Reactive oxygen species upregulate expression of PAI-1 in endothelial cells

Second messengers involved in the signal transduction pathway leading to induction of the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) have not yet been well characterized. This study focuses on the mechanisms of regulation of PAI-1 expression by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human endothelial cells. Inhibition of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha?-induced expression of PAI-1 by antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) indicated redox-sensitive mechanisms involved in the signaling pathway. Because TNFalpha induces PAI-1 production in endothelial cells, and NAC attenuated this response, we attempted to investigate the possible involvement of ROS in the activation of PAI-1 by TNFalpha. Upregulation of PAI-1 expression in endothelial cells by the stimulation with TNFalpha (50 ng/ml) or H2O2 (10-200 micro M), observed by measurement of the antigen and mRNA levels, was reversed in the presence of NAC (20mM). The stimulatory effect of ROS was detected also at the level of the PAI-1 promoter in endothelial cells transfected with plasmid p800 LUC containing a PAI-1 promoter fragment (+71 to -800). The PAI-1 promoter activity was increased in the presence of ROS, and was suppressed by up to 75% in the presence of antioxidants. On the basis of this study we can conclude that reactive oxygen species play an important role in a cytokine-induced activation of PAI-1 expression, and may act as a signal transduction messenger.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway to decrease transforming growth factor β1-induced hepatic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is one of factors associated with the development of hepatic fibrosis. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) shows hepatoprotective effect during hepatic injuries, including fibrosis. However, the effects of CGRP on PAI-1 expression induced by TGFβ1 are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of CGRP on TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression and its regulatory mechanisms in HepG2 cells. CGRP inhibited TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression. H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, abolished the inhibition of TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression by CGRP. TGFβ1 activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase, and p38, and this activation was abolished by CGRP. These results show that the CGRP-induced cAMP/PKA activation suppresses activation of MAPK induced by TGFβ1, leading to decreased PAI-1 expression in HepG2 cells.     

Requirement of hydrogen peroxide generation in TGF-beta 1 signal transduction in human lung fibroblast cells: involvement of hydrogen peroxide and Ca2+ in TGF-beta 1-induced IL-6 expression

Stimulation of human lung fibroblast cells with TGF-beta1 resulted in a transient burst of reactive oxygen species with maximal increase at 5 min after treatment. This reactive oxygen species increase was inhibited by the antioxidant, N-acetyl-l -cysteine (NAC). TGF-beta1 treatment stimulated IL-6 gene expression and protein synthesis in human lung fibroblast cells. Antioxidants including NAC, glutathione, and catalase reduced TGF-beta1-induced IL-6 gene expression, and direct H2O2 treatment induced IL-6 expression in a dose-dependent manner. NAC also reduced TGF-beta1-induced AP-1 binding activity, which is involved in IL-6 gene expression. It has been reported that Ca2+ influx is stimulated by TGF-beta1 treatment. EGTA suppressed TGF-beta1- or H2O2-induced IL-6 expression, and ionomycin increased IL-6 expression, with simultaneously modulating AP-1 activity in the same pattern. PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase 1, suppressed TGF-beta1- or H2O2-induced IL-6 and AP-1 activation. In addition, TGF-beta1 or H2O2 increased MAPK activity which was reduced by EGTA and NAC, suggesting that MAPK is involved in TGF-beta1-induced IL-6 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that TGF-beta1 induces a transient increase of intracellular H2O2 production, which regulates downstream events such as Ca2+ influx, MAPK, and AP-1 activation and IL-6 gene expression.     

Transforming growth factor Beta1 induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 in articular chondrocytes is mediated by reactive oxygen species

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) stimulates cartilage extracellular matrix synthesis but, in excess, evokes synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and osteophyte formation in arthritic joints. TGF-beta1 induces tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP-3), an inhibitor of cartilage-damaging matrix metalloproteianases and aggrecanases. We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TIMP-3 induction by TGF-beta1. In primary human and bovine chondrocytes, ROS scavenger and antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited TGF-beta1-induced TIMP-3 mRNA and protein increases. Ebselen and ascorbate also reduced this induction. TGF-beta1 time-dependently induced ROS production that was suppressed by NAC. Hydrogen peroxide, a ROS, induced TIMP-3 RNA. The TIMP-3 increase induced by TGF-beta1 was partly Smad2-dependent. TGF-beta1-stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation was inhibited by NAC. Reduced glutathione and L-cysteine also blocked Smad2 and TIMP-3 induction by TGF-beta1, whereas a nonthiol, N-acetylalanine, did not. Smad2 was not activated by H2O2. Smad2 phosphorylation was independent, and TIMP-3 expression was dependent, on new protein synthesis. TGF-beta-stimulated ERK and JNK phosphorylation was also inhibited by NAC. However, inhibitory actions of NAC were not mediated by ERK activation. Thus, ROS mediate TGF-beta1-induced TIMP-3 gene expression. Blocking TGF-beta1-induced gene expression by modulating cellular redox status with thiols can be potentially beneficial for treating arthritic and other disorders caused by excessive TGF-beta1.     

Aldosterone up-regulates production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by renal mesangial cells

In vivo studies have demonstrated that aldosterone is an independent contributor to glomerulosclerosis. In the present study, we have investigated whether aldosterone itself mediated glomerulosclerosis, as angiotensin II (Ang II) did, by inducing cultured renal mesangial cells to produce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and whether these effects were mediated by aldosterone-induced increase in transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) expression and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity. Quiescent rat mesangial cells were treated by aldosterone alone or by combination of aldosterone and spironolactone, Ang II, neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta(1) or antioxidant Nacetylcysteme (NAC). This study indicate that aldosterone can increase PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression by cultured mesangial cells alone, which is independent of aldosterone-induced increases in TGF-beta(1) expression and cellular ROS. The effects on PAI-1, TGF-beta(1) and ROS generation were markedly attenuated by spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, which demonstrate that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may play a role in mediating these effects of aldosterone.     

Association of TGF-beta signaling in angiotensin II-induced PAI-1 mRNA upregulation in mesangial cells: role of PKC

This study aimed to identify the intracellular signaling pathway in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) mRNA expression in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, and to examine the interaction between Ang II and TGF-beta signaling. Ang II-induced upregulation of PAI-1 mRNA expression was prevented by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, bisindorylmaleimide I. While phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) upregulated the PAI-1 mRNA expression, a calcium ionophore, ionomycin, had little effect. Mesangial cells pretreated with PMA for 24 h to downregulate PKC demonstrated attenuated response to Ang II. A protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, completely blocked both Ang II- and PMA-induced PAI-1 mRNA expression. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) alone induced the expression, and in the presence of Ang II, TGF-beta1 superinduced PAI-1 mRNA expression to a higher extent. Both bisindorylmaleimide I and genistein suppressed the Ang II plus TGF-beta1-induced PAI-1 mRNA upregulation to the basal level, while downregulation of PKC attenuated the synergistic upregulation of PAI-1 mRNA expression to the level comparable to TGF-beta1 alone. These data suggest that, in rat mesangial cells, (1) PKC and protein tyrosine kinase(s) are involved in the Ang II signaling cascade, (2) protein tyrosine kinase(s) works downstream from PKC in the cascade, and (3) there is an interaction between the Ang II and TGF-beta signal pathways downstream from PKC. In in vivo settings, local activation of renin-angiotensin and TGF-beta systems in the glomeruli may synergistically augment PAI-1 expression, promote mesangial matrix accumulation and progression of glomerular injury.     

Transforming growth factor-beta1-dependent activation of Smad2/3 and up-regulation of PAI-1 expression is negatively regulated by Src in SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells

The net balance between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has been implicated in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. To elucidate the mechanism of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-dependent up-regulation of PAI-1 expression, we investigated which signaling pathway transduced by TGF-beta1 is responsible for this effect. Here, we show (1) nontoxic concentrations of TGF-beta1 up-regulates uPA expression in HRA and SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells, (2) TGF-beta1 activates Smads (phosphorylation of Smad2 and nuclear translocation of Smad3) and subsequently up-regulates PAI-1 expression in HRA cells, whereas TGF-beta1 neither activates Smads nor up-regulates PAI-1 in SKOV-3 cells, (3) pharmacological Src inhibitor PP2 or antisense (AS) c-Src oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) treatment significantly induces TGF-beta1-dependent activation of Smads, leading to PAI-1 synthesis, compared with controls, in SKOV-3 cells, (4) combination of TGF-beta1 and PP2, which activates PAI-1 expression and reduces uPA expression in SKOV-3, results in decreased invasiveness, (5) pharmacological inhibitors for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (PD98059) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) (LY294002 and wortmannin) or AS-PI3K ODN transfection do not affect TGF-beta1-induced Smad signaling and up-regulation of PAI-1 expression in SKOV-3 cells pretreated with PP2, and (6) the induction of PAI-1 protein was partially inhibited by an inhibitor of Sp1-DNA binding, mithramycin, implicating, at least in part, Sp1 in the regulation of this gene by TGF-beta1. In conclusion, TGF-beta1-dependent activation of Smad2/3, leading to PAI-1 synthesis, may be negatively regulated by Src, but not its downstream targets MAPK and PI3K in SKOV-3 cells. These data also reflect the complex biological effect of uPA-PAI-1 system.     

Inhibition of TGFbeta1-mediated PAI-1 induction by oltipraz through selective interruption of Smad 3 activation

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) induces plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as a major target protein. PAI-1 is associated with fibrosis, thrombosis, and metabolic disorders. TGFbeta1 induces PAI-1 via phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smads. Oltipraz inhibits TGFbeta1 expression and also regenerates cirrhotic liver. Nevertheless, whether oltipraz modulates TGFbeta1-mediated cell signaling is unclear. First, this study examined the effect of oltipraz on PAI-1 expression in cirrhotic rat liver. The cells immunochemically stained with anti-PAI-1 antibody accumulated around and within fibrous nodules in cirrhotic liver, which was notably decreased by oltipraz treatment. Next, whether oltipraz inhibits TGFbeta1-mediated Smads activation or Smad-mediated PAI-1 induction was determined in L929 fibroblasts. Oltipraz inhibited the ability of TGFbeta1 to induce PAI-1, as indicated by repression of TGFbeta1-mediated luciferase induction from the plasmid comprising the human PAI-1 promoter and of TGFbeta1-induced Smad-DNA-binding activity. TGFbeta1 induced nuclear transport of receptor-regulated Smad 2 and Smad 3, of which oltipraz selectively inhibited the transport and phosphorylation of Smad 3, thereby reducing formation of Smad 3/4 complex in the nucleus. In summary, oltipraz inhibits PAI-1 induction via a decrease in the formation of Smad 3/4 complex due to selective interruption of Smad 3 activation, indicating that oltipraz regulates the cellular responses downstream of ligand-activated TGFbeta1 receptor.     

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent fashion, and the UPR counteracts ROS accumulation by TNFalpha

Accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER overload, resulting in ER stress. To cope with ER stress, mammalian cells trigger a specific response known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Although recent studies have indicated cross-talk between ER stress and oxidative stress, the mechanistic link is not fully understood. By using murine fibrosarcoma L929 cells, in which tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha induces accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death, we show that TNFalpha induces the UPR in a ROS-dependent fashion. In contrast to TNFalpha, oxidative stresses by H2O2 or arsenite only induce eukaroytic initiation factor 2alpha phosphorylation, but not activation of PERK- or IRE1-dependent pathways, indicating the specificity of downstream signaling induced by various oxidative stresses. Conversely, the UPR induced by tunicamycin substantially suppresses TNFalpha-induced ROS accumulation and cell death by inhibiting reduction of cellular glutathione levels. Collectively, some, but not all, oxidative stresses induce the UPR, and pre-emptive UPR counteracts TNFalpha-induced ROS accumulation.     

PAI-1 contributes to homocysteine-induced cellular senescence

Cellular Senescence is associated with organismal aging and related pathologies. Previously, we reported that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is an essential mediator of senescence and a potential therapeutic target for preventing aging-related pathologies. In this study, we investigate the efficacies of PAI-1 inhibitors in both in vitro and in vivo models of homocysteine (Hcy)-induced cardiovascular aging. Elevated Hcy, a known risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, induces endothelial senescence as evidenced by increased senescence-associated β-Gal positivity (SA-β-Gal), flattened cellular morphology, and cylindrical appearance of cellular nuclei. Importantly, inhibition of PAI-1 by small molecule inhibitors reduces the number of SA-β-Gal positive cells, normalizes cellular morphology and nuclear shape. Furthermore, while Hcy induces the levels of senescence regulators PAI-1, p16, p53 and integrin β3, and suppresses catalase expression, treatment with PAI-1 inhibitors blocks the Hcy-induced stimulation of senescence cadres, and reverses the Hcy-induced suppression of catalase, indicating that PAI-1 specific small molecule inhibitors are efficient to prevent Hcy-induced cellular senescence. Our in vivo study shows that the levels of integrin β3, a recently identified potential regulator of cellular senescence, and its interaction with PAI-1 are significantly elevated in Hcy-treated heart tissues. In contrast, Hcy suppresses antioxidant gene regulator Nrf2 expression in hearts. However, co-treatment with PAI-1 inhibitor completely blocks the stimulation of Hcy-induced induction of integrin β3 and reverses Nrf2 expression. Collectively these in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 improves endothelial and cardiac health by suppressing the pro-senescence effects of hyperhomocysteinemia through suppression of Hcy-induced master regulators of cellular senescence PAI-1 and integrin β3. Therefore, PAI-1 inhibitors are promising drugs for amelioration of hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular aging and aging-related disease.     

PAI-1 deficiency reduces liver fibrosis after bile duct ligation in mice through activation of tPA

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) increases injury in several liver, lung and kidney disease models. The objective of this investigation was to assess the effect of PAI-1 deficiency on cholestatic liver fibrosis and determine PAI-1 influenced fibrogenic mechanisms. We found that PAI-1(-/-) mice had less fibrosis than wild type (WT) mice after bile duct ligation. This change correlated with increased tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, and increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), but not MMP-2 activity. Furthermore, there was increased activation of the tPA substrate hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a known anti-fibrogenic protein. In contrast, there was no difference in hepatic urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or plasmin activities between PAI-1(-/-) and WT mice. There was also no difference in the level of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), stellate cell activation or collagen production between WT and PAI-1(-/-) animals. In conclusion, PAI-1 deficiency reduces hepatic fibrosis after bile duct obstruction mainly through the activation of tPA and HGF.     

The involvement of p38 MAPK in transforming growth factor β1－induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes

INTRODUCTIONApoptosis is a fundamental important biologicalprocess that is required to maintain the integrity andhomeostasis of multicenular organism[1]. It seemsthat apoptosis is a predominant type of active cendeath in the liver. Endogenous factors, such astransforming growth factor FI (TGF-gi), activin A,CD95 ligand, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) maybe involved in induction of apoptosis in the liver[2].transforming growth factor P (TGF-P) is amember of a super-family of multifu…     

大蒜素激活SIRT1通路抑制过氧化氢诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞的衰老

Sirtuin1(SIRT1)活性的异常与血管内皮细胞的衰老密切相关。大蒜素作为一种生物活性分子具有抗氧化、抗炎及调脂作用,然而目前尚未见关于大蒜素与SIRT1的活性调节的报道。本研究旨在阐明大蒜素对过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）衰老的影响,以及Sirtuin1(SIRT1)在其中的作用。SA-β-gal染色及活性氧检测提示,与对照组相比,大蒜素明显减少H2O2诱导半乳糖苷酶阳性细胞数及活性氧的产生。用Western印迹、MTT、RT-PCR及SIRT1活化检测对SIRT1、p-SIRT1、PAI-1的蛋白质、SIRT1mRNA表达及细胞活力进行检测,结果显示,大蒜素可以逆转H2O2诱导的PAI-1表达的升高、SIRT1磷酸化及活性的降低,并且上调细胞的活力。当采用SIRT1抑制剂NAM处理后,大蒜素的这些作用均被阻断。以上结果表明,大蒜素通过激活SIRT1抑制H2O2诱导的HUVECs ROS的产生、活力的下降及细胞的衰老。