Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in neutrophils. Role of oxidants

Yellow Chaste Weed and Its Components, Apigenin and Galangin, Affect Proliferation and Oxidative Stress in Blue Light-Irradiated HaCaT Cells

While harmful effects of blue light on skin cells have been recently reported, there are few studies regarding natural products that alleviate its negative effects. Therefore, we investigated ameliorating effects of yellow chaste weed (YCW) (Helichrysum arenarium) extract and its components, apigenin and galangin, on blue light-irradiated HaCaT cells. In this study, we found that YCW extract improved the reduced proliferation of HaCaT cells induced by blue light-irradiation and reduced blue light-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. We also found that apigenin and galangin, the main components of YCW extract, showed the same activities as YCW extract. In experiments examining molecular mechanisms of YCW extract and its components such as apigenin and galangin, they all reduced expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1 (TRPV1), its phosphorylation, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) influx induced by blue light irradiation. In addition, apigenin and galangin regulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). They also reduced phosphorylation of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase-1/2 (MST-1/2), inducing phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B), one downstream molecule of MST-1/2. Moreover, apigenin and galangin promoted translocation of Forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) from the nucleus to the cytosol by phosphorylating FoxO3a. Besides, apigenin and galangin interrupted blue light influences on expression of nuclear and secretory clusterin. Namely, they attenuated both upregulation of nuclear clusterin and downregulation of secretory clusterin induced by blue light irradiation. We also found that they downregulated apoptotic protein Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and conversely upregulated anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Collectively, these findings indicate that YCW extract and its components, apigenin and galangin, antagonize the blue light-induced damage to the keratinocytes by regulating TRPV1/clusterin/FoxO3a and MAPK signaling.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Regulates Different Types of Cell Death by Acting as a Rheostat

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for cellular signaling and response to stress. The level of ROS and the type of ROS determine the ability of cells to undergo cell death. Furthermore, dysregulation of the antioxidant pathways is associated with many diseases. It has become apparent that cell death can occur through different mechanisms leading to the classifications of different types of cell death such as apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. ROS play essential roles in all forms of cell death, but it is only now coming into focus that ROS control and determine the type of cell death that occurs in any given cell. Indeed, ROS may act as a rheostat allowing different cell death mechanisms to be engaged and crosstalk with different cell death types. In this review, we will describe the ROS regulatory pathways and how they control different types of cell death under normal and disease states. We will also propose how ROS could provide a mechanism of crosstalk between cell death mechanisms and act as a rheostat determining the type of cell death.

Reactive oxygen species-mediated bombyxin signaling in Bombyx mori

In the present study, we demonstrated that bombyxin, an insect insulin-like peptide, modulated ecdysteroidogenesis in Bombyx mori prothoracic glands (PGs) through redox signaling. Our results showed that bombyxin treatment resulted in a transient increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, as measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA), an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) abolished the bombyxin-induced increase in fluorescence in Bombyx PGs. Furthermore, bombyxin-induced ROS production was inhibited by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors (rotenone and antimycin A), indicating mitochondria-mediated ROS production. The stimulation of ROS production in response to bombyxin appears to undergo development-specific changes. We further investigated the action mechanism of bombyxin-stimulated ROS signaling. Results showed that in the presence of either NAC, rotenone, or antimycin A, bombyxin-stimulated phosphorylation of insulin receptor, Akt, and 4E-binding protein (4E-BP) was blocked and bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in PGs was greatly inhibited. From these results, we conclude that ROS signaling appears to be involved in bombyxin-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis of PGs in B. mori by modulating the phosphorylation of insulin receptor, Akt, and 4E-BP. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of redox regulation in insulin signaling in an insect system.

Comprehensive transcriptome analysis reveal key molecular events in the pearl oyster after pre-grafting conditioning

Pre-grafting conditioning is a crucial procedure before transplant surgery during pearl production. To investigate the molecular response of the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii to conditioning, we constructed two hemocyte transcriptomes from pearl oysters with and without conditioning. A total of 134,222,686 raw reads were generated and assembled using the reference genome of the pearl oyster. Transcriptome analysis revealed 3,074 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these DEGs were mainly associated with "microtubule-based process", "regulation of actin cytoskeleton", and "cell cycle". All related genes were over-expressed in pearl oysters after conditioning. Some nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLR), toll-like receptor, myd88, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17), and apoptosis-related genes were highly expressed in pearl oysters after conditioning, indicating that conditioning induced the immune response of pearl oysters. "Fatty acid biosynthesis" (FA biosynthesis) was included in the enriched terms, and all eight FA synthase genes in this pathway were highly induced after conditioning. Four tandemly duplicated arginine kinase genes (PmAK) were found in the genome of P. f. martensii, gene structure and sequence analysis indicated PmAK genes were more diverse compared with that from human and zebra fish. The four tandemly duplicated PmAKs were highly up-regulated after conditioning. These findings will help to elucidate the responding molecular events after conditioning and explain the high pearl oyster survival rate with conditioning after transplantation, thereby providing useful information in perfecting the conditioning method to improve pearl oyster survival rate after transplantation.

Neutrophils and redox stress in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or neutrophils, are specialist phagocytic cells of the innate immune system. Their primary role is host defence against micro-organisms, which they kill via phagocytosis, followed by release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteolytic enzymes within the phagosome. ROS are generated via the action of the NADPH oxidase (also known as NOX2), in a process termed the 'Respiratory Burst'. This process consumes large amounts of oxygen, which is converted into the highly-reactive superoxide radical O₂^- and H₂O₂. Subsequent activation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) generates secondary oxidants and chloroamines that are highly microbiocidal in nature, which together with proteases such as elastase and gelatinase provide a toxic intra-phagosomal environment able to kill a broad range of micro-organisms. However, under certain circumstances such as during an auto-immune response, neutrophils can be triggered to release ROS and proteases extracellularly causing damage to host tissues, modification of host proteins, lipids and DNA and dysregulation of oxidative homeostasis. This review describes the range of ROS species produced by human neutrophils with a focus on the implications of neutrophil redox products in autoimmune inflammation.

UriSed - Preliminary reference intervals and optimal method for urine sediment analysis in newborns and infants

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for urine sediment in newborns and infants in the second month of life for the UriSed automated analyser and for bright field microscopy. We also aimed to provide an optimal protocol for UriSed analysis, which best corresponds to the results of manual microscopy.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Urine sediment analyses of 75 healthy newborns and infants in the second month of life were performed by manual microscopy and UriSed automated analyser (two modes: 15 and 20 images per sample). Images were then reviewed and manually corrected by an operator when needed.

RESULTS

We observed statistically significant differences between bright-field microscopy and UriSed (when manual correction was not performed) for squamous epithelial cells and red blood cells counts (P<0.0001). There were no differences based on the number of images per sample (P>0.05). Upper reference values for bright-field microscopy and UriSed analyser taking 15 images per sample with manual correction (method we recommend) were as follows: squamous epithelial cells: microscope 8.7×10(6)/l, UriSed 6.4×10(6)/l, non-squamous epithelial cells: microscope 4.3×10(6)/l, UriSed 3.9×10(6)/l; erythrocytes: microscope 5.9×10(6)/l, UriSed: 4.6×10(6)/l; leukocytes: microscope 8.6×10(6)/l, UriSed 9.9×10(6)/l; hyaline casts: microscope 0×10(6)/l, UriSed (no correction) 0.7×10(6)/l.

CONCLUSIONS

We established preliminary reference intervals for urine sediment analysis in newborns and infants for UriSed and bright-field microscopy. We concluded that for routine laboratory examination of non-pathological urine it is enough to use the faster mode, with 15 images per sample, followed by a manual correction.

Burn-Evoked Reactive Oxygen Species Immediately After Injury are Crucial to Restore the Neutrophil Function Against Postburn Infection in Mice

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) basically play beneficial roles to maintain host homeostasis against external disturbance/stress including infection, excessive ROS generation by activated neutrophils can sometimes cause organ damage. We investigated the role of burn-induced ROS generation in the injured hosts, focusing on postburn infection. C57BL/6 mice received a 20% full-thickness burn injury. In these mice, the burn-induced ROS generation was inhibited during and immediately after injury by pretreatment with superoxide dismutase (at 1 h before and immediately before injury), or the subsequent ROS production was inhibited posttreatment with superoxide dismutase (at 1 and 2 h after injury), which could not scavenge the ROS produced immediately after injury. As expected, inhibition of ROS production during/immediately after injury reduced the burn-induced pulmonary damage at 6 h, whereas inhibition of the subsequent ROS production did not lead to any improvements. Burn injury rendered the mice susceptible to bacterial infection at 5 days after injury and impaired bactericidal activity of neutrophils. Nevertheless, inhibition of the ROS production during/immediately after injury did not improve the burn-induced susceptibility to infection or the neutrophil dysfunction. Interestingly, inhibition of the subsequent ROS production potently restored the neutrophil functions and hematopoietic function of the bone marrow myelocytes, thereby improving the postburn infection. Thus, although the inhibition of burn-evoked ROS generation is effective against burn-induced organ injury, it may be ineffective against postburn infection. Preservation of the immediate burn-evoked ROS production, but the inhibition of subsequent ROS production, may be crucial to protect against postburn infection.

Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease attenuates oxidative stress in a model of eosinophilic pulmonary response in mice

The inflammatory cells infiltrating the airways produce several mediators, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS and the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance might play an important role in the modulation of airways inflammation. In order to avoid the undesirable effects of ROS, various endogenous antioxidant strategies have evolved, incorporating both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) in clinical studies demonstrated a reduction in sputum viscosity, cleaving extracellular DNA in the airways, and facilitating mucus clearance, but an antioxidant effect was not studied so far. Therefore, we evaluated whether the administration of rhDNase improves oxidative stress in a murine model of asthma. Mice were sensitized by two subcutaneous injections of ovalbumin (OVA), on days 0 and 7, followed by three lung challenges with OVA on days 14, 15, and 16. On days 15 and 16, after 2 h of the challenge with OVA, mice received 1 mg/mL of rhDNase in the lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were obtained on day 17, for inflammatory and oxidative stress analysis. We showed that rhDNase did not alter the population of inflammatory cells, such as eosinophil cells, in OVA-treated rhDNase group but significantly improved oxidative stress in lung tissue, by decreasing oxygen reactive species and increasing superoxide dismutase/catalase ratio, glutathione peroxidase activity, and thiol content. Our data provide the first evidence that rhDNase decreases some measures of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in a murine model of asthma, with a potential antioxidant effect to be further studied in human asthma.

Reactive oxygen species regulates expression of iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscS of Leishmania donovani

The cysteine desulfurase, IscS, is a highly conserved and essential component of the mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) system that serves as a sulfur donor for Fe-S clusters biogenesis. Fe-S clusters are versatile and labile cofactors of proteins that orchestrate a wide array of essential metabolic processes, such as energy generation and ribosome biogenesis. However, no information regarding the role of IscS or its regulation is available in Leishmania, an evolving pathogen model with rapidly developing drug resistance. In this study, we characterized LdIscS to investigate the ISC system in AmpB-sensitive vs resistant isolates of L. donovani and to understand its regulation. We observed an upregulated Fe-S protein activity in AmpB-resistant isolates but, in contrast to our expectations, LdIscS expression was upregulated in the sensitive strain. However, further investigations showed that LdIscS expression is positively correlated with ROS level and negatively correlated with Fe-S protein activity, independent of strain sensitivity. Thus, our results suggested that LdIscS expression is regulated by ROS level with Fe-S clusters/proteins acting as ROS sensors. Moreover, the direct evidence of a mechanism, in support of our results, is provided by dose-dependent induction of LdIscS-GFP as well as endogenous LdIscS in L. donovani promastigotes by three different ROS inducers: H2O2, menadione, and Amphotericin B. We postulate that LdIscS is upregulated for de novo synthesis or repair of ROS damaged Fe-S clusters. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for regulation of IscS expression that may help parasite survival under oxidative stress conditions encountered during infection of macrophages and suggest a cross talk between two seemingly unrelated metabolic pathways, the ISC system and redox metabolism in L. donovani.

Pyruvate protects pathogenic spirochetes from H2O2 killing

Pathogenic spirochetes cause clinically relevant diseases in humans and animals, such as Lyme disease and leptospirosis. The causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the causative agent of leptospirosis, Leptospria interrogans, encounter reactive oxygen species (ROS) during their enzootic cycles. This report demonstrated that physiologically relevant concentrations of pyruvate, a potent H2O2 scavenger, and provided passive protection to B. burgdorferi and L. interrogans against H2O2. When extracellular pyruvate was absent, both spirochetes were sensitive to a low dose of H2O2 (≈0.6 µM per h) generated by glucose oxidase (GOX). Despite encoding a functional catalase, L. interrogans was more sensitive than B. burgdorferi to H2O2 generated by GOX, which may be due to the inherent resistance of B. burgdorferi because of the virtual absence of intracellular iron. In B. burgdorferi, the nucleotide excision repair (NER) and the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathways were important for survival during H2O2 challenge since deletion of the uvrB or the mutS genes enhanced its sensitivity to H2O2 killing; however, the presence of pyruvate fully protected ΔuvrB and ΔmutS from H2O2 killing further demonstrating the importance of pyruvate in protection. These findings demonstrated that pyruvate, in addition to its classical role in central carbon metabolism, serves as an important H2O2 scavenger for pathogenic spirochetes. Furthermore, pyruvate reduced ROS generated by human neutrophils in response to the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist zymosan. In addition, pyruvate reduced neutrophil-derived ROS in response to B. burgdorferi, which also activates host expression through TLR2 signaling. Thus, pathogenic spirochetes may exploit the metabolite pyruvate, present in blood and tissues, to survive H2O2 generated by the host antibacterial response generated during infection.

17β-estradiol increases expression of the oxidative stress response and DNA repair protein apurinic endonuclease (Ape1) in the cerebral cortex of female mice following hypoxia

While it is well established that 17β-estradiol (E2) protects the rodent brain from ischemia-induced damage, it has been unclear how this neuroprotective effect is mediated. Interestingly, convincing evidence has also demonstrated that maintaining or increasing the expression of the oxidative stress response and DNA repair protein apurinic endonuclease 1 (Ape1) is instrumental in reducing ischemia-induced damage in the brain. Since E2 increases expression of the oxidative stress response proteins Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and thioredoxin in the brain, we hypothesized that E2 may also increase Ape1 expression and that this E2-induced expression of Ape1 may help to mediate the neuroprotective effects of E2 in the brain. To test this hypothesis, we utilized three model systems including primary cortical neurons, brain slice cultures, and whole animals. Although estrogen receptor α and Ape1 were expressed in primary cortical neurons, E2 did not alter Ape1 expression in these cells. However, immunofluorescent staining and quantitative Western blot analysis demonstrated that estrogen receptor α and Ape1 were expressed in the nuclei of cortical neurons in brain slice cultures and that E2 increased Ape1 expression in the cerebral cortex of these cultures. Furthermore, Ape1 expression was increased and oxidative DNA damage was decreased in the cerebral cortices of ovariectomized female C57Bl/6J mice that had been treated with E2 and exposed to hypoxia. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that the neuronal microenvironment may be required for increased Ape1 expression and that E2 enhances expression of Ape1 and reduces oxidative DNA damage, which may in turn help to reduce ischemia-induced damage in the cerebral cortex and mediate the neuroprotective effects of E2.

Involvement of reactive oxygen species in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in prothoracic glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

In the present study, the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis of Bombyx mori prothoracic glands (PGs) was investigated. Results showed that PTTH treatment resulted in a rapidly transient increase in the intracellular ROS concentration, as measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA), an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe. The antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), abolished PTTH-induced increase in fluorescence. Furthermore, PTTH-induced ROS production was partially inhibited by the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, indicating that NAD(P)H oxidase is one of the sources for PTTH-stimulated ROS production. Four mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors (rotenone, antimycin A, the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), and diphenylene iodonium (DPI)) significantly attenuated ROS production induced by PTTH. These data suggest that the activity of complexes I and III in the electron transport chain and the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨ) contribute to PTTH-stimulated ROS production. In addition, PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis was greatly inhibited by treatment with either NAC or mitochondrial inhibitors (rotenone, antimycin A, FCCP, and DPI), but not with apocynin. These results indicate that mitochondria-derived, but not membrane NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated ROS signaling, is involved in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis of PGs in B. mori.

Isorhamnetin inhibits H₂O₂-induced activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H9c2 cardiomyocytes through scavenging reactive oxygen species and ERK inactivation

As a traditional Chinese medicine, the sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has a long history in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and circulatory disorders. However, the active compounds responsible for and the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood. In this article, isorhamnetin pretreatment counteracted H(2)O(2)-induced apoptotic damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Isorhamnetin did not inhibit the death receptor-dependent or extrinsic apoptotic pathways, as characterized by its absence in both caspase-8 inactivation and tBid downregulation along with unchanged Fas and TNFR1 mRNA levels. Instead, isorhamnetin specifically suppressed the mitochondria-dependent or intrinsic apoptotic pathways, as characterized by inactivation of caspase-9 and -3, maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and regulation of a series of Bcl-2 family genes upstream of ΔΨm. The anti-apoptotic effects of isorhamnetin were linked to decreased ROS generation. H(2)O(2) activated ERK and p53, whereas isorhamnetin inhibited their activation. ERK overexpression overrode the isorhamnetin-induced inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H9c2 cardiomyocytes, which indicated that an ERK-dependent pathway was involved. Furthermore, N-acetyl cysteine (a potent ROS scavenger) could attenuate the H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. However, PD98059 (an ERK-specific inhibitor) could not effectively antagonize ROS generation, which indicates that ROS may be an upstream inducer of ERK. In conclusion, isorhamnetin inhibits the H(2)O(2)-induced activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway via ROS scavenging and ERK inactivation. Therefore, isorhamnetin is a promising reagent for the treatment of ROS-induced cardiomyopathy.

Pulmonary endothelial cell NOX

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have profound influences on cellular homeostasis. In excess, they can potentiate the oxidation of numerous molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, affecting function. Furthermore, ROS-mediated oxidation of proteins can directly or indirectly modulate gene expression via effects on redox-sensitive transcription factors or via effects on phospho-relay-mediated signal transduction. In doing so, ROS impact numerous fundamental cellular processes, and have thus been implicated as critical mediators of both homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Vascular reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) is a major contributor of ROS within the lung. The generation of ROS in the pulmonary vasculature has a pivotal role in endothelial cell (EC) activation and function. Alterations in EC phenotype contribute to vascular tone, permeability, and inflammatory responses and, thus, have been implicated in numerous diseases of the lung, including pulmonary hypertension, ischemic-reperfusion injury, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Thus, although a detailed understanding of NOX-derived ROS in pulmonary EC biology in the context of health and disease is nascent, there is mounting evidence implicating these enzymes as critical modifiers of diseases of the lung and pulmonary circulation. The purpose of this review is to focus specifically on known as well as putative roles for pulmonary EC NOX, with attention to studies on the intact lung.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression and signaling during disease: regulation by reactive oxygen species and antioxidants

The endothelium is immunoregulatory in that inhibiting the function of vascular adhesion molecules blocks leukocyte recruitment and thus tissue inflammation. The function of endothelial cells during leukocyte recruitment is regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. In inflammatory sites and lymph nodes, the endothelium is stimulated to express adhesion molecules that mediate leukocyte binding. Upon leukocyte binding, these adhesion molecules activate endothelial cell signal transduction that then alters endothelial cell shape for the opening of passageways through which leukocytes can migrate. If the stimulation of this opening is blocked, inflammation is blocked. In this review, we focus on the endothelial cell adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Expression of VCAM-1 is induced on endothelial cells during inflammatory diseases by several mediators, including ROS. Then, VCAM-1 on the endothelium functions as both a scaffold for leukocyte migration and a trigger of endothelial signaling through NADPH oxidase-generated ROS. These ROS induce signals for the opening of intercellular passageways through which leukocytes migrate. In several inflammatory diseases, inflammation is blocked by inhibition of leukocyte binding to VCAM-1 or by inhibition of VCAM-1 signal transduction. VCAM-1 signal transduction and VCAM-1-dependent inflammation are blocked by antioxidants. Thus, VCAM-1 signaling is a target for intervention by pharmacological agents and by antioxidants during inflammatory diseases. This review discusses ROS and antioxidant functions during activation of VCAM-1 expression and VCAM-1 signaling in inflammatory diseases.

N-acetyl cysteine protects osteoblastic function from oxidative stress

We tested the protective potential of an antioxidant amino acid derivative, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), in controlling oxidative stress against osteoblasts. Osteoblastic cells extracted from rat bone marrow were cultured. Oxidative stress was induced by adding 100 μM H₂O₂ into the culture media. Then, some H₂O₂-treated cultures were cotreated with 2.5 or 5 mM NAC. Addition of H₂O₂ decreased the number of cells to 50% of untreated cultures at days 2. Addition of 5 mM NAC into H₂O₂ cultures resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the number of cells, with the cell number being 50% greater than that in the 100 μM H₂O₂ culture. The gene expression levels of type I collagen, osteopontin, and osteocalcin were downregulated threefold by H₂O₂ on day 7. The H₂O₂-suppressed gene expression was fully recovered by NAC cotreatment. The mineralizing capability, assessed by Von Kossa staining on day 15, were approximately 1.8 times greater in the NAC + H₂O₂ cotreated group than in the culture with H₂O₂ alone. These NAC-mediated restorations were associated with an NAC dose-dependent increase of intracellular glutathione and a NAC dose-dependent decrease of intracellular reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ substantially impairs the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts. More importantly, the addition of NAC into the culture was found to restore these damages to a near normal level due to the improved redox balance, warranting further in vivo studies to test its therapeutic potential as a local antioxidative stress drug.

Uncoupling protein 2 negatively regulates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and induces phosphatase-mediated anti-inflammatory response in experimental visceral leishmaniasis

To reside and multiply successfully within the host macrophages, Leishmania parasites impair the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a major host defense mechanism against any invading pathogen. Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins are associated with mitochondrial ROS generation, which is the major contributor of total cellular ROS generation. In the present study we have demonstrated that Leishmania donovani infection is associated with strong upregulation of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), a negative regulator of mitochondrial ROS generation located at the inner membrane of mitochondria. Functional knockdown of macrophage UCP2 by small interfering RNA-mediated silencing was associated with increased mitochondrial ROS generation, lower parasite survival, and induction of marked proinflammatory cytokine response. Induction of proinflammatory cytokine response in UCP2 knocked-down cells was a direct consequence of p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK activation, which resulted from ROS-mediated inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Administration of ROS quencher, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, abrogated PTP inhibition in UCP2 knocked-down infected cells, implying a role of ROS in inactivating PTP. Short hairpin RNA-mediated in vivo silencing of UCP2 resulted in decreased Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 and PTP-1B activity and host-protective proinflammatory cytokine response resulting in effective parasite clearance. To our knowledge, this study, for the first time, reveals the induction of host UCP2 expression during Leishmania infection to downregulate mitochondrial ROS generation, thereby possibly preventing ROS-mediated PTP inactivation to suppress macrophage defense mechanisms.

N-acetyl cysteine protects TMJ chondrocytes from oxidative stress

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation is closely associated with oxidative stress. This study tested the potential of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant amino-acid derivative, in alleviating oxidative stress-related damage in TMJ chondrocytes. The inflammatory condition was simulated by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to TMJ-derived chondrocyte cultures. Exposure to H₂O₂ decreased the cell population by half within 2 days as a result of induced apoptosis and reduced proliferation. Gene expression of aggrecan and collagen II, as well as glycosaminoglycan production, were reduced by more than 70%. These compromised chondrocyte viability and function were fully restored by the addition of NAC to the cultures. NAC reduced the H₂O₂-elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species to the normal level and increased cellular glutathione reserves. These results indicate that NAC restores oxidative stress-induced cell death and severe functional impairment in TMJ chondrocytes, and warrant in vivo testing to explore its therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Protective effect of quercetin on hydrogen peroxide-induced tight junction disruption

Tight junction is a crucial structure in the control of paracellular transport across epithelial/endothelial barriers. This study investigated the protective effect of quercetin against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced tight junction disruption and hyperpermeability in ECV304 monolayers. Nonlethal concentration of H(2)O(2) (100 micromol/L; 4 hours) decreased expression of the tight junction proteins zonular occudens (ZO)-1 and occludin as well as disrupted the junction structure at the cell border. Concurrently, the increased activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were observed. Pretreatment with quercetin (10 micromol/L; 30 minutes) prior to H(2)O(2) prevented the loss of ZO-1 and occludin. In addition, the level of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, but not that of the phosphorylated ERK1/2, decreased in quercetin-pretreated group. These findings suggested that the protective effect of quercetin involved the inhibition of phosphorylated p38 MAP activity. Furthermore, quercetin could also preserve the functional integrity of ECV304 monolayers from H(2)O(2) exposure.

Effects of UVA on TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-10 expression levels in human keratinocytes and intervention studies with an antioxidant and a JNK inhibitor

OBJECTIVE

To understand the expressions and transduction pathways of cytokines in ultraviolet (UV)A-irradiated keratinocytes.

METHODS

We cultured human keratinocytes of the HaCaT cell line and investigated both mRNA and protein expressions of cytokines in cells that were not irradiated or were exposed to 2.4 J/cm(2) UVA, with or without an antioxidant (beta-carotene) or a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125).

RESULTS

We demonstrated that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta were up-regulated in irradiated cells. IL-10 was not detected in non-irradiated cells, but was observed in irradiated cells. JNK was activated in irradiated cells and this could be antagonized by beta-carotene. The UVA-induced up-regulation of these cytokines was also antagonized by beta-carotene. SP600125 inhibited the UVA-induced increase in the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein and in the expression of IL-1beta mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that oxidative stress may be an early intermediate effect in JNK-dependent UVA induction of cytokine expression in human keratinocytes in vitro.

The role of glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms on clinical outcome of ALI/ARDS patient treated with N-acetylcysteine

Oxidative stress has a proven role in pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The antioxidant drugs, especially N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been used for years to overcome oxidative stress effects in patients. In the present study we have investigated the effects of NAC treatment (IV NAC in 150mg/kg at the first day followed by 50mg/kg/day for three days) on 27 ICU patients with ALI/ARDS considering the glutathione-S-transferase genetic variations, as an important enzyme contributing in oxidative stress pathways. The results indicated that NAC improved oxygenation (increase in PaO(2)/FiO(2)) and decreased mortality rate in treated patients compared to control group (p<0.05). Evaluation of three isoforms of glutathione-S-transferase (GST M1, P1 and T1), in these patients have showed an association between GST M1 null, and GST M1 and T1 double null polymorphisms with increased mortality in control group, suggesting antioxidant therapy critical for this group of patients.

NADPH oxidase 1 plays a critical mediating role in oncogenic Ras-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating enzyme Nox1 is important in the induction of oncogenic Ras transformation phenotypes, but it is not defined whether Nox1 is involved in Ras-induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent stimulator of tumor angiogenesis. Here we describe that ablation of the Nox1 activity by Nox1 small-interference RNAs (siRNAs) or diphenylene iodonium (DPI) inhibited synthesis of both VEGF proteins and VEGF mRNAs in K-Ras transformed normal rat kidney (KNRK) cells. Nox1siRNAs and DPI suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent phosphorylation of a transcription factor Sp1 and Sp1 binding to a VEGF promoter. Furthermore, tumors derived from Nox1siRNA-transfected KNRK cells markedly decreased neovascularization. The Nox1 activity was required for VEGF production in human colon cancer CaCO-2 cells, as in the case of KNRK cells. However, since overexpression of Nox1 in normal rat kidney cells failed to induce VEGF, the Nox1 activity alone was not sufficient to upregulate VEGF expression, which suggests that unlike the previously proposed model, Nox1 may act in concert with other effectors integrated into the Ras network. We propose that Nox1 mediates oncogenic Ras-induced upregulation of VEGF and angiogenesis by activating Sp1 through Ras-ERK-dependent phosphorylation of Sp1.

Redox-sensitive modulation of CD45 expression in pancreatic acinar cells during acute pancreatitis

CD45, a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase required for signal transduction in leukocytes, has recently been found in pancreatic acinar cells. We have investigated the relationship between kinetic expression of CD45 on acinar cells during acute pancreatitis (AP) and the ability of these cells to produce tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) through mechanisms sensitive to the cellular redox state. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant decrease in the constitutive expression of CD45 in acinar cells from six hours onwards after inducing AP by bile-pancreatic duct obstruction (BPDO) in parallel with a significant increase in acinar TNF-alpha production. Changes in protein expression on the acinar cell surface preceded CD45 mRNA down-regulation, which was not found until 12 hours after BPDO. N-Acetylcysteine treatment delayed and reduced the down-regulation of CD45 expression induced by AP and prevented acinar cells from producing TNF-alpha. Our results show that CD45 expression is down-regulated in acinar cells during acute pancreatitis by redox-sensitive mechanisms, and they support the notion that CD45 negatively controls the production of cytokines in pancreatic acinar cells.

Defense mechanism of heme oxygenase-1 against cytotoxic and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand inducing effects of hydrogen peroxide in human periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although induction of heme oxygenase-1 by H2O2 has been reported, the protective role of heme oxygenase-1 against the cytotoxic and osteoclastogenic effects of H2O2 have not been elucidated in human periodontal ligament cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the defense mechanism of heme oxygenase-1 on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and to analyze the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin as markers for osteoclast differentiation in periodontal ligament cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using human periodontal ligament cells, cytotoxicity was measured by the 3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and expression of heme oxygenase-1, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

H2O2 produced a cytotoxic effect by reducing the cell viability and enhancing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and RANKL mRNAs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additional experiments revealed that heme oxygenase-1 inducer (hemin), a membrane-permeable cGMP analog (8-bromo-cGMP), carbon monoxide, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, protein kinase inhibitor (KT5823), and nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) also blocked the effects of H2O2 on cell viability and RANKL mRNA expression in periodontal ligament cells.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that heme oxygenase-1 induction plays a protective role in periodontal ligament cells against the cytotoxic and RANKL-inducing effects of H2O2, through multiple signaling pathways.

Protective effect of bone morphogenetic protein-6 on neurons from H2O2 injury

Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP6) is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily. Expression of BMP6 and its receptors are increased when brain tissues of adult rats are injured, suggesting that BMP6 may have a neuroprotective function in the physiologic response to neurological damage. This research investigates the molecular mechanisms supporting a neuroprotective effect of BMP6 in neural cells traumatized by H(2)O(2). We demonstrate that presence of BMP6 either before or after H(2)O(2)-induced injury protects the cultured primary cortical cells from apoptosis. However, molecular mechanisms mediating the protective effects of either pre- or post-treatment with BMP6 are different. Cells pre-treated with BMP6 have attenuated MAPK activity induced by H(2)O(2), whereas the MAPK activity in cells post-treated with BMP6 remains unchanged. Further, pharmacological inhibitors of MAPKs, PD98059 and SB203580, block the protective effect of BMP6 in the cells pre-treated with BMP6 but not in the cells post-treated with BMP6. The protective effect of post-treatment with BMP6 appears to be mediated through regulation of p53 and Bax molecules, evidenced by decreased mRNA levels after BMP6 treatment. Taken together, these data suggest BMP6 protect cortical cells against oxidation stress induced by H(2)O(2) via two different mechanisms, where (1) pre-treatment with BMP6 acts through MAPK pathway and (2) post-treatment with BMP6 works by down-regulating p53 and Bax.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as signaling molecules regulating neutrophil function

As a cornerstone of the innate immune response, neutrophils are the archetypical phagocytic cell; they actively seek out, ingest, and destroy pathogenic microorganisms. To achieve this essential role in host defense, neutrophils deploy a potent antimicrobial arsenal that includes oxidants, proteinases, and antimicrobial peptides. Importantly, oxidants produced by neutrophils, referred to in this article as reactive oxygen (ROS) and reactive nitrogen (RNS) species, have a dual function. On one hand they function as potent antimicrobial agents by virtue of their ability to kill microbial pathogens directly. On the other hand, they participate as signaling molecules that regulate diverse physiological signaling pathways in neutrophils. In the latter role, ROS and RNS serve as modulators of protein and lipid kinases and phosphatases, membrane receptors, ion channels, and transcription factors, including NF-kappaB. The latter regulates expression of key cytokines and chemokines that further modulate the inflammatory response. During the inflammatory response, ROS and RNS modulate phagocytosis, secretion, gene expression, and apoptosis. Under pathological circumstances such as acute lung injury and sepsis, excess production of ROS may influence vicinal cells such as endothelium or epithelium, contributing to inflammatory tissue injury. A better understanding of these pathways will help identify novel targets for amelioration of the untoward effects of inflammation.

Superoxide Anions Are Involved in Doxorubicin-Induced ERK Activation in Hepatocyte Cultures

Doxorubicin (DOX), an antineoplastic agent widely used for the treatment of cancer, belongs to the anthracycline family of antitumor antibiotics. DOX may undergo one-electron reduction to the corresponding semiquinone free radical by flavin-containing reductases. Under aerobic conditions, the semiquinone radical reacts rapidly with oxygen to generate superoxide anion, undergoing redox cycling. At moderate concentrations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling processes. We have shown that DOX increased phosphorylation of enzymes comprising mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades in primary hepatocyte cultures, and that this action was independent of oxidant damage. In particular, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was phosphorylated by the drug treatment. In this work, we have determined the possible involvement of particular free radicals in DOX-induced ERK phosphorylation in hepatocyte cultures by using specific free radical scavengers. The levels of ERK phosphorylation were measured by Western blot analysis with an anti-Thr202/Tyr204-phosphorylated p44/p42 MAPK antibody. Deferoxamine (DFO; iron chelator), catalase (hydrogen peroxide-removing enzyme), or alpha-tocopherol (peroxyl-radical scavenger) did not affect DOX-increased ERK phosphorylation levels. However, the cell-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic MnTBAP and the flavin-containing enzyme inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium reverted DOX-induced effects. These results suggest that superoxide anions, probably generated by DOX metabolism, are involved in the effects of the anthracycline on the MAP kinase cascade activation.

Extracellular ATP counteracts the ERK1/2-mediated death-promoting signaling cascades in astrocytes

Oxidative stress is the main cause of neuronal death in pathological conditions. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), one of the reactive oxygen species, activates many intracellular signaling cascades including src family and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), some of which are critically involved in the induction of cellular damage. We previously showed that H(2)O(2)-induced cell death in astrocytes and adenosine 5(')-triphosphate (ATP), acting on P2Y(1) receptors, had a protective effect. Here, we examined the H(2)O(2)-induced changes in intracellular signaling cascades that promote cell death in astrocytes, showing the molecular mechanisms by which the activation of P2Y(1) receptors counteracts such signals. Although H(2)O(2) activated three MAPKs including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK, only the activation of ERK1/2 participated in the H(2)O(2)-evoked cell death. H(2)O(2) induced a sustained activation of ERK1/2 mainly in the nucleus region, which was well in accordance with the H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. H(2)O(2) also activated the src tyrosine kinase family, which was an upstream signal for ERK1/2. Activation of P2Y(1) receptors by 2methylthio-ADP (2MeSADP) inhibited the H(2)O(2)-evoked activation of src tyrosine kinase, resulting in the inhibition of the phosphorylated-ERK1/2 accumulation in the nucleus. 2MeSADP enhanced the gene expression and activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), which was responsible for the inhibition of src tyrosine kinase. Thioredoxin reductase, another cytoprotective gene we previously showed to be upregulated by 2MeSADP, also controlled the activity of PTP. Taken together, ATP, acting on P2Y(1) receptors, upregulates the PTP expression and its activity, which counteracts the H(2)O(2)-promoted death signaling cascades including ERK1/2 and its upstream signal src tyrosine kinase in astrocytes.

Hepatitis C virus triggers mitochondrial permeability transition with production of reactive oxygen species, leading to DNA damage and STAT3 activation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinomas and non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas. Previously, we reported that HCV infection causes cellular DNA damage and mutations, which are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). NO often damages mitochondria, leading to induction of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) and accumulation of oxidative DNA damage. Here we report that HCV infection causes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lowering of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) in in vitro HCV-infected cell cultures. The changes in membrane potential could be inhibited by BCL-2. Furthermore, an inhibitor of ROS production, antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), or an inhibitor of NO, 1,400W, prevented the alterations of DeltaPsi(m). The HCV-induced DSB was also abolished by a combination of NO and ROS inhibitors. These results indicated that the mitochondrial damage and DSBs in HCV-infected cells were mediated by both NO and ROS. Among the HCV proteins, core, E1, and NS3 are potent ROS inducers: their expression led to DNA damage and activation of STAT3. Correspondingly, core-protein-transgenic mice showed elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidatively damaged DNA. These HCV studies thus identified ROS, along with the previously identified NO, as the primary inducers of DSBs and mitochondrial damage in HCV-infected cells.

ERK regulation upon contact inhibition in fibroblasts

Despite the understanding of the importance of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in the stimulation of growth, little is known about the role of MAP kinase regulation during contact inhibited growth control. To investigate the role of the MAP kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) during the transition to a contact inhibited state, cultures of normal fibroblasts (BJ) were grown to different stages of confluency. The levels of MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) expression and the amount of active ERK and MAP ERK kinase (MEK) in these cultures were assessed through western blot analysis and were compared to fibrosarcoma cell cultures (HT-1080), which lack contact inhibition. In normal fibroblasts, the amounts of active MEK and ERK decline at contact inhibition, concurrently with a rise in MKP-1, MKP-2, and MKP-3 protein levels. In contrast, fibrosarcoma cells appear to lack density-dependent regulation of the ERK pathway. Additionally, altering the redox environment of fibrosarcoma cells to a less reducing state, as seen during contact inhibition, results in increased MKP-1 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that the altered redox environment upon contact inhibition may contribute to the regulation of ERK inactivation by MKPs.

H2O2 induces paracellular permeability of porcine brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells by activation of the p44/42 MAP kinase pathway

In vivo, pathological conditions such as ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion are known to damage the blood-brain barrier (BBB) leading to the development of vasogenic brain edema. Using an in vitro model of the BBB, consisting of brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC), it was demonstrated that hypoxia-induced paracellular permeability was strongly aggravated by reoxygenation (H/R), which was prevented by catalase suggesting that H2O2 is the main mediator of the reoxygenation effect. Therefore, mechanisms leading to H2O2-induced hyperpermeability were investigated. N-acetylcysteine and suramin and furthermore usage of a G protein antagonist inhibited H202 effects suggesting that activation of cell surface receptors coupled to G proteins may mediate signal initiation by H2O2. Further, H2O2 activated phospholipase C (PLC) and increased the intracellular Ca2+ release because U73122, TMB-8, and the calmodulin antagonist W7 inhibited H2O2-induced hyperpermeability. H2O2 did not activate protein kinase C (PKC), nitric-oxide synthase (NOS), and phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3-K/Akt). Inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/ERK2 or p44/42 MAPK), but not of the p38 and of the c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), inhibited hyperpermeability by H2O2 and H/R completely. Corresponding to H2O2- and H/R-induced permeability changes the phosphorylation of the p44/42 MAP kinase was inhibited by the specific MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 and by TMB-8 and W7. Paracellular permeability changes by H2O2 correlated to changes of the localization of the tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin, zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), and zonula occludens 2 (ZO-2) which were prevented by blocking the p44/p42 MAP kinase activation. Results suggest that H2O2 is the main inducer of H/R-induced permeability changes. The hyperpermeability is caused by activation of PLC via receptor activation leading to the intracellular release of Ca2+ followed by activation of the p44/42 MAP kinase and paracellular permeability changes mediated by changes of the localization of TJ proteins.

Modulation of Apoptosis in HaCaT Keratinocytes via Differential Regulation of ERK Signaling Pathway by Flavonoids

The exact molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular effects associated with various flavonoids have yet to be fully explained. In the present study, we have administered several flavonoids to human HaCaT keratinocytes and determined that 3,4'-dihydroxy flavone (3,4'-DHF) exerts a slight stimulatory effect on cell growth, although other flavonoids, including kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin, exhibited growth inhibitory properties. 3,4'-DHF was found to exert an anti-apoptotic effect on etoposide-induced cell death of HaCaT keratinocytes. We were also able to determine that sustained ERK activation was intimately associated with the etoposide-induced apoptosis of HaCaT cells, and treatment with 3,4'-DHF induced a significant suppression of etoposide-induced ERK activation, concomitant with the repression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or the cleavage of pro-caspase 3. ERK overexpression significantly overrode the anti-apoptotic function of 3,4'-DHF, but this was not true of ERK-DN. Moreover, treatment with 3,4'-DHF resulted in the protection of cells from H2O2-induced cell death and exerted an apparent suppressive effect on the stress-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, we showed that 3,4'-DHF almost completely abolished kaempferol-induced apoptosis, coupled with a concomitant suppression of both intracellular ROS generation and the activation of ERK. Taken together, our data clearly indicate that a host of phytochemicals, including etoposide and a variety of flavonoids, differentially regulate the apoptosis of human HaCaT keratinocytes via the differential modulation of intracellular ROS production, coupled with the concomitant activation of the ERK signaling pathway. According to these results, we are able to conclude the distinct structure-activity relationship between several flavonoids.

Mechanism and effect of thrombospondin-4 polymorphisms on neutrophil function

High-throughput genomic technology identified an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), a proline (P387) rather than the predominant alanine (A387) at position 387 in thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) and premature myocardial infarction. The inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis invokes a prominent role of leukocytes and cytokines in pathogenesis. As the expression of TSP-4 by vascular cells permits its exposure to circulating leukocytes, the interactions of human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]) with both TSP-4 variants were investigated. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated PMNs adhered and migrated well and equally on the TSP-4 variants. Integrin alpha(M)beta2 was identified as the TSP-4 receptor mediating these responses, and the 3 epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains of TSP-4 harboring the SNPs interacted with the alpha(M)I-domain. Despite the similarity in these responses, the P387 variant induced more robust tyrosine phosphorylation of the stress-related mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): p38MAPK and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), as well as signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) than the A387 variant. Additionally, cells adherent to P387 TSP-4 variant released 4-fold more H2O2 and secreted 2-fold more interleukin 8 (IL-8) as compared with the A387. H2O2 release and p38MAPK activation were totally inhibited by blockade of alpha(M)beta2. Thus, alpha(M)beta2 plays a central role in proinflammatory activities of TSP-4 (P387) and may contribute to the prothrombotic phenotype associated with this variant.

Role of 15-DeoxyΔ12,14Prostaglandin J2and Nrf2 Pathways in Protection against Acute Lung Injury

RATIONALE

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a disease process that is characterized by diffuse inflammation in the lung parenchyma. Recent studies demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced at the late phase of inflammation aids in the resolution of inflammation by generating 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2). Transcription factor Nrf2 is activated by electrophiles and exerts antiinflammatory effects by inducing the gene expression of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes.

OBJECTIVES

Because 15d-PGJ2 is an endogenous electrophile, we hypothesized that it protects against ALI by activating Nrf2.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we generated a reversible ALI model by intratracheal injection of carrageenin, an inducer of acute inflammation, whose stimulation has been known to induce COX-2.

MAIN RESULTS

We found that ALI induced by carrageenin was markedly exacerbated in Nrf2-knockout mice, compared with wild-type mice. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids also revealed that the magnitude and the duration of acute inflammation, indicated by albumin concentration and the number of neutrophils, were significantly enhanced in Nrf2-knockout mice. Treatment of wild-type mice with NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, significantly exacerbated ALI to the level of Nrf2-knockout mice. In the lungs of NS-398-treated wild-type mice, both the accumulation of 15d-PGJ2 and the induction of Nrf2 target antioxidant genes were significantly attenuated. Exogenous administration of 15d-PGJ2 reversed the exacerbating effects of NS-398 with the induction of antioxidant genes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated in vivo that 15d-PGJ2 plays a protective role against ALI by exploiting the Nrf2-mediated transcriptional pathway.

Benzoquinone activates the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway via ROS production in HL-60 cells

Benzene (BZ) is a class I carcinogen and its oxidation to reactive intermediates is a prerequisite of hematoxicity and myelotoxicity. The generated metabolites include hydroquinone, which is further oxidized to the highly reactive 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) in bone marrow. Therefore, we explored the mechanisms underlying BQ-induced HL-60 cell proliferation by studying the role of BQ-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the activation of the ERK-MAPK signaling pathway. BQ treatment (0.01-30 microM) showed that doses below 10 microM did not significantly reduce viability. ROS production after 3 microM BQ treatment increased threefold; however, catalase addition reduced ROS generation to basal levels. FACS analysis showed that BQ induced a fivefold increase in the proportion of cells in S-phase. We also observed a high proportion of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) stained cells, indicating a higher DNA synthesis rate. BQ also produced rapid and prolonged phosphorylation of ERK1/2 proteins. Simultaneous treatment with catalase or PD98059, a potent MEK protein inhibitor, reduced cell recruitment into the S-phase and also abolished the ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation induced by BQ, suggesting that MEK/ERK is an important pathway involved in BQ-induced ROS mediated proliferation. The prolonged activation of ERK1/2 contributes to explain the increased S-phase cell recruitment and to understand the leukemogenic processes associated with exposure to benzene metabolites. Thus, the possible mechanism by which BQ induce HL-60 cells to enter the cell cycle and proliferate is linked to ROS production and its growth promoting effects by specific activation of regulating genes known to be activated by redox mechanisms.

In vitro evidence for the recognition of 8-oxoGTP by Ras, a small GTP-binding protein

Oxygen radicals attack guanine bases in DNA but they also attack cytoplasmic GTP forming 8-oxoGTP. The presence of 8-oxoGTP in cytoplasm is evidenced by the fact that cells contain MutT/MTH1 which hydrolyze 8-oxoGTP into 8-oxoGMP. In this study, the interaction between 8-oxoGTP and Ras, a small GTP-binding protein, was tested in vitro, and the action of 8-oxoGTP was compared to that of GTP. When purified Ras was treated with 8-oxoGTPgammaS, Ras was activated, as indicated by the enhanced binding of Ras with Raf-1. GTPgammaS also activated Ras but 8-oxoGTPgammaS had a much more potent effect. In lysates of human embryo kidney 293 cells, 8-oxoGTPgammaS activated not only Ras but also the downstream effectors of the Ras-ERK pathway, i.e., Raf-1 and ERK1/2. In contrast to Ras, other small GTP-binding proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42, were inactivated by 8-oxoGTPgammaS, whereas both of these proteins were activated by GTPgammaS, indicating that the biological natures of 8-oxoGTP and GTP differ. These results suggest the possibility that 8-oxoGTP is not a simple by-product but a functional molecule transmitting an oxidative signal to small GTP-binding proteins like Ras.

Hypoxia and the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases: gene transcription and the assessment of potential pharmacologic therapeutic interventions

Oxygen is an environmental/developmental signal that regulates cellular energetics, growth, and differentiation processes. Despite its central role in nearly all higher life processes, the molecular mechanisms for sensing oxygen levels and the pathways involved in transducing this information are still being elucidated. Altering gene expression is the most fundamental and effective way for a cell to respond to extracellular signals and/or changes in its microenvironment. During development, the expression of specific sets of genes is regulated spatially (by position/morphogenetic gradients) and temporally, presumably via the sensing of molecular oxygen available within the microenvironment. Regulation of signaling responses is governed by transcription factors that bind to control regions (consensus sequences) of target genes and alter their expression in response to specific signals. Complex signal transduction during hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen in inspired gases or in arterial blood and/or in tissues) involves the coupling of ligand-receptor interactions to many intracellular events. These events basically include phosphorylations by tyrosine kinases and/or serine/threonine kinases, such as those of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a superfamily of kinases responsive to stress nonhomeostatic conditions. Protein phosphorylations imposed during hypoxia change enzyme activities and protein conformations, and the eventual outcome is rather complex, comprising of an alteration in cellular activity and changes in the programming of genes expressed within the responding cells. These molecular changes serve as signals that are crucial for cell survival under contingent conditions imposed during hypoxia. This review correlates current concepts of hypoxic sensing pathways with hypoxia-related phosphorylation mechanisms mediated by MAPKs via the genetic and pharmacologic regulation/manipulation of specific transcription factors and related cofactors.

The p38 pathway partially mediates caspase-3 activation induced by reactive oxygen species in Fanconi anemia C cells

Because Fanconi anemia (FA) cells display hypersensitivity to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that act as second messengers in cellular signaling, we investigated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in two FA-C lymphocyte cell lines (HSC536/N and PD149L) and one FA-A cell line (HSC99) exposed to interferon (IFN)-gamma or H2O2. IFN-gamma induced accumulation of ROS and activation of JNK and p38 in HSC536/N and PD149L but not in HSC99 cells. Higher concentrations of H2O2 were needed to induce moderate intracellular levels of ROS and phosphorylation of MAPKs in FA-A than in FA-C cells. Pre-incubation with dehydroascorbic acid resulted in reduced intracellular ROS levels and inhibition of MAPK activation induced by the above treatments. To define the functional role of JNK and p38 in IFN-gamma signaling, the effects of pharmacological inhibition of the MAPKs on induction of IFN-gamma and anti-Fas antibody responses were determined. Treatment of HSC536/N cells with p38-specific inhibitors partially inhibited caspase-3 activation while pre-incubation with specific inhibitors of JNK had no effect. Altogether, these results suggest that FA-C cells are hypersensitive to IFN-gamma and are more sensitive to oxidative stress than FA-A cells and that IFN-gamma and anti-Fas antibody mediate signals for apoptosis in FA-C cells via p38 but not JNK pathways.

Oxidative stress and adaptation of the infant heart to hypoxia and ischemia

The potential contribution of oxidative stress to cardioprotection in infants induced by adaptation to chronic hypoxia and by ischemic preconditioning is poorly understood. Under conditions of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species may contribute to phenotypic changes in hearts adapted to chronic hypoxia and to the pathogenesis of myocardial injury during both ischemia/reperfusion and hypoxia/reoxygenation. Hearts from infant rabbits normoxic from birth can be preconditioned by brief periods of ischemia. In contrast, hearts from infant rabbits adapted to hypoxia from birth appear resistant to ischemic preconditioning. Chronically hypoxic infant rabbit hearts are already resistant to ischemia compared with age-matched normoxic controls, and thus additional cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning may not be possible. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) protein and its product nitric oxide are increased, but not NOS3 message, in chronically hypoxic infant hearts to protect against ischemia. Chronic hypoxia from birth also increases cardioprotection of infant hearts by increasing association of heat shock protein 90 with NOS3. Normoxic infant hearts also generate more superoxide by an N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-inhibitable mechanism than chronically hypoxic hearts. Thus, NOS3 appears to be critically important in adaptation of infant hearts to chronic hypoxia and in resistance to subsequent ischemia by regulating the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

Identification and H2O2 sensitivity of the major constitutive MAPK phosphatase from rat brain

The present study examined in subcellular fractions from rat brain the nature and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide of constitutively expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase activity. MAPK phosphatase activity was defined as the activity directed towards a dual-phosphorylated (pT/pY) peptide corresponding to the activation domain of the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) subtype of the MAPKs. The use of phosphatase inhibitors and biochemical analyses demonstrate that the MAPK phosphatase activity, which was highest in the microsomal membrane and soluble fractions, was attributable mainly, if not entirely, to protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Moreover, hydrogen peroxide (in the absence and presence of reduced glutathione) and glutathione disulfide inhibited the MAPK phosphatase activity by a dithiothreitol-reversible mechanism. These results provide direct support for mounting evidence that PP2A is a major regulator of MAPK phosphorylation in brain and suggest that inhibition of PP2A activity via reversible oxidation of a cysteine thiol(s) may underlie at least in part the activation of MAPKs occurring in response to hydrogen peroxide and oxidative stress.

Effects of dietary flavonoids on major signal transduction pathways in human epithelial cells

Flavonoids (FVs) are an important class of plant compounds postulated to be one of the constituents responsible for the beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables on health, including heart disease and cancer. At pharmacological levels, various naturally-occurring flavonoids have been shown to be cancer-protective in a variety of animal models and flavonoid derivatives, such as flavopyridol, are being assessed as chemotherapy drugs in clinical trials. This report has investigated the effects of the most common dietary FVs on several major signalling pathways in biopsies of human epithelial cells using primary cultures freshly isolated from biopsies and has obtained evidence for the previously unrecognised importance of stress kinase responses induced by kaempferol (KF), apigenin (AP) and luteolin (LU). KF, AP and LU all activated ATM/ATR (mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia and related) kinases and the p38 stress kinase and this was associated with induction of GADD45 and cell cycle arrest in G2, but not induction of apoptosis. These effects were not due to general toxicity since they were reversible on removal of FV. The inductions of ATM/ATR and p38 were functionally important since caffeine, an inhibitor of ATM/ATR, and the p38-specific inhibitor, SB203580, prevented induction of GADD45 and growth arrest by these three flavonoids. In contrast, although quercetin (QU) activated ATM (but not ATR), it did not activate p38 kinase, GADD45 or p53. QU may interfere with one of the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways since the growth inhibitory effects of QU (but not the other three flavonoids) could be reversed by addition of LOX metabolites, particularly 12- and 15-hydroxyeicostetraenic acids.

Oxygen radical production in neutrophils interacting with platelets and surface-immobilized plasma proteins: Role of tyrosine phosphorylation

The interaction between neutrophil granulocytes and platelets is considered to play an important role in the inflammatory process induced by an implanted foreign material. However, the cellular mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood. We used a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) technique to analyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophils interacting with different plasma protein-coated surfaces in the presence or absence of unstimulated or stimulated platelets. The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of NADPH oxidase activity was evaluated with quantitative fluorescence microscopy and the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. We found that the ROS-production is 2 to 3 times higher in neutrophils on immunoglobulin G (IgG)-coated surfaces than in cells interacting with albumin- or fibrinogen-coated surfaces. Incubation with superoxide dismutase and catalase revealed that about 45% of the ROS was released extracellularly on IgG surfaces whereas corresponding values were 90% and 85% in neutrophils interacting with albumin and fibrinogen, respectively. The presence of platelets markedly increased the extracellular generation of ROS, mainly in neutrophils interacting with IgG- or fibrinogen-coated surfaces whereas the intracellular production was only modestly affected. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy of neutrophils stained with FITC-conjugated anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies showed a correlation between tyrosine phosphorylation, cell spreading, and ROS production. Platelets markedly amplified the anti-phosphotyrosine staining on both fibrinogen- and IgG-coated surfaces whereas the low level of tyrosine phosphorylation in neutrophils on albumin-coated surfaces was not further elevated by platelets. Furthermore, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited both extra- and intracellular ROS production in neutrophils regardless of the presence of platelets. We demonstrate that plasma protein coating and the presence of platelets are crucial for the inflammatory response of adhering neutrophils and that the oxidative response correlates with the extent of tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in focal contacts.