Inhibition of c-myc expression induces apoptosis of WEHI 231 murine B cells

MYC: a multipurpose oncogene with prognostic and therapeutic implications in blood malignancies

MYC oncogene is a transcription factor with a wide array of functions affecting cellular activities such as cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage response, and hematopoiesis. Due to the multi-functionality of MYC, its expression is regulated at multiple levels. Deregulation of this oncogene can give rise to a variety of cancers. In this review, MYC regulation and the mechanisms by which MYC adjusts cellular functions and its implication in hematologic malignancies are summarized. Further, we also discuss potential inhibitors of MYC that could be beneficial for treating hematologic malignancies.

MYC Oncogene Contributions to Release of Cell Cycle Brakes

Promotion of the cell cycle is a major oncogenic mechanism of the oncogene c-MYC (MYC). MYC promotes the cell cycle by not only activating or inducing cyclins and CDKs but also through the downregulation or the impairment of the activity of a set of proteins that act as cell-cycle brakes. This review is focused on the role of MYC as a cell-cycle brake releaser i.e., how MYC stimulates the cell cycle mainly through the functional inactivation of cell cycle inhibitors. MYC antagonizes the activities and/or the expression levels of p15, ARF, p21, and p27. The mechanism involved differs for each protein. p15 (encoded by CDKN2B) and p21 (CDKN1A) are repressed by MYC at the transcriptional level. In contrast, MYC activates ARF, which contributes to the apoptosis induced by high MYC levels. At least in some cells types, MYC inhibits the transcription of the p27 gene (CDKN1B) but also enhances p27's degradation through the upregulation of components of ubiquitin ligases complexes. The effect of MYC on cell-cycle brakes also opens the possibility of antitumoral therapies based on synthetic lethal interactions involving MYC and CDKs, for which a series of inhibitors are being developed and tested in clinical trials.

CD72 Stimulation Modulates Anti-IgM Induced Apoptotic Signaling through the Pathway of NF-κB, c-Myc and p27Kip1

Engagement of mIgM induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in immature B cells. The biochemical mechanism(s) regulating the cell death process are poorly understood. Cross-linking of CD72 (a B cell co-receptor) with anti-CD72 antibody was shown to protect B cells from apoptosis. We investigated the molecular mechanism involved in apoptosis preventing signaling mediated by CD72 ligation using a derivative (WEHIdelta) of the WEHI231 cell line which is representative of immature B cells. Apoptotic WEHIdelta cells following cross-linking of mIgM demonstrate a dramatic loss of c-Myc protein after transient up-regulation. In contrast, pre-ligation of CD72 was able to sustain c-Myc expression after transient up-regulation. Cross-linking of mIgM of WEHIdelta cells causes accumulation of the Cdk inhibitor, p27(Kip1). CD72 pre-ligation was shown to inhibit the accumulation of p27(Kip1) protein. Moreover, NF-kappaB activity was not suppressed in WEHIdelta cells after mIgM cross-linking when the cells were pre-treated with anti-CD72 antibody. These results strongly suggest that the apoptosis preventing signal evoked by CD72 ligation is delivered through the pathway of NF-kappaB, c-Myc, p27(Kip1) and cyclin.

Piperlongumine inhibits LMP1/MYC-dependent mouse B-lymphoma cells

Piperlongumine (PL), isolated from the fruit of Long pepper, Piper longum, is a cancer-inhibiting compound that selectively kills tumor cells while sparing their normal counterparts. Here we evaluated the efficacy with which PL suppresses malignant B cells derived from a newly developed, double-transgenic mouse model of human endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL), designated mCD40-LMP1/iMyc(Eμ). PL inhibited tumor cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis of neoplastic but not normal B cells. Treatment with PL resulted in downregulation of EBV-encoded LMP1, cellular Myc, constitutive NF-κB activity, and a host of LMP1-Myc-NF-κB-regulated target genes including Aurka, Bcat1, Bub1b, Ccnb1, Chek1, Fancd2, Tfrc and Xrcc6. Of note, p21(Cip1)-encoding Cdkn1a was suppressed independent of changes in Trp53 mRNA levels and p53 DNA-binding activity. Considering the central role of the LMP1-NF-κB-Myc axis in B-lineage neoplasia, these findings further our understanding of the mechanisms by which PL inhibits B-lymphoma and provide a preclinical rationale for the inclusion of PL in new interventions in blood cancers.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus oncoprotein K13 protects against B cell receptor-induced growth arrest and apoptosis through NF-κB activation

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been linked to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). We have characterized the role of KSHV-encoded viral FLICE inhibitory protein (vFLIP) K13 in the modulation of anti-IgM-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in B cells. We demonstrate that K13 protects WEHI 231, an immature B-cell line, against anti-IgM-induced growth arrest and apoptosis. The protective effect of K13 was associated with the activation of the NF-κB pathway and was deficient in a mutant K13 with three alanine substitutions at positions 58 to 60 (K13-58AAA) and a structural homolog, vFLIP E8, both of which lack NF-κB activity. K13 upregulated the expression of NF-κB subunit RelB and blocked the anti-IgM-induced decline in c-Myc and rise in p27(Kip1) that have been associated with growth arrest and apoptosis. K13 also upregulated the expression of Mcl-1, an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl2 family. Finally, K13 protected the mature B-cell line Ramos against anti-IgM-induced apoptosis through NF-κB activation. Inhibition of anti-IgM-induced apoptosis by K13 may contribute to the development of KSHV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders.

Inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa B cause apoptosis in cultured macrophages

The precise role of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF- κB) in the regulation of cell survival and cell death is still unresolved and may depend on cell type and position in the cell cycle. The aim of this study was to determine if three pharmacologic inhibitors of NF-κB, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, N-tosyl-L-lysl chloromethyl ketone and calpain I inhibitor, induce apoptosis in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) at doses similar to those required for NF-κB inhibition. We found that each of the three inhibitors resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in morphologic indices of apoptosis in unstimulated, LPS-stimulated and TNF-stimulated cells. Lethal doses were consistent with those required for NF- κB inhibition. We conclude that nuclear NF-κB activation may represent an important survival mechanism in macrophages.

NF-κB and the link between inflammation and cancer

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor family has been considered the central mediator of the inflammatory process and a key participant in innate and adaptive immune responses. Coincident with the molecular cloning of NF-κB/RelA and identification of its kinship to the v-Rel oncogene, it was anticipated that NF-κB itself would be involved in cancer development. Oncogenic activating mutations in NF-κB genes are rare and have been identified only in some lymphoid malignancies, while most NF-κB activating mutations in lymphoid malignancies occur in upstream signaling components that feed into NF-κB. NF-κB activation is also prevalent in carcinomas, in which NF-κB activation is mainly driven by inflammatory cytokines within the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, however, in all malignancies, NF-κB acts in a cell type-specific manner: activating survival genes within cancer cells and inflammation-promoting genes in components of the tumor microenvironment. Yet, the complex biological functions of NF-κB have made its therapeutic targeting a challenge.

Efficacy of bortezomib in a direct xenograft model of primary effusion lymphoma

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma most commonly diagnosed in HIV-positive patients and universally associated with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Chemotherapy treatment of PEL yields only short-term remissions in the vast majority of patients, but efforts to develop superior therapeutic approaches have been impeded by lack of animal models that accurately mimic human disease. To address this issue, we developed a direct xenograft model, UM-PEL-1, by transferring freshly isolated human PEL cells into the peritoneal cavities of NOD/SCID mice without in vitro cell growth to avoid the changes in KSHV gene expression evident in cultured cells. We used this model to show that bortezomib induces PEL remission and extends overall survival of mice bearing lymphomatous effusions. The proapoptotic effects of bortezomib are not mediated by inhibition of the prosurvival NF-kappaB pathway or by induction of a terminal unfolded protein response. Transcriptome analysis by genomic arrays revealed that bortezomib down-regulated cell-cycle progression, DNA replication, and Myc-target genes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in vivo treatment with either bortezomib or doxorubicin induces KSHV lytic reactivation. These reactivations were temporally distinct, and this difference may help elucidate the therapeutic window for use of antivirals concurrently with chemotherapy. Our findings show that this direct xenograft model can be used for testing novel PEL therapeutic strategies and also can provide a rational basis for evaluation of bortezomib in clinical trials.

NF-kappaB/STAT3/PI3K signaling crosstalk in iMyc E mu B lymphoma

Background

Myc is a well known driver of lymphomagenesis, and Myc-activating chromosomal translocation is the recognized hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We developed a model that mimics this translocation event by inserting a mouse Myc cDNA gene into the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, just upstream of the intronic Eμ enhancer. These mice, designated iMyc^Eμ, readily develop B-cell lymphoma. To study the mechanism of Myc-induced lymphoma, we analyzed signaling pathways in lymphoblastic B-cell lymphomas (LBLs) from iMyc^Eμ mice, and an LBL-derived cell line, iMyc^Eμ-1.

Results

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were constitutively activated in iMyc^Eμ mice, not only in LBLs but also in the splenic B-lymphocytes of young animals months before tumors developed. Moreover, inhibition of either transcription factor in iMyc^Eμ-1 cells suppressed growth and caused apoptosis, and the abrogation of NF-κB activity reduced DNA binding by both STAT3 and Myc, as well as Myc expression. Inhibition of STAT3 signaling eliminated the activity of both NF-κB and Myc, and resulted in a corresponding decrease in the level of Myc. Thus, in iMyc^Eμ-1 cells NF-κB and STAT3 are co-dependent and can both regulate Myc. Consistent with this, NF-κB and phosphorylated STAT3 were physically associated with one another. In addition, LBLs and iMyc^Eμ-1 cells also showed constitutive AKT phosphorylation. Blocking AKT activation by inhibiting PI3K reduced iMyc^Eμ-1 cell proliferation and caused apoptosis, via downregulation of NF-κB and STAT3 activity and a reduction of Myc levels. Co-treatment with NF-κB, STAT3 or/and PI3K inhibitors led to additive inhibition of iMyc^Eμ-1 cell proliferation, suggesting that these signaling pathways converge.

Conclusions

Our findings support the notion that constitutive activation of NF-κB and STAT3 depends on upstream signaling through PI3K, and that this activation is important for cell survival and proliferation, as well as for maintaining the level of Myc. Together, these data implicate crosstalk among NF-κB, STAT3 and PI3K in the development of iMyc^Eμ B-cell lymphomas.

N(alpha)-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in transformed human B cell lines with transcriptional down-regulation of anti-apoptotic HS1-associated protein X-1

N(alpha)-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK) has been widely used to investigate signal transduction pathways that are involved in gene expression and cell survival/cell death. However, contradictory effects of TPCK on apoptosis have been reported, and the underlying signaling events leading to TPCK-induced promotion or prevention of apoptosis are not fully understood. Here, we show that TPCK induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed human B cell lines with release of pro-apoptotic proteins from mitochondria. TPCK treatment also results in down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins, cIAP1, cIAP2, and HAX-1, and caspase-dependent cleavage of the anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and XIAP. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that the TPCK-induced down-regulation of HAX-1 occurred at the transcriptional level, and experiments using the specific pharmacological inhibitor, Bay 11-7082, suggested that HAX-1 expression is subject to regulation by the transcription factor, NF-kappaB. B cell lines derived from patients with homozygous HAX1 mutations were more sensitive to TPCK-induced apoptosis when compared with normal donor cell lines. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine effectively blocked TPCK-induced apoptosis in EBV-transformed B cell lines and prevented the down-regulation or cleavage of anti-apoptotic proteins. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that TPCK induces apoptosis in human B cell lines and exerts multiple effects on pro- and anti-apoptotic factors.

RNAi-mediated c-Rel silencing leads to apoptosis of B cell tumor cells and suppresses antigenic immune response in vivo

c-Rel is a member of the Rel/NF-κB transcription factor family and is predominantly expressed in lymphoid and myeloid cells, playing a critical role in lymphocyte proliferation and survival. Persistent activation of the c-Rel signal transduction pathway is associated with allergies, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a variety of human malignancies. To explore the potential of targeting c-Rel as a therapeutic agent for these disorders, we designed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence c-Rel expression in vitro and in vivo. C-Rel-siRNA expression via a retroviral vector in a B cell tumor cell line leads to growth arrest and apoptosis of the tumor cells. Silencing c-Rel in primary B cells in vitro compromises their proliferative and survival response to CD40 activation signals, similar to the impaired response of c-Rel knockout B cells. Most important, in vivo silencing of c-Rel results in significant impairment in T cell-mediated immune responses to antigenic stimulation. Our study thus validates the efficacy of c-Rel-siRNA, and suggests the development of siRNA-based therapy, as well as small molecular inhibitors for the treatment of B cell tumors as well as autoimmune diseases.

c-Myc represses FOXO3a-mediated transcription of the gene encoding the p27(Kip1) cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor

The p27(Kip1) (p27) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and c-Myc oncoprotein play essential roles in control of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Induction of p27 (CDKN1B) gene transcription by Forkhead box O proteins such as FOXO3a leads to growth arrest and apoptosis. Previously, we observed that B cell receptor (surface IgM) engagement of WEHI 231 immature B lymphoma cells with an anti-IgM antibody results in activation of FOXO3a, growth arrest and apoptosis. As ectopic c-Myc expression in these cells prevented anti-IgM induction of p27 and cell death, we hypothesized that c-Myc represses FOXO3a-mediated transcription. Here we show that c-Myc inhibits FOXO3a-mediated activation of the p27 promoter in multiple cell lines. The mechanism of this repression was explored using a combination of co-immunoprecipitation, oligonucleotide precipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. The studies demonstrate a functional association of FOXO3a and c-Myc on a proximal Forkhead binding element in the p27 promoter. This association involves the Myc box II domain of c-Myc and the N-terminal DNA-binding portion of FOXO3a. Analysis of publicly available microarray datasets showed an inverse pattern of c-MYC and p27 RNA expression in primary acute myeloid leukemia, prostate cancer and tongue squamous cell carcinoma samples. The inhibition of FOXO3a-mediated activation of the p27 gene by the high aberrant expression of c-Myc in many tumor cells likely contributes to their uncontrolled proliferation and invasive phenotype.

Regulation of programmed cell death by NF-kappaB and its role in tumorigenesis and therapy

The Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors are key regulators of programmed cell death (PCD). Their activity has significant physiological relevance for normal development and homeostasis in various tissues and important pathological consequences are associated with aberrant NF-kappaB activity, including hepatocyte apoptosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. While NF-kappaB is best characterized for its protective activity in response to proapoptotic stimuli, its role in suppressing programmed necrosis has come to light more recently. NF-kappaB most commonly antagonizes PCD by activating the expression of antiapoptotic proteins and antioxidant molecules, but it can also promote PCD under certain conditions and in certain cell types. It is therefore important to understand the pathways that control NF-kappaB activation in different settings and the mechanisms that regulate its anti- vs pro-death activities. Here, we review the role of NF-kappaB in apoptotic and necrotic PCD, the mechanisms involved, and how its activity in the cell death response impacts cancer development, progression, and therapy. Given the role that NF-kappaB plays both in tumor cells and in the tumor microenvironment, recent findings underscore the NF-kappaB signaling pathway as a promising target for cancer prevention and treatment.

The glucocorticoid receptor is increased in Atm-/- thymocytes and in Atm-/- thymic lymphoma cells, and its nuclear translocation counteracts c-myc expression

We have previously demonstrated that spontaneous DNA synthesis in immature thymocytes of Atm-/- mice is elevated, and that treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) attenuates this increased DNA synthesis and prevents the development of thymic lymphomas. Deregulation of c-myc may drive the uncontrolled proliferation of Atm-/- thymocytes, since upregulation of c-myc parallels the elevated DNA synthesis in the cells. In this study, we show that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is expressed at high levels in Atm-/- thymocytes and in Atm-/- thymic lymphoma cells, although serum glucocorticoid (GC) levels in Atm-/- mice are similar to those in Atm+/+ mice. In cultured Atm-/- thymic lymphoma cells treated with Dex, GR nuclear translocation occurs, resulting in suppression of DNA synthesis and c-myc expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, the GR antagonist RU486 also causes GR nuclear translocation, but does not affect DNA synthesis and c-myc expression in Atm-/- thymic lymphoma cells. As expected, RU486 reverses the suppressive effects of Dex on DNA synthesis and c-myc expression. Administration of Dex to Atm-/- mice decreases the elevated c-Myc protein levels in their thymocytes. These findings suggest that GC/GR signaling plays an important role in regulating c-myc expression in Atm-/- thymocytes and thymic lymphoma cells.

Cutting Edge: TFII-I controls B cell proliferation via regulating NF-kappaB

The multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I physically and functionally interacts with Bruton's tyrosine kinase in murine B cells. However, the downstream functions of TFII-I in B cells are unknown. Toward achieving this goal, we established stable posttranscriptional silencing of TFII-I in WEHI-231 immature murine B cells, which undergoes growth arrest and apoptosis either upon anti-IgM or TGF-beta signaling. In this study, we show that TFII-I promotes growth arrest of cells in a signal-dependent manner. Unlike control cells, B cells exhibiting loss of TFII-I function fail to undergo arrest upon signaling due to up-regulation of c-Myc expression and concomitant down-regulation of both p21 and p27. Loss of TFII-I is also associated with simultaneous increase in nuclear c-rel and decrease in p50 homodimer binding. Thus, besides controlling c-myc transcription, TFII-I controls B cell proliferation by regulating both nuclear translocation of c-rel and DNA-binding activity of p50 NF-kappaB.

CD40 ligand-mediated activation of the de novo RelB NF-kappaB synthesis pathway in transformed B cells promotes rescue from apoptosis

CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member, is expressed on B lymphocytes. Interaction between CD40 and its ligand (CD40L), expressed on activated T lymphocytes, is critical for B cell survival. Here, we demonstrate that CD40 signals B cell survival in part via transcriptional activation of the RelB NF-kappaB subunit. CD40L treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells induced levels of relB mRNA. Similarly, CD40L-mediated rescue of WEHI 231 B lymphoma cells from apoptosis induced upon B cell receptor (surface IgM) engagement led to increased relB mRNA levels. Recently, we characterized a new de novo synthesis pathway for the RelB NF-kappaB subunit, induced by the cytomegalovirus IE1 protein, in which binding of p50/p65 NF-kappaB and c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 complexes to the relB promoter works in synergy to potently activate transcription (Wang, X., and Sonenshein, G. E. (2005) J. Virol. 79, 95-105). CD40L treatment of WEHI 231 cells caused induction of AP-1 family members Fra-2, c-Jun, JunD, and JunB. Cotransfection of Fra-2 with the Jun AP-1 subunits and p50/c-Rel NF-kappaB led to synergistic activation of the relB promoter. Ectopic expression of relB or RelB knockdown using small interfering RNA demonstrated the important role of this subunit in control of WEHI 231 cell survival and implicated activation of the anti-apoptotic factors Survivin and manganese superoxide dismutase. Thus, CD40 engagement of transformed B cells activates relB gene transcription via a process we have termed the de novo RelB synthesis pathway, which protects these cells from apoptosis.

Microarray analysis of mercury-induced changes in gene expression in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells: importance in immune responses

Mercury is widely distributed in the biosphere, and its toxic effects have been associated with human death and several ailments that include cardiovascular diseases, anemia, kidney and liver damage, developmental abnormalities, neurobehavioral disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancers in experimental animals. At the cellular level, mercury has been shown to interact with sulphydryl groups of proteins and enzymes, to damage DNA, and to modulate cell cycle progression and/or apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of mercury toxicity remain to be elucidated. Our laboratory has demonstrated that mercury exposure induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis, modulates cell cycle, and transcriptionally activates specific stress genes in human liver carcinoma cells. The liver is one of the few organs capable of regeneration from injury. Dormant genes in the liver are therefore capable of reactivation. In this research, we hypothesize that mercury-induced hepatotoxicity is associated with the modulation of specific gene expressions in liver cells that can lead to several disease states involving immune system dysfunctions. In testing this hypothesis, we used an Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray with probe sets complementary to more than 20,000 genes to determine whether patterns of gene expressions differ between controls and mercury (1–3μg/mL) treated cells. There was a clear separation in gene expression profiles between controls and mercury-treated cells. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified 2,211 target genes that were affected. One hundred and thirty-eight of these genes were up-regulated, among which forty three were significantly over-expressed (p = 0.001) with greater than a two-fold change, and ninety five genes were moderately over-expressed with an increase of more than one fold (p = 0.004). Two thousand and twenty-three genes were down-regulated with only forty five of them reaching a statistically significant decline at p = 0.05 according to the Welch’s ANOVA/Welch’s t-test. Further analyses of affected genes identified genes located on all human chromosomes except chromosome 22 with higher than normal effects on genes found on chromosomes 1–14, 17–20 (sex-determining region Y)-box18SRY, 21 (splicing factor, arginine/serine-rich 15 and ATP-binding), and X (including BCL6-co-repressor). These genes are categorized as control and regulatory genes for metabolic pathways involving the cell cycle (cyclin-dependent kinases), apoptosis, cytokine expression, Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, stress responses, G-protein signal transduction, transcription factors, DNA repair as well as metal-regulatory transcription factor 1, MTF1 HGNC, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 5 (neuroglycan C), ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), cytochrome b-561 family protein, CDC-like kinase 1 (CLK1 HGNC) (protein tyrosine kinase STY), Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF HGNC), potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 2 (KCNH2), putative MAPK activating protein (PM20, PM21), ras homolog gene family, polymerase (DNA directed), δ regulatory subunit (50kDa), leptin receptor involved in hematopoietin/interferon-class (D200-domain) cytokine receptor activity and thymidine kinase 2, mitochondrial TK2 HGNC and related genes. Significant alterations in these specific genes provide new directions for deeper mechanistic investigations that would lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of mercury-induced toxicity and human diseases that may result from disturbances in the immune system.

Fate decisions regulating bone marrow and peripheral B lymphocyte development

In adult mammals, bone marrow pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells generate B lymphoid-specified progeny that progress through a series of well-characterized stages before generating B-cell receptor expressing B lymphocytes. These functionally immature B lymphocytes then migrate to the spleen wherein they differentiate through transitional stages into follicular or marginal zone B lymphocytes capable of responding to T-dependent and -independent antigens, respectively. During the terminal stages of B lymphocyte development in the bone marrow, as well as immediately following egress into the peripheral compartments, B lymphocytes are counterselected to eliminate B lymphocytes with potentially dangerous self-reactivity. These developmental and selection events in the bone marrow and periphery are dependent on the integration of intrinsic genetic programs with extrinsic microenvironmental signals that drive progenitors toward increasing B lineage commitment and maturation. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the various stages of primary and secondary B lymphocyte development with an emphasis on the selection processes that affect decisions at critical checkpoints. Our intent is to stress the concept that at many steps in the developmental process leading to a mature immunocompetent B lymphocyte, B lineage cells are integrating multiple and different signaling inputs that are translated into specific and appropriate cell fate decisions.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor constitutively represses c-myc transcription in human mammary tumor cells

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an environmental carcinogen-activated transcription factor associated with tumorigenesis. High levels of apparently active AhR characterize a variety of tumors, even in the absence of environmental ligands. Despite this association between transformation and AhR upregulation, little is known of the transcriptional consequences of constitutive AhR activation. Here, the effects of constitutively active and environmental ligand-induced AhR on c-myc, an oncogene whose promoter contains six AhR-binding sites (AhREs (aryl hydrocarbon response elements)), were investigated. A reporter containing the human c-myc promoter, with its six AhREs and two NF-kappaB-binding sites, was constructed. This vector, and variants with deletions in the NF-kappaB and/or AhR-binding sites, was transfected into a human breast cancer cell line, Hs578T, which expresses high levels of apparently active, nuclear AhR. Results indicate that: (1) the AhR constitutively binds the c-myc promoter; (2) there is a low but significant baseline level of c-myc promoter activity, which is not regulated by NF-kappaB and is not affected by an environmental AhR ligand; (3) deletion of any one of the AhREs has no effect on constitutive reporter activity, while deletion of all six increases reporter activity approximately fivefold; (4) a similar increase in reporter activity occurs when constitutively active AhR is suppressed by transfection with an AhR repressor plasmid (AhRR); (5) AhRR transfection significantly increases background levels of endogenous c-myc mRNA and c-Myc protein. These results suggest that the AhR influences the expression of c-Myc, a protein critical to malignant transformation.

Environmental chemical-induced bone marrow B cell apoptosis: death receptor-independent activation of a caspase-3 to caspase-8 pathway

Programmed cell death is a critical process in B lymphocyte development. Premature apoptosis in developing B cells could affect the repertoire and number of mature B cells produced. Of particular concern is the ability of environmentally ubiquitous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to induce B cell apoptosis within the bone marrow microenvironment in a clonally nonspecific way. Here, models of bone marrow B cell development were used to assess the role of the "extrinsic" apoptosis pathway in PAH-induced apoptosis and to compare PAH-induced apoptosis with that induced during clonal deletion. As demonstrated previously with a nontransformed pro-/pre-B cell line, primary pro-B cells cultured on bone marrow stromal cells underwent apoptosis after exposure to a prototypic PAH, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Apoptosis was preceded by cleavage of caspase-3 (4-6 h) and caspase-8 (6-8 h) and their respective substrates, alpha-fodrin and Bid. Inhibition of caspase-3 blocked caspase-8 activation and apoptosis. Furthermore, a pan-caspase inhibitor blocked apoptosis and activation of both caspases-3 and -8. Cells from mice defective in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta, lymphotoxin-beta, or TNFR1, TNFR2, Fas, or death receptor 6 were as susceptible to apoptosis signaling as wild-type cells. These results suggest a complex death receptor-independent B cell apoptosis pathway in which caspase-8 is activated downstream of caspase-3.

Inhibitory effect of c-Myc on p53-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. Microarray analysis reveals defective induction of p53 target genes and upregulation of chaperone genes

We have previously demonstrated that c-Myc impairs p53-mediated apoptosis in K562 human leukemia cells, which lack ARF. To investigate the mechanisms by which c-Myc protects from p53-mediated apoptosis, we used K562 cells that conditionally express c-Myc and harbor a temperature-sensitive allele of p53. Gene expression profiles of cells expressing wild-type conformation p53 in the presence of either uninduced or induced c-Myc were analysed by cDNA microarrays. The results show that multiple p53 target genes are downregulated when c-Myc is present, including p21WAF1, MDM2, PERP, NOXA, GADD45, DDB2, PIR121 and p53R2. Also, a number of genes that are upregulated by c-Myc in cells expressing wild-type conformation p53 encode chaperones related to cell death protection as HSP105, HSP90 and HSP27. Both downregulation of p53 target genes and upregulation of chaperones could explain the inhibition of apoptosis observed in K562 cells with ectopic c-Myc. Myc-mediated impairment of p53 transactivation was not restricted to K562 cells, but it was reproduced in a panel of human cancer cell lines derived from different tissues. Our data suggest that elevated levels of Myc counteract p53 activity in human tumor cells that lack ARF. This mechanism could contribute to explain the c-Myc deregulation frequently found in cancer.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is required for survival and proliferation of B-lymphoma cells

Several primary murine and human B lymphomas and cell lines were found to constitutively express high levels of the activated form of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. Proliferation of murine B lymphomas CH31, CH12.Lx, BKS-2, and WEHI-231 and the human B lymphomas BJAB, RAMOS, RAJI, OCI-Ly7, and OCI-Ly10 was strongly inhibited by SP600125, an anthrapyrazolone inhibitor of JNK, in a dose-dependent manner. The lymphoma cells underwent apoptosis and arrested at the G2/M phase of cell cycle. Furthermore, JNK-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited the growth of both murine and human B lymphomas. Thus in the B-lymphoma model, JNK appears to have a unique prosurvival role. Survival signals provided by CD40 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) together reversed the growth inhibition induced by the JNK inhibitor. c-Myc protein levels were reduced in the presence of both SP600125 and JNK-specific siRNA, and CD40 ligation restored c-Myc levels. Moreover, Bcl-xL rescued WEHI-231 cells from apoptosis induced by the JNK inhibitor. The JNK inhibitor also reduced levels of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) protein, and overexpressing Egr-1 partially rescued lymphoma cells from apoptosis. Thus, JNK may act via c-Myc and Egr-1, which were shown to be important for B-lymphoma survival and growth.

Bcl10 can promote survival of antigen-stimulated B lymphocytes

To understand the nature of negative responses through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR), we have screened an expression cDNA library for the ability to block BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in the immature B-cell line, WEHI-231. We isolated multiple copies of full-length, unmutated Bcl10, a signaling adaptor molecule encoded by a gene found to translocate to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus in some mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. A conditionally active form of B-cell lymphoma 10 (Bcl10) protected WEHI-231 cells from BCR-induced apoptosis upon activation. Induction of Bcl10 activity caused rapid activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These results support genetic and biochemical experiments that have implicated Bcl10 and its binding partners Carma1 and MALT1 in mediating the ability of the BCR to activate NF-kappaB. The ability of Bcl10 expression to prevent BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells was dependent on NF-kappaB activation. Finally, overexpression of Bcl10 in primary B cells activated ex vivo promoted the survival of these cells after removal of activating stimuli. Taken together these results support the hypothesis that enhanced BCL10 expression caused by translocation to the IGH locus can promote formation of MALT lymphomas.

Differential signalling during B-cell maturation

The molecular mechanism by which the antigen receptors (BCR) on B cells can elicit differential maturation state-specific responses is one of the central problems in B-cell differentiation yet to be resolved. Indeed, many of the early signalling events detected following BCR ligation, such as activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK), phospholipase C (PLC), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI 3K), protein kinase C (PKC) and the RasMAPK (mitogen activating protein kinase) signalling cascades are observed throughout B-cell maturation. However, it is becoming clear that the differential functional responses of these BCR-coupled signals observed during B-cell maturation are dependent on a number of parameters including signal strength and duration, subcellular localisation of the signal, maturation-restricted expression of downstream signalling effector elements/isoforms and modulation of signal by co-receptors. Thus, the combined signature of BCR signalling is likely to dictate the functional response and act as a developmental checkpoint for B-cell maturation.

Internucleosomal DNA cleavage in apoptotic WEHI 231 cells is mediated by a chymotrypsin-like protease

Although several lines of evidence support a role for serine proteases in apoptosis, little is known about the mechanisms involved. In the present study, we have examined the apoptosis-inducing potential and dissected the death-signalling pathways of N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), inhibitors of chymotrypsin- and trypsin-like proteases, respectively. Our results designate two distinct roles for serine proteases. Firstly, we show that both inhibitors induce biochemical and morphological characteristics of apoptosis, including proteolysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, and that their action is abrogated by the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp.fluoromethylketone (z-VAD.fmk). These results suggest that inhibition of anti-apoptotic serine proteases governs the onset of the caspase-dependant apoptotic cascade. Secondly, we also demonstrate the involvement of a serine protease in the terminal stage of apoptosis. We showed that chymotrypsin-like protease activity is required for internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cells. Hence, DNA fragmentation is abrogated in TPCK-pre-treated WEHI 231 cells undergoing apoptosis triggered either by anti-IgM or TLCK. These results indicate that internucleosomal DNA cleavage in apoptotic cells is mediated by a chymotrypsin-like protease.

Portrait of transcriptional responses to ultraviolet and ionizing radiation in human cells

To understand the human response to DNA damage, we used microarrays to measure transcriptional responses of 10 000 genes to ionizing radiation (IR) and ultraviolet radiation (UV). To identify bona fide responses, we used cell lines from 15 individuals and a rigorous statistical method, Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM). By exploring how sample number affects SAM, we rendered a portrait of the human damage response with a degree of accuracy unmatched by previous studies. By showing how SAM can be used to estimate the total number of responsive genes, we discovered that 24% of all genes respond to IR and 32% respond to UV, although most responses were less than 2-fold. Many genes were involved in known damage-response pathways for cell cycling and proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair or the stress response. However, the majority of genes were involved in unexpected pathways, with functions in signal transduction, RNA binding and editing, protein synthesis and degradation, energy metabolism, metabolism of macromolecular precursors, cell structure and adhesion, vesicle transport, or lysosomal metabolism. Although these functions were not previously associated with the damage response in mammals, many were conserved in yeast. These insights reveal new directions for studying the human response to DNA damage.

Reciprocal control of Forkhead box O 3a and c-Myc via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway coordinately regulates p27Kip1 levels

B cell receptor (BCR) engagement of murine WEHI 231 immature B lymphoma cells leads sequentially to a drop in NF-kappa B and c-Myc, and induction of the p27(Kip1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, which promotes growth arrest and apoptosis. BCR engagement was recently shown to induce a drop in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, preceding the increase in p27. As induction of p27 is due to an increase in gene transcription, we investigated the role of the Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factor family, which has been shown to potently induce p27 promoter activity. We demonstrate that pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K or BCR engagement lead to decreased inactive cytoplasmic levels and increased active functional nuclear FOXO3a. In contrast, inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling decreased the levels of NF-kappa B and c-Myc, which has been shown to repress p27 promoter activity. To test the effects of ectopic c-Myc on endogenous p27 levels, WEHI 231 cells stably expressing c-Myc or empty vector DNA were prepared. Ectopic c-Myc blocked the induction of p27 expression upon either inhibition of PI3K or BCR engagement. Thus, p27(Kip1) is coordinately regulated via two arms of a signaling pathway that are inversely controlled upon inhibition of PI3K: induction of the activator FOXO3a and down-regulation of the repressor c-Myc.

Prolactin induces c-Myc expression and cell survival through activation of Src/Akt pathway in lymphoid cells

Stimulation of resting W53 cells (lymphoid murine cells expressing prolactin (PRL) receptor) by PRL induced expression of growth-related immediate-early genes (IEG), and proliferation through activation of the Src kinases. Since IEG are essential for cell cycle progression, we have studied how PRL controls expression of c-Myc mRNA and c-Fos. Stimulation of W53 cell proliferation by PRL required activation of MAPK, as the Mek1/2 inhibitor PD184352 eliminated Erk1/2 stimulation, cell proliferation, and expression of c-Fos mRNA. In contrast, PD184352 did not alter PRL activation of c-Myc mRNA expression or stimulation of p70S6K, Akt, and the Jak2/Stat5 pathway. Activation of the PI3K by PRL was necessary for the expression of c-MycmRNA and W53 cell proliferation, as the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished them. However, it did not modify PRL stimulation of c-Fos mRNA expression or activation of Erk1/2 and Stat5. Furthermore, rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR and consequently of p70S6K, did not alter PRL stimulation of c-Myc and c-Fos mRNA expression and it had a very minor inhibitory effect on PRL stimulation of W53 cell proliferation. In addition, rapamycin did not affect PRL stimulation of Akt or Stat5. However, it reinforced PRL activation of Erk1/2. Overexpression of a constitutively activated Akt (myristoylated Akt) in W53 cells overcame the inhibitory effect of LY294002 on c-Myc expression, as well as cell death upon PRL deprivation. Consistently, inducible expression of Akt-CAAX Box in W53 cells caused inhibition of c-Myc expression. PRL stimulation of W53 cells resulted in Akt translocation to the nucleus, phosphorylation of FKHRL1 transcription factor, and its nuclear exclusion. In contrast, induced expression of Akt-CAAX Box caused inhibition of FKHRL1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, transient expression of nonphosphorylatable FKHRL1-A3 mutant impaired PRL-induced activation of the c-Myc promoter. Akt activation also resulted in phosphorylation and inhibition of glycogen synthetase kinase 3 (GSK3), which in turn promoted c-Myc stability. Consistently, treatment of W53 with selective inhibitors of GSK3 such as SB415286 and lithium salts resulted in increased levels of c-Myc. Also, overexpression of c-Myc in W53 cells overcame the decrease in cell proliferation induced by LY294002. These findings defined a PRL-signalling cascade in W53 cells, involving Src kinases/PI3K/Akt/FKHRL1-GSK3, that mediates stimulation of c-Myc expression.

Mad 1 Inhibits Cell Growth and Proliferation but Does Not Promote Differentiation or Overall Survival in Human U-937 Monoblasts

The Mad family proteins are transcriptional repressors belonging to the basic region/helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper family. They share a common obligatory dimerization partner, Max, with the oncoprotein c-Myc and antagonize the function of Myc to activate transcription. The Myc/Max/Mad network has therefore been suggested to function as a molecular switch that regulates cell growth and differentiation by controlling a common set of genes. To study the biological consequences of Mad1 expression for hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation, we used the U-937 monocytic differentiation model to generate cells with inducible Mad1 expression using the reversed tetracycline-controlled transactivator system. The elevated expression of Mad1 in these cells resulted in increased Mad1/Max heterodimer formation correlating with reduced expression of the Myc/Mad target gene ODC. Mad1-expressing U-937 cells in suspension culture proliferated slower and exhibited an increased number of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Further, growth in semisolid medium was almost completely inhibited. Mad1-expression, however, neither enforced spontaneous differentiation nor enhanced differentiation induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, retinoic acid (RA), or vitamin D3 but rather led to delayed RA-stimulated differentiation. Mad1-expressing cells were further found to be reduced in cell size in all phases of the cells cycle and particularly in response to RA-induced differentiation. Unexpectedly, whereas Fas-induced apoptosis was slightly attenuated in Mad1-expressing U-937 cells, Mad1 sensitized the cells to tumor necrosis factor–α-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Mad1 primarily regulates cell growth and proliferation in these cells, whereas its role in cellular differentiation and survival seems to be more complex.

To be, or not to be: NF-kappaB is the answer--role of Rel/NF-kappaB in the regulation of apoptosis

During their lifetime, cells encounter many life or death situations that challenge their very own existence. Their survival depends on the interplay within a complex yet precisely orchestrated network of proteins. The Rel/NF-kappaB signaling pathway and the transcription factors that it activates have emerged as critical regulators of the apoptotic response. These proteins are best known for the key roles that they play in normal immune and inflammatory responses, but they are also implicated in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and oncogenesis. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in understanding the pathways that activate the Rel/NF-kappaB factors and their role in the cell's decision to either fight or surrender to apoptotic challenge. Whereas NF-kappaB is most commonly involved in suppressing apoptosis by transactivating the expression of antiapoptotic genes, it can promote programmed cell death in response to certain death-inducing signals and in certain cell types. This review surveys our current understanding of the role of NF-kappaB in the apoptotic response and focuses on many developments since this topic was last reviewed in Oncogene 4 years ago. These recent findings shed new light on the activity of NF-kappaB as a critical regulator of apoptosis in the immune, hepatic, epidermal and nervous systems, on the mechanisms through which it operates and on its role in tissue development, homoeostasis and cancer.

c-Myc-deficient B lymphocytes are resistant to spontaneous and induced cell death

C-myc gene is a member of the myc family of proto-oncogenes involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Overexpression of c-myc in fibroblasts causes apoptosis under low serum conditions in a process that requires the interaction of CD95 and CD95L on the surface. We have previously reported an in vivo conditional model to inactivate the c-myc gene in B lymphocytes. Here, we show that c-Myc-deficient primary B lymphocytes are resistant to different apoptotic stimuli. Nonactivated c-Myc-deficient B cells are resistant to spontaneous cell death. Upon activation, c-Myc-deficient B lymphocytes express normal surface levels of activation markers, and show resistance to staurosporine and CD95-induced cell death.

Differential c-Myc responsiveness to B cell receptor ligation in B cell-negative selection

Responsiveness of c-Myc oncogene to B cell receptor ligation has been implicated in the induction of apoptosis in transformed and normal immature B cells. These studies provided compelling evidence to link the c-Myc oncogene with the process of negative selection in B-lymphocytes. However, in addition to apoptosis, B cell-negative selection has been shown to occur by secondary Ig gene rearrangements, a mechanism called receptor editing. In this study, we assessed whether differential c-Myc responsiveness to B cell receptor (BCR) ligation is associated with the mechanism of negative selection in immature B cells. Using an in vitro bone marrow culture system and an Ig-transgenic mouse model (3-83) we show here that c-Myc is expressed at low levels throughout B cell development and that c-Myc responsiveness to BCR ligation is developmentally regulated and increased with maturation. Furthermore, we found that the competence to mount c-Myc responsiveness upon BCR ligation is important for the induction of apoptosis and had no effect on the process of receptor editing. Therefore, this study suggests an important role of c-Myc in promoting and/or maintaining B cell development and that compartmentalization of B cell tolerance may also be developmentally regulated by differential c-Myc responsiveness.

Dephosphorylation of p53 during cell death by N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone

The apoptotic function of N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) was investigated in cultured human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116). TPCK-induced apoptosis was shown to be p53-dependent in HCT116 cells during the early stage of incubation. The function of p53 was required for TPCK-induced activation of caspase-3 and caspase-7. TPCK promoted dephosphorylation of p53 on serine residues at 6, 9, 46, 376, and 378 in parallel with the activation of p53 transcriptional activity. HCT116 p53-/- cells expressing p53 mutant, in which serine residues at 6, 9, 46, 376, and 378 were replaced by aspartic acids, were resistant to TPCK-induced apoptosis suggesting the requirement of dephosphorylation of p53 on serine residues during TPCK-induced apoptosis.

Environmental chemical-induced pro/pre-B cell apoptosis: analysis of c-Myc, p27Kip1, and p21WAF1 reveals a death pathway distinct from clonal deletion

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are common environmental pollutants that suppress the immune system in part by inducing pro/pre-B cell apoptosis. The PAH-induced death signaling pathway resembles the signaling cascade activated during clonal deletion and modeled by B cell receptor cross-linking or by dexamethasone exposure of immature surface Ig(+) B cells in that apoptosis is mediated by NF-kappa B down-regulation. Because a PAH-induced, clonally nonrestricted deletion of B cells would have important implications for B cell repertoire development, the nature of the PAH-induced intracellular death signal was studied further. Particular emphasis was placed on the roles of growth arrest and c-Myc, p27(Kip1), and p21(WAF1) expression, because all of these elements contribute to clonal deletion. As in clonal deletion models, and as predicted by the down-regulation of NF-kappa B, PAH-induced death of pro/pre-B cells was at least partially dependent on c-Myc down-regulation. Furthermore, whereas dexamethasone induced a G(0)/G(1) cell cycle arrest, PAH had no effect on pro/pre-B cell growth, indicating that growth arrest and apoptosis occur by separable signaling pathways in this early phase of B cell development. Finally, in contrast to clonal deletion, PAH-induced pro/pre-B cell death was not dependent on p27(Kip1) or p21(WAF1) up-regulation but did coincide with p53 induction. These results distinguish the PAH-induced apoptosis pathway from that activated during clonal deletion and indicate that signaling cascades leading to growth arrest and/or apoptosis in pro/pre-B cells differ from those active at later B cell developmental stages.

The p54 cleaved form of the tyrosine kinase Lyn generated by caspases during BCR-induced cell death in B lymphoma acts as a negative regulator of apoptosis

Engagement of the B cell receptor antigen (BCR) triggers apoptosis on immature B cell lines. We report here that BCR triggering leads to caspase activation followed by Lyn cleavage and induction of apoptosis. The cleavage process is mitochondrion-dependent and involves caspases 9 and 7. Stable expression of the cleaved form of Lyn (Lyn-Delta-N) in Ramos B cells impairs BCR-mediated apoptosis as judged by loss of Delta(psi)m, caspase activation and PARP cleavage. Activation of the main survival pathways upon BCR-triggering was unaltered in both cell variants. However, the PI3-K inhibitor Ly294002 resensitizes Lyn-Delta-N cells to apoptosis. Selected cDNA expression arrays revealed that anti-IgM modulates the expression of approximately 20 genes in both cell variants. Among them, only c-Myc was found to be differentially regulated, which suggests a role for c-Myc in the B cell apoptotic response. Interestingly, c-Myc expression decreased more rapidly in Lyn-Delta-N compared with Lyn-WT cells during the first hours of anti-IgM stimulation. Nevertheless, rapid down-regulation of c-Myc following BCR engagement seems to correlate with the resistance of B cells to apoptosis. Thus, the soluble form of Lyn generated by caspases following BCR triggering acts as an inhibitor of B lymphocyte death likely through the modulation of c-Myc expression.

Nmyc upregulation by sonic hedgehog signaling promotes proliferation in developing cerebellar granule neuron precursors

Hedgehog pathway activation is required for expansion of specific neuronal precursor populations during development and is etiologic in the human cerebellar tumor, medulloblastoma. We report that sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling upregulates expression of the proto-oncogene Nmyc in cultured cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs) in the absence of new protein synthesis. The temporal-spatial expression pattern of Nmyc, but not other Myc family members, precisely coincides with regions of hedgehog proliferative activity in the developing cerebellum and is observed in medulloblastomas of Patched (Ptch) heterozygous mice. Overexpression of Nmyc promotes cell-autonomous G(1) cyclin upregulation and CGNP proliferation independent of Shh signaling. Furthermore, Myc antagonism in vitro significantly decreases proliferative effects of Shh in cultured CGNPs. Together, these findings identify Nmyc as a direct target of the Shh pathway that functions to regulate cell cycle progression in cerebellar granule neuron precursors.

The role of the Ets2 transcription factor in the proliferation, maturation, and survival of mouse thymocytes

In this study, we investigated the effects of Ets2 expression on the proliferation, maturation, and survival of thymocytes by establishing transgenic mice that specifically express Ets2 or a dominant negative form of Ets2, Deltaets2, in the thymus. We show that, in young animals, there are fewer T cells in Deltaets2 transgenic thymi and that the maturation of these T cells is affected at the CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative to CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive transition compared with wild-type littermate mice. Partial recovery in the number of thymocytes and full T cell maturation are restored with increasing age of Deltaets2 transgenic animals. However, thymocytes from adult Deltaets2 transgenic mice cultured ex vivo are more sensitive to cell death and to glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis than are T cells from control littermate mice. We also show that T cells from adult ets2 transgenic mice proliferate faster than their wild-type littermates. The proliferation and survival of these T cells are clearly affected upon apoptotic signals: glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis induces T cells from ets2 transgenic mice to continue to proliferate in vivo and to survive better ex vivo than T cells from control littermates. It has been shown that c-Myc expression is required for thymic proliferation and improves thymocyte survival of dexamethasone-treated animals. We show that the expression of c-Myc, an Ets2 target, is elevated in T cells freshly isolated from thymi of ets2 transgenic mice pretreated with dexamethasone. Together, these results show that Ets2 plays a role in the proliferation and survival of thymocytes, implicating a Myc-dependent pathway.

The myc oncogene: MarvelouslY Complex

The activated product of the myc oncogene deregulates both cell growth and death check points and, in a permissive environment, rapidly accelerates the affected clone through the carcinogenic process. Advances in understanding the molecular mechanism of Myc action are highlighted in this review. With the revolutionary developments in molecular diagnostic technology, we have witnessed an unprecedented advance in detecting activated myc in its deregulated, oncogenic form in primary human cancers. These improvements provide new opportunities to appreciate the tumor subtypes harboring deregulated Myc expression, to identify the essential cooperating lesions, and to realize the therapeutic potential of targeting Myc. Knowledge of both the breadth and depth of the numerous biological activities controlled by Myc has also been an area of progress. Myc is a multifunctional protein that can regulate cell cycle, cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, transformation, genomic instability, and angiogenesis. New insights into Myc's role in regulating these diverse activities are discussed. In addition, breakthroughs in understanding Myc as a regulator of gene transcription have revealed multiple mechanisms of Myc activation and repression of target genes. Moreover, the number of reported Myc regulated genes has expanded in the past few years, inspiring a need to focus on classifying and segregating bona fide targets. Finally, the identity of Myc-binding proteins has been difficult, yet has exploded in the past few years with a plethora of novel interactors. Their characterization and potential impact on Myc function are discussed. The rapidity and magnitude of recent progress in the Myc field strongly suggests that this marvelously complex molecule will soon be unmasked.

The protective effect of phorbol esters on Fas-mediated apoptosis in T cells. Transcriptional and postranscriptional regulation

Phorbol esters are tumor promoters that bind and activate both conventional and new Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. In various circumstances, PKC-dependent signaling pathways can promote cell survival and protect against cell death. This was first analysed in Jurkat T cells where Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA) was found to inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis as judged by DiOC6(3) staining, caspase activation and DNA fragmentation, indicating that PMA exerts its protective effect upstream or at the mitochondrial level in these cells. PMA activated most of the main kinase pathways in T cells such as PKCs, p42/44MAPK, p38MAPK and p90Rsk but not JNK and Akt. A pharmacological approach allowed us to identify that nPKCs are both necessary and likely sufficient to promote T cell survival. Besides this post-transcriptional regulation, nPKCs may also regulate apoptosis at the transcriptional level. cDNA arrays were used to identify a set of genes whose expression was modulated in death versus survival conditions. Following PMA treatment, expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl-x increased while that of c-Myc was significantly reduced. Moreover, survivin expression decreased upon CH11 or PMA treatment. c-Myc, survivin and Bcl-x modulation seems to be regulated at the transcriptional level while decrease in Mcl-1 protein in CH11-treated cells resulted especially from a caspase-dependent proteolysis. Taken together, our data demonstrate that PMA-mediated inhibition of apoptosis is a complex process that is integrated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level and point out to the potential role of Mcl-1, Bcl-x, c-Myc and survivin in this process.

Molecular mechanisms for apoptosis induced by signaling through the B cell antigen receptor

Although the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) transmits survival and activation signals, BCR ligation can induce apoptosis in both immature and mature B cells. BCR-mediated apoptosis is suggested to play a role in self-tolerance by deleting self-reactive B cells. Generation of an apoptotic signal through BCR appears to depend on the composition of the higher order BCR complex and is suggested to occur outside the plasma membrane microdomains, termed lipid rafts. During BCR-mediated apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction is induced and is essential for apoptosis, probably by activating both caspases, cysteine proteases that play a central role in apoptosis, and caspase-independent effectors for apoptosis. Although signaling pathways for apoptosis are not yet fully defined in BCR-mediated apoptosis, expression of the proto-oncogene product c-Myc is enhanced upon BCR ligation, and c-Myc appears to mediate BCR ligation-induced apoptosis by causing mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that BCR-mediated apoptosis is a form of Myc-induced apoptosis.

ZnCl(2) prevents c-myc repression and apoptosis in serum-deprived Syrian hamster embryo cells

In order to understand the c-myc implication in the apoptotic process better, we investigated the influence of ZnCl(2) on its expression in normal and transformed Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in relation to apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. Normal primary SHE cells exposed to a serum-free medium undergo rapid apoptosis characterised by a dramatic down-regulation of c-myc transcription. In these normal cells treated with ZnCl(2), c-myc expression is maintained in serum-starved conditions while apoptosis is inhibited. The results shed light on the involvement of c-myc expression in the survival of normal cells in the absence of growth factors. The regulation of c-myc expression appears to be influenced by zinc treatment as an inhibitor of apoptosis, but mechanisms sustaining the level of c-myc transcription remain to be demonstrated. The hypothesis that maintenance of c-myc expression allows cells to escape apoptosis is in accordance with results in transformed SHE cells that underwent low apoptosis and poor down-regulation of c-myc in serum-deprived conditions.

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma induces apoptosis of leukemia cells by down-regulating the c-myc gene expression via blockade of the Tcf-4 activity

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is expressed at highest levels in adipose tissue and functions as a central regulator in the process of adipocyte differentiation. In the present study, we showed that human leukemic cell lines, not only myeloid but also lymphoid, express PPAR gamma and its activation by natural ligand (15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) - prostaglandin J(2)) and synthetic ligand (troglitazone) profoundly inhibited their proliferation by induction of apoptosis preferentially in the serum-free culture. We pursued its mechanism using the representative cell lines, and found that induction of apoptosis was accompanied by caspase-3 activation and specifically blocked by its inhibitor. While status of several apoptosis-related molecules remained unchanged, the c-Myc expression was markedly down-regulated within 24 h after troglitazone treatment. The c-myc mRNA levels were dramatically reduced at 1 h and became undetectable at 12 h after troglitazone treatment, which proved to be accompanied by complete blockade of the Tcf-4 activity in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We succeeded in establishing HL-60 cell lines growing well in the presence of troglitazone in the long-term serum-free culture. They showed neither induction of apoptosis nor down-regulation of the c-Myc expression via blockade of the Tcf-4 activity after troglitazone treatment. This is the first identification of the linkage between PPAR gamma-mediated apoptosis and down-regulation of the c-myc gene expression.

NFkappaB-dependent signaling pathways

The transcription factor NFkappaB is activated by numerous stimuli. Once NFkappaB is fully activated, it participates in the regulation of various target genes in different cells to exert its biological functions. NFkappaB has often been referred to as a central mediator of the immune response, since a large variety of bacteria and viruses can lead to the activation of NFkappaB, which in turn controls the expression of many inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, immune receptors, and cell surface adhesion molecules. Recent studies have shown that NFkappaB may function more generally as a central regulator of stress responses, since different stressful conditions, including physical stress, oxidative stress, and exposure to certain chemicals, also lead to NFkappaB activation. Furthermore, NFkappaB blocks cell apoptosis in several cell types. Taken together, these findings make it clear that NFkappaB plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. It is the intention of this review to cover the various NFkappaB-dependent signaling pathways, thereby to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of NFkappaB activation and the physiological functions of activated NFkappaB.

The heparin-binding domain and V region of fibronectin regulate apoptosis by suppression of p53 and c-myc in human primary cells

In apoptosis the tumor suppressor p53 and the c-myc proto-oncogene are usually up-regulated. We show a novel alternative pathway of apoptosis in human primary cells that is mediated by transcriptionally dependent decreases in p53 and c-Myc and decreases in p21. This pathway is regulated by the alternatively spliced V region and high-affinity heparin-binding domain of fibronectin. Requirements for c-Myc, p53, and p21 signals in maintaining survival and for their decreases in inducing apoptosis were demonstrated by the ability of p53, c-Myc, and p21 ectopic expression to rescue this apoptotic phenotype, and the ability of p53-deficient and c-myc antisense conditions to trigger a faster rate of apoptosis.

Growth hormone can act as a cytokine controlling survival and proliferation of immune cells: new insights into signaling pathways

While growth hormone (GH) is classically defined as a peptide hormone, recent evidence supports a role for GH acting as a cytokine in the immune system under conditions of stress, counteracting immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. Lymphoid cells express the GH receptor, which belongs to the cytokine receptor superfamily, and GH can be produced by immune tissues, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine mode of action of GH. GH can act as a cytokine, promoting cell cycle progression of lymphoid cells and preventing apoptosis. These effects of GH were shown to be mainly mediated by the PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway and the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Expression of several cell cycle mediators, as well as Bcl-2, c-Myc and cyclin proteins were found to be regulated by GH. Survival of immune cells under conditions of stress was promoted by NF-kappaB. Thus, GH acts not only as a hormone but also as a cytokine, playing a potentially important role in immune system cells. Lastly, in this mini-review, we will discuss whether the discovery of these molecules in GH signaling pathways offers new insights into additional mechanisms of action whereby GH regulates apoptosis, proliferation and neoplastic transformation of cells of the immune system.

CD40 signaling in B cells regulates the expression of the Pim-1 kinase via the NF-kappa B pathway

The ability of CD40 signaling to regulate B cell growth, survival, differentiation, and Ig class switching involves many changes in gene expression. Using cDNA expression arrays and Northern blotting, we found that CD40 signaling increased the mRNA levels for pim-1, a protooncogene that encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase. Subsequent experiments showed that CD40 engagement also increased both Pim-1 protein levels and Pim-1 kinase activity in B cells. We then investigated the signaling pathways by which CD40 regulates Pim-1 expression and found that CD40 up-regulates Pim-1 primarily via the activation of NF-kappaB. Inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB, either by treating cells with a chemical inhibitor, BAY11-7082, or by inducibly expressing a superrepressor form of IkappaBalpha, significantly impaired the ability of CD40 to increase Pim-1 protein levels. Because Pim-1 expression is associated with cell proliferation and survival, we asked whether this correlated with the ability of CD40 signaling to prevent anti-IgM-induced growth arrest in the WEHI-231 murine B cell line, a model for Ag-induced clonal deletion. We found that the anti-IgM-induced growth arrest in WEHI-231 cells correlated with a substantial decrease in Pim-1 levels. In contrast, culturing WEHI-231 cells with either anti-CD40 Abs or with the B cell mitogen LPS, both of which prevent the anti-IgM-induced growth arrest, also prevented the rapid decline in Pim-1 levels. This suggests that Pim-1 could regulate the survival and proliferation of B cells.