Autophagy Regulation of the Tumor Immunity – An Old Machinery for a New Function

Cancer was initially thought to be just a disease of cells with deregulated gene expression. It may be more accurate to consider cancer as a disease of the microenvironment. Despite the remarkable and fairly rapid progress over the past two decades regarding the role of the microenvironment in cancer biology and treatment, our understanding of its actual contribution to cancer resistance is still poor and fragmented. Nevertheless, the microenvironment is now considered to be of critical importance during the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis since it is involved in shaping and remodeling stroma reactivity and in reprogramming phenotypic and functional plasticity. Therefore, the tumor microenvironment represents an important hallmark of cancer, and the challenge now is to better understand how the tumor microenvironment participates in the emergence of immune-resistant tumor cell variants, which appears to be the greatest impediment to successful immunotherapy. In this context, autophagy has recently emerged as a new player in regulating the antitumor immune response under hostile tumor microenvironment. In this review, we will summarize recent data describing how autophagy activation under hypoxic stress impairs the antitumor immune response. In addition, we will discuss how tumor manages to hide from the immune attack and either mounts a “counterattack” or develops resistance to immune cells. In particular, we will focus on the effect of hypoxia-induced autophagy in allowing tumor cells to outmaneuver an effective immune response and escape from immunosurveillance. It is our belief that autophagy may represent a conceptual realm for new immunotherapeutic strategies aiming to block immune escape and therefore providing rational approach to future tumor immunotherapy design

Hypoxia-induced Autophagy Drives Colorectal Cancer Initiation and Progression by Activating the PRKC/PKC-EZR (Ezrin) Pathway

In solid tumors, cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are often found in hypoxic niches. Nevertheless, the influence of hypoxia on TICs is poorly understood. Using previously established, TIC-enriched patient-derived colorectal cancer (CRC) cultures, we show that hypoxia increases the self-renewal capacity of TICs while inducing proliferation arrest in their more differentiated counterpart cultures. Gene expression data revealed macroautophagy/autophagy as one of the major pathways induced by hypoxia in TICs. Interestingly, hypoxia-induced autophagy was found to induce phosphorylation of EZR (ezrin) at Thr567 residue, which could be reversed by knocking down ATG5, BNIP3, BNIP3L, or BECN1. Furthermore, we identified PRKCA/PKCα as a potential kinase involved in hypoxia-induced autophagy-mediated TIC self-renewal. Genetic targeting of autophagy or pharmacological inhibition of PRKC/PKC and EZR resulted in decreased tumor-initiating potential of TICs. In addition, we observed significantly reduced in vivo tumor initiation and growth after a stable knockdown of ATG5. Analysis of human CRC samples showed that p-EZR is often present in TICs located in the hypoxic and autophagic regions of the tumor. Altogether, our results establish the hypoxia-autophagy-PKC-EZR signaling axis as a novel regulatory mechanism of TIC self-renewal and CRC progression. Autophagy inhibition might thus represent a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer patients

Formate overflow drives toxic folate trapping in MTHFD1 inhibited cancer cells

Cancer cells fuel their increased need for nucleotide supply by upregulating one-carbon (1C) metabolism, including the enzymes methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase 1 and 2 (MTHFD1 and MTHFD2). TH9619 is a potent inhibitor of dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities in both MTHFD1 and MTHFD2, and selectively kills cancer cells. Here, we reveal that, in cells, TH9619 targets nuclear MTHFD2 but does not inhibit mitochondrial MTHFD2. Hence, overflow of formate from mitochondria continues in the presence of TH9619. TH9619 inhibits the activity of MTHFD1 occurring downstream of mitochondrial formate release, leading to the accumulation of 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, which we term a 'folate trap'. This results in thymidylate depletion and death of MTHFD2-expressing cancer cells. This previously uncharacterized folate trapping mechanism is exacerbated by physiological hypoxanthine levels that block the de novo purine synthesis pathway, and additionally prevent 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate consumption for purine synthesis. The folate trapping mechanism described here for TH9619 differs from other MTHFD1/2 inhibitors and antifolates. Thus, our findings uncover an approach to attack cancer and reveal a regulatory mechanism in 1C metabolism.In this study, Green, Marttila, Kiweler et al. characterize one-carbon metabolism rewiring in response to a dual MTHFD1 and MTHFD2 inhibitor. This work provides insight into one-carbon fluxes, and reveals a previously uncharacterized vulnerability in cancer cells created by folate trapping

Evaluation biologique de l'inhibition des phosphatases CDC25 dans des lignées d'adenocarcinomes mammaires humains

The CDC25 phosphatases are important regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression and play a crucial role in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) by dephosphorylation. CDC25s are attractive targets in cancer therapy because their over-expression was reported in various types of human malignancies, including breast cancer, and this has been correlated with either poor prognosis or tumor aggressiveness.Our study aims to evaluate the CDC25s as interesting targets in breast cancer treatment. This study reports the inhibitory activity of two tetrasulfides : diallyl- (DAS4) and dipropyl- (DPS4) tetrasulfides naturally occurring in garlic and onion, towards the human cell division cycle (CDC) 25 phosphatases. Both compounds have emerged as interesting irreversible inhibitors of the CDC25 isoforms A and C in vitro.Then, we have investigated the anticancer properties of DAS4 et DPS4 on both sensitive (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and resistant (Vcr-R) human breast carcinoma cell lines. Experiments performed on cultured cells have showed that growth of both sensitive and resistant cells was significantly decreased by these tetrasulfides and appeared to be associated with a G2/M cell cycle arrest. In addition, our results also suggested that DAS4 and DPS4 induce apoptotis in MCF-7 cells without affecting reactive oxygen species production. Analysis of mechanisms implicated in apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cells after treatment with DAS4 et DPS4 have suggested the involvement of the Bcl-2 family members. Taken together, these results suggest phosphatases CDC25A and C as possible targets of naturally occuring polysulfides contributing to their anticancer properties.Les phosphatases CDC25 sont des enzymes clés qui interviennent dans la progression du cycle cellulaire en régulant l?activité des kinases dépendantes des cyclines (Cdk) par déphosphorylation. Ces phosphatases sont des cibles thérapeutiques intéressantes car leur surexpression, notamment dans le cancer du sein, a pu être corrélée au développement de résistance à certains agents anticancéreux ainsi qu?à un mauvais pronostic.Ce projet vise à évaluer le système des phosphatases CDC25 en tant que cibles intéressantes dans le traitement du cancer du sein.Lors de cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à deux composés organosoufrés naturellement présents dans l?ail et l?oignon, les diallyl- (DAS4) et dipropyl- (DPS4) tétrasulfures. Nous avons montré que ces composés étaient capables d?inhiber, de manière irréversible, les phosphatases CDC25A et C in vitro. Le potentiel anticancéreux des composés DAS4 et DPS4 a été confirmé sur des cellules d?adénocarcinome mammaire humain : MCF-7 et MDA-MB-231 (lignées sensibles) et Vcr-R (lignée résistante). Leur croissance est apparue significativement altérée par ces deux composés qui a pu être associée à un blocage du cycle cellulaire en phase G2/M. Par ailleurs, nos résultats ont également suggéré l?existence d?une activité pro-apoptotique des composés DAS4 et DPS4 qui est indépendante de la production d?espèces réactives oxygénées. L?étude de l?induction de l?apoptose dans le cas des cellules MCF-7 a révélé l?implication des protéines de la famille Bcl-2.Ces résultats suggèrent que l?inhibition des phosphatases CDC25A et C serait un des mécanismes qui contribuerait à l?activité anticancéreuse des composés organosoufrés

Biological evaluation of the inhibition of the CDC25 'cell division cycle) phosphatases in human breast cancer cells

Les phosphatases CDC25 sont des enzymes clés qui interviennent dans la progression du cycle cellulaire en régulant l’activité des kinases dépendantes des cyclines (Cdk) par déphosphorylation. Ces phosphatases sont des cibles thérapeutiques intéressantes car leur surexpression, notamment dans le cancer du sein, a pu être corrélée au développement de résistance à certains agents anticancéreux ainsi qu’à un mauvais pronostic.Ce projet vise à évaluer le système des phosphatases CDC25 en tant que cibles intéressantes dans le traitement du cancer du sein.Lors de cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à deux composés organosoufrés naturellement présents dans l’ail et l’oignon, les diallyl- (DAS4) et dipropyl- (DPS4) tétrasulfures. Nous avons montré que ces composés étaient capables d’inhiber, de manière irréversible, les phosphatases CDC25A et C in vitro. Le potentiel anticancéreux des composés DAS4 et DPS4 a été confirmé sur des cellules d’adénocarcinome mammaire humain : MCF-7 et MDA-MB-231 (lignées sensibles) et Vcr-R (lignée résistante). Leur croissance est apparue significativement altérée par ces deux composés qui a pu être associée à un blocage du cycle cellulaire en phase G2/M. Par ailleurs, nos résultats ont également suggéré l’existence d’une activité pro-apoptotique des composés DAS4 et DPS4 qui est indépendante de la production d’espèces réactives oxygénées. L’étude de l’induction de l’apoptose dans le cas des cellules MCF-7 a révélé l’implication des protéines de la famille Bcl-2.Ces résultats suggèrent que l’inhibition des phosphatases CDC25A et C serait un des mécanismes qui contribuerait à l’activité anticancéreuse des composés organosoufrés.The CDC25 phosphatases are important regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression and play a crucial role in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) by dephosphorylation. CDC25s are attractive targets in cancer therapy because their over-expression was reported in various types of human malignancies, including breast cancer, and this has been correlated with either poor prognosis or tumor aggressiveness.Our study aims to evaluate the CDC25s as interesting targets in breast cancer treatment. This study reports the inhibitory activity of two tetrasulfides : diallyl- (DAS4) and dipropyl- (DPS4) tetrasulfides naturally occurring in garlic and onion, towards the human cell division cycle (CDC) 25 phosphatases. Both compounds have emerged as interesting irreversible inhibitors of the CDC25 isoforms A and C in vitro.Then, we have investigated the anticancer properties of DAS4 et DPS4 on both sensitive (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and resistant (Vcr-R) human breast carcinoma cell lines. Experiments performed on cultured cells have showed that growth of both sensitive and resistant cells was significantly decreased by these tetrasulfides and appeared to be associated with a G2/M cell cycle arrest. In addition, our results also suggested that DAS4 and DPS4 induce apoptotis in MCF-7 cells without affecting reactive oxygen species production. Analysis of mechanisms implicated in apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cells after treatment with DAS4 et DPS4 have suggested the involvement of the Bcl-2 family members. Taken together, these results suggest phosphatases CDC25A and C as possible targets of naturally occuring polysulfides contributing to their anticancer properties

Evaluation biologique de l'inhibition des phosphatases CDC25 dans des lignées d'adenocarcinomes mammaires humains

Les phosphatases CDC25 sont des enzymes clés qui interviennent dans la progression du cycle cellulaire en régulant l activité des kinases dépendantes des cyclines (Cdk) par déphosphorylation. Ces phosphatases sont des cibles thérapeutiques intéressantes car leur surexpression, notamment dans le cancer du sein, a pu être corrélée au développement de résistance à certains agents anticancéreux ainsi qu à un mauvais pronostic.Ce projet vise à évaluer le système des phosphatases CDC25 en tant que cibles intéressantes dans le traitement du cancer du sein.Lors de cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à deux composés organosoufrés naturellement présents dans l ail et l oignon, les diallyl- (DAS4) et dipropyl- (DPS4) tétrasulfures. Nous avons montré que ces composés étaient capables d inhiber, de manière irréversible, les phosphatases CDC25A et C in vitro. Le potentiel anticancéreux des composés DAS4 et DPS4 a été confirmé sur des cellules d adénocarcinome mammaire humain : MCF-7 et MDA-MB-231 (lignées sensibles) et Vcr-R (lignée résistante). Leur croissance est apparue significativement altérée par ces deux composés qui a pu être associée à un blocage du cycle cellulaire en phase G2/M. Par ailleurs, nos résultats ont également suggéré l existence d une activité pro-apoptotique des composés DAS4 et DPS4 qui est indépendante de la production d espèces réactives oxygénées. L étude de l induction de l apoptose dans le cas des cellules MCF-7 a révélé l implication des protéines de la famille Bcl-2.Ces résultats suggèrent que l inhibition des phosphatases CDC25A et C serait un des mécanismes qui contribuerait à l activité anticancéreuse des composés organosoufrés.The CDC25 phosphatases are important regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression and play a crucial role in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) by dephosphorylation. CDC25s are attractive targets in cancer therapy because their over-expression was reported in various types of human malignancies, including breast cancer, and this has been correlated with either poor prognosis or tumor aggressiveness.Our study aims to evaluate the CDC25s as interesting targets in breast cancer treatment. This study reports the inhibitory activity of two tetrasulfides : diallyl- (DAS4) and dipropyl- (DPS4) tetrasulfides naturally occurring in garlic and onion, towards the human cell division cycle (CDC) 25 phosphatases. Both compounds have emerged as interesting irreversible inhibitors of the CDC25 isoforms A and C in vitro.Then, we have investigated the anticancer properties of DAS4 et DPS4 on both sensitive (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and resistant (Vcr-R) human breast carcinoma cell lines. Experiments performed on cultured cells have showed that growth of both sensitive and resistant cells was significantly decreased by these tetrasulfides and appeared to be associated with a G2/M cell cycle arrest. In addition, our results also suggested that DAS4 and DPS4 induce apoptotis in MCF-7 cells without affecting reactive oxygen species production. Analysis of mechanisms implicated in apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cells after treatment with DAS4 et DPS4 have suggested the involvement of the Bcl-2 family members. Taken together, these results suggest phosphatases CDC25A and C as possible targets of naturally occuring polysulfides contributing to their anticancer properties.METZ-SCD (574632105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel coumarin-based inhibitors of Cdc25 phosphatases

The cell division cycle 25 (Cdc25) family of proteins are dual specificity phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes, which in turn regulate progression through the cell division cycle. Overexpression of Cdc25 proteins has been reported in a wide variety of cancers; their inhibition may thus represent a novel approach for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Herein we report new coumarin-based scaffolds endowed with a selective inhibition against Cdc25A and Cdc25C, being 6a and 6d the most efficient inhibitors and worthy of further investigation as anticancer agents. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Chapter Naturally Occurring Organic Sulfur Compounds: An Example of a Multitasking Class of Phytochemicals in Anti-Cancer Research

Renal medicine & nephrolog