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Comarița IK, Tanko G, Anghelache IL, Georgescu A. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of AP-1 restores the function of the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle by reducing perivascular and interstitial fibrosis and key molecular players in cardiopulmonary disease. J Transl Med 2024; 22:137. [PMID: 38317144 PMCID: PMC10845748 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex multifactorial vascular pathology characterized by an increased pulmonary arterial pressure, vasoconstriction, remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature, thrombosis in situ and inflammation associated with right-side heart failure. Herein, we explored the potential beneficial effects of treatment with siRNA AP-1 on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), right ventricular dysfunction along with perivascular and interstitial fibrosis in pulmonary artery-PA, right ventricle-RV and lung in an experimental animal model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. METHODS Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into: (1) C group-healthy animals taken as control; (2) MCT group obtained by a single subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg MCT at the beginning of the experiment; (3) MCT-siRNA AP-1 group received a one-time subcutaneous dose of MCT and subcutaneous injections containing 100 nM siRNA AP-1, every two weeks. All animal groups received water and standard chow ad libitum for 12 weeks. RESULTS In comparison with the MCT group, siRNA AP-1 treatment had significant beneficial effects on investigated tissues contributing to: (1) a reduction in TGF-β1/ET-1/IL-1β/TNF-α plasma concentrations; (2) a reduced level of cytosolic ROS production in PA, RV and lung and notable improvements regarding the ultrastructure of these tissues; a decrease of inflammatory and fibrotic marker expressions in PA (COL1A/Fibronectin/Vimentin/α-SMA/CTGF/Calponin/MMP-9), RV and lung (COL1A/CTGF/Fibronectin/α-SMA/F-actin/OB-cadherin) and an increase of endothelial marker expressions (CD31/VE-cadherin) in PA; (4) structural and functional recoveries of the PA [reduced Vel, restored vascular reactivity (NA contraction, ACh relaxation)] and RV (enlarged internal cavity diameter in diastole, increased TAPSE and PRVOFs) associated with a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate; (5) a reduced protein expression profile of AP-1S3/ pFAK/FAK/pERK/ERK and a significant decrease in the expression levels of miRNA-145, miRNA-210, miRNA-21, and miRNA-214 along with an increase of miRNA-124 and miRNA-204. CONCLUSIONS The siRNA AP-1-based therapy led to an improvement of pulmonary arterial and right ventricular function accompanied by a regression of perivascular and interstitial fibrosis in PA, RV and lung and a down-regulation of key inflammatory and fibrotic markers in MCT-treated hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Karla Comarița
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology 'Nicolae Simionescu' of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriela Tanko
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology 'Nicolae Simionescu' of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Adriana Georgescu
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology 'Nicolae Simionescu' of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania.
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McCord JM, Hybertson BM, Cota-Gomez A, Geraci KP, Gao B. Nrf2 Activator PB125 ® as a Potential Therapeutic Agent against COVID-19. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E518. [PMID: 32545518 PMCID: PMC7346195 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9060518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates cellular redox balance and the expression of a wide array of genes involved in immunity and inflammation, including antiviral actions. Nrf2 activity declines with age, making the elderly more susceptible to oxidative stress-mediated diseases, which include type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, and viral infections. Published evidence suggests that Nrf2 activity may regulate important mechanisms affecting viral susceptibility and replication. We examined gene expression levels by GeneChip microarray and by RNA-seq assays. We found that the potent Nrf2-activating composition PB125® downregulates ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression in human liver-derived HepG2 cells. ACE2 is a surface receptor and TMPRSS2 activates the spike protein for SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. Furthermore, in endotoxin-stimulated primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells, we report the marked downregulation by PB125 of 36 genes encoding cytokines. These include IL-1-beta, IL-6, TNF-α, the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin, and a group of IFN-γ-induced genes. Many of these cytokines have been specifically identified in the "cytokine storm" observed in fatal cases of COVID-19, suggesting that Nrf2 activation may significantly decrease the intensity of the storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe M. McCord
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.M.H.); (B.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.C.-G.); (K.P.G.)
| | - Brooks M. Hybertson
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.M.H.); (B.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.C.-G.); (K.P.G.)
| | - Adela Cota-Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.C.-G.); (K.P.G.)
| | - Kara P. Geraci
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.C.-G.); (K.P.G.)
| | - Bifeng Gao
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.M.H.); (B.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (A.C.-G.); (K.P.G.)
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McCord JM, Hybertson BM, Cota-Gomez A, Gao B. Nrf2 Activator PB125® as a Potential Therapeutic Agent Against COVID-19. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32511372 PMCID: PMC7263501 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.16.099788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates cellular redox balance and the expression of a wide array of genes involved in immunity and inflammation, including antiviral actions. Nrf2 activity declines with age, making the elderly more susceptible to oxidative stress-mediated diseases, which include type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, and viral infections. Published evidence suggests that Nrf2 activity may regulate important mechanisms affecting viral susceptibility and replication. We examined gene expression levels by GeneChip microarray and by RNA-seq assays. We found that the potent Nrf2 activating composition PB125® downregulates ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression in human liver-derived HepG2 cells. ACE2 is a surface receptor and TMPRSS2 activates the spike protein for SARS-Cov-2 entry into host cells. Furthermore, in endotoxin-stimulated primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells we report the marked downregulation by PB125 of 36 genes encoding cytokines. These include IL1-beta, IL6, TNF-α the cell adhesion molecules ICAM1, VCAM1, and E-selectin, and a group of IFN-γ-induced genes. Many of these cytokines have been specifically identified in the “cytokine storm” observed in fatal cases of COVID-19, suggesting that Nrf2 activation may significantly decrease the intensity of the storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe M McCord
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Brooks M Hybertson
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Adela Cota-Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Bifeng Gao
- Pathways Bioscience, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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4
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Prenatal exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids induced hepatotoxicity and pulmonary injury in fetal rats. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 85:34-41. [PMID: 30771476 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic and pulmonary toxicity in fetal rats induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) was investigated. Retrorsine (RTS) or monocrotaline (MCT) was intragastrically administered during pregnancy. The reduction of body and tail lengths was consistent with body weight loss in PA-exposed fetuses, and pathological lesions in liver and lung were observed only in fetuses. Both PAs reduced fetal serum transaminase activities. The GSH/GSSG ratio, GSH peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities also decreased but glutathione S-transferase activity increased in fetal lung, especially for MCT. The pyrrole-protein adducts in fetal liver and lung could be detected, and those adducts in RTS fetal lungs were about 65% of those in MCT group. In conclusion, prenatal PAs exposure induced fetal hepatic and pulmonary toxicities through the generation of pyrrole metabolites and oxidative injury. The difference on fetal pulmonary redox homeostasis between two PAs groups might be associated with the content of PAs migrated to fetal lungs.
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5
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Ma J, Xia Q, Fu PP, Lin G. Pyrrole-protein adducts - A biomarker of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatotoxicity. J Food Drug Anal 2018; 26:965-972. [PMID: 29976414 PMCID: PMC9303027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are phytotoxins identified in over 6000 plant species worldwide. Approximately 600 toxic PAs and PA N-oxides have been identified in about 3% flowering plants. PAs can cause toxicities in different organs particularly in the liver. The metabolic activation of PAs is catalyzed by hepatic cytochrome P450 and generates reactive pyrrolic metabolites that bind to cellular proteins to form pyrrole-protein adducts leading to PA-induced hepatotoxicity. The mechanisms that pyrrole-protein adducts induce toxicities have not been fully characterized. Methods for qualitative and quantitative detection of pyrrole-protein adducts have been developed and applied for the clinical diagnosis of PA exposure and PA-induced liver injury. This mini-review addresses the mechanisms of PA-induced hepatotoxicity mediated by pyrrole-protein adducts, the analytical methods for the detection of pyrrole-protein adducts, and the development of pyrrole-protein adducts as the mechanism-based biomarker of PA exposure and PA-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines Between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Qingsu Xia
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA
| | - Peter P Fu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA.
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines Between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China Academy of Sciences, China.
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6
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Enerstvedt KS, Sydnes MO, Larssen E, Pampanin DM. Screening for protein adducts of naphthalene and chrysene in plasma of exposed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 200:67-79. [PMID: 29475030 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well known contaminants, ubiquitously present in the habitat and spawning areas for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The Atlantic cod is a key species and a globally important food source, thus continuous monitoring of PAHs is considered highly valuable to ensure ecosystem sustainability and human food safety. PAH adducts to plasma proteins are applied as sensitive biomarkers of PAH exposure in humans and other species, thus the presence of PAH protein adducts in Atlantic cod plasma was investigated to identify PAH protein adduct biomarker candidates of exposure to PAHs. Blood plasma samples were collected from Atlantic cod (n = 66) one week after exposure by intramuscular injection of single PAHs (i.e. naphthalene and chrysene), and their corresponding dihydrodiol metabolites (i.e. (-)-(1R,2R)-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-1,2-diol and (-)-(1R,2R)-1,2-dihydrochrysene-1,2-diol). The samples were analyzed by shotgun tandem mass spectrometry (MS) and the resulting MS data were analyzed in Byonic™ to screen for proteins susceptible to adduct formation with naphthalene and chrysene. Furthermore, a wildcard modification search was performed to obtain additional information regarding potential modifications other than the targeted metabolites. The amino acid adductation sites and the metabolites involved in PAH adductation are reported. Forty-four proteins were found to bind PAHs. Alpha-2-macroglobulin-like proteins, apolipoproteins B-100-like proteins and an alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein were detected with the highest number of bound PAHs. This first insight into PAH protein adducts of Atlantic cod plasma generates valuable knowledge for the development of highly sensitive biomarkers of PAH exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karianne S Enerstvedt
- International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) - Environment Department, Mekjarvik 12, NO-4070 Randaberg, Norway; Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Stavanger, NO-4036 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Magne O Sydnes
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Stavanger, NO-4036 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Eivind Larssen
- International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) - Environment Department, Mekjarvik 12, NO-4070 Randaberg, Norway
| | - Daniela M Pampanin
- International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) - Environment Department, Mekjarvik 12, NO-4070 Randaberg, Norway; Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Stavanger, NO-4036 Stavanger, Norway.
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7
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Bueno-Beti C, Sassi Y, Hajjar RJ, Hadri L. Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Model in Rats by Monocrotaline Administration. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1816:233-241. [PMID: 29987824 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8597-5_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a syndrome characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular pressure overload and, eventually, to right ventricular failure and premature death. Animal models have been an essential tool for understanding pulmonary hypertension pathophysiology and for the discovery and development of novel therapies.MCT-induced PAH in rats leads to a significant increase in RV pressure and pulmonary vascular remodeling, as well as greater RV hypertrophy. In this chapter, we describe protocols for inducing and assessing the monocrotaline (MCT) rat model, the most classical and widely used in vivo model of PAH. Using this protocol, rats reproducibly develop pulmonary hypertension with a mean pulmonary pressure of ~40 mmHg approximately 4 weeks after single MCT administration.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/chemically induced
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/complications
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/physiopathology
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/etiology
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/pathology
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/physiopathology
- Lung/blood supply
- Lung/pathology
- Lung/physiopathology
- Male
- Monocrotaline
- Pulmonary Artery/pathology
- Pulmonary Artery/physiopathology
- Rats/physiology
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Vascular Remodeling
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/etiology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/pathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Bueno-Beti
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yassine Sassi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Bussy U, Chung-Davidson YW, Buchinger T, Li K, Smith SA, Jones AD, Li W. Metabolism of a sea lamprey pesticide by fish liver enzymes part A: identification and synthesis of TFM metabolites. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 410:1749-1761. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0830-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hill NS, Gillespie MN, McMurtry IF. Fifty Years of Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: What Has It Meant to the Field? Chest 2017; 152:1106-1108. [PMID: 29223258 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Hill
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
| | - Mark N Gillespie
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Ivan F McMurtry
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
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Polysulfide Na 2S 4 regulates the activation of PTEN/Akt/CREB signaling and cytotoxicity mediated by 1,4-naphthoquinone through formation of sulfur adducts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4814. [PMID: 28684787 PMCID: PMC5500523 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04590-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrophiles can activate redox signal transduction pathways, through actions of effector molecules (e.g., kinases and transcription factors) and sensor proteins with low pKa thiols that are covalently modified. In this study, we investigated whether 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) could affect the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)–Akt signaling pathway and persulfides/polysulfides could modulate this adaptive response. Simultaneous exposure of primary mouse hepatocytes to Na2S4 and 1,4-NQ markedly decreased 1,4-NQ-mediated cell death and S-arylation of cellular proteins. Modification of cellular PTEN during exposure to 1,4-NQ was also blocked in the presence of Na2S4. 1,4-NQ, at up to 10 µM, increased phosphorylation of Akt and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). However, at higher concentrations, 1,4-NQ inhibited phosphorylation of both proteins. These bell-shaped dose curves for Akt and CREB activation were right-shifted in cells treated with both 1,4-NQ and Na2S4. Incubation of 1,4-NQ with Na2S4 resulted in formation of 1,4-NQ–S–1,4-NQ-OH. Unlike 1,4-NQ, authentic 1,4-NQ-S-1,4-NQ-OH adduct had no cytotoxicity, covalent binding capability nor ability to activate PTEN-Akt signaling in cells. Our results suggested that polysulfides, such as Na2S4, can increase the threshold of 1,4-NQ for activating PTEN–Akt signaling and cytotoxicity by capturing this electrophile to form its sulfur adducts.
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Kumagai Y, Abiko Y. Environmental Electrophiles: Protein Adducts, Modulation of Redox Signaling, and Interaction with Persulfides/Polysulfides. Chem Res Toxicol 2016; 30:203-219. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Kumagai
- Environmental Biology Section, Faculty
of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yumi Abiko
- Environmental Biology Section, Faculty
of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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12
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Edgar JA, Molyneux RJ, Colegate SM. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Potential Role in the Etiology of Cancers, Pulmonary Hypertension, Congenital Anomalies, and Liver Disease. Chem Res Toxicol 2014; 28:4-20. [PMID: 25483859 DOI: 10.1021/tx500403t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Large outbreaks of acute food-related poisoning, characterized by hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, hemorrhagic necrosis, and rapid liver failure, occur on a regular basis in some countries. They are caused by 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids contaminating locally grown grain. Similar acute poisoning can also result from deliberate or accidental consumption of 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing herbal medicines, teas, and spices. In recent years, it has been confirmed that there is also significant, low-level dietary exposure to 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids in many countries due to consumption of common foods such as honey, milk, eggs, salads, and meat. The level of 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids in these foods is generally too low and too intermittent to cause acute toxicity. However, these alkaloids are genotoxic and can cause slowly developing chronic diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancers, cirrhosis, and congenital anomalies, conditions unlikely to be easily linked with dietary exposure to 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids, especially if clinicians are unaware that such dietary exposure is occurring. This Perspective provides a comprehensive review of the acute and chronic toxicity of 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids and their potential to initiate certain chronic diseases, and suggests some associative considerations or indicators to assist in recognizing specific cases of diseases that may have resulted from dietary exposure to these hazardous natural substances. If it can be established that low-level dietary exposure to 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids is a significant cause of some of these costly and debilitating diseases, then this should lead to initiatives to reduce the level of these alkaloids in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Edgar
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition , 11 Julius Avenue, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Russell J Molyneux
- Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo , 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, United States
| | - Steven M Colegate
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, ARS/USDA , 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, Utah 84341, United States
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Gomez-Arroyo JG, Farkas L, Alhussaini AA, Farkas D, Kraskauskas D, Voelkel NF, Bogaard HJ. The monocrotaline model of pulmonary hypertension in perspective. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2011; 302:L363-9. [PMID: 21964406 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00212.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are characterized by various degrees of remodeling of the pulmonary arterial vessels, which increases the pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular afterload, thus contributing to the development of right ventricle dysfunction and failure. Recent years have seen advances in the understanding of the pathobiology of PAH; however, many important questions remain unanswered. Elucidating the pathobiology of PAH continues to be critical to design new effective therapeutic strategies, and appropriate animal models of PAH are necessary to achieve the task. Although the monocrotaline rat model of PAH has contributed to a better understanding of vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension, we question the validity of this model as a preclinically relevant model of severe plexogenic PAH. Here we review pertinent publications that either have been forgotten or ignored, and we reexamine the monocrotaline model in the context of human forms of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G Gomez-Arroyo
- Victoria Johnson Center for Obstructive Lung Disease Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, USA
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14
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Kumagai Y, Shinkai Y, Miura T, Cho AK. The chemical biology of naphthoquinones and its environmental implications. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2011; 52:221-47. [PMID: 21942631 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010611-134517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Quinones are a group of highly reactive organic chemical species that interact with biological systems to promote inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer actions and to induce toxicities. This review describes the chemistry, biochemistry, and cellular effects of 1,2- and 1,4-naphthoquinones and their derivatives. The naphthoquinones are of particular interest because of their prevalence as natural products and as environmental chemicals, present in the atmosphere as products of fuel and tobacco combustion. 1,2- and 1,4-naphthoquinones are also toxic metabolites of naphthalene, the major polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon present in ambient air. Quinones exert their actions through two reactions: as prooxidants, reducing oxygen to reactive oxygen species; and as electrophiles, forming covalent bonds with tissue nucleophiles. The targets for these reactions include regulatory proteins such as protein tyrosine phosphatases; Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, the regulatory protein for NF-E2-related factor 2; and the glycolysis enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Through their actions on regulatory proteins, quinones affect various cell signaling pathways that promote and protect against inflammatory responses and cell damage. These actions vary with the specific quinone and its concentration. Effects of exposure to naphthoquinones as environmental chemicals can vary with the physical state, i.e., whether the quinone is particle bound or is in the vapor state. The exacerbation of pulmonary diseases by air pollutants can, in part, be attributed to quinone action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Kumagai
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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Tu T, Giblin D, Gross ML. Structural determinant of chemical reactivity and potential health effects of quinones from natural products. Chem Res Toxicol 2011; 24:1527-39. [PMID: 21721570 DOI: 10.1021/tx200140s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although many phenols and catechols found as polyphenol natural products are antioxidants and have putative disease-preventive properties, others have deleterious health effects. One possible route to toxicity is the bioactivation of the phenolic function to quinones that are electrophilic, redox-agents capable of modifying DNA and proteins. The structure-property relationships of biologically important quinones and their precursors may help understand the balance between their health benefits and risks. We describe a mass-spectrometry-based study of four quinones produced by oxidizing flavanones and flavones. Those with a C2-C3 double bond on ring C of the flavonoid stabilize by delocalization of an incipient positive charge from protonation and render the protonated quinone particularly susceptible to nucleophilic attack. We hypothesize that the absence of this double bond is one specific structural determinant that is responsible for the ability of quinones to modify biological macromolecules. Those quinones containing a C2-C3 single bond have relatively higher aqueous stability and longer half-lives than those with a double bond at the same position; the latter have short half-lives at or below ∼1 s. Quinones with a C2-C3 double bond show little ability to depurinate DNA because they are rapidly hydrated to unreactive species. Molecular-orbital calculations support that quinone hydration by a highly structure-dependent mechanism accounts for their chemical properties. The evidence taken together support a hypothesis that those flavonoids and related natural products that undergo oxidation to quinones and are then rapidly hydrated are unlikely to damage important biological macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Tu
- Center for Biomedical and Bioorganic Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
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