The Function Role of Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway in the ER Stress-induced AECII Apoptosis during Hyperoxia Exposure

Abstract

Backgroud: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants, characterized by alveolar dysplasia and pulmonary microvascular remodeling. In the present study, we have investigated the functional roles of ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP) in BPD, and its relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress, ERS) mediated AECII apoptosis. Methods: A hyperoxia-induced BPD rat model was constructed and the pathologic changes of lung tissues were evaluated by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Cell apoptosis and protein expression were determined by TUNEL assay and Western blotting, respectively. Further reagent kit with specific fluorescent substrate was utilized to measure the activity of 20s proteasome. Meanwhile, AECII were cultured in vitro and exposed to hyperoxia. AECII apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. In contrast, MG132 treatment was induced to explore ubiquitin proteasome pathway during hyperoxia exposure on AECII apoptosis and ERS sensors expression.Results: A significant increase in apoptosis and total ubiquitinated proteins expression were observed in BPD rats and AECII culture, and the change of UPP was associated with ERS. In order to confirm the role of UPP in AECII apoptosis of BPD, AECII cells were treated by MG132 with the concentration of 10 μmol/L under hyperoxia exposure. We found that the proteins expression of GRP-78, PERK, ATF4, ATF6 and CHOP, as well as AECII apoptosis were increased following MG132 treatment. Furthermore, the relatively up-regulated in the levels of total ubiquitinated proteins expression and 20S proteasome activity were correlated with increased ERS sensors expression. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that UPP may participate in the ERS-induced AECII apoptosis under hyperoxia condition.

IRF4-mediated Treg phenotype switching can aggravate hyperoxia-induced alveolar epithelial cell injury

“…The mixture was centrifuged at 12,000 × g for 20 min, and the supernatant was collected as the total protein extract. Protein samples were mixed with loading buffer, boiled in hot water for 10 min, and subsequently cooled on ice [34]. The protein concentration was measured utilizing a BCA protein assay to ensure the total protein concentration of about 4ug/uL (Solarbio Science & Technology Co., Ltd., China).…”