Leptospira interrogans inducing apoptosis of macrophages through mitochondria-associated signaling pathway / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine mitochondria-associated signaling pathway on cell apoptosis in Leptospira interrogans infected murine mononuclear-macrophages. Methods A cell apoptotic model of L. interrogan serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae strain Lai inducing apoptosis of murine mononuclear-macrophage line (J774A. 1) was established. Pathological changes of mitochondria in the infected cells were observed under transmission electron microscope. Mitochondrial potential and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels in the infected cells were detected using JC-1 staining method and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, respectively,and caspase-8/-9 activities in the infected cells were measured using commercial kits. and the apoptosis block effects of caspase inhibitors were determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis in the infected cells and ap-optosis-blocking effect by caspase inhibitors were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot assay was adopted to examine the levels of cytochrome C (CytC) , AIF, EndoG and Smae in the mitochondria and cytoplasm.The transposition of either AIF or EndoG from the cytoplasm into cell nucleus was determined by immunoflu-orescence staining test. Results L. interrogans strain Lai could induce J774A. 1 cell apoptoais. In the in-fected cells, visible mitochondrial injury, declined mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated ROS level were presented. The activity of caspase-8 but not of caspase-9 was significantly increased. The caspase in-hihitors could not completely block the cell apoptosis. Both the AIF and EndoG was released from the mito-chondria and subsequently transferred from the cytoplasm into the nucleus in the infected cells. However,elevation of CytC level and Smac release in cytoplasm of the infected cells could not be found. Conclusion L.interrogans can induce apoptosis in the infected mononuclear-macrophage via AIF and EndoG belonging to caspase-independent pathway.