Homocysteine induces production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8 in cultured human whole blood

AIM: To investigate whether increased plasma L-homocysteine (Hcy) level could promote monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in cultured whole blood. METHODS: Human whole blood or different type of peripheral blood cells from health volunteers were incubated with Hcy and/or the inhibitors. MCP-1 and IL-8 level were measured by ELISA assay. RESULTS: Hcy 10-1000μmol/L induced production of MCP-1 and IL-8 in cultured human whole blood (P<0.05). The major cellular source of these chemokines corned from monocytes. Meanwhile,Hcy also promoted the upregulation of MPO level even at the 10 μmol/L in the cultured whole blood. The intracellular ROS, particular the OH' radicals, play extremely important role in the Hcy-induced MCP-1 and IL-8 production. CONCLUSION: Increased Hcy level in plasma (hyperhomocysteinemia) induced MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion in cultured human whole blood, especially in monocytes via oxidative stress mechanism.     

Signal pathways underlying homocysteine-induced production of MCP-1 and IL-8 in cultured human whole blood

Aim: To elucidate the mechanisms underlying homocysteine (Hcy)-induced chemokine production. Methods: Human whole blood was pretreated with inhibitors of calmodulin (CAM), protein kinase C (PKC), protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and NF-kB and activators of PPARγ for 60 min followed by incubation with Hcy 100 μmol/L for 32 h. Thelevels of mitogen chemokine protein (MCP)-I and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Results: Inhibitors of PKC (calphostin C, 50-500 nmol/L and RO-31-8220, 10-100 nmol/L), CaM (W7, 28-280 μmol/L), ERK1/2 MAPK (PD 98059, 2-20 μmol/L), p38 MAPK (SB 203580, 0.6-6μmol/L), JNK MAPK (curcumin, 2-10μmol/L), and NF-kB(PDTC, 10-100 nmol/L) markedly reduced Hcy 100 μmol/L-induced production of MCP-1 and IL-8 in human cultured whole blood, but the inhibitors of PTK(genistein, 2.6-26 μmol/L and tyrphostin, 0.5-5 μmol/L) had no obvious effect on MCP-1 and IL-8 production. PPARγ activators (ciglitazone 30 μmol/L andtroglitazone 10 μmol/L) depressed the Hcy-induced MCP-1 production but not IL-8 production in the cultured whole blood. Conclusion: Hcy-induced MCP-1 and IL-8 production is mediated by activated signaling pathways such as PKC, CaM, MAPK, and NF-kB. Our results not only provide clues for the signal transduction pathways mediating Hcy-induced chemokine production, but also offer a plausible explanation for a pathogenic role of hyperhomocysteinemia in these diseases.     

Lysophosphatidic acid-induced IL-8 secretion involves MSK1 and MSK2 mediated activation of CREB1 in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a pleiotropic lipid mediator that promotes motility, survival, and the synthesis of chemokines/cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-6 by human fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RAFLS). In those cells LPA was reported to induce IL-8 secretion through activation of various signaling pathways including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), p42/44 MAPK, and Rho kinase. In addition to those pathways we report that mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinases (MSKs) known to be activated downstream of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK cascades and CREB are phosphorylated in response to LPA. The silencing of MSKs with small-interfering RNAs and the pharmacological inhibitor of MSKs SB747651A shows a role for both MSK1 and MSK2 in LPA-mediated phosphorylation of CREB at Ser-133 and secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1. Whereas CREB inhibitors have off target effects and increased LPA-mediated IL-8 secretion, the silencing of CREB1 with short hairpin RNA significantly reduced LPA-induced chemokine production in RAFLS. Taken together the data clearly suggest that MSK1 and MSK2 are the major CREB kinases in RAFLS stimulated with LPA and that phosphorylation of CREB1 at Ser-133 downstream of MSKs plays a significant role in chemokine production.     

Pioglitazone inhibits homocysteine-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells through a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-independent mechanism

1. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists have been demonstrated to exert protective effects against homocysteine (Hcy)-induced pathogenesis. However, the effects of PPAR-gamma agonists on Hcy-induced migration are unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of pioglitazone on the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by Hcy and the possible mechanism involved. 2. Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from the thoracic aortas of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The migration of VSMC was examined using a transwell technique. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the ROS-sensitive fluoroprobe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The activity of NAD(P)H oxidase was assessed by lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence. Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was determined by western blotting. 3. The results showed that pioglitazone dose-dependently inhibited the migration of VSMC induced by Hcy. This was not reversed by the PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662. In addition, pretreatment with the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI), the free radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 blocked Hcy-induced VSMC migration. Furthermore, we observed that pioglitazone suppressed Hcy-induced intracellular ROS production; similar effects were observed with DPI and NAC. Pioglitazone attenuated Hcy-induced activation of NAD(P)H oxidase. Moreover, pioglitazone blocked Hcy-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation; similar effects were observed for DPI, NAC and SB202190. 4. The data demonstrate that pioglitazone inhibits Hcy-induced VSMC migration that is independent of PPAR-gamma. Furthermore, part of the biological effect of pioglitazone involves a decrease in the levels of NAD(P)H oxidase derived-ROS and p38 MAPK activation.     

Involvement of reactive oxygen species in angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction

In recent years it has been shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), presumably by activation of NAD(P)H oxidase. This ROS formation has been primarily associated with cellular growth regulation by Ang II. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether these ROS contribute to Ang II-induced vasoconstriction. Experiments were performed in isolated rat thoracic aorta. Concentration response curves were constructed for Ang II in the absence and presence of the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor DPI, and ROS scavengers catalase and EUK-8. Inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase as well as scavenging of ROS, decreased the contractile response to Ang II. Administration of NADPH, a substrate for NAD(P)H oxidase, produced vasoconstriction that proved to be sensitive for DPI, catalase, and EUK-8. Exposure of the vessels to exogenous ROS, induced by electrolysis of the organ bath medium, also resulted in a contractile response that was decreased by ROS scavenging. The results suggest that ROS play a role in Ang II-induced vasoconstriction via the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase.     

MAPKs signaling in 5-LOX pathway-associated inflammatory responses

5-Lipoxygenase(5-LOX) is a crucial enzyme catalyzing arachidonic acid to form cysteinyl leukotrienes(Cys LTs, including LTC4, LTD4, LTE4). Cys LTs are potent inflammatory mediators that mediate many pathophysiological responses by activating two distinct G-protein-coupled receptors(CysLT1R and CysLT2R). 5-LOX pathway is implicated in inflammatory pathological processes. Mitogenactivated protein kinases(MAPKs) are important signal transduction pathways of complex cellular processes.Classical MAPK families in mammalian cells include the P38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERK)and c-Jun amino N-terminal kinase(JNK). Increasing evidence has suggested that MAPKs signaling acts as key modulator in 5-LOX pathway-related pathological processes. It was reported that P38 MAPK and 5-LOX were dramatically activated to mediate neuronal injury in oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)-treated PC12 cells,which could be inhibited by P38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and nonselective 5-LOX inhibitor caffeic acid. In primary cultured rat astrocytes, OGD induced increased expression of CysLT2R and aquaporin 4, and ischemic astrocyte injury. Also, OGD increased phosphorylation of ERK and P38 MAPK. These astrocyte responses were attenuated by P38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, ERK inhibitor U0126, CysLT2R antagonist Bay Cys LT2 and non-selective Cys LTR antagonist Bay u9773, but not by JNK inhibitor SP600125 and CysLT1R antagonist montelukast. These data demonstrate the roles of ERK and P38 MAPK signaling pathways in 5-LOX and CysLT2R-mediated ischemic-like injury in neuron-like PC12 cel s and rat astrocytes. Furthermore, CysLT1R and ERK signaling were found to be involved in regulation of LTD4-stimulated expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and cell proliferation in astrocytes. ERK inhibitor PD98059 and CysLT1R antagonist montelukast, MK-571 abolished Cys LTs-induced astrocyte proliferation. Vascular endothelial cells play a pivotal role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Endothelial cells undergo a number of pathological changes that can be characterized as uncontrolled cell proliferation, migration and dysfunction in respond to brain insults. In human endothelial cell line EA.hy926, LTD4-induced migration of endothelial cells could be modulated by CysLT1R via phosphorylation of ERK. LTD4 was also reported to enhanced cell proliferation mediated by activating CysLT1R in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), and this is regulated by ERK pathway. ERK inhibitor(U0126, PD98059), CysLT1R antagonist(montelukast, MK571) and dual antagonist(Bay u9773)suppressed LTD4-induced endothelial responses in EA.hy926 cells and HUVECs. Consistent with these results,a study showed that the involvement of ERK/early growth response-1(Egr-1) pathway in CysLT2R-mediated cytokine IL-8 production. ERK inhibitor U0126 and CysLT2R antagonist HAMI3379 inhibited Egr-1 and IL-8 expression as well as IL-8 release in LTC4 and LTD4-stimulated hCys LT2-HEK293 cells. In addition, LTD4 and LTC4 induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) by enhanced CysLT1R via phosphorylations of ERK and JNK in human monocytes/macrophages. Pretreatment with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 reduced MCP-1 production. CysLT1R antagonist pranlukast inhibited Cys LTs-induced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK as well as production of MCP-1. A better understanding of the roles of MAPKs signaling in 5-LOX pathway-associated pathological processes may open up new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory diseases.     

Redox/ROS regulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and MAPK-mediated TNF-alpha biosynthesis

Redox and ROS regulation of MAPK-mediated TNF-alpha biosynthesis is not well characterized. It was hypothesized that the involvement of the MAPK pathway in regulating LPS-mediated TNF-alpha secretion is redox-dependent, NF-kappaB-sensitive and attenuated by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and other antioxidants. In alveolar epithelial cells, LPS induced a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of MAPK(p38). This was associated with the activation of MAPK-activated protein kinase, which phosphorylated the small heat-shock protein, Hsp27. MAPK(p38) inhibition (SB-203580) abrogated LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. MAPK(ERK) blockade (PD-98059) attenuated TNF-alpha secretion, an effect synergistically amplified in the presence of SB-203580. Regulation of NF-kappaB by selective inhibitors revealed that this pathway is partially involved in regulating LPS-mediated TNF-alpha secretion. Whereas the proteasome inhibitor, MG-132, had no effect on LPS-mediated TNF-alpha production, CAPE, sulfasalazine and SN-50, a cell-permeant NF-kappaB inhibitor, attenuated but did not abrogate TNF-alpha biosynthesis. LPS up-regulated ROS, an effect abrogated by 4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy-acetophenone and NAC, which reduced TNF-alpha secretion, induced the accumulation of GSH, reduced the concentration of GSSG, and blockaded the phosphorylation/activation of MAPK(p38) pathway. ROS induced MAPK(p38) phosphorylation and selective antioxidants, including the permeant GSH precursor, gamma-GCE, reduced ROS-dependent MAPK(p38) phosphorylation. These results indicate that the MAPK pathway and MAPK-mediated regulation of TNF-alpha production is redox-dependent, GSH-mediated and requires, at least in part, a NF-kappaB/ROS-sensitive mechanism.     

Motorcycle exhaust particles induce IL-8 production through NF-kappaB activation in human airway epithelial cells

Motorcycle exhaust particles (MEP) are among the major air pollutants, especially in urban area of Taiwan. In our previous study, data showed that MEP induce proinflammatory and proallergic response profiles in BALB/c mice. Effects of MEP on interleukin (IL)-8 production in A549 human airway epithelial cells were further investigated in this study. It was found that MEP enhanced IL-8 protein and mRNA expression in human epithelial cells. Pretreatment with an NF-kappaB inhibitor (1 mM PDTC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (50 microM PD98059), JNK inhibitor (25 microM SP600125), p38 inhibitor (2 microM SB203580), and three antioxidants (500 U/ml superoxide dismutase [SOD], 50 microM vitamin E, 10 mMN-acetylcysteine [NAC]) attenuated the MEP-induced increase in IL-8 production. Through further, direct detection of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation in epithelial cells using immunoblotting of nuclear p65 and NF-kappaB reporter assay, data showed that MEP induced nuclear translocation of p65 and enhancement of NF-kappaB luciferase gene expression. MEP also induced activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 signaling pathways and produced an increase of oxidative stress in A549 cells. By using mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors and antioxidant, it was demonstrated that ERK inhibitor, JNK inhibitor, and antioxidants but not p38 inhibitor attenuated the MEP-induced increase in NF-kappaB reporter activity. In conclusion, evidence shows that filter-trapped particles emitted from unleaded gasoline-fueled, two-stroke motorcycle engines induce an increase in IL-8 production by activation of NF-kappaB in human airway epithelial cells.     

Exenatide and metformin express their anti-inflammatory effects on human monocytes/macrophages by the attenuation of MAPKs and NFκB signaling

Metformin and exenatide are effective antidiabetic drugs, and they seem to have pleiotropic properties improving cardiovascular outcomes. Macrophages’ phenotype is essential in the development of atherosclerosis, and it can be modified during antidiabetic therapy, resulting in attenuated atherogenesis. The mechanism orchestrating this phenomenon is not fully clear. We examined the impact of exenatide and metformin on the level of TNF alpha, MCP-1, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBP beta) in human monocytes/macrophages. We found that both drugs reduced levels of TNF alpha, ROS, and NFκB binding activity to a similar extent. Compared to metformin, exenatide was more effective in reducing MCP-1 levels. We noted that Compound C (AMPK inhibitor) reduced the impact of exenatide on cytokines, ROS, and NFκB in cultures. Both drugs elevated the C/EBP beta phosphorylation level. Experiments on MAPKs showed effective inhibitory potential of exenatide toward p38, JNK, and ERK, whereas metformin inhibited JNK and ERK only. Exenatide was more effective in the inhibition of JNK than metformin. Interestingly, an in vitro setting additive effect of drugs was absent. In conclusion, here, we report that metformin and exenatide inhibit the proinflammatory phenotype of human monocytes/macrophages via influence on MAPK, C/EBP beta, and NFκB. Exenatide was more effective than metformin in reducing MCP-1 expression and JNK activity. We also showed that some effects of exenatide relied on AMPK activation. This shed light on the possible mechanisms responsible for pleiotropic effects of metformin and exenatide.     

铜绿假单胞菌通过MAPK信号传导通路诱导U937细胞表达IL-8

目的探讨铜绿假单胞菌(PA)活菌对不同分化状态的U937细胞表达IL-8的诱导作用及通过MAPK信号传导通路的调控机制。方法应用人单核白血病细胞系-U937细胞,采用ELISA和RT-PCR法对PA诱导不同分化状态的U937细胞IL-8蛋白分泌和其mRNA表达进行研究,并观察MAPKs抑制剂PD98059和SB203580对IL-8表达的影响。结果PA可促进U937细胞及PMA分化的U937细胞IL-8的mRNA及蛋白分泌,而且具有明显的量效和时效关系。分别用SB203580抑制p38MAPK通路、用PD98059抑制ERK通路,均能引起抑制剂浓度依赖的IL-8的表达(P<0.01)。结论PA以浓度和时间依赖的方式感染U937细胞,促进IL-8的分泌和mRNA表达,PA可能通过MAPK信号通路启动IL-8的高效表达和分泌。     

Protective effects of diphenyleneiodonium,an NADPH oxidase inhibitor,on lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury

NADPH oxidase (NOX) plays an important role in inflammatory response by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inhibition of NOX has been shown to induce anti‐inflammatory effects in a few experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a NOX inhibitor, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model. Sprague‐Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered by DPI (5 mg/kg) 30 minutes after intratracheal instillation of LPS (3 mg/kg). After 6 hours, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The NOX activity in lung tissue was significantly increased in LPS‐treated rats. It was significantly attenuated by DPI. DPI‐treated rats showed significant reduction in the intracellular ROS, the number of inflammatory cells, and cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐6) in BALF compared with LPS‐treated rats. In lung tissue, DPI‐treated rats showed significantly decreased malondialdehyde content and increased activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase compared with LPS‐treated rats. Lung injury score, myeloperoxidase activity, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were significantly decreased in DPI‐treated rats compared with LPS‐treated animals. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that DPI significantly suppressed LPS‐induced activation of NF‐κB and ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK in MAPK pathway. Our results suggest that DPI may have protective effects on LPS‐induced ALI thorough anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects which may be due to inactivation of the NF‐κB, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK pathway. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of DPI as an anti‐inflammatory agent in ALI.     

NADPH oxidase/ROS-dependent PYK2 activation is involved in TNF-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in rat heart-derived H9c2 cells

TNF-α plays a mediator role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure contributing to cardiac remodeling and peripheral vascular disturbances. The implication of TNF-α in inflammatory responses has been shown to be mediated through up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). However, the detailed mechanisms of TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in rat embryonic-heart derived H9c2 cells are largely not defined. We demonstrated that in H9c2 cells, TNF-α induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression associated with an increase in the secretion of pro-MMP-9. TNF-α-mediated responses were attenuated by pretreatment with the inhibitor of ROS (N-acetyl-l-cysteine, NAC), NADPH oxidase [apocynin (APO) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI)], MEK1/2 (U0126), p38 MAPK (SB202190), JNK1/2 (SP600125), NF-κB (Bay11-7082), or PYK2 (PF-431396) and transfection with siRNA of TNFR1, p47^phox, p42, p38, JNK1, p65, or PYK2. Moreover, TNF-α markedly induced NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation in these cells. TNF-α-enhanced p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, and NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation and in vivo binding of p65 to the MMP-9 promoter were inhibited by U0126, SB202190, SP600125, NAC, DPI, or APO. In addition, TNF-α-mediated PYK2 phosphorylation was inhibited by NAC, DPI, or APO. PYK2 inhibition could reduce TNF-α-stimulated MAPKs and NF-κB activation. Thus, in H9c2 cells, we are the first to show that TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression is mediated through a TNFR1/NADPH oxidase/ROS/PYK2/MAPKs/NF-κB cascade. We demonstrated that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation is involved in TNF-α-induced PYK2 activation in these cells. Understanding the regulation of MMP-9 expression and NADPH oxidase activation by TNF-α on H9c2 cells may provide potential therapeutic targets of chronic heart failure.     

C-reactive protein stimulates RAGE expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells in vitro via ROS generation and ERK/NF-κB activation

Aim:

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) plays an important role in development of atherosclerosis, and C-reactive protein (CRP) has been found to stimulate its expression in endothelial cells. In this study we investigated how CRP regulated the expression of RAGE in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs).

Methods:

HCAECs were treated in vitro with CRP (50 μg/mL) in combination with a variety of inhibitors. ROS generation was determined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The RAGE expression and phosphorylation of relevant signaling proteins were measured using Western blot analyses.

Results:

CRP stimulated the expression of RAGE in the cells, accompanied by markedly increased ROS generation, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB p65, as well as translocation of NF-κB p65 to the nuclei. CRP also stimulated phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK. Pretreatment of the cells with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine, ERK inhibitor PD98059 or NF-κB inhibitor PDTC blocked CRP-stimulated RAGE expression, but pretreatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI, JNK inhibitor SP600125 or p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 did not significantly alter CRP-stimulated RAGE expression.

Conclusion:

CRP stimulates RAGE expression in HCAECs in vitro via ROS generation and activation of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Involvement of activation of NADPH oxidase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in renal cell injury induced by zinc

Zinc is employed as a supplement; however, zinc-related nephropathy is not generally known. In this study, we investigated zinc-induced renal cell injury using a pig kidney-derived cultured renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK(1), with proximal kidney tubule-like features, and examined the involvement of free radicals and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the cell injury. The LLC-PK(1) cells showed early uptake of zinc (30 microM), and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an index of cell injury, was observed 24 hr after uptake. Three hours after zinc exposure, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased. An antioxidant, N, N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), inhibited a zinc-related increase in ROS generation and zinc-induced renal cell injury. An NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), inhibited a zinc-related increase in ROS generation and cell injury. We investigated translocation from the cytosol fraction of the p67(phox) subunit, which is involved in the activation of NADPH oxidase, to the membrane fraction, and translocation was induced 3 hr after zinc exposure. We examined the involvement of ERK1/2 in the deterioration of zinc-induced renal cell injury, and the association between ERK1/2 and an increase in ROS generation. Six hours after zinc exposure, the activation (phosphorylation) of ERK1/2 was observed. An antioxidant, DPPD, inhibited the zinc-related activation of ERK1/2. An MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor, U0126, almost completely inhibited zinc-related cell injury (the release of LDH), but did not influence ROS generation. These results suggest that early intracellular uptake of zinc by LLC-PK(1) cells causes the activation of NADPH oxidase, and that ROS generation by the activation of the enzyme leads to the deterioration of renal cell injury via the activation of ERK1/2.     

Chemokine production and E-selectin expression in activated endothelial cells are inhibited by p38 MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) inhibitor RWJ 67657

Endothelial cells play an important role in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis by recruitment of inflammatory cells. The cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta are major inducers of endothelial cell activation and are stimulators of inflammatory signal transduction pathway involving p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). The present study investigated the effects of p38 MAPK inhibition on cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression and chemokine production by endothelial cells both on mRNA and protein level. Pre-treatment of endothelial cells with the pharmacologically relevant concentration of 1 microM of the p38 MAPK inhibitor RWJ 67657 reduced TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced mRNA and membrane expression of E-selectin. Moderate inhibitory effects on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were found. Significant reduction of mRNA expression and protein production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 was demonstrated. Treatment with RWJ 67657 could lead to reduced leukocyte infiltration by the reduction of E-selectin expression and chemokine production.     

Vascular C-reactive protein in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease: role of vascular inflammation and oxidative stress

Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Vascular inflammation occurs in response to injury induced by various stimuli, such as oxidative stress, shear stress, infection, and so on. This concept is supported by the recent clinical findings that C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. CRP, which was originally identified as a protein that could precipitate the C-polysaccharide of pneumococcal cell walls, has been widely used as a clinical marker of the state of inflammation, since its production by hepatocytes increases during the acute phase of the inflammatory response. Recent investigations have provided two new concepts for the research field of CRP, namely, its extra-hepatic production and its potent biological activities such as the induction of adhesion molecules and chemokines. Recently, we demonstrated that smooth muscle cells and macrophages in coronary arteries expressed CRP protein and mRNA, as evaluated using coronary specimens of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients obtained by atherectomy. The expression of vascular CRP was closely associated with NAD(P)H oxidase, an important enzymatic origin of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vessel walls. Furthermore, CRP directly up-regulated NAD(P)H oxidase p22(phox) and enhanced ROS generation in cultured coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Thus, vascular CRP is likely to be a direct participant in vascular inflammation and lesion formation via its potent biological effects. Since lysophosphatidylcholine, a major atherogenic lipid of oxidized LDL, was reported to activate vascular NAD(P)H oxidase, we speculate that there is a vicious circle consisting of vascular NAD(P)H oxidase, ROS and oxidized LDL. Since phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidase is at the first line of the host defense system, it is important to selectively suppress vascular NAD(P)H oxidase in the localized inflammatory lesions in therapeutic strategies for CAD. In this review, we will discuss the roles of vascular CRP and NAD(P)H oxidase in the pathogenesis of CAD from the viewpoint of oxidative stress.