Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins P27 Research Articles

Dysregulation of PTEN in Cardiopulmonary Vascular Remodeling Induced by Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disorder of lung vasculature characterized by arterial narrowing. Phosphatase-and-tensin homolog on chromosome 10 (PTEN), associated in the progression of multiple cancers, is implicated in arterial remodeling. However, the involvement of PTEN in PH remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of PTEN in pulmonary vascular remodeling using established models of PH. The study used rat models of PH, induced by monocrotaline (MCT) administration (60mg/kg) or continuous hypoxic exposure (10% oxygen) for 3weeks. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were used for in vitro confirmation. Development of PH was verified by hemodynamic, morphological and histopathology analyses. PTEN and key downstream proteins in pulmonary and cardiac tissues were analyzed by western blotting and RT-PCR. PTEN was significantly decreased (MCT, 53%; Hypoxia, 40%), pAkt was significantly increased (MCT, 42%; Hypoxia, 55%) in tissues of rats with PH. Similar results were observed in SMCs exposed to hypoxia (1% oxygen) for 48h. Ubiquitination assay showed that PTEN degradation occurs via proteasomal degradation pathway. Western blotting demonstrated a significant downregulation of cell-cycle regulatory proteins p53 and p27, and upregulation of cyclin-D1 in the lungs of both models. The results showed that PTEN-mediated modulation of PI3K pathway was independent of the focal adhesion kinase and fatty acid synthase. The study, for the first time, established that PTEN plays a key role in the progression of pulmonary hypertension. The findings may have potential for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension using PTEN as a target.

P3-03-07: A Novel Approach Integrating microRNA and mRNA Signatures of HMAPK Signaling Is Highly Predictive of ER- Status and Outcome in Breast Cancer – Role of HMAPK microRNAs in Repression of ER and p27.

Abstract Deregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer is known to facilitate the down-regulation of the estrogen receptor and to contribute to the aggressive nature of ER negative and triple negative breast cancers. We have identified a microRNA signature indicative of hyperactive MAPK (hMAPK) signaling, which complements a previously established hyperactive MAPK gene expression signature. We have shown that hMAPK signaling also alters the regulatory activity of many microRNAs, including particular microRNAs with established roles in the biology of breast cancer, miR-221/222 and miR-22. Expression correlation with both the hMAPK microRNA signature and hMAPK mRNA signature is significantly associated with ER-negative status, increased tumor grade, high proliferation rate, and, importantly, poor disease specific survival among breast cancer patients, regardless of ER status. The hMAPK microRNA signature contains 127 microRNAs, 47 up-regulated and 70 down-regulated. Of note, hMAPK up-regulated microRNAs include miR-221/222 and 22, both of which have been demonstrated to target ER while miR-221/222 targets the cell cycle regulatory protein p27. Down-regulated microRNAs include miR-375, which positively regulates ER expression by down-regulating expression of an ER repressor. miR-221/222 and miR-22 exhibit both enhanced expression and enhanced regulatory activity in the context of hMAPK signaling, indicating an important role for these microRNAs in the biology of hMAPK signaling in breast cancer. In addition to these microRNAs, an unbiased approach of determining MAPK regulated microRNAs targeting the 3’ UTRs of both ER and p27 will identify novel microRNAs involved in the MAPK regulated repression of ER and p27. These data not only suggest a regulatory role for microRNAs whose expression and biological activity are altered under conditions of hyperactivation of MAPK signaling in establishing and maintaining ER negativity and tumor aggression, but also indicate that hMAPK signaling may represent a novel aggressive tumor biology that is indicative of poor disease outcome in breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-03-07.

Ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1 and three extracts of traditional Chinese medicine attenuate ultraviolet B‐induced G1 growth arrest in HaCaT cells and dermal fibroblasts involve down‐regulating the expression of p16, p21 and p53

The aims of this study were to confirm whether traditional Chinese medicine ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), polygonum multiflorum (PM), ginkgo extract (GE) and lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) can attenuate G1 growth arrest of HaCaT cells and dermal fibroblasts induced by 10 subcytotoxic ultraviolet B (UVB) exposures, and to explore the possible mechanism in terms of the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins p16, p21 and p53. Ten subcytotoxic exposures to UVB induced G1 growth arrest of HaCaT cells and dermal fibroblasts. Cell-cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry, and mRNA levels of p16, p21 and p53 were detected by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and protein levels were detected using Western blot analysis. Five types of traditional Chinese medicine attenuated UVB-induced G1 growth arrest. The mRNA and protein levels of p16, p21 and p53 in HaCaT cells and dermal fibroblasts increased after UVB irradiation, but pretreatment with five types of traditional Chinese medicine decreased the expression of p16, p21 and p53. These results indicated that five types of traditional Chinese medicine can attenuate G1 growth arrest of HaCaT cells and dermal fibroblasts induced by UVB exposures, which was caused by down-regulating the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins p16, p21 and p53.

Immunohistochemical expression of p53, p16 and hTERT in oral squamous cell carcinoma and potentially malignant disorders

Oral carcinogenesis is a multi-step process. One possible step is the development of potentially malignant disorders known as leukoplakia and erytroplakia. The objective of this study was to use immunohistochemistry to analyze the patterns of expression of the cell-cycle regulatory proteins p53 and p16(INK4a) in potentially malignant disorders (PMD) of the oral mucosa (with varying degrees of dysplasia) and in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) to correlate them with the expression of telomerase (hTERT). Fifteen PMD and 30 OSCC tissue samples were analyzed. Additionally, 5 cases of oral epithelial hyperplasia (OEH) were added to analyze clinically altered mucosa presenting as histological hyperplasia without dysplasia. p53 positivity was observed in 93.3% of PMD, in 63.3% of OSCC and in 80% of OEH. Although there was no correlation between p53 expression and the grade of dysplasia, all cases with severe dysplasia presented p53 suprabasal immunoexpression. p16(INK4a) expression was observed in 26.7% of PMD, in 43.3% of OSCC and in 2 cases of OEH. The p16(INK4a) expression in OEH, PMD and OSCC was unable to differentiate non-dysplastic from dysplastic oral epithelium. hTERT positivity was observed in all samples of OEH and PMD and in 90% of OSCC. The high hTERT immunoexpression in all three lesions indicates that telomerase is present in clinically altered oral mucosa but does not differentiate hyperplastic from dysplastic oral epithelium. In PMD of the oral mucosa, the p53 immunoexpression changes according to the degree of dysplasia by mechanisms independent of p16(INK4a) and hTERT.

Correlation of cell cycle regulatory proteins (p53 and p16ink4a) and bcl-2 oncoprotein with mitotic index and thickness of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma

The purpose of the study was to determine the frequency of expression p53 and p16INK4a proteins and bcl-2 oncoprotein in malignant skin melanoma and to determine their correlation with the proliferative index and tumor thickness. The study involved 53 patients: 27 (51%) male and 26 (49%) female. Mitotic index showed a correlation with p53 protein expression, a negative correlation with p16INK4a protein expression. Statistically significant correlations were determined between the Breslow tumor thickness, Clark invasion level and p53 protein expression, as well as Breslow tumor thickness and bcl-2 oncoprotein expression (p<0.05), whereas there was no correlation between the p16INK4a protein expression and melanoma thicknes and Clark invasion level. Overexpression p53 protein and bcl-2 oncoprotein, with the loss p16INK4a protein of expression in the nodular melanoma, confirms a frequent loss of function of these tumor suppressor gene and oncogene, and indicates a vertical tumor growth phase. The loss of tumor suppression function the p53 protein and bcl-2 oncoprotein overexpression in cutaneous melanoma correlates with larger tumor thickness, whereas the overexpression of mutated p53 protein and loss p16INK4a protein of expression indicate a higher proliferative tumour potential. Therefore, these evaluated proteins may be the aggressive biological tumour activity markers.

Inhibition of the Serine/Threonine Kinase Pim-1 Has Anti-Proliferative Effects In Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Sensitizes Multidrug Resistant Cells to Chemotherapy

AbstractAbstract 1832Poster Board I-812The serine/threonine kinase Pim-1, encoded by a proto-oncogene originally identified as the proviral integration site in Moloney murine leukemia virus lymphomagenesis, phosphorylates and thereby increases expression of multiple cellular proteins, including the pro-apoptotic protein BAD, the cell cycle regulatory proteins p21, p27, Cdc25A and Cdc25C, the transcription factors SOCS-1, RUNX3 and c-myc and, as we recently demonstrated, the drug resistance-associated ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2). Pim-1 is synthesized in an active form by virtue of its hinge structure, and its activity is therefore regulated solely by its level of expression. Pim-1 is overexpressed downstream of FLT3 in AML cells with FLT3-ITD, but less is known about its expression and role in AML with wild-type (wt) FLT3. We studied Pim-1 expression and the effects of Pim-1 inhibition on AML cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis and chemosensitivity. Cell lines studied included HL60, K562, U937, Kasumi-1 and EOL-1 FLT3-wt cells and MV4-11 and MOLM-14 FLT3-ITD cells, as well as Pgp+ HL60/VCR and BCRP+ 8226/MR20 and parental 8226 myeloma cells as a model for BCRP-mediated drug resistance. Expression of Pim-1 and of phospho-BAD at S112, a measure of Pim-1 activity, was studied by Western blot analysis, normalized to GAPDH expression. Effects of the Pim-1 inhibitor SGI-1776 (SuperGen, Inc., Dublin, CA) on survival, cell cycle, apoptosis and colony growth were measured in WST-1 cell survival, flow cytometric cell cycle and apoptosis, and methylcellulose colony formation assays, respectively. SGI-1776 inhibits Pim-1 at a concentration of 7 +/− 1.8 nM, but is more than 90% bound to human plasma protein, so that its Pim-1 inhibitory concentration in cell culture-based assays is in μM range. Of note, SGI-1776 also inhibits FLT3 in this concentration range. Pim-1 was expressed in all cell lines studied, and expression of Pim-1 and of phopho-BAD did not differ between FLT3-ITD and FLT3-wt cells, nor between drug-resistant and parental cells. SGI-1776 decreased viable cell numbers in 96-hour WST-1 cell viability assays, with IC50's of 5 to 7 μM in FLT-wt cells, while IC50's were 20 and 65 nM, respectively, in MV4-11 and MOLM-14 FLT3-ITD cells. SGI-1776 IC50's did not differ between Pgp+ or BCRP+ cells and parental cells. In FLT3-wt cells, SGI-1776 had no effect on cell cycle at concentrations up to 5 μM, and caused apoptosis at 10 μM, while in FLT3-ITD cells, G1 arrest and apoptosis occurred at 100 nM. HL60 colony formation was completely inhibited by 5 μM SGI-1776, while MOLM-14 colony formation inhibition occurred at 500 nM. Finally, SGI-1776 sensitized multidrug resistant, but not parental, cells to multidrug resistance protein substrate, but not non-substrate, drugs. SGI-1776 at 1 μM decreased the IC50 of the Pgp substrate chemotherapy drug daunorubicin in Pgp+ HL60/VCR cells 7-fold, but had no effect on daunorubicin IC50 in HL60 cells, nor on IC50 of the non-Pgp substrate cytarabine in either cell line. SGI-1776 at 1 μM also decreased the IC50 of the BCRP substrate chemotherapy drug mitoxantrone in BCRP+ 8226/MR20 cells 7-fold. SGI-1776 at 1 μM doubled the percentage of apoptotic cells among HL60/VCR, but not HL60, cells exposed to daunorubicin and 8226/MR20 cells exposed to mitoxantrone. Finally, SGI-1776 at 1 μM decreased HL60/VCR colony formation in the presence of daunorubicin, but not cytarabine, but had no effect in HL60 cells, and also decreased 8226/MR20 colony formation in the presence of mitoxantrone, but not cytarabine. Thus the Pim-1 inhibitor SGI-1776 has anti-proliferative effects in AML cells with wt FLT3 as well FLT3-ITD, and sensitizes Pgp+ and BCRP+ multidrug resistant cells to chemotherapy. These data support clinical trials of SGI-1776 in AML with wt FLT3 as well FLT3-ITD, as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy in multidrug resistant AML. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Control of prostate cell growth, DNA damage and repair and gene expression by resveratrol analogues, in vitro

The chemopreventive potential of resveratrol is marred by its low bioavailability. Studies of modified resveratrol may reveal features that affect its bioefficacy and bioavailability. We compared the anti-proliferative and gene regulatory activities of resveratrol with trimethoxy-resveratrol and triacetyl-resveratrol using cultured human prostate cancer (CaP) cells. LNCaP cells were incubated with resveratrol and its analogues. Changes in proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis and prostate specific antigen (PSA) PSA were determined. DNA damage was assayed by phosphorylated-histone H2AX changes. Expression of total and serine-15-phosphorylated p53 and p53-inducible cell cycle regulatory protein p21 and ribonucleotide reductase subunit p53R2 involved in DNA repair were measured by immunobloting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Exposure to resveratrol or triacetyl-resveratrol activated p53, increased p21 and p53R2 and decreased PSA expression in LNCaP cells. These changes were attenuated by the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α. However, LNCaP cells exposed to trimethoxy-resveratrol showed induction of apoptosis, reduction in G₁ and prolongation of the SG₂M phases. Resveratrol and analogues were also studied in CWR22Rv1 (containing mutated p53) and p53-null PC-3 cells. CWR22Rv1 cells exposed to resveratrol and triacetyl-resveratrol showed a G₁S block, concomitant with increased p53 and p21 expression; however, identically treated PC-3 cells showed attenuated progression through the SG₂M phases. Trimethoxy-resveratrol did not affect CWR22Rv1 cell cycle but reduced and expanded PC-3 cells in the G₁ and SG₂M phases, respectively. These results suggest that triacetyl-resveratrol and trimethoxy-resveratrol are active against different stage CaP cells, using overlapping and distinct mechanisms.

Podocyte number predicts progression of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy

Podocyte injury is a feature of glomerulopathies associated with proteinuria, which in turn has been used as a clinical prognostic factor for glomerular diseases. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between podocyte injury found in biopsied renal tissue and change of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In all, 35 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and proteinuria (>1.0 g per 24 h) were enrolled in the IgAN group, while 8 patients with excision of renal harmatoma or carcinoma served as kidney controls (Control). Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of nestin, cell-cycle regulatory protein p27, as well as complement C5b-9 and complement receptor 1 (CR1). Podocyte foot process width (FPW) and podocyte population in renal biopsied samples were measured by morphometric analysis. On the basis of the podocyte density (Nv), the IgAN patients were divided into podocytopenic group (n=17, Nv<57.10 /μm3 × 106) and normopodocytic group (n=18, Nv≥57.10 /μm3 × 106). Changes of proteinuria were followed for 18 months after biopsy. Compared with the Control, IgAN glomeruli had reduced podocyte expression of p27 and nestin along with decreased podocyte number. IgAN glomeruli also showed activation of C5b-9 in mesangial and subepithelial areas with decreased CR1 expression in podocytes. The C5b-9 positivity was inversely correlated with the number of WT-1-positive podocytes. Although the magnitude of proteinuria at biopsy correlated with podocyte FPW (P<0.05), the change in the amount of proteinuria expressed as proteinuria progression rate significantly correlated with the podocyte density. Thus, the normopodocytic group showed significantly lower proteinuria progression rate than the podocytopenic group regardless the comparable clinical features at biopsy and treatment regimen between the two groups. The results of this study indicate that, in IgAN, podocyte injury is involved in development of proteinuria and loss of podocytes predicts progression of the proteinuria. Complement activation may contribute to podocyte damage in IgAN.

Relationship among human papillomavirus infection, p16INK4a, p53 and NF-κB activation in penile cancer from northern Thailand

Human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncoproteins are essential factors for HPV oncogenesis. These E6 and E7 gene products play a central role in the induction of malignant transformation by interacting with several cellular regulatory proteins such as p16(INK4a), p53 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). In the present study, conducted in northern Thailand, HPV-DNA was detected in penile cancer cases using an in situ hybridization procedure and p16(INK4a), p53 and NF-κB were detected by immunohistochemistry. Using the cell cycle regulatory proteins p16(INK4a) (61.5%) and p53 (71.8%), it was found that of the 51 cases, 39 (76.5%) were HPV-DNA-positive in penile cancer. On the other hand, 25% p16(INK4a) and 75% p53, respectively, were found in HPV-negative cases. Prevalence of HPV infection (76.5%) was shown in penile cancer cases in northern Thailand. No difference was found between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases with respect to the presence of the cell cycle regulatory protein p53. On the other hand, p16(INK4a) was found to be different between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, such as p16(INK4a) and p53, to genetic instability, cell immortalization, accumulation of mutations and cancer formation, with or without HPV and irrespective of HPV infection, is therefore suggested. Of the 39 HPV-positive cases, 35 (89.7%) were NF-κB-positive in the nucleus, 29 (74.4%) in the cytoplasm and 37 (94.9%) in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm. NF-κB was detected in 4 (33.3%) of the 12 HPV-negative cases. Therefore, we propose that penile cancer cases with HPV infection are more likely to activate NF-κB than those without HPV infection.

Increased expression of p27 is associated with the cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer cell line YCC-3

The major obstacle of treating cancer patients is acquisition of chemoresistance, in which treated tumor cells become insensitive after chronic drug exposure. To study the mechanism of acquired cisplatin resistance, we established a cisplatin-resistant human gastric cancer cell line. The cisplatin-resistant cell line (YCC-3/R) was isolated after exposing the gastric cancer cell line, YCC-3, to a constant concentration (0.5 microg/mL) of cisplatin for 12 months. The expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins (p53, Bax, p21, p27) in the YCC-3/R were investigated by western blot analysis. The cisplatin treatment significantly down-regulated the p53 and p21 expression level, while up-regulated the p27 expression in the YCC-3/R cells compared to the parental cells. The Bax expression level was similar in both cells. These results suggest that the p27 dependent-cell cycle arrest may prevent cisplatin-induced apoptosis and give enough time to repair the DNA damage in the YCC-3/R cells.

Phase II randomized placebo-controlled double-blind chemoprevention trial of fruit/vegetable concentrates on intermediate biomarkers in head/neck cancer.

1521 Background: Head/neck cancer (HNC) patients (pts) are at high risk for developing second primary tumors (SPT). Juice-Plus+ is a proprietary whole food based nutritional supplement which includes juice powder concentrates from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains (www.juiceplus.com). We conducted a chemoprevention trial to evaluate the effect of this intervention on surrogate endpoint biomarkers (SEB) associated with SPTs. Methods: Eligibility criteria - adult HNC pts disease-free for 6 months to 3 years following surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Pts were randomized to 12 weeks of daily Juice-Plus+ capsules or placebo. Pre- and post-treatment oral cavity mucosal biopsies and blood tests were obtained. The study primary endpoint was % expression of the cell cycle regulatory protein p27 by immunohistochemistry in the oral mucosal specimens, a SEB for development of SPT. Secondary endpoints included cell proliferation measured by Ki-67, DNA damage, T-cell function, and serum carotenoid and antioxidant levels. Results: Between 2004-2009, 134 pts were entered (72 on Arm A, 62 on Arm B). Pt characteristics: median age 59, 85% male, 89% White, 62% stage III-IV. Toxicity was negligible. P27 and Ki-67 data was available in 72-78% of pts. There was no significant difference in mean positive p27 protein staining between Arms A and B from baseline (35% in both Arms) to 12 weeks (36.6% in Arm A vs. 36.2% in Arm B, higher is better, p = 0.94). However, more pts in Arm A had grade 3 p27 staining intensity than in Arm B, 7.6% at baseline (both arms) vs. 8.4% in Arm A and 6.3% in Arm B at 12 weeks (p = 0.13). Furthermore, pts in Arm A had slightly lower proliferation rates: 24.1% at baseline (both arms) vs. 22.5% in Arm A and 26.5% in Arm B at 12 weeks (p = 0.12). Four SPT have occurred in Arm A, 8 in Arm B. Conclusions: The p27, Ki-67, and SPT data suggest that patients in Arm A have more favorable results compared to those on Arm B. The remaining data, still under analysis, will be presented at which time the code for Arms A and B (Juice-Plus+ or placebo) will be broken. This study was supported by NSA, Inc. and NIH/NCI grants 3 U10 CA 81851 and R21 CA 106205. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

X-irradiation-induced cell cycle delay and DNA double-strand breaks in the murine osteoblastic cell line OCT-1

Radiation response of bone cells, especially the bone-forming osteoblasts, is an important issue for radiotherapy in young age. A radiation-induced cell cycle arrest may enhance or accelerate osteoblastic differentiation. To analyze radiation response of osteoblastic cells, the correlation between DNA double-strand break induction (DSB), cell cycle alterations and gene expression modifications after X-irradiation was investigated in the osteoblast-like cell line OCT-1. As marker of the cellular response to DSB, the temporal appearance of gamma-H2AX foci after X-irradiation was visualized. Gene expression profiles of the key cell cycle regulatory protein p21 (CDKN1A), and the most abundant growth factor in human bone, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) were recorded using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The distribution of cells in the cell cycle phases G1, S and G2 was determined by propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. Initial studies show a strong dose dependency in the number of gamma-H2AX foci shortly after X-irradiation. Exposure to 1 Gy yields approximately 36 small foci in OCT-1 cells after 30 min that became larger after 1 h of incubation; after 24 h most of the foci had disappeared. X-rays provoked a dose-dependent arrest in G2 phase of the cell cycle, accompanied by a dose-dependent gene expression regulation for p21 and TGF-beta1. As TGF-beta1 is known to affect osteoblast differentiation, matrix formation and mineralization, modulation of its expression could influence the expression of the main osteogenic transcription factor Runx2 (Cbfa1) and other osteoblast differentiation markers.

Synergistic Growth Inhibition of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck by Erlotinib and Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate: The Role of p53-Dependent Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB

Abstract We have previously reported that the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib had synergistic growth-inhibitory effects in cell culture and a nude mouse xenograft model of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. However, the mechanism of their antitumor synergism is not fully understood. In the current study, we investigate the mechanism of their synergistic growth-inhibitory effects. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cell lines with erlotinib time-dependently increased the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins p21 and p27 and apoptosis regulatory protein Bim. EGCG alone had very little or no effect on the expression of these proteins among the cell lines. However, simultaneous treatment with EGCG and erlotinib strongly inhibited erlotinib-induced expression of p21 and p27 without affecting the expression of Bim. Moreover, erlotinib increased the expression of p53 protein, the ablation of which by short hairpin RNA strongly inhibited EGCG- and erlotinib-mediated growth inhibition and the expression of p21, p27, and Bim. In addition, combined treatment with erlotinib and EGCG inhibited the protein level of p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB and its transcriptional target Bcl-2, but failed to do so in cells with ablated p53. Taken together, our results, for the first time, suggest that erlotinib treatment activates p53, which plays a critical role in synergistic growth inhibition by erlotinib and EGCG via inhibiting nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. Characterizing the underlying mechanisms of EGCG and erlotinib synergism will provide an important rationale for chemoprevention or treatment trials using this combination.

Hypoxia alters cell cycle regulatory protein expression and induces premature maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

BackgroundPeriventricular white matter injury (PWMI) is a common form of brain injury sustained by preterm infants. A major factor that predisposes to PWMI is hypoxia. Because oligodendrocytes (OLs) are responsible for myelination of axons, abnormal OL development or function may affect brain myelination. At present our understanding of the influences of hypoxia on OL development is limited. To examine isolated effects of hypoxia on OLs, we examined the influences of hypoxia on OL development in vitro.Methodology/FindingsCultures of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) were prepared from mixed glial cultures and were 99% pure. OPCs were maintained at 21% O2 or hypoxia (1% or 4% O2) for up to 7 days. We observed that 1% O2 lead to an increase in the proportion of myelin basic protein (MBP)-positive OLs after 1 week in culture, and a decrease in the proportion of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)-positive cells suggesting premature OL maturation. Increased expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins p27Kip1 and phospho-cdc2, which play a role in OL differentiation, was seen as well.ConclusionsThese results show that hypoxia interferes with the normal process of OL differentiation by inducing premature OPC maturation.

Neurotrophin-3 improves retinoic acid-induced neural differentiation of skin-derived precursors through a p75NTR-dependent signaling pathway

Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) are derived from mesoblast and can differentiate into smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, and less neuronal phenotypes. This study demonstrates that retinoic acid (RA) improves SKPs exit from self-proliferation to neural differentiation through up-regulating of NeuroD and cell-cycle regulatory protein p21, meanwhile RA also induces p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) up-regulation and apoptosis of SKPs. When treated sequentially with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) after RA induction, the survival and neural differentiation of SKPs were enhanced significantly, and cell apoptosis induced by RA was decreased. These effects could be reversed by p75NTR inhibitor Pep5 instead of Trk receptor inhibitor K252a. The results indicate that NT-3 improves the neural differentiation of SKPs induced by RA through a p75NTR-dependent signaling pathway.

Interactions between PTEN and the c-Met pathway in glioblastoma and implications for therapy

The tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are frequently overexpressed and the tumor suppressor PTEN is often mutated in glioblastoma. Because PTEN can interact with c-Met-dependent signaling, we studied the effects of PTEN on c-Met-induced malignancy and associated molecular events and assessed the potential therapeutic value of combining PTEN restoration approaches with HGF/c-Met inhibition. We studied the effects of c-Met activation on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, cell invasion, and associated molecular events in the settings of restored or inhibited PTEN expression in glioblastoma cells. We also assessed the experimental therapeutic effects of combining anti-HGF/c-Met approaches with PTEN restoration or mTOR inhibition. PTEN significantly inhibited HGF-induced proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. PTEN attenuated HGF-induced changes of signal transduction proteins Akt, GSK-3, JNK, and mTOR as well as cell cycle regulatory proteins p27, cyclin E, and E2F-1. Combining PTEN restoration to PTEN-null glioblastoma cells with c-Met and HGF inhibition additively inhibited tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Similarly, combining a monoclonal anti-HGF antibody (L2G7) with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had additive inhibitory effects on glioblastoma cell proliferation. Systemic in vivo delivery of L2G7 and PTEN restoration as well as systemic in vivo deliveries of L2G7 and rapamycin additively inhibited intracranial glioma xenograft growth. These preclinical studies show for the first time that PTEN loss amplifies c-Met-induced glioblastoma malignancy and suggest that combining anti-HGF/c-Met approaches with PTEN restoration or mTOR inhibition is worth testing in a clinical setting.

Notch-1 regulates Akt signaling pathway and the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1, CDK2 and p21 in T-ALL cell lines

Gain-of-function mutations in Notch-1 are common in T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), making this receptor a promising target for drugs such as gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs). However, GSIs seem to be active in only a small fraction of T-ALL cell lines with constitutive Notch-1 activity and the downstream response of Notch signaling is only partially understood. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferation suppression and apoptosis and explore effective downstream target genes, we used RNA interference (RNAi) technology to down-regulate the expression of Notch-1 in GSIs-resistant T-ALL cell lines. Results showed that down-regulation of Notch-1 by transfection of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) could cause SupT1 cells proliferation inhibition by inducing G 0/G 1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The proliferation inhibitory and apoptotic effects resulting from down-regulation of Notch-1 may be mediated through regulating the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1, CDK2 and p21 and the activity of Akt signaling. In addition, our results demonstrated that down-regulation of Notch-1 signaling could sensitize SupT1 cells to adriamycin. Taken together, cell cycle regulatory proteins and Akt signaling may be attractive targets in T-ALL.

Inhibitory effects of NO-fluvastatin on proliferation of human lens epithelial cells in vitro by modulating cell cycle regulatory proteins

The effects of NO-Fluvastatin on proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and the action mechanism were investigated. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins CyclinE mRNA and P21(waf1) mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MTT staining colorimetry showed that HLECs proliferation was markedly inhibited by NO-Fluvastatin and the effect was dependently related to time (24, 48 and 72 h) and dosage (1, 5 and 20 mumol/L). Flow cytometry revealed that NO-Fluvastatin could significantly block HLECs in the G(0)/G(1) phase, resulting in the increased cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase and decreased in the S phase (P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that NO-Fluvastatin could obviously inhibit the CyclinE mRNA expression and induce the P21(waf1) mRNA expression as compared with the negative control groups (P<0.05). This experiment suggested that NO-Fluvastatin could suppress the proliferation of HLECs by regulating cell cycle regulatory proteins (inhibiting the expression of CyclinE mRNA and inducing the expression of P21(waf1) mRNA), resulting in the arrest of HLECs in the G(0)/G(1) phase, which can offer theory basis for NO-Fluvastatin in treating posterior capsular opacification in clinic practice.

Flavopiridol Potentiates the Cytotoxic Effects of Radiation in Radioresistant Tumor Cells in Which p53 is Mutated or Bcl-2 is Overexpressed

Loss of the cell-cycle regulatory protein p53 or overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 is associated with resistance to radiation in several types of cancer cells. Flavopiridol, a synthetic flavone, inhibits the growth of malignant tumors cells in vitro and in vivo through multiple mechanisms. The purpose of the present study is to clarify whether flavopiridol enhances the cytotoxic effects of radiation in tumor cells that contain dysfunction p53 or that overexpress Bcl-2. A human glioma cell line (A172/mp53) stably transfected with a plasmid containing mutated p53 and a human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa/bcl-2) transfected with a bcl-2 expression plasmid were used. Cells were incubated with flavopiridol for 24 h after radiation, and then cell viability was determined by a colony formation assay. Foci of phosphorylated histone H2AX were also evaluated as a sensitive indicator of DNA double-strand breaks. Compared with the parental wild-type cells, both transfected cell lines were more resistant to radiation. Post-treatment with flavopiridol increased the cytotoxic effects of radiation in both transfected cell lines, but not in their parental wild-type cell lines. Post-treatment with flavopiridol inhibited sublethal damage repair as well as the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in response to radiation. Flavopiridol enhanced the cytotoxic effect of radiation in radioresistant tumor cells that harbor p53 dysfunction or Bcl-2 overexpression. A combination treatment of flavopiridol with radiation has the potential to conquer the radioresistance of malignant tumors induced by the genetic alteration of p53 or bcl-2.

Growth inhibition and induction of G 1 phase cell cycle arrest in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell by tri- ortho-cresyl phosphate

It has been known that tri- ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) can induce delayed neurotoxicity in humans and sensitive animal species; however, it also has influence on the developing central nervous system or differentiating neuronal cells. In this study, the effects of TOCP on cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation and the mechanisms that contribute to this effect were investigated by using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Treatment of the cells with TOCP suppressed cell proliferation and reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle profile indicated that TOCP blocked cell cycle progression by arresting the cell cycle at G 1 phase. The data of determination of cell cycle regulated molecules at mRNA and protein levels showed that TOCP decreased cyclin D1 and increased p21 expression, while did not affect the p53 and p27 levels. Thus, these results indicated that TOCP might induce potential neurodevelopmental toxicity, and a possible mechanism of this toxicity might be the disturbance of cell proliferation by disrupting cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1 and p21 expression.