Cellular mechanisms of hereditary photoreceptor degeneration – Focus on cGMP

The cellular mechanisms underlying hereditary photoreceptor degeneration are still poorly understood, a problem that is exacerbated by the enormous genetic heterogeneity of this disease group. However, the last decade has yielded a wealth of new knowledge on degenerative pathways and their diversity. Notably, a central role of cGMP-signalling has surfaced for photoreceptor cell death triggered by a subset of disease-causing mutations.In this review, we examine key aspects relevant for photoreceptor degeneration of hereditary origin. The topics covered include energy metabolism, epigenetics, protein quality control, as well as cGMP- and Ca²⁺-signalling, and how the related molecular and metabolic processes may trigger photoreceptor demise. We compare and integrate evidence on different cell death mechanisms that have been associated with photoreceptor degeneration, including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, and PARthanatos. A special focus is then put on the mechanisms of cGMP-dependent cell death and how exceedingly high photoreceptor cGMP levels may cause activation of Ca²⁺-dependent calpain-type proteases, histone deacetylases and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. An evaluation of the available literature reveals that a large group of patients suffering from hereditary photoreceptor degeneration carry mutations that are likely to trigger cGMP-dependent cell death, making this pathway a prime target for future therapy development.Finally, an outlook is given into technological and methodological developments that will with time likely contribute to a comprehensive overview over the entire metabolic complexity of photoreceptor cell death. Building on such developments, new imaging technology and novel biomarkers may be used to develop clinical test strategies, that fully consider the genetic heterogeneity of hereditary retinal degenerations, in order to facilitate clinical testing of novel treatment approaches.     

Bishonokiol A Induces Multiple Cell Death in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Objective: A dimeric neolignan, bishonokiol A (BHNKA) isolated from Magnolia grandiflora, significantly inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism of BHNKA induced breast cancer cell death is unknown. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological mechanism underlying BHNKA induced MCF-7 cell death. Methods: Cell viability measurement was performed by the MTT assay. Flow cytometry with PI staining, DAPI staining, and electron microscopy were used to analyze cellular death modes. In addition, western blotting, siRNA transfection, ATP assay, and fluorescence microscopy were used to determine the mechanism of BHNKA induced MCF-7 cell death. Results: BHNKA induced cell death by apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy at the same concentration and time in MCF-7 cells, and electron microscopy confirmed these results. The mechanism of BHNKA triggered apoptosis and autophagy in MCF-7 cells was primarily due to an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and simultaneous up-regulation of LC3-II protein expression, respectively. BHNKA induced necroptosis by activation of the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL necroptosis cascade, up-regulation of cyclophilin D (CypD) protein expression to stimulate ROS generation. We further demonstrated that siRNA-mediated down-regulation of CypD protected against BHNKA induced cell death. Conclusions: These results suggest that BHNKA may be a potential lead compound for development as an anti-breast cancer agent for induction of multiple cell death pathways.     

Innate immune inflammatory cell death: PANoptosis and PANoptosomes in host defense and disease

Regulated cell death (RCD) triggered by innate immune activation is an important strategy for host survival during pathogen invasion and perturbations of cellular homeostasis. There are two main categories of RCD, including nonlytic and lytic pathways. Apoptosis is the most well-characterized nonlytic RCD, and the inflammatory pyroptosis and necroptosis pathways are among the best known lytic forms. While these were historically viewed as independent RCD pathways, extensive evidence of cross-talk among their molecular components created a knowledge gap in our mechanistic understanding of RCD and innate immune pathway components, which led to the identification of PANoptosis. PANoptosis is a unique innate immune inflammatory RCD pathway that is regulated by PANoptosome complexes upon sensing pathogens, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or the cytokines produced downstream. Cytosolic innate immune sensors and regulators, such as ZBP1, AIM2 and RIPK1, promote the assembly of PANoptosomes to drive PANoptosis. In this review, we discuss the molecular components of the known PANoptosomes and highlight the mechanisms of PANoptosome assembly, activation and regulation identified to date. We also discuss how PANoptosomes and mutations in PANoptosome components are linked to diseases. Given the impact of RCD, and PANoptosis specifically, across the disease spectrum, improved understanding of PANoptosomes and their regulation will be critical for identifying new therapeutic targets and strategies.     

Pretreatment with 3-methyladenine ameliorated Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute pneumonia by inhibiting cell death of neutrophils in a mouse infection model

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections worldwide. Clinical isolates that are resistant to multiple antimicrobials make it intractable. The interactions between P. aeruginosa and host cell death have multiple effects on bacterial clearance and inflammation; however, the potential intervention effects remain to be defined. Herein, we demonstrated that intravenous administration of 3-methyladenine before, but not after, P. aeruginosa infection enhanced autophagy-independent survival, which was accompanied by a decrease in the bacterial load, alleviation of pathology and reduction in inflammatory cytokines, in an acute pneumonia mouse model. Interestingly, these beneficial effects were not dependent on neutrophil recruitment or phagocytosis, but on the enhanced killing capacity induced by inhibiting the cell death of 3-MA pretreated neutrophils. These findings demonstrate a novel protective role of 3-MA pretreatment in P. aeruginosa-induced acute pneumonia.     

Key players of the necroptosis pathway RIPK1 and SIRT2 are altered in placenta from preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction

IntroductionPreeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are among the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Placental insufficiency is central to these conditions. The mechanisms underlying placental insufficiency are poorly understood. Apoptosis has long been considered the only form of regulated cell death, recent research has identified an alternate process of programmed cell death known as necroptosis [1]. Necroptosis is distinct from apoptosis, relying on the deacetylase sirtuin-2 [2], receptor interacting kinases RIPK1 and 3, and the pseudokinase MLKL [3]. We aimed to determine whether these key necroptosis effector molecules were present in human placenta and whether they are differentially expressed in severe preterm (PT) PE and FGR.MethodsPT placentas from severe early onset (<34 weeks) PE (n = 30), FGR (n = 12) and control (18) pregnancies were collected. SIRT2 and RIPK1 localization and quantitation was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect SIRT2 and RIPK1 in trophoblastic debris from first trimester, term control and PE pregnancies. Expression of SIRT2, RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL was examined by qPCR.ResultsSIRT2 and RIPK1 were localized to the syncytiotrophoblast, villous leukocytes and vasculature in all PT placentas. A significant reduction in SIRT2 protein expression in both PE and FGR placentas was identified. RIPK1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in PE placentas. Immunofluorescence identified both SIRT2 and RIPK1 in the cytotrophoblast cytoplasm.DiscussionWe have identified the presence of activators of necroptosis in human placenta. Interestingly, there is differential expression in major pregnancy complications. We conclude necroptosis may contribute to placental pathophysiology that underlies serious pregnancy complications.     

人肾小管上皮细胞necroptosis模型的构建

 目的：以体外培养的人肾小管上皮细胞（HK-2细胞）为靶细胞,构建肾小管上皮细胞凋亡样坏死（necroptosis）的模型。方法：采用肿瘤坏死因子 α (tumor nercosis factor α, TNF-α)诱导细胞凋亡,同时采用抗霉素A (antimycin A)耗竭ATP,构建肾小管上皮细胞凋亡的模型,并以caspase-8抑制剂苄氧羰酰-缬氨酰-丙氨酰-天冬氨酰-氟甲基酮(benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, zVAD-fmk) 阻断凋亡,用necroptosis的特异性抑制剂necrostatin-1（Nec-1）阻断necroptosis,观察细胞在不同的处理下形态学的变化,同时检测细胞存活率及标志物微管相关蛋白1轻链3-Ⅱ（microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ,LC3-Ⅱ）的表达。结果：（1）在TNF-α+zVAD- fmk+antimycin A处理1 h时细胞及细胞器膨胀,电镜下细胞膜碎裂,线粒体变圆、肿胀,嵴逐渐模糊,胞浆中出现大量自噬小体,而Nec-1预处理后细胞的坏死程度较对照组明显改善。（2）在TNF-α+zVAD-fmk+antimycin A 1 h实验组,Nec-1预处理后细胞的存活率显著增加（P<0.05）。（3）TNF-α+zVAD-fmk+antimycin A干预1 h实验组在Nec-1预处理后LC3-Ⅱ的表达量明显下降（P<0.05）。结论：凋亡环境中阻断凋亡可以诱导肾小管上皮细胞necroptosis,抑制剂Nec-1能特异性阻断肾小管上皮细胞发生坏死。     

以程序性坏死为靶点的动脉粥样硬化研究进展

程序性坏死是近年来发现的一种细胞坏死方式,研究表明,程序性坏死与多种疾病发生发展有紧密的相关性。本文对程序性坏死在动脉粥样硬化进程中的作用及机制做一综述,探讨其在动脉粥样硬化中的形成机制,以期为临床治疗提供新的靶点。     

受体相互作用蛋白激酶调控非酒精性脂肪肝中细胞程序性坏死的研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）是一种常见的慢性肝病,如果得不到有效控制,则会进一步发展为非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）,进而引起肝纤维化、肝硬化,甚至癌变。程序性坏死是近年来发现的一种新型细胞程序性死亡方式,由受体相互作用蛋白激酶（RIPK）介导所致,最终可以导致细胞膜溶解破裂,引发炎症。RIPK家族作为细胞内和细胞外应激的重要传感器,诱导调控程序性坏死的发生,并参与炎症及其他免疫反应。近年来研究表明,RIPK调控的程序性坏死在非酒精性脂肪性肝病的发生发展中具有重要作用,在动物NAFLD/NASH模型中,RIPK的表达情况与肝脂肪变性程度密切相关。在一些临床研究中亦观察到,NAFLD/NASH患者比健康人RIPK表达水平上升。但程序性坏死到底是加速肝病进程的因素,还是肝病发展过程中的保护因素,仍然没有定论。有研究表明,RIPK抑制剂可能为NAFLD治疗提供方向。我们综述了程序性坏死的分子机制及与非酒精性脂肪性肝病的关系,以及RIPK在其中扮演的重要角色,并总结了其在NAFLD/NASH治疗方面的研究进展,为进一步探究其机制,探索新的治疗手段提供理论依据。     

Molecular targets in cerebral ischemia for developing novel therapeutics

Cerebral ischemia (stroke) triggers a complex series of biochemical and molecular mechanisms that impairs the neurologic functions through breakdown of cellular integrity mediated by excitotoxic glutamatergic signalling, ionic imbalance, free-radical reactions, etc. These intricate processes lead to activation of signalling mechanisms involving calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The distribution of these transducers bring them in contact with appropriate molecular targets leading to altered gene expression, e.g. ERK and JNK mediated early gene induction, responsible for activation of cell survival/damaging mechanisms. Moreover, inflammatory reactions initiated at the neurovascular interface and alterations in the dynamic communication between the endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons are thought to substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The damaging mechanisms may proceed through rapid nonspecific cell lysis (necrosis) or by active form of cell demise (apoptosis or necroptosis), depending upon the severity and duration of the ischemic insult. A systematic understanding of these molecular mechanisms with prospect of modulating the chain of events leading to cellular survival/damage may help to generate the potential strategies for neuroprotection. This review briefly covers the current status on the molecular mechanisms of stroke pathophysiology with an endeavour to identify potential molecular targets such as targeting postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)/N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor interaction, certain key proteins involved in oxidative stress, CaMKs and MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK) signalling, inflammation (cytokines, adhesion molecules, etc.) and cell death pathways (caspases, Bcl-2 family proteins, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), receptor interacting protein (RIP), etc., besides targeting directly the genes itself. However, selecting promising targets from various signalling cascades, for drug discovery and development is very challenging, nevertheless such novel approaches may lead to the emergence of new avenues for therapeutic intervention in cerebral ischemia.     

GS28 Protects Neuronal Cell Death Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide under Glutathione-Depleted Condition

Golgi SNAP receptor complex 1 (GS28) has been implicated in vesicular transport between intra-Golgi networks and between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Additional role(s) of GS28 within cells have not been well characterized. We observed decreased expression of GS28 in rat ischemic hippocampus. In this study, we examined the role of GS28 and its molecular mechanisms in neuronal (SK-N-SH) cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). GS28 siRNA-transfected cells treated with H₂O₂ showed a significant increase in cytotoxicity under glutathione (GSH)-depleted conditions after pretreatment with buthionine sulfoximine, which corresponded to an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. Pretreatment of GS28 siRNA-transfected cells with p38 chemical inhibitor significantly inhibited cytotoxicity; we also observed that p38 was activated in the cells by immunoblot analysis. We confirmed the role of p38 MAPK in cotransfected cells with GS28 siRNA and p38 siRNA in the cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and immunoblot. Involvement of apoptotic or autophagic processes in the cells was not shown in the cell viability, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analyses. However, pretreatment of the cells with necrostatin-1 completely inhibited H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity, ROS generation, and p38 activation, indicating that the cell death is necroptotic. Collectively these data imply that H₂O₂ induces necroptotic cell death in the GS28 siRNA-transfected cells and that the necroptotic signals are mediated by sequential activations in RIP1/p38/ROS. Taken together, these results indicate that GS28 has a protective role in H₂O₂-induced necroptosis via inhibition of p38 MAPK in GSH-depleted neuronal cells.