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PubMed2004

Upregulation of Fas/Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis by gossypol in an immortalized human alveolar lung cancer cell line.

Gossypol has wide antineoplastic effects in vitro, but its effects on human lung cancer have not been explored. To evaluate the activity of gossypol against alveolar cell lung cancer and to provide information on the mechanism of action, we examined the effects of gossypol on the proliferation of A549 cells indirectly using an XTT assay and on the distribution of cells within the phases of the cell cycle using flow cytometry. We also examined several factors that may affect apoptosis, including p53, p21/WAF1, Fas receptor, Fas ligand (FasL) and caspase 8 activity. The results showed that gossypol inhibited proliferation of A549 cells at a concentration of 0.5 micromol/L after 12 h treatment. The effect was both dose- and time-dependent by the induction of apoptosis without the effect of p53 and p21/WAF1. Upregulation of Fas/FasL, in association with the activation of downstream caspase 8 activity, was observed following treatment with gossypol. The Fas/FasL pathway accounted for 75% of gossypol-mediated apoptosis. We suggest that the Fas/FasL apoptotic system is the major pathway for gossypol-mediated apoptosis of A549 cells. Gossypol had no effect on the distribution of A549 cells within the phases of the cell cycle. In conclusion, gossypol inhibited A549 cells mainly by induction of the Fas/FasL apoptotic pathway, but not the p53 and p21/WAF1 pathway.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2003

Interactions between p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and caspase-3 in cerebral endothelial cell death after hypoxia-reoxygenation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The emerging concept of the neurovascular unit in stroke reemphasizes the need to focus on endothelial responses in brain. In this study we examined the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling in the regulation of hypoxic cell death in cerebral endothelial cells. METHODS: Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells were exposed to 4 to 12 hours of hypoxia followed by 12 to 24 hours of reoxygenation. Cytotoxicity was measured by quantifying lactate dehydrogenase release. DNA laddering and caspase-3 activity were assessed to document a role for caspase-dependent cell death. zVAD-fmk and zDEVD-fmk were used to inhibit caspases. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was assessed with Western blotting and kinase activity assays. U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 were used to interrupt the ERK, p38, and JNK pathways, respectively. RESULTS: Endothelial cell death occurred primarily during reoxygenation. DNA laddering and caspase activation were observed, and cytotoxicity was ameliorated by caspase inhibitors (20 micromol/L of zVAD-fmk or zDEVD-fmk). Among the 3 major MAP kinases, only p38 was transiently activated during reoxygenation, and inhibition with 10 micromol/L of SB203580 significantly reduced cytotoxicity. No effects were observed with other MAP kinase inhibitors. Cytoprotection with SB203580 was not accompanied by caspase downregulation. In contrast, cytoprotection with zVAD-fmk was associated with a decrease in p38 activation. Furthermore, cleavage of MEKK1 (an upstream kinase of p38) was significantly reduced by zVAD-fmk. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral endothelial cell death after hypoxia-reoxygenation is mediated by interactions between caspases and p38 MAP kinase. Surprisingly, p38 pathways lie downstream of caspase mechanisms in this model system.

Brain↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of heat shock response on the cleavage of nucleolin induced by oxidative stress].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the cleavage of nucleolin (C23) during apoptosis induced by oxidative stress and to clarify the effect of heat shock response (HSR) on the cleavage of nucleolin and its possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: We added 0.5 mmol/L peroxide hydrogen (H2O2 ) into cultured cells to mimic oxidative stress. Apoptosis and cleavage of C23 were detected using caspase-3 colorimetric assay and Western blotting respectively. HSR was performed to observe the effect of HSR on cleavage of C23 induced by oxidative stress, and over-expressions of HSP70 and HSP25 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Activity of caspase-3 increased significantly after 2 hours of 0.5 mmol/L H2O2 treatment, and reached the peak after 12 hours. The cleavage of C23 appeared 30 minutes to 1 hour after the treatment of H2O2 as indicated by a cleaved fragmentation of 80 kD, which was significantly inhibited by HSR. Moreover, HSR could induce HSP70 and HSP25 over-expressions. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress can induce the activation of caspase-3, cleavage of C23, and apoptosis. HSR can significantly inhibit the cleavage of C23 induced by oxidative stress, which is related to the over-expressions of HSP70, HSP25, and other stress proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Molecular mechanisms of the protection of SNMC in HepG2 cell apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: Apoptosis of the cells of liver cancer cell line HepG2 could be induced by TNF alpha and actinomycin D (Act D). In the current study, the molecular mechanism of the apoptosis protection of stronger neo-minophagen C (SNMC) to HepG2 cells was investigated. METHODS: SNMC was added to the HepG2 cell culture medium when the cell concentration reached 0, 2, 20, 100, 200, 800 microg/ml 30 min before their apoptosis were inducted with TNF alpha and Act D. A flow cytometry assay was performed to detect the cell apoptosis rate; electromicroscopy was employed to visualize the subcellular structure after apoptosis. DNA ladder formation was checked with genomic DNA agarose electrophoresis. The expression pattern of apoptosis related protein Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After pretreatment with various concentrations of SNMC and 12 hours after treatment with TNF alpha and Act D, the HepG2 cell apoptosis rate and DNA ladder formation decreased dramatically when the SNMC concentration was higher in the media; the intracellular inactive form of Caspase-3 increased while the 17*10(3) active Caspase-3 decreased gradually. In addition, the expression of Bcl-2 increased and the expression of Bax decreased. Under the electromicroscope, the typical nucleolus condensation of HepG2 induced by TNF alpha and Act D was not seen among the 100 microg/ml SNMC treated cells. CONCLUSION: SNMC inhibits TNF alpha and Act D induced HepG2 cell apoptosis. This protective action may be regulated by intracellular apoptosis related factors.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2006

[Changes of expression of the P38 MAPK and caspase-3 in rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion model and the influence of Nimodipine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of L-type calcium blocker Nimodipine on retinal ischemia-reperfusion of rat and its affect on cell signal transduction system. METHOD: Ninety-five Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups randomly. Group A was normal (blank) control group and included 5 rats; Group B was retinal ischemia-reperfusion (experimental control) group which had 30 rats; Group C was retinal ischemia-reperfusion plus Nimodipine (experimental) group that included 30 rats; and group D was low-pressure irrigation (pseudo-operation) group that had 30 rats. The rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion model was prepared by elevate the pressure of anterior chamber to 110 mm Hg. Five rats were executed at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion. The specimens were embedded in paraffin, the expression of P38 MAPK and caspase-3 in the retina was evaluated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies on every time point, respectively. The results were analyzed by Metamorph software, take the average optical density (A) to perform statistical analyses. RESULTS: After retinal ischemia-reperfusion, the expression of P38 MAPK mRNA and caspase-3 were increased. The in situ hybridization signal of P38 was located in retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, there was only little expression in normal retina. In group B, P38 expression increased 6 hours after reperfusion, reached its peak after 12 hours, continued to 24 hour, decreased gradually after 72 hours. In group C, after Nimodipine medication, the expression trend of P38 was similar to group B, but the expression level was lower. Statistical analyze using average optical density as parameter indicated that the difference of expression of P38 MAPK at 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours was statistical significant (P < 0.05) between group B and C, group B and A, group C and A and D. The expression of caspase-3 was similar to that of P38. Two hours after reperfusion, there were scattering positive nucleus in inner nuclear layer; 6 hours later, positive nucleus were located in ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, and reached its peak after 24 hours. In group C, the expression trend of caspase-3 was similar to that of group B, but had less positive cells and showed lighter staining. CONCLUSION: Both P38 MAPK and caspase-3 participate in signal transduction of retinal neurons during retinal ischemia-reperfusion. Nimodipine can protect the retina by means of down-regulate P38 MAPK and caspase-3 expression.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Antegrade cerebral perfusion reduces apoptotic neuronal injury in a neonatal piglet model of cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates with congenital heart disease might require surgical repair with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, a technique associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Antegrade cerebral perfusion is thought to minimize ischemic brain injury, although there are no supporting experimental data. We sought to evaluate and compare the extent of neurologic injury in a neonatal piglet model of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Neonatal piglets undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized to deep hypothermic circulatory arrest or antegrade cerebral perfusion for 45 minutes. Animals were killed after 6 hours of recovery, and brain tissue was stained for evidence of cellular injury and for the apoptotic markers activated caspase 3 and cytochrome c translocation from mitochondria to cytosol. RESULTS: Piglets from the antegrade cerebral perfusion group exhibited less apoptotic or necrotic injury (4 +/- 3 vs 29 +/- 12 cells per field, P = .03). The piglets undergoing antegrade cerebral perfusion also had less evidence of apoptosis, with fewer cells staining for activated caspase 3 (57 +/- 8 vs 93 +/- 9 cells per field, P = .001) or showing cytochrome c translocation (6 +/- 2 vs 15 +/- 4 cells per field, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The use of antegrade cerebral perfusion in place of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest reduces evidence of apoptosis and histologic injury in neonatal piglets. Neonates with congenital heart disease might benefit from antegrade cerebral perfusion during complex cardiac surgery to improve their overall neurologic outcome.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Segregation of nucleolar components coincides with caspase-3 activation in cisplatin-treated HeLa cells.

We studied morphological changes of the nucleoli in HeLa cells treated with cisplatin and compared them with induction of markers of programmed cell death and TUNEL staining. We used different light microscopic nucleolar staining methods allowing us to visualize not only nucleolar proteins but also nucleolar RNA. Our results show predominantly compact, centrally localized nucleoli in intact control HeLa cells. In cisplatin-treated HeLa cells, we found an early onset of nucleolar segregation of proteins detected by argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions and anti-nucleolar monoclonal antibody as well as an increased immunoreactivity for activated caspase-3 after 6 hours. Staining with Toluidine Blue and Methyl-green Pyronine revealed segregated nucleoli 12 hours after the treatment with cisplatin. TUNEL positivity in cisplatin-treated HeLa cells was accompanied by the aggregation of the argyrophilic proteins in the central portion of nucleus, disappearance of nucleolar RNA and shrinkage of the nucleus after 24 hours. Monitoring of the biochemical changes by immunoblotting revealed that activation of distinct caspases and degradation of their downstream protein substrates is executed in two phases. During an early apoptotic stage beginning 4.5 hours post treatment an activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was observed. This was accompanied by proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). The caspase-9 activation seems to be mediated by recruitment by the activating factor Apaf-1 because the increased accumulation of Apaf-1 and cytochrome C in cytosol preceded the generation of mature caspase-9 form. A second phase of apoptosis occurring between 10 and 15 hours post treatment was characterized by degradation of other nucleolar and nuclear proteins such as nuclear lamins, topoisomerase I and B23. In conclusion, remarkable segregation of nucleolar argyrophilic proteins, nucleolar RNA and a simultaneous activation of the cascade of caspases markedly preceded the TUNEL positivity in cisplatin-treated HeLa cells thereby substantiating the hypothesis that the nucleolus is a preferred target for caspase-3-dependent proteolysis in cisplatin-treated HeLa cells.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2006

Circulating levels of cytochrome c after resuscitation from cardiac arrest: a marker of mitochondrial injury and predictor of survival.

Ca(2+) overload and reactive oxygen species can injure mitochondria during ischemia and reperfusion. We hypothesized that mitochondrial injury occurs during cardiac resuscitation, causing release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and bloodstream while activating apoptotic pathways. Plasma cytochrome c was measured using reverse-phase HPLC and Western immunoblotting in rats subjected to 4 or 8 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation and 8 min of closed-chest resuscitation followed by 240 min of postresuscitation hemodynamic observation. A sham group served as control. Plasma cytochrome c rose progressively to levels 10-fold higher than in sham rats 240 min after resuscitation (P < 0.01), despite reversal of whole body ischemia (decreases in arterial lactate). Cytochrome c levels were inversely correlated with left ventricular stroke work (r = -0.40, P = 0.02). Western immunoblotting of left ventricular tissue demonstrated increased levels of 17-kDa cleaved caspase-3 fragments in the cytosol. Plasma cytochrome c was then serially measured in 12 resuscitated rats until the rat died or cytochrome c returned to baseline. In three survivors, cytochrome c rose slightly to <or=2 microg/ml and returned to baseline within 96 h. In nine nonsurvivors, cytochrome c rose progressively to significantly higher maximal levels [4.6 (SD 2.0) vs. 1.6 (SD 0.3) microg/ml, P = 0.029] and at faster rates [0.7 (SD 0.5) vs. 0.1 (SD 0.1) microg.ml(-1).h(-1), P = 0.046] than in survivors. Plasma cytochrome c may represent a novel in vivo marker of mitochondrial injury after resuscitation from cardiac arrest that relates inversely with survival outcome.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Frameshift mutations in caspase-5 and other target genes in leukemia and lymphoma cell lines having microsatellite instability.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) was examined in 49 lymphoid leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. Frameshift mutations within eight MSI target genes were analyzed in the 12 cell lines and nine childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) samples with MSI. Six cell lines (50%) showed mutations within the coding repeats of the BLM, caspase-5, TCF-4, and PTEN genes. No mutations were identified in the nine childhood ALL samples with MSI. This is the first report that describes mutations of these genes in hematological malignancies. Mutations, presumably caused by an abnormality of the DNA repair genes, may be selected for during the establishment of cell lines.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1998

Role of basic fibroblast growth factor in the suppression of apoptotic caspase-3 during chronic gastric ulcer healing.

BACKGROUND: In the course of ulcer healing an array of factors compel mucosal cells to proliferate, differentiate, and migrate to the site of injury. The recognition of triggering cues requires close interaction between the regulatory proteins integrating the growth factor and cytokine- mediated signals that propel cells through the cycle events, or to signal apoptosis. In this study, we analyzed the interplay between mucosal expression of the receptor-bound basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF-R) and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk2), and the activity of apoptotic protease, caspase-3, and constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) during chronic gastric ulcer healing. METHODS: The experiments were conducted with gastric mucosa of rats at different stages of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer healing. RESULTS: The ulcer onset (2 days following injury) was characterized by a massive epithelial apoptosis associated with a 33-fold increase in caspase-3 activity and a 7.6-fold drop in cNOS, while the mucosal expression of Cdk2 fell by an 18% and that of bFGF-R by 12%. The ulcer healing was accompanied by a rapid elevation in bFGF-R and Cdk2, and a slow recovery in cNOS activity, while the caspase-3 activity and epithelial apoptosis showed a marked decline. The bFGF-R and Cdk2 reached their maximums of 2.2-2.3-fold at 4-6 day of healing, while the caspase-3 activity and the apoptotic DNA fragmentation showed a 3-fold decline by the 7th day of healing. However, the activity of cNOS remained about 50% lower than that of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results provide strong indications that the initial phase of ulcer healing involves the inhibition of apoptotic caspase activities by a signaling events initiated by bFGF-receptor activation and propagated by the regulatory kinases that propel the cell cycle progression. Our findings also point towards participation of cNOS in the suppression of proapoptotic activities in gastric mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium induces cell death in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages by early sipB-dependent and delayed sipB-independent mechanisms.

It was previously demonstrated that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium induces cell death with features of apoptosis in murine macrophages. Mice infected with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium develop systemic disease without diarrhea, whereas the infection in cattle and in humans is localized and characterized by diarrhea. Considering these clinical disease expression differences between mice and cattle, we investigated whether serovar Typhimurium is cytotoxic for bovine macrophages. Macrophages infected with serovar Typhimurium grown in the logarithmic phase quickly underwent cell death. Macrophages infected with stationary-phase cultures or with a mutant lacking sipB underwent no immediate cell death but did develop delayed cytotoxicity, undergoing cell death between 12 and 18 h postinfection. Both pathways were temporarily blocked by the general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-Fmk and by the caspase 1 inhibitor Z-YVAD-Fmk. Comparisons of macrophages from cattle naturally resistant or susceptible to intracellular pathogens indicated no differences between these two genetic backgrounds in terms of susceptibility to serovar Typhimurium-induced cell death. We conclude that Salmonella serovar Typhimurium induces cell death in bovine macrophages by two distinct mechanisms, early sipB-mediated and delayed sipB-independent mechanisms.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗
PubMed2003

The protective effect of fermented milk kefir on radiation-induced apoptosis in colonic crypt cells of rats.

To evaluate the effect of fermented milk kefir on X-ray-induced apoptosis in the colon of rats, we examined the apoptotic index, the mean number of apoptotic cells detected by H&E staining per crypt in the colon, in control rats and kefir-pretreated rats drinking kefir for 12 days before irradiation. Apoptotic cells were confirmed by TUNEL staining, and active caspase-3 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. The cell position of apoptotic cells and active caspase-3 positive cells were examined. The apoptotic index of kefir-treated rats was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased 2 h after 1 Gy irradiation in comparison with control rats at crypt cell positions 1-3, 5-7, 13, and 15. Active caspase-3 expression in the kefir-treated rats was also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in comparison with control rats 2 h after 1 Gy irradiation at crypt cell positions 1-4, 13, and 15. This study indicated that kefir protects colonic crypt cells against radiation-induced apoptosis, which was most pronounced in the stem cell region of the crypt. The antiapoptotic effect of fermented milk kefir was due to the inhibition of caspase-3 activation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cathepsin inhibition induces apoptotic death in human leukemia and lymphoma cells.

We examined the effects of cathepsin inhibitor 1 (CATI-1), a selective inhibitor of cysteine cathepsins, on human leukemia and lymphoma cells. CATI-1 induced apoptosis in all 12 cell lines tested. Apoptosis of CATI-1-treated leukemia/lymphoma cells was caspase-independent, p53-independent, BAX-independent as well as MAP kinase-independent. Our findings provide unprecedented experimental evidence that cathepsins play a pivotal role for the survival of human leukemia/lymphoma cells. Therefore, cathepsin inhibitors may provide the basis for new treatment programs against leukemia and lymphoma.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

Attenuation of ischemia-induced cellular and behavioral deficits by X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein overexpression in the rat hippocampus.

Transient forebrain ischemia produced by four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) triggers the delayed death of CA1 neurons in the hippocampus, resulting in behavioral deficits of spatial learning performance. We demonstrate that CA1 neuronal loss induced by 4-VO (12 min) is preceded by a selective and marked elevation of catalytically active caspase-3 in these neurons, indicative of apoptosis. Virally mediated overexpression of the anti-apoptotic gene X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) prevented both the production of catalytically active caspase-3 and degeneration of CA1 neurons after transient forebrain ischemia. CA1 neurons protected in this manner appeared to function normally, as assessed by immunohistochemical detection of the neuronal activity marker nerve growth factor inducible-A and by spatial learning performance in the Morris water maze. These findings indicate that caspase-3 activation is a key event in ischemic neuronal death and that blockade of this event by XIAP overexpression permits CA1 neurons to survive and operate properly after an ischemic insult.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Protein kinase C regulates FADD recruitment and death-inducing signaling complex formation in Fas/CD95-induced apoptosis.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) triggers cellular signals that inhibit Fas/CD95-induced cell death in Jurkat T-cells by poorly defined mechanisms. Previously, we have shown that one effect of PKC on Fas/CD95-dependent cell death occurs through inhibition of cell shrinkage and K(+) efflux (Gómez-Angelats, M., Bortner, C. D., and Cidlowski, J. A. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19609-19619). Here we report that PKC alters Fas/CD95 signaling from the plasma membrane to the activation of caspases by exerting a profound action on survival/cell death decisions. Specific activation of PKC with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or bryostatin-1 induced translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane and effectively inhibited cell shrinkage and cell death triggered by anti-Fas antibody in Jurkat cells. In contrast, inhibition of classical PKC isotypes with Gö6976 exacerbated the effect of Fas activation on both apoptotic volume decrease and cell death. PKC activation/inhibition did not affect anti-Fas antibody binding to the cell surface, intracellular levels of FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain), or c-FLIP (cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein) expression. However, processing/activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-3 and BID cleavage were markedly blocked upon PKC activation and, conversely, were augmented during PKC inhibition, suggesting a role for PKC upstream of caspase-8 processing and activation. Analysis of death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation was carried out to examine the influence of PKC on recruitment of both FADD and procaspase-8 to the Fas receptor. PKC activation blocked FADD recruitment and caspase-8 activation and thus DISC formation in both type I and II cells. In contrast, inhibition of classical PKCs promoted the opposite effect on the Fas pathway by rapidly increasing FADD recruitment, caspase-8 activation, and DISC formation. Together, these data show that PKC finely modulates Fas/CD95 signaling by altering the efficiency of DISC formation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2003

Oxidative injury and apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons in chronic experimental diabetic neuropathy.

We evaluated the effects of chronic hyperglycemia on L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using immunohistochemical and electrophysiologic techniques for evidence of oxidative injury. Experimental diabetic neuropathy was induced by streptozotocin. To evaluate the pathogenesis of the neuropathy, we studied peripheral nerve after 1, 3, and 12 months of diabetes. Electrophysiologic abnormalities were present from the first month and persisted over 12 months. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine labeling was significantly increased at all time points in DRG neurons, indicating oxidative injury. Caspase-3 labeling was significantly increased at all three time points, indicating commitment to the efferent limb of the apoptotic pathway. Apoptosis was confirmed by a significant increase in the percentage of neurons undergoing apoptosis at 1 month (8%), 3 months (7%), and 12 months (11%). These findings support the concept that oxidative stress leads to oxidative injury of DRG neurons, with mitochondrium as a specific target, leading to impaired mitochondrial function and apoptosis, manifested clinically as a predominantly sensory neuropathy.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2001

12-Lipoxygenase inhibition induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells.

Arachidonic acid release from membrane phospholipids is essential for tumour cell proliferation. Lipoxygenases constitute a pathway for arachidonate metabolism. The present study investigated the expression of 12-lipoxygenase and its effect on cell proliferation as well as survival in two human gastric cancer cell lines (AGS and MKN-28). RT-PCR and western blots, respectively, showed 12-LOX mRNA and protein expression in both AGS and MKN-28 cell lines. Treatment with a 12-LOX inhibitor, baicalein, significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation, but a metabolite of 12-LOX activity, 12 hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) reversed baicalein-induced growth inhibition. Furthermore, the blockade of the 12-LOX pathway through a 12-LOX inhibitor and antisense induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cell lines. The biochemical characteristics of apoptosis were p53-independent combined with a decrease in bcl-2 expression. Caspase-7 was proteolytically activated and responsible for the apoptosis execution.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Apoptotic events induced by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid in normal human lung fibroblasts.

We have studied different biochemical indicators of apoptosis in okadaic acid-treated normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). Apoptosis was identified by fluorimetric microplate measurements of DNA content, caspase-3 activation and changes in mitochondrial and plasma membrane after 1-48-h treatments with 1-1000 nM okadaic acid. Cells exposed to okadaic acid showed activation of caspase-3, decreased DNA content (<50% of controls at >100 nM okadaic acid after 12 h of incubation) and translocation of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, as indicated by the increase in Merocyanine 540 fluorescence after 4 h of incubation with more than 250 nM okadaic acid. Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (53-98% of controls) was observed with MitoTracker Red CMXRos in all cases, which indicated an active role of mitochondria during the early phase of apoptosis. However, reactive oxygen species were significantly reduced in okadaic acid-treated fibroblasts (50-70% of controls at 1000 nM after 3 h of incubation), which indicates that ROS cannot be considered as a hallmark of apoptosis in okadaic acid-treated cells. These results provide evidence of apoptotic events induced by okadaic acid in NHLF, which can be detected by means of sensitive and reliable fluorimetric microplate assays.

Apoptosis↗