Comet-tail-like inflammatory infiltrate to polymer filaments develops in tension-free conditions.

BACKGROUND: Mesh reinforcement in hiatal hernia repair becomes more frequent but is charged by complications such as erosion or stenosis of the oesophagus. These complications are accompanied by an intense inflammatory infiltrate around the polymer fibres. To characterize this effect, the response to polypropylene fibres in the absence of tension was examined. METHODS: In rats, polypropylene sutures (USP size 1, 3-0 and 7-0) were placed in the subcutis of the abdominal wall without knot or tension. On postoperative days 3, 7 and 21, specimens were excised. The expressions of c-myc, ß-catenin, Notch3, COX-2, CD68 and Ki-67 were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the absence of tension, sutures were surrounded by a foreign body granuloma with an inflammatory infiltrate not encircling the fibre but forming almost symmetric comet-tail-like infiltrates on opposite sides. The expression of c-myc, ß-catenin, Notch3, COX-2, CD68 and Ki-67 was significantly reduced over time in the comet tail, but not in the granuloma. CONCLUSIONS: Even in tension-free conditions, surgical sutures cause a foreign body response with infiltrates of inflammatory cells. This reaction is shaped like a comet tail, and its extension depends on the diameter of the used fibre. Therefore, for reduction of perifilamental infiltrates, not only absence of tension is required, but also a small-sized fibre textile.

Amelioration of angiotensin II-induced cardiac injury by a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have effects that extend beyond cholesterol reduction. We used an angiotensin (Ang) II-dependent model to test the hypothesis that cerivastatin ameliorates cardiac injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: We treated rats transgenic for human renin and angiotensinogen (dTGR) chronically from weeks 4 to 7 with cerivastatin (0.5 mg/kg by gavage). We used immunohistochemistry, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques. Compared with control dTGR, dTGR treated with cerivastatin had reduced mortality, blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, macrophage infiltration, and collagen I, laminin, and fibronectin deposition. Basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA and protein expression were markedly reduced, as was interleukin-6 expression. The transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 were substantially less activated, although plasma cholesterol was not decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that statins ameliorate Ang II-induced hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and remodeling independently of cholesterol reduction. Although the clinical significance remains uncertain, the results suggest that statins interfere with Ang II-induced signaling and transcription factor activation, thereby ameliorating end-organ damage.

NF-kappaB inhibition ameliorates angiotensin II-induced inflammatory damage in rats.

We recently reported that the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) promotes inflammation in rats harboring both human renin and angiotensinogen genes (double-transgenic rats [dTGR]). We tested the hypothesis that the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) inhibits NF-kappaB and ameliorates renal and cardiac end-organ damage. dTGR feature hypertension, severe renal and cardiac damage, and a 40% mortality rate at 7 weeks. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed increased NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in hearts and kidneys of dTGR. Chronic PDTC (200 mg/kg SC) treatment decreased blood pressure (162+/-8 versus 190+/-7 mm Hg; P=0.02) in dTGR compared with dTGR controls. The cardiac hypertrophy index was also significantly reduced (4.90+/-0.1 versus 5.77+/-0.1 mg/g; P<0. 001). PDTC reduced 24-hour albuminuria by >95% (2.5+/-0.8 versus 57. 1+/-8.7 mg/d; P<0.001) and prevented death. Vascular injury was ameliorated in small renal and cardiac vessels. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that PDTC inhibited NF-kappaB binding activity in heart and kidney, whereas AP-1 activity in the kidney was not decreased. dTGR exhibited increased left ventricular c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression. PDTC treatment reduced c-fos but not c-jun mRNA. Immunohistochemistry showed increased p65 NF-kappaB subunit expression in the endothelium and smooth muscle cells of damaged small vessels, as well as infiltrating cells in glomeruli, tubules, and collecting ducts of dTGR. PDTC markedly reduced the immunoreactivity of p65. PDTC also prevented the NF-kappaB-dependent transactivation of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Monocyte infiltration was markedly increased in dTGR kidneys and hearts. Chronic treatment reduced monocyte/macrophage infiltration by 72% and 64%, respectively. Thus, these results demonstrate that PDTC inhibits NF-kappaB activity, ameliorates inflammation, and protects against angiotensin II-induced end-organ damage.

Cyclosporin A protects against angiotensin II-induced end-organ damage in double transgenic rats harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes.

Leukocyte infiltration and adhesion molecule activation play a central role in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced end-organ damage in double transgenic rats (dTGR) harboring human renin and angiotensinogen genes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine (CsA) protects against the Ang II-induced myocardial and renal damage in dTGR. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of CsA on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and the DNA binding activity of transcription factor necrosis factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). The 4-week-old rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) control dTGR (n=20), (2) dTGR plus CsA (5 mg/kg SC for 3 weeks, n=15), (3) normotensive Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=10), and (4) SD rats plus CsA (n=8). In dTGR, CsA completely prevented cardiovascular death (0 of 15 versus 9 of 20), decreased 24-hour albuminuria by 90% and systolic blood pressure by 35 mm Hg, and protected against the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Whole blood CsA concentrations 24 hours after the last drug treatment were 850+/-15 ng/mL. Semiquantitative ED-1 and Ki-67 (a nuclear cell proliferation-associated antigen) scoring showed that CsA prevented perivascular monocyte/macrophage infiltration and prevented cell proliferation in the kidneys and hearts of dTGR, respectively. The beneficial effects of CsA were, at least in part, mediated by the suppression of IL-6 and iNOS expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that CsA regulated inflammatory response in part through the NF-kappaB transcriptional pathway. In contrast to dTGR, CsA increased blood pressure in normotensive SD rats by 10 mm Hg and had no effect on cardiac mass or 24-hour urinary albumin excretion. Perivascular monocyte/macrophage infiltration, IL-6, and iNOS expression or cell proliferation were not affected by CsA in SD rats. Our findings indicate that CsA protects against Ang II-induced end-organ damage and underscore the central role of vascular inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of myocardial and renal damage in dTGR. The beneficial effects of CsA in the kidney and heart are mediated, at least in part, by suppression of IL-6 and iNOS expression via NF-kappaB transcriptional pathway.

Angiotensin II and endothelin induce inflammation and thereby promote hypertension-induced end-organ damage.

Angiotensin (Ang) II and endothelin (ET-1) can both be regulated by NF-kappaB. They are, to variable degrees, also capable of activating NF-kappaB and increase the expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes. Ang II-related vascular effects are in part mediated by ET-1. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition facilitates Ang II-related effects, which can be inhibited both by AT1-receptor blockers and by endothelin system inhibitors. This state-of-affairs supports the notion that a combined therapeutic strategy of inhibiting Ang II and ET-1 generation or blocking their effects at the receptor level would be superior to either strategy alone. Animal studies are encouraging but not without conflicting results. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and AT1-receptor blockers have a superb track record in experimental animal models and in a host of clinical studies. Selective and nonselective blockers of the ET-1 receptors are important research tools and are also undergoing clinical trials. Inhibitors of the endothelin-converting enzyme have been developed. The recent elucidation of the endothelin-converting enzyme's physical structure should facilitate the development of still more novel compounds to inhibit ET-1 generation. We have recently engendered supportive evidence in this regard.

Analysis of survival curve configuration is relevant for determining pathogenesis and causation.

Improving technology helps us to identify more and more defects at the level of genes or proteins (event) as potential sources of a disease (effect), hopefully allowing more targeted cures with a "magic bullet". However, the complex interference of genes by the environment hinders the detection of strict causal relationships between defect and disease. We consider causality as temporal relationship between event and effect, thus causation is reflected by the configuration of "survival" curves. This is indicated by several survival curves of diseases with known causal relation. Furthermore, we discuss three theoretical models: a causal chain model, a causal field concept and a causal chain model with variable order, and present three assumptions about the specific consequences for configuration of outcome curves. Clinical examples of diseases that are caused by single hits reveal an S-shaped curve of cumulative incidence. In contrast, for diseases with numerous interacting pathogenetic effectors the superposition of all contributions results in widely linear cumulative incidence curves. The rare S-shaped deformation in the survival curves in patients with recurrent cancer is in conflict with our current view of recurrent cancer as mainly being a consequence of residual tumour cell load. The assumption of a "web of causation" instead of a "causal chain" reflects a more real situation for many clinical problems and can explain the widely seen absence of decisive, causally relevant conditions. As consequences for our current treatment of cancer is not insignificant, a careful analysis of the configuration of outcome curves with recognition of an S-shape may either help to identify causal therapies or may encourage more comprehensive approaches that consider the complexity of the disease.

Biocompatibility parameters of different dialysis membranes assessed during systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: We explored whether biocompatible dialyzer membranes modulate the inflammatory response during blood contact in patients with systemic inflammation. METHODS: 15 patients with end-stage renal disease and systemic inflammation (mean serum C-reactive protein 86 +/- 4 mg/l) were randomly treated with Cuprophan (CU), polyamide (PA) and vitamin-E coated (VEC) membrane-based dialyzers. RESULTS: Changes in blood pressure, capillary blood oxygen saturation and differential blood counts during the hemodialysis session were not significantly different between the three dialyzers. Baseline blood levels of activated circulating complement (C3a) were more than 100 times above normal, and unlike expected they decreased during hemodialysis treatments (CU: from 7,389 +/- 783 to 5,423 +/- 761 ng/ml; PA: from 7,379 +/- 980 to 5,690 +/- 714 ng/ml; VEC: from 7.377 +/- 714 to 5,360 +/- 1,005 ng/ml; all n.s.). No significant differences between treatments were found with respect to changes in blood concentrations of TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as well as ICAM-1 (CU: from 451 +/- 41 to 477 +/- 41 ng/ml; PA: from 437 +/- 42 to 449 +/- 40 ng/ml; VEC: from 461 +/- 43 to 460 +/- 47 ng/ml). Furthermore, generation of reactive oxygen species by mononuclear blood cells was comparable during hemodialysis with the CU, PA and VEC dialyzer. CONCLUSION: The choice of dialyzer membrane material does not affect most aspects of biocompatibility when patients have significant systemic inflammation. This confounding variable should be taken into account in studies exploring the effects of biocompatible dialyzer membranes.

Angiotensin II stimulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity in intact pressurized rat mesenteric resistance arteries.

The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) was assessed in isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries (200-micrometer diameter) in a pressure myograph and stimulated for 5 minutes by angiotensin II (Ang II, 0.1 micromol/L) with a pressure of 70 mm Hg. ERK1/2 activity was measured by using an in-gel assay, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was measured by Western blot analysis with use of a phospho-specific ERK1/2 antibody. Ang II (0.1 micromol/L) induced contraction (28% of phenylephrine contraction, 10 micromol/L). ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 (10 micromol/L) attenuated this contraction by 36% but not that to phenylephrine or K(+) (60 mmol/L). In unpressurized arteries, Ang II increased ERK1/2 activity by 26%, and pressure (70 mm Hg) itself increased ERK1/2 activity by 72%. Ang II and pressure together acted synergistically, increasing ERK1/2 activity by 264%. Thus, in pressurized vessels, Ang II (0.1 micromol/L) increased ERK1/2 activity by 112%, calculated as [(364/172)-1]x100, which was confirmed by a measured 72% increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Ang II type 1 receptor blockade by candesartan (10 micromol/L) abolished the Ang II-induced increase in ERK1/2 activity, but Ang II type 2 receptor blockade (PD123319, 10 micromol/L) did not. The Ang II-induced increase in ERK1/2 activity was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors Ro-31-8220 (1 micromol/L) and Go-6976 (300 nmol/L) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein (1 micromol/L, general) and herbimycin A (1 micromol/L, c-Src family). The present findings show for the first time in intact resistance arteries that ERK1/2 activation is rapidly regulated by Ang II, is synergistic with pressure, and is involved in contraction. The ERK1/2 signaling pathway apparently includes upstream protein kinase C and c-Src.

Angiotensin-induced inflammation and novel approaches to treatment.

In a brief period, we have accrued a new view of Ang II. From conventional signaling pathways, our attention was directed toward signal transduction involving specific tyrosine kinases, inducing not only vasocontriction but also proto-oncogene expression, protein synthesis, hypertrophy and growth. More recently, our attention has been directed beyond these effects to inflammatory reactions involving NF-kappa B activation and related gene expression. The mechanisms are not known for certain but probably initially involve the generation of ROS. The subsequent NF-kappa B activation probably involves participation of endothelin signaling and, perhaps, NF-AT3 activation. It is possible that other compounds can also modulate Ang II-induced inflammatory responses.

Mineralocorticoid receptor affects AP-1 and nuclear factor-kappab activation in angiotensin II-induced cardiac injury.

Aldosterone is implicated in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. We tested the role of the mineralocorticoid receptor in a model of angiotensin II-induced cardiac injury. We administered spironolactone (SPIRO; 20 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)), valsartan (VAL; 10 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)), or vehicle to rats double transgenic for the human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR). We investigated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta(1), and the transcription factors AP-1 and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. We used immunohistochemistry, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and TaqMan RT-PCR. Untreated dTGR developed hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, vasculopathy, and fibrosis with a 50% mortality rates at 7 weeks. SPIRO and VAL prevented death and reversed cardiac hypertrophy, while only VAL normalized blood pressure. Both drugs prevented vasculopathy. bFGF was markedly upregulated in dTGR, whereas platelet-derived growth factor-B and transforming growth factor-beta(1) were little changed. VAL and SPIRO suppressed this upregulation. Both AP-1 and NF-kappaB were activated in dTGR compared with controls. VAL and SPIRO reduced both transcription factors and reduced bFGF, collagen I, fibronectin, and laminin in the interstitium. These findings show that aldosterone promotes hypertrophy, cardiac remodeling, and fibrosis, independent of blood pressure. The effects involve AP-1, NF-kappaB, and bFGF. Mineralocorticoid receptor blockade downregulates these effectors and reduces angiotensin II-induced cardiac damage.

Expression of axl, a transforming receptor tyrosine kinase, in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

We previously reported the cloning, and characterization of a receptor tyrosine kinase, axl, from two patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Herein, we describe the expression pattern of axl in normal and malignant hematopoietic tissue axl message is detected in normal human bone marrow but not significantly in normal blood leukocytes. Cell separation experiments showed that axl is expressed in hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor and marrow stromal cells, at low levels in peripheral monocytes, but not in lymphocytes or granulocytes. Consistent with the normal pattern of axl expression, axl RNA was found predominantly in diseases of the myeloid lineage: 39 of 66 (59%) patients with myeloproliferative disorders (acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, CML in myeloid blast crisis, and myelodysplasia) showed significant axl transcription, as compared with 1 of 45 (2%) lymphoid leukemias (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and CML in lymphoid blast crisis). Treatment of K562 cells with the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), administration of interferon alpha (IFN alpha) to normal monocytes, and treatment of U937 cells with TPA and IFN tau significantly induced axl expression, supporting a role for this kinase in the intracellular signaling of myeloid cells through a variety of biochemical pathways. These results suggest that the axl kinase may be operative in normal and malignant myeloid biology.

Cerivastatin prevents angiotensin II-induced renal injury independent of blood pressure- and cholesterol-lowering effects.

BACKGROUND: Statins are effective in prevention of end-organ damage; however, the benefits cannot be fully explained on the basis of cholesterol reduction. We used an angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent model to test the hypothesis that cerivastatin prevents leukocyte adhesion and infiltration, induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and ameliorates end-organ damage. METHODS: We analyzed intracellular targets, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase and transcription factor (nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1) activation. We used immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. We treated rats transgenic for human renin and angiotensinogen (dTGR) chronically from week 4 to 7 with cerivastatin (0.5 mg/kg by gavage). RESULTS: Untreated dTGR developed hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and renal damage, with a 100-fold increased albuminuria and focal cortical necrosis. dTGR mortality at the age of seven weeks was 45%. Immunohistochemistry showed increased iNOS expression in the endothelium and media of small vessels, infiltrating cells, afferent arterioles, and glomeruli of dTGR, which was greater in cortex than medulla. Phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) was increased in dTGR; nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1 were both activated. Cerivastatin decreased systolic blood pressure compared with untreated dTGR (147 +/- 14 vs. 201 +/- 6 mm Hg, P < 0.001). Albuminuria was reduced by 60% (P = 0.001), and creatinine was lowered (0.45 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.05 mg/dL, P = 0. 003); however, cholesterol was not reduced. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression was diminished, while neutrophil and monocyte infiltration in the kidney was markedly reduced. ERK phosphorylation and transcription factor activation were reduced. In addition, in vitro incubation of vascular smooth muscle cells with cerivastatin (0.5 micromol/L) almost completely prevented the Ang II-induced ERK phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Cerivastatin reduced inflammation, cell proliferation, and iNOS induction, which led to a reduction in cellular damage. Our findings suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibition ameliorates Ang II-induced end-organ damage. We suggest that these effects were independent of cholesterol.

Endothelial dysfunction and xanthine oxidoreductase activity in rats with human renin and angiotensinogen genes.

We examined whether xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), a hypoxia-inducible enzyme capable of generating reactive oxygen species, is involved in the onset of angiotensin (Ang) II-induced vascular dysfunction in double-transgenic rats (dTGR) harboring human renin and human angiotensinogen genes. In 7-week-old hypertensive dTGR, the endothelium-mediated relaxation of noradrenaline (NA)-precontracted renal arterial rings to acetylcholine (ACh) in vitro was markedly impaired compared with Sprague Dawley rats. Preincubation with superoxide dismutase (SOD) improved the endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, indicating that in dTGR, endothelial dysfunction is associated with increased superoxide formation. Preincubation with the XOR inhibitor oxypurinol also improved endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. The endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was similar in both strains. In dTGR, serum 8-isoprostaglandin F(2alpha), a vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic arachidonic acid metabolite produced by oxidative stress, was increased by 100%, and the activity of XOR in the kidney was increased by 40%. Urinary nitrate plus nitrite (NO(x)) excretion, a marker of total body NO generation, was decreased by 85%. Contractile responses of renal arteries to Ang II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and NA were decreased in dTGR, suggesting hypertension-associated generalized changes in the vascular function rather than a receptor-specific desensitization. Valsartan (30 mg/kg PO for 3 weeks) normalized blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, and the contractile responses to ET-1 and NA. Valsartan also normalized serum 8-isoprostaglandin F(2alpha) levels, renal XOR activity, and, to a degree, NO(x) excretion. Thus, overproduction of Ang II in dTGR induces pronounced endothelial dysfunction, whereas the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide is unaltered. Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction is associated with increased oxidative stress and vascular xanthine oxidase activity.

Angiotensin II (AT(1)) receptor blockade reduces vascular tissue factor in angiotensin II-induced cardiac vasculopathy.

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.