Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant with high abuse potential and severe neurotoxicity. Recent studies in animal models have indicated that METH can impair the blood–brain barrier (BBB), suggesting that some of the neurotoxic effects resulting from METH abuse could be due to barrier disruption. We report here that while chronic exposure to METH disrupts barrier function of primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), an early pro-survival response is observed following acute exposure by induction of autophagic mechanisms. Acute METH exposure induces an early increase in Beclin1 and LC3 recruitment. This is mediated through inactivation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K pathway, and upregulation of the ERK1/2. Blockade of Kappa opioid receptor (KOR), and treatment with autophagic inhibitors accelerated METH-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the early autophagic response is a survival mechanism for endothelial cells and is mediated through the kappa opioid receptor. Our studies indicate that kappa opioid receptor can be therapeutically exploited for attenuating METH-induced BBB dysfunction.

Programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis is a genetically programmed cellular process. Though in the plant, a true caspase system is lacking, still PCD can occur throughout the life cycle at any cell type, tissue, and organ part in response to a wide range of stimuli. Here we have discussed the current understanding of plant PCD in terms of different pathways, cellular dysfunction, regulation, and signaling mechanisms. Our present study discussed how and to what extent PCD is involved in pre-zygotic and post-zygotic plant life cycle and emphasized to what extent PCD modulated in response to abiotic and biotic stress. Additionally, the expression profile of different PCD-associated genes that are modulated by developmental stage, biotic-abiotic stress, cellular metabolites are also elucidated. Hence, this study will be helpful for understanding the molecular and structural instincts of PCD in different stages of plant growth and development, response to biotic/abiotic stimuli, and cellular dysfunction.