Comparative Proteomic Identification of Protein Disulphide Isomerase A6 Associated with Tert-Butylhydroperoxide-Induced Liver Injury in Rat Hepatocytes

Background/Aims: Oxidants are important human toxicants. They have been implicated in the occurrence and development of liver diseases. Increased intracellular tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) may be critical for oxidant toxicity, and is commonly used for evaluating mechanisms involving oxidative stress, but the method remains controversial. Methods: Primary cultures of hepatocytes as well as human Hep G2 and mouse FL83B liver cells were obtained. Cell viability was measured by annexin V–FITC/propidium iodide and DAPI staining to determine the effects of t-BHP treatment on acute liver injury. A proteomic assay provided information that was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins following t-BHP treatment; immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to detect the expression of PDIA6 activity in apoptotic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways. Results: Our results demonstrate that t-BHP treatment of liver cells increased cell cytotoxicity and the generation of reactive oxygen species. This treatment also increased the level of PDIA6; this was validated in vitro and in vivo based on a comparison of t-BHP-treated and -untreated groups. Treatment of mouse liver FL83B cells with t-BHP activated caspase 3, increased the expression of apoptotic molecules, caused cytochrome c release, and induced Bcl-2, Bax and IRE1α/TRAF2 complex formation. t-BHP-dependent induction of apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of the IRE1α/ASK1/JNK1/2/p38 pathways and PDIA6 expression. Furthermore, t-BHP induced liver FL83B cell viability and apoptosis by upregulating the levels of PDIA6; this process could be involved in the activation of the IRE1α/ASK1/JNK1/2/p38 signalling pathways. Conclusions: We conclude that t-BHP induced an apoptosis cascade and ER stress in hepatocytes by upregulation of PDIA6, providing a new mechanism underlying the effects of t-BHP on liver injury.