Effects of endomorphins on human umbilical vein endothelial cells under high glucose

The endomorphin-1 (EM1) and endomorphin-2 (EM2) are endogenous opioid peptides, which modulate extensive bioactivities such as pain, cardiovascular responses, immunological responses and so on. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of EM1/EM2 on the primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) damaged by high glucose. PI AnnexinV-FITC detection was performed to evaluate the apoptosis rate. Levels of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured by the Griess reaction and the conversion of 3H-arginine to 3H-citrulline, respectively. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell proliferation was determined by the MTT viability assay. mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ET-1 were measured by real-time PCR. Our data showed that EM1/EM2 inhibited cell apoptosis. The high glucose induced increase in expression of NO, NOS and ET-1 were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with EM1/EM2 in a dose dependent manner. In addition, EM1/EM2 suppressed the mRNA eNOS and mRNA ET-1 expression in HUVECs under high glucose conditions. Naloxone, the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, did not influence the mRNA eNOS expression when it was administrated on its own; but it could significantly antagonize the effects induced by EM1/EM2. Furthermore, in all assay systems, EM1 was more potent than EM2. The results suggest that EM1/EM2 have a beneficial effect in protecting against the endothelial dysfunction by high glucose in vitro, and these effects were mediated by the opioid receptors in HUVECs.     

Low shear stress induces vascular eNOS uncoupling via autophagy-mediated eNOS phosphorylation

Uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) produces O₂^? instead of nitric oxide (NO). Earlier, we reported rapamycin, an autophagy inducer and inhibitor of cellular proliferation, attenuated low shear stress (SS) induced O₂^? production. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether autophagy plays a critical role in the regulation of eNOS uncoupling. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the modulation of autophagy on eNOS uncoupling induced by low SS exposure. We found that low SS induced endothelial O₂^? burst, which was accompanied by reduced NO release. Furthermore, inhibition of eNOS by L-NAME conspicuously attenuated low SS-induced O₂^? releasing, indicating eNOS uncoupling. Autophagy markers such as LC3 II/I ratio, amount of Beclin1, as well as ULK1/Atg1 were increased during low SS exposure, whereas autophagic degradation of p62/SQSTM1 was markedly reduced, implying impaired autophagic flux. Interestingly, low SS-induced NO reduction could be reversed by rapamycin, WYE-354 or ATG5 overexpression vector via restoration of autophagic flux, but not by N-acetylcysteine or apocynin. eNOS uncoupling might be ascribed to autophagic flux blockade because phosphorylation of eNOS Thr495 by low SS or PMA stimulation was also regulated by autophagy. In contrast, eNOS acetylation was not found to be regulated by low SS and autophagy. Notably, although low SS had no influence on eNOS Ser1177 phosphorylation, whereas boosted eNOS Ser1177 phosphorylation by rapamycin were in favor of the eNOS recoupling through restoration of autophagic flux. Taken together, we reported a novel mechanism for regulation of eNOS uncoupling by low SS via autophagy-mediated eNOS phosphorylation, which is implicated in geometrical nature of atherogenesis.     

AMPK inhibits fatty acid-induced increases in NF-kappaB transactivation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The fuel sensing enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enhances processes that generate ATP when stresses such as exercise or glucose deprivation make cells energy deficient. We report here a novel role of AMPK, to prevent the activation of NF-kappaB in endothelial cells exposed to the fatty acid palmitate or the cytokine TNF-alpha. Incubation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with elevated levels of palmitate (0.4mM) increased NF-kappaB reporter gene expression by 2- to 4-fold within 8h and caused a 7-fold increase in VCAM-1 mRNA expression at 24h. In contrast, no increase in reporter gene expression was detected for AP-1, glucocorticoid-, cyclic AMP-, or serum response elements. Similar increases in NF-kappaB activation and VCAM-1 expression were not observed in cells incubated with an elevated concentration of glucose (25mM). The increases in NF-kappaB activation and VCAM-1 expression caused by palmitate were markedly inhibited by co-incubation with the AMPK activator AICAR and, where studied, by expression of a constitutively active AMPK. Likewise, AMPK activation inhibited the increase in NF-kappaB reporter gene expression observed in HUVEC incubated with TNF-alpha. The results suggest that AMPK inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB caused by both palmitate and TNF-alpha. The mechanism responsible for this action, as well as its relevance to the reported anti-atherogenic actions of exercise, metformin, thiazolidinediones, and adiponectin, all of which have been shown to activate AMPK, remains to be determined.     

金雀异黄酮通过减少卵巢切除大鼠心肌小凹蛋白-1的表达而增加一氧化氮的生成

观察金雀异黄酮(genistein)替代治疗对卵巢切除大鼠心肌中一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)和内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)的影响.成年雌性Sprague-Dawley大鼠经双侧卵巢切除术,假手术组作为对照,术后三周将行卵巢切除术的大鼠随机分为低剂量genistein(0.5 mg/kg·d1)、高剂量genistein(5.0 mg/kg·d-1)、17-β雌二醇(0.1 mg/kg·d-1)和模型组(100μl/d芝麻油),各组均皮下注射给药并给予不含大豆的饲料喂养6周,测定大鼠尾动脉血压、心率,麻醉后放血处死大鼠称量子宫重量;放免法检测血浆中总雌二醇,亚硝酸还原酶法检测心肌匀浆中NO,Western blot检测心肌中eNOS的表达以及eNOS的调节蛋白小凹蛋白-1(caveolin-1)和钙调素(calmodulin)的表达情况.结果显示各组间大鼠血压无显著性差异,同17-β雌二醇一样,genistein能呈剂量依赖性地增加心肌组织中eNOS表达量和NO生成,同时genistein能明显降低内源性eNOS活性抑制物caveolin-1的表达,而不影响eNOS活性正性调节蛋白钙调素的表达.与溶媒对照组比较,0.5 mg/kg·d-1的genistein不增加子宫重量,5.0 mg/kg·d-1的genistein增加子宫重量3倍,但较17-β雌二醇(增加6倍)的作用小(P＜0.01).上述结果提示,植物雌激素genistein剂量依赖性地上调心肌组织eNOS的活性并增加NO的生成,减少抑制eNOS活性的小凹蛋白-1表达.     

白细胞介素-6通过AMPK/SIRT1通路下调eNOS Thr495/497

该文探讨了白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)对牛主动脉内皮细胞(bovine aortic endo-thelial cells,BAECs)的内皮型一氧化氮合成酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)的影响及其可能的发生机制.在原代BAECs细胞培养基础上...     

GLP-1对人脐静脉内皮细胞释放NO的影响及机制的研究

目的:观察胰高糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)对脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)释放一氧化氮(NO)的影响,并探讨GLP-1受体及GLP-1(9-36)在其中的作用。方法:分别以GLP-1、艾塞那肽、GLP-1(9-36)、GLP-1+exendin(9-39)、GLP-1+西格列汀、GLP-1+西格列汀+exendin(9-39)孵育HUVECs,取培养上清以硝酸还原酶法检测NO浓度。结果:GLP-1剂量依赖性的增加HUVECs中NO释放,艾塞那肽和GLP-1(9-36)均可刺激NO释放,exendin(9-39)和西格列汀均可部分阻断GLP-1引起的NO释放。结论:GLP-1可能通过GLP-1受体及GLP-1(9-36)相关的途径刺激HUVECs NO释放,发挥直接的血管保护作用。     

Effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids on levels of eNOS phosphorylation and relevant signaling transduction pathways involved

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key enzyme responsible for the regulation of vascular homeostasis. Many humor factors and mechanical forces can affect eNOS activity via phosphorylation modification but the mechanisms involved vary with stimuli applied. We have demonstrated that cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), can robustly up-regulate eNOS expression and its activity, however the relevant signaling pathways responsible for activity regulation are not well known. In this study, we explored the role of PI3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in eNOS expression and its phosphorylation in response to EETs via direct addition of EETs into cultured bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) and recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated transfection of CYP epoxygenase genes CYPF87V and CYP2C11 to produce endogenous EETs followed by co-treatment with PI3K or Akt inhibitor. Results show that both exogenous and endogenous EETs could remarkably enhance eNOS expression and its phosphorylation at Ser1179 and Thr497 residues; PI3K inhibitor LY294002 could inhibit EETs-induced increase in eNOS-Ser(P)¹¹⁷⁹ but had no effect on the change of eNOS-Thr(P)⁴⁹⁷, while Akt inhibitor could attenuate the increase in phosphor-eNOS at both residues; both of the two inhibitors could block EETs-enhanced eNOS expression. These results lead to conclusions: (i) EETs-mediated regulation of eNOS activity may be related with the changes of phosphorylation level at eNOS-Ser¹¹⁷⁹ via PI3K/Akt and eNOS-Thr⁴⁹⁷ via Akt; (ii) PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in the up-regulation of eNOS expression by EETs.     

Icariin stimulates angiogenesis by activating the MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways in human endothelial cells

We investigated the molecular effect and signal pathway of icariin, a major flavonoid of Epimedium koreanum Nakai, on angiogenesis. Icariin stimulated in vitro endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis, which are typical phenomena of angiogenesis, as well as increased in vivo angiogenesis. Icariin activated the angiogenic signal modulators, ERK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased NO production, without affecting VEGF expression, indicating that icariin may directly stimulate angiogenesis. Icariin-induced ERK activation and angiogenic events were significantly inhibited by the MEK inhibitor PD98059, without affecting Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. The PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin suppressed icariin-mediated angiogenesis and Akt and eNOS activation without affecting ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, the NOS inhibitor NMA partially reduced the angiogenic activity of icariin. These results suggest that icariin stimulated angiogenesis by activating the MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways and may be a useful drug for angiogenic therapy.     

Effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids on levels of eNOS phosphorylation and relevant signaling transduction path-ways involved

Vascular endothelial cells play crucial roles in regulating cardiovascular function, maintaining car-diovascular homeostasis and preventing the occur-rence of cardiac and cerebral vascular diseases. All these protective effects are fulfilled through various vasoactive products secreted by endothelium including nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI2) and endothe-lium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). NO, pro-duced from L-arginine by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), is an impor…     

Vasostatin 1 activates eNOS in endothelial cells through a proteoglycan‐dependent mechanism

Accumulating evidences point to a significant role for the chromogranin A (CgA)‐derived peptide vasostatin 1 (VS‐1) in the protective modulation of the cardiovascular activity, because of its ability to counteract the adrenergic signal. We have recently shown that VS‐1 induces a PI3K‐dependent‐nitric oxide (NO) release by endothelial cells, contributing to explain the mechanism of its cardio‐suppressive and vasodilator properties. However, the cellular processes upstream the eNOS activation exerted by this peptide are still unknown, as typical high‐affinity receptors have not been identified. Here we hypothesize that in endothelial cells VS‐1 acts, on the basis of its cationic and amphipathic properties, as a cell penetrating peptide, binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and activating eNOS phosphorylation (Ser1179) through a PI3K‐dependent, endocytosis‐coupled mechanism. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE‐1 cells) endocytotic vesicles trafficking was quantified by confocal microscopy with a water‐soluble membrane dye; caveolin 1 (Cav1) shift from plasma membrane was studied by immunofluorescence staining; VS‐1‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation was assessed by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis. Our experiments demonstrate that VS‐1 induces a marked increase in the caveolae‐dependent endocytosis, (115 ± 23% endocytotic spots/cell/field in VS‐1‐treated cells with respect to control cells), that is significantly reduced by both heparinase III (HEP, 17 ± 15% above control) and Wortmannin (Wm, 7 ± 22% above control). Heparinase, Wortmannin, and methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) abolish the VS‐1‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation (P^Ser1179eNOS). These results suggest a novel signal transduction pathway for endogenous cationic and amphipathic peptides in endothelial cells: HSPGs interaction and caveolae endocytosis, coupled with a PI3K‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 70–79, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Basal endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation on Ser occurs in a stable microtubule- and tubulin acetylation-dependent manner

To better understand the relationship between the subcellular compartmentalization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and its function in endothelial cells, we addressed the roles of the microtubule network and of its dynamics in organizing Golgi-bound eNOS. We found that part of Golgi-bound eNOS localizes to the trans-Golgi network and/or to trans-Golgi network-derived vesicles and membrane tubules that are organized preferentially by stable microtubules. Also, while most of cellular eNOS was recovered in a detergent-resistant microtubule-enriched subcellular fraction, its recovery was impaired after total microtubule disassembly, but not after selective disassembly of dynamic microtubules or after microtubule stabilization. Basal eNOS phosphorylation on Ser¹¹⁷⁷ further required the association of the trans-Golgi network to stable microtubules and was enhanced by microtubule stabilization. We finally show that the involvement of stable microtubules in basal eNOS phosphorylation involved alpha-tubulin acetylation. Microtubule-dependent organization of subcellular eNOS and control over its phosphorylation would thus be essential for endothelial cells to maintain their basal eNOS function.     

Angiotensin II induces focal adhesion kinase/paxillin phosphorylation and cell migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

In the present study, we demonstrated that Ang II provokes a transitory enhancement of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC). Moreover, Ang II induces a time- and dose-dependent augmentation in cell migration, but does not affect HUVEC proliferation. The effect of Ang II on FAK and paxillin phosphorylation was markedly attenuated in cells pretreated with wortmannin and LY294002, indicating that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) plays an important role in regulating FAK activation. Similar results were observed when HUVEC were pretreated with genistein, a non-selective tyrosine kinases inhibitor, or with the specific inhibitor PP2 for Src family kinases, demonstrating the involvement of protein tyrosine kinases, and particularly Src family of tyrosine kinases, in the downstream signalling pathway of Ang II receptors. Furthermore, FAK and paxillin phosphorylation was markedly blocked after treatment of HUVEC with AG1478, a selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of PI3K, Src family tyrosine kinases, and EGFR also decreased HUVEC migration. In conclusion, these results suggest that Ang II mediates an increase in FAK and paxillin phosphorylation and induces HUVEC migration through signal transduction pathways dependent on PI3K and Src tyrosine kinase activation and EGFR transactivation.     

eNOS基因多态性与神经管畸形的研究进展

神经管畸形(neural tube defects,NTDs)是一类常见的出生缺陷,严重威胁着妇女儿童的身心健康和人口素质的提高,给社会的发展带来沉重负担,可引起孕妇流产、婴儿死亡和终生残疾。NTDs可分为无脑儿、脑膨出和脊柱裂三种类型,其病因和具体的发病机制尚不清楚。国内外多数研究认为,NTDs是一种由基因的多态性和环境因素所引起的严重的基因突变,还不能用一种单一原因来解释该病的发生。目前的研究热点是易感基因与NTDs的关系,内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)基因最近已被认为是导致NTDs发生的重要候选基因。eNOS基因的点突变或成串突变可以导致酶活性的变化,使eNOS的表达上调,引起NO分泌的异常,促进神经元的凋亡,进而导致大脑的发育异常。本文从eNOS基因多态性与NTDs的相关性研究进行综述。     

洛伐他汀联用格列本脲可改善高糖诱导损伤的HUVEC 功能

目的:探讨洛伐他汀与格列本脲联合用药对高糖诱导损伤的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVEC)的功能的影响及其机制。方法:以体外培养至第三代的HUVEC为研究对象,分四为:1空白对照组;2高糖组(33 mmol/L);3高糖组(33 mmol/L)+洛伐他汀(2μmol/L)组;4高糖组(33 mmol/L)+洛伐他汀(2μmol/L)+格列本脲(0.2μmol/L)组。用transwell小室法检测HUVEC的迁移功能,用细胞流式仪检测HUVEC内氧自由基(O~(2-))以及一氧化氮(NO)的表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,高糖组HUVEC迁移功能明显受损(P0.01);洛伐他汀单独用药组及其与格列本脲的联合用药组均能改善高糖损伤的HUVEC的迁移功能(均为P0.01)。流式结果显示,与对照组相比,高糖组HUVEC内O~(2-)水平明显增加而NO表达水平明显降低(均为P0.01);两组给药组HUVEC内O~(2-)水平及NO表达水平相对于高糖组均有明显改善(均为P0.01)。结论:洛伐他汀单独用药及其与格列本脲的联合用药均能改善高糖损伤的HUVEC的迁移功能,可能与改善细胞内氧化应激水平有关。     

大鼠睾丸内皮型一氧化氮合酶表达的增龄变化

为研究雄性大鼠睾丸在发生、发育和衰老过程中内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)在生精功能中的作用及其变化规律，本实验采用了免疫组织化学染色及体视学图像分析等方法，对生后1d至生后24月龄大鼠睾丸eNOS表达的变化进行了系统研究，并统计测量了阳性血管内皮细胞及间质细胞面密度的变化。结果表明：生后1d至2周龄eNOS阳性表达极少；3周龄血管内皮细胞、间质细胞及精子细胞均出现了阳性表达；1月龄至18月龄生精小管靠近管腔的精子细胞也呈阳性，阳性血管内皮细胞、间质细胞数目差异显著；24月龄血管内皮细胞、间质细胞eNOS大量表达，部分生精细胞也有表达。本结果提示一氧化氮参与精子的生成及睾酮的分泌过程，衰老时eNOS阳性表达显著增加，这种变化可能会抑制睾酮的分泌，最终会影响睾丸的生精功能[动物学报49(3)：339—345，2003]。     

Retinoic acid decreases nitric oxide production in endothelial cells: a role of phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at Ser(1179)

The effects of retinoic acid (RA) on nitric oxide (NO) production are controversial. Furthermore, it has never been studied whether these effects are mediated by direct modulation of phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Using bovine aortic endothelial cells, we found that all-trans RA (atRA) dose- and time-dependently decreased NO production without alteration in eNOS expression. This decrease was accompanied by reduction in eNOS-Ser(1179) phosphorylation. However, atRA did not alter the phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser(116) or eNOS-Thr(497). Concurrently, atRA also decreased the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR/Flk-1, and Akt phosphorylation. Co-treatment with troglitazone, an activator of VEGF expression, reversed the atRA-induced reductions in eNOS-Ser(1179) phosphorylation and NO production, with concomitant restoration in VEGF expression. Direct treatment with VEGF also reversed these inhibitory effects, suggesting an important role for VEGF. Nonetheless, the RARalpha antagonist Ro 41-5253 did not block all the inhibitory effects of atRA, indicating that these inhibitory effects are not mediated by the RA response element (RARE). Thus, atRA decreases eNOS-Ser(1179) phosphorylation through a mechanism that depends on VEGF-KDR/Flk-1-mediated Akt phosphorylation but is independent of RARE, leading to reduction in NO production.     

MARCH5 restores endothelial cell function against ischaemic/hypoxia injury via Akt/eNOS pathway

MARCH5 is a critical regulator of mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis and mitophagy. However, its role in cardiovascular system remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of MARCH5 in endothelial cell (ECs) injury and the involvement of the Akt/eNOS signalling pathway in this process. Rat models of myocardial infarction (MI) and human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) exposed to hypoxia (1% O₂) were used in this study. MARCH5 expression was significantly reduced in ECs of MI hearts and ECs exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of ECs, and these effects were aggravated by knockdown of MARCH5 but antagonized by overexpressed MARCH5. Overexpression of MARCH5 increased nitric oxide (NO) content, p-eNOS and p-Akt, while MARCH5 knockdown exerted the opposite effects. The protective effects mediated by MARCH5 overexpression on ECs could be inhibited by eNOS inhibitor L-NAME and Akt inhibitor LY294002. In conclusion, these results indicated that MARCH5 acts as a protective factor in ischaemia/hypoxia-induced ECs injury partially through Akt/eNOS pathway.     

Grape seed extract enhances eNOS expression and NO production through regulating calcium‐mediated AKT phosphorylation in H2O2‐treated endothelium

GSE (grape seed extract) has been shown to exhibit protective effects against cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms of action are unknown. Herein, we assessed the ability of GSE to enhance eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) expression and NO (nitric oxide) production in H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide)‐treated HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). GSE enhanced eNOS expression and NO release in H₂O₂‐treated cells in a dose‐dependent manner. GSE inhibited intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) and reduced intracellular calcium in a dose‐dependent manner in H₂O₂‐treated cells, as shown by confocal microscopy. ROS was inhibited in cells pretreated with 5.0 μM GSE, 2.0 μM TG (thapsigargin) and 20.0 μM 2‐APB (2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate) instead of 0.25 μM extracellular calcium. In addition, GSE enhanced eNOS expression and reduced ROS production via increasing p‐AKT (AKT phosphorylation) with high extracellular calcium (13 mM). In conclusion, GSE protected against endothelial injury by up‐regulation of eNOS and NO expression via inhibiting InsP₃Rs (inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors)‐mediated intracellular excessive calcium release and by activating p‐AKT in endothelial cells.