Localization of phosphorylated ERK/MAP kinases to mitochondria and autophagosomes in Lewy body diseases

We previously found that sustained ERK activation contributes to toxicity elicited by the parkinsonian neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. In addition, substantia nigra neurons from patients with incidental Lewy body disease, Parkinson disease (PD), and diffuse Lewy body dementia (DLB) display abnormal phospho-ERK accumulations in the form of discrete cytoplasmic granules. In this study, we investigated the subcellular localization of phospho-ERK immunoreactive granules using double label confocal microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy. A small percentage of phospho-ERK granules co-localized with the early endosome marker Rab5, but not with cathepsin D, 20S proteasome beta-subunit, or cytochrome P450 reductase. Phospho-ERK immunoreactivity was often associated with mitochondrial proteins (MnSOD, 60 kDa and 110 kDa mitochondrial antigens), and some vesicular-appearing phospho-ERK granules appeared to envelop enlarged mitochondria by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Ultrastructural immuno-gold studies revealed phospho-ERK labeling in mitochondria and in association with bundles of approximately 10 nm fibrils. Heavily labeled mitochondria were observed within autophagosomes. As mitochondrial pathology may play a pivotal role in Parkinson and other related neurodegenerative diseases, these studies suggest a potential interaction between dysfunctional mitochondria, autophagy, and ERK signaling pathways.     

Src-family kinases: rheostats of immune cell signaling

In immune cells, Src-family kinases have been implicated as critical regulators of a large number of intracellular signaling pathways. Studies of gene knockout mice lacking various family members have both confirmed the requirement for these kinases in some pathways and provided surprising insight into their roles in other pathways. In many cases, loss of a single kinase produces only a modest/moderate defect in the pathway being studied, while combinatorial mutants have more profound defects. In several cases, loss of Src-family kinase activity results in activation of signaling, illuminating the fact that these molecules play important roles in inhibitory signaling. This review will focus on both the positive and negative roles these kinases play in immunoreceptor and integrin signaling pathways. The overall observation that these molecules play such diverse signaling functions leads one to the conclusion that this family of proteins serves as general modulators of immune cell signaling.     

p38应急信号通路参与一氧化氮诱导PC12细胞死亡

目的:探讨一氧化氮诱导PC12细胞死亡的信号转导途径。方法:将亚硝基铁氰化钠(sodiumnitroprusside,SNP)、caspase-3拮抗剂(caspase-3inhibitorⅡ)加SNP或p38拮抗剂(SB203580)加SNP与传代培养的PC12细胞一起孵育,观测细胞的存活率和caspase-3的活性;用MTT法测细胞存活率,caspase-3检测试剂盒测caspase-3活性。结果:SNP以浓度和时间依赖性方式诱导PC12细胞死亡,并增加caspase-3的活性;caspase-3拮抗剂Ⅱ和p38拮抗剂均明显减少细胞死亡且p38拮抗剂明显降低caspase-3的活性。结论:一氧化氮可能通过激活p38、caspase-3信号分子诱导PC12细胞死亡。     

GnRH agonist-suppressed expression of nitric oxide synthases and generation of peroxynitrite in adenomyosis

Because overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite is known to cause tissue injury, the expression of NO synthases (NOS) and generation of peroxynitrite were investigated in adenomyosis. Immunoreactivities to endothelial and inducible NOS demonstrated phase-dependent changes in normal endometrium, and in eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis. However, NOS were expressed throughout the menstrual cycle in ectopic endometrium from the majority of patients with adenomyosis. Nitrotyrosine, a footprint of peroxynitrite, was detected concomitantly with NOS protein. This suggested that high doses of NO and superoxide are produced in the ectopic endometrium, presumably by stimulation with bioactive molecules such as cytokines and growth factors. The expression of NOS and generation of peroxynitrite were markedly reduced by administration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). The suppression of serum concentrations of nitrite/nitrate, stable metabolites of NO, by long-term administration of GnRHa was also demonstrated. The suppression of synthesis of NO and/or peroxynitrite may be part of both the therapeutic and adverse effects of GnRHa therapy.     

Possible mechanism of bronchoprotection by SIN-1 in anaesthetized guinea pigs: roles of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite.

BACKGROUND: S-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) is thought to generate peroxynitrite. Recent reports suggested that peroxynitrite possessed a potent vascular relaxant activity via guanylate cyclase activation. However, no previous studies have examined the relaxant effect of peroxynitrite on airway smooth muscle. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism of bronchoprotection by SIN-1, considering in particular the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite. METHODS: Peroxynitrite formation was assayed by monitoring the oxidizing activity of dihydrorhodamine 123, and NO was measured polarographically as a redox current in vitro. We examined the effect of SIN-1 delivered to the airway by ultrasonic nebulization against bronchoconstriction induced by acetylcholine in anaesthetized guinea pigs. RESULTS: SIN-1 produced peroxynitrite in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, but did not produce NO in vitro. However, when mixed with glutathione (GSH) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), peroxynitrite formation by SIN-1 was inhibited and SIN-1 induced the release of NO. SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine) and SIN-1 each inhibited acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner in vivo. Though GSH alone did not have any effect on baseline airway resistance and acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction, pretreatment with GSH significantly enhanced SNAP- and SIN-1-induced bronchoprotection. In addition, pretreatment with carboxy-PTIO, a NO scavenger, completely inhibited bronchoprotective effect of SNAP on acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction, but partially inhibited SIN-1-induced bronchoprotection. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that SIN-1 is a potent peroxynitrite-releasing compound and caused significant bronchoprotection against acetylcholine. The mechanism of bronchoprotection by SIN-1 appears to be mediated by peroxynitrite but also at least in part through NO regeneration, which may involve GSH and airway thiols as a consequence of exposure to peroxynitrite.     

Apoptosis signaling kinases: from stress response to health outcomes

Apoptosis is a highly regulated process essential for the development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Whereas caspases, a large family of intracellular cysteine proteases, play central roles in the execution of apoptosis, other proapoptotic and antiapoptotic regulators such as the members of the Bcl-2 family are also critically involved in the regulation of apoptosis. A large body of evidence has revealed that a number of protein kinases are among such regulators and regulate cellular sensitivity to various proapoptotic signals at multiple steps in apoptosis. However, recent progress in the analysis of these apoptosis signaling kinases demonstrates that they generally act as crucial regulators of diverse cellular responses to a wide variety of stressors, beyond their roles in apoptosis regulation. In this review, we have cataloged apoptosis signaling kinases involved in cellular stress responses on the basis of their ability to induce apoptosis and discuss their roles in stress responses with particular emphasis on health outcomes upon their dysregulation.     

一氧化氮和过氧亚硝基阴离子在肢体缺血再灌注致肺损伤中的作用

目的:观察肢体缺血再灌注致肺损伤时肺组织中一氧化氮(NO)及过氧亚硝基阴离子(ONOO^-)的变化,以探讨二者在此种损伤中的作用。方法:采用夹闭大鼠腹主动脉下段造成双下肢缺血和再灌注后肺损伤模型,分别测定假手术组、缺血4h组、缺血4h再灌注1h组及再灌注4h组肺组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)、NO₂^-/NO₃^-含量变化;应用免疫组化方法测定上述各组肺组织中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)及ONOO^-体内生成标志物硝基酪氨酸(NT)的变化。结果:肢体缺血再灌注后1h和4h肺组织中MDA和NO₂^-/NO₃^-的含量显著高于对照组和单纯缺血组(P＜0.05),而SOD活性则显著低于此两组(P＜0.05),并出现大量iNOS及NT阳性信号。结论:肢体缺血再灌注致肺损伤时肺组织中有大量NO和ONOO^-产生,脂质过氧化增强,提示ONOO^-参与介导此种肺损伤。     

Mechanisms of the antioxidant effects of nitric oxide

The Janus face of nitric oxide (NO) has prompted a debate as to whether NO plays a deleterious or protective role in tissue injury. There are a number of reactive nitrogen oxide species, such as N2O3 and ONOO-, that can alter critical cellular components under high local concentrations of NO. However, NO can also abate the oxidation chemistry mediated by reactive oxygen species such as H2O2 and O2- that occurs at physiological levels of NO. In addition to the antioxidant chemistry, NO protects against cell death mediated by H2O2, alkylhydroperoxides, and xanthine oxidase. The attenuation of metal/peroxide oxidative chemistry, as well as lipid peroxidation, appears to be the major chemical mechanisms by which NO may limit oxidative injury to mammalian cells. In addition to these chemical and biochemical properties, NO can modulate cellular and physiological processes to limit oxidative injury, limiting processes such as leukocyte adhesion. This review will address these aspects of the chemical biology of this multifaceted free radical and explore the beneficial effect of NO against oxidative stress.     

Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and peroxynitrite in gut inflammation

Inflammation Research -     

Expression of nitric oxide,peroxynitrite, and apoptosis in loose total hip replacements

Nitric oxide (NO) is an effector molecule associated with inflammation, immune function, bone metabolism, and the induction of apoptosis. This study examined the role of NO, peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), and apoptosis in cases of revision total hip replacements (THRs). We hypothesized that apoptosis and excess production of NO contribute to the inflammatory reaction to orthopedic biomaterial wear debris that is associated with loosening and osteolysis. Periprosthetic membranous specimens were collected from revised cemented acetabular components with simple loosening and ballooning osteolysis. Synovial samples from patients undergoing primary THR were used as controls. The presence of macrophages (CD68(+)) and levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (EcNOS), ONOO(-) (Nitro, assayed by the amount of nitrated tyrosine residues), and apoptosis (TUNEL staining) were examined using immunohistochemistry. Increased expression for INOS, EcNOS, and ONOO(-) in both the loose/osteolytic and the loose/non-osteolytic groups was observed when compared to the synovium group. There were no significant differences between the loose/osteolytic group and loose/non-osteolytic group for these biologic markers. TUNEL staining showed a significant increase in apoptosis in the loose/osteolytic group compared to the loose/non-osteolytic group and synovial tissues. These findings suggest that NO and NO-derived molecules, such as ONOO(-), may be involved in sustaining the foreign-body reaction to wear debris. NO and ONOO(-) may prove to be useful markers of prosthetic loosening whereas apoptosis may be a marker distinguishing ballooning from simple osteolysis.     

MAPK signaling in neurodegeneration: influences of flavonoids and of nitric oxide

Oxidative and nitrosative stress is increasingly associated with the pathology of neurodegeneration and aging. The molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative/nitrosative stress-induced neuronal damage are emerging and appear to involve a mode of death in which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are strongly implicated. Thus, attention is turning towards the modulation of intracellular signaling as a therapeutic approach against neurodegeneration. Both endogenous and dietary agents have been suggested as potent modulators of intracellular signal transduction, e.g. nitric oxide and flavonoids, respectively. This review addresses recent findings on the biological effects of flavonoids and nitric oxide in neurodegeneration and aims to elucidate the rationale for their prospective use as modulators of cellular signal transduction.     

NO介导的小鼠胸腺细胞中线粒体的变化在细胞凋亡过程中的作用

目的研究一氧化氮(NO)介导的胸腺细胞凋亡中线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm)和心磷脂(CL)含量变化的特点。方法以S-亚硝基-N-乙酰青霉胺(SNAP)作为NO的供体诱导胸腺细胞凋亡,以地塞米松(DEX)作为阳性对照药物;设空白对照组、SNAP组和DEX组3个实验组;经膜联蛋白V(annexinVmAb)和碘化丙啶(PI)染色后,用流式细胞术(FCM)检测细胞磷脂酰丝氨酸(PS)外翻;用3,3’-二已基噁羰花青碘化物[DiOC6(3)]和PE-anti-annexinVmAb检测凋亡中ΔΨm变化;用壬基吖啶橙(NAO)和PE-anti-annexinVmAb检测凋亡中线粒体CL变化。结果SNAP作用后6h,胸腺细胞出现典型的细胞凋亡特征,多数annexinV阳性的细胞出现皱缩。DEX组ΔΨm降低且未凋亡的细胞比例显著高于空白对照组(P<0.01);而SNAP组该群细胞所占比例与空白对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各组中约40%~50%的DiOC6(3)阴性细胞同正常细胞的大小。SNAP组CL含量降低的凋亡细胞所占比例显著高于对照组(P<0.01),未见CL含量降低且未凋亡的细胞群。空白对照组和SNAP组中分别有(48.32±3.96)%、(43.64±4.90)%的细胞CL含量降低但大小同正常细胞。结论NO介导的小鼠胸腺细胞的凋亡过程,依次为磷脂酰丝氨酸外翻、线粒体去极化、CL氧化及细胞皱缩。同DEX模型组相比较,NO介导的小鼠胸腺细胞线粒体的变化为凋亡过程中较晚期的变化。     

Selective COX-2 inhibitor regulates the MAP kinase signaling pathway in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes after induction of nitric oxide

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway and synthesis of glucosaminoglycan after nitric oxide (NO) induction in articular human chondrocytes. After NO induction, the cells were divided into three groups that were treated with either ethanol (control); a selective COX-2 inhibitor (Celecoxib), or no additive, and evaluated. There were no differences in the effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor on mitochondrial membrane potential or Annexin V levels. However, Celecoxib significantly decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Celecoxib also decreased the phosphorylation state of p38 and p44/42 of MAP kinase. The ratio of chondroitin-6 sulfate (C6S)/C4S was increased in response to the exposure to Celecoxib. Celecoxib did not affect apoptosis, but decreased the activation of MAP kinase in osteoarthritic chondrocytes after NO induction. NO-induced OA chondrocytes were associated with the p38 and the p44/42 MAPK signaling pathways, in a pathway that is distinct from PGE2-mediated apoptosis.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulates T cell receptor signaling at the immunological synapse

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in T cells remains controversial, and the origin and localization of endogenous NO and whether it regulates lymphocyte activation are unclear. We show here that, within minutes of binding to antigen, T cells produce NO via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This process required increased intracellular Ca2+ and phosphoinositide3-kinase activity. By using an eNOS-green fluorescent fusion protein and fluorescent probes to detect NO, we show that eNOS translocates with the Golgi apparatus to the immune synapse of T helper cells engaged with antigen-presenting cells (APC), where it was fully activated. Overexpression of eNOS prevented the central coalescence of CD3 at the T cell-APC contact site, which was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of CD3zeta chain, ZAP-70, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases and increased IFN-gamma synthesis, but reduced production of IL-2. Therefore, eNOS-derived NO selectively potentiates T cell receptor signaling to antigen at the immunological synapse.     

Exhaled nitric oxide in asthma: from bench to bedside

With more than 600 publications, exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been extensively investigated as a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation in a research setting. This clinical rostrum presents a synopsis of the latest research about this novel marker in asthma and suggests how it might move from bench to bedside. Specifically, we review the evidence citing the applicability of exhaled NO in diagnosing asthma, monitoring the response to therapy, evaluating current symptom control, and predicting exacerbations of asthma. These studies support a role for exhaled NO in the evaluation and treatment of asthma in the clinical arena.     

S-glutathionylation reshapes our understanding of endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling

Oxidative stress has been shown to convert endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) from an NO-producing enzyme to an enzyme that generates superoxide, a process termed NOS uncoupling. This uncoupling of eNOS converts it to function as an NADPH oxidase with superoxide and hydrogen peroxide generation. eNOS uncoupling has been associated with many pathophysiologic conditions, such as heart failure, ischemia/reperfusion injury, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. The mechanisms implicated in the uncoupling of eNOS include oxidation of the critical NOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin, depletion of L-arginine, and accumulation of methylarginines. All of these prior mechanisms of eNOS-derived reactive oxygen species formation occur primarily at the heme of the oxygenase domain and are blocked by heme blockers or the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methylester. Recently, we have identified another unique mechanism of redox regulation of eNOS through S-glutathionylation that was shown to be important in cell signaling and vascular disease. Herein, we briefly review the mechanisms of eNOS uncoupling as well as their interrelationships and the evidence for their importance in disease.     

Localization of the cGMP-dependent protein kinases in relation to nitric oxide synthase in the brain

The distributions of the type I and type II isoforms of cGMP-dependent protein kinase were determined in the rat brain using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, and compared with the localization of NO synthase determined with NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. The type I cGMP-dependent protein kinase was highly expressed in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex, where it was closely associated with the NO synthase containing granule and basket cells. This kinase was also found in neurons in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, where it may be regulated by NO or atriopeptides. The type I kinase was not detected in other central neurons. In contrast, the type II kinase was widely distributed in the brain. In particular, it was highly expressed in the olfactory bulb, cortex, septum, thalamus, tectum and various brainstem nuclei. Many regions expressing this kinase also contained, or received innervation from NO synthase positive neurons. These results indicate that type I cGMP-dependent protein kinase may act as a downstream effector for NO only in the cerebellar cortex and the dorsomedial hypothalamus. The type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be a major mediator of NO actions in the brain.     

Production of nitric oxide by murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro on treatment with prolactin and growth hormone: involvement of protein tyrosine kinases, Ca(++), and MAP kinase signal transduction pathways

Prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) (somatotropin) have been known to possess immunomodulatory properties. In the present studies we have investigated the production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha by murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro on treatment with PRL and GH and the signal transduction mechanism involved. It is observed that significantly enhanced production of NO is induced in macrophages on treatment with PRL and GH. It is further observed that protein tyrosine kinases, MAP kinases and Ca(++) channeling are involved in NO production by macrophages on in vitro treatment with PRL and GH. GH and PRL induced nitric oxide did not have any effect on the expression and production of TNF-alpha. PRL or GH induced TNF-alpha production by murine macrophages was insensitive in the presence of competitive inhibitor of NOS, L-NMMA. Similarly, there is no autocrine or paracrine effect of TNF-alpha on GH or PRL induced NO production and iNOS expression.