Methylation of the first exon in the erythropoietin receptor gene does not correlate with its mRNA and protein level in cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) is a functional membrane-bound cytokine receptor. Erythropoietin (EPO) represents an important hematopoietic factor for production, maturation and differentiation of erythroid progenitors. In non-hematopoietic tissue, EPO/EPOR signalization could also play cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic role. Several studies identified pro-stimulating EPO/EPOR effects in tumor cells; however, numerous studies opposed this fact due to the usage of unspecific EPOR antibodies and thus potential absence or very low levels of EPOR in tumor cells. It seems that this problem is more complex and therefore we have decided to focus on EPOR expression at several levels such as the role of methylation in the regulation of EPOR expression, identification of possible EPOR transcripts and the presence of EPOR protein in selected tumor cells. METHODS: Methylation status was analysed by bisulfite conversion reaction, PCR and sequencing. The expression of EPOR was monitored by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. RESULTS: In this study we investigated the methylation status of exon 1 of EPOR gene in selected human cancer cell lines. Our results indicated that CpGs methylation in exon 1 do not play a significant role in the regulation of EPOR transcription. However, methylation status of EPOR exon 1 was cell type dependent. We also observed the existence of two EPOR splice variants in human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line - A2780 and confirmed the expression of EPOR protein in these cells using specific A82 anti-EPOR antibody. CONCLUSION: We outlined the methylation status of all selected cancer cell lines in exon 1 of EPOR gene and these results could benefit future investigations. Moreover, A82 antibody confirmed our previous results demonstrating the presence of functional EPOR in human ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780 cells.

Erythropoietin and Its Angiogenic Activity.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the main hematopoietic hormone acting on progenitor red blood cells via stimulation of cell growth, differentiation, and anti-apoptosis. However, its receptor (EPOR) is also expressed in various non-hematopoietic tissues, including endothelium. EPO is a pleiotropic growth factor that exhibits growth stimulation and cell/tissue protection on numerous cells and tissues. In this article we review the angiogenesis potential of EPO on endothelial cells in heart, brain, and leg ischemia, as well as its role in retinopathy protection and tumor promotion. Furthermore, the effect of EPO on bone marrow and adipose tissue is also discussed.

Erythropoietin receptor induces a paclitaxel resistance phenotype in mammary adenocarcinoma cells.

While erythropoietin (EPO) regulates erythropoiesis, the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) has been identified in many non­hematopoietic cells, including cancer. Our previous study demonstrated that overexpression of EPOR altered the cell growth and the sensitivity of RAMA 37 breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Indeed, results of the present study uncovered the role of EPOR in the resistance of EPOR­overexpressing RAMA 37­28 cells to paclitaxel chemotherapy. In this regard, EPOR silencing in the presence of paclitaxel therapy decreased RAMA 37­28 cell proliferation, confirming its role in the sensitivity or resistance of RAMA 37­28 cells to paclitaxel. Notably, compared to parental RAMA 37 cells, RAMA 37­28 cells also showed a lower rate of apoptosis induced by paclitaxel, as monitored by caspase 3/7 activation and Annexin V by IncuCyte ZOOM system. Moreover, enhanced activation of signaling pathways mediated by pERK1/2 in RAMA 37­28 cells as detected by western blot analysis was demonstrated to be essential for paclitaxel resistance.

Erythropoietin Potentiates the Anti-proliferative Effect of Tamoxifen in Ovarian Adenocarcinoma A2780 Cells.

We have recently shown that erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) protects cancer cells from tamoxifen (TAM)-induced cell death in the absence of erythropoietin (EPO). In this study, we analyzed the effect of EPOR silencing and EPO treatment on the response to TAM in human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells A2780. We demonstrated that the EPOR siRNA silencing decreases cell proliferation and sensitizes and/or potentiates the anti-proliferative effect of TAM on A2780 cells. Similarly, the combined effect of EPO and TAM treatment significantly reduced cell proliferation compared to TAM alone. Our in vitro results indicated the need for further investigation of EPO effects on a similar in vivo model.

Photoactivated hypericin increases the expression of SOD-2 and makes MCF-7 cells resistant to photodynamic therapy.

Photoactivated hypericin increased production of reactive oxygen species in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 as well as in MDA-MB-231 cells 1h after photodynamic therapy. On the other hand, reactive oxygen species dropped 3h after photodynamic therapy with hypericin, but only in MCF-7 cells, whereas in MDA-MB-231 cells remained elevated. The difference in the dynamics of reactive oxygen species after hypericin activation was related to increased activity of SOD-2 in MCF-7 cells compared to MDA-MB-231 cells. Indeed, photodynamic therapy with hypericin significantly increased SOD-2 activity in MCF-7 cells, but only slightly in MDA-MB-231 cells. In this regard, SOD-2 activity correlated well with enhanced both mRNA expression as well as SOD-2 protein level in MCF-7 cells. The role of SOD-2 in the resistance of MCF-7 cells to photodynamic therapy with hypericin was monitored using SOD-2 inhibitor - 2-methoxyestradiol. Interestingly, the combination of photodynamic therapy with hypericin and methoxyestradiol sensitized MCF-7 cells to photodynamic therapy and significantly reduced its clonogenic ability. Furthermore, methoxyestradiol potentiated the activation of caspase 3/7 and apoptosis induced by photodynamic therapy with hypericin.

Far-western blotting as a solution to the non-specificity of the anti-erythropoietin receptor antibody.

The erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) is a member of the cytokine receptor family. The interaction between erythropoietin (Epo) and EpoR is important for the production and maturation of erythroid cells, resulting in the stimulation of hematopoiesis. The fact that EpoR was also detected in neoplastic cells has opened the question about the relevance of anemia treatment with recombinant Epo in cancer patients. Numerous studies have reported pro-stimulating and anti-apoptotic effects of Epo in cancer cells, thus demonstrating EpoR functionality in these cells. By contrast, a previous study claims the absence of EpoR in tumor cells. This apparent discrepancy is based, according to certain authors, on the use of non-specific anti-EpoR antibodies. With the aim of bypassing the direct detection of EpoR with an anti-EpoR antibody, the present authors propose a far-western blot methodology, which in addition, confirms the interaction of Epo with EpoR. Applying this technique, the presence of EpoR and its interaction with Epo in human ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780 and normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells was confirmed. Furthermore, modified immunoprecipitation of EpoR followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis confirmed a 57 kDa protein as a human Epo-interacting protein in both cell lines.

Human erythropoietin increases the pro-angiogenic potential of A2780 ovarian adenocarcinoma cells under hypoxic conditions.

Erythropoietin (Epo) is a key regulator of erythroid cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In the form of the recombinant protein, it is widely used to treat various types of anemias, including that associated with cancer and with the myelosuppressive effects of chemotherapy, particularly platinum-based regimens. Our previous studies confirmed the presence of Epo receptors (EpoRs) in ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines and demonstrated that long-term Epo treatment of A2780 cells resulted in the development of a phenotype exhibiting both enhanced Epo signaling and increased paclitaxel resistance. In the present study, we carried out a series of experiments to analyze the pro-angiogenic potential of Epo-treated A2780 and SKOV-3 cells. Our studies revealed that conditioned media of Epo-treated A2780 cells had a stimulative effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This effect was only seen when A2780 cells were incubated under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, Epo increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, GM-CSF and interferon-γ by A2780 cells that grew in hypoxic conditions. In this regard, conditioned media of hypoxic and Epo-treated A2780 cells induced a significant phosphorylation of STAT-5 in HUVECs. Our results may have important implications for ovarian cancer patients receiving Epo.