Shiga toxin 1, as DNA repair inhibitor, synergistically potentiates the activity of the anticancer drug, mafosfamide, on raji cells

Toxins (Basel). 2013 Feb 21;5(2):431-44. doi: 10.3390/toxins5020431.

Abstract

Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1), produced by pathogenic Escherichia coli, targets a restricted subset of human cells, which possess the receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer/CD77), causing hemolytic uremic syndrome. In spite of the high toxicity, Stx1 has been proposed in the treatment of Gb3Cer/CD77-expressing lymphoma. Here, we demonstrate in a Burkitt lymphoma cell model expressing this receptor, namely Raji cells, that Stx1, at quasi-non-toxic concentrations (0.05-0.1 pM), inhibits the repair of mafosfamide-induced DNA alkylating lesions, synergistically potentiating the cytotoxic activity of the anticancer drug. Conversely, human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60, which do not express Gb3Cer/CD77, were spared by the toxin as previously demonstrated for CD34+ human progenitor cells, and hence, in this cancer model, no additive nor synergistic effects were observed with the combined Stx1/mafosfamide treatment. Our findings suggest that Stx1 could be used to improve the mafosfamide-mediated purging of Gb3Cer/CD77+ tumor cells before autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / analogs & derivatives*
  • DNA Repair / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Shiga Toxin 1 / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Shiga Toxin 1
  • mafosfamide
  • Cyclophosphamide