Ayumi Kasai

Involvement of Selective Reactive Oxygen Species Upstream of Proapoptotic Branches of Unfolded Protein Response

Cadmium triggers apoptosis of LLC-PK1 cells through induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We found that cadmium caused generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and that cadmium-induced ER stress was inhibited by antioxidants. In contrast, suppression of ER stress did not attenuate cadmium-triggered oxidative stress, suggesting that ER stress occurs downstream of oxidative stress. Exposure of the cells to either \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document}, H2O2, or ONOO- caused apoptosis, whereas ER stress was induced only by \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} or ONOO-. Transfection with manganese superoxide dismutase significantly attenuated cadmium-induced ER stress and apoptosis, whereas pharmacological inhibition of ONOO- was ineffective. Interestingly, transfection with catalase attenuated cadmium-induced apoptosis without affecting the level of ER stress. \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} caused activation of the activating transcription factor 6-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) and the inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1-X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) proapoptotic cascades, and overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase attenuated cadmium-triggered induction of both pathways. Furthermore, phosphorylation of proapoptotic c-Jun N-terminal kinase by \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} or cadmium was suppressed by dominant-negative inhibition of XBP1. These data elucidated 1) cadmium caused ER stress via generation of ROS, 2) \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} was selectively involved in cadmium-triggered, ER stress-mediated apoptosis through activation of the activating transcription factor 6-CHOP and inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1-XBP1 pathways, and 3) phosphorylation of JNK was caused by \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document}-triggered activation of XBP1.

Induction of apoptosis by cigarette smoke via ROS-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP)

In this report, we investigated a role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced apoptosis of human bronchial epithelial cells (hBEC). Exposure of hBEC to CS or CS extract (CSE) caused expression of endogenous ER stress markers GRP78 and CHOP and induction of apoptosis evidenced by nuclear condensation, membrane blebbing, and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-4. In vivo exposure of mice to CS also caused induction of GRP78 and CHOP in the lung. Attenuation of ER stress by overexpression of ER chaperone GRP78 or ORP150 significantly attenuated CSE-triggered apoptosis. Exposure of hBEC to CSE caused generation of reactive oxygen species, and treatment with antioxidants inhibited CSE-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, antioxidants including a scavenger of O(2)(*-) blunted induction of CHOP by CSE without affecting the level of GRP78, and dominant-negative inhibition of CHOP abolished CSE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, a generator of O(2)(*-) selectively induced CHOP and apoptosis in hBEC. Our results revealed that: (1) CS induces ER stress in vitro and in vivo, (2) ER stress mediates CS-triggered apoptosis downstream of oxidative stress, (3) CS-initiated apoptosis is caused through oxidative stress-dependent induction of CHOP, (4) O(2)(*-) may play a dominant role in this process, and (5) oxidative stress-independent induction of GRP78 counterbalances the proapoptotic action of CHOP.

Atypical, bidirectional regulation of cadmium-induced apoptosis via distinct signaling of unfolded protein response.

Cadmium is a widely distributed nephrotoxic metal that causes renal tubular injury. In this report, we investigated involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and individual unfolded protein responses in cadmium-initiated apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells. Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) induced expression of endogenous ER stress markers, GRP78, GRP94 and CHOP in vitro and in vivo, and subsequently caused cytological changes typical of apoptosis. Attenuation of ER stress by transfection with ER chaperone GRP78 or ORP150 suppressed CdCl2-triggered apoptosis. In response to CdCl2, phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) was observed. Enhanced phosphorylation of eIF2α attenuated, whereas inhibition of eIF2α exacerbated CdCl2-induced apoptosis. Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) was also activated by CdCl2 and blockade of this process suppressed induction of CHOP and thereby improved cell survival. CdCl2 also triggered activation of the inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1 (IRE1)–X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) pathway and inhibition of XBP1 attenuated apoptosis independent of GRP78 and CHOP. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), another molecule downstream of IRE1, was also phosphorylated by CdCl2 and its inhibition attenuated apoptosis. These results evidenced bidirectional regulation of apoptosis in cadmium-exposed cells. The ATF6 and IRE1 pathways cooperatively caused apoptosis via induction of CHOP, activation of XBP1 and phosphorylation of JNK, and the PERK–eIF2α pathway counteracted the proapoptotic processes.

Real-time detection and continuous monitoring of ER stress in vitro and in vivo by ES-TRAP: evidence for systemic, transient ER stress during endotoxemia

Activity of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) produced by transfected cells is rapidly down-regulated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress independent of transcriptional regulation. This phenomenon was observed in a wide range of cell types triggered by various ER stress inducers. The magnitude of the decrease in SEAP was proportional to the extent of ER stress and inversely correlated with the induction of endogenous ER stress markers grp78 and grp94. In contrast to SEAP, activity of secreted luciferase was less susceptible to ER stress. The decrease in SEAP activity by ER stress was caused by abnormal post-translational modification, accelerated degradation and reduced secretion of SEAP protein. In transgenic mice constitutively producing SEAP, systemic induction of ER stress led to reduction in serum SEAP. In these mice, administration with lipopolysaccharide caused rapid, transient decrease in serum SEAP activity, and it was correlated with up-regulation of grp78 in several organs including the spleen, lung, kidney, liver and heart. These results elucidated for the first time a possible involvement of transient, systemic ER stress in endotoxemia and provided evidence for usefulness of ER stress responsive alkaline phosphatase for real-time monitoring of ER stress in vitro and in vivo.

Transcriptional suppression of nephrin in podocytes by macrophages: Roles of inflammatory cytokines and involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway

Expression of nephrin, a crucial component of the glomerular slit diaphragm, is downregulated in patients with proteinuric glomerular diseases. Using conditionally immortalized reporter podocytes, we found that bystander macrophages as well as macrophage‐derived cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α markedly suppressed activity of the nephrin gene promoter in podocytes. The cytokine‐initiated repression was reversible, observed on both basal and inducible expression, independent of Wilms’ tumor suppressor WT1, and caused in part via activation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt pathway. These results indicated a novel mechanism by which activated macrophages participate in the induction of proteinuria in glomerular diseases.

Suppression of NF-κB by Cyclosporin A and Tacrolimus (FK506) via Induction of the C/EBP Family: Implication for Unfolded Protein Response

Immunosuppressive agents cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) inhibit cytokine production by activated lymphocytes through interfering with calcineurin. However, little is known about their effects on the function of nonlymphoid cells. We found that, in renal tubular cells, induction of MCP-1 by inflammatory cytokines was blunted by CsA and FK506. This suppression was correlated with induction of unfolded protein response (UPR) evidenced by endogenous and exogenous indicators. The induction of UPR by these agents was reversible and observed generally in other nonimmune cells. Furthermore, administration with CsA in reporter mice caused rapid, systemic induction of UPR in vivo. In TNF-α-treated cells, suppression of MCP-1 by CsA or FK506 was associated with blunted responses of NF-κB, the crucial regulator of MCP-1. The suppression of NF-κB was reproduced by other inducers of UPR including AB5 subtilase cytotoxin, tunicamycin, thapsigargin, and A23187. CsA and FK506, as well as other UPR inducers, caused up-regulation of C/EBP family members, especially C/EBPβ and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), and overexpression of either C/EBPβ or CHOP significantly attenuated TNF-α-triggered NF-κB activation. Furthermore, down-regulation of C/EBPβ by small interfering RNA substantially reversed the suppressive effect of CsA on TNF-α-induced MCP-1 expression. These results suggested that CsA and FK506 confer insensitiveness to TNF-α on resident cells through UPR-dependent induction of the C/EBP family members.

Rapid, transient induction of ER stress in the liver and kidney after acute exposure to heavy metal: evidence from transgenic sensor mice.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐responsive alkaline phosphatase (ES‐TRAP) serves as a sensitive indicator for ER stress. In response to heavy metals including cadmium, nickel and cobalt, hepatocytes and renal tubular cells expressing ES‐TRAP exhibited ER stress and decreased ES‐TRAP activity. In ES‐TRAP transgenic mice, acute exposure to cadmium showed rapid, transient decreases in the activity of serum ES‐TRAP. It was inversely correlated with the induction of endogenous ER stress markers in the liver and kidney. Our result provides first evidence for the acute, reversible induction of ER stress in vivo after exposure to heavy metal.

Transthyretin Accelerates Vascular Aβ Deposition in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Transthyretin (TTR) binds amyloid‐β (Aβ) and prevents Aβ fibril formation in vitro. It was reported that the lack of neurodegeneration in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimers disease (AD) (Tg2576 mouse) was associated with increased TTR level in the hippocampus, and that chronic infusion of anti‐TTR antibody into the hippocampus of Tg2576 mice led to increased local Aβ deposits, tau hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis. TTR is, therefore, speculated to prevent Aβ pathology in AD. However, a role for TTR in Aβ deposition is not yet known. To investigate the relationship between TTR and Aβ deposition, we generated a mouse line carrying a null mutation at the endogenous TTR locus and the human mutant amyloid precursor protein cDNA responsible for familial AD (Tg2576/TTR−/− mouse) by crossing Tg2576 mice with TTR‐deficient mice. We asked whether Aβ deposition was accelerated in Tg2576/TTR−/− mice relative to the heterozygous mutant Tg2576 (Tg2576/TTR+/−) mice. Contrary to our expectations, the degree of total and vascular Aβ burdens in the aged Tg2576/TTR−/− mice was significantly reduced relative to the age‐matched Tg2576/TTR+/− mice. Our experiments present, for the first time, compelling evidence that TTR does not suppress but rather accelerates vascular Aβ deposition in the mouse model of AD.

Geranylgeranylacetone, an Inducer of the 70-kDa Heat Shock Protein (HSP70), Elicits Unfolded Protein Response and Coordinates Cellular Fate Independently of HSP70

Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), an antiulcer agent, has the ability to induce 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in various cell types and to protect cells from apoptogenic insults. However, little is known about effects of GGA on other HSP families of molecules. We found that, at concentrations ≥100 μM, GGA caused selective expression of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), an HSP70 family member inducible by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, without affecting the level of HSP70 in various cell types. Induction of ER stress by GGA was also evidenced by expression of another endogenous marker, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP); decreased activity of ER stress-responsive alkaline phosphatase; and unfolded protein response (UPR), including activation of the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) pathway and the inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1-X-box-binding protein 1 (IRE1-XBP1) pathway. Incubation of mesangial cells with GGA caused significant apoptosis, which was attenuated by transfection with inhibitors of caspase-12 (i.e., a dominant-negative mutant of caspase-12 and MAGE-3). Dominant-negative suppression of IRE1 or XBP1 significantly attenuated apoptosis without affecting the levels of CHOP and GRP78. Inhibition of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, the molecule downstream of IRE1, by 1,9-pyrazoloanthrone (SP600125) did not improve cell survival. Blockade of ATF6 by 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride enhanced apoptosis by GGA, and it was correlated with attenuated induction of both GRP78 and CHOP. Overexpression of GRP78 or dominant-negative inhibition of CHOP significantly attenuated GGA-induced apoptosis. These results suggested that GGA triggers both proapoptotic (IRE1-XBP1, ATF6-CHOP) and antiapoptotic (ATF6-GRP78) UPR and thereby coordinates cellular fate even without induction of HSP70.

Priming of Glomerular Mesangial Cells by Activated Macrophages Causes Blunted Responses to Proinflammatory Stimuli

Macrophage-mesangial cell interaction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Activated macrophages trigger mesangial cells to express an array of inflammation-associated genes via activation of NF-κB and AP-1. However, this inflammatory response is often transient and subsides spontaneously. We found that mesangial cells activated by bystander macrophages showed blunted responses of NF-κB to subsequent macrophage exposure. It was associated with sustained levels of IκBβ, but not IκBα. The tolerance observed was reversible and reproduced by conditioned media from activated macrophages (macrophage-conditioned medium (MφCM)). In vivo priming of mesangial cells by activated glomerular macrophages also caused the tolerance of mesangial cells. The macrophage-derived tolerance inducers were heat-labile, and multiple molecules were involved. Among inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages, TNF-α and IL-1β were able to induce mesangial cell tolerance dose-dependently. The mesangial cell tolerance was also observed in activation of the MAPK-AP-1 pathway; i.e., phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK by macrophages was blunted when the cells were pre-exposed to MφCM. Induction of c-fos and c-jun was also abrogated in mesangial cells pre-exposed to MφCM, and the suppression was attenuated by blockade of MAPK activation during the first exposure to MφCM. These data elucidated that mesangial cells, once exposed to macrophages, become insensitive to subsequent activation by macrophages and proinflammatory stimuli. This self defense of glomerular cells may play a role in the resolution of macrophage-mediated, acute glomerulonephritis.