Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP<Superscript>+</Superscript>)-stimulated mesencephalic astrocytes by interference with TLR4 and downstream signaling pathway

Neuroinflammation is closely associated with the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes also play pro-inflammatory roles in the central nervous system (CNS) by activation with toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Therefore, targeting anti-inflammation may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for PD. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound isolated from Curcuma longa root, has been commonly used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the details of how curcumin exerts neuroprotection remain uncertain. Here, we investigated the protective effect of curcumin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-(MPP⁺-) stimulated primary astrocytes. Our results showed that MPP⁺ stimulation resulted in significant production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL-6), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in primary mesencephalic astrocytes. Curcumin pretreatment decreased the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines while increased IL-10 expression in MPP⁺-stimulated astrocytes. In addition, curcumin increased the levels of antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and reduced ROS production. Our results further showed that curcumin decreased the levels of TLR4 and its downstream effectors including NF-κB, IRF3, MyD88, and TIRF that are induced by MPP⁺ as well as inhibited the immunoreactivity of TLR4 and morphological activation in MPP⁺-stimulated astrocytes. Together, data suggest that curcumin might exert a beneficial effect on neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of PD.     

Coordinated upregulation of a series of endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes as a novel strategy for protecting renal tubular cells from oxidative and electrophilic stress

In view of the crucial involvement of oxidative and electrophilic stress in various kidney disorders, this study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that pharmacologically-mediated coordinated upregulation of endogenous renal antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes is an effective strategy for renal protection. Notably, studies on the pharmacological inducibility of a series of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in renal tubular cells are lacking. Here we reported that incubation of normal rat kidney (NRK-52E) proximal tubular cells with low micromolar concentrations (10-50 microM) of the cruciferous nutraceutical, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), led to a significant concentration-dependent induction of a wide spectrum of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes, including catalase (CAT), reduced form of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase (HO). We further observed that D3T treatment also increased the protein and mRNA expression for CAT, gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase, GR, GST-A, GST-M, NQO1, and HO-1. Incubation of the renal tubular cells with H(2)O(2), SIN-1-derived peroxynitrite, or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal led to concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability. Pretreatment of the renal tubular cells with 10-50 microM D3T afforded remarkable protection against the nephrocytotoxicity elicited by the above oxidative and electrophilic species. The D3T-mediated cytoprotection showed a concentration-dependent relationship. Taken together, this study for the first time comprehensively characterized the inducibility by a unique nutraceutical of a wide spectrum of antioxidative and phase 2 defenses in renal tubular cells at the levels of enzyme activity as well as protein and mRNA expression, and demonstrated that such a coordinated upregulation of cellular defenses led to remarkable protection of renal tubular cell from oxidative and electrophilic stress. Because of the crucial role of oxidative and electrophilic stress in inflammatory injury, D3T-mediated coordinated induction of endogenous antioxidative and phase 2 defenses may also serve as an important anti-inflammatory mechanism in kidneys.     

Dopaminergic Neurotoxicants Cause Biphasic Inhibition of Purinergic Calcium Signaling in Astrocytes

Dopaminergic nuclei in the basal ganglia are highly sensitive to damage from oxidative stress, inflammation, and environmental neurotoxins. Disruption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent calcium (Ca²⁺) transients in astrocytes may represent an important target of such stressors that contributes to neuronal injury by disrupting critical Ca²⁺-dependent trophic functions. We therefore postulated that plasma membrane cation channels might be a common site of inhibition by structurally distinct cationic neurotoxicants that could modulate ATP-induced Ca²⁺ signals in astrocytes. To test this, we examined the capacity of two dopaminergic neurotoxicants to alter ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ waves and transients in primary murine striatal astrocytes: MPP⁺, the active metabolite of 1-methyl 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Both compounds acutely decreased ATP-induced Ca²⁺ transients and waves in astrocytes and blocked OAG-induced Ca²⁺ influx at micromolar concentrations, suggesting the transient receptor potential channel, TRPC3, as an acute target. MPP⁺ inhibited 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)-induced Ca²⁺ transients similarly to the TRPC3 antagonist, pyrazole-3, whereas 6-OHDA only partly suppressed OAG-induced transients. RNAi directed against TRPC3 inhibited the ATP-induced transient as well as entry of extracellular Ca²⁺, which was augmented by MPP⁺. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments in primary astrocytes and TRPC3-overexpressing cells demonstrated that acute application of MPP⁺ completely blocked OAG-induced TRPC3 currents, whereas 6-OHDA only partially inhibited OAG currents. These findings indicate that MPP⁺ and 6-OHDA inhibit ATP-induced Ca²⁺ signals in astrocytes in part by interfering with purinergic receptor mediated activation of TRPC3, suggesting a novel pathway in glia that could contribute to neurotoxic injury.     

Differential roles of 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione-induced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase and aldose reductase in protecting against 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal toxicity in cultured cardiomyocytes

4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiac disorders. While conjugation with glutathione (GSH) catalyzed by GSH S-transferase (GST) has been suggested to be a major detoxification mechanism for HNE in target cells, whether chemically upregulated cellular GSH and GST afford protection against HNE toxicity in cardiac cells has not been investigated. In addition, the differential roles of chemically induced GSH and GST as well as other cellular factors in detoxifying HNE in cardiomyocytes are unclear. In this study, we have characterized the induction of GSH and GST by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) and the protective effects of the D3T-elevated cellular defenses on HNE-mediated toxicity in rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with D3T resulted in a significant induction of both GSH and GST as well as the mRNA expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit and GSTA. Both GSH and GST remained elevated for at least 72 h after removal of D3T from the culture media. Treatment of cells with HNE led to a significant decrease in cell viability and an increased formation of HNE-protein adducts. Pretreatment of cells with D3T dramatically protected against HNE-mediated cytotoxicity and protein-adduct formation. HNE treatment caused a significant decrease in cellular GSH level, which preceded the loss of cell viability. Either depletion of cellular GSH by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or inhibition of GST by sulfasalazine markedly sensitized the cells to HNE toxicity. Co-treatment of cardiomyocytes with BSO was found to completely block the D3T-mediated GSH elevation, which however failed to reverse the cytoprotective effects of D3T, suggesting that other cellular factor(s) might be involved in D3T cytotprotection. In this regard, D3T was shown to induce cellular aldose reductase (AR). Surprisingly, inhibition of AR by sorbinil failed to potentiate HNE toxicity in cardiomyocytes. In contrast, sorbinil dramatically augmented HNE cytotoxicity in cells with GSH depletion induced by BSO. Similarly, in BSO-treated cells, D3T cytoprotection was also largely reversed by sorbinil, indicating that AR played a significant role in detoxifying HNE only under the condition of GSH depletion in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, this study demonstrates that D3T can induce GSH, GST, and AR in cardiomyocytes, and that the above cellular factors appear to play differential roles in detoxification of HNE in cardiomyocytes.     

Role of Nrf2 signaling in regulation of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cardiac fibroblasts: protection against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-induced cell injury

Understanding the molecular pathway(s) of antioxidant gene regulation is of crucial importance for developing antioxidant-inducing agents for the intervention of oxidative cardiac disorders. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to determine the role of Nrf2 signaling in the basal expression as well as the chemical inducibility of endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cardiac fibroblasts. The basal expression of a scope of key cellular antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes was significantly lower in cardiac fibroblasts derived from Nrf2-/- mice than those from wild type control. These include catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), GSH S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1). Incubation of Nrf2+/+ cardiac fibroblasts with 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) led to a significant induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, GSH, GR, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), GST, and NQO1. The inducibility of SOD, catalase, GSH, GR, GST, and NQO1, but not GPx by D3T was completely abolished in Nrf2-/- cells. The Nrf2-/- cardiac fibroblasts were much more sensitive to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-mediated cytotoxicity. Upregulation of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes by D3T in Nrf2+/+ cardiac fibroblasts resulted in a dramatically increased resistance to the above species-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, D3T-treatment of the Nrf2-/- cells only provided a slight cytoprotection. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that Nrf2 is critically involved in the regulation of the basal expression and chemical induction of a number of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cardiac fibroblasts, and is an important factor in controlling cardiac cellular susceptibility to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-induced cytotoxicity.     

Enhanced Glutathione Efflux from Astrocytes in Culture by Low Extracellular Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Curcumin

Efflux of glutathione (GSH) from astrocytes has been suggested as a key factor for neuroprotection by astrocytes. Here we evaluated if the Nrf2 activator curcumin affects basal and stimulated (Ca²⁺ omission) GSH efflux from cultures of astroglial cells. Stimulated efflux of GSH was observed at medium concentration of 0, 0.1 mM Ca²⁺, but not at 0.2 or 0.3 mM Ca²⁺. Astroglia treated with 30 μM curcumin increased the cellular content of GSH in parallel with elevated basal and stimulated efflux. Conversely treatment with buthionine sulfoximine lowered efflux of GSH. The efflux stimulated by Ca²⁺- omission was not affected by the P2X7-receptor antagonist Blue Brilliant G (100 nM) or the pannexin mimetic/blocking peptide ¹⁰Panx1 but inhibited by the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (100 μM) and a hemichannel blocker Gap26 (300 μM). RNAi directed against Nrf2 partly inhibited the effect of curcumin. The results show that elevated cellular GSH by curcumin treatment enhance efflux from astroglial cells, a process which appear to be a prerequisite for astroglial mediated neuroprotection.     

Apoptotic Mode of Cell Death in Substantia Nigra Following Intranigral Infusion of the Parkinsonian Neurotoxin,MPP<Superscript>+</Superscript> in Sprague-Dawley Rats: Cellular,Molecular and Ultrastructural Evidences

The potent parkinsonian neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is known to cause dopaminergic neurodegeneration in nigrostriatal system. In the present study we investigated the nuclear morphology of cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of rats following unilateral intranigral infusion of the active metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ion (MPP⁺), which resulted in a dose-dependent and prolonged dopamine depletion in the ipsilateral striatum. There appeared a substantial loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the SNpc that received the neurotoxin. Specific nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 or acridine orange revealed bright pyknotic, shrunken, distorted nuclei and condensed chromatin with perinuclear nucleolus respectively following visualization with the former and latter dyes in the ipsilateral SNpc, as compared to the round, intact nuclei and centrally positioned nucleolus in the contralateral side. Ultrastructural details of the nucleus under transmission electron microscope confirmed distorted nuclear organization with shrunken or condensed nuclei and disrupted nuclear membrane. These features are typical of nucleus undergoing apoptosis, and suggest that MPP⁺ causes dopaminergic neuronal death through an apoptotic mode. Typical laddering pattern of genomic DNA isolated from the ipsilateral SN in agarose gel electrophoresis conclusively established apoptosis following intranigral administration of MPP⁺ in rats. Rebecca Banerjee and Sen Sreetama contributed equally to this paper.     

Antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cardiomyocytes: Chemical inducibility and chemoprotection against oxidant and simulated ischemia-reperfusion injury

The increasing recognition of the role for oxidative stress in cardiac disorders has led to extensive investigation on the protection by exogenous antioxidants against oxidative cardiac injury. On the other hand, another strategy for protecting against oxidative cardiac injury may be through upregulation of the endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in the myocardium by chemical inducers. However, our current understanding of the chemical inducibility of cardiac cellular antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes is very limited. In this study, using rat cardiac H9c2 cells we have characterized the concentration- and time-dependent induction of cellular antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), and the resultant chemoprotective effects on oxidative cardiac cell injury. Incubation of H9c2 cells with D3T resulted in a marked concentration- and time-dependent induction of a number of cellular antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes, including catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase, glutathione reductase (GR), GSH S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1). D3T treatment of H9c2 cells also caused an increase in mRNA expression of catalase, gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit, GR, GSTA1, M1 and P1, and NQO1. Moreover, both mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 were induced in D3T-treated cells. D3T pretreatment led to a marked protection against H9c2 cell injury elicited by various oxidants and simulated ischemia-reperfusion. D3T pretreatment also resulted in decreased intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen in H9c2 cells after exposure to the oxidants as well as simulated ischemia-reperfusion. This study demonstrates that a series of endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in H9c2 cells can be induced by D3T in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, and that the D3T-upregulated cellular defenses are accompanied by a markedly increased resistance to oxidative cardiac cell injury.     

Potent Upregulation of Glutathione and NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 by Alpha-lipoic Acid in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells: Protection Against Neurotoxicant-elicited Cytotoxicity

Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) has recently been reported to afford protective effects in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying LA-mediated neuroprotection remain to be investigated. This study was undertaken to determine whether LA treatment could increase endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and whether such increased cellular defenses could afford protection against cytotoxicity induced by neurotoxicants. Incubation of SH-SY5Y cells with micromolar concentrations of LA for 24 h resulted in a significant increase in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQQ1) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Treatment of the cells with LA also led to an increased mRNA expression of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and NQO1. To determine the protective effects of the LA-induced cellular defenses on neurotoxicant-elicitedl cell injury, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with LA for 24 h and then exposed to acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), H₂O₂ and the peroxynitrite generator, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). We observed that LA pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells led to a marked protection against acrolein, HNE, H₂O₂ and SIN-1-mediated cytotoxicity, as detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium reduction assay. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that LA can induce GSH and NQO1 in cultured human neuroblastoma cells and LA-upregulated cellular defenses are accompanied by a markedly increased resistance to cytotoxicity induced by various neurotoxicants. The results of this study may have important implications for the neuroprotective effects of LA.     

The chemical inducibility of mouse cardiac antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in vivo

The recognition of the critical involvement of oxidative and electrophilic stress in cardiac disorders has led to extensive investigation of the protective effects of exogenous antioxidants on cardiac injury. On the other hand, another strategy for protecting against oxidative/electrophilic cardiac injury may be through induction of the endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in myocardium by chemical inducers. However, our understanding of the chemical inducibility of cardiac antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in vivo is very limited. In addition, careful studies on the basal levels of a scope of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in myocardium as compared with other tissues, such as liver, are lacking. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to determine the basal levels of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), GSH S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and investigate the inducibility of the above antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes by the chemoprotectant, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), in cardiac as well as hepatic tissues in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that in C57BL/6 mice, the levels of catalase, GSH, GPx, GR, and GST were significantly lower in cardiac tissue than in hepatic tissue. The level of total SOD did not differ significantly between mouse heart and liver. Notably, heart contained a much higher NQO1 activity than liver. Immunoblotting and RT-PCR analyses further demonstrated the high expression of NQO1 protein and mRNA in myocardium. Oral administration of D3T at 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/kg body weight for 3 consecutive days resulted in a significant induction of cardiac SOD, catalase, GR, GST, and NQO1. No significant induction of cardiac GSH and GPx was observed with the above D3T treatment. Only GR, GST, and NQO1 in mouse liver were induced by the D3T treatment. Unexpectedly, we observed a significant D3T dose-dependent decrease in hepatic GPx activity. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that: (1) the expression of NQO1 is remarkably high in mouse myocardium though other cardiac antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes are relatively lower as compared with liver; (2) a number of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes in mouse cardiac tissue can be significantly induced by D3T following oral administration; and (3) the inducibility of endogenous antioxidants/phase 2 enzymes by D3T differs between mouse cardiac and hepatic tissues. This study provides a basis for future investigation of the cardioprotection of chemically induced endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in myocardium in animal models of oxidative/electrophilic cardiac disorders.     

Anaerobic Glycolysis Protection against 1-Methy-4-Phenylpyridinium (MPP<Superscript>+</Superscript>) Toxicity in C6 Glioma Cells

The neurotoxin 1-methy-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) is used for its’ capacity to induce Parkinsonism through its inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I. This inhibition disrupts cellular energy formation and aerobic glycolysis. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the toxic effect of mitochondrial aerobic pathway inhibition with MPP⁺ can be reduced by stimulating anaerobic glycolysis using glucose supplementation. In this study, C6 Glioma cell viability was examined in the presence of different concentrations of MPP alone and with the addition of glucose. The results obtained indicate that there was a significant increase (P < 0.001) in cell viability in cells treated with glucose and MPP⁺ verses cells treated with MPP⁺ alone. Fluorometric analysis using 100 uM Rhodamine 123 indicated mitochondrial membrane potential was not restored in MPP⁺ treated cells with glucose; however, normal cell viability was confirmed using 2 ug/ml Fluorescein diacetate. This dual fluorescence indicated mitochondrial damage from MPP⁺ while glucose augmented cell survival. Further confirmation of cell survival upon damage to the mitochondria was evident in TUNEL staining. Positive staining was prominent only in MPP⁺ treatment groups alone, while control and co-treated groups exhibited little to no TUNEL staining. ATP measurements of all MPP⁺ treated groups exhibited a significant (P < 0.001) decrease verses control. Groups co-treated with MPP⁺ and glucose revealed a significant increase (250 μM group: P < 0.001) in ATP. It was concluded from this study that glucose supplementation was able to sustain cellular viability and ATP production through anaerobic glycolysis despite the inhibitory effect of MPP⁺ on aerobic glycolysis.     

Near-complete <Superscript>1</Superscript>H, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Superscript>15</Superscript>N resonance assignments of dimethylsulfoxide-denatured TGFBIp FAS1-4 A546T

The transforming growth factor beta induced protein (TGFBIp) is a major protein component of the human cornea. Mutations occurring in TGFBIp may cause corneal dystrophies, which ultimately lead to loss of vision. The majority of the disease-causing mutations are located in the C-terminal domain of TGFBIp, referred as the fourth fascilin-1 (FAS1-4) domain. In the present study the FAS1-4 Ala546Thr, a mutation that causes lattice corneal dystrophy, was investigated in dimethylsulfoxide using liquid-state NMR spectroscopy, to enable H/D exchange strategies for identification of the core formed in mature fibrils. Isotope-labeled fibrillated FAS1-4 A546T was dissolved in a ternary mixture 95/4/1 v/v/v% dimethylsulfoxide/water/trifluoroacetic acid, to obtain and assign a reference 2D ¹H–¹⁵N HSQC spectrum for the H/D exchange analysis. Here, we report the near-complete assignments of backbone and aliphatic side chain ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N resonances for unfolded FAS1-4 A546T at 25 °C.     

Differential Involvement of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition in Cytotoxicity of 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium and 6-Hydroxydopamine

Defects in mitochondrial function have been shown to participate in the induction of neuronal cell injury. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition inhibition against the toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in relation to the mitochondria-mediated cell death process and role of oxidative stress. Both MPP⁺ and 6-OHDA induced the nuclear damage, the changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, leading to the cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation, the formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH in differentiated PC12 cells. Cyclosporin A (CsA), trifluoperazine and aristolochic acid, inhibitors of mitochondrial permeability transition, significantly attenuated the MPP⁺-induced mitochondrial damage leading to caspase-3 activation, increased oxidative stress and cell death. In contrast to MPP⁺, the cytotoxicity of 6-OHDA was not reduced by the addition of the mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitors. The results show that the cytotoxicity of MPP⁺ may be mediated by the mitochondrial permeability transition formation, which is associated with formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH. In contrast, the 6-OHDA-induced cell injury appears to be mediated by increased oxidative stress without intervention of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition.     

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal upregulates endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in rat H9c2 myocardiac cells: protection against overt oxidative and electrophilic injury

This study was undertaken to determine if 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) could upregulate antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in rat H9c2 myocardiac cells, and if the upregulated defenses led to cytoprotection against oxidative and electrophilic injury. Incubation of H9c2 cells with HNE at noncytotoxic concentrations resulted in significant induction of cellular catalase, glutathione (GSH), GSH S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), as determined by enzyme activity and/or protein expression. HNE treatment caused increased mRNA expression of catalase, γ-glutamylcysteine ligase, GST-A1, and NQO1. Pretreatment of H9c2 cells with HNE led to significant protection against cytotoxicity induced by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. HNE-pretreated cells also exhibited increased resistance to injury elicited by subsequent cytotoxic concentrations of HNE. Taken together, this study demonstrates that several antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in H9c2 cells are upregulated by HNE and that the increased defenses afford protection against overt oxidative and electrophilic cardiac cell injury.     

Pivotal Role of Reduced Glutathione in Oxygen-induced Regulation of the Na<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript>/K<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript> Pump in Mouse Erythrocyte Membranes

This study addresses the mechanisms of oxygen-induced regulation of ion transport pathways in mouse erythrocyte, specifically focusing on the role of cellular redox state and ATP levels. Mouse erythrocytes possess Na⁺/K⁺ pump, K⁺-Cl^– and Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^– cotransporters that have been shown to be potential targets of oxygen. The activity of neither cotransporter changed in response to hypoxia-reoxygenation. In contrast, the Na⁺/K⁺ pump responded to hypoxic treatment with reversible inhibition. Hypoxia-induced inhibition was abolished in Na⁺-loaded cells, revealing no effect of O₂ on the maximal operation rate of the pump. Notably, the inhibitory effect of hypoxia was not followed by changes in cellular ATP levels. Hypoxic exposure did, however, lead to a rapid increase in cellular glutathione (GSH) levels. Decreasing GSH to normoxic levels under hypoxic conditions abolished hypoxia-induced inhibition of the pump. Furthermore, GSH added to the incubation medium was able to mimic hypoxia-induced inhibition. Taken together these data suggest a pivotal role of intracellular GSH in oxygen-induced modulation of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump activity.     

Modulation of [<Superscript>3</Superscript>H]Dopamine Release by Glutathione in Mouse Striatal Slices

Glutathione (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine, GSH and oxidized glutathione, GSSG), may function as a neuromodulator at the glutamate receptors and as a neurotransmitter at its own receptors. We studied now the effects of GSH, GSSG, glutathione derivatives and thiol redox agents on the spontaneous, K⁺- and glutamate-agonist-evoked releases of [³H]dopamine from mouse striatal slices. The release evoked by 25 mM K⁺ was inhibited by GSH, S-ethyl-, -propyl-, -butyl- and pentylglutathione and glutathione sulfonate. 5,5′-Dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoate (DTNB) and l-cystine were also inhibitory, while dithiothreitol (DTT) and l-cysteine enhanced the K⁺-evoked release. Ten min preperfusion with 50 μM ZnCl₂ enhanced the basal unstimulated release but prevented the activation of K⁺-evoked release by DTT. Kainate and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) evoked dopamine release but the other glutamate receptor agonists N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), glycine (1 mM) and trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (t-ACPD, 0.5 mM), and the modulators GSH, GSSG, glutathione sulfonate, S-alkyl-derivatives of glutathione, DTNB, cystine, cysteine and DTT (all 1 mM) were without effect. The release evoked by 1 mM glutamate was enhanced by 1 mM GSH, while GSSG, glutathionesulfonate and S-alkyl derivatives of glutathione were generally without effect or inhibitory. NMDA (1 mM) evoked release only in the presence of 1 mM GSH but not with GSSG, other peptides or thiol modulators. l-Cysteine (1 mM) enhanced the glutamate-evoked release similarly to GSH. The activation by 1 mM kainate was inhibited by S-ethyl-, -propyl-, and -butylglutathione and the activation by 0.5 mM AMPA was inhibited by S-ethylglutathione but enhanced by GSSG. Glutathione alone does not directly evoke dopamine release but may inhibit the depolarization-evoked release by preventing the toxic effects of high glutamate, and by modulating the cysteine–cystine redox state in Ca²⁺ channels. GSH also seems to enhance the glutamate-agonist-evoked release via both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. In this action, the γ-glutamyl and cysteinyl moieties of glutathione are involved.     

Mast Cells Release Chemokine CCL2 in Response to Parkinsonian Toxin 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-Pyridinium (MPP<Superscript>+</Superscript>)

Microglial activation and release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are crucial events in neuroinflammation. Microglial cells interact and respond to other inflammatory cells such as T cells and mast cells as well as inflammatory mediators secreted from these cells. Recent studies have shown that neuroinflammation causes and accelerates neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion (MPP⁺), the active metabolite of neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro pyridine activates glial cells and mediate neurodegeneration through release of inflammatory mediators. We have shown that glia maturation factor (GMF) activates glia and induces neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and that MPP⁺ activates mast cells and release proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) levels have been shown to be elevated and play a role in PD pathogenesis. In the present study, we analyzed if MPP⁺ activates mouse and human mast cells to release chemokine CCL2. Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and human umbilical cord blood-derived cultured mast cells (hCBMCs) were incubated with MPP⁺ (10 µM) for 24 h and CCL2 levels were measured in the supernatant media by ELISA. MPP⁺-significantly induced CCL2 release from BMMCs and hCBMCs. Additionally, GMF overexpression in BMMCs obtained from wild-type mice released significantly more CCL2, while BMMCs obtained from GMF-deficient mice showed less CCL2 release. Further, we show that MPP⁺-induced CCL2 release was greater in BMMCs–astrocyte co-culture conditions. Uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) which is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including PD was detected in BMMCs by immunocytochemistry. Our results suggest that mast cells may play role in PD pathogenesis.     

Protective Effects of Paeoniflorin Against MPP<Superscript>+</Superscript>-induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells

In the present study, we investigated the protective mechanism of paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glycoside extracted from Radix Paeoniae alba roots, on MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Our work included examination of cell viability assessment, amounts of released lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 activity, and expression profiling of two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2 and Bax). It was shown that, PF functioned as an MPP⁺ antagonist, being able to suppress apoptosis, decrease LDH release and Ca²⁺ concentration, attenuate membrane potential collapse and, inhibit caspase-3 activation, decrease in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These observations suggest that PF could protect PC12 cells against MPP⁺-induced injury and the mechanism PF’s neuroprotective effect was closely associated with Bcl-2 up-regulation and Bax down-regulation. PF has neuroprotective effects on MPP⁺-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via regulating mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathways, and this new insight will help develop a PF-based therapeutic strategy for treatmenting neurodegenerative diseases and injury.     

Backbone <Superscript>1</Superscript>H, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C,and <Superscript>15</Superscript>N resonance assignments of the ligand binding domain of the human wildtype glucocorticoid receptor and the F602S mutant variant

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates key genes controlling development, metabolism, and the immune response. GR agonists are efficacious for treatment of inflammatory, allergic, and immunological disorders. Steroid hormone binding to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of GR is known to change the structural and dynamical properties of the receptor, which in turn control its interactions with DNA and various co-regulators and drive the pharmacological response. Previous biophysical studies of the GR LBD have required the use of mutant forms to overcome issues with limited protein stability and high aggregation propensity. However, these mutant variants are known to also influence the functional response of the receptor. Here we report a successful protocol for protein expression, purification, and NMR characterization of the wildtype human GR LBD. We achieved chemical shift assignments for 90% of the LBD backbone resonances, with 216 out of 240 non-proline residues assigned in the ¹H–¹⁵N TROSY spectrum. These advancements form the basis for future investigations of allosteric effects in GR signaling.     

2-Deoxyglucose Enhances 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-Tetrahydropyridine-Induced ATP Loss in the Mouse Brain

Abstract: The effects of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), an inhibitor of the uptake and use of glucose, on ATP loss caused by the neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were determined in the mouse brain. 2-DG alone had no effect on brain ATP levels, but when administered 30 min before MPTP exposure, 2-DG significantly enhanced MPTP-induced ATP reduction. This was reflected as an increase in ATP loss in the striatum (from 15 to 27%) as well as a significant decrease in ATP in the cerebellar cortex, an area of the brain that was not affected after exposure to MPTP alone. In mice pretreated with 2-DG, striatal ATP levels remained significantly decreased for >8 h after MPTP administration. In contrast, ATP levels in the cerebellar cortex returned to normal values within 4 h from MPTP exposure. Mazindol, a catecholamine uptake blocker, completely protected against MPTP-induced loss of striatal ATP in the absence of 2-DG, but it only partially prevented striatal ATP decrease after administration of both 2-DG and MPTP; mazindol was also ineffective in protecting against ATP loss caused by 2-DG and MPTP in the cerebellar cortex. 2-DG/MPTP-induced ATP loss appeared to be associated with the presence of the 1 -methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) metabolite because (1) the pattern of ATP recovery in the striatum and cerebellar cortex appeared to reflect the pattern of MPP⁺clearance from these areas of the brain (i.e., significant MPP⁺ levels persisted longer in the striatum than in the cerebellar cortex), and (2) ATP decrease was completely prevented by blocking the conversion of MPTP to MPP⁺with the monoamine oxidase B inhibitor deprenyl. Data indicate that impairment of glucose metabolism dramatically enhances the effects of MPTP/MPP⁺ on cerebral energy supplies, making these effects relatively nonselective for dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal pathway.