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Li JJ, Sun WD, Zhu XJ, Mei YZ, Li WS, Li JH. Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT): A New Hope for Treating Aging and Age-Related Conditions. Metabolites 2024; 14:343. [PMID: 38921477 PMCID: PMC11205546 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex process of aging leads to a gradual deterioration in the function of cells, tissues, and the entire organism, thereby increasing the risk of disease and death. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has attracted attention as a potential target for combating aging and its related pathologies. Studies have shown that NNMT activity increases over time, which is closely associated with the onset and progression of age-related diseases. NNMT uses S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor to facilitate the methylation of nicotinamide (NAM), converting NAM into S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) and methylnicotinamide (MNA). This enzymatic action depletes NAM, a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), and generates SAH, a precursor of homocysteine (Hcy). The reduction in the NAD+ levels and the increase in the Hcy levels are considered important factors in the aging process and age-related diseases. The efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi) therapies and small-molecule inhibitors targeting NNMT demonstrates the potential of NNMT as a therapeutic target. Despite these advances, the exact mechanisms by which NNMT influences aging and age-related diseases remain unclear, and there is a lack of clinical trials involving NNMT inhibitors and RNAi drugs. Therefore, more in-depth research is needed to elucidate the precise functions of NNMT in aging and promote the development of targeted pharmaceutical interventions. This paper aims to explore the specific role of NNMT in aging, and to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jiang-Hua Li
- Physical Education College, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China; (J.-J.L.); (W.-D.S.); (X.-J.Z.); (Y.-Z.M.); (W.-S.L.)
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Efentakis P, Choustoulaki A, Kwiatkowski G, Varela A, Kostopoulos IV, Tsekenis G, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Georgoulis A, Vorgias CE, Gakiopoulou H, Briasoulis A, Davos CH, Kostomitsopoulos N, Tsitsilonis O, Dimopoulos MA, Terpos E, Chłopicki S, Gavriatopoulou M, Andreadou I. Early microvascular coronary endothelial dysfunction precedes pembrolizumab-induced cardiotoxicity. Preventive role of high dose of atorvastatin. Basic Res Cardiol 2024:10.1007/s00395-024-01046-0. [PMID: 38520533 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-024-01046-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit remarkable antitumor activity and immune-related cardiotoxicity of unknown pathomechanism. The aim of the study was to investigate the ICI class-dependent cardiotoxicity in vitro and pembrolizumab's (Pem's) cardiotoxicity in vivo, seeking for translational prevention means. Cytotoxicity was investigated in primary cardiomyocytes and splenocytes, incubated with ipilimumab, Pem and avelumab. Pem's cross-reactivity was assessed by circular dichroism (CD) on biotechnologically produced human and murine PD-1 and in silico. C57BL6/J male mice received IgG4 or Pem for 2 and 5 weeks. Echocardiography, histology, and molecular analyses were performed. Coronary blood flow velocity mapping and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were conducted at 2 weeks. Human EA.hy926 endothelial cells were incubated with Pem-conditioned media from human mononuclear cells, in presence and absence of statins and viability and molecular signaling were assessed. Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg, daily) was administered in vivo, as prophylaxis. Only Pem exerted immune-related cytotoxicity in vitro. Pem's cross-reactivity with the murine PD-1 was confirmed by CD and docking. In vivo, Pem initiated coronary endothelial and diastolic dysfunction at 2 weeks and systolic dysfunction at 5 weeks. At 2 weeks, Pem induced ICAM-1 and iNOS expression and intracardiac leukocyte infiltration. At 5 weeks, Pem exacerbated endothelial activation and triggered cardiac inflammation. Pem led to immune-related cytotoxicity in EA.hy926 cells, which was prevented by atorvastatin. Atorvastatin mitigated functional deficits, by inhibiting endothelial dysfunction in vivo. We established for the first time an in vivo model of Pem-induced cardiotoxicity. Coronary endothelial dysfunction precedes Pem-induced cardiotoxicity, whereas atorvastatin emerges as a novel prophylactic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Efentakis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Choustoulaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grzegorz Kwiatkowski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aimilia Varela
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis V Kostopoulos
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Section of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Tsekenis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Georgoulis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos E Vorgias
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Harikleia Gakiopoulou
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Briasoulis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Ourania Tsitsilonis
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Section of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefan Chłopicki
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Gavriatopoulou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Andreadou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece.
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Campagna R, Vignini A. NAD + Homeostasis and NAD +-Consuming Enzymes: Implications for Vascular Health. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:376. [PMID: 36829935 PMCID: PMC9952603 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a ubiquitous metabolite that takes part in many key redox reactions. NAD+ biosynthesis and NAD+-consuming enzymes have been attracting markedly increasing interest since they have been demonstrated to be involved in several crucial biological pathways, impacting genes transcription, cellular signaling, and cell cycle regulation. As a consequence, many pathological conditions are associated with an impairment of intracellular NAD+ levels, directly or indirectly, which include cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging. In this review, we describe the general pathways involved in the NAD+ biosynthesis starting from the different precursors, analyzing the actual state-of-art of the administration of NAD+ precursors or blocking NAD+-dependent enzymes as strategies to increase the intracellular NAD+ levels or to counteract the decline in NAD+ levels associated with ageing. Subsequently, we focus on the disease-related and age-related alterations of NAD+ homeostasis and NAD+-dependent enzymes in endothelium and the consequent vascular dysfunction, which significantly contributes to a wide group of pathological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Campagna
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Arianna Vignini
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
- Research Center of Health Education and Health Promotion, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
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Lipopolysaccharide affects energy metabolism and elevates nicotinamide N-methyltransferase level in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 151:106292. [PMID: 36038127 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the putative role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in the metabolic response of human aortic endothelial cells. This enzyme catalyses S-adenosylmethionine-mediated methylation of nicotinamide to methylnicotinamide. This reaction is accompanied by the reduction of the intracellular nicotinamide and S-adenosylmethionine content. This may affect NAD+ synthesis and various processes of methylation, including epigenetic modifications of chromatin. Particularly high activity of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase is detected in liver, many neoplasms as well as in various cells in stressful conditions. The elevated nicotinamide N-methyltransferase content was also found in endothelial cells treated with statins. Although the exogenous methylnicotinamide has been postulated to induce a vasodilatory response, the specific metabolic role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in vascular endothelium is still unclear. Treatment of endothelial cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharide evokes several metabolic and functional consequences which built a multifaceted physiological response of endothelium to bacterial infection. Among the spectrum of biochemical changes substantially elevated protein level of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase was particularly intriguing. Here it has been shown that silencing of the nicotinamide N-methyltransferase gene influences several changes which are observed in cells treated with lipopolysaccharide. They include altered energy metabolism and rearrangement of the mitochondrial network. A complete explanation of the mechanisms behind the protective consequences of the nicotinamide N-methyltransferase deficiency in cells treated with lipopolysaccharide needs further investigation.
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Csomó K, Belik A, Hrabák A, Kovács B, Fábián O, Valent S, Varga G, Kukor Z. Effect of Pravastatin and Simvastatin on the Reduction of Cytochrome C. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071121. [PMID: 35887618 PMCID: PMC9321872 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are used to treat hypercholesterolemia, with several pleiotropic effects. Alongside their positive effects (for example, decreasing blood pressure), they can also bring about negative effects/symptoms (such as myopathy). Their main mechanism of action is inducing apoptosis, the key step being the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. This can be facilitated by oxidative stress, through which glutathione is oxidized. In this research, glutathione was used as a respiratory substrate to measure the mitochondrial oxygen consumption of rat liver with an O2 electrode. The reduction of cytochrome c was monitored photometrically. Hydrophilic (pravastatin) and lipophilic (simvastatin) statins were used for the measurements. Pravastatin reduces the reduction of cytochrome c and the oxygen consumption of the mitochondria, while simvastatin, on the other hand, increases the reduction of cytochrome c and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption. The results make it seem probable that statins influence the mitochondrial oxygen consumption through cytochrome c. Simvastatin could enhance the oxidizing capacity of free cytochrome c, thereby increasing oxidative stress and thus facilitating apoptosis. The observed effects could further the understanding of the mechanism of action of statins and thereby aid in constructing optimal statin therapy for every patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztián Csomó
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
- Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi utca 47, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Belik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
| | - András Hrabák
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Benedek Kovács
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Orsolya Fábián
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Sándor Valent
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 78/A, 1082 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Gábor Varga
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Zoltán Kukor
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (K.C.); (A.B.); (A.H.); (B.K.); (O.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-459-1500-60161 (ext. 60181)
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Li XY, Pi YN, Chen Y, Zhu Q, Xia BR. Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase: A Promising Biomarker and Target for Human Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:894744. [PMID: 35756670 PMCID: PMC9218565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.894744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells typically exhibit a tightly regulated program of metabolic plasticity and epigenetic remodeling to meet the demand of uncontrolled cell proliferation. The metabolic-epigenetic axis has recently become an increasingly hot topic in carcinogenesis and offers new avenues for innovative and personalized cancer treatment strategies. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a metabolic enzyme involved in controlling methylation potential, impacting DNA and histone epigenetic modification. NNMT overexpression has been described in various solid cancer tissues and even body fluids, including serum, urine, and saliva. Furthermore, accumulating evidence has shown that NNMT knockdown significantly decreases tumorigenesis and chemoresistance capacity. Most importantly, the natural NNMT inhibitor yuanhuadine can reverse epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in lung cancer cells. In this review, we evaluate the possibility of NNMT as a diagnostic biomarker and molecular target for effective anticancer treatment. We also reveal the exact mechanisms of how NNMT affects epigenetics and the development of more potent and selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Bengbu Medical College Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bai-Rong Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, Hefei, China
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Regulatory Effects of Statins on SIRT1 and Other Sirtuins in Cardiovascular Diseases. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050760. [PMID: 35629426 PMCID: PMC9146832 DOI: 10.3390/life12050760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, such as sudden cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke, are often catastrophic. Statins are frequently used to attenuate the risk of CVD-associated morbidity and mortality through their impact on lipids and they may also have anti-inflammatory and other plaque-stabilization effects via different signaling pathways. Different statins, including atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, and simvastatin, are administered to manage circulatory lipid levels. In addition, statins are potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase via modulating sirtuins (SIRTs). During the last two decades, SIRTs have been investigated in mammals and categorized as a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent histone deacetylases (HDACs) with significant oxidative stress regulatory function in cells—a key factor in extending cell lifespan. Recent work has demonstrated that statins upregulate SIRT1 and SIRT2 and downregulate SIRT6 in both in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical trials. As statins show modulatory properties, especially in CVDs, future investigations are needed to delineate the role of SIRT family members in disease and to expand knowledge about the effects of statins on SIRTs. Here, we review what is currently known about the impact of statins on SIRTs and how these changes correlate with disease, particularly CVDs.
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