Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-11-15
pubmed:abstractText
Herein, we provide the first evidence on the capsaicin (CPS) receptor vanilloid receptor type-1 (VR1) by rat thymocytes, and its involvement in CPS-induced apoptosis. VR1 mRNA was identified by quantitative RT-PCR in CD5(+) thymocytes. By immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, we found that a substantial portion of CD5+ thymocytes, namely CD4+ and double negative (DN) cell subsets, express VR1 that was present on plasma membrane on discrete spots. By Western blot, VR1 protein was identified as a single band of 95 kDa. We also described that CPS could trigger two distinct pathways of thymocyte death, namely apoptosis and necrosis depending on the dose of CPS exposure. CPS-induced apoptosis involved intracellular free calcium (Ca2+) influx, phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial permeability transmembrane pore (PTP) opening and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta Psi m) dissipation leading to cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9 and -3 and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. VR1 was functionally implicated in these events as they were completely abrogated by the VR1 antagonist, capsazepine (CPZ). Finally, we demonstrated that VR1 expression on distinct thymocytes was associated with the selective ability of CPS to trigger DNA fragmentation in VR1+ CD4+ and DN thymocytes. Overall, our results suggest that the expression of VR1 on thymocytes may function as a sensor of harmful stimuli present in the thymic environment.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
1350-9047
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1342-56
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Antigens, CD4, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Antigens, CD5, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Apoptosis, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Calcium Signaling, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Capsaicin, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Caspases, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Cell Membrane, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Cells, Cultured, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-DNA Fragmentation, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Intracellular Membranes, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Lymphocyte Subsets, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Male, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Mitochondria, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Necrosis, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-RNA, Messenger, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Rats, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Rats, Wistar, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Receptors, Cell Surface, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-Receptors, Drug, pubmed-meshheading:15459754-T-Lymphocytes
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Distinct thymocyte subsets express the vanilloid receptor VR1 that mediates capsaicin-induced apoptotic cell death.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't