Lipotoxicity-mediated cell dysfunction and death involve lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cathepsin L activity.
Lipotoxicity, which is triggered when cells are exposed to elevated levels of free fatty acids, involves cell dysfunction and apoptosis and is emerging as an underlying factor contributing to various pathological conditions including disorders of the central nervous system and diabetes. We have shown that palmitic acid (PA)-induced lipotoxicity (PA-LTx) in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 (NGFDPC12) cells is linked to an augmented state of cellular oxidative stress (ASCOS) and apoptosis and that these events are inhibited by docosahexanoic acid (DHA). The mechanisms of PA-LTx in nerve cells are not well understood, but our previous findings indicate that it involves ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), and caspase activation. The present study used nerve growth factor differentiated PC12 cells (NGFDPC12 cells) and found that lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) is an early event during PA-induced lipotoxicity that precedes MMP and apoptosis. Cathepsin L, but not cathepsin B, is an important contributor in this process since its pharmacological inhibition significantly attenuated LMP, MMP, and apoptosis. In addition, co-treatment of NGFDPC12 cells undergoing lipotoxicity with DHA significantly reduced LMP, suggesting that DHA acts by antagonizing upstream signals leading to lysosomal dysfunction. These results suggest that LMP is a key early mediator of lipotoxicity and underscore the value of interventions targeting upstream signals leading to LMP for the treatment of pathological conditions associated with lipotoxicity.
Almaguel
Frankis G
FG
Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall 142, 11085 Campus St., Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
Liu
Jo-Wen
JW
Pacheco
Fabio J
FJ
De Leon
Daisy
D
Casiano
Carlos A
CA
De Leon
Marino
M
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000378:metabolism; D056668:Cathepsin L / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D053144:Cell Nucleus Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005227:Fatty Acids; D020011:Protective Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D002401:Cathepsin B; C533916:Ctsb protein, rat; D056668:Cathepsin L; C534280:Ctsl protein, rat