Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids released through the cytochrome P-450 pathway regulate 3T6 fibroblast growth

Specialized pro-resolvin mediators induce cell growth and improve wound repair in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell cultures

Specialized pro-resolvin mediators (SPMs) are a superfamily of bioactive molecules synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) that include resolvins, protectins and maresins. These metabolites are important to control the resolution phase of inflammation and the epithelial repair, which is essential in restoring the mucosal barriers. Unfortunately, the effects of SPMs on intestinal epithelial cell growth remain poorly understood. Caco-2 cell were used as intestinal epithelial cell model. Cell growth/DNA synthesis, cell signalling pathways, western blot and wound repair assay were performed. Our data demonstrated that SPMs such as lipoxin LxA₄, resolvin (Rv) E1, RvD1, protectin D 1 and maresin 1 were able to enhance intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell growth and DNA synthesis. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that these effects of RvE1 and RvD1 were associated with a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor, and that leukotriene B₄ receptor 2 could be involved, at least in part, in these effects of RvE1/RvD1. Moreover, these mitogenic effects induced by SPMs were dependent on the ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways as well as phospholipase C and protein kinase C activation. Thus, these mitogenic effects of RvE1/RvD1 on intestinal epithelial cells could be involved in this signalling circuit involved in wounded epithelium and the catabasis process.

N-3 PUFAs and their specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators on airway inflammatory response: beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases include a wide range of pathologies with different clinical manifestations, affecting the normal airways and lung function. An increase in the inflammatory response is considered a characteristic hallmark of these diseases, being also a critical factor for their progression. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:4n-3, EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA) and their lipid mediators are known to have an inflammation pro-resolution effect. The effects of these n-3 PUFAs in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases are beginning to be understood. Consequently, this article aims to analyze the influence of n-3 PUFAs and their lipid mediators on the inflammatory response in respiratory health, emphasizing recent data concerning their beneficial effects in the prevention and possible treatment of different respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, airway allergic syndromes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The review includes studies regarding the effects of EPA, DHA, and their specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) on in vivo and in vitro models of respiratory disease, concluding that EPA and DHA have a positive impact in attenuating the pro-inflammatory response in respiratory diseases, reducing symptoms like nasal congestion, fever and difficulty in breathing. Controversial data reported are probably due to differences in several factors, including the dosages, administration vehicles, and the supplementation times employed, which are aspects that remain to be addressed in future studies.

Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Activity of Herb Extracts Used in Burn Wound Healing: "San Huang Powder"

"San Huang Powder," a nonsterile milled herb powder, is frequently used to treat burn wounds in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. However, treating a wound with a nonsterile dressing or reagent is not compatible with the current guidelines in modern medicine. Therefore, we investigated the bactericidal and anti-inflammatory activities of four herb extracts used in "San Huang Powder" in vitro. Meanwhile, an in vivo porcine model with superficial second-degree burns was used for the experiments since the size and skin composition of pigs are the closest to that of the human body. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the herb extracts was determined. The in vitro assay indicated that Rhubarb and Phellodendron bark extracts decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, and GM-CSF on LPS-induced HMEC-1 cells. In accordance with this result, the histopathological evaluation results showed that the efficacy of "San Huang Powder" containing both herb materials was much better than the group without Rhubarb. Our results not only provide a basis to understand why "San Huang Powder" has been used to clinically treat wounds without sterilization directly since ancient times but also show the advantages of using multiple herb materials simultaneously on wound sites to prevent infection during treatment. Rhubarb is the recommended ingredient involved in the preparation of "San Huang Powder" to ensure the healing efficacy of burn wounds.

Eicosanoids metabolized through LOX distinguish asthma-COPD overlap from COPD by metabolomics study

Background and objective

The prevalence of asthma is greater than 20% in patients previously diagnosed with COPD. Patients with asthma–COPD overlap (ACO) are at risk of rapid progression of disease and severe exacerbations. However, in some patients with ACO, a clear distinction from COPD is very difficult by using physiological testing techniques. This study aimed to apply a novel metabolomic approach to identify the metabolites in sera in order to distinguish ACO from COPD.

Methods

In the study, blood samples were collected from patients with COPD, ACO, and healthy controls. Cholamine derivatization-ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to investigate serum metabolites of eicosanoids.

Results

A clear intergroup separation existed between the patients with ACO and those with COPD, while ACO tends to have higher serum metabolic levels of eicosanoids. A robust Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) model was found for discriminating between ACO and COPD (R2Y =0.81, Q2=0.79). In addition, there is a significant correlation between some metabolites and clinical indicators, such as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs) and FEV1/FVC. The higher values of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) of HETEs, which were metabolized from HPETEs through lipoxygenase (LOX), indicated that they should be the potential biomarkers to distinguish ACO from COPD.

Conclusion

Eicosanoids can clearly discriminate different biochemical metabolic profiles between ACO and COPD. The results possibly provide a new perspective to identify potential biomarkers of ACO and may be helpful for personalized treatment.

1-Aminobenzotriazole: A Mechanism-Based Cytochrome P450 Inhibitor and Probe of Cytochrome P450 Biology

1-Aminobenzotriazole (1-ABT) is a pan-specific, mechanism-based inactivator of the xenobiotic metabolizing forms of cytochrome P450 in animals, plants, insects, and microorganisms. It has been widely used to investigate the biological roles of cytochrome P450 enzymes, their participation in the metabolism of both endobiotics and xenobiotics, and their contributions to the metabolism-dependent toxicity of drugs and chemicals. This review is a comprehensive evaluation of the chemistry, discovery, and use of 1-aminobenzotriazole in these contexts from its introduction in 1981 to the present.

The role of mid-chain hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy

The incidence, prevalence, and hospitalization rates associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are projected to increase substantially in the world. Understanding of the biological and pathophysiological mechanisms of survival can help the researchers to develop new management modalities. Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that mid-chain HETEs are strongly involved in the pathogenesis of the CVDs. Mid-chain HETEs are biologically active eicosanoids that result from the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) by both lipoxygenase and CYP1B1 (lipoxygenase-like reaction). Therefore, identifying the localizations and expressions of the lipoxygenase and CYP1B1 and their associated AA metabolites in the cardiovascular system is of major importance in understanding their pathological roles. Generally, the expression of these enzymes is shown to be induced during several CVDs, including hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. The induction of these enzymes is associated with the generation of mid-chain HETEs and subsequently causation of cardiovascular events. Of interest, inhibiting the formation of mid-chain HETEs has been reported to confer a protection against different cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension models such as angiotensin II, Goldblatt, spontaneously hypertensive rat and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced models. Although the exact mechanisms of mid-chain HETEs-mediated cardiovascular dysfunction are not fully understood, the present review proposes several mechanisms which include activating G-protein-coupled receptor, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and nuclear factor kappa B. This review provides a clear understanding of the role of mid-chain HETEs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and their importance as novel targets in the treatment for hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.

The Lipid Portion of Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Significantly Contributes to Its Wound Healing Properties

Objective: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a popular choice for the treatment of chronic wounds. Current dogma attributes these healing properties to the peptide growth factors of PRP. However, PRP is also rich in bioactive lipids whose contribution to healing has not been characterized and warrants investigation due to the protease-rich environment of chronic wounds. Approach: The lipid fraction of PRP was tested with respect to proliferation and migration of primary adult human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa)±exposure to chronic wound fluid (CWF). This fraction was also characterized via LC-MS/MS for bioactive lipids. A synthetic formulation of the bioactive lipid composition was developed and tested for the ability to overcome proliferative growth arrest induced by CWF. Results: The data demonstrate the ability of the lipid fraction of PRP to significantly enhance the migration and proliferation of HDFa, and to overcome the proliferative growth arrest induced by CWF. Furthermore, the synthetic lipid formulation generated following characterization of the PRP lipidome demonstrated a similar ability to overcome proliferative arrest of HDFa in the presence of CWF. Innovation: For the first time, we demonstrate the relevance of the lipid fraction of PRP toward the biology of wound healing. These studies open the possibility of altering the lipid profile of PRP via diet or exogenous pathway manipulation to obtain a better healing outcome. Conclusion: The lipid fraction of PRP is under investigated and yet relevant component in wound healing. The current study demonstrates the relevance of this fraction in wound healing by PRP.

Ceramide kinase is required for a normal eicosanoid response and the subsequent orderly migration of fibroblasts

In these studies, the role of ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) in the wound-healing process was investigated. Specifically, fibroblasts isolated from mice with the known anabolic enzyme for C1P, ceramide kinase (CERK), ablated (CERK^−/− mice) and their wild-type littermates (CERK^+/+) were subjected to in vitro wound-healing assays. Simulation of mechanical trauma of a wound by scratching a monolayer of fibroblasts from CERK^+/+ mice demonstrated steadily increasing levels of arachidonic acid in a time-dependent manner in stark contrast to CERK^−/− fibroblasts. This observed difference was reflected in scratch-induced eicosanoid levels. Similar, but somewhat less intense, changes were observed in a more complex system utilizing skin biopsies obtained from CERK-null mice. Importantly, C1P levels increased during the early stages of human wound healing correlating with the transition from the inflammatory stage to the peak of the fibroplasia stage (e.g., proliferation and migration of fibroblasts). Finally, the loss of proper eicosanoid response translated into an abnormal migration pattern for the fibroblasts isolated from CERK^−/−. As the proper migration of fibroblasts is one of the necessary steps of wound healing, these studies demonstrate a novel requirement for the CERK-derived C1P in the proper healing response of wounds.

Systems-Level Lipid Analysis Methodologies for Qualitative and Quantitative Investigation of Lipid Signaling Events During Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence implicates a prominent role for lipid signaling molecules in the regulation of wound healing. These lipids regulate hemostasis, onset and resolution of inflammation, migration and proliferation cells, angiogenesis, epithelialization, and remodeling of collagen. The objective of this overview is to demonstrate the applicability of systems level lipid analyses to identify and quantify lipid involved in events leading to wound healing.

APPROACH

Current advances in liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry have provided the means for carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis of lipids at a systems level. This emerging field is collectively referred to as lipidomics and its potential in wound healing research is largely ignored.

RESULTS

While comprehensive applications of lipidomics in wound healing are limited, studies carried out by the authors as well as others demonstrate distinct changes in the lipidome during the wound healing process.

INNOVATION

Until recently, investigations into lipids were limited to the study of a few lipids at a time. Lipidomics approaches provide the capability to quantitatively and qualitatively assay almost the full complement of lipid signaling circuits at the same time. This allows obtaining a system level understanding of changes to the entire lipidome during the wound healing process.

CONCLUSION

The technology provides promising approach to understanding new signaling pathways based on lipids involved in wound healing. The understanding gained from such studies has the potential for the development of novel lipid based treatment strategies to promote wound healing.

5-lipoxygenase antagonist therapy: a new approach towards targeted cancer chemotherapy

Leukotrienes are the bioactive group of fatty acids and major constituents of arachidonic acid metabolism molded by the catalytic activity of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Evidence is accumulating in support of the direct involvement of 5-LOX in the progression of different types of cancer including prostate, lung, colon, and colorectal cancers. Several independent studies now support the correlation between the 5-LOX expression and cancer cell viability, proliferation, cell migration, invasion through extracellular matrix destruction, metastasis, and activation of anti-apoptotic signaling cascades. The involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor and 5-oxo-ETE receptor (OXER1) is the major talking point in the downstream of the 5-LOX pathway, which relates the cancer cells to the proliferative pathways. Antisense technology approaches and use of different kinds of blocker targeted to 5-LOX, FLAP (5-LOX-activating protein), and OXER1 have shown a greater efficiency in combating different cancer cell types. Lastly, suppression of 5-LOX activity that reduces the cell proliferation activity also induces intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in either p53-dependent or independent manner. Pharmacological agents that specifically inhibit the LOX-mediated signaling pathways have been used during last few years to treat inflammatory diseases such as asthma and arthritis. Studies of these well-characterized agents are therefore warranted for their use as possible candidates for chemotherapeutic studies against the killer disease cancer.

Lycopodine triggers apoptosis by modulating 5-lipoxygenase, and depolarizing mitochondrial membrane potential in androgen sensitive and refractory prostate cancer cells without modulating p53 activity: signaling cascade and drug-DNA interaction

When the prostate cancer cells become unresponsive to androgen therapy, resistance to chemotherapy becomes imminent, resulting in high mortality. To combat this situation, lycopodine, a pharmacologically important bioactive component derived from Lycopodium clavatum spores, was tested against hormone sensitive (LnCaP) and refractory (PC3) prostate cancer cells in vitro. This study aims to check if lycopodine has demonstrable anti-cancer effects and if it has, to find out the possible mechanism of its action. The MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect. Depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle, EGF receptor activity and apoptosis were recorded by FACS; profiles of different anti- and pro-apoptotic genes and their products were studied by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, indirect-ELISA, western blotting. Drug-DNA interaction was determined by CD spectroscopy. Administration of lycopodine down-regulated the expression of 5-lipoxygenase and the 5-oxo-ETE receptor (OXE receptor1) and EGF receptor, and caused up-regulation of cytochrome c with depolarization of mitochondrial inner membrane potential, without palpable change in p53 activity, resulting in apoptosis, cell arrest at G0/G1 stage and ultimately reduced proliferation of cancer cells; concomitantly, there was externalization of phosphotidyl serine residues. CD spectroscopic analysis revealed intercalating property of lycopodine with DNA molecule, implicating its ability to block cellular DNA synthesis. The overall results suggest that lycopodine is a promising candidate suitable for therapeutic use as an anti-cancer drug.

EET signaling in cancer

Inflammation and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment are increasingly implicated in tumorigenesis. Endogenously produced lipid autacoids, locally acting small-molecule mediators, play a central role in inflammation and tissue homeostasis. These lipid mediators, collectively referred to as eicosanoids, have recently been implicated in cancer. Although eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, are best known as products of arachidonic acid metabolism by cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases, arachidonic acid is also a substrate for another enzymatic pathway, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. This eicosanoid pathway consists of two main branches: ω-hydroxylases which converts arachidonic acid to hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and epoxygenases which converts it to four regioisomeric epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs; 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, and 14,15-EET). EETs regulate inflammation and vascular tone. The bioactive EETs are produced predominantly in the endothelium and are mainly metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase to less active dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. EET signaling was originally studied in conjunction with inflammatory and cardiovascular disease. Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have recently stimulated great interest in cancer biology. To date, most research on eicosanoids in cancer has focused on the COX and LOX pathways. In contrast, the role of cytochrome P450-derived eicosanoids, such as EETs and HETEs, in cancer has received little attention. While CYP epoxygenases are expressed in human cancers and promote human cancer metastasis, the role of EETs (the direct products of CYP epoxygenases) in cancer remains poorly characterized. In this review, the emerging role of EET signaling in angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer is discussed.

Rapid simultaneous analysis of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids using high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in tandem mode

Eicosanoids are oxidized arachidonate-derived lipid products generated by cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and cytochrome P-450 pathways. They are involved in diverse processes in health and disease and they are highly bioactive. Gas chromatography and enzyme immunoassays were used to quantify these mediators in the past. However, the recent availability of high-sensitivity liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has provided a new approach for quantification that minimizes the sample size and the required preparation. This paper describes a rapid and simple technique for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of prostaglandin (PG) E(2) and PGJ(2); leukotrienes (LT) B(4) and D(4); 5-, 12-, 15- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs); 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE); 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12- and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs); and 11,12- and 14,15-dihydroxieicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) in cell culture supernatants and urine. We simultaneously analyzed 14 arachidonic acid metabolites representative from the three pathways, together with 13-HODE, a linoleic-derived product. Solid phase extraction was used for the sample preparation. The recoveries obtained ranged from 25% to 100%, depending on the metabolites. The LC/MS/MS method used the gradient on a C(18) column and electrospray ionization in negative ion detection mode. The method was optimized for sensitivity and for separation within 20 min. The linear ranges of the calibration curves were 0.1-200 ng/ml for PGE(2), PGJ(2), LTB(4), 5-HETE, 12-HETE, 15-HETE, 13-HODE, 11,12-EET, 11,12-DHET and 14,15-DHET, and 1-200ng/ml for LTD(4), 20-HETE, 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET and 14,15-EET. The advantages of this method include minimal sample preparation, high sensitivity and elimination of the problem associated with thermal instability in gas chromatography analysis.

Cytochrome P450-derived eicosanoids: the neglected pathway in cancer

Endogenously produced lipid autacoids are locally acting small molecule mediators that play a central role in the regulation of inflammation and tissue homeostasis. A well-studied group of autacoids are the products of arachidonic acid metabolism, among which the prostaglandins and leukotrienes are the best known. They are generated by two pathways controlled by the enzyme systems cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, respectively. However, arachidonic acid is also substrate for a third enzymatic pathway, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. This third eicosanoid pathway consists of two main branches: ω-hydroxylases convert arachidonic acid to hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and epoxygenases convert it to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). This third CYP pathway was originally studied in conjunction with inflammatory and cardiovascular disease. Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have recently stimulated great interest in cancer biology; but, unlike prostaglandins and leukotrienes the link between cytochome P450 metabolites and cancer has received little attention. In this review, the emerging role in cancer of cytochrome P450 metabolites, notably 20-HETE and EETs, are discussed.

Role of eicosanoids on intestinal epithelial homeostasis

The intestinal epithelium is a highly dynamic system that is continuously renewed by a process involving cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, it is the main interface with the external environment, and maintenance and regulation of the epithelial structure and epithelial barrier function are key determinants of digestive health and host well being. The tight junction, a multiprotein complex composed of transmembrane proteins associated with the cytoskeletal peri-junctional ring of actin and myosin, is an essential component of this barrier that is strictly regulated in a spatio-temporal manner by a complex signaling network. Defects in the intestinal epithelial barrier function have been observed in inflammatory bowel disease, and a classic example of the connection between inflammation and cancer is the increased risk of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In recent years, several molecules have emerged as critical players contributing to inflammation-associated colorectal cancer. For example, eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid are proposed as mediators involved in the regulation of epithelial structure/function. Interestingly, the tissue concentration of eicosanoids increases during mucosal inflammation and colorectal cancer development. This overview focuses on the physiological and physiopathological roles of eicosanoids in cell growth/cell differentiation/apoptosis and in the paracellular permeability of the intestinal epithelium. A better understanding of these processes will foster new ideas for the development of therapies for these chronic disorders.

Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and its implication on cell proliferation and tumour-angiogenesis

Arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites have recently generated a heightened interest due to growing evidence of their significant role in cancer biology. Thus, inhibitors of the AA cascade, first and foremost COX inhibitors, which have originally been of interest in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and certain types of cardiovascular disease, are now attracting attention as an arsenal against cancer. An increasing number of investigations support their role in cancer chemoprevention, although the precise molecular mechanisms that link levels of AA, and its metabolites, with cancer progression have still to be elucidated. This article provides an overview of the AA cascade and focuses on the roles of its inhibitors and their implication in cancer treatment. In particular, emphasis is placed on the inhibition of cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis through inhibition of the enzymes COX-2, 5-LOX and CYP450. Downstream effects of inhibition of AA metabolites are analysed and the molecular mechanisms of action of a selected number of inhibitors of catalytic pathways reviewed. Lastly, the benefits of dietary omega-3 fatty acids and their mechanisms of action leading to reduced cancer risk and impeded cancer cell growth are mentioned. Finally, a proposal is put forward, suggesting a novel and integrated approach in viewing the molecular mechanisms and complex interactions responsible for the involvement of AA metabolites in carcinogenesis and the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and tumour prevention.

Hypoxia suppresses KV1.5 channel expression through endogenous 15-HETE in rat pulmonary artery

Hypoxia initiated pulmonary vasoconstriction is due to the inhibition of voltage-gated K(+) (K(V)) channels. But the mechanism is unclear. We have evidence that hypoxia activates 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) in distal pulmonary arteries and increases the formation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoate (15-HETE). 15-HETE-induced pulmonary artery constriction to be through the inhibition of K(V) channels (K(V)1.5, K(V)2.1 and K(V)3.4). However, no direct link among hypoxia, 15-HETE and inhibition of K(V) subtypes is established. Therefore, we investigated whether 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway contributes to the hypoxia-induced down-regulation of K(V) channels. As K(V)1.5 channel is O(2)-sensitive, it was chosen in the initial study. We found that inhibition of 15-LOX suppressed the response of hypoxic pulmonary artery rings to phenylephrine. The expressions of K(V)1.5 channel mRNA and protein was robustly up-regulated in cultured PASMC and pulmonary artery after blocking of 15-LOX by lipoxygenase inhibitors in hypoxia. The 15-LOX blockade also partly rescued the voltage-gated K(+) current (I(K(V))). 15-HETE contributes to the down-regulation of K(V)1.5 channel, inhibition of I(K(V)) and increase of native pulmonary artery tension after hypoxia. Hypoxia inhibits K(V)1.5 channel through 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway.

Altered eicosanoid metabolism in the cystic fibrosis mouse small intestine

OBJECTIVES

Imbalances in essential fatty acid levels have been reported in cystic fibrosis (CF), which may relate to elevated proinflammatory eicosanoid generation. The aim of this work was to better define eicosanoid metabolism in the CF intestine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the small intestine of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator knockout mouse (CF mouse) to measure eicosanoid metabolic gene expression by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, and eicosanoid levels by enzyme immunoassay, as compared with wild-type (WT) littermates.

RESULTS

In the CF small intestine, expression of the secretory phospholipase A2 Pla2g5 mRNA was upregulated to 980% of WT levels. The following were downregulated: leukotriene C4 synthase Ltc4s (mRNA 55% of WT); omega-hydroxylase cytochrome P450s Cyp2c40 (mRNA 54% of WT), and Cyp4a10 (mRNA 4% of WT); and the major prostaglandin degradative enzymes prostaglandin dehydrogenase Hpgd (mRNA 27% of WT) and leukotriene B4 12-hydroxydehydrogenase/15-oxo-prostaglandin 13-reductase Ltb4dh (mRNA 64% and protein 30% of WT). The prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2alpha were increased to 400% to 600% of WT levels in the CF mouse intestine, and the hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) 12-, 15-, and 20-HETE were decreased to 3% to 20% of WT levels.

CONCLUSIONS

There are changes in eicosanoid metabolic gene expression that are accompanied by significant changes in specific eicosanoid levels. These changes are expected to play important roles in the pathophysiology of CF in the intestine.

New aspects of the role of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in cell growth and cancer development

Lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway leads to the formation of leukotrienes and also catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids that are then reduced to hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE) by glutathione peroxidase. There are four mammalian LOXs that produce 5-, 8-, 12- and 15-HETE, respectively. Cytochrome P-450 isozymes are also capable of metabolising AA to HETEs either by bis-allylic oxidation (lipoxygenase-like reaction) to generate 5-, 8-, 9-, 11-, 12- and 15-HETE; or by varpi/varpi-1 hydroxylation to yield 16-, 17-, 18-, 19- and 20-HETEs. It is now widely recognised that HETEs have important physiological and pathological functions that modulate ion transport, renal and pulmonary functions, vascular tone and reactivity, and inflammatory and growth responses. They can be released during the action of growth factors and cytokines, reaching physiological concentrations higher than that of prostanoids and modulating the functions of these factors. Their effects can occur through receptor or non-receptor mechanisms. Recent reviews have summarised the effects of HETEs in vascular homeostasis or lung and renal physiology. The present review focuses on the emerging effects of HETEs on cell signalling and physiological cell growth. It also discusses current observations regarding the role of HETEs in apoptosis, angiogenesis, the proliferation of cancer cells and metastasis, which constitute a potential area for successful therapeutic intervention.

Enantioselective effect of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid on 3T6 fibroblast growth through ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways and cyclin D1 activation

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) have numerous physiological effects, including modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. However, little is known about the selective effects of HETE enantiomers on cell proliferation and cell signalling pathways involved in the regulation of cell growth. Furthermore, information on epithelial and endothelial cells growth is controversial. Recently, we demonstrated that 5-, 12-, and 15-HETE are involved in the control of 3T6 fibroblast growth though serine/treonine Akt/PKB (Akt) pathway. Here we examined the participation of both enantiomers (S and R) of HETEs in the control of 3T6 fibroblast growth. Our results show that HETEs (5-, 12-, and 15-HETE) are enantioselective on protein and DNA synthesis and 3T6 fibroblast growth. Furthermore, we observed that 12(S)-HETE induces the enhancement of cAMP and intracellular calcium concentration, whereas 12(R)-HETE was uneffective. Our findings also demonstrated that 12(S)-HETE exerts these effects through enantiospecific interactions with a cellular element, probably a plasma membrane receptor coupling to a pertussis toxin-sensitive protein G. Moreover, these elements may be involved in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways which induce the enhancement of cyclin D(1) levels.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids induce growth inhibition and calpain/caspase-12 dependent apoptosis in PDGF cultured 3T6 fibroblast

Previous studies have demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites released by the cyclooxygenase pathway is involved in serum-induced 3T6 fibroblast cycle progression and proliferation. However, these results also suggest that other AA cascade pathways might be involved. Recently, we also described the role of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, which are produced by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP), in 3T6 fibroblast growth. AA can be also metabolized by the epoxygenase activity of CYP-producing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Finally, the cytosolic epoxide hydrolases catalyze the hydration of the EETs, transforming them into dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (DHETEs). In this work, we have studied the role of the EETs/DHETEs on 3T6 fibroblasts growth. Our results show that PDGF stimulates 3T6 fibroblast proliferation and [3H]thymidine incorporation, while the addition of 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET or 14,15-EET (0.1-1 microM) inhibit these processes. Furthermore, 5,6-DHETE and 11,12-DHETE (0.1-1 microM) also inhibit cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. Interestingly, this growth inhibition was correlated with an induction of apoptosis. Thus, we observed that in the presence of PDGF, EETs or DHETEs (0.1-1 microM) induce phosphatidylserine externalization (as measured by annexin V-binding) and DNA fragmentation (as quantified using a TUNEL assay). Our results show that calpain, as well as caspase-12 and caspase-3, are involved in these events. Therefore, EETs and DHETEs have anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on PDGF-stimulated 3T6 fibroblasts.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), teratogenic, and surgical models of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a congenital malformation that occurs with a frequency of 0.08 to 0.45 per 1,000 births. Children with CDH are born with the abdominal contents herniated through the diaphragm and exhibit an associated pulmonary hypoplasia which is frequently accompanied by severe morbidity and mortality. Although the etiology of CDH is largely unknown, considerable progress has been made in understanding its molecular mechanisms through the usage of genetic, teratogenic, and surgical models. The following review focuses on the teratogenic and surgical models of CDH and the possible molecular mechanisms of nitrofen (a diphenyl ether, formerly used as an herbicide) in both induction of CDH and pulmonary hypoplasia. In addition, the mechanisms of other compounds including several anti-inflammatory agents that have been linked to CDH will be discussed. Furthermore, this review will also explore the importance of vitamin A in lung and diaphragm development and the possible mechanisms of teratogen interference in vitamin A homeostasis. Continued exploration of these models will bring forth a clearer understanding of CDH and its molecular underpinnings, which will ultimately facilitate development of therapeutic strategies.