NRF2-dependent glutamate-L-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit expression mediates insulin protection against hyperglycemia- induced brain endothelial cell apoptosis.
Increased oxidative stress and susceptibility of brain endothelium are contributing factors in the development of central nervous system complications in neuro-degenerative disorders in diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The molecular mechanisms underpinning the vulnerability of brain endothelial cells to chronic oxidative challenge have not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the oxidative susceptibility of human brain endothelial cells (IHEC) to chronic hyperglycemic stress and insulin signaling and cytoprotection. Chronic hyperglycemia exacerbated IHEC apoptosis in accordance with exaggerated cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione and protein-thiol redox imbalance, and actin/Keap-1 S-glutathionylation. Insulin attenuated hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis via restored cytosolic and mitochondrial redox. Insulin stimulated glutamate-L-cysteine ligase (GCL) activity by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR signaling, increased serine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and upregulation of Nrf2-dependent GCL-catalytic (GCLc) subunit expression. Expression of the GCL-modulatory subunit (GCLm) was unchanged. Inhibitors of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, PI3K, Akt and mTOR abrogated insulin-induced Nrf2-mediated GCLc expression, redox balance, and IHEC survival. Collectively, these results demonstrate that human brain endothelial cells exhibit vulnerability to hyperglycemic stress which is associated with marked cytosolic and mitochondrial redox shifts. Activation of insulin signaling through PI3K/Akt/mTOR/Nrf2/ GCLc pathway affords significant cell protection by maintaining cellular redox balance.
Okouchi
Masahiro
M
Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA. taw@lsuhsc.edu
Okayama
Naotsuka
N
Alexander
Jonathan Steven
JS
Aw
Tak Yee
TY
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020134:Catalytic Domain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005721:Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D007328:Insulin; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C431364:KEAP1 protein, human; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D005721:Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase; D005978:Glutathione