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Biogenesis and Functional Roles of Lysosomes: Their Implications for the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Human Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 75943

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Lysosome is the most acidic compartment ubiquitously present in eukaryotic cells. Christian De Duve was awarded the Nobel Prize for having discovered this organelle in the early sixties. Since then, we have learned lots about the biogenesis and function of this organelle and of its related companions. Initially defined as a ‘suicide bag’ or ‘waste bin’, the lysosome has gained a noble reputation in recent decades as an organelle playing critical roles in cell death and survival and, by extension, in tissue homeostasis. The array of acidic hydrolases present in the lysosome endows this organelle with the ability to digest almost all the biomolecules delivered into it. Accordingly, the lack of a lysosomal enzyme would result in the abnormal accumulation of undigested substrate and a consequent lack of downstream products. Lysosome and lysosome-related organelles, which comprise early and late endosomes, constitute a dynamic network of vesicles that traffic and process substrates coming from inside and outside through the connection with the autophagy and endocytosis processes, respectively. In addition, the endosomal-lysosomal system is also involved in cell-to-cell communication through the exocytosis pathway and the release of exosomes, which are generated within the late endosomes. Specialized lysosome-related organelles are present in highly differentiated cells where these organelles accomplish unique functions. From the above, it appears clear that defective biogenesis or malfunctioning of this organelle would negatively impact human health. This Special Issue will collect either research or review articles addressing the biogenesis and pathophysiological role of lysosome and lysosome-related organelles in human health and disease.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Biogenesis of acidic compartments and their function in cells;
  • Trafficking of molecules and membranes among endosomal-lysosomal organelles;
  • Endocytosis and exocytosis in cell communication;
  • Biogenesis and function of exosomes;
  • Lysosomes in cell survival and cell death pathways;
  • Lysosomes and autophagy;
  • Lysosomes in development and embryomorphogenesis;
  • Dysfunctional lysosomes in human pathologies, with a special focus on autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, lysosomal storage diseases, and cancer;
  • Lysosomes as a therapeutic target in human diseases;
  • Replacement gene therapy for lysosome dysfunction.

Prof. Dr. Ciro Isidoro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • lysosome
  • endosomes
  • exosome
  • cell homeostasis
  • autophagy
  • cell death
  • therapy
  • disease
  • development
  • lysosomal enzymes

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 210 KiB  
Editorial
Pathophysiology of Lysosomes in a Nutshell
by Ciro Isidoro
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310688 - 26 Jun 2023
Viewed by 553
Abstract
Lysosomes are acidic organelles present in all nucleated mammalian cells [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

14 pages, 2549 KiB  
Article
Lysosome Dynamic Properties during Neuronal Stem Cell Differentiation Studied by Spatiotemporal Fluctuation Spectroscopy and Organelle Tracking
by William Durso, Manuella Martins, Laura Marchetti, Federico Cremisi, Stefano Luin and Francesco Cardarelli
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(9), 3397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093397 - 11 May 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3266
Abstract
We investigated lysosome dynamics during neuronal stem cell (NSC) differentiation by two quantitative and complementary biophysical methods based on fluorescence: imaging-derived mean square displacement (iMSD) and single-particle tracking (SPT). The former extracts the average dynamics and size of the whole population [...] Read more.
We investigated lysosome dynamics during neuronal stem cell (NSC) differentiation by two quantitative and complementary biophysical methods based on fluorescence: imaging-derived mean square displacement (iMSD) and single-particle tracking (SPT). The former extracts the average dynamics and size of the whole population of moving lysosomes directly from imaging, with no need to calculate single trajectories; the latter resolves the finest heterogeneities and dynamic features at the single-lysosome level, which are lost in the iMSD analysis. In brief, iMSD analysis reveals that, from a structural point of view, lysosomes decrement in size during NSC differentiation, from 1 μm average diameter in the embryonic cells to approximately 500 nm diameter in the fully differentiated cells. Concomitantly, iMSD analysis highlights modification of key dynamic parameters, such as the average local organelle diffusivity and anomalous coefficient, which may parallel cytoskeleton remodeling during the differentiation process. From average to local, SPT allows mapping heterogeneous dynamic responses of single lysosomes in different districts of the cells. For instance, a dramatic decrease of lysosomal transport in the soma is followed by a rapid increase of transport in the projections at specific time points during neuronal differentiation, an observation compatible with the hypothesis that lysosomal active mobilization shifts from the soma to the newborn projections. Our combined results provide new insight into the lysosome size and dynamics regulation throughout NSC differentiation, supporting new functions proposed for this organelle. Full article
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16 pages, 3715 KiB  
Article
Interactions of the Lysosomotropic Detergent O-Methyl-Serine Dodecylamide Hydrochloride (MSDH) with Lipid Bilayer Membranes—Implications for Cell Toxicity
by Ana-Maria Villamil Giraldo, Ida Eriksson, Stefan Wennmalm, Timmy Fyrner, Thomas Ederth and Karin Öllinger
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(9), 3136; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093136 - 29 Apr 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2778
Abstract
O-methyl-serine dodecylamine hydrochloride (MSDH) is a detergent that accumulates selectively in lysosomes, a so-called lysosomotropic detergent, with unexpected chemical properties. At physiological pH, it spontaneously forms vesicles, which disassemble into small aggregates (probably micelles) below pH 6.4. In this study, we characterize the [...] Read more.
O-methyl-serine dodecylamine hydrochloride (MSDH) is a detergent that accumulates selectively in lysosomes, a so-called lysosomotropic detergent, with unexpected chemical properties. At physiological pH, it spontaneously forms vesicles, which disassemble into small aggregates (probably micelles) below pH 6.4. In this study, we characterize the interaction between MSDH and liposomes at different pH and correlate the findings to toxicity in human fibroblasts. We find that the effect of MSDH on lipid membranes is highly pH-dependent. At neutral pH, the partitioning of MSDH into the liposome membrane is immediate and causes the leakage of small fluorophores, unless the ratio between MSDH and lipids is kept low. At pH 5, the partitioning of MSDH into the membrane is kinetically impeded since MSDH is charged and a high ratio between MSDH and the lipids is required to permeabilize the membrane. When transferred to cell culture conditions, the ratio between MSDH and plasma membrane lipids must therefore be low, at physiological pH, to maintain plasma membrane integrity. Transmission electron microscopy suggests that MSDH vesicles are taken up by endocytosis. As the pH of the endosomal compartment progressively drops, MSDH vesicles disassemble, leading to a high concentration of increasingly charged MSDH in small aggregates inside the lysosomes. At sufficiently high MSDH concentrations, the lysosome is permeabilized, the proteolytic content released to the cytosol and apoptotic cell death is induced. Full article
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24 pages, 3454 KiB  
Article
Rapamycin Re-Directs Lysosome Network, Stimulates ER-Remodeling, Involving Membrane CD317 and Affecting Exocytosis, in Campylobacter Jejuni-Lysate-Infected U937 Cells
by Barbara Canonico, Erica Cesarini, Mariele Montanari, Gianna Di Sario, Raffaella Campana, Luca Galluzzi, Federica Sola, Ozan Gundogdu, Francesca Luchetti, Aurora Diotallevi, Wally Baffone, Antonio Giordano and Stefano Papa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062207 - 23 Mar 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3959
Abstract
The Gram-negative Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. The cytotoxic effects of Campylobacter have been mainly ascribed to the actions of the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT): it is mandatory to put in evidence risk factors for sequela [...] Read more.
The Gram-negative Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. The cytotoxic effects of Campylobacter have been mainly ascribed to the actions of the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT): it is mandatory to put in evidence risk factors for sequela development, such as reactive arthritis (ReA) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). Several researches are directed to managing symptom severity and the possible onset of sequelae. We found for the first time that rapamycin (RM) is able to largely inhibit the action of C. jejuni lysate CDT in U937 cells, and to partially avoid the activation of specific sub-lethal effects. In fact, we observed that the ability of this drug to redirect lysosomal compartment, stimulate ER-remodeling (highlighted by ER–lysosome and ER–mitochondria contacts), protect mitochondria network, and downregulate CD317/tetherin, is an important component of membrane microdomains. In particular, lysosomes are involved in the process of the reduction of intoxication, until the final step of lysosome exocytosis. Our results indicate that rapamycin confers protection against C. jejuni bacterial lysate insults to myeloid cells. Full article
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22 pages, 5567 KiB  
Article
Abnormal Lysosomal Positioning and Small Extracellular Vesicle Secretion in Arterial Stiffening and Calcification of Mice Lacking Mucolipin 1 Gene
by Owais M. Bhat, Xinxu Yuan, Sarah Camus, Fadi N. Salloum and Pin-Lan Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(5), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051713 - 03 Mar 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3854
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that arterial medial calcification is mediated by abnormal release of exosomes/small extracellular vesicles from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and that small extracellular vesicle (sEV) secretion from cells is associated with lysosome activity. The present study was designed to [...] Read more.
Recent studies have shown that arterial medial calcification is mediated by abnormal release of exosomes/small extracellular vesicles from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and that small extracellular vesicle (sEV) secretion from cells is associated with lysosome activity. The present study was designed to investigate whether lysosomal expression of mucolipin-1, a product of the mouse Mcoln1 gene, contributes to lysosomal positioning and sEV secretion, thereby leading to arterial medial calcification (AMC) and stiffening. In Mcoln1−/− mice, we found that a high dose of vitamin D (Vit D; 500,000 IU/kg/day) resulted in increased AMC compared to their wild-type littermates, which was accompanied by significant downregulation of SM22-α and upregulation of RUNX2 and osteopontin in the arterial media, indicating a phenotypic switch to osteogenic. It was also shown that significantly decreased co-localization of lysosome marker (Lamp-1) with lysosome coupling marker (Rab 7 and ALG-2) in the aortic wall of Mcoln1−/− mice as compared to their wild-type littermates. Besides, Mcoln1−/− mice showed significant increase in the expression of exosome/ sEV markers, CD63, and annexin-II (AnX2) in the arterial medial wall, accompanied by significantly reduced co-localization of lysosome marker (Lamp-1) with multivesicular body (MVB) marker (VPS16), suggesting a reduction of the lysosome-MVB interactions. In the plasma of Mcoln1−/− mice, the number of sEVs significantly increased as compared to the wild-type littermates. Functionally, pulse wave velocity (PWV), an arterial stiffening indicator, was found significantly increased in Mcoln1−/− mice, and Vit D treatment further enhanced such stiffening. All these data indicate that the Mcoln1 gene deletion in mice leads to abnormal lysosome positioning and increased sEV secretion, which may contribute to the arterial stiffness during the development of AMC. Full article
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12 pages, 4223 KiB  
Article
Autophagy Deficiency in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells Leads to an Increase in Cellular Injury and Apoptosis under Normal Fed Conditions
by Chigure Suzuki, Isei Tanida, Juan Alejandro Oliva Trejo, Soichiro Kakuta and Yasuo Uchiyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010155 - 25 Dec 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2767
Abstract
Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells are significantly damaged during acute kidney injury. Renal proximal tubular cell-specific autophagy-deficient mice show increased sensitivity against renal injury, while showing few pathological defects under normal fed conditions. Considering that autophagy protects the proximal tubular cells from acute [...] Read more.
Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells are significantly damaged during acute kidney injury. Renal proximal tubular cell-specific autophagy-deficient mice show increased sensitivity against renal injury, while showing few pathological defects under normal fed conditions. Considering that autophagy protects the proximal tubular cells from acute renal injury, it is reasonable to assume that autophagy contributes to the maintenance of renal tubular cells under normal fed conditions. To clarify this possibility, we generated a knock out mouse model which lacks Atg7, a key autophagosome forming enzyme, in renal proximal tubular cells (Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+). Analysis of renal tissue from two months old Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ mouse revealed an accumulation of LC3, binding protein p62/sequestosome 1 (a selective substrate for autophagy), and more interestingly, Kim-1, a biomarker for early kidney injury, in the renal proximal tubular cells under normal fed conditions. TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling)-positive cells were also detected in the autophagy-deficient renal tubular cells. Analysis of renal tissue from Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ mice at different age points showed that tubular cells positive for p62 and Kim-1 continually increase in number in an age-dependent manner. Ultrastructural analysis of tubular cells from Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ revealed the presence of intracellular inclusions and abnormal structures. These results indicated that autophagy-deficiency in the renal proximal epithelial tubular cells leads to an increase in injured cells in the kidney even under normal fed conditions. Full article
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23 pages, 3141 KiB  
Article
The Role of Lysosomes in a Broad Disease-Modifying Approach Evaluated across Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease and Models of Mild Cognitive Impairment
by Jeannie Hwang, Candice M. Estick, Uzoma S. Ikonne, David Butler, Morgan C. Pait, Lyndsie H. Elliott, Sarah Ruiz, Kaitlan Smith, Katherine M. Rentschler, Cary Mundell, Michael F. Almeida, Nicole Stumbling Bear, James P. Locklear, Yara Abumohsen, Cecily M. Ivey, Karen L.G. Farizatto and Ben A. Bahr
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(18), 4432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20184432 - 09 Sep 2019
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4198
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative disorders have lysosomal impediments, and the list of proposed treatments targeting lysosomes is growing. We investigated the role of lysosomes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other age-related disorders, as well as in a strategy to compensate for lysosomal disturbances. Comprehensive immunostaining [...] Read more.
Many neurodegenerative disorders have lysosomal impediments, and the list of proposed treatments targeting lysosomes is growing. We investigated the role of lysosomes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other age-related disorders, as well as in a strategy to compensate for lysosomal disturbances. Comprehensive immunostaining was used to analyze brains from wild-type mice vs. amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 (APP/PS1) mice that express mutant proteins linked to familial AD. Also, lysosomal modulation was evaluated for inducing synaptic and behavioral improvements in transgenic models of AD and Parkinson’s disease, and in models of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Amyloid plaques were surrounded by swollen organelles positive for the lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in the APP/PS1 cortex and hippocampus, regions with robust synaptic deterioration. Within neurons, lysosomes contain the amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) degradation product Aβ38, and this indicator of Aβ42 detoxification was augmented by Z-Phe-Ala-diazomethylketone (PADK; also known as ZFAD) as it enhanced the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (CatB). PADK promoted Aβ42 colocalization with CatB in lysosomes that formed clusters in neurons, while reducing Aβ deposits as well. PADK also reduced amyloidogenic peptides and α-synuclein in correspondence with restored synaptic markers, and both synaptic and cognitive measures were improved in the APP/PS1 and MCI models. These findings indicate that lysosomal perturbation contributes to synaptic and cognitive decay, whereas safely enhancing protein clearance through modulated CatB ameliorates the compromised synapses and cognition, thus supporting early CatB upregulation as a disease-modifying therapy that may also slow the MCI to dementia continuum. Full article
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11 pages, 3638 KiB  
Article
Lack of Cathepsin D in the Renal Proximal Tubular Cells Resulted in Increased Sensitivity against Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
by Chigure Suzuki, Isei Tanida, Masaki Ohmuraya, Juan Alejandro Oliva Trejo, Soichiro Kakuta, Takehiko Sunabori and Yasuo Uchiyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(7), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20071711 - 05 Apr 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3116
Abstract
Cathepsin D is one of the major lysosomal aspartic proteases that is essential for the normal functioning of the autophagy-lysosomal system. In the kidney, cathepsin D is enriched in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and its levels increase during acute kidney injury. To [...] Read more.
Cathepsin D is one of the major lysosomal aspartic proteases that is essential for the normal functioning of the autophagy-lysosomal system. In the kidney, cathepsin D is enriched in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and its levels increase during acute kidney injury. To investigate how cathepsin D-deficiency impacts renal proximal tubular cells, we employed a conditional knockout CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Immunohistochemical analyses using anti-cathepsin D antibody revealed that cathepsin D was significantly decreased in tubular epithelial cells of the cortico-medullary region, mainly in renal proximal tubular cells of this mouse. Cathepsin D-deficient renal proximal tubular cells showed an increase of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3; a marker for autophagosome/autolysosome)-signals and an accumulation of abnormal autophagic structures. Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury resulted in an increase of early kidney injury marker, Kidney injury molecule 1 (Kim-1), in the cathepsin D-deficient renal tubular epithelial cells of the CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Inflammation marker was also increased in the cortico-medullary region of the CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Our results indicated that lack of cathepsin D in the renal tubular epithelial cells led to an increase of sensitivity against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

17 pages, 1439 KiB  
Review
Endosomal-Lysosomal Processing of Neurodegeneration-Associated Proteins in Astrocytes
by Ching-On Wong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(14), 5149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21145149 - 21 Jul 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4657
Abstract
Most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by deposition of protein aggregates that are resulted from misfolding, dysregulated trafficking, and compromised proteolytic degradation. These proteins exert cellular toxicity to a broad range of brain cells and are found in both neurons and glia. [...] Read more.
Most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by deposition of protein aggregates that are resulted from misfolding, dysregulated trafficking, and compromised proteolytic degradation. These proteins exert cellular toxicity to a broad range of brain cells and are found in both neurons and glia. Extracellular monomeric and oligomeric ND-associated proteins are taken up by astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell in the brain. Internalization, intracellular trafficking, processing, and disposal of these proteins are executed by the endosomal-lysosomal system of astrocytes. Endosomal-lysosomal organelles thus mediate the cellular impact and metabolic fate of these toxic protein species. Given the indispensable role of astrocytes in brain metabolic homeostasis, the endosomal-lysosomal processing of these proteins plays a fundamental role in altering the trajectory of neurodegeneration. This review aims at summarizing the mounting evidence that has established the essential role of astrocytic endosomal-lysosomal organelles in the processing of amyloid precursor proteins, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), tau, alpha synuclein, and huntingtin, which are associated with NDs such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington diseases. Full article
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20 pages, 627 KiB  
Review
Lysosomal Exocytosis, Exosome Release and Secretory Autophagy: The Autophagic- and Endo-Lysosomal Systems Go Extracellular
by Sandra Buratta, Brunella Tancini, Krizia Sagini, Federica Delo, Elisabetta Chiaradia, Lorena Urbanelli and Carla Emiliani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(7), 2576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072576 - 08 Apr 2020
Cited by 191 | Viewed by 19669
Abstract
Beyond the consolidated role in degrading and recycling cellular waste, the autophagic- and endo-lysosomal systems play a crucial role in extracellular release pathways. Lysosomal exocytosis is a process leading to the secretion of lysosomal content upon lysosome fusion with plasma membrane and is [...] Read more.
Beyond the consolidated role in degrading and recycling cellular waste, the autophagic- and endo-lysosomal systems play a crucial role in extracellular release pathways. Lysosomal exocytosis is a process leading to the secretion of lysosomal content upon lysosome fusion with plasma membrane and is an important mechanism of cellular clearance, necessary to maintain cell fitness. Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles originating from the inward budding of the membrane of late endosomes, which may not fuse with lysosomes but be released extracellularly upon exocytosis. In addition to garbage disposal tools, they are now considered a cell-to-cell communication mechanism. Autophagy is a cellular process leading to sequestration of cytosolic cargoes for their degradation within lysosomes. However, the autophagic machinery is also involved in unconventional protein secretion and autophagy-dependent secretion, which are fundamental mechanisms for toxic protein disposal, immune signalling and pathogen surveillance. These cellular processes underline the crosstalk between the autophagic and the endosomal system and indicate an intersection between degradative and secretory functions. Further, they suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying fusion, either with lysosomes or plasma membrane, are key determinants to maintain cell homeostasis upon stressing stimuli. When they fail, the accumulation of undigested substrates leads to pathological consequences, as indicated by the involvement of autophagic and lysosomal alteration in human diseases, namely lysosomal storage disorders, age-related neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In this paper, we reviewed the current knowledge on the functional role of extracellular release pathways involving lysosomes and the autophagic- and endo-lysosomal systems, evaluating their implication in health and disease. Full article
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16 pages, 2465 KiB  
Review
The Respiratory Phenotype of Pompe Disease Mouse Models
by Anna F. Fusco, Angela L. McCall, Justin S. Dhindsa, Lucy Zheng, Aidan Bailey, Amanda F. Kahn and Mai K. ElMallah
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062256 - 24 Mar 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3785
Abstract
Pompe disease is a glycogen storage disease caused by a deficiency in acid α-glucosidase (GAA), a hydrolase necessary for the degradation of lysosomal glycogen. This deficiency in GAA results in muscle and neuronal glycogen accumulation, which causes respiratory insufficiency. Pompe disease mouse models [...] Read more.
Pompe disease is a glycogen storage disease caused by a deficiency in acid α-glucosidase (GAA), a hydrolase necessary for the degradation of lysosomal glycogen. This deficiency in GAA results in muscle and neuronal glycogen accumulation, which causes respiratory insufficiency. Pompe disease mouse models provide a means of assessing respiratory pathology and are important for pre-clinical studies of novel therapies that aim to treat respiratory dysfunction and improve quality of life. This review aims to compile and summarize existing manuscripts that characterize the respiratory phenotype of Pompe mouse models. Manuscripts included in this review were selected utilizing specific search terms and exclusion criteria. Analysis of these findings demonstrate that Pompe disease mouse models have respiratory physiological defects as well as pathologies in the diaphragm, tongue, higher-order respiratory control centers, phrenic and hypoglossal motor nuclei, phrenic and hypoglossal nerves, neuromuscular junctions, and airway smooth muscle. Overall, the culmination of these pathologies contributes to severe respiratory dysfunction, underscoring the importance of characterizing the respiratory phenotype while developing effective therapies for patients. Full article
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25 pages, 2645 KiB  
Review
Podocyte Lysosome Dysfunction in Chronic Glomerular Diseases
by Guangbi Li, Jason Kidd and Pin-Lan Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(5), 1559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051559 - 25 Feb 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4974
Abstract
Podocytes are visceral epithelial cells covering the outer surface of glomerular capillaries in the kidney. Blood is filtered through the slit diaphragm of podocytes to form urine. The functional and structural integrity of podocytes is essential for the normal function of the kidney. [...] Read more.
Podocytes are visceral epithelial cells covering the outer surface of glomerular capillaries in the kidney. Blood is filtered through the slit diaphragm of podocytes to form urine. The functional and structural integrity of podocytes is essential for the normal function of the kidney. As a membrane-bound organelle, lysosomes are responsible for the degradation of molecules via hydrolytic enzymes. In addition to its degradative properties, recent studies have revealed that lysosomes may serve as a platform mediating cellular signaling in different types of cells. In the last decade, increasing evidence has revealed that the normal function of the lysosome is important for the maintenance of podocyte homeostasis. Podocytes have no ability to proliferate under most pathological conditions; therefore, lysosome-dependent autophagic flux is critical for podocyte survival. In addition, new insights into the pathogenic role of lysosome and associated signaling in podocyte injury and chronic kidney disease have recently emerged. Targeting lysosomal functions or signaling pathways are considered potential therapeutic strategies for some chronic glomerular diseases. This review briefly summarizes current evidence demonstrating the regulation of lysosomal function and signaling mechanisms as well as the canonical and noncanonical roles of podocyte lysosome dysfunction in the development of chronic glomerular diseases and associated therapeutic strategies. Full article
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12 pages, 220 KiB  
Review
Lysosomal Abnormalities in Cardiovascular Disease
by Congwu Chi, Andrew S. Riching and Kunhua Song
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21030811 - 27 Jan 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3403
Abstract
The lysosome, a key organelle for cellular clearance, is associated with a wide variety of pathological conditions in humans. Lysosome function and its related pathways are particularly important for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we highlighted studies that [...] Read more.
The lysosome, a key organelle for cellular clearance, is associated with a wide variety of pathological conditions in humans. Lysosome function and its related pathways are particularly important for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we highlighted studies that have improved our understanding of the connection between lysosome function and cardiovascular diseases with an emphasis on a recent breakthrough that characterized a unique autophagosome-lysosome fusion mechanism employed by cardiomyocytes through a lysosomal membrane protein LAMP-2B. This finding may impact the development of future therapeutic applications. Full article
15 pages, 1114 KiB  
Review
Association between Lysosomal Dysfunction and Obesity-Related Pathology: A Key Knowledge to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome
by Yuhei Mizunoe, Masaki Kobayashi, Ryoma Tagawa, Yoshimi Nakagawa, Hitoshi Shimano and Yoshikazu Higami
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(15), 3688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20153688 - 27 Jul 2019
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6302
Abstract
Obesity causes various health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. Metabolic organs, particularly white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver, are deeply involved in obesity. WAT contains many adipocytes with energy storage capacity and secretes [...] Read more.
Obesity causes various health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. Metabolic organs, particularly white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver, are deeply involved in obesity. WAT contains many adipocytes with energy storage capacity and secretes adipokines depending on the obesity state, while liver plays pivotal roles in glucose and lipid metabolism. This review outlines and underscores the relationship between obesity and lysosomal functions, including lysosome biogenesis, maturation and activity of lysosomal proteases in WAT and liver. It has been revealed that obesity-induced abnormalities of lysosomal proteases contribute to inflammation and cellular senescence in adipocytes. Previous reports have demonstrated obesity-induced ectopic lipid accumulation in liver is associated with abnormality of lysosomal proteases as well as other lysosomal enzymes. These studies demonstrate that lysosomal dysfunction in WAT and liver underlies part of the obesity-related pathology, raising the possibility that strategies to modulate lysosomal function may be effective in preventing or treating the metabolic syndrome. Full article
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21 pages, 1353 KiB  
Review
The Role of Cysteine Cathepsins in Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance
by Magdalena Rudzińska, Alessandro Parodi, Surinder M. Soond, Andrey Z. Vinarov, Dmitry O. Korolev, Andrey O. Morozov, Cenk Daglioglu, Yusuf Tutar and Andrey A. Zamyatnin, Jr.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(14), 3602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20143602 - 23 Jul 2019
Cited by 75 | Viewed by 7289
Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins are lysosomal enzymes belonging to the papain family. Their expression is misregulated in a wide variety of tumors, and ample data prove their involvement in cancer progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and in the occurrence of drug resistance. However, while their overexpression is [...] Read more.
Cysteine cathepsins are lysosomal enzymes belonging to the papain family. Their expression is misregulated in a wide variety of tumors, and ample data prove their involvement in cancer progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and in the occurrence of drug resistance. However, while their overexpression is usually associated with highly aggressive tumor phenotypes, their mechanistic role in cancer progression is still to be determined to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we highlight the literature related to the role of the cysteine cathepsins in cancer biology, with particular emphasis on their input into tumor biology. Full article
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