The enzymology and pharmacology of 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activating protein

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase expression and enhance the polarization and function of M1 macrophages in vitro

Fibrogenic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) induce the polarization of M1 and M2 macrophages in mouse lungs. Polarization of the macrophages regulates the production of proinflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators (LMs) to mediate acute inflammation and its resolution in a time-dependent manner. Here we examined the molecular mechanism by which multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs, Mitsui-7) induce M1 polarization in vitro. Treatment of murine macrophages (J774A.1) with Mitsui-7 MWCNTs increased the expression of Alox5 mRNA and protein in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The MWCNTs induced the expression of CD68 and that induction persisted for up to 3 days post-exposure. The expression and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase, an intracellular marker of M1, were increased by MWCNTs. Consistent with M1 polarization, the MWCNTs induced the production and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, and proinflammatory LMs leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The cell-free media from MWCNT-polarized macrophages induced the migration of neutrophilic cells (differentiated from HL-60), which was blocked by Acebilustat, a specific leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor, or LY239111, an LTB4 receptor antagonist, but not NS-398, a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, revealing LTB4 as a major mediator of neutrophil chemotaxis from MWCNT-polarized macrophages. Knockdown of Alox5 using specific small hairpin-RNA suppressed MWCNT-induced M1 polarization, LTB4 secretion, and migration of neutrophils. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the polarization of M1 macrophages by Mitsui-7 MWCNTs in vitro and that induction of Alox5 is an important mechanism by which the MWCNTs promote proinflammatory responses by boosting M1 polarization and production of proinflammatory LMs.

Structural considerations on lipoxygenase function, inhibition and crosstalk with nitric oxide pathways

Lipoxygenases (LOX) are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that catalyze regio- and stereo-selective dioxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Mammalian LOXs participate in the eicosanoid cascade during the inflammatory response, using preferentially arachidonic acid (AA) as substrate, for the synthesis of leukotrienes (LT) and other oxidized-lipid intermediaries. This review focus on lipoxygenases (LOX) structural and kinetic implications on both catalysis selectivity, as well as the basic and clinical implications of inhibition and interactions with nitric oxide (^•NO) and nitroalkenes pathways. During inflammation ^•NO levels are increasingly favoring the formation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). ^•NO may act itself as an inhibitor of LOX-mediated lipid oxidation by reacting with lipid peroxyl radicals. Besides, ^•NO may act as an O₂ competitor in the LOX active site, thus displaying a protective role on lipid-peroxidation. Moreover, RNS such as nitrogen dioxide (^•NO₂) may react with lipid-derived species formed during LOX reaction, yielding nitroalkenes (NO₂FA). NO₂FA represents electrophilic compounds that could exert anti-inflammatory actions through the interaction with critical LOX nucleophilic amino acids. We will discuss how nitro-oxidative conditions may limit the availability of common LOX substrates, favoring alternative routes of PUFA metabolization to anti-inflammatory or pro-resolutive pathways.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) gene polymorphism is associated with Alzheimer's disease and body mass index

Dementias of old age, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), pose a growing threat to the longevity and quality of life of individuals as well as whole societies world-wide. The risk factors are both genetic and environmental (life-style) and there is an overlap with similar factors predisposing to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Using a case-control genetic approach, we have identified a SNP (rs10507391) in ALOX5 gene, previously associated with an increased risk of stroke, as a novel genetic risk factor for AD. ALOX5 gene encodes a 5'-lipoxygenase (5'-LO) activating protein (FLAP), a crucial component of the arachidonic acid/leukotriene inflammatory cascade. A-allele of rs4769874 polymorphism increases the risk of AD 1.41-fold (p<0.0001), while AA genotype does so 1.79-fold (p<0.0001). In addition, GG genotype of rs4769874 polymorphism is associated with a modest increase in body mass index (BMI). We discuss potential biochemical mechanisms linking the SNP to AD and suggest possible preventive pharmacotherapies some of which are based on commonly available natural products. Finally, we set the newly identified AD risk factors into a broader context of similar CVD risk factors to generate a more comprehensive picture of interacting genetics and life-style habits potentially leading to the deteriorating mental health in the old age.

Increased Expression of 5-Lipoxygenase in High-Grade Astrocytomas

OBJECTIVE

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) oxidizes arachidonic acid into proinflammatory eicosanoids that may promote tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated whether 5-LO is expressed in human astrocytomas and what effect its expression may have on patient outcome.

METHODS

Increased 5-LO messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression was detected by the polymerase chain reaction and antibody-based approaches, respectively, in surgical astrocytoma specimens and established glioblastoma multiforme cell lines compared with primary cell culture from the human white matter.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical analysis revealed predominantly nuclear 5-LO staining in 44 of 49 glioblastoma multiforme samples (90%), 8 of 10 (80%) anaplastic astrocytomas samples, and 3 of 13 (23%) low-grade astrocytoma samples analyzed. Double-staining experiments with anti-CD-68 (macrophage/microglial marker) and anti-5-LO antibodies suggest that both CD-68-positive and CD-68-negative tumor cells express 5-LO protein. Staining of 5-LO was significantly more frequent in high-grade than in low-grade tumors (P = 0.001). Patients whose tumors expressed 5-LO were significantly older, had lower preoperative Karnofsky performance scores and shorter survival than patients whose tumors did not express 5-LO. After adjusting for pathological diagnosis and age, respectively, neither Karnofsky performance score nor survival were significantly associated with 5-LO staining.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that 5-LO is overexpressed in high-grade astrocytomas and supports the idea that eicosanoids may play a role in tumorigenesis of these brain tumors.

Toxicity of human monocytic THP-1 cells and microglia toward SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells is reduced by inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and its activating protein FLAP

To explore whether the proinflammatory products of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway are involved in microglia-mediated toxicity toward neuronal cells, we evaluated the effects of 5-LOX inhibitors using an in vitro assay system where human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells are exposed to toxic secretions from THP-1 monocytic cells or human microglia. The specific 5-LOX inhibitors, REV 5901, zileuton, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid lactone; the nonselective LOX inhibitors, phenidone and dapsone; the dual 5-LOX/cyclooxygenase inhibitor, tepoxalin; and the selective inhibitor of the 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP), MK-886, inhibited such toxicity. The toxicity was enhanced by the 5-LOX product leukotriene (LT)D(4) and reduced by the selective cysteinyl LT receptor (CysLT(1)) antagonist MK-571. The mRNAs for 5-LOX and FLAP were detected in THP-1 cells and human microglia but not in SH-SY5Y cells. The data suggest that inhibition of proinflammatory LT production by 5-LOX inhibition could selectively reduce toxicity of microglial cells and thus be beneficial in neuroinflammatory diseases.

Cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways in mast cell dependent-neurogenic inflammation induced by electrical stimulation of the rat saphenous nerve

1. We investigated the role of arachidonic acid metabolism and assessed the participation of mast cells and leukocytes in neurogenic inflammation in rat paw skin. We compared the effect of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on oedema induced by saphenous nerve stimulation, substance P (SP), and compound 48/80. 2. Intravenous (i.v.) pre-treatment with a dual COX/LOX inhibitor (RWJ 63556), a dual LOX inhibitor/cysteinyl-leukotriene (CysLt) receptor antagonist (Rev 5901), a LOX inhibitor (AA 861), a five-lipoxygenase activating factor (FLAP) inhibitor (MK 886), or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor (ethacrynic acid) significantly inhibited (40 to 60%) the development of neurogenic oedema, but did not affect cutaneous blood flow. Intradermal (i.d.) injection of LOX inhibitors reduced SP-induced oedema (up to 50% for RWJ 63556 and MK 886), whereas ethacrynic acid had a potentiating effect. 3. Indomethacin and rofecoxib, a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, did not affect neurogenic and SP-induced oedema. Surprisingly, the structurally related COX-2 inhibitors, NS 398 and nimesulide, significantly reduced both neurogenic and SP-induced oedema (70% and 42% for neurogenic oedema, respectively; 49% and 46% for SP-induced oedema, respectively). 4. COX-2 mRNA was undetectable in saphenous nerves and paw skin biopsy samples, before and after saphenous nerve stimulation. 5. A mast cell stabilizer, cromolyn, and a H(1) receptor antagonist, mepyramine, significantly inhibited neurogenic (51% and 43%, respectively) and SP-induced oedema (67% and 63%, respectively). 6. The co-injection of LOX inhibitors and compound 48/80 did not alter the effects of compound 48/80. Conversely, ethacrynic acid had a significant potentiating effect. The pharmacological profile of the effect of COX inhibitors on compound 48/80-induced oedema was similar to that of neurogenic and SP-induced oedema. 7. The polysaccharide, fucoidan (an inhibitor of leukocyte rolling) did not affect neurogenic or SP-induced oedema. 8. Thus, (i) SP-induced leukotriene synthesis is involved in the development of neurogenic oedema in rat paw skin; (ii) this leukotriene-mediated plasma extravasation might be independent of mast cell activation and/or of the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium; (iii) COX did not appear to play a significant role in this process.