scholarly journals Caspase-mediated apoptosis of trophoblasts in term human placental villi is restricted to cytotrophoblasts and absent from the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S Longtine ◽  
Baosheng Chen ◽  
Anthony O Odibo ◽  
Yan Zhong ◽  
D Michael Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Relative Susceptibility ◽  
Physical Isolation ◽  
Cell Fragment ◽  
Placental Villi ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
E Cadherin

Human placental villi are surfaced by a multinucleated and terminally differentiated epithelium, the syncytiotrophoblast, with a subjacent layer of mononucleated cytotrophoblasts that can divide and fuse to replenish the syncytiotrophoblast. The objectives of this study were i) to develop an approach to definitively identify and distinguish cytotrophoblasts from the syncytiotrophoblast, ii) to unambiguously determine the relative susceptibility of villous cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast to constitutive and stress-induced apoptosis mediated by caspases, and iii) to understand the progression of apoptosis in villous trophoblasts. Confocal microscopy with co-staining for E-cadherin and DNA allowed us to clearly distinguish the syncytiotrophoblast from cytotrophoblasts and identified that many cytotrophoblasts are deeply interdigitated into the syncytiotrophoblast. Staining for specific markers of caspase-mediated apoptosis indicate that apoptosis occurs readily in cytotrophoblasts but is remarkably inhibited in the syncytiotrophoblast. To determine if an apoptotic cell or cell fragment was from a cytotrophoblast or syncytiotrophoblast, we found co-staining with E-cadherin along with a marker for apoptosis was essential: in the absence of E-cadherin staining, apoptotic cytotrophoblasts would easily be mistaken as representing localized regions of apoptosis in the syncytiotrophoblast. Regions with perivillous fibrin-containing fibrinoid contain the remnants of trophoblast apoptosis, and we propose this apoptosis occurs only after physical isolation of a region of the syncytium from the main body of the syncytium. We propose models for the progression of apoptosis in villous cytotrophoblasts and for why caspase-mediated apoptosis does not occur within the syncytium of placental villi.

scholarly journals Overexpression of Mitochondrial Leishmania major Ascorbate Peroxidase Enhances Tolerance to Oxidative Stress-Induced Programmed Cell Death and Protein Damage

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1721-1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhankar Dolai ◽  
Rajesh K. Yadav ◽  
Swati Pal ◽  
Subrata Adak
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Ascorbate Peroxidase ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain ◽  
Protein Carbonyl ◽  
Endonuclease G ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Depolarization ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Ascorbate peroxidase from Leishmania major (LmAPX) is one of the key enzymes for scavenging of reactive oxygen species generated from the mitochondrial respiratory chain. We have investigated whether mitochondrial LmAPX has any role in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. The measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyl contents in cellular homogenates indicates that overexpression of LmAPX protects Leishmania cells against depletion of GSH and oxidative damage of proteins by H2O2 or camptothecin (CPT) treatment. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy data have revealed that the intracellular elevation of Ca2+ attained by the LmAPX-overexpressing cells was always below that attained in control cells. Flow cytometry assay data and confocal microscopy observation strongly suggest that LmAPX overexpression protects cells from H2O2-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization as well as ATP decrease. Western blot data suggest that overexpression of LmAPX shields against H2O2- or CPT-induced cytochrome c and endonuclease G release from mitochondria and subsequently their accumulation in the cytoplasm. Caspase activity assay by flow cytometry shows a lower level of caspase-like protease activity in LmAPX-overexpressing cells under apoptotic stimuli. The data on phosphatidylserine exposed on the cell surface and DNA fragmentation results show that overexpression of LmAPX renders the Leishmania cells more resistant to apoptosis provoked by H2O2 or CPT treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that constitutive overexpression of LmAPX in the mitochondria of L. major prevents cells from the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, that is, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular death.

4-Acetyl-12,13-Epoxyl-9-Trichothecene-3,15-Diol from Isaria japonica Mediates Apoptosis of Rat Bladder Carcinoma NBT-II Cells by Decreasing Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 Expression and Increasing Pro-apoptotic Bax Expression

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (03) ◽  
pp. 377-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyung-Jin Kim ◽  
Seon Il Jang ◽  
Young-Jun Kim ◽  
Hyun-Ock Pae ◽  
Hae-Young Won ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Bladder Carcinoma ◽  
Cytotoxic Effect ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Rat Bladder ◽  
Apoptotic Protein ◽  
Induction Of Apoptosis ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

We studied the effect of 4-acetyl-12,13-epoxyl-9-trichothecene-3,15-diol (AETD) isolated from Isaria japonica, one of the most popular Chinese fungal medicines, on the induction of apoptosis in rat bladder carcinoma NBT-II cells. AETD was cytotoxic to NBT-II cells, and this cytotoxic effect appears to be attributed to its induction of apoptotic cell death, as AETD induced nuclear morphological changes and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and increased the proportion of hypodiploid cells and activity of caspase-3. AETD treatment also decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. These results provide important information in understanding the mechanism(s) of AETD-induced apoptosis.

scholarly journals Mitomycin C Induces Apoptosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes via a Mitochondrial-Mediated Pathway

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 1125-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuqi Yan ◽  
Dechao Kong ◽  
Dong Ge ◽  
Yanming Zhang ◽  
Xishan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Mitomycin C ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes

Background/Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease characterised by prominent synoviocyte hyperplasia and a potential imbalance between the growth and death of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Mitomycin C (MMC) has previously been demonstrated to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and to induce fibroblast apoptosis. However, the effects of MMC on the proliferation and apoptosis of human RA FLS and the potential mechanisms underlying its effects remain unknown. Methods: Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptotic cell death was analysed via Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling. The production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed via flow cytometry, and the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were visualized based on JC-1 staining via fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined via Western blot. Results: Treatment with MMC significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in RA FLS. Furthermore, MMC exposure was found to stimulate the production of ROS and to disrupt the ΔΨm compared to the control treatment. Moreover, MMC increased the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and the subsequent cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in RA FLS, and the mechanism underlying this MMC-induced apoptosis may involve a mitochondrial signalling pathway.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors suppress the growth of gastric cancer xenografts via induction of apoptosis in nude mice

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (6) ◽  
pp. G1061-G1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Sawaoka ◽  
Sunao Kawano ◽  
Shingo Tsuji ◽  
Masahiko Tsujii ◽  
Edhi S. Gunawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Nude Mice ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Cox 2 Inhibitors

To clarify the role of mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in the development of malignant tumors, we investigated the effects of COX-2 inhibitors on the growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice in vivo. MKN45 gastric cancer cells (5 × 106cells/animal) that overexpress COX-2 were inoculated subcutaneously into athymic mice. NS-398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, or indomethacin, a nonspecific COX-2 inhibitor, was administered orally to animals every day for 20 days. These drugs reduced the tumor volume significantly. Immunohistochemistry using bromodeoxyuridine, nick end labeling, and electron microscopy showed that NS-398 induced apoptosis in cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited cancer cell replication slightly. Indomethacin also induced apoptosis and suppressed replication of tumor cells. There was a significant negative correlation between tumor volume and apoptotic cell number within the tumor. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that COX-2 inhibitors suppress growth of gastric cancer xenografts mainly by inducing apoptosis and suppressing replication of the neoplastic cells. It follows that COX-2 plays an important role in the development of gastric cancer.

scholarly journals Suppression of E-cadherin Mediates Gallotannin Induced Apoptosis in Hep G2 Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 490-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Jeong Han ◽  
Hee Young Kwon ◽  
Eun Jung Sohn ◽  
Hyunsuk Ko ◽  
Bogeun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Hep G2 ◽  
Hepatocelluar Carcinoma ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
E Cadherin

scholarly journals Mitochondrial Pathway of α-Tocopheryl Succinate-Induced Apoptosis in Human Epidermoid Carcinoma A431 Cells

Acta Naturae ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Savitskaya ◽  
M. S. Vildanova ◽  
O. P. Kisurina-Evgenieva ◽  
E. A. Smirnova ◽  
G. E. Onischenko
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Mitochondrial Pathway ◽  
Epidermoid Carcinoma ◽  
A431 Cells ◽  
Human Carcinoma ◽  
Tocopheryl Succinate ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Human Epidermoid Carcinoma

Vitamin E derivatives are known to act as agents exhibiting cytotoxity against tumor cells. The effect of vitamin E succinate on human epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431 was investigated in this study using live imaging, immunocytochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. -Tocopheryl succinate-induced apoptotic cell death in A431 cells was shown to be both dose- and time-dependent. The hyperproduction of reactive oxygen species, changes in size, shape and ultrastructural characteristics of mitochondria followed by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol were observed. These results suggest that -tocopheryl succinate induces apoptosis that occurs via the mitochondrial pathway. Mitochondria are shown to be crucial targets in -tocopheryl succinate-induced caspase-dependent cell death in human carcinoma A431 cells.

scholarly journals Isoflavones Isolated from the Seeds of Millettia ferruginea Induced Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Yue Wang ◽  
Jun Hyeok Kwak ◽  
Kyung-Tae Lee ◽  
Tsegaye Deyou ◽  
Young Pyo Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Apoptotic Cell Death ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Human Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Millettia Ferruginea ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

The seeds of Millettia ferruginea are used in fishing, pesticides, and folk medicine in Ethiopia. Here, the anti-cancer effects of isoflavones isolated from M. ferruginea were evaluated in human ovarian cancer cells. We found that isoflavone ferrugone and 6,7-dimethoxy-3’,4’-methylenedioxy-8-(3,3-dimethylallyl)isoflavone (DMI) had potent cytotoxic effects on human ovarian cancer cell A2780 and SKOV3. Ferrugone and DMI treatment increased the sub-G1 cell population in a dose-dependent manner in A2780 cells. The cytotoxic activity of ferrugone and DMI was associated with the induction of apoptosis, as shown by an increase in annexin V-positive cells. Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, and z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, significantly reversed both the ferrugone and DMI-induced apoptosis, suggesting that cell death stimulated by the isoflavones is mediated by caspase-3-dependent apoptosis. Additionally, ferrugone-induced apoptosis was found to be caspase-8-dependent, while DMI-induced apoptosis was caspase-9-dependent. Notably, DMI, but not ferrugone, increased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) attenuated the pro-apoptotic activity of DMI. These data suggest that DMI induced apoptotic cell death through the intrinsic pathway via ROS production, while ferrugone stimulated the extrinsic pathway in human ovarian cancer cells.

Quenching or Misalignment? Confocal Microscopy Onset of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition in Cultured Hepatocytes

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (S2) ◽  
pp. 468-469
Author(s):  
Ting Qian ◽  
Lawrence C. Trost ◽  
John J. Lemasters
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Negative Contrast ◽  
Permeability Transition Pore ◽  
Permeability Transition ◽  
Dark Spot ◽  
Cultured Hepatocytes ◽  
Mitochondrial Permeability ◽  
Calcein Am

INTRODUCTION: The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) has been implicated in mediating both necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Opening of the permeability transition pore in the mitochondrial inner membrane causes the MPT. Previously, our laboratory developed a method to detect the MPT in cultured hepatocytes by visualizing redistribution of calcein fluorescence from the cytosol into the mitochondria after permeability transition pore opening, using confocal microscopy. (1). However, a recent paper suggests that unstained mitochondria are unlikely to be detected against bright cytosolic signal, because fluorescence spreading magnifies the size of emitting objects while reducing that of dark spot (2). Rather, it was suggested that dark mitochondrial voids in green calcein images were the result of fluorescent quenching by concurrent use of a red-fluorescing mitochondrial dye, tetramethylrhodamine (TMRM). The AIMS of the present study were to determine 1) whether small voids can be visualized in the absence of any potential quenching agent; 2) whether quenching can produce dark mitochondrial voids and 3) the importance of alignment in visualizing mitochondria as negative contrast by confocal microscopy. METHODS: Overnight cultured rat hepatocytes were used. To load calcein exclusively into cytosolic space, hepatocytes were incubated with 1 μM calcein AM for 15 min at 37°C. To load calcein into both cytosol and mitochondria, cells were incubated with 1 μM calcein AM for 1 hour at 4°C.

Theophylline synergizes with chlorambucil in inducing apoptosis of B- chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 2172-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Mentz ◽  
MD Mossalayi ◽  
F Ouaaz ◽  
S Baudet ◽  
F Issaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

We tested the effects of theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor inducing intracellular accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), on malignant B cells from 15 patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). We observed a large increase in apoptotic cell numbers (mean, 90% v 20% in medium alone) in the presence of theophylline (100 micrograms/mL) or chlorambucil (10 mumol/L) after 72 hours of incubation. Maximal apoptosis (90%) was reached after 36 hours when the two drugs were used together at fourfold lower concentrations, indicating a synergistic effect; no effect was observed with normal B cells, suggesting that the combination might have therapeutic interest. Chlorambucil induced intracellular Ca+2 influx, pointing to the involvement of two signaling pathways that might explain its synergy with theophylline through their effects on oncogenes. The expression of bcl-2 protein, a proto-oncogene inhibiting apoptosis, decreased after incubation with the drugs, while c-myc, recently described as having a potent role in apoptosis, was overexpressed. For p53 we observed an overexpression in the presence of chlorambucil or both theophylline- chlorambucil and a decrease after theophylline incubation. Chlorambucil- and theophylline-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by interleukin-4 (IL-4), which also abrogated the effects on oncogene expression. These results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying B-CLL apoptosis and suggest that the theophylline- chlorambucil combination may be of therapeutic value in this setting.

scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effects of Alpha-Mangostin on MPP+-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death in Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prachya Janhom ◽  
Permphan Dharmasaroja
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Apoptotic Cell Death ◽  
Concomitant Treatment ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Cellular Models ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

In vitrostudies have shown that extracts from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostanaLinn.) act as antioxidants and cytoprotective agents against oxidative damage. The protective effect of alpha-mangostin, the major xanthone found in the pericarp of the mangosteen, in cellular models of Parkinson’s disease (PD), has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate whether alpha-mangostin could protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from MPP+-induced apoptosis. The effects of alpha-mangostin on MPP+-induced cell death were evaluated with a cell viability assay, staining for nuclear DNA morphology, flow cytometry for apoptotic cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, quantitative real-time PCR for the expression of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2, and western blot analysis for cleaved caspase-3. Concomitant treatment with alpha-mangostin attenuated the effect of MPP+on cell viability and apoptotic cell death. Alpha-mangostin reduced ROS formation induced by MPP+. Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio and expression of p53 were significantly lower in cells cocultured with alpha-mangostin and MPP+. The cotreated cells showed a significant decrease in activated caspase-3 compared with MPP+treatment alone. Our data suggest that cytoprotection of alpha-mangostin against MPP+-induced apoptosis may be associated with the reduction of ROS production, modulating the balance of pro- and antiapoptotic genes, and suppression of caspase-3 activation.

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