Cisplatin (CDDP) sensitizes human osteosarcoma cell to Fas/CD95-mediated apoptosis by down-regulating FLIP-L

H Kinoshita1, H Yoshikawa, K Shiiki

  • 1Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Yamanashi Medical University, Yamanashi, Japan.

Insights

Human osteosarcoma cells resist Fas-mediated apoptosis due to FLICE inhibitory protein long form (FLIP-L). Cisplatin (CDDP) sensitizes these cells by down-regulating FLIP-L, suggesting a new immune therapy approach.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor cells can evade immune surveillance, specifically Fas/CD95-mediated apoptosis initiated by NK cells and T cells.
  • Human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells express Fas but are resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis.
  • Mechanisms of apoptosis resistance are linked to tumorigenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.
  • To determine the role of FLICE inhibitory protein long form (FLIP-L) in this resistance.
  • To explore the potential of cisplatin (CDDP) in sensitizing these cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis for therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Western blotting to analyze protein expression (FLIP-L, XIAP, c-IAP-1, c-IAP-2, FADD, pro-caspase-8).
  • Treatment of MG-63 cells with suboptimal doses of cisplatin (CDDP).
  • Antisense oligonucleotide targeting FLIP-L to confirm its role.

Main Results:

  • MG-63 cells constitutively express FLIP-L, an anti-apoptotic protein associated with tumorigenicity.
  • CDDP treatment down-regulated FLIP-L in a time-dependent manner without affecting other tested anti-apoptotic molecules.
  • Down-regulation of FLIP-L using antisense oligonucleotides sensitized MG-63 cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • FLIP-L is a key contributor to Fas-mediated apoptosis resistance in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.
  • CDDP sensitizes these cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis by down-regulating FLIP-L.
  • This sensitization offers a potential new strategy for osteosarcoma immune therapy.