Targeting glucosylceramide synthase sensitizes imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia cells via endogenous ceramide accumulation

Purpose Drug resistance presents a major obstacle for the treatment of some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Pro-apoptotic ceramide mediates imatinib-induced apoptosis, and metabolism of ceramide by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) activity, converting ceramide to glucosyl ceramide, might contribute to imatinib resistance. In this study, we investigated the role of ceramide metabolism by GCS in the regulation of imatinib-induced apoptosis in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant K562 and K562/IMA-0.2 and K562/IMA-1 human CML cells, which exhibit about 2.3- and 19-fold imatinib resistance, respectively. Methods Cytotoxic effects of PDMP and imatinib were determined by XTT cell proliferation assay. Expression levels of GCS were determined by RT-PCR and western blot. Intracellular ceramide levels were determined by LC-MS. Cell viability analyses was conducted by Trypan blue dye exclusion assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis analyses were examined by flow cytometry. Results We first showed that mRNA and protein levels of GCS are increased in drug-resistant K562/IMA as compared to sensitive K562 cells. Next, forced expression of GCS in sensitive K562 cells conferred resistance to imatinib-induced apoptosis. In reciprocal experiments, targeting GCS using its known inhibitor, PDMP, enhanced ceramide accumulation and increased cell death in response to imatinib in K562/IMA cells. Conclusion Our data suggest the involvement of GCS in resistance to imatinib-induced apoptosis, and that targeting GCS by PDMP increased imatinib-induced cell death in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant K562 cells via enhancing ceramide accumulation.