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)

Increased generation of active oxygen species such as H2O2 and O2- may be important in vascular smooth muscle cell growth associated with atherosclerosis and restenosis. In previous work, we showed that H2O2 stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell growth and proto-oncogene expression. In the present study, we compared the effects of H2O2 and O2- on cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell growth and signal transduction. O2- was generated in a concentration-dependent manner by the naphthoquinolinedione LY83583. Vascular smooth muscle cell growth, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, was stimulated by 200 mumol/L H2O2 (110% increase versus 0.1% serum) and 1 mumol/L LY83583 (175% increase) to levels comparable to 10 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (210% increase). Since activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) is one of the earliest growth factor signal events, the activity of MAP kinase was measured by changes in mobility on Western blot and by phosphorylation of myelin basic protein. There was a concentration-dependent increase in MAP kinase activity by LY83583 (maximum, 10 mumol/L) but not by H2O2. The time course for activation of MAP kinase by LY83583 showed a maximum at 5 to 10 minutes with return to baseline by 20 minutes. Activation of MAP kinase by LY83583 was protein kinase C dependent. Expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a transcriptionally regulated redox-sensitive protein tyrosine/threonine phosphatase, was also measured. Although H2O2 induced MKP-1 mRNA to a greater extent than did LY83583, the increased MKP-1 expression could not explain the inability of H2O2 to stimulate MAP kinase, because mRNA levels were not detected until 60 minutes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by H2O2 and O2- in vascular smooth muscle cells. 754 May 16

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a major constituent of plasma lipoprotein that functions in lipid transport and redistribution (reverse cholesterol transport) and probably plays an important role in inhibiting the development and/or progression of atherosclerosis. While cis-acting regions involved in basal and tissue-specific control of the apoE gene have been identified by promoter mapping studies, much less is known about factors that regulate the gene. In this study, we demonstrate that the region between -94 and -84 upstream of transcriptional start site of the human apoE gene contains a binding site for the transcriptional repressor factor BEF-1, a tyrosine-phosphorylated nuclear protein that was first identified in HeLa cells. Using gel retardation assays, we show that HeLa cell-derived BEF-1 binds the apoE BEF-1 homology, and this binding can be competed with the prototype BEF-1 sequence, but not by a mutated sequence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the apoE- producing human liver HepG2 cell produces significant levels of BEF-1, which could bind to both the prototype BEF-1 sequence and the apoE homology, and be competed equivalently with cold BEF-1 or apoE homology. To determine if BEF-1 affected the expression of apoE, we performed competition experiments using plasmids containing the intact or mutated BEF-1 homology. The introduction of the intact BEF-1 site into HepG2 cells resulted in an induction of apoE mRNA, whereas control and mutated BEF-1-containing plasmids had no significant effect. We also found that increasing the level of nuclear BEF-1 by treatment of cells with orthovanadate resulted in a reduction in the level of apoE mRNA. Overall, our data suggest that the endogenous apoE gene in the human HepG2 cell line is repressed by the trans-acting influence of nuclear factor BEF-1.
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PMID:The human apolipoprotein E gene is negatively regulated in human liver HepG2 cells by the transcription factor BEF-1. 779 34

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) regulate cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and signaling processes in the cells of the immune system. Uncontrolled signaling from receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular tyrosine kinases can lead to inflammatory responses and to diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and psoriasis. Thus, inhibitors that block the activity of tyrosine kinases and the signaling pathways they activate may provide a useful basis for drug development. This article summarizes recent progress in the development of PTK inhibitors and demonstrates their potential use in the treatment of disease.
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PMID:Tyrosine kinase inhibition: an approach to drug development. 789 1

In the past decade it has become apparent that many diseases result from aberrations in signaling pathways. These include proliferative diseases such as cancers, atherosclerosis and psoriasis and inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and tissue rejection. These findings refocused the research of the medical community to seek new modalities for disease management which essentially consist of designing drugs which intercept cell signaling. In this review, the emerging success in using tyrosine kinase blockers and other signal interceptors, such as protein kinase C blockers, Ras blockers, Ca2+ signaling inhibitors and estrogen antagonists which inhibit growth of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, will be discussed. These signal interceptors, especially tyrosine-kinase blockers, are also able to block inflammatory responses and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and psoriatic keratinocytes. The utility of signal interceptors in analyzing signal-transduction pathways is also discussed.
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PMID:Signal-transduction therapy. A novel approach to disease management. 795 36

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Growth factor receptor binding protein-2 (GRB2) and Shc have been shown to link growth factor receptor activation with guanine nucleotide exchange on p21-ras. We have examined this pathway in cultures of rat A10 vascular smooth muscle cells. Our data demonstrate that PDGF stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation on Shc in a concentration- and time-dependent manner that parallels PDGF beta-receptor activation. Immunoprecipitates of Shc from cells exposed to PDGF revealed Shc.GRB2 complexes. Shc immune complexes also contained PDGF beta-receptors. Complex formation was maximal with 30 ng/ml PDGF and peaked within 10 min of exposure. Although PDGF beta-receptors contain a putative GRB2 binding site, activated receptors failed to bind GRB2 directly. Evaluation of Shc from membrane and cytosolic fractions of A10 cells showed little redistribution of Shc following PDGF exposure. Cytosolic Shc bound only GRB2, whereas, membrane-associated Shc complexed with GRB2, the PDGF beta-receptor, Src, and additional tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. We conclude that Shc serves as a primary docking protein for GRB2 in smooth muscle cells and is critical for proliferation in response to PDGF.
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PMID:Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates growth factor receptor binding protein-2 association with Shc in vascular smooth muscle cells. 798 24

The vasoactive peptides endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin-II (AII) have been implicated in chronic hypertension and may play important roles in related vascular diseases such as restenosis and atherosclerosis. Using a rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cell model, both ET-1 and AII induced concentration-dependent delayed increases in DNA synthesis relative to that in the serum-deprived controls. Stimulation of DNA synthesis was maximal at 100 nM for each peptide. All treatment of RASM cells resulted in a greater mitogenic effect (4- to 7-fold) than that observed for ET-1 (3-fold). When added in the presence of AII, ET-1 had a supplemental effect on DNA synthesis (5- to 10-fold above control). Although RASM cells expressed both ETA and AT1 receptors, radioligand binding experiments indicated that approximately 10-fold as many AT1 receptors as ETA receptors were present. In signal transduction studies, ET-1 and AII each elicited concentration-dependent increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. ET-1 and AII also stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism and phosphorylation of a specific substrate for protein kinase-C. The release of total inositol phosphates in response to ET-1 and AII was concentration dependent and inhibited by the ETA receptor-selective antagonist BQ-123 and the AT1 receptor-selective antagonist losartan, respectively. In addition, tyrosine phosphorylation of 120- and 75-kilodalton proteins as well as the mitogen-activated protein kinases p44mapk and p42mapk was observed within 5 min of the addition of either ET-1 or AII. Taken together, these data indicate that ET-1 and AII may promote smooth muscle cell growth through common intracellular signaling mechanisms.
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PMID:Endothelin-1 and angiotensin-II stimulate delayed mitogenesis in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells: evidence for common signaling mechanisms. 817 Apr 71

Oxidation of lipoproteins is important for the initiation and propagation of the atherosclerotic lesion and may involve secondary oxidants derived from nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) reacts at near diffusion limited rates with superoxide (O2-.) to form the strong oxidant, peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Nitration on the ortho position of tyrosine is a major product of peroxynitrite attack on proteins. Nitrotyrosine was detected in atherosclerotic lesions of formalin-fixed human coronary arteries with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Binding was pronounced in and around foamy macrophages within the atheroma deposits. Nitration was also observed in early subintimal fatty streaks. Antibody binding was completely blocked by co-incubation with 10mM nitrotyrosine, but not by equivalent concentrations of aminotyrosine or phosphotyrosine. The presence of nitrotyrosine indicates that oxidants derived from nitric oxide such as peroxynitrite are generated in human atherosclerosis and may be involved in its pathogenesis.
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PMID:Extensive nitration of protein tyrosines in human atherosclerosis detected by immunohistochemistry. 819 61

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are risk factors in atherosclerosis and oxidative modification of LDL to oxidized LDL (OX-LDL) increases its atherogenicity. Development of atherosclerosis likely involves OX-LDL-mediated smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. However, the mechanism(s) of SMC proliferation by OX-LDL is unknown. We hypothesized that OX-LDL may mediate SMC proliferation by activation of phospholipase D (PLD) through the generation of the second-messenger, phosphatidic acid (PA). To test this hypothesis, activation of PLD by OX-LDL was investigated in [3H]myristic acid- or [32P]orthophosphate-labeled rabbit femoral artery smooth muscle cells (RFASMC) in the presence of 0.5% ethanol or 0.05% butanol. Phospholipase D activation, as measured by labeled phosphatidylethanol (PEt) or phosphatidylbutanol (PBt) formation, was enhanced (3- to 5-fold) by OX-LDL. This activation of PLD was specific for OX-LDL, as native LDL or acetylated LDL had no effect. Further, OX-LDL-mediated [32P]PEt formation was dose- and time-dependent. To determine the mechanism(s) of OX-LDL-induced PLD activation, the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+ was investigated. Pretreatment of [32P]orthophosphate-labeled RFASMC with known inhibitors of PKC such as staurosporine, calphostin-C, or H-7, had no effect on OX-LDL-induced PLD activation. Also, down-regulation of PKC by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (100 nM, 18 h) did not alter the OX-LDL-mediated [32P]PEt formation. However, pretreatment of RFASMC with genistein, a putative inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, attenuated the OX-LDL-mediated [32P]PEt formation. In addition, exposure of RFASMC to sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of phosphatases, enhanced the OX-LDL-mediated PLD activation. The effects of genistein and vanadate on PLD activation were specific for OX-LDL as these agents did not alter the TPA-induced [32P]PEt formation. Treatment of quiescent RFASMC with OX-LDL increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. This enhanced incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA was also mimicked by exogenously added phosphatidic acid (PA) or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). These findings suggest that OX-LDL is a potent activator of the PLD pathway in SMC. The activation of PLD by OX-LDL generates second-messengers like PA and/or LPA which modulate mitogenesis. Thus, these results indicate that OX-LDL, in atherosclerotic lesions, may enhance SMC proliferation through the modulation of signal transduction pathways including activation of PLD.
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PMID:Oxidized low density lipoprotein-mediated activation of phospholipase D in smooth muscle cells: a possible role in cell proliferation and atherogenesis. 855 88

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mediates monocyte migration into tissues in inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. We have investigated structure-activity relationships for human MCP-1. Mutations were introduced based upon differences between MCP-1 and the structurally related but functionally distinct molecule interleukin-8 (IL-8). Mutant proteins produced using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system were purified and their ability to stimulate monocyte chemotaxis and elevation of intracellular calcium in THP-1 monocytic leukaemia cells was measured. Two regions in MCP-1 were identified as important for its biological activity. One region consists of the sequence Thr-Cys-Cys-Tyr (amino acids 10-13). Point mutations of Thr-10 to Arg and Tyr-13 to Ile greatly lowered MCP-1 activity. The second functionally important region is formed by Ser-34 and Lys-35. Insertion of a Pro between these two residues, or their substitution by the sequence Gly-Pro-His, caused nearly complete loss of MCP-1 activity. Competition binding experiments showed that the mutations that affected activity also lowered the ability to compete with wild-type MCP-1 for receptors on THP-1 cells. Point mutations at positions 8, 15, 30, 37, 38 and 68 had little effect on MCP-1 activity. The important regions that we have identified in MCP-1 correspond with previously identified functionally important regions of IL-8, suggesting that the two molecules bind to their respective receptors by similar contacts.
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PMID:Site-directed mutagenesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 identifies two regions of the polypeptide essential for biological activity. 857 3

Serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) is a mitogen in vascular smooth muscle and vascular reactivity to 5-HT is significantly enhanced in hypertension and atherosclerosis. We have tested the hypothesis that tyrosine kinases, enzymes important for mitogenesis, may play a role in 5-HT-induced vascular smooth muscle contractility. Helical strips of rat carotid artery and aorta denuded of endothelium were mounted in tissue baths for measurement of contractile force. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (5 x 10(-6) M) decreased the potency of 5-HT approximately 4-fold and reduced maximal contraction to 5-HT in carotid arterial strips denuded of endothelium (58% control). Genistein's inactive congener daidzein (5 x 10(-6) M) did not reduce maximal contraction to 5-HT in carotid arteries but did shift the 5-HT concentration response curve 3-fold to the right. Tyrphostin 23 (5 x 10(-5) M), another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, decreased the potency of 5-HT 4-fold and reduced the maximal contraction to 5-HT in the carotid artery (10% control). Contractions induced by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) were not reduced or shifted by either tyrosine kinase inhibitor, indicating that phorbolester-sensitive protein kinase C isoforms were not affected. KCl-induced contraction was shifted 2-fold and the maximum significantly inhibited by tyrphostin 23 (38.6% control) but not genistein or daidzein, indicating that tyrphostin 23 but not genistein may inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels to reduce contractility. Western blot analysis using antiphosphotyrosine antibody confirmed that 5-HT produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity of a 42-kD protein in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Lysate immunoprecipitation with an antimitogen-activated-protein (MAP)-kinase antibody indicated that the 42-kD protein was most likely a MAP kinase. 5-HT (10(-5) M) stimulated contraction and increased antiphosphotyrosine immunoreactivity in whole aorta mounted in tissue baths. Importantly, aortic contraction to 5-HT was shifted (5-fold rightward) and reduced (69% control) by genistein but not daidzein. These findings demonstrate that (1) tyrosine kinase activation may partially mediate contractility to 5-HT in arterial smooth muscle, (2) tyrphostin 23 is somewhat nonselective and (3) 5-HT stimulates tyrosine kinase as documented by increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and aortic tissue in active contraction of 5-HT. These findings have significant implications not only in understanding a novel pathway of 5-HT signal transduction but also in vascular diseases in which growth and/or contractility to 5-HT is increased (e.g. hypertension, atherosclerosis).
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PMID:Serotonin stimulates protein tyrosyl phosphorylation and vascular contraction via tyrosine kinase. 869 53


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