Silencing USP19 alleviates cigarette smoke extract-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in BEAS-2B cells by targeting

Yanjing You1, Huijuan Wang2, Qing Wang3

  • 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Dongfang Hospital of Xiamen University, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, P.R. China.

PubMed

Insights

Reducing ubiquitin-specific peptidase 19 (USP19) alleviates cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cells. This occurs by downregulating FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1), offering new therapeutic insights.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is primarily linked to smoking.
  • FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) is implicated in mitochondrial autophagy and apoptosis.
  • Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in lung cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of FUNDC1 in CSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which ubiquitin-specific peptidase 19 (USP19) affects FUNDC1 in CSE-treated cells.

Main Methods:

  • Co-immunoprecipitation to analyze USP19-FUNDC1 interaction.
  • USP19 knockdown and FUNDC1 overexpression in CSE-treated BEAS-2B cells.
  • Assessment of cell survival, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxygen consumption rate (OCR).

Main Results:

  • CSE increased USP19 and FUNDC1 expression, LC3 II/I ratio, and apoptosis, while decreasing cell survival, mitochondrial membrane potential, and TOM20 levels.
  • USP19 knockdown reduced FUNDC1 and LC3 II/I, increased TOM20, improved cell survival, mitochondrial membrane potential, and OCR, and inhibited apoptosis.
  • USP19 deubiquitinates FUNDC1, and FUNDC1 overexpression counteracted the protective effects of USP19 knockdown.

Conclusions:

  • USP19 deubiquitinates FUNDC1, promoting CSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.
  • Decreasing USP19 expression alleviates CSE-induced mitochondrial damage by downregulating FUNDC1.
  • This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism of FUNDC1 regulation in COPD pathogenesis.

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