Transplanted long-term cultured pre-BI cells expressing calpastatin are resistant to B cell receptor-induced apoptosis

4-PBA rescues hyperoxaluria induced nephrolithiasis by modulating urinary glycoproteins: Cross talk between endoplasmic reticulum, calcium homeostasis and mitochondria

AIM

Urinary glycoproteins such as Tamm Horsfall Protein (THP) and Osteopontin (OPN) are well established key regulators of renal stone formation. Additionally, recent revelations have highlighted the influence of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and mitochondria of crucial importance in nephrolithiasis. However, till date conclusive approach highlighting the influence of ER stress on urinary glycoproteins and chaperone in nephrolithiasis remains elusive. Therefore, the present study was focussed on deciphering the possible effect of 4-PBA mitigating ER stress on urinary glycoproteins and calnexin (chaperone) with emphasis on interlinking calcium homeostasis in hyperoxaluric rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Post 9 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed, and renal tissues were investigated for urinary glycoproteins, calnexin, calcium homeostasis, ER environment, redox status, and mitochondrial linkage.

KEY FINDINGS

4-PBA appreciably reversed the altered levels of THP, OPN, and calnexin observed along with curtailing the disrupted calcium homeostasis when assessed for SERCA activity and intra-cellular calcium levels. Additionally, significant improvement in the perturbed ER environment as verified by escalated ER stress markers, disturbed protein folding-aggregation-degradation (congo red assay) pathway, and redox status was found post 4-PBA intervention. Interestingly, linkage of ER stress and mitochondria was established under hyperoxaluric conditions when assessed for protein levels of VDAC1 and GRP75.

SIGNIFICANCE

4-PBA treatment resulted in rectifying the repercussions of ER-mitochondrial caused distress when assessed for protein folding/aggregation/degradation events along with disturbed calcium homeostasis. The present study advocates the necessity to adopt a holistic vision towards hyperoxaluria with emphasis on glycoproteins and ER environment.

Calcium-dependent signalling in B-cell lymphomas

Induced waves of calcium fluxes initiate multiple signalling pathways that play an important role in the differentiation and maturation of B-cells. Finely tuned transient Ca⁺² fluxes from the endoplasmic reticulum in response to B-cell receptor (BCR) or chemokine receptor activation are followed by more sustained calcium influxes from the extracellular environment and contribute to the mechanisms responsible for the proliferation of B-cells, their migration within lymphoid organs and their differentiation. Dysregulation of these well-balanced mechanisms in B-cell lymphomas results in uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Consequently, several cytotoxic drugs (and anti-proliferative compounds) used in standard chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of people with lymphoma target calcium-dependent pathways. Furthermore, ~10% of lymphoma associated mutations are found in genes with functions in calcium-dependent signalling, including those affecting B-cell receptor signalling pathways. In this review, we provide an overview of the Ca²⁺-dependent signalling network and outline the contribution of its key components to B cell lymphomagenesis. We also consider how the oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus, which is causally linked to the pathogenesis of a number of B-cell lymphomas, can modify Ca²⁺-dependent signalling.

Role of calpastatin in the regulation of mRNA expression of calpain, caspase, and heat shock protein systems in bovine muscle satellite cells

Calpastatin participates in apoptotic cell death and cell signaling, but its role in skeletal myoblast development and molecular involvements in cell growth still remains unknown. The current study aimed to investigate the role of calpastatin on the expression patterns of calpains, caspases, and heat shock proteins (HSPs). In addition, the cell viability during myoblast growth under calpastatin silence condition was also investigated. Three small interference RNA sequences (siRNAs) were used to silence calpastatin gene and ligated into pSilencer plasmid vector to construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression. The all three siRNAs significantly silence the calpastatin gene. Moreover, suppression of calpastatin significantly reduced the viability of myoblasts during growth phase when compared to control cells. Additionally, knockdown of calpastatin significantly increased the mRNA expression of μ-calpain, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9, as well as HSP-27, -70, and -90. The present study results suggested that the suppression of calpastatin resulted in the increased expression of μ-calpain, caspases, and HSPs which in turn regulate the apoptotic cell death. The present study throws light on the central role of calpastatin in the control of calpain activity, cell proliferation, cell survival, and apoptotic pathways.

Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Antagonizes Interleukin-5 Pro-Survival Signaling by Activating Calpain-1 in Primary Human Eosinophils

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils rapidly undergo apoptosis unless exposed to prosurvival cytokines such as interleukin 5 (IL-5) or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In vivo, eosinophils are exposed to TGF-β 1 which can induce apoptosis suggesting it may function to counteract the effects of IL-5 or GM-CSF and limit, in vivo tissue eosinophilia.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the proapoptotic effects of TGF-β alone and in combination with IL-5 on eosinophils.

METHODS

Peripheral blood eosinophil (PBEos) viability was assessed using flow cytometry after exposure to TGF-β1 and IL-5. Calpain-1 activation was determined in cell extracts by western blot analysis of endogenous substrates and with a fluorogenic α-spectrin substrate. Molecular interactions between calpain1 and calpastatin were assessed by immunoprecipitation and western blotting.

RESULTS

Physiologic concentrations of TGF-β1 significantly antagonized the prosurvival effects of IL-5. TGF-β1-induced apoptosis was suppressed by inhibitors of calpain, or its downstream target, caspase 3. TGF-β1 signaling through Smad3 was unaffected by IL-5 and was required for the pro-apoptotic effects of TGF-β1. However, IL-5 induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by TGF-β1 and was associated with accelerated calpain cleavage and eosinophil death.

CONCLUSION

TGF-β1 induces calpain-1 activation through antagonism of Akt which induces caspase activation and eosinophil apoptosis.

LGP2 is a positive regulator of RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated antiviral responses

RNA virus infection is recognized by retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptors (RLRs), RIG-I, and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) in the cytoplasm. RLRs are comprised of N-terminal caspase-recruitment domains (CARDs) and a DExD/H-box helicase domain. The third member of the RLR family, LGP2, lacks any CARDs and was originally identified as a negative regulator of RLR signaling. In the present study, we generated mice lacking LGP2 and found that LGP2 was required for RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated antiviral responses. In particular, LGP2 was essential for type I IFN production in response to picornaviridae infection. Overexpression of the CARDs from RIG-I and MDA5 in Lgp2(-/-) fibroblasts activated the IFN-beta promoter, suggesting that LGP2 acts upstream of RIG-I and MDA5. We further examined the role of the LGP2 helicase domain by generating mice harboring a point mutation of Lys-30 to Ala (Lgp2 (K30A/K30A)) that abrogated the LGP2 ATPase activity. Lgp2 (K30A/K30A) dendritic cells showed impaired IFN-beta productions in response to various RNA viruses to extents similar to those of Lgp2(-/-) cells. Lgp2(-/-) and Lgp2 (K30A/K30A) mice were highly susceptible to encephalomyocarditis virus infection. Nevertheless, LGP2 and its ATPase activity were dispensable for the responses to synthetic RNA ligands for MDA5 and RIG-I. Taken together, the present data suggest that LGP2 facilitates viral RNA recognition by RIG-I and MDA5 through its ATPase domain.

Lentiviral (HIV)-based RNA interference screen in human B-cell receptor regulatory networks reveals MCL1-induced oncogenic pathways

Aberrant inhibition of B-cell receptor (BCR)-induced programmed cell death pathways is frequently associated with the development of human auto-reactive B-cell lymphomas. Here, we integrated loss-of-function, genomic, and bioinformatics approaches for the identification of oncogenic mechanisms linked to the inhibition of BCR-induced clonal deletion pathways in human B-cell lymphomas. Lentiviral (HIV)-based RNA interference screen identified MCL1 as a key survival molecule linked to BCR signaling. Loss of MCL1 by RNA interference rendered human B-cell lymphomas sensitive to BCR-induced programmed cell death. Conversely, MCL1 overexpression blocked programmed cell death on BCR stimulation. To get insight into the mechanisms of MCL1-induced survival and transformation, we screened 41 000 human genes in a genome-wide gene expression profile analysis of MCL1-overexpressing B-cell lymphomas. Bioinformatic gene network reconstruction illustrated reprogramming of relevant oncoproteins within beta-catenin-T-cell factor signaling pathways induced by enforced MCL1 expression. Overall, our findings not only illustrate MCL1 as an aberrantly expressed reprogramming oncoprotein in follicular lymphomas but also highlight MCL1 as key therapeutic target.

Ubiquitous calpains promote both apoptosis and survival signals in response to different cell death stimuli

The mu- and m-calpain proteases have been implicated in both pro- or anti-apoptotic functions. Here we compared cell death responses and apoptotic or survival signaling pathways in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from wild type or capn4 knock-out mice which lack both mu- and m-calpain activities. Capn4(-/-) MEFs displayed resistance to puromycin, camptothecin, etoposide, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet light, and serum starvation, which was consistent with pro-apoptotic roles for calpain. In contrast, capn4(-/-) MEFs were more susceptible to staurosporine (STS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced cell death, which provided evidence for anti-apoptotic signaling roles for calpain. Bax activation, release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 all correlated with the observed cell death responses of wild type or capn4(-/-) MEFs to the various challenges, suggesting that calpain might play distinct roles in transducing different death signals to the mitochondria. There was no evidence that calpain cleaved Bcl-2 family member proteins that regulate mitochondrial membrane permeability including Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bad, Bak, Bid, or Bim. However, activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase/Akt survival signaling pathway was compromised in capn4(-/-) MEFs under all challenges regardless of the cell death outcome, and blocking Akt activation using the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 abolished the protective effect of calpain to STS challenge. We conclude that the anti-apoptotic function of calpain in tumor necrosis factor alpha- and STS-challenged cells relates to a novel role in activating the PI3-kinase/Akt survival pathway.

ZAP-70 upregulation in transformed B cells after early pre-BI cell transplant into NOD/SCID mice

Understanding of the signal transduction pathways that lead to B cell development is of extreme interest to learn how alterations in these pathways might initiate malignant transformation. Long-term cultured early pre-BI cells can differentiate into IgM+ B cells after transplant into NOD/SCID mice, offering the possibility to explore checkpoints in B cell development. Using DNA microarray and Western blot analysis of IgM+ B cells vs parental early pre-BI cells, we demonstrated that zeta-associated protein 70 (ZAP-70) is upregulated in our B cell differentiation model. Unlike parental ZAP-70- early pre-BI cells, ZAP-70+ IgM+ B cells exhibited a transformed phenotype, as indicated by BCL-6 expression, a high Ki-67 proliferation index, resistance to IL-7 deprivation-induced apoptosis, and an increased repopulation rate in NOD/SCID mice. These data show the characterization and generation of a novel murine leukemia model with many similarities to human ZAP-70+ B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK control multiple initiator caspases

BAX and BAK operate at both the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to regulate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. An unresolved issue is whether any caspases can be activated in response to intrinsic apoptotic signals in the absence of BAX and BAK. Following organelle-specific intrinsic stress signals, including DNA damage and ER stress, we detected no activation of CARD-containing caspases (initiator CASP)-1, -2, -9, -11 and -12 in Bax(-/-)Bak(-/-) doubly deficient (DKO) cells. BCL-2 overexpression in these DKO cells provided no further protection to their already strong protection from DNA damage and ER stress. Moreover, there was no activation of effector CASP-3 and -7 in DKO cells, consistent with the lack of initiator caspase activity and disfavouring a BAX, BAK-independent intrinsic apoptotic pathway to activate initiator caspases. Thus, BAX and BAK confer an essential gateway for the activation of caspases in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

The adaptor protein HSH2 attenuates apoptosis in response to ligation of the B cell antigen receptor complex on the B lymphoma cell line, WEHI-231

Signals transduced by the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) play a central role in regulating the functional response of the cell to antigen. Depending on the nature of the antigenic signal and the developmental or differentiation state of the B cell, antigen receptor signaling can promote either apoptosis or survival and activation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying BCR-mediated apoptosis constitutes an important area of research because aberrations in programmed cell death can result in the development of autoimmunity or cancer. Expression of the adaptor protein hematopoietic Src homology 2 (HSH2) was found to significantly decrease BCR-mediated apoptosis in the murine WEHI-231 cell line. Analysis of signal transduction pathways activated in response to BCR ligation revealed that HSH2 does not significantly alter total protein tyrosine phosphorylation or Ca2+ mobilization. HSH2 does not potentiate the activation-dependent phosphorylation of AKT either. With respect to MAPK activation, HSH2 was not observed to alter the activation of ERK or p38 in response to BCR ligation, but it does significantly potentiate JNK activation. Analysis of processes directly associated with apoptosis revealed that HSH2 inhibits mitochondrial depolarization to a significant degree, whereas it has only a slight effect on caspase activation and poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage. BCR-induced apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells is associated with the loss of endogenous HSH2 expression within 12 h, whereas inhibition of apoptosis in response to CD40-mediated signaling leads to stabilization of HSH2 expression. Thus, endogenous HSH2 expression correlates directly with survival of WEHI-231 cells, which supports the hypothesis that HSH2 modulates the apoptotic response through its ability to directly or indirectly promote mitochondrial stability.

Regulation of apoptosis by endoplasmic reticulum pathways

Apoptotic programmed cell death pathways are activated by a diverse array of cell extrinsic and intrinsic signals, most of which are ultimately coupled to the activation of effector caspases. In many instances, this involves an obligate propagation through mitochondria, causing egress of critical proapoptotic regulators to the cytosol. Central to the regulation of the mitochondrial checkpoint is a complex three-way interplay between members of the BCL-2 family, which are comprised of an antiapoptotic subgroup including BCL-2 itself, and the proapoptotic BAX,BAK and BH3-domain-only subgroups. Constituents of all three of these BCL-2 classes, however, also converge on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), an organelle whose critical contributions to apoptosis is only now becoming apparent. In addition to propagating death-inducing stress signals itself, the ER also contributes in a fundamental way to Fas-mediated apoptosis and to p53-dependent pathways resulting from DNA damage and oncogene expression. Mobilization of ER calcium stores can initiate the activation of cytoplasmic death pathways as well as sensitize mitochondria to direct proapoptotic stimuli. Additionally, the existence of BCL-2-regulated initiator procaspase activation complexes at the ER membrane has also been described. Here, we review the potential underlying mechanisms involved in these events and discuss pathways for ER-mitochondrial crosstalk pertinent to a number of cell death stimuli.

Calpain-1 regulates Bax and subsequent Smac-dependent caspase-3 activation in neutrophil apoptosis

In the absence and in the resolution of inflammatory responses, neutrophils rapidly undergo spontaneous apoptosis. Here we report about a new apoptosis pathway in these cells that requires calpain-1 activation and is essential for the enzymatic activation of the critical effector caspase-3. Decreased levels of calpastatin, a highly specific intrinsic inhibitor of calpain, resulted in activation of calpain-1, but not calpain-2, in neutrophils undergoing apoptosis, a process that was blocked by a specific calpain-1 inhibitor or by intracellular delivery of a calpastatin peptide. Further support for the importance of the calpastatin-calpain system was obtained by analyzing neutrophils from patients with cystic fibrosis that exhibited delayed apoptosis, associated with markedly increased calpastatin and decreased calpain-1 protein levels compared with neutrophils from control individuals. Additional studies were designed to place calpain-1 into the hierarchy of biochemical events leading to neutrophil apoptosis. Pharmacological calpain inhibition during spontaneous and Fas receptor-induced neutrophil apoptosis prevented cleavage of Bax into an 18-kDa fragment unable to interact with Bcl-xL. Moreover, calpain blocking prevented the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and Smac, which was indispensable for caspase-3 processing and enzymatic activation, both in the presence and absence of agonistic anti-Fas receptor antibodies. Taken together, calpastatin and calpain-1 represent critical proximal elements in a cascade of pro-apoptotic events leading to Bax, mitochondria, and caspase-3 activation, and their altered expression appears to influence the life span of neutrophils under pathologic conditions.

B cell receptor-mediated nuclear fragmentation proceeds in WEHI 231 cells in the absence of detectable DEVDase and FRase activity

Crosslinking of the WEHI 231 lymphoma B cell receptor (BCR) leads to growth arrest followed by apoptosis. In a study of the role of lysosomal cysteine proteinases in BCR-mediated apoptosis we provide evidence that commitment to apoptosis correlates with a time-dependent increase in caspase and cathepsin activities. We also show that activation of cathepsins is a caspase-independent process, and caspase cascade activation is independent of lysosomal endopeptidases. BCR-induced nuclear fragmentation was not prevented, but rather delayed in the absence of detectable caspase and cathepsin activities, suggesting that BCR-driven apoptosis of these cells may use an alternative proteolytic mechanism independent of caspases and cathepsins.

The calpain system

The calpain system originally comprised three molecules: two Ca2+-dependent proteases, mu-calpain and m-calpain, and a third polypeptide, calpastatin, whose only known function is to inhibit the two calpains. Both mu- and m-calpain are heterodimers containing an identical 28-kDa subunit and an 80-kDa subunit that shares 55-65% sequence homology between the two proteases. The crystallographic structure of m-calpain reveals six "domains" in the 80-kDa subunit: 1). a 19-amino acid NH2-terminal sequence; 2). and 3). two domains that constitute the active site, IIa and IIb; 4). domain III; 5). an 18-amino acid extended sequence linking domain III to domain IV; and 6). domain IV, which resembles the penta EF-hand family of polypeptides. The single calpastatin gene can produce eight or more calpastatin polypeptides ranging from 17 to 85 kDa by use of different promoters and alternative splicing events. The physiological significance of these different calpastatins is unclear, although all bind to three different places on the calpain molecule; binding to at least two of the sites is Ca2+ dependent. Since 1989, cDNA cloning has identified 12 additional mRNAs in mammals that encode polypeptides homologous to domains IIa and IIb of the 80-kDa subunit of mu- and m-calpain, and calpain-like mRNAs have been identified in other organisms. The molecules encoded by these mRNAs have not been isolated, so little is known about their properties. How calpain activity is regulated in cells is still unclear, but the calpains ostensibly participate in a variety of cellular processes including remodeling of cytoskeletal/membrane attachments, different signal transduction pathways, and apoptosis. Deregulated calpain activity following loss of Ca2+ homeostasis results in tissue damage in response to events such as myocardial infarcts, stroke, and brain trauma.

Proteinases and their inhibitors in the immune system

The most important roles of proteinases in the immune system are found in apoptosis and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-mediated antigen presentation. A variety of cysteine proteinases, serine proteinases, and aspartic proteinases as well as their inhibitors are involved in the regulation of apoptosis in neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells, in selection of specific B and T lymphocytes, and in killing of target cells by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. In antigen presentation, endocytosed antigens are digested into antigenic peptides by both aspartic and cysteine proteinases. In parallel, MHC class II molecules are processed by aspartic and cysteine proteinases to degrade the invariant chain that occupies the peptide-binding site. Proteinase activity in these processes is highly regulated, particularly by posttranslational activation and the balance between active proteinases and specific endogenous inhibitors such as cystatins, thyropins, and serpins. This article discusses the regulation of proteolytic processes in apoptosis and antigen presentation in immune cells and the consequences of therapeutic interference in the balance of proteinases and their inhibitors.

Cross-talk between calpain and caspase proteolytic systems during neuronal apoptosis

Cross-talk between calpain and caspase proteolytic systems has complicated efforts to determine their distinct roles in apoptotic cell death. This study examined the effect of overexpressing calpastatin, the specific endogenous calpain inhibitor, on the activity of the two proteolytic systems following an apoptotic stimulus. Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were stably transfected with full-length human calpastatin cDNA resulting in 20-fold overexpression based on Western blot and 5-fold greater calpain inhibitory activity in cell extracts. Wild type and calpastatin overexpressing (CST1) cells were neuronally differentiated and apoptosis-induced with staurosporine (0.1-1.0 microm). Calpastatin overexpression decreased calpain activation, increased caspase-3-like activity, and accelerated the appearance of apoptotic nuclear morphology. Following 0.1-0.2 microm staurosporine, plasma membrane integrity based on calcein-acetoxymethyl fluorescence was significantly greater at 24 h in differentiated CST1 compared with differentiated wild type cells. However, this protective effect was lost at higher staurosporine doses (0.5-1.0 microm), which resulted in pronounced caspase-mediated degradation of the overexpressed calpastatin. These results suggest a dual role for calpains during neuronal apoptosis. In the early execution phase, calpain down-regulates caspase-3-like activity and slows progression of apoptotic nuclear morphology. Subsequent calpain activity, facilitated by caspase-mediated degradation of calpastatin, contributes to plasma membrane disruption and secondary necrosis.

Slow and persistent increase of [Ca2+]c in response to ligation of surface IgM in WEHI-231 cells

WEHI-231 and Bal 17 B cell lines are representative models for immature and mature B cells, respectively. Their regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) was compared using fura-2 fluorescence ratiometry. The ligation of B cell antigen receptor (BCR) by anti-IgM antibody induced a slow but large increase of [Ca(2+)](c) in WEHI-231 cells while not in Bal 17 cells. The thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) of Bal 17 cells reached a steady state which was blocked by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB). On the contrary, the thapsigargin-induced SOCE of WEHI-231 cells increased continuously, which was accelerated by 2-APB. The increase of [Ca(2+)](c) by BCR ligation was also enhanced by 2-APB in WEHI-231 cells while blocked in Bal 17 cells. The Mn(2+) quenching study showed that the thapsigargin-, or the BCR ligation-induced Ca(2+) influx pathway of WEHI-231 was hardly permeable to Mn(2+). The intractable increase of [Ca(2+)](c) may explain the mechanism of BCR-driven apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells, a well-known model of clonal deletion of autoreactive immature B cells.

Hepatic fibrosis--role of hepatic stellate cell activation

Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible wound healing response characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), or "scar," that follows chronic but not self-limited liver disease. The ECM components in fibrotic liver are similar regardless of the underlying cause. Activation of hepatic stellate cells is the central event in hepatic fibrosis. These perisinusoidal cells orchestrate an array of changes including degradation of the normal ECM of liver, deposition of scar molecules, vascular and organ contraction, and release of cytokines. Not only is hepatic fibrosis reversible, but it is also increasingly clear that cirrhosis may be reversible as well. The exact stage at which fibrosis/cirrhosis becomes truly irreversible is not known. Antifibrotic therapies will soon be a clinical reality. Emerging therapies will be targeted to those patients with reversible disease. The paradigm of stellate cell activation provides an important framework for defining therapeutic targets.