p62/SQSTM1 upregulation constitutes a survival mechanism that occurs during granulocytic differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells.

The p62/SQSTM1 adapter protein has an important role in the regulation of several key signaling pathways and helps transport ubiquitinated proteins to the autophagosomes and proteasome for degradation. Here, we investigate the regulation and roles of p62/SQSTM1 during acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell maturation into granulocytes. Levels of p62/SQSTM1 mRNA and protein were both significantly increased during all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of AML cells through a mechanism that depends on NF-κB activation. We show that this response constitutes a survival mechanism that prolongs the life span of mature AML cells and mitigates the effects of accumulation of aggregated proteins that occurs during granulocytic differentiation. Interestingly, ATRA-induced p62/SQSTM1 upregulation was impaired in maturation-resistant AML cells but was reactivated when differentiation was restored in these cells. Primary blast cells of AML patients and CD34(+) progenitors exhibited significantly lower p62/SQSTM1 mRNA levels than did mature granulocytes from healthy donors. Our results demonstrate that p62/SQSTM1 expression is upregulated in mature compared with immature myeloid cells and reveal a pro-survival function of the NF-κB/SQSTM1 signaling axis during granulocytic differentiation of AML cells. These findings may help our understanding of neutrophil/granulocyte development and will guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for refractory and relapsed AML patients with previous exposure to ATRA.

Apoptosis and autophagy have opposite roles on imatinib-induced K562 leukemia cell senescence.

Imatinib, the anti-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as first-line therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), eliminates CML cells mainly by apoptosis and induces autophagy. Analysis of imatinib-treated K562 cells reveals a cell population with cell cycle arrest, p27 increase and senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal) staining. Preventing apoptosis by caspase inhibition decreases annexin V-positive cells, caspase-3 cleavage and increases the SA-ß-Gal-positive cell population. In addition, a concomitant increase of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 is detected emphasizing the senescent phenotype. Inhibition of apoptosis by targeting Bim expression or overexpression of Bcl2 potentiates senescence. The inhibition of autophagy by silencing the expression of the proteins ATG7 or Beclin-1 prevents the increase of SA-ß-Gal staining in response to imatinib plus Z-Vad. In contrast, in apoptotic-deficient cells (Bim expression or overexpression of Bcl2), the inhibition of autophagy did not significantly modify the SA-ß-Gal-positive cell population. Surprisingly, targeting autophagy by inhibiting ATG5 is accompanied by a strong SA-ß-Gal staining, suggesting a specific inhibitory role on senescence. These results demonstrate that in addition to apoptosis and autophagy, imatinib induced senescence in K562 CML cells. Moreover, apoptosis is limiting the senescent response to imatinib, whereas autophagy seems to have an opposite role.

Cross talk between apoptosis and autophagy by caspase-mediated cleavage of Beclin 1.

Beclin 1 has a key role in the initiation of autophagy, a process of self-cannibalism in which cytoplasmic constituents are sequestered and targeted for lysosomal degradation. In a recent issue of Cell Death & Disease, Wirawan et al. report the significant finding that caspases can cleave Beclin 1, thereby destroying its pro-autophagic activity. Moreover, the C-terminal fragment of Beclin 1 that results from this cleavage acquires a new function and can amplify mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis. Of note, the BH3 domain of Beclin 1 remains within the N-terminal fragment, which has no detectable pro-apoptotic activity. These findings provide important insights into the molecular cross talk between autophagy and apoptosis.

Proton pump inhibition induces autophagy as a survival mechanism following oxidative stress in human melanoma cells.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) target tumour acidic pH and have an antineoplastic effect in melanoma. The PPI esomeprazole (ESOM) kills melanoma cells through a caspase-dependent pathway involving cytosolic acidification and alkalinization of tumour pH. In this paper, we further investigated the mechanisms of ESOM-induced cell death in melanoma. ESOM rapidly induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through mitochondrial dysfunctions and involvement of NADPH oxidase. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and inhibition of NADPH oxidase significantly reduced ESOM-induced cell death, consistent with inhibition of cytosolic acidification. Autophagy, a cellular catabolic pathway leading to lysosomal degradation and recycling of proteins and organelles, represents a defence mechanism in cancer cells under metabolic stress. ESOM induced the early accumulation of autophagosomes, at the same time reducing the autophagic flux, as observed by WB analysis of LC3-II accumulation and by fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, ESOM treatment decreased mammalian target of rapamycin signalling, as reduced phosphorylation of p70-S6K and 4-EBP1 was observed. Inhibition of autophagy by knockdown of Atg5 and Beclin-1 expression significantly increased ESOM cytotoxicity, suggesting a protective role for autophagy in ESOM-treated cells. The data presented suggest that autophagy represents an adaptive survival mechanism to overcome drug-induced cellular stress and cytotoxicity, including alteration of pH homeostasis mediated by proton pump inhibition.

UV-A irradiation induces a decrease in the mitochondrial respiratory activity of human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes.

UV-A irradiation caused a dose-dependent decrease in cellular oxygen consumption (56%) and ATP content (65%) in human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes, one hour after treatment. This effect was partially reversed by maintaining the irradiated cells in normal culture conditions for 24 h. Using malate/glutamate or succinate as substrates for mitochondrial electron transport, the oxygen uptake of digitonin-permeabilised cells was greatly inhibited following UV-A exposure. These results strongly suggest that UV-A irradiation affects the state 3 respiration of the mitochondria. However, under identical conditions, UV-A exposure did not reduce the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The antioxidant, vitamin E inhibited UV-A-induced lipid peroxidation, but did not significantly prevent the UV-A-mediated changes in cellular respiration nor the decrease in ATP content, suggesting that these effects were not the result of UV-A dependent lipid peroxidation. UV-A irradiation also led to an increase in MnSOD gene expression 24 hours after treatment, indicating that the mitochondrial protection system was enhanced in response to UV-A treatment. These findings provide evidence that impairment of mitochondrial respiratory activity is one of the early results of UV-A irradiation for light doses much lower than the minimal erythemal dose.

UV-A-induced AP-1 activation requires the Raf/ERK pathway in human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes.

UV-A irradiation causes a dose-dependent activation of ERK in human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes. The specific inhibition of either ERK activity or Raf kinase activity impedes the activation of AP-1 DNA binding induced by UV-A. In addition, UV-A raises AP-1 promoter transcriptional activity, which is downregulated in NCTC 2544 cells expressing an inactive mutant of Raf-1. We found that singlet oxygen might be one of the mediators in both UV-A-induced AP-1 DNA binding and transcriptional activity. These results strongly suggest that UV-A-induced AP-1 activity requires the Raf-ERK pathway and imply a singlet oxygen effector.

Identification of two human nuclear proteins that recognise the cytosine-rich strand of human telomeres in vitro.

Most studies on the structure of DNA in telomeres have been dedicated to the double-stranded region or the guanosine-rich strand and consequently little is known about the factors that may bind to the telomere cytosine-rich (C-rich) strand. This led us to investigate whether proteins exist that can recognise C-rich sequences. We have isolated several nuclear factors from human cell extracts that specifically bind the C-rich strand of vertebrate telomeres [namely a d(CCCTAA)(n)repeat] with high affinity and bind double-stranded telomeric DNA with a 100xreduced affinity. A biochemical assay allowed us to characterise four proteins of apparent molecular weights 66-64, 45 and 35 kDa, respectively. To identify these polypeptides we screened alambdagt11-based cDNA expression library, obtained from human HeLa cells using a radiolabelled telomeric oligonucleotide as a probe. Two clones were purified and sequenced: the first corresponded to the hnRNP K protein and the second to the ASF/SF2 splicing factor. Confirmation of the screening results was obtained with recombinant proteins, both of which bind to the human telomeric C-rich strand in vitro.

Regulation of CD26/DPPIV gene expression by interferons and retinoic acid in tumor B cells.

Interferons (IFNs alpha, beta and gamma) and all trans retinoic acid (RA) have the ability to activate genes with GAS sites. We have found that the promoter of CD26/dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV) contains a consensus GAS site TTCnnnGAA located at bp-35 to -27, and computer analysis confirmed this sequence to be a putative Stat binding site. Consistent with this finding, we show that IFNs and RA rapidly enhanced CD26 gene and protein expression in chronic B lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells. Immunoblot analyses revealed that unstimulated B-CLL cells expressed detectable levels of serine/tyrosine-phosphorylated Stat1alpha, and RA and IFN-gamma treatment led to increased levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1alpha and its nuclear accumulation. As shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, RA and IFN-gamma increased the binding of a nuclear protein to the GAS-CD26 element. Shift-Western blotting identified Stat1alpha as the GAS-CD26 binding factor. Augmented levels of CD26 protein in malignant B cells cultured with IFNs or RA coincided with the enhancement of DPPIV activity. Taken together, our results are in favor of the IFN-/RA-mediated upregulation of CD26/DPPIV in B-CLL through the signaling pathway involving Stat1alpha and the GAS response element of CD26 promoter.

UV-A-induced decrease in nuclear factor-kappaB activity in human keratinocytes.

Previous reports have demonstrated an increase in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in response to UV radiation. These studies have essentially focused on the DNA-damaging fraction of solar UV radiation (UV-B and UV-C). In contrast, the effects of UV-A radiation (320-400 nm) on NF-kappaB are not well known. In this study, we present evidence that UV-A radiation induces a marked decrease in NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in NCTC 2544 human keratinocytes. In addition, NCTC 2544 keratinocytes pretreated with UV-A fail to respond to NF-kappaB inducers. Moreover, UV-A radiation induces a decrease in NF-kappaB-driven luciferase reporter gene expression in NCTC 2544 keratinocytes. The expression of the gene encoding IkappaBalpha (IkappaB is the NF-kappaB inhibitor), which is closely associated with NF-kappaB activity, is also reduced (3-fold) upon UV-A treatment. Our results indicate that the UV-A-induced decrease in NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity is associated with a decrease in the levels of the p50 and p65 protein subunits. This is the first evidence that an oxidative stress, such as UV-A radiation, may induce a specific decrease in NF-kappaB activity in mammalian cells, probably through degradation of NF-kappaB protein subunits. These findings suggest that UV-A could modulate the NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression.

Ultraviolet-A-dependent inhibition of cytoplasmic aconitase activity of iron regulatory protein-1 in NCTC 2544 keratinocytes.

The aconitase activity of the cytoplasmic iron regulatory protein-1 of NCTC 2544 keratinocytes is effectively inhibited by physiological doses of UVA. The time course of the photoinactivation is biphasic. A fast step is first observed corresponding to about 50% inactivation after exposure to 5 J/cm2 of UVA followed by a much slower photoinactivation at higher doses. The water-soluble antioxidant N-acetylcysteine only partially inhibits the photoinduced inactivation of the cytoplasmic aconitase function, whereas the lipophilic vitamin E, the iron chelator, desferrioxamine and the superoxide dismutase inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate do not protect at all. As a consequence, reactive oxygen species such as O2-., H2O2 and lipid peroxides and hydroperoxides seem to play a rather minor role in the inactivation induced by the UVA photooxidative stress although an oxidative stress produced by O2-. and H2O2 is known to inhibit reversibly and effectively cytoplasmic aconitase activity in mammalian cells.

Copper and cell-oxidized low-density lipoprotein induces activator protein 1 in fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

The effect of cupric ion- or endothelial cell-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) on transcription factor AP1 activation was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Both oxidized LDL induced AP1 activation in fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. This phenomenon was also observed in the presence of cycloheximide. alpha-Tocopherol, a lipophilic free radical scavenger, and N-acetylcysteine, an hydrophilic antioxidant, partially inhibited the stimulatory effect of Cu2+-oxidized LDL. LDL modified by the mixture of the oxygen radicals OH. and O2.-, which generated lipid peroxidation products, also initiated AP1 activation, whereas LDL modified by OH. alone, which did not lead to marked LDL lipid peroxidation, was ineffective. Thus, lipid peroxidation products seem at least partially involved in the activation mechanism. Since AP1 activity is essential for the regulation of genes involved in cell growth and differentiation, our study suggests that the oxidative stress induced by oxidized LDL might be related to the fibroproliferative response observed in the atherosclerotic plaque.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein induces activation of the transcription factor NF kappa B in fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

The effect of cupric ions or endothelial cell-oxidized LDL on the transcription factor NF kappa B activation was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Oxidized LDL induced NF kappa B activation in fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The extent of NF kappa B activation was proportional to the degree of LDL oxidation, as assessed by the lipid peroxidation product and the conjugated diene level. A similar activation was observed with the lipid extract of copper-oxidized LDL, which indicates that lipid peroxidation products are involved in the activation mechanism. Furthermore, alpha-tocopherol, a lipophilic free radical scavenger, partially inhibited the stimulatory effect of Cu(2+)-oxidized LDL. Since NF kappa B is considered as an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor, our study supports the evidence that the stress induced by oxidized LDL causes NF kappa B activation in different cell types, and that this effect can be ascribed to the lipid peroxidation products.

Ultraviolet-A induces activation of AP-1 in cultured human keratinocytes.

UV-A irradiation induces a time-dependent activation of AP-1 in NCTC 2544 human keratinocytes. 4 h after irradiation, a 2-3-fold increase in AP-1 activity is observed in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Activation is still detectable 24 h later. The UV-A induced AP-1 binding complex is shown to contain c-Fos and c-Jun proteins. Lipophilic vitamin E impedes UV-A induced lipid peroxidation but does not prevent AP-1 activation which is inhibited by N-acetylcysteine, a hydrophilic antioxidant. This finding suggests that UV-A-dependent AP-1 activation is sensitive to the cellular redox state but is not related to membrane lipid peroxidation.

Inhibition of diphosphatidylglycerol synthesis by u.v. A radiations in N.C.T.C. 2544 human keratinocytes.

The effects of u.v. A radiations on phospholipid synthesis were studied in the N.C.T.C. 2544 human keratinocyte cell line, by using [14C]arachidonic acid, [14C]oleic acid or sodium [32P]orthophosphate as precursors. Cells were irradiated in Hanks' medium with 365 nm light at doses up to 19 J/cm2, and then phospholipid synthesis from the three precursors was studied. Under these conditions, only small alterations in the incorporation pattern of [14C]arachidonic into phospholipids [phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI)] were observed, for u.v. A irradiation doses up to 19 J/cm2. In contrast, with [14C]oleic acid as precursor, two additional spots were observed, which co-migrate with pure phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) standards. The incorporation of [14C]oleic acid into PG and DPG was decreased in a dose-dependent manner after u.v. A exposure, with about 50% and 75% decreases at 9.5 J/cm2 and 19 J/cm2 respectively. As for arachidonic acid incorporation, no significant differences in the synthesis of the major phospholipids (PC, PE, PI) were noted upon u.v. A exposure. The dramatic and selective decrease in PG and DPG syntheses was confirmed with [32P]orthophosphate as precursor. As DPG is a specific component of the mitochondrial inner membrane, it appears that one of the early kinds of damage induced by u.v. A irradiation could be the impairment of mitochondrial functions.

Ultraviolet A decreases epidermal growth factor (EGF) processing in cultured human fibroblasts and keratinocytes: inhibition of EGF-induced diacylglycerol formation.

The binding, uptake, and degradation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been studied in MRC5 human fibroblasts and NCTC 2544 human keratinocytes following ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation at doses up to 18.9 J/cm2, which are not lethal to cells under our experimental conditions. A dose-dependent reduction in EGF binding was observed, with an approximately 75% decrease at the maximal studied UVA dose. At lower doses (6 to 12 J/cm2), EGF binding was more affected by ultraviolet A in fibroblasts than in keratinocytes. In both cell types, this effect of UVA appeared to be related to a reduction of the affinity of the EGF receptor for EGF. Kinetic studies by pulse-chase experiments indicated that EGF is more rapidly internalized by keratinocytes than by fibroblasts, and that UVA exposure resulted in a slower decay of EGF intracellular content. A 24-h pretreatment of cells with 5 x 10(-5) M vitamin E strongly reduced the appearance of light-induced lipid peroxidation products, measured via assay of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances formation, but only partially prevented the UVA-induced alterations of EGF processing by cells. Finally, UVA exposure almost completely abolished the EGF-induced increase in diacylglycerol production from 14C-arachidonic acid-labeled lipids in both cell types. These results demonstrate that UVA radiation induces important changes in EGF processing and could participate in the light-induced degenerative processes of the skin.

Early alterations of actin in cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts exposed to long-wavelength radiations. Possible involvement in the UVA-induced perturbations of endocytotic processes.

Exposure of cultured MRC5 human fibroblasts or NCTC 2544 human keratinocytes to mild doses of ultraviolet A (UVA: 320-400 nm) radiations markedly decreased the actin reactivity with fluorescein-labeled phalloidin. This indicates a change in the degree of polymerization of actin and thus in the organization of actin filaments. Such a phenomenon might be involved in the previously reported UVA-induced inhibition of specific and nonspecific endocytotic processes.

Exposure to long wavelength ultraviolet radiation decreases processing of low density lipoprotein by cultured human fibroblasts.

Exposure of MRC5 human fibroblasts to UVA radiation (365 nm) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and degradation by cells. Following a 25 J/cm2 irradiation dose, about 45% and 70% reduction in 125I-LDL uptake and degradation were observed, respectively. Under the same conditions, the 14C-sucrose uptake was also decreased to about the same extent as LDL uptake. Cell pretreatment with the antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin C did not prevent the UVA-induced fall in LDL degradation. These results point to the possible effects of UVA radiation on receptor-mediated and nonspecific uptake of exogenous molecules. With special regard to the alterations in receptor-mediated processing of exogenous ligands, such a phenomenon could be of importance in UVA-induced skin degenerative processes.