Effects of overexpression of antioxidants on the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor in the model of ischemia

Apoptosis arises from neuronal damage following an ischemic insult. Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a protein released from mitochondria in response to pro-apoptotic signals which then translocates to the nucleus and triggers DNA fragmentation. In parallel with this, pro-apoptotic signals cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activating caspase-dependent apoptosis. During post-ischemic reperfusion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed in excess in mitochondria and can play a role in initiating apoptosis. In cultures, ROS are formed during post oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) normoxia/normoglycemia that is used as a model for ischemia. In this study, we delivered viral vectors to overexpress antioxidants (GPX, catalase, CuZnSOD, or MnSOD) in mixed cortical cultures, in order to investigate the effects of ROS-reduction on the release of cytochrome c and AIF. Overexpression of MnSOD, CuZnSOD, catalase or GPX all prevented AIF translocation from mitochondria to the nucleus. Potentially, this could reflect broadly non-specific protection due to reducing ROS load. Arguing against this, overexpression of the same antioxidants did not inhibit cytochrome c release. These findings suggest a specific interaction between ROS formation and the caspase-independent route of apoptosis.     

Avian encephalomyelitis virus nonstructural protein 2C induces apoptosis by activating cytochrome c/caspase-9 pathway

The nonstructural protein 2C is highly conserved among picornaviruses and plays an important role in the assembly of mature virions, membrane association, and viral RNA synthesis. The investigation of other potential functions of nonstructural protein 2C from avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) resulted in identifying for the first time that the protein 2C is involved in apoptosis. Expression of the protein 2C on chick embryo brain (CEB) and Cos-7 cells produced TUNEL-positive cells characterized by a cleavage of cellular DNA and the formation of membrane-enclosed apoptotic bodies. Analysis of the protein 2C showed that the N-terminal domain containing 35 amino acid (aa) residues (between 46 and 80 aa) is associated with apoptotic function. Transfection of the deletion mutant lacking this 35 aa's into CEB and Cos-7 cells failed to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, the protein 2C induced apoptosis in the transfected CEB and Cos-7 cells through activation of caspase-9 rather than caspase-8 followed by activation of caspase-3 pathway. Analysis of the Western blots of caspase-3 and caspase-9 showed the characteristics of active caspase-3 and -9 in the 2C-transfected CEB and Cos-7 cells as seen in the AEV-infected CEB cells while they were in the form of procaspase-3 and procaspase-9 in the 2C mutant-transfected cells. To further elucidate the mechanism of the 2C-induced apoptosis, the 2C-transfected CEB and Cos-7 cells were fractionated into mitochondria and cytosol and subjected for Western blotting, located cytochrome c in the mitochondria as well as the cytosol fractions, while it was only sequestered in the mitochondrial fraction in the mutant 2C-transfected cells. The protein 2C was located in the mitochondria and cytosol of the transfected/infected CEB and transfected Cos-7 cells, but the mutant lost its ability to localize to the mitochondria. Altogether, the results demonstrate that the protein 2C localized to the mitochondria of the transfected cells triggered the efflux of cytochrome c into the cytosol in turn activating the upstream caspase-9 and then the downstream caspase-3, thus leading to apoptosis in the cells.     

Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation reduces Coxsackievirus B3 replication in lymphoid cells

Interactions between viral replication machineries and host cell metabolism display interesting information how certain viruses capitalize cellular pathways to support progeny production. Among those pathogens, Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has been identified to manipulate intracellular signaling very comprehensively. Next to others, this human pathogenic virus causes acute and chronic forms of myocarditis, pancreatitis, and meningitis. Here, activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling appears to be involved in successful infection. Viral replication is not restricted to solid organs but involves susceptible immune cells as well. In the present study, p65 phosphorylation as one aspect of NFκB activation and inhibition via BAY 11-7085 administration was analyzed in the context of CVB3 replication in lymphoid cells. During CVB3 infection, an up-regulation of p65 translation is detectable, which is accompanied by noticeable phosphorylation. Inhibition of NFκB signaling reduces viral replication in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that during CVB3 replication in human and murine lymphoid cells, NFκB signaling is activated and facilitates viral replication. Therefore, antiviral strategies to target such central cellular signaling pathways may represent potential possibilities for the development of new virostatica.     

鸟苷结合蛋白1对柯萨奇病毒B3及乙型肝炎病毒体外介导的不同作用

目的构建人鸟苷结合蛋白1（hGBP-1）真核表达质粒，观察hGBP-1体外对柯萨奇病毒B3（CVB3）和乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）的抑制作用。方法长链RT-PCR扩增全长hGBP-1编码区基因，克隆到pCR2．1TA克隆载体，再亚克隆到pcDNA3．1（-）真核表达载体。体外转染HepG2细胞和Hela细胞，Western blot检测hGBP-1的表达。然后分别观察转染细胞中hGBP-1对HBV体外复制子pHBV1．3和CVB3的抑制作用。ELISA检测共转染HepG2细胞培养L清HBsAg、HBeAg水平；Southern blot检测细胞HBVDNA复制中间体。TCID50试验检测Hela细胞培养物中CVB3感染量。结果成功构建hGBP-1真核表达质粒，能在HepG2细胞和HeLa细胞进行高效表达。该质粒与pHBV1．3共转染HepG2细胞，不能抑制HBV复制，HBsAg、HBeAg及HBV DNA复制中间体水平与对照相比都无明显变化。转染质粒在HeLa细胞上对CVB3复制有明显的抑制作用，CVB3感染量显著降低，尤其在低剂量病毒攻击时能完全抑制CVB3复制。结论hGBP-1可能在IFN介导的抗CVB3中起重要作用，但不能抑制HBV的复制。     

柯萨奇病毒B3感染HeLa细胞后Bax和Bim的表达*

 目的：观察HeLa细胞感染柯萨奇病毒B3 (CVB3)后Bax和Bim mRNA和蛋白的表达。方法：将HeLa细胞分为未予以CVB3感染的对照组和予以CVB3感染的病毒组,取3 h、6 h、9 h、12 h和24 h 的细胞,采用RT-PCR和Western blotting分别检测Bax和Bim mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果：Bax和Bim　mRNA在对照组和病毒组HeLa细胞中均有表达,在病毒组和对照组中Bax和Bim mRNA的表达在各自组内均无显著差异（P＞0.05）,但在24 h Bax和Bim在病毒组mRNA的表达低于对照组（P＜0.05）。Bax和Bim蛋白表达在对照组中各时点均有表达,但无显著差异（P＞0.05）。病毒组Bax蛋白在24 h表达下降,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,且病毒组表达明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）;Bim蛋白的表达随感染时间延长而下降（P＜0.05）,9 h、12 h和24 h表达病毒组低于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论:Bax和Bim在CVB3感染诱导的HeLa细胞凋亡早期发挥作用。     

Hydrogen peroxide induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway in rat Schwann cells

Oxidative stress is one of the several mechanisms that induces apoptosis in cells. It has been shown that hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induces apoptosis in several kinds of cells; however, the role of H₂O₂ in the apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) is currently unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether H₂O₂ is capable of inducing apoptosis in SCs and whether or not such an effect is associated with the activation of mitochondrial pathway. We demonstrated that H₂O₂ induces apoptosis in SCs, and is associated with increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and the activation of caspase-3 and -9 by up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2. These results suggest a potential role for H₂O₂ in SC injury by triggering apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway under oxidative stress.     

High level of Bcl-2 counteracts apoptosis mediated by a live rabies virus vaccine strain and induces long-term infection

We report here that rabies virus strains, currently used to immunize wildlife against rabies, induce not only caspase-dependent apoptosis in the human lymphoblastoid Jurkat T cell line (Jurkat-vect), but also a caspase-independent pathway involving the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). In contrast, a strain of neurotropic RV that does not induce apoptosis did not activate caspases or induce AIF translocation. Bcl-2 overproduction in Jurkat T cells (Jurkat-Bcl-2) abolished both pathways. ERA infection and production were similar in Jurkat-vect and Jurkat-Bcl-2 cells, indicating Bcl-2 has no direct antiviral effects. Bcl-2 production is naturally upregulated by day 3 in ERA-infected Jurkat-vect cultures. The increase in Bcl-2 levels seems to be controlled by the virus infection itself and results in the establishment of long-term, persistently infected cultures that continue to produce virus. Thus, in infections with live RV vaccine strains, infected cells may be productive reservoirs of virus in the long term. This may account for the high efficacy of live rabies vaccines.     

Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis: differences in the immune response of C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infections are the most frequent causes of human myocarditis, often resulting in chronic stages characterized by fibrosis and loss of function. This disease is called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Persistent virus in the myocardium may lead to chronic activation of fibroblasts, and subsequently, to fibrosis of the myocardium. Studies with immunodeficient mice have shown that certain defects of the immune system retard the rate at which virus is eliminated from the heart, thus leading to viral persistence. Therefore, we followed the immune response of two immunocompetent mouse strains (C57BL/6 and Balb/c) to CVB3 infection. These two strains have been reported to develop different immune responses to infections and we expected a similar reaction to viral infections as well. The two mouse strains recovered completely from CVB3 infection and expressed identical levels of cytokine mRNA in the heart. However, the virus in heart tissue decreased more slowly in Balb/c than in C57BL/6 mice. This was accompanied by a strong virus-specific IgG and weak IgM response in the C57BL/6 mice, in comparison to the Balb/c mice. We conclude, therefore, that viral-specific IgG is of importance for CVB3 elimination from infected hearts.     

Persistence of virus and viral genome in myocardium after coxsackievirus B3-induced murine myocarditis.

Following infection with Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), A-strain mice develop ongoing myocarditis that persists after the virus ceases to be cultivatable from heart tissue. We studied the natural history of this virus-induced but apparently autoimmune inflammation by means of in situ hybridization (ISH) and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both ISH and culture allowed detection of virus up to 2 weeks post-infection in virtually all heart tissues. In contrast, PCR revealed the presence of viral genome for a substantially longer period of time, i.e. at least 34 days after CVB3 infection. Similarly, the majority of mice showed myocardial inflammation at this time point. However, the persistence of virus did not correlate with ongoing myocarditis, and vice versa. Most mice with ongoing myocarditis produced heart myosin autoantibodies, most probably as a result of tissue damage. The lack of correlation between presence of ongoing inflammation and persistence of virus supports our previous view that the late phase of CVB3-induced myocarditis is mediated by autoimmunological mechanisms.     

Apoptosis induced by paclitaxel via Bcl-2, Bax and caspases 3 and 9 activation in NB4 human leukaemia cells is not modulated by ERK inhibition

We have studied the role of pivotal bio-molecules involved in signalling of cytotoxic effects induced by paclitaxel (Ptx) on acute promyelocytic human leukaemia NB4 cells. A time-dependent increase in cell death and DNA cleavage was observed after 30 μM Ptx treatment. Cell death induction by Ptx proceeds mainly as programmed cell death as shown by annexin V-FITC, reaching up to 30% of apoptotic cells after 24 h. Significant reductions of p53, changes in Bax and Bcl-2 and activation of caspases 3 and 9 were observed as the treatment was applied for long times. Ptx treatments produced NFkB depletion with expression levels abolished at 19 h what could be involved in reduction of survival signals. Phosphorylation of intracellular kinases showed that pERK1/2 decreased significantly at 19 h of Ptx treatment. When these cells were preincubated for 90 min with 20 μM PD98059, 2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone, an inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation, a slight reduction of cell viability was observed in comparison to that produced by Ptx alone. Pretreatment with PD98059 neither activated caspases nor significantly increased the apoptotic effect of Ptx. Taken together, our data reveal that the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation does not seem to be an essential pathway for bursting an increased induction of apoptosis by Ptx. Decrease of p53 and Bcl-2, fragmentation of DNA, increase of Bax and, finally, activation of caspases 3 and 9 in NB4 leukaemia cells make the apoptotic process induced by Ptx irreversible. Application of Ptx in leukaemia cells shows therefore a promising potential with particular effects on different leukaemia cell types.     

Deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4/Smad4 participates in the regulation of apoptosis by affecting the Bcl-2/Bax balance in non-small cell lung cancer

Deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 influences tumorigenesis and tumor progression by various mechanisms, including apoptosis. The aim of this study is to determine whether deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 participates in apoptosis in lung cancer and clarify its relationship with clinical parameters of non-small cell lung cancer. Immunohistochemical results revealed that the positive rate of deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 in normal tracheal-bronchial epithelium (89.5%, 17/19) was much higher than that in tumor tissues (63.5%, 33/52) (P < .05) and closely correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < .001). These results were further confirmed by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 overexpression was inversely associated with Bcl-2 immunostaining (P < .01), and the apoptosis index in deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4-positive carcinomas (8.65 +/- 1.46) was much higher than that in deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4-negative carcinomas (2.12 +/- 0.04) (P < .05). The results of deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 small interfering RNA in A549 cells also showed that deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 could inhibit cell proliferation, decrease Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression, and increase Bax messenger RNA and protein expression. These findings indicated that Deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4 might be an important biomarker for malignant transformation and be involved in inducing apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2/Bax balance.     

Serostatus of echovirus 11, coxsackievirus B3 and enterovirus D68 in cord blood: The implication of severe newborn enterovirus infection

BackgroundMaternal transplacental antibody is an important origins of passive immunity against neonatal enterovirus infection. Echovirus 11 (E11) and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) are important types causing neonatal infections. There were few investigations of enterovirus D68 (EVD68) infection in neonates. We aimed to investigate the serostatus of cord blood for these three enteroviruses and evaluate the factors associated with seropositivity.MethodsWe enrolled 222 parturient (gestational age 34–42 weeks) women aged 20–46 years old between January and October 2021. All participants underwent questionnaire investigation and we collected the cord blood to measure the neutralization antibodies against E11, CVB3 and EVD68.ResultsThe cord blood seropositive rates were 18% (41/222), 60% (134/232) and 95% (211/222) for E11, CVB3 and EVD68, respectively (p < 0.001). Geometric mean titers were 3.3 (95% CI 2.9–3.8) for E11, 15.9 (95% CI 12.5–20.3) for CVB3 and 109.9 (95% CI 92.4–131.6) for EVD68. Younger parturient age (33.8 ± 3.6 versus 35.2 ± 4.4, p = 0.04) was related to E11 seropositivity. Neonatal sex, gestational age and birth body weight were not significantly different between the seropositive group and the seronegative group.ConclusionCord blood seropositive rate and geometric mean titer of E11 were very low, so a large proportion of newborns are susceptible to E11. The circulation of E11 was low after 2019 in Taiwan. A large cohort of immune naïve newborns existed currently due to lack of protective maternal antibodies. It is imminent to monitor the epidemiology of neonates with enterovirus infections and strengthen the relevant preventive policies.     

Mutations in the structural gene for cytochrome c result in deficiency of both cytochromes aa 3 and c in Neurospora crassa

The cyt-12-12 mutant of Neurospora crassa is characterized by slow growth and a deficiency of spectrophotometrically-detectable cytochromes aa ₃ and c. Using a sib-selection procedure we have isolated the cyt-12 ⁺ allele from a cosmid library of N. crassa genomic DNA. Characterization of the cyt-12 ⁺ allele reveals that it encodes the structural gene for cytochrome c. DNA sequence analysis of the cyt-12-12 allele revealed a mutation in the cytochrome c coding sequence that results in replacement of a glycine residue, which is invariant in the cytochrome c of other species, with an aspartic acid. Genetic analysis confirms that cyt-12-12 is allelic with the previously-characterized cyc-1-1 mutant, which was also shown to affect the single locus encoding cytochrome c in N. crassa. We suggest that the amount of functional cytochrome c present in mitochondria influences the level of cytochrome aa ₃ .     

Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 prevents cytochrome c release from mitochondria induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion in mouse brain synaptosomes

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) exerts neuroprotective effects in several in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanisms of action are not fully understood. The aim in this study was to investigate whether oral administration of CoQ₁₀ could inhibit cytochrome c (cyt c) release from mitochondria induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺), which causes dopaminergic cell death by selective inhibition of complex I of the electron transport chain, in mouse brain synaptosomes. An increase of cyt c was detected in the cytosolic fraction from mouse brain synaptosomes treated with MPP⁺. Oral administration of CoQ₁₀ prevented the mitochondrial cyt c release in the MPP⁺-treated synaptosomes. In addition, CoQ₁₀ did not affect the MPP⁺-induced decrease in mitochondrial oxidation–reduction activity and membrane potential in brain synaptosomes. Our findings demonstrate that MPP⁺-induced mitochondrial cyt c release in brain synaptosomes is prevented by oral administration of CoQ₁₀ independently of mitochondrial dysfunction prior to the cyt c release.     

NF-κB在人巨细胞病毒感染诱导宿主细胞增殖、凋亡中的作用

目的:探讨人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)是否通过激活核转录因子(NF-κB)调控宿主细胞增殖与凋亡。方法:用HCMVAD169株感染人胚肺成纤维细胞(HEL),采用免疫组化和Westernblot方法检测宿主细胞NF-κB和Bcl-2蛋白的表达与I-κBα的变化,应用MTT方法观察细胞的增殖活性,同时用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡指数。结果:HCMV感染后48h细胞核表达NF-κB蛋白最多,24hI-κBα降到最低,120hNF-κB失活,bcl-2的表达与NF-κB的活性改变一致。HCMV感染在72h前抑制宿主细胞凋亡,促进细胞增殖,在120h可诱导宿主细胞凋亡。结论:NF-κB在HCMV感染诱导宿主细胞增殖与凋亡中起作用,与HCMV疾病的发生发展有关。     

Endogenous association of Bim BH3-only protein with Mcl-1, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 on mitochondria in human B cells

Bim is an essential regulator of lymphoid system homeostasis and appears essential for B cell apoptosis induction. The mechanism by which Bim isoforms are held in an inactive form remains poorly documented in normal B cells. In the current study, we demonstrated that in normal tonsil B cells the three major Bim isoforms are strongly associated with the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L). On the other hand, only a weak association of BimEL and L with the dynein LC8 chain has been found. In addition, there is no free Bim in normal B cells. Moreover, subcellular fractionation demonstrated that Bim and the anti-apoptotic counterparts are localized preferentially in the mitochondria-rich fraction. The fact that most Bim was found in this fraction supports the hypothesis that it is sequestered by anti-apoptotic molecules in mitochondria where its pro-apoptotic activity is controlled. Of interest, BimS is essentially complexed to Mcl-1 and the Mcl-1/Bim complex is the most abundant among the three types of complexes. This supports the idea that this complex is critical for the control of B cell death. In conclusion, these results favor a model in which Bim release from anti-apoptotic proteins is a critical event for initiation of apoptosis.     

Analysis of apoptosis induced by Caprine Herpesvirus 1 in vitro

It is known that Caprine Herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) causes apoptosis in mitogen-stimulated as well as not stimulated caprine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Initial experiments in Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells revealed that CpHV-1 infection induced apoptotic features like chromatin condensation and DNA laddering. Thus, to characterize in more detail this apoptotic process, activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 in MDBK cells CpHV-1 infected was investigated and demonstrated. In addition, CpHV-1 infection resulted in disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release and alterations in the pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family. Proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP), confirming the activation of downstream caspases, was also observed. Our data indicated that a “cross-talk” between the death-receptor (extrinsic) pathway and the mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway occurred in CpHV-1-induced apoptosis in vitro.