The mitochondrial effects of novel apoptogenic molecules generated by psoralen photolysis as a crucial mechanism in PUVA therapy

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (11) ◽  
pp. 4988-4994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Caffieri ◽  
Fabio Di Lisa ◽  
Federico Bolesani ◽  
Monica Facco ◽  
Gianpietro Semenzato ◽  
...  

Abstract The generation of photoproducts of psoralen (POPs) might be relevant in cell death induced by psoralen plus UVA, namely PUVA, which is a recognized effective treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chronic graft-versus-host disease, and psoriasis. We investigated the occurrence of POP-induced cell death and the underlying mechanisms. POPs were produced by irradiating a psoralen solution with UVA. Jurkat cells treated in the dark with these mixtures died mainly through an apoptotic mechanism. POPs were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cells were added with each of these fractions. A total of 2 dimers of psoralen and 6-formyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (FHC) were identified in the apoptogenic fractions. Apoptosis was preceded by mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP). In fact, both mitochondrial depolarization and cell death were prevented by the PTP inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA). PTP opening was also documented in isolated mitochondria added with POP, suggesting that apoptosis is caused by a direct effect of POP on mitochondria. In fact, FHC alone induced PTP opening and CsA-inhibitable cell death of Jurkat cells, whereas nontransformed T lymphocytes were resistant. Along with identifying novel apoptogenic molecules, the present results indicate that POP generation directs transformed cells to apoptosis.

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (1) ◽  
pp. H144-H153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Ascah ◽  
Maya Khairallah ◽  
Frédéric Daussin ◽  
Céline Bourcier-Lucas ◽  
Richard Godin ◽  
...  

Susceptibility of cardiomyocytes to stress-induced damage has been implicated in the development of cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease caused by the lack of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin in which heart failure is frequent. However, the factors underlying the disease progression are unclear and treatments are limited. Here, we tested the hypothesis of a greater susceptibility to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) in hearts from young dystrophic ( mdx) mice (before the development of overt cardiomyopathy) when subjected to a stress protocol and determined whether the prevention of a PTP opening is involved in the cardioprotective effect of sildenafil, which we have previously reported in mdx mice. Using the 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose method to quantify the PTP opening in ex vivo perfused hearts, we demonstrate that when compared with those of controls, the hearts from young mdx mice subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) display an excessive PTP opening as well as enhanced activation of cell death signaling, mitochondrial oxidative stress, cardiomyocyte damage, and poorer recovery of contractile function. Functional analyses in permeabilized cardiac fibers from nonischemic hearts revealed that in vitro mitochondria from mdx hearts display normal respiratory function and reactive oxygen species handling, but enhanced Ca2+ uptake velocity and premature opening of the PTP, which may predispose to I/R-induced injury. The administration of a single dose of sildenafil to mdx mice before I/R prevented excessive PTP opening and its downstream consequences and reduced tissue Ca2+ levels. Furthermore, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake velocity was reduced following sildenafil treatment. In conclusion, beyond our documentation that an increased susceptibility to the opening of the mitochondrial PTP in the mdx heart occurs well before clinical signs of overt cardiomyopathy, our results demonstrate that sildenafil, which is already administered in other pediatric populations and is reported safe and well tolerated, provides efficient protection against this deleterious event, likely by reducing cellular Ca2+ loading and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Bernal-Ramírez ◽  
Adriana Riojas-Hernández ◽  
Flor E Morales-Marroquín ◽  
Elvía M Domínguez-Barragán ◽  
David Rodríguez-Mier ◽  
...  

Several mechanisms have been implicated in heart failure (HF) development due to obesity, including altered Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Besides their metabolic role, mitochondria are important cell death regulators, since their disruption induces apoptosis. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) formation is key in this process. Ca2+ and ROS are known inducers of MPTP, and mitochondria are the main ROS generators. However, it has not been demonstrated that MPTP formation is involved in cardiac cell death due to obesity. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine whether Ca2+ alterations and/or MPTP opening underlie cardiac dysfunction. We used obese Zucker fa/fa rats (32 weeks old), displaying concentric hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. We measured: i) Systolic and diastolic Ca2+ signaling in isolated myocytes, in basal conditions and upon β-adrenergic stimulation (β-AS), and ii) in vitro mitochondrial function: respiration, ROS production and MPTP opening. We found that the main alteration in Ca2+ signaling in fa/fa myocytes was a decrease in SERCA Ca2+ removal capacity, since Ca2+ transient amplitude and spark frequency were unchanged. Furthermore, in fa/fa myocytes, β-AS response was preserved. On the other hand, fa/fa mitochondria respiration, in state 3 decreased, but was unchanged in state 4, when glutamate/malate were used as substrate, resulting in an small decrease in respiratory control. In addition, fa/fa mitochondria were more sensitive to MPTP opening, induced by Ca2+ and carboxyatractiloside (CAT). Moreover, fa/fa mitochondria showed increased H2O2 production, and in exposed thiol groups in the adenine nucleotide translocase, a regulatory MPTP component. Since Ca2+ signaling is relatively normal in fa/fa cells, it does not seem to be the main contributor to the cardiac contractile dysfunction. However, given that fa/fa mitochondria showed decrease respiratory performance, were more susceptible to MPTP opening, and showed enhanced H2O2 production. We conclude that fa/fa mitochondria were more vulnerable to enhanced oxidative stress, causing MPTP opening, which could be exacerbated by SERCA slower Ca2+ removal capacity, leading to myocyte apoptosis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Halestrap ◽  
E. Doran ◽  
J. P. Gillespie ◽  
A. O'Toole

Mitochondria play a central role in both apoptosis and necrosis through the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). This is thought to be formed through a Ca2+-triggered conformational change of the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) bound to matrix cyclophilin-D and we have now demonstrated this directly by reconstitution of the pure components. Opening of the MPTP causes swelling and uncoupling of mitochondria which, unrestrained, leads to necrosis. In ischaemia/reperfusion injury of the heart we have shown MPTP opening directly. Recovery of hearts correlates with subsequent closure, and agents that prevent opening or enhance closure protect from injury. Transient MPTP opening may also be involved in apoptosis by initially causing swelling and rupture of the outer membrane to release cytochrome c (cyt c), which then activates the caspase cascade and sets apoptosis in motion. Subsequent MPTP closure allows ATP levels to be maintained, ensuring that cell death remains apoptotic rather than necrotic. Apoptosis in the hippocampus that occurs after a hypoglycaemic or ischaemic insult is triggered by this means. Other apoptotic stimuli such as cytokines or removal of growth factors also involve mitochondrial cyt c release, but here there is controversy over whether the MPTP is involved. In many cases cyt c release is seen without any mitochondrial depolarization, suggesting that the MPTP does not open. Recent data of our own and others have revealed a specific outer-membrane cyt c-release pathway involving porin that does not release other intermembrane proteins such as adenylate kinase. This is opened by pro-apototic members of the Bcl-2 family such as BAX and prevented by anti-apoptotic members such as Bcl-xL. Our own data suggest that this pathway may interact directly with the ANT in the inner membrane at contact sites.


FEBS Letters ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 510 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzira E. Saviani ◽  
Cintia H. Orsi ◽  
Jusceley F.P. Oliveira ◽  
Cecı́lia A.F. Pinto-Maglio ◽  
Ione Salgado

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (9) ◽  
pp. 1129-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Richardson ◽  
Andrew P. Halestrap

The molecular identity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), a key player in cell death, remains controversial. Here we use a novel MPTP inhibitor to demonstrate that formation of the pore involves native mitochondrial membrane proteins adopting novel conformations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document