Pivotal role of mTORC2 and involvement of ribosomal protein S6 in cardioprotective signaling.

RATIONALE: There is tight coupling between Akt activation and suppression of cell death. Full Akt activation requires mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), but the regulation of mTORC2 is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To gain new insights into mechanisms of mTORC2/Akt signaling. METHODS AND RESULTS: The role of mTORC2 in cardioprotection was examined. In perfused mouse hearts, ischemic preconditioning increased mTORC2 activity, leading to phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473. The protective effect of ischemic preconditioning was lost by pretreatment with dual mTORC inhibitors but not with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, which indicates the fundamental role of mTORC2 activation in cardioprotection. Next, the regulation and downstream targets of mTORC2/Akt signaling were explored. We have found that ischemic preconditioning and other Akt activators (insulin and opioids) result in phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (Rps6) at Ser235/236 in mouse hearts and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Rps6 interacts with components of mTORC2, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rps6 attenuates insulin-induced mTORC2 activation and Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation. On the other hand, Rps6 overexpression enhanced Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation, indicating that Rps6 activation amplifies mTORC2/Akt signaling. Disruption of the Rps6/mTORC2 pathway by knockdown of Rps6 or rictor abrogated insulin-induced cytoprotection against oxidative stress. Although rapamycin blocks Rps6-dependent mTORC2 activation, mTORC2 is still activated by an alternative signaling pathway, demonstrating the redundancy in cardioprotective signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of mTORC2 plays a pivotal role in cardioprotection, and Rps6 is a convergence point of cardioprotective signaling, providing positive feedback regulation of mTORC2/Akt signaling.

S-nitrosylation of TRIM72 at cysteine 144 is critical for protection against oxidation-induced protein degradation and cell death.

Oxidative stress and membrane damage following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury are important contributors to cardiomyocyte death and the loss of myocardial function. Our previous study identified cysteine 144 (C144) of tripartite motif-containing protein 72 (TRIM72) as a potential site for S-nitrosylation (SNO). TRIM72 is a cardioprotective membrane repair protein that can be both activated and targeted for degradation by different oxidative modifications. Consistent with the potential regulation of TRIM72 by various oxidative modifications, we found that SNO levels increased at C144 of TRIM72 with ischemic preconditioning. Therefore, to investigate the role of C144 in the regulation of TRIM72 function, we mutated C144 of TRIM72 to a serine residue (TRIM72(C144S)), and expressed either TRIM72(WT) or TRIM72(C144S) in HEK-293 cells, which lack endogenous TRIM72, in order to examine the effect of this mutation on the functional stability of TRIM72 and on cell survival. We hypothesized that SNO of TRIM72 stabilizes the protein, thus allowing for membrane repair and enhanced cell survival. Upon treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), we found that TRIM72(WT) levels were decreased, but not TRIM72(C144S) and this correlated with increased H2O2-induced cell death in TRIM72(WT) cells. Additionally, we found that treatment with the cardioprotective S-nitrosylating agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), was able to preserve TRIM72(WT) protein levels and enhance TRIM72(WT)-mediated cell survival, but had no effect on TRIM72(C144S) levels. Consistent with our hypothesis, GSNO was also found to increase SNO levels and inhibit H2O2-induced irreversible oxidation for TRIM72(WT) without affecting TRIM72(C144S). In further support of our hypothesis, GSNO blocked the ischemia/reperfusion-induced decrease in TRIM72 levels and reduced infarct size in a Langendorff-perfused heart model. The results of these studies have important implications for cardioprotection and suggest that SNO of TRIM72 at C144 prevents the oxidation-induced degradation of TRIM72 following oxidative insult, therefore enhancing cardiomyocyte survival.

Hydrogen sulfide [corrected] increases survival during sepsis: protective effect of CHOP inhibition.

Sepsis is a major cause of mortality, and dysregulation of the immune response plays a central role in this syndrome. H2S, a recently discovered gaso-transmitter, is endogenously generated by many cell types, regulating a number of physiologic processes and pathophysiologic conditions. We report that H2S increased survival after experimental sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice. Exogenous H2S decreased the systemic inflammatory response, reduced apoptosis in the spleen, and accelerated bacterial eradication. We found that C/EBP homologous protein 10 (CHOP), a mediator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, was elevated in several organs after CLP, and its expression was inhibited by H2S treatment. Using CHOP-knockout (KO) mice, we demonstrated for the first time, to our knowledge, that genetic deletion of Chop increased survival after LPS injection or CLP. CHOP-KO mice displayed diminished splenic caspase-3 activation and apoptosis, decreased cytokine production, and augmented bacterial clearance. Furthermore, septic CHOP-KO mice treated with H2S showed no additive survival benefit compared with septic CHOP-KO mice. Finally, we showed that H2S inhibited CHOP expression in macrophages by a mechanism involving Nrf2 activation. In conclusion, our findings show a protective effect of H2S treatment afforded, at least partially, by inhibition of CHOP expression. The data reveal a major negative role for the transcription factor CHOP in overall survival during sepsis and suggest a new target for clinical intervention, as well potential strategies for treatment.

Anatabine ameliorates experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.

Tobacco smoking favorably influences the course of Hashimoto thyroiditis, possibly through the antiinflammatory proprieties of nicotine. In this study we tested anatabine, another tobacco alkaloid, in a model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced by different doses of thyroglobulin, to produce a disease of low, moderate, or high severity, in 88 CBA/J female mice: 43 drank anatabine supplemented water and 45 regular water. Mice were bled after immunization and killed to assess thyroid histopathology, thyroglobulin antibodies, T(4), and thyroid RNA expression of 84 inflammatory genes. We also stimulated in vitro a macrophage cell line with interferon-γ or lipopolysaccharide plus or minus anatabine to quantitate inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 protein expression. Anatabine reduced the incidence and severity of thyroiditis in the moderate disease category: only 13 of 21 mice (62%) developed thyroid infiltrates when drinking anatabine as compared with 22 of 23 (96%) controls (relative risk 0.59, P = 0.0174). The median thyroiditis severity was 0.5 and 2.0 in anatabine and controls, respectively (P = 0.0007 by Wilcoxon rank sum test). Anatabine also reduced the antibody response to thyroglobulin on d 14 (P = 0.029) and d 21 (P = 0.045) after immunization and improved the recovery of thyroid function on d 21 (P = 0.049). In the thyroid transcriptome, anatabine restored expression of IL-18 and IL-1 receptor type 2 to preimmunization levels. Finally, anatabine suppressed in a dose-dependent manner macrophage production of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2. Anatabine ameliorates disease in a model of autoimmune thyroiditis, making the delineation of its mechanisms of action and potential clinical utility worthwhile.

Nuclear miRNA regulates the mitochondrial genome in the heart.

RATIONALE: Mitochondria are semiautonomous cellular organelles with their own genome, which not only supply energy but also participate in cell death pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are usually 19 to 25 nt long, noncoding RNAs, involved in posttranscriptional gene regulation by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNA, which impact on diverse cellular processes. OBJECTIVE: To determine if nuclear miRNAs translocate into the mitochondria and regulate mitochondrial function with possible pathophysiological implications in cardiac myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We find that miR-181c is encoded in the nucleus, assembled in the cytoplasm, and finally translocated into the mitochondria of cardiac myocytes. Immunoprecipitation of Argonaute 2 from the mitochondrial fraction indicates binding of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mt-COX1) mRNA from the mitochondrial genome with miR-181c. Also, a luciferase reporter construct shows that mi-181c binds to the 3'UTR of mt-COX1. To study whether miR-181c regulates mt-COX1, we overexpressed precursor miR-181c (or a scrambled sequence) in primary cultures of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Overexpression of miR-181c did not change mt-COX1 mRNA but significantly decreased mt-COX1 protein, suggesting that miR-181c is primarily a translational regulator of mt-COX1. In addition to altering mt-COX1, overexpression of miR-181c results in increased mt-COX2 mRNA and protein content, with an increase in both mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species generation in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Thus, our data show for the first time that miR-181c can enter and target the mitochondrial genome, ultimately causing electron transport chain complex IV remodeling and mitochondrial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear miR-181c translocates into the mitochondria and regulates mitochondrial genome expression. This unique observation may open a new dimension to our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and the role of miRNA in mitochondrial dysfunction.

VAMP-1, VAMP-2, and syntaxin-4 regulate ANP release from cardiac myocytes.

ANP is a peptide released by cardiac myocytes that regulates blood pressure and natriuresis. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling ANP release from cardiac myocytes are not defined. We now identify three components of the exocytic machinery that regulate ANP release from atrial myocytes. We found that cardiac myocytes express N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF), soluble NSF attachment protein (α-SNAP), and SNAP receptors (SNAREs). Additionally we found that specific SNARE molecules, VAMP-1 and VAMP-2, both co-sediment and co-localize with ANP. Also, one SNARE molecule, syntaxin-4, partially co-sediments and partially co-localizes with ANP. Furthermore, these three SNAREs, syntaxin-4 and VAMP-1 and VAMP-2, form a SNARE complex inside cardiac myocytes. Finally, knockdown of VAMP-1, VAMP-2, or syntaxin-4 blocks regulated release of ANP. In contrast, silencing of VAMP-3 did not have an effect on ANP release. Our data suggest that three specific SNAREs regulate cardiac myocyte exocytosis of ANP. Pathways that modify the exocytic machinery may influence natriuresis and blood pressure.

miR-34a repression of SIRT1 regulates apoptosis.

MicroRNA 34a (miR-34a) is a tumor suppressor gene, but how it regulates cell proliferation is not completely understood. We now show that the microRNA miR-34a regulates silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression. MiR-34a inhibits SIRT1 expression through a miR-34a-binding site within the 3' UTR of SIRT1. MiR-34 inhibition of SIRT1 leads to an increase in acetylated p53 and expression of p21 and PUMA, transcriptional targets of p53 that regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively. Furthermore, miR-34 suppression of SIRT1 ultimately leads to apoptosis in WT human colon cancer cells but not in human colon cancer cells lacking p53. Finally, miR-34a itself is a transcriptional target of p53, suggesting a positive feedback loop between p53 and miR-34a. Thus, miR-34a functions as a tumor suppressor, in part, through a SIRT1-p53 pathway.

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endothelial exocytosis.

Consumption of green tea is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality. The beneficial health effects of green tea are attributed in part to polyphenols, organic compounds found in tea that lower blood pressure, reduce body fat, decrease LDL cholesterol, and inhibit inflammation. We hypothesized that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in tea, inhibits endothelial exocytosis, the initial step in leukocyte trafficking and vascular inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we treated human umbilical-vein endothelial cells with EGCG and other polyphenols, and then measured endothelial exocytosis. We found that EGCG decreases endothelial exocytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, with the effects most prominent after 4 h of treatment. Other catechin polyphenols had no effect on endothelial cells. By inhibiting endothelial exocytosis, EGCG decreases leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. In searching for the mechanism by which EGCG affects endothelial cells, we found that EGCG increases Akt phosphorylation, eNOS phosphorylation, and nitric oxide (NO) production. NOS inhibition revealed that NO mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of EGCG. Our data suggest that polyphenols can decrease vascular inflammation by increasing the synthesis of NO, which blocks endothelial exocytosis.

Exocytosis of endothelial cells is regulated by N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor.

Endothelial exocytosis of granules is a rapid response to vascular injury. However, the molecular machinery that regulates exocytosis in endothelial cells is not well understood. Recently developed techniques have defined the endothelial proteins that control vesicle and granule trafficking in endothelial cells. These techniques have revealed that syntaxin 4, synaptobrevin 3, and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) play a critical role in endothelial granule exocytosis. Additional studies have shown that nitric oxide regulates exocytosis by chemically modifying NSF. Further characterization of the factors that regulate exocytosis will lead to novel treatments for vascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke.

MicroRNA-126 regulates endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.

Adhesion molecules expressed by activated endothelial cells play a key role in regulating leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation. Resting endothelial cells normally do not express adhesion molecules, but cytokines activate endothelial cells to express adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), which mediate leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. We now show that endothelial cells express microRNA 126 (miR-126), which inhibits VCAM-1 expression. Transfection of endothelial cells with an oligonucleotide that decreases miR-126 permits an increase in TNF-alpha-stimulated VCAM-1 expression. Conversely, overexpression of the precursor to miR-126 increases miR-126 levels and decreases VCAM-1 expression. Additionally, decreasing endogenous miR-126 levels increases leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. These data suggest that microRNA can regulate adhesion molecule expression and may provide additional control of vascular inflammation.

Transactivation of miR-34a by p53 broadly influences gene expression and promotes apoptosis.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a critical regulator of the cellular response to cancer-initiating insults such as genotoxic stress. In this report, we demonstrate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important components of the p53 transcriptional network. Global miRNA expression analyses identified a cohort of miRNAs that exhibit p53-dependent upregulation following DNA damage. One such miRNA, miR-34a, is commonly deleted in human cancers and, as shown here, frequently absent in pancreatic cancer cells. Characterization of the miR-34a primary transcript and promoter demonstrates that this miRNA is directly transactivated by p53. Expression of miR-34a causes dramatic reprogramming of gene expression and promotes apoptosis. Much like the known set of p53-regulated genes, miR-34a-responsive genes are highly enriched for those that regulate cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, DNA repair, and angiogenesis. Therefore, it is likely that an important function of miR-34a is the modulation and fine-tuning of the gene expression program initiated by p53.

Antibody to human leukocyte antigen triggers endothelial exocytosis.

Although antibodies to HLA play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases processes such as rejection of transplanted organs, the precise mechanisms by which antibodies cause tissue injury are not completely understood. We hypothesized that antibodies to host tissues cause inflammation in part by activating endothelial exocytosis of granules that contain prothrombotic mediators such as von Willebrand Factor (VWF) and proinflammatory mediators such as P-selectin. To test this hypothesis, we treated human endothelial cells with murine monoclonal antibody W6/32 to HLA class I and then measured exocytosis by the release of VWF and the externalization of P-selectin. Antibody to HLA activates endothelial exocytosis in a dose-dependent manner over time. The biologically active complement split product, C5a, adds a slight but significant increase to antibody induction of exocytosis. Antibody to HLA alone or with C5a did not damage the cells. Cross-linking of HLA appears to play a role in the ability of antibody to activate exocytosis, because the W6/32 monovalent Fab fragment did not activate VWF release, but the bivalent Fab'2 was effective in triggering exocytosis. To explore the in vivo effects of antibody upon graft injury, we infused W6/32 Fab'2 antibody to human HLA into severe combined immunodeficient/beige mice that had been transplanted with human skin grafts. Antibody to HLA activated exocytosis and inflammation in human skin grafts. Our data show that antibody to host antigens can activate human endothelial cell exocytosis and leukocyte trafficking. By triggering vascular inflammation, antibody activation of exocytosis may play a role in transplant rejection.

Nitric oxide inhibits exocytosis of cytolytic granules from lymphokine-activated killer cells.

NO inhibits cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing of target cells, although the precise mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that NO decreases exocytosis of cytotoxic granules from activated lymphocytes. We now show that NO inhibits lymphokine-activated killer cell killing of K562 target cells. Exogenous and endogenous NO decreases the release of granzyme B, granzyme A, and perforin: all contents of cytotoxic granules. NO inhibits the signal transduction cascade initiated by cross-linking of the T cell receptor that leads to granule exocytosis. In particular, we found that NO decreases the expression of Ras, a critical signaling component within the exocytic pathway. Ectopic expression of Ras prevents NO inhibition of exocytosis. Our data suggest that Ras mediates NO inhibition of lymphocyte cytotoxicity and emphasize that alterations in the cellular redox state may regulate the exocytic signaling pathway.

The severity of cholestatic injury is modulated by the genetic background.

Common bile duct ligation (CBDL) compromises the hepatic reticuloendothelial system by impairing the clearing of endotoxin and triggering an overwhelming inflammatory response. The response to endotoxin at the level of cytokine release and subsequent mortality depends on the genetic background in experimental mouse models. We hypothesized that the genetic make-up modulates the inflammatory responses after CBDL. The CBD was ligated in male A/J and B6 mice (8 weeks old). At 7 days post-CBDL, the presence of ascites was observed in 80% of B6 mice but in none of the A/J mice (P < 0.001). B6 mice showed higher mortality than A/J mice (P < 0.05). Both strains had marked cholestatic injury documented histologically. Liver chemistries were markedly elevated in both strains after injury. Plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were significantly higher in A/J than B6 mice at the 4- and 12-h time points (P < 0.05), whereas proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in B6 than A/J mice at 2 h (P < 0.05). Both strains displayed activation of NF-kappaB after CBDL. In conclusion, the contrasting response observed after CBDL between A/J and B6 mice is largely attributable to genetic differences. Survival after CBDL was correlated with an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Enhanced LPS-induced TNF alpha production in heat-shocked human promonocytic cells: regulation at the translational/post-translational level.

Heat shock proteins (hsps) play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and protecting cells from various insults. Recent evidence also implicates hsps in the regulation of the immune response, particularly the inflammatory process. In the present study, we showed that human promonocytic cells (THP-1) produced elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) after incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) when cells were pre-stressed by a mild heat shock (HS) of 42 degrees C (1.5 h) followed by recovery at 37 degrees C (3 h) in comparison with non-stressed cells also stimulated with LPS. This enhanced TNF alpha production was not due to changes in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B) activation, TNF alpha transcription rates, or mRNA stability. Thus, an effect at the translational or posttranslational level is likely responsible. Elevated production of TNF alpha was not observed when cells were stimulated with LPS immediately after stress or when HS temperature was increased to 43 degrees C. This negative effect of HS is likely due to a harmful effect of temperature. Moreover, enhanced LPS-induced TNF alpha production was not observed after differentiation of promonocytes into macrophage-like cells. Thus, our results show that the stress temperature, recovery period, and differentiation stage of the cell modulate the effect of HS on the inflammatory process.

Implication of Galpha i proteins and Src tyrosine kinases in endotoxin-induced signal transduction events and mediator production.

Previous studies have suggested that heterotrimeric G proteins and tyrosine kinases may be involved in lipopolysacchaide (LPS) signaling events. Signal transduction pathways activated by LPS we examined in human pomonocytic THP-l cells. We hypothesized that Gi proteins and Src tyrosine kinase differentially affect mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa(NF-kappaB) activation. Post-receptor coupling to Ga, proteins were examined using pertussis toxin (PTx),which inhibits Galpha i receptor-coupling. The involvement of the Src family of tyrosine kinases was examined using the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor pyrazolopyrimidine-2 (PP2). Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with PTx attenuated LPS-induced activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase, and production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TN-alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). Pretreatment with PP2 inhibited TNF-alpha and TxB2 production, but had no effect on p38 kinase or JNK signaling. Therefore, the Ga i-coupled signaling pathways and Src tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling pathways are necessary for LPS-induced TNF-alpha and TxB2 production, but differ in their effects on MAPK activation. Neither PTx nor PP2 inhibited LPS-induced activation of interleukin receptor activated kinase (IRAK) or inhibited translocation of NF-kappaB. However, PP2 inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB transactivation of a luciferase reporter gene construct in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, LPS induction of Src tyrosine kinases may be essential in downstream NF-kappaB tansactivation of genes following DNA binding. PTx had no effect on NF-kaapaB activation of the reporter construct. These data suggest upstream divergence in signaling through Galpha i,pathways leading to MAPK activation and other signaling events leading to IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kaapaB DNA binding.