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)

IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the development of vascular diseases. We previously demonstrated that mechanical stress can initiate signaling pathways leading to smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and apoptosis, but little is known concerning cyclic stress-induced inflammatory response. To explore the role of stretch in the upregulation of cytokine expression in SMCs we performed RNase protection assay for a panel of cytokines and found that mechanical stress resulted in a time-dependent induction of IL-6 mRNA but not other cytokines, e.g., IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, IL-18, IFN-gamma, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). This induction also correlated with elevated IL-6 protein levels in the supernatant. Pretreatment of the cells with NF-kappaB inhibitors inhibited NF-kappaB activity and resulted in marked inhibition (50%) of IL-6 protein. Moreover, SMC lines stably expressing dominant-negative Ras (RasN17) or Rac (RacN17) exhibited a remarkable decrease in p38 MAPK activity and IL-6 mRNA induction by mechanical stress. Furthermore, a significant inhibition of 30 and 40% in IL-6 protein was observed in SMCs pretreated with inhibitors of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2, respectively, but not JNK. Interestingly, SMCs isolated from PKC-delta-deficient mice exhibited higher levels of IL-6 compared with wild-type cells. Finally, high levels of IL-6 expression were observed in atherosclerotic lesions of vein bypass grafts, which are related to altered biomechanical stress. Our findings demonstrate that biomechanical stress-induced IL-6 expression occurs via a mechanism that involves Ras/Rac/p38 MAPK/NF-kappaB/NF-IL6 signaling pathways, which is downregulated by PKC-delta, and suggest that modulation of this event contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Biomechanical stress induces IL-6 expression in smooth muscle cells via Ras/Rac1-p38 MAPK-NF-kappaB signaling pathways. 1568 96

Immune cell infiltration, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, and apoptosis are pathological hallmarks of atherosclerosis. The multifocal, chronic, and inflammatory nature of this disease of the cardiovascular system complicates targeted cellular therapy and emphasizes the need to understand the role and interaction of immune cells with VSMCs. We characterized the immune cell subsets present in human atherosclerotic tissue derived from atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and expanded them to study their interaction with autologous plaque-derived VSMCs in vitro. We show here that apart from T lymphocytes, plaque infiltrates consist of lots of NK cells and significant proportions of NKT cells that express T cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta, CD4, and the NK markers CD56 and CD161. The infiltrates are predominantly IFN-gamma-producing Type 1 lymphoid cells. When cocultured, the T and NKT cells adhere to VSMCs. CD4+ T cells enhance VSMC proliferation. VSMCs in turn enhance CD4+CD161+ NKT but not CD4+ or CD8+ T cell proliferation. CD4+CD161+ NKT cells inhibit VSMC proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Our results suggest that the interactions of Type 1 CD4+ T and CD4+CD161+ NKT cells with VSMCs may regulate VSMC proliferation and death respectively in atherosclerosis and the balance of these interactions could determine plaque stability.
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PMID:Atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm and the interaction between autologous human plaque-derived vascular smooth muscle cells, type 1 NKT, and helper T cells. 1573 63

TL1A (VEGI/TNFSF15) is the ligand for DR3 (TNFRSF12) and is a newly identified member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF). Previously, DR3 has been shown to have a role in atherogenesis through stimulation of matrix degrading enzymes including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Immunohistochemical staining of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques revealed a high-level expression of TL1A in regions rich in macrophage/foam cells. To investigate the role of TL1A and DR3 in the functioning of macrophage/foam cells in relation to atherogenesis, we have analyzed cellular events mediated by TL1A and DR3 in a human macrophage-like cell line, THP-1. Treatment of THP-1 cells with immobilized anti-DR3 monoclonal antibody in combination with IFN-gamma caused induction of pro-atherogenic cytokines/chemokines such as TNF-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and interleukin (IL)-8. Treatment of THP-1 cells with recombinant TL1A in combination with IFN-gamma also caused induction of MMP-9 and IL-8. Furthermore, the expression of DR3 in peripheral blood monocytes was induced after atherogenic stimulation. These data suggest that TL1A and DR3 is involved in atherosclerosis via the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and decreasing plaque stability by inducing extracellular matrix degrading enzymes.
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PMID:Involvement of TL1A and DR3 in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in atherogenesis. 1576 Jun 79

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of T cells that share properties of natural killer cells and conventional T cells. They are involved in immediate immune responses, tumor rejection, immune surveillance and control of autoimmune diseases. Most NKT cells express both an invariant T cell antigen receptor and the NK cell receptor NK1.1, and are referred to as invariant NKT cells. This invariant T cell receptor is restricted to interactions with glycolipids presented by the non-classical MHC, CD1d. These NKT cells rapidly produce high levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-4 upon stimulation through their TCR. Most also have cytotoxic activity similar to NK cells. NKT cells are involved in a number of pathological conditions, and have been shown to regulate viral infections in vivo, and control tumor growth. They may also play both protective and harmful roles in the progression of certain autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, atherosclerosis, and allergen-induced asthma.
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PMID:Natural killer T cells: rapid responders controlling immunity and disease. 1583 65

Early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that induces genes that promote atherosclerosis. The goal of the present study was to determine whether Egr-1 expression is modulated by atherogenic, triglyceride rich lipoproteins known as chylomicron remnants. Chylomicron remnants induced Egr-1 mRNA and protein expression in rat cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in VSMCs. Further, chylomicron remnant-induced Egr-1 expression was inhibited by PD98059, a selective inhibitor of MAPK kinase (MEK), suggesting that the action of chylomicron remnants on Egr-1 was dependent on the ERK/MEK pathway. Chylomicron remnants also induced mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-gamma in VSMCs. We conclude that chylomicron remnants act as atherogenic lipoproteins via induction of Egr-1 expression and via cytokine-mediated inflammation.
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PMID:Chylomicron remnants regulate early growth response factor-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1592 98

In a recent study, analysis of gene expression in atherectomy specimens derived from restenotic coronary lesions revealed 223 differentially expressed genes. Thirty-seven of these genes indicated activation of interferon- (IFN-) gamma signaling in neointimal smooth muscle cells. Moreover, genetic disruption of IFN-gamma signaling in a mouse model of restenosis significantly reduced the vascular proliferative response. Thus, IFN-gamma is assumed to play an important role in the control of tissue proliferation during neointima formation. We hypothesized that genetic variants of IFN-gamma and its receptor subunits are involved in upregulation of IFN-gamma related genes in neointimal tissue of patients that develop in-stent restenosis. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding for IFN-gamma (IFNG T874A) and its receptors 1 (IFNGR1 C-56T) and 2 (IFNGR2 A839G) were tested for their association with restenosis. IFNG T874A, IFNGR1 C-56T and IFNGR2 A839G genotypes were determined in a consecutive series of patients (n=2591) that had been treated with coronary stents. Follow-up angiography 6 months after stent implantation was performed in 76.8% of the patients. Genotyping was performed with PCR-based methods. IFNG T874A, IFNGR1 C-56T and IFNGR2 A839G genotypes were not associated with the incidence of angiographic and clinical restenosis (P>0.23). Moreover, there was no association between IFNG, IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 genotypes and the combined incidence of death form any cause and non-fatal myocardial infarction during the first 12 months following the intervention (P>0.61). Thus, this study does not support a clinically relevant role of the studied polymorphisms in the processes leading to in-stent restenosis.
Atherosclerosis 2005 Sep
PMID:Interferon-gamma and interferon-gamma receptor 1 and 2 gene polymorphisms and restenosis following coronary stenting. 1611 85

Fish oils supplementation has been recently widely used in prevention and treatment of the diseases in humans. Fish oil beneficial effects have been investigated in a number of animal disease models as well as human studies. Here, we examined clinical, immunological and biochemical effects of shark liver oil supplementation in high doses in 13 volunteers. The experiment was based on the consumption of 3.6 g of squalene, 3.6 g of alkylglycerols and 750 mg of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) per day for 4 weeks. We have shown the increased response of neutrophils towards bacteria, the increased level of C4 component of complement in blood, the rise of total antioxidant status of serum, and the predominance of Type I cytokine IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after shark liver oil intake. Moreover, shark liver oil supplementation markedly affect lipid metabolism and cholesterol balance. The increase of total cholesterol level from 182.92 +/- 29.290 mg/dl before oil consumption to 224.46 +/- 62.198 mg/dl after diet rich in oil, and the decrease of HDL fraction were noted. However, metabolism of lipids normalised spontaneously after the end of the experiment in all the individuals. The results of the present study have shown, that the main effects of shark liver oil are the result of the biological activity of squalene and 1-O-alkylglycerols, which dominate in the composition of the oil quantitatively. On the contrary, anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFA do not manifest, when taking together with high doses of squalene and alkylglycerols. On the bases of these observations, we propose that shark liver oil supplementation in high doses is beneficial in bacterial, viral and fungal infections, whereas patients with atherosclerosis or autoimmune diseases should avoid the consumption of high amounts of shark liver oil.
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PMID:[Effect of high doses of shark liver oil supplementation on T cell polarization and peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cell function]. 1612 84

Recent studies have shown the important role of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus(DM). Interferon-inducible protein of 10 kD (IP-10/ CXCL10), a member of the C-X-C chemokine superfamily, is a potent chemoattractant for activated T lymphocytes and is reported to be involved in various disease states including atheroma plaque formation, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and maintenance of podocyte function. However, the involvement of IP-10 in type 2 DM, especially in its vascular and renal complications, is largely unknown. To elucidate the etiopathological role of IP-10 in type 2 DM, we measured the concentrations of IP-10 together with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-18, IL-6 and MCP-1 in plasma samples from 103 type 2 DM patients with various degrees of nephropathy. A significant difference in the plasma level of IP-10 was observed between the patients and the control subjects (183.3+/-12.5 pg/m/ vs 65.6+/-9.3 pg/ml, p<0.05). IP-10 correlated IL-18, IL-6, TNF-alpha and MCP-1. The IFN-gamma level was below the detectable range. IP-10 levels became higher with the progression of nephropathy : IP-10 levels were 148.9+/-14.5, 174.2+/-17.2 and 231.9+/-31.3 pg/m/ in patients with an urinary albumin creatinine ratio of <30, 30 to 300 and >300 microg/mg Cr, respectively. Similarly, IL-18, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-alpha levels in patients with overt albuminuria were significantly higher as compared with those without albuminuria (IL-18, 367.3 45.6 vs 203.5+/-17.6 pg/ml; IL-6, 1.61+/-0.26 vs 0.87+/-0.13 pg/ml; TNF-alpha, 1.83+/-0.48 vs 0.61+/-0.07 pg/ml; p<0.05, respectively) in consistent with previous reports. These results suggested that IP-10 may have an etiopathogenic role in type2 DM and diabetic nephropathy as one of the downstream effectors of proinflammatory cytokines.
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PMID:[Elevated plasma concentration of IP-10 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. 1613 Apr 7

Statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are the most effective agents for the lowering of cholesterol in clinical practice. In addition to their lipid-lowering properties, statins also have immunomodulatory activities. Animal studies have shown that statins promote a T helper 2 (T(H)2) bias and suppress the secretion of T helper 1 (T(H)1) cytokines. We therefore examine whether atorvastatin modulates the T(H)1/T(H)2 responses in human T cells. Using primary T cells as well as differentiated T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells, the immunomodulatory effect of atorvastatin on cells secreting IFN-gamma (T(H)1 response) and IL-4 (T(H)2 response) was investigated. Atorvastatin had no effect on cells secreting IFN-gamma and IL-4 in primary T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and -CD28 antibodies. Similarly, cells producing IFN-gamma and IL-4 in stable differentiated T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells were unaffected by atorvastatin. Furthermore, atorvastatin had no effect on the ratio of IFN-gamma+/IL-4+ cells during the differentiation of T(H)0 cells to T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells in long-term cultures. These data suggest that atorvastatin does not have any immunomodulatory effect on the T(H)1/T(H)2 balance in human T cells in vitro.
Atherosclerosis 2006 Jun
PMID:Effect of atorvastatin on TH1 and TH2 cytokine secreting cells during T cell activation and differentiation. 1700 61

CAWS is a microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) produced by Candida albicans. CAWS is a mannoprotein-beta-glucan complex and secreted into the culture supernatant. CAWS has various biological effects, causing acute shock and disrupting vascular permeability. Intraperitoneal administration of CAWS induces coronary arteritis in various strains of inbred mice. The CAWS-induced coronary arteritis is strain-dependent and most severe in DBA/2 mice with a significant number of these animals expiring with cardiomegaly during the observation period. In vivo and in vitro, splenocytes of DBA/2 mice produced various cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in response to CAWS. GM-CSF was also produced in response to CAWS. The production of cytokines was significantly enhanced in the presence of recombinant GM-CSF. In contrast, anti-GM-CSF significantly reduced the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Augmented production of cytokines in response to CAWS would be a key to the severity of coronary arteritis.
Atherosclerosis 2006 Jun
PMID:Lethal and severe coronary arteritis in DBA/2 mice induced by fungal pathogen, CAWS, Candida albicans water-soluble fraction. 1615 43


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