Minocycline reduces inflammatory response and cell death in a S100B retina degeneration model

Abstract Background Previous studies noted that intravitreal injection of S100B triggered a glaucoma-like degeneration of retina and optic nerve as well as microglia activation after 14 days. The precise role of microglia in our intravitreal S100B model is still unclear. Hence, microglia were inhibited through minocycline. The aim is to investigate whether microglia have a significant influence on the degeneration process or whether they are only a side effect in the model studied here. Methods Minocycline was applied daily in rats by intraperitoneal injection using two different concentrations (13.5 mg/kg body weight, 25 mg/kg body weight). One day after treatment start, S100B or PBS was intravitreally injected in one eye per rat. The naïve groups received no injections. This resulted in a total of five groups (naïve n = 14, PBS n = 14, S100B n = 13, 13.5 mg/kg mino n = 15, 25 mg/kg mino n = 15). At day 14, electroretinogram measurements were performed, followed by immunofluorescence and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis. The focus of these investigations was on the survival of RGCs as well as their axons, the response of the microglia, and the identification of further pathological modes of action of S100B. Results The best signal transmission was detected via ERG in the 13.5 mg/kg mino group. The inhibition of the microglia protected optic nerve neurofilaments and decreased the negative impact of S100B on RGCs. However, the minocycline treatment could not trigger complete protection of RGCs. Furthermore, in retina and optic nerve, the minocycline treatment reduced the number and activity of S100B-triggered microglia in a concentration-dependent manner. Proteomics analysis showed that S100B application led to numerous metabolic functions and cellular stress, mainly an increased inflammatory response, glycolysis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which caused oxidative stress in the retina. Importantly, the protective capability of lower dose of minocycline was unraveled by suppressing the apoptotic, inflammatory, and the altered metabolic processes caused by S100B insult in the retina. Conclusion Intravitreally injected S100B not only led to a pro-inflammatory microglial reaction, but also a mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction. Also, these results suggest that an excessive microglial response may be a significant degenerative factor, but not the only trigger for increased cell death.

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Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22136785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (13) ◽

pp. 6785

Author(s):

Valeria Sogos ◽

Paola Caria ◽

Clara Porcedda ◽

Rafaela Mostallino ◽

Franca Piras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Neuronal Cell ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽

Psychoactive Substances ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽

Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

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Anticancer effects of mifepristone on human uveal melanoma cells

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02306-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Prisca Bustamante Alvarez ◽

Alexander Laskaris ◽

Alicia A. Goyeneche ◽

Yunxi Chen ◽

Carlos M. Telleria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Annexin V ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Free Dna

Abstract Background Uveal melanoma (UM), the most prevalent intraocular tumor in adults, is a highly metastatic and drug resistant lesion. Recent studies have demonstrated cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects of the antiprogestin and antiglucocorticoid mifepristone (MF) in vitro and in clinical trials involving meningioma, colon, breast, and ovarian cancers. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective approach to bring approved drugs with good safety profiles to the clinic. This current study assessed the cytotoxic effects of MF in human UM cell lines of different genetic backgrounds. Methods The effects of incremental concentrations of MF (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 μM) on a panel of human UM primary (MEL270, 92.1, MP41, and MP46) and metastatic (OMM2.5) cells were evaluated. Cells were incubated with MF for up to 72 h before subsequent assays were conducted. Cellular functionality and viability were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, trypan blue exclusion assay, and quantitative label-free IncuCyte live-cell analysis. Cell death was analyzed by binding of Annexin V-FITC and/or PI, caspase-3/7 activity, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the release of cell-free DNA was assessed by droplet digital PCR, while the expression of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Results MF treatment reduced cellular proliferation and viability of all UM cell lines studied in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in cell growth was observed at lower concentrations of MF, with evidence of cell death at higher concentrations. A significant increase in Annexin V-FITC and PI double positive cells, caspase-3/7 activity, DNA fragmentation, and cell-free DNA release suggests potent cytotoxicity of MF. None of the tested human UM cells expressed the classical progesterone receptor in the absence or presence of MF treatment, suggesting a mechanism independent of the modulation of the cognate nuclear progesterone receptor. In turn, all cells expressed non-classical progesterone receptors and the glucocorticoid receptor. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MF impedes the proliferation of UM cells in a concentration-dependent manner. We report that MF treatment at lower concentrations results in cell growth arrest, while increasing the concentration leads to lethality. MF, which has a good safety profile, could be a reliable adjuvant of a repurposing therapy against UM.

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Cytoprotective Activity ofGlycyrrhizae radixExtract against Arsenite-Induced Cytotoxicity

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1093/ecam/nem014 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 165-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Sang Chan Kim ◽

Sook Jahr Park ◽

Jong Rok Lee ◽

Jung Cheol Seo ◽

Chae Ha Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Cytoprotective Activity ◽

Flow Cytometric ◽

H4iie Cells ◽

Cell Line Cell

Licorice,Glycyrrhizae radix, is one of the herbal medicines in East Asia that has been commonly used for treating various diseases, including stomach disorders. This study investigated the effect of licorice on arsenite (As)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line. Cell viability was significantly diminished in As-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay and DNA laddering in H4IIE cells showed that As treatment induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3. Licorice (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml−1) treatment significantly inhibited cell death and the activity of caspase-3 in response to As exposure. These results demonstrate that licorice induced a cytoprotective effect against As-induced cell death by inhibition of caspase-3.

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Marine Actinomycetes-Derived Secondary Metabolites Overcome TRAIL-Resistance via the Intrinsic Pathway through Downregulation of Survivin and XIAP

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9081760 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1760 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohammed I. Y. Elmallah ◽

Sheron Cogo ◽

Andrei A. Constantinescu ◽

Selene Elifio-Esposito ◽

Mohammed S. Abdelfattah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Hct116 Cell ◽

Cancer Cell Line ◽

Cancer Drug ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Marine Actinomycetes ◽

Intrinsic Pathway ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner

Resistance of cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis represents the major hurdle to the clinical use of TRAIL or its derivatives. The discovery and development of lead compounds able to sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL-induced cell death is thus likely to overcome this limitation. We recently reported that marine actinomycetes’ crude extracts could restore TRAIL sensitivity of the MDA-MB-231 resistant triple negative breast cancer cell line. We demonstrate in this study, that purified secondary metabolites originating from distinct marine actinomycetes (sharkquinone (1), resistomycin (2), undecylprodigiosin (3), butylcyclopentylprodigiosin (4), elloxizanone A (5) and B (6), carboxyexfoliazone (7), and exfoliazone (8)), alone, and in a concentration-dependent manner, induce killing in both MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cell lines. Combined with TRAIL, these compounds displayed additive to synergistic apoptotic activity in the Jurkat, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Mechanistically, these secondary metabolites induced and enhanced procaspase-10, -8, -9 and -3 activation leading to an increase in PARP and lamin A/C cleavage. Apoptosis induced by these compounds was blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor QvD, but not by a deficiency in caspase-8, FADD or TRAIL agonist receptors. Activation of the intrinsic pathway, on the other hand, is likely to explain both their ability to trigger cell death and to restore sensitivity to TRAIL, as it was evidenced that these compounds could induce the downregulation of XIAP and survivin. Our data further highlight that compounds derived from marine sources may lead to novel anti-cancer drug discovery.

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Melittin-induced [Ca2+]i increases and subsequent death in canine renal tubular cells

Human & Experimental Toxicology ◽

10.1177/0960327108094606 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 417-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

SI Liu ◽

HH Cheng ◽

CJ Huang ◽

HC Chang ◽

WC Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Cell Death ◽

Fluorescent Dyes ◽

Mdck Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Renal Tubular Cells ◽

Dependent Cell ◽

Renal Tubular ◽

Darby Canine Kidney

The effect of melittin on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and viability is largely unknown. This study examined whether melittin alters Ca2+ levels and causes Ca2+-dependent cell death in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. [Ca2+]i and cell death were measured using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and WST-1 respectively. Melittin at concentrations above 0.5 μM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca2+ signal was reduced by 75% by removing extracellular Ca2+. The melittin-induced Ca2+ influx was also implicated by melittin-caused Mn2+ influx. After pretreatment with 1 μM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor), melittin-induced Ca2+ release was inhibited; and conversely, melittin pretreatment abolished thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release. At concentrations of 0.5–20 μM, melittin killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of 0.5 μM melittin was nearly completely reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca2+ with BAPTA. Melittin at 0.5–2 μM caused apoptosis as assessed by flow cytometry of propidium iodide staining. Collectively, in MDCK cells, melittin induced a [Ca2+]i rise by causing Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ influx from extracellular space. Furthermore, melittin can cause Ca2+-dependent cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner.

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Antiviral effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on Japanese encephalitis virus infection

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.81123-0 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 86 (9) ◽

pp. 2513-2523 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Chia-Che Chang ◽

Yen-Chuan Ou ◽

Shue-Ling Raung ◽

Chun-Jung Chen

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Japanese Encephalitis Virus ◽

Japanese Encephalitis ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Apoptotic Cell Death ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which causes neurological disorders, completes its life cycle and triggers apoptotic cell death in infected cells. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal-derived steroid, has been implicated in protection against neurotoxicity and protection of animals from viral-induced encephalitis, resulting in an increased survival rate of the animals. Currently, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of DHEA against the virus are largely unknown. In this study, DHEA suppression of JEV replication and virus-induced apoptosis in murine neuroblastoma (N18) cells was investigated. It was found that DHEA suppressed JEV-induced cytopathic effects, JEV-induced apoptotic cell death and JEV propagation in a concentration-dependent manner. Antiviral activity was more efficient in cultures treated with DHEA immediately after viral adsorption compared with that in cultures receiving delayed administration after adsorption or transient exposure before adsorption. JEV-induced cytotoxicity was accompanied by the inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Inactivation of ERK by JEV infection was reversed by DHEA. When cells were treated with the ERK inhibitor U0126, DHEA lost its antiviral effect. Activation of ERK by anisomycin mimicked the action of DHEA in suppressing JEV-induced cytotoxicity. DHEA-related compounds, such as its sulfate ester (DHEAS) and pregnenolone, were unable to suppress JEV-induced cytotoxicity and ERK inactivation. The hormone-receptor antagonists ICI 182780 and flutamide failed to abrogate the antiviral effect of DHEA. These findings suggest that the antiviral effect of DHEA is not linked directly to the genomic steroid-receptor pathways and suggest that the signalling pathways of ERK play a role in the antiviral action of DHEA.

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The Lipid Peroxidation By-product 4-Hydroxynonenal is Toxic to Axons and Oligodendrocytes

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1097/00004647-200011000-00002 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 20 (11) ◽

pp. 1529-1536 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Eileen McCracken ◽

V. Valeriani ◽

C. Simpson ◽

T. Jover ◽

James McCulloch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Cell Death ◽

White Matter ◽

Injection Site ◽

Subcortical White Matter ◽

Intracerebral Injection ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner

Lipid peroxidation and the cytotoxic by-product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) have been implicated in neuronal perikaryal damage. This study sought to determine whether 4-HNE was involved in white matter damage in vivo and in vitro. Immunohistochemical studies detected an increase in cellular and axonal 4-HNE within the ischemic region in the rat after a 24-hour period of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Exogenous 4-HNE (3.2 nmol) was stereotaxically injected into the subcortical white matter of rats that were killed 24 hours later. Damaged axons detected by accumulation of β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) were observed transversing medially and laterally away from the injection site after intracerebral injection of 4-HNE. In contrast, in the vehicle-treated animals, axonal damage was restricted to an area immediately surrounding the injection site. Exogenous 4-HNE produced oligodendrocyte cell death in culture in a time-dependent and a concentration-dependent manner. After 4 hours, the highest concentration of 4-HNE (50 μmol/L) produced 100% oligodendrocyte cell death. Data indicate that lipid peroxidation and production of 4-HNE occurs in white matter after cerebral ischemia and the lipid peroxidation by-product 4-HNE is toxic to axons and oligodendrocytes.

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Anticancer Effects of Mifepristone on Human Uveal Melanoma Cells

10.21203/rs.3.rs-794697/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Laskaris ◽

Prisca Bustamante ◽

Alicia A. Goyeneche ◽

Carlos M. Telleria ◽

Julia V Burnier

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Uveal Melanoma ◽

Annexin V ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Free Dna

Abstract Background: Uveal melanoma (UM), the most prevalent intraocular tumor in adults, is a highly metastatic and drug resistant cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects of the antiprogestin and antiglucocorticoid mifepristone (MF) in vitro and in clinical trials involving meningioma, colon, breast, and ovarian cancers. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective approach to bring approved drugs with good safety profiles to the clinic. This current study assessed the cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of MF in human UM cell lines of different genetic backgrounds.Methods: The effects of incremental concentrations of MF (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 mM) on a panel of human UM primary (MP46, 92.1, MP41, MEL270) and metastatic (OMM2.5) cells were evaluated. Cells were incubated with MF for up to 72 hours before subsequent assays were conducted. Cellular functionality and viability were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, trypan blue exclusion assay, and quantitative label-free IncuCyte live-cell analysis. Cell death was analyzed by binding of Annexin V-FITC and/or propidium iodide (PI), caspases 3/7 activities, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the release of cell-free DNA was assessed by ddPCR, while the expression of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors was determined by qPCR. Results: MF treatment reduced cellular proliferation and viability of all UM cell lines studied in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in cell growth was observed at lower concentrations of MF, with evidence of cell death at higher concentrations. A significant increase in Annexin V-FITC and PI-double positive cells, caspase 3/7 activities, DNA fragmentation, and cell-free DNA release suggests potent cytotoxicity of MF. None of the tested human UM cells expressed the classical progesterone receptor in the absence or presence of MF treatment, suggesting a mechanism independent of the modulation of the cognate nuclear progesterone receptor. In turn, all cells expressed non-classical progesterone receptors and the glucocorticoid receptor. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that MF impedes the proliferation of UM cells in a concentration-dependent manner. We report that MF treatment at lower concentrations results in cell growth arrest, while increasing the concentration leads to lethality. MF, which has a good safety profile, could be a reliable adjuvant of a repurposing therapy against UM.

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Lycopene improves methotrexate-induced functional alterations of the Madin–Darby kidney cells in a concentration-dependent manner

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1139/cjpp-2019-0251 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (2) ◽

pp. 111-116

Author(s):

Nenad Stojiljković ◽

Sonja Ilić ◽

Nikola Stojanović ◽

Sanja Stojanović ◽

Milan Stoiljković

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Mdck Cell ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Neutral Red ◽

High Dose ◽

Kidney Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

High Concentration ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Significant Impairment

Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among carotenoids due to its ability to quench singlet oxygen and react with free radicals to reduce DNA damage. Methotrexate is widely used in the treatment of several types of cancers and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common side effects of a high-dose of methotrexate is kidney injury. In this study, we evaluated effects of lycopene on the Madin–Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) treated with methotrexate through the estimation of their mitochondrial and lysosomal functions ((4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reduction assay and neutral red uptake assay) and changes in cell oxidative status (determination of advanced oxidized proteins concentrations and reduced glutathione levels) and lysosomal enzymes activity (β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase activity). Results of our study showed that lycopene applied in high concentration caused significant impairment of the MDCK function leading to cell death. Contrarily, in relatively low concentrations lycopene moderately ameliorated methotrexate-induced MDCK cell death estimated by both biochemical and microscopic analyses. It also prevented a significant decline in the MDCK cell lysosomal function estimated by neutral red accumulation ability and activity of the lysosomal enzyme β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase.

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Colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles for label-free colorimetric sensing of ammonia in aqueous solutions

Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology ◽

10.3762/bjnano.9.48 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 499-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alessandro Buccolieri ◽

Antonio Serra ◽

Gabriele Giancane ◽

Daniela Manno

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Aqueous Solutions ◽

Morphological Analysis ◽

Colloidal Solution ◽

Ammonia Concentration ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Label Free ◽

Colorimetric Sensing ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

High Ammonia

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of saccharides and ammonia (NH3) in the concentration range from 10−2 to 103 ppm to develop an optical sensor for NH3 in aqueous solutions. Ammonia affects the features of the nanoparticles obtained in a concentration-dependent manner as determined by UV–vis absorption analysis and TEM observations. Structural and morphological analysis provides the basis for the production of a colorimetric label-free sensor for ammonia. Overall, surface plasmon resonance increases when ammonia concentration rises, although the functional trend is not the same over the entire investigated ammonia concentration range. Three different ranges have been identified: very low ammonia concentrations from 0.01 to 0.2 ppm, high ammonia concentrations from 20 to 350 ppm and, most importantly, the intermediate or physiological range of ammonia from 0.5 to 10 ppm.

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