Latest Publications

@article{svobodova_aryl_2015,

title = {The aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent disruption of contact inhibition in rat liver WB-F344 epithelial cells is linked with induction of survivin, but not with inhibition of apoptosis.},

author = {Jana Svobodová and Markéta Kabátková and Lenka Šmerdová and Petra Brenerová and Zdeněk Dvořák and Miroslav Machala and Jan Vondráček},

doi = {10.1016/j.tox.2015.04.001},

issn = {1879-3185 0300-483X},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-07-01},

journal = {Toxicology},

volume = {333},

pages = {37–44},

abstract = {Inhibition of apoptosis by the ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been proposed to play a role in their tumor promoting effects on liver parenchymal cells. However, little is presently known about the impact of toxic AhR ligands, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on apoptosis in other liver cell types, such as in liver epithelial/progenitor cells. In the present study, we focused on the effects of TCDD on apoptosis regulation in a model of liver progenitor cells, rat WB-F344 cell line, during the TCDD-elicited release from contact inhibition. The stimulation of cell proliferation in this cell line was associated with deregulated expression of a number of genes known to be under transcriptional control of the Hippo signaling pathway, a principal regulatory pathway involved in contact inhibition of cell proliferation. Interestingly, we found that mRNA and protein levels of survivin, a known Hippo target, which plays a role both in cell division and inhibition of apoptosis, were significantly up-regulated in rat liver epithelial cell model, as well as in undifferentiated human liver HepaRG cells. Using the short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown, we confirmed that survivin plays a central role in cell division of WB-F344 cells. When evaluating the effects of TCDD on apoptosis induction by camptothecin, a genotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor, we observed that the pre-treatment of WB-F344 cells with TCDD increased number of cells with apoptotic nuclear morphology, and it potentiated cleavage of both caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase I. This indicated that despite the observed up-regulation of survivin, apoptosis induced by the genotoxin was potentiated in the model of rat liver progenitor cells. The present results indicate that, unlike in hepatocytes, AhR agonists may not prevent induction of apoptosis elicited by DNA-damaging agents in a model of rat liver progenitor cells.},

note = {Place: Ireland},

keywords = {AhR, Animals, Apoptosis, Apoptosis/*drug effects, Aryl Hydrocarbon/*agonists/metabolism, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/*agonists/metabolism, BIRC5/survivin, Camptothecin/*toxicity, Caspase 3/metabolism, Cell Line, Contact inhibition, Contact Inhibition/*drug effects, Epithelial Cells/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology, Genetic/drug effects, Hippo signaling, Humans, Inbred F344, Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins/genetics/metabolism, Liver/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology, Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics/*metabolism, Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1, Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism, Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/*toxicity, Rats, Receptors, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction/drug effects, Survivin, TCDD, Time Factors, Topoisomerase I Inhibitors/*toxicity, Transcription, Transfection, Up-Regulation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{andrysik_aryl_2013,

title = {Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated disruption of contact inhibition is associated with connexin43 downregulation and inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication.},

author = {Zdeněk Andrysík and Jiřina Procházková and Markéta Kabátková and Lenka Umannová and Pavlína Simečková and Jiří Kohoutek and Alois Kozubík and Miroslav Machala and Jan Vondráček},

doi = {10.1007/s00204-012-0963-7},

issn = {1432-0738 0340-5761},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-03-01},

journal = {Archives of toxicology},

volume = {87},

number = {3},

pages = {491–503},

abstract = {The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) contributes to the control of cell-to-cell communication, cell adhesion, migration or proliferation. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of connexin43 (Cx43) and Cx43-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) during the AhR-dependent disruption of contact inhibition in non-tumorigenic liver epithelial cells. The contact inhibition of cell proliferation is a process restricting the cell division of confluent non-transformed cells, which is frequently abolished in cancer cells; however, the mechanisms contributing to its disruption are still only partially understood. Disruption of contact inhibition, which was induced by toxic AhR ligands 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in epithelial WB-F344 cells, reduced Cx43 protein levels, possibly via enhanced proteasomal degradation, significantly decreased the amount of gap junction plaques and downregulated GJIC, in an AhR-dependent manner. Although both intracellular and membrane Cx43 pools were markedly reduced in cells released from contact inhibition by TCDD, siRNA-mediated Cx43 knock-down was not sufficient to stimulate proliferation in contact-inhibited cells. Our data suggest that downregulation of Cx43/GJIC in non-transformed epithelial cells is an inherent part of disruption of contact inhibition, which occurs at the post-transcriptional level. This process runs in parallel with alterations of other forms of cell-to-cell communication, thus suggesting that toxic AhR agonists may simultaneously abrogate contact inhibition and reduce GJIC, two essential mechanisms linked to deregulation of cell-to-cell communication during tumor promotion and progression.},

note = {Place: Germany},

keywords = {Animals, Aryl Hydrocarbon/*agonists/genetics/metabolism, Benz(a)Anthracenes/toxicity, Carcinogens/*toxicity, Cell Communication/*drug effects, Cell Line, Cell Proliferation, Cell Transformation, Connexin 43/genetics/*metabolism, Contact Inhibition/*drug effects, Dose-Response Relationship, Down-Regulation, Drug, Epithelial Cells/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology, Fluorenes/toxicity, Gap Junctions/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology, Gene Knockdown Techniques, Indoles/pharmacology, Ligands, Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced/metabolism/pathology, Liver/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology, Neoplastic/chemically induced/metabolism/pathology, Phloroglucinol/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology, Phosphorylation, Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity, Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism, Rats, Receptors, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction/*drug effects, Time Factors, Transfection},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pernicova_androgen_2011,

title = {Androgen depletion induces senescence in prostate cancer cells through down-regulation of Skp2.},

author = {Zuzana Pernicová and Eva Slabáková and Gvantsa Kharaishvili and Jan Bouchal and Milan Král and Zuzana Kunická and Miroslav Machala and Alois Kozubík and Karel Souček},

doi = {10.1593/neo.11182},

issn = {1476-5586 1522-8002},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-06-01},

journal = {Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.)},

volume = {13},

number = {6},

pages = {526–536},

abstract = {Although the induction of senescence in cancer cells is a potent mechanism of tumor suppression, senescent cells remain metabolically active and may secrete a broad spectrum of factors that promote tumorigenicity in neighboring malignant cells. Here we show that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a widely used treatment for advanced prostate cancer, induces a senescence-associated secretory phenotype in prostate cancer epithelial cells, indicated by increases in senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, heterochromatin protein 1β foci, and expression of cathepsin B and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3. Interestingly, ADT also induced high levels of vimentin expression in prostate cancer cell lines in vitro and in human prostate tumors in vivo. The induction of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype by androgen depletion was mediated, at least in part, by down-regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2, whereas the neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cells was under separate control. These data demonstrate a previously unrecognized link between inhibition of androgen receptor signaling, down-regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2, and the appearance of secretory, tumor-promoting senescent cells in prostate tumors. We propose that ADT may contribute to the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer through modulation of the tissue microenvironment by senescent cells.},

note = {Place: United States},

keywords = {Androgen Antagonists/*pharmacology, Androgen/metabolism, beta-Galactosidase/metabolism, Blotting, Cathepsin B/metabolism, Cell Line, Cellular Senescence/*drug effects, Confocal, Down-Regulation/*drug effects, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/metabolism, Male, Microscopy, Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics/metabolism/pathology, PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism, Receptors, RNA Interference, S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins/genetics/*metabolism, Signal Transduction/drug effects, Tumor, Vimentin/metabolism, Western},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{vondalova_blanarova_cisplatin_2011,

title = {Cisplatin and a potent platinum(IV) complex-mediated enhancement of TRAIL-induced cancer cells killing is associated with modulation of upstream events in the extrinsic apoptotic pathway.},

author = {Olga Vondálová Blanárová and Iva Jelínková and Arpád Szöor and Belma Skender and Karel Soucek and Viktor Horváth and Alena Vaculová and Ladislav Andera and Petr Sova and János Szöllosi and Jirina Hofmanová and György Vereb and Alois Kozubík},

doi = {10.1093/carcin/bgq220},

issn = {1460-2180 0143-3334},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Carcinogenesis},

volume = {32},

number = {1},

pages = {42–51},

abstract = {TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) can selectively trigger apoptosis in various cancer cell types. However, many cancer cells are resistant to death receptor-mediated apoptosis. Combination therapy with platinum complexes may affect TRAIL-induced signaling via modulation of various steps in apoptotic pathways. Here, we show that cisplatin or a more potent platinum(IV) complex LA-12 used in 20-fold lower concentration enhanced killing effects of TRAIL in human colon and prostate cancer cell lines via stimulation of caspase activity and overall apoptosis. Both platinum complexes increased DR5 surface expression in colon cancer cells. Small interfering RNA-mediated DR5 silencing rescued cells from sensitizing effects of platinum drugs on TRAIL-induced caspase-8 activation and apoptosis, showing the functional importance of DR5 in the effects observed. In addition, both cisplatin and LA-12 triggered the relocalization of DR4 and DR5 receptors to lipid rafts and accelerated internalization of TRAIL, which may also affect TRAIL signaling. Collectively, modulations of the initial steps of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway at the level of DR5 and plasma membrane are important for sensitization of colon and prostate cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis mediated by LA-12 and cisplatin.},

note = {Place: England},

keywords = {Amantadine/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology, Apoptosis/*drug effects/physiology, Blotting, Cell Line, Cell Separation, Cisplatin/*pharmacology, Confocal, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Humans, Microscopy, Neoplasms/*metabolism, Organoplatinum Compounds/*pharmacology, Protein Transport/drug effects, Receptors, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction/*drug effects/physiology, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand/*metabolism, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand/metabolism, Tumor, Western},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{starsichova_tgf-beta1_2010,

title = {TGF-beta1 suppresses IL-6-induced STAT3 activation through regulation of Jak2 expression in prostate epithelial cells.},

author = {Andrea Starsíchová and Eva Lincová and Zuzana Pernicová and Alois Kozubík and Karel Soucek},

doi = {10.1016/j.cellsig.2010.06.014},

issn = {1873-3913 0898-6568},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-11-01},

journal = {Cellular signalling},

volume = {22},

number = {11},

pages = {1734–1744},

abstract = {Chronic inflammation plays an important role in the initiation and progression of various human diseases including benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. Here we show that the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has prosurvival effects and chronically activates the Jak2/STAT3 signalling pathway in a model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH-1). We demonstrate that the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), which also permanently activates its canonical signalling pathway through SMAD proteins in BPH-1 cells, modifies the effects of IL-6 on cell proliferation. Importantly, TGF-beta1 inhibits IL-6 signal transduction by decreasing the phosphorylation levels of STAT3. This effect is associated with decreased expression of Jak2 at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, we showed that TGF-beta1 inhibits IL-6-induced expression of the cancer-associated gene MUC1. These observations demonstrated a novel interaction between TGF-beta1 and IL-6 signalling and suggested another mechanism of how defects in TGF-beta signalling, frequently associated with prostate pathologies, can contribute to the disruption of tissue homeostasis.},

note = {Place: England},

keywords = {Cell Line, Cell Proliferation, Epithelial Cells/*metabolism, Humans, Interleukin-6/*antagonists & inhibitors/pharmacology, Janus Kinase 2/genetics/*metabolism, Male, Mucin-1/metabolism, Phosphorylation, Prostate/cytology/enzymology/*metabolism, Prostatic Hyperplasia/enzymology/*metabolism, RNA, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction, Smad Proteins/metabolism, Small Interfering/metabolism, STAT3 Transcription Factor/*metabolism, Transforming Growth Factor beta1/*pharmacology},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{lincova_multiple_2009,

title = {Multiple defects in negative regulation of the PKB/Akt pathway sensitise human cancer cells to the antiproliferative effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.},

author = {Eva Lincová and Ales Hampl and Zuzana Pernicová and Andrea Starsíchová and Pavel Krcmár and Miroslav Machala and Alois Kozubík and Karel Soucek},

doi = {10.1016/j.bcp.2009.05.001},

issn = {1873-2968 0006-2952},

year  = {2009},

date = {2009-09-01},

journal = {Biochemical pharmacology},

volume = {78},

number = {6},

pages = {561–572},

abstract = {Antitumorigenic effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well established in several types of cancer disease. However, the mechanisms driving these processes are not understood in all details. In our study, we observed significant differences in sensitivity of cancer epithelial cell lines to COX-independent antiproliferative effects of NSAIDs. The prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, lacking both critical enzymes in the negative control of PKB/Akt activation, PTEN and SHIP2, was the most sensitive to these effects, as assessed by analysing the cell cycle profile and expression of cell cycle regulating proteins. We found that p53 protein and its signalling pathway is not involved in early antiproliferative action of the selected NSAID-indomethacin. RNAi provided evidence for the involvement of p21(Cip1/Waf1), but not GDF-15, in antiproliferative effects of indomethacin in LNCaP cells. Interestingly, we also found that indomethacin activated PKB/Akt and induced nuclear localisation of p21(Cip1/Waf1) and Akt2 isoform. Our results are in agreement with other studies and suggest that maintaining of the p21(Cip1/Waf1) level and its intracellular localisation might be influenced by Akt2. Knock-down of SHIP2 by RNAi in PTEN negative prostate and colon cancer cell lines resulted in higher sensitivity to antiproliferative effects of indomethacin. Our data suggest novel mechanisms of NSAIDs antiproliferative action in cancer epithelial cells, which depends on the status of negative regulation of the PKB/Akt pathway and the isoform-specific action of Akt2. Thus, unexpectedly, multiple defects in negative regulation of the PKB/Akt pathway may contribute to increased sensitivity to chemopreventive effects of these widely used drugs.},

note = {Place: England},

keywords = {Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology, Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism, Cell Cycle/*drug effects/physiology, Cell Line, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/*biosynthesis, Enzyme Induction, Epithelial Cells/*drug effects/pathology, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism, Gene Expression/drug effects, Growth Differentiation Factor 15/biosynthesis, Humans, Indomethacin/pharmacology, Male, Non-Steroidal/*pharmacology, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases, Prostatic Neoplasms/*pathology, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/*metabolism, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction/drug effects/physiology, Tumor, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/*metabolism},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}