Autophagy of metallothioneins prevents TNF-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in hepatoma cells.

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) induced by oxidative stress has recently emerged as a prominent mechanism behind TNF cytotoxicity. This pathway relies on diffusion of hydrogen peroxide into lysosomes containing redox-active iron, accumulated by breakdown of iron-containing proteins and subcellular organelles. Upon oxidative lysosomal damage, LMP allows relocation to the cytoplasm of low mass iron and acidic hydrolases that contribute to DNA and mitochondrial damage, resulting in death by apoptosis or necrosis. Here we investigate the role of lysosomes and free iron in death of HTC cells, a rat hepatoma line, exposed to TNF following metallothionein (MT) upregulation. Iron-binding MT does not normally occur in HTC cells in significant amounts. Intracellular iron chelation attenuates TNF and cycloheximide (CHX)-induced LMP and cell death, demonstrating the critical role of this transition metal in mediating cytokine lethality. MT upregulation, combined with starvation-activated MT autophagy almost completely suppresses TNF and CHX toxicity, while impairment of both autophagy and MT upregulation by silencing of Atg7, and Mt1a and/or Mt2a, respectively, abrogates protection. Interestingly, MT upregulation by itself has little effect, while stimulated autophagy alone depresses cytokine toxicity to some degree. These results provide evidence that intralysosomal iron-catalyzed redox reactions play a key role in TNF and CHX-induced LMP and toxicity. The finding that chelation of intralysosomal iron achieved by autophagic delivery of MT, and to some degree probably of other iron-binding proteins as well, into the lysosomal compartment is highly protective provides a putative mechanism to explain autophagy-related suppression of death by TNF and CHX.

Local thermal injury induces general endothelial cell contraction through p38 MAP kinase activation.

Endothelial cells (ECs) of thin-walled blood vessels form a barrier between blood and tissue. As a response to inflammation, the EC junctions widen and gaps form, resulting in compromised barrier functions. Although the mechanisms behind the establishment of these changes are still incompletely understood, one known reason is actomyosin-dependent actin rearrangement. Here, by using atomic force microscopy and a combination of confocal microscopy methods, we are the first to report that thermal injury induces general venular hyperpermeability and that serum from burned rats induces EC actin rearrangement, contraction, as well as tight-junction damage. Inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) largely ameliorates resulting vascular dysfunction by significantly reducing EC stress-fiber formation, contraction, volume changes and tight-junction damage, thereby greatly reducing the appearance of EC gaps. The findings may be of importance for the design of future pharmacotherapies aiming to ease the severe general vascular dysfunction that follows extensive burns.

Autophagy of iron-binding proteins may contribute to the oxidative stress resistance of ARPE-19 cells.

The objective of this study was to elucidate possible reasons for the remarkable resistance of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to oxidative stress. Much oxidative damage is due to hydrogen peroxide meeting redox-active iron in the acidic and reducing lysosomal environment, resulting in the production of toxic hydroxyl radicals that may oxidize intralysosomal content, leading to lipofuscin (LF) formation or, if more extensive, to permeabilization of lysosomal membranes. Formation of LF is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and known to jeopardize normal autophagic rejuvenation of vital cellular biomolecules. Lysosomal membrane permeabilization causes release of lysosomal content (redox-active iron, lytic enzymes), which may then cause cell death. Total cellular and lysosomal low-mass iron of cultured, immortalized human RPE (ARPE-19) cells was compared to that of another professional scavenger cell line, J774, using atomic absorption spectroscopy and the cytochemical sulfide-silver method (SSM). It was found that both cell lines contained comparable levels of total as well as intralysosomal iron, suggesting that the latter is mainly kept in a non-redox-active state in ARPE-19 cells. Basal levels and capacity for upregulation of the iron-binding proteins ferritin, metallothionein and heat shock protein 70 were tested in both cell lines using immunoblotting. Compared to J774 cells, ARPE-19 cells were found to contain very high basal levels of all these proteins, which could be even further upregulated following appropriate stimulation. These findings suggest that a high basal expression of iron-binding stress proteins, which during their normal autophagic turnover in lysosomes may temporarily bind iron prior to their degradation, could contribute to the unusual oxidative stress-resistance of ARPE-19 cells. A high steady state influx of such proteins into lysosomes would keep the level of lysosomal redox-active iron permanently low. This, in turn, should delay intralysosomal accumulation of LF in RPE cells, which is known to reduce autophagic turnover as well as uptake and degradation of worn out photoreceptor tips. This may explain why severe LF accumulation and AMD normally do not develop until fairly late in life, in spite of RPE cells being continuously exposed to high levels of oxygen and light, as well as large amounts of lipid-rich material.

Sphingosine mediates TNFα-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization and ensuing programmed cell death in hepatoma cells.

Normally, cell proliferation and death are carefully balanced in higher eukaryotes, but one of the most important regulatory mechanisms, apoptosis, is upset in many malignancies, including hepatocellular-derived ones. Therefore, reinforcing cell death often is mandatory in anticancer therapy. We previously reported that a combination of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) and cycloheximide (CHX) efficiently kill HTC cells, a rat hepatoma line, in an apoptosis-like mode. Death is actively mediated by the lysosomal compartment, although lysosomal ceramide was previously shown not to be directly implicated in this process. In the present study, we show that TNF/CHX increase lysosomal ceramide that is subsequently converted into sphingosine. Although ceramide accumulation does not significantly alter the acidic compartment, the sphingosine therein generated causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) followed by relocation of lysosomal cathepsins to the cytoplasm. TNF/CHX-induced LMP is effectively abrogated by siRNAs targeting acid sphingomyelinase or acid ceramidase, which prevent both LMP and death induced by TNF/CHX. Taken together, our results demonstrate that lysosomal accumulation of ceramide is not detrimental per se, whereas its degradation product sphingosine, which has the capacity to induce LMP, appears responsible for the observed apoptotic-like death.

Dietary mustard seeds (Sinapis alba Linn) suppress 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced immuno-imbalance and colonic carcinogenesis in rats.

In a Wistar rat model, prolonged supplementation of mustard seed (MS) to the diet significantly ameliorates the induction of colorectal carcinomas by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). The expression of the splenocyte major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) was found significantly enhanced, whereas that of the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) was significantly decreased. Compared to that of control animals, the proportion of spleenic B- and dendritic cells (DC) was amplified in the MS group. The expressions of MHCI, as well as that of MHCII, were increased in DC cells; whereas in B cells, MHCI expression was augmented but that of MHCII moderately decreased. The percentages of CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ cells were increased in the MS group, while the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ subset was depressed. Plasma analysis showed that DMH-exposure induced amplified amounts of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-beta, whereas MS feeding counteracted this effect but enhanced IL-2, IL12p70, IL21, TNF-alpha, and interferon-gamma. In the SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cell-line, the cytotoxicity of spleenic T-cells from MS-fed animals was significantly increased. In the DMH-exposed rats, the expression of perforin in the spleenic T-cells was dramatically decreased, whereas MS abolished this depression. In summary, dietary MS suppresses DMH-induced immuno-imbalance as well as colon carcinogenesis in rats.

Polydatin, a natural polyphenol, protects arterial smooth muscle cells against mitochondrial dysfunction and lysosomal destabilization following hemorrhagic shock.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the activity of polydatin on mitochondrial dysfunction and lysosomal stability of arteriolar smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in severe shock. The experimental animals (rats) were divided into five groups: control, hemorrhagic shock, shock + CsA, shock + Res, and shock + PD (exposed to cyclosporin A, resveratrol, or polydatin following induction of hemorrhagic shock, respectively). The calcein-Co(2+) technique revealed opening of ASMC mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP) after shock with resulting mitochondrial swelling, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and reduced intracellular ATP levels. These alterations were all inhibited by exposure to PD, which was significantly more effective than CsA and Res. PD also preserved lysosomal stability, suppressed activation of K(ATP) channels, ASMC hyperpolarization, and reduced vasoresponsiveness to norepinephrine that normally follows severe shock. The results demonstrate that exposure to PD after initiation of severe shock effectively preserves ASMC mitochondrial integrity and has a significant therapeutic effect in severe shock. The effects may partially result from lysosomal stabilization against shock-induced oxidative stress and depressed relocation of hydrolytic enzymes and redox-active lysosomal iron that, in turn, may induce mPTP opening.

Age-related lysosomal dysfunction: an unrecognized roadblock for cobalamin trafficking?

Vitamin-B(12) is a generic term for corrinoid compounds that exhibit the biological activity of cyanocobalamin and are collectively referred to as cobalamins. Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin are the active cobalamins in human metabolism. Cobalamin plays a crucial role in the maintenance of homocysteine and methylmalonyl-CoA homeostasis and is required for erythrocyte formation and DNA synthesis. Data from human and animal studies indicate that cobalamin deficiency impairs neuronal function; a process that is thought to contribute to age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Cobalamin deficiency also results in dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system; among other disorders. Although there is a detailed understanding of the biochemical pathways that are perturbed in cobalamin deficiency, the mechanisms underlying age-related dyshomeostasis in such pathways remain to be addressed. Because cobalamin utilization is dependent on its efficient transit through lysosomes, and mounting evidence indicates that lysosomal function deteriorates in aging long-lived post-mitotic cells such as neurons, in the present article we review published data that supports the proposition that impaired lysosomal processing of cobalamin may play a significant role in age-related (neuro) degenerative diseases.

The role of lysosomes in iron metabolism and recycling.

Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust. It cycles easily between ferric (oxidized; Fe(III)) and ferrous (reduced; Fe(II)) and readily forms complexes with oxygen, making this metal a central player in respiration and related redox processes. However, 'loose' iron, not within heme or iron-sulfur cluster proteins, can be destructively redox-active, causing damage to almost all cellular components, killing both cells and organisms. This may explain why iron is so carefully handled by aerobic organisms. Iron uptake from the environment is carefully limited and carried out by specialized iron transport mechanisms. One reason that iron uptake is tightly controlled is that most organisms and cells cannot efficiently excrete excess iron. When even small amounts of intracellular free iron occur, most of it is safely stored in a non-redox-active form in ferritins. Within nucleated cells, iron is constantly being recycled from aged iron-rich organelles such as mitochondria and used for construction of new organelles. Much of this recycling occurs within the lysosome, an acidic digestive organelle. Because of this, most lysosomes contain relatively large amounts of redox-active iron and are therefore unusually susceptible to oxidant-mediated destabilization or rupture. In many cell types, iron transit through the lysosomal compartment can be remarkably brisk. However, conditions adversely affecting lysosomal iron handling (or oxidant stress) can contribute to a variety of acute and chronic diseases. These considerations make normal and abnormal lysosomal handling of iron central to the understanding and, perhaps, therapy of a wide range of diseases.

Antitumor activity of metal-chelating compound Dp44mT is mediated by formation of a redox-active copper complex that accumulates in lysosomes.

The metal-chelating compound Dp44mT is a di-2-pyridylketone thiosemicarbazone (DpT) which displays potent and selective antitumor activity. This compound is receiving translational attention, but its mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we report that Dp44mT targets lysosome integrity through copper binding. Studies using the lysosomotropic fluorochrome acridine orange established that the copper-Dp44mT complex (Cu[Dp44mT]) disrupted lysosomes. This targeting was confirmed with pepstatin A-BODIPY FL, which showed redistribution of cathepsin D to the cytosol with ensuing cleavage of the proapoptotic BH3 protein Bid. Redox activity of Cu[Dp44mT] caused cellular depletion of glutathione, and lysosomal damage was prevented by cotreatment with the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine. Copper binding was essential for the potent antitumor activity of Dp44mT, as coincubation with nontoxic copper chelators markedly attenuated its cytotoxicity. Taken together, our studies show how the lysosomal apoptotic pathway can be selectively activated in cancer cells by sequestration of redox-active copper. Our findings define a novel generalized strategy to selectively target lysosome function for chemotherapeutic intervention against cancer.

Mustard seeds (Sinapis Alba Linn) attenuate azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Mustard seeds (MS), which are consumed in considerable amounts by the Japanese people that, interestingly, have the longest life expectancy in the world, are known to contain a number of yet not fully defined but quite powerful anti-oxidants. A suspension of extracted MS was found to suppress oxidized-LDL-induced macrophage respiratory burst in vitro, to prevent growth, and to induce apoptotic death of SW480 cells (a human colon cancer cell line), while no such effects were found for normal 3T3 cells. A diet enriched with MS decreased plasma levels of the lipid peroxidation product malonaldehyde in mice exposed to the colon cancer-inducer azoxymethane (AOM). Such a diet also dose-dependently enhanced the activity of several anti-oxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and GSH-peroxidase and, moreover, reduced AOM-mediated formation of colon adenomas by about 50%. Further studies are required to detail and explore the beneficial effects of MS and their rich content of powerful anti-oxidants.

Ascorbate and endocytosed Motexafin gadolinium induce lysosomal rupture.

Motexafin gadolinium (MGd) sensitizes malignant cells to ionizing radiation, although the underlying mechanisms for uptake and sensitization are both unclear. Here we show that MGd is endocytosed by the clathrin-dependent pathway with ensuing lysosomal membrane permeabilization, most likely via formation of reactive oxygen species involving redox-active metabolites, such as ascorbate. We propose that subsequent apoptosis is a synergistic effect of irradiation and high MGd concentrations in malignant cells due to their pronounced endocytic activity. The results provide novel insights into the mode of action of this promising anti-cancer drug, which is currently under clinical trials.

Cell sensitivity to oxidative stress is influenced by ferritin autophagy.

To test the consequences of lysosomal degradation of differently iron-loaded ferritin molecules and to mimic ferritin autophagy under iron-overload and normal conditions, J774 cells were allowed to endocytose heavily iron loaded ferritin, probably with some adventitious iron (Fe-Ft), or iron-free apo-ferritin (apo-Ft). When cells subsequently were exposed to a bolus dose of hydrogen peroxide, apo-Ft prevented lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), whereas Fe-Ft enhanced LMP. A 4-h pulse of Fe-Ft initially increased oxidative stress-mediated LMP that was reversed after another 3h under standard culture conditions, suggesting that lysosomal iron is rapidly exported from lysosomes, with resulting upregulation of apo-ferritin that supposedly is autophagocytosed, thereby preventing LMP by binding intralysosomal redox-active iron. The obtained data suggest that upregulation of the stress protein ferritin is a rapid adaptive mechanism that counteracts LMP and ensuing apoptosis during oxidative stress. In addition, prolonged iron starvation was found to induce apoptotic cell death that, interestingly, was preceded by LMP, suggesting that LMP is a more general phenomenon in apoptosis than so far recognized. The findings provide new insights into aging and neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with enhanced amounts of cellular iron and show that lysosomal iron loading sensitizes to oxidative stress.

Roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the modulation of endothelial cell function following thermal injury.

Several mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated during thermal injury, and the p38 MAPK is specifically involved in endothelial cell (EC) actin and myosin rearrangement (stress-fiber formation) with ensuing cellular contraction and enhanced vessel permeability. Inhibition of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-related kinase MAPK by their inhibitors SB203580 and PD98059, respectively, significantly reduces burn serum-induced EC stress-fiber formation, whereas SB203580 also inhibits burn serum-induced EC tight-junction damage and thereby general blood vessel hyperpermeability. The JNK MAPK inhibitor, SP600125, on the contrary, influences neither stress-fiber formation nor EC tight-junction damage. Extracellular signal-related kinase MAPK inhibition significantly decreases burn serum-induced Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) release, whereas SB203580 and SP600125 have only limited such effects. Western blotting, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and confocal laser scanning microscopy proved that SP600125 significantly inhibits burn serum-induced intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, whereas SB203580 depresses the expression of P selectin. In vivo studies, using the dominant negative adenoviral approach of MAPK kinase 3b and MAPK kinase 6b to block p38 MAPKs, and MKK4 and MKK7 to block JNK MAPKs, show that the latter MAPKs are involved in the regulation of P selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, respectively, following thermal injury. Taken together, the results suggest that several MAPKs play important, although different, roles in general EC alterations following burn injuries.

Proteins containing oxidized amino acids induce apoptosis in human monocytes.

Cellular deposits of oxidized and aggregated proteins are hallmarks of a variety of age-related disorders, but whether such proteins contribute to pathology is not well understood. We previously reported that oxidized proteins form lipofuscin/ceroid-like bodies with a lysosomal-type distribution and up-regulate the transcription and translation of proteolytic lysosomal enzymes in cultured J774 mouse macrophages. Given the recently identified role of lysosomes in the induction of apoptosis, we have extended our studies to explore a role for oxidized proteins in apoptosis. Oxidized proteins were biosynthetically generated in situ by substituting oxidized analogues for parent amino acids. Apoptosis was measured with Annexin-V/PI (propidium iodide), TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling), MMP (mitochondrial membrane permeabilization), caspase activation and cytochrome c release, and related to lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Synthesized proteins containing the tyrosine oxidation product L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) were more potent inducers of apoptosis than proteins containing the phenylalanine oxidation product o-tyrosine. Apoptosis was dependent upon incorporation of oxidized residues, as indicated by complete abrogation in cultures incubated with the non-incorporation control D-DOPA (D-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) or when incorporation was competed out by parent amino acids. The findings of the present study suggest that certain oxidized proteins could play an active role in the progression of age-related disorders by contributing to LMP (lysosomal membrane permeabilization)-initiated apoptosis and may have important implications for the long-term use of L-DOPA as a therapeutic agent in Parkinson's disease.

Chelation of lysosomal iron protects against ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation causes DNA damage and consequent apoptosis, mainly due to the production of hydroxyl radicals (HO•) that follows radiolytic splitting of water. However, superoxide (O2•-) and H2O2 also form and induce oxidative stress with resulting LMP (lysosomal membrane permeabilization) arising from iron-catalysed oxidative events. The latter will contribute significantly to radiation-induced cell death and its degree largely depends on the quantities of lysosomal redox-active iron present as a consequence of autophagy and endocytosis of iron-rich compounds. Therefore radiation sensitivity might be depressed by lysosome-targeted iron chelators. In the present study, we have shown that cells in culture are significantly protected from ionizing radiation damage if initially exposed to the lipophilic iron chelator SIH (salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone), and that this effect is based on SIH-dependent lysosomal stabilization against oxidative stress. According to its dose-response-modifying effect, SIH is a most powerful radioprotector and a promising candidate for clinical application, mainly to reduce the radiation sensitivity of normal tissue. We propose, as an example, that inhalation of SIH before each irradiation session by patients undergoing treatment for lung malignancies would protect normally aerated lung tissue against life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis, whereas the sensitivity of malignant lung tumours, which usually are non-aerated, will not be affected by inhaled SIH.

What does the commonly used DCF test for oxidative stress really show?

H(2)DCF-DA (dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate) is widely used to evaluate 'cellular oxidative stress'. After passing through the plasma membrane, this lipophilic and non-fluorescent compound is de-esterified to a hydrophilic alcohol [H(2)DCF (dihydrodichlorofluorescein)] that may be oxidized to fluorescent DCF (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein) by a process usually considered to involve ROS (reactive oxygen species). It is, however, not always recognized that, being a hydrophilic molecule, H(2)DCF does not cross membranes, except for the outer fenestrated mitochondrial ones. It is also not generally realized that oxidation of H(2)DCF is dependent either on Fenton-type reactions or on unspecific enzymatic oxidation by cytochrome c, for neither superoxide, nor H(2)O(2), directly oxidizes H(2)DCF. Consequently, oxidation of H(2)DCF requires the presence of either cytochrome c or of both redox-active transition metals and H(2)O(2). Redox-active metals exist mainly within lysosomes, whereas cytochrome c resides bound to the outer side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Following exposure to H(2)DCF-DA, weak mitochondrial fluorescence was found in both the oxidation-resistant ARPE-19 cells and the much more sensitive J774 cells. This fluorescence was only marginally enhanced following short exposure to H(2)O(2), showing that by itself it is unable to oxidize H(2)DCF. Cells that were either exposed to the lysosomotropic detergent MSDH (O-methylserine dodecylamide hydrochloride), exposed to prolonged oxidative stress, or spontaneously apoptotic showed lysosomal permeabilization and strong DCF-induced fluorescence. The results suggest that DCF-dependent fluorescence largely reflects relocation to the cytosol of lysosomal iron and/or mitochondrial cytochrome c.

Redox activity within the lysosomal compartment: implications for aging and apoptosis.

The lysosome is a redox-active compartment containing low-mass iron and copper liberated by autophagic degradation of metalloproteins. The acidic milieu and high concentration of thiols within lysosomes will keep iron in a reduced (ferrous) state, which can react with endogenous or exogenous hydrogen peroxide. Consequent intralysosomal Fenton reactions may give rise to the formation of lipofuscin or "age pigment" that accumulates in long-lived postmitotic cells that cannot dilute it by division. Extensive accumulation of lipofuscin seems to hinder normal autophagy and may be an important factor behind aging and age-related pathologies. Enhanced oxidative stress causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization, with ensuing relocation to the cytosol of iron and lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes, with resulting apoptosis or necrosis. Lysosomal copper is normally not redox active because it will form non-redox-active complexes with various thiols. However, if cells are exposed to lysosomotropic chelators that do not bind all the copper coordinates, highly redox-active complexes may form, with ensuing extensive lysosomal Fenton-type reactions and loss of lysosomal stability. Because many malignancies seem to have increased amounts of copper-containing macromolecules that are turned over by autophagy, it is conceivable that lysosomotropic copper chelators may be used in the future in ROS-based anticancer therapies.

The P38alpha and P38delta MAP kinases may be gene therapy targets in the future treatment of severe burns.

Microvascular barrier damage, induced by thermal injury, imposes life-threatening problems owing to the pathophysiological consequences of plasma loss and impaired perfusion that finally may lead to multiple organ failure. The aim of the present study was to define the signaling role of selected mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in general vessel hyperpermeability caused by burns and to look for a potential gene therapy. Rearrangement of cytoskeletons and cell tight junctions were evaluated by phalloidin labeling of actin and immunocytochemical demonstration of the ZO-1 protein, whereas blood vessel permeability was evaluated by a fluorescence ratio technique. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 largely blocked burn serum-induced stress-fiber formation and tight-junction damage. Using the adenoviral approach to transfect dominant negative forms of p38 MAPKs, we found that p38alpha and p38delta had similar effects. The in vivo part of the study showed that transfection of these two constructs significantly lowered general venular hyperpermeability and enhanced the survival of burned animals. Because the p38 MAPK pathway seems to play a crucial role in burn-induced vascular hyperpermeability, general transfection with p38 MAP dominant negative constructs might become a new therapeutic method to block burn-induced plasma leakage.

Mitochondrial turnover and aging of long-lived postmitotic cells: the mitochondrial-lysosomal axis theory of aging.

It is now generally accepted that aging and eventual death of multicellular organisms is to a large extent related to macromolecular damage by mitochondrially produced reactive oxygen species, mostly affecting long-lived postmitotic cells, such as neurons and cardiac myocytes. These cells are rarely or not at all replaced during life and can be as old as the whole organism. The inherent inability of autophagy and other cellular-degradation mechanisms to remove damaged structures completely results in the progressive accumulation of garbage, including cytosolic protein aggregates, defective mitochondria, and lipofuscin, an intralysosomal indigestible material. In this review, we stress the importance of crosstalk between mitochondria and lysosomes in aging. The slow accumulation of lipofuscin within lysosomes seems to depress autophagy, resulting in reduced turnover of effective mitochondria. The latter not only are functionally deficient but also produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species, prompting lipofuscinogenesis. Moreover, defective and enlarged mitochondria are poorly autophagocytosed and constitute a growing population of badly functioning organelles that do not fuse and exchange their contents with normal mitochondria. The progress of these changes seems to result in enhanced oxidative stress, decreased ATP production, and collapse of the cellular catabolic machinery, which eventually is incompatible with survival.

Heat shock proteins: keys to healthy ageing?

Organisms produce reactive species throughout their lives, and this may result in damage to proteins and other biological molecules. Oxidatively damaged proteins are normally selectively degraded and replaced, but this process appears to be less efficient in senescent, long-lived, post-mitotic cells, as is evidenced by their accumulation in the form of lipofuscin inside the lysosomal compartment. A great deal of research has focused on changes to the proteolytic machinery in the ageing cell, in particular the proteasome, although failure of heat shock proteins (HSPs) to bind and deliver oxidised proteins efficiently to the degradation machinery could also contribute to their aggregation and accumulation. Oxidised proteins can be protease-resistant and may even directly inhibit the proteolytic machinery of the cell. The critical role that is played by HSPs in preventing accumulation of oxidised proteins is often overlooked. In this review, we examine the key role played by HSPs in recognising, removing and preventing the formation of oxidised and damaged proteins in cells. We also examine the evidence supporting the view that failure of one of these pathways could underlie ageing and age-related diseases. Finally, we discuss how modulation of HSP-activity could influence the ageing process and the progression of age-related diseases.