Tamoxifen Sensitizes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells to Cannabidiol by Targeting Cyclophilin-D and Altering Mitochondrial Ca<sup>2+</sup> Homeostasis

oleh: Miguel Olivas-Aguirre, Liliana Torres-López, Zeferino Gómez-Sandoval, Kathya Villatoro-Gómez, Igor Pottosin, Oxana Dobrovinskaya

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-08-01

Deskripsi

Cytotoxic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and tamoxifen (TAM) have been observed in several cancer types. We have recently shown that CBD primarily targets mitochondria, inducing a stable mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and, consequently, the death of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. Mitochondria have also been documented among cellular targets for the TAM action. In the present study we have demonstrated a synergistic cytotoxic effect of TAM and CBD against T-ALL cells. By measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial calcium ([Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>m</sub>) and protein-ligand docking analysis we determined that TAM targets cyclophilin D (CypD) to inhibit mPTP formation. This results in a sustained [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>m</sub> overload upon the consequent CBD administration. Thus, TAM acting on CypD sensitizes T-ALL to mitocans such as CBD by altering the mitochondrial Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis.