氧化应激诱导HepG2肝癌细胞凋亡的研究(英)

目的：直接暴露细胞于活性氧能诱导发生凋亡，本文研究氧化应激诱导HepG2肝癌细胞的死亡及其机制。方法：暴露细胞于2 mmol/L过氧化氢产生氧化应激，用DNA凝胶电泳检测细胞凋亡，用荧光染色法检测细胞线粒体膜电位变化，Western blotting检测细胞浆中细胞色素c变化，fluorometric assay kit检测caspase活性变化。结果：氧化应激作用于HepG2细胞后12 h开始发生凋亡；氧化应激作用后4 h，细胞线粒体膜电位明显下降；胞浆中细胞色素c浓度呈时间依赖性增高；氧化应激作用8 h、12 h后细胞内caspase-3、caspase-9活性分别升高6.7及3.6倍，但caspase-8活性无变化。结论：氧化应激能诱导HepG2肝癌细胞发生凋亡，其途径与线粒体通路及caspase激活有关。     

2型登革病毒通过线粒体途径诱导EA.hy926细胞凋亡

 目的：探讨登革病毒诱导EA.hy926细胞(人脐静脉内皮细胞融合细胞株)相对活力的变化与线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,Δψm)改变及线粒体凋亡途径的关系。方法：用2型登革病毒(dengue virus type 2, DENV-2)感染EA.hy926细胞,MTT法检测感染前后EA.hy926细胞的相对活力,荧光显微镜和流式细胞术分别观察感染前后JC-1在EA.hy926细胞线粒体内的聚集情况以检测Δψm的改变,通过比色法检测caspase-9的活性变化。结果：DENV-2感染EA.hy926细胞24 h、36 h及48 h后,细胞活性受到显著抑制,550 nm处的A值均低于未感染组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);JC-1染色显示,感染后各时点,代表正常线粒体的红色荧光均较未感染组减弱,而代表Δψm下降的绿色荧光较未感染组逐渐增强。流式细胞术检测Δψm平均荧光密度比未感染组减低,差异有统计学意义。DENV-2 感染后早期即可出现caspase-9活性的上升,与未感染组相比,各时点的活性差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论：DENV-2感染EA.hy926细胞后可诱发Δψm下降,增强caspase-9活性,进而启动线粒体的凋亡途径。     

创伤弧菌诱导树突状细胞凋亡的过程观察

目的 实验观察创伤弧菌(Vibrio vulnificus,Vv)诱导鼠树突状细胞(dendritic cell,DC)凋亡的过程.方法 建立小鼠树突状细胞(DC2.4株)与创伤弧菌(Vv1.1758株)混合培养模型,DAPI荧光染色分析细胞凋亡的形态特征,DNA Ladder检测凋亡细胞的DNA片段化水平分析,Annexin V FITC/PI染色分析DC2.4细胞凋亡率,分光光度法测定caspase-3、caspase-8活性,JC-1荧光标记检测线粒体膜电位(△Ψm)变化.结果 Vv1.1758株与DC2.4细胞混合培养4h时DAPI荧光染色出现典型的凋亡特征——染色质浓缩及边缘化；DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳出现凋亡条带；2、4、6h细胞凋亡率分别为(37.8±9.8)％、(54.3±12.7)％和(68.2±14.6)％；1、2、4h线粒体膜电位(△ψm)分别下降了7.1％、16.1％与46.7％；caspase-8活性在1.5h增高,2h达高峰(2.48±0.19) U/μg,而caspase-3活性于3h开始增高,4h达高峰(1.91±0.16) U/μg.结论 创伤弧菌诱导树突状细胞可通过线粒体膜电位下降及激活caspase-8启动子两条途径,最终活化效应因子caspase-3,促使细胞凋亡发生.     

雪胆素乙诱导刀豆蛋白A刺激的小鼠淋巴细胞凋亡及其机制的研究

 目的：分析雪胆素乙（CuIIb）对刀豆蛋白 A（Con A）刺激的小鼠淋巴细胞体外凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法：以Annexin V染色结合流式细胞术分析小鼠淋巴细胞凋亡情况;利用JC-1染色分析淋巴细胞线粒体膜电位变化;Western blotting检测凋亡相关蛋白变化。结果：CuIIb处理后,早期和中期凋亡细胞比例明显增加,淋巴细胞线粒体膜电位降低。同时,CuIIb以剂量依赖方式激活caspase-3凋亡通路并明显降低抗凋亡蛋白survivin的表达。结论:CuIIb诱导淋巴细胞凋亡,其机制可能与其降低线粒体膜电位、激活caspase-3凋亡通路有关。     

Caspase-9途径在丁酸钠诱导结肠癌细胞株HT-29凋亡中的作用

目的： 探讨caspase-9途径在丁酸钠(NaBt)诱导人结肠癌细胞株HT-29凋亡中的作用。方法： HT-29细胞体外培养至对数生长期,分别及联合给予5.0 mmol/L丁酸钠、20 μmol/L z-VAD-fmk、z-DEVD-fmk、z-IETD-fmk、z-LEHD-fmk处理24 h,并设空白对照。以Annexin V-FITC法联合PI染色,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位变化,caspase活性检测试剂盒检测caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9的活性。结果： (1)丁酸钠诱导的HT-29细胞凋亡［（35.40±0.70）%］可被z-VAD-fmk抑制［（1.33±0.59）%］,亦可被z-DEVD-fmk抑制［（1.40±0.52）%］,并可被z-LEHD-fmk抑制［（1.27±0.91）%］,均P<0.01;但是z-IETD-fmk不能够抑制该作用［（32.10±2.33）%］,P>0.05;(2)丁酸钠干预HT-29细胞后,线粒体膜电位降低(5.53±0.91),z-VAD-fmk、z-DEVD-fmk、及z-LEHD-fmk 能够阻断这种作用(9.80±1.15, 10.23±0.50, 10.33±1.02), P<0.05;而z-IETD-fmk未显示对该作用的改变（5.93±1.31）, P>0.05;(3)丁酸钠干预HT-29细胞后,caspase-3、caspase-9的活性增高2-3倍,caspase-8的活性无显著变化,P>0.05。结论： 丁酸钠主要是通过线粒体途径,激活caspase-9,启动细胞凋亡环节,从而激发下游的效应caspases,诱导HT-29细胞凋亡。     

RIP3对BCG感染后小鼠巨噬细胞凋亡的调控作用研究

目的:探讨受体相互作用蛋白3(RIP3)在卡介苗(BCG)诱导小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7凋亡过程中的调控作用。方法:构建RIP3腺病毒干扰载体并感染巨噬细胞,并用BCG进行感染。采用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞活力;利用流式细胞术对细胞凋亡率、线粒体膜电位及活性氧含量进行检测;通过Western blot检测RIP3及凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平。结果:BCG感染RAW264.7细胞后,细胞活力下降且RIP3蛋白表达量显著上调(P0.01)。而与BCG单独感染组相比,BCG感染结合RIP3干扰处理组细胞凋亡率及活性氧含量降低,线粒体膜电位升高,同时促凋亡蛋白Bax与cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平显著升高,抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达量显著降低(P0.01)。结论:在BCG感染小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7的过程中,RIP3参与了BCG诱导的RAW264.7细胞的凋亡,且该过程可能是通过线粒体途径实现的。     

问号钩端螺旋体经线粒体相关信号通路诱导巨噬细胞凋亡的研究

目的 确定线粒体相关信号转导途径在问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)诱导小鼠单核-巨噬细胞凋亡过程中的作用.方法 建立问号钩体黄疸出血群赖株诱导小鼠单核-巨噬样细胞株J774A.1凋亡模型.采用透射电镜观察感染细胞线粒体病变情况,JC-1染色法检测感染细胞线粒体膜电位变化,荧光探针DCFH-DA检测感染细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平.采用试剂盒检测感染细胞caspase-8和caspage-9活性变化.流式细胞术检测感染细胞凋亡情况以及cagpage阻断剂阻断凋亡的效果.采用Western blot检测线粒体内和胞质中的细胞色素c(cytc)以及凋亡诱导因子(Air)、核酸内切酶G(EndoG)和Smac水平.应用免疫荧光染色法检测AIF和EndoG从细胞质至核内的转位.结果 问号钩体赖株可诱导J774A.1细胞凋亡.感染细胞的线粒体有明显病变,线粒体膜电位降低且胞内活性氧水平升高.感染细胞caspage-8活化,caspase-9则否,但caspase阻断剂不能完全阻断细胞凋亡.感染细胞AIF和EndoG从线粒体释放至胞质并转位至细胞核内.未检测到感染细胞胞质内CytC水平升高及Smac的释放.结论 线粒体可通过非caspase途径的AIF和EndoG参与问号钩体诱导单核一巨噬细胞凋亡的过程.     

问号钩端螺旋体经线粒体相关信号通路诱导巨噬细胞凋亡的研究

目的 确定线粒体相关信号转导途径在问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)诱导小鼠单核-巨噬细胞凋亡过程中的作用.方法 建立问号钩体黄疸出血群赖株诱导小鼠单核-巨噬样细胞株J774A.1凋亡模型.采用透射电镜观察感染细胞线粒体病变情况,JC-1染色法检测感染细胞线粒体膜电位变化,荧光探针DCFH-DA检测感染细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平.采用试剂盒检测感染细胞caspase-8和caspage-9活性变化.流式细胞术检测感染细胞凋亡情况以及cagpage阻断剂阻断凋亡的效果.采用Western blot检测线粒体内和胞质中的细胞色素c(cytc)以及凋亡诱导因子(Air)、核酸内切酶G(EndoG)和Smac水平.应用免疫荧光染色法检测AIF和EndoG从细胞质至核内的转位.结果 问号钩体赖株可诱导J774A.1细胞凋亡.感染细胞的线粒体有明显病变,线粒体膜电位降低且胞内活性氧水平升高.感染细胞caspage-8活化,caspase-9则否,但caspase阻断剂不能完全阻断细胞凋亡.感染细胞AIF和EndoG从线粒体释放至胞质并转位至细胞核内.未检测到感染细胞胞质内CytC水平升高及Smac的释放.结论 线粒体可通过非caspase途径的AIF和EndoG参与问号钩体诱导单核一巨噬细胞凋亡的过程.     

管花苷B对抗H2O2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡

目的：观察肉苁蓉提取物管花苷B对H2O2诱导的PC12细胞损伤的影响。方法：用MTT法检测细胞存活率，以激光共聚焦显微镜荧光染色法检测细胞内活性氧的产生和线粒体膜电位的变化，DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡的发生，并用荧光酶标仪测定caspase-3的活性。结果：100μmol&#183;L^-1H2O2处理细胞24h显著降低细胞的存活率；诱导细胞发生凋亡，凋亡率达48．0％；细胞内活性氧水平及caspase-3的活性显著升高；而线粒体膜电位却明显降低，红／绿荧光强度的比值由正常的5．97降低为0．41左右。而预先给予1、10或100mg&#183;L^-1浓度的管花苷B处理细胞12h，可显著提高细胞存活率；并可有效抑制DNA ladder的发生；流式细胞仪检测凋亡率分别降低到30．9％、18．3％和6．2％；激光共聚焦显微镜结果显示管花苷B可明显降低细胞内活性氧的水平；并可逐渐恢复线粒体的高能量状态；caspase-3的活性不断降低，并呈现了一定的剂量依赖性。结论：管花苷B能显著地抑制H2O2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡，其神经细胞保护作用可能与其降低细胞内活性氧水平，维持线粒体膜电位的高能状态和抑制caspase-3的活性有关。     

沉默FoxM1通过促进线粒体释放细胞色素C诱导口腔鳞癌细胞凋亡

目的:研究沉默叉头框蛋白M1 (FoxM1)基因对口腔鳞癌细胞凋亡影响及机制。方法:口腔鳞癌SCC9细胞感染FoxM1-shRNA慢病毒或阴性对照慢病毒,用RT-qPCR和Western blot测定沉默效果。MTT法测定细胞活力变化,平板克隆实验测定细胞克隆形成能力变化,流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡变化,Western blot测定细胞中cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-9蛋白水平变化,JC-1法测定细胞线粒体膜电位变化,Western blot测定细胞线粒体和胞浆中细胞色素C(cytochrome C)蛋白水平的变化。结果:FoxM1-shRNA慢病毒感染成功下调口腔鳞癌细胞中FoxM1的表达(P0.05),阴性对照慢病毒对细胞中FoxM1表达水平没有影响。沉默FoxM1的口腔鳞癌细胞活力降低(P0.05),细胞克隆形成能力也降低(P0.05),细胞凋亡率及cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-9蛋白水平均升高(P0.05),线粒体膜电位降低(P0.05),胞浆中cytochrome C蛋白水平升高(P0.05),线粒体中cytochrome C蛋白水平降低(P0.05)。结论:沉默FoxM1可以通过降低口腔鳞癌细胞线粒体膜电位、促进线粒体释放cytochrome C而诱导细胞凋亡。     

大蒜素通过抑制caspase-12减轻巨噬源性泡沫细胞凋亡

目的:研究大蒜素对巨噬源性泡沫细胞凋亡和内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)凋亡通路关键分子半胱天冬酶-12(caspase-12)的影响,并探讨可能的分子机制。方法:体外培养RAW264.7巨噬细胞,分别给予大蒜素(12.5、25和50 mg/L)和4-苯丁酸(4-phenylbutyric acid,PBA;4 mmol/L)预处理1 h后,加入氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,ox-LDL;100 mg/L)或衣霉素(tunicamycin,TM;4 mg/L)处理24 h。分别采用MTT法和Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞活力和凋亡情况;采用相应的试剂盒测定细胞内caspase-3和培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)的活性;采用Western blot技术检测caspase-12的表达变化;油红O染色检测细胞内脂质蓄积;酶比色法测定细胞内总胆固醇含量。结果:与ERS抑制剂PBA相似,大蒜素可减轻oxLDL所致的巨噬细胞损伤,表现为细胞活力增加、LDH漏出减少、细胞凋亡率和caspase-3活性降低(P0.05);ERS诱导剂TM可导致巨噬细胞活力下降,LDH漏出增多及细胞凋亡率升高(P0.05),大蒜素可明显阻断TM的上述作用;大蒜素明显抑制ox-LDL所致的caspase-12活化(P0.05);与TM组相比,大蒜素也可显著抑制TM所诱导的caspase-12活化(P0.05)。另外,大蒜素还可显著抑制ox-LDL所诱导的巨噬细胞内脂质蓄积和泡沫细胞形成(P0.05)。结论:大蒜素可减少ox-LDL所致的巨噬源性泡沫细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制caspase-12活化有关。     

A clinical isolate of dengue virus and its proteins induce apoptosis in HMEC-1 cells: a possible implication in pathogenesis

Cumulative studies have demonstrated that dengue virus infection results in the induction of apoptosis of certain cells in vitro. Moreover, apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells in the brain and in the intestinal serosa has been demonstrated postmortem in dengue virus (DENV)-infected patients. In this work, human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) infected with a DENV-2 clinical isolate, or HMEC-1 cells transfected with its protease sequence (NS3pro) or its complex (NS2BNS3pro) were able to trigger apoptosis after 24 h of infection or transfection. The infected or transfected HMEC-1 cells displayed the distinctive apoptotic hallmarks, which include cytoplasmic shrinkage and plasma membrane blebbing. In addition, the transfected HMEC-1 cells showed biochemical changes such as exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, TUNEL positivity, caspase 3 activation and cleaved PARP, a central regulator of apoptosis. These findings suggest the role of such proteins from the clinical isolate in the induction of apoptosis. Melina Vásquez Ochoa and Julio García Cordero contributed equally to this work.     

蜂胶醇提物通过抑制caspase-12减轻氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导的巨噬细胞凋亡

 目的: 研究蜂胶醇取物(ethanol extract of propolis,EEP)对氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)诱导的巨噬细胞凋亡的抑制作用,并探讨可能的分子机制。 方法: 体外培养RAW264.7巨噬细胞,给予EEP(7.5、15和30 mg/L)、4-苯丁酸(4-phenylbutyric acid,PBA;5 mmol/L)或二亚苯基碘鎓(diphenyleneiodo-nium, DPI;5 μmol/L)预处理1 h,再加入ox-LDL(100 mg/L)或衣霉素(tunicamycin,TM;4 mg/L)继续培养24 h。分别采用MTT法和Annexin V-FITC双染法检测细胞活力和凋亡情况;试剂盒测定细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性、活性氧簇(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的水平。采用免疫印迹技术检测内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)凋亡途径关键蛋白caspase-12的表达变化。结果: 与ERS抑制剂PBA相似,EEP呈剂量依赖性减轻ox-LDL所致的巨噬细胞损伤,表现为细胞活力增加(P<0.01),凋亡率降低(P<0.05),且可抑制ERS诱导剂TM所引起的巨噬细胞活力下降和凋亡(P<0.05);与氧化应激抑制剂DPI相似,EEP可抑制ox-LDL诱导的氧化应激反应,表现为ROS和MDA生成减少(P<0.01),SOD活性增加(P<0.05);EEP显著抑制ox-LDL和TM所诱导的caspase-12活化(P<0.05);与ox-LDL组比较,PBA和DPI预处理组caspase-12活性也受到明显抑制(P<0.01)。结论: EEP可减轻 ox-LDL 所诱导的RAW264.7巨噬细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和caspase-12活化有关。     

CXCR4抑制剂AMD3100对2型登革热病毒诱导血管内皮细胞株Eahy926凋亡的影响

目的: 探讨趋化因子受体CXCR4抑制剂AMD3100对2型登革热病毒(DV2)诱导人脐静脉血管内皮细胞株 Eahy926凋亡的影响。方法: 免疫组织化学法检测Eahy926细胞的Ⅷ因子。Eahy926细胞分成未感染组和DV2感染组,流式细胞术检测两组细胞不同时点(24 h、36 h、48 h和60 h)CXCR4的表达水平。流式细胞术分析未感染组、DV2感染组及DV2+AMD3100组不同时点的细胞凋亡率。免疫荧光法检测细胞膜表面磷脂酰丝氨酸(PS)。结果: Eahy926细胞有Ⅷ因子表达。在DV2感染Eahy926后的4个时点中,CXCR4的表达均有上调,其中以48 h感染组最明显(66.13%±10.30%,P<0.05)。DV2感染能诱导Eahy926细胞凋亡,其中36 h感染组凋亡率出现高峰(29.85%±15.78%,P<0.05)。应用AMD3100后在各时点均能上调DV2感染组的凋亡率,免疫荧光观察到DV2感染组及DV2+AMD3100组绿色荧光标记的细胞增多。结论: DV2感染能诱导血管内皮细胞Eahy926凋亡并上调CXCR4的表达,CXCR4抑制剂AMD3100促进DV2诱导Eahy926细胞凋亡的发生。     

肺炎链球菌溶血素经死亡受体/Fas途径和线粒体途径诱导RAW264.7细胞凋亡

目的:探讨肺炎链球菌溶血素(Pneumolysin,Ply)对小鼠RAW264.7细胞的增殖抑制和诱导凋亡的作用及机制。方法:Ply蛋白加入RAW264.7细胞培养上清与细胞共孵育。倒置显微镜观察Ply对RAW264.7细胞形态的影响。MTT法检测Ply对RAW264.7细胞的增殖抑制。Annexin V法检测细胞凋亡率。分光光度法检测Caspase-3、8、9活性。免疫细胞化学法检测到Bax、Fas、Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果:Ply对小鼠RAW264.7细胞有明显的增殖抑制作用,呈剂量和时间依赖性;1μg/ml Ply处理RAW264.7细胞24小时后,可见典型的凋亡形态学改变;1μg/ml Ply处理RAW264.7细胞1小时和3小时后,细胞凋亡率分别为32.90%和51.56%(P<0.05);1μg/ml Ply蛋白处理RAW264.7细胞24小时,Caspase-3、8、9活性均比对照组升高(P<0.05);免疫细胞化学法检测到Bax、Fas表达较对照组增强,Bcl-2表达减弱(P<0.01)。结论:Ply可诱导小鼠RAW264.7细胞凋亡,诱导凋亡的机制可能是通过死亡受体/Fas途径和线粒体途径双重机制的介导实现。     

2型登革病毒诱导ED25细胞凋亡及死亡受体的表达变化

目的： 观察2型登革病毒（dengue virus type 2，DV2）感染ED25（人肝静脉内皮细胞）诱导细胞凋亡及胞膜死亡受体TRAILR、TNFR、Fas表达水平的改变，并探讨其意义。方法: 用 DV2感染ED25细胞，流式细胞技术检测ED25细胞感染前、后凋亡变化及胞膜死亡受体TRAILR1-4、TNFR1-2、Fas的表达。结果: 病毒感染后ED25细胞凋亡增加，感染前细胞凋亡数约5.7%±1.2%，而感染后细胞凋亡数约27.3%±1.6%，P<0.05；病毒感染后细胞Fas表达百分比增加，感染前为44.3%±2.2%,而感染后为63.0%±2.3%，P<0.05;而TRAILR1-4、TNFR1-2表达水平甚低，感染前后无明显改变。结论: 2型登革病毒感染可以诱导肝静脉内皮细胞ED25细胞凋亡，其中死亡受体Fas表达增高，提示DV2可能通过调节Fas/FasL的表达诱导细胞凋亡，有利于进一步研究登革病毒感染引起肝脏器官损伤。     

Inhibitory effects of trolox-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles on tert-butylhydroperoxide induced RAW264.7 apoptosis

A nanocarrier, namely, hydroxylethyl-chitosan nanoparticles was developed in this research for delivering antioxidants with 6-hydroxy-2, 5, 7, 8-tetra-methylchromane-2-carboxylic acid (trolox) as a model antioxidant. The trolox-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (trolox-CS NPs) were prepared by modifying chitosan with epoxyethane, which self-assembled into NPs and entrapped trolox, and then characterized by their size, size distribution, morphology and in?vitro trolox release profile. Intracellular trafficking of CS NPs was observed. The anti-oxidant effect and potential mechanism of trolox-CS NPs were subsequently investigated in RAW264.7 cells. The effects of trolox-CS NPs on RAW264.7 cells damaged by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) were determined by MTT assay for cell viability, MDA assay for membrane lipid peroxidation, JC-1 probe and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining for mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and RAW264.7 apoptosis, respectively. The trolox-CS NPs significantly improved cell viability and reduced MDA content compared with those of cells treated with free trolox. The trolox-CS NPs treatment inhibited MMP collapse and RAW264.7 apoptosis more obviously than free trolox. Molecular basis of apoptosis studied by western blotting revealed that trolox-CS NPs may block mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway through up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax and inhibiting the activation of pro-caspase 3, PARP and Bid.     

FasL/Fas pathway is involved in dengue virus induced apoptosis of the vascular endothelial cells

The hallmark of the dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome is hematologic abnormality. The pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome remains unknown. Our work showed that the dengue virus serotype‐2 induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Fas (CD95), Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors, and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors are the most common death receptors, which can induce apoptosis. Compared with the untreated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Fas expression was increased both in the mRNA level and on the surface of infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells. FasL was expressed at similar levels on human umbilical vein endothelial cells over a course of dengue virus serotype‐2 infection, but the expression in mRNA level was increased in infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells. It is possible that there is soluble FasL secreted from human umbilical vein endothelial cells in the supernatant. Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptor 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors 1–2 were constantly very low, whereas Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors 2–4 decreased after dengue virus serotype‐2 infection. This result suggested that dengue virus serotype‐2 may inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors‐induced apoptosis. The apoptotic rates in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were decreased upon the addition of caspase family inhibitors. In addition, activated caspase 8 and caspase 3 were also observed by Western blot following dengue virus serotype‐2 infection. Thus, it is shown that the Fas/FasL pathway may participate in dengue virus‐induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. J. Med. Virol. 82:1392–1399, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

High-neurovirulence GDVII virus induces apoptosis in murine astrocytes through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand

We carried out a study to determine if the high-neurovirulence GDVII strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and the demyelinating, low-neurovirulence BeAn strain induced apoptosis in murine astrocytes. Astrocytes, the major glial cell population of the central nervous system, were semipermissive for GDVII virus replication. Programmed cell death, demonstrated by apoptosis-specific caspase-3 protease activity, was maximal 8 h after GDVII infection at an m.o.i. of 1. Purified TMEV capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3 did not induce apoptosis but antibodies to VP1 and VP2 inhibited it. Antibody inhibition of caspase-3 activity as well as flow cytometry experiments implicated TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TNF-alpha-receptor (TNF-R) in apoptosis signaling. Conversely, TNF-alpha and the TRAIL-receptor were not upregulated. Furthermore, the number of functional TNF-alpha receptors, but not their affinity, was increased in apoptotic GDVII virus-infected astrocytes, as confirmed in binding experiments with 125I-labeled recombinant murine TNF-alpha. In vivo studies showed that most of the cells loaded with the virus when injected in the brains of SJL mice were neurons but very few showed TUNEL costaining. Conversely, many of the apoptotic cells found were also positive for GFAP staining.