@article{KarlJossbergerWernerSchmidtetal.2014, author = {Karl, I. and Jossberger-Werner, M. and Schmidt, N. and Horn, S. and Goebeler, M. and Leverkus, M. and Wajant, H. and Giner, T.}, title = {TRAF2 inhibits TRAIL- and CD95L-induced apoptosis and necroptosis}, series = {Cell Death \& Disease}, volume = {5}, journal = {Cell Death \& Disease}, issn = {2041-4889}, doi = {10.1038/cddis.2014.404}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119166}, pages = {e1444}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The relevance of the adaptor protein TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) for signal transduction of the death receptor tumour necrosis factor receptor1 (TNFR1) is well-established. The role of TRAF2 for signalling by CD95 and the TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) DRs, however, is only poorly understood. Here, we observed that knockdown (KD) of TRAF2 sensitised keratinocytes for TRAIL- and CD95L-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, while cell death was fully blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) in control cells, TRAF2-depleted keratinocytes were only partly rescued from TRAIL- and CD95L-induced cell death. In line with the idea that the only partially protective effect of zVAD-fmk on TRAIL- and CD95L-treated TRAF2-depleted keratinocytes is due to the induction of necroptosis, combined treatment with zVAD-fmk and the receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-1 fully rescued these cells. To better understand the impact of TRAF2 levels on RIP1- and RIP3-dependent necroptosis and RIP3-independent apoptosis, we performed experiments in HeLa cells that lack endogenous RIP3 and HeLa cells stably transfected with RIP3. HeLa cells, in which necroptosis has no role, were markedly sensitised to TRAIL-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis by TRAF2 KD. In RIP3-expressing HeLa transfectants, however, KD of TRAF2 also strongly sensitised for TRAIL-induced necroptosis. Noteworthy, priming of keratinocytes with soluble TWEAK, which depletes the cytosolic pool of TRAF2-containing protein complexes, resulted in strong sensitisation for TRAIL-induced necroptosis but had only a very limited effect on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The necroptotic TRAIL response was not dependent on endogenously produced TNF and TNFR signalling, since blocking TNF by TNFR2-Fc or anti-TNFα had no effect on necroptosis induction. Taken together, we identified TRAF2 not only as a negative regulator of DR-induced apoptosis but in particular also as an antagonist of TRAIL- and CD95L-induced necroptosis.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hausmann2012, author = {Hausmann, Dominikus}, title = {Die Bedeutung von cFLIPlong f{\"u}r die Todesrezeptor-abh{\"a}ngige Regulation der Apoptose in HaCaT-Keratinozyten}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75892}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Todesrezeptoren der TNF-Familie sind neben der Vermittlung von Apoptosesignalen auch in der Lage, nicht-apoptotische intrazellul{\"a}re Signalwege zu beeinflussen. Der Caspase-8-Inhibitor cFLIPlong inhibiert dosisabh{\"a}ngig die Prozessierung der Initiator-Caspase-8 am TRAIL-DISC (death inducing signalling complex) und hemmt die Aktivierung des NF-kappa-B-Signalweges {\"u}ber die Modulation der Rekrutierung und Spaltung des f{\"u}r die NF-kappa-B-Aktivierung notwendigen RIP (receptor interactin protein)am DISC.}, subject = {Apoptosis}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Fusi2023, author = {Fusi, Lorenza}, title = {Crosstalk between the MEK5/ERK5 and PKB/FoxO pathways: underlying mechanism and its relevance for vasoprotection and tumorigenesis}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29676}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-296769}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Forkhead box O transcription factors are a family of proteins involved in cellular processes downstream of the Insulin-PI3K-PKB pathway. In response to extra- or intracellular stresses, for example starvation or oxidative stress, FoxOs are required to direct cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In endothelial cells, they induce apoptosis, and their deregulation is linked to diseases involving the insulin pathway, such as diabetes. FoxOs also exhibit a complex role in tumour transformation: here their main function is to suppress tumorigenesis. In both physiological and cancer contexts, FoxO activation leads to the transcription of some general targets, such as p27kip1 or IGFBP1. The FoxOs can also induce tissue-specific genes, as ANGPT2 and BIM in the endothelium. In endothelial cells, another pathway with a pivotal function is the MEK5/ERK5 MAPK signalling way. Its activation promotes cell survival and proliferation in stressful conditions, e.g., when blood vessels are exposed to the shear forces exerted by the blood stream. Furthermore, recent data described ERK5 as a kinase directing tumour resistance upon therapy-induced stress. Comparing their reported roles in various tumours and in the endothelium, FoxO proteins and the MEK5/ERK5 MAPK cascade appear to exert opposite functions. First non-published data confirmed the hypothesis that FoxO factors are subject to a negative modulation by the MEK5/ERK5 pathway. Hence, one goal of this PhD project was to further characterise this crosstalk at molecular level. The major mechanism of FoxO regulation is the balance among several post translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination. Most importantly, the PKB dependent phosphorylation of FoxOs negatively controls their activity, and it is critical for their subcellular localization. Therefore, the regulation of FoxO localization as mechanism of ERK5 dependent suppression was studied, but the results presented in this thesis argue against this hypothesis. However, additional experiments are required to explore the impact of ERK5 activity on FoxO post-translational modifications. FoxO activity can also be modulated by the interaction with other proteins, which in turn could explain general- and tissue-specific gene expression. Thus, another objective of this work was to investigate FoxO3-interactome in endothelial cells and the impact of MEK5/ERK5 activation on it. As published in (Fusi et al. 2022) and presented here, this analysis unveiled TRRAP as new FoxO bound protein in several cell types. Moreover, the interaction did not rely on the capacity of the FoxOs to bind their consensus DNA sequences at the promoter of target genes. Functional data demonstrated that TRRAP is required for FoxO-dependent gene transcription in endothelial and osteosarcoma cells. In addition, TRRAP expression in the endothelium is important for FoxO induced apoptosis. In summary, the interaction between FoxO factors and TRRAP revealed a new regulatory mechanism of FoxO-dependent gene transcription. It remains to be analysed whether the MEK5/ERK5 cascade may exert its suppressive effect on FoxO activity by interfering with their binding to TRRAP and whether such a mechanism may be relevant for tumorigenesis.}, subject = {Endothel}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Felcht2007, author = {Felcht, Moritz}, title = {Todesrezeptor-vermittelte MAP-Kinasen-Aktivierung in Keratinozyten}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-24414}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Promotionsarbeit besch{\"a}ftigte sich mit der Frage, ob der Todesligand TRAIL in Keratinozyten eine Aktivierung verschiedener Mitogen-aktivierter Protein Kinasen (MAPK) induzieren kann und welche physiologische Relevanz diese TRAIL-induzierte MAPK-Aktivit{\"a}t hat. In unseren Analysen konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass TRAIL die MAPKERK1/2, MAPKJNK1/2 und MAPKp38 mit unterschiedlicher Kinetik aktivieren kann. Diese Aktivierung zeigte sich beeinflusst vom verwendeten Zelltyp, der Zeitdauer der Stimulation sowie dem Ausmaß der TRAIL-induzierten Caspase-Aktivit{\"a}t. Die TRAIL-vermittelte Aktivierung der MAPKERK1/2 beginnt sehr rasch und kann {\"u}ber einen l{\"a}ngeren Zeitraum detektiert werden, w{\"a}hrend die MAPKJNK erst sp{\"a}t aktiviert wird. Im Gegensatz dazu zeigt die MAPKp38 eine biphasische Aktivierung. Die TRAIL-induzierte Aktivierung der MAPK ist teilweise von aktiven Caspasen abh{\"a}ngig, denn eine Pr{\"a}inkubation mit dem pharmakologischen Caspase-Inhibitor zVAD-fmk hemmt sowohl die TRAIL-induzierte MAPKJNK- als auch die MAPKp38-Aktivit{\"a}t. Untersuchungen mit ektoper Expression des physiologischen Caspase-8 Inhibitors c-FLIPL konnten zeigen, dass cFLIPL nicht nur die Spaltung von Caspase-8, sondern auch die verz{\"o}gerte TRAIL-induzierte MAPKp38-Aktivit{\"a}t hemmen kann. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde außerdem nachgewiesen, dass TRAIL in Keratinozyten nicht nur Apoptose induziert, sondern auch an der Sekretion des proinflammatorischen Chemokins CXCL-8 beteiligt ist. Dabei war die MAPKp38, aber nicht die MAPKERK1/2 an der TRAIL-induzierten Sekretion von CXCL-8 beteiligt. Zuk{\"u}nftig werden weitere detailliertere Untersuchungen insbesondere zur physiologischen Bedeutung der TRAIL-induzierten MAPKJNK- und MAPKERK1/2-Aktivit{\"a}t erforderlich sein, f{\"u}r die diese Arbeit eine wichtige Grundlage gelegt hat.}, subject = {Interleukin 8}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Borst2017, author = {Borst, Andreas}, title = {Apoptosis \& senescence: cell fate determination in inhibitor-treated melanoma cells}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-155085}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Neoplasms of the skin represent the most frequent tumors worldwide; fortunately, most of them are benign or semi-malignant and well treatable. However, the two most aggressive and deadly forms of malignant skin-neoplasms are melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), being responsible for more than 90\% of skin-cancer related deaths. The last decade has yielded enormous progress in melanoma therapy with the advent of targeted therapies, like BRAF or MEK inhibitors, and immune-stimulating therapies, using checkpoint antibodies targeting CTLA- 4, PD-1 or PD-L1. Very recent studies suggest that also MCC patients benefit from a treatment with checkpoint antibodies. Nevertheless, in an advanced metastatic stage, a cure for both of these aggressive malignancies is still hard to achieve: while only a subset of patients experience durable benefit from the immune-based therapies, the widely applicable targeted therapies struggle with development of resistances that inevitably occur in most patients, and finally lead to their death. The four articles included in this thesis addressed current questions concerning therapy and carcinogenesis of melanoma and MCC. Moreover, they are discussed in the light of the up-to-date research regarding targeted and immune-based therapies. In article I we demonstrated that besides apoptosis, MAPK pathway inhibition in BRAF-mutated melanoma cells also induces senescence, a permanent cell cycle arrest. These cells may provide a source for relapse, as even permanently arrested cancer cells can contribute to a pro-tumorigenic milieu. To identify molecular factors determining the differential response, we established M14 melanoma cell line derived single cell clones that either undergo cell death or arrest when treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Using these single cell clones, we demonstrated in article IV that downregulation of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein BIK via epigenetic silencing is involved in apoptosis deficiency, which can be overcome by HDAC inhibitors. These observations provide a possible explanation for the lack of a complete and durable response to MAPK inhibitor treatment in melanoma patients, and suggest the application of HDAC inhibitors as a complimentary therapy to MAPK pathway inhibition. Concerning MCC, we scrutinized the interactions between the Merkel cell polyomavirus' (MCV) T antigens (TA) and the tumor suppressors p53 and Rb in article II and III, respectively. In article III, we demonstrated that the cell cycle master regulator Rb is the crucial target of MCV large T (LT), while it - in contrast to other polyomavirus LTs - exhibits much lower affinity to the related proteins p107 and p130. Knockdown of MCV LT led to proliferation arrest in MCC cells, which can be rescued by knockdown of Rb, but not by knockdown of p107 and p130. Contrary to Rb, restriction of p53 in MCC seems to be independent of the MCV TAs, as we demonstrated in article II. In conclusion, the presented thesis has revealed new molecular details, regarding the response of melanoma cells towards an important treatment modality and the mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis in MCC.}, subject = {Melanom}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Amschler2010, author = {Amschler, Katharina}, title = {Sensibilisierung von Melanomzellen gegen{\"u}ber Zytostatika durch zwei verschiedene Mechanismen der NF-kB-Inhibition}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-56342}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt eine M{\"o}glichkeit auf, die bisher meist erfolglose Chemotherapie des malignen Melanoms zu verbessern: Durch Inhibition des Transkriptionsfaktors NF-kB, der f{\"u}r die Regulation vieler tumorrelevanter Gene verantwortlich ist, konnten die Tumorzellen gegen{\"u}ber der Wirkung von Zytostatika sensibilisiert werden. Zun{\"a}chst wurden acht verschiedene Melanomzellen in Bezug auf ihre NF-kB-Aktivit{\"a}t und der Expression NF-kB-regulierter Proteine vergleichen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Mehrzahl der Melanomzellen {\"u}ber konstitutive Aktivit{\"a}t von NF-κB verf{\"u}gt. Dabei bestand kein eindeutiger Zusammenhang zwischen der Expression NF-kB-regulierter Proteine und der Aktivit{\"a}t dieses Transkriptionsfaktors im Kern, was komplexe Regulationsmechanismen bei der Transkription und Translation vermuten l{\"a}sst. Anhand einer ausgew{\"a}hlten Melanomzelllinie konnte gezeigt werden, dass zwei verschiedene NF-kB-Inhibitoren, der Proteasom-Inhibitor Bortezomib und der neue IKK-Inhibitor KINK-1 die Aktivit{\"a}t von NF-kB deutlich hemmen. Beim Vergleich beider NF-kB-Inhibitoren ließen sich unerwartet verschiedene molekulare Wirkungsmechanismen nachweisen: W{\"a}hrend Bortezomib konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngig eine sehr starke Induktion von NOXA, eine Induktion von p53 sowie eine Abnahme von Cyclin D1 bewirkte, zeigte KINK-1 seine Effekte vor allem in der Reduktion von Chemokinen wie IL-8 und MCP-1. Passend zur Ver{\"a}nderung der Expression zellzyklus-relevanter Proteine hatte Bortezomib einen st{\"a}rkeren Effekt auf den Zellzyklus als KINK-1. Beide Inhibitoren wurden mit verschiedenen Zytostatika kombiniert und konnten einerseits die Apoptoseinduktion durch Zytostatika verst{\"a}rken und andererseits die durch Zytostatika reduzierte Invasion weiter reduzieren. Allerdings zeigte sich bei der Untersuchung tumorrelevanter Chemokine, dass KINK-1 im Gegensatz zu Bortezomib synergistische Effekte mit Camptothecin und Doxorubicin aufweist. Trotz molekularer Unterschiede bewirkten beide NF-kB-Inhibitoren vergleichbare funktionelle Effekte auf zellul{\"a}rer Ebene. Dies galt auch f{\"u}r ein pr{\"a}klinisches in-vivo-Modell, in dem die experimentelle Lungenmetastasierung von B16F10-Melanomzellen in M{\"a}usen ermittelt wurde: Hier wurden die M{\"a}use mit Camptothecin, KINK-1 und Bortezomib allein im Vergleich zu den jeweiligen Kombinationen aus Zytostatikum und NF-kB-Inhibitor behandelt. Beide Kombinationen zeigten eine signifikante Reduktion des Lungengewichts im Vergleich zu Camptothecin allein. Diese Arbeit konnte also den Nutzen aus NF-kB-Inhibition in Kombination mit Zytostatika f{\"u}r die hier verwendeten Substanzen bekr{\"a}ftigen und dabei einige molekulare Unterschiede aufdecken.}, subject = {Apoptosis}, language = {de} }