title: Sensitization of AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma cells to Apo-2 ligand-induced apoptosis by actinomycin D.
abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent malignancy associated with HIV infection (AIDS-KS), a complication that leads to high mortality and morbidity. AIDS-KS cells are resistant to killing by chemotherapeutic drugs/NK cells and Fas-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the acquisition of antiapoptotic characteristics by AIDS-KS cells may contribute to their prolonged survival. Apo-2 ligand (Apo-2L)/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, a new member of the TNF family, has been identified as an apoptosis-inducing molecule. In this study we examined the sensitivity of 10 different AIDS-KS isolates to Apo-2L-mediated cytotoxicity. AIDS-KS cells were relatively resistant to Apo-2L; however, Apo-2L and actinomycin D (Act D) used in combination synergistically potentiated the induction of cell death in nine of the 10 isolates. Apo-2L induced apoptosis in >80% of AIDS-KS cells pretreated with Act D. The caspase inhibitors, zIETD-fmk and zDEVD-fmk, inhibited apoptosis in AIDS-KS by sApo-2L, suggesting that caspase 3-like and caspase 8 or 10 activities are essential for Apo-2L-mediated apoptosis. Act D treatment of AIDS-KS cells markedly and selectively down-regulated Bcl-xL expression, while the expressions of decoy receptors 1 and 2, Bax, cellular FLICE (Fas-associated death domain protein-like IL-1-converting enzyme) inhibitory protein, FADD (Fas-associated death domain protein), procaspase 8, and p53 were not affected. These findings suggest the possible involvement of Bcl-xL in Act D-induced sensitization of AIDS-KS cells to Apo-2L-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, Act D did not sensitize PBMC or fibroblast cells to Apo-2L. Thus, Apo-2L and Act D used in combination may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of AIDS-KS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami-Mori
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ashkenazi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonavida
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D020169:Caspases / Q000502:physiology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012995:Solubility; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019014:fas Receptor; D003609:Dactinomycin; D020169:Caspases