Different sensitivity of B cell lines derived from Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and normal cells (LCL) to cytotoxic T cell clones generated by autologous and allogeneic stimulation

c-MYC impairs immunogenicity of human B cells

Deregulation of c-myc expression through chromosomal translocation is essential in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). A characteristic feature of BL cells, compared to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-immortalized B cells, is their lack of immunogenicity. To study the contribution of EBV genes and of the c-MYC protein to this phenotype, we have generated a conditional B cell system in which the viral proliferation program and expression of c-myc can be regulated independently of each other. In cells proliferating due to exogenous c-myc overexpression, the cell surface phenotype, the pattern of proliferation in single cell suspension, and the immunological characteristics of BL cells could be completely recapitulated. Yet, it had remained open whether nonimmunogenicity is the default phenotype when EBNA2 and LMP1 are switched off, or whether c-MYC actively contributes to immunosuppression. We provide evidence also for the latter by showing that c-MYC down-regulates genes of the NF-kappaB and interferon pathway in a dose-dependent fashion. c-MYC acts at at least two different levels, the level of interferon induction as well as at the level of action of type I and type II interferons on their respective target promoters. c-MYC does not block the interferon pathway completely, it shifts the balance and increases the threshold of interferon induction and action.

Modulation of Caspase-8 and FLICE-Inhibitory Protein Expression as a Potential Mechanism of Epstein-Barr Virus Tumorigenesis in Burkitt’s Lymphoma

Ligation of the Fas receptor induces death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation, caspase activation, and subsequent apoptotic death of several cell types. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive group III Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) cell lines have a marked resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis, although expressing each of the DISC components, Fas/ APO-1–associated death domain protein (FADD), and caspase-8 (FLICE/MACH/Mch5). The apoptotic pathway distal to the DISC is intact because ceramide analogs, staurosporine, and granzyme B activate caspase-3 and induce apoptosis. Fas resistance was not explained by the putative death-attenuating caspase-8 isoforms. However, while Fas-activated cytosolic extracts from sensitive cells were capable of processing both procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 into active subunit forms, resistant cell extracts did not possess either of these activities. Accordingly, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed higher transcript levels for the FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIPL) in resistant cells and the ratio of caspase-8 to FLIPLmeasured by competition RT-PCR analysis directly correlated with susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis of all cell lines. In addition, modification of the caspase-8/FLIPL ratio by caspase-8 or FLIPL overexpression was able to alter the susceptibility status of the cell lines tested. Our results imply that the relative levels of caspase-8 and FLIPL are an important determinant of susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Modulation of Caspase-8 and FLICE-Inhibitory Protein Expression as a Potential Mechanism of Epstein-Barr Virus Tumorigenesis in Burkitt’s Lymphoma

Ligation of the Fas receptor induces death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation, caspase activation, and subsequent apoptotic death of several cell types. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive group III Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) cell lines have a marked resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis, although expressing each of the DISC components, Fas/ APO-1–associated death domain protein (FADD), and caspase-8 (FLICE/MACH/Mch5). The apoptotic pathway distal to the DISC is intact because ceramide analogs, staurosporine, and granzyme B activate caspase-3 and induce apoptosis. Fas resistance was not explained by the putative death-attenuating caspase-8 isoforms. However, while Fas-activated cytosolic extracts from sensitive cells were capable of processing both procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 into active subunit forms, resistant cell extracts did not possess either of these activities. Accordingly, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed higher transcript levels for the FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIPL) in resistant cells and the ratio of caspase-8 to FLIPLmeasured by competition RT-PCR analysis directly correlated with susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis of all cell lines. In addition, modification of the caspase-8/FLIPL ratio by caspase-8 or FLIPL overexpression was able to alter the susceptibility status of the cell lines tested. Our results imply that the relative levels of caspase-8 and FLIPL are an important determinant of susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

The immunogenicity of tumour cells

Immunological mechanisms are demonstrably of central importance in preventing the development of certain virus-associated cancers in animals and man; however, they do not appear to fulfill this role in the majority of 'spontaneous' tumours. This does not, however, necessarily indicate that spontaneous tumours lack potential target antigens for immunologically mediated destruction. Work in the field of transplantation immunology has clearly shown that certain cell types fail to elicit rejection reactions despite their possession of alloantigens. Similarly, some tumour cell types are poorly immunogenic to the point that they can grow in and kill animals despite a major histocompatibility barrier. These tumours are, however, susceptible to destruction in vivo in appropriately allo-sensitized animals. Thus, some tumours may be able to grow in autologous or syngeneic hosts because of their poor immunogenicity, despite the fact that they express potential (tumour-associated) rejection antigens. It may be possible to manipulate this situation for therapeutic purposes.