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)

Thrombin has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis, in which migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a crucial event. Thrombin-stimulated VSMC migration is associated with increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and production of growth factors and chemoattractants. In this study, we examined the interrelation of these signals to determine the pathway controlling thrombin-directed migration of human VSMC. Our results show that thrombin stimulated the production of ROS and activation of p38 MAPK. ROS were required for thrombin-induced VSMC migration since both generation of ROS and cell migration were significantly attenuated by inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and apocynin (Apo.), and by the hydrogen peroxide scavenger, catalase (Cat.). Activation of p38 MAPK by thrombin was inhibited by DPI, Apo. and Cat., indicating ROS are used as messengers for activating this kinase. p38 MAPK is an important step since SB 203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed the cell migration induced by thrombin. Furthermore, thrombin increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a chemoattractant for VSMC, and this expression was inhibited by DPI, Apo., Cat. and SB 203580. Addition of anti-VEGF antibody significantly attenuated thrombin-induced migration. Collectively, the data presented here show that thrombin has stimulated VSMC migration and VEGF expression through an ROS-sensitive p38 MAPK pathway. VEGF synthesized and released by the cell served as a secondary mediator in thrombin-directed migration.
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PMID:Reactive oxygen species-sensitive p38 MAPK controls thrombin-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. 1473 41

In a variety of vascular disorders, endothelial cells (ECs) are exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated intercellularly. Recently, several anti-oxidants, including catalase, have been suggested to be cytoprotective against the development of atherosclerosis. The object of this study was to investigate whether adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of catalase in ECs can attenuate ROS production and cell apoptosis under oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) stimulation. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of human catalase gene (Ad-Cat) resulted in a high level of catalase overexpression in human arterial EC (HAEC), which manifested a time-dependent increase in cell viability under the exposure of oxLDL and decreased oxLDL-induced apoptosis. Phosphorylation studies of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, three subgroups of mitogen activator protein kinase demonstrated that catalase overexpression suppressed JNK phosphorylation and increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. NF-kappaB and AP-1 were induced after the exposure of HAECs to oxLDL. While catalase overexpression was found to inactivate AP-1, it had no effect on NF-kappaB activity. These results provide the evidence that overexpression of catalase in ECs attenuates ROS production and cell apoptosis under oxLDL stimulation. The protective effect is mediated through the downregulation of JNK and the upregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as AP-1 inactivation. This observation supports the feasibility of catalase gene transfer to human endothelium to protect against oxidant injury.
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PMID:Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of catalase attenuates oxLDL-induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells via AP-1 and C-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. 1473 55

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and thus block cholesterol and isoprenoid biosynthesis. Since statins also have anti-inflammatory effects, we investigated the effect of fluvastatin on monocyte Fcgamma receptor function. Fluvastatin (0.5-20 microM) inhibited Fcgamma receptor signal transduction at the level of tyrosine kinase activation, in a time and dose dependent manner. Initiation of tyrosine phosphorylation is not thought to involve prenylated proteins; thus, we hypothesised that fluvastatin might disrupt cholesterol and sphingolipid membrane rafts to impair signalling. Consistent with this hypothesis, fluvastatin decreased (and mevalonate rescued) signalling molecules within membrane rafts in parallel with effects on tyrosine phosphorylation events. Raft integrity was unaffected by prenyl transferase inhibitors. In addition, Fcgamma receptor mediated immune complex trafficking, activation of MAP kinases (ERK and p38), and downstream inflammatory mediator release (MMP-1 and IL-6) were blocked by fluvastatin. Thus, HMG-CoA reductase inhibition alters immune receptor signalling by disrupting membrane rafts essential for the initiation of signal transduction. Inhibition of Fcgamma receptor function may limit development and progression of atherosclerosis by decreasing monocyte/macrophage inflammatory mediator release. Since many receptors utilise cholesterol rich rafts this mechanism may have broader significance given the pleiotropic effects of statins.
Atherosclerosis 2004 Feb
PMID:Fluvastatin inhibits raft dependent Fcgamma receptor signalling in human monocytes. 1501 31

Hyperhomocysteinaemia has recently been recognized as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. However, the action mechanisms of homocysteine (Hcy) are not well understood. Given that Hcy may be involved in the recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils to the vascular wall, we have investigated the role of Hcy in essential functions of human neutrophils. We show that Hcy increased superoxide anion (O2*-) release by neutrophils to the extracellular medium, and that this effect was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activity. The enzyme from rat peritoneal macrophages displayed a similar response. These effects were accompanied by a time-dependent increased translocation of p47phox and p67phox subunits of NADPH oxidase to the plasma membrane. We also show that Hcy increased intracellular H2O2 production by neutrophils, that Hcy enhanced the activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), specifically p38-MAPK and ERK1/2, and that the migration of neutrophils was increased by Hcy. Present results are the first evidence that Hcy enhances the oxidative stress of neutrophils, and underscore the potential role of phagocytic cells in vascular wall injury through O2*- release in hyperhomocysteinaemia conditions.
Atherosclerosis 2004 Feb
PMID:Homocysteine enhances superoxide anion release and NADPH oxidase assembly by human neutrophils. Effects on MAPK activation and neutrophil migration. 1501 32

High density lipoproteins (HDL) induce prostacyclin (PGI(2)) release in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Our goal was to analyse the mechanisms underlying this effect, and its potential modulation by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in human VSMC. The contribution of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways was assessed by Western blot analysis and using specific inhibitors [PD098059 for p42/44 MAPK kinase (MEK); SB203580 for p38 MAPK or L-JNKI1 for c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1)]. HDL-induced PGI(2) release was inhibited by rofecoxib (a specific Cox-2 inhibitor, 5 microM). HDL induced the early activation of p42 MAPK, p38 MAPK and JNK-1. p42/44 MAPK was the major pathway involved in both Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) synthesis; p38 MAPK was also involved in both processes while JNK inhibition only affected PGI(2) synthesis. Pertussis toxin (an inhibitor of Galphai/Galphao proteins) prevented MAPK activation and inhibited both Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) release. Genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) inhibited PGI(2) release without affecting MAPK activation or Cox-2 up-regulation. Simvastatin (0.1-1 microM) increased HDL-induced PGI(2) release ( approximately 45% at 1 microM) but did not significantly modify early MAPK activation or Cox-2 expression. Simvastatin alone did not significantly affect PGI(2) release. Our results suggest that mechanisms associated with G protein-coupled receptor activation, trigger Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) release via multiple MAPK signalling pathways in VSMC. The mechanism is independent of tyrosine kinase receptors, although cytosolic tyrosine kinases could activate Cox-2 post-translationally. The potential contribution of HDL to vascular homeostasis, via increases in PGI(2) synthesis, could be enhanced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Atherosclerosis 2004 Jun
PMID:Simvastatin potenciates PGI(2) release induced by HDL in human VSMC: effect on Cox-2 up-regulation and MAPK signalling pathways activated by HDL. 1513 60

Although it has been established that myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) plays pivotal roles in the development of the cardiovascular system as well as skeletal muscle cells, little is known of its role in vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. To investigate the role of MEF2 in vascular inflammation and that of p38 in the activation of MEF2, we infected cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with an adenovirus construct expressing a dominant-negative mutant of MEF2A (MEF2ASA) or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MEK6AA), and examined their effects on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which is known to play important roles in vascular inflammation. We also examined the role of MEF2 in vivo using a rat model of transluminal wire-induced injury of the femoral artery. Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced expression of MCP-1 mRNA was significantly inhibited by infection with adenoviruses encoding MEF2ASA (AdMEF2ASA) or MEK6AA. Ang II-induced increase of MCP-1 promoter activity was also significantly suppressed by overexpression of MEF2ASA or MEK6AA. Ang II stimulated the transactivating function of MEF2A and this activation was inhibited by overexpression of MEK6AA. Infection with AdMEF2ASA suppressed MCP-1 expression in the femoral artery after the transluminal mechanical injury. AdMEF2ASA infection also inhibited macrophages infiltration and neointimal formation in the wire-injured femoral arteries. These results suggested that MEF2 activation via the p38-dependent pathway mediates vascular inflammation via stimulation of MCP-1 expression in VSMCs and macrophages infiltration.
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PMID:Myocyte enhancer factor 2 mediates vascular inflammation via the p38-dependent pathway. 1517 40

Atherosclerosis is a focal inflammatory disease and preferentially occurs in areas of low fluid shear stress and oscillatory flow, whereas the risk of atherosclerosis is decreased in regions of high fluid shear stress and steady laminar flow. Sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1) catalyzes the conversion of sphingosine to sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P), a sphingolipid metabolite that plays important roles in angiogenesis, inflammation, and cell growth. In the present study, we demonstrated that exposure of human aortic endothelial cells to oscillatory flow (shear stress, +/-5 dyn/cm(2) for 48 h) resulted in a marked increase in SphK1 mRNA levels compared with endothelial cells kept in static culture. In contrast, laminar flow (shear stress, 20 dyn/cm(2) for 48 h) decreased SphK1 mRNA levels. We further investigated the role of SphK1 in TNF-alpha-induced expression of inflammatory genes, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and VCAM-1 by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) specifically for SphK1. Treatment of endothelial cells with SphK1 siRNA suppressed TNF-alpha-induced increase in MCP-1 mRNA levels, MCP-1 protein secretion, and activation of p38 MAPK. SphK1 siRNA also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cell surface expression of VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1, protein. Exposure of endothelial cells to S1P led to an increase in MCP-1 protein secretion and MCP-1 mRNA levels and activation of NF-kappaB-mediated transcriptional activity. Treatment of endothelial cells with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 suppressed S1P-induced MCP-1 protein secretion. These data suggest that SphK1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 gene expression through a p38 MAPK-dependent pathway and may participate in oscillatory flow-mediated proinflammatory signaling pathway in the vasculature.
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PMID:Sphingosine kinase-1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 gene expression in endothelial cells: upregulation by oscillatory flow. 1519 88

1 Irbesartan is a promising antihypertensive drug with beneficial effects on atherosclerotic processes. In the progression of atherosclerosis, human T-lymphocytes play an important role, but it is not yet known how irbesartan modulates human T-lymphocytes activation. To gain insight into the mechanisms by which irbesartan acts, we investigated its effects on human T-lymphocytes. 2 Primary human T-lymphocytes were isolated from whole blood. Cytokines were determined by ELISA. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) and related protein activities were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, kinase assays, Western blotting and transfection assays. 3 Irbesartan inhibited the production of both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma by activated T-cells, especially at therapeutic concentrations. Further investigation at the molecular level indicated that the inhibition of activated human T-lymphocytes specifically correlated with the downregulation of AP-1 DNA-binding activity. In the Jurkat T-cell line, irbesartan also inhibited AP-1 transcriptional activity. Finally, we revealed that irbesartan is unique in its ability to inhibit the activation of both c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase and p38 MAPK. 4 Our studies show that irbesartan may modulate inflammation-based atherosclerotic diseases through a cell-mediated mechanism involving suppression of human T-lymphocytes activation via downregulation of AP-1 activity.
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PMID:Irbesartan inhibits human T-lymphocyte activation through downregulation of activator protein-1. 1521 May 74

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are closely linked to the development of diabetic atherosclerosis. The current study examines the induction of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression by AGEs, as well as the signaling pathways involved and the interplay between these two enzymes. The stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with 6.64 or 33.2 microg/ml AGEs leads to HO-1 protein expression, iNOS protein expression, and nitrite accumulation. AGEs lead to the phosphorylation of p42/44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The inhibition of p42/44 MAPK and protein kinase C prevented, whereas inhibition of p38 MAPK augmented, AGE-induced nitrite release and iNOS expression. In contrast, HO-1 expression was downregulated by inhibition of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, the expression of both proteins was prevented by coincubation with acetovanillone (NADPH oxidase inhibitor). AGE-induced iNOS expression was negatively regulated by stimulation of HO-1 expression with cadmium chloride or endogenous NO. Tin-protoporphyrin IX (HO-1 inhibitor) partially reversed the cadmium chloride-mediated downregulation of iNOS expression. The current study demonstrates that multiple signaling molecules are involved in AGE-stimulated iNOS and HO-1 expression. There also exists a downregulation of iNOS by its own product as well as the products of HO-1.
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PMID:Regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in advanced glycation end product-stimulated raw 264.7 cells: the role of heme oxygenase-1 and endogenous nitric oxide. 1522 Feb 9

Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) promote vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) infection of PBMC is found in atherosclerotic patients, appears refractory to antibiotics, and may predispose to vascular damage. In Cp-infected human PBMC we analyzed the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) for the proatherosclerotic key mediators prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interstitial collagenase (MMP-1). Cp infection resulted in rapid and sustained Cox-2 mRNA and protein stimulation depending on p38 and p44/42 MAPkinases. Subsequent upregulation of PGE synthase and MMP-1 was completely abrogated by the selective Cox-2 inhibitor NS398. Enhanced synthesis of PGE2 and MMP-1 in Cp infected PBMC is mediated through initiation of the p38 and p44/42 MAPK pathways and requires sustained Cox-2 activation. Selective Cox-2 inhibitors, currently under investigation for cardiovascular risk reduction, may represent a novel therapeutic option for patients with endovascular Cp infection as they target the actuated pathological signal transduction cascade in persistently infected PBMC.
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PMID:Cox-2 inhibition abrogates Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced PGE2 and MMP-1 expression. 1524 Jan 10


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