UMLS:C0004153 - FACTA Search

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

There is a growing body of evidence to show that that C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant, is one of the most valuable predictors of future cardiovascular events. Since CRP proteins directly contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis as well, reduction of CRP levels may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined whether pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) could block the interleukin-6-induced CRP expression in cultured human hepatoma cells and the way that it might achieve this effect. PEDF inhibited the IL-6-induced CRP expression in Hep3B cells at both mRNA and proteins levels. PEDF suppressed the intracellular reactive oxygen species generation in IL-6-exposed Hep3B cells. Anti-oxidants mimicked the effects of PEDF. PEDF was also found to inhibit the IL-6-elicited Rac-1 activation, whereas dominant-negative Rac-1 dose-dependently decreased the CRP mRNA levels. PEDF blocked the IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylations and NF-kappaB p65 activity in Hep3B cells. Our present study suggests that PEDF could be one of the potent suppressors of CRP production by the liver and may play a protective role against atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) blocks the interleukin-6 signaling to C-reactive protein expression in Hep3B cells by suppressing Rac-1 activation. 1687 27

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays an important in the development of atherosclerosis by stimulating the production of reactive oxygen species in endothelial cells, and thereby up-regulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of azelnidipine, a new calcium channel blocker, on the expression of VCAM-1 induced by 7-ketocholesterol, components of ox-LDL, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The scavenging activities of azelnidipine against superoxide, hydroxyl, and carbon-centered radicals were determined by electron spin resonance assay. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species were determined fluorometrically with the use of dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCF-DA). Human aortic endothelial cells and U937 were used as endothelial cells and monocytic cells, respectively. The surface expression and mRNA levels of VCAM-1 were determined by enzyme immunoassay and RT-PCR performed on endothelial cell monolayers stimulated with 7-ketocholesterol or TNF-alpha. The numbers of monocytic cells adhering on the stimulated endothelial cells were counted in the microscopic fields. Translocation of p65 protein to the nucleus was estimated by fluorescence microscopy. Azelnidipine, but not nifedipine, reduced the signal intensity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals. Azelnidipine scavenged hydroxyl radicals, but not superoxide radicals. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and RelA (p65) nuclear translocation in stimulated endothelial cells were reduced by azelnidipine. Azelnidipine significantly inhibited the expression of protein and mRNA of VCAM-1, and prevented the U937 cell adhesion to endothelial cells treated with 7-ketocholesterol or TNF-alpha. These results suggest that azelnidipine works as an anti-atherogenic agent by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species-dependent expression of VCAM-1 induced by 7-ketocholesterol and TNF-alpha.
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PMID:Azelnidipine, a new calcium channel blocker, inhibits endothelial inflammatory response by reducing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. 1691 61

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis evolves from activation of the inflammatory cascade. We propose that activation of the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), a key transcription factor in the inflammatory cascade, occurs in OSA. Nine age-matched, nonsmoking, and non-hypertensive men with OSA symptoms and seven similar healthy subjects were recruited for standard polysomnography followed by the collection of blood samples for monocyte nuclear p65 concentrations (OSA and healthy groups). In the OSA group, p65 and of monocyte production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured at the same time and after the next night of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). p65 Concentrations in the OSA group were significantly higher than in the control group [median, 0.037 ng/microl (interquartile range, 0.034 to 0.051) vs 0.019 ng/microl (interquartile range, 0.013 to 0.032); p = 0.008], and in the OSA group were significantly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index and time spent below an oxygen saturation of 90% (r = 0.77 and 0.88, respectively) after adjustment for age and BMI. One night of CPAP resulted in a reduction in p65 [to 0.020 ng/mul (interquartile range, 0.010 to 0.036), p = 0.04] and levels of TNF-alpha production in cultured monocytes [16.26 (interquartile range, 7.75 to 24.85) to 7.59 ng/ml (interquartile range, 5.19 to 12.95), p = 0.01]. NF-kappaB activation occurs with sleep-disordered breathing. Such activation of NF-kappaB may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in OSA patients.
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PMID:Evidence for activation of nuclear factor kappaB in obstructive sleep apnea. 1701 5

Epidemiological data have implicated perturbations in the regulation of NF-kappaB activity to diseases that affect a large number of Americans today. Specifically, chronic activation of genes involved in the inflammatory response is associated with the progression of and complications in diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Insight into the mechanisms governing the regulation of NF-kappaB transcriptional activity will provide the molecular link between NF-kappaB and these pathological states. SIMPL (signaling molecule that associates with mouse Pelle-like kinase) is a component of a signaling pathway through which tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces NF-kappaB-controlled gene transcription. SIMPL interacts with the nuclear pool of the NF-kappaB subunit, p65, in a TNF-alpha-dependent manner to enhance p65-dependent gene transcription. How SIMPL activity is regulated is unknown. Under basal as well as TNF-alpha-stimulated conditions, SIMPL phosphopeptides were identified. SIMPL mutants lacking sites that are phosphorylated under basal conditions diminished p65 transactivation activity but had no effect on SIMPL nuclear localization. SIMPL mutants lacking sites of TNF-alpha-enhanced phosphorylation impaired nuclear localization and prevented TNF-alpha-induced p65 transactivation activity. Together, these studies reveal that phosphorylation of the SIMPL protein plays a critical role in SIMPL regulation by affecting both SIMPL subcellular localization and the p65 coactivator function of SIMPL.
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PMID:Phosphorylation of SIMPL modulates RelA-associated NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. 1707 33

The G protein-coupled receptor G2A is highly expressed on macrophages and lymphocytes and has been localized to atherosclerotic plaques. We examined the role of G2A in modulating monocyte/endothelial interactions in the vessel wall. We measured adhesion of WEHI 78/24 monocytes to aortas of C57BL/6 (B6) and G2A-deficient (G2A(-/-)) mice using an ex vivo adhesion assay. G2A(-/-) mice had 10-fold elevations in adhesion of monocytes to aortas. Injection of GFP-expressing wild-type macrophages into B6 and G2A(-/-) mice in vivo showed increased macrophage accumulation in the aortic wall of G2A(-/-) mice. We isolated aortic endothelial cells (ECs) from B6 and G2A(-/-) mice and found a 2-fold increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin surface expression on G2A(-/-) ECs using flow cytometry. Using ELISA, we found a 3-fold increase in interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production by G2A(-/-) ECs compared with B6 ECs. We found a dramatic increase in nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappaB in G2A(-/-) ECs. Transfection of G2A into G2A(-/-) ECs to restore normal expression levels reduced p65 nuclear localization to 35%. Restoration of G2A expression in G2A(-/-) ECs significantly reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endothelial selectin surface expression and reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6 production. Restoring G2A to G2A(-/-) ECs reduced monocyte adhesion by 80% compared with G2A(-/-) ECs in a flow chamber assay. Absence of G2A in endothelium results in proinflammatory signaling and increased monocyte/endothelial interactions in the aortic wall. Thus, endothelial G2A expression may aid in prevention of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Absence of the G protein-coupled receptor G2A in mice promotes monocyte/endothelial interactions in aorta. 1733 35

Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone), the main active compound of the traditionally used Chinese herb Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardiovascular protective activities. We studied how the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), one of the key molecules in the development of atherosclerosis, might be affected by paeonol in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Paeonol concentration-dependently inhibited the production of ICAM-1; it inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 translocation into the nucleus and the phosphorylation of inhibitory factor kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha). It also blocked the TNF-alpha-induced phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which are involved in regulating ICAM-1 production by TNF-alpha. Paeonol inhibited U937 monocyte adhesion to HUVECs stimulated by TNF-alpha, suggesting that it may inhibit the binding of monocytes to endothelium by regulating the production of critical adhesion molecules by TNF-alpha. The inhibitory effect of paeonol on ICAM-1 production might be mediated by inhibiting p38, ERK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways, which are involved in TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 production. Thus, paeonol may be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Paeonol suppresses intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells by blocking p38, ERK and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways. 1727 92

Expression of cell adhesion molecules by endothelium and the attachment of monocytes to endothelium may play a major role in atherosclerosis. Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound found in fruits and nuts including raspberries, strawberries, grapes and walnuts. Previous studies have indicated that EA possesses antioxidant activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effects of EA on the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, the translocation of NFkappaB and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule (E-selectin) induced by IL-1beta in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We found that EA significantly reduced the binding of human monocytic cell line, U937, to IL-1beta-treated HUVEC. The production of reactive oxygen species by IL-1beta was dose-dependently suppressed by EA. Supplementation with increasing doses of EA up to 50 micromol/l was most effective in inhibiting the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Furthermore, the inhibition of IL-1beta-induced adhesion molecule expression by EA was manifested by the suppression of nuclear translocation of p65 and p50. In conclusion, EA inhibits IL-1beta-induced nuclear translocation of p65 and p50, thereby suppressing the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin, resulting in decreased monocyte adhesion. Thus, EA has anti-inflammatory properties and may play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Ellagic acid inhibits IL-1beta-induced cell adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. 1734 82

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an effective component of traditional Chinese medicine Chuanxiong, is commonly used to resolve embolism. Its possible therapeutic effect against atherosclerosis has received considerable attention recently. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is highly implicated in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), resulting in atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of TMP in the proliferation of VSMCs induced by Ang II remain to be defined. The present study was aimed to study the effect of TMP on Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation through detection of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression. Primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells were divided into the control group, Ang II group, Ang II + TMP group and TMP group. Cells in each group were harvested at different time points (15, 30 and 60 min for detection of NF-kappaB activity; 6, 12 and 24 h for measurement of BMP-2 expression). NF-kappaB activation was identified as nuclear staining by immunohistochemistry. BMP-2 expression was observed through Western blot, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The results showed that: (1) Ang II stimulated the activation of NF-kappaB. Translocation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit from cytoplasm to nucleus appeared as early as 15 min, peaked at 30 min (P<0.01) and declined after 1 h. (2) TMP inhibited Ang II-induced NF-kappaB activation (P<0.01). (3) Ang II increased BMP-2 expression at 6 h but declined it significantly at 12 and 24 h (P<0.01). (4) BMP-2 expression was also kept at high level at 6 h in Ang II + TMP group but maintained at the normal level at 12 and 24 h. (5) There was no significant difference in NF-kappaB activation and BMP-2 expression between the control group and TMP group. These results indicate that TMP inhibits Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation through repression of NF-kappaB activation and BMP-2 reduction, and BMP-2 expression is independent of the NF-kappaB pathway. In conclusion, TMP has therapeutic potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Tetramethylpyrazine inhibits agiontensin II-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation and bone morphogenetic protein-2 downregulation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. 1757 90

Tissue factor (TF) is the primary initiator of the coagulation cascade. Ca(2+) signaling is involved in TF gene expression. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor (CCR2) play a pivotal role in the inflammation of atherosclerosis. Although nitric oxide (NO) impairment appears to promote thrombogenicity in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs), little is known about its mechanism. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) promoted MCP-1 expression in EC culture. In response to monocyte adhesion, increased TF expression accompanied by NF-kappaB p65 activation was observed in L-NAME-treated ECs compared with non-treated ECs. This increased TF expression was prevented by BAPTA-AM, an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator. Monocyte attachment to L-NAME- treated ECs increased Ca(2+) influx compared with non-treated ECs, which was prevented by the blockade of MCP1/CCR2. These findings suggest that increased production of MCP-1 caused by L-NAME contributes to the enhancement of Ca(2+) influx only when monocytes adhered to ECs and that this may accelerate TF expression in ECs triggered by monocyte adhesion. We demonstrate the role of Ca(2+) influx via MCP-1/CCR2 under NO impairment in TF expression in monocyte-EC interaction.
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PMID:Role of Ca(2+)influx in tissue factor expression in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. 1758 61

Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution has been implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Short-term exposure has also been suggested to contribute to complications of atherosclerosis. Aberrant regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation is thought to associate with the pathophysiology of vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigate the influence of organic extracts of motorcycle exhaust particulates (MEPE) on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and related regulation signaling. Exposure of VSMCs to MEPE (10-100 microg/mL) enhanced serum-induced VSMC proliferation. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was also enhanced in the presence of MEPE. VSMCs treated with MEPE induced the increase in the extent of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein expression and prostaglandin E 2 production, whereas the level of COX-1 protein was unchanged. Moreover, MEPE increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. MEPE could also trigger time-dependently extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation in VSMCs, which was attenuated by antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC). The level of translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-p65 in the nuclei of VSMCs was also increased under MEPE exposure. The potentiating effect of MEPE on serum-induced VSMC proliferation could be abolished by COX-2 selective inhibitor NS-398, specific ERK inhibitor PD98059, and antioxidants NAC and PDTC. Taken together, these findings suggest that MEPE may contribute to the enhancement of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by augmenting proliferation of VSMCs through a ROS-regulated ERK1/2-activated COX-2 signaling pathway.
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PMID:Upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 by motorcycle exhaust particulate-induced reactive oxygen species enhances rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. 1764 4

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