RIPK3: Beyond Necroptosis

RIPK3 activation promotes DAXX-dependent neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice

BACKGROUND

Necroptosis induced by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is engaged in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) pathology. In this study, we explored the impact of RIPK3 activation on neuronal necroptosis and the mechanism of the death domain-associated protein (DAXX)-mediated nuclear necroptosis pathway after ICH.

METHODS

Potential molecules linked to the progression of ICH were discovered using RNA sequencing. The level of DAXX was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and western blotting. DAXX localization was determined by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. The RIPK3 inhibitor GSK872 and DAXX knockdown with shRNA-DAXX were used to examine the nuclear necroptosis pathway associated with ICH. Neurobehavioral deficit assessments were performed.

RESULTS

DAXX was increased in patients and mice after ICH. In an ICH mouse model, shRNA-DAXX reduced brain water content and alleviated neurologic impairments. GSK872 administration reduced the expression of DAXX. shRNA-DAXX inhibited the expression of p-MLKL. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays showed that RIPK3 and AIF translocated into the nucleus and then bound with nuclear DAXX.

CONCLUSIONS

RIPK3 revitalization promoted neuronal necroptosis in ICH mice, partially through the DAXX signaling pathway. RIPK3 and AIF interacted with nuclear DAXX to aggravate ICH injury.

The regulatory role of Pin1 in neuronal death

Regulated cell death predominantly involves apoptosis, autophagy, and regulated necrosis. It is vital that we understand how key regulatory signals can control the process of cell death. Pin1 is a cis-trans isomerase that catalyzes the isomerization of phosphorylated serine or threonine-proline motifs of a protein, thereby acting as a crucial molecular switch and regulating the protein functionality and the signaling pathways involved. However, we know very little about how Pin1-associated pathways might play a role in regulated cell death. In this paper, we review the role of Pin1 in regulated cell death and related research progress and summarize Pin1-related pathways in regulated cell death. Aside from the involvement of Pin1 in the apoptosis that accompanies neurodegenerative diseases, accumulating evidence suggests that Pin1 also plays a role in regulated necrosis and autophagy, thereby exhibiting distinct effects, including both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects. Gaining an enhanced understanding of Pin1 in neuronal death may provide us with new options for the development of therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders.

Cpd-42 protects against calcium oxalate nephrocalcinosis-induced renal injury and inflammation by targeting RIPK3-mediated necroptosis

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals, as the predominant component of human kidney stones, can trigger excessive cell death and inflammation of renal tubular epithelial cells, involved in the pathogenesis of nephrocalcinosis. Necroptosis mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) serves a critical role in the cytotoxicity of CaOx crystals. Here, we assessed the therapeutic potential of a novel RIPK3 inhibitor, compound 42 (Cpd-42), for CaOx nephrocalcinosis by comparison with dabrafenib, a classic RIPK3 inhibitor. Our results demonstrated that Cpd-42 pretreatment attenuated CaOx crystals-induced renal tubular epithelial cell (TEC) injury by inhibiting necroptosis and inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, in an established mouse model of CaOx nephrocalcinosis, Cpd-42 also reduced renal injury while improving the impaired kidney function and intrarenal crystal deposition. Consistent with this finding, Cpd-42 was confirmed to exhibit superior inhibition of necroptosis and protection against renal TEC injury compared to the classic RIPK3 inhibitor dabrafenib in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RIPK3 knockout (KO) tubular epithelial cells pretreated with Cpd-42 did not show further enhancement of the protective effect on crystals-induced cell injury and inflammation. We confirmed that Cpd-42 exerted protective effects by specifically targeting and inhibiting RIPK3-mediated necroptosis to block the formation of the RIPK1-RIPK3 necrosome. Taken together, targeted inhibition of RIPK3-mediated necroptosis with Cpd-42 may provide a potential therapeutic approach for CaOx nephrocalcinosis.

Feedback loop between fatty acid transport protein 2 and receptor interacting protein 3 pathways promotes polymorphonuclear neutrophil myeloid-derived suppressor cells-potentiated suppressive immunity in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) promote tumor immune tolerance and cause tumor immunotherapy failure. In this study, we found that high PMN-MDSCs infiltration, overexpressed fatty acid transporter protein 2 (FATP2) and underexpressed receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) existed in the mouse and human bladder cancer tissues. However, the related mechanisms remain largely unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Both FATP2 and RIPK3 expressions were associated with clinical stage. FATP2 knockout or up-regulating RIPK3 reduced the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in PMN-MDSCs, attenuated the suppressive activity of PMN-MDSCs on CD8⁺ T cells functions and inhibited the tumor growth. There was a PGE2-mediated feedback loop between FATP2 and RIPK3 pathways, which markedly promoted the immunosuppressive activity of PMN-MDSCs. Combination therapy with inhibition of FATP2 and activation of RIPK3 can effectively inhibit tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that a feedback loop between FATP2 and RIPK3 pathways in PMN-MDSCs significantly promoted the synthesis of PGE2, which severely impaired the CD8⁺ T cell functions. This study may provide new ideas for immunotherapy of human bladder cancer.

Targeting Necroptosis as a Promising Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible and progressive neurodegenerative disorder featured by memory loss and cognitive default. However, there has been no effective therapeutic approach to prevent the development of AD and the available therapies are only to alleviate some symptoms with limited efficacy and severe side effects. Necroptosis is a new kind of cell death, being regarded as a genetically programmed and regulated pattern of necrosis. Increasing evidence reveals that necroptosis is tightly related to the occurrence and development of AD. This review aims to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in AD progression and the therapeutic capacity of targeting necroptosis for AD patients.

The role of FUNDC1 in mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and human diseases

Mitochondria are the principal sites of energy metabolism and provide most of the energy needed for normal cellular function. They are dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fission, fusion and mitophagy to maintain their homeostasis and function. However, dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy leads to reduced ATP generation and mutation of their DNA, which ultimately leads to cell death. Increasing evidence has shown that the FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1), a novel mitophagy receptor, participates in the process of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy and plays a critical role in various human diseases. Herein, we review the role of FUNDC1 in mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics, thus providing a better understanding of the relationship between the two processes. Moreover, we summarize the treatments targeting FUNDC1, and suggest that FUNDC1 may represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of several human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

RIPK3 collaborates with RIPK1 to inhibit MAVS-mediated signaling during black carp antiviral innate immunity

Both the activation and attenuation of MAVS/IFN signaling are critical for host defensing against viral infection and thus lead to an elaborate regulation of MAVS-mediated signaling. However, the regulatory mechanisms concerning MAVS/IFN signaling in teleost fish are not well understood. RIPK3 has been identified as a key regulator of necroptosis, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling in human and mammals. Here we report the identification of the RIPK3 homologue from black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus (bcRIPK3) and describe its role in regulating MAVS/IFN signaling. qPCR results demonstrated that bcRIPK3 was transcriptionally activated in response to poly (I:C) or LPS stimulation. Immunoblot assay and immunofluorescent staining assay showed that bcRIPK3 was a cytosolic protein with molecular weights of 47 kDa. Like its mammalian counterparts, bcRIPK3 exhibited a conserved function in inducing cell death. The reporter assay and plaque assay showed that overexpression of bcRIPK3 restricted bcMAVS-activated transcription of the interferon promoters of black carp and zebrafish, and suppressed bcMAVS-mediated antiviral activity. Notably, EPC cells co-expressing bcRIPK3, bcRIPK1 and bcMAVS presented much attenuated antiviral activity than the cells co-expressing bcRIPK3 and bcMAVS; and the subsequent co-IP assay identified the interaction between bcRIPK3 and bcRIPK1. Our findings collectively elucidate for the first time in teleost that black carp RIPK3 interacts with RIPK1 to inhibit MAVS-mediated antiviral signaling.

Caveolin-1 as a possible target in the treatment for acne

Expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is an important pathophysiological factor in acne. Cav-1 strongly interacts with such well-recognized etiopathogenic factors such as hyperseborrhea, follicular hyperkeratinization and pathogenicity of Cutibacterium acnes. Cav-1 is a strong negative regulator of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) expression. It acts as a critical determinant of autophagy, which is significantly induced in acne lesions through C. acnes and by absorption of fatty acids. Cav-1 also demonstrates different correlations with the development of innate immunity. We propose that normalization of Cav-1 expression can serve as a target in anti-acne therapy.