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Biomedical subjects

David Dinsdale

Publications and source records attributed to David Dinsdale.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

A cytoplasmic PML mutant inhibits p53 function.

The promyelocytic leukaemia gene (Pml) is a tumor suppressor identified in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), where it is fused to RAR alpha gene as a result of the chromosomal translocation t(15;17). Pml encodes both nuclear and cytoplasmic isoforms. While nuclear PML has been intensively investigated, cytoplasmic PML proteins are less characterized. PML nuclear isoforms (nPML) are the essential components of subnuclear structures referred to as PML nuclear bodies (PML-NB). In response to cellular insults such as DNA damage and oncogenic activation, nPML modulates p53 activity through CBP-mediated acetylation and activates its pro-apoptotic and growth suppressive functions. Two missense mutations resulting in truncated PML cytoplasmic proteins (Mut PML) have been identified in aggressive APL cases. Here we report that cytoplasmic PML is able to induce the relocation of nPML to the cytoplasm, thus reducing the number of PML-NBs. Remarkably, Mut PML inhibits p53 transcriptional, growth suppressive, and apoptotic functions, thus suggesting that cytoplasmic expression of PML has an impact on survival through inhibition of nuclear PML. Overall our findings shed new light on the role of PML cytoplasmic proteins in the regulation of p53.

Apoptosis↗

Cytoplasmic function of mutant promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and PML-retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) tumor suppressor of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) regulates major apoptotic and growth-suppressive pathways. In APL, PML is involved in a chromosomal translocation generating the PML-retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARalpha) fusion protein. Two missense mutations in the remaining PML alleles have been identified, which give rise to a truncated cytoplasmic PML protein (Mut PML). APL patients carrying these mutations display resistance to retinoic acid (RA) and very poor prognosis. Here we show that Mut PML associates with the cytoplasmic regions we refer to as PML-cytoplasmic bodies (PML-CBs). Mut PML interacts with PML-RARalpha in PML-CB and potentiates PML-RARalpha-mediated inhibition of RA-dependent transcription. Remarkably, Mut PML stabilizes PML-RARalpha and inhibits differentiation induced by pharmacological doses of RA. A mutant form of PML-RARalpha that accumulates in the cytoplasm inhibits RA-dependent transcription and differentiation, thus suggesting that cytoplasmic localization of PML-RARalpha may contribute to transformation. Finally, we show that the bcr3 PML-RARalpha form is predominantly cytoplasmic and accumulates in PML-CBs. Taken together, these findings reveal novel insights into the molecular mechanisms contributing to APL.

Animals↗

Acetaminophen decreases intracellular glutathione levels and modulates cytokine production in human alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes in vitro.

Recent epidemiological observations suggest that acetaminophen (paracetamol) may contribute to asthma morbidity. Impaired endogenous antioxidant defences may have a role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory pulmonary diseases, including asthma. We studied the effect of acetaminophen on the intracellular level of reduced glutathione (GSH) with and without inhibitors of cytochrome P450 or prostaglandin H synthetase, and TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 protein production in human alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes in vitro. Following a 20 h incubation with acetaminophen, cytotoxicity was apparent from > or = 5 and > or = 10 mM in macrophages and type II pneumocytes, respectively. A time- and concentration-dependent decrease of intracellular GSH occurred after acetaminophen (0.05-1 mM) exposure (1-4 h) in pulmonary macrophages (up to 53%) and type II pneumocytes (up to 34%). Diethyldithiocarbamic acid, potassium ethyl xanthate, and indomethacin decreased significantly acetaminophen-induced GSH depletion in the two cell types tested, suggesting the involvement of cytochrome P450 (mainly CYP2E1) and/or prostaglandin H synthetase. In macrophages, acetaminophen decreased the secretion of TNF-alpha (at 4 and 24 h, concentration-related) and IL-6 (at 24 h, at 0.1 mM), and did not affect significantly IL-8 production. These in vitro observations demonstrate that clinically relevant concentrations of acetaminophen decreased: (i) intracellular GSH in human pulmonary macrophages and type II pneumocytes and (ii) the secretion of TNF-alpha and possibly IL-6 by human pulmonary macrophages. These findings provide experimental plausibility to the challenging observations that frequent use of APAP may be a risk factor for asthma morbidity.

Acetaminophen↗

Botulinum neurotoxin C initiates two different programs for neurite degeneration and neuronal apoptosis.

Clostridial neurotoxins are bacterial endopeptidases that cleave the major SNARE proteins in peripheral motorneurons. Here, we show that disruption of synaptic architecture by botulinum neurotoxin C1 (BoNT/C) in central nervous system neurons activates distinct neurodegenerative programs in the axo-dendritic network and in the cell bodies. Neurites degenerate at an early stage by an active caspase-independent fragmentation characterized by segregation of energy competent mitochondria. Later, the cell body mitochondria release cytochrome c, which is followed by caspase activation, apoptotic nuclear condensation, loss of membrane potential, and, finally, cell swelling and lysis. Recognition and scavenging of dying processes by glia also precede the removal of apoptotic cell bodies, in line with a temporal and spatial segregation of different degenerative processes. Our results suggest that, in response to widespread synaptic damage, neurons first dismantle their connections and finally undergo apoptosis, when their spatial relationships are lost.

Animals↗

Hepatic gene expression in protoporphyic Fech mice is associated with cholestatic injury but not a marked depletion of the heme regulatory pool.

BALB/c Fech(m1Pas) mice have a mutated ferrochelatase gene resulting in protoporphyria that models the hepatic injury occurring sporadically in human erythropoietic protoporphyria. We used this mouse model to study the development of the injury and to compare the dysfunction of heme synthesis with hepatic gene expression of liver metabolism, oxidative stress, and cellular injury/inflammation. From an early age expression of total cytochrome P450 and many of its isoforms was significantly lower than in wild-type mice. However, despite massive accumulation of protoporphyrin in the liver, expression of the main genes controlling heme synthesis and catabolism (Alas1 and Hmox1, respectively) were only modestly affected even in the presence of the cytochrome P450-inducing CAR agonist 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene. In contrast, in BALB/c mice exhibiting griseofulvin-induced hepatic protoporphyria with induction and destruction of cytochrome P450, both Alas1 and Hmox1 genes were markedly up-regulated. Other expression profiles in BALB/c Fech(m1Pas) mice identified roles for oxidative mechanisms in liver injury while modulated gene expression of hepatocyte transport proteins and cholesterol and bile acid synthesis illustrated the development of cholestasis. Subsequent inflammation and cirrhosis were also shown by the up-regulation of cytokine, cell cycling, and procollagen genes. Thus, gene expression profiles studied in Fech(m1Pas) mice may provide candidates for human polymorphisms that explain the sporadic hepatic consequences of erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Aging↗

Neuropathy target esterase and its yeast homologue degrade phosphatidylcholine to glycerophosphocholine in living cells.

Eukaryotic cells control the levels of their major membrane lipid, phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), by balancing synthesis with degradation via deacylation to glycerophosphocholine (GroPCho). Here we present evidence that in both yeast and mammalian cells this deacylation is catalyzed by neuropathy target esterase (NTE), a protein originally identified by its reaction with organophosphates, which cause nerve axon degeneration. YML059c, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein with sequence homology to NTE, had similar catalytic properties to the mammalian enzyme in assays of microsome preparations and, like NTE, was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. Yeast lacking YML059c were viable under all conditions examined but, unlike the wild-type strain, did not convert PtdCho to GroPCho. Despite the absence of the deacylation pathway, the net rate of [(14)C]choline incorporation into PtdCho in YML059c-null yeast was not greater than that in the wild type; this was because, in the null strain diminished net uptake of extracellular choline and decreased formation of the rate-limiting intermediate, CDP-choline, resulted in a reduced rate of PtdCho synthesis. In [(14)C]choline labeling experiments with cultured mammalian cell lines, production of [(14)C]GroPCho was enhanced by overexpression of catalytically active NTE and was diminished by reduction of endogenous NTE activity mediated either by RNA interference or organophosphate treatment. We conclude that NTE and its homologues play a central role in membrane lipid homeostasis.

Animals↗

Intermediate filaments control the intracellular distribution of caspases during apoptosis.

Caspases are responsible for a cascade of events controlling the disassembly of apoptotic cells. We now demonstrate that caspase-9 is activated at an early stage of apoptosis in epithelial cells and all its detectable, catalytically active large subunits (both the p35 and p37) are concentrated on cytokeratin fibrils. Immunolabeling of distinctive neoepitopes, exposed by cleavage of procaspase-9 at either Asp315 or Asp330, was co-localized on these fibrils with active caspase-3, caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18, death-effector-domain containing DNA-binding protein and ubiquitin. Cytokeratin filaments may thus provide a scaffold whereby active subunits of caspase-9 can activate caspase-3 which, in turn, can activate more caspase-9 so forming an amplification loop to facilitate cleavage of cytokeratin-18, disruption of the cytoskeleton and the ensuing formation of cytoplasmic inclusions. These inclusions, formed from the collapse of fibrils, together with their associated components, also contain ubiquitinated proteins, vimentin, heat-shock protein 72, and tumor necrosis factor receptor type-1-associated death domain protein. Many of their constituents, including active caspases, remain sequestered within these inclusions, even after detergent treatment and isolation. Thus, such inclusions do not merely accumulate disrupted cytokeratins but also sequestrate potentially noxious proteins that could injure healthy neighboring cells.

Apoptosis↗

Diesel exhaust particles in lung acutely enhance experimental peripheral thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Pollution by particulates has consistently been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but a plausible biological basis for this association is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) were instilled into the trachea of hamsters, and blood platelet activation, experimental thrombosis, and lung inflammation were studied. Doses of 5 to 500 micro g of DEPs per animal induced neutrophil influx into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with elevation of protein and histamine but without lactate dehydrogenase release. The same doses enhanced experimental arterial and venous platelet rich-thrombus formation in vivo. Blood samples taken from hamsters 30 and 60 minutes after instillation of 50 micro g of DEPs yielded accelerated aperture closure (ie, platelet activation) ex vivo, when analyzed in the Platelet Function Analyser (PFA-100). The direct addition of as little as 0.5 micro g/mL DEPs to untreated hamster blood significantly shortened closure time in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The intratracheal instillation of DEPs leads to lung inflammation as well as a rapid activation of circulating blood platelets. The kinetics of platelet activation are consistent with the reported clinical occurrence of thrombotic complications after exposure to pollutants. Our findings, therefore, provide a plausible explanation for the increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality accompanying urban air pollution.

Animals↗

Protein domains, catalytic activity, and subcellular distribution of neuropathy target esterase in Mammalian cells.

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE), the human homologue of a protein required for brain development in Drosophila, has a predicted amino-terminal transmembrane helix (TM), a putative regulatory (R) domain, and a hydrophobic catalytic (C) domain. Here we describe the expression, in COS cells, of green fluorescent protein-tagged constructs of NTE and mutant proteins lacking the TM or the R- or C-domains. Esterase assays and Western blots of particulate and soluble fractions indicated that neither the TM nor R-domain is essential for NTE catalytic activity but that this activity requires membrane association to which the TM, R-, and C-domains all contribute. Experiments involving proteinase treatment revealed that most of the NTE molecule is exposed on the cytoplasmic face of membranes. In cells expressing a moderate level of NTE and all cells expressing DeltaC-NTE, fluorescence was distributed in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like pattern. Cells expressing high levels of NTE showed aberrant distribution of ER marker proteins and accumulation of NTE on the cytoplasmic surface of ER-derived tubuloreticular aggregates. Deformation of the ER was also seen in cells expressing DeltaR-NTE or enzymatically inactive S966A-NTE but not DeltaTM-NTE. The data suggest that NTE is anchored in the ER via its TM, that its R- and C-domains also interact with the cytoplasmic face of the ER, and that overexpression of NTE causes ER aggregation via intermolecular association of its C-domains.

Animals↗

Role of residual additives in the cytotoxicity and cytokine release caused by polyvinyl chloride particles in pulmonary cell cultures.

Occupational exposure to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dust has been linked to pulmonary disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the role of additives in the cytotoxicity and the release of inflammatory mediators caused by PVC particles in different cells. We compared two types of emulsion PVC particles (E3 and E8) with their washed (hence, "additive-free") counterparts (W3 and W8). A positive control (crystalline SiO2, Min-U-Sil) and the pure additives, sodium lauryl sulfate (A3) and sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate (A8), were tested concurrently. Cytotoxicity (MTT assay) was assessed in primary cultures of rat alveolar macrophages, rat type II pneumocytes, and human alveolar macrophages (h-AM), and cultures of the A549 cell line (type II cell-derived) and the differentiated THP-1 cell line (macrophage-like). Hemolytic potential was assessed after a 2-h incubation with human erythrocytes. Cytokine release (IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) by A549 cells, THP-1 cells, and h-AM, was measured by ELISA after 4, 16, 24 and/or 48 h of exposure. Cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity of the washed particles were abolished or markedly decreased compared with their nonwashed forms. In A549 cells, E3 and E8 (2.5 mg/ml) caused a 3-fold increase in IL-8 release and a more than 10-fold increase in IL-6 release, whereas W3 and W8 did not elicit any significant response at similar concentrations. Compared with Min-U-Sil (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg/ml), the response to E3 and E8 occurred later and was slightly lower (IL-8) or much more pronounced (IL-6). A3 and A8 exhibited similar responses to E3 and E8, at concentrations corresponding to those present in the particles. In conclusion, the in vitro cytotoxicity and inflammatory potential of some PVC particles appear to be mostly due to their residual additives.

Animals↗

Ultrafine particles affect experimental thrombosis in an in vivo hamster model.

Particulate air pollution is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To investigate this association, we studied the effect of ultrafine (60 nm) polystyrene particles on thrombus formation in a hamster model after intravenous and intratracheal administration of unmodified, carboxylate-polystyrene, or amine-polystyrene particles. Unmodified particles had no effect on thrombosis up to 5 mg/kg. Carboxylate-polystyrene particles significantly inhibited thrombus formation at 500 and 100 microg/kg body weight but not at 50 microg/kg body weight. In contrast, amine-polystyrene particles significantly enhanced thrombosis at 500 and 50 microg/kg body weight but not at 5 microg/kg body weight. Similarly, the intratracheal instillation of 5,000 microg of amine-polystyrene particles significantly increased thrombus formation. The unmodified particles and carboxylate-polystyrene particles had no effect. During platelet aggregation in human platelet-rich plasma, induced with 1.25 microM ADP, unmodified particles had no effect up to 100 microg/ml, and carboxylate-polystyrene particles weakly enhanced platelet aggregation at 25 to 100 microg/ml. However, amine-polystyrene particles (50 and 100 microg/ml) induced platelet aggregation themselves and strongly increased the ADP-induced aggregation. We conclude that the presence of (ultrafine) particles in the circulation may affect hemostasis. The observed in vivo prothrombotic tendency results, at least in part, from platelet activation by positively charged amine-polystyrene particles.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

DEDD regulates degradation of intermediate filaments during apoptosis.

Apoptosis depends critically on regulated cytoskeletal reorganization events in a cell. We demonstrate that death effector domain containing DNA binding protein (DEDD), a highly conserved and ubiquitous death effector domain containing protein, exists predominantly as mono- or diubiquitinated, and that diubiquitinated DEDD interacts with both the K8/18 intermediate filament network and pro-caspase-3. Early in apoptosis, both cytosolic DEDD and its close homologue DEDD2 formed filaments that colocalized with and depended on K8/18 and active caspase-3. Subsequently, these filamentous structures collapsed into intracellular inclusions that migrated into cytoplasmic blebs and contained DEDD, DEDD2, active caspase-3, and caspase-3-cleaved K18 late in apoptosis. Biochemical studies further confirmed that DEDD coimmunoprecipitated with both K18 and pro-caspase-3, and kinetic analyses placed apoptotic DEDD staining prior to caspase-3 activation and K18 cleavage. In addition, both caspase-3 activation and K18 cleavage was inhibited by expression of DEDDDeltaNLS1-3, a cytosolic form of DEDD that cannot be ubiquitinated. Finally, siRNA mediated DEDD knockdown cells exhibited inhibition of staurosporine-induced DNA degradation. Our data suggest that DEDD represents a novel scaffold protein that directs the effector caspase-3 to certain substrates facilitating their ordered degradation during apoptosis.

Animals↗

Hepatobiliary damage and changes in hepatic gene expression caused by the antitumor drug ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743) in the female rat.

Ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743) is a novel marine-derived anticancer drug with clinical activity in soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer. Reversible transaminitis and subclinical cholangitis have frequently been described in patients who receive ET-743. To facilitate understanding of this adverse effect and help design suitable therapeutic rescue strategies, we characterized the hepatic effects of ET-743 in rats. Female rats received ET-743 (single dose, 40 microg/kg) i.v., and liver changes were assessed from 6 h up to 3 months after dosing by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, hepatic and plasma biochemistry, and DNA microarray analysis. At 24 h posttreatment and beyond, livers displayed degeneration and patchy focal necrosis of bile duct epithelial cells associated with mild inflammation followed by fibrosis. Sporadic and focal zones of hepatic necrosis and hemorrhage were observed from day 2 onward, although the majority of hepatocytes appeared normal as judged by electron microscopy. Pathological alterations persisted up to 3 months after dosing. Plasma levels of total bilirubin were elevated up to 7-fold over those in untreated rats from day 2 onward and returned to control values by day 24. Activities of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase in plasma were elevated for 2 and 3 months, respectively. Activities of the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P-450 A1/2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2 were decreased. DNA microarray analysis of livers from ET-743-treated animals showed a dramatic increase in the expression of ATP binding cassette transport genes Abcb1a and Abcb1b, which impart resistance to anticancer drugs, and of Cdc2a and Ccnd1, the rodent homologues of human cell cycle genes CDC2 and cyclin D1, respectively. The cell cycle gene expression changes mirrored ET-743-induced increases in liver weight and Ki-67 labeling of liver nuclei. The results suggest that the toxicity exerted by ET-743 in the rat liver is a consequence of biliary rather than hepatocellular damage and that it is accompanied by a wave of mitogenic activity, which may be driven by the transcriptional increase in Cdc2a expression.

Animals↗