Interleukin-1ß as emerging therapeutic target in hematological malignancies and potentially in their complications.

Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) is a pleiotropic cytokine that exerts multiple roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. It is produced by different cell subsets, and drives a wide range of inflammatory responses in numerous target cells. Enhanced IL-1ß signaling is a common event in patients of hematological malignancies. Recent body of evidence obtained in preclinical models shows the pathogenic role of these alterations, and the promising therapeutic value of IL-1 targeting. In this review, we further highlight a potential contribution of IL-1ß linking to complications and autoimmune disease that should be investigated in future studies. Hence, drugs that target IL-1 may be helpful to improve outcome or reduce morbidity in patients. Some of them are FDA-approved, and used efficiently against autoimmune diseases, like IL-1 receptor antagonist. In the clinic, however, this agent seems to have limited properties. Current improved drugs will allow to determine the true potential of IL-1 and IL-1ß targeting as therapy in hematological malignancies and their related complications.

A new role for 5-methoxytryptophol on bone cells function in vitro.

The present study investigates the direct action of 5-methoxytryptophol (5-MTX) in both MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells and compares it with melatonin (MEL), another 5-methoxyindol known to play a significant role on bone metabolism. We first screened increasing doses of both 5-MTX and MEL to determine their effect on metabolic activity and viability of preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The optimal dose was used to determine its effect on differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and preosteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. Finally, we investigated the mechanism of action by adding the melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (LUZ) and detecting the immunostaining of phospho-ERK. In MC3T3-E1 cells, most of the 5-MTX doses reduced slightly the metabolic activity of osteoblasts compared with the control, while MEL only decreased it for the highest dose (2.5 mM). As regards to cytotoxicity, low doses (0.001-0.1 mM) of both indoles showed a protective effect on osteoblasts, while the highest dose of MEL showed a higher cytotoxicity than the 5-MTX one. After 14 days of cell culture, Rankl mRNA levels were decreased, especially for 5-MTX. 5-MTX also induced a higher osteocalcin secretion and mineralization capacity than MEL. In RAW264.7 cells, 5-MTX decreased the number of osteoclast formed and its activity whereas MEL did not affect significantly the number of multinucleated TRAP-positive cells formed and showed a lower activity. Finally, MEL and 5-MTX promoted activation of the ERK1/2 pathway through the phosphorylation of ERK, while LUZ addition suppressed this effect. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a new role of 5-MTX inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and promoting osteoblast differentiation.

Quercitrin and taxifolin stimulate osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit osteoclastogenesis in RAW 264.7 cells.

Flavonoids are natural antioxidants that positively influence bone metabolism. The present study screened among different flavonoids to identify biomolecules for potential use in bone regeneration. For this purpose, we used MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells to evaluate their effect on cell viability and cell differentiation. First, different doses of chrysin, diosmetin, galangin, quercitrin and taxifolin were analyzed to determine the optimum concentration to induce osteoblast differentiation. After 48h of treatment, doses ≥100µM of diosmetin and galangin and also 500µM taxifolin revealed a toxic effect on cells. The same effect was observed in cells treated with doses ≥100µM of chrysin after 14 days of treatment. However, the safe doses of quercitrin (200 and 500µM) and taxifolin (100 and 200µM) induced bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin mRNA expression. Also higher osteocalcin secreted levels were determined in 100µM taxifolin osteoblast treated samples when compared with the control ones. On the other hand, quercitrin and taxifolin decreased Rankl gene expression in osteoblasts, suggesting an inhibition of osteoclast formation. Indeed, osteoclastogenesis suppression by quercitrin and taxifolin treatment was observed in RAW264.7 cells. Based on these findings, the present study demonstrates that quercitrin and taxifolin promote osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and also inhibit osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells, showing a positive effect of these flavonoids on bone metabolism.

Differential response of MC3T3-E1 and human mesenchymal stem cells to inositol hexakisphosphate.

BACKGROUND: Inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) has been found to have an important role in biomineralization. METHODS: Because the complete mechanism of action of IP6 on osteoblasts is not fully understood and its potential use in the primary prevention of osteoporosis, we examined the direct effect of IP6 on cell viability and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and on differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). RESULTS: We show that IP6 has different effects depending on the origin of the cell target. Thus, while IP6 decreased gene expression of osteoblast markers and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells without negatively affecting cell viability and ALP activity, an increase in gene expression of ALP was observed in hUC-MSCs committed to the osteoblastic lineage. This increasing effect of IP6 on ALP mRNA expression levels was reversed by the addition of a selective inhibitor of IP6 kinase, suggesting that the effect of IP6 might be due through its pyrophosphorylated derivatives. Besides, Rankl mRNA levels were decreased after IP6 treatment in MC3T3-E1 cells, pointing to a paracrine effect on osteoclasts. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that IP6 has different effects on osteoblast differentiation depending on the cell type and origin. However, further studies are needed to examine the net effect of IP6 on bone formation and its potential as novel antiosteoporosis drug.

Inositol hexakisphosphate inhibits osteoclastogenesis on RAW 264.7 cells and human primary osteoclasts.

BACKGROUND: Inoxitol hexakisphosphate (IP6) has been found to have an important role in biomineralization and a direct effect inhibiting mineralization of osteoblasts in vitro without impairing extracellular matrix production and expression of alkaline phosphatase. IP6 has been proposed to exhibit similar effects to those of bisphosphonates on bone resorption, however, its direct effect on osteoclasts (OCL) is presently unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of IP6 on the RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage mouse cell line and on human primary osteoclasts. On one hand, we show that IP6 decreases the osteoclastogenesis in RAW 264.7 cells induced by RANKL, without affecting cell proliferation or cell viability. The number of TRAP positive cells and mRNA levels of osteoclast markers such as TRAP, calcitonin receptor, cathepsin K and MMP-9 was decreased by IP6 on RANKL-treated cells. On the contrary, when giving IP6 to mature osteoclasts after RANKL treatment, a significant increase of bone resorption activity and TRAP mRNA levels was found. On the other hand, we show that 1 µM of IP6 inhibits osteoclastogenesis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) and their resorption activity both, when given to undifferentiated and to mature osteoclasts. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate that IP6 inhibits osteoclastogenesis on human PBMNC and on the RAW264.7 cell line. Thus, IP6 may represent a novel type of selective inhibitor of osteoclasts and prove useful for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Alternatively spliced RAGEv1 inhibits tumorigenesis through suppression of JNK signaling.

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands are overexpressed in multiple cancers. RAGE has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis, but little is known of the mechanisms involved. In this study, we define a specific functional role for an alternate splice variant termed RAGE splice variant 1 (RAGEv1), which encodes a soluble endogenous form of the receptor that inhibits tumorigenesis. RAGEv1 was downregulated in lung, prostate, and brain tumors relative to control matched tissues. Overexpressing RAGEv1 in tumor cells altered RAGE ligand stimulation of several novel classes of genes that are critical in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Additionally, RAGEv1 inhibited tumor formation, cell invasion, and angiogenesis induced by RAGE ligand signaling. Analysis of signal transduction pathways underlying these effects revealed marked suppression of c-jun-NH(2)-kinase (JNK) pathway signaling, and JNK inhibition suppressed signaling through the RAGE pathway. Tumors expressing RAGEv1 were significantly smaller than wild-type tumors and displayed prominently reduced activation of JNK. Our results identify RAGEv1 as a novel suppressor, the study of which may offer new cancer therapeutic directions.

Alternative splicing of the murine receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) gene.

The alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs is a critical mechanism in genomic complexity, disease, and development. Studies of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) indicate that this gene undergoes a variety of splice events in humans. However, no studies have extensively analyzed the tissue distribution in other species or compared evolutionary differences of RAGE isoforms. Because the majority of studies probing RAGE function have been performed in murine models, we therefore performed studies to identify and characterize the splice variants of the murine RAGE gene, and we compared these to human isoforms. Here, using mouse tissues, we identified numerous splice variants including changes in the extracellular domain or the removal of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, which produce soluble splice isoforms. Comparison of splice variants between humans and mice revealed homologous regions in the RAGE gene that undergo splicing as well as key species-specific mechanisms of splicing. Further analysis of tissue splice variant distribution in mice revealed major differences between lung, kidney, heart, and brain. To probe the potential impact of disease-like pathological states, we studied diabetic mice and report that RAGE splice variation changed dramatically, resulting in an increase in production of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) splice variants, which were not associated with detectable levels of sRAGE in murine plasma. In conclusion, we have determined that the murine RAGE gene undergoes extensive splicing with distinct splice isoforms being uniquely distributed in different tissues. These differences in RAGE splicing in both physiological and pathogenic states further expand our understanding of the biological repertoire of this receptor in health and disease.

Interaction of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain with diaphanous-1 is required for ligand-stimulated cellular migration through activation of Rac1 and Cdc42.

Cellular migration is a fundamental process linked to diverse pathological states such as diabetes and its complications, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and cancer. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand cell surface macromolecule which binds distinct ligands that accumulate in these settings. RAGE-ligand interaction evokes central changes in key biological properties of cells, including proliferation, generation of inflammatory mediators, and migration. Although RAGE-dependent signal transduction is critically dependent on its short cytoplasmic domain, to date the proximate mechanism by which this RAGE domain engages and stimulates cytoplasmic signaling pathways has yet to be identified. Here we show that the RAGE cytoplasmic domain interacts with Diaphanous-1 (Dia-1) both in vitro and in vivo. We employed the human RAGE cytoplasmic domain as "bait" in the yeast two-hybrid assay and identified the formin homology (FH1) domain of Dia-1 as a potential binding partner of this RAGE domain. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the RAGE cytoplasmic domain interacts with the FH1 domain of Dia-1. Down-regulation of Dia-1 expression by RNA interference blocks RAGE-mediated activation of Rac-1 and Cdc42 and, in parallel, RAGE ligand-stimulated cellular migration. Taken together, these findings indicate that the interaction of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain with Dia-1 is required to transduce extracellular environmental cues evoked by binding of RAGE ligands to their cell surface receptor, a chief consequence of which is Rac-1 and Cdc42 activation and cellular migration. Because RAGE and Dia-1 are implicated in the regulation of inflammatory, vascular, and transformed cell migration, these findings highlight this interaction as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.

Identification, classification, and expression of RAGE gene splice variants.

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a single-transmembrane, multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily. RAGE up-regulation is implicated in numerous pathological states including vascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. The understanding of the regulation of RAGE is important in both disease pathogenesis and normal homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate the characterization and identification of human RAGE splice variants by analysis of RAGE cDNA from tissue and cells. We identified a vast range of splice forms that lead to changes in the protein coding region of RAGE, which we have classified according to the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC). These resulted in protein changes in the ligand-binding domain of RAGE or the removal of the transmembrane domain and cytosolic tail. Analysis of splice variants for premature termination codons reveals approximately 50% of identified variants are targeted to the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway. Expression analysis revealed the RAGE_v1 variant to be the primary secreted soluble isoform of RAGE. Taken together, identification of functional splice variants of RAGE underscores the biological diversity of the RAGE gene and will aid in the understanding of the gene in the normal and pathological state.

Adult skeletal muscle stem cells differentiate into endothelial lineage and ameliorate renal dysfunction after acute ischemia.

We previously demonstrated that endothelial cells are severely damaged during renal ischemia-reperfusion and that transplantation of adult human endothelial cells into athymic nude rats subjected to renal ischemia resulted in a dramatic protection of the kidney against injury and dysfunction. Morphological studies demonstrated the engraftment of transplanted cells into renal microvasculature. The goal of the present study was to determine the potential efficacy of in vitro expanded skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSC) differentiated along the endothelial lineage in ameliorating acute renal injury. MDSC obtained from the Tie-2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were used as donors of differentiated and nondifferentiated stem cells. FVB mice, used as recipients, were subjected to renal ischemia and transplanted with the above MDSC. The differentiation of MDSC along the endothelial lineage was monitored by the appearance of Tie-2 promotor-driven expression of GFP. These mouse endothelial cell antigen-, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-, Flk-1-, Flt-1-, and CD31-positive cells engrafted into renal microvasculature and significantly protected short-term renal function after ischemia. Transplantation of nondifferentiated MDSC characterized by the expression of Sca-1 (low levels of CD34, Flk-1, and cKit, and negative for GFP, eNOS, and CD31) did not improve short-term renal dysfunction. In conclusion, the data 1) provide a rich source of MDSC, 2) delineate protocols for their in vitro expansion and differentiation along the endothelial lineage, and 3) demonstrate their efficacy in preserving renal function immediately after ischemic insult.

[Effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition on endothelial dysfunction-inducing protein in hypercholesterolemic rabbits]. / Efecto de la inhibición de la HMG-CoA reductasa sobre la proteína inductora de disfuncion endotelial en conejos hipercolesterolémicos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In our laboratory, we recently obtained evidence that cultured bovine endothelial cells contain cytosolic proteins that form complexes with the 3'-unstranslated region of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and are associated with its destabilization. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of such proteins and the level of eNOS expression in hypercholesterolemic rabbits as an in vivo model of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine was reduced in aortic segments from hypercholesterolemic rabbits compared with controls. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rabbits with simvastatin (25 mg/kg body weight/day) restored endothelium-dependent relaxation. Aortic eNOS expression was reduced in hypercholesterolemic rabbits and was accompanied by enhanced binding activity of a 60-KDa cytosolic protein and reduced stability of eNOS mRNA. Simvastatin treatment upregulated eNOS expression and reduced the interaction of cytosolic protein with the 3'-untranslated region of eNOS mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the presence of a 60-KDa protein that binds to eNOS mRNA and reduces eNOS expression in the vascular wall.

Efecto de la inhibición de la HMG-CoA reductasa sobre la proteína inductora de disfunción endotelial en conejos hipercolesterolémicos / Effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition on endothelial dysfunction-inducing protein in hypercholesterolemic rRabbits

Introducción y objetivos. Recientemente se ha demostrado en nuestro laboratorio que las células endoteliales en cultivo expresan proteínas citosólicas que forman complejos con el ARNm de la óxido nítrico sintasa endotelial (NOSe) en la región 3' que no codifica para proteína (3'-UTR). Esta unión fue asociada con la desestabilización del ARNm de dicha enzima. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de estas proteínas citosólicas y el nivel de expresión de la proteína NOSe en la pared vascular de conejos hipercolesterolémicos como un modelo in vivo de disfunción endotelial. Métodos y resultados. La relajación dependiente del endotelio a acetilcolina estuvo reducida en segmentos aórticos de conejos hipercolesterolémicos comparados con los conejos control. El tratamiento de los conejos hipercolesterolémicos con simvastatina (25 mg/kg peso/día) restauró la relajación dependiente del endotelio.La expresión de NOSe se encontró reducida en la pared vascular de los conejos hipercolesterolémicos, lo cual se acompañó de un aumento en la capacidad de unión de la proteína citosólica de 60 kDa y de una reducción en la estabilidad del ARNm de la NOSe. El tratamiento con simvastatina aumentó la expresión de NOSe y redujo la interacción de la proteína citosólica a la región 3'-UTR del ARNm de la NOSe. Conclusiones. Estos resultados demuestran una relación entre la presencia de la proteína de 60 kDa y la abundancia de NOSe en la pared vascular y la funcionalidad endotelial (AU)

Sevoflurane reduces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation: role of superoxide anion and endothelin.

PURPOSE: There are several reports suggesting that volatile anesthetics alter vascular endothelial function. We analyzed the effect of sevoflurane, a fluorinated volatile anesthetic, on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent relaxation, evaluating the role of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1). METHODS: The experiments were performed in rat isolated aortic segments aerated in the absence and in the presence of sevoflurane (2%). RESULTS: Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was reduced in aortic segments aerated with sevoflurane. Sevoflurane failed to modify relaxation in response to an exogenous NO donor, sodium nitroprusside. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide anion, partially restored the impaired vasorelaxation induced by sevoflurane, an effect that was associated with the release of superoxide anion. The presence of BQ-123, an antagonist of endothelin ETA-type receptors, normalized the vasorelaxing response to acetylcholine in the presence of sevoflurane. In addition, BQ-123 also reduced the ability of the sevoflurane-incubated vascular wall to release superoxide anion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that sevoflurane impairs the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation but that the endothelium-independent response remains intact. ET-1 and superoxide anion are involved in the endothelial dysfunction induced by sevoflurane. Further studies are needed to associate the endothelial dysfunction related to sevoflurane shown herein and its reported preconditioning properties on the myocardium.

Aspirin prevents Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide- and Staphylococcus aureus-induced downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in guinea pig pericardial tissue.

The aim was to analyze whether pericardial tissue expresses endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein and to determine the presence of cytosolic proteins that bind to eNOS mRNA. The effect of aspirin on the above-mentioned parameters was also analyzed. eNOS protein was expressed in pericardial tissue from male guinea pigs. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 microgram/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus endotoxin (SA, 10 microgram/mL) reduced eNOS protein expression and shortened the half-life of the eNOS messenger. Under basal conditions, cytosolic extracts from pericardial samples bound to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of eNOS mRNA, which was enhanced by LPS and SA. Proteinase K fully prevented the binding of cytosolic pericardial extracts to 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA, suggesting the involvement of proteins that were further characterized as 60- and 51-kDa proteins. Aspirin (1 to 10 mmol/L) restored eNOS expression in either LPS- and SA-stimulated pericardial samples and reduced the binding activity of the pericardial cytosolic proteins to 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA. Indomethacin also reduced the downregulation of eNOS by LPS and diminished the binding activity of the cytosolic proteins, although higher doses of indomethacin than of aspirin were needed to improve these parameters. In conclusion, eNOS protein is expressed in guinea pig pericardial tissue. LPS and SA stimulate the binding activity of pericardial cytosolic proteins to 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA and reduce eNOS protein expression. High doses of aspirin and indomethacin protect eNOS protein expression and reduce the binding activity of the cytosolic proteins to 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA, suggesting an inverse association between the presence of these cytosolic proteins and eNOS expression.

Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human peritoneal tissue: regulation by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

Changes in the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the peritoneum could be involved in the peritoneal dysfunction associated with peritoneal inflammation. Demonstrated recently in bovine endothelial cells was the existence of cytosolic proteins that bind to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of eNOS mRNA and could be implicated in eNOS mRNA stabilization. The present work demonstrates that eNOS protein is expressed in human endothelial and mesothelial peritoneal cells. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide shortened the half-life of eNOS message, reducing eNOS protein expression in peritoneal mesothelial and endothelial cells. Moreover, under basal conditions, human peritoneal samples expressed cytosolic proteins that bind to the 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA. The cytosolic proteins that directly bind to 3'-UTR were identified as a 60-kD protein. After incubation of human peritoneal samples with lipopolysaccharide, the binding activity of the cytosolic 60-kD protein increased in a time-dependent manner. Studies are now necessary to determine the involvement of this 60-kD protein in the regulation of eNOS expression in peritoneal cells and particularly its involvement in the peritoneal dysfunction associated with inflammatory reactions.