体外化学诱导人骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌样细胞

To investigate the potential of adult mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) derived from human bone marrow to undergo cardiomyogenic differentiation after exposure of 5-azacytidine in vitro. A small bone marrow aspirate was taken from the iliac crest of human volunteers, and hMSCs were isolated by 1.073 g/mL Percoll and cultured in the right cell culturing medium as previously described. The phonotypes of hMSCs were identified by flow cytometry. The stem cells were cultured in cell culture medium (as control) and medium mixed with 5-azacytidine (5-aza, 3, 5, 10 micromol/L) (n=5, respectively) for cellular differentiation. We examined respectively with immunohischemistry at 21 days of inducement on desmin, cardiac-specific cardiac troponin I (cTnI), GATA4 & connexin43. The ultrastructures of induced cells were examined by transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that the hMSCs showed a fibroblast-like morphology with vortex distribution in their peak propagation, and express high level of CD44 but negative for CD34 and CD45. 20%-30% cells grown after 5, 10 microl/L 5-aza treatment connected with adjoining cells and coalesced into myotube structures after 14 days. After 21 days of culturing, immunohistochemistry revealed expression of desmin, GATA4, cTnI and connexin43 in 5, 10 micromol/L showed positive, but no cardiac specific protein were found in neither 3 micromol/L nor in control group. The ratio of cTnI positive stained cells in 10 micromol/L group were higher than that in 5 micromol/L group (65.3+/-4.7% vs 48.2+/-5.4%, p<0.05). Electron microscopy revealed myofilaments were formed. The results indicated that purified hMSCs from adult bone marrow can be differentiated into cardiac-like muscle cells with 5-aza inducement in vitro and the differentiation is in line with the 5-aza concentration.     

Combination of retinoic acid,dimethyl sulfoxide and 5-azacytidine promotes cardiac differentiation of human fetal liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells

There are controversial reports about cardiac differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and there is still no well-defined protocol for the induction of cardiac differentiation. The effects of retinoic acid (RA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the proliferation and differentiation of human fetal liver-derived MSCs (HFMSCs) as well as the pluripotent state induced by 5-azacytidine (5-aza) in vitro were investigated. MSCs were isolated from fetal livers and cultured in accordance with previous reports. Cells were plated and were treated for 24 h by the combination of 5-aza, RA and DMSO in different doses. Different culture conditions were tested in our study, including temperature, oxygen content and medium. Three weeks later, cells were harvested for the certification of cardiac differentiation as well as the pluripotency, which indicated by cardiac markers and Oct4. It was found that the cardiac differentiation was only induced when HFMSCs were treated in the following conditions: in high-dose combination (5-aza 50 μM + RA 10^?1 μM + DMSO 1 %) in cardiac differentiation medium at 37 °C and 20 % O₂. The results of immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR showed that about 40 % of the cells positively expressed Nkx2.5, desmin and cardiac troponin I, as well as Oct4. No beating cells were observed during the period. The combined treatment with RA, DMSO and 5-aza in high-dose could promote HFMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells and possibly through the change of their pluripotent state.     

核因子-κB在HUVEC细胞凋亡信号通路中的作用

目的：探讨核因子-κB（NF-κB）在人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡信号通路中的作用。方法：体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞系（HUVEC）,实验分为正常对照组、AngⅡ组和Gliotoxin干预组。应用改良MTF法,观察0．01μmol／L、0．1μmol／L、μmol／L和10μmol／L4种浓度的AngⅡ在不同时间对HUVEC细胞活性的影响。应用DNA凝胶电泳和流式细胞术检测AngⅡ作用于细胞后引起细胞凋亡的情况。应用免疫细胞化学技术检测NF-κB p65的核移位,评价NF-KB活化情况。结果：10μmol／L AngⅡ作用于细胞24h时,细胞活性下降,DNA凝胶电泳和流式细胞结果提示细胞发生凋亡,凋亡细胞率明显高于正常对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,0．1mg／L Gliotoxin可拮抗AngⅡ的细胞抑制活性作用;免疫细胞化学技术显示,HUVEC细胞经AugⅡ诱导后,NF-κB出现明显核移位现象,提示NF-κB发生活化;Gliotoxin明显抑制NF-κB活化,与AngⅡ组相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：①ArcⅡ可引起HU—VEC细胞发生凋亡;而NF-κB特异性抑制剂Ghotoxin能够拮抗AngⅡ对HUVEC细胞的作用;②NF-κB可能是AngⅡ调控HUVEC细胞生存／凋亡通路中的重要信号转导分子。     

非诺贝特通过FoxO1 抑制心肌肥大

目的:探讨非诺贝特(fenofibrate)对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的肥大心肌细胞的抑制作用及对FoxO1表达的影响。方法:首先采用AngⅡ诱导心肌细胞肥大,将细胞分为三组:对照组:未给予任何干预;心肌细胞肥大组:AngⅡ(10-7mol/L)刺激细胞;治疗组:先给予fenofibrate(10-5mol/L),30min后AngⅡ(10-7mol/L)刺激细胞。应用蛋白免疫印迹法(western-blotting)和实时定量PCR法(real time PCR)检测各组细胞中转录因子FoxO1的蛋白质及mRNA含量,心肌细胞肥大的判断使用脑钠肽(brain natriuret icpepide BNP)。结果:心肌细胞肥大组的FoxO1表达较对照组明显降低,而治疗组的FoxO1表达较心肌肥大组明显升高。结论:非诺贝特可能通过上调FoxO1表达,从而抑制心肌细胞肥大。     

猪羊水干细胞特异向跳动心肌细胞诱导分化

为了筛选并建立一种由猪羊水干细胞向心肌细胞分化的有效方法,以猪羊水干细胞为研究对象,以5-氮胞苷 (5-aza) 和维生素C (Vc) 为诱导剂,对猪羊水干细胞形成的类胚体 (EBs) 进行诱导分化。应用免疫荧光、RT-PCR、透射电镜技术检测跳动细胞团中心肌特异性标记的表达情况。结果显示,在猪羊水干细胞形成的类胚体中加入心肌细胞诱导剂,10 d后即见到节律性跳动的细胞团,t检验发现0.1 mmol/L Vc加5 μmol/L 5-aza联合诱导组的诱导效率最高,达33％。免疫荧光结果显示跳动心肌细胞团表达细胞骨架蛋白α-actin和肌钙蛋白Tnni3。RT-PCR检测跳动心肌细胞团,发现心肌细胞特异性标记分子TbX5、Gata4、α-MHC、Tnni3均呈阳性表达。借助透射电镜观察诱导后的跳动样细胞团,能清晰可见其中的肌丝、糖原粒、糖原池等结构。说明5-氮胞苷和维生素C可以促进猪羊水干细胞向心肌细胞的诱导分化。     

Proliferative effects of angiotensin II and endothelin-1 on guinea pig gingival fibroblast cells in culture

We investigated whether phenytoin (PHT) and nifedipine (NIF) induce angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) generation by cultured gingival fibroblasts derived from guinea pigs and whether Ang II and ET-1 induce proliferation of these cells. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that PHT (250 nM) and NIF (250 nM) increased the immunostaining intensities of immunoreactive Ang II and ET-1 (IRET-1) in these cells. Captopril (3 microM), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, reduced these enhanced intensities to control levels. Ang II (100 nM) enhanced the immunostaining intensity of IRET-1. PHT (250 nM) and NIF (250 nM)-induced cell proliferation. Both PHT- and NIF-induced proliferation was inhibited by captopril (3 microM). Ang II (100 nM) and ET-1 (100 nM) also induced cell proliferation. Ang II-induced proliferation was inhibited by CV11974 (1 microM), an AT(1) receptor antagonist and saralasin (1 microM), an AT(1)/AT(2) receptor antagonist, but not by PD123,319 (1 microM), an AT(2) receptor antagonist. ET-1-induced proliferation was inhibited by BQ123 (10 microM), an ET(A) receptor antagonist, but not by BQ788 (1 microM), an ET(B) receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that PHT- and NIF-induced gingival fibroblast proliferation is mediated indirectly through the induction of Ang II and ET-1 and probably mediated through AT(1) and ET(A) receptors present in or on gingival fibroblasts.     

Effect of angiotensin II on proliferation and differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into mesodermal progenitor cells

Previous studies suggest that angiotensin receptor stimulation may enhance not only proliferation but also differentiation of undifferentiated stem/progenitor cells. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the involvement of the angiotensin receptor in the proliferation and differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Stimulation with angiotensin II (Ang II) significantly increased DNA synthesis in mouse iPS cells cultured in a medium with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Pretreatment of the cells with either candesartan (a selective Ang II type 1 receptor [AT(1)R] antagonist) or Tempol (a cell-permeable superoxide scavenger) significantly inhibited Ang II-induced DNA synthesis. Treatment with Ang II significantly increased JAK/STAT3 phosphorylation. Pretreatment with candesartan significantly inhibited Ang II- induced JAK/STAT3 phosphorylation. In contrast, induction of mouse iPS cell differentiation into Flk-1-positive mesodermal progenitor cells was performed in type IV collagen (Col IV)- coated dishes in a differentiation medium without LIF. When Col IV-exposed iPS cells were treated with Ang II for 5days, the expression of Flk-1 was significantly increased compared with that in the cells treated with the vehicle alone. Pretreatment of the cells with both candesartan and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly inhibited the Ang II- induced increase in Flk-1 expression. Treatment with Ang II enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in Col IV- exposed iPS cells. These results suggest that the stimulation of mouse iPS cells with AT(1)R may enhance LIF-induced DNA synthesis, by augmenting the generation of superoxide and activating JAK/STAT3, and that AT(1)R stimulation may enhance Col IV-induced differentiation into mesodermal progenitor cells via p38 MAPK activation.     

白藜芦醇对AngⅡ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞CaN的影响

目的：观察白藜芦醇（Res）对血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）诱导的血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）增殖及细胞中钙调蛋白（CaM）和钙调神经磷酸酶（CaN）活性的影响,并探讨其机制。方法：体外培养兔主动脉VSMCs,用免疫细胞化学方法鉴定。建立AngⅡ诱导的VSMCs增殖模型。取生长良好的第4～8代VSMCs,随机分为对照组,AnsⅡ组（0．1μmol／L）,AngⅡ＋Res组（20,40,80,160）μmol／L。应用MTT法检测细胞增殖程度,考马斯亮兰法进行CaM定量,定磷法进行CaN活性测定。结果：成功培养兔VSMCs并传代,免疫细胞化学染色均呈阳性表达。AngⅡ组VSMCs的增殖程度、CaM和CaN活性较对照组增高（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。AngⅡ＋Res组各组VSMCs的CaM和CaN活性较AngⅡ组显著下降（P〈0．01）。结论：在一定范围内,Res可降低AngⅡ诱导的VSMCs增殖程度,其机制可能与干预CaN依赖的信号转导途径有关。     

Induction of class II MHC antigen expression on the murine placenta by 5-azacytidine correlates with fetal abortion.

During the gestational cycle the placental tissue does not express class II MHC antigens and whether this phenomenon is important to fetal survival has not yet been evoked. It has been reported that class II antigen expression precedes renal and cardiac graft rejection, which may also be the case in fetal abortion. In a recent report we showed that placental cells can be induced to express class II antigens in vitro and that these cells undergo different regulatory mechanisms depending on their anatomical position in the placenta. Thus, spongiotrophoblast-derived cells express these antigens after interferon-gamma treatment, whereas labyrinthine trophoblast-derived cells are induced by 5-azacytidine. In the present study we examined the effect of 5-azacytidine on class II antigen expression in the placenta and fetal abortion in vivo. We report that 5-azacytidine, when given to pregnant females before the ectoplacental cone formation, dramatically increases fetal loss, which correlates with class II antigen expression in the labyrinthine trophoblast zone. No site effects of 5-azacytidine on placental cell proliferation, splenic T and B cell responses, or reproductive capability of treated females were observed. However, after treatment with 5-azacytidine placental cells can stimulate maternal spleen cells to proliferate in a mixed cell reaction, whereas untreated controls cannot. Furthermore, the abortive effect of 5-azacytidine can be rescued in allogeneic pregnancy by anti-paternal class II monoclonal antibody injection into the animals during the 5-azacytidine treatment. These results suggest that the maintenance of the class II antigen-negative expression on the placenta is indeed necessary to avoid maternal immune attack and ensure fetal survival.     

Angiotensin II promotes differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to smooth muscle cells through PI3-kinase signaling pathway and NF-κB

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells), the pluripotent derivatives of the inner cell mass from blastocysts, have the capacity for unlimited growth, self-renewal and differentiation toward all types of somatic cells. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the most important effector peptide of the renin–angiotensin system, is also an angiogenesis factor. However, the potential impact of Ang II on ES cell differentiation is still unknown. In the present study, we have successfully induced the differentiation of ES cells into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on collagen IV. Interestingly, incubation of ES cells with Ang II further promoted SMC differentiation from ES cells, which was abolished by prior treatment with Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan, but not Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD123319. Moreover, we found that, in parallel with SMC specific-marker induction, the expression levels of phosphoAkt and NF-Kappa B (NF-κB) p50 were up-regulated by Ang II. Importantly, addition of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 led to a marked inhibition of Ang II induced SMC specific markers, phosphoAkt and NF-κB p50 expression. Furthermore, NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 can inhibit Ang II induced expression of SMC specific markers. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that Ang II plays a promotive role in the stage of ES cell differentiation to SMCs through AT1 receptor. We further confirmed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and NF-κB play key roles in this process.     

Mass spectrometry for the molecular imaging of angiotensin metabolism in kidney

To better understand the tissue distribution and activity of enzymes involved in angiotensin II (Ang II) processing, we developed a novel molecular imaging method using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Mouse kidney sections (12 μm) were incubated with 10-1,000 μmol/l Ang II for 5-15 min at 37°C. The formed peptides Ang III and Ang-(1-7) were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF. A third metabolite, Ang-(1-4), was generated from further degradation of Ang-(1-7). Enzymatic processing of Ang II was dose and time dependent and absent in heat-treated kidney sections. Distinct spatial distribution patterns (pseudocolor images) were observed for the peptides. Ang III was localized in renal medulla, whereas Ang-(1-7)/Ang-(1-4) was present in cortex. Regional specific peptide formation was confirmed using microdissected cortical and medullary biopsies. In vitro studies with recombinant enzymes confirmed activity of peptidases known to generate Ang III or Ang-(1-7) from Ang II: aminopeptidase A (APA), Ang-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), prolyl carboxypeptidase (PCP), and prolyl endopeptidase (PEP). Renal medullary Ang III generation was blocked by APA inhibitor glutamate phosphonate. The ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760 and PCP/PEP inhibitor Z-pro-prolinal reduced cortical Ang-(1-7) formation. Our results establish the power of MALDI imaging as a highly specific and information-rich analytical technique that will further aid our understanding of the role and site of Ang II processing in cardiovascular and renal pathologies.     

硫化氢对大鼠心脏成纤维细胞增殖的抑制作用

本文旨在研究硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H2S)对大鼠心脏成纤维细胞增殖的抑制作用。以原代培养新生大鼠心脏成纤维细胞(neonatal ratcardiac fibroblasts,NRCFs)为研究对象,用不同浓度血管紧张素II(angiotensin Ⅱ,Ang Ⅱ)或胎牛血清(fetalbovineserum,FBS)刺激NRCFs,建立NRCFs增殖模型。不同浓度硫氢化钠(NaHS,H2S的供体)处理该NRCFs增殖模型后,采用5’-溴-2’-脱氧尿嘧啶(5’-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine,BrdU)掺入法检测NRCFs增殖情况,用2’,7’-二氯荧光素乙酰乙酸盐(2’,7’-di-chlorofluorescein diacetate,DCFH-DA)荧光探针法检测细胞活性氧类(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平。结果显示,较低浓度的NaHS(1×105mol/L)能促进FBS(2%、10%)对NRCFs的诱导增殖作用,但对Ang Ⅱ(1×107mol/L)所引起的NRCFs增殖的作用不明显,而较高浓度NaHS(5×105、1×104mol/L)...     

Angiotensin II promotes the proliferation of activated pancreatic stellate cells by Smad7 induction through a protein kinase C pathway

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play major roles in promoting pancreatic fibrosis. We previously reported that angiotensin II (Ang II) enhances activated PSC proliferation through EGF receptor transactivation. In the present study, we elucidated a novel intracellular mechanism by which Ang II stimulates cellular proliferation. TGF-beta1 inhibits activated PSC proliferation via a Smad3 and Smad4-dependent pathway in an autocrine manner. We demonstrated that Ang II inhibited TGF-beta1-induced nuclear accumulation of Smad3 and Smad4. Furthermore, Ang II rapidly induced inhibitory Smad7 mRNA expression. Adenovirus-mediated Smad7 overexpression inhibited TGF-beta1-induced nuclear accumulation of Smad3 and Smad4, and potentiated activated PSC proliferation. PKC inhibitor Go6983 blocked the induction of Smad7 mRNA expression by Ang II. In addition, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate, a PKC activator, increased Smad7 mRNA expression. These results suggest that Ang II enhances activated PSC proliferation by blocking autocrine TGF-beta1-mediated growth inhibition by inducing Smad7 expression via a PKC-dependent pathway.     

PKC-zeta is required for angiotensin II-induced activation of ERK and synthesis of C-FOS in MCF-7 cells

We examined the signalling pathways responsible for the Ang II induction of growth in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Ang II in MCF-7 cells induced: (a) the translocation from the cytosol to membrane and nucleus of atypical protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) but not of PKC-alpha, -delta, - epsilon and -eta; (b) the expression of c-fos mRNA and protein; (c) the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). All these effects were due to the activation of the Ang II type I receptor (AT1) since they were blocked by the AT1 antagonist losartan. The Ang II-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was blocked by (a) high doses of staurosporine, inhibitor of PKC-zeta, and by a synthetic myristoylated peptide with sequences based on the endogenous PKC-zeta pseudosubstrate region (zeta-PS); (b) PD098059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor (MAPKK/MEK); and, moreover, (c) the inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), LY294002 and wortmannin, thus indicating that PI3K may act upstream of ERK1/2. The Ang II-evoked c-fos induction was blocked only by high doses of staurosporine and by zeta-PS whilst PD098059, LY294002 and wortmannin were ineffective, thus indicating that c-fos induction is not due to ERK1/2 activity. When the epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase activity was inhibited by the use of its inhibitor AG1478, Ang II was still able to induce ERK1/2 phosphorylation and c-fos expression, therefore proving that the transactivation of EGFR was not required for these Ang II effects in MCF-7 cells. The previously reported proliferation of MCF-7 cells induced by Ang II was blocked by PD098059 and by wortmannin in a dose-dependent manner, thereby indicating that in MCF-7 cells the PI3K and ERK pathways mediate the mitogenic signalling of AT1. Our results suggest that in MCF-7 cells Ang II activates multiple signalling pathways involving PKC-zeta, PI3K and MAPK; of these pathways only PKC-zeta appears responsible for the induction of c-fos.     

乙酰水杨酸预处理骨髓间充质干细胞对实验性牙周炎大鼠的治疗作用

本研究旨在探讨应用乙酰水杨酸(ASA)预处理的骨髓间充质干细胞(BMMSCs)治疗对大鼠牙周炎模型中的牙周骨修复的影响。通过建立大鼠牙周炎动物模型并使用ASA和BMMSCs联和治疗大鼠,本研究检测了体外BMMSCs的成骨分化、成脂分化、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性及成骨相关基因(ALP和OCN)的表达,并检测大鼠相关炎症因子(TNF-α,IL-17和IL-10)水平。结果显示,使用成骨培养基诱导BMMSCs后,可清晰地观察到BMMSCs的成骨分化和成脂分化。体外研究显示,60μg/mL的ASA显著促进了体外BMMSCs的增殖,提高了碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性,促进了钙沉积和上调了成骨相关基因(ALP和OCN)的表达。此外,与未治疗的牙周炎大鼠比较,经ASA-BMMSCs治疗的牙周炎大鼠的TNF-α和IL-17水平显著下降,而IL-10显著升高。本研究表明,60μg/mL的ASA显著促进了体外BMMSCs的增殖和成骨分化。ASA和BMMSCs联用能够调节大鼠体内相关细胞因子的表达,并减轻炎症反应,可能是牙周炎治疗和牙周骨再生的有效方法。     

川芎嗪抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的平滑肌细胞NF-κB激活和骨形成蛋白-2表达降低

本文旨在观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensinⅡ,AngⅡ）对血管平滑肌细胞核转录因子-κB（nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB）的活性及骨形成蛋白-2（bone morphogenetic protein-2,BMP-2）表达的影响,以探讨AngⅡ参与动脉粥样硬化的机制,并探讨川芎嗪是否能抑制AngⅡ的促动脉粥样硬化作用。采用Western blot、免疫组化和原位杂交等方法分别检测AngⅡ刺激和川芎嗪干预后NF-κB活性、BMP-2蛋白和mRNA表达的变化。结果显示：（1）AngⅡ刺激激活NF-κB。AngⅡ刺激15min即有NF-κB p65核转移,30min达高峰（P〈0．01）,1h后减退。川芎嗪抑制AngⅡ诱导的NF-κB激活,与AngⅡ组比较,川芎嗪＋AngⅡ组NF-κB活性显著降低（P〈0．01）。（2）AngⅡ刺激6h时BMP-2表达增强（P〈0．05）,12h时减弱（P〈0．01）,24h时更弱（P〈0．01）。川芎嗪＋AngⅡ组中,川芎嗪干预6h时BMP-2表达亦增强,12与24h时保持正常水平。（3）川芎嗪对正常细胞的NF-κB活性和BMP-2表达无影响。以上结果表明,AngⅡ刺激后激活NF-κB并最终使生长抑制因子BMP-2表达下降,这可能是其参与动脉粥样硬化发生的机制之一。BMP-2一过性增高可能不依赖NF-κB通路的激活。川芎嗪可抑制AngⅡ诱导的NF-κB激活与BMP-2表达降低,提示它在抗动脉粥样硬化形成中起重要作用。     

High glucose increases extracellular matrix production in pancreatic stellate cells by activating the renin-angiotensin system

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are involved in pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) attenuates pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, there are few data about the direct effects of high glucose on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and angiotensin II (Ang II) induction in PSCs. PSCs were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in medium containing 5.5 mM (LG group) or 27 mM D-glucose (HG group). Levels of Ang II and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in culture media were measured and Ang II-positive cells were counted. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Ang II receptor expression and Western blot analysis for the expression of ECM proteins such as connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF) and collagen type IV. Cells were also treated with an Ang II-receptor antagonist (candesartan, 10 microM) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ramiprilat, 100 nM). Thymidine uptake by PSCs increased fourfold with high glucose treatment. Ang II levels and the proportion of Ang II-positive PSCs were significantly increased after 6 h under high-glucose conditions. TGF-beta concentrations also increased significantly with high glucose. After 72 h, the expression of CTGF and collagen type IV proteins in high-glucose cultures increased significantly and this increase was effectively attenuated by the candesartan or the ramiprilat. All together, high glucose induced PSCs proliferation and ECM protein synthesis, and these effects were attenuated by an Ang II-receptor antagonist. The data suggest that pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis aggravated by hyperglycemia, and Ang II play an important role in this pathogenesis.     

YS 49, 1-(alpha-naphtylmethyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, regulates angiotensin II-stimulated ROS production, JNK phosphorylation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via the induction of heme oxygenase-1

Overexpression of the gene for heme oxygenase (HO)-1 leads to a reduction in pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II (Ang II) in experimental animals. Using rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), we tested whether YS 49 [1-(alpha-naphtylmethyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline] inhibits Ang II-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs via induction of HO-1. YS 49 induced HO-1 protein production in a dose-and time-dependent manner in VSMCs. Treatment with YS 49 significantly and dose-dependently inhibited Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation, ROS production, and phosphorylation of JNK, but not P38 MAP kinase or ERK1/2. The antiproliferation effect of YS 49 was reversed by pretreatment with the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), or with hemoglobin, a carbon monoxide (CO) scavenger. Similarly, VSMC proliferation, ROS production and phosphorylation of JNK by Ang II were significantly inhibited in VSMCs transfected with the HO-1 gene. Thus, HO-1 and the HO-1 product CO play, at least in part, a crucial role in Ang II-stimulated VSMC proliferation through the regulation of ROS production and JNK phosphorylation. Therefore, YS 49 has potential as a therapeutic strategy for the pathogenesis of Ang II-related vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, via the induction of HO-1 gene activity.