Study on the toxic mechanism of prion protein peptide 106-126 in neuronal and non neuronal cells

A synthetic peptide corresponding to the 106-126 amyloidogenic region of the cellular human prion protein (PrP(c)) is useful for in vitro study of prion-induced neuronal cell death. The aim of the present work was to examine the implication of the cellular prion protein in the toxicity mechanism induced by PrP 106-126. The effect of PrP 106-126 was investigated both on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and on SH-SY5Y overexpressing murine cellular prions (wtPrP). We show by metabolic assay tests and ATP assays that PrP(c) expression does not modulate the toxicity of the prion peptide. Moreover, we investigated the effect of this peptide on an established non neuronal model, rabbit kidney epithelial A74 cells that express a doxycycline-inducible murine PrP(c) gene. We show for the first time that the prion peptide 106-126 does not exert any toxic effect on this cell line in the presence or absence of doxycycline. Our results show that the PrP 106-126-induced cell alteration is independent of PrP(c) expression. Rather, it seems to act via an interaction with lipidic components of the plasma membrane as strengthened by our results showing the differential susceptibility of neuronal and non neuronal cell lines that significantly differ by their membrane fatty acid composition.     

Apoptotic cell death and impairment of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel activity in rat cerebellar granule cells treated with the prion protein fragment 106-126

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative pathologies characterized by the accumulation, in the brain, of altered forms of the prion protein (PrP), named PrP(Sc). A synthetic peptide homologous to residues 106-126 of PrP (PrP106-126) was reported to maintain the neurodegenerative characteristics of PrP(Sc). We investigated the intracellular mechanisms involved in PrP106-126-dependent degeneration of primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons. Prolonged exposure of such neurons to PrP106-126 induced apoptotic cell death. The L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker nicardipine reproduced this effect, suggesting that blockade of Ca(2+) entry through this class of calcium channels may be responsible for the granule cell degeneration. Microfluorometric analysis showed that PrP106-126 caused a reduction in cytosolic calcium levels, elicited by depolarizing K(+) concentrations in these neurons. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated that PrP106-126 and nicardipine selectively reduce the L-type calcium channel current. These data demonstrate that PrP106-126 alters the activity of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels in rat cerebellar granule cells and suggest that this phenomenon is related to the cell death induced by the peptide.     

Prion protein fragment 106–126 induces apoptotic cell death and impairment of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel activity in the GH3 cell line

The prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative pathologies characterized by the accumulation of altered forms of the prion protein (PrP), termed PrP^Sc, in the brain. Previous studies have shown that a synthetic peptide homologous to residues 106–126 of PrP (PrP 106–126) maintains many characteristics of PrP^Sc, i.e., the ability to form amyloid fibrils and to induce apoptosis in neurons. We have investigated the intracellular mechanisms involved in the cellular degeneration induced by PrP 106–126, using the GH3 cells as a model of excitable cells. When assayed in serum-deprived conditions (48 hr), PrP 106–126 (50 μM) induced cell death time-dependently, and this process showed the characteristics of the apoptosis. This effect was specific because a peptide with a scrambled sequence of PrP 106–126 was not effective. Then we performed microfluorimetric analysis of single cells to monitor intracellular calcium concentrations and showed that PrP 106–126 caused a complete blockade of the increase in the cytosolic calcium levels induced by K⁺ (40 mM) depolarization. Conversely, the scrambled peptide was ineffective. The L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker nicardipine (1 μM) also induced apoptosis in GH3 cells, suggesting that the blockade of Ca²⁺ entry through this class of calcium channels may cause GH3 apoptotic cell death. We thus analyzed, by means of electrophysiological studies, whether Prp 106–126 modulate L-type calcium channels activity and demonstrated that the apoptotic effect of PrP 106–126 was due to a dose-dependent inactivation of the L-type calcium channels. These data demonstrate that the prion protein fragment 106–126 induces a GH3 apoptotic cell death inducing a selective inhibition of the activity of the L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels. J. Neurosci. Res. 54:341–352, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Humanin rescues cortical neurons from prion-peptide-induced apoptosis

We recently demonstrated that a soluble oligomeric prion peptide, the putative 118-135 transmembrane domain of prion protein (PrP), exhibited membrane fusogenic properties and induced apoptotic cell death both in vitro and in vivo. A recently discovered rescue factor humanin (HN) was shown to protect neuronal cells from various insults involved in human neurodegenerative diseases. We thus addressed the question of whether HN might modulate the apoptosis induced by the soluble PrP(118-135) fragment. We found that the incubation of rat cortical neurons with 10 microM HN prevented soluble PrP(118-135) fragment-induced cell death concomitantly with inhibition of apoptotic events. An HN variant, termed HNG, exhibited a 500-fold increase in the protective activity in cortical neurons, whereas the HNA variant displayed no protective effect. The effects of HN and HNG peptides did not require a preincubation with the PrP(118-135) fragment, strongly suggesting that these peptides rescue cells independently of a direct interaction with the prion peptide. By contrast, and in agreement with a previous study, HN had no effect on the fibrillar PrP(106-126) peptide-induced cell death. This protective effect for neurons from PrP(118-135)-induced cell death strongly suggests that PrP(118-135) and PrP(106-126) peptides may trigger different pathways leading to neuronal apoptosis.     

Bcl-2 overexpression protects against amyloid-beta and prion toxicity in GT1-7 neural cells

In this study we analysed the effect of Bcl-2 on the cytotoxicity induced by the amyloid-beta (Abeta(25-35)) and prion (PrP(106-126)) peptides by using GT1-7puro and GT1-7bcl-2 (overexpressing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2) neural cells. Exposure to Abeta(25-35) (1-5 microM) and PrP(106-126) (25 microM) caused a decrease in cell viability, as determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These data were correlated with Abeta(25-35) and PrP(106-126)-induced activation of caspase-9, which is linked to the mitochondrial death pathway, and the activation of the effector caspase-3, suggesting cell death by apoptosis. Furthermore, Bcl-2 overexpression protected from loss of cell viability and caspase-9 and -3 activation induced by Abeta(25-35) and PrP(106-126), showing that Bcl-2 is neuroprotective against apoptotic cell death caused by amyloidogenic peptides.     

Involvement of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in the neurotoxicity of the prion peptide PrP106-126

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterised by the transformation of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into an abnormal isoform (PrP(TSE)). Previous studies have shown that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists can inhibit glutathione depletion and neurotoxicity induced by PrP(TSE) and a toxic prion protein peptide, PrP106-126, in vitro. NMDA receptor activation is known to increase intracellular accumulation of Ca(2+), resulting in up-regulation of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. This can stimulate the lipoxygenase pathways that may generate a number of potentially neurotoxic metabolites. Because of the putative relationship between AA breakdown and PrP106-126 neurotoxicity, we investigated AA metabolism in primary cerebellar granule neuron cultures treated with PrP106-126. Our studies revealed that PrP106-126 exposure for 30 min significantly up-regulated AA release from cerebellar granule neurons. PrP106-126 neurotoxicity was mediated through the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway, as shown by abrogation of neuronal death with the 5-LOX inhibitors quinacrine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and caffeic acid. These inhibitors also prevented PrP106-126-induced caspase 3 activation and annexin V binding, indicating a central role for the 5-LOX pathway in PrP106-126-mediated proapoptosis. Interestingly, inhibitors of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway had no effect on PrP106-126 neurotoxicity or proapoptosis. These studies clearly demonstrate that AA metabolism through the 5-LOX pathway is an important early event in PrP106-126 neurotoxicity and consequently may have a critical role in PrP(TSE)-mediated cell loss in vivo. If this is so, therapeutic intervention with 5-LOX inhibitors may prove beneficial in the treatment of prion disorders.     

Involvement of calcineurin in the neurotoxic effects induced by amyloid-beta and prion peptides

It is usually accepted that prion and amyloid-beta (A beta) peptides induce apoptotic cell death. However, the mechanisms that trigger neuronal death, induced by these amyloidogenic peptides, remain to be clarified. In the present study we analysed the neurotoxic effects of the synthetic prion and A beta peptides, PrP106-126 and A beta 25-35, in primary cultures of rat brain cortical cells. PrP106-126 and A beta 25-35 incubated at a concentration of 25 micro m for 24 h, did not affect cell membrane integrity, but decreased the metabolic capacity of the cells. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and reactive oxygen species levels increased significantly after 24 h treatment with PrP106-126 and A beta 25-35. Furthermore, these peptides (after 24 h exposure) also induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria and increased caspase-3-like activity. FK506, an inhibitor of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, was able to prevent cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and cell death induced by A beta 25-35 or PrP106-126 peptides. Taken together these data suggest that calcineurin is involved in A beta 25-35 and PrP106-126 neurotoxicity.     

Intracellular mechanisms mediating the neuronal death and astrogliosis induced by the prion protein fragment 106-126.

Prion encephalopathies include fatal diseases of the central nervous system of men and animals characterized by nerve cell loss, glial proliferation and deposition of amyloid fibrils into the brain. During these diseases a cellular glycoprotein (the prion protein, PrP(C)) is converted, through a not yet completely clear mechanism, in an altered isoform (the prion scrapie, PrP(Sc)) that accumulates within the brain tissue by virtue of its resistance to the intracellular catabolism. PrP(Sc) is believed to be responsible for the neuronal loss that is observed in the prion disease. The PrP 106-126, a synthetic peptide that has been obtained from the amyloidogenic portion of the prion protein, represents a suitable model for studying the pathogenic role of the PrP(Sc), retaining, in vitro, some characteristics of the entire protein, such as the capability to aggregate in fibrils, and the neurotoxicity. In this work we present the results we have recently obtained regarding the action of the PrP 106-126 in different cellular models. We report that the PrP 106-126 induces proliferation of cortical astrocytes, as well as degeneration of primary cultures of cortical neurons or of neuroectodermal stable cell lines (GH(3) cells). In particular, these two opposite effects are mediated by the same attitude of the peptide to interact with the L-type calcium channels: in the astrocytes, the activity of these channels seems to be activated by PrP 106-126, while, in the cortical neurons and in the GH(3) cells, the same treatment causes a blockade of these channels causing a toxic effect.     

Apoptosis-mediated neurotoxicity induced by β-amyloid and PRP fragments

The neurotoxic activity of β-amyloid (βA) and prion protein (PrP) fragments contributed to the hypothesis concerning a causal role of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer disease (AD) and in prion-related encephalopathies. In this study, we investigated some aspects of the molecular mechanisms associated with neurotoxic activity of synthetic peptides homologous to βA (β 25–35) or PrP (PrP106–126) fragments. Chronic (5–7 d) exposure to both peptides induced neuronal death by apoptosis, as suggested by biochemical and morphological analysis. The apoptotic mechanism was confirmed by ultrastructural examination. The intracellular cascade of events activated by peptides was investigated by Northern blot and PCR analysis of expression of early genes (c-fos, c-jun, c-myc) and other proteins (p53, SGP-2bcl-2, HSP70, Ich-1) potentially involved in apoptosis. With the exception of bcl-2 mRNA decrease and a slight increase of SGP-2 in PrP106–126-treated cells, no consistent alterations of these mRNA expressions were found in neuronal cells exposed to β 25–35 or PrP106–126. Furthermore, we synthesized amidated homologs of both peptides with low amyloidogenic activity to test directly the relationship between amyloid fibrils and cell death. The neurotoxicity exhibited by PrP106–126-NH2 was similar to that observed with original peptide, whereas the amidation of β 25–35 partially reduced the neurotoxicity of this peptide.     

Apoptosis-mediated neurotoxicity induced by β-amyloid and PRP fragments

The neurotoxic activity of β-amyloid (βA) and prion protein (PrP) fragments contributed to the hypothesis concerning a causal role of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer disease (AD) and in prion-related encephalopathies. In this study, we investigated some aspects of the molecular mechanisms associated with neurotoxic activity of synthetic peptides homologous to βA (β 25–35) or PrP (PrP106–126) fragments. Chronic (5–7 d) exposure to both peptides induced neuronal death by apoptosis, as suggested by biochemical and morphological analysis. The apoptotic mechanism was confirmed by ultrastructural examination. The intracellular cascade of events activated by peptides was investigated by Northern blot and PCR analysis of expression of early genes (c-fos, c-jun, c-myc) and other proteins (p53, SGP-2bcl-2, HSP70, Ich-1) potentially involved in apoptosis. With the exception of bcl-2 mRNA decrease and a slight increase of SGP-2 in PrP106–126-treated cells, no consistent alterations of these mRNA expressions were found in neuronal cells exposed to β 25–35 or PrP106–126. Furthermore, we synthesized amidated homologs of both peptides with low amyloidogenic activity to test directly the relationship between amyloid fibrils and cell death. The neurotoxicity exhibited by PrP106–126-NH2 was similar to that observed with original peptide, whereas the amidation of β 25–35 partially reduced the neurotoxicity of this peptide.     

Aspirin inhibits cytotoxicity of prion peptide PrP106-126 to neuronal cells associated with microglia activation in vitro

The synthetic peptide consisting of amino acid residues 106-126 of the human prion protein PrP106-126 has been demonstrated to generate fibrils, which damage neurons either directly by interacting with components of the cell surface to trigger cell apoptosis signaling or indirectly by activating microglia to produce inflammatory mediators. In our study, rat microglia cells were treated with PrP106-126 or scramble PrP106-126 (Scr PrP). Activated nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) was determined using immunofluorescence staining and the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Inhibitory activity of aspirin on neurotoxicity of PrP106-126 associated with microglia activation was determined using an apoptosis detection kit. Treatment of microglia with 25 microM PrP106-126, but not Scr PrP, resulted in activation and translocation of NF-kappaB, which peaked after 20 min of treatment. The activation of NF-kappaB was followed by increased mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta peaking at about 20 h. In the presence of microglia, aspirin significantly inhibited neuro-2a cell death induced by PrP106-126. The number of neuro-2a cells in apoptosis and necrosis with 5 mM aspirin was about 3-fold lower than the cell culture without aspirin (P<0.05). These data suggest that increased production of cytokines by microglia cells in prion disease is probably regulated by NF-kappaB translocation and may contribute to neurotoxicity of prions, and neurotoxicity of PrP106-126 may be inhibited by aspirin.     

The neurotoxicity of prion protein (PrP) peptide 106-126 is independent of the expression level of PrP and is not mediated by abnormal PrP species

A synthetic peptide homologous to region 106-126 of the prion protein (PrP) is toxic to cells expressing PrP, but not to PrP knockout neurons, arguing for a specific role of PrP in mediating the peptide's activity. Whether this is related to a gain of toxicity or a loss of function of PrP is not clear. We explored the possibility that PrP106-126 triggered formation of PrP(Sc) or other neurotoxic PrP species. We found that PrP106-126 did not induce detergent-insoluble and protease-resistant PrP, nor did it alter its membrane topology or cellular distribution. We also found that neurons expressing endogenous or higher level of either wild-type PrP or a nine-octapeptide insertional mutant were equally susceptible to PrP106-126, and that sub-physiological PrP expression was sufficient to restore vulnerability to the peptide. These results indicate that PrP106-126 interferes with a PrP function that requires only low protein levels, and is not impaired by a pathogenic insertion in the octapeptide region.     

Sublethal concentrations of prion peptide PrP106-126 or the amyloid beta peptide of Alzheimer's disease activates expression of proapoptotic markers in primary cortical neurons

Neurodegenerative disorders such as prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by neuronal dysfunction and accumulation of amyloidogenic protein. In vitro studies have demonstrated that these amyloidogenic proteins can induce cellular oxidative stress and therefore may contribute to the neuronal dysfunction observed in these illnesses. Although the neurotoxic pathways are not fully elucidated, recent studies in AD have demonstrated up-regulation of caspases in neurons treated with amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide, suggesting involvement of apoptotic processes. To examine the role of proapoptotic pathways in prion diseases we treated primary mouse cortical neurons with the toxic prion protein peptide PrP106-126 and measured caspase activation and annexin V binding. We found that PrP106-126 induced a rapid and marked elevation in caspase 3, 6, and 8-like activity in neuronal cultures. Increased annexin V binding was observed predominantly on cortical cell neurites in peptide-treated cultures. Interestingly, these effects were induced by sublethal (5-50 microM) or lethal (100-200 microM) concentrations of PrP106-126. Sublethal concentrations of PrP106-126 maintained elevated caspase activation for at least 10 days with no loss of cell viability. Abeta1-40 also up-regulated caspase 3 activity and annexin V binding at both sublethal (5 microM) and lethal (25 microM) concentrations. There were no changes to proapoptotic marker expression in cultures treated with scrambled PrP106-126 (200 microM) or Abeta1-28 (25 microM) peptides. These studies demonstrate that amyloidogenic peptides can induce prolonged activation of proapoptotic marker expression in cultured neurons even at sublethal concentrations. These effects could contribute to chronic neuronal dysfunction and increase susceptibility to additional metabolic insults in neurodegenerative disorders. If so, targeting of therapeutic strategies against neuronal caspase activation early in the disease course could be beneficial in AD and prion diseases.     

Prion protein peptides: optimal toxicity and peptide blockade of toxicity

In prion disease neurodegeneration requires deposition of the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) within nervous tissue. In vitro PrP(Sc) has neurotoxicity that can be mimicked by peptides based on part of its sequence. In this investigation the region of the protein required for maximal neurotoxicity was precisely determined. The optimal neurotoxic peptide was found to contain amino acids 112-126 of the human sequence. The sequence AGAAAAGA was found to be necessary but not sufficient for a neurotoxic effect. The AGAAAAGA peptide blocked the toxicity of PrP106-126, suggesting that this sequence is necessary for the interaction of PrP106-126 with neurons. These results suggest that targeting or use of the AGAAAAGA peptide may represent a therapeutic opportunity for controlling prion disease.     

Dual Modulation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP Kinase Activities Induced by Minocycline Reverses the Neurotoxic Effects of the Prion Protein Fragment 90–231

Several in vitro and in vivo studies addressed the identification of molecular determinants of the neuronal death induced by PrP^Sc or related peptides. We developed an experimental model to assess PrP^Sc neurotoxicity using a recombinant polypeptide encompassing amino acids 90–231 of human PrP (hPrP90–231) that corresponds to the protease-resistant core of PrP^Sc identified in prion-infected brains. By means of mild thermal denaturation, we can convert hPrP90–231 from a PrP^C-like conformation into a PrP^Sc-like structure. In virtue of these structural changes, hPrP90–231 powerfully affected the survival of SH-SY5Y cells, inducing caspase 3 and p38-dependent apoptosis, while in the native α-helix-rich conformation, hPrP90–231 did not induce cell toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify drugs able to block hPrP90–231 neurotoxic effects, focusing on minocycline, a tetracycline with known neuroprotective activity. hPrP90–231 caused a caspase 3-dependent apoptosis via the blockade of ERK1/2 activation and the subsequent activation of p38 MAP kinase. We propose that hPrP90–231-induced apoptosis is dependent on the inhibition of ERK1/2 responsiveness to neurotrophic factors, removing a tonic inhibition of p38 activity and resulting in caspase 3 activation. Minocycline prevented hPrP90–231-induced toxicity interfering with this mechanism: the pretreatment with this tetracycline restored ERK1/2 activity and reverted p38 and caspase 3 activities. The effects of minocycline were not mediated by the prevention of hPrP90–231 structural changes or cell internalization (differently from Congo Red). In conclusion, minocycline elicits anti-apoptotic effects against the neurotoxic activity of hPrP90–231 and these effects are mediated by opposite modulation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase activities.     

A model for the mechanism of astrogliosis in prion disease

Astrogliosis is a hallmark of prion diseases. Finding ways of inhibiting astrocyte proliferation may be beneficial to treating these diseases. PrP106-126 a peptide fragment of the prion protein induces proliferation of astrocytes. The mechanism of its action was studied in detail. Induction of astrocyte proliferation in culture requires cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 released from microglia in the presence of PrP106-126. However, the increased release of these cytokines is insufficient without direct effects of PrP106-126 on astrocytes. PrP106-126 induces increased progression through the cell cycle to late G1 and enhances the level of both p53 and phosphorylated ERKs in astrocytes. PrP106-126-induced proliferation of astrocytes in culture can be inhibited by antibodies to cytokines or by MEK inhibitors.     

Quinacrine acts as an antioxidant and reduces the toxicity of the prion peptide PrP106-126

The accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain is a central feature of several different neurodegenerative diseases. We have recently shown that Abeta and alpha-synuclein, associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and related disorders, can both induce the formation of hydroxyl radicals following incubation in solution, upon addition of Fe(II). PrP106-126, a model peptide for the study of prion protein-mediated cell death, shares the same property. In this study we show that quinacrine (an anti-malarial drug and inhibitor of prion replication) acts as an effective antioxidant, readily scavenging hydroxyl radicals formed from hydrogen peroxide via the Fenton reaction or generated during incubation of the PrP106-126 peptide. Furthermore, the toxicity of PrP106-126 to cultured cells was significantly inhibited by quinacrine.