Selective, potent blockade of the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways by 4-phenylbutyric acid analogues.

4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) is a chemical chaperone that eliminates the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, its chaperoning ability is often weak and unable to attenuate the unfolded protein response (UPR) in vitro or in vivo. To develop more potent chemical chaperones, we synthesized six analogues of 4-PBA and evaluated their pharmacological actions on the UPR. NRK-52E cells were treated with ER stress inducers (tunicamycin or thapsigargin) in the presence of each of the 4-PBA analogues; the suppressive effects of these analogues on the UPR were assessed using selective indicators for individual UPR pathways. 2-POAA-OMe, 2-POAA-NO2 and 2-NOAA, but not others, suppressed the induction of ER stress markers GRP78 and CHOP. This suppressive effect was more potent than that of 4-PBA. Of the three major UPR branches, the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways were markedly blocked by these compounds, as indicated by suppression of XBP1 splicing, inhibition of UPRE and ERSE activation, and inhibition of JNK phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, however, these agents did not inhibit phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α triggered by ER stress. These compounds dose-dependently inhibited the early activation of NF-κB in ER stress-exposed cells. 2-POAA-OMe and 2-POAA-NO2 also inhibited ER stress-induced phosphorylation of Akt. The 4-PBA analogues 2-POAA-OMe, 2-POAA-NO2 and 2-NOAA strongly inhibited activation of the IRE1 and ATF6 pathways and downstream pathogenic targets, including NF-κB and Akt, in ER stress-exposed cells. These compounds may be useful for therapeutic intervention in ER stress-related pathological conditions.

Zhang H ，Nakajima S ，Kato H ，Gu L ，Yoshitomi T ，Nagai K ，Shinmori H ，Kokubo S ，Kitamura M ... -  《-》

Atypical, bidirectional regulation of cadmium-induced apoptosis via distinct signaling of unfolded protein response.

Yokouchi M ，Hiramatsu N ，Hayakawa K ，Kasai A ，Takano Y ，Yao J ，Kitamura M ... -  《CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION》

Curcumin induces apoptotic cell death of activated human CD4+ T cells via increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic antioxidant compound, exerts well-known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, the latter which can influence the activation of immune cells including T cells. Furthermore, curcumin can inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, through suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The beneficial effects of curcumin in diseases such as arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer may be due to its immunomodulatory properties. We studied the potential of curcumin to modulate CD4+ T cells-mediated autoimmune disease, by examining the effects of this compound on human CD4+ lymphocyte activation. Stimulation of human T cells with PHA or CD3/CD28 induced IL-2 mRNA expression and activated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. The treatment of T cells with curcumin induced the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway, initiated by the phosphorylation of PERK and IRE1. Furthermore, curcumin increased the expression of the ER stress associated transcriptional factors XBP-1, cleaved p50ATF6α and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in human CD4+ and Jurkat T cells. In PHA-activated T cells, curcumin further enhanced PHA-induced CHOP expression and reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Finally, curcumin treatment induced apoptotic cell death in activated T cells via eliciting an excessive ER stress response, which was reversed by the ER-stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid or transfection with CHOP-specific siRNA. These results suggest that curcumin can impact both ER stress and mitochondria functional pathways, and thereby could be used as a promising therapy in the context of Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Zheng M ，Zhang Q ，Joe Y ，Lee BH ，Ryu DG ，Kwon KB ，Ryter SW ，Chung HT ... -  《-》

Endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes macrophage-derived foam cell formation by up-regulating cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) expression.

Yao S ，Miao C ，Tian H ，Sang H ，Yang N ，Jiao P ，Han J ，Zong C ，Qin S ... -  《-》

Atrial natriuretic peptide attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress in experimental acute pancreatitis.

Increasing evidence shows that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an early event that injures pancreatic acinar cells and contributes to the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. In the present work we sought to establish whether atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) alleviated ER stress in rats with cerulein-induced pancreatitis. The major components of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and their downstream effectors were assessed by immunoblotting or fluorimetry and the ultrastructure of ER evaluated by electron transmission microscopy. Cross-talk with autophagy was evaluated by beclin-1 expression. ANP reduced binding immunoglobulin protein (Bip) expression (UPR major controller) which under non-stress conditions keeps inactive the stress sensor proteins: protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Although ANP did not change PERK expression it decreased p-eIF2α and enhanced downstream effector CHOP, suggesting that ANP stimulates ER-dependent apoptosis. In accordance, ANP also decreased Bcl2 expression and enhanced proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak. The atrial peptide enhanced ATF6 expression and although it did not affect IRE1/sXBP1 signaling, it increased caspase-2 activity, also involved in ER-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, ANP decreased beclin-1 expression. The ultrastructure of the RE revealed decreased swelling and conserved ribosomes in the presence of ANP. Present findings support that ANP alleviates ER stress in acute pancreatitis by modulating the three branches of the UPR and stimulates ER-dependent apoptosis. Gaining insights into the modulation of ER stress may help to develop specific therapeutic strategies for acute pancreatitis and/or medical interventions at risk of its developing like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Courreges AP ，Najenson AC ，Vatta MS ，Bianciotti LG ... -  《-》