Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P42574 (caspase-3)
 45,978 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The antitumor effect of immuno- and chemotherapeutic agents is executed through stimulation of apoptotic programs in susceptible cells. Apoptosis induced in tumor cells requires activation of members of the caspase family of proteases. Deficient expression or activation of caspases may account in part for the failure of many current anticancer therapies. However, recent studies suggest that cell death can proceed in the absence of caspases. We investigated the susceptibility of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) lines to two distinct modes of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis. RCC lines displayed almost complete resistance to apoptosis in response to the intracellular zinc chelator, N,N,N'N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), which instead induced dramatic accumulation of nonapoptotic necrotic cells. Conversely, TPEN was a potent inducer of apoptosis in caspase-competent normal kidney cells (NK-72) and Jurkat T lymphocytes. Resistance to apoptosis in RCC lines correlated with almost complete loss of caspase-3 expression and variable down-regulation of caspase-7, caspase-8, and caspase-10. These data may explain the resistance of RCC to drugs inducing apoptosis and have important consequences for further attempts to manipulate tumor cell death.
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PMID:Dead or dying: necrosis versus apoptosis in caspase-deficient human renal cell carcinoma. 1038 43

Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb) kills Fas-expressing cells by apoptosis. Several anticancer agents also mediate apoptosis and may share common intracellular pathways leading to apoptosis with Fas. Thus, we reasoned that combination treatment of drug-resistant cells with anti-Fas mAb and drugs might overcome their resistance. We investigated whether anticancer agents enhance Fas-mediated apoptosis and cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. Treatment of ACHN RCC cells with anti-Fas mAb in combination with 5-fluorouracil, vinblastine, IFN-alpha, or IFN-gamma did not overcome resistance to these agents. However, combination treatment with anti-Fas mAb and Adriamycin (ADR) resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, synergy was also obtained even when the exposure time was shortened from 24 h to 8 or 2 h. Synergy was also achieved in four other RCC cell lines and five freshly derived human RCC cells. Treatment with anti-Fas mAb in combination with epirubicin or pirarubicin also resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect on ACHN cells. Similar results were achieved with a combination of humanized anti-Fas mAb and ADR. Incubation of ACHN cells with ADR augmented the expression of Fas and p53, but not Bcl-2, Bax, or caspase-3. However, the activity of caspase-3 itself was apparently enhanced after treatment with ADR alone or combined treatment with anti-Fas mAb. The synergy obtained in cytotoxicity with anti-Fas mAb and ADR was also achieved in apoptosis. Exposure of ACHN cells and freshly derived RCC cells to ADR enhanced their susceptibility to lysis by peripheral blood lymphocytes and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. This study demonstrates that combination treatment of RCC cells with anti-Fas mAb and ADR might overcome their resistance. The sensitization required a low concentration of ADR and a short exposure time, thus supporting the potential in vivo application of a combination of ADR and anti-Fas mAb or immunotherapy in the treatment of ADR- and/or immunotherapy-resistant RCC.
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PMID:Enhancement of Fas-mediated apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma cells by adriamycin. 1085 Apr 37

Apoptosis is a physiological, programmed process for the elimination of cells from living organisms. Currently, one of the most frequently used methods to detect apoptosis is TUNEL assay. It has provided valuable information about apoptosis in various tissues. However, the sensitivity and the specificity of TUNEL technique have also been criticized. We detected an intense false-positive apoptotic signal in nude and Balb/c mice kidney and liver. In kidney the signal was confined to the proximal, distal and collecting tubular cells, and in liver to hepatocytes. Both tissues appeared normal in light microscopy, and no DNA ladder formation or increase in caspase-3 enzyme activity was detected. BrdU labelling and Ki-67 immunostaining did not reveal increased cell proliferation in these tissues. On the other hand, false-positive signal was not detected in testis, spleen, pancreas or renal cell carcinoma from the same animals. Also, no false-positive signal was seen in human liver or kidney samples. Although factors known to produce false-positive staining related to sample harvesting, preparation and staining protocols were eliminated, the cause of the false- positive apoptotic signal remains unknown. We conclude that caution must be exercised when examining apoptosis in mouse tissues with TUNEL assay.
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PMID:False-positive apoptosis signal in mouse kidney and liver detected with TUNEL assay. 1122 14

The caspase family of proteases is speculated to have a crucial role in apoptosis. The effect of treatment with adriamycin (ADR), cisplatin (CDDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), vinblastine (VLB), IFN-alpha, or IFN-gamma on the activation of caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells was investigated, to clarify the mechanisms of chemo- and immunotherapeutic agent-mediated apoptosis. Caspase activity was determined by a quantitative colorimetric assay. Apoptosis was monitored by acridine-orange staining assay. Treatment of ACHN cells with CDDP, VLB, IFN-alpha, or IFN-gamma did not activate caspase-3, but its activity was increased 7.2-fold (p = 0.0001) with ADR and 2.8-fold (p = 0.0385) with 5-FU in comparison with control. Furthermore, when the ADR treatment time was shortened from 24 to 8 or 2 h, the same caspase-3 activation occurred. Activation of caspase-3 was also observed in six freshly isolated human RCC cells after the treatment with ADR. Of the six freshly derived RCC cells treated with 5-FU, caspase-3 activity was increased 3.1-fold (p = 0.0051) and 2.4-fold (p = 0.0346) in two of them, respectively. Epirubicin and pirarubicin, compounds closely related to ADR, also respectively enhanced 4.2-fold (p = 0.0052) and 2.8-fold (p = 0.0147) caspase-3 activity in ACHN cells. The activation of caspase-3 observed with a colorimetric assay was confirmed with immunocytochemical analysis using the anti-active caspase-3 mAb, which specifically recognizes the active form of caspase-3. Furthermore, both active caspase-3 and apoptosis triggered by either ADR or 5-FU were inhibited significantly by the general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, or a specific caspase-3 inhibitor DMQD-CHO. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for anthracyclines and 5-FU induced-apoptosis.
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PMID:Activation of caspase-3 in renal cell carcinoma cells by anthracyclines or 5-fluorouracil. 1140 17

The antitumor effect of T cells is executed either through CD95 or Perforin (PFN)/Granzyme B (GrB) pathways. Induction of apoptosis by either mode requires activation of caspase family members. However, recent studies have suggested that cell death can proceed in the absence of caspase induction and apoptotic events. We investigated the contribution of CD95 and PFN/GrB-mediated cytotoxicity to apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms of cell death in human renal cell carcinoma. Although freshly isolated and cultured tumors expressed CD95 on their surface, they were resistant to CD95-mediated apoptosis. CD95 resistance coincided with decreased levels of FADD protein and diminished caspase-3-like activity. In contrast, we demonstrated that tumor cell death mediated by PFN/GrB can be achieved in the absence of functional caspase activity and is accompanied by a dramatic accumulation of nonapoptotic necrotic cells.
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PMID:The T cell death knell: immune-mediated tumor death in renal cell carcinoma. 1159 25

Previously, we showed that arsenic trioxide potently inhibited the growth of myeloma cells and head and neck cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that arsenic trioxide inhibited the proliferation of all the renal cell carcinoma cell lines (ACHN, A498, Caki-2, Cos-7, and Renca) except only one cell line (Caki-1) with IC(50) of about 2.5-10 microM. Arsenic trioxide induced a G(1) or a G(2)-M phase arrest in these cells. When we examined the effects of this drug on A498 cells, arsenic trioxide (2.5 microM) decreased the levels of CDK2, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin A proteins. Although p21 protein was not increased by arsenic trioxide, this drug markedly enhanced the binding of p21 with CDK2. In addition, the activities of CDK2- and CDK6-associated kinase were reduced in association with hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. Arsenic trioxide (10 microM) also induced apoptosis in A498 cells. Apoptotic process of A498 cells was associated with the changes of Bcl-(XL), caspase-9, caspase-3, and caspase-7 proteins as well as mitochondria transmembrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) loss. Taken together, these results demonstrate that arsenic trioxide inhibits the growth of renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest or apoptosis.
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PMID:Arsenic trioxide inhibits the growth of A498 renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. 1248 May 48

Caspases exist as zymogens, and are activated by various extracellular stimuli, leading to apoptosis. One such stimulus is Fas/CD95, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, providing one means of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cell lysis. Clinical evidence has shown that administration of cytokine leads to regression in selected patients with renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) indicates its contribution to anti-tumor activity of immune cells. IFN-gamma elicits its effect through the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1), and through interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), one of the target genes of STAT-1. Our previous study demonstrated an increase in the susceptibility of ACHN cells, established from RCC, to Fas-mediated apoptosis by IFN-gamma, and the inhibition of this effect by the caspase-3 and -7 inhibitor, DEVD-CHO. We demonstrated the following phenomena in IFN-gamma-treated ACHN cells: 1) enhanced transcription of caspase-1, 3 and 7 mRNAs without any change in cleavage of their substrates; 2) increased cleavage DEVD (specific for caspase-3 and 7), but not YVAD (for caspase-1) or DMQD (for caspase-3), after anti-Fas/CD95 MAb treatment; 3) activation of the STAT-1 and IRF-1 pathway; and 4) partial abrogation of the IFN-gamma-induced increase in Fas-mediated apoptosis by antisense IRF-1 oligodeoxynucleotide. These results suggest that IRF-1 plays a pivotal role in the IFN-gamma-mediated-enhancement of Fas/CD95-mediated apoptosis, through regulation of DEVD-CHO-sensitive caspases, most likely caspase-7.
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PMID:Role of IRF-1 and caspase-7 in IFN-gamma enhancement of Fas-mediated apoptosis in ACHN renal cell carcinoma cells. 1258 35

Previously, we showed that monensin, Na+ ionophore, potently inhibited the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia and lymphoma cells. Here, we demonstrate that monensin inhibited the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma cells with IC50 of about 2.5 micro M. Monensin induced a G1 or a G2-M phase arrest in these cells. When we examined the effects of this drug on ACHN cells, monensin decreased the levels of CDK2, CDK6, cdc2, cyclin A and cyclin B1 proteins. p21 and p27 proteins were increased by monensin. In addition, monensin markedly enhanced the binding of p21 with CDK2 and the binding of p27 with CDK6. Furthermore, the activities of CDK2- and CDK6-associated kinase were reduced in association with hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. Monensin also induced the apoptosis in several renal cell carcinoma cells. Apoptotic process of Caki-2 cells was associated with the changes of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-7 proteins as well as mitochondria transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) loss. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that monensin inhibits the growth of renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest or apoptosis.
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PMID:Monensin inhibits the growth of renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. 1263 79

We investigated the in vitro effect of trichostatin (histone deacetylase inhibitor) on cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma cell lines. Trichostatin significantly inhibited the proliferation of all six cell lines examined in dose-dependent manner with IC50 of about 125-250 nM. Trichostatin (72-h incubation) induced a G1 phase arrest in ACHN, Caki-1, Caki-2 and Renca cell lines and a G2-M phase arrest in A498 cells. When we examined the effects of this drug on ACHN cells, trichostatin decreased the levels of CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin A proteins. p27 protein was increased by trichostatin. In addition, trichostatin markedly enhanced the binding of p27 with CDK2 and CDK4. Furthermore, the activities of CDK2, CDK4- and CDK6-associated kinase were reduced and the lack of the CDK activity was paralleled by increased hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. Trichostatin also induced apoptosis in all the renal cell carcinoma cell lines. Apoptotic process of ACHN cells was associated with the changes of Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-7 proteins as well as mitochondria transmembrane potential (deltapsim) loss. Taken together, these results demonstrate that trichostatin inhibits the growth of renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest or apoptosis.
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PMID:Trichostatin inhibits the growth of ACHN renal cell carcinoma cells via cell cycle arrest in association with p27, or apoptosis. 1268 81

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL APO-2L) is a member of the TNF family and induces apoptosis in cancer cells without affecting most non-neoplastic cells. The present investigation is focused on apoptosis induction by combined exposure to TRAIL and ionising radiation (IR) in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines. Here, we demonstrate that all RCC cell lines coexpress TRAIL and the death-inducing receptors, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2. Exposure to TRAIL alone induced marked apoptosis in three out of eight RCC cell lines. Combined exposure to TRAIL and IR resulted in a sensitisation to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in one RCC cell line only. Enhanced apoptosis induction by TRAIL in combination with IR was paralleled by an increase in PARP cleavage and activation of executioner caspase-3, whereas caspases-6 and -7 were not involved. Moreover, exposure to TRAIL and/or IR resulted in a marked activation of initiator caspase-8, possibly augmented by the observed reduction of inhibitory c-FLIP expression. In contrast to other tumour types, activation of initiator caspase-9 was not detectable in our RCC model system after exposure to TRAIL and/or IR. This lack of caspase-9 activation might be related to an impaired 'crosstalk' with the caspase-8 pathway as suggested by the missing Bid cleavage and to the appearance of an XIAP cleavage product known to inhibit caspase-9 activation. Deficient activation of caspase-9, therefore, might contribute to the clinically known resistance of human RCC against IR and also argues against an effective combination therapy with TRAIL and IR in this tumour type.
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PMID:Apoptosis induction in renal cell carcinoma by TRAIL and gamma-radiation is impaired by deficient caspase-9 cleavage. 1277 98


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