Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) causes encephalopathy in severely jaundiced neonates by damaging astrocytes and neurons. Astrocytes, which help defend the brain against cytotoxic insults, express the ATP-dependent transporter, multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (Mrp1), which mediates export of organic anions, probably including UCB. We therefore studied whether exposure to UCB affects the expression and intracellular localization of Mrp1 in cultured mouse astroglial cells (>95% astrocytes). Mrp1 was localized and quantitated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and double immunofluorescence labeling by using specific antibodies against Mrp1 and the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, plus the Golgi marker wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). In unexposed astrocytes, Mrp1 colocalized with WGA in the Golgi apparatus. Exposure to UCB at a low unbound concentration (B f) of 40 nM caused rapid redistribution of Mrp1 from the Golgi throughout the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane, with a peak 5-fold increase in Mrp1 immunofluorescence intensity from 30 to 120 min. B f above aqueous saturation produced a similar but aborted response. Exposure to this higher B f for 16 h markedly decreased Trypan blue exclusion and methylthiazoletetrazoilum activity and increased apoptosis 5-fold by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. These toxic effects were modestly increased by inhibition of Mrp1 activity with 3-([3-(2-[7-chloro-2-quinolinyl]ethenyl)phenyl-(3-dimethylamino-3-oxopropyl)-thio-methyl]thio)propanoic acid (MK571). By contrast, B f ؍ 40 nM caused injury only if Mrp1 activity was inhibited by MK571, which also blocked translocation of Mrp1. Our conclusion is that in astrocytes, UCB up-regulates expression of Mrp1 and promotes its trafficking from the Golgi to the plasma membrane, thus moderating cytotoxicity from UCB, presumably by limiting its intracellular accumulation.
Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) is the end-product of heme catabolism in the intravascular compartment. Although beneficial for human health when mildly elevated in the body, when present at greater than a critical threshold concentration, UCB exerts toxic effects that are related to its physico-chemical properties, particularly affecting the central nervous system. The aim of the present study was to characterize bilirubin-10-sulfonate (ranarubin), a naturally occurring bile pigment, including determination of its mixed acidity constants (pKa*). Thanks to the presence of the sulfonic acid moiety, this compound is more polar compared to UCB, which might theoretically solve the problem with an accurate determination of the UCB pKa* values of its propionic acid carboxylic groups. Bilirubin-10-sulfonate was synthesized by modification of a previously described procedure; and its properties were studied by mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Determination of pKa* values of bilirubin-10-sulfonate and UCB was performed by capillary electrophoresis with low pigment concentrations in polar buffers. The identity of the synthesized bilirubin-10-sulfonate was confirmed by MS, and the pigment was further characterized by NMR, IR, and CD spectroscopy. The pKa values of carboxylic acid moieties of bilirubin-10-sulfonate were determined to be 5.02, whereas those of UCB were determined to be 9.01. The physico-chemical properties of bilirubin-10-sulfonate were partially characterized with low pKa* values compared to those of UCB, indicating that bilirubin-10-sulfonate cannot be used as a surrogate pigment for UCB chemical studies. In addition, using a different methodological approach, the pKa* values of UCB were found to be in a mildly alkaline region, confirming the conclusions of a recent critical re-evaluation of this specific issue.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.