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Chorionic gonadotropin inhibits rat mammary carcinogenesis through activation of programmed cell death.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) inhibits the progression of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinomas. In order to determine whether this phenomenon was mediated by induction of programmed cell death or apoptosis, 45-day-old virgin Sprague-Dawley rats received 8 mg DMBA/100 g body weight; 20 days later they were injected daily with 100 IU hCG for 40 days (DMBA + hCG group). Age-matched untreated, hCG- and DMBA + saline treated rats were used as controls. Tissues were collected at the time of DMBA administration and at 5, 10, 20 and 40 days of hCG injection. RNA from mammary glands, adenocarcinomas and ovaries was probed for transforming growth factors (TGF) alpha and beta, and the apoptotic genes TRPM2, ICE, bcl2, bcl-XL, bcl-XS, p53 and c-myc. The mammary glands of hCG-treated animals with or without DMBA exhibited elevated expression of TRPM2, ICE, bcl-XS, c-myc and p53; and elevation in the apoptotic index. Mammary adenocarcinomas developed in those animals treated with hCG showed an elevation in the expression of p53, c-myc and ICE genes in comparison with the levels detected in the adenocarcinomas developed by the animals treated with DMBA alone. No significant alterations in the expression of any of the genes tested was observed in ovarian RNAs. These results led us to conclude that hCG induces programmed cell death in the mammary gland initiated in the carcinogenic process, that this process is p53 dependent, and is modulated by c-myc expression. Our data also indicate the possibility that a cell death program dependent on the bcl2 family exists, because of the potential involvement of p53, bcl-XS and Bax in apoptosis. This additional mechanism of tumor inhibition makes hCG treatment a useful approach for the prevention and therapy of breast cancer.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Programmed cell death and risk of diabetic retinopathy: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an important role in diabetic retinopathy (DR); however, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationships between PCD-related genes and DR. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PCD on the risk of DR by conducting MR analysis. METHODS: Summary statistics from gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies (31,684 Europeans) were analyzed. Genetic instrumental variables were selected using cis-eQTL single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;5&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10-&#x2009;8). Summary data-based MR (SMR) was employed to assess causal associations between PCD-related genes and DR, with three additional MR methods used for sensitivity testing. Bayesian colocalization was used to examine the shared regulatory mechanisms between PCD QTLs and DR risk loci. RESULTS: Sensitivity and colocalization analyses revealed six genes that affected DR: cathepsin H (CTSH), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3), and phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5), which increased DR risk, and iron-responsive element binding protein 2 (IREB2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which exhibited protective effects. Multivariate MR confirmed significant causal effects for CTSH, IREB2, and PGAM5 (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.050). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis (including 10 STRING-derived genes) revealed that 13 genes were enriched in necroptosis, apoptosis, mitophagy, and TNF signaling pathways in DR. CONCLUSIONS: This MR study supports the causal involvement of PCD in DR and identifies candidate genes (CTSH, IREB2, PGAM5, NQO1, TRIB3, and TNF) for therapeutic targeting or biomarker development in DR prevention or diagnosis.

Humans↗

Inhibition of programmed cell death in mouse embryonic palate in vitro by cortisol and phenytoin: receptor involvement and requirement of protein synthesis.

In an in vitro model cortisol and phenytoin inhibit the precisely timed process of palatal development, the lysosomally mediated cell death of the medial edge palatal epithelium. This inhibition of programmed cell death of the palatal midline epithelium by each drug is virtually completely blocked by the antiglucocorticoid, cortexolone, whose blocking action results from competitive binding of the glucocorticoid receptor site. The inhibition produced by each of these drugs is prevented by the protein synthesis blocker, cycloheximide. Thus, blockade of programmed cell death by each of these drugs involves the glucocorticoid receptor site and requires protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Coordinated Activation of Programmed Cell Death and Defense Mechanisms in Transgenic Tobacco Plants Expressing a Bacterial Proton Pump.

In plants, programmed cell death is thought to be activated during the hypersensitive response to certain avirulent pathogens and in the course of several differentiation processes. We describe a transgenic model system that mimics the activation of programmed cell death in higher plants. In this system, expression of a bacterial proton pump in transgenic tobacco plants activates a cell death pathway that may be similar to that triggered by recognition of an incompatible pathogen. Thus, spontaneous lesions that resemble hypersensitive response lesions are formed, multiple defense mechanisms are apparently activated, and systemic resistance is induced in the absence of a pathogen. Interestingly, mutation of a single amino acid in the putative channel of this proton pump renders it inactive with respect to lesion formation and induction of resistance to pathogen challenge. This transgenic model system may provide insights into the mechanisms involved in mediating cell death in higher plants. In addition, it may also be used as a general agronomic tool to enhance disease protection.

Journal Article↗

Type 1/type 2 cytokine modulation of T-cell programmed cell death as a model for human immunodeficiency virus pathogenesis.

In vitro T-cell receptor-induced programmed cell death in both activated T cells from human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative (HIV-) donors and resting T cells from HIV+ donors was substantially influenced by cytokines. Addition of exogenous recombinant "type 1" lymphokines interferon gamma and interleukin 2 (IL-2), as well as the macrophage-produced IL-12, which favor cell-mediated T-cell responses, blocks both systems of T-lymphocyte programmed cell death. In contrast, the "type 2" lymphokines IL-4 and IL-10, which favor antibody responses, either had no effect or enhanced these systems of in vitro T-cell programmed cell death. A role for endogenously produced cytokines was suggested by the inhibition of T-cell receptor-mediated death by antibodies against IL-4 and IL-10 and its enhancement by anti-IL-12 in cultures containing monocytes. These results demonstrate that the functional properties of type 1 and type 2 cytokine classes may be further extended to include their effects on T-cell programmed cell death and their possible role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection.

Apoptosis↗

Programmed cell death during Drosophila embryogenesis.

The deliberate and orderly removal of cells by programmed cell death is a common phenomenon during the development of metazoan animals. We have examined the distribution and ultrastructural appearance of cell deaths that occur during embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. A large number of cells die during embryonic development in Drosophila. These cells display ultrastructural features that resemble apoptosis observed in vertebrate systems, including nuclear condensation, fragmentation and engulfment by macrophages. Programmed cell deaths can be rapidly and reliably visualized in living wild-type and mutant Drosophila embryos using the vital dyes acridine orange or nile blue. Acridine orange appears to selectively stain apoptotic forms of death in these preparations, since cells undergoing necrotic deaths were not significantly labelled. Likewise, toluidine blue staining of fixed tissues resulted in highly specific labelling of apoptotic cells, indicating that apoptosis leads to specific biochemical changes responsible for the selective affinity to these dyes. Cell death begins at stage 11 (approximately 7 hours) of embryogenesis and thereafter becomes widespread, affecting many different tissues and regions of the embryo. Although the distribution of dying cells changes drastically over time, the overall pattern of cell death is highly reproducible for any given developmental stage. Detailed analysis of cell death in the central nervous system of stage 16 embryos (13-16 hours) revealed asymmetries in the exact number and position of dying cells on either side of the midline, suggesting that the decision to die may not be strictly predetermined at this stage. This work provides the basis for further molecular genetic studies on the control and execution of programmed cell death in Drosophila.

Acridine Orange↗

Programmed cell death, apoptosis and killer genes.

A cursory examination of the literature reveals that the study of programmed cell death and apoptosis is increasing exponentially. Most contributors to this field have come either from developmental biology or immunology and view programmed cell death from different perspectives, leading both to confusion and an inability to fully appreciate the literature from other disciplines. Here, Lawrence Schwartz and Barbara Osborne define the terms and ideas relevant to the study of cell death in a way that will be accessible to investigators from all fields.

Animals↗

The significance of shed membrane particles during programmed cell death in vitro, and in vivo, in HIV-1 infection.

The plasma membrane remodeling, including the early transverse redistribution of phosphatidylserine, is a general feature occurring in cells in which a death program has been induced. In most cases, studies of this kind have focused mainly on cells. In this study, we report a clear correlation between the degree of apoptosis induced by a variety of agents in several types of cultured cells and the amount of shed membrane microparticles captured in the corresponding supernatants by insolubilized annexin V, a protein showing a strong affinity for phosphatidylserine. Such particles carry membrane antigens specific of the cells they stem from, and through which capture is also feasible. Homologous circulating microparticles were captured in peripheral blood from individuals with HIV-1 infection. A substantial proportion bore CD4 antigen. In some cases, CD4+ particles could be detected even in the absence of circulating CD4+ T cells, testifying to the presence of such resident cells in lymphoid tissues. These results suggest that shed membrane particles are one of the hallmarks of programmed cell death, of particular interest when the corresponding cells are hardly accessible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Programmed cell death of the normal human neutrophil: an in vitro model of senescence.

The present study provides experimental data which indicate that the neutrophil is ideal for studying programmed cell death or apoptosis in vitro. Neutrophils can be obtained from human peripheral blood in large numbers with minimal experimental manipulation and are easily separated from other leukocytes, providing nearly pure cell suspensions. The neutrophil life span in vitro is sufficiently short to allow observations to be made within eight hours after experimental manipulation. Neutrophils can also be easily maintained in serum-free, chemically defined media which can be systematically altered, thereby defining specific variables that influence the apoptotic process. Since the neutrophils do not need an exogenous trigger to undergo programmed cell death, it is also an excellent model to study senescence. It was determined from this study that neutrophils undergo apoptosis most efficiently at 37 degrees C, a temperature requirement for physiologic cell death. Neutrophils undergo apoptosis at a slightly faster rate and maintain membrane integrity better when incubated in a tissue culture medium (e.g., RPMI 1640) compared with a balanced salt solution (e.g., HBBB). Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was shown to accelerate apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of Zn++ significantly decreased the rate of apoptosis, whereas the presence of Ca++ and Mg++ had no apparent effect. These studies indicate that the process of senescence, culminating in cell death, is subject to modulation by a variety of agents and experimental conditions. In addition, the ultrastructural features of neutrophils undergoing programmed cell death in vitro were compared in detail to those occurring in vivo and were found to be comparable.

Apoptosis↗

The C. elegans protein EGL-1 is required for programmed cell death and interacts with the Bcl-2-like protein CED-9.

Gain-of-function mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans gene egl-1 cause the HSN neurons to undergo programmed cell death. By contrast, a loss-of-function egl-1 mutation prevents most if not all somatic programmed cell deaths. The egl-1 gene negatively regulates the ced-9 gene, which protects against cell death and is a member of the bcl-2 family. The EGL-1 protein contains a nine amino acid region similar to the Bcl-2 homology region 3 (BH3) domain but does not contain a BH1, BH2, or BH4 domain, suggesting that EGL-1 may be a member of a family of cell death activators that includes the mammalian proteins Bik, Bid, Harakiri, and Bad. The EGL-1 and CED-9 proteins interact physically. We propose that EGL-1 activates programmed cell death by binding to and directly inhibiting the activity of CED-9, perhaps by releasing the cell death activator CED-4 from a CED-9/CED-4-containing protein complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activation of cysteine proteases in cowpea plants during the hypersensitive response--a form of programmed cell death.

There is increasing evidence that the hypersensitive response during plant-pathogen interactions is a form of programmed cell death. In an attempt to understand the biochemical nature of this form of programmed cell death in the cowpea-cowpea rust fungus system, proteolytic activity in extracts of fungus-infected and uninfected cowpea plants was investigated, using exogenously added poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase as a marker. Unlike the proteolytic cleavage pattern of endogenous poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in apoptotic animal cells, exogenously added poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in extracts of fungus-infected plants was proteolytically cleaved into fragments of molecular masses 77, 52, 47, and 45 kDa. In vitro and in vivo protease inhibitor experiments revealed the activation of cysteine proteases, and possibly a regulatory role, during the hypersensitive response.

Antibodies↗

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta in the rat ventral prostate during castration-induced programmed cell death.

Castration-induced androgen deprivation leads to the activation of the programmed death of the androgen-dependent prostatic epithelial cells in the rat ventral prostate. In order to identify potential mediators of this programmed cell death, the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) in the rat ventral prostate was studied, after castration induced-androgen withdrawal. Steady state levels of TGF beta mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis and compared with mRNA levels for prostatein C3, the major androgen-dependent secretory protein of ventral prostate and also with mRNA levels for TRPM-2, a gene that is specifically expressed during castration induced prostatic cell death. Within the first day after castration there was a dramatic increase in the levels of TGF beta mRNA in the ventral prostate (approximately 10-fold) and by 4 days after castration TGF beta mRNA was maximally expressed (approximately 40-fold increase), by which time the androgen-dependent C3 secretory protein mRNA transcripts have diminished to undetectable levels. Androgen administration to 4-day castrated rats led to a marked decrease in TGF beta mRNA to a level comparable to its constitutive expression obtained in the intact control animals, indicating that expression of TGF beta in the rat ventral prostate is under negative androgenic regulation. The transcript levels encoding TRPM-2 initially increased 10-fold within the first day after castration and by day 4 post castration there was a dramatic increase (approximately 50-fold) which correlated well with the maximal rate of cell death of the androgen-dependent prostatic epithelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androgens↗

Programmed cell death in African trypanosomes.

Until recently it had generally been assumed that apoptosis and other forms of programmed cell death evolved during evolution of the metazoans to regulate growth and development in these multicellular organisms. However, recent research is adding strength to the original phenotypic observations described almost a decade ago which indicated that some parasitic protozoa may have evolved a cell death pathway analogous to the process described as apoptosis in metazoa. Here we explore the implications of a programmed cell death pathway in the African tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes.

Animals↗

Demonstration of the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) by tetrandrine, a novel anti-inflammatory agent.

Tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, was found to cause death of malignant lymphoid and myeloid cells but not of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cells. The death took the form of apoptosis (programmed cell death), the nature of the process being confirmed by DNA gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. The induction of apoptosis by tetrandrine was much more rapid in CEM-C7 cells (4 h) than in the same cells treated with glucocorticoids (40 h), and did not require de novo protein synthesis. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of tetrandrine are mediated by novel mechanisms worthy of further investigation. They also indicate that tetrandrine may have value as an anti-neoplastic agent.

Alkaloids↗

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) as a mechanism of cell death in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

FIV is a lentivirus infection of cats which induces an immunodeficiency syndrome associated with early qualitative defects in antigen-specific T cell function and with late quantitative defects in CD4+ T lymphocytes. We have observed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from FIV-infected cats have impaired survival in culture. The mechanism of this in vitro dysfunction and depletion is not known. We have proposed that inappropriate induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) could account for these in vitro defects. Here, we report that PBMC from FIV-infected cats, with impaired T cell blastogenesis and impaired survival in vitro, undergo an active cell death upon culture, which has the morphological and biochemical characteristics of programmed cell death (PCD). Apoptosis occurred in all six asymptomatic FIV-infected cats, and in none of the nine uninfected cats, which were studied. Changes in cell morphology under both light and electron microscopy, and fragmentation of genomic DNA were characteristic for apoptosing cells. Cell death was spontaneous and occurred in the absence of any stimuli, and culture with the T cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), did not significantly enhance cell death. Activation-induced cell death was inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, by addition to the incubation medium of zinc, which has been shown to inhibit the action of endonuclease responsible for the characteristic fragmentation of DNA. Since apoptosis has recently been implicated in AIDS pathogenesis, FIV infection may prove useful to study this aspect of retroviral, in particular HIV, infection.

Animals↗

Fas ligand gene transfer to the embryonic heart induces programmed cell death and outflow tract defects.

The remodeling of the embryonic avian cardiac outflow tract (OFT) involves the removal of cardiomyocytes by programmed cell death (PCD). In contrast, the prevalence of PCD is low in the atrial or ventricular myocytes during this period of development. To determine if this selective PCD is due to the unique ability of the OFT cardiomyocytes to execute PCD, we transduced the embryonic chicken heart in ovo with recombinant adenovirus expressing a death (FasL) ligand. This resulted in programmed cell death in atrial, ventricular, and OFT cardiomyocytes as evidenced by chromosomal fragmentation, accumulation of lysosomes, and Caspase enzymatic activity. Consistent with the widespread induction of PCD, transcripts for the Fas receptor were detected in all chambers of the heart throughout development. The precocious and widespread activation of PCD in the OFT myocardium resulted in a marked dimunition of the subpulmonic myocardial infundibulum, and transposition of the aorta side-by-side with the pulmonary artery and connecting to the right ventricle. Defects in other cardiac structures are also described. We conclude that the regulated removal of OFT cardiomyocytes by PCD is required for the great vessels to make their proper connections with the ventricles in the transition to a dual circulation. The malalignment of the great vessels described in this animal model are similar to those described in congenital human conotruncal heart defects, suggesting that PCD-dependent remodeling of the OFT myocardium could be a target of genetic mutations or teratogens that cause human conotruncal heart defects.

Animals↗

Insulin-like growth factor-I inhibits the progression of human U-2 OS osteosarcoma cells towards programmed cell death through interaction with the IGF-I receptor.

Insulin-like growth factor-I exerts potent mitogenic effects through the type I IGF receptor, a member of the insulin receptor family, and exhibits at the same time some insulin-like metabolic activities. We have questioned whether IGF-I presents moreover a modulatory effect upon programmed cell death (PCD)(apoptosis) in serum-deprived human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells, a cell line synthesizing IGF-II and exhibiting an increased DNA synthesis following treatment with IGF-I. U-2 OS cells were cultured in a medium containing 0.8% FCS and growth arrest was induced by transfer to serum-free growth conditions. PCD was measured using a commercially available DNA degradation ELISA while viable cell numbers were counted microscopically after trypan exclusion to estimate net proliferative activity. Following serum withdrawal for 24 hrs., the level of PCD in U-2 OS cells was increased six-fold while cell number was reduced by approximately 35% compared to cells grown in the presence of 15% serum. Incubation with recombinant human IGF-I for 24 hrs. caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the level of programmed cell death. Co-incubation with an IGF-I receptor monoclonal antibody (alphaIR3) dose-dependently blocked the effects of 10 ng/ml IGF-I on PCD, with an ED50 of 1-10 ng/ml of alphaIR3 immunoglobulin. Conversely IGF-1 provoked a significant cell number increase, an effect blocked by addition of alphaIR3. The addition of an inhibitor of caspase 1 (ICE) had little effect on PCD but resulted in a net increase in the number of viable cells. In summary, IGF-I treatment of U-2 OS cells at the same time inhibits the induced programmed cell death and increases the cell number, effects which are blocked by addition of IGF-I receptor antibodies. These data support the hypothesis that IGF-I affects cells in a dual way, both by enhancing proliferative responses and by suppressing programmed cell death. The differential response between PCD and cell number to ICE inhibitors suggests the existence of independent control systems for these processes although the role of IGF-I in this study has yet to be determined.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Ethylene-Mediated Programmed Cell Death during Maize Endosperm Development of Wild-Type and shrunken2 Genotypes.

We characterized the progression of programmed cell death during maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm development of starchy (Su; wild-type) and shrunken2 (sh2) genotypes and tested the involve ment of ethylene in mediating this process. Histological and viability staining demonstrated that endosperm cell death was initiated earlier and progressed more rapidly in sh2 endosperm compared with Su endosperm. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation accompanied endosperm cell death and occurred more extensively in sh2 endosperm. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid levels peaked approximately 16 d after pollination (dap) in Su endosperm and gradually decreased during subsequent development, whereas two large 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid peaks were observed in sh2 endosperm, the first between 16 and 20 dap and the second at 36 dap. Ethylene levels were elevated in sh2 kernels compared with Su kernels, with an initial peak 20 dap approximately 3-fold higher than in Su kernels and a second peak 36 dap approximately 5-fold higher than that in Su kernels. Ethylene treatment of Su kernels resulted in earlier and more extensive endosperm cell death and DNA fragmentation. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine treatment of sh2 kernels reduced the extent of DNA fragmentation. We conclude that ethylene is involved in triggering programmed cell death in developing maize endosperm and is responsible for the aberrant phenotype of sh2 kernels.

Journal Article↗