Immune-system-dependent anti-tumor activity of a plant-derived polyphenol rich fraction in a melanoma mouse model

Cell Death Dis. 2016 Jun 2;7(6):e2243. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.134.

Abstract

Recent findings suggest that part of the anti-tumor effects of several chemotherapeutic agents require an intact immune system. This is in part due to the induction of immunogenic cell death. We have identified a gallotannin-rich fraction, obtained from Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) as an anti-tumor agent in both breast carcinoma and melanoma. Here, we report that P2Et treatment results in activation of caspase 3 and 9, mobilization of cytochrome c and externalization of annexin V in tumor cells, thus suggesting the induction of apoptosis. This was preceded by the onset of autophagy and the expression of immunogenic cell death markers. We further demonstrate that P2Et-treated tumor cells are highly immunogenic in vaccinated mice and induce immune system activation, clearly shown by the generation of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) producing tyrosine-related protein 2 antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, the tumor protective effects of P2Et treatment were abolished in immunodeficient mice, and partially lost after CD4 and CD8 depletion, indicating that P2Et's anti-tumor activity is highly dependent on immune system and at least in part of T cells. Altogether, these results support the hypothesis that the gallotannin-rich fraction P2Et's anti-tumor effects are mediated to a great extent by the endogenous immune response following to the exposure to immunogenic dying tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Calreticulin / metabolism
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Caspase 9 / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Calreticulin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Doxorubicin
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 9