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Mechanism of sulforaphane-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural micronutrient found in cruciferous vegetables that has been shown to possess antitumoral properties in carcinogen-treated rats. In vitro, SFN regulates phase II enzymes, cell cycle, and apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between SFN induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HT29 human colon carcinoma cells. In previously published data, a significant increase in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle has been observed in SFN-treated cells that was associated with increased cyclin B1 protein levels. In the present study, our results show that SFN induced p21 expression. Moreover, preincubation of HT29 cells with roscovitine, a specific cdc2 kinase inhibitor, blocked the G2/M phase accumulation of HT29 cells treated with SFN and abolished its apoptotic effect (22.2 +/- 4 of floating cells in SFN-treated cells vs. 6.55 +/- 2 in cells treated with both SFN and roscovitine). These results suggest that the cdc2 kinase could be a key target for SFN in the regulation of G2/M block and apoptosis. Moreover, in SFN-treated cells the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb) is highly phosphorylated. Inhibition of the cdc2 kinase by roscovitine did not change the phosphorylation status of Rb in SFN-treated cells, suggesting that this cyclin-dependent kinase may not be involved. In our study, we did not observe any significant change in the proteasomal activity between control and SFN-treated cells. Moreover, inhibition of proteasomal activity through the use of MG132 diminished SFN-induced HT29 cell death, suggesting that the apoptotic effect of SFN requires a functional proteasome-dependent degradation system. In summary, we have elucidated part of the mechanism of action of SFN in the concomitant regulation of intestinal cell growth and death.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Induction of apoptosis in HT29 human intestinal epithelial cells by the cytotoxic enterotoxin of Aeromonas hydrophila.

The cytotoxic enterotoxin produced by Aeromonas hydrophila is considered to be the main virulence factor in gastrointestinal infections mediated by this pathogen. In this study, we examined the morphological and apoptotic effects of this toxin on HT29 cells, using light and electron microscopy in situ, as well as agarose gel electrophoresis of cell DNA. Cells treated with the cytotoxic enterotoxin became round and lost their polarity as well as their adhesion to each other and to the substrate. Cytoplasmic blebbing and nuclear condensation also occurred. DNA fragmentation was detected by TUNEL labelling and agarose gel electrophoresis. These results show that the cytotoxic enterotoxin of A. hydrophila can induce apoptosis in human intestinal cells in culture.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗

The role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in quinone-mediated p21 induction in human colon carcinoma cells.

This study examines the role of NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase (NQOR) (EC 1.6.99.2) in the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones and the ensuing formation of reactive oxygen species in the induction of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 (WAF1, Cip1, or sdi1) in human colon carcinoma cells. The aziridinylbenzoquinones used were 2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DZQ) and 2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ). The cell lines used in this study, BE and HT29 human colon carcinoma cell lines, are devoid of and overexpress NQOR activity, respectively. The rate of reduction of the above quinones in BE cells proceeded at similar rates (approximately 170 nmol/min/ mg protein) and, expectedly, it was not affected by the NQOR inhibitor, dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was largely accomplished by NQOR (approximately 94%), whereas that of AZQ was accomplished by dicumarol-insensitive reductases. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was accompanied by H2O2 formation, which was approximately 10-fold higher than that ensuing from the activation of AZQ. In agreement with these data, the production of H2O2 during the activation of DZQ by purified NQOR was approximately 10-fold higher than that of AZQ. The formation of H2O2 during the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones in BE cells was 24- to 57-fold lower than that in HT29 cells. At variance with HT29 cells, H2O2 formation by BE cells was insensitive to the catalase inhibitor sodium azide. The bioactivation of AZQ and DZQ in BE cells yielded O2.- and HO. as detected by spin trapping/EPR, the intensity of the former adduct being approximately 2-fold higher than that of the latter. These signals were insensitive to dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells yielded mainly HO. and a modest contribution of O2.- (ratio HO./O2.- approximately 10), whereas that of AZQ yielded a HO./O2.- approximately 2. The effect of dicumarol on the free radical pattern obtained during DZQ metabolism resulted in a strong inhibition (80%) of HO. production and a substantial increase of O2.- generation. The metabolism of DZQ and AZQ in BE cells was associated with a significant increase of p21 mRNA levels; the former quinone was approximately 2-fold more efficient than the latter. DZQ metabolism in HT29 cells led to an increase of p21 mRNA levels 15-fold higher than that observed with AZQ activation. Dicumarol did not inhibit p21 induction associated with the metabolism of DZQ in the NQOR-deficient BE cells, whereas the inhibitor decreased p21 induction in HT29 cells by approximately 30%. This modest inhibition is likely due to the low concentration of dicumarol used, which did not affect p21 constitutive levels in control experiments carried out in the absence of the quinone. p21 induction in HT29 cells was also inhibited by DTPA, a metal chelator, and N-acetylcysteine, a potent cellular anti-oxidant, suggesting that HO. may serve as an ultimate mediator for the induction. It may be surmised that the higher efficiency of DZQ in p21 induction may be related to its efficient metabolism by NQOR in HT29 cells and the associated high level of reactive oxygen species. The role of reactive oxygen species in p21 induction was further assessed upon supplementation of cells with H2O2:p21 induction in BE cells was 4-fold higher than that in HT29 cells. These findings suggest that assessment of the role of NQOR and reactive oxygen species in p21 induction requires careful consideration of the cell genotype.

Acetylcysteine↗

Prestimulation of monocytes by the cytokines GM-CSF or IL-2 enhances the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity of monoclonal antibody 17-1A.

Previously, we have shown that the cytokines IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2 significantly enhance the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) exerted by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 17-1A which recognizes the tumor associated antigen EpCAM. ADCC was assessed by a new flow cytometric cytotoxicity assay using the PKH2 labeled colorectal tumor cell line HT29 as target cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effectors. Monocytes are assumed to be one of the major effectors for ADCC. However, isolated monocytes have a rather low ADCC capacity while addition of CD4+ lymphocytes optimizes ADCC. Since such an interaction between immune cells may act through cytokines we investigated whether a seven-day-prestimulation of monocytes by the cytokines M-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha and IL-2 enhances ADCC. Thereafter, we added for three days IL-2 and IFN-alpha with or without the mAb 17-1A for terminal activation of monocytes. Interestingly, GM-CSF which was ineffective in terminal activation, significantly enhanced ADCC of monocytes when it was used for prestimulation. Similar results were obtained with IL-2. IFN-gamma and M-CSF were also active but less than GM-CSF. Astonishingly, IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha prestimulation of monocytes suppressed the enhancement of ADCC exerted by GM-CSF and IL-2, respectively. Our experiments suggest that the timing of cytokine application is critical for the induction of optimal ADCC. Subcutaneous pretreatment with GM-CSF or IL-2 followed by the combination of IL-2/IFN-alpha/17-1A should be evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in patients with colorectal cancer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Caco-2 versus Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cell lines: permeabilities via diffusion, inside- and outside-directed carrier-mediated transport.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was a systematic characterization and evaluation of cell culture models based on mixtures of Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultures for their use in screening for drug absorption and intestinal permeability in comparison to the properties of the respective mono-cultures. METHODS: Co-cultures of Caco-2 cells (absorptive-type) and HT29-MTX cells (goblet-type) were set up. Three different co-cultures (initial seeding ratios Caco-2/HT29-MTX: 90/10, 70/30, and 50/50) were grown on permeable filter supports, and monolayers were used for permeability studies with model compounds for paracellular absorption (atenolol, furosemide, H334/75, mannitol, terbutaline), transcellular absorption (antipyrine, ketoprofen, metoprolol, piroxicam), carrier-mediated absorption (D-glucose, Gly-Pro, and L-phenylalanine) as well as substrates for carrier-mediated secretion via P-glycoprotein (cimetidine and talinolol). Electrophysiological and microscopic controls were performed to characterize the cell cultures. RESULTS: For compounds undergoing passive intestinal absorption permeabilities were generally higher in co-cultures than in Caco-2 monolayers, yielding highest values in pure HT29-MTX monolayers. This difference was most obvious for compounds transported via the paracellular pathway, where HT29-MTX cells may be up to 30 times more permeable than Caco-2 cells, whereas for lipophilic and highly permeable compounds, the difference in permeability values was less obvious. For drugs undergoing intestinal secretion mediated by P-glycoprotein, co-cultivation of Caco-2 cells with HT29-MTX cells led to increased apical to basolateral permeability which was decreased in the opposite direction, consistent with the fact that HT29-MTX cells do not express P-glycoprotein. When a carrier-mediated absorption mechanism is involved, the permeabilities observed were lower than the values reported for human small intestine and co-cultivation of HT29-MTX cells with Caco-2 cells resulted in even lower values as compared to the plain Caco-2 cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Co-cultures of HT29-MTX and Caco-2 cells offer the opportunity of modifying the permeability barrier of the cell monolayers both with respect to paracellular resistance and secretory transport via P-gp. Thus, in special cases, they allow more flexibility in adapting the in vitro system to the in vivo situation as compared to the monocultures. Another advantage is the obvious robustness of the method with respect to the reproducibility of the results. A problem remaining, however, is the quantitative expression of carriers involved in intestinal uptake of many nutrients and drugs.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Altered deposition of basement-membrane molecules in co-cultures of colonic cancer cells and fibroblasts.

Two human colon carcinoma cell lines, HT29 and Caco-2 were co-cultured with fetal rat or human skin fibroblasts. Their morphological features, ultra-structural characteristics at the heterologous cell interface, and the deposition of basement-membrane molecules [laminin, type-IV collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)] at the epithelial-stromal junction were analyzed. The 2 cell lines behaved differently. HT29 cells did not spread on the fibroblasts and grew as clusters, while Caco-2 cells formed a monolayer over the fibroblastic feeder layer. Only the latter carcinoma cells exhibited cytoplasmic processes towards the fibroblasts and, after 5 days in co-cultures, a structured basement membrane (BM). The immunocytochemical analysis of the BM constituents revealed the absence of the molecules studied at the sites of heterologous contacts in the case of HT29 cells. In contrast, in the co-cultures comprising Caco-2 cells, laminin and type-IV collagen were progressively deposited in a polar fashion at the epithelial-fibroblastic interface which, however, remained devoid of HSPG molecules. Together with earlier data indicating a dual origin of the BM molecules located at the epithelial-fibroblastic interface in normal intestine, the present study shows that the cancer cells as well as the fibroblastic ones under the influence of carcinoma cells display an altered capacity to synthesize and/or secrete BM molecules. The extent of such abnormalities correlates with the differentiation of the cells. Finally, these modifications occur concomitantly with alterations in cell interactions which vary among cell lines.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of hypoxia on detoxicating enzyme activity and expression in HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Resistance of hypoxic tumor cells to ionizing radiation and cytotoxic drugs has been attributed to changes in the reactivity and/or the half-times of reactive species in the altered redox environment. Exposure of eukaryotic cells to such hypoxic conditions results in the induction of the synthesis of several unrelated proteins. To investigate further the phenomenon of hypoxic cell resistance to cytotoxic drugs, we examined the effects of hypoxia on the expression of a group of enzymes involved in drug metabolism. Exposure of HT29 colon carcinoma cells to hypoxia resulted in a marked increase in the activity of DT-diaphorase and in glutathione content. The activity of glutathione transferase was not increased by this treatment. The response was proportional to the duration of hypoxia. After the cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions for 8 h, followed by restoration of an oxic environment, the elevation in enzyme activity and glutathione content reached a peak at 48 h (40 h after the restoration of an oxic environment) and returned to baseline at 72 h. Elevation of steady-state levels of DT-diaphorase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase mRNA followed a similar time course, with > 10-fold increases over oxic cells at 24 h. The elevation of DT-diaphorase mRNA content was found to result both from transcriptional induction and from increased message stability. The magnitude and persistence of elevated detoxicating enzyme activity following a relatively short hypoxic exposure followed by reoxygenation suggest a novel potential mechanism of resistance to cytotoxic drugs in hypoxic tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Modulation of human intestinal epithelial cell IL-8 secretion by human milk factors.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) seems to result from the inflammatory response of an immature intestine. Human milk is protective against NEC via an unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that specific factors found in human milk would decrease stimulated IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells. HT29-cl19A and Caco2 cells were compared with the fetal human primary intestinal epithelial cell line H4 and temperature-sensitive conditionally immortalized fetal human intestinal (tsFHI) cells. Cells were pretreated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), erythropoietin (Epo), IL-10, or epidermal growth factor (EGF) at physiologic concentrations before stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or IL-1beta, and then IL-8 was measured by ELISA. The fetal cells produced significantly more IL-8 when stimulated by TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. There were also differences in the pattern of alteration of IL-8 secretion by human milk factors. In HT29-cl19A cells, IL-10 inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-8 secretion by 52%, and EGF increased secretion by 144%. In H4 cells, TGF-beta1 and Epo inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-8 secretion to control levels, and EGF increased secretion by 29%. IL-1beta-stimulated IL-8 secretion was inhibited 25% by TGF-beta1 in Caco2 cells and in H4 cells was inhibited by TGF-beta1, Epo, and TGF-beta2. TsFHI cells confirmed H4 cell results. Fetal human enterocytes have an exaggerated IL-8 secretion in response to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. TGF-beta and Epo decrease this stimulated IL-8 secretion, which may partially explain the protective effect of human milk in NEC.

Age Factors↗

Characterization of human intestinal stromal cell lines: response to cytokines and interactions with epithelial cells.

The maintenance of the physiological homeostasis of the gut mucosa characterized by continuous proliferation and differentiation processes results from epithelial-mesenchymal cell cross-talk. To set out stable and homogeneous models for the study of the (dys)regulation of various morphofunctional aspects, we established and characterized three clonal cell lines (C9, C11, and C20) derived from human duodenal mucosal connective tissue. We defined the expression of (i) cytoskeletal proteins; (ii) basement membrane molecules (laminins, collagen IV, nidogen) which have been shown formerly to be deposited at the epithelial/mesenchymal interface in situ by the mesenchymal compartment; and (iii) soluble factors, HGF, and TGFbeta1. The three cell lines display common but also specific proliferative responses to cytokines (IL1beta, IL2, IL8, TNFalpha, IFNgamma, TGFbeta1, and HGF). When cocultured with embryonic intestinal endoderms or with human colonic Caco2 or HT29 cancer cells, C9 versus C11 and C20 cell lines induced limited versus extensive growth of the associated epithelial cells. In addition C20 cells allowed spreading of HT29 cells with the formation of a basement membrane at the heterologous interface. Morphogenesis obtained by intracoelomic grafts of associations comprising the mesenchymal cell lines and intestinal endoderms was also different among those composed of C9 cells or of C11 or C20 cells. In conclusion, these data indicate that the mucosal connective tissue is heterogeneous and comprises several phenotypically different mesenchyme-derived cells whose equilibrium may be important in the gut homeostasis. These cells can now be used to define tissue-specific factors which may be involved in the physiopathology of the intestinal epithelium.

Animals↗

Variations of fructose-2,6-diphosphate levels in cultured HT29 human colon cancer cells: influence of hexoses and lactate concentrations.

Under the standard conditions of culture, Fru-2,6-P2 level in HT29 cells is transitorily increased as a consequence of medium change; the peak value occurs after 2 hr, followed by a gradual return to a basal value (40 pmol/mg protein) which is maintained as long as medium glucose concentration stands above 2 mM. A 20 hr glucose deprivation lowers Fru-2,6-P2 level to trace value, but, when glucose is reintroduced, the peak value is much higher; large Fru-2,6-P2 accumulation is correlated with higher rates of glucose uptake and lactate release, which suggests an activation of glycolysis at the level of phosphofructokinase-1. Fru-2,6-P2 level depends on the glucose concentration within the range of 0 to 5 mM. At this concentration and above, maximal effect is reached. Previous glucose deprivation renders the Fru-2,6-P2 forming system more sensitive to glucose. When given instead of glucose, fructose enters the glycolytic pathway and produces same effect as glucose on the Fru-2,6-P2 level. Galactose turns it to almost zero which coincides with low glycolytic rate. Acidity of the culture medium favorishes the Fru-2,6-P2 formation; however, change in pH cannot explain the variations of Fru-2,6-P2 level observed under the standard culture conditions. Lactate concentrations over 10 mM in the medium are found to significantly inhibit the Fru-2,6-P2 producing system. Therefore, lactate accumulation in the medium could be an important factor controlling Fru-2,6-P2 level during standard cell culture.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Insulin induces PFKFB3 gene expression in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is present at high concentrations in many established lines of transformed cells. It plays a key role in the maintenance of a high glycolytic rate by coupling hormonal and growth factor signals with metabolic demand. The concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is controlled by the activity of the homodimeric bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK-2). We report here the PFKFB-3 gene expression control by insulin in the human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cell line. The incubation of these cells with 1 microM insulin resulted in an increase in the PFK-2 mRNA level after 6 h of treatment, this effect being blocked by actinomycin D. Furthermore, insulin induced ubiquitous PFK-2 protein levels, that were evident after a lag of 3 h and could be inhibited by incubation with cycloheximide.

Cycloheximide↗

Cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and DNA-binding studies of the novel imidazoacridinone antineoplastic agent C1311.

C1311 is a novel therapeutic agent with potent activity against experimental colorectal cancer that has been selected for entry into clinical trial. The compound has previously been shown to have DNA-binding properties and to inhibit the catalytic activity of topoisomerase II. In this study, cellular uptake and mechanisms by which C1311 interacts with DNA and exerts cytotoxic effects in intact colon carcinoma cells were investigated. The HT29 colon cancer cell line was chosen to follow cellular distribution of C1311 over a time course of 24 h at drug concentrations that just inhibited cell proliferation by 50% or 100%. Nuclear uptake of C1311 and co-localization with lysosomal or mitochondrial dyes was examined by fluorescence microscopy and effects on these cellular compartments were determined by measurement of acid phosphatase levels, rhodamine 123 release or DNA-binding behaviour. The strength and mode of DNA binding was established by thermal melting stabilization, direct titration and viscometric studies of host duplex length. The onset of apoptosis was followed using a TUNEL assay and DNA-fragmentation to determine a causal relationship of cell death. Growth inhibition of HT29 cells by C1311 was concomitant with rapid drug accumulation in nuclei and in this context we showed that the compound binds to duplex DNA by intercalation, with likely A/T sequence-preferential binding. Drug uptake was also seen in lysosomes, leading to lysosomal rupture and a marked increase of acid phosphatase activity 8 h after exposure to C1311 concentrations that effect total growth inhibition. Moreover, at these concentrations lysosomal swelling and breakdown preceded apoptosis, which was not evident up to 24 h after exposure to drug. Thus, the lysosomotropic effect of C1311 appears to be a novel feature of this anticancer agent. As it is unlikely that C1311-induced DNA damage alone would be sufficient for cytotoxic activity, lysosomal rupture may be a critical component for therapeutic efficacy.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Secretion of extracellular factor(s) induced by X-irradiation activates the HIV type 1 long terminal repeat through its kappaB motif.

X-irradiation has been used in the treatment of several human diseases, including AIDS-related-malignancies. X-irradiation might induce the transcription and the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and enhance nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). In the present article we show that the activation of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) by direct X-irradiation can be mimicked by coculture of transfected cells with X-irradiated nontransfected (HIV-1-negative) cells. In the human colonic carcinoma cell line HT29, the activation seems to depend on an extracellular factor(s) released by a cell line treated with X-rays. The HIV-1 LTR cis-acting element conferring X-indirect responsiveness was identified as the kappaB tandem motif. The two main nuclear HIV-1 kappaB-binding complexes activated by X-direct and -indirect irradiation were the NF-kappaB p50/p65 and c-Rel/p65 heterodimers. Nuclear NF-kappaB activation was dependent on protein neosynthesis. It was partially inhibited by 100 microM pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a potent antioxidant drug, but was not correlated with a significant decrease in cellular IkappaBalpha. Furthermore, X-irradiation induces the expression of several cytokine genes generally associated with stress response and antibodies against interleukin 6 and TNF-alpha partially inhibited the X-indirect activation of the HIV-1 LTR. The use of protein kinase C (PKC)-specific inhibitor and of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, suggests that a PKC-dependent pathway and the cAMP intracellular concentration could play a role in the X-indirect enhancement of HIV-1 LTR transcription in the HT29 cell line. In addition, supernatants of an X-irradiated HT29 cell culture activated the HIV-1 stimulation in infected peripheral blood monocytes.

Antioxidants↗

Lovastatin potentiates the photocytotoxic effect of photofrin II delivered to HT29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells by low density lipoprotein.

A 24 h preculture of HT29-18 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells with the sterol synthesis inhibitor lovastatin at concentrations of 0.1-0.5 microM markedly increased the photocytotoxic effect of photofrin II delivered to cells by low density lipoproteins. Under the same conditions, LDL binding and photofrin II (PII) uptake by HT29 cells increased about 1.8-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively. These results suggest that hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors could be useful for potentiating the photodynamic therapy of tumors by PII.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Geldanamycin and its 17-allylamino-17-demethoxy analogue antagonize the action of Cisplatin in human colon adenocarcinoma cells: differential caspase activation as a basis for interaction.

Several chaperone-binding drugs based on geldanamycin (GA) have been synthesized, and one of them, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), is being developed in the clinic. Interest in the use of 17-AAG in combination with cytotoxic drugs led us to study both GA and 17-AAG with cisplatin (DDP) in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines HT29 and HCT116. We performed isobologram analysis of combinations of DDP with GA or 17-AAG in these cell lines using the standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to evaluate cell survival. In HCT116, the effects of GA and 17-AAG with DDP were additive and schedule dependent. In HT29 both GA and 17-AAG antagonized DDP effects resulting in cytotoxicity less than expected. We hypothesized that the antagonism in HT29 cells might be a consequence of altered p53 function in this cell line. Accordingly, we tested GA/17-AAG and DDP in combination in the HCTp5.2 cell line, which expresses a dominant-negative form of p53. In these cells too, the GA analogues antagonized DDP, suggesting a role for p53 in the observed effects. Investigation of the DDP-induced signaling pathways revealed that ansamycins block the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase pathways and c-Jun expression in HT29 cells while exerting incomplete inhibitory effects in HCT116 and HCTp5.2 cell lines. Therefore, effects on signaling are thought not to underlay the antagonism in the latter model. The ansamycins inhibited DDP-induced activation of caspases 8 and 3 in HT29 and HCTp5.2 but not in HCT116 cells, which we postulate to be the basis for higher survival of p53-deficient cells when treated with combinations of the two drugs.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Induction of retinoic acid receptor beta mediates growth inhibition in retinoid resistant human colon carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms underlying the differential sensitivity of human colon carcinoma cells to retinoid mediated growth inhibition are poorly understood. AIM: To identify the intracellular mechanisms responsible for resistance against retinoid mediated growth inhibition in human colon carcinoma cells. METHODS: Anchorage independent growth of the human colon carcinoma cell lines HT29 and LoVo was determined by a human tumour clonogenic assay. Retinoid receptor expression was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and northern blotting. Retinoid mediated transactivation was assessed by transient transfection of a pTK::betaREx2-luc reporter construct. Retinoid receptor overexpression was achieved by selecting stably transfected cell clones. RESULTS: Retinoid treatment resulted in profound dose dependent growth inhibition in HT29 cells, while LoVo cells were unaffected. The two cell lines express identical patterns of nuclear retinoid receptor mRNA transcripts. However, on retinoid treatment, retinoic acid receptor beta gene expression was upregulated only in retinoid sensitive HT29 cells, but not in retinoid resistant LoVo cells. In accordance, stable overexpression of retinoic acid receptor beta but not alpha or gamma conferred retinoid mediated growth inhibition on LoVo cells. CONCLUSION: Induction of retinoic acid receptor beta expression is required and sufficent to confer retinoid mediated growth inhibition on human colon carcinoma cells.

Blotting, Southern↗

Scanning fluorescent microscopy analysis is applicable for absolute and relative cell frequency determinations.

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometry (FCM) and laser scanning cytometry (LSC) are the routine techniques for fluorescent cell analysis. Recently, we developed a scanning fluorescent microscopy (SFM) technique. This study compares SFM to LSC (two slide-based cytometry, SBC, techniques) and FCM, in experimental and clinical settings. METHODS: For the relative cell-frequency determinations, HT29 colorectal cancer cells and Ficoll separated blood mononuclear cells (FSBMCs) were serially diluted (from 1:1 to 1:1,000) and measured by each of the three techniques. For the absolute cell number determinations (only for SBC) FSBMCs were smeared on slides, then HT29 cells were placed on the slide with a micromanipulator (5-50 cells). Tumor cells circulating in the peripheral blood were isolated by magnetic separation from clinical blood samples of colorectal cancer patients. All samples were double-stained by CD45 ECD and CAM5.2 FITC antibodies. For slides, TOTO-3 and Hoechst 33258 DNA dyes were applied as nuclear counter staining. RESULTS: In the relative cell frequency determinations, the correlations between the calculated value and measured values by SFM, LSC, and FCM were r(2) = 0.79, 0.62, and 0.84, respectively (for all P < 0.01). In the absolute cell frequency determinations, SFM and LSC correlated to a high degree (r(2) = 0.97; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SFM proved to be a reliable alternative method, providing results comparable to LSC and FCM. SBC proved to be more suitable for rare-cell detection than FCM. SFM with digital slides may prove an acceptable adaptation of conventional fluorescent microscopes in order to perform rare-cell detection.

Antiporters↗

A significant soluble keratin fraction in 'simple' epithelial cells. Lack of an apparent phosphorylation and glycosylation role in keratin solubility.

We studied the solubility of keratin polypeptides 8 and 18 (K8/18), which are the predominant intermediate filaments in the human colonic epithelial cell line HT29. We find that asynchronously growing cells (G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle) have a substantial pool of soluble keratin that constitutes approx. 5% of total cellular keratin. This soluble keratin pool was observed after immunoprecipitation of K8/18 from the cytosolic fraction of cells disrupted using three detergent-free methods. Several other cell lines showed a similar significant soluble cytosolic K8/18 pool. Arrest of HT29 cells in G2/M stage of the cell cycle was associated with a concurrent increase in keratin solubility. Comparison of K8/18 obtained from the soluble cytosolic fraction and the insoluble high-speed pellet fraction showed similar levels of phosphorylation and glycosylation and similar tryptic radiolabeled phospho- and glycopeptide patterns. Soluble K8/18 can form characteristic 10 nm filaments in vitro as determined by electron microscopy. Cross-linking of soluble K8/18 followed by immunoprecipitation resulted in dimeric and tetrameric forms, based on migration in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. In addition, cross-linked and native soluble K8/18 showed similar migration on nondenaturing gels and similar sedimentation after sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Our results indicate that simple epithelial keratins are appreciably more soluble than previously recognized. The soluble keratin form is assembly competent and appears to be primarily tetrameric. Although K8/18 solubility was found to increase during mitotic arrest, glycosylation and phosphorylation did not play an obvious role in generating the soluble fraction, suggesting an alternate mechanism for keratin solubility.

Adenocarcinoma↗