Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Failure of pancreatic beta-cells is the common characteristic of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is induced by destruction of pancreatic beta-cells which is mediated by an autoimmune mechanism and consequent inflammatory process. Various inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress are produced during this process, which has been proposed to play an important role in mediating beta-cell destruction. The JNK pathway is also activated by such cytokines and oxidative stress, and is involved in beta-cell destruction. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent and serious metabolic disease, and beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Under diabetic conditions, chronic hyperglycemia gradually deteriorates beta-cell function and aggravates insulin resistance. This process is called "glucose toxicity". Under such conditions, oxidative stress is provoked and the JNK pathway is activated, which is likely involved in pancreatic beta-cells dysfunction and insulin resistance. In addition, oxidative stress and activation of the JNK pathway are also involved in the progression of atherosclerosis which is often observed under diabetic conditions. Taken together, it is likely that oxidative stress and subsequent activation of the JNK pathway are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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PMID:Oxidative stress and the JNK pathway are involved in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 1804 45

It has been established that syndecan-1 is an important modulator of events relevant to acute tissue repair and chronic injury responses. The current studies were designed to examine syndecan-1 expression during atherosclerotic lesion formation and whether angiotensin II influences syndecan-1 expression in macrophages. ApoE knockout mice maintained on an atherogenic diet were treated for 8 weeks with an infusion of angiotensin II to induce atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemistry was employed to characterize the expression of syndecan-1 in atherosclerotic lesions. Quantitative real-time PCR (QRTPCR) was used to define the role of angiotensin II and responsible signaling pathways involved syndecan-1 expression in RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Protein expression and shedding were characterized by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and slot blot analysis. Syndecan-1 was abundantly expressed in macrophages located within early atherosclerotic lesions. Accordingly, we hypothesized that angiotensin II regulates syndecan-1 expression in macrophages. A time- and dose-dependent study was performed in RAW264.7 macrophages. QRTPCR demonstrated maximum syndecan-1 mRNA up-regulation at 6 h after 500 nM AgII stimulation (threefold; P < 0.05). Through administration of specific inhibitors, we established that ERK/MAPK, PI3K and JNK signaling pathways mediated this effect. FACS and slot blot analyses demonstrated that cAMP induced posttranscriptional syndecan-1 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner with or without initial angiotensin II stimulation. In particular, angiotensin II induced an increase in cell surface syndecan-1 (mean fluorescence intensity: 147 +/- 5.7 vs. 176 +/- 4.8; P < 0.05; n = 3) and accelerated syndecan-1 shedding. Angiotensin II is a potent regulator of syndecan-1 expression in atherosclerotic lesions via a specific effect on macrophages that is mediated by ERK/MAPK, PI3K, and JNK signaling pathways.
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PMID:Decoupled syndecan 1 mRNA and protein expression is differentially regulated by angiotensin II in macrophages. 1807 60

Endothelial dysfunction is a key triggering event in atherosclerosis. Following the entry of lipoproteins into the vessel wall, their rapid modification results in the generation of advanced glycation endproduct epitopes and subsequent infiltration of inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells release receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) ligands, specifically S100/calgranulins and high-mobility group box 1, which sustain vascular injury. Here, we demonstrate critical roles for RAGE and its ligands in vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerotic plaque development in a mouse model of atherosclerosis, apoE-/- mice. Experiments in primary aortic endothelial cells isolated from mice and in cultured human aortic endothelial cells revealed the central role of JNK signaling in transducing the impact of RAGE ligands on inflammation. These data highlight unifying mechanisms whereby endothelial RAGE and its ligands mediate vascular and inflammatory stresses that culminate in atherosclerosis in the vulnerable vessel wall.
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PMID:Vascular and inflammatory stresses mediate atherosclerosis via RAGE and its ligands in apoE-/- mice. 1807 65

Strong evidence suggests that neutrophils may play an active role in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Given the role of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in these inflammatory processes, we planned the present study to investigate the effect of short term incubation with TNF-alpha on neutrophil migration to CCL3, a chemokine produced in inflammatory sites and normally devoid of neutrophil chemotactic properties. We found that TNF-alpha primed neutrophils for migration to CCL3 via CCR5. TNF-alpha-induced migration was a consequence of the TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation of integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) on neutrophil surface. Furthermore, TNF-alpha activity was found to be strictly dependent on the activation of ERK 1/2 p44, cooperating with the intracellular pathways involving Src kinases, PI3K/Akt, p38 MAPK, well known as activated in response to classical chemoattractants (CXCL8) or priming agents (GM-CSF). On the contrary, the effect of TNF-alpha on neutrophil migration to CCL3 was not dependent on JNK 1/2. In conclusion, the present report shows that TNF-alpha unveils a previously unknown capacity of neutrophils to migrate to CCL3 through the intervention of Mac-1. TNF-alpha regulates Mac-1 up-regulation through signalling pathways, involving various kinases, but not JNK 1/2. Although highly speculative, ERK 1/2 p44 may represent a selective target for the pharmacologic manipulation of neutrophil-mediated adverse activities in TNF-alpha-mediated inflammatory states.
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PMID:Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) up-regulation and migration to the CC chemokine CCL3 (MIP-1alpha) on human neutrophils through defined signalling pathways. 1816 90

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.
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PMID: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. 1826 5

Macrophage death in advanced atherosclerosis causes plaque necrosis, which promotes plaque rupture and acute atherothrombotic vascular events. Of interest, plaque necrosis and atherothrombotic disease are markedly increased in diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We discovered a novel 'multi-hit' macrophage apoptosis pathway that appears to be highly relevant to advanced atherosclerosis. The elements of the pathway include: (a) activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) by cholesterol overloading of the endoplasmic reticulum or by other UPR activators known to exist in atheromata; and (b) pro-apoptotic signalling involving the type A scavenger receptor (SRA). The downstream apoptosis effectors include CHOP (GADD153) for the UPR and JNK for SRA signalling. Remarkably, components of this pathway are enhanced in macrophages with defective insulin signalling, including UPR activation and SRA expression. As a result, insulin-resistant macrophages show increased susceptibility to apoptosis when exposed to UPR activators and SRA ligands. Moreover, the advanced lesions of atherosclerosis-prone mice reconstituted with insulin-resistant macrophages show increased macrophage apoptosis and plaque necrosis. Based on these findings, we propose that one mechanism of increased plaque necrosis and atherothrombotic vascular disease in insulin resistant syndromes is up-regulation of a two-hit signal transduction pathway involved in advanced lesional macrophage death.
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PMID:The impact of insulin resistance on macrophage death pathways in advanced atherosclerosis. 1826 77

Chlorotyrosine is an oxidative product of hypochlorous acid and l-tyrosine, and is considered as a biomarker for oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear whether chlorotyrosine could directly contribute to vascular pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect and potential mechanisms of chlorotyrosine on human aortic smooth muscle cell (AoSMC) migration. With Boyden chamber and wound healing assays, chlorotyrosine significantly increased AoSMC migration in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, chlorotyrosine significantly increased the expression of several key molecules related to cell migration including PDGF receptor-B (PDGFR-B), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-2) and integrins (alpha3, alphaV, and beta3) in AoSMC at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, chlorotyrosine also increased superoxide anion generation in AoSMC with the fluorescent dye dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was analyzed with Bio-Plex Luminex immunoassay and Western blotting. Chlorotyrosine induced a transient phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not JNK and p38 MAPKs. Antioxidants including selenomethionine (SeMet) and Mn(III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) as well as ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 effectively blocked chlorotyrosine-induced AoSMC migration. Thus, these findings demonstrate new biological functions of chlorotyrosine in human SMC migration, which may play a crucial role in the vascular lesion formation.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Nov
PMID:Chlorotyrosine promotes human aortic smooth muscle cell migration through increasing superoxide anion production and ERK1/2 activation. 1828 Oct 51

Steady laminar blood flow protects vessels from atherosclerosis. We showed that flow decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-mediated VCAM1 expression in endothelial cells (EC) by inhibiting JNK. Here, we determined the relative roles of MEK1, MEK5 and their downstream kinases ERK1/2 and BMK1 (ERK5) in flow-mediated inhibition of JNK activation. Steady laminar flow (shear stress=12dyn/cm(2)) increased BMK1 and ERK1/2 activity in EC. Pre-exposing EC for 10min to flow inhibited TNF activation of JNK by 58%. A key role for BMK1, but not ERK1/2 was shown. (1) Incubation of EC with PD184352, at concentrations that blocked ERK1/2, but not BMK1, had no effect on flow inhibition of TNF-mediated JNK activation. (2) BIX02188, a MEK5-selective inhibitor, completely reversed the inhibitory effects of flow. These findings indicate that flow inhibits TNF-mediated signaling events in EC by a mechanism dependent on activation of MEK5-BMK1, but not MEK1-ERK1/2. These results support a key role for the MEK5-BMK1 signaling pathway in the atheroprotective effects of blood flow.
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PMID:Fluid shear stress inhibits TNF-mediated JNK activation via MEK5-BMK1 in endothelial cells. 1835 37

Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in hypoxia-induced vascular disorders. We investigated the acute hypoxia effect on endothelial expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a stress-inducible transcription factor playing significant roles in cellular responses to stress. Bovine aortic ECs were subjected to acute hypoxia (1% O(2), pO(2)=8 mmHg) and ATF3 expression was examined. ECs exposed to hypoxia transiently induced ATF3 expression. A transient increase in the activation of c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in ECs was observed; however, only ECs pretreated with a specific inhibitor to JNK suppressed the hypoxia-induced ATF3 expression. ECs exposed to acute hypoxia transiently increased endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) activity. Pre-treating ECs with a specific inhibitor to eNOS (l-NAME) or PI3-kinase significantly inhibited the hypoxia-induced JNK activation and ATF3 expression. ATF3 induction has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. Consistently, ECs exposed to hypoxia attenuated the MMP-2 expression. This hypoxia-attenuated MMP-2 expression can be rescued by pre-treating ECs with an inhibitor of eNOS. These results suggest that the ATF3 induction by acute hypoxia is mediated by nitric oxide and the JNK pathway in ECs. Our findings provide a molecular basis for the mechanism in which ECs respond to acute hypoxia.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Dec
PMID:Acute hypoxia to endothelial cells induces activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression that is mediated via nitric oxide. 1837 12

Chronic exposure to arsenic has been linked to tumorigenesis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and peripheral vascular disease; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathological effects remain elusive. In this study, we investigated arsenic-induced alteration of focal adhesion protein complexes in normal, primary vascular smooth muscle cells. We demonstrate that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic (50 ppb As(3+)) can alter focal adhesion protein co-association leading to activation of downstream pathways. Co-associated proteins were identified and quantitated via co-immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE, and Western blot analysis followed by scanning densitometry. Activation of MAPK pathways in total cell lysates was evaluated using phosphor-specific antibodies. In our model, arsenic treatment caused a sustained increase in FAK-src association and activation, and induced the formation of unique signaling complexes (beginning after 3-hour As(3+) exposure and continuing throughout the 12-hour time course studied). The effects of these alterations were manifested as chronic stimulation of downstream PAK, ERK and JNK pathways. Past studies have demonstrated that these pathways are involved in cellular survival, growth, proliferation, and migration in VSMCs.
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PMID:Arsenic alters vascular smooth muscle cell focal adhesion complexes leading to activation of FAK-src mediated pathways. 1848 77


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