PURPOSE: The present study investigated whether an autophagic process is involved in the apoptotic death of human tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTCFs) caused by mitomycin-C. METHODS: An autophagic phenotype was tested using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry with specific biological staining dyes including monodansylcadaverine and acridine orange and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). RESULTS: Treatment with mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) increased the acidic vesicular organelles of tenon's capsule fibroblasts in a time dependent manner. Mitomycin-C induced both LC3-II cleavage and beclin-1 expression. 3-MA, a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy, inhibited the mitomycin-C induced increase of acidic vesicular organelleS. CONCLUSIONS: Autophagy was induced with 0.4 mg/ml mitomycin-C in tenon's capsule fibroblasts. And, autophagic mechanisms may be involved in the early stage of apoptosis of fibroblasts.
Acridine Orange ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Cadaverine ; Coloring Agents ; Fibroblasts ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Light ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; Mitomycin ; Organelles ; Phenotype ; Tenon Capsule

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was introduced into the treatment of refractory or relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia and showed a striking effectiveness in China and United States multicenter study. However, the mechanistic basis for the carcinogenic or therapeutic effects of arsenics is still poorly understood. So, this study is performed to determine whether As2O3 induces apoptosis through intrinsic caspase cascades in acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HL-60 cells were treated with As2O3 to investigate apoptosis through signaling of caspase cascades and mitochondrial dysfunction. RESULTS: As2O3 (>0.5 uM) decreased the viability of HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was revealed as apoptosis shown chromatin condensation and ladder pattern DNA fragmentation. As2O3 increased the catalytic activity of caspase family cysteine proteases including caspase-3 and -9 proteases. Consistently, PARP, an intracellular biosubstrate of caspase-3 protease, was cleaved from 116 kDa to 85 kDa fragments. It also induced the change of mitochondrial membrane potential. Morever, As2O3 resulted in the increase of Bak. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that As2O3 induces apoptosis of HL-60 cells through activation of intrinsic caspase protease with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Apoptosis* ; Arsenic* ; Caspase 3 ; China ; Chromatin ; Cysteine Proteases ; DNA Fragmentation ; HL-60 Cells* ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Strikes, Employee ; United States

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome contains binding sites for hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF) 3 and 4 in the core domain of enhancer 1 (Enh1), and mutations in this domain have a strong impact on virus replication. We aimed to identify frequent base-mutation sites in the core domain of Enh1 and to examine the impact of these mutations on viral replication. METHODS: We studied virological characteristics and genetic sequences in 387 patients with chronic hepatitis B. We evaluated functional differences associated with specific mutations within the core domain of Enh1. RESULTS: Mutations in the core domain were found with significant frequency in C1126 (122/387 [31.5%], the binding site for HNF3) and in C1134 (106/387 [27.4%], the binding site for HNF4). A single mutation at nt 1126 (C1126) was identified in 17/123 (13.8%), and 105/123 (85.4%) had double mutations (C1126/1134). The level of HBV DNA (log10 copies/mL) was lower in single mutants (C1126, 5.81+/-1.25) than in wild (6.80+/-1.65) and double mutants (C1126/1134, 6.81+/-1.54). Similarly, the relative luciferase activity of C1126 and C1126/C1134 was 0.18 and 1.12 times that of the wild-type virus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in the HNF3 binding site inhibit viral replication, whereas mutations at the HNF4 binding site restore viral replication.
Binding Sites ; DNA ; Genome ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factors ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Virus Replication ; Viruses

Adriamycin (ADR) is a potent anticancer drug that causes often severe cardiomyopathy. Previous reports have demonstrated that zinc accumulation is shown in rat myocardial cells following ADR treatment. However, the mechanism and role of zinc accumulation in ADR-induced cardiomyopathy are not yet elucidated. Zinc may be one of the key executors in ADR-induced cardiomyopathy. To test this hypothesis, we examined the cytotoxic effects of zinc on various cell lines including H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells, HL-60, U937, and C(6)-glial cells. Zinc induced significant the death of H9c2 cells at 0.125 mM in a dose-dependent manner. However, zinc did not induce any cytotoxic effect on both promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells and monoblastoid U937 cells. The nuclear morphology of Zn(2+)-treated H9c2 cells displayed apparent chromatin condensation, but no formation of chromatin fragmentation. In addition, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization was observed by annexin-V staining. Zinc markedly decreased the intracellular GSH level in a time-dependent manner. Exposure to 0.2 mM ZnCl(2) for 6 hr decreased the intracellular GSH content to 13% of control value. Zinc-induced death of H9c2 cells and the intracellular GSH depletion were completely prevented by the addition of exogenous GSH and NAC. These result suggests that intracellular GSH depletion is directly involved in zinc-induced cardiomyopathy.
Animals ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cell Death* ; Cell Line ; Chromatin ; Doxorubicin ; Free Radicals ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Rats ; U937 Cells ; Zinc

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)/APO-2L is a member of the TNF family that can kill a wide variety of tumor cells, but not normal cells. This study was designed to investigate the down stream target proteins in TRAIL-mediated apoptosis of human liver, Chang cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of DR4/DR5 in hepatoma cells, including Chang, HepG2 and Hep3B cells, were determined by RT-PCR. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis was assessed by DNA fragmentation assay. The catalytic activity of caspase- family proteases, including caspase-3 and -9, was tested by using fluorogenic biosubstrates. Expression of apoptotic mediators, including procaspase-3 and PARP proteins, was measured by Western blotting. The expression profile of proteins in Chang cells by using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that TRAIL (100 ng/ml) induced the apoptotic death of Chang cells, as characterized by the ladder-pattern fragmentation of genomic DNA. TRAIL increased the enzymatic activity of caspase- 3, corresponding to the time of appearance of cleaved PARP and caspase-9. In 2-D gel electrophoresis and MALDI- TOF analysis, the comparison of control versus apoptotic cells in the protein expressions revealed that signal intensity of 7 spots were decreased, whereas 6 spots were increased among 300 spots. These spots were resolved and identified as a protein information by MALDI-TOF. CONCLUSION: We suggested that TRAIL induces the apoptotic death of Chang cells via proteome alterations inducing caspase cascade.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Survival ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans* ; Liver* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Proteome ; Rivers ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: In order to investigate the role of Fas on the chemosensitivity of cancer cells in regards to chemotherapeutic agents, the Fas/FasL signaling pathway of apoptosis was explored in human hepatoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fas expression of hepatoma cells including Chang, Huh7, HepG2, and Hep3B cells, was determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis was assessed by DNA fragmentation assay. The catalytic activity of the caspase-family proteases including caspase-3, 6, 8, and 9 proteases, was tested using fluorogenic biosubstrates. The expression of apoptotic mediators including cytochrome c, PARP, and Bcl2 family proteins were measured from cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by fluorescence staining with JC-1, rhodamine 123. RESULTS: Fas mRNA was constitutively expressed in Chang and HepG2 as defined as Fas (+) cells, but not in Huh7 and Hep3B cells, defined as Fas (-) cells. Fas (+) cells were markedly sensitive to 5-FU whereas Fas (-) cells were resistant and able to survive. 5-FU increased Fas expression of Fas (+) HepG2 cells and simultaneously resulted in apoptotic death, characterized by the ladder-pattern fragmentation of genomic DNA. Moreover, it increased the catalytic activity of caspase-8 protease, which eventually cleaved the Bid into truncated Bid which translocated into mitochondria only in Fas (+) cells. It also increased the caspase-9 protease activity with Bax expression, cytosolic release of cytochrome c, and mytochondrial dysfunction only in Fas (+) HepG2 cells. Furthermore, 5-FU increased the enzymatic activity of caspase-3 protease with PARP digestion in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: 5-FU exerted cytotoxicity against hepatoma cells via activation of Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling including caspase cascades and mytochondrial dysfunction. Our data suggests that Fas may be an important modulator of the chemosensitivity of cancer cells vis- -vis anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 8 ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Survival ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; Digestion ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescence ; Fluorouracil* ; Hep G2 Cells* ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Rhodamine 123 ; RNA, Messenger

Trichostatin A (TSA), originally developed as an antifungal agent, is one of potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which are known to cause growth arrest and apoptosis induction of transformed cells, including urinary bladder, breast, prostate, ovary, and colon cancers. However, the effect of HDAC inhibitors on human non-small cell lung cancer cells is not clearly known yet. Herein, we demonstrated that treatment of TSA resulted in a significant decrease of the viability of H157 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was revealed as apoptosis accompanying with nuclear fragmentation and an increase in sub-G0/G1 fraction. In addition, it induced the expression of Fas/FasL, which further triggered the activation of caspase-8. Catalytic activation of caspase-9 and decreased expression of anti-aptototic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins were observed in TSA-treated cells. Catalytic activation of caspase-3 by TSA was further confirmed by cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and intracellular substrates, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD). In addition, a characteristic phenomenon of mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial membrane potential transition and release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol was apparent in TSA-treated cells. Taken together, our data indicate that inhibition of HDAC by TSA induces the apoptosis of H157 cells through signaling cascade of Fas/FasL-mediated extrinsic and mitocondria-mediated intrinsic caspases pathway.
Signal Transduction ; Receptors, Death Domain/*metabolism ; Protein Isoforms/metabolism ; Mitochondria/*drug effects/*metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms/*metabolism/*pathology ; Hydroxamic Acids/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Histones/metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Catalysis ; Caspase 9/metabolism ; Caspase 8/metabolism ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Acetylation

Bucillamine is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This study investigated the protective effects of bucillamine against cisplatin-induced damage in auditory cells, the organ of Corti from postnatal rats (P2) and adult Balb/C mice. Cisplatin increases the catalytic activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteases and the production of free radicals, which were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine. Bucillamine induces the intranuclear translocation of Nrf2 and thereby increases the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and glutathione synthetase (GSS), which further induces intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). However, knockdown studies of HO-1 and SOD2 suggest that the protective effect of bucillamine against cisplatin is independent of the enzymatic activity of HO-1 and SOD. Furthermore, pretreatment with bucillamine protects sensory hair cells on organ of Corti explants from cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity concomitantly with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. The auditory-brainstem-evoked response of cisplatin-injected mice shows marked increases in hearing threshold shifts, which was markedly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine in vivo. Taken together, bucillamine protects sensory hair cells from cisplatin through a scavenging effect on itself, as well as the induction of intracellular GSH.
Animals ; Antioxidants/*metabolism/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Caspase 8/metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cisplatin/*toxicity ; Cysteine/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Glutathione/*metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics ; Intracellular Space/metabolism ; Male ; Metabolic Detoxication, Phase II/genetics ; Mice ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics ; Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis ; Organ of Corti/*drug effects/*metabolism ; RNA Interference ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase/genetics

Hair cells at the base of the cochlea appear to be more susceptible to damage by the aminoglycoside gentamicin than those at the apex. However, the mechanism of base-to-apex gradient ototoxicity by gentamicin remains to be elucidated. We report here that gentamicin caused rodent cochlear hair cell damages in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Hair cells at the basal turn were more vulnerable to gentamicin than those at the apical turn. Gentamicin-conjugated Texas Red (GTTR) uptake was predominant in basal turn hair cells in neonatal rats. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and 4 (TRPV4) expression was confirmed in the cuticular plate, stereocilia and hair cell body of inner hair cells and outer hair cells. The involvement of TRPV1 and TRPV4 in gentamicin trafficking of hair cells was confirmed by exogenous calcium treatment and TRPV inhibitors, including gadolinium and ruthenium red, which resulted in markedly inhibited GTTR uptake and gentamicin-induced hair cell damage in rodent and zebrafish ototoxic model systems. These results indicate that the cytotoxic vulnerability of cochlear hair cells in the basal turn to gentamicin may depend on effective uptake of the drug, which was, in part, mediated by the TRPV1 and TRPV4 proteins.
Animals ; Cell Death/drug effects ; Cell Polarity/drug effects ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gadolinium/metabolism ; Gentamicins/*metabolism/pharmacology ; Hair Cells, Auditory/drug effects/*metabolism ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/drug effects/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ruthenium Red/metabolism ; TRPV Cation Channels/*metabolism ; Time Factors ; Xanthenes/metabolism ; Zebrafish