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Metabolic changes in undifferentiated and differentiated human colon adenocarcinoma cells studied by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Aspects of energetic and intermediary metabolism were studied in a colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29) by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Experiments were carried out on the HT29-D4 clone, which was isolated by limit dilution techniques. This clone, usually undifferentiated (D4-UD), can be maintained in a differentiated state (D4-D) in a glucose-free medium. Metabolic data were obtained by NMR analysis of perchloric acid extracts from D4-UD and D4-D cells. Phosphorus-31 and proton NMR spectra showed the presence of a large amount of choline and phosphorylcholine in the differentiated state (400% and 200%, respectively, of the levels found in D4-UD cells). Other differences appeared in the content of phosphocreatine (absent in D4-D cells) and myoinositol (absent in D4-UD cells). Carbon-13 spectra were recorded from perchloric acid extracts of cells incubated with [1-13C]-labeled glucose or [2-13C]-labeled acetate. The data indicated that both types of cells metabolize glucose through the glycolytic pathway to give lactate, but only D4-D cells were able to store glucose as glycogen at a very high level. A mathematical analysis of fluxes through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was developed on the basis of models derived from previous 14C tracer studies. The model was based on the steady-state labeling of glutamate carbons by the 13C isotope and gave the fraction of labeled acetyl-Coa entering the TCA cycle, and the activity y of anaplerotic reactions relative to the flux through the citrate synthetase reaction. The data indicated that y greater than 0.3 in all cases. Only 15% and 30% of labeled acetyl CoA entered the TCA cycle in D4-UD and D4-D cells, respectively, under labeled glucose incubation: these values were significantly different upon labeled acetate feeding, reaching 55% for D4-UD cells and 85% for D4-D cells. The main result of this study is that the process of differentiation of HT29 cells is correlated with a large increase in the activity of oxidative metabolism.

Acetates↗

Production of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in human intestinal epithelial cells after invasion by Trichinella spiralis.

Epithelial cells are the first point of host contact for invasive intestinal pathogens and may initiate mucosal inflammatory responses via production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro the initial invasion of a parasitic nematode (Trichinella spiralis), to measure the early production of specific epithelial cytokines and inflammatory mediators after invasion, and to compare these responses with those to invasive bacteria. Monolayers of human colonic epithelial cell lines (HT29, T84, and Caco-2) were infected by T. spiralis or Listeria monocytogenes. Bile-activated infective larvae of T. spiralis invaded and migrated into the epithelial cell monolayers, leaving trails of dead cells. Transmission electron microscopy studies of damaged cells along the trail showed a progressive increase in size, disruption of cell membranes, loss or dilution of cytoplasmic proteins, and swelling of mitochondria and nuclei. However, no nuclear fragmentation was observed. With reverse transcription-PCR and an enzyme-linked oligonucleotide chemiluminescent assay, mRNA transcripts of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-8, and epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78 were shown to increase in epithelial cells invaded by T. spiralis or L. monocytogenes, but only L. monocytogenes elicited increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA. No increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha or transforming growth factor beta mRNA was seen after T. spiralis invasion. Increased levels of IL-8 were also released from the basolateral surfaces of infected monolayers as detected by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Induction and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in epithelial cells after nematode or bacterial invasion may initiate the acute inflammatory response of the small intestine. The upregulation of iNOS in bacterial infections may contribute to mucosal defense and may also be associated with subsequent cell death, whereas different mechanisms appear to operate after nematode invasion.

Animals↗

Morphogenesis of human colon cancer cells with fetal rat mesenchymes in organ culture.

The morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation of human colon cancer cells (LS174T and HT29) were examined by combining cancer cells with fetal rat digestive-tract mesenchyme in organ culture. LS174T cells migrated into the mesenchyme to form glandular structures composed of single columnar cells with their nuclei oriented basally, while HT29 cells formed cell masses with little lumen formation. Immunohistochemical studies with antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen and secretory components showed that the composition of cell surface glycoproteins was not necessarily reversed to the normal type, even when neoplastic cells exhibited normal glandular structures.

Animals↗

Selenite supplementation decreases expression of MAZ in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Low dietary intake of the essential trace element selenium can increase the risk of colon cancer. Utilizing RNA arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP-PCR), we sought to identify genes differentially expressed in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells cultured with or without supplemental sodium selenite. One cDNA fragment, present at lower levels in samples from cells supplemented with selenite, had 97% nucleotide sequence identity with a sequence from the 3'-untranslated region of myc-associated zinc-finger protein (MAZ) cDNA. Northern blot analysis showed that steady-state levels of mRNA detected using this fragment as a probe were three times greater in unsupplemented (Se-) than in supplemented (Se+) samples. When a duplicate Northern blot was probed with a 300-bp fragment from the open reading frame of an MAZ cDNA clone, signal intensity was 2.2 times greater in Se- than in Se+ lanes. The MAZ protein has been shown to be a transcription regulator of the c-myc protooncogene. Signal intensity on a Northern blot probed with a segment of c-myc Exon 1 cDNA was 94% greater in Se- than in Se+ lanes. These findings are consistent with the established role for MAZ in regulating c-myc gene expression. They also suggest a molecular mechanism by which selenium intake may affect risk of colon cancer.

Base Sequence↗

Casein kinase I attenuates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis by regulating the recruitment of fas-associated death domain and procaspase-8 to the death-inducing signaling complex.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in a wide variety of malignant cell lines, in contrast to normal cells, but with considerable heterogeneity in response. Death receptor-mediated apoptosis may be attenuated by a variety of different mechanisms, including phosphorylation-based signaling pathways. We have demonstrated that casein kinase I can attenuate TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human cell lines derived from colon adenocarcinoma (HT29 and HCT8) and pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (JR1). Inhibition of casein kinase I (CKI) phosphorylation events in HT29, HCT8, and JR1 cells by CKI-7 dramatically increased apoptosis after exposure to TRAIL, in the absence of apoptosis induced by TRAIL treatment alone. CKI inhibition enhanced the recruitment of Fas-associated death domain and procaspase-8 to the death-inducing signaling complex after TRAIL treatment and enhanced cleavage of procaspase-8 at the death-inducing signaling complex. In HT29 cells studied further, rapid cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-3, Bid, and the caspase substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase occurred when CKI-7 and TRAIL were combined. Overexpression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, or mutant DN-Fas-associated death domain protected HT29 cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the presence of the CKI inhibitor. In addition, TRAIL combined with CKI-7 promoted the release of cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, HtrA2/Omi, and AIF from the mitochondria and down-regulated the expression of XIAP and c-IAP1. Small hairpin RNAs directed against CKI revealed that the CKIalpha isoform contributed significantly to the inhibition of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that CKIalpha plays an antiapoptotic role through the generation of phosphorylated sites at the level of the death-inducing signaling complex, thereby conferring resistance to caspase cleavage mediated by TRAIL.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Continuous cytokine exposure of colonic epithelial cells induces DNA damage.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. As an example ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with a production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including nitrogen monoxide (NO), which is produced in high amounts by inducible nitrogen oxide synthase (iNOS). NO as well as other ROS are potential DNA damaging agents. The aim was to determine the effect of long-term cytokine exposure on NO formation and DNA damage in epithelial cells. METHODS: A colonic cell line (HT29) was stimulated for 1-10 weeks with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or both and compared with unstimulated cells or cells stimulated for 48 h. Cells were co-incubated with a selective iNOS inhibitor (N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)) in some experiments. Viability was assessed by the dimethylthiazol diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Production of ROS was determined by the oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein to a fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein and measured by fluorescence reading and visualized by fluorescence microscopy. DNA stability was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Continuously stimulated colonic cells had increased ROS production, especially those stimulated with TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha (P<0.001). The ROS production could be inhibited by L-NMMA co-incubation, indicating that iNOS is responsible for the up-regulation (P<0.05). Continuously stimulated cells had increased DNA instability (P<0.002), whereas short-term stimulated cells did not. The DNA instability was inhibited by L-NMMA co-incubation (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous cytokine exposure induces an iNOS dependent up-regulation of ROS production and DNA instability. This mechanism could be involved in carcinogenesis in chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Expression of mammalian O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase in a cell line sensitive to alkylating agents.

Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) were co-transfected with pSV2neo and sheared DNA from either a human cell line (HT29) expressing high levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) or from a cell line (BE) deficient in this activity. Cells expressing the selectable marker were obtained by exposure to G418 and colonies resistant to alkylation damage isolated by growth in the presence of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU). The number of colonies of cells expressing AGT activity arising after transfection with DNA from BE cells was similar to the number arising from cells exposed to HT29 DNA. Although the amount of AGT repair protein expressed in the transfectant colonies from this experiment was relatively low, these results indicate that repair of alkylation damage can be restored in AGT-deficient cells by transfection of human DNA from both repair-deficient and proficient cells. A separate transfection of CHOMG cells [a mutant of CHO cells resistant to the drug, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG)] with HT29 DNA and pSV2neo followed by selection of G418 and 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) resulted in three colonies with high AGT levels. These transfectants had different growth rates and expressed levels of the AGT protein between 230 and 300 fmol/mg protein. The transfectants were as resistant to the cytotoxic effects of BCNU, Clomesone, methylnitrosourea (MNU) and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) as HT29 cells which were much more resistant than the parental CHOMG cells. Pretreatment of transfectant cells with 0.4 mM O6-methylguanine for 24 h reduced AGT activity to 14% basal levels, which upon removal of the base increased to approximately 74% basal level within 8 h. The sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of both the chloroethylating and methylating agents was enhanced by treatment with O6-methylguanine. In the same manner, the number of BCNU-induced DNA interstrand cross-links increased in transfectant cells pretreated with O6-methylguanine. These results provide further evidence that the formation of methyl or chloroethyl adducts at the O6-position contribute significantly to cell lethality.

Alkylating Agents↗

Efficacy and mechanism of action of chitosan nanocapsules for oral peptide delivery.

PURPOSE: We have previously shown that high molecular weight (MW > 100 kDa) chitosan nanocapsules are efficient vehicles for improving the oral absorption of salmon calcitonin (sCT). In the present work, our objectives were, first, to investigate the influence of some formulation parameters on the efficacy of chitosan nanocapsules as carriers for the oral administration of sCT and, second, to elucidate the mechanism of interaction of chitosan nanocapsules with intestinal model cell lines. METHODS: sCT-loaded chitosan nanocapsules were prepared by the solvent displacement technique. They were characterized for their size, zeta potential, and sCT loading. The ability of chitosan nanocapsules to enhance the oral absorption of sCT was investigated in rats by monitoring the serum calcium levels. Finally, the mechanism of interaction of chitosan nanocapsules with the Caco-2 cell model or in the coculture of Caco-2 with HT29-M6 cells was investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Chitosan nanocapsules presented a particle size in nanometer range, a positive surface charge, and an efficient encapsulation of sCT. Following oral administration to rats, all formulations of nanocapsules exhibited the ability to reduce calcemia levels; however, the intensity of the response varied depending on the formulation conditions. With regard to the mechanism of interaction of chitosan nanocapsules with cell culture, the xz images evidenced that chitosan nanocapsules interact and remain associated to the apical side of both model cell cultures. In addition, chitosan nanocapsules showed a preferable association to the mucus-secreting cells (HT29-M6). CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan nanocapsules are able to enhance and prolong the intestinal absorption of sCT and this effect could be mainly ascribed to their mucoadhesive character and intimate interaction with the intestinal barrier.

Administration, Oral↗

Luminal leptin activates mucin-secreting goblet cells in the large bowel.

Leptin has been suggested to be involved in tissue injury and/or mucosal defence mechanisms. Here, we studied the effects of leptin on colonic mucus secretion and rat mucin 2 (rMuc2) expression. Wistar rats and ob/ob mice were used. Secretion of mucus was followed in vivo in the rat perfused colon model. Mucus secretion was quantified by ELISA, and rMuc2 mRNA levels were quantified by real-time RT PCR. The effects of leptin alone or in association with protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors on mucin secreted by human mucus-secreting HT29-MTX cells were determined. Leptin was detected in the rat colonic lumen at substantial levels. Luminal perfusion of leptin stimulates mucus-secreting goblet cells in a dose-dependent manner in vivo in the rat. Leptin (10 nmol/l) increased mucus secretion by a factor of 3.5 and doubled rMuc2 mRNA levels in the colonic mucosa. There was no damage to mucosa 24 h after leptin, but the number of stained mucus cells significantly increased. Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice have abnormally dense mucus-filled goblet cells. In human colonic goblet-like HT29-MTX cells expressing leptin receptors, leptin increased mucin secretion by activating PKC- and PI3K-dependent pathways. This is the first demonstration that leptin, acting from the luminal side, controls the function of mucus-secreting goblet cells. Because the gel layer formed by mucus at the surface of the intestinal epithelium has a barrier function, our data may be relevant physiologically in defence mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗

Na+/H+ exchanger activity is increased in doxorubicin-resistant human colon cancer cells and its modulation modifies the sensitivity of the cells to doxorubicin.

Multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cells exhibit an altered pH gradient across different cell compartments, which favors a reduced intracellular accumulation of antineoplastic drugs and a decreased therapeutic effect. In our study, we have observed that the activity and expression of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), which is involved in the homeostasis of intracellular pH (pHi), are increased in doxorubicin-resistant (HT29-dx) human colon carcinoma cells in comparison with doxorubicin-sensitive HT29 cells. The pH(i) was significantly higher in HT29-dx cells, which accumulated less doxorubicin than HT29 cells. The NHE inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) significantly reduced the pHi value and increased the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in both cell populations: in the presence of EIPA HT29-dx cells accumulated as much drug as control HT29 cells. On the other hand, monensin, a Na+/H+ ionophore mimicking NHE activation, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which stimulates NHE, significantly increased the pHi and decreased the drug accumulation in HT29 cells to values similar to those observed in control HT29-dx cells. EIPA potentiated the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin in HT29 cells, and made HT29-dx cells as sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of the drug as control HT29 cells. Instead, PMA and monensin made HT29 cells as insensitive to doxorubicin as HT29-dx cells. These results suggest that in MDR cells the higher cytosolic pH is likely to decrease drug accumulation, and that such resistance can be reverted by inhibiting the NHE activity. This result opens the possibility to revert MDR with the clinical use of NHE inhibitors.

Amiloride↗

A zinc-sensing receptor triggers the release of intracellular Ca2+ and regulates ion transport.

Changes in extracellular zinc concentration participate in modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, secretion, and ion transport in a mechanism that is not well understood. Here, we show that a micromolar concentration of extracellular zinc triggers a massive release of calcium from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular pools in the colonocytic cell line HT29. Calcium release was blocked by a phospholipase-C inhibitor, indicating that formation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate is required for zinc-dependent calcium release. Zinc influx was not observed, indicating that extracellular zinc triggered the release. The Ca(i)2+ release was zinc specific and could not be triggered by other heavy metals. Furthermore, zinc failed to activate the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells. The zinc-induced Ca(i)2+ rise stimulated the activity of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger in HT29 cells. Our results indicate that a previously uncharacterized extracellular, G protein-coupled, Zn(2+)-sensing receptor is functional in colonocytes. Because Ca(i)2+ rise is known to regulate key cellular and signal-transduction processes, the zinc-sensing receptor may provide the missing link between extracellular zinc concentration changes and the regulation of cellular processes.

Calcium↗

Optimization of radioimmunotherapy using human malignant melanoma multicell spheroids as a model.

In vitro multicell spheroids from a human melanoma cell line and the human colon cancer cell line HT29, used as control, have been established as a model of poorly vascularized micrometastases in vivo. The antimelanoma monoclonal antibody 96.5 was radiolabeled with 131I at specific radioactivities from 1.85 to 3.96 GBq/mg. Cytotoxicity of 131I-96.5 to the spheroids, at an initial size of 300 microns in diameter, was investigated as a function of concentration of 131I-96.5 in the incubation medium, specific radioactivity, and treatment time. Spheroid growth delay and clonogenic survival of cells disaggregated from the spheroids at various times after treatment were used as end points. Therapeutic effects increased with the concentration of 131I-96.5 within the range 0.2 to 2 mg/liter (0.34 to 3.4 GBq/liter) at a fixed specific radioactivity. The effects increased with specific radioactivity at a fixed concentration of 131I-96.5. Difference in therapeutic effect was also observed between treatment times of 8 and 24 h. Radiation doses to the melanoma spheroids varied from 10 to 16 Gy. Unlabeled 96.5 at 2 mg/liter or 131I-iodide at 1.7 GBq/liter did not affect the growth of the melanoma spheroids. The HT29 spheroids, however, only suffered slight cytotoxicity at 1 or 2 mg/liter of 131I-96.5 and for a treatment time of 24 h despite comparable radiosensitivity of HT29 cells and melanoma cells to high-dose-rate radiation. Similar cytotoxicity was observed in the HT29 group treated with 131I-iodide at 1.7 GBq/liter. Present findings therefore demonstrate preferential and adequate killing of the melanoma spheroids by 131I-96.5 at 0.5 mg/liter and 3.96 GBq/mg in 8 h.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Regulation of human dihydrodiol dehydrogenase by Michael acceptor xenobiotics.

A human oxidoreductase (H-37) that is overexpressed in ethacrynic acid-resistant HT29 colon cells (Ciaccio, P. J., Stuart, J.E., and Tew, K.D. (1993) Mol. Pharmacol. 43, 845-853) has been identified as a dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. Translated protein from a dihydrodiol dehydrogenase cDNA isolated from a library prepared from ethacrynic acid-resistant HT29 cell poly(A+) RNA was recognized by anti-H-37 IgG and was identical in molecular weight with H-37. The isolated cDNA was identical in both nucleotide and amino acid sequences with the recently cloned liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (Stolz, A., Hammond, L., Lou, H., Takikawa, H., Ronk, M., and Shively, J.E. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 10448-10457). Using this cDNA as probe, we have examined its induction by Michael acceptors. The steady state dihydrodiol dehydrogenase mRNA level in the ethacrynic acid-resistant line was increased 30-fold relative to that of wild-type cells. Twenty-four hour treatment of wild-type cells with ethacrynic acid or dimethyl maleate increased mRNA 10-fold and 5-fold, respectively. These changes are accompanied by both increased protein expression and increased NADP-dependent 1-acenaphthenol oxidative activity in cell cytosol. In gel shift assays, compared to wild type controls, increased binding of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase human antioxidant response element (hARE) DNA to redox labile protein complexes present in treated and resistant cell nuclear extract was observed. Ethacrynic acid induced CAT activity 2-fold in Hepa1 cells stably transfected with NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase hARE-tk-CAT chimeric gene construct. Thus, dihydrodiol dehydrogenase protein is inducible by de novo synthesis from mRNA by structurally related monofunctional inducer Michael acceptors. Altered in vitro binding of nuclear protein to the hARE is indirect evidence for the involvement of an element similar to hARE in the regulation of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase by these agents.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Tumor cell differentiation by butyrate and environmental stress.

The present study shows that stress signaling plays a role in differentiation of K562, PANC1, HT29 and HL60 tumor cells: (1) Butyrate induced differentiation in K562, PANC1, and HT29 cells can be inhibited by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 stress activated protein kinase. (2) Heat shock and hyperosmolarity increase expression of differentiation markers in K562, HT29, HL60 and in K562, PANC1, and HT29 cells, respectively. (3) Conversely, environmental stress induced differentiation in K562, HT29, and PANC1 cells can be inhibited by SB203580 and quercetin, a compound with heat shock pathway inhibiting activity. (4) Butyrate and environmental stress enhance either additively or synergistically differentiation of K562, HT29, PANC1 or HL60 cells, respectively. Stress signaling pathways might be an interesting pharmacologic target for differentiation therapy of malignant disease.

Butyrates↗

CD44 exon variant 6 epitope and hyaluronate synthase are expressed on HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells in a SCID mouse model of metastasis formation.

The factors which lead to the formation of metastases are generally poorly understood; however the expression of a particular variant of the cell adhesion molecule CD44 may be important in facilitating metastasis formation in colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of CD44 exon v 6 (CD44v6), hyaluronate (one of its ligands), and hyaluronate synthase, in a clinically relevant animal model of metastatic colon carcinoma. HT29 human colon carcinoma cells were injected subcutaneously between the scapulae of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice and left for 3 weeks (by which time the tumours had produced metastases in the lungs). Morphological observations at the tumour-host interface were consistent with the dissociation of neoplastic cells from the primary tumours, and the ability of these cells to migrate through the extracellular matrix facilitating metastasis formation. Immunohistochemically detectable hyaluronate synthase expression was increased in vivo compared with the parent cell line in vitro. CD44v6 expression and hyaluronate were increased around single cells at the periphery of tumours compared with the central regions. CD44v6 and hyaluronate snythase expression were co-expressed in the same cells. Indeed, the present study is the first to demonstrate hyaluronate synthase expression by an epithelial cell type.

Animals↗

Potential autocrine role of insulin-like growth factor II during suramin-induced differentiation of HT29-D4 human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line.

Suramin, a drug that binds to several types of growth factors, has been previously shown to induce the enterocyte-like differentiation of HT29-D4 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells, suggesting that growth factors are involved in such a process. Undifferentiated HT29-D4 cells release insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) into the culture medium that is totally complexed to heterogeneous IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) expressing high affinities for this growth factor (Kda = 0.02 nM and Kdb = 1.4 nM). These complexes do not allow IGF-II to bind to HT29-D4 cell surface type I IGF receptors, as evidenced by using 125I-IGF-II-IGFBP complexes. However, the addition of 40-100 micrograms/ml suramin, i.e., concentrations identical to the ones that are able to induce HT29-D4 cell differentiation, induces the release of IGF-II from IGF-II-IGFBP complexes, thereby allowing IGF-II to bind to the cell surface receptors. At such concentrations, suramin is indeed unable to alter IGF-II binding to HT29-D4 cells, a capacity that is observed only for concentrations higher than 200 micrograms/ml. Thus, suramin might have the unusual capacity to allow the establishment of an IGF-II autocrine loop involved in HT29-D4 cell differentiation. Consistent with this hypothesis is the fact that exogenously applied IGF-I (2.5 micrograms/ml) or agonist monoclonal antibody alpha IR-3 (2.5 micrograms/ml), which can bypass IGFBP present in the culture medium, induces part of HT29-D4 cell differentiation that is characterized by an important carcinoembryonic antigen release and the induction of numerous intercellular cysts with microvilli.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Intracellular trafficking and release of intact edible mushroom lectin from HT29 human colon cancer cells.

Our previous studies have shown that the Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha- (Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen)-binding lectin from the common edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus (ABL) reversibly inhibits cell proliferation, and this effect is a consequence of inhibition of nuclear localization sequence-dependent nuclear protein import after ABL internalization [Yu, L.G., Fernig, D.G., White, M.R.H., Spiller, D.G., Appleton, P., Evans, R.C., Grierson, I., Smith, J.A., Davies, H., Gerasimenko, O.V., Petersen, O.H., Milton, J.D. & Rhodes, J.M. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 4890-4899]. Here, we have investigated further the intracellular trafficking and fate of ABL after internalization in HT29 human colon cancer cells. Internalization of 125I-ABL occurred within 30 min of the lectin being bound to the cell surface. Subcellular fractionation after pulse labelling of the cells with 125I-ABL for 2 h at 4 degrees C followed by culture of the cells at 37 degrees C demonstrated a steady increase in radioactivity in a crude nuclear extract. The radioactivity in this extract reached a maximum after 10 h and declined after 20 h. Release of ABL from the cell, after pulse labelling, was assessed using both fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled ABL and 125I-ABL and was slow, with a t1/2 of 48 h. Most of the 125I-ABL both inside cells and in the medium remained intact, as determined by trichloroacetic acid precipitation and SDS/PAGE, and after 48 h only 22 +/- 2% of ABL in the medium and 14 +/- 2% inside the cells was degraded. This study suggests that the reversibility of the antiproliferative effect of ABL is associated with its release from cells after internalization. The internalization and subsequent slow release, with little degradation of ABL, reflects the tendency of lectins to resist biodegradation and implies that other endogenous or exogenous lectins may be processed in this way by intestinal epithelial cells.

Agaricales↗

Lack of dependence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine-mediated radiosensitization on cytotoxicity.

It has been proposed that fluoropyrimidine-mediated cytotoxicity and radiosensitization are closely correlated. We have shown that HT29 human colon cancer cells transfected with the E. coli dUTPase gene are resistant to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd)-mediated cytotoxicity, presumably through more effective elimination of dUTP. We used these cells to assess the association between radiosensitization and cytotoxicity produced by FdUrd. The radiation sensitivities of the clones expressing elevated dUTPase activity (dutE clones) were similar to those of untransfected HT29 cells or HT29 cells which had been transfected with only the expression vector for the E. coli gene (con clones). We found that FdUrd produced similar increases in radiation sensitivity regardless of dUTPase activity. Levels of dUTPase in the dutE clones remained elevated during the entire period of FdUrd exposure, demonstrating that the lack of difference between dutE and Con clones was not a reflection of down-regulation of dUTPase activity by FdUrd. Flow cytometry showed that all clones progressed past the G1/S-phase boundary and into early S phase during FdUrd treatment. These data suggest that the mechanisms of FdUrd-mediated cytotoxicity and radiosensitization are not closely linked. These findings, combined with our previous investigations, are consistent with the hypothesis that radiosensitization occurs in cells which progress past the G1/S-phase boundary in the presence of FdUrd.

Cell Survival↗