Nitric oxide inhibits apoptosis by preventing increases in caspase-3-like activity via two distinct mechanisms

The Moraxella catarrhalis nitric oxide reductase is essential for nitric oxide detoxification

Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram-negative obligate aerobe that is an important cause of human respiratory tract infections. The M. catarrhalis genome encodes a predicted truncated denitrification pathway that reduces nitrate to nitrous oxide. We have previously shown that expression of both the M. catarrhalis aniA (encoding a nitrite reductase) and norB (encoding a putative nitric oxide reductase) genes is repressed by the transcriptional regulator NsrR under aerobic conditions and that M. catarrhalis O35E nsrR mutants are unable to grow in the presence of low concentrations of nitrite (W. Wang, et al., J. Bacteriol. 190:7762-7772, 2008). In this study, we constructed an M. catarrhalis norB mutant and showed that planktonic growth of this mutant is inhibited by low levels of nitrite, whether or not an nsrR mutation is present. To determine the importance of NorB in this truncated denitrification pathway, we analyzed the metabolism of nitrogen oxides by norB, aniA norB, and nsrR norB mutants. We found that norB mutants are unable to reduce nitric oxide and produce little or no nitrous oxide from nitrite. Furthermore, nitric oxide produced from nitrite by the AniA protein is bactericidal for a Moraxella catarrhalis O35E norB mutant but not for wild-type O35E bacteria under aerobic growth conditions in vitro, suggesting that nitric oxide catabolism in M. catarrhalis is accomplished primarily by the norB gene product. Measurement of bacterial protein S-nitrosylation directly implicates nitrosative stress resulting from AniA-dependent nitric oxide formation as a cause of the growth inhibition of norB and nsrR mutants by nitrite.

Molecular mechanisms in exercise-induced cardioprotection

Physical inactivity is increasingly recognized as modifiable behavioral risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A partial list of proposed mechanisms for exercise-induced cardioprotection include induction of heat shock proteins, increase in cardiac antioxidant capacity, expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins, anatomical and physiological changes in the coronary arteries, changes in nitric oxide production, adaptational changes in cardiac mitochondria, increased autophagy, and improved function of sarcolemmal and/or mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels. It is currently unclear which of these protective mechanisms are essential for exercise-induced cardioprotection. However, most investigations focus on sarcolemmal KATP channels, NO production, and mitochondrial changes although it is very likely that other mechanisms may also exist. This paper discusses current information about these aforementioned topics and does not consider potentially important adaptations within blood or the autonomic nervous system. A better understanding of the molecular basis of exercise-induced cardioprotection will help to develop better therapeutic strategies.

Nitric oxide is the primary mediator of cytotoxicity induced by GSH depletion in neuronal cells

Glutathione (GSH) levels progressively decline during aging and in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the contribution of such event in mediating neuronal cell death is still uncertain. In this report, we show that, in neuroblastoma cells as well as in primary mouse cortical neurons, GSH decrease, induced by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), causes protein nitration, S-nitrosylation and DNA strand breaks. Such alterations are also associated with inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase activity and microtubule network disassembly, which are considered hallmarks of nitric oxide (NO) toxicity. In neuroblastoma cells, BSO treatment also induces cell proliferation arrest through the ERK1/2-p53 pathway that finally results in caspase-independent apoptosis, as evident from the translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria towards nuclei. A deeper analysis of the signaling processes indicates that the NO-cGMP pathway is involved in cell proliferation arrest and death. In fact, these events are completely reversed by L-NAME, a specific NO synthase inhibitor, indicating that NO, rather than the depletion of GSH per se, is the primary mediator of cell damage. In addition, the guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor LY83583 is able to completely block activation of ERK1/2 and counteract BSO toxicity. In cortical neurons, NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) treatment results in GSH decrease and BSO-mediated NO cytotoxicity is enhanced by either epidermal growth factor (EGF) or NMDA. These findings support the idea that GSH might represent the most important buffer of NO toxicity in neuronal cells, and indicate that the disruption of cellular redox buffering controlled by GSH makes neuronal cells susceptible to endogenous physiological flux of NO.

Cardioprotective pathways during reperfusion: focus on redox signaling and other modalities of cell signaling

Post-ischemic reperfusion may result in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, reduced availability of nitric oxide (NO•), Ca(2+)overload, prolonged opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and other processes contributing to cell death, myocardial infarction, stunning, and arrhythmias. With the discovery of the preconditioning and postconditioning phenomena, reperfusion injury has been appreciated as a reality from which protection is feasible, especially with postconditioning, which is under the control of physicians. Potentially cooperative protective signaling cascades are recruited by both pre- and postconditioning. In these pathways, phosphorylative/dephosphorylative processes are widely represented. However, cardioprotective modalities of signal transduction also include redox signaling by ROS, S-nitrosylation by NO• and derivative, S-sulfhydration by hydrogen sulfide, and O-linked glycosylation with beta-N-acetylglucosamine. All these modalities can interact and regulate an entire pathway, thus influencing each other. For instance, enzymes can be phosphorylated and/or nitrosylated in specific and/or different site(s) with consequent increase or decrease of their specific activity. The cardioprotective signaling pathways are thought to converge on mitochondria, and various mitochondrial proteins have been identified as targets of these post-transitional modifications in both pre- and postconditioning.

Thujone-Rich Fraction of Thuja occidentalis Demonstrates Major Anti-Cancer Potentials: Evidences from In Vitro Studies on A375 Cells

Crude ethanolic extract of Thuja occidentalis (Fam: Cupressaceae) is used as homeopathic mother tincture (TOΦ) to treat various ailments, particularly moles and tumors, and also used in various other systems of traditional medicine. Anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of TOΦ and the thujone-rich fraction (TRF) separated from it have been evaluated for their possible anti-cancer potentials in the malignant melanoma cell line A375. On initial trial by S-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, both TOΦ and TRF showed maximum cytotoxic effect on A375 cell line while the other three principal fractions separated by chromatography had negligible or no such effect, because of which only TRF was further characterized and subjected to certain other assays for determining its precise anti-proliferative and apoptotic potentials. TRF was reported to have a molecular formula of C₁₀H₁₆O with a molecular weight of 152. Exposure of TRF of Thuja occidentalis to A375 cells in vitro showed more cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects as compared with TOΦ, but had minimal growth inhibitory responses when exposed to normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cell). Furthermore, both TOΦ and TRF also caused a significant decrease in cell viability, induced inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential collapse, increase in ROS generation, and release of cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation, all of which are closely related to the induction of apoptosis in A375 cells. Thus, TRF showed and matched all the anti-cancer responses of TOΦ and could be the main bio-active fraction. The use of TOΦ in traditional medicines against tumors has, therefore, a scientific basis.

Regulation of hepatocyte fate by interferon-γ

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine known for its immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative action. In the liver, IFN-γ can induce hepatocyte apoptosis or inhibit hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This article reviews recent mechanistic reports that describe how IFN-γ may direct the fate of hepatocytes either towards apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. This review also describes a probable role for IFN-γ in modulating hepatocyte fate during liver regeneration, transplantation, hepatitis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and highlights promising areas of research that may lead to the development of IFN-γ as a therapy to enhance recovery from liver disease.

Oxidative stress and hepatic stellate cell activation are key events in arsenic induced liver fibrosis in mice

Arsenic is an environmental toxicant and carcinogen. Exposure to arsenic is associated with development of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension through ill defined mechanisms. We evaluated hepatic fibrogenesis after long term arsenic exposure in a murine model. BALB/c mice were exposed to arsenic by daily gavages of 6 μg/gm body weight for 1 year and were evaluated for markers of hepatic oxidative stress and fibrosis, as well as pro-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and pro-fibrogenic factors at 9 and 12 months. Hepatic NADPH oxidase activity progressively increased in arsenic exposure with concomitant development of hepatic oxidative stress. Hepatic steatosis with occasional collection of mononuclear inflammatory cells and mild portal fibrosis were the predominant liver lesion observed after 9 months of arsenic exposure, while at 12 months, the changes included mild hepatic steatosis, inflammation, necrosis and significant fibrosis in periportal areas. The pathologic changes in the liver were associated with markers of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, matrix reorganization and fibrosis including α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, PDGF-Rβ, pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and pro(α) collagen type I. Moreover, pro-apoptotic protein Bax was dominantly expressed and Bcl-2 was down-regulated along with increased number of TUNEL positive hepatocytes in liver of arsenic exposed mice. Furthermore, HSCs activation due to increased hepatic oxidative stress observed after in vivo arsenic exposure was recapitulated in co-culture model of isolated HSCs and hepatocytes exposed to arsenic. These findings have implications not only for the understanding of the pathology of arsenic related liver fibrosis but also for the design of preventive strategies in chronic arsenicosis.

Nitrite as a mediator of ischemic preconditioning and cytoprotection

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is a central component in the pathogenesis of several diseases and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Subcellularly, mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by depletion of ATP, calcium-induced opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and exacerbated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, plays an integral role in the progression of IR injury. Nitric oxide (NO) and more recently nitrite (NO(2)(-)) are known to modulate mitochondrial function, mediate cytoprotection after IR and have been implicated in the signaling of the highly protective ischemic preconditioning (IPC) program. Here, we review what is known about the role of NO and nitrite in cytoprotection after IR and consider the putative role of nitrite in IPC. Focus is placed on the potential cytoprotective mechanisms involving NO and nitrite-dependent modulation of mitochondrial function.

Estrogen-induced apoptosis of breast epithelial cells is blocked by NO/cGMP and mediated by extranuclear estrogen receptors

Estrogen action, via both nuclear and extranuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), induces a variety of cellular signals that are prosurvival or proliferative, whereas nitric oxide (NO) can inhibit apoptosis via caspase S-nitrosylation and via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase to produce cGMP. The action of 17β-estradiol (E(2)) at ER is known to elicit NO signaling via activation of NO synthase (NOS) in many tissues. The MCF-10A nontumorigenic, mammary epithelial cell line is genetically stable and insensitive to estrogenic proliferation. In this cell line, estrogens or NOS inhibitors alone had no significant effect, whereas in combination, apoptosis was induced rapidly in the absence of serum; the presence of inducible NOS was confirmed by proteomic analysis. The application of pharmacological agents determined that apoptosis was dependent upon NO/cGMP signaling via cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase and could be replicated by inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase pathway prior to addition of E(2). Apoptosis was confirmed by nuclear staining and increased caspase-3 activity in E(2) + NOS inhibitor-treated cells. Apoptosis was partially inhibited by a pure ER antagonist and replicated by agonists selective for extranuclear ER. Cells were rescued from E(2)-induced apoptosis after NOS blockade, by NO-donors and cGMP pathway agonists; preincubation with NO donors was required. The NOS and ER status of breast cancer tissues is significant in etiology, prognosis, and therapy. In this study, apoptosis of preneoplastic mammary epithelial cells was triggered by estrogens via a rapid, extranuclear ER-mediated response, after removal of an antiapoptotic NO/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase signal.

Helicobacter pylori Induces Disturbances in Gastric Mucosal Akt Activation through Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase-Dependent S-Nitrosylation: Effect of Ghrelin

Gastric mucosal inflammatory response to H. pylori and its key virulence factor, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are characterized by a massive rise in apoptosis and the disturbances in NO signaling pathways. Here, we report that H. pylori LPS-induced enhancement in the mucosal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was associated with the suppression in Akt kinase activity and the impairment in constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) phosphorylation. Further, we demonstrate that the LPS effect on Akt inactivation, manifested in the kinase protein S-nitrosylation and a decrease in its phosphorylation at Ser⁴⁷³, was susceptible to suppression by iNOS inhibition. Moreover, the countering effect of hormone, ghrelin, on the LPS-induced changes in Akt activity was reflected in the loss in Akt S-nitrosylation and the increase in its phosphorylation at Ser⁴⁷³, as well as cNOS activation through phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate that up-regulation in iNOS with H. pylori infection leads to Akt inactivation through S-nitrosylation that exerts the detrimental effect on the processes of cNOS activation through phosphorylation. We also report that ghrelin protection against H. pylori-induced disturbances is manifested in a marked increase in Akt activity and evoked by a decrease in the kinase S-nitrosylation and the increase in its phosphorylation at Ser⁴⁷³.

PKC-δ signalling pathway is involved in H9c2 cells differentiation

H9c2 are rat heart embryonic myoblasts, with skeletal muscle properties, which terminally differentiate by fusing and forming multinucleated myotubes. Here we investigated the possible involvement of Protein Kinases C (PKCs) in H9c2 cell differentiation and explored the interplay of these enzymes both with reactive oxygen species (ROS), upstream physiological mediators of cell differentiation, and with nitric oxide (NO), downstream target of PKC activation, known for being involved in apoptosis induction in differentiated myoblasts. Cells were induced to differentiate (6 days) under low serum culture conditions and assayed for the expression of cell cycle (cyclin A) and differentiation markers (morphology and myogenin). Both ROS and in vivo production of NO were found increased after 6 days of differentiation, when the activation of PKC-δ isoform was 14-fold increased compared with the undifferentiated control cells. The parallel analysis of apoptotic features demonstrated a small increase in Annexin-V+ cells and a concomitant increase in PARP cleavage and Bax expression. Interestingly, a reduced percentage of differentiated cells was obtained both in the presence of Rottlerin, a highly selective PKC-δ pharmacologic inhibitor, and, moreover, with the use of PKC-δ siRNA technology, further supporting the involvement of PKC-δ in switching on the events related to skeletal muscle myoblast differentiation.

Ephedrannin A and B from roots of Ephedra sinica inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators by suppressing nuclear factor-κB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Ephedra sinica is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and has pharmacological functions including anti-inflammatory effects. However, the active ingredients from Ephedra roots have not been characterized. Here, two active constituents were isolated and their structures and mechanisms of action were defined. Active constituents from Ephedra roots were isolated by continuous solvent-extractions and column chromatography. Their structures were determined by use of multiple types of spectrometry. The mechanisms of action were examined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through PCR, ELISA, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and immunocytochemistry. Two active constituents, ephedrannin A and B, belonging to the A-type proanthocyanidin family were identified. Both ephedrannin A and B effectively suppressed the transcription of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). These compounds exerted their anti-inflammatory actions on LPS-stimulated macrophages by suppressing the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Ephedrannin A and B both exhibited strong anti-inflammatory effects, however, the optimal dose of ephedrannin B was 10 times lower than that of ephedrannin A. This is the first report describing effective anti-inflammatory activity for ephedrannin A and B isolated from Ephedra roots. Ephedrannin B may be a good candidate for delaying the progression of human inflammatory diseases and warrants further studies.

Nitric oxide synthase enzymes in the airways of mice exposed to ovalbumin: NOS2 expression is NOS3 dependent

Objectives and Design. The function of the airway nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and the lung cell types responsible for its production are not fully understood. We hypothesized that NO homeostasis in the airway is important to control inflammation, which requires upregulation, of NOS2 protein expression by an NOS3-dependent mechanism. Materials or Subjects. Mice from a C57BL/6 wild-type, NOS1^−/−, NOS2^−/−, and NOS3^−/− genotypes were used. All mice strains were systemically sensitized and exposed to filtered air or ovalbumin (OVA) aerosol for two weeks to create a subchronic model of allergen-induced airway inflammation. Methods. We measured lung function, lung lavage inflammatory and airway epithelial goblet cell count, exhaled NO, nitrate and nitrite concentration, and airway NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3 protein content. Results. Deletion of NOS1 or NOS3 increases NOS2 protein present in the airway epithelium and smooth muscle of air-exposed animals. Exposure to allergen significantly reduced the expression of NOS2 protein in the airway epithelium and smooth muscle of the NOS3^−/− strain only. This reduction in NOS2 expression was not due to the replacement of epithelial cells with goblet cells as remaining epithelial cells did not express NOS2. NOS1^−/− animals had significantly reduced goblet cell metaplasia compared to C57Bl/6 wt, NOS2^−/−, and NOS3^−/− allergen-exposed mice. Conclusion. The airway epithelial and smooth muscle cells maintain a stable airway NO concentration under noninflammatory conditions. This “homeostatic” mechanism is unable to distinguish between NOS derived from the different constitutive NOS isoforms. NOS3 is essential for the expression of NOS2 under inflammatory conditions, while NOS1 expression contributes to allergen-induced goblet cell metaplasia.

Cardioprotective effects of nitrite during exercise

Exercise training has been shown to reduce many risk factors related to cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and insulin resistance. More importantly, exercise training has been consistently shown to confer sustainable protection against myocardial infarction in animal models and has been associated with improved survival following a heart attack in humans. It is still unclear how exercise training is able to protect the heart, but some studies have suggested that it increases a number of classical signalling molecules. For instance, exercise can increase components of the endogenous antioxidant defences (i.e. superoxide dismutase and catalase), increase the expression of heat shock proteins, activate ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels, and increase the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase resulting in an increase in NO levels. This review article will provide a brief summary of the role that these signalling molecules play in mediating the cardioprotective effects of exercise. In particular, it will highlight the role that NO plays and introduce the idea that the stable NO metabolite, nitrite, may play a major role in mediating these cardioprotective effects.

Modulation of neutrophil apoptosis by murine pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell inducible nitric oxide synthase

Neutrophils contribute significantly to ALI (acute lung injury) through adhesion to pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMEC), trans-PMEC migration and alveolar infiltration. Trans-PMEC migration delays expression of neutrophil apoptosis, which promotes intra-alveolar neutrophil survival and neutrophil mediated ALI. We assessed the role of neutrophil vs PMEC inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) in modulating neutrophil apoptosis. Apoptosis of wild-type vs iNOS-/- neutrophils was quantified by microscopy and FACS annexin-V binding. In a murine model of ALI, neutrophils isolated by BAL(broncho-alveolar lavage) from iNOS-/- mice had increased expression of apoptosis after 24h culture ex vivo than wild-type neutrophils (15.2±3.3 vs 3.0±0.4%, mean±sd, p<0.01). Apoptosis rates of isolated bone marrow iNOS+/+ vs iNOS-/- neutrophils were similar under basal and LPS/IFN-γ stimulation, and following LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated trans-PMEC migration. Apoptosis of both iNOS+/+ and iNOS-/- neutrophils was inhibited by trans-PMEC migration only across iNOS+/+ PMEC (1.6±0.3 and 1.5±0.3%, respectively; p<0.05 for each vs non-migrated neutrophils) but not across iNOS-/- PMEC (4.3±1 and 3.1±0.6%, respectively). PMEC iNOS-dependent inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis was independent of changes in neutrophil caspase-3 activity. We conclude that PMEC iNOS, but not neutrophil iNOS, has an important inhibitory effect on neutrophil apoptosis during trans-PMEC neutrophil migration, which is independent of caspase-3 activity. Further studies will define the mechanism of PMEC iNOS-dependent inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis and assess the potential relevance of this phenomenon in human neutrophils and ALI.

Role of oxidative/nitrosative stress-mediated Bcl-2 regulation in apoptosis and malignant transformation

Bcl-2 is a key apoptosis regulatory protein of the mitochondrial death pathway. The oncogenic potential of Bcl-2 is well established, with its overexpression reported in various cancers. The antiapoptotic function of Bcl-2 is closely associated with its expression levels. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are important intracellular signaling molecules that play a key role in various physiological processes including apoptosis. We have recently reported that ROS and RNS can regulate Bcl-2 expression levels, thereby impacting its function. Superoxide anion (*O(2)(-)) plays a proapoptotic role by causing downregulation and degradation of Bcl-2 protein through the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway. In contrast, nitric oxide (NO)-mediated S-nitrosylation of Bcl-2 prevents its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, leading to inhibition of apoptosis. Interestingly, NO-mediated S-nitrosylation and stabilization of Bcl-2 protein was the primary mechanism involved in the malignant transformation of nontumorigenic lung epithelial cells in response to long-term carcinogen exposure. We describe a novel mechanism of Bcl-2 regulation by *O(2)(-) and NO, providing a new dimension to reactive species-mediated Bcl-2 stability, apoptotic cell death, and cancer development.

Suppression by Ghrelin of Porphyromonas gingivalis-Induced Constitutive Nitric Oxide Synthase S-Nitrosylation and Apoptosis in Salivary Gland Acinar Cells

Oral mucosal inflammatory responses to periodontopathic bacterium, P. gingivalis, and its key virulence factor, LPS, are characterized by a massive rise in epithelial cell apoptosis and the disturbances in NO signaling pathways. Here, we report that the LPS-induced enhancement in rat sublingual salivary gland acinar cell apoptosis and NO generation was associated with the suppression in constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activity and a marked increase in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We demonstrate that the detrimental effect of the LPS on cNOS was manifested by the enzyme protein S-nitrosylation, that was susceptible to inhibition by iNOS inhibitor, 1400 W. Further, we show that a peptide hormone, ghrelin, countered the LPS-induced changes in apoptosis and cNOS activity. This effect of ghrelin was reflected in the decrease in cNOS S-nitrosylation and the increase in phosphorylation. Our findings imply that P. gingivalis-induced disturbances in the acinar cell NO signaling pathways result from upregulation in iNOS-derived NO that causes cNOS S-nitrosylation that interferes with its activation through phosphorylation. We also show that ghrelin protection against P. gingivalis-induced disturbances involves cNOS activation associated with a decrease in its S-nitrosylation and the increase in phosphorylation.

Beneficial paracrine effects of cannabinoid receptor 2 on liver injury and regeneration

The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) plays a pleiotropic role in innate immunity and is a crucial mediator of liver disease. In this study, we investigated the impact of CB2 receptors on the regenerative process associated with liver injury. Following acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), CB2 was induced in the nonparenchymal cell fraction and remained undetectable in hepatocytes. Administration of CCl(4) to CB2(-/-) mice accelerated liver injury, as shown by increased alanine/aspartate aminotransferase levels and hepatocyte apoptosis, and delayed liver regeneration, as reflected by a retarded induction of hepatocyte proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression; proliferating cell nuclear antigen induction was also delayed in CB2(-/-) mice undergoing partial hepatectomy. Conversely, following treatment with the CB2 agonist JWH-133, CCl(4)-treated WT mice displayed reduced liver injury and accelerated liver regeneration. The CCl(4)-treated CB2(-/-) mice showed a decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression, and administration of the nitric oxide donor moldomine (SIN-1) to these animals reduced hepatocyte apoptosis, without affecting liver regeneration. Impaired liver regeneration was consecutive to an interleukin-6 (IL-6)-mediated decrease in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity. Indeed, CCl(4)-treated CB2(-/-) mice displayed lower levels of hepatic IL-6 messenger RNA and increased MMP-2 activity. Administration of IL-6 to these mice decreased MMP-2 activity and improved liver regeneration, without affecting hepatocyte apoptosis. Accordingly, administration of the MMP inhibitor CTTHWGFTLC to CCl(4)-treated CB2(-/-) mice improved liver regeneration. Finally, in vitro studies demonstrated that incubation of hepatic myofibroblasts with JWH-133 increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6 and decreased MMP-2 expressions.

CONCLUSION

CB2 receptors reduce liver injury and promote liver regeneration following acute insult, via distinct paracrine mechanisms involving hepatic myofibroblasts. These results suggest that CB2 agonists display potent hepatoprotective properties, in addition to their antifibrogenic effects.

Transnitrosylation of XIAP regulates caspase-dependent neuronal cell death

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a potent antagonist of caspase apoptotic activity. XIAP also functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, targeting caspases for degradation. However, molecular pathways controlling XIAP activities remain unclear. Here, we report that nitric oxide (NO) reacts with XIAP by S-nitrosylating its RING domain (forming SNO-XIAP), thereby inhibiting E3 ligase and antiapoptotic activity. NO-mediated neurotoxicity and caspase activation have been linked to several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. We find significant SNO-XIAP formation in brains of patients with these diseases, implicating this reaction in the etiology of neuronal damage. Conversely, S-nitrosylation of caspases is known to inhibit apoptotic activity. Unexpectedly, we find that SNO-caspase transnitrosylates (transfers its NO group) to XIAP, forming SNO-XIAP, and thus promotes cell injury and death. These findings provide insights into the regulation of caspase activation in neurodegenerative disorders mediated, at least in part, by nitrosative stress.

Proteomic and mass spectroscopic quantitation of protein S-nitrosation differentiates NO-donors

Protein S-nitrosation has been argued to be the most important signaling pathway mediating the bioactivity of NO. This post-translational modification of protein thiols is the result of chemical nitrosation of cysteine residues. The term NO-donors covers very different chemical classes, from clinical therapeutics to probes of routine use in chemical biology; their different chemistry is predicted to result in distinctive biology regulated by protein S-nitrosation. To measure the extent of protein S-nitrosation by NO-donors, a proteomic mass spectrometry method was developed, which quantitates free thiol versus nitrosothiol for each modified cysteine residue, coined d-Switch. This method is adapted from the biotin switch (BST) method, used extensively to identify S-nitrosated proteins in complex biological mixtures; however, BST does not quantitate free thiol. Since glutathione-S-transferase P1-1 (GST-P1) has been proposed to be a biological "NO-carrier", GST-P1 was used as a reporter protein. The 5 different chemical classes of NO-donors compared by d-Switch demonstrated very different profiles of protein S-nitrosation and response to O(2) and cysteine, although all NO-donors were oxidants toward GST-P1. The low limits of detection and the ability to use established MS database searching allowed facile generalization of the d-Switch method. Therefore after incubation of neuronal cell cultures with nitrosothiol, it was possible to quantitate not only S-nitrosation of GST-P1 but also many other proteins, including novel targets such as ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1). Moreover, d-Switch also allowed identification of non-nitrosated proteins and quantitation of degree of nitrosation for individual protein thiols.

Role of constitutive nitric oxide synthase S-nitrosylation in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric mucosal cell apoptosis: effect of ghrelin

Infection with H. pylori is a primary factor in the etiology of gastric disease, and the excessive NO generation and a massive rise in apoptosis are well recognized features that characterize the mucosal inflammatory responses to the bacterium and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we report that H. pylori LPS-induced enhancement in gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and NO generation was associated with the suppression in constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activity and a marked up-regulation in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Further, we demonstrate that the detrimental effect of the LPS on cNOS was manifested in the enzyme protein S-nitrosylation, that was susceptible to suppression by iNOS inhibitor, 1400W. Moreover, we show that the countering effect of peptide hormone, ghrelin, on the LPS-induced changes in apoptosis and cNOS activity was reflected in the loss in cNOS S-nitrosylation and the increase in the enzyme phosphorylation. These findings demonstrate that the disturbances in gastric mucosal NO generation system caused by H. pylori result from the iNOS-derived NO suppression of cNOS activation through S-nitrosylation. We also report that ghrelin protection against H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal proapoptotic events involves cNOS activation manifested by the increase in enzyme protein phosphorylation and a decrease in its S-nitrosylation.

S-nitrosylation from GSNOR deficiency impairs DNA repair and promotes hepatocarcinogenesis

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with elevated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), but the role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of HCC remains unknown. We found that the abundance and activity of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), a protein critical for control of protein S-nitrosylation, were significantly decreased in approximately 50% of patients with HCC. GSNOR-deficient mice were very susceptible to spontaneous and carcinogen-induced HCC. During inflammatory responses, the livers of GSNOR-deficient mice exhibited substantial S-nitrosylation and proteasomal degradation of the key DNA repair protein O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase. As a result, repair of carcinogenic O(6)-alkylguanines in GSNOR-deficient mice was significantly impaired. Predisposition to HCC, S-nitrosylation and depletion of alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, and accumulation of O(6)-alkylguanines were all abolished in mice deficient in both GSNOR and iNOS. Thus, our data suggest that GSNOR deficiency, through dysregulated S-nitrosylation, may promote HCC, possibly by inactivating a DNA repair system.

Cyclic AMP prolongs graft survival by suppressing apoptosis and inflammatory gene expression in acute cardiac allograft rejection

This study was designed to investigate the effects of cAMP on immune regulation and apoptosis during acute rat cardiac allograft rejection. We found that the production of immune markers such as inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha), iNOS expression, and nitric oxide (NO) production, was significantly increased in the blood and transplanted hearts of allograft recipients, but not of isograft controls. These increases were effectively suppressed by the administration of the membrane permeable cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP). Administration of db-cAMP reduced allograft-induced elevation of several biochemical markers, such as adhesion molecule expression, iron-nitrosyl complex formation, caspase-3 activation, and apoptotic DNA fragmentation in an animal model. Furthermore, treatment of allograft recipients with db-cAMP prolonged median graft survival to 11 days compared with a median graft survival time of 8 days in saline-treated allograft recipients. These results suggest that db-cAMP exerts a beneficial effect on murine cardiac allograft survival by modulating allogeneic immune response and cytotoxicity.

Novel insights into hydrogen sulfide--mediated cytoprotection

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is a colorless, water soluble, flammable gas that has the characteristic smell of rotten eggs. Like other members of the gasotransmitter family (nitric oxide and carbon monoxide), H(2)S has traditionally been considered to be a highly toxic gas and environmental hazard. However, much like for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, the initial negative perception of H(2)S has evolved with the discovery that H(2)S is produced enzymatically in mammals under normal conditions. As a result of this discovery, there has been a great deal of work to elucidate the physiological role of H(2)S. H(2)S is now recognized to be cytoprotective in various models of cellular injury. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that the acute administration of H(2)S, either prior to ischemia or at reperfusion, significantly ameliorates in vitro or in vivo myocardial and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. These studies have also demonstrated a cardioprotective role for endogenous H(2)S. This review article summarizes the current body of evidence demonstrating the cytoprotective effects of H(2)S with an emphasis on the cardioprotective effects. This review also provides a detailed description of the current signaling mechanisms shown to be responsible for these cardioprotective actions.

Apoptosis caused by an inhibitor of NO production in the decidua of rat from mid-gestation

We previously reported that nitric oxide (NO) is first detected in the uterus of a pregnant rat on gestational day 13.5 (GD13.5) and that NO levels peak on GD17.5. In addition, NO production in the uterus is mainly derived from the decidua and not the myometrium. The aim of the present study was to reveal the role of NO that peaked on GD17.5 of gestation in the decidua. To inhibit NO production, pregnant rats were continuously administered by an nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME) for 48 h. In the control group, saline was infused instead of l-NAME. After treatment, the decidua were obtained from GD13.5, GD17.5 and GD21.5 rats. Apoptosis and activated caspase-3-positive cells were observed by transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The caspase-3 enzyme activity was also measured in the cell lysate from the decidua. The numbers of TUNEL-positive cells and activated caspase-3-positive cells each increased and the amount of caspase-3 activity also increased significantly in rats on GD17.5 than in rats in the control group, but no changes were observed in rats on GD13.5 and GD21.5. Furthermore, enzyme activity regarding the initiator caspases, caspase-8 and -9, upstream factors for caspase-3 in the caspase cascade, was measured simultaneously on GD17.5 under the same treatment. Caspase-8 and -9 enzyme activities increased significantly in the control group; an increment of caspase-8 activity was especially prominent. The present results indicate that an inhibitor of NO production caused apoptosis through typical apoptotic signals in the decidua on GD17.5, suggesting that an NO peak in the decidua is essential to cell survival and the maintenance of uterine formation.

Ghrelin protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced gastric mucosal cell apoptosis involves constitutive nitric oxide synthase-mediated caspase-3 S-nitrosylation

Ghrelin, a peptide hormone produced mainly in the stomach, has emerged as an important modulator of the inflammatory responses that are of significance to the maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity. Here, we report on the role of ghrelin in controlling the apoptotic processes induced in gastric mucosal cells by H. pylori lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The countering effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced mucosal cell apoptosis was associated with the increase in constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activity, and the reduction in caspase-3 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2). The loss in countering effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced changes in apoptosis and caspase-3 activity was attained with Src kinase inhibitor, PP2, as well as Akt inhibitor, SH-5, and cNOS inhibitor, L-NAME. Moreover, the effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced changes in cNOS activity was reflected in the increased cNOS phosphorylation that was sensitive to SH-5. Furthermore, the ghrelin-induced up-regulation in cNOS activity was associated with the increase in caspase-3 S-nitrosylation that was susceptible to the blockage by L-NAME. Therefore, ghrelin protection of gastric mucosal cells against H. pylori LPS-induced apoptosis involves Src/Akt-mediated up-regulation in cNOS activation that leads to the apoptotic signal inhibition through the NO-induced caspase-3 S-nitrosylation.

S-nitrosylation in cardiovascular signaling

Well over 2 decades have passed since the endothelium-derived relaxation factor was reported to be the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO). Although soluble guanylyl cyclase (which generates cyclic guanosine monophosphate, cGMP) was the first identified receptor for NO, it has become increasingly clear that NO exerts a ubiquitous influence in a cGMP-independent manner. In particular, many, if not most, effects of NO are mediated by S-nitrosylation, the covalent modification of a protein cysteine thiol by an NO group to generate an S-nitrosothiol (SNO). Moreover, within the current framework of NO biology, endothelium-derived relaxation factor activity (ie, G protein-coupled receptor-mediated, or shear-induced endothelium-derived NO bioactivity) is understood to involve a central role for SNOs, acting both as second messengers and signal effectors. Furthermore, essential roles for S-nitrosylation have been implicated in virtually all major functions of NO in the cardiovascular system. Here, we review the basic biochemistry of S-nitrosylation (and denitrosylation), discuss the role of S-nitrosylation in the vascular and cardiac functions of NO, and identify current and potential clinical applications.

Mitochondrial-driven ubiquinone enhances extracellular calcium-dependent nitric oxide production and reduces glycochenodeoxycholic acid-induced cell death in hepatocytes

Ca(2+) mobilization, nitric oxide (NO), and oxidative stress have been involved in cell death induced by hydrophobic bile acid in hepatocytes. The aim of the study was the elucidation of the effect of the antioxidant mitochondrial-driven ubiquinone (Mito Q) on the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, NO production, and cell death in glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA)-treated HepG2 cells. The role of the regulation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration by Ca(2+) chelators (EGTA or BAPTA-AM), agonist of Ca(2+) entrance (A23187) or NO (L-NAME or NO donor), was assessed during Mito Q cytoprotection in GCDCA-treated HepG2 cells. Cell death, NO synthase (NOS)-1, -2, and -3 expression, Ca(2+) mobilization, and NO production were evaluated. GCDCA reduced the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and NOS-3 expression and enhanced cell death in HepG2. NO donor prevented and L-NAME enhanced GCDCA-induced cell death. The reduction of Ca(2+) entry by EGTA, but not its release from intracellular stores by BAPTA-AM, reduced the expression of NOS-3 and enhanced cell death in control and GCDCA-treated cells. Mito Q prevented the reduction of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, NOS-3 expression, NO production, and cell death in GCDCA-treated HepG2 cells. The conclusion is that the recovery of Ca(2+)-dependent NOS-3 expression by Mito Q may be considered an additional cytoprotective property of an antioxidant.

Nitric oxide synthase-2 regulates mitochondrial Hsp60 chaperone function during bacterial peritonitis in mice

Nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) plays a critical role in reactive nitrogen species generation and cysteine modifications that influence mitochondrial function and signaling during inflammation. Here, we investigated the role of NOS2 in hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis during Escherichia coli peritonitis in mice. NOS2(-/-) mice displayed smaller mitochondrial biogenesis responses than Wt mice during E. coli infection according to differences in mRNA levels for the PGC-1 alpha coactivator, nuclear respiratory factor-1, mitochondrial transcription factor-A (Tfam), and mtDNA polymerase (Pol gamma). NOS2(-/-) mice did not significantly increase mitochondrial Tfam and Pol gamma protein levels during infection in conjunction with impaired mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription, loss of mtDNA copy number, and lower State 3 respiration rates. NOS2 blockade in mitochondrial-GFP reporter mice disrupted Hsp60 localization to mitochondria after E. coli exposure. Mechanistically, biotin-switch and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated NOS2 binding to and S-nitros(yl)ation of Hsp60 and Hsp70. Specifically, NOS2 promoted Tfam accumulation in mitochondria by regulation of Hsp60-Tfam binding via S-nitros(yl)ation. In hepatocytes, site-directed mutagenesis identified (237)Cys as a critical residue for Hsp60 S-nitros(yl)ation. Thus, the role of NOS2 in inflammation-induced mitochondrial biogenesis involves both optimal gene expression for nuclear-encoded mtDNA-binding proteins and functional regulation of the Hsp60 chaperone that enables their importation for mtDNA transcription and replication.

Metabolic correlations of glucocorticoids and polyamines in inflammation and apoptosis

Glucocorticoid hormones (GC) are essential in all aspects of human health and disease. Their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties are reasons for therapeutic application in several diseases. GC suppress immune activation and uncontrolled overproduction and release of cytokines. GC inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Investigation of GC's mechanism of action, suggested that polyamines (PA) may act as mediators or messengers of their effects. Beside glucocorticoids, spermine (Spm) is one of endogenous inhibitors of cytokine production. There are many similarities in the metabolic actions of GC and PA. The major mechanism of GC effects involves the regulation of gene expression. PA are essential for maintaining higher order organization of chromatin in vivo. Spermidine and Spm stabilize chromatin and nuclear enzymes, due to their ability to form complexes with negatively charged groups on DNA, RNA and proteins. Also, there is an increasing body of evidence that GC and PA change the chromatin structure especially through acetylation and deacetylation of histones. GC display potent immunomodulatory activities, including the ability to induce T and B lymphocyte apoptosis, mediated via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondrial pathway. The by-products of PA catabolic pathways (hydrogen peroxide, amino aldehydes, acrolein) produce ROS, well-known cytotoxic agents involved in programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis. This review is an attempt in the better understanding of relation between GC and PA, naturally occurring compounds of all eukaryotic cells, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic agents in physiological and pathological conditions connected to oxidative stress or PCD.

Cardiotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide/imatinib mesilate combination in rats

Cardiotoxicity is an important consideration in the evaluation of cancer chemotherapy, because chemotherapy-induced myocardial damage might be irreversible and lethal. This in-vivo study investigated the cardiotoxicity of either arsenic trioxide or imatinib mesilate, or a combination of both drugs, following repeated administration in male Wistar rats. Both arsenic trioxide and imatinib mesilate were administered daily at a dose of 5 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally and 30 mg kg−1 orally for 10 days, respectively. Cardiotoxicity was evaluated by biochemical and histopathological examination 48 h after the last dose. Treatment with either arsenic or imatinib, or both, resulted in significant increases in serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity levels. Cardiac tissue of rats treated with arsenic showed significant increases in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) content, GPx activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx), whereas imatinib treatment significantly increased cardiac GSH content and MDA production level and decreased GPx activity level and NOx content. A combination of arsenic and imatinib produced significant increases in cardiac GSH content, GPx activity and MDA production levels, in addition to a reduction in NOx content. Combination arsenic/imatinib treatment extensively increased GPx activity and MDA production levels compared with imatinib treatment alone. Moreover, rats treated with arsenic or imatinib, or both, showed a significant increase in serum bilirubin, creatinine and urea levels. Histopathological examination of cardiac tissue of the combination-treated group revealed fibroblastic proliferation, myocardial disorganization and myocardial necrosis. Liver peroxidative alterations revealed that treatment with either arsenic or imatinib, or the two combined, increased levels of reduced-GSH and MDA production levels. However, imatinib treatment depleted liver GPx activity level contrary to treatment with the combination. Rats treated with arsenic alone or arsenic/imatinib combination showed significant elevation in liver NOx. In conclusion, both arsenic trioxide and imatinib mesilate might have significant cardiotoxicity and cardiac function should be monitored during treatment with them alone or in combination, as well as in the presence of pre-existing cardiac dysfunction.

Constitutive nitric oxide synthase-mediated caspase-3 S-nitrosylation in ghrelin protection against Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced salivary gland acinar cell apoptosis

Recent advances in identifying the salivary constituents capable of influencing the oral mucosal inflammatory responses have brought to focus the importance of a peptide hormone, ghrelin. Here, we report on the involvement of ghrelin in controlling the apoptotic processes induced in sublingual salivary gland acinar cells by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of a periodontopathic bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis. We show that the countering effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced acinar cell apoptosis was associated with the increase in constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activity, and the reduction in caspase-3 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The loss in countering effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced changes in apoptosis and caspase-3 activity was attained with Src kinase inhibitor, PP2, as well as Akt inhibitor, SH-5, and cNOS inhibitor, L-NAME, but not the iNOS inhibitor, 1400W. The effect of ghrelin on the LPS-induced changes in cNOS activity, moreover, was reflected in the increased cNOS phosphorylation that was sensitive to PP2 as well as SH-5. Furthermore, the ghrelin-induced up-regulation in cNOS activity was associated with the increase in caspase-3 S-nitrosylation that was susceptible to the blockage by SH-5 and L-NAME. The findings point to the involvement of ghrelin in Src/Akt kinase-mediated cNOS activation and the apoptogenic signal inhibition through the NO-induced caspase-3 S-nitrosylation.

Effect of sulglycotide on the apoptotic processes associated with indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury

AIMS

In this study we investigated the effect of the antiulcer agent, sulglycotide, on the activity of a key pro-apoptotic protease, caspase-3, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) associated with gastric epithelial cell apoptosis triggered by the enhancement in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) during indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury.

METHODS

The experiments were conducted with rats pretreated intragastrically with sulglycotide (200 mg/kg) or vehicle, followed 30 min later by an intragastric dose of indomethacin (60 mg/kg). The animals were killed 2 h later and their mucosal tissue used for macroscopic assessment, assays of epithelial cell apoptosis and TNF-alpha, and the measurement of caspase-3 and NOS-2 activities.

RESULTS

In the absence of sulglycotide, indomethacin caused multiple haemorrhagic lesions accompanied by a 20-fold enhancement in gastric epithelial cell apoptosis and a 47% increase in mucosal expression of TNF-alpha, while NOS-2 showed an 11.9-fold induction and the activity of caspase-3 increased 3.9-fold. Pretreatment with sulglycotide produced a 51.2% reduction in the extent of mucosal damage caused by indomethacin, a 43.9% decrease in the epithelial cell apoptosis and a 39.7% reduction in TNF-alpha, while the activity of caspase-3 decreased by 58.8% and that of NOS-2 showed a 47.3% decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings implicate the enhanced expression of caspase-3 and NOS-2 in the process of death signalling cascade associated with indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury, and show that sulglycotide is capable of suppressing the pathway of apoptotic events propagated by TNF-alpha, NOS-2 and caspase-3.

Influence of cholesterol and fish oil dietary intake on nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) is critically involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. We previously reported that dietary cholesterol intake induces changes in SMC at molecular and gene expression levels. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the differential response to nitric oxide of vascular SMC obtained from chicks after cholesterol and fish oil dietary intake and to examine effects on the main pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. Dietary cholesterol intake reduced the Bcl-2/Bax (anti-apoptotic/pro-apoptotic) protein ratio in SMC, making them more susceptible to apoptosis. When cholesterol was withdrawn and replaced with a fish oil-enriched diet, the Bcl-xl/Bax protein ratio significantly increased, reversing the changes induced by cholesterol. The decrease in c-myc gene expression after apoptotic stimuli and the increase in Bcl-xl/Bax ratio indicate that fish oil has a protective role against apoptosis in SMC. Nitroprussiate-like nitric oxide donors exerted an intensive action on vascular SMC cultures. However, SMC-C (isolated from animals fed with control diet) and SMC-Ch (isolated from animals fed with cholesterol-enriched diet) responded differently to nitric oxide, especially in their bcl-2 and bcl-xl gene expression. SMC isolated from animals fed with cholesterol-enriched and then fish oil-enriched diet (SMC-Ch-FO cultures) showed an intermediate apoptosis level (Bcl-2/Bax ratio) between SMC-C and SMC-Ch, induction of c-myc expression and elevated p53 expression. These findings indicate that fish oil protects SMC against apoptosis.

[The role of oxidative stress in alcoholic liver injury]

INTRODUCTION

Oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury. The main source of free oxygen species is cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase, which can be induced by ethanol. ROLE OF CYTOCHROME P4502E1 IN ETHANOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS: Reactive oxygen species produced by this enzyme are more important in intracellular oxidative damage compared to species derived from activated phagocytes. Free radicals lead to lipid peroxidation, enzymatic inactivation and protein oxidation. ROLE OF MITOCHONDRIA IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS. Production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species is increased, and glutathione content is decreased in chronically ethanol-fed animals. Oxidative stress in mitochondria leads to mitochondrial DNA damage and has a dual effect on apoptosis. ROLE OF KUPFFER CELLS IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY: Chronic ethanol consumption is associated with increased release of endotoxin from gut lumen into portal circulation. Endotoxin activates Kupffer cells, which then release proinflammatory cytokines and oxidants. ROLE OF NEUTROPHILS IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY: Alcoholic liver injury leads to the accumulation of neutrophils, which release reactive oxygen species and lysosomal enzymes and contribute to hepatocyte damage and necrosis. ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS: High amounts of nitric oxide contribute to the oxidative damage, mainly by generating peroxynitrites. ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN ETHANOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS: Chronic ethanol consumption is associated with reduced liver glutathione and alpha-tocopherol level and with reduced superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity.

CONCLUSION

Oxidative stress in alcoholic liver disease is a consequence of increased production of oxidants and decreased antioxidant defense in the liver.

Nitric oxides mediates a shift from early necrosis to late apoptosis in cytokine-treated β-cells that is associated with irreversible DNA damage

For many cell types, including pancreatic β-cells, nitric oxide is a mediator of cell death; however, it is paradoxical that for a given cell type nitric oxide can induce both necrosis and apoptosis. This report tests the hypothesis that cell death mediated by nitric oxide shifts from an early necrotic to a late apoptotic event. Central to this transition is the ability of β-cells to respond and repair nitric oxide-mediated damage. β-Cells have the ability to repair DNA that is damaged following 24-h incubation with IL-1; however, cytokine-induced DNA damage becomes irreversible following 36-h incubation. This irreversible DNA damage following 36-h incubation with IL-1 correlates with the activation of caspase-3 (cleavage and activity). The increase in caspase activity correlates with reductions in endogenous nitric oxide production, as nitric oxide is an inhibitor of caspase activity. In contrast, caspase cleavage or activation is not observed under conditions in which β-cells are capable of repairing damaged DNA (24-h incubation with cytokines). These findings provide evidence that β-cell death in response to cytokines shifts from an early necrotic process to apoptosis and that this shift is associated with irreversible DNA damage and caspase-3 activation.

Nitric oxide and redox regulation in the liver: Part I. General considerations and redox biology in hepatitis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are created in normal hepatocytes and are critical for normal physiologic processes, including oxidative respiration, growth, regeneration, apoptosis, and microsomal defense. When the levels of oxidation products exceed the capacity of normal antioxidant systems, oxidative stress occurs. This type of stress, in the form of ROS and RNS, can be damaging to all liver cells, including hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, and endothelial cells, through induction of inflammation, ischemia, fibrosis, necrosis, apoptosis, or through malignant transformation by damaging lipids, proteins, and/or DNA. In Part I of this review, we will discuss basic redox biology in the liver, including a review of ROS, RNS, and antioxidants, with a focus on nitric oxide as a common source of RNS. We will then review the evidence for oxidative stress as a mechanism of liver injury in hepatitis (alcoholic, viral, nonalcoholic). In Part II of this review, we will review oxidative stress in common pathophysiologic conditions, including ischemia/reperfusion injury, fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, iron overload, Wilson's disease, sepsis, and acetaminophen overdose. Finally, biomarkers, proteomic, and antioxidant therapies will be discussed as areas for future therapeutic interventions.

Signaling events in apoptotic photokilling of 5-aminolevulinic acid-treated tumor cells: inhibitory effects of nitric oxide

Antitumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs a photosensitizing agent, molecular oxygen, and visible light to produce reactive oxygen species that can destroy tumor and tumor vasculature cells. NO produced by these cells could be procarcinogenic by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis and tumor growth. We recently showed that NO from a chemical donor or activated macrophages makes COH-BR1 breast tumor cells more resistant to photokilling sensitized by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-generated protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Signaling events associated with this hyperresistance have now been examined. ALA-treated COH-BR1 cells containing mitochondria-localized PpIX died mainly by apoptosis after being irradiated. Underlying redox signaling associated with MAP kinase (ERK1/2, p38, JUN) phosphorylation-activation, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) upregulation was studied using immunoprecipitation and Western blot methodology. ALA/light treatment resulted in activation of proapoptotic JNK and p38 alpha, and deactivation of prosurvival p38 beta and ERK1/2. Involvement of both JNK and p38 in apoptosis was established by using a specific inhibitor for each. Spermine NONOate-derived NO, introduced immediately before irradiation, provided substantial protection against apoptosis. This was accompanied by greater HO-1 induction and a strong inhibition of each MAP kinase effect seen in the absence of NO. Downstream of JNK and p38 alpha activation, a marked upregulation/activation of proapoptotic Bax and Bid was observed along with down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL, each response being reversed by NO. These findings provide new insights into signaling activity associated with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in ALA-PDT and how this activity can be modulated by NO.

Protein denitrosylation: enzymatic mechanisms and cellular functions

S-Nitrosylation, the redox-based modification of Cys thiol side chains by nitric oxide, is a common mechanism in signal transduction. Dysregulated S-nitrosylation contributes to a range of human pathologies. New roles for protein denitrosylation in regulating S-nitrosylation are being revealed. Recently, several denitrosylases - the enzymes that mediate Cys denitrosylation - have been discovered, of which two enzyme systems in particular, the S-nitrosoglutathione reductase and thioredoxin systems, have been shown to be physiologically relevant. These highly conserved enzymes regulate signalling through multiple classes of receptors and influence diverse cellular responses. In addition, they protect from nitrosative stress in microorganisms, mammals and plants, thereby exerting profound effects on host-microbe interactions and innate immunity.

Bacterial nitric oxide detoxification prevents host cell S-nitrosothiol formation: a novel mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis

S-nitrosylation is an important mediator of multiple nitric oxide-dependent biological processes, including eukaryotic cellular events such as macrophage apoptosis and proinflammatory signaling. Many pathogenic bacteria possess NO detoxification mechanisms, such as the nitric oxide reductase (NorB) of Neisseria meningitidis and the flavohemoglobins (Hmp) of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli, which serve to protect the microorganism from nitrosative stress within the intracellular environment. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of meningococcal NorB increases the rate at which low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiol (SNO) decomposes in vitro. To determine whether this effect occurs in cells during infection by bacteria, we induced SNO formation in murine macrophages by activation with lipopolysaccharide and γ-interferon and observed a reduced abundance of SNO during coincubation with N. meningitidis, S. enterica, or E. coli. In each case, this effect was shown to be dependent on bacterial NO detoxification genes, which act to prevent SNO formation through the removal of NO. This may represent a novel mechanism of host cell injury by bacteria.—Laver, J. R., Stevanin, T. M., Messenger, S. L., Dehn Lunn, A., Lee, M. E., Moir, J. W. B., Poole, R. K., Read, R. C. Bacterial nitric oxide detoxification prevents host cell S-nitrosothiol formation: a novel mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis.

Emerging role of nitrite in myocardial protection

Nitrite has long been considered an inert oxidative metabolite of nitric oxide (NO). However, recent experimental findings strongly suggest that nitrite is a critical storage form of NO that is converted back into NO during ischemic or hypoxic events as well as under physiological conditions. Thus, the conversion of nitrite into NO during cellular stress may be an evolutionarily conserved and redundant means for NO generation at a time when endothelial nitric oxide synthase is non-functional. As a result of the recent revelation that the nitrite anion serves an important biological function a large number of studies have been performed to characterize both the physiological actions and therapeutic potential of nitrite under diverse conditions. While the earliest experiments characterized the vasodilatory effects of nitrite in both animal models and humans, more recent research efforts have focused on the potential benefits of nitrite in a number of pathological states. Nitrite therapy has now been studied in numerous animal models and has proven to be an effective means to ameliorate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. This review will focus on recent experimental findings related to the cytoprotective actions of nitrite therapy in the setting of myocardial I/R injury.

Nitric oxide regulates lung carcinoma cell anoikis through inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of caveolin-1

Anoikis, a detachment-induced apoptosis, is a principal mechanism of inhibition of tumor cell metastasis. Tumor cells can acquire anoikis resistance which is frequently observed in metastatic lung cancer. This phenomenon becomes an important obstacle of efficient cancer therapy. Recently, signaling mediators such as caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and nitric oxide (NO) have garnered attention in metastasis research; however, their role and the underlying mechanisms of metastasis regulation are largely unknown. Using human lung carcinoma H460 cells, we show that NO impairs the apoptotic function of the cells after detachment. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside and diethylenetriamine NONOate inhibit detachment-induced apoptosis, whereas the NO inhibitors aminoguanidine and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl) tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide promote this effect. Resistance to anoikis in H460 cells is mediated by Cav-1, which is significantly down-regulated after cell detachment through a non-transcriptional mechanism involving ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation. NO inhibits this down-regulation by interfering with Cav-1 ubiquitination through a process that involves protein S-nitrosylation, which prevents its proteasomal degradation and induction of anoikis by cell detachment. These findings indicate a novel pathway for NO regulation of Cav-1, which could be a key mechanism of anoikis resistance in tumor cells.

Nitric Oxide Inhibits Ultraviolet B-induced Murine Keratinocyte Apoptosis by Regulating Apoptotic Signaling Cascades

Cytotoxic effects of nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are considered to be one of the major causes of inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, protective effects of NO on toxic insults-induced cellular damage/apoptosis have been demonstrated recently. Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced apoptosis of epidermal keratinocytes leads to skin inflammation and photoageing. However, it has not been elucidated what kind of effects NO has on UVB-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the problem and demonstrated that NO from NO donor suppressed UVB-induced apoptosis of murine keratinocytes. In addition, NO significantly suppressed activities of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 that had been upregulated by UVB radiation. NO also suppressed p53 expression that had been upregulated by UVB radiation and upregulated Bcl-2 expression that had been down-regulated by UVB radiation. These findings suggested that NO might suppress UVB-induced keratinocyte apoptosis by regulating apoptotic signaling cascades in p53, Bcl-2, caspase3, caspase 8 and caspase 9.