高糖诱导的大鼠原代心肌细胞损伤对程序性坏死的影响及其机制*

目的: 探讨程序性坏死在高糖诱导的大鼠原代心肌细胞损伤中的变化及可能机制。方法: 原代大鼠心肌细胞随机分为4组(n=9):正常对照组(Control,5.5 mmol/L葡萄糖培养心肌细胞48 h)、高糖组(HG,30 mmol/L葡萄糖培养心肌细胞48 h)、HG+Nec-1(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+100 μmol/L程序性坏死关键蛋白RIP1抑制剂Nec-1共同培养心肌细胞48 h)组、高渗组(HPG,5.5 mmol/L葡萄糖+24.5 mmol/L甘露醇共同培养心肌细胞48 h)。MTT法检测各组心肌细胞活力,DHE荧光染色检测细胞氧化应激水平,ELISA法检测心肌细胞TNF-α、IL-6及IL-1β水平,Real-time PCR和Western blot分别检测各组程序性坏死关键蛋白RIP1、RIP3、MLKL mRNA和蛋白水平的表达情况。结果: 与Control组相比,HG组心肌细胞活力明显降低(P＜0.01),氧化应激水平明显增高(P＜0.01),TNF-α、IL-6及IL-1β水平升高明显(P＜0.01),RIP1、RIP3、MLKL mRNA及蛋白水平表达均明显升高(P＜0.05);与HG组相比,HG+Nec-1组心肌细胞活力明显升高(P＜0.01),氧化应激水平明显下降(P＜0.01),TNF-α、IL-6及 IL-1β水平明显降低(P＜0.01), RIP1、RIP3、MLKL mRNA及蛋白水平表达均下降(P＜0.05)。结论: 高糖诱导的原代大鼠心肌细胞损伤可引起程序性坏死的发生;抑制程序性坏死可减轻细胞损伤的机制,可能与抑制氧化应激、减轻炎症反应有关。     

Different signalling in infarcted and non‐infarcted areas of rat failing hearts: A role of necroptosis and inflammation

Necroptosis has been recognized in heart failure (HF). In this study, we investigated detailed necroptotic signalling in infarcted and non‐infarcted areas separately and its mechanistic link with main features of HF. Post‐infarction HF in rats was induced by left coronary occlusion (60 minutes) followed by 42‐day reperfusion. Heart function was assessed echocardiographically. Molecular signalling and proposed mechanisms (oxidative stress, collagen deposition and inflammation) were investigated in whole hearts and in subcellular fractions when appropriate. In post‐infarction failing hearts, TNF and pSer229‐RIP3 levels were comparably increased in both infarcted and non‐infarcted areas. Its cytotoxic downstream molecule p‐MLKL, indicating necroptosis execution, was detected in infarcted area. In non‐infarcted area, despite increased pSer229‐RIP3, p‐MLKL was present in neither whole cells nor the cell membrane known to be associated with necroptosis execution. Likewise, increased membrane lipoperoxidation and NOX2 levels unlikely promoted pro‐necroptotic environment in non‐infarcted area. Collagen deposition and the inflammatory csp‐1‐IL‐1β axis were active in both areas of failing hearts, while being more pronounced in infarcted tissue. Although apoptotic proteins were differently expressed in infarcted and non‐infarcted tissue, apoptosis was found to play an insignificant role. p‐MLKL‐driven necroptosis and inflammation while inflammation only (without necroptotic cell death) seem to underlie fibrotic healing and progressive injury in infarcted and non‐infarcted areas of failing hearts, respectively. Upregulation of pSer229‐RIP3 in both HF areas suggests that this kinase, associated with both necroptosis and inflammation, is likely to play a dual role in HF progression.     

Mitochondrial Protein PGAM5 Regulates Mitophagic Protection against Cell Necroptosis

Necroptosis as a molecular program, rather than simply incidental cell death, was established by elucidating the roles of receptor interacting protein (RIP) kinases 1 and 3, along with their downstream partner, mixed lineage kinase-like domain protein (MLKL). Previous studies suggested that phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5), a mitochondrial protein that associates with RIP1/RIP3/MLKL complex, promotes necroptosis. We have generated mice deficient in the pgam5 gene and surprisingly found PGAM5-deficiency exacerbated rather than reduced necroptosis in response to multiple in vitro and in vivo necroptotic stimuli, including ischemic reperfusion injury (I/R) in the heart and brain. Electron microscopy, biochemical, and confocal analysis revealed that PGAM5 is indispensable for the process of PINK1 dependent mitophagy which antagonizes necroptosis. The loss of PGAM5/PINK1 mediated mitophagy causes the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria, leading to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that worsen necroptosis. Our results revise the former proposal that PGAM5 acts downstream of RIP1/RIP3 to mediate necroptosis. Instead, PGAM5 protects cells from necroptosis by independently promoting mitophagy. PGAM5 promotion of mitophagy may represent a therapeutic target for stroke, myocardial infarction and other diseases caused by oxidative damage and necroptosis.     

Receptor-interacting protein 3-phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein mediate intracerebral hemorrhage-induced neuronal necroptosis

Necroptosis-mediated cell death is an important mechanism in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury (SBI). Our previous study has demonstrated that receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) mediated necroptosis in SBI after ICH. However, further mechanisms, such as the roles of receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), and Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), remain unclear. We hypothesized that RIP3, MLKL, and CaMK II might participate in necroptosis after ICH, including their phosphorylation. The ICH model was induced by autologous blood injection. First, we found the activation of necroptosis after ICH in brain tissues surrounding the hematoma (propidium iodide staining). Meanwhile, the phosphorylation and expression of RIP3, MLKL, and CaMK II were differently up-regulated (western blotting and immunofluorescent staining). The specific inhibitors could suppress RIP3, MLKL, and CaMK II (GSK'872 for RIP3, necrosulfonamide for MLKL, and KN-93 for CaMK II). We found the necroptosis surrounding the hematoma and the concrete interactions in RIP3-MLKL/RIP3-CaMK II also both decreased after the specific intervention (co-immunoprecipitation). Then we conducted the short-/long-term neurobehavioral tests, and the rats with specific inhibition mostly had better performance. We also found less blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury, and less neuron loss (Nissl staining) in intervention groups, which supported the neurobehavioral tests. Besides, oxidative stress and inflammation were also alleviated with intervention, which had significant less reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Iba1, and GFAP surrounding the hematoma. These results confirmed that RIP3-phosphorylated MLKL and CaMK II participate in ICH-induced necroptosis and could provide potential targets for the treatment of ICH patients.

     

Cardioprotection of ischaemic preconditioning is associated with inhibition of translocation of MLKL within the plasma membrane

Necroptosis, a form of cell loss involving the RIP1‐RIP3‐MLKL axis, has been identified in cardiac pathologies while its inhibition is cardioprotective. We investigated whether the improvement of heart function because of ischaemic preconditioning is associated with mitigation of necroptotic signaling, and these effects were compared with a pharmacological antinecroptotic approach targeting RIP1. Langendorff‐perfused rat hearts were subjected to ischaemic preconditioning with or without a RIP1 inhibitor (Nec‐1s). Necroptotic signaling and the assessment of oxidative damage and a putative involvement of CaMKII in this process were analysed in whole tissue and subcellular fractions. Ischaemic preconditioning, Nec‐1s and their combination improved postischaemic heart function recovery and reduced infarct size to a similar degree what was in line with the prevention of MLKL oligomerization and translocation to the membrane. On the other hand, membrane peroxidation and apoptosis were unchanged by either approach. Ischaemic preconditioning failed to ameliorate ischaemia–reperfusion‐induced increase in RIP1 and RIP3 while pSer229‐RIP3 levels were reduced only by Nec‐1s. In spite of the additive phosphorylation of CaMKII and PLN because of ditherapy, the postischaemic contractile force and relaxation was comparably improved in all the intervention groups while antiarrhythmic effects were observed in the ischaemic preconditioning group only. Necroptosis inhibition seems to be involved in cardioprotection of ischaemic preconditioning and is comparable but not intensified by an anti‐RIP1 agent. Changes in oxidative stress nor CaMKII signaling are unlikely to explain the beneficial effects.     

Upregulation of miRNA-223-3p ameliorates RIP3-mediated necroptosis and inflammatory responses via targeting RIP3 after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a major burden on the society because of the high rate of disability. Receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3)-mediated necroptosis is a newly discovered pathway of programmed cell death and is involved in multiple pathologies of various human diseases. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be a potential target for therapeutic interventions after SCI. The aim of the present study is to explore the potential role of miR-223-3p and possible mechanism in SCI. We found that miR-223-3p was significantly downregulated in spinal neurons after H₂O ₂-induced damage, while RIP3-mediated necroptosis was elevated. Accordingly, RIP3-mediated necroptosis and the inflammatory factor secretion could be significantly inhibited by Nec-1 treatment. In adittion, overexpression of miR-223-3p in spinal neurons protected against H ₂O ₂-induced necroptosis, and ablation of miR-223-3p exhibited the opposite effect. We found that miR-223-3p bound to the 3′-untranslated region of RIP3 mRNA to negatively regulate the expression of RIP3. Moreover, the activated RIP3 reversed the inhibition of RIP3 and MLKL expression and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and lactate dehydrogenase, which were induced by transfection with miR-223-3p in a H ₂O ₂-induced model. Finally, these results indicate that miR-223-3p negatively regulates the RIP3 necroptotic signaling cascades and inflammatory factor secretion, which significantly relieves injury of spinal neurons. The miR-223-3p/RIP3 pathway offers a novel therapeutic target for the protection of spinal neurons after SCI.     

Diverse Sequence Determinants Control Human and Mouse Receptor Interacting Protein 3 (RIP3) and Mixed Lineage Kinase domain-Like (MLKL) Interaction in Necroptotic Signaling

Receptor interacting protein 3 (RIP3) is a protein kinase essential for TNF-induced necroptosis. Phosphorylation on Ser-227 in human RIP3 (hRIP3) is required for its interaction with human mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) in the necrosome, a signaling complex induced by TNF stimulation. RIP1 and RIP3 mediate necrosome aggregation leading to the formation of amyloid-like signaling complexes. We found that TNF induces Thr-231 and Ser-232 phosphorylation in mouse RIP3 (mRIP3) and this phosphorylation is required for mRIP3 to interact with mMLKL. Ser-232 in mRIP3 corresponds to Ser-227 in hRIP3, whereas Thr-231 is not conserved in hRIP3. Although the RIP3-MLKL interaction is required for necroptosis in both human and mouse cells, hRIP3 does not interact with mMLKL and mRIP3 cannot bind to hMLKL. The species specificity of the RIP3-MLKL interaction is primarily determined by the sequence differences in the phosphorylation sites and the flanking sequence around the phosphorylation sites in hRIP3 and mRIP3. It appears that the RIP3-MLKL interaction has been selected as an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in mediating necroptosis signaling despite that differing structural and mechanistic bases for this interaction emerged simultaneously in different organisms. In addition, we further revealed that the interaction of RIP3 with MLKL prevented massive abnormal RIP3 aggregation, and therefore should be crucial for formation of the amyloid signaling complex of necrosomes. We also found that the interaction between RIP3 and MLKL is required for the translocation of necrosomes to mitochondria-associated membranes. Our data demonstrate the importance of the RIP3-MLKL interaction in the formation of functional necrosomes and suggest that translocation of necrosomes to mitochondria-associated membranes is essential for necroptosis signaling.     

Translocation of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein to plasma membrane leads to necrotic cell death

Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) was identified to function downstream of receptor interacting protein 3 (RIP3) in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-induced necrosis (also called necroptosis). However, how MLKL functions to mediate necroptosis is unknown. By reconstitution of MLKL function in MLKL-knockout cells, we showed that the N-terminus of MLKL is required for its function in necroptosis. The oligomerization of MLKL in TNF-treated cells is essential for necroptosis, as artificially forcing MLKL together by using the hormone-binding domain (HBD*) triggers necroptosis. Notably, forcing together the N-terminal domain (ND) but not the C-terminal kinase domain of MLKL causes necroptosis. Further deletion analysis showed that the four-α-helix bundle of MLKL (1-130 amino acids) is sufficient to trigger necroptosis. Both the HBD*-mediated and TNF-induced complexes of MLKL(ND) or MLKL are tetramers, and translocation of these complexes to lipid rafts of the plasma membrane precedes cell death. The homo-oligomerization is required for MLKL translocation and the signal sequence for plasma membrane location is located in the junction of the first and second α-helices of MLKL. The plasma membrane translocation of MLKL or MLKL(ND) leads to sodium influx, and depletion of sodium from the cell culture medium inhibits necroptosis. All of the above phenomena were not seen in apoptosis. Thus, the MLKL oligomerization leads to translocation of MLKL to lipid rafts of plasma membrane, and the plasma membrane MLKL complex acts either by itself or via other proteins to increase the sodium influx, which increases osmotic pressure, eventually leading to membrane rupture.     

Necrostatin-1 Against Sevoflurane-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction Involves Activation of BDNF/TrkB Pathway and Inhibition of Necroptosis in Aged Rats

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) induced by anesthesia or surgery has become a common complication in the aged population. Sevoflurane, a clinical inhalation anesthetic, could stimulate calcium overload and necroptosis to POCD. In addition, necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) alleviated cognitive impairment caused by multiple causes, including postoperative cognitive impairment. However, whether Nec-1 exerts a neuroprotective effect on POCD via calcium and necroptosis remains unclear. We anesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats with sevoflurane to construct the POCD model and to explore the mechanism underlying neuroprotective effects of Nec-1 in POCD. Rats were treated with Nec-1 (6.25 mg/kg) 1 h prior to anesthesia. Open field test and Morris water maze were employed to detect the cognitive function. In this study, rats exposed to sevoflurane displayed cognitive dysfunction without changes in spontaneous activity; however, the sevoflurane-induced POCD could be relieved by Nec-1 pretreatment. Nec-1 decreased sevoflurane-induced calcium overload and calpain activity in the hippocampus. In addition, Nec-1 alleviated the expression of p-RIPK1, RIPK1, p-RIPK3, RIPK3, p-MLKL and MLKL. Furthermore, Nec-1 remarkably increased BDNF and p-TrkB/TrkB expression in the hippocampus of aged rats. Ultimately, our research manifests evidence that Nec-1 may play a neuroprotective role against sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment via the increase of BDNF/TrkB and suppression of necroptosis-related pathway.

     

TNF-induced necroptosis in L929 cells is tightly regulated by multiple TNFR1 complex I and II members

TNF receptor 1 signaling induces NF-κB activation and necroptosis in L929 cells. We previously reported that cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-mediated receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) ubiquitination acts as a cytoprotective mechanism, whereas knockdown of cylindromatosis, a RIP1-deubiquitinating enzyme, protects against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced necroptosis. We report here that RIP1 is a crucial mediator of canonical NF-κB activation in L929 cells, therefore questioning the relative cytoprotective contribution of RIP1 ubiquitination versus canonical NF-κB activation. We found that attenuated NF-κB activation has no impact on TNF-induced necroptosis. However, we identified A20 and linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex as negative regulators of necroptosis. Unexpectedly, and in contrast to RIP3, we also found that knockdown of RIP1 did not block TNF cytotoxicity. Cell death typing revealed that RIP1-depleted cells switch from necroptotic to apoptotic death, indicating that RIP1 can also suppress apoptosis in L929 cells. Inversely, we observed that Fas-associated protein via a death domain, cellular FLICE inhibitory protein and caspase-8, which are all involved in the initiation of apoptosis, counteract necroptosis induction. Finally, we also report RIP1-independent but RIP3-mediated necroptosis in the context of TNF signaling in particular conditions.     

Epigenetic Regulation of RIP3 Suppresses Necroptosis and Increases Resistance to Chemotherapy in NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in killing cancer cells is mainly attributed to the induction of apoptosis. However, the tremendous efforts on enhancing apoptosis-related mechanisms have only moderately improved lung cancer chemotherapy, suggesting that other cell death mechanisms such as necroptosis could be involved. In this study, we investigated the role of the necroptosis pathway in the responsiveness of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemotherapy. METHODS: In vitro cell culture and in vivo xenograft tumor therapy models and clinical sample studies are combined in studying the role of necroptosis in chemotherapy and mechanism of necroptosis suppression involving RIP3 expression regulation. RESULTS: While chemotherapeutic drugs were able to induce necroptotic cell death, this pathway was suppressed in lung cancer cells at least partly through downregulation of RIP3 expression. Ectopic RIP3 expression significantly sensitized lung cancer cells to the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs such as cisplatin, etoposide, vincristine, and adriamycin. In addition, RIP3 suppression was associated with RIP3 promoter methylation, and demethylation partly restored RIP3 expression and increased chemotherapeutic-induced necroptotic cell death. In a xenograft tumor therapy model, ectopic RIP3 expression significantly sensitized anticancer activity of cisplatin in vivo. Furthermore, lower RIP3 expression was associated with worse chemotherapy response in NSCLC patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the necroptosis pathway is suppressed in lung cancer through RIP3 promoter methylation, and reactivating this pathway should be exploited for improving lung cancer chemotherapy.     

Regulation of RIPK3- and RHIM-dependent Necroptosis by the Proteasome

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is a serine/threonine kinase with essential function in necroptosis. The activity of RIPK3 is controlled by phosphorylation. Once activated, RIPK3 phosphorylates and activates the downstream effector mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) to induce necroptosis. In certain situations, RIPK3 has also been shown to promote apoptosis or cytokine expression in a necroptosis and kinase-independent manner. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is the major pathway for selective degradation of cellular proteins and thus has a critical role in many cellular processes such as cell survival and cell death. Clinically, proteasome inhibition has shown promise as an anti-cancer agent. Here we show that the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and bortezomib activate the RIPK3-MLKL necroptotic pathway in mouse fibroblasts as well as human leukemia cells. Unlike necroptosis induced by classical TNF-like cytokines, necroptosis induced by proteasome inhibitors does not require caspase inhibition. However, an intact RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) is essential. Surprisingly, when recruitment of MLKL to RIPK3 is restricted, proteasome inhibitors induced RIPK3-dependent apoptosis. Proteasome inhibition led to accumulation of K48-linked ubiquitinated RIPK3, which was partially reduced when Lys-264 was mutated. Taken together, these results reveal the ubiquitin-proteasome system as a novel regulatory mechanism for RIPK3-dependent necroptosis.     

Critical contribution of RIPK1 mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress to compression-induced rat nucleus pulposus cells necroptosis and apoptosis

The aim of this study was to investigate whether RIPK1 mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress contributed to compression-induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cells necroptosis and apoptosis, together with the interplay relationship between necroptosis and apoptosis in vitro. Rat NP cells underwent various periods of 1.0 MPa compression. To determine whether compression affected mitochondrial function, we evaluated the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), mitochondrial ultrastructure and ATP content. Oxidative stress-related indicators reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were also assessed. To verify the relevance between oxidative stress and necroptosis together with apoptosis, RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1(Nec-1), mPTP inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA), antioxidants and small interfering RNA technology were utilized. The results established that compression elicited a time-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and elevated oxidative stress. Nec-1 and CsA restored mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress, which corresponded to decreased necroptosis and apoptosis. CsA down-regulated mitochondrial cyclophilin D expression, but had little effects on RIPK1 expression and pRIPK1 activation. Additionally, we found that Nec-1 largely blocked apoptosis; whereas, the apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK increased RIPK1 expression and pRIPK1 activation, and coordinated regulation of necroptosis and apoptosis enabled NP cells survival more efficiently. In contrast to Nec-1, SiRIPK1 exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. In summary, RIPK1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play a crucial role in NP cells necroptosis and apoptosis during compression injury. The synergistic regulation of necroptosis and apoptosis may exert more beneficial effects on NP cells survival, and ultimately delaying or even retarding intervertebral disc degeneration.     

Dichotomy between RIP1- and RIP3-mediated necroptosis in tumor necrosis factor-α-induced shock

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling may result in survival, apoptosis or programmed necrosis. The latter is called necroptosis if the receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) or genetic knockout of RIP3 prevents it. In the lethal mouse model of TNFα-mediated shock, addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk (zVAD) accelerates time to death. Here, we demonstrate that RIP3-deficient mice are protected markedly from TNFα-mediated shock in the presence and absence of caspase inhibition. We further show that the fusion protein TAT-crmA, previously demonstrated to inhibit apoptosis, also prevents necroptosis in L929, HT29 and FADD-deficient Jurkat cells. In contrast to RIP3-deficient mice, blocking necroptosis by Nec-1 or TAT-crmA did not protect from TNFα/zVAD-mediated shock, but further accelerated time to death. Even in the absence of caspase inhibition, Nec-1 application led to similar kinetics. Depletion of macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, granulocytes or genetic deficiency for T lymphocytes did not influence this model. Because RIP3-deficient mice are known to be protected from cerulein-induced pancreatitis (CIP), we applied Nec-1 and TAT-crmA in this model and demonstrated the deterioration of pancreatic damage upon addition of these substances. These data highlight the importance of separating genetic RIP3 deficiency from RIP1 inhibition by Nec-1 application in vivo and challenge the current definition of necroptosis.     

The MLKL kinase-like domain dimerization is an indispensable step of mammalian MLKL activation in necroptosis signaling

MLKL phosphorylation by RIP3 is the commitment step of necroptosis execution, which could induce MLKL activation featured as MLKL monomer-oligomer transition. Here, we reported that the dimerization of the MLKL kinase-like domain was the direct consequence of RIP3 triggered MLKL-phosphorylation. Two inter-dimer interfaces were found in the crystal structure of human MLKL. Mutations destroying both interfaces could prevent RIP3-induced MLKL oligomerization and necroptosis efficiently. Moreover, we confirmed MLKL self-assembly by the internal coiled-coil region is necessary for MLKL oligomerization and function. The mutations disrupting coiled-coil self-assembly repressed necroptosis, but it did not prevent RIP3-induced dimerization of the MLKL kinase-like domain. So that, MLKL activation is a sequential process, which begins with kinase-like domain dimerization, and followed by internal coiled-coil region self-assembly to form a proper MLKL oligomer. Besides human MLKL, structural and functional analysis showed the kinase-like domain dimerization was conserved among mammalian species, suggesting it is a general step of the RIP3-induced MLKL activation process.Subject terms: Necroptosis, X-ray crystallography     

Myofiber necroptosis promotes muscle stem cell proliferation via releasing Tenascin-C during regeneration

Necroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is characterized by the loss of membrane integrity and release of intracellular contents, the execution of which depends on the membrane-disrupting activity of the Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like protein (MLKL) upon its phosphorylation. Here we found myofibers committed MLKL-dependent necroptosis after muscle injury. Either pharmacological inhibition of the necroptosis upstream kinase Receptor Interacting Protein Kinases 1 (RIPK1) or genetic ablation of MLKL expression in myofibers led to significant muscle regeneration defects. By releasing factors into the muscle stem cell (MuSC) microenvironment, necroptotic myofibers facilitated muscle regeneration. Tenascin-C (TNC), released by necroptotic myofibers, was found to be critical for MuSC proliferation. The temporary expression of TNC in myofibers is tightly controlled by necroptosis; the extracellular release of TNC depends on necroptotic membrane rupture. TNC directly activated EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in MuSCs through its N-terminus assembly domain together with the EGF-like domain. These findings indicate that necroptosis plays a key role in promoting MuSC proliferation to facilitate muscle regeneration.Subject terms: Necroptosis, Muscle stem cells     

Biological events and molecular signaling following MLKL activation during necroptosis

Necroptosis is a form of programmed necrotic cell death mediated by the kinase RIPK3 and its substrate MLKL. MLKL, which displays plasma membrane (PM) pore-forming activity upon phosphorylation, functions as the executioner during necroptosis. Thus, it was previously assumed that MLKL phosphorylation is the endpoint of the necroptotic signaling pathway. Here, we summarize several events that characterize the dying necroptotic cells after MLKL phosphorylation, including Ca²⁺ influx, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, PM repair by ESCRT-III activation, and the final compromise of PM integrity. These processes add several unexpected regulatory events downstream of MLKL signaling. We have also observed that CoCl₂, which may mimic hypoxia, can induce necroptosis, which suggests that in vivo triggers of necroptosis might include a transient lack of O₂.     

Toxin-Induced Necroptosis Is a Major Mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus Lung Damage

Staphylococcus aureus USA300 strains cause a highly inflammatory necrotizing pneumonia. The virulence of this strain has been attributed to its expression of multiple toxins that have diverse targets including ADAM10, NLRP3 and CD11b. We demonstrate that induction of necroptosis through RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling is a major consequence of S. aureus toxin production. Cytotoxicity could be prevented by inhibiting either RIP1 or MLKL signaling and S. aureus mutants lacking agr, hla or Hla pore formation, lukAB or psms were deficient in inducing cell death in human and murine immune cells. Toxin-associated pore formation was essential, as cell death was blocked by exogenous K+ or dextran. MLKL inhibition also blocked caspase-1 and IL-1β production, suggesting a link to the inflammasome. Rip3 ^-/- mice exhibited significantly improved staphylococcal clearance and retained an alveolar macrophage population with CD200R and CD206 markers in the setting of acute infection, suggesting increased susceptibility of these leukocytes to necroptosis. The importance of this anti-inflammatory signaling was indicated by the correlation between improved outcome and significantly decreased expression of KC, IL-6, TNF, IL-1α and IL-1β in infected mice. These findings indicate that toxin-induced necroptosis is a major cause of lung pathology in S. aureus pneumonia and suggest the possibility of targeting components of this signaling pathway as a therapeutic strategy.