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The role of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (EC 1.6.99.2, DT-diaphorase) in the reductive bioactivation of the novel indoloquinone antitumor agent EO9.

EO9 [3-hydroxymethyl-5-aziridinyl-1-methyl-2-(H-indole-4, 7-indione)-propenol] is a novel indoloquinone structurally related to mitomycin C, a quinone anticancer drug that requires reductive bioactivation. NAD(P)H: (quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (quinone reductase, DT-diaphorase, EC 1.6.99.2) is an obligate 2-electron donating enzyme that can reduce a variety of quinones resulting either in bioactivation or bioprotection. Using quinone reductase (QR) preparations from rat Walker 256 mammary tumor cells and human HT29 colon carcinoma cells, we have characterized the role of this enzyme in EO9 reductive metabolism. QR activity was assayed under optimal conditions by following cytochrome c reduction at 550 nm in the presence of enzyme, quinone substrate, NADH, and bovine albumin, and confirmed by loss of EO9 absorbance at 550 nm. Both the rat and human tumor cell enzymes catalyzed reduction of the benchmark quinone menadione with a similar Km of 1.4-3.1 microM, although the Vmax was 7 to 8-fold lower for the human preparation. EO9 was readily reduced by the rat Walker QR. The mean Km was about 5-fold higher than for menadione at around 15 microM and the Vmax was 6-fold lower at around 2.5 mumol of cytochrome c reduced mg-1 of protein. EO9 was also metabolized by QR from HT29 human colon carcinoma cells but rather less efficiently than by the rat tumor enzyme. For example, the rate was 6-fold lower than that for the Walker tumor enzyme at 100 microM substrate concentration after correcting for the 7- to 8-fold difference in specific activity for the two preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

HIV-1 infection and expression in human colonic cells: infection and expression in CD4+ and CD4- cell lines.

Three human colonic epithelial cell lines, SW620, HT29, and T84, were characterized with respect to HIV-1 infection and gene expression. SW620 and HT29, but not T84, could be infected with HIV-1. CD4 messenger RNA and its protein product were identified in SW620 cells but not in HT29 or T84 cells. Anti-CD4 antibody blocked infection of SW620 cells but had no effect on infection of HT29 cells. In SW620 and HT29 cells transfected with the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene, an intact HIV-1 enhancer element was required for stimulation of CAT activity by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and phorbol ester. T84 was not able to mediate a TNF alpha or phorbol ester response. These studies provide further evidence that HIV-1 can infect cells by mechanisms other than those mediated by the CD4 receptor and describe complementary models for analyzing HIV-1 infection and expression in colonic epithelial cells.

CD4 Antigens↗

Characterizations of irofulven cytotoxicity in combination with cisplatin and oxaliplatin in human colon, breast, and ovarian cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the cytotoxic effects of irofulven in combination with oxaliplatin and cisplatin in a panel of human cancer cell lines. METHODS: Growth inhibition studies were performed using the human HT29 colon cancer cell line, irofulven-resistant derivative HT29/IF2, breast cancer cell line MCF7, and ovarian cancer line CAOV3. Irofulven-oxaliplatin combinations were compared with irofulven-cisplatin combinations in the same cell lines using similar experimental settings. Cells were exposed for 1 h to irofulven and then for 24 h to oxaliplatin or cisplatin and vice versa. RESULTS: Single agent irofulven displayed cytotoxic effects against human colon HT29 cells, human breast cancer cell lines including MCF7, SKBR3, and ZR-75-1, and human ovarian cancer cell lines CAOV3, OVCAR3, and IGROV1, with OVCAR3 being the most sensitive cancer cell line (IC50: 2.4 microM). In all tested cell lines the oxaliplatin-irofulven combination led to clear evidence of synergistic activity. In HT29 and HT29/IF2, the sequence oxaliplatin followed by irofulven appears to be the most effective whereas in MCF7 cells, irofulven given prior to or simultaneously with oxaliplatin is more effective than the other schedule. The combination displays additive activity toward CAOV3 ovarian cells when irofulven was administered prior to or simultaneously with oxaliplatin and partially synergistic when oxaliplatin was followed by irofulven. In most of the cell lines, the sequence oxaliplatin followed by irofulven appears to be the most effective as compared to other schedules. A combination of irofulven with cisplatin has the same efficacy as with oxaliplatin for the same cell lines. Cell cycle studies show that irofulven increases the proportion of cells in the S phase. Cisplatin-irofulven and oxaliplatin-irofulven combinations block cells in G1/S and potently induce apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Irofulven displays synergistic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects when combined with oxaliplatin over a broad range of concentrations in human colon and breast cancer cells. Acquired resistance to irofulven has limited impact on the effects of cisplatin-irofulven and oxaliplatin-irofulven combinations. Based on these data, irofulven-oxaliplatin and cisplatin-irofulven combinations will be further explored in clinical trials, favoring the use schedules of oxaliplatin given prior to irofulven in patients with cancer.

Algorithms↗

Regulation of spreading and growth of colon cancer cells by hepatocyte growth factor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor, regulates both cell motility and the growth of some cell types. We have determined the effects of HGF on the motility and growth of human colon cancer cell lines (HT115, HT29, HRT18 and HT55). Cell motility, as measured by dissociation from carrier beads or by scattering of cell colonies, was greatly increased in all cell lines. The effects were completely blocked by anti-HGF antibody. In contrast, cell growth of HT115, HT29 and HRT18 cells was inhibited by a wide range of concentrations of HGF. HT55 cell growth was also inhibited but needed a prolonged culture period (> 5 days). The HGF receptor/Met protein is highly expressed in the membrane fraction of these cells as determined by Western blotting. It is concluded that HGF has an effect on both colon cancer cell motility and growth, which may be important in the control of the spread of colon cancer.

Blotting, Western↗

Overexpression of laminin alpha1 chain in colonic cancer cells induces an increase in tumor growth.

Laminins represent a growing family of glycoproteins constituting the basement membrane. They are known to direct many biological processes. With respect to carcinogenesis, laminins play an important role in cell adhesion, mitogenesis, differentiation and even metastasis. To further study the biological significance of laminin-1 (composed of alpha1, beta1 and gamma1 chains) in intestinal cell differentiation or tumorigenesis, an alpha1-laminin expression vector was introduced into the HT29 colonic cancer cells, in which laminin alpha1 chain is not expressed. Upon transfection of the alpha1 chain, the alpha1beta1gamma1 trimer was found secreted in the media along with free alpha1 chain as assessed by immunoprecipitation. The presence of the laminin alpha1 chain did not significantly modify the levels of the other laminin chains nor the integrins expressed by the HT29 cells. In spite of similar growth properties with the control cells in vitro (plastic dish, soft agar), the laminin alpha1 transfectants showed a significantly increased tumor growth when injected in nude mice. Histologic and immunohistochemic examination of the laminin alpha1-expressing tumors points to an increased recruitment of the host stromal and vascular cells, without modification in the differentiation profile and invasion potential. In parallel, a clear accumulation of laminin-10 (alpha5beta1gamma1) at the carcinoma/stromal interface and a segregation of the integrin beta4 subunit at the basal pole of the cancer cells occurred, compared to control tumors. Overall, our observations emphasize the importance of laminin-1 as a chemoattractant of both stromal and vascular cells and in epithelial/stromal cell interactions for the organization of the basement membrane and segregation of integrins leading to an epithelial cell growth signal. Such a sequence of events is reminiscent of what occurs during development.

Animals↗

Dependence of 5-fluorouracil-mediated radiosensitization on DNA-directed effects.

PURPOSE: Although 5-fluorouracil (FUra) has been demonstrated to be a radiation sensitizer both in the laboratory and the clinic, it is not known whether radiosensitization results primarily from FUra's DNA or RNA-directed effects. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We studied the radiosensitizing effects of FUra +/- thymidine (dThd)) on HT29 human colon cancer cells, which are relatively sensitive to the DNA-directed action of FUra, in comparison to SW620 and HuTu80 human colon cancer cells, which are relatively resistant to FUra's DNA-directed effects. We hypothesized that if FUra were acting chiefly through DNA dependent mechanisms, HT29 cells would (a) show greater radiosensitization than SW620 and HuTu80 cells under the same conditions of exposure; and (b) demonstrate selective reversal of radiation sensitivity (compared to cytotoxicity) in the presence of FUra + dThd, compared to FUra alone. RESULTS: We found that the enhancement ratio produced by a 24 h exposure to 10 microM FUra was significantly greater in HT29 cells compared to SW620 and HuTu80 cells (enhancement ratios of 2.1 +/- 0.1; 1.1 +/- 0.1, and 1.3 +/- 0.1, respectively). Furthermore, in HT29 cells, dThd blocked FUra-mediated radiosensitization to a greater extent than FUra-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus, our hypotheses were confirmed. CONCLUSION: These findings support the concept that the manipulation of FUra's DNA-dependent actions, for example, through modulators of thymidylate synthase (TS) activity, may increase radiosensitization in clinical trials in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. However, since resistance to the DNA-directed effects of fluoropyrimidines can result from mechanisms unrelated to TS inhibition, additional strategies will be required to potentiate fluoropyrimidine-mediated radiosensitization.

Cell Cycle↗

Antiproliferative effects of the arotinoid Ro 40-8757 in human gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer cell lines: combinations with 5-fluorouracil and interferon-alpha.

The arotinoid Ro 40-8757 was previously shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of human cancer cell lines derived from breast, lung and uterus. In view of the high incidence of human digestive cancers, and the slow progress in the development of new therapy, we examined in this paper several combinations between the new arotinoid Ro 40-8757, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and interferon alpha-2a on the growth of nine human cancer cell lines derived from the gastrointestinal and pancreatic system. Half-maximal inhibition of cell proliferation by Ro 40-8757 was observed at concentrations ranging between 0.18 and 0.57 microM, and increased up to 4.7 microM in retinoid-resistant CAPAN 620 pancreatic cells. All-trans-retinoic acid was 70 times less potent. The sensitivity of HT29-5FU-resistant colonic cells was similar to that observed in the parental cells, suggesting an action independent of pyrimidine metabolism. Ro 40-8757 did not induce any differentiation on HT29 cells, as suggested by ultrastructural analysis. The arotinoid did not interact with receptor signal transduction pathways under the control of serum components, such as growth factors as half-maximal inhibiton of growth was similar in HT29-S-B6 cells cultured in the absence or presence of serum. Cell cycle analysis showed that Ro 40-8757 was not acting at a phase-specific transition in HT29 cells and, accordingly, did not induce overexpression of the protein kinase C (PKC)alpha isoform, or conversion of hyperphosphorylated p105 Rb into hypophosphorylated forms. However, the arotinoid induced significant accumulation of the dephosphorylated, active form of the tumour-suppressor protein. Combinations of Ro 40-8757 with 5FU and interferon alpha 2a resulted in an additive but not synergistic antiproliferative action in HT29 cells. Our data support the interest in Ro 40-8757 as a potent anti-cancer drug, especially in combination therapy with 5FU and interferon, in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers, where new active therapeutic modalities are urgently needed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Reversible inhibition of proliferation of epithelial cell lines by Agaricus bisporus (edible mushroom) lectin.

Galactosyl beta-1,3-N-acetyl galactosamine (Gal beta-1,3-GalNAc) (Thomsen Friedenreich antigen), the Class I core sequence in O-linked oligosaccharide chains, behaves as an oncofetal antigen showing increased expression in many epithelial malignancies. Previous work has shown that peanut agglutinin (PNA), a lectin that binds Gal beta-1,3-GalNAc, stimulates proliferation in HT-29 (human colon cancer) cells and normal human colonic epithelium and this implies that cell surface glycoproteins which express Gal beta-1,3-GalNAc may play an important role in the regulation of epithelial cell proliferation. We have now studied the effect on epithelial cells of another dietary Gal beta-1,3-GalNAc-binding lectin, the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus lectin (ABL). This differs from PNA in its ability to bind also to sialylated Gal beta-1,3-GalNAc. In contrast to PNA, ABL (25 micrograms/ml) inhibited incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA of HT29 colon cancer cells by 87% (95% confidence limit, 85-89%), Caco-2 colon cancer cells by 16% (95% confidence limit, 12-20%), MCF-7 breast cancer cells by 50% (95% confidence limit, 47-52%), and Rama-27 rat mammary fibroblasts by 55% (95% confidence limit, 51-60%) when these cells were grown for 24 h in serum-free medium. When assessed by cell count, similar inhibition of proliferation of HT29 cells by ABL was found. In the presence of 2% fetal calf serum (which contains the ABL-binding glycoprotein fetuin), the inhibitory effect of ABL on cell proliferation was still demonstrable but at increased ABL concentration (60 micrograms/ml for 49% inhibition). Ten micrograms/ml ABL completely abolished the stimulatory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation of epidermal growth factor (100 pg/ml) and PNA (25 micrograms/ml) and markedly inhibited the stimulatory effect of insulin (50 ng/ml). ABL (0.2 mg/ml) caused no cytotoxicity to HT29, MCF-7, and Rama-27 cells as measured by trypan blue exclusion, and inhibition of proliferation in HT29 cells caused by 50 micrograms/ml ABL was reversible after removal of the lectin. Binding studies with 125I-labeled ABL suggested a single class of binding site with an apparent Kd value of (4.12 +/- 0.29) x 10(-7) M with (3.6 +/- 0.3) x 10(7) binding sites/cell. A. bisporus lectin is a reversible noncytotoxic inhibitor of epithelial cell proliferation which deserves study as a potential agent for cancer therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Vicia faba agglutinin, the lectin present in broad beans, stimulates differentiation of undifferentiated colon cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Dietary lectins can alter the proliferation of colonic cells. Differentiation is regulated by adhesion molecules which, being glycosylated, are targets for lectin binding. AIMS: To examine the effects of dietary lectins on differentiation, adhesion, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: Differentiation was assessed in three dimensional gels, adhesion by aggregation assay, and proliferation by 3H thymidine incorporation. The role of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (epCAM) was studied using a specific monoclonal antibody in blocking studies and Western blots. The human colon cancer cell lines LS174T, SW1222, and HT29 were studied. RESULTS: The cell line LS174T differentiated in the presence of Vicia faba agglutinin (VFA) into gland like structures. This was inhibited by anti-epCAM monoclonal antibody. Expression of epCAM itself was unaffected. VFA as well as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and the edible mushroom lectin (Agaricus bisporus lectin, ABL) significantly aggregated LS174T cells but peanut agglutinin (PNA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA) did not. All lectins aggregated SW1222 and HT29 cells. Aggregation was blocked by the corresponding sugars. Aggregation of cells by VFA was also inhibited by anti-epCAM. VFA, ABL, and WGL inhibited proliferation of all the cell lines; PNA stimulated proliferation of HT29 and SW1222 cells. In competition studies all sugars blocked aggregation and proliferation of all cell lines, except that the addition of mannose alone inhibited proliferation. CONCLUSION: VFA stimulated an undifferentiated colon cancer cell line to differentiate into gland like structures. The adhesion molecule epCAM is involved in this. Dietary or therapeutic VFA may slow progression of colon cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Glucuronidation as a mechanism of intrinsic drug resistance in human colon cancer: reversal of resistance by food additives.

Colon cancer exhibits inherent insensitivity to chemotherapy by mechanisms that are poorly characterized. We have shown that human colon cancer cells are efficient in drug conjugation catalyzed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and now report on the role of glucuronidation in de novo resistance to two topoisomerase I inhibitors. Identification of the UGT responsible for glucuronidation of SN-38 and the anthraquinone NU/ICRF 505 was achieved by first using a panel of human cDNA-expressed isozymes to measure conjugating activity. HT29 colon cancer cells were then probed by reverse transcriptase-PCR, Western Blot analysis, and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry for their profile and activity of UGT isozymes and screened for effective inhibitors of glucuronidation. Expression analysis was also conducted in colon cancer biopsies and paired adjacent normal colon specimens. UGT1A9 was identified as the isozyme catalyzing biotransformation of the two compounds in HT29 cells and propofol as an effective competitive inhibitor of this metabolism. Inhibition of glucuronidation resulted in up to a 5-fold enhancement in drug activity. The majority of colon cancer biopsies studies expressed UGT protein at levels greater than in HT29 cells but with marked interpatient variations and proficiently glucuronidated the two anticancer drugs. A range of UGT aglycones were capable of modulating glucuronidation in the biopies with octylgallate being 10-fold more potent (ID(50) 24 microM) than propofol. In a subset of tumors (33%), UGT protein levels and activity exceeded that of paired normal colon. Glucuronidation may represent a mechanism of intrinsic drug resistance in colon cancer open to modulation by a range of food additives and proprietary medicines.

Anthraquinones↗

Apoptosis induction and cyclooxygenase-2 regulation in human colorectal adenoma and carcinoma cell lines by the cyclooxygenase-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NS-398.

We determined the effect of the highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor NS-398 on proliferation, apoptosis and COX-2 regulation in 3 pre-malignant human colorectal adenoma cell lines (RG/C2, AA/C1, RR/C1) and compared its effect on 3 colorectal carcinoma cell lines (HT29, KS, JW2). COX-2 protein was expressed in each cell line derived from an adenoma, thus providing evidence that COX-2 is expressed in the tumour cells themselves at an early stage in human colorectal adenoma formation. NS-398 (20 to 100 microM for 96 h) induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of the adenoma cell lines. Of the 3 carcinoma lines, only HT29 expressed COX-2 protein, yet each line was similarly sensitive to NS-398. There was a positive correlation between overall sensitivity of the cell lines (determined by the attached cell yield) and sensitivity to NS-398-induced apoptosis, suggesting that apoptosis is the dominant anti-proliferative effect of NS-398. Two of the 3 adenoma cell lines (RG/C2, AA/C1) were less sensitive than the carcinoma cell lines. NS-398 up-regulated COX-2 protein expression in the HT29 and adenoma cell lines. This was studied further in HT29 cultures, where treatment with NS-398 inhibited COX-2 activity, reducing prostaglandin E(2) secretion. Here, neither the increase in COX-2 protein expression nor the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effect of NS-398 was prevented by addition of exogenous prostaglandin E(2). Apoptosis appears to be the dominant anti-proliferative effect of NS-398 and, in COX-2 expressing cells, may be mechanistically linked to the observed induction of COX-2 protein expression upon treatment with NS-398.

Adenoma↗

The effect of oxygen and carbon dioxide on tumor cell endothelin-1 production.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is produced by some tumor cells, but the dependence of this production on pO2 and pCO2, conditions relevant within the tumor microenvironment, has not been described. HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells and DU145 prostate carcinoma cells produce similar amounts of ET-1 in vitro under normal cell culture conditions of 21% O2/5% CO2 (normoxia). Exposure of HT29 cells to either 2% O2 or 0.2% O2 significantly reduced ET-1 production compared to cells in normoxia. In contrast, production of ET-1 by DU145 cells was usually unaffected by hypoxia and was even slightly increased in cells exposed to 2% O2 in HEPES-buffered EMEM (HEPES-EMEM). Exposure of cells to either 2.2% CO2 or 7.1% CO2 had no effect on the production of ET-1 by cells in bicarbonate-buffered EMEM (EMEM). However, in HEPES-EMEM, ET-1 production by both cell lines was reduced in 7.1% CO2. A slight reduction in ET-1 produced by DU145 cells was also observed in 2.2% CO2. These results illustrate that changes in ET-1 production by tumor cells in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia are tumor-dependent. It is clear that the production of ET-1 by tumor cells under normal culture conditions may not accurately reflect production within the tumor microenvironment. A greater insight into the in vivo situation, however, may be possible by modifying the cell culture conditions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cyclooxygenase-2 activation mediates the proangiogenic effect of nitric oxide in colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Up-regulation of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes has been reported in colorectal cancer. We aimed at evaluating the possible interaction between the nitric oxide and COX-2 pathways, and its effect on promoting tumor angiogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of iNOS, COX-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31 was analyzed in tumor samples and corresponding normal mucosa obtained from 46 surgical specimens. We also evaluated iNOS activity, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP production in the same specimens. Nitrite/nitrate levels, and PGE(2) and VEGF production were assessed in HCT116 and HT29 colon cancer cell lines after induction and selective inhibition of the two enzyme pathways. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between iNOS and COX-2 immunohistochemical expression. PGE(2) production significantly correlated with iNOS activity and cGMP levels. A significant correlation was also found among PGE(2) production, microvessel density, and VEGF expression. Coinduction of both iNOS and COX-2 activities occurred after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment in HCT116 and HT29 cells. Inhibition of iNOS by 1400W significantly reduced both LPS- and EGF-induced PGE(2) production. Treatment with LPS, EGF, and arachidonic acid significantly increased VEGF production in the iNOS-negative/COX-2-positive HT29 cells. This effect was completely reversed by treatment with the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a prominent role of nitric oxide in stimulating COX-2 activity in colorectal cancer. This interaction is likely to produce a cooperative effect in promoting angiogenesis through PGE(2)-mediated increase in VEGF production.

Aged↗

Expression of the prodrug-activating enzyme DT-diaphorase via Ad5 delivery to human colon carcinoma cells in vitro.

Intratumoral injection of recombinant adenoviral type 5 (Ad5) vectors that carry prodrug-activating enzymes like DT-diaphorase (DTD) could be used to selectively target tumor cells for chemotherapy. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, Ad5 vectors were constructed, which express human DTD minigenes for both wild-type and mutant (C-to-T change in nucleotide 609 in DTD cDNA) DTD under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. HT29 human colon carcinoma cells express wild-type DTD, whereas BE human colon carcinoma cells express mutant DTD, have low to undetectable DTD activity, and are 4- to 6-fold more resistant to mitomycin C (MMC) than HT29 cells. A test of the ability of Ad5 to infect these cells (using a beta-galactosidase CMV-driven minigene) indicated that 90-100% of BE cells were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100, whereas only 15-40% of HT29 cells were infected at this MOI. Infection of BE cells in vitro with recombinant Ad5 carrying a minigene for wild-type DTD at MOIs of 3-100 resulted in a progressive increase in DTD activity and a maximal 8-fold increase in sensitivity to MMC as measured by a colony-forming assay. HT29 cells were sensitized 2- to 3-fold following treatment with Ad5.DTD at an MOI of 100. These results indicate that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and expression of wild-type DTD can sensitize resistant tumor cells to MMC and that this therapeutic strategy may exert a significant bystander effect.

Adenoviridae↗

Regulation of the polymeric Ig receptor by signaling through TLRs 3 and 4: linking innate and adaptive immune responses.

IgA Abs help to maintain homeostasis at mucosal surfaces by promoting defense mechanisms that protect against pathogens while suppressing inflammatory responses to commensal organisms and food Ags. The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) mediates transport of IgA across mucosal epithelial cells. We hypothesized that signaling through TLRs may up-regulate pIgR expression by intestinal epithelial cells and thus enhance IgA-mediated homeostasis. To test this hypothesis we treated the HT29 human intestinal epithelial cell line with dsRNA, a ligand for TLR3, or LPS, a ligand for TLR4. Both dsRNA and LPS up-regulated levels of pIgR mRNA and cell surface pIgR protein. By contrast, dsRNA but not LPS up-regulated expression of TLR3 and TLR4 mRNA. However, cell surface expression of both TLR3 and TLR4 was enhanced by treatment of HT29 cells with their respective ligands. Transfection of HT29 cells with wild-type and mutated promoter/enhancer plasmids suggested that TLR3 and TLR4 signal primarily through NF-kappaB to enhance transcription of pIgR mRNA. TLR3 signaling resulted in a more pronounced inflammatory response than did TLR4, as evidenced by up-regulation of the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor-1, chemokines IL-8 and RANTES, and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF. Signaling through LPS/TLR4 appears to up-regulate pIgR expression while minimizing proinflammatory responses, a mechanism that could promote IgA-mediated homeostasis in the presence of commensal Gram-negative bacteria.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, induces cell death in colorectal carcinoma cells: a possible role for cyclooxygenase 2.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is upregulated in most colorectal cancers and is responsible for metabolism of the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, into prostaglandin-ethanolamides (PG-EAs). The aims of this study were to determine whether anandamide and PG-EAs induce cell death in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells, and whether high levels of COX-2 in CRC cells could be utilised for their specific targeting for cell death by anandamide. METHODS: We determined the effect of anandamide on human CRC cell growth by measuring cell growth and cell death, whether this was dependent on COX-2 protein expression or enzyme activity, and the potential involvement of PG-EAs in induction of cell death. RESULTS: Anandamide inhibited the growth of CRC cell lines HT29 and HCA7/C29 (moderate and high COX-2 expressors, respectively) but had little effect on the very low COX-2 expressing CRC cell line, SW480. Induction of cell death in HT29 and HCA7/C29 cell lines was partially rescued by the COX-2 selective inhibitor NS398. Cell death induced by anandamide was neither apoptosis nor necrosis. Furthermore, inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase potentiated the non-apoptotic cell death, indicating that anandamide induced cell death was mediated via metabolism of anandamide by COX-2, rather than its degradation into arachidonic acid and ethanolamine. Interestingly, both PGE2-EA and PGD2-EA induced classical apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest anandamide may be a useful chemopreventive/therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer as it targets cells that are high expressors of COX-2, and may also be used in the eradication of tumour cells that have become resistant to apoptosis.

Amidohydrolases↗

Sequential immunotyping and genotyping of tumor cells in bone marrow of cancer patients: a model study.

Epithelial cells can be detected in bone marrow or peripheral stem cell preparations of patients with various kinds of cancer and their presence in bone marrow is of prognostic significance. Characterization of these cells has been hampered by their low frequency. Here we present a method that may allow sequential immunophenotyping and genotyping of epithelial cells in bone marrow. To simulate in vivo situations, cells from the colon cancer cell line HT29 were seeded into bone marrow and were first detected by the Fab fragment of the A45-B/B3 anticytokeratin antibody. Expression of Ki67, p53, Her-2/ neu (c-erbB2), and 17-1A could be detected on A45-B/B3-stained cells by immunofluorescence using a fluorescein-labeled anti-mouse immunoglobulin specific for the Fc part of mouse immunoglobulins. Reactivity for all antigens except for Ki67 persisted after A45-B/B3 labeling even when a scoring step for the presence of epithelial cells was performed before proceeding with the immunophenotyping. After immunophenotyping, numerical chromosomal aberrations and amplifications of the Her-2/neu oncogene could be assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the same A45-B/B3-stained cells. This combination of immunophenotyping and genotyping may help in establishing the role of epithelial cells in bone marrow or peripheral stem cell harvests for tumor relapse and formation of metastases.

Animals↗

mRNA of MUC2 is stimulated by IL-4, IL-13 or TNF-alpha through a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in human colon cancer cells.

MUC2 mucin is a secretory glycoprotein which is produced from the intestinal goblet cells and is a major component of the intestinal epithelial mucus. The biological function of MUC2 mucin is considered to be the protection of intestinal epithelial surface, whereas the regulatory mechanism of MUC2 mucin production in immune response is not completely understood. We have studied the effects of cytokines, IL-4, IL-13 and TNF-alpha, on the regulation of MUC2 mRNA in the human colonic cancer cell lines, LS174T and HT29. The quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that single addition of IL-4, IL-13 and TNF-alpha to cell culture induced about two-fold increase of MUC2 mRNA level in LS174T cells. Interleukin-4 and IL-13 activated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in LS174T cells. A specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, U0126, totally inhibited the increase of MUC2 mRNA by IL-4 or IL-13 in those cells. Therefore, mitogen-activated protein activation of kinase is required for the increase of MUC2 mRNA by IL-4 or IL-13 in LS174T cells. In contrast to LS174T cells, only TNF-alpha increased MUC2 mRNA through a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in HT29 cells that express low levels of MUC2 mRNA. These findings sustain a novel phenomenon that MUC2 mRNA expression is differently controlled by IL-4, IL-13, or TNF-alpha in LS174T and HT29 cells, whereas the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays a role in the MUC2 mRNA expression induced by those cytokines in both cell lines.

Cell Line, Tumor↗