Downregulation Of Beclin-1 Research Articles

Hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein Inhibit Migration and Invasion of MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell via Induction of Autophagy.

Breast Cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. As such, novel chemotherapeutic agents are urgently needed, especially for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Hydroxytyrosol (HT) and Oleuropein (OL) are rich in olive oil, which is associated with a low occurrence of BC. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of HT and OL in BC cells are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effect of HT and OL in TNBC. TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with HT and OL in combination with Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), rapamycin (Rapa, an inducer of autophagy) or 3-methyladenine (3-MA, an inhibitor of autophagy). Cell viability, migration, invasion, and autophagy signaling were analyzed by scratch assays, transwell migration assays, and Western blot analysis. Treatment with HT or OL reduced MDA-MB-231 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. MDAMB- 231 cells were more sensitive to HT treatment than OL treatment. Rapa treatment could significantly block HGF-induced MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion, suggesting that inhibition of autophagy could promote migration and invasion. Moreover, HT or OL treatment significantly suppressed HGF or 3-MA induced cell migration and invasion by reversing LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 downregulation and reversing p62 upregulation. These data indicated that HT and OL may inhibit migration and invasion of TNBC cells by activating autophagy. These findings provide potential therapeutic strategies that target autophagy to limit the pathogenesis and progression of BC.

Soybean isoflavones prevent atrazine-induced neurodegenerative damage by inducing autophagy.

Atrazine (ATR) is a widely used herbicide with documented dopaminergic (DAergic) neurotoxicity that can lead to a Parkinson's disease (PD)-like motor syndrome. However, there have been few studies on preventative interventions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of soybean isoflavones (SI) and associated molecular mechanisms in a rat model of ATR-induced DAergic toxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old) received daily intraperitoneal injection of SI (10, 50, or 100mg/kg) or vehicle followed 1h later by oral gavage of ATR (50mg/kg) for 45 consecutive days. Open field and grip-strength tests indicated no differences in motor function among treatment groups. Alternatively, histopathology revealed neuronal damage in the striatum of rats receiving vehicle plus ATR that was ameliorated by SI pretreatment. SI attenuate ATR-induced oxidative stress (indicated by MDA accumulation and GSH depletion) and inflammatory damage (as evidenced by TNF-α and IL-6 elevation) in the substantia nigra. ATR increased expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax and reduced expression levels of the DA synthesis enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in the substantia nigra and striatum. All of these effects were reversed by SI pretreatment, suggesting that SI can inhibit ATR-induced apoptosis of DAergic neurons. ATR also inhibited autophagy in the substantial nigra as evidenced by LC3-II and Beclin-1 downregulation and increased expression of p62, whereas SI pretreatment reversed these effects, indicating autophagy induction. Furthermore, ATR increased the expression of mTOR and reduced the expression of phosphorylated S6 (p-S6) and BEX2 in the substantia nigra. Collectively, these findings suggest that SI can prevent ATR-mediated degeneration of DAergic neurons by inducing autophagy through an mTOR-dependent signaling pathway.

BDNF-TrkB pathway mediates antidepressant-like roles of H2 S in diabetic rats via promoting hippocampal autophagy.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) plays antidepressant-like roles in diabetic rats. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor, plays important regulatory roles in depression by its high-affinity tropomysin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor. Autophagy also is implicated in modulation of depression. Previous work confirmed the modulatory roles of H2 S in BDNF protein expression and autophagy. Thus, in this study, we explored whether the BDNF-TrkB pathway mediates the antidepressant-like effects of H2 S in diabetic rats and whether this process is achieved via promoting hippocampal autophagy. We demonstrated that H2 S upregulated the expressions of BDNF and p-TrkB proteins in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. K252a (an inhibitor of BDNF-TrkB pathway) reversed the antidepressant-like roles of H2 S, as evidenced by the tail suspension, forced swimming, novelty suppressed feeding, and elevated plus-maze tests. Furthermore, K252a abolished H2 S-promoted hippocampal autophagy in diabetic rats, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of autolysosome, downregulation of Beclin-1 (a regulator of autophagy in the early stage of the formation of autophagosomal membranes and its level is positively correlated with autophagic activity) expression, and upregulation of P62 (a substrate of autophagic degradation and its level is inversely correlated with autophagic activity) expression, in the hippocampus of rats co-treated with NaHS and STZ. Taken together, these data indicated that the BDNF-TrkB pathway mediates the antidepressant-like roles of H2 S in diabetic rats by enhancing hippocampal autophagy.

NEK2 Promotes Bortezomib Resistance through Enhancing Autophagy By Upregulation of Beclin1 in Multiple Myeloma Cells

Background: Multiple Myeloma(MM) is a neoplastic plasma-cell disorder that is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant of plasma cells in the bone microenvironment, and monoclonal protein in the blood or urine. Drug resistance is one of the main causes of cancer relapse, thus exploring the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance is important for improving therapeutic effect in MM. Our previous publications have demonstrated NEK2 mediated drug resistance via up-regulation of multidrug resistance proteins. In this study, we found autophagy was involved in NEK2 induced Bortezomib resistance in MM cells. Materials and Methods: Primary CD138 positive cells derived from healthy donors(n=6), newly diagnosed MM patients(n=9) and relapsed MM patients(n=7) were isolated by using beads conjugated with human CD138 antibody. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the expression of NEK2 and LC3B(LC3B-Ⅰand LC3B-Ⅱ) in primary CD138 positive cells. DALGreen was used to detect autolysosome in MM cells. TAP-MS and CO-IP were used to analyze NEK2 interacting proteins. Cell proliferation were examined with soft agar colony formation and cell count. Cell apoptosis was tested through detecting cleaved Caspase3 and cleaved PARP by western blot. Xenograft mouse model of MM were prepared by subcutaneous injection of MM cells(KMS11 NEK2 OE+Scramble, KMS11 NEK2 OE+Beclin1 sh) into immunodeficient B-NDG mouse(1×106 cell/mice). Results: Firstly, immunofluorescence results showed NEK2 expression and LC3B-Ⅱ labeled autophagosome were significantly increased in CD138 positive cells derived from relapsed MM patients as compared with newly diagnosed MM patients and HD. Moreover, over-expression of NEK2 enhanced antophagy, while knockdown of NEK2 suppressed autophagy in MM cells. To explore the underling mechanisms of NEK2 induces autophagy in MM cells, TAP-MS was performed. As a result, Beclin1, an important regulatory protein of autophagy, was identified as NEK2 interacting protein, which was further confirmed by CO-IP in MM cell lines KMS11 and RPMI 8226. Additionally, we found that NEK2 regulated the expression of Beclin1 at protein level, but not at transcriptional level. Subsequent mechanism study indicated NEK2 increased the stability of Beclin1 protein through USP7 mediated deubiquitination, thereby promoting the formation of the Beclin1-Vps15-Vps34 complex, and finally, enhancing autophagy in MM cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Beclin1 significantly suppressed NEK2 induced autophagy in MM cells. Alternatively, down-regulation of Beclin1 overcame NEK2 mediated Bortezomib resistance in xenograft mouse model of MM , suggesting that targeting Beclin1 is a promising approach to therapy MM patients with high NEK2 expression. Conclusion: Our findings revealed NEK2 induced autophagy through up-regulation of Beclin1 at protein level, and confirmed autophagy was involved in NEK2 mediated Bortezomib resistance in MM. Taken together, this study provided novel insight into treating relapsed MM patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Inhibition of BECN1 Suppresses Lipid Peroxidation by Increasing System Xc- Activity in Early Brain Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Lipid peroxidation plays a crucial role in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and cystine/glutamate antiporter system Xc- has been proved to be associated with glutathione (GSH) synthesis, which protects cells against oxidative damage. Antioxidant effect of system Xc- is mediated by Beclin 1 (BECN1). Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether administration of BECN1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) could attenuate EBI after SAH experiment, specifically through suppressing lipid peroxidation and increasing system Xc- activity. Endovascular perforation was performed to induce SAH in a rat model and BECN1 siRNA was administered through intracerebroventricular injection. Neurological score, brain edema, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA), and antioxidation system, containing GSH, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), and anti-reactive oxygen species (anti-ROS), were examined. The expression of BECN1 and light chain of system Xc- (xCT) was detected by western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining. This study confirmed that SAH induced neurological deficits and brain edema, which was accompanied by the increase of BECN1 expression and lipid peroxidation, and the decrease of xCT expression and antioxidative capacity. However, downregulation of BECN1 by siRNA could decrease the formation of the BECN1-xCT complex and lipid peroxidation, enhance antioxidative capacity, and ameliorate neurological deficits and brain edema in SAH rats. The results suggested that inhibition of BECN1 suppresses accumulation of lipid peroxidation by increasing system Xc- activity in EBI after SAH, and BECN1 may be a new effective target for EBI treatment after SAH.

Fingolimod augments Pemetrexed killing of non-small cell lung cancer and overcomes resistance to ERBB inhibition

ABSTRACTOverall, NSCLC has a poor 5-year survival and new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. ERBB-addicted NSCLC that have become resistant to ERBB inhibitors are often refractory to additional therapeutic interventions. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator fingolimod (FTY720), approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, synergized with the NSCLC therapeutic pemetrexed to kill NSCLC and ovarian cancer cells. This occurred in lung cancer cells expressing mutated K-RAS, mutated ERBB1, or in NSCLC cells resistant to afatinib (an ERBB1/2/4 inhibitor). This drug combination appeared to use overlapping and distinct mechanisms of killing in different cell lines. Activation of AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) and reduced expression and inactivation of mTOR were associated with increased autophagosome and autolysosome formation. Downregulation of Beclin1 considerably reduced formation of autophagosomes and protected the cells from drug combination-induced killing without significantly altering autolysosome formation. Autophagy protein 5 (ATG5) knock down afforded greater protection against the combination of pemetrexed with fingolimod. Treatment of cells with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus markedly enhanced the lethality of pemetrexed plus fingolimod combination. Our data suggest that the combination of fingolimod with the established NSCLC/ovarian cancer drug pemetrexed should be explored as a new therapy.

ROS-Autophagy pathway mediates monocytes-human umbilical vein endothelial cells adhesion induced by apelin-13.

Apelin is the endogenous ligand of APJ receptor. Both monocytes (MCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) express apelin and APJ, which play important roles in the physiological processes of atherosclerosis. Our previous research indicated that apelin-13 promoted MCs-HUVECs adhesion. Here, we further explore the mechanism responsible for MCs-HUVECs adhesion induced by apelin-13. Apelin-13 promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NOX4 expression in HUVECs. Apelin-13 inducedautophagy, increased proteins beclin1 and LC3-II/I expression and induced autophagy flux in HUVECs, which was blocked by NAC, catalase and DPI. Autophagy flux induced by apelin-13 was inhibited by NAC and catalase but not hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). NAC, catalase, and DPI prevented apelin-13 induced ICAM-1 expression in HUVECs. Rapamycin enhanced MCs-HUVECs adhesion that was reversed by NAC, catalase, and DPI. Down-regulation of beclin1 and LC3 by siRNA blocked MCs-HUVECs adhesion. Apelin-13 induced atherosclerotic plaque and increased NOX4, LC3-II/I expression in ApoE-/-(HFD) mouse model. Our results demonstrated that apelin-13 induced MCs-HUVECs adhesion via a ROS-autophagy pathway.

Cell-free DNA-induced alteration of autophagy response and TLR9-signaling: Their relation to amelioration of DSS-colitis.

The influence of cell-free DNA (fDNA) administration on the TLR9-autophagy regulatory crosstalk within inflammatory circumstances remains unclear. To examine the immunobiologic effects of iv. fDNA injection on the TLR9-mediated autophagy response in murine DSS-colitis. Different types of modified fDNAs were administered to DSS-colitic mice. Disease and histological activities, spleen index were measured. Changes of the TLR9-associated and autophagy-related gene expression profiles of lamina proprial cells and splenocytes were assayed by quantitative real-time PCR, and validated by immunohistochemistries. Ultrastructural changes of the colon were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A single intravenous injection of colitic fDNA (C-DNA) exhibited beneficial clinical and histological effects on DSS-colitis, compared to normal (N-DNA). C-DNA administration displayed a more prominent impact on the outcome of the TLR9-autophagy response than N-DNA. C-DNA resulted in a decreased spleen index in DSS-colitic mice. C-DNA treatment of normal mice resulted in a downregulation of Beclin1 and ATG16L1 mRNA and protein expression in the colon. These as well as LC3B were downregulated in the spleen. In contrast, the Beclin1, ATG16L1 and LC3B gene and protein expressions were upregulated in both the colon and the spleen by C-DNA injection. Moreover, C-DNA administration to DSS-colitic mice resulted in a remarkable increase of epithelial autophagic vacuoles representing an intensified macroautophagy. The effect of intravenously administered fDNA on the TLR9-mediated autophagy response is expressly dependent on the origin of fDNA (i.e. inflammatory or not) and on the characteristics of the local immunobiologic milieu (i.e. inflammatory or not, as well).

Inhibition of Beclin-1-Mediated Autophagy by MicroRNA-17-5p Enhanced the Radiosensitivity of Glioma Cells

The role of miRNAs in the radiosensitivity of glioma cells and the underlying mechanism is still far from clear. In the present study, we detected six downregulated and seven upregulated miRNAs in the serum after radiotherapy compared with paired serum samples before radiotherapy via miRNA panel PCR. Among these, miR-17-5p was highly reduced (fold change = −4.21). Further, we validated the levels of miR-17-5p in all serum samples with qRT-PCR. In addition, statistical analysis suggested that a reduced miR-17-5P level was positively associated with advanced clinical stage of glioma, incidence of relapse, and tumor differentiation. Moreover, we provided evidence that irradiation markedly activated autophagy and decreased miR-17-5p in the glioma cell line. Further, we demonstrated that irradiation-induced autophagy activation was mediated by beclin-1, and downregulation of beclin-1 via siRNA significantly abolished the irradiation-activated autophagy. Interestingly, we demonstrated that miR-17-5p could directly target beclin-1 via luciferase gene reporter assay. Exotic expression of miRNA-17-5p decreased autophagy activity in vitro. In nude mice, miRNA-17-5p upregulation sensitized the xenograft tumor to irradiation and suppressed irradiation-induced autophagy. Finally, pharmacal inhibition of autophagy markedly enhanced the cytotoxicity of irradiation in RR-U87 cells.

MiRNA-30e mediated cardioprotection of ACE2 in rats with Doxorubicin-induced heart failure through inhibiting cardiomyocytes autophagy

ObjectivemiRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that has been proved to be involved in cardioprotection. The present study was to detect role of miR-30e in cardiac-protective action of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). MethodsSprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups and received treatment for a total of 6weeks: group1, normal rats; group2, Doxorubicin-induced heart cardiomyopathy (DHC) rats; and group3, rhACE2 (recombinant human ACE2) treated DHC rats. Doxorubicin was discontinuously administered via intraperitoneal injection. Primary cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cell line were used for in vitro experiments. MiR-30a, miR-30c and miR-30e expression were determined using qRT-PCR. Expression of autophagy associated gene expression including Beclin-1 and LC3 II/I were determined using western blot. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL assay. ResultsAdministration of ACE2 suppressed harmful action of Doxorubicin and caused a significant improvement of left ventricular contractility function, upregulation in miR-30 (a, c and e) expression, and inhibition in Beclin-1 expression and LC3-II/I ratio. This was supported by results of Ad-ACE2-incubated primary cardiomyocytes. By manipulating miR-30e expression in H9C2 cells, we observed that miR-30e regulated Beclin-1 expression via inhibiting its 3’UTR activity. MiR-30e mimic treatment resulted in downregulation of Beclin-1 and protected primary cardiomyocytes against apoptosis. Moreover, silencing miR-30e induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis was abrogated by ACE2 overexpresssion. This was further confirmed by in vivo DHC rat experiments that showed that co-injected ACE2 and miR-30 inhibitor reduced cardiac function. ConclusionIn summary, administration of ACE2 attenuates Doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction via preservation of cardiomyocytes autophagy in a miR-30e/beclin-1 signal pathway.

Epigallocatechin gallate exerts protective effects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through the PI3K/Akt pathway-mediated inhibition of apoptosis and the restoration of the autophagic flux.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol derived from green tea, exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, atherosclerosis and antitumor activities. In this study, the cardioprotective effects of EGCG on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)injury in rats and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. A rat model of I/Rinjury was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30min, followed by reperfusion for 2h. The levels of I/R-induced creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) and the release of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), as well as the infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac functional impairment were examined and compared. Western blot analysis was carried out to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of action of EGCG. The results revealed that EGCG post-conditioning significantly decreased the levels of CK-MB and the release of LDH, reduced the myocardial infarct size, decreased the apoptotic rate and partially preserved heart function. Furthermore, EGCG decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 concomitantly with the upregulation of PI3K, and the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS). It also inhibited I/R-induced overautophagy and promoted the clearance of autophagosomes, as evidenced by a decrease in the ratio of microtubule-associated protein1 light chain3(LC3)-II/LC3-I, the downregulation of Beclin1, Atg5 and p62, and the upregulation of active cathepsinD. Additionally, we observed an increase in the phosphorylation levels of the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) following treatment with EGCG. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that, EGCG post-conditioning alleviates myocardial I/Rinjury by inhibiting apoptosis and restoring the autophagic flux, which is associated with several targets of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The role of Resveratrol-induced mitophagy/autophagy in peritoneal mesothelial cells inflammatory injury via NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by mitochondrial ROS

It has been suggested that continuous exposure of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) to high glucose-containing peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions may result in peritoneal inflammatory injury and impairment of local peritoneal host defence. Here, we investigated the effect of glucose-based PD solutions on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nod-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in human PMCs (HPMCs). Exposure of HPMCs to high glucose-based PD solutions resulted in ROS production, which can trigger NLRP3 activation, leading to IL-1β secretion. Additionally, resveratrol (RSV) treatment induced mitophagy/autophagy via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Increased mitochondrial ROS concentrations and IL-1β upregulation were confirmed following inhibition (siRNA against Beclin1 and ATG5 or autophagy inhibitor 3MA), but not induction (RSV), of mitophagy/autophagy. Furthermore, we observed that ATG5 and Beclin1 downregulation sensitised cells to IL-1β release induced by MSU or nigericin, which is an NLRP3 inflammasome activator. RSV treatment attenuated this effect. Taken together, this study may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for peritoneal inflammatory injury via NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by mitochondrial ROS.

Beclin-1 Phosphorylation By BCR-ABL Is Crucial for CML Leukemogenesis By Suppression of Autophagy

The constitutively activated chimeric Tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL is critical for initiation, progression and maintenance of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Imatinib and second generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) serve now as standard therapies for Ph+-patients. However, disease persistence occurs frequently and insensitivity of CML stem cells to TKI treatment is discussed as one major reason for this.Recent evidence accumulates, that autophagy, a genetically-regulated process of adaptation to metabolic stress, is involved in TKI-induced cell death. It is hypothesized, that TKI-induced autophagy could allow CML stem cells to become metabolically dormant enabling their survival under conditions that may mimic growth factor deprivation and thereby "antagonize" TKI-induced cell death. However, the molecular mechanism of BCR-ABL and TKI induced autophagy as well as its role as tumor suppressor or promoter is poorly understood.In our study, we aim to identify the precise role of autophagy and its´ effector molecules in a murine CML model. To test whether BCR-ABL regulates autophagy, we measured LC3 as a marker for autophagy in BCR-ABL+-K562 cell. Interestingly, inhibition of BCR-ABL activity by nilotinib led to increased LC3-II expression and punctual LC3 accumulation, indicating, that BCR-ABL activity can suppress autophagy. Consistent with this, Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR-ABL WT induce autophagy, whereas Ba/F3 cell expressing BCR-ABL-T315I fail to induce autophagy by nilotinib treatment, pointing to a BCR-ABL specific autophagy induction than an unspecific effect of TKI treatment. Next, we investigated the proteins involved in BCR-ABL mediated autophagosome formation. Recruitment of VPS34 and ATG14 to Beclin1 was increased in case of nilotinib treatment and could thereby positively regulate autophagosome formation, whereas Rubicon, a negative regulator was less recruited to the Beclin1-complex.To further identify the impact of Beclin1 as a key regulator of autophagy in BCR-ABL-driven leukemia, we used a targeted genetic approach in a CML mouse model. Interestingly, mice transplanted with Belin1 knockdown, BCR-ABL expressing bone marrow showed a less aggressive disease with significantly lower WBC-count, leukemic burden and prolonged overall survival of the mice. In contrast, deletion of ATG5, another central regulator of autophagy, was not able to change disease onset or progression in the CML model.To further clarify the function of Beclin1, we performed biochemical binding analyses and were able to show, that Beclin1 binds to BCR-ABL independent of BCR-ABL kinase activity and Beclin1 is phosphorylated by BCR-ABL. Interestingly, Beclin1 is an exclusive target of BCR-ABL and can not be phosphorylated by other aberrantly activated tyrosine kinases like Flt3-ITD, NPM-ALK and PDGFRA-D842V. In vitro kinase assay with active ABL-kinase confirm Beclin1 as a specific substrate of BCR-ABL. GST pulldown experiments mapped the N-terminal region of Beclin1 to interact with BCR-ABL. Cloning of different phospho-deficient mutants identified tyrosine residues Y233 and Y352 of Beclin1 as the crucial sites for specific BCR-ABL phosphorylation. To test the impact of BCR-ABL mediated Beclin1-phosphorylation on autophagy induction, we generated Beclin1 phospho-mimic (Y233E/Y352E) and phospho-deficient (Y233F/Y352F) mutations. Interestingly, nilotinib treatment fails to induce autophagy in cells expressing the Beclin1 phospho-mimic mutations, thereby highlighting the necessity of Beclin1 in BCR-ABL-mediated autophagy. Expression of Beclin1 mutations in Beclin1 knockout MEFs and K562 cells show decreased binding of UVRAG, ATG14 and VPS34 to Beclin1 Y233E/Y352E, suggesting an important role of Beclin1 phosphorylation for complex stabilization and autophagy suppression.Taken together our findings identify Beclin1 as a specific substrate of BCR-ABL. Downregulation of Beclin1 is associated with a prolonged overall survival of BCR-ABL transplanted animals; direct phosphorylation of Beclin1 on Tyrosine residues Y233 and Y352 lead to LC3 inhibition and suppression of autophagy. Our results thereby highlight the importance of Beclin1 in BCR-ABL-mediated leukemogenesis and show, that autophagy induction in CML cells may be rather a specific Beclin1-BCR-ABL interaction effect than a general microenvironmental stress phenomenon. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 991: Role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity

Abstract Autophagy is basic catabolic cellular process which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis during nutrient starved and stress conditions. Even though autophagy is altered in various cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathy and heart failure, its precise role in heart conditions remains ambiguous. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody approved for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab treatment has been shown to induce considerable cardiotoxicity. Molecular mechanism for trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity. We treated human primary cardiomyocytes with trastuzumab at different time points, and then examined the expression of prominent autophagic markers such as LC3A/B, Beclin 1 and Bcl-2 by western blotting. Results divulged that expression levels of LC3A/B were markedly decreased in cardiomyocytes after 24 and 48 h of trastuzumab treatment. Beclin 1 protein levels also significantly decreased, although Bcl-2 expression was increased. These results indicate that downregulation of Beclin 1 and upregulation of Bcl-2 after trastuzumab treatment could potentially impede the formation of autophagosomes resulting in inhibition of autophagy. Collectively, these data indicate that autophagy plays a beneficial role in normal cardiac tissues by preventing the accumulation of abnormal proteins or damaged organelles. However, trastuzumab treatment may inhibit the autophagy, resulting in cardiomyopathy. Citation Format: Nishant Mohan, Yi Shen, Wen Jin Wu. Role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity. [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 991. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-991

Spliced XBP1 promotes macrophage survival and autophagy by interacting with Beclin-1

Macrophage autophagy plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanism mediating this process is unclear. The potential role of the X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a crucial transduction factor that is involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response, in bone marrow-derived macrophage autophagy is unknown. This study mainly explores the roles of XBP1 mRNA splicing in bone marrow-derived macrophage autophagy. The present study shows that the transient overexpression of spliced XBP1 via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer induces autophagy and promotes proliferation in bone marrow-derived macrophages via the down-regulation of Beclin-1, but that the sustained overexpression of spliced XBP1 leads to apoptosis. When XBP1 is down-regulated in bone marrow-derived macrophages using siRNA, rapamycin-induced autophagosome formation is ablated. Furthermore, we have detected the overexpression of XBP1 in areas of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of ApoE−/− mice. These results demonstrate that XBP1 mRNA splicing plays an important role in maintaining the function of bone marrow-derived macrophages and provide new insight into the study and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Expression of beclin-1 in the microenvironment of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: correlation with prognosis and the cancer-stromal interaction.

We examined the pathobiological properties of beclin-1, which is a key regulator of autophagosome formation in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, with a particular focus on the cancer microenvironment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that cancer cells and stromal mesenchymal cells expressed beclin-1 in 68 and 38 of 115 invasive ductal cancers, respectively. Expression of beclin-1 in cancer or stromal cells alone did not correlate with patient prognosis. In contrast, loss of beclin-1 in cancer cells and overexpression in stromal mesenchymal cells was associated with local cancer recurrence, postoperative lymph node metastasis, and a poor disease-free survival rate. A comprehensive gene expression analysis was performed on a co-culture of breast cancer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells, that latter of which either expressed beclin-1 or was depleted of beclin-1 by siRNA. Notably, siRNA-mediated downregulation of beclin-1 in mesenchymal cells co-cultured with breast cancer cells decreased the levels of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, their receptors, and collagen receptors. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that reduction of stromal beclin-1 expression decreased the expression of IL-1β and collagen receptor discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2). Microenvironmental IL-1β is believed to play an important role in tumor invasion. Recent work has also indicated that overexpression of DDR2 contributes to breast cancer invasion and lymph node metastasis. Taken together, these findings indicate beclin-1 expression in the stroma might be important for shaping the breast cancer microenvironment and thus could be a potent molecular target in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Jinmaitong alleviates the diabetic peripheral neuropathy by inducing autophagy.

To observe the deregulation of autophagy in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and investigate whether Jinmaitong ( JMT) alleviates DPN by inducing autophagy. DPN models were established by streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and Schwann cells (SCs) cultured in high glucose medium. The pathological morphology was observed by the improved Bielschowsky's nerve fiber axonal staining and the Luxol fast blue-neutral red myelin staining. The ultrastructure was observed by the transmission electron microscopy. Beclin1 level was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The proliferation of cultured SCs was detected by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide. Diabetic peripheral nerve tissues demonstrated pathological morphology and reduced autophagic structure, accompanied with down-regulation of Beclin1. JMT apparently alleviated the pathological morphology change and increased the autophagy [in vivo, Beclin1 integral optical density (IOD) value of the control group 86.6±17.7, DM 43.9±8.8, JMT 73.3 ±17.8, P<0.01 or P<0.05, in vitro Beclin1 IOD value of the glucose group 0.47±0.25 vs the control group 0.88±0.29, P<0.05]. Consequently, inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent decrease of the proliferation of SCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). Down-regulation of autophagy in SCs might contribute to the pathogenesis of DPN. JMT alleviates diabetic peripheral nerve injury at least in part by inducing autophagy.

Obatoclax induces Beclin 1- and ATG5-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in adenoid cystic carcinoma cells.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common salivary gland cancers. The prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma is poor for its high frequency of distant metastases and insensitivity to chemotherapy or molecular therapies. This study investigated the effect of Obatoclax on adenoid cystic carcinoma cells and its cytotoxic mechanism. Western blot, transmission electron microscopy, and pEGFP-LC3 plasmids transfection were carried out to detect autophagy in ACC cells treated with Obatoclax. 3-MA and RNA interference against Beclin 1 and ATG5 were used to inhibit autophagy. Then we used Western blot and Hochest 33342 staining for apoptosis assessment. Finally, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. We found that Obatoclax induced cytoprotective autophagy which depended on ATG5 and partly on Beclin 1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. Furthermore, pharmacologically inhibiting Obatoclax-induced autophagy promoted apoptosis. Downregulation of Beclin 1 or ATG5 attenuated the cytotoxicity of Obatoclax by suppressing both autophagy and apoptosis. Finally, when apoptosis was pharmacologically inhibited, autophagic cell death was initiated in adenoid cystic carcinoma cells treated with Obatoclax. In summary, Beclin 1 and ATG5 play important roles in regulating both Obatoclax-induced autophagy and apoptosis in adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Shuangshen Ningxin Capsule, a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Preparation, Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia through Autophagy Regulation.

Shuangshen Ningxin capsule (SSNX), a modern Chinese formula, has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases in Eastern Asia. Our study focuses on the autophagy regulation of SSNX against coronary artery injuries. Myocardial infarction model was established in Chinese miniswines (CMS) by coronary artery balloon injury. SSNX was administered to the CMS for 8 weeks with 4 mg/kg or 16 mg/kg. Myocardial cells were incubated with 20% SSNX medicated serum for 2 hours. Assays were performed to detect the effects of SSNX on (i) coronary artery diameter by angiography, (ii) hemodynamics by noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring system, (iii) plaque burden and plaque volume by intravenous ultrasound (iv) coronary artery histology by H&E staining, (v) autophagosome by transmission electron microscopy, (vi) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and (vii) Beclin-1 and LC3-I/II expressions by Western blot. The results showed that CMS treated with SSNX exhibited the correction for the disturbed cardiac hemodynamics, increase of coronary artery diameter, reduction of high plaque burden and plaque volume, and decrease of LDH. The inhibitory effect of SSNX on CMS autophagy was demonstrated by the reduction of autophagosome and the downregulation of beclin-1 and LC3-I/II. SSNX may protect coronary artery and increase the stability of plaque through the suppression of myocardial cellular autophagy, which suggests the potentially therapeutic effect of SSNX on ischemic cardiovascular disease.

Abstract 5509: The role of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase in methotrexate-induced cell death in human squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Refractory cancer cells to initial chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) may cause subsequent disease relapse and distant metastasis. We show that the susceptibility of SCC cancer cells to methotrexate (MTX) was associated with higher expression levels of tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (designated WWOX, FOR or WOX1). Upregulation of WWOX/WOX1 expression by MTX treatment, accompanied by caspase activation and apoptotic cell death, was observed in MTX-sensitive SCC cell lines and tumor biopsies. Ectopically overexpressed WWOX/WOX1 sensitized MTX-resistant SCC-9 cells to MTX-induced apoptosis. Conversely, transient expression of a dominant negative mutant or an siRNA construct targeting WWOX/WOX1 suppressed MTX-mediated cell death in SCC-15 cells. Interestingly, following MTX treatment, significant downregulation of autophagy-related Beclin-1, Atg12-Atg5 and LC3-II protein expression and autophagosome formation was observed in MTX-sensitive SCC-15 cells, while autophagy remained robust in MTX-resistant SCC-9 cells. Increased phosphorylation of mTOR and its downstream substrate p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) was detected in MTX-treated SCC-15 cells, whereas MTX suppressed the autophagy-inhibitory mTOR signaling in SCC-9 cells. We determined that activation of mTOR and p70S6K by MTX treatment in SCC-15 cells was mediated by WWOX/WOX1. Ectopic overexpression of WWOX/WOX1 in SCC cells induced significant downregulation of Beclin-1, Atg12-Atg5 and LC3-II protein expression, and MTX treatment exacerbated their diminution. Suppression of WWOX/WOX1 by lentiviral shRNA prevented MTX-induced reduction in LC3-II expression in SCC-15 cells. Our findings indicate that WWOX/WOX1 renders SCC cells susceptible to MTX-induced apoptosis by dampening autophagy, and the failure to induce WWOX/WOX1 expression leads to chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Li-Jin Hsu. The role of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase in methotrexate-induced cell death in human squamous cell carcinoma. [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 5509. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5509