Nitric oxide-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) during hypoxia in cerebral cortical nuclei of newborn piglets

Polyphenol Oxidase as a Promising Alternative Therapeutic Agent for Cancer Therapy

Cancers have always been the most difficult to fight, the treatment of cancer is still not considered. Thus, exploring new anticancer drugs is still imminent. Traditional Chinese medicine has played an important role in the treatment of cancer. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) extracted from Edible mushroom has many related reports on its characteristics, but its role in cancer treatment is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of PPO extracted from Edible mushroom on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and explore the therapeutic effects of PPO on tumors in vivo. A cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was used to detect the effect of PPO on the proliferation of cancer cells. The effect of PPO on cancer cell migration ability was detected by scratch test. The effect of PPO on the invasion ability of cancer cells was detected by a transwell assay. The effect of PPO on the apoptosis of cancer cells was detected by flow cytometry. Female BALB/c mice (18-25 g, 6-8 weeks) were used for in vivo experiments. The experiments were divided into control group, model group, low-dose group (25 mg/kg), and high-dose group (50 mg/kg). In vitro, PPO extracted from Edible mushroom significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion capability of breast cancer cell 4T1, lung cancer cell A549, and prostate cancer cell C4-2, and significantly promoted the apoptosis of 4T1, A549, and C4-2. In vivo experiments showed PPO inhibitory effect on tumor growth. Collectively, the edible fungus extract PPO could play an effective role in treating various cancers, and it may potentially be a promising agent for treating cancers.

Enhanced Ca2+ Entry Sustains the Activation of Akt in Glucose Deprived SH-SY5Y Cells

The two crucial cellular insults that take place during cerebral ischemia are the loss of oxygen and loss of glucose, which can both activate a cascade of events leading to neuronal death. In addition, the toxic overactivation of neuronal excitatory receptors, leading to Ca²⁺ overload, may contribute to ischemic neuronal injury. Brain ischemia can be simulated in vitro by oxygen/glucose deprivation, which can be reversible by the re-establishment of physiological conditions. Accordingly, we examined the effects of glucose deprivation on the PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathway and its crosstalk with HIF-1α and Ca²⁺ homeostasis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. It was found that glucose withdrawal decreased HIF-1α protein levels even in the presence of the ischemia-mimicking CoCl_2. On the contrary, and despite neuronal death, we identified a strong activation of the master pro-survival kinase Akt, a finding that was also confirmed by the increased phosphorylation of GSK3, a direct target of p-Akt. Remarkably, the elevated Ca²⁺ influx recorded was found to promptly trigger the activation of Akt, while a re-addition of glucose resulted in rapid restoration of both Ca²⁺ entry and p-Akt levels, highlighting the plasticity of neurons to respond to ischemic challenges and the important role of glucose homeostasis for multiple neurological disorders.

Magnesium Sulfate Attenuates Lethality and Oxidative Damage Induced by Different Models of Hypoxia in Mice

Mg²⁺ is an important cation in our body. It is an essential cofactor for many enzymes. Despite many works, nothing is known about the protective effects of MgSO₄ against hypoxia-induced lethality and oxidative damage in brain mitochondria. In this study, antihypoxic and antioxidative activities of MgSO₄ were evaluated by three experimental models of induced hypoxia (asphyctic, haemic, and circulatory) in mice. Mitochondria protective effects of MgSO₄ were evaluated in mouse brain after induction of different models of hypoxia. Antihypoxic activity was especially pronounced in asphyctic hypoxia, where MgSO₄ at dose 600 mg/kg showed the same activity as phenytoin, which used as a positive control (P < 0.001). In the haemic model, MgSO₄ at all used doses significantly prolonged latency of death. In circulatory hypoxia, MgSO₄ (600 mg/kg) doubles the survival time. MgSO₄ significantly decreased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl and improved mitochondrial function and glutathione content in brain mitochondria compared to the control groups. The results obtained in this study showed that MgSO₄ administration has protective effects against lethality induced by different models of hypoxia and improves brain mitochondria oxidative damage.

JNK2 up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factors and contributes to hypoxia-induced erythropoiesis and pulmonary hypertension

The hypoxic response is a stress response triggered by low oxygen tension. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a prominent role in the pathobiology of hypoxia-associated conditions, including pulmonary hypertension (PH) and polycythemia. The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), a stress-activated protein kinase that consists of two ubiquitously expressed isoforms, JNK1 and JNK2, and a tissue-specific isoform, JNK3, has been shown to be activated by hypoxia. However, the physiological role of JNK1 and JNK2 in the hypoxic response remains elusive. Here, using genetic knockout cells and/or mice, we show that JNK2, but not JNK1, up-regulates the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and contributes to hypoxia-induced PH and polycythemia. Knockout or silencing of JNK2, but not JNK1, prevented the accumulation of HIF-1α in hypoxia-treated cells. Loss of JNK2 resulted in a decrease in HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA levels under resting conditions and in response to hypoxia. Consequently, hypoxia-treated Jnk2^-/- mice had reduced erythropoiesis and were less prone to polycythemia because of decreased expression of the HIF target gene erythropoietin (Epo). Jnk2^-/- mice were also protected from hypoxia-induced PH, as indicated by lower right ventricular systolic pressure, a process that depends on HIF. Taken together, our results suggest that JNK2 is a positive regulator of HIFs and therefore may contribute to HIF-dependent pathologies.

Discovery and Optimization of N-Substituted 2-(4-pyridinyl)thiazole carboxamides against Tumor Growth through Regulating Angiogenesis Signaling Pathways

Inhibition of angiogenesis is considered as one of the desirable pathways for the treatment of tumor growth and metastasis. Herein we demonstrated that a series of pyridinyl-thiazolyl carboxamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and examined against angiogenesis through a colony formation and migration assays of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out and optimization toward this series of compounds resulted in the discovery of N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-2-(2-propyl-4-pyridinyl)thiazole-5-carboxamide (3k). The results indicated that compound 3k showed similar or better effects compared to Vandetanib in suppressing HUVECs colony formation and migration as well as VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the aortic ring spreading model and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. More importantly, compound 3k also strongly blocked tumor growth with the dosage of 30 mg/kg/day, and subsequent mechanism exploration suggested that this series of compounds took effect mainly through angiogenesis signaling pathways. Together, these results suggested compound 3k may serve as a lead for a novel class of angiogenesis inhibitors for cancer treatments.

Inhibition of adenosine kinase attenuates inflammation and neurotoxicity in traumatic optic neuropathy

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is associated with apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. Local productions of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators from activated microglial cells have been hypothesized to underlie apoptotic processes. We previously demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effect of adenosine, through A2A receptor activation had profound protective influence against retinal injury in traumatic optic neuropathy. This protective effect is limited due to rapid cellular re-uptake of adenosine by equilibrative nucleotside transporter-1 (ENT1) or break down by adenosine kinase (AK), the key enzyme in adenosine clearance pathway. Further, the use of adenosine receptors agonists are limited by systemic side effects. Therefore, we seek to investigate the potential role of amplifying the endogenous ambient level of adenosine by pharmacological inhibition of AK. We tested our hypothesis by comparing TON-induced retinal injury in mice with and without ABT-702 treatment, a selective AK inhibitor (AKI). The retinal-protective effect of ABT-702 was demonstrated by significant reduction of Iba-1, ENT1, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS/nNOS protein or mRNA expression in TON as revealed by western blot and real time PCR. TON-induced superoxide anion generation and nitrotyrosine expression were reduced in ABT-702 treated mice retinal sections as determined by immunoflourescence. In addition, ABT-702 attenuated p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 activation in LPS induced activated mouse microglia cells. The results of the present investigation suggested that ABT-702 had a protective role against marked TON-induced retinal inflammation and damage by augmenting the endogenous therapeutic effects of site- and event-specific accumulation of extracellular adenosine.

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma preferentially induces apoptosis in p53-mutated cancer cells by activating ROS stress-response pathways

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) is an ionized gas at room temperature and has potential as a new apoptosis-promoting cancer therapy that acts by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it is imperative to determine its selectivity and standardize the components and composition of NTAPP. Here, we designed an NTAPP-generating apparatus combined with a He gas feeding system and demonstrated its high selectivity toward p53-mutated cancer cells. We first determined the proper conditions for NTAPP exposure to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The apoptotic effect of NTAPP was greater for p53-mutated cancer cells; artificial p53 expression in p53-negative HT29 cells decreased the pro-apoptotic effect of NTAPP. We also examined extra- and intracellular ROS levels in NTAPP-treated cells to deduce the mechanism of NTAPP action. While NTAPP-mediated increases in extracellular nitric oxide (NO) did not affect cell viability, intracellular ROS increased under NTAPP exposure and induced apoptotic cell death. This effect was dose-dependently reduced following treatment with ROS scavengers. NTAPP induced apoptosis even in doxorubicin-resistant cancer cell lines, demonstrating the feasibility of NTAPP as a potent cancer therapy. Collectively, these results strongly support the potential of NTAPP as a selective anticancer treatment, especially for p53-mutated cancer cells.

Exogenous nitric oxide negatively regulates the S-nitrosylation p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion

AIMS

A number of studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the reactive phosphorylation of p38MAPKα (p38). However, whether S-nitrosylation of p38 is activated by NO and the details remain unclear. The aim of the present work was to assess the activation of p38, the S-nitrosylation site and the p38 signalling pathway in rat hippocampus and in HEK293 cell induced by exogenous NO.

METHODS

Primary hippocampal cultures, HEK293 cells and rat model of cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (brain ischaemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion procedure) were used in this study. Biotin-switch method and immunoblotting were performed to study the S-nitrosylation and phosphorylation of p38, and neuronal loss was observed by histology.

RESULTS

Endogenous NO increased p38 phosphorylation and S-nitrosylation, and the activation of p38 was dependent on the S-nitrosylation of Cys-211, which was critical for the NO-mediated activation of p38. The exogenous NO donor sodium nitroprusside, S-nitrosoglutathione, 7-nitroindazole, the inhibitor of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase, inhibited the activation of p38 signal pathway induced by cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion and attenuated the damage in rat hippocampal neurones. Moreover, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is probably involved in the p38 activation process of S-nitrosylation and phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

Endogenous NO induces the S-nitrosylation and phosphorylation of p38 and mediates p38 signalling pathway by NMDAR, and as exogenous NO inhibits this process and is neuroprotective in rat cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion, it may make a contribution to stroke therapy.

Vitreous mediators in retinal hypoxic diseases

The causes of retinal hypoxia are many and varied. Under hypoxic conditions, a variety of soluble factors are secreted into the vitreous cavity including growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Cytokines, which usually serve as signals between neighboring cells, are involved in essentially every important biological process, including cell proliferation, inflammation, immunity, migration, fibrosis, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. Cytokines and chemokines are multifunctional mediators that can direct the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation, promote the process, enhance immune responses, and promote stem cell survival, development, and homeostasis. The modern particle-based flow cytometric analysis is more direct, stable and sensitive than the colorimetric readout of the conventional ELISA but, similar to ELISA, is influenced by vitreous hemorrhage, disruption of the blood-retina barrier, and high serum levels of a specific protein. Finding patterns in the expression of inflammatory cytokines specific to a particular disease can substantially contribute to the understanding of its basic mechanism and to the development of a targeted therapy.

Prenatal hypoxic-ischemic insult changes the distribution and number of NADPH-diaphorase cells in the cerebellum

Astrogliosis, oligodendroglial death and motor deficits have been observed in the offspring of female rats that had their uterine arteries clamped at the 18^th gestational day. Since nitric oxide has important roles in several inflammatory and developmental events, here we evaluated NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) distribution in the cerebellum of rats submitted to this hypoxia-ischemia (HI) model. At postnatal (P) day 9, Purkinje cells of SHAM and non-manipulated (NM) animals showed NADPH-d+ labeling both in the cell body and dendritic arborization in folia 1 to 8, while HI animals presented a weaker labeling in both cellular structures. NADPH-d+ labeling in the molecular (ML), and in both the external and internal granular layer, was unaffected by HI at this age. At P23, labeling in Purkinje cells was absent in all three groups. Ectopic NADPH-d+ cells in the ML of folia 1 to 4 and folium 10 were present exclusively in HI animals. This labeling pattern was maintained up to P90 in folium 10. In the cerebellar white matter (WM), at P9 and P23, microglial (ED1+) NADPH-d+ cells, were observed in all groups. At P23, only HI animals presented NADPH-d labeling in the cell body and processes of reactive astrocytes (GFAP+). At P9 and P23, the number of NADPH-d+ cells in the WM was higher in HI animals than in SHAM and NM ones. At P45 and at P90 no NADPH-d+ cells were observed in the WM of the three groups. Our results indicate that HI insults lead to long-lasting alterations in nitric oxide synthase expression in the cerebellum. Such alterations in cerebellar differentiation might explain, at least in part, the motor deficits that are commonly observed in this model.

Hypoxia-ischemia and retinal ganglion cell damage

Retinal hypoxia is the potentially blinding mechanism underlying a number of sight-threatening disorders including central retinal artery occlusion, ischemic central retinal vein thrombosis, complications of diabetic eye disease and some types of glaucoma. Hypoxia is implicated in loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) occurring in such conditions. RGC death occurs by apoptosis or necrosis. Hypoxia-ischemia induces the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and its target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Increased production of VEGF results in disruption of the blood retinal barrier leading to retinal edema. Enhanced expression of NOS results in increased production of nitric oxide which may be toxic to the cells resulting in their death. Excess glutamate release in hypoxic-ischemic conditions causes excitotoxic damage to the RGCs through activation of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Activation of glutamate receptors is thought to initiate damage in the retina by a cascade of biochemical effects such as neuronal NOS activation and increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ which has been described as a major contributing factor to RGC loss. Excess production of proinflammatory cytokines also mediates cell damage. Besides the above, free-radicals generated in hypoxic-ischemic conditions result in RGC loss because of an imbalance between antioxidant- and oxidant-generating systems. Although many advances have been made in understanding the mediators and mechanisms of injury, strategies to improve the damage are lacking. Measures to prevent neuronal injury have to be developed.

Benefit of nanocarrier of magnetic magnesium in rat malathion-induced toxicity and cardiac failure using non-invasive monitoring of electrocardiogram and blood pressure

Medical management in acute organophosphate (OP) poisoning is not always successful because of tissue hypoxia which results in a reduction of heart contractility and cell damage. This study reports improvement of malathion (MAL)-induced cardiac failure by a nanocarrier of magnetic isotope of Mg (PMC16). A rat model of acute MAL poisoning was set up. PMC16 nanoparticle at doses of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 LD50 = 896 mg/kg) were administered intravenously (iv) 30 minutes after a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of MAL (0.25 LD50= 207 mg/kg). Atropine (AT; 40 mg/kg, ip) plus pralidoxime (PAM; 40 mg/kg, ip) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄; 600 mg/kg, iv) were used as standard therapy or controls. Anesthetized animals were monitored for heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and blood oxidative stress biomarkers like cellular lipid peroxidation, total thiol molecules, antioxidant power, gamma glutamil transpeptidase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as a marker of OP toxicity. Results indicated that after MAL administration, heart rate and BP decreased and R-R duration increased. PMC16 markedly restored BP at all doses as compared with MgSO₄. PMC16 at the dose of 0.05 LD50 significantly increased BP in comparison to AT + PAM. PMC16 restored heart rate at dose of 0.2 LD50 and reduced lipid peroxidation at dose of 0.05 LD50 as compared to MgSO₄. PMC16 also improved total antioxidant power at all doses when compared to AT + PAM and reduced GGT activity at dose of 0.2 LD50 but did not affect total thiol molecules. MgSO₄ could improve MAL-induced reduction of total antioxidant power. After 24 h, PMC16 significantly improved MAL-suppressed AChE activity at doses of 0.05 and 0.1 LD50. PMC16 at all doses significantly recovered MAL-induced arrhythmia when compared to standard therapies. It is concluded that PMC16 is able to control OP-induced cardiac failure and toxicity.

SDF-1alpha stimulates JNK3 activity via eNOS-dependent nitrosylation of MKP7 to enhance endothelial migration

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) is a pivotal player in angiogenesis. It is capable of influencing such cellular processes as tubulogenesis and endothelial cell migration, yet very little is known about the actual signaling events that mediate SDF-1alpha-induced endothelial cell function. In this report, we describe the identification of an intricate SDF-1alpha-induced signaling cascade that involves endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), JNK3, and MAPK phosphatase 7 (MKP7). We demonstrate that the SDF-1alpha-induced activation of JNK3, critical for endothelial cell migration, depends on the prior activation of eNOS. Specifically, activation of eNOS leads to production of NO and subsequent nitrosylation of MKP7, rendering the phosphatase inactive and unable to inhibit the activation of JNK3. These observations reinforce the importance of nitric oxide and S-nitrosylation in angiogenesis and provide a mechanistic pathway for SDF-1alpha-induced endothelial cell migration. In addition, the discovery of this interactive network of pathways provides novel and unexpected therapeutic targets for angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

The effect of chronic nitric oxide synthases inhibition on regulatory proteins in rat hearts

The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on the alterations of regulatory myocardial proteins of intracellular signaling pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt kinase cascades) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). Chronic NO deficiency (NOD) was induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks). Protein levels and activation of protein kinases were determined using specific antibodies, activities of MMP were analyzed by zymography in gels containing gelatin as a substrate. The development of NOD was associated with decreased activation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and down-regulation of protein level of inducible NOS (iNOS). Investigation of kinase pathways revealed that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and the levels of upstream activators of ERK (aFGF, H-Ras) were decreased after L-NAME treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that chronic application of L-NAME also decreased the activation of Akt kinase as compared with control hearts. Study of MMPs showed that in L-NAME-treated rat hearts activities of tissue MMP-2 were decreased. It is concluded that development of NOD resulted in inhibition of ERK and Akt kinase pathways and these changes suggest the involvement of these cascades in responses of myocardium to NOD. The results also point to the possible relationship between ERK and Akt kinase pathways and activation of eNOS and/or MMP-2.

Acute hypoxia to endothelial cells induces activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression that is mediated via nitric oxide

Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in hypoxia-induced vascular disorders. We investigated the acute hypoxia effect on endothelial expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a stress-inducible transcription factor playing significant roles in cellular responses to stress. Bovine aortic ECs were subjected to acute hypoxia (1% O(2), pO(2)=8 mmHg) and ATF3 expression was examined. ECs exposed to hypoxia transiently induced ATF3 expression. A transient increase in the activation of c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in ECs was observed; however, only ECs pretreated with a specific inhibitor to JNK suppressed the hypoxia-induced ATF3 expression. ECs exposed to acute hypoxia transiently increased endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) activity. Pre-treating ECs with a specific inhibitor to eNOS (l-NAME) or PI3-kinase significantly inhibited the hypoxia-induced JNK activation and ATF3 expression. ATF3 induction has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. Consistently, ECs exposed to hypoxia attenuated the MMP-2 expression. This hypoxia-attenuated MMP-2 expression can be rescued by pre-treating ECs with an inhibitor of eNOS. These results suggest that the ATF3 induction by acute hypoxia is mediated by nitric oxide and the JNK pathway in ECs. Our findings provide a molecular basis for the mechanism in which ECs respond to acute hypoxia.

Neuron-specific phosphorylation of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1 involved in cerebral hypoxic preconditioning of mice

Studies have demonstrated the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade pathways in the development of cerebral ischemic/hypoxic preconditioning (I/HPC). However, the role of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK1), an important downstream kinase of MAPK signaling pathways, in cerebral I/HPC is unclear. By using Western blot and immunostaining methods, we applied our unique "autohypoxia"-induced I/HPC mouse model to investigate the effects of repetitive hypoxic exposure (H0-H6, n=6 for each group) on phosphorylation and protein expression levels of MSK1 in the brain of mice. We found that the levels of phosphorylation on threonine 645 (Thr645) and serine 375 (Ser375) of MSK1, but not the protein expression, increased significantly both in hippocampus and in cortex of mice from H1-H6 groups (P<0.05) over that of the normoxic group (H0, n=6). Similarly, enhanced phosphorylations on Thr645 and Ser375 of MSK1 were also observed by immunostaining in both the cortex and the hippocampus of mice following three series of hypoxic exposures (H3). In addition, we found by using double-immunofluorescence labeling that phosphorylated Thr645-MSK1 colocalized with a neuron-specific protein, neurogranin, in both cortex and hippocampus of I/HPC mice (H3). These results suggest that the increased neuron-specific phosphorylation of MSK1 on Thr645 and Ser375, not protein expression, might be involved in the development of cerebral I/HPC in mice.

Reduction in the in vitro expression of Brain–Pancreas Relative Protein by oxygen and glucose-deprivation

Brain-Pancreas Relative Protein (BPRP) is a novel protein found in our laboratory. In previous study we observed a significant reduction in BPRP in ischemic brain of rat. Here we undertook this study to explore the possible mediating mechanism by which oxygen and glucose-deprivation culture (OGD), a model of ischemia in vitro, decreased the expression of BPRP in PC12 cells. BPRP was found to be expressed in PC12 cells and OGD caused a significant reduction in BPRP expression. The effect of OGD was primarily mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) because OGD upregulated the production of ROS and the inhibitors of protein kinase C, calmodulin, free radical scavengers reduced OGD-induced ROS production, while increased the expression of BPRP in PC12 cells. These data indicate that OGD decreases the expression of BPRP via enhanced formation of intracellular ROS.

Cross talk between nitric oxide and ERK1/2 signaling pathway in the spinal cord mediates naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats

Our recent study has shown activation of spinal extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, contributes to naloxone-precipitated withdrawal and withdrawal-induced spinal neuronal sensitization in morphine-dependent rats. However, the mechanism and significance of the spinal ERK1/2 activation during morphine dependence and withdrawal remain unknown. In this study, we reported that intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment with either the non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitro indazole (7-NI), or the inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG), could reduce morphine withdrawal-induced increase of phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) expression in the rat spinal cord. On the other hand, attenuation of the spinal ERK phosphorylation by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 also could inhibit the increase of nNOS and iNOS expression in the spinal cord of morphine withdrawal rats. Inhibitory expression of pERK1/2 by i.t. NOS inhibitor L-NAME, 7-NI or AG and of nNOS and iNOS by i.t. U0126 in the spinal cord were accompanied by decreased scores of morphine withdrawal and the inhibited spinal Fos protein (a maker for neuronal excitation or activation) expression induced by morphine withdrawal. These findings suggest cross talk between nitric oxide (NO) and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway mediates morphine withdrawal and withdrawal-induced spinal neuronal sensitization in morphine-dependent rats.

Effect of 7-nitroindazole sodium on the cellular distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the cerebral cortex of hypoxic newborn piglets

Cerebral hypoxia results in generation of nitric oxide (NO) free radicals by Ca(++)-dependent activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The present study tests the hypothesis that the hypoxia-induced increased expression of nNOS in cortical neurons is mediated by NO. To test this hypothesis the cellular distribution of nNOS was determined immunohistochemically in the cerebral cortex of hypoxic newborn piglets with and without prior exposure to the selective nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole sodium (7-NINA). Studies were conducted in newborn piglets, divided into normoxic (n = 6), normoxic treated with 7-NINA (n = 6), hypoxic (n = 6) and hypoxic pretreated with 7-NINA (n = 6). Hypoxia was induced by lowering the FiO(2) to 0.05-0.07 for 1 h. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented by decrease of ATP and phosphocreatine levels in both the hypoxic and 7-NINA pretreated hypoxic groups (P < 0.01). An increase in the number of nNOS immunoreactive neurons was observed in the frontal and parietal cortex of the hypoxic as compared to the normoxic groups (P < 0.05) which was attenuated by pretreatment with 7-NINA (P < 0.05 versus hypoxic). 7-NINA affected neither the cerebral energy metabolism nor the cellular distribution of nNOS in the cerebral cortex of normoxic animals. We conclude that nNOS expression in cortical neurons of hypoxic newborn piglets is NO-mediated. We speculate that nNOS inhibition by 7-NINA will protect against hypoxia-induced NO-mediated neuronal death.

Nitric oxide-mediated mechanism of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression during hypoxia in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets

Previously, we have shown that hypoxia results in increased generation of nitric oxide free radicals in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets that may be due to up-regulation of nitric oxide synthases, neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The present study tests the hypothesis that hypoxia results in increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets and that the increased expression is nitric oxide-mediated. Newborn piglets, 2-4 days old, were divided to normoxic (n=4), hypoxic (n=4) and hypoxic-treated with 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt, a selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt, n=6, 1 mg/kg, 60 min prior to hypoxia). Piglets were anesthetized, ventilated and exposed to an FiO2 of 0.21 or 0.07 for 60 min. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by determining ATP and phosphocreatine. The expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase was determined by Western blot using specific antibodies for neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Protein bands were detected by enhanced chemiluminescence, analyzed by imaging densitometry and the protein band density expressed as absorbance (OD x mm(2)). The density of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the normoxic, hypoxic and hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups was: 41.56+/-4.27 in normoxic, 61.82+/-3.57 in hypoxic (P<0.05) and 47.80+/-1.56 in hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups (P=NS vs normoxic), respectively. Similarly, the density of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the normoxic, hypoxic and hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups was: 105.21+/-9.09, 157.71+/-13.33 (P<0.05 vx normoxic), 117.84+/-10.32 (p=NS vx normoxic), respectively. The data show that hypoxia results in increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase proteins in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets and that the hypoxia-induced increased expression is prevented by the administration of 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt. Furthermore, the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition prevented the inducible nitric oxide synthase expression for a period of 7 days after hypoxia. Since administration of 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt prevents nitric oxide generation by inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase, we conclude that the hypoxia-induced increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase is mediated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase derived nitric oxide. We speculate that during hypoxia nitric oxide-mediated up-regulation of nitric oxide synthases will continue the perpetual cycle of nitric oxide generation-->NOS up-regulation-->nitric oxide generation resulting in hypoxic neuronal death.

Overexpression of PrPC by adenovirus-mediated gene targeting reduces ischemic injury in a stroke rat model

Prion diseases are induced by pathologically misfolded prion protein (PrPSc), which recruit normal sialoglycoprotein PrPC by a template-directed process. In this study, we investigated the expression of PrPC in a rat model of cerebral ischemia to more fully understand its physiological role. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PrPC-immunoreactive cells increased significantly in the penumbra of ischemic rat brain compared with the untreated brain. Western blot analysis showed that PrPC protein expression increased in ischemic brain tissue in a time-dependent manner. In addition, PrPC protein expression was seen to colocalize with neuron, glial, and vascular endothelial cells in the penumbric region of the ischemic brain. Overexpression of PrPC by injection of rAd (replication-defective recombinant adenoviral)-PGK (phosphoglycerate kinase)-PrPC-Flag into ischemic rat brain improved neurological behavior and reduced the volume of cerebral infarction, which is supportive of a role for PrPC in the neuroprotective adaptive cellular response to ischemic lesions. Concomitant upregulation of PrPC and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) under hypoxia-reoxygenation in primary cortical cultures was shown to be dependent on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. During hypoxia-reoxygenation, mouse neuroblastoma cell line N18 cells transfected with luciferase rat PrPC promoter reporter constructs, containing the heat shock element (HSE), expressed higher luciferase activities (3- to 10-fold) than those cells transfected with constructs not containing HSE. We propose that HSTF-1 (hypoxia-activated transcription factor), phosphorylated by ERK1/2, may in turn interact with HSE in the promoter of PrPC resulting in gene expression of the prion gene. In summary, we conclude that upregulation of PrPC expression after cerebral ischemia and hypoxia exerts a neuroprotective effect on injured neural tissue. This study suggests that PrPC has physiological relevance to cerebral ischemic injury and could be useful as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Effect of hypoxia on the expression and activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and MKP-3 in neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets: the role of nitric oxide

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1) and MAPK-3 regulate survival and programmed cell death of neurons under stress conditions. The activity of MAPK-1 and MAPK-3 is regulated by dual specificity phosphatases: MKP-1 and MKP-3. In previous studies, we have shown that cerebral hypoxia results in increased activation of MAPK-1 and MAPK-3. Furthermore, we have shown that the hypoxia-induced activation of MAPK is nitric oxide (NO)-mediated. The present study tested the hypothesis that hypoxia results in altered expression and activity of MKP-1 and MKP-3 in neuronal nuclei and the administration of 7-nitro-indazole (7-NINA; 1 mg/kg, 60 min prior to hypoxia), a selective nNOS inhibitor, will prevent the hypoxia-induced alteration in the expression and activity of MKP-1 and MKP-3. To test this hypothesis expression and activity of MKP-1 and MKP-3 were determined in neuronal nuclei of normoxic (Nx; n=5), hypoxic (Hx; n=5) and 7-NINA-pretreated-hypoxic (7-NINA-Hx; n=5). Hypoxia was achieved by exposing the animals to an FiO2 of 0.07 for 60 min. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by determining ATP and phosphocreatine levels. Neuronal nuclei were isolated using discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation and purified. Nuclear proteins were analyzed by Western blot using specific antibodies for MKP-1 and MKP-3 (Santa Cruz, CA, USA). The protein band density was determined by imaging densitometry and expressed as OD x mm2. The density of MKP-1 was 61.57+/-5.68, 155.86+/-44.02 and 69.88+/-25.54 in the Nx, Hx and 7-NINA-Hx groups, respectively (P<0.05, ANOVA). Similarly, the density of MKP-3 was 66.46+/-5.88, 172.04+/-33.10 and 116.88+/-14.66 in the Nx, Hx and 7-NINA-Hx groups, respectively (P<0.05, ANOVA). The data show an increased expression of MKP-1 and MKP-3 during hypoxia in neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets and the administration of 7-NINA, an nNOS inhibitor, prevented the hypoxia-induced increased expression of MKP-1 and MKP-3. The activity of MKP-1 (pmol/min) was 176.17+/-16.95 in Nx, 97.56+/-10.64 in Hx and 130+/-14.42 in the 7-NINA-Hx groups, respectively (P<0.05, ANOVA). Similarly the activity of MKP-3 was 104.11+/-12.17 in Nx, 36.29+/-16.88 in Hx and 77.89+/-20.18 in the 7-NINA groups, respectively (P<0.05, ANOVA). The results demonstrate that cerebral hypoxia results in increased expression of MKP-1 and MKP-3 expression that was prevented by the administration of 7-NINA. In contrast, hypoxia resulted in decreased activity of MKP-1 and MKP-3 that was prevented by the administration of a nNOS inhibitor. We conclude that hypoxia-induced decrease in MKP-1 and MKP-3 activity is not due to altered expression but due to NO-mediated modification of the cysteine residue at the active site of these dual specificity phosphatases, a mechanism of their inactivation that leads to activation of MAP kinases.

Effects of L-mono Methyl-arginine, N-Acetyl-cysteine and Diphenyleniodonium on Free Radical Release in C6 Glial Cells Enriched in Hexacosenoic Acid

Previously, we have shown that C6 glial cells enriched in hexacosenoic acid (HA) incubated with oxidative stressors released higher amounts of nitric oxide (NO) products and superoxide (O2(-)), compared to native C6 cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of pretreatment with some of free radical release inhibitors. The aim was to determine the origin of the enhanced generation of NO and superoxide, and to test the possibility of preventing it. Pre-treatment with L-mono-methyl-arginine and N-acetyl-cysteine in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) exposed HA cells, inhibited not only nitrite but also superoxide production suggesting that O2(-) anion could partially derive from inducible NO synthase. We also observed that ox-LDL treatment of HA cells reduced the intracellular glutathione levels and activated extracellular signal-related kinases. Since this signalling is related to neurotoxic effect, our data substantiate the role of the free radicals in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy pathogenesis, as HA cells have been used as an in vitro model for this disease.

Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 immunoreactivity identifies a novel subpopulation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons

Distinct chemical codes are thought to reflect functional specificity in sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPN). Although a number of chemical candidates have been identified including neurotransmitter-related, calcium-binding and other proteins, signal transduction proteins have been largely neglected. Not only might these chemicals allow discrimination of functionally unique chemical signatures, but they may also identify activated neurons. Immunoreactivity (ir) to phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was differentially located within the thoracic spinal cord depending upon which of three forms of killing was used: the only exception to this was the intermediolateral cell column (IML) which was consistently, densely labeled. The presence or absence of p-ERK1/2 in SPN (n=17,541) within the IML of the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord was determined in seven rats. SPN were identified on the basis of their location, size and that they contained choline acetyltransferase ir. On average, 58% of SPN contained p-ERK1/2, however, more SPN in both the upper (72%; C8-T4) and lower (78%; T11-L3) thoraco-lumbar spinal cord contained p-ERK1/2-ir than the middle thoracic region (47%; T4-T10). p-ERK1/2-ir was also examined in SPN (n=1895) innervating the adrenal medulla (identified by retrograde tracing using cholera toxin B subunit) combined with localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in three rats. On average, 64% of adrenal SPN contain p-ERK1/2-ir, and it was confirmed that all adrenal SPN contain nNOS-ir. It appears that p-ERK1/2-ir SPN, described in this study, have tonically activated receptors that are coupled to intracellular signal transduction pathways that lead to the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Activation Contributes to Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α–Dependent P-Glycoprotein Expression in Hypoxia

We previously have shown that hypoxia increases the expression of P-glycoprotein, which in turn increases tumor cell capacity to actively extrude chemotherapeutic agents and may contribute to tumor drug resistance. This event is mediated through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1). Here, we investigated the role of the stress-activated protein kinase c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) in the signaling mechanisms underlying these events. Hypoxia activates JNK activity in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase (MEKK-1), which preferentially activates JNK, mimics, in a nonadditive way, hypoxia-induced activity of the MDR1 promoter and expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein. Furthermore, the JNK inhibitor SP600125 selectively and specifically inhibits hypoxia- and MEKK-1-induced MDR1 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. JNK inhibition also reversed hypoxia- and MEKK-1-induced activity of an HIF-1-dependent reporter gene. MEKK-1-induced MDR1 expression depends on a functional HIF-1 binding site (hypoxia-responsive element). Hypoxia- but not cobalt chloride-dependent HIF-1-DNA binding and transcriptional activation was inhibited by SP600125, indicating that hypoxia-induced signaling to HIF-1 depends on JNK activation. Because it has been reported that reactive oxygen species are increased in hypoxia and related to JNK activation, we investigated their role in signaling this response. Whereas exogenous addition of H(2)O(2) was sufficient to activate JNK, reactive oxygen species scavengers were without effect on hypoxia-induced JNK or HIF-1 activation. Thus, hypoxia-elicited MDR1 expression, which depends on HIF-1 activation, depends at least in part on signaling via activation of JNK. Furthermore, these events are independent of the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Thus, JNK may represent a therapeutic target in the prevention of tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment.

Mechanisms of hypoxic-ischemic injury in the term infant

The pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the term infant is multifactorial and complex. Over the past decade the investigative emphasis has turned to cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury, and it has been increasingly recognized that the neonatal brain differs vastly from the adult brain in terms of response to hypoxia-ischemia. This review will discuss the initiation and evolution of brain injury in the term neonate, and the inherent biochemical and physiologic qualities of the neonatal brain that make its response to hypoxia-ischemia unique. Attention will be given to specific areas of investigation including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The coalescence of these entities to a final common pathway of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury will be emphasized.

Effect of hypoxia on protein tyrosine kinase activity in cortical membranes of newborn piglets—the role of nitric oxide

Previous studies have shown that cerebral hypoxia results in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of cerebral cortical cell membrane proteins as well as nuclear membrane anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. The present study tests the hypothesis that hypoxia results in increased protein tyrosine kinase activity in cortical cell membranes of newborn piglets and that the inhibition of neuronal NOS by administration of 7-nitroindazole sodium salt (7-NINA), a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), will prevent the hypoxia-induced increase in protein tyrosine kinase activity. To test this hypothesis, protein tyrosine kinase activity was determined in cerebral cortical membranes of 2- to 4-day-old newborn piglets divided into normoxic (n=6), hypoxic (n=5) and 7-NINA-treated hypoxic (n=5) (7-NINA, 1mg/kg, i.p., prior to hypoxia) groups. Tissue hypoxia was achieved by exposing the animals to an FiO(2) of 0.07 for 60 min and was documented biochemically by determining tissue ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels. Cortical P(2) membranes were isolated and protein tyrosine kinase activity determined by (33)P incorporation into a specific peptide substrate for 15 min at 37 degrees C in a medium containing 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.0, 1mM EDTA, 125 mM MgCl(2), 25 mM MnCl(2), 2mM DTT, 0.2 mM sodium orthovanadate, 2mM EGTA, 150 microM tyrosine kinase peptide substrate [Lys 19] cdc2(6-20)-NH(2), (33)P-ATP, and 10 microg of membrane protein. Protein tyrosine kinase activity was determined by the difference between (33)P incorporation in the presence and absence of specific peptide substrate and expressed as pmol/mg protein/h. The ATP values in the normoxic, hypoxic and 7-NINA-treated hypoxic animals were ATP: 4.57+/-0.45 micromol/g, 1.29+/-0.23 micromol/g (p<0.05 versus normoxic) and 1.50+/-0.14 micromol/g brain (p<0.05 versus normoxic), respectively. The PCr values in the normoxic, hypoxic and 7-NINA-treated hypoxic animals were: 3.77+/-0.36 micromol/g, 0.77+/-0.13 micromol/g (p<0.05 versus normoxic) and 1.02+/-0.24 micromol/g brain (p<0.05 versus normoxic), respectively. Protein tyrosine kinase activity in the normoxic, hypoxic and the 7-NINA-treated groups was 378+/-77 pmol/mg protein/h, 854+/-169 pmol/mg protein/h (p<0.05 versus normoxic) and 464+/-129 pmol/mg protein/h (p<0.05 versus hypoxic), respectively. The data show that cerebral tissue hypoxia results in increased protein tyrosin kinase activity in cortical membranes of newborn piglets and pretreatment with 7-NINA prevents the hypoxia-induced increase in protein tyrosine kinase activity. We conclude that the hypoxia-induced increase in protein tyrosine kinase activity is NO-mediated. We propose that the hypoxia-induced increase in protein tyrosine kinase activity leading to increased phosphorylation of Bcl-2 is a critical link to hypoxic neuronal injury pathway.

Effect of neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition on CA2+/calmodulin kinase kinase and CA2+/calmodulin kinase IV activity during hypoxia in cortical nuclei of newborn piglets

The present study tests the hypothesis that cerebral tissue hypoxia results in increased Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) kinase kinase activity and that the administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (N-nitro-l-arginine [NNLA], or 7-nitroindazole sodium [7-NINA]) prior to the onset of hypoxia will prevent the hypoxia-induced increase in the enzyme activity. To test this hypothesis, CaM kinase kinase and CaM kinase IV activities were determined in normoxic, hypoxic, NNLA-treated hypoxic, and 7-NINA-treated hypoxic piglets. Hypoxia was induced (FiO(2)=0.05-0.08x1 h) and confirmed biochemically by tissue levels of ATP and phosphocreatine. CaM kinase kinase activity was determined in a medium containing protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitors, calmodulin, and a specifically designed CaM kinase kinase target peptide. CaM kinase IV activity was determined by (33)P-incorporation into syntide-2 in a buffer containing protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitors. Compared with normoxic animals, ATP and phosphocreatine levels were significantly lower in all hypoxic piglets whether or not pretreated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. There was a significant difference among CaM kinase kinase activity (pmol/mg protein/min) in normoxic (76.84+/-14.1), hypoxic (138.86+/-18.2, P<0.05 vs normoxia), NNLA-pretreated hypoxic (91.34+/-19.3; P=NS vs normoxia, P<0.05 vs hypoxia) and 7-NINA-pretreated hypoxic animals (100.12+/-23.3; P=NS vs normoxia, P<0.05 vs hypoxia). There was a significant difference among CaM kinase IV activity (pmol/mg protein/min) in normoxia (1270.80+/-126.1), hypoxia (2680.80+/-136.7; P<0.05 vs normoxia), NNLA-pretreated hypoxia (1666.00+/-154.8; P<0.05 vs normoxia, P<0.05 vs hypoxia), and 7-NINA-pretreated hypoxic (1712.9+/-231.5; P=NS vs normoxia, P<0.05 vs hypoxia). We conclude that the hypoxia-induced increase in CaM kinase kinase and CaM kinase IV activity is mediated by neuronal NOS-derived NO.