Activation of caspase-3-like protease by digitonin-treated lysosomes

Optimization of a fluorogenic assay to determine caspase 3/7 activity in meat extracts

Usefulness of general-purpose fluorogenic assay kits to determine caspase 3/7 activity of biological extracts is highly compromised in meat-based samples due to their scarce enzyme concentration. In the present work, a straightforward protocol is presented with two main purposes: 1) to enhance sensitivity of the fluorogenic approach addressing caspase 3/7 activity in tissues showing scarce enzyme concentration such as skeletal muscle, and 2) to reduce/economize the volume of employed reagents. The enzyme extraction procedure, peptide substrate, dithiothreitol concentration and detection settings were appropriately optimized for use in microtiter-plate fluorometers. As a result, low to high enzyme activity extracts (from 10,000 to 260,000 relative fluorescence units) can be measured under developed sampling and experimental conditions. The fact that enzyme reactions took place in 96-microtiter well plates reduces the consumption of chemical compounds when analysing a high number of samples, thus contributing to environment sustainability.

Involvement of cystatin C in immunity and apoptosis

As an abundantly expressed cysteine protease inhibitor widely distributed in the organisms, cystatin C is involved in various physiological processes. Due to its relatively small molecular weight and easy detection, cystatin C is commonly used as a measure for glomerular filtration rate. In pathological conditions, however, growing evidences suggest that cystatin C is associated with various immune responses against either exogenous or endogenous antigens, which ultimately result in inflammatory autoimmune diseases or tumor development if not properly controlled. Thus the fluctuation of cystatin C levels might have more clinical implications than a reflection of kidney functions. Here, we summarize the latest development of studies on the pathophysiological functions of cystatin C, with focus on its immune regulatory roles at both cellular and molecular levels including antigen presentation, secretion of cytokines, synthesis of nitric oxide, as well as apoptosis. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications and therapeutic potentials of what this predominantly expressed protease inhibitor can bring to us.

Sub-lethal oxidative stress induces lysosome biogenesis via a lysosomal membrane permeabilization-cathepsin-caspase 3-transcription factor EB-dependent pathway

Here we provide evidence to link sub-lethal oxidative stress to lysosome biogenesis. Exposure of cells to sub-lethal concentrations of exogenously added hydrogen peroxide resulted in cytosol to nuclear translocation of the Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), the master controller of lysosome biogenesis and function. Nuclear translocation of TFEB was dependent upon the activation of a cathepsin-caspase 3 signaling pathway, downstream of lysosomal membrane permeabilization and accompanied by a significant increase in lysosome numbers as well as induction of TFEB-dependent lysosome-associated genes expression such as Ctsl, Lamp2 and its spliced variant Lamp2a, Neu1and Ctsb and Sqstm1 and Atg9b. The effects of sub-lethal oxidative stress on lysosomal gene expression and biogenesis were rescued upon gene silencing of caspase 3 and TFEB. Notably, caspase 3 activation was not associated with phenotypic hallmarks of apoptosis, evidenced by the absence of caspase 3 substrate cleavage, such as PARP, Lamin A/C or gelsolin. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time an unexpected and non-canonical role of a cathepsin-caspase 3 axis in the nuclear translocation of TFEB leading to lysosome biogenesis under conditions of sub-lethal oxidative stress.

Cathepsin B inhibitor improves developmental competency and cryo-tolerance of in vitro ovine embryos

Background

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease involved in apoptosis and oocytes which have lower developmental competence show higher expression of Cathepsin B. Furthermore, expression of Cathepsin B show a decreasing trend from oocyte toward blastocyst stage.

Results

Present study assessed the effect of cathepsin B inhibitor, E-64, on developmental competency and cryo-survival of pre-implantation ovine IVF derived embryos. Cathepsin B inhibitor was added during day 3 to 8 of development. One μM E-64 was defined as the optimal concentration required for improving blastocyst rate. This concentration also reduced DNA fragmentation and BAX as apoptotic markers while increasing total cell number per blastocyst and improving anti-apoptotic marker, the BCL2. We further showed that addition of 1.0 μM of E-64 during day 3 to 8 of development improved re-expansion and hatching rates of blastocysts post vitrification. E-64 also reduced rate of DNA fragmentation and BAX expression and increased total cell number per blastocyst and BCL2 expression post vitrification. However, addition of E-64 post vitrification reduced the hatching rate.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that inhibition of cathepsin B in IVC, not only improves quality and quantity of blastocysts but also improves the cryo-survival of in vitro derived blastocysts.

Cysteine proteases as therapeutic targets: does selectivity matter? A systematic review of calpain and cathepsin inhibitors

Cysteine proteases continue to provide validated targets for treatment of human diseases. In neurodegenerative disorders, multiple cysteine proteases provide targets for enzyme inhibitors, notably caspases, calpains, and cathepsins. The reactive, active-site cysteine provides specificity for many inhibitor designs over other families of proteases, such as aspartate and serine; however, a) inhibitor strategies often use covalent enzyme modification, and b) obtaining selectivity within families of cysteine proteases and their isozymes is problematic. This review provides a general update on strategies for cysteine protease inhibitor design and a focus on cathepsin B and calpain 1 as drug targets for neurodegenerative disorders; the latter focus providing an interesting query for the contemporary assumptions that irreversible, covalent protein modification and low selectivity are anathema to therapeutic safety and efficacy.

Natural lignans from Arctium lappa modulate P-glycoprotein efflux function in multidrug resistant cancer cells

Arctium lappa is a well-known traditional medicinal plant in China (TCM) and Europe that has been used for thousands of years to treat arthritis, baldness or cancer. The plant produces lignans as secondary metabolites which have a wide range of bioactivities. Yet, their ability to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells has not been explored. In this study, we isolated six lignans from A. lappa seeds, namely arctigenin, matairesinol, arctiin, (iso)lappaol A, lappaol C, and lappaol F. The MDR reversal potential of the isolated lignans and the underlying mechanism of action were studied using two MDR cancer cell lines, CaCo2 and CEM/ADR 5000 which overexpress P-gp and other ABC transporters. In two-drug combinations of lignans with the cytotoxic doxorubicin, all lignans exhibited synergistic effects in CaCo2 cells and matairesinol, arctiin, lappaol C and lappaol F display synergistic activity in CEM/ADR 5000 cells. Additionally, in three-drug combinations of lignans with the saponin digitonin and doxorubicin MDR reversal activity was even stronger enhanced. The lignans can increase the retention of the P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 in CEM/ADR 5000 cells, indicating that lignans can inhibit the activity of P-gp. Our study provides a first insight into the potential chemosensitizing activity of a series of natural lignans, which might be candidates for developing novel adjuvant anticancer agents.

Functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles as a platform for studying bio-nano interactions

Nanoparticles of various shapes, sizes, and materials carrying different surface modifications have numerous technological and biomedical applications. Yet, the mechanisms by which nanoparticles interact with biological structures as well as their biological impact and hazards remain poorly investigated. Due to their large surface to volume ratio, nanoparticles usually exhibit properties that differ from those of bulk materials. Particularly, the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles is crucial for their durability and solubility in biological media as well as for their biocompatibility and biodistribution. Polystyrene does not degrade in the cellular environment and exhibits no short-term cytotoxicity. Because polystyrene nanoparticles can be easily synthesized in a wide range of sizes with distinct surface functionalizations, they are perfectly suited as model particles to study the effects of the particle surface characteristics on various biological parameters. Therefore, we have exploited polystyrene nanoparticles as a convenient platform to study bio-nano interactions. This review summarizes studies on positively and negatively charged polystyrene nanoparticles and compares them with clinically used superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

The lysosome: from waste bag to potential therapeutic target

Lysosomes are ubiquitous membrane-bound intracellular organelles with an acidic interior. They are central for degradation and recycling of macromolecules delivered by endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy. In contrast to the rather simplified view of lysosomes as waste bags, nowadays lysosomes are recognized as advanced organelles involved in many cellular processes and are considered crucial regulators of cell homeostasis. The function of lysosomes is critically dependent on soluble lysosomal hydrolases (e.g. cathepsins) as well as lysosomal membrane proteins (e.g. lysosome-associated membrane proteins). This review focuses on lysosomal involvement in digestion of intra- and extracellular material, plasma membrane repair, cholesterol homeostasis, and cell death. Regulation of lysosomal biogenesis and function via the transcription factor EB (TFEB) will also be discussed. In addition, lysosomal contribution to diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, is presented.

Cathepsin B activity has a crucial role in the developmental competence of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes exposed to heat shock during in vitro maturation

Cathepsin B was found to be correlated inversely with the quality of bovine oocytes and embryos. The aims of this study were to evaluate i) the relationship between heat shock during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and cathepsin B activity in relation to apoptosis and ii) the effect of supplementation of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) during IVM of heat-shocked COCs on embryonic development. After IVM at 38.5 °C for 22 h (control group) or at 38.5 °C for 5 h followed by 41 °C for 17 h (heat shock group) either with or without 1 μM E-64, activities and protein expression of cathepsin B and caspase 3 were evaluated as well as TUNEL staining. After IVF, developmental rate, total cell number, and the percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were evaluated on day 8 (day 0, IVF day). Heat-shocked IVM COCs showed significantly high activities and expressions of both cathepsin B, and caspase 3 accompanied by a significant increase in number of TUNEL-positive cells. Addition of E-64 significantly decreased the activities of cathepsin B and caspase 3, and TUNEL-positive cells in heat-shocked IVM COCs. Moreover, addition of 1 μM E-64 during IVM under heat shock conditions significantly improved both developmental competence and quality of the produced embryos. These results indicate that heat shock induction of cathepsin B is associated with apoptosis of COCs, and inhibition of cathepsin B activity can improve the developmental competence of heat-shocked COCs during IVM.

Flow cytometric analysis of ca-induced membrane permeability transition of isolated rat liver mitochondria

The membrane permeability transition (MPT) of mitochondria plays an important role in the mechanism of apoptotic cell death in various cells. Classic type MPT is induced by Ca²⁺ in the presence of inorganic phosphate and respiratory substrate, and is characterized by various events including generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane depolarization, swelling, release of Ca²⁺ and high sensitivity to cyclosporine A. However, the sequence of these events and the effect of antioxidants on their events remain obscure. Flow cytometry is a convenient method to investigate the order of events among various functions occurring in MPT using a limited amount of mitochondria (200 µl of 0.02 mg protein/ml) without contamination by other organelles. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that Ca²⁺ sequentially induced ROS generation, depolarization, swelling and Ca²⁺ release in mitochondria by a cyclosporine A-inhibitable mechanism. These results were supported by the finding that Ca²⁺-induced MPT was inhibited by antioxidants, such as glutathione and N-acetylcysteine. It was also revealed that various inhibitors of Ca²⁺-induced phospholipase A₂ suppressed all of the events associated with Ca²⁺-induced MPT. These results suggested that ROS generation and phospholipase A₂ activation by Ca²⁺ underlie the mechanism of the initiation of MPT.

The role of lysosomal rupture in neuronal death

Apoptosis research in the past two decades has provided an enormous insight into its role in regulating cell death. However, apoptosis is only part of the story, and inhibition of neuronal necrosis may have greater impact than apoptosis, on the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Since the "calpain-cathepsin hypothesis" was first formulated, the calpain- and cathepsin-mediated regulation of necrotic cascades observed in monkeys, has been demonstrated to be a common neuronal death mechanism occurring from simpler organisms to humans. However, the detailed mechanism inducing lysosomal destabilization still remains poorly understood. Heat-shock protein-70 (Hsp70) is known to stabilize lysosomal membrane and protect cells from oxidative stress and apoptotic stimuli in many cell death pathways. Recent proteomics approach comparing pre- and post-ischemic hippocampal CA1 neurons as well as normal and glaucoma-suffered retina of primates, suggested that the substrate protein upon which activated calpain acts at the lysosomal membrane of neurons might be Hsp70. Understanding the interaction between activated calpains and Hsp70 will help to unravel the mechanism that destabilizes the lysosomal membrane, and will provide new insights into clarifying the whole cascade of neuronal necrosis. Although available evidence is circumferential, it is hypothesized that activated calpain cleaves oxidative stress-induced carbonylated Hsp70.1 (a major human Hsp70) at the lysosomal membrane, which result in lysosomal rupture/permeabilization. This review aims at highlighting the possible mechanism of lysosomal rupture in neuronal death by a modified "calpain-cathepsin hypothesis". As the autophagy-lysosomal degradation pathway is a target of oxidative stress, the implication of autophagy is also discussed.

The lysosome and neurodegenerative diseases

It has long been believed that the lysosome is an important digestive organelle. There is increasing evidence that the lysosome is also involved in pathogenesis of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Abnormal protein degradation and deposition induced by lysosomal dysfunction may be the primary contributor to age-related neurodegeneration. In this review, the possible relationship between lysosome and various neurodegenerative diseases is described.

In vivo effect of enalapril on lysosomal compartment isolated from kidney and liver of rats

INTRODUCTION

Angiotensin II (Ang II) inhibitory agents such as angiotensin-converting enyzme (ACE) inhibitors have been used as antihypertensive and anti-proteinuric drugs, attenuating the progression and inducing regression of glomerulosclerosis. The mechanisms related to the renoprotective effects of the ACE-inhibitors, although partly related to the blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), are not completely understood. Their effects on many cellular functions and intracellular components have not been directly studied. The aim of the present studies was to investigate the effect of enalapril on lysosomal activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two groups of Wistar rats were studied. The experimental group received enalapril, 50 mg/L, in the drinking water; the control group was submitted to the same conditions except for enalapril. After two weeks of treatment, each animal was sacrificed and samples of liver and kidney were individually collected, homogenised and subjected to differential centrifugation. The supernatant was utilised for evaluation of ortophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase as a marker of lysosome stability and the results expressed as specific units of phosphatase activity.

RESULTS

The mean specific activities of the lysosomal compartment isolated from kidneys of enalapril-treated rats showed a mean specific activity that was 17.6% higher than the control group; no: difference was found in the liver.

CONCLUSION

The present studies suggests that the beneficial effect of enalapril is not related to effects on lysosomal membrane.

Expression of the human Cathepsin L inhibitor hurpin in mice: skin alterations and increased carcinogenesis

The serine protease inhibitor (serpin) hurpin (serpin B13) is a cross class-specific inhibitor of the cysteine protease Cathepsin (Cat) L. Cat L is involved in lysosomal protein degradation, hair follicle morphogenesis, epidermal differentiation and epitope generation of antigens. Hurpin is a 44 kDa protein which is expressed predominantly in epidermal cells. In psoriatic skin samples, hurpin was strongly overexpressed when compared with normal skin. Keratinocytes overexpressing hurpin showed increased resistance towards UVB-induced apoptosis. To further analyse the functional importance of this inhibitor, we have generated transgenic mice with deregulated Cat L activity by expressing human hurpin in addition to the endogenous mouse inhibitor. The three independent transgenic lines generated were characterized by identical effects excluding insertional phenotypes. Macroscopically, mice expressing human hurpin are characterized by abnormal abdominal fur. The number of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 positive cells was reduced after UV-irradiation in transgenic animals compared with wild-type mice. Interestingly, after chemical carcinogenesis, transgenic mice showed an increased susceptibility to develop skin cancer. Array analysis of gene expression revealed distinct differences between wild-type and hurpin-transgenic mice. Among others, differentially expressed genes are related to antigen presentation and angiogenesis. These results suggest an important role of Cat L regulation by hurpin which might be of clinical relevance in human skin diseases.

Cystein cathepsin and Hsp90 activities determine the balance between apoptotic and necrotic cell death pathways in caspase-compromised U937 cells

Caspase-inhibited cells induced to die may exhibit the traits of either apoptosis or necrosis or both, simultaneously. However, mechanisms regulating the commitment to these distinct forms of cell death are barely identified. We found that staurosporine induced both apoptotic and necrotic traits in U937 cells exposed to the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-DL-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone. Morphology and flow cytometry revealed that individual cells exhibited either apoptotic or necrotic traits, but not the mixed phenotype. Inhibition of cathepsin activity by benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ala-fluoromethylketone rendered caspase-compromised cells resistant to staurosporine-induced apoptosis, but switched the cell death form to necrosis. Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 kDa (Hsp90) chaperon activity by geldanamycin conferred resistance to necrosis in caspase-compromised cells but switched the cell death form to apoptosis. Combination of benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ala-fluoromethylketone and geldanamycin halted the onset of both forms of cell death by saving mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and preventing acidic volume (lysosomes) loss. These effects of benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ala-fluoromethylketone and/or geldanamycin on cell death were restricted to caspase-inhibited cells exposed to staurosporine but influenced neither only the staurosporine-provoked apoptosis nor hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generated necrosis. Our results demonstrate that the staurosporine-induced death pathway bifurcates in caspase-compromised cells and commitment to apoptotic or necrotic phenotypes depends on cathepsin protease or Hsp90 chaperon activities.

Pathogenesis and molecular targeted therapy of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) or Kennedy's disease is a motor neurone disease characterized by muscle atrophy, weakness, contraction fasciculations and bulbar involvement. SBMA mainly affects males, while females are usually asymptomatic. SBMA is caused by expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ)-encoding CAG trinucleotide repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. AR belongs to the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) client protein family. The histopathologic hallmarks of SBMA are diffuse nuclear accumulation and nuclear inclusions of the mutant AR with expanded polyQ in residual motor neurones in the brainstem and spinal cord as well as in some other visceral organs. There is increasing evidence that the ligand of AR and molecular chaperones play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SBMA. The success of androgen deprivation therapy in SBMA mouse models has been translated into clinical trials. In addition, elucidation of its pathophysiology using animal models has led to the development of disease-modifying drugs, that is, Hsp90 inhibitor and Hsp inducer, which inhibit the pathogenic process of neuronal degeneration. SBMA is a slowly progressive disease by nature. The degree of nuclear accumulation of mutant AR in scrotal skin epithelial cells was correlated with that in spinal motor neurones in autopsy specimens; therefore, the results of scrotal skin biopsy may be used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic trials. Clinical and pathological parameters that reflect the pathogenic process of SBMA should be extensively investigated.

Seizures, Ataxia, and Neuronal Loss in Cystatin B Heterozygous Mice

Unverricht-Lundborg disease (EPM1) has been considered to be an autosomal-recessive disease related with loss of function mutations in the gene encoding cystatin B. Although heterozygous carriers are generally asymptomatic, earlier studies in Finnish EPM1 families have reported minor symptoms together with slight changes in the EEG recordings also in near relatives of patients. Here we tested the hypothesis that EPM1 phenotype is expressed also in heterozygous subjects using 17-month-old cystatin B deficient mice as a model of disease. Western blot analysis demonstrated a 50% decrease in cystatin B expression in the cerebellum of these animals. Heterozygous mice showed significantly impaired rotarod performance and were weaker in the grid test. Also the total seizure-rating score of heterozygous animals was higher than in wild-type mice. The stereological analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of neurons in cerebral cortex and the granule cell layer of cerebellum. These results suggest that partial decrease in cystatin B expression in heterozygous mice could lead to the development of mild EPM1 phenotype.

The catalytically inactive precursor of cathepsin D induces apoptosis in human fibroblasts and HeLa cells

In several reports cathepsin D has been implicated in apoptosis. In some systems the effects of agents considered to be mediated by cathepsin D were inhibited in the presence of pepstatin A, an inhibitor of the enzyme. In other studies the effect of a mutant cathepsin D deprived of activity was indistinguishable from that of the normal enzyme. Here we show that in human fibroblasts and in HeLa cells apoptosis can be induced by microinjecting into cytosol either mature cathepsin D or its inactive precursor procathepsin D. The microinjected precursor remains in the uncleaved form. These results confirm that the proapoptotic effect of cathepsin D in the cytosol is independent of its catalytic activity and suggest that the interaction of cathepsin D with the downstream effector does not involve the active site of the enzyme, since in the proenzyme the active site is masked by the prosequence.

Increased apoptosis in cystinotic fibroblasts and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells results from cysteinylation of protein kinase Cdelta

Cystinosis is a rare genetic disease characterized by defective lysosomal cystine transport and increased lysosomal cystine. How lysosomal cystine causes the lethal nephropathic phenotype is unknown. It was shown recently that cultured fibroblasts and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells whose lysosomes are cystine-loaded display a two-fold or greater increase in apoptosis after both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. The mechanism for the increased apoptosis is unknown. Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) is a proapoptotic protein kinase that has been shown in vitro to be activated via cysteinylation. This report now shows that PKCdelta forms disulfide bonds specifically with cystine that is released from lysosomes in cultured fibroblasts and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells during apoptosis. PKCdelta in cystinotic fibroblasts and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells have a four- to six-fold greater association with its substrate, lamin B, and a 2.5-fold increase in specific activity after TNF-alpha exposure. Both RNA inhibition and chemical inhibition of PKCdelta resulted in a significant decrease in apoptosis in cystinotic cells but not in normal cells. It is proposed that abnormally increased apoptosis plays a role in evolution of the cystinotic phenotype.

Drug-induced phospholipidosis

Drug-induced phospholipidosis is characterized by intracellular accumulation of phospholipids with lamellar bodies, most likely from an impaired phospholipid metabolism of the lysosome. Organs affected by phospholipidosis exhibit inflammatory reactions and histopathological changes. Despite significant advances in the understanding of drug-altered lipid metabolism, the relationship between impaired phospholipid metabolism and drug-induced toxicity remains enigmatic. Here we review molecular features of inheritable lysosomal storage disorders as a molecular mimicry of drug-induced phospholipidosis for an improved understanding of adverse drug reaction.

A novel apoptosis cascade mediated by lysosomal lactoferrin and its participation in hepatocyte apoptosis induced by D-galactosamine

A new apoptosis cascade mediated by lysosomal lactoferrin was found in apoptotic liver induced by d-galactosamine. Caspase-3 and lactoferrin were increased in the apoptotic liver cytoplasm and serum transaminases were elevated. Recombinant lactoferrin stimulated procaspase-3 processing at 10(-6)-10(-7)M to an extent similar to that by granzyme B in vitro. Lactoferrin changed procaspase-3 structure susceptible to the processing. Synthetic peptide Y(679)-K(695) in lactoferrin molecule inhibited the processing of procaspase-3 by lactoferrin. Lactoferrin in lysosomes was decreased and lactoferrin released into cytoplasm was increased quantitatively in d-galactosamine induced apoptotic liver, and procaspase-3 in cytoplasm was processed to caspase-3.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis and lysosomal disruption in a hepatoma model that is caspase-8-independent

Recent studies suggest that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulates susceptibilities to some pro-apoptotic agents. AhR-containing murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cultures underwent apoptosis following exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) + cycloheximide (CHX). In contrast, Tao cells, an AhR-deficient variant of the 1c1c7 line, were refractory to this treatment. AhR sense/antisense transfection studies demonstrated that AhR contents influenced susceptibility to the pro-apoptotic effects of TNFalpha + CHX. 1c1c7 cells and all variants expressed comparable amounts of TNF receptor-1 and TRADD. However, no cell line expressed FADD, and consequently pro-caspase-8 was not activated. AhR content did not influence JNK and NF-kappaB activation. However, Bid and pro-caspase-9, -3, and -12 processing occurred only in AhR-containing cells. Analyses of cathepsin B and D activities in digitonin-permeabilized cultures and the monitoring of cathepsin B/D co-localization with Lamp-1 indicated that TNFalpha + CHX disrupted late endosomes/lysosomes in only AhR-containing cells. Stabilization of acidic organelles with 3-O-methylsphingomyelin inhibited TNFalpha + CHX-induced apoptosis. The cathepsin D inhibitor pepstatin A suppressed in vitro cleavage of Bid by 1c1c7 lysosomal extracts. It also delayed the induction of apoptosis and partially prevented Bid cleavage and the activation of pro-caspases-3/7 in cultures treated with TNFalpha + CHX. Similar suppressive effects occurred in cultures transfected with murine Bid antisense oligonucleotides. These studies showed that in cells where pro-caspase-8 is not activated, TNFalpha + CHX can initiate apoptosis through lysosomal disruption. Released proteases such as cathepsin D trigger the apoptotic program by activating Bid. Furthermore, in the absence of exogenous ligand, the AhR modulates lysosomal disruption/permeability.

Oxidative stress and lysosomes: CNS-related consequences and implications for lysosomal enhancement strategies and induction of autophagy

The central nervous system is notable for its level of oxygen utilization and ATP synthesis, resulting in a distinct susceptibility to oxidative stress. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can occur with mitochondrial respiration as well as during other aspects of cellular homeostasis maintained through a balance between biosynthesis and catabolism. Altered catabolic processes often promote oxidative stress, and the autophagy-lysosome pathway stands out as being both affected by and contributing to the resulting stress. ROS production is increased by aging, excitotoxicity, and aberrant protein processing, just a few of the events that also influence lysosomal degradative mechanisms. Oxidative damage leads to very different outcomes, such as compromise of lysosome integrity as well as potential compensatory responses involving amplification of lysosomal enzymes and induced autophagy. Lysosomal activation occurs with brain aging, is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease, and has been suggested to be an avenue for preventing protein accumulation pathology. This review provides examples from the literature to discuss the role of lysosomes in oxidative damage, the brain's distinct vulnerability, and issues regarding the enhancement of lysosomal capacity and autophagic processes.

Spindle pole fragmentation due to proteasome inhibition

During interphase, the centrosome concentrates cell stress response molecules, including chaperones and proteasomes, into a proteolytic center. However, whether the centrosome functions as proteolytic center during mitosis is not known. In this study, cultured mammalian cells were treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG 132 and spindle morphology in mitotic cells was characterized in order to address this issue. Proteasome inhibition during mitosis leads to the formation of additional asters that cause the assembly of multipolar spindles. The cause of this phenomenon was investigated by inhibiting microtubule-based transport and protein synthesis. These experimental conditions prevented the formation of supernumerary asters during mitosis. In addition, the expression of dsRed without proteasome inhibition led to the fragmentation of spindle poles. These experiments showed that the formation of extra asters depends on intact microtubule-based transport and protein synthesis. These results suggest that formation of supernumerary asters is due to excessive accumulation of proteins at the spindle poles and consequently fragmentation of the centrosome. Together, this leads to the conclusion that the centrosome functions as proteolytic center during mitosis and proteolytic activity at the spindle poles is necessary for maintaining spindle pole integrity.

The lysosome-associated apoptosis-inducing protein containing the pleckstrin homology (PH) and FYVE domains (LAPF), representative of a novel family of PH and FYVE domain-containing proteins, induces caspase-independent apoptosis via the lysosomal-mitochondrial pathway

Lysosomes have recently been identified as important apoptotic signal integrators in response to various stimuli. Here we report the functional characterization of LAPF, a novel lysosome-associated apoptosis-inducing protein containing PH and FYVE domains. LAPF is a representative of a new protein family, the Phafins (protein containing both PH and FYVE domains), which consists of 14 unidentified proteins from various species. Overexpression of LAPF in L929 cells induces apoptosis and also increases cell sensitivity to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis, concomitant with its translocation to lysosomes. Two mutants of LAPF, either lacking the PH or FYVE domain, failed to induce cell death and translocate to lysosomes, suggesting that both domains are required for its apoptosis-inducing activity and relocation. We demonstrate that LAPF may induce apoptosis via the following steps: LAPF translocation to lysosomes, lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), release of cathepsin (cath) D and L, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), and caspase-independent apoptosis. The cath D-specific inhibitor attenuates LAPF-induced apoptosis, indicating a pivotal role of lysosomes in LAPF-initiated apoptosis. We also demonstrate that the lysosomal pathway was employed in the typical apoptotic model in which high dose TNFalpha was used to stimulate L929 cells. Silencing of LAPF expression by small RNA interference protected L929 cells from hTNFalpha-induced apoptosis by impairing hTNFalpha-triggered LMP and MMP. Therefore, LAPF may launch caspase-independent apoptosis through the lysosomal-mitochondrial pathway.

Gentamicin-induced apoptosis in LLC-PK1 cells: Involvement of lysosomes and mitochondria

Gentamicin accumulates in lysosomes and induces apoptosis in kidney proximal tubules and renal cell lines. Using LLC-PK1 cells, we have examined the concentration- and time-dependency of the effects exerted by gentamicin (1-3 mM; 0-3 days) on (i) lysosomal stability; (ii) activation of mitochondrial pathway; (iii) occurrence of apoptosis (concentrations larger than 3 mM caused extensive necrosis as assessed by the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase release). Within 2 h, gentamicin induced a partial relocalization [from lysosomes to cytosol] of the weak organic base acridine orange. We thereafter observed (a) a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (as from 10 h, based on spectrophotometric and confocal microscopy using JC1 probe) and (b) the release of cytochrome c from granules to cytosol, and the activation of caspase-9 (as from 12 h; evidenced by Western blot analysis). Increase in caspase-3 activity (assayed with Ac-DEVD-AFC in the presence of z-VAD-fmk]) and appearance of fragmented nuclei (DAPI staining) was then detected as from 16 to 24 h together with nuclear fragmentation. Gentamicin produces a fast (within 4 h) release of calcein from negatively-charged liposomes at pH 5.4, which was slowed down by raising the pH to 7.4, or when phosphatidylinositol was replaced by cardiolipin (to mimic the inner mitochondrial membrane). The present data provide temporal evidence that gentamicin causes apoptosis in LLC-PK1 with successive alteration of the permeability of lysosomes, triggering of the mitochondrial pathway, and activation of caspase-3.

Potential role of apoptosis in development of the cystinotic phenotype

Much still remains unclear about the proximal biochemical effects of mutations on development of the phenotype in inborn errors of metabolism. Cystinosis is an example of this phenomenon. We have recently shown that cystinotic cells undergo apoptosis at a two- to fourfold higher rate than controls. Cystinotic cells pre-treated with cysteamine, normalizing cystine content, display a four- to fivefold decrease in apoptosis, while normal cells pre-treated with cystine dimethylester, increasing lysosomal cystine, exhibit a fivefold increase in apoptosis. We speculate that cystine exits the lysosomal compartment during early apoptosis and affects apoptotic proteins in the cytosol, causing an inappropriate commitment to proceed to cell death. The resulting chronic hypocellularity could account for all the characteristics of the nephropathic cystinotic phenotype. The milder variants of cystinosis may result from modifying mutations within an apoptotic protein, ablating the proapoptotic effects of cystine. Failure of the mouse knockout for cystinosis to show renal involvement may be the result of differences in apoptotic processes between man and mouse. Apoptosis is a major final common pathway for many disease states. Therefore, a better understanding of the effect of lysosomal cystine on apoptosis may help to clarify development of other diseases.

New apoptosis cascade mediated by lysosomal enzyme and its protection by epigallo-catechin gallate

We found a novel procaspase-3 activating cascade mediated by lysosomal enzyme. The activating enzyme of procaspase-3, named lysoapoptase having the molecular weight of 78kDa was determined to be a lactoferrin located in the lysosome. Recombinant lactoferrin accelerated the processing of procaspase-3 to form active caspase-3 in vitro. D-Galactosamine is a well-known inducer of hepatocyte apoptosis. The caspase-3 which plays a common central role in the final step of various apoptosis cascades, was dramatically increased in the cytoplasm by the d-galactosamine administration in vivo. When D-galactosamine was administrated as a death signal in vivo, the lysosomal lactoferrin was released into the cytoplasm and procaspase-3 located in the cytoplasm was processed to form active caspase-3. The cotreatment of epigallo-catechin gallate resulted in the complete protection of the hepatocyte apoptosis suppressing the increases of caspase-3 in the cytoplasm. The caspase-3 activity was also inhibited directly by the epigallo-catechin gallate. Therefore, all apoptosis cascades mediated by caspase-3 should be suppressed by epigallo-catechin gallate. The caspase-3 activity was not only directly inhibited by epigallo-catechin gallate in vitro, but the release of lactoferrin from the lysosomes into the cytoplasm was also suppressed by epigallo-catechin gallate treatment in vivo. Therefore, the apoptosis induction was suppressed at the two successive steps by cotreatment of epigallo-catechin gallate in vivo.

Purification of bovine cathepsin B: proteomic characterization of the different forms and production of specific antibodies

Cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1) has been highly purified (14,225 fold) from bovine kidney by a rapid procedure that included the preparation of an enriched lysosomal extract, a selective fractionation with ammonium sulphate, size-exclusion chromatography, two cation-exchange chromatographies, and anion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel. After the last purification step, two hydrolytic peaks against Z-Phe-Arg-AMC were separated from each other, a minor peak corresponding to the cathepsin B single-chain form and a major one representing the double-chain form of cathepsin B. The single-chain form showed a molecular mass of 31 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrphoresis (PAGE) under reducing conditions, whereas the heavy chain of the double-chain form appeared as a doublet with molecular masses of 23.4 and 25 kDa, respectively. The identity of the different cathepsin B isoforms and the quality of the final enzyme preparation were confirmed by using two types of antibodies, one against a synthetic peptide sequence and one against purified cathepsin B. The proteomic study confirmed the identity of the different SDS-PAGE protein bands as cathepsin B isoforms and allowed the comparison and study of some structural differences between them at the level of their primary structures.

Cocaine induces a mixed lysosomal lipidosis in cultured fibroblasts, by inactivation of acid sphingomyelinase and inhibition of phospholipase A1

This paper reports that cocaine may induce a lysosomal storage disorder. Indeed, culture of Rat-1 fibroblasts with 250-500 microM cocaine induced after 2-3 days a major accumulation in lysosomes of electron-dense lamellar structures. By subcellular fractionation, this was reflected by a selective decrease of the buoyant density of several lysosomal enzymes, indicating lysosomal lipid overload. Biochemical analysis confirmed an increased cellular content of major phospholipids and sphingomyelin, but not of cholesterol. Cocaine, a membrane-permeant weak base, is concentrated by acidotropic sequestration, because its accumulation was abrogated by the proton ionophore, monensin and the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin A1. At its estimated lysosomal concentration, cocaine almost completely inhibited phospholipase A1 activity on liposomes. Cell incubation with cocaine, but not with its inactive metabolite, benzoylecgonine, rapidly inactivated acid sphingomyelinase, as reflected by a 10-fold decrease in Vmax with identical Km. Acid sphingomyelinase inactivation was fully prevented by the thiol proteinases inhibitors, leupeptin and E64, indicating that cocaine induces selective sphingomyelinase proteolysis. Upon cocaine removal, acid sphingomyelinase activity was rapidly restored, pointing to its fast turnover. In contrast, the cellular content of several other lysosomal hydrolases was increased up to 2-fold. Together, these data show that acidotropic accumulation of cocaine in lysosomes rapidly inhibits acid phospholipase A1 and inactivates acid sphingomyelinase, which can explain induction of a mixed lysosomal lipidosis.

Cathepsin D mediates cytochrome c release and caspase activation in human fibroblast apoptosis induced by staurosporine

There is increasing evidence that proteases other than caspases, for example, the lysosomal cathepsins B, D and L, are involved in apoptotic cell death. In the present study, we present data that suggest a role for cathepsin D in staurosporine-induced apoptosis in human foreskin fibroblasts. Cathepsin D and cytochrome c were detected partially released to the cytosol after exposure to 0.1 muM staurosporine for 1 h. After 4 h, activation of caspase-9 and -3 was initiated and later caspase-8 activation and a decrease in full-length Bid were detected. Pretreatment of cells with the cathepsin D inhibitor, pepstatin A, prevented cytochrome c release and caspase activation, and delayed cell death. These results imply that cytosolic cathepsin D is a key mediator in staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Analysis of the relative sequence of apoptotic events indicates that, in this cell type, cathepsin D acts upstream of cytochrome c release and caspase activation.

Necrotic and apoptotic cell death of human malignant melanoma cells following photodynamic therapy using an amphiphilic photosensitizer, ATX-S10(Na)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the phototoxic effect on and cell death modes of human malignant melanoma cells following photodynamic therapy (PDT) using ATX-S10(Na), an amphiphilic photosensitizer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cultured human malignant melanoma cells were incubated in a medium containing various concentrations of ATX-S10(Na) and irradiated with a 670 nm wavelength diode laser. Phototoxicity was analyzed by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium inner salt (MTS) assay, and cell death modes were investigated by fluorescence microscopy using a Hoechst 33342-propidium iodide double-staining method as well as by static gel electrophoresis. The subcellular localization of ATX-S10(Na) and mitochondrial destabilization following PDT were observed by fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

Higher phototoxicity was obtained with higher dye and/or laser doses. Most of the dead cells appeared apoptotic with dye and irradiation doses that induced less than 70% cytotoxicity. In contrast, most of them appeared necrotic with doses that induced 99% cytotoxicity. Cells receiving PDT showed disturbances of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, although the primary site of ATX-S10(Na) accumulation was in lysosomes.

CONCLUSIONS

ATX-S10(Na) has a phototoxic effect on malignant melanoma cells and, therefore, potential as a photosensitizing agent for PDT designed to kill these cells. Apoptotic pathways may be activated via mitochondrial destabilization following the damage of lysosomes by PDT. Further study, including investigation of therapeutic efficacy in vivo, is warranted.

Apoptosis caused by cathepsins does not require Bid signaling in an in vivo model of progressive myoclonus epilepsy (EPM1)

Apoptosis can be mediated by mechanisms other than the traditional caspase-mediated cleavage cascade. There is growing recognition that alternative proteolytic enzymes such as the lysosomal cathepsin proteases can initiate or propagate proapoptotic signals, but it is currently unclear how cathepsins achieve these actions. Recent in vitro evidence suggests that cathepsins cleave the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bid, thereby activating it and allowing it to induce the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and subsequent apoptosis. We have tested this hypothesis in vivo by breeding mice that lack cathepsin inhibition (cystatin B-deficient mice) to Bid-deficient mice, to determine whether the apoptosis caused by cathepsins is dependent on Bid signaling. We found that cathepsins are still able to promote apoptosis even in the absence of Bid, indicating that these proteases mediate apoptosis via a different pathway, or that some other molecule can functionally substitute for Bid in this system.

Cystatin 10, a Novel Chondrocyte-specific Protein, May Promote the Last Steps of the Chondrocyte Differentiation Pathway

This study attempts to characterize cystatin 10 (Cst10), which we recently identified as a novel protein implicated in endochondral ossification. Expression of Cst10 was specific to cartilage, localized in the cytosol of prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the mouse growth plate. In the mouse chondrogenic cell line ATDC5, Cst10 expression preceded type X collagen expression and increased in synchrony with maturation. When we compared ATDC5 cells transfected with Cst10 cDNA with cells transfected with a mock vector, hypertrophic maturation and mineralization of chondrocytes were promoted by Cst10 gene overexpression in that type X collagen expression was observed earlier, and alizarin red staining was stronger. On the other hand, type II collagen expression and Alcian blue staining, both of which are markers of the early stage of chondrocyte differentiation, were similar in both cells. Overexpression of the Cst10 gene also caused fragmentation of nuclei, the appearance of annexin V, a change in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspases. These results strongly suggest that Cst10 may play an important role in the last steps of the chondrocyte differentiation pathway as an inducer of maturation, followed by apoptosis of chondrocytes.

Cathepsin B but not cathepsins L or S contributes to the pathogenesis of Unverricht-Lundborg progressive myoclonus epilepsy (EPM1)

The inherited epilepsy Unverricht-Lundborg disease (EPM1) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the cysteine protease inhibitor, cystatin B. Because cystatin B inhibits a class of lysosomal cysteine proteases called cathepsins, we hypothesized that increased proteolysis by one or more of these cathepsins is likely to be responsible for the seizure, ataxia, and neuronal apoptosis phenotypes characteristic of EPM1. To test this hypothesis and to identify which cysteine cathepsins contribute to EPM1, we have genetically removed three candidate cathepsins from cystatin B-deficient mice and tested for rescue of their EPM1 phenotypes. Whereas removal of cathepsins L or S from cystatin B-deficient mice did not ameliorate any aspect of the EPM1 phenotype, removal of cathepsin B resulted in a 36-89% reduction in the amount of cerebellar granule cell apoptosis depending on mouse age. The incidence of an incompletely penetrant eye phenotype was also reduced upon removal of cathepsin B. Because the apoptosis and eye phenotypes were not abolished completely and the ataxia and seizure phenotypes experienced by cystatin B-deficient animals were not diminished, this suggests that another molecule besides cathepsin B is also responsible for the pathogenesis, or that another molecule can partially compensate for cathepsin B function. These findings establish cathepsin B as a contributor to the apoptotic phenotype of cystatin B-deficient mice and humans with EPM1. They also suggest that the identification of cathepsin B substrates may further reveal the molecular basis for EPM1.

B cell receptor-mediated nuclear fragmentation proceeds in WEHI 231 cells in the absence of detectable DEVDase and FRase activity

Crosslinking of the WEHI 231 lymphoma B cell receptor (BCR) leads to growth arrest followed by apoptosis. In a study of the role of lysosomal cysteine proteinases in BCR-mediated apoptosis we provide evidence that commitment to apoptosis correlates with a time-dependent increase in caspase and cathepsin activities. We also show that activation of cathepsins is a caspase-independent process, and caspase cascade activation is independent of lysosomal endopeptidases. BCR-induced nuclear fragmentation was not prevented, but rather delayed in the absence of detectable caspase and cathepsin activities, suggesting that BCR-driven apoptosis of these cells may use an alternative proteolytic mechanism independent of caspases and cathepsins.

Ischemic neuronal death in the rat hippocampus: the calpain-calpastatin-caspase hypothesis

Inappropriate imbalances between proteases and protease inhibitors are known to occur under cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative processes, and could be contributors to various diseases that are characterized by excessive (ischemia, AIDS) or inadequate (cancer, autoimmunity) cell death. For instance, calpain is activated in various necrotic and apoptotic conditions, whereas caspase-3 is only activated in neuronal apoptosis. Caspases and calpains are cysteine proteases that require proteolytic cleavage for activation. The substrates cleaved by caspases include cytoskeletal and associated proteins, kinases, members of the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis-related proteins, presenilins, and DNA-modulating enzymes. Calpain substrates include cytoskeletal and associated proteins, kinases and phosphatases, membrane receptors and transporters, and steroid receptors. This article provides a review of the properties of caspases and calpains, their roles in cell death pathways following cerebral ischemia, and the substrates upon which they act. Because calpain inhibitors and caspase inhibitors appear to protect brain tissue by distinct mechanisms in cerebral ischemia, the possible therapeutic interactions between these drugs in a well-defined rodent model of global ischemia are briefly discussed and documented.

Hurpin is a selective inhibitor of lysosomal cathepsin L and protects keratinocytes from ultraviolet-induced apoptosis

Hurpin (headpin/PI13/serpinB13) is an intracellular, differentially spliced member of the serpin superfamily that has been linked to differentiation and apoptosis of human keratinocytes. It is transiently downregulated by UV light and overexpressed in psoriatic skin lesions. Although it has all of the features of an inhibitory serpin, a productive interaction between hurpin and a proteinase has not yet been reported. Here we demonstrate that hurpin is a potent and selective inhibitor of the archetypal lysosomal cysteine proteinase cathepsin L (catL). Recombinant hurpin inhibits human catL with a stoichiometry of inhibition (SI) of 1.7 and a rate constant k(assoc) of (4.6 +/- 0.14) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). It inefficiently inhibits catV and does not inhibit papain, catB, or catK. To investigate the inhibitory mechanism, we determined the P1-P1' bond in the reactive center loop cleaved by catL ((356)Thr-(357)Ser) and expressed variants in which the proximal hinge, P1 residue, or differentially spliced CD loop was mutated. The results of assays using these proteins suggest that inhibition of catL by hurpin occurs via the conventional serpin inhibitory mechanism and that the CD loop plays no role in the process. Finally, it was found that the majority of hurpin is cytosolic and that its overexpression in human keratinocytes confers resistance to UV-induced apoptosis. Given that lysosomal disruption, release of catL, and catL-mediated caspase activation are known to occur in response to cellular stress, we propose that a physiological role of hurpin is to protect epithelial cells from ectopic catL.

Proteinases and their inhibitors in the immune system

The most important roles of proteinases in the immune system are found in apoptosis and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-mediated antigen presentation. A variety of cysteine proteinases, serine proteinases, and aspartic proteinases as well as their inhibitors are involved in the regulation of apoptosis in neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells, in selection of specific B and T lymphocytes, and in killing of target cells by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. In antigen presentation, endocytosed antigens are digested into antigenic peptides by both aspartic and cysteine proteinases. In parallel, MHC class II molecules are processed by aspartic and cysteine proteinases to degrade the invariant chain that occupies the peptide-binding site. Proteinase activity in these processes is highly regulated, particularly by posttranslational activation and the balance between active proteinases and specific endogenous inhibitors such as cystatins, thyropins, and serpins. This article discusses the regulation of proteolytic processes in apoptosis and antigen presentation in immune cells and the consequences of therapeutic interference in the balance of proteinases and their inhibitors.

Essential role of Ca2+ -dependent phospholipase A2 in estradiol-induced lysosome activation

The mechanism of lysosome activation by 17beta-estradiol has been studied in mussel blood cells. Cell treatment with estradiol induced a sustained increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ that was completely prevented by preincubating the cells with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. Estradiol treatment was also followed by destabilization of the lysosomal membranes, as detected in terms of the lysosomes' increased permeability to neutral red. The effect of estradiol on lysosomes was almost completely prevented by preincubation with the inhibitor of cytosolic Ca2+ -dependent PLA2 (cPLA2), arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), and was significantly reduced by preincubation with BAPTA-AM. In contrast, it was virtually unaffected by preincubation with the inhibitor of Ca2+ -independent PLA2, (E)-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphtalenyl)-2H-pyran-2-one (BEL). The Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 yielded similar effects on [Ca2+](i) and lysosomes. Exposure to estradiol also resulted in cPLA2 translocation from cytosol to membranes, lysosome enlargement, and increased protein degradation. These results suggest that the destabilization of lysosomal membranes following cell exposure to estradiol occurs mainly through a Ca2+ -dependent mechanism involving activation of Ca2+ -dependent PLA2. This mechanism promotes lysosome fusion and catabolic activities and may mediate short-term estradiol effects.

Caspase-mediated death of newly formed neurons in the adult rat dentate gyrus following status epilepticus

A large proportion of cells that proliferate in the adult dentate gyrus under normal conditions or in response to brain insults exhibit only short-term survival. Here, we sought to determine which cell death pathways are involved in the degeneration of newly formed neurons in the rat dentate gyrus following 2 h of electrically induced status epilepticus. We investigated the role of three families of cysteine proteases, caspases, calpains, and cathepsins, which can all participate in apoptotic cell death. Status epilepticus increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive proliferated cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. At the time of maximum cell proliferation, immunohistochemical analyses revealed protein expression of active caspase-cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in approximately 66% of the BrdU-positive cells, while none of them expressed cathepsin B or the 150-kDa calpain-produced fodrin breakdown product. To evaluate the importance of cysteine proteases in regulating survival of the newly formed neurons, we administered intracerebroventricular infusions of a caspase inhibitor cocktail (zVAD-fmk, zDEVD-fmk and zLEHD-fmk) over a 2-week period, sufficient to allow for neuronal differentiation, starting 1 week after the epileptic insult. Increased numbers of cells double-labelled with BrdU and neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) marker were detected in the subgranular zone and granule cell layer of the caspase inhibitor-treated rats. Our data indicate that caspase-mediated cell death pathways are active in progenitor cell progeny generated by status epilepticus and compromise survival during neuronal differentiation.