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Involvement of p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins in regulating programmed cell death and proliferation in human embryogenesis.

Homeostasis and development in vertebrates are regulated by cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Permeability of mitochondrial membranes, a decisive feature of apoptosis, is regulated by Bcl-2 family regulators. Protein p53 is able to reduce bcl-2 and promote bax expression. This study focused on the immunohistochemical detection of the expression levels of Bcl-2 family regulators (anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, pro-apoptotic Bcl-Xs and Bax), p53, and PCNA as a marker of proliferation, together with the evaluation of the level of apoptosis in human embryos (anlage of limbs, axial skeleton, metanephros, and intestine). Expression of observed proteins was assessed by a three-step immunohistochemistry and evidenced by the double-staining technique. Apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL technique. This study provided circumstantial evidence of the exclusive role of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins in the inhibition of apoptosis - only rarely were the Bcl-2/ Bcl-XL positive cells stained by TUNEL. The role of pro-apoptotic members of Bcl-2 family remains ambiguous, as TUNEL positive cells are both Bax/Bcl-Xs positive and negative. This study provided substantial evidence that expression patterns of observed proteins are neither fully explainable by "rheostat" theory, nor are the findings obtained from animal model tissue or cell culture commonly applicable to human embryos.

Apoptosis↗

Binary cell death decision regulated by unequal partitioning of Numb at mitosis.

An important issue in Metazoan development is to understand the mechanisms that lead to stereotyped patterns of programmed cell death. In particular, cells programmed to die may arise from asymmetric cell divisions. The mechanisms underlying such binary cell death decisions are unknown. We describe here a Drosophila sensory organ lineage that generates a single multidentritic neuron in the embryo. This lineage involves two asymmetric divisions. Following each division, one of the two daughter cells expresses the pro-apoptotic genes reaper and grim and subsequently dies. The protein Numb appears to be specifically inherited by the daughter cell that does not die. Numb is necessary and sufficient to prevent apoptosis in this lineage. Conversely, activated Notch is sufficient to trigger death in this lineage. These results show that binary cell death decision can be regulated by the unequal segregation of Numb at mitosis. Our study also indicates that regulation of programmed cell death modulates the final pattern of sensory organs in a segment-specific manner.

Animals↗

MAPKKKalpha is a positive regulator of cell death associated with both plant immunity and disease.

Many plant pathogens cause disease symptoms that manifest over days as regions of localized cell death. Localized cell death (the hypersensitive response; HR) also occurs in disease-resistant plants, but this response appears within hours of attempted infection and may restrict further pathogen growth. We identified a MAP kinase kinase kinase gene (MAPKKKalpha) that is required for the HR and resistance against Pseudomonas syringae. Significantly, we found that MAPKKKalpha also regulates cell death in susceptible leaves undergoing P. syringae infection. Overexpression of MAPKKKalpha in leaves activated MAPKs and caused pathogen-independent cell death. By overexpressing MAPKKKalpha in leaves and suppressing expression of various MAPKK and MAPK genes by virus-induced gene silencing, we identified two distinct MAPK cascades that act downstream of MAPKKKalpha. These results demonstrate that signal transduction pathways associated with both plant immunity and disease susceptibility share a common molecular switch.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hormonal regulation of cell death in rabbit uterine epithelium.

It is known that estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) play important roles in the regulation of endometrial growth. In the rabbit endometrial epithelium, a balance is maintained between cell proliferation and cell death which seems to be under ovarian hormonal control. In this study the authors determined cell proliferation by quantitating the mitotic index (MI) and cell death by quantitating the death index (DI) in uterine histologic sections from whole animals that were hormone treated versus control rabbits. E caused proliferation of uterine epithelial cells and decreased the DI transiently, while P also increased proliferation but decreased the DI dramatically. In a time course study, after a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin to induce pseudopregnancy, there was transient decrease in the DI and an increase in the MI between Days 2 and 5. In pseudopregnant animals, hormones had no effect in intact animals, but after ovariectomy there was about a 124-fold increase in the DI, which could be prevented by P administration. The predominant type of cell death observed in this system is apoptosis (97.5%), as opposed to necrosis (2.5%). Thus, it is proposed that cell death may be as important as cell proliferation in the regulation of normal uterine epithelial growth.

Animals↗

Activity regulates programmed cell death of zebrafish Rohon-Beard neurons.

Programmed cell death is a normal aspect of neuronal development. Typically, twice as many neurons are generated than survive. In extreme cases, all neurons within a population disappear during embryogenesis or by early stages of postnatal development. Examples of transient neuronal populations include Cajal-Retzius cells of the cerebral cortex and Rohon-Beard cells of the spinal cord. The novel mechanisms that lead to such massive cell death have not yet been identified. We provide evidence that electrical activity regulates the cell death program of zebrafish Rohon-Beard cells. Activity was inhibited by reducing Na+ current in Rohon-Beard cells either genetically (the macho mutation) or pharmacologically (tricaine). We examined the effects of activity block on three different reporters of cell death: DNA fragmentation, cytoskeletal rearrangements and cell body loss. Both the mao mutation and pharmacological blockade of Na+ current reduced these signatures of the cell death program. Moreover, the mao mutation and pharmacological blockade of Na+ current produced similar reductions in Rohon-Beard cell death. The results indicate that electrical activity provides signals that are required for the normal elimination of Rohon-Beard cells.

Acetylation↗

Regulation of cell death and cell survival gene expression during ovarian follicular development and atresia.

Mammalian ovarian follicular development and atresia is closely regulated by the cross talk of cell death and cell survival signals, which include endocrine hormones (gonadotropins) and intra-ovarian regulators (gonadal steroids, cytokines and growth factors). The fate of the follicle is dependent on a delicate balance in the expression and actions of factors promoting follicular cell proliferation, growth and differentiation and of those inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis). As an important endocrine hormone, FSH binds to its granulosa cell receptors and promotes ovarian follicle survival and growth not only by stimulating proliferation and estradiol secretion of these cells, but also inhibiting the apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of intracellular anti-apoptotic proteins, such as XIAP and FLIP. In addition, intra-ovarian regulators, such as TGF-alpha and TNF-alpha, also play an important role in the control of follicular development and atresia. In response to FSH, Estradiol-17 beta synthesized from the granulosa cells stimulates thecal expression of TGF-alpha, which in turn increases granulosa cell XIAP expression and proliferation. The death receptor and ligand, Fas and Fas ligand, are expressed in granulosa cells following gonadotropin withdrawal, culminating in caspase-mediated apoptosis and follicular atresia. In contrast, TNF-alpha has both survival and pro-apoptotic function in the follicle, depending on the receptor subtype activated, but has been shown to promote granulosa cell survival by increasing XIAP and FLIP expression via the IkappaB-NFkappaB pathway. The pro-apoptotic action of TNF-alpha is mediated through the activation of caspases, via its receptor- (i.e. Caspases-8 and -3) and mitochrondria- (i.e. Caspase-9 and -3) death pathways. In the present manuscript, we have reviewed the actions and interactions of gonadotropins and intra-ovarian regulators in the control of granulosa cell fate and ultimately follicular destiny. We have highlighted the role and regulation of granulosa cell XIAP and FLIP expression, as well as their interactions with the death signaling pathways in the maintenance of granulosa cell survival during follicular development. We have provided strong evidence for these intracellular survival factors as key determinants for ovarian follicular destiny (growth versus atresia), the expression of which is regulated by a highly integrated endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mechanism. Further studies in these aspects will lead to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular regulation of follicular development and atresia, and provide invaluable insight into novel strategies in assisted reproduction in human infertility as well as in increasing reproductive efficiency in livestock industries.

Animals↗

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against GRIM-19, a novel IFN-beta and retinoic acid-activated regulator of cell death.

A combination of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) and all-trans retinoic acid (IFN/RA) induces tumor cell apoptosis via some unknown mechanisms. Apoptosis is a gene-directed process that limits the proliferation of undesired cells. Several genes are required to regulate cell death in the higher-order animals. Earlier, we employed a gene expression knockout technique to isolate cell death-related genes. A novel gene, the gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality-19 (GRIM-19), was found to be essential for tumor cell death induced by IFN/RA. Here, we describe the development and characterization of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against GRIM-19. GRIM-19 is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Its expression is induced by the IFN/RA combination. We also show that GRIM-19 inhibits the cell-transforming property of viral oncogenic protein viral IFN regulatory factor-1 (vIRF-1) via a physical interaction. mAbs developed in this study should be useful for studying the other physiologic roles of GRIM-19 and serve as a potent tool for studying tumor responses to IFN/RA therapy.

3T3 Cells↗

Cell death and the regulation of populations of cells in the periodontal ligament.

The contribution of cell death in regulating cellular populations of periodontal ligament was studied in young adult rats. Mandibular first molar periodontium was prepared for light-microscopic radioautography after a pulse of 3H-thymidine in 6 rats and for electron microscopy in 4 rats. The labeling index for 3H-thymidine and the density of fibroblast-like cells were computed from radioautographs. The percentages of dying or dead cells and macrophages were computed from electron micrographs. The labeling index of cells within 20 microns of bone and cementum was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) than the labeling index within the body of the periodontal ligament. The patterns of cellular density and indices of death were the inverse of the labeling indices. Macrophages were plentiful (% macrophages = 3.68% +/- 0.30) and were clustered around blood vessels (mean distance from blood vessel = 2.3 microns). However, only 10% of dying or dead cells were within 10 microns of blood vessels. These data show that death of cells in the periodontal ligament may, in part, balance production of cells by mitosis. The relationships between labeling index, index of death, and cellular density suggest that cells born in the middle of the periodontal ligament may migrate to regions of high cellular density near bone and cementum, and that they may die there. Macrophages do not appear to be associated with dying cells of the periodontal ligament.

Animals↗

Agonistic anti-Fas antibodies induce glomerular cell apoptosis in mice in vivo.

Recent studies suggest that apoptotic cell death regulates the cell complement in glomerular diseases. However, little is-known about the factors that promote glomerular cell apoptosis. Activation of the Fas receptor by the Fas ligand or agonistic antibodies triggers apoptosis in some cell types that express Fas. Cultured human mesangial cell are among the cells that undergo apoptosis upon Fas activation, but it is unclear whether mesangial cells are sensitive to death induced by Fas in vivo. We have now explored the role of Fas in experimental glomerular injury. Murine mesangial cells in culture express fas and undergo apoptosis when stimulated with the Jo2 agonistic anti-Fas mAb. A fas mRNA transcript is present in normal murine kidney and freshly isolated glomeruli. Balb-c mice developed hematuria and proteinuria within 24 hours of the intraperitoneal injection of 10 micrograms Jo2 anti-Fas mAb. In addition to liver cell apoptosis, glomerular cell apoptosis and mesangial cell depletion were evident in the kidney at three hours and more pronounced at 24 hours. Glomerular and liver injury were not prevented by decomplementation. These data suggest that Fas activation in vivo by specific antibodies induces glomerular and mesangial cell apoptosis in mice.

Animals↗

[Zinc and its role in the regulation of cell death].

Zinc is a key element for maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of eukaryotic cells and tissues. In living systems, it forms stable complexes with macromolecules as well as so called labile pools called zincosomes, which are nowadays considered crucial for the regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Zinc may block apoptosis induced by many external factors by inhibiting caspases and endonucleases, through interactions with transcription factors and kinases or due to its antioxidant activities. On the other hand, depletion of zinc may lead to rapid activation of apoptotic cascade and consequent cell death in many types of cells. Imbalances in intracellular zinc pools lead to improper regulation of cell death and proliferation, which is often causing or accompanying diseases. Therefore, detailed elucidation of the role of zinc in these regulations presents a solution for various pathophysiological conditions.

Apoptosis↗

Mitochondria: regulators of cell death and survival.

The past 5 years has seen an intense surge in research devoted toward understanding the critical role of mitochondria in the regulation of cell death. Apoptosis can be initiated by a wide array of stimuli, inducing multiple signaling pathways that, for the most part, converge at the mitochondrion. Although classically considered the powerhouses of the cell, it is now understood that mitochondria are also "gatekeepers" that ultimately determine the fate of the cell. The mitochondrial decision as to whether a cell lives or dies is complex, involving protein-protein interactions, ionic changes, reactive oxygen species, and other mechanisms that require further elucidation. Once the death process is initiated, mitochondria undergo conformational changes, resulting in the release of cytochrome c (cyt c), caspases, endonucleases, and other factors leading to the onset and execution of apoptosis. The present review attempts to outline the complex milieu of events regulating the mitochondrial commitment to and processes involved in the implementation of the executioner phase of apoptotic cell death.

Animals↗

Bcl-2 gene family in the nervous system.

A growing family of genes that share homology with the bcl-2 proto-oncogene is involved in the regulation of cell death. Many of these proteins show widespread expression and are expressed in the nervous system in developing and adult organisms. A physiologic role for Bcl-2 and Bcl-x in neuron survival has been shown. In addition, these proteins have been shown to protect neurons from a wide array of toxic insults. In this review, we discuss the Bcl-2 family of proteins with regard to their structure and interactions. We then discuss the role of apoptotic cell death in the development of the nervous system and as a response to neuronal injury. Lastly, we discuss the evidence for a role for these cell death regulators in neuronal death decisions.

Animals↗

Nerve growth factor and neuronal cell death.

The regulation of neuronal cell death by the neuronotrophic factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), has been described during neural development and following injury to the nervous system. Also, reduced NGF activity has been reported for the aged NGF-responsive neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and cholinergic regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in aged rodents and man. Although there is some knowledge of the molecular structure of the NGF and its receptor, less is known as to the mechanism of action of NGF. Here, a possible role for NGF in the regulation of oxidant--antioxidant balance is discussed as part of a molecular explanation for the known effects of NGF on neuronal survival during development, after injury, and in the aged CNS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lyn regulates the cell death response to ultraviolet radiation through c-Jun N terminal kinase-dependent Fas ligand activation.

The Src-related tyrosine kinase, Lyn, plays an important role in mediating the cell cycle arrest and cell death response to genotoxic agents such as ionizing radiation. In this report we provide evidence to show that the catalytic function of Lyn is required for ultraviolet radiation (UV)- and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS)- but not for cisplatin (CDDP)- or ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell death. Consequently, fibroblasts deficient in Lyn function were protected against cell death induction by UV and MMS, but showed normal cell death to IR and CDDP treatment. In Lyn(-/-) cells, UV-induced activation of stress-responsive kinases, Erk1/2 and p38, was normal; however, JNK activation was diminished. In addition, FasL induction by UV was also diminished in these cells. Reintroduction of wild-type Lyn restored JNK activation, FasL induction, and sensitivity to UV and MMS. A role for FasL in the cell death induction by Lyn-JNK signaling is indicated by the inhibition of cell death response by FasL neutralizing antibody. Together, the results support the presence of the Lyn-JNK signaling pathway that mediates the cell death response to UV and MMS treatment through FasL induction.

Animals↗

Aerosol delivery of urocanic acid-modified chitosan/programmed cell death 4 complex regulated apoptosis, cell cycle, and angiogenesis in lungs of K-ras null mice.

The low efficiency of conventional therapies in achieving long-term survival of patients with lung cancer calls for development of novel treatment options. Although several genes have been investigated for their antitumor activities through gene delivery, problems surrounding the methods used, such as efficiency, specificity, and toxicity, hinder application of such therapies in clinical settings. Aerosol gene delivery as nonviral and noninvasive method for gene therapy may provide an alternative for a safer and more effective treatment for lung cancer. In this study, imidazole ring-containing urocanic acid-modified chitosan (UAC) designed in previous study was used as a gene carrier. The efficiency of UAC carrier in lungs was confirmed, and the potential effects of the programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) tumor suppressor gene on three major pathways (apoptosis, cell cycle, and angiogenesis) were evaluated. Aerosol containing UAC/PDCD4 complexes was delivered into K-ras null lung cancer model mice through the nose-only inhalation system developed by our group. Delivered UAC/PDCD4 complex facilitated apoptosis, inhibited pathways important for cell proliferation, and efficiently suppressed pathways important for tumor angiogenesis. In summary, results obtained by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay suggest that our aerosol gene delivery technique is compatible with in vivo gene delivery and can be applied as a noninvasive gene therapy.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Blockade of the apoptotic machinery by cyclosporin A redirects cell death toward necrosis in arterial endothelial cells: regulation by reactive oxygen species and cathepsin D.

Blockade of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) by cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibits apoptosis in various cell types. However, use of CsA in humans is associated with damage to the arterial endothelium. We evaluated whether inhibition of the apoptotic machinery by CsA promotes other forms of cell death in arterial endothelial cells (EC). Exposure of human umbilical artery EC (HUAEC) to clinically relevant concentrations of CsA for up to 24 h was associated with a significant increase in necrotic features. We detected inhibition of apoptosis and a significant increase in necrosis in HUAEC exposed concomitantly to CsA and mitomycin C, a proapoptotic DNA damaging agent. We found that CsA-induced cell death is independent of caspase activation, p53 induction, and calcineurin inhibition. However, bongkrekic acid, another mPTP blocker, also increased necrosis in HUAEC. Dihydroethidium and acridine orange staining revealed increased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by lysosomal damage in HUAEC exposed to CsA. Hydroxyl radical and superoxide scavengers and inhibition of cathepsin D activity significantly attenuated CsA-induced EC death. These results suggest that inhibition of the apoptotic machinery by CsA in arterial EC favors development of a necrotic form of cell death regulated by ROS and secondary lysosomal damage.

Apoptosis↗

Serpins and regulation of cell death.

Proteolysis is a key feature of programmed cell death. Extracellular proteinases can activate cell surface receptors which trigger apoptosis, and the effector machinery requires the activation and activity of numerous intracellular proteinases (primarily caspases). Effective control of proteolysis is essential for homeostasis and can occur at two levels: regulation of proteinase activation, and regulation of the activated proteinase. Serpins control activated proteinases and several have been implicated in the regulation of cell death. Serpins that inhibit intracellular processes include the viral proteins CrmA and SPI-1, as well as the granzyme B inhibitor, PI-9. Another endogenous serpin, PN-I, prevents the delivery of an apoptotic signal by inhibiting an extracellular proteinase from cleaving a cell surface receptor. There is evidence to suggest that PAI-2 may target an extracellular as well as an intracellular proteinase. Much of our knowledge of proteolysis within apoptotic cells has come from studies using the poxvirus serpin CrmA/SPI-2. CrmA prevents cytokine processing by inhibiting caspase-1, and protects against Fas-, TNF- and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting an unidentified proteinase specific to these pathways. Work with CrmA has also clearly demonstrated that there are separable effector mechanisms within cells, and that those triggered by growth factor withdrawal, matrix dissociation or cytotoxic ligands are different in several respects to those triggered by radiation, chemicals or steroid hormones. It is likely that analysis of other poxvirus serpins with different inhibitory profiles (especially SPI-1) will yield further insights into these processes. Prospecting for intracellular serpin genes in other virus species may also be fruitful. Finally, all of the serpins known to regulate intracellular proteolysis are members of the ovalbumin subgroup. It remains to be seen whether the more recently described "orphan" ovalbumin serpins (Riewald and Schleef 1995; Sprecher et al. 1995; Sun et al. 1997) also have roles in the regulation of cell death.

Animals↗

Role of mitochondria as the gardens of cell death.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in regulating cell death, which is mediated by outer membrane permeabilization in response to death triggers such as DNA damage and growth factor deprivation. Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization induces the release of cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, and AIF, which are regulated by proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins such as Bax/Bak and Bcl-2/xL in caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction is mediated in two ways. The first is by increased calcium in mitochondria derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER); this calcium increase is regulated by Bcl-2 and Bax through the ER-mitochondria connection and the unfolded protein response in the ER. The second is by the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin, which activates Bid through lysosome-mitochondria cross-signaling. The genomic responses in intracellular organelles after DNA damage are controlled and amplified in the cross-signaling via mitochondria; such signals induce apoptosis, autophagy, and other cell death pathways. This review discusses the recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanism of mitochondria-mediated cell death.

Animals↗