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)

Nitric oxide (NO) has been demonstrated to play a central role in vascular biology and pathobiology. The expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is regulated in part by blood flow-induced mechanical factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the expression of eNOS mRNA correlates with the activation of its promoter in both arterial and venous endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to mechanical forces, ie, shear stress and cyclic circumferential stretch. Bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) and EA hy.926, a cell line derived from human umbilical vein ECs, were grown on the inside of elastic tubes and subjected to combinations of pressure, pulsatile shear stress, and cyclic circumferential stretch for 24 hours. Two patterns of shear stress were used: unidirectional (mean of 6, ranging from 3 to 9 dyne/cm2) and oscillatory (mean of 0.3, ranging from -3 to +3 dyne/cm2). The expression of eNOS mRNA was quantified by Northern blot analysis. Activation of the promoter was assessed by luciferase activity after the cells were transiently transfected before the flow experiments with a plasmid construct containing the fully functional eNOS promoter coupled to a luciferase reporter gene. Expression of eNOS mRNA was increased and promoter activity was enhanced by unidirectional shear stress compared with static control. Oscillatory shear slightly upregulated eNOS mRNA in BAECs, whereas it downregulated eNOS mRNA in EA hy.926. In both BAECs and EA hy.926, there was a good correlation between the increase in eNOS mRNA expression and promoter activation by unidirectional shear stress. In contrast, in both BAECs and EA hy.926 cells exposed to shear stress, cyclic stretch did not change eNOS mRNA expression, but the activation of eNOS promoter was significantly lower. Moreover, when ECs were exposed to oscillatory shear stress, there was a dramatic activation of the eNOS promoter. These results demonstrate that unidirectional shear stress increases eNOS mRNA expression via a transcriptional mechanism. However, oscillatory shear stress and cyclic stretch appear to control eNOS expression through posttranscriptional regulatory events.
Hypertension 1998 Aug
PMID:Nitric oxide synthase expression in endothelial cells exposed to mechanical forces. 971 66

Because both the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene and the cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) are induced in the infarcted myocardium, localized production of IL-1beta may regulate the BNP gene. We tested whether (1) IL-1beta regulates the human BNP promoter, (2) cis elements in the proximal promoter respond to IL-1beta, and (3) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways [p42/44, c-jun (JNK) and p38 kinase] are involved. We transferred the hBNP promoter coupled to a luciferase reporter gene or constructs with mutations in the proximal promoter GATA and M-CAT elements into neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and treated the cells with IL-1beta for 24 hours. IL-1beta-stimulated hBNP luciferase activity was eliminated by pretreatment with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Both the p38 kinase inhibitor SB205380 (SB) and cotransfection of a dominant-negative mutant of p38 kinase reduced IL-1beta stimulation of the hBNP promoter. Dominant-negative mutants of Ras and Rac inhibited IL-1beta-stimulated hBNP luciferase activity by 64% and 90%, respectively. Constitutively active forms of Rac and MKK6, the immediate upstream activator of p38, were stimulatory; however, only the effect of MKK6 was inhibited by SB. Neither the p42/44 nor the JNK pathway was involved in the action of IL-1beta. Both IL-1beta and MKK6 activation of the hBNP promoter were partially reduced when the promoter contained a mutated M-CAT element. In summary, (1) IL-1beta is a transcriptional activator of the hBNP promoter; (2) IL-1beta acts through a Ras-dependent pathway not coupled to activation of p42/44 MAPK or JNK; (3) IL-1beta acts through a Rac-dependent pathway, but the downstream effector is not known; and (4) IL-1beta activation of p38 kinase is partially involved in regulation of the hBNP promoter, targeting the proximal M-CAT element.
Hypertension 1999 Jan
PMID:Interleukin-1beta regulation of the human brain natriuretic peptide promoter involves Ras-, Rac-, and p38 kinase-dependent pathways in cardiac myocytes. 993 Nov 18

Angiotensin (Ang) II stimulates proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) via its specific receptor AT1 subtype, possibly leading to atherosclerosis in hypertension. On the other hand, a cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma has been shown to have an anti-atherosclerotic effect. In the present study, we examined a possible role of IFN-gamma in AT1 receptor gene regulation in VSMC. A firefly luciferase expression vector driven by the rat AT1a receptor gene promoter ( approximately 3.2 kb) was transfected into the cultured rat VSMC, and luciferase expression was determined to estimate the transcription function of the AT1a receptor gene promoter. RT-PCR was also carried out to determine mRNA expression of AT1a receptor in VSMC. IFN-gamma treatment decreased AT1a receptor mRNA expression as well as luciferase expression in a dose-dependent manner. The analysis with deletion DNA fragments showed that the IFN-responsive element was located between -987 and -331 positions, where multiple GAS (gamma interferon activated site)-like elements were identified. The expression suppression was reversed by either a MAPKK inhibitor PD98059 or a Jak-2 inhibitor AG-490. These results suggest that IFN-gamma can inhibit AT1 receptor expression at gene transcription level, and that the transcription suppression is dependent on MAP kinase and Jak-2. Inhibition of AT1a receptor expression may possibly be implicated in the anti-atherosclerotic action of IFN-gamma in VSMC.
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PMID:Transcriptional suppression of rat angiotensin AT1a receptor gene expression by interferon-gamma in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1046 2

To demonstrate potential therapeutic effects of kallikrein gene delivery in salt-induced hypertension and renal diseases, we delivered adenovirus carrying the human tissue kallikrein gene (Ad.CMV-cHK) into deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. A single intravenous injection of Ad.CMV-cHK caused a delay in the rise of blood pressure that began 2 days post gene delivery and lasted for more than 23 days. A maximal blood pressure reduction of 50 mm Hg was observed in rats receiving kallikrein gene delivery, as compared to rats receiving adenovirus containing the luciferase gene (Ad.CMV-Luc) (172 +/- 5 vs. 222 +/- 13 mm Hg, n = 6, P < 0.01). Throughout the experimental period, a blood pressure reduction of at least 32 mm Hg was observed in the DOCA-salt rats injected with Ad.CMV-cHK as compared to DOCA-salt rats receiving control adenovirus. Immunoreactive human tissue kallikrein levels were detected in rat serum and urine post gene delivery. Adenovirus-mediated kallikrein gene delivery caused a significant reduction in urinary excretion, urinary protein levels and body weight. Morphological examination of the kidney showed that kallikrein gene transfer significantly reduced DOCA-salt-induced glomerular sclerotic lesions, brush border disruption of proximal tubules, tubular dilatation and protein cast accumulation. These findings showed that the expression of human tissue kallikrein via gene delivery has protective effects against hypertension and renal injury in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.
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PMID:Adenovirus-mediated kallikrein gene delivery attenuates hypertension and protects against renal injury in deoxycorticosterone-salt rats. 1060 25

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates the release of prostaglandins (PGs) in various cells and tissues. Recently, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) emerged as a new key regulator for PG synthesis. In the present study, we investigated whether Ang II regulates COX-2 expression in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Ang II markedly increased the expression of COX-2 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This effect was completely blocked by the Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan but not by the Ang II type 2 receptor antagonist PD123319. The p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase-1 inhibitor PD98059 and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 significantly suppressed Ang II-induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. Ang II did not increase transcription of the COX-2 gene, as examined with a COX-2 promoter/luciferase chimeric plasmid construct. Instead, it suppressed the degradation of COX-2 mRNA. PD98059 and SB203580 markedly enhanced the decay of COX-2 mRNA induced by Ang II, implying that p42/44 and p38 MAPK activated by Ang II play a role in the regulation of COX-2 through stabilization of its mRNA. The COX-2-specific inhibitor NS-398 attenuated Ang II-stimulated DNA and protein synthesis, as well as PGE(2) production by VSMCs. These results suggest that Ang II regulates COX-2 expression and PG production and modulates cell proliferation through MAPK-mediated signaling pathways in rat VSMCs.
Hypertension 2000 Jan
PMID:Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by angiotensin II in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. 1064 77

We have shown that interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) activates the human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP) promoter via a transcriptional mechanism. Others have reported that changes in intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) mediate the action of IL-1beta. We questioned whether Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)-dependent pathways mediate IL-1beta regulation of the hBNP promoter in cardiac myocytes. The hBNP promoter (-1818 to +100) coupled to a luciferase cDNA reporter gene was transferred into neonatal cardiac myocytes. Cells were then treated with agents that modify Ca(2+) levels or inhibit Ca(2+)-dependent kinases, and luciferase activity was measured as an index of hBNP promoter activity. The Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 increased hBNP promoter activity; however, neither EGTA nor nifedipine reduced IL-1beta-stimulated promoter activity. Long-term treatment with thapsigargin, which depletes intracellular Ca(2+) stores, decreased basal promoter activity and blocked the effect of IL-1beta. Inhibition of protein kinase C completely blocked IL-1beta-stimulated hBNP promoter activity, whereas inhibition of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II decreased promoter activity by 40%. In contrast, inhibition of the Ca(2+)-regulated phosphatase calcineurin by cyclosporin A had no effect. These data suggest that (1) Ca(2+) activates the hBNP promoter; (2) release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores is important to IL-1beta regulation of the hBNP promoter, but transport via voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels is not; (3) protein kinase C and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II mediate the action of IL-1beta; and (4) the phosphatase calcineurin is not involved in IL-1beta regulation of the hBNP promoter. Thus, Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)-dependent pathways are critical to IL-1beta regulation of the hBNP promoter.
Hypertension 2000 Jan
PMID:Interleukin-1beta regulates the human brain natriuretic peptide promoter via Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase pathways. 1064 13

All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) is a biologically active metabolite of vitamin A that plays an important role in cell differentiation and proliferation. Although neointimal formation after balloon injury of rat carotid artery is inhibited by atRA, the mechanisms are not clearly understood. Because the renin-angiotensin system is one of the crucial components of atherosclerosis, we examined the effects of atRA on the expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)-R) in vascular smooth muscle cells. atRA (1 micromol/L) decreased the AT(1)-R mRNA level by 50% after 24 hours; AT(1)-R number was also reduced to the same extent after 48 hours. atRA markedly suppressed promoter activity of the AT(1)-R promoter-luciferase construct, but AT(1)-R mRNA stability was not affected. Cycloheximide blocked the atRA-induced decrease in AT(1)-R mRNA expression, suggesting that this process requires de novo protein synthesis. Simultaneous treatment with an agonist (Ro40-6055) specific for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and an agonist (Ro25-7836) specific for retinoid X receptor (RXR) suppressed the AT(1)-R mRNA expression comparable to that with treatment with atRA, suggesting that the RAR/RXR heterodimer mediates the effect of atRA in AT(1)-R downregulation. These results suggest that atRA suppressed AT(1)-R mRNA transcription through new protein synthesis induced by RAR/RXR-dependent transcription. This study provides novel insight into a role of atRA as an important molecule that regulates AT(1)-R gene expression and provides possible mechanisms for the suppression of neointimal formation by atRA.
Hypertension 2000 Jan
PMID:Downregulation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor by all-trans retinoic acid in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1064 14

Tissue factor (TF), a main initiator of clotting, is up-regulated in vasculopathy. We tested the hypothesis that chronic in vivo angiotensin (ANG) II receptor AT(1) receptor blockade inhibits TF expression in a model of ANG II-induced cardiac vasculopathy. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by examining transcription factor activation and analyzing the TF promoter. Untreated transgenic rats overexpressing the human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR) feature hypertension and severe left ventricular hypertrophy with focal areas of necrosis, and die at age 7 weeks. Plasma and cardiac ANG II was three- to fivefold increased compared to Sprague-Dawley rats. Chronic treatment with valsartan normalized blood pressure and coronary resistance completely, and ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy (P < 0.001). Valsartan prevented monocyte/macrophage infiltration, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation, and c-fos expression in dTGR hearts. NF-kappaB subunit p65 and TF expression was increased in the endothelium and media of cardiac vessels and markedly reduced by valsartan treatment. To analyze the mechanism of TF transcription, we then transfected human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the AT(1) receptor with plasmids containing the human TF promoter and the luciferase reporter gene. ANG II induced the full-length TF promoter in both transfected cell lines. TF transcription was abolished by AT(1) receptor blockade. Deletion of both AP-1 and NF-kappaB sites reduced ANG II-induced TF gene transcription completely, whereas the deletion of AP-1 sites reduced transcription. Thus, the present study clearly shows an aberrant TF expression in the endothelium and media in rats with ANG II-induced vasculopathy. The beneficial effects of AT(1) receptor blockade in this model are mediated via the inhibition of NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation, thereby preventing TF expression, cardiac vasculopathy, and microinfarctions.
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PMID:Angiotensin II (AT(1)) receptor blockade reduces vascular tissue factor in angiotensin II-induced cardiac vasculopathy. 1088 Mar 68

Endothelin-1 (Et-1) is a vasoconstrictor peptide that plays an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases. We examined the mechanism of regulation the Et-1 mRNA expression in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in response to hypoxia and cobalt. To determine whether the 5'-flanking region of Et-1 gene mediate transcriptional responses to cellular hypoxia, we constructed reporter plasmids in which Et-1 5'-flanking sequences of Et-1 gene were fused to luciferase coding sequences. Constructs, which contain native Et-1 sequence 5'-AACGTGCA-3', located between -118 and -125 in the opposite orientation as the transcriptional unit, mediate transcriptional response to hypoxia and cobalt. This responsiveness was inhibited by genistein, a tyrosine kinase selective inhibitor. Both hypoxia and cobalt induced binding of HIF-1 (hypoxia inducible-1 factor) to this Et-1 hypoxia responsive element in gel shift assays. Mutation in this sequence eliminated both the hypoxia-induced HIF-1 binding and luciferase expression. Using the supershift assay we have shown that this hypoxia responsive element binds HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta proteins. Interestingly, genistein only slightly affected HIF-1 binding. These results indicate that the Et-1 gene contains HIF-1 binding hypoxia responsive elements which mediate transcriptional responses to hypoxia and cobalt in microvascular endothelial cells. Genistein appears to inhibit this response by affecting the transcriptional activity of the HIF-1 complex, without significantly affecting its DNA-binding properties.
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PMID:Regulation of endothelin-1 gene expression in human microvascular endothelial cells by hypoxia and cobalt: role of hypoxia responsive element. 1093 28

Vascular endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are elevated in patients with renal allograft rejection, and the mitogenic and pressor actions of ET-1 might contribute to transplant vasculopathy, posttransplantation hypertension, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In contrast, relatively little is known about tubular expression of ET-1 in acute or chronic rejection of renal allografts. We sought to determine whether tubular ET-1 levels were altered in patients with acute or chronic renal allograft rejection. Immunohistochemical analysis of tubular ET-1 was performed in renal biopsy specimens from 18 patients with acute rejection, 7 patients with chronic rejection, and 5 normal kidneys excised for localized neoplasm. The diagnosis of acute or chronic rejection in each patient was verified and graded using the Banff schema. Renal tubular epithelium from patients with allograft rejection had markedly elevated staining for ET-1 compared with normal kidneys. Tubular ET-1 levels were elevated in 18 of 18 patients with acute rejection and 5 of 7 patients with chronic rejection. Tubular ET-1 staining was graded from 0 to +3 as follows: normal kidneys, 1.2 +/- 0.2; acute rejection, 2.3 +/- 0.4 (P < 0.01); and chronic rejection, 2.2 +/- 0.5 (P < 0.01). ET-1 staining was prominent in both proximal and distal tubules, and we observed abundant ET-1 secretion from proximal tubular epithelium in culture. Moreover, ET-1 activated the c-fos immediate early gene promoter in proximal tubular cells transfected with a c-fos luciferase reporter. We conclude that elevated tubular ET-1 levels are associated with acute and chronic rejection of renal allografts. Our results also suggest distinct pathophysiological roles for the tubular and vascular ET-1 systems in renal allograft rejection.
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PMID:Elevated endothelin-1 in tubular epithelium is associated with renal allograft rejection. 1097 86


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