Turnover of oxidatively damaged nuclear proteins in BV-2 microglial cells is linked to their activation state by poly-ADP-ribose polymerase

Expanding the role of proteasome homeostasis in Parkinson's disease: beyond protein breakdown

Proteasome is the principal hydrolytic machinery responsible for the great majority of protein degradation. The past three decades have testified prominent advances about proteasome involved in almost every aspect of biological processes. Nonetheless, inappropriate increase or decrease in proteasome function is regarded as a causative factor in several diseases. Proteasome abundance and proper assembly need to be precisely controlled. Indeed, various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD) share a common pathological feature, intracellular protein accumulation such as α-synuclein. Proteasome activation may effectively remove aggregates and prevent the neurodegeneration in PD, which provides a potential application for disease-modifying treatment. In this review, we build on the valuable discoveries related to different types of proteolysis by distinct forms of proteasome, and how its regulatory and catalytic particles promote protein elimination. Additionally, we summarize the emerging ideas on the proteasome homeostasis regulation by targeting transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. Given the imbalanced proteostasis in PD, the strategies for intensifying proteasomal degradation are advocated as a promising approach for PD clinical intervention.

Proteasome Biology: Chemistry and Bioengineering Insights

Proteasomal degradation provides the crucial machinery for maintaining cellular proteostasis. The biological origins of modulation or impairment of the function of proteasomal complexes may include changes in gene expression of their subunits, ubiquitin mutation, or indirect mechanisms arising from the overall impairment of proteostasis. However, changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of the cellular environment might also meaningfully contribute to altered performance. This review summarizes the effects of physicochemical factors in the cell, such as pH, temperature fluctuations, and reactions with the products of oxidative metabolism, on the function of the proteasome. Furthermore, evidence of the direct interaction of proteasomal complexes with protein aggregates is compared against the knowledge obtained from immobilization biotechnologies. In this regard, factors such as the structures of the natural polymeric scaffolds in the cells, their content of reactive groups or the sequestration of metal ions, and processes at the interface, are discussed here with regard to their influences on proteasomal function.

Regulation of Proteasome Activity by (Post-)transcriptional Mechanisms

Intracellular protein synthesis, folding, and degradation are tightly controlled processes to ensure proper protein homeostasis. The proteasome is responsible for the degradation of the majority of intracellular proteins, which are often targeted for degradation via polyubiquitination. However, the degradation rate of proteins is also affected by the capacity of proteasomes to recognize and degrade these substrate proteins. This capacity is regulated by a variety of proteasome modulations including (1) changes in complex composition, (2) post-translational modifications, and (3) altered transcription of proteasomal subunits and activators. Various diseases are linked to proteasome modulation and altered proteasome function. A better understanding of these modulations may offer new perspectives for therapeutic intervention. Here we present an overview of these three proteasome modulating mechanisms to give better insight into the diversity of proteasomes.

NF-κB transcriptional activation by TNFα requires phospholipase C, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1

BACKGROUND

The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is required for pro-inflammatory effects of TNFα. Our previous studies demonstrated that PARP-1 mediates TNFα-induced NF-κB activation in glia. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms by which TNFα activates PARP-1 and PARP-1 mediates NF-κB activation.

METHODS

Primary cultures of mouse cortical astrocytes and microglia were treated with TNFα and suitable signaling pathway modulators (pharmacological and molecular). Outcome measures included calcium imaging, PARP-1 activation status, NF-κB transcriptional activity, DNA damage assesment and cytokine relesease profiling.

RESULTS

TNFα induces PARP-1 activation in the absence of detectable DNA strand breaks, as measured by the PANT assay. TNFα-induced transcriptional activation of NF-κB requires PARP-1 enzymatic activity. Enzymatic activation of PARP-1 by TNFα was blocked in Ca(2+)-free medium, by Ca(2+) chelation with BAPTA-AM, and by D609, an inhibitor of phoshatidyl choline-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), but not by thapsigargin or by U73112, an inhibitor of phosphatidyl inisitol-specific PLC (PI -PLC). A TNFR1 blocking antibody reduced Ca(2+) influx and PARP-1 activation. TNFα-induced PARP-1 activation was also blocked by siRNA downregulation of ERK2 and by PD98059, an inhibitor of the MEK / ERK protein kinase cascade. Moreover, TNFα-induced NF-κB (p65) transcriptional activation was absent in cells expressing PARP-1 that lacked ERK2 phosphorylation sites, while basal NF-κB transcriptional activation increased in cells expressing PARP-1 with a phosphomimetic substitution at an ERK2 phophorylation site.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that TNFα induces PARP-1 activation through a signaling pathway involving TNFR1, Ca(2+) influx, activation of PC-PLC, and activation of the MEK1 / ERK2 protein kinase cascade. TNFα-induced PARP-1 activation is not associated with DNA damage, but ERK2 mediated phosphorylation of PARP-1.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of N-adamantyl-4-methylthiazol-2-amine in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells

The activation of microglia is crucially associated with the neurodegeneration observed in many neuroinflammatory pathologies, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. We have examined various thiazole derivatives with the goal of developing new anti-neuroinflammatory drugs. Thiazole derivatives are attractive candidates for drug development, because they are efficiently synthesized and active against a number of disease organisms and conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders. The present study investigated the effects of a new compound, N-adamantyl-4-methylthiazol-2-amine (KHG26693), against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in cultured BV-2 microglial cells. KHG26693 suppressed several inflammatory responses in LPS-activated cells, as evidenced by decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and lipid peroxidation. These anti-inflammatory/antioxidative actions occurred as a result of the downregulation of NADPH oxidase (NOX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) content, but not as a result of the upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase activity. The pharmacological properties of KHG26693 were also facilitated via inhibition of both the cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, KHG26693 successfully blocked the migration of LPS-activated microglia, most likely by modulating the ERK pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions of KHG26693 are mediated, at least in part, through the control of microglial activation.

The proteasome and the degradation of oxidized proteins: part III-Redox regulation of the proteasomal system

Here, we review shortly the current knowledge on the regulation of the proteasomal system during and after oxidative stress. After addressing the components of the proteasomal system and the degradation of oxidatively damaged proteins in part I and II of this series, we address here which changes in activity undergo the proteasome and the ubiquitin-proteasomal system itself under oxidative conditions. While several components of the proteasomal system undergo direct oxidative modification, a number of redox-regulated events are modulating the proteasomal activity in a way it can address the major tasks in an oxidative stress situation: the removal of oxidized proteins and the adaptation of the cellular metabolism to the stress situation.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and NAD(+) metabolism alterations in the pathophysiology of acute brain injury

Mitochondrial dysfunction is commonly believed to be one of the major players in mechanisms of brain injury. For several decades, pathologic mitochondrial calcium overload and associated opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore were considered a detrimental factor causing mitochondrial damage and bioenergetics failure. Mitochondrial and cellular bioenergetic metabolism depends on the enzymatic reactions that require NAD(+) or its reduced form NADH as cofactors. Recently, it was shown that NAD(+) also has an important function as a substrate for several NAD(+) glycohydrolases whose overactivation can contribute to cell death mechanisms. Furthermore, downstream metabolites of NAD(+) catabolism can also adversely affect cell viability. In contrast to the negative effects of NAD(+)-catabolizing enzymes, enzymes that constitute the NAD(+) biosynthesis pathway possess neuroprotective properties. In the first part of this review, we discuss the role of MPT in acute brain injury and its role in mitochondrial NAD(+) metabolism. Next, we focus on individual NAD(+) glycohydrolases, both cytosolic and mitochondrial, and their role in NAD(+) catabolism and brain damage. Finally, we discuss the potential effects of downstream products of NAD(+) degradation and associated enzymes as well as the role of NAD(+) resynthesis enzymes as potential therapeutic targets.

Achieving a new controllable male contraception by the photothermal effect of gold nanorods

During the process of human civilization, owning household pets has become increasingly popular. However, dogs and cats may be reservoirs or vectors of transmissible diseases to humans. Confronted with the overpopulation of pets, traditional contraception methods, surgical methods of sterilization, for animals are used, namely, ovariohysterectomy and orchidectomy. Therefore, a simple, nonsurgical, controllable, more effective and less expensive contraception method is highly desirable. In this study, we show that in situ testicular injection of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-modified gold nanorods with near-infrared irradiation in male mice can achieve short-lived or permanent male infertility. In a lower hyperthermia treatment, the morphology of testes and seminiferous tubules is only partly injured, and fertility indices are decreased to 10% at day 7, then recovered to 50% at day 60. In a higher hyperthermia treatment, the morphology of testes and seminiferous tubules are totally destroyed, and fertility indices are decreased to 0 at day 7. Overall, our results indicate a potential application of plasmonic nanomaterials for male contraception.

P2X7 signaling promotes microsphere embolism-triggered microglia activation by maintaining elevation of Fas ligand

Background

The cerebral microvascular occlusion elicits microvascular injury which mimics the different degrees of stroke severity observed in patients, but the mechanisms underlying these embolic injuries are far from understood. The Fas ligand (FasL)-Fas system has been implicated in a number of pathogenic states. Here, we examined the contribution of microglia-derived FasL to brain inflammatory injury, with a focus on the potential to suppress the FasL increase by inhibition of the P2X₇-FasL signaling with pharmacological or genetic approaches during ischemia.

Methods

The cerebral microvascular occlusion was induced by microsphere injection in experimental animals. Morphological changes in microglial cells were studied immunohistochemically. The biochemical analyses were used to examine the intracellular changes of P2X₇/FasL signaling. The BV-2 cells and primary microglia from mice genetically deficient in P2X₇ were used to further establish a linkage between microglia activation and FasL overproduction.

Results

The FasL expression was continuously elevated and was spatiotemporally related to microglia activation following microsphere embolism. Notably, P2X₇ expression concomitantly increased in microglia and presented a distribution pattern that was similar to that of FasL in ED1-positive cells at pathological process of microsphere embolism. Interestingly, FasL generation in cultured microglia cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation-treated neuron-conditioned medium was prevented by the silencing of P2X₇. Furthermore, FasL induced the migration of BV-2 microglia, whereas the neutralization of FasL with a blocking antibody was highly effective in inhibiting ischemia-induced microglial mobility. Similar results were observed in primary microglia from wild-type mice or mice genetically deficient in P2X₇. Finally, the degrees of FasL overproduction and neuronal death were consistently reduced in P2X₇^−/− mice compared with wild-type littermates following microsphere embolism insult.

Conclusion

FasL functions as a key component of an immunoreactive response loop by recruiting microglia to the lesion sites through a P2X₇-dependent mechanism. The specific modulation of P2X₇/FasL signaling and aberrant microglial activation could provide therapeutic benefits in acute and subacute phase of cerebral microembolic injury.

Artemisinin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-stimulated proinflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in microglia cells

Microglial activation plays an important role in neuroinflammation, which contributes to neuronal damage, and inhibition of microglial activation may have therapeutic benefits that could alleviate the progression of neurodegeneration. Recent studies have indicated that the antimalarial agent artemisinin has the ability to inhibit NF-κB activation. In this study, the inhibitory effects of artemisinin on the production of proinflammatory mediators were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary microglia. Our results show that artemisinin significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and nitric oxide (NO). Artemisinin significantly decreased both the mRNA and the protein levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and increased the protein levels of IκB-α, which forms a cytoplasmic inactive complex with the p65-p50 heterodimeric complex. Artemisinin treatment significantly inhibited basal and LPS-induced migration of BV-2 microglia. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed increased NF-κB binding activity in LPS-stimulated primary microglia, and this increase could be prevented by artemisinin. The inhibitory effects of artemisinin on LPS-stimulated microglia were blocked after IκB-α was silenced with IκB-α siRNA. Our results suggest that artemisinin is able to inhibit neuroinflammation by interfering with NF-κB signaling. The data provide direct evidence of the potential application of artemisinin for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

Structure of the proteasome

The ubiquitin-proteasomal system is an essential element of the protein quality control machinery in cells. The central part of this system is the 20S proteasome. The proteasome is a barrel-shaped multienzyme complex, containing several active centers hidden at the inner surface of the hollow cylinder. So, the regulation of the substrate entry toward the inner proteasomal surface is a key control mechanism of the activity of this protease. This chapter outlines the knowledge on the structure of the subunits of the 20S proteasome, the binding and structure of some proteasomal regulators and inducible proteasomal subunits. Therefore, this chapter imparts the knowledge on proteasomal structure which is required for the understanding of the following chapters.

Neuroprotective potential of erythropoietin and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin in periventricular leukomalacia

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the predominant pathology in premature infants, characterized by prominent cerebral white matter injury, and commonly caused by hypoxia-ischemia and inflammation. Activated microglia trigger white matter damage and play a major role in the development of PVL. Erythropoietin (EPO) and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) have been shown to be neuroprotective in several brain disease models. Here we investigated whether EPO and CEPO could provide protection in mouse models of PVL induced by hypoxia-ischemia or hypoxia-ischemia-inflammation. We administered EPO or CEPO to mice with PVL, and found that both EPO and CEPO treatments decreased microglia activation, oligodendrocyte damage and myelin depletion. We also noted improved performance in neurological function assays. Inhibited disease progression in PVL mice by EPO or CEPO treatment was associated with decreased poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity. PARP-1 activity was increased dramatically in activated microglia in untreated mice with PVL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the neuroprotective properties of EPO and CEPO were diminished after PARP-1 gene depletion. The therapeutic doses of EPO and CEPO used in this study did not interfere with normal oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. Together, our data demonstrate that EPO and CEPO are neuroprotective in cerebral white matter injury via a novel microglial PARP-1 dependent mechanism, and hold promise as a future treatment for PVL and other hypoxic-ischemic/inflammatory white matter diseases.

Ubiquitin/proteasome pathway impairment in neurodegeneration: therapeutic implications

The ubiquitin/proteasome pathway is the major proteolytic quality control system in cells. In this review we discuss the impact of a deregulation of this pathway on neuronal function and its causal relationship to the intracellular deposition of ubiquitin protein conjugates in pathological inclusion bodies in all the major chronic neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We describe the intricate nature of the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway and discuss the paradox of protein aggregation, i.e. its potential toxic/protective effect in neurodegeneration. The relations between some of the dysfunctional components of the pathway and neurodegeneration are presented. We highlight possible ubiquitin/proteasome pathway-targeting therapeutic approaches, such as activating the proteasome, enhancing ubiquitination and promoting SUMOylation that might be important to slow/treat the progression of neurodegeneration. Finally, a model time line is presented for neurodegeneration starting at the initial injurious events up to protein aggregation and cell death, with potential time points for therapeutic intervention.

Age-related loss of stress-induced nuclear proteasome activation is due to low PARP-1 activity

Changes in protein turnover are among the dominant metabolic changes during aging. Of special importance is the maintenance of nuclear protein homeostasis to ensure a coordinated cellular metabolism. Therefore, in the nucleus a special PARP-1-mediated mechanism of proteasomal activation exists to ensure a rapid degradation of oxidized nuclear proteins. It was already demonstrated earlier that the cytosolic proteasomal system declines dramatically with aging, whereas the nuclear proteasome remains less affected. We demonstrate here that the stress-mediated proteasomal activation in the nucleus declines during replicative senescence of human fibroblasts. Furthermore, we clearly show that this decline in the PARP-1-mediated proteasomal activation is due to a decline in the expression and activity of PARP-1 in senescent fibroblasts. In a final study we show that this process also happens in vivo, because the protein expression level of PARP-1 is significantly lower in the skin of aged donors compared to that of young ones. Therefore, we conclude that the rate-limiting factor in poly(ADP-ribose)-mediated proteasomal activation in oxidative stress is PARP-1 and not the nuclear proteasome itself.

PARP-1 cleavage fragments: signatures of cell-death proteases in neurodegeneration

The normal function of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the routine repair of DNA damage by adding poly (ADP ribose) polymers in response to a variety of cellular stresses. Recently, it has become widely appreciated that PARP-1 also participates in diverse physiological and pathological functions from cell survival to several forms of cell death and has been implicated in gene transcription, immune responses, inflammation, learning, memory, synaptic functions, angiogenesis and aging. In the CNS, PARP inhibition attenuates injury in pathologies like cerebral ischemia, trauma and excitotoxicity demonstrating a central role of PARP-1 in these pathologies. PARP-1 is also a preferred substrate for several 'suicidal' proteases and the proteolytic action of suicidal proteases (caspases, calpains, cathepsins, granzymes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)) on PARP-1 produces several specific proteolytic cleavage fragments with different molecular weights. These PARP-1 signature fragments are recognized biomarkers for specific patterns of protease activity in unique cell death programs. This review focuses on specific suicidal proteases active towards PARP-1 to generate signature PARP-1 fragments that can identify key proteases and particular forms of cell death involved in pathophysiology. The roles played by some of the PARP-1 fragments and their associated binding partners in the control of different forms of cell death are also discussed.

Chromatin repair after oxidative stress: role of PARP-mediated proteasome activation

Oxidative stress is an inevitable process in the nucleus, especially in antitumor chemotherapy, and adaptation by defense mechanisms seems to be one element in the development of long-term resistance to many chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, a potential chromatin repair mechanism during oxidative stress was investigated in HT22 cells. The 20S proteasome has been shown to be largely responsible for the degradation of oxidatively modified histone proteins in the nucleus. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions also play an important role in DNA repair as a consequence of oxidative damage and single-strand breaks. Such a reaction may occur also with the 20S proteasome--with a known increase in enzymatic activity--and also with histones--reducing their proteolytic susceptibility as shown for the first time here. After hydrogen peroxide treatment of HT22 cells, degradation of the model peptide substrate suc-LLVY-MCA and degradation of oxidized histones by nuclear proteasome increased. During the removal of protein carbonyls, single-strand breaks and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, proteasome, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 enzymes were shown to play tightly interacting roles. Our results following the repair of oxidative damage show the proteolytic activation of proteasome concerning poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation together with a decline in poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of oxidized histones, leading to a selective recognition of oxidatively modified histones.

Subchronic infusion of the product of inflammation prostaglandin J2 models sporadic Parkinson's disease in mice

Background

Chronic neuroinflammation is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD). Inflammation involves the activation of microglia and astrocytes that release high levels of prostaglandins. There is a profound gap in our understanding of how cyclooxygenases and their prostaglandin products redirect cellular events to promote PD neurodegeneration. The major prostaglandin in the mammalian brain is prostaglandin D2, which readily undergoes spontaneous dehydration to generate the bioactive cyclopentenone prostaglandins of the J2 series. These J2 prostaglandins are highly reactive and neurotoxic products of inflammation shown in cellular models to impair the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway and cause the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins. PD is a disorder that exhibits accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in neuronal inclusions (Lewy bodies). The role of J2 prostaglandins in promoting PD neurodegeneration has not been investigated under in vivo conditions.

Methods

We addressed the neurodegenerative and behavioral effects of the administration of prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) simultaneously into the substantia nigra/striatum of adult male FVB mice by subchronic microinjections. One group received unilateral injections of DMSO (vehicle, n = 6) and three groups received PGJ2 [3.4 μg or 6.7 μg (n = 6 per group) or 16.7 μg (n = 5)] per injection. Immunohistochemical and behavioral analyses were applied to assess the effects of the subchronic PGJ2 microinfusions.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a PGJ2 dose-dependent significant and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra while the GABAergic neurons were spared. PGJ2 also triggered formation of aggregates immunoreactive for ubiquitin and α-synuclein in the spared dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, PGJ2 infusion caused a massive microglia and astrocyte activation that could initiate a deleterious cascade leading to self-sustained progressive neurodegeneration. The PGJ2-treated mice also exhibited locomotor and posture impairment.

Conclusion

Our studies establish the first model of inflammation in which administration of an endogenous highly reactive product of inflammation, PGJ2, recapitulates key aspects of PD. Our novel PGJ2-induced PD model strongly supports the view that localized and chronic production of highly reactive and neurotoxic prostaglandins, such as PGJ2, in the CNS could be an integral component of inflammation triggered by insults evoked by physical, chemical or microbial stimuli and thus establishes a link between neuroinflammation and PD neurodegeneration.

Gng12 is a novel negative regulator of LPS-induced inflammation in the microglial cell line BV-2

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays a central role in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and AIDS dementia. Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system and are the cells primarily responsible for the inflammatory component of these diseases.

METHODS

Using gene expression profiling, we compared the profile of the neurospecific microglial cell line BV-2 after LPS stimulation to that of a macrophage cell line (J774A.1) stimulated with LPS.

RESULTS

A set of 77 genes that were modulated only in microglial cells after LPS stimulation was identified. One gene of interest, Gng12, was investigated further to determine its ability to modify the inflammatory response. Specifically, Gng12 mRNA levels were transiently increased after LPS stimulation. In addition, overall levels of Gng12 mRNA after LPS stimulation were significantly higher in BV-2 cells as compared to macrophage cells.

CONCLUSION

Modulating Gng12 mRNA levels using RNAi revealed a novel role for the factor in the negative regulation of the overall inflammatory response as based on effects on nitrite and TNFalpha levels. These data suggest that Gng12 is a negative regulator of the LPS response and may be an important factor in the overall inflammatory signaling cascade.

Morphine and HIV-Tat increase microglial-free radical production and oxidative stress: possible role in cytokine regulation

Opiate abuse alters the progression of human immunodeficiency virus and may increase the risk of neuroAIDS. As neuroAIDS is associated with altered microglial reactivity, the combined effects of human immunodeficiency virus-Tat and morphine were determined in cultured microglia. Specifically, experiments determined the effects of Tat and morphine on microglial-free radical production and oxidative stress, and on cytokine release. Data show that combined Tat and morphine cause early and synergistic increases in reactive oxygen species, with concomitant increases in protein oxidation. Furthermore, combined Tat and morphine, but not Tat or morphine alone, cause reversible decreases in proteasome activity. The effects of morphine on free radical production and oxidative stress are prevented by pre-treatment with naloxone, illustrating the important role of opioid receptor activation in these phenomena. While Tat is well known to induce cytokine release from cultured microglia, morphine decreases Tat-induced release of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, as well as the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Finally, experiments using the reversible proteasome inhibitor MG115 show that temporary, non-cytotoxic decreases in proteasome activity increase protein oxidation and decrease tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and MCP-1 release from microglia. Taken together, these data suggest that oxidative stress and proteasome inhibition may be involved in the immunomodulatory properties of opioid receptor activation in microglia.

Regulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) gene expression through the post-translational modification of Sp1: a nuclear target protein of PARP-1

Background

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a nuclear enzyme that plays critical functions in many biological processes, including DNA repair and gene transcription. The main function of PARP-1 is to catalyze the transfer of ADP-ribose units from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) to a large array of acceptor proteins, which comprises histones, transcription factors, as well as PARP-1 itself. We have previously demonstrated that transcription of the PARP-1 gene essentially rely on the opposite regulatory actions of two distinct transcription factors, Sp1 and NFI. In the present study, we examined whether suppression of PARP-1 expression in embryonic fibroblasts derived from PARP-1 knockout mice (PARP-1^-/-) might alter the expression and/or DNA binding properties of Sp1 and NFI. We also explored the possibility that Sp1 or NFI (or both) may represent target proteins of PARP-1 activity.

Results

Expression of both Sp1 and NFI was found to be considerably reduced in PARP-1^-/- cells. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PARP-1 physically interacts with Sp1 in a DNA-independent manner, but neither with Sp3 nor NFI, in PARP-1^+/+ cells. In addition, in vitro PARP assays indicated that PARP-1 could catalyze the addition of polymer of ADP-ribose to Sp1, which also translated into a reduction of Sp1 binding to its consensus DNA target site. Transfection of the PARP-1 promoter into both PARP-1^+/+ and PARP-1^-/- cells revealed that the lack of PARP-1 expression in PARP-1^-/- cells also results in a strong increase in PARP-1 promoter activity. This influence of PARP-1 was found to rely on the presence of the Sp1 sites present on the basal PARP-1 promoter as their mutation entirely abolished the increased promoter activity observed in PARP-1^-/- cells. Subjecting PARP-1^+/+ cells to an oxidative challenge with hydrogen peroxide to increase PARP-1 activity translated into a dramatic reduction in the DNA binding properties of Sp1. However, its suppression by the inhibitor PJ34 improved DNA binding of Sp1 and led to a dramatic increase in PARP-1 promoter function.

Conclusion

Our results therefore recognized Sp1 as a target protein of PARP-1 activity, the addition of polymer of ADP-ribose to this transcription factor restricting its positive regulatory influence on gene transcription.

A key role for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity during human dendritic cell maturation

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase (PARP)-1 is a nuclear enzyme regulating protein that functions by targeting PAR chains. Besides its classic role in DNA repair, PARP-1 is emerging as a key transcriptional regulator in different cell types including the immune ones. In this study, we investigated the role of PARP-1 in human dendritic cell (DC) function. We report that both PARP-1 mRNA and protein levels significantly increased during in vitro DC differentiation from monocytes. Of note, inhibitors of PARP-1 such as phenanthridinone and thieno[2,3-c]isoquinolin-5-one reduced expression of CD86 and CD83 in a concentration-dependent manner, having no effects on expression of CD80 and HLA-DR in mature DCs. In the same cultures, PARP-1 inhibitors also reduced production of IL-12 and IL-10. Addition of exogenous IL-12 to the culture medium partially restored CD86 expression in DCs exposed to PARP-1 inhibitors. In line with the role of PAR formation in NF-kappaB-dependent transactivation, we also report that phenanthridinone and thieno[2,3-c]isoquinolin-5-one impaired NF-kappaB and AP-1 subunit DNA binding activity in cellular extract of activated DCs. Finally, we show that PARP-1 inhibitors reduced the T cell allostimulatory activity of mature DCs, and that this reduction was prevented when DCs matured in the presence of PARP-1 inhibitors plus IL-12. Of note, nonproliferating T cells exposed to PARP-1 inhibitor-challenged DCs could undergo efficient proliferation when exposed to a subsequent activation stimulus such as anti-CD3 plus anti-CD-28. Together, data provide evidence for a key role of PARP-1 and poly ADP-ribosylation in DC immunocompetence and underscore the relevance of PARP-1 inhibitors to treatment of immune disorders.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation regulates heat shock factor-1 activity and the heat shock response in murine fibroblasts

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1)-dependent poly(ADP-ribose) formation is emerging as a key regulator of transcriptional regulation, even though the targets and underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been clearly identified. In this study, we gathered information on the role of PARP-1 activity in the heat shock response of mouse fibroblasts. We show that DNA binding of heat shock factor (HSF)-1 was impaired by PARP-1 activity in cellular extracts, and was higher in PARP-1(-/-) than in PARP-1+/+ cells. No evidence for HSF-1 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation or PARP-1 interaction was found, but a poly(ADP-ribose) binding motif was identified in the transcription factor amino acid sequence. Consistent with data on HSF-1, the expression of heat-shock protein (HSP)-70 and HSP-27 was facilitated in cells lacking PARP-1. Thermosensitivity, however, was higher in PARP-1(-/-) than in PARP-1+/+ cells. Accordingly, we report that heat-shocked PARP-1 null fibroblasts showed an increased activation of proapoptotic JNK and decreased transcriptional efficiency of prosurvival NF-kappaB compared with wild-type counterparts. The data indicate that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation finely regulates HSF-1 activity, and emphasize the complex role of PARP-1 in the heat-shock response of mammalian cells.

Cannabinoids and neuronal damage: differential effects of THC, AEA and 2-AG on activated microglial cells and degenerating neurons in excitotoxically lesioned rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures

Cannabinoids (CBs) are attributed neuroprotective effects in vivo. Here, we determined the neuroprotective potential of CBs during neuronal damage in excitotoxically lesioned organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs). OHSCs are the best characterized in vitro model to investigate the function of microglial cells in neuronal damage since blood-borne monocytes and T-lymphocytes are absent and microglial cells represent the only immunocompetent cell type. Excitotoxic neuronal damage was induced by NMDA (50 microM) application for 4 h. Neuroprotective properties of 9-carboxy-11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) or 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in different concentrations were determined after co-application with NMDA by counting degenerating neurons identified by propidium iodide labeling (PI(+)) and microglial cells labeled by isolectin B(4) (IB(4)(+)). All three CBs used significantly decreased the number of IB(4)(+) microglial cells in the dentate gyrus but the number of PI(+) neurons was reduced only after 2-AG treatment. Application of AM630, antagonizing CB2 receptors highly expressed by activated microglial cells, did not counteract neuroprotective effects of 2-AG, but affected THC-mediated reduction of IB(4)(+) microglial cells. Our results indicate that (1) only 2-AG exerts neuroprotective effects in OHSCs; (2) reduction of IB(4)(+) microglial cells is not a neuroprotective event per se and involves other CB receptors than the CB2 receptor; (3) the discrepancy in the neuroprotective effects of CBs observed in vivo and in our in vitro model system may underline the functional relevance of invading monocytes and T-lymphocytes that are absent in OHSCs.

MafA expression and insulin promoter activity are induced by nicotinamide and related compounds in INS-1 pancreatic beta-cells

Nicotinamide has been reported to induce differentiation of precursor/stem cells toward a beta-cell phenotype, increase islet regeneration, and enhance insulin biosynthesis. Exposure of INS-1 beta-cells to elevated glucose leads to reduced insulin gene transcription, and this is associated with diminished binding of pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) and mammalian homologue of avian MafA/l-Maf (MafA). Nicotinamide and other low-potency poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors were thus tested for their ability to restore insulin promoter activity. The low-potency PARP inhibitors nicotinamide, 3-aminobenzamide, or PD128763 increased expression of a human insulin reporter gene suppressed by elevated glucose. In contrast, the potent PARP-1 inhibitors PJ34 or INO-1001 had no effect on promoter activity. Antioxidants, including N-acetylcysteine, lipoic acid, or quercetin, only minimally induced the insulin promoter. Site-directed mutations of the human insulin promoter mapped the low-potency PARP inhibitor response to the C1 element, which serves as a MafA binding site. INS-1 cells exposed to elevated glucose had markedly reduced MafA protein and mRNA levels. Low-potency PARP inhibitors restored MafA mRNA and protein levels, but they had no affect on PDX-1 protein levels or binding activity. Increased MafA expression by low-potency PARP inhibitors was independent of increased MafA protein or mRNA stability. These data suggest that low-potency PARP inhibitors increase insulin biosynthesis, in part, through a mechanism involving increased MafA gene transcription.

FimH adhesin of Escherichia coli K1 type 1 fimbriae activates BV-2 microglia

The generation of intense inflammation in the subarachnoid space in response to meningitis-causing bacteria contributes to brain dysfunction and neuronal injury in bacterial meningitis. Microglia, the major immune effector cells in the central nervous system (CNS), become activated by bacterial components to produce proinflammatory immune mediators. In this study, we showed that FimH adhesin, a tip component of type 1 fimbriae of meningitis-causing Escherichia coli K1, activated the murine microglial cell line, BV-2, which resulted in the production of nitric oxide and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK and p-38, and nuclear factor-kappaB were involved in FimH adhesin-mediated microglial activation. These findings suggest that FimH adhesin contributes to the CNS inflammatory response by virtue of activating microglia in E. coli meningitis.

Intrinsic mechanisms of poly(ADP-ribose) neurotoxicity: three hypotheses

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is a branched and negatively charged polymeric macromolecule formed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases. Targeting of PAR onto acceptor proteins affects their functioning and regulates cellular homeostasis. A large body of evidence demonstrates that increased neo-formation of PAR has a crucial role in neurodegeneration. Consistently, strategies aimed at reducing PAR synthesis are of therapeutic relevance to treatment of several experimental neurodegenerative diseases. However, how PAR causes neuronal death is still elusive. This review provides an appraisal of the possible molecular mechanisms underlying PAR neurotoxicity, highlighting the pleiotypic effects of the polymer on neural cells exposed to different stressful conditions.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 promotes microglial activation, proliferation, and matrix metalloproteinase-9-mediated neuron death

Activated microglia contribute to cell death in ischemic and neurodegenerative disorders of the CNS. Microglial activation is regulated in part by NF-kappaB, and the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enhances NF-kappaB binding to DNA. In this study, the role of PARP-1 in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity was assessed using microglia from wild-type (wt) and PARP-1-/- mice. Cultured microglia were incubated with TNF-alpha, a cytokine that is up-regulated in many neurological disorders. When stimulated with TNF-alpha, wt microglia proliferated, underwent morphological changes characteristic of activation, and killed neurons placed in coculture. The effects of TNF-alpha were markedly attenuated both in PARP-1-/- microglia and in wt microglia treated with the PARP enzymatic inhibitor 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2h)-isoquinolinone. These effects were also blocked by (E)-3-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-propenenenitrile, which inhibits translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. TNF-alpha also up-regulated microglial release of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an enzyme with potential neurotoxic properties that is transcriptionally regulated by NF-kappaB. This up-regulation was blocked in PARP-1-/- microglia and in wt microglia by the PARP inhibitor 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2h)-isoquinolinone. Microglia from MMP-9-/- mice were used to evaluate the contribution of MMP-9 to microglial neurotoxicity. MMP-9-/- microglia treated with TNF-alpha showed substantially reduced neurotoxicity relative to the wt microglia. TNF-alpha-stimulated wt microglia treated with the MMP inhibitor ilomastat also showed reduced neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that PARP-1 activation is required for both TNF-alpha-induced microglial activation and the neurotoxicity resulting from TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 release.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases: homology, structural domains and functions. Novel therapeutical applications

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are a family of enzymes, which show differences in structure, cellular location and functions. However, all these enzymes possess poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity. Overactivation of PARP enzymes has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including stroke, myocardial infarction, diabetes, shock, neurodegenerative disorder and allergy. The best studied of these enzymes (PARP-1) is involved in the cellular response to DNA damage so that in the event of irreparable DNA damage overactivation of PARP-1 leads to necrotic cell death. Inhibitors of PARP-1 activity in combination with DNA-binding antitumor drugs may constitute a suitable strategy in cancer chemotherapy. In addition, PARP inhibitors may be also useful to restore cellular functions in several pathophysiological states and diseases. This review gives an update of the state-of-the-art concerning PARP enzymes and their exploitation as pharmacological targets in several illnesses.

Autophagy, proteasomes, lipofuscin, and oxidative stress in the aging brain

In order to successfully respond to stress all cells rely on the ability of the proteasomal and lysosomal proteolytic pathways to continually maintain protein turnover. Increasing evidence suggests that as part of normal aging there are age-related impairments in protein turnover by the proteasomal proteolytic pathway, and perturbations of the lysosomal proteolytic pathway. Furthermore, with numerous studies suggest an elevated level of a specialized form of lysosomal proteolysis (autophagy or macroautophagy) occurs during the aging of multiple cell types. Age-related alterations in proteolysis are believed to contribute to a wide variety of neuropathological manifestations including elevations in protein oxidation, protein aggregation, and cytotoxicity. Within the brain altered protein turnover is believed to contribute to elevations in multiple forms of protein aggregation ranging from tangle and Lewy body formation, to lipofuscin-ceroid accumulation. In this review we discuss and summarize evidence for proteolytic alterations occurring in the aging brain, the contribution of oxidative stress to disruption of protein turnover during normal aging, the evidence for cross-talk between the proteasome and lysosomal proteolytic pathways in the brain, and explore the contribution of altered proteolysis as a mediator of oxidative stress, neuropathology, and neurotoxicity in the aging brain.

Estrogen increases proteasome activity in murine microglial cells

During inflammation, microglial cells go through phenotypic and functional changes that include the production and release of large amounts of oxygen and nitrogen radicals. As such, activated microglia are subject to heightened oxidative stress. The multicatalytic proteasome clears oxidized and damaged proteins from cells, and has been shown to be an important aspect of the microglial compensatory response to activation. The female sex steroid estrogen is both cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory, and has been shown to affect microglial signaling in particular. To determine if estrogen might affect the proteasome in microglial cells, we examined the effects of 17 beta-estradiol treatment on proteasome activity in N9 microglial cells. Specifically, we measured ATP-dependent and ATP-independent chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and peptidyl glutamyl peptide hydrolase (PGPH)-like activities in response to both 17 beta-estradiol and interferon gamma. Data indicate that estrogen, but not interferon gamma, significantly increases ATP-dependent chymotrypsin-like and PGPH-like activity. Furthermore, this effect was blocked by the p44/42 MAPK inhibitor PD98059. Hence, these data demonstrate that through the MAPK pathway, estrogen can upregulate proteasome activity, suggesting a possible mechanism for estrogen's cytoprotective effects.

Poly(ADP-Ribose) polymerase-1 in acute neuronal death and inflammation: a strategy for neuroprotection

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an abundant nuclear enzyme that is activated primarily by DNA damage. Upon activation, the enzyme hydrolyzes NAD(+) to nicotinamide and transfers ADP ribose units to a variety of nuclear proteins, including histones and PARP-1 itself. This process is important in facilitating DNA repair. However, excessive activation of PARP-1 can lead to significant decrements in NAD(+), and ATP depletion, and cell death (suicide hypothesis). In response to cellular damage by oxygen radicals or excitotoxicity, a rapid and strong activation of PARP-1 occurs in neurons. Excessive PARP-1 activation is implicated in a variety of insults, including cerebral and cardiac ischemia, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinsonism, traumatic spinal cord injury, and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The use of PARP inhibitors has, therefore, been proposed as a protective therapy in decreasing excitotoxic neuronal cell death, as well as ischemic and other tissue damage. Excitotoxic brain lesions initially result in the primary destruction of brain parenchyma and subsequently in secondary damage of neighboring neurons hours after the insult. This secondary damage of initially surviving neurons accounts for most of the volume of the infarcted area and the loss of brain function after a stroke. One major component of secondary neuronal damage is the migration of macrophages and microglial cells toward the sites of injury, where they produce large quantities of toxic cytokines and oxygen radicals. Recent evidence indicates that this microglial migration is strongly controlled in living brain tissue by expression of the integrin CD11a, which is regulated in turn by PARP-1, proposing that PARP-1 downregulation may, therefore, be a promising strategy in protecting neurons from this secondary damage, as well. Studies demonstrating an important role for PARP-1 in the regulation of gene transcription have further increased the intricacy of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the control of cell homeostasis and challenge the notion that energy collapse is the sole mechanism by which poly(ADP-ribose) formation contributes to cell death. The hypothesis that PARPs might regulate cell fate as essential modulators of death and survival transcriptional programs is discussed with relation to nuclear factor kappaB and p53.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity promotes NF-kappaB-driven transcription and microglial activation: implication for neurodegenerative disorders

Excessive release of proinflammatory products by activated glia causes neurotoxicity and participates in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) has been shown to play a key role in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB)-driven expression of inflammatory mediators by glia during the neuroimmune response. Here we report the novel finding that the enzymatic activity of PARP-1 promotes, in an beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent fashion, the DNA binding of NF-kappaB in microglia exposed to lipopolysaccharides, interferon-gamma or beta-amyloid 1-40. Consistently, we found that targeting NF-kappaB-dependent glial activation with pharmacological inhibitors of PARP-1 enzymatic activity reduces expression of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha and amyloid precursor protein, and reduces the neurotoxic potential of activated glia in vitro. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced poly(ADP-ribose) formation in vivo suppresses neuroinflammation and related neural cell death. Our findings build on prior published reports in PARP-1 null mice and highlight the importance of PARP-1 enzymatic activity in transcriptional control during glial activation, identifying PARP-1 activity-dependent regulation of NF-kappaB as a novel pharmacological target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders.

PARP-mediated proteasome activation: a co-ordination of DNA repair and protein degradation?

During the evolution of aerobic life, antioxidant defence systems developed that either directly prevent oxidative modifications of the cellular constituents or remove the modified components. An example of the latter is the proteasome, which removes cytosolic oxidised proteins. Recently, a novel mechanism of activation of the nuclear 20S proteasome was discovered: automodified poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activates the proteasome to facilitate selective degradation of oxidatively damaged histones. Since activation of the PARP-1 itself is induced by DNA damage and is supposed to play a role in DNA repair, these new results suggest a joint role of PARP-1 in the removal of oxidised nucleoproteins and in DNA repair. We hypothesise that PARP-1 could provide a co-ordinative link between two nuclear antioxidant defence systems, whose concerted activation would produce a fast and efficient restoration of the native chromatin structure following oxidative stress.

Recent developments in the intracellular degradation of oxidized proteins

The accumulation of oxidized proteins in cells and tissues is a feature of a number of age-related diseases and may also occur as a result of the aging process itself. In this article we review recent advances in our understanding of the cellular degradation of oxidized proteins directing our attention primarily to information which directly bears on the behavior of intact eukaryotic cells. We summarize new work on the key intracellular degradative machineries, proteasomes and lysosomes and examine evidence implicating an increase in protein hydrophobicity as the primary signal to the proteasome to initiate degradation. The data identifying the proteasome as the main route of degradation of oxidized proteins is examined, as well as recent data investigating changes in proteasome function after exposure of cells to oxidants and the altered catabolism of oxidized proteins in aging cells. Evidence for the cooperation between the lysosomal and proteasomal systems in the degradation of oxidized proteins is discussed. We conclude that the cellular catabolism of oxidized proteins may be a more complex process than it first appeared and suggest key issues that need to be resolved to improve our understanding of this important process.

Proteolytic response to oxidative stress in mammalian cells

Oxidative stress in mammalian cells is an inevitable consequence of their aerobic metabolism. The production of reactive oxygen and nitric oxide species causes oxidative modifications of proteins often combined with a loss of their biological function. Like most partially denatured proteins, moderately oxidized proteins are more sensitive to proteolytic attack by proteases. The diverse cellular proteolytic systems are an important secondary defense against oxidative stress by degrading oxidized and damaged proteins, thereby preventing their intracellular accumulation. In mammalian cells, a range of proteases exists which are distributed throughout the cell. In this review we summarize the function of the cytosolic (proteasome and calpains), the lysosomal, the mitochondrial and the nuclear proteolytic pathways in response to oxidative stress. Particular emphasis is given to the proteasomal system, since this pathway appears to be the most important proteolytic system involved in the removal of oxidatively modified or damaged proteins.

Regulation of microglial expression of integrins by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1

Excitotoxic brain lesions initially result in the primary destruction of brain parenchyma, after which microglial cells migrate towards the sites of injury. At these sites, the cells produce large quantities of oxygen radicals and cause secondary damage that accounts for most of the loss of brain function. Here we show that this microglial migration is strongly controlled in living brain tissue by expression of the integrin CD11a, regulated by the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) through the formation of a nuclear PARP-NF-kappaB-protein complex. Downregulation of PARP or CD11a by transfection with antisense DNA abrogated microglial migration almost completely and prevented neurons from secondary damage.