Glucocorticoid-dependent Tubulointerstitial Nephritis with IgM-positive Plasma Cells Presenting with Intracellular Crystalline Inclusions within the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) with IgM-positive plasma cells (IgMPC-TIN) is an autoimmune kidney disease characterized by IgM/CD138-double-positive plasma cell infiltration in the tubulointerstitium. A 50-year-old man developed IgMPC-TIN and presented with crystalline inclusions in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Intracellular crystal formation is a rare finding in paraprotein-related kidney diseases, but this case showed no pathogenic monoclonal immunoglobulin. Prednisolone (PSL, 30 mg) improved the TIN, but PSL tapering resulted in the recurrence of TIN. Combination therapy with 15 mg PSL and 150 mg mizoribine ultimately stabilized TIN. This case offers original evidence concerning the pathophysiology and treatment strategy of IgMPC-TIN.     

Differential Expression and Significance of Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment 1 in Precancerous Gastric Lesions and Gastric Cancer

Background

We investigated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate compartment 1 (ERGIC1) in precancerous gastric lesions and gastric cancer and the function of ERGIC in human gastric cancer cell lines.

雌激素抑制内质网应激引起的血管内皮细胞凋亡及机制

目的通过建立人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)内质网应激(ERS)的细胞模型,研究雌激素抑制内质网应激引起的凋亡的信号传导机制,以探讨雌激素对心血管的保护机制。方法分别用10μmol/L的衣霉素(TM)或2 mmol/L的二硫苏糖醇(DTT)诱导HUVEC,建立内质网应激细胞模型,提前给予10-8mol/L的17-β雌二醇(E2)预处理1 h,用Western blot检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)判断模型是否建立成功,并探索E2对内质网应激的作用。检测内质网应激的三条主要信号通路蛋白的变化,上调最显著的为内质网应激最主要的信号通路。Western blot检测内质网应激凋亡蛋白C/EBP-同源蛋白(CHOP),Hochest染色检测细胞凋亡率,探索E2对内质网应激凋亡的作用。添加E2受体拮抗剂ICI182780(ERα、ERβ拮抗剂及GPER激动剂)和G15(GPER拮抗剂)后检测内质网应激最主要通路蛋白表达量的变化,探索雌激素受体在其抑制内质网应激中的作用。添加E2受体后信号通路阻断剂,检测雌激素抑制内质网应激的过程中活化其受体后激活的最主要受体后信号通路。结果 TM/DTT组GRP78的表达量显著上调,内质网应激三条信号通路中蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶(PERK)信号通路上调最明显,而TM/DTT+E2组上调显著回复。TM/DTT组CHOP的表达量显著上调且细胞凋亡率显著增加,而TM/DTT+E2组上调明显回复,凋亡细胞减少。E2有显著抑制p-PERK/PERK上调的作用,而E2的保护作用可分别被ICI182780和G15阻断,同时添加ICI182780和G15时阻断作用最显著。分别添加信号通路阻断剂后,E2抑制pPERK/PERK上调的作用均减弱,其中以磷脂酰肌醇-3羟基激酶(PI3K)通路阻断剂的作用最显著。结论 E2可抑制TM/DTT诱导的HUVEC内质网应激。p-PERK/PERK通路可能为TM/DTT诱导的HUVEC内质网应激最主要的信号通路。E2可抑制过度内质网应激引起的细胞凋亡。E2受体在E2抑制内质网应激凋亡的作用中起重要作用。E2受体激活包括PI3K-蛋白激酶B(PKB/Akt)、细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)、c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)和p38-丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38-MAPK)在内的信号通路快速起到抑制内质网应激的作用,其中PI3K-Akt通路可能为最主要的通路。雌激素通过抑制PERK信号通路引起的内质网应激凋亡,保护血管内皮细胞,其抑制内质网应激的机制主要为活化的雌激素受体激活PI3K/Akt通路。     

Properties of Cerebral Polyribosomes and Membranes of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum after Ethanol Dependence in Rats

Effects of physical dependence upon ethanol on the polyribosomal properties and the reconstitution of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of the brain has been examined. The purified free polyribosomes (polysomes), membrane-bound polysomes, and a fraction of RER membrane that has been stripped of polysomes were isolated from rat brain. RNA yields, amino acid incorporation activities, and electron micrographs established the purity of stripped membranes, but no differences were detected following the ethanol treatment. For the polyribosomal fractions, the stability of the mRNA/ribosomal complex was decreased after ethanol dependence as was the in vitro translation of endogenous mRNA. In the reconstitution reaction, the incubation of membranes from ethanol-treated animals with either source of purified bound polysomes resulted in higher yields of protein than when control membranes were used. The above results suggest that ethanol dependence affects the properties of both the RNA and membrane components of the RER of brain.     

吡格列酮通过内质网应激致凋亡途径对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞钙化的影响

目的　探讨吡格列酮通过内质网应激致凋亡途径对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞钙化的影响及机制。方法　利用β-甘油磷酸钠联合丙酮酸钠制备钙化血管平滑肌细胞模型,予不同浓度（10、50、100　μmol/L）吡格咧酮干预。用Von　Kossa　染色、茜素红S染色测定钙含量以及碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性观察细胞钙化程度。采用流式细胞术及Tunel法检测细胞凋亡率,实时荧光定量PCR及Western　Blot检测各组细胞GRP78、Caspase-12和Runx2的mRNA及蛋白表达。结果　钙化组其钙含量、ALP活性较对照组细胞增多（P<0.05）,而不同浓度吡格列酮呈剂量依赖性地减轻钙化大鼠血管平滑肌细胞的钙含量和ALP活性（P<0.05）;钙化组其细胞凋亡率较对照组明显升高,而不同浓度吡格列酮呈剂量依赖性地减轻钙化大鼠血管平滑肌细胞凋亡率（P<0.05）;钙化组GRP78、Caspase-12和Runx2　的mRNA及蛋白表达明显升高,而不同浓度吡格列酮呈剂量依赖性地下调钙化大鼠血管平滑肌细胞GRP78、Caspase-12和Runx2的mRNA及蛋白表达（P<0.05）。结论　吡咯列酮通过内质网应激致凋亡途径作用可减轻β-磷酸甘油诱导的血管平滑肌细胞钙化,其作用可能与GRP78、Caspase-12及Runx2表达下调有关。     

Induction of Apoptosis by Octreotide in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Parvovirus H-1 has been a promising vector in human gene therapy of tumor. With a vector, pSHll8, a mutation was performed down the site of p38 promoter to change ATG codon into ACG, which leaves the NS 1 protein intact and ensures correct expression of the downstream report genes, such as enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and wt p53 cDNA, in newly constructed H1 based vectors (pH1EG and pHI/p53). The vector, pH1EG,     

The role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 1(ERAP1) in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine resulting in significant deterioration in quality of life of patients as well as accounts for significant socio-economic burden. The etiology of AS is unresolved but appears to involve both environmental and genetic factors. HLA-B27 is the strongest associated gene in AS. Recent Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have implicated several other genes associated with AS thus affirming the complex, oligogenic nature of the disease. Interestingly the Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) gene has the second strongest association with AS but this association is true only in HLA-B27 positive individuals. As a result there exists a strong possibility that the functional interaction of HLA-B27 and ERAP1 is pathogenic in AS. In this review we preview the biology of HLA-B27 and ERAP1 followed by a discussion of the three main hypotheses of HLA-B27 and ERAP1 interaction in the pathogenesis of AS, namely: the arthritogenic peptide, cell surface homodimer and the unfolded protein response theories of AS pathogenesis. Additionally this review seeks to provide an update on recent advances in the exciting quest to establish the role of HLA-B27 and ERAP1 in the pathogenesis of AS.     

COX-2 Is Essential for EGF Induction of Cell Proliferation in Gastric RGM1 Cells

Growth factors upregulate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, yet little is known regarding the interaction between COX-2 and ERK in terms of mitogenic signal transduction pathways in gastric epithelial cells. Therefore, we examined the role of COX-2 in EGF-induced proliferation of gastric epithelial RGM1 cells. EGF treatment significantly induced ERK activity (peaked at 30 min) and significantly increased COX-2 protein (peaked at 6 hr), production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cell proliferation. MEK inhibitor (PD98059) decreased ERK activity and cell proliferation induced by EGF. The selective COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) significantly reduced EGF-induced cell proliferation. Exogenous PGE2 partly reversed the NS-398-induced inhibitory action on cell proliferation, clearly indicating the importance of PGE2 in mitogenic pathway. The induction of COX-2 protein by EGF was completely blocked by preincubation with MEK inhibitor. These results suggest that the ERK-COX-2 pathway is critical for EGF-induced proliferation of gastric epithelial cells.     

内质网应激蛋白CHOP-10在缺血缺氧诱导人主动脉内皮细胞损伤中的作用

目的探讨人主动脉内皮细胞(HAEC)在缺血缺氧刺激下内质网应激(ERS)标志蛋白C/EBP同源蛋白10(CHOP-10)的表达变化及意义,并观察阿托伐他汀对上述过程的影响。方法将传代培养的HAEC分为正常对照组、缺血缺氧组、缺血缺氧+CHOP-10基因沉默组以及缺血缺氧+阿托伐他汀组(0.l mol/L、1.0 mol/L、10.0mol/L),缺血缺氧+CHOP-10基因沉默组采用CHOP-10 shRNA下调CHOP-10的基因表达;24 h后采用RT-PCR法检测细胞中CHOP-10的基因表达,Western blot法检测CHOP-10、Caspase-3和Caspase-8的蛋白水平;采用ELISA法检测细胞培养液中白细胞介素6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的浓度;采用CCK8法测定细胞增殖活力。结果与正常对照组相比,HAEC在缺血缺氧损伤时CHOP-10表达明显升高(P0.01),细胞分泌炎性因子IL-6及TNF-α增加(P0.01),凋亡蛋白Caspase-3和Caspase-8表达增加(P0.01),细胞增殖活力明显下降(P0.01)。阿托伐他汀能呈浓度依赖性地抑制HAEC CHOP-10表达,而缺血缺氧+CHOP-10基因沉默组或缺血缺氧+阿托伐他汀组,炎性介质IL-6、TNF-α的分泌也相应减少,细胞凋亡下降,增殖活力明显增加(P0.01)。结论缺血缺氧损伤可引起血管内皮细胞发生ERS及炎症反应,导致细胞增殖活力下降,凋亡增加,CHOP-10基因沉默或应用阿托伐他汀干预可减轻缺血缺氧时ERS及炎症反应而对血管内皮细胞产生保护作用。     

Disruption of the Golgi Apparatus and Contribution of the Endoplasmic Reticulum to the SARS-CoV-2 Replication Complex

A variety of immunolabeling procedures for both light and electron microscopy were used to examine the cellular origins of the host membranes supporting the SARS-CoV-2 replication complex. The endoplasmic reticulum has long been implicated as a source of membrane for the coronavirus replication organelle. Using dsRNA as a marker for sites of viral RNA synthesis, we provide additional evidence supporting ER as a prominent source of membrane. In addition, we observed a rapid fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus which is visible by 6 h and complete by 12 h post-infection. Golgi derived lipid appears to be incorporated into the replication organelle although protein markers are dispersed throughout the infected cell. The mechanism of Golgi disruption is undefined, but chemical disruption of the Golgi apparatus by brefeldin A is inhibitory to viral replication. A search for an individual SARS-CoV-2 protein responsible for this activity identified at least five viral proteins, M, S, E, Orf6, and nsp3, that induced Golgi fragmentation when expressed in eukaryotic cells. Each of these proteins, as well as nsp4, also caused visible changes to ER structure as shown by correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). Collectively, these results imply that specific disruption of the Golgi apparatus is a critical component of coronavirus replication.     

脂联素依赖p38-MAPK途径抑制衣霉素诱导的内质网应激致心肌细胞凋亡

目的通过原代培养SD大鼠的乳鼠心肌细胞建立衣霉素心肌细胞内质网应激损伤模型,观察脂联素对心肌细胞内质网应激致细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法采用酶消化法原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞,倒置相差显微镜下观察细胞生长,通过α-肌动蛋白免疫荧光法对培养的心肌细胞进行鉴定。选用原代培养3～4天的心肌细胞,随机分为五组:对照组、1 mg/L衣霉素组、1 mg/L衣霉素+100 mg/L脂联素组、1 mg/L衣霉素+3μmol/LSB203580组及1 mg/L衣霉素+3μmol/L SB203580+100 mg/L脂联素组。实验终止后,在倒置相差显微镜下观察心肌细胞形态变化,通过流式细胞术检测心肌细胞凋亡,用qRT-PCR及免疫荧光法检测内质网应激指标GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,给予衣霉素后,细胞凋亡率显著增加,GRP78和CHOP的mR-NA及蛋白表达增加。脂联素预处理后给予衣霉素,可较大程度地逆转上述指标变化,细胞凋亡率显著下降,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达减少;而加用p38-MAPK抑制剂SB203580后脂联素的保护作用明显减弱,凋亡率显著增加,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达增高,但较单纯衣霉素处理组凋亡率低,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达也减少。结论衣霉素可使GRP78和CHOP表达增强,启动内质网应激,导致心肌细胞凋亡,脂联素可以通过减轻内质网应激逆转衣霉素所致的心肌细胞凋亡作用,对心肌细胞有保护作用,且这种保护作用部分是通过p38-MAPK途径实现的。     

Acute Effect of Ethanol on Membranes of the Endoplasmic Reticulum and on Protein Synthesis in Rat Liver

The acute effect of ethanol on the membranes of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum, on the in vitro protein-synthetic activities of hepatic free and membrane-bound polyribosomes and on the plasma proteins of rats fasted overnight was investigated. Ethanol (0.75 g/100 g body weight) was tube-fed as a 50% (v/v) solution in saline 3 hr before sacrifice. Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum membranes from control and ethanol-treated rats were compared using the following techniques: (1) lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of proteins and sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and (2) measurement of ¹⁴C-choline incorporation into membranes. Hepatic microsomal membranes from ethanol-treated rats incorporated in vitro less ^12BI into total proteins (as well as into the 55,000 molecular weight proteins) and incorporated in vivo less ¹⁴C-choline into microsomal membranes than membranes of control rats. Ethanol administration inhibited in vivo incorporation of "C-leucine or ¹⁴C-phenylalanine into liver protein and plasma albumin and globulin. The data also indicate that an acute dose of ethanol reduced the in vitro protein-synthetic activity of hepatic membrane-bound polyribosomes, while free polyribosomes were relatively unaffected.     

Reduced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Might Alter the Course of Heart Failure Via Caspase-12 and JNK Pathways

Background

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in mediating ischemic heart cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether manipulation of a key factor of the ER stress pathway, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit α (eIF2α), can change the natural history of heart failure (HF).

Methods

HF was induced using coronary artery ligation in adult rats and a selective eIF2α dephosphorylation inhibitor, salubrinal (Sal), was used. Thirty minutes after ligation, rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: myocardial infarction (MI) plus placebo injections (dimethyl sulfoxide; n = 12), MI plus Sal injection (Sal; n = 12), and MI (HF; n = 12). Hemodynamic parameters were examined. Hearts were harvested for apoptosis assessment after 8 weeks of Sal treatment by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling and flow cytometric analysis. Hearts were harvested to determine ER chaperones by Western analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

Cardiac function was significantly improved in Sal-treated rats. Apoptosis was reduced by Sal treatment. Glucose-regulated protein-78 and -94 were increased in HF but normalized by Sal treatment. HF caused a significant increase in eIF2α phosphorylation, which was further increased by Sal treatment, and caspase-12 and phospho-c-JUN NH₂-terminal kinase were markedly increased in rats with HF alone but significantly reduced by Sal treatment.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that reduction of ER stress and myocardial apoptosis through inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation might alter the natural history of HF, which might provide a new approach for its treatment.