Michelle Becker-Hapak

Transduction of full-length TAT fusion proteins into mammalian cells: TAT-p27Kip1 induces cell migration.

Transduction of full-length TAT fusion proteins into mammalian cells: TAT-p27 Kip1 induces cell migration

Novel p27kip1 C-Terminal Scatter Domain Mediates Rac-Dependent Cell Migration Independent of Cell Cycle Arrest Functions

ABSTRACT Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling via its receptor, the proto-oncogene Met, alters cell proliferation and motility and has been associated with tumor metastasis. HGF treatment of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells induces cell migration concomitant with increased levels of the p27kip1 cyclin-cdk inhibitor. HGF signaling resulted in nuclear export of endogenous p27 to the cytoplasm, via Ser-10 phosphorylation, where it colocalized with F-actin. Introduction of transducible p27 protein (TATp27) was sufficient for actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and migration of HepG2 cells. TATp27 mutational analysis identified a novel p27 C-terminal domain required for cell migration, distinct from the N-terminal cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) binding domain. Loss or disruption of the p27 C-terminal domain abolished both actin rearrangement and cell migration. The cell-scattering activity of p27 occurred independently of its cell cycle arrest functions and required cytoplasmic localization of p27 via Ser-10 phosphorylation. Furthermore, Rac GTPase was necessary for p27-dependent migration but alone was insufficient for HepG2 cell migration. These results predicted a migration defect in p27-deficient cells. Indeed, p27-deficient primary fibroblasts failed to migrate, and reconstitution with TATp27 rescued the motility defect. These observations define a novel role for p27 in cell motility that is independent of its function in cell cycle inhibition.

Differential Regulation of Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Protein by G 1 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Complexes In Vivo

ABSTRACT The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) negatively regulates early-G1 cell cycle progression, in part, by sequestering E2F transcription factors and repressing E2F-responsive genes. Although pRB is phosphorylated on up to 16 cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) sites by multiple G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes, the active form(s) of pRB in vivo remains unknown. pRB is present as an unphosphorylated protein in G0 quiescent cells and becomes hypophosphorylated (∼2 mol of PO4 to 1 mol of pRB) in early G1 and hyperphosphorylated (∼10 mol of PO4 to 1 mol of pRB) in late G1 phase. Here, we report that hypophosphorylated pRB, present in early G1, represents the biologically active form of pRB in vivo that is assembled with E2Fs and E1A but that both unphosphorylated pRB in G0 and hyperphosphorylated pRB in late G1 fail to become assembled with E2Fs and E1A. Furthermore, using transducible dominant-negative TAT fusion proteins that differentially target cyclin D-Cdk4 or cyclin D-Cdk6 (cyclin D-Cdk4/6) and cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes, namely, TAT-p16 and TAT–dominant-negative Cdk2, respectively, we found that, in vivo, cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complexes hypophosphorylate pRB in early G1 and that cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes inactivate pRB by hyperphosphorylation in late G1. Moreover, we found that cycling human tumor cells expressing deregulated cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complexes, due to deletion of the p16 INK4a gene, contained hypophosphorylated pRB that was bound to E2Fs in early G1and that E2F-responsive genes, including those for dihydrofolate reductase and cyclin E, were transcriptionally repressed. Thus, we conclude that, physiologically, pRB is differentially regulated by G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes.

TCR ANTIGEN-INDUCED CELL DEATH OCCURS FROM A LATE G1 PHASE CELL CYCLE CHECK POINT

Deletion of antigen-activated T cells after an immune response and during peripheral negative selection after strong T cell receptor (TCR) engagement of cycling T cells occurs by an apoptotic process termed TCR antigen-induced cell death (AID). By analyzing the timing of death, cell cycle markers, BrdU-labeled S phase cells, and phase-specific centrifugally elutriated cultures from stimulated Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, we found that AID occurs from a late G1 check point prior to activation of cyclin E:Cdk2 complexes. T cells stimulated to undergo AID can be rescued by effecting an early G1 block by direct transduction of p16INK4a tumor suppressor protein or by inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRb) by transduced HPV E7 protein. These results suggest that AID occurs from a late G1 death check point in a pRb-dependent fashion.

Ras-Associated Protein-1 Regulates Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activation and Migration in Melanoma Cells: Two Processes Important to Melanoma Tumorigenesis and Metastasis

Melanoma is one of the most devastating malignancies with a rising incidence and lack of effective treatments for advanced disease. Constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and altered expression of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin are critical for melanoma development and progression. Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1), a Ras family member of the small GTPases, has emerged as a key mediator in these two important processes. In this study, we have shown Rap1 activation in cells derived from two human metastatic melanomas and also in three of seven cutaneous metastatic melanoma tissues. We found increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity in the tumors with detected Rap1 activity that interestingly harbored neither BRAF nor N-Ras mutation, suggesting a role for Rap1 in ERK activation in vivo. We also showed Rap1 and ERK activation by both hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and 8CPT-2Me-cAMP (an activator of Epac, a Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor) in two human melanoma cell lines. In addition, the activation of ERK by HGF was reduced, at least in part, by small interfering RNAs against Rap1 and a dominant-negative Rap1. Finally, a functional role for Rap1 activation was shown by Rap1-induced alpha(v)beta(3) integrin activation and consequent increased melanoma cell migration in vitro. Taken together, these results show that Rap1 is involved in the activation of MAPK pathway and integrin activation in human melanoma and suggest a potential role for Rap1 in melanoma tumorigenesis and metastasis.

IL-12p70–producing patient DC vaccine elicits Tc1-polarized immunity

BACKGROUND Systemic administration of IL-12p70 has demonstrated clinical activity in cancer patients, but dose-limiting toxicities have hindered its incorporation in vaccine formulations. Here, we report on the immunological and clinical outcomes upon vaccination with CD40L/IFN-γ-matured, IL-12p70-producing DCs. METHODS 7 HLA-A*0201+ newly diagnosed stage IV melanoma patients were immunized against the gp100 melanoma antigen using autologous peptide-pulsed, CD40L/IFN-γ-matured DCs. PBMCs were taken weekly for immune monitoring by tetramer analysis and functional assays. CT imaging was performed at baseline, week 9, and week 18 for clinical assessment using RECIST. RESULTS 6 of 7 treated patients developed sustained T cell immunity to all 3 melanoma gp100 antigen-derived peptides. 3 of the 6 immunological responders developed confirmed clinical responses (1 complete remission >4 years, 2 partial response). Importantly, DC vaccine-derived IL-12p70 levels positively correlated with time to progression (P = 0.019, log-rank), as did T-cytotoxic 1 (Tc1) immunity, as assessed by IFN-γ/IL-13 and IFN-γ/IL-5 ratios (P = 0.035 and P = 0.030, respectively, log-rank). In contrast, a pathway-specific defect in IL-12p35 transcription was identified upon CD40L/IFN-γ activation in clinical nonresponder patient DCs, and gp100-specific T cells from these patients displayed a Tc2 phenotype. Incorporation of TLR3 and TLR8 agonists into the CD40L/IFN-γ activation protocol corrected the IL-12p70 production defect in DCs derived from clinical nonresponder patients. CONCLUSION These findings underscore the essential role of IL-12p70 in the development of therapeutic type 1 antigen-specific CD8+ T cell immunity in humans with cancer.

Distinct and nonoverlapping roles for pRB and cyclin D:cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 activity in melanocyte survival

Deregulation of the p16INK4a–cyclin D:cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) 4/6 –retinoblastoma (pRB) pathway is a common paradigm in the oncogenic transformation of human cells and suggests that this pathway functions linearly in malignant transformation. However, it is not understood why p16INK4a and cyclin D:cdk4/6 mutations are disproportionately more common than the rare genetic event of RB inactivation in human malignancies such as melanoma. To better understand how these complexes contribute to altered tissue homeostasis, we blocked cdk4/6 activation and acutely inactivated Rb by conditional mutagenesis during mouse hair follicle cycling. Inhibition of cdk4/6 in the skin by subcutaneous administration of a membrane-transducible TAT-p16INK4a protein completely blocked hair follicle growth and differentiation. In contrast, acute disruption of Rb in the skin of homozygous RbLoxP/LoxP mice via subcutaneous administration of TAT-Cre recombinase failed to affect hair growth. However, loss of Rb resulted in severe depigmentation of hair follicles. Further analysis of follicular melanocytes in vivo and in primary cell culture demonstrated that pRB plays a cell-autonomous role in melanocyte survival. Moreover, functional inactivation of all three Rb family members (Rb, p107, and p130) in primary melanocytes by treatment with a transducible TAT-E1A protein did not rescue the apoptotic phenotype. These findings suggest that deregulated cyclin D:cdk4/6 complexes and pRB perform nonoverlapping functions in vivo and provide a cellular mechanism that accounts for the low incidence of RB inactivation in cancers such as melanoma.

Immunodeficient Mouse Strains Display Marked Variability in Growth of Human Melanoma Lung Metastases

Purpose: Immunodeficient mice serve as critical hosts for transplantation of xenogeneic cells for in vivo analysis of various biological processes. Because investigators typically select one or two immunodeficient mouse strains as recipients, no comprehensive study has been published documenting differences in human tumor engraftment. Taking advantage of the increased metastatic potential of RhoC-expressing human (A375) melanoma cells, we evaluate four immunodeficient mouse strains: severe combined immunodeficiency (scid), nonobese diabetic (NOD)-scid, NOD-scid β2mnull, and NOD-scid IL2Rγnull as xenograft tumor recipients. Experimental Design: Bioluminescence, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were used to monitor serial tumor growth. Natural killer (NK) cell function was examined in each mouse strain using standard 51Chromium release assays. Results: Melanoma metastases growth is delayed and variable in scid and NOD-scid mice. In contrast, NOD-scid β2mnull and NOD-scid IL2Rγnull mice show rapid tumor engraftment, although tumor growth is variable in NOD-scid β2mnull mice. NK cells were detected in all strains except NOD-scid IL2Rγnull, and in vitro activated scid, NOD-scid, and NOD-scid β2mnull NK cells kill human melanoma lines and primary melanoma cells. Expression of human NKG2D ligands MHC class I chain–related A and B molecules renders melanoma susceptible to murine NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity and killing is inhibited by antibody blockade of murine NKG2D. Conclusions: Murine NKG2D recognition of MICA/B is an important receptor-ligand interaction used by NK cells in immunodeficient strains to limit engraftment of human tumors. The absolute NK deficiency in NOD-scid IL2Rγnull animals makes this strain an excellent recipient of melanoma and potentially other human malignancies.

A Tat Fusion Protein–Based Tumor Vaccine for Breast Cancer

BackgroundWe recently reported that dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with a fusion protein between Her2/neu and the protein transduction domain Tat (DC-Tat-extracellular domain [ECD]) induced Her2/neu-specific CD8+ T cells in vitro. This study tested the in vivo efficacy of DC-Tat-ECD in a murine breast cancer model.MethodsFVB/N mice received one or two weekly intraperitoneal immunizations with syngeneic DC-Tat-ECD followed by a tumor challenge with syngeneic neu+ breast cancer cells, and tumor development was monitored. To test for Her2/neu specificity, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were isolated through magnetic bead separation and analyzed for specific interferon γ release.ResultsIntraperitoneally injected DCs migrated to secondary lymphoid organs, as evidenced by small-animal positron emission tomography studies. Immunized mice developed palpable tumors significantly later than control mice injected with DC-Tat-empty (P = .001 and P < .05 for two immunizations and for one immunization, respectively) or mice that received no DCs (P = .001 and P < .05). Similarly, immunized mice had smaller resulting tumors than mice injected with DC-Tat-empty (P < .05 and P < .01) or untreated mice (P < .001 and P < .001). Significantly more tumor-specific CD8+ splenocytes were found in twice-immunized mice than in untreated animals (P < .001). Similarly, a T-helper type 1 CD4+ T-cell response was observed.ConclusionsProtein-transduced DCs may be effective vaccines for the treatment of cancer.

Protein Transduction: Generation of Full‐Length Transducible Proteins Using the TAT System

This unit describes the technology that allows an investigator to transduce full‐length proteins by utilizing a minimal, eleven‐amino acid, HIV‐TAT transduction domain that can be fused to a protein of choice using the pTAT or pTAT‐HA protein expression plasmids. Bacterial expression, followed by solubilization of protein aggregates with a denaturing agent, affords high yields of transducible fusion protein. The fusion protein, once added to the culture medium, can cross the cell membrane and then be degraded or refolded by the cellular machinery. Correct targeting and function of the fusion protein can be easily examined by fluorescent microscopy or immunohistochemistry. This strategy was established and improved to its current state by the purification and transduction of a multitude of fusion proteins. Because the pool of fusion proteins spans many different functions, the protocols cover a wide variety of commonly used protein isolation and characterization methods.