Synergistic interactions between HDAC and sirtuin inhibitors in human leukemia cells.

Abstract

Aberrant histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is frequent in human leukemias. However, while classical, NAD(+)-independent HDACs are an established therapeutic target, the relevance of NAD(+)-dependent HDACs (sirtuins) in leukemia treatment remains unclear. Here, we assessed the antileukemic activity of sirtuin inhibitors and of the NAD(+)-lowering drug FK866, alone and in combination with traditional HDAC inhibitors. Primary leukemia cells, leukemia cell lines, healthy leukocytes and hematopoietic progenitors were treated with sirtuin inhibitors (sirtinol, cambinol, EX527) and with FK866, with or without addition of the HDAC inhibitors valproic acid, sodium butyrate, and vorinostat. Cell death was quantified by propidium iodide cell staining and subsequent flow-cytometry. Apoptosis induction was monitored by cell staining with FITC-Annexin-V/propidium iodide or with TMRE followed by flow-cytometric analysis, and by measuring caspase3/7 activity. Intracellular Bax was detected by flow-cytometry and western blotting. Cellular NAD(+) levels were measured by enzymatic cycling assays. Bax was overexpressed by retroviral transduction. Bax and SIRT1 were silenced by RNA-interference. Sirtuin inhibitors and FK866 synergistically enhanced HDAC inhibitor activity in leukemia cells, but not in healthy leukocytes and hematopoietic progenitors. In leukemia cells, HDAC inhibitors were found to induce upregulation of Bax, a pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family-member whose translocation to mitochondria is normally prevented by SIRT1. As a result, leukemia cells become sensitized to sirtuin inhibitor-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, NAD(+)-independent HDACs and sirtuins cooperate in leukemia cells to avoid apoptosis. Combining sirtuin with HDAC inhibitors results in synergistic antileukemic activity that could be therapeutically exploited.

• Authors: Michele Cea, Debora Soncini, Floriana Fruscione, Lizzia Raffaghello, Anna Garuti, Laura Emionite, Eva Moran, Mirko Magnone, Gabriele Zoppoli, Daniele Reverberi, Irene Caffa, Annalisa Salis, Antonia Cagnetta, Micaela Bergamaschi, Salvatore Casciaro, Ivana Pierri, Gianluca Damonte, Filippo Ansaldi, Marco Gobbi, Vito Pistoia, Alberto Ballestrero, Franco Patrone, Santina Bruzzone, Alessio Nencioni
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 6 Issue 7 Pg. e22739 ( 2011) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21818379 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acrylamides
• Antigens, CD34
• Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
• N-(4-(1-benzoylpiperidin-4-yl)butyl)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)acrylamide
• Piperidines
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• NAD
• Sirtuins

Topics

• Acrylamides (pharmacology)
• Antigens, CD34 (metabolism)
• Cell Death (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Drug Synergism
• Gene Silencing (drug effects)
• Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Leukemia (enzymology, pathology)
• NAD (biosynthesis)
• Piperidines (pharmacology)
• Sirtuins (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (drug effects)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)