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)

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of fatty acid-activated transcription factors which control lipid homeostasis and cellular differentiation. PPARalpha (NR1C1) controls lipid oxidation and clearance in hepatocytes and PPARgamma (NR1C3) promotes preadipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis. Drugs that activate PPARalpha are effective in lowering plasma levels of lipids and have been used in the management of hyperlipidemia. PPARgamma agonists increase insulin sensitivity and are used in the management of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, there are no marketed drugs that selectively target PPARdelta (NR1C2) and the physiological roles of PPARdelta are unclear. In this report we demonstrate that the expression of PPARdelta is increased during the differentiation of human macrophages in vitro. In addition, a highly selective agonist of PPARdelta (compound F) promotes lipid accumulation in primary human macrophages and in macrophages derived from the human monocytic cell line, THP-1. Compound F increases the expression of genes involved in lipid uptake and storage such as the class A and B scavenger receptors (SRA, CD36) and adipophilin. PPARdelta activation also represses key genes involved in lipid metabolism and efflux, i.e. cholesterol 27-hydroxylase and apolipoprotein E. We have generated THP-1 sublines that overexpress PPARdelta and have confirmed that PPARdelta is a powerful promoter of macrophage lipid accumulation. These data suggest that PPARdelta may play a role in the pathology of diseases associated with lipid-filled macrophages, such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, and neurodegeneration.
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PMID:The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta promotes lipid accumulation in human macrophages. 1155 74

Interaction between leukocyte and endothelial cells (ECs) is essential for vascular homeostasis and competent immune-inflammatory responses in vivo. Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are generated by high shear stress and may appear in diseased small arteries and arterioles in various clinical settings. In this study, we used flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy to investigate the effects of high-shear-induced platelet and microparticle activation in adhesion molecules of THP-1 and ECs. We also measured the production of some cytokines and studied cytokine mRNA from THP-1 and ECs after PMP stimulation. PMP stimulation of THP-1 cells increased CD11b, CD32, and CD33 but not CD29, CD31, and CD36. PMP stimulation of ECs increased CD54 and CD63 but not CD9, CD29, and CD31. PMPs induced interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production by THP-1. PMPs also induced IL-8, IL-1 beta, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by ECs. Production was time-dependent. With RT-PCR, some cytokine mRNAs were detected in THP-1 and ECs after PMP stimulation. In relation to adhesiveness after PMP stimulation, we could clearly observe a shift in distribution not only of CD11b in THP-1 cells but also of CD54 in ECs. In addition, anti-P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 antibody reduced the expression of CD11b, CD32, and CD33 in THP-1 after PMP stimulation. These results suggest that high-shear-induced microparticles may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and participate in vascular damage in inflammatory disorders.
Atherosclerosis 2001 Oct
PMID:High-shear-stress-induced activation of platelets and microparticles enhances expression of cell adhesion molecules in THP-1 and endothelial cells. 1158 5

We previously isolated THP-1 subtype cells (sTHP-1), a cell line that expresses scanty amounts of scavenger receptor A (ScR-A) and does not undergo foam cell formation when incubated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL). In this study, we investigated the accumulation of esterified cholesterol in sTHP-1 cells incubated with oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), a physiologically modified lipoprotein in human. While sTHP-1 cells incubated with Ac-LDL accumulated only small amounts of esterified cholesterol, those incubated with Ox-LDL accumulated amounts similar to those accumulated by parent THP-1 (pTHP-1) cells. sTHP-1 cells expressed CD36 in amounts similar to the amounts expressed by pTHP-1 cells, and Ox-LDL was internalized through this CD36. The amount of accumulated esterified cholesterol was 73-81% of that accumulated in pTHP-1 cells expressing ScR-A. The levels of 125I-Ox-LDL binding, association, and degradation in sTHP-1 cells were 64-70% of the corresponding levels in pTHP-1 cells. In our experiments utilizing ScR-A-deficient sTHP-1 cells and a specific antibody against human CD36, most of the Ox-LDL interacted with the CD36 receptor. In addition, a substantial amount of Ox-LDL (28-42%) was bound and degraded by sTHP-1 macrophages when both of the two major scavenger receptors, ScR-A and CD36, were deficient or blocked. These results indicate that CD36 in macrophages plays an important role in foam cell formation by Ox-LDL, while additional scavenger receptor(s) may take part in significant pathways of Ox-LDL uptake in macrophages.
Atherosclerosis 2001 Oct
PMID:Uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in a THP-1 cell line lacking scavenger receptor A. 1158 13

In the vessel wall, macrophages are among the cells that upon activation contribute to the atherosclerotic process. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) can mediate this activation but only after enzymatic or oxidative modification. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an LDL variant that has been shown to have an atherogenic potential by no clearly established mechanisms. In the present study we examined whether native Lp(a) can activate macrophages and, if so, identify the structural elements involved in this action. For this purpose, we utilized human THP-1 macrophages, prepared by treating THP-1 monocytes with phorbol ester, and we exposed them to Lp(a) and its two derivatives, apo(a)-free LDL (Lp(a-)) and free apo(a). We also studied apo(a) fragments, F1 (N terminus) and F2 (C terminus) and subfragments thereof, obtained by leukocyte elastase digestion. By Northern blot analyses, Lp(a), but not Lp(a-), caused up to a 12-fold increase in interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA as compared with untreated cells. Free apo(a) also induced the production of IL-8 mRNA; however, the effect was 3-4-fold higher than that of Lp(a). The increase in mRNA was associated with the accumulation of IL-8 protein in the culture medium. F1 had only a minimal effect, whereas F2 was 1.5-2-fold more potent than apo(a), an activity mostly contained in the Kringle V-protease region. A monoclonal antibody specific for Kringle V inhibited the apo(a)-mediated effect on IL-8. We conclude that Lp(a) via elements contained in the C-terminal domain of apo(a) causes in THP-1 macrophages an increased production of IL-8, a chemokine with pro-inflammatory properties, an event that may be relevant to the process of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Stimulation of interleukin-8 production in human THP-1 macrophages by apolipoprotein(a). Evidence for a critical involvement of elements in its C-terminal domain. 1159 15

The enzyme cholesterol 27-hydroxylase, expressed by arterial endothelium and monocytes/macrophages, is one of the first lines of defense against the development of atherosclerosis. By catalyzing the hydroxylation of cholesterol to 27-hydroxycholesterol, which is more soluble in aqueous medium, the enzyme promotes the removal of cholesterol from the arterial wall. Prior studies have suggested that immune reactants play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; we report here that immune reactants, IFN-gamma and immune complexes bound to C1q, but not interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor, diminish the expression of cholesterol 27-hydroxylase in human aortic endothelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and the human monocytoid cell line THP-1. In addition, our studies demonstrate that immune complexes down-regulate cholesterol 27-hydroxylase only after complement fixation via interaction with the 126-kD C1qRp protein on endothelial cells and THP-1 cells. These results are consistent with the prior demonstration that IFN-gamma contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and suggest a role for C1q receptors in the atherogenic process. Moreover, these observations suggest that one mechanism by which immune reactants contribute to the development of atherosclerosis is by down-regulating the expression of the enzymes required to maintain cholesterol homeostasis in the arterial wall.
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PMID:Immune complexes and IFN-gamma decrease cholesterol 27-hydroxylase in human arterial endothelium and macrophages. 1171 61

Liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha), is a nuclear hormone receptor that is activated by oxysterols and plays a crucial role in regulating cholesterol and lipid metabolism in liver and cholesterol efflux from lipid-loaded macrophages. Here we show that treatment of human peripheral blood monocytes or monocytic THP-1 cells with the LXR ligand 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol (22(R)-HC), in combination with 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA), a ligand for the LXR heterodimerization partner retinoid X receptor (RXR), results in the specific induction of the potent pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Promoter analysis, inhibitor studies, and order-of-addition experiments demonstrated that TNF-alpha induction by 22(R)-HC and 9cRA occurs by a novel two-step process. The initial step involves 22(R)-HC-dependent induction of TNF-alpha mRNA, and intracellular accumulation of TNF-alpha protein, mediated by binding of LXRalpha/RXRalpha to an LXR response element at position -879 of the TNF-alpha promoter. Subsequent cell release of TNF-alpha protein occurs via a separable 9cRA-dependent, LXRalpha-independent step that requires de novo transcription and protein synthesis. Our findings reveal a potentially new dimension of the physiological role of LXRalpha and identify a unique multistep pathway of TNF-alpha production that may be of consequence to the normal function of LXR in monocyte/macrophages and in disease conditions such as atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Oxysterol activators of liver X receptor and 9-cis-retinoic acid promote sequential steps in the synthesis and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from human monocytes. 1174 44

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily 14 (TNFRSF14) is the cellular receptor for TNF superfamily 14 (LIGHT). Immunohistochemical staining of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques revealed a high level of expression of the TNFRSF14 in regions rich in macrophages/foam cells. To investigate the role of TNFRSF14 in the functioning of monocytes in relation to atherogenesis, we have analyzed TNFRSF14 expression levels and cellular events after stimulation of TNFRSF14 in peripheral blood monocytes or the human macrophage-like cell line, THP-1. A high level of expression of TNFRSF14 was detected in activated monocytes, in macrophages derived from monocytes, and in THP-1 cells. Concomitant activation of THP-1 cells with interferon-gamma and immobilized anti-TNFRSF14 monoclonal antibody resulted in synergistic induction of proatherogenic cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-8. Activation of THP-1 cells with immobilized anti-TNFRSF14 monoclonal antibody induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, MMP-13, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of atherosclerotic plaques with severe infiltration of foam cells revealed that the expression patterns of TNFRSF14 and MMP-1, -9, and -13 overlapped. Treatment of THP-1 cells with soluble LIGHT also caused induction of MMP-9 and interleukin-8. These data suggest that TNFRSF14 is involved in atherosclerosis via the induction of proatherogenic cytokines and decreasing plaque stability by inducing extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes.
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PMID:Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 14 is involved in atherogenesis by inducing proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. 1174 58

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is one of cytokines detected at sites of inflammation and in macrophage-foam cells of atherosclerotic lesions. The expression of IL-8 gene can be induced in cholesterol loaded THP-1 macrophages by oxidized low density lipoprotein. We report for the first time that the expression of human IL-8 gene in THP-1 macrophages is upregulated in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by prostaglandin D2 metabolite 15-deoxy-delta12, 14 prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), which is a natural ligand for activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma transcription factor. Studies to identify the signal transduction pathways involved showed that IL-8 upregulation-mediated by 15d-PGJ2 was markedly inhibited when the THP-1 macrophages were incubated with a highly selective and cell-permeable inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059). This inhibition was concentration-dependent, suggesting that 15d-PGJ2 regulates the expression of IL-8 gene in THP-1 macrophages through a MAPK signaling pathway. In contrast, THP-1 macrophages when treated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an anti-oxidant and the selective inhibitor for nuclear factor kappaB, showed an enhanced 15d-PGJ2-mediated upregulation of IL-8 gene expression. The data presented in this report may contribute to unravel some of the mechanisms behind the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 2002 Jan
PMID:Upregulation of interleukin-8 expression by prostaglandin D2 metabolite 15-deoxy-delta12, 14 prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) in human THP-1 macrophages. 1175 18

Type IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) is an acute-phase reactant that plays a role in atherogenesis and is expressed in atherosclerotic arterial walls displaying inflammatory features. This generates a relevant question addressing the biological effects of this enzyme on monocytic cells, in view of the role of these cells in the inflammatory process associated with atherosclerosis. sPLA(2) produced a mild activation of the p42 mitogen-activated protein module of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and a prominent activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in THP-1 monocytes. This activation showed both an early and a late peak, different from that elicited by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which only showed the first peak. This was accompanied by activation of arachidonate metabolism, as judged from both the activation of the cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. sPLA(2) also elicited the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and showed a synergistic effect with TNF-alpha on both COX-2 induction and MCP-1 production. sPLA(2) upregulated the expression of Fas ligand at the cell surface, but it did not influence Fas expression nor cell survival of monocytes. In summary, these data indicate that some of the atherogenic effects of sPLA(2) can be exerted by engagement of an sPLA(2)-binding structure on monocytic cells, most probably the M-type receptor for sPLA(2), which produces the activation of the MAPK cascade, induces a proinflammatory phenotype, and upregulates the cell surface expression of Fas ligand.
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PMID:Secretory phospholipase A(2) elicits proinflammatory changes and upregulates the surface expression of fas ligand in monocytic cells: potential relevance for atherogenesis. 1178 16

Monocyte-derived macrophages play a central role in atherosclerotic lesion formation and potentially plaque destabilization by expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); however, mechanisms associated with stimulating MMP production are not clearly understood. EMMPRIN, which is expressed by human cancer cells and macrophages, present in human, mouse and rabbit atherosclerosis and noted to induce MMPs may be involved. A DNA fragment containing 1797 bp 5' upstream of the EMMPRIN gene and the transcription start site was generated by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into a luciferase reporter gene vector, pGL3-basic. The relative luciferase activities driven by this 5'-upstream fragment and a series of deletion mutants were measured in transiently transfected human and mouse macrophage THP-1 and Raw264.7 cells, respectively. A fragment 471 bp upstream of the EMMPRIN coding region was sufficient to promote transcription, while a region from -1413 to -1024 bp suppressed activity. Further deletion analysis of the 471 bp fragment indicated that a 30 bp element from -142 to -112 bp, which contains binding sites for Sp1, AP1TFII and EGR-2, was important for EMMPRIN transcription in both THP-1 and Raw264.7 macrophages. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the Sp1 element within 30 bp region specifically bound Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors. Mutation of the Sp1 element at -122 to -116 bp of the EMMPRIN promoter significantly diminished promoter activity and formation of DNA-nuclear protein complex. Transient expression of Sp1 and/or Sp3 transcription factors in insect cells lacking the Sp family of transcription factors, stimulated EMMPRIN promoter activity in a synergistic manner. Together, these results indicate that both Sp1 and Sp3 associate with the functional Sp1 element on the EMMPRIN promoter and cooperate in the regulation of EMMPRIN gene expression in macrophages.
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PMID:Characterization of the promoter of human extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN). 1181 79


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