Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Diet-derived lipids may influence cytokine-mediated endothelial cell dysfunction, including TNF-induced apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, oxidative stress, intracellular calcium levels, endothelial barrier function, cell viability, and apoptosis were measured in vascular endothelial cells treated with 90 microM linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) and/or 20 ng/mL TNF (100 U/mL). For short-term exposure, endothelial cells were exposed to 18:2 for 6 h or to TNF for 1.5 h. For long-term exposure, endothelial cultures were treated with 18:2 for 24 h and with TNF for 19.5 h. In cells exposed to 18:2 + TNF, pretreatment with 18:2 began 4.5 h before additional exposure to TNF for either 1.5 h (short-term exposure) or 19.5 h (long-term exposure). After treatment, endothelial cultures were washed and incubated with maintenance medium for up to 4 days. Although initial treatment with TNF or 18:2 significantly increased oxidative stress and intracellular calcium levels, only exposure to TNF induced apoptosis in cultured endothelial cells. Furthermore, the combined exposure to 18:2 + TNF potentiated TNF-induced apoptosis. Additional treatments with BAPTA-AM, n-propyl gallate, vitamin E, and with aurintricarboxylic acid partially protected against TNF- or 18:2 + TNF-induced apoptosis. The present study suggests that changes in the cellular lipid environment may markedly influence local TNF-induced events in the vascular endothelium, including endothelial cell apoptosis. Such mechanisms may play a role in the damage and death of vascular endothelial cells in atherosclerosis.
 ...
PMID:Linoleic acid potentiates TNF-mediated oxidative stress, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis of cultured vascular endothelial cells. 937 37

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) enhances the biosynthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in endothelial cells and bone marrow-derived stromal cells of the rat. This study investigates (i) whether ET-1 stimulates the formation of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) in cultured macrophages or in the anaesthetized rat. Incubation of J774.2 macrophages with ET-1 (0.001-1 microM) caused a concentration- and time-dependent increase in the concentration of TNF alpha, but not of IFN gamma, in the culture medium. The increase in TNF alpha caused by stimulation of J774.2 macrophages was abolished by pretreatment of cells with (i) the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, (ii) with the selective ETA-receptor antagonists BQ-123 or BQ-485 (but not the selective ETB-receptor antagonist BQ-788), (iii) the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein or tyrphostin AG126, or (iv) with the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. The inhibition by dexamethasone of the formation of TNF alpha by cells activated with ET-1 is not due to the formation of lipocortin-1 (LC1), as it was not reduced by a monoclonal antibody against LC1. Systemic administration (i.v.) of ET-1 (1 nmol.kg-1) to anaesthetized rats caused a rapid and sustained (maximum: 45 min; return to baseline: within 180 min) rise in the plasma levels of TNF alpha. This is the first demonstration that ET-1 can release proinflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. The generation of TNF alpha caused by ET-1 involves (in sequence) the (i) activation of ETA-receptors, (ii) activation of tyrosine kinase resulting in the phosphorylation of intracellular proteins, (iii) the activation of, hitherto, unknown transcription factors, finally resulting in (iv) transcription and translation of the TNF alpha gene. The generation of TNF alpha by cells activated with ET-1 points to a pro-inflammatory role of ET-1 in diseases associated with local (e.g. atherosclerosis, heart failure) or systemic inflammation (circulatory shock), which are associated with high ET-1 plasma levels.
 ...
PMID:Endothelin-1 stimulates the biosynthesis of tumour necrosis factor in macrophages: ET-receptors, signal transduction and inhibition by dexamethasone. 944 16

We demonstrated endothelial production of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the third member of the natriuretic peptide family, and its regulation by cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). We thus proposed that CNP can control vascular tone and growth as an endothelium-derived relaxing peptide. We also revealed the marked elevation of plasma CNP concentration in patients with septic shock, in which TNF alpha plays a significant part. As the interaction between endothelial cells (EC) and monocytes-macrophages plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we investigated the effect of coculture of EC and macrophages on endothelial production of CNP. We used a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, which differentiates into macrophages when treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The coculture of EC and THP-1-derived macrophages enhanced CNP secretion by more than 10-fold compared with the single culture of EC or the coculture of EC and THP-1 without phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment. Prevention of direct contact between EC and THP-1-derived macrophages did not attenuate the increase in CNP secretion. Northern blotting revealed the augmentation of CNP messenger RNA expression in EC in the coculture. We detected TNF alpha in the conditioned medium from the coculture of EC and THP-1-derived macrophages. Furthermore, anti-TNF alpha antibody inhibited the stimulation of CNP secretion in the coculture. CNP at a concentration of 1 nM did not stimulate cGMP production in EC or THP-1-derived macrophages, but it elevated cGMP production significantly in vascular smooth muscle cells. These results indicate that endothelial production of CNP is stimulated mainly by TNF alpha released from THP-1-derived macrophages in the coculture. Endothelial CNP at the enhanced level may be one of the vascular mediators to regulate local vascular tone and growth through cGMP production by vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting the potential significance of endothelial CNP in atherosclerosis.
 ...
PMID:Regulation of endothelial production of C-type natriuretic peptide by interaction between endothelial cells and macrophages. 952 78

The possible contribution of apo-HDL serum amyloid A (SAA) to the protective effect of HDL against atherosclerosis was studied by evaluating its effect on bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) proliferation. Our results suggest that human SAA, both purified and recombinant, in concentrations relevant to mild acute phase events, significantly inhibit endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (e.g., 50 micrograms/ml causes approximately 88% inhibition; p < 0.001). This inhibition was attenuated by addition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which antagonized the SAA-mediated effect. As levels of TNF may be highly elevated during the acute phase response, its effect on BAEC proliferation was evaluated and found, at concentrations of > 1 pg/ml, to be substantially inhibitory Co-incubation of cells with both SAA and TNF was inhibitory, albeit neither additive nor synergistic. FGF antagonized the effect of both proteins. Amyloidic deposit (AA, i.e. SAA 1-76), derived from pathological proteolysis of SAA, practically retains the inhibitory activity (e.g. 50 micrograms/ml causes approximately 66% inhibition; p < 0.001) but apparently lacks the regulatory site towards FGF. In contrast to the above inhibitory effect, synthetic SAA-related peptide corresponding to the sequence 29-33 of SAA enhances BAEC proliferation (50 micrograms/ml causes approximately 64% increase; p < 0.001). The present data, coupled with our previous observations in which SAA was found to induce endothelial PGI2 formation and to inhibit overproduction of PGI2 by TNF and LPS as well as platelet aggregation, may suggest that SAA contributes to the protective effect of HDL against atherosclerosis. This, by means of its modulatory effect on endothelial cell and platelet activation, primarily in the presence of other regulatory proteins. SAA-derived peptides may, potentially, be used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
 ...
PMID:Effect of serum amyloid A, HDL-apolipoprotein, on endothelial cell proliferation. Implication of an enigmatic protein to atherosclerosis. 957 44

The study was aimed to explore the possible involvement of the acute phase HDL apolipoprotein, serum amyloid A (SAA) in the regulation of PGI2 production by endothelial cells. This, in view of the recent detection of SAA mRNA in endothelial cells of human atherosclerotic lesions. Human SAA induces PGI2 formation in bovine aortic endothelial cells culture in a concentration relevant to moderate acute phase events. 50 micrograms/ml of purified human SAA increases PGI2 production from a mean basal level of 2,490 +/- 330 pg/ml by 1.80 +/- 0.1 fold (n = 10; p < 0.01). The PGI2 inducing activity resides apparently in the N-terminal, i.e. amino acid residues 1-14, of the SAA molecule, 50 micrograms/ml of the peptide induces 2.9 +/- 0.5 fold increase of PGI2 production (n = 4; p < 0.03). TNF and LPS each induce PGI2 production in a concentration and time dependent manner. TNF in concentration of 10 ng/ml induces, in the presence of calf serum, an increase of 24.9 +/- 2.3 fold (n = 4; p < 0.001) and LPS in concentration of 1 microgram/ml causes a 18.3 +/- 1.3 fold increase, (n = 4; p < 0.01). In serum-free cultures, only a 2.5 +/- 0.3 fold increase was detected by 10 ng/ml TNF (n = 4), and a 5.9 +/- 0.4 by 1 microgram/ml of LPS. Thus, serum has a strong effect on PGI2 induction. When 50 micrograms/ml SAA is coadministered with 1 ng/ml TNF it reduces the TNF-induction of PGI2 from 7.7 +/- 2.8 to 3.3 +/- 1.2 fold (n = 4; p < 0.01). SAA attenuates, as well, LPS-mediated activity, although in a less pronounced manner. Our finding suggest a potential physiological function for SAA in regulation of basal and cytokine-induced PGI2 production by vascular endothelium. The capacity of SAA to markedly moderate PGI2 induction by TNF and LPS suggest that it may play a role in defending against vessel damage, in cases of atherosclerosis, bacterial infection or septic shock. The induction of PGI2 by SAA through its N-terminal domain, which also exhibits an anti-platelet aggregation activity, suggests a potential therapeutical use for this peptide as an anti-hypertensive and an anti-aggregatory agent.
 ...
PMID:Modulation of prostaglandin I2 production from bovine aortic endothelial cells by serum amyloid A and its N-terminal tetradecapeptide. 957 50

There is evidence for the presence of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) in oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein, human plasma and in atherosclerotic lesions. We studied the effect of lysoPC on the cytokine production by human monocytes. Among all the cytokines tested (IL-8, TNF alpha, MCP-1 and IL-1beta), we found that lysoPC most consistently stimulated human monocytes to produce IL-1beta in a dose and time dependent manner. Adherent monocytes were exposed to lysoPC in cell culture medium containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin. When exposed to lysoPC from 12.5 to 75 microM, the cellular content of IL-1beta increased 2-4 fold. Up to a concentration of 50 microM no cytotoxic effect could be seen. Over 50 microM there was evidence of toxicity. The level of IL-1beta reached its highest level at 24 h and then declined. At 48 h, the cell associated IL-1beta was low, but still the lysoPC stimulated cells produced 4.1 times more IL-1beta than controls. Also the IL-1beta mRNA was augmented by lysoPC in parallel with the IL-1beta protein levels. The stimulatory effect of lysoPC was dependent on its chain length. There was no effect on IL-1beta production when the acyl chain was shorter than 16. We also found that saturated lysoPC 18:0 stimulated IL-1beta production more than the monounsaturated lysoPC 18:1. Thus, the lysoPC in oxidatively modified LDL may stimulate the production of IL-1beta in macrophages, which may contribute to the inflammatory response in atherosclerotic tissue.
Atherosclerosis 1998 Apr
PMID:Lysophosphatidylcholine induces the production of IL-1beta by human monocytes. 962 78

Why LDL entrapped in the subendothelium should trigger events leading to chronic inflammation and to arterial wall injury is a major enigma of modern medicine. Oxidation of LDL in vitro renders the molecule potentially atherogenic, and the concept that oxidation is the major single event underlying the transformation of LDL to a proinflammatory molecule dominates the world literature. Here, an alternative hypothesis on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will be presented. We have found that non-oxidative, enzymatic modification of LDL with ubiquitous enzymes (protease + cholesterol esterase + neuraminidase) also transforms the molecule to an atherogenic moiety. Enzymatically altered LDL (E-LDL) shares major properties in common with lipoproteins that have been isolated from atherosclerotic lesions. It activates complement via the alternative pathway and is recognized by a scavenger receptor on human macrophages, thus inducing foam cell formation. Uptake of E-LDL is accompanied by potent induction of MCP-1 synthesis and secretion. In contrast, E-LDL does not stimulate IL-1 or TNF-production and is only a weak inducer of IL-6. Monoclonal antibodies were produced that recognize neoepitopes on E-LDL, but that do not react with native or oxidized LDL. With the use of these antibodies, extensive deposition of E-LDL in very early atherosclerotic lesions was demonstrated. Activated complement components colocalized with E-LDL, corroborating the concept that subendothelially deposited LDL is enzymatically transformed to a complement activator at the earliest stages in lesion development. The pathogenetic relevance of unhalted complement activation in atherogenesis was demonstrated with the use of C6-deficient rabbits. It was found that C6-deficiency markedly protected against development of diet-induced atherosclerosis in the experimental animals. In sum, our hypothesis departs from the mainstream of atherosclerosis research and derives from the recognition that extracellular exposition of free cholesterol in LDL-particles by itself confers pro-inflammatory properties onto the lipoprotein molecule. We believe that the degrading enzymes are ubiquitously present in the extracellular matrix, so the only requirement for atherogenesis to occur is the deposition of large amounts of LDL. Oxidative processes or infections probably play only minor roles, and reduction of LDL plasma levels will predictably represent the single most important prophylactic measure against development and progression of atherosclerosis.
 ...
PMID:[An alternative hypothesis of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis]. 964 97

Numerous epidemiological studies have suggested an association between the acute phase response and atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase (PON) is an HDL associated enzyme that protects LDL from oxidative stress. Here we demonstrate that serum PON activity decreases following endotoxin (LPS) administration in Syrian hamsters. This decrease is seen within 24 h following LPS treatment and doses as low as 100 ng/100 g body weight of LPS elicit a reduction in serum PON activity. LPS also induces a marked decrease in PON1 mRNA in the liver (80% decrease). The decrease in mRNA levels is observed as early as 4 h and is sustained for at least 48 h after a single LPS treatment. Moreover, TNF and IL-1, cytokines which mediate the acute phase response, also decrease serum PON activity and PON mRNA levels in the liver. Additionally, TNF and IL-1 treatment of HepG2 cells results in a decrease in PON mRNA levels indicating that these cytokines are capable of directly affecting liver cells. Along with other changes in lipid metabolism that occur during the acute phase response, the decrease in PON could be another factor linking the acute phase response with increased atherogenesis.
Atherosclerosis 1998 Aug
PMID:Paraoxonase activity in the serum and hepatic mRNA levels decrease during the acute phase response. 971 37

The resistance to insulin (insulin resistance, IR) is a common feature and a possible link between such frequent disorders as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypertension and obesity. Pharmacological amelioration of IR and understanding its pathophysiology are therefore essential for successful management of these disorders. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms of action of thiazolidinediones (TDs), a new family of insulin-sensitizing agents. Experimental studies of various models of IR and an increasing number of clinical studies have shown that TDs normalize a wide range of metabolic abnormalities associated with IR. By improving insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles, the adipose tissue and hepatocytes, TDs reduce fasting hyperglycaemia and insulinaemia. Furthermore, TDs markedly influence lipid metabolism--they decrease plasma triglyceride, free fatty acid and LDL-cholesterol levels, and increase plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Although TDs do not stimulate insulin secretion, they improve the secretory response of beta cells to insulin secretagogues. TDs act at various levels of glucose and lipid metabolism--ameliorate some defects in the signalling cascade distal to the insulin receptor and improve glucose uptake in insulin-resistant tissues via increased expression of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. TDs also activate glycolysis in hepatocytes, oppose intracellular actions of cyclic AMP, and increase intracellular magnesium levels. TDs bind to peroxisome proliferator activating receptors gamma (PPAR gamma), members of the steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation and glucose and lipid homeostasis. Activation of PPAR gamma results in the expression of adipocyte-specific genes and differentiation of various cell types in mature adipocytes capable of active glucose uptake and energy storage in the form of lipids. Furthermore, TDs inhibit the pathophysiological effects exerted by tumour-necrosis factor (TNF alpha), a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of IR. These effects are most likely also mediated by stimulation of PPAR gamma. In mature adipocytes, PPAR gamma stimulation inhibits stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) enzyme activity resulting in a change of cell membrane fatty acid composition. Apart from their metabolic actions, TDs modulate cardiovascular function and morphology independently of the insulin-sensitizing effects. TDs decrease blood pressure in various models of hypertension as well as in hypertensive insulin-resistant patients, and inhibit proliferation, hypertrophy and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by growth factors. These processes are considered to be crucial in the development of vascular remodelling, atherosclerosis and diabetic organ complications. TDs induce vasodilation by blockade of Ca2+ mobilisation from intracellular stores and by inhibition of extracellular calcium uptake via L-channels. Furthermore, TDs interfere with pressor systems (catecholamines, renin-angiotensin system) and enhance endothelium-dependent vasodilation. A key role of TDs effects in vascular remodelling is played by inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. This signalling pathway is important for VSMC growth and migration in response to stimulation with tyrosine-kinase dependent growth factors. In addition to the vasoprotective mechanisms mentioned above, troglitazone, the latest representative of this pharmacological group, possesses antioxidant actions comparable to vitamin E. In summary, TDs have the unique ability to attack mechanisms responsible for metabolic alterations as well as for vascular abnormalities characteristic for IR. Therefore, TDs represent a powerful research tool in attempts to find a common denominator underlying the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome X. A recently reported link between MAP kinase signalling pathway and PPAR gamma
 ...
PMID:Thiazolidinediones--tools for the research of metabolic syndrome X. 980 67

The present review discusses recent research showing adipose tissue to be highly metabolically active, producing and releasing many different bioactive compounds besides free fatty acids (FFA) such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), leptin, acetylation stimulating protein (ASP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), prostaglandins and oestrogens. Most of these compounds have autocrine effects on the adipose cells and they are presumably involved in the physiological regulation of blood flow, growth and metabolism of the adipose tissue. When the adipose tissue becomes enlarged, as seen in association with obesity, it has now been shown that several of the compounds produced in the adipose tissue (TNF, PAI-1, CETP etc.) may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of some of the complications commonly seen in association with obesity such as insulin resistance, hypertension, enhanced thrombogenesis, and premature atherosclerosis.
 ...
PMID:[The auto- and endocrine function of the adipose tissue. Significance for metabolic complications in obesity]. 985 22


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>