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The cytoprotective aminothiol WR1065 activates p21waf-1 and down regulates cell cycle progression through a p53-dependent pathway.

The phosphoaminothiol WR1065, the active metabolite of the pro-drug amifostine (WR2721), protects cultured cells and tissues against cytotoxic exposure to radiation or chemotherapeutic agents. We show here that WR1065 and the pro-drug WR2721 activate the p53 tumor suppressor protein and induce the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21waf-1 in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, and in the mouse fibroblast cell line balb/c 3T3. Using two MCF-7 derived cell lines, MN1 and MDD2, we show that induction of p21waf-1 is detectable in MN1 (expressing a functional p53) but not in MDD2 (p53 disabled). These effects are observed at concentrations of WR1065 (0.5 to 1 mM) identical to those required to protect against cytotoxicity by hydrogen peroxide. Induction of p53 is not prevented by addition of aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of Cu-dependent amine-oxidases which blocks the extra-cellular degradation of WR1065 into toxic metabolites. Moreover, spermidine, a natural polyamine structurally related to amifostine, does not activate p53. Induction of p53 by WR1065 results in a delay in the G1/S transition in MCF-7 and MN-1 cells, but not in the p53 disabled cells MDD2. These data indicate that WR1065, a polyamine analog with thiol anti-oxidant properties, activates a cell cycle check-point involving p53.

3T3 Cells↗

Aminothiol WR1065 induces differential gene expression in the presence of wild-type p53.

The aminothiol WR1065 exerts selective cytoprotective effects in normal cells compared to cancer cells and has clinical applications for the protection of normal cells in cancer patients undergoing radio- or chemotherapy. There is evidence that p53 is activated in response to WR1065. To examine the effects of WR1065 on the signalling pathways controlled by p53, isogeneic human colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT116) differing only in the presence or absence of wild-type p53 were used. Treatment with WR1065 resulted in G1 cell cycle arrest in the p53-positive cell line but not in the p53-negative cell line. Long-term exposure resulted in minimal apoptosis of either cell line. Changes in gene expression in p53-positive or -negative cells treated with WR1065 were examined using commercial human stress and cancer gene arrays (Clontech Atlas arrays). Genes found to be specifically upregulated in a p53-dependent manner included coproporphyrinogen oxidase, ICErel-II cysteine protease, macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (also known as placental transforming growth factor beta), S100A4, and Waf1/p21. However, most proapoptotic genes typically upregulated by p53 in response to DNA damage were not activated. These studies show that WR1065 specifically modulates a subset of p53 target genes in a colon carcinoma cell line, consistent with the observation that this agent elicits essentially p53-dependent, cell cycle arrest responses.

Cell Cycle↗

Chromatographic evidence for the existence of multiple forms of cathepsin B1.

Preparations of ox spleen cathepsin B1 have been found to give multiple peaks of activity upon chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in NaCl gradients or by equilibrium chromatography in 0.05m-NaCl. CM-cellulose gradient chromatography also shows several cathepsin B1 peaks. This evidence indicates that ox spleen cathepsin B1 can exist in at least three to five forms. All forms have the same molecular weight, are thiol-activated and are inhibited by typical thiol inhibitors. The possible sources of this multiplicity of activity are discussed and a possible physiological role for cathepsin B2 is suggested.

Animals↗

Mammalian cell polyamine homeostasis is altered by the radioprotector WR1065.

Mammalian cells become more susceptible to radiation-induced death and mutagenesis when restricted in their production of the natural polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine. The effects of polyamine deprivation are reversed by N-(2-mercaptoethyl)-1, 3-diaminopropane (WR1065), a simple aminothiol that has been extensively studied for its radioprotectant properties. Because this compound and its oxidized derivative WR33278 bear some resemblance to the polyamines, it was hypothesized that radioprotection by WR1065 or its metabolites is derived, at least in part, from their ability to supplement the natural polyamines. To evaluate the ability of these aminothiol compounds to emulate polyamine function in intact cells, rat liver hepatoma (HTC) cells were treated with radioprotective doses of WR1065; the ability of this compound to affect various aspects of normal polyamine metabolism was monitored. Although cellular WR1065 was maintained at levels exceeding those of the polyamines, this aminothiol did not have any polyamine-like effect on the initial polyamine biosynthetic enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, or on polyamine degradative reactions. On the contrary, treatment with relatively low levels of WR1065 resulted in an unexpected increase in putrescine and spermidine synthesis. WR1065 treatment enhanced the stability, and consequently the activity, of ornithine decarboxylase. This stabilization seems to result from a WR1065-induced delay in the synthesis of antizyme, a critical regulatory protein required in the feedback modulation of polyamine synthesis and transport. The increase in cellular spermidine induced by WR1065 might explain its antimutagenic properties, but is probably not a factor in protection against cell killing by radiation. This is the first evidence that compounds can be designed to control polyamine levels by targeting the activity of the regulatory protein antizyme.

Animals↗

Amifostine: is there evidence of tumor protection?

A large body of experimental evidence suggests that amifostine (Ethyol, WR-2721; MedImmune, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD) is a selective cytoprotector of normal tissues. Nevertheless, several experimental studies, most of which were conducted in the early 1980s, suggest that amifostine may protect tumor tissues, although to a much lower degree than its protective effect on normal tissues. Based on a critical literature review, we conclude that any experimental evidence suggesting tumor protection is weak. The effects of anesthesia and hypotension on normal and tumor tissue oxygenation status of animals, the consequences of such events on amifostine activity, and the impact of this complex situation on host immunity and radiotherapy efficacy in the experimental setting do not reliably simulate the clinical setting. Analyses of radiobiologic and histologic results of the Canine Sarcoma Study show that, if any conclusion is to be made, amifostine protected normal tissues and preserved (or even enhanced) the antitumor activity of radiotherapy. The Ormaplatin Study clearly showed a 10-fold decreased concentration of platinum in tumor compared with normal tissues, and does not therefore support evidence of lack of amifostine selectivity. Finally, not one clinical study suggests tumor protection with amifostine. On the contrary, the majority of clinical data strongly suggest that patients who receive amifostine with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy do better than controls. Rather than organizing large-scale, randomized clinical trials to exclude tumor protection by amifostine, it seems more useful to design trials that would measure amifostine benefits in terms of improved quality of life, tumor control, and survival rates in patients being treated with standard or novel chemotherapy/radiotherapy regimens.

Amifostine↗

Effects of dose and schedule on the efficacy of ethyol: preclinical studies.

The chemo- and radioprotectant drug amifostine (Ethyol; MedImmune, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD) is approved for intravenous (IV) administration; however, the subcutaneous (SC) route is being explored as a practical alternative. We have previously reported equivalence between IV and SC administration using a rat model of radioprotection and active metabolite (WR-1065) tissue pharmacokinetics. To examine the more clinically relevant fractionated and hyperfractionated radiation schedules and the effects of variations in the time of amifostine administration, we expanded these studies to include radioprotection and pharmacokinetic studies of WR-1065 using multiple dosing. To measure radioprotection using a fractionated radioprotection model, rats were given amifostine over a 1-week period at various doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg; or 162.5 mg/m(2), 325 mg/m(2), 650 mg/m(2), respectively) IV or SC daily 30 minutes before exposure to 7.5 Gy/dose. Rats were fully protected from mucositis at the highest amifostine dose, with protection diminishing as the amifostine was decreased. Equivalent protection was observed whether the drug was given IV or SC. When the number of days of amifostine administration was reduced, protection was diminished. Amifostine also protected against radiation delivered using a 1-week hyperfractionated schedule (4.5 Gy/exposure twice daily), with optimal protection occurring when the drug was administered bid 30 minutes before each exposure (50 mg/kg) or every day before the morning exposure (100 mg/kg). The need for daily dosing to achieve optimal radioprotection was consistent with the tissue pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite. We found that WR-1065 did not accumulate in tissues or in SC-implanted tumors when amifostine was administered daily for 3 weeks. In addition, tissue and tumor levels of WR-1065 declined to baseline 24 hours after each amifostine dose. In a monkey pharmacokinetic model, plasma levels of WR-1065 (characterized by a pronounced spike of WR-1065 immediately after IV administration that was absent when the drug was given SC) were similar to those of humans; however, levels of WR-1065 in the tissues were higher 30 minutes following SC administration and were equivalent 60 minutes following IV or SC administration. These results suggest that maximum tissue levels and protection occur when amifostine is given 30 to 60 minutes before radiation exposure, that treatment breaks reduce the radioprotection by amifostine, and that protection from hyperfractionated radiation is dependent on amifostine dose and schedule.

Amifostine↗

Preclinical studies on the radioprotective efficacy and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered amifostine.

The radioprotective effects and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously (SC) administered amifostine have been investigated in animal studies. Studies in rats using a single dose of amifostine showed that SC administration gave protection from radiation-induced mucositis that is at least equivalent to that achieved by intravenous administration of the drug. These studies also indicate that tissue levels of the active metabolite WR-1065 correlated better with the radioprotective effects of amifostine than do plasma WR-1065 levels. Multiple-dose studies in rats show radioprotective effects equal to or greater than those obtained with intravenous dosing in the setting of fractionated irradiation. In addition, there is no evidence of drug accumulation in either normal or tumor tissue, with tumor WR-1065 levels peaking just above the limits of quantitation during treatment. Preliminary data from studies of SC amifostine in monkeys indicate a plasma pharmacokinetic profile similar to that reported earlier in humans. Tissue WR-1065 levels were higher at 30 minutes after SC dosing than they were after intravenous dosing and were comparable for the two routes at 60 minutes.

Amifostine↗

Differential activation of nuclear transcription factor kappaB, gene expression, and proteins by amifostine's free thiol in human microvascular endothelial and glioma cells.

The effects of WR1065 (SH), the free thiol form of amifostine, on nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NFkappaB) activation, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene expression, and secretion of human vascular endothelial cell growth factor (hVEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, and interleukins IL-1alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 were investigated and compared in human microvascular endothelial (HMEC) and human glioma cells. WR1065 was evaluated at 2 concentrations, 4 mmol/L, ie, its most effective cytoprotective dose, and 40 micromol/L, a noncytoprotective but highly effective dose capable of preventing radiation and chemotherapeutic drug-induced mutations in exposed cells. A 30-minute exposure of HMEC and glioma cell lines U87 and U251 to WR1065 at either of the concentrations resulted in a marked activation of NFkappaB as determined by a gel shift assay, with the maximum effect observed between 30 minutes and 1 hour after treatment. Using a supershift assay, WR1065 exposure was observed to affect only the p50-p65 heterodimer, and not the homodimers or heterodimers containing p52 or c-Rel subunits of NFkappaB. WR1065 was also found to enhance MnSOD gene expression in both HMEC and glioma cells. Gene expression was enhanced 1.8-fold over control levels in HMEC over a period ranging from 12 to 24 hours after the time of maximum activation of NFkappaB. In contrast, MnSOD gene expression in U87 cells rose 3.5 times above control levels over this same period. WR1065 had no effect on the levels of adhesion molecules, cytokines, and growth factors secreted by cells exposed for up to 24 hours as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Amifostine↗

The cytoprotective aminothiol WR1065 activates p53 through a non-genotoxic signaling pathway involving c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

WR1065 is an aminothiol with selective cytoprotective effects in normal cells compared with cancer cells. In a previous study (North, S., El-Ghissassi, F., Pluquet, O., Verhaegh, G., and Hainaut, P. (2000) Oncogene 19, 1206-1214), we have shown that WR1065 activates wild-type p53 in cultured cells. Here we show that WR1065 induces p53 to accumulate through escape from proteasome-dependent degradation. This accumulation is not prevented by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases and is not accompanied by phosphorylation of Ser-15, -20, or -37, which are common targets of the kinases activated in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, WR1065 activates the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), decreases complex formation between p53 and inactive JNK, and phosphorylates p53 at Thr-81, a known site of phosphorylation by JNK. A dominant negative form of JNK (JNK-APF) reduces by 50% the activation of p53 by WR1065. Thus, WR1065 activates p53 through a JNK-dependent signaling pathway. This pathway may prove useful for pharmacological modulation of p53 activity through non-genotoxic mechanisms.

3T3 Cells↗

Cytoprotection by WR-1065, the active form of amifostine, is independent of p53 status in human malignant glioma cell lines.

PURPOSE: This study tests the hypothesis that p53 status, i.e. wild type versus mutant form, is a determinant in radiation protection of human glioma cells by WR-1065, the active thiol form of amifostine (WR-2721). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytoprotective effectiveness of WR-1065 when present during irradiation was investigated using four well-characterized human glioma cell lines. The p53 positive lines were U87 and D54, and the mutant p53 lines were U251 (mutant at codon 273; CGT/CAT; Arg/His) and A172 (mutant at codon 242; TGC/TTC; Cys/Phe). Treatment conditions included exposure of cells to a range of doses (0-10Gy) alone or in combination with 4mM of WR-1065 added 30min prior to irradiation. Resultant survival curves were obtained using a clonogenic assay and protection factors, the ratio of terminal slopes +/- WR-1065, were determined for each glioma cell line. RESULTS: The Do values of wild-type U87 and D54 were 1.62 and 1.89Gy while those of p53 mutants U251 and A172 were 1.64 and 1.68 Gy, respectively. Protection factors were determined to be 2.4 and 1.9 for U87 and D54, and 2.6 and 2.8 for U251 and A172, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The p53 status of the four human glioma cell lines tested was not a predictor for either their relative sensitivity to ionizing radiation or ability to be protected by WR-1065. It is concluded that cytoprotection exhibited by cells exposed to WR-1065 during irradiation is independent of their p53 status.

Amifostine↗