Biomedical subjects

Benjamin Bonavida

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin Bonavida.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Actinomycin D-mediated sensitization of AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis: involvement of the mitochondrion-dependent pathway.

Fas engagement rapidly induces formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) that consists of Fas, FADD and pro-caspase-8. Activated caspase-8 at the DISC directly activates downstream caspases, resulting in induction of apoptosis of the independent mitochondria. In this study, we have obtained evidence demonstrating that Fas-mediated apoptosis in AIDS-KS cells takes place in a mitochondria-dependent manner. FADD and pro-caspase-8 were detected in immunoprecipitates with anti-Fas antibody in anti-Fas mAb (CH-11)-treated Hut 78, a typical Fas-sensitive cell line. On the other hand, DISC formation by CH-11 was markedly reduced in AIDS-KS cells. In addition, CH-11-induced activation of caspase-8-like protease in AIDS-KS cells was much less pronounced compared with that in Hut 78; however, a caspase-8 inhibitor, zIETD-fmk, completely blocked the apoptosis. Further, a caspase-9 inhibitor, zLEHD-fmk, markedly inhibited Fas-mediated apoptosis in AIDS-KS cells. Several apoptotic stimuli induce mitochondria activation allowing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. In the apoptosome, cytochrome c and Apaf-1 activate caspase-9 which subsequently leads to the activation of caspase-3. In AIDS-KS cells, CH-11 triggered cytochrome c release, an event which was inhibited by zIETD-fmk. Further, a caspase-3 inhibitor, zDEVD-fmk completely inhibited the apoptosis. Altogether, the present data provide evidence that the Fas signal in AIDS-KS cells is preferentially transduced through the mitochondria-dependent pathway, which is initiated by caspase-8 activation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2002

Rituximab modifies the cisplatin-mitochondrial signaling pathway, resulting in apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20) can reverse the cisplatin-resistant phenotype of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines and results in cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. The mechanism by which apoptosis is achieved by the combination treatment was examined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) cell line 2F7 was treated with rituximab, cisplatin, and a combination of the two and analyzed by Western blot analyses for signaling proteins involved in the death receptor-mediated and mitochondrial pathways. RESULTS: Rituximab selectively inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in the ARL cells. However, other proteins analyzed [namely, Apaf-1, Bax, Bid, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)-1, cIAP-2, cytochrome c, Fas, Fas ligand, FLIP, p53, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] were not affected by either rituximab or cisplatin. Treatment with cisplatin induced the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, specifically intracellular peroxides. Furthermore, cisplatin alone was unable to induce the mitochondrial apoptotic events; however, the rituximab-cisplatin combination was able to synergistically induce significant apoptosis and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic events [mitochondrial membrane depolarization (DeltaPsi(m)), cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase-3 and -9 activation]. The combination treatment facilitated the down-regulation of Bcl-2 by rituximab at an early time point. Decreased expression of additional proteins (Apaf-1, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, and XIAP) paralleled apoptosis detected at 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the selective down-regulation of Bcl-2 by rituximab leading to apoptosis in ARL cells by cisplatin is through the mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2002

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) blocks Apo2 ligand/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in the presence of mitochondrial activation: sensitization by overexpression of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct IAP-binding protein with low pl (Smac/DIABLO).

The resistance to Apo2 ligand (Apo2L)/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis could be overcome by treatment with subtoxic concentrations of actinomycin D (Act D) in prostate tumor cells. Furthermore, the sensitization to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by Act D positively correlated with selective down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP). In this study, we examined whether second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pl (Smac/DIABLO), a known inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP)-neutralizing protein, sensitizes resistant prostate tumor cells to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The prostate tumor cell line CL-1 was treated with Apo2L/TRAIL, Act D, or a combination of the two. The apoptosis-mediated signaling pathway was examined by Western blotting and flow cytometry. Furthermore, CL-1 cells transfected with the anti-IAP inhibitor Smac/DIABLO were examined for sensitivity to Apo2L/TRAIL. Whereas Apo2L/TRAIL induced the release of cytochrome c and endogenous Smac/DIABLO in the CL-1 tumor cells, the cytosolic levels of both molecules were not sufficient to induce apoptosis. Transient transfectants with a Smac/DIABLO cDNA encoding a neutralizing inhibitor of IAPs were sensitized to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The sensitization to Apo2L/TRAIL by Smac/DIABLO overexpression was a result of synergistic activation of caspases-3, -9, and -8. Treatment of the Smac/DIABLO transient transfectant with Apo2L/TRAIL enhanced the release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria and led to reduction of IAP family proteins (XIAP, c-IAP1, and c-IAP2). These results show that Smac/DIABLO can sensitize CL-1 tumor cells to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Thus, up-regulation of Smac/DIABLO and sensitization to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis are of potential clinical application in the immunotherapy of drug-/Apo2L/TRAIL-resistant tumors.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prognostic significance of a combination of thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activities in grades 1 and 2 superficial bladder cancer.

There is no potent prognostic marker for recurrence in superficial bladder cancer at present. Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a key enzyme for pyrimidine synthesis. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is an important pyrimidine salvage enzyme. We evaluated a combination of TS and DPD activities as a prognostic marker for recurrence in grade 1 and 2 superficial bladder cancer. The levels of TS and DPD activities in non-fixed fresh frozen bladder cancer specimens were determined biochemically by the 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate binding assay and the 5-fluorouracil degradation assay, respectively. Significantly, patients with low TS activity and high DPD activity had a longer post-operative tumor-free interval than those with either high TS activity or low DPD activity in the 2-year follow-up. There were no statistical differences observed in patient's sex and age as well as the histologic stage and grade of bladder cancer between the two groups. In addition, there is no correlation between TS and DPD activities. The present study suggests that a combination of TS and DPD activities may be an independent prognostic indicator for recurrence in grade 1 and 2 superficial bladder cancer, and that either high TS activity or low DPD activity predicts early recurrence.

Adult↗