Identification and characterization of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in vivo

Frontotemporal Dementia P301L Mutation Potentiates but Is Not Sufficient to Cause the Formation of Cytotoxic Fibrils of Tau

The P301L mutation in tau protein is a prevalent pathogenic mutation associated with neurodegenerative frontotemporal dementia, FTD. The mechanism by which P301L triggers or facilitates neurodegeneration at the molecular level remains unclear. In this work, we examined the effect of the P301L mutation on the biochemical and biological characteristics of pathologically relevant hyperphosphorylated tau. Hyperphosphorylated P301L tau forms cytotoxic aggregates more efficiently than hyperphosphorylated wildtype tau or unphosphorylated P301L tau in vitro. Mechanistic studies establish that hyperphosphorylated P301L tau exacerbates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated gene upregulation in a neuroblastoma cell line when compared to wildtype hyperphosphorylated tau treatment. Furthermore, the microtubule cytoskeleton is severely disrupted following hyperphosphorylated P301L tau treatment. A hyperphosphorylated tau aggregation inhibitor, apomorphine, also inhibits the harmful effects caused by P301L hyperphosphorylated tau. In short, the P301L single mutation within the core repeat domain of tau renders the underlying hyperphosphorylated tau more potent in eliciting ER stress and cytoskeleton damage. However, the P301L mutation alone, without hyperphosphorylation, is not sufficient to cause these phenotypes. Understanding the conditions and mechanisms whereby selective mutations aggravate the pathogenic activities of tau can provide pivotal clues on novel strategies for drug development for frontotemporal dementia and other related neurodegenerative tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease.

Positive Allosteric Modulator of SERCA Pump NDC-1173 Exerts Beneficial Effects in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people worldwide. AD does not have a cure and most drug development efforts in the AD field have been focused on targeting the amyloid pathway based on the "amyloid cascade hypothesis". However, in addition to the amyloid pathway, substantial evidence also points to dysregulated neuronal calcium (Ca2+) signaling as one of the key pathogenic events in AD, and it has been proposed that pharmacological agents that stabilize neuronal Ca2+ signaling may act as disease-modifying agents in AD. In previous studies, we demonstrated that positive allosteric regulators (PAMs) of the Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump might act as such Ca2+ stabilizing agents. In the present study, we report the development of a novel SERCA PAM agent, compound NDC-1173. To test the effectiveness of this compound, we performed behavioral studies with the APP/PS1 transgenic AD mouse model. We also evaluated effects of this compound on expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the SERCA pump is a potential novel therapeutic drug target and that NDC-1173 is a promising lead molecule for developing disease-modifying agents in AD.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis without cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is an emerging major cause of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), up to 50% of patients with HCC had no clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. It is currently challenging to propose general recommendations for screening patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis, and each patient should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the profile of specific risk factors identified. For HCC screening in NAFLD, a valid precision-based screening is needed. Currently, when evaluating this population of patients, the use of non-invasive methods can guide the selection of those who should undergo a screening and surveillance program. Hence, the objective of the present study is to review the epidemiology, the pathophysiology, the histopathological aspects, the current recommendations, and novel perspectives in the surveillance of non-cirrhotic NAFLD-related HCC.

Agr2-associated ER stress promotes adherent-invasive E. coli dysbiosis and triggers CD103+ dendritic cell IL-23-dependent ileocolitis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with Crohn's disease (CD), but its impact on host-microbe interaction in disease pathogenesis is not well defined. Functional deficiency in the protein disulfide isomerase anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) has been linked with CD and leads to epithelial cell ER stress and ileocolitis in mice and humans. Here, we show that ileal expression of AGR2 correlates with mucosal Enterobactericeae abundance in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and that Agr2 deletion leads to ER-stress-dependent expansion of mucosal-associated adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), which drives Th17 cell ileocolitis in mice. Mechanistically, our data reveal that AIEC-induced epithelial cell ER stress triggers CD103⁺ dendritic cell production of interleukin-23 (IL-23) and that IL-23R is required for ileocolitis in Agr2^-/- mice. Overall, these data reveal a specific and reciprocal interaction of the expansion of the CD pathobiont AIEC with ER-stress-associated ileocolitis and highlight a distinct cellular mechanism for IL-23-dependent ileocolitis.

The Pathogenesis of HCC Driven by NASH and the Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinical syndrome with pathological changes that are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. It is a specific form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is characterized by hepatocyte inflammation based on hepatocellular steatosis. Further exacerbation of NASH can lead to cirrhosis, which may then progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is a lack of specific and effective treatments for NASH and NASH-driven HCC, and the mechanisms of the progression of NASH to HCC are unclear. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathogenesis and progression of these diseases to identify new therapeutic approaches. Currently, an increasing number of studies are focusing on the utility of natural products in NASH, which is likely to be a promising prospect for NASH. This paper reviews the possible mechanisms of the pathogenesis and progression of NASH and NASH-derived HCC, as well as the potential therapeutic role of natural products in NASH and NASH-derived HCC.

Yeast Secretes High Amounts of Human Calreticulin without Cellular Stress

The ER chaperone calreticulin (CALR) also has extracellular functions and can exit the mammalian cell in response to various factors, although the mechanism by which this takes place is unknown. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae efficiently secretes human CALR, and the analysis of this process in yeast could help to clarify how it gets out of eukaryotic cells. We have achieved a secretion titer of about 140 mg/L CALR in our S. cerevisiae system. Here, we present a comparative quantitative whole proteome study in CALR-secreting yeast using non-equilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE)-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) as well as liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in data-independent analysis mode (LC-MSE). A reconstructed carrier ampholyte (CA) composition of NEPHGE-based first-dimension separation for 2DE could be used instead of formerly commercially available gels. Using LC-MSE, we identified 1574 proteins, 20 of which exhibited differential expression. The largest group of differentially expressed proteins were structural ribosomal proteins involved in translation. Interestingly, we did not find any signs of cellular stress which is usually observed in recombinant protein-producing yeast, and we did not identify any secretory pathway proteins that exhibited changes in expression. Taken together, high-level secretion of human recombinant CALR protein in S. cerevisiae does not induce cellular stress and does not burden the cellular secretory machinery. There are only small changes in the cellular proteome of yeast secreting CALR at a high level.

HDLs extract lipophilic drugs from cells

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) prevent cell death induced by a variety of cytotoxic drugs. The underlying mechanisms are however still poorly understood. Here, we present evidence that HDLs efficiently protect cells against thapsigargin (TG), a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor, by extracting the drug from cells. Drug efflux could also be triggered to some extent by low-density lipoproteins and serum. HDLs did not reverse the non-lethal mild ER stress response induced by low TG concentrations or by SERCA knockdown, but HDLs inhibited the toxic SERCA-independent effects mediated by high TG concentrations. HDLs could extract other lipophilic compounds, but not hydrophilic substances. This work shows that HDLs utilize their capacity of loading themselves with lipophilic compounds, akin to their ability to extract cellular cholesterol, to reduce the cell content of hydrophobic drugs. This can be beneficial if lipophilic xenobiotics are toxic but may be detrimental to the therapeutic benefit of lipophilic drugs such as glibenclamide.

Summary: HDLs, akin to their capacity for extracting cholesterol, can remove lipophilic compounds from cells, thus protecting the cells when these compounds are toxic.

ERp44/CG9911 promotes fat storage in Drosophila adipocytes by regulating ER Ca2+ homeostasis

Fat storage is one of the important strategies employed in regulating energy homeostasis. Impaired lipid storage causes metabolic disorders in both mammals and Drosophila. In this study, we report CG9911, the Drosophila homolog of ERp44 (endoplasmic reticulum protein 44) plays a role in regulating adipose tissue fat storage. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated a CG9911 mutant line deleting 5 bp of the coding sequence. The mutant flies exhibit phenotypes of lower bodyweight, fewer lipid droplets, reduced TAG level and increased expression of lipolysis related genes. The increased lipolysis phenotype is enhanced in the presence of ER stresses and suppressed by a reduction of the ER Ca²⁺. Moreover, loss of CG9911 per se results in a decrease of ER Ca²⁺ in the fat body. Together, our results reveal a novel function of CG9911 in promoting fat storage via regulating ER Ca²⁺ signal in Drosophila.

Uncovering the dosage-dependent roles of Arid1a in gastric tumorigenesis for combinatorial drug therapy

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common deadly cancers in the world. Although patient genomic data have identified AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A), a key chromatin remodeling complex subunit, as the second most frequently mutated gene after TP53, its in vivo role and relationship to TP53 in gastric tumorigenesis remains unclear. Establishing a novel mouse model that reflects the ARID1A heterozygous mutations found in the majority of human GC cases, we demonstrated that Arid1a heterozygosity facilitates tumor progression through a global loss of enhancers and subsequent suppression of the p53 and apoptosis pathways. Moreover, mouse genetic and single-cell analyses demonstrated that the homozygous deletion of Arid1a confers a competitive disadvantage through the activation of the p53 pathway, highlighting its distinct dosage-dependent roles. Using this unique vulnerability of Arid1a mutated GC cells, our combined treatment with the epigenetic inhibitor, TP064, and the p53 agonist, Nutlin-3, inhibited growth of Arid1a heterozygous tumor organoids, providing a novel therapeutic option for GC.

Mechanisms of Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Pathological Mechanisms, Pharmacological Interventions, and Genetic Mitigations

Administration of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin leads to acute kidney injury (AKI). Cisplatin-induced AKI (CIAKI) has a complex pathophysiological map, which has been linked to cellular uptake and efflux, apoptosis, vascular injury, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation. Despite research efforts, pharmaceutical interventions, and clinical trials spanning over several decades, a consistent and stable pharmacological treatment option to reduce AKI in patients receiving cisplatin remains unavailable. This has been predominately linked to the incomplete understanding of CIAKI pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms involved. Herein, we detail the extensively known pathophysiology of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity that manifests and the variety of pharmacological and genetic alteration studies that target them.

Conversion of the death inhibitor ARC to a killer activates pancreatic β cell death in diabetes

Loss of insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells through apoptosis contributes to the progression of type 2 diabetes, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we identify a pathway in which the cell death inhibitor ARC paradoxically becomes a killer during diabetes. While cytoplasmic ARC maintains β cell viability and pancreatic architecture, a pool of ARC relocates to the nucleus to induce β cell apoptosis in humans with diabetes and several pathophysiologically distinct mouse models. β cell death results through the coordinate downregulation of serpins (serine protease inhibitors) not previously known to be synthesized and secreted by β cells. Loss of the serpin α₁-antitrypsin from the extracellular space unleashes elastase, triggering the disruption of β cell anchorage and subsequent cell death. Administration of α₁-antitrypsin to mice with diabetes prevents β cell death and metabolic abnormalities. These data uncover a pathway for β cell loss in type 2 diabetes and identify an FDA-approved drug that may impede progression of this syndrome.

Heat-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in soleus and gastrocnemius muscles and differential response to UPR pathway in rats

The present study aimed to investigate the differential response of oxidative (soleus) and glycolytic (gastrocnemius) muscles to heat-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It was hypothesized that due to compositional and functional differences, both muscles respond differently to acute heat stress. To address this, male Sprague Dawley rats (12/group) were subjected to thermoneutral (25 °C) or heat stress (42 °C) conditions for 1 h. Soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were removed for analysis post-exposure. A significant increase in body temperature and free radical generation was observed in both the muscles following heat exposure. This further caused a significant increase in protein carbonyl content, AOPP, and lipid peroxidation in heat-stressed muscles. These changes were more pronounced in heat-stressed soleus compared to the gastrocnemius muscle. Accumulation of unfolded, denatured proteins results in ER stress, causing activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. The expressions of UPR transducers were significantly higher in soleus as compared to the gastrocnemius muscle. A significant elevation in resting intracellular calcium ion was also observed in heat-stressed soleus muscle. Overloading of cells with misfolded proteins in soleus muscle activated ER-induced apoptosis as indicated by significant upregulation of C/EBP homologous protein and Caspase12. The study provides a detailed mechanistic representation of the differential response of muscles toward UPR under heat stress. Data suggests that soleus majorly being an oxidative muscle is more prone to heat stress-induced insult indicated by enhanced apoptosis. This study may aid in devising mitigation strategies to improve muscle performance under heat stress.

Role of MKP-5-p38/MAPK pathway in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal epithelial cells apoptosis and tight junction dysfunction

Bleeding and delayed healing of gastric ulcer are well-recognized in patients following Clopidorgrel treatment. Our previous studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER) is involved in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal damage through activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. This present study aims to further investigate the role of MAP kinase phosphatase 5 (MKP-5), a MKP known to dephosphorylate and inactivate p38/MAPK, in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury and the underlying mechanisms. It shows that MKP-5 is down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels in the gastric mucosa from bleeding patients who took Clopidogrel over one year. In vitro study using human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 demonstrates that exposure to Clopidorgrel (1.0-2.0 mM) increases phosphorylation of p38/MAPK and decreases MKP-5 expression simultaneously. Overexpression of MKP-5 promotes GES-1 cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis following Clopidogrel exposure. Interestingly, overexpression of MKP-5 also attenuates Clopidorgrel-induced tight junction (TJ) destruction by down-regulating expression of ER stress-related protein C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3). These three effects, increased proliferation, reduced apoptosis and attenuated TJ destruction, are regulated through inhibited phosphorylation of p38/MAPK signaling pathway. We conclude that MKP-5 is down-regulated in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosa injury in vivo and in vitro via phosphorylation and activation of p38/MAPK signaling pathway. Overexpression of MKP-5 reverses Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury. These findings imply that MKP-5 may be a potential therapeutic target in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury and bleeding.

Anisotropic Platinum Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis, Inflammatory Response, and Transcriptomic and Molecular Pathways in Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cells

The thermoplasmonic properties of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) render them desirable for use in diagnosis, detection, therapy, and surgery. However, their toxicological effects and impact at the molecular level remain obscure. Nanotoxicology is mainly focused on the interactions of nanostructures with biological systems, particularly with an emphasis on elucidating the relationship between the physical and chemical properties such as size and shape. Therefore, we hypothesized whether these unique anisotropic nanoparticles could induce cytotoxicity similar to that of spherical nanoparticles and the mechanism involved. Thus, we synthesized unique and distinct anisotropic PtNPs using lycopene as a biological template and investigated their biological activities in model human acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1) macrophages. Exposure to PtNPs for 24 h dose-dependently decreased cell viability and proliferation. Levels of the cytotoxic markers lactate dehydrogenase and intracellular protease significantly and dose-dependently increased with PtNP concentration. Furthermore, cells incubated with PtNPs dose-dependently produced oxidative stress markers including reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and carbonylated protein. An imbalance in pro-oxidants and antioxidants was confirmed by significant decreases in reduced glutathione, thioredoxin, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels against oxidative stress. The cell death mechanism was confirmed by mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased ATP levels, mitochondrial copy numbers, and PGC-1α expression. To further substantiate the mechanism of cell death mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), we determined the expression of the inositol-requiring enzyme (IRE1), (PKR-like ER kinase) PERK, activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and activating transcription factor 4 ATF4, the apoptotic markers p53, Bax, and caspase 3, and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. PtNPs could activate ERS and apoptosis mediated by mitochondria. A proinflammatory response to PtNPs was confirmed by significant upregulation of interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), interferon γ (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL-6). Transcriptomic and molecular pathway analyses of THP-1 cells incubated with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀₎ of PtNPs revealed the altered expression of genes involved in protein misfolding, mitochondrial function, protein synthesis, inflammatory responses, and transcription regulation. We applied transcriptomic analyses to investigate anisotropic PtNP-induced toxicity for further mechanistic studies. Isotropic nanoparticles are specifically used to inhibit non-specific cellular uptake, leading to enhanced in vivo bio-distribution and increased targeting capabilities due to the higher radius of curvature. These characteristics of anisotropic nanoparticles could enable the technology as an attractive platform for nanomedicine in biomedical applications.

Molecular mechanism of Helicobacter pylori-induced autophagy in gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative pathogen that colonizes gastric epithelial cells. The drug resistance rates of H. pylori have dramatically increased, causing persistent infections. Chronic infection by H. pylori is a critical cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer. In host cells, autophagy is stimulated to maintain cellular homeostasis following intracellular pathogen recognition by the innate immune defense system. However, H. pylori-induced autophagy is not consistent during acute and chronic infection. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the association between H. pylori infection and autophagy in gastric epithelial cells could aid the understanding of the mechanisms of persistent infection and the identification of autophagy-associated therapeutic targets for H. pylori infection. The present review describes the role of H. pylori and associated virulence factors in the induction of autophagy by different signaling pathways during acute infection. Additionally, the inhibition of autophagy in gastric epithelial cells during chronic infection was discussed. The present review summarized H. pylori-mediated autophagy and provided insights into its mechanism of action, suggesting the induction of autophagy as a novel therapeutic target for persistent H. pylori infection.

Tunicamycin-induced photoreceptor atrophy precedes degeneration of retinal capillaries with minimal effects on retinal ganglion and pigment epithelium cells

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is recognized as a contributing factor to various ocular neurovascular pathologies including retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). ER stress in particular is implicated in the development of DR, which is significantly influenced by inflammation driven retinal vascular degeneration and dysfunction. Ultimately, loss of vision occurs if left untreated. However, the identity of the target cells and their temporal involvement in diabetes-mediated dysfunction need further investigation. Early diabetes-induced stress in photoreceptor cells is proposed as the driver of inflammatory mediated neurovascular changes during diabetes. Although tunicamycin induced ER stress results in photoreceptor loss, its consequences for retinal vascular degeneration and retinal ganglion (RGC) and pigment epithelium (RPE) cell loss remains unclear. Here we show intravitreal delivery of tunicamycin primarily induced ER stress in photoreceptor cells resulting in their loss by apoptosis. This was concomitant with induced expression of the unfolded protein response marker CHOP in these cells. We also demonstrated significant degeneration of retinal capillaries following the loss of photoreceptor cells with minimal impact on loss of RGC and RPE cells. However, activation of retinal microglial and Muller cells were noticeable. Thus, our data support the notion that ER stress mediated dysfunction and/or loss of photoreceptor cells in response to inflammation and oxidative stress could precede retinal vascular and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration.

PEP-1-paraoxonase 1 fusion protein prevents cytokine-induced cell destruction and impaired insulin secretion in rat insulinoma cells

Pancreatic beta cell destruction and dysfunction induced by cytokines is a major cause of type 1 diabetes. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an arylesterase with antioxidant activity, has been shown to play an important role in preventing the development of diabetes in transgenic mice. However, no studies have examined the anti-diabetic effect of PON1 delivered to beta cells using protein transduction. In this study, we expressed the cell-permeable PON1 fused with PEP-1 protein transduction domain (PEP-1-PON1) to investigate whether transduced PEP-1-PON1 protects beta cells against cytokine-induced cytotoxicity. PEP-1-PON1 was effectively delivered to INS-1 cells and prevented cytokine-induced cell destruction in a dose-dependent manner. Transduced PEP-1-PON1 significantly reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), DNA fragmentation, and expression of inflammatory mediators, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, and apoptosis-related proteins in cytokine-treated cells. Moreover, transduced PEP-1-PON1 restored the decrease in basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion induced by cytokines. These data indicate that PEP-1-PON1 protects beta cells from cytokine-induced cytotoxicity by alleviating oxidative/nitrosative stress, ER stress, and inflammation. Thus, PEP-1-mediated PON1 transduction might be an effective method to reduce the extent of destruction and dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells in autoimmune diabetes. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(10): 539-544].

Effect of seeds of Entada phaseoloides on chronic restrain stress in mice

Background

Entada phaseoloides is a well-known medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.

Objective

To evaluate the anti-stress activity of seeds of E. phaseoloides in endoplasmic reticulum stress during chronic restrain stress in mice, based on our preliminary screening.

Materials and Methods

Mice (n = 6/group) were restrained daily for 6 h in 50 ml polystyrene tubes for 28 days. Methanolic extract of E. phaseoloides (MEEP) (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and standard drug, imipramine (10 mg/kg i.p.) were administered daily 45 min prior to restrain from day 22–28. Then, forced swim test (FST) was performed to assess despair behavior. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzymes Reduced glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the hippocampus of mice. 78 kDa Glucose-regulated Protein, 94 kDa Glucose-regulated Protein, C/EBP homologous protein, Caspase-12 expression were quantified by Real Time PCR.

Results

MEEP significantly reduced the immobility time in FST (P < 0.001). Significant reduction of LPO (P < 0.05) level and restored antioxidant enzymes viz. GSH (P < 0.001) and SOD towards vehicle control group were observed. Down-regulation of genes GRP 78, GRP 94 (P < 0.001), CHOP and Caspase-12 (P < 0.001) as compared to the chronic restrain stress group was evident, which were upregulated following treatment. Isolation of the active components of the seeds revealed the presence of Oleic acid (1), Entadamide A (2), Entadamide A-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3) and 1-O-protocatechuoyl-β-d-glucose.

Conclusion

MEEP altered endoplasmic reticulum stress in chronic restrain stressed mice; however, as an antidepressant it showed a weaker response.

Streptolysin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes group A Streptococcal host-associated biofilm formation and necrotising fasciitis

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen that causes infections ranging from mild to fulminant and life-threatening. Biofilms have been implicated in acute GAS soft-tissue infections such as necrotising fasciitis (NF). However, most in vitro models used to study GAS biofilms have been designed to mimic chronic infections and insufficiently recapitulate in vivo conditions along with the host-pathogen interactions that might influence biofilm formation. Here, we establish and characterise an in vitro model of GAS biofilm development on mammalian cells that simulates microcolony formation observed in a mouse model of human NF. We show that on mammalian cells, GAS forms dense aggregates that display hallmark biofilm characteristics including a 3D architecture and enhanced tolerance to antibiotics. In contrast to abiotic-grown biofilms, host-associated biofilms require the expression of secreted GAS streptolysins O and S (SLO, SLS) that induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the host. In an in vivo mouse model, the streptolysin null mutant is attenuated in both microcolony formation and bacterial spread, but pretreatment of soft-tissue with an ER stressor restores the ability of the mutant to form wild-type-like microcolonies that disseminate throughout the soft tissue. Taken together, we have identified a new role of streptolysin-driven ER stress in GAS biofilm formation and NF disease progression.

ERMP1, a novel potential oncogene involved in UPR and oxidative stress defense, is highly expressed in human cancer

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) are highly activated in cancer and involved in tumorigenesis and resistance to anti-cancer therapy. UPR is becoming a promising target of anti-cancer therapies. Thus, the identification of UPR components that are highly expressed in cancer could offer new therapeutic opportunity.

In this study, we demonstrate that Endoplasmic Reticulum Metallo Protease 1 (ERMP1) is broadly expressed in a high percentage of breast, colo-rectal, lung, and ovary cancers, regardless of their stage and grade. Moreover, we show that loss of ERMP1 expression significantly hampers proliferation, migration and invasiveness of cancer cells. Furthermore, we show that this protein is an important player in the UPR and defense against oxidative stress. ERMP1 expression is strongly affected by reticular stress induced by thapsigargin and other oxidative stresses. ERMP1 silencing during reticular stress impairs the activation of PERK, a key sensor of the UPR activation. Loss of ERMP1 also prevents the expression of GRP78/BiP, a UPR stress marker involved in the activation of the survival pathway. Finally, ERMP1 silencing in cells exposed to hypoxia leads to inhibition of the Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidant response and to reduction of accumulation of HIF-1, the master transcription factor instructing cells to respond to hypoxic stress. Our results suggest that ERMP1 could act as a molecular starter to the survival response induced by extracellular stresses. Moreover, they provide the rationale for the design of ERMP1-targeting drugs that could act by inhibiting the UPR initial adaptive response of cancer cells and impair cell survival.

5,7,3',4'-Tetramethoxyflavone protects chondrocytes from ER stress-induced apoptosis through regulation of the IRE1α pathway

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the roles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane sensor inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1)α signaling in ER stress-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, and to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying chondroprotective activity of 5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) from Murraya exotica.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IRE1α was knocked down by siRNA transfection in chondrocytes, which were harvested from rats' knee cartilages. Chondrocytes with IRE1α deficiency were administrated with tunicamycin (TM) and TMF. Chondrocyte apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and DAPI/TUNEL staining. Expression of mRNA and proteins was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western-blot, respectively.

RESULTS

IRE1α deficiency significantly increased the rate of TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, down-regulated the expression of pro-survival factors XBP1S and Bcl-2, and up-regulated pro-apoptotic factors CHOP, p-JNK, and caspase-3. TMF suppressed TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis by activating the expression of IRE1α, which reversed the expression patterns of downstream pro-survival and pro-apoptotic factors due to IRE1α deficiency.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of TMF in protecting chondrocytes against ER stress-induced apoptosis might be associated with regulating the activity of ER sensor IRE1α and its downstream pathway.

Modeling Acute ER Stress in Vivo and in Vitro

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle that synthesizes secretory proteins and serves as the main calcium storage site of the cell. The accumulation of unfolded proteins at the ER results in ER stress. Although the association between ER stress and the pathogenesis of many metabolic conditions have been well characterized using both in vivo and in vitro models, no standardized model concerning ER stress exists. Here, we report a standardized model of ER stress using two well-characterized ER stress-inducing agents, thapsigargin and tunicamycin. Our aim in this current study was 2-fold: to characterize and establish which agent is optimal for in vitro use to model acute ER stress and to evaluate which agent is optimal for in vivo use. To study the first aim we used two well-established metabolic cell lines; human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2s) and differentiated mouse adipocytes (3T3-L1). In the second aim we utilized C57BL/6J mice that were randomized into three treatment groups of sham, thapsigargin, and tunicamycin. Our in vitro results showed that tunicamycin worked as a rapid and efficacious inducer of ER stress in adipocytes consistently, whereas thapsigargin and tunicamycin were equally effective in inducing ER stress in hepatocytes. In regards to our in vivo results, we saw that tunicamycin was superior in not only inducing ER stress but also recapturing the metabolic alterations associated with ER stress. Thus, our findings will help guide and inform researchers as to which ER stress agent is appropriate with regards to their model.

Helicobacter pylori VacA induces autophagic cell death in gastric epithelial cells via the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway

The Helicobacter pylori vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) can promote progressive vacuolation and gastric injury and may be associated with human gastric cancer. Increasing evidence indicates that autophagy is involved in the cell death induced by VacA, but the specific mechanisms need to be further elucidated. We show here that VacA could induce autophagy and increase cell death in human gastric cancer cell lines. Further investigations revealed that inhibition of autophagy could decrease the VacA-induced cell death in AGS cells. Furthermore, numerous dilated endoplasmic reticula (ER) were observed, and the phosphorylation of a subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 1 also increased in the VacA-treated AGS cells, while repression of ER stress could reduce autophagy and cell death through knockdown of activating transcription factor 4 and DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3. In addition, the expression of pseudokinase tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) upon ER stress was triggered by VacA, and knockdown of TRIB3 could also decrease VacA-induced cell death. Finally, inhibition of autophagy could decrease VacA^s1m1-induced cell death and apoptosis, and apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD had no significant effect on autophagy induced by VacA^s1m1. Thus, these results suggested that VacA causes autophagic cell death via ER stress in gastric epithelial cells.

Tomatidine inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts via ameliorating endoplasmic reticulum stress

In this study, we examined the effect of tomatidine on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced apoptosis in C₂C₁₂ myoblasts. TNF-α treatment increased cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with 10 μM tomatidine prevented TNF-α-induced apoptosis, caspase 3 cleavage, and PARP cleavage. Cells were treated with 100 ng/mL TNF-α for 24 h, and flow cytometry was utilized to assess apoptosis using annexin-V and 7-aminoactinomycin D. TNF-α up-regulated activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression. This effect was suppressed by pretreatment with tomatidine. Pretreatment with 4-phenylbutyric acid (a chemical chaperone) also inhibited TNF-α-induced cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP and up-regulation of ATF4 and CHOP expression. In addition, tomatidine-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) attenuated TNF-α-induced cleavage of PARP and caspase 3. However, tomatidine did not affect NF-κB activation in TNF-α-treated C₂C₁₂ myoblast cells. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that tomatidine attenuates TNF-α-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of CHOP expression and inhibition of JNK activation.

Botulinum Toxin Conjugated With Silk Fibroin and 4-Hexylresorcinol

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether silk fibroin (SF) incorporated into 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) could increase botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In total, 30 rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into 6 groups according to the injected materials (SA: saline only; SF; 4HR; B2: 2 units of BTX-A; B2 + SF + 4HR: combination of B2, SF, and 4HR; B5: 5 units of BTX-A). Serial sonography was used for the evaluation of muscle thickness after injection. Immunohistochemical staining was used for the evaluation of myosin type II (myo2) and Bcl-2 protein expression.

RESULTS

The relative thickness of the masseter muscle in B2 group was 66.14% ± 4.55% to the preinjection level; in B2 + SF + 4HR group was 54.59% ± 4.83%, and in B5 group was 56.19% ± 8.28%. Any BTX-injected group showed significantly lower value of the relative muscle thickness compared to SA, SF, or 4HR group (P < 0.001 for all). The difference of relative muscle thickness between B2 group and B2 + SF + 4HR group was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The intensity of myo2 immunostaining in B5, B2, and B2 + SF + 4HR group was significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

When 2 units of BTX was incorporated to SF and 4HR, combination formula showed similar activity to those of 5 units of BTX.

Tocotrienols induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in cervical cancer cells

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported that γ- and δ-tocotrienols (γ- and δ-T3) induce gene expression and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). This effect is mediated, at least in part, by a specific binding and activation of the estrogen receptor-β (ERβ). Transcriptomic data obtained within our previous studies, interrogated by different bioinformatic tools, suggested the existence of an alternative pathway, activated by specific T3 forms and leading to apoptosis, also in tumor cells not expressing ER. In order to confirm this hypothesis, we conducted a study in HeLa cells, a line of human cervical cancer cells void of any canonical ER form.

RESULTS

Cells were synchronized by starvation and treated either with a T3-rich fraction from palm oil (10-20 μg/ml) or with purified α-, γ-, and δ-T3 (5-20 μg/ml). α-tocopherol (TOC) was utilized as a negative control. Apoptosis, accompanied by a significant expression of caspase 8, caspase 10, and caspase 12 was observed at 12 h from treatments. The interrogation of data obtained from transcriptomic platforms (NuGO Affymetrix Human Genechip NuGO_Hs1a520180), further confirmed by RT-PCR, suggested that the administration of γ- and δ-T3 associates with Ca²⁺ release. Data interrogation were confirmed in living cells; in fact, Ca-dependent signals were observed followed by the expression and activation of IRE-1α and of other molecules involved in the unfolded protein response, the core pathway coping with endoplasmic reticulum stress in eukaryotic cells, finally leading to apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that γ- and δ-T3 induce apoptosis also in tumor cells lacking of ERβ by triggering signals originating from endoplasmic reticulum stress. Our observations suggest that tocotrienols could have a significant role in tumor cell physiology and a possible therapeutic potential.

Overexpression of factor VIII after AAV delivery is transiently associated with cellular stress in hemophilia A mice

Factor VIII (FVIII) is a large glycoprotein that is challenging to express both in vitro and in vivo. Several studies suggest that high levels of FVIII expression can lead to cellular stress. After gene transfer, transgene expression is restricted to a subset of cells and the increased FVIII load per cell may impact activation of the unfolded protein response. We sought to determine whether increased FVIII expression in mice after adeno-associated viral liver gene transfer would affect the unfolded protein response and/or immune response to the transgene. The FVIII gene was delivered as B-domain deleted single chain or two chain (light and heavy chains) at a range of doses in hemophilia A mice. A correlation between FVIII expression and anti-FVIII antibody titers was observed. Analysis of key components of the unfolded protein response, binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), showed transient unfolded protein response activation in the single chain treated group expressing >200% of FVIII but not after two chain delivery. These studies suggest that supraphysiological single chain FVIII expression may increase the likelihood of a cellular stress response but does not alter liver function. These data are in agreement with the observed long-term expression of FVIII at therapeutic levels after adeno-associated viral delivery in hemophilia A dogs without evidence of cellular toxicity.

Apoptotic action of botulinum toxin on masseter muscle in rats: early and late changes in the expression of molecular markers

The purpose of this study was to compare the early or late expression levels of p65, Bcl-2, and type II myosin and the frequency of TUNEL-positive nuclei in the rat masseter muscle after injection of different concentrations of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A). We injected either 5 U or 10 U of BTX-A into both masseter muscles of the rat. As a control group, the same volume of saline was injected. After 2 or 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Subsequently, a biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the samples were performed using a p65, Bcl-2, or type II myosin antibody. Additionally, a TUNEL assay and transmission electron microscopic analysis were performed. The expression of p65, Bcl-2, and type II myosin increased significantly with increasing concentrations of BTX-A at 2 weeks after BTX-A injection (P < 0.05). The number of TUNEL-positive nuclei was also significantly increased in the BTX-A-treated groups in comparison to the saline-treated control at 2 weeks after BTX-A injection (P < 0.05). Elevated expression of Bcl-2 was also observed in 10-unit BTX-A-treated group at 12 weeks after injection (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks after injection, the number of enlarged mitochondria was increased, and many mitochondria displayed aberrations in cristae morphology after BTX-A injection. In conclusion, BTX-A injection into the masseter muscle increased the expression level of p65, Bcl-2, and type II myosin at an early stage. The morphological changes of mitochondria were more evident at 12 weeks after injection.

Rhein triggers apoptosis via induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, caspase-4 and intracellular calcium in primary human hepatic HL-7702 cells

Rhein is an active component of rhubarb; a traditional Chinese medicine reported to induce apoptosis and cause liver toxicity. However, rhein's apoptotic-inducing effects, as well as its molecular mechanisms of action on hepatic cells need to be further explored. In the present study, rhein was found to trigger apoptosis in primary human hepatic HL-7702 cells as showed by annexin V/PI double staining assay and nuclear morphological changes demonstrated by Hoechst 33258 staining. Moreover, it was observed that the mechanism implicated in rhein-induced apoptosis was caspase-dependent, presumably via ER-stress associated pathways, as illustrated by up-regulation of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP 78), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Meanwhile, caspase-4 as a hallmark of ER-stress, was also showed to be activated following by caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, rhein also promoted intracellular elevation of calcium that contributed in apoptosis induction. Interestingly, pre-treatment with calpain inhibitor I reduced the effects of rhein on apoptosis induction and JNK activation. These data suggested that rhein-induced apoptosis through ER-stress and elevated intracellular calcium level in HL-7702 cells.

The unfolded protein response is shaped by the NMD pathway

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induces the unfolded protein response (UPR), an essential adaptive intracellular pathway that relieves the stress. Although the UPR is an evolutionarily conserved and beneficial pathway, its chronic activation contributes to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human disorders. The fidelity of UPR activation must thus be tightly regulated to prevent inappropriate signaling. The nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway has long been known to function in RNA quality control, rapidly degrading aberrant mRNAs, and has been suggested to regulate subsets of normal mRNAs. Here, we report that the NMD pathway regulates the UPR. NMD increases the threshold for triggering the UPR in vitro and in vivo, thereby preventing UPR activation in response to normally innocuous levels of ER stress. NMD also promotes the timely termination of the UPR. We demonstrate that NMD directly targets the mRNAs encoding several UPR components, including the highly conserved UPR sensor, IRE1α, whose NMD-dependent degradation partly underpins this process. Our work not only sheds light on UPR regulation, but demonstrates the physiological relevance of NMD's ability to regulate normal mRNAs.

Genesis of ER stress in Huntington’s Disease

Recent research has identified ER stress as a major mechanism implicated in cytotoxicity in many neurodegenerative diseases, among them Huntington’s disease. This genetic disorder is of late-onset, progressive and fatal, affecting cognition and movement. There is presently no cure nor any effective therapy for the disease. This review focuses on recent findings that shed light on the mechanisms of the advent and development of ER stress in Huntington’s disease and on its implications, highlighting possible therapeutic avenues that are being or could be explored.

Arachidonoyl-ethanolamide activates endoplasmic reticulum stress-apoptosis in tumorigenic keratinocytes: Role of cyclooxygenase-2 and novel J-series prostamides

Non-melanoma skin cancer and other epithelial tumors overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), differentiating them from normal cells. COX-2 metabolizes arachidonic acid to prostaglandins including, the J-series prostaglandins, which induce apoptosis by mechanisms including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Arachidonoyl-ethanolamide (AEA) is a cannabinoid that causes apoptosis in diverse tumor types. Previous studies from our group demonstrated that AEA was metabolized by COX-2 to J-series prostaglandins. Thus, the current study examines the role of COX-2, J-series prostaglandins, and ER stress in AEA-induced apoptosis. In tumorigenic keratinocytes that overexpress COX-2, AEA activated the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol requiring kinase-1 (IRE1), and activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6) ER stress pathways and the ER stress apoptosis-associated proteins, C/EBP homologous protein-10 (CHOP10), caspase-12, and caspase-3. Using an ER stress inhibitor, it was determined that ER stress was required for AEA-induced apoptosis. To evaluate the role of COX-2 in ER stress-apoptosis, HaCaT keratinocytes with low endogenous COX-2 expression were transfected with COX-2 cDNA or an empty vector and AEA-induced ER stress-apoptosis occurred only in the presence of COX-2. Moreover, LC-MS analysis showed that the novel prostaglandins, 15-deoxyΔ(12,14) PGJ2 -EA and Δ(12) PGJ2 /PGJ2-EA, were synthesized from AEA. These findings suggest that AEA will be selectively toxic in tumor cells that overexpress COX-2 due to the metabolism of AEA by COX-2 to J-series prostaglandin-ethanolamides (prostamides). Hence, AEA may be an ideal topical agent for the elimination of malignancies that overexpress COX-2.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in adipose tissue augments lipolysis

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle important for protein synthesis and folding, lipid synthesis and Ca²⁺ homoeostasis. Consequently, ER stress or dysfunction affects numerous cellular processes and has been implicated as a contributing factor in several pathophysiological conditions. Tunicamycin induces ER stress in various cell types in vitro as well as in vivo. In mice, a hallmark of tunicamycin administration is the development of fatty livers within 24–48 hrs accompanied by hepatic ER stress. We hypothesized that tunicamycin would induce ER stress in adipose tissue that would lead to increased lipolysis and subsequently to fatty infiltration of the liver and hepatomegaly. Our results show that intraperitoneal administration of tunicamycin rapidly induced an ER stress response in adipose tissue that correlated with increased circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol along with decreased adipose tissue mass and lipid droplet size. Furthermore, we found that in addition to fatty infiltration of the liver as well as hepatomegaly, lipid accumulation was also present in the heart, skeletal muscle and kidney. To corroborate our findings to a clinical setting, we examined adipose tissue from burned patients where increases in lipolysis and the development of fatty livers have been well documented. We found that burned patients displayed significant ER stress within adipose tissue and that ER stress augments lipolysis in cultured human adipocytes. Our results indicate a possible role for ER stress induced lipolysis in adipose tissue as an underlying mechanism contributing to increases in circulating FFAs and fatty infiltration into other organs.

Cellular stress amplifies TLR3/4-induced CXCL1/2 gene transcription in mononuclear phagocytes via RIPK1

The impact of environmental stressors on the magnitude of specific chemokine gene expression was examined in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated through various TLRs. Levels of TLR-stimulated CXCL1 and CXCL2 but not CXCL10 or CCL5 mRNAs were selectively enhanced (>10-fold) in stressed macrophages. The amplification was also manifested for other proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-6. Responses through TLR3 and TLR4 exhibited the greatest sensitivity, reflecting a requirement for Toll/IL-IR domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF), the adaptor protein selectively associated with these TLRs. IFN regulatory factor 3, a transcription factor that is downstream of TLR4/TRIF signaling, was not required for sensitivity to stress-induced chemokine amplification. c/EBP homologous protein and X box binding protein 1 have been reported to enhance inflammatory cytokine responses but are not required for amplification of TLR3/4-induced CXCL1 expression. Rather, receptor-interacting protein kinase 1, a kinase also linked with TLR3/4/TRIF signaling, is required and involves a stress-dependent increase in its abundance and ubiquitination. Whereas NF-κB activation is necessary for TLR-induced chemokine gene transcription, this factor does not appear to be the primary mechanistic target of environmental stress. The application of stress also enhanced chemokine expression in macrophages infiltrating the peritoneal cavity but was not observed in the resident peritoneal cells or in the liver. These findings identify novel mechanisms for modulating the magnitude and duration of selective TLR-induced chemokine and cytokine gene expression and further establish the importance of cell stress pathways in coordinating the outcomes of cellular and tissue injury.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein responses in retinal degeneration

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary intracellular organelle responsible for protein and lipid biosynthesis, protein folding and trafficking, calcium homeostasis, and several other vital processes in cell physiology. Disturbance in ER function results in ER stress and subsequent activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR up-regulates ER chaperones, reduces protein translation, and promotes clearance of cytotoxic misfolded proteins to restore ER homeostasis. If this vital process fails, the cell will be signaled to enter apoptosis, resulting in cell death. Sustained ER stress also can trigger an inflammatory response and exacerbate oxidative stress, both of which contribute synergistically to tissue damage. Studies performed over the past decade have implicated ER stress in a broad range of human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and vascular disorders. Several of these diseases also entail retinal dysfunction and degeneration caused by injury to retinal neurons and/or to the blood vessels that supply retinal cells with nutrients, trophic and homeostatic factors, oxygen, and other essential molecules, as well as serving as a conduit for removal of waste products and potentially toxic substances from the retina. Collectively, such injuries represent the leading cause of blindness world-wide in all age groups. Herein, we summarize recent progress on the study of ER stress and UPR signaling in retinal biology and discuss the molecular mechanisms and the potential clinical applications of targeting ER stress as a new therapeutic approach to prevent and treat neuronal degeneration in the retina.

Intermittent selective clamping improves rat liver regeneration by attenuating oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Intermittent clamping of the portal trial is an effective method to avoid excessive blood loss during hepatic resection, but this procedure may cause ischemic damage to liver. Intermittent selective clamping of the lobes to be resected may represent a good alternative as it exposes the remnant liver only to the reperfusion stress. We compared the effect of intermittent total or selective clamping on hepatocellular injury and liver regeneration. Entire hepatic lobes or only lobes to be resected were subjected twice to 10 min of ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion before hepatectomy. We provided evidence that the effect of intermittent clamping can be damaging or beneficial depending to its mode of application. Although transaminase levels were similar in all groups, intermittent total clamping impaired liver regeneration and increased apoptosis. In contrast, intermittent selective clamping improved liver protein secretion and hepatocyte proliferation when compared with standard hepatectomy. This beneficial effect was linked to better adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) recovery, nitric oxide production, antioxidant activities and endoplasmic reticulum adaptation leading to limit mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Interestingly, transient and early chaperone inductions resulted in a controlled activation of the unfolded protein response concomitantly to endothelial nitric oxide synthase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK activation that favors liver regeneration. Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a central target through which intermittent selective clamping exerts its cytoprotective effect and improves liver regeneration. This procedure could be applied as a powerful protective modality in the field of living donor liver transplantation and liver surgery.

Type 2 diabetes, PUFAs, and vitamin D: their relation to inflammation

Chronic diseases have become one of the most important public health problems, due to their high costs for treatment and prevention. Until now, researchers have considered that the etiology of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is multifactorial. Recently, the study of the innate immune system has offered an explanation model of the pathogenesis of T2DM. On the other hand, there is evidence about the beneficial effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-3 and n-6 in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases including diabetes. Furthermore, high vitamin D plasmatic concentrations have been associated with the best performance of pancreatic β cells and the improving of this disease. In conclusion, certain fatty acids in the adequate proportion as well as 25-hydroxivitamin D can modulate the inflammatory response in diabetic people, modifying the evolution of this disease.

Autophagy inhibition induces podocyte apoptosis by activating the pro-apoptotic pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress

Podocyte apoptosis is a major factor inducing podocyte depletion that predicts the progressive course of glomerulosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying podocyte apoptosis are still not well understood. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation system involving the degradation and recycling of obsolete, damaged, or harmful cytoplasmic materials and organelles. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular processes contributing to autophagy have provided insight into the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis. However, their cross-talk remains largely obscure until now. Here, we found that podocytes both in vivo and in vitro always exhibited high basal levels of autophagy, whereas autophagy inhibition could induce podocyte apoptosis, suggesting the pro-survival role of autophagy in podocytes. Besides, we found that autophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could induce the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress even without any external stimulations, whereas knockdown of CHOP could effectively improve podocyte apoptosis and down-regulated expression of slit-diaphragm proteins induced by autophagy inhibition. Collectively, this study demonstrated that autophagy might act as a crucial regulatory mechanism of apoptotic cell death by modulating the balance between the pro-survival pathway and the pro-apoptotic pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which might provide a novel mechanistic insight into the interface between autophagy and apoptosis in the progression of podocyte injury.

Ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir and lopinavir induce proteotoxic stress in acute myeloid leukemia cells and sensitize them for proteasome inhibitor treatment at low micromolar drug concentrations

BACKGROUND

Protein metabolism is an innovative potential therapeutic target for AML. Proteotoxic stress (PS) sensitizes malignant cells for proteasome inhibitor treatment. Some HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) induce PS and may therefore be combined with proteasome inhibitors to achieve PS-targeted therapy of AML.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of all nine approved HIV-PI alone and in combination with proteasome inhibitors on AML cell lines and primary cells in vitro.

RESULTS

Ritonavir induced cytotoxicity and PS at clinically achievable concentrations, and induced synergistic PS-triggered apoptosis with bortezomib. Saquinavir, nelfinavir and lopinavir were likewise cytotoxic against primary AML cells, triggered PS-induced apoptosis, inhibited AKT-phosphorylation and showed synergistic cytotoxicity with bortezomib and carfilzomib at low micromolar concentrations. Exclusively nelfinavir inhibited intracellular proteasome activity, including the β2 proteasome activity that is not targeted by bortezomib/carfilzomib.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the nine currently approved HIV-PI, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir and lopinavir can sensitize AML primary cells for proteasome inhibitor treatment at low micromolar concentrations and may therefore be tested clinically toward a proteotoxic stress targeted therapy of AML.

Estrogen protects SGC7901 cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis by the Akt pathway

Several previous studies have demonstrated that estrogen may protect cancer cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In the present study, human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells were treated with tunicamycin (TM) to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress. This was demonstrated by increased glucose-regulated protein 78 expression and enhanced phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. Endoplasmic reticulum stress induced caspase-3-mediated apoptosis with the inhibition of Akt; the latter of which was measured by the activity-dependent phosphorylation at Ser473 of Akt. Simultaneous treatment of 10⁻⁹ M 17β-estradiol (E2) with TM may protect SGC7901 cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis by counteracting the inhibitory effect of TM on Akt, causing an increase in the phosphorylation of Ser473-Akt. It was concluded that low concentrations of E2 may counteract endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced inactivation of Akt to block caspase-3-mediated apoptosis.

Testosterone protects against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells (INS-1) and male mouse pancreatic islets

Male hypogonadism associates with type 2 diabetes, and T can protect pancreatic β-cells from glucotoxicity. However, the protective mechanism is still unclear. This study thus aims to examine the antiapoptotic mechanism of T in pancreatic β cells cultured in high-glucose medium. T (0.0005-2 μg/mL) was added to INS-1 cells cultured in basal glucose or high-glucose media. Then cellular apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cell viability were measured. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and sensors and the antiapoptotic protein (B-cell lymphoma 2) were investigated by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. ER stress markers were also measured in male mouse pancreatic islet cultured in similar conditions. T (0.05 and 0.5 μg/mL) did not have any effect on apoptosis and viability of INS-1 cells cultured in basal glucose medium, but it could reduce apoptosis and increase viability of INS-1 cells cultured in high-glucose medium. The protective effect of T is diminished by androgen receptor inhibitor. T (0.05 μg/mL) could significantly reduce nitrotyrosine levels, mRNA, and protein levels of the ER stress markers and sensor those that were induced when INS-1 cells were cultured in high-glucose medium. It could also significantly increase the survival proteins, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase-2, and B-cell lymphoma 2 in INS-1 cells cultured in the same conditions. Similarly, it could reduce ER stress markers and increase sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase protein levels in male mouse pancreatic islets cultured in high-glucose medium. T can protect against male pancreatic β-cell apoptosis from glucotoxicity via the reduction of both oxidative stress and ER stress.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in human skeletal muscle: any contribution to sarcopenia?

Skeletal muscle is vital to life as it provides the mechanical power for locomotion, posture and breathing. Beyond these vital functions, skeletal muscle also plays an essential role in the regulation of whole body metabolism, e.g., glucose homeostasis. Although progressive loss of muscle mass with age seems unavoidable, it is critical for older people to keep the highest mass as possible. It is clear that the origin of sarcopenia is multifactorial but, in the present review, it was deliberately chosen to evaluate the likely contribution of one specific cellular stress, namely the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It is proposed that ER stress can: (1) directly impact muscle mass as one fate of prolonged and unresolved ER stress is cell death and; (2) indirectly create a state of anabolic resistance by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. With age, many of the key components of the unfolded protein response, such as the chaperones and enzymes, display reduced expression and activity resulting in a dysfunctional ER, accelerating the rate of proteins discarded via the ER-associated degradation. In addition, ER stress can block the mTORC1 pathway which is essential in the response to the anabolic stimulus of nutrients and contractile activity thereby participating to the well-known anabolic resistance state in skeletal muscle during ageing. As exercise increases the expression of several chaperones, it could anticipate or restore the loss of unfolded protein response components with age and thereby reduce the level of ER stress. This hypothesis has not been tested yet but it could be a new mechanism behind the beneficial effects of exercise in the elderly not only for the preservation of muscle mass but also for the regulation of whole body metabolism.

Testosterone deficiency induces markedly decreased serum triglycerides, increased small dense LDL, and hepatic steatosis mediated by dysregulation of lipid assembly and secretion in mice fed a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE

Although low serum testosterone (T) is associated with metabolic disorders, the mechanism of this association is unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of T deficiency and a high-fat diet (HFD) on hepatic lipid homeostasis in mice.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Orchiectomized (ORX) mice and sham-operated (SHAM) mice were randomly divided into five groups: SHAM mice fed a standard diet (SD), SHAM mice fed HFD, ORX mice fed SD, ORX mice fed HFD, and ORX mice fed HFD with T supplementation. After 4weeks of treatment, we investigated the synthesis and secretion of lipids in the liver and detailed serum lipoprotein profiles in each group.

RESULTS

ORX mice fed HFD showed increased hepatic steatosis, markedly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) and TG-VLDL content, and increased serum very small-LDL content. Gene expression analysis revealed that ORX mice fed HFD showed significantly decreased expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, lipin-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-γ coactivator 1-α, and significantly increased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 and fatty acid synthase. Reduction of hepatic AMPK phosphorylation was observed in ORX mice fed HFD. These perturbations in ORX mice fed HFD were normalized to the levels of SHAM mice fed HFD by T supplementation.

CONCLUSION

T deficiency is associated with failure of lipid homeostasis mediated by altered expression of genes involved in hepatic assembly and secretion of lipids.

A novel role of a lipid species, sphingosine-1-phosphate, in epithelial innate immunity

A variety of external perturbations can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, followed by stimulation of epithelial cells to produce an innate immune element, the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP). ER stress also increases production of the proapoptotic lipid ceramide and its antiapoptotic metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We demonstrate here that S1P mediates ER stress-induced CAMP generation. Cellular ceramide and S1P levels rose in parallel with CAMP levels following addition of either exogenous cell-permeating ceramide (C2Cer), which increases S1P production, or thapsigargin (an ER stressor), applied to cultured human skin keratinocytes or topically to mouse skin. Knockdown of S1P lyase, which catabolizes S1P, enhanced ER stress-induced CAMP production in cultured cells and mouse skin. These and additional inhibitor studies show that S1P is responsible for ER stress-induced upregulation of CAMP expression. Increased CAMP expression is likely mediated via S1P-dependent NF-κB-C/EBPα activation. Finally, lysates of both ER-stressed and S1P-stimulated cells blocked growth of virulent Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, and topical C2Cer and LL-37 inhibited invasion of Staphylococcus aureus into murine skin. These studies suggest that S1P generation resulting in increased CAMP production comprises a novel regulatory mechanism of epithelial innate immune responses to external perturbations, pointing to a new therapeutic approach to enhance antimicrobial defense.

Ablation of PGC1 beta prevents mTOR dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress response

Mitochondria dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes, neurodegeneration and ageing. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1β (PGC-1β) coordinates mitochondrial biogenesis and function as well as fatty acid metabolism. It has been suggested that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may be one of the mechanisms linking mitochondrial dysfunction and these pathologies. Here we investigate whether PGC-1β ablation affects the ER stress response induced by specific nutritional and pharmacological challenges in the CNS. By using flow cytometry, western blot, real time PCR and several pharmacological and nutritional interventions in PGC-1β knock out and WT mice, we confirmed that PGC-1β coordinates mitochondria function in brain and reported for the first time that a) ablation of PGC-1β is associated with constitutive activation of mTORC1 pathway associated with increased basal GRP78 protein levels in hypothalamus and cortex of animals fed chow diet; and b) in animals fed chronically with high fat diet (HFD) or high protein diet (HPD), we observed a failure to appropriately induce ER stress response in the absence of PGC-1β, associated with an increase in mTOR pathway phosphorylation. This contrasted with the appropriate upregulation of ER stress response observed in wild type littermates. Additionally, inefficient in vitro induction of ER stress by thapsigargin seems result in apoptotic neuronal cell death in PGC-1β KO. Our data indicate that PGC-1β is required for a neuronal ER response to nutritional stress imposed by HFD and HPD diets and that genetic ablation of PGC-1β might increase the susceptibility to neuronal damage and cell death.