Involvement of Glucosamine 6 Phosphate Isomerase 2 (GNPDA2) Overproduction in ß-Amyloid- and Tau P301L-Driven Pathomechanisms.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative olfactory disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Alterations in the hexosamine- or glucose-related pathways have been described through AD progression. Specifically, an alteration in glucosamine 6 phosphate isomerase 2 (GNPDA2) protein levels has been observed in olfactory areas of AD subjects. However, the biological role of GNPDA2 in neurodegeneration remains unknown. Using mass spectrometry, multiple GNPDA2 interactors were identified in human nasal epithelial cells (NECs) mainly involved in intraciliary transport. Moreover, GNPDA2 overexpression induced an increment in NEC proliferation rates, accompanied by transcriptomic alterations in Type II interferon signaling or cellular stress responses. In contrast, the presence of beta-amyloid or mutated Tau-P301L in GNPDA2-overexpressing NECs induced a slowdown in the proliferative capacity in parallel with a disruption in protein processing. The proteomic characterization of Tau-P301L transgenic zebrafish embryos demonstrated that GNPDA2 overexpression interfered with collagen biosynthesis and RNA/protein processing, without inducing additional changes in axonal outgrowth defects or neuronal cell death. In humans, a significant increase in serum GNPDA2 levels was observed across multiple neurological proteinopathies (AD, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, mixed dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (n = 215). These data shed new light on GNPDA2-dependent mechanisms associated with the neurodegenerative process beyond the hexosamine route.

Neuropathological stage-dependent proteome mapping of the olfactory tract in Alzheimer's disease: From early olfactory-related omics signatures to computational repurposing of drug candidates.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterized by an early olfactory dysfunction, progressive memory loss, and behavioral deterioration. Albeit substantial progress has been made in characterizing AD-associated molecular and cellular events, there is an unmet clinical need for new therapies. In this study, olfactory tract proteotyping performed in controls and AD subjects (n = 17/group) showed a Braak stage-dependent proteostatic impairment accompanied by the progressive modulation of amyloid precursor protein and tau functional interactomes. To implement a computational repurposing of drug candidates with the capacity to reverse early AD-related olfactory omics signatures (OMSs), we generated a consensual OMSs database compiling differential omics datasets obtained by mass-spectrometry or RNA-sequencing derived from initial AD across the olfactory axis. Using the Connectivity Map-based drug repurposing approach, PKC, EGFR, Aurora kinase, Glycogen synthase kinase, and CDK inhibitors were the top pharmacologic classes capable to restore multiple OMSs, whereas compounds with targeted activity to inhibit PI3K, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), microtubules, and Polo-like kinase (PLK) represented a family of drugs with detrimental potential to induce olfactory AD-associated gene expression changes. To validate the potential therapeutic effects of the proposed drugs, in vitro assays were performed. These validation experiments revealed that pretreatment of human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells with the EGFR inhibitor AG-1478 showed a neuroprotective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage while the pretreatment with the Aurora kinase inhibitor Reversine reduced amyloid-beta (Aß)-induced neurotoxicity. Taken together, our data pointed out that OMSs may be useful as substrates for drug repurposing to propose novel neuroprotective treatments against AD.

A Dual Pharmacological Strategy against COVID-19: The Therapeutic Potential of Metformin and Atorvastatin.

Metformin (MET) and atorvastatin (ATO) are promising treatments for COVID-19. This review explores the potential of MET and ATO, commonly prescribed for diabetes and dyslipidemia, respectively, as versatile medicines against SARS-CoV-2. Due to their immunomodulatory and antiviral capabilities, as well as their cost-effectiveness and ubiquitous availability, they are highly suitable options for treating the virus. MET's effect extends beyond managing blood sugar, impacting pathways that can potentially decrease the severity and fatality rates linked with COVID-19. It can partially block mitochondrial complex I and stimulate AMPK, which indicates that it can be used more widely in managing viral infections. ATO, however, impacts cholesterol metabolism, a crucial element of the viral replicative cycle, and demonstrates anti-inflammatory characteristics that could modulate intense immune reactions in individuals with COVID-19. Retrospective investigations and clinical trials show decreased hospitalizations, severity, and mortality rates in patients receiving these medications. Nevertheless, the journey from observing something to applying it in a therapeutic setting is intricate, and the inherent diversity of the data necessitates carefully executed, forward-looking clinical trials. This review highlights the requirement for efficacious, easily obtainable, and secure COVID-19 therapeutics and identifies MET and ATO as promising treatments in this worldwide health emergency.

Mapping the human brain proteome: opportunities, challenges, and clinical potential.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the segmented functions and complexity of the human brain, the characterization of molecular profiles within specific areas such as brain structures and biofluids is essential to unveil the molecular basis for structure specialization as well as the molecular imbalance associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. AREAS COVERED: Much of our knowledge about brain functionality derives from neurophysiological, anatomical, and transcriptomic approaches. More recently, laser capture and imaging proteomics, technological and computational developments in LC-MS/MS, as well as antibody/aptamer-based platforms have allowed the generation of novel cellular, spatial, and posttranslational dimensions as well as innovative facets in biomarker validation and druggable target identification. EXPERT OPINION: Proteomics is a powerful toolbox to functionally characterize, quantify, and localize the extensive protein catalog of the human brain across physiological and pathological states. Brain function depends on multi-dimensional protein homeostasis, and its elucidation will help us to characterize biological pathways that are essential to properly maintain cognitive functions. In addition, comprehensive human brain pathological proteomes may be the basis in computational drug-repositioning methods as a strategy for unveiling potential new therapies in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Enhancer-AAVs allow genetic access to oligodendrocytes and diverse populations of astrocytes across species.

Proper brain function requires the assembly and function of diverse populations of neurons and glia. Single cell gene expression studies have mostly focused on characterization of neuronal cell diversity; however, recent studies have revealed substantial diversity of glial cells, particularly astrocytes. To better understand glial cell types and their roles in neurobiology, we built a new suite of adeno-associated viral (AAV)-based genetic tools to enable genetic access to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. These oligodendrocyte and astrocyte enhancer-AAVs are highly specific (usually > 95% cell type specificity) with variable expression levels, and our astrocyte enhancer-AAVs show multiple distinct expression patterns reflecting the spatial distribution of astrocyte cell types. To provide the best glial-specific functional tools, several enhancer-AAVs were: optimized for higher expression levels, shown to be functional and specific in rat and macaque, shown to maintain specific activity in epilepsy where traditional promoters changed activity, and used to drive functional transgenes in astrocytes including Cre recombinase and acetylcholine-responsive sensor iAChSnFR. The astrocyte-specific iAChSnFR revealed a clear reward-dependent acetylcholine response in astrocytes of the nucleus accumbens during reinforcement learning. Together, this collection of glial enhancer-AAVs will enable characterization of astrocyte and oligodendrocyte populations and their roles across species, disease states, and behavioral epochs.

Full-length Isoform Sequencing for Resolving the Molecular Basis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2A.

Objectives: Transcript sequencing of patient-derived samples has been shown to improve the diagnostic yield for solving cases of suspected Mendelian conditions, yet the added benefit of full-length long-read transcript sequencing is largely unexplored. Methods: We applied short-read and full-length transcript sequencing and mitochondrial functional studies to a patient-derived fibroblast cell line from an individual with neuropathy that previously lacked a molecular diagnosis. Results: We identified an intronic homozygous MFN2 c.600-31T>G variant that disrupts the branch point critical for intron 6 splicing. Full-length long-read isoform complementary DNA (cDNA) sequencing after treatment with a nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) inhibitor revealed that this variant creates 5 distinct altered splicing transcripts. All 5 altered splicing transcripts have disrupted open reading frames and are subject to NMD. Furthermore, a patient-derived fibroblast line demonstrated abnormal lipid droplet formation, consistent with MFN2 dysfunction. Although correctly spliced full-length MFN2 transcripts are still produced, this branch point variant results in deficient MFN2 levels and autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2A (CMT2A). Discussion: This case highlights the utility of full-length isoform sequencing for characterizing the molecular mechanism of undiagnosed rare diseases and expands our understanding of the genetic basis for CMT2A.

Endothelial NOX5 overexpression induces changes in the cardiac gene profile: potential impact in myocardial infarction?

Cardiovascular diseases and the ischemic heart disease specifically constitute the main cause of death worldwide. The ischemic heart disease may lead to myocardial infarction, which in turn triggers numerous mechanisms and pathways involved in cardiac repair and remodeling. Our goal in the present study was to characterize the effect of the NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) endothelial expression in healthy and infarcted knock-in mice on diverse signaling pathways. The mechanisms studied in the heart of mice were the redox pathway, metalloproteinases and collagen pathway, signaling factors such as NFκB, AKT or Bcl-2, and adhesion molecules among others. Recent studies support that NOX5 expression in animal models can modify the environment and predisposes organ response to harmful stimuli prior to pathological processes. We found many alterations in the mRNA expression of components involved in cardiac fibrosis as collagen type I or TGF-ß and in key players of cardiac apoptosis such as AKT, Bcl-2, or p53. In the heart of NOX5-expressing mice after chronic myocardial infarction, gene alterations were predominant in the redox pathway (NOX2, NOX4, p22phox, or SOD1), but we also found alterations in VCAM-1 and ß-MHC expression. Our results suggest that NOX5 endothelial expression in mice preconditions the heart, and we propose that NOX5 has a cardioprotective role. The correlation studies performed between echocardiographic parameters and cardiac mRNA expression supported NOX5 protective action.

Full-length isoform sequencing for resolving the molecular basis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2A.

Objectives: Transcript sequencing of patient derived samples has been shown to improve the diagnostic yield for solving cases of likely Mendelian disorders, yet the added benefit of full-length long-read transcript sequencing is largely unexplored. Methods: We applied short-read and full-length isoform cDNA sequencing and mitochondrial functional studies to a patient-derived fibroblast cell line from an individual with neuropathy that previously lacked a molecular diagnosis. Results: We identified an intronic homozygous MFN2 c.600-31T>G variant that disrupts a branch point critical for intron 6 spicing. Full-length long-read isoform cDNA sequencing after treatment with a nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) inhibitor revealed that this variant creates five distinct altered splicing transcripts. All five altered splicing transcripts have disrupted open reading frames and are subject to NMD. Furthermore, a patient-derived fibroblast line demonstrated abnormal lipid droplet formation, consistent with MFN2 dysfunction. Although correctly spliced full-length MFN2 transcripts are still produced, this branch point variant results in deficient MFN2 protein levels and autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2A (CMT2A). Discussion: This case highlights the utility of full-length isoform sequencing for characterizing the molecular mechanism of undiagnosed rare diseases and expands our understanding of the genetic basis for CMT2A.

NADPH Oxidase 5 (NOX5) Overexpression Promotes Endothelial Dysfunction via Cell Apoptosis, Migration, and Metabolic Alterations in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (hCMEC/D3).

NADPH oxidases (NOX) constitute the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) source in blood vessels. An oxidative stress situation due to ROS overproduction can lead into endothelial dysfunction, a molecular mechanism that precedes cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. NOX5 is the last discovered member of the NOX family, studied in a lesser extent due to its absence in the rodent genome. Our objective was to describe the phenotypic alterations produced by an oxidative stress situation derived from NOX5 overexpression in an endothelial in vitro model. The in vitro model consists of the hCMEC/D3 cell line, derived from brain microvascular endothelium, infected with a recombinant NOX5-ß adenovirus. After an initial proteomic analysis, three phenotypic alterations detected in silico were studied: cell proliferation and apoptosis, general and mitochondrial metabolism, and migration capacity. NOX5 infection of hCMEC/D3 generates a functional protein and an increase in ROS production. This model produced changes in the whole cell proteome. The in silico analysis together with in vitro validations demonstrated that NOX5 overexpression inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis, metabolic alterations and cell migration in hCMEC/D3 cells. NOX5 overexpression in endothelial cells leads to phenotypic changes that can lead to endothelial dysfunction, the onset of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Use of Smartphones to Increase Safe Sexual Behavior in Youths at Risk for HIV.

In Mexico, young people continue to experience problems due to a lack of correct and consistent condom use during sexual intercourse. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of a randomized controlled clinical trial with the use of smartphones to increase safe sex intentions and safe sexual behavior. METHODS: experimental design with two treatment groups with 177 young people who requested the rapid HIV test in a non-governmental organization in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. The experimental group was given Respect M-Health with the use of mobile devices; the control group was given similar counseling without the use of mobile technology and 8 pencil and paper instruments were used. RESULTS: the effect of the experimental group was greater in safe sexual behavior reflected in the means at pre-test M=64.80 (SD=1.86), post-test M=85.33 (SD=1.54), and at 30 days M=87.40 (SD=1.52), and in the safe sex intentions factor at pre-test M=78.50 (SD=3.07), post-test M=94.70 (SD=2.46), and at 30 days M=95.74 (SD=2.29). CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone use was an effective tool as a support to increase safe sexual behavior in youth.

En México, los jóvenes siguen presentando problemas debido a la falta de uso correcto y consistente del preservativo durante las relaciones sexuales. OBJETIVO: evaluar el efecto de un ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado con el uso de teléfonos inteligentes para aumentar las intenciones de sexo seguro y la conducta sexual segura. Métodos: diseño experimental con dos grupos de tratamiento con 177 jóvenes que solicitaron la prueba rápida de VIH en una Organización no Gubernamental en la ciudad de Monterrey, México. Al grupo experimental se le brindó Respeto M-Salud para el uso de dispositivos móviles; al grupo control se le entregó una herramienta similar, pero sin el uso de tecnología móvil, y se utilizaron 8 instrumentos de lápiz y papel. RESULTADOS: el efecto del grupo experimental fue mayor en la conducta sexual segura reflejado en las medias del pre-test M=64.80 (SD=1.86), post-test M=85.33 (SD=1.54) y a los 30 días M=87.40 (SD=1.52); y en el factor de intenciones de sexo seguro, se reflejó de esta manera en el pre-test M=78.50 (SD=3.07), post-test M=94.70 (SD=2.46) y a los 30 días M=95.74 (SD=2.29). CONCLUSIONES: El uso de teléfonos inteligentes fue una herramienta eficaz como apoyo para aumentar la conducta sexual segura en los jóvenes.

Riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular y cerebrovascular a largo plazo en mujeres con antecedente personal de abrupción placentaria

La salud materna y perinatal es una de las prioridades actuales de la salud global. La enfermedad cardiovascular y el accidente cerebrovascular son las principales causas de mortalidad materna. La abrupción placentaria sigue siendo una preocupación crítica para la morbilidad materna debido a que se ha asociado a enfermedad vascular a largo plazo. Sin embargo, no existe mucha literatura disponible en español ni evidencia reciente que haya dilucidado algunas interrogantes sobre este tópico. Entonces, el objetivo de esta revisión consiste en sintetizar evidencia reciente sobre el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular y cerebrovascular a largo plazo en mujeres con antecedente personal de abrupción placentaria. Se encontró que, a través de mecanismos fisiopatológicos complejos, que involucran la estructura y funcionalidad de la red vascular placentaria con posterior extensión de lesión vascular y producción de factores proinflamatorios y procoagulantes que permanecen después del parto, se precipita la aparición de eventos cardiovasculares mayores a mediano y largo plazo. Evidencia de alta calidad ha revelado que el riesgo de sufrir de complicaciones maternas en aquellas mujeres con abrupción placentaria es de 2,14, que se eleva aún más para aquellas con desprendimiento severo. A mediano y largo plazo, el riesgo de mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria es de 2,64, y de 1,70 para desorden cerebrovascular, con igual riesgo tanto para el tipo isquémico como hemorrágico. Entonces, se puede concluir que el riesgo cardiovascular y cerebrovascular es inminente en mujeres con antecedente de abrupción placentaria, dado por numerosos mecanismos fisiopatológicos vasculares. No obstante, este riesgo se eleva considerablemente al asociarse con factores modificables tradicionales y no tradicionales.

Maternal and perinatal health is one of today's global health priorities. Cardiovascular disease and stroke are the leading causes of maternal mortality. Placental abruption remains a critical concern for maternal morbidity because it has been associated with long-term vascular disease. However, there is neither much literature available in Spanish nor recent evidence elucidating some questions on this topic. Thus, this review aims to synthesize recent evidence on the long-term risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in women with a personal history of placental abruption. It was found that, through complex pathophysiological mechanisms involving the structure and functionality of the placental vascular network with subsequent extension of vascular injury and production of proinflammatory and procoagulant factors which remain after delivery, major cardiovascular events are precipitated in the medium and long term. High-quality evidence has shown that the risk of maternal complications in women with placental abruption accounts for 2.14, rising even higher for those with severe placental abruption. In the medium and long term, the mortality risk caused by coronary heart diseases is 2.64 and by cerebrovascular disorders is 1.70, with equal risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. It can therefore be concluded that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk is imminent in women with a history of placental abruption due to a number of vascular pathophysiological mechanisms. However, this risk is considerably increased when associated with traditional and non-traditional modifiable factors.

Expression of Endothelial NOX5 Alters the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Causes Loss of Memory in Aging Mice.

Blood-Brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a hallmark of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, and oxidative stress is one of the molecular mechanisms that may underlie this process. NADPH oxidases (NOX) are involved in oxidative stress-mediated vascular dysfunction and participate in the pathophysiology of its target organs. The NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) isoform is absent in rodents, and although little is known about the role it may play in disrupting the BBB, it has recently been implicated in experimental stroke. Our aim was to investigate the role of NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) in promoting vascular alterations and to identify its impact on the cognitive status of aged mice. No differences were detected in the arterial blood pressure or body weight between knock-in mice expressing endothelial NOX5 and the control mice. The Morris water maze test showed memory impairments in the aged knock-in mice expressing NOX5 compared with their control littermates. For assessing the BBB integrity, we studied the protein expression of two tight junction (TJ) proteins: Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Compared to the control animals, Aged NOX5 mice exhibited reduced levels of both proteins, demonstrating an alteration of the BBB integrity. Our data indicate that vascular NOX5 may favor behavioral changes with aging through oxidative stress-mediated BBB breakdown.

A taxonomy of transcriptomic cell types across the isocortex and hippocampal formation.

The isocortex and hippocampal formation (HPF) in the mammalian brain play critical roles in perception, cognition, emotion, and learning. We profiled ∼1.3 million cells covering the entire adult mouse isocortex and HPF and derived a transcriptomic cell-type taxonomy revealing a comprehensive repertoire of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuron types. Contrary to the traditional view of HPF as having a simpler cellular organization, we discover a complete set of glutamatergic types in HPF homologous to all major subclasses found in the six-layered isocortex, suggesting that HPF and the isocortex share a common circuit organization. We also identify large-scale continuous and graded variations of cell types along isocortical depth, across the isocortical sheet, and in multiple dimensions in hippocampus and subiculum. Overall, our study establishes a molecular architecture of the mammalian isocortex and hippocampal formation and begins to shed light on its underlying relationship with the development, evolution, connectivity, and function of these two brain structures.

Enhancer viruses for combinatorial cell-subclass-specific labeling.

Rapid cell type identification by new genomic single-cell analysis methods has not been met with efficient experimental access to these cell types. To facilitate access to specific neural populations in mouse cortex, we collected chromatin accessibility data from individual cells and identified enhancers specific for cell subclasses and types. When cloned into recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and delivered to the brain, these enhancers drive transgene expression in specific cortical cell subclasses. We extensively characterized several enhancer AAVs to show that they label different projection neuron subclasses as well as a homologous neuron subclass in human cortical slices. We also show how coupling enhancer viruses expressing recombinases to a newly generated transgenic mouse, Ai213, enables strong labeling of three different neuronal classes/subclasses in the brain of a single transgenic animal. This approach combines unprecedented flexibility with specificity for investigation of cell types in the mouse brain and beyond.

NADPH Oxidase 5 Induces Changes in the Unfolded Protein Response in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells and in Endothelial-Specific Knock-in Mice.

Oxidative stress constitutes a key molecular mechanism in the development of cardiovascular diseases. A potential relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) driven by the NADPH oxidase family (NOX) and the unfolded protein response (UPR) has been postulated. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information about the crosstalk between NOX5 homologue and the UPR in a cardiovascular context. The main aim was to analyze NOX5-mediated ROS effects in the UPR and its importance in cardiovascular diseases. To this effect, we used an adenoviral NOX5-ß overexpression model in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and a conditional endothelial NOX5 knock-in mouse. Using expression arrays, we investigated NOX5-induced genomic changes in HAEC. Compared with the control HAEC, 298 genes were differentially expressed. Gene ontology analysis revealed the activation of numerous cellular routes, the most relevant being the UPR pathway. Using real-time PCR and Western Blot experiments, we confirmed that NOX5 overexpression induced changes in the expression of the UPR components, which were associated with increased apoptosis. Moreover, in endothelial-specific NOX5 knock-in mice, we found changes in the expression of the UPR components genes. In these mice, myocardial infarction was performed by permanent coronary artery ligation; however, NOX5 expression was not associated with differences in the UPR components mRNA levels. In these animals, we found significant associations between the UPR components gene expression and echocardiographic parameters. Our data support the idea that NOX5-derived ROS may modulate the UPR pathway in endothelial cells, which might play a relevant role in cardiac physiology.

Implications of NADPH oxidase 5 in vascular diseases.

Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Among others, oxidative stress promotes endothelial dysfunction, and accelerated ageing and remodelling of vasculature. Lately, NADPH oxidases have been demonstrated to be involved in cardiovascular diseases. NADPH oxidase 5 has emerged as a new player in oxidative stress-mediated endothelial alterations, involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. This oxidase seems to mediate its detrimental effects by promoting inflammation. NADPH oxidase 5 has been studied in a lesser extent compared with the other members of the NADPH oxidase family due to its loss in the rodent genome, the main experimental research model. In addition, its potential as a therapeutic target remains unexplored given the lack of specific inhibitors. In this review the latest findings on NADPH oxidase 5 regulation, implications in vascular pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches will be updated.

Induction of Cyclooxygenase-2 by Overexpression of the Human NADPH Oxidase 5 (NOX5) Gene in Aortic Endothelial Cells.

Oxidative stress is a main molecular mechanism that underlies cardiovascular diseases. A close relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity and the prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis pathway has been described. However, little information is available about the interaction between NOX5 homolog-derived ROS and the PG pathway in the cardiovascular context. Our main goal was to characterize NOX5-derived ROS effects in PG homeostasis and their potential relevance in cardiovascular pathologies. For that purpose, two experimental systems were employed: an adenoviral NOX5-ß overexpression model in immortalized human aortic endothelial cells (TeloHAEC) and a chronic infarction in vivo model developed from a conditional endothelial NOX5 knock-in mouse. NOX5 increased cyclooxygenase-2 isoform (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production through nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in TeloHAEC. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation and intracellular calcium level (Ca++) mobilization increased ROS production and NOX5 overexpression, which promoted a COX-2/PGE2 response in vitro. In the chronic infarction model, mice encoding endothelial NOX5 enhanced the cardiac mRNA expression of COX-2 and PGES, suggesting a COX-2/PGE2 response to NOX5 presence in an ischemic situation. Our data support that NOX5-derived ROS may modulate the COX-2/PGE2 axis in endothelial cells, which might play a relevant role in the pathophysiology of heart infarction.

NADPH Oxidase Overactivity Underlies Telomere Shortening in Human Atherosclerosis.

Telomere shortening and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Different studies have shown that phagocytic NADPH oxidase is associated with this disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between phagocytic NADPH oxidase and telomere shortening in human atherosclerosis. To assess this potential association, telomere length and phagocytic NADPH oxidase activity were determined by PCR and chemiluminescence, respectively, in a population of asymptomatic subjects free of overt clinical atherosclerosis. We also measured serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels (an index of oxidative stress) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. After adjusting them for age and sex, telomere length inversely correlated (p < 0.05) with NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide production, with 8-OHdG values, and with carotid IMT. Interestingly, the asymptomatic subjects with plaques have a lower telomere length (p < 0.05), and higher values of plasma 8-OHdG and superoxide production (p < 0.05). These data were confirmed in a second population in which patients with coronary artery disease showed lower telomere length and higher 8-OHdG and superoxide production than the asymptomatic subjects. In both studies, NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production in phagocytic cells was only due to the specific expression of the Nox2 isoform. In conclusion, these findings suggest that phagocytic NADPH oxidase may be involved in oxidative stress-mediated telomere shortening, and that this axis may be critically involved in human atherosclerosis.

Monitoring changes in the Gene Ontology and their impact on genomic data analysis.

Background: The Gene Ontology (GO) is one of the most widely used resources in molecular and cellular biology, largely through the use of "enrichment analysis." To facilitate informed use of GO, we present GOtrack (https://gotrack.msl.ubc.ca), which provides access to historical records and trends in the GO and GO annotations. Findings: GOtrack gives users access to gene- and term-level information on annotations for nine model organisms as well as an interactive tool that measures the stability of enrichment results over time for user-provided "hit lists" of genes. To document the effects of GO evolution on enrichment, we analyzed more than 2,500 published hit lists of human genes (most older than 9 years ); 53% of hit lists were considered to yield significantly stable enrichment results. Conclusions: Because stability is far from assured for any individual hit list, GOtrack can lead to more informed and cautious application of GO to genomics research.

Increased phagocytic NADPH oxidase activity associates with coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic men.

Vascular calcification is a common feature in atherosclerosis and associates with cardiovascular events. Oxidative stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. Previous studies have shown that the phagocytic NADPH oxidase is associated with atherosclerosis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between phagocytic NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide production and coronary artery calcium (CAC). NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide production was determined by chemiluminescence and CAC by computed tomography in 159 asymptomatic men free of overt clinical atherosclerosis. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between CAC and NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide production. Compared with individuals in the lowest score of CAC (= 0 Agatston units), those in the upper score (>400 Agatston units) showed higher superoxide production (p < 0.05). In correlation analysis, superoxide production positively (p < 0.01) correlated with CAC, which in multivariate analysis remained significant after adjusting for age, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, smoking, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, in a population of men without clinically overt atherosclerotic disease, increased NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide production associated with enhanced CAC. Albeit descriptive, these findings suggest a potential involvement of phagocytic NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative stress in CAC.