title: IFNalpha-stimulated neutrophils and monocytes release a soluble form of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo-2 ligand) displaying apoptotic activity on leukemic cells.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily exerting cytotoxic activities toward tumor cells. Herein, we demonstrate that therapeutic concentrations of interferon alpha (IFNalpha) stimulate the expression of high levels of TRAIL mRNA and the release of elevated amounts of a soluble bioactive form of TRAIL (sTRAIL) in both human neutrophils and monocytes. Supernatants harvested from IFNalpha-treated neutrophils/monocytes elicited, on TRAIL-sensitive leukemic cell lines, proapoptotic activities that were significantly reduced by either a combination of TRAIL-R1/Fc and TRAIL-R2/Fc chimeras or neutralizing anti-TRAIL, anti-TRAIL-R1, and anti-TRAIL-R2 antibodies, suggesting that they were mediated by released sTRAIL acting on both TRAIL receptors. Since diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and melanoma are effectively treated with IFNalpha,we also demonstrate that CML neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultured with IFNalpha at therapeutic concentrations retain the capacity of releasing sTRAIL, suggesting that CML leukocytes, in vivo, might represent an important source of sTRAIL. In this regard, we show that sTRAIL serum levels as well as leukocyte-associated TRAIL significantly increase in melanoma patients following IFNalpha administration. Collectively, these findings indicate that sTRAIL released by IFNalpha-activated neutrophils and monocytes contributes not only to the immunoregulatory actions but also to the therapeutic activities of IFNalpha.
authors.affiliation: Department Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tecchio
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scapini
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calzetti
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Margotto
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Todeschini
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pilla
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzolo
authors.forename: Licia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rivoltini
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cassatella
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha