Seong Who Kim

Accumulation of the Authentic Parkin Substrate Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Cofactor, p38/JTV-1, Leads to Catecholaminergic Cell Death

Autosomal-recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP) is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the parkin gene. Parkin, a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is responsible for the ubiquitination and degradation of substrate proteins that are important in the survival of dopamine neurons in Parkinsons disease (PD). Accordingly, the abnormal accumulation of neurotoxic parkin substrates attributable to loss of parkin function may be the cause of neurodegeneration in parkin-related parkinsonism. We evaluated the known parkin substrates identified to date in parkin null mice to determine whether the absence of parkin results in accumulation of these substrates. Here we show that only the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase cofactor p38 is upregulated in the ventral midbrain/hindbrain of both young and old parkin null mice. Consistent with upregulation in parkin knock-out mice, brains of AR-JP and idiopathic PD and diffuse Lewy body disease also exhibit increased level of p38. In addition, p38 interacts with parkin and parkin ubiquitinates and targets p38 for degradation. Furthermore, overexpression of p38 induces cell death that increases with tumor necrosis factor-α treatment and parkin blocks the pro-cell death effect of p38, whereas the R42P, familial-linked mutant of parkin, fails to rescue cell death. We further show that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of p38 in the substantia nigra in mice leads to loss of dopaminergic neurons. Together, our study represents a major advance in our understanding of parkin function, because it clearly identifies p38 as an important authentic pathophysiologic substrate of parkin. Moreover, these results have important implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in PD.

Comparative Analysis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, and Umbilical Cord Blood as Sources of Cell Therapy

Various source-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered for cell therapeutics in incurable diseases. To characterize MSCs from different sources, we compared human bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), and umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) for surface antigen expression, differentiation ability, proliferation capacity, clonality, tolerance for aging, and paracrine activity. Although MSCs from different tissues have similar levels of surface antigen expression, immunosuppressive activity, and differentiation ability, UCB-MSCs had the highest rate of cell proliferation and clonality, and significantly lower expression of p53, p21, and p16, well known markers of senescence. Since paracrine action is the main action of MSCs, we examined the anti-inflammatory activity of each MSC under lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Co-culture of UCB-MSCs with LPS-treated rat alveolar macrophage, reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-6, and IL-8 via angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Using recombinant Ang-1 as potential soluble paracrine factor or its small interference RNA (siRNA), we found that Ang-1 secretion was responsible for this beneficial effect in part by preventing inflammation. Our results demonstrate that primitive UCB-MSCs have biological advantages in comparison to adult sources, making UCB-MSCs a useful model for clinical applications of cell therapy.

Identification of Far Upstream Element-binding Protein-1 as an Authentic Parkin Substrate

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional protein type 2 was recently identified as an authentic substrate of the ubiquitin E3 ligase, parkin, a gene associated with autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism. Far upstream element-binding protein 1 is known to be degraded in an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase interacting multifunctional protein type 2 dependent manner, which is crucial for lung cell maturation in early development. Therefore, we wondered whether far upstream element-binding protein 1 levels are altered in the absence of Parkin and in Parkinson disease. We herein report that far upstream element-binding protein 1 accumulates in Parkin knock-out mice, patients with autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism, sporadic Parkinson disease, and diffuse Lewy Body disease as well as the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine mouse model of Parkinson disease. Moreover, Parkin interacts with and ubiquitinates far upstream element-binding protein 1 facilitating its degradation through the ubiquitin proteasome system. Taken together, these results suggest that far upstream element-binding protein 1 is an authentic substrate of Parkin and that far upstream element-binding protein 1 might play an important role in development of Parkinson disease pathology along with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase interacting multifunctional protein type 2.

Bromocriptine activates NQO1 via Nrf2-PI3K/Akt signaling: Novel cytoprotective mechanism against oxidative damage

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Because oxidative stress caused by dopamine oxidation to dopamine quinone is suggested as a major factor contributing to the pathogenesis of PD, the induction of the enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of quinones, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1), could be a desirable therapeutic strategy to protect cells from oxidative damage. The dopamine agonist bromocriptine is used clinically for PD therapy. In addition to ameliorating the motor deficit via dopamine D2 receptor activation, bromocriptine also has neuroprotective and antioxidative activity. In the present study, we show that bromocriptine upregulates the expression and activity of NQO1, attenuates the increase in the protein-bound quinone in H(2)O(2)-treated PC12 cells, and protects PC12 cells against oxidative damage. Bromocriptine increases the expression and nuclear translocation of a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), which is known to be involved in the regulation of numerous antioxidant enzymes via the antioxidant response element. The Nrf2-related cytoprotective and antioxidative effects of bromocriptine are PI3K/Akt pathway-dependent, and are independent of dopamine receptor activation. The cytoprotective effect of bromocriptine in PC12 cells is not affected by the presence of dopamine D2 antagonist, and the bromocriptine-induced Nrf2-ARE activation and cytoprotection against oxidative stress are observed in both dopamine D2 receptor-expressing A7-D2 and non-expressing A7 cells. Taken together, we investigate the novel cytoprotective effect of bromocriptine involving PI3K- and Nrf2-mediated upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme NQO1.

Autophagic Death of Adult Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells Following Insulin Withdrawal

Novel therapeutic approaches using stem cell transplantation to treat neurodegenerative diseases have yielded promising results. However, survival of stem cells after transplantation has been very poor in animal models, and considerable efforts have been directed at increasing the viability of engrafted stem cells. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate survival and death of neural stem cells is critical to the development of stem cell‐based therapies. Hippocampal neural (HCN) stem cells derived from the adult rat brain undergo cell death following insulin withdrawal, which is associated with downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 family members. To understand the type of cell death in HCN cells following insulin withdrawal, apoptosis markers were assessed. Of note, DNA fragmentation or caspase‐3 activation was not observed, but rather dying cells displayed features of autophagy, including increased expression of Beclin 1 and the type II form of light chain 3. Electron micrographs showed the dramatically increased formation of autophagic vacuoles with cytoplasmic contents. Staurosporine induced robust activation of caspase‐3 and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, suggesting that the machinery of apoptosis is intact in HCN cells despite the apparent absence of apoptosis following insulin withdrawal. Autophagic cell death was suppressed by knockdown of autophagy‐related gene 7, whereas promotion of autophagy by rapamycin increased cell death. Taken together, these data demonstrate that HCN cells undergo a caspase‐independent, autophagic cell death following insulin withdrawal. Understanding the mechanisms governing autophagy of adult neural stem cells may provide novel strategies to improve the survival rate of transplanted stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Down-regulation of CD105 is associated with multi-lineage differentiation in human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) have multi-lineage differentiation potential, thus highlighting the feasibility of using UCB-MSCs as a valuable source of stem-cells for cell-based therapy. However, there are no well-defined markers for assessment of the multi-potency of UCB-MSCs. Thus, we focused on the identification of suitable markers by examining cell surface protein expressions of UCB-MSCs as their multi-lineage differentiations progressed. The expression of CD105, one of the cell surface proteins, was significantly decreased in differentiated osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and respiratory epithelium, and the portion of CD105-positive cells from 99.4+/-0.1% to 3.5+/-1.4%, 3.5+/-2.3%, 16.7+/-3.6%, and 2.1+/-1.5%, respectively. As to such indicators as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), oil Red O, and surfactant protein C (SPC), they showed increases, confirming differentiation of UCB-MSCs into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and respiratory epithelium. This is the first study to demonstrate a negative correlation between expression of CD105 over the time course of multi-lineage differentiation and the degree of differentiation of UCB-MSCs. We propose that CD105 is a useful novel marker to characterize differentiation status of isolated human UCB-MSCs, which will be useful to facilitate the application of such cells in stem-cell therapy.

Dopamine‐dependent cytotoxicity of tetrahydrobiopterin: a possible mechanism for selective neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease

Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. While the underlying cause of this cell death is poorly understood, oxidative stress is thought to play a role. We have previously shown that tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an obligatory co‐factor for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), exerts selective toxicity on dopamine‐producing cells and that this is prevented by antioxidants. This study shows that BH4‐induced dopaminergic cell death is primarily mediated by dopamine, evidenced by findings that (i) BH4 toxicity is increased in proportion to cellular dopamine content; (ii) non‐dopaminergic cells become susceptible to BH4 upon exposure to dopamine; and (iii) depletion of dopamine attenuates BH4 toxicity in dopamine‐producing cells. BH4 causes lipid peroxidation, suggesting involvement of oxidative stress but the toxicity does not require enzymatic oxidation of dopamine. Instead, it seems to involve formation of quinone product(s) because (i) the cell death is attenuated by exposure to or induction of quinone reductase and (ii) BH4‐treated cells show increased formation of protein‐bound quinones, which is inhibited by thiol antioxidants. These data taken together suggest that the presence of both BH4 and dopamine is important in rendering dopaminergic cells vulnerable and that this involves formation of reactive dopamine quinone products.

miR‐140‐5p suppresses BMP2‐mediated osteogenesis in undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have self‐renewal and differentiation capabilities but the regulatory mechanisms of MSC fate determination remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify microRNAs enriched in hMSCs that modulate differentiation commitments. Microarray analysis revealed that miR‐140‐5p is commonly enriched in undifferentiated hMSCs from various tissue sources. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay validated that miR‐140‐5p directly represses bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2). Furthermore, blocking miR‐140‐5p in hMSCs increased the expression of BMP signaling components and critical regulators of osteogenic differentiation. We propose that miR‐140‐5p functionally inhibits osteogenic lineage commitment in undifferentiated hMSCs.

Immobilization stress causes increases in tetrahydrobiopterin, dopamine, and neuromelanin and oxidative damage in the nigrostriatal system

Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinsons disease, in which nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons undergo degeneration. Identification of endogenous molecules that contribute to generation of oxidative stress and vulnerability of these cells is critical in understanding the etiology of this disease. Exposure to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the obligatory cofactor for DA synthesis, was observed previously to cause oxidative damage in DA cells. To demonstrate the physiological relevance of this observation, we investigated whether an overproduction of BH4 and DA might actually occur in vivo, and, if it did, whether this might lead to oxidative damage to the nigrostriatal system. Immobilization stress (IMO) elevated BH4 and DA and their synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase I. This was accompanied by elevation of lipid peroxidation and protein‐bound quinone, and activities of antioxidant enzymes. These increases in the indices of oxidative stress appeared to be due to increased BH4 synthesis because they were abolished following administration of the BH4 synthesis inhibitor, 2,4‐diamino‐6‐hydroxy‐pyrimidine. IMO also caused accumulation of neuromelanin and degeneration of the nigrostriatal system. These results demonstrate that a severe stress can increase BH4 and DA and cause oxidative damages to the DA neurons in vivo, suggesting relevance to Parkinsons disease.

Tetrahydrobiopterin causes mitochondrial dysfunction in dopaminergic cells: Implications for Parkinson's disease

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. While the underlying cause of PD is not clearly understood, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to play a role. We have previously suggested tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an obligatory cofactor for the dopamine synthesis enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase and present selectively in monoaminergic neurons in the brain, as an endogenous molecule that contributes to the dopaminergic neurodegeneration. In the present study, we show that BH4 leads to inhibition of activities of complexes I and IV of the electron transport chain (ETC) and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. BH4 appears to be different from rotenone and MPP(+), the synthetic compounds used to generate Parkinson models, in its effect on complex IV. BH4 also induces the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Pretreatment with the sulfhydryl antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or the quinone reductase inducer dimethyl fumarate prevents the ETC inhibition and cytochrome c release following BH4 exposure, suggesting the involvement of quinone products. Together with our previous observation that BH4 leads to generation of oxidative stress and selective dopaminergic neurodegeneration both in vitro and in vivo via inducing apoptosis, the mitochondrial involvement in BH4 toxicity further suggests possible relevance of this endogenous molecule to pathogenesis of PD.