Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P10415 (Bcl-2)
 33,771 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Clinical and histopathological features do not reliably distinguish between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. Additional markers that might be useful prognostic indicators in the pathological assessment of these tumors are sought. Immunohistochemical expression of MIB-1, Bcl-2, cathepsin B, cathepsin D, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), c-met, and type IV collagenase were studied on formalin-fixed tissue from 33 nonconsecutive cases of pheochromocytoma, selected on the basis of reliable long-term follow-up, to determine associations with malignancy. The study group included 33 patients, 19 men and 14 women, with a mean age of 45 years, including five cases of neurofibromatosis (NF), three familial, and one MEN IIb. Mean follow-up was 63.2 months. Ten patients were determined to have malignant pheochromocytomas by the presence of metastatic disease. Features found to be associated with malignancy included MIB-1 labeling index (5% vs 1%) (P = .0009), male gender (90% vs 43%) (P = .008), extra-adrenal location (40% vs 9%) (P = .03), tumor weight (481 g vs 124 g) (P = .05), and young age (38 years vs 49 years) (P = .05). None of the five cases with NF were malignant (P = .04). S-100 positivity showed a significant (P = .02) but nonlinear association with benign tumors. Absent S-100 correlated with greater tumor weight. Malignancy was not associated with right versus left side or bilaterality, although bilateral tumors were smaller. C-met, bFGF, cathepsin B, cathepsin D, and collagenase were strongly expressed in most tumors and were not predictive of outcome, nor was bcl-2, which was variably expressed. Using multiple logistic regression with malignancy as the dependent variable, MIB-1 continued to show a significant association with malignancy (P = .005) independent of any association with sex, age, or extra-adrenal location. Using a cutoff value of MIB-1 labeling of greater than 3% yielded a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 50% in predicting malignancy.
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PMID:Prognostic markers in pheochromocytoma. 1020 74

Osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) were prepared on collagen gels in a coculture system of mouse bone marrow cells and osteoblasts, and purified by collagenase and a subsequent pronase treatment. More than 80% of the purified OCLs were found to undergo apoptotic cell death by 48 h during the culture in a culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Withdrawal of FBS from the culture medium accelerated the cell death, which induced more than 80% of OCLs to undergo apoptotic cell death by as early as 18 h. Two peptide inhibitors of caspases (interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme family proteases), benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-FMK) and benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-DEVD-FMK), extended the survival time of OCLs in the presence and absence of 10% FBS, but the effect was rather limited in the absence of FBS. Because interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and the macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) are known to promote the survival of osteoclasts, we examined the effect of the peptide inhibitors and these cytokines. Combinations of the peptide inhibitors and IL-1alpha, or the peptide inhibitors and M-CSF, were more effective than the inhibitors alone. When endogenous caspase activities of OCLs were analyzed using fluorescence peptide substrates, the activities, in particular, caspase-3 (CPP32)-like activity, were markedly increased in OCLs by the withdrawal of FBS from the culture medium. IL-1alpha and M-CSF suppressed the activation of the caspases. In addition, western blot analysis revealed that the expression of Bcl-2, which inhibits the activation of caspases, was very weak or even negligible in OCLs. Taken together, these results suggest that the caspases are involved in the regulation of survival and apoptotic cell death of osteoclasts.
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PMID:Caspases (interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme family proteases) are involved in the regulation of the survival of osteoclasts. 966 28

It has recently been shown that reactive bile ductules display neuroendocrine features, including immunoreactivity for the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). In this study we have compared the immunohistochemical expression of NCAM with that of HEA-125 (biliary specific) and LKM-1 (hepatocyte specific) and other markers relevant to morphogenesis (Bcl-2, EMA) and cell proliferation (Ki-67) in cryostat sections from different chronic liver diseases and from fetal livers at different gestational ages. In parallel, viable NCAM-positive ductular cells were purified from collagenase digests of cirrhotic livers by immunomagnetic separation and characterized by immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrated that reactive ductules with atypical morphology coexpressed NCAM and Bcl-2 and were found mainly in congenital diseases associated with ductal plate malformation and in primary cholangiopathies. On the contrary, reactive ductules with typical morphology were negative for NCAM/Bcl-2 and positive for EMA. Reactive ductules coexpressing NCAM/Bcl-2 were negative for the proliferation marker Ki-67 and appeared to be directly connected with periportal hepatocytes. In fetal livers NCAM/Bcl-2 was transiently expressed during the early developmental stages of ductal plate (10-16 weeks) and started to disappear as the ductal plate began duplicating. NCAM-positive ductal plate cells were Ki-67 negative, becoming positive in duplicated segments. Thus the histogenesis of ductular reactive cells seems to recapitulate the early stages of biliary ontogenesis. In primary cholangiopathies and ductal plate malformations, these cells do not appear to maturate further, and thus abundant ductular structures coexist with vanishing mature ducts. These NCAM-positive ductular cells were immunopurified from patients with chronic cholestatic liver diseases and showed ultrastructural features consistent with a less differentiated phenotype than mature cholangiocytes. These isolated cells represent a useful model for in vitro studies.
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PMID:Characterization and isolation of ductular cells coexpressing neural cell adhesion molecule and Bcl-2 from primary cholangiopathies and ductal plate malformations. 1079 72

Background/aims: The liver apoptotic response to chronic alcohol consumption remains poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine in rats the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the relative magnitude of apoptosis in two major targets of alcohol-induced liver injury: the hepatocyte (Hep) and sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC). Methods: Rats were fed a liquid diet containing either alcohol or isocaloric amounts of maltose-dextrin for 14 weeks. Hep and SEC were isolated by liver perfusion with collagenase followed by centrifugal elutriation. The state of the liver was assessed on the basis of light microscopic appearance, plasma liver enzymes (alanine and aspartate:2-oxoglutarate amino transferases), and the content of malondialdehyde in Hep. Apoptosis was assessed on the basis of DNA fragmentation in the whole organ (TUNEL), and caspase-3 and -8 activity in isolated cells. A mechanistic approach was also undertaken by measuring mRNA expression and the amount of protein for Fas/CD95, Fas ligand, caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-X(L), and Bcl-2 in the isolated Hep and SEC. Results: The livers of alcohol-fed rats displayed prominent steatosis. Oxidative stress was also present as reflected by an increase in the malondialdehyde content of Hep. Alcohol consumption increased apoptosis in the whole liver assessed on the basis of TUNEL procedure and in Hep and SEC as reflected by significant increase in caspase-3 activity. Of the multiple pro- and anti-apoptotic factors determined in this study, significant changes as assessed by both mRNA expression and the amount of proteins, were observed only in the SEC compartment. Conclusions: The data presented in this study indicate that: (1) chronic alcohol consumption in rats leads to a moderate augmentation of apoptosis in the whole liver and in two liver cell types which are targets for injury in alcoholic liver disease: Hep and SEC; (2) the mechanisms recruited/activated by these two types of liver cells to initiate and execute apoptosis in response to alcohol vary with the cell type.
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PMID:Chronic alcohol exposure of rats exacerbates apoptosis in hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells. 1125 13

We show here the transient activation of the small GTPase Rac, followed by a rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS), as necessary early steps in a signal transduction cascade that lead to NFkappaB activation and collagenase-1 (CL-1)/matrix metalloproteinase-1 production after integrin-mediated cell shape changes. We show evidence indicating that this constitutes a new mechanism for ROS production mediated by small GTPases. Activated RhoA also induced ROS production and up-regulated CL-1 expression. A Rac mutant (L37) that prevents reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton prevented integrin-induced CL-1 expression, whereas mutations that abrogate Rac binding to the neutrophil NADPH membrane oxidase in vitro (H26 and N130) did not. Instead, ROS were produced by integrin-induced changes in mitochondrial function, which were inhibited by Bcl-2 and involved transient membrane potential loss. The cells showing this transient decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential were already committed to CL-1 expression. These results unveil a new molecular mechanism of signal transduction triggered by integrin engagement where a global mitochondrial metabolic response leads to gene expression rather than apoptosis.
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PMID:Integrins engage mitochondrial function for signal transduction by a mechanism dependent on Rho GTPases. 1211 54

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an endogenous bile acid, modulates cell death by interrupting classic pathways of apoptosis. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating acute neurological disorder, without effective treatment, in which a significant loss of neuronal cells is thought to occur by apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated whether TUDCA can reduce brain injury and improve neurological function after ICH in rats. Administration of TUDCA before or up to 6 h after stereotaxic collagenase injection into the striatum reduced lesion volumes at 2 days by as much as 50%. Apoptosis was approximately 50% decreased in the area immediately surrounding the hematoma and was associated with a similar inhibition of caspase activity. These changes were also associated with improved neurobehavioral deficits as assessed by rotational asymmetry, limb placement, and stepping ability. Furthermore, TUDCA treatment modulated expression of certain Bcl-2 family members, as well as NF-kappaB activity. In addition to its protective action at the mitochondrial membrane, TUDCA also activated the Akt-1protein kinase Balpha survival pathway and induced Bad phosphorylation at Ser-136. In conclusion, reduction of brain injury underlies the wide-range neuroprotective effects of TUDCA after ICH. Thus, given its clinical safety, TUDCA may provide a potentially useful treatment in patients with hemorrhagic stroke and perhaps other acute brain injuries associated with cell death by apoptosis.
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PMID:Tauroursodeoxycholic acid reduces apoptosis and protects against neurological injury after acute hemorrhagic stroke in rats. 1272 62

Ames dwarf mice live 50-64% longer and exhibit upregulated antioxidative defenses and lower cellular damage when compared to age-matched wild-type littermates. Due to the relationship between aging and apoptosis, the purpose of this study was to compare basal levels of apoptosis-related proteins in dwarf and wild-type tissues and to compare the response of dwarf and wild-type primary hepatocytes to oxidative stress. Hepatocytes from dwarf and wild-type mice (6 month-old) were isolated using collagenase perfusion and treated with hydrogen peroxide. Viability, activity, protein levels, and morphological changes were evaluated. Procaspase-3 protein levels were increased in dwarf kidney and liver (p<0.05) while Bcl-2 protein levels were significantly higher in dwarf liver at 24 months of age. Bax protein levels were markedly elevated in several tissues at different ages and Bcl-2/Bax ratios were lower in many dwarf tissues. In culture, peroxide-treated dwarf hepatocytes showed lower viability (p<0.03) and higher caspase-3 activity induction when compared to peroxide-treated wild-type cells. Peroxide-treated dwarf hepatocytes frequently showed morphological characteristics reminiscent of apoptosis, which were not observed in peroxide-treated wild-type hepatocytes. This suggests that when experiencing an oxidative challenge, Ames dwarf hepatocytes more readily undergo apoptosis than wild-type cells, providing an advantage to dwarf mice, whereby they more efficiently eliminate damaged cells, thus contributing to their longer lives.
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PMID:Long-living Ames dwarf mouse hepatocytes readily undergo apoptosis. 1295 87

The present study was conducted to examine the role of a major cardiac phospholipase C (PLC) isozyme, PLC-gamma 1, in cardiomyocytes during oxidative stress. Left ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) and treated with 20, 50, and 100 microM H2O2 for 15 min. A concentration-dependent (up to 50 microM) increase in the mRNA level and membrane protein content of PLC-gamma 1 was observed with H2O2 treatment. Furthermore, PLC-gamma 1 was activated in response to H2O2, as revealed by an increase in the phosphorylation of its tyrosine residues. There was a marked increase in the phosphorylation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 by H2O2; this change was attenuated by a PLC inhibitor, U-73122. Although both protein kinase C (PKC)-delta and -epsilon protein contents were increased in the cardiomyocyte membrane fraction in response to H2O2, PKC-epsilon activation, unlike PKC-delta, was attenuated by U-73122 (2 microM). Inhibition of PKC-epsilon with inhibitory peptide (0.1 microM) prevented Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Moreover, different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 microM) of this peptide augmented the decrease in cardiomyocyte viability in response to H2O2. In addition, a decrease in cardiomyocyte viability, as assessed by trypan blue exclusion, due to H2O2 was also seen when cells were pretreated with U-73122 and was as a result of increased apoptosis. It is therefore suggested that PLC-gamma 1 may play a role in cardiomyocyte survival during oxidative stress via PKC-epsilon and phosphorylation of Bcl-2.
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PMID:Inhibition of phospholipase C-gamma 1 augments the decrease in cardiomyocyte viability by H2O2. 1650 Oct 16

To isolate and culture adipose stromal cells (ASCs), and study the effect of cytokines secreted by ASCs on endothelial cells, human adipose tissue was digested with collagenase type I solution and ASCs were derived by culture. The cells surface phenotype was examined by flow cytometry. ELISA was used to detect the secretion of VEGF, HGF, SDF-1 alpha and RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of their mRNA. Then the ASC medium was utilized to culture human umbilical vein endothelial cells ECV304. Cells were counted by hemacytometer to determine the proliferation and Annexin V/ PI was employed for the examination of the apoptosis rate of ECV304. ASCs were derived by culture and expressed CD34, CD105 while they did not express CD31 or CD45. ASCs secreted cytokines such as VEGF, HGF and SDF-1 alpha so the ASC medium could stimulate proliferation and counteract apoptosis of endothelial cells (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 mRNA was also found to be up-regulated in the endothelial cells. It is concluded that ASCs can secrete cytokines and has significant effect on the proliferation of endothelial cells and apoptosis.
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PMID:Effect of cytokines secreted by human adipose stromal cells on endothelial cells. 1712 Jul 30

The present study was designed to assess the effect of matrine, an active component of Chinese traditional medicine, on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hyperplastic growth of cardiac fibroblasts in vitro. Cardiac fibroblasts were prepared from hearts of neonatal Kunming mice by collagenase disruption. Cultured cardiac fibroblasts were either not treated, treated with 0.1 microM Ang II, or matrine (2.0 approximately 4.0 mM) plus Ang II for 12-72 hr. Cell morphology was monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Number of cells was counted with a haemocytometer. Cell apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The cleaved caspase-3 fragment expression, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bax protein expressions were also studied. The results show that Ang II stimulation resulted in hyperplastic growth of cardiac fibroblasts. Matrine significantly, dose and time dependently inhibited Ang II-induced cell proliferation. Matrine addition to the culture medium led to most cells being arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, the fraction of cells in S phase was markedly decreased compared to control and Ang II alone groups. Cell apoptosis in matrine treatment group was markedly increased, accompanied by down-regulation in Bcl-2/Bax ratio and up-regulation in cleaved caspase-3 activity. These results suggest that matrine can induce apoptosis and thereby inhibit Ang II-induced hyperplasic growth of cardiac fibroblasts. The regulations of matrine on Bcl-2/Bax expression and caspase-3 activation may be the pro-apoptotic mechanisms involved.
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PMID:Matrine induces apoptosis in angiotensin II-stimulated hyperplasia of cardiac fibroblasts: effects on Bcl-2/Bax expression and caspase-3 activation. 1757 9


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