Deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor chaperone FKBP51 prevents glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy

FKBP51 (FK506-binding protein 51) is a known co-chaperone and regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which usually attenuates its activity. FKBP51 is one of the major GR target genes in skin, but its role in clinical effects of glucocorticoids is not known. Here, we used FKBP51 knockout (KO) mice to determine FKBP51's role in the major adverse effect of topical glucocorticoids, skin atrophy. Unexpectedly, we found that all skin compartments (epidermis, dermis, dermal adipose and CD34+ stem cells) in FKBP51 KO animals were much more resistant to glucocorticoid-induced hypoplasia. Furthermore, despite the absence of inhibitory FKBP51, the basal level of expression and glucocorticoid activation of GR target genes were not increased in FKBP51 KO skin or CRISPR/Cas9-edited FKBP51 KO HaCaT human keratinocytes. FKBP51 is known to negatively regulate Akt and mTOR. We found a significant increase in AktSer473 and mTORSer2448 phosphorylation and downstream pro-growth signaling in FKBP51-deficient keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro. As Akt/mTOR-GR crosstalk is usually negative in skin, our results suggest that Akt/mTOR activation could be responsible for the lack of increased GR function and resistance of FKBP51 KO mice to the steroid-induced skin atrophy

Androgen receptor targets NFKB and TSPI to suppress prostate tumor growth in vivo

The androgen role in the maintenance of prostate epithelium is subject to conflicting opinions. While androgen ablation drives the regression of normal and cancerous prostate, testosterone may cause both proliferation and apoptosis. Several investigators note decreased proliferation and stronger response to chemotherapy of the prostate cancer cells stably expressing androgen receptor (AR), however no mechanistic explanation was offered. In this paper we demonstrate in vivo anti-tumor effect of the AR on prostate cancer growth and identify its molecular mediators. We analyzed the effect of AR on the tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. Unexpectedly, the AR-expressing cells formed tumors in male mice at a much lower rate than the AR-negative controls. Moreover, the AR-expressing tumors showed decreased vascularity and massive apoptosis. AR expression lowered the angiogenic potential of cancer cells, by increasing secretion of an anti-angiogenic protein, thrombospondin-1. AR activation caused a decrease in RelA, a subunit of the pro-survival transcription factor NF kappa B, reduced its nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. This, in turn, diminished the expression of its anti-apoptotic targets, Bcl-2 and IL-6. Increased apoptosis within AR-expressing tumors was likely due to the NF kappa B suppression, since it was restricted to the cells lacking nuclear (active) NF kappa B. Thus we for the first time identified combined decrease of NF kappa B and increased TSP1 as molecular events underlying the AR anti-tumor activity in vivo. Our data indicate that intermittent androgen ablation is preferable to continuous withdrawal, a standard treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. (C) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.The androgen role in the maintenance of prostate epithelium is subject to conflicting opinions. While androgen ablation drives the regression of normal and cancerous prostate, testosterone may cause both proliferation and apoptosis. Several investigators note decreased proliferation and stronger response to chemotherapy of the prostate cancer cells stably expressing androgen receptor (AR), however no mechanistic explanation was offered. In this paper we demonstrate in vivo anti-tumor effect of the AR on prostate cancer growth and identify its molecular mediators. We analyzed the effect of AR on the tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. Unexpectedly, the AR-expressing cells formed tumors in male mice at a much lower rate than the AR-negative controls. Moreover, the AR-expressing tumors showed decreased vascularity and massive apoptosis. AR expression lowered the angiogenic potential of cancer cells, by increasing secretion of an anti-angiogenic protein, thrombospondin-1. AR activation caused a decrease in RelA, a subunit of the pro-survival transcription factor NF kappa B, reduced its nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. This, in turn, diminished the expression of its anti-apoptotic targets, Bcl-2 and IL-6. Increased apoptosis within AR-expressing tumors was likely due to the NF kappa B suppression, since it was restricted to the cells lacking nuclear (active) NF kappa B. Thus we for the first time identified combined decrease of NF kappa B and increased TSP1 as molecular events underlying the AR anti-tumor activity in vivo. Our data indicate that intermittent androgen ablation is preferable to continuous withdrawal, a standard treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. (C) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc

ИНГИБИРОВАНИЕ ЭКСПРЕССИИ ГЕНА REDD1 ДЛЯ СНИЖЕНИЯ ПОБОЧНЫХ ЭФФЕКТОВ ГЛЮКОКОРТИКОИДОВ

Glucocorticoids (GC ) have been an integral component of the treatment of leukemias and lymphomas for several decades. Specific cytotoxic effect of GC on transformed lymphoblasts mediates their use at the stage of the remission induction as well as consolidation of treatment. However, the main problem of the long-term GC use is the development of atrophic and metabolic side effects as well as GC resistance. The biological effects of GC are realized via activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) by two mechanisms: transrepression (TR) associated with the therapeutic effects of GC , and transactivation (TA ), which mediates the development of metabolic and atrophic complications. It was demonstrated that an increase in the expression of the GC - dependent gene REDD1 associated with GC -induced skin, muscle and bone atrophy of the skin, muscle and bone tissue was realized via the induction of transactivation. Therefore, identification of potential inhibitors of REDD1 expression and study of their biological effects in combination with GC in models of leukemia and lymphoma is of particular interest. In our recent study we have selected a number of drugs from the class of PI 3K/Akt/mTO R modulators using bioinformatic screening. These drugs effectively inhibited REDD1 expression, modulated GR activity and shifted it towards transrepression, and prevented the development of GC -induced side effects in mice. Here we aimed to study the effects of potential inhibitors of REDD1 expression from different pharmacological groups, the compounds Emetine and CGP -60474, on leukemia and lymphoma cells in combination with GC . We demonstrated antitumor effect of the compounds in vitro, a decrease in the expression of TA -associated genes and an increase in TR induction. Further studies of the antitumor effects of REDD1 expression inhibitors (Emetine and CGP -60474 is a promising area of research.Глюкокортикоиды (GC ) являются неотъемлемым компонентом терапии лейкозов и лимфом на протяжении нескольких десятков лет. Их специфическое цитотоксическое действие на трансформированные лимфобласты обусловливает применение данных препаратов как при индукции ремиссии, так и в ходе дальнейшего лечения. Однако одной из проблем, осложняющих длительное применение GC , является развитие атрофических и метаболических побочных эффектов, а также резистентности. Биологические эффекты GC реализуются посредством активации глюкокортикоидного рецептора (GR) по двум механизмам: трансрепрессии (TR), обусловливающей терапевтическое действие GC , и трансактивации (TA ), опосредующей развитие побочных эффектов. В частности, с индукцией трансактивации связано увеличение экспрессии GC -зависимого гена REDD1, ассоциированного с GC -индуцированной атрофией кожного покрова, мышечной и костной ткани. В связи с этим актуальным является поиск потенциальных ингибиторов экспрессии REDD1 и изучение их эффектов в комбинации с GC на моделях лейкозов и лимфом. Ранее нами с помощью биоинформатического анализа был отобран ряд препаратов класса модуляторов сигнального пути PI 3K/Akt/mTO R. Данные лекарственные средства оказались эффективными ингибиторами экспрессии гена REDD1, модулировали активность GR, усиливая трансрепрессию, а также предотвращали развитие GC -индуцированных побочных эффектов у мышей. В представленной работе изучены эффекты потенциальных ингибиторов экспрессии REDD1, соединений других фармакологических групп, эметина и CGP -60474 на клетки лейкозов и лимфом совместно с GC . Было отмечено противоопухолевое действие соединений in vitro, снижение экспрессии генов, ассоциированных с TA , и усиление TR. В связи с этим дальнейшее изучение противоопухолевых эффектов ингибиторов экспрессии REDD1 эметина и CGP -60474 является перспективным направлением исследований

PAR1-mediated NFΚB activation promotes survival of prostate cancer cells through a Bcl-xL-dependent mechanism

We have previously reported that protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1 or thrombin receptor) is over-expressed in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines compared to prostate epithelial cells. In this study, we examined 1,074 prostate biopsies by tissue microarray analysis and demonstrated that PAR1 expression is significantly increased in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate epithelial cells and benign prostatic hyperplasia. We hypothesized that PAR1 activation contributed to prostate cancer cell progression. We demonstrated that stimulation of PAR1 by thrombin or thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP6), in androgen-independent DU145 and PC-3 cells resulted in increased DNA binding activity of the NFΚB p65 subunit. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were also elevated in conditioned media by at least two-fold within 4–6 h of PAR1 activation. This induction of cytokine production was abrogated by pretreatment of cells with the NFΚB inhibitor caffeic acid phorbol ester. The p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling cascades were also activated by PAR1 stimulation, whereas the SAPK/JNK pathway was unaffected. Inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 by SB-203589 and PD-098059, respectively, did not abrogate NFΚB activity, suggesting an independent induction of NFΚB by PAR1 stimulation. Furthermore, TUNEL assay showed that activation of PAR1 attenuated docetaxel induced apoptosis through the upregulation of the Bcl-2 family protein Bcl-xL. Akt activation was not observed, suggesting that drug resistance induced by PAR1 was independent of PI3K signaling pathway. Because thrombin and PAR1 are over-expressed in prostate cancer patients, targeting the inhibition of their interaction may attenuate NFΚB signaling transduction resulting in decreased drug resistance and subsequent survival of prostate cancer cells. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48764/1/20533_ftp.pd

Androgen Receptor Drives Cellular Senescence

The accepted androgen receptor (AR) role is to promote proliferation and survival of prostate epithelium and thus prostate cancer progression. While growth-inhibitory, tumor-suppressive AR effects have also been documented, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we for the first time link AR anti-cancer action with cell senescence in vitro and in vivo. First, AR-driven senescence was p53-independent. Instead, AR induced p21, which subsequently reduced ΔN isoform of p63. Second, AR activation increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby suppressed Rb phosphorylation. Both pathways were critical for senescence as was proven by p21 and Rb knock-down and by quenching ROS with N-Acetyl cysteine and p63 silencing also mimicked AR-induced senescence. The two pathways engaged in a cross-talk, likely via PML tumor suppressor, whose localization to senescence-associated chromatin foci was increased by AR activation. All these pathways contributed to growth arrest, which resolved in senescence due to concomitant lack of p53 and high mTOR activity. This is the first demonstration of senescence response caused by a nuclear hormone receptor