Exploring ER stress response in cellular aging and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease

One evident hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the irregular accumulation of proteins due to changes in proteostasis involving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To alleviate ER stress and reinstate proteostasis, cells undergo an integrated signaling cascade called the unfolded protein response (UPR) that reduces the number of misfolded proteins and inhibits abnormal protein accumulation. Aging is associated with changes in the expression of ER chaperones and folding enzymes, leading to the impairment of proteostasis, and accumulation of misfolded proteins. The disrupted initiation of UPR prevents the elimination of unfolded proteins, leading to ER stress. In AD, the accumulation of misfolded proteins caused by sustained cellular stress leads to neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Current research has revealed that ER stress can trigger an inflammatory response through diverse transducers of UPR. Although the involvement of a neuroinflammatory component in AD has been documented for decades, whether it is a contributing factor or part of the neurodegenerative events is so far unknown. Besides, a feedback loop occurs between neuroinflammation and ER stress, which is strongly associated with neurodegenerative processes in AD. In this review, we focus on the current research on ER stress and UPR in cellular aging and neuroinflammatory processes, leading to memory impairment and synapse dysfunction in AD.     

Caspases involved in ER stress-mediated cell death

Caspases are cysteine proteases involved in apoptotic pathways. Excess endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, induced by the accumulation of unfolded or malfolded proteins, activates various apoptotic pathways. Crosstalk between the mitochondria and ER plays an essential role in ER stress-mediated cell death. The cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic pathway is activated by ER stress. On the other hand, caspase-12, which is located at the ER, is also activated by excess ER stress and results in cell death in the absence of the cytochrome c-dependent pathway. The predominant apoptotic pathway may differ among cell type and differentiation stage.     

ER and aging—Protein folding and the ER stress response

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional organelle which co-ordinates protein folding, lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage and release. Perturbations that disrupt ER homeostasis lead to the misfolding of proteins, ER stress and up-regulation of a signaling pathway called the ER stress response or the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is characterized by the induction of chaperones, degradation of misfolded proteins and attenuation of protein translation. Age-related declines and activity in key molecular chaperones and folding enzymes compromise proper protein folding and the adaptive response of the UPR. This review will highlight age-related changes in the protein folding machinery and in the UPR.     

PERK通路参与了缺氧心肌细胞的内质网应激及凋亡

目的:观察缺氧对原代培养的Wistar乳鼠心肌细胞的损伤,探讨内质网应激在缺氧心肌损伤发生发展过程中起的作用及PERK通路是否参与其信号转导过程。方法:将原代培养的乳鼠心肌细胞随机分为正常对照组和缺氧1h、4h、8h、12h、24h组,通过测定细胞ATP含量反映细胞活力;高内涵分析细胞成像系统检测多参数凋亡;采用免疫细胞化学和蛋白印迹方法检测以内质网为靶点的分子伴侣(GRP78和钙网蛋白)的表达,PERK通路(PERK和eIF2α)的磷酸化水平,以及其下游分子(ATF4和CHOP)在缺氧不同时点蛋白的表达变化特征。采用PERK通路激活型药物salubrinal处理原代培养的Wistar乳鼠心肌细胞,观察药物是否对缺氧损伤的心肌细胞有保护作用。结果:缺氧引起心肌细胞凋亡,缺氧早期(约1h)钙网蛋白和GPR78的表达上调;缺氧中期(4h)p-PERK、p-eIF2α和ATF4的表达上调;缺氧后期(12h)CHOP的表达上调。Salubrinal对缺氧心肌有保护作用。结论:在培养的心肌细胞中,缺氧可激发内质网应激。在缺氧早期激活PERK通路保护机体对抗缺氧损伤,后期激活细胞凋亡通路。     

内质网应激中IRE1级联反应对动脉粥样硬化的作用

正1概述内质网(endoplasmic reticulum,ER)蛋白质折叠在生理上是至关重要的,它的破坏导致内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)触发动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)发生发展。未折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response,UPR)是目前研究最为透彻的ERS信号通路,一定程度的UPR有利于维持     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the intestinal epithelium and inflammatory bowel disease

The unfolded protein response as a consequence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has recently been implicated as a novel mechanism that may lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Impairment of proper ER stress resolution in highly secretory Paneth and, to a lesser extent, goblet cells within the epithelium can primarily lead to intestinal inflammation. An inability to manage ER stress may not only be a primary originator of intestinal inflammation as exemplified by genetic polymorphisms in XBP1 that are associated with IBD but also a perpetuator of inflammation when ER stress is induced secondarily to inflammatory mediators or microbial factors. Furthermore, ER stress pathways may interact with other processes that lead to IBD, notably autophagy.     

ER stress-inducible protein MANF selectively expresses in human spleen

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF; also known as arginine-rich, mutated in early tumors; ARMET), is an ER stress-inducible protein, and widely expressed in mammalian tissues. In this study, we are interested in the profile of MANF expression in human splenocytes. Three patients with spleen trauma were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect MANF expression in the four types of cells, including T cells, B cells, plasma cells, and macrophages in spleens by using the specific antibodies of anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-CD138, and anti-CD68, respectively. We found that MANF-positive cells extensively distributed in the red pulp and marginal-zone of spleen, and MANF was almost localized in the cytoplasm of splenocytes. Double immunofluorescent staining results showed that MANF localized mainly in the plasma cells and macrophages, but not in T and B cells. Meanwhile, we found that some MANF-positive cells expressed ER stress-related proteins, including ATF6, XBP1s, BiP, and CHOP. These results suggest that the selective expression of MANF in splenocytes may be involved in plasma cell differentiation and immune regulation.     

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and protein misfolding in disorders of the liver and pancreas

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of synthesis and folding of membrane and secretory proteins. The fraction of protein passing through the ER represents a large proportion of the total protein in the cell. Protein folding, glycosylation, sorting and transport are essential tasks of the ER and a compromised ER folding network has been recognized to be a key component in the disease pathogenicity of common neurodegenerative, metabolic and malignant diseases. On the other hand, the ER protein folding machinery also holds significant potential for therapeutic interventions. Many causes can lead to ER stress. A disturbed calcium homeostasis, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a persistent overload of misfolded proteins within the ER can drive the course of adisease. In this review the role of ER-stress in diseases of the liver and pancreas will be examined using pancreatitis and Wilson´s disease as examples. Potential therapeutic targets in ER-stress pathways will also be discussed.     

The unfolded protein response--a stress signaling pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a factory for folding and maturation of newly synthesized transmembrane and secretory proteins. The ER provides stringent quality control systems to ensure that only correctly folded proteins exit the ER and unfolded or misfolded proteins are retained and ultimately degraded. A number of biochemical and physiological stimuli can change ER homeostasis, impose stress to the ER, and subsequently lead to accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen. The ER has evolved stress response signaling pathways collectively called the unfolded protein response (UPR) to cope with the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins. This review summarizes our understanding of the UPR signaling developed in the recent years.     

内质网应激与多发性骨髓瘤细胞耐药的机制研究

多发性骨髓瘤是来源于浆细胞的恶性肿瘤,为血液系统第二大常见的恶性肿瘤。以硼替佐米(bortezomib,BTZ)为代表的蛋白酶体抑制剂(proteasome inhibitor,PI)是一类重要的多发性骨髓瘤治疗药物,其总体有效率高达80%～90%。但是,大多数骨髓瘤患者最终会出现耐药,导致疾病复发。因此,增加骨髓瘤细...     

内质网应激在Bim介导缺氧致心肌细胞凋亡中的作用

 目的：探讨内质网应激在Bim介导缺氧致心肌细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：在体外原代培养出生1~3 d大鼠心肌细胞,并用抗α-横纹肌肌动蛋白免疫组化法进行鉴定。设计并化学合成3对靶向bim的siRNA,用脂质体法将siRNA转染心肌细胞,筛选沉默效率最高的siRNA。实验分组：（1）空白对照组;（2）缺氧组;（3）缺氧+脂质体组;(4)缺氧+阴性对照siRNA组;(5)缺氧+Bim-siRNA组。MTT法观察细胞活性;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率及细胞内钙离子浓度变化情况;Western blotting检测内质网应激标志分子caspase-12和三磷酸肌醇（IP3）的表达情况。结果：免疫组化鉴定证实大鼠心肌细胞原代培养成功。在荧光显微镜下,转染了阴性对照siRNA组的细胞中观察到绿色荧光,即转染成功;Western blotting 结果显示,Bim-siRNA转染均能有效降低Bim蛋白的表达,其中第2对沉默效率最高,达到86.73%。缺氧损伤导致心肌细胞活性明显下降（P<005）,转染Bim-siRNA后细胞活性较阴性对照组升高。缺氧细胞凋亡率较对照组明显增加（P<0.01）,细胞内钙离子浓度明显增高,而沉默bim的表达能降低细胞凋亡率和细胞内钙离子浓度。缺氧导致内质网应激标志分子caspase-12和IP3表达较空白对照组明显上调（均P<005）,而抑制Bim表达后caspase-12和IP3表达明显降低。结论：沉默bim的表达能有效抑制缺氧导致心肌细胞凋亡的作用,内质网应激标志分子caspase-12和IP3可能参与了Bim介导缺氧致心肌细胞凋亡的过程。这有望为临床心肌缺血缺氧损伤的治疗提供新思路。     

Association between the interleukin-1alpha gene and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis

Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have addressed the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) genes polymorphisms on the risk of developing AD. The results are not in full agreement on whether these polymorphisms are associated with the disease. To clarify this issue, we performed a meta-analysis of all the association studies between IL-1 genes and AD. Due to the relatively small number of published articles, the meta-analysis was restricted to the association of the IL-1alpha -889 C/T gene polymorphism and AD. Under a random effects model, the risk for the disease was significantly higher in subjects with the T/T genotype in comparison with both C/T (OR: 1.51; 95% C.I.: 1.15-1.99) and C/C (OR: 1.49; 95% C.I.: 1.09-2.03) subjects. There was modest heterogeneity for these effect estimates. Analysis of subgroups showed a significant association in patients with early-onset AD but not in late-onset AD. Our data support a significant but modest association between the T/T genotype of the IL-1alpha gene and AD.     

内质网应激在糖尿病及糖尿病肾病中的研究进展

内质网（ER）是细胞内重要的细胞器,多种因素可导致ER内稳态失衡,功能发生改变,称为内质网应激（ERS）。ERS首先触发未折叠蛋白反应,增强细胞的存活能力。如果ERS持续存在,各种刺激超出了细胞处理能力,则将启动相关凋亡途径诱导细胞凋亡。越来越多的研究表明,ERS在糖尿病及其并发症脏器损害过程中普遍存在并发挥着重要作用。     

Novel presenilin 1 variant (P117A) causing Alzheimer's disease in the fourth decade of life

Over 160 rare genetic variants in presenilin 1 (PSEN1) are known to cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study we screened a family with early-onset AD for mutations in PSEN1 using direct DNA sequencing. We identified a novel PSEN1 genetic variant which results in the substitution of a Proline with an Alanine at codon 117 (P117A). The P117A variant was present in all demented individuals and fifty percent of at risk individuals. This variant occurs at a site where three other disease-causing variants have been previously observed. In vitro functional studies demonstrate that the P117A variant results in an altered Abeta42/total Abeta ratio consistent with an AD causing mutation. The P117A variant is a novel mutation in PSEN1, which causes early-onset AD in an autosomal dominant manner.     

钙蛋白酶2及自噬相关蛋白5对内质网应激诱导的肝细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨二硫苏糖醇(DTT)诱导大鼠正常肝细胞BRL-3A发生内质网应激(ERS)过程中钙蛋白酶2(calpain-2)及自噬相关蛋白5(Atg5)对肝细胞凋亡的影响。方法:采用2.0 mmol/L DTT处理BRL-3A细胞0、6、12和24 h,诱导细胞发生ERS;实时无标记细胞分析仪(RTCA)检测DTT对BRL-3A细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡及细胞周期;real-time PCR检测calpain-2和Atg5的m RNA表达;Western blot检测calpain-2、Atg5、Atg7、Atg12和微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)蛋白水平的变化;免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)方法研究calpain-2与Atg5之间的相互作用。结果:不同浓度的DTT处理细胞后,细胞增殖受到显著抑制;流式细胞术检测凋亡发现,DTT处理BRL-3A细胞6、12和24 h后,细胞凋亡较0 h组显著增多(P<0.05)。流式细胞术检测细胞周期发现,DTT处理细胞后,细胞被阻滞在G1期(P<0.05)。DTT处理细胞6、12和24 h后,细胞中calpain-2和Atg5的m R...     

The role of oxidative stress in the toxicity induced by amyloid β-peptide in Alzheimer’s disease

One of the theories involved in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the oxidative stress hypothesis. The amyloid β-peptide (Aβ), a hallmark in the pathogenesis of AD and the main component of senile plaques, generates free radicals in a metal-catalyzed reaction inducing neuronal cell death by a reactive oxygen species mediated process which damage neuronal membrane lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, the interest in the protective role of different antioxidants in AD such as vitamin E, melatonin and estrogens is growing up. In this review we summarize data that support the involvement of oxidative stress as an active factor in Aβ-mediated neuropathology, by triggering or facilitating neurodegeneration, through a wide range of molecular events that disturb neuronal cell homeostasis.     

钙敏感受体表达增加诱发内质网应激在缺氧复氧性心肌损伤中的作用

目的：观察钙敏感受体表达增加诱发内质网应激在缺氧复氧性心肌损伤中的作用。方法:乳鼠原代心肌细胞培养4-5 d后，随机分为5组:正常对照组（N组）、缺氧/复氧组（H/Re组）、阻断剂（NiCl2,CdCl2）组、激动剂（GdCl3,NiCl2,CdCl2）组和caffeine组。采用饱和氮气pH6.8的D-Hands液培养细胞3 h，再用含20%新生牛血清的DMEM液培养细胞9 h，复制心肌缺氧/复氧模型。检测血清LDH活力，MTT检测细胞存活率，心肌细胞caspase-12和CaSR 蛋白表达水平Western blotting检测, 激光扫描共聚焦显微镜（LSCM）测定心肌细胞内游离钙的变化。结果:缺氧/复氧组和激动剂组LDH活力、细胞内游离钙浓度均高于对照组;同时，caspase-12和CaSR的表达也明显高于对照组。反之，细胞存活率低于对照组。结论:心肌缺氧/复氧过程中，钙敏感受体表达增多,从而破坏了细胞内钙稳态诱发过度的内质网应激,通过caspase-12等凋亡蛋白表达的增多等途径引起心肌细胞凋亡。