scholarly journals Current translational potential and underlying molecular mechanisms of necroptosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Molnár ◽  
Anett Mázló ◽  
Vera Tslaf ◽  
Attila Gábor Szöllősi ◽  
Gabriella Emri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Tumor Formation

Abstract Cell death has a fundamental impact on the evolution of degenerative disorders, autoimmune processes, inflammatory diseases, tumor formation and immune surveillance. Over the past couple of decades extensive studies have uncovered novel cell death pathways, which are independent of apoptosis. Among these is necroptosis, a tightly regulated, inflammatory form of cell death. Necroptosis contribute to the pathogenesis of many diseases and in this review, we will focus exclusively on necroptosis in humans. Necroptosis is considered a backup mechanism of apoptosis, but the in vivo appearance of necroptosis indicates that both caspase-mediated and caspase-independent mechanisms control necroptosis. Necroptosis is regulated on multiple levels, from the transcription, to the stability and posttranslational modifications of the necrosome components, to the availability of molecular interaction partners and the localization of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). Accordingly, we classified the role of more than seventy molecules in necroptotic signaling based on consistent in vitro or in vivo evidence to understand the molecular background of necroptosis and to find opportunities where regulating the intensity and the modality of cell death could be exploited in clinical interventions. Necroptosis specific inhibitors are under development, but >20 drugs, already used in the treatment of various diseases, have the potential to regulate necroptosis. By listing necroptosis-modulated human diseases and cataloging the currently available drug-repertoire to modify necroptosis intensity, we hope to kick-start approaches with immediate translational potential. We also indicate where necroptosis regulating capacity should be considered in the current applications of these drugs.

scholarly journals miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p regulate ferroptosis in I/R-induced renal injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenguang Ding ◽  
Xiaoming Ding ◽  
Jin Zheng ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Renal Injury ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Renal Tubular Cell ◽  
In Cells

Abstract Renal tubular cell death is the key factor of the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) kidney injury. Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death (RCD) found in various diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to ferroptosis in renal I/R injury remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory role of microRNAs on ferroptosis in I/R-induced renal injury. We established the I/R-induced renal injury model in rats, and H/R induced HK-2 cells injury in vitro. CCK-8 was used to measure cell viability. Fe2+ and ROS levels were assayed to evaluate the activation of ferroptosis. We performed RNA sequencing to profile the miRNAs expression in H/R-induced injury and ferroptosis. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression. qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA and miRNA levels in cells and tissues. We further used luciferase reporter assay to verify the direct targeting effect of miRNA. We found that ischemia/reperfusion-induced ferroptosis in rat’s kidney. We identified that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p were upregulated in the ferroptosis and H/R-induced injury, and correlates reversely with glutathione peroxidases 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression in renal I/R injury tissues, respectively. In vitro studies showed that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p induced ferroptosis in cells. We further found that miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p regulated the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 negatively by directly binding to the 3′UTR of GPX4 and SLC7A11 mRNA. In vivo study showed that silencing miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p alleviated the I/R-induced renal injury in rats. In conclusion, we demonstrated that I/R induced upregulation of miR-182-5p and miR-378a-3p, leading to activation of ferroptosis in renal injury through downregulation of GPX4 and SLC7A11.

scholarly journals Ivermectin induces autophagy-mediated cell death through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in glioma cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Liu ◽  
Hongsheng Liang ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Xiaoxing Wang ◽  
Faling Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Anticancer Agent ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
Mtor Signaling ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide

Abstract Glioma is one of the most common types of primary brain tumors. Ivermectin (IVM), a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug, has been identified as a novel anticancer agent due to its inhibitory effects on the proliferation of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the ability of IVM to induce autophagy and its role in glioma cell death remains unclear. The main objective of the present study was to explore autophagy induced by IVM in glioma U251 and C6 cells, and the deep underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition, we examined the effects of autophagy on apoptosis in glioma cells. In the present study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate autophagy activated by IVM. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Meanwhile, autophagy inhibition was achieved by using chloroquine (CQ). U251-derived xenografts were established for examination of IVM-induced autophagy on glioma in vivo. Taken together, the results of the present study showed that autophagy induced by IVM has a protective effect on cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IVM induced autophagy through AKT/mTOR signaling and induced energy impairment. Our findings show that IVM is a promising anticancer agent and may be a potential effective treatment for glioma cancers.

scholarly journals Protein Kinase C Signaling Mediates a Program of Cell Cycle Withdrawal in the Intestinal Epithelium

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Frey ◽  
Jennifer A. Clark ◽  
Olga Leontieva ◽  
Joshua M. Uronis ◽  
Adrian R. Black ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Intestinal Epithelium ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Kinase C

Members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of signal transduction molecules have been widely implicated in regulation of cell growth and differentiation, although the underlying molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly defined. Using combined in vitro and in vivo intestinal epithelial model systems, we demonstrate that PKC signaling can trigger a coordinated program of molecular events leading to cell cycle withdrawal into G0. PKC activation in the IEC-18 intestinal crypt cell line resulted in rapid downregulation of D-type cyclins and differential induction of p21waf1/cip1 and p27kip1, thus targeting all of the major G1/S cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. These events were associated with coordinated alterations in expression and phosphorylation of the pocket proteins p107, pRb, and p130 that drive cells to exit the cell cycle into G0 as indicated by concomitant downregulation of the DNA licensing factor cdc6. Manipulation of PKC isozyme levels in IEC-18 cells demonstrated that PKCα alone can trigger hallmark events of cell cycle withdrawal in intestinal epithelial cells. Notably, analysis of the developmental control of cell cycle regulatory molecules along the crypt–villus axis revealed that PKCα activation is appropriately positioned within intestinal crypts to trigger this program of cell cycle exit–specific events in situ. Together, these data point to PKCα as a key regulator of cell cycle withdrawal in the intestinal epithelium.

scholarly journals The polypeptide GALNT6 Displays Redundant Functions upon Suppression of its Closest Homolog GALNT3 in Mediating Aberrant O-Glycosylation, Associated with Ovarian Cancer Progression

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razan Sheta ◽  
Magdalena Bachvarova ◽  
Elizabeth Macdonald ◽  
Stephane Gobeil ◽  
Barbara Vanderhyden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Functional Redundancy ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Gene Ablation

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy; a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with EOC etiology could substantially improve EOC management. Aberrant O-glycosylation in cancer is attributed to alteration of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts). Reports suggest a genetic and functional redundancy between GalNAc-Ts, and our previous data are indicative of an induction of GALNT6 expression upon GALNT3 suppression in EOC cells. We performed single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 suppression in EOC cells, using a combination of the CRISPR-Cas9 system and shRNA-mediated gene silencing. The effect of single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 inhibition was monitored both in vitro (on EOC cells roliferation, migration, and invasion) and in vivo (on tumor formation and survival of experimental animals). We confirmed that GALNT3 gene ablation leads to strong and rather compensatory GALNT6 upregulation in EOC cells. Moreover, double GALNT3/T6 suppression was significantly associated with stronger inhibitory effects on EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accordingly displayed a significant increase in animal survival rates compared with GALNT3-ablated and control (Ctrl) EOC cells. Our data suggest a possible functional redundancy of GalNAc-Ts (GALNT3 and T6) in EOC, with the perspective of using both these enzymes as novel EOC biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Iron toxicity, lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis after intracerebral haemorrhage

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieru Wan ◽  
Honglei Ren ◽  
Jian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Intracerebral Haemorrhage ◽  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Iron Toxicity ◽  
Secondary Brain Injury

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating type of stroke with high mortality and morbidity. However, we have few options for ICH therapy and limited knowledge about post-ICH neuronal death and related mechanisms. In the aftermath of ICH, iron overload within the perihaematomal region can induce lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation, which contribute to secondary brain injury. Indeed, iron chelation therapy has shown efficacy in preclinical ICH studies. Recently, an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death known as ferroptosis was identified. It is characterised by an accumulation of iron-induced lipid ROS, which leads to intracellular oxidative stress. The ROS cause damage to nucleic acids, proteins and lipid membranes, and eventually cell death. Recently, we and others discovered that ferroptosis does occur after haemorrhagic stroke in vitro and in vivo and contributes to neuronal death. Inhibition of ferroptosis is beneficial in several in vivo and in vitro ICH conditions. This minireview summarises current research on iron toxicity, lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in the pathomechanisms of ICH, the underlying molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and the potential for combined therapeutic strategies. Understanding the role of ferroptosis after ICH will provide a vital foundation for cell death-based ICH treatment and prevention.

Role of macrophage CD44 in the disposal of inflammatory cell corpses*

2002 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon VIVERS ◽  
Ian DRANSFIELD ◽  
Simon P. HART
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Neutrophil Granulocytes ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Tissue Destruction

Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine whether inflammation resolves or progresses to scarring and tissue destruction should lead to the development of effective therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases. Apoptosis of neutrophil granulocytes is an important determinant of the resolution of inflammation, providing a mechanism for down-regulation of function and triggering clearance by macrophages without inducing a pro-inflammatory response. However, if the rate of cell death by apoptosis is such that the macrophage clearance capacity is exceeded, apoptotic cells may progress to secondary necrosis, resulting in the release of harmful cellular contents and in damage to the surrounding tissue. There are many possible ways in which the rate and capacity of the macrophage-mediated clearance of apoptotic cells may be enhanced or suppressed. Ligation of human macrophage surface CD44 by bivalent monoclonal antibodies rapidly and profoundly augments the capacity of macrophages to phagocytose apoptotic neutrophils in vitro. The molecular mechanism behind this effect and its potential significance in vivo is a current focus of research.

scholarly journals An Intramolecular Association between Two Domains of the Protein Kinase Fused Is Necessary for Hedgehog Signaling

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 10397-10405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Ascano ◽  
David J. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Kinase Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Intramolecular Association

ABSTRACT The protein kinase Fused (Fu) is an integral member of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Although genetic studies demonstrate that Fu is required for the regulation of the Hh pathway, the mechanistic role that it plays remains largely unknown. Given our difficulty in developing an in vitro kinase assay for Fu, we reasoned that the catalytic activity of Fu might be highly regulated. Several mechanisms are known to regulate protein kinases, including self-association in either an intra- or an intermolecular fashion. Here, we provide evidence that Hh regulates Fu through intramolecular association between its kinase domain (ΔFu) and its carboxyl-terminal domain (Fu-tail). We show that ΔFu and Fu-tail can interact in trans, with or without the kinesin-related protein Costal 2 (Cos2). However, since the majority of Fu is found associated with Cos2 in vivo, we hypothesized that Fu-tail, which binds Cos2 directly, would be able to tether ΔFu to Cos2. We demonstrate that ΔFu colocalizes with Cos2 in the presence of Fu-tail and that this colocalization occurs on a subset of membrane vesicles previously characterized to be important for Hh signal transduction. Additionally, expression of Fu-tail in fu mutant flies that normally express only the kinase domain rescues the fu wing phenotype. Therefore, reestablishing the association between these two domains of Fu in trans is sufficient to restore Hh signal transduction in vivo. In such a manner we validate our hypothesis, demonstrating that Fu self-associates and is functional in an Hh-dependent manner. Our results here enhance our understanding of one of the least characterized, yet critical, components of Hh signal transduction.

scholarly journals L1CAM promotes ovarian cancer stemness and tumor initiation via FGFR1/SRC/STAT3 signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Giordano ◽  
Alessandra Decio ◽  
Chiara Battistini ◽  
Micol Baronio ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Tumor Initiation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Stat3 Signaling

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been implicated in tumor progression. In ovarian carcinoma (OC), CSC drive tumor formation, dissemination and recurrence, as well as drug resistance, thus contributing to the high death-to-incidence ratio of this disease. However, the molecular basis of such a pathogenic role of ovarian CSC (OCSC) has been elucidated only to a limited extent. In this context, the functional contribution of the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) to OC stemness remains elusive. Methods The expression of L1CAM was investigated in patient-derived OCSC. The genetic manipulation of L1CAM in OC cells provided gain and loss-of-function models that were then employed in cell biological assays as well as in vivo tumorigenesis experiments to assess the role of L1CAM in OC cell stemness and in OCSC-driven tumor initiation. We applied antibody-mediated neutralization to investigate L1CAM druggability. Biochemical approaches were then combined with functional in vitro assays to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional role of L1CAM in OCSC. Results We report that L1CAM is upregulated in patient-derived OCSC. Functional studies showed that L1CAM promotes several stemness-related properties in OC cells, including sphere formation, tumor initiation and chemoresistance. These activities were repressed by an L1CAM-neutralizing antibody, pointing to L1CAM as a druggable target. Mechanistically, L1CAM interacted with and activated fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1), which in turn induced the SRC-mediated activation of STAT3. The inhibition of STAT3 prevented L1CAM-dependent OC stemness and tumor initiation. Conclusions Our study implicate L1CAM in the tumorigenic function of OCSC and point to the L1CAM/FGFR1/SRC/STAT3 signaling pathway as a novel driver of OC stemness. We also provide evidence that targeting this pathway can contribute to OC eradication.

scholarly journals Targeting Positive Cofactor 4 induces autophagic cell death in MYC-expressing diffuse large B cell lymphoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Ma ◽  
Qiang Gong ◽  
Zelin Chen ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Xu Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Autophagic Cell Death ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract Background: The MYC-expressing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the refractory lymphomas. The pathogenesis of MYC-expressing DLBCL is still unclear, and there is a lack of effective therapy. In this study, we have explored the clinical significance and the molecular mechanisms of transcription co-activator 4 (PC4) in MYC-expressing DLBCL.Methods: We investigated PC4 expression in 54 cases of DLBCL patients’ tissues and matched normal specimens, and studied the molecular mechanisms of PC4 in MYC-expressing DLBCL both in vitro and in vivo.Results: We reported for the first time that targeting c-Myc could induce autophagic cell death in MYC-expressing DLBCL cell lines. We next characterized that PC4 was an upstream regulator of c-Myc, and PC4 was overexpressed in DLBCL and was closely related to clinical staging, prognosis and c-Myc expression. Further, our in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that PC4 knockdown could induce autophagic cell death of MYC-expressing DLBCL. And inhibition of c-Myc mediated aerobic glycolysis and activation of AMPK / mTOR signaling pathway were responsible for the autophagic cell death induced by PC4 knockdown in MYC-expressing DLBCL. Through the CHIP, DLRTM and EMSA assay, we also found that PC4 exerted its oncogenic functions by directly binding to c-Myc promoters.Conclusions: PC4 exerts its oncogenic functions by directly binding to c-Myc promoters. Inhibition of PC4 can induce autophagic cell death of MYC-expressing DLBCL. Our study provides novel insights into the functions and mechanisms of PC4 in MYC-expressing DLBCL, and suggests that PC4 might be a promising therapeutic target for MYC-expressing DLBCL.

scholarly journals Elesclomol-induced increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species impairs glioblastoma stem-like cell survival and tumor growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽  
Quintino Giorgio D’Alessandris ◽  
Paola Matarrese ◽  
Cristiana Mollinari ◽  
Michele Signore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults, characterized by a poor prognosis mainly due to recurrence and therapeutic resistance. It has been widely demonstrated that glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with stem-like properties is responsible for tumor maintenance and progression. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that GSCs contribute to GBM-associated neovascularization processes, through different mechanisms including the transdifferentiation into GSC-derived endothelial cells (GdECs). Methods In order to identify druggable cancer-related pathways in GBM, we assessed the effect of a selection of 349 compounds on both GSCs and GdECs and we selected elesclomol (STA-4783) as the most effective agent in inducing cell death on both GSC and GdEC lines tested. Results Elesclomol has been already described to be a potent oxidative stress inducer. In depth investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSC and GdEC response to elesclomol, confirmed that this compound induces a strong increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both GSCs and GdECs ultimately leading to a non-apoptotic copper-dependent cell death. Moreover, combined in vitro treatment with elesclomol and the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) enhanced the cytotoxicity compared to TMZ alone. Finally, we used our experimental model of mouse brain xenografts to test the combination of elesclomol and TMZ and confirmed their efficacy in vivo. Conclusions Our results support further evaluation of therapeutics targeting oxidative stress such as elesclomol with the aim of satisfying the high unmet medical need in the management of GBM.

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