The DNA hypomethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, enhances tumor cell invasion through a transcription-dependent modulation of MMP-1 expression in human fibrosarcoma cells.

In diseases such as cancer, cells need to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and therefore require high protease levels. Thus, aberrant tissue degradation is associated to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) overexpression resulting from different mechanisms including epigenetic events. One of the most characterized epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation causing changes in chromatin conformation, thereby decreasing the accessibility to the transcriptional machinery and resulting in a robust gene silencing. Modulation of DNA methylation by DNA hypomethylating agents such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC) is widely used in epigenetic anticancer treatments. Here, we focus on the effects of this drug on the expression level of MMP-1, -2, and -9 in human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. We demonstrate that 5-azadC increases MMP expression at both mRNA and protein levels, and promotes invasion potential of HT1080 cells. Using broad-spectrum and specific MMP inhibitors, we establish that MMP-1, but not MMP-2 and -9, plays a key role in 5-azadC-enhanced cell invasion. We show that 5-azadC induces MMP-1 expression through a transcriptional mechanism without affecting MMP-1 promoter methylation status. Finally, we demonstrate that 5-azadC treatment increases the nuclear levels of Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors, and modulates their recruitment to the MMP-1 promoter, resulting in chromatin remodeling associated to 5-azadC-induced MMP-1 expression. All together, our data indicate that the hypomethylating agent 5-azadC modulates, mainly via Sp1 recruitment, MMP-1 expression resulting in an increased invasive potential of HT1080 cells.

Thalidomide alters nuclear architecture without ABCB1 gene modulation in drug-resistant myeloma cells.

ABCB1 gene overexpression has been described as an important mechanism for resistance to conventional chemotherapy in multiple myelomas. In the refractory multiple myelomas, other drug regimens have been successfully applied, including thalidomide treatments. Besides its well-documented anti-angiogenic effects, thalidomide therapy could result in a decrease in ABCB1 gene expression. In this study, we analysed the effects of a 24-h short-term treatment by thalidomide or its active metabolite phthaloyl glutamic acid (PGA) on nuclear chromatin higher-order organisation and ABCB1 gene expression in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant 8226 human myeloma cells. As compared to sensitive cells, 8226-Dox40 drug-resistant cells exhibited an increase in chromatin texture condensation and ABCB1 gene overexpression. At this gene promoter level, the -50 and -100 GC boxes displayed an unmethylated profile in drug-sensitive cells whereas drug-resistant cell promoter GC boxes were fully methylated. Thalidomide and PGA induced significant chromatin textural changes in 8226-Dox40 drug-resistant cells only with neither alteration in ABCB1 gene expression nor methylation profile of its promoter. Conversely thalidomide and PGA induced down-regulation of VEGF gene expression in both drug-sensitive and -resistant myeloma cells. These data suggest that short-term treatments by thalidomide or PGA do not induce any significant change on ABCB1 gene expression though they modulate chromatin supra-organisation in drug-resistant 8226 human myeloma cells.

Differential modulation of nuclear texture, histone acetylation, and MDR1 gene expression in human drug-sensitive and -resistant OV1 cell lines.

Image cytometric study of pathological specimens or cell lines has suggested that epigenetic mechanisms are likely to play a major role in determining chromatin patterns evaluable through nuclear texture analysis. We previously reported that nuclear textural changes observed in the OV1-VCR etoposide-resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line were associated with an increased acetylated histone H4 level. In this study we analyzed the effects of treatments with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) or with nickel subsulfide on histone H4 acetylation, nuclear texture, and MDR1 gene expression in drug-sensitive IGROV1 and drug-resistant OV1-VCR cell lines. In IGROV1 cells, TSA induced an increase in acetylated H4 level associated with a chromatin textural decondensation and an increase in MDR1 gene expression. In OV1-VCR cells, a similar increase in H4 acetylation was observed, but nuclear texture or MDR1 gene expression remained unchanged. ChIP analysis revealed that MDR1 gene expression remained stable in TSA-treated OV1-VCR cells despite a localized increase in H4 acetylation at the promoter level. Analysis of the methylation status of MDR1 promoter showed an increase in DNA methylation at 3 specific sites in OV1-VCR cells, that could participate to TSA low responsiveness in these cells. Treatment with nickel subsulfide induced a decrease in H4 acetylation without any effect on nuclear texture characteristics in both cell lines. In OV1-VCR cells, nickel subsulfide induced a significant down-regulation of the MDR1 gene expression. These results indicate that modulation of histone H4 acetylation level can be associated with up- or down-regulation of the MDR1 gene in OV1 cells. However, this modulation does not always result in chromatin pattern alterations and these data emphasize the complexity of chromatin texture regulation in tumor cells.

Nuclear chromatin patterns in 3 glucocorticoid-resistant RPMI 8226 human myeloma cell sub-lines: correlations with cell growth and immunological phenotype.

Nuclear morphological alterations associated with glucocorticoid resistance in human myeloma were evaluated by image cytometry in three human myeloma RPMI 8226 cell sub-lines. Resistance was induced by drug selection using prednisone (8226p), methylprednisolone (8226m) and dexamethasone (8226d), respectively. All these three cell sub lines displayed significant glucocorticoid-resistance without cross-resistance to doxorubicin. Nuclear geometry and texture were analyzed on G0/G1-selected cell nuclei and data compared with cell growth characteristics and membrane expression of CD23, CD38, CD44 and CD58 antigens. When compared to the parental RPMI 8226 cell line, glucocorticoid-resistant cells display a progressive chromatin condensation with heterogeneously distributed large chromatin clumps, a phenomenon not observed in the multidrug-resistant CEM-VLB cells. These alterations were correlated to the resistance index against glucocorticoids and to the expressions of CD38, and of CD44 variant forms CD44v5 and CD44v7-8 antigens. These data suggest that glucocorticoid resistance in RPMI 8226 cells could be associated with sub-visual specific higher-order chromatin organization changes. Furthermore, these alterations are correlated to the expression of membrane markers associated with tumors aggressiveness.

From molecular characteristics to cellular events in apoptosis-resistant HL-60 cells.

The ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells is critical to elicit a positive response to cytotoxic chemo-therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of the topoisomerase I inhibitors camptothecin and SN-38, known to cause an unusual form of DNA damage, on apoptotic pathways using the leukemic cell line HL-60 and its vincristine-resistant variant HL-60 VCR. Both camptothecin and SN-38 induced high levels of apoptosis in sensitive cells when compared to the multidrug-resistant ones. Interestingly, a higher BCL-2/BAX ratio was observed in HL-60 VCR at the basal state and during treatments. Moreover, these cells which did not exhibit Bcr-abl translocation or bcrp efflux pump, overexpressed topoisomerase I protein. The data provide evidence that BCL-2 protein could protect HL-60 VCR from mitochondrial membrane depolarization and block ROS production in these cells. Finally, our results suggest that dysregulation of proteins associated with DNA replication and apoptotic process could contribute to the multidrug-resistance phenotype.

Nicotine induces chromatin changes and c-Jun up-regulation in HL-60 leukemia cells.

Although nicotine has been implicated as a potential factor in the pathogenesis of human cancer, its mechanisms of action regarding cancer development remain largely unknown. HL-60 cells were used to investigate the effects of a short-term treatment with nicotine at concentrations found in the blood of smokers. The findings show that nicotine induces chromatin decondensation, histone H3 acetylation and up-regulation of the c-Jun transcription factor mRNA. This increase is inhibited by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, suggesting that nicotine alters cellular function directly via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and may then play a role in cell physiology and tumor promotion.

Phenotypical alterations induced by glucocorticoids resistance in RPMI 8226 human myeloma cells.

Resistance to glucocorticoids (GCs) frequently appears during treatment of hematological malignancies. This study investigates the phenotypical alterations observed in human myeloma cell sublines resistant to glucocorticoids. Using the RPMI8226 cell line, the cytotoxic efficiencies of four glucocorticoids, and the phenotypes of isolated resistant sublines were analyzed. Methyl-prednisolone and dexamethasone exhibited the higher toxic effects on RPMI8226 cells. All corticoids were able to induce drug-resistance. Resistant sublines showed an increased expression of the alpha-isoform of the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), and specific modulations in CD23, CD38, CD44 and CD58 expressions. Thus, glucocorticoid resistance in RPMI8226 cells is accompanied by significant phenotypical alterations that could be implicated in survival enhancement to therapy and/or tumor spreading.

Nuclear texture and chromatin structure in OV1/VCR human multidrug-resistant cell line.

Previous studies have demonstrated that multidrug-resistant leukemic cells displayed nuclear texture changes. In this work, the human ovarian carcinoma cell line IGROV1 and its multidrug-resistant variant OV1/VCR were studied. Cell smears of these cell populations were analysed by image cytometry. As compared to sensitive cells, OV1/VCR display a chromatin global decondensation as assessed by textural features analysis. In order to correlate this decondensation with alterations in chromatin structure, DNase I was used. OV1/VCR DNA displayed an increased DNase I sensitivity, suggesting an increased chromatin accessibility. Furthermore, OV1/VCR cells displayed an increased level in acetylated histone H4, a mechanism known to be associated with transcriptionally active chromatin and relaxed chromatin conformation.

Cytogenetic characterization of chromosomal rearrangement in a human vinblastine-resistant CEM cell line: use of comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

In order to identify genomic changes associated with drug-resistance acquisition, we performed R-banding karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and comparative genomic hybridization to compare a human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, CEM-wild type, and a subline with resistance to vinblastine (CEM-VLB) and overexpressing P-glycoprotein. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis showed that the CEM-VLB cell line carried chemoresistance-associated chromosomal abnormalities (amplification of 7q11 approximately q22, losses of chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, and 16, and deletion of 4q13 approximately qter). Fluorescence in situ hybridization identified an amplified 7q21 region translocated on the short arm of a chromosome 2. This region contained the MDR1 gene locus and probably neighboring genes, such as SRI or MDR3/ABCB4. According to previous reports, this chromosomal rearrangement occurred during drug selection and attested a resistance acquisition.

Modifications of cellular autofluorescence emission spectra under oxidative stress induced by 1 alpha,25dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and its analog EB1089.

We attempted to characterize the cellular autofluorescence phenomenon of living HL-60 cells and to appraise its modifications under oxidative stress conditions induced by 1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) (VD(3)) and its analog EB1089. Autofluorescence emission spectra of human promyelocytic HL-60 leukemic cells were monitored using laser scanning confocal microspectrofluorometry under UV excitation. Evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release was performed using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)-DCFDA) staining and fluorescence emission measurement. VD(3) (1, 10, 100 nM) or EB1089 (0.1, 1 and 10 nM) induces a decrease in autofluorescence emission intensity that can be attributed to the oxidation of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) NAD(P)H into NAD(P)(+). A dose-dependent increase (p<0.05) in ROS release is observed in VD(3)- and EB1089-treated cells. As compared with VD(3)- or EB1089-treated cells, doxorubicin-VD(3) or doxorubicin-EB1089 treatments strongly decrease the autofluorescence intensity and induce a higher release of ROS (p<0.05). The association of antioxidants (N-acetyl cysteine, superoxide dismutase, catalase) with VD(3) or EB1089 induce a more limited autofluorescence decrease and a weaker ROS generation, as compared with VD(3) and EB1089 treated cells. In conclusion, the free radicals release, generated by VD(3) and EB1089, was associated with the decrease in autofluorescence emission and can be modulated by doxorubicin and antioxidants.

Epigenetic regulation of proMMP-1 expression in the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line.

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family members play an important role in various physiological and pathological processes. Although MMP-1 (collagenase-1) has been shown to be involved in tumor invasiveness, the regulation of its expression is still not fully elucidated and could implicate epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDI) trichostatin A (TSA) and the inhibitor of DNA methylation 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC) on the proMMP-1 expression in the human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cell line. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that 5-azadC or 5-azadC + TSA but not TSA alone, despite global histone H4 hyperacetylation, increased proMMP-1 mRNA levels. This transcription activation was correlated with chromatin decondensation determined by nuclear texture image analysis technique. Western blot analysis of cell culture conditioned media revealed a significant increase in proMMP-1 secretion after 5-azadC or 5-azadC + TSA treatment compared to untreated cells. These results suggested that epigenetic mechanisms could be involved in proMMP-1 gene expression including chromatin supra-organization changes. Indeed, although the proMMP-1 gene promoter does not appear to contain CpG islands, its expression can be induced by the demethylating agent 5-azadC. Further experiments revealed that inhibition of protein neosynthesis by cycloheximide decreased 5-azadC-induced proMMP-1 mRNA, suggesting that epigenetically regulated intermediate molecules could be involved in proMMP-1 expression regulation in these cells.

Raman microspectroscopy detects epigenetic modifications in living Jurkat leukemic cells.

AIMS: Classical biochemical and molecular methods for discerning cells with epigenetic modifications are often biologically perturbing or even destructive. We wondered whether the noninvasive laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy technique allowed the discrimination of single living human cells undergoing epigenetic modifications. MATERIALS & METHODS: Human Jurkat leukemic cells were treated with inhibitors of histone deacetylases (trichostatin A and MS-275). Epigenetic changes were monitored through histone electrophoresis, nuclear image cytometry and laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy. RESULTS: Treatment of Jurkat cells with histone deacetylase inhibitors increased histone acetylation and induced chromatin organization changes. Characteristic vibrations, issued from laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy analyses, mostly assigned to DNA and proteins allowed discerning histone deacetylase inhibitor-treated cells from control with high confidence. Statistical processing of laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy data led to the definition of specific biomolecular fingerprints of each cell group. CONCLUSION: This original study shows that laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy is a label-free rapid tool to identify living cells that underwent epigenetic changes.

Effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A on nuclear texture and c-jun gene expression in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant human H69 lung carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Texture analysis of chromatin patterns by image cytometry can be used in the development and refinement of diagnosis and prognosis of cancers and in the follow-up of therapies. However, little is known about the biological mechanisms underlying these patterns. Epigenetic mechanisms as histone posttranslational modifications and particularly histone acetylation could play a major role in the determination of these chromatin patterns and then influence nuclear texture measurements. METHODS: This study examined the consequences of treatment by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on the nuclear texture in human cell lines sensitive and resistant to chemotherapy. Small cell lung carcinoma H69 cells and their variant H69-VP, which is resistant to etoposide, were incubated with 100 ng/ml of TSA for 0 to 24 h. Nuclear texture was evaluated by image cytometry and compared with the histone H4 acetylation level measured by western blotting and expression of c-jun gene evaluated by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TSA treatment induced an increase in histone H4 acetylation level in both cell lines. However, at the level of chromatin texture, sensitive H69 cells displayed a progressive chromatin decondensation up to 24 h, whereas resistant H69-VP showed rapid (8 h) but transient changes. Similarly, expression of c-jun increased regularly in TSA-treated H69 cells. In H69-VP cells, an increase was also observed up to 12 h followed by a decrease after 24 h of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of nuclear texture appeared to be a sensitive technique to detect chromatin pattern alterations induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA in the H69 cell line and enabled the observation of chromatin pattern discrepancies between chemotherapeutic drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells during this treatment. When c-jun gene expression was analyzed as gene sensitive to epigenetic control, these textural differences seemed to be correlated to gene expression.