Tri-dimensional prostate cell cultures in simulated microgravity and induced changes in lipid second messengers and signal transduction

J Cell Mol Med. 2001 Jan-Mar;5(1):60-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2001.tb00138.x.

Abstract

The high aspect rotating-wall vessel (HARV) was designed to cultivate cells in an environment that simulate microgravity. We studied previously the effects of HARV cultivation on DU-145 human prostate carcinoma cells. We determined that HARV cultivation produced a less aggressive, slower growing, less proliferative, more differentiated and less pliant cell than other cell cultivation methods. The result was a 3-dimensional (3D) growth model of prostate cancer which mimics in vivo tissue growth. This work examines the signal transduction-second messenger pathways existing temporarily in these HARV cells and correlates these features with the special properties in growth and 3D spheroid formation. We found an initial very active ceramide, a diacylglycerol increase together with increases in PI-PLC and PLA(2) a central defect in PLD (no phosphatic acid or phosphatidylethanol at any time during 15 days of HARV cultivation). There is a cross-talk between ceramide and PI3K pathways with activation of PI3K, after 6 days of HARV growth concomitant with down-regulation of ceramide. At this time, there is also an increase of cAMP (seen by increases in arachidonic acid). Taken together these results can explain the 3D organoid-like growth. We therefore developed a model for growth in HARV prostate cancer cells which involve temporal "switches" between second messengers, activation and cross-talk between multiplicity of signaling pathways and a central defect in PLD pathways. Essential to the late slow growth, and 3D organotypic formation are the apoptotic, anti-survival, anti-proliferation and differentiation pathways in the first days of HARV, with growth of "new" different types of prostate cancer cells which set-up for later "switch" in ceramide-PI3K to survival and proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Ceramides / metabolism
  • Choline / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Diglycerides / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inositol Phosphates / metabolism
  • Male
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Prostate / cytology*
  • Prostate / metabolism*
  • Second Messenger Systems*
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Weightlessness Simulation*

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Diglycerides
  • Inositol Phosphates
  • Phospholipids
  • Choline