Cell transforming genes and tumor progression: in vivo unified secondary phenotypic cell changes

ROS as Regulators of Cellular Processes in Melanoma

In this review, we examine the multiple roles of ROS in the pathogenesis of melanoma, focusing on signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. In recent years, different studies have analyzed the dual role of ROS in regulating the redox system, with both negative and positive consequences on human health, depending on cell concentration of these agents. High ROS levels can result from an altered balance between oxidant generation and intracellular antioxidant activity and can produce harmful effects. In contrast, low amounts of ROS are considered beneficial, since they trigger signaling pathways involved in physiological activities and programmed cell death, with protective effects against melanoma. Here, we examine these beneficial roles, which could have interesting implications in melanoma treatment.

Inhibition of Membrane-Associated Catalase, Extracellular ROS/RNS Signaling and Aquaporin/H2O2-Mediated Intracellular Glutathione Depletion Cooperate during Apoptosis Induction in the Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line MKN-45

The human gastric carcinoma cell line MKN-45 is a prototype of bona fide tumor cells, as it is protected from the NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1)-driven HOCl- and nitric oxide (NO)/peroxynitrite apoptosis-inducing signaling pathways by a membrane-associated catalase. The use of inhibitors/scavengers shows that inhibition of membrane-associated catalase is sufficient for the activation of NO/peroxynitrite or HOCl signaling. However, this signaling is not sufficient for apoptosis induction, as intracellular glutathione peroxidase/glutathione counteracts these signaling effects. Therefore, intrusion of extracellular tumor cell-derived H₂O₂ through aquaporins is required for the full apoptosis-inducing effect of extracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. This secondary step in apoptosis induction can be prevented by inhibition of aquaporins, inhibition of NOX1 and decomposition of H₂O₂. Pretreatment with inhibitors of glutathione synthase or the cysteine-glutamine antiporter (xC transporter) abrogate the requirement for aquaporin/H₂O₂-mediated glutathione depletion, thus demonstrating that intracellular glutathione is the target of intruding H₂O₂. These data allow definition of mechanistic interactions between ROS/RNS signaling after inhibition of membrane-associated catalase, the sensitizing effects of aquaporins/H₂O₂ and the counteraction of the xC transporter/glutathione synthase system. Knowledge of these mechanistic interactions is required for the understanding of selective apoptosis induction in tumor cells through reestablishment of apoptosis-inducing ROS/RNS signaling.

Modifying the Tumour Microenvironment: Challenges and Future Perspectives for Anticancer Plasma Treatments

Tumours are complex systems formed by cellular (malignant, immune, and endothelial cells, fibroblasts) and acellular components (extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents and secreted factors). A close interplay between these factors, collectively called the tumour microenvironment, is required to respond appropriately to external cues and to determine the treatment outcome. Cold plasma (here referred as ‘plasma’) is an emerging anticancer technology that generates a unique cocktail of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to eliminate cancerous cells via multiple mechanisms of action. While plasma is currently regarded as a local therapy, it can also modulate the mechanisms of cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication, which could facilitate the propagation of its effect in tissue and distant sites. However, it is still largely unknown how the physical interactions occurring between cells and/or the ECM in the tumour microenvironment affect the plasma therapy outcome. In this review, we discuss the effect of plasma on cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication in the context of the tumour microenvironment and suggest new avenues of research to advance our knowledge in the field. Furthermore, we revise the relevant state-of-the-art in three-dimensional in vitro models that could be used to analyse cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication and further strengthen our understanding of the effect of plasma in solid tumours.

Galectin-3 Expression Correlates with Post-surgical Survival in Canine Oral Melanomas

Malignant melanomas (MMs) represent 7% of all malignant neoplasms in dogs. Oral melanocytic neoplasms are often malignant and associated with poor prognosis. There are no universally accepted prognostic markers for canine oral melanoma. Galectin (Gal)-3 is a prognostic marker for human neoplasms such as thyroid, gastric, colorectal and prostate cancers. The protein is related to processes that favour cancer progression, such as angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to characterize the immunohistochemical expression of Gal-3 in canine oral melanomas and to compare it with post-surgical survival, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and other known prognostic tools. Twenty-seven samples of canine oral melanomas were evaluated for Gal-3, B-cell lymphoma (BCL) 2, caspase (CASP) 3 and Ki67 expression, mitotic index and degree of nuclear atypia. Gal-3 cytoplasmic positivity was correlated positively, while nuclear positivity was correlated negatively, with survival. The intensity of BCL2 labelling was also correlated positively with Gal-3 cytoplasmic positivity. Higher nuclear atypia was observed in dogs with melanoma that died due to the tumour, as well as in dogs that survived for <1 year after surgery. We have confirmed the importance of nuclear atypia for MMs and suggest that Gal-3 is a valuable prognostic indicator for this neoplasm. More in-depth studies are needed to unveil Gal-3 functions in canine MMs using larger sample sizes.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Plasma-Activated Medium Trigger RONS-Based Tumor Cell Apoptosis

The selective in vitro anti-tumor mechanisms of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-activated media (PAM) follow a sequential multi-step process. The first step involves the formation of primary singlet oxygen (¹O₂) through the complex interaction between NO₂⁻ and H₂O_2.¹O₂ then inactivates some membrane-associated catalase molecules on at least a few tumor cells. With some molecules of their protective catalase inactivated, these tumor cells allow locally surviving cell-derived, extracellular H₂O₂ and ONOO^─ to form secondary ¹O₂. These species continue to inactivate catalase on the originally triggered cells and on adjacent cells. At the site of inactivated catalase, cell-generated H₂O₂ enters the cell via aquaporins, depletes glutathione and thus abrogates the cell’s protection towards lipid peroxidation. Optimal inactivation of catalase then allows efficient apoptosis induction through the HOCl signaling pathway that is finalized by lipid peroxidation. An identical CAP exposure did not result in apoptosis for nonmalignant cells. A key conclusion from these experiments is that tumor cell-generated RONS play the major role in inactivating protective catalase, depleting glutathione and establishing apoptosis-inducing RONS signaling. CAP or PAM exposure only trigger this response by initially inactivating a small percentage of protective membrane associated catalase molecules on tumor cells.

Autoamplificatory singlet oxygen generation sensitizes tumor cells for intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling

Tumor cells express NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX1) in their membrane and control NOX1-based intercellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)-dependent apoptosis-inducing signaling through membrane-associated catalase and superoxide dismutase.

TREATMENT

of tumor cells with high concentrations of H₂O₂, peroxnitrite, HOCl, or increasing the concentration of cell-derived NO causes initial generation of singlet oxygen and local inactivation of membrane-associated catalase. As a result, free peroxynitrite and H₂O₂ interact and generate secondary singlet oxygen. Inactivation of further catalase molecules by secondary singlet oxygen leads to auto-amplification of singlet oxygen generation and catalase inactivation. This allows reactivation of intercellular ROS/RNS-signaling and selective apoptosis induction in tumor cells. The initial singlet oxygen generation seems to be the critical point in this complex biochemical multistep mechanism. Initial singlet oxygen generation requires the interaction between distinct tumor cell-derived ROS and RNS and may also depend on either the induction of NO synthase expression or NOX1 activation through the FAS receptor. FAS receptor activation can be achieved by singlet oxygen. Autoamplificatory generation of singlet oxygen through the interaction between peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide inherits a rich potential for the establishment of synergistic effects that may be instrumental for novel approaches of tumor therapy with high selectivity towards malignant cells.

Extracellular localization of catalase is associated with the transformed state of malignant cells

Oncogenic transformation is dependent on activated membrane-associated NADPH oxidase (NOX). However, the resultant extracellular superoxide anions are also driving the NO/peroxynitrite and the HOCl pathway, which eliminates NOX-expressing transformed cells through selective apoptosis induction. Tumor progression is dependent on dominant interference with intercellular apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling through membrane-associated catalase, which decomposes H2O2 and peroxynitrite and oxidizes NO. Particularly, the decomposition of extracellular peroxynitrite strictly requires membrane-associated catalase. We utilized small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of catalase and neutralizing antibodies directed against the enzyme in combination with challenging H2O2 or peroxynitrite to determine activity and localization of catalase in cells from three distinct steps of multistage oncogenesis. Nontransformed cells did not generate extracellular superoxide anions and only showed intracellular catalase activity. Transformed cells showed superoxide anion-dependent intercellular apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling in the presence of suboptimal catalase activity in their membrane. Tumor cells exhibited tight control of intercellular apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling through a high local concentration of membrane-associated catalase. These data demonstrate that translocation of catalase to the outside of the cell membrane is already associated with the transformation step. A strong local increase in the concentration of membrane-associated catalase is achieved during tumor progression and is controlled by tumor cell-derived H2O2 and by transglutaminase.

Increasing the endogenous NO level causes catalase inactivation and reactivation of intercellular apoptosis signaling specifically in tumor cells

Tumor cells generate extracellular superoxide anions and are protected against intercellular apoptosis-inducing HOCl- and NO/peroxynitrite signaling through the expression of membrane-associated catalase. This enzyme decomposes H₂O₂ and thus prevents HOCl synthesis. It efficiently interferes with NO/peroxynitrite signaling through oxidation of NO and decomposition of peroxynitrite. The regulatory potential of catalase at the crosspoint of ROS and RNS chemical biology, as well as its high local concentration on the outside of the cell membrane of tumor cells, establish tight control of intercellular signaling and thus prevent tumor cell apoptosis. Therefore, inhibition of catalase or its inactivation by singlet oxygen reactivate intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling. Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are connected with catalase in multiple and meaningful ways, as (i) NO can be oxidated by compound I of catalase, (ii) NO can reversibly inhibit catalase, (iii) peroxynitrite can be decomposed by catalase and (iv) the interaction between peroxynitrite and H₂O₂ leads to the generation of singlet oxygen that inactivates catalase. Therefore, modulation of the concentration of free NO through addition of arginine, inhibition of arginase, induction of NOS expression or inhibition of NO dioxygenase triggers an autoamplificatory biochemical cascade that is based on initial formation of singlet oxygen, amplification of superoxide anion/H₂O₂ and NO generation through singlet oxygen dependent stimulation of the FAS receptor and caspase-8. Finally, singlet oxygen is generated at sufficiently high concentration to inactivate protective catalase and to reactivate intercellular apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling. This regulatory network allows to establish several pathways for synergistic interactions, like the combination of modulators of NO metabolism with enhancers of superoxide anion generation, modulators of NO metabolism that act at different targets and between modulators of NO metabolism and direct catalase inhibitors. The latter aspect is explicitely studied for the interaction between catalase inhibiting acetylsalicylic acid and an NO donor. It is also shown that hybrid molecules like NO-aspirin utilize this synergistic potential. Our data open novel approaches for rational tumor therapy based on specific ROS signaling and its control in tumor cells.

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Membrane-associated catalase protects tumor cells against ROS/RNS signaling.

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NO can be oxidated by catalase, but can also reversibly inhibit the enzyme.

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ONOO⁻ is decomposed by catalase but also drives its inactivation through singlet oxygen.

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Modulation of the NO level triggers singlet oxygen generation and catalase inactivation.

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This signaling network allows to establish synergistic antitumor effects.

Singlet oxygen treatment of tumor cells triggers extracellular singlet oxygen generation, catalase inactivation and reactivation of intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling

Intracellular singlet oxygen generation in photofrin-loaded cells caused cell death without discrimination between nonmalignant and malignant cells. In contrast, extracellular singlet oxygen generation caused apoptosis induction selectively in tumor cells through singlet oxygen-mediated inactivation of tumor cell protective catalase and subsequent reactivation of intercellular ROS-mediated apoptosis signaling through the HOCl and the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway. Singlet oxygen generation by extracellular photofrin alone was, however, not sufficient for optimal direct inactivation of catalase, but needed to trigger the generation of cell-derived extracellular singlet oxygen through the interaction between H2O2 and peroxynitrite. Thereby, formation of peroxynitrous acid, generation of hydroxyl radicals and formation of perhydroxyl radicals (HO2(.)) through hydroxyl radical/H2O2 interaction seemed to be required as intermediate steps. This amplificatory mechanism led to the formation of singlet oxygen at a sufficiently high concentration for optimal inactivation of membrane-associated catalase. At low initial concentrations of singlet oxygen, an additional amplification step needed to be activated. It depended on singlet oxygen-dependent activation of the FAS receptor and caspase-8, followed by caspase-8-mediated enhancement of NOX activity. The biochemical mechanisms described here might be considered as promising principle for the development of novel approaches in tumor therapy that specifically direct membrane-associated catalase of tumor cells and thus utilize tumor cell-specific apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling.

Revealing mechanisms of selective, concentration-dependent potentials of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal to induce apoptosis in cancer cells through inactivation of membrane-associated catalase

Tumor cells generate extracellular superoxide anions and are protected against superoxide anion-mediated intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling by the expression of membrane-associated catalase. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a versatile second messenger generated during lipid peroxidation, has been shown to induce apoptosis selectively in malignant cells. The findings described in this paper reveal the strong, concentration-dependent potential of 4-HNE to specifically inactivate extracellular catalase of tumor cells both indirectly and directly and to consequently trigger apoptosis in malignant cells through superoxide anion-mediated intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling. Namely, 4-HNE caused apoptosis selectively in NOX1-expressing tumor cells through inactivation of their membrane-associated catalase, thus reactivating subsequent intercellular signaling through the NO/peroxynitrite and HOCl pathways, followed by the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Concentrations of 4-HNE of 1.2 µM and higher directly inactivated membrane-associated catalase of tumor cells, whereas at lower concentrations, 4-HNE triggered a complex amplificatory pathway based on initial singlet oxygen formation through H2O2 and peroxynitrite interaction. Singlet-oxygen-dependent activation of the FAS receptor and caspase-8 increased superoxide anion generation by NOX1 and amplification of singlet oxygen generation, which allowed singlet-oxygen-dependent inactivation of catalase. 4-HNE and singlet oxygen cooperate in complex autoamplificatory loops during this process. The finding of these novel anticancer pathways may be useful for understanding the role of 4-HNE in the control of malignant cells and for the optimization of ROS-dependent therapeutic approaches including antioxidant treatments.

Helicobacter pylori protects oncogenically transformed cells from reactive oxygen species-mediated intercellular induction of apoptosis

Malignant transformation of gastric epithelial cells by chronic Helicobacter pylori infection is caused by several mechanisms including attraction of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing neutrophils and cytotoxin-associated antigen A-mediated dysplastic alterations. Here we show that H.pylori protects transformed cells from ROS-mediated intercellular induction of apoptosis. This potential control step in oncogenesis depends on the HOCl and NO/peroxynitrite (PON) signaling pathways. Helicobacter pylori-associated catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) efficiently cooperate in the inhibition of HOCl and the NO/PON signaling pathways. Helicobacter pylori catalase prevents HOCl synthesis through decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Helicobacter pylori-associated SOD interferes with the crucial interactions between superoxide anions and HOCl, as well as superoxide anions and NO. The ratio of bacteria to malignant cells is critical for sufficient protection of transformed cells. Low concentrations of H.pylori more efficiently inhibited ROS-mediated destruction of transformed cells when compared with high concentrations of bacteria. Our data demonstrate the critical role of H.pylori antioxidant enzymes in the survival of transformed cells, modulating an early step of oncogenesis that is distinct from the transformation process per se.

Emerging strategies to boost thymic function

The thymus constitutes the primary lymphoid organ for the generation of T cells. Its function is particularly susceptible to various negative influences ranging from age-related involution to atrophy as a consequence of malnutrition, infection or harmful iatrogenic influences such as chemotherapy and radiation. The loss of regular thymus function significantly increases the risk for infections and cancer because of a restricted capacity for immune surveillance. In recent years, thymus-stimulatory, thymus-regenerative, and thymus-protective strategies have been developed to enhance and repair thymus function in the elderly and in individuals undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These strategies include the use of sex steroid ablation, the administration of growth and differentiation factors, the inhibition of p53, and the transfer of T cell progenitors to alleviate the effects of thymus dysfunction and consequent T cell deficiency.

Low dose radiation and intercellular induction of apoptosis: potential implications for the control of oncogenesis

PURPOSE

This review is focused on the potential impact of low dose radiation effects on intercellular induction of apoptosis and the underlying reactive-oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Transformed cells are subject to ROS-mediated apoptosis induction by non-transformed cells ('intercellular induction of apoptosis') and by ROS-mediated autocrine self-destruction. Sensitivity to intercellular induction of apoptosis and autocrine self-destruction are strictly correlated to the expression of the transformed state. Extracellular superoxide anions generated by transformed target cells drive the selectivity and sensitivity of this signaling system which is based on four different signaling pathways. Low dose irradiation of non-transformed cells enhances intercellular induction of apoptosis in transformed cells. This process is controlled by TGF-beta and seems to depend on the induction of peroxidase release. In addition, low dose radiation enhances superoxide anion generation of transformed target cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Low dose radiation-triggered enhancement of intercellular induction of apoptosis and autocrine self-destruction might represent a potential control system during carcinogenesis. It might be the underlying mechanism for the well-known inhibitory effect of low dose radiation on detectable transformation events. However, modifications of the complex intercellular ROS-based signaling system may also lead to configurations in which low dose radiation attenuates ROS-mediated apoptosis induction.

Recurrence and survival predictive value of phenotypic expression of Bcl-2 varies with tumor stage of colorectal adenocarcinoma

Although decreased or lack of expression of Bcl-2 has been correlated with advanced tumor stage and shortened patient survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), its value in predicting the recurrence has not been well explored. Therefore, we assessed the usefulness of phenotypic expression of Bcl-2 in non-Hispanic Caucasian patients with CRCs in identifying risk of recurrence. Archival tissues of 92 Stage II and 66 Stage III primary CRCs were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2. None of these patients received either pre- or post-surgical adjuvant therapies. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods were used to estimate the rates of recurrence and survival according to Bcl-2 expression. Decreased expression of Bcl-2 was associated with an increased rate of recurrence in patients with Stage II CRCs (5-year log-rank test P=0.0015; Hazard Ratio (HR)=3.90, 95%C.I.:1.55-9.77) but not with Stage III CRCs (5-year log-rank test P=0.6058; HR=1.07, 95%C.I.:0.47-2.45) after adjusting for other demographic and clinicopathological features. Furthermore, decreased expression of Bcl-2 was an indicator of short survival in patients with Stage II CRCs but not with Stage III CRCs. Thus, decreased or lack of Bcl-2 expression in primary CRCs may serve as a molecular biomarker of high risk of recurrence for Caucasian patients with Stage II CRCs. These findings might be useful in identifying biologically aggressive phenotypes of Stage II CRCs, and may aid the oncologist in designing maximally appropriate therapeutic regimens.

Alternative production of Bcl-2 and Bax by tumor cells determines the rates of in vivo tumor progression: Suggested mechanisms

The hypothesis tested in the study suggests that mechanisms of the earlier described delayed or accelerated tumor progression may be regulated by the antiapoptotic and proapoptotic cellular programs activated in stress reactions of transformed cells to the host normal cellular environment. Therefore, spontaneously transformed hamster cell line STHE, its bcl-2-transduced line STHE-Bcl-2, and 64 of their descendant tumor cell variants naturally selected in two in vivo regimes (local tumor growth versus dissemination) were examined. The role of Bcl-2 and the possible activation of endogenous death-signaling Bax, Ras, and HSP90/HSP70 stress proteins in STHE (Bcl-2+/-) tumor cell variants were studied in dynamics of in vivo tumor progression. The data demonstrate: (1) Immediate in vivo activation of Bax and of HSP90/HSP70 stress proteins in disseminated STHE cells on the background of accelerated tumor progression; (2) No immediate activation of Bax and the gradual downregulation of Bcl-2 in STHE-Bcl-2 cells on the background of delayed tumor progression; (3) Alternative and mutually suppressive character of Bcl-2 and Bax expression in both regimes of tumor progression; (4) In the later stages of tumor progression, the regular transit of the initial Bcl-2 antiapoptotic, Bax-suppressing program, and the delayed tumor progression towards Bcl-2 loss, activation of Bax, and acceleration of tumor progression. Thus, the delay of tumor progression is apparently determined by the ability of Bcl-2-expressing tumor cells to extinguish the cell-damaging environmental stress signals and Bax activation, while its acceleration correlates with Bcl-2 loss, activation of proapoptotic Bax, and tumor cells damage.

Paradoxical role of apoptosis in tumor progression

Tumors frequently acquire resistance to apoptosis that is expected to contribute to malignant phenotype and reduce sensitivity to treatment. In fact, inactivation of p53 tumor suppressor gene resulting in suppression of apoptosis serves as a negative prognostic marker. Surprisingly, expression of a strong anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, another mechanism to avoid apoptosis, was found to be associated with a favorable prognosis. This paradoxical anti-progressor function of Bcl-2 has been explained in literature based on the negative effect of Bcl-2 on cell proliferation. Here, by analyzing accumulated experimental and clinical data, we provide evidence supporting another hypothesis that defines apoptosis as an accelerator of tumor progression. The mechanism of anti-progressor function of Bcl-2 is based on creation of tumors that maintain control of genomic stability by eliminating selective advantages for the cells that acquire resistance to apoptosis through loss of p53. Thus, inhibition of apoptosis does not lead to loss of genomic stability and creates tumor environment that no longer supports further tumor progression and inhibitors of apoptosis can be considered as factors suppressing tumor progression.

Proapoptotic and redox state-related signaling of reactive oxygen species generated by transformed fibroblasts

Oncogenic transformed fibroblasts are characterized by extracellular superoxide anion generation through a membrane-associated NADPH oxidase. After cellular glutathione depletion, extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by transformed fibroblasts exhibit a strong apoptosis-inducing potential. As apoptosis induction under glutathione depletion is inhibited by catalase, the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, superoxide dismutase, the hydroxyl radical scavenger terephthalate and the iron chelator deferoxamine, the metal-catalysed Haber-Weiss reaction seems to be the responsible signaling mechanism. In contrast to extracellular ROS, intracellular ROS play no role for apoptosis induction in glutathione-depleted transformed fibroblasts initially, since a high level of intracellular catalase scavenges intracellular hydrogen peroxide. Intracellular catalase seems to be induced by extracellular hydrogen peroxide, as pretreatment of transformed fibroblasts with exogenous catalase downmodulates endogenous catalase and renders glutathione-depleted transformed cells susceptible for the effect of endogenous hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to transformed fibroblasts, nontransformed glutathione-depleted fibroblasts do not generate substantial extracellular ROS, but apoptosis is efficiently induced in these cells by intracellular ROS. Our data show that extracellular ROS of transformed fibroblasts exhibit redox-related signaling and at the same time represent a potential apoptosis-inducing hazard through the metal-catalysed Haber-Weiss reaction.

Early phenotypic changes of in vitro transformed cells during in vivo progression: possible role of the host innate immunity

We described the earliest in vivo changes of in vitro transformed cells of various origin manifested in highly-increased H(2)O(2)-catabolizing and PGE(2)-releasing activities. We designate it as [H(2)O(2)(CA) + PGE(S)]-phenotype. It provided tumor cells with resistance to cytotoxicity of Mph and NK cells and correlated with increased tumorigenicity. Used as a functional marker of the early step of in vivo tumor progression [H(2)O(2)(CA) + PGE(S)]-phenotype allowed to estimate the difference in the rates of natural selection of tumor cells grown locally and/or disseminated and its significant delay related to bcl-2 gene expression. The data suggests that in vivo sublethal damage of tumor cells and activation of src gene are relevant to acquisition of [H(2)O(2)(CA) + PGE(S)]-phenotype.

Signaling and proapoptotic functions of transformed cell-derived reactive oxygen species

Transformed fibroblasts generate extracellular superoxide anions through the recently identified membrane-associated NADPH oxidase. These cell-derived superoxide anions exhibit signaling functions such as regulation of proliferation and maintenance of the transformed state. Their dismutation product hydrogen peroxide regulates the intracellular level of catalase, whose activity has been observed to be upregulated in certain transformed cells. After glutathione depletion, transformed cell-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) exhibit apoptosis-inducing potential through the metal-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction. Moreover, transformed cell-derived ROS represent key elements for selective and efficient apoptosis induction by natural antitumor systems (such as fibroblasts, granulocytes and macrophages). These effector cells release peroxidase, which utilizes target cell-derived hydrogen peroxide for HOCl synthesis. In a second step, HOCl interacts with target cell-derived superoxide anions and forms apoptosis-inducing hydroxyl radicals. In a parallel signaling pathway, effector cell-derived NO interacts with target cell-derived superoxide anions and generates the apoptosis inducer peroxynitrite. Therefore, transformed cell-derived ROS determine transformed cells as selective targets for induction of apoptosis by these effector systems. It is therefore proposed that transformed cell derived ROS interact with associated cells to exhibit directed and specific signaling functions, some of which are beneficial and some of which can become detrimental to transformed cells.

Chemoprotection from p53-dependent apoptosis: potential clinical applications of the p53 inhibitors

The p53 tumor suppressor pathway is a key mediator of stress response that protects the organism from accumulating genetically altered and potentially cancerous cells by inducing growth arrest or apoptosis in damaged cells. However, under certain stressful conditions, p53 activity can result in massive apoptosis in sensitive tissues, leading to severe pathological consequences for the organism. One such situation is anticancer therapy that is often associated with general genotoxic stress, leading to p53-dependent apoptosis in the epithelia of the digestive tract and in the hematopoietic system. A chemical inhibitor of p53, capable of suppressing p53-mediated apoptosis, was shown to protect mice from lethal doses of gamma-radiation, making pharmacological suppression of p53 a perspective therapeutic approach to reduce the side-effects of cancer treatment. There are other situations, besides anti-cancer therapy, when humans are exposed to stressful conditions known to involve p53 activation, which, in extreme cases, could result in the development of life-threatening diseases. Here we review the experimental evidence on the role of p53 in tissue injuries associated with hypoxia (heart and brain ischemias) and hyperthermia (fever and burns), comparing these pathologies with the consequences of genotoxic stress of cancer treatment. The accumulated information points to the involvement of p53 in the generation of the pathological outcome of the above stresses, making them potential targets for the therapeutic application of p53 inhibitors.

The fingerprints of the host innate immunity on the cells of primary virus-induced tumors

As shown earlier, the cells transformed in vitro by various oncogenes, during subsequent in vivo growth were gradually replaced by descendant tumor cells, which co-expressed highly increased H(2)O(2)-catabolizing antioxidant activity (H(2)O(2)(CA)), and the ability to release PGE(2) (PGE(S)) in contact with natural killer cells; v-src was the only oncogene, which in vitro induced cells transformation characterised with the expression of [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype. Expression of [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype was providing tumor cells with significantly increased resistance to cytotoxic activities of macrophages and NK cells. However, the possible involvement of [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype in primary carcinogenesis remained obscure. Here, using three models of the primary virus-induced Syrian hamster tumors we demonstrated that Rous Sarcoma Virus-induced tumors arising after short latent period expressed [H(2)O(2)(CA) + PGE(S)] phenotype at appearance. During the latent periods of SV40- and SA7(C8)-induced tumors the cells expressing [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype gradually replaced the original [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)]-phenotype-negative cell populations. The effectiveness of such selection correlated with the duration of in vivo tumor development. Thus it was shown, that selection of tumor cells expressing [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype is beginning and may be completed during the latent period of primary carcinogenesis. Taken together, data of this and preceding our studies on [H(2)O(2)(CA)+PGE(S)] phenotype demonstrate that in vivo the host innate immunity antitumor reactions are apparently responsible for the selection of rare tumor cell variants capable to defend themselves against CTA of Mph and NK.

In vivo acquired mechanisms of tumor cells local defense against the host innate immunity effectors: implication in specific antitumor immunity

As shown earlier, the cells transformed in vitro by several different oncogenes, or spontaneously, during in vivo growth in normal hosts would be gradually replaced by the highly-tumorigenic descendants co-expressing high H2O2-catabolizing and PGE2-releasing activities. Acquisition of (H2O2(CA) + PGE(S)) phenotype provides the cells with local defense mechanisms against the host innate immunity effectors. However, it remained unknown, whether the expression of (H2O2(CA) + PGE(S)) phenotype is implicated in susceptibility of tumor cells expressing tumor-specific transplantation antigens to rejection in immune animals. Here, with the use of SV40 in vitro transformed parental cells, negative in expression (H2O2(CA) + PGE(S)) phenotype, and their in vivo selected descendant tumor cell lines expressing this phenotype, we show that: (1) the rates of in vivo selection of the parental SV40 tumor cells expressing (H2O2(CA) + PGE(S)) phenotype are the same in normal and SV40-immune animals; (2) in vivo selected SV40 tumor cells expressing (H2O2(CA) + PGE(S)) phenotype, although they retain specific immunosensitivity, are 100 times less effectively rejected in SV40-immunized animals, as compared with their in vitro SV40-transformed parental cells. Thus, in vivo acquired immunologically non-specific local mechanisms of tumor cells defense against the host innate immunity effectors, significantly decreases the effectiveness of their specific immunorejection.