosynthesis of complex sphingolipids by controlling the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi vesicular transport of ceramide. These findings constitute the first evidence for a PI3K/Akt-dependent regulation of vesicle-mediated movements of ceramide in the ER-Golgi district. Moreover, the findings also suggest the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway as crucial to coordinate the biosynthesis of membrane complex sphingolipids with cell proliferation and growth and/or to maintain low ceramide levels, especially as concerns those treatments that promote ceramide biosynthesis in the ER.

LPS-induced autophagy is mediated by oxidative signaling in cardiomyocytes and is associated with cytoprotection

Bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is responsible for the multiorgan dysfunction that characterizes septic shock and is causal in the myocardial depression that is a common feature of endotoxemia in patients. In this setting the myocardial dysfunction appears to be due, in part, to the production of proinflammatory cytokines. A line of evidence also indicates that LPS stimulates autophagy in cardiomyocytes. However, the signal transduction pathway leading to autophagy and its role in the heart are incompletely characterized. In this work, we wished to determine the effect of LPS on autophagy and the physiological significance of the autophagic response. Autophagy was monitored morphologically and biochemically in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and transgenic mouse hearts after the administration of bacterial LPS or TNF-alpha. We observed that autophagy was increased after exposure to LPS or TNF-alpha, which is induced by LPS. The inhibition of TNF-alpha production by AG126 significantly reduced the accumulation of autophagosomes both in cell culture and in vivo. The inhibition of p38 MAPK or nitric oxide synthase by pharmacological inhibitors also reduced autophagy. Nitric oxide or H(2)O(2) induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes, whereas N-acetyl-cysteine, a potent antioxidant, suppressed autophagy. LPS resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased total glutathione. To test the hypothesis that autophagy might serve as a damage control mechanism to limit further ROS production, we induced autophagy with rapamycin before LPS exposure. The activation of autophagy by rapamycin suppressed LPS-mediated ROS production and protected cells against LPS toxicity. These findings support the notion that autophagy is a cytoprotective response to LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury; additional studies are needed to determine the therapeutic implications.

TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells requires Rac1-regulated reactive oxygen species

Previously we have shown that both Rac1 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) are key proapoptotic molecules in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha/cycloheximide (CHX)-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, whereas the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis is unclear. The present studies tested the hypothesis that Rac1-mediated ROS production is involved in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. In this study, we showed that TNF-alpha/CHX-induced ROS production and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative stress increased apoptosis. Inhibition of Rac1 by a specific inhibitor NSC23766 prevented TNF-alpha-induced ROS production. The antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or rotenone (Rot), the mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitor, attenuated mitochondrial ROS production and apoptosis. Rot also prevented JNK1/2 activation during apoptosis. Inhibition of Rac1 by expression of dominant negative Rac1 decreased TNF-alpha-induced mitochondrial ROS production. Moreover, TNF-alpha-induced cytosolic ROS production was inhibited by Rac1 inhibition, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), and NAC. In addition, DPI inhibited TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis as judged by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and JNK1/2 activation. Mitochondrial membrane potential change is Rac1 or cytosolic ROS dependent. Lastly, all ROS inhibitors inhibited caspase-3 activity. Thus these results indicate that TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis requires Rac1-dependent ROS production in intestinal epithelial cells.

Apoptotic sphingolipid signaling by ceramides in lung endothelial cells

The de novo pathway of ceramide synthesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of excessive lung apoptosis and murine emphysema. Intracellular and paracellular-generated ceramides may trigger apoptosis and propagate the death signals to neighboring cells, respectively. In this study we compared the sphingolipid signaling pathways triggered by the paracellular- versus intracellular-generated ceramides as they induce lung endothelial cell apoptosis, a process important in emphysema development. Intermediate-chain length (C(8:0)) extracellular ceramides, used as a surrogate of paracellular ceramides, triggered caspase-3 activation in primary mouse lung endothelial cells, similar to TNF-alpha-generated endogenous ceramides. Inhibitory siRNA against serine palmitoyl transferase subunit 1 but not acid sphingomyelinase inhibited both C(8:0) ceramide- and TNF-alpha (plus cycloheximide)-induced apoptosis, consistent with the requirement for activation of the de novo pathway of sphingolipid synthesis. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis detected increases in both relative and absolute levels of C(16:0) ceramide in response to C(8:0) and TNF-alpha treatments. These results implicate the de novo pathway of ceramide synthesis in the apoptotic effects of both paracellular ceramides and TNF-alpha-stimulated intracellular ceramides in primary lung endothelial cells. The serine palmitoyl synthase-regulated ceramides synthesis may contribute to the amplification of pulmonary vascular injury induced by excessive ceramides.

Constitutive NADPH oxidase and increased mitochondrial respiratory chain activity regulate chemokine gene expression

Alveolar macrophages, which generate high levels of reactive oxygen species, especially O(2)(*-), are involved in the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation and injury in the lung, and the generation of chemotactic proteins triggers this cellular recruitment. In this study, we asked whether O(2)(*-) generation in alveolar macrophages had a role in the expression of chemokines. Specifically, we hypothesized that O(2)(*-) generation is necessary for chemokine expression in alveolar macrophages after TNF-alpha stimulation. We found that alveolar macrophages have high constitutive NADPH oxidase activity that was not increased by TNF-alpha, but TNF-alpha increased the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In addition, the mitochondrial respiratory chain increased O(2)(*-) generation if the NADPH oxidase was inhibited. O(2)(*-) generation was necessary for macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) gene expression, because inhibition of NADPH oxidase or the mitochondrial respiratory chain or overexpression of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase significantly inhibited expression of MIP-2. TNF-alpha activated the ERK MAP kinase, and ERK activity was essential for chemokine gene expression. In addition, overexpression of the MEK1-->ERK pathway significantly increased IL-8 expression, and a small interfering RNA to the NADPH oxidase inhibited ERK- and TNF-alpha-induced chemokine expression. Collectively, these results suggest that in alveolar macrophages, O(2)(*-) generation mediates chemokine expression after TNF-alpha stimulation in an ERK-dependent manner.

Ceramide: a common pathway for atherosclerosis?

Plasma sphingomyelin concentration is correlated with the development of atherosclerosis. It has been found to exist in significantly higher concentrations in aortic plaque. This appears to have clinical relevance as well as it has been shown to be an independent predictor of coronary artery disease. Ceramide, the backbone of sphingolipids, is the key component which affects atherosclerotic changes through its important second-messenger role. This paper sheds light on some of the current literature supporting the significance of ceramide with respect to its interactions with lipids, inflammatory cytokines, homocysteine and matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic implications of modulating ceramide concentrations are also discussed.

Up-regulation, modification, and translocation of S100A6 induced by exposure to ionizing radiation revealed by proteomics profiling

The cellular response to genotoxic stress is a complex cascade of events including altered protein expression, interactions, modifications, and relocalization, leading to cell cycle arrest and DNA repair or to apoptosis. p53 protein has a central role in this process, and p53 status is an important factor in the response of a tumor to genotoxic anticancer therapy. We studied p53-related changes postexposure to ionizing radiation using top-down mass spectrometry. Initially two cell lines were compared, HCT116 p53 wild type (wt) and p53(-/-), in a time course study postirradiation. In the p53 wt cell line a striking increase of a 10.2-kDa protein was detected, and this protein was identified with MS/MS analysis as S100A6. Further MS profiling led to detection of two post-translationally modified variants of S100A6, namely glutathionylated and cysteinylated forms. In p53 wt cells, a specific shift from glutathionylated to cysteinylated S100A6 occurred postirradiation. The p53 dependence of this specific change in protein level and modification pattern of S100A6 postirradiation was confirmed in a panel of four lung cancer cell lines (H23, U1810, H69, and A549) with different p53 status and using small interfering RNA against p53. Interestingly the closely related S100 family protein S100A4 showed the same changes in modification pattern post-ionizing radiation in the p53 wt lung cancer cell line, and S100A4 also showed p53-dependent expression. Using confocal microscopy, relocalization of S100A6 from nucleus to cytosol and a colocalization with tropomyosin in stress fibers was detected in A549 cells postirradiation. This relocalization coincided with the change in S100A6 modification pattern. Based on these results, we suggest that S100A6 and S100A4 are regulated via redox modifications in vivo and that these proteins are involved in the cellular response to genotoxic stress.

Regulation of Notch1 gene expression by p53 in epithelial cells

The E6 protein of cervical cancer-associated human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is known to suppress keratinocyte differentiation through unidentified mechanisms. Notch1 is a determinant of keratinocyte differentiation and functions as a tumor suppressor in mammalian epidermis. Here, we report that the Notch1 gene is a novel target of p53 and can be down-regulated by E6 through p53 degradation in normal human epithelial cells. Thus, inactivation of p53 by E6 or short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) resulted in reduced Notch1 expression at the transcription level, and a p53-responsive element could be identified in the Notch1 promoter. The expression of E6, p53 shRNA, or Notch1 shRNA suppressed both spontaneous keratinocyte differentiation in culture and its induction upon DNA damage. Furthermore, the induction of Notch1 and differentiation makers as well as thickening of the epidermal layer upon UV irradiation was observed in wild-type but not in p53-deficient mouse skin. Together, our findings not only demonstrate a novel link between p53 and Notch1 in keratinocyte differentiation upon genotoxic stress but also suggest a novel tumor suppressor mechanism of p53 in the development of squamous cell carcinomas, including HPV-induced tumors.

Immediate early gene IEX-1 induces astrocytic differentiation of U87-MG human glioma cells

The immediate early response gene IEX-1 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and cell growth. In order to increase the apoptotic sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs and gamma-ray, we attempted to establish U87-MG human glioma cell line expressing IEX-1. Unexpectedly, however, transfection of IEX-1 into U87-MG glioma cells resulted in morphological changes to astrocytic phenotype and increase in glial differentiation marker proteins, S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Glial cell differentiation was used to examine in rat C6 glioma cell line, since this cell line express astrocytic phenotypes by increase in intracellular cAMP concentration. Stimulation of human U87-MG glioma cells by membrane-permeable dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) not only elicited their morphological changes but also induced expression of IEX-1 as well as S-100 and GFAP. H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), blocked dbcAMP-induced morphological changes of U87-MG cells and expression of IEX-1. In contrast, morphological changes and expression of S-100 and GFAP induced by IEX-1 were not affected by H89. Morphological changes induced by dbcAMP were totally abolished by functional disruption of IEX-1 expression by anti-sense RNA. These results indicate that IEX-1 plays an important role in astrocytic differentiation of human glioma cells and that IEX-1 functions at downstream of PKA.

Chemotherapy through mitochondrial apoptosis using nutritional supplements and herbs: A brief overview

There has been increased interest in the use of naturally occurring compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects in the treatment of cancers. This review summarizes the most recent advances that provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic potential of nutritional supplements and herbs. Apoptosis is an essential process in the pathogenesis of cancer and its mechanisms can be subdivided into either a death receptor-dependent extrinsic pathway or an independent (mitochondrial or intrinsic) pathway. Nutritional supplements and herbs can exert their effects on such pathways separately, sequentially, or in a manner of "crosstalk" between pathways. A strong correlation between the early collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis was found for most nutritional supplements and herbs that have been studied. These observations provide examples of the development of mitochondrial targeting strategies for cancer therapy.

Efficient immortalization of primary human cells by p16INK4a-specific short hairpin RNA or Bmi-1, combined with introduction of hTERT

Activation of telomerase is sufficient for immortalization of some types of human cells but additional factors may also be essential. It has been proposed that stress imposed by inadequate culture conditions induces senescence due to accumulation of p16(INK4a). Here, we present evidence that many human cell types undergo senescence by activation of the p16(INK4a)/Rb pathway, and that introduction of Bmi-1 can inhibit p16(INK4a) expression and extend the life span of human epithelial cells derived from skin, mammary gland and lung. Introduction of p16(INK4a)-specific short hairpin RNA, as well as Bmi-1, suppressed p16(INK4a) expression in human mammary epithelial cells without promoter methylation, and extended their life span. Subsequent introduction of hTERT, the telomerase catalytic subunit, into cells with low p16(INK4a) levels resulted in efficient immortalization of three cell types without crisis or growth arrest. The majority of the human mammary epithelial cells thus immortalized showed almost normal ploidy as judged by G-banding and spectral karyotyping analysis. Our data suggest that inhibition of p16(INK4a) and introduction of hTERT can immortalize many human cell types with little chromosomal instability.

HPV16 E6-mediated stabilization of ErbB2 in neoplastic transformation of human cervical keratinocytes

Whether ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase contributes to cervical cancer is controversial. We have examined the effects of E6 and E7 genes of human papillomaviruses type 16 (HPV-16) on ErbB2 expression in primary human cervical keratinocytes (HCK) immortalized with hTERT (HCK1T). In E6-positive cells (HCK1T-E6 and HCK1T-E6E7), ErbB2 expression levels increased with the cell density. HCK1T-E6E7 showed impaired contact inhibition and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar which were abrogated with introduction of ErbB2-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or an ErbB2 specific inhibitor AG825. Furthermore, increased ErbB2 expression was also observed in HPV16 positive cervical cancer cell lines and this was diminished by introduction of HPV16E6- or E6AP-shRNA. At post-confluence cell densities, ErbB2 protein was stabilized in the presence of E6 whereas increased ErbB2 expression was not obvious with E6 mutants incapable of degrading p53. Furthermore, introduction of p53-shRNA to HCK1T resulted in increased ErbB2 protein stability, indicating possible ErbB2 regulation through p53. Finally, we showed that tumor formation of ErbB2-shRNA introduced SiHa cells were almost abolished. Taken together, these data indicate an important role of ErbB2 regulation by HPV16 E6 in oncogenic transformation of human cervical keratinocytes.

A house divided: ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate in programmed cell death

Programmed cell death is an important physiological response to many forms of cellular stress. The signaling cascades that result in programmed cell death are as elaborate as those that promote cell survival, and it is clear that coordination of both protein- and lipid-mediated signals is crucial for proper cell execution. Sphingolipids are a large class of lipids whose diverse members share the common feature of a long-chain sphingoid base, e.g., sphingosine. Many sphingolipids have been shown to play essential roles in both death signaling and survival. Ceramide, an N-acylsphingosine, has been implicated in cell death following a myriad of cellular stresses. Sphingosine itself can induce cell death but via pathways both similar and dissimilar to those of ceramide. Sphingosine-1-phosphate, on the other hand, is an anti-apoptotic molecule that mediates a host of cellular effects antagonistic to those of its pro-apoptotic sphingolipid siblings. Extraordinarily, these lipid mediators are metabolically juxtaposed, suggesting that the regulation of their metabolism is of the utmost importance in determining cell fate. In this review, we briefly examine the role of ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate in programmed cell death and highlight the potential roles that these lipids play in the pathway to apoptosis.

E6AP-dependent degradation of DLG4/PSD95 by high-risk human papillomavirus type 18 E6 protein

In most cervical cancers, DNAs of high-risk mucosotropic human papillomaviruses (HPVs), such as types 16 and 18, are maintained so as to express two viral proteins, E6 and E7, suggesting that they play important roles in carcinogenesis. The carboxy-terminal PDZ domain-binding motif of the E6 proteins is in fact essential for transformation of rodent cells and induction of hyperplasia in E6-transgenic mouse skin. To date, seven PDZ domain-containing proteins, including DLG1/hDLG, which is a human homologue of the Drosophila discs large tumor suppressor (Dlg), have been identified as targets of high-risk HPV E6 proteins. Here, we describe DLG4/PSD95, another human homologue of Dlg, as a novel E6 target. DLG4 was found to be expressed in normal human cells, including cervical keratinocytes, but only to a limited extent in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical cancer cell lines. Expression of HPV18 E6 in HCK1T decreased DLG4 levels more strongly than did HPV16 E6, the carboxy-terminal motif of the proteins being critical for binding and degradation of DLG4 in vitro. DLG4 levels were restored by expression of either E6AP-specific short hairpin RNA or bovine papillomavirus type 1 E2 in HeLa but not CaSki or SiHa cells, reflecting downregulation of DLG4 mRNA as opposed to protein by an HPV-independent mechanism in HPV16-positive cancer lines. The tumorigenicity of CaSki cells was strongly inhibited by forced expression of DLG4, while growth in culture was not inhibited at all. These results suggest that DLG4 may function as a tumor suppressor in the development of HPV-associated cancers.

Roles of cPLA2alpha and arachidonic acid in cancer

Phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s) are key enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids to release bioactive lipids that play an important role in normal cellular homeostasis. Under certain circumstances, disrupted production of key lipid mediators may adversely impact physiological processes, leading to pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer. In particular, cytosolic PLA(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) has a high selectivity for liberating arachidonic acid (AA) that is subsequently metabolized by a panel of downstream enzymes for eicosanoid production. Although concentrations of free AA are maintained at low levels in resting cells, alterations in AA production, often resulting from dysregulation of cPLA(2)alpha activity, are observed in transformed cells. In this review, we summarize recent evidence that cPLA(2)alpha plays a role in the pathogenesis of many human cancers. Much of this evidence has been accumulated from functional studies using cPLA(2)alpha-deficient mice, as well as mechanistic studies in cell culture. We also discuss the potential contribution of cPLA(2)alpha and AA to apoptosis, and the regulatory mechanisms leading to aberrant expression of cPLA(2)alpha.

Creation of tumorigenic human endometrial epithelial cells with intact chromosomes by introducing defined genetic elements

Several genetic mutations have been identified in human endometrial cancers, but the specific combinations of mutations required to form endometrial cancer cells remain unknown. In the present study, we established an in vitro model of endometrial carcinogenesis, in which defined genetic elements were introduced into endometrial epithelial cells to create transformed endometrial cells at different stages. Introduction of the human papillomavirus type 16 E6/E7 gene and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene into human primary endometrial epithelial cells was sufficient to generate immortalized cells. Introduction of hTERT in early passages stabilized telomeres and created immortalized cells with normal karyotype, whereas introduction of hTERT in later passages generated immortalized cells but with widespread chromosome abnormalities. However, neither of those two immortalized cell lines exhibited tumorigenic phenotypes. Tumorigenic endometrial epithelial cells with invasive capacity were created by introducing a mutant K-ras allele into immortalized cells, keeping their chromosomes intact. Inhibiting the PTEN gene and activating Akt pathways did not create tumorigenic phenotypes, although the latter conferred anchorage-independent growth capacity. These findings suggest that neoplastic transformation of human endometrial cells can occur in the absence of widespread chromosomal abnormality, and that the combination of Rb inactivation, telomerase activation and altered K-ras signaling is sufficient for in vitro neoplastic transformation. The present experimental model can help clarify the genetic requirements for endometrial carcinogenesis, and it is useful for testing and developing specific inhibitors of specific oncogenic pathways.