Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Rescues TF-1 Leukemia Cells From Ionizing Radiation-Induced Apoptosis Through a Pathway Mediated by Protein Kinase Cα

Semiquinone glucoside derivative provides protection against γ-radiation by modulation of immune response in murine model

Present study was undertaken to evaluate radioprotective and immunomodulatory activities of a novel semiquinone glucoside derivative (SQGD) isolated from Bacillus sp. INM-1 in C57 BL/6 mice. Whole body survival study was performed to evaluate in vivo radioprotective efficacy of SQGD. To observe effect of SQGD on immunostimulation, Circulatory cytokine (i.e., interleukin-2 (IL-2), IFN-γ, IL-10, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) expression was analyzed in serum of irradiated and SQGD treated mice at different time intervals using ELISA assay. Results of the present investigation indicated that SQGD pre-treatment (-2 h) to lethally irradiated mice provide ∼ 83% whole body survival compared with irradiated mice where no survival was observed at 30(th) post irradiation day. Significant (p < 0.05) induction in IL-2 and IFN-γ expression was observed at all tested time intervals with SQGD pre-treated irradiated mice as compared with irradiated mice alone. However, sharp increase in IL-10 expression was observed in irradiated mice which were found to be subsidized in irradiated mice pre-treated with SQGD. Similarly, significant (p < 0.05%) induction in G-CSF, M-CSF and GM-CSF expression was observed in irradiated mice treated with SQGD as compared with irradiated control mice at tested time intervals. In conclusion, SQGD pre-treatment to irradiated mice enhanced expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ while down-regulated IL-10 expression and thus modulates cytoprotective pro-inflammatory TH1 type immune response in irradiated mice. Further, SQGD pre-treatment to irradiated mice accelerate G-CSF, GM-CSF and M-CSF expression suggesting improved haematopoiesis and enhanced cellular immune response in immuno-compromised irradiated mice that may contribute to in vivo radiation protection.

A comparative study of protein kinase C activation in gamma-irradiated proliferating and confluent human lung fibroblast cells

Exposure to low doses of radiation has been recently proven to be much more mutagenic and carcinogenic than previously thought. Since radiation sensitivity varies with different phases of cell cycle, we have investigated the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) after low doses (0.10-1 Gy) of gamma-irradiation on proliferating (log) and non-proliferating (confluent/plateau) human normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. PKC isoforms have been shown to play key roles in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. In this study, we have examined the activation of phosphorylated forms of PKC isoforms (PKC-betaII, PKC-alpha/beta, PKC-theta) and non-phosphorylated PKC-alpha in an attempt to understand its kinases in total and subcellular (cytosolic and nuclear) fractions. Cytosolic fraction of the log phase cells showed an increase in activity of PKC-betaII, PKC-alpha/beta and PKC-theta with the radiation dose. However, in the nuclear fraction, PKC-betaII and PKC-theta showed higher activity than the PKC-alpha/beta. In the plateau phase cells of the cytosolic fraction, PKC-betaII showed higher activity than the PKC-alpha/beta and PKC-theta isoforms. Furthermore, in the nuclear fraction PKC-betaII and PKC-alpha/beta isoforms showed higher activity than the PKC-theta. In total cellular protein of the log phase cells, a dose dependent increase in PKC-betaII activity followed by PKC-alpha/ beta was observed and in the plateau phase of cells, PKC-betaII showed higher activity than the PKC-alpha/ beta. The specific activation of PKC isoforms in the plateau phase cells, as demonstrated for the first time, may help us to understand the radiation induced initiation of cellular transformation like hyper-proliferative phenotype, if any.

Positive and negative regulation of radiation-induced apoptosis by protein kinase C

Indicators such as clonogenic survival, transformation, and chromosomal aberrations are used to evaluate the effects of radiation on cells. Apoptosis, another such indicator, is a mode of cell death, and radiation-induced apoptosis contributes to eliminating damaged cells and preventing malformation and carcinogenesis. Understanding radiation-induced apoptosis will assist in radiotherapy for cancer and treatment of patients in accidental radiation exposure. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a serine/threonine kinase that is related to cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis, and has many roles in the radiation-induced cellular responses involving apoptosis. This review describes the functions of PKC, including its relationship with other signaling networks and oxidative stress in the regulation of radiation-induced apoptosis. Such information might provide clues for evaluating the effects of radiation and for identifying clinical applications.

PKC inhibition is involved in trichosanthin-induced apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562

Trichosanthin (TCS), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein, induces cell death in various cell types including several tumor cell lines. However, the mechanism remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanism underlying its cytotoxicity by using human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562. We found that TCS induced apoptosis in K562 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and can be blocked by caspase-3 inhibitors. Interestingly, TCS treatment induced a transient elevation in intracellular calcium concentration and a slow increase in reactive oxygen species production, while calcium chelators and antioxidants had no obvious effect on TCS-induced apoptosis, suggesting that calcium changes and reactive oxygen species may not be involved in TCS-mediated apoptosis in K562 cells. Instead we found that TCS partly inhibited PKC activity. Indeed, the PKC activator, PMA, inhibited while the PKC inhibitor, calphostin c, enhanced TCS-induced apoptosis. These PKC modulators had similar effects on TCS-induced cleavage of caspase-3, and caspase-3 inhibitors prevented calphostin c-enhanced apoptosis induced by TCS. In summary, we conclude that TCS induces apoptosis in K562 cells partly via PKC inhibition and caspase-3 activation.

The role of protein kinase C-alpha in hematologic malignancies

In recent years advances in histopathological and molecular understanding of hematologic malignancies have led to the development of drugs which selectively target proteins associated with hematologic tumorigenesis. One such targeted agent is the antisense oligonucleotide aprinocarsen, which specifically inhibits the signaling protein, protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha). Although PKC-alpha has been associated with tumorigenesis, its role and expression levels in patients with hematologic malignancies are not well understood. We here review studies investigating the expression and role of PKC-alpha in hematologic malignancies. Such a review may offer new insights on how to develop strategies in identifying patients that might best benefit from PKC-alpha inhibition.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits hTERT gene expression in human myeloid normal and leukemic cells

Telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) has been shown to play a critical role not only in telomere homeostasis but also in cellular survival, DNA repair, and genetic stability. In a previous study, we described that tumor necrosis factor-xalpha (TNFxalpha) induced in the leukemic KG1 cells a senescence state characterized by decreased hTERT activity followed by prolonged growth arrest, increasedx beta-galactosidase activity, telomere shortening, and major chromosomal instability. Interestingly, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) abrogated all these events. In the present study, we show for the first time that TNFxalpha acts by inhibiting the hTERT gene in both normal CD34x+ cells and fresh leukemic cells. Using KG1 cells as a representative cellular model, we show that TNFxalpha induced sphingomyelin hydrolysis, ceramide production, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, all of which are critical components of TNFxalpha signaling, resulting in hTERT gene inhibition. Moreover, we provide evidence that the protective effect of GM-CSF is related to its capacity to interfere with both ceramide generation and ceramide signaling. Negative regulation of the hTERT gene may represent one mechanism by which TNFxalpha interferes with normal hemopoiesis.

Regulation of protein kinase B/Akt activity and Ser473 phosphorylation by protein kinase Calpha in endothelial cells

Protein kinase Balpha (PKBalpha/Akt-1) is a key mediator of multiple signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis among others. The unphosphorylated form of Akt-1 is virtually inactive and its full activation requires two phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent phosphorylation events, Thr308 by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) and Ser473 by an undefined kinase that has been termed PDK2. Recent studies have suggested that the Ser473 kinase is a plasma membrane raft-associated kinase. In this study we show that protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) translocates to the membrane rafts in response to insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulation. Overexpression of PKCalpha increases Ser473 phosphorylation and Akt-1 activity, while inhibition of its activity or expression decreases IGF-1-dependent activation of Akt-1. Furthermore, in vitro, in the presence of phospholipids and calcium, PKCalpha directly phosphorylates Akt-1 at the Ser473 site. We conclude, therefore, that PKCalpha regulates Akt-1 activity via Ser473 phosphorylation and may function as PDK2 in endothelial cells.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces senescence and chromosomal instability in human leukemic cells

Previous studies have documented that Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a potent negative regulator of normal hematopoiesis. However, the mechanism by which TNFalpha acts at the cellular level is not totally understood. Although apoptotic cell killing appears to be the most common cellular effect of TNFalpha, other studies suggest that this cytokine may elicit other cellular responses such as prolonged growth inhibition. In this context, we have investigated whether TNFalpha may induce senescence in hematopoietic cells, which display intrinsic defect in the apoptotic machinery. The present study described that, in the leukemic KG1 cells, TNFalpha induced no apoptosis but a senescence state characterized by prolonged growth arrest, increased beta-galactosidase activity, p21WAF-1 induction, decreased telomerase activity, telomeric disturbances (shortening, losses, fusions), and additional chromosomal aberrations. Telomerase inhibition correlated with reduced levels of hTERT transcripts. GM-CSF prevented TNFalpha effects and allowed leukemic cells to recover growth capacity. Finally, our study shows for the first time that, at least in some hematopoietic cells, TNFalpha may induce senescence with important functional consequences, including sustained growth inhibition and genetic instability, and that this cellular response is efficiently regulated by hematopoietic growth factors.

Short-term delay of Fas-stimulated apoptosis by GM-CSF as a result of temporary suppression of FADD recruitment in neutrophils: evidence implicating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and MEK1-ERK1/2 pathways downstream of classical protein kinase C

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhibits Fas-induced apoptosis of neutrophils. However, the exact step in the apoptotic pathway blocked by GM-CSF remained unclear. Here, we found that pretreatment of neutrophils with GM-CSF inhibits the recruitment of Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) to Fas, abolishing the formation of the death-inducing signaling complex required for Fas-induced apoptosis. Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that GM-CSF modifies the ratio of FADD subspecies. These GM-CSF-triggered changes were abrogated, and Fas-induced apoptosis was restored by an inhibitor of classical protein kinase C (PKC), Go6976, and by the combination of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, LY294002, and an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1, PD98059. Go6976 blocked GM-CSF-elicited phosphorylation of Akt/PKB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. These results indicated that GM-CSF suppresses Fas-induced neutrophil apoptosis by inhibiting FADD binding to Fas, through redundant actions of PI-3K and MEK1-ERK1/2 pathways downstream of classical PKC.

Involvement of Protein Kinase C-Related Anti-apoptosis Signaling in Radiation-Induced Apoptosis in Murine Thymic Lymphoma(3SBH5) Cells

Protein kinase C (PKC; also known as PRKC) is known to be an important participant in radiation-induced apoptosis. However, its role is not fully clarified. Using 3SBH5 cells, which are radiation-sensitive thymic lymphoma cells, the involvement and functions of PKC were assessed in radiation- induced apoptosis. PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), a PKC activator, inhibited the radiation-induced apoptosis in 3SBH5 cells. On the other hand, chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, potentiated apoptosis. In addition, Gö6976, a classical PKC (cPKC) inhibitor, which specifically inhibits PKC (alpha and betaI), also promoted apoptosis. Interestingly, post-treatment (20 min after irradiation) with Gö6976 had no effect on the radiation-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that cPKC is activated early after irradiation for anti-apoptosis signaling and contributes to the balance between cell survival and death. Indeed, an increase of cPKC activity involving PKC (alpha, betaI and betaII) was observed in the cytosolic fraction 3 min after irradiation with 0.5 Gy. However, no translocation of cPKC was observed in the cells after irradiation. Our findings indicate that activation of cPKC (alpha or beta) soon after irradiation is critical to the understanding of the regulation of radiation-induced apoptosis in radiation-sensitive cells.

Effect of serum deprivation on constitutive production of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor in lung cancer cells

We previously established 2 lung cancer cell lines, OKa-C-1 and MI-4, which constitutively produce an abundant dose of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Many other cases with G-CSF or GM-CSF producing tumors have been reported up to the present. However, the biological properties of the overproduction of G-CSF and GM-CSF by tumor cells have not been well known. Several reports demonstrated the presence of an autocrine growth loop for G-CSF and GM-CSF in nonhematopoietic tumor cells. We showed that exogenous G-CSF and GM-CSF stimulated cell growth in a dose-dependent manner in OKa-C-1 and MI-4 cells. We could detect the presence of G-CSF and GM-CSF receptors in both cell lines by RT-PCR analysis. We have previously shown that inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta enhance the expression of G-CSF and GM-CSF in the cell lines. However, the factors that regulate constitutive production of G-CSF or GM-CSF by tumor cells are still unknown well. In our study, we first reported that serum deprivation stimulated constitutive production of G-CSF and GM-CSF by lung tumor cells through activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling. We suggest that G-CSF and GM-CSF constitutively produced by tumor cells could grow tumor itself and rescue tumor cells from the cytotoxicity of serum deprivation.

NF-kappaB activation plays an antiapoptotic role in human leukemic K562 cells exposed to ionizing radiation

Exposure of cells to ionizing radiation (IR) determines cellular lesions, such as DNA and membrane damage, which involve a coordinate network of signal transduction pathways responsible for resistance to or delay of apoptosis, depending on cell type and administered dose. Since, after IR exposure, the apoptotic profile appeared different in the two chosen cell lines K562 and Jurkat along with caspase-3 activation, we paid attention to the influence exerted by Protein kinase C delta on transcription factor NF-kappaB activation. Interestingly, K562 resist to IR carrying out a survival strategy which includes PKC delta/NF-kappaB pathway activation, probably mediated by novel IKKs and a role for PI-3-kinase in activating PKC delta at Thr 505 by PDK-1 phosphorylation is suggested. In addition, since caspase-3 is not activated in these cells upon ionizing radiation exposure, it could be supposed that NF-kappaB antagonizes apoptosis induction interfering with pathways which lead to caspase activation, may be by inducing expression of IAP, caspases 3, 7, 9, inhibitor. Thus NF-kappaB activation explains the resistance displayed by K562 to IR and drug potential interference directed to this protein could overcome apoptosis resistance in clinical settings.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can induce proliferation as well as apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-derived cells. We have shown recently that these seemingly contradictory effects are based on the divergent capacities of the cells to produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) upon stimulation with TNF. Only those cells that produce GM-CSF survive the TNF attack and start growing. Here, we set out to elucidate the mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect of GM-CSF. Protection from apoptosis was achieved by preincubating TF-1 cells with exogeneous GM-CSF. Cycloheximide prevented protection, indicating that GM-CSF might induce synthesis of antiapoptotic proteins. Regulation of protective genes was analyzed using cDNA expression arrays and the results were verified by Northern and Western blot analysis. This screen revealed the elevated expression of BCL-2, BCL-2A1, BAG-1 and TACE upon stimulation with GM-CSF. The major novelty of our study is that GM-CSF carries protective effects against TNF-induced apoptosis, not only against apoptosis induced by irradiation or cytokine-starvation. This protection requires de novo protein synthesis and is not-or at least not exclusively-the consequence of a direct crosstalk between the GM-CSF and TNF signaling pathways.

Dose-dependent differential expression of protein kinase C isozymes in mouse lymphocytes after gamma irradiation in vivo and ex vivo

Protein kinase C (PKC, now known as Prkc) plays an important role in the response of cells to radiation, but little is known about the specific response of each isozyme in the radiation-induced response of cells in whole animals. However, most studies are based on single cells. There is a paucity of data on signaling after whole-body irradiation. In this study, a comparison has been made between the expression of Prkc isozymes after in vivo and ex vivo irradiation. There was a significant difference in the dose response of the isozymes. In animals in which lymphocytes were irradiated ex vivo, the expression of the Prkca isozyme was found to be maximum at 3 Gy, while in vivo irradiation did not increase the expression beyond that of 1 Gy. Prkcd was marginally activated after 0.1 Gy ex vivo irradiation, whereas there was significant activation of expression after in vivo irradiation with 3 Gy. The response of Prkcz was found to be similar to that of Prkcd. Prkc is a crucial enzyme that is being used to manipulate the response of tumors to radiotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy is delivered at low doses, and hence only those isozymes that are activated at these doses should be taken into consideration. Moreover, the differences between the response of a single cell and that of the whole animal must be considered.

Role of nuclear PKC delta in mediating caspase-3-upregulation in Jurkat T leukemic cells exposed to ionizing radiation

The response of Jurkat T cells to ionizing radiation (IR) includes cell cycle arrest and DNA damage, which lead to the occurrence of apoptosis. Here, we try to elucidate some of the early intracellular signals which control the induction of such a process upon IR exposure, addressing to examine the specific role of several PKC isoforms (delta, epsilon, zeta) and their subcellular distribution. Attention has been focused on the connections between nuclear PKC delta activation and the expression of cell death regulators (Bcl-2 family proteins Bad, Bax and Bcl-2) and cell death effector caspase-3 (CPP32) which lead to the cleavage of cytoskeletal and nuclear proteins and induction of apoptosis. Altogether these results let us to conclude that PKC delta, potentiating the pro-apoptotic effect of caspase 3, plays a key role in the cellular response to IR and thus can be considered a molecular target for therapy.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor is an anti-apoptotic cytokine for thymic dendritic cells and a significant modulator of their accessory function

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a growth-promoting factor for myeloid-derived dendritic cells (DC) but not for lymphoid DC. The data about its effect on thymic DC (TDC), which are both of lymphoid and myeloid origin, are very scarce. Using an in vitro model, we demonstrated in this work that GM-CSF significantly increased the survival of rat TDC in culture by inhibiting their apoptosis and the effect correlated with up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression. GM-CSF also stimulated differentiation and maturation of TDC as judged by higher expression of MHC class I and II molecules, CD54, CD80 and CD86. These changes correlated with stronger stimulatory activity of GM-CSF-pulsed TDC in syngeneic thymocyte proliferation assay and MLR. The stimulatory potential of TDC was further increased when thymocytes were cultivated with an anti-alphabeta TCR (R73) monoclonal antibody (mAb). The influence of unstimulated TDC on proliferation of thymocytes was inhibited by anti-CD86 but not anti-CD80 mAb, whereas in cultures with GM-CSF-treated TDC both mAbs exerted an additive blocking effect. After separation of TDC on CD11b(+) and CD11b(-) we demonstrated that GM-CSF inhibited apoptosis and potentiated accessory activity of both TDC subsets independently of the myeloid marker expression. Cummulatively, our results suggest that GM-CSF is one of the regulatory cytokine involved in survival, maturation, differentiation and accessory function of TDC.

Protein kinase C zeta nuclear translocation mediates the occurrence of radioresistance in friend erythroleukemia cells

Friend erythroleukemia cells require high doses (15 Gy) of ionizing radiation to display a reduced rate of proliferation and an increased number of dead cells. Since ionizing radiation can activate several signaling pathways at the plasma membrane which can lead to the nuclear translocation of a number of proteins, we looked at the intranuclear signaling system activated by Protein Kinases C, being this family of enzymes involved in the regulation of cell growth and death. Our results show an early and dose-dependent increased activity of zeta and epsilon isoforms, although PKC zeta is the only isoform significantly active and translocated into the nuclear compartment upon low (1.5 Gy) and high (15 Gy) radiation doses. These observations are concomitant and consistent with an increase in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 level upon both radiation doses. Our results point at the involvement of the PKC pathway in the survival response to ionizing radiation of this peculiar cell line, offering PKC zeta for consideration as a possible target of pharmacological treatments aimed at amplifying the effect of such a genotoxic agent.

Kit signaling inhibits the sphingomyelin-ceramide pathway through PLCγ1: implication in stem cell factor radioprotective effect

Previous studies demonstrated that Kit activation confers radioprotection. However, the mechanism by which Kit signaling interferes with cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) has not been firmly established. Based on the role of the sphingomyelin (SM) cycle apoptotic pathway in IR-induced apoptosis, we hypothesized that one of the Kit signaling components might inhibit IR-induced ceramide production or ceramide-induced apoptosis. Results show that, in both Ba/F3 and 32D murine cell lines transfected with wild-type c-kit, stem cell factor (SCF) stimulation resulted in a significant reduction of IR-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity, whereas DNA repair remained unaffected. Moreover, SCF stimulation inhibited IR-induced neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) stimulation and ceramide production. The SCF inhibitory effect on SM cycle was not influenced by wortmannin, a phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. The SCF protective effect was maintained in 32D-KitYF719 cells in which the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is abolished due to mutation in Kit docking site for PI3K. In contrast, phospholipase C γ (PLCγ) inhibition by U73122 totally restored IR-induced N-SMase stimulation, ceramide production, and apoptosis in Kit-activated cells. Moreover, SCF did not protect 32D-KitYF728 cells (lacking a functional docking site for PLCγ1), from IR-induced SM cycle. Finally, SCF-induced radioprotection of human CD34+ bone marrow cells was also inhibited by U73122. Altogether, these results suggest that SCF radioprotection is due to PLCγ1-dependent negative regulation of IR-induced N-SMase stimulation. Beyond the scope of Kit-expressing cells, it suggests that PLCγ1 status could greatly influence the post-DNA damage cellular response to IR, and perhaps, to other genotoxic agents.

Protein kinase C regulates FADD recruitment and death-inducing signaling complex formation in Fas/CD95-induced apoptosis

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) triggers cellular signals that inhibit Fas/CD95-induced cell death in Jurkat T-cells by poorly defined mechanisms. Previously, we have shown that one effect of PKC on Fas/CD95-dependent cell death occurs through inhibition of cell shrinkage and K(+) efflux (Gómez-Angelats, M., Bortner, C. D., and Cidlowski, J. A. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19609-19619). Here we report that PKC alters Fas/CD95 signaling from the plasma membrane to the activation of caspases by exerting a profound action on survival/cell death decisions. Specific activation of PKC with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or bryostatin-1 induced translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane and effectively inhibited cell shrinkage and cell death triggered by anti-Fas antibody in Jurkat cells. In contrast, inhibition of classical PKC isotypes with Gö6976 exacerbated the effect of Fas activation on both apoptotic volume decrease and cell death. PKC activation/inhibition did not affect anti-Fas antibody binding to the cell surface, intracellular levels of FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain), or c-FLIP (cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein) expression. However, processing/activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-3 and BID cleavage were markedly blocked upon PKC activation and, conversely, were augmented during PKC inhibition, suggesting a role for PKC upstream of caspase-8 processing and activation. Analysis of death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation was carried out to examine the influence of PKC on recruitment of both FADD and procaspase-8 to the Fas receptor. PKC activation blocked FADD recruitment and caspase-8 activation and thus DISC formation in both type I and II cells. In contrast, inhibition of classical PKCs promoted the opposite effect on the Fas pathway by rapidly increasing FADD recruitment, caspase-8 activation, and DISC formation. Together, these data show that PKC finely modulates Fas/CD95 signaling by altering the efficiency of DISC formation.

Oestrogen-mediated suppression of tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells: subversion of Bcl-2 by anti-oestrogens

In oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinoma cells, 17beta-oestradiol suppresses a dose-dependent induction of cell death by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF). The ability of oestrogens to promote cell survival in ER-positive breast carcinoma cells is linked to a coordinate increase in Bcl-2 expression, an effect that is blocked with the pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780. The role of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cell survival was confirmed by stable overexpression of Bcl-2 which resulted in suppression of apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (TAX) and TNF as compared to vector-control cells. The pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780 in combination with TNF, DOX or TAX potentiated apoptosis in vector-transfected cells. Interestingly, pre-treatment with ICI 182,780 markedly enhanced chemotherapeutic drug- or TNF-induced apoptosis in Bcl-2 expressing cells, an effect that was correlated with ICI 182,780 induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our results suggest that the effects of oestrogens/anti-oestrogens on the regulation of apoptosis may involve coordinate activation of signalling events and Bcl-2 expression.

Natural ceramide reverses Fas resistance of acid sphingomyelinase(-/-) hepatocytes

The role of the second messenger ceramide in Fas-mediated death requires clarification. To address this issue, we generated hepatocytes from paired acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase; asmase)(+/+) and asmase(-/-) mice. asmase(-/-) hepatocytes, derived from 8-week-old mice, manifested normal sphingomyelin content and normal morphological, biochemical, and biologic features. Nonetheless, ASMase-deficient hepatocytes did not display rapid ceramide elevation or apoptosis in response to Jo2 anti-Fas antibody. asmase(-/-) hepatocytes were not inherently resistant to apoptosis because staurosporine, which did not induce early ceramide elevation, stimulated a normal apoptotic response. The addition of low nanomolar quantities of natural C16-ceramide, which by itself did not induce apoptosis, completely restored the apoptotic response to anti-Fas in asmase(-/-) hepatocytes. Other sphingolipids did not replace natural ceramide and restore Fas sensitivity. Overcoming resistance to Fas in asmase(-/-) hepatocytes by natural ceramide is evidence that it is the lack of ceramide and not ASMase which determines the apoptotic phenotype. The ability of natural ceramide to rescue the phenotype without reversing the genotype provides evidence that ceramide is obligate for Fas induction of apoptosis in hepatocytes.

Modulation of protein kinase C in antitumor treatment

PKC isoenzymes were found to be involved in proliferation, antitumor drug resistance and apoptosis. Therefore, it has been tried to exploit PKC as a target for antitumor treatment. PKC alpha activity was found to be elevated, for example, in breast cancers and malignant gliomas, whereas it seems to be underexpressed in many colon cancers. So it can be expected that inhibition of PKC activity will not show similar antitumor activity in all tumors. In some tumors it seems to be essential to inhibit PKC to reduce growth. However, for inhibition of tumor proliferation it may be an advantage to induce apoptosis. In this case an activation of PKC delta should be achieved. The situation is complicated by the facts that bryostatin leads to the activation of PKC and later to a downmodulation and that the PKC inhibitors available to date are not specific for one PKC isoenzyme. For these reasons, PKC modulation led to many contradicting results. Despite these problems, PKC modulators such as miltefosine, bryostatin, safingol, CGP41251 and UCN-01 are used in the clinic or are in clinical evaluation. The question is whether PKC is the major or the only target of these compounds, because they also interfere with other targets. PKC may also be involved in apoptosis. Oncogenes and growth factors can induce cell proliferation and cell survival, however, they can also induce apoptosis, depending on the cell type or conditions in which the cells or grown. PKC participates in these signalling pathways and cross-talks. Induction of apoptosis is also dependent on many additional factors, such as p53, bcl-2, mdm2, etc. Therefore, there are also many contradicting results on PKC modulation of apoptosis. Similar controversial data have been reported about MDR1-mediated multidrug resistance. At present it seems that PKC inhibition alone without direct interaction with PGP will not lead to successful reversal of PGP-mediated drug efflux. One possibility to improve chemotherapy would be to combine established antitumor drugs with modulators of PKC. However, here also very contrasting results were obtained. Many indicate that inhibition, others, that activation of PKC enhances the antiproliferative activity of anticancer drugs. The problem is that the exact functions of the different PKC isoenzymes are not clear at present. So further investigations into the role of PKC isoenzymes in the complex and interacting signalling pathways are essential. It is a major challenge in the future to reveal whether modulation of PKC can be used for the improvement of cancer therapy.

Cell autonomous apoptosis defects in acid sphingomyelinase knockout fibroblasts

A body of evidence suggests that stress-induced sphingomyelin hydrolysis to the second messenger ceramide initiates apoptosis in some cells. Although studies using lymphoblasts from Niemann-Pick disease patients or acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase)-deficient mice have provided genetic support for this hypothesis, these models have not been universally accepted as definitive. Here, we show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) prepared from asmase mice manifest cell autonomous defects in apoptosis in response to several stresses. In particular, asmase(-/-) MEFs failed to generate ceramide and were totally resistant to radiation-induced apoptosis but remained sensitive to staurosporine, which did not induce ceramide. asmase(-/-) MEFs were also partially resistant to tumor necrosis factor alpha/ actinomycin D and serum withdrawal. Thus, resistance to apoptosis in asmase(-/-) MEFs was not global but rather stress type specific. Most importantly, the sensitivity to stress could be restored in the asmase(-/-) MEFs by administration of natural ceramide. Overcoming apoptosis resistance by natural ceramide is evidence that it is the lack of ceramide, not ASMase, that determines apoptosis sensitivity. The ability to rescue the apoptotic phenotype without reversing the genotype by the product of the enzymatic deficiency provides proof that ceramide is obligate for apoptosis induction in response to some stresses.

Functional dichotomy of protein kinase C (PKC) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha ) signal transduction in L929 cells. Translocation and inactivation of PKC by TNF-alpha

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is capable of inducing a variety of biologic responses through multiple signaling pathways. Because of the potential role of protein kinase C (PKC) in apoptosis, we examined the effects and mechanisms of TNF-alpha on PKC regulation, specifically on PKC alpha. In L929 murine fibroblasts, TNF-alpha (0.5- 5 nm) caused potent inhibition of PKC alpha activity and induced translocation of PKC alpha from the cytosol to the membrane. Treatment of cells with TNF-alpha also induced dephosphorylation of PKC alpha as detected by a mobility shift on SDS-polyacrylamide gel and inhibition of PKC phosphorylation as probed by anti-phospho-PKC antibodies. Since PKC is activated directly by diacylglycerol and inactivated indirectly by ceramide, we next examined the roles of these lipid mediators in the regulation of PKC alpha. Addition of TNF-alpha led to accumulation of both ceramide and diacylglycerol. Fumonisin B(1), an inhibitor of ceramide synthase, and glutathione, an inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase, both reversed the effect of TNF-alpha on PKC alpha activity, suggesting that ceramide production is necessary for the action of TNF-alpha. The diacylglycerol mimic phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was sufficient to cause translocation of PKC alpha, but not the mobility shift. Okadaic acid at 2 nm, a potent protein phosphatase inhibitor, blocked the effects of TNF-alpha on PKC alpha activity, but not on PKC alpha translocation, thus demonstrating that dephosphorylation and translocation are independent processes. These results demonstrate that PKC alpha acts as a downstream target for TNF-alpha and that different lipid-mediated pathways in TNF-alpha signaling lead to opposing signals in the regulation of PKC alpha activity.

2,2',3,3',4,4'-Hexahydroxy-1,1'-biphenyl-6,6'-dimethanol dimethyl ether (HBDDE)-induced neuronal apoptosis independent of classical protein kinase C alpha or gamma inhibition

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes constitute a family of at least 12 structurally related serine-threonine kinases that are differentially regulated and localized, and are presumed to mediate distinct intracellular functions. To explore their roles in intact cells, investigators are developing cell-permeable, isoform-selective inhibitors. 2,2',3,3',4,4'-Hexahydroxy-1, 1'-biphenyl-6,6'-dimethanol dimethyl ether (HBDDE) is reported to be a selective inhibitor of PKC alpha and gamma with IC(50) values of 43 and 50 microM, respectively, using an in vitro assay. However, data examining the potency and selectivity of HBDDE in intact cells are lacking. Employing rodent cerebellar granule neurons as a model system, we investigated the effects of HBDDE using cell survival as a functional end-point. HBDDE induced an apoptotic form of cell death that was dependent upon protein synthesis and included activation of a terminal executioner of apoptosis, caspase 3. The concentration of HBDDE required for half-maximal cell death was less than 10 microM ( approximately 5-fold less than the reported IC(50) values for PKC alpha and gamma in vitro). Furthermore, HBDDE induced apoptosis even after phorbol-ester-mediated down-regulation of PKC alpha and gamma, indicating that this effect is independent of these isoforms. Consistent with this, 2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) indol-3-yl]-3-(indol-3-yl)-maleimide (GF 109203X), a general inhibitor of all classical and some novel PKCs, did not interfere with survival. Thus, HBDDE should not be used as an isoform-selective inhibitor of PKC alpha or gamma in intact cells. Nevertheless, identification of its target in granule neurons will provide valuable information about survival pathways.

Regulation of volume-activated chloride channels by P-glycoprotein: phosphorylation has the final say!

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a transmembrane transporter causing efflux of a number of chemically unrelated drugs and is responsible for resistance to a variety of anticancer drugs during chemotherapy. Pgp overexpression in cells is also associated with volume-activated chloride channel activity; Pgp is thought to regulate such activity. Reversible phosphorylation is a possible mechanism for regulating the transport and chloride channel regulation functions of Pgp. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a good candidate for inducing such phosphorylation. Hierarchical multiple phosphorylation (e.g. of different serines and with different PKC isoforms) may shuttle the protein between its different states of activity (transport or channel regulation). Cell volume changes may trigger phosphorylation of Pgp at sites causing inhibition of transport. The possible regulation of chloride channels by Pgp and the potential involvement of reversible phosphorylation in such regulation is reviewed.

Ceramide mediates radiation-induced death of endothelium

The sphingomyelin (SM) pathway is an ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved signaling system, analogous to conventional systems such as the cAMP and phosphoinositide pathways. Ceramide is generated from SM by the action of a neutral or acid SMase, or by de novo synthesis coordinated through the enzyme ceramide synthase. Once generated, ceramide may serve as a second messenger in signaling responses to physiologic or environmental stimuli, or may be converted to a variety of structural or effector molecules. In the radiation response, ceramide serves as a second messenger in initiating apoptosis, while some of its metabolites block apoptosis. In certain cells, such as endothelial, lymphoid and haematopoietic cells, ceramide mediates apoptosis while in others ceramide may serve only as a co-signal for or play no role in the death response. Regulated ceramide metabolism may determine the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic signals, and hence, the intensity of the apoptotic response, thus constituting a mechanism of radiation sensitivity or resistance. This paradigm may offer new opportunities for modulation of the radiation effects in the treatment of cancer. Chemical modifiers of ceramide metabolism may be useful to enhance the therapeutic effects or reduce the toxicity of radiation treatment.

Cross-talk between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and sphingomyelinase pathways as a mechanism for cell survival/death decisions

Peptide hormones act to regulate apoptosis through activation of multiple pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling cascades of which lipid signaling events represent an important facet of the cellular rheostat that determines survival and death decisions. Activation of sphingomyelinase, which generates ceramide, is an intermediate in cellular stress responses and induction of apoptosis in many systems. Conversely, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a critical signaling molecule involved in regulating cell survival and proliferation pathways. In the present study, we investigate cross-talk between the PI3K and sphingomyelinase pathways as a mechanism for regulation of cell survival/death decisions. We show that phorbol ester, insulin-like growth factor 1, and a constitutively active PI3K suppress both tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis and ceramide generation. Conversely, inhibition of the PI3K pathway with expression of a kinase-dead PI3K both prevented survival signaling and enhanced tumor necrosis factor-induced ceramide generation. The ability of exogenous sphingomyelinase to induce ceramide generation was partially suppressed by expression of constitutively active PI3K and enhanced by inhibition of PI3K suggesting that cross-talk between PI3K and ceramide generation within cells is regulated subsequent to activation of sphingomyelinase.

Advances in the signal transduction of ceramide and related sphingolipids

Recently, the sphingolipid metabolites ceramide, sphingosine, ceramide 1-P, and sphingosine 1-P have been implicated as second messengers involved in many different cellular functions. Publications on this topic are appearing at a rapidly increasing rate and new developments in this field are also appearing rapidly. It is thus important to summarize the results obtained from many different laboratories and from different fields of research to obtain a clearer picture of the importance of sphingolipid metabolites. This article reviews the studies from the last few years and includes the effects of a variety of extracellular agents on sphingolipid signal transduction pathways in different tissues and cells and on the mechanisms of regulation. Sphingomyelin exists in a number of functionally distinct pools and is composed of distinct molecular species. Sphingomyelin metabolites may be formed by many different pathways. For example, the generation of ceramide from sphingomyelin can be catalyzed by at least five different sphingomyelinases. A large variety of stimuli can induce the generation of ceramide, leading to activation or inhibition of various cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammation. The effect of ceramide on these physiological processes is due to its many different downstream targets. It can activate ceramide-activated protein kinases and ceramide-activated protein phosphatases. It also activates or inhibits PKCs, PLD, PLA2, PC-PLC, nitric oxide synthase, and the ERK and SAPK/JNK signaling cascades. Ceramide activates or inhibits transcription factors, modulates calcium homeostasis and interacts with the retinoblastoma protein to regulate cell cycle progression. Most of the work in this field has involved the study of ceramide effects, but the roles of the other three sphingomyelin metabolites is now attracting much attention. The complex interactions between signaling components and ceramide and the controls regulating these interactions are now being identified and are presented in this review.

Protein kinase C-alpha overexpression stimulates Akt activity and suppresses apoptosis induced by interleukin 3 withdrawal

To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in apoptotic signaling induced by cytokine withdrawal, we expressed PKC-alpha, -delta and -epsilon individually in the 32D myeloid progenitor cells. The parental and PKC-delta- and PKC-epsilon-transfected 32D cells underwent apoptosis within 24 h in the absence of interleukin 3. In contrast, expression of PKC-alpha inhibited the onset of apoptosis as determined by genomic DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis. Correlating with the inhibition of apoptosis, PKC-alpha transfectants exhibited increased activity of the endogenous Akt serine/threonine kinase. Furthermore, PKC-alpha, but not PKC-delta or -epsilon, specifically activated overexpressed Akt. PKC-alpha-induced Akt activity was partially dependent on phosphoinositol 3' kinase (PI 3'K) since a PI 3'K inhibitor was able to suppress PKC-alpha-induced Akt activation. Both basal and interleukin 3-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt on serine 473 was enhanced in the PKC-alpha and Akt contransfectants. Coexpression of wild type Akt and PKC-alpha resulted in greater suppression of apoptosis than PKC-alpha expression alone. Together, our results demonstrate that suppression of apoptosis by PKC-alpha correlates with its ability of activating endogenous Akt. Furthermore, activation of overexpressed Akt by PKC-alpha is consistent with their synergistic effect on suppressing apoptosis, providing the strong evidence of cross talk between Akt and PKC-alpha.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C are required for the inhibition of caspase activity by epidermal growth factor

The mechanism by which growth factors exert an anti-apoptotic function on many cell types is not well understood. This issue is addressed in relation to epidermal growth factor (EGF) which inhibits apoptosis induced by staurosporine or wortmannin in an epithelial tumour cell line (CNE-2). The presence of EGF substantially reduced the in vitro Ac-DEVD-AMC hydrolytic activity and almost completely suppressed the intracellular cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in staurosporine- or wortmannin-treated cells. Staurosporine but not wortmannin caused the intracellular proteolytic processing of pro-caspase-3 and this event was transiently inhibited by EGF. Staurosporine-induced apoptosis was not inhibited by EGF in the presence of wortmannin or LY294002. Similarly, EGF failed to inhibit wortmannin-induced apoptosis in the presence of staurosporine, chelerythrine chloride or Gö6850. These results suggest that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C play a role in the survival function of EGF but the reduction of cellular caspase activity cannot be satisfactorily explained by a lack of pro-caspase-3 activation.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor protects dendritic cells from liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate-induced apoptosis through a Bcl-2-mediated pathway

Liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate (L-MDP) has been used for depleting cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. We have undertaken this study to investigate whether dendritic cells are susceptible to this liposome-encapsulated compound. Dendritic cells were cultured in the presence of L-MDP and further processed for apoptosis detection. The highly characteristic DNA cleavage into oligonucleosome-sized fragments, incorporation of biotinylated dUTP into DNA strand breaks and the typical ultrastructural features of apoptosis were evident in dendritic cells exposed to the drug. More importantly, we demonstrated that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor protects dendritic cells not only from apoptosis induced by the exogenous compound but also from spontaneous apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that this protection was tightly correlated with the activation of a Bcl-2-mediated pathway. Regulation of the apoptotic threshold of dendritic cells will be advantageous for the generation of new insights in immunotherapy.