BAPTA/AM, an intracellular calcium chelator, induces delayed necrosis by lipoxygenase-mediated free radicals in mouse cortical cultures

T-type voltage-gated channels, Na+/Ca2+-exchanger, and calpain-2 promote photoreceptor cell death in inherited retinal degeneration

Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of untreatable and commonly blinding diseases characterized by progressive photoreceptor loss. IRD pathology has been linked to an excessive activation of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGC) leading to Na+- and Ca2+-influx, subsequent activation of voltage-gated Ca2+-channels (VGCC), and further Ca2+ influx. However, a connection between excessive Ca2+ influx and photoreceptor loss has yet to be proven.Here, we used whole-retina and single-cell RNA-sequencing to compare gene expression between the rd1 mouse model for IRD and wild-type (wt) mice. Differentially expressed genes indicated links to several Ca2+-signalling related pathways. To explore these, rd1 and wt organotypic retinal explant cultures were treated with the intracellular Ca2+-chelator BAPTA-AM or inhibitors of different Ca2+-permeable channels, including CNGC, L-type VGCC, T-type VGCC, Ca2+-release-activated channel (CRAC), and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). Moreover, we employed the novel compound NA-184 to selectively inhibit the Ca2+-dependent protease calpain-2. Effects on the retinal activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sirtuin-type histone-deacetylase, calpains, as well as on activation of calpain-1, and - 2 were monitored, cell death was assessed via the TUNEL assay.While rd1 photoreceptor cell death was reduced by BAPTA-AM, Ca2+-channel blockers had divergent effects: While inhibition of T-type VGCC and NCX promoted survival, blocking CNGCs and CRACs did not. The treatment-related activity patterns of calpains and PARPs corresponded to the extent of cell death. Remarkably, sirtuin activity and calpain-1 activation were linked to photoreceptor protection, while calpain-2 activity was related to degeneration. In support of this finding, the calpain-2 inhibitor NA-184 protected rd1 photoreceptors.These results suggest that Ca2+ overload in rd1 photoreceptors may be triggered by T-type VGCCs and NCX. High Ca2+-levels likely suppress protective activity of calpain-1 and promote retinal degeneration via activation of calpain-2. Overall, our study details the complexity of Ca2+-signalling in photoreceptors and emphasizes the importance of targeting degenerative processes specifically to achieve a therapeutic benefit for IRDs. Video Abstract.

Design and Synthesis of Poly(2,2'-Bipyridyl) Ligands for Induction of Cell Death in Cancer Cells: Control of Anticancer Activity by Complexation/Decomplexation with Biorelevant Metal Cations

Chelation therapy is a medical procedure for removing toxic metals from human organs and tissues and for the treatment of diseases by using metal-chelating agents. For example, iron chelation therapy is designed not only for the treatment of metal poisoning but also for some diseases that are induced by iron overload, cancer chemotherapy, and related diseases. However, the use of such metal chelators needs to be generally carried out very carefully, because of the side effects possibly due to the non-specific complexation with intracellular metal cations. Herein, we report on the preparation and characterization of some new poly(bpy) ligands (bpy: 2,2'-bipyridyl) that contain one-three bpy ligand moieties and their anticancer activity against Jurkat, MOLT-4, U937, HeLa S3, and A549 cell lines. The results of MTT assays revealed that the tris(bpy) and bis(bpy) ligands exhibit potent activity for inducing the cell death in cancer cells. Mechanistic studies suggest that the main pathway responsible for the cell death by these poly(bpy) ligands is apoptotic cell death. It was also found that the anticancer activity of the poly(bpy) ligands could be controlled by the complexation (anticancer activity is turned OFF) and decomplexation (anticancer activity is turned ON) with biorelevant metal cations. In this paper, these results will be described.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles induced calcium overload-initiated cancer cell-specific apoptosis through inhibition of PMCA and activation of calpain

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAPNs) have been reported to specifically induce apoptosis and sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether calcium overload, the abnormal intracellular accumulation of Ca2+, is the intrinsic cause of cell apoptosis, how HAPNs specifically evoke calcium overload in cancer cells, and which potential pathways were involved in apoptosis initiation in response to calcium overload. In this study, using various cancer and normal cells, we observed a positive correlation between the degree of increased [Ca2+]i and the specific toxicity of HAPNs. Moreover, chelating intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA-AM inhibited HAPN-induced calcium overload and apoptosis, thus demonstrating that calcium overload was the main cause of HAPN-induced cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Notably, the dissolution of particles outside the cells did not affect cell viability or [Ca2+]i. In contrast, internalized HAPNs dissolved more readily in cancer cells than in normal cells and inhibited the activity of plasma membrane calcium-ATPase solely in cancer cells to prevent extrusion of excessive Ca2+, hence leading to calcium overload in tumor cells. Upon exposure to HAPNs, the Ca2+-sensitive cysteine protease calpain was activated and then cleaved the BH3-only protein Bid. Consequently, cytochrome c was released, and caspase-9 and -3 were activated, leading to mitochondrial apoptosis. However, these effects were alleviated by the calpain inhibitor calpeptin, confirming the involvement of calpain in HANP-induced apoptosis. Therefore, our results demonstrated that calcium overload induced by HAPNs caused cancer cell-specific apoptosis by inhibiting PMCA and activating calpain in tumor cells and thus may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of biological effects of this nanomaterial and facilitate the development of calcium overload cancer therapy.

Specialized cytonemes induce self-organization of stem cells

Spatial cellular organization is fundamental for embryogenesis. Remarkably, coculturing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) recapitulates this process, forming embryo-like structures. However, mechanisms driving ESC-TSC interaction remain elusive. We describe specialized ESC-generated cytonemes that react to TSC-secreted Wnts. Cytoneme formation and length are controlled by actin, intracellular calcium stores, and components of the Wnt pathway. ESC cytonemes select self-renewal-promoting Wnts via crosstalk between Wnt receptors, activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), and localized calcium transients. This crosstalk orchestrates Wnt signaling, ESC polarization, ESC-TSC pairing, and consequently synthetic embryogenesis. Our results uncover ESC-TSC contact-mediated signaling, reminiscent of the glutamatergic neuronal synapse, inducing spatial self-organization and embryonic cell specification.

L-type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Modulators Inhibit Glutamate-Induced Morphology Changes in U118-MG Astrocytoma Cells

The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate evokes physiological responses within the astrocytic network that lead to fine morphological changes. However, the mechanism by which astrocytes couple glutamate sensing with cellular calcium rise remains unclear. We tested a possible connection between L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (Ca_v) and glutamate-induced response in U118-MG astrocytoma cells. While astrocytoma cells differ from primary astrocytes, they demonstrate the same response to glutamate. In this study, the extension of U118-MG processes upon glutamate exposure was shown to depend on extracellular calcium entry via L-type Ca_v's. Drugs known to bind to the pore-forming subunit of Ca_v's decreased the astrocytic filopodia extension caused by glutamate, and ligands of the α2δ auxiliary subunit inhibited all process growth (e.g., gabapentinoids). The observed phenotypic responses suggest that α2δ is a main contributor to the role of Ca_vs in glutamate-dependent filopodiagenesis, thereby opening new avenues of research on the role of α2δ in astrocytic neurochemical signaling.

Regulation of Myelination by Exosome Associated Retinoic Acid Release from NG2-Positive Cells

In the CNS, oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelin formation and maintenance. Following spinal cord injury, oligodendrocyte loss and an inhibitory milieu compromise remyelination and recovery. Here, we explored the role of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RARβ) signaling in remyelination. Using a male Sprague Dawley rat model of PNS-CNS injury, we show that oral treatment with a novel drug like RARβ agonist, C286, induces neuronal expression of the proteoglycan decorin and promotes myelination and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (NG2⁺ cells) in a decorin-mediated neuron–glia cross talk. Decorin promoted the activation of RARα in NG2⁺ cells by increasing the availability of the endogenous ligand RA. NG2⁺ cells synthesize RA, which is released in association with exosomes. We found that decorin prevents this secretion through regulation of the EGFR–calcium pathway. Using functional and pharmacological studies, we further show that RARα signaling is both required and sufficient for oligodendrocyte differentiation. These findings illustrate that RARβ and RARα are important regulators of oligodendrocyte differentiation, providing new targets for myelination.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study identifies novel therapeutic targets for remyelination after PNS-CNS injury. Pharmacological and knock-down experiments show that the retinoic acid (RA) signaling promotes differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and remyelination in a cross talk between neuronal RA receptor-beta (RARβ) and RARα in NG2⁺ cells. We show that stimulation of RARα is required for the differentiation of OPCs and we describe for the first time how oral treatment with a RARβ agonist (C286, currently being tested in a Phase 1 trial, ISRCTN12424734) leads to the endogenous synthesis of RA through retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Raldh2) in NG2 cells and controls exosome-associated-RA intracellular levels through a decorin–Ca²⁺ pathway. Although RARβ has been implicated in distinct aspects of CNS regeneration, this study identifies a novel function for both RARβ and RARα in remyelination.

Identification of Ca2+ signaling components in neural stem/progenitor cells during differentiation into neurons and glia in intact and dissociated zebrafish neurospheres

The development of the CNS in vertebrate embryos involves the generation of different sub-types of neurons and glia in a complex but highly-ordered spatio-temporal manner. Zebrafish are commonly used for exploring the development, plasticity and regeneration of the CNS, and the recent development of reliable protocols for isolating and culturing neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) from the brain of adult fish now enables the exploration of mechanisms underlying the induction/specification/differentiation of these cells. Here, we refined a protocol to generate proliferating and differentiating neurospheres from the entire brain of adult zebrafish. We demonstrated via RT-qPCR that some isoforms of ip3r, ryr and stim are upregulated/downregulated significantly in differentiating neurospheres, and via immunolabelling that 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R) type-1 and ryanodine receptor (RyR) type-2 are differentially expressed in cells with neuron- or radial glial-like properties. Furthermore, ATP but not caffeine (IP₃R and RyR agonists, respectively), induced the generation of Ca²⁺ transients in cells exhibiting neuron- or glial-like morphology. These results indicate the differential expression of components of the Ca²⁺-signaling toolkit in proliferating and differentiating cells. Thus, given the complexity of the intact vertebrate brain, neurospheres might be a useful system for exploring neurodegenerative disease diagnosis protocols and drug development using Ca²⁺ signaling as a read-out.

ATF4 regulates arsenic trioxide-mediated NADPH oxidase, ER-mitochondrial crosstalk and apoptosis

Arsenic is a mitochondrial toxin, and its derivatives, such as arsenic trioxide (ATO), can trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the associated unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we show that arsenic induction of the UPR triggers ATF4, which is involved in regulating this ER-mitochondrial crosstalk that is important for the molecular pathogenesis of arsenic toxicity. Employing ATF4+/+ and ATF4-/- MEFs, we show that ATO induces UPR and impairs mitochondrial integrity in ATF4+/+ MEF cells which is largely ablated upon loss of ATF4. Following ATO treatment, ATF4 activates NADPH oxidase by promoting assembly of the enzyme components Rac-1/P47phox/P67phox, which generates ROS/superoxides. Furthermore, ATF4 is required for triggering Ca++/calpain/caspase-12-mediated apoptosis following ATO treatment. The IP3R inhibitor attenuates Ca++/calpain-dependent apoptosis, as well as reduces m-ROS and MMP disruption, suggesting that ER-mitochondria crosstalk involves IP3R-regulated Ca++ signaling. Blockade of m-Ca++ entry by inhibiting m-VDAC reduces ATO-mediated UPR in ATF4+/+ cells. Additionally, ATO treatment leads to p53-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis, where p53 phosphorylation plays a key role. Together, these findings indicate that ATO-mediated apoptosis is regulated by both ER and mitochondria events that are facilitated by ATF4 and the UPR. Thus, we describe novel mechanisms by which ATO orchestrates cytotoxic responses involving interplay of ER and mitochondria.

Role of forward-motility-stimulating factor as an extracellular activator of soluble adenylyl cyclase

Forward-motility-stimulating factor (FMSF) is a protein, originally purified from bubaline serum, that promotes progressive motility of mature spermatozoa. FMSF binds to sperm surface receptors and activates transmembrane adenylyl cyclase (tmAC), causing a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP level ([cAMP]i) and subsequent activation of a protein kinase A/tyrosine kinase-mediated pathway that enhances forward motility. This article further evaluates how FMSF works in the caprine system, particularly identifying the stimulatory effect of this glycoprotein on soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). Elevated [cAMP]i, initially resulting from FMSF-dependent activation of tmAC, was associated with the release of Ca(2+) from an intracellular calcium store in the sperm head, likely via an inositol triphosphate-sensitive calcium ion channel. This peak Ca(2+) concentration of ∼125-175 nM was capable of stimulating sAC in vitro in a calmodulin-independent manner, thereby triggering more cAMP production. Our model proposes that a positive-feedback loop mediated by cAMP and Ca(2+) is established in FMSF-stimulated sperm, with cAMP playing the role of a chemical messenger at multiple steps, resulting in the observed progressive motility. Thus, FSMF stimulates a novel signaling cascade that synergistically activate both tmAC and sAC to achieve forward sperm motility.

Strontium is a biased agonist of the calcium-sensing receptor in rat medullary thyroid carcinoma 6-23 cells

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR)-specific allosteric modulator cinacalcet has revolutionized the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, its application is limited to patients with end-stage renal disease because of hypocalcemic side effects presumably caused by CaSR-mediated calcitonin secretion from thyroid parafollicular C-cells. These hypocalcemic side effects might be dampened by compounds that bias the signaling of CaSR, causing similar therapeutic effects as cinacalcet without stimulating calcitonin secretion. Because biased signaling of CaSR is poorly understood, the objective of the present study was to investigate biased signaling of CaSR by using rat medullary thyroid carcinoma 6-23 cells as a model of thyroid parafollicular C-cells. By doing concentration-response experiments we focused on the ability of two well known CaSR agonists, calcium and strontium, to activate six different signaling entities: G(q/11) signaling, G(i/o) signaling, G(s) signaling, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling, intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) mobilization, and calcitonin secretion. The experiments showed that strontium biases CaSR signaling toward ERK1/2 signaling and possibly another pathway independent of G(q/11) signaling and [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization. It is noteworthy that the potency of strontium-stimulated calcitonin secretion was elevated compared with calcium. Combining these results with experiments investigating signaling pathway components involved in calcitonin secretion, we found that the enhanced potency of strontium-mediated calcitonin secretion was caused by a different signaling pattern than that produced by calcium. Together, our results suggest that calcitonin secretion can be affected by CaSR-stimulated signaling bias, which may be used to develop novel drugs for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Effects of extracellular calcium concentration on the glutamate release by bioactive glass (BG60S) preincubated osteoblasts

Glutamate released by osteoblasts sharing similarities with its role in neuronal transmission is a very new scientific concept which actually changed the understanding of bone physiology. Since glutamate release is a calcium (Ca(2+))-dependent process and considering that we have previously demonstrated that the dissolution of bioactive glass with 60% of silicon (BG60S) can alter osteoblast Ca(2+)-signaling machinery, we investigated whether BG60S induces glutamate secretion in osteoblasts and whether it requires an increase in intracellular Ca(2+). Here we showed that the extracellular Ca(2+) increase due to BG60S dissolution leads to an intracellular Ca(2+) increase in the osteoblast, through the activation of an inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) and a ryanodine receptor (RyR). Additionally, we also demonstrated that glutamate released by osteoblasts can be profoundly altered by BG60S. The modulation of osteoblast glutamate released by the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration opens a new window in the field of tissue engineering, since many biomaterials used for bone repair are able to increase the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration due to their dissolution products.

Plant phenolics regulate neoplastic cell growth and survival: a quantitative structure-activity and biochemical analysis

The anti-tumour activities of many plant phenolics at high concentrations (>100 micromol/L) suggest their potential use as dietary supplements in cancer chemoprevention and cancer chemotherapy. However, it is not clear what impact phenolic compounds have at the physiological concentrations obtained through consumption of high phenolic diets on neoplastic cells. In the present study, 54 naturally occurring phenolics were evaluated at physiologically relevant concentrations for their capacity to alter PC12 cell viability in response to serum deprivation, the chemotherepeutic agent etoposide, and the apoptogen C2-ceramide. Surprisingly, novel mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic activities were detected. Quantitative structure-activity relationship modelling indicated that many of these activities could be predicted by compound lipophilicity, steric bulk, and (or) antioxidant capacity, with the exception of inhibition of ceramide-induced apoptosis. Where quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis was insufficient, biochemical assessment demonstrated that the benzoate orsellinic acid blocked downstream caspase-12 activation following ceramide challenge. These findings demonstrate substantive mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic biological activities of plant phenolics on neoplastic cells at physiologically relevant dietary concentrations that should be considered in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.

Beta-amyloid toxicity in embryonic rat astrocytes

The senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease contain a high concentration of beta-amyloid (betaA) protein, which may affect the glial population in the septal nucleus, an area of increased risk in AD. BetaA toxicity was measured in septal glia, via a dose-response experiment, by quantifying the effects of three different doses (0.1, 1, and 10 microM) of betaA on cell survival. Astrocytes from embryonic day-16 rats were grown in serum-free media in a single layer culture. Cells were treated on day in vitro (DIV)1 and survival was determined on DIV3 to ascertain which concentration was most toxic. In a separate set of experiments, an attempt was made to protect glial cells from the degenerative effects of betaA, with treatments of growth factors and estrogen. BetaA (10 microM) treatment was administered on DIV1, on DIV2 the cells were treated with estrogen (EST, 10 nM), insulin-like growth factors (IGF1 and IGF2, each 10 ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, 5 ng/ml) or nerve growth factor (NGF, 100 ng/ml), and on DIV3 the cells were visualized and quantified by fluorescence microscopy with DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). In addition to dose-response and glial protection, experiments were also conducted to determine whether toxic effects were due to apoptosis. Our results suggest that the survival of glial populations is significantly affected in all three concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 microM) of betaA. Glial protection was evident in the presence of NGF, for it showed the significantly highest survival rate relative to the betaA treatment alone. Furthermore, toxic effects of betaA appear to be due primarily to apoptosis. Significant reversal of betaA-induced apoptosis was seen with bFGF and IGF1.

Tocotrienols in health and disease: the other half of the natural vitamin E family

Tocochromanols encompass a group of compounds with vitamin E activity essential for human nutrition. Structurally, natural vitamin E includes eight chemically distinct molecules: alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol; and alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol. Symptoms caused by alpha-tocopherol deficiency can be alleviated by tocotrienols. Thus, tocotrienols may be viewed as being members of the natural vitamin E family not only structurally but also functionally. Palm oil and rice bran oil represent two major nutritional sources of natural tocotrienol. Taken orally, tocotrienols are bioavailable to all vital organs. The tocotrienol forms of natural vitamin E possesses powerful hypocholesterolemic, anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Oral tocotrienol protects against stroke-associated brain damage in vivo. Disappointments with outcomes-based clinical studies testing the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol need to be handled with caution and prudence recognizing the untapped opportunities offered by the other forms of natural vitamin E. Although tocotrienols represent half of the natural vitamin E family, work on tocotrienols account for roughly 1% of the total literature on vitamin E. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into investigating the lesser known forms of vitamin E.

Tocotrienols: the emerging face of natural vitamin E

Natural vitamin E includes eight chemically distinct molecules: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols. More than 95% of all studies on vitamin E are directed toward the specific study of alpha-tocopherol. The other forms of natural vitamin E remain poorly understood. The abundance of alpha-tocopherol in the human body and the comparable efficiency of all vitamin E molecules as antioxidants led biologists to neglect the non-tocopherol vitamin E molecules as topics for basic and clinical research. Recent developments warrant a serious reconsideration of this conventional wisdom. The tocotrienol subfamily of natural vitamin E possesses powerful neuroprotective, anticancer, and cholesterol-lowering properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Current developments in vitamin E research clearly indicate that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological functions. alpha-Tocotrienol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocotrienol have emerged as vitamin E molecules with functions in health and disease that are clearly distinct from that of alpha-tocopherol. At nanomolar concentration, alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. Recently, it has been suggested that the safe dose of various tocotrienols for human consumption is 200-1000/day. A rapidly expanding body of evidence supports that members of the vitamin E family are functionally unique. In recognition of this fact, title claims in publications should be limited to the specific form of vitamin E studied. For example, evidence for toxicity of a specific form of tocopherol in excess may not be used to conclude that high-dosage "vitamin E" supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Such conclusion incorrectly implies that tocotrienols are toxic as well under conditions where tocotrienols were not even considered. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into the lesser known forms of vitamin E. This will enable prudent selection of the appropriate vitamin E molecule for studies addressing a specific health need.