leupeptins and Lymphoma--Follicular

We have previously shown that the human follicular lymphoma cell line, HF28GFP, is sensitive to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Nevertheless, when the same cells overexpress anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein, Bcl-xL (HF28Bcl-xL), they become resistant to TRAIL. Thus, these cell lines help us to investigate the action of novel apoptosis inducing candidate drugs. In the present study, we examined the effects of MG-132 (a proteasome inhibitor), LiCl (a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor) and/or TRAIL on pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bim and Bid. Here we demonstrate that the combination of MG-132 and TRAIL induced significant apoptotic cell death in both cell lines, HF28GFP and HF28BclxL. Apoptosis correlated with a decrease of phospho-ERK1/2, the accumulation of Bim and translocation of truncated Bid (tBid) and jBid. In addition, the combination of MG-132 and TRAIL seemed to target other apoptotic factors, which led to the accumulation of active capsase-3. Furthermore, co-stimulation of LiCl and TRAIL induced apoptosis in HF28GFP cells. However, HF28Bcl-xL cells were far less sensitive to the combinatorial effects of LiCl and TRAIL. Interestingly, we observed that LiCl did not target Bim and Bid proteins. In conclusion, these data show that targeting of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins simultaneously through a selective proteasome inhibition might help to overcome TRAIL resistance caused by overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Moreover, the data may provide new strategies to develop targeted therapies against lymphomas.

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Leupeptins; Lymphoma, Follicular; Neoplasm Proteins; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand

Loss of p53 renders cells more susceptible to acute oxidant stress induced by oxidant-generating agents such as motexafin gadolinium (MGd). We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating MGd results in low-level p53 expression, making cells more susceptible to oxidant stress.. Lymphoma cells were incubated with different concentrations of MGd with or without zinc (Zn) and ascorbate, and ROS, apoptosis, proteins, and oxidant genes were measured.. MGd, with ascorbate and Zn, induced apoptosis in lymphoma cells. This was accompanied by reduction of p53 protein but not message, and by reduction of p53 downstream targets p21, glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA). p53 protein reduction was reversed by MG132, and nutlin-3.. Our data are consistent with a pathway of cell death that is independent of p53-mediated induction of PUMA; the cellular response to reduce p53 represents a cell survival adjustment to ROS-mediated stress.

Topics: Apoptosis; Ascorbic Acid; Burkitt Lymphoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Gene Expression; Humans; Imidazoles; Leupeptins; Lymphoma, Follicular; Metalloporphyrins; Piperazines; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Zinc