Cadmium induces mitophagy through ROS-mediated PINK1/Parkin pathway

Context and objective: Recent reports have highlighted the relationship between cadmium (Cd) and autophagy, however, whether Cd can activate mitophagy remains enigmatic. This study aims to investigate the effects of Cd on mitophagy and its potential mechanism.

Methods: Mice were intraperitoneally injected with Cd for 3?d. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitophagosomes, LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, PINK1 level and mitochondrial mass were evaluated to indicate the effects of Cd on mitophagy. To elucidate the mechanism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) as well as the mitophagy inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA) were introduced to verify the role of ROS in mitophagy.

Results and conclusions: The results showed that Cd significantly induced MMP collapse and typical mitophagosomes formation, increased LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and PINK1 level, and decreased mitochondrial mass, revealing that Cd could induce mitophagy. However, NAC or ALC pretreatment markedly decreased Cd-induced ROS and simultaneously rescued MMP and mitochondrial mass, suggesting ROS played a crucial role in regulating mitophagy. NAC or ALC also dramatically lessened PINK1 level and mitochondrial accumulation of Parkin, indicating that ROS were related to PINK1/Parkin pathway. Notably, CsA compromised Cd-induced mitophagy, PINK1 accumulation and Parkin translocation while failed to block ROS increase, suggesting ROS functioned as an upstream signal for PINK1/Parkin pathway. Taken together, the results indicated that Cd induced ROS-mediated mitophagy through PINK1/Parkin pathway in kidneys of mice. The present study proposes a new perspective to evaluate the nephrotoxicity and its molecular mechanism under Cd exposure in vivo.     

PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy play a protective role in manganese induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells

Manganese (Mn) as an environmental risk factor of Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered to cause manganism. Mitophagy is thought to play a key role in elimination the injured mitochondria. The goal of this paper was to explore whether the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy is activated and its role in Mn-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. Here, we investigated effects of MnCl₂ on ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP/ΔΨ_m) and apoptosis by FACS and examined PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy by western-blotting and the co-localization of mitochondria and acidic lysosomes. Further, we explore the role of mitophagy in Mn-induced apoptosis by inhibition the mitophagy by knockdown Parkin level. Results show that MnCl₂ dose-dependently caused ΔΨ_m decrease, ROS generation and apoptosis of dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, Mn could induce mitophagy and PINK1/Parkin-mediated pathway was activated in SH-SY5Y cells. Transient transfection of Parkin siRNA knockdown the expressing level of parkin inhibited Mn-induced mitophagy and aggravated apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Mn may induce PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, which may exert significant neuro-protective effect against Mn-induced dopaminergic neuronal cells apoptosis.     

小檗碱对心肌缺血再灌注损伤大鼠线粒体自噬及对PINK1/Parkin通路的影响

目的 探讨小檗碱对心肌缺血再灌注损伤大鼠线粒体自噬及PTEN诱导激酶1(PTEN induced putative kinase 1,PINK1)/帕金森病蛋白(Parkin)通路的影响.方法 建立心肌缺血再灌注损伤大鼠模型,随机分组为模型组、小檗碱低、高剂量(75、150 mg/kg)组,自噬抑制剂三甲基腺嘌呤(3-...     

PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy is involved in NaAsO2-induced apoptosis of human hepatic cells through activation of ERK signaling

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated as one key event in arsenic-induced hepatic cell damage though the exact molecular target remains unknown. Here we examined NaAsO₂-induced mitochondrial damage in the L-02 cell led to mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release, mitophagy, apoptosis in a dose response manner. Mitophagy was measured by analysis of PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II and p62 protein. Apoptosis was assessed by measuring Annexin V. Using the mitophagy inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA) or ERK inhibitor (PD98059), the balance between mitophagy and apoptosis were further explored. When CsA was used prior to cell exposure to NaAsO₂, it was found that the levels of mitophagy were decreased as expected and apoptosis was increased in response. CsA alone had no effect on the apoptosis rate. When the ERK signaling inhibitor PD98059 was used, there was a similar result that mitophagy was reduced though in contrast with CsA the apoptosis rate was also decreased compared with NaAsO₂ alone. This result, along with the increased levels of ERK measured here in response to NaAsO₂, indicates that ERK activation is a second key molecular response to NaAsO₂ through the activation of both apoptosis and mitophagy. Thus the results with CsA indicate that the likely key biological event in NaAsO₂ toxicity is at the level of the mitochondria leading to cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Mitophagy is increased in response to a secondary effect of NaAsO₂ on ERK signaling that activates both mitophagy and apoptosis. The activation of mitophagy allows the cell to avoid some apoptosis. When ERK signaling is inhibited by PD98059 both the levels of apoptosis and mitophagy are decreased compared with the response produced by NaAsO₂ alone in comparison to the inhibition of mitophagy by CsA that reduced mitophagy but dramatically increased apoptosis in response.     

Galangin induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the caspase 8/t-Bid mitochondrial pathway

This study has investigated whether galangin, a flavonol derived from Alpinia officinarum Hance and used as food additives in southern China, induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs) by activation of the caspase-8 and Bid pathway. The apoptosis of HCCs was evaluated by in situ uptake of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258. Protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-8 activity was measured using colorimetric method. To confirm the galangin-induced apoptotic pathway, inhibition of caspase-8 activity by Z-IETD-FMK, knockdown of Bid expression with siRNA, and overexpression of Bcl-2 in cells were carried out, respectively. The results show that galangin has significantly induced apoptosis in HCC lines. The caspase-8 is activated, and the cleavage of Bid results in the increase in tBid. The galangin-induced apoptosis is attenuated by Z-IETD-FMK, Bid siRNA, and Bcl-2 overexpression, respectively. However, Bcl-2 fails to suppress caspase-8 activation and the cleavage of Bid. This study has demonstrated that galangin induces apoptosis in HCCs by activating caspase 8/t-Bid mitochondrial pathway. Although Bcl-2 overexpression attenuates galangin-mediated apoptosis of HCCs, it is not mediated by the inhibition of tBid generation and caspase-8 activation.     

Galangin induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the caspase 8/t-Bid mitochondrial pathway

This study has investigated whether galangin, a flavonol derived from Alpinia officinarum Hance and used as food additives in southern China, induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs) by activation of the caspase-8 and Bid pathway. The apoptosis of HCCs was evaluated by in situ uptake of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258. Protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-8 activity was measured using colorimetric method. To confirm the galangin-induced apoptotic pathway, inhibition of caspase-8 activity by Z-IETD-FMK, knockdown of Bid expression with siRNA, and overexpression of Bcl-2 in cells were carried out, respectively. The results show that galangin has significantly induced apoptosis in HCC lines. The caspase-8 is activated, and the cleavage of Bid results in the increase in tBid. The galangin-induced apoptosis is attenuated by Z-IETD-FMK, Bid siRNA, and Bcl-2 overexpression, respectively. However, Bcl-2 fails to suppress caspase-8 activation and the cleavage of Bid. This study has demonstrated that galangin induces apoptosis in HCCs by activating caspase 8/t-Bid mitochondrial pathway. Although Bcl-2 overexpression attenuates galangin-mediated apoptosis of HCCs, it is not mediated by the inhibition of tBid generation and caspase-8 activation.     

Increased expression of VDAC1 sensitizes carcinoma cells to apoptosis induced by DNA cross-linking agents

A major clinical problem regarding antitumoral treatment with DNA cross-linking agents such as cisplatin (Cisp), mechlorethamine (HN2) or its derivative melphalan (MLP) is intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapy, which frequently results from a resistance to apoptosis induction. In this study, aimed to identify novel sensitizing targets to DNA cross-linker-induced cell death, we demonstrated that MLP, Cisp and HN2 induce mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP)-mediated apoptosis in cervical and colon carcinoma cells. This apoptotic pathway is characterized by dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, production of ROS, mitochondrial translocation of Bax, release of apoptogenic factors, caspase activation and nuclear alterations. The opening of PTP and subsequent apoptosis was reduced in Bax deficient cells and in cells with elevated Bcl-2 level, but not in cells invalidated for Bak. We further showed that, among the pro-apoptotic PTP regulators tested (VDAC1, creatine kinase, ANT1 and ANT3), exogenous overexpression of VDAC1 was the most effective in enhancing Cisp- and MLP-induced apoptosis. In addition, pharmacologically induced up-regulation of VDAC1 by the chemotherapeutic agent arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) greatly sensitized HeLa cells to Cisp and MLP treatment. These data indicate that increased expression of VDAC1 appears as a promising strategy to improve DNA cross-linker-induced chemotherapy.     

Dexmedetomidine alleviates LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in macrophages by eliminating damaged mitochondria via PINK1 mediated mitophagy

The macrophage is an innate immune response cell that plays an important role in the development of sepsis. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a sedation drug, which have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects and can be used on sepsis patients in the ICU. However, its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) is a mitochondrial serine/threonine protein kinase that recognizes damaged mitochondria and leads to mitophagy. This study investigated the effects of DEX on Lipopolysaccharides(LPS)-induced macrophage injury and explained the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that LPS treatment caused mitochondrial damage, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and PINK1-mediated mitophagy; at the same time, PINK1 has a protective effect on LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation by mitophagy that eliminates dysfunctional mitochondria. DEX could promote the clearance of damaged mitochondria characterized by low Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and high reactive oxygen species(ROS), thus exerting a protective effect in LPS treated macrophages, and PINK1 mediated mitophagy is required for this protective effect.     

抑制MEK对内质网应激诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡的增敏作用

目的探讨抑制MEK/ERK信号通路对人乳腺癌细胞内质网(endoplasmic reticulum,ER)应激途径细胞凋亡的影响,以期为乳腺癌化疗提供新的靶点。方法不同浓度(0、1.5、3、6、9、12μmol.L-1)衣霉素(tunicamycin,TM)处理乳腺癌细胞SK-BR-3,48h后溴化丙啶(propidium iodide,PI)染色检测细胞凋亡率;TM(3μmol.L-1)处理SK-BR-3细胞不同时间(0、6、12、24、36h),Western blot检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78(glucose-regulated protein78,GRP78)、ERK1/2、pERK1/2的表达;MEK抑制剂U0126(20μmol.L-1)预处理1h后再给予TM(3μmol.L-1)同上处理,检测上述指标,比较U0126作用前后上述指标的变化。结果SK-BR-3细胞对TM诱导的细胞凋亡率<20%,且TM上调GRP78的表达;TM没有诱导ERK1/2的进一步激活;U0126明显增加TM诱导的细胞凋亡率(78%),同时下调GRP78的表达和阻断TM对GRP78的上调作用。结论MEK/ERK信号通路的抑制增强人乳腺癌细胞SK-BR-3对ER应激途径细胞凋亡的敏感性,抑制非折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response,UPR)的诱导。     

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein sensitizes human vascular smooth muscle cells to FAS (CD95)-mediated apoptosis

1. It was investigated in the present study whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) was implicated in the susceptibility of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to Fas-mediated death. Human fetal aorta smooth muscle cells were treated with agonistic anti-Fas antibody (CH11) and oxLDL and cell death was then determined by viability and DNA fragmentation. 2. The results of the present study show that cross-linking of Fas receptor with anti-Fas antibody in the presence of oxLDL induced death and DNA fragmentation in human VSMC, which were blocked by the caspase inhibitor z-VAD.fmk, followed by the upregulation of cell surface Fas. 3. The data indicate that oxLDL is implicated in death in VSMC and provide evidence that oxLDL is involved in Fas signal transduction. The present study proposes a novel mechanism(s) by which VSMC become susceptible to Fas ligand. 4. One of the mechanisms proposed by which oxLDL upregulates cell surface Fas is by inhibiting the degradation of Fas through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.     

左卡尼汀抑制NF-κB敏化TRAIL诱导神经胶质瘤细胞凋亡

目的探讨左卡尼汀作为TRAIL(tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand)敏化剂,增强TRAIL对神经胶质瘤细胞诱导凋亡的效果,并对其敏化作用的机制进行研究。方法以U87为神经胶质瘤细胞模型,通过CCK-8检测细胞活性,Annexin V-FITC/PI染色、caspase-3表达及活性等指标检测细胞凋亡,通过RT-PCR、Western blot对NF-κB(nuclear factor kappa B)和c-FLIP(FLICE抑制蛋白)的转录与表达进行分析,沉默NF-κB,分析其与c-FLIP的关系。结果 TRAIL与左卡尼汀联用,癌细胞存活率明显下降,凋亡明显上升;联用组与对照组相比,c-FLIP的转录和蛋白表达以及NF-κB的转录均有明显降低;沉默NF-κB证明其为c-FLIP上游因子。结论左卡尼汀与TRAIL可以产生协同作用,诱导U87细胞凋亡,其敏化机制与抑制NF-κB信号通路以及其下游c-FLIP表达有关。     

Study of the mechanism underlying the role of PINK1/Parkin in the formic acid-induced autophagy of PC12 cells

This study aimed to explore PINK1/Parkin's role in methanol metabolite formic acid-induced autophagy in PC12 cells and provide a theoretical basis for elucidating methanol-induced neurotoxicity. After treatment with different formic acid concentrations, we observed the morphology and mitochondria of PC12 cells. We used an ultra-micro enzyme kit to detect the mitochondrial Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities; a JC-1 kit to detect changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); MDC staining to detect the autophagy levels; and western blotting to measure the expression levels of the mitochondrial marker protein COX IV and the autophagy-related proteins Beclin1, P62 and LC3II/LC3I, and the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic levels of PINK1, Parkin and P-Parkin. Compared with the control group, the mitochondrial diameters, the mitochondrial Na⁺-K⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, the MMP, and the COX IV expression levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The fluorescence signal intensity (indicating autophagy); relative Beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I protein expression levels; and relative mitochondrial PINK1, Parkin and P-Parkin levels increased significantly, and the relative P62 protein expression levels and relative cytoplasmic PINK1, Parkin and P-Parkin levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. Thus, formic acid alters mitochondrial morphology, causes mitochondrial dysfunction, affects the PINK/Parkin pathway and, thus, activates the process of mitochondrial autophagy.     

Somatic and germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene PARK2 impair PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in lung cancer cells

PARK2,which encodes Parkin,is a disease-causing gene for both neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.Parkin can function as a neuroprotector that plays a crucial role in the regulation of mitophagy,and germline mutations in PARK2 are associated with Parkinson’s disease(PD).Intriguingly,recent studies suggest that Parkin can also function as a tumor suppressor and that somatic and germline mutations in PARK2 are associated with various human cancers,including lung cancer.However,it is presently unknown how the tumor suppressor activity of Parkin is affected by these mutations and whether it is associated with mitophagy.Herein,we show that wild-type(WT)Parkin can rapidly translocate onto mitochondria following mitochondrial damage and that Parkin promotes mitophagic clearance of mitochondria in lung cancer cells.However,lung cancer-linked mutations inhibit the mitochondrial translocation and ubiquitin-associated activity of Parkin.Among all lung cancer-linked mutants that we tested,A46T Parkin failed to translocate onto mitochondria and could not recruit downstream mitophagic regulators,including optineurin(OPTN)and TFEB,whereas N254S and R275W Parkin displayed slower mitochondrial translocation than WT Parkin.Moreover,we found that deferiprone(DFP),an iron chelator that can induce mitophagy,greatly increased the death of A46T Parkin-expressing lung cancer cells.Taken together,our results reveal a novel mitophagic mechanism in lung cancer,suggesting that lung cancer-linked mutations in PARK2 are associated with impaired mitophagy and identifying DFP as a novel therapeutic agent for PARK2-linked lung cancer and possibly other types of cancers driven by mitophagic dysregulation.     

姜黄素增加 U937细胞对 TRAIL 的敏感性的凋亡机制研究

目的：观察姜黄素增敏肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL）对人白血病 U937细胞株的细胞毒作用,探讨其凋亡机制。方法取对数生长期的白血病 U937细胞,MTT 法检测不同浓度的姜黄素和 TRAIL对 U937细胞的增殖抑制率及杀伤率,流式细胞术检测凋亡。结果姜黄素对白血病细胞 U937有明显抑制作用,且呈剂量依耐性,与 TRAIL 联用后可显著促进 U937的凋亡率。不同浓度的姜黄素作用24 h 后,可显著上调死亡受体5（Death receptor 5, DR5）的表达。结论姜黄素增敏 TRAIL 对白血病 U937的抑制作用明显,其凋亡机制可能是与上调 DR5有关。     

The activation of p38 and JNK by ROS,contribute to OLO-2-mediated intrinsic apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

In this study, we describe that a novel synthesized compound, olean-28,13β-olide 2 (OLO-2), exhibits selective cytotoxic activity via inducing apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines but not normal human hepatic cells in vitro. Exposure of human HCC HepG2 cells to OLO-2 results in significant loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ_m), the release of cytochrome c, the recruitment of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) assaciated X protein (Bax) and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The apoptosis induced by OLO-2 is associated with the activation of caspase-3/9 and the nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). Moreover, the increase of phosphorylated p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is observed. OLO-2-induced the externalization of phosphatidyl-serine (PS) and the loss of ΔΨ_m are blocked by p38 inhibitor SB203580 or JNK inhibitor SP600125. In addition, OLO-2 provokes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells, while the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) almost completely blocks OLO-2-induced apoptosis and the activation of p38 and JNK. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that OLO-2 exhibits its cytotoxic activity through intrinsic apoptosis via ROS generation and the activation of p38 and JNK. Its potential to be a candidate of anti-cancer agent is worth being further investigated.