Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P42574 (caspase-3)
45,978 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 Tat is a multifunctional protein involved in viral replication, inflammation and apoptosis. Tat activates phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta), presumably via a pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive G(i) protein, which is critical for neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we show that Tat-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) release in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells and rat primary cortical neuronal cultures was abrogated by pretreatment with either pertussis toxin and/or its B-oligomer subunit (PTX-B), devoid of ADP ribosyltransferase activity. PTX-B pretreatment also inhibited intracellular Ca(2+) release by bradykinin and 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-(m-3-trifluoromethylphenyl) benzenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), a director activator of phospholipase C. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu) mimicked the PTX-B-mediated inhibition of m-3M3FBS-stimulated intracellular Ca(2+) increase, while inhibition of PKC by bisindolylmaleimide I hydrochloride (BIM) reversed the inhibitory action of PTX-B. Functionally, PTX-B reduced Tat-induced Bax and caspase-3 proteins and reduced cell apoptosis. We conclude that PTX inhibition of Tat-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) release is independent of ADP ribosylation of the G(i) protein via the A protomer, but mediated by the B-oligomer. Furthermore, PTX-B suppresses HIV-1 Tat-mediated apoptosis by reducing its activation of PLC-beta through a PKC activation pathway.
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PMID:Pertussis toxin B-oligomer suppresses human immunodeficiency virus-1 Tat-induced neuronal apoptosis through feedback inhibition of phospholipase C-beta by protein kinase C. 1809 42

Stavudine is a hepatotoxic antiretroviral nucleoside analogue that also inhibits the replication of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). To elucidate the mechanism and consequences of mtDNA depletion, we treated HepG2 cells with stavudine and either redoxal, an inhibitor of de novo pyrimidine synthesis, or uridine, from which pyrimidine pools are salvaged. Compared with treatment with stavudine alone, co-treatment with redoxal accelerated mtDNA depletion, impaired cell division, and activated caspase 3. These adverse effects were completely abrogated by uridine. Intracellular ATP levels were unaffected. Transcriptosome profiling demonstrated that redoxal and stavudine acted synergistically to induce CDKN2A and p21, indicating cell cycle arrest in G1, as well as genes involved in intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. Moreover, redoxal and stavudine showed synergistic interaction in the up-regulation of transcripts encoded by mtDNA and the induction of nuclear transcripts participating in energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and DNA repair. Genes involved in nucleotide metabolism were also synergistically up-regulated by both agents; this effect was completely antagonized by uridine. Thus, pyrimidine depletion sensitizes cells to stavudine-mediated mtDNA depletion and enhances secondary cell toxicity. Our results indicate that drugs that diminish pyrimidine pools should be avoided in stavudine-treated human immunodeficiency virus patients. Uridine supplementation reverses this toxicity and, because of its good tolerability, has potential clinical value for the treatment of side effects associated with pyrimidine depletion.
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PMID:Pyrimidine nucleoside depletion sensitizes to the mitochondrial hepatotoxicity of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor stavudine. 1827 80

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 has been implicated in mediating neuronal apoptosis, a hallmark feature of HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Mitigation of the toxic effects of gp120 could thus be a potential mechanism for reducing HIV toxicity in the brain. In this study the authors hypothesized that neurotrophic factor, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), could protect the neurons against gp120-mediated apoptosis. SH-SY5Y cells treated with gp120 exhibited increased cell death when measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, with concomitant loss of neurites and increased cell rounding. Pretreatment with PDGF-BB, however, reduced gp120-associated neurotoxicity and rescued the neurite outgrowth. Additionally, gp120-mediated activation of caspase-3 was also significantly reduced in cells pretreated with PDGF-BB. Antiapoptotic effects of PDGF-BB were also confirmed by monitoring levels of anti- and proapoptotic genes, Bcl-xL and Bax, respectively. Furthermore, PDGF-mediated protection against gp120 involved the phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Taken together these findings lead us to suggest that PDGF-BB could be considered as a therapeutic agent that can mitigate gp120-mediated neurotoxicity in HAD.
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PMID:Platelet-derived growth factor protects neurons against gp120-mediated toxicity. 1830 76

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can result in oxidative stress through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Simultaneously, oxidative stress is able to activate the replication of virus and lead to the apoptosis of T lymphocytes which is the defense of the immune function. Ampelopsin, belonging to the flavonoids, is a purified component from the root of a Chinese medicinal herb. Our previous studies revealed that ampelopsin could protect sensitive cells against HIV-1 infection and reduce HIV-1 antigen P24 expression. In this study, we determined whether ampelopsin, as an antioxidant, has protective effects on oxidant stress-induced apoptosis in MT-4 cells, a CD4 T lymphocyte cell line. The results indicate that ampelopsin scavenged hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and superoxide radicals (O(2).-) in a concentration-dependent manner. It significantly increased MT-4 cells viability after treatment with H(2)O(2) and inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced DNA laddering. The data from flow cytometry analysis showed that ampelopsin remarkably decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by H(2)O(2). In addition, activation of caspase-3 was detected during the course of apoptosis induction. Western blot analysis showed that ampelopsin inhibited the cleavage of caspase-3 induced by H(2)O(2). All these findings might shed new light on the understanding of the anti-AIDS functions of ampelopsin by protecting T cells of persons infected with HIV.
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PMID:Ampelopsin prevents apoptosis induced by H2O2 in MT-4 lymphocytes. 1830 Jan 90

Lipoatrophy is a prevalent side effect of antiretroviral treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Its mechanisms are still disputed but include mitochondrial toxicity and, in particular, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. To obtain an integrated evaluation of the mitochondrial alteration in lipoatrophy, we investigated the DNA, RNA, and protein levels in 15 samples of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue from HIV-infected patients with peripheral lipoatrophy and compared the results with those for 15 samples from age- and body mass index-matched controls. The DNA and RNA analyses used PCR-based techniques, while proteins were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and measurement of activities with spectrophotometric assays. Depletion of mtDNA and mtDNA-encoded MT-CO2 mRNA was present, but normal levels of mtDNA-dependent activity (cytochrome c oxidase) and protein (MT-CO2p) showed that it was compensated for. An increase in nuclear-DNA-dependent mitochondrial activities (citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase) and protein (COX4I1p), as well as transcriptional up-regulation of nuclear-DNA-encoded mitochondrial genes (COX4I1 and UCP2), demonstrated increased mitochondrial biogenesis. However, the expression of the known transcription factors of mitochondrial biogenesis (TFAM, NRF1, GABPA, PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, and PPRC1) was normal or decreased. Increased amounts of activated caspase 3 and of DDIT3 mRNA showed the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress, respectively. The mtDNA content did not correlate with any other mitochondrial parameter. In conclusion, mtDNA content does not appear to be an accurate biomarker of mitochondrial alteration in lipoatrophic adipose tissue. The preservation of mtDNA-dependent mitochondrial functions occurred despite severe mtDNA depletion. The presence of significant oxidative stress and apoptosis did not correlate with the mtDNA content.
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PMID:Mitochondrial DNA content, an inaccurate biomarker of mitochondrial alteration in human immunodeficiency virus-related lipodystrophy. 1833 66

When fused with the protein transduction domain (PTD) derived from the human immunodeficiency virus TAT protein, proteins can cross the blood-brain barrier and cell membrane and transfer into several tissues, including the brain, making protein therapy feasible for various neurological disorders. We have constructed a powerful antiapoptotic modified Bcl-X(L) protein (originally constructed from Bcl-X(L)) fused with PTD derived from TAT (TAT-modified Bcl-X(L)), and, to examine its clinical effectiveness in a mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), transgenic mice expressing human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) bearing a G93A mutation were treated by intrathecal infusion of TAT-modified Bcl-X(L). We demonstrate that intrathecally infused TAT-fused protein was effectively transferred into spinal cord neurons, including motor neurons, and that intrathecal infusion of TAT-modified Bcl-X(L) delayed disease onset, prolonged survival, and improved motor performance. Histological studies show an attenuation of motor neuron loss and a decrease in the number of cleaved caspase 9-, cleaved caspase 3-, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the lumbar cords of TAT-modified Bcl-X(L)-treated G93A mice. Our results indicate that intrathecal protein therapy using a TAT-fused protein is an effective clinical tool for the treatment of ALS.
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PMID:Therapeutic benefits of intrathecal protein therapy in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 1854 36

A significant unresolved question is how vitamin A deprivation causes, and why retinoic acid fails to reverse, immunodeficiency. When depleted of vitamin A, T cells undergo programmed cell death (PCD), which is enhanced by the natural competitor of retinol, anhydroretinol. PCD does not happen by apoptosis, despite the occurrence of shared early events, including mitochondrial membrane depolarization, permeability transition pore opening, and cytochrome c release. It also lacks caspase-3 activation, chromatin condensation, and endonuclease-mediated DNA degradation, hallmarks of apoptosis. PCD following vitamin A deprivation exhibits increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), drastic reductions in ATP and NAD(+) levels, and activation of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) -1. These latter steps are causative because neutralizing ROS, imposing hypoxic conditions, or inhibiting PARP-1 by genetic or pharmacologic approaches prevents energy depletion and PCD. The data highlight a novel regulatory role of vitamin A in mitochondrial energy homeostasis.
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PMID:Vitamin A depletion causes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and PARP-1-dependent energy deprivation. 1867 2

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals who abuse opiates show faster progression to AIDS, and enhanced incidence of HIV-1 encephalitis. Most opiates with abuse liability are preferential agonists for mu-opioid receptors (MORs), and MORs are expressed on both neurons and glia, including oligodendrocytes (OLs). Tat, gp120, and other viral toxins, cause neurotoxicity in vitro and/or when injected into brain, and co-exposure to opiates can augment HIV-1 protein-induced insults to both glial and neuronal populations. We examined the effects of HIV-1 Tat +/- opiate exposure on OL survival and differentiation. In vivo studies utilized transgenic mice expressing Tat(1-86) regulated by an inducible glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter. Although MBP levels were unchanged on immunoblots, certain structural and apoptotic indices were abnormal. After only 2 days of Tat induction, OLs showed an upregulation of active caspase-3 that was enhanced by morphine exposure. Tat also upregulated TUNEL staining, but only in the presence of morphine. Tat significantly reduced the length of processes in Golgi-Kopsch impregnated OLs. A greater proportion of cells exhibited diminished or aberrant cytoplasmic processes, especially when mice expressing Tat were co-exposed to morphine. Collectively, our data show that OLs in situ are extremely sensitive to effects of Tat +/- morphine, although it is not clear if immature OLs as well as differentiated OLs are targeted equally. Significant elevations in caspase-3 activity and TUNEL labeling, and evidence of increased degeneration/regeneration of OLs exposed to Tat +/- morphine suggest that toxicity toward OLs may be accompanied by heightened OL turnover.
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PMID:HIV-1 Tat and morphine have interactive effects on oligodendrocyte survival and morphology. 1875 34

Neurodegeneration and gliosis are prominent pathological features of subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia complex (HAD). In these patients, neurodegeneration occurs in uninfected neurons. In addition, these patients develop sensory neuropathy despite the antiretroviral therapy. The HIV protein gp120, which mimics some of the pathological alterations seen in HAD, is retrogradely transported in rodent neurons. However, it is still unclear whether gp120 can also be transported anterogradely and whether axonal transport can occur in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). To determine whether gp120 is transported retrogradely and/or anterogradely, we injected gp120IIIB together with the retrograde tracer fluoro-ruby (FR) or the anterograde tracer 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyamine perchlorate (DiI) into the rat superior colliculi. We discovered that gp120 is retrogradely transported with FR along a direct pathway from the superior colliculus to the retina and anterogradely transported with DiI to several areas of the occipital cortex. To determine whether gp120 is also axonally transported in the peripheral nerves, gp120 and FR were injected into the sciatic nerve. No gp120 immunoreactivity was found in the sciatic nerve or dorsal root ganglia, suggesting that gp120 axonal transport does not occur in the PNS. Gp120 axonal transport may play a role in neuronal injury. Therefore, we examined apoptosis at various time points after gp120 injection. Activated caspase-3 was evident within neurons transporting gp120. These results indicate that axonal transport of gp120 might exacerbate the pathogenesis of HIV-1.
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PMID:Retrograde and anterograde transport of HIV protein gp120 in the nervous system. 1911 24

Infection by multiple lentiviral strains is recognized as a major driving force in the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic, but the neuropathogenic consequences of multivirus infections remain uncertain. Herein, we investigated the neurovirulence and underlying mechanisms of dual lentivirus infections with distinct viral strains. Experimental feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections were performed using cultured cells and an in vivo model of AIDS neuropathogenesis. Dual infections were comprised of two FIV strains (FIV-Ch and FIV-PPR) as copassaged or superinfected viruses, with subsequent outcome analyses of host immune responses, viral load, neuropathological features, and neurobehavioral performance. Dual infections of feline macrophages resulted in greater IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta), TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) expression and associated neurotoxic properties. FIV coinfection and sequential superinfection in vivo also induced greater IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IDO expression in the basal ganglia (BG) and cortex (CTX), compared to the monovirus- and mock-infected groups, although viral loads were similar in single virus- and dual virus-infected animals. Immunoblot analyses disclosed lower synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the CTX resulting from FIV super- and coinfections. Cholinergic and GABAergic neuronal injury was evident in the CTX of animals with dual FIV infections. With increased glial activation and neuronal loss in dual FIV-infected brains, immunohistochemical analysis also revealed elevated detection of cleaved caspase-3 in dysmorphic neurons, which was associated with worsened neurobehavioral abnormalities among animals infected with the copassaged viruses. Dual lentivirus infections caused an escalation in neuroinflammation and ensuing neurodegeneration, underscoring the contribution of infection by multiple viruses to neuropathogenesis.
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PMID:Dual lentivirus infection potentiates neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: viral copassage enhances neurovirulence. 1911 33


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