Antibody-induced nonapoptotic cell death in human lymphoma and leukemia cells is mediated through a novel reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway

Blood. 2012 Apr 12;119(15):3523-33. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-12-395541. Epub 2012 Feb 21.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Although Fc-dependent mechanisms of mAb-mediated tumor clearance have been extensively studied, the ability of mAbs to directly evoke programmed cell death (PCD) in the target cell and the underlying mechanisms involved remain under-investigated. We recently demonstrated that certain mAbs (type II anti-CD20 and anti-HLA DR mAbs) potently evoked PCD through an actin-dependent, lysosome-mediated process. Here, we reveal that the induction of PCD by these mAbs, including the type II anti-CD20 mAb GA101 (obinutuzumab), directly correlates with their ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human B-lymphoma cell lines and primary B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. ROS scavengers abrogated mAb-induced PCD indicating that ROS are required for the execution of cell death. ROS were generated downstream of mAb-induced actin cytoskeletal reorganization and lysosome membrane permeabilization. ROS production was independent of mitochondria and unaffected by BCL-2 overexpression. Instead, ROS generation was mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. These findings provide further insights into a previously unrecognized role for NADPH oxidase-derived ROS in mediating nonapoptotic PCD evoked by mAbs in B-cell malignancies. This newly characterized cell death pathway may potentially be exploited to eliminate malignant cells, which are refractory to conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / metabolism
  • Leukemia / pathology*
  • Lymphoma / genetics
  • Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / physiology
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NADPH Oxidases / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • NADPH Oxidases / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • CYBB protein, human
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • obinutuzumab