Viruses and apoptosis

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is essential in development and homeostasis in multi-cellular organisms. It is also an important component of the cellular response to injury. Many cells undergo apoptosis in response to viral infection, with a consequent reduction in the release of progeny virus. Viruses have therefore evolved multiple distinct mechanisms for modulating host cell apoptosis. Viruses may interfere with either the highly conserved 'effector' mechanisms of programmed cell death or regulatory mechanisms specific to mammalian cells. In addition to conferring a selective advantage to the virus, the capacity to prevent apoptosis has an essential role in the transformation of the host cell by oncogenic viruses. This article provides a focussed review of apoptosis and illustrates how the study of viruses has informed our understanding of this process. Selected mechanisms by which viral gene products interfere with cell death are discussed in detail and used to illustrate the general principles of the interactions between viruses and apoptosis.     

The “Fuzzy Logic” of the Death-Inducing Signaling Complex in Lymphocytes

Receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family have long been thought to play an important role in the regulation of immunity. Although this family is composed of a large number of surface receptors that potentiate myriad functions in vivo, a subset is known to directly convey apoptotic signals. One such molecule belonging to this subset is CD95. Ligation of CD95 instigates the formation of a complex known as the death-inducing signaling complex or DISC, which is composed of molecules including FADD (Fas associated with death domain) and RIP (receptor-interacting kinase), as well as procaspases-8 and -10, and a caspase-8-like molecule that lacks proteolytic activity called c-FLIP. Although the DISC was initially thought to serve an exclusively proapoptotic role, humans and mice with defects in various components of this complex demonstrate a variety of developmental and hematopoietic defects that are not apparently due to aberrant apoptosis. These findings paint a far more complex picture of the numerous components of the DISC, and provide evidence that these complexes serve nonapoptotic functions. Herein, we summarize the experimental evidence challenging the notion that the DISC imparts an exclusively apoptotic function and provide hypotheses to account for these alternative roles. Rather than operating as a binary system, we propose that the DISCs formed around various DRs transduce signals leading to a variety of cellular fates.     

Cell Death Mechanisms Induced by Cytotoxic Lymphocytes

One of the functions of the immune system is to recognize and destroy abnormal or infected cells to maintain homeostasis. This is accomplished by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity is a highly organized multifactor process. Here, we reviewed the apoptosis pathways induced by the two main cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, natural killer （NK） cells and CD8^＋T cells. In base to recent experimental evidence, we reviewed NK receptors involved in recognition of target-cell, as well as lytic molecules such as perforin, granzymes-A and -B, and granulysin. In addition, we reviewed the Fas-FasL intercellular linkage mediated pathway, and briefly the cross-linking of tumor necrosis factor （TNF） and TNF receptor pathway. We discussed three models of possible molecular interaction between lytic molecules from effector cytotoxic cells and target-cell membrane to induction of apoptosis. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.     

Life Change Events,Ballistocardiography and Coronary Death

Abstract

Thirty-six men and women who experienced a documented myocardial infarction, half of whom ultimately died from their disease and half of whom survived over a six-year period, provided longitudinal recent life changes and ballistocardiographic data. The 18 patients who died from their coronary disease indicated a significant buildup in life changes which peaked approximately one year prior to death; their serial ballistocardiograms indicated a significant buildup in average force of contraction which was seen to peak approximately six months prior to death. The 18 post-infarction patients who survived the six-year follow-up showed neither a buildup in life change nor a buildup in the ballistocardiographic index of cardiac contraction force. These findings of a life change peak preceding ballistocardiographic evidence of an “overworked” heart are discussed in terms of their possible medical and psychophysiological significances.     

Blockade of Death Ligand TRAIL Inhibits Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Many investigators have reported that cell death via apoptosis significantly contributed to the pathophysiology of renal IRI. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, and induces apoptosis and inflammation. However, the role of TRAIL in renal IRI is unclear. Here, we investigated whether TRAIL contributes to renal IRI and whether TRAIL blockade could attenuate renal IRI. AKI was induced by unilateral clamping of the renal pedicle for 60 min in male FVB/N mice. We found that the expression of TRAIL and its receptors were highly upregulated in renal tubular cells in renal IRI. Neutralizing anti-TRAIL antibody or its control IgG was given 24 hr before ischemia and a half-dose booster injection was administered into the peritoneal cavity immediately after reperfusion. We found that TRAIL blockade inhibited tubular apoptosis and reduced the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages. Furthermore, TRAIL blockade attenuated renal fibrosis and atrophy after IRI. In conclusion, our study suggests that TRAIL is a critical pathogenic factor in renal IRI, and that TRAIL could be a new therapeutic target for the prevention of renal IRI.     

肿瘤发生的潜在分子基础(2)

肿瘤发生是一个多步骤过程.绝大多数人肿瘤由产生了系列相继变化的单一细胞形成.这些变化导致细胞有丝分裂信号或生长控制的细微异常,逐步赋予细胞赘生的特性,直至细胞形成恶性肿瘤.防御肿瘤发生的一个重要机能是诱导细胞死亡,这种机能持续不断地清除机体内多余的,受损的或变异的细胞.对肿瘤细胞增殖优势的分子机理的认识,揭示了许多肿瘤细胞如何应答异常有丝分裂信号的内在现象,而蛋白磷酸激酶是介导这些信号通路的主体.天然细胞或病毒蛋白能作为细胞死亡效应子发挥作用,尤其有意义的是,有些细胞和病毒蛋白具有肿瘤特异性细胞死亡效应,可望发展成为新的抗肿瘤治疗制剂.     

肿瘤发生的潜在分子基础(1)

肿瘤发生是一个多步骤过程.绝大多数人肿瘤由产生了系列相继变化的单一细胞形成.这些变化导致细胞有丝分裂信号或生长控制的细微异常,逐步赋予细胞赘生的特性,直至细胞形成恶性肿瘤.防御肿瘤发生的一个重要机能是诱导细胞死亡,这种机能持续不断地清除机体内多余的,受损的或变异的细胞.对肿瘤细胞增殖优势的分子机理的认识,揭示了许多肿瘤细胞如何应答异常有丝分裂信号的内在现象,而蛋白磷酸激酶是介导这些信号通路的主体.天然细胞或病毒蛋白能作为细胞死亡效应子发挥作用,尤其有意义的是,有些细胞和病毒蛋白具有肿瘤特异性细胞死亡效应,可望发展成为新的抗肿瘤治疗制剂.     

大学生生死观量表的修订

目的：修订大学生生死观量表，并得到评定结果；方法：根据大学生(N=127)评定量表的文化适合性形成修订版。采用问卷调查(N=400)和个别访谈(N=13)收集信度和效度指标及评定结果。结果：修订版包括50个项目，各分量表内部一致性信度系数在0．43～0．88之间；各分量表与问卷总分的相关在0.39～0．81之间；问卷评定结果和访谈评定结果的相关在0．70～0．86之间，均达到显著水平；我国大学生在自然规律维度上的成绩明显高于其他维度，易感性和死别体验分量表的成绩显著高于其他分量表；在乐观接受、转世观和消极世界观3个维度，女性成绩均优于男性；结论：修订后的大学生生死观量表有较好的信度和效度，可以用于对我国大学生的测试。     

Apoptosis of Mycobacterium avium-infected macrophages is mediated by both tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and Fas, and involves the activation of caspases

Mycobacterium avium causes disseminated infection in AIDS patients and several forms of infection in immunocompetent hosts. Recent studies have shown that M. avium infection of macrophages in vitro leads to apoptosis of significant numbers of infected cells. Several strains of M. avium used to infect human macrophages for 5 days (multiplicity of infection of 10) triggered 28-46% higher levels of apoptosis than observed with uninfected macrophages at the same time points. Mycobacterium avium strains unable to replicate intracellularly (rep-) resulted in a 15% rate of apoptosis, while M. smegmatis-infected monolayers showed the same percentage of apoptotic cells as the uninfected macrophage control. The presence of anti-TNF-alpha antibody reduced apoptosis to 17% and the presence of anti-Fas antibody reduced apoptosis to 10%. When both antibodies were used together, the apoptosis level was 5% above the control. Treatment with TGF-beta also reduced the number of apoptotic cells in infected monolayers. If intracellular growth was inhibited, apoptosis of macrophages decreased significantly. It was also shown that apoptosis was associated with IL-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) activation and was significantly reduced by a caspase inhibitor. Gaining understanding of the mechanisms of M. avium-associated apoptosis of macrophages will provide important insight into M. avium pathogenesis.     

sDR5封闭TRAIL减少内毒素引起小鼠肝细胞凋亡

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)在内毒素诱导小鼠肝细胞凋亡中的作用.方法 内毒素作用于可溶性死亡受体-5(sDR5)封闭TRAIL的小鼠,不同时间检测小鼠血清中的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和乳酸脱氧酶(LDH)的含量;HE染色及Annexin V、PI双染法流式细胞术检测小鼠肝细胞凋亡;免疫组织化学法及流式细胞术检测小鼠肝细胞和肝细胞膜表面DR5的表达.结果 内毒素可以上调肝细胞DR5的表达.DR5封闭TRAIL可显著抑制内毒素引起的小鼠肝细胞凋亡和改善肝细胞损伤.结论 内毒素引起疾病过程中TRAIL起重要作用.     

Autophagy Prior to Chondrocyte Cell Death During the Degeneration of Meckel's Cartilage

The central portion of Meckel's cartilage degenerates almost immediately after birth. Whether autophagy is involved in this process remains unclear. Thus, to explore the role of autophagy during this process, we have detected the expression of autophagy and apoptosis‐related markers in embryonic mice. In E15, Beclin1 and LC3 expressions were weak and negative in Meckel's cartilage, respectively. In E16, chondrocytes of the central portion became hypertrophic. Moderate immunoreactivities of Beclin1 and LC3 were observed in prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the central portion. In E17, the degradation occurred in the central portion and expanded anteriorly and posteriorly. Beclin1 expression was observed in Meckel's cartilage with an increase in the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the central portion. The expression of LC3 was detected specifically in terminally differentiated hypertrophic chondrocytes. The mRNA expressions of LC3 and Beclin1 from E15 to E17 significantly increased. This result is in accord with the histologic findings. Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling assay and Caspase 3 expression demonstrated that apoptosis was detected in the lateral part of terminal hypertrophic chondrocytes along the degeneration area of Meckel's cartilage. In addition, Bcl2 expression increased significantly from E15 to E17. These results indicate that autophagy is involved in hypertrophic chondrocytes during the degradation of Meckel's cartilage and occurs prior to chondrocyte cell death during this process. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Role of caspases in dexamethasone-induced apoptosis and activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in human eosinophils

Eosinophils are the principal effector cells for the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone have long been used therapeutically for eosinophilia in allergic inflammation by inducing eosinophil apoptosis, but little is known about the intracellular mechanisms mediating dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) involved in the intracellular signalling pathway: c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We found that dexamethasone could activate JNK and p38 MAPK in a time-dependent manner but not ERK. Further, SB 203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, was additive with dexamethasone in inducing eosinophil apoptosis, while JNK1/2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides did not show any significant effect. These suggest that dexamethasone-induced JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation are not crucial to the induction of apoptosis. Pretreatment of eosinophils with benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD.FMK), a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, could inhibit dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in eosinophils dose-dependently. Moreover, Z-VAD.FMK partially inhibited dexamethasone-activated JNK and p38 MAPK activities. However, dexamethasone treatment did not activate specific caspase-3, -8 activity in eosinophils compared with spontaneous apoptosis. We therefore conclude that dexamethasone-induced apoptosis and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK activity in eosinophils are regulated by caspases but not through the common apoptosis-related caspase-3, -8 as in other cell types. Elucidation of the important role of caspases in eosinophil apoptosis may facilitate the development of more specific and effective treatment for allergic inflammation.     

Mechanisms of neutrophil death in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: role of reactive oxygen species, caspases and map kinase pathways

Neutrophils from human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) patients have an increased susceptibility to undergo programmed cell death (PCD), which could explain neutropenia during advanced disease. In this work, key steps of PCD have been evaluated in neutrophils from HIV+ patients. The role of caspase-3, caspase-8, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analysed. Spontaneous neutrophil death is dependent upon caspase-3 but independent of caspase-8, suggesting that the intrinsic pathway is involved as a pathogenic mechanism of PCD. Inhibition of ROS decreased spontaneous PCD and caspase-3 hydrolysis, connecting oxidative stress and caspase-3 activation with neutrophil PCD in HIV-infected patients. Additionally, an increased neutrophil death was observed in HIV+ patients, following inhibition of p38 MAPK, suggesting a role for p38 MAPK in cell survival during the disease. We conclude that oxidative stress secondary to HIV infection can accelerate neutrophil death.     

自杀与其它伤害死亡全国性对照研究

目的:了解国内的自杀现状及其特征.方法:用自制的意外死亡研究问卷按"心理解剖"的调查方法从全国20个农村和3个城市疾病监测点抽取895例自杀和701例其它伤害死亡案例.对每个案例的家属及周围知情者单独进行持续约3小时的调查.结果:自杀案例中67%为服毒自杀(大多数为存放在家中的物品);63%自杀当时有精神障碍(39.8%为抑郁症);27%有过自杀未遂;91%从未看过精神科医生;近一年最常见的负性生活事件为经济困难(40%)、患急重病(38%)或夫妻不和(35%);自杀前两天内25%有突出的人际关系冲突;自杀当时10%有他人在现场.与其它伤害死亡者比较自杀者女性多、年龄偏大、读书年限少、家庭收入低并出现慢性和急性负性生活事件多.结论:我国自杀为多因素相互作用的结果,相当一部分属于冲动行为,与其它国家比自杀当时患精神障碍的比例低.     

Death and conception

The complex moral, ethical and legal concerns that have arisen as a result of posthumous assisted reproduction (PAR) are examined in this report. Difficult questions such as what constitutes informed consent, and whether it is ethical to retrieve spermatozoa from patients who are in a coma, are considered. Legal issues, such as whether gametes can be considered as property and the need to clarify the legal definition of paternity in cases of children born in such circumstances, are also discussed, while other points regarding the advisability of PAR, respecting the wishes of the deceased donor and the need to protect the interests of the unborn child, are outlined. The motives of the gestating women, viewing their desire for PAR perhaps as part of the grieving process, and the effects on the children concerned are examined; it is concluded that there appears to be no adverse effect, but this finding might be premature. The report also asserts the need for responsible accounting on the part of fertility clinics, and calls for fairness, transparency and patience to help the bereaved reach an unbiased yet informed decision. This may be achieved by offering ample time for informed and support counselling. Finally, consideration should be expressed for the welfare of unborn child, in a balanced, pragmatic and sensible manner.     

A Portrait of the Bcl-2 Protein Family: Life,Death, and the Whole Picture

The Bcl-2 family of proteins are important regulators of cell death. They are comprised of two opposing factions, the proapoptotic versus the antiapoptotic members. Both are required for normal development and cellular homeostasis of the immune system and other tissues. However, in certain circumstances they may participate in the development of disease.     

From Death Anxiety to Meaning Making at the End of Life: Recommendations for Psychological Assessment

Although careful assessment and intervention for depression can improve psychological research and practice with patients at the end of life, attention to this focal problem should be supplemented by a broader evaluation of factors relevant to both risk and resilience. In particular, substantial research on the assessment of suicidality, death attitudes, and grief has yielded an array of methods for evaluating additional domains of patient and family functioning of high relevance to end-of-life care. This article discusses some of the specific advantages of assessment tools targeting each domain and provides citations to comprehensive psychometric reviews in each area.     

超声对软骨细胞凋亡、caspase-8和caspase-3表达的影响

背景：超声治疗能够缓解疼痛,改善膝骨关节炎患者的运动功能,但目前关于超声治疗的文献缺乏一致性。 目的：进一步验证超声治疗的膝骨关节炎有效性。 方法：24 只兔子随机分为3组,正常组不干预;模型组兔行前交叉韧带离断诱导膝骨关节炎,不接受任何治疗;超声组兔建模后接受超声波治疗10 min/次,1次/d,0.3 W/cm2,1 MHz,共治疗10次。采用苏木精-伊红染色进行兔关节软骨组织学观察,运用免疫印迹和 RT-PCR技术检测兔软骨中的caspases3和caspases8 的表达,TUNEL技术检测兔膝骨关节软骨细胞凋亡率。 结果与结论：正常兔软骨组织软骨细胞呈柱状整齐的排列,模型中软骨层变薄,软骨细胞排列无序而少。超声治疗后软骨细胞重新排列,趋于整齐,细胞数增加。模型组为膝骨关节炎模型;与正常组比较,模型组和超声组改良Mankin 评分较高,模型组和超声组软骨细胞凋亡指数更高,模型组高于超声组。与正常组比较,模型组和超声组caspase-3 和caspase-8表达较高,超声治疗后两项指标表达下降。结果表明,超声可以改善软骨组织结构、降低caspase-3、caspase -8的表达,降低软骨细胞凋亡。提示超声治疗膝骨关节炎是有效的。