Cytokine Database SEARCH  
INTERLEUKIN 24
LATEST LITERATURE

1: Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences, 2010 May, 39(3)
[Mechanisms of enhanced antileukemia activity of conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) ZD55 by interleukin-24.]

[Abstract]OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of enhanced antileukemia activity of conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) by interleukin-24 (IL-24). METHODS: The ability of CRAd ZD55 to infect leukemia cells was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in leukemia cells treated with PBS, ZD55, ZD55-IL-24, and an adenovirus carrying IL-24 (Ad-IL-24) were determined by Western blot analysis. Animal xenograft tumor model was established by Mutz-1 cell line.Deparaffinized tumor sections were incubated with anti-CD31, and VEGF antibody, followed by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULT: The GFP-positive cells were 5.1% and 42.3% in Mutz-1 cells treated with ZD55-EGFP vector at MOI of 10 and 100 for 48h, respectively. ZD55-IL-24 treatment resulted in the marked down-regulation of VEGF protein expression and ZD55 inhibited VEGF slightly; however, there was no change observed in the cells treated with Ad-IL-24. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that Ad-IL-24 inhibited slightly angiogenesis and ZD55 treatment resulted in significant inhibition of angiogenesis. ZD55-IL-24 treatment almost completely inhibited angiogenesis in tumor tissues. Conclusion: IL-24 enhances the antileukemia activity of ZD55 by inhibiting VEGF protein expression and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
2: Cancer research, 2010 Apr 20,
Mechanism of Autophagy to Apoptosis Switch Triggered in Prostate Cancer Cells by Antitumor Cytokine Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene 7/Interleukin-24.

[Abstract]Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 7 (mda-7)/interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a unique member of the IL-10 gene family, which displays a broad range of antitumor properties, including induction of cancer-specific apoptosis. Adenoviral-mediated delivery by Ad.mda-7 invokes an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response that is associated with ceramide production and autophagy in some cancer cells. Here, we report that Ad.mda-7-induced ER stress and ceramide production trigger autophagy in human prostate cancer cells, but not in normal prostate epithelial cells, through a canonical signaling pathway that involves Beclin-1, atg5, and hVps34. Autophagy occurs in cancer cells at early times after Ad.mda-7 infection, but a switch to apoptosis occurs by 48 hours after infection. Inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenosine increases Ad.mda-7-induced apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy may be initiated first as a cytoprotective mechanism. Inhibiting apoptosis by overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL increased autophagy after Ad.mda-7 infection. During the apoptotic phase, the MDA-7/IL-24 protein physically interacted with Beclin-1 in a manner that could inhibit Beclin-1 function culminating in apoptosis. Conversely, Ad.mda-7 infection elicited calpain-mediated cleavage of the autophagic protein ATG5 in a manner that could facilitate switch to apoptosis. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells that underlie the cytotoxic action of mda-7/IL-24, possibly providing new insights in the development of combinatorial therapies for prostate cancer. Cancer Res; 70(9); OF1-10. (c)2010 AACR.
3: Cancer biology & therapy, 2010 Apr 3, 9(7)
The role of autophagy as a mechanism of cytotoxicity by the clinically used agent MDA-7/IL-24.

[Abstract]
4: Melanoma research, 2010 Mar 6,
IL-24 gene transfer sensitizes melanoma cells to erlotinib through modulation of the Apaf-1 and Akt signaling pathways.

[Abstract]Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a novel tumor suppressor/cytokine gene expressed in normal human melanocytes but for which expression is nearly undetectable in metastatic melanoma. Overexpression of the IL-24 protein has been shown to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in many melanoma cell lines, and is now considered a tumor suppressor. Erlotinib, a small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been widely studied for the treatment of human lung cancer and other solid tumors, but the erlotinib-targeted therapy has not been tested in melanoma. The objective of this study is to investigate the potency of erlotinib in suppressing the growth of human melanoma cells and whether IL-24 could enhance the antitumor activity of erlotinib. In cell viability and apoptosis assays, treatment with erlotinib dependently inhibited the growth of different melanoma cell lines and when combined with adenoviral vector-mediated IL-24 gene therapy, a significant increase in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction resulted (P<0.05). Immunoblot assay showed that the combination treatment of erlotinib and IL-24 considerably increased the cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and the expression of Apaf-1 protein in melanoma cells, inducing activation of the Apaf-1-dependent apoptotic pathways. Moreover, this combination treatment markedly inhibited phosphorylation of the EGFR, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and Akt proteins, inactivating the Akt-dependent cell survival signaling pathway. These results show that a combination of IL-24-mediated molecular therapy and EGFR inhibitors such as erlotinib may be a promising treatment strategy for human melanoma and will serve as a basis for guiding the combination treatment designs in future preclinical and clinical trials.
5: Cancer letters, 2010 Feb 25, 222(3)
Enhanced anti-tumor activity by the combination of a conditionally replicating adenovirus mediated interleukin-24 and dacarbazine against melanoma cells via induction of apoptosis.

[Abstract]Malignant melanoma is one of the most lethal and aggressive human malignancies. It is notoriously resistant to all of the current therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy. Suppressed apoptosis and extraordinary invasiveness are the distinctive features that contribute to the malignancy of melanoma. Dacarbazine (DTIC) has been considered as the gold standard for melanoma treatment with a response rate of 15-20%. Unfortunately, the resistance to this chemotherapeutic agent occurs frequently. ZD55-IL-24 is a selective conditionally replicating adenovirus that can mediate the expression of interleukin-24 (IL-24) gene, which has a strong anti-tumor effect. In this study, we hypothesized that a combination of ZD55-IL-24-mediated gene virotherapy and chemotherapy using DTIC would produce an increased cytotoxicity against human melanoma cells in comparison with these agents alone. Our results showed that the combination of ZD55-IL-24 and DTIC significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity by more effectively inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells than either agent used alone without any overlapping toxicity against normal cells. This additive or synergistic effect of ZD55-IL-24 in combination with DTIC in killing human malignant melanoma cells implies a promising novel approach for melanoma therapy.
6: Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals, 2010 Feb, 25(1)
The in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of adenovirus-mediated interleukin-24 expression for laryngocarcinoma.

[Abstract]Abstract Interleukin-24 (IL-24)/melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7) as a novel tumor-suppressor gene has potent antitumor activities in a broad spectrum of human cancers through the activation of various signaling pathways. However, the suppressive effect of adenovirus-mediated IL-24 (Ad-IL-24) expression on human laryngeal cancers is still elusive. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effect of Ad-IL-24 on human laryngeal cancers in vitro and in vivo in an athymic nude mouse model, using a Hep-2 human laryngocarcinoma cell line, and a WI-38 human diploid cell line served as a normal cell control. We demonstrated that Ad-IL-24 induced significant growth inhibition and apoptosis, upregulated the expression of P21, P27, and Bax, downregulated Bcl-2 expression, and activated caspase-3 in Hep-2 laryngeal tumor cells, while it exerted no direct effect on the in vitro proliferation of WI-38 normal diploid cells. Moreover, intratumoral injections of Ad-IL-24 in nude mice bearing Hep-2 tumors significantly suppressed the laryngeal xengrafted tumor growth and reduced microvessel density (MVD) and VEGF expression in tumors. This retarded tumor growth in vitro and in vivo elicited by Ad-IL-24 was closely associated with the upregulation of proliferation-related molecules P21 and P27, decrease in the ratio of anti- to proapoptotic molecules Bcl-2/Bax, followed by the activation of caspase-3, leading to apoptosis via intrinsic apoptotic pathways, and the reduced expression of proangiogenic factor VEGF involved in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Thus, our results indicate that the potent, selective killing activity of Ad-IL-24 in laryngeal cancer cells, but not in normal cells, makes this vector a potential candidate for laryngeal cancer gene therapy.
7: Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology, 2009 Oct, 25(10)
[Adenovirus mediated IL-24 gene expression suppresses gastric cancer cell growth in vitro]

[Abstract]To study the inhibitory effect of a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human IL-24 gene on SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell. We infected the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells with Ad blank adenovirus at various multiplicity of infection (MOIs) to find the optimal infective dose. The SGC-7901 tumor cells were infected with Ad-IL-24 at the optimal MOI in the following experiments. Adenovirus-mediated IL-24 transcription expression in SGC-7901 cells was examined by RT-PCR. The growth-suppressing effect of Ad-IL-24 on SGC-7901 tumor cells was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle of SGC-7901 tumor cells infected with Ad-IL-24 was evaluated by flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. The karyomorphology of apoptotic SGC-7901 tumor cells was examined using Hoechst33258 staining under fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was future determined by semi-quantification RT-PCR; We demonstrated that the MOI of 100 was the optimal infective dose in the study on adenovirus-mediated IL-24 gene transfer into SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell; IL-24 gene mediated by adenovirus could successfully transcribe in SGC-7901 tumor cells; Ad-IL-24 could significantly inhibit SGC-7901 tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis, it also can up-regulate the express of bax, caspase-3 and p53 whilst down-regulate the bcl-2 expression. Thus, adenovirus-mediated IL-24 expression had marked anti-tumor effect in suppressing SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, which may be closely associated with its up-regulation of bax/bcl-2, caspase-3 and p53.
8: Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology, 2009 Oct, 25(10)
[Interleukin 24 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells MG-63 in vitro and in vivo]

[Abstract]To study the inhibitory effect and anti-cancer mechanisms of interleukin 24 (IL-24) on human osteosarcoma cell MG-63, we delivered IL-24 into MG-63 cells in vitro and in vivo by adenovirus. The expression level of IL-24 was detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope; the growth inhibition, apoptosis rate and apoptosis body were measured by MTT, Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining respectively. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of bcl-2, bax, caspase3 genes by RT-PCR after overexpression of IL-24. For in vivo study, we first established the MG-63 tumor model by grafting MG-63 cells in athymic nude mice; and then injected Ad-IL-24 into the tumors. Two weeks after injection, we sacrificed the mice, removed the tumors, weighed and calculated the ratios of tumor-suppression. We also detected the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and CD34 with immumohistochemistry. Our in vitro results indicated that Ad-IL-24 was transcribed and translated in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. More interestingly, IL-24 inhibited the growth of MG-63 cells and induced apoptosis by up-regulation of bax, caspase-3 and down-regulation of bcl-2. The in vivo data showed that IL-24 suppressed the tumor growth conspicuously through down-regulating the expression of bcl-2, and up-regulating the expression of bax, caspase-3. This study would provide evidence for the gene therapy of IL-24 on osteosarcoma.
9: Blood, 2009 Nov 24, 39(12)
Interleukin-24 inhibits the plasma cell differentiation program in human germinal center B cells.

[Abstract]Abstract (200)Complex molecular mechanisms control B-cell fate to become a memory or a plasma-cell. IL-24 is a class-II family cytokine of poorly understood immune function which regulates the cell cycle. We previously observed that IL-24 is strongly expressed in leukemic memory-type B cells. Here we show that IL-24 is also expressed in human follicular B cells; it is more abundant in CD27+ memory B cells and CD5 expressing B cells whereas it is low to undetectable in centroblasts and plasma cells. Addition of rIL-24 to B cells, cultured in conditions shown to promote plasma cell differentiation, strongly inhibited plasma cell generation and IgG production. By contrast, IL-24 siRNA increased terminal differentiation of B cells into plasma-cells. IL-24 is optimally induced by BCR triggering and CD40 engagement; rIL-24 increased CD40-induced B cell proliferation and modulated the transcription of key transcription factors involved in plasma cell differentiation. It also inhibited activation-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription- (STAT)-3, and inhibited the transcription of IL-10. Taken together, our results indicate that IL-24 is a novel cytokine involved in T-Dependent Ag-driven B-cell differentiation and suggest its physiological role in favoring germinal center B-cell maturation in memory B cells at the expense of plasma cells.
10: Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology], 2009 Jun, 31(6)
[Construction of recombinant adenovirus vector expressing anti-VEGF hairpin ribozyme and human interleukin-24 and its cytotoxic effect on colon cancer HT-29 cells]

[Abstract]We constructed the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing IL-24 and E1A (Ad-IL-24-E1A) and investigated the inhibition of Ad-IL-24-E1A on SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. We amplified IL-24 gene by PCR using pAdTrack-IL-24 as template. The IL-24 gene was cloned into pAdTrack-IRES at the Bgl II and Sal I site to form pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES. E1A digested from pAdTrack-E1A was cloned into the pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES at the Xho I and EcoR V site to form the pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES-E1A. We co-transformed both pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES-E1A and pAdeasy-1 digested by Pme I and packaged to obtain Ad-IL-24-E1A. Ad-IL-24-E1A at 50 MOI infected SMMC-7721 cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay determined cell proliferation. Flow cytometry detected Cell apoptosis. The apoptotic rate of SMMC-7721 cells was 52% 48 h after infection with Ad-IL-24-E1A. The result showed that the growth of SMMC-7721 cells was significantly inhibited by Ad-IL-24-E1A at the MOI of 50.
11: International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer, 2009 Nov 30,
Targeting gene-virotherapy for Prostate cancer by DD3-driven oncolytic virus harboring IL-24 gene.

[Abstract]Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths Western male population. Previous studies have demonstrated that differential display code 3 (DD3 or DD3(PCA3)) is one of the most prostate cancer specific genes; therefore, it has been used as a clinical diagnostic marker for prostate cancer. In this study, we constructed an oncolytic adenovirus Ad.DD3-E1A by utilizing the minimal DD3 promoter to replace the native viral promoter of E1A gene. In addition, Ad.DD3-E1A was armed with therapeutic gene IL-24 to enhance its antitumor activity. The resulting adenovirus, Ad.DD3-E1A-IL-24, demonstrated prostate cancer specificity and excellent antitumor effect. Further analyses on its antitumor mechanism revealed that it has the capacity to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis. These results suggest that Ad.DD3-E1A-IL-24 is a promising anti-tumor agent that may be able to be used in the future as a treatment for prostate cancer. (c) 2009 UICC.
12: Journal of cellular physiology, 2009 Nov 23,
Ceramide plays a prominent role in MDA-7/IL-24-induced cancer-specific apoptosis.

[Abstract]Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) uniquely displays broad cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing activity through induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesize that ceramide, a promoter of apoptosis, might contribute to mda-7/IL-24 induction of apoptosis. Ad.mda-7-infected tumor cells, but not normal cells, showed increased ceramide accumulation. Infection with Ad.mda-7 induced a marked increase in various ceramides (C16, C24, C24:1) selectively in prostate cancer cells. Inhibiting the enzyme serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) using the potent SPT inhibitor myriocin (ISP1), impaired mda-7/IL-24-induced apoptosis and ceramide production, suggesting that ceramide formation caused by Ad.mda-7 occurs through de novo synthesis of ceramide and that ceramide is required for mda-7/IL-24-induced cell death. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) elevated ceramide formation as well as apoptosis induced by Ad.mda-7, suggesting that ceramide formation may also occur through the salvage pathway. Additionally, Ad.mda-7 infection enhanced expression of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) with a concomitant increase in ASMase activity and decreased sphingomyelin in cancer cells. ASMase silencing by RNA interference inhibited the decreased cell viability and ceramide formation after Ad.mda-7 infection. Ad.mda-7 activated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and promoted dephosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic molecule BCL-2, a downstream ceramide-mediated pathway of mda-7/IL-24 action. Pretreatment of cells with FB1 or ISP-1 abolished the induction of ER stress markers (BiP/GRP78, GADD153 and pospho-eIF2alpha) triggered by Ad.mda-7 infection indicating that ceramide mediates ER stress induction by Ad.mda-7. Additionally, recombinant MDA-7/IL-24 protein induced cancer-specific production of ceramide. These studies define ceramide as a key mediator of an ER stress pathway that may underlie mda-7/IL-24 induction of cancer-specific killing. J. Cell. Physiol. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
13: Cancer investigation, 2009 Nov 16,
Recombinant Human Interleukin-24 Suppresses Gastric Carcinoma Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo.

[Abstract]ABSTRACT Previous studies have demonstrated that interleukin-24 [IL-24; originally called melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7)] as a novel tumor suppressor gene has tumor-suppressive activity against a broad spectrum of human cancers. However, the therapeutic effect of the recombinant human IL-24 (rhIL-24) protein purified from prokaryotic cells on gastric cancer has not been reported. In this study, we purified soluble rhIL-24 using Q-Sepharose column after the denaturing and renaturing process from the protein of Escherichia coli BL21 transfected with pET-21a(+)-hIL-24 vector and treated by isopropyl-beta -D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) for enhanced expression of transgene rhIL-24. We demonstrated that rhIL-24 was capable of inducing in vitro apoptosis of SGC7901 gastric cancer cells and activating peripheral blood mononuclear cellsto secrete cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. We also showed that rhIL-24 was able to inhibit formation of blood capillaries on chicken embryonic allantois and in vivo tumor angiogenesis leading to suppressing SGC7901 gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo possibly due to its downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and CD34. Therefore, our results indicate that rhIL-24 has potent suppressive effect on human SGC7901 gastric carcinoma cell line and warrant its further investigation for therapeutic application against gastric cancer.
14: Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology, 2009 Jul, 25(7)
[Construction of adenovirus vector expressing IL-24 and E1A and its inhibition of SMMC-7721]

[Abstract]We constructed the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing IL-24 and E1A (Ad-IL-24-E1A) and investigated the inhibition of Ad-IL-24-E1A on SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. We amplified IL-24 gene by PCR using pAdTrack-IL-24 as template. The IL-24 gene was cloned into pAdTrack-IRES at the Bgl II and Sal I site to form pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES. E1A digested from pAdTrack-E1A was cloned into the pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES at the Xho I and EcoR V site to form the pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES-E1A. We co-transformed both pAdTrack-IL-24-IRES-E1A and pAdeasy-1 digested by Pme I and packaged to obtain Ad-IL-24-E1A. Ad-IL-24-E1A at 50 MOI infected SMMC-7721 cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay determined cell proliferation. Flow cytometry detected Cell apoptosis. The apoptotic rate of SMMC-7721 cells was 52% 48 h after infection with Ad-IL-24-E1A. The result showed that the growth of SMMC-7721 cells was significantly inhibited by Ad-IL-24-E1A at the MOI of 50.
15: European journal of immunology, 2009 Oct 14, 25(7)
IL-24 protects against Salmonella typhimurium infection by stimulating early neutrophil Th1 cytokine production, which in turn activates CD8(+) T cells.

[Abstract]Salmonella are important intracellular pathogens in humans and other animal hosts. IL-24 is a novel tumour suppressor and can mediate induction of Th1-type cytokines from PBMC. However, the immunological consequence of this cytokine during intracellular pathogen infection in vivo remains unclear. In the present study, we used a virulent S. typhimurium C5 infected mouse model of typhoid fever to demonstrate that administration of exogenous IL-24 had a protective effect against the bacteria. The IL-24 glycosylation site mutant, in contrast, showed a decreased protective effect. Furthermore, the protective effect of IL-24 was abrogated in IFN-gamma KO mice. More importantly, we demonstrated that IL-24 predominately stimulated neutrophils to produce IFN-gamma and IL-12, subsequently activating CD8(+) T cells both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, IL-24 could induce neutrophils to produce NO. These data indicate that the neutrophils activated by IL-24 may play important roles in host defence against Salmonella infection in vivo. Our findings support the development of a novel cytokine immunotherapy against Salmonella.
16: Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, 2009 Dec 1, 25(7)
Interleukin-24: A Molecule with Potential Anti-Cancer Activity and a Cytokine in Search of a Function.

[Abstract]The gene encoding Melanoma-differentiation antigen-7 (MDA-7) was discovered more than 10 years ago. Its potential anti-cancer activity was surmised because its expression is inversely correlated with the cell proliferation status. Indeed adenoviral delivery of this gene proved to be efficient in killing several cancer cell lines and great strides have been made concerning its molecular ways of action. Later it was shown that mda7 encoded a secreted cytokine which belongs to the IL-10, class-II family of cytokines. We recently found that this molecule exerted apoptotic activity on stimulating but not on resting lymphocytes from a B cell leukaemia. This activity is distinct from that of intracellular MDA-7, and may pave the way for using the cytokine in cancers provided that they express the IL-24 Receptors; in this respect, melanomas are insensitive to the recombinant cytokine due to the lack of IL-24 receptors at their surface. In contrast to its anti-cancer activity, the immunological role of IL-24 is still unclear, with differences between mice and human. If however it is demonstrated that IL-24 can inhibit the function of STAT3 in normal lymphocytes as it is the case in leukemic cells, and given that STAT3 is needed for the differentiation of several lymphocyte subsets, this will give us hints as to the potential role of this cytokine in the immune system.
17: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 2009 Sep 4, 25(7)
An armed oncolytic adenovirus ZD55-IL-24 combined with ADM or DDP demonstrated enhanced antitumor effect in lung cancer.

[Abstract]Purpose. Oncolytic adenovirus such as ZD55 has become a promising anticancer agent for its efficient tumor-targeted replication and lysis capability. Armed with therapeutic gene IL-24 to generate a novel oncolytic adenovirus ZD55-IL-24, the antitumor efficiency of ZD55 is greatly increased. To explore the clinical application of ZD55-IL-24 in cancer therapy, the combination of gene-virotherapy (ZD55-IL-24) with chemotherapy was performed in this paper. Methods. The effect of this gene-virotherapy with chemotherapy on cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay in four types of cancer cell lines and one human normal cell line. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the replication of ZD55-IL-24 when adriamycin (ADM) or cisplatin (DDP) was administrated. The changes in caspase pathway were analyzed by Western blot. We further identify the combinational therapy in Balb/c nude mice with NCI-H460 xenograft. Results. ADM and DDP enhanced cell killing/inhibiting effects of ZD55-IL-24 in all the tumor cell lines, while no overlapping toxicity was observed in the normal liver cell line L-02. These chemo-agents inhibited the propagation of ZD55-IL-24 in NCI-H460 cells, but did not influence the expression of IL-24. Consistent with the results in vitro, the tumor growth of co-administration group was remarkably delayed, compared with single treatment groups (p<0.05). Conclusion. ZD55-IL-24 combined with ADM demonstrates improved killing effects against lung tumor xenograft.
18: The Journal of biological chemistry, 2009 Sep 4, 25(7)
Structural mapping of post-translational modifications in human interleukin-24: The role of N-linked glycosylation and disulfide bonds in secretion and activity.

[Abstract]Human interleukin 24 (IL-24) is unique among the IL-10 superfamily as there is considerable evidence that it possesses multiple anti-cancer properties, including direct tumor cell cytotoxicity, helper T cell (TH1) immune stimulation and anti-angiogenic activities. The primary sequence of human IL-24 differs from homologous cytokines, as it possesses three consensus N-linked glycosylation sites and the potential for a single disulfide bond. To address the significance of these modifications in human IL-24, we analyzed the relationship between post-translational modifications and the cytokine activity of the human IL-24 protein. In contrast to related interleukins, we identified a relationship between net glycosylation, protein solubility and cytokine activity. In addition, abrogation of the two cysteine residues by mutagenesis dramatically altered the ability of IL-24 to secrete from host cells, and resulted in the concomitant loss of IL-24 activity. We conclude that unlike other IL-10 family members, human IL-24 must be glycosylated to maintain solubility and bioavailability. Further, a single, unique disulfide bond is required for secretion and activity. These structure-function relationships show that while IL-24 is a member of the IL-19 subfamily of IL-10-like cytokines by sequence similarity, its surface properties and its distinctive disulfide arrangement make it unique. These observations could explain the novel biological activities measured of this cytokine. Understanding the structural basis of IL-24 activity will be important in the interpretation of the function of this cytokine and in the development of scale-up strategies for biophysical and clinical applications.
19: Cancer gene therapy, 2009 Sep 4, 25(7)
Inhibition of autophagy induced by overexpression of mda-7/interleukin-24 strongly augments the antileukemia activity in vitro and in vivo.

[Abstract]Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) is a novel candidate of tumor suppressor that can selectively induce apoptosis experimentally in a spectrum of human cancer cells including leukemia cells. However, a recent study suggests that mda-7/IL-24 promotes the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia B-cells. In this study, we showed that mda-7/IL-24 was constitutively expressed in leukemia cell lines and primary acute myeloid leukemia samples. Using a conditionally replicating adenovirus expressing mda-7/IL-24 (ZD55-IL-24), we showed that enforced expression of mda-7/IL-24 in leukemia cells induced autophagy, which was triggered by the upregulation of Beclin-1. Immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation studies suggested that mda-7/IL-24 protein interacts with Beclin-1. Class III PI3K/Beclin-1 complex was shown involved in the mda-7/IL-24-induced autophagy. Moreover, autophagy inhibition by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, resulted in a reduced Beclin-1 expression and autophagosome formation associated with significantly enhanced cell death. Importantly, the combination of ZD55-IL-24 with wortmannin elicited a strongly enhanced antileukemia efficacy in established leukemia xenografts. These results suggest that mda-7/IL-24-induced autophagy in leukemia cells may provide survival advantage and mda-7/IL-24 combined with agents that disrupt autophagy is a promising new strategy for the treatment of leukemia.Cancer Gene Therapy advance online publication, 4 September 2009; doi:10.1038/cgt.2009.57.
20: Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT, 2009 Aug, 8(4)
Expression pattern of mda-7/IL-24 receptors in liver cancer cell lines.

[Abstract]BACKGROUND: The mda-7/IL-24 receptor belongs to the type II cytokine receptor family, and its two heterodimeric receptors are IL-22R1/IL-20R2 and IL-20R1/IL-20R2. Mda-7/IL-24 receptor expression in liver cancer cell lines has not yet been described. This information may be helpful for further clinical gene therapy. METHODS: With normal skin total RNA as template, the cDNA sequences of IL-20R1, IL-20R2 and IL-22R were amplified by RT-PCR. Total RNA was extracted from cultured liver cancer cell lines and a normal liver cell line, then detected by northern blotting, and the expression of mda-7/IL-24 receptors was analyzed. RESULTS: PLC/PRF/5 and SMMC-7721 expressed IL-20R1; BEL-7402, Hep3B, HepG2, and PLC/PRF/5 expressed IL-20R2; and HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 expressed IL-22R. Only HepG2 expressed the IL-22R/IL-20R2 receptor complex. PLC/PRF/5 completely expressed both heterodimeric receptors. Huh-7, QGY-7701 and WRL-68 did not express the IL-24 receptor. CONCLUSION: Complete mda-7/IL-24 receptors are seldom expressed in liver cancer cell lines.
21: Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology, 2009 Feb, 25(2)
[Adenovirus mediated IL-24 gene expression inhibits growth of human glioma cell in vitro]

[Abstract]To investigate the inhibitory effect and anti-cancer mechanism of adenovirus mediated IL-24 gene expression on the human U251 glioma cell. U251 glioma cells were infected with Ad-IL-24 at various multiplicity of infection (MOIs). Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and Hochest staining. The transcription of apoptosis-related genes was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blotting. The result showed that the growth of U251 glioma cells was significantly inhibited by Ad-IL-24 at the MOI of 100. The apoptotic rate of U251 glioma cells was 42% 72 h after infection with Ad-IL-24. Four days after infection, the growth of the U251 glioma cells was inhibited to 50%. RT-PCR showed that Ad-IL-24 not only up-regulated expression of bax/bcl-2, ICE, C-myc, p53 and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1alpha, but also enhanced Caspase-3 activation, eventually resulting apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that infection of U251 glioma cells with Ad-IL-24 can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis significantly by the regulation of apoptosis-related genes.
22: Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2009 May 5, 25(7)
MDA-7/IL-24-induced cell killing in malignant renal carcinoma cells occurs by a ceramide/CD95/PERK-dependent mechanism.

[Abstract]Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) is a novel cytokine displaying selective apoptosis-inducing activity in transformed cells without harming normal cells. The present studies focused on clarifying the mechanism(s) by which glutathione S-transferase (GST)-MDA-7 altered cell survival of human renal carcinoma cells in vitro. GST-MDA-7 caused plasma membrane clustering of CD95 and the association of CD95 with procaspase-8. GST-MDA-7 lethality was suppressed by inhibition of caspase-8 or by overexpression of short-form cellular FLICE inhibitory protein, but only weakly by inhibition of cathepsin proteases. GST-MDA-7-induced CD95 clustering (and apoptosis) was blocked by knockdown of acidic sphingomyelinase or, to a greater extent, ceramide synthase-6 expression. GST-MDA-7 killing was, in parallel, dependent on inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and on CD95-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase-1/2 signaling. Knockdown of CD95 expression abolished GST-MDA-7-induced phosphorylation of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. GST-MDA-7 lethality was suppressed by knockout or expression of a dominant negative protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase that correlated with reduced c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase-1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and maintained extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation. GST-MDA-7 caused vacuolization of LC3 through a mechanism that was largely CD95 dependent and whose formation was suppressed by knockdown of ATG5 expression. Knockdown of ATG5 suppressed GST-MDA-7 toxicity. Our data show that in kidney cancer cells GST-MDA-7 induces ceramide-dependent activation of CD95, which is causal in promoting an endoplasmic reticulum stress response that activates multiple proapoptotic pathways to decrease survival. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(5):1280-91].
23: Cancer gene therapy, 2009 Oct, 16(10)
CRAdRGDflt-IL24 virotherapy in combination with chemotherapy of experimental glioma.

[Abstract]Malignant forms of glioma, the most common primary brain tumors, remain poorly responsive to multimodality therapeutic interventions, including chemotherapy. Suppressed apoptosis and extraordinary invasiveness are important distinctive features that contribute to the malignant phenotype of glioma. We have developed the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1/flt-1) conditional replicating adenoviral vector (CRAdRGDflt-IL24) encoding the interleukin-24 (IL-24) gene. We investigated whether a combination of CRAdRGDflt-IL24-mediated oncolytic virotherapy and chemotherapy using temozolomide (TMZ) produces increased cytotoxicity against human glioma cells in comparison with these agents alone. Combination of CRAdRGDflt-IL24 and TMZ significantly enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro, inhibited D54MG tumor growth and prolonged survival of mice harboring intracranial human glioma xenografts in comparison with CRAdRGDflt-IL24 or TMZ alone. These data indicate that combined treatment with CRAdRGDflt-IL24-mediated oncolytic virotherapy and TMZ chemotherapy provides a promising approach for glioma therapy.
24: Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT, 2009 Apr, 8(2)
Targeted IL-24 gene therapy inhibits cancer recurrence after liver tumor resection by inducing tumor cell apoptosis in nude mice.

[Abstract]BACKGROUND: Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a novel candidate tumor suppressor that induces tumor cell apoptosis experimentally in a variety of human malignant cells including liver cancer cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential effect of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated IL-24 gene therapy on tumor recurrence and metastasis by inducing tumor cell apoptosis in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in nude mice. METHODS: We established a recurrent and metastatic HCC model in nude mice and constructed an rAAV vector carrying alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter for expressing the IL-24 gene (rAVV/AFP/IL-24). The vector was administered by regional injection (liver incisal margin). AFP was detected by radiation immunoassay. Histological evaluation of tumor recurrence and metastasis was performed for the liver and lung. The effect of tumor cell apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL analysis. RESULTS: IL-24 gene therapy prevented tumor recurrence and metastasis, as evidenced by marked decreases in the number of metastatic tumor nodules and tumor volume in the liver and lung. At the same time, serum AFP concentration decreased markedly in the IL-24 group compared with the control or rAAV groups (P<0.05). IL-24 gene therapy inhibited tumor recurrence and metastasis as evidenced by the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that targeted IL-24 gene therapy was effective in the prevention of postoperative recurrence and metastasis in an HCC nude mice model by induction of tumor cells apoptosis with potential minimum tumor burden.
25: Human gene therapy, 2009 Aug, 20(8)
Potent antitumor effect of interleukin-24 gene in the survivin promoter and retinoblastoma double-regulated oncolytic adenovirus.

[Abstract]Interleukin (IL)-24 is an excellent therapeutic gene for cancer therapy. In this work, IL-24 was inserted into Ad.sp-E1A(Delta24), an oncolytic adenovirus with a 24-bp deletion in the E1A gene, which was driven by the survivin promoter to form Ad.sp-E1A(Delta24)-IL-24. Ad.sp-E1A(Delta24)-IL-24 has an excellent antitumor effect in vitro for human nasopharyngeal, liver, lung, and cervical carcinoma cell lines but does no or little damage to normal cell lines L-02 and WI38. Furthermore, it achieved nearly complete inhibition (although not elimination) of NCI-H460 lung carcinoma growth in nude mice. The antitumor efficacy of Ad.sp-E1A(Delta24)-IL-24 on NCI-H460 cells was clearly mediated by apoptosis, because it induced caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. This is the first report of Ad.sp-E1A(Delta24)-IL-24 with such an excellent, broad, and specific antitumor effect in vitro and nearly complete inhibition of lung tumor growth in vivo.
26: Cancer biology & therapy, 2009 Mar, 8(5)
Historical perspective and recent insights into our understanding of the molecular and biochemical basis of the antitumor properties of mda-7/IL-24.

[Abstract]A subtraction hybridization approach combined with a differentiation therapy model of human melanoma identified melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7) as a gene upregulated during induction of terminal differentiation. Based on conserved structure, chromosomal location and cytokine-like properties, mda-7, has now been classified as a member of the expanding interleukin (IL)-10 gene family and designated as mda-7/IL-24. Extensive in vitro and in vivo human tumor xenograft studies confirm that mda-7/IL-24 induces apoptosis specifically in tumor cells without harming normal cells. Unique properties of mda-7/IL-24 action also include potent "bystander antitumor" activity, an ability to exert anti-angiogenic effects, immune modulating ability and a capacity to enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy. Very recent studies from our groups further reveal autocrine regulation and chemoprevention facilitating properties of mda-7/IL-24. Based on these remarkable antitumor attributes, mda-7/IL-24 was evaluated by intratumoral injection with a replication incompetent adenovirus expressing this gene (Ad.mda-7; INGN 241) in a phase I clinical trial in patients with metastatic melanomas and other advanced solid cancers. mda-7/IL-24 was well tolerated with significant clinical activity. This review highlights our current understanding of the molecular and biochemical basis of mda-7/IL-24 antitumor properties and highlights its potential as a viable gene-based therapy for a wide spectrum of primary and advanced cancers.
27: Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 2009 Apr, 30(4)
Enhancement of tumor cell death by combining cisplatin with an oncolytic adenovirus carrying MDA-7/IL-24.

[Abstract]AIM: The aim of this study was to creatively implement a novel chemo-gene-virotherapeutic strategy and further strengthen the antitumor effect in cancer cells by the combined use of ZD55-IL-24 and cisplatin. METHODS: ZD55-IL-24 is an oncolytic adenovirus that harbors interleukin 24 (IL-24), which has a strong antitumor effect and was identified and evaluated by PCR, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. Enhancement of cancer cell death using a combination of ZD55-IL-24 and cisplatin was assessed in several cancer cell lines by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cytopathic effect (CPE) assay. Apoptosis induction by treatment with ZD55-IL-24 and/or cisplatin was detected in BEL7404 and SMMC7721 by morphological evaluation, apoptotic cell staining, and flow cytometry analysis. In addition, negative effects on normal cells were evaluated in the L-02 cell line using the MTT assay, the CPE assay, morphological evaluation, apoptotic cell staining, and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The combination of ZD55-IL-24 and cisplatin, which is superior to ZD55-IL-24, cisplatin, and ZD55-EGFP, as well as ZD55-EGFP plus cisplatin, resulted in a significantly increased effect. Most importantly, conjugation of ZD55-IL-24 with cisplatin had toxic effects equal to that of cisplatin and did not have overlapping toxicities in normal cells. CONCLUSION: This study showed that ZD55-IL-24 conjugated with cisplatin exhibited a remarkably increased cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effect in cancer cells and significantly reduced the toxicity in normal cells through the use of a reduced dose.
28: Molecular cancer research : MCR, 2009 Mar, 7(3)
Interleukin-24 induces expression of beta4 integrin but suppresses anchorage-independent growth of rat mammary tumor cells by a mechanism that is independent of beta4.

[Abstract]Wistar-Furth rats develop multiple mammary adenocarcinomas following initiation with methylnitrosourea, whereas Copenhagen rats are resistant to the development of mammary tumors. We have previously isolated cell lines from tumors induced in resistant Copenhagen x Wistar-Furth F(1) rats by infusion of a retrovirus harboring v-Ha-ras directly into the main mammary ducts. Some of the cell lines were able to grow in soft agar, but a significant number did not display anchorage-independent growth. Here, we compared by microarray analysis genes that are differentially expressed in these cell lines. The expression of interleukin-24 (IL-24) and beta(4) integrin was highly correlated with the inability of cells to grow in soft agar. Ectopic expression of IL-24 in anchorage-independent cells inhibited their growth in monolayer culture, in soft agar, and in nude mice in vivo and inhibited their ability to migrate and invade in in vitro assays. Furthermore, growth suppression by IL-24 was associated with the transcriptional up-regulation of p27(Kip1) via the activation of Stat3. We showed, for the first time, that beta(4) integrin is a downstream target of IL-24. However, beta(4) does not play a direct role in regulating the proliferative capacity of rat mammary tumor cells. Our results show that IL-24 suppresses the growth of rat mammary carcinoma cells and may play a role in the resistance of Copenhagen rats to mammary carcinogenesis.
29: Chinese medical journal, 2008 Oct 20, 121(20)
Effect of recombinant adenovirus vector mediated human interleukin-24 gene transfection on pancreatic carcinoma growth.

[Abstract]BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor affecting an ever increasing number of patients with a mean 5-year survival rate below 4%. Therefore, gene therapy for cancer has become a potential novel therapeutic modality. In this study we sought to determine the inhibitory effects of adenovirus-mediated human interleukin-24 (AdhIL-24) on pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Human interleukin-24 gene was cloned into replication-defective adenovirus specific for patu8988 tumor cells by virus recombination technology. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were used to determine the expression of human interleukin-24 mRNA in patu8988 cells in vitro. Induction of apoptosis by overexpression of human interleukin-24 in patu8988 cells was determined by flow cytometry. In vivo efficacy of adenoviral delivery of human interleukin-24 was assessed in nude mice (n = 10 for each group) bearing patu8988 pancreatic cancer cell lines by determining inhibition of tumor growth, endothelial growth factor and CD34 expression, and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD). RESULTS: The recombinant adenovirus vector AdVGFP/IL-24 was constructed with a packaged recombinant retrovirus titer of 1.0 x 10(10) pfu/ml and successfully expressed of both mRNA and protein in patu8988 cells. The AdVGFP/IL-24 induced apoptosis of patu8988 tumor cells in vitro and significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.05). The intratumoral MVD decreased significantly in the treated tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The recombinant adenovirus AdGFP/IL-24 can effectively express biologically active human interleukin-24, which results in inhibition of pancreatic cancer growth.
30: Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2008 Dec, 7(12)
Interleukin-24 overcomes temozolomide resistance and enhances cell death by down-regulation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in human melanoma cells.

[Abstract]Melanoma is the most malignant of skin cancers, highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Temozolomide, a promising new derivative of dacarbazine, is currently being tested for treatment of metastatic melanoma. Resistance to alkylating agents such as temozolomide correlates with increased expression of DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Interleukin-24 (IL-24; mda-7) is a tumor suppressor cytokine that selectively inhibits tumor cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in melanoma cell lines and solid tumors. This tumor-selective activity has been observed in multiple preclinical animal models and in clinical trials. In this study, we analyzed the ability of Ad-IL-24 and its protein product, IL-24, to overcome temozolomide resistance in human melanoma cells. We have shown that Ad-IL-24 via exogenous IL-24 protein induces combinatorial synergy of temozolomide-induced cell killing in temozolomide-resistant melanoma cells by inhibition of MGMT. Neutralizing antibodies against IL-24 or its receptors significantly blocked the apoptotic activity of IL-24 + MGMT treatment. We show that accumulation of functional p53 is essential for IL-24-induced down-regulation of MGMT. Using either MGMT small interfering RNA, p53 small interfering RNA, or a p53 dominant-negative mutant to block MGMT protein expression resulted in increased sensitization to temozolomide. However, MGMT blockade in combination with IL-24 + temozolomide resulted in loss of combinatorial synergy, indicating that MGMT expression is required for the reversal of temozolomide resistance in melanoma cells. This study shows that IL-24 can play a significant role in overcoming temozolomide resistance and that the clinical efficacy of temozolomide may be improved by using a biochemotherapy combination with IL-24.
31: Cancer biotherapy & radiopharmaceuticals, 2008 Aug, 23(4)
Inhibition of pancreatic carcinoma growth by adenovirus-mediated human interleukin-24 expression in animal model.

[Abstract]Interleukin-24 (IL-24) has been shown to be a tumor-suppressor gene and the protein product found to be constitutively expressed by melanocytes, nerve cells, and some primary melanomas. The potential effect of adenovirus (AdV)-mediated IL-24 gene therapy was explored on human pancreatic carcinoma by using a pancreatic carcinoma cell line, patu8988. A recombinant adenovirus, AdVGFP/IL-24, expressing the marker, green fluorescent protein (GFP), and the tumor-suppressor gene, IL-24, was constructed. AdVGFP/IL-24 treatment of pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro significantly induced pancreatic carcinoma cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis, compared with AdVGFP without IL-24 expression. In nude mice bearing patu8988 tumors, intratumoral injections of AdVGFP/IL-24 significantly inhibited pancreatic carcinoma growth. In addition, the molecular mechanism of tumor suppression was elucidated by downregulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, CD34, and Bcl-2, as well as inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, AdVGFP/IL-24 has the potential to serve as a novel tool for pancreatic carcinoma gene therapy.

Home . Site Map . Advance Search . Privacy . Legal . Web Feedback
Copyright 2008, Cytokina Inc.  All right reserved.