自噬通过抑制C/EBP同源蛋白表达减轻氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导的巨噬细胞凋亡

目的:研究自噬对氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)所致巨噬细胞凋亡的影响,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3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-methyladenine,3-MA;3 mmol/L)、雷帕霉素(rapamycin,Rap;1μmol/L)或4-苯丁酸(4-phenylbutyric acid,PBA;4 mmol/L)预处理1 h,再加入ox-LDL(100 mg/L)继续培养12 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;相应试剂盒测定培养液乳酸脱氢酶(lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)和细胞内caspase-3活性;采用Western blot法检测自噬标志分子beclin-1和内质网应激标志分子葡萄糖调节蛋白78(glucose-regulated protein 78,GRP78)及促凋亡蛋白C/EBP同源蛋白(C/EBP homologous protein,CHOP)表达的变化;采用激光共聚焦显微镜观测细胞内微管相关蛋白1轻链3(microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3,LC3)的变化。结果:ox-LDL处理可显著降低巨噬细胞活力,并增加LDH漏出、凋亡率及caspase-3活性;ox-LDL对细胞的上述损伤作用可被自噬抑制剂3-MA促进而被自噬诱导剂雷帕霉素拮抗。ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞自噬反应,表现为beclin-1表达上调,LC3颗粒化显著;ox-LDL对自噬的诱导作用可被3-MA抑制而被Rap增强。另外,3-MA可促进ox-LDL所诱导的CHOP进一步上调,而Rap可明显拮抗ox-LDL对CHOP的诱导作用。PBA可显著抑制ox-LDL所诱导的GRP78上调,且明显减轻ox-LDL所诱导的自噬反应,表现为beclin-1表达下调,LC3颗粒化程度减弱。结论:内质网应激介导ox-LDL对巨噬细胞自噬的诱导作用,而一定程度的自噬可通过抑制CHOP表达从而减轻ox-LDL所诱导的巨噬细胞凋亡。

Autophagy protects macrophages from oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced apoptosis by inhibiting C/EBP homologous protein expression

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of autophagy on oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophage apoptosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The RAW264.7 macrophages were pretreated with 3 mmol/L 3-methyladenine (3-MA), 1 μmol/L rapamycin (Rap) or 4 mmol/L 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) respectively for 1 h and then treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) for 12 h. The cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the medium and caspase-3 in the cells were determined by detection kits. The protein levels of beclin-1 (a molecular marker of autophagy), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum stress marker) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP, a key-signaling component of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis) were examined by Western blot. Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3, another molecular marker of autophagy) was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope.RESULTS: Treatment of the RAW264.7 macrophages with ox-LDL at 100 mg/L for 12 h resulted in significant decrease in cell viability, and dramatic elevation in LDH leakage, cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, which were promoted by 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor) and inhibited by Rap (an autophagy inducer). ox-LDL induced autophagy in the macrophages as assessed by beclin-1 upregulation and frequent granulation of LC3, which were inhibited by 3-MA and promoted by Rap. Interestingly, 3-MA enhanced, while Rap blocked, the CHOP upregulation induced by ox-LDL. Moreover, PBA (endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor) significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced GRP78 upregulation and autophagy as determined by the attenuation of beclin-1 upregulation and frequent granulation of LC3. CONCLUSION: Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates ox-LDL-induced autophagy in macrophages, and moderates activation of autophagy may protect macrophages from ox-LDL-induced apoptosis by inhibiting CHOP expression.