Upregulation of Intracellular Glutathione by Fibroblast-Derived Factor(s): Enhanced Survival of Activated T Cells in the Presence of Low Bcl-2

CD146 T cells in lung cancer: its function, detection, and clinical implications as a biomarker and therapeutic target

CD146 alternatively called melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), is a biomarker and therapeutic target of clinical significance. It is found on different cells including the endothelial cells and lymphocytes which participate in heterotypic and homotypic ligand-receptor. This review concentrated on the CD146 expression T cells (or lymphocytes) centering on Treg in lung cancer. Here, we have also considered the vigorous investigation of CD146 mainly acknowledged new roles, essential mechanisms and clinical implications of CD146 in cancer. CD146 has progressively become a significant molecule, particularly recognized as a novel biomarker, prognosis and therapy for cancer. Hence, targeting CD146 expression by utilization of methanol extracts of Calotropis procera leaf may be useful for the treatment of carcinogenesis.

Loss of the candidate tumor suppressor ZEB1 (TCF8, ZFHX1A) in Sézary syndrome

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a group of incurable extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas that develop from the skin-homing CD4⁺ T cell. Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome are the most common histological subtypes. Although next-generation sequencing data provided significant advances in the comprehension of the genetic basis of this lymphoma, there is not uniform consensus on the identity and prevalence of putative driver genes for this heterogeneous group of tumors. Additional studies may increase the knowledge about the complex genetic etiology characterizing this lymphoma. We used SNP6 arrays and GISTIC algorithm to prioritize a list of focal somatic copy-number alterations in a dataset of multiple sequential samples from 21 Sézary syndrome patients. Our results confirmed a prevalence of significant focal deletions over amplifications: single well-known tumor suppressors, such as TP53, PTEN, and RB1, are targeted by these aberrations. In our cohort, ZEB1 (TCF8, ZFHX1A) spans a deletion having the highest level of significance. In a larger group of 43 patients, we found that ZEB1 is affected by deletions and somatic inactivating mutations in 46.5% of cases; also, we found potentially relevant ZEB1 germline variants. The survival analysis shows a worse clinical course for patients with ZEB1 biallelic inactivation. Multiple abnormal expression signatures were found associated with ZEB1 depletion in Sézary patients we verified that ZEB1 exerts a role in oxidative response of Sézary cells. Our data confirm the importance of deletions in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The characterization of ZEB1 abnormalities in Sézary syndrome fulfils the criteria of a canonical tumor suppressor gene. Although additional confirmations are needed, our findings suggest, for the first time, that ZEB1 germline variants might contribute to the risk of developing this disease. Also, we provide evidence that ZEB1 activity in Sézary cells, influencing the reactive oxygen species production, affects cell viability and apoptosis.

Embryonic Fibroblasts Promote Antitumor Cytotoxic Effects of CD8+ T Cells

Adoptive CD8⁺ T cell therapy has emerged as an important modality for the treatment of cancers. However, the significant drawback of transfused T cells is their poor survival and functionality in response to tumors. To overcome this limitation, an important consideration is exploring a culture condition to generate superior antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) for adoptive therapy. Here, we provide a novel approach to generate potent CTL clones in mouse embryonic fibroblast-conditioned medium (MEF-CM). We found CTLs derived with MEF-CM have higher potential in long-term persistence in tumor bearing and non-tumor-bearing mice. Importantly, adoptive transfer of MEF-CM-cultured CTLs dramatically regressed tumor growth and prolonged mice survival. Characterization of MEF-CM-cultured CTLs (effector molecules, phenotypes, and transcription factors) suggests that MEF-CM enhances the effector functions of CD8⁺ T cells in part by the upregulation of the T-box transcription factor eomesodermin. Consequently, MEF-CM enhances the intrinsic qualities of effector CD8⁺ T cells to augment antitumor immunity.

FOXO3a-dependent regulation of Pink1 (Park6) mediates survival signaling in response to cytokine deprivation

Loss-of-function mutations of phosphatase/tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (Pink1) (also known as Park6) identified in familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are associated with compromised mitochondrial function. Emerging data suggest that Pink1 is an essential pro-survival factor that is induced in response to oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms regulating Pink1 expression under stress conditions remain unknown. Forkhead box, subgroup O (FOXO) transcription factors carry out distinct biological functions in response to different extracellular signals. Notably, FOXO factors possess evolutionarily conserved roles in protecting cells from oxidative stress-induced death. Here we report that the FOXO family member FOXO3a controls Pink1 transcription in both mouse and human cells subjected to growth factor deprivation and that this regulation is exerted through evolutionarily conserved FOXO binding elements. Induction of Pink1 by FOXO3a is crucial for survival signals in lymphocytes, as depletion of Pink1 sensitizes these cells to death induced by deprivation of an essential growth factor. Our data reveal that the role of FOXO factors in protecting cells from growth factor deprivation-triggered apoptosis has been underestimated and that FOXOs mediate this protection by transactivating anti-apoptotic effectors like Pink1. Given the essential role of Pink1 in combating cell death, our findings may help to dissect the mechanisms by which FOXO proteins function as anti-oxidative stress factors.

Interaction between human lung fibroblasts and T-lymphocytes prevents activation of CD4+ cells

Background

T lymphocytes are demonstrated to play an important role in several chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases. In this study we provide evidence that human lung fibroblasts are capable of mutually interacting with T-lymphocytes leading to functionally significant responses by T-cells and fibroblasts.

Methods

Human lung fibroblast were co-cultured with PMA-ionomycin activated T-CD4 lymphocytes for 36 hours. Surface as well as intracellular proteins expression, relevant to fibroblasts and lymphocytes activation, were evaluated by means of flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Proliferative responses of T lymphocytes to concanavalin A were evaluated by the MTT assay.

Results

In lung fibroblasts, activated lymphocytes promote an increase of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and ICAM-1, expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), from 5.4 ± 0.9 and 0.7 ± 0.15 to 9.1 ± 1.5 and 38.6 ± 7.8, respectively. Fibroblasts, in turn, induce a significant reduction of transcription and protein expression of CD69, LFA-1 and CD28 in activated lymphocytes and CD3 in resting lymphocytes. In activated T lymphocytes, LFA-1, CD28 and CD69 expression was 16.6 ± 0.7, 18.9 ± 1.9 and 6.6 ± 1.3, respectively, and was significantly reduced by fibroblasts to 9.4 ± 0.7, 9.4 ± 1.4 and 3.5 ± 1.0. CD3 expression in resting lymphocytes was 11.9 ± 1.4 and was significantly reduced by fibroblasts to 6.4 ± 1.1. Intracellular cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-10, were evaluated in T lymphocytes. Co-incubation with fibroblasts reduced the number of TNF-alpha positive lymphocytes from 54,4% ± 6.12 to 30.8 ± 2.8, while IL-10 positive cells were unaffected. Finally, co-culture with fibroblasts significantly reduced Con A proliferative response of T lymphocytes, measured as MTT absorbance, from 0.24 ± 0.02 nm to 0.16 ± 0.02 nm. Interestingly, while the activation of fibroblasts is mediated by a soluble factor, a cognate interaction ICAM-1 mediated was demonstrated to be responsible for the modulation of LFA-1, CD28 and CD69.

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest that fibroblasts play a role in the local regulation of the immune response, being able to modulate effector functions of cells recruited into sites of inflammation.

Butterfat fatty acids differentially regulate growth and differentiation in Jurkat T-cells

Synthetic Conjugated Linoleic Acid mixture (CLA; c9,t11; t10,c12-18:2) has been previously shown to inhibit growth, and enhance apoptosis and IL-2 mRNA synthesis in human lymphoblastic Jurkat T-cells. In this study, two different butterfat types were evaluated and compared for their effects on Jurkat cell viability, oxidative stress, pro-apoptotic activity, and cytokine synthesis: the conventionally produced butterfat (CBF), and organic butterfat (OBF) containing significantly higher amounts of c9,t11 (Rumenic Acid, RA), trans-vaccenic acid (VA; t11-18:1), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and lower levels of linoleic acid (LA). Results from cell treatment with both butterfat mixtures showed comparable oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion,and lipid peroxides yield), NADPH oxidase activation, cytotoxicity (LDH release), and IL-2 transcript level, whereas the effects of enhanced growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic activities were associated with OBF treatment. To then investigate each butterfat-induced effect caused by RA, VA, LA, and ALA, cells were exposed to synthetic FA concentrations similar to those from the different butterfats. Higher oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion) was induced by alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) incubation (P<0.01) and superoxide production was suppressed by specific PKCalpha inhibitor (Gö 6976) and linked to increased toxicity and IL-2 synthesis inhibition. By contrast, cell treatment with RA increased apoptosis and IL-2 synthesis. These results suggest that a supply of ALA and LA is responsible for BF-induced oxidative stress via PKCalpha-NADPH oxidase pathway, and that enhanced antiproliferative effects in OBF treated cells is essentially determined by RA-induced pro-apoptotic activity.

Polyamine depletion switches the form of 2-deoxy-D-ribose-induced cell death from apoptosis to necrosis in HL-60 cells

Our previous studies demonstrated that intracellular polyamine depletion blocked HL-60 cell apoptosis triggered by exposure to 2-deoxy-d-ribose (dRib). Here, we have characterized the intracellular events underlying the apoptotic effects of dRib and the involvement of polyamines in these effects. Treatment of HL-60 cells with dRib induces loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, radical oxygen species production, intracellular glutathione depletion and translocation of Bax from cytosol to membranes. These effects are followed by cell death. However, the mode of cell death caused by dRib depends on intracellular levels of polyamines. d-Rib-treated cells with normal polyamine levels, progressing through the G(1) into the S and G(2)/M phases, undergo apoptosis, while in polyamine-depleted cells, being blocked at the G(1) phase, cell death mechanisms are switched to necrosis. The present study points to a relationship between the cell cycle distribution and the mode of cell death, and suggests that the level of intracellular spermidine, essential to cell cycle progression, may determine whether a cell dies by apoptosis or necrosis in response to a death stimulus.

Role of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase on the response of poorly and moderately differentiated rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines to buthionine sulfoximine-induced inhibition of glutathione synthesis

Glutathione (GSH) is involved in many cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation. GSH also plays an important role in the protection of cells against oxidative damage and hence in determining the sensitivity of cells to the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents. Because of this, induction of GSH depletion has been proposed as a good strategy for sensitizing tumor cells to antitumor agents. The aim of the present work is to study the effect of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, a specific cellular GSH-depleting agent) in two rat tumor cell lines derived from the same rhabdomyosarcoma tumor model, the moderately differentiated and low metastatic F21 cell line, and the poorly differentiated and high metastatic S4MH cell line, to investigate the influence of the degree of differentiation in the induction of GSH depletion-based therapy. We observed that, whereas in the S4MH cell line BSO induced a dose-dependent inhibition of both cell growth in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo, in F21 cells the administration of moderate doses of BSO enhanced tumor growth and only at high doses was there a slight reduction of their tumorigenic potential. These effects were in consonance with the fact that the activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) present in the F21 cells was 4 times higher than in the S4MH cells. Indeed, inhibition of gamma-GT activity by acivicin not only abrogated the BSO-induced increase of GSH content and of cell growth, but also the combination of acivicin + BSO significantly decreased intracellular GSH levels and cell proliferation, and induced F21 cells to apoptosis. These studies suggest that, as occurs in the rhabdomyosarcoma tumor model, gamma-GT levels and the degree of differentiation of tumor cells might influence the response of tumor cells to inducers of GSH depletion, and should be taken into account in therapies based on GSH metabolism.

Rethinking cystic fibrosis pathology: the critical role of abnormal reduced glutathione (GSH) transport caused by CFTR mutation

Though the cause of cystic fibrosis (CF) pathology is understood to be the mutation of the CFTR protein, it has been difficult to trace the exact mechanisms by which the pathology arises and progresses from the mutation. Recent research findings have noted that the CFTR channel is not only permeant to chloride anions, but other, larger organic anions, including reduced glutathione (GSH). This explains the longstanding finding of extracellular GSH deficit and dramatically reduced extracellular GSH:GSSG (glutathione disulfide) ratio found to be chronic and progressive in CF patients. Given the vital role of GSH as an antioxidant, a mucolytic, and a regulator of inflammation, immune response, and cell viability via its redox status in the human body, it is reasonable to hypothesize that this condition plays some role in the pathogenesis of CF. This hypothesis is advanced by comparing the literature on pathological phenomena associated with GSH deficiency to the literature documenting CF pathology, with striking similarities noted. Several puzzling hallmarks of CF pathology, including reduced exhaled NO, exaggerated inflammation with decreased immunocompetence, increased mucus viscoelasticity, and lack of appropriate apoptosis by infected epithelial cells, are better understood when abnormal GSH transport from epithelia (those without anion channels redundant to the CFTR at the apical surface) is added as an additional explanatory factor. Such epithelia should have normal levels of total glutathione (though perhaps with diminished GSH:GSSG ratio in the cytosol), but impaired GSH transport due to CFTR mutation should lead to progressive extracellular deficit of both total glutathione and GSH, and, hypothetically, GSH:GSSG ratio alteration or even total glutathione deficit in cells with redundant anion channels, such as leukocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and hepatocytes. Therapeutic implications, including alternative methods of GSH augmentation, are discussed.

Red blood cells inhibit activation-induced cell death and oxidative stress in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs) are known to perform one prominent function: to carry and deliver oxygen to the tissues. Earlier studies, however, suggested a role for RBCs in potentiating T-cell proliferation in vitro. Here it is shown that the presence of RBCs in cultures of stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes strengthens T-cell proliferation and survival. Analysis of phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation showed that RBCs inhibit T-cell apoptosis. This inhibition correlated with a reduction in CD71 but not CD95 expression. RBCs enhanced T-cell proliferation and survival upon activation with phytohemagglutinin and with OKT3 antibodies. Studies aimed at characterizing the cellular and molecular basis of the protection afforded to T cells by RBCs showed that (1) optimal protection required intact RBCs and red cell/T-cell contact but not monocytes; (2) RBCs markedly reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species; and (3) RBCs inhibited the formation of protein-bound acrolein, a peroxidation adduct in biologic systems. Overall, these data indicate that human RBCs protect T cells from activation-induced cell death, at least in part by reducing the pro-oxidant state, and suggest a role for RBCs as conceivable modulators of T-cell homeostasis.

Interferon α prevents spontaneous apoptosis of clonal Th2 cells associated with chronic hypereosinophilia

A recent study identified a clonal expansion of CD3−CD4+cells secreting Th2-type cytokines in 4 patients with chronic hypereosinophilia. Because interferon α (IFN-α) is used in the therapy of the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, the effects of this cytokine on the survival of clonal Th2 cells isolated from the blood of 2 patients were determined. First, these cells displayed a high rate of spontaneous apoptosis on culture in cytokine-free medium and were also sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis induced by soluble Fas ligand. Addition of IFN-α or interleukin-2 (IL-2) to culture medium resulted in significant protection against spontaneous but not Fas-induced apoptosis. Although spontaneous apoptosis of the clonal Th2 cells was clearly associated with down-regulation of both bcl-2 and bcl-xL levels, IFN-α had no significant effect on the expression of these antiapoptotic proteins, whereas addition of IL-2 resulted in higher levels of bcl-2. On the other hand, IFN-α decreased the numbers of cells with disrupted mitochondrial transmembrane potential both during spontaneous apoptosis and after exposure to protoporphyrin IX. Thus, IFN-α might promote the survival of clonal Th2 cells, an effect that could be relevant to the therapeutic approach for patients with chronic hypereosinophilia caused by clonal expansion of Th2-type cells.

Interferon α prevents spontaneous apoptosis of clonal Th2 cells associated with chronic hypereosinophilia

A recent study identified a clonal expansion of CD3−CD4+cells secreting Th2-type cytokines in 4 patients with chronic hypereosinophilia. Because interferon α (IFN-α) is used in the therapy of the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, the effects of this cytokine on the survival of clonal Th2 cells isolated from the blood of 2 patients were determined. First, these cells displayed a high rate of spontaneous apoptosis on culture in cytokine-free medium and were also sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis induced by soluble Fas ligand. Addition of IFN-α or interleukin-2 (IL-2) to culture medium resulted in significant protection against spontaneous but not Fas-induced apoptosis. Although spontaneous apoptosis of the clonal Th2 cells was clearly associated with down-regulation of both bcl-2 and bcl-xL levels, IFN-α had no significant effect on the expression of these antiapoptotic proteins, whereas addition of IL-2 resulted in higher levels of bcl-2. On the other hand, IFN-α decreased the numbers of cells with disrupted mitochondrial transmembrane potential both during spontaneous apoptosis and after exposure to protoporphyrin IX. Thus, IFN-α might promote the survival of clonal Th2 cells, an effect that could be relevant to the therapeutic approach for patients with chronic hypereosinophilia caused by clonal expansion of Th2-type cells.

The phagocytosis-associated respiratory burst in human monocytes is associated with increased uptake of glutathione

During the phagocytic respiratory burst, oxygen is converted to potent cytotoxic oxidants. Monocytes and macrophages are potentially long-lived, and we have hypothesized that protective mechanisms against oxidant stress are varied and fully expressed in these cells. We report here that the respiratory burst in monocytes is accompanied by an increase in the uptake of [35S]glutathione ([35S]GSH) after 20-30 min to levels up to 10-fold greater than those at baseline. By 30 min, 49% of the cell-associated radioactivity was in the cytosol, 41% was in membrane, and 10% was associated with the nuclear fraction. GSH uptake was inhibited by catalase, which removes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and micromolar H2O2 stimulated GSH uptake effectively in monocytes and also lymphocytes. Oxidation of GSH to glutathione disulfide with H2O2 and glutathione peroxidase prevented uptake. Acivicin, which inhibits GSH breakdown by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), had no effect on the enhanced uptake seen during the respiratory burst. Uptake of cysteine or cystine, possible products of GGT activity, stayed the same or decreased during the respiratory burst. These results suggest that a GGT-independent mechanism is responsible for the enhanced GSH uptake seen during the respiratory burst. We describe here a sodium-independent, methionine-inhibitable transport system with a Km (8.5 microM) for GSH approximating the plasma GSH concentration. These results suggest that monocytes have a specific GSH transporter that is triggered by the release of H2O2 during the respiratory burst and that induces the uptake of GSH into the cell. Such a mechanism has the potential to protect the phagocyte against oxidant damage.

The role of the immune system in conjunctival wound healing after glaucoma surgery

The immune system has a fundamental role in the development and regulation of ocular healing, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of most blinding diseases. This review discusses the mechanisms of normal wound healing, describing the animal and fetal wound healing models used to provide further insight into normal wound repair. In particular, conjunctival wound repair after glaucoma filtration surgery will be used to illustrate the contributions that the different components of the immune system make to the healing process. The potential role of macrophages, the possible regulatory effect of lymphocytes, and the important role of growth factors and cytokines in the wound healing reaction are discussed. The significance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of aggressive conjunctival scarring is addressed, particularly assessing the predisposing factors, including drugs, age, and ethnicity. The rationale behind the pharmacological agents currently used to modulate the wound healing response and the effects these drugs have on the function of the immune system are described. Finally, potential new therapeutic approaches to regulating the wound healing response are reported.

IFN-alpha and IFN-beta: a link between immune memory and chronic inflammation

The majority of expanded T cells generated during an immune response are cleared by apoptosis. Prevention of death in some activated T cells enables the persistence of a memory T-cell pool. Here, observations that IFN-alpha and IFN-beta inhibit activated T-cell apoptosis are described. Although this enables memory T cells to persist without antigen, excessive IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma secretion might lead to chronic inflammation.

Development of resistance to glutathione depletion-induced cell death in CC531 colon carcinoma cells: association with increased expression of bcl-2

The glutathione (GSH) level of CC531 rat colorectal cancer cells is readily decreased by exposure to buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis; at 25 microM BSO, these cells died in a non-apoptotic fashion. By continuous exposure of CC531 cells to increasing concentrations of BSO, we obtained a BSO-resistant cell line (CCBR25) that was 50 times more resistant to BSO than the parental cell line. Whereas the GSH content of CCBR25 and CC531 cells was similar, the former contained a much higher level of the Bcl-2 protein. After stable transfection of CC531 cells with the human bcl-2 gene, the resulting Bcl-2-overexpressing cell line appeared to be 9 times more resistant to BSO than the parental cell line. These findings suggest that the Bcl-2 protein offers resistance against the cytotoxic effect of severe GSH depletion.