Analytical constraints for the analysis of human cell line secretomes by shotgun proteomics.

Human cell line secretome represents a valuable source of therapeutic targets and candidate biomarkers. Secreted proteins found in biological fluids or culture media are by essence highly diluted. Secretome investigation with proteomic approaches is hardly compatible with the high content of proteins found in complete cell culture media. Therefore, many studies are currently done with media containing few or no protein. Such conditions may perturb cell metabolism and proliferation. Here, we compared seventeen different compositions of culture media for the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell line. Cell viability, proliferation rate and initial protein charge were systematically compared. We have shown that an important difficulty for the proteomic analysis is due to the presence of detergents such as Pluronic F-68 which hinders peptide mass spectrometry. The high glucose containing DMEM medium which is free of proteins was shown to preserve a good viability and proliferation of cells. With this conditioning medium, we identified 81 extracellular proteins in the secretome of BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, to illustrate this approach, we exposed BEAS-2B cells to a low toxic dose of CoCl(2,) and found 24 extracellular proteins modulated by cobalt. This study highlights the possible contribution of such proteomic approach in the field of toxicology.

Expanding the known repertoire of virulence factors produced by Bacillus cereus through early secretome profiling in three redox conditions.

The pathogen Bacillus cereus causes diarrheal disease in humans. In the small intestine, B. cereus has to deal with anaerobiosis, low oxidoreduction potential, and carbohydrate limitation conditions. To gain insight into the virulence potential of low density B. cereus cells in such an environment, we cultured bacteria in low and high oxidoreduction potential anoxic conditions and in fully oxic conditions and compared their full secretomes. A unique pattern of proteins assigned to virulence factors was revealed. Among the 57 virulence-related factors, 31 were found for the first time in the B. cereus secretome. The putative fourth component of hemolysin BL (HblB'), enterotoxin FM, hemolysin II, and three new putative conserved enterotoxins were uncovered. Cross-comparison of the relative abundance of secreted proteins reveals that a restricted set comprising 19 proteins showed significant changes in response to redox condition changes. We complemented these results with transcriptomics data and confirmed the cytotoxicity of the B. cereus secretome toward Caco-2 human epithelial cells. Our data suggest that (i) the redox-dependent regulatory pathway may modulate the expression of a subset of virulence factors to ensure an appropriate response in a specific redox environment, and (ii) an early growth phase-dependent pathway could regulate the expression of several virulence factors, allowing B. cereus to infect a host whatever the redox conditions. This early growth phase-dependent pathway may function, at least partially, independently of the pleiotropic virulence gene regulator PlcR and may therefore be more specific to the B. cereus group.

Lupulone, a hop bitter acid, activates different death pathways involving apoptotic TRAIL-receptors, in human colon tumor cells and in their derived metastatic cells.

Our study aimed to compare death signalling pathways triggered by lupulone in TRAIL-sensitive human colon cancer cells (SW480) and in their derived TRAIL-resistant metastatic cells (SW620). Lupulone (40 microg/ml) up-regulated expression of TRAIL DR4/DR5 death receptors at the cell surface of both cell lines, even in the absence of exogenous TRAIL ligand. Cell death induced by lupulone was inhibited in SW480 and SW620 cells exposed to blocking anti-DR4/DR5 antibodies. In SW480 cells, lupulone triggered cell death through a cross-talk between TRAIL-DR4/DR5 and the mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathways involving caspase-8 activation and Bid protein cleavage. As a consequence mitochondrial cytochrome c was released into the cytosol and activation of caspases-9 and -3 was observed. In the metastatic SW620 cells, lupulone restored the sensibility of these cells to TRAIL ligand and activated the extrinsic apoptotic pathway via DR4/DR5 death receptors and the involvement of the caspase-8/caspase-3 cascade. The demonstration that lupulone is able to activate TRAIL-death signalling pathways even in TRAIL resistant cancer cells highlights the potential of this natural compound for cancer prevention and therapy.

Chemopreventive effects of lupulone, a hop {beta}-acid, on human colon cancer-derived metastatic SW620 cells and in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis.

The bitter acids of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) mainly consist of humulones or alpha-acids and lupulones or beta-acids. We aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative mechanisms of lupulones on a human metastatic colon carcinoma-derived cell line (SW620 cells) and to assess their chemopreventive effects in a model of colon carcinogenesis. SW620 cell growth was inhibited by 70% after a 48 h exposure to lupulones (40 microg/ml). Lupulones up-regulated the expression of Fas receptor (Fas) and Fas ligand (FasL) as well as TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-R1 (DR4) and -R2 (DR5) receptor proteins, suggesting the involvement of Fas and TRAIL receptors-mediated pathways in lupulone-induced apoptosis. Lupulones also increased the mitochondrial membrane permeability. Colon carcinogenesis was initiated in Wistar rats by intra-peritoneal injections of azoxymethane (AOM), once a week for 2 weeks. One week after the last injection, rats received lupulones (0.001 or 0.005%) in drinking water, and AOM-control rats received the excipient. After 7 months of treatment, the colon of rats receiving 0.001 and 0.005% lupulones showed, respectively, a 30 and a 50% reduction (P < 0.05) of the number of preneoplastic lesions (aberrant crypt foci). In addition, we observed a drastic reduction (70-80%) of the total number of tumors in the colon of rats treated with lupulones when compared with the AOM control group. Lupulones induced apoptosis in SW620 colon-derived metastatic cells by activating both Fas and TRAIL death receptor signaling pathways, and antagonize at a low dose (4 mg/kg/day) colon cancer development. These observations suggest the use of lupulones for colon cancer chemoprevention trials.

Mitochondrial perturbation, oxidative stress and lysosomal destabilization are involved in 7beta-hydroxysitosterol and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol triggered apoptosis in human colon cancer cells.

We reported previously that 7beta-hydroxysitosterol and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol induced apoptosis in Caco-2 cells. Apoptosis caused by 7beta-hydroxysitosterol but not by 7beta-hydroxycholesterol was related to a caspase-dependent process. In the present report, we compared the effects of both compounds on mitochondria integrity and on various modulators of apoptosis. When Caco-2 cells were exposed to both hydroxysterols, no changes in Bcl-2 and Bax expressions were detected indicating a Bcl-2/Bax-independent cell death pathway, whereas loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release were observed. Endonuclease G expression and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species were detected in 7beta-hydroxycholesterol treated cells, but not with 7beta-hydroxysitosterol. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death produced by both hydroxysterols were prevented by vitamin C. Lysosomal membrane integrity was altered with both hydroxysterols, but 7beta-hydroxysitosterol was significantly more active on than 7beta-hydroxycholesterol. Both hydroxysterols induced apoptosis by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. However, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol exhibited a specific enhancement of oxidative stress and of endonuclease G expression despite its closely related chemical structure with 7beta-hydroxysitosterol. The two hydroxysterols exhibit different lipophilic properties which may explain their different biological effects.

Synergism between apple procyanidins and lysosomotropic drugs: potential in chemoprevention.

BACKGROUND: Procyanidins are apple constituents with potential in colon cancer chemoprevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human colon cancer derived metastatic cells (SW620), growing under standardized conditions, were exposed to procyanidins and lysosomotropic compounds. Growth, apoptosis and lysosomal integrity was determined using published methods. RESULTS: Lysosomotropic drugs (MDL 72527, phenylalanine methylester and chloroquine) amplified procyanidin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in SW620 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The improved toxicity of the drug combinations relies primarily on the enhancement of lysosomal membrane permeability. CONCLUSION: Combinations with non-toxic concentrations of lysosomotropic compounds improve the anti-carcinogenic properties of apple procyanidins.

Perturbation of polyamine metabolism and its relation to cell death in human colon cancer cells treated by 7beta-hydroxycholesterol and 7beta-hydroxysitosterol.

7beta-OHsitosterol and 7beta-OHcholesterol are natural compounds of plant and animal cells with high structural similarity. Recently it was reported that both compounds induced apoptosis on human colon cancer cells by targeting different signalling pathways. Our study aimed at comparing their effects on polyamine metabolism and its relation to apoptosis. When human colon cancer cells were exposed to 7beta-OHsitosterol and to 7beta-OHcholesterol at concentrations inhibiting growth by the same degree, both compounds caused a reduction of polyamine biosynthetic enzyme activity, of the polyamine pools, and an increase of N1-acetylspermidine concentration indicating the enhancement of polyamine catabolism. Exogenous putrescine did not prevent cell death caused by 7beta-OHsitosterol, whereas 7beta-OHcholesterol-induced apoptosis was inhibited. MDL 72527, an inhibitor of polyamine oxidase, an enzyme of the polyamine catabolic pathway, potentiated the antiproliferative effects of 7beta-OHcholesterol by increasing the N1-acetylspermidine pool and enhanced the accumulation of apoptotic cells. In contrast, MDL 72527 did not change the apoptosis rate and the N1-acetylspermidine content in cells treated with 7beta-OHsitosterol. These data indicate that polyamine metabolic perturbations triggered by 7beta-OHcholesterol but not by 7beta-OHsitosterol are related to cell death.

Potentiation of apple procyanidin-triggered apoptosis by the polyamine oxidase inactivator MDL 72527 in human colon cancer-derived metastatic cells.

Apple procyanidins have chemopreventive properties in a model of colon cancer, they affect intracellular signalling pathways, and trigger apoptosis in a human adenocarcinoma-derived metastatic cell line (SW620). In the present study we investigated relationships between procyanidin-induced alterations in polyamine metabolism and apoptotic effects. Apple procyanidins diminish the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, key enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis, and they induce spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase, which initiates retroconversion of poly-amines. As a consequence of the enzymatic changes polyamine concentrations are diminished, and N(1)-acetyl-polyamines accumulate in SW620 cells. In contrast with expectations MDL 72527, an inactivator of polyamine oxidase (PAO), improved the anti-proliferative effect of procyanidins, and caused an increase of the proportion of apoptotic cells, although it prevented the formation of hydrogen peroxide and 3-acetamidopropanal, the cytotoxic products of PAO-catalysed degradation of N(1)-acetylspermidine and N1-acetylspermine. Addition of 500 microM N1-acetylspermidine to the culture medium in the presence of procyanidins mimicked the effect of MDL 72527. Therefore we presume that the enhanced procyanidin-triggered apoptosis by MDL 72527 is mediated by the accumulation of N(1)-acetyl-polyamines. The observation that apple procyanidins enhance polyamine catabolism and reduce polyamine biosynthesis activity similar to known inducers of SSAT, without sharing their toxicity, and the potentiation of these effects by low concentrations of MDL 72527 suggests apple procyanidins for chemopreventive and therapeutic interventions.

Separation of Delta5- and Delta7-phytosterols by adsorption chromatography and semipreparative reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography for quantitative analysis of phytosterols in foods.

A method for the separation, isolation, and identification of phytosterols was developed. A commercial phytosterols mixture, Generol 95S, was fractionated first by adsorption silica gel column chromatography and then separated by means of a semipreparative reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography fitted with a Polaris C8-A column (250 mm x 10 mm i.d., 5 microm) using isocratic acetonitrile:2-propanol:water (2:1:1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Milligram scales of six individual phytosterols, including citrostadienol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol, Delta7-avenasterol, Delta7-campesterol, and Delta7-sitosterol, were obtained. Purities of these isolated sterols were 85-98%. Relative response factors (RRF) of these phytosterols were calculated against cholestanol as an authentic commercial standard. These RRF values were used to quantify by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) the phytosterols content in a reference material, oils, and chocolates.

Cytotoxicity of the polyamine oxidase inactivator MDL 72527 to cancer cells: comparison with a saturated structural analogue.

MDL 72527 (N1,N4-di-2,3-butadienyl-1,4-butanediamine) is a selective inactivator of polyamine oxidase with therapeutic potential. However, the development of lethal toxic effects due to prevention of spermine degradation is a considerable disadvantage of the compound. Since the cytotoxicity of MDL 72527 was postulated to be independent of its anti-polyamine oxidase activity, its cytotoxicity to cancer cells was compared with that of a close analogue that is devoid of structural features enabling mechanism-based inactivation of polyamine oxidase. N1,N4-di-n-butyl-1,4-butanediamine proved to be a cytotoxic agent of considerable potency, which induces mainly non-apoptotic cell death, whereas MDL 72527 causes under identical conditions both, apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death. The sensitivity of cells to both compounds is presumably dependent of their glutathione content.

Identification and quantitative analysis of beta-sitosterol oxides in vegetable oils by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

As vegetable oils and phytosterol-enriched spreads are marketed for frying food or cooking purposes, temperature is one of the most important factors leading to the formation of phytosterol oxides in food matrix. A methodology based on saponification, organic solvent extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by mass spectrometric identification and quantitation of beta-sitosterol oxides using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was developed and characterized. Relative response factors of six beta-sitosterol oxides, including 7alpha-hydroxy, 7beta-hydroxy, 5,6alpha-epoxy, 5,6beta-epoxy, 7-keto, and 5alpha,6beta-dihydroxysitosterol, were calculated against authentic standards of 19-hydroxycholesterol or cholestanol. Linear calibration data, limit of detection, and sample recoveries during analytical process. Recoveries of these oxidation compounds in spiked samples ranged from 88 to 115%, while relative standard derivation (R.S.D.) values were below 10% in most cases. The analytical method was applied to quantify beta-sitosterol oxides formed in thermal-oxidized vegetable oils which were heated at different temperatures and for varying time periods. Sitosterol oxidation is strikingly higher in sunflower oil relative to olive oil under all conditions of temperature and heating time.

Chemopreventive properties of apple procyanidins on human colon cancer-derived metastatic SW620 cells and in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis.

Apples contain several classes of polyphenols: monomers (catechins, epicatechins) and oligomers/polymers, such as the procyanidins. Our aim was (i) to study anti-proliferative mechanisms on human metastatic colon carcinoma (SW620 cells) of apple polyphenol fractions (monomers or procyanidins) and (ii) to evaluate their anti-carcinogenic properties in vivo. Two polyphenol-enriched fractions were isolated from apples. Fraction non-procyanidins contained 73% phenolic monomers and no procyanidins, while fraction procyanidins contained 78% procyanidins and no monomers. Inhibition of SW620 cell growth was only observed with fraction P (IC50 = 45 microg/ml). After a 24-h exposure of cells to fraction P, protein kinase C activity was inhibited by 70% and a significant increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and c-jun N-terminal kinases expression was observed together with the down-regulation of polyamine biosynthesis and the activation of caspase-3. Colon carcinogenesis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injections of azoxymethane, once a week for 2 weeks. Seven days after the last injection, Wistar rats received fraction P (0.01%) dissolved in drinking water. After 6 weeks of treatment, the colon of rats receiving procyanidins showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of the number of preneoplastic lesions when compared with controls receiving water. The total number of hyperproliferative crypts and of aberrant crypt foci was reduced by 50% in rats receiving 0.01% apple procyanidins in their drinking water. Our results show that apple procyanidins alter intracellular signaling pathways, polyamine biosynthesis and trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. These compounds antagonize cancer promotion in vivo. In contrast with absorbable drugs, these natural, non toxic, dietary constituents reach the colon where they are able to exert their antitumor effects.

(Z)-3,5,4'-Tri-O-methyl-resveratrol, induces apoptosis in human lymphoblastoid cells independently of their p53 status.

The pro-apoptotic ability of (Z)-3,5,4'-Tri-O-methyl-resveratrol (R3) was investigated in vitro on the human lymphoblastoid cell line TK6 and its p53-knockout counterpart (NH32). In both cell lines, R3 induced the stimulation of caspase-3. Although R3 induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of both cell lines, two distinct mechanisms were observed. The p53-knockout NH32 cells were shown to override the G2/M phase checkpoint with development of hyperdiploid cells, whereas TK6 cells accumulated at G2/M. As p53 function is often altered in human cancer cells, these results show that the pro-apototic effects of R3 against tumor cells are independent of their p53 status.

Pathogenic antiphospholipid antibody: an antigen-selected needle in a haystack.

Antiphospholipid antibodies represent a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies directed against anionic phospholipids (PLs) usually linked to protein cofactors. Their presence during the antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with risks of thrombosis and fetal losses. Among 5 randomly selected monoclonal antiphospholipid antibodies, all originating from a single patient suffering from this autoimmune disease, only 1 induced fetal losses when passively injected into pregnant mice. Its antiphospholipid activity was dependent on annexin A5, and its variable regions contained mainly 3 replacement mutations. To clarify the role of these mutations in the pathogenicity of the antibody, they were in vitro reverted to the germ line configuration. The resulting "germ line" antibody reacted with multiple self-antigens and only partially lost its reactivity against PLs, but it was no more dependent on annexin A5 and, more importantly, was no more pathogenic. This study illustrates that the in vivo antigen-driven maturation process of natural autoreactive B cells can be responsible for pathogenicity.