Time sequence of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and cisplatin treatment is responsible for a complex pattern of synergistic cytotoxicity.
The combination of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and cisplatin resulted in a greater cytotoxicity than could be accounted for by the addition of the cytotoxic effects of the agents alone. In this study, we hypothesized that the synergistic interaction between the two modalities can be changed when both the sequence and the time interval between the two treatments are varied. To test the hypothesis, human head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC)-6 cells were either pretreated with 0.01-0.5 microg/ml TRAIL for various times (0-24 h) followed by treatment with 5 microg/ml cisplatin or pretreated with 5 microg/ml cisplatin for various times (0-24 h) followed by treatment with 0.5 microg/ml TRAIL. In latter case, the synergistic effect was gradually increased when the time interval between the two treatments was increased. In former case, a maximal synergy occurred within 0-4 h of pretreatment with TRAIL. However, the synergistic effect was gradually decreased when the time interval between the two treatments was increased. Data from immunoblotting analysis reveal that a similar pattern emerged for the PARP cleavage and caspase activation. The synergistic effect is not associated with DR4, DR5, FADD, and FLIP(L). Interestingly, a complex pattern of synergistic interaction between TRAIL and cisplatin is related to the cleavage of FLIP(S). Although overexpression of FLIP(S) protected cells from FLIP(S) cleavage and apoptotic death, blockage of FLIP(S) cleavage by replacing Asp(39) and Asp(42) residues with alanine did not further enhance FLIP(S)-mediated protection. Taken together, FLIP(S) cleavage reflects apoptotic damage, but it does not cause apoptosis.
Kim
Young-Ho
YH
Department of Surgery and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Lee
Yong J
YJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053446:CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000633:toxicity*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D053446:CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein; C506386:CFLAR protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D020169:Caspases; D002945:Cisplatin