MEK inhibition induces caspases activation, differentiation blockade and PML/RARα degradation in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Verteporfin Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukemia NB4 Cells without Light Activation

Background and Aims: Verteporfin (VP), clinically used in photodynamic therapy for neovascular macular degeneration, has recently been proven a suppressor of yes-associated protein (YAP) and has shown potential in anticancer treatment. However, its anti-human leukemia effects in NB4 cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of VP on proliferation and apoptosis in human leukemia NB4 cells. Methods: NB4 cells were treated with VP for 24 h. The effects of VP on cell proliferation were determined using a Cell-Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) assay and colony forming assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). The protein levels were detected by western blot. Results: We found that VP inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. FCM analysis showed that VP induced apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner and that VP treatment led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Moreover, VP significantly decreased the protein expression of YAP, p-YAP, Survivin, c-Myc, cyclinD1, p-ERK, and p-AKT. In addition, VP increased the protein expression of cleaved caspase3, cleaved PARP, Bax, and p-p38 MAPK. Conclusions: VP inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in NB4 cells.

Staurosporine enhances ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation in human leukemia U937 cells via the MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Although all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is regarded as a prominent example of differentiation therapy, it is not effective for the treatment of other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) beyond acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Therefore, new strategies need to be explored to extend the efficacy of ATRA-based therapy to non-APL AML patients. In the present study, staurosporine, a protein kinase C (PKC) pan-inhibitor, exhibited synergism with ATRA to promote granulocytic differentiation in poorly ATRA-sensitive U937 cells but not in ATRA unresponsive K562 and Kasumi cells. Staurosporine or the combined treatment did not affect PKC activity in U937 cells. Moreover, other selective PKC inhibitors, UCN-01, Go6976 or rottlerin failed to enhance ATRA‑induced granulocytic differentiation in U937 cells. Therefore, staurosporine-enhanced ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation in U937 cells may be independent of PKC. Staurosporine activated mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK). Meanwhile, staurosporine also enhanced ATRA-promoted upregulation of the protein level of CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and C/EBPε in U937 cells. Furthermore, blockade of MEK activation suppressed staurosporine‑enhanced differentiation as well as the elevated protein level of C/EBPs. Taken together, we concluded that staurosporine enhanced ATRA‑induced granulocytic differentiation in U937 cells via MEK/ERK-mediated modulation of the protein level of C/EBPs.

Effects of LG268 on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis of NB4 Cells

AIMS

To investigate the effect of LG100268 (LG268) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in NB4 cells.

METHODS

NB4 cells were treated with LG268 for 24 h or 48 h. The effect of LG268 on cell proliferation was assessed by the CCK-8 assay and colony-forming assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Survivin, PARP, c-Myc, cyclin D1, ERK, p-ERK, p38 MAPK, and p- p38 MAPK were detected by western blot.

RESULTS

We found that LG268 inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that LG268 accelerated apoptosis in NB4 cells in a time- dependent manner and that LG268 treatment led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Moreover, LG268 significantly decreased the protein levels of Survivin, c-Myc, and cyclinD1. Cleaved PARP was observed in the LG268 treatment group but not in the control group. In addition, LG268 increased the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK and decreased the phosphorylation level of ERK.

CONCLUSIONS

LG268 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in NB4 cells.

Combined staurosporine and retinoic acid induces differentiation in retinoic acid resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia cell lines

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistance has been a critical problem in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) relapsed patients. In ATRA resistant APL cell lines NB4-R1 and NB4-R2, the combination of staurosporine and ATRA synergized to trigger differentiation accompanied by significantly enhanced protein level of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ε (C/EBPε) and C/EBPβ as well as the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Furthermore, attenuation of the MEK activation blocked not only the differentiation but also the increased protein level of C/EBPε and C/EBPβ. Taken together, we concluded that the combination of ATRA and staurosporine could overcome differentiation block via MEK/ERK signaling pathway in ATRA-resistant APL cell lines.

Bufalin induces the apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells via the downregulation of survivin expression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Bufalin is a cardiotonic steroid isolated from the Chinese toad venom preparation Chan'su and has been shown to induce leukemia cell differentiation and apoptosis under certain experimental conditions. However, the detailed mechanism by which bufalin induces the apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells is largely unexplored.

METHODS

The acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 was treated with bufalin, then the proliferation was evaluated by cell viability assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, NB4 cells were treated by MEK inhibitor PD98059 in combination with bufalin, and the expression of survivin and activation of caspase-3 were detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Bufalin inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of NB4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, bufalin synergized with PD98059 to inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of NB4 cells, which was associated with the downregulation of survivin expression and the upregulation of caspase-3 activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Bufalin is a potential regimen to be used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs to improve acute promyelocytic leukemia therapy.