TP induces hepatic intolerance to FasL-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting XIAP.

Triptolide (TP) is extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TWHF). Its severe toxic side effects, especially hepatotoxicity, have limited the clinical application of TP-related drugs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the hepatotoxic effects of TP from the perspective that TP inhibited the expression of the pro-survival protein X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and enhanced FasL-mediated apoptosis of hepatocytes. TP and CD95/Fas antibody (Jo-2) were administered by gavage to C57BL/6 mice for 7 consecutive days. After co-administration of TP and Jo-2, mouse livers showed large areas of necrosis and apoptosis and significantly increased Caspase-3 activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that TP may cause the development of liver injury through the apoptotic signaling pathway. Proteinprotein interaction networks showed that XIAP played an essential role in this process. TP reduced the protein expression of XIAP after combination treatment with Jo-2/FasL in vivo/in vitro. TP and FasL co-stimulation significantly increased microRNA-137 (miR-137) levels in AML12 cells, while inhibition of miR-137 expression induced a rebound in XIAP protein expression. In conclusion, TP presensitizes hepatocytes and enhances the sensitivity of hepatocytes to the Fas/FasL pathway by inhibiting the protein expression of XIAP, leading to hepatocyte apoptosis.

Quantitative biochemical characterization and biotechnological production of caspase modulator, XIAP: Therapeutic implications for apoptosis-associated diseases.

BACKGROUND: Regulating apoptosis is a common and essential therapeutic strategy for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Based on basic studies of apoptotic mechanisms, various researches have attempted to overcome the pathogenesis of such diseases by activating or inhibiting apoptosis. Generally, the biochemical characteristics of the target molecules should be evaluated along with understanding of their mechanisms of action during drug development. Among apoptotic regulators, XIAP serves as a potent negative regulator to block apoptosis through the inhibition of caspase (CASP)-9 and -3/7. Although XIAP is an attractive target with such apoptotic-modulating property, biochemical and biophysical studies of XIAP are still challenging. METHODS: In this study, the CASP-9 and -3/7 inhibitors XIAP, 242Δ and Δ230 were prepared using the pGEX expression system and biochemically characterized. RESULTS: These inhibitors were expressed in Escherichia coli at a concentration of ≥20 mg/L culture under a native condition with 0.01 mM IPTG induction. Notably, using a simple and rapid affinity purification technique, these CASP-9 and -3/7 inhibitors have been purified, yielding ≥5 mg/L culture at approximately 90% purity. CONCLUSIONS: We have determined that HtrA2 specifically binds to the BIR2 and BIR3 of XIAP at a 1:1 molecular ratio. Moreover, in vitro cell-free CASP-9 and -3/7 activation-apoptosis assays have demonstrated that these purified XIAP proteins dramatically inhibit CASP-9 and -3/7 action. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our system is suitable for biochemical studies, such as quantitation of the number of molecules acting on the apoptosis regulation, and provides a basis and insights that can be applied to the development of therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.

Programmed cell death in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is mediated by suppression of the apoptosis inhibitor Apollon.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by ventricular wall remodeling and an increased frequency of cardiac cell apoptosis. Apollon is a 528kD cell membrane-anchored protein that inhibits apoptosis by ubiquitinylation facilitating the degradation of Smac/Diablo and caspase-9. The present study tested the hypothesis that the Apollon/Smac system may mediate programmed cell death in DCM. METHODS: Apollon and caspase-9 protein expression was assessed in left ventricular biopsies of explanted failing hearts using Western blotting in 36 DCM patients undergoing cardiac transplantation and in 10 controls. Human cardiac cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the human Apollon complementary DNA or control vector and were subsequently stressed by hypoxia. Apollon, Smac/Diablo, and caspase-9 expression were then examined in cell lysates by real-time polymerase chain reaction and a transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay was used to determine the apoptotic index. RESULTS: In DCM myocardial tissue, Apollon messenger (m)RNA and protein expression was down-regulated compared with control hearts (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, respectively) concomitant with an increase in activated caspase-9 protein levels (p < 0.001). Cell stress resulted in increased apoptosis in cardiac cells in vitro and down-regulation of Apollon mRNA expression compared with control cells (p < 0.001). Transfection increased Apollon mRNA expression in cell lysates (p < 0.001) and completely prevented hypoxia-induced apoptosis associated with reduced expression of Smac/Diablo and activated caspase-9. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Apollon down-regulation plays a role in programmed cell death associated with DCM. Up-regulation of Apollon might therefore represent a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of DCM.

X-Linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein gene-based neuroprotection for the peripheral nervous system.

OBJECTIVE: The recently discovered X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is among the most potent inhibitors of programmed cell death. In the current experiment, we examine the potential of adenoviral XIAP gene delivery to protect neurons of the peripheral nervous system using in vitro models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: XIAP complementary deoxyribonucleic acid was fused in frame with the green fluorescent protein sequence and cloned into a first generation adenoviral vector. The impact of XIAP gene expression on glutamate-induced apoptosis was measured in the neuronal SH-SY5Y cell line with immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3 and with cell density assays. Next, the effect of XIAP expressing neurons on the survival of uninfected neighboring neurons was measured. Finally, the impact of XIAP gene expression on glutamate-induced apoptosis was assessed in embryonic motor neuron and dorsal root ganglion cultures. RESULTS: XIAP gene expression reduced the percentage of active caspase-3 positive SH-SY5Y neurons and preserved cell density after glutamate exposure. In heterogeneously infected cultures, cells infected with XIAP were protected, but uninfected neighboring cells were not. In primary E15 models, inhibition of proapoptotic effects was demonstrated after glutamate insult in motor neurons and glucose insult in dorsal root ganglion cells. CONCLUSION: XIAP gene delivery through the neurosurgical delivery of viral vectors may provide a means for neuroprotection in ALS and diabetic neuropathy.