Cathepsin F is a potential marker for senescent human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes associated with skin aging

Cellular senescence is characterized by cell cycle arrest and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, oxidative stress, and telomere exhaustion. Cellular senescence is associated with skin aging, and identification of specific markers of senescent cells is essential for development of targeted therapies. Cathepsin F (CTSF) has been implicated in dermatitis and various cancers and participates in cell immortalization through its association with Bcl family proteins. It is a candidate therapeutic target to specifically label and eliminate human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes immortalized by aging and achieve skin rejuvenation. In this study, we investigated whether CTSF is associated with senescence in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In senescence models, created using replicative aging, ionizing radiation exposure, and the anticancer drug doxorubicin, various senescence markers were observed, such as senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, increased SASP gene expression, and decreased uptake of the proliferation marker BrdU. Furthermore, CTSF expression was elevated at the gene and protein levels. In addition, CTSF-positive cells were abundant in aged human epidermis and in some parts of the dermis. In the population of senescent cells with arrested division, the number of CTSF-positive cells was significantly higher than that in the proliferating cell population. These results suggest that CTSF is a candidate for therapeutic modalities targeting aging fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Functional Analysis of the Cathepsin D Gene Response to SGIV Infection in the Orange-Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides

(1) Background: Lysosomal aspartic protease Cathepsin D (CD) is a key regulator and signaling molecule in various biological processes including activation and degradation of intracellular proteins, the antigen process and programmed cell death. However, the function of fish CD in virus infection remains largely unknown. (2) Methods: The functions of the CD gene response to SGIV infection was determined with light microscopy, reverse transcription quantitative PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry. (3) Results: In this study, Ec-Cathepsin D (Ec-CD) was cloned and identified from the orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. The open reading frame (ORF) of Ec-CD consisted of 1191 nucleotides encoding a 396 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 43.17 kDa. Ec-CD possessed typical CD structural features including an N-terminal signal peptide, a propeptide region and a mature domain including two glycosylation sites and two active sites, which were conserved in other CD sequences. Ec-CD was predominantly expressed in the spleen and kidneys of healthy groupers. A subcellular localization assay indicated that Ec-CD was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. Ec-CD expression was suppressed by SGIV stimulation and Ec-CD-overexpressing inhibited SGIV replication, SGIV-induced apoptosis, caspase 3/8/9 activity and the activation of reporter gene p53 and activating protein-1 (AP-1) in vitro. Simultaneously, Ec-CD overexpression obviously restrained the activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, Ec-CD overexpression negatively regulated the transcription level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of the NF-κB promotor. (4) Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the Ec-CD possibly served a function during SGIV infection.

Cathepsins in neuronal plasticity

Proteases comprise a variety of enzymes defined by their ability to catalytically hydrolyze the peptide bonds of other proteins, resulting in protein lysis. Cathepsins, specifically, encompass a class of at least twenty proteases with potent endopeptidase activity. They are located subcellularly in lysosomes, organelles responsible for the cell’s degradative and autophagic processes, and are vital for normal lysosomal function. Although cathepsins are involved in a multitude of cell signaling activities, this chapter will focus on the role of cathepsins (with a special emphasis on Cathepsin B) in neuronal plasticity. We will broadly define what is known about regulation of cathepsins in the central nervous system and compare this with their dysregulation after injury or disease. Importantly, we will delineate what is currently known about the role of cathepsins in axon regeneration and plasticity after spinal cord injury. It is well established that normal cathepsin activity is integral to the function of lysosomes. Without normal lysosomal function, autophagy and other homeostatic cellular processes become dysregulated resulting in axon dystrophy. Furthermore, controlled activation of cathepsins at specialized neuronal structures such as axonal growth cones and dendritic spines have been positively implicated in their plasticity. This chapter will end with a perspective on the consequences of cathepsin dysregulation versus controlled, localized regulation to clarify how cathepsins can contribute to both neuronal plasticity and neurodegeneration.

Role of ubiquitination and proteolysis in the regulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic TNF-R1 signaling

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 (TNF-R1) transmits various intracellular signaling cascades leading to diverse biological outcomes, ranging from proliferation, differentiation, survival to the induction of various forms of cell death (i.e. apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis). These signaling pathways have to be tightly regulated. Proteolysis is an important regulatory mechanism in TNF-R1 pro-apoptotic as well as anti-apoptotic/pro-inflammatory signaling. Some key players in these signaling cascades are known (mainly the caspase-family of proteases and a previously unrecognized "lysosomal death pathway" involving cathepsins), however the interaction of proteases in the regulation of TNF signaling is still enigmatic. Ubiquitination of proteins, both non-degradative degradative, which either results in proteolytic degradation of target substrates or regulates their biological function, represents another layer of regulation in this signaling cascade. We and others found out that the differences in signal quality depend on the localization of the receptors. Plasma membrane resident receptors activate survival signals, while endocytosed receptors can induce cell death. In this article we will review the role of ubiquitination and proteolysis in these diverse events focusing on our own contributions to the lysosomal apoptotic pathway linked to the subcellular compartmentalization of TNF-R1. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis as a Regulatory Event in Pathophysiology edited by Stefan Rose-John.

Comparative Microarray Analysis Identifies Commonalities in Neuronal Injury: Evidence for Oxidative Stress, Dysfunction of Calcium Signalling, and Inhibition of Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathway

Mitochondrial dysfunction, ubiquitin-proteasomal system impairment and excitotoxicity occur during the injury and death of neurons in neurodegenerative conditions. The aim of this work was to elucidate the cellular mechanisms that are universally altered by these conditions. Through overlapping expression profiles of rotenone-, lactacystin- and N-methyl-D-aspartate-treated cortical neurons, we have identified three affected biological processes that are commonly affected; oxidative stress, dysfunction of calcium signalling and inhibition of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway. These data provides many opportunities for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative conditions, where mitochondrial dysfunction, proteasomal inhibition and excitotoxicity are evident.

Diet-derived advanced glycation end products or lipofuscin disrupts proteostasis and reduces life span in Drosophila melanogaster

Advanced glycation end product (AGE)-modified proteins are formed by the nonenzymatic glycation of free amino groups of proteins and, along with lipofuscin (a highly oxidized aggregate of covalently cross-linked proteins, sugars, and lipids), have been found to accumulate during aging and in several age-related diseases. As the in vivo effects of diet-derived AGEs or lipofuscin remain elusive, we sought to study the impact of oral administration of glucose-, fructose-, or ribose-modified albumin or of artificial lipofuscin in a genetically tractable model organism. We report herein that continuous feeding of young Drosophila flies with culture medium enriched in AGEs or in lipofuscin resulted in reduced locomotor performance and in accelerated rates of AGE-modified proteins and carbonylated proteins accumulation in the somatic tissues and hemolymph of flies, as well as in a significant reduction of flies health span and life span. These phenotypic effects were accompanied by reduced proteasome peptidase activities in both the hemolymph and the somatic tissues of flies and higher levels of oxidative stress; furthermore, oral administration of AGEs or lipofuscin in flies triggered an upregulation of the lysosomal cathepsin B, L activities. Finally, RNAi-mediated cathepsin D knockdown reduced flies longevity and significantly augmented the deleterious effects of AGEs and lipofuscin, indicating that lysosomal cathepsins reduce the toxicity of diet-derived AGEs or lipofuscin. Our in vivo studies demonstrate that chronic ingestion of AGEs or lipofuscin disrupts proteostasis and accelerates the functional decline that occurs with normal aging.

Activation of asparaginyl endopeptidase leads to Tau hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer disease

Neurofibrillary pathology of abnormally hyperphosphorylated Tau is a key lesion of Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies, and its density in the brain directly correlates with dementia. The phosphorylation of Tau is regulated by protein phosphatase 2A, which in turn is regulated by inhibitor 2, I2(PP2A). In acidic conditions such as generated by brain ischemia and hypoxia, especially in association with hyperglycemia as in diabetes, I2(PP2A) is cleaved by asparaginyl endopeptidase at Asn-175 into the N-terminal fragment (I2NTF) and the C-terminal fragment (I2CTF). Both I2NTF and I2CTF are known to bind to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A and inhibit its activity. Here we show that the level of activated asparaginyl endopeptidase is significantly increased, and this enzyme and I2(PP2A) translocate, respectively, from neuronal lysosomes and nucleus to the cytoplasm where they interact and are associated with hyperphosphorylated Tau in Alzheimer disease brain. Asparaginyl endopeptidase from Alzheimer disease brain could cleave GST-I2(PP2A), except when I2(PP2A) was mutated at the cleavage site Asn-175 to Gln. Finally, an induction of acidosis by treatment with kainic acid or pH 6.0 medium activated asparaginyl endopeptidase and consequently produced the cleavage of I2(PP2A), inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A, and hyperphosphorylation of Tau, and the knockdown of asparaginyl endopeptidase with siRNA abolished this pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. These findings suggest the involvement of brain acidosis in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, and asparaginyl endopeptidase-I2(PP2A)-protein phosphatase 2A-Tau hyperphosphorylation pathway as a therapeutic target.

New cathepsin D inhibitor library utilizing hydroxyethyl isosteres with cyclic tertiary amines

The design and synthesis of hydroxyethylamine isosteres as inhibitors of cathepsin D based on SAR data have been accomplished. A library of 96 of these hydroxyethylamine isosteres are described and many have proven to be very potent inhibitors of human cathepsin D activity as measured using a fluorometric assay technique, via peptide substrate Ac-Glu-Glu(Edans)-Lys-Pro-Ile-Cys-Phe-Phe-Arg-Leu-Gly-Lys(Methyl Red)-Glu-NH(2). Compounds showing strongest inhibition of cathepsin D activity were those that contain a hydroxyethyl-N'-2- or N'-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazine moiety (IC(50) values range from 0.55 to 8.5 nM), with N'-(2-pyrimidyl)piperizine (IC(50) values range from 0.5 to 21.6 nM), with N-N'- L-piperazinocolinamide (IC(50) values range from 0.001 - 0.25 nM), or N-N'-L-piperazinocolin-N-methylamide (IC(50) values range from 0.015 - 7.3 nM).

Direct protection of neurons and astrocytes by matrine via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway contributes to neuroprotection against focal cerebral ischemia

Matrine (Mat) and oxymatrine are two major alkaloids of the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait. (Leguminosae). Previous study has demonstrated that Mat reduces brain edema induced by focal cerebral ischemia. More recently, oxymatrine has been reported to produce neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia via inhibiting the activation of NF-κB in the ischemic brain tissue. In the current study, we investigated whether direct protection on neurons and astrocytes via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway is associated with Mat's neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia. In a model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), Mat (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) reduced the infarction volume and improved the neurological deficits in a dose-dependent manner, administered 10 min, 3h and even 6h following pMCAO. Mat 50 mg/kg also decreased the hemispheric water content. The number of GFAP-positive cells was markedly decreased in the ischemic cortex at 12h after ischemia. In contrast, Mat increased the number of GFAP-positive cells. Mat 50mg/kg has no effect on the cerebral blood flow (CBF). Primary neuron or astrocyte cultures were exposed to a paradigm of ischemic insult by using an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), Mat (50-200 μM) reduced LDH leakage and the number of neuronal and astrocytic apoptosis, and increased the number of MAP2-positive and GFAP-positive cells. Further observations revealed that Mat increased the protein levels of IκBα, and blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus in the ischemic cortex and injured neurons and astrocytes induced by in vitro OGD. Moreover, Mat could down-regulate NF-κB p65 downstream pro-apoptotic gene p53 and/or c-Myc in the injured neurons and astrocytes induced by OGD. The present findings suggest that Mat, even when administrated 6h after ischemia, has neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia and directly protects neurons and astrocytes via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway, contributing to matrine's neuroprotection against focal cerebral ischemia.

Lysosomes and lysosomal cathepsins in cell death

Lysosomes are the key degradative compartments of the cell. Lysosomal cathepsins, which are enclosed in the lysosomes, help to maintain the homeostasis of the cell's metabolism by participating in the degradation of heterophagic and autophagic material. Following the targeted lysosomal membrane's destabilization, the cathepsins can be released into the cytosol and initiate the lysosomal pathway of apoptosis through the cleavage of Bid and the degradation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homologues. Cathepsins can also amplify the apoptotic signaling, when the lysosomal membranes are destabilized at a later stage of apoptosis, initiated by other stimuli. However, the functional integrity of the lysosomal compartment during apoptosis enables efficient autophagy, which can counteract apoptosis by providing the energy source and by disposing the damaged mitochondria, which generate the ROS. Impairing autophagy by disabling the lysosome function is being investigated as an adjuvant therapeutic approach to sensitize cells to apoptosis-inducing agents. Destabilization of the lysosomal membranes by the lysosomotropic detergents seems to be a promising strategy in this context as it would not only disable autophagy, but also promote apoptosis through the initiation of the lysosomal pathway. In contrast, the impaired autophagy and lysosomal degradation linked with the increased oxidative stress underlie degenerative changes in the aging neurons. This further suggests that lysosomes and lysosomal cathepsins have a dual role in cell death. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.

Upregulation of cathepsin D in the caudate nucleus of primates with experimental parkinsonism

BACKGROUND

In Parkinson's disease there is progressive loss of dopamine containing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The neuronal damage is not limited to the substantia nigra but progresses to other regions of brain, leading to loss of motor control as well as cognitive abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to examine causes of progressive damage in the caudate nucleus, which plays a major role in motor coordination and cognition, in experimental Parkinson's disease.

RESULTS

Using chronic 1-methyl-4phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine treatment of rhesus monkeys to model Parkinson's disease, we found a upregulation of Cathepsin D, a lysosomal aspartic protease, in the caudate nucleus of treated monkeys. Immunofluorescence analysis of caudate nucleus brain tissue showed that the number of lysosomes increased concurrently with the increase in Cathepsin D in neurons. In vitro overexpression of Cathepsin D in a human neuroblastoma cell line led to a significant increase in the number of the lysosomes. Such expression also resulted in extralysosomal Cathepsin D and was accompanied by significant neuronal death associated with caspase activation. We examined apoptotic markers and found a strong correlation of Cathepsin D overexpression to apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Following damage to the substantia nigra resulting in experimental Parkinson's disease, we have identified pathological changes in the caudate nucleus, a likely site of changes leading to the progression of disease. Cathepsin D, implicated in pathogenic mechanisms in other disorders, was increased, and our in vitro studies revealed its overexpression leads to cellular damage and death. This work provides important clues to the progression of Parkinson's, and provides a new target for strategies to ameliorate the progression of this disease.