Regulation of platelet-derived growth factor isoform-mediated expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase in mesangial cells

Modified lipid metabolism and cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation in mesangial cells under pro-inflammatory conditions

Diabetic kidney disease is a consequence of hyperglycemia and other complex events driven by early glomerular hemodynamic changes and a progressive expansion of the mesangium. The molecular mechanisms behind the pathophysiological alterations of the mesangium are yet to be elucidated. This study aimed at investigating whether lipid signaling might be the missing link. Stimulation of human mesangial cells with high glucose primed the inflammasome-driven interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) secretion, which in turn stimulated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) release. Finally, PDGF-BB increased IL-1β secretion synergistically. Both IL-1β and PDGF-BB stimulation triggered the formation of phosphorylated sphingoid bases, as shown by lipidomics, and activated cytosolic phospholipase cPLA2, sphingosine kinase 1, cyclooxygenase 2, and autotaxin. This led to the release of arachidonic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine, activating the secretion of vasodilatory prostaglandins and proliferative lysophosphatidic acids. Blocking cPLA2 release of arachidonic acid reduced mesangial cells proliferation and prostaglandin secretion. Validation was performed in silico using the Nephroseq database and a glomerular transcriptomic database. In conclusion, hyperglycemia primes glomerular inflammatory and proliferative stimuli triggering lipid metabolism modifications in human mesangial cells. The upregulation of cPLA2 was critical in this setting. Its inhibition reduced mesangial secretion of prostaglandins and proliferation, making it a potential therapeutical target.

Involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 in the tumor site-dependent production of parathyroid hormone-related protein in colon 26 carcinoma

It has been shown that in the mouse colon 26 tumor model, tumors grown in the subcutis (subcutis colon 26) caused early onset of cachectic syndromes, whereas those in the liver (liver colon 26) did not. Both interleukin (IL)-6 and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) were involved in the development of cachectic syndromes in this tumor model. However, whether expression of PTHrP and IL-6 is differently regulated in the tumor microenvironment is unclear. In the present study, culturing the colon 26 cells under different conditions in vitro revealed that IL-6 production was increased by monolayer culture under a low-glucose condition but not by spheroid culture. In contrast, PTHrP production was increased by spheroid culture but not by monolayer culture, even under a low-glucose condition. Gene expression profiling revealed that the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was up-regulated in both subcutis colon 26 and spheroid cultures, and that COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 suppressed PTHrP production in spheroid cultures. Furthermore, administration of NS-398 decreased the PTHrP level without affecting the tumor growth in mice bearing subcutis colon 26. These results demonstrate that production of PTHrP and IL-6 largely depends on the microenvironments in which tumors are developed or metastasized and that up-regulation of COX-2 in a necrobiotic environment leads to PTHrP production, thereby causing cachectic syndromes.

Up-regulation of glomerular COX-2 by angiotensin II: role of reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandins such as prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) counteract the angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vasoconstriction in the glomerular microcirculation. We have shown that Ang II promotes mesangial cell hypertrophy via reactive oxygen species (ROS), which originate from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and its reduced form (NADH/NADPH) oxidase. It has been reported that conditions associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system result in increased glomerular cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and activity.

METHODS

We designed studies to determine (1) whether Ang II induces COX-2 in the glomerulus in vivo in the glomerulus as well as in vitro in mesangial cells, (2) whether ROS originated from Ang II are involved, and (3) whether COX-2-derived prostaglandins modulate the growth promoting effects of Ang II in mesangial cells. Rats were infused with Ang II (0.7 mg/kg/day) for 5 days and glomerular COX-2 expression and activity assessed in isolated glomeruli.

RESULTS

Ang II increased glomerular PGE(2) production (100%) accompanied by a concomitant increase in glomerular COX-2 expression at the mRNA (1.7-fold) and protein level (sixfold). In mesangial cells, Ang II significantly increased mesangial cell PGE(2) (200%) and PGI(2) (100%) production as well as COX-2 mRNA that was prevented by the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker irbesartan and the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), the ROS scavenger tiron as well as catalase, inhibited Ang II-induced PGE(2) production suggesting that Ang II-induced ROS mediate COX-2 up-regulation. Strikingly, COX-2 inhibition as well as blockade of the type 1 PGE(2) receptor (EP1) prevented Ang II-induced mesangial cell hypertrophy suggesting that COX-2-derived prostaglandins, and specifically PGE(2), importantly contribute to the growth promoting effects of Ang II.

CONCLUSION

These studies suggest that blockade of specific PGE(2) receptors may be a novel strategy to modulate the pathologic effects of COX-2-derived prostaglandins without simultaneously affecting protective vasodilatory mechanisms.

Regulation of PDGF and its receptors in fibrotic diseases

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms play a major role in stimulating the replication, survival, and migration of myofibroblasts during the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases. During fibrogenesis, PDGF is secreted by a variety of cell types as a response to injury, and many pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate their mitogenic effects via the autocrine release of PDGF. PDGF action is determined by the relative expression of PDGF alpha-receptors (PDGFRalpha) and beta-receptors (PDGFRbeta) on the surface of myofibroblasts. These receptors are induced during fibrogenesis, thereby amplifying biological responses to PDGF isoforms. PDGF action is also modulated by extracellular binding proteins and matrix molecules. This review summarizes the literature on the role of PDGF and its receptors in the development of fibrosis in a variety of organ systems, including lung, liver, kidney, and skin.

Age-dependent increase in hydrogen peroxide production by cardiac monoamine oxidase A in rats

Oxidative stress is one of the factors involved in age-related impairment of cardiac function. In the present study, we investigated the role of the catecholamine-degrading enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in H(2)O(2) production in the hearts of young, adult, and old rats. MAO-dependent H(2)O(2) production, measured by a chemiluminescence-based assay, increased with age, reaching the maximum in 24-mo-old rats (7.5-fold increase vs. 1-mo-old rats). The following observations indicate that the age-dependent increase in H(2)O(2) generation was fully related to the MAO-A isoform: 1) at all the ages tested, chemiluminescence production was inhibited by the MAO-A inhibitor clorgyline but not by the MAO-B inhibitor RO-19 6327; 2) enzyme assay, Western blot, and semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis showed an age-dependent increase in cardiac MAO-A activity, immunodetection, and mRNA expression, respectively; and 3) the MAO-B isoform was undetectable by enzyme assay and Western blot analysis. These results suggest that MAO-A could be a major source of H(2)O(2) in the aging heart.

Hyaluronan increases glomerular cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression in a p38 MAP-kinase-dependent process

BACKGROUND

Accumulation of the matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan occurs in many types of renal injury but could follow any provision of hyaluronan substrate to the kidney, for example, through widespread use of supplementary glucosamine in osteoarthritic conditions. Hyaluronan can increase cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and prostaglandin production. This effect was characterized in rat renal glomeruli to determine the cellular mechanism of activation.

METHODS

Isolated glomeruli were treated with purified hyaluronan (molecular mass 2 x 105 D) for up to 24 hours.

RESULTS

An increase in cyclooxygenase capacity and COX-2 protein was shown to follow the activation of p38-mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and to be inhibited by a specific pyridinyl imadazole inhibitor (SB 202190). Hyaluronan-induced activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 also was shown to be a p38 MAP kinase effect in these preparations. Prostaglandin production was inhibited by COX-2-specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NS-398 and celecoxib) but, as shown for many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), an increase in COX-2 protein accompanied this inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that these findings have clinical relevance. Prostaglandins have a number of important intrarenal regulatory effects leading to some debate over renal function with the use of NSAIDs. Where hyaluronan is increased, p38 MAP-kinase-dependent provision of prostaglandin substrate, via activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, and a concomitant increase in cyclooxygenase-2 protein would raise renal prostaglandin levels. While NSAID treatment can prevent a rise in prostaglandin levels, it needs to be maintained to avoid possible exacerbation of pro-inflammatory conditions due to increased COX-2 protein levels.

Activation of NF-kappaB is required for PDGF-B chain to transform NIH3T3 cells

Elucidating the secondary signaling molecules that are necessary for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to stimulate tumor development will be crucial to the understanding and treatment of a variety of cancers. Several lines of evidence have indicated that the transcription factor NF-kappaB plays a central role in transformation induced by Ha-ras and Bcr-abl, but nothing is known concerning its role in transformation by PDGF. Here we demonstrate that transcription from a promoter containing NF-kappaB binding sequences as well as the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB were increased in PDGF-B-chain-transformed mouse fibroblast cells. Focus formation of PDGF-B-chain-transformed mouse fibroblasts was suppressed by treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid, which are known inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation, but other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that do not have an effect on NF-kappaB activity did not affect focus formation in these cells. Furthermore, expression of a dominant negative mutant of IkappaBalpha, pMEIkappaBalpha67CJ, and a dominant negative mutant of p65, p65DeltaC, resulted in decreased focus formation and NF-kappaB activity. Therefore, the transcription factor NF-kappaB plays a vital role in PDGF-B chain transformation of mouse fibroblast cells, and the NF-kappaB activity is sensitive to treatment with ASA.

Monoamine oxidase in developing rat renal cortex: effect of dexamethasone treatment

The expression of the biogenic amine degrading enzyme monoamine oxidases-A and -B depends on several factors including regional distribution, development and hormonal environment. In the present study, we investigated the expression of monoamine oxidases in developing kidney and their regulation by dexamethasone treatment. Immunoblots and enzyme assays, performed using [14C]5-hydroxytriptamine and [14C]beta-phenylethylamine as substrates for monoamine oxidases-A and -B, respectively, showed that monoamine oxidase-A is the isoenzyme largely predominant in 9-day-old rats renal cortex. Experiments performed in 5-week-old rats showed an increase in monoamine oxidase-B activity and a decrease in monoamine oxidase-A activity and substrate affinity. The changes of monoamine oxidase-A activity and affinity were mimicked by dexamethasone treatment (0.60 mg/kg body weight injected subcutaneously three times at intervals of 24 h) of 9-day-old rats. In contrast, dexamethasone administration induced a modification of monoamine oxidase-B activity opposite to that found between 9-day- and 5-week-old rats. Dexamethasone treatment did not modify immunoreactivity and mRNA corresponding to monoamine oxidases-A and -B indicating that changes of enzyme activities were unrelated to regulation of protein synthesis and mRNA turnover. These results show that monoamine oxidases-A and -B are differently expressed in developing renal cortex and are regulated by dexamethasone treatment.

Cox-2 and osteopontin in cocultured platelets and mesangial cells: role of glucocorticoids

BACKGROUND

Glomerular inflammation is characterized by a consecutive infiltration of immunoreactive cells. To mimic the early phase of glomerular injury, a coculture system of platelets and rat renal mesangial cells was established. As prototypes, the inflammation-related proteins cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and the chemotactic protein osteopontin (OPN) were investigated.

METHODS

The expression of OPN and Cox-2 mRNA and protein was determined by Northern and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

Coincubation of platelets and mesangial cells led to a rapid, transient induction of Cox-2 mRNA, which peaked at two hours, whereas OPN and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were induced at later time points. The induction of Cox-2 mRNA was concentration dependent and highly reproducible when platelets of different donors were investigated. Partial Cox-2 induction was observed when supernatants of preactivated platelets were incubated with mesangial cells. The inhibition of the signaling pathways of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) or interference with Gi-protein signaling partially inhibited platelet-induced Cox-2 expression. Down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC), which is a common signaling module in many pathways leading to Cox-2 induction, almost completely abrogated platelet-induced Cox-2 expression. The time pattern of Cox-2 and OPN expression suggested that Cox-2 might play a role in OPN induction. The up-regulation of OPN was dependent on de novo protein synthesis and was induced by high levels of exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 10 micromol/L). Endogenous PGE2, however, proved not to be essential for OPN mRNA expression, because inhibition of Cox activity did not change OPN mRNA levels. Dexamethasone inhibited Cox-2 mRNA induction but increased OPN mRNA and protein expression.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that Cox-2 and OPN are independently up-regulated upon interaction of platelets and mesangial cells.

The platelet-derived-growth-factor receptor, not the epidermal-growth-factor receptor, is used by lysophosphatidic acid to activate p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and to induce prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 in mesangial cells

In renal mesangial cells, activation of protein tyrosine kinase receptors may increase the activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and subsequently induce expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2, cyclo-oxygenase-2). As examples, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were shown to transiently enhance p42/44 MAP kinase activity, which was an essential step in the induction of PGHS-2 mRNA and protein. Inhibitors of receptor kinase activities, tyrphostins AG1296 and AG1478, specifically inhibited the effects of PDGF and EGF respectively. Activation of p42/44 and p38 MAP kinases and PGHS-2 induction were also mediated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which binds to pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptors. LPA stimulation was inhibited by AG1296, but not AG1478, indicating involvement of the PDGF receptor kinase in LPA-mediated signalling. This was confirmed by pertussis-toxin-sensitive tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor by LPA, whereas no phosphorylation of the EGF receptor was detected. For comparison, 5-hydroxytryptamine ('serotonin')-mediated signalling was only partially inhibited by AG1296, and also not affected by AG1478. A strong basal AG1296-sensitive tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor and a set of other proteins was observed, which by itself was not sufficient to induce p42/44 MAP kinase activation, but played an essential role not only in LPA- but also in phorbol ester-mediated activation. Taken together, the PDGF receptor, but not the EGF receptor, is involved in LPA-mediated MAP kinase activation and PGHS-2 induction in primary mesangial cells, where both protein kinase receptors are present and functionally active.

Platelet-derived growth factor-induced disruption of gap junctional communication and phosphorylation of connexin43 involves protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase

Previously we showed a rapid and transient inhibition of gap junctional communication (GJC) by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in T51B rat liver epithelial cells expressing wild-type platelet-derived growth factor beta receptors (PDGFrbeta). This action of PDGF correlated with the hyperphosphorylation of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) and required PDGFrbeta tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting the participation of protein kinases and phosphatases many of which are activated by PDGF treatment. In the present study, two such kinases, namely protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), are investigated for their possible involvement in PDGF-induced closure of junctional channels and Cx43-phosphorylation. Down-regulation of PKC-isoforms by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor calphostin C, completely blocked PDGF action on GJC and Cx43. Activation of MAPK correlated with PDGF-induced Cx43 phosphorylation, and prevention of MAPK activation by PD98059 eliminated the PDGF effects. Interestingly, elimination of GJC recovery by cycloheximide was associated with a sustained activated-MAPK level. Based on these results we postulate that the activation of PKC and MAPK are required in PDGF-mediated Cx43 phosphorylation and junctional closure.

Signaling pathways mediating induction of the early response genes prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 and egr-1 by serotonin via 5-HT2A receptors

Signaling pathways responsible for serotonin (5-HT)-mediated induction of early response genes prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2, cyclooxygenase-2) and egr-1 were investigated in rat mesangial cells. Gene induction by 5-HT was dependent on 5-HT2A receptors that were pertussis toxin insensitive indicating coupling to a G-protein of the Gq family. Binding of 5-HT to this receptor activates phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC) and release of Ca2+ from internal stores, but this activation was not related to PGHS-2 mRNA expression. Similarly, PI-3 kinase was not involved in 5-HT signaling. Instead, inhibition of phosphatidylcholine-specific PLC interfered with PGHS-2 and egr-1 mRNA induction, suggesting this enzyme as a link between 5-HT2A receptors and protein kinase C, an essential part of 5-HT-mediated signaling. The MAP kinase pathway was identified as common signaling pathway of 5-HT or phorbol ester-induced gene expression. Increase of intracellular cAMP by forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP did not induce PGHS-2 or egr-1 mRNA expression by itself, but strongly inhibited 5-HT-mediated mRNA induction. PGHS-2 mRNA and protein induction by 5-HT was also abolished by chelation of Ca2+ ions by EGTA, suggesting involvement of Ca2+-dependent enzymes. In contrast, egr-1 mRNA expression was superinduced in the presence of EGTA. Induction of Egr-1 protein was not changed by EGTA hinting to Ca2+-sensitive posttranscriptional steps. Activation of the Gq-coupled 5-HT2A receptor thus leads to the expression of the early response genes PGHS-2 and egr-1, using common as well as differing signaling elements that allow differential regulation of the expression of these genes that are functionally related to renal hemodynamics and proliferation of mesangial cells, respectively.

A role for protein kinase C alpha in stimulation of prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 transcription by 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid

Arachidonic acid, but not eicosapentaenoic acid, increased prostaglandin G/H endoperoxide synthase-2 transcription in cultured intestinal epithelial cells. This stimulatory effect on PGHS-2 synthesis was prevented by an AA utilization inhibitor, eicosatetraynoic acid. Specific inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase or the lipoxygenase pathways of AA metabolism did not prevent AA-mediated induction of PGHS-2 synthesis; however, the involvement of cytochrome P450 monoxygenases (CYP450) was indicated as several CYP450 blockers, ketoconazole, miconazole, and metyrapone, inhibited the induction of PGHS-2 mRNA synthesis by AA. This blockade by CYP450 inhibitors could be overcome by the addition of the AA epoxygenase metabolite 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET); other EET regio-isomers were unable to elevate PGHS-2 mRNA level. Blockade of protein kinase C with a specific inhibitor, bisindolyl maleimide-1, or translational inhibition of protein kinase C alpha by antisense oligonucleotides reduced PGHS-2 transcription, suggesting the involvement of protein kinase C alpha in the signal transduction pathway.

Pregnancy increases ovine uterine artery endothelial cyclooxygenase-1 expression

During normal pregnancy, and especially in the third trimester, both uterine blood flow and prostacyclin production by ovine uterine arteries are dramatically increased. We sought to determine if this is due, in part, to an increase in cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in the uterine artery endothelium. In this study we compared COX expression in uterine artery endothelium from nonpregnant and third-trimester pregnant (110-142 days' gestation) ewes. COX-2 expression was not detectable by Western blotting in uterine artery endothelium or vascular smooth muscle (VSM). In contrast, COX-1 expression was clearly observed in uterine artery. Immunohistochemical localization of COX-1 was endothelium > VSM, with both cell types showing an increase in COX-1 during the third trimester of pregnancy. COX-1 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were also detectable in collagenase dispersed endothelial cells, with expression of COX-1 in uterine artery endothelial cells dramatically increased during the third trimester of pregnancy at both the level of protein (346.4 +/- 28% of nonpregnant controls, P < 0.0005) and mRNA (51.04 +/- 7.98-fold of nonpregnant controls, P < 0.001). We conclude that the pregnancy-induced increases in prostacyclin production by uterine arteries is largely due to a dramatic increase in expression of COX-1 mRNA and associated protein predominantly occurring in the uterine artery endothelium and, to a lesser extent, in the VSM.

Molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by glucocorticoids

The anti-inflammatory properties of glucocorticoids are attributed in part, to their interference with prostaglandin synthesis. Phospholipases A2 and cyclooxygenases, the key enzymes of prostaglandin biosynthesis, are targets of glucocorticoid action; the molecular mechanisms, however, are not yet understood in detail. Obviously, glucocorticoids can act at different levels of gene regulation depending on cell type and inducing stimulus. The current knowledge of glucocorticoid interference with phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase expression is summarized. In comparison with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids are unique inasmuch as they also inhibit cytokine synthesis and expression of other inflammation-related enzymes. Based on a more detailed understanding of glucocorticoid action, it may be possible to therapeutically exploit the anti-inflammatory effects and at the same time avoid the unwanted metabolic actions of these steroids.

Modulation of phospholipase D stimulation in c-src transfected mesangial cells

Stimulation of rat mesangial cells with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) enhanced phospholipase D (PLD) activity in a concentration dependent manner. Mesangial cells overexpressing the tyrosine kinase pp60c-src (c-Src) were used to determine the effect of this non transforming protooncogene on PLD activation. Overexpression of c-Src interfered with PDGF-BB-mediated activation of PLD. This modulation was dependent on the tyrosine kinase activity of c-Src, since overexpression of tyrosine kinase-negative mutants of c-Src did not affect PLD activation. No effect of c-Src overexpression was observed, when PLD was activated by ATP or guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S). The results indicate that the tyrosine kinase c-Src specifically interfered with PDGF-mediated but not with ATP- or GTP gamma S-mediated PLD activation.