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NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sobhakumari, A; Schickling, BM; Love-Homan, L; Raeburn, A; Fletcher, EVM; Case, AJ; Domann, FE; Miller, FJ; Simons, AL
Published in: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol
November 1, 2013

Most head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and EGFR inhibitors are routinely used in the treatment of HNSCC. However, many HNSCC tumors do not respond or become refractory to EGFR inhibitors. Autophagy, which is a stress-induced cellular self-degradation process, has been reported to reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy in various disease models. The purpose of this study is to determine if the efficacy of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib is reduced by activation of autophagy via NOX4-mediated oxidative stress in HNSCC cells. Erlotinib induced the expression of the autophagy marker LC3B-II and autophagosome formation in FaDu and Cal-27 cells. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine and knockdown of autophagy pathway genes Beclin-1 and Atg5 sensitized both cell lines to erlotinib-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that autophagy may serve as a protective mechanism. Treatment with catalase (CAT) and diphenylene iodonium (DPI) in the presence of erlotinib suppressed the increase in LC3B-II expression in FaDu and Cal-27 cells. Erlotinib increased NOX4 mRNA and protein expression by increasing its promoter activity and mRNA stability in FaDu cells. Knockdown of NOX4 using adenoviral siNOX4 partially suppressed erlotinib-induced LC3B-II expression, while overexpression of NOX4 increased expression of LC3B-II. These studies suggest that erlotinib may activate autophagy in HNSCC cells as a pro-survival mechanism, and NOX4 may play a role in mediating this effect.

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Published In

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol

DOI

EISSN

1096-0333

Publication Date

November 1, 2013

Volume

272

Issue

3

Start / End Page

736 / 745

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Toxicology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Quinazolines
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • Humans
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
 

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Sobhakumari, A., Schickling, B. M., Love-Homan, L., Raeburn, A., Fletcher, E. V. M., Case, A. J., … Simons, A. L. (2013). NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 272(3), 736–745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2013.07.013
Sobhakumari, Arya, Brandon M. Schickling, Laurie Love-Homan, Ayanna Raeburn, Elise V. M. Fletcher, Adam J. Case, Frederick E. Domann, Francis J. Miller, and Andrean L. Simons. “NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 272, no. 3 (November 1, 2013): 736–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2013.07.013.
Sobhakumari A, Schickling BM, Love-Homan L, Raeburn A, Fletcher EVM, Case AJ, et al. NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2013 Nov 1;272(3):736–45.
Sobhakumari, Arya, et al. “NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, vol. 272, no. 3, Nov. 2013, pp. 736–45. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.taap.2013.07.013.
Sobhakumari A, Schickling BM, Love-Homan L, Raeburn A, Fletcher EVM, Case AJ, Domann FE, Miller FJ, Simons AL. NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2013 Nov 1;272(3):736–745.
Journal cover image

Published In

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol

DOI

EISSN

1096-0333

Publication Date

November 1, 2013

Volume

272

Issue

3

Start / End Page

736 / 745

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Toxicology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Quinazolines
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • Humans
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride