BPIFB1 (LPLUNC1) inhibits radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting VTN expression

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Apr 1;9(4):432. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0409-0.

Abstract

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing-fold-containing family B member 1 (BPIFB1, previously named LPLUNC1) is highly expressed in the nasopharynx and significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Low expression is also associated with poor prognosis in patients with NPC. Radiotherapy is a routine treatment for NPC; however, radioresistance is a major cause of treatment failure. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of BPIFB1 in the radioresponse of NPC. Colony formation and cell survival results showed that BPIFB1 sensitized NPC cells to ionizing radiation. VTN, a previously identified BPIFB1-binding protein, was shown to induce cell proliferation and survival, G2/M phase arrest, DNA repair, activation of the ATM-Chk2 and ATR-Chk1 pathways, and anti-apoptotic effects after exposure to radiation, facilitating NPC cell radioresistance. However, BPIFB1 inhibited this VTN-mediated radioresistance, ultimately improving NPC radiosensitivity. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate the functions of BPIFB1 and VTN in the NPC radioresponse. Our findings indicated that promoting BPIFB1 expression and targeting VTN might represent new therapeutic strategies for NPC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins / metabolism
  • Autoantigens / genetics
  • Autoantigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • DNA Repair
  • Down-Regulation
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Radiation Tolerance*
  • Radiation, Ionizing
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Vitronectin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vitronectin / genetics
  • Vitronectin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • BPIFB1 protein, human
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • Vitronectin
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1