PLK1 (polo like kinase 1)-dependent autophagy facilitates gefitinib-induced hepatotoxicity by degrading COX6A1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6A1). Issue 10 (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Peihua; Yan, Hao; Du, Jiangxia; Chen, Xueqin; Shao, Jinjin; Zhang, Ying; Xu, Zhifei; Jin, Ying; Lin, Nengming; Yang, Bo; He, Qiaojun
• Is Part Of: Autophagy. Volume 17:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 3221
• Page End: 3237
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: Autophagy -- COX6A1 -- gefitinib -- hepatotoxicity -- PLK1; Autophagic vacuoles -- Periodicals; Apoptosis -- Periodicals; Cell death -- Periodicals; Lysosomes -- Periodicals; Degeneration (Pathology) -- Periodicals; Autophagy -- Periodicals; Cell Death -- Periodicals; Lysosomes -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 571.936
• DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1851492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1554-8627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Liver dysfunction is an outstanding dose-limiting toxicity of gefitinib, an EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gefitinib-induced hepatotoxicity, and provide potentially effective intervention strategy. We discovered that gefitinib could sequentially activate macroautophagy/autophagy and apoptosis in hepatocytes. The inhibition of autophagy alleviated gefitinib-induced apoptosis, whereas the suppression of apoptosis failed to lessen gefitinib-induced autophagy. Moreover, liver-specific Atg7 +/− heterozygous mice showed less severe liver injury than vehicle, suggesting that autophagy is involved in the gefitinib-promoted hepatotoxicity. Mechanistically, gefitinib selectively degrades the important anti-apoptosis factor COX6A1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6A1) in the autophagy-lysosome pathway. The gefitinib-induced COX6A1 reduction impairs mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV (RCC IV) function, which in turn activates apoptosis, hence causing liver injury. Notably, this autophagy-promoted apoptosis is dependent on PLK1 (polo like kinase 1). Both AAV8-mediated Plk1 knockdown and PLK1 inhibitor BI-2536 could mitigate the gefitinib-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo by abrogating the autophagic degradation of the COX6A1 protein. In addition, PLK1 inhibition could not compromise the anti-cancer activity of gefitinib. In conclusion, our findings reveal the gefitinib-hepatotoxicity pathway, wherein autophagy promotes apoptosis through COX6A1 degradation, and highlight pharmacological inhibition of PLK1 as an attractive therapeutic approach toward improving the safety of gefitinib-based cancer therapy. Abbreviations: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; AAV8: adeno-associated virus serotype 8; ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATG7: autophagy related 7; B2M: beta-2-microglobulin; CCCP: carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone; CHX: cycloheximide; COX6A1: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6A1; c-PARP: cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; CQ: chloroquine; GOT1/AST: glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1, soluble; GPT/ALT: glutamic pyruvic transaminase, soluble; HBSS: Hanks´ balanced salt solution; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated proteins 1 light chain 3; PLK1: polo like kinase 1; RCC IV: respiratory chain complex IV; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TUBB8: tubulin beta 8 class VIII