Sestrin2通过抑制砷化物诱导的氧化应激反应发挥拮抗细胞凋亡的保护性作用

目的:探讨Sestrin2在砷化物诱导细胞凋亡反应中的作用及机制。方法:体外培养人肝癌细胞HepG2,以砷化物为刺激源,用免疫印迹和RT-PCR方法检测Sestrin2在砷化物刺激HepG2细胞前后的表达水平差异;用流式细胞术检测敲低Sestrin2前后以及抑制氧化应激反应前后细胞凋亡水平变化情况;用活性氧(ROS)检测试剂盒分析敲低Sestrin2前后细胞在砷化物刺激后的氧化应激水平变化情况。结果:砷化物刺激HepG2细胞后Sestrin2表达水平显著上调;敲低HepG2细胞中Sestrin2表达水平后,细胞凋亡水平明显升高,说明Sestrin2的诱导表达是砷化物诱导细胞凋亡反应中的保护性事件;在敲低Sestrin2表达水平后,砷化物诱导的ROS产生效应和氧化应激反应程度明显加剧;抗氧化剂NAC能够显著逆转Sestrin2对细胞凋亡的保护性效应。结论:Sestrin2在砷化物诱导细胞凋亡反应中可通过抑制ROS产生而发挥拮抗细胞凋亡的保护性作用。     

Apelin 通过调节ROS 水平抑制TNF-α 诱导的HepG2 细胞凋亡

目的:探讨apelin在肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)诱导的肝细胞凋亡中的作用及可能机制。方法:PCR检测HepG2细胞和原代小鼠肝细胞中APJ受体的表达;采用Hoechst 33342染色检测TNF-α诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡;用活性氧(ROS)检测试剂盒结合流式细胞术测定细胞内ROS水平;通过Western blot检测信号分子JNK的磷酸化水平;比较给予apelin处理对上述指标的影响。结果:HepG2细胞和原代小鼠肝细胞均表达APJ受体;apelin可抑制TNF-α导致的细胞内ROS生成增多和JNK磷酸化水平升高并减少TNF-α诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡。结论:Apelin可能通过拮抗TNF-α诱导的细胞内ROS水平升高,使JNK信号失活,从而抑制HepG2细胞凋亡。     

半边旗二萜类成分PAG通过ROS诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的作用研究

探讨半边旗二萜类成分Pteisolic acid G(PAG)对人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖和凋亡的影响及作用机制。用不同浓度的PAG处理HepG2细胞后,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率;采用PI单染法检测细胞周期分布;采用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡率;采用RT-PCR和Western Blotting检测细胞内mRNA和蛋白表达情况;采用DCFH-DA法检测细胞内ROS水平,采用ROS抑制剂乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)评价PAG细胞增殖抑制作用对ROS的依赖性。结果表明,在24 h、48 h和72 h时,PAG可剂量依赖性地抑制HepG2细胞的增殖(p0.05),IC_(50)分别为64.8μmol/L,38.5μmol/L和24.8μmol/L;用药24 h时PAG可剂量依赖性地使HepG2细胞阻滞在G_2/M期,同时增加HepG2细胞凋亡率(p0.05);PAG可剂量依赖性地降低HepG2细胞内Bcl-2 mRNA和caspase 3、PARP、Bcl-2蛋白的表达(p0.05),增加Bax mRNA和actived-caspase 3、cleaved-PARP、Bax蛋白的表达(p0.05)。当使用1 mmol/L的ROS抑制剂NAC预处理HepG2细胞时,PAG对HepG2细胞增殖抑制作用被显著阻断。上述结果表明,半边旗二萜类成分PAG可提高Bax/Bcl-2的基因和蛋白表达比值,从而诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡,该作用可能是通过升高细胞内ROS水平来实现的。     

氰酸盐诱导氧化应激促进肾小管上皮细胞上皮–间充质转化

该研究探讨氰酸盐(cyanate)诱导肾小管上皮细胞氧化应激损伤和促进肾纤维化的作用。氰酸盐作用HK-2肾小管上皮细胞后, CCK8法检测其对细胞活力的影响;倒置显微镜观察细胞形态的改变; DCFH-DA法检测细胞ROS水平;细胞免疫荧光和Western blot分别检测E-cadherin、Fibronectin、α-SMA的表达; Western blot检测TGF-β的表达水平。结果显示, 2 mmol/L氰酸盐明显下调HK-2细胞的活力(P<0.05),细胞形态变为长梭形。氰酸盐作用24 h后, HK-2细胞内ROS水平呈浓度依赖性升高。免疫荧光和Western blot结果均显示,氰酸盐作用24 h后, HK-2的Fibronectin、α-SMA表达升高, E-cadherin表达下降; TGF-β的表达水平随氰酸盐浓度升高而上调(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,氰酸盐诱导肾小管上皮细胞产生过量ROS,上调TGF-β水平促进细胞上皮–间充质细胞转化(epithelia-mesenchymal transition, EMT)。     

达那唑抑制SKM-1细胞活性并促使细胞凋亡

目的研究达那唑对骨髓增生异常综合征(myelodysplastic syndrome,MDS)细胞系SKM-1细胞活性、凋亡以及肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL)信号通路的影响。方法用0、10、20和40μmol/L达那唑处理SKM-1细胞后,通过MTT法检测细胞活性,通过流式细胞实验分析细胞周期和细胞凋亡,通过TUNEL染色法检测TUNEL阳性细胞比例,通过Western blot检测TRAIL介导的细胞凋亡相关蛋白的表达情况。结果达那唑可呈浓度依赖性地抑制SKM-1细胞活力,降低S期中细胞比率,提高细胞凋亡比率。Western blot结果显示达那唑可使Cleaved caspase-8和Cleaved PARP1水平升高。结论达那唑可抑制SKM-1细胞活性并促进其凋亡,其机制可能与激活TRAIL信号通路相关。     

小剂量多巴胺对氧化应激诱导大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响及其机制

目的:探讨小剂量多巴胺(DA)对氧化应激诱导大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的作用及可能机制。方法:采用培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞,随机分为正常对照组(control),过氧化氢处理组(H2O2),小剂量多巴胺干预组(DA+H2O2),多巴胺受体Ⅰ型阻断剂干预组(DR1+DA+H2O2),多巴胺受体II型阻断剂干预组(DR2+DA+H2O2);应用流式细胞仪、MTT检测心肌细胞的凋亡率,透射电子显微镜检测细胞超微结构的变化,比色法检测细胞培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,Western blot检测Cytochrone c、Caspase 3、Caspase 9的蛋白表达情况。结果:与单纯H2O2组相比,小剂量多巴胺(10μmol/L)可降低LDH活性,升高SOD活性,抑制心肌细胞凋亡和凋亡相关蛋白的表达;DR1阻断剂SCH-23390干预后,能够部分逆转这种作用,而DR2阻断剂Haloperido干预后没有明显的变化。结论:小剂量多巴胺可能通过DR1抑制氧化应激诱导的心肌细胞凋亡。     

lncRNA PVT1沉默对高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞增殖、凋亡及氧化应激的影响*

目的: 探讨抑制lncRNA PVT1对高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞的增殖,凋亡和氧化应激的影响。方法: 体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs),分为四组:对照组(5.5 mmol/L葡萄糖),高糖组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖),高糖+siNC组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+siNC,细胞转染阴性对照组),高糖+siPVT1组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+siPVT1,抑制lncRNA PVT1组)。采用荧光定量PCR的方法检测转染后PVT1的表达水平。MTT检测siPVT1(短片段干扰RNA PVT1)对高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞增殖能力的影响。流式细胞术检测siPVT1对高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞ROS和凋亡水平。Western blot检测HUVECs细胞中凋亡相关蛋白如Bax,Bcl-2和cleaved-caspase-3的表达水平。结果: 与对照组比较,转染siPVT1后,PVT1的表达水平显著降低(P＜0.05)。MTT结果显示,与对照组比较,培养24 h和48 h后高糖组中HUVECs细胞增殖活力均显著降低,与高糖+siNC组(阴性对照组)比较,培养24 h和48 h后,高糖+siPVT1组中的HUVECs细胞增殖活力显著增加(P＜0.05)。流式细胞术检测结果表明,与对照组比较,高糖组HUVECs细胞中ROS和凋亡率均显著增加;和高糖+siNC组比较,高糖+siPVT1组中HUVECs细胞中ROS和凋亡率均有减少(P＜0.05)。Western blot结果表明,与对照组比较,高糖组中cleaved-caspase-3和Bax表达水平均显著上调,Bcl-2的表达水平显著下调(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。与高糖+siNC组比较,高糖+siPVT1组cleaved-caspase-3和Bax表达水平显著下调,Bcl-2的表达显著上调(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。结论: 抑制lncRNA PVT1可以显著增加高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞增殖活力,减轻氧化应激,抑制细胞凋亡。     

GFER抑制四氯化碳对HepG2细胞的损伤

目的探讨HepG2细胞内生长因子ERV1样基因(growth factor Erv1-gene,GFER)表达降低后对四氯化碳(CCl4)诱导的细胞损伤的影响,以进一步明确GFER对于肝细胞的保护作用。方法首先将GFER siRNA转染入HepG2细胞,72 h后收集细胞并通过Western Blot检测GFER的表达以明确沉默效率。再次将GFER siRNA转染入HepG2细胞72 h后,用CCl4处理细胞6 h和24 h,检测细胞内ATP的含量,caspase-3的活性,并应用MTS方法测定细胞的增殖能力以及TUNEL方法检测细胞凋亡。结果 Western blot结果显示转染GFER siRNA后细胞内GFER的表达降低。CCl4处理细胞6 h后,GFER表达降低使细胞的增殖能力下降,细胞内ATP含量增加,细胞凋亡更为明显。CCl4处理24 h后,GFER表达降低使细胞的增殖能力进一步下降,Caspase 3活性进一步升高,凋亡细胞数目显著增多,而ATP的含量明显下降。结论 GFER表达降低促进CCl4对HepG2细胞的损伤。     

非瑟素对HBV复制诱导的细胞氧化损伤的保护作用及其机制研究

该文旨在研究sirtuin家族激活剂非瑟素(fisetin)对乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)复制导致的氧化损伤过程中的保护作用,并初步分析其分子机制。在Huh-7细胞中转染HBV表达质粒p CH9/3091并同时用N-乙酰半胱氨酸(n-acetyl-cysteine,NAC)处理细胞,Mito SOX?Red试剂检测细胞线粒体活性氧类(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平,DCFH-DA探针法检测细胞内ROS水平,丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)试剂盒检测细胞MDA水平,Western blot检测细胞超氧化物歧化酶1(superoxide dismutase 1,SOD1)和SOD2的蛋白质水平。Huh-7细胞转染p CH9/3091的同时用非瑟素处理细胞,并检测细胞ROS、MDA、SOD1和SOD2蛋白质水平;Huh-7细胞转染p CH9/3091并用非瑟素处理细胞或同时沉默SOD2,用细胞免疫荧光及Western blot检测γ-H2AX(Phosphorylated Histone H2AX)的形成;MTS[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt]实验分析氧化应激条件下非瑟素对HBV复制细胞活率的影响;进一步应用Western blot检测丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)家族磷酸化水平及总蛋白水平的变化。结果显示,HBV复制明显增加细胞线粒体和细胞内ROS水平和细胞MDA水平,并且也明显降低SOD1和SOD2水平。NAC处理HBV复制细胞后,线粒体内和细胞内的ROS和细胞MDA水平明显减少。非瑟素处理HBV复制细胞后,HBV复制对细胞内ROS和MDA水平促进作用明显减弱;此外,HBV复制对细胞内SOD1和SOD2水平的抑制作用也明显减弱。非瑟素处理HBV复制细胞后,HBV复制对γ-H2AX形成的促进作用明显减弱,而SOD2沉默则减弱了非瑟素对HBV复制细胞中γ-H2AX形成的抑制作用。在氧化应激条件下,非瑟素明显减弱HBV复制对细胞活力的影响,SOD2沉默则减弱了非瑟素对HBV复制细胞活率的影响。非瑟素拮抗HBV表达对JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase)和p38(p38 kinase)磷酸化的促进作用,而SOD2沉默减弱了非瑟素对HBV复制细胞中JNK和p38磷酸化的抑制作用。该研究结果表明,非瑟素可能通过促进SOD2的表达拮抗HBV复制导致的氧化应激反应,并可能通过抑制JNK及p38的激活减少细胞氧化损伤,从而发挥保护细胞的作用。     

胃癌细胞TRAIL受体的表达与其对TRAIL敏感性的关系

目的:探讨胃癌细胞表面TRAIL受体表达水平及其与TRAIL敏感性的关系.方法:PI染色、流式细胞仪检测TRAIL诱导BGC-823及SGC-7901细胞的凋亡率,流式细胞仪检测细胞膜表面四种TRAIL受体-R1、R2、R3、R4的表达情况.结果:TRAIL诱导胃癌细胞凋亡具有剂量和时间依赖性,BGC-823较SGC-7901对TRAIL诱导的凋亡更敏感,TRAIL(100μg·L-1)作用24h的细胞凋亡率分别是59.9%、24.3%.死亡受体TRAIL-R1/DR4、TRAIL-R2/DR5在BGC-823细胞膜表面表达的阳性率高达97.87%和99.42%,而在SGC-7901分别为7.03%和95-31%,诱骗受体TRAIL-R3/DcR1、TRAIL-R4/DcR2在两株细胞膜表面极少表达.结论:胃癌细胞对TRAIL诱导凋亡的敏感性差异可能与细胞膜表面死亡受体有关,尤其与DR4的表达有关.     

Atmospheric Pressure Room Temperature Plasma Jets Facilitate Oxidative and Nitrative Stress and Lead to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Dependent Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells

Atmospheric pressure room temperature plasma jets (APRTP-Js) that can emit a mixture of different active species have recently found entry in various medical applications. Apoptosis is a key event in APRTP-Js-induced cellular toxicity, but the exact biological mechanisms underlying remain elusive. Here, we explored the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in APRTP-Js-induced apoptosis using in vitro model of HepG2 cells. We found that APRTP-Js facilitated the accumulation of ROS and RNS in cells, which resulted in the compromised cellular antioxidant defense system, as evidenced by the inactivation of cellular antioxidants including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Nitrotyrosine and protein carbonyl content analysis indicated that APRTP-Js treatment caused nitrative and oxidative injury of cells. Meanwhile, intracellular calcium homeostasis was disturbed along with the alteration in the expressions of GRP78, CHOP and pro-caspase12. These effects accumulated and eventually culminated into the cellular dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress)-mediated apoptosis. The apoptosis could be markedly attenuated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a free radical scavenger), which confirmed the involvement of oxidative and nitrative stress in the process leading to HepG2 cell apoptosis by APRTP-Js treatment.     

Snake venom toxin from Vipera lebetina turanica sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL through ROS- and JNK-mediated upregulation of death receptors and downregulation of survival proteins

We investigated whether snake venom toxin (SVT) from Vipera lebetina turanica enhances the apoptosis ability of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in cancer cells. TRAIL inhibited HCT116 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner; however, this reduction did not occur in TRAIL resistant HT-29, A549 and HepG2 cells with an even higher dose of TRAIL. SVT, but not TRAIL enhanced expression of cell death receptor (DR) in TRAIL resistant cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. A combination of SVT with TRAIL significantly inhibited cell growth of TRAIL resistant HT-29, A549 and HepG2 cells. Consistent with cell growth inhibition, the expression of TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 was significantly increased as well as apoptosis related proteins such as cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9 and Bax. However, the expression of survival proteins (e.g., cFLIP, survivin, XIAP and Bcl2) was suppressed by the combination treatment of SVT and TRAIL. Depletion of DR4 or DR5 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed the cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis blocking effects of SVT in HCT116 and HT-29 cells. Pretreatment with the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetylcysteine reduced the SVT and TRAIL-induced upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression, expression of the apoptosis related protein such as caspase-3 and-9, as well as cell growth inhibitory effects. The collective results suggest that SVT facilitates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells through up-regulation of the TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 via ROS/JNK pathway signals.     

Implications of altered glutathione metabolism in aspirin-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells

We have previously reported that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, ASA) induces cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells. In the present study, we have further elucidated that altered glutathione (GSH)-redox metabolism in HepG2 cells play a critical role in ASA-induced cytotoxicity. Using selected doses and time point for ASA toxicity, we have demonstrated that when GSH synthesis is inhibited in HepG2 cells by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), prior to ASA treatment, cytotoxicity of the drug is augmented. On the other hand, when GSH-depleted cells were treated with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), cytotoxicity/apoptosis caused by ASA was attenuated with a significant recovery in oxidative stress, GSH homeostasis, DNA fragmentation and some of the mitochondrial functions. NAC treatment, however, had no significant effects on the drug-induced inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase activity and ATP synthesis in GSH-depleted cells. Our results have confirmed that aspirin increases apoptosis by increased reactive oxygen species production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory functions. These effects were further amplified when GSH-depleted cells were treated with ASA. We have also shown that some of the effects of aspirin might be associated with reduced GSH homeostasis, as treatment of cells with NAC attenuated the effects of BSO and aspirin. Our results strongly suggest that GSH dependent redox homeostasis in HepG2 cells is critical in preserving mitochondrial functions and preventing oxidative stress associated complications caused by aspirin treatment.     

Dual role of glutathione in selenite-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

It is well known that glutathione, the major intracellular antioxidant, is closely involved in the metabolism and bioactivity of selenium. In the present study, glutathione was demonstrated to play a dual role on selenite (Se)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG(2) cells. The experiment was carried out in two different modes to modulate intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) content. In Mode A (pretreatment), cells were pretreated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), or GSH prior to Se exposure. In Mode B (simultaneous treatment), cells were treated with Se and NAC, BSO, or GSH simultaneously. It was found that Se-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis are closely related to the intracellular level of GSH. Both the increase and depletion of GSH content significantly enhanced Se-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HepG(2) cells. Results from this study clearly demonstrated that GSH has a dual role in the effects of Se on cancer cells: (i) GSH acts as a pro-oxidant, facilitating Se-induced oxidative stress, and (ii) GSH acts as an antioxidant, protecting against Se-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Understanding such a unique association between GSH and Se may help to explain the controversy in the literature over the complex relationship between selenium and glutathione, and ultimately the capability of selenium to prevent cancer.     

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a role in myelodysplastic syndrome development,diagnosis, and prognosis: A pilot study

Abstract

The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and their elimination by antioxidants leads to oxidative stress. Depending on their concentration, ROS can trigger apoptosis or stimulate cell proliferation. We hypothesized that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may participate not only in apoptosis detected in some myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients, but also in increasing proliferation in other patients. We investigated the involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in MDS pathogenesis, as well as assessed their diagnostic and prognostic values. Intracellular peroxides, superoxide, superoxide/peroxides ratio, reduced glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_mit) levels were analyzed in bone marrow cells from 27 MDS patients and 12 controls, by flow cytometry. We observed that all bone marrow cell types from MDS patients had increased intracellular peroxide levels and decreased GSH content, compared with control cells. Moreover, oxidative stress levels were MDS subtype— and risk group—dependent. Low-risk patients had the highest ROS levels, which can be related with their high apoptosis; and intermediate-2-risk patients had high Δψ_mit that may be associated with their proliferative potential. GSH levels were negatively correlated with transfusion dependency, and peroxide levels were positively correlated with serum ferritin level. GSH content proved to be an accurate parameter to discriminate patients from controls. Finally, patients with high ROS or low GSH levels, as well as high superoxide/peroxides ratio had lower overall survival. Our results suggest that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in MDS development, and that oxidative stress parameters may constitute novel diagnosis and/or prognosis biomarkers for MDS.     

Mcl-1 and YY1 inhibition and induction of DR5 by the BH3-mimetic Obatoclax (GX15-070) contribute in the sensitization of B-NHL cells to TRAIL apoptosis

The pan Bcl-2 family antagonist Obatoclax (GX15-070), currently in clinical trials, was shown to sensitize TRAIL-resistant tumors to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via the release of Bak and Bim from Mcl-1 or Bcl-2/Bcl-X_L complexes or by the activation of Bax, though other mechanisms were not examined. Herein, we hypothesize that Obatoclax-mediated sensitization to TRAIL apoptosis may also result from alterations of the apoptotic pathways. The TRAIL-resistant B-cell line Ramos was used as a model for investigation. Treatment of Ramos cells with obatoclax significantly inhibited the expression of several members of the Bcl-2 family, dissociated Bak from Mcl-1 and inhibited the NFκB activity. Cells treated with Mcl-1 siRNA were sensitized to TRAIL apoptosis. We examined whether the sensitization of Ramos to TRAIL by Obatoclax resulted from signaling of the DR4 and/or DR5. Transfection with DR5 siRNA, but not with DR4 siRNA, sensitized the cells to apoptosis following treatment with Obatoclax and TRAIL. The signaling via DR5 correlated with Obatoclax-induced inhibition of the DR5 repressor Yin Yang 1 (YY1). Transfection with YY1 siRNA sensitized the cells to TRAIL apoptosis following treatment with Obatoclax and TRAIL. Overall, the present findings reveal a new mechanism of Obatoclax-induced sensitization to TRAIL apoptosis and the involvement of the inhibition of NFκB activity and downstream Mcl-1 and YY1 expressions and activities.Key words: Obatoclax, TRAIL, YY1, DR5, lymphoma, immunosensitization     

Role of Oxidative Stress,Apoptosis, and Intracellular Homeostasis in Primary Cultures of Rat Proximal Tubular Cells Exposed to Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is a known nephrotoxic element. In this study, the primary cultures of rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells were treated with low doses of cadmium acetate (2.5 and 5 μM) to investigate its cytotoxic mechanism. A progressive loss in cell viability, together with a significant increase in the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells, were seen in the experiment. Simultaneously, elevation of intracellular [Ca²⁺]i and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, significant depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential(Δ Ψ) and cellular glutathione (GSH), intracellular acidification, and inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities were revealed in a dose-dependent manner during the exposure, while the cellular death and the apoptosis could be markedly reversed by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Also, the calcium overload and GSH depletion were significantly affected by NAC. In conclusion, exposure of rPT cells to low-dose cadmium led to cellular death, mediated by an apoptotic and a necrotic mechanism. The apoptotic death might be the chief mechanism, which may be mediated by oxidative stress. Also, a disorder of intracellular homeostasis induced by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction is a trigger of apoptosis in rPT cells.     

Mcl-1 and YY1 inhibition and induction of DR5 by the BH3-mimetic Obatoclax (GX15-070) contribute in the sensitization of B-NHL cells to TRAIL apoptosis

The pan Bcl-2 family antagonist Obatoclax (GX15-070), currently in clinical trials, was shown to sensitize TRAIL-resistant tumors to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via the release of Bak and Bim from Mcl-1 or Bcl-2/Bcl-X_L complexes or by the activation of Bax, though other mechanisms were not examined. Herein, we hypothesize that Obatoclax-mediated sensitization to TRAIL apoptosis may also result from alterations of the apoptotic pathways. The TRAIL-resistant B-cell line Ramos was used as a model for investigation. Treatment of Ramos cells with Obatoclax significantly inhibited the expression of several members of the Bcl-2 family, dissociated Bak from Mcl-1 and inhibited the NFκB activity. Cells treated with Mcl-1 siRNA were sensitized to TRAIL apoptosis. We examined whether the sensitization of Ramos to TRAIL by Obatoclax resulted from signaling of the DR4 and/or DR5. Transfection with DR5 siRNA, but not with DR4 siRNA, sensitized the cells to apoptosis following treatment with Obatoclax and TRAIL. The signaling via DR5 correlated with Obatoclax-induced inhibition of the DR5 repressor Yin Yang 1 (YY1). Transfection with YY1 siRNA sensitized the cells to TRAIL apoptosis following treatment with Obatoclax and TRAIL. Overall, the present findings reveal a new mechanism of Obatoclax-induced sensitization to TRAIL apoptosis and the involvement of the inhibition of NFκB activity and downstream Mcl-1 and YY1 expressions and activities.     

N-Acetyl Cysteine Depletes Reactive Oxygen Species and Prevents Dental Monomer-Induced Intrinsic Mitochondrial Apoptosis In Vitro in Human Dental Pulp Cells

Purpose

To investigate the involvement of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis in dental monomer-induced cytotoxicity and the influences of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on this process.

Methods

Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) were exposed to several dental monomers in the absence or presence of NAC, and cell viability, intracellular redox balance, morphology and function of mitochondria and key indicators of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis were evaluated using various commercial kits.

Results

Dental monomers exerted dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on hDPCs. Concomitant to the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of glutathione (GSH), differential changes in activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were detected. Apoptosis, as indicated by positive Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and activation of caspase-3, was observed after dental monomer treatment. Dental monomers impaired the morphology and function of mitochondria, and induced intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis in hDPCs via up-regulation of p53, Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. NAC restored cell viability, relieved oxidative stress and blocked the apoptotic effects of dental monomers.

Conclusions

Dental monomers induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial intrinsic apoptosis in hDPCs. NAC could reduce the oxidative stress and thus protect hDPCs against dental monomer-induced apoptosis.