Kinetic evidence that newly-synthesized endogenous lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) first transits early endosomes before it is delivered to lysosomes

Mechanism and therapeutic targets of the involvement of a novel lysosomal proton channel TMEM175 in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD), recognized as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease in the aging population, presents a significant challenge due to the current lack of effective treatment methods to mitigate its progression. Many pathogenesis of PD are related to lysosomal dysfunction. Moreover, extensive genetic studies have shown a significant correlation between the lysosomal membrane protein TMEM175 and the risk of developing PD. Building on this discovery, TMEM175 has been identified as a novel potassium ion channel. Intriguingly, further investigations have found that potassium ion channels gradually close and transform into hydrion "excretion" channels in the microenvironment of lysosomes. This finding was further substantiated by studies on TMEM175 knockout mice, which exhibited pronounced motor dysfunction in pole climbing and suspension tests, alongside a notable reduction in dopamine neurons within the substantia nigra compacta. Despite these advancements, the current research landscape is not without its controversies. In light of this, the present review endeavors to methodically examine and consolidate a vast array of recent literature on TMEM175. This comprehensive analysis spans from the foundational research on the structure and function of TMEM175 to expansive population genetics studies and mechanism research utilizing cellular and animal models.A thorough understanding of the structure and function of TMEM175, coupled with insights into the intricate mechanisms underpinning lysosomal dysfunction in PD dopaminergic neurons, is imperative. Such knowledge is crucial for pinpointing precise intervention targets, thereby paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies that could potentially alter the neurodegenerative trajectory of PD.

ER membrane contact sites support endosomal small GTPase conversion for exosome secretion

Exosomes are endosome-derived extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication. They are generated as intraluminal vesicles within endosomal compartments that fuse with the plasma membrane (PM). The molecular events that generate secretory endosomes and lead to the release of exosomes are not well understood. We identified a subclass of non-proteolytic endosomes at prelysosomal stage as the compartment of origin of CD63 positive exosomes. These compartments undergo a Rab7a/Arl8b/Rab27a GTPase cascade to fuse with the PM. Dynamic endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-late endosome (LE) membrane contact sites (MCS) through ORP1L have the distinct capacity to modulate this process by affecting LE motility, maturation state, and small GTPase association. Thus, exosome secretion is a multi-step process regulated by GTPase switching and MCS, highlighting the ER as a new player in exosome-mediated intercellular communication.

High Glucose Concentrations Impair the Processing and Presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigens In Vitro

Type 2 diabetes is an established risk factor for tuberculosis, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We established an in vitro model to analyze the effect of high glucose concentrations in antigen processing and presentation in antigen-presenting cells. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) were exposed to high (11 mM and 30 mM) and low (5.5 mM) glucose concentrations and infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of high glucose concentrations in histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules (HLA-DR) and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86), indispensable for an adequate antigenic presentation and CD4+ T cell activation. HLA-DR and CD86 were significantly decreased by high glucose concentrations compared with low glucose concentrations. Confocal microscopy was used to detect Rab 5 and Lamp-1, proteins involved in the kinetics of antigen processing as early markers, and Rab 7 and cathepsin D as late markers. We observed a delay in the dynamics of the acquisition of Rab 7 and cathepsin D in high glucose concentrations. Moreover, the kinetics of the formation M. tuberculosis peptide-MHC II complexes in MDMs was decreased under high glucose concentrations, reducing their capacity for T cell activation. These findings suggest that high glucose concentrations directly affect antigenic processing, and therefore antigenic presentation.

Phenylephrine increases tear cathepsin S secretion in healthy murine lacrimal gland acinar cells through an alternative secretory pathway

Little is known about the relationship between stimulation of lacrimal gland (LG) tear protein secretion by parasympathetic versus sympathetic nerves, particularly whether the spectrum of tear proteins evoked through each innervation pathway varies. We have previously shown that activity and abundance of cathepsin S (CTSS), a cysteine protease, is greatly increased in tears of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients and in tears from the male NOD mouse of autoimmune dacryoadenitis that recapitulates SS-associated dry eye disease. Beyond the increased synthesis of CTSS detected in the diseased NOD mouse LG, increased tear CTSS secretion in NOD mouse tears was recently linked to increased exocytosis from a novel endolysosomal secretory pathway. Here, we have compared secretion and trafficking of CTSS in healthy mouse LG acinar cells stimulated with either the parasympathetic acetylcholine receptor agonist, carbachol (CCh), or the sympathetic α₁-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (PE). In situ secretion studies show that PE significantly increases CTSS activity and protein in tears relative to CCh stimulation by 1.2-fold (***, p = 0.0009) and ∼5-fold (*, p-0.0319), respectively. A similar significant increase in CTSS activity with PE relative to CCh is observed when cultured LGAC are stimulated in vitro. CCh stimulation significantly elevates intracellular [Ca²⁺], an effect associated with increases in the size of Rab3D-enriched vesicles consistent with compound fusion, and subsequently decreases in their intensity of labeling consistent with their exocytosis. PE stimulation induces a lower [Ca²⁺] response and has minimal effects on Rab3D-enriched SV diameter or the intensity of Rab3D-enriched SV labeling. LG deficient in Rab3D exhibit a higher sensitivity to PE stimulation, and secrete more CTSS activity. Significant increases in the colocalization of endolysosomal vesicle markers (Lamp1, Lamp2, Rab7) with the subapical actin suggestive of fusion of endolysosomal vesicles at the apical membrane occur both with CCh and PE stimulation, but PE demonstrates increased colocalization. In conclusion, the α₁-adrenergic agonist, PE, increases CTSS secretion into tears through a pathway independent of the exocytosis of Rab3D-enriched mature SV, possibly representing an alternative endolysosomal secretory pathway.

KIR3DL2/CpG ODN interaction mediates Sézary syndrome malignant T cell apoptosis

We previously identified the NK cell receptor KIR3DL2 as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker for the detection of the tumoral T cell burden of Sézary syndrome (SS) patients. However, the function of this receptor on the malignant T lymphocyte population remained unexplored. We here demonstrate that engagement of KIR3DL2 by its recently identified ligand CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) induces the internalization of the receptor and leads to a caspase-dependent apoptosis of malignant T cells. This process of cellular death is correlated to a dephosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which is found constitutively phosphorylated and activated in Sézary cells. Our results indicate that KIR3DL2 can directly promote SS malignant cell death through the use of CpG ODN.

Constitutive expression of a COOH-terminal leucine mutant of lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 causes its exclusive localization in low density intracellular vesicles

Lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) is a type I transmembrane protein with a short cytoplasmic tail that possesses a lysosome-targeting signal of GYQTI(382)-COOH. Wild-type (WT)-LAMP-1 was exclusively localized in high density lysosomes, and efficiency of LAMP-1's transport to lysosomes depends on its COOH-terminal amino acid residue. Among many different COOH-terminal amino acid substitution mutants of LAMP-1, a leucine-substituted mutant (I382L) displays the most efficient targeting to late endosomes and lysosomes [Akasaki et al. (2010) J. Biochem. 148: , 669-679]. In this study, we generated two human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 cell lines) that stably express WT-LAMP-1 and I382L, and compared their intracellular distributions. The subcellular fractionation study using Percoll density gradient centrifugation revealed that WT-LAMP-1 had preferential localization in the high density secondary lysosomes where endogenous human LAMP-1 was enriched. In contrast, a major portion of I382L was located in a low density fraction. The low density fraction also contained approximately 80% of endogenous human LAMP-1 and significant amounts of endogenous β-glucuronidase and LAMP-2, which probably represents occurrence of low density lysosomes in the I382L-expressing cells. Double immunofluorescence microscopic analyses distinguished I382L-containing intracellular vesicles from endogenous LAMP-1-containing lysosomes and early endosomes. Altogether, constitutive expression of I382L causes its aberrant intracellular localization and generation of low density lysosomes, indicating that the COOH-terminal isoleucine is critical for normal localization of LAMP-1 in the dense lysosomes.