Vorinostat Treatment of Gastric Cancer Cells Leads to ROS-Induced Cell Inhibition and a Complex Pattern of Molecular Alterations in Nrf2-Dependent Genes.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) show high antineoplastic potential in preclinical studies in various solid tumors, including gastric carcinoma; however, their use in clinical studies has not yet yielded convincing efficacies. Thus, further studies on cellular/molecular effects of HDACi are needed, for improving clinical efficacy and identifying suitable combination partners. Here, we investigated the role of oxidative stress in gastric cancer cells upon treatment with HDACi. A particular focus was laid on the role of the Nrf2 pathway, which can mediate resistance to cell-inhibitory effects of reactive oxidative species (ROS). Using fluorescence-based ROS sensors, oxidative stress was measured in human gastric cancer cell lines. Activation of the Nrf2 pathway was monitored in luciferase reporter assays as well as by mRNA and proteomic expression analyses of Nrf2 regulators and Nrf2-induced genes. Furthermore, the effects of ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and Nrf2-knockdown on HDACi-dependent antiproliferative effects were investigated in colorimetric formazan-based and clonogenic survival assays. HDACi treatment led to increased oxidative stress levels and consequently, treatment with NAC reduced cytotoxicity of HDACi. In addition, vorinostat treatment stimulated expression of a luciferase reporter under the control of an antioxidative response element, indicating activation of the Nrf2 system. This Nrf2 activation was only partially reversible by treatment with NAC, suggesting ROS independent pathways to contribute to HDACi-promoted Nrf2 activation. In line with its cytoprotective role, Nrf2 knockdown led to a sensitization against HDACi. Accordingly, the expression of antioxidant and detoxifying Nrf2 target genes was upregulated upon HDACi treatment. In conclusion, oxidative stress induction upon HDAC inhibition contributes to the antitumor effects of HDAC inhibitors, and activation of Nrf2 represents a potentially important adaptive response of gastric cancer cells in this context.

HDAC inhibitors activate lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer remains among the deadliest neoplasms worldwide, with limited therapeutic options. Since efficacies of targeted therapies are unsatisfactory, drugs with broader mechanisms of action rather than a single oncogene inhibition are needed. Preclinical studies have identified histone deacetylases (HDAC) as potential therapeutic targets in gastric cancer. However, the mechanism(s) of action of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are only partially understood. This is particularly true with regard to ferroptosis as an emerging concept of cell death. In a panel of gastric cancer cell lines with different molecular characteristics, tumor cell inhibitory effects of different HDACi were studied. Lipid peroxidation levels were measured and proteome analysis was performed for the in-depth characterization of molecular alterations upon HDAC inhibition. HDACi effects on important ferroptosis genes were validated on the mRNA and protein level. Upon HDACi treatment, lipid peroxidation was found increased in all cell lines. Class I HDACi (VK1, entinostat) showed the same toxicity profile as the pan-HDACi vorinostat. Proteome analysis revealed significant and concordant alterations in the expression of proteins related to ferroptosis induction. Key enzymes like ACSL4, POR or SLC7A11 showed distinct alterations in their expression patterns, providing an explanation for the increased lipid peroxidation. Results were also confirmed in primary human gastric cancer tissue cultures as a relevant ex vivo model. We identify the induction of ferroptosis as new mechanism of action of class I HDACi in gastric cancer. Notably, these findings were independent of the genetic background of the cell lines, thus introducing HDAC inhibition as a more general therapeutic principle.

Balancing Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibition and Drug-likeness: Biological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Class I Selective HDAC Inhibitors.

Herein we report the structure-activity and structure-physicochemical property relationships of a series of class I selective ortho-aminoanilides targeting the "foot-pocket" in HDAC1&2. To balance the structural benefits and the physicochemical disadvantages of these substances, we started with a set of HDACi related to tacedinaline (CI-994) and evaluated their solubility, lipophilicity (log D7.4 ) and inhibition of selected HDAC isoforms. Subsequently, we selected the most promising "capless" HDACi and transferred its ZBG to our previously published scaffold featuring a peptoid-based cap group. The resulting hit compound 10 c (LSH-A54) showed favorable physicochemical properties and is a potent, selective HDAC1/2 inhibitor. The following evaluation of its slow binding properties revealed that LSH-A54 binds tightly to HDAC1 in an induced-fit mechanism. The potent HDAC1/2 inhibitory properties were reflected by attenuated cell migration in a modified wound healing assay and reduced cell viability in a clonogenic survival assay in selected breast cancer cell lines.

Nrf2/Keap1-Pathway Activation and Reduced Susceptibility to Chemotherapy Treatment by Acidification in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Chronic acid reflux causes cellular damage and inflammation in the lower esophagus. Due to these irritating insults, the squamous epithelium is replaced by metaplastic epithelium, which is a risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). In this study, we investigated the acid susceptibility in a Barrett's cell culture in vitro model, using six cell lines, derived from squamous epithelium (EPC1 and EPC2), metaplasia (CP-A), dysplasia (CP-B), and EAC (OE33 and OE19) cells. Cells exposed to acidic pH showed a decreased viability dependent on time, pH, and progression status in the Barrett's sequence, with the highest acid susceptibility in the squamous epithelium (EPC1 and EPC2), and the lowest in EAC cells. Acid pulsing was accompanied with an activation of the Nrf2/Keap1- and the NFκB-pathway, resulting in an increased expression of HO1-independent of the cellular context. OE33 showed a decreased responsiveness towards 5-FU, when the cells were grown in acidic conditions (pH 6 and pH 5.5). Our findings suggest a strong damage of squamous epithelium by gastroesophageal reflux, while Barrett's dysplasia and EAC cells apparently exert acid-protective features, which lead to a cellular resistance against acid reflux.

Tyrosine-modified linear PEIs for highly efficacious and biocompatible siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo.

Therapeutic gene silencing by RNA interference relies on the safe and efficient in vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Polyethylenimines are among the most studied cationic polymers for gene delivery. For several reasons including superior tolerability, small linear PEIs would be preferable over branched PEIs, but they show poor siRNA complexation. Their chemical modification for siRNA formulation has not been extensively explored so far. We generated a set of small linear PEIs bearing tyrosine modifications (LPxY), leading to substantially enhanced siRNA delivery and knockdown efficacy in vitro in various cell lines, including hard-to-transfect cells. The tyrosine-modified linear 10 kDa PEI (LP10Y) is particularly powerful, associated with favorable physicochemical properties and very high biocompatibility. Systemically administered LP10Y/siRNA complexes reveal antitumor effects in mouse xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, and their direct application into the brain achieves therapeutic inhibition of orthotopic glioma xenografts. LP10Y is particularly interesting for therapeutic siRNA delivery.

Inhibition of HER Receptors Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Compensatory Upregulation of Other HER Family Members: Basis for Acquired Resistance and for Combination Therapy.

Overexpression of members of the HER/erbB transmembrane tyrosine kinase family like HER2/erbB2/neu is associated with various cancers. Some heterodimers, especially HER2/HER3 heterodimers, are particularly potent inducers of oncogenic signaling. Still, from a clinical viewpoint their inhibition has yielded only moderate success so far, despite promising data from cell cultures. This suggests acquired resistance upon inhibitor therapy as one putative issue, requiring further studies in cell culture also aiming at rational combination therapies. In this paper, we demonstrate in ovarian carcinoma cells that the RNAi-mediated single knockdown of HER2 or HER3 leads to the rapid counter-upregulation of the respective other HER family member, thus providing a rational basis for combinatorial inhibition. Concomitantly, combined knockdown of HER2/HER3 exerts stronger anti-tumor effects as compared to single inhibition. In a tumor cell line xenograft mouse model, therapeutic intervention with nanoscale complexes based on polyethylenimine (PEI) for siRNA delivery, again reveals HER3 upregulation upon HER2 single knockdown and a therapeutic benefit from combination therapy. On the mechanistic side, we demonstrate that HER2 knockdown or inhibition reduces miR-143 levels with subsequent de-repression of HER3 expression, and validates HER3 as a direct target of miR-143. HER3 knockdown or inhibition, in turn, increases HER2 expression through the upregulation of the transcriptional regulator SATB1. These counter-upregulation processes of HER family members are thus based on distinct molecular mechanisms and may provide the basis for the rational combination of inhibitors.

Anticancer Therapy with HDAC Inhibitors: Mechanism-Based Combination Strategies and Future Perspectives.

The increasing knowledge of molecular drivers of tumorigenesis has fueled targeted cancer therapies based on specific inhibitors. Beyond "classic" oncogene inhibitors, epigenetic therapy is an emerging field. Epigenetic alterations can occur at any time during cancer progression, altering the structure of the chromatin, the accessibility for transcription factors and thus the transcription of genes. They rely on post-translational histone modifications, particularly the acetylation of histone lysine residues, and are determined by the inverse action of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Importantly, HDACs are often aberrantly overexpressed, predominantly leading to the transcriptional repression of tumor suppressor genes. Thus, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are powerful drugs, with some already approved for certain hematological cancers. Albeit HDACis show activity in solid tumors as well, further refinement and the development of novel drugs are needed. This review describes the capability of HDACis to influence various pathways and, based on this knowledge, gives a comprehensive overview of various preclinical and clinical studies on solid tumors. A particular focus is placed on strategies for achieving higher efficacy by combination therapies, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-EGFR inhibitors and hormone- or immunotherapy. This also includes new bifunctional inhibitors as well as novel approaches for HDAC degradation via PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs).

SATB1-Mediated Upregulation of the Oncogenic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase HER3 Antagonizes MET Inhibition in Gastric Cancer Cells.

MET-amplified gastric cancer cells are extremely sensitive to MET inhibition in vitro, whereas clinical efficacy of MET inhibitors is disappointing. The compensatory activation of other oncogenic growth factor receptors may serve as an underlying mechanism of resistance. In this study, we analyzed the role of HER receptors, in particular HER3 and its ligand heregulin, in this respect. This also included the chromatin-organizer protein SATB1, as an established regulator of HER expression in other tumor entities. In a panel of MET-amplified gastric carcinoma cell lines, cell growth under anchorage-dependent and independent conditions was studied upon inhibitor treatment or siRNA-mediated knockdown. Expression analyses were performed using RT-qPCR, FACS, and immunoblots. Signal transduction was monitored via antibody arrays and immunoblots. As expected, MET inhibition led to a growth arrest and inhibition of MAPK signaling. Strikingly, however, this was accompanied by a rapid and profound upregulation of the oncogenic receptor HER3. This finding was determined as functionally relevant, since HER3 activation by HRG led to partial MET inhibitor resistance, and MAPK/Akt signaling was even found enhanced upon HRG+MET inhibitor treatment compared to HRG alone. SATB1 was identified as mediator of HER3 upregulation. Concomitantly, SATB1 knockdown prevented upregulation of HER3, thus abrogating the HRG-promoted rescue from MET inhibition. Taken together, our results introduce the combined HER3/MET inhibition as strategy to overcome resistance towards MET inhibitors.

Correction to: Restoration of MARCKS enhances chemosensitivity in cancer.

In the original article, the title of the article is "Restoration of MARCK enhances chemosensitivity in cancer". The authors would like to change the article title to "Restoration of MARCKS enhances chemosensitivity in cancer" by adding a letter "S" to the word MARCK.

Restoration of MARCKS enhances chemosensitivity in cancer.

PURPOSE: Increased ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporter activity is a major cause of chemotherapy resistance in cancer. The ABC transporter family member ABCB1 is often overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphat (PI(4,5)P2)-dependent pathways are involved in the regulation of ABCB1 function. The protein Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) is a pivotal regulator of PI(4,5)P2 and inactivated in many CRC cancers via genetic deletion or hyperphosphorylation. Therefore, MARCKS may critically impact ABCB1. METHODS: CRC samples as well as CRC cell lines were tested for a connection between MARCKS and ABCB1 via immunofluorescence and Western-blot analysis. ABCB1 function was studied via calcein influx assay under treatment with known ABCB1 inhibitors (verapamil, tariquidar) as well as the kinase inhibitor bosutinib. ABCB1 internalization and MARCKS translocation was analyzed via confocal microscopy exploiting the endocytosis inhibitors chlorpromazine and dynasore. Abundance of PI(4,5)P2 was monitored by intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Reproductive cell survival was studied via colorimetric WST-1 and clonogenic assays in combination with exposure to the chemotherapeutics doxorubicin and 5-fuorouracil (5-FU). RESULTS: We found increased ABCB1 expression in MARCKS negative CRC patient tumor samples and established CRC cell lines. Mechanistically, the reconstitution of MARCKS function via recombinant expression or the pharmacological inhibition of MARCKS phosphorylation led to a substantial decrease in ABCB1 activity. In CRC cells, bosutinib treatment resulted in a MARCKS translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, while simultaneously, ABCB1 was relocated to intracellular compartments. Inhibition of MARCKS phosphorylation via bosutinib rendered cells more sensitive to the chemotherapeutics doxorubicin and 5-FU. CONCLUSIONS: Cells devoid of MARCKS function showed incomplete ABCB1 internalization, leading to higher ABCB1 activity enhancing chemoresistance. Vice versa our data suggest the prevention of MARCKS inhibition by reversing hyperphosphorylation or genomic restoration after deletion as two promising approaches to overcome tumor cell resistance towards chemotherapeutic ABCB1 substrates.

Extracellular vesicle (ECV)-modified polyethylenimine (PEI) complexes for enhanced siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo.

Extracellular vesicles (ECVs) are secreted cell-derived membrane particles involved in intercellular signaling and cell-cell communication. By transporting various bio-macromolecules, ECVs and in particular exosomes are relevant in various (patho-) physiological processes. ECVs are also released by cancer cells and can confer pro-tumorigenic effects. Their target cell tropism, effects on proliferation rates, natural stability in blood and immunotolerance makes ECVs particularly interesting as delivery vehicles. Polyethylenimines (PEIs) are linear or branched polymers which are capable of forming non-covalent complexes with small RNA molecules including siRNAs or antimiRs, for their delivery in vitro and in vivo. This study explores for the first time the combination of PEI-based nanoparticles with naturally occurring ECVs from different cell lines, for the delivery of small RNAs. ECV-modified PEI/siRNA complexes are analyzed by electron microscopy vs. ECV or complex alone. On the functional side, we demonstrate increased knockdown efficacy and storage stability of PEI/siRNA complexes upon their modification with ECVs. This is paralleled by enhanced tumor cell-inhibition by ECV-modified PEI/siRNA complexes targeting Survivin. Pre-treatment with various inhibitors of cellular internalization reveals alterations in cellular uptake mechanisms and biological activities of PEI/siRNA complexes upon their ECV modification. Extending our studies towards PEI-complexed antimiRs against miR-155 or miR-1246, dose-dependent cellular and molecular effects are enhanced in ECV-modified complexes, based on the de-repression of direct miRNA target genes. Differences between ECVs from different cell lines are observed regarding their capacity of enhancing PEI/siRNA efficacies, independent of the target cell line for transfection. Finally, an in vivo therapy study in mice bearing s.c. PC3 prostate carcinoma xenografts reveals marked inhibition of tumor growth upon treatment with ECVPC3-modified PEI/siSurvivin complexes, based on profound target gene knockdown. We conclude that ECV-modification enhances the activity of PEI-based complexes, by altering pivotal physicochemical and biological nanoparticle properties.

Role of Chemosensory TRP Channels in Lung Cancer.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels represent a large family of cation channels and many members of the TRP family have been shown to act as polymodal receptor molecules for irritative or potentially harmful substances. These chemosensory TRP channels have been extensively characterized in primary sensory and neuronal cells. However, in recent years the functional expression of these proteins in non-neuronal cells, e.g., in the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract has been confirmed. Notably, these proteins have also been described in a number of cancer types. As sensor molecules for noxious compounds, chemosensory TRP channels are involved in cell defense mechanisms and influence cell survival following exposure to toxic substances via the modulation of apoptotic signaling. Of note, a number of cytostatic drugs or drug metabolites can activate these TRP channels, which could affect the therapeutic efficacy of these cytostatics. Moreover, toxic inhalational substances with potential involvement in lung carcinogenesis are well established TRP activators. In this review, we present a synopsis of data on the expression of chemosensory TRP channels in lung cancer cells and describe TRP agonists and TRP-dependent signaling pathways with potential relevance to tumor biology. Furthermore, we discuss a possible role of TRP channels in the non-genomic, tumor-promoting effects of inhalational carcinogens such as cigarette smoke.

Incidents between Straight-ahead Cyclists and Right-turning Motor Vehicles at Signalised Junctions.

Accidents between right-turning motor vehicles and straight-ahead cyclists are one of the most common accident types leading to cyclist injuries at signalised junctions in Denmark. A before-after safety evaluation of applying staggered stop lines in 189 arms at 123 signalised junctions is presented. The evaluation accounts for long-term accident trends and changes in motor vehicle traffic volumes. Applying staggered stop lines gives no decline in accidents between right-turning motor vehicles and straight-ahead cyclists. However, there is a statistical tendency to a decline of these right-turn accidents involving heavy vehicles. There are several questions about factors leading to right-turn accidents that cannot be answered by recorded accident data. A study of conflicting behaviour focuses on factors leading to conflicts. Video observations have been carried out in 10 arms at signalised junctions. A total of 45 situations with conflicting behaviour between right-turning motor vehicles and straight-ahead cyclists have been investigated and compared to a reference group of simultaneous arrivals. The relative risk is lowest when both parties stop on red before entering the junction. Upon simultaneous arrival of both parties at a green light, the relative risk is highest. Cyclists tend to have a higher relative risk of being involved in conflicts if they; a) ride through on yellow, b) have a time distance of at least 2seconds to other cyclists, c) wear a black jacket, and/or d) arrive at the junction at a speed of at least 25km/h. Much less can be said about the motor vehicles or their drivers on the basis of these video observations, but motor vehicles stopping in the cycle crossing in order to yield to pedestrians or cyclists have a higher relative risk of being involved in conflicts.

Activation of the chemosensing transient receptor potential channel A1 (TRPA1) by alkylating agents.

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channel is expressed in different tissues including skin, lung and neuronal tissue. Recent reports identified TRPA1 as a sensor for noxious substances, implicating a functional role in the molecular toxicology. TRPA1 is activated by various potentially harmful electrophilic substances. The chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly reactive alkylating agent that binds to numerous biological targets. Although SM is known for almost 200 years, detailed knowledge about the pathophysiology resulting from exposure is lacking. A specific therapy is not available. In this study, we investigated whether the alkylating agent 2-chloroethyl-ethylsulfide (CEES, a model substance for SM-promoted effects) and SM are able to activate TRPA1 channels. CEES induced a marked increase in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in TRPA1-expressing but not in TRPA1-negative cells. The TRP-channel blocker AP18 diminished the CEES-induced calcium influx. HEK293 cells permanently expressing TRPA1 were more sensitive toward cytotoxic effects of CEES compared with wild-type cells. At low CEES concentrations, CEES-induced cytotoxicity was prevented by AP18. Proof-of-concept experiments using SM resulted in a pronounced increase in [Ca(2+)]i in HEK293-A1-E cells. Human A549 lung epithelial cells, which express TRPA1 endogenously, reacted with a transient calcium influx in response to CEES exposure. The CEES-dependent calcium response was diminished by AP18. In summary, our results demonstrate that alkylating agents are able to activate TRPA1. Inhibition of TRPA1 counteracted cellular toxicity and could thus represent a feasible approach to mitigate SM-induced cell damage.

Functional expression of the transient receptor potential channel TRPA1, a sensor for toxic lung inhalants, in pulmonary epithelial cells.

The cation channel TRPA1 functions as a chemosensory protein and is directly activated by a number of noxious inhalants. A pulmonary expression of TRPA1 has been described in sensory nerve endings and its stimulation leads to the acceleration of inflammatory responses in the lung. Whereas the function of TRPA1 in neuronal cells is well defined, only few reports exist suggesting a role in epithelial cells. The aim of the present study was therefore (1) to evaluate the expression of TRPA1 in pulmonary epithelial cell lines, (2) to characterize TRPA1-promoted signaling in these cells, and (3) to study the extra-neuronal expression of this channel in lung tissue sections. Our results revealed that the widely used alveolar type II cell line A549 expresses TRPA1 at the mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, stimulating A549 cells with known TRPA1 activators (i.e., allyl isothiocyanate) led to an increase in intracellular calcium levels, which was sensitive to the TRPA1 blocker ruthenium red. Investigating TRPA1 coupled downstream signaling cascades it was found that TRPA1 activation elicited a stimulation of ERK1/2 whereas other MAP kinases were not affected. Finally, using epithelial as well as neuronal markers in immunohistochemical approaches, a non-neuronal TRPA1 protein expression was detected in distal parts of the porcine lung epithelium, which was also found examining human lung sections. TRPA1-positive staining co-localized with both epithelial and neuronal markers underlining the observed epithelial expression pattern. Our findings of a functional expression of TRPA1 in pulmonary epithelial cells provide causal evidence for a non-neuronal TRPA1-mediated control of inflammatory responses elicited upon TRPA1-mediated registration of toxic inhalants in vivo.

TSH induces metallothionein 1 in thyrocytes via Gq/11- and PKC-dependent signaling.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are cytoprotective proteins acting as scavengers of toxic metal ions or reactive oxygen species. MTs are upregulated in follicular thyroid carcinoma and are regarded as a marker of thyroid stress in Graves' disease. However, the mechanism of MT regulation in thyrocytes is still elusive. In other cellular systems, cAMP-, calcium-, or protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent signaling cascades have been shown to induce MT expression. Of note, all of these three pathways are activated following the stimulation of the TSH receptor (TSHR). Thus, we hypothesized that TSH represents a key regulator of MT expression in thyrocytes. In fact, TSHR stimulation induced expression of MT isoform 1X (MT1X) in human follicular carcinoma cells. In these cells, Induction of MT1X expression critically relied on intact Gq/11 signaling of the TSHR and was blocked by chelation of intracellular calcium and inhibition of PKC. TSHR-independent stimulation of cAMP formation by treating cells with forskolin also led to an upregulation of MT1X, which was completely dependent on PKA. However, inhibition of PKA did not affect the regulation of MT1X by TSH. As in follicular thyroid carcinoma cells, TSH also induced MT1 protein in primary human thyrocytes, which was PKC dependent as well. In summary, these findings indicate that TSH stimulation induces MT1X expression via Gq/11 and PKC, whereas cAMP-PKA signaling does not play a predominant role. To date, little has been known regarding cAMP-independent effects of TSHR signaling. Our findings extend the knowledge about the PKC-mediated functions of the TSHR.

Chemosensory TRP channels in the respiratory tract: role in toxic lung injury and potential as "sweet spots" for targeted therapies.

Acute toxic lung injury by reactive inhalational compounds is an important and still unresolved medical problem. Hazardous gases or vapors, e. g. chlorine, phosgene, sulfur mustard or methyl isocyanate, are released during occupational accidents or combustion processes and also represent a potential threat in terroristic scenarios. According to their broad-range chemical reactivity, the mechanism of lung injury evoked by these agents has long been described as rather unspecific. Consequently, therapeutic options are still restricted to symptomatic treatment. However, in recent years, ion channels of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family have been identified to act as specific sensor molecules expressed in the respiratory tract and to engage defined signaling pathways upon inhalational exposure to toxic challenges. These pulmonary receptor molecules have been primarily characterized in sensory neurons of the lung. However, chemosensory molecules are also expressed in non-neuronal cells, e.g. in the lung epithelium as well as in the pulmonary vasculature. Thus, activation of respiratory chemosensors by toxic inhalants promotes a complex signaling network directly or indirectly regulating pulmonary blood flow, the integrity of the epithelial lining, and the mucociliary clearance of the bronchial system. This review gives a synopsis on reactive lung-toxic agents and their specific target molecules in the lung and summarizes the current knowledge about the pathophysiological role of chemosensory signaling in neuronal and non-neuronal cells in toxic lung injury. Finally, we describe possible future strategies for a causal, specifically tailored treatment option based on the mechanistic understanding of molecular events ensuing inhalation of lung-toxic agents.

Alternative G protein coupling and biased agonism: new insights into melanocortin-4 receptor signalling.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a considerable role in controlling appetite and energy homeostasis. Signalling initiated by MC4R is orchestrated by multiple agonists, inverse agonism and by interactions with accessory proteins. The exact molecular events translating MC4R signalling into its physiological role, however, are not fully understood. This review is an attempt to summarize new aspects of MC4R signalling in the context of its recently discovered alternative G protein coupling, and to give a perspective on how future research could improve our knowledge about the intertwining molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the regulation of energy homeostasis by the melanocortin system.

Critical role of G(alpha)12 and G(alpha)13 for human small cell lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.

PURPOSE: In small cell lung cancer cells (SCLC), various autocrine stimuli lead to the parallel activation of G(q/11) and G(12/13) proteins. Although the contribution of the G(q/11)-phospholipase C-beta cascade to mitogenic effects in SCLC cells is well established, the relevance of G(12/13) signaling is still elusive. In other tumor entities, G(12/13) activation promotes invasiveness without affecting cellular proliferation. Here, we investigate the role of G(12/13)-dependent signaling in SCLC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used small hairpin RNA-mediated targeting of G(alpha)(12), G(alpha)(13), or both in H69 and H209 cells and analyzed the effects of G(alpha)(12) and/or G(alpha)(13) knockdown on tumor cells in vitro, tumor growth in vivo, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. RESULTS: Lentiviral expression of small hairpin RNAs resulted in robust and specific G(alpha)(12) and G(alpha)(13) knockdown as well as markedly inhibited proliferation, colony formation, and bradykinin-promoted stimulation of cell growth. Analyzing the activation status of all three major MAPK families revealed nonredundant functions of G(alpha)(12) and G(alpha)(13) in SCLC and a marked p42/p44 activation upon G(alpha)(12)/G(alpha)(13) knockdown. In a s.c. tumor xenograft mouse model, G(alpha)(12) or G(alpha)(13) downregulation led to decreased tumor growth due to reduced tumor cell proliferation. More importantly, G(alpha)(12)/G(alpha)(13) double knockdown completely abolished H69 tumorigenicity in mice. CONCLUSIONS: G(alpha)(12) and G(alpha)13) exert a complex pattern of nonredundant effects in SCLC, and in contrast to other tumor types, SCLC cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo critically depend on G(12/13) signaling. Due to the complete abolishment of tumorgenicity in our study, RNAi-mediated double knockdown may provide a promising new avenue in SCLC treatment.

NFAT-induced histone acetylation relay switch promotes c-Myc-dependent growth in pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Induction of immediate early transcription factors (ITF) represents the first transcriptional program controlling mitogen-stimulated cell cycle progression in cancer. Here, we examined the transcriptional mechanisms regulating the ITF protein c-Myc and its role in pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Expression of ITF proteins was examined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, and its implications in cell cycle progression and growth was determined by flow cytometry and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations, calcineurin activity, and cellular nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) distribution were analyzed. Transcription factor complex formations and promoter regulation were examined by immunoprecipitations, reporter gene assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Using a combination of RNA interference knockdown technology and xenograft models, we analyzed the significance for pancreatic cancer tumor growth. RESULTS: Serum promotes pancreatic cancer growth through induction of the proproliferative NFAT/c-Myc axis. Mechanistically, serum increases intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations and activates the calcineurin/NFAT pathway to induce c-Myc transcription. NFAT binds to a serum responsive element within the proximal promoter, initiates p300-dependent histone acetylation, and creates a local chromatin structure permissive for the inducible recruitment of Ets-like gene (ELK)-1, a protein required for maximal activation of the c-Myc promoter. The functional significance of this novel pathway was emphasized by impaired c-Myc expression, G1 arrest, and reduced tumor growth upon NFAT depletion in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovers a novel mechanism regulating cell growth and identifies the NFAT/ELK complex as modulators of early stages of mitogen-stimulated proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells.