Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes release heparin-binding protein (HBP; also known as CAP37 or azurocidin) from azurophilic granules. HBP is a strong chemoattractant for monocytes that also prolongs monocyte survival and potentiates endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])-induced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). We investigated the binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated HBP to human monocytes in the presence of EDTA and the polysaccharide fucoidan. EDTA, which chelates divalent cations, has been widely used to study the role of divalent cations in receptor-ligand interactions or enzyme activity. Fucoidan has been used to inhibit the binding of various ligands to scavenger receptors or selectins. Scavenger receptors are multiligand receptors that mediate endocytosis of proteases, protease-inhibitor complexes, lipoproteins, and LPS-lipid A. Fucoidan also interferes with leukocyte rolling by binding to L-selectins (expressed on leukocytes) and P-selectins (expressed on platelets and endothelium). We demonstrate that the binding of the neutrophil-derived protein HBP to monocytes is inhibited in the presence of EDTA and fucoidan. In addition, fucoidan and EDTA abrogate the enhancing effect of HBP on LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. These data provide supporting evidence that HBP binds to a receptor expressed on monocytes. This receptor is dependent on divalent cations and is possibly related to the scavenger receptor. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fucoidan, by itself, stimulates TNF-alpha release from isolated monocytes in a CD14-independent fashion. This is an important finding for the interpretation of results from studies that use fucoidan to "block" either scavenger receptors or L- or P-selectins.
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PMID:Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced monocyte activation by heparin-binding protein and fucoidan. 982 63

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are present in most cells, serving as molecular chaperones, and they play a role in cell protection from damage in response to stress stimuli. However, accumulating data indicate the involvement of HSPs in the pathogenesis of diseases. The aim of this article is to update the progress concerning the role of HSPs in atherosclerosis. It has been demonstrated that HSPs are highly expressed in the atherosclerotic lesions of humans, rabbits, and apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Risk factors for atherosclerosis, eg, infections, oxidized low density lipoprotein, oxidative stress, hypertension, and biomechanical stress, evoke HSP overexpression in endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells via activation of heat shock transcription factor 1. Interestingly, HSPs, normally localized within the cell, have been found as a soluble form in the blood, which is positively correlated with atherosclerosis in humans. Recently, several groups have reported that soluble HSPs specifically bind to the Toll-like receptor 4/CD14 complex, initiating an innate immune response, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells via nuclear factor-kappaB activation. Furthermore, the titers of autoantibodies against HSPs are significantly elevated in patients with atherosclerosis, and T lymphocytes specifically responding to HSPs have been found in atherosclerotic plaques. These proinflammatory responses and autoimmune reactions to HSPs in the vessel wall can contribute to the initiation and perpetuation of atherosclerosis. Thus, HSPs have a general role in the response of the arterial wall to stress and may serve as a mediator/inducer of atherosclerosis in particular circumstances.
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PMID:Role of heat shock proteins in atherosclerosis. 1237 29

Adiponectin, an adipose-derived hormone, exhibits various biological functions, such as increasing insulin sensitivity, protecting hypertension, and suppression of atherosclerosis, liver fibrosis, and tumor growth. Here, we report the role of adiponectin on bone metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were treated with adenovirus expressing lacZ or adiponectin, and their bones were analyzed by three-dimensional microcomputed tomography. Adiponectin-adenovirus treatment increased trabecular bone mass, accompanied by decreased number of osteoclasts and levels of plasma NTx, a bone-resorption marker. In vitro studies showed that adiponectin inhibited M-CSF- and RANKL-induced differentiation of mouse bone marrow macrophages and human CD14-positive mononuclear cells into osteoclasts and also suppressed the bone-resorption activity of osteoclasts. Furthermore, adiponectin enhanced mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization activity of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Our results indicate that adiponectin exerts an activity to increase bone mass by suppressing osteoclastogenesis and by activating osteoblastogenesis, suggesting that adiponectin manipulation could be therapeutically beneficial for patients with osteopenia.
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PMID:Adiponectin increases bone mass by suppressing osteoclast and activating osteoblast. 1585 Jul 90

Angiotensin II receptor blockade has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the angiopathies of hypertension and hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effect of angiotensin II receptor blockade on monocyte and endothelial cell adhesion markers in type 2 diabetes is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of valsartan on these markers in 53 hypertensive patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Levels of monocyte activation markers (soluble CD14: 2.1+/-0.9 vs. 3.3+/-1.4 microg/ml, p<0.01; monocyte chemotactic peptide: 392+/-94 vs. 489+/-114 pg/ml, p<0.05; and monocyte-derived microparticles: 264+/-98 vs. 511+/-128/microL, p<0.01) and endothelial cell activation markers (soluble E-selectin: 41+/-11 vs. 61+/-20 ng/ml, p<0.001; and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1: 478+/-82 vs. 584+/-101 ng/ml, p<0.01) were significantly increased in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes compared to normotensive controls. In addition, the concentrations of adiponectin were significantly decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes (8.1+/-3.1 vs. 5.2+/-2.5 microg/ml, p<0.01). Regardless of the presence of diabetic complications, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased after valsartan administration (valsartan 80 mg/day for 8 weeks). Monocyte and endothelial cell activation markers were decreased significantly in patients with type 2 diabetes after valsartan treatment, but not in non-type 2 diabetic patients. In addition, valsartan alleviated hypoadiponectinemia in hypertensive patients with diabetes (before vs. after: 5.2+/-2.5 vs. 7.6+/-2.7 microg/ml, p<0.001) but did not increase adiponectin levels in the non-diabetic hypertensive group, for which the average adiponectin level was normal prior to treatment. These results suggest angiotensin II receptor blockade (valsartan) may be beneficial as an anti-atherosclerotic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes in addition to its anti-hypertensive action.
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PMID:Effect of valsartan on monocyte/endothelial cell activation markers and adiponectin in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 1589 27

The metabolic syndrome X is characterized by a group of risk factors such as obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. To study the functional alterations resulting from genetic variations, ex vivo studies are one option to be carried out. Since it is not an easy procedure to obtain cells from the related tissues ex vivo, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether monocytes can serve as model cells. The purpose was to check if monocytes are insulin target cells or not and to elucidate the expression of genes involved in fat assimilation. Human monocytes were drawn from venous blood of healthy donors, aged 25 - 30, using density gradient separation and antibody-based magnetic cell sorting of CD14-positive cells. An expression analysis of genes was performed using RT-PCR and Western Blot. Transcripts of the three splice-variants of the Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP), the Medium-chain Acyl-CoA Synthetase 1 (MACS1), the Insulin Receptor (INSR) and the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor gamma (PPARgamma) are consistently expressed in monocytes of all donors. Differences in gene expression between donors are found for two other members of the MACS-family, the fatty acid transport protein 3 (FATP3) and the FATP4. On protein level, we tested for ACBP expression. The ACBP protein is consistently expressed in monocytes of all donors. Human monocytes are insulin target cells and capable of fatty acid metabolism to some extent. Ex vivo-derived monocytes could be used in additional studies for analyzing differences in genotype-dependent expression levels of genes involved in fat assimilation such as ACBP, MACS1 or PPARgamma.
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PMID:Expression analysis of genes involved in fat assimilation in human monocytes. 1680 Dec 19

Obesity has been linked to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, with elevated markers of systemic inflammation. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. In human obesity, elevated expression of the soluble form of ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) is positively correlated with abdominal fat deposition. Increases in adiposity have also been correlated with macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. Here we investigate adipose tissue production and transcriptional regulation of ICAM-1 in a mouse model of dietary obesity. After feeding mice a high-fat diet, ICAM-1 expression in serum and adipose tissue was analyzed by ELISA, Northern blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, and flow cytometry. After 6 mo on the high-fat diet, sICAM-1 levels significantly correlated with body weight and abdominal fat mass. ICAM-1 mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue of mice, with significantly higher levels in males than females. After only 3 wk, there were adipose tissue-specific increases in mRNAs for ICAM-1, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in male mice. Analysis of the stromal-vascular fraction of male adipose tissue revealed CD11b-negative cells with increased surface ICAM-1 and CD34. We also found two populations of F4/80+, CD11b+, ICAM-1+ cells, one of which also expressed CD14 and CD11c and was increased in response to a high-fat diet. These results indicate that within 3 wk on a high-fat diet, male mice exhibited significant increases in pro-inflammatory factors and immune cell infiltration in adipose tissue that may represent links between obesity and its associated inflammatory complications.
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PMID:ICAM-1 expression in adipose tissue: effects of diet-induced obesity in mice. 1680 3

Magnesium is a micronutrient essential for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, and Mg deficiency (MgD) is frequently associated in the clinical setting with chronic pathologies such as CHF, diabetes, hypertension, and other pathologies. Animal models of MgD have demonstrated a systemic pro-inflammatory/pro-oxidant state, involving multiple tissues/organs including neuronal, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems; during later stages of MgD, a cardiomyopathy develops which may result from a cascade of inflammatory events. In rodent models of dietary MgD, a significant rise in circulating levels of proinflammatory neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide among others, was observed within days (1-7) of initiating the Mg-restricted diet, and implicated a neurogenic trigger for the subsequent inflammatory events; this early "neurogenic inflammation" phase may be mediated in part, by the Mg-gated N: -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor/channel complex. Deregulation of the NMDA receptor may trigger the abrupt release of neuronal SP from the sensory-motor C-fibers to promote the subsequent pro-inflammatory changes: elevations in circulating inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, histamine, and PGE(2) levels, as well as formation of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation products, and depletion of key endogenous antioxidants. Concurrent elevations of tissue CD14, a high affinity receptor for lipopolyssacharide, suggest that intestinal permeability may be compromised leading to endotoxemia. If exposure to these early (1-3 weeks MgD) inflammatory/pro-oxidant events becomes prolonged, this might lead to impaired cardiac function, and when co-existing with other pathologies, may enhance the risk of developing chronic heart failure.
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PMID:The nerve-heart connection in the pro-oxidant response to Mg-deficiency. 1681 76

Gout is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals (MSU) in tissue and provokes a local inflammatory reaction. It is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the elderly. The formation of MSU crystals is facilitated by hyperuricemia. In the last two decades, both hyperuricemia and gout have increased markedly and similar trends in the epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome have been observed. Recent studies provide new insights into uric acid metabolism in the kidneys as well as possible links between hyperuricemia and hypertension. MSU crystals provoke inflammation by activating leukocytes to produce inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. The uptake of MSU crystals by monocytes involves interactions with Toll-like receptors (TLR-2 and TLR-4) and CD14, components of the innate immune system. Intracellularly, MSU crystals activate inflammasomes to activate pro-IL-1 (interleukin 1) processing to yield mature IL-1beta. The inflammatory effects of MSU are IL-1-dependent and can be blocked by IL-1 inhibitors. These advances provide new therapeutic targets to treat hyperuricemia and gout.
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PMID:[New knowledge on the pathophysiology and therapy of gout]. 1792 25

High blood pressure (BP) and monocyte activation are associated with atherogenic processes. Especially, CD16 expressing monocytes are shown to be activated in many inflammatory conditions but their characteristics in hypertension is unknown. We compared CD16(++), CD16(+) and CD16(-) monocyte populations and their cellular adhesion molecule (CAM), chemokine receptor, and activation marker expression in response to a moderate 20-min treadmill exercise bout at 65-70% V O(2peak) in 44 participants with elevated (EBP) or normal BP (NBP). Blood was drawn before, immediately after, and 10min after exercise. Phenotyping of monocytes and detection of surface markers were done by flow cytometry. Monocyte subset by exercise [pre, post, 10-min post] repeated measures ANOVA and group [EBP vs. NBP] by exercise repeated measures of ANCOVA with age, BMI, and fitness as covariates were employed. Circulating numbers of all the three monocyte subsets increased after exercise (p<0.001), with the largest % increase for CD16(+)CD14(++). Percents of CD16(++)CD14(+) and CD16(+)CD14(++) increased, whereas % CD16(-)CD14(++) decreased (p<0.001). Also, pre to post exercise changes in CD62L, CD11b, CXCR2, and HLA-DR expression were different among the monocyte subsets (p's<0.001). BP status did not significantly affect monocyte subset trafficking, although post-exercise changes in CD62L and CXCR2 levels were greater in EBP individuals (p<0.05). We conclude that exercise leads to a different mobilization among monocyte subsets based on CD16 expression. Individuals with high BP showed greater responses to a physical challenge in some monocyte chemokine receptors and selectins, but its clinical implications need further examination.
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PMID:Effects of an exercise challenge on mobilization and surface marker expression of monocyte subsets in individuals with normal vs. elevated blood pressure. 1824 48

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the elderly. In the last two decades, both hyperuricemia and gout have increased markedly and similar trends in the epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome have been observed. Recent studies provide new insights into the transporters that handle uric acid in the kidney as well as possible links between these transporters, hyperuricemia, and hypertension. The treatment of established hyperuricemia has also seen new developments. Febuxostat and PEG-uricase are two novel treatments that have been evaluated and shown to be highly effective in the management of hyperuricemia, thus enlarging the therapeutic options available to lower uric acid levels. Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals are potent inducers of inflammation. Within the joint, they trigger a local inflammatory reaction, neutrophil recruitment, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as other inflammatory mediators. Experimentally, the uptake of MSU crystals by monocytes involves interactions with components of the innate immune system, namely Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, and CD14. Intracellularly, MSU crystals activate multiple processes that lead to the formation of the NALP-3 (NACHT, LRR, and pyrin domain-containing-3) inflammasome complex that in turn processes pro-interleukin (IL)-1 to yield mature IL-1 beta, which is then secreted. The inflammatory effects of MSU are IL-1-dependent and can be blocked by IL-1 inhibitors. These advances in the understanding of hyperuricemia and gout provide new therapeutic targets for the future.
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PMID:Developments in the scientific and clinical understanding of gout. 1894 74


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