The multilevel regulation of CD95 signaling outcome

CD95, also called Fas or APO-1, was the first death receptor (DR) identified and characterized. Studies on CD95 receptor signaling revealed the versatile principles of cell fate regulation via DR. DRs could exert both pro- and anti-apoptotic effects depending on clustering, internalization or signaling thresholds and other extracellular signals. It became clear that molecular network regulating cell death and survival is under the multilevel control. In this Review we focus on the regulation of CD95 signaling and provide brief analysis of molecular switches of its pro- and antiapoptotic functions. At least five levels of life-death cell regulation via CD95 could be tracked: extracellular, membrane, DISC, mitochondrial, and miRNA. The cellular outcome of signaling via DRs depends on other extracellular signals and availability of different intracellular components of signal transduction pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Apoptosis: Four Decades Later".

CD150-mediated Akt signalling pathway in normal and malignant B cells

AIM

To study upstream and downstream events in CD150-mediated Akt signaling pathway in normal human B cells, EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid (LCL) and malignant Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) B cell lines.

METHODS

To access protein-protein interaction we applied immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. A novel modification of SPR technique using reduced glutathione bound to golden surface was proposed. Immunostaining and isolation of cytoplasmic fractions and nuclear extracts were performed to detect proteins' localization in cells. Western blot analysis was performed to follow up the phosphorylation of proteins on specific sites and proteins' expression level.

RESULTS

It was shown that CD150 ligation induced Akt activation in normal tonsillar B cells (TBC), SH2D1A positive LCL and HL B cell lines. The p85α subunit of PI3K co-precipitated with CD150 cytoplasmic tail. This direct association depends on tyrosine phosphorylation and is mediated by N terminal SH2 domain of p85α. CD150 initiated phosphorylation of FoxO1 transcription factor in normal B cells as well as in LCL MP-1 and HL cell line L1236. At the same time, CD150 ligation triggered GSK-3β kinase phosphorylation only in immortalized LCL MP-1 and HL cell line L1236.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that CD150 receptor could trigger PI3K-mediated Akt signaling pathway in normal, EBV-transformed and malignant B cells. CD150-mediated phosphorylation of Akt downstream targets GSK-3β and FoxO1 in EBV-transformed and HL cells could be one of the mechanisms to avoid apoptosis and support survival program in these immortalized B cells.

Hodgkin's lymphoma: the role of cell surface receptors in regulation of tumor cell fate

The hallmark of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are mononucleated Hodgkin's cells and multinucleated Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, which usually account for only about 1% of cells in the tumor tissue. The majority of HRS cells in classical HL are derived from germinal centre B cells that have acquired disadvantageous Ig variable chain gene mutations and escaped from apoptosis. Due to reprogramming of gene expression, these lymphoma cells have lost the expression of most B-cell specific genes and acquired expression of multiple genes that are typical for other hematopoietic cells. HRS cells attract various cells of immune system into lymphoma tissue resulting in an inflammatory microenvironment. Moreover, HRS cells are dependent on microenvironment, especially on survival signals from other cells. Despite the loss of BCR - the master-regulator of B cell fate, HRS cells express a number of receptors that regulate tumor cell survival. The rescue of HRS cells from apoptosis is a key event in HL pathogenesis. These cells express at least six receptors that belong to TNF receptor family: CD30, CD40, CD95, TACI, BCMA and RANK, co-stimulatory receptors CD80 and CD86, and E-selectins ligand CD15. Due to the mutations in genes encoding proteins of CD95-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, it is not functional in HRS cells. Ligands of TNF family receptors on cells in HL microenvironment contribute to the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathways and survival program of HRS cells. Moreover, in HRS cells a number of multiple mutations in negative NF-κB regulators, and also gains and amplifications of positive regulators, cooperate in deregulating these pathways. All TNF receptors may be linked to the activation of prosurvival gene expression programs via Akt and ERK pathways. HRS cells also express CD150 receptor with specific ITSM motifs in the cytoplasmic tail. Ligation of this receptor on HRS cells induced activation of Akt and ERK pathways, and moreover, it triggered activation of JNK signaling cascade.

CONCLUSION

The review presents the current views on the role of cell surface receptors in maintenance of HL microenvironment favorable for HRS cells survival.

Expression profile of nuclear receptors upon Epstein -- Barr virus induced B cell transformation

BACKGROUND

Infection of human B cells with Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) induces metabolic activation, morphological transformation, cell proliferation and eventual immortalization.

AIM

To identify the nuclear receptors, which are the cellular interaction partners of EBNAs, that will help to elucidate the mechanism of B cell transformation.

METHODS

We have compared the nuclear receptor profile in the naïve and EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes, using TaqMan LDA microfluidic card technology.

RESULTS

Out of 48 nuclear receptor, 17 showed differential expression at the mRNA level. The expression of 5 genes was elevated in EBV-transformed cells, whereas 12 genes were downregulated in lymphoblastoid cells (LCLs). 7 genes were studied at the protein level; 2 genes were up regulated (Nr2F2 and RARA) and 4 genes were down regulated (ERB, NUR77, PPARG, and VDR) in LCLs.

CONCLUSION

The nuclear receptor profiling on EBV infected B cells showed alterations of nuclear receptors expression at both mRNA and protein levels compared with non infected peripheral blood cells. Further analysis on a possible role of each nuclear receptor in EBV induced cell transformation should be performed.