Expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas/FasL,Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in rat corpus luteum during luteal regression

Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Western blot and TUNEL methods, we have studied the expression of Fas/FasL, Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3 in the corpora lutea (CL) at various stages of pseudopregnant rat induced by injection of PMSF/hCG. The results showed that no apoptotic signal could be observed until Day 14 after hCG injection. Fas weakly expressed in the CL at all the stages increased when luteolysis took place. FasL signal increased dramatically on Day 14 and reached the maximum level on Day 21. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected in a time-dependent manner. At the early stage of CL development, Bcl-2 expression was stronger, while Bax was low. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the CL was completely reversed. Caspase-3 antigen could be detected throughout all the phases of CL development in a time-dependent fashion, low on Day 2 and reaching the maximum on Day 21. These results suggest that luteal regression at the late phases may be related to cell apoptosis.     

Identical changes in Bax expression, but not Fas ligand expression, occur in structural luteolysis in gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist- and prolactin-treated superovulated rats

Structural luteolysis induced by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) or prolactin (PRL) is defined as histological involution of the corpus luteum. We reported that one of the mechanisms of structural luteolysis induced by PRL was tissue remodeling by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and also apoptosis in superovulated rats. We also reported that GnRHa induced structural luteolysis with elevation of MMP. In this study, we investigated whether GnRHa caused apoptosis in mature corpus luteum of superovulated rats and also examined the expression of apoptosis-related molecules (Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2, Bax). We gave 4-day GnRHa treatment 5 days after hCG injection to immature female rats treated with pregnant mare surum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and hCG to induce structural involution of mature corpus luteum. PMSG-hCG-treated rats without GnRHa treatment, rats treated with bromocryptine (Brom) to induce functional luteolysis and rats treated with Brom followed by PRL (Brom+PRL) to mimic the PRL surge to induce structural luteolysis as we previously reported were used for comparison. GnRHa treatment caused structural luteolysis characterized by structural involution, a decrease in the serum progestin level, and apoptotic bodies as well as structural luteolysis induced by Brom+PRL. FasL expression in corpora lutea was elevated after Brom treatment, but there was no elevation of FasL after GnRHa treatment started. FasL expression decreased and Bax expression increased in structural luteolysis induced by GnRHa as well as Brom+PRL treatment, although Fas and Bcl-2 expression did not change throughout the luteal phase. In summary, both GnRHa and Brom+PRL caused structural luteolysis, one of whose mechanisms was apoptosis with an increase in Bax expression, but not with an identical change in FasL expression. It is speculated that the significance in alteration of FasL may involve some mechanism other than apoptosis.     

Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and Bax in the endometrium of rhesus monkey during the menstrual cycle

To study possible role and regulation of apoptosis occurred in primate endometrium, the expression of apoptosis-related molecules, Fas, FasL, B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2), and Bax were analyzed in relation to occurrence of apoptosis and proliferation in the cycling endometrium of the rhesus monkey using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The cell apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated by means of in situ 3'-end labeling and Ki67 immunostaining, respectively. The results showed that the expressions of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2, and Bax were co-localized predominantly in the epithelial cells of the endometrium. Modest Fas staining with no obvious change was detected throughout the menstrual cycle, while the levels of FasL and Bax protein in the epithelial cells increased in the secretory phase when apoptosis was most prevalent. In contrast, epithelial immunostaining for Bcl-2 was maximal during the proliferative phase and decreased in the secretory phase. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was also detected in some immunocytes. The coordinated expression of Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and Bax in the cycling endometrium of the rhesus monkey suggests that the cyclic changes in endometrial growth and regression may be regulated by the balance of these factors under the action of ovary steroids.     

Alveolar epithelial type II cell apoptosis in vivo during resolution of keratinocyte growth factor-induced hyperplasia in the rat

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) induces rapid and transient hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial type II cells. We sought to determine components of the apoptotic process involved in the resolution of this hyperplasia and the fate of the apoptotic cells. Rats received intrabronchial instillation of 5 mg KGF/kg body weight or diluent. Lungs were fixed 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days later. Apoptosis was identified by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), double-labeling for TUNEL and the type II cell marker MNF116, and electron microscopy. Fas, FasL, Bax, Bcl-2, and pro- and active caspase-3 were studied by immunohistochemistry. Changes were quantified by stereology. Cell type specificity was investigated by immunofluorescence double staining. Type II cells exhibited Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and procaspase-3 irrespective of treatment and time. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed Fas at the apical type II cell membrane. Bax staining was prominent in controls (45-95% of type II cell surface fraction), markedly decreased during hyperplasia at days 2 (20-40%) and 3 (0-10%), and reappeared at day 7 (25-45%) when apoptosis was prominent. Remnants of apoptotic type II cells were incorporated in membrane-bound vacuoles of type II cell neighbors as well as alveolar macrophages. The results indicate that type II cells can enter the Fas/FasL/caspase-3 pathway regulated by Bax and Bcl-2. High Bcl-2:Bax levels favor type II cell survival and a low rate of apoptosis during hyperplasia. Low Bcl-2:Bax levels favor type II cell apoptosis during resolution. Because of time-dependent changes that occur within a short time, the KGF-treated rat lung provides a useful in vivo model to investigate apoptosis in the context of tissue remodeling and repair.     

Induction of cell death in rat small intestine by ischemia reperfusion: differential roles of Fas/Fas ligand and Bcl-2/Bax systems depending upon cell types

Although ischemia reperfusion (I/R) induces apoptotic damage of mammalian small intestine, the molecular mechanism is largely unknown. We investigated the appearance of apoptosis at various time-points (0–24 h) of reperfusion after 1-h ischemia and the expression of various apoptosis-related proteins, such as Bcl-2, Bax, Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), activated caspase-3, and cytochrome c, immunohistochemically in rat small intestine. As assessed by TUNEL and electron microscopy, apoptotic cells were increased at 3 h of reperfusion in all intestinal parts (villous epithelium, crypt epithelium, and stroma of intestine). Moreover, the TUNEL-positive cells in the stroma were later identified as T cells. The expression of Fas and FasL as well as activated caspase-3 was markedly increased at 3 h of reperfusion in the stroma. In the villous epithelium, a transient decrease in Bcl-2 expression was found while in the crypt epithelium, Fas expression was induced. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of leupeptin (an SH-protease inhibitor) after I/R resulted in a significant inhibition of the induction of apoptosis in the stroma and crypt epithelium. Our results indicate that the triggering molecules of apoptosis in the I/R rat small intestine may vary depending on cell type and that the use of a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor may reduce intestinal damage.     

人参皂甙 Rb1对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞Bcl-2、Bax、Bad、Fas基因表达的影响

目的观察人参皂甙Rb1对缺血再灌注心肌细胞Bcl-2、Bax、Bad、Fas基因表达的影响.方法结扎/松解Wistar大鼠左冠状动脉前降支,建立大鼠缺血再灌注动物模型,免疫组化法检测Bcl-2、Bax、Bad、Fas基因的蛋白表达,并利用图象分析系统测量蛋白阳性表达区域平均光密度值,进行定量分析.结果缺血再灌注组及Rb1治疗组Bcl-2、Bax、Bad、Fas基因的表达较假手术组明显增加(P<0.05), Rb1治疗组Bcl-2的表达与缺血再灌注组比较无明显差异(P>0.05),而Bax、Bad、Fas的表达明显下降(P<0.05),人参皂甙Rb1治疗组Bcl-2/Bax、Bcl-2/Bad以及Bcl-2/Fas比值均较假手术组与缺血再灌注组明显增加.结论人参皂甙Rb1治疗可以抑制缺血再灌注心肌细胞中促凋亡基因Bax、Bad、Fas的表达,并使Bcl-2/Bax、Bcl-2/Bad以及Bcl-2/Fas比值增加.     

Selenium as a modulator of membrane stability parameters and surface changes during the initiation phase of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colorectal carcinogenesis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents the most challenging of gynecological malignancies. Defective apoptosis is a major causative factor in the development and progression of cancer. The two important pathways of apoptosis are extrinsic death receptor pathway (Fas family) and intrinsic mitochondrial pathway (Bcl-2 family). In this study, differential protein expression of the major Fas family members (Fas, FasL, and FAP-1) and Bcl-2 family members (Bax, Bcl-2, and Bcl-X(L)) in benign versus malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumors was evaluated at the protein level by immunohistochemistry. The expression of these molecules was compared in 30 benign versus 35 malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumors. The findings of the present study showed that there was no significant difference in the expression of the Fas family members in benign and malignant ovarian tumors. However, benign tumors showed higher levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein levels (p < 0.009), whereas malignant tumors showed higher levels of pro-apoptotic Bax (p < 0.001). In general, there was no significant difference in Bcl-X(L) protein levels. The observations made in the present study suggest that alterations in expression of the Fas family and the Bcl-2 family members occur and play a key role in the deregulated growth of epithelial ovarian cancer.     

Ovarian response to hCG treatment during the oestrous cycle in heifers

The aims of this study were to investigate whether treatment with a single ovulatory dose of hCG, between the day of oestrus and the end of the luteal phase, could induce extra ovulations in heifers and whether the presence of an existing corpus luteum (CL) affected the response. Heifers (N = 32) were injected with 1500 i.u. hCG or saline on a given day of the oestrous cycle. Treatments were repeated during subsequent cycles to provide a total of 71 observations, 57 of which followed an injection of hCG, given between Day 0 (oestrus) and Day 16, and 14 of which followed saline injections as controls. Ovulatory responses were noted by laparoscopy 2 days after hCG treatment. No heifers injected with saline produced additional CL. Of the hCG-treated cycles, 23 resulted in the formation of an additional CL, and this was significantly affected by the stage of the oestrous cycle when hCG was given; a greater response was observed during the early (Days 4-7) and late (Days 14-16) stages of the luteal phase than at the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. Two heifers were also treated with hCG on Days 17 or 18 of the oestrous cycle, but before oestrus; both had induced CL. There were no significant differences between the left-right orientation of the existing CL or the hCG-induced CL. These results demonstrate that the large, luteal-phase follicle of the cow is capable of ovulating in response to hCG and that the induced CL is not affected by the presence of an existing CL.     

Osteoprotegerin Induces Apoptosis of Osteoclasts and Osteoclast Precursor Cells via the Fas/Fas Ligand Pathway

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is known to inhibit differentiation and activation of osteoclasts (OCs) by functioning as a decoy receptor blocking interactions between RANK and RANKL. However, the exact role of OPG in the survival/apoptosis of OCs remains unclear. OPG caused increased rates of apoptosis of both OCs and osteoclast precursor cells (OPCs). The expression of Fas and activated caspase-8 was increased by both 20 ng/mL and 40 ng/mL of OPG, but was markedly decreased at 80 ng/mL. Interestingly, we noted that while levels of Fas ligand (FasL) increased with increasing doses of OPG, the soluble form of FasL in the supernatant decreased. The results of a co-immunoprecipitation assay suggested that the decrease of sFasL might be caused by the binding of OPG. This would block the inhibition of the apoptosis of OCs and OPCs. Furthermore, changes in expression levels of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspased-3 and the translocation of cytochrome c, illustrated that OPG induced apoptosis of OCs and OPCs via the classic Fas/FasL apoptosis pathway, and was mediated by mitochondria. Altogether, our results demonstrate that OPG induces OCs and OPCs apoptosis partly by the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.     

Expression of Bcl—2 inhibited Fas—mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL—7404 cells

Apoptosis plays an important role in embryonic development,tissue remodeling,immune regulation and tumor regression.Two groups of molecules(Bcl-2 family and “Death factor” family) are involved in regulating apoptosis.In order to know about the effect of Bcl-2 on apoptosis induced by Fas,a typical member of “Death factor” family,the transfection experiments with expression vectors pcDNA3-fl and pcDNA3-bcl-2 were performed in BEL-7404 cells,a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line which expresses endogenous Fas,but not FasL and Bcl-2.The data showed that the expression of FasL in pcDNA3-fl transfected hepatoma cells obviously induced the apoptosis of the cells.However,the overexpression of Bcl-2 in pcDNA3-bcl-2 transfected 7404/b-16 cells counteracted pcDNA3-fl transient transfection mediated apoptosis.Further study by cotransfection experiments indicated that Bid but not Bax (both were pro-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family) blocked the inhibitory effect of Bcl-2 on Fas-mediated apoptosis.These results suggested that Fas-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma cells is possibly regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins via mitochondria pathway.     

重组荞麦胰蛋白酶抑制剂对人肝癌细胞的凋亡及半胱氨酸天冬酶活性的影响

先前的研究表明,基因重组荞麦胰蛋白酶抑制剂 (rBTI) 具有诱导不同肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用.为了揭示其诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的可能机理,从基因水平上探讨与凋亡有关的分子事件,本研究用不同浓度的 rBTI 体外作用于人肝癌细胞 HepG2 后,采用 MTT 比色法检测抑制剂对epG2 细胞的抑制率,用 DNA 凝胶电泳和细胞核的形态学观察检测 HepG2 细胞的凋亡.结果表明,rBTI 在体外能够明显抑制 HepG2 细胞的增长,并诱导细胞凋亡.另外,细胞凋亡与Bcl-2/Bax mRNA 水平有关.通过 RT-PCR 检测发现,细胞经过rBTI处理后,抗凋亡基因Bcl-2 mRNA 水平下调,促凋亡基因 Bax mRNA 有所上调,而对照 GAPDH 无变化.对 HepG2细胞中 Fas/Fas 配体及半胱氨酸天冬酶（caspase）的研究证明,细胞经过 rBTI 处理后,对死亡受体 Fas mRNA没有影响; rBTI 可明显激活caspase-3 和 caspase-9 酶活性, 对caspase-8 活性几乎无影响.上述结果表明,rBTI 对HepG2 细胞具有明显的诱导凋亡作用,其诱导细胞凋亡的机制与 caspase-3 依赖性凋亡调节信号通路有关,未涉及 Fas/Fas 配体途径.     

Dexamethasone induces apoptosis in human T cell clones expressing low levels of Bcl-2

Previous results of ours have demonstrated that the same clonotype can express both a sensitive and a resistant phenotype to Dex-mediated PCD induction depending on its cell cycle phase. In particular, we demonstrated that human T lymphocytes, arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, are susceptible, while proliferating T cells are resistant to Dex-mediated apoptosis. In this paper, we have further characterized the sensitive and resistant phenotypes and investigated whether a different expression of the apoptotic genes Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, Bcl-x and Bax is involved in the regulation of Dex-mediated apoptosis. The results show that the amount of Bcl-2 expression, that changes during cell cycle phases, determines susceptibility or resistance to apoptosis induced by Dex. In fact, undetectable expression of Bcl-2 in sensitive cells favors Dex-mediated apoptosis while high expression of Bcl-2 in proliferating cells counterbalances apoptosis induction. Moreover, the addition of exogenous IL-2, in the presence of Dex, fails to up-regulate Bcl-2 expression and to revert Dex-mediated apoptotic phenomena.     

Endomorphins, endogenous opioid peptides, induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Opioids play a role in the apoptosis machinery. We studied the induction of apoptosis in endomorphin 1 (EM1) and endomorphin 2 (EM2), 2 newly isolated endogenous mu-opioid receptor agonists. These endomorphins were able to reduce the viability of cultured HL-60 cells. The antiproliferative properties of endomorphins appeared to be attributable to their induction of apoptotic cell death as determined by ultrastructural change, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and increased proportion of the subdiploid cell population. To elucidate molecular events in the apoptosis, protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas, and FasL were measured by western blotting using specific antibodies in HL-60 cells. The level of Bcl-2 indicated down-regulation, but the Bax, Fas, and FasL expression showed up-regulation as compared with the untreated control cells. These data support the idea that endomorphins induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells through the activation of the Bcl-2-Bax and the Fas-FasL pathway. We suggest that endomorphins may play an important role in the regulation of tumor cell death.     

Calcium-sensing receptors induce apoptosis in cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes during simulated ischemia/reperfusion

Calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) are G-protein coupled receptors which regulate systemic calcium homeostasis and also participate in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We have previously shown that CaSR can induce apoptosis in isolated rat adult hearts and in normal rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. However, no knowledge exists concerning the role of CaSR in apoptosis induced by ischemia and reperfusion in neonatal cardiac myocytes. Therefore, in the present study, we incubated primary neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes in ischemia-mimetic solution for 2h, then re-incubated them in a normal culture medium for 24h to establish a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). We assayed the apoptotic ratio of the cardiomyocytes by flow cytometry; observed morphological alterations by transmission electron microscope; analyzed the expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, CaSR, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) by Western blotting; and measured the concentration of intracellular calcium by Laser Confocal Scanning Microscopy. The results showed that simulated I/R increased the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. GdCl3, a specific activator of CaSR, further enhanced CaSR expression, along with increases in intracellular calcium and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes during I/R. Activation of CaSR down-regulated Bcl-2 expression, up-regulated caspase-3 and Fas/FasL expression and stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In summary, CaSR is involved in I/R injury and apoptosis of neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes by inhibiting Bcl-2, inducing calcium overload and activating the Fas/FasL death receptor pathway.     

缺氧环境下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡相关蛋白和mRNA的表达

目的探讨大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）在缺氧环境下凋亡相关蛋白和mRNA的表达。方法将接种的P3细胞置于94％N2、1％O2和5％CO2缺氧箱中37℃孵育,分别于0．5h、1h、2h、4h、6h、8h和12h取出分别应用Annexin V／PI双染法进行流式细胞仪（FCM）分析MSCs凋亡率（Apoptotic Rate,AR）,并同步用免疫细胞化学、western blotting和Rt-PCR等方法检测Bax／Bcl-2,Fas／FasL和Caspase-3蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果1．缺氧前,免疫细胞化学法未检测到Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、FasL和Caspase-3蛋白表达,缺氧0．5h后均可较强表达;2．各缺氧时间点Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、FasL、Caspase-3蛋白和mRNA表达较缺氧前均显著性增高（P均〈0．05）;随缺氧时间延伸,Bcl-2蛋白和mRNA表达不显著增加（P〉0．05）,而Bax、Fas、FasL、Caspase-3蛋白和mRNA表达均显著增加（P均〈0．05）,但缺氧6-12h时间点之间表达均没有统计学意义（P均〉0．05）;3．AR和Bcl-2／Bax蛋白（r1=0．417,P=0．043）及mRNA（r2=-0．435,P=0．040）呈显著负相关,而和Fas（r1=0．639,P=0．025;r2=0．711,P=0．018）、Fas-L（r1=0．581,P=0．022;r2=0．605,P=0．037）、Caspase-3（r1=0．704,P=O．014;r2=0．657,P=0．026）蛋白及mRNA均呈显著正相关。结论在缺氧促进MSCs凋亡的过程中,Bcl-2蛋白和mRNA可能起着保护作用,而Bax、Fas-L、Fas、Caspase-3蛋白和mRNA可能在MsCs凋亡的进程中起着促进作用。     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染通过激活NLRP3小体诱导牙周膜细胞炎症反应及凋亡效应

目的观察牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染通过激活含NLR家族PYRIN域蛋白3(NLRP3)小体诱导人牙周膜细胞(hPDLCs)炎症反应及凋亡的效应。方法取健康前磨牙样本并分离培养hPDLCs,分为牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染的感染组和常规处理的对照组,检测细胞中NLRP3小体[NLRP3、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(ASC)、含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶(Caspase)-1]、凋亡基因[自杀相关因子(Fas)、Fas配体(FasL)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关x蛋白(Bax)、Caspase-3]的表达量及培养基中炎症细胞因子[白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-18、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]的含量。结果感染组hPDLCs中NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、Fas、FasL、Bax、Caspase-3的表达量及培养基中IL-1β、IL-18、TNF-α的含量明显高于对照组,细胞中Bcl-2的表达量明显低于对照组。结论牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染能够诱导hPDLCs的炎症反应及凋亡且该作用与NLRP3小体的激活有关。     

Role of Fas/FasL in regulation of inflammation in vaginal tissue during HSV-2 infection

To assess the role of Fas in lesion development during genital HSV-2 infection, we used a well-established HSV-2 murine model applied to MRL-Fas^lpr/J (Fas−/−) and C3-Fasl^gld/J (FasL−/−) C57BL6 mice. In vitro infection of murine keratinocytes and epithelial cells was used to clarify molecular details of HSV-2 infection. Despite upregulation of Fas and FasL, HSV-2-infected keratinocytes and epithelial cells showed a moderate level of apoptosis due to upregulated expression of the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2, Akt kinase and NF-κB. Inflammatory lesions within the HSV-2-infected epithelium of C57BL6 mice consisted of infected cells upregulating Fas, FasL and Bcl-2, uninfected cells upregulating Fas and neutrophils expressing both Fas and FasL. Apoptosis was detected in HSV-2-infected cells and to even higher extent in non-infected cells surrounding HSV-2 infection sites. HSV-2 infection of Fas- and FasL-deficient mice led to increased apoptosis and stronger recruitment of neutrophils within the infection sites. We conclude that the Fas pathway participates in regulation of inflammatory response in the vaginal epithelium at the initial stage of HSV-2 infection.