IRE1 Pathways Research Articles

Palmitate increases musclin gene expression through activation of PERK signaling pathway in C2C12 myotubes

Musclin is a type of muscle-secreted cytokine and its increased gene expression induces insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism underlying increased musclin gene expression is currently unclear. Excessive saturated fatty acids (SFA) can activate the secretion of several muscle-secreted cytokines as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway, thereby contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the effect of palmitate, the most abundant SFA in the plasma, on the gene expression of musclin in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes with palmitate or tunicamycin significantly increased the expression of musclin as well as ER stress-related genes, but treatment with oleate did not. Pre-treatment of C2C12 myotubes with 4-phenyl butyrate suppressed the expression of ER stress-related genes, simultaneously, resulting in decreased expression of the musclin gene induced by palmitate or tunicamycin. These results indicate that ER stress is related to palmitate-induced musclin gene expression. Moreover, palmitate-induced musclin gene expression was significantly inhibited in C2C12 myotubes when PERK pathway signaling was suppressed by knockdown of the PERK gene or treatment with GSK2656157, a PERK autophosphorylation inhibitor. However, there was no difference in the palmitate-induced musclin gene expression when IRE1 and ATF6 signaling pathways were suppressed by knockdown of the IRE1 and ATF6 genes. These findings suggest that palmitate increases musclin gene expression via the activation of the PERK signaling pathway in C2C12 myotubes.

P10.17 Inhibition of herpes simplex virus 1 (hsv-1) replication by inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (ire1) pathway

Introduction Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays important roles in viral replication. Massive viral proteins entering the ER can trigger ER stress. The ER stress is marked by the activation of a series of signalling pathways, called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which consists of three distinct, yet related, signal pathways, PERK, IRE1 and ATF6. The PRKR-like ER kinase (PERK) signalling branch has been the focus of investigation on its roles during HSV gene expression. In contrast, there have been little studies on roles of the IRE1 branch of the UPR on HSV replication. Methods Western blot, RT-PCR, RNA interference and in cell western method were used in the study. Results We showed that HSV-1 replication was inhibited by the phosphorylation of the IRE1 (p-IRE1) pathway. We also detected the mRNA expression of spliced X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1 s ), which was activated by p-IRE1. IRE1 mRNA was upregulated by viral infection, but XBP1 s was not affected, which indicated that viral replication is not associated with spliced XBP1 signal pathway. It is known that cJUN NH2-terminal kinases JNK [JNKs; also known as stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs)] is another downstream component of IRE1 and JNK is known to be activated by infected cell polypeptide 0 (ICP0), the immediate early protein of HSV-1. Our results revealed that the JNK activation was attenuated following the IRE1 inactivation. Inhibition of ire1 function by RNA interference (siRNA) could block the viral replication and JNK activation, suggesting that IRE1 pathway is required for facilitating viral gene expression and the inhibition of IRE1 activation blocks viral replication. Conclusion The identification of roles of the IRE1 branch of ER stress in HSV-1 replication will provide new insight to the HSV-1 pathogenesis and may lead to new therapeutic targets. Disclosure of interest statement No conflict of interest in the development of this study.

Abstract 3323: Radiation-induced ER stress contributes to survival in glioblastoma cell lines

Abstract Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults in the United States. While the standard of care for afflicted patients has evolved to include surgery, ionizing radiation (IR) and temozolomide chemotherapy, the prognoses of these patients remain dismal. With the median survival of glioblastoma patients remaining in the range of 12-15 months, there is an unmet need for approaches that can overcome the inherent therapeutic resistance of these tumors. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that IR can activate pro-survival signaling that may facilitate adaptation to therapy and the development of radio-resistance. The endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERSR) is a conserved program known to be deregulated in cancer and can mediate pro-survival signaling in the context of therapy. The ATF6, IRE1 and PERK pathways of the ERSR are known to be important mediators in the initiation of this signaling. In this research, we show for the first time that IR, a key component in glioblastoma therapy, can induce genes downstream of ATF6, IRE1 and PERK in glioblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, we identify the ATF6 and PERK-eIF2a-ATF4 pathways as important contributors to the radiation-response in glioblastoma. Our study began with the observation of protein and mRNA induction of targets associated with the ERSR in irradiated glioblastoma cell lines. In addition to ATF6 target genes, we observed robust induction of PERK target genes 48h after 6 Gy IR. This induction of PERK target genes was accompanied with increased phosphorylation of eIF2a in a time and dose-dependent manner. To evaluate the requirement of PERK for radiation-induced eIF2a phosphorylation, we used a specific inhibitor of PERK - GSK2606414, and found that PERK inhibition was sufficient to prevent radiation-induced eIF2a phosphorylation. We also analyzed expression of several genes downstream of PERK after treatment with GSK2606414, and found that PERK inhibition lead to 70-80% reduction in radiation-induction of downstream genes. Since ATF4 is downstream of PERK-eIF2a, we examined ATF4 expression in irradiated glioblastoma and found that it was also induced by radiation. Using RNA-interference, we found that knockdown of ATF4 reduced proliferation and clonogenic survival by 50%, and resulted in 38% increase in PARP cleavage in irradiated glioblastoma. We observed similar trends when we knocked down ATF6, suggesting that multiple aspects of the ERSR can contribute to the radiation response in glioblastoma. These results indicate that IR-induced activation of ER-stress signaling through PERK and ATF6 contributes to adaptive survival mechanisms in glioblastoma. Further characterization of the mechanism by which ATF6 and ATF4 mediate cell survival after irradiation may reveal novel targets for the enhancement of radiotherapy for glioblastoma. Citation Format: David Dadey, Vaishali Kapoor, Arpine Khudanyan, Dinesh Thotala, Dennis Hallahan. Radiation-induced ER stress contributes to survival in glioblastoma cell lines. [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 3323. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3323

The Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Sensor Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1α Augments Bacterial Killing through Sustained Oxidant Production.

ABSTRACTBacterial infection can trigger cellular stress programs, such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), which occurs when misfolded proteins accumulate within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we used the human pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as an infection model to probe how ER stress promotes antimicrobial function. MRSA infection activated the most highly conserved unfolded protein response sensor, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), which was necessary for robust bacterial killing in vitro and in vivo. The macrophage IRE1-dependent bactericidal activity required reactive oxygen species (ROS). Viable MRSA cells excluded ROS from the nascent phagosome and strongly triggered IRE1 activation, leading to sustained generation of ROS that were largely Nox2 independent. In contrast, dead MRSA showed early colocalization with ROS but was a poor activator of IRE1 and did not trigger sustained ROS generation. The global ROS stimulated by IRE1 signaling was necessary, but not sufficient, for MRSA killing, which also required the ER resident SNARE Sec22B for accumulation of ROS in the phagosomal compartment. Taken together, these results suggest that IRE1-mediated persistent ROS generation might act as a fail-safe mechanism to kill bacterial pathogens that evade the initial macrophage oxidative burst.

Avarol induces apoptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by activating PERK-eIF2α-CHOP signaling.

Avarol is a sesquiterpenoid hydroquinone with potent cytotoxicity. Although resolving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is essential for intracellular homeostasis, erratic or excessive ER stress can lead to apoptosis. Here, we reported that avarol selectively induces cell death in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), which are difficult to treat owing to the availability of few chemotherapeutic agents. Analyses of the molecular mechanisms of avarol-induced apoptosis indicated upregulation of ER stress marker BiP and ER stress-dependent apoptosis inducer CHOP in PDAC cells but not in normal cells, suggesting that avarol selectively induces ER stress responses. We also showed that avarol activated the PERK–eIF2α pathway but did not affect the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways. Moreover, CHOP downregulation was significantly suppressed by avarol-induced apoptosis. Thus, the PERK–eIF2α–CHOP signaling pathway may be a novel molecular mechanism of avarol-induced apoptosis. The present data indicate that avarol has potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for PDAC and induces apoptosis by activating the PERK–eIF2α pathway.

Yip1A, a novel host factor for the activation of the IRE1 pathway of the unfolded protein response during Brucella infection.

Brucella species replicate within host cells in the form of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived vacuoles. The mechanisms by which the bacteria are sequestered into such vacuoles and obtain a continuous membrane supply for their replication remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we provided several lines of evidence that demonstrate the mechanism by which B. abortus acquires the ER-derived membrane. First, during Brucella infection, the IRE1 pathway, but not the PERK and ATF6 pathways, of the unfolded protein response (UPR) was activated in a time-dependent manner, and the COPII vesicle components Sar1, Sec23, and Sec24D were upregulated. Second, a marked accretion of ER-derived vacuoles was observed around replicating bacteria using fluorescent microscopy and electron microscopy. Third, we identified a novel host factor, Yip1A, for the activation of the IRE1 pathway in response to both tunicamycin treatment and infection with B. abortus. We found that Yip1A is responsible for the phosphorylation of IRE1 through high-order assembly of Ire1 molecules at ER exit sites (ERES) under the UPR conditions. In Yip1A-knockdown cells, B. abortus failed to generate the ER-derived vacuoles, and remained in endosomal/lysosomal compartments. These results indicate that the activation of the IRE1 pathway and the subsequent formation of ER-derived vacuoles are critical for B. abortus to establish a safe replication niche, and that Yip1A is indispensable for these processes. Furthermore, we showed that the autophagy-related proteins Atg9 and WIPI1, but not DFCP1, were required for the biogenesis of the ER-derived membrane compartments. On the basis of our findings, we propose a model for intracellular Brucella replication that exploits the host UPR and ER-derived vacuole formation machineries, both of which depend on Yip1A-mediated IRE1 activation.

Exclusion of the unfolded protein response in light-induced retinal degeneration in the canine T4R RHO model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

PurposeTo examine the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) following acute light damage in the naturally-occurring canine model of RHO-adRP (T4R RHO dog).MethodsThe left eyes of T4R RHO dogs were briefly light-exposed and retinas collected 3, 6 and 24 hours later. The contra-lateral eyes were shielded and used as controls. To evaluate the time course of cell death, histology and TUNEL assays were performed. Electron microscopy was used to examine ultrastructural alterations in photoreceptors at 15 min, 1 hour, and 6 hours after light exposure. Gene expression of markers of ER stress and UPR were assessed by RT-PCR, qRT-PCR and western blot at the 6 hour time-point. Calpain and caspase-3 activation were assessed at 1, 3 and 6 hours after exposure.ResultsA brief exposure to clinically-relevant levels of white light causes within minutes acute disruption of the rod outer segment disc membranes, followed by prominent ultrastructural alterations in the inner segments and the initiation of cell death by 6 hours. Activation of the PERK and IRE1 pathways, and downstream targets (BIP, CHOP) of the UPR was not observed. However increased transcription of caspase-12 and hsp70 occurred, as well as calpain activation, but not that of caspase-3.ConclusionThe UPR is not activated in the early phase of light-induced photoreceptor cell death in the T4R RHO model. Instead, disruption in rods of disc and plasma membranes within minutes after light exposure followed by increase in calpain activity and caspase-12 expression suggests a different mechanism of degeneration.

NADPH Oxidase-Dependent Production of Reactive Oxygen Species Induces Endoplasmatic Reticulum Stress in Neutrophil-Like HL60 Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily produced via NADPH oxidase play an important role for killing microorganisms in neutrophils. In this study we examined if ROS production in Human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) differentiated into neutrophil-like cells (dHL60) induces ER stress and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). To cause ROS production cells were treated with PMA or by chronic hyperglycemia. Chronic hyperglycemia failed to induce ROS production and did not cause activation of the UPR in dHL60 cells. PMA, a pharmacologic NADPH oxidase activator, induced ER stress in dHL60 cells as monitored by IRE-1 and PERK pathway activation, and this was independent of calcium signaling. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor, DPI, abolished both ROS production and UPR activation. These results show that ROS produced by NADPH oxidase induces ER stress and suggests a close association between the redox state of the cell and the activation of the UPR in neutrophil-like HL60 cells.

Development and Characterization of Two Lymphoma Cell Lines Resistant to the Selective HDAC6 Inhibitor Ricolinostat (ACY-1215) As a Tool to Better Understand the Biology of HDACs on Lymphoma

Abstract Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors possess marked activity in lymphoma and induce pleiotropic effects. HDAC6 is cytoplasmic and binds polyubiquitinated misfolded proteins to facilitate their transport to the aggresome for proteasome-independent degradation. The aggresome is a key outlet for the unfolded protein response (UPR), a quality control mechanism that promotes survival during endoplasmic reticulum stress and signals CHOP (C/EBP-homologous protein) mediated apoptosis when homeostasis cannot be reestablished. To better understand the discrete function of HDAC6 and its role in lymphoma, we developed two lymphoma cell lines to be resistant to the selective HDAC6 inhibitor ricolinostat (Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, Inc). Ricolinostat has demonstrated activity in preclinical models of multiple myeloma and lymphoma and is currently being studied in the clinical setting for both of these entities (clinicaltrials.gov identifiers NCT02091063, NCT01323751, NCT01997840 and NCT01583283). The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line, OCI-Ly10, and the T-cell lymphoma cell line, H9, were cultured in increasing concentrations of ricolinostat over time. Systematic incremental increase in drug concentration exposure led to the development of distinct cell lines with IC50 values 10-20 fold greater than that for parental lines (P). The resistant (R) R-Ly10 achieved an IC50 of 20 µM compared to P-Ly10 of 0.9 µM while the R-H9 achieved an IC50 of 20 µM compared to P-H9 IC50 of 1.2 µM at 48 hrs. Resistance was maintained after repeated passages for >1 month. Resistance was not conferred by up-regulation of efflux pumps as determined by co-exposure with verapamil which did not increase the sensitivity to ricolinostat. Interestingly the R-Ly10 was also resistant to vorinostat which strongly inhibits HDAC6 (R-Ly10 IC50 7 µM vs P-Ly10 IC50 2 µM), and sensitive to romidepsin which is known to predominantly inhibit HDAC1, 2, and 3 with minimal activity against HDAC6 (R-Ly10 IC50 5.2 nM vs P-Ly10 IC50 4.5 nM). In addition, treatment of R-Ly10 with bortezomib demonstrated intermediate activity underscoring the concept that although the drug targets are vastly different, both drugs mechanism converge on the processing of misfolded proteins (R-Ly10 IC50 4.5 nM vs P-Ly10 IC50 3.3 nM). Compared to parental cells, resistant cells did not depolarize the mitochondrial membrane following treatment with ricolinostat 2.5 µM. However, there was no difference in the BH3 profiles of the R- and P-cell lines. R-Ly10 displayed increased protein expression of tubulin and down-regulation of HDAC6 as detected by immunoblotting. The resistant cells also displayed down-regulation of GRP78, the master regulator of the UPR, with concomitant up-regulation of both the PERK and IRE-1 pathways leading to up-regulation of p-eIF2α, ATF4, JNK3 and XBP-1. Additionally, p-AKT and total AKT were more highly expressed in the resistant line compared to the parental. Gene expression profiling was performed on R-Ly10 and compared to P-Ly10 and results were analyzed by GSEA and gene cluster analysis. There were 931 genes significantly up-regulated and 391 genes significantly down-regulated (p<0.05). Genes of interest in the resistant line include up-regulation of JNK3, IKZF2, HDAC9 and FYN, as well as down-regulation of SH3BP5 and LCK. The change in expression was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Given the up-regulation of FYN, a tyrosine kinase in the B-cell receptor pathway, and down-regulation of SH3BP5 a negative regulator of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase, R-OCI-Ly10 cells were treated with ibrutinib and compared to the parental line. Treatment with ibrutinib 0.1 µM was able to overcome resistance resulting in 70% viability in R-Ly10 compared to 64% in P-Ly10 at 72 hr. P-Ly10 cells treated with ibrutinib in combination with ricolinostat demonstrated synergy with RRR=0.46 (where RRR<1 connotes synergy) after 96 hr exposure to ibrutinib and 48 hr exposure to ricolinostat. The development of these ricolinostat resistant cell lines has proven to be a powerful tool to better understand the mechanistic role of HDAC6 in lymphoma and may potentially lead to the identification of biomarkers of response or resistance. It has also been useful in guiding rational drug partners that target complimentary pathways. Further characterization of the cell lines is underway. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Amengual: Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, INC: Research Funding. Off Label Use: ACY-1215 is not approved for the treatment of lymphoma..

ERβ decreases breast cancer cell survival by regulating the IRE1/XBP-1 pathway.

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive reaction that allows cancer cells to survive endoplasmic reticulum (EnR) stress that is often induced in the tumor microenvironment because of inadequate vascularization. Previous studies report an association between activation of the UPR and reduced sensitivity to antiestrogens and chemotherapeutics in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive and triple-negative breast cancers, respectively. ERα has been shown to regulate the expression of a key mediator of the EnR stress response, the X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1). Although network prediction models have associated ERβ with the EnR stress response, its role as regulator of the UPR has not been experimentally tested. Here, upregulation of wild-type ERβ (ERβ1) or treatment with ERβ agonists enhanced apoptosis in breast cancer cells in the presence of pharmacological inducers of EnR stress. Targeting the BCL-2 to the EnR of the ERβ1-expressing cells prevented the apoptosis induced by EnR stress but not by non-EnR stress apoptotic stimuli indicating that ERβ1 promotes EnR stress-regulated apoptosis. Downregulation of inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α) and decreased splicing of XBP-1 were associated with the decreased survival of the EnR-stressed ERβ1-expressing cells. ERβ1 was found to repress the IRE1 pathway of the UPR by inducing degradation of IRE1α. These results suggest that the ability of ERβ1 to target the UPR may offer alternative treatment strategies for breast cancer.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress response in yeast and humans

Stress pathways monitor intracellular systems and deploy a range of regulatory mechanisms in response to stress. One of the best-characterized pathways, the UPR (unfolded protein response), is an intracellular signal transduction pathway that monitors ER (endoplasmic reticulum) homoeostasis. Its activation is required to alleviate the effects of ER stress and is highly conserved from yeast to human. Although metazoans have three UPR outputs, yeast cells rely exclusively on the Ire1 (inositol-requiring enzyme-1) pathway, which is conserved in all Eukaryotes. In general, the UPR program activates hundreds of genes to alleviate ER stress but it can lead to apoptosis if the system fails to restore homoeostasis. In this review, we summarize the major advances in understanding the response to ER stress in Sc (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Sp (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and humans. The contribution of solved protein structures to a better understanding of the UPR pathway is discussed. Finally, we cover the interplay of ER stress in the development of diseases.

Melatonin Inhibits Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition during Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

Several reports indicate that melatonin alleviates bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rodent animals. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism remains obscure. The present study investigated the effects of melatonin on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during BLM-induced lung fibrosis. For the induction of pulmonary fibrosis, mice were intratracheally injected with a single dose of BLM (5.0 mg/kg). Some mice were intraperitoneally injected with melatonin (5 mg/kg) daily for a period of 3 wk. Twenty-one days after BLM injection, lung fibrosis was evaluated. As expected, melatonin significantly alleviated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, as evidenced by Sirius red staining. Moreover, melatonin significantly attenuated BLM-induced EMT to myofibroblasts, as determined by its repression of α-SMA expression. Further analysis showed that melatonin markedly attenuated BLM-induced GRP78 up-regulation and elevation of the cleaved ATF6 in the lungs. Moreover, melatonin obviously attenuated BLM-induced activation of pulmonary eIF2α, a downstream target of the PERK pathway. Finally, melatonin repressed BLM-induced pulmonary IRE1α phosphorylation. Correspondingly, melatonin inhibited BLM-induced activation of XBP-1 and JNK, two downstream targets of the IRE1 pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that melatonin alleviates ER stress and ER stress-mediated EMT in the process of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract C284: IRE1 and PERK as targets of cellular adaptation and survival to hypoxia.

Abstract Hypoxia is an important and unique feature of the solid tumour microenvironment. Hypoxia promotes resistance to radiotherapy, aggressive disease phenotypes, and poor patient prognosis. Consequently, therapies directed against hypoxic cells are needed to improve patient outcome. Hypoxic stress leads to the activation of several adaptive pathways including the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is activated in response to hypoxia-induced stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and consists of three distinct signaling pathways initiated by the ER-membrane resident proteins PERK, IRE1 and ATF6. Previous work using genetic models has implicated the PERK pathway, as well as downstream components of the IRE1 pathway (XBP1) as important mediators of hypoxia tolerance and tumor response to therapy. Here we employed short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and recently developed small-molecule inhibitors of IRE1 (4μ8c) and PERK (GSK-compound 39) to investigate the relative importance of these two pathways in promoting hypoxia tolerance and their potential as therapeutic targets. We tested the pathway activity of PERK and IRE1 by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Hypoxia tolerance was measured by in vitro clonogenic assays. First, knockdown experiments using two different shRNAs showed that IRE1 is essential for survival of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells during mild hypoxia while PERK was essential in both normoxia and hypoxia. Interestingly, the IRE1 knockdown cells had a significantly altered glycolytic metabolism, a known mechanism of hypoxia adaptation. Using our small-molecule IRE1 inhibitor, we show that 4μ8c is a potent and non-toxic inhibitor of IRE1 RNase activation in response to both hypoxia and other ER stress-inducing agents. This compound effectively inhibited IRE1 induced activation of the downstream target genes in both HCT116 colorectal cancer and KP4 pancreatic cancer cell lines under hypoxia. However, despite potent inhibition of IRE1 activation and the, 4μ8c had no effect on cell proliferation or clonogenic survival of HCT116 and KP4 cells during exposure to hypoxia or anoxia. Similarly, 4μ8c inhibition of IRE1 did not sensitize cells to other ER stress inducing agents. In contrast, genetic inactivation of PERK signaling or treatment with the highly selective and potent PERK inhibitor GSK-compound 39 substantially reduced tolerance to hypoxia, anoxia and other ER stress inducing agents. Our results demonstrate that although hypoxia potently activates both PERK and IRE1 arms of the UPR pathway, the PERK arm is uniquely important for promoting adaptation and survival during hypoxia-induced ER stress. Furthermore, our results suggest that newly developed and orally available PERK inhibitors such as GSK-compound 39 are selectively toxic to hypoxic cells, and thus warrant further development for use in combination therapies with radiation. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C284. Citation Format: Dan Cojocari, Ravi Vellanki, Brandon Sit, Marianne Koritzinsky, Bradly G. Wouters. IRE1 and PERK as targets of cellular adaptation and survival to hypoxia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C284.

Effect of Liraglutide on endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetes

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with the development of diabetes. The present study sought to investigate the effect of Liraglutide, a glucagon like peptide 1 analogue, on ER stress in β-cells. We found that Liraglutide protected the pancreatic INS-1 cells from thapsigargin-induced ER stress and the ER stress associated cell apoptosis, mainly by suppressing the PERK and IRE1 pathways. We further tested the effects of Liraglutide in the Akita mouse, an ER-stress induced type 1 diabetes model. After administration of Liraglutide for 8weeks, p-eIF2α and p-JNK were significantly decreased in the pancreas of the Akita mouse, while the treatment showed no significant impact on the levels of insulin of INS-cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that Liraglutide may protect pancreatic cells from ER stress and its related cell death.

Blocking autophagy enhances the apoptosis effect of bufalin on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress and JNK activation

Bufalin extracts are a part of traditional Chinese medicine, Chansu. In the current study, we investigated the effect of bufalin on the proliferation of the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, Huh-7 and HepG-2, and explored the therapeutic potential of the drug. Our results demonstrated that bufalin markedly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in the Huh-7 and HepG-2 cells in vitro. The underlying mechanism of the bufalin-induced apoptosis was the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the IRE1-JNK pathway. In addition, during the ER stress response, the autophagy pathway, characterized by the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, was activated, resulting in increased Beclin-1 protein levels, decreased p62 expression and stimulation of autophagic flux. Our data supported the pro-survival role of bufalin-induced autophagy when the autophagy pathway was blocked with specific chemical inhibitors; the involvement of the IRE1 pathway in the ER stress-induced autophagy was also demonstrated when the expression of IRE1 and CHOP was silenced using siRNA. These data indicate that combining bufalin with a specific autophagy inhibitor could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC.

Selective, potent blockade of the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways by 4‐phenylbutyric acid analogues

4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) is a chemical chaperone that eliminates the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, its chaperoning ability is often weak and unable to attenuate the unfolded protein response (UPR) in vitro or in vivo. To develop more potent chemical chaperones, we synthesized six analogues of 4-PBA and evaluated their pharmacological actions on the UPR. NRK-52E cells were treated with ER stress inducers (tunicamycin or thapsigargin) in the presence of each of the 4-PBA analogues; the suppressive effects of these analogues on the UPR were assessed using selective indicators for individual UPR pathways. 2-POAA-OMe, 2-POAA-NO2 and 2-NOAA, but not others, suppressed the induction of ER stress markers GRP78 and CHOP. This suppressive effect was more potent than that of 4-PBA. Of the three major UPR branches, the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways were markedly blocked by these compounds, as indicated by suppression of XBP1 splicing, inhibition of UPRE and ERSE activation, and inhibition of JNK phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, however, these agents did not inhibit phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α triggered by ER stress. These compounds dose-dependently inhibited the early activation of NF-κB in ER stress-exposed cells. 2-POAA-OMe and 2-POAA-NO2 also inhibited ER stress-induced phosphorylation of Akt. The 4-PBA analogues 2-POAA-OMe, 2-POAA-NO2 and 2-NOAA strongly inhibited activation of the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways and downstream pathogenic targets, including NF-κB and Akt, in ER stress-exposed cells. These compounds may be useful for therapeutic intervention in ER stress-related pathological conditions.

Pathological endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by the IRE1 pathway contributes to pre-insulitic beta cell apoptosis in a virus-induced rat model of type 1 diabetes

We hypothesised that pathological endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to beta cell death during development of type 1 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of beta cell ER stress and the signalling pathways involved during discrete stages of autoimmune diabetes progression. The virus-inducible BBDR rat model was used to systematically interrogate the three main ER stress signalling pathways (IRE1 [inositol-requiring protein-1], PERK [double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-like ER kinase] and ATF6 [activating transcription factor 6]) in pancreatic beta cells during type 1 diabetes development. ER stress and apoptotic markers were assessed by immunoblot analyses of isolated pancreatic islets and immunofluorescence staining of pancreas sections from control and virus-induced rats. Various time points were analysed: (1) early stages preceding the development of insulitis and (2) a late stage during onset and progression of insulitis, which precedes overt hyperglycaemia. The IRE1 pathway, including its downstream component X-box-binding protein 1, was specifically activated in pancreatic beta cells of virus-induced rats at early stages preceding the development of insulitis. Furthermore, ER stress-specific pro-apoptotic caspase 12 and effector caspase 3 were also activated at this stage. Activation of PERK and its downstream effector pro-apoptotic CHOP (CCAAT/-enhancer-binding-protein homologous protein), only occurred during late stages of diabetes induction concurrent with insulitis, whereas ATF6 activation in pancreatic beta cells was similar in control and virus-induced rats. Activation of the IRE1 pathway and ER stress-specific pro-apoptotic caspase 12, before the development of insulitis, are indicative of ER stress-mediated beta cell damage. The early occurrence of pathological ER stress and death in pancreatic beta cells may contribute to the initiation and/or progression of virus-induced autoimmune diabetes.

Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase-2 (IRAK2) Is a Critical Mediator of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Signaling

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs when unfolded proteins accumulate in the lumen of the organelle, triggering signal transduction events that contribute either to cellular adaptation and recovery or alternatively to cellular dysfunction and death. ER stress has been implicated in numerous diseases. To identify novel modulators of ER stress, we undertook a siRNA library screen of the kinome, revealing Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase-2 (IRAK2) as a contributor to unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and ER stress-induced cell death. Knocking down expression of IRAK2 (but not IRAK1) in cultured mammalian cells suppresses ER stress-induced expression of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP and activation of stress kinases. Similarly, RNAi-mediated silencing of the IRAK family member Tube (but not Pelle) suppresses activation of stress kinase signaling induced by ER stress in Drosophila cells. The action of IRAK2 maps to the IRE1 pathway, rather than the PERK or ATF6 components of the UPR. Interestingly, ER stress also induces IRAK2 gene expression in an IRE1/XBP1-dependent manner, suggesting a mutually supporting amplification loop involving IRAK2 and IRE1. In vivo, ER stress induces Irak2 expression in mice. Moreover, Irak2 gene knockout mice display defects in ER stress-induced CHOP expression and IRE1 pathway signaling. These findings demonstrate an unexpected linkage of the innate immunity machinery to UPR signaling, revealing IRAK2 as a novel amplifier of the IRE1 pathway.

Dual regulation of cadmium-induced apoptosis by mTORC1 through selective induction of IRE1 branches in unfolded protein response.

Cadmium (Cd) causes generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger renal tubular injury. We found that rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1, attenuated Cd-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells. Knockdown of Raptor, a positive regulator of mTORC1, also had the similar effect. However, rapamycin did not alter generation of ROS, suggesting that mTORC1 is a target downstream of ROS. Indeed, ROS caused activation of mTORC1, which contributed to induction of a selective branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR); i.e., the IRE1 pathway. Although Cd triggered three major UPR pathways, activation of mTORC1 by Cd did not contribute to induction of the PERK–eIF2α and ATF6 pathways. Consistently, knockdown of Raptor caused suppression of JNK without affecting the PERK–eIF2α pathway in Cd-exposed cells. Knockdown of TSC2, a negative regulator of mTORC1, caused activation of mTORC1 and enhanced Cd induction of the IRE1–JNK pathway and apoptosis without affecting other UPR branches. Inhibition of IRE1α kinase led to suppression of JNK activity and apoptosis in Cd-treated cells. Dominant-negative inhibition of JNK also suppressed Cd-induced apoptosis. In contrast, inhibition of IRE1α endoribonuclease activity or downstream XBP1 modestly enhanced Cd-induced apoptosis. In vivo, administration with rapamycin suppressed activation of mTORC1 and JNK, but not eIF2α, in the kidney of Cd-treated mice. It was correlated with attenuation of tubular injury and apoptotic cell death in the tubules. These results elucidate dual regulation of Cd-induced renal injury by mTORC1 through selective induction of IRE1 signaling.

Abstract 2928: Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-2 (IRAK2) is a critical mediator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

Abstract Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs when unfolded proteins accumulate in the lumen of the organelle, triggering signal transduction events that contribute either to cellular adaptation and recovery or alternatively to cellular dysfunction and death. ER stress has been implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer where harsh tumor microenvironments induce ER stress and create pressure for evolution of malignant clones that have acquired mechanisms for successful adaptation to stressful environments. To identify novel modulators of ER stress, we undertook a siRNA library screen of the kinome, revealing Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase-2 (IRAK2) as a contributor to unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and ER stress-induced cell death. Knocking down expression of IRAK2 (but not IRAK1) in cultured mammalian cells suppresses ER stress-induced expression of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP and activation of stress kinases. Similarly, RNAi-mediated silencing of the IRAK family member Tube (but not Pelle) suppresses activation of stress kinase signaling induced by ER stress in Drosophila cells. The action of IRAK2 maps to the IRE1 pathway, rather than the PERK or ATF6 components of the UPR. Interestingly, ER stress also induces IRAK2 gene expression in an IRE1/XBP1-dependent manner, suggesting a mutually supporting amplification loop involving IRAK2 and IRE1. In vivo, ER stress induces Irak2 expression in mice. Moreover, Irak2 gene knockout mice display defects in ER stress-induced CHOP expression and IRE1 pathway signaling. These findings demonstrate an unexpected linkage of the innate immunity machinery to UPR signaling, revealing IRAK2 as a novel amplifier of the IRE1 pathway involved in ER stress signaling. Future analysis of the role of IRAK2 in animal models of cancer will aid in assessing whether IRAK2 provides a novel targets for potential cancer therapeutics development. (Supported by NIH grant AG-15393). Citation Format: Ravanan Palaniyandi, Samir Benosman, Ying-Chen Hou, Ricardo G. Correa, Minjia Yu, Muhammet Fatih Gulen, Xiaoxia Li, James Thomas, Yasuko Matsuzawa, Shu-Ichi Matsuzawa, John C. Reed. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-2 (IRAK2) is a critical mediator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2928. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2928 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.