Human Epidermoid Carcinoma A431 Cells Research Articles

Antiproliferative activity of new 1-aryl-4-amino-1 H-pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine derivatives toward the human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cell line

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new class of 1-aryl-4-amino-1 H-pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine derivatives are reported. A preliminary cellular assay system using the tumor cell line A431 responding to epidermal growth factor (EGF) for its growth, shows that the new compounds are potent inhibitors of cell growth. The inhibition of tumor cell proliferation is not associated with blockage of EGF receptor (EGFR), but substantially due to the interference with the signalling pathway at the level of Src tyrosine kinase and at the level of the downstream effector signal mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK1-2.

Skin cancer chemopreventive agent, -santalol, induces apoptotic death of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells via caspase activation together with dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release

alpha-Santalol, an active component of sandalwood oil, has been studied in detail in recent years for its skin cancer preventive efficacy in murine models of skin carcinogenesis; however, the mechanism of its efficacy is not defined. Two major biological events responsible for the clonal expansion of transformed/initiated cells into tumors are uncontrolled growth and loss of apoptotic death. Accordingly, in the present study, employing human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, we assessed whether alpha-santalol causes cell growth inhibition and/or cell death by apoptosis. Treatment of cells with alpha-santalol at concentrations of 25-75 microM resulted in a concentration- and a time-dependent decrease in cell number, which was largely due to cell death. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) stained cells revealed that alpha-santalol induces a strong apoptosis as early as 3 h post-treatment, which increases further in a concentration- and a time-dependent manner up to 12 h. Mechanistic studies showed an involvement of caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage through activation of upstream caspase-8 and -9. Further, the treatment of cells with alpha-santalol also led to disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release into the cytosol, thereby implicating the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway. Pre-treatment of cells with caspase-8 or -9 inhibitor, pan caspase inhibitor or cycloheximide totally blocked alpha-santalol-caused caspase-3 activity and cleavage, but only partially reversed apoptotic cell death. This suggests involvement of both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways, at least under caspase inhibiting conditions, in alpha-santalol-caused apoptosis. Together, this study for the first time identifies the apoptotic effect of alpha-santalol, and defines the mechanism of apoptotic cascade activated by this agent in A431 cells, which might be contributing to its overall cancer preventive efficacy in mouse skin cancer models.

Sanguinarine causes cell cycle blockade and apoptosis of human prostate carcinoma cells via modulation of cyclin kinase inhibitor-cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase machinery

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males in the United States. This warrants the development of novel mechanism-based strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer. Several studies have shown that plant-derived alkaloids possess remarkable anticancer effects. Sanguinarine, an alkaloid derived from the bloodroot plant Sanguinaria canadensis, has been shown to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Previously, we have shown that sanguinarine possesses strong antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties against human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells and immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes. Here, employing androgen-responsive human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells and androgen-unresponsive human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells, we studied the antiproliferative properties of sanguinarine against prostate cancer. Sanguinarine (0.1-2 micromol/L) treatment of LNCaP and DU145 cells for 24 hours resulted in dose-dependent (1) inhibition of cell growth [as evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay], (2) arrest of cells in G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle (as assessed by DNA cell cycle analysis), and (3) induction of apoptosis (as evaluated by DNA ladder formation and flow cytometry). To define the mechanism of antiproliferative effects of sanguinarine against prostate cancer, we studied the effect of sanguinarine on critical molecular events known to regulate the cell cycle and the apoptotic machinery. Immunoblot analysis showed that sanguinarine treatment of both LNCaP and DU145 cells resulted in significant (1) induction of cyclin kinase inhibitors p21/WAF1 and p27/KIP1; (2) down-regulation of cyclin E, D1, and D2; and (3) down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, 4, and 6. A highlight of this study was the fact that sanguinarine induced growth inhibitory and antiproliferative effects in human prostate carcinoma cells irrespective of their androgen status. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the involvement of cyclin kinase inhibitor-cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase machinery during cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by sanguinarine. These results suggest that sanguinarine may be developed as an agent for the management of prostate cancer.

177Lu-DOTA-lanreotide: a novel tracer as a targeted agent for tumor therapy

177Lu of specific activity ∼100–110 TBq/g and radionuclidic purity of ∼100% was obtained by irradiation of enriched Lu 2O 3 (60.6% 176Lu) target for 7 days at a thermal neutron flux of 3×10 13n/cm 2/sec. The 177Lu labeling of a macrocyclic bifunctional chelating agent viz. 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) has been extensively studied. Lanreotide, [β-naphthyl-Ala-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH 2] a disulfide-linked cyclic octapeptide and a somatostatin analog, reported to bind with a wide variety of tumors expressing somatostatin receptors, was conjugated with DOTA. The peptide-BFCA conjugate was characterized with the help of high-resolution two-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy. The 177Lu labeling of the DOTA-lanreotide conjugate has been standardized to give a radiolabeling yield of 85%. The tracer showed specific binding with A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma and IMR-32 human brain neuroblastoma cells.

C225 antiepidermal growth factor receptor antibody enhances the efficacy of docetaxel chemoradiotherapy

Purpose C225 anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) antibody has been shown to enhance tumor response to radiation and a number of chemotherapeutic agents. Because of increased use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in cancer treatment, it is important to determine whether C225 enhances also the antitumor efficacy of radiation when combined with chemotherapy. This study assessed the effect of C225 on tumor response when combined with docetaxel plus single or fractionated radiation. Methods and materials MDA468 human adenocarcinoma and A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells growing as xenografts in the right hind leg of nude mice were used. Mice bearing 8-mm tumors were treated with C225 antibody at a dose of 1 mg given i.p. once, twice, or three times 3 days apart, 10 or 30 mg/kg docetaxel given i.v., and/or local tumor irradiation of 8 or 10 Gy single dose or fractionated irradiation consisting of 2 Gy daily for 5 days. When all three agents were combined, C225 was given 6 h before or 18 h after docetaxel, and radiation was given 24 h after docetaxel. The treatment end point was tumor growth delay. Results C225 enhanced the antitumor efficacy of docetaxel, local tumor irradiation, and docetaxel combined with radiation. The response of both MDA468 and A431 carcinomas was enhanced. The enhancement factors ranged from 1.19 to 8.52, the degree of the enhancement depending on experimental conditions such as administration of multiple vs. single dose C225 or single or fractionated irradiation. C225 given twice or 3 times was more effective than when administered as a single dose. The effect of C225 was more pronounced when combined with single than fractionated irradiation with or without docetaxel. The triple-agent therapy was more effective than a single agent or double combination therapies, expressed by both increased tumor growth delay and the rate of tumor cure. Conclusions Our results show that C225 anti-EGFR antibody is a potent enhancer of tumor response to docetaxel or radiation as single agents, and to docetaxel when combined with radiation. Thus, these findings provide strong preclinical evidence in support of combination of anti-EGFR blockade with chemoradiotherapy.

Silibinin modulates UVB-induced apoptosis via mitochondrial proteins, caspases activation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Several recent studies by us have shown the strong chemopreventive efficacy of silibinin against both ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and chemical carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in mouse skin models. The molecular mechanisms underlying silibinin protective efficacy, however, are not completely known. Here, we examined the effect of silibinin on UVB-caused apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Irradiation of cells with different doses of UVB (5–100 mJ/cm 2) and different time periods (0.5–24 h) resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis ( P<0.05–0.001). Silibinin (100–200 μM) pre-treatment, however, resulted in an increase in UVB-induced apoptosis ( P<0.05–0.001); interestingly, its post-treatment caused a decrease in UVB-induced apoptosis ( P<0.05–0.001). A similar pattern in the activation of caspases-9, -3, and -7 was observed with these silibinin treatments. Further, silibinin treatment prior to or immediately after UVB exposure altered Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, and cytochrome c levels in mitochondria and cytosol in favor of or against apoptosis, respectively. Silibinin treatment prior to UVB also increased the activation of mitogen/stress activated protein kinases Erk1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase as compared to its post-treatment. Together, for the first time, our results demonstrate the role of mitochondrial apoptotic machinery and MAPK signaling cascade in silibinin-caused increase as well as protection in UVB-induced apoptosis in A431 cells, and suggest that similar mechanisms might be involved in preventive efficacy of silibinin against UVB-induced skin tumorigenesis.

Essential role of c-Jun induction and coactivator p300 in epidermal growth factor-induced gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme responsible for high-level prostaglandin production during inflammation and carcinogenesis. In this study, the transcriptional regulation of COX-2 expression induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells was studied. EGF treatment induced the expression of COX-2 mRNA, protein, promoter and enzyme activity in a time-dependent manner. EGF-induced COX-2 promoter activity was inhibited by overexpression of the dominant-negative forms of Ras and ERK2. Induction of COX-2 and c-Jun by EGF was completely suppressed by MEK inhibitor combined with JNK inhibitor. Analysis of the COX-2 promoter binding proteins by gel mobility shift assay and DNA affinity precipitation assay revealed that c-Jun and p300 binding to CRE/E-box site were responsible for the EGF-induced COX-2 gene transcription. Overexpression of p300 significantly enhanced COX-2 promoter activity in cells overexpressed of c-Jun or treated with EGF. EGF- and c-Jun-induced transcription of COX-2 promoter was repressed by cotransfection of E1A in a dose-dependent manner. All together, these results indicated that the EGF-induced expression of COX-2 in A431 cells was mediated through the Ras-ERK/JNK signaling pathway, and subsequent induction of c-Jun following MAPK activation, in cooperation with coactivator p300, was required for the EGF response.

Essential role of c-Jun induction and coactivator p300 in epidermal growth factor-induced gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme responsible for high-level prostaglandin production during inflammation and carcinogenesis. In this study, the transcriptional regulation of COX-2 expression induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells was studied. EGF treatment induced the expression of COX-2 mRNA, protein, promoter and enzyme activity in a time-dependent manner. EGF-induced COX-2 promoter activity was inhibited by overexpression of the dominant-negative forms of Ras and ERK2. Induction of COX-2 and c-Jun by EGF was completely suppressed by MEK inhibitor combined with JNK inhibitor. Analysis of the COX-2 promoter binding proteins by gel mobility shift assay and DNA affinity precipitation assay revealed that c-Jun and p300 binding to CRE/E-box site were responsible for the EGF-induced COX-2 gene transcription. Overexpression of p300 significantly enhanced COX-2 promoter activity in cells overexpressed of c-Jun or treated with EGF. EGF- and c-Jun-induced transcription of COX-2 promoter was repressed by cotransfection of E1A in a dose-dependent manner. All together, these results indicated that the EGF-induced expression of COX-2 in A431 cells was mediated through the Ras-ERK/JNK signaling pathway, and subsequent induction of c-Jun following MAPK activation, in cooperation with coactivator p300, was required for the EGF response.

Antitumor effects of amlodipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, on human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells in vitro and in vivo

Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blocker, is reported to inhibit proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, and specifically attenuates Ca2+ responses evoked by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases. In this study, we further examined the possible mechanism of the antiproliferative action of amlodipine and its antitumor effect on A431 xenografts in nude mice. Amlodipine reduced BrdU incorporation into nucleic acids in serum-starved A431 cells, and the reduction was diminished by uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), a phospholipase C (PLC)-linked agonist. Fluorometric measurement of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration revealed that amlodipine blunted the UTP-induced Ca2+ release from the internal Ca2+ stores and consequently Ca2+ influx through Ca2+-permeable channels on the plasma membrane. Although amlodipine alone caused Ca2+ release from thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores, such an effect was not reproduced by other dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers, including nicardipine and nimodipine, despite their antiproliferative effects in the cells. Daily intraperitoneal administration of amlodipine (10 mg/kg) for 20 days into mice bearing A431 xenografts retarded tumor growth and prolonged the survival of mice. Our results suggest a potential antitumor action for amlodipine in vitro and in vivo, which may be in part mediated by inhibiting Ca2+ influx evoked by the passive depletion of internal Ca2+ stores and by PLC-linked agonist stimulation.

β-Hydroxyisovalerylshikonin and Cisplatin Act Synergistically to Inhibit Growth and to Induce Apoptosis of Human Lung Cancer DMS114 Cells via a Tyrosine Kinase-Dependent Pathway

β-Hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (β-HIVS) and cisplatin (CDDP) had a synergistic growth-inhibitory effect on cultured human small-cell lung carcinoma DMS114 cells, as well as on human leukemia U937 and epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, while β-HIVS and CDDP alone at the same respective concentrations had little effect. Growth inhibition was accompanied by induction of apoptosis, as determined by an ELISA for the detection of cell death and the TUNEL assay. Using phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies (PY20), we observed that tyrosine kinase activity in DMS114 cells was inhibited by treatment with β-HIVS and CDDP together. The tyrosine kinase activity of isolated Src and that of isolated receptors for epidermal growth factor were also inhibited by the two agents together. The synergistic effects of the growth of DMS114 cells of β-HIVS and CDDP were not due simply to the intracellular accumulation of CDDP or to levels of DNA adducts. Our data suggest that the synergistic effect on the growth of DMS114 cells of β-HIVS and CDDP might be a result of the inhibition of a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway.

Trafficking of β2-adrenergic receptors: insulin and β-agonists regulate internalization by distinct cytoskeletal pathways

Insulin and beta-adrenergic agonists stimulate a rapid phosphorylation and sequestration of the beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2ARs). Although the expectation was that a common pathway would be involved in the trafficking of the beta2AR in response to either hormone, studies reported herein show the existence of unique cytoskeletal requirements for internalization/recycling of G-protein-coupled receptors, such as the beta2AR. Treatment of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells with nocodazole, which binds tubulin monomer in vivo and catalyzes the depolymerization of microtubules, effectively blocks beta-adrenergic agonist-induced, but not insulin-induced, sequestration of beta2ARs. Treatment with latrunculin-A, an agent that sequesters actin monomer and leads to loss of actin filaments, had no effect on the ability of beta-adrenergic agonists to stimulate internalization of beta2ARs, but blocked the ability of insulin to stimulate counterregulation of beta2ARs via internalization. Although nocodazole had no effect on insulin-stimulated sequestration of beta2ARs, the recycling of the internalized receptors to the cell membrane was sensitive to depolymerization of microtubules by this agent. Latrunculin-A, by contrast, blocks the recycling of beta2ARs internalized in response to beta-agonist, while attenuating recycling of receptors internalized in response to insulin stimulation. These data show the existence of unique cytoskeletal requirements for G-protein-coupled-receptor trafficking in response to agonist compared with a counterregulatory hormone, and for sequestration versus recycling of the receptors to the cell membrane.

Characterization of agonist stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and G protein-coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor using phosphoserine-specific antibodies.

Agonist-stimulated desensitization of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) is caused by both a potent cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation and a less potent, occupancy-dependent, G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-mediated phosphorylation that leads to beta-arrestin binding and internalization. In this study the kinetics of phosphorylation of the third intracellular loop PKA site Ser262 and the putative C-tail GRK sites Ser355, Ser356 of the human beta2AR overexpressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells were characterized using phosphoserine-specific antibodies. Specificity of the antibodies was shown by their lack of reactivity with mutant beta2ARs lacking the respective sites. In addition, overexpression of GRK2 and GRK5 increased basal levels of phosphorylation of the GRK sites Ser355, Ser356 in both COS-7 and HEK 293 cells. Epinephrine, prostaglandin E1, and forskolin at maximum concentrations stimulated phosphorylation of the beta2AR PKA site (Ser262) by 4-fold, whereas PMA stimulated it by 2-fold. Epinephrine stimulated PKA site phosphorylation with an EC50 of 20 to 40 pM. In contrast, epinephrine stimulated GRK site phosphorylation (Ser355,Ser356) with an EC50 of 200 nM (1-min treatments), which is more than 4000-fold higher relative to PKA site phosphorylation, consistent with an occupancy-driven process. After 10 to 30 min, the EC50 for epinephrine stimulation of GRK site phosphorylation was reduced to 10 to 20 nM but was still approximately 200-fold greater than for the PKA site. The EC50 for internalization correlated with GRK site phosphorylation and showed a similar shift with time of epinephrine stimulation. The kinetics of epinephrine-stimulated GRK site phosphorylation were not altered in a mutant of the beta2AR lacking the PKA consensus sites. The initial levels (2 min) of a range of agonist-stimulated GRK site phosphorylations were correlated with their efficacy for activation of adenylyl cyclase, namely epinephrine > or = formoterol = fenoterol > terbutaline = zinterol = albuterol > salmeterol > dobutamine > or = ephedrine. However, after 20 to 30 min of treatment, agonists with intermediate strengths, such as albuterol and salmeterol, stimulate GRK site phosphorylations that are approximately equal to that produced by epinephrine, and the correlation breaks down. The GRK and PKA site antibodies were also effective in detecting phosphorylation of the endogenous beta2AR expressed in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. To summarize, our results show a remarkable amplification of PKA site phosphorylation relative to the putative GRK site phosphorylation, heterologous stimulation of the PKA site phosphorylation, no dependence of GRK site phosphorylation on PKA sites, and a reasonable correlation of initial levels of GRK site phosphorylation with the strength of a range of agonists.

Essential role of caspases in epigallocatechin-3-gallate-mediated inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B and induction of apoptosis.

Green tea constituent (-) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has shown remarkable cancer-preventive and some cancer-therapeutic effects. This is partially because of its ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown the involvement of NF-kappa B pathway in EGCG-mediated cell-cycle deregulation and apoptosis of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Here we show the essential role of caspases in EGCG-mediated inhibition of NF-kappa B and its subsequent apoptosis. Treatment of A431 cells with EGCG (10-40 microg/ml) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of NF-kappa B/p65, induction of DNA breaks, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and morphological changes consistent with apoptosis. EGCG treatment of cells also resulted in significant activation of caspases, as shown by the dose- and time-dependent increase in DEVDase activity, and protein expression of caspase-3, -8 and -9. EGCG-mediated caspase activation induces proteolytic cleavage of NF-kappa B/p65 subunit, leading to the loss of transactivation domains, and driving the cells towards apoptosis. EGCG-mediated induction of apoptosis was significantly blocked by the caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), and moderately blocked by the specific caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK. Further, pretreatment of cells with Z-VAD-FMK was found to suppress the cleavage of NF-kappa B/p65 subunit, thereby increasing nuclear translocation, DNA binding and transcriptional activity, thus protecting the cells from EGCG-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these studies for the first time demonstrate that EGCG-mediated activation of caspases is critical, at least in part, for inhibition of NF-kappa B and subsequent apoptosis.

Identification of an endogenous inhibitor of arachidonate metabolism in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Identification of an endogenous inhibitor of arachidonate metabolism in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Curcumin inhibits UV irradiation-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic biochemical changes in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a strong apoptotic trigger that induces caspase-dependent biochemical changes in cells. Previously we showed that UV irradiation can activate caspase-3, and the subsequent cleavage and activation of p21(Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. In this study we demonstrate that curcumin (Cur), the yellow pigment of Curcuma longa with known anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can prevent UV irradiation-induced apoptotic changes, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial release of cytochrome C, caspase-3 activation, and cleavage/activation of PAK2 in A431 cells. Flow cytometric analysis using the cell permeable dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) as an indicator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation revealed that the increase in intracellular oxidative stress caused by UV irradiation could be abolished by Cur. In addition, we found that SP600125, a JNK-specific inhibitor, reduced UV irradiation-induced JNK activation as well as caspase-3 activation, indicating that JNK activity is required for UV irradiation-induced caspase activation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Cur significantly attenuates UV irradiation-induced ROS formation, and suggest that ROS triggers JNK activation, which in turn causes MMP change, cytochrome C release, caspase activation, and subsequent apoptotic biochemical changes.

Depletion of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase up-regulates arachidonate metabolism by 12S-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase 1 in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), a selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase, can interact with lipophilic substrates, including the phospholipid hydroperoxides, fatty-acid hydroperoxides, and cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides, and reduce them to hydroxide compounds. We studied the functional role of endogenous PHGPx in regulation of 12(S)-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase 1 activities in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells by using a cell system overexpressing anti-PHGPx mRNA. A retroviral expression vector designated as L1-3, wherein cDNA of PHGPx was reversely inserted into pFB-ERV in antisense orientation, was constructed. A number of stable transfectants of A431 cells with PHGPx depletion were generated from virions containing plasmid L1-3. In an intact cell assay system, the metabolism of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was significantly enhanced in stable L1-3 transfectants compared with that in vector-control cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant elevated level of intracellular hydroperoxides in stable L1-3 transfectants. Treatment of stable L1-3 transfectants with 50 microM arsenite induced more significant formation of intracellular hydroperoxides than that of vector-control cells. Taken together, these results support the notion that the endogenous PHGPx plays a pivotal role in the regulation of 12(S)-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase 1 activities by reducing the level of intracellular lipid hydroperoxides in arachidonate metabolism in A431 cells.

Cell signaling and gene regulation of human 12( S)-lipoxygenase expression

Human 12( S)-lipoxygenase is a platelet-type 12( S)-lipoxyenase. Its expression is detected in human erythroleukemia cells, human skin epidermal cells and human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Treatment of A431 cells with EGF or PMA induces the gene expression of human 12( S)-lipoxygenase. The induction of gene expression is mediated through the cell signaling of MAPK activation, followed by the induction of c-Jun expression. The transcription factor Sp1 binding to the two Sp1 recognition motifs residing at −158 to 150 bp and −123 to 114 bp in the gene promoter is found to be essential for both EGF- and PMA-induced gene expression of human 12( S)-lipoxygenase. However, no change of Sp1 binding to GC-rich sequence was observed while no AP-1-binding site can be found in the responsive region of the promoter in EGF- and PMA-induced promoter activation of the human 12( S)-lipoxygenase gene. Since both of the transcription factors c-Jun and Sp1 are prerequisite for EGF and PMA response, interaction between c-Jun and Sp1 may account for the functional regulation of human 12( S)-lipoxygenase gene regulation. The direct and cooperative interaction between c-Jun and Sp1 induced by EGF or PMA activates the expression of the human 12( S)-lipoxygenase gene. Therefore, Sp1 may serve at least in part as a carrier to bring c-Jun to the promoter, thus transactivating the transcriptional activity of the human 12( S)-lipoxygenase gene.

Carboxymethyl benzylamide dextran inhibits angiogenesis and growth of VEGF-overexpressing human epidermoid carcinoma xenograft in nude mice.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is elevated in a wide variety of solid tumours. Inhibition of VEGF activities is able to reduce angiogenesis and tumour growth. We have recently shown in vitro that carboxymethyl dextran benzylamide (CMDB7) prevents the binding of VEGF165 to its cell surface receptors and thus inhibits VEGF activities on endothelial cells. In the present study, we explored the effects of CMDB7 on highly aggressive human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells known to overexpress epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) and produce a high amount of VEGF and a minor quantity of bFGF. In vitro, CMDB7 blocked the mitogenic activity of A431-conditioned medium on endothelial cells. Concerning A431 cells, CMDB7 inhibited their proliferation and the VEGF165 binding to them. In vivo, administration of CMDB7 (10 mg kg−1) three times per week for 2 weeks inhibited the growth of A431 xenografts in nude mice by 73% as compared to the control group. Immunostaining of endothelial cells with mouse-specific GSL-1 lectin in tumour sections revealed that CMDB7 also inhibited the density of intratumour endothelial cells by 66%. These findings demonstrate that CMDB7 has an efficient antiangiogenic and antitumour action in vivo even when tumour cells produce a high level of VEGF and EGFRs.

Antiproliferative effect of Ca 2+ channel blockers on human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

The effects of Ca 2+ channel blockers on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells were investigated by microtiter tetrazolium (MTT) proliferation assay and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. Dihydropyridine derivatives, such as amlodipine, nicardipine, and nimodipine inhibited A431 cell growth and the incorporation of BrdU into cells with IC 50 values of 20–30 μM, while verapamil, diltiazem and dihydropyridine nifedipine inhibited neither the cell growth nor BrdU incorporation at the same concentration. Though extracellular Ca 2+ is indispensable to the cell growth, an L-type Ca 2+ channel agonist, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (200 nM), did not affect the antiproliferative action of amlodipine. Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca 2+-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum, inhibited itself the growth of A431 cells and also showed a synergistic effect with the antiproliferative action of amlodipine. In the fluorimetric measurement of intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration in fura-2 or fluo-3 loaded A431 cells, amlodipine blunted the thapsigargin- or cyclopiazonic acid-induced Ca 2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum and the ensuing Ca 2+ influx through Ca 2+-permeable channels. The effect on the thapsigargin-induced Ca 2+ responses could be reproduced by nicardipine and nimodipine but not by nifedipine or verapamil, lacking antiproliferative potency. These findings suggest that the intracellular Ca 2+ control system responsible for thapsigargin- and cyclopiazonic acid-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum, but not L-type Ca 2+ channels, may be modulated by amlodipine, which results in the inhibition of A431 cell growth.

Small interfering RNAs suppress the expression of endogenous and GFP-fused epidermal growth factor receptor (erbB1) and induce apoptosis in erbB1-overexpressing cells

Deregulated and excessive expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or erbB1), a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase specific for the epidermal growth factor (EGF), is a feature and/or cause of a wide range of human cancers, and thus inhibition of its expression is potentially therapeutic. In RNA interference (RNAi), duplexes of 21-nucleotide RNAs (small interfering RNA, siRNA) corresponding to mRNA sequences of particular genes are used to efficiently inhibit the expression of the target proteins in mammalian cells. Here we show that by using RNAi the expression of endogenous erbB1 can be specifically and extensively (90%) suppressed in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. As a consequence, EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited and cell proliferation was reduced due to induction of apoptosis. We established an inverse correlation between the level of expressed erbB1 and EGF sensitivity on a cell-by-cell basis using flow cytometry. A431 cells expressing endogenous erbB1 were transfected with erbB1 fused C-terminally to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Selective inhibition of the expression of the fusion protein was achieved with an siRNA specific for the EGFP mRNA, whereas the erbB1-specific siRNAs inhibited the expression of both molecules. siRNA-mediated inhibition of erbB1 and other erbB tyrosine kinases may constitute a useful therapeutic approach in the treatment of human cancer.