Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a patient with stage 4 neuroblastoma receiving oral fenretinide

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has previously been reported in association with other malignancies. The pathogenesis of LCH and its relationship to other malignancies is poorly understood. We present a novel case of a child who developed an LCH bone lesion while receiving a Phase I protocol therapy with oral fenretinide/Lym‐X‐Sorb (4‐HPR/LXS) powder for neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:1111–1113. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

5-氮杂胞苷增强阿霉素对神经母细胞瘤细胞的抗瘤活性

目的：许多神经母细胞瘤细胞系及肿瘤组织标本中caspase-8表达缺失, caspase-8基因沉寂的主要原因是其启动子区域高度甲基化。该文探讨去甲基化药物5-氮杂胞苷对caspase-8表达及对化疗药阿霉素抗人神经母细胞瘤细胞作用的影响及其影响机制。方法：应用RT-PCR方法检测5-氮杂胞苷作用前后SH-SY5Y细胞中caspase-8 mRNＡ水平变化。MTT分析研究5-氮杂胞苷与化疗药阿霉素联合应用前后人神经母细胞瘤细胞SH-SY5Y的存活率,以及加入caspase-8活性抑制剂后存活率的变化。结果：RT-PCR方法发现SH-SY5Y细胞株不表达caspase-8 mRNA, 5-氮杂胞苷作用3 d后可检测到 caspase-8 mRNA表达,5 d后表达较第3天增加; 5-氮杂胞苷与不同浓度阿霉素(0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 μg/mL)联合应用后SH-SY5Y细胞存活率为(77.61±7.30)%,（57.35±6.64）%,（46.25±4.46）%,（35.59±5.12）%,同一浓度单独应用阿霉素组细胞存活率为（94.89±4.15）%,（80.60±8.50）%,（64.48±4.92）%,（52.32±6.71）%,5-氮杂胞苷与阿霉素联用组细胞存活率明显低于单用阿霉素组,差异均有显著性。Caspase-8抑制剂组与同一浓度的5-氮杂胞苷+阿霉素组比较,细胞存活率明显增加,依次为（92.95±3.48）%,（78.39±4.28）%,（62.31±6.50）%,（49.92±5.77）%,差异均有显著性。结论：阿霉素对神经母细胞瘤细胞SH-SY5Y具有增殖抑制作用,5-氮杂胞苷可以增强阿霉素的抗瘤活性。其发生机制可能是通过上调caspase-8 mRNA的表达而实现的。［中国当代儿科杂志,2007,9（6）：577-579］     

神经母细胞瘤细胞系血细胞分化抗原的表达

神经母细胞瘤(NB)是儿童最常见的颅外实体瘤，预后相对较差。NB细胞系是由形态和生化特性多样的细胞群组成。NB细胞系从形态可分为三种类型的细胞：神经母细胞型(N型)、许旺细胞型(S型)和中间型(I型)。     

Signaling pathway of ciliary neurotrophic factor in neuroblastoma cell lines

BACKGROUND: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine family and affects the survival and differentiation of several classes of neurons. For signal transduction, CNTF requires a receptor complex, composed of the IL-6 signal transducing molecule gp130, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR)-beta, and CNTFR-alpha. There are two major independent pathways (Jak-STAT and Ras-MAPK) in cell signaling, and some recent reports show interaction between these pathways. The signal of the IL-6 family is mainly transduced to the Jak-STAT pathway through gp130. However, it has not been examined in neuroblastoma in detail. PROCEDURE AND RESULTS: Here we examine the signaling pathway of CNTF in 11 neuroblastoma cell lines. Northern blot analysis revealed that 3 of the 11 cell lines expressed c-fos mRNA after CNTF stimulation. Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with agarose-conjugated antiphosphotyrosine antibody and blotted with anti-gp130, anti-Jak1, or anti-STAT3 antibody. Tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130, Jak1, and STAT3 was observed after CNTF stimulation in these three cell lines. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1 (one of the MAPKs) was also observed in all of them. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that CNTF signaling is conserved in some of the neuroblastoma cell lines and suggest that not only a Jak-STAT pathway but a MAPK pathway is activated by CNTF through gp130 in neuroblastoma cell lines.     

Morphological and biochemical changes induced by arsenic trioxide in neuroblastoma cell lines

Arsenic trioxide has recently been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in a variety of hematologic malignancies, but very little is known about its effects on solid tumors and especially on neuroblastoma cells that have self-differentiating characteristics. To demonstrate the growth inhibition induced in neuroblastoma cells (the SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cell line) and acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) by arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃), the viable cell numbers were counted after trypan blue staining. Apoptosis was assessed by the cell morphology, by flow cytometry with annexin-V staining, and by Western blot analysis for the apoptosis-related proteins (bcl-2 and PARP). To decide the dose for the clinical application of As₂O₃, normal peripheral blood lymphocytes were also examined. The growth and survival of the SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cells were markedly inhibited by As₂O₃ treatment at a 3 μM concentration before the changes of the normal lymphocytes were observed. The apoptotic cells showed a shrunken cell nucleus, and an increase in the number and balloon-like swelling of the mitochondria at 72 h after the As₂O₃ was added. Apoptosis of the annexin-V-positive cell proportion in the neuroblastoma cell lines was increased with increasing the exposure time and the concentration of As₂O₃, just like the HL-60 cells. Bcl-2 downregulation and PARP degradation were also noted all the cell lines, but these changes were not statistically significant among the 3 cell lines. Taken together, these results indicate that As₂O₃ is an excellent candidate as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroblastoma.     

Caspase-8在TRAIL诱导神经母细胞瘤细胞凋亡中的作用

目的：应用干扰素(IFNγ)诱导神经母细胞瘤（neuroblastoma, NB）细胞caspase 8的表达并观察其是否可以恢复NB细胞对肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）的敏感性。方法：应用RT PCR方法检测IFNγ作用前后NB细胞caspase-8 mRNA的表达;应用Alamar Blue法及流式细胞术检测IFNγ、TRAIL、IFNγ+TRAIL、IFNγ+caspase-8抑制剂zIETD-FMK+TRAIL对NB细胞生长及凋亡的影响;应用比色法测定NB细胞caspase-8相对活性。结果：对TRAIL敏感的CHP212细胞表达caspase-8,且经IFNγ处理后caspase-8 表达水平逐步增加;对TRAIL不敏感的SY5Y细胞不表达caspase-8,IFNγ作用后其caspase-8 mRNA表达明显增加。IFNγ与TRAIL联用对SY5Y细胞有明显诱导凋亡作用。CHP212细胞caspase-8相对活性随TRAIL作用时间的延长逐步升高;IFNγ与TRAIL联合作用的SY5Y细胞caspase-8相对活性明显高于未加药物处理的对照组、IFNγ组、TRAIL组及抑制剂组。结论：表达caspase-8的NB细胞对TRAIL的诱导凋亡作用敏感,TRAIL诱导NB细胞凋亡过程中伴随caspase-8活性的增加。［中国当代儿科杂志,2010,12(11)：902-907］     

荧光定量RT-PCR 检测神经母细胞瘤细胞MYCN基因mRNA的表达

目的：MYCN基因表达对神经母细胞瘤的治疗及预后评估有指导意义,目前国内对于MYCN基因mRNA的定量检测未见报道,该研究拟采用SYBR 绿色荧光染料Ⅰ(SYBR GREEN Ⅰ) 实时检测的逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法,检测神经母细胞瘤细胞系LA-N-5细胞 MYCN基因mRNA的表达,并对其可行性及实用性进行研究,力争探索出微量瘤标本的MYCN基因mRNA定量检测的可行方法。方法：提取神经母细胞瘤细胞系LA-N-5 细胞总RNA,采用SYBR GREEN I 实时检测的RT-PCR检测其MYCN基因mRNA的表达,并用3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)作为内参照,将MYCN基因的mRNA拷贝数与GAPDH的拷贝数相除,结果为单细胞MYCN基因mRNA的表达水平。结果：反应标准曲线有良好的相关性( R2>0.99), PCR 产物特异, 神经母细胞瘤细胞系LA-N-5 MYCN基因mRNA的表达水平为17.4±1.2。结论：只要严格控制PCR 反应条件,SYBR GREEN Ⅰ定量RT-PCR 法可以作为一种良好的定量PCR方法对神经母细胞瘤细胞系LA-N-5 MYCN基因mRNA的表达进行检测,此方法为临床微量神经母细胞瘤瘤组织的MYCN基因mRNA的定量检测提供了可能。［中国当代儿科杂志,2007,9（1）：47-50］     

Synergism of buthionine sulfoximine and melphalan against neuroblastoma cell lines derived after disease progression

BACKGROUND: Despite intensive-alkylator based regimens, >50% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) die from recurrent disease that is probably due, in part, to acquired alkylator resistance. PROCEDURE: Using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO)-mediated, glutathione (GSH) depletion to modulate melphalan (L-PAM) resistance, we examined six NB cell lines established after progressive disease following either standard chemotherapy, BSO/L-PAM therapy, or myeloablative therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT). RESULTS: Four of the six cell lines (three p53-nonfunctional and one p53-functional) showed high-level L-PAM resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed ratio analysis demonstrated BSO/L-PAM synergy (combination index >1) for all cell lines tested. In L-PAM-resistant cell lines, the minimal cytotoxicity observed for BSO combined with nonmyeloablative concentrations of L-PAM was markedly enhanced (>4 logs total cell kill) when BSO was combined with myeloablative concentrations of L-PAM. In alkylator-resistant NB, the optimal use of BSO may require dose escalation of L-PAM to levels requiring AHSCT.     

siRNA下调AEG-1表达对神经母细胞瘤细胞MMP-9的表达及侵袭能力的影响

目的 观察下调Astrocyte elevated gene-1(AEG-1)基因对神经母细胞瘤细胞中基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)表达以及细胞侵袭能力的影响.方法 根据RNA干扰原理,设计合成AEG-1 siRNA.通过荧光定量RT-PCR和Western blotting观察神经母细胞瘤细胞中AEG-1基因mRNA和蛋白下调情况;采用Western blotting观察下调AEG-1表达对神经母细胞瘤细胞中MMP-9蛋白表达的影响;通过侵袭实验(Transwell法)观察下调AEG-1表达对神经母细胞瘤细胞侵袭能力的影响.结论 采用AEG-1 siRNA转染神经母细胞瘤细胞,下调细胞内AEG-1的mRNA和蛋白表达(P＜0.05)后MMP-9蛋白表达抑制率分别为63.1%和58.9%.此外下调AEG-1表达使细胞侵袭能力明显减弱(P＜0.05).结论 AEG-1基因下调使神经母细胞瘤细胞中MMP-9的蛋白表达明显减少、活性明显减弱,同时使细胞的侵袭能力降低.由此可见AEG-1在肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移中可能扮演重要角色,将会成为神经母细胞瘤基因治疗的新靶点.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1)siRNA induced inhibition of invasion in neuroblastoma cells.Methods A small interference RNA(siRNA) targeting to AEG-1 mRNA(AEG-1 siRNA) was constructed and transfected into neuroblastoma cells with Lipofectamine 2000.A non-specific siRNA(control siRNA) and non-treatment were used as negative control group and blank group.The expression of AEG-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.The proteins of AEG-1 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting.Cell invasion after AEG-1 knockdown was observed by Transwell assay.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of AEG-1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the cells transfected with AEG-1 siRNAs(P＜0.05).AEG-1 knockdown by siRNA markedly decreased the expression of MMP-9 protein by 63.1% in neuroblastoma cells and the ability of cell invasion (P＜0.05).Conclusions The expression of AEG-1 mRNA is down-regulated by AEG-1 siRNA in neuroblastoma cells.Moreover,knockdown of AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibits the expression of MMP-9 protein and cell invasion.Therefore,AEG-1 may play a key role for MMP-9 activity and cell invasion,making it a potential target gene for gene-therapy in neuroblastoma.     

Effects of endostatin and a new drug terpestacin against human neuroblastoma xenograft and cell lines

New development in the vascular network is a significant process for the proliferation, as well as metastatic expand, of cancer cells that depends on a sufficient provider of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of waste products. New blood and lymphatic vessels form via step called angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Angiogenesis is controlled by activator and inhibitor of some molecules. So many different proteins have been established as angiogenic activators and inhibitors. Grades of expression of angiogenic factors demonstrate the forcefulness of tumor cells. The advance of angiogenic inhibitors should help to decrease both mortality and morbidity from carcinomas. So many patients have received anti-angiogenic therapy to date. Nevertheless, their notional efficacy and anti-angiogeic treatments have not demonstrated to be useful in terms of long-term survival. There is a crucial need for a new close treatment plan combining anti-angiogenic agents with standard cyto-reductive treatments in the regulation of cancer.     

Arsenic trioxide inhibits cell growth in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cell lines by a different mechanism

Neuroblastoma, characterized by heterogeneous cell population, is a common solid tumor in childhood and some malignant neuroblastomas are refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, treatment with arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) was found effective in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia as well as neuroblastoma cells by inducing apoptosis. To define the mechanism contributing to cell death in those heterogenous cell populations, the authors used two different types of neuroblastoma cells, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS, to compare the pathways that mediate death response to arsenic trioxide. With arsenic trioxide exposure, both cell lines were arrested at the S-G2/M phase with the increase of cyclin B expression and CDK1 activity. Although caspase 3 was activated in both cell lines, the NF-κB activity and the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p27 were different. Therefore, arsenic trioxide could be an effective cytotoxic drug for the treatment of heterogeneous cellular population of neuroblastoma.     

Different effects of TrkA expression in neuroblastoma cell lines with or without MYCN amplification

BACKGROUND: Expression of the neurotrophin receptor TrkA is associated with a favorable prognosis in neuroblastoma (NB) and promotes growth inhibition and neuronal differentiation. Aggressive, MYCN-amplified NB tumors express little or no TrkA mRNA, suggesting that MYCN overexpression may inhibit TrkA expression. PROCEDURE: To study the interactions of TrkA expression and MYCN amplification in NB, we stably expressed the TrkA receptor in the MYCN single copy cell lines SH-SY5Y and NB69 as well as in the MYCN amplified cell lines CHP134 and IMR5. RESULTS: All four transfected cell lines demonstrated high TrkA expression and similar activation of the TrkA receptor and of mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as induction of immediate-early genes in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). Introduction of TrkA restored NGF responsiveness of SH-SY5Y and NB69 cells, as demonstrated by morphologic differentiation, growth inhibition, and enhanced survival in serum-free medium. However, no morphologic, growth, or survival responses to NGF were detected in MYCN-amplified CHP134 and IMR5 TrkA transfectants. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, transfection of TrkA into MYCN amplified NB cell lines only partly restored the TrkA/NGF signaling pathway, suggesting additional inhibitory effects of MYCN overexpression on TrkA signaling.     

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) expression in neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumors

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE: MRP1 expression by neuroblastomas was evaluated by Northern blot analysis in 21 cell lines and 90 primary untreated tumors. Cytotoxicity assay in cell lines was performed for five anticancer drugs used in treating neuroblastoma. RESULTS: MRP1 expression did not correlate with drug resistance or with MYCN RNA expression in cell lines. MRP1 expression was higher in drug-sensitive cell lines established after chemotherapy relative to cell lines at diagnosis, but highly drug-resistant cell lines showed low MRP1 expression. Positive expression of MRP1 RNA in primary tumors was associated with a poorer survival relative to MRP1-negative tumors. However, MRP1 expression levels did not correlate with age, stage, MYCN amplification, or MYCN expression, and higher MRP1 expression was not associated with a worse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In neuroblastoma, positive MRP1 RNA expression at diagnosis has prognostic significance, but high drug resistance is conferred by mechanisms other than MRP1.