Down-regulated LAMA4 inhibits oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells through the MAPK signaling pathway in rats with glaucoma

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder that is generally accepted as the main cause of vision loss. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that laminin α4 (LAMA4) is implicated in glaucoma development by controlling apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Expression profiles and genes associated with glaucoma were searched to determine the objective gene. Intraocular pressure (IOP) rats model were established and IOP was measured. The mRNA and protein expression of LAMA4, JNK, p38 MAPK, ERK, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, and p53 was determined in concert with the treatment of H₂O₂, si-NC, or si-LAMA4 in cultured RGCs. Viability of RGCs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis was also measured. LAMA4 was selected as the study object because of its significant difference in two expression profiles. IOP of rats with glaucoma increased significantly after model establishment, and the LAMA4 protein expression in retinal tissue of rats with glaucoma was elevated. Down-regulation of LAMA4 could inhibit the mRNA and protein expression of LAMA4, JNK, p38 MAPK, ERK, Bax, Caspase-9, and p53, as well as restrain the apoptosis and ROS of RGCs, but improve Bcl-2 expression and viability of RGCs. Collectively, the obtained data supported that downregulated LAMA4 might reduce the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of glaucoma RGCs by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.     

Vaspin protects mouse mesenchymal stem cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through the MAPK/p38 pathway

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The aim of the work was to study the influence of vaspin on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs originated from...     

MAPK pathway mediates the protective effects of onychin on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in ECV304 endothelial cells

Our recent studies have shown that onychin could protect rabbit aortic rings from lysophosphatidylcholine-induced injury by preserving endothelium-dependent relaxation and alleviating acute endothelial damage mediated by oxidative stress. However, the effect of onychin on apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by oxidative stress was not evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of onychin on Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) induced apoptosis of ECV304 endothelial cells. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) was pretreated with vehicle (DMSO), genistein, or different concentrations of onychin (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 micromol/L) for 30 minutes and then exposed to 1 mmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours. Cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL and flow cytometric analysis. Meanwhile, Western-blot was used to measure the expression of phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-p38 and caspase-3. Our data showed that onychin treatment exhibited a protective effect on ECV304 endothelial cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, onychin attenuated H2O2-induced phosphorylation of p38MAPK and increased H2O2-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, onychin decreased the activation of caspase-3. The opposing effects of onychin on phosphorylation levels of p38MAPK and ERK1/2, and its caspase-3 inhibition might play a role in the beneficial effect of onychin on endothelial injury.     

Parthenolide regulates oxidative stress-induced mitophagy and suppresses apoptosis through p53 signaling pathway in C2C12 myoblasts

Muscle redox disturbances and oxidative stress have emerged as a common pathogenetic mechanism and potential therapeutic intervention in some muscle diseases. Parthenolide (PTL), a sesquiterpene lactone found in large amounts in the leaves of feverfew, possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-migraine, and anticancer properties. Although PTL was reported to alleviate cancer cachexia and improve skeletal muscle characteristics in a cancer cachexia model, its actions on oxidative stress-induced damage in C2C12 myoblasts have not been reported and the regulatory mechanisms have not yet been defined. In our study, PTL attenuated H₂O₂-induced growth inhibition and morphological changes. Furthermore, PTL exhibited scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species and protected C2C12 cells from apoptosis in response to H₂O₂. Meanwhile, PTL suppressed collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby contributing to normalizing H₂O₂-induced autophagy flux and mitophagy, correlating with inhibiting degradation of mitochondrial marker protein TIM23, the increase in LC3-II expression and the reduction of mitochondria DNA. Besides its protective effect on mitochondria, PTL also prevented H₂O₂-induced lysosomes damage in C2C12 cells. In addition, the phosphorylation of p53, cathepsin B, and Bax/Bcl-2 protein levels, and the translocation of Bax from the cytosol to mitochondria induced by H₂O₂ in C2C12 cells was significantly reduced by PTL. In conclusion, PTL modulates oxidative stress-induced mitophagy and protects C2C12 myoblasts against apoptosis, suggesting a potential protective effect against oxidative stress-associated skeletal muscle diseases.     

LukS-PV induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through p38/ERK MAPK signaling pathway in NSCLC cells

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for nearly 85% of lung cancer cases. LukS-PV, one of the two components of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL), is produced by Staphylococcus aureus. The present study showed that LukS-PV can induce apoptosis in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) lines (THP-1 and HL-60). However, the role of LukS-PV in NSCLC is unclear. In this study, we treated NSCLC cell lines A549 and H460 and a normal lung cell line, 16HBE, with LukS-PV and investigated the biological roles of LukS-PV in NSCLC. Cells were treated with varying concentrations of LukS-PV and cell viability was evaluated by CCK8 and EdU assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and analyze the cell cycle, and the expression of apoptosis and cell cycle-associated proteins and genes were identified by western blotting analysis and qRT-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. We found that LukS-PV inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells but had little cytotoxicity in normal lung cells. LukS-PV induced NSCLC cell apoptosis and increased the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, triggering S-phase arrest in A549 and H460 cells while increasing P21 expression and decreasing CDK2, cyclin D1, and cyclin A2 expression. We also observed increased P-p38 and P-ERK in NSCLC cells treated with LukS-PV. Treatment of NSCLC with LukS-PV combined with p38 and ERK inhibitors reversed the pro-apoptotic and pro-cell cycle arrest effects of LukS-PV. Overall, these findings indicate that LukS-PV has anti-tumor effects in NSCLC and may contribute to the development of anti-cancer agents.     

Chlamydia inhibit host cell apoptosis by inducing Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway

Chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacteria that frequently cause human disease. Host cells infected with Chlamydia are profoundly resistant to diverse apoptotic stimuli. The inhibition of apoptosis is thought to be an important immune escape mechanism allowing Chlamydia to productively complete their obligate intracellular growth cycle. Chlamydial antiapoptotic activity involves activation of the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that Bag-1 is up-regulated in Chlamydia-infected cells. U0126 and GW5074 suppress the induction of Bag-1 by Chlamydia, implying that Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. Overexpression of Bag-1 is sufficient to protect against apoptosis, while depletion of Bag-1 suppresses the antiapoptotic effect of Chlamydia. The data indicate Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 through the MAPK/ERK survival pathway to suppress apoptosis.     

Maslinic acid induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells through activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway

The present study determines the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium signaling evoked by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) on apoptosis in the human leukemia HL-60 and K562 cell lines. The results show that treatment of both cell lines cells with 10 ng/mL TNFα resulted in a rise in the percentage of apoptotic cells after 6 h of treatment. It was also observed that the administration of 10 ng/mL TNFα increased intracellular ROS production, as well as a time-dependent increase in caspase-8, -3, and -9 activities. The present results also show that the pretreatment with well-known antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine partially reduced the caspase activation caused by the administration of TNFα. The findings suggest that TNFα-induced apoptosis is dependent on alterations in intracellular ROS generation in human leukemia HL-60 and K562 cells.     

RXR agonists inhibit oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 rat ventricular cells

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a central role in the regulation of intracellular receptor signaling pathways. We examined its role in regulating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 rat ventricular cells. We showed for the first time that functional RXR protein was downregulated by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Natural and synthetic agonists of RXR, 9-cis-RA, and LGD1069 respectively, prevented H₂O₂-triggered apoptosis, and this anti-apoptotic effect was inhibited by the RXR antagonist HX531. Further investigation into the protective mechanisms of RXR demonstrated that H₂O₂-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation were all significantly attenuated by pretreatment with RXR agonists. Furthermore, this protection was associated with a reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species and an upregulation in catalase activity. Thus, these data indicate that pharmacological activation of RXR exerts protective effects against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in H9c2 rat ventricular cells through antioxidant and mitochondria-protective mechanisms.     

Oxidative stress-induced intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis is mediated by p38 MAPK

Free oxygen radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. The stress-activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been implicated in gut injury. Here, we found that phosphorylated p38 was detected primarily in the villus tips of normal intestine, whereas it was expressed in the entire mucosa in NEC. H(2)O(2) treatment resulted in a rapid phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and subsequent apoptosis of rat intestinal epithelial (RIE)-1 cells; this induction was attenuated by treatment with SB203580, a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, or transfection with p38alpha siRNA. Moreover, SB203580 also blocked H(2)O(2)-induced PKC activation. In contrast, the PKC inhibitor (GF109203x) did not affect p38 activation, indicating that p38 MAPK activation occurs upstream of PKC activation in H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. H(2)O(2) treatment also decreased mitochondrial membrane potential; pretreatment with SB203580 attenuated this response. Our study demonstrates that the p38 MAPK/PKC pathway plays an important role as a pro-apoptotic cellular signaling during oxidative stress-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury.     

MAPK信号通路对大鼠低氧性PASMCs增殖、凋亡的调控

目的：研究低氧性大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMC）的增殖、凋亡与丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）关系。方法：用组织酶消化法获取肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）,进行原代培养;采用普通光学显微镜和免疫荧光染色法,分别鉴定PASMCs;选择处于对数生长期的4~6代PASMCs,随机分为7组进行造模：常氧对照组（N）、低氧组（H）、DM-SO组（D）、U0126组（U）、SB203580组（S）、Anisomycin组（A）、Staurosporine Aglycone组（SA）;N组加入10%培养基后置于常氧培养箱中,其它各组分别加入含相应药物的10%培养基后置于低氧培养箱（3% O₂,5% CO₂,37℃）中,造模时间均为48 h。CCK-8法检测各组PASMCs增殖情况;TUNEL法测定各组PASMCs凋亡情况。结果：与N组相比,H组PASMCs的OD值显著上调（0.990 ±0.041 vs 1.143 ±0.033,P < 0.01）,凋亡指数没有明显变化（4.913 ±0.451 vs 5.452 ±0.557,P > 0.05）;与H组相比,D组PASMCs的OD值和凋亡指数均无显著变化（1.143 ±0.033 vs 1.142 ±0.049,5.452 ±0.557 vs 5.402 ±0.651,均P > 0.05）;U组PASMCs的OD值下降,凋亡指数升高（1.143 ±0.033 vs 0.985 ±0.078,5.452 ±0.557 vs 10.145 ±2.545,均P < 0.01）;S组PASMCs OD值上调,凋亡指数明显下调（1.143 ±0.033 vs 1.295 ±0.039,5.452 ±0.557 vs 3.093 ±0.409,均P < 0.01）;A组PASMCs的OD值下降,凋亡指数升高（1.143 ±0.033 vs 0.347 ±0.067,5.452 ±0.557 vs 25.753 ±1.262,均P < 0.01）;SA组PASMCs OD值上调,凋亡指数下调（1.143 ±0.033 vs 1.685 ±0.100,5.452 ±0.557 vs 1.700 ±0.095,均P < 0.01）。结论：低氧对PASMCs增殖和凋亡的调控与MAPK信号通路有关。     

Notoginsenoside R1 attenuates oxidative stress-induced osteoblast dysfunction through JNK signalling pathway

Oxidative stress (OS)-induced mitochondrial damage and the subsequent osteoblast dysfunction contributes to the initiation and progression of osteoporosis. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), isolated from Panax notoginseng, has potent antioxidant effects and has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. This study aimed to investigate the protective property and mechanism of NGR1 on oxidative-damaged osteoblast. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were pretreated with NGR1 24 h before hydrogen peroxide administration simulating OS attack. Cell viability, apoptosis rate, osteogenic activity and markers of mitochondrial function were examined. The role of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathway on oxidative injured osteoblast and mitochondrial function was also detected. Our data indicate that NGR1 (25 μM) could reduce apoptosis as well as restore osteoblast viability and osteogenic differentiation. NGR1 also reduced OS-induced mitochondrial ROS and restored mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate production and mitochondrial DNA copy number. NGR1 could block JNK pathway and antagonize the destructive effects of OS. JNK inhibitor (SP600125) mimicked the protective effects of NGR1while JNK agonist (Anisomycin) abolished it. These data indicated that NGR1 could significantly attenuate OS-induced mitochondrial damage and restore osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast via suppressing JNK signalling pathway activation, thus becoming a promising agent in treating osteoporosis.     

Role of glutathione S-transferases in oxidative stress-induced male germ cell apoptosis

Cellular apoptosis in a tissue may occur for the maintenance of proper ratio of cells or because of toxic effects of free radicals or other agents. Male germ cell apoptosis is pivotal in maintaining the proper functioning of the testis, but it is not clear how free radicals affect germ cells and what the defense mechanisms are that are used by these cells to combat the toxic effects of the products of oxidative stress. This study shows that male germ cells are susceptible to H(2)O(2)-induced stress and, upon exposure to H(2)O(2) in vitro, demonstrate a typical apoptotic phenotype that includes DNA fragmentation and formation of DNA ladders. Other changes include considerable accumulation of products of lipid peroxidation in the germ cells after exposure to H(2)O(2). Evidence is presented for the existence of multiple isoforms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) that possess both transferase and Se-independent peroxidase activity. Germ cell GST activity increases after H(2)O(2) exposure. If this increase in activity is inhibited with suitable inhibitors, the formation of products of lipid peroxidation is augmented, resulting in germ cell apoptosis. Also, when constitutive GST activity is inhibited, accumulation of products of lipid peroxidation occurs, resulting in increased cellular apoptosis. These data show that GSTs form a part of adaptive response of germ cells to oxidative stress and are important constituents in detoxifying the products of lipid peroxidation.     

Claudin-7 inhibits human lung cancer cell migration and invasion through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway

Tight junctions are the most apical component of the junctional complex critical for epithelial cell barrier and polarity functions. Although its disruption is well documented during cancer progression such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition, molecular mechanisms by which tight junction integral membrane protein claudins affect this process remain largely unknown. In this report, we found that claudin-7 was normally expressed in bronchial epithelial cells of human lungs but was either downregulated or disrupted in its distribution pattern in lung cancer. To investigate the function of claudin-7 in lung cancer cells, we transfected claudin-7 cDNA into NCI-H1299, a human lung carcinoma cell line that has no detectable claudin-7 expression. We found that claudin-7 expressing cells showed a reduced response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) treatment, were less motile, and formed fewer foot processes than the control cells did. In addition, cells transfected with claudin-7 dramatically decreased their invasive ability after HGF treatment. These effects were mediated through the MAPK signaling pathway since the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 was significantly lower in claudin-7 transfected cells than in control cells. PD98059, a selective inhibitor of ERK/MAPK pathway, was able to block the motile effect. Claudin-7 formed stable complexes with claudin-1 and -3 and was able to recruit them to the cell-cell junction area in claudin-7 transfected cells. When control and claudin-7 transfected cells were inoculated into nude mice, claudin-7 expressing cells produced smaller tumors than the control cells. Taken together, our study demonstrates that claudin-7 inhibits cell migration and invasion through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in response to growth factor stimulation in human lung cancer cells.