磷脂酰丝氨酸外翻在细胞凋亡及其清除过程中的分子调控机制

细胞凋亡是程序性细胞死亡的一种重要方式,在多细胞生物中广泛存在。及时而有效地清除凋亡细胞对生物体的生长发育、维持内稳态起着关键的作用。在凋亡早期细胞会释放"食我"信号来促进吞噬细胞将其清除,目前关于"食我"信号研究最为广泛也最为透彻的是磷脂酰丝氨酸(phosphatidylserine, PS)。PS广泛分布于真核生物的细胞膜内侧面,PS外翻是细胞凋亡早期的重要特征,也是吞噬细胞识别并清除凋亡细胞的重要信号。本文综述了细胞凋亡过程中PS外翻的生物学意义及其分子调控机制以及PS作为"食我"信号如何被吞噬细胞识别并介导细胞清除的过程。     

质膜组分磷脂酰丝氨酸外翻的分子调控机制

磷脂酰丝氨酸(Phosphatidylserine, PS)是细胞质膜重要的磷脂成分之一,具有重要的生物学功能。在细胞凋亡及一些特殊的病理条件下,细胞内ATP供能不足,胞浆Ca²⁺浓度升高,引起PS发生外翻。PS外翻在不同类型细胞中具有不同的生物学功能,且外翻的程度与疾病发展程度密切相关,可作为癌症等多种疾病治疗的靶标。文章综述了细胞质膜中磷脂酰丝氨酸的重要生物学功能和意义、磷脂酰丝氨酸外翻的分子机制及在临床医学方面的应用,以期对未来的功能和临床应用研究提供参考。     

磷脂酰丝氨酸制备的研究进展

磷脂酰丝氨酸具有改善记忆和认知能力、防治老年痴呆症、抑郁症及缓解精神头力等作用,目前在国外被用作营养补克剂广泛应用于保健食品中.着重从提取法和酶转化法2个方面综述了磷脂酰丝氨酸的制备方法,同时通过对国内外磷脂酰丝氨酸消费现状的调查,对其在食品、药品、保健品方面的应用前景进行了展望.     

磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因pss的克隆与表达

磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶能催化转酯反应,是定向合成特定磷脂类物质特别是磷脂酰丝氨酸的工具酶,但出发菌株产量低,很大程度上限制了酶法合成磷脂酰丝氨酸的工业化应用。利用表达载体pET-22b,实现了大肠杆菌磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中的同源高效表达。利用镍亲和柱对表达产物进行纯化,并用HPLC法对纯化后的重组酶的活力进行检测。结果表明,目的蛋白可在短时间内进行大量表达,蛋白含量是出发菌株的100倍,同时经6h的转酯反应转化率达到33%,重组磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶活力达到69U/mg蛋白。     

基因工程手段提高磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶活性的研究

为了提高目的蛋白磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶(PSS)的表达,使用rTaq酶从E coli K12总DNA中PCR扩增获得磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因片段,将其重组于高效表达载体pET28b质粒,转入相应表达菌株进行表达,收集菌体超声破碎获得含PSS的粗酶液,使用两相反应体系进行生物转化,HPLC-ELSD手段进行酶活检测。结果显示,重组菌株中PSS的酶活力比对照有所提高,同时获得酶活力提高的突变基因pssE210G。将突变基因重组于更高效的表达载体pBAD-MCS,转入相应宿主菌株表达。结果显示E.coli TOP10(pBAD-MCS-pss)表达的酶活性明显优于E.coli BL21(pET28b-pss)中表达的酶活性。以上实验结果表明,将目的基因重组于高效表达质粒有助于提高酶活力;组合到不同的表达质粒,酶活提高程度不同;磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因第73位氨基酸发生突变,对其酶结构和酶活力有直接的影响。     

磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因的克隆及在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达

应用 PCR技术从 Escherichia coli K12 Sgal- (ExPASy P23830) 中扩增到大小为 1350bp编码磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶的 DNA片段,将其插入枯草芽孢杆菌诱导型表达载体 pBES,获得重组质粒 pBES-pss后转化 Bacillus subtilis DB104。经蔗糖诱导后,该磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶在 Bacillus subtilis DB104 (pBES-pss)中获得胞外分泌表达,SDS-PAGE分析发现目的蛋白分子量约为 52kDa,酶联比色法检测酶活力为 1.50U/mL,提高了磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶的表达产量,为工业化发酵生产磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶奠定了良好的基础。     

重组磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶的分离纯化及酶学性质研究

利对重组枯草芽孢杆菌(pBES-pss)表达的磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶进行分离纯化及酶学性质研究.pBES-pss发酵后的粗酶液经硫酸铵盐析、中空纤维膜除盐浓缩、SP-Sepharose HP离子交换层析和Sephadex G-75凝胶层析,基本获得电泳纯的重组磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶,比活力可达13.62 U/mg,分子量约为53 kD.酶学性质研究表明,该酶催化卵磷脂水解反应的最适pH8.0,最适温度为35℃.稳定性研究表明:该酶在pH 6.5～9.5 区间和低于45℃温度下稳定.表面活性剂及金属离子对该酶水解活性的影响结果表明,SDS、Tween20、Tween80对该酶有抑制作用,Triton X-100对该酶有增强作用;Mg2+、Zn2+、K+对该酶有抑制作用,Ca2+、Mn2+和EDTA对该酶有增强作用.     

乳腺癌转移中的磷脂酰胆碱和溶血磷脂酰胆碱分析

我们以前曾报道花生四烯酸（arachidonic acid,AA)代谢产物可以促进乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移。为了进一步寻找维持高转移乳腺癌细胞中AA高水平代谢的内源机制,深入探求AA代谢促进乳腺癌细胞转移的分子机理,我们应用HPLC/ESI/MSⁿ技术检测和分析了乳腺癌MCF-7和高转移乳腺癌LM-MCF-7细胞中溶血磷脂酰胆碱（lysophosphatidylcholines,LysoPCs）和磷脂酰胆碱（phosphatidylcholines,PCs）的成分和含量。我们发现了10种LysoPC的含量在LM-MCF-7细胞中显著高于MCF-7细胞,有6种PC可水解产生AA,它们在LM-MCF-7细胞中的含量显著低于MCF-7细胞,提示这些溶血磷脂含量的升高和磷脂含量的降低可能与乳腺癌转移相关。在LM-MCF-7细胞中,COX-2抑制剂吲哚美辛（indomethacin,Indo）和LOX抑制剂（nordihydroguaiaretic acid,NDGA）共同作用可明显下调cPLA2的活性,应用HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ技术比较cPLA2活性下调前后LM-MCF-7细胞中LysoPC和PC含量的变化,发现其中4种PC可被cPLA2水解产生AA。我们还发现,细胞内LysoPC与PC的比值可以反映cPLA2的活性。通过以上研究我们进一步证实了由cPLA2活性调节的AA释放及代谢对乳腺癌转移具有重要作用。     

阿维链霉菌来源的磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因的克隆及其在毕氏酵母中的异源表达

本文旨在构建阿维链霉菌(Streptomyces avermitilis)来源的磷脂酰丝氨酸合成酶基因(pss)的重组质粒,研究其在毕氏酵母中的异源分泌型表达。利用PCR技术克隆阿维链霉菌来源的pss基因,再通过电转化方法将重组质粒pOG-01转入毕氏酵母KM71中,构建重组工程菌KP1。实验结果表明,阿维链霉菌来源的磷酯酰丝氨酸合成酶基因在毕氏酵母KM71中成功表达,2 mL菌体上清催化50 mmol/L卵磷脂,转酯反应的转化率为58%,酶活为4.83 U/mL。     

氧化修饰在调控细胞凋亡信号转导中的作用

氧化修饰是细胞内的活性氧诱导生物大分子发生氧化反应引起的结构及构象改变,发挥调控信号转导和对应激作出反应的功能。氧化修饰发生在凋亡信号转导中的多个生物大分子,包括凋亡相关蛋白质的氧化,如caspase-9、线粒体通透性转变孔及电压依赖的阴离子通道(voltagedependent anion channel,VDAC),同时也包括膜磷脂的氧化修饰,如磷脂酰丝氨酸及线粒体特异的心磷脂。氧化修饰作用也涉及凋亡诱导因子、促凋亡的凋亡信号调控激酶1(apoptosis signalregulatin gkinasel,ASK1)信号转导途径及抗凋亡的转录因子NF—kB的激活和活性。所以氧化修饰可能是调控凋亡信号转导机制中除磷酸化、泛素化外的另一个新的分子机制。     

Macrophage recognition of externalized phosphatidylserine and phagocytosis of apoptotic Jurkat cells--existence of a threshold

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is predominantly confined to the inner leaflet of plasma membrane in cells, but it is externalized on the cell surface during apoptosis. This externalized PS is required for effective phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Because PS trans-bilayer asymmetry is not absolute in different types of nonapoptotic cells, we hypothesized that the amounts of externalized PS may be critical for macrophage discrimination between apoptotic and nonapoptotic cells. We developed a sensitive electron paramagnetic resonance method to quantify the amounts of externalized PS based on specific binding of paramagnetic annexin V-microbead conjugates with PS on cell surfaces. Using this technique, we found that nonapoptotic Jurkat cells externalize 0.9 pmol of endogenous PS/10(6) Jurkat cells. For cells with different amounts of integrated exogenous PS on their surface, no phagocytic response was observed at PS levels <5 pmol/10(6) Jurkat cells; at higher PS concentrations, phagocytosis increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Apoptosis in Jurkat cells caused externalization of approximately 240 pmol PS/10(6) Jurkat cells; these amounts of externalized PS are manyfold higher than the threshold amounts of PS required for phagocytosis. Thus, macrophages have a sensitivity threshold for PS externalized on the cell surface that provides for reliable recognition and distinction between normal cells with low contents of externalized PS and apoptotic cells with remarkably elevated PS levels.     

Distinct localization of lipid rafts and externalized phosphatidylserine at the surface of apoptotic cells

Externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) takes place in apoptotic cells as well as in viable cells under certain circumstances. Recent studies showed that externalized PS is localized at the lipid raft in viable activated immune cells. We found that lipid rafts and PS existed in a mutually exclusive manner in apoptotic cells. The number of PS-exposing apoptotic cells decreased when lipid rafts were disrupted. BCtheta;, which binds selectively to cholesterol in a cholesterol-rich region, did not effectively recognize lipid rafts of apoptotic cells. Lipid rafts rich in GM1 were successfully prepared from apoptotic cells, but the lipid raft protein LAT was not enriched in the preparation. Furthermore, the amount of PS and phosphatidylethanolamine but not of cholesterol in lipid rafts appeared to change after induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that lipid rafts are structurally modified during apoptosis and, despite being localized differently from PS, are involved in the externalization of PS.     

Characterization of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the phosphatidylserine receptor (PS-R) gene product

The PS-R gene product was originally described as a cell surface receptor that interacts with externalized phosphatidylserine (PS) on apoptotic cells, but more recent studies have shown that it plays a critical role in organ development and terminal differentiation of many cell types during embryogenesis. Despite these important developmental functions, the biochemical and molecular properties of PS-R are poorly understood. Here we have used several approaches to show that PS-R undergoes processive post-translational protein cross-linking to form covalent multimers within the nuclear compartment. Although PS-R has a potential Glu-Glu (QQ) duet that is often targeted by transglutaminase TG-2, the oligomerization of PS-R was not effected by QQ→AA mutation, or when PS-R gene product was expressed in TG-2 (-/-) fibroblasts. Pulse-chase experiments with ³⁵ S-methionine indicates that the PS-R undergoes an initial proteolytic cleavage, followed by progressive multimerization of the monomeric subunits over time. In summary, we report here that PS-R is modified by an unusual post-translational modification, and we speculate that homomultimer of PS-R might be playing an important function as a scaffolding protein in the nucleus.     

Phagocytic clearance of apoptotic neurons by Microglia/Brain macrophages in vitro: involvement of lectin-, integrin-, and phosphatidylserine-mediated recognition

Microglia, the tissue macrophages of the brain, play a crucial role in recognition and phagocytic removal of apoptotic neurons. The microglial receptors for recognition of apoptotic neurons are not yet characterized. Here we established a co-culture model of primary microglia and cerebellar granule neurons to examine the receptor systems involved in recognition/uptake of apoptotic neurons. Treatment with 100 microM S-nitrosocysteine induced apoptosis of cerebellar neurons as indicated by nuclear condensation and phosphatidylserine exposure to the exoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane. Microglial cells were added to neurons 2 h after apoptosis induction and co-cultured for 6 h in the presence of ligands that inhibit recognition by binding to respective receptors. Binding/phagocytosis was determined after combined 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole/propidium iodide (for apoptotic/necrotic neurons) and lectin staining (for microglia). Uptake of apoptotic neurons was reduced by N-acetylglucosamine or galactose, suggesting that recognition involves asialoglycoprotein-like lectins. Furthermore, the inhibition of microglial binding/uptake of apoptotic neurons by RGDS peptide suggests a role of microglial vitronectin receptor. As microglia selectively bind lipid vesicles enriched in phosphatidylserine and O-phospho-L-serine interfered with the uptake of apoptotic neurons, an involvement of phosphatidylserine receptor is rather likely. Apoptotic neurons do not release soluble signals that serve to attract or activate microglia. Collectively, these results suggest that apoptotic neurons generate a complex surface signal recognized by different receptor systems on microglia.     

CD14-dependent clearance of apoptotic cells by human macrophages: the role of phosphatidylserine

Apoptotic-cell clearance is dependent on several macrophage surface molecules, including CD14. Phosphatidylserine (PS) becomes externalised during apoptosis and participates in the clearance process through its ability to bind to a novel receptor, PS-R. CD14 has the proven ability to bind phospholipids and may function as an alternative receptor for the externalised PS of apoptotic cells. Here we demonstrate that CD14 does not function preferentially as a PS receptor in apoptotic-cell clearance. Compared with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, PS was the least active phospholipid binding to human monocyte-derived macrophages and showed no specificity for soluble or membrane-anchored CD14. Significantly, PS-containing liposomes failed to inhibit CD14-dependent uptake of apoptotic cells by macrophages. PS exposure was, however, found to be insufficient for either CD14-dependent or CD14-independent apoptotic-cell uptake by phagocytes. The additional features that enable apoptotic-cell clearance are derived from mechanisms that can be divorced temporally from those responsible for the morphological features of apoptosis.     

Sphingolipid-mediated inhibition of apoptotic cell clearance by alveolar macrophages

A decreased clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) by alveolar macrophages (AM) may contribute to inflammation in emphysema. The up-regulation of ceramides in response to cigarette smoking (CS) has been linked to AM accumulation and increased detection of apoptotic alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells in lung parenchyma. We hypothesized that ceramides inhibit the AM phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Release of endogenous ceramides via sphingomyelinase or exogenous ceramide treatments dose-dependently impaired apoptotic Jurkat cell phagocytosis by primary rat or human AM, irrespective of the molecular species of ceramide. Similarly, in vivo augmentation of lung ceramides via intratracheal instillation in rats significantly decreased the engulfment of instilled target apoptotic thymocytes by resident AM. The mechanism of ceramide-induced efferocytosis impairment was dependent on generation of sphingosine via ceramidase. Sphingosine treatment recapitulated the effects of ceramide, dose-dependently inhibiting apoptotic cell clearance. The effect of ceramide on efferocytosis was associated with decreased membrane ruffle formation and attenuated Rac1 plasma membrane recruitment. Constitutively active Rac1 overexpression rescued AM efferocytosis against the effects of ceramide. CS exposure significantly increased AM ceramides and recapitulated the effect of ceramides on Rac1 membrane recruitment in a sphingosine-dependent manner. Importantly, CS profoundly inhibited AM efferocytosis via ceramide-dependent sphingosine production. These results suggest that excessive lung ceramides may amplify lung injury in emphysema by causing both apoptosis of structural cells and inhibition of their clearance by AM.     

A homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay for phosphatidylserine exposure on apoptotic cells

A simple, “mix-and-measure” microplate assay for phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) exposure on the surface of apoptotic cells is described. The assay exploits the fact that annexin V, a protein with high affinity and specificity for PtdSer, forms trimers and higher order oligomers on binding to membranes containing PtdSer. The transition from soluble monomer to cell-bound oligomer is detected using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer from europium chelate-labeled annexin V to Cy5-labeled annexin V. PtdSer detection is achieved by a single addition of a reagent mix containing labeled annexins and calcium ions directly to cell cultures in a 96-well plate, followed by a brief incubation before fluorescence measurement. The assay can be used to quantify PtdSer exposure on both suspension cells and adherent cells in situ. This method is simpler and faster than existing annexin V binding assays based on flow cytometry or microscopy, and it yields precise data with Z’ values of 0.6-0.7.     

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases in class B scavenger receptor type I-induced phagocytosis of apoptotic cells

Class B scavenger receptor type I (SR-BI) is a multiligand membrane protein expressed in a variety of cell types. This receptor is responsible for the incorporation of lipids from high density lipoprotein (HDL) by steroidogenic cells, as well as for the phosphatidylserine (PS)-mediated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by some phagocytic cell types, such as testicular Sertoli cells. Although SR-BI directly binds to PS present on the surface of apoptotic cells, as to whether SR-BI transmits signals to induce engulfment has not been clear. In the present study, we examined this issue using a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes SR-BI activity and a chemical known to be an inhibitor of the SR-BI-mediated incorporation of HDL lipids. The chemical compound inhibited the incorporation of HDL lipids and PS-containing liposomes by an SR-BI-expressing culture cell line, with no effect on the binding of these targets. Similarly, the phagocytosis of PS-exposing apoptotic cells by primary cultured rat Sertoli cells was inhibited in the presence of either reagent, not at the recognition but at the engulfment step. The addition of apoptotic cells or PS-containing liposomes caused a temporal increment of the phosphorylation of all three mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), in Sertoli cells. The increase of phosphorylated p38 and ERK, but not of phosphorylated JNK, was cancelled in the presence of the monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, the level of Sertoli cell phagocytosis of PS-exposing apoptotic cells, as well as that of PS-containing liposomes, was reduced only when the actions of p38 and ERK were simultaneously repressed. In conclusion, these results indicate that SR-BI, when it binds to PS, transmits signals to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which leads to the induction of the engulfment of PS-exposing apoptotic cells by phagocytic cells.     

Clearance of apoptotic and necrotic cells and its immunological consequences

The ultimate and most favorable fate of almost all dying cells is engulfment by neighboring or specialized cells. Efficient clearance of cells undergoing apoptotic death is crucial for normal tissue homeostasis and for the modulation of immune responses. Engulfment of apoptotic cells is finely regulated by a highly redundant system of receptors and bridging molecules on phagocytic cells that detect molecules specific for dying cells. Recognition of necrotic cells by phagocytes is less well understood than recognition of apoptotic cells, but an increasing number of recent studies, which are discussed here, are highlighting its importance. New observations indicate that the interaction of macrophages with dying cells initiates internalization of the apoptotic or necrotic targets, and that internalization can be preceded by “zipper”-like and macropinocytotic mechanisms, respectively. We emphasize that clearance of dying cells is an important fundamental process serving multiple functions in the regulation of normal tissue turnover and homeostasis, and is not just simple anti- or pro-inflammatory responses. Here we review recent findings on genetic pathways participating in apoptotic cell clearance, mechanisms of internalization, and molecules involved in engulfment of apoptotic versus necrotic cells, as well as their immunological consequences and relationships to disease pathogenesis. Katharina D’Herde and Peter Vandenabeele share senior authorship. This study was supported by Ghent University GOA grant No. 12050502, IUAP-V/12-12.0C14.02, FWO-Vlaanderen 3G.0218.06, and Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB).     

Inhibition by adiponectin of IL-8 production by human macrophages upon coculturing with late apoptotic cells

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, reportedly suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by LPS-stimulated human or porcine macrophages, and the phagocytosis of microbeads by human macrophages. In this study, we used a high molecular weight form of adiponectin purified from human plasma to examine its effects on the phagocytosis of late apoptotic cells by human macrophages and the subsequent IL-8 production. Adiponectin suppressed both the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and the IL-8 production. In contrast, adiponectin augmented both the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and the IL-8 production in the presence of LPS. These results suggest that adiponectin is not an anti-inflammatory hormone but rather a dual modulator of innate responses.