Shogo Kawaguchi

Carnosic acid attenuates apoptosis induced by amyloid-β 1-42 or 1-43 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, Aβ 1-42 (Aβ42) and Aβ43 in particular, cause neurotoxicity and cell death in the brain of Alzheimers disease (AD) at higher concentrations. Carnosic acid (CA), a phenolic diterpene compound in the labiate herbs rosemary and sage, serves as an activator for neuroprotective and neurotrophic functions in brain cells. We investigated the effect of CA on apoptosis induced by Aβ42 or Aβ43 in cultured SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Treatment of the cells with Aβ42 or Aβ43 (monomer, 10 μM each) induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Concurrently, the Aβ treatment induced the activation of caspase (Casp) cascades including an effector Casp (Casp3) and initiator Casps (Casp4, Casp8 and Casp9). Pretreatment of the cells with CA (10 μM) partially attenuated the apoptosis induced by Aβ42 or Aβ43. CA pretreatment also reduced the cellular oligomers of Aβ42 and Aβ43. These results suggest that CA suppressed the activation of Casp cascades by reducing the intracellular oligomerization of exogenous Aβ42/43 monomer. The ingestion of an adequate amount of CA may have a potential in the prevention of Aβ-mediated diseases, particularly AD.

Cyclosporine regulates intestinal epithelial apoptosis via TGF-β-related signaling

Cyclosporine is a potent immunomodulator and has a beneficial effect in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We analyzed the mechanism of the effects of cyclosporine on the regulation of epithelial apoptosis via TGF-beta-related signaling, because the balance between the apoptosis and regeneration of epithelial cells seems to be a key factor to maintain the intestinal homeostasis. For this purpose, colitis was induced by treatment of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and the effect of treatment with cyclosporine and anti-TGF-beta antibody was assessed. Treatment with cyclosporine ameliorated body weight loss, mucosal destruction, and epithelial apoptosis in DSS-induced colitis. Cyclosporine was shown to upregulate the expression of TGF-beta in the colonic tissue, enhance the expression of p-Smad2 and cFLIP in epithelial cells, and inhibit caspase-8 activity but not caspase-1 or -9. Upregulation of cFLIP in the colonic epithelial cells, amelioration of body weight loss, and mucosal destruction by cyclosporine were attenuated by anti-TGF-beta antibody treatment. These results indicated that cyclosporine could have a protective role against epithelial apoptosis associated with upregulation of TGF-beta-related signaling.

Toll-like receptor 3 signaling contributes to the expression of a neutrophil chemoattractant, CXCL1 in human mesangial cells

BackgroundMesangial proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine expressions via innate immunity play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. CXCL1/GROα is a strong neutrophil chemoattractant cytokine and reportedly plays an important role in regional inflammatory reactions. However, detailed signaling of mesangial CXCL1 expression induced by viral or “pseudoviral” immunity remains to be determined.MethodsWe treated normal human mesangial cells (MCs) in culture with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, and analyzed the expression of CXCL1 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To elucidate the poly IC-induced signaling pathway for CXCL1 expression, we subjected the cells to RNA interference against Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), interferon (IFN)-β, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 3. We also conducted an immunofluorescence study to examine mesangial CXCL1 expression in biopsy specimens from patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN).ResultsWe found that activation of TLR3 signaling could induce the expression of CXCL1 in MCs. NF-κB, IRF3 and IFN-β, but neither RIG-I nor MDA5, were found to be involved in mesangial CXCL1 expression in this setting. Induction of CXCL1 by poly IC was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone. Intense glomerular CXCL1 expression was observed in biopsy specimens from patients with LN, whereas only a trace staining occurred in specimens from patients with IgAN.ConclusionTLR3 signaling also contributes to the CXCL1 expression in MCs. These observations further support the implication of viral and “pseudoviral” immunity in the pathogenesis of inflammatory renal diseases, especially in LN.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I is constitutively expressed and involved in IFN-γ-stimulated CXCL9-11 production in intestinal epithelial cells

Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) is a member of the DExH/D family proteins, and plays an important role in antiviral response via interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and type 1 IFN. In this study, the roles of RIG-I in the epithelial cells in the cross-talk between type 2 IFN and inducible chemokines production are high-lighted. The results showed that RIG-I was constitutively expressed in normal surface epithelia lining the colonic mucosa. RIG-I was constitutively expressed in the epithelial cell lines HT-29, and IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha enhanced the RIG-I expression in a dose-dependent manner. IFN-gamma was shown to stimulate CXCL9-11 production, and RNA interference against RIG-I resulted in significant decrease of IFN-gamma-induced CXCL9-11 productions. These results suggest that RIG-I play an important role in the cross-talk between inflammatory cytokines and immune cell trafficking. In conclusion, RIG-I might regulate the gut barrier function in homeostatic and inflammatory conditions.

Interferon-alpha2b induces p21cip1/waf1 degradation and cell proliferation in HeLa cells.

Type I interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines that exhibit various biological activities. Besides their roles in immune response, IFNs have been known to modulate cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis. Thus, IFNs are used as an anti-tumor agent against certain types of cancer, but it is unclear why many other cancers are not influenced by IFNs. Here, we found that IFN-a2b, a subfamily of IFN-a, enhanced proliferation of HeLa cells, a cell line derived from human cervical cancer. IFN-a2b was rather inhibitory on the growth of other types of cervical cancer cells including those positive for HPV. Among the proliferation- and the apoptosis-related genes, p21cip1/waf1 (p21) was upregulated by IFN-a2b, whereas p53, p27 or BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) was not affected. IFN-a2b did not alter promoter activities of p21 but did prolong the decay of p21 mRNA. In contrast, the level of p21 protein was lowered by IFN-a2b, and half-life analysis of p21 protein revealed that IFN-a2b enhances p21 protein instability in HeLa cells. Pretreatment of the cells with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, abolished the IFN-a2b-mediated p21 degradation, suggesting that IFN-a2b accelerated the ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation of p21. Consistent with these results, IFN-a2b increased S-phase cell cycle distribution in HeLa cells. In addition, IFN-a2b liberated the cells from G1-phase arrest by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and from G2-phase arrest by paclitaxel. These results provide a novel role of Type I IFNs in cell cycle regulation and may define an importance of individualized IFN-based therapy against specific types of cancer.

Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15, a Type I Interferon-Dependent Transcript, Is Involved in a Negative Feedback Loop in Innate Immune Reactions in Human Mesangial Cells

Background: Since innate immunity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis, the activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 3/type I interferon (IFN) cascades is important in glomerular inflammation. However, the role of IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), a type IFN-dependent transcript, in glomerular inflammation is unclear. We, therefore, examined the role of ISG15 in innate immune reactions induced by TLR3 signaling in cultured human mesangial cells (MCs). Methods: We treated MCs with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, and analyzed the ISG15 expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. To examine the regulation of ISG15 expression, we subjected MCs to RNA interference (siRNA) against TLR3, IFN-β, ISG56, and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5). Results: ISG15 expression induced by poly IC in MCs was inhibited by siRNA against TLR3 and IFN-β, whereas silencing of ISG56 or MDA5 had no effect. A knockdown of ISG15 upregulated the expression of ISG56, MDA5, CXCL10 and phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription protein 1 (P-STAT1), while a knockdown of ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 7, a key enzyme that conjugates ISG15 to target proteins, did not affect the expression. Knockdown of ubiquitin specific protease 18, an ISG15 isopeptidase, also upregulated P-STAT1, ISG56, MDA5 and CXCL10. Conclusion: Since unconjugated free ISG15 negatively regulates the phosphorylation of STAT1 and its downstream reactions, ISG15 dysregulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular inflammation. We believe that suitable interventions in these innate immune cascades is desirable for the future therapeutic strategies for glomerulonephritis.

Interferon (IFN)-Induced Protein 35 (IFI35), a Type I Interferon-Dependent Transcript, Upregulates Inflammatory Signaling Pathways by Activating Toll-Like Receptor 3 in Human Mesangial Cells

Background/Aims: Activation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling followed by type I interferon (IFN) expression is crucial in antiviral and “pseudoviral” immune reactions in renal mesangial cells (MCs). These reactions are probably involved in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the role of IFN-induced 35-kDa protein 35 (IFI35), a type I IFN-dependent transcript, in glomerular inflammation is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression and the role of IFI35 in IFN-β/retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)/CCL5 and IFN-β/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)/CXCL10 axes in MCs. Methods: We treated human MCs with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, then analysed the IFI35 expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. To examine the regulation of IFI35 expression, we subjected MCs to RNA interference (siRNA) against IFN-β, RIG-I, and MDA5. Results: Activation of TLR3 by poly IC induces the IFI35 expression in MCs. siRNA against IFN-β inhibited poly IC-induced IFI35 expression. Knockdown of IFI35 resulted in a decrease of poly IC-induced RIG-I and MDA5 protein as well as decreased CCL5 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein expression. However, it did not affect the expression of none of phosphorylated signal transducers or activator of transcription (STAT) 1 protein, or RIG-I and MDA5 in mRNA levels. Conclusion: Regional expression of IFI35 and its dysregulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular inflammation in CKD.

Chloroquine attenuates TLR3/IFN-β signaling in cultured normal human mesangial cells: A possible protective effect against renal damage in lupus nephritis

Abstract Background: Chloroquine has been reported to protect against renal damage in lupus nephritis (LN); however, its detailed mechanism in glomerular inflammation remains unclear. Upregulation of the type-I interferon (IFN) system plays a pivotal role in LN pathogenesis, therefore, we examined whether chloroquine inhibits toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)/IFN-β signaling in cultured normal human mesangial cells (MCs). Methods: We examined chloroquine effect on the representative TLR3/IFN-β-signaling axis, TLR3/IFN-β/retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)/CCL5 in MCs treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), a synthetic viral dsRNA analog and analyzed the expression of these molecules using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, we subjected MCs to RNA interference against NF-κB p65. Results: Pretreatment of cells with chloroquine attenuated IFN-β, RIG-I and CCL5 expression and phosphorylation of STAT1 induced by poly IC, but not IFN-β-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and RIG-I expression induced by IFN-β. Knockdown of p65 inhibited the poly IC-induced IFN-β expression, and chloroquine pretreatment decreased the nuclear poly IC-induced translocation of NF-κB p65 in MCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that chloroquine attenuates mesangial TLR3 signaling in the early phase of NF-κB activation. Considering that TLRs/type-I IFNs signaling is implicated in LN pathogenesis, our results may further support regional renoprotective effects of chloroquine in treating LN.

Alteration of Antiviral Signalling by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of Mitochondrial Antiviral Signalling Protein (MAVS)

Genetic variation is associated with diseases. As a type of genetic variation occurring with certain regularity and frequency, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is attracting more and more attention because of its great value for research and real-life application. Mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein (MAVS) acts as a common adaptor molecule for retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), which can recognize foreign RNA, including viral RNA, leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs). Therefore, MAVS is thought to be a crucial molecule in antiviral innate immunity. We speculated that genetic variation of MAVS may result in susceptibility to infectious diseases. To assess the risk of viral infection based on MAVS variation, we tested the effects of twelve non-synonymous MAVS coding-region SNPs from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database that result in amino acid substitutions. We found that five of these SNPs exhibited functional alterations. Additionally, four resulted in an inhibitory immune response, and one had the opposite effect. In total, 1,032 human genomic samples obtained from a mass examination were genotyped at these five SNPs. However, no homozygous or heterozygous variation was detected. We hypothesized that these five SNPs are not present in the Japanese population and that such MAVS variations may result in serious immune diseases.

Interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) 60, as well as ISG56 and ISG54, positively regulates TLR3/IFN-β/STAT1 axis in U373MG human astrocytoma cells.

Treatment of cells with interferons (IFNs) induces the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), leading to the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). ISGs exert various antiviral and pro-inflammatory reactions. We have previously reported that ISG56 and ISG54 are induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic agonist for Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), in U373MG human astrocytoma cells. ISG56 and ISG54 are also named as IFN-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFIT) 1 and IFIT2, respectively. In the present study, we demonstrated that poly IC induces the expression of ISG60, also named as IFIT3, in U373MG cells. RNA interference experiments showed that the induction of ISG60 by poly IC was mediated by TLR3, IFN-β, ISG56 and ISG54, whereas ISG60 is involved in poly IC-induced expression of ISG56, ISG54 and a chemokine CXCL10. The level of phosphorylated STAT1 was enhanced by poly IC, and it was inhibited by knockdown of ISG56, ISG54 or ISG60. These results suggest that there is a positive feedback loop between phosphorylated STAT1 and these ISGs.