The interferon-inducible 204 gene, a member of the Ifi 200 family, is not involved in the antiviral state induction by IFN-alpha, but is required by the mouse cytomegalovirus for its replication.

To examine whether Ifi 200 genes are involved in antiviral state induction by IFNs we expressed mutant forms capable of inactivating the endogenous p204 and analyzed replication of both RNA and DNA viruses following IFN-alpha treatment. Inactivation of p204 does not impair replication of vesicular stomatitis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, ectromelia virus, and herpes simplex virus 1 and does not alter an IFN-alpha induced antiviral state. By contrast, in cells lacking functional p204, mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) replication is strongly inhibited and is not further modulated by IFN-alpha. These results suggest that p204, a member of the Ifi 200 gene family, is not involved in the IFN-alpha-induced antiviral activity against some RNA or DNA viruses, but is required by MCMV for its replication.     

Apoptotic response of Chang cells to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PAK and PAO-I: molecular ordering of the apoptosis signaling cascade and role of type IV pili

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative facultative opportunistic pathogen associated with severe infections in immunocompromised hosts and in patients with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa strains show divergent pathogenicity in vivo and trigger apoptosis of and/or are internalized into human host cells. In the present study, we studied the molecular ordering of apoptosis signaling upon infection of human conjunctiva epithelial Chang cells with P. aeruginosa PAK as well as the role of bacterial pili in the response to the infection. Our results show that CD95 up-regulation is followed by early activation of caspase-8 and -3 and cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The data also demonstrate release of apoptosis inducing factor into the cytosol of infected cells. Induction of mitochondrial alterations, i.e., mitochondrial depolarization and release of cytochrome c, as well as cleavage of caspase-9, -7, and -1 occurred only at later time points. In addition, our results demonstrate that pili are required for P. aeruginosa-induced apoptosis of human epithelial cells. While the two piliated P. aeruginosa strains, PAO-I and PAK, induced apoptosis of Chang cells within 3 h of infection, the pilus-deficient P. aeruginosa mutants PAK Delta pilA and PAK Delta pilA Delta all were without effect. The pilus-deficient mutants failed to induce a significant up-regulation of CD95 on the cell surface and to trigger mitochondrial alterations or activation of caspase-8, -3, and -7. In addition, only the piliated wild-type strains induced caspase-1-mediated activation of interleukin-1 beta. Thus, pili are necessary for distinct infection-induced cellular responses of human epithelial cells.     

Particulate matter induces alveolar epithelial cell DNA damage and apoptosis: role of free radicals and the mitochondria

Airborne particulate matter (PM) increases morbidity and mortality resulting from cardiopulmonary diseases including cancer. We hypothesized that PM is genotoxic to alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) by causing DNA damage and apoptosis. PM caused dose-dependent AEC DNA strand break formation, reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi m), caspase 9 activation, and apoptosis. An iron chelator and a free radical scavenger prevented these effects. Finally, overexpression of Bcl-xl, a mitochondrial anti-apoptotic protein, blocked PM-induced Delta psi m and DNA fragmentation. We conclude that PM causes AEC DNA damage and apoptosis by mechanisms that involve the mitochondria-regulated death pathway and the generation of iron-derived free radicals.     

Role of p53 in the inhibitory effects of interferon-alpha subtypes on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

While interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) subtypes share a common specific receptor composed of two subunits, interferon-alpha receptor (IFNAR)-1 and IFNAR-2, their subtype activities are exhibited via several intracellular signaling pathways and thus subsequently show different biological effects. Anti-proliferative effects of single treatment with IFN-alpha subtypes or 5-fluorouracil (FU), and of combined treatment with each IFN-alpha subtype and 5-FU were examined on three hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HepG2, HLE and PLC/PRF/5. HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells were susceptible to the combination treatment, but HLE cells were not. Proliferation of PLC/PRF/5 cells was also inhibited by the IFN-alpha subtypes singly. In addition, apoptosis was observed in HepG2 cells upon treatment with 5-FU alone and with the combination treatment, and in PLC/PRF/5 cells after single treatment with the IFN-alpha subtypes and after the combination treatment. IFN-alpha subtypes induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5. Analyses by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation revealed increased p53 phosphorylation in HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells but not in HLE cells after combined treatment. Single treatment with IFN-alpha subtypes promoted p53 activation only in PLC/PRF/5 cells. These results propose that IFN-alpha subtypes induce cells to undergo apoptosis through p53 activation directly and indirectly, in collaboration with 5-FU, further suggesting the presence of distinct signal pathways for IFN-alpha-induced apoptosis.     

Interactive effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors and TRAIL on apoptosis in human leukemia cells: involvement of both death receptor and mitochondrial pathways

In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the interactive effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors [suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), MS-275, m-carboxycinnamic acid bishydroxamide (CBHA), and trichostatin-A (TSA)] and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on apoptosis in leukemia cells. HDAC inhibitors enhance the apoptosis-inducing potential of TRAIL in leukemia cells (HL60, Jurkat, K562, and U937) through multiple mechanisms; up-regulation of DR4, DR5, Bak, Bax, Bim, Noxa and PUMA, down-regulation of IAPs, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and cFLIP, release of mitochondrial proteins (cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO and Omi/Htr2) to the cytosol, induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p27KIP1, activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The sequential treatment of cells with HDAC inhibitors followed by TRAIL was more effective in inducing apoptosis than the concurrent treatment or single agent alone. The up-regulation of death receptors and inhibition of cFLIP by HDAC inhibitors will increase the ability of TRAIL to induce apoptosis, due to enhance activation of caspase-8, cleavage of Bid, and release of mitochondrial proteins to the cytosol, and subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Thus, the combination of HDAC inhibitors and TRAIL can be used as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of leukemia.     

Augmentation of verotoxin-induced cytotoxicity/apoptosis by interferon is repressed in cells persistently infected with mumps virus.

Verotoxin type 2 (VT2) produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has been shown to have high cytotoxic potency toward several human B lymphoid cell lines with and without Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Cell death, apoptosis induced by VT2, is closely correlated with the expression of receptor molecule Gb3/CD77, recognized by the toxin, but not with the infection or presence of EBV. Pretreatment of cells with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) for 24 h resulted in augmentation of apoptosis by VT2. Pretreatment within 8 h, however, was not effective. It has been reported that IFN-alpha-induced apoptosis is correlated with the induction of the 2',5'-OAS/RNase L system or dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) or both. We have established persistent infection in both Akata and P3HR-1 cells with mumps virus. The persistently infected cell lines, P3HR-MP2 and Akata-MP2, showed poor induction of 2',5'-OAS and PKR in response to IFN-alpha. Augmentation of VT2-induced apoptosis by IFN-alpha was not found in the cell lines P3HR-MP2 and Akata-MP2. Therefore, these findings were interpreted to indicate that augmentation of VT2-induced apoptosis by IFN-alpha may be mediated by PKR and the 2',5'-OAS/RNaseL system. It is also suggested that mumps virus can suppress apoptosis and establish persistent infection.     

Rapid apoptosis induced by Shiga toxin in HeLa cells

Apoptosis was induced rapidly in HeLa cells after exposure to bacterial Shiga toxin (Stx1 and Stx2; 10 ng/ml). Approximately 60% of HeLa cells became apoptotic within 4 h as detected by DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and electron microscopy. Stx1-induced apoptosis required enzymatic activity of the Stx1A subunit, and apoptosis was not induced by the Stx2B subunit alone or by the anti-globotriaosylceramide antibody. This activity was also inhibited by brefeldin A, indicating the need for toxin processing through the Golgi apparatus. The intracellular pathway leading to apoptosis was further defined. Exposure of HeLa cells to Stx1 activated caspases 3, 6, 8, and 9, as measured both by an enzymatic assay with synthetic substrates and by detection of proteolytically activated forms of these caspases by Western immunoblotting. Preincubation of HeLa cells with substrate inhibitors of caspases 3, 6, and 8 protected the cells against Stx1-dependent apoptosis. These results led to a more detailed examination of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by Stx1 was accompanied by damage to mitochondrial membranes, measured as a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria at 3 to 4 h. Bid, an endogenous protein known to permeabilize mitochondrial membranes, was activated in a Stx1-dependent manner. Caspase-8 is known to activate Bid, and a specific inhibitor of caspase-8 prevented the mitochondrial damage. Although these data suggested that caspase-8-mediated cleavage of Bid with release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of caspase-9 were responsible for the apoptosis, preincubation of HeLa cells with a specific inhibitor of caspase-9 did not protect against apoptosis. These results were explained by the discovery of a simultaneous Stx1-dependent increase in endogenous XIAP, a direct inhibitor of caspase-9. We conclude that the primary pathway of Stx1-induced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in HeLa cells is unique and includes caspases 8, 6, and 3 but is independent of events in the mitochondrial pathway.     

Serum activity of prolyl endopeptidase, but not of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, is decreased by immunotherapy with IFN-alpha in high-risk melanoma patients.

Immunotherapy with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) induces neuropsychiatric side effects, most notably depression. In hepatitis patients treated with IFN-alpha, severity of depression correlates with a decrease in serum activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, EC 3.4.14.5), a membrane-bound protease involved in the cleavage of cytokines and neuroactive peptides. Abnormal serum activity of the cytosolic peptidase prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26, postprolyl cleaving enzyme, prolyl oligopeptidase) has been documented in patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders, most consistently in mood disorders. The serum activity of PEP and DPP-IV was measured before and after 4 weeks of high-dose induction treatment with IFN-alpha in 18 patients with high-risk melanoma. In this exploratory study, we show a clear decrease in the serum activity of PEP after 4 weeks of treatment with IFN-alpha. This decrease was not related to changes in hematologic parameters. In contrast, serum activity of DPP-IV did not change. Further studies focusing on a possible role of PEP in the pathophysiology of IFN-alpha-induced depression are warranted.     

Omi/HtrA2 catalytic cleavage of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) irreversibly inactivates IAPs and facilitates caspase activity in apoptosis

Omi/HtrA2 is a mitochondrial serine protease that is released into the cytosol during apoptosis to antagonize inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) and contribute to caspase-independent cell death. Here, we demonstrate that Omi/HtrA2 directly cleaves various IAPs in vitro, and the cleavage efficiency is determined by its IAP-binding motif, AVPS. Cleavage of IAPs such as c-IAP1 substantially reduces its ability to inhibit and ubiquitylate caspases. In contrast to the stoichiometric anti-IAP activity by Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HtrA2 cleavage of c-IAP1 is catalytic and irreversible, thereby more efficiently inactivating IAPs and promoting caspase activity. Elimination of endogenous Omi by RNA interference abolishes c-IAP1 cleavage and desensitizes cells to apoptosis induced by TRAIL. In addition, overexpression of cleavage-site mutant c-IAP1 makes cells more resistant to TRAIL-induced caspase activation. This IAP cleavage by Omi is independent of caspase. Taken together, these results indicate that unlike Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HtrA2's catalytic cleavage of IAPs is a key mechanism for it to irreversibly inactivate IAPs and promote apoptosis.     

Release of Cytochrome c, Bax Migration, Bid Cleavage, and Activation of Caspases 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 during Endothelial Cell Apoptosis

Although the executioner phase of apoptosis has been well defined in many cell types, the subcellular events leading to apoptosis in endothelial cells remain undefined. In the current study, apoptosis was induced in primary human umbilical venous endothelial cells by the photosensitizer verteporfin and light. Release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol was detectable immediately and accumulated over 2 hours after treatment while cytosolic levels of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Bax, decreased reciprocally over the same time period. Cleavage of another proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Bid, was observed by 2 hours after treatment. Although Bid cleavage has been shown to occur as an upstream event responsible for inducing cytochrome c release, we demonstrate that Bid cleavage can also occur after cytochrome c release. Activation of caspases 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 occurred following the release of cytochrome c, and cleavage of downstream substrates was observed. In summary, endothelial cell death involves the cellular redistribution of Bax and cytochrome c, followed by the activation of multiple caspases which manifest the apoptotic phenotype.     

Relocalization of cathepsin D and cytochrome c early in apoptosis revealed by immunoelectron microscopy

Cathepsin D was translocated from lysosomal structures to the cytosol in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes exposed to oxidative stress, and these cells underwent apoptotic death during subsequent incubation. Temporal aspects of cathepsin D relocalization, cytochrome c release, and decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi(m)) were studied in myocytes exposed to the redox-cycling xenobiotic naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). Immunofluorescence labeling revealed that cathepsin D was translocated to the cytosol after 30 minutes of naphthazarin treatment, and cytochrome c was released from mitochondria to the cytosol after 2 hours. Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy indicated a minor release of cytochrome c after only 30 minutes and 1 hour, respectively. Thereafter, a decrease in delta psi(m) was detected using the delta psi(m)sensitive dye JC-1 and confocal microscopy, and ultrastructural analysis indicated apoptotic morphology. Pretreatment of the cultures with the cathepsin D inhibitor pepstatin A prevented release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and maintained the delta psi(m). Moreover, ultrastructural examination showed no apoptotic morphology. These findings suggest that lysosomal destabilization (detected as the release of cathepsin D) and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria take place early in apoptosis. Also, the former event probably occurs before the latter during apoptosis induced by oxidative stress because pretreatment with pepstatin A prevented release of cytochrome c and loss of delta psi(m) in cardiomyocytes exposed to naphthazarin.     

Age-related changes in interferon-alpha/beta receptor expression, binding, and induction of apoptosis in natural killer cells from C57BL/6 mice

Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical first line of defense against viral infections and tumors. We showed previously that basal NK cytotoxicity was comparable in adult (6 month) and aged (24 month) C57BL/6 (B6) mice. However, NK activity was significantly higher in adult compared with aged B6 mice after either in vitro or in vivo stimulation with IFN-alpha/beta. The present study explored whether age-related decreases in inducible NK activity after stimulation with IFN-alpha/beta were due to differences in (1) IFN-alpha/beta receptor expression or IFN-alpha/beta binding to NK cells or (2) apoptosis of NK cells. Flow cytometry revealed that, despite significantly higher IFN-alpha/beta receptor expression (P相似文献   

The roles of endogenous reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in triptolide-induced apoptotic cell death in macrophages

Triptolide, a major active component extracted from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f, has been shown to possess potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present report, we reported that triptolide increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) and induced apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner (5-25 ng/ml). The antioxidant, reduced glutathione (GSH), significantly inhibited triptolide-induced apoptosis and inhibited the degradation of Bcl-2 protein, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase. The inducible nitric oxide synthase-specific inhibitor 1400w blocked triptolide-induced apoptosis, but did not alter mitochondria disruption and caspase-3 activation. These results, for the first time, implicated that the increased endogenous ROS and NO co-mediated triptolide-induced apoptosis in macrophages. ROS initiated triptolide-induced apoptosis by the mitochondria signal pathway, while the apoptotic cell death mediated by NO was not via mitochondria collapse and caspase-3 activation. In addition, combining mathematical calculation and computer simulation based on our conventional experimental results, we set and validated the apoptotic model and provided more dynamic processes of triptolide-induced apoptotic cascade in macrophages.     

Visna/maedi virus-induced apoptosis involves the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway

Summary. Visna/maedi virus (VMV) infection in sheep choroid plexus cells was associated with the appearance of apoptosis and the implication of a caspase-dependent mechanism. Sheep choroid plexus cells were mock-infected or infected with VMV to examine the time course of activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The role of mitochondria and related apoptotic events were evaluated. A drop in mitochondrial potential was observed following mitochondrial membrane permeabilization using JC-1, a fluorescent probe, which shifted its fluorescence emission from green to red. Apoptosis Inducing Factor translocated to the nucleus of infected-cells and this translocation was concomitant with the release of cytochrome c in the cytosol of infected-cells and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization which seemed to be regulated by the p53 pathway. Following phosphorylated p53 induced downregulation of bcl-2. In addition, DNA flow cytometric analyses revealed a sub-G peak characteristic of an apoptotic population that gradually appeared as virus infection progressed. No cell cycle arrest was detected in infected cells while p21 expression increased. It was concluded that VMV apoptosis is mediated in part by the activation of p53 and the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.     

Nitric oxide induces a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential of peripheral blood lymphocytes, especially in natural killer cells

Increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) at an inflammatory site may affect the biological activity of lymphoid cells. To investigate the effects of NO on the immune system, we measured the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) of the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) cultured with a chemical NO donor. PBL from healthy volunteers were cultured with NOC18, a NO-generating compound, at various concentrations. The delta psi m of the PBL was measured by flow-cytometry using 3,3-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)). NOC18 induced a decrease in the delta psi m of the PBL in a dose-dependent fashion, induced an increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and caused these cells to undergo apoptosis. Dual-color staining of the delta psi m and lymphocyte surface markers demonstrated that CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were responsive to NO. Trolox, a vitamin E analog, partially reversed the NO-induced decrease in the delta psi m of the PBL. We showed that the delta psi m of peripheral NK cells were decreased by NO, which suggests that abundant NO at an inflammatory site may impair NK cell function.     

Curcumin induces apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells in a p21-independent manner

Several micronutrients present in fruits and vegetables exhibit anticancer activity as a result of their actions on molecular targets involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Curcumin, a phenolic phytochemical derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, exhibits both cancer-preventative activity and growth inhibitory effects on neoplastic cells. Several studies report that curcumin inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in cancer cells through p21-mediated cell cycle arrest. Cancer cells that are deficient in p21 are also reported to be more prone to undergo apoptosis in response to a variety of cytotoxic agents. In this study, we determined whether curcumin-induced cytotoxicity in cultures of HCT-116 human colon cancer cells was dependent on p21 status. Curcumin killed wild-type HCT-116 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as measured in an MTT cell viability assay. Moreover, an equivalent cytotoxic effect by curcumin was observed in both p21^+/+ and p21^−/−HCT-116 cells, indicating that curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was p21-independent. Primary cultures of human dermal fibroblasts were less sensitive than HCT-116 colon cancer cells to lower doses of curcumin, suggesting a degree of selectivity for neoplastic cells. Western blot analysis showed that cell death in curcumin-treated cultures of p21^+/+ and p21^−/− HCT-116 cells was associated with a reduction in pro-caspase-3 and PARP-1 cleavage, which are indicative of apoptosis. We conclude that curcumin-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cells does not depend on p21 status.     

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) enhances cytotoxicity in healthy volunteers and chronic hepatitis C infection mainly by the perforin pathway.

Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is exerted via perforin and Fas ligand (FasL). We have recently shown that IFN-alpha up-regulates FasL expression in T cells isolated from healthy volunteers and augments activation-induced T cell death. Since the Fas/FasL system is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic failure and both molecules have been shown to be up-regulated in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we studied whether cytotoxicity via the FasL system is enhanced by IFN-alpha and therefore could contribute to hepatic injury. We investigated FasL and perforin expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from HCV+ donors by Northern analysis and soluble FasL synthesis by ELISA. Natural killer (NK) cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) cytotoxicity was studied by 51Cr-release assays. IFN-alpha up-regulates FasL mRNA and protein synthesis in mitogen-activated PBMC of HCV+ individuals, as previously found in healthy subjects. Stimulation with IFN-alpha increases perforin mRNA levels in PBMC. In NK cytotoxicity assays, the enhancement of cytotoxicity by IFN-alpha is mainly due to the perforin pathway, while the FasL pathway plays only a minor role. In CTL cytotoxicity experiments neither the FasL nor the perforin pathway is further enhanced by IFN-alpha. Our data suggest that up-regulation of perforin by IFN-alpha results in elevated cytotoxicity, suggesting that IFN-alpha might support elimination of virally infected cells via this pathway. In contrast, the major effect of IFN-alpha on the Fas/FasL system might be the enhanced elimination of activated T cells as a means of finally limiting a T cell response.     

Effects of intraperitoneal administration of IFN-alpha for one, four, and fourteen days on amino acid levels in various rat brain regions.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy is strongly associated with certain adverse effects, but the pathophysiologic mechanism is unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of peripherally administered IFN- alpha on amino acid levels in the brain. IFN-alpha was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily to rats, and their brains were extracted 24 h after the last injection. The levels of glutamate, glycine, taurine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and arginine in homogenized samples of the frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem were determined. One day of IFN-alpha treatment induced no significant changes in any of these amino acids. After 4 days of injections, glutamate, glycine, taurine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels were significantly higher than those in the control frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus. However, most of these amino acids returned to approximately basal levels, or even lower, with 14-day treatment. Our results suggest that daily peripheral administration of IFN-alpha affects the metabolism of amino acids in the brain. Further studies are necessary to determine if these effects of IFN-alpha on cerebral amino acids are involved in the pathophysiology of IFN-alpha-induced depression.     

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from Artemisia plants, induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells.

Extracts of Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Asteraceae) possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3',4', 6-trimethoxyflavone), one of the pharmacologically active ingredients derived from A. asiatica was shown to induce apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. In the present study, we examined the ability of eupatilin to induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells. Eupatilin induced the apoptosis of AGS cells as revealed by a decrease in the ratio of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, as well as the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP).The pro-apoptotic effects of eupatilin were further verified by its perturbation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim). In addition, eupatilin treatment led to an elevated expression of p53 and p21. Eupatilin inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 and Akt, which are important components of cell-survival pathways.     

Mitochondrial membrane potential change induced by Hoechst 33342 in myelogenous leukemia cell line HL-60

Abstract. Hoechst 33342's effects on apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi) were investigated in a myelogenous leukemia cell line, HL-60. Delta psi was detected with 2 lipophilic cationic fluorochromes: 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide [DiOC6(3)] or 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). Mitochondrial mass was measured with nonyl acridine orange (NAO). Protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) depolarized mitochondria in control experiments. Cell viability was determined by propidium iodide uptake. Hoechst 33342 at 10-20 mg/L decreased fluorescence for DiOC6(3) at 0.5 hr. The fluorescence partially normalized at 3 hr and then progressively decreased at 5-24 hr, resulting in cell shrinkage and death. Mitochondrial mass decreased 40-70% by 1 hr and 70-90% at 24 hr. A lower concentration of Hoechst 33342, 5 mg/L, reduced the delta psi at 0.5 hr, but delta psi returned to control values after 3 hr. Mitochondrial mass decreased 30-40% and then partially normalized, and cell viability was > 92% at 24 hr. Protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone lowered delta psi with little cell death. Thus, at high concentration, Hoechst 33342 induces depolarization of delta psi and subsequent apoptosis. Lack of apoptosis at low concentration of Hoechst 33342, despite depolarization of delta psi, indicates that mitochondrial membrane depolarization alone is insufficient to induce apoptosis.