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)

Apo2 ligand (Apo2L)/TRAIL induces apoptosis of cancer cells that express the specific receptors while sparing normal cells. Because the tumor microenvironment protects myeloma from chemotherapy, we investigated whether hemopoietic stroma induces resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL apoptosis in this disease. Apo2L/TRAIL-induced death was diminished in myeloma cell lines (RPMI 8226, U266, and MM1s) directly adhered to a human immortalized HS5 stroma cell line but not adhered to fibronectin. In a Transwell assay, with myeloma in the upper well and HS5 cells in the lower well, Apo2L/TRAIL apoptosis was reduced when compared with cells exposed to medium in the lower well. Using HS5 and myeloma patients' stroma-conditioned medium, we determined that soluble factor(s) produced by stroma-myeloma interactions are responsible for a reversible Apo2/TRAIL apoptosis resistance. Soluble factor(s) attenuated procaspase-8, procaspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential changes without affecting Bcl-2 family proteins and/or Apo2L/TRAIL receptors. Soluble factor(s) increased the baseline levels of the anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP in all cell lines tested. Inhibition of c-FLIP by means of RNA interference increased Apo2/TRAIL sensitivity in RPMI 8226 cells. Unlike direct adhesion to fibronectin, soluble factor(s) have no impact on c-FLIP redistribution within cellular compartments. Cyclohexamide restored Apo2L/TRAIL sensitivity in association with down-regulation of c-FLIP, suggesting that c-FLIP synthesis, not intracellular traffic, is essential for soluble factor(s) to regulate c-FLIP. Additionally, IL-6 conferred resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in association with increased c-FLIP levels. In conclusion, the immune cytotoxic effect of Apo2L/TRAIL can be restored at least in part by c-FLIP pathway inhibitors.
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PMID:Bone marrow stroma confers resistance to Apo2 ligand/TRAIL in multiple myeloma in part by regulating c-FLIP. 1820 50

Extracellular matrix (ECM) binding to integrin receptors regulates cell cycle progression and survival. In adherent cells, ECM disassembly induces anoikis, the apoptotic pathway switched on by loss of adhesion. ECM-deficient Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) fibroblasts, to adhere to rare fibronectin (FN) fibrils, and to proliferate, only organize, as FN receptor, the alphavbeta3 integrin. We report that in EDS cells the alphavbeta3 integrin is bound to talin and vinculin, but not to tensin, and that actin cytoskeleton is disorganized. Furthermore, in EDS cells Bcl-2 is down-regulated and caspases are active. We provide evidence that the antibody-mediated alphavbeta3 integrin or the FN inhibition induces anoikis in EDS cells. The alphavbeta3 integrin transduces survival signals to pp60src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin, instead than to FAK, and interacts with EGF receptor (EGFR). This complex, when activated by EGF and FN, signals for the rescue of EDS cells from anoikis. Therefore, EDS cells, through the alphavbeta3 integrin-EGFR complexes, engage a paxillin- but not FAK-mediated pathway of cell survival.
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PMID:FAK-independent alphavbeta3 integrin-EGFR complexes rescue from anoikis matrix-defective fibroblasts. 1840 69

Previous in vitro studies suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, but the consequences of the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway have not been well elucidated in diabetic (DM) glomeruli. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of p38 MAPK inhibitor, FR167653, on fibronectin expression and apoptosis in DM glomeruli and in high-glucose-stimulated mesangial cells (MC). In vivo, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with diluent (control, N = 16) or streptozotocin intraperitoneally (DM, N = 16). Eight rats from each group were treated with FR167653 for 3 mo. In vitro, rat MC were exposed to medium containing 5.6 mM glucose or 30 mM glucose [high glucose (HG)] with or without 10(-6) M FR167653 for 24 h. Fibronectin mRNA and protein expression were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Western blot for apoptosis-related molecules, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling assay, and Hoechst 33342 staining were performed to determine apoptosis. FR167653 ameliorated the increases in fibronectin-to-GAPDH mRNA ratio and protein expression in DM glomeruli by 89 and 79% and in HG-stimulated MC by 70 and 91%, respectively (P < 0.05). Under diabetic conditions, Bcl-2 protein expression was decreased, whereas cleaved caspase-3 protein expression was increased (P < 0.05), and these changes were inhibited by FR167653 treatment. Apoptotic cells were also significantly increased in DM glomeruli and in HG-stimulated MC (P < 0.05), and FR167653 ameliorated these increases in apoptotic cells, both in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway has a beneficial effect on the development of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the increase in fibronectin expression and apoptosis.
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PMID:FR167653 inhibits fibronectin expression and apoptosis in diabetic glomeruli and in high-glucose-stimulated mesangial cells. 1852 57

Collagen-fibronectin gels containing Bcl-2-transduced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (Bcl-2-HUVEC) implanted in the abdominal walls of immunodeficient mice form mature microvessels invested by host-derived smooth muscle cells (SMC) by 8 weeks. We tested the hypothesis that coengraftment of human aortic SMC (HASMC) could accelerate vessel maturation. To prevent SMC-mediated gel contraction, we polymerized the gel within a nonwoven poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) scaffold. Implanted grafts were evaluated at 15, 30, and 60 days. Acellular PGA-supported protein gels elicited a macrophage-rich foreign body reaction and transient host angiogenic response. When transplanted alone, HASMC tightly associated with the fibers of the scaffold and incorporated into the walls of angiogenic mouse microvessels, preventing their regression. When transplanted alone in PGA-supported gels, Bcl-2-HUVEC retained the ability to form microvessels invested by mouse SMC. Interestingly, grafts containing both Bcl-2-HUVEC and HASMC displayed greater numbers of smooth muscle alpha-actin-expressing cells associated with human EC-lined arteriole-like microvessels at all times examined and showed a significant increase in the number of larger caliber microvessels at 60 days. We conclude that SMC coengraftment can accelerate vessel development by EC and promote arteriolization. This strategy of EC-SMC coengraftment in PGA-supported protein gels may have broader application for perfusing bioengineered tissues.
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PMID:Human aortic smooth muscle cells promote arteriole formation by coengrafted endothelial cells. 1862 Apr 81

Sulforaphane (SUL) is an isothiocyanate naturally present in widely consumed vegetables, particularly in broccoli. SUL has recently been focused as a result of its inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We used endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as an in vitro model to investigate the effect of SUL on the various steps of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood of normal human volunteers were plated on fibronectin-coated 100 mm dishes and incubated for 7 days. The viability of EPCs, treated with SUL at different doses, was assessed by MTS assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. To determine the relative contributions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 pathways to SUL-induced apoptosis, the effect of caspase inhibitors was determined. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2) was investigated by Western blot test. Finally, the effect of SUL on the ability of EPCs to form vascular-like structures on Matrigel was investigated. We clearly demonstrated that SUL induced the dose-dependent inhibition of EPCs' viability by induction of apoptosis. All caspases (caspase-3, -8, and -9) were activated during apoptosis induction by SUL, but the effect of caspase-9 was more prominent than that of caspase-8. Also, the expression of Bax was upregulated by SUL treatment. In addition to apoptosis induction, SUL dose-dependently inhibited the tube-like formation by EPCs on Matrigel. The present results demonstrate the antivasculogenic/antiangiogenic activity of SUL in vitro and open premise for the use of SUL as a multipotent anticancer agent that targets both cancer cells and the angiogenic endothelium.
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PMID:Sulforaphane stimulates activation of proapoptotic protein bax leading to apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells. 1903 79

Inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPSIs) promote apoptosis of cancer cells and show encouraging anti-tumor activities in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the death activities of two different UPSIs: bortezomib and the isopeptidase inhibitor G5. To unveil whether these compounds elicit different types of death, we compared their effect both on apoptosis-proficient wild type mouse embryo fibroblasts and on cells defective for apoptosis (double-deficient Bax/Bak mouse embryo fibroblasts) (double knockout; DKO). We have discovered that (i) both inhibitors induce apoptosis in a Bax and Bak-dependent manner, (ii) both inhibitors elicit autophagy in WT and DKO cells, and (iii) only G5 can kill apoptosis-resistant DKO cells by activating a necrotic response. The induction of necrosis was confirmed by different experimental approaches, including time lapse analysis, HMGB1 release, and electron microscopy studies. Neither treatment with antinecrotic agents, such as antioxidants, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and JNK inhibitors, necrostatin, and the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester, nor overexpression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL prevented necrosis induced by G5. This necrotic death is characterized by the absence of protein oxidation and by the rapid cyclosporin A-independent dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, a peculiar feature of the G5-induced necrosis is an early and dramatic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, coupled to an alteration of cell adhesion. The importance of cell adhesion impairment in the G5-induced necrotic death of DKO cells was confirmed by the antagonist effect of the extracellular matrix-adhesive components, collagen and fibronectin.
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PMID:The Isopeptidase Inhibitor G5 Triggers a Caspase-independent Necrotic Death in Cells Resistant to Apoptosis: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH THE PROTEASOME INHIBITOR BORTEZOMIB. 1913 5

The immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CsA) is a specific pharmacological inhibitor of calcineurin, the Ca2+-calmodulin activated phospho-Ser/Thr-specific protein phosphatase. Although calcineurin-inhibiting compounds are applied for local treatment of psoriasis or atopic dermatitis in dermatological practice, little is known about the functions of calcineurin in epidermis-derived malignancies. We investigated the effects of CsA on two human melanoma cell lines, the metastasis forming HT168 and WM35 established from an RGP primary lesion. CsA of 2 microM lowered the enzyme activity by 50% and caused elevation in both mRNA and protein expression of calcineurin. Cell proliferation was diminished, as well as the cellular morphology and the actin organization were altered in both cell lines. CsA increased cell death moderately in both cell lines and reduced the metabolic activity of HT168 cells, but not that of WM35 cells. CsA also elevated the expressions of both Bcl-2 and ERK1/2. Fibronectin guided migration of HT168 cells was stimulated under the effect of CsA, while that of WM35 cells was reduced, moreover, HT168 cells switched from the expression of beta3 to beta1 integrin, but WM35 cells continued to express beta3. Based on our results we propose a multiple, partly malignancy-dependent role of calcineurin in these melanoma cell lines.
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PMID:Inhibition of calcineurin by cyclosporine A exerts multiple effects on human melanoma cell lines HT168 and WM35. 1928 56

Melanoma is a particularly aggressive tumor type that exhibits a high level of resistance to apoptosis. The serine/threonine kinase B-RAF is mutated in 50% to 70% of melanomas and protects melanoma cells from anoikis, a form of apoptosis induced by lack of adhesion or adhesion to an inappropriate matrix. Mutant B-RAF down-regulates two BH3-only proapoptotic proteins, Bim(EL) and Bad. BH3-only proteins act, at least in part, by sequestering prosurvival Bcl-2 family proteins and preventing them from inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Several Bcl-2 proteins are up-regulated in melanoma; however, the mechanisms of up-regulation and their role in melanoma resistance to anoikis remain unclear. Using RNA interference, we show that depletion of Mcl-1 renders mutant B-RAF melanoma cells sensitive to anoikis. By contrast, minor effects were observed following depletion of either Bcl-2 or Bcl-(XL). Mcl-1 expression is enhanced in melanoma cell lines compared with melanocytes and up-regulated by the B-RAF-MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway through control of Mcl-1 protein turnover. Similar to B-RAF knockdown cells, adhesion to fibronectin protected Mcl-1 knockdown cells from apoptosis. Finally, expression of Bad, which does not sequester Mcl-1, further augmented apoptosis in nonadherent Mcl-1 knockdown cells. Together, these data support the notion that BH3 mimetic compounds that target Mcl-1 may be effective for the treatment of melanoma in combinatorial strategies with agents that disrupt fibronectin-integrin signaling.
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PMID:Mcl-1 is required for melanoma cell resistance to anoikis. 1937 83

Bid, a proapoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, is involved in Fas receptor signaling. Fas activation promotes human eosinophil cell death and is believed to accelerate the resolution of pulmonary Th2-driven allergic reaction in mice. We hypothesized that Bid would regulate eosinophil apoptosis and Ag-induced airway inflammation, particularly eosinophilia. C57BL/6 Bid(-/-) and wild-type mice were immunized and repeatedly challenged with OVA, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, lung, and spleen were collected 4-240 h after the final challenge. Cultured BAL eosinophils from Bid-deficient mice showed resistance to Fas-mediated apoptotic DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondria depolarization, and caspase-3 activity. In addition, OVA-challenged Bid(-/-) mice had higher BAL eosinophilia and a lower proportion of BAL apoptotic eosinophils than Bid(+/+) mice. This was accompanied by augmented BAL levels of the eosinophilotactic cytokine, IL-5, and of the eosinophil-associated mediators, TGF-beta1 and fibronectin. Finally, cultured OVA-stimulated lung mononuclear cells and splenocytes from Bid-deficient mice showed increased release of the Th2-type cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, but no change in cell number. We conclude that Bid modulates BAL eosinophilia by regulating both eosinophil apoptosis and Th2-type cytokine production.
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PMID:A role for Bid in eosinophil apoptosis and in allergic airway reaction. 1938 Aug 21

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS), one of the most common pathogens of humans, attaches and invades into human pharyngeal or skin epithelial cells. We have previously reported that induction of apoptosis is associated with GAS invasion, which induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death. We demonstrate here that GAS-induced apoptosis is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both the induction of apoptosis and ROS production markedly increased upon invasion of wild-type GAS strain JRS4 into HeLa cells; however, the apoptotic response was not observed in fibronectin-binding protein F1-disrupted mutant SAM1-infected cells. In Bcl-2-overexpressing HeLa cells (HBD98-2-4), the induction of apoptosis, ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction were significantly suppressed, whereas the numbers of invaded GAS was not different between HeLa (mock cells) and the HeLa HBD98-2-4 cells. Whereas Rac1 activation occurred during GAS invasion, ROS production in GAS-infected cells was clearly inhibited by transfection with the Rac1 mutants (L37 or V12L37), but not by the dominant active mutant (V12L61) or by the dominant negative mutant (N17). These observations indicate that GAS invasion triggers ROS production through Rac1 activation and generated ROS induced mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cellular apoptosis.
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PMID:Reactive oxygen species induced by Streptococcus pyogenes invasion trigger apoptotic cell death in infected epithelial cells. 2007 Mar 6


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