The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore-Current Knowledge of Its Structure, Function, and Regulation, and Optimized Methods for Evaluating Its Functional State.

The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) is a calcium-dependent, ion non-selective membrane pore with a wide range of functions. Although the MPTP has been studied for more than 50 years, its molecular structure remains unclear. Short-term (reversible) opening of the MPTP protects cells from oxidative damage and enables the efflux of Ca2+ ions from the mitochondrial matrix and cell signaling. However, long-term (irreversible) opening induces processes leading to cell death. Ca2+ ions, reactive oxygen species, and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential regulate pore opening. The sensitivity of the pore to Ca2+ ions changes as an organism ages, and MPTP opening plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Most studies of the MPTP have focused on elucidating its molecular structure. However, understanding the mechanisms that will inhibit the MPTP may improve the treatment of diseases associated with its opening. To evaluate the functional state of the MPTP and its inhibitors, it is therefore necessary to use appropriate methods that provide reproducible results across laboratories. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the function and regulation of the MPTP. The latter part of the review introduces two optimized methods for evaluating the functional state of the pore under standardized conditions.

MAPK p38alpha Kinase Influences Haematopoiesis in Embryonic Stem Cells.

The activation of p38alpha kinase mediates cell response to various extracellular factors including many interleukins and growth factors important for haematopoiesis. The role of p38alpha kinase was previously analysed in particular haematopoietic cells. In this study and for the first time, the role of p38alpha kinase in haematopoiesis was studied using a model of continuous haematopoietic development in pluripotent embryonic stem cells in vitro. The expression of transcripts associated with haematopoiesis and the potential for the formation of specific haematopoietic cell colonies were compared between wild-type and mutant p38alpha gene-depleted cells. The absence of p38alpha kinase led to the inhibition of hemangioblast formation during the first step of haematopoiesis. Later, during differentiation, due to the lack of p38alpha kinase, erythrocyte maturation was impaired. Mutant p38α-/- cells also exhibited decreased potential with respect to the expansion of granulocyte colony-forming units. This effect was reversed in the absence of erythropoietin as shown by colony-forming unit assay in media for colony-forming unit granulocytes/macrophages. p38alpha kinase thus plays an important role in the differentiation of common myeloid precursor cells into granulocyte lineages.

The depletion of p38alpha kinase upregulates NADPH oxidase 2/NOX2/gp91 expression and the production of superoxide in mouse embryonic stem cells.

P38alpha kinase plays an important role in the regulation of both cell stress response and cell fate. In this study, we report that p38alpha kinase-deficient embryonic stem cells exhibit a higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in contrast to their wild-type counterpart. Analysis of the expressions of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and dual oxidases, crucial enzymes involved in intracellular ROS formation, shows NOX2/gp91phox is over-expressed in p38alpha deficient cells. The particular increase in superoxide formation was confirmed by the specific detection of hydroethidine derivate 2-hydroxyethidium. ROS formation decreased when the level of NOX2 was silenced by siRNA in p38alpha deficient cells. These data suggest the importance of p38alpha kinase in the regulation of ROS metabolism in embryonic stem cells and the significance of the observed phenomena of cancer cell-like phenotypes, which is discussed.

Hypoxia Downregulates MAPK/ERK but Not STAT3 Signaling in ROS-Dependent and HIF-1-Independent Manners in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.

Hypoxia is involved in the regulation of stem cell fate, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is the master regulator of hypoxic response. Here, we focus on the effect of hypoxia on intracellular signaling pathways responsible for mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell maintenance. We employed wild-type and HIF-1α-deficient ES cells to investigate hypoxic response in the ERK, Akt, and STAT3 pathways. Cultivation in 1% O2 for 24 h resulted in the strong dephosphorylation of ERK and its upstream kinases and to a lesser extent of Akt in an HIF-1-independent manner, while STAT3 phosphorylation remained unaffected. Downregulation of ERK could not be mimicked either by pharmacologically induced hypoxia or by the overexpression. Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) 1, 5, and 6 are hypoxia-sensitive MAPK-specific phosphatases involved in ERK downregulation, and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates both ERK and Akt. However, combining multiple approaches, we revealed the limited significance of DUSPs and PP2A in the hypoxia-mediated attenuation of ERK signaling. Interestingly, we observed a decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in hypoxia and a similar phosphorylation pattern for ERK when the cells were supplemented with glutathione. Therefore, we suggest a potential role for the ROS-dependent attenuation of ERK signaling in hypoxia, without the involvement of HIF-1.

The stabilization of hypoxia inducible factor modulates differentiation status and inhibits the proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells.

Hypoxic conditions are suggested to affect the differentiation status of stem cells (SC), including embryonic stem cells (ESC). Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is one of the main intracellular molecules responsible for the cellular response to hypoxia. Hypoxia stabilizes HIF by inhibiting the activity of HIF prolyl-hydroxylases (PHD), which are responsible for targeting HIF-alpha subunits for proteosomal degradation. To address the impact of HIF stabilization on the maintenance of the stemness signature of mouse ESC (mESC), we tested the influence of the inhibition of PHDs and hypoxia (1% O2 and 5% O2) on spontaneous ESC differentiation triggered by leukemia inhibitory factor withdrawal for 24 and 48 h. The widely used panhydroxylase inhibitor dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG) and PHD inhibitor JNJ-42041935 (JNJ) with suggested higher specificity towards PHDs were employed. Both inhibitors and both levels of hypoxia significantly increased HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha protein levels and HIF transcriptional activity in spontaneously differentiating mESC. This was accompanied by significant downregulation of cell proliferation manifested by the complete inhibition of DNA synthesis and partial arrest in the S phase after 48 h. Further, HIF stabilization enhanced downregulation of the expressions of some pluripotency markers (OCT-4, NANOG, ZFP-42, TNAP) in spontaneously differentiating mESC. However, at the same time, there was also a significant decrease in the expression of some genes selected as markers of cell differentiation (e.g. SOX1, BRACH T, ELF5). In conclusion, the short term stabilization of HIF mediated by the PHD inhibitors JNJ and DMOG and hypoxia did not prevent the spontaneous loss of pluripotency markers in mESC. However, it significantly downregulated the proliferation of these cells.

Apocynin and Diphenyleneiodonium Induce Oxidative Stress and Modulate PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk Activity in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important regulators of cellular functions. In embryonic stem cells, ROS are suggested to influence differentiation status. Regulated ROS formation is catalyzed primarily by NADPH-dependent oxidases (NOXs). Apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium are frequently used inhibitors of NOXs; however, both exhibit uncharacterized effects not related to NOXs inhibition. Interestingly, in our model of mouse embryonic stem cells we demonstrate low expression of NOXs. Therefore we aimed to clarify potential side effects of these drugs. Both apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium impaired proliferation of cells. Surprisingly, we observed prooxidant activity of these drugs determined by hydroethidine. Further, we revealed that apocynin inhibits PI3K/Akt pathway with its downstream transcriptional factor Nanog. Opposite to this, apocynin augmented activity of canonical Wnt signaling. On the contrary, diphenyleneiodonium activated both PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways without affecting Wnt. Our data indicates limits and possible unexpected interactions of NOXs inhibitors with intracellular signaling pathways.

Alkaline phosphatase in stem cells.

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme commonly expressed in almost all living organisms. In humans and other mammals, determinations of the expression and activity of alkaline phosphatase have frequently been used for cell determination in developmental studies and/or within clinical trials. Alkaline phosphatase also seems to be one of the key markers in the identification of pluripotent embryonic stem as well as related cells. However, alkaline phosphatases exist in some isoenzymes and isoforms, which have tissue specific expressions and functions. Here, the role of alkaline phosphatase as a stem cell marker is discussed in detail. First, we briefly summarize contemporary knowledge of mammalian alkaline phosphatases in general. Second, we focus on the known facts of its role in and potential significance for the identification of stem cells.