Inhibition of neuroblastoma cell growth by TREX1-mutated human lymphocytes

Oncol Rep. 2012 May;27(5):1689-94. doi: 10.3892/or.2012.1696. Epub 2012 Feb 22.

Abstract

T lymphocytes play a major role in counteracting cancer occurrence and development. Immune therapies against cancer are focused on eliciting a cytotoxic T cell response. This anticancer activity is related to a variety of mechanisms including the activation of cytokines and proapoptotic mediators. Interferon α is an established inhibitor of cancer cell growth. A clinical situation involving the coexistence of high interferon α levels and lymphocyte activation is the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, a progressive encephalopathy arising usually during the first year of life characterized by intracranial basal ganglia calcifications, leukodystrophy and microcephaly. Aicardi-Goutières syndrome 1 mutation silences the TREX1 gene, a major endogenous nuclease. The in vitro study presented herein evaluates the efficacy of the TREX1 mutation in potentiating the anticancer properties of T cells. A TREX1-mutated lymphocyte cell line was derived from an Aicardi-Goutières syndrome patient and co-cultured with neuroblastoma cells and vascular endothelial cells in the presence of interferon α. TREX1-mutated lymphocytes exerted marked inhibitory action on neuroblastoma cell growth. Cathepsin D was recognized by qPCR as the main mediator produced by TREX1-mutated lymphocytes involved in the inhibition of neuroblastoma cell growth. These effects were enhanced in the presence of interferon α. Similar inhibitory effects in cell growth were exerted by TREX1-mutated lymphocytes towards vascular endothelial cell angiogenesis as evaluated on Matrigel. The results obtained provide evidence that mutations of the TREX1 gene increase the capability of T-lymphocytes to inhibit growth of neoplastic neuronal cells and related angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cathepsin D / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Mutation*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics*
  • Neuroblastoma / immunology
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Phosphoproteins
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • three prime repair exonuclease 1
  • Cathepsin D