Lipid Raft Integrity Is Required for Survival of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Purpose

Lipid rafts are cholesterol enriched microdomains that colocalize signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. We examined the effect of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD)-mediated cholesterol extraction on the proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and angiogenesis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

Methods

We measured cholesterol and estimated cell toxicity. Detergent resistant membrane (DRM) and non-DRM fractions were separated using the OptiPrep gradient method. Cell cycles stages were analyzed by flow cytometry, apoptosis was assessed using the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, and metastasis was determined using a Matrigel invasion assay. Neo-vessel pattern and levels of angiogenic modulators were determined using an in vitro angiogenesis assay and an angiogenesis array, respectively.

Results

The present study found that the cholesterol-depleting agent MβCD, efficiently depleted membrane cholesterol and caused concentration dependent (0.1–0.5 mM) cytotoxicity compared to nystatin and filipin III in TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468. A reduced proportion of caveolin-1 found in DRM fractions indicated a cholesterol extraction-induced disruption of lipid raft integrity. MβCD inhibited 52% of MDA-MB 231 cell adhesion on fibronectin and 56% of MDA-MB 468 cell adhesion on vitronectin, while invasiveness of these cells was decreased by 48% and 52% respectively, following MβCD treatment (48 hours). MβCD also caused cell cycle arrest at the G₂M phase and apoptosis in MDA-MB 231 cells (25% and 58% cells, respectively) and in MDA-MB 468 cells (30% and 38% cells, respectively). We found that MβCD treated cells caused a 52% and 58% depletion of neovessel formation in both MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468 cell lines, respectively. This study also demonstrated that MβCD treatment caused a respective 2.6- and 2.5-fold depletion of tyrosine protein kinase receptor (TEK) receptor tyrosine kinase levels in both TNBC cell lines.

Conclusion

MβCD-induced cholesterol removal enhances alterations in lipid raft integrity, which reduces TNBC cell survival.

Protective effect of 3-O-methyl quercetin and kaempferol from Semecarpus anacardium against H2O2 induced cytotoxicity in lung and liver cells

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen peroxide is continuously generated in living cells through metabolic pathways and serves as a source of reactive oxygen species. Beyond the threshold level, it damages cells and causes several human disorders, including cancer.

METHODS

Effect of isolated 3-O-methyl quercetin and kaempferol on H₂O₂ induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation, plasma membrane damage, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage was evaluated in normal liver and lung cells. The RT-PCR analysis used to determine Nrf 2 gene expression. Calorimetric ELISA was used to determine Nrf2 and p-38 levels. Expression of SOD and catalase was analyzed by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The present study isolated 3-O-methyl quercetin and kaempferol from the stem bark. They protected normal lung and liver cells from H₂O₂ induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation, membrane damage and DNA damage. Pre-treatment with 3-O-methyl quercetin and kaempferol caused translocation of Nrf2 from cytosol to nucleus. It also increased expression of p-p38, Nrf2, SOD and catalase in H₂O₂ treated lung and liver cells.

CONCLUSION

The flavonoids isolated from S. anacardium significantly reduced H₂O₂ induced stress and increased expression of Nrf2, catalase and superoxide dismutase-2 indicating cytoprotective nature of 3-O-methylquercetin and kaempferol.

CD151-A Striking Marker for Cancer Therapy

Cluster of differentiation 151 (CD151) is a member of the mammalian tetraspanin family, which is involved in diverse functions such as maintaining normal cellular integrity, cell-to-cell communication, wound healing, platelet aggregation, trafficking, cell motility and angiogenesis. CD151 also supports de novo carcinogenesis in human skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and tumor metastasis. CD151 interacts with α3β1 and α6β4 integrins through palmitoylation where cysteine plays an important role in the association of CD151 with integrins and non-integrin proteins. Invasion and metastasis of cancer cells were diminished by decreasing CD151 association with integrins. CD151 functions at various stages of cancer, including metastatic cascade and primary tumor growth, thus reinforcing the importance of CD151 as a target in oncology. The present review highlights the role of CD151 in tumor metastasis and its importance in cancer therapy.

Knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR inhibits CD151 and α3β1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion and invasion in glioma

Glioma is a highly complex brain tumor characterized by the dysregulation of proteins and genes that leads to tumor metastasis. Cathepsin B and uPAR are overexpressed in gliomas and they are postulated to play central roles in glioma metastasis. In this study, efficient downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR by siRNA treatments significantly reduced glioma cell adhesion to laminin as compared to vitronectin, fibronectin, or collagen I in U251 and 4910 glioma cell lines. Brain glioma tissue array analysis showed high expression of CD151 in clinical samples when compared with normal brain tissue. Cathepsin B and uPAR siRNA treatment led to the downregulation of CD151 and laminin-binding integrins α3 and β1. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR decreased the interaction of CD151 with uPAR cathepsin B, and α3β1 integrin. Studies on the downstream signaling cascade of uPAR/CD151/α3β1 integrin have shown that phosphorylation of FAK, SRC, paxillin, and expression of adaptor cytoskeletal proteins talin and vinculin were reduced with knockdown of cathepsin B, uPAR, and CD151. Treatment with the bicistronic construct reduced interactions between uPAR and CD151 as well as lowering α3β1 integrin, talin, and vinculin expression levels in pre-established glioma tumors of nude mice. In conclusion, our results show that downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR alone and in combination inhibit glioma cell adhesion by downregulating CD151 and its associated signaling molecules in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the results of the present study show that targeting the uPAR-cathepsin B system has possible therapeutic potential.

uPAR and cathepsin B knockdown inhibits radiation-induced PKC integrated integrin signaling to the cytoskeleton of glioma-initiating cells

Despite advances in radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic techniques and aggressive surgical resection, the prognosis of glioblastoma patients is dismal. Accumulation of evidence indicates that some cancer cells survive even the most aggressive treatments, and these surviving cells, which are resistant to therapy and are perhaps essential for the malignancy, may be cancer stem cells. The CD133 surface marker is commonly used to isolate these extremely resistant glioma-initiating cells (GICs). In the present study, GICs which tested positive for the CD133 marker (CD133⁺) were isolated from both the established U251 cell line and the 5310 xenograft glioma cell line to study the events related to the molecular pathogenesis of these cells. Simultaneous down-regulation of uPAR and cathepsin B by shRNA (pUC) treatment caused the disruption of radiation-induced complex formation of pPKC θ/δ, integrin β1 and PKC ζ, integrin β1 in glioma cells. Further, pUC treatment inhibited PKC/integrin signaling via FAK by causing disassociation of FAK and the cytoskeletal molecules vinculin and α-actinin. Also, we observed the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. This inhibition was mediated by pUC and directed a negative feedback mechanism over the FAK signaling molecules, which led to an extensive reduction in the signal for cytoskeletal organization generating migratory arrest. Altogether, it can be hypothesized that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B using shRNA is an effective strategy for controlling highly invasive glioma cells and extremely resistant glioma-initiating cells.

uPAR and cathepsin B inhibition enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis in gliomainitiating cells

Glioblastomas present as diffuse tumors with invasion into normal brain tissue and frequently recur or progress after radiation as focal masses because of glioma-initiating cells. The role of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and cathepsin B in stem-like phenotype has been extensively studied in several solid tumors. In the present study, we demonstrated that selection of glioma-initiating cells using CD133 expression leads to a specific enrichment of CD133(+) cells in both U87 and 4910 cells. In addition, CD133(+) cells exhibited a considerable amount of other stem cell markers, such as Nestin and Sox-2. Radiation treatment significantly enhanced uPAR and cathepsin B levels in glioma-initiating cells. To downregulate radiation-induced uPAR and cathepsin B expression, we used a bicistronic shRNA construct that simultaneously targets both uPAR and cathepsin B (pCU). Downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B using pCU decreased radiation-enhanced uPAR and cathepsin B levels and caused DNA damage-induced apoptosis in glioma cell lines and glioma-initiating cells. The most striking finding of this study is that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited ongoing transcription by suppressing BrUTP incorporation at γH2AX foci. In addition, uPAR and cathepsin B gene silencing inversely regulated survivin and H2AX expression in both glioma cells and glioma-initiating cells. Pretreatment with pCU reduced radiation-enhanced expression of uPAR, cathepsin B, and survivin and enhanced DNA damage in pre-established glioma in nude mice. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that uPAR and cathepsin B inhibition might serve as an adjunct to radiation therapy to target glioma-initiating cells and, therefore, for the treatment of glioma.

Abstract 3046: Cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation sensitizes glioma initiating cells to radiation induced cell cycle arrest

Ionizing radiation is the standard treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Radiation and chemoresistance have been attributed to a small population of cells known as glioma stem cells (GSCs) or glioma initiating cells (GICs). In the present study, we studied the effect of ionizing radiation on the progression of cell cycle of glioma initiating cells, non glioma initiating cells (non-GICs), and the respective parental cell lines (U251 and U87). Initial experiments showed that GICs were resistant to lower doses of radiation (3 and 5 Gy) as compared to parental and non-GICs. Radiation dosage of 10 Gy induced significant G2/M arrest as early as 12 and 24 hours in non-GICs (U251 and U87) and parental cell lines (U251 and U87), respectively and a low percentage of GICs were observed in the G2/M phase 48 hours after radiation. Apart from cathepsin B and uPAR, expression levels of cyclin B1, pcdc2, pchk2 and pERK were also elevated when cells were exposed to radiation. shRNA-mediated simultaneous knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR (pCU) decreased radiation-induced expression of cyclin B1, pcdc2, pchk2 and pERK and induced apoptosis. Further, immunoblot analysis indicated that cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation reduced the expression of neural stem cell markers, such as CD133, Sox-2 and Bmi-1. Activation of pERK played an important role in inducing the G2/M arrest of GICs of both cell lines as its inhibition induced cell differentiation and sensitized the cells to radiation. Irradiation induced aggressive tumors in vivo and the knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B significantly decreased radiation-induced tumor growth. Thus, these results indicate that uPAR and cathepsin B downregulation sensitized GICs to ionizing radiation and targeting these proteins could be an efficient approach to eradicate tumors, particularly GICs in the tumor bulk.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3046. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3046

uPAR and cathepsin B downregulation induces apoptosis by targeting calcineurin A to BAD via Bcl-2 in glioma

Cathepsin B and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are postulated to play key roles in glioma invasion. Calcineurin is one of the key regulators of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, but its mechanism is poorly understood. Hence, we studied subcellular localization of calcineurin after transcriptional downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B in glioma. In the present study, efficient downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B increased the translocation of calcineurin A from the mitochondria to the cytosol, decreased pBAD (S136) expression and its interaction with 14-3-3ζ and increased the interaction of BAD with Bcl-xl. Co-depletion of uPAR and cathepsin B induced mitochondrial translocation of BAD, activation of caspase 3 as well as PARP and cytochrome c and SMAC release. These effects were inhibited by FK506 (10 μM), a specific inhibitor of calcineurin. Calcineurin A was co-localized and also co-immunoprecipitated with Bcl-2. This interaction decreased with co-depletion of uPAR and cathepsin B and also with Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA 14-1 (20 μg/ml). Altered localization and interaction of calcineurin A with Bcl-2 was also observed in vivo when uPAR and cathepsin B were downregulated. In conclusion, downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B induced apoptosis by targeting calcineurin A to BAD via Bcl-2 in glioma.

Mechanism of p27 upregulation induced by downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR in glioma

Cathepsin B and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are overexpressed in gliomas. Deregulation of the G1 phase cell cycle machinery is a common feature of cancers. p27(Kip1) (p27) is one of the major cyclin-CDK regulators in the G1 phase. uPAR and cathepsin B downregulation was recently shown to induce p27 expression through PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling. Since uPAR and cathepsin B knockdown also decreased phosphorylation of ERK, we hypothesized that ERK also has a role to play in p27 induction. As induction of p27 is due to an increase in gene transcription, we investigated the roles of c-Myc and E2F1 transcription factors which have been shown to potently affect p27 promoter activity. In the present study, shRNA against cathepsin B and uPAR as well as specific inhibitors, Wortmannin (10 μM) and U0126 (10 μM), were used to determine the roles of AKT and ERK signaling on p27 expression. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that downregulation of both p-ERK and p-AKT downstream of EGFR and β1 integrin are involved in the p27 upregulation. Cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation induced E2F1 and decreased phosphorylaion of pocket proteins and c-Myc expression. CHIP analysis and luciferase expression studies confirmed the functional association of transcription factor E2F1 to the p27 promoter. Further, c-Myc-Max interaction inhibitor studies showed an inverse pattern of c-Myc and p27 expression. Also, cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation reduced tumor growth and increased p27 nuclear expression in vivo. In summary, cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation reduced p-ERK levels and c-Myc expression, increased expression of E2F1 and FOXO3a, decreased phosphorylation of pocket proteins and thus upregulated p27 expression in glioma cells.

Cathepsin B and uPAR knockdown inhibits tumor-induced angiogenesis by modulating VEGF expression in glioma

Angiogenesis, which is the process of sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is vital for tumor progression. Proteolytic remodeling of extracellular matrix is a key event in vessel sprouting during angiogenesis. Urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and cathepsin B are both known to be overexpressed and implicated in tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we observed that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B using puPAR (pU), pCathepsin B (pC), and a bicistronic construct of uPAR and cathepsin B (pCU) caused significant inhibition of angiogenesis by disrupting the janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway-dependent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Further, transcriptional suppression of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited tumor-induced migration, proliferation of endothelial cells and decreased tumor-promoted expression of VEGF receptor-2, Rac1, gp91phox, cyclin D1, cyclin dependent kinase 4 and p-Rb in human dermal microvascular endothelial cell. Furthermore, U251 and SNB19 xenograft tissue sections from nude mice treated with pCU showed reduced expression of VEGF and CD31, which is a blood vessel visualization marker. Overall, results revealed that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis by disrupting the JAK/STAT pathway-dependent expression of VEGF. These data provide new insight in characterizing the pathways involved in the angiogenic cascade and for the identification of novel target proteins for use in therapeutic intervention for gliomas.

Abstract 1529: Knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR inhibits CD151 and α3β1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion in glioma

Glioma is a highly complex brain tumor characterized by deregulation of proteins and genes that play important roles in tumor metastasis. CD151, a member of the tetraspanin family of proteins, tightly associates with integrins and accelerates cell adhesion as a modulator of actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Cathepsin B and uPAR are both overexpressed in gliomas and postulated to play central roles in the mediation of glioma metastasis. In the present study, cathepsin B and uPAR were downregulated in U251 and 4910 glioma cells using siRNA plasmid constructs. We evaluated the involvement of CD151 and its associated signaling molecules in adhesion potential. Immunoblot analysis revealed efficient downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR after siRNA treatments. In addition, siRNA treatments significantly inhibited glioma cell adhesion to laminin as compared to other extracellular matrix proteins. Brain glioma tissue array analysis revealed the expression of CD151 in several tumor samples when compared with normal brain tissue. Further, treatment of glioma cells with cathepsin B and uPAR siRNA led to the downregulation of CD151 and laminin-binding integrins, α3 and β1. Co-localization and immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR decreased the interaction of CD151 with uPAR/cathepsin B. Transcriptional suppression of CD151 and α3 and β1 integrins using siRNA significantly decreased glioma cell adhesion to laminin. In addition, downregulation of cathepsin B, uPAR, CD151, α3 and β1 significantly decreased the expression of N-cadherin and β-catenin. Studies on the downstream signaling cascade of uPAR/CD151 have shown that phosphorylation of SRC, FAK and Paxillin were reduced with knockdown of cathepsin B, uPAR and CD151. Treatment with the bicistronic construct reduced CD151, α3β1 integrin, N-cadherin and β-catenin expression levels in pre-established glioma tumors in nude mice as well as in tissue lysates. In conclusion, our results show that downregulation of cathespin B and uPAR alone and in combination inhibit glioma cell adhesion by downregulating CD151 and its associated signaling molecules in vitro and in vivo. This study may be useful in dissecting the pathways involved in tumor cell adhesion and for the identification of novel target proteins for therapeutic intervention of gliomas.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1529. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1529

Abstract 2938: Inhibition of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways act independently on p27 upregulation induced by downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR in glioma

Cathepsin B and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are overexpressed in gliomas. Deregulation of the G1 phase cell cycle machinery is a common feature of cancers. The abundance of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 (p27) during the cell cycle determines whether cells will proliferate or become quiescent. In the present study, we carried out transfections using shRNA against cathepsin B and uPAR. We assessed cell cycle arrest using FACS analysis and used Western blot analysis to detect expression of ERK, AKT, p27, cyclin E, cyclin D, CDK4, CDK2, EGFR, β1 integrins, and the pocket proteins (p-Rb, p107 and p130). Specific inhibitors like Wortmanin (10 µM) and U0126 (10 µM) were used to further determine the roles of the AKT and ERK pathways. We used immunoprecipitation analysis to detect the respective interactions between EGFR and β1, p27 and CDK4, and p27 and CDK2. CHIP analysis was used to check for the recruitment of transcription factors FOXO3a, E2F1 and AP-1 to the p27 promoter. The results of the present study show that shRNA treatment efficiently downregulated expression of cathepsin B and uPAR and induced G0/G1 arrest through upregulation of p27. Downregulation of both p-ERK and p-AKT downstream of EGFR and β1 are involved, but independently, in p27 upregulation. Multiple transcription factors (namely, AP-1, E2F1 and FOXO3a) were involved in upregulation of p27 as determined by luciferase expression under the influence of promoter regions to which these transcription factors bind individually. Also, cathepsin B and uPAR downregulation reduced tumor growth and increased p27 nuclear expression in vivo. In summary, the reduction of p-ERK and AP-1, the increased expression of E2F1 and FOXO3a, and the reduced association of cyclin D-CDK4 and cyclin E-CDK2 complexes contributed to p27 upregulation as well as G0/G1 arrest induced by downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2938. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2938

Regulation of NADPH oxidase (Nox2) by lipid rafts in breast carcinoma cells

Oxidative stress has emerged as an important pathogenic factor in the development of breast cancer. Cholesterol-rich membrane rafts or lipid rafts (LRs) are reported to play an important role in oxidative stress-induced signal transduction. NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is implicated in oxidative stress in human mammary epithelial cells. In the present study, we determined the expression and regulation of membrane-bound subunits by LRs in human breast cancer cells. We report that basal levels of gp91phox and p22phox are expressed in breast cancer cells. We demonstrate for the first time that disruption of LRs resulted in the downregulation of NADPH oxidase subunits in breast cancer cells. Cholesterol depletion by 10 mM methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) translocated both gp91phox and p22phox out of LRs. Moreover, lipid raft disruption decreased NADPH oxidase activity (21.1 ± 0.5% in MCF-7 and 28.9 ± 1.0 in BT-549 cells), which was reversed by cholesterol repletion (95%). Therefore, the results suggest that the integrity of LRs plays an important role in the regulation of NADPH oxidase activity in breast cancer cells.

Localization of uPAR and MMP-9 in lipid rafts is critical for migration, invasion and angiogenesis in human breast cancer cells

Background

uPAR and MMP-9, which play critical roles in tumor cell invasion, migration and angiogenesis, have been shown to be associated with lipid rafts.

Methods

To investigate whether cholesterol could regulate uPAR and MMP-9 in breast carcinoma, we used MβCD (methyl beta cyclodextrin, which extracts cholesterol from lipid rafts) to disrupt lipid rafts and studied its effect on breast cancer cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis and signaling.

Results

Morphological evidence showed the association of uPAR with lipid rafts in breast carcinoma cells. MβCD treatment significantly reduced the colocalization of uPAR and MMP-9 with lipid raft markers and also significantly reduced uPAR and MMP-9 at both the protein and mRNA levels. Spheroid migration and invasion assays showed inhibition of breast carcinoma cell migration and invasion after MβCD treatment. In vitro angiogenesis studies showed a significant decrease in the angiogenic potential of cells pretreated with MβCD. MβCD treatment significantly reduced the levels of MMP-9 and uPAR in raft fractions of MDA-MB-231 and ZR 751 cells. Phosphorylated forms of Src, FAK, Cav, Akt and ERK were significantly inhibited upon MβCD treatment. Increased levels of soluble uPAR were observed upon MβCD treatment. Cholesterol supplementation restored uPAR expression to basal levels in breast carcinoma cell lines. Increased colocalization of uPAR with the lysosomal marker LAMP1 was observed in MβCD-treated cells when compared with untreated cells.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results suggest that cholesterol levels in lipid rafts are critical for the migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of breast carcinoma cells and could be a critical regulatory factor in these cancer cell processes mediated by uPAR and MMP-9.

Co-depletion of cathepsin B and uPAR induces G0/G1 arrest in glioma via FOXO3a mediated p27 upregulation

Background

Cathepsin B and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are both known to be overexpressed in gliomas. Our previous work and that of others strongly suggest a relationship between the infiltrative phenotype of glioma and the expression of cathepsin B and uPAR. Though their role in migration and adhesion are well studied the effect of these molecules on cell cycle progression has not been thoroughly examined.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cathespin B and uPAR single and bicistronic siRNA plasmids were used to downregulate these molecules in SNB19 and U251 glioma cells. FACS analysis and BrdU incorporation assay demonstrated G0/G1 arrest and decreased proliferation with the treatments, respectively. Immunoblot and immunocyto analysis demonstrated increased expression of p27^Kip1 and its nuclear localization with the knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR. These effects could be mediated by αVβ3/PI3K/AKT/FOXO pathway as observed by the decreased αVβ3 expression, PI3K and AKT phosphorylation accompanied by elevated FOXO3a levels. These results were further confirmed with the increased expression of p27^Kip1 and FOXO3a when treated with Ly294002 (10 µM) and increased luciferase expression with the siRNA and Ly294002 treatments when the FOXO binding promoter region of p27^Kip1 was used. Our treatment also reduced the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D2, p-Rb and cyclin E while the expression of Cdk2 was unaffected. Of note, the Cdk2-cyclin E complex formation was reduced significantly.

Conclusion/Significance

Our study indicates that cathepsin B and uPAR knockdown induces G0/G1 arrest by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and further increases expression of p27^Kip1 accompanied by the binding of FOXO3a to its promoter. Taken together, our findings provide molecular mechanism for the G0/G1 arrest induced by the downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR in SNB19 and U251 glioma cells.

Abstract 1278: Simultaneous downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibits angiogenesis and migration and induces caspase 8-mediated apoptosis in U87 stem cells and 4910 glioma xenograft stem cells

Malignant gliomas are characterized by invasive and infiltrative behavior. Gliomas are considered to be heterogeneous bulk tumors that comprise differentiated and undifferentiated cells with self-renewal and partial differentiation capabilities. These glioma-initiating cells (GIC) are responsible for the initiation and recurrence of gliomas even after various treatments. As such, novel therapies should target GIC. Cathepsin B and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are overexpressed in gliomas, including GIC. We isolated GIC from U87 (U87S) and 4910 (4910S) by sorting the cells for both CD133 and STRO-1 by FACS analysis. The stem cell nature of these cells was confirmed by neurosphere formation assay and western blot analysis for CD133 and STRO-1 expression. GIC cells expressed 2 to 3-fold increased levels of CD133 and STRO-1 as compared to glioma cells (U87N and 4910N). By isolating and utilizing GIC, we demonstrate that downregulation of uPAR (pU) and cathepsin B (pC) individually and simultaneously (pCU) lead to remarkable inhibition of angiogenesis and migration and activated caspase 8-mediated apoptosis in GIC and U87N and 4910N cells. The treatment retarded the expression of pro-angiogenic molecules in both stem cells and glioma cells but responded differently in terms of expression of certain molecules, such as angiogenin and TIMP-1. Similarly, an apoptotic antibody array revealed that stem cells and glioma cells respond differently to pCU treatment, but both sets of cells exhibited increased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules. This induction of apoptosis was also confirmed by cleavage of caspase 8, caspase 3 and PARP as well as TUNEL assay. Similarly, spheroid migration and matrigel invasion assays, revealed that downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited cell migration by 70-75% and 45-50% and invasion by 75-80% and 45-50% in GIC and normal glioma cells, respectively. Untreated glioma stem cells were more migratory (∼30%) and invasive (30-40%) as compared to normal glioma cells. In vivo studies showed few to no tumor cells in brain sections of mice implanted with either GIC or normal glioma cells treated with pCU as determined by H&E staining. These results indicate the potential of RNAi-mediated downregulation of uPAR and cathepsin B in developing new therapeutics for GIC in particular and gliomas in general.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1278.

In hospital complications and mortality of patients of inferior wall myocardial infarction with right ventricular infarction

This is a cross-sectional study of patients with inferior wall Myocardial Infarction (MI), who attended emergency and got admitted in ICU/CCU of TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj and Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal during November 1999 to October 2000. This study was undertaken to compare the in-hospital complications and mortality of patients of inferior wall myocardial infarction with or without associated right ventricular infarction. Total 53 consecutive patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction were enrolled in the study. Right ventricular infarction was determined by the presence of ST elevation of more than 0.1 mv in V4R. All the patients of inferior wall myocardial infarction were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of patients of inferior wall MI with right ventricular infarction and group B consisted of patients of inferior wall MI without right ventricular infarction. In-hospital complications and mortality of group A were compared with group B. Among 20 patients of group A and 33 patients of group B, incidence of cardiogenic shock was significantly higher in patients of group A compared to group B (p=0.05). Ten patients of group A developed third degree AV Block compared to only one in group B; the incidence of which was significantly higher (p<0.001). Sinus nodal dysfunction, manifested by junctional rhythm was found in six patients of group A compared to only two patients of group B (p<0.05). Mortality was found higher in patients of group A, but it was not statistically significant. Two patients of group A expired on first day whereas only one patient of group B expired on the eighth day of admission. In hospital complications especially cardiogenic shock, complete A-V block and junctional rhythm are significantly higher in inferior wall MI when associated with RV infarction.