The tumor suppressor wild-type p53 can induce apoptosis. M1-t-p53 myeloid leukemic cells have a temperature-sensitive p53 protein that changes its conformation to wild-type p53 after transfer from 37°C to 32°C. We have now found that these cells showed an early lysosomal rupture after transfer to 32°C. Mitochondrial damage, including decreased membrane potential and release of cytochrome c, and the appearance of apoptotic cells occurred later. Lysosomal rupture, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis were all inhibited by the cytokine IL-6. Some other compounds can also inhibit apoptosis induced by p53. The protease inhibitor N- tosyl- l -phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone inhibited the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release, the Ca ²⁺ -ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin inhibited only cytochrome c release, and the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole inhibited only the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. In contrast to IL-6, these other compounds that inhibited some of the later occurring mitochondrial damage did not inhibit the earlier p53-induced lysosomal damage. The results indicate that apoptosis is induced by p53 through a lysosomal-mitochondrial pathway that is initiated by lysosomal destabilization, and that this pathway can be dissected by using different apoptosis inhibitors. These findings on the induction of p53-induced lysosomal destabilization can also help to formulate new therapies for diseases with apoptotic disorders.

—The cytotoxicity of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) to several types of artery wall cells might contribute to atherosclerosis by causing cell death, presumably by both apoptosis and necrosis. After its uptake into macrophage lysosomes by receptor-mediated endocytosis, oxLDL is poorly degraded, resulting in ceroid-containing foam cells. We studied the influence of oxLDL on lysosomal enzyme activity and, in particular, on lysosomal membrane stability and the modulation of these cellular characteristics by HDL and vitamin E (vit-E). Unexposed cells and cells exposed to acetylated LDL (AcLDL) were used as controls. The lysosomal marker enzymes cathepsin L andN-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAβGase) were biochemically assayed in J-774 cells after fractionation. Lysosomal integrity in living cells was assayed by the acridine orange (AO) relocation test. Cathepsin D was immunocytochemically demonstrated in J-774 cells and human monocyte-derived macrophages. We found that the total activities of NAβGase and cathepsin L were significantly decreased, whereas their relative cytosolic activities were enhanced, after oxLDL exposure. Labilization of the lysosomal membranes was further proven by decreased lysosomal AO uptake and relocation to the cytosol of cathepsin D, as estimated by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. HDL and vit-E diminished the cytotoxicity of oxLDL by decreasing the lysosomal damage. The results indicate that endocytosed oxLDL not only partially inactivates lysosomal enzymes but also destabilizes the acidic vacuolar compartment, causing relocation of lysosomal enzymes to the cytosol. Exposure to AcLDL resulted in its uptake with enlargement of the lysosomal apparatus, but the stability of the lysosomal membranes was not changed.