sPLA2 and the epidermal barrier

The mammalian epidermis provides both an interface and a protective barrier between the organism and its environment. Lipid, processed into water-impermeable bilayers between the outermost layers of the epidermal cells, forms the major barrier that prevents water from exiting the organism, and also prevents toxins and infectious agents from entering. The secretory phospholipase 2 (sPLA2) enzymes control important processes in skin and other organs, including inflammation and differentiation. sPLA2 activity contributes to epidermal barrier formation and homeostasis by generating free fatty acids, which are required both for formation of lamellar membranes and also for acidification of the stratum corneum (SC). sPLA2 is especially important in controlling SC acidification and establishment of an optimum epidermal barrier during the first postnatal week. Several sPLA2 isoforms are present in the epidermis. We find that two of these isoforms, sPLA2 IIA and sPLA2 IIF, localize to the upper stratum granulosum and increase in response to experimental barrier perturbation. sPLA2F^−/− mice also demonstrate a more neutral SC pH than do their normal littermates, and their initial recovery from barrier perturbation is delayed. These findings confirm that sPLA2 enzymes perform important roles in epidermal development, and suggest that the sPLA2IIF isoform may be central to SC acidification and barrier function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Important Role of Lipids in the Epidermis and their Role in the Formation and Maintenance of the Cutaneous Barrier. Guest Editors: Kenneth R. Feingold and Peter Elias.     

人分泌型磷脂酶A2(hsPLA2-IIA)基因的克隆、表达及活性鉴定

目的为了构建人分泌型磷脂酶A2(secretaryphospholipaseA2,sPLA2-IIA)的有效表达系统,从胎脾中提取总RNA。方法采用RT-PCR方法扩增出编码sPLA2-IIA的基因定向地克隆于硫氧环蛋白基因融合表达载体pET32a的TrxA基因3′末端,构建符合读码框的融合表达载体pET32a-sPLA2-IIA。37℃下经IPTG诱导,hsPLA2-IIA融合蛋白在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中获得高效表达,表达产物以包涵体的形式存在。包涵体经8mol/L尿素溶解、复性后检测结果显示具有较高的催化活性并呈现剂量依赖关系。结论以大肠杆菌为宿主,成功表达了hsPLA2-IIA蛋白,为进一步进行hsPLA2-IIA的大量生产和功能研究奠定了基础。     

人分泌型磷脂酶A2(hsPLA2-IIA)基因的克隆、表达及活性鉴定

目的 为了构建人分泌型磷脂酶A2(secretary phospholipase A2, sPLA2-IIA) 的有效表达系统,本文从胎脾中提取总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增出编码sPLA2-IIA的基因定向地克隆于硫氧环蛋白基因融合表达载体pET32a的TrxA基因3’末端,构建符合读码框的融合表达载体pET32a-sPLA2-IIA。37℃下经IPTG诱导,hsPLA2-IIA融合蛋白在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中获得高效表达,表达产物以包涵体的形式存在。包涵体经8M尿素溶解、复性后检测结果显示具有较高的催化活性并呈现剂量依赖关系。结论：以大肠杆菌为宿主,成功表达了hsPLA2-IIA蛋白,为进一步进行hsPLA2-IIA的大量生产和功能研究奠定了基础。     

Activation of Erk1/2 and Akt in astrocytes under ischemia

Substantial evidence has shown that extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) play important roles in regulating cell survival. We examined the activities of these kinases in astrocytes under ischemia in an anaerobic chamber. The level of phosphorylated Erk1/2 in astrocytes began to increase after 1 h ischemia, reached a maximum after 4 h ischemia, before decreasing from 5 to 6 h. Akt was activated later than Erk1/2. It was significantly increased after 4 h ischemia before declining steadily afterwards. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and Hoechst nucleic staining indicated that U0126, which inhibits Erk1/2 phosphorylation, enhanced ischemia-induced cell death, whereas LY294002, which inhibits Akt phosphorylation, delayed cell death. These effects were dose-dependent. At 4 and 6 h ischemia, U0126-treated astrocytes expressed a lower level of Bcl-2 than controls. In contrast, LY294002-treated astrocytes expressed a higher level of Bcl-2 than controls as shown by Western blots. Bcl-x(L) expression level was not affected by either treatment. These data suggest that activation of the MAPK/Erk1/2 pathway might protect astrocytes from ischemic injury, but activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway does not. The effect may involve Bcl-2 but not Bcl-x(L) expression.     

Effect of FK506 and cyclosporine A on the expression of BDNF, tyrosine kinase B and p75 neurotrophin receptors in astrocytes exposed to simulated ischemia in vitro

We investigated whether the immunosuppressive drugs, FK506 and cyclosporine A, increase BDNF protein and/or mRNA expression in ischemic astrocytes and if an increase could be related to changes in the nuclear expression of p-CREB, p-Erk1/2 and p-Akt. The influence of these immunosuppressants on protein and mRNA levels of TrkB and p75^NTR receptors was also examined. On day 21, cultures of rat astrocytes were subjected to ischemic conditions simulated in vitro (combined oxygen glucose deprivation, OGD) for 8 h and exposed to FK506 (10-1000 nM) and cyclosporine A (0.25-10 μM). FK506 and cyclosporine A (at 1000 nM and 0.25 μM, respectively) stimulated the expression and release of BDNF in cultured rat cerebral cortical astrocytes exposed to OGD. The immunosuppressants at these doses simultaneously increased p-CREB and p-Erk1/2 expression in the nuclear fraction of astrocytes. The results RT-PCR and Western blot analysis provided further evidence of a modulating influence of the drugs on the expression of trkB and p75^NTR genes and their protein products in ischemic astrocytes.     

UCN enhances TGF-beta-mediated mitoinhibition of VSMCs via counteracting TGF-beta-induced cPLA2 expression and activation

Urocortins (UCNs) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) have been demonstrated to participate in various cardiovascular diseases, many of which involve vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2)-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) release is an important cause of VSMCs proliferation. The work was to investigate the regulation of VSMCs proliferation by UCN/TGF-beta and whether cPLA2 was a link between their signaling pathways. VSMCs proliferation was measured by colorimetric assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. Using cell flow cytometry, the changes in the cell cycle phases were investigated. Lentiviral Vector Particle was performed to overexpress cPLA2 gene. Both UCN and TGF-beta inhibited VSMCs proliferation and an additive effect was observed when the cells were treated with UCN plus TGF-beta. TGF-beta increased the percentage of cells in G1-phase while UCN increased the cell percentage in G2-phase with a concomitant decrease in S-phase. Furthermore, cPLA2 expression was increased by TGF-beta but decreased by UCN and UCN attenuated TGF-beta-induced cPLA2 expression. In primary VSMCs, TGF-beta induced cPLA2 phosphorylation, and this effect was also attenuated by UCN. Similar to UCN, the cPLA2 inhibitor, pyrrophenone (PYR), also played a role in enhancing TGF-beta-mediated mitoinhibition. Inversely, overexpression of cPLA2 eliminated the effect of UCN on the mitoinhibition. The pretreatment with UCN counteracted TGF-beta-mediated cPLA2 expression and activation, thereby contributing to TGF-beta-mediated mitoinhibition of VSMCs.     

Oxidant-mediated AA release from astrocytes involves cPLA(2) and iPLA(2)

Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the central nervous system (CNS) is a leading cause of neuronal injury. Despite yet unknown mechanisms, oxidant compounds such as H₂O₂ have been shown to stimulate the release of arachidonic acid (AA) in a number of cell systems. In this study, H₂O₂ and menadione, a compound known to release H₂O₂ intracellularly, were used to examine the phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂) responsible for AA release from primary murine astrocytes. Both H₂O₂ and menadione dose-dependently stimulated AA release, and the release mediated by H₂O₂ was completely inhibited by catalase. H₂O₂ also stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂). However, complete inhibition of cPLA₂ phosphorylation by U0126, an inhibitor for mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and GF109203x, a nonselective PKC inhibitor preferring the conventional and novel isoforms, only reduced H₂O₂-stimulated AA release by 50%. MAFP, a selective, active, site-directed, irreversible inhibitor of both cPLA₂ and the Ca²⁺-independent iPLA₂, nearly completely inhibited H₂O₂-mediated AA release; but, HELSS, a potent irreversible inhibitor of iPLA₂, only inhibited H₂O₂-mediated AA release by 40%. Along with the observation that H₂O₂-mediated AA release was only partially inhibited upon chelating intracellular Ca²⁺ by BAPTA, these results indicate the involvement of both cPLA₂ and iPLA₂ in H₂O₂-mediated AA release in murine astrocytes.     

Golgi vesiculation induced by cholesterol occurs by a dynamin- and cPLA2-dependent mechanism

It was recently demonstrated that an increase in the cellular cholesterol level leads to vesiculation of the Golgi apparatus. This vesiculation affects the entire Golgi apparatus and is a reversible process. We have now started to elucidate the mechanism behind this cholesterol-induced vesiculation of the Golgi apparatus. Transient transfection of cells with dominant negative mutant constructs of dynamin 1 and 2 inhibited the vesiculation; expression of dynK44A in HeLa cells stably transfected with this construct had the same effect. However, the vesiculation seems to be independent of clathrin, as cholesterol-induced vesiculation still occurred following knock down of clathrin heavy chain in HeLa cells using RNA interference as well as in BHK cells where expression of antisense to clathrin heavy chain had been induced. Importantly, the cPLA2 inhibitor MAFP and the chelator BAPTA-AM that binds cytosolic Ca2+ inhibited the cholesterol-induced vesiculation, suggesting involvement of a cPLA2 that requires cytosolic Ca2+ for translocation to membranes. Furthermore, in response to an increased cellular cholesterol level, an EGFP-cPLA2 fusion protein translocated to the Golgi apparatus. Thus, our results demonstrate that the cholesterol-induced vesiculation of the Golgi apparatus is mediated by a cPLA2- and dynamin-dependent mechanism.     

Mouse cPLA2gamma, a novel oocyte and early embryo-abundant phospholipase A2 gamma-like protein, is targeted to the nuclear envelope during germinal vesicle breakdown

This report documents the characterization of a novel mouse oocyte protein which was originally identified by microsequence analysis of a 67.8 kDa protein spot (pI 5.7) on a Coomassie-stained two-dimensional (2D) gel of murine egg proteins. Tandem mass spectroscopic analysis of the peptides obtained from the cored protein yielded sequences that appeared to match only ovary, egg, and preimplantation embryo cDNAs. We then cloned the novel gene by RACE-PCR, and analysis of the deduced cDNA sequence found that this maternal product was ∼56% identical to human cytosolic phospholipase A2γ (cPLA2γ). Based on this sequence homology, we named the molecule mouse cytosolic phospholipase A2γ (cPLA2γ). As with human cPLA2γ, mouse cPLA2γ contains a lipase consensus sequence and lacks the calcium binding domain that is found in other PLA2 proteins. However, mouse cPLA2γ is different from human cPLA2γ in that mouse cPLA2γ expression is restricted to the ovary and that the protein does not contain the myristoylation and prenylation lipid-anchoring motifs that are present in human cPLA2γ. Within oocytes, mouse cPLA2γ localizes mainly to the oocyte cortex and to the nucleoplasm. Interestingly, during germinal vesicle breakdown, mouse cPLA2γ aggregates dynamically relocate from the oocyte cortex to the nuclear envelope, suggesting a possible role for this putative egg-restricted phospholipase A2γ in membrane remodeling. Furthermore, mouse cPLA2γ protein continues to be expressed in the embryo until the 4-8-cell stage of development, suggesting that mouse cPLA2γ may function as a previously uncharacterized maternal effect gene.     

Regulation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by cPLA2alpha and PPARdelta

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) is a rate-limiting key enzyme that releases arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipid for the production of biologically active lipid mediators including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor. cPLA(2)alpha is translocated to nuclear envelope in response to intracellular calcium increase and the enzyme is also present inside the cell nucleus; however, the biological function of cPLA(2)alpha in the nucleus remains unknown. Here we show a novel role of cPLA(2)alpha for activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARdelta) and beta-catenin in the nuclei. Overexpression of cPLA(2)alpha in human cholangiocarcinoma cells induced the binding of PPARdelta to beta-catenin and increased their association with the TCF/LEF response element. These effects are inhibited by the cPLA(2)alpha siRNA and inhibitors as well as by siRNA knockdown of PPARdelta. Overexpression of PPARdelta or treatment with the selective PPARdelta ligand, GW501516, also increased beta-catenin binding to TCF/LEF response element and increased its reporter activity. Addition of AA and GW501516 to nuclear extracts induced a comparable degree of beta-catenin binding to TCF/LEF response element. Furthermore, cPLA(2)alpha protein is present in the PPARdelta and beta-catenin binding complex. Thus the close proximity between cPLA(2)alpha and PPARdelta provides a unique advantage for their efficient functional coupling in the nucleus, where AA produced by cPLA(2)alpha becomes immediately available for PPARdelta binding and subsequent beta-catenin activation. These results depict a novel interaction linking cPLA(2)alpha, PPARdelta and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways and provide insight for further understanding the roles of these key molecules in human cells and diseases.     

Changes of ATP and ADP in cultured astrocytes under and after in vitro ischemia

A very large body of evidence from in vivo studies has been accumulated on a link between the change of energy and cell survival/apoptosis. Using an in vitro ischemia model, we have previously shown that ischemia could induce apoptosis in astrocytes. In this study, we utilized the same in vitro model to investigate changes in ATP and ADP levels in cultured astrocytes and attempted to demonstrate an energy-cell death linkage. Astrocytes remained unaltered after 2 hr of ischemia but were moderately or severely damaged after 4 or 6-8 hr, respectively. The astrocytes that survived various lengths of in vitro ischemic incubation retained their ability to produce ATP after ischemia. Both ATP and ADP levels were increased in astrocytes that remained alive under in vitro ischemia for over 6 hr. The largest decline in the percent of viable astrocytes during ischemia corresponded well to the reduction in ATP and ADP levels in these cultures.     

cPLA2 and desaturases underlie the tau hyperphosphorylation offset induced by BACE knock-down in neuronal primary cultures

Inflammation has been suggested to play early and perhaps causative roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis possibly in part by the overactivation of the aspartic acid protease named β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), which is responsible for the β-amyloid cascade. We have described that BACE1 is involved in the lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (18:1/20:4/22:6) upregulation associated with tauopathy and inflammation signaling (cPLA2/arachidonic acid/COX2) in a triple transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease, where BACE1 silencing reversed the imbalanced profile and produced cognitive function improvement. In this study, we analyze the role of cPLA2 and desaturases (SCD1, FAD6) in the BACE1 knockdown-induced protective action under a glutamate excitotoxicity model. Glutamate (125?μM) produced hyperphosphorylation of tau in cortical primary cultures along with increased apoptotic nuclei, LDH release, and cPLA2 expression, which were all reversed by BACE1-KD. This beneficial effect was reinforced by the silencing of cPLA2 but attenuated by the reduction in SCD1 and partially attenuated by the reduction in FAD6. Inversely, overexpression SCD1 and FAD6 recovered the neuroprotective effect produced by BACE1-KD, which was not achieved by the overexpression of each desaturase alone. These findings suggest that the hyperphosphorylation of tau and the creation of a pro-inflammatory cell environment are blocked in a desaturase-dependent manner by targeting BACE1.     

Effects of polyamines on apoptosis induced by simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

We incubated neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat cardiomyocytes in primary culture in a medium simulating ischemia (consisting of hypoxia plus serum deprivation) for 2 h, then re-incubated them for 24 h in normal culture medium to establish a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Apoptotic cell death was measured by MTT assay, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Morphological alterations were assessed by transmission electron microscopy, the expression of caspases-3 and -9 and Bcl-2 and the release of cytochrome c by Western blotting, and the intracellular free-calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by laser confocal scanning microscopy. The results showed that pretreatment with 10 micromol/l spermine or spermidine significantly inhibited apoptosis in the I/R cells, suppressed the expression of caspases-3 and -9 and cytochrome c release, up-regulated Bcl-2 expression and decreased [Ca2+]i. However, pretreatment with 10 micromol/l putrescine had the opposite effects. Evidence for this "double-edged" effect of polyamines on apoptosis in I/R-injured cardiomyocytes is presented for the first time. It may suggest a novel pharmacological target for preventing and treating cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Anti-apoptotic protection afforded by cardioplegic celsior and histidine buffer solutions to hearts subjected to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion

Cardiomyocytes undergo apoptosis in response to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). During heart preservation, inhibition of apoptosis is critical to avoid organ failure. We aimed to compare the protection afforded by Celsior (Cs) and Histidine buffer solution (HBS) against apoptotic signaling in hearts subjected to moderate (4 h) versus severe (6 h) ischemia alone or followed by 30 min reperfusion. The impact of gender on cardioplegic protection was also explored. Hearts from male and female Wistar-Han rats were divided by gender in distinct groups: control, perfusion_control, ischemia, and I/R. Ischemia and I/R groups were divided in subgroups Cs or HBS, and subjected to 4 or 6 h ischemia alone or followed by reperfusion. Proteins involved in apoptotic signaling (p53, Bax, Fas, FasL, and Flip) were quantified by Western blot in mitochondria and/or whole tissue. Caspases 3, 8, and 9-like activities were measured and hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Ischemia activated p53/Bax signaling. After I/R, HBS-preserved hearts had lower p53/Bax content in mitochondrial fractions than Cs-preserved hearts. The p53/Bax decrease in tissue samples was mostly observed in females. Caspase 3-like activity was increased in HBS-preserved male hearts. The heart rate was decreased in Cs and HBS-preserved hearts. Fas protein levels remained unaltered in all conditions but soluble FasL increased from 4 to 6 h preservation in Cs and HBS. Hearts from male rats were more prone to apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. HBS and Cs were not effective in inhibiting apoptotic signaling although HBS presented best overall results. Both solutions should be improved to prevent apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction after I/R.     

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.     

Activation by 2-arachidonoylglycerol of platelet p38MAPK/cPLA2 pathway

The endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is described as a platelet agonist able to induce aggregation and to increase intracellular calcium. In the present report we have confirmed these data and demonstrated that the inhibitor of p38MAPK SB203580 and the inhibitor of cPLA(2) metabolism ETYA affect both these parameters. Thus, we aimed to define the role of p38MAPK/cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) pathway in 2-AG-induced human platelet activation. p38MAPK activation was assayed by phosphorylation. cPLA(2) activation was assayed by phosphorylation and as arachidonic acid release and thromboxane B(2) formation. It was shown that 2-AG in a dose- and time-dependent manner activates p38MAPK peaking at 10 μM after 1 min of incubation. The 2-AG effect on p38MAPK was not impaired by apyrase, indomethacin or RGDS peptide but it was significantly reduced by SR141716, specific inhibitor of type-1 cannabinoid receptor and unaffected by the specific inhibitor of type-2 cannabinoid receptor SR144528. Moreover, the incubation of platelets with 2-AG led to the phosphorylation of cPLA(2) and its activation. Platelet pretreatment with SB203580, inhibitor of p38MAPK, abolished both cPLA(2) phosphorylation and activation. In addition SR141716 strongly impaired cPLA(2) phosphorylation, arachidonic acid release and thromboxane B(2) formation, whereas SR144528 did not change these parameters. Finally platelet stimulation with 2-AG led to an increase in free oxygen radical species. In conclusion, data provide insight into the mechanisms involved in platelet activation by 2-AG, indicating that p38MAPK/cPLA(2) pathway could play a relevant role in this complicated process.     

人细小病毒B19 VP1u多克隆抗体的制备及其保守区外N端氨基酸对sPLA2活性影响的初步研究

【目的】制备人细小病毒B19-VP1u的多克隆抗体,探究VP1u多克隆抗体及其保守区外N端氨基酸对病毒磷脂酶A2活性的影响。【方法】首先通过分子克隆方法构建相应原核表达载体;利用原核表达系统纯化含MBP标签的VP1u全长及N端系列截短突变融合蛋白;接着免疫新西兰大白兔制备全长VP1u蛋白的多克隆抗体;最后利用磷脂酶A2活性检测试剂盒检测了纯化蛋白的磷脂酶A2活性。【结果】Western blot及免疫荧光实验证实制备的多克隆抗体具有较高的特异性;磷脂酶A2活性检测发现全长VP1u-MBP融合蛋白具有一定的活性,该活性可以被VP1u的抗体抑制;N端保守区外截短系列蛋白的酶活检测发现,N端截掉12个氨基酸时酶活降低53%,截掉67个氨基酸时酶活性几乎完全丧失。【结论】首次发现VP1u保守区外N端氨基酸,尤其是第12个氨基酸前的区域以及第22-67个氨基酸之间的区域,对sPLA2活性的保持具有重要意义,推测该区域可能对维持正常的蛋白构象起重要的作用;而其特异性多克隆抗体的制备也为进一步研究B19病毒VP1u在病毒复制周期的作用奠定基础。