Defects in apoptosis or programmed cell death regulation contribute to many human diseases, including those of the lung. Recent evidence indicates that Fas(CD95)-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several pulmonary diseases. However our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the process is limited. Failure to understand such mechanisms directly limits the effectiveness of prevention and therapeutic efforts. The overall objective of this study is to provide a scientific basis for a mechanistic understanding of the molecular events involved in Fas-mediated apoptosis and its regulation in specific lung cells. Our preliminary findings indicate that while Fas can trigger apoptosis of lung cells, the expression level of Fas and its activation by Fas ligand (FasL) do not correlate with the susceptibility toFas- mediated cell death, indicating that regulators of the apoptosis-signaling pathway must exist. In this project we will seek to identify key regulators controlling Fas-mediated cell death of lung cells and elucidate their mechanisms. The project will specifically test the hypotheses that susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis and associated lung pathologies may be determined by the expression level of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) and that alterations of this protein by certain pneumotoxic agents can sensitize cells to Fas- mediated cell death via an activation of caspase-8 and downstream caspase cascade. We will determine the functional role of c-FLIP and identify the death signaling pathways in primary lung cells using various molecular biology and biochemical techniques. We will also test the hypothesis that downregulation of c- FLIP through post-translational modifications is a critical regulatory event controlling Fas-mediated cell death and survival via caspase-8 and NF-kB signaling pathway. Because our preliminary findings indicate critical roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ubiquitin-proteasome dependent pathway in c-FLIP degradation and Fas signaling, we will elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify specific ROS involved and their cellular sources. Furthermore, we will determine specific ubiquitination sites on c-FLIP that target this molecule for degradation using site-directed mutagenesis and gene deletion assays. It is expect that the proposed studies will provide valuable new information on the mechanisms of cell death regulation and associated lung disorders which will be important in risk assessment and therapeutic intervention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HL076340-04S1
Application #
7838821
Study Section
Lung Injury, Repair, and Remodeling Study Section (LIRR)
Program Officer
Reynolds, Herbert Y
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$136,515
Indirect Cost
Name
West Virginia University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
191510239
City
Morgantown
State
WV
Country
United States
Zip Code
26506
Manke, Amruta; Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Dong, Chenbo et al. (2014) Effect of fiber length on carbon nanotube-induced fibrogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 15:7444-61
Talbott, Siera Jo; Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Stehlik, Christian et al. (2014) S-nitrosylation of FLICE inhibitory protein determines its interaction with RIP1 and activation of NF-?B. Cell Cycle 13:1948-57
Manke, Amruta; Wang, Liying; Rojanasakul, Yon (2013) Mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress and toxicity. Biomed Res Int 2013:942916
Manke, Amruta; Wang, Liying; Rojanasakul, Yon (2013) Pulmonary toxicity and fibrogenic response of carbon nanotubes. Toxicol Mech Methods 23:196-206
Elbaz, Hosam A; Stueckle, Todd A; Wang, Hua-Yu Leo et al. (2012) Digitoxin and a synthetic monosaccharide analog inhibit cell viability in lung cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 258:51-60
Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Chanvorachote, Pithi; Nimmannit, Ubonthip et al. (2012) Mitochondrial superoxide mediates doxorubicin-induced keratinocyte apoptosis through oxidative modification of ERK and Bcl-2 ubiquitination. Biochem Pharmacol 83:1643-54
Chunhacha, Preedakorn; Pongrakhananon, Varisa; Rojanasakul, Yon et al. (2012) Caveolin-1 regulates Mcl-1 stability and anoikis in lung carcinoma cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 302:C1284-92
Stueckle, Todd A; Lu, Yongju; Davis, Mary E et al. (2012) Chronic occupational exposure to arsenic induces carcinogenic gene signaling networks and neoplastic transformation in human lung epithelial cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 261:204-16
Medan, Djordje; Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Azad, Neelam et al. (2012) Multifunctional role of Bcl-2 in malignant transformation and tumorigenesis of Cr(VI)-transformed lung cells. PLoS One 7:e37045
Iyer, Anand Krishnan V; Azad, Neelam; Talbot, Siera et al. (2011) Antioxidant c-FLIP inhibits Fas ligand-induced NF-kappaB activation in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt-dependent manner. J Immunol 187:3256-66

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