JNK inhibition sensitises hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not normal hepatocytes to the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

Mucha, Simon R.; Rizzani, Antonia; Gerbes, Alexander L.; Camaj, Peter; Thasler, Wolfgang E.; Bruns, Christiane; Eichhorst, Sören T.; Gallmeier, Eike; Kolligs, Frank T.; Göke, Burkhard and De Toni, Enrico (2009): JNK inhibition sensitises hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not normal hepatocytes to the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. In: Gut, Vol. 58: pp. 688-698

Abstract

Background: cJun terminal kinase (JNK) is constitutively activated in most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), yet its exact role in carcinogenesis remains controversial. While tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosisinducing ligand (TRAIL) is known as a major mediator of acquired immune tumour surveillance, and is currently being tested in clinical trials as a novel cancer therapy, the resistance of many tumours to TRAIL and concerns about its toxicity in vivo represent obstacles to its clinical application. In this study we investigated whether JNK activity in HCC could contribute to the resistance to apoptosis in these tumours. Methods: The effect of JNK/Jun inhibition on receptormediated apoptosis was analysed by pharmacological inhibition or RNA interference in cancer cells and nontumour cells isolated from human liver or transgenic mice lacking a phosphorylation site for Jun. Results: JNK inhibition caused cell cycle arrest, enhanced caspase recruitment, and greatly sensitised HCC cells but not normal hepatocytes to TRAIL. TRAILinduced activation of JNK could be effectively interrupted by administration of the JNK inhibitor SP600125. Conclusions: Expression and TRAIL-dependent feedback activation of JNK likely represent a mechanism by which cancer cells escape TRAIL-mediated tumour surveillance. JNK inhibition might represent a novel strategy for specifically sensitising HCC cells to TRAIL thus opening promising therapeutic perspectives for safe and effective use of TRAIL in cancer treatment.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English