Sustained IL-6/STAT-3 signaling in cholangiocarcinoma cells due to SOCS-3 epigenetic silencing.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6)-mediated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT-3) phosphorylation (activation) is aberrantly sustained in cholangiocarcinoma cells resulting in enhanced myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) expression and resistance to apoptosis. Because suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS) controls the IL-6/STAT-3 signaling pathway by a classic feedback loop, the aims of this study were to examine SOCS-3 regulation in human cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: SOCS-3 expression was assessed in human cholangiocarcinoma tissue and the Mz-ChA-1 and CCLP1 human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. RESULTS: An inverse correlation was observed between phospho-STAT-3 and SOCS-3 protein expression in cholangiocarcinoma. In those cancers failing to express SOCS-3, extensive methylation of the SOCS-3 promoter was demonstrated in tumor but not in paired nontumor tissue. Likewise, methylation of the socs-3 promoter was also identified in 2 cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Treatment with a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2\u27-deoxycytidine (DAC), restored IL-6 induction of SOCS-3, terminated the phospho-STAT-3 response, and reduced cellular levels of Mcl-1. Enforced expression of SOCS-3 also reduced IL-6 induction of phospho-STAT-3 and Mcl-1. Either DAC treatment or enforced SOCS-3 expression sensitized the cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: SOCS-3 epigenetic silencing is responsible for sustained IL-6/STAT-3 signaling and enhanced Mcl-1 expression in cholangiocarcinoma

Transcriptional suppression of mir-29b-1/mir-29a promoter by c-Myc, hedgehog, and NF-kappaB.

MicroRNAs regulate pathways contributing to oncogenesis, and thus the mechanisms causing dysregulation of microRNA expression in cancer are of significant interest. Mature mir-29b levels are decreased in malignant cells, and this alteration promotes the malignant phenotype, including apoptosis resistance. However, the mechanism responsible for mir-29b suppression is unknown. Here, we examined mir-29 expression from chromosome 7q32 using cholangiocarcinoma cells as a model for mir-29b downregulation. Using 5\u27 rapid amplification of cDNA ends, the transcriptional start site was identified for this microRNA locus. Computational analysis revealed the presence of two putative E-box (Myc-binding) sites, a Gli-binding site, and four NF-kappaB-binding sites in the region flanking the transcriptional start site. Promoter activity in cholangiocarcinoma cells was repressed by transfection with c-Myc, consistent with reports in other cell types. Treatment with the hedgehog inhibitor cyclopamine, which blocks smoothened signaling, increased the activity of the promoter and expression of mature mir-29b. Mutagenesis analysis and gel shift data are consistent with a direct binding of Gli to the mir-29 promoter. Finally, activation of NF-kappaB signaling, via ligation of Toll-like receptors, also repressed mir-29b expression and promoter function. Of note, activation of hedgehog, Toll-like receptor, and c-Myc signaling protected cholangiocytes from TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Thus, in addition to c-Myc, mir-29 expression can be suppressed by hedgehog signaling and inflammatory pathways, both commonly activated in the genesis of human malignancies

miR-25 targets TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptor-4 and promotes apoptosis resistance in cholangiocarcinoma.

It has been established that microRNA expression and function contribute to phenotypic features of malignant cells, including resistance to apoptosis. Although targets and functional roles for a number of microRNAs have been described in cholangiocarcinoma, many additional microRNAs dysregulated in this tumor have not been assigned functional roles. In this study, we identify elevated miR-25 expression in malignant cholangiocarcinoma cell lines as well as patient samples. In cultured cells, treatment with the Smoothened inhibitor, cyclopamine, reduced miR-25 expression, suggesting Hedgehog signaling stimulates miR-25 production. Functionally, miR-25 was shown to protect cells against TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. Correspondingly, antagonism of miR-25 in culture sensitized cells to apoptotic death. Computational analysis identified the TRAIL Death Receptor-4 (DR4) as a potential novel miR-25 target, and this prediction was confirmed by immunoblot, cell staining, and reporter assays. CONCLUSION: These data implicate elevated miR-25 levels in the control of tumor cell apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma. The identification of the novel miR-25 target DR4 provides a mechanism by which miR-25 contributes to evasion of TRAIL-induced cholangiocarcinoma apoptosis

Overexpression of mcl-1 attenuates liver injury and fibrosis in the bile duct-ligated mouse.

Hepatocyte apoptosis contributes to liver injury and fibrosis after cholestatic injury. Our aim was to ascertain if the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 alters liver injury or fibrosis in the bile duct-ligated mouse. Markers of apoptosis and fibrosis were compared in wild-type and transgenic mice expressing human Mcl-1 after bile duct ligation. Compared to hMcl-1 transgenic animals, ligated wild-type mice displayed a significant increase in TUNEL-positive cells and in caspase 3/7-positive hepatocytes. Consistent with apoptotic injury, the pro-apoptotic protein Bak underwent a conformational change to an activated form upon cholestatic injury, a change mitigated by hMcl-1 overexpression. Likewise, liver histology, number of bile infarcts, serum ALT values, markers of hepatic fibrosis, and animal survival were improved in bile duct-ligated mice transgenic for hMcl-1 as compared to wild-type mice. In conclusion, increased Mcl-1 expression plays a role in hepatoprotection upon cholestatic liver injury

TRAIL mediates liver injury by the innate immune system in the bile duct-ligated mouse.

The contribution of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a death ligand expressed by cells of the innate immune system, to cholestatic liver injury has not been explored. Our aim was to ascertain if TRAIL contributes to liver injury in the bile duct-ligated (BDL) mouse. C57/BL6 wild-type (wt), TRAIL heterozygote (TRAIL(+/-)), and TRAIL knockout (TRAIL(-/-)) mice were used for these studies. Liver injury and fibrosis were examined 7 and 14 days after BDL, respectively. Hepatic TRAIL messenger RNA (mRNA) was 6-fold greater in BDL animals versus sham-operated wt animals (P \u3c 0.01). The increased hepatic TRAIL expression was accompanied by an increase in liver accumulation of natural killer 1.1 (NK 1.1)-positive NK and natural killer T (NKT) cells, the predominant cell types expressing TRAIL. Depletion of NK 1.1-positive cells reduced hepatic TRAIL mRNA expression and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. Consistent with a role for NK/NKT cells in this model of liver injury, stress ligands necessary for their recognition of target cells were also up-regulated in hepatocytes following BDL. Compared to sham-operated wt mice, BDL mice displayed a 13-fold increase in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and an 11-fold increase in caspase 3/7-positive hepatocytes (P \u3c 0.01). The number of TUNEL and caspase 3/7-positive cells was reduced by \u3e80% in BDL TRAIL knockout animals (P \u3c 0.05). Likewise, liver histology, number of bile infarcts, serum ALT values, hepatic fibrosis, and animal survival were also improved in BDL TRAIL(-/-) animals as compared to wt animals. Conclusion: These observations support a pivotal role for TRAIL in cholestatic liver injury mediated by NK 1.1-positive NK/NKT cells

A smac mimetic reduces TNF related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced invasion and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma cells.

UNLABELLED: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells paradoxically express tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a death ligand that, failing to kill CCA cells, instead promotes their tumorigenicity and especially the metastatic behaviors of cell migration and invasion. Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (smac) mimetics are promising cancer therapeutic agents that enhance proapoptotic death receptor signaling by causing cellular degradation of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins. Our aim was to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of the smac mimetic JP1584 in CCA. Despite JP1584-mediated loss of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis-1 (cIAP-1) and cIAP-2, TRAIL failed to induce apoptosis in KMCH-1, TFK-1, and BDEneu CCA cells; a finding consistent with a downstream block in death signaling. Because cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 also promote nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation by the canonical pathway, the effect of JP1584 on this signaling pathway was examined. Treatment with JP1584 inhibited TRAIL-induced NF-kappaB activation as well as TRAIL-mediated up-regulation of the NF-kappaB target gene, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7). JP1584 also reduced TRAIL-mediated CCA cell migration and invasion in vitro. Finally, in a syngeneic rat orthotopic CCA model, JP1584 administration reduced MMP7 messenger RNA levels and extrahepatic metastases. CONCLUSION: : Although the smac mimetic JP1584 does not sensitize cells to apoptosis, it reduces TRAIL-induced CCA cell metastatic behavior. These data support the emerging concept that IAPs are prometastatic and represent targets for antimetastatic therapies

Применение метода LSA-алгоритма для осуществления интеллектуального поиска комплекса упражнений развития компетенций

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6)-mediated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT-3) phosphorylation (activation) is aberrantly sustained in cholangiocarcinoma cells resulting in enhanced myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) expression and resistance to apoptosis. Because suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS) controls the IL-6/STAT-3 signaling pathway by a classic feedback loop, the aims of this study were to examine SOCS-3 regulation in human cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: SOCS-3 expression was assessed in human cholangiocarcinoma tissue and the Mz-ChA-1 and CCLP1 human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. RESULTS: An inverse correlation was observed between phospho-STAT-3 and SOCS-3 protein expression in cholangiocarcinoma. In those cancers failing to express SOCS-3, extensive methylation of the SOCS-3 promoter was demonstrated in tumor but not in paired nontumor tissue. Likewise, methylation of the socs-3 promoter was also identified in 2 cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Treatment with a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC), restored IL-6 induction of SOCS-3, terminated the phospho-STAT-3 response, and reduced cellular levels of Mcl-1. Enforced expression of SOCS-3 also reduced IL-6 induction of phospho-STAT-3 and Mcl-1. Either DAC treatment or enforced SOCS-3 expression sensitized the cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: SOCS-3 epigenetic silencing is responsible for sustained IL-6/STAT-3 signaling and enhanced Mcl-1 expression in cholangiocarcinoma

Death receptor 5 signaling promotes hepatocyte lipoapoptosis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is characterized by hepatic steatosis, elevated levels of circulating free fatty acids (FFA), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and hepatocyte lipoapoptosis. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptor 5 (DR5) is significantly elevated in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and steatotic hepatocytes demonstrate increased sensitivity to TRAIL-mediated cell death. Nonetheless, a role for TRAIL and/or DR5 in mediating lipoapoptotic pathways is unexplored. Here, we examined the contribution of DR5 death signaling to lipoapoptosis by free fatty acids. The toxic saturated free fatty acid palmitate induces an increase in DR5 mRNA and protein expression in Huh-7 human hepatoma cells leading to DR5 localization into lipid rafts, cell surface receptor clustering with subsequent recruitment of the initiator caspase-8, and ultimately cellular demise. Lipoapoptosis by palmitate was not inhibited by a soluble human recombinant DR5-Fc chimera protein suggesting that DR5 cytotoxic signaling is ligand-independent. Hepatocytes from murine TRAIL receptor knock-out mice (DR(-/-)) displayed reduced palmitate-mediated lipotoxicity. Likewise, knockdown of DR5 or caspase-8 expression by shRNA technology attenuated palmitate-induced Bax activation and apoptosis in Huh-7 cells, without altering induction of ER stress markers. Similar observations were verified in other cell models. Finally, knockdown of CHOP, an ER stress-mediated transcription factor, reduced DR5 up-regulation and DR5-mediated caspase-8 activation upon palmitate treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that ER stress-induced CHOP activation by palmitate transcriptionally up-regulates DR5, likely resulting in ligand-independent cytotoxic signaling by this death receptor

JNK1-dependent PUMA expression contributes to hepatocyte lipoapoptosis.

Free fatty acids (FFA) induce hepatocyte lipoapoptosis by a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent mechanism. However, the cellular processes by which JNK engages the core apoptotic machinery during lipotoxicity, especially activation of BH3-only proteins, remain incompletely understood. Thus, our aim was to determine whether JNK mediates induction of BH3-only proteins during hepatocyte lipoapoptosis. The saturated FFA palmitate, but not the monounsaturated FFA oleate, induces an increase in PUMA mRNA and protein levels. Palmitate induction of PUMA was JNK1-dependent in primary murine hepatocytes. Palmitate-mediated PUMA expression was inhibited by a dominant negative c-Jun, and direct binding of a phosphorylated c-Jun containing the activator protein 1 complex to the PUMA promoter was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Short hairpin RNA-targeted knockdown of PUMA attenuated Bax activation, caspase 3/7 activity, and cell death. Similarly, the genetic deficiency of Puma rendered murine hepatocytes resistant to lipoapoptosis. PUMA expression was also increased in liver biopsy specimens from patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis as compared with patients with simple steatosis or controls. Collectively, the data implicate JNK1-dependent PUMA expression as a mechanism contributing to hepatocyte lipoapoptosis

Death receptor 5 internalization is required for lysosomal permeabilization by TRAIL in malignant liver cell lines.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) cytotoxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells is mediated by lysosomal permeabilization. Our aims were to determine which TRAIL receptor, death receptor (DR) 4 or DR5, mediates lysosomal permeabilization and assess whether receptor endocytosis followed by trafficking to lysosomes contributes in this process. METHODS: TRAIL ligand internalization in Huh-7 cells was examined by confocal microscopy using Flag-tagged TRAIL, whereas DR4- and DR5-enhanced green fluorescent protein internalization was assessed by total internal reflection microscopy. Clathrin-dependent endocytosis was inhibited by expressing dominant negative dynamin. RESULTS: Although Huh-7 cells express both TRAIL receptors, short hairpin RNA silencing of DR5 but not DR4 attenuated TRAIL-mediated lysosomal permeabilization and apoptosis. The TRAIL/DR5 complex underwent rapid cellular internalization upon ligand stimulation, whereas the TRAIL/DR4 complex was not efficiently internalized. DR5-enhanced green fluorescent protein internalization was dependent on a dileucine-based internalization motif. Endocytosis of the TRAIL/DR5 complex was dynamin dependent and was required for rapid lysosomal permeabilization and apoptosis in multiple malignant hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Upon TRAIL treatment, DR5 colocalized with lysosomes after internalization. Inhibition of DR5 trafficking to lysosomes by Rab7 small interfering RNA also reduced TRAIL-mediated lysosomal disruption and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: TRAIL-mediated endocytosis of DR5 with trafficking to lysosomes contributes to lysosomal protease release into the cytosol and efficient apoptosis in malignant liver cell lines