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Urocortin Role in Ischemia Cardioprotection and the Adverse Cardiac Remodeling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212115. [PMID: 34829997 PMCID: PMC8622004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the considerable progress in strategies of myocardial protection, ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and consequent heart failure (HF) remain the main cause of mortality worldwide. Several procedures are used routinely to guarantee the prompt and successful reestablishment of blood flow to preserve the myocardial viability of infarcted hearts from ischemia injuries. However, ischemic heart reperfusion/revascularization triggers additional damages that occur when oxygen-rich blood re-enters the vulnerable myocardial tissue, which is a phenomenon known as ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) syndrome. Complications of I/R injuries provoke the adverse cardiac remodeling, involving inflammation, mishandling of Ca2+ homeostasis, apoptotic genes activation, cardiac myocytes loss, etc., which often progress toward HF. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new cardioprotective therapies for IHD and HF. Compelling evidence from animal studies and pilot clinical trials in HF patients suggest that urocortin (Ucn) isoforms, which are peptides associated with stress and belonging to the corticotropin releasing factor family, have promising potential to improve cardiovascular functions by targeting many signaling pathways at different molecular levels. This review highlights the current knowledge on the role of urocortin isoforms in cardioprotection, focusing on its acute and long-term effects.
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2
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Ma S, Shen Q, Zhao LH, Mao C, Zhou XE, Shen DD, de Waal PW, Bi P, Li C, Jiang Y, Wang MW, Sexton PM, Wootten D, Melcher K, Zhang Y, Xu HE. Molecular Basis for Hormone Recognition and Activation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors. Mol Cell 2020; 77:669-680.e4. [PMID: 32004470 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the three related peptides urocortins 1-3 (UCN1-UCN3) are endocrine hormones that control the stress responses by activating CRF1R and CRF2R, two members of class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we present two cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of UCN1-bound CRF1R and CRF2R with the stimulatory G protein. In both structures, UCN1 adopts a single straight helix with its N terminus dipped into the receptor transmembrane bundle. Although the peptide-binding residues in CRF1R and CRF2R are different from other members of class B GPCRs, the residues involved in receptor activation and G protein coupling are conserved. In addition, both structures reveal bound cholesterol molecules to the receptor transmembrane helices. Our structures define the basis of ligand-binding specificity in the CRF receptor-hormone system, establish a common mechanism of class B GPCR activation and G protein coupling, and provide a paradigm for studying membrane protein-lipid interactions for class B GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Ma
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingya Shen
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li-Hua Zhao
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Chunyou Mao
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - X Edward Zhou
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Program for Structural Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Dan-Dan Shen
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Parker W de Waal
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Program for Structural Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Peng Bi
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chuntao Li
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville 3052 VIC, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville 3052 VIC, Australia
| | - Karsten Melcher
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Program for Structural Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - H Eric Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Yarur HE, Andrés ME, Gysling K. Type 2β Corticotrophin Releasing Factor Receptor Forms a Heteromeric Complex With Dopamine D1 Receptor in Living Cells. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1501. [PMID: 31969820 PMCID: PMC6960402 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and its related peptides differentially bind to CRF receptors to modulate stress-related behaviors. CRF receptors comprise two G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), type-1 CRF receptors (CRF1), and type-2 CRF receptors (CRF2). CRF2 encompasses three spliced variants in humans, alpha (CRF2α), beta (CRF2β), and gamma (CRF2γ), which differ in their N-terminal extracellular domains and expression patterns. Previously, we showed that CRF2α form a heteromeric protein complex with dopamine D1 receptors (D1R), leading to changes in the signaling of D1R. Based on the high sequence identity between CRF2α and CRF2β, we hypothesized that CRF2β also heteromerize with D1R. To test the hypothesis, we compared the expression and localization of both CRF2 isoforms and whether CRF2β form stable protein complexes with D1R in HEK293 and ATR75 cell lines. We observed that the immunoreactivity for CRF2β was similar to that of CRF2α in the endoplasmic compartment but significantly higher in the Golgi compartment. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CRF2β forms a heteromeric protein complex with D1R. Furthermore, the protein complex formed by CRF2β and D1R was stable enough to change the sub-cellular localization of CRF2β when it was co-expressed with a construct of D1R bearing a nuclear localization signal. Immunofluorescence in A7R5 cells, which endogenously express CRF2β and D1R, shows significant colocalization of CRF2β with D1R. In conclusion, our results show that CRF2β forms a stable heteromeric protein complex with D1R, a potential new therapeutic target in tissues where both receptors are co-expressed, such as the septum in the brain, and heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector E. Yarur
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Katia Gysling
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Stenmark KR, Graham BB. Urocortin 2: will a drug targeting both the vasculature and the right ventricle be the future of pulmonary hypertension therapy? Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:1057-1059. [PMID: 29800416 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt R Stenmark
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine; and
| | - Brian B Graham
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine; and.,Program in Translational Lung Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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5
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Do urocortins have a role in treating cardiovascular disease? Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:279-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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6
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Tache Y, Larauche M, Yuan PQ, Million M. Brain and Gut CRF Signaling: Biological Actions and Role in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2018; 11:51-71. [PMID: 28240194 DOI: 10.2174/1874467210666170224095741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) pathways coordinate behavioral, endocrine, autonomic and visceral responses to stress. Convergent anatomical, molecular, pharmacological and functional experimental evidence supports a key role of brain CRF receptor (CRF-R) signaling in stress-related alterations of gastrointestinal functions. These include the inhibition of gastric acid secretion and gastric-small intestinal transit, stimulation of colonic enteric nervous system and secretorymotor function, increase intestinal permeability, and visceral hypersensitivity. Brain sites of CRF actions to alter gut motility encompass the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, locus coeruleus complex and the dorsal motor nucleus while those modulating visceral pain are localized in the hippocampus and central amygdala. Brain CRF actions are mediated through the autonomic nervous system (decreased gastric vagal and increased sacral parasympathetic and sympathetic activities). The activation of brain CRF-R2 subtype inhibits gastric motor function while CRF-R1 stimulates colonic secretomotor function and induces visceral hypersensitivity. CRF signaling is also located within the gut where CRF-R1 activates colonic myenteric neurons, mucosal cells secreting serotonin, mucus, prostaglandin E2, induces mast cell degranulation, enhances mucosal permeability and propulsive motor functions and induces visceral hyperalgesia in animals and humans. CRF-R1 antagonists prevent CRF- and stressrelated gut alterations in rodents while not influencing basal state. DISCUSSION These preclinical studies contrast with the limited clinical positive outcome of CRF-R1 antagonists to alleviate stress-sensitive functional bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. CONCLUSION The translational potential of CRF-R1 antagonists in gut diseases will require additional studies directed to novel anti-CRF therapies and the neurobiology of brain-gut interactions under chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Tache
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Research Center, G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073. United States
| | - Muriel Larauche
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Research Center, G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073. United States
| | - Pu-Qing Yuan
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Research Center, G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073. United States
| | - Mulugeta Million
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Research Center, G Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073. United States
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Rademaker MT, Richards AM. Urocortins: Actions in health and heart failure. Clin Chim Acta 2017; 474:76-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Vaos G, Zavras N. Antioxidants in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury of the testis: Where are we heading towards? World J Methodol 2017; 7:37-45. [PMID: 28706858 PMCID: PMC5489422 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v7.i2.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular torsion (TT) is a medical emergency that primary affects newborns and young adolescents. It causes testicular injury due to the torsion of the spermatic cord and its components, initially in the venous blood flow and finally in the arterial blood flow. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical management are necessary in managing this urgent situation. The process of the pathophysiological events in ischemia-reperfusion is multifactorial and deals with the perception of the oxidative stress responsible for the consequences of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) stress following TT. Duration and severity of torsion also play a significant role in the oxidative stress. A detrimental result of the defense system of the testes takes place resulting finally in testicular atrophy and impaired function. Antioxidant factors have been experimentally studied in an effort to front this state. They have been classified as endogenous or exogenous antioxidants. Endogenous antioxidants comprise a structure of enzymic enzymatic and non-enzymic enzymatic particles presented within cytoplasm and numerous other subunits in the cells. Exogenous antioxidants include a variety of natural and pharmaceutical agents that may prevent or ameliorate the harmful effects of I/R injury. In this study we review those factors and their ability to enhance the oxidative status of the testis. A feature insight into where we are heading is attempted.
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Current Evidence for a Role of Neuropeptides in the Regulation of Autophagy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5856071. [PMID: 28593174 PMCID: PMC5448050 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5856071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides drive a wide diversity of biological actions and mediate multiple regulatory functions involving all organ systems. They modulate intercellular signalling in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the cross talk among nervous and endocrine systems. Indeed, neuropeptides can function as peptide hormones regulating physiological homeostasis (e.g., cognition, blood pressure, feeding behaviour, water balance, glucose metabolism, pain, and response to stress), neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. We aim here to describe the recent advances on the role exerted by neuropeptides in the control of autophagy and its molecular mechanisms since increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of autophagic process is related to different pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
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Yuan PQ, Wu SV, Pothoulakis C, Taché Y. Urocortins and CRF receptor type 2 variants in the male rat colon: gene expression and regulation by endotoxin and anti-inflammatory effect. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2016; 310:G387-98. [PMID: 26744472 PMCID: PMC4796293 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00337.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Urocortins (Ucns) 1, 2, and 3 and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 (CRF2) mRNA are prominently expressed in various layers of the upper gut. We tested whether Ucns and CRF2 variants are also expressed in the different layers of the rat colon, regulated by LPS (100 μg/kg ip) and play a modulatory role in the colonic immune response to LPS. Transcripts of Ucns and CRF2b, the most common isoform in the periphery, were detected in all laser microdissected layers, including myenteric neurons. LPS increased the mRNA level of Ucn 1, Ucn 2, and Ucn 3 and decreased that of CRF2b in both the colonic mucosa and submucosa + muscle (S+M) layers at 2, 6, and 9 h after injection with a return to basal at 24 h. In addition, CRF2a, another variant more prominent in the brain, and a novel truncated splice variant CRF2a-3 mRNA were detected in all segments of the large intestine. LPS reciprocally regulated the colonic expression of these CRF2 variants by decreasing both CRF2a and CRF2b, while increasing CRF2a-3 in the mucosa and S+M. The CRF2 antagonist astressin2-B further enhanced LPS-induced increase of mRNA level of interleukin (IL)-1β, TNF-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in S+M layers and IL-1β in the mucosa and evoked TNF-α expression in the mucosa. These data indicate that Ucns/CRF2 variants are widely expressed in all colonic layers and reciprocally regulated by LPS. CRF2 signaling dampens the CD14/TLR4-mediated acute inflammatory response to Gram-negative bacteria in the colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu-Qing Yuan
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Division, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - S Vincent Wu
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Division, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Charalabos Pothoulakis
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Division, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yvette Taché
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Division, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Sladek CD, Michelini LC, Stachenfeld NS, Stern JE, Urban JH. Endocrine‐Autonomic Linkages. Compr Physiol 2015; 5:1281-323. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c140028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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12
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Liu X, Liu C, Zhang X, Zhao J, Xu J. Urocortin ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats via the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2015; 9:667-674. [PMID: 25667611 PMCID: PMC4316969 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Urocortin has been shown to exert powerful protective effects on various cardiovascular disease models. However, the role and mechanism of urocortin in protecting against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, the effects of urocortin on cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, inflammation and the interrelated signaling pathways were investigated in a diabetic rat model. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in the rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: Diabetic control, urocortin, urocortin + astressin treatment and urocortin + triciribine treatment groups. All the experiments were conducted at 16 weeks following the induction of DM. The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), as well as the myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF) and left ventricular mass index (LVWI), were measured. In addition, levels of inflammatory factors, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and interrelated proteins, such as Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, were detected by biochemical analyses. In the diabetic group, the levels of BNP and CK-MB, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF, and the LVWI and CVF, were higher compared with the rats in the control group (P<0.05). This was accompanied by decreased Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation (P<0.05). Notably, urocortin attenuated myocardial dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in the hearts of the diabetic rats. However, urocortin exhibited no effect on the level of HbA1c. In addition, the inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was restored with urocortin administration. However, all the effects of urocortin were eliminated with treatment of the corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 antagonist, astressin. Triciribine, an Akt inhibitor, partially eliminated the effects of urocortin on myocardial dysfunction, inflammation and cardiac fibrosis in the hearts of the diabetic rats. These results indicated that urocortin may exhibit great therapeutic potential in the treatment of DCM by attenuating fibrosis and inflammation. Furthermore, the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway may be partially involved in mediating these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China ; Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China
| | - Chunna Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China
| | - Jiajun Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
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Tang Z, Wang Y, Zhu X, Ni X, Cong B, Lu J. Reduced expression of CRHR2 and Sp-1 in myocardium of ovariectomized rats is improved by exercise training. Gynecol Endocrinol 2015; 31:742-6. [PMID: 26182188 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1056729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise training has been looked on as a non-pharmacologic approach to treating ovariectomy (OVX)-induced dysfunctions. In this study, we investigated whether chronic exercise impacts on expression of urocortins (UCNs) and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2 (CRHR2) in myocardium of OVX rats. Bilateral OVX or sham-operation was performed under anesthesia. Both groups were then divided into two subgroups, with or without treadmill training for 8 weeks. It was found that OVX as well as exercise did not affect the mRNA levels of UCN, UCN2 and UCN3 in myocardium. OVX caused down-regulation of CRHR2 in myocardium. Exercise training reversed the OVX-induced reduction of CRHR2, but had no influence on CRHR2 level in sham rats. OVX resulted in a decrease in estrogen receptor α (ERα) expression in myocardium, which was restored by exercise. Moreover, exercise training also reversed OVX-induced down-regulation of specific protein-1 (Sp-1) expression in myocardium. CRHR2 expression level correlated with Sp-1 and ERα level in myocardium. These results indicate that exercise training can restore the CRHR2 level in myocardium of OVX rats, which is associated with ERα and Sp-1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Tang
- a School of Kinesiology, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport , Shanghai , China and
| | - Yujun Wang
- a School of Kinesiology, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport , Shanghai , China and
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- b Department of Physiology , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Xin Ni
- b Department of Physiology , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Binhai Cong
- b Department of Physiology , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jianqiang Lu
- a School of Kinesiology, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport , Shanghai , China and
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14
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Ikeda K, Fujioka K, Tachibana T, Kim SU, Tojo K, Manome Y. Secretion of urocortin I by human glioblastoma cell lines, possibly via the constitutive pathway. Peptides 2015; 63:63-70. [PMID: 25239507 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and its family of peptides, i.e., urocortins (UCNs), play a critical role in systemic and peripheral stress-response systems and are widely expressed not only in normal tissues but also in various types of cancer cells. Given limited understanding of the mechanism of UCN I secretion, we investigated the UCN I secretory pathway in human neural stem cells (HNSCs) and in two glioblastoma cell lines, e.g., A172 and U-138 MG. Immunoreactivities for CRF receptors were detected in A172 glioblastoma cells, but not in HNSCs or U-138 glioblastoma cells, while UCN I immunoreactivity was detected in A172 and U-138 MG glioblastoma cell lines by both light field and electron microscopy. Interestingly, electron microscopy revealed UCN I immunoreactivtiy in vesicle-like structures in the plasma membrane of the glioblastoma cells. Tracking of a hybrid fluorescent protein containing a UCN I signal peptide expressed in A172 human glioblastoma cells revealed that fluorescence in secretory granules could be decreased by cycloheximide (100μg/ml), indicating that the forward transport of secretory granules containing fluorescent protein was not altered by the inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide. Retrograde transport and the fusion of fluorescent granules in A172 human glioblastoma cells was induced by brefeldin A (10μg/ml), indicating that UCN I secretory granules may be transported via the constitutive pathway. Based on these results, it appears that UCN I is secreted from human glioblastoma cells by exocytosis through constitutive secretory granules, indicating that transcription of UCN I mRNA may be correlated to secretion of UCN I protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Ikeda
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Kouki Fujioka
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Seung U Kim
- Medical Research Institute, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5
| | - Katsuyoshi Tojo
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Manome
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
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15
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Vasoprotective effects of urocortin 1 against atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110866. [PMID: 25462164 PMCID: PMC4251828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Atherosclerosis is the complex lesion that consists of endothelial inflammation, macrophage foam cell formation, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation, and extracellular matrix production. Human urocortin 1 (Ucn1), a 40-amino acid peptide member of the corticotrophin-releasing factor/urotensin I family, has potent cardiovascular protective effects. This peptide induces potent and long-lasting hypotension and coronary vasodilation. However, the relationship of Ucn1 with atherosclerosis remains unclear. The present study was performed to clarify the effects of Ucn1 on atherosclerosis. METHODS We assessed the effects of Ucn1 on the inflammatory response and proliferation of human endothelial cells (ECs), human macrophage foam cell formation, migration and proliferation of human VSMCs, extracellular matrix expression in VSMCs, and the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice. RESULTS Ucn1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis, and lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human ECs. Ucn1 significantly reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation with a significant down-regulation of CD36 and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Ucn1 significantly suppressed the migration and proliferation of human VSMCs and increased the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and MMP9 in human VSMCs. Intraperitoneal injection of Ucn1 into Apoe-/- mice for 4 weeks significantly retarded the development of aortic atherosclerotic lesions. CONCLUSIONS This study provided the first evidence that Ucn1 prevents the development of atherosclerosis by suppressing EC inflammatory response and proliferation, macrophage foam cell formation, and VSMC migration and proliferation. Thus, Ucn1 could serve as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
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Navarro-Zaragoza J, Martínez-Laorden E, Mora L, Hidalgo J, Milanés M, Laorden M. Cardiac adverse effects of naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal on right ventricle: Role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) 1 receptor. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2014; 275:28-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Slominski AT, Zmijewski MA, Zbytek B, Tobin DJ, Theoharides TC, Rivier J. Key role of CRF in the skin stress response system. Endocr Rev 2013; 34:827-84. [PMID: 23939821 PMCID: PMC3857130 DOI: 10.1210/er.2012-1092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) or CRH defining the upper regulatory arm of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, along with the identification of the corresponding receptors (CRFRs 1 and 2), represents a milestone in our understanding of central mechanisms regulating body and local homeostasis. We focused on the CRF-led signaling systems in the skin and offer a model for regulation of peripheral homeostasis based on the interaction of CRF and the structurally related urocortins with corresponding receptors and the resulting direct or indirect phenotypic effects that include regulation of epidermal barrier function, skin immune, pigmentary, adnexal, and dermal functions necessary to maintain local and systemic homeostasis. The regulatory modes of action include the classical CRF-led cutaneous equivalent of the central HPA axis, the expression and function of CRF and related peptides, and the stimulation of pro-opiomelanocortin peptides or cytokines. The key regulatory role is assigned to the CRFR-1α receptor, with other isoforms having modulatory effects. CRF can be released from sensory nerves and immune cells in response to emotional and environmental stressors. The expression sequence of peptides includes urocortin/CRF→pro-opiomelanocortin→ACTH, MSH, and β-endorphin. Expression of these peptides and of CRFR-1α is environmentally regulated, and their dysfunction can lead to skin and systemic diseases. Environmentally stressed skin can activate both the central and local HPA axis through either sensory nerves or humoral factors to turn on homeostatic responses counteracting cutaneous and systemic environmental damage. CRF and CRFR-1 may constitute novel targets through the use of specific agonists or antagonists, especially for therapy of skin diseases that worsen with stress, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej T Slominski
- MD, PhD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 500, Memphis, Tennessee 38163.
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Huang HJ, Chen CYC. A possible solution for hair loss by inhibiting corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor from traditional Chinese medicine. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2013; 32:1613-23. [PMID: 23998289 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2013.831377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR) play important roles in stress response, including anxiety and depression syndrome. The CRF expression also relates to chronic stress-related hair loss. This study utilizes the world's largest traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) database and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate novel CRFR inhibitors for treatment of alopecia. The docking and screening from TCM database results indicate the vitamin B2, 3 beta-isodihydrocadambine, and caribine display higher binding affinity than maltose in maltose binding protein (MBP). However, the results of MD simulation shows the caribine-facilitated CRFR approach closer to MBP, the 3D structure conformation of MBP and CRFR complex forms compact structure. Interestingly, the distance between the two proteins is reducing significantly after caribine dock into MBP binding site. Beside, from Ligand channel analysis, the paths of caribine demonstrate that residence time is increased in binding pocket. Hence, our finding suggests that caribine might be a potential lead compound to stimulate MBP and CRFR interaction, and help for baldless therapy in further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Jin Huang
- a Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources , College of Pharmacy, China Medical University , Taichung , 40402 , Taiwan
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