Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J J Li

Publications and source records attributed to J J Li.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Vanadate-induced activation of activator protein-1: role of reactive oxygen species.

The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the toxicity and carcinogenicity of vanadium might arise from elevation of reactive oxygen species leading to activation of the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). The AP-1 transactivation response has been implicated as causal in transformation responses to phorbol esters and growth factors. To investigate the possible activity of vanadium in the activation of AP-1, we treated mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells stably transfected with an AP-1 luciferase reporter plasmid with various concentrations of vanadate. This resulted in concentration-dependent transactivation of AP-1. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase inhibited AP-1 activation induced by vanadate, indicating the involvement of superoxide anion radical (O2-*), hydroxyl radical (*OH) and/or H2O2 in the mechanism of vanadate-induced AP-1 activation. However, sodium formate, a specific *OH scavenger, did not alter vanadate-induced AP-1 activation, suggesting a minimal role for the *OH radical. NADPH enhanced AP-1 activation by increasing vanadate-mediated generation of O2-*. N-acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, decreased activation, further showing that vanadate-induced AP-1 activation involved redox reactions. Calphostin C, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), inhibited activation of AP-1, demonstrating that PKC is involved in the cell signal cascades leading to vanadate-induced AP-1 activation. Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements show that JB6 P+ cells are able to reduce vanadate to generate vanadium(IV) in the presence of NADPH. Molecular oxygen was consumed during the vanadate reduction process to generate O2-* as measured by ESR spin trapping using 5,5-dimethyl-L-pyrroline N-oxide as the spin trapping agent. SOD inhibited the ESR spin adduct signal, further demonstrating the generation of O2-* in the cellular reduction of vanadate. These results provide support for a model in which vanadium, like other classes of tumor promoters, transactivates AP-1-dependent gene expression. In the case of vanadium, AP-1 transactivation is dependent on the generation of O2-* and H2O2, but not *OH.

Acetylcysteine↗

Cell cycle control of Cdc7p kinase activity through regulation of Dbf4p stability.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the heteromeric kinase complex Cdc7p-Dbf4p plays a pivotal role at replication origins in triggering the initiation of DNA replication during the S phase. We have assayed the kinase activity of endogenous levels of Cdc7p kinase by using a likely physiological target, Mcm2p, as a substrate. Using this assay, we have confirmed that Cdc7p kinase activity fluctuates during the cell cycle; it is low in the G1 phase, rises as cells enter the S phase, and remains high until cells complete mitosis. These changes in kinase activity cannot be accounted for by changes in the levels of the catalytic subunit Cdc7p, as these levels are constant during the cell cycle. However, the fluctuations in kinase activity do correlate with levels of the regulatory subunit Dbf4p. The regulation of Dbf4p levels can be attributed in part to increased degradation of the protein in G1 cells. This G1-phase instability is cdc16 dependent, suggesting a role of the anaphase-promoting complex in the turnover of Dbf4p. Overexpression of Dbf4p in the G1 phase can partially overcome this elevated turnover and lead to an increase in Cdc7p kinase activity. Thus, the regulation of Dbf4p levels through the control of Dbf4p degradation has an important role in the regulation of Cdc7p kinase activity during the cell cycle.

Apc6 Subunit, Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

[Effect of extremity cuffs as a countermeasure against the cardiovascular deconditioning during 21 d head-down bedrest].

OBJECTIVE: To affirm the protective effect of inflated cuffs. METHOD: The protective effect against the cardiovascular deconditioning of inflated cuffs on the upper parts of thighs and arms during the 1st through 10th days of 21 d bedrest has been reported previously. The effect of the cuffs during the rest of the 21 d bedrest were studied in this paper. Five subjects in cuffs group whose orthostatic tolerance were well maintained continued bed rest for 7 d without inflated cuffs. For the last 4 days of this period, inflated cuffs were again applied. Orthostatic tolerance of subjects in cuffs group with and without cuffs were measured. RESULT: Two of the five subjects suffered orthostatic intolerance on the 17th day. No sign of orthostatic intolerance were observed by the end of bedrest. CONCLUSION: (1) the cardiovascular deconditioning developed when inflated cuffs were not used, and (2) the use of inflated cuffs for 4 d improves the orthostatic tolerance.

Adolescent↗

A human cell line constitutively expressing HIV-1 Gag and Gag-Pol gene products.

A human cell line constitutively expressing the HIV-1 gag and pol genes products was established. The cell line was established by stably transfecting 293 cells with a plasmid construct that expresses the HIV Gag and Pol and can confer the transfectants resistant to mycophenolic acid. Particles generated from transient expression of the plasmid construct were noninfectious when pseudotyped with HIV envelope or with amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope proteins. However, virus-like Gag particles produced by the stable cell line were appropriately processed, exhibited a wild-type retrovirus particle density, and possessed significant reverse-transcriptase (RT) activities. Continuous passage of the cell line either in the presence or absence of mycophenolic acid had no major effects on the Gag processing efficiency, particle assembly, or RT activity release. It was also demonstrated that the proteolytic processing of the virus-like particles released from the cell line was inhibited by an HIV protease inhibitor, saquinavir. The establishment of a stable cell line producing noninfectious but proteolytically processed HIV Gag particles offers a safe, convenient tool for biochemical and immunological analysis of virus-like particle assembly and is very useful for the development of anti-HIV protease drugs.

Blotting, Western↗

Expression of dominant negative Erk2 inhibits AP-1 transactivation and neoplastic transformation.

The mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases or extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erks) are activated in response to Ras expression or exposure to tumor promoters or to growth factors, and have been implicated in AP-1 transactivation in some models. We have shown that tumor promoter induced activation of the transcription factor AP-1 is required for induced neoplastic transformation in the Balb/C JB6 cell model. Jun and Fos family protein levels have been found not to be limiting for AP-1 response. The present study asks whether activation of Erks1 and 2 is required for AP-1 transactivation and transformation of JB6 cells and whether Erks might be targeted for cancer prevention. Expression of either of two different dominant negative kinase inactive Erk2 mutants in transformation sensitive (P+) JB6 cells substantially inhibited the tumor promoter induced activation of Erks1 and 2 and of AP-1 measured by a collagenase-luciferase reporter. Multiple mutant Erk2 expressing clonal lines were also rendered non-responsive to induced neoplastic transformation. These observations, together with our recent finding attributing AP-1 non-responsiveness to Erk deficiency in a clonal line of transformation resistant (P-) cells, argue for a requirement for Erks1 and/or 2 activation in AP-1 transactivation in the mouse JB6 neoplastic progression model, and suggest the utility of Erks as a prevention target.

Animals↗

Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) is required and rate-limiting for thrombin-enhanced experimental pulmonary metastasis.

Thrombin-treated tumor cells induce a metastatic phenotype in experimental pulmonary murine metastasis. Thrombin binds to a unique protease-activated receptor (PAR-1) that requires N-terminal proteolytic cleavage for activation by its tethered end. A 14-mer thrombin receptor activation peptide (TRAP) of the tethered end induces the same cellular changes as thrombin. Four murine tumor cells (Lewis lung, CT26 colon CA, B16F10 melanoma, and CCL163 fibroblasts) contain PAR-1, as detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). B16F10 cells did not contain the two other thrombin receptors, PAR-3 and glycoprotein Ib. TRAP-treated B16F10 tumor cells enhance pulmonary metastasis 41- to 48-fold (n = 17). Thrombin-treated B16F10 cells transfected with full-length murine PAR-1 sense cDNA (S6, S7, S14, and S22) enhanced their adhesion to fibronectin 1.5- to 2.4-fold (n = 5, P <.04), whereas thrombin-treated wild-type cells do not. S6 (adhesion index, 1.5-fold) and S14 (index, 2.4-fold) when examined by RT-PCR and Northern analysis showed minimal expression of PAR-1 for S6 over wild-type and considerable expression for S14. Immunohistochemistry showed greater expression of PAR-1 for S14 compared with wild-type or empty-plasmid transfected cells. In vivo experiments with the thrombin-treated S14 transfectant showed a fivefold to sixfold increase in metastases compared with empty-plasmid transfected thrombin-treated naive cells or S6 cells (n = 20, P =.0001 to .02). Antisense had no effect on thrombin-stimulated tumor mass. Thus, PAR-1 ligation and expression enhances and regulates tumor metastasis.

Animals↗

Differences in Ca2+ channels governing generation of miniature and evoked excitatory synaptic currents in spinal laminae I and II.

Many neurons of spinal laminae I and II, a region concerned with pain and other somatosensory mechanisms, display frequent miniature "spontaneous" EPSCs (mEPSCs). In a number of instances, mEPSCs occur often enough to influence neuronal excitability. To compare generation of mEPSCs to EPSCs evoked by dorsal root stimulation (DR-EPSCs), various agents affecting neuronal activity and Ca2+ channels were applied to in vitro slice preparations of rodent spinal cord during tight-seal, whole-cell, voltage-clamp recordings from laminae I and II neurons. The AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX (10-20 microM) regularly abolished DR-EPSCs. In many neurons CNQX also eliminated mEPSCs; however, in a number of cases a proportion of the mEPSCs were resistant to CNQX suggesting that in these instances different mediators or receptors were also involved. Cd2+ (10-50 microM) blocked evoked EPSCs without suppressing mEPSC occurrence. In contrast, Ni2+ (</=100 microM), a low-threshold Ca2+ channel antagonist, markedly decreased mEPSC frequency while leaving evoked monosynaptic EPSCs little changed. Selective organic antagonists of high-threshold (HVA) Ca2+ channels, nimodipine, omega-Conotoxin GVIA, and Agatoxin IVA partially suppressed DR-EPSCs, however, they had little or no effect on mEPSC frequency. La3+ and mibefradil, agents interfering with low-threshold Ca2+ channels, regularly decreased mEPSC frequency with little effect on fast-evoked EPSCs. Increased [K+]o (5-10 mM) in the superfusion, producing modest depolarizations, consistently increased mEPSC frequency; an increase suppressed by mibefradil but not by HVA Ca2+ channel antagonists. Together these observations indicate that different Ca2+ channels are important for evoked EPSCs and mEPSCs in spinal laminae I and II and implicate a low-threshold type of Ca2+ channel in generation of mEPSCs.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Expression of dominant negative Jun inhibits elevated AP-1 and NF-kappaB transactivation and suppresses anchorage independent growth of HPV immortalized human keratinocytes.

AP-1 transactivation appears to be required for mouse JB6 cell neoplastic transformation induced by the tumor promoter TPA or epidermal growth factor (EGF). Exposure to AP-1 transrepressing retinoids and glucocorticoids and expression of a dominant negative c-jun (TAM67) blocked tumor promoter-induced AP-1 transactivation and neoplastic transformation. The aim of the present study was to extend the inquiry of the role of AP-1 and other transcription factors to human neoplastic progression. Expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 or 18 E6 and E7 immortalizes human keratinocytes and inhibits serum/calcium-stimulated differentiation. Further transformation by v-fos co-expression renders these keratinocytes tumorigenic in nude mice. We have analysed two series of E6/E7 immortalized human keratinocyte cell lines that show progressing phenotypes ranging from differentiation sensitive to anchorage-independent to tumorigenic in nude mice. We analysed the activities of AP-1 and NF-kappaB which may 'cross-talk'. Both DNA binding and transactivation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcription factors showed elevation in the anchorage-independent (16RH) and tumorigenic (18 v-fos) keratinocyte lines compared to the less progressed but immortalized cell lines. HPV E7 was expressed at a constant level shown by quantitative RT-PCR in both the more and the less progressed lines, indicating that E7 is not the factor limiting this progression. Blocked shift/supershift analysis indicates that Fos family member proteins especially Fra-1 and Fra-2 are related to progression and no changes found in the Jun family member proteins although they are present in the AP-1/DNA binding complex. When a dominant negative mutant c-jun driven by a human keratin 14 promoter was co-transfected with AP-1 or NF-kappaB reporters, both AP-1 and NF-kappaB activities were suppressed in the more progressed cell lines 16RH and 18 v-fos but not in the less progressed 16RL or 18 cell lines. Overexpression of the same dominant negative c-jun did not inhibit p53 dependent reporter transactivation, indicating the specificity of inhibition of AP-1 and NF-kappaB transactivation in the HPV-immortalized cells. Stable transfectants of this mutant c-jun in the two more progressed cell lines 16RH and 18 v-fos showed reduced AP-1 and NF-kappaB activation and reduced anchorage-independent growth. Together, these results indicate that activation of AP-1, NF-kappaB or both may contribute to neoplastic progression in HPV immortalized human keratinocytes and that specific targeting of the elevated levels seen in benign or malignant tumors might be effective for prevention or treatment of human cancer.

Cell Division↗

Purification and identification of chemokines potentially involved in kidney-specific metastasis by a murine lymphoma variant: induction of migration and NFkappaB activation.

The ESb-MP cell line is the subclone of a highly malignant variant of murine methylcholanthrene-induced T lymphoma, ESb. When injected in vivo, ESb-MP cells metastasize to the kidney with high frequency, whereas a non-adherent variant, ESb cells, rarely form metastatic foci in the kidney. Our previous results showed that ESb-MP, but not ESb, cells were able to migrate in response to murine kidney-conditioned media (KCM). In an effort to characterize the tumor cell chemoattractant(s) produced by kidney cells, we found that the murine kidney mesangial cell line MES-13 released more chemotactic activity for ESb-MP cells than present in KCM. A major heparin-binding chemotactic activity was purified to homogeneity by sequential fast-performance liquid chromatography and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid sequencing of the formic acid-digested active fractions revealed that the purified protein was identical to murine MCP-1(JE) and its activity was neutralized by an anti-MCP-1(JE) antibody. Another chemokine, RANTES, was also purified from MES-13 cell supernatant. The chemotactic activity contained in the MES-13 cell supernatant and in murine KCM was neutralized in part by a combination of anti-MCP-1(JE) and anti-RANTES antibodies. We further examined the differences in the ESb-MP and ESb cells. Binding studies using a variety of radio-iodinated chemokines showed that although both ESb-MP and ESb cells expressed substantial levels of high-affinity binding sites for CC chemokines, only ESb-MP cells migrated in response to CC chemokines and these cells constitutively expressed higher levels of beta2 integrin adhesion protein CD11b than their parental ESb cells. CC chemokines also activated NFkappaB in ESb-MP but not in ESb cells. Our results indicate that CC chemokines selectively chemoattract and activate ESb-MP cells. Thus, locally produced chemokines, MCP-1(JE) and RANTES in particular, may contribute to the preferential metastasis of ESb-MP cells to the kidneys.

Animals↗

Ectopic induction of Clb2 in early G1 phase is sufficient to block prereplicative complex formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Eukaryotic cells ensure the stable propagation of their genome by coupling each round of DNA replication (S phase) to passage through mitosis (M phase). This control is exerted at the initiation of replication, which occurs at multiple origins throughout the genome. Once an origin has initiated, reinitiation is blocked until the completion of mitosis, ensuring that DNA is replicated at most once per cell cycle. Recent studies in several organisms have suggested a model in which S- and M-phase promoting cyclin-dependent kinases prevent reinitiation by blocking the repetition of an early step in the initiation reaction. In budding yeast, this regulation is thought to involve inhibition of prereplicative complex (pre-RC) formation at origins by S and M phase-promoting Clb kinases. To date, however, there has been no direct demonstration that these kinases can perform such an important function. In this report we provide such a confirmation by showing that ectopic induction in G1 phase of a mitotic Clb, Clb2, is sufficient to inhibit DNA replication and does so by preventing pre-RC formation. This inhibition requires that Clb2 be induced before Cdc6, an initiation protein required for pre-RC formation; once pre-RCs have formed, Clb2 can no longer inhibit initiation. These results support the notion that during the normal cell cycle reassembly of the pre-RC, and hence reinitiation at an origin, is directly inhibited by S and M phase-promoting cyclin-dependent kinases.

Cell Cycle↗

Evaluation of the tumorigenic and angiogenic potential of human fibroblast growth factor FGF3 in nude mice.

Recently, the expression of fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) was found in 55% of human Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumor tissues examined, while almost no expression of FGF3 was found in normal skin. To further these studies, human FGF3 cDNA were constructed by the overlap-extension method. The proteins translated from two FGF3 cDNA, which differ only in the sequences preceding the AUG presumed to be the initiation codon, were shown to have the same molecular mass. This result suggests that translation of human FGF3, which is different from mouse FGF3, begins only at the AUG site. The human FGF cDNA was transfected into NIH3T3 cells. The NIH 3T3 cells transformed by FGF3 were then injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. Nodular lesions developed at the injection sites in all seven mice injected with the F3-1 cell clone, which showed high expression of FGF3, and in two out of six mice injected with the F3-2 cell clone, which expressed a low level of FGF3. Histopathological features of these tumors contained fascicles of spindle-shaped cells surrounding irregular endothelial lined vascular clefts, similar to those observed in human KS lesions. Immunohistochemical staining for factor V111 antigen revealed reactivity in multiple areas, especially in abundant vascular structures of the tumor sections examined. The expression of FGF3 together with the FGF receptors FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3, was detected in the mouse tumors by Northern blot analysis. Our results indicate that tumors induced by FGF3-transformed NIH3T3 cells show some similarities to human KS tumors. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the potential tumorigenic and angiogenic role of human FGF3.

Animals↗

Alzheimer's disease--synergistic effects of glucose deficit, oxidative stress and advanced glycation endproducts.

Many approaches have been undertaken to understand Alzheimer's disease (AD) but the heterogeneity of the etiologic factors makes it difficult to define the clinically most important factor determining the onset and progression of the disease. However, there is increasing evidence that the previously so-called "secondary factors" such as a disturbed glucose metabolism, oxidative stress and formation of "advanced glycation endproducts" (AGEs) and their interaction in a vicious cycle are also important for the onset and progression of AD. AGEs are protein modifications that contribute to the formation of the histopathological and biochemical hallmarks of AD: amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and activated microglia. Oxidative modifications are formed by a complex cascade of dehydration, oxidation and cyclisation reactions, subsequent to a non-enzymatic reaction of sugars with amino groups of proteins. Accumulation of AGE-crosslinked proteins throughout life is a general phenomenon of ageing. However, AGEs are more than just markers of ageing since they can also exert adverse biologic effects on tissues and cells, including the activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways, leading to the upregulation of cytokine and free radical production (oxidative stress). Oxidative stress is involved in various divergent events leading to cell damage, including an increase in membrane rigidity, DNA strand breaks and an impairment in glucose uptake. In addition, other age-related metabolic changes such as depletion of antioxidants or decreased energy production by a disturbed glucose metabolism diminish the ability of the cell to cope with the effects of radical-induced membrane, protein and DNA damage. With our improving understanding of the molecular basis for the clinical symptoms of dementia, it is hoped that the elucidation of the etiologic causes, particularly the positive feedback loops involving radical damage and a reduced glucose metabolism, will help to develop novel "neuroprotective" treatment strategies able to interrupt this vicious cycle of oxidative stress and energy shortage in AD.

Aging↗

Herpes virus-like DNA (HHV-8) in immunosuppressive therapy-related, HIV-related and classical Kaposi's sarcoma in Norwegian patients.

The recently discovered human herpes virus 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma. Using polymerase chain reaction we detected DNA sequences of this herpes virus in 11 of 14 biopsy specimens from Kaposi's sarcoma in Norwegian patients, including the immunosuppressive therapy-related type (3 of 3), the HIV-related type (4 of 5), and the classical type (4 of 6). The results support the hypothesis of a role for human herpes virus 8 in all types of Kaposi's sarcoma independent of geographical area.

Adult↗

Prevention of estrogen carcinogenesis in the hamster kidney by ethinylestradiol: some unique properties of a synthetic estrogen.

Ethinylestradiol (EE) has evident paradoxical effects on cancer risk for human breast and hepatic cancer which parallel in some respects its effects on estrogen-induced neoplasms in the hamster kidney and liver. EE has been shown to be only weakly carcinogenic in the hamster kidney, but the most potent carcinogenic estrogen in the hamster liver following prolonged treatment. Unexpectedly, when EE and potent carcinogenic estrogens, such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), 17beta-estradiol (E2) and Moxestrol (MOX), are administered concomitantly, estrogen-induced carcinogenesis in the kidney is completely prevented. In studying this novel finding, we found that, compared with E2 exposure alone, EE at 0.05 and 1.0 nM significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the rise in proliferation of cultured primary hamster proximal renal tubular (PRT) cells in the presence of E2 (1.0 nM). Consistent with these findings, combined EE + DES treatment for 5.0 months reduced hamster kidney c-myc, c-fos and c-jun RNA expression to 43, 37 and 52%, respectively, compared with levels observed after DES treatment alone. Interestingly, TAM + DES treatment for the same period also resulted in the same low level of RNA expression of these proto-oncogenes. c-MYC, c-FOS and c-JUN protein products were comparably reduced after either EE + DES or TAM + DES treatment. It appears that c-fos expression and c-FOS protein levels in the hamster kidney were more responsive to TAM inhibition. These data demonstrate that EE possesses unique anti-tumorigenic properties in vivo in the hamster kidney. Additionally, the observed anti-estrogen-like effect of EE on cell proliferation of cultured PRT cells suggests that EE may interfere critically with estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated mitogenic pathway(s) affected by potent carcinogenic estrogens, thus preventing subsequent gene dysregulation and, hence, tumor development. Based on competition studies, the differential binding of EE to hamster kidney ER relative to that of the other estrogens (E2, DES, MOX) appears not to contribute to the prevention of estrogen carcinogenesis at this organ site by EE.

Animals↗

Maspin gene expression in tumor suppression induced by overexpressing manganese-containing superoxide dismutase cDNA in human breast cancer cells.

We have reported the tumor suppressive effects of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in human breast cancer cells. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of this anti-tumor effect, we asked whether tumor suppressor gene(s), especially the ones inhibiting tumor invasion and motility, are involved in MnSOD-induced tumor suppression. Maspin is one of the serpin family of protease inhibitors that has been shown to function as a tumor-suppressor in human breast epithelium. In the present study, we demonstrated that maspin expression was up-regulated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells that overexpress a normal MnSOD gene. The induced maspin transcripts were detected by RT-PCR and Northern blot and identified by sequencing. Maspin gene expression was induced in parallel with the level of exogenous MnSOD protein, which was induced by transfection with varied amounts of cDNA. In order to analyze cell invasion ability, which may be related to the induced maspin gene expression, MnSOD stable transfectants were tested using a matrigel invasion chamber. The invasion ability was reduced to 24% and 36% in the cloned (MCF + SOD) and pooled MnSOD-transfectants (MCF + SODp) respectively, compared with the wild-type MCF-7 cell line. In conclusion, these results suggest that overexpression of a normal MnSOD cDNA in human breast cancer cells up-regulates the gene expression of the protease inhibitor, maspin, which may play a role in the inhibitory function of MnSOD on tumor invasion.

Blotting, Northern↗

Inhibition of AP-1 and NF-kappaB by manganese-containing superoxide dismutase in human breast cancer cells.

One of the primary antioxidant enzymes, manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), has shown the ability to reverse malignant phenotypes in a variety of human tumor cells that are low or absent in MnSOD expression. We have observed that overexpression of human MnSOD in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells inhibits tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. The signaling pathway underlying the MnSOD induced tumor suppression is unknown. We demonstrate here that transcriptional and DNA binding ability of AP-1 and NF-kappaB, but not SP-1, were inhibited (by 50%) in the MCF-7 cell line overexpressing MnSOD. When transiently expressing, MnSOD inhibited AP-1 but increased NF-kappaB transactivation, which can be abolished by sodium pyruvate, a hydrogen peroxide scavenger. To analyze the target genes responsible for MnSOD-induced tumor suppression, genes related to tumor growth and responsive to AP-1 or NF-kappaB were analyzed. AP-1 responsive collagenase I, stromelysin I, and NF-kappaB responsive IL-1 and IL-6 were down-regulated in the MnSOD stable transfectants compared to the control cell lines. Since TPA induces differentiation in human breast cancer cells and up-regulates MnSOD gene in HeLa cells, MnSOD expression and AP-1 and NF-kappaB activity were measured under TPA treatment. The results showed that TPA induced endogenous MnSOD expression and inhibited both AP-1 and NF-kappaB. Together, these results suggest that tumor suppression by overexpressing MnSOD is related to a modulation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB, which causes a down-regulation of genes responsible for tumor malignant phenotype.

Breast Neoplasms↗