伞枝犁头霉在体外诱导人血管内皮细胞凋亡

目的 研究伞枝犁头霉对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞活性的影响及其机制.方法 采用锥虫蓝染色法分析不同时间段伞枝犁头霉对人血管内皮细胞存活率的影响.细胞凋亡检测试剂盒在荧光显微镜下分析伞枝犁头霉诱导人血管内皮细胞的凋亡情况.流式细胞仪定量检测伞枝犁头霉诱导人血管内皮细胞在不同时间段的凋亡情况,并观察caspase-3抑制剂对凋亡反应的影响.用Western blot法检测伞枝犁头霉引发人血管内皮细胞caspase-3在不同时间段活化情况.结果 锥虫蓝染色法显示伞枝犁头霉以时间依赖的方式抑制人血管内皮细胞的存活率.伞枝犁头霉在共培养第12小时开始抑制人血管内皮细胞存活率(P=0.001).荧光显微镜显示伞枝犁头霉诱导人血管内皮细胞发生凋亡,而并非坏死.流式细胞仪分析显示伞枝犁头霉以时间依赖的方式诱导人血管内皮细胞发生凋亡反应.凋亡细胞在共培养第12小时显著增高(P=0.0036).Caspase-3抑制剂几乎可以完全逆转伞枝犁头霉诱导的凋亡反应.Western blot法显示伞枝犁头霉引起人血管内皮细胞caspase-3活化随时间逐渐增强.结论 伞枝犁头霉在体外试验中可以诱导人血管内皮细胞发生凋亡.该凋亡信号的传导是通过caspase级联反应.     

PI3K/AKT Mediated p53 Down-Regulation Participates in CpG DNA Inhibition of Spontaneous B Cell Apoptosis

The unmethylated CpG DNA can prevent spontaneous apoptosis of B cells. However, the precise mechanisms by which CpG DNA blocks apoptosis remain unclear. In this study, we showed B cell apoptosis was significantly inhibited by addition of CpG DNA. Treatment of CpG DNA could reduce the expression of caspase 3, increase IAP and Bcl-xL expressions, and inhibit p53 protein expression which level was increased in B cell spontaneous apoptosis at 24 h. AKT kinase activity was increased with the incubation of CpG DNA. The wortmannin and Ly294002 could abrogate the protection of B cell from apoptosis by CpG DNA. The up-regulations of Bcl-xL and IAP by CpG DNA were not inhibited when blocking PI3K by specific inhibitor Ly294002, while the inhibition of p53 by CpG DNA could be blocked by Ly294002. These results demonstrated that the inhibition of spontaneous B cell apoptosis by CpG DNA was correlated to up-regulation of Bcl-xL, IAP and down-regulation of p53 and caspase 3. CpG DNA inhibition of p53 is mediated through PI3K/AKT signaling.     

RGD-FasL induces apoptosis of pituitary adenoma cells

This study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects on pituitary adenoma cell lines GH3/MMQ/AtT20 induced by RGD-FasL and the underlying mechanism. Fas/DcR3 mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR and their surface expressions were measured by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity exerted by RGD-FasL on tumor cells was measured with MTT assay and the induced apoptosis was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The cell cycle and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry with PI staining. The expressions of caspase8/9/3, Bcl-2, RANKL and JNK2 were detected by Western blotting. Approximately 13.7% of GH3 cells, 25.5% of MMQ cells, 22.2% of AtT20 cells express Fas, while 23.9% of GH3 cells, 24.1% of MMQ cells, 4.6% of AtT20 cells express DcR3. The cytotoxic effects of FasL/RGD-FasL on tumor cells were all taken in a dose-dependent manner. Cell lines MMQ/AtT20 showed the same sensitivity to RGD-FasL as to FasL, while cell line GH3 was less sensitive to RGD-FasL. The cell cycle analysis indicated that RGD-FasL could inhibit cells in G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase. In MMQ and AtT20 cells treated with RGD-FasL, the AI was not significantly different from that treated with FasL, while in GH3 cells treated with RGD-FasL, the AI was lower than that treated with FasL. The expressions of caspase-8/9/3, RANKL and JNK2 were increased while that of Bcl-2 was decreased after treatment with RGD-FasL, suggesting that RGD-FasL induces apoptosis through caspase activation. We concluded that RGD-FasL could possibly be considered as a novel therapeutical candidate for the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.     

Overexpression of angiopoietin-1 reduces doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes

Doxorubicin(Dox) is a major anticancer chemotherapeutic agent.However,it causes cardiomyopathy due to the side effect of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.We have previously reported that angiopoietin-1 significantly reduced myocardial infarction after ischemic injury and protected cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.It is hypothesized that angiopoietin-1 may protect cardiomyocytes from Dox-induced apoptosis.Cardiomyocytes H9C2 were transfected with adenovirus expressing angiopoietin-1(Ad5-Ang-1) 24 h before the cells were challenged with Dox at a concentration of 2 μmol/L.Ad5-GFP served as the vector control.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V-FITC staining and caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity was determined by Western blotting.The results showed that Dox treatment significantly induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis as evidenced by the greater number of Annexin V-FITC stained cells and increases in caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity.In contrast,overexpression of angiopoietin-1 significantly prevented Dox-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.To elucidate the mechanisms by which angiopoietin-1 protected cells from Dox-induced apoptosis,we analyzed both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways.We observed that angiopoietin-1 prevented Dox-induced activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways.Specifically,angiopoietin-1 prevented DOX-induced increases in FasL and Bax levels and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8 levels in H9C2 cells.In addition,overexpression of angiopoietin-1 also activated the pro-survival phosphoinositide-3 kinase(PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and decreased Dox-induced nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB) activation.Our data suggest that promoting the expression of angiopoietin-1 could be a potential approach for reducing Dox-induced cardiomyocyte cytoxicity.     

Correlation between expression of DcR3 on tumor cells and sensitivity to FasL

To investigate the correlation between sensitivity to Fas ligand （FasL） and expression level of decoy receptor 3 （DcR3） on tumor cell surface, Fas/DcR3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Anti-DcR3 mAb was used to detect expression level of DcR3 on surface of tumor cells by flow cytometry. Caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, Bcl-2 expressions were analyzed by Western blot, respectively. Sensitivity to apoptosis induced by FasL was determined by Annexin V apoptosis kit. The expressions of DcR3 on the surface of tumor cells from high to low were approximately 35.3% in BGC823 cells, and 21.6% in MCF-7 cells, respectively. The apoptotic rates induced by FasL from low to high were 15.6% in BGC823 cells, and 58.2% in MCF-7 cells, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the expression levels of DcR3 with FasL-inducing apoptosis. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.     

The characteristic of an anti-human DR5 antibody A6

The efficacy of many cancer treatments is due to their ability to induce apoptosis. DR5 can activate apoptosis pathway after binding with its natural ligand, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL/ Apo2L）. Both TRAIL and agonistic anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody are currently being explored for cancer therapy. The mechanisms of cytotoxicity of our previously prepared monoclonal antibody A6 against DR5 were investigated here. A6 could cause viability loss of Jurkat cells in both time- and dose-dependent manner which could be attributed to the activation of apoptosis pathway. Caspases 3, 8 and 9 were activated in Jurkat cells and the caspase specific inhibitors, such as broad caspases inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, caspase 8 specific inhibitor Z-IETDFMK and caspase 9 specific inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK could recover the viability loss caused by A6. The function and molecular mechanism of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis were also investigated and compared with those of A6. Although A6 and TRAIL recognize a different epitope, they could induce a similar reaction in Jurkat cells.     

Increased serum IL-10 in lupus patients promotes apoptosis of T cell subsets via the caspase 8 pathway initiated by Fas signaling

We sought to investigate the expression of Fas and FasL on T cell surface and caspase 8 involvement in T cell apoptosis promoted by serum IL-10 in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients.Cells and sera were obtained from 35 SLE patients.Apoptosis of T cells in patients with SLE was increased and associated with the SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI).Elevated expression of Fas and FasL on T cell surface contributed to increased apoptosis of T cells.Increased IL-10 in the sera of SLE patients was capable of inducing Fas and FasL expression on CD4~+T cell surface,promoting apoptosis of this cell subset.Decreased IL-10 serum levels and low expression of Fas were found in 5 patients of the first follow-up group after 2-month treatment.In another group with one-year treatment,the SLEDAI declined to inactive scores.Serum IL-10 was decreased significantly,and expression of Fas and FasL on T cells was also reduced.Declined apoptosis was predominant only in CD4~+T cell subset.When sera with high level of IL-10 were used to culture PBMCs from healthy controls,activated caspase 8 was elevated in CD3~+T,CD4~+T and CD8~+T cells.The study showed that serum IL-10 induced apoptosis of T cell subsets via the caspase8 pathway initiated by Fas signaling.Increased apoptosis of T cells contributes to autoantigen burden,which is pathogenic in the development of SLE.     

Cyt-C 依赖的线粒体途径在T42诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡中的作用

目的 检测重组肿瘤抑素42肽(T42)诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡及与线粒体凋亡途径的关系,探讨T42诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的可能机制.方法 吖啶橙/溴化乙锭(AO/EB)荧光染色观察细胞凋亡的形态学变化;流式细胞仪检测凋亡率;JC-1荧光染色检测线粒体膜电位的变化;Western印迹检测细胞色素C(Cyt-C)的分布.结果 18 μmol/LT42作用下,HepG2细胞出现明显凋亡形态学变化,凋亡率为22.4%,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(t=7.75,P＜0.05);T42降低了HepG2细胞线粒体膜电势,明显减少了线粒体Cyt-C.结论 T42通过降低线粒体膜电势,促进Cyt-C由线粒体膜释放到胞浆中,激活 caspase-3途径诱导人肝癌细胞系HepG2细胞凋亡.

Abstract：

Objective The aim of the present article is to detect the apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells HepG2 induced by recombinant tumor endostatin 42 peptide (T42) ,with an emphasis on the signaling pathways involved. Methods Observed the morphological changes associated with the apoptosis of HepG2 cells by using AO/EB. Apoptosis rate were dentified by using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by using JC-1 fluorescent staining. The distribution of cytochrome C(Cytc ) was estimated by using western blot. Results Compared with the control group, there was significant difference in apoptosis rate of cells HepG2 under 18μmol /L of T42. (22.4% vs 3.70% ,t =7.75, P＜0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased by T42, and cytochrome c was reduced significantly compared with the control group. Conclusions The result demonstrated that the T42 enhanced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism was related to the decreased of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in Cytochrome C released into the cytosol, and reduced activation of Caspase-3 channels.     

Osthole inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Recent studies have revealed that osthole,an active constituent isolated from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri(L.) Cusson,a traditional Chinese medicine,possesses anticancer activity.However,its effect on breast cancer cells so far has not been elucidated clearly.In the present study,we evaluated the effects of osthole on the proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 435.We demonstrated that osthole is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of MDA-MB 435 cells,The mitochondrion-mediated apoptotic pathway was involved in apoptosis induced by osthole,as indicated by activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 followed by PARP degradation.The mechanism underlying its effect on the induction of G1 phase arrest was due to the up-regulation of p53 and p21 and down-regulation of Cdk2 and cyclin D1 expression.Were observed taken together,these findings suggest that the anticancer efficacy of osthole is mediated via induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and osthole may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent against human breast cancer.     

TNF-α Induces Transient Resistance to Fas-Induced Apoptosis in Eosinophilic Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） has been recognized as an activator of nuclear factor kB （NF-kB）, a factor implicated in the protection of many cell types from apoptosis. We and others have presented evidence to suggest that Fas-induced apoptosis may be an important aspect of the resolution of inflammation, and that delayed resolution of inflammation may be directly associated with NF-kB-dependent resistance to Fas. Because TNF-α activates NF-kB in many cell types including inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, we examined effects of TNF-α signaling on the Fas-mediated killing of an eosinophilic cell line AML14. While agonist anti-Fas （CHII） treatment induced apoptosis in AML14 cells, no significant cell death occurred in response to TNF-α alone. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA） revealed that TNF-α induced NF-kB transactivation in AMLI4 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and subsequent supershift assays indicated that the translocated NF-kB was the heterodimer p65 （RelA）/p50. Pre-treatment of cells with TNF-α dramatically decreased the CHll-induced cell death in a transient fashion, accompanied by suppression of activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of NF-kB transactivation by inhibitors, BAY 11-7085 and parthenolide, reversed the suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis by TNF-α. Furthermore, TNF-α up-regulated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein （XIAP） transiently and XIAP levels were correlated with the temporal pattern of TNF-α protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis. This finding suggested that TNF-α may contribute to the prolonged survival of inflammatory cells by suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis, the process involved with NF-kB transactivation, anti-apoptotic XIAP up-regulation and caspase suppression. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology. 2007;4（1）：43-52.     

Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway

Boswellic acids are the compounds isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and have been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases for many years in the countries of the east. Recently, a few studies showed that the acids may have anti-cancer effect on leukemia and brain tumours. We investigated the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of two types of boswellic acids, keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid, on liver cancer Hep G2 cells. After treating the cells with the boswellic acids, cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and apoptosis were analysed. The activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were assayed. To explore the apoptotic pathway, specific caspase inhibitors were employed. It was found that boswellic acids decreased cell viability and [3H]thymidine incorporation, checked the cells in the G1 phase, and increased percentage of sub-G1. Boswellic acids strongly induced apoptosis accompanied by activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. The apoptosis was blocked completely by caspase-8 or caspase-3 inhibitor, but inhibited partly by caspase-9 inhibitor. However, these caspase inhibitors did not show any effect on the alternations of cell viability caused by boswellic acids. In conclusion, boswellic acids have anti-proliferation and anti-cancer effects on Hep G2 cells. The apoptotic effect is mediated by a pathway dependent on caspase-8 activation. The acids may be a promising drug for the chemoprevention of liver cancer.     

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.     

同型半胱氨酸诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡caspase 3的活化

目的：本研究拟探讨Hcy致内皮细胞凋亡的信号途径。 方法： 以Hcy诱导培养人脐静脉内皮细胞24 h后，通过检测细胞膜磷脂双分子层的改变，DNA ladder的形成确证细胞凋亡，并检测caspase3 及其抑制蛋白c-IAP1/2 mRNA 及蛋白质水平，以及caspase3的活化情况。 结果： Hcy(0.3 mmol/L)即可引起内皮细胞凋亡, 随Hcy浓度升高caspase3酶原含量增加，活化增强；c-IAP2 mRNA 及蛋白质表达降低。 结论： Hcy(0.3-3 mmol/L)可增加细胞内caspase3酶原表达，通过活化caspase3信号途径诱导HUVEC凋亡。在细胞凋亡过程中，凋亡抑制蛋白c-IAP-2表达水平下降。     

Evidence for a Novel, Caspase-8-Independent, Fas Death Domain-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway

Certain caspase-8 null cell lines demonstrate resistance toFas-induced apoptosis, indicating that the Fas/FasL apoptoticpathway may be caspase-8-dependent. Some reports, however, haveshown that Fas induces cell death independent of caspase-8. Herewe provide evidence for an alternative, caspase-8-independent,Fas death domain-mediated apoptotic pathway. Murine 12B1-D1 cellsexpress procaspase-3, -8, and -9, which were activated upon thedimerization of Fas death domain. Bid was cleaved andmitochondrial transmembrane potential was disrupted in thisapoptotic process. All apoptotic events were completely blockedby the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, but not byother peptide caspase inhibitors. Cyclosporin A (CsA), whichinhibits mitochondrial transition pore permeability, blockedneither pore permeability disruption nor caspase activation.However, CsA plus caspase-8 inhibitor blocked all apoptoticevents of 12B1-D1 induced by Fas death domain dimerization. Ourdata therefore suggest that there is a novel,caspase-8-independent, Z-VAD-FMK-inhibitable, apoptotic pathway in12B1-D1 cells that targets mitochondria directly.     

Changes in nuclear morphology during apoptosis correlate with vimentin cleavage by different caspases located either upstream or downstream of Bcl-2 action

BACKGROUND: Upon Fas stimulation, procaspase-8 is recruited to the death-inducing signalling complex where autoactivation of caspase-8 occurs. Active caspase-8 can directly activate downstream caspases (e.g. caspase-3, 6, and 7) for the execution of apoptosis (mitochondria-independent pathway), while caspase-8 can also lead to executioner caspase activation through mitochondrial damage (mitochondria-dependent pathway). Caspase activation results in the dismantling of intracellular structure through specific proteolysis. RESULTS: We have found that an intermediate filament protein, vimentin, is cleaved at multiple sites by caspases at an early stage of apoptosis in Jurkat cells. The sequences of the two major cleavage sites in vimentin (IDVD/V and DSVD/F) suggested that these sites are cleaved by caspase-8 and caspase-3, respectively, or by close homologues of these proteases. The IDVD/V site can be cleaved by caspase-8 in vitro, and its cleavage is less sensitive to DEVD-CHO and Bcl-2 over-expression than that of the DSVD/F site in Jurkat cells. Over-expression of a mutant vimentin which was insensitive to caspase cleavage at these sites delayed the appearance of apoptotic nuclei in Jurkat cells. CONCLUSION: The specific cleavage of vimentin can be used as an apoptotic marker of both apical- and mitochondria-dependent caspase activation. Apoptotic cleavage of vimentin most likely results in disruption of its filamentous structure, which may facilitate nuclear condensation and subsequent fragmentation through disruption of the cytoskeletal network.     

3β，5α，6β-三羟基胆甾烷诱导恶性胶质瘤细胞的凋亡

 目的：研究3β,5α,6β-三羟基胆甾烷(Triol)诱导恶性胶质瘤细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法：以不同浓度的Triol作用于C6细胞和A172细胞不同时间。采用MTT法检测细胞存活率,Hoechst 33342染色和TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,试剂盒检测caspase活性变化,蛋白免疫印记方法检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2家族蛋白的变化。结果：Triol可呈剂量和时间依赖性降低C6细胞和A172细胞的存活率;Triol处理细胞48 h,C6细胞和A172细胞的IC50值分别为（17.8±0.6)μmol/L和(20.6±0.2)μmol/L。Hoechst 33342染色、TUNEL检测和凋亡执行酶caspase-3活性检测结果显示,给药组中2种细胞都出现明显凋亡核象、TUNEL阳性细胞数增多和caspase-3的激活。Triol作用于C6细胞12 h、24 h和48 h后,在凋亡外通路中激活的caspase-8和在凋亡内通路中激活的caspase-9活性均随时间升高,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Bcl-xL的表达量随时间降低,而促凋亡蛋白Bak的表达量随时间升高。结论：Triol通过激活内、外凋亡通路引起恶性胶质瘤细胞的凋亡,且 Bcl-2家族蛋白在此过程中起重要的调控作用。     

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.     

Involvement of caspase-8, -9, and -3 in high glucose-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Hyperglycemia, which occurs under the diabetic condition, is widely recognized as the causal link between diabetes and its serious complications. Diabetic neuropathies, which are among the most frequent complications of diabetes, affect sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves. The exact molecular mechanisms of high glucose-induced toxicity on neuronal cells, is still unclear. We previously reported that high glucose can induce apoptosis in PC12 cells, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and high Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The present study examined the involvement of caspase-3, the executioner, and two initiators of apoptosis, caspase-8 and caspase-9, during high glucose-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, a neuronal cell line. Cells were exposed to high glucose with or without z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Caspase activity was determined spectrophotometrically using enzyme specific substrates. To correlate and confirm the caspase activity with changes in protein expression, procaspase-8, -9, and -3 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The DNA-fragmentation was determined by DNA ladder using gel electrophoresis. The PC12 cell viability on high glucose exposure was decreased compared to controls, which was reversed by z-VAD-fmk. The activities of caspase-8, -9, and -3 were significantly increased in treated cells compared to controls. Moreover, high glucose exposure induced a significant decrease in protein levels of procaspases, indicating conversion of pro-form into the mature caspases. Finally, DNA fragmentation (Ladder) was shown in treated cells by high glucose. Based on the current data, it could be concluded that high glucose-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells is mediated, in part, by activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 dependent pathways.     

Rabies virus-induced apoptosis involves caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways

Previously, it has been shown that the laboratory attenuated rabies virus CVS-B2C, but not the wild-type virus SHBRV, induces apoptosis in mice and the induction of apoptosis is mediated by viral glycoprotein. Induction of apoptosis by CVS-B2C limits the spread of the virus in the CNS. In the present study, we characterized the pathways by which CVS-B2C induces apoptosis. BSR cells were infected with CVS-B2C or SHBRV and harvested at different time points for detection of apoptosis by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Apoptosis was detected only in cells infected with CVS-B2C, but not SHBRV. Caspase activity and expression of several apoptotic proteins were analyzed by fluorometric assay and Western blotting. Activation of caspase-8 and -3, but not of caspase-9, was observed in CVS-B2C-infected cells. In addition, the level of expression of Apaf-1 did not change. Furthermore, PARP was cleaved confirming activation of downstream caspases. All these data suggest that CVS-B2C infection activates the extrinsic, but not the intrinsic, apoptotic pathway. In addition, AIF, a caspase-independent apoptotic protein was up-regulated and translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus post-infection, suggesting that apoptosis induced by CVS-B2C also involves the activation of a caspase-independent pathway.