Biomedical subjects

Eric Solary

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Solary.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Hsp70 regulates erythropoiesis by preventing caspase-3-mediated cleavage of GATA-1.

Caspase-3 is activated during both terminal differentiation and erythropoietin-starvation-induced apoptosis of human erythroid precursors. The transcription factor GATA-1, which performs an essential function in erythroid differentiation by positively regulating promoters of erythroid and anti-apoptotic genes, is cleaved by caspases in erythroid precursors undergoing cell death upon erythropoietin starvation or engagement of the death receptor Fas. In contrast, by an unknown mechanism, GATA-1 remains uncleaved when these cells undergo terminal differentiation upon stimulation with Epo. Here we show that during differentiation, but not during apoptosis, the chaperone protein Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-mediated proteolysis. At the onset of caspase activation, Hsp70 co-localizes and interacts with GATA-1 in the nucleus of erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation. In contrast, erythropoietin starvation induces the nuclear export of Hsp70 and the cleavage of GATA-1. In an in vitro assay, Hsp70 protects GATA-1 from caspase-3-mediated proteolysis through its peptide-binding domain. The use of RNA-mediated interference to decrease the Hsp70 content of erythroid precursors cultured in the presence of erythropoietin leads to GATA-1 cleavage, a decrease in haemoglobin content, downregulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L), and cell death by apoptosis. These effects are abrogated by the transduction of a caspase-resistant GATA-1 mutant. Thus, in erythroid precursors undergoing terminal differentiation, Hsp70 prevents active caspase-3 from cleaving GATA-1 and inducing apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2006

Caspase-8 prevents sustained activation of NF-kappaB in monocytes undergoing macrophagic differentiation.

Caspases have demonstrated several nonapoptotic functions including a role in the differentiation of specific cell types. Here, we show that caspase-8 is the upstream enzyme in the proteolytic caspase cascade whose activation is required for the differentiation of peripheral-blood monocytes into macrophages. On macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) exposure, caspase-8 associates with the adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain (FADD), the serine/threonine kinase receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) and the long isoform of FLICE-inhibitory protein FLIP. Overexpression of FADD accelerates the differentiation process that does not involve any death receptor. Active caspase-8 cleaves RIP1, which prevents sustained NF-kappaB activation, and activates downstream caspases. Together these data identify a role for caspase-8 in monocytes undergoing macrophagic differentiation, that is, the enzyme activated in an atypical complex down-regulates NF-kappaB activity through RIP1 cleavage.

Caspase 8↗

PubMed2006

Metronomic cyclophosphamide regimen selectively depletes CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and restores T and NK effector functions in end stage cancer patients.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are involved in the prevention of autoimmune diseases and in tumor-induced tolerance. We previously demonstrated in tumor-bearing rodents that one injection of cyclophosphamide could significantly decrease both numbers and suppressive functions of regulatory T cells, facilitating vaccine-induced tumor rejection. In humans, iterative low dosing of cyclophosphamide, referred to as "metronomic" therapy, has recently been used in patients with advanced chemotherapy resistant cancers with the aim of reducing tumor angiogenesis. Here we show that oral administration of metronomic cyclophosphamide in advanced cancer patients induces a profound and selective reduction of circulating regulatory T cells, associated with a suppression of their inhibitory functions on conventional T cells and NK cells leading to a restoration of peripheral T cell proliferation and innate killing activities. Therefore, metronomic regimen of cyclophosphamide does not only affect tumor angiogenesis but also strongly curtails immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, favoring a better control of tumor progression. Altogether these data support cyclophosphamide regimen as a valuable treatment for reducing tumor-induced immune tolerance before setting to work anticancer immunotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Nitric oxide-induced down-regulation of beta-catenin in colon cancer cells by a proteasome-independent specific pathway.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We have previously reported that nitric oxide could induce the death of colon cancer cells. Because an inappropriate activation of beta-catenin has been associated with intestinal cell malignant transformation, we explored whether nitric oxide could affect beta-catenin expression and function. METHODS: Human colon cancer cell lines were treated with the nitric oxide donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) before analyzing beta-catenin expression by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation methods and its transcriptional activity using a luciferase reporter gene driven by a T-cell factor-responsive promotor. RESULTS: GTN induces beta-catenin degradation and down-regulates its transcriptional activity in colon cancer cells. This effect is preceded by GTN-induced tyrosine nitration of beta-catenin, together with its dephosphorylation on serine 33, 37, and 45 and threonine 41. GTN-induced beta-catenin degradation involves proteases that are sensitive to a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, and to serine protease inhibitors N-tosyl-L-phenylalaline chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and [4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonylfluoride] (AEBSF), whereas the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway is not involved. Interestingly, only TPCK and AEBSF restore beta-catenin transcriptional activity and preserve beta-catenin nuclear localization in GTN-treated colon cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of colon cancer cells to nitric oxide unraveled a so-far-unidentified mechanism of beta-catenin regulation. The protein is nitrated and dephosphorylated, and its transcriptional activity is reduced through degradation by a TPCK and AEBSF-sensitive protease.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

HSP27 favors ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of p27Kip1 and helps S-phase re-entry in stressed cells.

Stress-inducible HSP27 protects cells from death through various mechanisms. We have recently demonstrated that HSP27 can also enhance the degradation of some proteins through the proteasomal pathway. Here, we show that one of these proteins is the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27Kip1. The ubiquitination and degradation of this protein that favors progression through the cell cycle was previously shown to involve either a Skp2-dependent mechanism,i.e., at the S-/G2-transition, or a KPC (Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex)-dependent mechanism, i.e.,at the G0/G1 transition. In this work, we demonstrate that, in response to serum depletion, p27Kip1 cellular content first increases then progressively decreases as cells begin to die. In this stressful condition, HSP27favors p27Kip1 ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. A similar observation was made in response to stress induced by the NO donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). HSP27-mediated ubiquitination ofp27Kip1 does not require its phosphorylation on Thr187 or Ser-10, nor does it depend on the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase E3 complex. It facilitates the G1/S transition,which suggests that, in stressful conditions, HSP27might render quiescent cells competent to re-enter the cell cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Identification of proteins cleaved downstream of caspase activation in monocytes undergoing macrophage differentiation.

We have shown previously that caspases were specifically involved in the differentiation of peripheral blood monocytes into macrophages while not required for monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells. To identify caspase targets in monocytes undergoing macrophagic differentiation, we used the human monocytic leukemic cell line U937, whose macrophagic differentiation induced by exposure to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) can be prevented by expression of the baculovirus caspase-inhibitory protein p35. A comparative two-dimensional gel proteomic analysis of empty vector- and p35-transfected cells after 12 h of exposure to 20 nm TPA, followed by mass spectrometry analysis, identified 38 differentially expressed proteins. Those overexpressed in p35-expressing cells (n = 16) were all full-length, whereas half of those overexpressed in control cells (n = 22) were N- or C-terminal cleavage fragments. The cleavage or degradation of seven of these proteins was confirmed in peripheral blood monocytes undergoing macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced macrophagic differentiation. In U937 cells exposed to TPA, these proteolytic events can be inhibited by expression of a caspase-8 dominant negative mutant or the cowpox virus CrmA caspase inhibitor. These cleavages provide new insights to analyze the role of caspases in this specific differentiation program.

Carcinogens↗

PubMed2006

Heat shock protein 70 neutralization exerts potent antitumor effects in animal models of colon cancer and melanoma.

When overexpressed, the stress protein heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) increases the oncogenic potential of cancer cells in rodent models. HSP70 also prevents apoptosis, thereby increasing the survival of cells exposed to a wide range of otherwise lethal stimuli. These protective functions of HSP70 involve its interaction with and neutralization of the adaptor molecule apoptotic protease activation factor-1, implicated in caspase activation, and the flavoprotein apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), involved in caspase-independent cell death. We have shown previously that a peptide containing the AIF sequence involved in its interaction with HSP70 (ADD70, amino acids 150-228) binds to and neutralizes HSP70 in the cytosol, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis induced by a variety of death stimuli. Here, we show that expression of ADD70 in tumor cells decreases their tumorigenicity in syngeneic animals without affecting their growth in immunodeficient animals. ADD70 antitumorigenic effects are associated with an increase in tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. In addition, ADD70 sensitizes rat colon cancer cells (PROb) and mouse melanoma cells (B16F10) to the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. ADD70 also shows an additive effect with HSP90 inhibition by 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin in vitro. Altogether, these data indicate the potential interest of targeting the HSP70 interaction with AIF for cancer therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Apoptotic, necrotic, or fused tumor cells: an equivalent source of antigen for dendritic cell loading.

The identification of the most efficient strategy for tumor antigen loading of dendritic cells (DCs) remains a challenge in cancer immunotherapy protocols. Autologous dead tumor cells have been demonstrated to constitute an acceptable source of multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to pulse DCs. However the optimal approach for inducing cell death that would lead to effective endocytosis and activation of DCs remains controversial. In this study we have induced and defined 3 distinct mechanisms of tumor cell death (apoptosis, necrosis and fusion-mediated cell death), and investigated their differential effects on DCs. Bone marrow-derived DCs demonstrated comparable uptake of primary apoptotic, necrotic, or fused dead tumor cells. Furthermore, the distinct modes of cancer cell death had analogous potential in activating the transcription factors NF-kappaB and STAT1 and in maturing DCs, resulting in an equally effective stimulation of immune T cells. The current study therefore provides further informations on the use of dead whole tumor cells as antigen sources for effective active anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Differential inhibition of TRAIL-mediated DR5-DISC formation by decoy receptors 1 and 2.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family that induces cancer cell death by apoptosis with some selectivity. TRAIL-induced apoptosis is mediated by the transmembrane receptors death receptor 4 (DR4) (also known as TRAIL-R1) and DR5 (TRAIL-R2). TRAIL can also bind decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) (TRAIL-R3) and DcR2 (TRAIL-R4) that fail to induce apoptosis since they lack and have a truncated cytoplasmic death domain, respectively. In addition, DcR1 and DcR2 inhibit DR4- and DR5-mediated, TRAIL-induced apoptosis and we demonstrate here that this occurs through distinct mechanisms. While DcR1 prevents the assembly of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) by titrating TRAIL within lipid rafts, DcR2 is corecruited with DR5 within the DISC, where it inhibits initiator caspase activation. In addition, DcR2 prevents DR4 recruitment within the DR5 DISC. The specificity of DcR1- and DcR2-mediated TRAIL inhibition reveals an additional level of complexity for the regulation of TRAIL signaling.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2006

Differential mechanisms of conjunctival cell death induction by ultraviolet irradiation and benzalkonium chloride.

PURPOSE: To determine the molecular mechanisms of conjunctival cell death on exposure to the quaternary ammonium preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. METHODS: Chang conjunctival cells, either wild-type or stably transfected with various constructs encoding antiapoptotic molecules or transiently transfected with siRNA targeting the beclin-1 gene, were exposed to BAC or UV radiation Cell death was analyzed morphologically with fluorescence and electron microscopy, and molecular mechanisms of death were studied by using immunofluorescence, cell fractionation, caspase substrates, and immunoblot analysis, with or without immunoprecipitation. The main results were controlled in IOBA-NHC cells. RESULTS: Both agents induced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, caspase activation, and nuclear chromatin condensation, suggesting caspase-dependent apoptosis. These events are prevented by stable expression of Bcl-2 protein. Both agents also induced a redistribution of Fas in plasma membrane rafts and the Fas-ligand-independent formation of a death-inducing complex leading to caspase-8 activation. Stable expression of either a dominant negative construct of Fas-associated death domain (FADD) or the long or short isoform of FADD-like interleukin-1-beta-converting enzyme inhibitory protein (FLIP) inhibited caspase-8 activation in response to both UV radiation and BAC. However, these proteins, as well as permeant peptides and baculovirus p35 caspase-inhibitors, delayed more efficiently the UV irradiation-induced than the BAC-induced nuclear chromatin condensation. BAC specifically activated a caspase-independent pathway by inducing the mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor. BAC-treated cells contain autophagosomes/autolysosomes, a characteristic feature of autophagy, and siRNA-mediated downregulation of the beclin-1 gene, whose product is crucial for autophagy, increases BAC toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: UV irradiation induces typical, caspase-dependent cell death, whereas death induced by BAC associates features of caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis counteracted by an autophagic process.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

Tumor cells convert immature myeloid dendritic cells into TGF-beta-secreting cells inducing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell proliferation.

The mechanisms through which regulatory T cells accumulate in lymphoid organs of tumor-bearing hosts remain elusive. Our experiments indicate that the accumulation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) expressing FoxP3 and exhibiting immunosuppressive function originates from the proliferation of naturally occurring CD25+ T cells and requires signaling through transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor II. During tumor progression, a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) exhibiting a myeloid immature phenotype is recruited to draining lymph nodes. This DC subset selectively promotes the proliferation of T reg cells in a TGF-beta-dependent manner in mice and rats. Tumor cells are necessary and sufficient to convert DCs into regulatory cells that secrete bioactive TGF-beta and stimulate T reg cell proliferation. In conclusion, tumor expansion can stimulate T reg cells via a specific DC subset.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Vital functions for lethal caspases.

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases expressed as inactive zymogens in virtually all animal cells. These enzymes play a central role in most cell death pathways leading to apoptosis but growing evidences implicate caspases also in nonapoptotic functions. Several of these enzymes, activated in molecular platforms referred to as inflammasomes, play a role in innate immune response by processing some of the cytokines involved in inflammatory response. Caspases are requested for terminal differentiation of specific cell types, whether this differentiation process leads to enucleation or not. These enzymes play also a role in T and B lymphocyte proliferation and, in some circumstances, appear to be cytoprotective rather than cytotoxic. These pleiotropic functions implicate caspases in the control of life and death but the fine regulation of their dual effect remains poorly understood. The nonapoptotic functions of caspases implicate that cells can restrict the proteolytic activity of these enzymes to selected substrates. Deregulation of the pathways in which caspases exert these nonapoptotic functions is suspected to play a role in the pathophysiology of several human diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Essential role for the p110delta isoform in phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation and cell proliferation in acute myeloid leukemia.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway has been shown to be frequently activated in blast cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to contribute to survival and proliferation of these cells. Of the 8 distinct mammalian isoforms of PI3K, it is the class I PI3Ks (p110alpha, p110beta, p110gamma, and p110delta) that are responsible for Akt activation. It is not known which PI3K isoform is critical in AML. Here we show that the p110delta isoform of PI3K is consistently expressed at a high level in blast cells from AML, in contrast to the other class I isoforms, the expression of which was very variable among patients. IC87114, a p110delta-selective inhibitor, suppressed both constitutive and Flt-3-stimulated Akt activation in blasts to the same extent as Ly294002, an inhibitor of all PI3K isoforms. Moreover, IC87114 inhibited AML cell proliferation without affecting the proliferation of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. These observations identify p110delta as a potential therapeutic target in AML.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Direct cleavage of ROCK II by granzyme B induces target cell membrane blebbing in a caspase-independent manner.

Caspase activation in target cells is a major function of granzyme B (grB) during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule-induced apoptosis. grB-mediated cell death can occur in the absence of active caspases, and the molecular targets responsible for this additional pathway remain poorly defined. Apoptotic plasma membrane blebbing is caspase independent during granule exocytosis-mediated cell death, whereas in other instances, this event is a consequence of the cleavage by caspases of the Rho effector, Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) I. We show here that grB directly cleaves ROCK II, a ROCK family member encoded by a separate gene and closely related to ROCK I, and this causes constitutive kinase activity and bleb formation. For the first time, two proteins of the same family are found to be specifically cleaved by either a caspase or grB, thus defining two independent pathways with similar phenotypic consequences in the cells. During granule-induced cell death, ROCK II cleavage by grB would overcome, for this apoptotic feature, the consequences of deficient caspase activation that may occur in virus-infected or malignant target cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A role for PKCzeta in potentiation of the topoisomerase II activity and etoposide cytotoxicity by wortmannin.

Enhanced cytotoxicity of etoposide by wortmannin, an inhibitor of enzymes holding a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase domain, was investigated in eight cell lines proficient or deficient for DNA double-strand break repair. Wortmannin stimulated the decatenating activity of topoisomerase II, promoted etoposide-induced accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, shifted the specificity for cell killing by etoposide from the S to G1 phase of the cell cycle, and potentiated the cytotoxicity of etoposide through two mechanisms. (a) Sensitization to high, micromolar amounts of etoposide required integrity of the nonhomologous end-joining repair pathway. (b) Wortmannin dramatically increased the susceptibility to low, submicromolar amounts of etoposide in a large fraction of the cell population irrespective of the status of ATM, Ku86, and DNA-PKCS. It is shown that this process correlates depression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the atypical, zeta isoform of protein kinase C (PKCzeta). Stable expression of a dominant-negative, kinase-dead mutant of PKCzeta in a tumor cell line reproduced the hypersensitivity pattern induced by wortmannin. The results are consistent with up-regulation of the topoisomerase II activity in relation to inactivation of PKCzeta and indicate that PKCzeta may be a useful target to improve the efficiency of topoisomerase II poisons at low concentration.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed2005

Trefoil factor family mRNA and protein expression in pterygium.

Trefoil factor family (TFF) of proteins are involved in mucosal protection and healing and are induced in inflammatory diseases and neoplastic progression. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if expression of the trefoil factor family (TFF) proteins is altered in human pterygium compared to in normal conjunctiva. Fourteen pterygia (P) and 21 biopsies from normal human conjunctiva (NC) were studied. TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 mRNA levels were measured by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and TFF1 mRNA levels in addition by real-time PCR. The cellular expression of TFF1 (pS2), TFF3 (intestinal trefoil factor) and M1/MUC5AC mucin in ten pterygia and ten normal human conjunctiva specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies. TFF1 mRNA levels were higher in P than in NC (p=0.02). Accordingly, intensity of TFF1 and mucin MUC5AC immunostaining was higher in P than in NC. Mucus-secreting goblet cells (GC) were more densely packed in P than in NC. In both cases, TFF1 protein was detected in GC only, but was not systematically expressed in all GC. In addition, TFF3 mRNA levels were similar (p=0.89) in NC and P, while TFF2 (spasmolytic polypeptide) mRNA were not detected. Both TFF3 and MUC5AC proteins were clearly detected in all GC identified in NC and P. Increased expression of TFF1 mRNA and protein is observed in pterygium GC, suggesting that this trefoil protein might exert protective and beneficial roles during the pathogenesis of this benign and inflammatory conjunctival tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Redistribution of CD95, DR4 and DR5 in rafts accounts for the synergistic toxicity of resveratrol and death receptor ligands in colon carcinoma cells.

The natural phytoalexin resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) exhibits both chemopreventive and antitumor activities through a variety of mechanisms. We have shown previously that resveratrol-induced apoptosis of a human colon cancer cell line involved the redistribution of CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) into lipid rafts. Here, we show that, in colon cancer cells that resist to resveratrol-induced apoptosis, the polyphenol also induces a redistribution of death receptors into lipid rafts. This effect sensitizes these tumor cells to death receptor-mediated apoptosis. In resveratrol-treated cells, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), anti-CD95 antibodies and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) activate a caspase-dependent death pathway that escapes Bcl-2-mediated inhibition. Resveratrol does not enhance the number of death receptors at the surface of tumor cells but induces their redistribution into lipid rafts and facilitates the caspase cascade activation in response to death receptor stimulation. The cholesterol sequestering agent nystatin prevents resveratrol-induced death receptor redistribution and cell sensitization to death receptor stimulation. Thus, whatever its ability to induce apoptosis in a tumor cell, resveratrol induces redistribution of death receptors into lipid rafts. This redistribution sensitizes the cells to death receptor stimulation. Such a sensitizing effect may be of therapeutic interest if TRAIL agonists are introduced in clinics.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2004

Apoptotic topoisomerase I-DNA complexes induced by staurosporine-mediated oxygen radicals.

Topoisomerase I (Top1), an abundant nuclear enzyme expressed throughout the cell cycle, relaxes DNA supercoiling by forming transient covalent DNA cleavage complexes. We show here that staurosporine, a ubiquitous inducer of apoptosis in mammalian cells, stabilizes cellular Top1 cleavage complexes. These complexes are formed indirectly as staurosporine cannot induce Top1 cleavage complexes in normal DNA with recombinant Top1 or nuclear extract from normal cells. In treated cells, staurosporine produces oxidative DNA lesions and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quenching of these ROS by the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine or inhibition of the mitochondrial dependent production of ROS by the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-VAD prevents staurosporine-induced Top1 cleavage complexes. Down-regulation of Top1 by small interfering RNA decreases staurosporine-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation. We propose that Top1 cleavage complexes resulting from oxidative DNA lesions generated by ROS in staurosporine-treated cells contribute to the full apoptotic response.

Apoptosis↗