BNIP3 overexpression may promote myeloma cell apoptosis by enhancing sensitivity to bortezomib via the p38 MAPK pathway

Abstract

Background: BCL2-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) expression varies among cancers, and its role in myeloma cells remains unknown. We investigated the role of BNIP3 overexpression in myeloma cells, and particularly its effects on apoptosis and mitochondria.

Methods: A BNIP3-overexpressing plasmid was transfected into the MM.1S and RPMI8226 myeloma cell lines. Transfected cell apoptosis rate and mitochondrial function were determined via flow cytometry and western blotting. We verified the signaling pathway underlying myeloma cell sensitivity to bortezomib (BTZ).

Results: Cell lines carrying the BNIP3-overexpressing plasmid exhibited higher rates of apoptosis and expression of Bax and Cleaved caspase 3 protein than the vector group, and less Bcl-2 protein expression than the control cells. Relative to the vector group, BNIP3-overexpressing strains contained more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exhibited mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) upregulation and mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) downregulation. BTZ supplementation increased BNIP3 expression. Relative to the BNIP3-OE group, the BNIP3-OE BTZ-treated group exhibited upregulated Bax and Cleaved caspase 3 protein expression, downregulated Bcl-2 protein expression, higher apoptosis rates, ROS levels, MMP, and Drp1 expression, and lower Mfn1 expression. BTZ treatment induced p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway activation in BNIP3-OE cells. Upon adding N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, the affected index levels returned to the baseline.

Conclusions: BNIP3 overexpression induced apoptosis in myeloma cells and increased myeloma cell sensitivity to BTZ. These effects may be mediated by the ROS/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Keywords: BCL2-interacting protein 3; Multiple myeloma; apoptosis; mitochondrion; p38 MAPK; reactive oxygen species.