High basal NF-κB activity in nonpigmented melanoma cells is associated with an enhanced sensitivity to vitamin D3 derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is highly resistant to current modalities of therapy, with the extent of pigmentation playing an important role in therapeutic resistance. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is constitutively activated in melanoma and can serve as a molecular target for cancer therapy and steroid/secosteroid action. METHODS: Cultured melanoma cells were used for mechanistic studies on NF-κB activity, utilising immunofluorescence, western blotting, EMSA, ELISA, gene reporter, and estimated DNA synthesis assays. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from melanoma patients were used for immunocytochemical analysis of NF-κB activity in situ. RESULTS: Novel 20-hydroxyvitamin (20(OH)D(3)) and classical 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) secosteroids inhibited melanoma cell proliferation. Active forms of vitamin D were found to inhibit NF-κB activity in nonpigmented cells, while having no effect on pigmented cells. Treatment of nonpigmented cells with vitamin D3 derivatives inhibited NF-κB DNA binding and NF-κB-dependent reporter assays, as well as inhibited the nuclear translocation of the p65 NF-κB subunit and its accumulation in the cytoplasm. Moreover, analysis of biopsies of melanoma patients showed that nonpigmented and slightly pigmented melanomas displayed higher nuclear NF-κB p65 expression than highly pigmented melanomas. CONCLUSION: Classical 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and novel 20(OH)D(3) hydroxyderivatives of vitamin D3 can target NF-κB and regulate melanoma progression in nonpigmented melanoma cells. Melanin pigmentation is associated with the resistance of melanomas to 20(OH)D(3) and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment.

Interferon inhibits the redistribution of cell surface components.

Interferon treatment impairs the ability of cells to redistribute cell surface receptors for concanavalin A (Con A). The effect of interferon becomes evident within 3-6 h and is maximal within 36-48 h. Highly purified human fibroblast interferon (> 2 x 10(8) U/mg of protein sp act; concentration; 640 U/ml) caused approximately 85% inhibition of capping of fluorescein-conjugated Con A in interferon-sensitive HeLa-S3 cells at 36 h from the beginning of treatment.

Effects of beta interferon on human fibroblasts at different population doubling levels. Proliferation, cell volume, thymidine uptake, and DNA synthesis.

Cellular aging had no effect on the ability of beta interferon to increase cell volume and population doubling time in 76-109 cells, a line of human skin fibroblasts. However, DNA synthesis in cells at high population doubling levels (PDL 55-70) was inhibited after 72 h of beta interferon treatment (1,000 U/ml) while no inhibition of DNA synthesis was observed in cells at middle population doubling levels (PDL 30-40).

Transformation of human kidney proximal tubule cells by ras-containing retroviruses. Implications for tumor progression.

Normal human kidney proximal tubule cells into which a ras oncogene was inserted undergo a series of transformation-related alterations that are characteristic of renal carcinomas. These include changes in morphology, growth potential, anchorage dependence, antigen expression, growth factor production, and chromosomal stability. Further, there are spontaneous progressive alterations in vitro in the karyotype and antigenic profile of the transformed cells. Cytogenetic analyses suggest that alterations of chromosome 21 may play an early and pivotal role in the development of transformed proximal tubule cells.

Interferon effects on microfilament organization, cellular fibronectin distribution, and cell motility in human fibroblasts.

We have shown previously (Pfeffer et al., 1979, Exp. Cell Res. 121:111-120) that treatment of human fibroblasts, planted at a density of 2x10(3) cells/cm(2), with purified human fibroblasts interferon (640 U/ml) for 3 d at 37 degrees C decreases the overall rate of cell proliferation to 35-40 percent of the control value. In the present experiments we have characterized the phenotype of interferon-inhibited fibroblasts. The mean volume of trypsinized, interferon-treated cells was increased 31 percent abover that of control cells. The interferon-treated population was much more heterogeneous than the control population with respect to volume, and there was a considerable overlap in the volume distributions of the two populations. The cell surface area was, on the average, increased 65 percent after interferon treatment. More than 80 percent of the treated cells had enlarged nuclei, many of which were lobed, and the fraction of binucleated cells was increased fivefold. After interferon treatment, over 40 percent of the cells showed large actin-containing fibers in the form of multiple parallel arrays. Fewer than 5 percent of the control cells contained such large actin fibers. The number of actin fibers of all sizes was tripled in the treated fibroblasts on a per cell basis and, calculated per unit surface area of the cells, the number was increased 82 percent. In contrast, 10-nm filaments and microtubules did not appear to be increased in number per unit surface area of the cells. The increases per cell in the abundance of these structures were directly related to increased cell size. After interferon treatment, fibronection was distributed in arrays of long filaments covering most portions of the cell surface. Interferon treatment markedly decreased the rate of cell locomotion as well as membrane ruffling and saltatory movements of intracellular granules.

Interferon suppresses pinocytosis but stimulates phagocytosis in mouse peritoneal macrophages: related changes in cytoskeletal organization.

Treatment of thioglycolate-elicited macrophages with mouse beta-interferon markedly reduces pinocytosis of horseradish peroxidase and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran but stimulates phagocytosis of IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes. Experiments with FITC-dextran have revealed that the overall decrease in pinocytosis is due to a nearly complete inhibition of pinocytosis in a large fraction of interferon-treated macrophages. In the remaining cells pinocytosis continues at a rate similar to that in untreated control cells. A considerable reduction in the number of cells pinocytosing FITC-dextran was observed within 12 h from the beginning of interferon treatment. Measurement of the overall level of pinocytic activity with horseradish peroxidase showed a progressive decline through 72 h of treatment. In the interferon-sensitive subpopulation, there were marked changes in cytoskeletal organization. Microtubules and 10-nm filaments were aggregated in the perinuclear region while most of the peripheral cytoplasm became devoid of these cytoskeletal structures as observed by fluorescence and electron microscopy. In addition, interferon treatment of macrophages appeared to disrupt the close topological association between bundles of 10-nm filaments and organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and elements of the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Such alterations in the distribution of microtubules and 10-nm filaments were not seen in the interferon-insensitive subpopulation. We have investigated the mechanism of the interferon-induced enhancement of phagocytic activity by binding IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes to mouse peritoneal macrophages at 4 degrees C and then initiating a synchronous round of ingestion by warming the cells to 37 degrees C. Thioglycolate-elicited macrophages that had been treated with mouse beta-interferon ingested IgG-coated erythrocytes faster and to a higher level than control cells in a single round of phagocytosis. In interferon-treated cultures, phagocytic cups became evident within 30 s of the shift of cultures from 4 degrees to 37 degrees C, whereas in control cultures, they appeared in 2 min. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin assembly and polymerization, abolished phagocytic activity in both control and beta-interferon-treated macrophages. However, to inhibit phagocytosis completely in thioglycolate-elicited interferon-treated macrophages, twice as much cytochalasin D was required in the treated as in control cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

STAT3 as an adapter to couple phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to the IFNAR1 chain of the type I interferon receptor.

STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) proteins undergo cytokine-dependent phosphorylation on serine and tyrosine. STAT3, a transcription factor for acute phase response genes, was found to act as an adapter molecule in signal transduction from the type I interferon receptor. STAT3 bound to a conserved sequence in the cytoplasmic tail of the IFNAR1 chain of the receptor and underwent interferon-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. The p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, which activates a series of serine kinases, bound to phosphorylated STAT3 and subsequently underwent tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, STAT3 acts as an adapter to couple another signaling pathway to the interferon receptor.

Do second messengers play a role in interferon signal transduction?

The signalling pathway by which the binding of interferons (IFNs, alpha and beta) to their receptor elicits its biological activity, the activation of the transcription of a distinct set of genes called the IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), is far from clear. Debate continues about whether interferon-receptor interaction results directly in gene activation or if second messengers are involved. In this article, we will discuss the evidence that rapid and transient changes in lipid metabolism and the activation of specific isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) are involved in the initial signalling of interferon activation.

v-Src increases diacylglycerol levels via a type D phospholipase-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine.

Activating the protein-tyrosine kinase of v-Src in BALB/c 3T3 cells results in rapid increases in the intracellular second messenger, diacylglycerol (DAG). v-Src-induced increases in radiolabeled DAG were most readily detected when phospholipids were prelabeled with myristic acid, which is incorporated predominantly into phosphatidylcholine. Consistent with this observation, v-Src increased the level of intracellular choline. No increase in DAG was observed when cells were prelabeled with arachidonic acid, which is incorporated predominantly into phosphatidylinositol. Inhibiting phosphatidic acid (PA) phosphatase, which hydrolyzes PA to DAG, blocked v-Src-induced DAG production and enhanced PA production, implicating a type D phospholipase. Consistent with the involvement of a type D phospholipase, v-Src increased transphosphatidylation activity, which is characteristic of type D phospholipases. Thus, v-Src-induced increases in DAG most likely result from the activation of a type D phospholipase/PA phosphatase-mediated signaling pathway.

The down-regulation of alpha-interferon receptors in human lymphoblastoid cells: relation to cellular responsiveness to the antiproliferative action of alpha-interferon.

Human lymphoblastoid cell lines (Daudi, Daudi subclones, Raji and MOLT-4) were compared for sensitivity to the antiproliferative action of alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) and down-regulation of IFN-alpha receptors. IFN-sensitive and IFN-resistant cell lines have similar numbers (2-4000/cell) of high affinity (20-75 pM) IFN-alpha receptors. Treatment of IFN-sensitive cells with low concentrations (3-10 pM) of IFN-alpha results in low receptor occupancy and nearly complete (greater than 95%) down-regulation of cell surface IFN-alpha receptors within 5 h. Treatment of resistant cells with higher IFN concentrations (30 pM) only results in partial (approximately 60%) receptor down-regulation that is directly related to receptor occupancy. Receptor-receptor interactions, induced by IFN-alpha binding, may account for the enhanced down-regulation of IFN-alpha receptors in IFN-sensitive cells. Such interactions apparently do not occur in IFN-resistant lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Growth rate of control and beta-interferon-treated human fibroblast populations over the course of their in vitro life span.

The estimated growth rates for five lines of human fibroblasts (Human Genetic Mutant Cell Repository designations 0011, 2936B , 0038A , 2912A , and 3529), during the first few population doublings after establishment of the lines, were within the expected range, i.e., equivalent to doubling times from 16 to 28 hr, with a mean of 20 hr. The lines were derived from donors aged 8 fetal weeks, 20 days, 9 years, 26 years, and 66 years, respectively. The growth rates of the five lines declined as an exponential function of the population doubling level in all cases. The rate of decline of the growth rate varied for different lines and appeared to be related to the life span of the lines, which in turn was related to donor age. After 30 population doublings, the population doubling times had increased 1.3, 1.3, 1.7, 3.4, and 4.7 times for the five cell lines of the corresponding replicative life spans of 65, 57, 56, 31, and 28 population doublings. Sensitivity of the fibroblast lines to the cell growth-inhibitory effect of beta-interferon was independent of the population doubling level of the lines, i.e., interferon depressed the population growth rate of low population doubling level cells as much as that of middle or late population doubling level cells for any given line. However, the fibroblast lines showed differences in their sensitivity to the cell growth-inhibitory effect of interferon, probably as an expression of genotypic differences among the lines.

alpha-Interferon down-regulates epidermal growth factor receptors on renal carcinoma cells: relation to cellular responsiveness to the antiproliferative action of alpha-interferon.

The CaKi-I line of renal carcinoma (RC) cells is highly sensitive to the antiproliferative effect of human leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha). These RC cells express high numbers of cell surface receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF stimulates their proliferation. IFN-alpha blocks EGF-stimulated proliferation of these cells and down-regulates EGF receptors (EGFR) by inhibiting EGFR synthesis. Although EGF stimulates the proliferation of RC cells resistant to the antiproliferative action of IFN-alpha, IFN-alpha treatment does not block the EGF-stimulated proliferation of these cells and has no effect on EGFR expression. Thus, the down-regulation of EGFR is specific for RC cells sensitive to IFN-alpha. While IFN-alpha does not affect the level of total cellular message or total polyadenylated message for the EGFR, IFN-alpha treatment decreases the level of cytoplasmic EGFR message. Analysis of polysome distribution of cellular mRNAs indicates that IFN-alpha treatment results in an accumulation of EGFR mRNA in lighter polysome fractions, consistent with a partial block in translational elongation. Thus, IFN-alpha regulates the expression of EGFR and possibly other growth-related proteins by post-transcriptional mechanisms, which may play an important part in the complex inhibitory action of IFN-alpha on RC proliferation.

Antiproliferative and antitumor effects of alpha-interferon in renal cell carcinomas: correlation with the expression of a kidney-associated differentiation glycoprotein.

Human leukocyte alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) has significant antitumor activity in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RC), with approximately 15% (range, 5 to 29%) of patients subjected to IFN-alpha therapy exhibiting a major objective response. We assayed 16 RC cell lines for intrinsic sensitivity to the growth-inhibitory effects of recombinant IFN-alpha. Similar to results observed in patients, cultured RCs could be divided into those that are inhibited by IFN-alpha and those that are not. In addition, the IFN-alpha-sensitive or -resistant phenotype of cultured RCs was correlated with surface expression of six unrelated kidney-associated differentiation antigens. The expression of one antigen, a Mr 160,000 glycoprotein (gp160), was found to correlate with resistance to IFN-alpha. Proliferation of seven RC cell lines expressing gp160 (gp160+) was not significantly inhibited by IFN-alpha at concentrations as high as 3000 units/ml. In contrast, proliferation of eight of nine RC cell lines lacking expression of gp160 (gp160-) was markedly inhibited by IFN-alpha. The effect of IFN-alpha on gp160+ and gp160- RC xenografts in nu/nu mice was examined. In separate experiments, two gp160+ RC cell lines and five gp160- RC cell lines were injected s.c. into nu/nu mice; one half of the mice were subsequently treated with 10(6) units of IFN-alpha i.p. 3 times a wk, and one half received no IFN-alpha. Tumors appeared at the sites of inoculation in all mice given injections of gp160+ RC cell lines within 10 to 25 days regardless of INF-alpha therapy. Mice given injections of gp160- RC cell lines, but not receiving IFN-alpha, also formed tumors. In contrast, gp160- RC cell lines injected into mice that were treated with IFN-alpha exhibited a marked sensitivity, as demonstrated by either no tumor formation or delayed tumor formation. We conclude that the absence of gp160 expression by RCs may be predictive of sensitivity to the antitumor effects of IFN-alpha and, thus, provide a basis for identifying IFN-responsive patients.

Biological properties of recombinant alpha-interferons: 40th anniversary of the discovery of interferons.

IFNs were first described as potent antiviral agents 40 years ago, and recombinant IFN-alpha2a and IFN-alpha2b were approved for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia just 11 years ago. Today, alpha-IFNs are approved worldwide for the treatment of a variety of malignancies and virologic diseases. Although the exact mechanism of action of IFN-alpha in the treatment of such diseases is not fully understood, many advances have been made in the characterization of the physicochemical and diverse biological properties of this highly pleiotropic cytokine. Here we review recent developments in our understanding of the antiviral and immunoregulatory properties of IFN-alpha, the nature of the multisubunit IFN-alpha receptor, and the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. Where available, we have included comparative data on recombinant alpha-IFNs derived from both naturally occurring and nonnaturally occurring synthetic genes. We also review clinical data and data on the side effects and antigenicity of different sources of recombinant alpha-IFNs in humans. These latter topics are of clinical interest, because they may potentially affect the efficacy of these various products. Hopefully, what is already known about IFN will prompt further exploration into the mechanism(s) of action of IFN-alpha and thus deliver new applications for this prototypic cytokine, whose full therapeutic potential is yet to be realized.

MiRNA-621 sensitizes breast cancer to chemotherapy by suppressing FBXO11 and enhancing p53 activity.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to have critical roles in regulating cancer cell proliferation, survival and sensitivity to chemotherapy. The potential application of using miRNAs to predict therapeutic response to cancer treatment holds high promise, but miRNAs with predictive value remain to be identified and underlying mechanisms have not been completely understood. Here, we show a strong correlation between miR-621 expression and chemosensitivity to paclitaxel plus carboplatin (PTX/CBP) regimen, an effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. High level of miR-621 predicts better response to PTX/CBP regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, who also tend to achieve pathological complete response. Ectopic overexpression of miR-621 promoted apoptosis and increased chemosensitivity to PTX and CBP both in cultured breast cancer cells and in xenograft tumor model. We further show that FBXO11 is a direct functional target of miR-621 and miR-621 level is negatively correlated with FBXO11 expression in breast cancer patients. Ectopic expression of FBXO11 attenuated increased apoptosis in breast cancer cells overexpressing miR-621 upon PTX or CBP treatment. Consistently, high FBXO11 expression significantly correlated with poor survival in breast cancer patients. Mechanistically, we found in breast cancer cells FBXO11 interacts with p53 and promotes its neddylation, which suppressed the p53 transactivity. Accordingly, miR-621-dependent FBXO11 suppression enhanced p53 activity and increased apoptosis in breast cancer cells exposed to chemotherapeutics. Taken together, our data suggest that miR-621 enhances chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to PTX/CBP chemotherapy by suppressing FBXO11-dependent inhibition of p53. miR-621 may serve as a predictive biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer treatment.

Transmembrane signalling by interferon-alpha.

Human leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha) binds to discrete cell surface receptors on target cells, and thereby alters gene expression. Transmembrane signaling by IFN-alpha involves the production of DAG without an increased intracellular free calcium concentration, and the subsequent activation of calcium-independent isoforms of PKC (beta and epsilon). Selective PKC inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) can block the ability of IFN-alpha to activate the transcription of a distinct set of genes, called the IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), and to protect cells against viral infection. IFN-alpha also induces the rapid changes in protein phosphorylation, which may include latent transcription factors for ISGs.

Structure of the human interferon alpha receptor.

The structure of the IFN alpha receptor has been studied by methods such as affinity crosslinking and gel chromatography over the last 8 years. The recent development of monoclonal antibodies against the receptor, and the cloning of an IFN alpha receptor cDNA has provided new important tools to understand the IFN alpha receptor structure. Thus, it has become obvious that the IFN alpha receptor has a more complex structure than first anticipated, probably involving more than one subunit. This review analyzes the present knowledge about the structure of the IFN alpha receptor, as well as many unresolved issues concerning this topic.

An Alu cassette in the cytoplasmic domain of an interferon receptor subunit.

All the cloned subunits of interferon receptors (IFNRs) belong to the type II cytokine receptor family (CRF2). Although three members of CRF2 encoded on human chromosome 21 share a 50 amino acid cytoplasmic homology domain (the IRH2 domain), a fourth subunit, the second cloned chain of the type I IFNR (IFNIR-2), contains a juxtamembrane 20 amino acid stretch of high similarity to the IRH2 domain that stops abruptly. Comparison of the membrane-distal portion of the IFNIR-2 cytoplasmic domain with sequence databases revealed a very high similarity to Alu repeat sequences. We provide evidence that all but 18 amino acids of the predicted cytoplasmic domain of the IFNIR-2 chain are encoded by an Alu cassette in its antisense orientation. Incorporation of an Alu cassette into the receptor chain is proposed to occur by a splicing mechanism. All previous well-characterized examples of insertion of an antisense Alu cassette into an open reading frame have involved alternative splicing. Thus, we predict the existence of an alternatively spliced product of the IFNIR-2 chain with a substantially different cytoplasmic domain.

Interaction of retinoic acid and interferon in renal cancer cell lines.

Retinoic acid (RA) can potentiate the antitumor effect of interferons (IFN) in a variety of tumor types, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The mechanisms by which RA and IFN increase the antitumor effects in RCC are unknown. We used growth assays and mobility shift assays to examine the effects of combining 13-cis-retinoic acid (CRA) and IFN-alpha (plus IFN-gamma) on proliferation and on the expression of the IFN-specific transcription factor IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) in RCC cell lines. Combining CRA and IFN-alpha resulted in a significant increase in growth inhibition in four cell lines compared with IFN-alpha or CRA alone. Binding of nuclear extracts from RCC cells to an IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) oligonucleotide probe following incubation with IFN-alpha was not increased by CRA but was significantly increased by pretreatment by IFN-gamma in a time-dependent fashion. Proliferation assays showed that sequential addition of IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha significantly increased growth inhibition. IFN-alpha but not IFN-gamma or CRA increased the cellular levels Stat2 and p48 but not Statl. IFN-gamma pretreatment enhanced the upregulation of p48 levels by IFN-alpha. Combining RA and IFN results in additive growth inhibition on RCC cell lines. This increase in growth inhibition is not mediated by increased ISGF3 expression.

Biologic activities of natural and synthetic type I interferons.

Because alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) has a number of therapeutic applications in the treatment of various human cancers and diseases of viral origin, an understanding of how this family of proteins interacts with cells to induce their pleiotropic biologic activities is essential. Available data suggest that recombinant IFN-alphas from both natural and synthetic genes bind to a common cell surface receptor and induce antiviral activity in a variety of cell lines. IFN-alphas were found to differ significantly in their abilities to bind to cells; this difference varied with the types of IFN-alpha and cell type used. Consensus interferon (IFN-con1), a nonnaturally occurring synthetic IFN, and IFN-alpha2b competed about equally well for receptor binding sites on Daudi and CaKi cells and were followed by IFN-alpha8 in the ability to compete. Results of affinity cross-linking experiments indicated that all three IFN-alphas interacted similarly with the multichain IFN-alpha receptor. IFN-alpha7, however, competed poorly for binding sites on both cell lines. Each of the IFN-alphas tested displayed discrete biologic differences, which also varied with the assay system used. IFN-con1 and IFN-alpha2b displayed similar antiviral activities on CaKi cells using vesicular stomatitis virus; the viral activities of these IFNs were significantly greater than those of IFN-alpha7 or IFN-alpha8. Studies with murine transfectants demonstrated significant differences in the various IFNs to interact with the IFN-alpha receptor-1 chain of the type I IFN receptor. It is yet to be established, however, that these various in vitro distinctions result in differences in clinical benefit or toxicity between the various subtypes.