bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Tumor Growth by Galectin-7 Gene Transfer
Authors: Ueda Shugo , Kuwabara Ichiro , Liu Fu-Tong
Published: September 2005

Galectin-7 is a β-galactoside-binding animal lectin specifically expressed in stratified epithelia. Its expression is inducible by p53 and is down-regulated in squamous cell carcinomas. Other investigators previously showed that galectin-7 is a proapoptotic protein, and we showed that ectopic expression of galectin-7 in HeLa cells renders the cells more sensitive to a variety of apoptotic stimuli. In the present study, we showed that ectopic expression of galectin-7 in the human colon carcinoma cell line DLD-1 also made the cells more sensitive to apoptosis under various conditions. We also found that galectin-7-transfected DLD-1 (DLD-1-Gal7) cells grew significantly more slowly than control transfectants (DLD-1-V) under normal culture conditions in the absence of apoptosis. Moreover, a significantly lower number of colonies were formed from DLD-1-Gal7 cells than from DLD-1-V cells under anchorage-independent cell growth conditions. Most importantly, tumor formation from DLD-1-Gal7 cells was dramatically reduced compared with DLD-1-V cells when these cells were inoculated s.c. into severe combined immunodeficient mice. DLD-1-Gal7 tumors showed a significantly lower proliferation rate than DLD-1-V tumors as determined by in vivo 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation. DLD-1-Gal7 tumors also contained a lower density of blood vessels than DLD-1-V tumors, suggesting that ectopic expression of galectin-7 suppresses angiogenesis. This may partially account for the greater suppressive effect of galectin-7 on tumor growth in vivo than in vitro. Our results show that galectin-7 has a suppressive effect on tumor growth, suggesting that galectin-7 gene transfer or other means of specifically inducing galectin-7 expression may be a new approach for management of cancers.
Microregional Effects of Gemcitabine in HCT-116 Xenografts
Authors: Huxham Lynsey A. , Kyle Alastair H. , Baker Jennifer H. E. , Nykilchuk Lani K. , Minchinton Andrew I.
Published: September 2005

To examine the tumor microregional effects after gemcitabine administration to mice, we mapped the location of proliferating and hypoxic cells relative to vasculature in human colon cancer xenografts. The S-phase marker bromodeoxyuridine was used as a surrogate of drug effect and administered 2 hours before tumor excision, whereas vessel position and perfusion were assessed via staining for CD31 and intravenous injection of carbocyanine, respectively. Hypoxia was detected using pimonidazole. Images of the four markers were overlaid to reveal the spatial relationship between proliferation, vasculature, and hypoxia and to examine the microregional effects. Within 1 day after administration of 240 mg/kg of gemcitabine, proliferation throughout the tumor was completely inhibited. Over time, a reemergence of dividing cells occurred in relation to the distance from vasculature. Microregional analysis revealed that cells located distal to vasculature commenced cycling sooner than cells located proximal to vasculature. A similar trend was seen after multiple doses of gemcitabine (40 mg/kg on days 1, 4, 7, and 10). The possibility that the effect of gemcitabine could be attributed to changes in oxygenation was discounted after examining the vessel perfusion and patterns of hypoxia. The effect of gemcitabine was examined in multilayered cell culture, and at doses <30 μmol/L, a gradient in proliferation between the exposed and unexposed sides was observed. We show a differential effect on cell proliferation in relation to vasculature and conclude that cells distal to blood vessels are less affected by gemcitabine probably because of limited penetration.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor Differentially Regulates Expression of Proangiogenic Factors through Egr-1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Worden Brian , Yang Xin Ping , Lee Tin Lap , Bagain Lorena , Yeh Ning T. , Cohen Joshua G. , Van Waes Carter , Chen Zhong
Published: September 2005

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) and the angiogenesis factors platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are found in elevated concentrations in serum or tumor tissue of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), suggesting these factors may be coregulated. A cDNA microarray analysis for HGF-inducible genes revealed that HGF also modulates PDGFA expression, a gene recently shown to be inducible by the transcription factor, early growth response-1 (Egr-1). In the present study, we investigated the potential role of HGF-induced Egr-1 in expression of PDGF, VEGF, and IL-8. HGF induced expression of all three factors and Egr-1 expression and DNA-binding activity. The analysis of promoter sequences showed putative Egr-1 binding sites in the PDGFA or VEGF but not in the IL-8 promoter, and HGF-induced Egr-1–binding activity was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The maximal basal and HGF-induced promoter activity for the PDGFA gene existed within −630 bp of the promoter region, and overexpression of Egr-1 significantly increased such activity. Consistent with this, expression of PDGFA and VEGF but not IL-8 showed corresponding differences with Egr-1 expression in HNSCC tumor specimens and were strongly suppressed by transfection of Egr-1–antisense or small interference RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides. HGF-induced expression of Egr-1, PDGFA, and VEGF was suppressed by pharmacologic and siRNA inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways. We conclude that the HGF-induced activation of transcription factor Egr-1 by MEK1/2- and PKC-dependent mechanisms differentially contributes to expression of PDGF and VEGF, which are important angiogenesis factors and targets for HNSCC therapy.
Inverse Correlation between Cyclin A1 Hypermethylation and p53 Mutation in Head and Neck Cancer Identified by Reversal of Epigenetic Silencing
Authors: Tokumaru Yutaka , Yamashita Keishi , Osada Motonobu , Nomoto Shuji , Sun Dong-Il , Xiao Yan , Hoque Mohammad Obaidul , Westra William H. , Califano Joseph A. , Sidransky David
Published: September 2005

Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is proposed to be a common feature of primary cancer cells. We recently developed a pharmacological unmasking microarray approach to screen unknown tumor suppressor gene candidates epigenetically silenced in human cancers. In this study, we applied this method to identify such genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We identified 12 novel methylated genes in HNSCC cell lines, including PGP9.5, cyclin A1, G0S2, bone-morphogenetic protein 2A, MT1G, and neuromedin U, which showed frequent promoter hypermethylation in primary HNSCC (60%, 45%, 35%, 25%, 25%, and 20%, respectively). Moreover, we discovered that cyclin A1 methylation was inversely related to p53 mutational status in primary tumors (P = 0.015), and forced expression of cyclin A1 resulted in robust induction of wild-type p53 in HNSCC cell lines. Pharmacological unmasking followed by microarray analysis is a powerful tool to identify key methylated tumor suppressor genes and relevant pathways.
RNA Interference Reveals that Ligand-Independent Met Activity Is Required for Tumor Cell Signaling and Survival
Authors: Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Gao Chong Feng , Xie Qian , Gustafson Margaret , Waters David J. , Zhang Yu-Wen , Vande Woude George F.
Published: September 2005

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-Met signaling has been implicated in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Suppression of this signaling pathway by targeting the Met protein tyrosine kinase may be an ideal strategy for suppressing malignant tumor growth. Using RNA interference technology and adenovirus vectors carrying small-interfering RNA constructs (Ad Met small-interfering RNA) directed against mouse, canine, and human Met, we can knock down c-met mRNA. We show a dramatic dependence on Met in both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent mouse, canine, and human tumor cell lines. Mouse mammary tumor (DA3) cells and Met-transformed NIH3T3 (M114) cells, as well as both human and canine prostate cancer (PC-3 and TR6LM, human sarcoma (SK-LMS-1), glioblastoma (DBTRG), and gastric cancer (MKN45) cells, all display a dramatic reduction of Met expression after infection with Ad Met small-interfering RNA. In these cells, we observe suppression of tumor cell growth and viability in vitro as well as inhibition of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-mediated scattering and invasion in vitro, whether Met activation was ligand dependent or not. Importantly, Ad Met small-interfering RNA led to apoptotic cell death in many of the tumor cell lines, especially DA3 and MKN45, but did not adversely affect MDCK canine kidney cells. Met small-interfering RNA also abrogated downstream Met signaling to molecules such as Akt and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We further show that intratumoral infection with c-met small-interfering RNA adenovirus results in a substantial reduction in tumor growth. Thus, Met small-interfering RNA adenoviruses are reliable tools for studying Met function and raise the possibility of their application for cancer therapy.
In Vivo
Flow Cytometry
Authors: Georgakoudi Irene , Solban Nicolas , Novak John , Rice William L. , Wei Xunbin , Hasan Tayyaba , Lin Charles P.
Published: September 2005

The fate of circulating tumor cells is an important determinant of their ability to form distant metastasis. Here, we demonstrate the use of in vivo flow cytometry as a powerful new method for detecting quantitatively circulating cancer cells. We specifically examine the circulation kinetics of two prostate cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential in mice and rats. We find that the cell line and the host environment affect the circulation kinetics of prostate cancer cells, with the intrinsic cell line properties determining the initial rate of cell depletion from the circulation and the host affecting cell circulation at later time points.
Increased Expression of Metallothionein Is Associated with Irinotecan Resistance in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Chun Jong Ho , Kim Hark Kyun , Kim Eugene , Kim In-Hoo , Kim Ju Han , Chang Hee Jin , Choi Il Ju , Lim Hyeong-Seok , Kim Il-Jin , Kang Hio Chung , Park Jae-Hyun , Bae Jae-Moon , Park Jae-Gahb
Published: September 2005

To gain insight into clinically relevant mechanisms of irinotecan resistance, we undertook oligonucleotide microarray analyses on paired malignant effusion samples obtained from eight gastric cancer patients treated with weekly irinotecan. Pretreatment and posttreatment (48 h) effusion samples were obtained for each patient, and the change in expression profile was compared between clinical responders and nonresponders. When differences in the expression of genes were examined using SAM (Significance Analysis of Microarrays) software, five isoforms of the metallothionein family were identified to have significantly higher signal log ratios in five nonresponders, compared with three responders. Compared with control cells, metallothionein 1X (MT1X)-transfected AGS cells showed a 1.4-fold higher irinotecan IC50 by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and tended to form more colonies. These findings collectively suggest that irinotecan-induced up-regulation of metallothionein might be associated with irinotecan resistance in patients with gastric cancer, although it remains to be confirmed in a larger data set.
Chemopreventive
n
-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Reprogram Genetic Signatures during Colon Cancer Initiation and Progression in the Rat
Authors: Davidson Laurie A. , Nguyen Danh V. , Hokanson Regina M. , Callaway Evelyn S. , Isett Robert B. , Turner Nancy D. , Dougherty Edward R. , Wang Naisyin , Lupton Joanne R. , Carroll Raymond J. , Chapkin Robert S.
Published: September 2005

The mechanisms by which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decrease colon tumor formation have not been fully elucidated. Examination of genes up- or down-regulated at various stages of tumor development via the monitoring of gene expression relationships will help to determine the biological processes ultimately responsible for the protective effects of n-3 PUFA. Therefore, using a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, we used Codelink DNA microarrays containing ∼9000 genes to help decipher the global changes in colonocyte gene expression profiles in carcinogen-injected Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were assigned to three dietary treatments differing only in the type of fat (corn oil/n-6 PUFA, fish oil/n-3 PUFA, or olive oil/n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid), two treatments (injection with the carcinogen azoxymethane or with saline), and two time points (12 hours and 10 weeks after first injection). Only the consumption of n-3 PUFA exerted a protective effect at the initiation (DNA adduct formation) and promotional (aberrant crypt foci) stages. Importantly, microarray analysis of colonocyte gene expression profiles discerned fundamental differences among animals treated with n-3 PUFA at both the 12 hours and 10-week time points. Thus, in addition to demonstrating that dietary fat composition alters the molecular portrait of gene expression profiles in the colonic epithelium at both the initiation and promotional stages of tumor development, these findings indicate that the chemopreventive effect of fish oil is due to the direct action of n-3 PUFA and not to a reduction in the content of n-6 PUFA.
Anti–HER-2/neuImmune Responses Are Induced before the Development of Clinical Tumors but Declined following Tumorigenesis in HER-2/neuTransgenic Mice
Authors: Takeuchi Noritami , Hiraoka Shin-ichiroh , Zhou Xu-Yu , Nagafuku Masakazu , Ono Shiro , Tsujimura Takahiro , Nakazawa Mitsuhiro , Yura Yoshiaki , Hamaoka Toshiyuki , Fujiwara Hiromi
Published: September 2005

HER-2/neu oncogene products have been implicated as a potential target of T cell–mediated immune responses to HER-2/neu–induced tumors. Using HER-2/neu transgenic mice (oncomice), we investigated whether, and if so how, anti–HER-2/neu immune responses are induced and modulated in these oncomice from birth to tumor initiation. Female oncomice carrying the activated HER-2/neu oncogene displayed apparent hyperplasia in mammary glands at 10 weeks of age and developed mammary carcinomas around an average age of 26 weeks. Unfractionated spleen cells from 10- to 15-week-old oncomice that were cultured without any exogenous stimuli exhibited cytotoxicity against the F31 tumor cell line established from an HER-2/neu–induced mammary carcinoma mass. The final antitumor effectors were a macrophage lineage of cells. However, this effector population was activated, depending on the stimulation of oncomouse CD4+ T cells with oncomouse-derived antigen-presenting cell (APC) alone or with wild-type mouse APC in the presence of F31 membrane fractions, suggesting the presence of HER-2/neu–primed CD4+ T cells and HER-2/neu–presenting APC in 10- to 15-week-old oncomice. These antitumor cytotoxic responses were detected at ∼5 weeks of age and peaked at age 10 to 15 weeks. However, the responses then declined at tumor-bearing stages in which the expression of target proteins could progressively increase. This resulted from the dysfunction of CD4+ T cells but not of APC or effector macrophages. These results indicate that an anti–HER-2/neu CD4+ T cell–mediated immune response was generated at the pretumorigenic stage but did not prevent tumorigenesis and declined after the development of clinical tumors.
Apoptosis Resistance of MCF-7 Breast Carcinoma Cells to Ionizing Radiation Is Independent of p53 and Cell Cycle Control but Caused by the Lack of Caspase-3 and a Caffeine-Inhibitable Event
Authors: Essmann Frank , Engels Ingo H. , Totzke Gudrun , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Jänicke Reiner U.
Published: September 2005

We have shown previously that ionizing radiation (IR) induces a persistent G2-M arrest but not cell death in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells that harbor functional p53 but lack caspase-3. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis resistance and the roles of p53, caspase-3, and cell cycle arrest in IR-induced apoptosis. The methylxanthine caffeine and the staurosporine analog UCN-01, which can inhibit ATM and Chk kinases, efficiently abrogated the IR-induced G2-M arrest and induced mitochondrial activation as judged by the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c and Smac/Diablo. However, despite these proapoptotic alterations, cell death and activation of the initiator caspase-9 were not induced in MCF-7 cells but were interestingly only observed after reexpression of caspase-3. Sensitization to IR-induced apoptosis by caffeine or UCN-01 was abrogated neither by cycloheximide nor by pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of the transcriptional activity of p53. Furthermore, suppression of p53 by RNA interference could not prevent caffeine- and IR-induced mitochondrial alterations and apoptosis but resulted in an even more pronounced G2-M arrest. Collectively, our results clearly show that the resistance of MCF-7 cells to IR-induced apoptosis is caused by two independent events; one of them is a caffeine- or UCN-01–inhibitable event that does not depend on p53 or a release of the G2-M arrest. The second event is the loss of caspase-3 that surprisingly seems essential for a fully functional caspase-9 pathway, even despite the previous release of mitochondrial proapoptotic proteins.
Potent Tumor-Specific Immunity Induced by an
In vivo
Heat Shock Protein-Suicide Gene–Based Tumor Vaccine
Authors: Ren Wenhong , Strube Randy , Zhang Xiaoqing , Chen Si-Yi , Huang Xue F.
Published: September 2005

Tumor cells harbor a repertoire of unique, mutated antigens and shared self-antigens but generally are incapable of provoking an effective immune response, likely because of inadequate antigen presentation by professional antigen-presenting cells. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play important roles in eliciting innate and adaptive immunity by chaperoning peptides for antigen presentation and providing endogenous danger signaling. Although effective in inducing tumor-specific immunity in mice and in some clinical trials, tumor-derived HSPs have many limitations like vaccines, such as the technical difficulty of ex vivo preparation of adequate quantities of HSPs from the resected tumors of individual patients. Here we have developed an in vivo HSP-suicide gene tumor vaccine by generating a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus (Ad-HT) that coexpresses HSP70 and a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene. The combination of HSP70 overexpression in situ and tumor killing by thymidine kinase/ganciclovir treatment, but neither strategy alone, provoked potent systemic antitumor activities after intratumor injection of Ad-HT. Tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were induced by Ad-HT intratumor injection. CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) isolated from mice treated with Ad-HT were able to prime tumor-specific CTLs. Collectively, these results indicate that the combination of tumor killing by activation of a suicide gene to release tumor antigens and in situ HSP70 overexpression to enhance DC antigen presentation overcomes host immune tolerance to tumor antigens, leading to the induction of potent antitumor immunity. Our findings may have broad relevance to the use of the in vivo HSP/suicide gene tumor vaccine in therapy for human solid tumors.
DNA Damage, Repair, and Mutation Induction by (+)-
Syn
and (−)-
Anti
-Dibenzo[
a,l
]Pyrene-11,12-Diol-13,14-Epoxides in Mouse Cells
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Besaratinia Ahmad , Feng Zhaohui , Tang Moon-shong , Amin Shantu , Luch Andreas , Pfeifer Gerd P.
Published: September 2005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental carcinogens. PAHs are classified into bay and fjord region compounds according to structural differences in the molecule region where enzymatic epoxidation occurs. Dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P), one of the fjord region compounds, has been demonstrated to be the most carcinogenic PAH known to date. DB[a,l]P is activated to fjord region (+)-syn and (−)-anti-11,12-dihydroxy-13,14-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]PDE) metabolites. In this study, we analyzed mutagenesis induced by (+)-syn- and (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE at the cII transgene in Big-Blue mouse cells. The mutant frequency of untreated cells (background level) was 6.53 × 10−5. This level increased 3.7-fold for 20 nmol/L, 5.3-fold for 50 nmol/L, and 7.9-fold for 100 nmol/L (+)-syn-DB[a,l]PDE, respectively. In the case of (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE it increased 4.5-fold for 20 nmol/L, 6.7-fold for 50 nmol/L, and 10.6-fold for 100 nmol/L, respectively, indicating that (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE is slightly more mutagenic than (+)-syn-DB[a,l]PDE. The mutational spectra of (+)-syn- and (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE were quite similar except for several hotspots, specific for either (+)-syn-DB[a,l]PDE or (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE. The most frequently induced mutations were A to T transversions, which were 43.9% for (+)-syn- and 38.8% for (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE. In addition, G to T transversions were induced significantly, at frequencies of 18.5% by (+)-syn- and 18.1% by (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE. Using UvrABC cleavage and ligation-mediated PCR or the terminal transferase-dependent PCR method, we have determined DB[a,l]PDE-DNA adduct formation sites and repair rates in carcinogen-exposed cells. The mutation hotspots coincided with sites of strong adduct formation, but not all of the adduct hotspots were mutational hotspots. Slow adduct removal occurred for both (+)-syn- and (−)-anti-DB[a,l]PDE adducts over a time period of up to 72 hours. The data suggest that, although the (−)-anti-isomer is slightly more mutagenic, DNA adducts of both DB[a,l]PDE stereoisomers may have similar biological properties. We discuss the implications of these findings for human cancer mutagenesis.
Preneoplastic Markers of Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hann Hie-Won L. , Lee Jungmin , Bussard Anne , Liu Catherine , Jin Yongri R. , Guha Koel , Clayton Marcia M. , Ardlie Kristin , Pellini Michael J. , Feitelson Mark A.
Published: September 2005

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers are at high risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are no reliable markers that will identify such high-risk carriers. The objective of this work is to identify serologic markers that may indicate the early presence of HCC. Since HBV-encoded X antigen (HBxAg) likely contributes to HCC by up- or down-regulation of host gene expression, X positive and negative HepG2 cells were made and subjected to cDNA subtraction. When specific ELISAs were constructed measuring differentially expressed antigens and corresponding antibodies, antibodies to several differentially expressed genes were detected. In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, antibodies were predominantly present in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis and HCC, but not in most carriers with hepatic inflammation alone or without active liver disease. Antibodies were also present in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC, but rarely detected in sera from uninfected individuals, those with tumors other than HCC, or those with drug-induced hepatitis. Statistical analysis showed that HCC patients with four or more antibodies detectable before the appearance of HCC had decreased survival, suggesting that these markers may reflect stepwise hepatocarcinogenesis. Hence, these antibodies may serve as preneoplastic markers for HCC in HBV carriers with chronic liver disease, and may be identified by a simple blood test.
Identification and Testing of a Gene Expression Signature of Invasive Carcinoma Cells within Primary Mammary Tumors
Authors: Wang Weigang , Goswami Sumanta , Lapidus Kyle , Wells Amber L. , Wyckoff Jeffrey B. , Sahai Erik , Singer Robert H. , Segall Jeffrey E. , Condeelis John S.
Published: September 2005

We subjected cells collected using an in vivo invasion assay to cDNA microarray analysis to identify the gene expression profile of invasive carcinoma cells in primary mammary tumors. Expression of genes involved in cell division, survival, and cell motility were most dramatically changed in invasive cells indicating a population that is neither dividing nor apoptotic but intensely motile. In particular, the genes coding for the minimum motility machine that regulates β-actin polymerization at the leading edge and, therefore, the motility and chemotaxis of carcinoma cells, were dramatically up-regulated. However, ZBP1, which restricts the localization of β-actin, the substrate for the minimum motility machine, was down-regulated. This pattern of expression implicated ZBP1 as a suppressor of invasion. Reexpression of ZBP1 in metastatic cells with otherwise low levels of ZBP1 reestablished normal patterns of β-actin mRNA targeting and suppressed chemotaxis and invasion in primary tumors. ZBP1 reexpression also inhibited metastasis from tumors. These experiments support the involvement in metastasis of the pathways identified in invasive cells, which are regulated by ZBP1.
Dysadherin Expression Facilitates Cell Motility and Metastatic Potential of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Shimamura Takeshi , Yasuda Jun , Ino Yoshinori , Gotoh Masahiro , Tsuchiya Akira , Nakajima Atsushi , Sakamoto Michiie , Kanai Yae , Hirohashi Setsuo
Published: September 2005

Dysadherin is a membrane glycoprotein expressed strongly in several human cancers. Overexpression of dysadherin in tumor cells is closely associated with malignant phenotype (e.g., metastasis) and poor prognosis. In our analysis, six pancreatic cancer cell lines showed a positive correlation between dysadherin expression and cell motility. Introduction of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against dysadherin into the Panc-1 cell line caused reduction of dysadherin expression and suppression of cell motility. In contrast, stable transfection of a dysadherin expression vector into the Capan-1 cell line increased cell motility. In vivo, the metastatic potential of orthotopically transplanted Capan-1 tumor cells in severe combined immunodeficient mice was increased by dysadherin overexpression. Cell morphology and actin organization were also influenced by modulation of dysadherin expression. Cells transfected with dysadherin siRNA tended to have a relatively larger, more spread shape and increased transverse actin stress fibers compared with parent cells and cells transfected with control siRNA. Our study suggests that dysadherin is able to modulate actin structures, stimulate cell motility, and contribute directly to the metastatic potential of human pancreatic cancer cells.
A Unique Structure for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Bound to GW572016 (Lapatinib)
Authors: Wood Edgar R. , Truesdale Anne T. , McDonald Octerloney B. , Yuan Derek , Hassell Anne , Dickerson Scott H. , Ellis Byron , Pennisi Christopher , Horne Earnest , Lackey Karen , Alligood Krystal J. , Rusnak David W. , Gilmer Tona M. , Shewchuk Lisa
Published: September 2005

GW572016 (Lapatinib) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in clinical development for cancer that is a potent dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB-1) and ErbB-2. We determined the crystal structure of EGFR bound to GW572016. The compound is bound to an inactive-like conformation of EGFR that is very different from the active-like structure bound by the selective EGFR inhibitor OSI-774 (Tarceva) described previously. Surprisingly, we found that GW572016 has a very slow off-rate from the purified intracellular domains of EGFR and ErbB-2 compared with OSI-774 and another EGFR selective inhibitor, ZD-1839 (Iressa). Treatment of tumor cells with these inhibitors results in down-regulation of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. We evaluated the duration of the drug effect after washing away free compound and found that the rate of recovery of receptor phosphorylation in the tumor cells reflected the inhibitor off-rate from the purified intracellular domain. The slow off-rate of GW572016 correlates with a prolonged down-regulation of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in tumor cells. The differences in the off-rates of these drugs and the ability of GW572016 to inhibit ErbB-2 can be explained by the enzyme-inhibitor structures.
Induction of Morphological and Biochemical Apoptosis following Prolonged Mitotic Blockage by Halichondrin B Macrocyclic Ketone Analog E7389
Authors: Kuznetsov Galina , Towle Murray J. , Cheng Hongsheng , Kawamura Takanori , TenDyke Karen , Liu Diana , Kishi Yoshito , Yu Melvin J. , Littlefield Bruce A.
Published: September 2005

E7389, a macrocyclic ketone analog of the marine natural product halichondrin B, currently is undergoing clinical trials for cancer. This fully synthetic agent exerts its highly potent in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects via tubulin-based antimitotic mechanisms, which are similar or identical to those of parental halichondrin B. In an attempt to understand the impressive potency of E7389 in animal models of human cancer, its ability to induce apoptosis following prolonged mitotic blockage was evaluated. Treatment of U937 human histiocytic lymphoma cells with E7389 led to time-dependent collection of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle, beginning as early as 2 h and becoming maximal by 12 h. Increased numbers of hypodiploid events were seen beginning at 12 h, suggesting initiation of apoptosis after prolonged E7389-induced mitotic blockage. The identity of hypodiploid events as apoptotic cells under these conditions was confirmed by two additional morphologic criteria: green to orange/yellow shifts on acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and cell surface annexin V binding as assessed by flow cytometry. Several biochemical correlates of apoptosis also were seen following E7389 treatment, including phosphorylation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -9, and cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In LNCaP human prostate cancer cells, treatment with E7389 also led to generation of hypodiploid cells, activation of caspase-3 and -9, and appearance of cleaved PARP, indicating that E7389 can activate cellular apoptosis pathways under anchorage-independent and -dependent cell culture conditions. These results show that prolonged mitotic blockage by E7389 can lead to apoptotic cell death of human cancer cells in vitro and can provide a mechanistic basis for the significant in vivo anticancer efficacy of E7389.
Haploid Inactivation of the Amplified-in-Breast Cancer 3 Coactivator Reduces the Inhibitory Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Retinoid X Receptor on Cell Proliferation and Accelerates Polyoma Middle-T Antigen-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis in Mice
Authors: Zhang Hao , Kuang Shao-Qing , Liao Lan , Zhou Suoling , Xu Jianming
Published: September 2005

The amplified-in-breast cancer 3 (AIB3) is a nuclear receptor coactivator amplified and overexpressed in human breast cancers. AIB3−/− mice die during gestation, whereas AIB3+/− mice exhibit normal development. Here, we demonstrate that AIB3 protein is mainly located in the nuclei of mammary epithelial cells and tumor cells and its levels are elevated in mammary epithelial cells at middle pregnant stage and in mammary tumor cells. To examine whether AIB3 reduction affects mammary tumorigenesis, we generated wild-type mouse mammary tumor virus/polyoma middle-T (WT/PyMT) and AIB3+/−/PyMT mice. Mammary tumor development in AIB3+/−/PyMT female and male mice was substantially accelerated compared with that in WT/PyMT mice, because of increased cell proliferation in early tumorigenic lesions, including ductal hyperplasia and mammary intraepithelial neoplasia. Tumor formation in nude mice that received premalignant AIB3+/−/PyMT mammary tissue was much faster than in nude mice that received transplants of premalignant WT/PyMT mammary tissue, which indicated that the accelerated tumorigenesis in AIB3+/−/PyMT mammary glands is due to a mammary epithelial autonomous defect. Expression of PyMT, estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor α-regulated genes was unaffected in AIB3+/−/PyMT mammary glands, which suggests that the acceleration of mammary tumor formation in AIB3+/−/PyMT mice was not a consequence of changes in PyMT expression or in estrogen receptor function. Importantly, the inhibitory effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and retinoid-X receptor (RXR) ligands on AIB3+/−/PyMT cell proliferation and the transcriptional function of PPARγ in AIB3+/−/PyMT cells were reduced. Thus, AIB3 haplodeficiency may facilitate PyMT-induced tumorigenesis through a partial impairment of PPARγ and RXR function. These results suggest that AIB3 may be a tumor suppressor that is required for the inhibition of cell proliferation by PPARγ and RXR.
Limited Capability of Regional Lymph Nodes to Eradicate Metastatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Nagata Hiroshi , Arai Tsunenori , Soejima Yusuke , Suzuki Hidekazu , Ishii Hiromasa , Hibi Toshifumi
Published: September 2005

The capacity of lymph nodes to eradicate cancer is a controversial issue. The purpose of this study was to determine the interplay between tumor growth and host resistance at early stages of lymph node metastasis. A metastasis model was made in the rat mesenteric lymph node, and migration of cancer cells was visualized in vivo. The lymph node was removed for histologic analysis and cytokine measurement. Migrant cancer cells were initially arrested in the marginal sinus. After an initial increase, the number of cancer cells in the marginal sinus declined until 48 hours after inoculation. Germinal centers and lymphoid cells in the medulla proliferated before 48 hours. ED3+ macrophages incorporated apoptotic cancer cells, but significant cancer proliferation occurred after 4 days. Lymph nodes depleted of macrophages were massively invaded by cancer cells. Tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the nodes transiently increased after 1 hour and 3 hours, respectively, and were expressed in ED3+ and ED2+ macrophages, respectively. These changes were followed by a transient increase in IL-2. Interferon-γ and IL-12 did not increase during the early stages of metastasis, but they decreased after 48 hours. In conclusion, the marginal sinus constitutes a mechanical barrier against cancer cell passage. Early pathological manifestations in the regional lymph node are consistent with those in cancer patients with improved survival. Parasinus macrophages play a role in the transient antimetastatic capability of the node, and cytokines secreted by these cells increased at the early stages of metastasis. Deterioration of cytokine induction may be responsible for subsequent cancer proliferation.
Protein Profiling of Microdissected Prostate Tissue Links Growth Differentiation Factor 15 to Prostate Carcinogenesis
Authors: Cheung Peter K. , Woolcock Bruce , Adomat Hans , Sutcliffe Margaret , Bainbridge Terry C. , Jones Edward C. , Webber Douglas , Kinahan Thomas , Sadar Marianne , Gleave Martin E. , Vielkind Juergen
Published: September 2005

Identification of proteomic alterations associated with early stages in the development of prostate cancer may facilitate understanding of progression of this highly variable disease. Matched normal, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (hPIN) and prostate cancer cells of predominantly Gleason grade 3 were procured by laser capture microdissection from serial sections obtained from snap-frozen samples dissected from 22 radical prostatectomy specimens. From these cells, protein profiles were generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. A 24-kDa peak was observed at low or high intensity in profiles of prostate cancer cells in 19 of 27 lesions and at low intensity in 3 of 8 hPIN lesions but was not detectable in matched normal cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of prostate cancer and matched normal epithelium confirmed expression of a prostate cancer-specific 24-kDa protein. Mass spectrometry and protein data-based analysis identified the protein as the dimeric form of mature growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). The increased expression of mature GDF15 protein in prostate cancer cells cannot be explained on the basis of up-regulation of GDF15 mRNA because reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed similar amounts of transcript in normal, hPIN, and prostate cancer cells that were obtained by laser capture microdissection in the same set of serial sections from which the protein profiles were obtained. Our findings suggest that early prostate carcinogenesis is associated with expression of mature GDF15 protein.
An Anti-Wnt-2 Monoclonal Antibody Induces Apoptosis in Malignant Melanoma Cells and Inhibits Tumor Growth
Authors: You Liang , He Biao , Xu Zhidong , Uematsu Kazutsugu , Mazieres Julien , Fujii Naoaki , Mikami Iwao , Reguart Noemi , McIntosh Joe K. , Kashani-Sabet Mohammed , McCormick Frank , Jablons David M.
Published: September 2005

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been associated with human cancers. To test whether Wnt-2 signal is a survival factor in human melanoma cells and thus represents a potential therapeutic target, we investigated the effects of inhibition of Wnt-2 signaling in human melanoma cell lines. We have developed a novel monoclonal antibody against the NH2 terminus of the human Wnt-2 ligand that induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells overexpressing Wnt-2. Whereas incubation of this antibody with normal cells lacking Wnt-2 expression does not induce apoptosis, Wnt-2 signaling blockade by the ligand-binding antibody is confirmed by down-regulation of Dishevelled and β-catenin. Wnt-2 small interfering RNA treatment in these cells yielded similar apoptotic effects and downstream changes. Down-regulation of an inhibitor of apoptosis family protein, survivin, was observed in both the Wnt-2 antibody-treated and small interfering RNA-treated melanoma cell lines, suggesting that the antibody induces apoptosis by inactivating survivin. In an in vivo study, this monoclonal anti-Wnt-2 antibody suppresses tumor growth in a xenograft model. These findings suggest that the anti-Wnt-2 monoclonal antibody may be useful for the treatment of patients with malignant melanoma.
Effective Gene-Viral Therapy for Telomerase-Positive Cancers by Selective Replicative-Competent Adenovirus Combining with Endostatin Gene
Authors: Zhang Qi , Nie Mingming , Sham Jonathan , Su Changqing , Xue Huibin , Chua Daniel , Wang Weiguo , Cui Zhenfu , Liu Yongjing , Liu Chen , Jiang Minghong , Fang Guoen , Liu Xinyuan , Wu Mengchao , Qian Qijun
Published: September 2005

Gene-viral therapy, which uses replication-selective transgene-expressing viruses to manage tumors, can exploit the virtues of gene therapy and virotherapy and overcome the limitations of conventional gene therapy. Using a human telomerase reverse transcriptase-targeted replicative adenovirus as an antiangiogenic gene transfer vector to target new angiogenesis and making use of its unrestrained proliferation are completely new concepts in tumor management. CNHK300-mE is a selective replication transgene-expressing adenovirus constructed to carry mouse endostatin gene therapeutically. Infection with CNHK300-mE was associated with selective replication of the adenovirus and production of mouse endostatin in telomerase-positive cancer cells. Endostatin secreted from a human gastric cell line, SGC-7901, infected with CNHK300-mE was significantly higher than that infected with nonreplicative adenovirus Ad-mE in vitro (800 ± 94.7 ng/ml versus 132.9 ± 9.9 ng/ml) and in vivo (610 ± 42 ng/ml versus 126 ± 13 ng/ml). Embryonic chorioallantoic membrane assay showed that the mouse endostatin secreted by CNHK300-mE inhibited angiogenesis efficiently and also induced distortion of pre-existing vasculature. CNHK300-mE exhibited a superior suppression of xenografts in nude mice compared with CNHK300 and Ad-mE. In summary, we provided a more efficient gene-viral therapy strategy by combining oncolysis with antiangiogenesis.
Aerosol Delivery of Glucosylated Polyethylenimine/Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue Deleted on Chromosome 10 Complex Suppresses Akt Downstream Pathways in the Lung of K-
ras
Null Mice
Authors: Kim Hyun Woo , Park In Kyu , Cho Chong Su , Lee Kee Ho , Beck George R. , Colburn Nancy H. , Cho Myung Haing
Published: September 2005

Difficulties in achieving long-term survival of lung cancer patients treated with conventional therapies suggest that novel approaches are required. Although several genes have been investigated for antitumor activities using gene delivery, problems surrounding the methods used such as efficiency, specificity, and toxicity hinder its application as an effective therapy. This has lead to the re-emergence of aerosol gene delivery as a noninvasive approach to lung cancer therapy. In this study, glucosylated conjugated polyethylenimine (glucosylated PEI) was used as carrier. After confirming the efficiency of glucosylated PEI carriers in lungs, the potential effects of the phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene on Akt downstream pathways were investigated. Aerosol containing glucosylated PEI and recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-PTEN complex was delivered into K-ras null lung cancer model mice through a nose-only inhalation system. Investigation of proteins in the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase/Akt signaling pathway in PTEN-delivered mouse lung revealed that the PTEN protein was highly expressed, whereas the protein levels of PDK1, total Akt1, phospho-(Thr-308)-Akt, phospho-(Ser-2448)-mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 were decreased to varying degrees. Additionally, the kinase activities of both Akt and mTOR were suppressed. Finally, apoptosis was detected in PTEN-delivered mouse lung by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated nick end labeling assay, suggesting that our aerosol PTEN delivery is capable of functionally altering cell phenotype in vivo. In summary, Western blot analysis, kinase assays, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated nick end labeling assays suggest that our aerosol gene delivery technique is compatible with in vivo gene delivery and can be applied as a noninvasive gene therapy.
High-Resolution Global Profiling of Genomic Alterations with Long Oligonucleotide Microarray
Authors: Brennan Cameron , Zhang Yunyu , Leo Christopher , Feng Bin , Cauwels Craig , Aguirre Andrew J. , Kim Minjung , Protopopov Alexei , Chin Lynda
Published: September 2005

Cancer represents the phenotypic end point of multiple genetic lesions that endow cells with a full range of biological properties required for tumorigenesis. Among the hallmark features of the cancer genome are recurrent regional gains and losses that, upon detailed characterization, have provided highly productive discovery paths for new oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In this study, we describe the use of an oligonucleotide-based microarray platform and development of requisite assay conditions and bioinformatic mining tools that permits high-resolution genome-wide array-comparative genome hybridization profiling of human and mouse tumors. Using a commercially available 60-mer oligonucleotide microarray, we demonstrate that this platform provides sufficient sensitivity to detect single-copy difference in gene dosage of full complexity genomic DNA while offering high resolution. The commercial availability of the microarrays and associated reagents, along with the technical protocols and analytical tools described in this report, should provide investigators with the immediate capacity to perform DNA analysis of normal and diseased genomes in a global and detailed manner.
Adenovirus-Mediated Expression of Antisense Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Antisense Cathepsin B Inhibits Tumor Growth, Invasion, and Angiogenesis in Gliomas
Authors: Gondi Christopher S. , Lakka Sajani S. , Yanamandra Niranjan , Olivero William C. , Dinh Dzung H. , Gujrati Meena , Tung C. H. , Weissleder Ralph , Rao Jasti S.
Published: September 2005

We have shown previously that urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and cathepsin B are overexpressed during glioma progression, particularly at the leading edge of the tumor. In the present study, we simultaneously down-regulated uPAR and cathepsin B in SNB19 glioma cell monolayer or SNB19 spheroids using an adenoviral vector carrying antisense uPAR and antisense cathepsin B and a combination of these genes as determined by Western blot analysis. The Ad-uPAR-Cath B-infected cells revealed a marked reduction in tumor growth and invasiveness as compared with the parental and vector controls. In vitro and in vivo angiogenic assays demonstrated inhibition of capillary-like structure formation and microvessel formation after Ad-uPAR-Cath B infection of SNB19 cells when compared with Ad-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected or mock-infected controls. Furthermore, using a near infrared fluorescence probe, in vivo imaging for cathepsin B indicated low/undetectable levels of fluorescence after injection of the Ad-uPAR-Cath B construct into pre-established s.c. tumors as compared with Ad-CMV-treated and untreated tumors. The effect with bicistronic construct (Ad-uPAR-Cath B) was much higher than with single (Ad-uPAR/Ad-Cath B) constructs. These results indicate that the down-regulation of cathepsin B and uPAR plays a significant role in inhibiting tumor growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. Hence, the targeting of these two proteases may be a potential therapy for brain tumors and other cancers.
α-Type-1 Polarized Dendritic Cells
Authors: Mailliard Robbie B. , Wankowicz-Kalinska Anna , Cai Quan , Wesa Amy , Hilkens Catharien M. , Kapsenberg Martien L. , Kirkwood John M. , Storkus Walter J. , Kalinski Pawel
Published: September 2005

Using the principle of functional polarization of dendritic cells (DCs), we have developed a novel protocol to generate human DCs combining the three features critical for the induction of type-1 immunity: (a) fully mature status; (b) responsiveness to secondary lymphoid organ chemokines; and (c) high interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70)-producing ability. We show that IFN-α and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (p-I:C) synergize with the “classical” type-1-polarizing cytokine cocktail [tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)/IL-1β/IFNγ], allowing for serum-free generation of fully mature type-1-polarized DCs (DC1). Such “α-type-1-polarized DC(s)” (αDC1) show high migratory responses to the CCR7 ligand, 6C-kine but produce much higher levels of IL-12p70 as compared to TNFα/IL-1β/IL-6/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-matured DCs (sDC), the current “gold standard” in DC-based cancer vaccination. A single round of in vitro sensitization with αDC1 (versus sDCs) induces up to 40-fold higher numbers of long-lived CTLs against melanoma-associated antigens: MART-1, gp100, and tyrosinase. Serum-free generation of αDC1 allows, for the first time, the clinical application of DCs that combine the key three features important for their efficacy as anticancer vaccines.