Reversal of HO-1 related cytoprotection with increased expression is due to reactive iron

Role of heme in bromine-induced lung injury

Bromine (Br2 ) gas inhalation poses an environmental and occupational hazard resulting in high morbidity and mortality. In this review, we underline the acute lung pathology (within 24 h of exposure) and potential therapeutic interventions that may be utilized to mitigate Br2 -induced human toxicity. We discuss our latest published data, which suggest that an increase in heme-dependent tissue injury underlies the pathogenesis of Br2 toxicity. Our study was based on previous findings that demonstrated that Br2 upregulates the heme-degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which converts toxic heme into bilverdin. Interestingly, following Br2 inhalation, heme levels were indeed elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, plasma, and whole lung tissue in C57BL/6 mice. High heme levels correlated with increased lung oxidative stress, lung inflammation, respiratory acidosis, lung edema, higher airway resistance, and mortality. However, therapeutic reduction of heme levels, by either scavenging with hemopexin or degradation by HO-1, improved lung function and survival. Therefore, heme attenuation may prove a useful adjuvant therapy to treat patients after Br2 exposure.

Knockout of ho-1 protects the striatum from ferrous iron-induced injury in a male-specific manner in mice

Men have worse survival than premenopausal women after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). After ICH, overproduction of iron associated with induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in brain was observed. Rodent ICH model using ferrous citrate (FC)-infusion into the striatum to simulate iron overload, showed a higher degree of injury severity in males than in females. However, the participation of HO-1 in sex-differences of iron-induced brain injury remains unknown. The present results showed a higher level of HO-1 expression associated with more severe injury in males compared with females after FC-infusion. Estradiol (E₂) contributed to lower levels of FC-induced HO-1 expression in females compared with males. Heterozygote ho-1 KO decreased the levels of FC-induced injury severity, histological lesions, behavioral deficits, autophagy and autophagic cell death in the striatum of males but not in females. Moreover, ho-1 deficiency enhanced the neuroprotection by E₂ only in males. These results suggested that over induction of HO-1 plays a harmful role in FC-induced brain injury in a male-specific manner. Suppression of HO-1 combined with E₂ exhibits a synergistic effect on neuroprotection against FC-induced striatal injury in males. These findings open up the prospect for male-specific neuroprotection targeting HO-1 suppression for patients suffering from striatal iron overload.

Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Gaseous Therapies for Severe Malaria

Over 200 million people worldwide suffer from malaria every year, a disease that causes 584,000 deaths annually. In recent years, significant improvements have been achieved on the treatment of severe malaria, with intravenous artesunate proving superior to quinine. However, mortality remains high, at 8% in children and 15% in adults in clinical trials, and even worse in the case of cerebral malaria (18% and 30%, respectively). Moreover, some individuals who do not succumb to severe malaria present long-term cognitive deficits. These observations indicate that strategies focused only on parasite killing fail to prevent neurological complications and deaths associated with severe malaria, possibly because clinical complications are associated in part with a cerebrovascular dysfunction. Consequently, different adjunctive therapies aimed at modulating malaria pathophysiological processes are currently being tested. However, none of these therapies has shown unequivocal evidence in improving patient clinical status. Recently, key studies have shown that gaseous therapies based mainly on nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hyperbaric (pressurized) oxygen (HBO) alter vascular endothelium dysfunction and modulate the host immune response to infection. Considering gaseous administration as a promising adjunctive treatment against severe malaria cases, we review here the pathophysiological mechanisms and the immunological aspects of such therapies.

Proximal tubule-targeted heme oxygenase-1 in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of heme to biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and iron. The beneficial effects of HO-1 expression are not merely due to degradation of the pro-oxidant heme but are also credited to the by-products that have potent, protective effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and prosurvival properties. This is well reflected in the preclinical animal models of injury in both renal and nonrenal settings. However, excessive accumulation of the by-products can be deleterious and lead to mitochondrial toxicity and oxidative stress. Therefore, use of the HO system in alleviating injury merits a targeted approach. Based on the higher susceptibility of the proximal tubule segment of the nephron to injury, we generated transgenic mice using cre-lox technology to enable manipulation of HO-1 (deletion or overexpression) in a cell-specific manner. We demonstrate the validity and feasibility of these mice by breeding them with proximal tubule-specific Cre transgenic mice. Similar to previous reports using chemical modulators and global transgenic mice, we demonstrate that whereas deletion of HO-1, specifically in the proximal tubules, aggravates structural and functional damage during cisplatin nephrotoxicity, selective overexpression of HO-1 in proximal tubules is protective. At the cellular level, cleaved caspase-3 expression, a marker of apoptosis, and p38 signaling were modulated by HO-1. Use of these transgenic mice will aid in the evaluation of the effects of cell-specific HO-1 expression in response to injury and assist in the generation of targeted approaches that will enhance recovery with reduced, unwarranted adverse effects.

Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression Affects Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, is a cytoprotective enzyme upregulated in the vasculature by increased flow and inflammatory stimuli. Human genetic data suggest that a diminished HO-1 expression may predispose one to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development. In addition, heme is known to strongly induce HO-1 expression. Utilizing the porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) model of AAA induction in HO-1 heterozygous (HO-1^+/-, HO-1 Het) mice, we found that a deficiency in HO-1 leads to augmented AAA development. Peritoneal macrophages from HO-1^+/- mice showed increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including MCP-1, TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, and IL-6, but decreased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta. Furthermore, treatment with heme returned AAA progression in HO-1 Het mice to a wild-type profile. Using a second murine AAA model (Ang II-ApoE^-/-), we showed that low doses of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin can induce HO-1 expression in aortic tissue and suppress AAA progression in the absence of lipid lowering. Our results support those studies that suggest that pleiotropic statin effects might be beneficial in AAA, possibly through the upregulation of HO-1. Specific targeted therapies designed to induce HO-1 could become an adjunctive therapeutic strategy for the prevention of AAA disease.

MicroRNA-27b Enhances the Hepatic Regenerative Properties of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are readily available multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells and have become an attractive therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. We herein investigated the mechanistic role of how miR-27b modulated regenerative capacities of ASCs. Intravenous administration of miR-27b-transfected ASCs (ASCs-miR-27b) was conducted after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). After PH, rats injected with ASCs-miR-27b had decreased inflammatory cytokines and increased hepatocyte growth factor and other related growth factors. We showed that the nature of ASCs-miR-27b to inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation was dependent upon peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) in vitro. Moreover, expression of miR-27b in ASCs induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), resulting in increased production of ATP, protective cytokines/growth factors, and genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in a PGC-1α-dependent manner. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed drastic transcriptional changes in livers treated with ASCs-miR-27b after PH. The differentially expressed genes classified into "regeneration," "fibrosis," and "mitochondrial biogenesis" clusters were mainly mitochondrial. The potential biological context reflecting the effects of PGC-1α by ASCs-miR-27b treatment was also observed by the subnetwork analysis with HO-1 and PGC-1α being the top-ranked regulatory genes. We demonstrate autologous ASCs-miR-27b enhances liver regeneration and, importantly, preserves hepatic function through paracrine actions which offers a viable therapeutic option to facilitate rapid recovery after liver injury.

SIRT6 safeguards human mesenchymal stem cells from oxidative stress by coactivating NRF2

SIRT6 belongs to the mammalian homologs of Sir2 histone NAD⁺-dependent deacylase family. In rodents, SIRT6 deficiency leads to aging-associated degeneration of mesodermal tissues. It remains unknown whether human SIRT6 has a direct role in maintaining the homeostasis of mesodermal tissues. To this end, we generated SIRT6 knockout human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by targeted gene editing. SIRT6-deficient hMSCs exhibited accelerated functional decay, a feature distinct from typical premature cellular senescence. Rather than compromised chromosomal stability, SIRT6-null hMSCs were predominately characterized by dysregulated redox metabolism and increased sensitivity to the oxidative stress. In addition, we found SIRT6 in a protein complex with both nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and RNA polymerase II, which was required for the transactivation of NRF2-regulated antioxidant genes, including heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Overexpression of HO-1 in SIRT6-null hMSCs rescued premature cellular attrition. Our study uncovers a novel function of SIRT6 in maintaining hMSC homeostasis by serving as a NRF2 coactivator, which represents a new layer of regulation of oxidative stress-associated stem cell decay.

Heme Attenuation Ameliorates Irritant Gas Inhalation-Induced Acute Lung Injury

AIMS

Exposure to irritant gases, such as bromine (Br2), poses an environmental and occupational hazard that results in severe lung and systemic injury. However, the mechanism(s) of Br2 toxicity and the therapeutic responses required to mitigate lung damage are not known. Previously, it was demonstrated that Br2 upregulates the heme degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Since heme is a major inducer of HO-1, we determined whether an increase in heme and heme-dependent oxidative injury underlies the pathogenesis of Br2 toxicity.

RESULTS

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to Br2 gas (600 ppm, 30 min) and returned to room air. Thirty minutes postexposure, mice were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of the heme scavenging protein, hemopexin (Hx) (3 μg/gm body weight), or saline. Twenty-four hours postexposure, saline-treated mice had elevated total heme in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma and acute lung injury (ALI) culminating in 80% mortality after 10 days. Hx treatment significantly lowered heme, decreased evidence of ALI (lower protein and inflammatory cells in BALF, lower lung wet-to-dry weight ratios, and decreased airway hyperreactivity to methacholine), and reduced mortality. In addition, Br2 caused more severe ALI and mortality in mice with HO-1 gene deletion (HO-1-/-) compared to wild-type controls, while transgenic mice overexpressing the human HO-1 gene (hHO-1) showed significant protection.

INNOVATION

This is the first study delineating the role of heme in ALI caused by Br2.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that attenuating heme may prove to be a useful adjuvant therapy to treat patients with ALI.

Minocycline Attenuates Iron-Induced Brain Injury

Iron plays an important role in brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Our previous study found minocycline reduces iron overload after ICH. The present study examined the effects of minocycline on the subacute brain injury induced by iron. Rats had an intracaudate injection of 50 μl of saline, iron, or iron + minocycline. All the animals were euthanized at day 3. Rat brains were used for immunohistochemistry (n = 5-6 per each group) and Western blotting assay (n = 4). Brain swelling, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and iron-handling proteins were measured. We found that intracerebral injection of iron resulted in brain swelling, BBB disruption, and brain iron-handling protein upregulation (p < 0.05). The co-injection of minocycline with iron significantly reduced iron-induced brain swelling (n = 5, p < 0.01). Albumin, a marker of BBB disruption, was measured by Western blot analysis. Minocycline significantly decreased albumin protein levels in the ipsilateral basal ganglia (p < 0.01). Iron-handling protein levels in the brain, including ceruloplasmin and transferrin, were reduced in the minocycline co-injected animals. In conclusion, the present study suggests that minocycline attenuates brain swelling and BBB disruption via an iron-chelation mechanism.

Targeting heme oxygenase-1 and carbon monoxide for therapeutic modulation of inflammation

The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme system remains an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. HO-1, a cellular stress protein, serves a vital metabolic function as the rate-limiting step in the degradation of heme to generate carbon monoxide (CO), iron, and biliverdin-IXα (BV), the latter which is converted to bilirubin-IXα (BR). HO-1 may function as a pleiotropic regulator of inflammatory signaling programs through the generation of its biologically active end products, namely CO, BV and BR. CO, when applied exogenously, can affect apoptotic, proliferative, and inflammatory cellular programs. Specifically, CO can modulate the production of proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. HO-1 and CO may also have immunomodulatory effects with respect to regulating the functions of antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells. Therapeutic strategies to modulate HO-1 in disease include the application of natural-inducing compounds and gene therapy approaches for the targeted genetic overexpression or knockdown of HO-1. Several compounds have been used therapeutically to inhibit HO activity, including competitive inhibitors of the metalloporphyrin series or noncompetitive isoform-selective derivatives of imidazole-dioxolanes. The end products of HO activity, CO, BV and BR may be used therapeutically as pharmacologic treatments. CO may be applied by inhalation or through the use of CO-releasing molecules. This review will discuss HO-1 as a therapeutic target in diseases involving inflammation, including lung and vascular injury, sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and transplant rejection.

Identification of Iron Homeostasis Genes Dysregulation Potentially Involved in Retinopathy of Prematurity Pathogenicity by Microarray Analysis

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious disease of preterm neonates and there are limited systematic studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying ROP. Therefore, here we performed global gene expression profiling in human fetal retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Aborted fetuses were enrolled and primary RMECs were isolated from eyeballs. Cultivated cells were treated with CoCl₂ to induce hypoxia. The dual-color microarray approach was adopted to compare gene expression profiling between treated RMECs and the paired untreated control. The one-class algorithm in significance analysis of microarray (SAM) software was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the results. Gene Ontology was employed for functional enrichment analysis. There were 326 DEGs between the hypoxia-induced group and untreated group. Of these genes, 198 were upregulated in hypoxic RMECs, while the other 128 hits were downregulated. In particular, genes in the iron ion homeostasis pathway were highly enriched under hypoxic conditions. Our study indicates that dysregulation of genes involved in iron homeostasis mediating oxidative damage may be responsible for the mechanisms underlying ROP. The “oxygen plus iron” hypothesis may improve our understanding of ROP pathogenesis.

Polymorphisms in the Haem Oxygenase-1 promoter are not associated with severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Ghanaian children

Background

Haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catabolizes haem and has both cytotoxic and cytoprotective effects. Polymorphisms in the promoter of the Haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) gene encoding HO-1 have been associated with several diseases including severe malaria. The objective of this study was to determine the allele and genotype frequencies of two single nucleotide polymorphisms; A(−413)T and G(−1135)A, and a (GT)_n repeat length polymorphism in the HMOX1 promoter in paediatric malaria patients and controls to determine possible associations with malaria disease severity.

Methods

Study participants were Ghanaian children (n=296) admitted to the emergency room at the Department of Child Health, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana during the malaria season from June to August in 1995, 1996 and 1997, classified as having uncomplicated malaria (n=101) or severe malaria (n=195; defined as severe anaemia (n=63) or cerebral malaria (n=132)). Furthermore, 287 individuals without a detectable Plasmodium infection or asymptomatic carriers of the parasite were enrolled as controls. Blood samples from participants were extracted for DNA and allele and genotype frequencies were determined with allele-specific PCR, restriction fragment length analysis and microsatellite analysis.

Results

The number of (GT)_n repeats in the study participants varied between 21 and 46 with the majority of alleles having lengths of 26 (8.1%), 29/30 (13.2/17.9%) and 39/40 (8.0/13.8%) repeats, and was categorized into short, medium and long repeats. The (−413)T allele was very common (69.8%), while the (−1135)A allele was present in only 17.4% of the Ghanaian population. The G(−1135)A locus was excluded from further analysis after failing the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test. No significant differences in allele or genotype distribution of the A(−413)T and (GT)_n repeat polymorphisms were found between the controls and the malaria patients, or between the disease groups, for any of the analysed polymorphisms and no associations with malaria severity were found.

Conclusion

These results contribute to the understanding of the role of HMOX1/HO-1. This current study did not find any evidence of association between HMOX1 promoter polymorphisms and malaria susceptibility or severe malaria and hence contradicts previous findings. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the relationship between HMOX1 polymorphisms and malarial disease.

Intercellular cross-talk in intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating cerebrovascular disorder with high mortality and morbidity. Currently, there are few treatment strategies for ICH-induced brain injury. A recent increase in interest in the pathophysiology of ICH has led to elucidation of the pathways underlying ICH-induced brain injury, pathways where intercellular and hematoma to cell signaling play important roles. In this review, we summarize recent advances in ICH research focusing on intercellular and hematoma:cell cross-talk related to brain injury and recovery after ICH. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Cell Interactions In Stroke.

HO-1 expression control in the rat glomerulus

The differential localization of HO-1 in renal cells under conditions of injury, and the demonstration that exaggerated HO-1 expression can have detrimental rather than beneficial effects, raises the question of whether HO-1 expression in these cells is subject to control. The present study identifies a unique HO-1 expression pattern in the renal glomerulus indicative of presence of HO-1 expression control following prolonged HO-1 induction. HO-1 and HO-2 expression in response to the natural HO substrate/inducer Fe(++) protoporphyrin (PP) IX (hemin) was assessed in normal rat glomeruli. Following 18 h incubations with hemin (0-200 μM), HO-1 expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner and via a hemopexin (HPX) independent mechanism with no effect on HO-2. In incubations with higher hemin concentrations (400 μM), likely to be encountered in hemolytic disorders, HO-1 expression, decreased. This was preceded by a prolonged and sustained increase in HO-1 protein and was independent of the Fe(++) moiety as incubations with Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) resulted in an identical expression pattern. The decrease of HO-1 protein could not be accounted for by proteasomal degradation since it was not reversed in co-incubations with hemin and the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, at concentrations sufficient to increase HO-1 glomerular content when used alone. Moreover, in the presence of MG132, a decrease of HO-1 expression also occurred at 100 and 200 μM hemin. The effect of MG132 was mimicked by two additional mechanistically different approaches which also raised HO-1 content: a) co-incubations of hemin with ZnPP which increased HO-1 protein when used alone, and b) glomerular HO-1 over expression achieved by SB transposon mediated transgenesis. In contrast, the decrease in HO-1 levels observed at high hemin concentrations was reversed in co-incubations with hemin and SnPP, which reduced HO-1 content when used alone. Expression of NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein, which mediates HO-1 induction in response to hemin, had a similar expression pattern with that of HO-1 protein indicating involvement of Nrf2 in the response of HO-1 to hemin. The above observations indicate presence of a HO-1 expression control mechanism in the glomerulus that may serve to protect it against potentially detrimental effects of exaggerated HO-1 expression.

Complicity of haem in some adverse drug-reactions

Genetic variants in haem metabolism enzymes can be predisposition factors for adverse reactions in some individuals. New areas of haem biology may also be associated with idiosyncratic effects which are yet to be identified.

Heme oxygenase in neonatal lung injury and repair

SIGNIFICANCE

Premature and sick neonates are often exposed to high concentrations of oxygen, which results in lung injury and long-term adverse consequences. Nevertheless, neonates are more tolerant to hyperoxia than are adults. This may be, in part, explained by the high lung content of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme and an important stress protein. The abundance of HO-1 dictates its cytoprotective and deleterious effects. Interestingly, in response to hyperoxia, lung HO-1 mRNA is not further up-regulated in neonates, suggesting that lung HO-1 gene expression is tightly regulated so as to optimize cytoprotection when faced with an oxidative stress such as hyperoxia.

RECENT ADVANCES

In addition to the lack of induction of HO-1 mRNA, neonatal lung HO-1 protein is observed in the nucleus in neonatal mice exposed to hyperoxia but not in adults, which is further evidence for the developmental regulation of HO-1. Nuclear HO-1 had unique properties independent of its enzymatic activity. In addition, there has been increasing evidence that nuclear HO-1 contributes to cellular proliferation and malignant transformation in several human cancers.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Since HO-1 has dual effects in cytoprotection and cellular proliferation, the titration of HO-1 effects is critical to ensure beneficial actions against oxidative stress.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Much more has to be understood about the specific roles of HO-1 so as to manipulate its abundance and/or nuclear migration to maximize the therapeutic benefit of this pleiotropic protein in the neonatal lung.

Enhancing stem cell survival in an ischemic heart by CRISPR-dCas9-based gene regulation

Ischemic heart disease has remained the number one killer around the world for over the past 20 years. While stem cell therapy has become a promising new frontier to repair the damaged heart, limited stem cell survivability post-transplantation has precluded widespread use of this therapy. Strategies to genetically modify stem cells to activate pro-survival and anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory pathways, such as Akt and heme oxygenase-1, have been shown to improve the lifespan of transplanted stem cells within the ischemic myocardium, but constitutive overexpression of these pathways at high levels has been shown to have side effects. Therefore, more specific and controlled gene activation would be necessary. Current techniques used for gene regulation include zinc finger and TALE proteins, but there are still disadvantages to each of these methods, such as ease and cost of use. Also, those methods use synthesized promoters to express synthesized cDNA, which lack regulatory elements, including introns and 3' untranslated regions for microRNA mediated post-transcriptional regulation. A new novel technique, the CRISPR/dCas9 system, was recently developed as a simple and efficient method for endogenous gene regulation. With its use of single guide chimeric RNA's (sgRNA's), this system has been shown to provide a high level of specificity and efficiency. When targeting different loci, past studies have found that the CRISPR/dCas9 system can activate gene expression at varying levels. In addition, this system makes use of the genome's endogenous regulatory elements, such as the aforementioned introns and 3' UTR's, which can help provide a safer method of gene activation. If targeted to a gene promoting cellular survival or decreasing cell death, it could potentially improve stem cell longevity in a more efficient and controllable manner. As a result, our hypothesis is to use the CRISPR/dCas9 system to activate expression of an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic gene, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), to an optimal level to increase transplanted stem cell survival while also mitigating its cytotoxic effects due to lack of internal regulation, thus prolonging its effects within the ischemic myocardium leading to greater therapeutic benefit.

Sulforaphane increases the survival rate in rats with fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome, with liver transplantation being the only effective therapy. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound that is extracted from cruciferous vegetables and possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that SFN (3 mg/kg) may protect against FHF induced in rats by administering a combination of D-galactosamine (GalN; 300 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 30 μg/kg). The rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of SFN, 1 hour before the FHF induction. Sulforaphane reduced the mortality and alleviated the pathological liver injury. In addition, SFN significantly reduced the increase in serum aminotransferase activities and lipid peroxidation. The glutathione content decreased in the GalN/LPS group, and this decrease was attenuated by SFN. Increases in serum tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, which were observed in GalN/LPS-treated rats, were significantly reduced after using SFN. The GalN/LPS treatment increased the expression of superoxide dismutase-1, glutathione peroxidase 2, catalase, and heme oxygenase-1 genes. Sulforaphane inhibited the induction of reactive oxygen species scavenging proteins. Moreover, SFN inhibited GalN/LPS-induced caspase-3 activation and suppressed FAS and FASL expression. These findings suggest that SFN alleviates GalN/LPS-induced liver injury, possibly by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and modulating certain antioxidant defense enzymes.

The role of hepcidin, ferroportin, HCP1, and DMT1 protein in iron absorption in the human digestive tract

Iron is found in almost all foods, so dietary iron intake is related to energy intake. However, its availability for absorption is quite variable, and poor bioavailability is a major reason for the high prevalence of nutritional iron deficiency anaemia. Absorption occurs primarily in the proximal small intestine through mature enterocytes located at the tips of the duodenal villi. Two transporters: Hem Carrier Protein 1 (HCP1) and Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1) appear to mediate the entry of most if not all dietary iron into these mucosal cells. Absorption is regulated according to the body's needs. The results of studies suggest that iron absorption is regulated by the control of iron export from duodenal enterocytes to the circulating transferrin pool by ferroportin. Hepcidin, a 25-amino acid polypeptide, which is synthesised primarily in hepatocytes, reduces the iron absorption from the intestine by binding to the only known cellular iron exporter, ferroportin, causing it to be degraded. Therefore, hepcidin is now considered to be the most important factor controlling iron absorption.

Neural HO-1/sterol interactions in vivo: implications for Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and altered cholesterol (CH) metabolism are characteristic of Alzheimer-diseased (AD) neural tissues. We previously provided evidence of significant HO-1/sterol interactions in vitro (cultured rat astroglia) and in post-mortem human AD brain (Religious Orders Study).

METHODS

The current experiments were designed to further delineate these interactions in vivo by comparing the behavior of HO-1/sterol interactions in two mouse models; (1) a novel HO-1 transgenic mouse (GFAP.HMOX1) engineered to selectively express human HO-1 in the astrocytic compartment and (2) the previously described triple transgenic AD mouse (3xTg-AD). In samples of frontal cortex, total CH, CH precursors and relevant oxysterols were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and HO-1 protein expression was assessed by ELISA. The relationships of HO-1 expression to total CH, CH precursors and total oxysterols were determined for both mouse models using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

HO-1 expression is increased in GFAP.HMOX1 mice relative to wild type and in 11-12-month-old 3xTg-AD mice (with AD-like phenotype) relative to control mice and 5-6-month-old 3xTg-AD mice (no AD-like phenotype). Total oxysterols significantly decreased as HO-1 expression increased in GFAP.HMOX1 mice expressing high levels of HO-1, whereas total oxysterols increased as HO-1 expression increased in aged 3xTg-AD mice. Total CH and total CH precursors increased as HO-1 protein expression increased in 11-12-month-old 3xTg-AD mice relative to 5-6-month old 3xTg-AD mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate a differential impact of HO-1 on patterns of brain sterol and redox homeostasis that is contingent on the presence or absence of AD-like neuropathology. These data provide fresh insight concerning the regulation of sterol homeostasis within the aging and degenerating CNS which may inform the development of novel therapeutic and preventive strategies for the management of AD and related conditions.

Neurotherapeutic effects of novel HO-1 inhibitors in vitro and in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) encoded by the HMOX1 gene is a 32-kDa stress protein that catabolizes heme to biliverdin, free iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). Glial HO-1 is over-expressed in the CNS of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The HMOX1 gene is exquisitely sensitive to oxidative stress and is induced in brain and other tissues in various models of disease and trauma. Induction of the glial HMOX1 gene may lead to pathological brain iron deposition, intracellular oxidative damage, and bioenergetic failure in AD and other human CNS disorders such as PD and MS. Therefore, targeted suppression of glial HO-1 hyperactivity may prove to be a rational and effective therapeutic intervention in AD and related neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we report the effects of QC-47, QC-56, and OB-28, novel azole-based competitive and reversible inhibitors of HO-1, on oxidative damage to whole-cell and mitochondrial compartments in rat astrocytes transfected with the HMOX1 gene. We also report the effect of OB-28 on the behavior and neuropathology of APP(swe)/PS1(∆E9) mice. OB-28 was found to reduce oxidative damage to whole-cell and mitochondrial compartments in rat astrocytes transfected with the HMOX1 gene. Moreover, OB-28 was found to significantly counter behavioral deficits and neuropathological alterations in APP(swe)/PS1(∆E9) mice. Attenuation of AD-associated behavioral deficits and neuropathological changes suggests that HO-1 may be a promising target for neuroprotective intervention in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. We propose that the targeted suppression of glial heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) hyperactivity may prove to be a rational and effective therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. We report attenuation by a selective HO-1 inhibitor of oxidative damage to whole-cell and mitochondrial compartments in astrocytes in vitro and amelioration of behavioral anomalies in a transgenic mouse model of AD.

Biological monitoring of particulate matter accumulated in the lungs of urban asthmatic children in the Tel-Aviv area

PURPOSE

Lung inflammation from exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) may be responsible for morbidity in asthma, but several studies using environmental monitoring data showed inconsistent results. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of induced sputum (IS) technology in order to biologically monitor PM in the lungs of urban asthmatic children.

METHODS

We collected clinical, demographic, biological and environmental monitoring data on 136 children referred for asthma evaluations. The study participants were divided into two groups according to IS eosinophil counts of <3% (non-eosinophilic inflammation, n = 52) and ≥3% (eosinophilic inflammation, n = 84).

RESULTS

The eosinophilic group displays significantly higher levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide than the non-eosinophilic one (58.8 ± 47.5 vs 28.9 ± 34.2 ppm, p = 0.007). Particles (0-2.5 and 0-5 µm) comprised a strong risk factor for eosinophilic inflammation in IS (≥3%). Children with >80% of particles (0-2.5 µm) out of the total PM accumulated in the airways displayed the highest OR 10.7 (CI 2.052-56.4 p = 0.005) for an existing eosinophilic inflammation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme levels in IS positively correlated with % eosinophils and with particles in IS ranging between 2 and 3 μm. The level of HO-1 enzyme activity and FEV1/FVC in children with <3% eosinophils, but not ≥3%, was positively and significantly correlated, showing a protective effect of HO-1.

CONCLUSION

Accumulation of PM involves oxidative stress pathways and is a risk factor for developing eosinophilic inflammation in asthmatic children. IS can biologically monitor this process.

Modulation of PPARγ provides new insights in a stress induced premature senescence model

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) may be involved in a key mechanism of the skin aging process, influencing several aspects related to the age-related degeneration of skin cells, including antioxidant unbalance. Therefore, we investigated whether the up-modulation of this nuclear receptor exerts a protective effect in a stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) model based on a single exposure of human dermal fibroblasts to 8-methoxypsoralen plus + ultraviolet-A-irradiation (PUVA). Among possible PPARγ modulators, we selected 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid (Octa), a member of the parrodiene family, previously reported to promote melanogenesis and antioxidant defense in normal human melanocytes through a mechanism involving PPARγ activation. Exposure to PUVA induced an early and significant decrease in PPARγ expression and activity. PPARγ up-modulation counteracted the antioxidant imbalance induced by PUVA and reduced the expression of stress response genes with a synergistic increase of different components of the cell antioxidant network, such as catalase and reduced glutathione. PUVA-treated fibroblasts grown in the presence of Octa are partially but significantly rescued from the features of the cellular senescence-like phenotype, such as cytoplasmic enlargement, the expression of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase, matrix-metalloproteinase-1, and cell cycle proteins. Moreover, the alterations in the cell membrane lipids, such as the decrease in the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of phospholipids and the increase in cholesterol levels, which are typical features of cell aging, were prevented. Our data suggest that PPARγ is one of the targets of PUVA-SIPS and that its pharmacological up-modulation may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the photooxidative skin damage.

Hemin controls T cell polarization in sickle cell alloimmunization

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often require transfusions to treat and prevent worsening anemia and other SCD complications. However, transfusions can trigger alloimmunization against transfused RBCs with serious clinical sequelae. Risk factors for alloimmunization in SCD remain poorly understood. We recently reported altered regulatory T cell (Treg) and Th responses with higher circulating Th1 (IFN-γ(+)) cytokines in chronically transfused SCD patients with alloantibodies as compared with those without alloantibodies. Because monocytes play a critical role in polarization of T cell subsets and participate in clearance of transfused RBCs, we tested the hypothesis that in response to the RBC breakdown product hemin, monocyte control of T cell polarization will differ between alloimmunized and non-alloimmunized SCD patients. Exogenous hemin induced Treg polarization in purified T cell/monocyte cocultures from healthy volunteers through the monocyte anti-inflammatory heme-degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1. Importantly, hemin primarily through its effect on CD16+ monocytes induced an anti-inflammatory (higher Treg/lower Th1) polarization state in the non-alloimmunized SCD group, whereas it had little effect in the alloimmunized group. Non-alloimmunized SCD CD16+ monocytes expressed higher basal levels of heme oxygenase-1. Furthermore, IL-12, which contributed to a proinflammatory polarization state (low Treg/high Th1) in SCD, was dampened in hemin-treated stimulated monocytes from non-alloimmunized SCD patients, but not in the alloimmunized group. These data suggest that unlike alloimmunized patients, non-alloimmunized SCD CD16+ monocytes in response to transfused RBC breakdown products promote an anti-inflammatory state that is less conducive to alloimmunization.

Cobalt protoporphyrin pretreatment protects human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro and increases graft size and vascularization in vivo

Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) can regenerate infarcted myocardium. However, when implanted into acutely infarcted hearts, few cells survive the first week postimplant. To improve early graft survival, hESC-CMs were pretreated with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), a transcriptional activator of cytoprotective heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). When hESC-CMs were challenged with an in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, mimicking cell transplantation into an ischemic site, survival was significantly greater among cells pretreated with CoPP versus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-pretreated controls. Compared with PBS-pretreated cells, CoPP-pretreated hESC-CM preparations exhibited higher levels of HO-1 expression, Akt phosphorylation, and vascular endothelial growth factor production, with reduced apoptosis, and a 30% decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species. For in vivo translation, 1 × 10(7) hESC-CMs were pretreated ex vivo with CoPP or PBS and then injected intramyocardially into rat hearts immediately following acute infarction (permanent coronary ligation). At 1 week, hESC-CM content, assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for human Alu sequences, was 17-fold higher in hearts receiving CoPP- than PBS-pretreated cells. On histomorphometry, cardiomyocyte graft size was 2.6-fold larger in hearts receiving CoPP- than PBS-pretreated cells, occupying up to 12% of the ventricular area. Vascular density of host-perfused human-derived capillaries was significantly greater in grafts composed of CoPP- than PBS-pretreated cells. Taken together, these experiments demonstrate that ex vivo pretreatment of hESC-CMs with a single dose of CoPP before intramyocardial implantation more than doubled resulting graft size and improved early graft vascularization in acutely infarcted hearts. These findings open the door for delivery of these, or other, stem cells during acute interventional therapy following myocardial infarction or ischemia.

Expression level and subcellular localization of heme oxygenase-1 modulates its cytoprotective properties in response to lung injury: a mouse model

Premature infants exposed to hyperoxia suffer acute and long-term pulmonary consequences. Nevertheless, neonates survive hyperoxia better than adults. The factors contributing to neonatal hyperoxic tolerance are not fully elucidated. In contrast to adults, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-anchored protein, is abundant in the neonatal lung but is not inducible in response to hyperoxia. The latter may be important, because very high levels of HO-1 overexpression are associated with significant oxygen cytotoxicity in vitro. Also, in contrast to adults, HO-1 localizes to the nucleus in neonatal mice exposed to hyperoxia. To understand the mechanisms by which HO-1 expression levels and subcellular localization contribute to hyperoxic tolerance in neonates, lung-specific transgenic mice expressing high or low levels of full-length HO-1 (cytoplasmic, HO-1-FL(H) or HO-1-FL(L)) or C-terminally truncated HO-1 (nuclear, Nuc-HO-1-TR) were generated. In HO-1-FL(L), the lungs had a normal alveolar appearance and lesser oxidative damage after hyperoxic exposure. In contrast, in HO-1-FL(H), alveolar wall thickness with type II cell hyperproliferation was observed as well worsened pulmonary function and evidence of abnormal lung cell hyperproliferation in recovery from hyperoxia. In Nuc-HO-1-TR, the lungs had increased DNA oxidative damage, increased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein expression, and reduced poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) hydrolysis as well as reduced pulmonary function in recovery from hyperoxia. These data indicate that low cytoplasmic HO-1 levels protect against hyperoxia-induced lung injury by attenuating oxidative stress, whereas high cytoplasmic HO-1 levels worsen lung injury by increasing proliferation and decreasing apoptosis of alveolar type II cells. Enhanced lung nuclear HO-1 levels impaired recovery from hyperoxic lung injury by disabling PAR-dependent regulation of DNA repair. Lastly both high cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of HO-1 predisposed to long-term abnormal lung cellular proliferation. To maximize HO-1 cytoprotective effects, therapeutic strategies must account for the specific effects of its subcellular localization and expression levels.

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 protects mouse liver from apoptotic ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of primary graft dysfunction of liver allografts. Cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP)-dependent induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 has been shown to protect the liver from I/R injury. This study analyzes the apoptotic mechanisms of HO-1-mediated cytoprotection in mouse liver exposed to I/R injury. HO-1 induction was achieved by the administration of CoPP (1.5 mg/kg body weight i.p.). Mice were studied in in vivo model of hepatic segmental (70 %) ischemia for 60 min and reperfusion injury. Mice were randomly allocated to four main experimental groups (n = 10 each): (1) A control group undergoing sham operation. (2) Similar to group 1 but with the administration of CoPP 72 h before the operation. (3) Mice undergoing in vivo hepatic I/R. (4) Similar to group 3 but with the administration of CoPP 72 h before ischemia induction. When compared with the I/R mice group, in the I/R+CoPP mice group, the increased hepatic expression of HO-1 was associated with a significant reduction in liver enzyme levels, fewer apoptotic hepatocytes cells were identified by morphological criteria and by immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, there was a decreased mean number of proliferating cells (positively stained for Ki67), and a reduced hepatic expression of: C/EBP homologous protein (an index of endoplasmic reticulum stress), the NF-κB's regulated genes (CIAP2, MCP-1 and IL-6), and increased hepatic expression of IκBa (the inhibitory protein of NF-κB). HO-1 over-expression plays a pivotal role in reducing the hepatic apoptotic IR injury. HO-1 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in hepatic I/R injury during liver transplantation.

Paradoxical effects of heme arginate on survival of myocutaneous flaps

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) contributes to partial flap and solid organ transplant failure. Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an inducible, cytoprotective enzyme which protects against IRI in solid organ transplant models. Heme arginate (HA), a HO-1 inducer, is a promising, translatable, preconditioning agent. This study investigated the effects of preconditioning with HA on the clinical outcome of a myocutaneous IRI model. Forty male Lewis rats were randomized to intravenously receive 1) Control-NaCl, 2) HA, 3) HA and tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), a HO-1 inhibitor; and 4) SnMP alone. Twenty-four hours later, an in situ transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was performed under isoflurane anesthesia. Viability of flaps was measured clinically and by laser-Doppler perfusion scanning. In vitro work on human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa) assessed the effects of HA, SnMP, and the iron chelator desferrioxamine on 1) cytotoxicity, 2) intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, and 3) ROS-mediated DNA damage. In contrast to our hypothesis, HA preconditioning produced over 30% more flap necrosis at 48 h compared with controls (P = 0.02). HA-containing treatments produced significantly worse flap perfusion at all postoperative time points. In vitro work showed that HA is cytotoxic to keratinocytes. This cytotoxicity was independent of HO-1 and was mediated by the generation of ROS by free heme. In contrast to solid organ data, pharmacological preconditioning with HA significantly worsened clinical outcome, thus indicating that this is not a viable approach in free flap research.

Glucocorticoids downregulate systemic nitric oxide synthesis and counteract overexpression of hepatic heme oxygenase-1 during endotoxin tolerance

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties if properly expressed, whereas nitric oxide (NO) impairs tissue perfusion when greatly increased in the blood circulation. Here we hypothesized that the NO and HO-1 systems are altered during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance, and that glucocorticoids are crucial modulators of systemic NO production and hepatic HO-1 expression during this intriguing phenomenon of cellular reprogramming. Adrenalectomized (ADX) rats with or without administration of dexamethasone (DEX) were challenged with LPS for 3 consecutive days. The plasma levels of corticosterone and nitrate (NOx), and expression of HO-1 protein were assessed. During tolerance, corticosterone levels were elevated, NOx reduced, and HO-1 overexpressed. ADX rats challenged with LPS for 3 consecutive days exhibited a ∼9-fold increase in NOx and a ∼6-fold increase in HO-1, reverted by DEX. Our findings strongly support the fact that glucocorticoids downregulate systemic NO synthesis and counteract hepatic HO-1 overexpression during LPS tolerance.

Bach1 deficiency protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress injury

BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a transcriptional repressor of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Oxidative stress is reportedly involved in insulin secretion impairment and obesity-associated insulin resistance. However, the role of Bach1 in the development of diabetes is unclear. HO-1 expression in the liver, white adipose tissue, and pancreatic islets was markedly upregulated in Bach1-deficient mice. Unexpectedly, glucose and insulin tolerance tests showed no differences in obese wild-type (WT) and obese Bach1-deficient mice after high-fat diet loading for 6 wk, suggesting minimal roles of Bach1 in the development of insulin resistance. In contrast, Bach1 deficiency significantly suppressed alloxan-induced pancreatic insulin content reduction and the resultant glucose elevation. Furthermore, TUNEL-positive cells in pancreatic islets of Bach1-deficient mice were markedly decreased, by 60%, compared with those in WT mice. HO-1 expression in islets was significantly upregulated in alloxan-injected Bach1-deficient mice, whereas expression of other antioxidative enzymes, e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, was not changed by either alloxan administration or Bach1 deficiency. Our results suggest that Bach1 deficiency protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and that the enhancement of HO-1 expression plays an important role in this protection.

Role of heme oxygenase 1 in TNF/TNF receptor-mediated apoptosis after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Hepatocellular apoptosis commonly occurs in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The binding of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) leads to the formation of a death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), which subsequently initiates a caspase cascade resulting in apoptosis. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) confers cytoprotection against cell death in I/R injury and inhibits stress-induced apoptotic pathways in vitro. This study investigated the role of HO-1 in modulating TNF/TNFR1-mediated cell death pathways in hepatic I/R injury. Rats were pretreated with hemin, an HO-1 inducer, and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), an HO-1 inhibitor, before undergoing hepatic I/R. Heme oxygenase 1 activity increased after reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatocellular apoptosis was attenuated by hemin, as determined by the caspase-3 and -8 activity assays and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling). Zinc protoporphyrin eliminated the cytoprotective effect of hemin. Hepatic TNFR1 protein expression was unchanged among the experimental groups, whereas mitochondrial TNFR1 protein increased after I/R. Ischemia/reperfusion increased the quantity of DISC components, including TRADD (TNFR1-associated death domain), FADD (Fas-associated death domain), and caspase-8, as well as the assembly of DISCs within the liver. In the mitochondrial fraction, TNFR1-associated caspase-8 was increased after I/R. These increases were attenuated by hemin; zinc protoporphyrin eliminated this effect. Our findings suggest that the cytoprotective effects of HO-1 are mediated by suppression of TNF/TNFR1-mediated apoptotic signaling, specifically by modulating apoptotic DISC formation and mitochondrial TNFR1 translocation during hepatic I/R.

Heme oxygenase-1 aggravates heat stress-induced neuronal injury and decreases autophagy in cerebellar Purkinje cells of rats

We previously reported that heat stroke induces autophagy as a protection mechanism against neurodegeneration in the brain. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is a stress protein and can be induced by heat stress (HS). Cerebellar Purkinje cells are selectively vulnerable to heat-induced injury. In this study, we first validated an animal model of HS (38°C for 4 h) in which sustained increase of Purkinje cell injury, HO-1 expression up to 24 h post HS (HS₂₄), and hyperthermia reaching a rectal temperature 41.52 ± 0.32 were observed. In subsequent experiments, we investigated the effects of HO-1 on HS-induced Purkinje cell injury. Rats were divided into four groups: one normothermic control group receiving saline vehicle (1 mL/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and exposed to 25 for 4 h; and three HS groups receiving saline, or HO-1 inducer haemin (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP, 30 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, at 12 h prior to HS. HS-induced Purkinje cell injury was further enhanced by HO-1 inducer but attenuated by HO-1 inhibitor as evaluated by immunoreactivity of apoptosis marker (active caspase-3) as well as Fluoro-Jade B histochemistry (staining for degenerating neurons), suggesting a detrimental role of HO-1. Interestingly, the protective autophagy was reduced by HO-1 inducer but enhanced by HO-1 inhibitor as demonstrated by autophagy markers including Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 in Purkinje cells. Double immunofluorescent labelling of Beclin-1 or 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (an oxidative DNA damage marker) with HO-1 immunoreactivity not only demonstrated their co-localization, but also confirmed that HO-1 negatively regulated Beclin-1 but increased oxidative stress in the same Purkinje cell. Taken together, our results indicate that HO-1 aggravates HS injury in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Our findings shed new light on cell damage mechanisms by HS in central nervous system and may help to provide potential therapeutic foci.

Up-regulation of astroglial heme oxygenase-1 by a synthetic (S)-verbenone derivative LMT-335 ameliorates oxygen-glucose deprivation-evoked injury in cortical neurons

Excessive generation of free radicals is regarded as a major detrimental factor in cerebral ischemic insults. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to their limited anti-oxidant capacity. As an important source of antioxidants in the brain, astroglia are now thought to be attractive targets for pharmacological interventions to reduce neuronal oxidative stress in ischemic stroke. In the present study, we synthesized a novel antioxidant, the (1S)-(-)-verbenone derivative LMT-335, and investigated its anti-ischemic activities. In rat cortical neuronal/glial co-cultures, LMT-335 significantly reduced oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation (R)-induced neuronal injury. Although it did not inhibit N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced excitotoxicity, LMT-335 significantly reduced OGD/R-evoked intracellular oxidative stress. However, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay showed that the free radical scavenging activities of LMT-335 were lower than those of trolox. Instead, LMT-335 significantly increased the astroglial expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a well-known anti-oxidant stress protein, as evidenced by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot analyses. Moreover, a selective HO-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), significantly blocked the anti-ischemic effect of LMT-335. The present findings indicate that LMT-335 exerts neuroprotective effects against OGD/R by up-regulation of HO-1 in astroglial cells. Our data suggest that astroglial HO-1 represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Haem oxygenase-1 overexpression alters intracellular iron distribution

Induction or ectopic overexpression of HO-1 (haem oxygenase 1) protects against a wide variety of disorders. These protective effects have been variably ascribed to generation of carbon monoxide (released during cleavage of the alpha-methene bridge of haem) and/or to production of the antioxidant bilirubin. We investigated HO-1-overexpressing A549 cells and find that, as expected, HO-1-overexpressing cells are resistant to killing by hydrogen peroxide. Surprisingly, these cells have approximately twice the normal amount of intracellular iron which usually tends to amplify oxidant killing. However, HO-1-overexpressing cells contain only ~25% as much 'loose' (probably redox active) iron. Indeed, inhibition of ferritin synthesis [via siRNA (small interfering RNA) directed at the ferritin heavy chain] sensitizes the HO-1-overexpressing cells to peroxide killing. It appears that HO-1 overexpression leads to enhanced destruction of haem, consequent 2-3-fold induction of ferritin, and compensatory increases in transferrin receptor expression and haem synthesis. However, there is no functional haem deficiency because cellular oxygen consumption and catalase activity are similar in both cell types. We conclude that, at least in many cases, the cytoprotective effects of HO-1 induction or forced overexpression may derive from elevated expression of ferritin and consequent reduction of redox active 'loose' iron.

Heme oxygenase-1 as a target for TGF-β in kidney disease

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional regulatory cytokine that is implicated in a variety of kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy and chronic transplant rejection, where it promotes stimulation of the extracellular matrix deposition, cell proliferation, and migration. TGF-β exerts its biological functions largely via its downstream complex signaling molecules, Smad proteins. Paradoxically, TGF-β also is essential for normal homeostasis and suppression of inflammation through mechanisms that are yet to be fully elucidated. One feasible mechanism by which TGF-β may exert its beneficial properties is through induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Induction of this redox-sensitive enzyme is known to be cytoprotective through its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties in different conditions including several kidney diseases. In this overview, recent advances in our understanding of the role of TGF-β in kidney disease, its molecular regulation of HO-1 expression, and the potential role of HO-1 induction as a therapeutic modality in TGF-β-mediated kidney diseases are highlighted.

Desipramine protects neuronal cell death and induces heme oxygenase-1 expression in Mes23.5 dopaminergic neurons

BACKGROUND

Desipramine is known principally as a tricyclic antidepressant drug used to promote recovery of depressed patients. It has also been used in a number of other psychiatric and medical conditions. The present study is the first to investigate the neuroprotective effect of desipramine.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Mes23.5 dopaminergic cells were used to examine neuroprotective effect of desipramine. Western blot, reverse transcription-PCR, MTT assay, siRNA transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were carried out to assess the effects of desipramine. Desipramine induces endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein and mRNA expression in concentration- and time-dependent manners. A different type of antidepressant SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), fluoxetine also shows similar effects of desipramine on HO-1 expression. Moreover, desipramine induces HO-1 expression through activation of ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Desipramine also increases NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) accumulation in the nucleus and enhances Nrf2-DNA binding activity. Moreover, desipramine-mediated increase of HO-1 expression is reduced by transfection with siRNA against Nrf2. On the other hand, pretreatment of desipramine protects neuronal cells against rotenone- and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neuronal death. Furthermore, inhibition of HO-1 activity by a HO-1 pharmacological inhibitor, ZnPP IX, attenuates the neuroprotective effect of desipramine. Otherwise, activation of HO-1 activity by HO-1 activator and inducer protect 6-OHDA-induced neuronal death.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

These findings suggest that desipramine-increased HO-1 expression is mediated by Nrf2 activation through the ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Our results also suggest that desipramine provides a novel effect of neuroprotection, and neurodegenerative process might play an important role in depression disorder.

Pre-emptive hypoxia-regulated HO-1 gene therapy improves post-ischaemic limb perfusion and tissue regeneration in mice

AIMS

Haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a haem-degrading enzyme that generates carbon monoxide, bilirubin, and iron ions. Through these compounds, HO-1 mitigates cellular injury by exerting antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we examined the influence of HO-1 deficiency and transient hypoxia/ischaemia-induced HO-1 overexpression on post-injury hindlimb recovery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice lacking functional HO-1 (HO-1(-/-)) showed reduced reparative neovascularization in ischaemic skeletal muscles, impaired blood flow (BF) recovery, and increased muscle cell death compared with their wild-type littermates. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) transfected with plasmid vector (pHRE-HO-1) carrying human HO-1 driven by three hypoxia response elements (HREs) and cultured in 0.5% oxygen demonstrated markedly increased expression of HO-1. Such upregulated HO-1 levels were effective in conferring protection against H(2)O(2)-induced cell death and in promoting the proangiogenic phenotype of HMEC-1 cells. More importantly, when delivered in vivo, pHRE-HO-1 significantly improved the post-ischaemic foot BF in mice subjected to femoral artery ligation. These effects were associated with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and CXCL1) and lower numbers of transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling-positive cells. Moreover, HO-1 delivered into mouse skeletal muscles seems to influence the regenerative potential of myocytes as it significantly changed the expression of transcriptional (Pax7, MyoD, myogenin) and post-transcriptional (miR-146a, miR-206) regulators of skeletal muscle regeneration.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of HO-1 for prevention of adverse effects in critical limb ischaemia.

Reduced heme oxygenase-1 expression in steatotic livers infected with hepatitis C virus

Hepatic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to exacerbate liver injury due to chronic hepatitis C infection. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an important protective antioxidative defense enzyme that is known to be induced in response to NAFLD and other liver injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate HO-1 expression in HCV infected human livers with concomitant NAFLD.

METHODS

We compared levels of HO-1 in NAFLD liver biopsies from patients with or without chronic HCV infection using immunohistochemistry, immunoblots and real time RT-PCR. We also evaluated frozen sections of liver with dihydroethidium (DHE) or dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence staining to evaluate O(2)(-) and peroxide production respectively.

RESULTS

HO-1 expression was only increased in NAFLD livers without HCV infection, while HCV infected livers showed reduced HO-1 levels, regardless whether NAFLD was present. In uninfected livers with NAFLD, HO-1 expression was primarily localized in hepatocytes containing fat and areas of injury around the central vein. However, both NAFLD with and without concomitant HCV infection showed high levels of O(2)(-) or peroxide production compared to normal human liver control samples.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the hypothesis that NAFLD is an important process for hepatocyte oxidative stress and injury in liver diseases. They also suggest that HCV can repress HO-1 induction in vivo even when other inducers of HO-1 are present.

L-ascorbate attenuates methamphetamine neurotoxicity through enhancing the induction of endogenous heme oxygenase-1

Methamphetamine (METH) is a drug of abuse which causes neurotoxicity and increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. We previously found that METH induces heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression in neurons and glial cells, and this offers partial protection against METH toxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of l-ascorbate (vitamin C, Vit. C) on METH toxicity and HO-1 expression in neuronal/glial cocultures. Cell viability and damage were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthianol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, respectively. Neuronal and glial localization of HO-1 were identified by double immunofluorescence staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using the fluorochrome 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. HO-1 mRNA and protein expression were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results show that Vit. C induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions in time- and concentration-dependent manners. Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) significantly blocked induction of HO-1 by Vit. C. HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly elevated by a combination of Vit. C and METH, compared to either Vit. C or METH alone. Pretreatment with Vit. C enhanced METH-induced HO-1 expression and attenuated METH-induced ROS production and neurotoxicity. Pharmacological inhibition of HO activity abolished suppressive effects of Vit. C on METH-induced ROS production and attenuated neurotoxicity. We conclude that induction of HO-1 expression contributes to the attenuation of METH-induced ROS production and neurotoxicity by Vit. C. We suggest that HO-1 induction by Vit. C may serve as a strategy to alleviate METH neurotoxicity.

Early outcome in renal transplantation from large donors to small and size-matched recipients - a porcine experimental model

Kidney transplantation from a large donor to a small recipient, as in pediatric transplantation, is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and DGF. We established a porcine model for renal transplantation from an adult donor to a small or size-matched recipient with a high risk of DGF and studied GFR, RPP using MRI, and markers of kidney injury within 10 h after transplantation. After induction of BD, kidneys were removed from ∼63-kg donors and kept in cold storage for ∼22 h until transplanted into small (∼15 kg, n = 8) or size-matched (n = 8) recipients. A reduction in GFR was observed in small recipients within 60 min after reperfusion. Interestingly, this was associated with a significant reduction in medullary RPP, while there was no significant change in the size-matched recipients. No difference was observed in urinary NGAL excretion between the groups. A significant higher level of HO-1 mRNA was observed in small recipients than in donors and size-matched recipients indicating cortical injury. Improvement in early graft perfusion may be a goal to improve short- and long-term GFR and avoid graft thrombosis in pediatric recipients.

Mesenteric arteries responsiveness to acute variations of wall shear stress is impaired in rats with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

In liver cirrhosis, excessive splanchnic vasodilation is due to abnormal synthesis of endogenous vasodilators and to decreased sensitivity to vasoconstrictors. The role of mechanical stimuli such as wall shear stress (WSS) on splanchnic circulation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the vasodilation induced by wall shear stress (WSS) and acute changes in blood flow in the mesenteric arteries in an experimental model of liver cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of acute changes in intraluminal flow (0, 10, and 20 μl/min) and WSS on the diameter of the mesenteric arteries (diameters <500 μm) of control and cirrhotic rats was assessed, at baseline and after the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase and hemeoxygenase. Concentration-response curves to phenylephrine were also obtained.

RESULTS

In controls, the increase in intraluminal flow led to a significant increase in arterial diameter (p < 0.05), while WSS remained stable; the effect was maintained in vessels pre-constricted with phenylephrine, blocked by the exposure to indomethacin and L-NAME and restored by the subsequent addition of chromium mesoporphyrin (p < 0.05). In cirrhotic arteries, arterial diameters did not change in response to acute increase in flow, neither at baseline nor after exposure to indomethacin and L-NAME, while WSS increased (p < 0.01). Responsiveness to flow was partially restored (p < 0.05) after exposure of the arteries to chromium mesoporphyrin in addition to indomethacin and L-NAME.

CONCLUSIONS

Arteries from cirrhotic rats showed an abolished responsiveness to acute variations in flow, which exposes the mesenteric endothelium to sudden variations in WSS.