Purification and characterization of bioactive his6-tagged recombinant human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) protein expressed at high yields in mammalian cells.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is an endogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with reported tumor promoting, as well as inhibitory, effects. These paradoxical properties are presumably mediated by different biological functions, MMP-dependent as well as -independent, and probably related to TIMP-1 levels of protein expression, post-translational modifications, and cellular localization. TIMP-1 is an N-glycosylated protein that folds into two functional domains, a C- and an N-terminal domain, with six disulfide bonds. Furthermore, TIMP-1 is processed in the N-terminal sequence. These three biochemical properties make TIMP-1 difficult to produce in conventional bacterial, insect, or yeast expression systems. We describe here a HEK293 cell-based strategy for production and purification of secreted and N-glycosylated recombinant his6-tagged human TIMP-1 (his6-rTIMP-1), which resulted in large amounts of highly purified and bioactive protein. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry confirmed the N- and C-termini of his6-rTIMP-1, and N-glycosylation profiling showed a match to the N-glycosylation of human plasma TIMP-1. The his6-rTIMP-1 was bioactive as shown by its proper inhibitory effect on MMP-2 activity, and its stimulatory effect on cell growth when added to the growth medium of four different breast cancer cell lines. This study provides an easy set-up for large scale production and purification of bioactive, tagged recombinant human TIMP-1, which structurally and functionally is similar to endogenous human TIMP-1, while using an expression system that is adaptable to most biochemical and biomedical laboratories including those that do not perform protein purifications routinely.

TIMP-1 increases expression and phosphorylation of proteins associated with drug resistance in breast cancer cells.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) is a protein with a potential biological role in drug resistance. To elucidate the unknown molecular mechanisms underlying the association between high TIMP-1 levels and increased chemotherapy resistance, we employed SILAC-based quantitative mass spectrometry to analyze global proteome and phosphoproteome differences of MCF-7 breast cancer cells expressing high or low levels of TIMP-1. In TIMP-1 high expressing cells, 312 proteins and 452 phosphorylation sites were up-regulated. Among these were the cancer drug targets topoisomerase 1, 2A, and 2B, which may explain the resistance phenotype to topoisomerase inhibitors that was observed in cells with high TIMP-1 levels. Pathway analysis showed an enrichment of proteins from functional categories such as apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA repair, transcription factors, drug targets and proteins associated with drug resistance or sensitivity, and drug transportation. The NetworKIN algorithm predicted the protein kinases CK2a, CDK1, PLK1, and ATM as likely candidates involved in the hyperphosphorylation of the topoisomerases. Up-regulation of protein and/or phosphorylation levels of topoisomerases in TIMP-1 high expressing cells may be part of the mechanisms by which TIMP-1 confers resistance to treatment with the widely used topoisomerase inhibitors in breast and colorectal cancer.

TIMP-1 overexpression does not affect sensitivity to HER2-targeting drugs in the HER2-gene-amplified SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cell line.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) has been suggested as a marker of prognosis and response to treatment in breast cancer. In vitro, TIMP-1 can regulate shedding of the extracellular domain of HER2 and signalling via the Akt pathway, and we hypothesize that TIMP-1 therefore can affect sensitivity to the HER2-targeting drugs trastuzumab and lapatinib. SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells were stably transfected with TIMP-1, characterized with regard to TIMP-1 protein expression, proliferation, and functionality of the secreted TIMP-1, and the sensitivity to trastuzumab and lapatinib was studied in five selected single-cell subclones expressing TIMP-1 protein at various levels plus the parental SK-BR-3 cell line. Both trastuzumab and lapatinib reduced cell viability, as determined by MTT assay, but the sensitivity to the drugs was not associated with the expression level of TIMP-1 protein. Western blotting showed that the activation of Akt, PTEN, and HER2 as well as ADAM10 was similar in all clones. In conclusion, in this model, TIMP-1 overexpression does not affect HER2 cleavage by ADAM10 or signalling via the Akt pathway, and TIMP-1 does not influence sensitivity to trastuzumab and lapatinib.

TIMP1 overexpression mediates resistance of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells to fulvestrant and down-regulates progesterone receptor expression.

High levels of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1) are associated with poor prognosis, reduced response to chemotherapy, and, potentially, also poor response to endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients. Our objective was to further investigate the hypothesis that TIMP1 is associated with endocrine sensitivity. We established a panel of 11 MCF-7 subclones with a wide range of TIMP1 mRNA and protein expression levels. Cells with high expression of TIMP1 versus low TIMP1 displayed significantly reduced sensitivity to the antiestrogen fulvestrant (ICI 182,780, Faslodex®), while TIMP1 levels did not influence the sensitivity to 4-hydroxytamoxifen. An inverse correlation between expression of the progesterone receptor and TIMP1 was found, but TIMP1 levels did not correlate with estrogen receptor levels or growth-promoting effects of estrogen (estradiol, E2). Additionally, the effects of fulvestrant, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, or estrogen on estrogen receptor expression were not associated with TIMP1 levels. Gene expression analyses revealed associations between expression of TIMP1 and genes involved in metabolic pathways, epidermal growth factor receptor 1/cancer signaling pathways, and cell cycle. Gene and protein expression analyses showed no general defects in estrogen receptor signaling except from lack of progesterone receptor expression and estrogen inducibility in clones with high TIMP1. The present study suggests a relation between high expression level of TIMP1 and loss of progesterone receptor expression combined with fulvestrant resistance. Our findings in vitro may have clinical implications as the data suggest that high tumor levels of TIMP1 may be a predictive biomarker for reduced response to fulvestrant.

The invariant chain CD74 protein is a cell surface binding partner of TIMP-1 in breast cancer cells.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) regulates the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), playing an important role in the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix. Beyond its well-known role in tissue maintenance, TIMP-1 has been associated with multiple MMP-independent cytokine-like functions. The protein structure of TIMP-1, with two distinct domains, one interacting with MMPs and another able to bind multiple partners, provides a rationale for this multifunctionality. The identification of CD63 as a cell surface receptor for TIMP-1, able to mediate intracellular signaling through the Erk/MAPK axis, provided a molecular basis for the role of TIMP-1 in cellular signaling. However, several lines of evidence suggest that TIMP-1 may be able to associate with many interaction partners, thus attaining multiple functions. To enable the identification of previously unknown interaction partners that may underpin the core cellular functions of TIMP-1, known as well as unknown, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening using a mammary gland complementary DNA (cDNA) library. We report here the identification of multiple interactors, including MHC class II-associated invariant chain γ (CD74). We verified that CD74 interacts with TIMP-1 in breast cancer cells and that this interaction contributes to cellular internalization of TIMP-1 and mediates intracellular signaling through the Akt signaling axis in breast cancer cells. These data provide new insights into the complex nature of the functions of TIMP-1 and their potential mechanistic basis.

Heat shock protein 70 promotes cell survival by inhibiting lysosomal membrane permeabilization.

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a potent survival protein whose depletion triggers massive caspase-independent tumor cell death. Here, we show that Hsp70 exerts its prosurvival function by inhibiting lysosomal membrane permeabilization. The cell death induced by Hsp70 depletion was preceded by the release of lysosomal enzymes into the cytosol and inhibited by pharmacological inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Accordingly, the Hsp70-mediated protection against various death stimuli in Hsp70-expressing human tumor cells as well as in immortalized Hsp70 transgenic murine fibroblasts occurred at the level of the lysosomal permeabilization. On the contrary, Hsp70 failed to inhibit the cytochrome c-induced, apoptosome-dependent caspase activation in vitro and Fas ligand-induced, caspase-dependent apoptosis in immortalized fibroblasts. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that endosomal and lysosomal membranes of tumor cells contained Hsp70. Permeabilization of purified endo/lysosomes by digitonin failed to release Hsp70, suggesting that it is physically associated with the membranes. Finally, Hsp70 positive lysosomes displayed increased size and resistance against chemical and physical membrane destabilization. These data identify Hsp70 as the first survival protein that functions by inhibiting the death-associated permeabilization of lysosomes.

Investigating the biomarker potential of glycoproteins using comparative glycoprofiling - application to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

Cancer-induced alterations of protein glycosylations are well-known phenomena. Hence, the glycoprofile of certain glycoproteins can potentially be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis. However, there are a substantial number of candidates and the techniques for measuring their biomarker potential are limited, calling for new methods. Here, we have investigated the cancer marker potential of the glycoprofile of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) using a method for comparative glycoprofiling. Glycoprofiles were obtained from plasma TIMP-1 of five healthy donors and five colorectal cancer (CRC) patients showing increased amounts of TIMP-1. Furthermore, the TIMP-1 glycoprofiles of media from two colon cancer cell lines (CCC) and a prostate cancer cell line were determined as disease references. TIMP-1 was purified from IgG-depleted samples using immuno affinity and gel electrophoresis and the glycoprofiling was performed using glycopeptide enrichment and mass spectrometry. The heterogeneous glycoprofiles of TIMP-1 were found to be highly conserved among the healthy donors, proving an ideal candidate marker and showed high reproducibility of the method. Numerous CCC-specific TIMP-1 glycans were observed illustrating cancer-induced changes. Unexpectedly, quantitation revealed that the glycoprofiles of healthy donors and CRC patients varied minimally. Considering the increased CRC TIMP-1 levels and the observed CCC-specific glycans, the lack of variation indicates that the increased amount of CRC TIMP-1 is not a direct product of the cancer cells. Hence, the TIMP-1 glycoprofile holds no biomarker potential for CRC when using plasma as the sample origin. This study clearly illustrates that the technique is capable of performing individualised site-specific glycan analysis and representing a new tool for biomarker investigation of low-abundant glycoproteins.

Regulation of programmed cell death by plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1).

Elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are associated with poor prognosis in cancer. An explanation to the elevated levels of PAI-1 could be a protective response to the increased proteolytic activity, caused by elevated levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) observed in tumours; however, several lines of evidence suggest that PAI-1 may contribute directly to the pathology of the disease. PAI-1 has been reported to have an effect on most of the basic cellular processes including cell adhesion, cell migration, cell invasion, and cell proliferation and increasing numbers of reports suggest that PAI-1 also can regulate programmed cell death (PCD) in cancer cells and normal cells. A number of reports suggest that PAI-1 can inhibit PCD through its pro-adhesive/anti-proteolytic property whereas other reports suggest that PAI-1 induces PCD through its anti-adhesive property. Furthermore, it has been suggested that PAI-1 can either induce or inhibit PCD though activation of cell signalling pathways. This review will focus on the regulation of programmed cell death by PAI-1 in both normal cells and cancer cells.

Diarylurea compounds inhibit caspase activation by preventing the formation of the active 700-kilodalton apoptosome complex.

The release of mitochondrial proapoptotic proteins into the cytosol is the key event in apoptosis signaling, leading to the activation of caspases. Once in the cytosol, cytochrome c triggers the formation of a caspase-activating protein complex called the apoptosome, whereas Smac/Diablo and Omi/htra2 antagonize the caspase inhibitory effect of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Here, we identify diarylurea compounds as effective inhibitors of the cytochrome c-induced formation of the active, approximately 700-kDa apoptosome complex and caspase activation. Using diarylureas to inhibit the formation of the apoptosome complex, we demonstrated that cytochrome c, rather than IAP antagonists, is the major mitochondrial caspase activation factor in tumor cells treated with tumor necrosis factor. Thus, we have identified a novel class of compounds that inhibits apoptosis by blocking the activation of the initiator caspase 9 by directly inhibiting the formation of the apoptosome complex. This mechanism of action is different from that employed by the widely used tetrapeptide inhibitors of caspases or known endogenous apoptosis inhibitors, such as Bcl-2 and IAPs. Thus, these compounds provide a novel specific tool to investigate the role of the apoptosome in mitochondrion-dependent death paradigms.

Characterization of anti-TIMP-1 monoclonal antibodies for immunohistochemical localization in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate seven anti-TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) monoclonal antibodies by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Detection of the TIMP-1 protein was studied by IHC in FFPE human archival normal and neoplastic samples. Indirect IHC technique was used, and the seven antibodies (clones VT1, VT2, VT4, VT5, VT6, VT7, and VT8) were tested in various concentrations using different pretreatment protocols. All seven VT antibodies specifically immunostained the cytoplasm of islets of Langerhans cells in normal pancreas, epithelial cells of hyperplastic prostate, tumor cells of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and fibroblast-like cells of malignant melanoma. Specificity of the anti-TIMP-1 antibodies was confirmed by several controls, e.g., Western blotting on proteins extracted from FFPE tissue showed that the VT7 antibody reacted specifically with a protein band of approximately 28 kDa, corresponding to the molecular mass of TIMP-1. However, sensitivity varied with the different antibodies. Use of heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) and the VT7 clone applied at low concentrations demonstrated more intense immunoreactivity with the TIMP-1-positive cell types compared to the other six clones. Furthermore, when tested on a range of normal and neoplastic endocrine tissues, the VT7 clone demonstrated immunoreactivity with all neuroendocrine cell types. In conclusion, all seven antibodies detected TIMP-1 protein in various normal and neoplastic FFPE tissues, but one clone, VT7, was superior for IHC staining of TIMP-1 in FFPE tissue sections when using HIER.

Malignant transformation of wild-type but not plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene-deficient fibroblasts decreases cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy-mediated apoptosis.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) inhibits the activation of the plasminogen activator system, the latter being involved in cancer growth and dissemination. Interestingly, PAI-1 is elevated in many solid tumours and this elevation has consistently been shown to be associated with shorter length of patient survival. This study aims to determine whether PAI-1 contributes to cancer cell growth by inhibiting apoptosis of tumour cells. It is shown that spontaneous transformation decreases cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy-mediated apoptosis of wild-type, but not PAI-1 gene-deficient, fibrosarcomas. PAI-1 gene-deficient and wild-type mice displayed similar sensitivity to treatment with etoposide, suggesting a differential effect of PAI-1 expression between cancer cells and normal cells. Thus, since PAI-1 appears to be an important factor in regulating apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells, inhibitors of PAI-1 might be useful as sensitising pre-treatment for subsequent apoptosis-inducing anti-cancer therapy.

Indication of a role of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I in protecting murine fibrosarcoma cells against apoptosis.

In a number of cancer types high tumor tissue levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) protein are strongly associated with shorter cancer patient survival. This association has been intriguing since PAI-1 is known to inhibit urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) that converts plasminogen to plasmin, which is actively involved in tumor progression and invasion. In order to further explore the biological role of PAI-1 in cancer, we have prepared fibroblasts from PAI-1 gene deficient mice and from their wild type littermates. From these fibroblasts fibrosarcoma cell lines were established and characterized. Both types of fibroblasts underwent spontaneous transformation as indicated by aneuploidy, immortalization, clonogenicity in soft agar and tumor formation in vivo. While both PAI-1 deficient and PAI-1 expressing cell lines showed similar proliferation rates in vitro, cells devoid of PAI-1 were significantly more sensitive to apoptotic stimuli. When inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice PAI-1 expressing cells rapidly established tumors, while PAI-1 deficient cells had a significantly longer lag-phase before they started to grow (p<0.0001). The present study suggests that PAI-1, besides its uPA inhibiting function, has a role in cancer progression by protecting tumor cells from undergoing apoptosis.

A TIMP-1 splice variant transcript: possible role in regulation of TIMP-1 expression.

A splice variant of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA lacking exon 2 (TIMP-1-v2) has been identified in human cancer cells and in colorectal and breast cancer tumors. The purpose of this study was (1) to study the level of full length TIMP-1 and TIMP-1-v2 transcripts in colorectal tumors; (2) to investigate if TIMP-1-v2 is translated to protein. Full length TIMP-1 and TIMP-1-v2 mRNA levels were compared between colorectal tumors and normal mucosa by Q-PCR. Both full length TIMP-1 and TIMP-1-v2 transcripts were upregulated in tumor tissue. However, the level of TIMP-1-v2 relative to full length TIMP-1 was higher in normal compared to tumor tissue. Translation of TIMP-1-v2 to protein was analyzed in CHO cells. In this system, no TIMP-1-v2 protein was produced. Thus, the variant transcript seems to be an untranslated mRNA. These findings suggest that alternative splicing of TIMP-1 pre-mRNA to TIMP-1-v2 mRNA might be involved in regulating TIMP-1 expression.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 protects fibrosarcoma cells from etoposide-induced apoptosis through activation of the PI3K/Akt cell survival pathway.

High levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in tumors are associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types, and the reason for this association is not fully understood. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 has been suggested to contribute to tumor growth by protecting cancer cells from apoptosis, and we have previously shown that wild type murine fibrosarcoma cells are significantly more resistant to apoptosis induced by chemotherapy than PAI-1-deficient fibrosarcoma cells. Here, we further investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiapoptotic function of PAI-1 focusing on the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase (PI3K)/Akt cell survival pathway. We demonstrate that the activation level of the Akt cell survival pathway is reduced in PAI-1-deficient cells. Inhibition of either PI3K or Akt by synthetic inhibitors sensitized the wild type but not the PAI-1-deficient cells to etoposide-induced cell death. More importantly, reintroduction of PAI-1 expression in PAI-1-deficient cells induced an increase in Akt activity and protection against etoposide-induced apoptosis. Concordantly, silencing of PAI-1 by RNA interference in wild type fibrosarcoma cells decreased the level of active Akt, and this was accompanied by a sensitization of the cells to etoposide-induced cell death. Altogether, our data suggest that PAI-1 influences sensitivity to etoposide-induced apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt cell survival pathway by acting upstream of PI3K and Akt. This points to PAI-1 as a possible therapeutic target in cancer diseases where PAI-1 inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis.

Rapid and individual-specific glycoprofiling of the low abundance N-glycosylated protein tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

A gel-based method for a mass spectrometric site-specific glycoanalysis was developed using a recombinant glycoprotein expressed in two different cell lines. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography at nanoscale level was used to enrich for glycopeptides prior to MS. The glycoprofiling was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS and MS/MS. The method proved to be fast and sensitive and furthermore yielded a comprehensive site-specific glycan analysis, allowing a differentiation of the glycoprofiles of the two sources of recombinant protein, both comprising N-glycans of a highly heterogeneous nature. To test the potential of the method, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), a secreted low abundance N-glycosylated protein and a cancer marker, was purified in an individual-specific manner from plasma of five healthy individuals using IgG depletion and immunoaffinity chromatography. The corresponding TIMP-1 glycoprofiles were determined to be highly similar, comprising mainly bi- and triantennary complex oligosaccharides. Additionally it was shown that platelet-derived TIMP-1 displayed a similar glycoprofile. This is the first study to investigate the glycosylation of naturally occurring human TIMP-1, and the high similarity of the glycoprofiles showed that individual-specific glycosylation variations of TIMP-1 are minimal. In addition, the results showed that TIMP-1 derived from platelets and plasma is similarly glycosylated. This comprehensive and rapid glycoprofiling of a low abundance glycoprotein performed in an individual-specific manner allows for future studies of glycosylated biomarkers for person-specific detection of altered glycosylation and may thus allow early detection and monitoring of diseases.

Measurement of the uncomplexed fraction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in the prognostic evaluation of primary breast cancer patients.

Several studies have demonstrated an association between high tumor tissue levels of total tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and a poor prognosis of primary breast cancer patients. In the present study we investigated whether measurements of the uncomplexed fraction of TIMP-1 added prognostic information to that already obtained from total TIMP-1. We measured the uncomplexed fraction of TIMP-1, using a thoroughly validated ELISA specific for this fraction, in 341 tumor tissue extracts obtained from patients with primary breast cancer. These measurements were related to previously performed measurements of total TIMP-1 as well as to patient outcome. The observation time was 8.3 years (range, 7.3-11.3 years). During this period 136 patients died, and 153 patients experienced recurrence of disease. Cox regression analysis of recurrence-free survival (RFS) suggested that a score based on both uncomplexed and total TIMP-1, reflecting the tumor level of TIMP-1/MMP complexes, would be a more precise estimate of prognosis than total TIMP-1 alone. Univariate survival analysis showed a highly significant relationship between high values of the score and poor outcomes for RFS (p = 0.0002; hazard ratio = 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.8). Similar results were found for overall survival (p = 0.0001; hazard ratio = 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-6.3). Multivariate analysis of RFS and overall survival demonstrated that the score was significant including the classical prognostic factors used in breast cancer (p < 0.0001). The present study raises the hypothesis that it is the tumor level of TIMP-1/MMP complexes (i.e. activated matrix metalloproteinases) rather than TIMP-1 itself that determines prognosis, supporting the use of the combined score and not only total TIMP-1 in stratification of breast cancer patients.

Establishment and characterization of 7 new monoclonal antibodies to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) plays a pivotal role in tissue remodeling processes, such as inflammation, wound healing and cancer invasion. Experimental results have pointed to a role in angiogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis and in malignant transformation. In clinical investigations high tumor tissue or plasma levels of TIMP-1 have been shown to have a strong and independent association with shorter survival time for breast and colorectal cancer patients, respectively. The purpose of this study has been to develop and characterize new anti-TIMP-1 monoclonal antibodies that may be useful in future development of TIMP-1 immunoassays.Peptide-based epitope mapping reveals linear epitopes. Surface plasmon resonance was used to determine antibody affinity and ability of antibodies to sandwich with each other. Antigen recognition was tested using ELISA and a chemiluminescence microtiter immunoassay format. Three antibodies recognized linear peptides. Estimated antibody affinities for TIMP-1 ranged from 6.6 x 10(8) to>10(10) 1/M. Antibodies demonstrated different abilities in 'capture' and 'detection' positions in the sandwich experiment. All antibody pairs bound TIMP-1:ProMMP-9 complexes. TIMP-1:MMP-9 complexes were marginally reactive with five antibody pairs. The results suggest that the antibodies are unique. They may be useful in designing assays that recognize various forms of TIMP-1. Future studies will clarify whether the use of different combinations of antibodies will increase the clinical value of TIMP-1 measurements in the treatment of cancer patients.

Cathepsin B mediates tumor necrosis factor-induced arachidonic acid release in tumor cells.

Arachidonic acid (AA) generated by cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) has been suggested to function as a second messenger in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced death signaling. Here, we show that cathepsin B-like proteases are required for the TNF-induced AA release in transformed cells. Pharmaceutical inhibitors of cathepsin B blocked TNF-induced AA release in human breast (MCF-7S1) and cervix (ME-180as) carcinoma as well as murine fibrosarcoma (WEHI-S) cells. Furthermore, TNF-induced AA release was significantly reduced in cathepsin B-deficient immortalized murine embryonic fibroblasts. Employing cPLA2-deficient MCF-7S1 cells expressing ectopic cPLA2 or cPLA2-deficient immortalized murine embryonic fibroblasts, we showed that cPLA2 is dispensable for TNF-induced AA release and death in these cells. Furthermore, TNF-induced cathepsin B-dependent AA release could be dissociated from the cathepsin B-independent cell death in MCF-7S1 cells, whereas both events required cathepsin B activity in other cell lines tested. These data suggest that cathepsin B inhibitors may prove useful not only in the direct control of cell death but also in limiting the damage-associated inflammation.