Inhibition of wild-type p66ShcA in mesangial cells prevents glycooxidant-dependent FOXO3a regulation and promotes the survival phenotype

DNA double-strand break repair capacity and its pathway gene variants predict the risk and prognosis of lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the association between DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair capacity, variations in DSBs-related genes, and the occurrence and prognosis of lung cancer in the Chinese population.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 98 lung cancer patients and 60 healthy individuals. The individual DSBs repair capacity was assessed by measuring changes in γ-H2AX levels after treatment with etoposide. Exonic sequencing of 45 DSBs-related genes was performed on PBMC DNA. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between lung cancer risk and DSBs repair capacity as well as germlines gene variations. Survival analysis employed the Cox proportional hazards regression model, Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-rank test.

RESULTS

Lower DSBs repair capacity predicted an increased risk of developing lung cancer (OR = 0.94, 95 %CI = 0.917-0.964, P＜0.001). Among lung cancer patients, higher DSBs repair capacity was associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) during first-line treatment (HR = 1.80, 95 %CI = 1.10-3.00, P = 0.031). Patients with BRCA1 mutations had shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.92, 95 %CI = 1.12-3.28, P = 0.018). Patients with FOXO3 mutations had shorter PFS (HR = 4.23, 95 %CI = 1.44-12.36, P = 0.009). Analysis of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) indicated that LIG4 mutations were associated with shorter PFS (HR = 2.90, 95 %CI = 1.00-8.10, P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

This study concludes that assessing DSBs repair capacity holds promise for predicting both lung cancer risk and prognosis in the Chinese population. Further large-scale studies and functional validation of specific gene mutations related to double-strand breaks are necessary for confirmation.

The Role of p66Shc in Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review from Bench to Bedside

It is well-documented that diabetes is an inflammatory and oxidative disease, with an escalating global burden. Still, there is no definite treatment for diabetes or even prevention of its harmful complications. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways associated with diabetes might help in finding a solution. p66Shc is a member of Shc family proteins, and it is considered as an oxidative stress sensor and regulator in cells. There are inconsistent data about the role of p66Shc in inducing diabetes, but accumulating evidence supports its role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related complications, including macro and microangiopathies. There is growing hope that by understanding and targeting molecular pathways involved in this network, prevention of diabetes or its complications would be achievable. This review provides an overview about the role of p66Shc in the development of diabetes and its complications.

Idebenone is a cytoprotective insulin sensitizer whose mechanism is Shc inhibition

When insulin binds insulin receptor, IRS1 signaling is stimulated to trigger the maximal insulin response. p52Shc protein competes directly with IRS1, thus damping and diverting maximal insulin response. Genetic reduction of p52Shc minimizes competition with IRS1, and improves insulin signaling and glucose control in mice, and improves pathophysiological consequences of hyperglycemia. Given the multiple benefits of Shc reduction in vivo, we investigated whether any of 1680 drugs used in humans may function as Shc inhibitors, and thus potentially serve as novel anti-diabetics. Of the 1680, 30 insulin sensitizers were identified by screening in vitro, and of these 30 we demonstrated that 7 bound Shc protein. Of the 7 drugs, idebenone dose-dependently bound Shc protein in the 50-100 nM range, and induced insulin sensitivity and cytoprotection in this same 100 nM range that clinically dosed idebenone reaches in human plasma. By contrast we observe mitochondrial effects of idebenone in the 5,000 nM range that are not reached in human dosing. Multiple assays of target engagement demonstrate that idebenone physically interacts with Shc protein. Idebenone sensitizes mice to insulin in two different mouse models of prediabetes. Genetic depletion of idebenone's target eliminates idebenone's ability to insulin-sensitize in vivo. Thus, idebenone is the first-in-class member of a novel category of insulin-sensitizing and cytoprotective agents, the Shc inhibitors. Idebenone is an approved drug and could be considered for other indications such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, in which insulin resistance occurs.

Cigarette smoke induces mucin hypersecretion and inflammatory response through the p66shc adaptor protein-mediated mechanism in human bronchial epithelial cells

The p66Shc adaptor protein is a newly recognized mediator of mitochondrial dysfunction and might play a role in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced airway epithelial cell injury. CS can induce an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which can cause mitochondrial depolarization and injury through the oxidative stress-mediated Serine36 phosphorylation of p66Shc. The excessive production of ROS can trigger an inflammatory response and mucin hypersecretion by enhancing the transcriptional activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mucin genes. Therefore, we speculate that p66Shc plays an essential role in airway epithelial cell injury and the process of mucin generation in CS-induced chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Our present study focuses on the role of p66Shc in ROS generation, and on the resulting mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and mucus hypersecretion in CS-stimulated human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE). We found that CS disturbed the mitochondrial function by increasing the level of phosphorylated p66Shc in these cells and that the effects were significantly reduced by silencing p66Shc. Conversely, the ectopic overexpression of wild-type p66Shc enhanced these effects. We also found that high levels of ROS inhibited FOXO3a transcriptional activity, which led to NF-κB activation. Subsequently, activated NF-κB promoted pro-inflammatory cytokine production and mucin hypersecretion. Thus, manipulating p66Shc might offer a new therapeutic modality with which to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases.

Nitric oxide, oxidative stress, and p66Shc interplay in diabetic endothelial dysfunction

Increased oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability play a causal role in endothelial cell dysfunction occurring in the vasculature of diabetic patients. In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms underpinning diabetic endothelial and vascular dysfunction. In particular, we focused our attention on the complex interplay existing among NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and one crucial regulator of intracellular ROS production, p66Shc protein.

Potential neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 induced by glucose deprivation in PC12 cells

Nutrient availability is one of the most important signals regulating cellular fates including cell growth, differentiation, and death. Recent evidence suggests that the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays a prominent role in linking changes in nutritional availability with cellular fate regulation. SIRT1 expression is observed in neurons, yet the expressional and functional regulation of this protein is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined whether extracellular glucose concentration affects the expression and localization of SIRT1 in PC12 cells. Further, we examined levels of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a), which is also controlled by changes in extracellular glucose concentration. We observed the total expression levels of SIRT1 and FoxO3a in PC12 cells were reduced when glucose availability increased via gene expressional control, at least in part. Nuclear localization of SIRT1 and FoxO3a was increased by glucose deprivation. Even though the changes in extracellular glucose concentration regulated SIRT1 and FoxO3a in a similar direction, the effects of nerve growth factor on these two proteins were completely different. Finally, we found the potent SIRT1 inhibitor enhanced glucose deprivation-induced cell death. Therefore, we propose that glucose deprivation-induced SIRT1 expression potentially plays a major role in protecting PC12 cells.

Deficit of p66ShcA restores redox-sensitive stress response program in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Overwhelming oxidative stress and compromised tubular cell antioxidant response have been incriminated for cisplatin (Cis)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesized that Cis-induced AKI was the outcome of the deactivated redox-sensitive stress response program (RSSRP). Wild type (WT) and heterozygous p66ShcA(p66(+/-)) mice in groups of six were administered either normal saline (WT) or Cis (12.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, Cis/WT). Renal biomarkers were collected and kidneys were harvested for renal histology. Cis/WT showed elevated blood urea nitrogen levels and enhanced tubular cell apoptosis, necrosis, and dilated tubules filled with casts when compared to Cis/p66(+/-). Cis/p66(+/-) developed only a clinically occult AKI (normal blood urea levels and only microscopic alterations). Immunoblots from the lysates of renal tissues of Cis/WT displayed enhanced expression of phospho-p66ShcA, and phospho-Foxo3A but attenuated expression of MnSOD and catalase; conversely, p66 deficit prevented these alterations in Cis milieu. In in vitro studies, Cis treated mouse proximal tubular cells (MPTCs) displayed enhanced phosphorylation of p66ShcA and no increase in tubular cell expression of MnSOD. In addition, renal tissues of Cis/WT and Cis-treated MPTCs displayed enhanced phosphorylation of p53 and Bax expression. However, MPTC partially silenced for p66ShcA displayed partial inhibition of Cis-induced tubular cell apoptosis as well as necrosis. These findings indicate that Cis-induced AKI is the outcome of the deactivated RSSRP (attenuated anti-oxidant response) and activation of pro-apoptotic (p53-induced Bax expression) pathway.

High serum glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age

Estimating perceived age by facial photographs is a good estimate of health in elderly populations. Previously, we showed that familial longevity is marked by a more beneficial glucose metabolism already at middle age. As glucose is also related to skin aging, this study aimed to investigate the association between glucose metabolism and perceived age. Perceived age was assessed using facial photographs and non-fasted glucose and insulin were measured in 602 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study. Non-diabetic subjects (n = 569) were divided in three strata according to their glucose levels, and diabetic subjects (n = 33; as a proxy of long-term hyperglycemic exposure) were included as a fourth stratum. Considered confounding factors were gender, chronological age, current smoking, body mass index, photo-damage score, and insulin levels. Perceived age was increased from 59.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the first stratum to 61.2 years (SE = 0.6) in diabetic subjects (p for trend = 0.002). In non-diabetic subjects only, perceived age was increased from 59.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the first stratum to 60.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the third stratum (p for trend = 0.009). Continuously, perceived age increased 0.40 years (SE = 0.14, p = 0.006) per 1 mmol/L increase in glucose level in non-diabetic subjects. The present study demonstrates that, also among non-diabetic subjects, higher glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age. Future research should be focused on elucidating possible mechanisms linking glucose levels to perceived age.

Cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction during hyperglycemia--the role of oxidative stress and p66Shc signaling

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by a deficiency in the production of insulin and/or by the effects of insulin resistance. Insulin deficiency leads to hyperglycemia which is the major initiator of diabetic cardiovascular complications escalating with time and driven by many complex biochemical and molecular processes. Four hypotheses, which propose mechanisms of diabetes-associated pathophysiology, are currently considered. Cardiovascular impairment may be caused by an increase in polyol pathway flux, by intracellular advanced glycation end-products formation or increased flux through the hexosamine pathway. The latter of these mechanisms involves activation of the protein kinase C. Cellular and mitochondrial metabolism alterations observed in the course of diabetes are partially associated with an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among many processes and factors involved in ROS production, the 66 kDa isoform of the growth factor adaptor shc (p66Shc protein) is of particular interest. This protein plays a key role in the control of mitochondria-dependent oxidative balance thus it involvement in diabetic complications and other oxidative stress based pathologies is recently intensively studied. In this review we summarize the current understanding of hyperglycemia induced cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction with an emphasis on the oxidative stress and p66Shc protein. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Bioenergetic dysfunction, adaptation and therapy.

Null mutations at the p66 and bradykinin 2 receptor loci induce divergent phenotypes in the diabetic kidney

Candidate genes have been identified that confer increased risk for diabetic glomerulosclerosis (DG). Mice heterozygous for the Akita (Ins2(+/C96Y)) diabetogenic mutation with a second mutation introduced at the bradykinin 2 receptor (B2R(-/-)) locus express a disease phenotype that approximates human DG. Src homology 2 domain transforming protein 1 (p66) controls mitochondrial metabolism and cellular responses to oxidative stress, aging, and apoptosis. We generated p66-null Akita mice to test whether inactivating mutations at the p66 locus will rescue kidneys of Akita mice from disease-causing mutations at the Ins2 and B2R loci. Here we show null mutations at the p66 and B2R loci interact with the Akita (Ins2(+/C96Y)) mutation, independently and in combination, inducing divergent phenotypes in the kidney. The B2R(-/-) mutation induces detrimental phenotypes, as judged by increased systemic and renal levels of oxidative stress, histology, and urine albumin excretion, whereas the p66-null mutation confers a powerful protection phenotype. To elucidate the mechanism(s) of the protection phenotype, we turned to our in vitro system. Experiments with cultured podocytes revealed previously unrecognized cross talk between p66 and the redox-sensitive transcription factor p53 that controls hyperglycemia-induced ROS metabolism, transcription of p53 target genes (angiotensinogen, angiotensin II type-1 receptor, and bax), angiotensin II generation, and apoptosis. RNA-interference targeting p66 inhibits all of the above. Finally, protein levels of p53 target genes were upregulated in kidneys of Akita mice but unchanged in p66-null Akita mice. Taken together, p66 is a potential molecular target for therapeutic intervention in DG.

HIV gene expression deactivates redox-sensitive stress response program in mouse tubular cells both in vitro and in vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 has been reported to cause tubular cell injury both in in vivo and in vitro studies. In the present study, we evaluated the role of oxidative stress in the induction of apoptosis in HIV gene expressing mouse tubular cells in in vivo (Tg26, a transgenic mouse model of HIV-associated nephropathy) and in vitro (tubular cells were transduced with pNL4-3: ΔG/P-GFP, VSV.G psueudo typed virus) studies. Although Tg26 mice showed enhanced tubular cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis, renal tissue did not display a robust antioxidant response in the form of enhanced free radical scavenger (MnSOD/catalase) expression. Tg26 mice not only showed enhanced tubular cell expression of phospho-p66ShcA but also displayed nuclear Foxo3a translocation to the cytoplasm. These findings indicated deactivation of tubular cell Foxo3A-dependent redox-sensitive stress response program (RSSRP) in Tg26 mice. In in vitro studies, NL4-3 (pNL4-3: ΔG/P-GFP, VSV.G pseudotyped virus)-transduced mouse proximal tubular cells (NL4-3/MPTEC) displayed enhanced phosphorylation of p66ShcA. NL4-3/MPTECs also displayed greater (P < 0.01) ROS generation when compared with empty vector-transduced tubular cells; however, both diminution of p66ShcA and N-acetyl cysteine attenuated NL4-3-induced tubular cell ROS generation as well as apoptosis. In addition, both antioxidants and free radical scavengers partially inhibited HIV-induced tubular cell apoptosis. NL4-3/MPTEC displayed deactivation of RSSRP in the form of enhanced phosphorylation of Foxo3A and attenuated expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Since both SOD and catalase were able to provide protection against HIV-1-induced tubular cell apoptosis, it suggests that HIV-1-induced proapoptotic effect may be a consequence of the deactivated RSSRP.

FOXO3 deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to cigarette smoke-induced inflammation, airspace enlargement, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Forkhead box class O 3a (FOXO3) is a member of the FoxO transcription factor subfamily, which regulates the expression of target genes not only through DNA binding as a transcription factor, but also through protein-protein interaction. Although FoxO3 is a well-known transcription factor involved in diverse biological processes, the role of FoxO3 in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation and injury has not been studied. It is, therefore, hypothesized that deficiency of FoxO3 leads to increased susceptibility to CS-induced lung inflammatory response and airspace enlargement. In this article, we show that the levels of FOXO3 are significantly decreased in lungs of smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as in lungs of mice exposed to CS. Genetic ablation of FoxO3 led to pulmonary emphysema and exaggerated inflammatory response in lungs of mice exposed to CS. We further showed that CS induced the translocation of FoxO3 into the nucleus where FoxO3 interacted with NF-κB and disrupted NF-κB DNA-binding ability, leading to inhibition of its activity. Targeted disruption of FoxO3 also resulted in downregulation of antioxidant genes in mouse lungs in response to CS exposure. These results suggest that FoxO3 plays a pivotal role in regulation of lung inflammatory response and antioxidant genes, and deficiency of FoxO3 results in development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema.

Insulin-like growth factor-I-forkhead box O transcription factor 3a counteracts high glucose/tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated neuronal damage: implications for human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis

In HIV patients, antiretroviral medications trigger metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance. In addition, the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), which is elevated in human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis (HIVE), also induces insulin resistance and inflicts neuronal damage in vitro. In differentiated PC12 cells and rat cortical neurons, high glucose (HG; 25 mM) triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, contributing to the retraction of neuronal processes, with only a minimal involvement of neuronal apoptosis. In the presence of TNFα, HG-treated neurons undergo massive apoptosis. Because mammalian homolog of the Forkhead family of transcription factors, Forkhead box O transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a), controls ROS metabolism, we asked whether FOXO3a could affect the fate of differentiated neurons in the paradigm of HIVE. We observed FOXO3a nuclear translocation in HG-treated neuronal cultures, accompanied by partial loss of mitochondrial potential and gradual retraction of neuronal processes. Addition of TNFα to HG-treated neurons increased expression of the FOXO-dependent proapoptotic gene Bim, which resulted in extensive apoptotic death. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) significantly lowered intracellular ROS, which was accompanied by IGF-I-mediated FOXO3a nuclear export and decrease in its transcriptional activity. The clinical relevance of these findings is supported by detection of nuclear FOXO3a in TUNEL-positive cortical neurons from HIVE, especially in brain areas characterized by elevated TNFα.

Signaling of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in Diabetes mellitus

Disorder of physiological signaling functions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide and hydrogen peroxide and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) nitric oxide and peroxynitrite is an important feature of diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2. It is now known that hyperglycemic conditions of cells are associated with the enhanced levels of ROS mainly generated by mitochondria and NADPH oxidase. It has been established that ROS stimulate many enzymatic cascades under normal physiological conditions, but hyperglycemia causes ROS overproduction and the deregulation of ROS signaling pathways initiating the development of diabetes mellitus. On the other hand the deregulation of RNS signaling leads basically to a decrease in NO formation with subsequent damaging disorders. In the present work we will consider the pathological changes of ROS and RNS signaling in enzyme/gene regulated processes catalyzed by protein kinases C and B (Akt/B), phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and some others. Furthermore we will discuss a particularly important role of several ROS-regulated genes and adapter proteins such as the p66shc, FOXO3a, and Sirt2. The effects of low and high ROS levels in diabetes will be also considered. Thus the regulation of damaging ROS levels in diabetes by antioxidants and free radical scavengers must be one of promising treatment of this disease, however, because of the inability of traditional antioxidative vitamin E and C to interact with superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, new free radical scavengers such as flavonoids, quinones and synthetic mimetics of superoxide dismutase (SOD) should be intensively studied.

p66shc inhibits insulin-like growth factor-I signaling via direct binding to Src through its polyproline and Src homology 2 domains, resulting in impairment of Src kinase activation

p66(shc) is increased in response to cell stress, and these increases regulate growth factor actions. These studies were conducted to determine how p66(shc) alters IGF-I-stimulated Src activation, leading to decreased IGF-I actions. Our results show that p66(shc) binds to Src through a polyproline sequence motif contained in the CH2 domain, a unique domain in p66(shc), and IGF-I stimulates this interaction. Disruption of this interaction using a synthetic peptide containing the p66(shc) polyproline domain or expression of a p66(shc) mutant containing substitutions for the proline residues (P47A/P48A/P50A) resulted in enhanced Src kinase activity, p52(shc) phosphorylation, MAPK activation, and cell proliferation in response to IGF-I. To determine the mechanism of inhibition, the full-length CH2 domain and intact p66(shc) were tested for their ability to directly inhibit Src kinase activation in vitro. The CH2 domain peptide was clearly inhibitory, but full-length p66(shc) had a greater effect. Deletion of the C-terminal Src homology 2 domain in p66(shc) reduced its ability to inhibit Src kinase activation. These findings demonstrate that p66(shc) utilizes a novel mechanism for modulating Src kinase activation and that this interaction is mediated through both its collagen homologous region 2 and Src homology 2 domains.

Stress-induced responses of human skin fibroblasts in vitro reflect human longevity

Unlike various model organisms, cellular responses to stress have not been related to human longevity. We investigated cellular responses to stress in skin fibroblasts that were isolated from young and very old subjects, and from offspring of nonagenarian siblings and their partners, representatives of the general population. Fibroblasts were exposed to rotenone and hyperglycemia and assessed for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activity by flow cytometry. Apoptosis/cell death was measured with the Annexin-V/PI assay and cell-cycle analysis (Sub-G1 content) and growth potential was determined by the colony formation assay. Compared with fibroblasts from young subjects, baseline SA-beta-gal activity was higher in fibroblasts from old subjects (P = 0.004) as were stress-induced increases (rotenone: P < 0.001, hyperglycemia: P = 0.027). For measures of apoptosis/cell death, fibroblasts from old subjects showed higher baseline levels (Annexin V+/PI+ cells: P = 0.040, Sub-G1: P = 0.014) and lower stress-induced increases (Sub-G1: P = 0.018) than fibroblasts from young subjects. Numbers and total size of colonies under nonstressed conditions were higher for fibroblasts from young subjects (P = 0.017 and 0.006, respectively). Baseline levels of SA-beta-gal activity and apoptosis/cell death were not different between fibroblasts from offspring and partner. Stress-induced increases were lower for SA-beta-gal activity (rotenone: P = 0.064, hyperglycemia: P < 0.001) and higher for apoptosis/cell death (Annexin V+/PI- cells: P = 0.041, Annexin V+/PI+ cells: P = 0.008). Numbers and total size of colonies under nonstressed conditions were higher for fibroblasts from offspring (P = 0.001 and 0.024, respectively) whereas rotenone-induced decreases were lower (P = 0.008 and 0.004, respectively). These data provide strong support for the hypothesis that in vitro cellular responses to stress reflect the propensity for human longevity.

Inhibition of p66ShcA longevity gene rescues podocytes from HIV-1-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy. A key question concerns the mechanism(s) by which the HIV-1 genome alters the phenotype of the highly specialized, terminally differentiated podocytes. Here, using an in vitro system of conditionally immortalized differentiated human podocytes (CIDHPs), we document a pivotal role for the p66ShcA protein in HIV-1-induced reactive oxygen species generation and CIDHP apoptosis. CIDHP transfected with truncated HIV-1 construct (NL4-3) exhibit increased reactive oxygen species metabolism, DNA strand breaks, and a 5-fold increase in apoptosis, whereas the opposite was true for NL4-3/CIDHP co-transfected with mu-36p66ShcA (micro-36) dominant negative expression vector or isoform-specific p66-small interfering RNA. Phosphorylation at Ser-36 of the wild type p66ShcA protein, required for p66ShcA redox function and inhibition of the potent stress response regulator Foxo3a, was unchanged in micro-36/NL4-3/CIDHP but increased in NL4-3/CIDHP. Acute knockdown of Foxo3a by small interfering RNA induced a 50% increase in micro-36/NL4-3/CIDHP apoptosis, indicating that Foxo3a-dependent responses promote the survival phenotype in micro-36 cells. We conclude that inhibition of p66ShcA redox activity prevents generation of HIV-1 stress signals and activation of the CIDHP apoptosis program.

Activation of the oxidative stress pathway by HIV-1 Vpr leads to induction of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha expression

The detection of biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV)-associated dementia indicates the involvement of stress pathways in the neuropathogenesis of AIDS. Although the biological importance of oxidative stress on events involved in AIDS neuropathogenesis and the HIV-1 proteins responsible for oxidative stress remain to be elucidated, our results point to the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) upon HIV-1 infection and its elevation in brain cells of AIDS patients with dementia. HIF-1 is a transcription factor that is responsive to oxygen. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1alpha becomes stable and translocates to the nucleus where it dimerizes with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator and modulates gene transcription. Activation of HIF-1 can also be mediated by the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr. In addition, cellular components, including reactive oxygen species, contribute to the induction of HIF-1alpha. Our results show that Vpr induces reactive oxygen species by increasing H(2)O(2) production, which can contribute to HIF-1alpha accumulation. Interestingly, increased levels of HIF-1alpha stimulated HIV-1 gene transcription through HIF-1 association with HIV-1 long terminal repeat. These observations point to the existence of a positive feedback interplay between HIF-1alpha and Vpr and that, by inducing oxidative stress via activation of HIF-1, Vpr can induce HIV-1 gene expression and dysregulate multiple host cellular pathways.

Inhibition of p66ShcA redox activity in cardiac muscle cells attenuates hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Apoptotic myocyte cell death, diastolic dysfunction, and progressive deterioration in left ventricular pump function characterize the clinical course of diabetic cardiomyopathy. A key question concerns the mechanism(s) by which hyperglycemia (HG) transmits danger signals in cardiac muscle cells. The growth factor adapter protein p66ShcA is a genetic determinant of longevity, which controls mitochondrial metabolism and cellular responses to oxidative stress. Here we demonstrate that interventions which attenuate or prevent HG-induced phosphorylation at critical position 36 Ser residue (phospho-Ser36) inhibit the redox function of p66ShcA and promote the survival phenotype. Adult rat ventricular myocytes obtained by enzymatic dissociation were transduced with mutant-36 p66ShcA (mu-36) dominant-negative expression vector and plated in serum-free media containing 5 or 25 mM glucose. At HG, adult rat ventricular myocytes exhibit a marked increase in reactive oxygen species production, upregulation of phospho-Ser36, collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and increased formation of p66ShcA/cytochrome-c complexes. These indexes of oxidative stress were accompanied by a 40% increase in apoptosis and the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and the apoptosis-related proteins p53 and Bax. To test whether p66ShcA functions as a redox-sensitive molecular switch in vivo, we examined the hearts of male Akita diabetic nonobese (C57BL/6J) mice. Western blot analysis detected the upregulation of phospho-Ser36, the translocation of p66ShcA to mitochondria, and the formation of p66ShcA/cytochrome-c complexes. Conversely, the correction of HG by recombinant adeno-associated viral delivery of leptin reversed these alterations. We conclude that p66ShcA is a molecular switch whose redox function is turned on by phospho-Ser36 and turned off by interventions that prevent this modification.

Overexpression of Gsalpha compensates for myocyte loss in diabetic cardiomyopathy

The stimulatory G protein Gsalpha transmits signals from activated beta-adrenergic receptors via the cyclic AMP-PKA pathway, targeting the key regulatory protein phospholamban. We hypothesized that mice with intrinsic activation of cardiac Gsalpha are resistant to the development of the diabetic cardiomyopathy phenotype. Accordingly, streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes mellitus was induced in genetically engineered mice with cardiac-specific Gsalpha overexpression and in nontransgenic (NTG) littermates. At 8 weeks, Gsalpha diabetic mice showed no impairment of LV contractility nor increase in myocyte apoptosis, whereas NTG diabetic mice showed a 30% decrease in +dP/dt and -dP/dt with sustained (3-fold) myocyte loss by apoptosis. To assess the level of myocardial reactive oxygen species, we measured malondialdehyde, a surrogate marker of oxidative stress, which was increased in the hearts of NTG and Gsalpha diabetic mice. In addition, chronic hyperglycemia also increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the hearts of NTG and Gsalpha diabetic mice. Hearts of NTG diabetic mice, but not Gsalpha mice, showed increased expression of proapoptosis Bax, downregulation in Bcl2, and an increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Hearts of NTG diabetic mice showed 60% reduction in phosphorylation at the critical Ser16 residue of phospholamban, whereas phosphorylation at Ser16 was restored in hearts of Gsalpha-diabetic mice. We conclude that cardiac-specific overexpression of Gsalpha compensates for the loss of cardiac function in diabetes mellitus.

AGE-receptor-1 counteracts cellular oxidant stress induced by AGEs via negative regulation of p66shc-dependent FKHRL1 phosphorylation

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and oxidant stress (OS) in diabetes and aging-related diseases. AGE-induced OS is suppressed by AGER1, an AGE-receptor that counteracts receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated Shc/Ras signal activation, resulting in decreased OS. Akt, FKHRL1, and antioxidants; e.g., MnSOD, regulate OS. Serine phosphorylation of p66 shc also promotes OS. We examined the effects of two defined AGEs Nε-carboxy-methyl-lysine (CML) and methyl-glyoxal derivatives (MG) on these cellular pathways and their functional relationship to AGER1 in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). Stimulation of HEK293 cells with either AGE compound increased phosphorylation of Akt and FKHRL1 by approximately threefold in a redox-dependent manner. The use of p66 shc mutants showed that the AGE-induced effects required Ser-36 phosphorylation of p66 shc. AGE-induced phosphorylation of FKHRL1 led to a 70% downregulation of MnSOD, an effect partially blocked by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (LY-294002) and strongly inhibited by an antioxidant ( N-acetylcysteine). These pro-oxidant responses were suppressed in AGER1 overexpressing cells and reappeared when AGER1 expression was reduced by small interfering RNA (siRNA). These studies point to a new pathway for the induction of OS by AGEs involving FKHRL1 inactivation and MnSOD suppression via Ser-36 phosphorylation of p66 shc in human kidney cells. This represents a key mechanism by which AGER1 maintains cellular resistance against OS. Thus the decrease of AGER1 noted in aging and diabetes may further enhance OS and reduce innate antioxidant defenses.