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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces intrinsic apoptotic signaling during renal obstruction through truncated bid
Matthew T Campbell1, Pierre Dagher, Karen L Hile
1Department of Urology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Purpose:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha has a significant role in renal tubular cell apoptosis during obstruction induced renal injury. While we have previously reported the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in extrinsic pathway apoptotic signaling during renal obstruction, to our knowledge its effect on intrinsic pathway signaling and mitochondrial release of cytochrome C has not previously been evaluated.
Materials And Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction vs sham operation. At 24 hours before surgery and every 84 hours thereafter the animals received vehicle or a pegylated form of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1. The kidneys were harvested 1 week postoperatively. The renal cortex was analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha production (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), apoptosis (TUNEL and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), Bax, caspase 8 and truncated Bid expression (Western blot), and mitochondrial cytochrome C release (immunohistochemistry).
Results:
Renal obstruction induced increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, apoptotic renal tubular death, the expression of Bax, caspase 8 and truncated BID, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome C, while simultaneously stimulating decreased Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) expression. Treatment with the pegylated form of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 significantly decreased obstruction induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, apoptosis, Bax, caspase 8, truncated Bid expression and mitochondrial cytochrome C release, and increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) expression.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulates Bid and subsequent intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway activation during unilateral ureteral obstruction, resulting in mitochondrial cytochrome C release and apoptotic cell death. We identified tumor necrosis factor-alpha neutralization as a potential therapeutic option for ameliorating obstruction induced renal injury.
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) drives kidney injury during ureteral obstruction by activating intrinsic apoptosis. Neutralizing TNF-α with a soluble receptor treatment reduced apoptosis and protected kidney function.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Renal tubular cell apoptosis is a key feature of obstruction-induced renal injury.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is implicated in extrinsic apoptotic pathways during renal obstruction.
- The role of TNF-α in intrinsic apoptotic signaling and mitochondrial cytochrome C release during renal obstruction remains unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of TNF-α on intrinsic apoptotic signaling and mitochondrial cytochrome C release in obstruction-induced renal injury.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of TNF-α neutralization in this injury model.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction or sham surgery.
- Animals received vehicle or pegylated soluble TNF receptor type 1 (p TNFR1).
- Kidney tissues were analyzed for TNF-α, apoptosis markers, Bcl-2 family proteins, caspase 8, truncated Bid, and mitochondrial cytochrome C release.
Main Results:
- Renal obstruction increased TNF-α production, apoptosis, Bax, caspase 8, truncated Bid, and mitochondrial cytochrome C release, while decreasing Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L).
- p TNFR1 treatment significantly reduced these obstruction-induced changes.
- p TNFR1 treatment also increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) expression.
Conclusions:
- TNF-α activates Bid and the intrinsic apoptotic pathway during ureteral obstruction, leading to mitochondrial cytochrome C release and cell death.
- TNF-α neutralization is a potential therapeutic strategy for obstruction-induced renal injury.
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