Nerve growth factor determines survival and death of PC12 cells by regulation of the bcl-x, bax, and caspase-3 genes

Dopamine, a key factor of mitochondrial damage and neuronal toxicity on rotenone exposure and also parkinsonic motor dysfunction-Impact of asiaticoside with a probable vesicular involvement

Persuasive evidence propose that the toxicity of dopamine in parkinsonism and the loss of dopaminergic neurons are the earliest events during the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In our earlier study, Asiaticoside (AS), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Centella asiatica was shown to exert a neuroprotective effect against hemiparkinsonism, purportedly due to phosphoinositides (PI)-assisted cytodynamics and synaptic function. Here, we evaluate AS in the modulation of dopamine (DA), mitochondrial integrity and neurite variations in vitro and motor dysfunctions in vivo. PC12 cells challenged with rotenone-(ROT) (0.1 μM/mL) were exposed to AS and l-DOPA (10 mM and 20 μM/mL respectively). The protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 that regulate cell death were assessed following neurite length assays. Rats were distributed into 6 groups (6 rats/group): Sham, Vehicle controls, ROT-infused (6 μg/μl/kg), AS- treated (50 mg/kg/day), Drug control, and ROT + L-DOPA-treated (6 mg/kg/day) groups. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed after performing motor behavioral analysis, and the striatum was dissected out. The contents of synaptic vesicular and cytosolic DA were analyzed. Further, the levels of striatal PI were also measured. ROT had caused significant reduction in the neurite outgrowth in the exposed PC12 cells while the tested concentrations of AS and l-DOPA can exert their protective effect on the stunted neurite growth. The levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and cytochrome c which were significantly disturbed by ROT, could also be affected by AS thereby suggesting its effect on neurons. AS treatment caused an improved motor performance, vesicular and cytosolic DA, and striatal PI. These pre-clinical findings force us to speculate that AS could be a potential drug candidate in combating ROT-induced variations that are possibly precipitated by varied vesicular trafficking of DA.

3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid attenuates proteasome inhibition-mediated programmed cell death in differentiated PC12 cells

The dysfunction of the proteasome system is suggested to be implicated in neuronal degeneration. Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives have demonstrated anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid on the neuronal cell death induced by proteasome inhibition has not been studied. Therefore, in the respect of cell death process, we assessed the effect of 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid on the proteasome inhibition-induced programmed cell death using differentiated PC12 cells. The proteasome inhibitors MG132 and MG115 induced a decrease in Bid, Bcl-2, and survivin protein levels, an increase in Bax, loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytochrome c release, activation of caspases (-8, -9 and -3), and an increase in the tumor suppressor p53 levels. Treatment with 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid attenuated the proteasome inhibitor-induced changes in the programmed cell death-related protein levels, formation of reactive oxygen species, GSH depletion and cell death. The results show that 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid may attenuate the proteasome inhibitor-induced programmed cell death in PC12 cells by suppressing the activation of the mitochondrial pathway and the caspase-8- and Bid-dependent pathways. The preventive effect of 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid appears to be attributed to its inhibitory effect on the formation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of GSH.

Neural cell apoptosis induced by microwave exposure through mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 pathway

To determine whether microwave (MW) radiation induces neural cell apoptosis, differentiated PC12 cells and Wistar rats were exposed to 2.856 GHz for 5 min and 15 min, respectively, at an average power density of 30  mW/cm². JC-1 and TUNEL staining detected significant apoptotic events, such as the loss of mitochondria membrane potential and DNA fragmentation, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and Hoechst staining were used to observe chromatin ultrastructure and apoptotic body formation. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to quantify the level of apoptosis. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP were examined by immunoblotting or immunocytochemistry. Caspase-3 activity was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation in neural cells 6h after microwave exposure. Moreover, the mitochondria membrane potential decreased, DNA fragmentation increased, leading to an increase in the apoptotic cell percentage. Furthermore, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, expression of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP all increased. In conclusion, microwave radiation induced neural cell apoptosis via the classical mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 pathway. This study may provide the experimental basis for further investigation of the mechanism of the neurological effects induced by microwave radiation.

A multipotent clonal human periodontal ligament cell line with neural crest cell phenotypes promotes neurocytic differentiation, migration, and survival

Repair of injured peripheral nerve is thought to play important roles in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Recent experiments have demonstrated enhanced functional recovery of damaged neurons by some types of somatic stem cells. It remains unclear, however, if periodontal ligament (PDL) stem cells possess such functions. We recently developed a multipotent clonal human PDL cell line, termed cell line 1-17. Here, we investigated the effects of this cell line on neurocytic differentiation, migration, and survival. This cell line expressed the neural crest cell marker genes Slug, SOX10, Nestin, p75NTR, and CD49d and mesenchymal stem cell-related markers CD13, CD29, CD44, CD71, CD90, CD105, and CD166. Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) underwent neurocytic differentiation when co-cultured with cell line 1-17 or in conditioned medium from cell line 1-17 (1-17CM). ELISA analysis revealed that 1-17CM contained approximately 50 pg/ml nerve growth factor (NGF). Cell line 1-17-induced migration of PC12 cells, which was inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against NGF. Furthermore, 1-17CM exerted antiapoptotic effects on differentiated PC12 cells as evidenced by inhibition of neurite retraction, reduction in annexin V and caspase-3/7 staining, and induction of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA expression. Thus, cell line 1-17 promoted neurocytic differentiation, migration, and survival through secretion of NGF and possibly synergistic factors. PDL stem cells may play a role in peripheral nerve reinnervation during PDL regeneration.

Phosphorylation of the transcription factor YY1 by CK2α prevents cleavage by caspase 7 during apoptosis

In this report, we describe the phosphorylation of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in vitro and in vivo by CK2α (casein kinase II), a multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinase. YY1 is a ubiquitously expressed multifunctional zinc finger transcription factor implicated in regulation of many cellular and viral genes. The products of these genes are associated with cell growth, the cell cycle, development, and differentiation. Numerous studies have linked YY1 to tumorigenesis and apoptosis. YY1 is a target for cleavage by caspases in vitro and in vivo as well, but very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate its cleavage during apoptosis. Here, we identify serine 118 in the transactivation domain of YY1 as the site of CK2α phosphorylation, proximal to a caspase 7 cleavage site. CK2α inhibitors, as well as knockdown of CK2α by small interfering RNA, reduce S118 phosphorylation in vivo and enhance YY1 cleavage under apoptotic conditions, whereas increased CK2α activity by overexpression in vivo elevates S118 phosphorylation. A serine-to-alanine substitution at serine 118 also increases the cleavage of YY1 during apoptosis compared to wild-type YY1. Taken together, we have discovered a regulatory link between YY1 phosphorylation at serine 118 and regulation of its cleavage during programmed cell death.

A superoxide anion-scavenger, 1,3-selenazolidin-4-one suppresses serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by activating MAP kinase

Synthetic organic selenium compounds, such as ebselen, may show glutathione peroxidase-like antioxidant activity and have a neurotrophic effect. We synthesized 1,3-selenazolidin-4-ones, new types of synthetic organic selenium compounds (five-member ring compounds), to study their possible applications as antioxidants or neurotrophic-like molecules. Their superoxide radical scavenging effects were assessed using the quantitative, highly sensitive method of real-time kinetic chemiluminescence. At 166μM, the O(2)(-) scavenging activity of 1,3-selenazolidin-4-ones ranged from 0 to 66.2%. 2-[3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1,3-selenazolidin-2-ylidene]malononitrile (compound b) showed the strongest superoxide anion-scavenging activity among the 6 kinds of 2-methylene-1,3-selenazolidin-4-ones examined. Compound b had a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) at 92.4μM and acted as an effective and potentially useful O(2)(-) scavenger in vitro. The effect of compound b on rat pheochromocytome cell line PC12 cells was compared with that of ebselen or nerve growth factor (NGF) by use of the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay. When ebselen was added at 100μM or more, toxicity toward PC12 cells was evident. On the contrary, compound b suppressed serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells more effectively at a concentration of 100μM. The activity of compound b to phosphorylate mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 (MAP kinase) in PC12 cells was higher than that of ebselen, and the former at 100μM induced the phosphorylation of MAP kinase to a degree similar to that induced by NGF. From these results, we conclude that this superoxide anion-scavenger, compound b, suppressed serum deprivation-induced apoptosis by promoting the phosphorylation of MAP kinase.

Ethanol influences on Bax translocation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species generation are modulated by vitamin E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor

BACKGROUND

This study investigated ethanol influences on intracellular events that predispose developing neurons toward apoptosis and the capacity of the antioxidant α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to modulate these effects. Assessments were made of the following: (i) ethanol-induced translocation of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein to the mitochondrial membrane, a key upstream event in the initiation of apoptotic cell death; (ii) disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as a result of ethanol exposure, an important process in triggering the apoptotic cascade; and (iii) generation of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a function of ethanol exposure.

METHODS

These interactions were investigated in cultured postnatal day 8 neonatal rat cerebellar granule cells, a population vulnerable to developmental ethanol exposure in vivo and in vitro. Bax mitochondrial translocation was analyzed via subcellular fractionation followed by Western blot, and mitochondrial membrane integrity was determined using the lipophilic dye, JC-1, that exhibits potential-dependent accumulation in the mitochondrial membrane as a function of the MMP.

RESULTS

Brief ethanol exposure in these preparations precipitated Bax translocation, but both vitamin E and BDNF reduced this effect to control levels. Ethanol treatment also resulted in a disturbance of the MMP, and this effect was blunted by the antioxidant and the neurotrophin. ROS generation was enhanced by a short ethanol exposure in these cells, but the production of these harmful free radicals was diminished to control levels by cotreatment with either vitamin E or BDNF.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that both antioxidants and neurotrophic factors have the potential to ameliorate ethanol neurotoxicity and suggest possible interventions that could be implemented in preventing or lessening the severity of the damaging effects of ethanol in the developing central nervous system seen in the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

7-ketocholesterol induces apoptosis in differentiated PC12 cells via reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of NF-κB and Akt pathways

Cholesterol oxidation products formed under the enhanced oxidative stress in the brain are suggested to induce neuronal cell death. However, it is still unknown whether oxysterol-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells is mediated by Akt and NF-κB pathways. We assessed the apoptotic effect of 7-ketocholesterol against differentiated PC12 cells in relation to activation of the reactive oxygen species-dependent nuclear factor (NF)-κB, which is mediated by the Akt pathway. 7-Ketocholesterol induced a decrease in cytosolic Bid and Bcl-2 levels, increase in cytosolic Bax levels, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and upregulation of p53. 7-Ketocholesterol induced an increase in phosphorylated inhibitory κB-α, NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 levels, binding of NF-κB p65 to DNA, and activation of Akt. Treatment with Bay 11-7085 (an inhibitor of NF-κB activation) and oxidant scavengers, including N-acetylcysteine, prevented the 7-ketocholesterol-induced formation of reactive oxygen species, activation of NF-κB, Akt and apoptosis-related proteins, and cell death. Results from this study suggest that 7-ketocholesterol may exert an apoptotic effect against PC12 cells by inducing activation of the caspase-8-dependent pathway as well as activation of the mitochondria-mediated cell death pathway, leading to activation of caspases, via the reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of NF-κB, which is mediated by the Akt pathway.

Antidepressants reveal differential effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium toxicity in differentiated PC12 cells

Treatment of depression may ameliorate the cognitive disability and motor slowness in Parkinson's disease. It has been shown that antidepressants, including fluoxetine, may attenuate or exacerbate neuronal cell death. The present study assessed the effect of antidepressants (amitriptyline, tranylcypromine and fluoxetine) against the toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) in relation to the mitochondria-mediated cell death process in differentiated PC12 cells. Amitriptyline and tranylcypromine attenuated the MPP(+)-induced cell death that may be associated with mitochondrial membrane permeability change and oxidative stress. Both compounds prevented the loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, over-expression of Bax, reduction in Bcl-2 level, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, formation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of GSH. The inhibitory effect of tranylcypromine was greater than that of amitriptyline on the basis of concentration. In contrast, fluoxetine revealed a toxic effect and exhibited an additive effect against the toxicity of MPP(+). Results show that amitriptyline and tranylcypromine may attenuate the MPP(+) toxicity by suppressing the mitochondrial membrane permeability change that leads to cytochrome c release and subsequent caspase-3 activation. The effects seem to be associated with the inhibitory action on the formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH. In contrast, fluoxetine seems to exert an additive toxic effect against neuronal cell damage by increasing mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress.

Prostaglandin analogue misoprostol attenuates neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death in differentiated PC12 cells

Defects in mitochondrial function have been shown to participate in the induction of neuronal cell injury. The present study assessed the preventive effect of a prostaglandin E(1) analogue misoprostol against the toxicity of parkinsonian neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) with respect to the mitochondria-mediated cell death process and oxidative stress. MPP(+) induced the nuclear damage, the changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, the formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH, which leads to cell death in differentiated PC12 cells. Misoprostol prevented the toxic effect of MPP(+). Treatment with misoprostol significantly attenuated the MPP(+)-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability change that leads to the increase in pro-apoptotic Bax and Cytochrome c levels, and subsequent caspase-3 activation. The protective effect of misoprostol may be supported by the inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E(1) on the MPP(+) toxicity. Misoprostol significantly attenuated another parkinsonian neurotoxin rotenone-induced cell death. The results show that misoprostol may prevent the MPP(+) toxicity by suppressing the mitochondrial membrane permeability change that leads to the Cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. The preventive effect seems to be ascribed to the inhibitory effect on the formation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of GSH.

The herpes simplex virus type 2 gene ICP10PK protects from apoptosis caused by nerve growth factor deprivation through inhibition of caspase-3 activation and XIAP up-regulation

The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) protein ICP10PK has anti-apoptotic activity in virus-infected hippocampal cultures through activation of the Ras/Raf-1/MEK/ERK pathway. To exclude the possible contribution of other viral proteins to cell fate determination, we examined the survival of primary hippocampal cultures and neuronally differentiated PC12 cells transfected with ICP10PK from apoptosis caused by nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. NGF deprivation caused apoptosis in cultures mock-transfected or transfected with the kinase-negative ICP10 mutant p139(TM), but not in ICP10PK-transfected cultures. In one clone (PC47), ICP10PK inhibited caspase-3 activation through up-regulation/stabilization of adenylate cyclase (AC), activation of PKA and MEK, and the convergence of the two pathways on extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. The anti-apoptotic proteins Bag-1 and Bcl-2 were stabilized and the pro-apoptotic protein Bad was phosphorylated (inactivated). In another clone (PC70), ICP10PK inhibited apoptosis through MEK-dependent up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein XIAP (that inhibits the activity of processed caspase-3) and down-regulation of the apoptogenic protein Smac/DIABLO. This may be cell-type specific, but the baculovirus p35 protein did not potentiate the neuroprotective activity of ICP10PK in PC12 cells, suggesting that ICP10PK inhibits both caspase activation and activity. The data indicate that ICP10PK inhibits apoptosis independent of other viral proteins and is a promising neuronal gene therapy platform.

cAMP mediates ammonia-induced programmed cell death in the microglial cell line BV-2

Although ammonia is a well-known neuropathogenic factor, the cellular mechanisms of ammonia toxicity are less characterized. Up to now, the main focus of ammonia toxicity has been on astrocytes and neurons. Despite the significance of microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, little is known about their responsiveness to ammonia. In the present study, we found that ammonia triggered mitosis at concentrations between 30 microm and 3.0 mm but apoptosis at concentrations >or= 1.0 mm in the murine microglial cell line BV-2. Most apoptotic cells showed an accumulation of condensed chromatin at the nuclear envelope, blebbing of the plasma membrane, formation of apoptotic bodies and an increase in caspase 3/7 activity. Blockade of caspase 3/7 activity by Ac-DEVD-CHO suppressed ammonia-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, some BV-2 cells exposed to ammonia displayed clear signs of mitotic catastrophe, a type of cell death occurring during mitosis. In a further series of experiments, we found that cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) mediated the apoptogenic effects of ammonia, because (i) ammonia dose-dependently elevated the intracellular cAMP level, (ii) blockade of the adenylyl cyclase by SQ-22536 suppressed ammonia-induced apoptosis, (iii) inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) by the nonselective PDE inhibitor IBMX, or by the PDE4-selective inhibitor rolipram, increased the relative number of apoptotic cells, and (iv) the cAMP analogues 8-bromoadenosine cAMP and Sp-cAMP mimicked the effect of ammonia and triggered apoptosis. Taken together, our results indicate that distinct concentrations of ammonia trigger opposite signalling pathways in microglial cells.

Vector-mediated delivery of bcl-2 prevents degeneration of auditory hair cells and neurons after injury

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that bcl-2 prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of auditory sensory cells in explants of the organ of Corti and dissociated cell cultures of the spiral ganglion.

METHODS

Organ of Corti explants and dissociated spiral ganglion cell cultures obtained from 3-day-old (P3) rats or adult spiral ganglion cell cultures from 28-day-old (P28) rats were transduced with vectors containing a human bcl-2 gene. Cultures were then exposed to neomycin, cisplatin or subjected to withdrawal of neurotrophin supplementation. Outcome measures included hair cell and neuron counts, mitochondrial membrane potential and a histological measure of apoptosis.

RESULTS

Expression of bcl-2 in the organ of Corti explants and neuronal cell cultures provided a significant level of protection against cell death. Bcl-2 expression in the organ of Corti explants also protected mitochondria from loss of membrane potential and blocked an early step in the commitment of hair cells to apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Expression of bcl-2 in cochlear tissues protects sensory cells from a variety of insults that have been demonstrated to damage the inner ear.

BCL2 family of apoptosis-related genes: functions and clinical implications in cancer

One of the most effective ways to combat different types of cancer is through early diagnosis and administration of effective treatment, followed by efficient monitoring that will allow physicians to detect relapsing disease and treat it at the earliest possible time. Apoptosis, a normal physiological form of cell death, is critically involved in the regulation of cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of programmed cell death mechanisms plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer as well as in the responses of tumours to therapeutic interventions. Many members of the BCL2 (B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2; Bcl-2) family of apoptosis-related genes have been found to be differentially expressed in various malignancies, and some are useful prognostic cancer biomarkers. We have recently cloned a new member of this family, BCL2L12, which was found to be differentially expressed in many tumours. Most of the BCL2 family genes have been found to play a central regulatory role in apoptosis induction. Results have made it clear that a number of coordinating alterations in the BCL2 family of genes must occur to inhibit apoptosis and provoke carcinogenesis in a wide variety of cancers. However, more research is required to increase our understanding of the extent to which and the mechanisms by which they are involved in cancer development, providing the basis for earlier and more accurate cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention that targets the apoptosis pathways. In the present review, we describe current knowledge of the function and molecular characteristics of a series of classic but also newly discovered genes of the BCL2 family as well as their implications in cancer development, prognosis and treatment.

Activation of membrane estrogen receptors induce pro-survival kinases

Experimental and epidemiological data suggest a neuroprotective role for estrogen (E(2)). We have recently shown that, in PC12 cells, non-permeable estradiol conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) prevent serum-deprivation induced apoptosis through activation of specific membrane estrogen receptors (mER). In the present study, we explored in detail the early signaling events involved in this anti-apoptotic action, downstream to activation of mER. Our findings suggest that mER is associated to G-proteins, and its activation with non-permeable E(2)-BSA results in the activation of the following downstream pro-survival kinases pathways: (1) the PKB/Akt pathway, (2) the Src-->MEK-->ERK kinases and finally (3) the MAPK-->ERK kinases. Activation of these pro-survival signals leads to CREB phosphorylation and NFkappaB nuclear translocation, two transcription factors controlling the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. These data suggest that major pro-survival kinases are involved in the mER-mediated anti-apoptotic effects of estrogen. This is further supported by experiments with specific kinases inhibitors, which partially but significantly reversed the mER-mediated anti-apoptotic effect of E(2)-BSA. Our findings suggest that estrogen act via mER as potent cytoprotective factors, downstream activating pro-survival kinases, assuring thus an efficient and multipotent activation of the anti-apoptotic machinery.

Activation of STAT5-dependent transcription by the neurotrophin receptor Trk

Neurotrophins exert many of their biological effects via the Trk receptor tyrosine kinases and require the regulated activation of distinct transcriptional and post-translational cellular events. Here we provide evidence for a novel signaling cascade from activated Trks to the transcription factor STAT5. Utilizing the STAT5 responsive element derived from the p21(WAF1/Cip1) promoter to modulate luciferase expression, neurotrophin-dependent activation of Trk A, B, and C was found to induce STAT5-mediated transcriptional response. Structure-function analysis using Trk A mutants in heterologous cells further revealed that the kinase activity and an intact phospholipase C-gamma binding site are required for STAT5 activation. In most cytokine responsive cell systems, STAT5 function is modulated by JAK2-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. However, reconstitution studies using a JAK2 deficient cell line indicate that neurotrophin-induced STAT5 activation does not require the cognate upstream kinase JAK2. In contrast, the Src kinase inhibitor PP1 significantly abolishes STAT5-dependent transcription in Trk A expressing 293T cells and in BDNF-treated primary cortical neurons. Together these results suggest that neurotrophins may regulate neuronal gene expression via STAT5 in a JAK2 independent manner.

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Nex-1/Math-2 promotes neuronal survival of PC12 cells by modulating the dynamic expression of anti-apoptotic and cell cycle regulators

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Nex1/Math-2 belongs to the NeuroD subfamily, which plays a critical role during neuronal differentiation and maintenance of the differentiated state. Previously, we demonstrated that Nex1 is a key regulatory component of the nerve growth factor (NGF) pathway. Further supporting this hypothesis, this study shows that Nex1 has survival-inducing properties similar to NGF, as Nex1-overexpressing PC12 cells survive in the absence of trophic factors. We dissected the molecular mechanism by which Nex1 confers neuroprotection upon serum removal and found that constitutive expression of Nex1 maintained the expression of specific G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and concomitantly induced a dynamic expression profile of key anti-apoptotic regulators. This study provides the first evidence of the underlying mechanism by which a member of the NeuroD-subfamily promotes an active anti-apoptotic program essential to the survival of neurons. Our results suggest that the survival program may be viewed as an integral component of the intrinsic programming of the differentiated state.

Decreased apoptosome activity with neuronal differentiation sets the threshold for strict IAP regulation of apoptosis

Despite the potential of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) to block cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation, the critical function of IAPs in regulating mammalian apoptosis remains unclear. We report that the ability of endogenous IAPs to effectively regulate caspase activation depends on the differentiation state of the cell. Despite being expressed at equivalent levels, endogenous IAPs afforded no protection against cytochrome c-induced apoptosis in naive pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, but were remarkably effective in doing so in neuronally differentiated cells. Neuronal differentiation was also accompanied with a marked reduction in Apaf-1, resulting in a significant decrease in apoptosome activity. Importantly, this decrease in Apaf-1 protein was directly linked to the increased ability of IAPs to stringently regulate apoptosis in neuronally differentiated PC12 and primary cells. These data illustrate specifically how the apoptotic pathway acquires increased regulation with cellular differentiation, and are the first to show that IAP function and apoptosome activity are coupled in cells.

Sodium butyrate induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cells by a mitochondria/caspase pathway, associated with degradation of β-catenin, pRb and Bcl-XL

Butyrate can promote programmed cell death in a number of tumour cells in vitro. This paper provides evidence that butyrate induces apoptosis in human hepatoma HuH-6 and HepG2 cells but is ineffective in Chang liver cells, an immortalised non-tumour cell line. In both HuH-6 and HepG2 cells, apoptosis appeared after a lag period of approximately 16 h and increased rapidly during the second day of treatment. In particular, the effect was stronger in HuH-6 cells, which were, therefore, chosen for ascertaining the mechanism of butyrate action. In HuH-6 cells, beta-catenin seemed to exert an important protective role against apoptosis, since pretreatment with beta-catenin antisense ODN reduced the content of beta-catenin and anticipated the onset of apoptosis at 8 h of exposure to butyrate. Moreover, in HuH-6 cells, butyrate induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3, and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, during the second day of treatment, beta-catenin, pRb, and cyclins D and E were diminished and the phosphorylated form of pRb disappeared. Also, the content of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-XL fell markedly during this period, while that of the pro-apoptotic factor Bcl-Xs increased. These effects were accompanied by an increase in both Bcl-XL and Bcl-Xs mRNA transcripts, as ascertained by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Our results suggest that caspases have a crucial role in butyrate-induced apoptosis. This conclusion is supported by the observation that the inhibitors of caspases, benzyloxy carbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone and benzyloxy carbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone, prevented apoptosis and the decrease in Bcl-XL, pRb, cyclins and beta-catenin. These effects were most probably responsible for the increased sensitivity of the cells to butyrate-induced apoptosis, which was observed on the second day of treatment.

Dehydroepiandrosterone and allopregnanolone protect sympathoadrenal medulla cells against apoptosis via antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins

The neuroactive steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate ester DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), and allopregnanolone (Allo), produced by the CNS and the adrenals, appear to exert a protective effect in hippocampal and cortical neuron ischemia- and excitotoxicity-induced injury. We hypothesized that they may also play a protective role on the adrenal medulla, an important part of the sympathetic nervous system, and the tissue adjacent to their primary site of production. DHEA, DHEAS, and Allo protected rat chromaffin cells and the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, an established model for the study of adrenomedullary cell apoptosis and survival, against serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Their effects were time- and dose-dependent, with EC50 1.8, 1.1, and 1.5 nM, respectively. The antiapoptotic effect of DHEA DHEAS and Allo was compared to that of a long list of structurally related compounds and was found to be structure-specific, confined mainly to conformation 3beta-OH-Delta5 for androstenes and 3alpha-OH for pregnanes. Indeed, 3-keto, Delta4, or C7 hydroxylated androstenes and 3beta pregnanes were ineffective. The prosurvival effect of DHEA(S) and Allo was N-methyl-D-aspartate-, GABAA-, sigma1-, or estrogen receptor-independent. It involved the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, their role being sine qua non for their action because Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides reversed their effects. Finally, DHEA(S) and Allo activated cAMP response element-binding protein and NF-kappaB, upstream effectors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression. They also activated the antiapoptotic kinase PKCalpha/beta, a posttranslational activator of Bcl-2 protein. Our findings suggest that decline of DHEA(S) and Allo during aging or stress may leave the adrenal medulla unprotected against proapoptotic challenges.

Ethanol effects on neonatal rat cortex: comparative analyses of neurotrophic factors, apoptosis-related proteins, and oxidative processes during vulnerable and resistant periods

The developing central nervous system (CNS) is highly susceptible to ethanol, with acute or chronic exposure producing an array of anomalies and cell loss. Certain periods of vulnerability have been defined for various CNS regions, and are often followed by periods of relative ethanol resistance. In the present study, neonatal rats were acutely exposed to ethanol during a time when peak cell death is found in developing cerebral cortex (postnatal day 7; P7), and during a later neonatal period of ethanol resistance (P21). Comparisons at the two ages were made of basal levels of neurotrophic factors (NTFs), and in addition, ethanol-mediated changes in NTFs, apoptosis-related proteins, antioxidant activities, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified at 0, 2, and 12 h following termination of exposure. It was found that at P21, basal levels of NTF nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were considerably higher than at P7, possibly affording protection against ethanol neurotoxicity at this age. Following ethanol treatment at P7, approximately equal numbers of pro-apoptotic and pro-survival changes were produced, although most of the pro-apoptotic alterations occurred rapidly following termination of treatment, a critical period for initiation of apoptosis. At P21, however, the large majority of ethanol-mediated changes were adaptive, favoring survival. We speculate that the capacity of the older CNS to upregulate a number of protective elements within the cellular milieu serves to greatly mitigate ethanol neurotoxicity, while in younger animals, such adjustments are minimal, thus enhancing ethanol vulnerability within this developing region.

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 mediates apoptosis of capillary endothelial cells during rat pupillary membrane regression

Programmed capillary regression is essential for development, but little is known about the mechanism behind this phenomenon. In this study, we characterized the molecular determinants of capillary regression utilizing the pupillary membrane (PM) in the newborn rat's eye. We observed in the 1-day-culture system that apoptotic endothelial cells decrease in number with the addition of a natural antagonist, Noggin, strongly suggesting the involvement of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family in PM regression. In addition, the lens-conditioned medium (Lens-CM) induced apoptosis of HUVE cells and inhibited endothelial tubulogenesis, which were completely blocked by both Noggin and the BMP4-specific neutralizing antibody. Activation of BMP4 pathway in endothelial cells was confirmed by both the up-regulation of Msx genes correlated with apoptosis and the translocation of Smad1 into the nucleus. We showed a transient expression of BMP4 in Lens-CM by immunoprecipitation assay. Furthermore, the transcorneal injection of BMP4 in rats enhanced the apoptosis of PMs, while that of Noggin attenuated it. These results indicate that BMP4 pathways play pivotal roles in capillary regression in a paracrine manner between lens and PMs.

The effector phase of physiological cell death relies exclusively on the posttranslational activation of resident components

Inhibitors of transcription and translation can protect cells from physiological cell deaths induced by a variety of stimuli. These observations have been taken to suggest that de novo macromolecular synthesis may be an essential component of the cell death process. Paradoxically, the same inhibitors, at higher concentrations, themselves trigger the death of cells. Previously, we have mapped a conserved and ordered sequence of events that exerts physiological cell death. Diverse signals converge to activate this lethal pathway, composed of a proteolytic cascade of caspases and subsequent cyclin-dependent kinases. Here we report that inhibitors of nuclear gene expression, when they block cell death, act upstream of this lethal process to prevent its activation. In contrast, when cell death is triggered by high doses of the inhibitors, these same essential molecules are activated, despite the essentially complete blockade of macromolecular synthesis. This inhibitor-induced death response is associated with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and the activation of apical caspase 9 and is blocked by overexpression of Bcl-2. These data demonstrate that all essential molecules that exert lethality already are resident within cells and are activated posttranslationally upon stimulation. De novo macromolecular synthesis pertains idiosyncratically only to upstream, modulatory elements of particular death responses.

Methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and production of peroxynitrite are potentiated in nerve growth factor differentiated pheochromocytoma 12 cells

Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely abused psychomotor stimulant known to cause dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. METH administration selectively damages the dopaminergic nerve terminals, which is hypothesized to be due to release of dopamine from synaptic vesicles within the terminals. This process is believed to be mediated by the production of free radicals. The current study evaluates METH-induced dopaminergic toxicity in pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells cultured in the presence or absence of nerve growth factor (NGF). Dopaminergic changes and the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), a marker for peroxynitrite production, were studied in PC12 cell cultures grown in the presence or absence of NGF after different doses of METH (100-1,000 microM). METH exposure did not cause significant alterations in cell viability and did not produce significant dopaminergic changes or 3-NT production in PC12 cells grown in NGF-negative media after 24 hours. However, cell viability of PC12 cells grown in NGF-positive media was decreased by 45%, and significant dose-dependent dopaminergic alteration and 3-NT production were observed 24 hours after exposure to METH. The current study supports the hypothesis that METH acts at the dopaminergic nerve terminals and produces dopaminergic damage by the production of free radical peroxynitrite.

Influence of ethanol on neonatal cerebellum of BDNF gene-deleted animals: analyses of effects on Purkinje cells, apoptosis-related proteins, and endogenous antioxidants

The sensitivity of the developing central nervous system (CNS) to the deleterious effects of ethanol has been well documented, with exposure leading to a wide array of CNS abnormalities. Certain CNS regions are susceptible to ethanol during well-defined critical periods. In the neonatal rodent cerebellum, a profound loss of Purkinje cells is found when ethanol is administered early in the postnatal period [on postnatal days 4 or 5 (P4-5)], while this neuronal population is much less vulnerable to similar ethanol insult slightly later in the postnatal period (P7-9). Prior studies have shown that neurotrophic factors (NTFs) can be altered by ethanol exposure, and both in vitro and in vivo studies have provided evidence that such substances have the potential to protect against ethanol neurotoxicity. In the present study, it was hypothesized that depletion of an NTF shown to be important to cerebellar development would exacerbate ethanol-related effects within this region, when administration was confined to a normally ethanol-resistant ontogenetic period. For this study, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene-deleted ("knockout") and wild-type mice were exposed to ethanol via vapor inhalation or to control conditions during the normally ethanol-resistant period (P7 and P8). Two hours after termination of exposure on P8, analyses were made of body weight, crown-rump length, and brain weight. In subsequent investigations, the number and density of Purkinje cells and the volume of cerebellar lobule I were determined, and the expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins and the activities of endogenous antioxidants were assessed. It was found that the BDNF knockouts were significantly smaller than the wild-type animals, with smaller brain weights. Purkinje cell number and density was reduced in ethanol-treated knockout, but not wild-type animals, and the volume of lobule I was significantly decreased in the gene-deleted animals compared to wild-types, but was not further affected by ethanol treatment. The loss of Purkinje cells in the BDNF knockouts was accompanied by decreases in anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl and in phosphorylated (and hence inactivated) pro-apoptotic Bad, and reduced activity of the antioxidant glutathione reductase, while the antioxidant catalase was increased by ethanol treatment in this genotype. In the wild-type animals, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased by ethanol treatment, but the pro-apoptotic c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was markedly diminished by ethanol exposure, while the activity of the protective antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly enhanced. These results suggest that neurotrophic factors have the capacity to protect against ethanol neurotoxicity, perhaps by regulation of expression of molecules critical to neuronal survival such as elements of the apoptosis cascade and protective antioxidants.

p75 neurotrophin receptor is required for constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling in PC12 cells and rat hippocampal neurones

We have previously shown that nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB increased neuronal expression of Bcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein. In the present study we determined the role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling. Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells with a blocking anti-rat p75 antibody or inhibition of p75 expression by antisense oligonucleotides reduced constitutive and NGF-induced bcl-xL expression. Treatment with the blocking anti-p75 antibody also inhibited NGF-induced activation of the survival kinase Akt. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3 kinase) activity or overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Akt kinase inhibited NGF-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation. Activation of Akt kinase by NGF was also observed in PC12nnr5 cells and cultured rat hippocampal neurones which both lack significant TrkA expression. Treatment of hippocampal neurones with the blocking anti-p75 antibody inhibited constitutive and NGF-induced Bcl-xL expression, activation of Akt, and blocked the protective effect of NGF against excitotoxic and apoptotic injury. Our data suggest that the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurones, and that these effects are mediated via the PI3-kinase pathway.

The neuroprotective actions of FK506 binding protein ligands: neuronal survival is triggered by de novo RNA synthesis, but is independent of inhibition of JNK and calcineurin

The immunosuppressant FK506 displays substantial neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects. It is not fully understood to which extent these effects depend on the inhibition of the calcineurin phosphatase (PP2B). The present study has re-addressed this issue using Lie120, a novel highly specific inhibitor of calcineurin, which does not block the enzymatic activity of FKBPs or cyclophilins, respectively. We have determined the effect of FK506 (10-500 nM), V-10,367 (a FK506 derivative which does not block calcineurin; 1-5 microM) and Lie120 (a novel specific inhibitor of calcineurin, 0.1-5 microM) on the cellular survival and the pro-degenerative JNK activity of PC12 and Neuro2A cells following application of 200 microM H(2)O(2). FK506 and V-10,367, but not Lie120, protected both cell lines against H(2)O(2)-mediated death, whereas an increase in JNK1 activity was blocked by FK506 and Lie120, but not by V-10,367. Co-incubation of FK506 and V-10,367 with the mRNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D abolished the protective effect of FK506 and V-10,367. This antagonization was effective when actinomycin D was applied 30 min or 1 h, but not 2 or 4 h, after H(2)O(2) suggesting that FKBP-ligands confer their neuroprotection by rapid de novo synthesis of (functionally) anti-apoptotic proteins. The search for the corresponding effector genes revealed that the expression of FKBP25, FKBP38 and FKBP52 (analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) did not change following H(2)O(2) or FK506, and this was also true for the expression of apoptosis-related genes caspase 3, bax, bcl-2 and bcl-xL (analysis by Multiplex-PCR). Summarizing, neuronal protection by FKBP-ligands is not mediated either by calcineurin or by JNK1 in this experimental set-up, whereas the FK506 mediated inhibition of JNK1 is realized by the inhibition of calcineurin, an effective activator of JNK1 in neurons.

Aluminum, NO, and nerve growth factor neurotoxicity in cholinergic neurons

Several neurotoxic compounds, including Al, NO, and beta-amyloid may contribute to the impairment or loss of brain cholinergic neurons in the course of various neurodegenerative diseases. Genotype and phenotypic modifications of cholinergic neurons may determine their variable functional competency and susceptibility to reported neurotoxic insults. Hybrid, immortalized SN56 cholinergic cells from mouse septum may serve as a model for in vitro cholinotoxicity studies. Differentiation by various combinations of cAMP, retinoic acid, and nerve growth factor may provide cells of different morphologic maturity as well as activities of acetylcholine and acetyl-CoA metabolism. In general, differentiated cells appear to be more susceptible to neurotoxic signals than the non-differentiated ones, as evidenced by loss of sprouting and connectivity, decreases in choline acetyltransferase and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities, disturbances in acetyl-CoA compartmentation and metabolism, insufficient or excessive acetylcholine release, as well as increased expression of apoptosis markers. Each neurotoxin impaired both acetylcholine and acetyl-CoA metabolism of these cells. Activation of p75 or trkA receptors made either acetyl-CoA or cholinergic metabolism more susceptible to neurotoxic influences, respectively. Neurotoxins aggravated detrimental effects of each other, particularly in differentiated cells. Thus brain cholinergic neurons might display a differential susceptibility to Al and other neurotoxins depending on their genotype or phenotype-dependent variability of the cholinergic and acetyl-CoA metabolism.

Targeting of the transcription factor Max during apoptosis: phosphorylation-regulated cleavage by caspase-5 at an unusual glutamic acid residue in position P1

Max is the central component of the Myc/Max/Mad network of transcription factors that regulate growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Whereas the Myc and Mad genes and proteins are highly regulated, Max expression is constitutive and no post-translational regulation is known. We have found that Max is targeted during Fas-induced apoptosis. Max is first dephosphorylated and subsequently cleaved by caspases. Two specific cleavage sites for caspases in Max were identified, one at IEVE(10) decreasing S and one at SAFD(135) decreasing G near the C-terminus, which are cleaved in vitro by caspase-5 and caspase-7 respectively. Mutational analysis indicates that both sites are also used in vivo. Thus Max represents the first caspase-5 substrate. The unusual cleavage after a glutamic acid residue is observed only with full-length, DNA-binding competent Max protein but not with corresponding peptides, suggesting that structural determinants might be important for this activity. Furthermore, cleavage by caspase-5 is inhibited by the protein kinase CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Max at Ser-11, a previously mapped phosphorylation site in vivo. These findings suggest that Fas-mediated dephosphorylation of Max is required for cleavage by caspase-5. The modifications that occur on Max in response to Fas signalling affect the DNA-binding activity of Max/Max homodimers. Taken together, our findings uncover three distinct processes, namely dephosphorylation and cleavage by caspase-5 and caspase-7, that target Max during Fas-mediated apoptosis, suggesting the regulation of the Myc/Max/Mad network through its central component.

Increased extracellular magnesium modulates proliferation in fetal neural cells in culture

Retrospective studies have shown that antenatal magnesium may decrease the risk of cerebral injury in preterm infants, leading to several ongoing trials of tocolytic magnesium as a neuroprotective agent. However, other studies have indicated that antenatal magnesium actually increases neonatal mortality, leaving it unclear if magnesium is protective or dangerous to preterm infants. This controversy may be secondary to our limited understanding about the mechanisms of magnesium's action on the fetal brain. We therefore investigated the effect of increasing extracellular magnesium on cultures of neurons from embryonic day 6 telencephalon. Conversion of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl, thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) by intact mitochondria was taken as a measure of cell viability. Nuclear incorporation of BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) was taken as a measure of cell proliferation. Exposure of cultures for 24 h to a 4-fold increase in magnesium (3.3 mM) increased both overall cell viability (P<0.002) and proliferation (P<0.02) by approximately 50%. Proliferating cells showed characteristics of glial cell precursors but magnesium had no effect on mature astrocyte proliferation. Increased Akt activation was observed following magnesium treatment, comparable to that observed with the growth factor insulin, suggesting one mechanism for proliferation. However, when apoptosis was induced in these cultures with the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, magnesium significantly enhanced cell death. Thus under normal conditions in the fetus, magnesium may be a positive factor but during stress it may exacerbate cell injury. This is the first time increased extracellular magnesium has been shown to increase cell proliferation in neural cells in culture or suggested to induce Akt activation.

Caspase mRNA expression in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

Proteins of the caspase family are involved in the signalling pathway that ultimately leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis), which has been reported to occur in some experimental models of stroke. In a previous paper we used quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to characterise changes in the mRNA expression of one member of this family, caspase-3, in a rat model of permanent focal ischemia. Here we have used this technique to study the expression of a further three caspases which are involved in different aspects of caspase signalling. Caspase-8, involved in Fas-mediated apoptosis, was upregulated in the cortex of ischemic rats. Caspase-11, which leads to the synthesis of the functional form of the cytokine interleukin-1 beta, also showed increased expression, but with a different temporal profile from caspase-8. In contrast, caspase-9, which forms part of the pathway signalling through the mitochondria, showed a decrease in expression. The expression of a further four caspases (1, 2, 6 and 7) has also been characterised in a simpler experiment. These caspases all showed distinctive patterns of expression following the induction of ischemia. These data lead us to conclude that caspase expression as a whole is under very strict transcriptional control in this model. Certain elements of caspase signalling, such as the Fas-induced pathway and the events upstream of IL-1 beta processing, are upregulated, while others are not. This may be due to some form of genetic program activated in response to ischemia in the brain and may highlight which biological pathways are modulated.

Tetrahydrobiopterin enhances apoptotic PC12 cell death following withdrawal of trophic support

(6R)-Tetrahydro-l-biopterin (BH(4)) is the rate-limiting cofactor in the production of catecholamine and indoleamine neurotransmitters and is also essential for the synthesis of nitric oxide by nitric-oxide synthase. We have previously reported that BH(4) administration induces PC12 cell proliferation and that nerve growth factor- or epidermal growth factor-induced PC12 cell proliferation requires the elevation of intracellular BH(4) levels. We show here that BH(4) accelerates apoptosis in undifferentiated PC12 cells deprived of serum and in differentiated neuron-like PC12 cells after nerve growth factor withdrawal. Increased production of catecholamines or nitric oxide cannot account for the enhancement of apoptosis by BH(4). Furthermore, increased calcium influx by exogenous BH(4) administration is not involved in the BH(4) proapoptotic effect. Our data also argue against the possibility that increased oxidative stress, due to BH(4) autoxidation, is responsible for the observed BH(4) effects. Instead, they are consistent with the hypothesis that BH(4) induces apoptosis by increasing cell cycle progression. Elevation of intracellular BH(4) during serum withdrawal increased c-Myc (and especially Myc S) expression earlier than serum withdrawal alone. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor olomoucine ameliorated the BH(4) proapoptotic effect. These data suggest that BH(4) affects c-Myc expression and cell cycle-dependent events, possibly accounting for its effects on promoting cell cycle progression or apoptosis.

Caspase 3 inhibition attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA fragmentation but not cell death in neuronal PC12 cells

Exposure of neurons to H(2)O(2) results in both necrosis and apoptosis. Caspases play a pivotal role in apoptosis, but exactly how they are involved in H(2)O(2)-mediated cell death is unknown. We examined H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity in neuronal PC12 cells and the effects of inducible overexpression of the H(2)O(2)-scavenging enzyme catalase on this process. H(2)O(2) caused cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Cell death induced by H(2)O(2) was found to be mediated in part through an apoptotic pathway as H(2)O(2)-treated cells exhibited cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation and marked DNA fragmentation. H(2)O(2) also triggered activation of caspase 3. Genetic up-regulation of catalase not only significantly reduced cell death but also suppressed caspase 3 activity and DNA fragmentation. While the caspase 3 inhibitor DEVD inhibited both caspase 3 activity and DNA fragmentation induced by H(2)O(2) it did not prevent cell death. Treatment with the general caspase inhibitor ZVAD, however, resulted in complete attenuation of H(2)O(2)-mediated cellular toxicity. These results suggest that DNA fragmentation induced by H(2)O(2) is attributable to caspase 3 activation and that H(2)O(2) may be critical for signaling leading to apoptosis. However, unlike inducibly increased catalase expression and general caspase inhibition both of which protect cells from cytotoxicity, caspase 3 inhibition alone did not improve cell survival suggesting that prevention of DNA fragmentation is insufficient to prevent H(2)O(2)-mediated cell death.

Activation of nuclear factor kappaB and Bcl-x survival gene expression by nerve growth factor requires tyrosine phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha

NGF has been shown to support neuron survival by activating the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB). We investigated the effect of NGF on the expression of Bcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein. Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, or primary rat hippocampal neurons with NGF (0.1-10 ng/ml) increased the expression of bcl-xL mRNA and protein. Reporter gene analysis revealed a significant increase in NFkappaB activity after treatment with NGF that was associated with increased nuclear translocation of the active NFkappaB p65 subunit. NGF-induced NFkappaB activity and Bcl-xL expression were inhibited in cells overexpressing the NFkappaB inhibitor, IkappaBalpha. Unlike tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), however, NGF-induced NFkappaB activation occurred without significant degradation of IkappaBs determined by Western blot analysis and time-lapse imaging of neurons expressing green fluorescent protein-tagged IkappaBalpha. Moreover, in contrast to TNF-alpha, NGF failed to phosphorylate IkappaBalpha at serine residue 32, but instead caused significant tyrosine phosphorylation. Overexpression of a Y42F mutant of IkappaBalpha potently suppressed NFG-, but not TNF-alpha-induced NFkappaB activation. Conversely, overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of TNF receptor-associated factor-6 blocked TNF-alpha-, but not NGF-induced NFkappaB activation. We conclude that NGF and TNF-alpha induce different signaling pathways in neurons to activate NFkappaB and bcl-x gene expression.

Coupling of nerve growth factor to its receptor: inhibition by anti-GM3 ganglioside antibody

1. Normal differentiation of PC 12 cells and dorsal root ganglionic neurons in culture need nerve growth factor (NGF) for their neurite outgrowth. 2. An antibody against GM3 ganglioside was found to inhibit the nerve growth factor mediated neurite formation of both the cells in vitro significantly. 3. Further analysis revealed that the binding of 125I-NGF to live PC 12 cells could be markedly inhibited by anti-GM3 antibody in a dose dependent manner. 4. Scatchard analysis revealed that in the presence of anti-GM3 antibody only some low affinity binding sites were available for NGF-high affinity binding sites were totally blocked. 5. These results further strengthen the hypothesis that anti-GM3 antibody affects neuronal cell growth by interfering with the coupling of growth factors to their cell surface receptors.

Mitochondrial free calcium levels (Rhod-2 fluorescence) and ultrastructural alterations in neuronally differentiated PC12 cells during ceramide-dependent cell death

Mitochondrial free calcium levels measured by Rhod-2 fluorescence and ultrastructure were examined during cell death in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells that were 1) exposed to C2-ceramide, 2) deprived of serum to induce endogenous ceramide production, or 3) treated with calcium ionophore A23187. Rhod-2 fluorescence in mitochondria and also in the nucleolus increased to a maximum within 3 hours after C2-ceramide treatment or serum withdrawal. In A23187-treated cells, Rhod-2 fluorescence remained at baseline levels. In all three models, enlargement of the endoplasmic reticulum was the first ultrastructural alteration, followed by mitochondrial shrinkage in ionophore-treated cells, but by mitochondrial swelling in the ceramide-dependent models, in which rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and unfolding of the inner membrane were frequently seen. Dihydro-C2-ceramide, which did not cause cell death, had no effect on cellular ultrastructure. NGF, which inhibits ceramide-dependent cell death, prevented the effects of serum deprivation on mitochondrial ultrastructure but not on endoplasmic reticulum morphology or Rhod-2 fluorescence. Nuclear shrinkage with loss of nuclear membrane integrity, characterized by nuclear pores, free or surrounded by electron-dense filaments, was a late event in ceramide-dependent cell death. Chromatin condensation and other morphological features associated with apoptosis were seen in only a few atypical cells. Ceramide-mediated cell death, therefore, did not involve classical apoptosis but was mediated by a reproducible series of events beginning in the endoplasmic reticulum, followed by the mitochondria, and then the nucleus. NGF-dependent cell death inhibition intervenes at the mitochondrial level, not by blocking the increase in Rhod-2 fluorescence but by preventing the ultrastructural changes that follow.

Mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced neuronal apoptosis

In vivo models of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia have shown that neuronal death may occur via necrosis or apoptosis. Necrosis is, in general, a rapidly occurring form of cell death that has been attributed, in part, to alterations in ionic homeostasis. In contrast, apoptosis is a delayed form of cell death that occurs as the result of activation of a genetic program. In the past decade, we have learned considerably about the mechanisms underlying apoptotic neuronal death following cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. With this growth in knowledge, we are coming to the realization that apoptosis and necrosis, although morphologically distinct, are likely part of a continuum of cell death with similar operative mechanisms. For example, following hypoxia-ischemia, excitatory amino acid release and alterations in ionic homeostasis contribute to both necrotic and apoptotic neuronal death. However, apoptosis is distinguished from necrosis in that gene activation is the predominant mechanism regulating cell survival. Following hypoxic-ischemic episodes in the brain, genes that promote as well as inhibit apoptosis are activated. It is the balance in the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes that likely determines the fate of neurons exposed to hypoxia. The balance in expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes may also account for the regional differences in vulnerability to hypoxic insults. In this review, we will examine the known mechanisms underlying apoptosis in neurons exposed to hypoxia and hypoxia-ischemia.

Differential protective effects of neurotrophins in the attenuation of noise-induced hair cell loss

The protective efficacy of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at 1 or 10 microg/ml was assessed in guinea pigs exposed to 4 kHz octave band noise at 115 dB SPL for 5 h. BDNF, NT-3 or artificial perilymph was delivered to the scala tympani via a mini-osmotic pump, beginning 4 days prior to noise exposure and continuing for 1 week post-exposure. Protection was assessed physiologically by the change in auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and histologically by outer hair cell (OHC) survival. There was a statistically significant increase in OHC survival and a decrease in ABR threshold shift in animals receiving NT-3 at a concentration of 10 microg/ml. In animals receiving 1 microg/ml NT-3, there was a significant increase in OHC survival in the first row of OHC, but no significant change in ABR threshold, relative to control animals. In animals treated with BDNF, no significant functional or histological protection was observed. The protection afforded by NT-3 (10 microg/ml) treatment was similar in magnitude to that reported previously with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and suggests that several factors may be involved in the protective response.