Antagonizing IAPs by SMAC Mimetic TL32711 Induces Apoptosis in AML Cells Including AML Stem/Progenitor Cells Alone and in Combination with Chemotherapy

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 66-66
Author(s):  
Bing Z Carter ◽  
Duncan H Mak ◽  
Yihua Qiu ◽  
Steven M. Kornblau ◽  
Po Yee Mak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Malignant Cell ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Rapid Degradation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Smac Mimetics ◽  
Smac Mimetic

Abstract Abstract 66 The antiapoptotic function of the inhibitors of apoptosis family of proteins (IAPs), including cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP, is antagonized by SMAC (second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases). XIAP directly binds and inhibits caspase-9 and caspase-3 and suppresses both mitochondrion-mediated intrinsic and death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptosis pathways, while the cIAPs are components of the cytoplasmic signaling complex containing members of TNF receptor associated factors and suppress death receptor/caspase-8 mediated extrinsic pathway activation. SMAC mimetics are a new class of anti-cancer agents that induce rapid degradation of cIAP1, relieve XIAP-mediated caspase repression, and promote TRAIL or TNFa-dependent apoptosis in various malignant cell types. To assess the therapeutic potential of SMAC mimetics in AML, we determined the protein levels of cIAP1 and XIAP, which are targets of SMAC mimetics, and caspase-8, the initiator caspase of the death receptor pathway by reverse phase protein array in blasts obtained from 511 newly diagnosed AML patients and in CD34+38− stem/progenitor cells isolated from blasts of these patients. We found that all three proteins were expressed in AML blasts. Importantly, we observed that the protein levels of cIAP1 and caspase-8 in CD34+38− AML stem/progenitor cells were significantly higher than those in bulk AML cells (P < 0.001). TL32711 (TL) is a highly potent and well-tolerated SMAC mimetic in clinical development that promoted rapid degradation of cIAP1 at low nM concentrations and induced pronounced apoptosis in AML cell lines in the presence of TNFα. Cell death was enhanced in the presence of TRAIL, confirming activation of the death receptor pathway as a significant mechanism of apoptosis induction. Caspase-8 mutant Jurkat cells (JurkatI9.2) were completely resistant to TL, further supporting the critical role of caspase-8 in TL-mediated cell death. TL synergistically enhanced apoptosis when combined with various nucleoside analogues clinically used in AML therapy such as Ara-C, clofarabine, and demethylating agents decitabine and 5-azacytidine (5-AC). Mechanistic studies showed that decitabine and 5-AC increased and activated caspase-8, decreased cFLIP, and induced XAF-1, a XIAP antagonist known to be hypermethylated in various malignant cell types. In addition, TL had single agent activity against blasts from primary AML samples with no toxicity in CD34+ cells from normal bone marrows at doses effective against AML cells. Importantly, TL not only induced apoptosis in bulk AML blast but also in CD34+38− AML stem/progenitor cells. Collectively, we showed that cIAP1 and caspase-8 are overexpressed in AML stem/progenitor cells and that inhibition of IAPs by the novel SMAC mimetic TL32711 synergistically enhances drug induced-death of AML cells and also has the potential to eliminate AML stem/progenitor cells. Disclosures: Weng: Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals: Employment. McKinlay:Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

Apoptosis Repressor with Caspase Recruitment Domain Is Regulated by the cIAP1-NIK Axis and Confers Resistance to SMAC Mimetic Birinapant-Induced Cell Death in AML

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 534-534
Author(s):  
Bing Z. Carter ◽  
Po Yee Mak ◽  
Duncan H. Mak ◽  
Vivian Ruvolo ◽  
Rodrigo Jacamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Leukemia Cells ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Control Mscs ◽  
Smac Mimetics ◽  
Smac Mimetic ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Abstract 534 The inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), including cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP are a family of anti-apoptotic proteins that play important roles in regulating cell survival. SMAC, a mitochondrial protein, is a natural cellular inhibitor of IAPs. SMAC mimetics, mimicking the IAP-binding site in the N-terminal AVPI peptide sequence of SMAC, are a new class of anticancer agents that degrade cIAPs and suppress XIAP activity. ARC (Apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain) is an anti-apoptotic protein that inhibits the activation of caspase-8. We previously reported that the SMAC mimetic birinapant (TL32711; Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals, Malvern, PA) degrades cIAP1 and promotes apoptosis via the death receptor/caspase-8-mediated extrinsic pathway in primary AML cells and in AML cell lines in the presence of death receptor ligands (Carter BZ et al., ASH 2011). High ARC levels also predict adverse outcome in patients with AML (Carter BZ et al., Blood 2011). Here we report that birinapant-induced reduction in cIAP1 is accompanied by increased ARC levels. cIAPs are known E3 ligases for NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), an upstream kinase of non-canonical NF-κB. SMAC mimetics, including birinapant cleave cIAPs, leading to stabilization of NIK and activation of non-canonical NF-κB signaling and its downstream targets. To determine whether ARC is regulated via the cIAP1-NIK axis, we knocked down NIK in OCI-AML3 and Molm13 cells by siRNAs and found that inhibition of NIK decreased ARC RNA and protein levels in these cells and suppressed birinapant-induced increases of ARC, suggesting that ARC is regulated via the cIAP1/NIK/NF-κB cascade. We determined levels of ARC and cIAP1 by reverse-phase protein array in 511 samples obtained from patients with newly diagnosed AML and found that cIAP1 and ARC were inversely correlated (R = −0.225, P< 0.0001) further supporting the negative regulation of ARC by cIAP1 in primary AML samples. Data indicate that birinapant induces caspase-8-mediated cell death, but increases levels of ARC in AML cells which inhibits caspase-8 activation, suggesting that ARC is a resistance factor for birinapant-induced cell death. To further investigate this mechanism, we generated stable ARC-knock down (K/D) OCI-AML3 and Molm13 cells and stable ARC-overexpressing (O/E) KG-1 cells and treated these cells with birinapant or birinapant plus TNFα. We found what ARC-K/D OCI-AML3 and Molm13 cells were more sensitive and ARC-O/E KG-1 cells were more resistant to birinapant- or birinapant plus TNFα-induced apoptosis than their control cells. We reported previously that demethylating agents can enhance birinapant-induced apoptosis induction in AML cells. Examination of NIK and ARC levels in decitabine or 5-azacytidine treated AML cells showed that the demethylating agents indeed decreased NIK and ARC protein levels. Leukemia cells are in close contact with the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in vivo that protects them from cell death induced by various therapeutic agents. Leukemia cells were co-cultured with BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in vitro to mimic in vivo conditions. We found that birinapant decreased cIAP1 and increased ARC levels also in MSCs co-cultured with AML cells. We generated stable ARC-K/D MSCs and treated KG-1, OCI-AML3, and Molm13 cells co-cultured with ARC-K/D or vector control MSCs with birinapant plus TNFα and primary AML patient samples co-cultured with ARC-K/D or vector control MSCs with birinapant. ARC-K/D MSCs provided AML cells with less protection than control MSCs against birinapant plus TNFα- or birinapant-induced apoptosis. Collectively, data demonstrate that ARC is regulated via the cIAP1/NIK signaling pathway and is a resistance factor for SMAC mimetic birinapant-induced cell death. ARC K/D sensitizes AML cells to SMAC mimetic-induced cell death and also suppresses MSC-mediated protection of AML cells against drug-induced apoptosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Regression of apoptosis-resistant colorectal tumors by induction of necroptosis in mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 214 (6) ◽  
pp. 1655-1662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Wei He ◽  
Claudia Günther ◽  
Veronika Thonn ◽  
Yu-Qiang Yu ◽  
Eva Martini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Colorectal Tumors ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Massive Cell Death ◽  
Smac Mimetic ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Treatment ◽  
Massive Cell

Cancer cells often acquire capabilities to evade cell death induced by current chemotherapeutic treatment approaches. Caspase-8, a central initiator of death receptor–mediated apoptosis, for example, is frequently inactivated in human cancers via multiple mechanisms such as mutation. Here, we show an approach to overcome cell death resistance in caspase-8–deficient colorectal cancer (CRC) by induction of necroptosis. In both a hereditary and a xenograft mouse model of caspase-8–deficient CRC, second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetic treatment induced massive cell death and led to regression of tumors. We further demonstrate that receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3), which is highly expressed in mouse models of CRC and in a subset of human CRC cell lines, is the deciding factor of cancer cell susceptibility to SMAC mimetic–induced necroptosis. Thus, our data implicate that it may be worthwhile to selectively evaluate the efficacy of SMAC mimetic treatment in CRC patients with caspase-8 deficiency in clinical trials for the development of more effective personalized therapy.

scholarly journals TNF Signaling Dictates Myeloid and Non-Myeloid Cell Crosstalk to Execute MCMV-Induced Extrinsic Apoptosis

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1221
Author(s):  
Pratyusha Mandal ◽  
A. Louise McCormick ◽  
Edward S. Mocarski
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Murine Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Caspase 7 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Different Cell Types

Cytomegaloviruses all encode the viral inhibitor of caspase-8-induced apoptosis (vICA). After binding to this initiator caspase, vICA blocks caspase-8 proteolytic activity and ability to activate caspase-3 and/or caspase-7. In this manner, vICA has long been known to prevent apoptosis triggered via tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family death receptor-dependent extrinsic signaling. Here, we employ fully wild-type murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and vICA-deficient MCMV (∆M36) to investigate the contribution of TNF signaling to apoptosis during infection of different cell types. ∆M36 shows the expected ability to kill mouse splenic hematopoietic cells, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), and dendritic cells (BMDC). Antibody blockade or genetic elimination of TNF protects myeloid cells from death, and caspase-8 activation accompanies cell death. Interferons, necroptosis, and pyroptotic gasdermin D (GSDMD) do not contribute to myeloid cell death. Human and murine fibroblasts or murine endothelial cells (SVEC4-10) normally insensitive to TNF become sensitized to ∆M36-induced apoptosis when treated with TNF or TNF-containing BMDM-conditioned medium. We demonstrate that myeloid cells are the natural source of TNF that triggers apoptosis in either myeloid (autocrine) or non-myeloid cells (paracrine) during ∆M36 infection of mice. Caspase-8 suppression by vICA emerges as key to subverting innate immune elimination of a wide variety of infected cell types.

scholarly journals Caspase-8 deficiency induces a switch from TLR3 induced apoptosis to lysosomal cell death in neuroblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anaïs Locquet ◽  
Gabriel Ichim ◽  
Joseph Bisaccia ◽  
Aurelie Dutour ◽  
Serge Lebecque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell Line ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Caspase Activation ◽  
Extrinsic Pathway ◽  
Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

AbstractIn cancer cells only, TLR3 acquires death receptor properties by efficiently triggering the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis with Caspase-8 as apical protease. Here, we demonstrate that in the absence of Caspase-8, activation of TLR3 can trigger a form of programmed cell death, which is distinct from classical apoptosis. When TLR3 was activated in the Caspase-8 negative neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, cell death was accompanied by lysosomal permeabilization. Despite caspases being activated, lysosomal permeabilization as well as cell death were not affected by blocking caspase-activity, positioning lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) upstream of caspase activation. Taken together, our data suggest that LMP with its deadly consequences represents a “default” death mechanism in cancer cells, when Caspase-8 is absent and apoptosis cannot be induced.

scholarly journals Death Receptor-Induced Activation of Initiator Caspase 8 Is Antagonized by Serine/Threonine Kinase PAK4

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (21) ◽  
pp. 7838-7848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nerina Gnesutta ◽  
Audrey Minden
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Death Domain ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Threonine Kinase ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Promote Cell Survival

ABSTRACT Normal cell growth requires a precisely controlled balance between cell death and survival. This involves activation of different types of intracellular signaling cascades within the cell. While some types of signaling proteins regulate apoptosis, or programmed cell death, other proteins within the cell can promote survival. The serine/threonine kinase PAK4 can protect cells from apoptosis in response to several different types of stimuli. As is the case for other members of the p21-activated kinase (PAK) family, one way that PAK4 may promote cell survival is by phosphorylating and thereby inhibiting the proapoptotic protein Bad. This leads in turn to the inhibition of effector caspases such as caspase 3. Here we show that in response to cytokines which activate death domain-containing receptors, such as the tumor necrosis factor and Fas receptors, PAK4 can inhibit the death signal by a different mechanism. Under these conditions, PAK4 inhibits apoptosis early in the caspase cascade, antagonizing the activation of initiator caspase 8. This inhibition, which does not require PAK4's kinase activity, may involve inhibition of caspase 8 recruitment to the death domain receptors. This role in regulating initiator caspases is an entirely novel role for the PAK proteins and suggests a new mechanism by which these proteins promote cell survival.

scholarly journals SMAC mimetics induce autophagy-dependent apoptosis of HIV-1-infected macrophages

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant R. Campbell ◽  
Rachel K. To ◽  
Gang Zhang ◽  
Stephen A. Spector
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Acute Hiv Infection ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Signaling Complex ◽  
Hiv Eradication ◽  
Smac Mimetics ◽  
Smac Mimetic ◽  
Latent Hiv

Abstract Human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV)-infected macrophages (HIV-Mφ) are a reservoir for latent HIV infection and a barrier to HIV eradication. In contrast to CD4+ T cells, HIV-Mφ are resistant to the cytopathic effects of acute HIV infection and have increased expression of cell survival factors, including X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), baculoviral IAP repeat containing (BIRC) 2/cIAP1, beclin-1, BCL2, BCL-xl, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1, mitofusin (MFN) 1, and MFN2. DIABLO/SMAC mimetics are therapeutic agents that affect cancer cell survival and induce cell death. We found that DIABLO/SMAC mimetics (LCL-161, AT-406 (also known as SM-406 or Debio 1143), and birinapant) selectively kill HIV-Mφ without increasing bystander cell death. DIABLO/SMAC mimetic treatment of HIV-Mφ-induced XIAP and BIRC2 degradation, leading to the induction of autophagy and the formation of a death-inducing signaling complex on phagophore membranes that includes both pro-apoptotic or necroptotic (FADD, receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1, RIPK3, caspase 8, and MLKL) and autophagy (ATG5, ATG7, and SQSTM1) proteins. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of early stages of autophagy, but not late stages of autophagy, ablated this interaction and inhibited apoptosis. Furthermore, DIABLO/SMAC mimetic-mediated apoptosis of HIV-Mφ is dependent upon tumor necrosis factor signaling. Our findings thus demonstrate that DIABLO/SMAC mimetics selectively induce autophagy-dependent apoptosis in HIV-Mφ.

scholarly journals Membrane-bound TNF mediates microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutics-induced cancer cytolysis via juxtacrine inter-cancer-cell death signaling

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1569-1587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Yu Yang ◽  
Shen’ao Zhou ◽  
Xueyan He ◽  
Xuan Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Tight Contact ◽  
Cancer Cell Death ◽  
Microtubule Targeting Agents ◽  
Patient Responsiveness ◽  
Smac Mimetics

Abstract Microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are a class of most widely used chemotherapeutics and their mechanism of action has long been assumed to be mitotic arrest of rapidly dividing tumor cells. In contrast to such notion, here we show—in many cancer cell types—MTAs function by triggering membrane TNF (memTNF)-mediated cancer-cell-to-cancer-cell killing, which differs greatly from other non-MTA cell-cycle-arresting agents. The killing is through programmed cell death (PCD), either in way of necroptosis when RIP3 kinase is expressed, or of apoptosis in its absence. Mechanistically, MTAs induce memTNF transcription via the JNK-cJun signaling pathway. With respect to chemotherapy regimens, our results establish that memTNF-mediated killing is significantly augmented by IAP antagonists (Smac mimetics) in a broad spectrum of cancer types, and with their effects most prominently manifested in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in which cell–cell contacts are highly reminiscent of human tumors. Therefore, our finding indicates that memTNF can serve as a marker for patient responsiveness, and Smac mimetics will be effective adjuvants for MTA chemotherapeutics. The present study reframes our fundamental biochemical understanding of how MTAs take advantage of the natural tight contact of tumor cells and utilize memTNF-mediated death signaling to induce the entire tumor regression.

scholarly journals The Caspase 8 Inhibitor c-FLIPL Modulates T-Cell Receptor-Induced Proliferation but Not Activation-Induced Cell Death of Lymphocytes

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 5419-5433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne M. A. Lens ◽  
Takao Kataoka ◽  
Karen A. Fortner ◽  
Antoine Tinel ◽  
Isabel Ferrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Activation Induced Cell Death

ABSTRACT The caspase 8 inhibitor c-FLIPL can act in vitro as a molecular switch between cell death and growth signals transmitted by the death receptor Fas (CD95). To elucidate its function in vivo, transgenic mice were generated that overexpress c-FLIPL in the T-cell compartment (c-FLIPL Tg mice). As anticipated, FasL-induced apoptosis was inhibited in T cells from the c-FLIPL Tg mice. In contrast, activation-induced cell death of T cells in c-FLIPL Tg mice was unaffected, suggesting that this deletion process can proceed in the absence of active caspase 8. Accordingly, c-FLIPL Tg mice differed from Fas-deficient mice by showing no accumulation of B220+ CD4− CD8− T cells. However, stimulation of T lymphocytes with suboptimal doses of anti-CD3 or antigen revealed increased proliferative responses in T cells from c-FLIPL Tg mice. Thus, a major role of c-FLIPL in vivo is the modulation of T-cell proliferation by decreasing the T-cell receptor signaling threshold.

Second Mitochondria-Derived Activator of Caspases Mimetic Compounds (Smac) Enhance Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Pro-Apoptotic Effect On Human Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2756-2756
Author(s):  
Federica Servida ◽  
Cinzia Scavullo ◽  
Daniele Lecis ◽  
Pierfausto Seneci ◽  
Carmelo Drago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Cytotoxic Effect ◽  
Hematological Malignancies ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor ◽  
Apoptotic Effect ◽  
Smac Mimetics ◽  
Smac Mimetic ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Abstract Abstract 2756 Poster Board II-732 The Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP) are important regulators of programmed cell death. Among them, XIAP, which is characterized by 3 tandem BIR domains selectively blocking caspases 3, 7 and 9, is the most potent and is over-expressed in several hematological malignancies. Its activity is antagonized by Second Mitochondria-derived Activator of Caspases (Smac) and also by small molecules mimicking Smac able to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, alone or in combination with other drugs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a pro-apoptotic cytokine, is capable of triggering programmed death in cancer cells, where it synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation by several malignant cell-type specific mechanisms, and it is currently under evaluation in clinical trials for its strong pro-apoptotic activity. Here we describe the pro-apoptotic effect of newly synthesized monovalent and bivalent Smac-mimetic compounds tested for cytotoxicity on a cohort of human leukemic cell lines over-expressing XIAP (HL60, K562 and Jurkat) as well as on normal CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, alone or in combination with TRAIL. The Smac-mimetics, designed and produced by the University of Milan Center for biomolecular Interdisciplinary Studies and Industrial applications, were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to obtain a 10 mM solution and stored at −20°C. Drug stocks were diluted with phosphate buffer (PBS) prior to their use. The cells were treated with 0.1 nM – 50 μM doses for up to 72 hours. TRAIL was kindly provided by Prof. Henning Walczak (Imperial College, London, UK). In combined treatments, Smac-mimetics and TRAIL were used simultaneously. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by a colorimetric assay for the quantification of cell proliferation and viability based on the cleavage of the WST-8 tetrazolium salt by mitochondrial dehydrogenases. The effect on fresh human CD34+ hematopoietic normal progenitor cells selected from healthy donors' peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) was assayed by myeloid colony (CFU-GM) formation. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometric analysis of DNA fragmentation and by Western blot analysis of caspases activation and PARP cleavage. The combination of some of our Smac-mimetics (both monomers and dimers) with TRAIL highly enhanced the inhibition of proliferation of the chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562, which was shown to be resistant to TRAIL single agent. In particular, a synergistic effect was observed in combined treatment with Smac012 10 μM and TRAIL 50 ng/ml (R Kern index = 6.2). Our Smac-mimetics, particularly the dimeric ones, were capable of inducing apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation and accumulation of cleaved PARP, caspase 8 and caspase 3, especially when administrated in combination with TRAIL. No cytotoxic effect was observed on normal CD34+ progenitor cells by Smac mimetics at doses ranging from 40 μM to 70 μM, even normal controls when were treated simultaneously with TRAIL. As many hematological malignancies are resistant to TRAIL alone, thus limiting its therapeutic effectiveness, the observed strong synergistic effect with Smac mimetic compounds not affecting the normal hematopoietic progenitor cell compartment might be of great consequence for the development of innovative potent pro-apoptotic drug combinations in myeloid leukemia treatment. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

SMAC-Mimetic BV-6 Sensitizes Therapeutic Agents-Induced Apoptosis In AML Cells

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2177-2177
Author(s):  
Duncan H Mak ◽  
Christa Manton ◽  
Michael Andreeff ◽  
Bing Z Carter
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Caspase 8 ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Smac Mimetic ◽  
P53 Activation ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Abstract 2177 The antiapoptotic function of the inhibitors of apoptosis family of proteins (IAPs) is antagonized by mitochondria-released SMAC protein. The IAP-member XIAP suppresses apoptosis by directly binding and inhibiting caspase-9 and caspase-3, while cIAP1, a component of the cytoplasmic signaling complex containing TNF receptor associated factors, suppresses apoptosis via the caspase-8-mediated pathway. BV-6 (Genentech) is a bivalent SMAC-mimetic and has been shown to promote cell death by inducing cIAP autoubiquitination, NF-κB activation, and TNFα-dependent apoptosis. We examined its effect on leukemic cells and found that BV-6 only moderately induced apoptosis. The EC50 was found to be 15.3±5.1 μM at 48 hours in OCI-AML3 cells which are relatively sensitive. We then determined whether BV-6 sensitizes leukemic cells to the HDM2-inhibitor nutlin-3a and to Ara-C. p53 modulates the expression and activity of Bcl-2 family proteins and promotes the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. We showed previously that activation of p53 by nutlin-3a sensitizes AML cells to XIAP inhibition induced-death in part by promoting the release of SMAC from mitochondrion (Carter BZ et al., Blood 2010). We treated OCI-AML3 cells with BV-6, nutlin-3a or Ara-C, and BV-6+nutlin-3a or BV-6+Ara-C and found that the combination of BV-6 and nutlin-3a or BV-6 and Ara-C synergistically induced cell death in OCI-AML3 cells with a combination index (CI) of 0.27±0.11 and 0.22±0.05 (48 hours), respectively. To demonstrate that p53 activation is essential for the synergism of BV-6+nutlin-3a combination, we treated OCI-AML3 vector control and p53 knockdown cells with these two agents and found that the combination synergistically promoted cell death in the vector control (CI=0.47±0.15) but not in the p53 knockdown cells, as expected, while BV6+Ara-C was synergistic in both vector control and p53 knockdown cells (CI=0.15±0.03 and 0.08±0.03, respectively, 48 hours). BV-6 induced activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 and decreased XIAP levels, but did not cause rapid cIAP1 degradation, as reported by others. To assess the contribution of death receptor-mediated apoptosis in BV-6-induced cell death, we treated Jurkat and caspase-8 mutated Jurkat cells (JurkatI9.2) with BV-6 and found that BV-6 induced cell death and significantly potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells (CI=0.14±0.08, 48 hours). Caspase-8 mutated JurkatI9.2 cells were significantly less sensitive to BV-6 than Jurkat cells and as expected, JurkatI9.2 was completely resistant to TRAIL. Collectively, we showed that the bivalent SMAC-mimetic BV-6 potentiates p53 activation-, chemotherapy-, and TRAIL-induced cell death, but has only minimal activity by itself in leukemic cells. SMAC-mimetics could be useful in enhancing the efficacy of different classes of therapeutic agents used in AML therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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