Oxidized low-density lipoprotein induces apoptotic insults to mouse cerebral endothelial cells via a Bax-mitochondria-caspase protease pathway.
Cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) are crucial components of the blood-brain barrier. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) can induce cell injuries. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of oxLDL on mouse CECs and its possible mechanisms. Mouse CECs were isolated from brain tissues and identified by immunocytochemical staining of vimentin and Factor VIII. oxLDL was prepared from LDL oxidation by copper sulfate. Exposure of mouse CECs to oxLDL decreased cell viability in concentration- and time-dependent manners. oxLDL time-dependently caused shrinkage of cell morphologies. Administration of oxLDL to CECs induced DNA fragmentation in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Analysis of the cell cycle revealed that oxLDL concentration- and time-dependently increased the proportion of CECs which underwent apoptosis. Analysis of confocal microscopy and immunoblot revealed that oxLDL significantly increased cellular and mitochondrial Bax levels as well as the translocation of this proapoptotic protein from the cytoplasm to mitochondria. In parallel with the increase in the levels and translocation of Bax, oxLDL time-dependently decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. Exposure of mouse CECs to oxLDL decreased the amounts of mitochondrial cytochrome c, but enhanced cytosolic cytochrome c levels. The amounts of intracellular reactive oxygen species were significantly augmented after oxLDL administration. Sequentially, oxLDL increased activities of caspase-9, -3, and -6 in time-dependent manners. Pretreatment with Z-VEID-FMK, an inhibitor of caspase-6, significantly decreased caspase-6 activity and the oxLDL-induced DNA fragmentation and cell apoptosis. This study showed that oxLDL induces apoptotic insults to CECs via signal-transducing events, including enhancing Bax translocation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release, increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species, and cascade activation of caspase-9, -3, and -6. Therefore, oxLDL can damage the blood-brain barrier through induction of CEC apoptosis via a Bax-mitochondria-caspase protease pathway.
Chen
Tyng-Guey
TG
Department of Anesthesiology, Wan-Fang Medical Center, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Ta-Liang
TL
Chang
Huai-Chia
HC
Tai
Yu-Ting
YT
Cherng
Yih-Giun
YG
Chang
Ya-Ting
YT
Chen
Ruei-Ming
RM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects; D009245:NADH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D045304:Cytochromes c; D009245:NADH Dehydrogenase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D020169:Caspases