benzyloxycarbonylvalyl-alanyl-aspartyl-fluoromethyl-ketone and Lymphoma

Statins are inhibitors of the mevalonate cascade that is responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis and the formation of intermediate metabolites, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) used in the prenylation of proteins. Although statins are widely used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, recent studies suggest that they also inhibit proliferation of tumour cells by reducing prenylation of small GTP-binding proteins, such as, Ras. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on cell proliferation and Ras activation in various canine tumour cell lines, including hemangiosarcoma (HSA), melanoma, and lymphoma cell lines. Simvastatin inhibited cell proliferation of all cell lines tested in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but the susceptibilities were different amongst the cell lines. Simvastatin induced apoptotic cell death via activation of caspase-3 and cell cycle arrest. The cytotoxic effects of simvastatin were attenuated by GGPP and FPP. Simvastatin decreased the amount of prenylated Ras and GTP-bound Ras in HSA and melanoma cell lines, but not in lymphoma cell lines. These results indicate that simvastatin induces cytotoxic effects through the depletion of GGPP and FPP in a variety of canine tumour cells, whereas multiple mechanisms are involved in the effects. Further study is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of simvastatin-induced cytotoxic effects in a variety of canine tumour cells.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Animals; Apoptosis; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hemangiosarcoma; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lymphoma; Melanoma; ras Proteins; Simvastatin

Our previous research found the ethyl acetate extract of Peperomia tetraphylla (EAEPT) inhibited the growth of U937 cells by blocking the cell cycle and prompted apoptosis via the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-medicated mitochondria pathway. While the compounds in EAEPT which possessed the anti-tumor activity were unclear. Peperobtusin A is a phenolic compound, which was isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia tetraphylla. In this work, we found that peperobtusin A had the anti-proliferative effects against human lymphoma U937 cells and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Peperobtusin A significantly enhanced the formation of intracellular ROS and induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). And peperobtusin A could increase the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, induce the cleavage of Bid, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 and enhance the level of P-P38. Moreover, peperobtusin A induced the accumulation of cells at S phase. Through using of inhibitors such as antioxidant NAC, pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, p38 MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580, we found that intracellular ROS generation, activation of Caspases and p38 MAPK played very important roles in the apoptosis induced by peperobtusin A in U937 cells. Our results indicated that intracellular ROS generation, the Caspase-dependent and p38 MAPK signaling pathways involved in apoptosis induced by peperobtusin A in U937 cells.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caspases; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Chromans; Humans; Imidazoles; Lymphoma; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phenols; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridines; Reactive Oxygen Species; U937 Cells

The capacity of FasL molecules expressed on melanoma cells to induce lymphocyte apoptosis contributes to either antitumor immune response or escape depending on their expression level. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms regulating FasL protein expression. Using the murine B16F10 melanoma model weakly positive for FasL, we demonstrated that in vitro treatment with statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl CoA reductase, enhances membrane FasL expression. C3 exotoxin and the geranylgeranyl transferase I inhibitor GGTI-298, but not the farnesyl transferase inhibitor FTI-277, mimic this effect. The capacity of GGTI-298 and C3 exotoxin to inhibit RhoA activity prompted us to investigate the implication of RhoA in FasL expression. Inhibition of RhoA expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased membrane FasL expression, whereas overexpression of constitutively active RhoA following transfection of RhoAV14 plasmid decreased it. Moreover, the inhibition of a RhoA downstream effector p160ROCK also induced this FasL overexpression. We conclude that the RhoA/ROCK pathway negatively regulates membrane FasL expression in these melanoma cells. Furthermore, we have shown that B16F10 cells, through the RhoA/ROCK pathway, promote in vitro apoptosis of Fas-sensitive A20 lymphoma cells. Our results suggest that RhoA/ROCK inhibition could be an interesting target to control FasL expression and lymphocyte apoptosis induced by melanoma cells.

Topics: 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; ADP Ribose Transferases; Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Animals; Apoptosis; Atorvastatin; Benzamides; Botulinum Toxins; Cell Line, Tumor; Fas Ligand Protein; fas Receptor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Heptanoic Acids; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Melanoma, Experimental; Membrane Proteins; Methionine; Mevalonic Acid; Mice; Pyrroles; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; rho-Associated Kinases; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein; RNA, Small Interfering

The mechanism of apoptosis induced by treatment with As(2)O(3) alone or in combination with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) was studied in NB4, U937, Namalwa, and Jurkat cells. As(2)O(3) at concentrations <2 micromol/L induced apoptosis in NB4 cells and Namalwa cells but not in U937 and Jurkat cells. As(2)O(3)-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells and Namalwa cells correlated with increase of H(2)O(2) and caspase activation without activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). BSO (10 micromol/L) depleted the reduced form of intracellular glutathione without inducing apoptosis but synergized with 1 micromol/L As(2)O(3) to induce apoptosis in all four cell lines. This synergy correlated with JNK activation. Treatment with As(2)O(3) plus BSO, but not with As(2)O(3) alone, increased the levels of death receptor (DR) 5 protein and caspase-8 cleavage. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited the increase in DR5 protein and attenuated apoptosis induced by treatment with As(2)O(3) plus BSO. These observations suggest that a DR-mediated pathway activated by JNK is involved in apoptosis induced by treatment with As(2)O(3) plus BSO.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Anthracenes; Apoptosis; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Blotting, Western; Buthionine Sulfoximine; Caspase 3; Caspase Inhibitors; Cell Proliferation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Enzyme Activation; Glutathione; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Jurkat Cells; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Oxides; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Time Factors; U937 Cells

Sphingolipid metabolites are important regulators of cell growth and apoptosis. To clarify the biological roles of cell surface sialylation in the effects of sphingomyelinase (SM) treatment on cell viability, the human diffuse large B cell lymphoma cell line, HBL-2 with or without treatment with Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase, was incubated with exogenous bacterial SM which is a key enzyme of ceramide production from sphingolipids in cell membranes. SM treatment enhanced viability of HBL-2 cells compared to non-treatment after 6 h of incubation. On the other hand, viability of HBL-2 cells was decreased by SM treatment with neuraminidase pre-treatment after 6 and 24 h of incubation, and ceramide production on cell surfaces of SM treated cells was enhanced by neuraminidase treatment as shown by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, treatment with D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol, an inhibitor which specifically reduces the activity of UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase in combination with SM treatment, causes the viability of HBL-2 cells to be decreased more with neuraminidase pre-treatment than without it. Exogenous C6-ceramide induced HBL-2 cell death, and there was no difference in the effects of C6-ceramide after 6 h of incubation between treatment and non-treatment with neuraminidase. Together these data suggest that alteration in susceptibility of HBL-2 cells to SM by neuraminidase treatment may precede the process of ceramide production, and that cell death through the activation of SM, which induces ceramide production, is regulated by cell surface sialylation in DLBCL.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Biotinylation; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Membrane; Cell Survival; Ceramides; Enzyme Inhibitors; Flow Cytometry; Glucose; Glucosyltransferases; Humans; Lectins; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Models, Biological; Neuraminidase; Sialic Acids; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase; Temperature; Time Factors; Uridine Diphosphate

Overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members has recently been related to resistance to chemo/radiotherapy in several human malignancies, particularly lymphomas. Hence, innovative approaches bypassing this resistance mechanism are required in the therapeutic approach. This study evaluated whether chemoresistance associated with Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) overexpression would be overcome by activating the death receptor pathway by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in the Jurkat cell model. We made use of genetically modified Jurkat cells to evaluate the effect of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) overexpression on the cytotoxic effect produced by the anticancer drugs doxorubicin, etoposide, and oxaliplatin and TRAIL. Caspase activation was detected by cleavage of caspase-8 and -3. The mitochondrial transmambrane potential was assessed by staining with DiOC(6) and flow cytometry. Caspase activity was blocked by the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk.. Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) overexpression but not lack of caspase-8 protects the Jurkat cells from the anticancer drug-induced cytolysis. However, Bcl-2/Bcl-x(L) Jurkat cells retained some susceptibility to TRAIL-induced cytolysis. A highly synergistic cytotoxic effect of the combination of TRAIL with any of the antiblastic used in this study was detected in the chemoresistant cells. This effect was associated with mitochondrial disassemblage and dependent on caspase activation. The combination of TRAIL with conventional anticancer drugs may prove to be useful in the treatment of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins-expressing malignancies.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; bcl-X Protein; Caspase 3; Caspase 8; Caspases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxorubicin; Enzyme Activation; Etoposide; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunoblotting; Jurkat Cells; Ligands; Lymphoma; Membrane Glycoproteins; Membrane Potentials; Organoplatinum Compounds; Oxaliplatin; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Time Factors; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The metalloid salt potassium antimonyl tartrate (PAT), previously used as an antiparasitic agent, has recently been shown to exert cytotoxicity towards acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells like arsenical compounds. In this study, we have investigated its effects towards human lymphoid malignant cells and compared them with those of arsenic trioxide (As2O3). Like As2O3, PAT was found to inhibit cell growth of various lymphoid cell lines, deriving from either acute lymphoid leukaemias (Jurkat, Molt-4 and Nalm-6) or lymphomas (Daudi, Raji and Rec1). PAT toxicity was linked, at least in part, to induction of apoptosis in both Daudi and Jurkat cells, which was dependent on caspase activity. This apoptotic process was also associated, similarly to that triggered by As2O3, with loss of mitochondrial potential and enhanced cellular production of reactive oxygen-related species. It was enhanced by co-treatment with the pro-oxidant buthionine sulphoximine and abolished in response to the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, thus underlining that PAT toxicity, similarly to that of As2O3, is probably modulated by the redox status of the cells. PAT, used at concentrations in the micromolar range that are thought to be clinically achievable, was also demonstrated to markedly decrease the viability of primary cultured tumoral B cells that originated from 18 patients suffering from chronic lymphoid leukaemia whereas normal lymphocytes were less sensitive. These data therefore suggest that PAT may deserve to be evaluated in the treatment of some lymphoid malignancies.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Antimony Potassium Tartrate; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Blotting, Western; Caspases; Cell Survival; Coumarins; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Lymphoma; Oligopeptides; Oxides; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The impact ofapoptosis on radiation-induced eradication of clonogenic tumour cells is uncertain. The aim was to analyse the relationship of different functional stages during the apoptotic process to cell death and clonogenic cell eradication.. Apoptosis in Jurkat T-cells was studied by morphology, light scatter and caspase activation. Mitochondrial integrity was determined by the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta(phi)m). Cell death was quantified using propidium iodide exclusion. Clonogenic cell death was determined using a dilution survival assay. The influence of Bcl-2 was tested using a Bcl-2 transfected Jurkat clone.. Irradiation induced profound apoptosis within 48 h associated with caspase activation and breakdown of delta(phi)m. Inhibition of caspases abrogated the apoptotic morphology with no influence on breakdown of delta(phi)m and survival. Over-expression of Bcl-2 abrogated all hallmarks of apoptosis; delayed cell death, however, had no influence on clonogenic survival after irradiation.. Based on Bcl-2 as a positional marker, radiation-induced apoptosis can be divided into two stages: the initiation/decision phase, characterized by a breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and the execution phase, characterized by caspase activation. The execution phase had no influence on survival, whereas the initiation/decision phase controls immediate survival. However, abrogation of both phases did not influence radiation sensitivity.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Apoptosis; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; Cell Survival; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Immunoblotting; Jurkat Cells; Light; Lymphoma; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria; Propidium; Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Radiation Tolerance; Scattering, Radiation; Time Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Apoptosis induced by cadmium has been shown in many tissues in vivo and in cultured cells in vitro. However, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. When the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937 was treated with cadmium for 12 h, evidence of apoptotic features, including change in nuclear morphology, DNA fragmentation, formation of DNA ladder in agarose gel electrophoresis, and phosphatidylserine externalization, were obtained. Moreover, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) was observed in the cadmium-treated cells and was inhibited by a broad caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK). Caspase inhibitors suppressed the DNA fragmentation in the order of Z-VAD-FMK > caspase-8 inhibitor > caspase-3 inhibitor. Expression of Bcl-x(L) and Bid decreased significantly in the cadmium-treated cells, although no apparent change in Bcl-2 and Bax expression was found. Tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylendiamine, a cell-permeable heavy metal chelator, partially reversed the increase of fluorescence of Fura-2 in the cadmium-treated cells. In addition, verapamil (70 microm), a voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel blocker, inhibited the DNA fragmentation induced by cadmium less than 100 microm and decreased the fluorescence of Fura-2. Cadmium up-regulated the expression of type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R) but not type 2 or type 3 IP(3)R. Calpain inhibitors I and II partially prevented DNA fragmentation. No effects of Z-VAD-FMK on the expression of type 1 IP(3)R or of calpain inhibitors on the loss of Deltapsi(m) were observed. These results suggest that cadmium possibly induced apoptosis in U937 cells through two independent pathways, the Ca(2+)-calpain-dependent pathway and the caspase-mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Apoptosis; bcl-X Protein; BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein; Blotting, Western; Cadmium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels; Calpain; Carrier Proteins; Caspase 3; Caspase 8; Caspase 9; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; Cell Nucleus; Chelating Agents; DNA Fragmentation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethylenediamines; Humans; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Lymphoma; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; Phosphatidylserines; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Time Factors; U937 Cells; Up-Regulation; Verapamil

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) displays antitumor action by inducing direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells in addition to generation of cytotoxic cells. The IFN-alpha-induced direct cytotoxicity is at least partly due to induction of apoptosis. In the present study, we examined signaling pathways implicated in IFN-alpha-induced apoptosis in Daudi cells. Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was found after 12 h incubation with IFN-alpha, followed by a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)) and procaspase-3 activation at 24 and 36 h, respectively. Cleavage of endogenous Bax-alpha (21 kDa), generating an 18-kDa fragment (p18 Bax-alpha), was found at 36 h. Although the endogenous p21 Bax-alpha was located in both cytosol and mitochondrial membranes, the p18 Bax-alpha resided only on mitochondrial membranes. IFN-alpha-induced apoptosis occurred 48 h after stimulation, with a further increase in proportion up to 72 h. Pretreatment with pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk substantially inhibited the IFN-alpha-mediated Bax-alpha cleavage and apoptosis, but not the decline in Delta psi(m), suggesting the possibility that caspase-3 activation is implicated in the Bax-alpha cleavage, probably leading to amplification of the apoptotic processes. Our results suggest that modulation of endogenous p21 Bax-alpha is implicated in IFN-alpha-induced apoptosis.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caspase 3; Caspases; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Cytochrome c Group; Cytosol; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Intracellular Membranes; Lymphoma; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We have investigated the effect of inducing apoptosis in BJAB and Jurkat cells on the cellular content of several polypeptide chain initiation factors. Serum deprivation results in inhibition of protein synthesis and induction of apoptosis in BJAB cells; at early times, there is selective degradation of polypeptide initiation factor eIF4G but no major losses of other key initiation factors. The disappearance of full length eIF4G is accompanied by the appearance of smaller forms of the protein, including a major product of approximately 76 kDa. Apoptosis induced by cycloheximide results in similar effects. Both total cytoplasmic eIF4G and eIF4G associated with eIF4E are degraded with a half-life of 2-4 h under these conditions. Treatment of serum-starved or cycloheximide-treated cells with Z-VAD.FMK or Z-DEVD.FMK, which inhibit caspases required for apoptosis, protects eIF4G from degradation and blocks the appearance of the ca. 76 kDa product. Exposure of BJAB cells to rapamycin rapidly inhibits protein synthesis but does not lead to acute degradation of eIF4G. In both BJAB and Jurkat cells induction of apoptosis with anti-Fas antibody or etoposide also results in the selective loss of eIF4G, which is inhibitable by Z-VAD.FMK. These data suggest that eIF4G is selectively targeted for cleavage as cells undergo apoptosis and is a substrate for proteases activated during this process.

Topics: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; Antibodies; Apoptosis; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Cycloheximide; Etoposide; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E; fas Receptor; Half-Life; Humans; Jurkat Cells; Lymphoma; Molecular Weight; Neoplasm Proteins; Oligopeptides; Peptide Initiation Factors; Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; RNA-Binding Proteins; Sirolimus; Tumor Cells, Cultured