Introduction
NF-κB, originally discovered as a transcription factor that regulates the immune system, is now known to be widely expressed in almost all cells and mediates multiple signaling pathways including cell proliferation and survival [
1]. A common form of NF-κB is a heterodimer consisting of p65 (RelA) and p50 proteins that exists as an inactive IκBα-bound form in the cytoplasm of unstimulated cells. Activation of the NF-κB pathway by a variety of inducers including cytokines, growth factors, UV light and DNA-damaging drugs often occurs by increasing the phosphorylation of IκBα by the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. This results in ubiquitination and rapid degradation of IκBα by the 26S proteasome, allowing for the increase of nuclear NF-κB DNA binding activity and transcriptional activation of its target genes, including Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family members XIAP, IAP-1, IAP-2 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bcl-2, Bcl-xL [
1]. Therefore, NF-κB activation is often associated with increased survival of cancer cells and resistance to chemotherapy. Accordingly, there are several candidate inhibitors of NF-κB activity that are in development as anti-cancer therapy [
2‐
4].
However, the role of NF-κB in cancer progression and in anti-cancer therapeutics is complex, as there is also evidence to suggest that NF-κB activation can sensitize cells to apoptosis [
5,
6]. For example, inhibition or loss of NF-κB activity blocks p53-mediated apoptosis, suggesting that inhibition of NF-κB in p53 positive tumors may weaken the therapeutic response [
7]. Furthermore, activation of NF-κB by UV light and doxorubicin converts it into an active repressor of the anti-apoptotic genes XIAP and Bcl-xL [
8]. Additional evidence supporting a pro-apoptotic role for NF-κB in cancer chemotherapy comes from the observation that the retinoid-related compounds 3-Cl-AHPC and CD437 require activation of NF-κB in order to induce apoptosis in DU145 and PC3 castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells [
9,
10]. Exposure of CRPC cells to 3-Cl-AHPC or CD437 enhances the expression of the pro-apoptotic Death Receptor (DR) 4 and 5 genes. An NF-κB binding site located in intron 1 of the DR5 promoter is important for positive regulation by NF-κB [
11]. Activation of NF-κB by betulinic acid (BA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid small molecule with anticancer properties, is also required for induction of apoptosis in tumor cells [
12].
The clinical progression of prostate cancer (PC) involves the transition from androgen-dependent cancer, which can be successfully treated with androgen-ablation therapy, to a castration-resistant cancer with few treatment options [
13]. One of the critical factors in the progression to CRPC is the increased activity of NF-κB and its promotion of apoptotic inhibition [
14‐
16]. It is not clear in the different types of PC cells (androgen-dependent and castration- resistant) whether activation or inhibition of NF-κB is required for stimulation of apoptosis by chemotherapy. Since PC consists of a heterogeneous mixture of cell types, it is important to better understand the mechanisms of the effect of chemotherapy on NF-κB activity in different PC cell lines in order to increase therapeutic response [
17,
18].
In this report, we investigate the effects of the antimitotic drugs docetaxel (Doc) and 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) on NF-κB activity and induction of cell death in androgen-responsive and castration-resistant PC cell lines. Doc is now one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs and is FDA approved for the treatment of prostate, breast, gastric, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancers [
19,
20]. 2ME2, an endogenous metabolite of estradiol, is being investigated in clinical trials as an anti-cancer agent [
21]. Both Doc and 2ME2 have been reported to increase NF-κB activity in tumor cell lines including PC, but whether this stimulates or antagonizes apoptosis appears to be dependent on the specific tumor cell type [
22,
23].
Studies have shown constitutive NF-κB DNA binding and transcriptional activity in DU145 and PC3 CRPC cells but not in androgen-dependent LNCaP cells [
24‐
26]. Our data indicated that both Doc and 2ME2 increased NF-κB activity in LNCaP cells and that inhibition of NF-κB was able to block treatment-induced apoptosis. Doc and 2ME2 treatment had little effect on NF-κB activity in DU145 and PC3 cells and the addition of an NF-κB inhibitor did not stimulate cell death in these cells. In contrast, addition of BA increased NF-κB activity and stimulated Doc- and 2ME2-mediated apoptosis in LNCaP and caspase-independent cell death in DU145 and PC3 cells.
Materials and methods
Reagents
2ME2 was obtained from EntreMed, Inc. and Doc from Aventis Pharmaceuticals. Parthenolide and 4'-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) were purchased from Calbiochem; BA from Calbiochem, Biomol, or AG Scientific; Trypan blue (0.4%) from Invitrogen; and Coomassie blue from EMD Chemicals, Inc.
Cell Culture
Human PC cell lines LNCaP, DU145, and PC3 were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection [
27]. LN-AI is a castration-resistant subline of LNCaP, which was spontaneously derived in our laboratory [
28]. These cells express androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), similar to LNCaP. DU145 and PC3 cells do not express AR or PSA. All cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 medium (Invitrogen) with 5% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone), 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and 0.25 μg/ml amphotericin (Invitrogen). Media for LN-AI/dnI clones 7, -20, and LN-AI/neo cells also contained 200 μg/ml G418 (Invitrogen).
Drug Treatments
PC cells were cultured in media containing 2ME2 (5 μM), Doc (1 nM), parthenolide (10 μM), BA (10 μM) or DMSO control for varying times (24-72 h). In all the experiments, adherent and non-adherent cells were pooled for further analysis.
Western Blot Analysis
Preparation of total protein lysates was done as previously described [
28]. Preparation of nuclear extracts was done using NE-PER nuclear extraction reagents as per manufacturer's instructions (Pierce Biotechnology). After separation of 25-50 μg protein by SDS-PAGE, proteins were transferred by electrophoresis to Immobilon-P membrane and incubated in 5% nonfat dry milk, TBS, and 0.1% Tween-20 for 1 h. Antibodies specific for phospho-(Ser32/36) IκBα (9246), IκBα (9242), phospho (Ser536)-p65 (3031), cleaved PARP (Asp 214), and XIAP (2042) from Cell Signaling; p65 (C-20), p53 (DO-1), and AIF/N-terminus (E-1) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology; and AIF/C-terminus (A7549) from Sigma-Aldrich were diluted 1/1,000-1/3,000 in 5% nonfat dry milk, TBS, and 0.1% Tween-20 and incubated overnight at 4°C. Membranes were washed in TBS and 0.1% Tween-20 and incubated with the appropriate horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody (1/3,000 dilution; Santa Cruz) for 1 h, washed in TBS and 0.1% Tween-20, and analyzed by exposure to X-ray film using enhanced chemiluminescence plus (ECL plus, GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp). Staining of total protein with Coomassie blue was used as a protein loading control. X-ray films were scanned using an Epson Perfection 2450 Photo scanner.
NF-κB Reporter Assay
To measure NF-κB transcription activity, we used a plasmid containing the luciferase reporter gene regulated by four copies of NF-κB cis-acting elements linked to TATA box from the thymidine kinase promoter (NF-κB-TA/luc; Clontech). TA/Luc is the negative control plasmid without NF-κB elements. Plasmids were co-transfected with CMV/β-galactosidase (Clontech) into LNCaP and PC3 cells using FuGene 6 HD transfection reagent (Roche), as previously described [
29]. After 24 h, transfected cells were grown in the presence or absence of 5 μM 2ME2 for 24 and 72 h and the luciferase and β-gal activities determined. The NF-κB luciferase activity relative values as light units/β-gal were divided by TA/luc values and expressed as fold above TA/luc from 3 independent experiments done in duplicate.
Fluorescence Immunocytochemistry
Adherent and non-adherent cells were harvested, fixed in formalin for 5 min, applied to slides by smearing, air dried, rinsed with PBS, and blocked with M.O.M. (Vector Laboratories) or goat serum for 20 min. For double immunofluorescence, after first immunostaining for p65 (1:50 dilution; 30 min), we used biotinylated anti-rabbit IgG (1/200 dilution; Vector Laboratories) for 20 min, fluorescein Avidin DCS (1/300 dilution; Vector Laboratories) for 5 min., followed by avidin/biotin blocking for 15 min, immunostaining with nucleolin (H-250; Santa Cruz Biotechnology) for 30 min, biotinylated anti-rabbit IgG, Texas Red DCS, and mounting media with DAPI stain (Vector Laboratories). AIF was immunostained using AIF/N-terminus (1:25 dilution), biotinylated anti-mouse IgG (1/200 dilution; Vector Laboratories), Fluorescein Avidin DCS, and mounting media with propidium iodide (PI) (Vector Laboratories). Color images were acquired using a Nikon Eclipse 90i fluorescence microscope with FITC/Texas Red filters and merged using Adobe Photoshop 7.
DAPI Apoptosis and Trypan Blue Exclusion Assays
The DAPI staining apoptosis assay was done as previously described [
28]. Changes in apoptosis in cells treated with drugs were determined as percentage of apoptotic cells (densely stained and fragmented chromatin) from 3-6 independent experiments done in duplicate. Minimal apoptosis was detected in control treated cells (<0.5%). For the trypan exclusion assay, treated and control prostate cancer cells were harvested, resuspended in growth media, diluted 1:1 in 0.4% trypan blue, dead blue and live non-blue cells immediately counted using a hemacytometer, and the % dead blue cells determined from at least 3 independent experiments done in duplicate.
Annexin-FITC/Propidium Iodide (PI) Flow Cytometry
For the annexin apoptosis assay, we used the ApoAlert Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis kit (Clontech). LN-AI and DU145 cells were resuspended in binding buffer followed by the addition of annexin V-FITC and PI. After 20 min., cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using a Coulter XL flow cytometer and the percentage of annexin+ and PI+ cells determined using WinMDI version 2.8.
Stable Transfection of Dominant Negative IκBα
To inhibit endogenous NF-κB activity, we obtained the pCMV-IκBαM plasmid (Clontech) expressing dominant negative IκBα containing Ser to Ala mutations at positions 32 and 36, which cannot be phosphorylated and degraded [
30]. LN-AI cells (90% confluent) were co-transfected with pCMV-IκBαM and pCMVneo (for drug selection) using FuGene 6 HD following the manufacturer's instructions. The negative control was transfection with pCMVneo alone. Cells were initially grown in media with 400 μg/ml G418 (Invitrogen), colonies selected, and clones that express dominant negative-IκBα (dnI) compared to pCMVneo negative control cells clones were identified by Western blot (migrates faster than endogenous wild type IκBα).
Lentiviral Transduction of LNCaP and DU145 with shRNA Against p65 and AIF
The shRNA design, lentivirus production and infection were done as previously described [
31]. The following DNA oligonucleotides (Operon Technologies) targeting p65 and AIF were cloned into pLKO.1 lentivirus vector: shp65-1: GGCGGATTGAGGAGAAACGTAAACTCG AGTTTACGTTTC TCCTCAATCCGTTTTTG; shp65-2: CCGGCCTGAGGCTATAACTCG CCTACTCGAGTAGGCGA GTTATAGCCTCAGGTTTTTG; shAIF-1: CCGGCCTGGAAA TAGACTCAGATTT CTCGAGAAATCTGAGTCTATTTCCAGGTTTTTG; shAIF-2: CCGG CTGCATGCTTCTACGATATAACTCGAG TTATATCGTAGA AGCATGCAGTTTTTG. The control shRNA was targeted against GFP. LNCaP/shp65-2, LNCaP/shAIF-2, LNCaP/shGFP, DU145/sh p65-1, DU145/shAIF-1, and DU145/shGFP were further analyzed.
Real Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR)
RNA was isolated from prostate cancer cells using QIAshredder and RNeasy miniprep kit (Qiagen Inc.). All RNAs were treated with RNase-free DNase (Ambion) to remove possible DNA contamination. The following DNA oligonucleotides (Operon Technologies) were used for RT-qPCR: AIFsh sense 5'-TCATGCCCACTGTCCTGTAAGT-3' and antisense 5'-CCATGG TCCAGTTGCTGAGGT-3' (239 amplicon) [
32]; IκBα sense 5'-CTCCGAGACTTTCGAGG AAATAC-3' and antisense 5'-GCCATTGTAGTTGGTAGCCTTCA-3' (135 amplicon) [
33]; A20 sense 5'-AAGCTGTGAAGATACGGGAGA-3' and antisense 5'-CGATGAGGGCTTT GTGGATGAT-3' (159 amplicon) [
33]; DR5 sense 5'-AAGACCCTTGTGCTCGTTGT-3' and antisense 5'-AGGTGGACACAATCCCTCTG-3' (144 amplicon) [
33]; and the reference gene ribosomal protein, large, P0 (RPL0) sense 5'-GCAATGTTGCCAGTGTCTG-3' and antisense 5'-GCCTTGACCTTTTCAGCAA-3' (141 amplicon) [
34]. cDNA was synthesized with the iScript cDNA synthesis kit (Bio-Rad) and qPCR with Brilliant II Sybr Green QPCR Kit at 30 sec at 95°C, 1 min at 55°C, and 30 sec at 72°C for 40 cycles using a MX3005 qPCR system (Stratagene). Crossing point values from logarithmic amplification profiles for target genes were divided by values from the RPL0 reference gene from RNA samples and presented as fold above control treated cells analyzed five times from three independent experiments. Each product was confirmed for the expected size by agarose gel electrophoresis.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical differences between drug-treated and control PC cells were determined by two-tailed Student's t-test with P < 0.05 considered significant.
Discussion
Treatment of cancer cells with chemotherapeutic drugs often results in substantial heterogeneity in the response to NF-κB activity. In some cases, NF-κB activation by chemotherapeutic drugs elicits a pro-survival cellular response and combination with inhibitors of NF-κB improves efficacy [
1,
3,
4]. However, depending on the type of drug or cancer cell, activation of NF-κB can elicit a pro-death response [
6]. Our results indicated that improving the cell death response to 2ME2 and Doc in PC cells depends on stimulating rather than inhibiting NF-κB activity. In contrast to what was observed with NF-κB inhibitors, combination of 2ME2 or Doc with BA, an activator of NF-κB, increased cell death in androgen-responsive as well as castration-resistant PC cell lines. Therefore, our data suggests that a chemotherapy combination strategy utilizing antimitotic drugs with BA is likely to be a more universally effective chemotherapeutic strategy for PC.
Our data suggest that the combination of antimitotic drugs with NF-κB inhibitors will have antagonistic effects in a common type of PC cell typical of LNCaP and LN-AI. Support for this observation comes from a report demonstrating that bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor that lowers NF-κB activity by blocking degradation of IκBα, inhibits Doc-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells [
44]. More importantly, recent clinical trials indicate that patients with CRPC have no added benefit from bortezomib above Doc in one study and some antitumor activity in another study [
45,
46]. It is not yet known, however, if more specific inhibitors of NF-κB in combination with antimitotic drugs will have a better therapeutic effect clinically, especially since constitutive NF-κB activity is very prominent in CRPC [
14‐
16].
Our results are similar to a previous report showing that inhibition of NF-κB with dnI or the NF-κB inhibitor BAY 117082 blocks 2ME2-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells [
23]. Others have shown that 2ME2 can inhibit NF-κB in PC3 and medulloblastoma/glioma cell lines and blocking the Doc increase in NF-κB can enhance apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines [
47‐
51]. Overall, the heterogeneity implicated in the NF-κB response to anti-cancer drugs is dependent on the specific type of drug and cancer cell.
In LNCaP and LN-AI cells, the requirement of 2ME2 and Doc to activate NF-κB and increase apoptosis may depend upon the p53 tumor suppressor protein [
37]. There is evidence suggesting a link between activation of NF-κB and the ability of p53 to induce apoptosis [
7,
52]. Our results in LNCaP cells indicated that 2ME2 increased nucleolar localization of p65 (Fig.
2). Nucleolar localization of p65 has been previously reported in colon cancer cells treated with aspirin and a model is proposed that the nucleolus sequesters p65 and inhibits its antiapoptotic functions [
38]. Interestingly, the ARF tumor suppressor protein is localized to the nucleolus and after activation by oncogenes can prevent Hdm2 from targeting p53 for degradation and therefore increases the stability of p53 [
53]. In addition, ARF can modulate p65 transcriptional activity to repress antiapoptotic genes in a p53 independent manner [
54]. One of the effects of antimitotic drugs is the disruption of the nucleolus, the release of ARF, and sequestration of Hdm2, which then leads to the stabilization of p53 and subsequent induction of apoptosis [
55]. Our results suggest that investigating the mechanistic basis of p65 nucleolar localization is likely to yield significant insights regarding how to optimize the cytotoxic antitumor action of antimitotic drugs.
It is known that the ability of BA to kill cancer cells occurs by multiple signaling pathways including through activation of NF-κB [
12,
56]. One potential mechanism for NF-κB activation and increase in apoptosis by BA is the degradation of IκBα and XIAP (Fig.
6). Activation of selective proteasome-dependent degradation of Sp1, 3, and 4 transcription factors controlling the proangiogenic gene VEGF and the antiapoptosis gene survivin by BA has been recently reported [
57].
The pro-death effects of BA are independent of p53, which is a desirable characteristic for any agent utilized for the treatment of advanced PC, which frequently lacks functional p53 [
58]. Our data show that despite a decrease in p53 protein, BA can still increase apoptosis or cell death in all PC cells (Fig.
6). Our results also suggest that BA combined with 2ME2 or Doc increases cell death in a caspase-independent manner (Figs.
6,
7B,
8D). We suggest that one of the factors that allow DU145 cells to overcome the defect in the apoptosis pathway (mutant p53/null Bax) is the increased nuclear translocation AIF/AIFsh to mediate non-apoptotic cell death.
Conclusions
Combination chemotherapy is required to further improve the survival of patients with CRPC. A prevailing strategy has been to inhibit the NF-κB response in order to block its pro-survival effect and improve drug efficacy. In this study, we demonstrated that in PC cells such as LNCaP and LN-AI, activation of NF-κB by the antimitotic agents 2ME2 or Doc is important for increasing apoptosis. In addition, when 2ME2 or Doc is combined with an NF-κB activator such as BA, there is effective induction of cell death in all the PC cells analyzed. We are currently investigating whether other NF-κB activators will also mediate increased cell death by antimitotic drugs. The combination of antimitotic agents with NF-κB activators may promote the pro-death responses in a greater variety of PC cells, a requirement for increased therapeutic efficacy.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
RP and AP carried out all of the Western blots. TR carried out the immunofluorescence experiments. CPS carried out the cell culture, drug treatments, the transfection/luciferse assays, the DAPI/trypan blue/annexin-PI assays, isolation of LN-AI/dnI clones, and lentiviral transduction of shRNA. AP carried out and analyzed all of the RT-qPCR data. RP, AP, TR, PR, and CPS participated in the design of the experiments and critical review of the manuscript. CPS conceived of the study, coordinated and supervised the project, and wrote and edited the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.