Heme oxygenase 1 attenuates interleukin-1β-induced cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression via a decrease in NADPH oxidase/reactive oxygen species/activator protein 1 activation in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

Current situation and trend of non-coding RNA in rheumatoid arthritis: a review and bibliometric analysis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that affects multiple joints and has adverse effects on various organs throughout the body, often leading to a poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown significant progress in the research of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in RA. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively assess the current status and research trends of ncRNAs in RA through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods

This study retrieved articles relevant to ncRNAs and RA from the Science Citation Index Expanded Database of the Web of Science Core Collection between January 1st, 2003, and July 31st, 2023. The relevant articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria. VOSviewer and CiteSpace are utilized for bibliometric and visual analysis.

Results

A total of 1697 publications were included in this study, and there was a noticeable increase in annual publications from January 1st, 2003, to July 31st, 2023. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the most productive countries in this field, contributing to 43.81%, 13.09%, and 3.87% of the publications. Anhui Medical University and Lu Qianjin were identified as the most influential institution and author. Frontiers In Immunology stood out as the most prolific journal, while Arthritis & Rheumatology was the most co-cited journal. Additionally, the research related to "circular RNA", "oxidative stress", "proliferation", and "migration" have emerged as new hotspots in the field.

Conclusion

In this study, we have summarized the publication characteristics related to ncRNA and RA and identified the most productive countries, institutions, authors, journals, hot topics, and trends.

Nrf2: A promising therapeutic target in bone-related diseases

Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, as it suppresses cell damage caused by external stimuli by regulating the transcription of intracellular defense-related genes. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the crucial role of reduction-oxidation (REDOX) imbalance in the development of bone-related diseases. Nrf2, a transcription factor linked to nuclear factor-erythrocyte 2, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of oxidative stress and induction of antioxidant defenses. Therefore, further investigation of the mechanism and function of Nrf2 in bone-related diseases is essential. Considerable evidence suggests that increased nuclear transcription of Nrf2 in response to external stimuli promotes the expression of intracellular antioxidant-related genes, which in turn leads to the inhibition of bone remodeling imbalance, improved fracture recovery, reduced occurrence of osteoarthritis, and greater tumor resistance. Certain natural extracts can selectively target Nrf2, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for osteogenic arthropathy. In this article, the biological characteristics of Nrf2 are reviewed, the intricate interplay between Nrf2-regulated REDOX imbalance and bone-related diseases is explored, and the potential preventive and protective effects of natural products targeting Nrf2 in these diseases are elucidated. A comprehensive understanding of the role of Nrf2 in the development of bone-related diseases provides valuable insights into clinical interventions and can facilitate the discovery of novel Nrf2-targeting drugs.

Targeting transcription factors for therapeutic benefit in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes pain and disability. Many of the currently available drugs for treating RA patients are aimed at halting the progression of the disease and alleviating inflammation. Further, some of these treatment options have drawbacks, including disease recurrence and adverse effects due to long-term use. These inefficiencies have created a need for a different approach to treating RA. Recently, the focus has shifted to direct targeting of transcription factors (TFs), as they play a vital role in the pathogenesis of RA, activating key cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and enzymes. In light of this, synthetic drugs and natural compounds are being explored to target key TFs or their signaling pathways in RA. This review discusses the role of four key TFs in inflammation, namely NF-κB, STATs, AP-1 and IRFs, and their potential for being targeted to treat RA.

Update on the pathological roles of prostaglandin E2 in neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. The pathogenesis of ALS remains largely unknown; however, inflammation of the spinal cord is a focus of ALS research and an important pathogenic process in ALS. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is a major lipid mediator generated by the arachidonic-acid cascade and is abundant at inflammatory sites. PGE₂ levels are increased in the postmortem spinal cords of ALS patients and in ALS model mice. Beneficial therapeutic effects have been obtained in ALS model mice using cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors to inhibit the biosynthesis of PGE₂, but the usefulness of this inhibitor has not yet been proven in clinical trials. In this review, we present current evidence on the involvement of PGE₂ in the progression of ALS and discuss the potential of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) and the prostaglandin receptor E-prostanoid (EP) 2 as therapeutic targets for ALS. Signaling pathways involving prostaglandin receptors mediate toxic effects in the central nervous system. In some situations, however, the receptors mediate neuroprotective effects. Our recent studies demonstrated that levels of mPGES-1, which catalyzes the final step of PGE₂ biosynthesis, are increased at the early-symptomatic stage in the spinal cords of transgenic ALS model mice carrying the G93A variant of superoxide dismutase-1. In addition, in an experimental motor-neuron model used in studies of ALS, PGE₂ induces the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent caspase-3-dependent cytotoxicity through activation of the EP2 receptor. Moreover, this PGE₂-induced EP2 up-regulation in motor neurons plays a role in the death of motor neurons in ALS model mice. Further understanding of the pathophysiological role of PGE₂ in neurodegeneration may provide new insights to guide the development of novel therapies for ALS.

New Targets and Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Signal Transduction to Epigenetic Aspect

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to joint damage and even permanent disability, seriously affecting patients' quality of life. At present, the complete cure for RA is not achievable, only to relieve the symptoms to reduce the pain of patients. Factors such as environment, genes, and sex can induce RA. Presently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, DRMADs, and glucocorticoids are commonly used in treating RA. In recent years, some biological agents have also been applied in clinical practice, but most have side effects. Therefore, finding new mechanisms and targets for treating RA is necessary. This review summarizes some potential targets discovered from the perspective of epigenetics and RA mechanisms.

MMP-10 from M1 macrophages promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by muscularized pulmonary blood vessels, leading to right heart hypertrophy and cardiac failure. However, state-of-the-art therapeutics fail to target the ongoing remodeling process. Here, this study shows that matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-10 levels are increased in the medial layer of vessel wall, serum, and M1-polarized macrophages from patients with PAH and the lungs of monocrotaline- and hypoxia-induced PAH rodent models. MMP-10 regulates the malignant phenotype of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The overexpression of active MMP-10 promotes PASMC proliferation and migration via upregulation of cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, suggesting that MMP-10 produced by infiltrating macrophages contributes to vascular remodeling. Furthermore, inhibition of STAT1 inhibits hypoxia-induced MMP-10 but not MMP-1 expression in M1-polarized macrophages from patients with PAH. In conclusion, circulating MMP-10 could be used as a potential targeted therapy for PAH.

Pharmacological Targeting of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common aging-associated disease that clinically manifests as joint pain, mobility limitations, and compromised quality of life. Today, OA treatment is limited to pain management and joint arthroplasty at the later stages of disease progression. OA pathogenesis is predominantly mediated by oxidative damage to joint cartilage extracellular matrix and local cells such as chondrocytes, osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and synovial fibroblasts. Under normal conditions, cells prevent the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under oxidatively stressful conditions through their adaptive cytoprotective mechanisms. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an iron-dependent cytoprotective enzyme that functions as the inducible form of HO. HO-1 and its metabolites carbon monoxide and biliverdin contribute towards the maintenance of redox homeostasis. HO-1 expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level through transcriptional factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), specificity protein 1 (Sp1), transcriptional repressor BTB-and-CNC homology 1 (Bach1), and epigenetic regulation. Several studies report that HO-1 expression can be regulated using various antioxidative factors and chemical compounds, suggesting therapeutic implications in OA pathogenesis as well as in the wider context of joint disease. Here, we review the protective role of HO-1 in OA with a focus on the regulatory mechanisms that mediate HO-1 activity.

Relevance of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 in articular diseases

Joint conditions pose an important public health problem as they are a leading cause of pain, functional limitation and physical disability. Oxidative stress is related to the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases affecting the joints such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Cells have developed adaptive protection mechanisms to maintain homeostasis such as nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) which regulates the transcription of many genes involved in redox balance, detoxification, metabolism and inflammation. Activation of Nrf2 results in the synthesis of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) leading to the formation of a number of bioactive metabolites, mainly CO, biliverdin and bilirubin. Ample evidence supports the notion that Nrf2 and HO-1 can confer protection against oxidative stress and inflammatory and immune responses in joint tissues. As a consequence, this pathway may control the activation and metabolism of articular cells to play a regulatory role in joint destruction thus offering new opportunities for better treatments. Further studies are necessary to identify improved strategies to regulate Nrf2 and HO-1 activation in order to enable the development of drugs with therapeutic applications in joint diseases.

p47phox siRNA-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Suppress ROS/Oxidative Stress-Induced Chondrocyte Damage in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder that has had an increasing prevalence due to the aging of the population. Recent studies have concluded that OA progression is related to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are produced at low levels in articular chondrocytes, mainly by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, and ROS production and oxidative stress have been found to be elevated in patients with OA. The cartilage of OA-affected rat exhibits a significant induction of p47phox, a cytosolic subunit of the NADPH oxidase, similarly to human osteoarthritis cartilage. Therefore, this study tested whether siRNA p47phox that is introduced with poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (p47phox si_NPs) can alleviate chondrocyte cell death by reducing ROS production. Here, we confirm that p47phox si_NPs significantly attenuated oxidative stress and decreased cartilage damage in mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA. In conclusion, these data suggest that p47phox si_NPs may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Hypoxia, oxidative stress and inflammation

Inflammatory Arthritis is characterized by synovial proliferation, neovascularization and leukocyte extravasation leading to joint destruction and functional disability. Efficiency of oxygen supply to the synovium is poor due to the highly dysregulated synovial microvasculature. This along with the increased energy demands of activated infiltrating immune cells and inflamed resident cells leads to an hypoxic microenvironment and mitochondrial dysfunction. This favors an increase of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage which further promotes inflammation. In this adverse microenvironment synovial cells adapt to generate energy and switch their cell metabolism from a resting regulatory state to a highly metabolically active state which allows them to produce essential building blocks to support their proliferation. This metabolic shift results in the accumulation of metabolic intermediates which act as signaling molecules that further dictate the inflammatory response. Understanding the complex interplay between hypoxia-induced signaling pathways, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function will provide better insight into the underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis.

Heme oxygenase-1/biliverdin/carbon monoxide pathway downregulates hypernociception in rats by a mechanism dependent on cGMP/ATP-sensitive K+ channels

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin (BVD) in the zymosan-induced TMJ arthritis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mechanical threshold was assessed before and 4 h after TMJ arthritis induction in rats. Cell influx, myeloperoxidase activity, and histological changes were measured in the TMJ lavages and tissues. Trigeminal ganglion and periarticular tissues were used for HO-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β mRNA time course expression and immunohistochemical analyses. Hemin (0.1, 0.3, or 1 mg kg^-1), DMDC (0.025, 0.25, or 2.5 µmol kg^-1), biliverdin (1, 3, or 10 mg kg^-1), or ZnPP-IX (1, 3 or 9 mg kg^-1) were injected (s.c.) 60 min before zymosan. ODQ (12.5 µmol kg^-1; s.c.) or glibenclamide (10 mg kg^-1; i.p.) was administered 1 h and 30 min prior to DMDC (2.5 µmol kg^-1; s.c), respectively.

RESULTS

Hemin (1 mg kg^-1), DMDC (2.5 µmol kg^-1), and BVD (10 mg kg^-1) reduced hypernociception and leukocyte migration, which ZnPP (3 mg kg^-1) enhanced. The effects of DMDC were counteracted by ODQ and glibenclamide. The HO-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β mRNA expression and immunolabelling increased.

CONCLUSIONS

HO-1/BVD/CO pathway activation provides anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on the zymosan-induced TMJ hypernociception in rats.

Effects of daphnetin combined with Bcl2‑siRNA on antiapoptotic genes in synovial fibroblasts of rats with collagen‑induced arthritis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of daphnetin combined with B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)‑targeted small interfering (si)RNA (si‑Bcl2) on antiapoptotic genes in fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (FLS) in rats with collagen II‑induced arthritis (CIA). The roles of si‑Bcl2 and daphnetin were determined by measuring the expression levels of Bcl2. Protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl2 in FLS were determined by flow cytometry and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Apoptosis of FLS was also determined by flow cytometry. It was revealed that treatment with si‑Bcl2 or daphnetin alone resulted in downregulation of Bcl2 mRNA and protein expression. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which transcriptionally regulates the activity of mitochondria, were reduced. The combination of si‑Bcl2 and daphnetin exhibited an enhanced effect on rheumatoid arthritis FLS (RAFLS), in which the apoptotic rate was significantly higher than either treatment alone. The results suggested that si‑Bcl combined with daphnetin may have an enhanced effect in promoting apoptosis of RAFLS derived from CIA rats, and a possible underlying molecular mechanism may function through the downregulation of Bcl2 expression and STAT3, which is located upstream of Bcl2 in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The results of the present study are expected to provide theoretical and experimental basis for the treatment of RA and the medicinal development of daphnetin combined siRNA.

Redox-sensitive transcription factors play a significant role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which is associated with significant morbidity. Redox sensitive transcription factors including NF-κB, HIF, AP-1, and Nrf2 are intimately involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The treatment of this disease is limited by the elusive nature of the pathogenesis of RA. NF-κB is crucial for the maturation of immune cells as well as production of TNFα and MMPs, which escalate RA. HIF is essential for activation of inflammatory cells, angiogenesis and pannus formation in RA. AP-1 regulates cytokine and MMP production as well as synovial hyperplasia which are key processes in RA. Nrf2 is involved with chondrogenesis, osteoblastogenesis, prostaglandin secretion and ROS production in RA. Targeting two or more of these transcription factors may result in increased efficacy than either therapy in isolation. This review will highlight the control specific mediators on these transcription factors, the subsequent effect of these transcription factors once activated, and then mesh this with the pathogenesis of RA. The elucidation of key transcription factor regulation in the pathogenesis of RA may highlight the novel therapy interventions which may prove to have a greater efficacy than those therapies currently available.

Sirtuin 6 suppresses hypoxia-induced inflammatory response in human osteoblasts via inhibition of reactive oxygen species production and glycolysis-A therapeutic implication in inflammatory bone resorption

Elevated glycolytic activity and redox imbalance induced by tissue hypoxia are common phenomena of chronic inflammation, including inflammatory bone diseases such as arthritis. However, relation between glycolysis and redox signaling in the inflammatory milieu is unclear. The histone deacetylase sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a crucial modulator of inflammation and glucose metabolism, and it is also involved in cellular protection against oxidative injury. The aims of the study were to examine the connection between glycolysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human osteoblastic cells (HOB) and whether SIRT6 modulates inflammatory response via regulation of glycolytic activity and ROS generation. In HOB cultured under hypoxia, expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), lactate production and ROS generation were examined. The reciprocal effects between lactate and ROS production and their impact on inflammatory cytokine induction were assessed. The action of SIRT6 on the above reactions was determined. In a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), the relation between inflammatory activity and osteoblastic expression of LDHA, level of oxidative lesions, Cyr61 synthesis and macrophage recruitment were examined in joints with or without lentiviral-SIRT6 gene therapy. Results showed that hypoxia stress enhanced lactate and LDHA production in HOB. ROS generation was also increased, and there was a positive feedback between glycolysis and ROS formation. Overexpression of SIRT6 attenuated hypoxia-enhanced glycolysis and ROS generation. Hypoxia-induced expressions of Cyr61, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were suppressed by SIRT6 and the inhibitory effects overlapped with antiglycolytic and antioxidation mechanisms. In the model of CIA, forced expression of SIRT6 ameliorated disease progression, osteoblastic synthesis of Cyr61, and macrophage recruitment. More importantly, expression of LDHA and oxidative lesions were decreased in osteoblasts of SIRT6-treated joints. Our findings suggest that SIRT6 suppresses inflammatory response in osteoblasts via modulation of glucose metabolism and redox homeostasis. SIRT6-based strategy may possess therapeutic potential for inflammatory bone resorption. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(2):170-180, 2017.

Soya-cerebroside, an extract of Cordyceps militaris, suppresses monocyte migration and prevents cartilage degradation in inflammatory animal models

Pathophysiological events that modulate the progression of structural changes in osteoarthritis (OA) include the secretion of inflammatory molecules, such as proinflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) is the prototypical inflammatory cytokine that activates OA synovial cells to release cytokines and chemokines in support of the inflammatory response. The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is one of the key chemokines that regulate migration and infiltration of monocytes in response to inflammation. We show in this study that IL-1β-induced MCP-1 expression and monocyte migration in OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) is effectively inhibited by soya-cerebroside, an extract of Cordyceps militaris. We found that soya-cerebroside up-regulated of microRNA (miR)-432 expression via inhibiting AMPK and AKT signaling pathways in OASFs. Soya-cerebroside also effectively decreased monocyte infiltration and prevented cartilage degradation in a rat inflammatory model. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that soya-cerebroside inhibits monocyte/macrophage infiltration into synoviocytes, attenuating synovial inflammation and preventing cartilage damage by reducing MCP-1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, we suggest a novel therapeutic strategy based on the use of soya-cerebroside for the management of OA.

TNF-α-Induced cPLA2 Expression via NADPH Oxidase/Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent NF-κB Cascade on Human Pulmonary Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) triggers activation of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) and then enhancing the synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) in inflammatory diseases. However, the detailed mechanisms of TNF-α induced cPLA₂ expression were not fully defined in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs). We found that TNF-α-stimulated increases in cPLA₂ mRNA (5.2 folds) and protein (3.9 folds) expression, promoter activity (4.3 folds), and PGE₂ secretion (4.7 folds) in HPAEpiCs, determined by Western blot, real-time PCR, promoter activity assay and PGE₂ ELISA kit. These TNF-α-mediated responses were abrogated by the inhibitors of NADPH oxidase [apocynin (APO) and diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI)], ROS [N-acetyl cysteine, (NAC)], NF-κB (Bay11-7082) and transfection with siRNA of ASK1, p47 ^phox , TRAF2, NIK, IKKα, IKKβ, or p65. TNF-α markedly stimulated NADPH oxidase activation and ROS including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production which were inhibited by pretreatment with a TNFR1 neutralizing antibody, APO, DPI or transfection with siRNA of TRAF2, ASK1, or p47 ^phox . In addition, TNF-α also stimulated p47 ^phox phosphorylation and translocation in a time-dependent manner. On the other hand, TNF-α induced TNFR1, TRAF2, ASK1, and p47 ^phox complex formation in HPAEpiCs, which were attenuated by a TNF-α neutralizing antibody. We found that pretreatment with NAC, DPI, or APO also attenuated the TNF-α-stimulated IKKα/β and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, NF-κB (p65) translocation, and NF-κB promoter activity in HPAEpiCs. Finally, we observed that TNF-α-stimulated NADPH oxidase activation and ROS generation activates NF-κB through the NIK/IKKα/β pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrated that in HPAEpiCs, up-regulation of cPLA₂ by TNF-α is, at least in part, mediated through the cooperation of TNFR1, TRAF2, ASK1, and NADPH oxidase leading to ROS generation and ultimately activates NF-κB pathway.

Apocynin inhibits Toll-like receptor-4-mediated activation of NF-κB by suppressing the Akt and mTOR pathways

Microbial product lipopolysaccharide has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. Apocynin has demonstrated to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the effect of apocynin on the Toll-like receptor-4-dependent activation of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway, which is involved in productions of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes, has not been studied. Using human keratinocytes, we investigated the effect of apocynin on the inflammatory mediator production in relation to the Toll-like receptor-4-mediated-Akt/mTOR and NF-κB pathways, which regulates the transcription genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Apocynin, Akt inhibitor SH-5, Bay 11-7085 and N-acetylcysteine each attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of cytokines, PGE₂, and chemokines, changes in the levels of Toll-like receptor-4, p-Akt, mTOR, and NF-κB, and production of reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes. The results show that apocynin appears to attenuate the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes by suppressing the Toll-like receptor-4-mediated activation of the Akt, mTOR, and NF-κB pathways. The effect of apocynin appears to be attributed to its inhibitory effect on the production of reactive oxygen species. Apocynin appears to attenuate the microbial product-mediated inflammatory skin diseases.

AdipoR-increased intracellular ROS promotes cPLA2 and COX-2 expressions via activation of PKC and p300 in adiponectin-stimulated human alveolar type II cells

Adiponectin, an adipokine, accumulated in lung system via T-cadherin after allergens/ozone challenge. However, the roles of adiponectin on lung pathologies were controversial. Here we reported that adiponectin stimulated expression of inflammatory proteins, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human alveolar type II A549 cells. AdipoR1/2 involved in adiponectin-activated NADPH oxidase and mitochondria, which further promoted intracellular ROS accumulation. Protein kinase C (PKC) may involve an adiponectin-activated NADPH oxidase. Similarly, p300 phosphorylation and histone H4 acetylation occurred in adiponectin-challenged A549 cells. Moreover, adiponectin-upregulated cPLA2 and COX-2 expression was significantly abrogated by ROS scavenger (N-acetylcysteine) or the inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (apocynin), mitochondrial complex I (rotenone), PKC (Ro31-8220, Gö-6976, and rottlerin), and p300 (garcinol). Briefly, we reported that adiponectin stimulated cPLA2 and COX-2 expression via AdipoR1/2-dependent activation of PKC/NADPH oxidase/mitochondria resulting in ROS accumulation, p300 phosphorylation, and histone H4 acetylation. These results suggested that adiponectin promoted lung inflammation, resulting in exacerbation of pulmonary diseases via upregulating cPLA2 and COX-2 expression together with intracellular ROS production. Understanding the adiponectin signaling pathways on regulating cPLA2 and COX-2 may help develop therapeutic strategies on pulmonary diseases.

Leptin Promotes cPLA₂ Gene Expression through Activation of the MAPK/NF-κB/p300 Cascade

Hyperplasia or hypertrophy of adipose tissues plays a crucial role in obesity, which is accompanied by the release of leptin. Recently, obesity was determined to be associated with various pulmonary diseases including asthma, acute lung injury, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, how obesity contributes to pulmonary diseases and whether leptin directly regulates lung inflammation remains unclear. We used cell and animal models to study the mechanisms of leptin mediation of pulmonary inflammation. We found that leptin activated de novo synthesis of cytosolic phospholipase A₂-α (cPLA₂-α) in vitro in the lung alveolar type II cells, A549, and in vivo in ICR mice. Upregulated cPLA₂-α protein was attenuated by pretreatment with an OB-R blocking antibody, U0126, SB202190, SP600125, Bay11-7086, garcinol, and p300 siRNA, suggesting roles of p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, NF-κB, and p300 in leptin effects. Leptin enhanced the activities of p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, and p65 NF-κB in a time-dependent manner. Additional studies have suggested the participation of OB-R, p42/p44 MAPK, and JNK1/2 in leptin-increased p65 phosphorylation. Furthermore, p300 phosphorylation and histone H4 acetylation were reduced by blockage of OB-R, p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, and NF-κB in leptin-stimulated cells. Similarly, blockage of the MAPKs/NF-κB/p300 cascade significantly inhibited leptin-mediated cPLA₂-α mRNA expression. Our data as a whole showed that leptin contributed to lung cPLA₂-α expression through OB-R-dependent activation of the MAPKs/NF-κB/p300 cascade.

Sulfasalazine augments a pro-inflammatory response in interleukin-1β-stimulated amniocytes and myocytes

Preterm birth occurs in 10% of pregnancies and is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The majority of cases of early preterm labour are associated with infection/inflammation, which places the fetal central nervous system at risk. Targeting immune activation is therefore an appealing therapeutic strategy for the prevention of preterm labour and neonatal brain injury. The expression of many labour-associated and inflammatory-response genes is controlled by the transcription factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), which makes them therapeutic targets of interest. Sulfasalazine (SASP) has been shown to inhibit NF-κB and reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine concentrations in fetal membrane explants and reduce the rate of Escherichia coli-induced preterm labour in mice. Its effects upon AP-1 in the context of pregnancy are unknown. In this study the effect of SASP on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) -induced NF-κB and AP-1 activity, cytokine production and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was examined in amniocytes and myocytes. A supra-therapeutic concentration (5 mm) was required to inhibit IL-1β-induced NF-κB (P < 0·0001) in amniocytes and IL-1β-induced NF-κB (P < 0·01), AP-1 (P < 0·01) and COX-2 (P < 0·05) in myocytes. Despite inhibiting IL-1β-induced cytokines, a basal increase in IL-6 (P < 0·01), IL-8 (P < 0·0001) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0·001) was seen with 5 mm SASP in amniocytes, and significant cytotoxic effects were seen in myocytes. The therapeutic concentration of 0·015 mm had no inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory mediators, but led to an augmented response to IL-1β-induced IL-6 (P < 0·01), IL-8 (P < 0·05) and TNF-α (P < 0·05) in amniocytes and IL-8 (P < 0·05) in myocytes. SASP is therefore an unlikely therapeutic candidate for the prevention of inflammation-induced preterm labour.

Therapeutic potential of HO-1 in autoimmune diseases

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the inducible isoform of heme oxygenase (HO), has raised a lot of concerns in recent years due to its multiple functions. HO-1 was found to be a pivotal cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunosuppressive, as well as anti-inflammatory molecule. Recent studies have clarified its significant functions in many diseases with substantial findings. In autoimmune diseases, HO-1 may have promising therapeutic potential. Here, we briefly reviewed recent advances in this field, aiming at hopefully exploring the potential therapeutic roles of HO-1, and design HO-1-based strategies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

HO-1 induction by CO-RM2 attenuates TNF-α-induced cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression via inhibition of PKCα-dependent NADPH oxidase/ROS and NF-κB

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammatory infiltration of the synovium and elevation of proinflammatory cytokines. Cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) is involved in the development of inflammatory diseases. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of the study was to investigate the detailed mechanisms of TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ expression and to determine whether carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CO-RM2) suppresses TNF-α-induced expression of NF-κB-related proinflammatory genes, including cPLA₂, via HO-1 induction in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). Here, we reported that TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ expression was mediated through TNFR1/PKCα-dependent signaling pathways, including NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation/ROS production and NF-κB activation. CO-RM2 significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ expression by inhibiting the ROS generation and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and IKKα/β, but not the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK1/2. These results were further confirmed by a ChIP assay to detect the NF-κB DNA-binding activity. Our results demonstrated that induction of HO-1 by CO-RM2 exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects which were required in concert to prevent the activation of NF-κB leading to induction of various inflammatory genes implicated in the pathogenesis of RA.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 regulates TNF-induced production of joint destructive effectors in synoviocytes

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease of the joint characterized by chronic synovitis causing pain, swelling and loss of function due to destruction of cartilage and bone. The complex series of pathological events occurring in RA is largely regulated via excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the most prominent being tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The objective of this work was to elucidate possible involvement of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2α) in TNF-induced regulation of synovitis and joint destructive effectors in RA, to evaluate the potential of cPLA2α as a future therapeutic target.

METHODS

The involvement of cPLA2α in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced intracellular signaling cascades in synoviocytes (synovial fibroblast-like cells) was analyzed by arachidonic acid (AA) release assay, synoviocyte enzyme activity assay, gene expression analysis by real-time PCR and ELISA immunoassay for the detection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin 8 (IL8) and stromelysin-1 (MMP3), respectively.

RESULTS

Inhibitors of cPLA2α enzyme activity (AVX002, ATK) significantly reduced TNF-induced cellular release of AA, PGE2, IL8 and MMP3. This reduction was evident both at transcriptional, protein or metabolite levels. Interestingly, cPLA2α inhibition affected several key points of the arachidonyl cascade; AA-release, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression and PGE2 production. Furthermore, the results suggest that cPLA2α is subject to transcriptional auto-regulation as inhibition of cPLA2α resulted in reduced PLA2G4A gene expression in TNF-stimulated synoviocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

cPLA2α appears to be an important regulator of central effectors of inflammation and joint destruction, namely MMP3, IL8, COX2, and PGE2. Decreased transcription of the PLA2G4A and COX2 genes in response to cPLA2α enzyme inhibition further suggest a self-reinforcing effect of cPLA2α inhibition in response to TNF. Collectively, these results support that cPLA2α is an attractive therapeutic target candidate as its inhibition reduces the production of multiple key pro-inflammatory factors involved in RA pathogenesis.

TNF-α induces cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression in human lung epithelial cells via JNK1/2- and p38 MAPK-dependent AP-1 activation

Background

Cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) plays a pivotal role in mediating agonist-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis during inflammation triggered by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, the mechanisms underlying TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ expression in human lung epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs) were not completely understood.

Principal Findings

We demonstrated that TNF-α induced cPLA₂ mRNA and protein expression, promoter activity, and PGE₂ secretion in HPAEpiCs. These responses induced by TNF-α were inhibited by pretreatment with the inhibitor of MEK1/2 (PD98059), p38 MAPK (SB202190), JNK1/2 (SP600125), or AP-1 (Tanshinone IIA) and transfection with siRNA of TNFR1, p42, p38, JNK2, c-Jun, c-Fos, or ATF2. We showed that TNF-α markedly stimulated p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and JNK1/2 phosphorylation which were attenuated by their respective inhibitors. In addition, TNF-α also stimulated c-Jun and ATF2 phosphorylation which were inhibited by pretreatment with SP600125 and SB202190, respectively, but not PD98059. Furthermore, TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ promoter activity was abrogated by transfection with the point-mutated AP-1 cPLA₂ construct. Finally, we showed that TNF-α time-dependently induced p300/c-Fos/c-Jun/ATF2 complex formation in HPAEpiCs. On the other hand, TNF-α induced in vivo binding of c-Jun, c-Fos, ATF2, and p300 to the cPLA₂ promoter in these cells. In an in vivo study, we found that TNF-α induced leukocyte count in BAL fluid of mice and cPLA₂ mRNA levels in lung tissues via MAPKs and AP-1.

Significance

Taken together, these results demonstrated that TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ expression was mediated through p38 MAPK- and JNK1/2-dependent p300/c-Fos/c-Jun/ATF2 complex formation in HPAEpiCs.

NADPH oxidase/ROS-dependent PYK2 activation is involved in TNF-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in rat heart-derived H9c2 cells

TNF-α plays a mediator role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure contributing to cardiac remodeling and peripheral vascular disturbances. The implication of TNF-α in inflammatory responses has been shown to be mediated through up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). However, the detailed mechanisms of TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in rat embryonic-heart derived H9c2 cells are largely not defined. We demonstrated that in H9c2 cells, TNF-α induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression associated with an increase in the secretion of pro-MMP-9. TNF-α-mediated responses were attenuated by pretreatment with the inhibitor of ROS (N-acetyl-l-cysteine, NAC), NADPH oxidase [apocynin (APO) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI)], MEK1/2 (U0126), p38 MAPK (SB202190), JNK1/2 (SP600125), NF-κB (Bay11-7082), or PYK2 (PF-431396) and transfection with siRNA of TNFR1, p47(phox), p42, p38, JNK1, p65, or PYK2. Moreover, TNF-α markedly induced NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation in these cells. TNF-α-enhanced p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, and NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation and in vivo binding of p65 to the MMP-9 promoter were inhibited by U0126, SB202190, SP600125, NAC, DPI, or APO. In addition, TNF-α-mediated PYK2 phosphorylation was inhibited by NAC, DPI, or APO. PYK2 inhibition could reduce TNF-α-stimulated MAPKs and NF-κB activation. Thus, in H9c2 cells, we are the first to show that TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression is mediated through a TNFR1/NADPH oxidase/ROS/PYK2/MAPKs/NF-κB cascade. We demonstrated that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation is involved in TNF-α-induced PYK2 activation in these cells. Understanding the regulation of MMP-9 expression and NADPH oxidase activation by TNF-α on H9c2 cells may provide potential therapeutic targets of chronic heart failure.

A distal enhancer controls cytokine-dependent human cPLA2α gene expression

Specific control of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2α or PLA2G4A) expression modulates arachidonic acid production, thus tightly regulating the downstream effects of pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. The significance of this pathway in human disease is apparent in a range of pathologies from inflammation to tumorigenesis. While much of the regulation of cPLA2α has focused on posttranslational phosphorylation of the protein, studies on transcriptional regulation of this gene have focused only on proximal promoter regions. We have identified a DNase I hypersensitive site encompassing a 5' distal enhancer element containing a highly conserved consensus AP-1 site involved in transcriptional activation of cPLA2α by interleukin (IL)-1β. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), knockdown, knockout, and overexpression analyses have shown that c-Jun acts both in a negative and positive regulatory role. Transcriptional activation of cPLA2α occurs through the phosphorylation of c-Jun in conjunction with increased association of C/EBPβ with the distal novel enhancer. The association of C/EBPβ with the transcriptional activation complex does not require an obvious DNA binding site. These data provide new and important contributions to the understanding of cPLA2α regulation at the transcriptional level, with implications for eicosanoid metabolism, cellular signaling, and disease pathogenesis.