Human Leukemia Jurkat Cells Research Articles

Norcantharidin preferentially induces apoptosis in human leukemic Jurkat cells without affecting viability of normal blood mononuclear cells

Norcantharidin (NCTD) is known to have anti-cancer potentials. The aim of this study was to assess the apoptosis-inducing effect of NCTD on human leukemic Jurkat cells. We found that NCTD preferentially inhibited the growth of Jurkat cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but not the growth of normal blood mononuclear cells (MNC). Pretreatment with agonistic (CH-11) and antagonistic (ZB4) Fas antibodies on Jurkat cells showed that NCTD-induced apoptosis might not involve Fas–FasL signaling. Flow cytometric assay of Jurkat cells treated with NCTD showed a markedly increased sub-G1 DNA phase and cell cycle arrest at S phase. Western blot analysis of NCTD-treated cells showed increased expressions of cytochrome c, active caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase (PARP), but the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and apoptosis-inducing factor were not increased. The transcription factor STAT1 was translocated from cytosol to nucleus. Pancaspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK not only limited the level of sub-G1 phase, but also prevented the degradation of PARP in NCTD-treated cells. The NCTD-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were mediated through the regulation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), rather than P63 protein. The conditioned medium produced from human MNC (NCTD–MNC-CM) increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and the expression of PARP cleavage in Jurkat cells. Protein array assay of NCTD–MNC-CM showed 32.4- and 6.2-folds increases in TNF-α and GM–CSF, respectively, and the expression of MCP-1, GRO, RANTES and IL-10 was decreased. We conclude that NCTD can induce apoptosis in human leukemic Jurkat cells via a caspase-dependent pathway without affecting the viability of normal MNC, and that the apoptosis-inducing effect of NCTD can also be achieved by soluble cytokines produced from peripheral MNC.

Peltophorum dubium and soybean Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors induce human Jurkat cell apoptosis

Plants constitute an important source of compounds which can induce apoptosis in a variety of cells. Previously, we reported the isolation of a trypsin inhibitor from Peltophorum dubium seeds (PDTI). This inhibitor, as well as soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), both belonging to the Kunitz family, have lectin-like properties and trigger rat lymphoma cell apoptosis. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that PDTI and SBTI induce human leukemia Jurkat cell death. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry after propidium iodide labeling of apoptotic nuclei, showing a considerable increase of the sub G 0/ G 1 fraction, with no cell cycle arrest. With the purpose of gaining insight into the signaling pathways involved, we investigated the activation of caspases and the effect of caspase inhibitors, and showed caspases-3 and -8-like activation by PDTI or SBTI-treatment. Consistent with these results, pan caspase inhibitor and caspase-8 inhibitor protected Jurkat cells from apoptosis. However, there was no caspase-9 activation, confirmed by the failure of caspase-9 inhibitor to prevent cell death. No significant release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was detected suggesting that the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway is not predominant in the apoptotic process. On the other hand, recruitment of Fas-associated death domain (FADD) to the cell membrane indicates the involvement of this adaptor protein in PDTI- and SBTI-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Furthermore, human peripheral lymphocytes, either stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or not, are also susceptible to viability decrease induced by these inhibitors.

Molecular Basis for the Inhibition of Anticancer Agents-induced Apoptosis by Thymidine Phosphorylase

An angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP), stimulates the chemotaxis of endothelial cells and confers resistance to apoptosis induced by hypoxia. 2-Deoxy-D-ribose, a degradation product of thymidine generated by TP enzymatic activity, partially prevented hypoxia-induced apoptosis. TP was expressed at higher levels in tumor tissues compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues in a variety of human carcinomas. High expression of TP is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. To investigate the effect of TP on cisplatin-induced apoptosis, human leukemia Jurkat cells were transfected with wild-type or mutant (L148R) TP cDNA. Jurkat cells transfected with TP cDNA (Jurkat/TP) and mutant TP cDNA (Jurkat/TPMu) expressed high levels of TP, while Jurkat/CV cells which were transfected with a control vector did not express TP. A high TP enzyme activity was detected in Jurkat/TP cells, but not in Jurkat/CV and Jurkat/TPMu cells. Sensitivities to cisplatin of these cells were determined by MTT assay. IC50 values for cisplatin of Jurkat/CV, Jurkat/TP, and Jurkat/TPMu cells were 4.50, 14.08, 13.40 microM, respectively. Jurkat/TP and Jurkat/TPMu cells were about three times more resistant to cisplatin than Jurkat/CV cells. TP inhibited activation of caspase 3, 9 and mitochondrial cytochrome c release induced by cisplatin. These findings suggest a mechanism by which TP confers the resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Moreover, mutant TP that has no enzymatic activity also suppressed the cisplatin-induced apoptosis. These suggest that TP molecules have cytoprotective functions against cytotoxic agents.

12-o-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate prevents baicalein-induced apoptosis via activation of protein kinase C and JNKs in human leukemia cells

In the present study, we found that baicalein (BE), but not its glycoside baicalin (BI), induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 and Jurkat cells, but not in primary murine peritoneal macrophages (PMs) or human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, by the MTT assay, LDH release assay, and flow cytometric analysis. Activation of the caspase 3, but not caspase 1, enzyme via inducing protein processing was detected in BE-induced apoptosis. The ROS-scavenging activity of BE was identified by the anti-DPPH radical, DCHF-DA, and in vitro plasmid digestion assay, and none of chemical antioxidants including allpurinol (ALL), N-acetyl-cystein (NAC), and diphenylene iodonium (DPI) affected BE-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. This suggests that apoptosis induced by BE is independent of the production of ROS in HL-60 cells. Interestingly, the apoptotic events such as DNA ladders formation and activation of the caspase 3 cascade were significantly blocked by TPA addition in the presence of membrane translocation of PKCalpha, and TPA-induced protection was reduced by adding the PKC inhibitors, GF-109203X and staurosporin. TPA addition induces the phosphorylation of JNKs and ERKs, but not p38, protein in HL-60 cells, and incubation of HL-60 cells with JNKs inhibitor SP600125, but not ERKs inhibitor, PD98059 or the p38 inhibitor SB203580, suppressed the protective effect of TPA against BE-induced apoptotic events including DNA ladders, apoptotic bodies, caspase 3 and D4-GDI protein cleavage in according with blocking JNKs protein phosphorylation. In addition, PKC inhibitor GF-109203X treatment blocks TPA-induced ERKs and JNKs protein phosphorylation, which indicates that activation of PKC locates at upstream of MAPKs activation in TPA-treated HL-60 cells. Additionally, a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential with a reduction in Bcl-2 protein expression, the induction of Bad protein phosphorylation, and translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol were observed in BE-treated HL-60 cells, and these events were prevented by the addition of TPA. GF-109203X and SP600125 suppression of TPA against cytochrome c release induced by BE was identified. This suggests that activation of PKC and JNKs participate in TPA's prevention of BE-induced apoptosis via suppressing mitochondrial dysfunction in HL-60 cells.

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 induces death receptor 5 expression through mRNA stabilization independently of PPARγ and potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis

15-Deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), the terminal derivative of the PGJ series, is emerging as a potent antineoplastic agent among cyclopentenone prostaglandins derivatives and also known as the endogenous ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). On the other hand, death receptor 5 (DR5) is a specific receptor for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which is one of the most promising candidates for new cancer therapeutics. Here, we report that 15d-PGJ(2) induces DR5 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, resulting in the synergistic sensitization of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human neoplastic cells, such as Jurkat human leukemia cells or PC3 human prostate cancer cells. 15d-PGJ(2) significantly increased DR5 mRNA stability, whereas it did not activate DR5 promoter activity. Synthetic PPARgamma agonists, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, did not mimic the DR5-inducing effects of 15d-PGJ(2), and a potent PPARgamma inhibitor GW9662 failed to block DR5 induction by 15d-PGJ(2), suggesting PPARgamma-independent mechanisms. Cotreatment with 15d-PGJ(2) and TRAIL enhanced the sequential activation of caspase-8, caspase-10, caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bid. DR5/Fc chimera protein, zVAD-fmk pancaspase inhibitor, and caspase-8 inhibitor efficiently blocked the activation of these apoptotic signal mediators and the induction of apoptotic cell death enhanced by cotreatment with 15d-PGJ(2) and TRAIL. Moreover, a double-stranded small interfering RNA targeting DR5 gene, which suppressed DR5 up-regulation by 15d-PGJ(2), significantly attenuated apoptosis induced by cotreatment with 15d-PGJ(2) and TRAIL. These results suggest that 15d-PGJ(2) is a potent sensitizer of TRAIL-mediated cancer therapeutics through DR5 up-regulation.

Differential Targets and Subcellular Localization of Antitumor Alkyl-lysophospholipid in Leukemic Versus Solid Tumor Cells

Synthetic alkyl-lysophospholipids represent a family of promising anticancer drugs that induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. Here we have found a differential subcellular distribution of the alkyl-lysophospholipid edelfosine in leukemic and solid tumor cells that leads to distinct anticancer responses. Edelfosine induced rapid apoptosis in human leukemic cells, including acute T-cell leukemia Jurkat and Peer cells, but promoted a late apoptotic response, preceded by G(2)/M arrest, in human solid tumor cells such as cervix epitheloid carcinoma HeLa cells and lung carcinoma A549 cells. c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and caspase-3 were accordingly activated at earlier times in edelfosine-treated Jurkat cells as compared with drug-treated HeLa cells. Both leukemic and solid tumor cells took up this alkyl-lysophospholipid and expressed the two putative edelfosine targets, namely cell surface Fas death receptor (also known as APO-1 or CD95) and endoplasmic reticulum CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. However, edelfosine was mainly located to plasma membrane lipid rafts in Jurkat and Peer leukemic cells and to endoplasmic reticulum in solid tumor HeLa and A549 cells. Edelfosine induced translocation of Fas, Fas-associated death domain-containing protein, and JNK into membrane rafts in Jurkat cells, but not in HeLa cells. In contrast, edelfosine inhibited phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in both HeLa and A549 cells, but not in Jurkat or Peer leukemic cells, before the triggering of apoptosis. These data indicate that edelfosine targets two different subcellular structures in a cell type-dependent manner, namely cell surface lipid rafts in leukemic cells and endoplasmic reticulum in solid tumor cells.

Caspase-dependent and -independent cell death of Jurkat human leukemia cells induced by novel synthetic ceramide analogs

Ceramide metabolism has emerged as a potential target for anticancer therapy. Here, the potential usefulness of two novel synthetic ceramide analogs as anti-leukemic drugs was investigated. Compounds AD2646 and AD2687 were able to dose-and time-dependently decrease the viability of Jurkat leukemic cells. This was accompanied by an accumulation of endogenous ceramide owing to perturbed ceramide metabolism. Cytotoxicity involved caspase activation but also necrotic-like features, as evidenced by phosphatidylserine externalization, membrane permeability, hypodiploidy, caspase processing and only partial protection from cell death by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Ceramide analogs also induced cell death in Jurkat mutants that are deficient in cell death signaling proteins, including FADD, caspase-8 and 10, and RIP. While overexpression of Bcl-xL did not suppress ceramide accumulation, it conferred robust protection from caspase activation and cell death. Altogether, these novel ceramide analogs are able to kill leukemic cells through distinct pathways implicating caspase activation and mitochondrial events, and represent a new group of bioactive molecules with potential applications in anticancer therapy.

TRAIL gene reorganizes the cytoskeleton and decreases the motility of human leukemic Jurkat cells

TRAIL can selectively induce rapid apoptosis of various types of tumor cells. We induced the expression of TRAIL in Jurkat cells, and measured the adhesion of cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and laminin (LN) in a parallel plate flow chamber system and by using a colorimetric method. The apoptosis percentage, cycle distribution, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, and adhesion molecule expression of the cells were detected by flow cytometry. Cytoskeleton was observed with a laser confocal microscopy. The roles of adhesion molecules in the cell interaction was defined by their function blocking. The results showed that TRAIL attenuated the adhesion of Jurkat cells to HUVECs and LN, as well as their transendothelial migration. The increased apoptosis and G1-phase cell percentages, decreased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, depolymerized actin and impaired cell deformability could contribute to the decreased adhesion of Jurkat cells caused by TRAIL. Furthermore, CD11a was found to play a more important role than CD62L in the adhesion of Jurkat cells to HUVECs. These findings contribute to the knowledge on the role of TRAIL in tumor metastasis and provide mechanistic basis for the clinical application of TRAIL and tumor therapy.

Cytoskeleton-mediated Death Receptor and Ligand Concentration in Lipid Rafts Forms Apoptosis-promoting Clusters in Cancer Chemotherapy

While investigating the mechanism of action of the novel antitumor drug Aplidin, we have discovered a potent and novel cell-killing mechanism that involves the formation of Fas/CD95-driven scaffolds in membrane raft clusters housing death receptors and apoptosis-related molecules. Fas, tumor necrosis factor-receptor 1, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2/death receptor 5 were clustered into lipid rafts in leukemic Jurkat cells following Aplidin treatment, the presence of Fas being essential for apoptosis. Preformed membrane-bound Fas ligand (FasL) as well as downstream signaling molecules, including Fas-associated death domain-containing protein, procaspase-8, procaspase-10, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, and Bid, were also translocated into lipid rafts, connecting death receptor extrinsic and mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Blocking Fas/FasL interaction partially inhibited Aplidin-induced apoptosis. Aplidin was rapidly incorporated into membrane rafts, and drug uptake was inhibited by lipid raft disruption. Actin-linking proteins ezrin, moesin, RhoA, and RhoGDI were conveyed into Fas-enriched rafts in drug-treated leukemic cells. Disruption of lipid rafts and interference with actin cytoskeleton prevented Fas clustering and apoptosis. Thus, Aplidin-induced apoptosis involves Fas activation in both a FasL-independent way and, following Fas/FasL interaction, an autocrine way through the concentration of Fas, membrane-bound FasL, and signaling molecules in membrane rafts. These data indicate a major role of actin cytoskeleton in the formation of Fas caps and highlight the crucial role of the clusters of apoptotic signaling molecule-enriched rafts in apoptosis, acting as concentrators of death receptors and downstream signaling molecules and as the linchpin from which a potent death signal is launched.

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induces apoptosis through activation of Bax in hematopoietic cells

This study explores the roles of Bax and other Bcl-2 family members play in arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3))-induced apoptosis. We showed that As(2)O(3) treatment triggered Bax conformational change and subsequent translocation from cytosol to mitochondria to form various multimeric homo-oligomers in IM-9 cells. On the other hand, human leukemic Jurkat cells deficient in Bax showed dramatically reduced apoptosis in response to As(2)O(3). Stable overexpression of Bcl-2 in IM-9 cells (IM-9/Bcl-2) inhibited As(2)O(3)-mediated Bax activation and apoptosis, and this inhibition could be partially averted by cell-permeable Bid-Bcl-2 homology (BH)3 peptide. Meanwhile, Bax conformational change and oligomerization induced by As(2)O(3) were not inhibited by the pancaspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk, although Bid cleavage could be completely abolished. Bax activation by As(2)O(3) seemed to require stress-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), since the ROS scavengers (N-acetyl-L-cysteine and lipoic acid) could completely block the conformational change and translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria. These data suggest that As(2)O(3) might exert the cell killing in part by inducing Bax activation through a Bcl-2-suppressible pathway in hematopoietic cells that is caspase independent and intracellular ROS regulated.

Xanthoangelol, a Major Chalcone Constituent of Angelica keiskei, Induces Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma and Leukemia Cells

Xanthoangelol, a major chalcone constituent of the stem exudates of Angelica keiskei, was evaluated for cell toxicity and apoptosis-inducing activity in human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) and leukemia (Jurkat) cells. Xanthoangelol concentration-dependently reduced the survival rates of both cell lines as revealed by the trypan blue exclusion test. Early apoptosis induced by 4 h incubation with xanthoangelol was detected using flow cytometry after double-staining with annexin V and propidium iodide (PI). Western blot analysis showed that xanthoangelol markedly reduced the level of precursor caspase-3 and increased the level of cleaved caspase-3, but Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were not affected. These results suggest that xanthoangelol induces apoptotic cell death by activatation of caspase-3 in neuroblastoma and leukemia cells through a mechanism that does not involve Bax/Bcl-2 signal transduction. Therefore, xanthoangelol may be applicable as an effective drug for treatment of neuroblastoma and leukemia.

N-Acetylphytosphingosine Enhances the Radiosensitivity of Tumor Cells by Increasing Apoptosis

Ceramides are well-known second messengers which mediate apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation in mammalian cells, but the physiological roles of phytosphingosines are poorly understood. We hypothesized that one of the phytosphingosine derivatives, N-acetylphytosphingosine (NAPS) can induce apoptosis in human leukemia Jurkat cell line and increase apoptosis in irradiated MDA-MB-231 cells. We first examined the effect of NAPS on apoptosis of Jurkat cells. NAPS had a more rapid and stronger apoptotic effect than C2-ceramide in Jurkat cells and significant increase of apoptosis was observed at 3 h after treatment. In contrast, the apoptosis induced by C2-ceramide was observed only after 16 h of treatment. NAPS induced apoptosis was mediated by caspase 3 and 8 activation and inhibited by z-VAD-fmk. Ceramide plays a pivotal role in radiation induced apoptosis. We postulated that exogenous treatment of NAPS sensitizes tumor cells to ionizing radiation, since NAPS might be used as a more effective alternative to C2-ceramide. As expected, NAPS decreased clonogenic survival of irradiated MDA-MB-231 cells dose dependently, and apoptosis of irradiated cells in the presence of NAPS was increased through the caspase activation. Taken together, NAPS is an effective apoptosis-inducing agent, which can be readily synthesized from yeast sources, and is a potent alternative to ceramide for the further study of ceramide associated signaling and the development of radiosensitizing agent.

Signaling Mechanisms of Anti-Proliferation by Sphingosine 1-Phoshate(S1P) on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia(APL) Cell Lines.

There is abundant evidence that S1P can function as a second messenger important for regulation of calcium homeostasis, cell growth, and suppression of apoptosis. In many cases, the intracellular level of S1P and ceramide, another important sphingolipid metabolite associated with cell death and cell growth arrest, coordinately determine cell fate. N, N-dimethylsphingosine(DMS) potentiates TNF- and FasL- induced apoptosis in the human acute leukemia jurkat, U937 and HL-60 cell line, which suggests that combining DMS with cytotoxic drugs might be a useful chemotherapeutic approach. In this study, we investigated the role of S1P on proliferation, survival and its signaling mechanisms on the NB4 cell, the human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, which has chromosomal abnormality, t(15:17). NB4 cells were exposed to S1P at various concentrations (1, 5, 10 μM) for 48 hours, and then the cell growth was determined by MTT assay. We studied whether NB4 cells have S1P receptors or not. To investigate the signaling mechanisms of S1P on the NB4 cell, we used MAP kinase inhibitors and a PI3K inhibitor including PD98059, U0126 (specific ERK pathway inhibitor), SB203580 (specific p38 pathway inhibitor), and LY294002 (specific PI3K pathway inhibitor). We also examined the effect of pertussis toxin (PTX), a Gi protein inhibitor, on the proliferation of NB4 cells after S1P treatment.RT-PCR analysis revealed a putative S1P receptor, Edg-3 mRNA expressed in NB4 cells. In the MTT assay, S1P inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. At 10 μM, NB4 cell proliferation was most inhibited. In addition, we found that the inhibitory effect of S1P on the NB4 cell proliferation was inhibited by PD98059, U0126, and PTX. However, SB203580 and LY294002 had not caused an inhibitory effect of S1P on the NB4 cell proliferation.In contrast to previous knowledge that S1P increases the survival of leukemic cells because apoptosis is prevented by caspase inactivation, our data suggests that S1P inhibits NB4 cell proliferation, through ERK pathway activation, not p38 nor JNK pathways. In addition, the pertussis toxin(PTX)-sensitive GTP-binding protein-coupled receptor, Edg-3, seems to be involved in the antiproliferative signaling of S1P to the NB4 cell.Understanding the signaling mechanisms of anti-proliferation by S1P can uncover new therapeutic targets for APL and the results of this study warrant further investigation on synergism of S1P with known therapeutic agent, ATRA and Arsenic trioxide on APL cells.

559 The novel DNA cross-linking agent SJG-136 (NSC 694501) exhibits potent, selective and p53-independent cytotoxicity in human chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells

Epigenetic changes provide a frequent mechanism for transcriptional silencing of genes in cancer cells. We previously established that epigenetic mechanisms are important for control of group IIA phospholipase A2 (PLA2G2A) gene transcription in human DU-145 prostate cells. In this study, we analyzed the involvement of such mechanisms in the regulation of five sPLA2 isozymes and the M-type receptor of sPLA2 (sPLA2-R) in human leukemic Jurkat cells. These cells constitutively expressed sPLA2-IB, sPLA2-III, sPLA2-X, and sPLA2-R but not sPLA2-IIA and sPLA2-V. Transcription of sPLA2-IIA and sPLA2-V was, however, detected after exposure of cells to the DNA demethylating agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). Expression of sPLA2-IIA was further enhanced by additional exposure to interferon-γ and blocked by inhibitors of specificity protein 1, nuclear factor κB, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription-dependent pathways. Sequence analysis and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction of bisulfite-modified genomic DNA revealed two 5′-CpG sites (-111 and -82) in the sPLA2-IIA proximal promoter that were demethylated after 5-aza-dC treatment. These sites may be involved in the DNA binding of specificity protein 1 and other transcription factors. Similar findings after treatment of human U937 leukemia cells with 5-aza-dC indicate that this mechanism of PLA2G2A gene silencing is not restricted to Jurkat and DU-145 cells. These data establish that regulation of sPLA2-IIA and sPLA2-V in Jurkat and other cells involves epigenetic silencing by DNA hypermethylation.

Transcriptional activation of gammaherpesviral oncogene promoters by the hepatitis B viral X protein (HBx).

The latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), saimiri transformation protein (STP) of Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), and K1 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are potent gammaherpesvirus oncogenes. To study the possible effects of double viral infection, we investigated the effects of oncogenic early proteins of DNA viruses E1A and E1B (adenovirus-5), E6 and E7 (human papillomavirus-16), HBx (hepatitis B virus), Tag (SV40), and gammaherpesviral oncogene during co-infection in human B-lymphoma (Ramos) and human T-cell leukemia (Jurkat) cell lines. HBx transactivated the promoters of LMP1, STP, and K1 the most, by about six-, three-, and twofold, respectively. Analyses of site-directed mutation and the heterologous promoter system showed that HBx activated the promoter activity of these genes via the NF-kappaB site. These results suggest that HBV (HBx) infection of cells previously infected by gammaherpesviruses transactivates their oncogenes, resulting in possible virus-related disease pathogenesis.

GP7 can induce apoptotic DNA fragmentation of human leukemia cells through caspase-3-dependent and -independent pathways

GP7 (4-[4"-(2",2",6",6"-tetramethyl-l"-piperidinyloxy)amino]-4'-demethyl epipodophyllotoxin), a new spin-labeled derivative of podophyllotoxin, is a promising anticancer drug of podophyllotoxin class. The primary effect of GP7 is the anticancer activity on transplanted mouse tumors and cultured tumor cells. However, its molecular mechanism of action is still obscure. In this study, we investigated the activity of GP7 to induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 and Jurkat cells. Apoptosis was determined by detection of DNA fragmentation in agarose gel electrophoresis. GP7 induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation of HL-60 and Jurkat cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. We further investigated the activity of caspase-3 in GP7-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation of HL-60 and Jurkat cells. GP7 also induced time- and dose-dependent caspase-3 activation in both cell lines, and the kinetics of caspase-3 activation induced by GP7 was well correlated with that of apoptotic DNA fragmentation. To determine the role of caspase-3 in GP7-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation, we examined the effect of specific caspase-3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, on GP7-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Ac-DEVD-CHO prevented GP7-induced caspase-3 activation in both HL-60 and Jurkat cells, however, it only inhibited GP7-induced apoptotic internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. We then employed L-carnitine to investigate the role of caspase-3 in GP7-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation. L-carnitine treatment prevented GP7-induced caspase-3 activation in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Similar to Ac-DEVD-CHO, L-carnitine only inhibited GP7-induced apoptotic internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. These findings suggest that GP7 exerts an anti-leukemic effect by both caspase-3-dependent and -independent apoptotic signaling pathways.

Cellular radiosensitivity and cell-type-specific activation of apoptosis signaling pathways

We have examined the cell-type-dependent sensitivity to UV-induced apoptosis using mouse lymphoma 3SB and human leukemic Jurkat cells and three human carcinoma cell lines (HeLa S3, HeLa SC and MCF-7). Exposure of 3SB and Jurkat cells resulted in large amounts of cytochrome c being released into the cytosol, and a clear laddering pattern of DNA fragments and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis were detected within 3 h of incubation after irradiation. HeLa S3, HeLa SC and MCF-7 cells also showed extensive release of cytochrome c at 4–6 h after exposure, but apoptotic morphologic changes appeared much later. Similar differences in induction of apoptosis after γ irradiation were observed between two kinds of cells. Interestingly, 3SB cells that express wild-type p53 protein showed a steep increase in number of apoptotic cells when irradiated with low doses of γ-rays, and the dose response of apoptosis induction was not influenced by radiation dose rate. This result suggests that signaling for radiation-induced apoptosis in hematopoietic cells showing rapid apoptosis can be triggered by initial DNA damage, and not determined by DNA repair.

N-desulfated heparin improves concanavalin A-induced liver injury partly through inhibiting T lymphocyte adhesion.

To examine the effect of N-desulfated heparin on Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury and its mechanisms of action. Liver injury was induced in mice by Con A. The in vitro assays for examining the adhesions of spleen T lymphocytes and Jurkat cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) were also performed. N-desulfated heparin significantly inhibited the elevation in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activities in serum, and recovered the superoxide dismutase activity in the liver tissue of mice with liver injury. In liver histological examination, the inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte degeneration and Kupffer cell hyperplasia were remarkably improved by N-desulfated heparin. Multiple administrations of the heparin derivative for one day showed a more potent prevention of the liver injury than did single dosing for three days. N-desulfated heparin significantly inhibited the adhesion of spleen cells and purified T lymphocytes isolated from the liver injured mice to either type I collagen or fibronectin but not to laminin. The heparin derivative also showed a similar inhibition of the adhesion of spleen cells from normal mice, stimulated in vitro with Con A, whereas it did not affect their proliferation. Moreover, the adhesion of human leukemia Jurkat cells to collagen I was inhibited by N-desulfated heparin. N-desulfated heparin may improve immunological liver injury partly via reducing the functions, such as the adhesion to ECM, of T lymphocytes.

Activation of caspases-3/7 is dispensable for idarubicin-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation in human leukemia cells

Idarubicin (IDA) is a 4-demethoxy-anthracycline analogue of daunorubicin (DNR). IDA has been recognized as a potent anti-leukemic agent. However, the molecular mechanism of IDA-induced cell death remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the activity of IDA to induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 and Jurkat cells, and studied its relationship with activation of caspases-3/7. IDA induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The kinetics of apoptotic DNA fragmentation induced by IDA was well correlated with that of caspase-3/7 activation. We examined the effect of caspase-3/7 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO on IDA-induced apoptosis in HL-60 and Jurkat cells. Ac-DEVD-CHO abolished IDA-induced caspases-3/7 activation in both cell lines. We have also found that L-carnitine can inhibit recombinant caspase-3 activity in vitro. L-carnitine treatment prevented IDA-induced caspases-3/7 activation in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. However, neither Ac-DEVD-CHO nor L-carnitine inhibited IDA-induced apoptotic internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 or Jurkat cells. These data suggest that caspase-3/7 may be dispensable for idarubicin-induced internucleosomal DNA cleavage during apoptosis in human leukemia cells.

Thymidine phosphorylase inhibits apoptosis induced by cisplatin

An angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP), stimulates the chemotaxis of endothelial cells and confers resistance to apoptosis induced by hypoxia. 2-Deoxy- d-ribose, a degradation product of thymidine generated by TP, partially prevents hypoxia-induced apoptosis. TP is expressed at higher levels in tumor tissues compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues in a variety of human carcinomas. High expression of TP is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. To investigate the effect of TP on cisplatin-induced apoptosis, human leukemia Jurkat cells were transfected with wild-type or mutant (L148R) TP cDNA. TP inhibited a number of steps in the cisplatin-induced apoptotic pathway, activation of caspases 3 and 9 and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These findings suggest a mechanism by which TP confers resistance to apoptosis induced by cisplatin. Moreover, mutant TP that has no enzymatic activity also suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that TP has cytoprotective functions against cytotoxic agents which are independent of its enzymatic activity.