Mouse Leukemia L1210 Cells Research Articles

Synthesis, antitumor activity and structure–activity relationships of a series of Ru(II) complexes

A series of octahedral Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(phen) 2L] 2+ (L = R-PIP and PIP = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5- f][1,10]phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, 1H NMR and ES-MS, as well as UV–visible spectra and emission spectra. The antitumor activities of these complexes and their corresponding ligands were investigated against mouse leukemia L1210 cells, human oral epidermoid carcinoma KB cells, human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) and Bel-7402 liver cancer cells by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. It was found that the complexes [Ru(phen) 2L] 2+ (L = R-PIP) exert rather potent activities against all of these cell lines, especially for the KB cells (IC 50 = 4.7 ± 1.3 μM). The binding affinities of these Ru(II) complexes to CT-DNA (calf thymus DNA), as well as the DNA-unwinding properties on supercoiled pBR322 DNA were also investigated. The results showed that these Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes not only had an excellent DNA-binding property but also possessed a highly effective DNA-photocleavage ability. The structure–activity relationships and antitumor mechanism were also carefully discussed.

Determinants of the Apoptotic Response to Lysosomal Photodamage

Studies with mouse leukemia L1210 cells revealed that selective lysosomal photodamage caused by any of three photosensitizing agents was followed by a gradual loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, increased DEVDase activity (a measure of levels of caspase-3) and a limited apoptotic response. Similar effects were observed in the murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cell line. Immunofluorescence techniques employing 1c1c7 cells demonstrated the immediate release of the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B following lysosomal photodamage. These studies suggest that the cytotoxic effects of lysosomal photodamage are initiated by released lysosomal proteases that either directly and/or indirectly activate caspases as a consequence of the induction of mitochondrial damage.

L1210 cells cultivated under the selection pressure of doxorubicin or vincristine express common mechanisms of multidrug resistance based on the overexpression of P-glycoprotein

Multidrug resistance of neoplastic tissue is often associated with the overexpression and increased drug transport activity of plasma membrane transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRPs) or breast cancer resistance protein, as well as with the elevation of the glutathione detoxification pathway. We have already described the overexpression of P-gp under the selection pressure of vincristine in L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In the present study, mechanisms of multidrug resistance induced in L1210 cells cultivated in the presence of doxorubicin were analyzed. The selection pressure of both vincristine (yielding a resistant subline of L1210 cells, R V) and doxorubicin (yielding a resistant subline of L1210 cells, R D) induced a dramatic depression of cell sensitivity to both drugs. Both R V and R D cells demonstrated a lack of ability to accumulate calcein/AM and fluo-3/AM as fluorescent substrates of P-gp and MRP. The retention of dyes could be reached in both cell sublines by the application of inhibitors of P-gp (like verapamil) but not by probenecid – an inhibitor of anion transporters, including MRPs. Massive protein bands, at a M r range of 130–180 kDa that interact with c219 antibody against P-gp, were detected in the crude membrane fraction isolated from both R V and R D (but not from L1210) cells by Western blot. The cytosolic activity of glutathione S-transferase was found to be similar in R V and R D cells and did not differ significantly from the activity ascertained in parental L1210 cells. Neither the R V nor R D cell sublines differed considerably, as measured by cell ultrastructure. In conclusion, based on P-gp overexpression, both doxorubicin and vincristine induce a common multidrug resistance phenotype in L1210 cells.

Cytotoxicity of bioactive polymeric fractions from grape cell culture on human hepatocellular carcinoma, murine leukemia and non-cancerous PK15 kidney cells

Previously, we isolated two fractions (TP-4 and TP-6) from grape cell culture that were potent catalytic inhibitors in a human DNA topoisomerase II assay for cancer chemoprevention. The objectives of this study were to further assess cytotoxicity of these fractions on cancerous and non-cancerous cells, and to subfractionate and characterize the composition of TP-6, a fraction that was selectively cytotoxic to carcinoma cell lines. Both TP-4 and TP-6 provided significant cytotoxicity to L1210 mouse leukemia cells. Only TP-6, a procyanidin-rich fraction, significantly reduced viability in HepG2 human liver cancer cells, yet unlike resveratrol, caused no cytotoxicity to non-cancerous PK15 pig kidney cells. After further subfractionation of TP-6 (maximal toxicity = 67.2%; ED 50 = 50.5 μM), the cytotoxicity of subfractions on HepG2 cells was TP-6-5 (maximal toxicity = 71.8%; ED 50 = 14.1 μM), TP-6-6 (maximal toxicity = 64.3%; ED 50 = 67.0 μM), and TP-6-4 (maximal toxicity = 27.6%; ED 50 = 118.0 μM) in descending order. LC–ESI/MS data suggested that cytotoxicity of these procyanidin mixtures to HepG2 cells was proportional to the degree of polymerization. Because TP-6 and its subfractions were selectively cytotoxic to cancerous cell lines tested, they warrant further investigation as potential natural anticancer agents.

Suppression of P-glycoprotein expression by antipsychotics trifluoperazine in adriamycin-resistant L1210 mouse leukemia cells

Multidrug resistance (MDR) to unrelated chemotherapeutic drugs can be mediated by overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the mdr gene product. Trifluoperazine (TFP), a phenothiazine derivative antipsychotics, is known to reverse MDR of tumor cell lines by blocking P-gp efflux function. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of TFP on the expression of P-gp in multidrug-resistant L1210/Adr mouse leukemic cell lines, which are characterized by overexpession of P-gp. We found that TFP induced the downregulation of P-gp protein and mdr1b mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner in L1210/Adr cells. TFP reduction of mdr1b mRNA was paralleled by transcriptional suppression of the mdr1b promoter. Moreover, TFP restored the adriamycin-induced apoptosis in L1210/Adr cells. These results suggest that TFP may have utility as an adjuvant in the therapy of leukemia for the reversal of P-gp-dependent MDR as well as for the management of psychological symptoms in the cancer patients.

Altered mouse leukemia L1210 thymidylate synthase, associated with cell resistance to 5-fluoro-dUrd, is not mutated but rather reflects posttranslational modification.

Thymidylate synthase purified from 5-fluoro-dUrd-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cells (TSr) was less sensitive to slow-binding inhibition by 5-fluoro-dUMP than the enzyme from the parental cells (TSp), both enzyme forms differing also in sensitivity to several other dump analogues, apparent molecular weights of monomer and dimer, and temperature dependence of the catalyzed reaction. Direct sequencing of products obtained from RT-PCR, performed on total RNA isolated from the parental and 5-fluoro-dUrd-resistant cells, proved both nucleotide sequences to be identical to the mouse thymidylate synthase coding sequence published earlier (NCBI protein database access no. NP_067263). This suggests that the altered properties of TSr are caused by a factor different than protein mutation, presumably posttranslational modification. As a possibility of rat thymidylate synthase phosphorylation has been recently demonstrated (Samsonoff et al. (1997) J Biol Chem 272: 13281), the mouse enzyme amino-acid sequence was analysed, revealing several potential phosphorylation sites. In order to test possible influence of the protein phosphorylation state on enzymatic properties, endogenous TSp and TSr were purified in the presence of inhibitors of phosphatases. Although both enzyme forms were phosphorylated, as shown by electrophoretical separation followed by phosphoprotein detection, the extent of phosphorylation was apparently similar. However, the same two purified enzyme preparations, compared to the corresponding preparations purified in the absence of phosphatase inhibitors, showed certain properties, including sensitivity to the slow-binding inhibition by FdUMP, altered. Thus properties dependence on phosphorylation was indicated.

Expression of P-glycoprotein in L1210 cells is linked with rise in sensitivity to Ca 2+

L1210/VCR cell line (R) was obtained by adaptation of the L1210 mouse leukaemia cells (S) to vincristine and showed P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). R cells were observed to be more sensitive to high external calcium as parental S. More pronounced calcium uptake was observed for R cells. Moreover, differences in intracellular calcium cell localization between S and R cells were found ultrastructurally following a calcium precipitating cytochemical method. In S cells, calcium precipitates were found to be localized predominantly along the cell surface coat and within mitochondria delineating the cristae. In R cells, precipitates were also found inside nuclei, at the border of heterochromatin clumps, and scattered within the cytoplasm. High extracellular calcium did not influence the P-gp mediated extrusion of calcein/AM as P-gp substrate. These results indicate that calcium enters and consequently damages the MDR cells to a higher extent than parental cells.

Resistance to 9-3-D-Arabinofuranosyl-2-Fluoroadenine due to Reduced Incorporation into DNA from Competition by Excess Deoxyadenosine Triphosphate: Implications for Different Sensitivities to Nucleoside Analogues

The cytotoxic action of the deoxyadenosine analogue 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine (F-ara-A) depends on the incorporation into DNA after being phosphorylated to F-ara-A triphosphate (F-ara-ATP) by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). The mechanisms of resistance to F-ara-A were investigated in a newly established variant of L1210 mouse leukemia cells (L1210/F). L1210/F was more than 41-fold more resistant to F-ara-A than the parental cell line and had a 55% lower dCK activity. Interestingly, L1210/F showed a modest level of cross-resistance to deoxycytidine analogues phosphorylated by dCK, for instance, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). The comparative study of F-ara-A and ara-C demonstrated that the difference in the accumulation of their respective triphosphates was minor. In contrast, the incorporation of F-ara-A into DNA was strikingly suppressed compared with that of ara-C. In general, the high natural triphosphate levels interfere with corresponding analogue incorporation into DNA. The deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) and deoxycytidine triphosphate pool sizes in L1210/F cells were increased by 4.9-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively, compared with the parental cells. Treatment with hydroxyurea increased the ratio of F-ara-ATP to dATP 2.1-fold and enhanced the action of F-ara-A in L1210/F. This is the first cell line to show that the profoundly defective incorporation of F-ara-A into DNA during competition with excess dATP confers a high degree of resistance to F-ara-A.

Protection against methotrexate toxicity by a soybean protein- and ω-3 fatty acid-containing diet: Comparative study with a casein-containing diet

Effects of two clinically used liquid diets on toxicity and antitumor activity of methotrexate (MTX) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and tumor-bearing mice, respectively. Diets tested were commercially available formulas enriched either with soybean and omega-3 fatty acids or with casein. The soybean-containing diet offered significant protection against MTX toxicity in rats compared with the casein-containing diet, completely alleviating MTX-induced anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss, when ingested as the sole diet and fed 7 days prior to and 7 days following intraperitoneal MTX injection. As a result, 90% of rats were alive on soybean-containing diet while all rats were dead on casein-containing diet. Histologic examination of the small intestine of MTX-treated rats revealed that the soybean-containing diet significantly prevented loss of mucosal villus tips compared to the casein-containing diet. Pharmocokinetic examination indicated that plasma MTX concentrations were similar for rats in the two diet-defined groups. No significant differences were observed between diets in survival of mice injected with L1210 mouse leukemia cells and subsequently with MTX. Thus the soybean-containing diet appeared to be superior to the casein-containing diet in preventing gastrointestinal toxicity while preserving antitumor activity. A soybean diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids may be a useful adjunct to MTX treatment of human cancers.

Cinnamoyl nitrogen mustard derivatives of pyrazole analogues of tallimustine modified at the amidino moiety: design, synthesis, molecular modeling and antitumor activity studies

The design, synthesis and in vitro activities of a series of cinnamoyl nitrogen mustard pyrazole analogues of tallimustine 8– 13, in which the amidino moiety has been replaced by moieties of different physico-chemical features are described, and the structure–activity relationships are discussed. In spite of the relevance of these modifications on the amidino moiety, these derivatives showed significant growth inhibitory activity against mouse leukemia L1210 cells. A selected series of compounds have been evaluated for their sequence selective alkylating properties and cytotoxicity against human K562 leukemia cells. Therefore, the presence of the amidino moiety, and in general of a basic moiety, is not an absolute requirement for biological activity. Our preliminary results indicated that the compounds of this series have a pattern of alkylation similar to that of tallimustine, but they seem to be less reactive overall in alkylating naked DNA.

Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulation of the PKCδ Gene by Etoposide in L1210 Murine Leukemia Cells: Implication of PKCδ Autoregulation

Protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis in response to diverse anticancer agents. PKCδ is cleaved irreversibly to a catalytically active fragment in response to apoptotic stimuli; however, little information is available about the regulation of PKCδ gene expression. In this study, we found that the amount of steady-state PKCδ mRNA and protein was increased by etoposide in mouse L1210 leukemia cells. The transcriptional rate of the PKCδ gene and the stability of PKCδ mRNA were increased by treatment with etoposide, resulting in the accumulation of PKCδ protein. Rottlerin inhibited etoposide-induced PKCδ gene expression significantly, while Go6976, LY294002 and PD98059 had no effect. Further, both stable and adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant negative PKCδ(KR) abrogated etoposide-induced PKCδ expression. Etoposide-stimulated PKCδ transcription but not PKCδ mRNA stability was blocked completely by pretreatment with rottlerin. Our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby PKCδ gene is regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in the L1210 leukemia cell line.

Gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in a drug-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cell line that does not express p53

Gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in a drug-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cell line that does not express p53

Sulforaphane and 2-oxohexyl isothiocyanate induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis in L-1210 leukemia and ME-18 melanoma cells

Flow cytometry and laser-scanning confocal microscopy were used to study the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) and 2-oxohexyl isothiocyanate on the growth and viability of mouse leukemia L-1210 and human melanoma ME-18 cells during their exponential growth. Sulforaphane belongs to a group of compounds known as isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates mainly occur in Cruciferous family. In particular, they occur in many vegetables such as broccoli and their sprouts. SFN and 2-oxohexyl isothiocyanate are potent inducers of detoxication phase 2 enzymes in mouse tissues and murine hepatoma cells in culture. Sulforaphane was shown to induce cell growth arrest in a dose dependent manner, followed by cell death. Sulforaphane induced the cell death via an apoptotic process. Two markers of apoptosis were investigated: phosphatidylserine externalization, which occurs in the early stages of apoptosis, and DNA strand breaks. Our results strongly suggest of chemopreventive activity toward cancer by the induction of apoptosis by SFN and 2-oxohexyl isothiocyanate.

Chelate vs monodentate amine effects. Direct comparison of bis(acetato)amminedichloro(cyclohexylamine)platinum(IV) (JM216) with its N-cyclohexyl-1,3-propanediamine analogue

In order to investigate the chelate effects on physicochemical properties including antitumor activity, new cis, trans, cis,-[Pt IVCl 2L 2(chpda)] complexes (L=OH, OCOCH 3; chpda= N-cyclohexyl-1,3-propanediamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of cis, trans, cis-[Pt IVCl 2(OCOCH 3) 2(chpda)] (monoclinic P2 1/ a, a=7.947(1), b=22.753(11), and c=10.581(3) Å, β=110.70(2)°, V=1790(1) Å 3, Z=4, R=0.0534) shows that the platinum(IV) center adopts a typical octahedral arrangement with two acetate groups in a trans position. The pattern and strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds are delicately different from those of JM216. Both in vitro and in vivo (oral) cytotoxicities on mouse leukemia L1210 cell line indicate that the activity of chpda chelate analogue is not better than that of the corresponding compound with two monodentate amines (JM216).

Inhibition of Bladder Tumor Growth by the Green Tea Derivative Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate

We evaluated the green tea derivative epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as an intravesical agent for the prevention of transitional cell tumor implantation. In vitro studies were performed in the AY-27 rat transitional cell cancer and the L1210 mouse leukemia cell lines. Cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of EGCG for 30 minutes to 48 hours. Surviving cell colonies were then determined. A DNA ladder assay was performed in the 2 cell lines. Fisher 344 rats were used for in vivo studies with an intravesical tumor implantation model. Group 1 (12 rats) served as a control (tumor implantation and medium wash only). In group 2 (28 rats) 200 microM EGCG were instilled intravesically 30 minutes after tumor implantation. Rats were sacrificed 3 weeks following treatment. Gross and histological analyses were then performed on the bladders. At 6.0 x 104 cells per 100 mm dish a time dose dependent response was observed. After 2 hours of treatment with EGCG 100% cell lethality of the AY-27 cell line occurred at concentrations greater than 100 microM. Strong banding on the DNA ladder assay was seen with the L1210 mouse leukemia cell line. Only weak banding patterns were found in the AY-27 cell line treated with EGCG (100 and 200 microM) for 24 hours. All 12 controls were successfully implanted with tumors. In group 2 (EGCG instillation) 18 of the 28 animals (64%) were free of tumor (Fisher's exact test p = 0.001). The clonal assays showed a time dose related response to EGCG. Intravesical instillation of EGCG inhibits the growth of AY-27 rat transitional cells implanted in this model.

Inhibitors of diverse metabolic steps cause increased apoptosis in deoxyadenosine-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cells that lack p53 expression: convergence at caspase-3 activation.

Inhibitors of diverse metabolic steps cause increased apoptosis in deoxyadenosine-resistant mouse leukemia L1210 cells that lack p53 expression: convergence at caspase-3 activation.

Synthesis and growth inhibition activity of α-Bromoacrylic heterocyclic and benzoheterocyclic derivatives of distamycin A modified on the amidino moiety

The design, synthesis and in vitro activities of novel α-bromoacryloyl pyrazole, imidazole and benzoheterocyclic derivatives of distamycin A, in which the amidino moiety has been replaced by moieties of different physico-chemical features are described, and the structure–activity relationships are discussed. In spite of the relevance of these modifications on the distamycin frame, these derivatives showed significant growth inhibitory activity against mouse leukemia L1210 cells. Therefore, the presence of the amidino moiety, and in general of a basic moiety, is not an absolute requirement for biological activity of α-bromoacrylic derivatives of distamycin.

Correlation between nuclear action of anthracycline anticancer agents and their binding affinity to the proteasome

4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) showed an approximately 10-fold greater inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis in L1210 mouse leukemia cells than adriamycin (ADM). The intracellular transfer rate and nuclear accumulation of THP were approximately 5-fold higher than those of ADM. The intensity of in vitro inhibition of topoisomerase II activity by ADM was almost the same as that by THP. There were no significant differences between the uptake of either of these agents by the isolated nuclei of L1210 cells. The nuclear uptake of both agents in the presence of the cytosolic fraction of L1210 cells consisted of both simple diffusion and carrier-mediated components, and the carrier-mediated component of THP was approximately 2-fold higher than that of ADM. THP showed approximately 5-fold higher affinity to the proteasome than ADM, and interfered with ADM binding in a competitive manner. These results suggest that the binding affinity of these anticancer agents to the proteasome is an important factor in their transport to the nucleus and determines their specificity of action for the nuclear DNA.

Anticancer and antithrombin activity of Russian plants

A chromogenic bioassay was utilized to determine the antithrombin activity of the methylene chloride and methanol extracts prepared from forty-five plants of Russia. Mouse leukemia cells (L1210) were utilized to screen these extracts for activity against cancer. The results indicated that eight plant extracts demonstrated 90% or higher activity in the inhibition of thrombin. Also, nine methanol extracts demonstrated activity of 90% or higher in the inhibition of mouse leukemia L1210 cells. The methanol extracts of Quercus robur and Sanguisorba officinalis demontrated high activity against both thrombin and cancer.

Synthesis and biological activity of N(alpha)-[4-[N-[(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]-N-propargylamino]phenylacetyl]-L-glutamic acid.

2-Deamino-2-methyl-N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (ICI 198583) is a potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthase. Its analogue, N(alpha)-[4-[N-[(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]-N-propargylamino]phenylacetyl]-L-glutamic acid, containing p-aminophenylacetic acid residue substituting p-aminobenzoic acid residue, was synthesized. The new analogue exhibited a moderately potent thymidylate synthase inhibition, of linear mixed type vs. the cofactor, N(5,10)-methylenetetrahydrofolate. The Ki value of 0.34 microM, determined with a purified recombinant rat hepatoma enzyme, was about 30-fold higher than that reported for inhibition of thymidylate synthase from mouse leukemia L1210 cells by ICI 198583 (Hughes et al., 1990, J. Med. Chem. 33, 3060). Growth of mouse leukemia L5178Y cells was inhibited by the analogue (IC50 = 1.26 mM) 180-fold weaker than by ICI 198583 (IC50 = 6.9 microM).