Protective effects of a benzoxazine derivative against oxidized LDL-induced apoptosis and the increases of integrin beta4, ROS, NF-kappaB and P53 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The Role of Autophagy in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An Update

BACKGROUND

Autophagy is an extensive self-degradation process for the disposition of cytosolic aggregated or misfolded proteins and defective organelles which executes the functions of pro-survival and pro-death to maintain cellular homeostasis. The pathway plays essential roles in several neurological disorders. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating subtype of hemorrhagic stroke with high risk of neurological deficit and high mortality. Early brain injury (EBI) plays a role in the poor clinical course and outcome after SAH. Recent studies have paid attention on the role of the autophagy pathway in the development of EBI after SAH. We aim to update the multifaceted roles of autophagy pathway in the pathogenesis of SAH, especially in the phase of EBI.

METHODS

We reviewed early researches related to autophagy and SAH. The following three aspects of contents will be mainly discussed: the process of the autophagy pathway, the role of the autophagy in SAH and the interaction between organelle dysfunction and autophagy pathway after SAH.

RESULTS

Accumulating evidence shows an increased autophagy reaction in response to early stages of SAH. However, others suggest inadequate or excessive autophagy activation can result in cell injury and death. In addition to autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis can occur in neurons simultaneously after SAH, leading to mixed features of cell death morphologies. And it is also known that there is extensive crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis pathway. Subcellular organelles of neural cells generally participate in the formation and functional parts of autophagy process.

CONCLUSION

Autophagy plays an important role in the SAH-induced brain injury. A better understanding of the interrelationship among autophagy, apoptosis, and necrosis might provide us better therapeutic targets for the treatment of SAH.

Long noncoding RNA Malat1 is a potent autophagy inducer protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced injury by sponging miR-26b and upregulating ULK2 expression

Brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC) injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is the initial stage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which results in a poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients. Autophagy has been shown to have protective effects on BMECs against cerebral ischemic insults. However, molecular mechanism of BMEC autophagy during I/R is unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new factors involved in cell autophagy. LncRNA Malat1 is one of the most highly upregulated I/R or OGD/R-responsive endothelial lncRNA and plays a protective role in BMECs against cerebral ischemic insults. Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) is used to mimic I/R injury in vitro. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that Malat1 might play a protective role by enhancing BMEC autophagy. We performed GFP-LC3 puncta formation, LC3 conversion, p62 expression, and cell death assays, and the results were consistent with our hypothesis that Malat1 promoted BMEC autophagy and survival under OGD/R condition. We further explored the molecular mechanisms by which Malat1 exerted regulatory effects, and found that Malat1 served as an endogenous sponge to downregulate miR-26b expression by binding directly to miR-26b. Furthermore, Malat1 overturned the inhibitory effect of miR-26b on BMEC autophagy and survival, which involved in promoting the expression of miR-26b target ULK2. Collectively, our study illuminated a new Malat1-miR-26b-ULK2 regulatory axis in which Malat1 served as a competing endogenous RNA by sponging miR-26b and upregulating ULK2 expression, thereby promoting BMEC autophagy and survival under OGD/R condition.

Long Noncoding RNA LOC100129973 Suppresses Apoptosis by Targeting miR-4707-5p and miR-4767 in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of multiple biological processes by altering gene expression at various levels. Apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) is closely linked to numerous cardiovascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, thrombus formation and plaque erosion. However, studies on lncRNAs in the cardiovascular system are just beginning. And thus far, no anti-apoptosis lncRNAs have been identified in VECs. Here, we focused on the anti-apoptosis roles of lncRNAs in the serum and FGF-2 starvation-induced apoptosis of VECs. Using microarray analysis, we found a novel lncRNA LOC100129973 which acted as an apoptosis inhibitor in VECs. Through sponging miR-4707-5p and miR-4767, lncRNA LOC100129973 upregulated the expression of two apoptosis repressors gene, Apoptosis Inhibitor 5 (API5) and BCL2 like 12 (BCL2L12), and thus alleviated the serum and FGF-2 starvation-induced apoptosis in VECs. This evidence suggests that lncRNA LOC100129973 is an attractive target to improve endothelial function and for therapy of apoptosis related cardiovascular diseases.

Enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzo[1,4]-oxazine-3-carboxylic acids and a route to benzoxazinyl oxazolidinones

A two step protocol is developed for the enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzoxazine-3-carboxylic acids via RuPhos Palladacycle-catalyzed aminoarylation of β-(2-bromoaryloxy)amino acids.

TIA1 interacts with annexin A7 in regulating vascular endothelial cell autophagy

T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA1) is a DNA/RNA binding protein broadly expressed in eukaryotic cells, participating in multiple aspects of cellular metabolism. TIA1 phosphorylation was related with cell apoptosis and its RNA binding activity, however, the regulator and other functions of TIA1 phosphorylation were very little known. To find the modulator of TIA1 phosphorylation, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening and identified annexin A7 (ANXA7) as an interaction protein of TIA1. Recent study showed that a small molecule ABO could directly target ANXA7 and inhibit ANXA7 activity and its targets' phosphorylation. As a GTPase, ANXA7 was speculated to modulate TIA1 phosphorylation. Our results showed that ABO treatment promoted the interaction between TIA1 and ANXA7, and then greatly inhibited phosphorylation of TIA1 in HUVECs. Further results showed that ABO-increased interaction between ANXA7 and TIA1 significantly promoted the processing of a pro-autophagic factor FLJ11812 and the expression of ATG13. Moreover, we found that ABO increased TIA1 protein level, co-localization of ANXA7 and TIA1, and ATG13 expression in the aortic endothelium of apoE(-/-) mice. These data highlighted the new role of TIA1 phosphorylation in autophagy.

Progress of the synthesis of condensed pyrazole derivatives (from 2010 to mid-2013)

Condensed pyrazole derivatives are important heterocyclic compounds due to their excellent biological activities and have been widely applied in pharmaceutical and agromedical fields. In recent years, numerous condensed pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized and advanced to clinic studies with various biological activities. In this review, we summarized the reported synthesis methods of condensed pyrazole derivatives from 2010 until now. All compounds are divided into three parts according to the rings connected to pyrazole-ring, i.e. [5, 5], [5,F 6], and [5, 7]-condensed pyrazole derivatives. The biological activities and applications in pharmaceutical fields are briefly introduced to offer an orientation for the design and synthesis of condensed pyrazole derivatives with good biological activities.

Evaluation of the protective potential of brain microvascular endothelial cell autophagy on blood-brain barrier integrity during experimental cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMVEC) injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is the initial phase of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which results in a poor prognosis for ischemic stroke patients. Autophagy occurs in ischemic brain and has been shown to exhibit protective effects on endothelial cell against stress. However, the potential effects of BMVEC autophagy on BBB permeability during I/R and the mechanisms underlying these effects have yet to be elucidated. In the current study, we answered these questions by using chemical modulators of autophagy, including rapamycin and lithium carbonate acting, respectively, as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent and mTOR-independent autophagy inducers and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as an autophagy inhibitor. To mimic I/R injury, BMVECs were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), and a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was performed. All the drugs were given at 0.5 h before OGD/R or MCAO/R. First, enhancement of autophagy by rapamycin and lithium carbonate attenuated, whereas suppression of autophagy by 3-MA intensified BMVEC apoptosis and the high level of ROS induced by OGD/R. In addition, rapamycin and lithium carbonate pretreatments significantly reversed the decreased level of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) induced by OGD/R and promoted the distribution of ZO-1 on cell membranes. Finally, pretreatments with rapamycin and lithium carbonate reduced evans blue extravasation and brain water content in the ischemic hemisphere of the rat. In contrast, 3-MA pretreatment exerted opposite effects both in vitro and in vivo. These results may indicate a beneficial effect of BMVEC autophagy on BBB integrity during I/R injury.

Propolis Reduces Phosphatidylcholine-Specific Phospholipase C Activity and Increases Annexin a7 Level in Oxidized-LDL-Stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

To understand the mechanisms underlying the regulating dyslipidemia action of Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis, we investigated their effects on phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activity and annexin a7 (ANXA7) level which play crucial roles in the control of the progress of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, active oxygen species (ROS) levels, nuclear factor-KappaB p65 (NF-κB p65), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were also investigated in oxidized-LDL- (ox-LDL-) stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our data indicated that the treatment of both types of propolis 12.5 μg/mL significantly increased cell viability and attenuated apoptosis rate, increased ANXA7 level, and decreased PC-PLC activity. Both types of propolis also inhibited ROS generation as well as the subsequent MMP collapse, and NF-κB p65 activation induced by ox-LDL in HUVECs. Our results also indicated that Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis had similar biological activities and prevented ox-LDL induced cellular dysfunction in HUVECs.

Targeting annexin A7 by a small molecule suppressed the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in vascular endothelial cells and inhibited atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E⁻/⁻mice

Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) is a key factor in apoptosis and autophagy of vascular endothelial cells (VECs), and involved in atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E⁻/⁻ (apoE⁻/⁻) mice. But the endogenous regulators of PC-PLC are not known. We recently found a small chemical molecule (6-amino-2, 3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-1, 4-benzoxazine, ABO) that could inhibit oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced apoptosis and promote autophagy in VECs, and further identified ABO as an inhibitor of annexin A7 (ANXA7) GTPase. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that ANXA7 is an endogenous regulator of PC-PLC, and targeting ANXA7 by ABO may inhibit atherosclerosis in apoE⁻/⁻ mice. In this study, we tested our hypothesis. The results showed that ABO suppressed oxLDL-induced increase of PC-PLC level and activity and promoted the co-localization of ANXA7 and PC-PLC in VECs. The experiments of ANXA7 knockdown and overexpression demonstrated that the action of ABO was ANXA7-dependent in cultured VECs. To investigate the relation of ANXA7 with PC-PLC in atherosclerosis, apoE⁻/⁻ mice fed with a western diet were treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg/day ABO. The results showed that ABO decreased PC-PLC levels in the mouse aortic endothelium and PC-PLC activity in serum, and enhanced the protein levels of ANXA7 in the mouse aortic endothelium. Furthermore, both dosages of ABO significantly enhanced autophagy and reduced apoptosis in the mouse aortic endothelium. As a result, ABO significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque area and effectively preserved a stable plaques phenotype, including reduced lipid deposition and pro-inflammatory macrophages, increased anti-inflammatory macrophages, collagen content and smooth muscle cells, and less cell death in the plaques. In conclusion, ANXA7 was an endogenous regulator of PC-PLC, and targeting ANXA7 by ABO inhibited atherosclerosis in apoE⁻/⁻ mice.

Phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein 1 in vacular endothelial cell autophagy and atherosclerosis

We previously found that phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) was a key inducing element of atherosclerosis, and might negatively regulate human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) autophagy. To further investigate the mechanism of PC-PLC action, we initially identified phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein 1 (PEBP1) as a binding partner of PC-PLC by using mass spectrometry (MS, MALDI-TOF/TOF). We found that PEBP1 positively regulated PC-PLC activity in HUVECs, and inhibition of PC-PLC by its inhibitor D609 suppressed PEBP1 expression dramatically. Moreover, both PC-PLC and PEBP1 negatively regulated HUVEC autophagy independently of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Furthermore, the PEBP1 level was elevated during the development of atherosclerosis, while D609 significantly decreased the upregulated PEBP1 level in apoE(-/-) mice.

Antibodies against AT1 receptors are associated with vascular endothelial and smooth muscle function impairment: protective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A

Ample evidence has shown that autoantibodies against AT1 receptors (AT1-AA) are closely associated with human cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms underlying AT1-AA-induced vascular structural and functional impairments in the formation of hypertension, and explore ways for preventive treatment. We used synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence of the second extracellular loop of the AT1 receptor (165–191) to immunize rats and establish an active immunization model. Part of the model received preventive therapy by losartan (20 mg/kg/day) and hyroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) (10 mg/kg/day). The result show that systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) of immunized rats was significantly higher, and closely correlated with the plasma AT1-Ab titer. The systolic response of thoracic aortic was increased, but diastolic effects were attenuated markedly. Histological observation showed that the thoracic aortic endothelium of the immunized rats became thinner or ruptured, inflammatory cell infiltration, medial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, the vascular wall became thicker. There was no significant difference in serum antibody titer between losartan and HSYA groups and the immunized group. The vascular structure and function were reversed, and plasma biochemical parameters were also improved significantly in the two treatment groups. These results suggest that AT1-Ab could induce injury to vascular endothelial cells, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. These changes were involved in the formation of hypertension. Treatment with AT1 receptor antagonists and anti oxidative therapy could block the pathogenic effect of AT1-Ab on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

Identification of a small molecule targeting annexin A7

Autophagy involves multiple membrane trafficking and fusion events. Annexin A7 (ANXA7) is postulated to play a role in membrane fusion during exocytosis, while the contribution of ANXA7 to autophagy is poorly understood. Our recent studies demonstrated that ABO could promote autophagy via elevation of ANXA7 and triggering ANXA7 subcellular redistribution. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms how ANXA7 regulates autophagy. As molecular disruption of ANXA7 in mice results in several unwished phenotypes, small molecule modulators may be efficacious in defining the mechanisms of ANXA7 action. However, so far no compounds that selectively target ANXA7 have been identified. So, we hypothesize that ABO might be a potent modulator of ANXA7. We also have detected the colocalization of ANXA7 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and ANXA7 was essential for LC3 accumulation in VEC autophagy. As a GTPase, whether ANXA7 affects the phosphorylation of LC3 or other proteins needs further investigation. In this study, we performed site-directed mutagenesis and found that ABO directly bound to Thr(286) of ANXA7 and inhibited its phosphorylation. By yeast two-hybrid screening, we found that ANXA7 could interact with grancalcin (GCA). ABO promoted the interaction and inhibited GCA phosphorylation, leading to the decrease of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. At the same time, ABO inhibited the phosphorylation of LC3. Hence, by identifying ABO as an unprecedented modulator of ANXA7 as well as GCA and LC3 as interacting proteins of ANXA7, we demonstrated the possible mechanisms how ANXA7 regulates autophagy for the first time.

Assessing mitochondrial redox status by flow cytometric methods: vascular response to fluid shear stress

Mitochondria are an important source of superoxide production contributing to physiological and pathological responses, including vascular oxidative stress that is relevant to cardiovascular diseases. Vascular oxidative stress is intimately linked with pro-inflammatory states and atherosclerosis. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) modulates intracellular redox status and induces apoptosis in endothelial cells. Hemodynamic, specifically, fluid shear stress imparts both biomechanical and metabolic effects on vasculature. Mitochondria are an important source of superoxide production contributing to vascular oxidative stress with relevance to cardiovascular diseases. We hereby present biophysical and biochemical approaches, including fluorescence-activated cell sorting, to assess the dynamics of vascular redox status.

Novel benzoxazine and benzothiazine derivatives as multifunctional antihyperlipidemic agents

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease with several mechanisms participating in its manifestation. To address this disorder, we applied a strategy involving the design of a single chemical compound able to simultaneously modulate more than one target. We hereby present the development of novel benzoxazine and benzothiazine derivatives that significantly inhibit in vitro microsomal lipid peroxidation and LDL oxidation as well as squalene synthase activity (IC(50) of 5-16 μM). Further, these compounds show antidyslipidemic and antioxidant properties in vivo, decreasing total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and MDA levels of hyperlipidemic rats by 26-74%. Finally, by determination of their in vivo concentration (up to 24 h) in target tissues (blood/liver), it is shown that compounds reach their targets in the low micromolar range. The new compounds seem to be interesting multifunctional molecules for the development of a new pharmacophore for disease-modifying agents useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Role of Hmbox1 in endothelial differentiation of bone-marrow stromal cells by a small molecule

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play critical roles in repairing endothelium damage. However, the mechanisms underlying BMSC differentiation into vascular endothelial cells (VECs) is not well understood. We aimed to find new factors involved in this process by exploiting a novel chemical inducer in a gene microarray assay. We first identified a novel benzoxazine derivative (6-amino-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-1,4-benzoxazine; ABO) that can induce BMSC differentiation to VECs in a capillary-like tube formation assay, promote analysis of endothelial cell-specific marker expression, and facilitate uptake of 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL). Microarray analysis of BMSCs treated with ABO for 4 h revealed changes in only a handful of genes. The only one upregulated was homeobox-containing 1 (Hmbox1) gene, whereas six genes, including IP-10 and others, were downregulated. The upregulation of Hmbox1 and downregulation of IP-10 were confirmed by RT-PCR, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and Western blot analysis. It is reported that IP-10 could suppresse EC differentiation into capillary structures. In this study ABO could not induce BMSC differentiation to VECs in the presence of IP-10. Small interfering RNA knockdown of Hmbox1 blocked ABO-induced BMSC differentiation and increased the level of IP-10 but decreased Ets-1. Thus, ABO is a novel inducer for BMSC differentiation to VECs, and Hmbox1 is a key factor in the differentiation. IP-10 and Ets-1 might be relevant targets of Hmbox1 in BMSC differentiation to VECs. These findings provide information on a novel target and a new platform for further investigating the gene control of BMSC differentiation to VECs.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein-activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase regulates manganese superoxide dismutase ubiquitination: implication for mitochondrial redox status and apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) modulates intracellular redox status and induces apoptosis in endothelial cells. However, the signal pathways and molecular mechanism remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) on oxLDL-induced apoptosis via c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated ubiquitin/proteasome pathway.

METHODS AND RESULTS

OxLDL induced JNK phosphorylation that peaked at 30 minutes in human aortic endothelial cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed that oxLDL increased mitochondrial superoxide production by 1.88+/-0.19-fold and mitochondrial membrane potential by 18%. JNK small interference RNA (siJNK) reduced oxLDL-induced mitochondrial superoxide production by 88.4% and mitochondrial membrane potential by 61.7%. OxLDL did not affect Mn-SOD mRNA expression, but it significantly reduced Mn-SOD protein level, which was restored by siJNK. Immunoprecipitation by ubiquitin antibody revealed that oxLDL increased ubiquitination of Mn-SOD, which was inhibited by siJNK. OxLDL-induced caspase-3 activities were also attenuated by siJNK but were enhanced by Mn-SOD small interfering RNA. Furthermore, overexpression of Mn-SOD abrogated oxLDL-induced caspase-3 activities.

CONCLUSIONS

OxLDL-induced JNK activation regulates mitochondrial redox status and Mn-SOD protein degradation via JNK-dependent ubiquitination, leading to endothelial cell apoptosis.