Regulation of heme oxygenase-1 gene expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/PKC-zeta pathway and Sp1

The molecular mechanisms involved in modulation of the antioxidant cell defence by survival signals remain largely unexplored. Here, we report a mechanistic connection between the survival signal elicited by nerve growth factor (NGF) and the antioxidant cell defence represented by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) at the level of a newly identified Sp1 site in the human ho1 proximal promoter. By using luciferase reporter constructs we identified a PI3K-responsive region containing a GC-box that resembled the response element for Sp1. Indeed, transfection of Sp1-deficient SL2 cells, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the use of the GC-box binding drug mithramycin, and mutation of the GC-box provided evidence for a Sp1-like site in the PI3K-sensitive region. Then, we observed with the use of a Sp1-Gal4 chimera that PI3K regulates the transactivating capacity of Sp1. Cotransfection of active PI3K and PKC-zeta expression vectors resulted in substantial increase of Sp1 phosphorylation and in synergistic activation of both Sp1-Gal4 and endogenous Sp1. Moreover, these effects were mimicked by cotransfection of active MEK and ERK expression vectors and were blocked by the MEK inhibitor PD98059. Inhibition of HO-1 with Sn protoporphyrin IX and blockage of Sp-1-mediatied upregulation of HO-1 with mithramycin attenuated antioxidant and cytoprotective functions of NGF against hydrogen peroxide. This study elucidates how NGF contributes to protection of target cells against oxidative stress.     

Flavonoids protect pancreatic beta-cells from cytokines mediated apoptosis through the activation of PI3-kinase pathway

The preventive effects of four phenolic compounds against cytokines-induced β-cell destruction were assessed in this study. Treatment of INS-1 (832/13) cells with pro-inflammatory cytokine mixtures (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) resulted in an increased apoptosis. While resveratrol or myricetin failed to prevent cell apoptosis, quercetin or naringenin treatment exhibited an about 40% less in cell death induced by cytokines-mediated damage. This protective effect of quercetin or naringenin might be mediated partially via the activation of the downstream pAkt and pBad pathways, an outcome which was abolished by pretreatment with a specific PI3-kinase inhibitor. Cellular protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were enhanced after cytokines addition; however, the presence of quercetin or naringenin could not suppress their expression. While cytokines induced MnSOD, quercetin or naringnin did not further enhance expression of this protective protein. In addition, the loss of mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) after cytokines treatment might be partially corrected with quercetin or naringenin. However, none of the phenolic compounds tested in this study reversed the blunted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion after cytokines treatment. These results suggest that quercetin or naringenin might possibly be able to protect β-cells from cytokines toxicity by enhancing cell survival through PI3-kinase pathway, independent of p-p38 MAPK or iNOS.     

Acetaminophen sensitizing erastin-induced ferroptosis via modulation of Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway in non-small-cell lung cancer

Growing evidence confirms that ferroptosis plays an important role in tumor growth inhibition. However, some non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines are less sensitive to erastin-induced ferroptotic cell death. Elucidating the mechanism of resistance of cancer cells to erastin-induced ferroptosis and increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to erastin need to be addressed. In our experiment, erastin and acetaminophen (APAP) cotreatment inhibited NSCLC cell viability and promoted ferroptosis and apoptosis, accompanied with attenuation of glutathione and ectopic increases in lipid peroxides. Erastin and APAP promoted NSCLC cell death by regulating nucleus translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); and the ferroptosis induced by erastin and APAP was abrogated by bardoxolone methyl (BM) with less generation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. As a downstream gene of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 expression decreased significantly with the cotreatment of erastin and APAP, which could be rescued by BM. In vivo experiment showed that the combination of erastin and APAP had a synergic therapeutic effect on xenograft of lung cancer. In short, the present study develops a new effective treatment for NSCLC by synergizing erastin and APAP to induce ferroptosis.     

Role of Pin1 in neointima formation: Down-regulation of Nrf2-dependent heme oxygenase-1 expression by Pin1

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to intima formation after stenting and balloon angioplasty. Pin1, a peptidyl prolyl isomerase recognizing phosphorylated Ser/Thr–Pro, isomerizes the peptide bond. Because Pin1 overexpression is associated with transformation and the uncontrolled cell growth of tumors, we hypothesized that Pin1 functions as a chronic stimulator of VSMC proliferation. Pin1-positive smooth muscle cells were seen in the neointimal region of the femoral artery after guidewire injury. Exposure of VSMCS to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increased Pin1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Basal cell growth rate and cyclin D1 expression were enhanced in Pin1-overexpressing VSMCs (Pin1-VSMCs). Moreover, PDGF-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Pin1-VSMCs was higher than in control VSMCs. In Pin1-VSMCs, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction in response to nitric oxide donor was suppressed compared to control VSMCs. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was also diminished in Pin1-VSMCs. In contrast, the activity of the inducible minimal antioxidant response element (ARE) was potentiated in Pin1-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), compared to Pin1-wild-type MEFs. Moreover, Nrf2 ubiquitination was stimulated by Pin1 overexpression. Intraperitoneal injection of juglone (a Pin1 inhibitor) for 3 weeks (1 mg/kg, two times a week) significantly suppressed neointimal formation induced by wire injury. In conclusion, Pin1 induction during neointimal formation may be associated with ROS-mediated VSMC proliferation via down-regulation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent HO-1 expression. Pin1 may be a novel therapeutic target for several vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and stenosis.     

Higenamine reduces HMGB1 during hypoxia-induced brain injury by induction of heme oxygenase-1 through PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 signal pathways

Growing lines of evidence suggests that high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) plays an important role for promoting inflammation and apoptosis in brain ischemia. Previously, we demonstrated that inducers of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) significantly reduce HMGB1 release in inflammatory conditions in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we tested our hypothesis that higenamine protects brain injury by inhibition of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-mediated HMGB1 release in vivo, and glucose/glucose oxidase (GOX)-induced apoptosis in C6 cells in vitro due to HO-1 induction. Higenamine increased HO-1 expression in C6 cells in both hypoxia and normoxia, in which the former was much more significant than the latter. Higenamine increased Nrf-2 luciferase activity, translocated Nrf-2 to nucleus, and increased phosphorylation of Akt in C6 cells. Consistent with this, LY 294002, a PI3K inhibitor, inhibited HO-1 induction by higenamine and apoptosis induced by glucose/GOX in C6 cells was prevented by higenamine, which effect was reversed by LY 294002. Importantly, administration of higenamine (i.p) significantly reduced brain infarct size, mortality rate, MPO activity and tissue expression of HMGB1 in MCAO rats. In addition, recombinant high mobility group box 1 induced apoptosis in C6 cells by increasing ratio of Bax/bcl-2 and cleaved caspase c, which was inhibited by higenamine, and all of these effects were reversed by co-treatment with ZnPPIX. Therefore, we conclude that higenamine, at least in part, protects brain cells against hypoxic damages by up-regulation of HO-1. Thus, higenamine may be beneficial for the use of ischemic injuries such as stroke.     

Glucose promotes pancreatic islet beta-cell survival through a PI 3-kinase/Akt-signaling pathway

The concentration of glucose in plasma is an important determinant of pancreatic beta-cell mass, whereas the relative contributions of hypertrophy, proliferation, and cell survival to this process are unclear. Glucose results in depolarization and subsequent calcium influx into islet beta-cells. Because depolarization and calcium (Ca(2+)) influx promote survival of neuronal cells, we hypothesized that glucose might alter survival of islet beta-cells through a similar mechanism. In the present studies, cultured mouse islet beta-cells showed a threefold decrease in apoptosis under conditions of 15 mM glucose compared with 2 mM glucose (P < 0.05). MIN6 insulinoma cells incubated in 25 mM glucose for 24 h showed a threefold decrease in apoptosis compared with cells in 5 mM glucose (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 6.3 +/- 1%, respectively, P < 0.001). High glucose (25 mM) enhanced survival-required depolarization and Ca(2+) influx and was blocked by phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitors. Glucose activation of the protein kinase Akt was demonstrated in both insulinoma cells and cultured mouse islets by means of an antibody specific for Ser(473) phospho-Akt and by an in vitro Akt kinase assay. Akt phosphorylation was dependent on PI 3-kinase but not on MAPK. Transfection of insulinoma cells with an Akt kinase-dead plasmid (Akt-K179M) resulted in loss of glucose-mediated protection, whereas transfection with a constitutively active Akt enhanced survival in glucose-deprived insulinoma cells. The results of these studies defined a novel pathway for glucose-mediated activation of a PI 3-kinase/Akt survival-signaling pathway in islet beta-cells. This pathway may provide important targets for therapeutic intervention.     

Genipin up-regulates heme oxygenase-1 via PI3-kinase-JNK1/2-Nrf2 signaling pathway to enhance the anti-inflammatory capacity in RAW264.7 macrophages

A large majority of the 1000–1500 proteins in the mitochondria are encoded by the nuclear genome, and therefore, they are translated in the cytosol in the form and contain signals to enable the import of proteins into the organelle. The TOM complex is the major translocase of the outer membrane responsible for preprotein translocation. It consists of a general import pore complex and two membrane import receptors, Tom20 and Tom70. Tom70 contains a characteristic TPR domain, which is a docking site for the Hsp70 and Hsp90 chaperones. These chaperones are involved in protecting cytosolic preproteins from aggregation and then in delivering them to the TOM complex. Although highly significant, many aspects of the interaction between Tom70 and Hsp90 are still uncertain. Thus, we used biophysical tools to study the interaction between the C-terminal domain of Hsp90 (C-Hsp90), which contains the EEVD motif that binds to TPR domains, and the cytosolic fragment of Tom70. The results indicate a stoichiometry of binding of one monomer of Tom70 per dimer of C-Hsp90 with a K_D of 360 ± 30 nM, and the stoichiometry and thermodynamic parameters obtained suggested that Tom70 presents a different mechanism of interaction with Hsp90 when compared with other TPR proteins investigated.     

Genipin up-regulates heme oxygenase-1 via PI3-kinase-JNK1/2-Nrf2 signaling pathway to enhance the anti-inflammatory capacity in RAW264.7 macrophages

Genipin, an aglycon of geniposide, has been reported to exhibit diverse pharmacological functions such as antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of genipin, focusing particularly on the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent anti-inflammatory enzyme. In RAW264.7 cells, genipin increased HO-1 expression and its enzyme activity via a NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. These effects were significantly inhibited by exposure to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor, LY294002, or by expression of a dominant negative mutant of PI 3-kinase. Additional experiments showed that the activation of c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) is required for genipin-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven induction of HO-1, and acts as a downstream effector of PI 3-kinase. Furthermore, functional significance of HO-1 induction was revealed by genipin-mediated inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase expression or cyclooxygenase-2 promoter activity, the response was reversed by the blocking of HO-1 protein synthesis or HO-1 enzyme activity. Therefore, identification of PI 3-kinase-JNK1/2-Nrf2-linked signaling cascade in genipin-mediated HO-1 expression defines the signaling event that could participate in genipin-mediated anti-inflammatory response.     

Carbon monoxide produced by heme oxygenase-1 in response to nitrosative stress induces expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase in PC12 cells via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Nrf2 signaling

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression has been associated with adaptive cytoprotection against a wide array of toxic insults, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. In this study, we investigated the potential role of carbon monoxide (CO), one of the by-products of the HO-1 reaction, in the adaptive survival response to peroxynitrite-induced PC12 cell death. Upon treatment of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells with the peroxynitrite generator 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), the cellular GSH level decreased initially, but was gradually restored to the basal level. This was accompanied by increased expression of the catalytic subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCLC), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis. The SIN-1-induced GCLC up-regulation was preceded by induction of HO-1 and subsequent CO production. Inhibition of HO activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX or knockdown of HO-1 gene expression by small interfering RNA abrogated the up-regulation of GCLC expression and the subsequent GSH restoration induced by SIN-1. In contrast, additional exposure to the CO-releasing molecule (CO-RM) restored the GSH level previously reduced by inhibition of CO production using zinc protoporphyrin IX. Furthermore, CO-RM treatment up-regulated GCLC expression through activation of Nrf2. The CO-RM-induced activation of Nrf2 was under the control of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, CO produced by HO-1 rescues PC12 cells from nitrosative stress through induction of GCLC, which is mediated by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and subsequently Nrf2 signaling.     

The coffee diterpene kahweol induces heme oxygenase-1 via the PI3K and p38/Nrf2 pathway to protect human dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-derived oxidative stress

In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of kahweol protection of neuronal cells from cell death induced by the Parkinson's disease-related neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with kahweol significantly reduced 6-OHDA-induced generation of ROS, caspase-3 activation, and subsequent cell death. Kahweol also up-regulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which conferred neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative injury. Moreover, kahweol induced PI3K and p38 activation, which are involved in the induction of Nrf2, HO-1 expression, and neuroprotection. These results suggest that regulation of the anti-oxidant enzyme HO-1 via the PI3K and p38/Nrf2 signaling pathways controls the intracellular levels of ROS.     

Simvastatin ameliorates established pulmonary hypertension through a heme oxygenase-1 dependent pathway in rats

Background

Simvastatin has been shown to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension by several mechanisms in experimental animal models. In this study, we hypothesized that the major benefits of simvastatin in pulmonary hypertension occur via the heme oxygenase-1 pathway.

Methods

Simvastatin (10 mg/kgw/day) was tested in two rat models of pulmonary hypertension (PH): monocrotaline administration and chronic hypoxia. The hemodynamic changes, right heart hypertrophy, HO-1 protein expression, and heme oxygenase (HO) activity in lungs were measured in both models with and without simvastatin treatment. Tin-protoporphyrin (SnPP, 20 μmol/kg w/day), a potent inhibitor of HO activity, was used to confirm the role of HO-1.

Results

Simvastatin significantly ameliorated pulmonary arterial hypertension from 38.0 ± 2.2 mm Hg to 22.1 ± 1.9 mm Hg in monocrotaline-induced PH (MCT-PH) and from 33.3 ± 0.8 mm Hg to 17.5 ± 2.9 mm Hg in chronic hypoxia-induced PH (CH-PH) rats. The severity of right ventricular hypertrophy was significantly reduced by simvastatin in MCT-PH and CH-PH rats. Co-administration with SnPP abolished the benefits of simvastatin. Simvastatin significantly increased HO-1 protein expression and HO activity in the lungs of rats with PH; however co-administration of SnPP reduced HO-1 activity only. These observations indicate that the simvastatin-induced amelioration of pulmonary hypertension was directly related to the activity of HO-1, rather than its expression.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that simvastatin treatment ameliorates established pulmonary hypertension primarily through an HO-1-dependent pathway.