Retinoic Acid-induced Growth Inhibition Research Articles

Olfactomedin 4 Mediates All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induced Growth Inhibition, Differentiation and Apoptosis in Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Inhibits 4E-BP1 Phosphorylation.

Abstract 2395Poster Board II-372 Introduction:All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to induce cellular differentiation and growth inhibition of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Clinical application of ATRA has proved extremely successful in inducing clinical remission in most acute promyelocytic leukemia patients. Although the mechanisms of retinoid-dependent gene transcription regulation are well understood, the target genes that mediate retinoid-induced biological responses still remain to be defined. Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4, also called hGC-1 and GW112) is a member of olfactomedin-related glycoprotein family. It is constitutively expressed in myeloid cells and gastrointestinal tract. It has been recently reported that OLFM4 expression is up-regulated in stomach and colon cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to examine its expression in myeloid leukemia patients, its regulation by ATRA and potential biological functions in myeloid leukemia. Results:1) In this study, we found that OLFM4 expression was up-regulated in the peripheral leukocytes of chronic myeloid leukemia patients (91%, 22 cases) and acute myeloid leukemia patients (30%, 10 cases). OLFM4 expression in accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia patients was significantly higher than that in chronic phase. 2) We identified that OLFM4 is a novel target gene of retinoic acids in myeloid leukemia cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with ATRA and 9-cis-RA induced OLFM4 expression. The expression level of OLFM4 is correlated with the myeloid cell differentiation stage. Deletion analysis led to the identification of a positive retinoic acid response element (DR5) and a negative response element (DR1) within OLFM4 promoter. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility-shift assays and transfection study in COS-7 cells demonstrated that RARα/RXRα binds to the DR5 site and mediates ATRA induced transactivation of OLFM4 promoter. 3) We showed that OLFM4 over-expression in HL-60 cells lead to growth inhibition, differentiation and apoptosis and potentates ATRA mediated these effects. Conversely, silencing of endogenous OLFM4 by lentiviral shRNA against OLFM4 in AML-193 cells reduces ATRA induced growth inhibition, differentiation and apoptosis. 4) We further investigated the molecular mechanism that OLFM4 is involved in leukemia cell growth and differentiation. We found that over-expression of OLFM4 in HL60 cells inhibited ATRA induced phosphorylation of translation repressor 4E-BP1. This inhibitory effect was further confirmed in 293T cells, in which over-expression of OLFM4 inhibits 4E-BP1 phosphorylation at all four phosphorylation sites (Thr37/46, Thr70 and Ser65). Application of lentiviral shRNA against OLFM4 in AML-193 increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 compared with control shRNA. Over-expression of OLFM4 in HL60 cells does not affect phosphorylation of Akt, p70S6 kinase, GSK3β and ERK1/2 . Conclusion:1) OLFM4 expression is up-regulated in chronic and acute myeloid leukemia patients and is correlated with the stage of chronic myeloid leukemia. 2) OLFM4 is a novel target gene of retinoic acids. RARα/RXRα binds to the DR5 site of OLFM4 promoter and mediates the ATRA induced transactivation of OLFM4. 3) OLFM4 mediates ATRA induced growth inhibition, differentiation and apoptosis of myeloid leukemia cells. 4) OLFM4 acts an inhibitor of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation down stream of Akt and mTOR, suggesting OLFM4 may inhibit protein synthesis that is observed with the differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells. Our results suggest that OLFM4 up-regulation in the leukocytes of leukemia patients might have a feedback effect to restrain cell growth, and induce differentiation and apoptosis rather than act as an initiator of leukemiagenesis. As OLFM4 is a secreted glycoprotein, it could represent a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of myeloid leukemia patients. The effect of purified OLFM4 on leukemia cells is currently under investigation. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Direct channeling of retinoic acid between cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II and retinoic acid receptor sensitizes mammary carcinoma cells to retinoic acid-induced growth arrest.

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II (CRABP-II) is an intracellular lipid-binding protein that associates with retinoic acid with a subnanomolar affinity. We previously showed that CRABP-II enhances the transcriptional activity of the nuclear receptor with which it shares a common ligand, namely, the retinoic acid receptor (RAR), and we suggested that it may act by delivering retinoic acid to this receptor. Here, the mechanisms underlying the effects of CRABP-II on the transcriptional activity of RAR and the functional consequences of these effects were studied. We show that CRABP-II, a predominantly cytosolic protein, massively undergoes nuclear localization upon binding of retinoic acid; that it interacts with RAR in a ligand-dependent fashion; and that, in the presence of retinoic acid, the CRABP-II-RAR complex is a short-lived intermediate. The data establish that potentiation of the transcriptional activity of RAR stems directly from the ability of CRABP-II to channel retinoic acid to the receptor. We demonstrate further that overexpression of CRABP-II in MCF-7 mammary carcinoma cells dramatically enhances their sensitivity to retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition. Conversely, diminished expression of CRABP-II renders these cells retinoic acid resistant. Taken together, the data unequivocally establish the function of CRABP-II in modulating the RAR-mediated biological activities of retinoic acid.

Participation of type II protein kinase A in the retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

To examine the role of protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes in the retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition and neuronal differentiation, we investigated the changes of protein kinase A isozyme patterns in retinoic acid-treated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Retinoic acid induced growth inhibition and neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neuronal differentiation was evidenced by extensive neurite outgrowth, decrease of N-Myc oncoprotein, and increase of GAP-43 mRNA. Type II protein kinase A activity increased by 1.5-fold in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by retinoic acid treatment. The increase of type II protein kinase A was due to the increase of RIIbeta and Calpha subunits. Since type II protein kinase A and RIIbeta have been known to play important role(s) in the growth inhibition and differentiation of cancer cells, we further investigated the role of the increased type II protein kinase A by overexpressing RIIbeta in SH-SY5Y cells. The growth of RIIbeta-overexpressing cells was slower than that of parental cells, being comparable to that of retinoic acid-treated cells. Retinoic acid treatment further increased the RIIbeta level and further inhibited the growth of RIIbeta-overexpressing cells, showing strong correlation between the level of RIIbeta and growth inhibition. However, RIIbeta-overexpressing cells did not show any sign of neuronal differentiation and responded to retinoic acid in the same way as parental cells. These data suggest that protein kinase A participates in the retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition through the up-regulation of RIIbeta/type II protein kinase A.

Participation of type II protein kinase A in the retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

To examine the role of protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes in the retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition and neuronal differentiation, we investigated the changes of protein kinase A isozyme patterns in retinoic acid–treated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Retinoic acid induced growth inhibition and neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neuronal differentiation was evidenced by extensive neurite outgrowth, decrease of N-Myc oncoprotein, and increase of GAP-43 mRNA. Type II protein kinase A activity increased by 1.5-fold in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by retinoic acid treatment. The increase of type II protein kinase A was due to the increase of RIIβ and Cα subunits. Since type II protein kinase A and RIIβ have been known to play important role(s) in the growth inhibition and differentiation of cancer cells, we further investigated the role of the increased type II protein kinase A by overexpressing RIIβ in SH-SY5Y cells. The growth of RIIβ-overexpressing cells was slower than that of parental cells, being comparable to that of retinoic acid-treated cells. Retinoic acid treatment further increased the RIIβ level and further inhibited the growth of RIIβ-overexpressing cells, showing strong correlation between the level of RIIβ and growth inhibition. However, RIIβ-overexpressing cells did not show any sign of neuronal differentiation and responded to retinoic acid in the same way as parental cells. These data suggest that protein kinase A participates in the retinoic acid–induced growth inhibition through the up-regulation of RIIβ/type II protein kinase A. J. Cell. Physiol. 182:421–428, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Differential effects of retinoic acid on growth and apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines associated with the induction of retinoic acid receptor β

Retinoids are well known as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents against a variety of human cancers. Here, we report that retinoic acid (RA) induced differential growth inhibition in human colon cancer cell lines: while DLD-1, HT-29, and WiDr were relatively resistant, HCT-15 and Colo201 were relatively sensitive. All- trans-retinoic acid caused morphological and biochemical changes such as membrane shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA cleavage, which are typical features of cells undergoing apoptosis in sensitive cell lines. Although retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α, β, γ and retinoid X receptor α were expressed in all cell lines examined, a significant induction of RARβ by all- trans-RA was observed only in sensitive cell lines, suggesting important roles of RARβ in RA sensitivity. When a vector containing the RARβ gene was introduced into a relatively resistant cell line, DLD-1, the cells acquired RA sensitivity. Further, we found that the RARβ transfectants of DLD-1 expressed an enhanced level of c-Myc and Bax proteins, which may result in the increased susceptibility of the cells to all- trans-RA-induced apoptosis. In summary, our data demonstrated that RA induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells and that the induction of RARβ may mediate the retinoid action.

Synergistic effects of 8-Cl-cAMP and retinoic acids in the inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells: induction of retinoic acid receptor beta.

Both cAMP and retinoids play a role in cell differentiation and the control of cell growth. A site-selective cAMP analog, 8-Cl-cAMP and retinoic acid synergistically inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells. In advanced or recurrent malignant diseases, retinoic acid (RA) is not effective even at doses that are toxic to the host. The objective of our present study was to examine the mechanism(s) of synergistic effects of retinoic acid (9-cis, 13-cis or all-trans RA) and 8-Cl-cAMP on apoptosis in human ovarian cancer NIH: OVCAR-3 and OVCAR-8 cells. RA induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in OVCAR-3 and OVCAR-8 cells. 8-Cl-cAMP acted synergistically with RA in inducing and activating retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta) which correlates with growth inhibition and apoptosis in both cell types. In addition, induction of apoptosis by RA plus 8-Cl-cAMP requires caspase-3 activation followed by cleavage of anti-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, mutations in CRE-related motif within the RARbeta promoter resulted in loss of both transcriptional activation of RARbeta and synergy between RA and 8-Cl-cAMP. RARbeta expression appears to be associated with induction of apoptosis. Introduction of the RARbeta gene into OVCAR-3 cells resulted in gain of RA sensitivity. Loss of RARbeta expression, therefore, may contribute to the tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer cells. Thus, combined treatment with RA and 8-Cl-cAMP may provide an effective means for inducing RARbeta expression leading to apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.

Inhibition of growth and cholesterol synthesis in breast cancer cells by oxidation products of β-carotene

We have isolated and chemically characterized a polar oxidation product of β-carotene and tested the effect of a highly enriched fraction containing this compound on the growth and metabolism of breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. This fraction strongly inhibits cell growth and cholesterol synthesis in MCF-7 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with mevalonate overcomes inhibition of cell growth by the oxidized fraction. Addition of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene protects against inhibition of the growth of MCF-7 cells by β-carotene but not by the oxidized fraction. Pretreatment of cells with mevalonate overcomes inhibition of cell growth by oxidation products of β-carotene but not by retinoic acid. The oxidized fraction neither stimulates activity nor inhibits binding of retinoic acid to its nuclear receptors (RXR-α, RXR-β, RXR-γ, RAR-α, RAR-β, RAR-γ, and peroxisome proliferation receptors) in transfection assays. Mevalonate does not protect retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells. The major compound in the inhibitory fraction was identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as 5,8-endoperoxy-2,3-dihydro-β-apocarotene-13-one. Our data suggest that the β-carotene oxidation products we have isolated represent a class of compounds not previously described with potential antineoplastic activity.

Retinoid metabolism and all-trans retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Retinoids can reverse potentially premalignant lesions and prevent second primary tumours in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Furthermore, it has been reported that acquired resistance to all-trans retinoic acid (RA) in leukaemia is associated with decreased plasma peak levels, probably the result of enhanced retinoid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolism of retinoids and relate this to growth inhibition in HNSCC. Three HNSCC cell lines were selected on the basis of a large variation in the all-trans RA-induced growth inhibition. Cells were exposed to 9.5 nM (radioactive) for 4 and 24 h, and to 1 and 10 microM (nonradioactive) all-trans RA for 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, and medium and cells were analysed for retinoid metabolites. At all concentrations studied, the amount of growth inhibition was proportional to the extent at which all-trans-, 13- and 9-cis RA disappeared from the medium as well as from the cells. This turnover process coincided with the formation of a group of as yet unidentified polar retinoid metabolites. The level of mRNA of cellular RA-binding protein II (CRABP-II), involved in retinoid homeostasis, was inversely proportional to growth inhibition. These findings indicate that for HNSCC retinoid metabolism may be associated with growth inhibition.

The expanding challenge of HIV-associated malignancies.

The expanding challenge of HIV-associated malignancies.

Retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition of a human myeloma cell line via down-regulation of IL-6 receptors.

In this report we demonstrate that retinoic acid (RA) down-regulated the number of IL-6R on human leukocyte cell lines, including the myeloma cell line AF10, and two B cell hybridomas that correspond to cells at earlier stages of B cell development. Using AF10 cells, whose growth was determined to be mediated by the autocrine action of IL-6, we found that RA reduction of IL-6R was concentration-dependent over a range of 10(-11) to 10(-5) M and corresponded to the ability of the retinoid to inhibit cell proliferation. The down-regulation of IL-6R number by RA was accompanied by reduced IL-6R mRNA expression. RA did not affect endogeneous IL-6 synthesis or secretion from AF10 cells. However, addition of exogenous rIL-6 could overcome RA-induced growth inhibition. Menthol, a structurally unrelated compound to RA, also suppressed IL-6R expression and, correspondingly, inhibited cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that the antiproliferative action of RA on AF10 cells is caused by reduction of IL-6R expression and subsequent inhibition of IL-6-mediated autocrine growth. These findings suggest the possibility that down-regulation of IL-6R is a means by which RA can modulate immune function.

Different susceptibilities of melanoma cells to retinoic acid-induced changes in melanotic expression

The effect of retinoic acid on murine B16 melanoma cell growth, tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis was investigated. Retinoic acid inhibited the growth of B16F1, B16F10 and B16BL6 melanoma cells, but enhanced melanin synthesis only in the B16F1 cells. The B16F10 and B16BL6 cells exhibited retinoic acid-induced suppression of tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis, which was most apparent in the B16F10 cell variant. For comparison, Cloudman S91 melanoma cells proved to be particularly sensitive to retinoic acid-induced growth inhibition and stimulation of the expression of their melanotic phenotype. These results suggest considerable heterogeneity in the B16 melanoma with respect to their response to retinoic acid.

163 hormonal modulation of the cervix carcinoma cell line c41 and its interference with retinoic acid induced growth inhibition

163 hormonal modulation of the cervix carcinoma cell line c41 and its interference with retinoic acid induced growth inhibition