Lysosomal release of cathepsins causes ischemic damage in the rat hippocampal slice and depends on NMDA-mediated calcium influx, arachidonic acid metabolism, and free radical production

Amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages

Specifically designed and functionalized nanoparticles hold great promise for biomedical applications. Yet, the applicability of nanoparticles is critically predetermined by their surface functionalization. Here we demonstrate that amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH(2)) of ∼100 nm in diameter, but not carboxyl- or nonfunctionalized particles, trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of proinflammatory interleukin 1β (IL-1β) by human macrophages. PS-NH(2) induced time-dependent proton accumulation in lysosomes associated with lysosomal destabilization, release of cathepsin B, and damage of the mitochondrial membrane. Accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species was accompanied by oxidation of thioredoxin, a protein playing a central role in maintaining the cellular redox balance. Upon oxidation, thioredoxin dissociated from the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Liberated TXNIP, in turn, interacted with the NLRP3 protein, resulting in a conformational change of the pyrin domain of the NLRP3 protein, as was predicted by molecular modeling. Consequently, this prompted assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex with recruitment and activation of caspase-1, inducing IL-1β release by cleavage of pro-IL-1β. The central role of the NLRP3 inflammasome for cytokine production was confirmed by in vitro knockdown of NLRP3 and of the adaptor protein ASC, confirming that other inflammasomes were not activated by PS-NH(2). The PS-NH(2)-mediated proinflammatory macrophage activation could be antagonized by the radical scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which prevented mitochondrial damage, caspase-1 activation, and the subsequent release of IL-1β. Our study reveals the molecular mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by amino-functionalized nanoparticles and suggests a strategy as to how such adverse effects could be antagonized.

Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) differentially modulate cathepsin B/L mediated generation of neuroprotective perlecan LG3 by neurons

Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) is highly degraded after cerebral ischemia. The perlecan c-terminal fragment LG3 is generated at increased levels by proteolytic processing as long as 3 days after ischemia. It has previously been shown that oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), reperfusion and interleukin-1 α (IL-1α) stimulate brain cells to yield increased levels of LG3. This LG3, in turn, is neuroprotective against OGD, and may therefore represent one of the brain's defenses against ischemic injury. Here, we investigate whether, in neurons, this increased LG3 is the result of increased perlecan generation and cellular release, increased protease release (to generate LG3 from previous extracellularly deposited perlecan) or both. We found that pre-synthesized perlecan may be exocytosed by neurons during OGD and de novo synthesis of perlecan is increased during reperfusion, even 24 h after OGD. Furthermore, while cathepsin L activity was seen to be marginally important to generate LG3 during normoxic conditions, cathepsin B activity was found to be important to generate increased levels of LG3 following OGD and reperfusion. On the other hand, IL-1α treatment raised levels of cathepsin L in neuronal media, and both cathepsin L and cathepsin B were demonstrated to be important for increasing LG3 levels after IL-1α treatment.

Cysteine proteases in differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neural cells

Glycosylated mouse cystatin C (mCysC), an endogenous inhibitor of cysteine cathepsin proteases (CP), has been suggested as a cofactor of β-FGF to induce the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). To investigate the possible role of CP in neural differentiation, we treated embryoid bodies (EBs) with (i) E64, an inhibitor of papain-like CP and of calpains, (ii) an inhibitor of cathepsin L (iCatL), (iii) an inhibitor of calpains (iCalp), or (iv) cystatins, and their ability to differentiate into neural cells was assessed. We show that the inhibition of CP induces a significant increase in Pax6 expression in EBs, leading to an increase in the number of nestin-positive cells after 3 days. Fourteen days after E64 treatment, we observed increased numbers of β-III-tubulin-positive cells, showing greater percentage of immature neurons, and this feature persisted up to 24 days. At this point, we encountered higher numbers of neurons with inward Na(+) current compared with untreated EBs. Further, we show that mCysC and iCatL, but not unglycosylated egg white cystatin or iCalp, increased the numbers of NPCs. In contrast to E64 and iCatL, mCysC did not inhibit CP in EBs and its neural-inducing activity required β-FGF. We propose that the inhibition of CP induces the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into NPCs and neurons through a mechanism that is distinct from CysC-induced neural differentiation.

Glial activation in the spinal ventral horn caudal to cervical injury

Microglia and astrocytes play complex roles following spinal cord injury (SCI), contributing to inflammatory processes that both exacerbate injury and promote functional recovery by supporting neuro-protection and neuroplasticity. The crossed phrenic phenomenon (CPP) is an example of respiratory plasticity in which C(2) cervical hemisection (C(2)HS) strengthens crossed-spinal synaptic pathways to phrenic motor neurons ipsilateral to injury. We hypothesized that microglia and astrocytes are activated in the phrenic motor nucleus caudal and ipsilateral to C(2)HS, suggesting their potential for involvement in the CPP. To test this hypothesis, an incomplete cervical spinal hemisection (C(2) lateral injury; C(2)LI) was performed, and rats were allowed to recover for 1, 3, 14 or 28 days before collecting perfused spinal tissues. Microglia (via OX42) and astrocytes [via glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)] were visualized with immunofluorescence microscopy in the C(4)-C(5) ventral horn, the region encompassing most of the phrenic motor nucleus. OX42-occupied fractional area ipsilateral to injury increased with C(2)LI (vs. sham) at 1 (12.5±1.8%, p<0.001), 3 (29.0±1.9%, p<0.001), 14 (26.1±3.1%, p<0.001) and 28 (19.2±2.0%, p<0.001) days post-C(2)LI. GFAP-occupied fractional area also increased with C(2)LI at 3 (24.4±3.2%, p<0.001) and 14 (16.8±8.3%, p=0.012) days, but not at 1 (6.2±3.9%, p=0.262) or 28 (10.6±3.9%, p=0.059) days post-C(2)LI. Thus, microglia and astrocytes are activated in the phrenic motor nucleus caudal to C(2)LI, suggesting that they play a role in functional deficits and/or recovery following spinal injury.

Inflammasomes in cardiovascular diseases

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) constitute a recently identified family of macromolecules that participate in regulation of innate immune responses. To date, 23 members of the NLR family are identified in humans. Diverse NLRs are stimulated by a broad range of pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns, and collectively function as intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The most studied inflammasomes are NLRP1 and NLRP3 that process inactive pro-caspase-1 to its active form, allowing the cleavage and subsequent activation of pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18, and initiation of inflammatory responses. Three models, based upon extracellular ATP/K(+) flux, lysosomal release of cathepsin, and reactive oxygen species, have been proposed to be involved in signaling activation of NLRs and downstream events. In this review, I discuss the current state of knowledge related to the roles of NLRs and inflammasomes in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Pharmacological neuroprotection after perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is an important cause of neonatal brain injury. Recent progress in the search for neuroprotective compounds has provided us with several promising drugs to reduce perinatal HI-induced brain injury. In the early stage (first 6 hours after birth) therapies are concentrated on prevention of the production of reactive oxygen species or free radicals (xanthine-oxidase-, nitric oxide synthase-, and prostaglandin inhibition), anti-inflammatory effects (erythropoietin, melatonin, Xenon) and anti-apoptotic interventions (nuclear factor kappa B- and c-jun N-terminal kinase inhibition); in a later stage stimulation of neurotrophic properties in the neonatal brain (erythropoietin, growth factors) can be targeted to promote neuronal and oligodendrocyte regeneration. Combination of pharmacological means of treatment with moderate hypothermia, which is accepted now as a meaningful therapy, is probably the next step in clinical treatment to fight post-asphyxial brain damage. Further studies should be directed at a more rational use of therapies by determining the optimal time and dose to inhibit the different potentially destructive molecular pathways or to enhance endogenous repair while at the same time avoiding adverse effects of the drugs used.

Roles of zinc and metallothionein-3 in oxidative stress-induced lysosomal dysfunction, cell death, and autophagy in neurons and astrocytes

Zinc dyshomeostasis has been recognized as an important mechanism for cell death in acute brain injury. An increase in the level of free or histochemically reactive zinc in astrocytes and neurons is considered one of the major causes of death of these cells in ischemia and trauma. Although zinc dyshomeostasis can lead to cell death via diverse routes, the major pathway appears to involve oxidative stress.

Recently, we found that a rise of zinc in autophagic vacuoles, including autolysosomes, is a prerequisite for lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cell death in cultured brain cells exposed to oxidative stress conditions. The source of zinc in this process is likely redox-sensitive zinc-binding proteins such as metallothioneins, which release zinc under oxidative conditions. Of the metallothioneins, metallothionein-3 is especially enriched in the central nervous system, but its physiologic role in this tissue is not well established. Like other metallothioneins, metallothionein-3 may function as metal detoxicant, but is also known to inhibit neurite outgrowth and, sometimes, promote neuronal death, likely by serving as a source of toxic zinc release. In addition, metallothionein-3 regulates lysosomal functions. In the absence of metallothionein-3, there are changes in lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 and -2, and reductions in certain lysosomal enzymes that result in decreased autophagic flux. This may have dual effects on cell survival. In acute oxidative injury, zinc dyshomeostasis and lysosomal membrane permeabilization are diminished in metallothionein-3 null cells, resulting in less cell death. But over the longer term, diminished lysosomal function may lead to the accumulation of abnormal proteins and cause cytotoxicity.

The roles of zinc and metallothionein-3 in autophagy and/or lysosomal function have just begun to be investigated. In light of evidence that autophagy and lysosomes may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases, further insight into the contribution of zinc dynamics and metallothionein-3 function may help provide ways to effectively regulate these processes in brain cells.

Regulation of apoptosis-associated lysosomal membrane permeabilization

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) occurs in response to a large variety of cell death stimuli causing release of cathepsins from the lysosomal lumen into the cytosol where they participate in apoptosis signaling. In some settings, apoptosis induction is dependent on an early release of cathepsins, while under other circumstances LMP occurs late in the cell death process and contributes to amplification of the death signal. The mechanism underlying LMP is still incompletely understood; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that LMP may be governed by several distinct mechanisms that are likely engaged in a death stimulus- and cell-type-dependent fashion. In this review, factors contributing to permeabilization of the lysosomal membrane including reactive oxygen species, lysosomal membrane lipid composition, proteases, p53, and Bcl-2 family proteins, are described. Potential mechanisms to safeguard lysosomal integrity and confer resistance to lysosome-dependent cell death are also discussed.

Mechanisms of uric acid crystal-mediated autoinflammation

Gout is an arthritis characterized by elevated uric acid in the bloodstream. In this condition, crystals of uric acid are formed and accumulate in the synovial fluids. Crystal deposition leads to acute inflammation, which is associated with the spontaneous resolution of the disease. Recent studies have led to significant advances in the understanding of the basic biology of crystal-mediated inflammation. Uric acid has been identified as a danger signal that triggers a cytosolic sensor, the inflammasome. This signaling platform is required for the activation of interleukin-1, a cytokine that is critical to the initiation of acute inflammation in gout. Importantly, both molecular and pathological evidence support the notion that gout is a prototypical member of the growing family of autoinflammatory diseases. This review discusses the role of the inflammasome in gout and the emerging new therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling inflammation in crystal arthritis.

Signaling by ROS drives inflammasome activation

Inflammasomes are innate immune signaling pathways that sense pathogens and injury to direct the proteolytic maturation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and IL-18. Among inflammasomes, the NLRP3/NALP3 inflammasome is the most studied. However, little is known on the molecular mechanisms that mediate its assembly and activation. Recent findings suggest that ROS are produced by NLRP3/NALP3 activators and are essential secondary messengers signaling NLRP3/NALP3 inflammasome activation.

Z-FA.FMK activates duodenal epithelial cell proliferation through oxidative stress, NF-kappaB and IL-1beta in D-GalN/TNF-alpha-administered mice

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Z-FA.FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-alanine-fluoromethylketone), a pharmacological inhibitor of cathepsin B, on the proliferation of duodenal mucosal epithelial cells and the cellular system that controls this mechanism in these cells in vivo. For this investigation, BALB/c male mice were divided into four groups. The first group received physiological saline, the second group was administered Z-FA.FMK, the third group received D-GalN (D-galactosamine) and TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha) and the fourth group was given both D-GalN/TNF-alpha and Z-FA.FMK. When D-GalN/TNF-alpha was administered alone, we observed an increase in IL-1beta-positive and active NF-kappaB-positive duodenal epithelial cells, a decrease in PCNA (proliferative cell nuclear antigen)-positive duodenal epithelial cells and an increase in degenerative changes in duodenum. On the other hand, Z-FA.FMK pretreatment inhibited all of these changes. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and collagen levels were increased, glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity were decreased, while there was no change in catalase activity by D-GalN/TNF-alpha injection. On the contrary, the Z-FA.FMK pretreatment before D-GalN/TNF-alpha blocked these effects. Based on these findings, we suggest that Z-FA.FMK might act as a proliferative mediator which is controlled by IL-1beta through NF-kappaB and oxidative stress in duodenal epithelial cells of D-GalN/TNF-alpha-administered mice.

Lysosome dysfunction triggers Atg7-dependent neural apoptosis

Macroautophagy (autophagy) is a process wherein bulk cytosolic proteins and damaged organelles are sequestered and degraded via the lysosome. Alterations in autophagy-associated proteins have been shown to cause neural tube closure defects, neurodegeneration, and tumor formation. Normal lysosome function is critical for autophagy completion and when altered may lead to an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles (AVs) and caspase activation. The tumor suppressor p53 is highly expressed in neural precursor cells (NPCs) and has an important role in the regulation of both autophagy and apoptosis. We hypothesized that altered lysosome function would lead to NPC death via an interaction between autophagy- and apoptosis-associated proteins. To test our hypothesis, we utilized FGF2-expanded NPCs and the neural stem cell line, C17.2, in combination with the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine (CQ) and the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1). Both CQ and Baf A1 caused concentration- and time-dependent AV accumulation, p53 phosphorylation, increased damage regulator autophagy modulator levels, caspase-3 activation, and cell death. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of Atg7, but not Beclin1, expression significantly inhibited CQ- and Baf A1-induced cell death, indicating that Atg7 is an upstream mediator of lysosome dysfunction-induced cell death. Cell death and/or caspase-3 activation was also attenuated by protein synthesis inhibition, p53 deficiency, or Bax deficiency, indicating involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic death pathway. In contrast to lysosome dysfunction, starvation-induced AV accumulation was inhibited by either Atg7 or Beclin1 knockdown, and Atg7 knockdown had no effect on starvation-induced death. These findings indicate that Atg7- and Beclin1-induced autophagy plays a cytoprotective role during starvation but that Atg7 has a unique pro-apoptotic function in response to lysosome dysfunction.

Lipotoxicity-mediated cell dysfunction and death involve lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cathepsin L activity

Lipotoxicity, which is triggered when cells are exposed to elevated levels of free fatty acids, involves cell dysfunction and apoptosis and is emerging as an underlying factor contributing to various pathological conditions including disorders of the central nervous system and diabetes. We have shown that palmitic acid (PA)-induced lipotoxicity (PA-LTx) in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 (NGFDPC12) cells is linked to an augmented state of cellular oxidative stress (ASCOS) and apoptosis and that these events are inhibited by docosahexanoic acid (DHA). The mechanisms of PA-LTx in nerve cells are not well understood, but our previous findings indicate that it involves ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), and caspase activation. The present study used nerve growth factor differentiated PC12 cells (NGFDPC12 cells) and found that lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) is an early event during PA-induced lipotoxicity that precedes MMP and apoptosis. Cathepsin L, but not cathepsin B, is an important contributor in this process since its pharmacological inhibition significantly attenuated LMP, MMP, and apoptosis. In addition, co-treatment of NGFDPC12 cells undergoing lipotoxicity with DHA significantly reduced LMP, suggesting that DHA acts by antagonizing upstream signals leading to lysosomal dysfunction. These results suggest that LMP is a key early mediator of lipotoxicity and underscore the value of interventions targeting upstream signals leading to LMP for the treatment of pathological conditions associated with lipotoxicity.

Involvement of TRPV4-NO-cGMP-PKG pathways in the development of thermal hyperalgesia following chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion in rats

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the TRPV4-NO-cGMP-PKG cascade is involved in the maintenance of thermal hyperalgesia following chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (the procedure hereafter termed CCD) in rats. CCD rats showed thermal hyperalgesia and increased nitrite production. Intrathecal administration of ruthenium red (TRPV4 antagonist, 0.1-1 nmol), TRPV4 antisense ODN (TRPV4 AS, 40 microg, daily for 7 days), N(G)-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, inhibitor of NO synthase, 30-300 nmol), 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 50-100 nmol) or 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio) guanosine 3',5'-cyclic Monophosphothioate, Rp-Isomer sodium salt (Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, a PKG inhibitor, 25-50 nmol) induced a significant (P<0.001) and dose-dependent increase in the paw withdrawal latency (PWL) compared with control rats, respectively. Ruthenium red (1 nmol), TRPV4 AS (40 microg, daily for 7 days) or L-NAME (300 nmol) decreased nitrite (an index of nitric oxide formation) in the DRG of CCD rats. In addition, the phorbol ester 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alpha-PDD, TRPV4 synthetic activator, 1 nmol), co-administered with L-NAME (300 nmol), attenuated the suppressive effect of L-NAME on CCD-induced thermal hyperalgesia and nitrite production. Our data suggested that the TRPV4-NO-cGMP-PKG pathway could be involved in CCD-induced thermal hyperalgesia.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the term infant

Hypoxia-ischemia in the perinatal period is an important cause of cerebral palsy and associated disabilities in children. There has been significant research progress in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy over the last 2 decades, and many new molecular mechanisms have been identified. Despite all these advances, therapeutic interventions are still limited. In this article the authors discuss several molecular pathways involved in hypoxia-ischemia, and potential therapeutic targets.

Anthrax lethal toxin induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cytosolic cathepsin release is Nlrp1b/Nalp1b-dependent

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are a group of cytoplasmic molecules that recognize microbial invasion or 'danger signals'. Activation of NLRs can induce rapid caspase-1 dependent cell death termed pyroptosis, or a caspase-1 independent cell death termed pyronecrosis. Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (LT), is recognized by a subset of alleles of the NLR protein Nlrp1b, resulting in pyroptotic cell death of macrophages and dendritic cells. Here we show that LT induces lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). The presentation of LMP requires expression of an LT-responsive allele of Nlrp1b, and is blocked by proteasome inhibitors and heat shock, both of which prevent LT-mediated pyroptosis. Further the lysosomal protease cathepsin B is released into the cell cytosol and cathepsin inhibitors block LT-mediated cell death. These data reveal a role for lysosomal membrane permeabilization in the cellular response to bacterial pathogens and demonstrate a shared requirement for cytosolic relocalization of cathepsins in pyroptosis and pyronecrosis.

Visfatin induces oxidative stress in differentiated C2C12 myotubes in an Akt- and MAPK-independent, NFkB-dependent manner

Adipose tissue is an important endocrine and metabolic tissue that is actively involved in cross-talk with peripheral organs such as skeletal muscle. It is likely that adipose-derived factors may underlie the development of insulin resistance in muscle. Thus, the cross-talk between adipose and muscle may be important for the propagation of obesity-related diseases. Visfatin (Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor 1 homolog/Nampt) is a recently discovered adipokine with pleiotropic functions. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of visfatin on cellular stress responses and signalling pathways in skeletal muscle. Visfatin treatment of differentiated C2C12 myotubes generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) comprising both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide that was dependent on de novo transcription and translation. In differentiated C2C12 myoblasts, visfatin had no effects on insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation nor on activation of the Akt signalling pathway. Additionally, visfatin-induced oxidative stress occurred independent of activation of the stress-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK and p38. In contrast, phosphorylation of NFkB was associated with visfatin-mediated generation of ROS and blockade of this pathway via selective IKK inhibition led to a partial reduction in oxidative stress. Furthermore, the generation of ROS following visfatin treatment was highly dependent on both de novo transcription and translation. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights for the unique pathophysiological role of visfatin in skeletal muscle.

The role of lysosomal rupture in neuronal death

Apoptosis research in the past two decades has provided an enormous insight into its role in regulating cell death. However, apoptosis is only part of the story, and inhibition of neuronal necrosis may have greater impact than apoptosis, on the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Since the "calpain-cathepsin hypothesis" was first formulated, the calpain- and cathepsin-mediated regulation of necrotic cascades observed in monkeys, has been demonstrated to be a common neuronal death mechanism occurring from simpler organisms to humans. However, the detailed mechanism inducing lysosomal destabilization still remains poorly understood. Heat-shock protein-70 (Hsp70) is known to stabilize lysosomal membrane and protect cells from oxidative stress and apoptotic stimuli in many cell death pathways. Recent proteomics approach comparing pre- and post-ischemic hippocampal CA1 neurons as well as normal and glaucoma-suffered retina of primates, suggested that the substrate protein upon which activated calpain acts at the lysosomal membrane of neurons might be Hsp70. Understanding the interaction between activated calpains and Hsp70 will help to unravel the mechanism that destabilizes the lysosomal membrane, and will provide new insights into clarifying the whole cascade of neuronal necrosis. Although available evidence is circumferential, it is hypothesized that activated calpain cleaves oxidative stress-induced carbonylated Hsp70.1 (a major human Hsp70) at the lysosomal membrane, which result in lysosomal rupture/permeabilization. This review aims at highlighting the possible mechanism of lysosomal rupture in neuronal death by a modified "calpain-cathepsin hypothesis". As the autophagy-lysosomal degradation pathway is a target of oxidative stress, the implication of autophagy is also discussed.

CA-074Me protection against anthrax lethal toxin

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) activates the NLRP1b (NALP1b) inflammasome and caspase-1 in macrophages from certain inbred mouse strains, but the mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood. We report here that similar to several NLRP3 (NALP3, cryopyrin)-activating stimuli, LT activation of the NLRP1b inflammasome involves lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and subsequent cytoplasmic cathepsin B activity. CA-074Me, a potent cathepsin B inhibitor, protects LT-sensitive macrophages from cell death and prevents the activation of caspase-1. RNA interference knockdown of cathepsin B expression, however, cannot prevent LT-mediated cell death, suggesting that CA-074Me may also act on other cellular proteases released during LMP. CA-074Me appears to function downstream of LT translocation to the cytosol (as assessed by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase cleavage), K(+) effluxes, and proteasome activity. The initial increase in cytoplasmic activity of cathepsin B occurs at the same time or shortly before caspase-1 activation but precedes a larger-scale lysosomal destabilization correlated closely with cytolysis. We present results suggesting that LMP may be involved in the activation of the NLRP1b inflammasome.

Phospholipase A(2), reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation in CNS pathologies

The importance of lipids in cell signaling and tissue physiology is demonstrated by the many CNS pathologies involving deregulated lipid metabolism. One such critical metabolic event is the activation of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), which results in the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids and the release of free fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, a precursor for essential cell-signaling eicosanoids. Reactive oxygen species (ROS, a product of arachidonic acid metabolism) react with cellular lipids to generate lipid peroxides, which are degraded to reactive aldehydes (oxidized phospholipid, 4-hydroxynonenal, and acrolein) that bind covalently to proteins, thereby altering their function and inducing cellular damage. Dissecting the contribution of PLA(2) to lipid peroxidation in CNS injury and disorders is a challenging proposition due to the multiple forms of PLA(2), the diverse sources of ROS, and the lack of specific PLA(2) inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the role of PLA(2) in CNS pathologies, including stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple sclerosis-Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and Wallerian degeneration.