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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (
atherosclerosis
)
77,401
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is the main catechin, which is derived from Camellia sinensis plant. Vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAMs) and intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) mediate the binding of inflammatory cells onto the vascular wall-promoting the early phase of
atherosclerosis
. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism(s) by which EGCG inhibits angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced elevation of the membrane associated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Ang II induced a 40% increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the plasma membrane. EGCG (10 to 50 microM) inhibited the effect of Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner. In parallel, the Ang II-induced elevation of the mRNA expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in HUVEC were completely inhibited by 50 microM EGCG. Since mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) families are involved in vascular inflammation in response to stressful stimuli, we investigated the effects of EGCG on the MAPK signal transduction pathway stimulated by Ang II. EGCG (30 to 50 microM) completely inhibited the Ang II-induced phosphorylation of ERK (
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
) 1/2 and p38 MAPK. PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 inhibited the Ang II-induced increase of VCAM-1 but not of ICAM-1 in the plasma membranes. In contrast, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK inhibited both the Ang II-induced enrichment of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. From these results, it may be concluded that EGCG inhibits the Ang II-induced elevation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the HUVEC plasma membranes via inhibition of the p38 MAPK and the ERK1/2 signalling pathways resulting in an inhibition of the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 transcription.
...
PMID:Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate inhibits the angiotensin II-induced adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cell via inhibition of MAPK pathways. 1798 68
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that exerts potent and diverse biological effects on several cardiovascular cells. We investigated the effect of S1P on interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). S1P inhibited NO production at concentrations higher than 0.1 muM; this was associated with the inhibition of iNOS protein and mRNA expression. S1P also inhibited IL-1beta-induced GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) mRNA expression. Pertussis toxin (PTX) partially attenuated the inhibitory effects of S1P on NO production and iNOS protein induction, whereas it completely blocked the inhibitory effects on iNOS and GTPCH mRNA expression. S1P inhibited iNOS expression in Ca(2+)-depleted conditions; PTX did not modify this effect. The Rho kinase inhibitor Y 27632 partially but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of S1P on iNOS expression in Ca(2+)-depleted condition but did not affect it in the presence of Ca(2+). S1P significantly inhibited IL-1beta-induced persistent activation of
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
) but had no effect in Ca(2+)-depleted conditions. Thus, S1P inhibits IL-1beta induction of NO production and iNOS expression in rat VSMCs through multiple mechanisms involving both PTX-sensitive and -insensitive G proteins coupled to S1P receptors. Furthermore, Ca(2+)-dependent
ERK
inhibition and Ca(2+)-independent Rho kinase activation might be involved in the inhibitory mechanism of iNOS expression. Through its action on NO production by VSMCs, S1P may play an important role in the progression of local vascular injury associated with thrombosis,
atherosclerosis
, and hypertension.
...
PMID:Sphingosine 1-phosphate inhibits nitric oxide production induced by interleukin-1beta in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. 1817 8
Proliferation of intimal vascular smooth muscle cells is an important component in the development of
atherosclerosis
. Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound present in fruits (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries) and walnuts. The present study investigated the effect of ellagic acid on the oxidised LDL (ox-LDL)-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). The study found that ellagic acid significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced proliferation of RASMC and phosphorylation of
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
) 1/2. Furthermore, ellagic acid also blocked the ox-LDL-induced (inducible) cell-cycle progression and down regulation of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in RASMC. Therefore, ellagic acid reduced the amount of ox-LDL-induced proliferation of RASMC via inactivation of the
ERK
pathway and suppression of PCNA expression. These results may significantly advance the understanding of the role that antioxidants play in the prevention of
atherosclerosis
.
...
PMID:Ellagic acid suppresses oxidised low-density lipoprotein-induced aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation: studies on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. 1818 51
Shear stress-induced
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
)5 activation and the consequent regulation of Kruppel-like factor 2 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression represents one of the antiinflammatory and vascular tone regulatory mechanisms maintaining normal endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is a major initiator of
atherosclerosis
, a vascular pathology often associated with diabetes. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) covalently attaches to certain residues of specific target transcription factors and could inhibit its activity. We investigated whether H(2)O(2) and AGE (advanced glycation end products), 2 well-known mediators of diabetes, negatively regulated ERK5 transcriptional activity and laminar flow-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression through ERK5 SUMOylation. H(2)O(2) and AGE induced endogenous ERK5 SUMOylation. In addition, ERK5 SUMOylation was increased in the aortas from diabetic mice. ERK5 transcriptional activity, but not kinase activity, was inhibited by expression of Ubc9 (SUMO E2 conjugase) or PIAS1 (E3 ligase), suggesting the involvement of ERK5 SUMOylation on its transcriptional activity. Point-mutation analyses showed that ERK5 is covalently modified by SUMO at 2 conserved sites, Lys6 and Lys22, and that the SUMOylation defective mutant of ERK5, dominant negative form of Ubc9 (DN-Ubc9), and small interfering RNA PIAS1 reversed H(2)O(2) and AGE-mediated reduction of shear stress-mediated ERK5/myocyte enhancer factor 2 transcriptional activity, as well as promoter activity of Kruppel-like factor 2. Finally, PIAS1 knockdown reversed the inhibitory effect of H(2)O(2) in shear stress-induced Kruppel-like factor 2 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. These data clearly defined SUMOylation-dependent ERK5 transcriptional repression independent of kinase activity and suggested this process as among the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-mediated endothelial dysfunction.
...
PMID:Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 SUMOylation antagonizes shear stress-induced antiinflammatory response and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in endothelial cells. 1834 14
C-reactive protein (CRP) is present in the atherosclerotic plaques and appears to promote atherogenesis. Intraplaque CRP colocalizes with oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) and macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in plaque rupture. CRP promotes OxLDL uptake and MMP induction in vitro; however, these have not been investigated in vivo. We examined the effect of CRP on OxLDL uptake and MMP-9 production in vivo in Wistar rats. CRP significantly increased OxLDL uptake in the peritoneal and sterile pouch macrophages compared with human serum albumin (huSA). CRP also significantly increased intracellular cholesteryl ester accumulation compared with huSA. The increased uptake of OxLDL by CRP was inhibited by pretreatment with antibodies to CD32, CD64, CD36, and fucoidin, suggesting uptake by both scavenger receptors and Fc-gamma receptors. Furthermore, CRP treatment increased MMP-9 activity in macrophages compared with huSA, which was abrogated by inhibitors to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
), and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) before human CRP treatment. Because OxLDL uptake by macrophages contributes to foam cell formation and MMP release contributes to plaque instability, this study provides novel in vivo evidence for the role of CRP in
atherosclerosis
.
...
PMID:Human C-reactive protein promotes oxidized low density lipoprotein uptake and matrix metalloproteinase-9 release in Wistar rats. 1824 17
Atherosclerosis
is an inflammatory disease in which dendritic cells have been suggested to play an essential role. The underlying signalling mechanisms are unknown thus far. The family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiates innate immune responses, and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) has been considered to be an important player in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic disease. The highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family is one of the major kinase families that regulate cells by transducing extracellular into cellular responses. Three important members of this family are the
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of TLR4 and MAPK families on dendritic cells (DC) in patients with coronary arteriosclerosis disease. We have examined the expression of TLR4 protein and mRNA by flow cytometry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the expression of MAPK family proteins have been determined by Western blot analysis. We examined the expression level of CD80 to value the maturation state of DC. We compared the levels of cytokines in DC in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that the expression of TLR4 and MAPK families are increased in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), compared with it in the patients with stable angina and controls. DC in ACS are activated evaluated by its mature marker and cytokine secreting responding to LPS. We suggest that TLR4 and MAPK families maybe involved in activation of circulating DC of ACS patients.
...
PMID:Toll-like receptor-4 and mitogen-activated protein kinase signal system are involved in activation of dendritic cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome. 1837 9
Vascular endothelial cells have a finite cell lifespan and eventually enter an irreversible growth arrest, cellular senescence. The functional changes associated with cellular senescence are thought to contribute to human aging and age-related cardiovascular disorders, for example,
atherosclerosis
. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a principal effector of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), an important signaling molecule involved in atherogenic stimuli, is known to promote aging and cellular senescence. In the present study, induction of Ang II promoted a growth arrest with phenotypic characteristics of cell senescence, such as enlarged cell shapes, increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) positive staining cells, and depressed cell proliferation. Ang II drastically decreased the expression level of Bcl-2, in part via the activation of
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
). Our results suggest that Ang II can induce HUVEC senescence; one of its molecular mechanisms is a probability that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway is involved in the process of pathological and physiological senescence of endothelial cells as well as vascular aging.
...
PMID:Angiotensin II induces endothelial cell senescence via the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. 1838 64
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) play an important role in the development of
atherosclerosis
and restenosis. Recent evidence indicates that PDGF increases intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species in VSMCs and that both PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation and migration are reactive oxygen species-dependent. Danshen is a representative oriental medicine used for the treatment of vascular disease. Previously, we reported that magnesium lithospermate B, an active component of Danshen, is a potent antioxidant. Thus we investigated the therapeutic potential of magnesium lithospermate B in neointimal formation after carotid artery injury in rats along with its effects on the PDGF signaling pathway for stimulating VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro. PDGF is dimeric glycoprotein composed of two A or two B chains. In this study, we used PDGF-BB, which is one of the isoforms of PDGF (i.e., PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and PDGF-AB). Our results demonstrated that magnesium lithospermate B directly scavenged reactive oxygen species in a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and reduced PDGF-BB-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation in VSMCs. In a rat carotid artery balloon injury model, magnesium lithospermate B treatment (10 mg/kg/day, i.p) showed a significant effect on the prevention of neointimal formation compared with vehicle treatment. In cultured VSMCs, magnesium lithospermate B significantly attenuated PDGF-BB-induced cell proliferation and migration as measured by 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl-2-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and transwell migration assays, respectively. Further, magnesium lithospermate B inhibited PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of phospatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(
ERK
) pathways by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Together, these data indicated that magnesium lithospermate B, a potent reactive oxygen species scavenger, prevented both injury-induced neointimal formation in vivo and PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro, suggesting that magnesium lithospermate B may be a promising agent to prevent
atherosclerosis
and restenosis following angioplasty.
...
PMID:Therapeutic effect of magnesium lithospermate B on neointimal formation after balloon-induced vascular injury. 1838 4
Atherosclerosis
is considered to be a combined disorder of lipid metabolism and chronic inflammation. Recent studies have reported that liver X receptors (LXRs) are involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation and that LXR agonists inhibit atherogenesis. In contrast, angiotensin II is well known to accelerate atherogenesis through activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). To better understand the mechanism of LXR on the prevention of atherogenesis, we examined whether activation of LXR affects AT1R expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. T0901317, a synthetic LXR ligand, decreased AT1R mRNA and protein expression with a peak reduction at 6 hours and 12 hours of incubation, respectively. A well-established ligand of LXR, 22-(R)-hydroxycholesterol, also suppressed AT1R expression. The downregulation of AT1R by T0901317 required de novo protein synthesis. AT1R gene promoter activity measured by luciferase assay revealed that the DNA segment between -61 bp and +25 bp was sufficient for downregulation. Luciferase construct with a mutation in Sp1 binding site located in this segment lost its response to T0901317. T0901317 decreased Sp1 serine phosphorylation. Although preincubation of vascular smooth muscle cells with T0901317 for 30 minutes had no effect on angiotensin II-induced
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
phosphorylation, phosphorylation of
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
by angiotensin II was markedly suppressed after 6 hours of preincubation. These results indicate that the suppression of AT1R may be one of the important mechanisms by which LXR ligands exert antiatherogenic effects.
...
PMID:Liver X receptor activator downregulates angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression through dephosphorylation of Sp1. 1844 33
Atherosclerosis
and arterial injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia involve medial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration into the arterial intima. Because many 7-transmembrane and growth factor receptors promote
atherosclerosis
, we hypothesized that the multifunctional adaptor proteins beta-arrestin1 and -2 might regulate this pathological process. Deficiency of beta-arrestin2 in ldlr(-/-) mice reduced aortic
atherosclerosis
by 40% and decreased the prevalence of atheroma SMCs by 35%, suggesting that beta-arrestin2 promotes
atherosclerosis
through effects on SMCs. To test this potential atherogenic mechanism more specifically, we performed carotid endothelial denudation in congenic wild-type, beta-arrestin1(-/-), and beta-arrestin2(-/-) mice. Neointimal hyperplasia was enhanced in beta-arrestin1(-/-) mice, and diminished in beta-arrestin2(-/-) mice. Neointimal cells expressed SMC markers and did not derive from bone marrow progenitors, as demonstrated by bone marrow transplantation with green fluorescent protein-transgenic cells. Moreover, the reduction in neointimal hyperplasia seen in beta-arrestin2(-/-) mice was not altered by transplantation with either wild-type or beta-arrestin2(-/-) bone marrow cells. After carotid injury, medial SMC
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
activation and proliferation were increased in beta-arrestin1(-/-) and decreased in beta-arrestin2(-/-) mice. Concordantly, thymidine incorporation and
extracellular signal-regulated kinase
activation and migration evoked by 7-transmembrane receptors were greater than wild type in beta-arrestin1(-/-) SMCs and less in beta-arrestin2(-/-) SMCs. Proliferation was less than wild type in beta-arrestin2(-/-) SMCs but not in beta-arrestin2(-/-) endothelial cells. We conclude that beta-arrestin2 aggravates
atherosclerosis
through mechanisms involving SMC proliferation and migration and that these SMC activities are regulated reciprocally by beta-arrestin2 and beta-arrestin1. These findings identify inhibition of beta-arrestin2 as a novel therapeutic strategy for combating
atherosclerosis
and arterial restenosis after angioplasty.
...
PMID:Beta-arrestins regulate atherosclerosis and neointimal hyperplasia by controlling smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. 1851 45
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