Redox regulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor

Crosstalk between calcium and redox signaling: from molecular mechanisms to health implications

Studies done many years ago established unequivocally the key role of calcium as a universal second messenger. In contrast, the second messenger roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have emerged only recently. Therefore, their contributions to physiological cell signaling pathways have not yet become universally accepted, and many biological researchers still regard them only as cellular noxious agents. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there are significant interactions between calcium and redox species, and that these interactions modify a variety of proteins that participate in signaling transduction pathways and in other fundamental cellular functions that determine cell life or death. This review article addresses first the central aspects of calcium and redox signaling pathways in animal cells, and continues with the molecular mechanisms that underlie crosstalk between calcium and redox signals under a number of physiological or pathological conditions. To conclude, the review focuses on conditions that, by promoting cellular oxidative stress, lead to the generation of abnormal calcium signals, and how this calcium imbalance may cause a variety of human diseases including, in particular, degenerative diseases of the central nervous system and cardiac pathologies.

Reactive oxygen species regulate hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha differentially in cancer and ischemia

In exercise, as well as cancer and ischemia, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) transcriptionally activates hundreds of genes vital for cell homeostasis and angiogenesis. While potentially beneficial in ischemia, upregulation of the HIF1 transcription factor has been linked to inflammation, poor prognosis in many cancers, and decreased susceptibility of tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Considering HIF1's function, HIF1alpha protein and its hydroxylation cofactors look increasingly attractive as therapeutic targets. Independently, antioxidants have shown promise in lowering the risk of some cancers and improving neurological and cardiac function following ischemia. The mechanism of how different antioxidants and reactive oxygen species influence HIF1alpha expression has drawn interest and intense debate. Here we present an experimentally based computational model of HIF1alpha protein degradation that represents how reactive oxygen species and antioxidants likely affect the HIF1 pathway differentially in cancer and ischemia. We use the model to demonstrate effects on HIF1alpha expression from combined doses of five potential therapeutically targeted compounds (iron, ascorbate, hydrogen peroxide, 2-oxoglutarate, and succinate) influenced by cellular oxidation-reduction and involved in HIF1alpha hydroxylation. Results justify the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species work by two opposite ways on the HIF1 system. We also show how tumor cells and cells under ischemic conditions would differentially respond to reactive oxygen species via changes to HIF1alpha expression over the course of hours to days, dependent on extracellular hydrogen peroxide levels and largely independent of initial intracellular levels, during hypoxia.

HIF and reactive oxygen species regulate oxidative phosphorylation in cancer

A decrease in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is characteristic of many cancer types and, in particular, of clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) deficient in von Hippel-Lindau (vhl) gene. In the absence of functional pVHL, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1-alpha and HIF2-alpha subunits are stabilized, which induces the transcription of many genes including those involved in glycolysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Transfection of these cells with vhl is known to restore HIF-alpha subunit degradation and to reduce glycolytic genes transcription. We show that such transfection with vhl of 786-0 CCRC (which are devoid of HIF1-alpha) also increased the content of respiratory chain subunits. However, the levels of most transcripts encoding OXPHOS subunits were not modified. Inhibition of HIF2-alpha synthesis by RNA interference in pVHL-deficient 786-0 CCRC also restored respiratory chain subunit content and clearly demonstrated a key role of HIF in OXPHOS regulation. In agreement with these observations, stabilization of HIF-alpha subunit by CoCl(2) decreased respiratory chain subunit levels in CCRC cells expressing pVHL. In addition, HIF stimulated ROS production and mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase content. OXPHOS subunit content was also decreased by added H(2)O(2.) Interestingly, desferrioxamine (DFO) that also stabilized HIF did not decrease respiratory chain subunit level. While CoCl(2) significantly stimulates ROS production, DFO is known to prevent hydroxyl radical production by inhibiting Fenton reactions. This indicates that the HIF-induced decrease in OXPHOS is at least in part mediated by hydroxyl radical production.

Nitric oxide, apoptosis and macrophage polarization during tumor progression

Decreased oxygen availability evokes adaptive responses, which are primarily under the gene regulatory control of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Hypoxic cores of a growing tumor cell mass use this signaling circuit to gain access to further blood and nutrient supply that guarantees their continuing growth. Interestingly, NO shares with hypoxia the ability to block prolyl-hydroxylase (PHD) activity, and thus the ability to stabilize hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). Under these conditions NO mimics hypoxia, which might contribute to tumor development. Stimulating/triggering innate immune responses associated with macrophage activation often correlated with iNOS induction and massive NO release, which is known to kill NO-sensitive tumors. However, this safeguard mechanism will only be effective if all tumor cells are eliminated because apoptotic death of tumor cells implies mechanisms to stop macrophages from attacking the survivors. Apoptotic cells release factors, among others sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which reprogram macrophages. Macrophage reprogramming shifts responses from a M1 and thus pro-inflammatory and killing phenotype, to a M2 phenotype, which is anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic. These polarized tumor associated macrophages (TAM) are actively contributing to tumor development. Apparently NO uses distinct signaling pathways that could serve as an explanation to understand how NO affects tumor development. Some of these pathways, especially the ability of NO to mimic hypoxia at the level of HIF-1 alpha, as well as the role of macrophage polarization by apoptotic cells with accompanying changes in the iNOS versus arginase ratio and activities, will be discussed to better understand how NO affects tumor growth.

Mitochondrial pathophysiology, reactive oxygen species, and cardiovascular diseases

This article discusses mitochondrial pathophysiology, reactive oxygen species, and cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondrial respiratory chains are responsible for energy metabolism/ATP production through the tricyclic antidepressant cycle, coupling of oxidative phosphorylation, and electron transfer. The mitochondrion produces reactive oxygen species as "side products" of respiration. The mitochondrial derived reactive oxygen species is involved in the pathogenesis of various clinical disorders including heart failure, hypoxia, ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and the physiologic process of aging. Observational and mechanistical studies of these pathologic roles of mitochondria are discussed in depth in this article.

Oxidative stress and transcriptional regulation in Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is defined by progressive impairments in memory and cognition and by the presence of extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. However, oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial function always accompany AD. Mitochondria are a major site of production of free radicals [ie, reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and primary targets of ROS. ROS are cytotoxic, and evidence of ROS-induced damage to cell membranes, proteins, and DNA in AD is overwhelming. Nevertheless, therapies based on antioxidants have been disappointing. Thus, alternative strategies are necessary. ROS also act as signaling molecules including for transcription. Thus, chronic exposure to ROS in AD could activate cascades of genes. Although initially protective, prolonged activation may be damaging. Thus, therapeutic approaches based on modulation of these gene cascades may lead to effective therapies. Genes involved in several pathways including antioxidant defense, detoxification, inflammation, etc, are induced in response to oxidative stress and in AD. However, genes that are associated with energy metabolism, which is necessary for normal brain function, are mostly down-regulated. Redox-sensitive transcription factors such as activator protein-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, specificity protein-1, and hypoxia-inducible factor are important in redox-dependent gene regulation. Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC-1alpha) is a coactivator of several transcription factors and is a potent stimulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. Down-regulated expression of PGC-1alpha has been implicated in Huntington disease and in several Huntington disease animal models. PGC-1alpha role in regulation of ROS metabolism makes it a potential candidate player between ROS, mitochondria, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the current progress on how oxidative stress regulates the expression of genes that might contribute to AD pathophysiology and the implications of the transcriptional modifications for AD. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies based on the updated understandings of redox state-dependent gene regulation in AD are proposed to overcome the lack of efficacy of antioxidant therapies.

Alterations in the Notch4 pathway in cerebral endothelial cells by the HIV aspartyl protease inhibitor, nelfinavir

Background

Aspartyl protease inhibitors (PIs) used to treat HIV belong to an important group of drugs that influence significantly endothelial cell functioning and angiogenic capacity, although specific mechanisms are poorly understood. Recently, PIs, particularly Nelfinavir, were reported to disrupt Notch signaling in the HIV-related endothelial cell neoplasm, Kaposi's sarcoma. Given the importance of maintaining proper cerebral endothelial cell signaling at the blood brain barrier during HIV infection, we considered potential signaling pathways such as Notch, that may be vulnerable to dysregulation during exposure to PI-based anti-retroviral regimens. Notch processing by γ-secretase results in cleavage of the notch intracellular domain that travels to the nucleus to regulate expression of genes such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor and NFκB that are critical in endothelial cell functioning. Since, the effects of HIV PIs on γ-secretase substrate pathways in cerebral endothelial cell signaling have not been addressed, we sought to determine the effects of HIV PIs on Notch and amyloid precursor protein.

Results

Exposure to reported physiological levels of Saquinavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir and Ritonavir, significantly increased reactive oxygen species in cerebral endothelial cells, but had no effect on cell survival. Likewise, PIs decreased Notch 4-protein expression, but had no effect on Notch 1 or amyloid precursor protein expression. On the other hand, only Nelfinavir increased significantly Notch 4 processing, Notch4 intracellular domain nuclear localization and the expression of notch intracellular domain targets NFκB and matrix metalloproteinase 2. Pre-treatment with the antioxidant Vitamin E prevented PI-induced reactive oxygen species generation and partially prevented Nelfinavir-induced changes in both Notch 4 processing, and cellular localization patterns. Moreover, in support of increased expression of pro-angiogenic genes after Nelfinavir treatment, Nelfinavir did not inhibit angiogenic capacity.

Conclusion

Nelfinavir affects Notch 4 processing that results in induction of expression of the pro-angiogenic genes NFκB and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in cerebral endothelial cells.

Induction of oxidative stress as a mechanism of action of chemopreventive agents against cancer

Prevention is a promising option for the control of cancer. Cellular redox changes have emerged as a pivotal and proximal event in cancer. In this review, we provide a brief background on redox biochemistry, discuss the important distinction between redox signalling and oxidative stress, and outline the ‘multiple biological personalities’ of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: at low concentrations they protect the cell; at higher concentrations they can damage many biological molecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids; and, as we argue here, they may also prevent cancer by initiating the death of the transformed cell. Nitric oxide-donating aspirin is discussed as an instructive example: it generates a state of oxidative stress through which it affects several redox-sensitive signalling pathways, leading ultimately to the elimination of the neoplastic cell via apoptosis or necrosis. As additional examples, we discuss the chemopreventive n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which induce cell death through redox changes. We conclude that modulation of redox biochemistry represents a fruitful approach to cancer prevention.

Adipose tissue failure and mitochondria as a possible target for improvement by bioactive food components

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adipose tissue is an essential, highly dynamic and metabolically active tissue that vigorously communicates to support its primary function: the storage of lipids. It performs this function to secure energy supply and prevent lipotoxicity. Adipose tissue is essential for maintaining a healthy glucose and lipid homeostasis and failure results in disease. This review discusses causes of adipose tissue failure and four categories of bioactive food components that may help to prevent this.

RECENT FINDINGS

Based on recent findings, it is argued that initial adipose failure following long-term excess energy intake may be the result of reduced mitochondrial capacity associated with altered mitochondrial reactive oxygen species signaling and adipose tissue hypoxia. Current data suggest that different classes of bioactive food components, including vitamin B3, retinoids, fatty acids and polyphenols, may have the potential to modulate mitochondrial function and consequently prevent adipose dysfunction in obesity.

SUMMARY

It seems most attractive to aim nutritional intervention at the prevention of initial adipose dysfunction and hence to target dietary intervention at improvement of mitochondrial function.

Oxidative stress contributes to aging by enhancing pancreatic angiogenesis and insulin signaling

JunD, a transcription factor of the AP-1 family, protects cells against oxidative stress. Here, we show that junD(-/-) mice exhibit features of premature aging and shortened life span. They also display persistent hypoglycemia due to enhanced insulin secretion. Consequently, the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways are constitutively stimulated, leading to inactivation of FoxO1, a positive regulator of longevity. Hyperinsulinemia most likely results from enhanced pancreatic islet vascularization owing to chronic oxidative stress. Indeed, accumulation of free radicals in beta cells enhances VEGF-A transcription, which in turn increases pancreatic angiogenesis and insulin secretion. Accordingly, long-term treatment with an antioxidant rescues the phenotype of junD(-/-) mice. Indeed, dietary antioxidant supplementation was protective against pancreatic angiogenesis, hyperinsulinemia, and subsequent activation of insulin signaling cascades in peripheral tissues. Taken together, these data establish a pivotal role for oxidative stress in systemic regulation of insulin and define a key role for the JunD protein in longevity.

Redox signals in wound healing

Physical trauma represents one of the most primitive challenges that threatened survival. Healing a problem wound requires a multi-faceted comprehensive approach. First and foremost, the wound environment will have to be made receptive to therapies. Second, the appropriate therapeutic regimen needs to be identified and provided while managing systemic limitations that could secondarily limit the healing response. Unfortunately, most current solutions seem to aim at designing therapeutic regimen with little or no consideration of the specific details of the wound environment and systemic limitations. One factor that is centrally important in making the wound environment receptive is correction of wound hypoxia. Recent work have identified that oxygen is not only required to disinfect wounds and fuel healing but that oxygen-dependent redox-sensitive signaling processes represent an integral component of the healing cascade. Over a decade ago, it was proposed that in biological systems oxidants are not necessarily always the triggers for oxidative damage and that oxidants such as H2O2 could actually serve as signaling messengers and drive several aspects of cellular signaling. Today, that concept is much more developed and mature. Evidence supporting the role of oxidants such as H2O2 as signaling messenger is compelling. A complete understanding of the continuum between the classical and emergent roles of oxygen requires a thorough consideration of current concepts in redox biology. The objective of this review is to describe our current understanding of how redox-sensitive processes may drive dermal tissue repair.

Mitochondria and cellular oxygen sensing in the HIF pathway

Mitochondrial respiration is responsible for more than 90% of oxygen consumption in humans. Cells utilize oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the aerobic metabolism of glucose to generate ATP which fuels most active cellular processes. Consequently, a drop in tissue oxygen levels to the point where oxygen demand exceeds supply (termed hypoxia) leads rapidly to metabolic crisis and represents a severe threat to ongoing physiological function and ultimately, viability. Because of the central role of oxygen in metabolism, it is perhaps not surprising that we have evolved an efficient and rapid molecular response system which senses hypoxia in cells, leading to the induction of an array of adaptive genes which facilitate increased oxygen supply and support anaerobic ATP generation. This response is governed by HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor). The oxygen sensitivity of this pathway is conferred by a family of hydroxylases which repress HIF activity in normoxia allowing its rapid activation in hypoxia. Because of its importance in a diverse range of disease states, the mechanism by which cells sense hypoxia and transduce a signal to the HIF pathway is an area of intense investigation. Inhibition of mitochondrial function reverses hypoxia-induced HIF leading to speculation of a role for mitochondria in cellular oxygen sensing. However, the nature of the signal between mitochondria and oxygen-sensing hydroxylase enzymes has remained controversial. In the present review, two models of the role for mitochondria in oxygen sensing will be discussed and recent evidence will be presented which raises the possibility that these two models which implicate ROS (reactive oxygen species) and oxygen redistribution respectively may complement each other and facilitate rapid and dynamic activation of the HIF pathway in hypoxia.

Hypoxia and gastrointestinal disease

The gastrointestinal mucosa is a richly perfused vascular bed directly juxtaposed with the anaerobic and nonsterile lumen of the gut. As such, intestinal epithelial cells, which line the mucosa, experience a uniquely steep physiologic oxygen gradient in comparison with other cells of the body. Inflammation associated with a loss of epithelial barrier function and unregulated exposure of the mucosal immune system to luminal antigens leads to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a relatively common disorder with severe morbidity and a limited therapeutic repertoire. During IBD, increased tissue metabolism and vasculitis renders the chronically inflamed mucosa and particularly the epithelium hypoxic, giving rise to the activation of the hypoxia-responsive transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Recent studies utilizing conditional intestinal epithelial hif1a-null mice have revealed a protective role for epithelial HIF-1alpha in murine models of IBD. Such protection occurs, at least in part, through HIF-dependent induction of barrier-protective genes in the epithelium. More recently, studies employing pharmacologic activation of HIF via inhibition of HIF prolyl hydroxylases revealed a profoundly protective effect of these agents in murine models of colitis. In this paper, we review this pathway in detail and examine the therapeutic potential for targeting HIF hydroxylases in intestinal mucosal inflammatory disease.

Hypoxia and gastrointestinal disease

The gastrointestinal mucosa is a richly perfused vascular bed directly juxtaposed with the anaerobic and nonsterile lumen of the gut. As such, intestinal epithelial cells, which line the mucosa, experience a uniquely steep physiologic oxygen gradient in comparison with other cells of the body. Inflammation associated with a loss of epithelial barrier function and unregulated exposure of the mucosal immune system to luminal antigens leads to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a relatively common disorder with severe morbidity and a limited therapeutic repertoire. During IBD, increased tissue metabolism and vasculitis renders the chronically inflamed mucosa and particularly the epithelium hypoxic, giving rise to the activation of the hypoxia-responsive transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Recent studies utilizing conditional intestinal epithelial hif1a-null mice have revealed a protective role for epithelial HIF-1alpha in murine models of IBD. Such protection occurs, at least in part, through HIF-dependent induction of barrier-protective genes in the epithelium. More recently, studies employing pharmacologic activation of HIF via inhibition of HIF prolyl hydroxylases revealed a profoundly protective effect of these agents in murine models of colitis. In this paper, we review this pathway in detail and examine the therapeutic potential for targeting HIF hydroxylases in intestinal mucosal inflammatory disease.

Hypoxia-induced IL-18 increases hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression through a Rac1-dependent NF-kappaB pathway

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays pivotal roles in linking inflammatory immune responses and tumor progression and metastasis, yet the manner in which this occurs remains to be sufficiently clarified. Here we report that hypoxia induces the transcription and secretion of IL-18, which subsequently induces the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). Mechanistically, IL-18 induces HIF-1alpha through the activity of the GTPase Rac1, which inducibly associates with the IL-18 receptor beta (IL-18Rbeta) subunit, via a PI3K-AKT-NF-kappaB-dependent pathway. Importantly, the knockdown of the IL-18Rbeta subunit inhibited IL-18-driven tumor cell metastasis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a feed-forward pathway in HIF-1alpha-mediated tumor progression, in which the induction of IL-18 by hypoxia or inflammatory cells augments the expression of both HIF-1alpha and tumor cell metastasis.

Adaptation to hypoxia in the diabetic rat kidney

Hypoxia of the kidney in diabetes could predispose it to develop acute and chronic renal failure. To examine the relationship between renal hypoxia and renal failure, we measured hypoxia (as a pimonidazole adducts), hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and a hypoxia target gene heme oxygenase-1. The studies were performed in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, Cohen diabetes sensitive rats, and during short-term artificial hyperglycemia in rats induced by intravenous glucose and octreotide. STZ-treated rats received insulin, the superoxide dismutase mimetic tempol, or contrast medium. Radiocontrast media causes hypoxia and HIF induction. Hypoxia, HIFs, and heme oxygenase were undetectable in controls, but transiently activated in STZ-treated and the Cohen diabetes sensitive rats. Different patterns of HIFs and pimonidazole were observed between the three models. Insulin abolished pimonidazole and HIF induction, whereas tempol lead to increased HIFs and heme oxygenase induction at similar levels of pimonidazole. When compared with control rats, STZ-treated rats exhibited more intense and protracted renal pimonidazole, with augmented hypoxia inducible factor production and reduced GFR following contrast media. Our data suggest that both regional hypoxia and hypoxia adaptation transiently occur in early stages of experimental diabetes, largely dependent on hyperglycemia or after contrast media. Tempol may augment the HIF response in diabetes.

Aldosterone-induced increases in superoxide production counters nitric oxide inhibition of epithelial Na channel activity in A6 distal nephron cells

Oxygen radicals play an important role in signal transduction and have been shown to influence epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity. We show that aldosterone, the principal hormone regulating renal ENaC activity, increases superoxide (O2*) production in A6 distal nephron cells. Aldosterone (50 nM to 1.5 microM) induced increases in dihydroethidium fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner in confluent A6 epithelial cells. Using single-channel measurements, we showed that sequestering endogenous O2* (with the O2* scavenger 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl) significantly decreased ENaC open probability from 0.10 +/- 0.03 to 0.03 +/- 0.01. We also found that increasing endogenous O2* in A6 cells, by applying a superoxide dismutase inhibitor, prevented nitric oxide (NO) inhibition of ENaC activity. ENaC open probability values did not significantly change from control values (0.23 +/- 0.05) after superoxide dismutase and 1.5 microM NO coincubation (0.21 +/- 0.04). We report that xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine compounds increase local concentrations of O2* by approximately 30%; with this mix, an increase in ENaC number of channels times the open probability (from 0.1 to 0.3) can be achieved in a cell-attached patch. Our data also suggest that O2* alters NO activity in a cGMP-independent mechanism, since pretreating A6 cells with ODQ compound (a selective inhibitor of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase) failed to block 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl inhibition of ENaC activity.

Hypoxia in cancer cell metabolism and pH regulation

At a molecular level, hypoxia induces the stabilization and activation of the α-subunit of an α/β heterodimeric transcription factor, appropriately termed HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor). Hypoxia is encountered, in particular, in tumour tissues, as a result of an insufficient and defective vasculature present in a highly proliferative tumour mass. In this context the active HIF heterodimer binds to and induces a panel of genes that lead to modification in a vast range of cellular functions that allow cancer cells to not only survive but to continue to proliferate and metastasize. Therefore HIF plays a key role in tumorigenesis, tumour development and metastasis, and its expression in solid tumours is associated with a poor patient outcome. Among the many genes induced by HIF are genes responsible for glucose transport and glucose metabolism. The products of these genes allow cells to adapt to cycles of hypoxic stress by maintaining a level of ATP sufficient for survival and proliferation. Whereas normal cells metabolize glucose through a cytoplasmic- and mitochondrial-dependent pathway, cancer cells preferentially use a cytoplasmic, glycolytic pathway that leads to an increased acid load due, in part, to the high level of production of lactic acid. This metabolic predilection of cancer cells is primarily dependent directly on the HIF activity but also indirectly through changes in the activity of tumour suppressors and oncogenes. A better understanding of HIF-dependent metabolism and pH regulation in cancer cells should lead to further development of diagnostic tools and novel therapeutics that will bring benefit to cancer patients.

Angiotensin II-induced reactive oxygen species and the kidney

Angiotensin II (AngII) is an important mediator in renal injury. Accumulating evidence suggests that AngII stimulates intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. AngII activates several subunits of the membrane-bound multicomponent NAD(P)H oxidase and also increases ROS formation in the mitochondria. Some of these effects may be induced by aldosterone and not directly by AngII. The superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide influence other downstream signaling pathways, such as transcription factors, tyrosine kinases/phosphatases, ion channels, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Through these signaling pathways, ROS have distinct functional effects on renal cells. They are transducers of cell growth, apoptosis, and cell migration and affect expression of inflammatory and extracellular matrix genes. For example, AngII-mediated expression of p27(Kip1), a cell-cycle regulatory protein, and induction of tubular hypertrophy depend on the generation of ROS. The effects of ROS generated within different renal cells ultimately depend on the locally generated concentrations and the balance of pro- and antioxidant pathways. Although the concept that AngII mediates oxidative stress in the kidney has been validated in experimental models, the exact role is still incompletely understood in human renal diseases.

Hypoxia causes an increase in phagocytosis by macrophages in a HIF-1α-dependent manner

Phagocytosis is the process by which microbial pathogens are engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils and represents the first line of defense against bacterial infection. The importance of phagocytosis for bacterial clearance is of particular relevance to systemic inflammatory diseases, which are associated with the development of hypoxia, yet the precise effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis remain largely unexplored. We now hypothesize that hypoxia inhibits phagocytosis in macrophages and sought to determine the mechanisms involved. Despite our initial prediction, hypoxia significantly increased the phagocytosis rate of particles in vitro by RAW264.7 and primary peritoneal macrophages and increased phagocytosis of labeled bacteria in vivo by hypoxic mice compared with normoxic controls. In understanding the mechanisms involved, hypoxia caused no changes in RhoA-GTPase signaling but increased the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK significantly. Inhibition of p38 reversed the effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis, suggesting a role for p38 in the hypoxic regulation of phagocytosis. Hypoxia also significantly increased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in macrophages, which was reversed after p38 inhibition, suggesting a link between p38 activation and HIF-1alpha expression. It is striking that small interfering RNA knockdown of HIF-1alpha reversed the effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis, and overexpression of HIF-1alpha caused a surprising increase in phagocytosis compared with nontransfected controls, demonstrating a specific role for HIF-1alpha in the regulation of phagocytosis. These data indicate that hypoxia enhances phagocytosis in macrophages in a HIF-1alpha-dependent manner and shed light on an important role for HIF-1alpha in host defense.

Three autocrine feedback loops determine HIF1 alpha expression in chronic hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs in cancer, prolonged exercise, and long-term ischemia with durations of several hours or more, and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) pathway response to these conditions differs from responses to transient hypoxia. We used computational modeling, validated by experiments, to gain a quantitative, temporal understanding of the mechanisms driving HIF1 response. To test the hypothesis that HIF1 alpha protein levels during chronic hypoxia are tightly regulated by a series of molecular feedbacks, we took into account protein synthesis and product inhibition, and analyzed HIF1 system changes in response to hypoxic exposures beyond 3 to 4 h. We show how three autocrine feedback loops together regulate HIF 1 alpha hydroxylation in different microenvironments. Results demonstrate that prolyl hydroxylase, succinate and HIF1 alpha feedback determine intracellular HIF1 alpha levels over the course of hours to days. The model provides quantitative insight critical for characterizing molecular mechanisms underlying a cell's response to long-term hypoxia.

Collapsing glomerulopathy: an inflammatory podocytopathy?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Collapsing glomerulopathy is a relatively new and debated podocytopathy. Among several conjectures, inflammatory injury orchestrated by podocytes is emerging to explain the pathogenesis of collapsing glomerulopathy. Here, we briefly summarize recent studies in support of this novel and intriguing hypothesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Immunohistochemical analyses of markers conventionally used to demarcate podocytes apart from parietal epithelium identified the parietal podocyte. MafB-deficient mice exhibited abnormal podocyte and macrophage differentiation, suggesting ancestral and functional overlap. These apparent developmental anomalies were detected in studies showing an admixture of hyperplastic podocytes with macrophage epitopes and hyperplastic parietal epithelium in pseudocrescents and in true crescents. Experimental antibody-mediated injury of podocytes could trigger capillary collapse and pseudocrescent formation marked by recruitment of epithelial cells from Bowman's capsule. In contrast, experimental stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors within podocytes--a known inflammatory response by macrophages--could trigger podocyte proliferation and the formation of true necrotizing crescents.

SUMMARY

Preliminary evidence suggests that visceral and parietal podocytes may become macrophage-like inflammatory mediators of proliferative epithelial injury within the glomerulus. This may manifest as collapsing glomerulopathy or crescentic glomerulonephritis--lesions that appear to be anatomically and pathogenically linked.

Lymphocyte function during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury

The liver is the primary organ affected by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury after shock, surgical resection, or transplantation. The actions of myeloid leukocytes have been well studied and are thought to be the primary cells responsible for propagating the injury response. However, there is an emerging view that T lymphocytes can also regulate liver I/R-induced inflammation. Resident lymphocytes found within the liver include conventional alphabeta TCR cells as well as unconventional NK and gammadelta T cells. These lymphocytes can alter inflammation through the secretion of soluble mediators such as cytokines and chemokines or through cognate interactions in an antigen-dependent manner. Expression of these mediators will then result in the recruitment of more lymphocytes and neutrophils. There is evidence to suggest that T cell activation in the liver during I/R can be driven by antigenic or nonantigenic mechanisms. Finally, immune cells are exposed to different oxygen tensions, including hypoxia, as they migrate and function within tissues. The hypoxic environment during liver ischemia likely modulates T cell function, at least in part through the actions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha. Further, this hypoxic environment leads to the increased concentration of extracellular adenosine, which is generally known to suppress T cell proinflammatory function. Altogether, the elucidation of T lymphocyte actions during liver I/R will likely allow for novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Increasing expression of hypoxia-inducible proteins in the Barrett's metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence

Hypoxia-associated markers are involved in the progression of several malignancies, but are relatively unstudied in Barrett's carcinogenesis. Our aim was to assess the immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, HIF-2α, erythropoietin (Epo), Epo receptor (Epo-R), Glut-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) along with Ki67/MIB-1 in the Barrett's metaplasia–dysplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence. Endoscopic biopsies of normal squamous epithelium (NSE) (n=20), columnar-lined oesophagus (CLO) (n=15), CLO with intestinal metaplasia (n=20), dysplasia (n=17) and Barrett's type adenocarcinoma (n=20) were obtained. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the paraffin-embedded tissue. A score was calculated for each marker (range 0−300) by multiplying intensity (none 0, weak 1, moderate 2, strong 3) by percentage of expression (range 0–100). Significant increases in the expression of HIF-2α (P=0.014), VEGF (P<0.0001), Epo-R (P<0.0001) and Ki67 (P<0.0001) were found as tissue progressed from NSE to adenocarcinoma. HIF-2α was expressed late in the sequence and was only seen in dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. High HIF-2α expression was seen in 12 out of 20 Barrett's type adenocarcinoma. The late expression of HIF-2α in the Barrett's carcinogenesis sequence and its high expression in adenocarcinoma suggest that it is worth further investigation as a marker of disease progression and therapeutic target.

Hypoxia signalling controls metabolic demand

It has been known for quite some time that cancer cells undergo far-reaching modifications in their metabolism, yet a full understanding of these changes and how they come about remains elusive. Even under conditions of plentiful oxygen, cancer cells choose to switch glucose metabolism from respiration to lactic acid formation. The mystery behind the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon, known as the Warburg effect, is now being unravelled. The reduced respiration rate and increased glucose uptake associated with lactic acid production, and acidosis of the micro-environment, are primarily due to activation of the alpha/beta hypoxia-inducible transcription factor. This distinctive metabolic nature of cancer cells is already being exploited as a diagnostic tool but is yet to be harnessed as a therapeutic intervention.

Paraquat Increases Cyanide-insensitive Respiration in Murine Lung Epithelial Cells by Activating an NAD(P)H:Paraquat Oxidoreductase

Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most severe consequences of exposure to paraquat, an herbicide that causes rapid alveolar inflammation and epithelial cell damage. Paraquat is known to induce toxicity in cells by stimulating oxygen utilization via redox cycling and the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates. However, the enzymatic activity mediating this reaction in lung cells is not completely understood. Using self-referencing microsensors, we measured the effects of paraquat on oxygen flux into murine lung epithelial cells. Paraquat (10-100 microm) was found to cause a 2-4-fold increase in cellular oxygen flux. The mitochondrial poisons cyanide, rotenone, and antimycin A prevented mitochondrial- but not paraquat-mediated oxygen flux into cells. In contrast, diphenyleneiodonium (10 microm), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, blocked the effects of paraquat without altering mitochondrial respiration. NADPH oxidases, enzymes that are highly expressed in lung epithelial cells, utilize molecular oxygen to generate superoxide anion. We discovered that lung epithelial cells possess a distinct cytoplasmic diphenyleneiodonium-sensitive NAD(P)H:paraquat oxidoreductase. This enzyme utilizes oxygen, requires NADH or NADPH, and readily generates the reduced paraquat radical. Purification and sequence analysis identified this enzyme activity as thioredoxin reductase. Purified paraquat reductase from the cells contained thioredoxin reductase activity, and purified rat liver thioredoxin reductase or recombinant enzyme possessed paraquat reductase activity. Reactive oxygen intermediates and subsequent oxidative stress generated from this enzyme are likely to contribute to paraquat-induced lung toxicity.

Erythropoietin after a century of research: younger than ever

In the light of the enthusiasm regarding the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) and its analogues for treatment of the anaemias of chronic renal failure and malignancies it is worth remembering that today's success has been based on a century of laborious research. The concept of the humoral regulation of haematopoiesis was first formulated in 1906. The term 'erythropoietin' for the erythropoiesis-stimulating hormone was introduced in 1948. Native human Epo was isolated in 1977 and its gene cloned in 1985. During the last 15 yr, major progress has been made in identifying the molecules controlling Epo gene expression, primarily the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) that are regulated by specific O2 and oxoglutarate requiring Fe2+-containing dioxygenases. With respect to the action of Epo, its dimeric receptor (Epo-R) has been characterised and shown to signal through protein kinases, anti-apoptotic proteins and transcription factors. The demonstration of Epo-R in non-haematopoietic tissues indicates that Epo is a pleiotropic viability and growth factor. The neuroprotective and cardioprotective potentials of Epo are reviewed with a focus on clinical research. In addition, studies utilising the Epo derivatives with prolonged half-life, peptidic and non-peptidic Epo mimetics, orally active drugs stimulating endogenous Epo production and Epo gene transfer are reviewed.

Harnessing the hypoxia-inducible factor in cancer and ischemic disease

The alpha/beta-heterodimeric transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) functions when the oxygen level in tissues is low, i.e. when the tissue microenvironment becomes hypoxic, and is non-functional when the level of oxygen is high. Certain pathophysiological conditions such as ischemic disorders and cancer encounter low levels of local tissue oxygenation due to a defective or insufficient vasculature. Highly proliferating tumour cells rapidly form into a mass that becomes located too far from the vasculature to be nourished and oxygenated. Under such conditions HIF activates or represses a vast array of genes that in particular, initiate the formation of new blood vessels and modify metabolism. In this way the tumour mass re-establishes conditions favourable for further proliferation. Interest is being expressed in the direct repression or stimulation of HIF activity, respectively, in the treatment of cancer and of ischemic disorders. The modulation of other HIF-target genes implicated, in particular, in tumour metabolism and intracellular pH control may also prove to be useful in cancer therapy. However, before going further a better understanding of the basics of the HIF signalling pathway is essential. This review will introduce the reader to the molecular mechanisms that regulate HIF and some of the biological consequences of its action, in particular in tumour metabolism, growth and invasion. Approaches to either enforce tumour regression or increase blood vessel formation through the targeting of HIF or its downstream effectors will also be discussed.