Caspase Activation In Response Research Articles

Anastasis enhances metastasis and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells through upregulating cIAP2/NFκB signaling

Chemotherapy is a common strategy to treat cancer. However, acquired resistance and metastasis are the major obstacles to successful treatment. Anastasis is a process by which cells survive executioner caspase activation when facing apoptotic stress. Here we demonstrate that colorectal cancer cells can undergo anastasis after transient exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs. Using a lineage tracing system to label and isolate cells that have experienced executioner caspase activation in response to drug treatment, we show that anastasis grants colorectal cancer cells enhanced migration, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Mechanistically, treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs induces upregulated expression of cIAP2 and activation of NFκB, which are required for cells to survive executioner caspase activation. The elevated cIAP2/NFκB signaling persists in anastatic cancer cells to promote migration and chemoresistance. Our study unveils that cIAP2/NFκB-dependent anastasis promotes acquired resistance and metastasis after chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy-induced executioner caspase activation increases breast cancer malignancy through epigenetic de-repression of CDH12

Cancer relapse and metastasis are major obstacles for effective treatment. One important mechanism to eliminate cancer cells is to induce apoptosis. Activation of executioner caspases is the key step in apoptosis and was considered “a point of no return”. However, in recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that cells can survive executioner caspase activation in response to apoptotic stimuli through a process named anastasis. Here we show that breast cancer cells that have survived through anastasis (anastatic cells) after exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs acquire enhanced proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, cadherin 12 (CDH12) is persistently upregulated in anastatic cells and promotes breast cancer malignancy via activation of ERK and CREB. Moreover, we demonstrate that executioner caspase activation induced by chemotherapeutic drugs results in loss of DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications in the CDH12 promoter region, leading to increased CDH12 expression. Our work unveils the mechanism underlying anastasis-induced enhancement in breast cancer malignancy, offering new therapeutic targets for preventing post-chemotherapy cancer relapse and metastasis.

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death.

Innate immunity provides the critical first line of defense in response to pathogens and sterile insults. A key mechanistic component of this response is the initiation of innate immune programmed cell death (PCD) to eliminate infected or damaged cells and propagate immune responses. However, excess PCD is associated with inflammation and pathology. Therefore, understanding the activation and regulation of PCD is a central aspect of characterizing innate immune responses and identifying new therapeutic targets across the disease spectrum. This protocol provides methods for characterizing innate immune PCD activation by monitoring caspases, a family of cysteine-dependent proteases that are often associated with diverse PCD pathways, includingapoptosis,pyroptosis, necroptosis, and PANoptosis. Initial reports characterized caspase-2, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-10 as initiator caspases and caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-7 as effector caspases in apoptosis, while later studies found the inflammatory caspases, caspase-1, caspase-4, caspase-5, and caspase-11, drive pyroptosis. It is now known that there is extensive crosstalk between the caspases and other innate immune andcell death molecules across the previously defined PCD pathways, identifying a key knowledge gap in the mechanistic understanding of innate immunity and PCD andleading to the characterization of PANoptosis. PANoptosis is a unique innate immune inflammatory PCD pathway regulated by PANoptosome complexes, which integrate components, including caspases,from other cell death pathways. Here, methods for assessing the activation of caspases in response to various stimuli are provided. These methods allow for the characterization of PCD pathways both in vitro and in vivo, as activated caspases undergo proteolytic cleavage that can be visualized by western blotting using optimal antibodies and blotting conditions. A protocol and western blotting workflow have been established that allow for the assessment of the activation of multiple caspases from the same cellular population, providing a comprehensive characterization of the PCD processes. This method can be applied across research areas in development, homeostasis, infection, inflammation, and cancer to evaluate PCD pathways throughout cellular processes in health and disease.

Store-Operated Calcium Entry in Breast Cancer Cells Is Insensitive to Orai1 and STIM1 N-Linked Glycosylation

N-linked glycosylation is a post-translational modification that affects protein function, structure, and interaction with other proteins. The store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) core proteins, Orai1 and STIM1, exhibit N-glycosylation consensus motifs. Abnormal SOCE has been associated to a number of disorders, including cancer, and alterations in Orai1 glycosylation have been related to cancer invasiveness and metastasis. Here we show that treatment of non-tumoral breast epithelial cells with tunicamycin attenuates SOCE. Meanwhile, tunicamycin was without effect on SOCE in luminal MCF7 and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells. Ca2+ imaging experiments revealed that expression of the glycosylation-deficient Orai1 mutant (Orai1N223A) did not alter SOCE in MCF10A, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. However, expression of the non-glycosylable STIM1 mutant (STIM1N131/171Q) significantly attenuated SOCE in MCF10A cells but was without effect in SOCE in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In non-tumoral cells impairment of STIM1 N-linked glycosylation attenuated thapsigargin (TG)-induced caspase-3 activation while in breast cancer cells, which exhibit a smaller caspase-3 activity in response to TG, expression of the non-glycosylable STIM1 mutant (STIM1N131/171Q) was without effect on TG-evoked caspase-3 activation. Summarizing, STIM1 N-linked glycosylation is essential for full SOCE activation in non-tumoral breast epithelial cells; by contrast, SOCE in breast cancer MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells is insensitive to Orai1 and STIM1 N-linked glycosylation, and this event might participate in the development of apoptosis resistance.

Anastasis confers ovarian cancer cells increased malignancy through elevated p38 MAPK activation.

Activation of executioner caspases was once considered as a point of no return in apoptosis. However, in recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that cells can survive executioner caspase activation in response to apoptotic stimuli through a process called anastasis. In this study, we developed a reporter system, mCasExpress, to track mammalian cells that survive executioner caspase activation. We demonstrate that anastatic ovarian cancer cells acquire enhanced migration following their transient exposure to apoptotic stimulus TRAIL or Paclitaxel. Moreover, anastatic cancer cells secrete more pro-angiogenic factors that enable tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that activation of p38 MAPK, which occurs in a caspase-dependent manner in response to apoptotic stress to promote anastasis, persists at a higher level in anastatic cancer cells even after removal of apoptotic stimuli. Importantly, p38 is essential for the elevated migratory and angiogenic capacity in the anastatic cells. Our work unveils anastasis as a potential driver of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Apoptosis in platelets is independent of the actin cytoskeleton.

Homeostasis between platelet production and clearance is essential for human health. A critical facet of the balance that facilitates platelet clearance from the circulation is apoptosis (programmed cell death). The precise cellular mechanisms that underpin platelet apoptosis are not defined. In nucleated cells, reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is known to regulate platelet apoptosis. However, the role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating apoptosis in platelets has not been extensively studied as they are anucleate and exhibit a distinctive physiology. Here, apoptosis was induced in washed human platelets using ABT-737, a BH3-mimetic drug. Mitochondrial depolarization was measured using the ratiometric dye JC-1; surface phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure was measured by annexin V binding; caspase-3 activation was measured by Western blotting. All three apoptotic markers were unaffected by the presence of either the actin depolymerizing drug cytochalasin D or the actin polymerizing drug jasplakinolide. Moreover, platelets were isolated from wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in gelsolin (Gsn), an actin-binding protein that is essential for normal cytoskeletal remodeling. In response to ABT-737, gelsolin-null (Gsn-/-) platelets initially showed accelerated PS exposure relative to WT platelets, however, both WT and Gsn-/- platelets exhibited similar levels of mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 activation in response to ABT-737. We conclude that ABT-737 induces established markers of platelet apoptosis in an actin-independent manner.

An Insight into the Role of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Nitric Oxide-Induced Articular Chondrocyte Cell Death.

To investigate the role and characterize the molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis and autophagy in nitric oxide (NO)-induced chondrocyte cell death. Cell apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated in chondrocytes treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) combined with the presence or absence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and nutrient-deprived conditions. The concentration of nitrite was determined by Griess reaction. Activation of apoptosis and autophagy were determined by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to assess cell viability. Cotreatment of chondrocytes with SNP and IL-1β under nutrient-deprived condition potentially enhanced the effect of NO-induced cell death. Immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and qPCR analysis indicated that treatment of chondrocytes with SNP significantly reduced autophagic activity, autophagic flux, and multiple autophagy-related (Atg) genes expression. These findings were associated with an increase in ERK, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation, whereas autophagy induction through mTOR/p70S6K inhibition by rapamycin significantly suppressed NO-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 activation in response to apoptosis was weakly detected. These results corresponded with a significant increase in apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) expression, suggesting the involvement of the caspase-independent pathway. These results demonstrate that in chondrocyte cultures with cells induced into an osteoarthritis state, NO inhibits autophagy and induces chondrocyte apoptosis mainly, but not completely through the caspase-independent pathway. Our data suggest that autophagy is a protective mechanism in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and could be proposed as a therapeutic target for degenerative joint diseases.

Abstract 209: Ketone Bodies Ameliorate Cardiac Function in Heart Failure

Background: Beta hydroxibutirrate (BHB) is the main ketone body produced during fasting or carbohydrate deprivation as an alternative fuel. Mounting evidence suggests that after myocardial infarction (MI), the mitochondrial impairment and metabolic failure coincide with increased levels and utilization of BHB. However, whether the BHB increase is adaptive or maladaptive in damaged myocardium, has never been evaluated. Aim: Our scope was to explore the effects of BHB on cardiac function after ischemia both in vivo and in vitro . Methods and Results: In cultured cardiomyoblasts, the administration of BHB (3 mMol) reduces the activation of caspase-3 in response to ischemia, as well as the number of tunnel positive nuclei. Specifically, the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway seems affected, as BHB reduces cytochrome-C release induced by ischemia. Mitochondrial structure and interconnections, soundly affected by ischemia, were significantly retained in presence of BHB, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (assessed via TMRE). The preserved mitochondrial health was further supported by higher levels of PGC1-alpha detected in cells exposed to ischemia plus BHB compared to ischemia alone. To explore the in vivo effects of BHB on ischemia damaged- myocardium, we administrated carbohydrate-null diet ( ketogenic diet , KD) or standard diet-supplemented with BHB, to post-MI mice. Both groups treated with KD and BHB supplemented diet displayed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction respect to untreated infarcted mice. The protective effects of BHB on cardiac phenotype were mirrored by increased levels of PGC1-alpha in the myocardium of treated mice, in terms of protein and transcription levels. Interestingly, in the hearts of mice fed KD and BHB supplemented diet, we observed a marked difference in histone acetylation pattern. Conclusions: BHB protects cardiac cells from apoptotic and mitochondrial damage induced by ischemia. Through its ability to regulate epigenetic modifications, BHB could activate a gene expression program able to support mitochondrial function, thereby representing a powerful therapeutic strategy.

Melatonin modulates proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells through caspase-3 activation and changes in cyclin A and D expression.

In this study, the effects of melatonin (1μM-1mM) on pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) have been examined. Cell viability and proliferation, caspase-3 activation, and the expression of cyclin A and cyclin D were analyzed. Our results show that melatonin decreased PSC viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This effect was not inhibited by treatment of cells with MT1, MT2, calmodulin, or ROR-alpha inhibitors prior to melatonin addition. Activation of caspase-3 in response to melatonin was detected. The expression of cyclin A and cyclin D was decreased in cells treated with melatonin. Finally, changes in BrdU incorporation into the newly synthesized DNA of proliferating cells were also observed in the presence of melatonin. We conclude that melatonin, at pharmacological concentrations, modulates proliferation of PSC through activation of apoptosis and involving crucial regulators of the cell cycle. These actions might not require specific melatonin receptors. Our observations suggest that melatonin, at high doses, could potentially exert anti-fibrotic effects and, thus, could be taken into consideration as supportive treatment in the therapy of pancreatic diseases.

Gasdermin pores permeabilize mitochondria to augment caspase-3 activation during apoptosis and inflammasome activation

Gasdermin E (GSDME/DFNA5) cleavage by caspase-3 liberates the GSDME-N domain, which mediates pyroptosis by forming pores in the plasma membrane. Here we show that GSDME-N also permeabilizes the mitochondrial membrane, releasing cytochrome c and activating the apoptosome. Cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation in response to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic stimuli are significantly reduced in GSDME-deficient cells comparing with wild type cells. GSDME deficiency also accelerates cell growth in culture and in a mouse model of melanoma. Phosphomimetic mutation of the highly conserved phosphorylatable Thr6 residue of GSDME, inhibits its pore-forming activity, thus uncovering a potential mechanism by which GSDME might be regulated. Like GSDME-N, inflammasome-generated gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), can also permeabilize the mitochondria linking inflammasome activation to downstream activation of the apoptosome. Collectively, our results point to a role of gasdermin proteins in targeting the mitochondria to promote cytochrome c release to augment the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Role of GPR30 in estrogen-induced prostate epithelial apoptosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Several studies have implicated estrogen and the estrogen receptor (ER) in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); however, the mechanism underlying this effect remains elusive. In the present study, we demonstrated that estrogen (17β-estradiol, or E2)-induced activation of the G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) triggered Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, increased the mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, and thus induced prostate epithelial cell (PEC) apoptosis. Both E2 and the GPR30-specific agonist G1 induced a transient intracellular Ca2+ release in PECs via the phospholipase C (PLC)-inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) pathway, and this was abolished by treatment with the GPR30 antagonist G15. The release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 in response to GPR30 activation were observed. Data generated from the analysis of animal models and human clinical samples indicate that treatment with the GPR30 agonist relieves testosterone propionate (TP)-induced prostatic epithelial hyperplasia, and that the abundance of GPR30 is negatively associated with prostate volume. On the basis of these results, we propose a novel regulatory mechanism whereby estrogen induces the apoptosis of PECs via GPR30 activation. Inhibition of this activation is predicted to lead to abnormal PEC accumulation, and to thereby contribute to BPH pathogenesis.

Effects of Platelet Circulatory Age on Platelet Function

The human body produces and removes 1011 platelets daily to maintain a normal steady-state platelet count. However, the regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. We have shown that platelets lacking sialic acid (desialylated platelets) are removed by the hepatic Ashwell-Morell receptor (AMR or asialoglycoprotein receptor type 2), thereby regulating platelet survival and hepatic TPO levels. Platelet counts and lifetime were increased in Asgr2-/- mice (AMR-null mice), compared to wild type (WT) mice. Platelet volume and immature platelet fraction (IPF) are decreased in AMR-null mice, consistent with the notion that platelets in AMR-null mice (AMR-null platelets) circulate longer and are older.By contrast, deficiency of the sialyltransferase St3gal4 gene induces a marked thrombocytopenia (St3gal4-null platelets), due to rapid platelet clearance by the hepatic AMR. Consistent with the rapid platelet clearance, platelet volume and IPF were increased in St3gal4-/- mice, reflecting high platelet turnover and younger platelets. While both AMR-null and St3gal4-null platelets are desialylated, they differ substantially in their time, i.e. age, in circulation. Here we investigated the effects of in vivo and in vitro aging on platelet function.Freshly isolated St3gal4-null platelets showed significantly increased integrin activation when stimulated with convulxin and thrombin, while AMR-null platelets showed a significantly lower response compared to WT platelets. Secretion of α-granule was significantly increased in St3gal4-null platelets. By contrast no significant difference was measured between WT and AMR-null platelets. Despite increased platelet counts, the tail-bleeding time was significantly prolonged in AMR-null mice, compared to WT mice, suggesting that increased circulatory time (age) negatively affects platelet function in vivo.We next performed in vitro storage for up to 72 hours at room temperature to stress platelet aging. Stored St3gal4-deficient platelets had increased integrin activation, α-granule secretion in response to convulxin and thrombin and showed increased phosphatidyl serine exposure as detected by Annexin V binding in response to calcium ionophore, compared to stored control platelets. By contrast, stored AMR-null platelets had significantly impaired integrin activation, α-granule secretion and Annexin V binding compared to controls. To further evaluate the propensity to undergo apoptosis, we tested caspase-3 activation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Surprisingly, we found that both St3gal4-null (young) and AMR-null (old) platelets showed a significantly lower caspase-3 activation in response to calcium ionophore and ABT-737 compared to WT platelets. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential was lower in both St3gal4-deficient and AMR-null platelets compared to WT platelets, indicating functionally impaired mitochondria.Taken together, our data indicate that younger St3gal4-null platelets have an increased baseline function while by contrast older AMR-null platelets have decreased function in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, younger and older (longer circulating platelets) had reduced propensity to undergo apoptosis and impaired mitochondrial function. Overall, younger platelets represent a highly favorable profile during storage. Identification of donors with a larger fraction of younger platelets could result in safer and more efficacious platelet transfusions. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Transfer of microRNA-486-5p from human endothelial colony forming cell–derived exosomes reduces ischemic kidney injury

Administration of human cord blood endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) or their exosomes protects mice against kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury. Here we studied the microRNA (miRNA) content of ECFC exosomes and the role of miRNA transfer in kidney and endothelial cell protection. ECFC exosomes were enriched in miR-486-5p, which targets the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and the Akt pathway. In cultured endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia, incubation with ECFC exosomes increased miR-486-5p, decreased PTEN, and stimulated Aktphosphorylation. Exposure of hypoxic endothelial cellsto conditioned medium from ECFCs pretreated with anti-miR-486-5p blocked increases in miR-486-5p and phosphorylated Akt, restored expression of PTEN, and enhanced apoptosis. Coculture of endothelial cells with ECFCs enhanced endothelial miR-486-5p levels. Targeting of PTEN by miR-486-5p was observed in endothelial cells, and PTEN knockdown blocked apoptosis. In mice with ischemic kidney injury, infusion of ECFC exosomes induced potent functional and histologic protection, associated with increased kidney miR-486-5p levels, decreased PTEN, and activation of Akt. Infusion of exosomes from ECFCs transfected with anti-miR-486-5p had no protective effect. Thus, delivery of ECFC exosomes reduces ischemic kidney injury via transfer of miR-486-5p targeting PTEN. Exosomes enriched in miR-486-5p could represent a therapeutic tool in acute kidney injury.

Oxidative phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cancer cell apoptosis in response to anticancer agents.

Cancer cells tend to develop resistance to various types of anticancer agents, whether they adopt similar or distinct mechanisms to evade cell death in response to a broad spectrum of cancer therapeutics is not fully defined. Current study concludes that DNA-damaging agents (etoposide and doxorubicin), ER stressor (thapsigargin), and histone deacetylase inhibitor (apicidin) target oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for apoptosis induction, whereas other anticancer agents including staurosporine, taxol, and sorafenib induce apoptosis in an OXPHOS-independent manner. DNA-damaging agents promoted mitochondrial biogenesis accompanied by increased accumulation of cellular and mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial protein-folding machinery, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Induction of mitochondrial biogenesis occurred in a caspase activation-independent mechanism but was reduced by autophagy inhibition and p53-deficiency. Abrogation of complex-I blocked DNA-damage-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, whereas inhibition of complex-II or a combined deficiency of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V due to impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis did not modulate caspase activity. Mechanistic analysis revealed that inhibition of caspase activation in response to anticancer agents associates with decreased release of mitochondrial cytochrome c in complex-I-deficient cells compared with wild type (WT) cells. Gross OXPHOS deficiencies promoted increased release of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria compared with WT or complex-I-deficient cells, suggesting that cells harboring defective OXPHOS trigger caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent apoptosis in response to anticancer agents. Interestingly, DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin showed strong binding to mitochondria, which was disrupted by complex-I-deficiency but not by complex-II-deficiency. Thapsigargin-induced caspase activation was reduced upon abrogation of complex-I or gross OXPHOS deficiency whereas a reverse trend was observed with apicidin. Together, these finding provide a new strategy for differential mitochondrial targeting in cancer therapy.

Abstract 5387: ONC201/TIC10 is effective as a monoagent and synergizes with chemotherapy to induce cell death in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract Outcome for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients using conventional treatment standards remains unsatisfactory, particularly in advanced stage/ relapsed disease creating an imminent need for investigating novel treatment strategies. ONC201/TIC10 is a small molecule (Allen et al, 2013) that induces p53-independent cell death in tumor cells while sparing normal cells through inactivation of the prosurvival kinases Akt and ERK. ONC201 is currently entering Phase I/II clinical trials as a monoagent in adult advanced cancers. We have previously shown that ONC201 induces significant cytotoxicity in preclinical models of human lymphomas (Talekar et al, ASPHO 2014). Here, we show that ONC201 is not only effective as a monoagent across several NHL cell lines, but that it also synergizes with several chemotherapeutic agents to cooperatively induce cell death in vitro. We found that ONC201 induces significant apoptosis in a diverse panel of human NHL cell lines at low micromolar concentrations (1.3 to 5.06 uM). Increased surface TRAIL and surface DR5 expression was noted in a dose-dependent manner across representative cell lines. The increase in surface TRAIL correlated with increase in sub-G1 DNA content, which suggests that TRAIL may serve as a potential biomarker of response to ONC201. ONC201-induced apoptosis was inhibited using a pan-caspase inhibitor and was blocked by an anti-TRAIL antibody RIK-2, which indicate induction of TRAIL-dependent cell death. Western blot analysis of ONC201-treated NHL cells suggests ERK inhibition and Foxo3a activation as a potential mechanism of cytotoxicity via TRAIL induction. In agreement with this notion, we also observed upregulation of PARP & DR5 and caspase-3 activation in response to ONC201 treatment. We further found that ONC201 synergizes to potentiate cytotoxicity with several chemotherapeutic agents approved for NHL treatment, particularly anthracyclines (doxorubicin), nitrogen mustard (bendamustine), antimetabolite (cytarabine) and proteasome inhibitor (bortezomib) via cell viability experiments that were corroborated by apoptosis assays. Together these results suggest that ONC201 is a potent antitumor agent in NHL as monoagent and in combination with several approved therapies that may be explored in phase Ib/II trials. Citation Format: Mala Kiran Talekar, David Dicker, Joshua Allen, Wafik El-Deiry. ONC201/TIC10 is effective as a monoagent and synergizes with chemotherapy to induce cell death in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5387. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5387

ONC201/TIC10 Is Effective As a Monoagent and Synergizes with Chemotherapy to Induce Cell Death in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Outcome for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients using conventional treatment standards remains unsatisfactory, particularly in advanced stage/ relapsed disease creating an imminent need for investigating novel treatment strategies. ONC201/TIC10 is a small molecule (Allen et al, 2014) that induces p53-independent cell death in tumor cells (sparing normal cells) through inactivation of prosurvival kinases Akt and ERK. ONC201 is scheduled to enter Phase I/II clinical trials as a monoagent for advanced cancers in adults in 2014. We have previously shown that ONC201 induces significant cytotoxicity in preclinical models of human lymphomas (Talekar et al, ASPHO 2014). Here, we show that ONC201 is not only effective as a monoagent across several NHL cell lines, but that it also synergizes with several chemotherapeutic agents to cooperatively induce cell death in vitro.We found that ONC201 induces significant apoptosis in a diverse panel of seven human NHL cell lines at low micromolar concentrations (1.3 to 5.06 uM). Increased surface TRAIL and surface DR5 expression was noted in a dose-dependent manner across representative cell lines. The increase in surface TRAIL correlated with increase in subG1 DNA content, which suggests TRAIL as a potential biomarker of ONC201 response. ONC201-induced apoptosis was inhibited using a pan-caspase inhibitor and was blocked by an anti-TRAIL antibody RIK-2. Western blot analysis of ONC201-treated representative cell lines suggests ERK inhibition and Foxo3a activation as a potential mechanism of cytotoxicity via TRAIL induction. In agreement with this notion, we observed upregulation of PARP & DR5 and caspase-3 activation in response to ONC201 treatment.We further found that ONC201 synergizes to potentiate cytotoxicity with several chemotherapeutic agents approved for NHL treatment, particularly anthracyclines (doxorubicin), nitrogen mustard (bendamustine), antimetabolite (cytarabine) and proteasome inhibitor (bortezomib) via CellTiter-Glo cell viability experiments that were corroborated by apoptosis assays.Together these results suggest that ONC201 is a potent antitumor agent in NHL as monoagent and in combination with approved therapies. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide a preclinical rationale for a phase Ib/II trial of ONC201 as a combination therapy in pediatric lymphoma. DisclosuresAllen:Oncoceutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Ownership interests (including stock options) in a start-up company, the stock of which is not publicly traded Other, Patents & Royalties. El-Deiry:Oncoceutics, Inc.: Equity Ownership, Founder and Shareholder in Oncoceutics, Inc. The potential conflict of interest has been disclosed to and is being managed by his academic employer. Other.

Deletion of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) protects pancreatic beta-cells from stress-induced death but not from glucose homeostasis alterations under pro-inflammatory conditions.

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is characterized by pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and is associated with low-grade inflammation. Recent observations suggest that apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is involved in beta-cell death in response to different stressors. In this study, we tested whether ASK1 deficiency protects beta-cells from glucolipotoxic conditions and cytokines treatment or from glucose homeostasis alteration induced by endotoxemia.Methodology/Principal FindingsInsulin secretion was neither affected upon shRNA-mediated downregulation of ASK1 in MIN6 cells nor in islets from ASK1-deficient mice. ASK1 silencing in MIN6 cells and deletion in islets did not prevent the deleterious effect of glucolipotoxic conditions or cytokines on insulin secretion. However, it protected MIN6 cells from death induced by ER stress or palmitate and islets from short term caspase activation in response to cytokines. Moreover, endotoxemia induced by LPS infusion increased insulin secretion during hyperglycemic clamps but the response was similar in wild-type and ASK1-deficient mice. Finally, insulin sensitivity in the presence of LPS was not affected by ASK1-deficiency.Conclusions/SignificanceOur study demonstrates that ASK1 is not involved in beta-cell function and dysfunction but controls stress-induced beta-cell death.

Imaging caspase-3 activation as a marker of apoptosis-targeted treatment response in cancer.

We tested whether positron emission tomography (PET) with the caspase-3-targeted isatin analog [(18)F]WC-4-116 could image caspase-3 activation in response to an apoptosis-inducing anticancer therapy. [(18)F]WC-4-116 uptake was determined in etoposide-treated EL4 cells. Biodistribution studies with [(18)F]WC-4-116 and [(18)F]ICMT-18, a non-caspase-3-targeted tracer, as well as [(18)F]WC-4-116 microPET imaging assessed responses in Colo205 tumor-bearing mice treated with death receptor 5 (DR5)-targeted agonist antibodies. Immunohistochemical staining and enzyme assays confirmed caspase-3 activation. Two-way analysis of variance or Student's t test assessed for treatment-related changes in tracer uptake. [(18)F]WC-4-116 increased 8 ± 2 fold in etoposide-treated cells. The [(18)F]WC-4-116 % ID/g also increased significantly in tumors with high caspase-3 enzyme activity (p < 0.05). [(18)F]ICMT-18 tumor uptake did not differ in tumors with high or low caspase-3 enzyme activity. [(18)F]WC-4-116 uptake in vivo reflects increased caspase-3 activation and may be useful for detecting caspase-3-mediated apoptosis treatment responses in cancer.

Abstract 3964: NVP-BEZ235 enhances dexamethasone-induced BIM expression and apoptosis in models of T-ALL with PTEN dysfunction and increased PI3K/AKT activity

Abstract Introduction: Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance presents a major challenge in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. Increased activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which may occur following loss of PTEN function, may be a possible mechanism of GC resistance. We therefore investigated the effects of inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway with the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 on the enhancement of dexamethasone activity in in vitro and in vivo models of ALL and the role the PI3K/AKT pathway plays in resistance to GCs. Methods: Cytotoxicity of NVP-BEZ235, dexamethasone, and the combination were evaluated using DIMSCAN in in vitro models of T- and B-ALL and combination indices (CI) were calculated using CalcuSyn. Apoptotic activity for each single agent and the combination was determined by flow cytometry. Protein and mRNA expression were measured by immunoblotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Knockdown of BIM was accomplished using siRNA. In vivo effects were assessed following 28 days of treatment using NOD/SCID mice systemically engrafted with T-ALL model COG-LL-317h. Results: The combination of dexamethasone plus NVP-BEZ235 showed strong synergistic activity (CI &amp;lt; 0.3) in 6/6 T-ALL models tested, while such activity was seen in only 1/6 B-ALL models. Synergistic cytotoxicity corresponded with increased AKT phosphorylation. A systemic xenograft model of COG-LL-317h also showed significant increase in event-free survival in combination treated mice compared to vehicle control mice (P &amp;lt; 0.01), while there was no significant increase in survival with mice treated with either agent alone. In COG-LL-317h, the percentage of apoptotic cells were significantly greater in cells treated with the combination (24.8 ± 1.0%) compared with vehicle control (2.1 ± 0.2%, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), dexamethasone (4.4 ± 0.3%, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), or NVP-BEZ235 (2.0 ± 0.2%, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). In COG-LL-317h, the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein BIM was substantially increased at both the mRNA and protein levels when treated with the combination compared with either agent alone, while the B-cell ALL RS4;11 did not show any enhancement with the combination. Compared with non-targeting siRNA, transfection with siRNA against BIM resulted in significant reduction of cells undergoing apoptosis (39.3 ± 3.3% vs. 20.3 ± 0.7%, P=0.0007) and reduced caspase activation in response to the combination. Conclusion: These data suggest activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway following PTEN loss plays a significant role in reducing GC responses and use of the combination may offset that effect by increasing BIM expression and apoptosis. Our results show that NVP-BEZ235 may provide a new adjunct for ALL patients with hyperactivated PI3K/AKT pathway by enhancing dexamethasone activity. Citation Format: Connor Hall, Min Kang. NVP-BEZ235 enhances dexamethasone-induced BIM expression and apoptosis in models of T-ALL with PTEN dysfunction and increased PI3K/AKT activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3964. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3964

Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1 (TREM-1)-mediated Bcl-2 Induction Prolongs Macrophage Survival

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is a superimmunoglobulin receptor expressed on myeloid cells that plays an important role in the amplification of inflammation. Recent studies suggest a role for TREM-1 in tumor-associated macrophages with relationship to tumor growth and progression. Whether the effects of TREM-1 on inflammation and tumor growth are mediated by an alteration in cell survival signaling is not known. In these studies, we show that TREM-1 knock-out macrophages exhibit an increase in apoptosis of cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suggesting a role for TREM-1 in macrophage survival. Specific ligation of TREM-1 with monoclonal TREM-1 (mTREM-1) or overexpression of TREM-1 with adeno-TREM-1 induced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) with depletion of the key executioner caspase-3 prevents the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. TREM-1 knock-out cells showed lack of induction of Bcl2 with an increase in caspase-3 activation in response to lipopolysaccharide. In addition overexpression of TREM-1 with adeno-TREM-1 led to an increase in mitofusins (MFN1 and MFN2) and knockdown of TREM-1 decreased the expression of mitofusins suggesting that TREM-1 contributes to the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity favoring cell survival. Investigations into potential mechanisms by which TREM-1 alters cell survival showed that TREM-1-induced Bcl-2 in an Egr2-dependent manner. Furthermore, our data shows that expression of Egr2 in response to specific ligation of TREM-1 is ERK mediated. These data for the first time provide novel mechanistic insights into the role of TREM-1 as an anti-apoptotic protein that prolongs macrophage survival.