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Progressive degeneration of human mesencephalic neuron-derived cells triggered by dopamine-dependent oxidative stress is dependent on the mixed-lineage kinase pathway

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Author

  • J Lotharius
  • J Falsig
  • J van Beek
  • S Payne
  • R Dringen
  • Patrik Brundin
  • M Leist

Summary, in English

Models of Parkinson's disease (PD) based on selective neuronal death have been used to study pathogenic mechanisms underlying nigral cell death and in some instances to develop symptomatic therapies. For validation of putative neuroprotectants, a model is desirable in which the events leading to neurodegeneration replicate those occurring in the disease. We developed a human in vitro model of PD based on the assumption that dysregulated cytoplasmic dopamine levels trigger cell loss in this disorder. Differentiated human mesencephalic neuron-derived cells were exposed to methamphetamine (METH) to promote cytoplasmic dopamine accumulation. In the presence of elevated iron concentrations, as observed in PD, increased cytosolic dopamine led to oxidative stress, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway activation, neurite degeneration, and eventually apoptosis. We examined the role of the mixed-lineage kinases (MLKs) in this complex degenerative cascade by using the potent inhibitor 3,9-bis[( ethylthio) methyl]-K-252a (CEP1347). Inhibition of MLKs not only prevented FeCl2+/METH- induced JNK activation and apoptosis but also early events such as neurite degeneration and oxidative stress. This broad neuroprotective action of CEP1347 was associated with increased expression of an oxidative stress-response modulator, activating transcription factor 4. As a functional consequence, transcription of the cystine/glutamate and glycine transporters, cellular cystine uptake and intracellular levels of the redox buffer glutathione were augmented. In conclusion, this new human model of parkinsonian neurodegeneration has the potential to yield new insights into neurorestorative therapeutics and suggests that enhancement of cytoprotective mechanisms, in addition to blockade of apoptosis, may be essential for disease modulation.

Publishing year

2005

Language

English

Pages

6329-6342

Publication/Series

The Journal of Neuroscience

Volume

25

Issue

27

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Society for Neuroscience

Topic

  • Neurosciences

Keywords

  • SAPK
  • in vitro
  • reactive oxygen species
  • apoptosis
  • MLK
  • neurodegeneration

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1529-2401