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Handschuh L, Wojciechowski P, Kazmierczak M, Lewandowski K. Transcript-Level Dysregulation of BCL2 Family Genes in Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133175. [PMID: 34202143 PMCID: PMC8267690 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of apoptosis-related BCL2 family genes, fine-tuned in normal cells, is dysregulated in many neoplasms. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), this problem has not been studied comprehensively. To address this issue, RNA-seq data were used to analyze the expression of 26 BCL2 family members in 27 AML FAB M1 and M2 patients, divided into subgroups differently responding to chemotherapy. A correlation analysis, analysis of variance, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were applied to associate the expression of particular genes with other gene expression, clinical features, and the presence of mutations detected by exome sequencing. The expression of BCL2 family genes was dysregulated in AML, as compared to healthy controls. An upregulation of anti-apoptotic and downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes was observed, though only a decrease in BMF, BNIP1, and HRK was statistically significant. In a group of patients resistant to chemotherapy, overexpression of BCL2L1 was manifested. In agreement with the literature data, our results reveal that BCL2L1 is one of the key players in apoptosis regulation in different types of tumors. An exome sequencing data analysis indicates that BCL2 family genes are not mutated in AML, but their expression is correlated with the mutational status of other genes, including those recurrently mutated in AML and splicing-related. High levels of some BCL2 family members, in particular BIK and BCL2L13, were associated with poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Handschuh
- Laboratory of Genomics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-618-528-503
| | - Pawel Wojciechowski
- Laboratory of Genomics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maciej Kazmierczak
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-569 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Krzysztof Lewandowski
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-569 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (K.L.)
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Ma Y, Chen S, Chen M, Ren X, Patel N, Liu W, Huang H, Zhou R, Zhang K, Goodin S, Li D, Zheng X. Combination of diethyldithiocarbamate with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate inhibits the growth of human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells in vitro and in xenograft model. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2020; 84:2069-2076. [PMID: 32640883 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2020.1789837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), is a major active constituent of the seed oil of Croton tiglium L., has pharmacological activity for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia patients. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) is a potent inhibitor of NF-κB show activity of anticancer. In this study, we determined the effect of DTC and TPA in combination on HL-60 cells cultured in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we have shown that DTC and TPA synergistically inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells and strongly induced apoptosis in the cells. Mechanistic studies showed that the combined effects of DTC and TPA were associated with a decrease in Bcl-2. The animal experiment showed that the combination of DTC and TPA more potently inhibited the growth of HL-60 tumors than either agent alone. Our results indicate that the administration of TPA and DTC in combination may be an effective strategy for inhibiting the growth of acute myeloid leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuran Ma
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital , Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Nandini Patel
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Wenfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Huarong Huang
- Allan H. Conney Laboratory for Anticancer Research, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology , Guangzhou, China
| | - Renping Zhou
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Susan Goodin
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Dongli Li
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Xi Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University , Jiangmen Province, Guangdong, 529020, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Du P, Zhao J, Wang J, Liu Y, Ren H, Patel R, Hu C, Zhang W, Huang G. Sine Oculis Homeobox Homolog 1 Regulates Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway Via Caspase-7 In Gastric Cancer Cells. J Cancer 2017; 8:636-645. [PMID: 28367243 PMCID: PMC5370507 DOI: 10.7150/jca.16018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (Six1) is crucial in normal organ development. Recently, Six1 is reported to display aberrant expression in various cancers and plays important roles in cancer development. However, the regulatory mechanism of Six1 in gastric cancer is largely unknown. In the current study, we found that Six1 was increased in gastric cancer tissues, and its upregulation significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.042) and poor differentiation (p=0.039). Next, we took advantage of public available microarray data to assess Six1 prognostic value with online K-M Plotter software in gastric cancer, which demonstrated that patients with higher Six1 expression had shorter survival time (p=0.02). To explore the underlying mechanism of Six1, we silenced its upregulation in gastric cells to detect cellular functions. Our results indicated that knock-down Six1 could decrease colony formation number and rendered cells sensitive to 5- Fluorouracil drug treatment. The flow cytometry analyses showed that Six1 silence could promote apoptosis but had little effect on cell cycle transition. Along this clue, we tested mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 assay, which suggested that Six1 inhibition could trigger mitochondrial apoptosis. Our subsequent results revealed that Six1 knock-down could reduce the level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and caspase-7 but not caspase-3 was involved to execute the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Taken together, we find Six1 has oncogenic role in gastric cancer development, and silenced Six1 expression can promote mitochondrial apoptosis by repressing Bcl-2 and activating executor caspase-7. These findings suggest that Six1 may become a valuable prognostic and therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhun Du
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongchao Liu
- Department of Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Department of Breast Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rajan Patel
- General Internal Medicine, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Maryland, America
| | - Cheng'en Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjian Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Synergistic cooperation between ABT-263 and MEK1/2 inhibitor: effect on apoptosis and proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:845-59. [PMID: 26625317 PMCID: PMC4808037 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of intensive research to improve treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) more than half of all patients continue to develop a refractory disease. Therefore there is need to improve AML treatment. The overexpression of the BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic members, like BCL-2 or BCL-xL has been largely reported in lymphoid tumors but also in AML and other tumors. To counteract the anti-apoptotic effect of BCL-2, BH3 mimetics have been developed to target cancer cells. An increase in activity of ERK1/2 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase has also been reported in AML and might be targeted by MEK1/2 inhibitors. Hence, in the current work, we investigated whether the association of a BH3 mimetic such ABT-263 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor pimasertib (MEKI), was efficient to target AML cells. A synergistic increasing of apoptosis was observed in AML cell lines and in primary cells without affecting normal bone marrow cells. Such cooperation was confirmed on tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model of AML. In addition we demonstrated that MEKI sensitized the cells to apoptosis through its ability to promote a G1 cell cycle arrest. So, this combination of a MAP Kinase pathway inhibitor and a BH3 mimetic could be a promising strategy to improve the treatment of AML.
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Correia C, Lee SH, Meng XW, Vincelette ND, Knorr KLB, Ding H, Nowakowski GS, Dai H, Kaufmann SH. Emerging understanding of Bcl-2 biology: Implications for neoplastic progression and treatment. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1853:1658-71. [PMID: 25827952 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bcl-2, the founding member of a family of apoptotic regulators, was initially identified as the protein product of a gene that is translocated and overexpressed in greater than 85% of follicular lymphomas (FLs). Thirty years later we now understand that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members modulate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by binding and neutralizing the mitochondrial permeabilizers Bax and Bak as well as a variety of pro-apoptotic proteins, including the cellular stress sensors Bim, Bid, Puma, Bad, Bmf and Noxa. Despite extensive investigation of all of these proteins, important questions remain. For example, how Bax and Bak breach the outer mitochondrial membrane remains poorly understood. Likewise, how the functions of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members such as eponymous Bcl-2 are affected by phosphorylation or cancer-associated mutations has been incompletely defined. Finally, whether Bcl-2 family members can be successfully targeted for therapeutic advantage is only now being investigated in the clinic. Here we review recent advances in understanding Bcl-2 family biology and biochemistry that begin to address these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Correia
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Sun-Hee Lee
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - X Wei Meng
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Nicole D Vincelette
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Katherine L B Knorr
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Husheng Ding
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Grzegorz S Nowakowski
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Haiming Dai
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Scott H Kaufmann
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Thomas S, Quinn BA, Das SK, Dash R, Emdad L, Dasgupta S, Wang XY, Dent P, Reed JC, Pellecchia M, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Targeting the Bcl-2 family for cancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 17:61-75. [PMID: 23173842 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.733001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Programmed cell death is well-orchestrated process regulated by multiple pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes, particularly those of the Bcl-2 gene family. These genes are well documented in cancer with aberrant expression being strongly associated with resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the resistance induced by the Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins and current therapeutic interventions currently in preclinical or clinical trials that target this pathway. Major resistance mechanisms that are regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins and potential strategies to circumvent resistance are also examined. Although antisense and gene therapy strategies are used to nullify Bcl-2 family proteins, recent approaches use small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and peptides. Structural similarity of the Bcl-2 family of proteins greatly favors development of inhibitors that target the BH3 domain, called BH3 mimetics. EXPERT OPINION Strategies to specifically identify and inhibit critical determinants that promote therapy resistance and tumor progression represent viable approaches for developing effective cancer therapies. From a clinical perspective, pretreatment with novel, potent Bcl-2 inhibitors either alone or in combination with conventional therapies hold significant promise for providing beneficial clinical outcomes. Identifying SMIs with broader and higher affinities for inhibiting all of the Bcl-2 pro-survival proteins will facilitate development of superior cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibu Thomas
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Chang WH, Liu TC, Yang WK, Lee CC, Lin YH, Chen TY, Chang JG. Amiloride Modulates Alternative Splicing in Leukemic Cells and Resensitizes Bcr-AblT315I Mutant Cells to Imatinib. Cancer Res 2011; 71:383-92. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Dubikov AI, Kalinichenko SG. Small molecules regulating apoptosis in the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2010; 39:368-72. [DOI: 10.3109/03009741003742771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Benites B, Fattori A, Hackel C, Lorand-Metze I, De Souza C, Schulz E, Costa F, Saad S. Low expression of APAF-1XL in acute myeloid leukemia may be associated with the failure of remission induction therapy. Braz J Med Biol Res 2008; 41:571-8. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2008000700004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 06/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - A. Fattori
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil
| | - C. Hackel
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil
| | | | | | - E. Schulz
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil
| | - F.F. Costa
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil
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Sorafenib induces apoptosis of AML cells via Bim-mediated activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Leukemia 2008; 22:808-18. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2405098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Yip KW, Mocanu JD, Au PYB, Sleep GT, Huang D, Busson P, Yeh WC, Gilbert R, O'Sullivan B, Gullane P, Bastianutto C, Liu FF. Combination bcl-2 antisense and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 11:8131-44. [PMID: 16299246 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-1266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A wide variety of tumors depend on the dysregulation of Bcl-2 family proteins for survival. The resulting apoptotic block can often provide a mechanism for resistance to anticancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. This current study evaluates the efficacy of combining systemically delivered Bcl-2 phosphorothioate antisense (Bcl-2 ASO) and radiation for nasopharyngeal cancer therapy. RESULTS Antisense uptake was unaffected by 0, 3, or 6 Gy radiation. Radiation decreased the fraction of viable C666-1 cells to 60%, with a further decrease to 40% in combination with Bcl-2 ASO. Despite a modest in vitro effect, Bcl-2 ASO alone caused the regression of established xenograft tumors in mice, extending survival by 15 days in a C666-1 and by 6 days in a C15 model. The survival times for mice treated with both Bcl-2 ASO and radiation increased by 52 days in C666-1 and by 20 days in C15 tumors. This combination resulted in a more-than-additive effect in C666-1 tumors. Less impressive gains observed in C15 tumors might be attributable to higher expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins and limited drug distribution in the tumor. Retreatment of C666-1 tumors with the Bcl-2 ASO-radiation combination, however, was effective, resulting in mice surviving for >80 days relative to untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the Bcl-2 ASO and radiation combination is a highly potent therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Further examination of combination therapy with radiation and other Bcl-2 family-targeted anticancer agents in both preclinical and clinical settings is definitely warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W Yip
- Division of Applied Molecular Oncology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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Valadares MC, Bincoletto C, Oliveira SC, de Melo A, Saad STO, Queiroz MLS. Bone marrow progenitor cells from chemically exposed workers display an intrinsic ability for autonomous proliferation. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2005; 27:137-45. [PMID: 15803866 DOI: 10.1081/iph-51761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the autonomous proliferation of bone marrow progenitor cells (CFU-C), a pathological phenomenon observed in many hematological abnormalities, was investigated in 31 individuals who had been diagnosed as having neutropenia. Of these subjects, 18 had been chronically exposed (range of exposure 5-30 years) to a variety of petroleum distillates. We observed that the group of exposed individuals presented higher numbers of autonomous CFU-C when compared with those unexposed subjects. In addition, follow-up data demonstrated that 20% of the exposed population (4 of the 18) developed malignant hematological diseases. The autonomous CFU-C obtained from all individuals studied was composed predominantly of macrophages. This suggests an involvement of these cells in the development of hematological abnormalities, probably as a result of increased production of chemical myelotoxic metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marize Campos Valadares
- Departamento de Farmacologia/Hemocentro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
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Shangary S, Johnson DE. Recent advances in the development of anticancer agents targeting cell death inhibitors in the Bcl-2 protein family. Leukemia 2003; 17:1470-81. [PMID: 12886234 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic malignancies frequently are characterized by defects in apoptosis signaling. This renders the malignant cells resistant to endogenous apoptotic stimuli, as well as exogenous stimuli, such as chemotherapy drugs and radiation. The defective apoptosis seen in human cancers often results from overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins in the Bcl-2 protein family, particularly Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L). A great deal of effort is currently aimed at developing novel agents to inhibit the expression or function of these proteins. Antisense agents directed against Bcl-2 mRNA are showing considerable promise in clinical trials. In addition, detailed knowledge of the structures of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L), coupled with high-throughput and computer-assisted screening of chemical libraries, has led to the identification of a number of short peptides and small organic molecules capable of inhibiting Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) function. These newly described agents hold considerable promise for enhancing the chemo- and radiation sensitivities of Bcl-2- and Bcl-X(L)-overexpressing cancers. This review will highlight recent advances in the development and testing of agents targeting cell death inhibitors in the Bcl-2 protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Shangary
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Domen J, Weissman IL. Hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic cells show broad resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in vivo when overexpressing bcl-2. Exp Hematol 2003; 31:631-9. [PMID: 12842708 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-472x(03)00084-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective. Chemotherapeutic agents function by inducing apoptosis and their effectiveness depends on the balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in cells. Due to the complicated interactions of the many proteins involved, it has been difficult to determine in tumors whether overexpression of single genes is prognostic for increased resistance. Therefore, we studied the influence of bcl-2 overexpression on resistance to chemotherapeutics in a transgenic mouse system. This allowed us to study a wide variety of cells, including important but rare populations such as hematopoietic stem cells (HSC).Methods. H2K-bcl-2 transgenic and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with several agents(5-fluoruracil, cyclophosphamide, and busulfan) to determine the contribution of increased amounts of bcl-2 to the response to these chemotherapeutics in vivo. Populations were enumerated using flow cytometry. HSC were studied by FACS purification and long-term reconstitution assays in vivo and resistance was confirmed by short-term proliferation assays with different amounts of chemotherapeutics in vitro.Results. bcl-2 overexpression alone protects many cell types, though protection levels differ between populations and agents. However, even sensitive populations return to pretreatment levels faster in transgenic mice. bcl-2 overexpression also prevents the dramatic changes in HSC following 5-FU treatment (downregulation of c-kit, upregulation of Lin, less efficient long-term reconstitution). In vitro studies directly demonstrate increased resistance of bcl-2 overexpressing HSC to chemotherapeutic agents.Conclusions. Increased expression of bcl-2 in HSC and their progeny endows these cells with broad resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. The ability to (differentially) regulate sensitivity to apoptosis of bystander and tumor cells is clinically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos Domen
- Department of Medicine and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Bincoletto C, Perlingeiro RC, Saad ST, Costa FF, Queiroz ML. Hydroxyurea promotes the reduction of spontaneous BFU-e to normal levels in SS and S/beta thalassemic patients. Hemoglobin 2001; 25:1-7. [PMID: 11300342 DOI: 10.1081/hem-100103064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We have studied the effects of hydroxyurea on growth and differentiation of early erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-e) from peripheral blood of sickle cell disease patients (five SS and two Hb S/beta-thalassemia) in the presence or absence of exogenous stimulating factors. When the mononuclear cells from the sickle cell disease patients were cultured at diagnosis (before hydroxyurea treatment), there was an increased number of BFU-e in relation to controls (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test) when cells were grown in the presence or absence of 5637 conditioned medium and erythropoietin. Colonies that developed in the absence of added growth factors were considered "spontaneous". A significant difference was observed after hydroxyurea treatment in the number of BFU-e obtained in the presence and absence of stimulus, with a higher reduction in the spontaneous BFU-e number. As expected, there was an increased Hb F level in these patients when compared with their pretreatment levels. There was no correlation between spontaneous BFU-e and hemoglobin levels in all patients studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bincoletto
- Department of Pharmacology, Hemocentre, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil
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