Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for normal cell development. Alteration in those normal processes leads to malignant cell transformation and with this to cancer development. Use of inhibitors that alter the epigenetics of DNA methylation and histone post translational modifications has lead to the exploration of the epigenetic mechanism involved in silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, combinations of inhibitors that target various epigenetic enzymes have being recognized to be more effective in the re-activation of tumor suppressor genes than individual drug treatments. Here, we reported that p15, p21 and E-cadherin genes are more effectively re-expressed using a combination of DNA methyltransferase and histone methyltransferase inhibitors in AML cell lines. Re-expression of hypermethylated p15 and E-cadherin genes required reduced levels of promoter histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation rather than inhibition of DNA methylation itself. Moreover, induction of p21 expression was associated with changes in promoter histone 3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9Me) by achieving inhibition of the histone methyltransferase, SUV39H1, activity. Altogether, our results highlight the potential of combining epigenetic drugs in the re-activation of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes and the need for evaluating histone methyltransferases as therapeutic targets for treatment of acute myeloid malignancies.

Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for normal cell development. Alteration in those normal processes leads to malignant cell transformation and with this to cancer development. Use of inhibitors that alter the epigenetics of DNA methylation and histone post translational modifications has lead to the exploration of the epigenetic mechanism involved in silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, combinations of inhibitors that target various epigenetic enzymes have being recognized to be more effective in the re-activation of tumor suppressor genes than individual drug treatments. Here, we reported that p15, p21 and E-cadherin genes are more effectively re-expressed using a combination of DNA methyltransferase and histone methyltransferase inhibitors in AML cell lines. Re-expression of hypermethylated p15 and E-cadherin genes required reduced levels of promoter histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation rather than inhibition of DNA methylation itself. Moreover, induction of p21 expression was associated with changes in promoter histone 3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9Me) by achieving inhibition of the histone methyltransferase, SUV39H1, activity. Altogether, our results highlight the potential of combining epigenetic drugs in the re-activation of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes and the need for evaluating histone methyltransferases as therapeutic targets for treatment of acute myeloid malignancies.

Chronic oxidative injury by allylamine induces proliferative vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) phenotypes in the rat aorta similar to those seen in rodent and human atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we evaluate the potential role of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2) to mediate the proliferative advantage of oxidatively stressed (i.e. allylamine injured) vSMC. Isolated rat aortic SMC from allylamine treated and control rats were cultured on different extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Following mitogen restriction, cultures were stimulated with serum with or without inhibitors of NF-kB or MEK. Western blot analysis was performed to identify protein differences between treatment groups. Basal levels of p21 were 1.6 fold higher in randomly cycling allylamine cells than control counterparts seeded on a plastic substrate, a difference lost when cells were seeded on collagen. p27 levels were comparable in both cell types irrespective of substrate. Basal levels of p21 and p27 were 1.4 fold higher in G0 synchronized allylamine cells compared with G0 synchronized control cells seeded on a plastic substrate. Following cell cycle progression, differences in protein levels were not detected. Treatment with 100 nM pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) resulted in significant decreases in p21 and p27 in allylamine cells versus control cells following serum stimulation for 9 hours. This decrease was even greater for p21 in allylamine cells when grown on collagen relative to control cells. Alterations in peak and temporal activation of ERK1/2 were observed in allylamine cells seeded on a plastic substrate as compared to control cells, following serum stimulation. Seeding on collagen decreased the enhanced peak phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and increased the sustained activity in allylamine cells compared with control counterparts. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity resulted in reduced p21 expression in both cells types, but the response was markedly enhanced in allylamine cells, and preferentially observed on a restrictive collagen substrate. We conclude that induction of proliferative (i.e. atherogenic) phenotypes following repeated cycles of oxidative injury involves ERK1/2 activity and modulation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, in a matrix-dependent manner.

Non Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) affects 3.3 million Americans each year and results from Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) damage to DNA in the form of pyrimidine dimers and photoproducts [1]–[5]. Cells directly detect the damage and initiate apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, or DNA repair by modulating p53 and p21 levels [6]–[9]. Current methods of photoprotection include sunscreen, but controversy over safety of some active ingredients necessitates research into more natural alternatives [10]–[12]. In particular, 24 hour incubation with bovine milk sphingomyelin (BSM) has demonstrated photoprotective potential by reducing p21 and p53 levels in keratinocytes (KRTs) after UV radiation [13], [14]. This thesis aims to expand on past BSM research by exploring the mechanism for photoprotection. Normally, sphingomyelin (SM) is metabolically degraded to ceramide which then leads to cell apoptosis [6]. The goals of this thesis were to characterize a fluorescent SM (FSM) to assess changes in intracellular fluorescence distribution after various incubation and post-UV exposure times. FSM was deemed functionally equivalent to BSM by reducing levels of p21 after UV. Furthermore, quantification demonstrated that FSM trafficking and intracellular fluorescence were independent of continuous incubation time, warranting further investigation into shorter timepoints like 1 hour. Across several post-UV timepoints, the 1 hour incubation had a consistently higher average cytoplasmic mean gray value compared to 24 hour incubation. In addition, the no UV control was significantly lower compared to the 24 hour and 12 hour post-UV timepoints. No post-UV differences were observed for the 24 hour incubation, suggesting future work is necessary for the 1 hour incubation, which potentially streamlines future experiments. Two immunofluorescence stains for endogenous SM (lysenin) and ceramide were also optimized for preliminary fluorescence distribution studies and colocalization with FSM. Finally, a 3T3 fibroblast spheroid model was utilized as proof-of-concept for future 3D KRT cultures and depth of dye penetration quantification methods. These findings suggest FSM is an appropriate model for BSM trafficking, a shorter FSM incubation time could potentially be adopted in future studies, dual immunofluorescence staining for SM and ceramide is viable, and spheroids provide a promising model for future 3D KRT studies.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant cancer predisposition in which loss of heterozygosity at the NF2 gene locus leads to the development of tumors of neural crest derived origin, most commonly bilateral vestibular schwannomas. There are currently no FDA approved chemotherapeutic agents for treatment in patients with NF2. Development of therapeutic agents has been hampered by our incomplete knowledge of how Merlin, the protein product of the NF2 gene, functions as a tumor suppressor. In order develop a deeper understanding for how loss of Merlin leads to oncogenic transformation in Schwann cells we have developed a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 in which functional expression of Merlin is lost in Schwann cell precursors. In parallel studies utilizing these mice, we have sought to understand the pathophysiology driving tumor formation in Merlin deficient Schwann cells. In Chapter 1, we explore the role of Merlin as a negative regulator of the Group A p21 activated kinases, PAK1 and PAK2. We demonstrate that PAK1, a previously well established oncogene in solid tumors and Merlin binding partner, is hyperactivated in Merlin deficient schwannomas. Through therapeutic interventions and genetic manipulations we demonstrate that inhibition of PAK1 was capable of reducing tumor formation and alleviating sensorineural hearing loss in our NF2 GEMM. In Chapter 2, we investigate the role of NF-kB inducing kinase (NIK) and NF-kB signaling in the formation and growth of Merlin deficient Schwann cell tumors. Prior work in our lab as well as by others demonstrated elevated NF-kB signaling in Merlin deficient Schwann cell tumors. We observed accumulation of a catalytically active fragment of NF-kB inducing kinase and present data that accumulation of a 55Kd constitutively active fragment of NIK is sufficient trigger wild type Schwann cells to form tumors. In vivo however, Schwann cell intrinsic expression of NIK is not required for tumor formation or growth. / 2 years (2021-05-24)

Non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a serious condition caused by chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure that leads to DNA damage in skin. UV radiation has the potential to lead to DNA damage, which triggers biochemical pathways within a cell. The result is that the cell either undergoes cell cycle arrest, giving the cell time to repair DNA damage, or apoptosis. Sunscreen is the most commonly used treatment for preventing UV induced skin damage, but it involves a number of undesirable and toxic side effects including damaging the dermis, premature aging of skin and underweight child births. This has led to interest in finding safer alternatives to prevent UV damage without the negative side effects of sunscreen. In particular, bovine milk sphingomyelin (SM) is a compound that has the potential to protect against UV damage without any of the dangerous side effects of sunscreen. Here we present the use of SM for UV protection of human keratinocytes (KRTs) to prevent DNA mutations that result from UV exposure. In particular, analysis of the expression of DNA damage biomarkers p21 and p53 was done to determine the potential of SM to prevent DNA damage associated with UV exposure. Both non-SM treated KRTs and KRTs treated with 0.1% SM media 24 hours prior to UV radiation were fixed and IF-stained at 24 hours following 40 mJ/cm2 of UV exposure. Significant differences in both p21 and p53 were observed between the SM treated and non-SM treated cells at the UV dosage level (via t-test; p

Avaliamos neste estudo as expressões da ciclina D1 e da proteína p21, pela técnica de Imuno-histoquímica, para detectar a presença destas proteínas nos núcleos das células do câncer de mama localmente avançado, com o objetivo de correlacionar a concentração destas proteínas com aresposta preditiva ao tratamento quimioterápico neo-adjuvante, utilizandoo esquema docetaxel associado à epirrubicina. A avaliação foi feita previamente e após a realização da quimioterapia neo-adjuvante. A avaliação pré-quimioterápica teve a finalidade de estabelecer um papel preditivo quanto à resposta ao tratamento primário. A avaliação pós-quimioterápica teve a finalidade de explorar a relação entre a persistência da proteína com intervalo livre de doença e sobrevida global. Foram selecionados 72 casos de 162 tumores localmente avançados de mama atendidos no período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2005, tratados por quimioterapia primária no Ambulatório de Mastologiado Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto. Conclusão: a ciclina D1 está relacionada com tumores menores, bem diferenciados e hormônio-sensíveis. Já a proteína p21 está relaciona a tumores pequenos, com estádios iniciais menores, de baixo grau histológico e hormônio-sensíveis. A expressão da ciclina D1 no tumor pré-tratamento quimioterápico não foi capaz de predizer resposta à quimioterapia neo-adjuvante. No entanto, a presença da ciclina D1 e no tumor residual e da p21tanto no tumor pré-tratamento quanto no tumor residual, sugerem melhora no intervalo livre de doença e na sobrevida global. / We evaluate in this study the expressions of the cyclin D1 and the protein p21, with the technique of Immunohistochemistry, todetect the presence of these proteins in the cells of the local advanced breast cancer. The objective was correlate the concentration of these proteins with predictive response to the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, using docetaxel associated with epirrubicina. The evaluation was performed before and after the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The evaluation before the neo-adjuvant treatment had the purpose to establish a predictive value of these proteins with primary treatment response. The evaluations after neo-adjuvant treatment had the purpose to explore the relation between the persistence of these proteins with disease-free survival and overall survival. We selected 72 of 162 cases of local advanced breast cancer who had treated for primary chemotherapy in Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto in the period of January of 1998 to December of 2005. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the cyclin D1 is related with small tumors and well differentiated and hormone-sensitive tumors. The protein p21 is relates with small tumors, initial stage tumors, low grade tumors and hormone-sensitive tumors. The expression of cyclin D1 in the tumor before the treatment failed to predict response to the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the presence of the cyclin D1 in the residual tumor andthe protein p21 before the treatment and in the residual tumors suggest improvement in the disease- free survival and overall survival.

Avaliamos neste estudo as expressões da ciclina D1 e da proteína p21, pela técnica de Imuno-histoquímica, para detectar a presença destas proteínas nos núcleos das células do câncer de mama localmente avançado, com o objetivo de correlacionar a concentração destas proteínas com aresposta preditiva ao tratamento quimioterápico neo-adjuvante, utilizandoo esquema docetaxel associado à epirrubicina. A avaliação foi feita previamente e após a realização da quimioterapia neo-adjuvante. A avaliação pré-quimioterápica teve a finalidade de estabelecer um papel preditivo quanto à resposta ao tratamento primário. A avaliação pós-quimioterápica teve a finalidade de explorar a relação entre a persistência da proteína com intervalo livre de doença e sobrevida global. Foram selecionados 72 casos de 162 tumores localmente avançados de mama atendidos no período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2005, tratados por quimioterapia primária no Ambulatório de Mastologiado Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto. Conclusão: a ciclina D1 está relacionada com tumores menores, bem diferenciados e hormônio-sensíveis. Já a proteína p21 está relaciona a tumores pequenos, com estádios iniciais menores, de baixo grau histológico e hormônio-sensíveis. A expressão da ciclina D1 no tumor pré-tratamento quimioterápico não foi capaz de predizer resposta à quimioterapia neo-adjuvante. No entanto, a presença da ciclina D1 e no tumor residual e da p21tanto no tumor pré-tratamento quanto no tumor residual, sugerem melhora no intervalo livre de doença e na sobrevida global. / We evaluate in this study the expressions of the cyclin D1 and the protein p21, with the technique of Immunohistochemistry, todetect the presence of these proteins in the cells of the local advanced breast cancer. The objective was correlate the concentration of these proteins with predictive response to the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, using docetaxel associated with epirrubicina. The evaluation was performed before and after the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The evaluation before the neo-adjuvant treatment had the purpose to establish a predictive value of these proteins with primary treatment response. The evaluations after neo-adjuvant treatment had the purpose to explore the relation between the persistence of these proteins with disease-free survival and overall survival. We selected 72 of 162 cases of local advanced breast cancer who had treated for primary chemotherapy in Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto in the period of January of 1998 to December of 2005. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the cyclin D1 is related with small tumors and well differentiated and hormone-sensitive tumors. The protein p21 is relates with small tumors, initial stage tumors, low grade tumors and hormone-sensitive tumors. The expression of cyclin D1 in the tumor before the treatment failed to predict response to the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the presence of the cyclin D1 in the residual tumor andthe protein p21 before the treatment and in the residual tumors suggest improvement in the disease- free survival and overall survival.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:32:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_eduarda_schultze.pdf: 1903452 bytes, checksum: 1fd6d0e0478c9c31687ae8d7882532ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-26 / Retinoid derivatives and analogs have been widely studied as antitumor agents due to their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. Tretinoin (TT), also known as retinoic acid is a retinoid derivative that has been used as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with excellent rates of remission. This compound has antiproliferative activity in various tumor types. However, non small cell lung cancer in general exhibit strong resistance to the effects of TT, which may be related to the deficiency in the cellular up-take of TT in that cell type. A strategy to enhance the antiproliferative activity of TT is to increase the cellular internalization of the compound through carriers such as liposomes or other vesicles or nanospheres or nanocapsules. Here we evaluated TT lipid-core nanocapsules (TT-LCNC) for their power to inhibit growth, induce apoptosis and interfere with the cell cycle of lung adenocarcinoma, A549 cell line, which is resistant to treatment with TT. The results showed that TT-LCNC was able to overcome the cellular resistance to treatment with TT, reducing cell viability and inducing apoptosis, upregulation of P21 and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. / Derivados e análogos retinóides têm sido largamente estudados como agentes antitumorais devido a seus efeitos sobre a proliferação e diferenciação celular. Tretinoína (TT), também conhecida como ácido retinóico é um derivado retinóide que tem sido usado como adjuvante no tratamento de leucemia promielocítica aguda com excelentes índices de remissão da doença. Este composto exerce atividade antiproliferativa em diversos tipos de tumores. Entretanto, células de adenocarcinoma de pulmão humano em geral exibem uma forte resistência aos efeitos da tretinoína, a qual pode estar relacionada com a deficiência na internalização celular de tretinoína nesse tipo de célula. Uma estratégia para aumentar a atividade antiproliferativa de tretinoína é aumentar a captação celular do composto através de carreadores como lipossomas ou outras vesículas como nanocápsulas ou nanoesferas. Neste trabalho nanocápsulas de núcleo lipídico contendo tretinoína (TT-LCNC) foram avaliadas quanto ao seu potencial de inibir o crescimento, induzir a apoptose e interferir com o ciclo celular de células de adenocarcinoma de pulmão, linhagem A549, resistentes ao tratamento com TT livre. Os resultados demonstraram que TT-LCNC foi capaz de superar a resistência celular ao tratamento com TT, reduzindo a viabilidade celular e induzindo apoptose, superexpressão de P21 e parada do ciclo celular em G1.

O câncer de colo do útero é o terceiro tipo de câncer mais frequente em mulheres no mundo, e a infecção persistente pelo papilomavirus humano (HPV) oncogênico é condição necessária, mas não suficiente para seu desenvolvimento. As oncoproteínas virais E6 e E7 interferem direta ou indiretamente na ação de várias proteínas celulares. Entretanto, as variantes proteicas, resultantes de polimorfismos genéticos, podem apresentar comportamento distinto mediante a infecção pelo HPV. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar possíveis associações entre polimorfismos nos genes TP53 (p53 PIN3, p53 72C>G) e p21 (p21 31C>A) e o desenvolvimento de neoplasias cervicais, considerando os níveis de expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16 e ciclina D1, e fatores de risco clássicos para o câncer cervical. Foram selecionadas 466 mulheres residentes no Rio de Janeiro, 281 com diagnóstico histopatológico de neoplasia cervical de baixo (LSIL) e alto grau (HSIL) e câncer (grupo de casos) e 185 sem história atual ou pregressa de alteração citológica do colo uterino (grupo controle). A técnica de PCR-RFLP (reação em cadeia da polimerase - polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de restrição), foi empregada na análise dos polimorfismos p53 72C>G e p21 31C>A, usando as enzimas de restrição BstUI e BsmaI, respectivamente. A avaliação do polimorfismo p53 PIN3 (duplicação de 16 pb) foi feita por meio da análise eletroforética direta dos produtos de PCR. A expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16, ciclina D1 e Ki-67 e a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-HPV 16 e HPV pool foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica (Tissue Microarray - TMA) em 196 biópsias do grupo de casos. O grupo controle se mostrou em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg em relação aos três polimorfismos avaliados. As distribuições genotípicas e alélicas relativas a p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G nos grupos controles e de casos não apresentaram diferenças significativas, embora o genótipo p53 72CC tenha aumentado o risco atribuído ao uso de contraceptivos das pacientes apresentarem lesões mais severas (OR=4,33; IC 95%=1,19-15,83). O genótipo p21 31CA(Ser/Arg) conferiu proteção ao desenvolvimento de HSIL ou câncer (OR=0,61, IC 95%=0,39-0,97), e modificou o efeito de fatores de risco associados à severidade das lesões. A interação multiplicativa de alelos mostrou que a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31C(Ser), representou risco (OR=1,67, IC95%=1,03-2,72) e a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31A(Arg) conferiu efeito protetor (OR=0,26, IC95%=0,08-0,78) para o desenvolvimento de HSIL e câncer cervical. Observou-se correlação positiva da expressão de p16 e p21 e negativa da ciclina D1 com o grau da lesão. A distribuição epitelial de p16, Ki-67, p21 e p53 se mostrou associada à severidade da lesão. Os polimorfismos analisados não apresentaram associação com a expressão dos biomarcadores ou positividade para HPV. Nossos resultados sugerem a importância do polimorfismo p21 31C>A para o desenvolvimento das neoplasias cervicais e ausência de correlação dos polimorfismos p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G com a carcinogênese cervical, embora alguns genótipos tenham se comportado como modificadores de risco. Nossos resultados de TMA corroboram o potencial de uso de biomarcadores do ciclo celular para diferenciar as lesões precursoras do câncer cervical. / Cervical cancer is the third most common female cancer worldwide, and persistent infection by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary but not sufficient condition to cause it. The viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 interfere directly or indirectly with the action of various cellular proteins. However, the protein variants, resulting from genetic polymorphisms, may act differently when encountering HPV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between polymorphisms in the TP53 (p53 PIN3, p53 72C>G) and p21 (p21 31C>A) genes, and the development of cervical neoplasia, considering the expression levels of p53, p21, p16 and cyclin D1 proteins, together with classic risk factors for cervical cancer. A total of 466 women resident in Rio de Janeiro were selected, being 281 with histopathological diagnosis of low (LSIL) or high grade (HSIL) cervical neoplasia or cancer (test group), and 185 with no current or previous history of alteration of cervical cytology (control group). The PCR-RFLP technique (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism) was used to analyze the p53 72C>G and p21 31C>A polymorphisms, using BstUI and BsmaI restriction enzymes, respectively. Genotyping of the p53 PIN3 (duplication of 16 pb) polymorphism was performed by direct electrophoretic analysis of the PCR products. The expression of p53, p21, p16, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 proteins and the study of anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV pool positivities were evaluated by immunohistochemisty (Tissue Microarray - TMA) in 196 biopsies of cases. The control group obeyed the Hardy-Weinberg principle in relation to the three polymorphisms analysed. The genotypic and allelic frequencies regarding p53 PIN3 and p53 72C>G in the control and test groups were not significantly different, although the p53 72CC genotype has increased the risk of more severe lesions attributed to the use of contraceptives (OR=4.33; IC 95%=1.19-15.83). The p21 31CA(Ser/Arg) genotype showed to protect against the development of HSIL or cancer (OR=0,61, IC 95%=0,39-0,97), and modified the effect of risk factors associated to the lesion severity. The multiplicative interaction of alleles showed that the combination p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) and p21 31C(Ser) represented risk (OR=1,67, IC95%=1,03-2,72) and the combination p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) and p21 31A(Arg) conferred protection (OR=0,26, IC95%=0,08-0,78) against the development of HSIL and cervical cancer. It was observed positive and negative correlations of, respectively, p16 and p21, and cyclin D1 expression with the cervical lesion grade. The epithelial distribution of p16, Ki-67, p21 and p53 was associated with the lesion severity. The polymorphisms analyzed showed neither association with the expression of the biomarkers nor positivity for HPV. Our results suggest the importance of polymorphism p21 31C>A in the development of cervical neoplasia and the lack of correlation between the polymorphisms p53 PIN3 and p53 72C>G with cervical carcinogenesis, although some genotypes acted as risk modifiers. Our TMA results corroborated the potential use of cell cycle biomarkers as an adjunctive tool to differentiate cervical precursor lesions.