Downregulation of c-Myc is involved in TLR3-mediated tumor death of neuroblastoma xenografts

Lab Invest. 2016 Jul;96(7):719-30. doi: 10.1038/labinvest.2016.57. Epub 2016 May 16.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the deadliest pediatric solid tumor due to its pleomorphic molecular characteristics. In the innate immune system, toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes viral double-stranded RNAs to initiate immune signaling. Positive TLR3 expression indicates a favorable prognosis in NB patients, and is associated with MYCN-non-amplified. However, TLR3-mediated innate immune responses remain elusive in NB. In this study, we attempted to dissect the molecular mechanism underlying TLR3-agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] treatment in NB in vivo. We established NB xenograft models in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice with MYCN-amplified SK-N-DZ (DZ) cells or MYCN-non-amplified SK-N-AS (AS) cells. Poly(I:C) treatment led to significant tumor regression in AS xenografts, but not in DZ xenografts. Through immunohistochemical analysis, significant suppression of tumor proliferation, downregulation of c-Myc expression, and upregulation of TLR3 expression were found in the treatment group. Poly(I:C) inducing activation of TLR3/IRF3-mediated innate immunity associated with downregulation of c-Myc can be found in MYCN-non-amplified SK-N-AS cells, but not in MYCN-amplified BE(2)-M17 cells. Knockdown of TLR3 disturbed poly(I:C)-induced suppression of c-Myc and upregulation of p-IRF3 in AS cells. Furthermore, poly(I:C) treatment upregulated active NF-κB, mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, which works with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage. Upregulation of active caspase 3 and cleaved poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 were found in poly(I:C)-treated AS xenografts, which indicates the induction of apoptosis. Thus, our results suggest that c-Myc overexpression may increase sensitivity to poly(I:C)-induced tumor growth arrest and ROS-mediated apoptosis in NB. This study demonstrates that c-Myc protein expression has an important role in TLR3-induced innate immune responses, providing future treatment recommendations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Genes, myc*
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunotherapy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics*
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • MYC protein, human
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • TLR3 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Poly I-C