线粒体参与介导MOPDO抑制HepG2细胞增殖、诱导其凋亡的作用

研究新合成的一氧化氮供体--核苷衍生物6-甲基-4-(2-氟-3,5-二-O-苯甲酰基-1-β-D-呋喃阿拉伯糖)-[1,2,5]噁二唑[3,4-d]嘧啶-5(4H),7(6H)-二酮1-氧化物(MOPDO)抑制人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖、诱导凋亡的作用.以不同浓度的MOPDO作用于人肝癌细胞HepG2,MTT检测与相差显微镜观察相结合,分析MOPDO对HepG2细胞增殖的影响;膜联蛋白-V/PI双染检测细胞凋亡率;JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位(△ψm)变化;硝酸酶法测定细胞培养液中NO的含量.结果发现,MOPDO以时间和剂量依赖性方式抑制HepG2细胞的增殖,细胞形态出现相应的变化;细胞凋亡率的增加呈时-效和量-效关系;JC-1染色显示,线粒体膜电位随着MOPDO剂量的增加降低;MOPDO释放的NO量呈剂量依赖性增加.表明线粒体可能参与介导MOPDO抑制HepG2细胞的增殖、诱导其凋亡的作用.     

球孢菌素A和Bcl—2高表达对EGTA诱导HL—60细胞凋亡的影响

研究线粒体PT孔专一抑制剂环孢菌素A（CsA）和Bcl-2高表达对EGTA诱导HL－60细胞凋亡的影响。流式细胞仪检测凋亡峰、染色质凝聚的PI和Hoechst33342荧光双染观察、DNA梯状条带分析均表明,CsA明显促进EGTA诱导的HL－60细胞凋亡,而Bcl-2高表达完全阻断细胞凋亡的发生,借助荧光探针rhodamine123和CMXRos研究细胞凋亡过程线粒体△ψm下降,而Bcl-2高表达使HL－60细胞的线粒体△ψm提高了近1倍,并完全抑制EGTA诱导的线粒体△ψm下降。     

神经酰胺以Caspase依赖和非依赖方式诱导线粒体凋亡蛋白释放

本研究探讨了外源性C2-神经酰胺诱导入结肠癌HT-29细胞凋亡中,线粒体膜间隙凋亡蛋白的释放机制．不同浓度C2-神经酰胺作用HT-29细胞,流式细胞仪检测线粒体膜电位（△ψm）,线粒体／细胞液分离试剂盒分离亚细胞成分,聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测细胞色素C（Cytc）、高温必需蛋白A2（HtrA2）、线粒体源性半胱天冬氨酸蛋白酶第二活化因子（Smac）、凋亡抑制蛋白（XtAP）和半胱天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3（Caspase-3）蛋白表达水平．实验结果显示25和50μmol／L C2-神经酰胺作用细胞6h,△ψm即开始下降（P〈0．05）,且环孢霉素能通过调节线粒体膜通透性转换孔抑制△ψm的下降．C2-神经酰胺对Cyt c,HtrA2和Smac总蛋白表达没有明显影响,但能诱导Cyt c,HtrA2和Smac从线粒体释放入细胞液中,并下调XIAP蛋白的表达及活化Caspase-3．在Caspase抑制剂存在下,C2-神经酰胺仍能诱导Cyt c和HtrA2从线粒体释放,但不能诱导Smac释放．因此认为C2-神经酰胺能通过线粒体凋亡通路诱导HT-29细胞凋亡,C2-神经酰胺诱导Cytc和HtrA2从线粒体的释放是Caspase非依赖性的,而Smac释放是Caspase依赖性的．     

卵巢癌干细胞对化疗药物耐药的机制探讨

目的:探讨卵巢癌干细胞(OCSC)对化疗药物的抵抗及其机制。方法:采用有限稀释法、单细胞克隆和无血清培养方法从卵巢癌细胞株OVCAR-3细胞中分离培养OCSC。以卡铂和紫杉醇作用于OCSC和亲代OVCAR-3细胞,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率、Annexin V-FITC/PI双染流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡、JC-1染色流式细胞术检测细胞线粒体膜电位(△ψm),比色测定试剂盒检测caspase-3和caspase-8活性。结果:有限稀释法、单细胞克隆和无血清培养能从OVCAR-3细胞中分离培养OCSC。与亲代OVCAR-3细胞比较,卡铂和紫杉醇作用的OCSC的存活率增加、凋亡率下降、△ψm增加、caspase-3和caspase-8活性下降。结论:OCSC通过抑制化疗药物介导的凋亡内源性和外源性通路对化疗药物产生耐药性。     

草果挥发油诱导鼻咽癌6-10B细胞凋亡的机制研究

研究草果挥发油对鼻咽癌6-10B细胞的增殖抑制作用及诱导其凋亡的机制。采用CCK-8法测定草果挥发油对6-10B细胞的增殖抑制效应;倒置显微成像法观察草果挥发油对6-10B细胞的形态改变;Annexin V/PI双染法检测草果挥发油对6-10B细胞的凋亡诱导效应;JC-1染色法检测草果挥发油诱导6-10B细胞的线粒体膜电位改变情况;Western blot检测草果挥发油对6-10B细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达水平的影响。结果显示,草果挥发油抑制6-10B细胞增殖,且呈剂量依赖性,其24 h的IC_(50)为0.14 mg/mL。形态学结果显示草果挥发油可诱导6-10B细胞呈典型的凋亡形态。Annexin V/PI双染和JC-1染色结果显示,草果挥发油诱导6-10B细胞凋亡并引起细胞线粒体膜电位(MMP)下降。Western blot结果表明,草果挥发油作用6-10B细胞24 h后线粒体途径促凋亡蛋白Bax和Bim表达升高,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Bcl-xL表达降低。综上说明草果挥发油抑制鼻咽癌6-10B细胞增殖,线粒体凋亡途径可能参与了草果挥发油诱导的鼻咽癌细胞凋亡。     

中药臭灵丹中3, 5-二羟基-6, 7, 3′, 4′-四甲氧基黄酮对人鼻咽癌CNE细胞凋亡的影响及机制

中药臭灵丹中黄酮类化合物3,5-二羟基-6,7,3′,4′-四甲氧基黄酮(3,5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone,HTMF)体外对多种肿瘤细胞有抑增殖作用,但机制尚未完全清楚.为探讨HTMF对人鼻咽癌CNE细胞凋亡的影响,用MTT法检测HTMF对CNE细胞株的增殖抑制率,倒置显微镜观察HTMF作用于CNE细胞后细胞形态变化,Hoechst 33258荧光染色观察细胞核形态的变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞的凋亡率,Western blot法检测凋亡蛋白Caspase3和Caspase9的变化,流式细胞仪检测线粒体跨膜电位(△准m)值的改变,并用JC-1荧光染料染色,激光共聚焦显微镜观察线粒体膜电位变化.结果显示,分离自臭灵丹的HTMF呈浓度、时间双重依赖性显著抑制CNE细胞的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,引起线粒体膜电位下降及凋亡蛋白Caspase3和Caspase9的活化.提示:3,5-二羟基-6,7,3′,4′-四甲氧基黄酮对人鼻咽癌CNE细胞的生长有显著的抑制作用,并可通过降低线粒体膜电位激活Caspase9,进而活化Caspase3诱导CNE细胞凋亡.     

缺氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞中线粒体ATP敏感钾通道开放对细胞色素C的分布及细胞增殖的作用

为了探讨线粒体ATP敏感钾通道（mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K^＋channel,mito KATP）和线粒体膜电位（△ψm）在细胞缺氧信号转导中的作用以及对缺氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞中细胞色素C在细胞内的分布及细胞增殖的影响,本实验将人肺动脉平滑肌细胞进行常氧或24h缺氧培养,并将标本分为六组：（1）对照组;（2）mito KATP,开放剂diazoxide组;（3）mito KATP阻断剂5-HD组;（4）24h缺氧组;（5）24h缺氧＋diazoxide组;（6）24h缺氧＋5-HD组。利用激光共聚焦显微镜成像法检测△、ψm;线粒体／胞浆成分分离试剂盒（Bio Vision）分离线粒体和胞浆成分后,Western blot检测两者细胞色素C;Western blot检测细胞中caspase-9的蛋白表达量;MTT法及PI染色后流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖情况。结果显示：（1）diazoxide作用24h后,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少,与正常对照组相比较,均P〈0．05;而5-HD作用24h与正常对照组比较,上述指标无明显变化（P〉0．05）。（2）缺氧24h组,结果与diazoxide组相似,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少,与正常对照组相比较,均P〈0．05;24h缺氧＋diazoxide组与缺氧组相比较,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少（P〈0．05）;而24h缺氧＋5-HD组与缺氧组比较,R-123荧光明显降低,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显升高,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著增加,细胞增殖明显减少、凋亡增多（P〈0．05）。上述实验结果提示,缺氧可以引起mito KATP,的开放以及△ψm的去极化,并进而抑制细胞色素C从线粒体释放到胞浆,抑制线粒体凋亡途径,从而参与并影响肺动脉高压的发生、发展。     

桑葚花色苷提取物对乳腺癌细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位的影响

目的:观察桑葚花色苷提取物对人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-453、MDA-MB-231和MCF-7细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位的影响.方法:利用超声辅助乙醇萃取法提取桑葚花色苷,pH示差法测定提取物花色苷总含量,以50、100和150 mg/mL桑葚花色苷提取物作用三种乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453和MCF-7 24h,采用Annexin V/PI双染流式细胞分析法检测细胞凋亡水平变化,JC-1探针染色激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察MDA-MB-453细胞线粒体膜电位水平变化.结果:凋亡分析结果表明,桑葚花色苷提取物作用后三种乳腺癌细胞凋亡率均升高,显示出促凋亡效应,且具有剂量-效应关系,100和150 mg/mL组凋亡率显著升高(P＜0.05).激光共聚焦扫描显微镜检测结果显示,桑葚花色苷提取物作用24h,可使MDA-MB-453细胞线粒体膜电位显著下降,表现为红色/绿色荧光的比值显著降低(P＜0.05).结论:桑葚花色苷提取物可显著降低乳腺癌细胞线粒体膜电位,并促发细胞凋亡.     

ROS在镉诱导HK-2细胞氧化损伤和凋亡中的作用研究

该文研究了活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)在镉(Cadmium, Cd)诱导HK-2细胞氧化损伤和凋亡中的作用。不同浓度CdCl2处理HK-2细胞不同时间后,通过MTT法、DCFH-DA标记、JC-1染色、彗星实验和流式细胞术分别检测细胞活性、ROS、线粒体膜电位Δψm、DNA损伤及细胞凋亡情况。结果显示, CdCl2处理引起HK-2细胞形态皱缩、变圆,活性下降,且呈时间和剂量依赖性; CdCl2处理导致ROS水平升高、线粒体膜电位Δψm下降、DNA损伤和caspase-3活化,最终导致细胞凋亡,且60μmol/L处理组及高浓度组与对照组相比差异极显著(P0.01)。采用ROS清除剂NAC与CdCl2共处理细胞24 h,发现细胞形态明显恢复、ROS水平显著降低、线粒体膜电位Δψm显著升高、彗星尾部长度和DNA百分比显著下降、凋亡细胞减少(P0.01)。综上所述, ROS介导了Cd诱导的HK-2细胞氧化损伤和凋亡。     

SmacN7诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡的作用及其机制*

目的:探讨SmacN7对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡的作用及机制。方法:将0-20 μmol/L的SmacN7应用于乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157,用MTS法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、细胞周期,hoechst33342染色观察细胞核型变化,JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位,LDH释放实验检测药物细胞毒性,qPCR检测各基因转录水平,并通过抑瘤实验证实该药抑制乳腺癌增殖的作用。结果:应用SmacN7后,乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157增殖抑制率和细胞凋亡率均增加(P＜0.01),核型发生显著变化,细胞线粒体膜电位降低,LDH释放量增加,并上调TRAIL、DR4、DR5、p53、PARP-1、Bax、Bid、BAK、caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9基因的转录水平(P＜0.01),下调 Ras、PI3K、AKT、mTOR、Bcl2、Bcl-xL、MCL-1、Survivin、cIAP-1、cIAP-2基因的转录水平(P＜0.01)。结论:SmacN7可通过TRAIL介导的死亡受体途径和线粒体介导的内源性凋亡途径诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡,发挥抗乳腺癌的作用。     

Comparison of multiple assays for kinetic detection of apoptosis in thymocytes exposed to dexamethasone or diethylstilbesterol.

BACKGROUND: Techniques to measure apoptosis are used to study a wide spectrum of conditions, from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) to cancer to autoimmune diseases. Therefore, a critical comparison of common assays for apoptosis is warranted. METHODS: The kinetics of apoptosis induction in dexamethasone (DEX)-exposed thymocytes was examined after 2, 4, 8, 12, 26-28, and 48-50 h of culture. An additional aim was to ascertain whether a similar thymic atrophy-inducing hormone, diethylstilbestrol (DES), also directly induces thymocyte apoptosis. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometric examination of cells stained with propidium iodide (PI), 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD), or fluorescein isothiocyante (FITC)-annexin; by forward-and side-scatter (FS, SS) analysis, cell-size analyzer; and through cytopathologic examination. RESULTS: After 4 h of DEX exposure, apoptosis was evident by 7-AAD, annexin, and cytopathological assays, but no cells with sub-diploid DNA content were evident by PI analysis. Maximal apoptosis was evident by all the above flow cytometric techniques at 12 h after DEX exposure. The 7-AAD and annexin assays, which allow discrimination between early apoptosis and late apoptosis/necrosis, were comparable and identified similar apoptotic populations. Appearance of a FSlow/SSincreased population was evident only after 12 h of DEX exposure. Apoptosis could not be detected by any of the above assays in thymocytes exposed to various doses of DES. CONCLUSION: Two of the six assays, 7-AAD and annexin, were similar in detecting apoptosis at an early kinetic time point. Results of both assays were comparable at all time points studied. Our studies imply that DEX and DES induce thymic atrophy, in vivo, by different mechanisms.     

Tobacco smoke induces mitochondrial depolarization along with cell death: effects of antioxidants

Smoking has been associated with a large number of diseases, in particular cancers. Among the many substances identified in tobacco smoke, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are major carcinogens. We have previously reported that exposure of mammalian cells to tobacco smoke induces the expression of stress proteins, as well as apoptosis (programmed cell death). Here we examined the effects of tobacco smoke on mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim), since mitochondria have been proposed to control the effector phase of apoptosis. We used normal human monocytes for these experiments, with the prospect for application of deltapsim as a biomarker of oxidative stress. Tobacco smoke induced mitochondrial depolarization at 3 h, and apoptosis (or necrosis for higher concentrations) after 16 h. Apoptosis was assessed by both a functional approach (annexin V binding) and morphological analysis (electron microscopy). N-acetyl-cysteine prevented tobacco smoke-induced deltapsim disruption and apoptosis, while the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD.Fmk did not affect deltapsim, though preventing apoptosis, and superoxide dismutase had no effect. Our data designate mitochondria as a target for ROS-mediated effects of tobacco smoke exposure.     

Mitochondrial alterations precede Bordetella pertussis-induced apoptosis

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough in humans, secretes a number of toxins, including adenylate cyclase-hemolysin (AC-Hly), and induces macrophage apoptosis. We investigated the effects of B. pertussis on mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) and ATP levels, as possible determinants of cell death. Using the fluorescent probe JC-1, we found that infection of human monocytes by B. pertussis lead to a disruption in host-cell deltapsim. deltapsim alterations were preceded by a massive increase in cyclic AMP, a moderate decrease in ATP, and was independent from oxidative stress. These changes were observed when human monocytes were infected by the parental B. pertussis 18323 but not when infected by the mutants deficient in the expression of AC-Hly. Exposure of human monocytes to purified AC-Hly induced changes comparable to those observed with the B. pertussis parental strain. Our results provide a mechanistic relationship between AC-Hly, ATP, and deltapsim disruption in the cascade of events leading to B. pertussis-induced apoptosis.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction in osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritis (OA) a time or age dependent process leads to aberrant cartilage structure which is characterized by reduced number of chondrocytes, loss of existing cartilage extracellular matrix, the production of matrix with abnormal composition and pathologic matrix calcification. Because chondrocyte matrix synthesis and mineralization are modulated by the balance between ATP generation and consumption, the mechanism by which chondrocytes generate energy have been a topic of interest. The analysis of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) activity in OA chondrocytes shows a significant decrease in complexes II and III compared to normal chondrocytes. On the other hand, mitochondrial mass is increased in OA, as demonstrated by a significant rise in CS activity. Furthermore, OA cells show a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) as demonstrated by using the fluorescent probe JC-1. OA cartilage contains high number of apoptotic chondrocytes, and mitochondria play a key role in apoptosis. Interestingly, OA cartilages show markedly elevated Bcl-2 and caspasa-3 expression. This expression is also correlated with chondrocyte apoptosis and OA lesions. The pathogenesis of OA includes elaboration of increased amounts of NO as a consequence of up-regulation of chondrocyte-inducible NO synthase induced by IL-1, TNF-alpha and other factors. NO reduces chondrocyte survival and induces cell death with morphologic changes characteristic of chondrocyte apoptosis. NO reduces the activity of complex IV and decreases the deltapsim as measured as the ratio of red/green fluorescence. Furthermore, NO induces the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and -7, and it reduces the expression of mRNA bcl-2 and the bcl-2 protein synthesis. Some studies suggest that the chondrocyte mitochondria are specialized for calcium transport and are important in the calcification of the extracellular matrix. Mineral formation has been demonstrated in matrix vesicles (MV) and within mitochondria. Direct suppression of mitochondrial respiration promoted MV-mediated mineralization in chondrocytes. Regulation of MRC may be one of the signaling pathways by which NO modulates articular cartilage matrix biosynthesis and pathologic mineralization. After age 40, the incidence of OA in humans increases progressively with increasing age. Studies show a trend to statistic significance between the age and the reduction of complex I activity of human normal chondrocytes. However, the study of relation between age and deltapsim in normal chondrocytes do not demonstrate any significant correlation. It has been reported that as the number of population doublings increased, mitochondrial DNA was degraded and the number of mitochondria per chondrocyte decline. One approach for determining the role of mitochondria in OA is to determine the effects of the MRC inhibition and to compare them with the findings in OA. Inhibition of MRC with antimycin prevents the normal ability of TGFbeta to increase excretion of Pi, thereby worsening deposition of pathologic HA crystals. In chondrocytes, the inhibition of complex IV with NaN3 modified both the deltapsim and the survival of cells inducing apoptosis. Inhibition of complex I with rotenone increases the expression and synthesis of Bcl-2 and Cox-2, both effects are similar effects to produced by IL-1 in human chondrocytes.     

改构酸性成纤维细胞生长因子对小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨改构酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(MaFGF)对地塞米松(DEX)诱导小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的保护作用。方法:利用地塞米松诱导小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的模型,将实验分为空白对照组、DEX处理组、aFGF+DEX组和MaFGF+DEX组,采用DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳和流式细胞仪两种分析方法,测定MaFGF对小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的影响。结果:空白对照组凋亡率为168%,DEX处理后小鼠胸腺细胞出现明显的细胞凋亡,凋亡率为196%,aFGF和MaFGF处理后的细胞凋亡受到抑制,凋亡率分别下降到1595%和1293%,MaFGF效应强于aFGF,且以剂量依赖方式发挥作用。结论:MaFGF具有以剂量依赖方式的胸腺细胞保护作用。     

Effect of staining and sorting on boar sperm membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and in vitro blastocyst development

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of staining with Hoechst 33342 and of the entire sorting procedure on boar sperm membrane integrity (using Annexin-V/PI), mitochondrial activity (using JC-1/SYBR/PI) and blastocyst development in vitro; the effect of storage at 17 degrees C for 24h prior to Hoechst staining and sorting was also investigated. The Hoechst staining and the whole sorting procedure reduced the percent of live spermatozoa in both fresh (day 0) and stored (day 1) semen, as determined by both assays; nevertheless, there was no increase in live sperm cells showing signs of early damage (Annexin-V positive, propidium negative), whose percentages remained nearly zero. The majority of Annexin-V positive cells were propidium positive, therefore dead. JC-1 staining evidenced a correlation between mitochondrial activity and viability. However, a significant difference between viable sperm cells and sperm cells with active mitochondria was detected in control and stained sperm, whereas almost all viable sorted spermatozoa had active mitochondria. No significant differences in the in vitro produced blastocysts both on day 0 and 1 were observed. In conclusion, despite the damages induced by sorting procedures, semen sorted as fresh or after storage at 17 degrees C can be successfully used for in vitro production of pig embryos.     

线粒体PT孔参与甘草诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡的调控

不久前我们从中药中首次筛选发现了甘草能显著诱导胃癌MGC-803细胞凋亡,本文进一步研究甘草诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡过程中凋亡百分率、线粒体膜电位、胞内游离钙、DNA电泳和细胞膜通透性以及染色质DNA凝聚的时相变化,并研究了线粒体PT孔专一抑制剂环孢菌素A(CsA)对凋亡过程的影响.我们观察到,细胞膜通透性增强、胞内游离钙升高和线粒体膜电位下降为细胞凋亡的早期事件,先于凋亡峰出现、染色质凝聚和DNA电泳梯状条带出现,CsA明显抑制线粒体膜电位下降,细胞膜通透性增强和胞内游离钙变化,并极大程度地延迟细胞凋亡过程.结果提示,钙和CsA敏感性的线粒体PT孔开放参与甘草提取物诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡的调控.     

线粒体PT孔参与甘草诱导MGC—803细胞凋亡的调控

In our previous studies, we have discovered that the extract of glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (EGUF) can induce obvious apoptosis in gastric cancer cell Line MGC-803. Here, further investigation was carried on about the time-lapse changes of mitochondria transmembrane potential, intracellular free calcium ions, DNA electrophoresis, plasma membrane permeability and chromatin condensation during the apoptotic process of MGC-803 induced by EGUF and the influences of MPT-specific inhibitor Cyclosporin A(CsA) on these changes. Enhancement of plasma membrane permeability with PI staining, increase of intracellular free calcium ion and decrease of mitochondria transmembrane potential are early events in apoptotic cascades, prior to the appearances of apoptotic peak, chromatin condensation and DNA ladder. CsA significantly inhibited enhancement of plasma membrane permeability, change of intracellular free calcium ions and decrease of mitochondria transmembrane potential, also greatly delayed the progress of apoptosis. Thus, our results suggest that calcium and CsA-sensitive MPT is involved in the apoptosis of MGC-803 induced by EGUF.     

Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of thymocytes: requirement of proteasome-dependent mitochondrial activity

Thymocytes undergo negative and positive selection during development in the thymus. During this selection process, the majority of thymocytes are eliminated by apoptosis through signaling via TCR or die by neglect, possibly mediated through glucocorticoids. In this study, we report that thymocytes require molecular oxygen to undergo apoptosis induced by dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, and treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, inhibits thymocyte apoptosis in vivo as well as ex vivo. We detected elevated intracellular levels of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) during DEX-induced apoptosis, which is reduced by NAC treatment, indicating that the elevated levels of intracellular H(2)O(2) are proapoptotic. We also show that loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, as well as caspase-3 activation induced by DEX are attenuated by NAC treatment. We identified the production site for H(2)O(2) as the ubiquinone cycle at complex III of mitochondria by using various inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and we show that the cell death events mediated by mitochondria are also significantly reduced when the inhibitors were used. Through inhibition of the proteasome, we also show that the production of H(2)O(2) and the cell death events mediated by mitochondria are regulated by proteosomal activities in DEX-induced thymocyte apoptosis. We conclude that in DEX-treated thymocytes, the increased production of H(2)O(2) originates from mitochondria and is proapoptotic for cell death mediated by mitochondria. We also conclude that all the apoptotic events mediated by mitochondria are regulated by proteasomes.     

Characterization of cells with different mitochondrial membrane potential during apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Until now, the simultaneous analysis of several parameters during apoptosis, including DNA content and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi), has not been possible because of the spectral characteristics of the commonly used dyes. Using polychromatic flow cytometry based upon multiple laser and UV lamp excitation, we have characterized cells with different DeltaPsi during apoptosis. METHODS: U937 cells were treated with the flavonoid quercetin (Qu) and stained with JC-1 to detect DeltaPsi, propidium iodide (PI) for cell viability, Hoechst 33342 for DNA content, Annexin V conjugated with Alexa Fluor-647 for detection of phosphatidilserine (PS) exposure, marker of early apoptosis, or Mitotracker Deep Red for the determination of mitochondrial mass. RESULTS: Treatment with Qu provoked the onset of three cell populations with different DeltaPsi: (1) healthy cells, with normal DeltaPsi, DNA content and physical parameters, high mitochondrial mass, PI- and Annexin V-negative; (2) cells with intermediate DeltaPsi and normal DNA content, but with physical parameters typical of apoptotic cells and low mitochondrial mass; most of them were PI+ and Annexin V+; (3) cells with collapsed DeltaPsi that had low mitochondrial mass and were Annexin-V+, PI+; half of them showed diminished DNA content. Similar results, i.e. the presence of cells with intermediate DeltaPsi, were observed in other models of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: During Qu-induced apoptosis, loss of DeltaPsi, PS exposure, and decrease of mitochondrial mass are early events that precede permeability to PI and loss of DNA. Populations of cells with different DeltaPsi, as revealed by flow cytometry after JC-1 staining, differed also for other parameters associated to apoptosis. Thus, the simultaneous analysis of several parameters by polychromatic flow cytometry permits a better identification of many stages of cell death, and, more in general, allows to evaluate the eventual heterogenic sensibility of the population under study to a given compound.