scholarly journals Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin Fragment Removes Specific Claudins from Tight Junction Strands

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Sonoda ◽  
Mikio Furuse ◽  
Hiroyuki Sasaki ◽  
Shigenobu Yonemura ◽  
Jun Katahira ◽  
...  

Claudins, comprising a multigene family, constitute tight junction (TJ) strands. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), a single ∼35-kD polypeptide, was reported to specifically bind to claudin-3/RVP1 and claudin-4/CPE-R at its COOH-terminal half. We examined the effects of the COOH-terminal half fragment of CPE (C-CPE) on TJs in L transfectants expressing claudin-1 to -4 (C1L to C4L, respectively), and in MDCK I cells expressing claudin-1 and -4. C-CPE bound to claudin-3 and -4 with high affinity, but not to claudin-1 or -2. In the presence of C-CPE, reconstituted TJ strands in C3L cells gradually disintegrated and disappeared from their cell surface. In MDCK I cells incubated with C-CPE, claudin-4 was selectively removed from TJs with its concomitant degradation. At 4 h after incubation with C-CPE, TJ strands were disintegrated, and the number of TJ strands and the complexity of their network were markedly decreased. In good agreement with the time course of these morphological changes, the TJ barrier (TER and paracellular flux) of MDCK I cells was downregulated by C-CPE in a dose-dependent manner. These findings provided evidence for the direct involvement of claudins in the barrier functions of TJs.

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (10) ◽  
pp. G740-G748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Pruteanu ◽  
Fergus Shanahan

The enteric microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, but the pathways involved and bacterial participants may vary in different hosts. We previously reported that some components of the human commensal microbiota, particularly Clostridium perfringens ( C. perfringens), have the proteolytic capacity for host matrix degradation and reduce transepithelial resistance. Here, we examined the C. perfringens-derived proteolytic activity against epithelial tight junction proteins using human intestinal epithelial cell lines. We showed that the protein levels of E-cadherin, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule 1 decrease in colonic cells treated with C. perfringens culture supernatant. E-cadherin ectodomain shedding in C. perfringens-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells was detected with antibodies against the extracellular domain of E-cadherin, and we demonstrate that this process occurs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, we showed that the filtered sterile culture supernatant of C. perfringens has no cytotoxic activity on the human intestinal cells at the concentrations used in this study. The direct cleavage of E-cadherin by the proteases from the C. perfringens culture supernatant was confirmed by C. perfringens supernatant-induced in vitro degradation of the human recombinant E-cadherin. We conclude that C. perfringens culture supernatant mediates digestion of epithelial cell junctional proteins, which is likely to enable access to the extracellular matrix components by the paracellular pathway.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (3) ◽  
pp. R662-R668 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ando ◽  
T. Ichijo ◽  
T. Katafuchi ◽  
T. Hori

The effects of central administration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its selective agonists on splenic sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) were investigated in urethan- and alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats. An intra-third-cerebroventricular (13V) injection of PGE2 (0.1-10 nmol/kg) increased splenic SNA in a dose-dependent manner. An I3V injection of an EP1 agonist, 17-phenyl-omega-trinor PGE2 (1-30 nmol/kg), also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in splenic SNA, with a time course similar to that of PGE2-induced responses. In contrast, EP2 agonists, butaprost (10-100 nmol/kg I3V) and 11-deoxy-PGE1 (10-100 nmol/kg I3V), had no effect on splenic SNA. An I3V injection of M & B-28767 (an EP3/EP1 agonist, EP3 >> EP1) increased splenic SNA only at high doses (10-100 nmol/kg). Pretreatment with an EP1 antagonist, SC-19220 (200 and 500 nmol/kg), completely blocked the responses of splenic SNA to PGE2 (0.1 nmol/kg) and M & B-28767 (10 nmol/kg), respectively. These findings indicate that brain PGE2 increases splenic SNA through its action on EP1 receptors.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (9) ◽  
pp. C916-C923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladislav V. Makarenko ◽  
Jayasri Nanduri ◽  
Gayatri Raghuraman ◽  
Aaron P. Fox ◽  
Moataz M. Gadalla ◽  
...  

H2S generated by the enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) has been implicated in O2 sensing by the carotid body. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether glomus cells, the primary site of hypoxic sensing in the carotid body, generate H2S in an O2-sensitive manner and whether endogenous H2S is required for O2 sensing by glomus cells. Experiments were performed on glomus cells harvested from anesthetized adult rats as well as age and sex-matched CSE+/+ and CSE−/− mice. Physiological levels of hypoxia (Po2 ∼30 mmHg) increased H2S levels in glomus cells, and dl-propargylglycine (PAG), a CSE inhibitor, prevented this response in a dose-dependent manner. Catecholamine (CA) secretion from glomus cells was monitored by carbon-fiber amperometry. Hypoxia increased CA secretion from rat and mouse glomus cells, and this response was markedly attenuated by PAG and in cells from CSE−/− mice. CA secretion evoked by 40 mM KCl, however, was unaffected by PAG or CSE deletion. Exogenous application of a H2S donor (50 μM NaHS) increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in glomus cells, with a time course and magnitude that are similar to that produced by hypoxia. [Ca2+]i responses to NaHS and hypoxia were markedly attenuated in the presence of Ca2+-free medium or cadmium chloride, a pan voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker, or nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor, suggesting that both hypoxia and H2S share common Ca2+-activating mechanisms. These results demonstrate that H2S generated by CSE is a physiologic mediator of the glomus cell's response to hypoxia.


2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (3) ◽  
pp. H882-H888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naruto Matsuda ◽  
Kathleen G. Morgan ◽  
Frank W. Sellke

The effects of the potassium (K+) channel opener pinacidil (Pin) on the coronary smooth muscle Ca2+-myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation pathway under hypothermic K+cardioplegia were determined by use of an in vitro microvessel model. Rat coronary arterioles (100–260 μm in diameter) were subjected to 60 min of simulated hypothermic (20°C) K+cardioplegic solutions (K+= 25 mM). We first characterized the time course of changes in intracellular Ca2+concentration, MLC phosphorylation, and diameter and observed that the K+cardioplegia-related vasoconstriction was associated with an activation of the Ca2+-MLC phosphorylation pathway. Supplementation with Pin effectively suppressed the Ca2+accumulation and MLC phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner and subsequently maintained a small decrease in vasomotor tone. The ATP-sensitive K+(KATP)-channel blocker glibenclamide, but not the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, significantly inhibited the effect of Pin. K+cardioplegia augments the coronary Ca2+-MLC pathway and results in vasoconstriction. Pin effectively prevents the activation of this pathway and maintains adequate vasorelaxation during K+cardioplegia through a KATP-channel mechanism not coupled with the endothelium-derived NO signaling cascade.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Masoura ◽  
Paolo Passaretti ◽  
Tim W. Overton ◽  
Pete A. Lund ◽  
Konstantinos Gkatzionis

Abstract Honey has been valued as a powerful antimicrobial since ancient times. However, the understanding of the underlying antibacterial mechanism is incomplete. The complexity and variability of honey composition represent a challenge to this scope. In this study, a simple model system was used to investigate the antibacterial effect of, and possible synergies between, the three main stressors present in honey: sugars, gluconic acid, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which result from the enzymatic conversion of glucose on honey dilution. Our results demonstrated that the synergy of H2O2 and gluconic acid is essential for the antibacterial activity of honey. This synergy caused membrane depolarization, destruction of the cell wall, and eventually growth inhibition of E. coli K-12. The presence of H2O2 stimulated the generation of other long-lived ROS in a dose-dependent manner. Sugars caused osmosis-related morphological changes, however, decreased the toxicity of the H2O2/gluconic acid. The susceptibility of catalase and general stress response sigma factor mutants confirmed the synergy of the three stressors, which is enhanced at higher H2O2 concentrations. By monitoring cellular phenotypic changes caused by model honey, we explained how this can be bactericidal even though the antimicrobial compounds which it contains are at non-inhibitory concentrations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atchara Chothiphirat ◽  
Kesara Nittayaboon ◽  
Kanyanatt Kanokwiroon ◽  
Theera Srisawat ◽  
Raphatphorn Navakanitworakul

Vatica diospyroides Symington is locally known as Chan-Ka-Pho in Thailand. Ancient people have used it as therapeutic plant for cardiac and blood tonic cure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential cytotoxicity and selectivity of the extracts from V. diospyroides type SS fruit on cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cell lines and to examine its underlying mechanism of action. MTT assay revealed that the extracts showed inhibition of cell survival in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited highly cytotoxic activity against both HeLa and SiHa cells with IC50 value less than 20 μg/mL along with less toxicity against L929 cells. Acetone cotyledon extract (ACE) showed the best selectivity index value of 4.47 (HeLa) and 3.51 (SiHa). Distinctive morphological changes were observed in ACE-treated cervical cancer cells contributing to apoptosis action. Flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V-FITC and PI staining precisely indicated that ACE induced apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of ACE with half IC50 caused DNA fragmentation and also activated increasing of bax and cleaved caspase-8 protein in HeLa cells after 48 h exposure. The results suggest that ACE has potent and selective cytotoxic effect against cervical cancer cells and the potential to induce bax and caspase-8-dependent apoptosis. Hence, the ACE could be further exploited as a potential lead in cancer treatment.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (2) ◽  
pp. H893-H901 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Huang ◽  
J. H. Woolf ◽  
Y. Ishiguro ◽  
J. P. Morgan

We evaluated the cardiac effects of the principle pyrolysis product of crack cocaine smoking, methylecgonidine (MEG), in comparison with cocaine. Peak cell shortening and intracellular Ca2+, as detected by the Ca2+ indicator indo 1, were recorded in enzymatically isolated ferret myocytes. Both cocaine and MEG decreased peak cell shortening and peak intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner (10(-8)-10(-4) M). MEG shifted the peak [Ca2+]i-to-peak shortening relationship downward and was more potent than cocaine. Atropine (10(-6) M) upwardly shifted the dose-response curves of MEG, cocaine, and carbachol but not of procaine. The negative inotropic effects of MEG were inhibited by methoctramine, a selective M2 receptor blocker but not by M1 (pirenzepine) or M3 (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide) blocking agents. In contrast to cocaine, the effects of large doses of MEG were irreversible over the time course of our experiments, raising the possibility of structural damage. We conclude that MEG acts primarily on M2 cholinergic receptors in the heart to produce acute cardiac intoxication and, in contrast to cocaine, may decrease the myofilament Ca2+ responseness and cause structural damage to myocytes by a direct toxic effect.


1997 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1985-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Toyoguchi ◽  
S Takahashi ◽  
J Hosoya ◽  
Y Nakagawa ◽  
H Watanabe

The nephrotoxic effects of vancomycin hydrochloride (VCM) and the potential drug-drug interaction with cilastatin sodium (CS) were examined in rabbits. The aim of the study was to measure the possible dose-related suppressive effects or elimination by cilastatin of the adverse reactions generated by vancomycin in the kidneys of rabbits. To clarify the interactions of these two drugs, we examined the nephrotoxicity and pharmacokinetics of VCM in the rabbit when administered alone and when coadministered with CS. VCM administered alone (300 mg/kg of body weight as an intravenous bolus; n = 5) caused typical symptoms of nephrotoxicity, such as increases in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, as well as morphological changes in the kidneys. A lack of such signs of nephrotoxicity was observed in the groups administered VCM plus CS (i.e., CS at 150 mg/kg plus VCM at 300 mg/kg or CS at 300 mg/kg plus VCM at 300 mg/kg, intravenous bolus; n = 5/group). At a reduced combination ratio of VCM plus CS (4:1 ratio, VCM at 300 mg/kg plus CS at 75 mg/kg, intravenous bolus; n = 5) some symptoms of nephrotoxicity induced by VCM were present, but the degree of this effect was much reduced and was significantly different from preadministration values by only modest increases of the BUN and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels (P < 0.05). Overall clearance of VCM was accelerated by coadministration of CS and was found to be dose dependent upon CS. No changes in renal function values from the preadministration values were observed for animals receiving CS alone (300 mg/kg, intravenous bolus; n = 3). These results suggest that CS has the ability to reduce or eliminate in a dose-dependent manner the nephrotoxic effects caused by VCM administration in rabbits.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1618-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Harold Witola ◽  
Choukri Ben Mamoun

ABSTRACT During its intraerythrocytic life cycle, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes dramatic metabolic and morphological changes and multiplies to produce up to 36 new daughter parasites. This rapid multiplication of the parasite requires an active synthesis of new membranes. The major component of these membranes, phosphatidylcholine, is synthesized via two metabolic routes, the CDP-choline pathway, which uses host choline as a precursor, and the plant-like serine decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (SDPM) pathway, which uses host serine as a precursor. Here we provide evidence indicating that the activity of the SDPM pathway is regulated by the CDP-choline precursor, choline. We show that the phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase, Pfpmt, a critical enzyme in the SDPM pathway, is down-regulated at the transcriptional level as well as targeted for degradation by the proteasome in the presence of choline. Transcript analysis revealed that PfPMT transcription is repressed by choline in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblotting, pulse-chase experiments, and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that Pfpmt degradation occurs not only in wild-type but also in transgenic parasites constitutively expressing Pfpmt. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib inhibited choline-mediated Pfpmt degradation. These data provide the first evidence for metabolite-mediated transcriptional and proteasomal regulation in Plasmodium and will set the stage for the use of this system for conditional gene and protein expression in this organism.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document