Protective Effects of Astragaloside IV against Amyloid Beta1-42 Neurotoxicity by Inhibiting the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening

Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Substantial evidence has indicated that the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening is involved in Aβ-induced neuronal death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), one of the major active constituents of Astragalus membranaceus, has been reported as an effective anti-oxidant for treating neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms still need to be clarified. In this study, we investigated whether AS-IV could prevent Aβ1-42-induced neurotoxicity in SK-N-SH cells via inhibiting the mPTP opening. The results showed that pretreatment of AS-IV significantly increased the viability of neuronal cells, reduced apoptosis, decreased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased mitochondrial superoxide in the presence of Aβ1-42. In addition, pretreatment of AS-IV inhibited the mPTP opening, rescued mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), enhanced ATP generation, improved the activity of cytochrome c oxidase and blocked cytochrome c release from mitochondria in Aβ1-42 rich milieu. Moreover, pretreatment of AS-IV reduced the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and increased the expression of Bcl-2 in an Aβ1-42 rich environment. These data indicate that AS-IV prevents Aβ1-42-induced SK-N-SH cell apoptosis via inhibiting the mPTP opening and ROS generation. These results provide novel insights of AS-IV for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.


Introduction
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly resulting in neuronal loss and impaired cognitive. The pathological hallmarks of AD include neurofibrillary tangles and massive accumulated amyloid beta (Ab) in the brain [1]. A lot of evidence in vitro and in vivo indicate that oligomer Ab1-42 exerts neurotoxicity including intracellular calcium perturbation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and pro-apoptosis factor activation [2][3][4][5]. Mitochondria play important roles in accommodating cellular redox state and maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis. Studies have shown that Ab1-42 could cause mitochondrial dysfunctions such as deficiency of glucose metabolism, deactivation of key enzymes for oxidative phosphorylation and accumulation of mitochondrial reactive free radicals [6,7]. These studies suggest that Ab1-42 is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction in cortical neurons of AD patients and AD mouse models.
The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) has a central role in neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative disease. The mPTP is thought to consist of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the outer mitochondrial membrane, the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in the inner mitochondrial membrane and cyclophilin D (CypD) in the mitochondrial matrix. Many factors such as high concentration of Ca 2+ and ROS appear to induce the mPTP opening [8]. The opening of the mPTP results in mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm) dissipation followed by progressive mitochondrial swelling and the loss of soluble components of the respiratory chain, which eventually leads to rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and leakage of proteins from mitochondria to cytosol [9]. A large body of evidence shows that the mPTP opening is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. It is believed that several mitochondrial proteins interact with Ab, which results in the opening of the mPTP. Ab-induced mPTP opening leads to DYm collapse and pro-apoptotic factor release from mitochondria to cytosol [10][11][12].
There is an important theory which states that the members of the Bcl-2 family such as Bcl-2 and Bax exert their pro-or antiapoptotic effect through regulating the opening of the mPTP [13]. Recently, experimental evidence indicates that Bax is required for mPTP-dependent cell death [14]. So far, studies concerning the relationship between Bcl-2 and the mPTP opening have been rarely reported. Furthermore, many investigations show that the expression of Bax is increased and the expression of Bcl-2 is decreased in Ab1-42-induced neuronal apoptosis [15][16][17]. These results imply that Ab1-42 induces the mPTP opening which might be regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins. In addition, in AD patients and AD mouse models, accumulation of intracellular ROS triggers the mPTP opening which finally leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis [18][19][20].
Astragaloside IV (AS-IV, chemical structure shown in Fig. 1), is a small molecular (MW = 784 Da) saponin purified from Astragalus membranaceus, that has been routinely used in China to treat chronic diseases [21]. It has been reported that AS-IV has an antioxidant effect and the accepted underlying mechanisms include modulation of energy metabolism and Ca 2+ homeostasis [22][23][24][25]. Moreover, AS-IV shows neuroprotective effects on promoting axonal regeneration and reconstruction of neuronal synapses [26]. However, the protective effects of AS-IV against Ab1-42-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death still need to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AS-IV against Ab1-42-induced mPTP opening in SK-N-SH cells and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Cell Lines, Culture Conditions, and Treatment with Reagents
Human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells (ATCC) were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (Invitrogen) and 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin (Invitrogen). Cells were maintained at 37uC in humidified 5% CO 2 and 95% air and the culture medium was replaced every 2 days. All experiments were carried out 24-48 h after cells were seeded in culture plates. Cells were permitted to attach for 24 h and grown to 75% confluence. AS-IV (Soboo Biotech, purity .99%) was dissolved in DMSO to the concentration of 10 mg/ml as a stock solution. Oligomer Ab1-42 (Sigma) was prepared as described [27]. The highest final concentration of DMSO in the medium was 0.1% to avoid affecting cell viability. All treated SK-N-SH cells were divided into 3 groups as follows: vehicle group (cells treated with 0.1% DMSO), Ab1-42 group (cells treated with 5 mM Ab1-42) and AS-IV+ Ab1-42 group (cells pretreated with AS-IV at various concentration (10, 25, 50 mM) 2 h prior to 5 mM Ab1-42). All experiments were carried out after incubation for 24 h.

Cell viability assay
Cell viability was measured in a 96-well plate using a quantitative colorimetric assay with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Briefly, SK-N-SH cells were cultured on 96-well plates. After treatments above, the MTT solution (5 mg/mL) was added to each well (20 mL/well) at a final concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and incubated at 37uC for 4 h. The MTT solution was removed gently and 200 mL of DMSO was added to each well for 15 min incubation. The absorbance of each sample was measured at 490 nm using a microplate reader (Bio-Rad).

Measurement of cellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide
Generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was monitored by using the 29,79-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe (Invitrogen) and mitochondrial superoxide levels were monitored by using the fluorescent probe MitoSOX Red (Invitrogen). Briefly, after treatments, SK-N-SH cells were incubated with 10 mM DCFH-DA or 5 mM MitoSOX Red at 37uC for 30 min. After washing twice with PBS, the fluorescence intensity was observed by using OLYMPUS FV1000 confocal microscopy. The intensity of fluorescence staining was analyzed with Image J software (NIH). Mitochondria were counterstained with Mitotracker Red (red fluorescence) or Mitotracker Green (green fluorescence) (Invitrogen), respectively.

Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) Assay
The opening of the mPTP in cultured SK-N-SH cells was assessed by the Calcein/Co2+-quenching technique as described by using the MitoProbe Transition Pore Assay Kit (Molecular Probes) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, after treatments, SK-N-SH cells were loaded with 1 mM Calcein-AM (green), 2 mM CoCl2 and 20 nM MitoTracker Red (Invitrogen) at 37uC for 20 min in phenol red free Hank's buffered salt solution (Invitrogen). After washings, live cells were imaged using OLYMPUS FV1000 confocal microscopy with appropriate excitation and emission filters for fluorescein. The mPTP inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) (1 mM) (LC laboratories) was applied as a positive control.

Analysis of Apoptotic Parameters
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were conducted by In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit AP (Roche) according to the manufacturer's instruction. Briefly, after treatments, SK-N-SH cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained with 10 mg/mL 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole hydrochloride (DAPI) (Invitrogen) at 37uC for 10 min. Stained cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope (Olympus). The TUNEL-positive cells were counted and the ratio of apoptotic cells to total cells (DAPI-stained) was determined.

ATP level measurement
The ATP level was measured by the ATP Determination Kit (Roche) according to the manufacturer's instruction. After treatments, SK-N-SH cells were homogenized by using cell lysis buffer, incubated on ice for 15 min, and centrifuged at 14,000 x g for 15 min at 4uC. Subsequent supernatants were collected and chemiluminescence was measured by using a Beckman Coulter DTX880 (Beckman) with an integration time of 10 seconds.

Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm)
DYm was detected by TMRM staining according to manufacturer's instructions. After treatments, SK-N-SH cells were stained by TMRM (200 nM, Invitrogen) for 30 min at 37uC and then washed with medium twice. The cells were observed and imaged with OLYMPUS FV1000 confocal microscopy. The intensity of TMRM was analyzed with Image J software (NIH). Mitochondria were counterstained with Mitotracker Green (Invitrogen). Detection of the activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO activity) Cytochrome c oxidase activity was measured by using the cytochrome c oxidase kit (Sigma). After treatments, SK-N-SH cells were collected. A total volume of 100 mL mixture of cell lysis buffer and enzyme solution was added into 950 mL assay buffer. The reaction was initiated by adding 50 mL ferrocytochrome c substrate solution. The fluorescence of the final mixture at 550 nm was recorded with a SmartSpec Plus spectrophotometer (Bio-rad).

Cytochrome c release assay
Cytochrome c release was measured by using the Cytochrome c Releasing Apoptosis Assay Kit (Abcam). Briefly, after treatments, cells were collected by centrifugation at 600 x g for 5 min at 4uC and washed for twice. Cells were homogenized and isolated as cytosolic and mitochondrial extraction by employing the reagents. 10 mg each of the cytosolic and mitochondrial fraction was loaded on a 12% SDS-PAGE. A standard Western blot procedure was done and probed with monoclonal mouse anti-cytochrome c antibody (Cell signaling). Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX IV, Cell signaling) and polyclonal mouse anti b-actin (Sigma) were used as loading controls.

Protein extraction and Western blot analysis
After treatments, cells were washed twice with ice-cold PBS, and then cells were homogenized at 1:5 (wt/vol) in an ice-cold lysis buffer. Samples were resolved by SDS-PAGE and transferred to Hybond-ECL nitrocellulose membranes (Bio-rad). The blots were probed with the following primary antibodies: polyclonal mouse anti b-actin (Sigma), monoclonal mouse anti-Bax (Cell Signaling), monoclonal mouse anti-Bcl-2 (Cell Signaling) and polyclonal rabbit anti-cleaved caspase-3 (Santa Cruz) followed by incubation with species-matched horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibodies. The blots were developed with a chemiluminescence substrate solution (Pierce) and exposed to X-ray film. The optical density of immunoreactive bands was quantified using Biorad software.

Statistical analysis
All experiments were repeated more than three times. All values were expressed as mean 6 standard error (SE). Statistical significance was determined via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey-Kramer test for multiple comparisons when appropriate using SPSS software (version 16.0, SPSS). A value of P,0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Pretreatment of AS-IV prevented Ab1-42-induced neuronal cell death in SK-N-SH cells
To test the effect of AS-IV, SK-N-SH cells were subjected to various concentrations of AS-IV for 24 h, and no significant difference was observed in cell viability assessed by the MTT assay among the AS-IV (1, 5, 10, 25, 50 mM) group and the vehicle group. However, cells treated with higher dose of AS-IV (100 mM) showed about 10% reduction of cell viability ( Fig. 2A, P,0.01).

AS-IV attenuated Ab1-42 induced mitochondrial dysfunction
To explore the potential role of AS-IV in Ab1-42-induced neuronal cell death, we examined the mitochondrial function by testing mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm), ATP level and cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in SK-N-SH cells. Firstly, we employed TMRM as an indicator of mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm). Ab1-42 treated SK-N-SH cells showed a significant decrease in red fluorescence intensity compared with cells from the vehicle group (P,0.01). Cells pretreated with 25 or 50 mM AS-IV at showed higher red fluorescence intensity compared with cells treated with Ab1-42 alone for 24h (P, 0.01). There was no significant difference between the 10 mM AS-IV pretreatment group and the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01) (Fig. 3A,  B). Secondly, we measured ATP level. As shown in Fig. 3C, ATP generation in the Ab1-42 group was decreased compared with the vehicle group. In the presence of AS-IV at 25 or 50 mM, ATP level was significantly increased compared with that in the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01). Application of 10 mM AS-IV did not recover ATP level (P.0.05). Thirdly, the CcO activity was examined. Cells treated with 5 mM Ab1-42 demonstrated significantly decreased CcO activity compared with that in the vehicle group (P,0.01). Notably, cells in the presence of AS-IV exhibited significantly increased CcO activity in a dose-dependent manner compared with cells treated with Ab1-42 alone for 24 h (P,0.01). Pretreatment of 25 and 50 mM AS-IV significantly increased CcO activity in a dose-dependent manner. AS-IV at 10 mM did not show significant difference compared with that in the Ab1-42 group (P.0.05) (Fig. 3D). Statistical analysis showed that the mitochondrial function of cells pretreated with AS-IV did not recovery fully to the level of the vehicle group. In the experiments to detect DYm, ATP level or CcO activity, 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells.

AS-IV inhibited Ab1-42-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria
Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol is considered as a key initial step in the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic process. We examined the levels of cytochrome c in cytosol and mitochondria by Western blot. Compared with the vehicle group, the Ab1-42 group showed significantly higher levels of cytochrome c in cytosol (P,0.01). The levels of cytochrome c was significantly decreased with a dose-dependent manner in the presence of AS-IV (25, 50 mM) compared with that in the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01) (Fig. 4A, B). Cells treated with 10 mM AS-IV did not show a significant decreasedid not. The results showed that compared with the vehicle group, the Ab1-42 group showed significantly lower levels of cytochrome c in mitochondria (P, 0.01). Cells pretreated with AS-IV at 25, 50 mM showed higher levels of cytochrome c in mitochondria than cells treated with Ab1-42. Cells treated with 10 mM AS-IV did not show difference (Fig. 4C, D). 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells.

Pretreatment of AS-IV inhibited Ab1-42-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells
Next, we investigated the protective effect of AS-IV against Ab1-42-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells. The Ab1-42 group showed more TUNEL-positive cells compared with the vehicle group. Pretreatment of AS-IV at 25 or 50 mM significantly decreased TUNEL-positive cells numbers in a dose-dependent manner compared with Ab1-42 treatment (P,0.01), though the apoptotic cells numbers were slightly more than that in the vehicle group. Few apoptotic cells were visible in the vehicle group. Pretreatment of 10 mM AS-IV did not show a significant difference compared with Ab1-42 treatment (P.0.05) (Fig. 5A). To confirm the anti-apoptotic effect of AS-IV in the presence of Ab1-42, we measured the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein.

AS-IV blocked Ab1-42-induced mPTP opening
To investigate whether the mPTP opening was involved in AS-IV attenuating Ab1-42-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, we employed Calcein-AM/cobalt chloride quenching method. Compared with the vehicle group, cells in the Ab1-42 group showed a significantly lower level of green fluorescence (P,0.01). Pretreatment of AS-IV at 25 or 50 mM significantly increased Calcein fluorescence intensity compared with Ab1-42 treatment alone but the intensity did not go back to the level of the vehicle group (P, 0.01). 10 mM AS-IV pretreatment did not show a significant difference compared with Ab1-42 treatment alone (P.0.05). The mPTP inhibitor CsA increased Calcein fluorescence intensity, confirming that Calcein quenching reflected the opening of the mPTP. 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells. (Fig. 6A, B).

Pretreatment with AS-IV reduced Ab1-42-induced ROS generation in SK-N-SH cells
To analyze whether AS-IV attenuates cell death by blocking ROS generation, we examined the level of intracellular ROS by using H 2 DCF-DA fluorescent dye. The lowest ROS level was detected from the vehicle group. Compared with the vehicle group, the Ab1-42 group showed significantly higher level of green fluorescence intensity (P,0.01). In the presence of AS-IV, DCF intensity was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared with the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01). However, pretreatment of AS-IV did not completely reverse the ROS level compared with that in the vehicle group (P,0.01) (Fig. 7A, B). 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells.

Pretreatment with AS-IV decreased Ab1-42-induced mitochondrial superoxide in SK-N-SH cells
To obtain evidence related to a reduction in the levels of mitochondrial superoxide, we stained live cells with MitoSOX Red fluorescent probe. Compared with the vehicle group, cells in the Ab1-42 group demonstrated significant enhancement in red fluorescence signal (P,0.01). In the presence of AS-IV at 25 or 50 mM, MitoSOX Red fluorescence level was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with that in the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01) but the signal intensity was not back to the level of the vehicle group (P,0.01). There was no significant difference between the 10 mM AS-IV pretreatment group and the Ab1-42 group (Fig. 7C, D). 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells.

Bcl-2 and Bax are involved in AS-IV inhibiting the mPTP opening in the presence of Ab1-42
The Bcl-2 family proteins are associated with apoptosis. In this study, we examined the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 by Western blot. Compared with the vehicle group, the Ab1-42 group displayed lower expression of Bcl-2 and higher expression of Bax. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the Ab1-42 group was significantly increased (P,0.01). Cells pretreated with AS-IV at 25 or 50 mM showed reversed ratios of Bax and Bcl-2 compared with cells in the Ab1-42 group. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the AS-IV pretreated group was decreased compared with the Ab1-42 group (P,0.01). No difference was observed between pretreatment of 10 mM AS-IV and Ab1-42 treatment alone. 50 mM AS-IV alone treatment did not show an insult to SK-N-SH cells (Fig 8A, B).

Discussion
As a main component of senior plaque, amyloid beta (Ab) is an important hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have demonstrated Ab could induce apoptotic and necrotic cell death [28]. In the present study, our data showed that SK-N-SH cells treated with 5 mM Ab1-42 for 24 h displayed lower cell viability and higher apoptosis. Pretreatment of AS-IV at concentration of 25, 50 mM significantly decreased apoptotic cell numbers and improved cell viability in SK-N-SH cells in the presence of Ab1-42. The results implicate that AS-IV plays a protective role in SK-N-SH cells resisting Ab1-42 toxicity. Similarly, Zhang and colleagues report that AS-IV showed protective effect against MPP + -induced toxicity in their studies on PD model [29].
As the energy powerhouse of eukaryotic cells, the integrity of structure and healthy functions of mitochondria are essential to ensure cellular energy supplies and cell survival. Under pathological conditions, structural damage and subsequent dysfunction in mitochondria lead to irreversible death in eukaryotic cells [30]. During the process of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, prior to other cellular alterations, mitochondria display earlier impairments such as a reduction in ATP production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm) and decreased activity of mitochondrial enzymes. A number of studies showed that dissipation of DYm and mitochondrial structure damage appeared in Ab-induced neurotoxicity [31,32]. Here, our data showed that Ab1-42 decreased DYm, reduced ATP level and down-regulated of CcO activity which indicated that Ab1-42 induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells through a mitochondrial pathway. These mitochondrial damages were significantly reversed by pretreatment of AS-IV at concentrations of 25 and 50 mM. Therefore, we hypothesized that the protection of AS-IV against Ab1-42 in SK-N-SH cells owed to maintaining DYm, CcO activity and ATP generation.
It is well known that cytochrome c is released from outer mitochondrial membrane, following the dissipation of DYm. The dissipation of DYm is an earlier event when neuronal cells are exposed to Ab1-42 [33,34]. In this study, the results showed that the expression of cytochrome c in cytosol was significantly increased in the Ab group compared with those from the vehicle group. Pretreatment of AS-IV significantly prevented the cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol compared with Ab1-42 treatment alone. Several apoptosis-associated proteins, such as caspase-9 and caspase-3, are substrates for cytochrome c and could be cleaved by cytochrome c [35]. Our data showed Ab1-42 treated cells displayed significantly increased levels of cleaved caspase-3 compared with cells in the vehicle group. As expected, pretreatment with AS-IV significantly reduced the levels of cleaved caspase-3 compared with that in the Ab1-42 group. Taken together, these results indicate that AS-IV protects SK-N-SH cells against Ab1-42 toxicity by reducing cytochrome c release and avoid apoptosis-associated proteins activation.
Besides supplying cellular energy, mitochondria are involved in a wide range of important cellular processes. Mitochondria exert an important physiological function in regulating intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis [36]. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in response to Ca 2+ overload or ROS accumulation. A large body of evidence indicates that the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening is a key event in Ab-induced neurotoxicity [37][38][39]. Therefore we detected whether AS-IV could inhibit the mPTP opening during Ab1-42 treatment in SK-N-SH cells. Our results demonstrate that the mPTP opening is enhanced by Ab1-42 in SK-N-SH cells, which is coincident with a previous study [10]. Notably, pretreatment of AS-IV significantly inhibited the opening of the mPTP in Ab1-42 rich milieu. These data suggest that AS-IV protects mitochondria via inhibiting Ab1-42-induced mPTP opening, which ultimately protects SK-N-SH cells from Ab1-42.
In most of neurodegenerative events such as Alzheimer's disease, the balance of oxidation-reduction in neurons is disturbed and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated following mitochondria superoxide accumulation [40]. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of oxidation-reduction. Superoxide is generated from mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and complex III. Under physiologic conditions, mitochondrial superoxide can be converted gradually to H 2 O or be converted to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in the cytosol [41]. In this study, we found that mitochondrial superoxide and intracellular ROS in Ab1-42 treated SK-N-SH cells were significantly increased compared with cells in the vehicle group. The excessive ROS will further exaggerate mitochondria damages, including the collapse of the DYm, outer mitochondrial membrane rupture and inactivation of mitochondrial metabolic enzymes [42]. Inspiringly, in this study, we found that pretreatment of AS-IV reduced intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide in SK-N-SH cells treated with Ab1-42. As mentioned above, ROS is one inducer to trigger the mPTP opening. Therefore, we speculate the protective effect of AS-IV on SK-N-SH cells treated with Ab1-42 interrupts the vicious cycle between the mPTP-mediated mitochondrial damages and cellular oxidative stress.
Bcl-2 family proteins are related to apoptosis. Under proapoptotic condition, Bax inserts into the outer mitochondrial membrane from cytosol. Bax can bind with ANT and/or VDAC proteins to induce the mPTP opening. On the contrary, Bcl-2 can prevent the mPTP opening by inhibiting the interaction between Bax and the mPTP components proteins [43]. In the present study, the results showed that the expression of Bax was increased in Ab1-42 treated SK-N-SH cells compared with cells in the vehicle group, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased. Both changes resulted increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in Ab1-42 treated SK-N-SH cells. Pretreatment of AS-IV significantly decreased the expression of Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2 induced by Ab1-42. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was reversed in the pretreatment of AS-IV. These results indicate that pretreatment of AS-IV could inhibit the mPTP opening by reducing the expression of Bax and enhancing the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, the recovery ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 indicates that AS-IV inhibits Bax mediated mPTP opening. Moreover, studies showed that intracellular ROS could increase Bax and decrease Bcl-2 by regulating their phosphorylation and ubiquitination [44]. The possible mechanism of AS-IV inhibiting Ab1-42-induced mPTP opening might be due to reducing intracellular ROS followed by alterations of the expression of Bax and Bcl-2.
In summary, our data demonstrated AS-IV enhanced cell viability and decreased accumulation of mitochondria superoxide and intracellular ROS in an Ab1-42 rich environment. AS-IV improved mitochondrial function, maintained mitochondrial membrane potential and suppressed the release of cytochrome c and the caspase-3 activation in SK-N-SH cells treated with Ab1-42. AS-IV inhibited the mPTP opening and reduced the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in SK-N-SH cells treated with Ab1-42. These results suggest that AS-IV exerts protective effects on SK-N-SH cells against mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting the mPTP opening and regulating the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins in the presence of Ab1-42. Our data provide evidence to support the protective effects of AS-IV on neuronal cells in neurodegeneration diseases. These results provide novel insights of AS-IV for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.