Jinhwa Lee

Cyclosporin A blocks muscle differentiation by inducing oxidative stress and inhibiting the peptidyl-prolyl-cis-trans isomerase activity of cyclophilin A: cyclophilin A protects myoblasts from cyclosporin A-induced cytotoxicity

Allogenic myoblast transplantation (AMT) is under investigation for treatment of severe genetic myopathies. Data regarding the role of cyclosporine (CsA) and FK‐506 in AMT have shown that CsA is less effective than FK‐506. For this study, we investigated mechanisms of CsA toxicity during AMT and showed that a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by CsA, mediated partly by inhibition of the peptidylprolyl‐cis‐trans‐isomerase (PPIase)‐like activity of cyclophilin A (CypA), blocked differentiation and induced apoptosis at an early stage of muscle differentiation. Inhibition of the PPIase‐like activity of CypA alone also blocked muscle differentiation. However, CsA toxicity did not depend on the inhibition of calcineurin activity during muscle differentiation. Together, these data suggest that CsA‐mediated inhibition of the PPIase‐like activity of CypA and the high level of ROS generation contributed to the low efficacy of CsA in AMT. In addition, we showed that a reduction of oxidative stress protected cells from CsA‐induced apoptosis, and myoblasts that had survived after preexposure to CsA not only proliferated and differentiated reversibly but also gained resistance to subsequent CsA exposure. Thus, administration of antioxidants or overexpression of CypA either exogenously or endogenously during CsA treatment has the potential to improve the success of this treatment in AMT.

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleoside enhances oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through activation of nuclear factor-κB in mouse Neuro 2a neuroblastoma cells

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was recently suggested to have a pro-apoptotic effect although its primary function is believed to mediate cellular adaptation to metabolic stresses. Here, we investigated the effect of the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleoside (AICAR) on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis using mouse Neuro 2a neuroblastoma cells. H2O2-induced apoptosis was increased by AMPK activation, either with AICAR pretreatment or with overexpression of active AMPK. AICAR also induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation along with activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Correlation between NF-kappaB activation and the AICAR-enhanced apoptotic cell death was observed. In addition, NF-kappaB inhibitor SN50 prevented the augmented cell death by AICAR. Thus, our data suggest that NF-kappaB mediates the pro-apoptotic effect of AICAR.

Overexpressed cyclophilin B suppresses apoptosis associated with ROS and Ca2+ homeostasis after ER stress.

Prolonged accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) results in ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Cyclophilins are protein chaperones that accelerate the rate of protein folding through their peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. In this study, we demonstrated that ER stress activates the expression of the ER-localized cyclophilin B (CypB) gene through a novel ER stress response element. Overexpression of wild-type CypB attenuated ER stress-induced cell death, whereas overexpression of an isomerase activity-defective mutant, CypB/R62A, not only increased Ca2+ leakage from the ER and ROS generation, but also decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in cell death following exposure to ER stress-inducing agents. siRNA-mediated inhibition of CypB expression rendered cells more vulnerable to ER stress. Finally, CypB interacted with the ER stress-related chaperones, Bip and Grp94. Taken together, we concluded that CypB performs a crucial function in protecting cells against ER stress via its PPIase activity.

Oleic acid reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 in BV2 murine microglial cells: Possible involvement of reactive oxygen species, p38 MAPK, and IKK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Microglia are the major cells involved in neuroinflammation resulting in brain tissue damage during infection and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the effects of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid (OA) on LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators production and the mechanisms involved in BV2 microglia. OA inhibited LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 as well as production of NO and prostaglandin E2. We showed that OA blocked LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation and phosphorylation of inhibitor kappaB kinase (IKK). We also showed that OA inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK, but not that of ERK. Finally, we showed that OA reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and an anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited NF-kappaB transactivation and phosphorylation of IKK and Akt in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Taken together, our results suggest that OA shows an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting ROS, p38 MAPK, and Akt/IKK/NF-kappaB signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia.

Activation of p38 MAPK induces cell cycle arrest via inhibition of Raf/ERK pathway during muscle differentiation

Cell cycle arrest is essential for initiation of muscle differentiation in myoblasts. Given the previously described essential role for p38 MAPK in myogenesis, we undertook the present study to investigate the role of p38 MAPK in the cell cycle arrest that initiates muscle differentiation. p38 MAPK activity increased during, and was required for, muscle differentiation. Inhibition of p38 MAPK stimulated Raf and ERK activities, and induced cell proliferation in differentiation medium. The concomitant inhibition of p38 MAPK and ERK, however, failed to induce differentiation or proliferation. In conclusion, inhibition of the Raf/ERK pathway and the consequent cell cycle arrest is one of the major functions of p38 MAPK during muscle differentiation.

Baicalein suppresses hypoxia-induced HIF-1α protein accumulation and activation through inhibition of reactive oxygen species and PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway in BV2 murine microglial cells

Hypoxia induces an inflammatory activation of microglia during cerebral ischemia. The transcription factor of hypoxia-inducible genes hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is known to be involved in inflammation and immune response. Although baicalein (BE), a flavonoid, is shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and attenuate ischemic injury, its action mechanism is not understood well. Thus, we examined effect of BE on hypoxia-induced HIF-1 activation and its signaling mechanism in BV2 microglial cells. BE inhibited hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha protein accumulation and HIF-1 transcriptional activation. Consistently, BE suppressed hypoxia-induced expression of hypoxia responsive genes, iNOS, COX-2, and VEGF. We then showed that BE inhibited hypoxia-induced phosphorylation of Akt but not that of ERK and p38. Moreover, BE inhibited hypoxia-induced PI 3-kinase activation. Finally, we showed that BE inhibited hypoxia-induced ROS generation, and an antioxidant N-acetylcysteine reduced hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha and iNOS protein expression and PI 3-kinase/Akt activation in BV2 microglia. Taken together, these results suggest that BE suppresses hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha protein and activation as well as expression of hypoxia responsive genes by inhibiting ROS and PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway in BV2 microglia.

Endogenous Hydrogen Peroxide Regulates Glutathione Redox via Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Downstream of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase during Muscle Differentiation

We reported previously that endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as myogenic signaling molecules. It has also been determined that excess ROS induce electrophile-response element (EpRE)-driven gene expression via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nonetheless, the relationship between the metabolism of ROS (eg, H(2)O(2)) through glutathione (GSH) up-regulation, GSH-dependent reduction of H(2)O(2), and Nrf2-dependent gene regulation is not well established. Therefore, we attempted to determine whether H(2)O(2) controls the intracellular GSH redox state via the Nrf2-glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL)/glutathione reductase (GR)-GSH signaling pathway. In our experiments, enhanced H(2)O(2) generation was accompanied by an increase in both total GSH levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio during muscle differentiation. Both GCL and GR transcriptional expression levels were markedly increased during muscle differentiation but reduced by catalase treatment. Nrf2 protein expression and nuclear translocation increased during myogenesis. The inhibition of GCL, GR, and Nrf2 both by inhibitors and by RNA interference blocked muscle differentiation. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulated the expression of the GCL C (a catalytic subunit) and GR genes via the induction of Nrf2 nuclear translocation and expression. In conclusion, endogenous H(2)O(2) generated during muscle differentiation not only functions as a signaling molecule, but also regulates the GSH redox state via activation of the Nrf2-GCL/GR-GSH signaling pathway downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

ATP stimulates glucose transport through activation of P2 purinergic receptors in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

Extracellular ATP acts as a signal that regulates a variety of cellular processes via binding to P2 purinergic receptors (P2 receptors). We herein investigated the effects and signaling pathways of ATP on glucose uptake in C(2)C(12) skeletal muscle cells. ATP as well as P2 receptor agonists (ATP-gamma S) stimulated the rate of glucose uptake, while P2 receptor antagonists (suramin) inhibited the stimulatory effect of ATP, indicating that P2 receptors are involved. This ATP-stimulated glucose transport was blocked by specific inhibitors of Gi protein (pertusiss toxin), phospholipase C (U73122), protein kinase C (GF109203X), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (LY294002). ATP stimulated PI 3-kinase activity and P2 receptor antagonists blocked this activation. In C(2)C(12) myotubes expressing glucose transporter GLUT4, ATP increased basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Finally, ATP facilitated translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 into plasma membrane. These results together suggest that cells respond to extracellular ATP to increase glucose transport through P2 receptors.

Oleamide suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 through inhibition of NF-κB activation in BV2 murine microglial cells

Oleamide (cis-9-octadecenamide) is an endogenous sleep-inducing fatty acid amide that accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid of the sleep-deprived animals. Microglia are the major immune cells involved in neuroinflammation causing brain damage during infection, ischemia, and neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we examined the effects of oleamide on LPS-induced production of proinflammatory mediators and the mechanisms involved in BV2 microglia. Oleamide inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and prostaglandin E2 as well as expression of iNOS and COX-2. We showed that oleamide blocked LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation and phosphorylation of inhibitor kappaB kinase (IKK). We also showed that oleamide inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt, p38 MAPK, and ERK, activation of PI 3-kinase, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, we showed that a specific antagonist of the CB2 receptor, AM630, blocked the inhibitory effects of oleamide on LPS-induced production of proinflammatory mediators and activation of NF-kappaB. Taken together, our results suggest that oleamide shows an anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia.