Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide against stress-induced lung injury: involvement of Nrf2, NFκB/iNOS,and HIF-1α signaling pathways

Stress is a common phenomenon that is attracting increasing attention. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gasotransmitter that plays an important role in many physiological and pathological events. Our study aimed to estimate the effect and the underlying mechanisms of the H₂S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), against immobilization stress (IS)–induced lung injury. Forty adult male rats were classified into control group, NaHS group, and IS groups with and without NaHS treatment. Serum was obtained to determine corticosterone (CORT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Lung H₂S, nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Lung expressions of H₂S synthesizing enzymes and Western blot analysis of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF 1α) were estimated. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemical assessment of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and caspase‐3 were also done. Pretreatment with NaHS led to marked histological protection from lung damage seen in IS rats. Furthermore, pretreatment with NaHS before IS protected lung H₂S levels and expressions of H₂S-synthesizing enzymes. Similarly, the levels of CORT, TNF-α, IL-10, MDA, TAC, NO, iNOS, HIF-1 α, and nuclear Nrf2 and expressions of NF-kB and caspase 3 were all maintained at near control levels in contrast to that in the IS rats. In conclusion, NaHS is protective against stress‐induced lung injury due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and antiapoptotic effects. Thus, NaHS can be used to minimize stress complications on lung.     

Phase II enzyme induction by a carotenoid,lutein, in a PC12D neuronal cell line

The mechanism by which lutein, a carotenoid, acts as an antioxidant in retinal cells is still not fully understood. Here, lutein treatment of a neuronal cell line (PC12D) immediately resulted in reduced intracellular ROS levels, implying that it has a direct role in ROS scavenging. Significantly, lutein treatment also induced phase II antioxidative enzyme expression, probably via a nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2) independent pathway. This latter mechanism could explain why lutein acts diversely to protect against oxidative/cytotoxic stress, and why it is physiologically involved in the human neural tissue, such as the retina.     

Hepsin activates pro-hepatocyte growth factor and is inhibited by hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1B (HAI-1B) and HAI-2

Hepsin, a type II transmembrane serine protease, is highly upregulated in prostate cancer and promotes tumor progression and metastasis. We generated a soluble form of hepsin comprising the entire extracellular domain to show that it efficiently converts single-chain hepatocyte growth factor (pro-HGF) into biologically active two-chain HGF. Hepsin activity was potently inhibited by soluble forms of the bi-Kunitz domain inhibitors HAI-1B (IC(50) 21.1+/-2.7 nM) and HAI-2 (IC(50) 1.3+/-0.3 nM). Enzymatic assays with HAI-1B Kunitz domain mutants (R260A and K401A) further demonstrated that inhibition was due to Kunitz domain-1. The results suggest a functional link between hepsin and the HGF/Met pathway, which may contribute to tumor progression.     

Increased Activity of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2B in PC12 Cells in Response to Differentiation by Nerve Growth Factor

Abstract: Translational rates, and activities and levels of initiation factors 2 and 2B were assessed in rat pheochromocytoma cells upon nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment. Two or 5 days of exposure to NGF caused significant quantitative increases in protein synthesis rate that are deemed necessary for neuronal differentiation. Changes in initiation factor 2 activity, as measured by its capacity to form a ternary complex, occur parallel to the observed changes in protein synthesis. Nevertheless, neither the intracellular levels of the initiation factor 2 nor the degree of phosphorylation of its α subunit can justify this increased activity. Interestingly, initiation factor 2B activity increases parallel to the neurite outgrowth, being significantly higher after 5 days of exposure to NGF, and could be responsible for the elevated rate of protein synthesis. No significant changes in the levels of eukaryotic initiation factor 2B, as determined with two different antibodies against the γ and ε subunits of the factor, were observed, implying that the increased activity should be regulated by factors other than its cellular concentration. Our results support the hypothesis that initiation factor 2B may play a role in the biochemical events controlling the differentiative growth factor-induced signaling pathway in these cells.     

Mutation induction by okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, in CHL cells, but not in S. typhimurium.

Okadaic acid (OA) is a specific and strong inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A present in eukaryotes, and a potent promoter of carcinogenesis in mouse skin. In this study, we examined the mutagenicity of OA. OA did not induce mutations in S. typhimurium TA100 and TA98, with or without a microsomal metabolic activation system. However, it was strongly mutagenic to Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells without a microsomal activation system, as shown using diphtheria toxin (DT) resistance (DT^r) as a selective marker. Treatment of CHL cells with OA at 17.5 ng/ml induced 164 DT^r mutants per 10⁶ survivors. A plot of the mutation frequency against the OA concentration gave a concave curve, and the mutant frequency was calculated to be 5500/10⁶ survivors/μg, with OA in the dose range of 10–15 ng/ml. This value was about 680 times that of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and comparable to that of 2-amino-N⁶-hydroxyadenine, one of the strongest knowon mutgens. Elongation factor 2 (EF-2) obtained from 4 DT^r clones was not ADP-ribosylated by DT fragment A. PCR-direct sequencing revealed that the hot spot of EF-2 for EMS mutagenesis in CHO-K1 cells, the first letter of codon 717, was not a t spot for OA mutagenesis in CHL cells.     

Antiviral Activity of Trichothecene Mycotoxins (Deoxynivalenol,Fusarenon-X,and Nivalenol) against Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2

The effect of trichothecene mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), fusarenon-X (FX) and nivalenol (NIV), on plaque formation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in HEp-2 cells was examined. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of DON, FX, and NIV for HSV-1 plaque formation were 160, 56, and 120 ng/ml, respectively. Those for HSV-2 plaque formation were 94, 26, and 50 ng/ml, respectively. These three mycotoxins showed about 2-fold higher selectivity to HSV-2 than to HSV-1. Plaque formation of HSV-1 was not inhibited with trichothecenes at concentrations completely inhibiting plaque formation when cells were treated during virus adsorption period or 15 hr before infection. These results indicate that trichothecenes affect replication of HSV-1 after virus adsorption, but not before or during virus adsorption to the host cells.     

Alteration of serum lipid profile,SRB1 loss,and impaired Nrf2 activation in CDKL5 disorder

CDKL5 mutation is associated with an atypical Rett syndrome (RTT) variant. Recently, cholesterol homeostasis perturbation and oxidative-mediated loss of the high-density lipoprotein receptor SRB1 in typical RTT have been suggested. Here, we demonstrate an altered lipid serum profile also in CDKL5 patients with decreased levels of SRB1 and impaired activation of the defensive system Nrf2. In addition, CDKL5 fibroblasts showed an increase in 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal– and nitrotyrosine–SRB1 adducts that lead to its ubiquitination and probable degradation. This study highlights a possible common denominator between two different RTT variants (MECP2 and CDKL5) and a possible common future therapeutic target.     

In vivo expression of human ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR) using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotypes 2 and 8

BACKGROUND: Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an autosomal recessive disease with symptoms that include ketoacidosis, lethargy, recurrent vomiting, dehydration, respiratory distress, muscular hypotonia and death due to methylmalonic acid levels that are up to 1000-fold greater than normal. CblB MMA, a subset of the mutations leading to MMA, is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR). No animal model currently exists for this disease. ATR functions within the mitochondria matrix in the final conversion of cobalamin into coenzyme B(12), adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl). AdoCbl is a required coenzyme for the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM). METHODS: The human ATR cDNA was cloned into a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector and packaged into AAV 2 or 8 capsids and delivered by portal vein injection to C57/Bl6 mice at a dose of 1 x 10(10) and 1 x 10(11) particles. Eight weeks post-injection RNA, genomic DNA and protein were then extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Using primer pairs specific to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/chicken beta-actin (CBAT) promoter within the rAAV vectors, genome copy numbers were found to be 0.03, 2.03 and 0.10 per cell in liver for the rAAV8 low dose, rAAV8 high dose and rAAV2 high dose, respectively. Western blotting performed on mitochondrial protein extracts demonstrated protein levels were comparable to control levels in the rAAV8 low dose and rAAV2 high dose animals and 3- to 5-fold higher than control levels were observed in high dose animals. Immunostaining demonstrated enhanced transduction efficiency of hepatocytes to over 40% in the rAAV8 high dose animals, compared to 9% and 5% transduction in rAAV2 high dose and rAAV8 low dose animals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the feasibility of efficient ATR gene transfer to the liver as a prelude to future gene therapy experiments.     

神经节苷脂对脂多糖损伤大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞的保护作用

目的：研究内源性神经节苷脂对大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞株（PC12）脂多糖（LPS）损伤后的作用及机制。方法：培养PC12细胞,建立LPS损伤模型,采用MTT法检测不同浓度LPS对PC12细胞存活率的改变、葡萄糖神经酰胺合成酶抑制剂D（D-PDMP）耗竭内源性神经节苷脂时LPS对PC12细胞存活率的改变以及添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1后对PC12细胞存活率的保护作用;倒置显微镜和荧光显微镜观察细胞状态;RT-PCR检测NF-κB的相对表达含量。结果：LPS能导致PC12细胞形态学的改变及存活率下降,且随着LPS浓度的增加细胞存活率逐渐降低;神经节苷脂GM1能明显改善LPS所致的细胞形态学以及存活率的改变;工具药D-PDMP耗竭内源性神经节苷脂后,LPS对PC12细胞的损伤更严重,添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1,细胞形态学及存活率得到明显改善,细胞存活率上升;LPS损伤时细胞内NF-κB含量增加;D-PDMP预先耗竭内源性神经节苷脂时NF-κB含量增加更多;添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1后NF-κB含量降低。结论：内源性神经节苷脂对PC12细胞LPS损伤具有保护作用,可能是通过NF-κB信号通路来发挥作用的。     

A genome-wide expression profile and system-level integration of nuclear factor kappa B regulated genes reveals fundamental metabolic adaptations during cell growth and survival

A murine lung alveolar carcinoma cell line (WT-Line 1) and its equally tumorigenic but non-malignant derivative transduced with a dominant negative inhibitor of NF-kappaB (mI-kappaB-Line 1), were profiled on the Affymetrix 19000 gene array platform. Two differentially expressed gene clusters were identified and integrated into a functional model. The downregulation of anti-oxidant defenses, in mI-kappaB-Line 1 cells, correlates with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS damage to cellular macromolecules while the upregulation of metabolic nuclear receptors correlates with an adaptive/survival response, which involves a shift in energy metabolism toward beta-oxidative respiration. Accordingly, mI-kappaB-Line 1 cells are markedly sensitized to pharmacologic inhibition of beta-oxidative respiration. These findings are indicative of compensatory changes that could undermine anti-cancer therapies targeting NF-kappaB.     

The stability of eukaryotic initiation factor 2-associated glycoprotein, p67, increases during skeletal muscle differentiation and that inhibits the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2-associated glycoprotein, p67, protects eIF2 from phosphorylation by its kinases. To understand the roles of p67 during skeletal muscle differentiation of mouse C2C12 myoblasts, we measured the level of p67 during myotube formation. We noticed that the level of p67 increases during myoblast differentiation and this increased level is controlled at the translational stage. The stability of p67 in the myotubes is due to its low turnover rate. The phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs 1 and 2) is high in growth-factor-mediated cycling of C2C12 myoblasts and this phosphorylation decreases at 96 h when these myoblasts are grown in differentiation medium. At this time of differentiation, the level of p67 is higher compared to 0 h of differentiation. p67 binds to ERK2 and inhibits its activity in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that the stability of p67 increases during myotube formation while inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERKs 1 and 2.     

ArfA Recruits RF2 into Stalled Ribosomes

During translation in Escherichia coli, the ribosome rescue factor YaeJ and the alternative ribosome rescue factor (ArfA, previously called YhdL) can release stalled ribosomes from mRNA. Here, I used a reconstituted cell-free protein synthesis system to examine YaeJ- and ArfA-dependent recycling of stalled ribosomes, in which mRNA lacks in-frame stop codons. It is shown that YaeJ alone could recycle the ribosome but that ArfA required the presence of release factor 2 (RF2). Furthermore, I show that RF2 binds to stalled ribosomes only in the presence of ArfA, demonstrating that ArfA recruits RF2 into the A site of the ribosome to facilitate peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis. It is also demonstrated that the efficiency of the ArfA-dependent process decreases rapidly with an increase in mRNA length downstream of the A site of the ribosome whereas YaeJ function is maintained on mRNA with sufficient length. From the results, I discuss differences of in vivo roles of these two systems in addition to the well-known tmRNA-dependent trans-translation system.     

An extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. enhances insulin receptor signaling and modulates gene expression in skeletal muscle in KK-A mice

An ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI 5011) has been observed to decrease glucose and insulin levels in animal models, but the cellular mechanisms by which insulin action is enhanced in vivo are not precisely known. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PMI 5011 to modulate gene expression and cellular signaling through the insulin receptor in skeletal muscle of KK-A^y mice. Eighteen male KK-A^y mice were randomized to a diet (w/w) mixed with PMI 5011 (1%) or diet alone for 8 weeks. Food intake, adiposity, glucose and insulin were assessed over the study, and at study completion, vastus lateralis muscle was obtained to assess insulin signaling parameters and gene expression. Animals randomized to PMI 5011 were shown to have enhanced insulin sensitivity and increased insulin receptor signaling, i.e., IRS-associated PI-3 kinase activity, Akt-1 activity and Akt phosphorylation, in skeletal muscle when compared to control animals (P<.01, P<.01 and P<.001, respectively). Gene expression for insulin signaling proteins, i.e., IRS-1, PI-3 kinase and Glut-4, was not increased, although a relative increase in protein abundance was noted with PMI 5011 treatment. Gene expression for specific ubiquitin proteins and specific 20S proteasome activity, in addition to skeletal muscle phosphatase activity, i.e., PTP1B activity, was significantly decreased in mice randomized to PMI 5011 relative to control. Thus, the data demonstrate that PMI 5011 increases insulin sensitivity and enhances insulin receptor signaling in an animal model of insulin resistance. PMI 5011 may modulate skeletal muscle protein degradation and phosphatase activity as a possible mode of action.