Colorectal cancer (CRC) with BRAF (V600E) is associated with microsatellite instability (MSI) that predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We demonstrated the interrogation of TCGA RNA-seq human datasets revealed that BRAFV600E tumors had significantly higher Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA compared to non-mutated BRAF CRCs. Also, MSI-H tumors were evaluated as higher PD-L1 than MSS CRCs. Inhibition of MEK/ERK by cobimetinib or CDK inhibitor dinaciclib was shown to attenuate mutant BRAF-induced PD-L1 coincident with reduced c-JUN and YAP expression whose combined knockdown reduced PD-L1. Using TCGA datasets, PD-L1 mRNA expression in human colon cancers was significantly associated with YAP expression. The deletion of PD-L1 can reduce tumor cell growth shown by clonogenic assay. Analysis of the role of PD-L1 as a mediator of chemosensitivity was then performed. Knockout of PD-L1 was shown to attenuate the induction of DNA double-strand breaks (pH2AX) and caspase-3 cleavage by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and paclitaxel compared to parental CRC cells. Results were confirmed in PD-L1 knockout MC38 murine CRC cells where re-expression of wild-type PD-L1 promoted DNA damage and apoptosis. We also performed the clonogenic assay and flow cytometry to prove that loss of PD-L1 attenuated DNA damage and apoptosis induced by diverse anti-cancer drugs that could be reversed by restoration of wild-type PD-L1. Mechanistically, knockout of PD-L1 reduced chemosensitivity in association with reductions in p-AKT and in BH3-only proteins BIM and BIK, rather than STAT3 in CRC cells. However, STAT3 had a significant role in melanoma, which shows the heterogeneity of cancers. In summary, BRAFV600E can upregulate PD-L1 expression that was induced by c-jun and YAP to enhance chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Together, we demonstrate a potential role for PD-L1 as a regulator of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis whose deletion or suppression confers chemoresistance. These findings expand the understanding of PD-L1 functions to include nonimmune mechanisms and suggest the potential use of PD-L1 as a biomarker of response to cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Copper(II) complexes of the following polyimidazole ligands have been synthesized: bis(imidazol-2-yl)methane (BIM), bis(imidazol-2-yl) ketone (BIK), 4-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-2-(imidazol-2-ylmethyl)imidazole (TRIM), bis[4-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)imidazol-2-yl]methane (TIM), and bis[4-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)imidazol-2-yl] ketone (TIK). Their crystal structures have been determined using X-ray diffraction. [Cu(ClO(4))(2)(BIM)(2)], 1, belongs to the triclinic space group P&onemacr; system, a = 7.161(4) Å, b = 7.986(6) Å, c = 9.865(3) Å, alpha = 76.73(5) degrees, beta = 71.18(3) degrees, gamma = 76.44(5) degrees, Z = 1, T = 291 K; R = 0.035, R(w) = 0.036 for 1668 reflections; Cu-N = 1.998(3) and 2.001(2) Å, Cu-O = 2.574(4) Å, in a tetragonal geometry. [Cu(BIK)(2)](ClO(4))(2), 2, belongs to the monoclinic space group C2/c system, a = 9.029(3) Å, b = 12.497(2)Å, c = 19.197(2) Å, beta = 94.59(2) degrees, Z = 4, T = 291 K; R = 0.056, R(w) = 0.061 for 1052 reflections; Cu-N = 1.961(7) and 1.954(7) Å, in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. [CuCl(TRIM)(CH(3)OH)]Cl, 6, belongs to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n system, a = 14.192(5) Å, b = 13.832(5) Å, c = 7.913(3) Å, beta = 90.55(4) degrees, Z = 4, T = 291 K; R = 0.062, R(w) = 0.057 for 1377 reflections; Cu-N = 1.987(7), 2.007(7) and 2.007(6) Å, Cu-O = 2.521(7) Å, Cu-Cl = 2.298(2) Å, in a square pyramidal geometry. [Cu(ClO(4))(TIM)](ClO(4)), 4, belongs to the triclinic space group P&onemacr; system, a = 9.604(4) Å, b = 11.508(6) Å, c = 12.003(8) Å, alpha = 58.79(4) degrees, beta = 94.59(2) degrees, gamma = 67.43(3) degrees, Z = 2, T = 291 K; R = 0.057, R(w) = 0.062 for 2084 reflections; Cu-N = 1.985(7), 1.964(7), 1.967(7), and 1.966(7) Å, Cu-O = 2.553(8) Å, in a distorted square pyramidal geometry. [CuCl(TIK)](ClO(4)), 7, belongs to the triclinic space group P&onemacr; system, a = 7.432(3) Å, b = 12.573(3) Å, c = 12.945(2) Å, alpha = 114.94(4) degrees, beta = 92.46(2) degrees, gamma = 103.49(3) degrees, Z = 2, T = 291 K; R = 0.043, R(w) = 0.049 for 2305 reflections; Cu-N = 1.984(5), 1.989(5), 2.012(5), and 1.979(5) Å, Cu-Cl = 2.796(2) Å, in a distorted bipyramidal geometry. In methanol solution, the perchlorato complexes 1, 2, Cu(TRIM)(ClO(4))(2) (3), 4, and Cu(TIK)(ClO(4))(2) (5) exhibited redox potentials from -215 to +284 mV vs NHE together with a visible absorption from 604 to 728 nm. Electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy data, particularly the nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) parameters e(2)qQ and eta of the remote nitrogen (N1H), were analyzed and interpreted according to the model devised by Jiang et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 9035) with reference to Cu(HIm)(4)(ClO(4))(2). The results are the following: (i) C2 substitution of the imidazole ring, next to the remote nitrogen (1, 2) decreases the asymmetry parameter eta to ca. 0.75 compared to 1.00 for Cu(HIm)(4)(ClO(4))(2); this effect of C2 substitution on the symmetry of the electric field gradient at N1H appears similar for both the electron-donating methylene substituents (1) and the electron-withdrawing carbonyl group (2). (ii) The electron-donating or -withdrawing properties of the substituent are reflected by the variation of the e(2)qQ parameter, increasing from 1.43 to 1.75 MHz (1) or decreasing to 1.38 MHz (2), and by the nu(+) transition shifting toward higher frequencies from 1.49 to 1.65 MHz (1, 3, 4) or to lower frequencies to 1.29 MHz (2, 5). The use of the eta and nu(+) parameters to assign the Ndelta vs Nepsilon coordination of histidine to the metal and to detect modified histidine in copper-binding proteins is discussed.

The complexes [(DMA)Cu(PPh3)2](BF4) (1) (DMA = 1,3-dimethylalloxazine), [(DMA)Ru(bpy)2](PF6)2 (2), and (DMA)WO2Cl2 (3) were obtained as O4-N5-chelated species, as evident from an X-ray crystal structure analysis for 3 and from spectroscopy (NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry) for 1 and 2. The tungsten(VI) center in 3 has its oxide ligands in a cis/equatorial position and the chloride ligands in a trans/axial position; it also exhibits a relatively short bond to O4 (2.232(3) A) and a very long bond to N5 (2.462(3) A). Comparison with the new structurally characterized compound (BIK)WO2Cl2 (4) (BIK = bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone), which has W-N bonds of about 2.30 A, confirms the unusual length of the W-N bond in 3, probably caused by repulsion between one of the oxo ligands and the peri-hydrogen atom (H6) of DMA. One-electron reduction of the complexes occurs reversibly at room temperature in THF (1, 2) or at 198 K in CH2Cl2 (3). EPR spectroscopy reveals that this process is ligand-centered for 1 and 2 but metal-centered for 3. Density functional methods and ab initio methodology are used to illustrate the correspondence in spin distribution between the radical anion pi systems of alloxazine and isoalloxazine ("flavosemiquinone").

The self-assembly of [Fe(III)(Tp)(CN)(3)](-) and [Fe(II)(bik)(2)(S)(2)](2+) affords the cyanide-bridged mixed valence {Fe(III)(2)Fe(II)(2)}(2+) molecular square, which exhibits a photomagnetic effect under laser light irradiation at low temperature and also shows thermal spin-state conversion near ambient temperature.

BIK (BCL2-interacting killer) is a pro-apoptotic BH3 (BCL2 homology domain 3)-only protein and a member of the BCL2 protein family. It was proposed recently that BIK abundance is controlled by ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2)-catalysed phosphorylation, which targets the protein for proteasome-dependent destruction. In the present study, we examined ERK1/2-dependent regulation of BIK, drawing comparisons with BIM(EL) (BCL2-interacting mediator of cell death; extra long), a well-known target of ERK1/2. In many ERK1/2-dependent tumour cell lines, inhibition of BRAF(V600E) (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1, V600E mutation) or MEK1/2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2) had very little effect on BIK expression, whereas BIM(EL) was strongly up-regulated. In some cell lines we observed a modest increase in BIK expression; however, this was not apparent until ~16 h or later, whereas BIM(EL) expression increased rapidly within a few hours. Although BIK was degraded by the proteasome, we found no evidence that this was regulated by ERK1/2 signalling. Rather, the delayed increase in BIK expression was prevented by actinomycin D, and was accompanied by increases in BIK mRNA. Finally, the delayed increase in BIK expression following ERK1/2 inhibition was phenocopied by a highly selective CDK4/6 (cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6) inhibitor, which caused a strong G₁ cell-cycle arrest without inhibiting ERK1/2 signalling. In contrast, BIM(EL) expression was induced by ERK1/2 inhibition, but not by CDK4/6 inhibition. We conclude that BIK expression is not subject to direct regulation by the ERK1/2 pathway; rather, we propose that BIK expression is cell-cycle-dependent and increases as a consequence of the G₁ cell-cycle arrest which results from inhibition of ERK1/2 signalling.

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family and is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). However, it is not clear how the working mechanism of FGF9 is involved in cerebellar development. To address this question, we deleted the Fgf9 gene specifically in GABAergic neurons or glutamatergic neurons, and demonstrated that Fgf9 ablation in GABAergic neurons rather than the glutamatergic neurons caused severe ataxia. We showed that FGF9 played a key role in the survival and development of Purkinje cells. GABAergic neuron-specific knockout of FGF9 (Fgf9^VGAT) significantly affected the survival and development of Purkinje cells, disrupting Bergmann fiber scaffold formation and granule neuron migration in mice. RNA sequencing revealed that 976 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between Fgf9^VGAT and control mice. The DEGs with significantly upregulated expression were found to be involved in apoptotic and inflammatory signaling. Selected genes including Fas, Bid, Caspase3, Cxcl10, CCl2, Bik and Fos, were validated by qRT-PCR and exhibited increases in expression in Fgf9^VGAT mice compared to control mice similar to those seen in the RNA-sequencing data. The expression levels of apoptosis- and inflammation-related proteins were also increased, especially those of Fas and caspase-3 pathway related proteins. Interestingly, activated ERK signaling has been observed in apoptosis and inflammatory responses induced by deleting Fgf9 in GABAergic neurons.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-derived pigment pyocyanin (PCN) has been proved to induce cell apoptosis mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which has been studied mainly in epithelial cells and neutrophils. However, we previously found that the PCN-producing strain PA14 induces cell apoptosis in human NK cell line NK92 more effectively than in PCN-deficient strain PA14-phZ1/2 via a yet undetermined mechanism. In the current study, we found that PCN-induced NK92 cell apoptosis occurs through mitochondrial damage despite inhibiting intracellular ROS generation. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Bcl-2 family proteins act as important "priming signals" for apoptosis. PCN treatment increased [Ca2+]i in NK92 cells more than twofold after 2 h stimulation, whereas the Ca2+-chelating agent ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) inhibited apoptosis. PCN triggered the activation of Bim, Bid, Bik, Bak, and phospho-Bad in NK92 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but these pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins were not inhibited by EGTA. In this study, we describe the function of PCN in NK92 cells and identify mitochondrial damage as the mechanism underlying the apoptosis. [Ca2+]i and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins are novel targets for PCN-induced apoptosis. Clarification of the cytotoxic diversity of PCN provides a new therapeutic target for defense from P. aeruginosa-induced immune cell damage.

We previously found that bikunin (bik), a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, suppresses transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-stimulated expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in human ovarian cancer cells that lack endogenous bik. In the present study, we tried to elucidate the mechanism by which bik also inhibits plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and collagen synthesis using human ovarian cancer cells. Here, we show that (a) there was an enhanced production of both uPA and PAI-1 in HRA cells in response to TGF-beta1; (b) the overexpression of bik in the cells or exogenous bik results in the inhibition of TGF-beta1 signaling as measured by phosphorylation of the downstream signaling effector Smad2, nuclear translocation of Smad3, and production of PAI-1 and collagen; (c) bik neither decreased expression of TGF-beta receptors (TbetaRI and TbetaRII) in either cell types nor altered the specific binding of 125I TGF-beta1 to the cells, indicating that the effects of bik in these cells are not mediated by ligand sequestration; (d) TbetaRI and TbetaRII present on the same cells exclusively form aggregates in TGF-beta1-stimulated cells; (e) co-treatment of TGF-beta1-stimulated cells with bik suppresses TGF-beta1-induced complex formation of TbetaRI and TbetaRII; and (f) a chondroitin-4-sulfate side chain-deleted bik (deglycosylated bik) does not inhibit TGF-beta1 signaling or association of type I/type II receptor. We conclude that glycosylated bik attenuates TGF-beta1-elicited signaling cascades in cells possibly by abrogating the coupling between TbetaRI and TbetaRII and that this probably provides the mechanism for the suppression of uPA and PAI-1 expression.

A method to mitigate or possibly eliminate reproduction in farmed fish is highly demanded. The existing approaches have certain applicative limitations. So far, no immunization strategies affecting gonadal development in juvenile animals have been developed. We hypothesized that autoimmune mechanisms, occurring spontaneously in a number of diseases, could be induced by targeted immunization. We have asked whether the immunization against specific targets in a juvenile zebrafish gonad will produce an autoimmune response, and, consequently, disturbance in gonadal development. Gonadal soma-derived factor (Gsdf), growth differentiation factor (Gdf9), and lymphocyte antigen 75 (Cd205/Ly75), all essential for early gonad development, were targeted with 5 immunization tests. Zebrafish (n = 329) were injected at 6 weeks post fertilization, a booster injection was applied 15 days later, and fish were sampled at 30 days. We localized transcripts encoding targeted proteins by in situ hybridization, quantified expression of immune-, apoptosis-, and gonad-related genes with quantitative real-time PCR, and performed gonadal histology and whole-mount immunohistochemistry for Bcl2-interacting-killer (Bik) pro-apoptotic protein. The treatments resulted in an autoimmune reaction, gonad developmental retardation, intensive apoptosis, cell atresia, and disturbed transcript production. Testes were remarkably underdeveloped after anti-Gsdf treatments. Anti-Gdf9 treatments promoted apoptosis in testes and abnormal development of ovaries. Anti-Cd205 treatment stimulated a strong immune response in both sexes, resulting in oocyte atresia and strong apoptosis in supporting somatic cells. The effect of immunization was FSH-independent. Furthermore, immunization against germ cell proteins disturbed somatic supporting cell development. This is the first report to demonstrate that targeted autoimmunity can disturb gonadal development in a juvenile fish. It shows a straightforward potential to develop auto-immunization-based technologies to mitigate fish reproduction before they reach maturation. However, the highly variable results between treatments and individuals suggest significant optimization should be performed to achieve the full potential of this technology.

Majority of women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers initially respond to hormone therapies such as tamoxifen (TAM; antagonist of estrogen). However, many tumors eventually become resistant to TAM. Therefore, understanding the various cellular components involved in causing resistance to TAM is of paramount importance in designing novel entities for efficacious hormone therapy. Previously, we found that suppression of BIK gene expression induced TAM resistance in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In order to understand the response of these cells to TAM and its association with resistance, a microarray analysis of gene expression was performed in the BIK-suppressed MCF-7 cells and compared it to the TAM-only-treated cells (controls). Several genes participating in various cellular pathways were identified. Molecules identified in the drug resistance pathway were 14-3-3z or YWHAZ, WEE1, PRKACA, NADK, and HSP90AA 1. Further, genes involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were also found differentially expressed in these cells. Transcriptional and translational analysis of key molecules such as STAT2, AKT 3, and 14-3-3z revealed similar changes at the messenger RNA (mRNA) as well as at the protein level. Importantly, there was no cytotoxic effect of TAM on BIK-suppressed MCF-7 cells. Further, these cells were not arrested at the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle although 30 % of BIK-suppressed cells were arrested at the G2 phase of the cycle on TAM treatment. Furthermore, we found a relevant interaction between 14-3-3z and WEE1, suggesting that the cytotoxic effect of TAM was prevented in BIK-suppressed cells because this interaction leads to transitory arrest in the G2 phase leading to the repair of damaged DNA and allowing the cells to proliferate.

OBJECTIVE

Patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were described to contain reduced activities of beta4-galactosyltransferase-7 (beta4Gal-T7). Therefore, measurement of beta4Gal-T7 activity can help to characterize defects in proteoglycan biosynthesis in patients with connective tissue diseases.

METHODS

We developed a sensitive and specific method to assay beta4Gal-T7 which is based on the transfer of galactose from UDP-galactose to the synthetic peptide Bio-BIK-F-Xyl.

RESULTS

Calibration curves exhibited consistent linearity in the range of 10-2000 microg/L Bio-BIK-F-Xyl-Gal, corresponding to a beta4Gal-T7 activity of 3.5-659 microU/L. The limit of detection and the lower limit of quantification were 3.70 microg/L (1.22 microU/L) and 4.50 microg/L Bio-BIK-F-Xyl-Gal (1.48 microU/L beta4Gal-T7 activity), respectively. Interassay imprecision (CV) was 8.1-13.1% in the range from 15.9 to 659 microU/L, and mean recovery was 85.3% (range 61.7-106.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

This sensitive, robust and interference-free LC-MS/MS assay allows an accurate determination of beta4Gal-T7 activity in human body fluids.

Hyperplastic airway epithelial cells may be the cause for increased risk for lung cancer in patients with chronic lung diseases. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family member, Bcl-2-interacting killer (BIK), triggers cell death specifically in these hyperplastic cells because of adequate presence of Death-associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPk1), BCL-2 Antagonist Killer (BAK), and Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Therefore, BIK may be a useful tool to control the development of lung cancer in patients with chronic diseases.

BikDD, a phosphorylation-mimic mutant of pro-apoptotic protein Bik, elicits strong apoptosis in cancer cells when introduced via an expression platform termed VP16-GAL4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier (VISA) under the control of a cancer-specific promoter both in vitro and in vivo. C-VISA-BikDD expression plasmid encapsulated in liposomes is currently in the process to initiate a phase I clinical trial for pancreatic cancer. In this study, we report a potential combination approach of BikDD with proteasome inhibitors on the basis of our findings that exogenously expressed BikDD protein undergoes proteasome-mediated degradation via both ubiquitin-dependent and -independent pathways. Inhibition of proteasome increases the protein stability of BikDD, enhancing the apoptotic effect of BikDD. Hence, high proteasome activity may be a mechanism by which intrinsic and acquired resistance occurs in BikDD gene therapy, and a combination therapy with current clinically approved proteasome inhibitor may overcome resistance.

Classical taxanes are routinely used in cancer therapy. In this study, mechanisms involved in death induction by the novel fluorine-containing taxane SB-T-12854 were investigated.

We employed breast cancer SK-BR-3, MCF-7 and T47D cell lines to assess activation of individual caspases, changes in the expression of proteins of the Bcl-2 family, and the release of pro-apoptotic factors from mitochondria into the cytosol after SB-T-12854 treatment.

Caspase-2, -8, and -9 were activated in SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 cells. Only caspase-8 was activated in T47D cells. Caspase-7 and -6 were activated in all tested cells while caspase-3 was activated only in SK-BR-3 cells. Pro-apoptotic Bad protein seems to be important for cell death induction in all tested cells. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bim, Bok, Bid and Bik seem to be also associated with cell death induction in some of the tested cells. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was significantly activated in association with the release of cytochrome c and Smac from mitochondria, but only in SK-BR-3 cells, not in MCF-7 and T47D cells.

Cell death induced by SB-T-12854, in the tested breast cancer cells, differs regarding activation of caspases, changes in levels of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family and activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze expression of several genes related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in realization of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells.

METHODS

The cultured HL-60 cells were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3. Quantitative real-time PCR was used for analyzing the changes in expression of 16 genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, Bik, caspase 6, caspase 7, cytochrome c, TNFR1, Myc, TGF-beta, JNK1, p38MAPK, p21, p27, Cdk2, cyclin E) at early phases of cell differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by 1,25(OH)2D3.

RESULTS

Among investigated genes, Bik and Myc gene expression was down-regulated at 48 h time points. JNK1 gene was markedly up-regulated and caspase-6 and cyclin E genes were down-regulated at 18 h time point.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that there are no distinct apoptotic signals at early phases of cell differentiation. It is speculated that changes in the expression of the genes involved in vitamin D-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells could be better visualized after the terminal stages of cell differentiation.

Inactivation of p53 is one of the most relevant events in human cancer, since it allows transformed cells to escape their own proliferation control and leave them irresponsive to drugs that aim to damage their DNA. When p53 falls, other members of its family may become targets to attack tumoural cells. p73 has shown capacity to mediate these attacks. However, its N-terminal truncated isoforms have been associated with oncogenesis due to their capacity to act as dominant negatives of p53 and the transactivation (TA) isoforms of p73. We previously found a relationship between the overexpression of N-terminus-truncated p73 isoform (∆Np73) and that of the proapoptotic gene Bcl-2-interacting killer (BIK). In the present report we demonstrate that ∆Np73-α has the capacity to induce apoptosis through the co-ordinated activation of a group of genes harbouring GC-rich elements in their regulatory regions. ∆Np73-α synergizes with specificity protein (Sp1) on these elements but the overall response of these genes probably depends on the additional presence of consensus p53 elements. We explore the domains of ∆Np73-α involved in this transactivation capacity and found divergences with the previously described functions for them. Moreover, we found that the transforming mutation V12 of HRas impairs this transactivation capacity of ∆Np73-α, further supporting the anti-tumoural function of this later. Our data add complexity to the action of p73 on the induction of apoptosis and tumourogenesis, opening new interpretations to the expression profile of p73 isoforms in different human neoplasias.

A 45-year-old female suffering from severe chronic schizophrenia of the paranoid type did not respond to typical antipsychotics. Five weeks after starting therapy with clozapine, she developed a clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CA). Discontinuation of clozapine and treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) led to normalization of blood neutrophil counts within three weeks. This report suggests enhanced apoptosis of blood neutrophils during the acute phase of CA resulting from enhanced expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bik and from a decrease of the anti-apoptotic BCl-X(L) mRNA. The time course of decline and recovery of neutrophilic cells, as well as the release pattern of endogenous G-CSF, resembles those of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The kinetics of CD 34-positive cells mimics that of cytotoxic progenitor cell mobilization, e. g., after cytostatic drug administration. Our findings argue against the hypothesis that clozapine-mediated inhibition of G-CSF or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) release is involved in CA development. Because clozapine-induced cell death mainly affects the neutrophil lineage, the elucidation of the exact mechanism of CA may open new perspectives for the treatment of psychiatric and possibly hematological disorders.

Breast cancer still continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Although advances have been made in the treatment of this disease during the past decade, new approaches and novel compounds are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of trans-[PtCl2(2-hepy)2] [2-hepy=2-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyridine] on breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The platinum (II) complex was synthesized and characterized by our laboratory working group. Anti-growth effect was assayed by the MTT and ATP viability assays and also monitored real-time using xCELLigence system. The mode of cell death was evaluated by using the fluorescence microscopy (Hoechst 33342+Calcein-AM+Propidium iodide staining), Western blotting (cleaved PARP and caspase 3, total caspase 8), flow cytometry (quantitative analysis of live, early/late apoptotic, dead cells and caspase 3/7 activity) and the RT-PCR (the genes analyzed were BCL-2L10, BIK, BAX, BCL-2, FASLG, HRK, TNFRSF10B, and TNFRSF10A). The platinum (II) complex had anti-growth effect in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Cells were killed by apoptosis as evidenced by the pyknotic nuclei, cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and induction of active caspase-3. These results suggest that the complex might represent a potentially active novel drug for the breast cancer treatment and warrants further studies due to its promising cytotoxic activity.

Defective apoptosis might be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated apoptosis-related molecules in MS patients before and after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) using BCNU, Etoposide, AraC and Melphalan (BEAM) or cyclophosphamide (CY)-based conditioning regimens. Patients were followed for clinical and immunological parameters for 2 years after AHSCT. At baseline, MS patients had decreased proapoptotic BAD, BAX and FASL and increased A1 gene expression when compared with healthy counterparts. In the BEAM group, BAK, BIK, BIMEL , FAS, FASL, A1, BCL2, BCLXL , CFLIPL and CIAP2 genes were up-regulated after AHSCT. With the exception of BIK, BIMEL and A1, all genes reached levels similar to controls at day + 720 post-transplantation. Furthermore, in these patients, we observed increased CD8+ Fas+ T cell frequencies after AHSCT when compared to baseline. In the CY group, we observed increased BAX, BCLW, CFLIPL and CIAP1 and decreased BIK and BID gene expressions after transplantation. At day + 720 post-AHSCT, the expression of BAX, FAS, FASL, BCL2, BCLXL and CIAP1 was similar to that of controls. Protein analyses showed increased Bcl-2 expression before transplantation. At 1 year post-AHSCT, expression of Bak, Bim, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and cFlip-L was decreased when compared to baseline values. In summary, our findings suggest that normalization of apoptosis-related molecules is associated with the early therapeutic effects of AHSCT in MS patients. These mechanisms may be involved in the re-establishment of immune tolerance during the first 2 years post-transplantation.

Proteins of the BCL-2 family are important regulators of apoptosis. The BCL-2 family includes three main subgroups: the anti-apoptotic group, such as BCL-2, BCL-XL, BCL-W, and MCL-1; multi-domain pro-apoptotic BAX, BAK; and pro-apoptotic "BH3-only" BIK, PUMA, NOXA, BID, BAD, and SPIKE. SPIKE, a rare pro-apoptotic protein, is highly conserved throughout the evolution, including Caenorhabditis elegans, whose expression is downregulated in certain tumors, including kidney, lung, and breast. In the literature, SPIKE was proposed to interact with BAP31 and prevent BCL-XL from binding to BAP31. Here, we utilized the Position Weight Matrix method to identify SPIKE to be a BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein mainly localized in the cytosol of all cancer cell lines tested. Overexpression of SPIKE weakly induced apoptosis in comparison to the known BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein BIK. SPIKE promoted mitochondrial cytochrome c release, the activation of caspase 3, and the caspase cleavage of caspase's downstream substrates BAP31 and p130CAS. Although the informatics analysis of SPIKE implicates this protein as a member of the BH3-only BCL-2 subfamily, its role in apoptosis remains to be elucidated.

Endothelial cell injury can promote the development of various cardiovascular diseases, thus, fully understanding the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of vascular endothelial cell homoeostasis may help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. Kaiso, a zinc finger and BTB domain containing transcription factor, is key to embryonic development and cancer, but how Kaiso interacts with vascular endothelium is not fully understood. We report that Kaiso has an anti-apoptotic function in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1s). Overexpression of Kaiso significantly increased cell viability and inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, Kaiso increased expression of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and reduced expression of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and BCL2-interacting killer (BIK) by differentially regulating gene promoter activity. Methylated DNA and specific Kaiso binding site (KBS) contributed to gene regulatory activity of Kaiso. In addition, p120ctn functioned cooperatively in Kaiso-mediated transcriptional regulation.

OBJECTIVE

Although Angelica keiskei (AK) has widely been utilized for the purpose of general health improvement among Asian, its functionality and mechanism of action. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of ethanol extract of AK (AK-Ex) on acute hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen (AAP) in HepG2 human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells and HepaRG human hepatic progenitor cells.

METHODS

AK-Ex was prepared HepG2 and HepaRG cells were cultured with various concentrations and 30 mM AAP. The protective effects of AK-Ex against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 and HepaRG cells were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

AK-Ex, when administered prior to AAP, increased cell growth and decreased leakage of LDH in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 and HepaRG cells against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity. AK-Ex increased the level of Bcl-2 and decreased the levels of Bax, Bok and Bik decreased the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane in HepG2 cells intoxicated with AAP. AK-Ex decreased the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and the activation of caspase-9, -7, and -3.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that AK-Ex downregulates apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity. We suggest that AK could be a useful preventive agent against AAP-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes.

Induction of the generation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium (Ca++)-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by gallic acid (GA) has been implicated in the mitochondrial apoptotic death of human oral cancer (OC) cells, but the molecular mechanism by which GA causes ER Ca++ release of OC cells to undergo cell death remains unclear. Here, we report that GA-induced phosphorylation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-interacting killer (BIK) (threonine (Thr) 33/Serine (Ser) 35) and p53 (Ser 15 and Ser 392), Bcl-2-associated x protein (BAX)/BCL-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK) oligomerization on the ER and mitochondria, rising of cytosolic Ca++ and ROS, cytochrome c (Cyt c) release from the mitochondria, Ψm loss, and apoptosis were suppressed in cells co-treated with a specific inhibitor of casein kinase II (CK II) (4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole). Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated suppression of BIK inhibited GA-induced oligomeric complex of BAX/BAK in the ER and mitochondria, increase of cytosolic Ca++ and ROS, and apoptosis, but did not attenuate the increase in the level of Ser 15-phosphated p53 induced by GA. Blockade of p53 expression by short hairpin RNA suppressed BAX/BAK oligomerization and ER Ca++-ROS-associated apoptosis induced by GA but did not affect GA-induced phospho-BIK (Thr 33/Ser 35) levels. Induction of mitochondrial Cyt c release and ROS generation, increased cytosolic Ca++ level, and apoptosis by GA was attenuated by expression of the BAX or BAK siRNA. Over-expression of BCL-2 (but not BCL-XL) inhibited formation of ER oligomeric BAX/BAK by GA. Our results demonstrated that activation of the CK II by GA is required for the BIK-mediated ROS-dependent apoptotic activity of ER-associated BAX/BAK.