title: PI-3' kinase and NF-kappaB cross-signaling in human pancreatic cancer cells.
abstract: Because tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and some chemotherapeutic agents activate both apoptosis and NF-kappaB-dependent antiapoptotic genes, they may neutralize their own antitumor effects. The cell-signaling mechanisms for such chemoresistance are not clear but may involve phosphotidylinositol-3' kinase (PI3K). To clarify this we examined whether cross-signaling between PI3K and NF-kappaB enhances the antitumor effect of TNF-alpha in human pancreatic cancer cells. Quiescent pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1, MiaPaCa-2) with TNF-alpha, Ly294002 (PI3K inhibitor), alone or combined, were restimulated with mitogen (10% fetal calf serum [FCS] to induce cell cycle entry). Proliferation (monotetrazolium), cell cycle progression (ApoBrDU and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis), and apoptosis (PARP cleavage; caspase-3 activation) were measured. Akt activation (Akt kinase assay) and IkappaBalpha degradation were determined by Western blot analysis. Translocation of NF-kappaB into the nucleus was examined by EMSA, whereas an NF-kappaB/luciferase reporter gene was used to quantify NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of two-tailed t test (P <0.05). PI3K inhibition significantly enhanced the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of TNF-alpha in both cell lines, Ly294002 also blocked TNF-alpha-induced Akt activation but failed to alter cytoplasmic IkappaBalpha degradation or subsequent NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression, however, was ultimately suppressed by Ly294002, suggesting that PI3k-dependent activation of NF-kappaB is IkappaBalpha independent. PI3K inhibition can block NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression regardless of cytoplasmic IkappaBalpha/NF-kappaB activation. Because it also regulates the antitumor effects of TNF-alpha, PI3K may in part determine NF-kappaB-induced chemoresistance in human pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass. 01655, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hedeshian
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chari
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Callery
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases