NFkappaB and AP-1 differentially contribute to the induction of Mn-SOD and eNOS during the development of oxidant tolerance

Nanomedicine: A great boon for cardiac regenerative medicine

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a significant global health challenge, remaining the leading cause of illness and mortality worldwide. The adult heart's limited regenerative capacity poses a major obstacle in repairing extensive damage caused by conditions like myocardial infarction. In response to these challenges, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising field aimed at improving treatment outcomes through innovative drug delivery strategies. Nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles (NPs), offer a revolutionary approach by facilitating targeted delivery of therapeutic agents directly to the heart. This precise delivery system holds immense potential for treating various cardiac conditions by addressing underlying mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, cell death, extracellular matrix remodeling, prosurvival signaling, and angiogenic pathways associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the fundamental mechanisms involved in cardiac remodeling and regeneration. We explore how nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can effectively target the afore-mentioned mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss clinical trials that have utilized nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems specifically designed for cardiac applications. These trials demonstrate the potential of nanomedicine in clinical settings, paving the way for future advancements in cardiac therapeutics through precise and efficient drug delivery. Overall, nanomedicine holds promise in revolutionizing the treatment landscape of cardiovascular diseases by offering targeted and effective therapeutic strategies that address the complex pathophysiology of cardiac injuries.

Nanomedicine-Based Therapeutics for Myocardial Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury

Myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (IR) injury is a global cardiovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic interventions for myocardial ischemia involve restoring the occluded coronary artery. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) inevitably impair the cardiomyocytes during the ischemic and reperfusion phases. Antioxidant therapy holds great promise against myocardial IR injury. The current therapeutic methodologies for ROS scavenging depend predominantly on administering antioxidants. Nevertheless, the intrinsic drawbacks of antioxidants limit their further clinical transformation. The use of nanoplatforms with versatile characteristics greatly benefits drug delivery in myocardial ischemic therapy. Nanoplatform-mediated drug delivery significantly improves drug bioavailability, increases therapeutic index, and reduces systemic toxicity. Nanoplatforms can be specifically and reasonably designed to enhance molecule accumulation at the myocardial site. The present review initially summarizes the mechanism of ROS generation during the process of myocardial ischemia. The understanding of this phenomenon will facilitate the advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies against myocardial IR injury. The latest developments in nanomedicine for treating myocardial ischemic injury are then discussed. Finally, the current challenges and perspectives in antioxidant therapy for myocardial IR injury are addressed.

Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Regulate Key Metabolic, Anabolic, and Catabolic Pathways in Skeletal Muscle

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are important cellular regulators of key physiological processes in skeletal muscle. In this review, we explain how RONS regulate muscle contraction and signaling, and why they are important for membrane remodeling, protein turnover, gene expression, and epigenetic adaptation. We discuss how RONS regulate carbohydrate uptake and metabolism of skeletal muscle, and how they indirectly regulate fat metabolism through silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3). RONS are causative/associative signaling molecules, which cause sarcopenia or muscle hypertrophy. Regular exercise influences redox biology, metabolism, and anabolic/catabolic pathways in skeletal muscle in an intensity dependent manner.

miR-494 Contributes to Estrogen Protection of Cardiomyocytes Against Oxidative Stress via Targeting (NF-κB) Repressing Factor

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cardiac diseases. Estrogens have been demonstrated to exert pleiotropic cardioprotective effects, among which antioxidative stress is one of the key effects linking estrogens to cardioprotection. By using a microRNAs (miRs) microarray screening approach, we discovered an increase in miR-494, which is known to exert cardioprotective effects, in estrogen-treated cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that the upregulation of miR-494 might contribute to estrogen-mediated cardioprotection against oxidative stress. We found that E₂ stimulates miR-494 expression via ERα in both cardiomyocytes and the myocardium of female mice. The miR-494 inhibitor attenuated the protective effect of 17β-estradiol (E₂) against oxidative stress-induced injury in cardiomyocytes. By contrast, the miR-494 mimic protected cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Using real-time PCR, western blot and dual-luciferase reporter gene analyses, we identified nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) repressing factor (NKRF) as the miR-494 target in cardiomyocytes. E₂ was found to inhibit NKRF, thus activating NF-κB through a miR-494-dependent mechanism. In addition, the protective effects of E₂ and miR-494 against oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes were eliminated by the NF-κB inhibitor. In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time that estrogen inhibits NKRF expression through ERα-mediated upregulation of miR-494 in cardiomyocytes, leading to the activation of NF-κB, which in turn results in an increase in antioxidative defense. ERα-mediated upregulation of miR-494 may contribute to estrogen protection of cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress.

Preparation for oxidative stress under hypoxia and metabolic depression: Revisiting the proposal two decades later

Organisms that tolerate wide variations in oxygen availability, especially to hypoxia, usually face harsh environmental conditions during their lives. Such conditions include, for example, lack of food and/or water, low or high temperatures, and reduced oxygen availability. In contrast to an expected strong suppression of protein synthesis, a great number of these animals present increased levels of antioxidant defenses during oxygen deprivation. These observations have puzzled researchers for more than 20 years. Initially, two predominant ideas seemed to be irreconcilable: on one hand, hypoxia would decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while on the other the induction of antioxidant enzymes would require the overproduction of ROS. This induction of antioxidant enzymes during hypoxia was viewed as a way to prepare animals for oxidative damage that may happen ultimately during reoxygenation. The term "preparation for oxidative stress" (POS) was coined in 1998 based on such premise. However, there are many cases of increased oxidative damage in several hypoxia-tolerant organisms under hypoxia. In addition, over the years, the idea of an assured decrease in ROS formation under hypoxia was challenged. Instead, several findings indicate that the production of ROS actually increases in response to hypoxia. Recently, it became possible to provide a comprehensive explanation for the induction of antioxidant enzymes under hypoxia. The supporting evidence and the limitations of the POS idea are extensively explored in this review as we discuss results from research on estivation and situations of low oxygen stress, such as hypoxia, freezing exposure, severe dehydration, and air exposure of water-breathing animals. We propose that, under some level of oxygen deprivation, ROS are overproduced and induce changes leading to hypoxic biochemical responses. These responses would occur mainly through the activation of specific transcription factors (FoxO, Nrf2, HIF-1, NF-κB, and p53) and post translational mechanisms, both mechanisms leading to enhanced antioxidant defenses. Moreover, reactive nitrogen species are candidate modulators of ROS generation in this scenario. We conclude by drawing out the future perspectives in this field of research, and how advances in the knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the POS strategy will offer new and innovative study scenarios of biological and physiological cellular responses to environmental stress.

Aloperine Protects Mice against Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR)-Induced Renal Injury by Regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling and AP-1 Activity

Aloperine is a quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the leaves of Sophora plants. It has been recognized with the potential to treat inflammatory and allergic diseases as well as tumors. In this report, we demonstrate that pretreatment with aloperine provided protection for mice against ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced acute renal injury as manifested by the attenuated inflammatory infiltration, reduced tubular apoptosis, and well-preserved renal function. Mechanistic studies revealed that aloperine selectively repressed IL-1β and IFN-γ expression by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and NF-κB transcriptional activity. However, aloperine did not show a perceptible impact on IL-6 and TGF-β expression and the related Jak2/Stat3 signaling. It was also noted that aloperine regulates AP-1 activity, through which it not only enhances SOD expression to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification but also promotes the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2, thereby preventing tubular cells from IR-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our data suggest that administration of aloperine prior to IR insults, such as renal transplantation, could be a viable approach to prevent IR-induced injuries.

Electroacupuncture inhibits apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes in traumatized rats through modulation of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway

Surgical trauma leads to a severe deterioration of the immune system. Electroacupuncture (EA) may improve the immunodeficiency that occurs following surgery; however, the underlying signaling mechanisms require further study. In the present study, 40 rats were equally randomized into four groups: Control; Control + EA; Trauma; Trauma + EA. EA was applied at the 'Zusanli' (ST36) and 'Lanwei' (Extra37) acupoints, immediately following surgery. The splenic T cells were isolated from the rats 24 h after surgery. The apoptotic rate of the lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometric analysis, and western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). The DNA binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was determined using Trans-AM® ELISA-based kits. The results of the present study showed that surgical trauma induced apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes, and significantly increased the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-8. This was accompanied by increased expression levels of TNF-α and TNFR1, and a marked reduction in the activity of NF-κB in splenic T cells. Administration of EA significantly decreased the expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, TNF-α and TNFR1, elevated the activity of NF-κB, and suppressed the apoptotic rate of the lymphocytes. The data suggests that EA may inhibit the apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes induced by surgical trauma, and ameliorate the postoperative immunosuppression. This may be mediated by the downregulation of TNF-α expression levels and upregulation of the activity of NF-κB.

Pharmacological strategies in lung cancer-induced cachexia: effects on muscle proteolysis, autophagy, structure, and weakness

Cachexia is a relevant comorbid condition of chronic diseases including cancer. Inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome system, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are involved in the pathophysiology of cancer cachexia. Currently available treatment is limited and data demonstrating effectiveness in in vivo models are lacking. Our objectives were to explore in respiratory and limb muscles of lung cancer (LC) cachectic mice whether proteasome, NF-κB, and MAPK inhibitors improve muscle mass and function loss through several molecular mechanisms. Body and muscle weights, limb muscle force, protein degradation and the ubiquitin-proteasome system, signaling pathways, oxidative stress and inflammation, autophagy, contractile and functional proteins, myostatin and myogenin, and muscle structure were evaluated in the diaphragm and gastrocnemius of LC (LP07 adenocarcinoma) bearing cachectic mice (BALB/c), with and without concomitant treatment with NF-κB (sulfasalazine), MAPK (U0126), and proteasome (bortezomib) inhibitors. Compared to control animals, in both respiratory and limb muscles of LC cachectic mice: muscle proteolysis, ubiquitinated proteins, autophagy, myostatin, protein oxidation, FoxO-1, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, and muscle abnormalities were increased, while myosin, creatine kinase, myogenin, and slow- and fast-twitch muscle fiber size were decreased. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK, but not the proteasome system, induced in cancer cachectic animals, a substantial restoration of muscle mass and force through a decrease in muscle protein oxidation and catabolism, myostatin, and autophagy, together with a greater content of myogenin, and contractile and functional proteins. Attenuation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway effects on muscles is beneficial in cancer-induced cachexia.

Recombinant PTD-Cu/Zn SOD attenuates hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Increasing the protein expression of intracellular Cu/Zn SOD, which is the major endogenous antioxidant enzyme, may attenuate or prevent hypoxia-reoxygenation injury (HRI) in cultured cardiomyocytes. However, ectogenic Cu/Zn-SOD can hardly be transferred into cells to exert biological effects. In this study, we constructed PTD-Cu/Zn SOD plasmid with a kind of translocation structure-Protein transduction domain (PTD) and detected its transmembrane ability and antioxidant effects in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury (HRI).

METHODS

We constructed the pET-PTD-Cu/Zn SOD (CDs) prokaryotic expression vectors in plasmid that were inserted into E. coli BL21 to induce the protein expression of PTD-Cu/Zn SOD. H9c2 cardiomyocyte HRI was achieved by exposing cardiomyocytes to 12 h hypoxia followed by 2 h reoxygenation. Protein expression of PTD-Cu/Zn SOD in cardiomyocytes was assayed by Western blot and their enzyme activities were investigated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In cultured cardiomyocytes hypoxia-reoxygenation injury model, exogenous PTD-Cu/Zn SOD could penetrate cell membrane to clear superoxide anion and decrease hydrogen peroxide level in H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to HRI. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was restored to normal, and the cell apoptosis was reduced in cardiomyocytes with PTD-Cu/Zn SOD treatment during HRI.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant PTD-Cu/Zn SOD could scavenge intracellular-free superoxide anion, protect mitochondria from damages, and attenuate the hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cultured cardiomyocytes.

IL-33 attenuates anoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibition of PKCβ/JNK pathway

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family. The objectives of present study are to assess whether IL-33 can protect cardiomyocytes from anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R)-induced injury and the mechanism involved in the protection.

METHODS

Cardiomyocytes derived from either wild type or JNK1(-/-) mice were challenged with an A/R with or without IL-33. Myocyte apoptosis was assessed by measuring caspase 3 activity, fragmented DNA and TUNEL staining. In addition, cardiomyocyte oxidative stress was assessed by measuring DHR123 oxidation; PKCβII and JNK phosphorylation were assessed with Western blot.

RESULTS

Challenge of cardiomyocytes with an A/R resulted in cardiomyocyte oxidative stress, PKCβII and JNK phosphorylation, and myocyte apoptosis. Treatment of the cardiomyocytes with IL-33 attenuated the A/R-induced myocyte oxidative stress, prevented PKCβII and JNK phosphorylation and attenuated the A/R-induced myocyte apoptosis. The protective effect of the IL-33 did not show in cardiac myocytes with siRNA specific to PKCβII or myocytes deficient in JNK1. Inhibition of PKCβII prevented the A/R-induced JNK phosphorylation, but inhibition of JNK1 showed no effect on A/R-induced PKCβII phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that IL-33 prevents the A/R-induced myocyte apoptosis through inhibition of PKCβ/JNK pathway.

Cissus quadrangularis ethanol extract upregulates superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in hydrogen peroxide-injured human ECV304 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cissus quadrangularis has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hemorrhoid. However, the detailed mechanism of antioxidant defense of C. quadrangularis in endothelial cells under oxidative stress remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aims to elucidate the protective role of ethanol extract of C. quadrangularis (CQE) including its constituents, quercetin and resveratrol, on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-injured human umbilical vein endothelial ECV304 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Viability, genotoxicity and protein expression of ECV304 cells were analyzed by MTT, alkaline comet and Western blot, respectively. Production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using dichlorofluorescein fluorescence dye.

RESULTS

After exposing cells to CQE containing quercetin and resveratrol, DNA damage was not observed. CQE including quercetin and resveratrol significantly attenuated ROS in H(2)O(2)-injured ECV304 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The protein expression of superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increased in the cells treated with CQE, quercetin or resveratrol prior to H(2)O(2) exposure, as compared with control.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide a molecular mechanism of C. quadrangularis, which could be partially related to quercetin and resveratrol, in restoring ROS in endothelial cells through the upregulation of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GPx and eNOS.

[Experimental food-induced fatty liver and its adjuvant therapy with natural bioactive substances]

Changes of redox-homeostasis generate cytokines, and free radicals influence many intracellular signaling pathways in different liver diseases. Liophylised table beet and carrot powder (GPS Powder Kft. 1361/004/2003BFÁÉÉÁ) containing bioactive components such as betaine, betanins, betaxanthins, flavonoids, polyphenols, glutamine, beta carotene, vitamins and folic acid may induce changes in various cellular pathways.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the protecting effects of bioactive agents of the liophylised table beet and carrot powder on fatty liver in a "short term" experiment.

METHOD

Male Wistar rats were fed with chow with or without high fat (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, 20% sunflower oil) and treated with 0.1 or 1 g/bwkg/day natural product for ten days parallel with the feedings. Cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels were determined using molecular biologic methods. Free radicals, H-donating activity, reducing power and free SH-group concentrations were determined by luminometry and spectrophotometry. Mobilized methyl groups were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography method in liver homogenates.

RESULTS

It was found that the higher dose of the natural product better decreased the induced free radical reactions, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA-levels both in normal and fatty liver tissues. Although treatments failed to exert significant changes in all global antioxidant parameters, mobilized methyl group concentrations were higher after treatments in fatty liver. Favorable tendencies were also noted in the redox-homeostasis of the fatty liver after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

As expected, lyophylised table beet and carrot proved to be a "functional food" in rats with alimentary fat induced fatty liver. It cannot be ruled out that this beneficial effect may have clinical relevance.

The extracellular matrix protein CCN1 dictates TNFα and FasL cytotoxicity in vivo

It has long been appreciated that the apoptotic activity of TNFα is context-dependent, and requires inhibition of NFκB signaling or de novo protein synthesis to be manifested in most normal cells in culture. Recent studies have uncovered an unexpected pro-apoptotic synergism between TNF cytokines and the CCN family of extracellular matrix proteins, which are dynamically expressed at sites of injury repair and inflammation. The presence of CCN1, CCN2, or CCN3 allows TNFα to induce apoptosis with high efficacy without perturbation of NFκB signaling or de novo protein synthesis, thus converting TNFα from a proliferation-promoting protein into an apoptotic inducer. CCN proteins also enhance the cytotoxicity of other TNF family cytokines including LTα, FasL, and TRAIL. CCN proteins synergize with TNF cytokines through binding to integrin α₆β₁ and the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) syndecan-4 to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Knockin mice that express a CCN1 mutant defective for binding α₆β₁-HSPG are severely blunted in TNFα- and Fas-mediated apoptosis, indicating that CCN1 is a physiologic regulator of these processes. Thus, CCN proteins in the extracellular matrix microenvironment can provide the contextual cues for the cytotoxicity of TNFα and related cytokines, and profoundly influence their activity.

Endogenous HMGB1 contributes to ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis by potentiating the effect of TNF-α/JNK

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that has been implicated in the myocardial inflammation and injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of HMGB1 in myocardial apoptosis induced by I/R. In vivo, myocardial I/R induced an increase in myocardial HMGB1 expression and apoptosis. Inhibition of HMGB1 (A-box) ameliorated the I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis. In vitro, isolated cardiac myocytes were challenged with anoxia-reoxygenation (A/R; in vitro correlate to I/R). A/R-challenged myocytes also generated HMGB1 and underwent apoptosis. Inhibition of HMGB1 attenuated the A/R-induced myocyte apoptosis. Exogenous HMGB1 had no effect on myocyte apoptosis. However, inhibition of HMGB1 attenuated myocyte TNF-α production after the A/R was challenged; surprisingly, HMGB1 itself did not induce myocyte TNF-α production. Exogenous TNF-α induced a moderate proapoptotic effect on the myocytes, an effect substantially potentiated by coadministration of HMGB1. It is generally accepted that apoptosis induced by TNF-α is regulated by the balance of activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB. Indeed, in the present study, TNF-α increased the phosphorylation status of JNK and p65, a subunit of NF-κB; HMGB1 greatly potentiated TNF-α-induced JNK phosphorylation. Furthermore, inhibition of JNK (SP-600125) prevented the myocyte apoptosis induced by a TNF-α/HMGB1 cocktail. Finally, A/R increased HMGB1 production in both wild-type and toll-like receptor 4-deficient myocytes; however, deficiency in toll-like receptor 4 diminished A/R-induced myocyte apoptosis, TNF-α, and JNK activation. Our results indicate that myocyte-derived HMGB1 and TNF-α work in concert to promote I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis through JNK activation.

Iron overload triggers redox-sensitive signals in human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells

Excessive neuronal iron has been proposed to contribute to the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This work characterized human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells exposure to ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) as a model of neuronal iron overload and neurodegeneration. The consequences of FAC treatment on neuronal oxidative stress and on the modulation of the oxidant-sensitive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB were investigated. Incubation with FAC (150μM) resulted in a time (3-72h)-dependent increase in cellular iron content, and was associated with cell oxidant increase. FAC caused a time-dependent (3-48h) increase in nuclear AP-1- and NF-κB-DNA binding. This was associated with the upstream activation of the mitogen activated kinases ERK1/2, p38 and JNK and of IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. After 72h incubation with FAC, cell viability was 40% lower than in controls. Iron overload caused apoptotic cell death. After 48-72h of incubation with FAC, caspase 3 activity was increased, and chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation were observed. In summary, the exposure of IMR-32 cells to FAC is associated with increased oxidant cell levels, activation of redox-sensitive signals, and apoptosis.

The alarmin cytokine, high mobility group box 1, is produced by viable cardiomyocytes and mediates the lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial dysfunction via a TLR4/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma pathway

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an alarmin actively secreted by immune cells and passively released by necrotic nonimmune cells. HMGB1 has been implicated in both cardiac contractile dysfunction and the lethality associated with sepsis/endotoxemia. The aim of the current study was to assess whether viable cardiomyocytes could produce HMGB1 and whether HMGB1 can affect myocardial contractility. LPS was used as a model of sepsis/endotoxemia in mice and isolated cardiac myocytes. LPS increased myocardial expression of HMGB1 in vivo (immunohistochemistry) and production and secretion of HMGB1 by viable cardiac myocytes in vitro (Western). LPS increased the phosphorylation status of PI3Kgamma in cardiac myocytes, an effect not observed in TLR4(-/-) myocytes. Genetic (PI3Kgamma(-/-)) or pharmacologic (AS605240) blockade of PI3Kgamma ameliorated the LPS-induced 1) cardiomyocyte production and secretion of HMGB1 in vitro and 2) HMGB1 expression in the myocardium in vivo. The LPS-induced depression of myocardial contractility was prevented by the HMGB1 antagonist, A-box. Genetic (PI3Kgamma(-/-)) or pharmacologic (AS605240) blockade of PI3Kgamma ameliorated the LPS-induced decrease in myocardial contractility. No evidence of inflammatory infiltrate was noted in any of the in vivo studies. The findings of the current study indicate that 1) LPS can induce HMGB1 secretion by viable cardiac myocytes through a TLR4/PI3Kgamma signaling pathway, and 2) HMGB1 plays a role in the LPS-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction. The results of the current study also have broader implications (i.e., that viable parenchymal cells, such as cardiac myocytes, participate in the alarmin response).

NADPH oxidase contributes to conversion of cardiac myocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype in sepsis

It has been reported that polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) infiltration into the myocardial interstitium is involved in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of NADPH oxidase in the sepsis-induced conversion of cardiomyocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype. Using an in vitro approach we evaluated the role of NADPH oxidase in cardiomyocyte CXC chemokine production and its ability to promote PMN transendothelial migration under septic conditions. Treatment of cardiac myocytes with septic plasma (1) activated NADPH oxidase (p47phox phosphorylation) and increased its activity (O(2)(-) production) and (2) converted them to a proinflammatory phenotype; both effects were prevented by blockade of NADPH oxidase. NF-kappaB nuclear translocation was increased in cardiomyocytes conditioned with septic plasma, a response prevented by blockade of NADPH oxidase. The increase in NF-kappaB activation/translocation was associated with phosphorylation of both IKK and the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Blockade of NADPH oxidase prevented phosphorylation of IKK, but not p65. Blockade approaches indicated that p38 MAP kinase (previously implicated in NF-kappaB activation) did not play a role in the NADPH oxidase pathway, either upstream or downstream. Collectively, the results of this study and those of previous reports indicate that the conversion of cardiomyocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype in sepsis involves two distinct pathways: NADPH oxidase-mediated phosphorylation of IKK and p38 MAP kinase-mediated phosphorylation of p65.

A novel WD-40 repeat protein WDR26 suppresses H2O2-induced cell death in neural cells

WD-40 repeat proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions, such as cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis and intracellular signal transduction. We previously identified a novel member of this family, WDR26. To examine the biological function of WDR26, we used hWDR26 plasmids and antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (asODNs) against WDR26 to examine its role in response to oxidative stress in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our results showed that H2O2 at 0.5mM substantially induced cell death and significantly up-regulated the WDR26 expression, and WDR26 over-expression in turn strongly suppressed H2O2-induced cell death. Moreover, asODNs markedly inhibited the de novo biosynthesis of WDR26, which contributed to enhanced cell death induced by H2O2. Finally, we found that WDR26 over-expression also down-regulated the transcriptional activity of AP-1 during H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell death. Taken together, these results indicated that WDR26 was up-regulated by oxidative stress and played a key role in H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell death, which may be mediated by the down-regulation of AP-1 transcriptional activity.

Oxidative stress and left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction

In acute myocardial infarction (MI), reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in the ischaemic myocardium especially after reperfusion. ROS directly injure the cell membrane and cause cell death. However, ROS also stimulate signal transduction to elaborate inflammatory cytokines, e.g. tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta and -6, in the ischaemic region and surrounding myocardium as a host reaction. Inflammatory cytokines also regulate cell survival and cell death in the chain reaction with ROS. Both ROS and inflammatory cytokines are cardiodepressant mainly due to impairment of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. Inflammatory cytokines stimulate apoptosis through a TNF-alpha receptor/caspase pathway, whereas Ca(2+) overload induced by extensive ROS generation causes necrosis through enhanced permeability of the mitochondrial membrane (mitochondrial permeability transition). Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) is an ROS-sensitive, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase that is activated by many stress signals and can activate nuclear factor kappaB and other transcription factors. ASK1-deficient mice demonstrate that the ROS/ASK1 pathway is involved in necrotic as well as apoptotic cell death, indicating that ASK1 may be a therapeutic target to reduce left ventricular (LV) remodelling after MI. ROS and inflammatory cytokines activate matrix metalloproteinases which degrade extracellular matrix, causing a slippage of myofibrils and hence LV dilatation. Consequently, collagen deposition is increased and tissue repair is enhanced with myocardial fibrosis and angiogenesis. Since the extent of LV remodelling is a major predictor of prognosis of the patients with MI, the therapeutic approach to attenuating LV remodelling is critically important.

Hydrogen peroxide decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase promoter activity through the inhibition of AP-1 activity

Previously, we have reported that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) promoter activity is decreased in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) in response to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Thus the objective of this study was to identify the cis-element(s) and transcription factor(s) responsible for oxidant-mediated downregulation of the eNOS gene. Initial promoter experiments in PAECs treated with H(2)O(2) revealed a significant decrease in activity of a promoter fragment containing 840 bp of upstream sequence of the human eNOS gene fused to a luciferase reporter. However, a promoter construct containing only 640 bp of upstream sequence had a significantly attenuated response to H(2)O(2) challenge. As the 840-bp promoter construct had a putative binding site for the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) that was lacking in the 640-bp construct, we evaluated the effect of H(2)O(2) on promoter activity after mutation of the AP-1 binding sequence (TGAGTCA at -661 to TGAGTtg in the 840-bp construct). Similar to the results seen with the 640 bp, the AP-1 mutant promoter had a significantly attenuated response to H(2)O(2). EMSA revealed decreased binding of AP-1 during H(2)O(2) treatment. Supershift analysis indicated that the AP-1 complex consisted of a c-Jun and FosB heterodimer. Furthermore, in vitro EMSA analysis indicated the c-Jun binding was significantly decreased after H(2)O(2) exposure. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, we demonstrated decreased binding of AP-1 to the eNOS promoter in vivo in response to H(2)O(2). These data suggest a role of decreased AP-1 binding likely through c-Jun in the H(2)O(2)-mediated decrease in eNOS promoter activity.

Pharmacogenomics and end-organ susceptibility to injury in the perioperative period

Genomic medicine has provided new mechanistic understanding for many complex diseases over the last 5-10 years. More recently genomic approaches have been applied to the perioperative paradigm, facilitating identification of patients at high risk for adverse events, as well as those who will respond better/worse to specific pharmacologic therapies. The consistent biological theme emerging is that while inflammation is important in healing from surgical trauma, patients who are too robustly proinflammatory appear to be at higher risk for adverse perioperative events. Precise predictors of each adverse event are being elucidated so that corrective therapeutics can be instituted to improve outcomes in high-risk patients. While the field of perioperative genomics could be considered in its infancy, such approaches are the wave of the future.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression via the transcription factor AP-1

It has been previously reported that the antioxidant compound nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. However, the exact mechanism for this effect was unresolved. Thus, the purpose of this study was to further elucidate the effect of NDGA on eNOS protein expression and enzymatic activity in fetal pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (FPAECs), and to identify the transcription factors involved in this regulation. Following overnight exposure to 0-32 microM NDGA, we observed a 2- to 2.5-fold increase in eNOS protein expression in FPAECs, with a similar increase observed in eNOS activity. For eNOS gene promoter analysis, we initially used two promoter-reporter constructs: a 1.6 kb promoter fragment and an 840 bp construct, both of which include an AP-1-specific binding site. NDGA exposure induced a significant increase in eNOS promoter activity in both constructs. However, the NDGA-mediated increase was abolished when we used either a truncated promoter construct lacking the AP-1 element or a construct in which the AP-1 binding site was mutated. AP-1 binding efficiency was also determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, where we observed an increase in AP-1 binding in FPAECs treated with NDGA while the binding of AP-1 was found to be decreased when a mutated AP-1 consensus sequence was used. Further, supershift analyses indicated that the AP-1 complex consisted of c-Jun and FosB. We therefore conclude that NDGA antioxidant activity regulates eNOS expression via AP-1 and that antioxidant therapy could potentially be used to increase eNOS expression in diseases, such as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, where eNOS expression and activity are known to be reduced.

Important role of p38 MAP kinase/NF-kappaB signaling pathway in the sepsis-induced conversion of cardiac myocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype

Septic plasma can convert murine cardiac myocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype. These myocytes 1) have increased nuclear levels of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), 2) release CXC chemokines, and 3) promote polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transendothelial migration. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases [p38 MAP kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)] as upstream intracellular signaling components involved in this phenomenon. Feces-induced peritonitis (FIP) was employed as a model of sepsis. In vitro, cardiac myocytes were treated with plasma (20%) obtained 6 h after either sham (saline) or FIP procedures. Myocyte supernatants were used for 1) detection of the CXC chemokines (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and 2) assessment of their ability to promote PMN transendothelial migration. In vivo, myocardial PMN accumulation was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and function (dF/dt and heart work). Treatment of cardiac myocytes with septic plasma activated p38 MAP kinase and ERK1/2, but not JNK. Blockade approaches (inhibitors or small-interference RNA) indicated that only p38 MAP kinase played a role in the conversion of the myocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype. Time course studies indicated that phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase preceded the phosphorylation of NF-kappaB p65. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase (SB-202190) blocked both NF-kappaB p65 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. Confirmatory studies in vivo indicated that FIP resulted in an increase in myocardial MPO activity and dysfunction, events reversed by the inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase. Collectively, these data indicate that the cardiomyocyte p38 MAP kinase/NF-kappaB signaling pathway plays an important role in the sepsis-induced conversion of myocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype.