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)

Coupling factor 6 (CF6), a component of ATP synthase, suppresses the generation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO). Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is involved in shear-induced NO production. To investigate the linkage between the actions of CF6 and PECAM-1, we examined the effects of CF6 on PECAM-1 expression and shear-mediated NO release, comparatively with those of angiotensin II (AngII). Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) with CF6 at 10(-7)M or AngII at 10(-7)M for 24h suppressed PECAM-1 gene and protein expression. CF6 or AngII activated c-Src at 15 min in HUVEC, and blockade of c-Src with PP1, its specific inhibitor, restored them. Efrapeptin, an inhibitor of ATPase, attenuated CF6-induced suppression of PECAM-1 gene expression by blockade of acidification, whereas superoxide dismutase or apocinin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, blocked AngII-induced suppression of PECAM-1. Exposure of the cells to shear stress at 25 dynes/cm(2) for 30 min enhanced phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser(1177) and NO release. Pretreatment with CF6 or AngII for 24h attenuated them in HUVEC and HAEC. These suggest that CF6 downregulates PECAM-1 expression via c-Src activation and attenuates shear-induced NO release presumably by suppressing eNOS phosphorylation.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Sep
PMID:Coupling factor 6 downregulates platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 via c-Src activation and acts as a proatherogenic molecule. 1824 11

Prostanoids are cyclic lipid mediators which arise from enzymic cyclooxygenation of linear polyunsaturated fatty acids, e.g. arachidonic acid (20:4 n 6, AA). Biologically active prostanoids deriving from AA include stable prostaglandins (PGs), e.g. PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), PGD(2), PGJ(2) as well as labile prostanoids, i.e. PG endoperoxides (PGG(2), PGH(2)), thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and prostacyclin (PGI(2)). A "Rabbit aorta Contracting Substance" (RCS) played important role in discovering of labile PGs. RCS was discovered in the Vane's Cascade as a labile product released along with PGs from the activated lung or spleen. RCS was identified as a mixture of PG endoperoxides and thromboxane A(2). Stable PGs regulate the cell cycle, smooth muscle tone and various secretory functions; they also modulate inflammatory and immune reactions. PG endoperoxides are intermediates in biosynthesis of all prostanoids. Thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) is the most labile prostanoid (with a half life of 30 s at 37 degrees C). It is generated mainly by blood platelets. TXA(2) is endowed with powerful vasoconstrictor, cytotoxic and thrombogenic properties. Again the Vane's Cascade was behind the discovery of prostacyclin (PGI(2)) with a half life of 4 min at 37 degrees C. It is produced by the vascular wall (predominantly by the endothelium) and it acts as a physiological antagonist of TXA(2). Moreover, prostacyclin per se is a powerful cytoprotective agent that exerts its action through activation of adenylate cyclase, followed by an intracellular accumulation of cyclic-AMP in various types of cells. In that respect PGI(2) collaborates with the system consisting of NO synthase (eNOS)/nitric oxide free radical (NO)/guanylate cyclase/cyclic-GMP. Both cyclic nucleotides (c-AMP and c-GMP) act in synergy as two energetic fists which defend the cellular machinery from being destroyed by endogenous or exogenous aggressors. Recently, a new partner has been recognized in this endogenous defensive squadron, i.e. a system consisting of heme oxygenase (HO-1)/carbon monoxide (CO)/biliverdin/biliverdin reductase/bilirubin. The expanding knowledge on the pharmacological steering of this enzymic triad (PGI(2)-S/eNOS/HO-1) is likely to contribute to the rational therapy of many systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension or Alzheimer diseases. The discovery of prostacyclin broadened our pathophysiological horizon, and by itself opened new therapeutic possibilities. Prostacyclin sodium salt and its synthetic stable analogues (iloprost, beraprost, treprostinil, epoprostenol, cicaprost) are useful drugs for the treatment of the advanced critical limb ischemia, e.g. in the course of Buerger's disease, and also for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). In this last case a synergism between prostacyclin analogues and sildenafil (a selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor) or bosentan (an endothelin ET-1 receptor antagonist) points our to complex mechanisms controlling pulmonary circulation. At the Jagiellonian University we have demonstrated that several well recognised cardiovascular drugs, e.g. ACE inhibitors (ACE-I), statins, some of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, e.g. carvedilol or nebivolol, anti-platelet thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel) and a metabolite of vitamin PP--N(1)-methyl-nicotinamide--all of them are endowed with the in vivo PGI(2)-releasing properties. In this way, the foundations for the Endothelial Pharmacology were laid.
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PMID:Prostacyclin among prostanoids. 1827 80

Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in hypoxia-induced vascular disorders. We investigated the acute hypoxia effect on endothelial expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a stress-inducible transcription factor playing significant roles in cellular responses to stress. Bovine aortic ECs were subjected to acute hypoxia (1% O(2), pO(2)=8 mmHg) and ATF3 expression was examined. ECs exposed to hypoxia transiently induced ATF3 expression. A transient increase in the activation of c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in ECs was observed; however, only ECs pretreated with a specific inhibitor to JNK suppressed the hypoxia-induced ATF3 expression. ECs exposed to acute hypoxia transiently increased endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) activity. Pre-treating ECs with a specific inhibitor to eNOS (l-NAME) or PI3-kinase significantly inhibited the hypoxia-induced JNK activation and ATF3 expression. ATF3 induction has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. Consistently, ECs exposed to hypoxia attenuated the MMP-2 expression. This hypoxia-attenuated MMP-2 expression can be rescued by pre-treating ECs with an inhibitor of eNOS. These results suggest that the ATF3 induction by acute hypoxia is mediated by nitric oxide and the JNK pathway in ECs. Our findings provide a molecular basis for the mechanism in which ECs respond to acute hypoxia.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Dec
PMID:Acute hypoxia to endothelial cells induces activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression that is mediated via nitric oxide. 1837 12

Recent studies have demonstrated that stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha)/CXCR4 interaction regulates multiple cell signal pathways and a variety of cellular functions such as cell migration, proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. In present study, we aimed to determine the effect of SDF-1alpha on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and the implication of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling in this effect. EPCs were isolated and characterized. SDF-1alpha decreased EPCs apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in a dose-dependent manner and the inhibitory effect was CXCR4 dependent as confirmed by the total abolishment by AMD3100, a CXCR4-specific peptide antagonist. SDF-1alpha treatment also significant decreased caspase-3 expression and activity. The inhibitory effect of SDF-1alpha on EPCs apoptosis was nearly completely abolished by PI3K inhibitors (either Wortmannin or LY294002) and partially abolished by NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester, whereas inhibitors of MAPKs had no significant effect on this inhibitory effect. The treatment of EPCs with SDF-1alpha resulted in time-dependent Akt, eNOS, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylations. These findings suggest that PI3K/Akt/eNOS activation, but not MAPKs activation, is required for the inhibitory effect of SDF-1alpha on EPCs apoptosis.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Nov
PMID:SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 decreases endothelial progenitor cells apoptosis under serum deprivation by PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. 1838 92

Vascular inflammation underlies the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic changes in the vasculature lead to conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke, which are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Epidemiological studies in premenopausal women suggest a beneficial role for estrogen in preventing vascular inflammation and consequent atherosclerosis. However, the benefits of estrogen areabsent or even reversed in older postmenopausal subjects. The modulation of inflammation by estrogen under different conditions might explain this discrepancy. Estrogen exerts its antiinflammatory effects on the vasculature through different mechanisms such as direct antioxidant effect, generation of nitric oxide, prevention of apoptosis in vascular cells and suppression of cytokines and the renin-angiotensin system. On the other hand, estrogen also elicits proinflammatory changes under certain conditions, which are less completely understood. Some of the mechanisms underlying a possible proinflammatory role for estrogen include increased expression of the proinflammatory receptor for advanced glycation end products, increased tyrosine nitration of cellular proteins, and generation of reactive oxygen species through an uncoupled eNOS. In this review, we have presented evidence for both antiinflammatory and proinflammatory pathways modulated by estrogen and how interactions among such pathways might determine the effects of estrogen on the vascular system.
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PMID:Estrogen is a modulator of vascular inflammation. 1840 73

Increasing evidence suggests that the inflammatory biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP), may play a causal role in the development and progression of atherothrombosis. Since endothelial dysfunction is an early and integral component of atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that endothelial homeostasis would be impaired in CRP-overexpressing CRP transgenic (CRPtg) mice. Male CRPtg and wild-type mice were injected thrice over 2 weeks with vehicle or turpentine to induce the inflammation-sensitive CRP transgene. Serum human CRP levels in turpentine-treated CRPtg mice was 276.28 +/- 95.7 microg/ml. Human CRP was undetectable in the sera of wild-type mice and present at only low levels (1.41 +/- 0.2 microg/ml) in vehicle-treated CRPtg mice (n=6-8 mice/group). Aortic segments from turpentine-induced CRP-overexpressing CRPtg mice demonstrated impaired endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine vs. those from vehicle-treated CRPtg controls (57.1 +/- 9.5% vs. 85.0 +/- 5.0%, P<0.05, n=6). Nitric oxide release as well as phosphorylated eNOS protein expression from isolated aortic segments of CRPtg mice overexpressing CRP were markedly reduced compared to that from vehicle-treated controls. Masson's trichrome staining revealed increased perivascular fibrosis in CRP-overexpressing CRPtg mice. CRP overexpression was also associated with augmented aortic endothelial staining for VCAM-1 and MCP-1 and enhanced macrophage infiltration. Mice overexpressing the human CRP gene exhibit endothelial dysfunction, possibly via reduced NO bioavailability, with resultant changes in vascular structure. These data further support a role for CRP in mediating endothelial dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Dec
PMID:Impaired endothelial function in C-reactive protein overexpressing mice. 1843 56

Nitric oxide (NO) exerts a plethora of vascular beneficial effects. The NO-releasing beta-blocker nebivolol is a racemic mixture of D/L-enantiomers that displays negative inotropic as well as direct vasodilating activity. The in vivo antiatherogenic activity of therapeutic doses of the beta-blocker with antioxidant properties carvedilol (12.5mg/day) or nebivolol (5mg/day) was tested in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Animals received a 1% cholesterol-rich diet alone (controls) or mixed with drugs (treated animals) for 8 weeks. While it did not affect hyperlipidemia, nebivolol inhibited the development of atherosclerosis, expressed as computer-assisted imaging analysis of aortic area covered by lesions (23.3+/-4.1% in treated vs 38.2+/-6.4% in control animals, p<0.01). Differently, in our experimental condition of therapeutic drug doses, this antiatherogenic effect did not reach statistical significance in rabbits treated with carvedilol (32.5+/-5.1% aortic area covered by lesions, p=NS vs controls). Plasma nitrates increased in rabbits treated with nebivolol while both beta-blockers reduced LDL oxidation. Moreover, nebivolol induced a consistent increase of endothelial reactivity and aortic eNOS expression compared with control animals (p<0.05) and those receiving carvedilol (p<0.05). Since NO may exert beneficial effects in atherosclerosis, a NO-dependent mechanism could explain this data. These observations suggest that the NO-releasing beta-blocker, nebivolol, might represent an effective pharmacological approach for preventing atherosclerotic lesion progression.
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PMID:Therapeutic dose of nebivolol, a nitric oxide-releasing beta-blocker, reduces atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. 1843 36

Chronic administration of the most abundant dietary flavonoid quercetin exerts antihypertensive effects and improves endothelial function. We have investigated the effects of quercetin and its methylated metabolite isorhamnetin (1-10microM) on endothelial dysfunction and superoxide (O(2*)(-)) production induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1, 10nM). ET-1 increased the contractile response induced by phenylephrine and reduced the relaxant responses to acetylcholine in phenylephrine contracted intact aorta, and these effects were prevented by co-incubation with quercetin, isorhamnetin or chelerythrine (protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor). This endothelial dysfunction was also improved by superoxide dismutase (SOD), apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) and sepiapterin (tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis substrate). Furthermore, ET-1 increased intracellular O(2*)(-) production in all layers of the vessel, protein expression of NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) without affecting p22(phox) expression and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence signal stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187. All these changes were prevented by both quercetin and isorhamnetin. Moreover, apocynin, endothelium denudation and N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) suppressed the ET-1-induced increase in A23187-stimulated O(2*)(-) generation. Moreover, quercetin but not isorhamnetin, inhibited the increased PKC activity induced by ET-1. Taken together these results indicate that ET-1-induced NADPH oxidase up-regulation and eNOS uncoupling via PKC leading to endothelial dysfunction and these effects were prevented by quercetin and isorhamnetin.
Atherosclerosis 2009 Jan
PMID:Quercetin inhibits vascular superoxide production induced by endothelin-1: Role of NADPH oxidase, uncoupled eNOS and PKC. 1843 24

Atherosclerosis results from a combination of local blood flow patterns and systemic risk factors. We investigated whether non-uniform shear stress at bifurcations induces pro-atherogenic endothelial dysfunction and monocyte recruitment. Bifurcating flow-through cell culture slides were used to expose HUVECs to laminar or non-uniform shear stress for 18 h at 10 dyne/cm(2). For the adhesion assay, HUVECs were subsequently perfused with medium containing THP-1 monocytes for 1 h. Protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence. In areas exposed to laminar shear stress, alignment of endothelial cells with the flow was observed, accompanied by upregulation of eNOS and downregulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). In contrast, cells exposed to non-uniform shear stress near the outer walls of bifurcations were characterized by irregular, unaligned shape, induction of endothelin-1 and CTGF, as well as reduced eNOS expression. These atherogenic effects of non-uniform shear stress were prevented when cells were treated with statins (1 mumol/l) during flow. Under non-uniform shear stress, a slight induction of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-/P-selectin was observed. In agreement with this, monocyte recruitment, which was nearly undetectable under laminar shear stress, was moderately induced by non-uniform shear stress (P<0.02). In conclusion, inhibition of antioxidative eNOS and upregulation of atherogenic proteins is the first step in non-uniform shear stress-mediated endothelial dysfunction, which in vivo in the presence of atherogenic risk factors may further enhance monocyte recruitment into the artery wall.
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PMID:Endothelial dysfunction and monocyte recruitment in cells exposed to non-uniform shear stress. 1850 17

Diabetes is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and macrovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this disease. Although our understanding of vascular pathology has lately greatly improved, the mechanism(s) underlying enhanced atherosclerosis in diabetes remain unclear. Endothelial cell dysfunction is emerging as a key component in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular abnormalities associated with diabetes. Although it has been established that endothelium plays a critical role in overall homeostasis of the vessels, vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) in the arterial intima have a relevant part in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetes. However, high glucose induced alterations in vSMC behaviour are not fully characterized. Several studies have reported that impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and/or actions are often present in diabetes and endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, although endothelial cells are by far the main site of vascular NO synthesis, vSMC do express nitric oxyde synthases (NOSs) and NO synthesis in vSMC might be important in vessel's function. Although it is known that vSMC contribute to vascular pathology in diabetes by their change from a quiescent state to an activated proliferative and migratory phenotype (termed phenotypic modulation), whether this altered phenotypic modulation might also involve alterations in the nitrergic systems is still controversial. Our recent data indicate that, in vivo, chronic hyperglycemia might induce an increased number of vSMC proliferative clones which persist in culture and are associated with increased eNOS expression and activity. However, upregulation of eNOS and increased NO synthesis occur in the presence of a marked concomitant increase of O(2-) production. Since NO bioavailabilty might not be increased in high glucose stimulated vSMC, it is tempting to hypothesize that the proliferative phenotype observed in cells from diabetic rats is associated with a redox imbalance responsible quenching and/or trapping of NO, with the consequent loss of its biological activity. This might provide new insight on the mechanisms responsible for accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes.
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PMID:Chronic hyperglicemia and nitric oxide bioavailability play a pivotal role in pro-atherogenic vascular modifications. 1885 Jan 75


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