Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
06:52

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages

Published on: May 21, 2018

Apoptosis induced by lipid-associated membrane proteins from Mycoplasma penetrans is mediated by nuclear factor

Yanhua Zeng1, Yimou Wu, Zhongliang Deng

  • 1Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.

Canadian Journal of Microbiology
|April 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) from Mycoplasma penetrans induce apoptosis in mouse macrophages. This cell death pathway is linked to the activation of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), suggesting LAMPs as a pathogenic factor.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma penetrans is implicated in urogenital infections and eukaryotic cell dysfunction.
  • Lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) are potential virulence factors in mycoplasmas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathogenic potential of M. penetrans LAMPs.
  • To determine if M. penetrans LAMPs induce apoptosis in mouse macrophages.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LAMP-induced apoptosis, focusing on NF-kappaB activation.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of mouse macrophages with M. penetrans LAMPs.
  • Annexin-V/fluorescein isothiocyanate staining to assess apoptosis.
  • Agarose gel electrophoresis to detect DNA fragmentation.
  • Analysis of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and translocation.
  • Inhibition studies using a specific NF-kappaB inhibitor (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate).

Main Results:

  • M. penetrans LAMPs induced significant early and late-stage apoptosis in mouse macrophages.
  • DNA fragmentation indicative of apoptosis was observed.
  • NF-kappaB was activated and translocated to the nucleus in response to LAMPs.
  • Apoptosis and NF-kappaB activation were partially inhibited by a specific NF-kappaB inhibitor.

Conclusions:

  • M. penetrans LAMPs possess pathogenic potential by inducing apoptosis in macrophages.
  • The induction of apoptosis by M. penetrans LAMPs is likely mediated through the activation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
  • M. penetrans LAMPs represent a significant etiological factor in Mycoplasma-related diseases.

More Related Videos

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation06:12

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection07:54

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection

Published on: September 2, 2014

Related Concept Videos

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...