Possible roles of intracellular cyclic AMP, protein kinase C and calcium ion in the apoptotic signaling pathway in bovine luteal cells

Structural luteolysis occurs by apoptosis of luteal cells. The present study examined the effects of activators of well-characterized second messengers on Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression and on P4 production in luteal cells in order to trace the pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). Cultured bovine mid luteal cells were treated for 24 h with a cyclic AMP analogue (8-bromo cyclic AMP; 8br-cAMP; 2.5 mM), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA; 10 microM), or calcium ionophore (A23187; 10 microM). Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression was inhibited by 8br-cAMP and PMA but was increased by A23187 (P<0.05). In addition, P4 production by bovine luteal cells was stimulated by 8br-cAMP and PMA, whereas it was inhibited by A23187, compared with untreated controls (P<0.05). The overall results suggest that cAMP and PKC suppress apoptosis in bovine luteal cells through inhibition of Fas and caspase-3 mRNA expression and through stimulation of P4 production. Therefore, substances that activate cAMP or PKC may act as survival factors in the bovine CL. Furthermore, substances that mobilize Ca2+ may act as apoptotic factors by stimulating Fas and caspase-3 expression in the bovine luteal cells.     

Fas/FasL通路对镉激活PC12细胞MAPK通路的影响

旨在研究Fas/FasL通路对镉激活PC12细胞MAPK通路的影响,用10 μmol L^-1醋酸镉（CdAc₂）分别处理插入非特异性序列PC12细胞与Fas基因沉默PC12细胞12 h;用10 μmol·L^-1CdAc₂与40 μmol·L^-1 Z-IETD-FMK （caspase-8特异性抑制剂）单独或联合处理PC12细胞12 h。通过Western blot检测Fas/FasL通路相关蛋白Fas、FasL、Fas相关死亡域蛋白（FADD）、Cleaved caspase-8、死亡结构域相关蛋白（Daxx）、凋亡信号调节激酶1（ASK1）的表达与MAPK通路相关蛋白ERK1/2、JNK1/2、p-ERK1/2、p-JNK1/2的表达;Hoechst33258荧光染色检测细胞凋亡形态学变化,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果显示,Fas shRNA慢病毒极显著抑制镉引起的PC12细胞Fas/FasL通路相关蛋白表达量和凋亡率的升高（P<0.01）,缓解镉引起的PC12细胞凋亡形态学变化;Fas shRNA与Z-IETD-FMK均能够极显著抑制镉引起的PC12细胞MAPK通路相关蛋白ERK1/2与JNK1/2磷酸化水平升高（P<0.01）。综上表明,Fas/FasL通路调控MAPK通路参与镉致PC12细胞凋亡。     

Dynamics of apoptosis-related gene expression during follicular development in yak

The potential reproduction power of domestic animals is limited by a complicated follicular atresia process. P53, caspase-9 (Casp9), Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas play a crucial role in the ovarian mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis and death receptor pathway. In accordance with this study, the expression levels of Casp9, Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas were analysed in ovaries and oviducts of yak by immunohistochemistry (IHC). P53 and the above in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from atretic (3–6 mm) to healthy follicles (6–8 mm) and in oviducts were examined from the luteal phase to the follicular phase during the oestrous circle by Western blot (WB) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Results demonstrated that typical classic apoptotic factors Casp9, Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas were expressed in the cytoplasm and zonal pellucida of oocytes, primordial follicles, primary follicles, ovarian surface epithelium, ovarian GCs, granular lutein cells, surface epithelia in oviduct uterotubal junction and oviduct ampulla during the luteal phase. RT-PCR and WB revealed that P53 and Fas significantly increased in GCs of atretic follicles. P53 and Casp9 increased in oviduct epithelium during the luteal phase, but Fas was unchanged. A contrary tendency was noted in Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Overall, P53 and Fas play an essential role in inducing GC apoptosis, and Bax, Bcl-2, Casp9 and P53 are involved in oviduct epithelial regeneration in yak.     

圆弧青霉菌毒素—青霉酸对小鼠脾脏组织细胞凋亡和Bcl-2、Bax及Fas/FasL基因mRNA表达的影响

为探讨圆弧青霉菌毒素—青霉酸对小鼠脾脏组织的毒性作用,采用TUNEL法和RT-PCR对染毒后脾脏细胞凋亡和Bcl-2、Bax及Fas/FasL等凋亡相关基因mRNA表达的影响进行研究。结果表明,随着青霉酸染毒剂量的增加,脾脏组织中细胞凋亡数量逐渐增多。染青霉酸低剂量组脾脏组织中Bcl-2、Fas和FasL的表达增加,Bax表达下降,高剂量组和中剂量组中Bax、Fas和FasL表达增加,Bcl-2表达下降,说明青霉酸可能通过促使Bax、Fas/FasL表达增加和Bcl-2表达降低来诱导小鼠脾脏细胞的凋亡。     

Progesterone and Caspase-3 Activation in Equine Cyclic Corpora Lutea

Soon after ovulation, the newly formed corpus luteum (CL) starts secreting progesterone (P(4)), necessary for implantation. The CL, an ovarian transient endocrine organ, undergoes growth and regression throughout its life span. The objective of this study was to evaluate if caspase-3 mediates cell death in the equine cyclic luteal structures and relate it to luteal endocrine function. Blood and luteal tissue were collected during the breeding season after slaughter from 38 randomly assigned cycling mares. Luteal tissues were classified as corpora haemorrhagica (CH; n = 7); mid luteal phase corpora lutea (Mid-CL; n = 17); late or regressing corpora lutea (Late-CL; n = 9) and corpora albicans (CA; n = 5). Plasma P(4) concentration, determined by radioimmunoassay, showed a significant increase from CH to Mid-CL (p < 0.001), followed by a decrease to Late-CL (p < 0.001) and CA (p < 0.001). Caspase-3 processing and poly (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) degradation were assessed by western blotting. Active caspase-3 was twofold increased in Mid-CL, Late-CL and CA as compared with CH (p < 0.05). Immunocytochemistry also showed a significant increase in caspase-3 expression in large luteal cells in all structures when compared with CH (p < 0.05). Consistently, the endogenous caspase-3 substrate, PARP, was markedly degraded from CH to CA (p < 0.05). In fact, the ratio of full-length to degraded PARP showed a significant decrease from CH to Mid-CL, Late-CL and CA (p < 0.05). Finally, the decrease in P(4) from Mid- to Late-CL coincided with no further increases in apoptosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the effector caspase-3 of apoptosis, might play an important role during luteal tissue involution in the mare, even though its relationship with P(4) remains to be elucidated.     

Nitric oxide induces apoptosis in bovine luteal cells

We previously showed in in vivo and in vitro studies that nitric oxide (NO) is engaged in luteolysis in cattle. Nitric oxide produced locally in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) inhibits progesterone (P4) synthesis and is suggested to be a component of the luteolytic cascade induced by uterine prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms of NO action during structural luteolysis were studied in cultured bovine luteal cells (Days 15-17 of the estrous cycle). The effects of the NO donor (NONOate; 10(-4)M) on DNA fragmentation, cell viability, P4 production and caspase-3 activity were compared with those of PGF2alpha (10(-6)M). Moreover, mobilization of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i and gene expressions of Fas-L, Fas, bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 in the cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR after NONOate treatment. Caspase-3 activity was examined calorimetrically. Contrary to PGF2alpha NONOate decreased cell viability. DNA fragmentation after NONOate treatment increased by more than with PGF22alpha. NONOate increased mobilization of [Ca2+]i in the cells. Although the NO donor did not affect Fas-L and bcl-2 gene expression, it stimulated Fas and bax mRNA and caspase-3 expression. The ratio of bcl-2 to bax mRNA level decreased in the cells treated with NONOate. Moreover, NONOate stimulated caspase-3 activity more effectively than PGF2alpha. The overall results suggest that NO is a luteolytic factor that plays a crucial role in regulation of the estrous cycle in structural luteolysis by inducing apoptosis of luteal cells in cattle.     

Fas对镉激活PC12细胞线粒体凋亡通路的影响

旨在探究死亡受体Fas在镉致大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤细胞（PC12）凋亡中的作用及其对线粒体通路的调控机制,用10 μmol·L^-1镉处理Fas基因沉默的PC12细胞株12 h,通过Western blot检测BH3相互作用域死亡激动剂（BID）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-9（caspase-9）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（caspase-3）、多聚二磷酸腺苷核糖聚合酶（PARP）的活化情况,Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因（Bcl-2）、凋亡诱导因子（AIF）、核酸内切酶G（Endo G）的表达情况,以及细胞色素C（Cyt C）在细胞内的分布情况,免疫荧光染色检测AIF核转位。结果显示,镉极显著上调tBID/BID比值和Bax/Bcl-2比值,诱导Cyt C从线粒体释放到细胞质,激活caspase-9、caspase-3和PARP,增加AIF和Endo G蛋白表达水平（P<0.01）,并诱导AIF核转位;沉默Fas极显著抑制镉引起的tBID/BID比值和Bax/Bcl-2比值升高,Cyt C从线粒体释放到胞浆,caspase-3、PARP蛋白活化和AIF、Endo G蛋白表达水平极显著升高（P<0.01）,显著抑制镉激活的caspase-9（P<0.05）,并抑制AIF核转位。综上表明,Fas通过调控线粒体通路参与镉致PC12细胞凋亡。     

Corticosterone induced apoptosis of mouse oviduct epithelial cells independent of the TNF-α system

It has been reported in recent studies that restraint stress on pregnant mice during the preimplantation stage elevated corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoid levels in the serum and oviducts; furthermore, CRH and corticosterone (CORT) impacted preimplantation embryos indirectly by triggering the apoptosis of oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) through activation of the Fas system. However, it remains unclear whether TNF-α signaling is involved in CRH- and/or glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of OECs. In the present study, it was shown that culture with either CRH or CORT induced significant apoptosis of OECs. The culture of OECs with CRH augmented both FasL expression and TNF-α expression. However, culture with CORT increased FasL, but decreased TNF-α, expression significantly. Although knocking down/knocking out FasL expression in OECs significantly ameliorated the proapoptotic effects of both CRH and CORT, knocking down/knocking out TNF-α expression relieved only the proapoptotic effect of CRH but not that of CORT. Taken together, our results demonstrated that CRH-induced OEC apoptosis involved both Fas signaling and TNF-α signaling. Conversely, CORT-induced OEC apoptosis involved only the Fas, but not the TNF-α, signaling pathway. The data obtained are crucial for our understanding of the mechanisms by which various categories of stress imposed on pregnant females impair embryo development, as well as for the development of measures to protect the embryo from the adverse effects of stress.     

氧化应激通过Fas/FasL信号通路调控奶牛子宫内膜细胞凋亡

胚胎早期死亡及流产严重影响母牛的繁殖性能,造成极大的经济损失。本研究利用不同浓度双氧水(H₂O₂)处理子宫内膜细胞6 h,通过流式细胞仪、酶标仪分别进行细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性以及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)与氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)比值检测,建立子宫内膜细胞氧化应激模型。在此基础上,利用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和生长周期,利用荧光定量RT-PCR和Western blot检测Fas/FasL信号通路关键基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并利用慢病毒介导的RNA干扰(RNAi)抑制子宫内膜细胞中Fas基因表达,进一步验证Fas/FasL凋亡通路是否参与氧化应激诱导的子宫内膜细胞凋亡。所有试验都重复3次以上。结果发现,利用200 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂处理子宫内膜细胞6 h,细胞内ROS阳性水平急剧增加(P < 0.05),SOD和CAT活性以及GSH与GSSG比值都显著降低(P < 0.05),说明H₂O₂处理对子宫内膜细胞造成氧化应激损伤。在此处理条件下,生长周期中S期比例显著降低(P < 0.05),凋亡比例显著提高(P < 0.05);Fas/FasL凋亡通路中关键基因Fas、Caspase 8和Caspase 3的mRNA表达水平显著升高(P < 0.05);培养液中FasL浓度以及Fas、Caspase 8和Caspase 3蛋白表达水平显著升高(P < 0.05)。进一步研究发现,抑制Fas基因表达在一定程度上降低了氧化应激诱导的细胞凋亡比例以及Fas/FasL凋亡通路中关键基因的表达水平。总之,本研究结果表明,氧化应激通过激活Fas/FasL信号通路促进奶牛子宫内膜细胞凋亡,这为解释氧化应激对子宫内膜细胞的不利影响提供了新的见解。     

Involvement of the fas ligand and fas system in apoptosis induction of mouse uterine natural killer cells

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the pregnant uterus are known to be associated with the normal development of the placenta. In the mouse pregnant uterus, many uNK cells exist during mid pregnancy, although they show a sudden decrease during late pregnancy and almost disappear before delivery. Our previous study indicated that uNK cells showed clear apoptotic morphology during late pregnancy. Therefore, the present study was carried out to define the involvement of Fas ligand (FasL) and Fas in apoptosis induction of uNK cells. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that uNK cells expressed FasL in the cytoplasmic granules and Fas on the cell membrane during late pregnancy. In lpr/lpr mice, which genetically lack Fas, many uNK cells were clearly observed during late pregnancy compared with wild-type mice, and moreover uNK cells still existed at day-18 of pregnancy, although there were few in wild-type mice during the same period. In the experiment of in vitro culture, uNK cells derived from wild-type placenta showed chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation frequently following the anti-Fas antibody treatment, as compared with the control. From these results, it is suggested that FasL and Fas-dependent apoptosis regulates cell appearance of uNK cells in the mouse pregnant uterus.     

Fas/FasL系统调控公牛精子发生的研究进展

牛的精子发生是一个特殊的雄性生殖细胞的分化、增殖和凋亡的过程。在这一过程中,生殖细胞总是不断地处于分化和凋亡的动态平衡之中。凋亡信号转导分子Fas和FasL组成的Fas/FasL系统不但在细胞自稳和疾病发生中具有重要作用,而且参与调控牛的精子发生。当Fas和FasL表达异常时,直接影响生殖细胞的发育和增殖。作者通过阐明Fas/FasL系统在牛精子发生过程中的调控机理,为提高种公牛的繁殖性能开创一条新的途径。     

The involvement of Fas/FasL interaction in porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus co-inoculation-associated lymphocyte apoptosis in vitro

Lymphoid depletion of various lymphoid organs is one of the major lesions in pigs suffering from postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). The co-existence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in PMWS-affected pigs along with the more severe and wider range of lymphocyte depletion of lymphoid organs in PCV2 and PRRSV dually-inoculated pigs imply that PCV2 and PRRSV may interact in the pathogenesis of PMWS. The mechanism for the development of lymphoid depletion in PMWS-affected pigs remains controversial. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of inoculation of both viruses, singularly or in combination, on swine splenic macrophages (SMs) and co-cultured splenic (SLs) and peripheral blood (PBLs) lymphocytes in vitro. A significant reduction in the survival rate and increase in the apoptotic rate of the co-cultured SLs and PBLs and concurrent increase in the expression levels of Fas ligand (FasL) in SMs and Fas in co-cultured SLs and PBLs were demonstrated in PRRSV alone- and PCV2 and PRRSV dually-inoculated groups with the latter more prominent. The increased FasL was proven capable of inducing Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in co-cultured FasL-sensitive Jurkat T cells. The de novo expression and production of FasL in PCV2 and PRRSV dually-inoculated SMs and concurrently increased surface expression of Fas in co-cultured lymphocytes may contribute, at least partially, to lymphoid depletion in PMWS-affected pigs with PCV2 and PRRSV dual infection.     

Effects of cumulus cells on in vitro maturation of oocytes and development of cloned embryos in the pig

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of porcine cumulus cells (CC) in oocyte maturation and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo development in vitro. Denuded pig oocytes were co-cultured with CC or routinely cultured in maturation medium without a feeder layer. Porcine CC inactivated with mitomycin C or non-inactivated were used for the feeder layer in co-culture with porcine SCNT embryos to investigate comparatively the developmental competence of cloned embryos. The DNA damage aspects of apoptosis and expression pattern of genes implicated in apoptosis (Fas/FasL) as well as the mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a) of porcine SCNT embryos were also evaluated by comet assay or real-time RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that co-culture with CC improved the extrusion rate of pbI (49.3% vs 31.5%, p<0.05) and survival rate (75.7% vs 53.3%, p<0.05) of denuded oocytes, but had no effects on blastocyst developmental rate or 2-cell-stage survival rate of in vitro fertilization embryos. Co-culture with CC inactivated by mitomycin C improved the blastocyst developmental rate (26.6% vs 13.0%, p<0.05) and decreased the apoptotic incidence (27.6% vs 46.2%, p<0.05) of porcine cloned embryos. Co-culture with inactivated CC reduced Fas and FasL mRNA expression of cloned embryos at the blastocyst stage compared with NT controls (p<0.05), but there were no differences in Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a mRNA expression among groups. Co-culture with inactivated cumulus cell monolayer significantly increased blastocyst formation and decreased the apoptotic incidence in porcine cloned embryos during in vitro development.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces apoptosis in cultured porcine luteal cells

Some studies in mammalian species recently demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays an important role for corpus luteum (CL) function by way of apoptosis during the estrous cycle. The objectives of this study were to clarify the induction of apoptosis in cultured porcine luteal cells by TNF-alpha treatment. Luteal cells prepared from porcine ovaries collected from crossbred mature gilts on Days 10-14 of the estrous cycle were isolated and examined as follows: 1) Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to determine apoptosis in cultured luteal cells. 2) Single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was performed to investigate apoptotic DNA fragmentation in luteal cells. The results of the flow cytometric analysis and comet assay demonstrated coincidentally that TNF-alpha induces DNA fragmentation in luteal cells causing apoptosis. These results revealed that TNF-alpha is an inducing factor of apoptosis in luteal cells.     

鸭腔上囊胚胎及胚后发育期凋亡相关蛋白的免疫组化分析

研究天府肉鸭腔上囊胚胎及胚后发育期Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、FasL蛋白的表达。将20只天府肉鸭分为4组,即24天胚龄(E24),胚后3、8、29周龄(P3、P8、P29),采用免疫组化技术。结果显示,Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、FasL在各组滤泡淋巴细胞中均有表达,FasL还表达于滤泡间上皮。滤泡皮质和髓质淋巴细胞Bcl-2阳性率呈递减的变化趋势(髓质P3～8除外);皮质和髓质淋巴细胞Bax阳性率在E24～P8恒定,P29上升;皮质和髓质淋巴细胞Bcl-2/Bax值呈下降趋势,但皮质在P3～8恒定,髓质在P3～8上升;滤泡皮质和髓质淋巴细胞Fas阳性率在E24～P3上升,P3～8下降,P8～29上升;皮质和髓质淋巴细胞FasL阳性率变化规律与Fas相似,但皮质在P3～8恒定。滤泡皮质淋巴细胞Bcl-2阳性率及Bcl-2/Bax值在E24～P8明显高于髓质,在P29则显著低于髓质;皮质淋巴细胞Bax阳性率在E24～P8与髓质无显著差异,在P29则明显高于髓质;皮质淋巴细胞Fas和FasL阳性率在E24～P8明显低于髓质,在P29则显著高于髓质。结果提示,Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、FasL是鸭腔上囊胚胎及胚...     

The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real-time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.     

Caspase-mediated apoptosis in chicken postovulatory follicle regression

Chicken postovulatory follicle (POF) regression occurs via the process of apoptosis. However, the signals and initiator pathways responsible for regression of the POF are unknown. In the current study, we examined gene expression patterns of various caspases (caspase-1, -2 and -3) involved in apoptosis by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The percentage of apoptotic cells during POF regression was also quantified by flow cytometry. Expression of caspase-3 mRNA was noted in the largest preovulatory follicle (F1). However, the initiator caspases (caspase-1 and -2) were not expressed in F1. During the regression of the POF, caspase-3 was activated during initial stages, whereas the initiator caspases were upregulated at the later stages (POF4 and POF5).The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher during the regression of the POF. It might be possible that levels of caspase-3 mRNA do not necessarily reflect the cell’s potential for facilitating apoptosis, as activation of the caspase-3 by initiator caspases is required for its function. We presume that both caspase-1 and caspase-2 were key initiators in the regression of chicken POF and that the apoptosis-mediated regression of POFs might be similar to mammalian corpus luteum involution.