Inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction reduce estrogen responsive gene expression and oxidative stress in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Estrogen contributes to the development of breast cancer through estrogen receptor (ER) signaling and by generating genotoxic metabolites that cause oxidative DNA damage. To protect against oxidative stress, cells activate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream cytoprotective genes that initiate antioxidant responses and detoxify xenobiotics. Nrf2 activation occurs by inhibiting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Nrf2 and its inhibitor Keap1, which otherwise targets Nrf2 for ubiquitination and destruction. In this study, we examined a series of novel direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 PPI in their role in promoting the availability of Nrf2 for antioxidant activity and attenuating estrogen-mediated responses in breast cancer. ER-positive human breast cancer cells MCF-7 were treated with 17ß-estradiol (E2) in the presence or absence of selected Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors. Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of estrogen responsive genes induced by E2 exposure, such as PGR. Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors caused significant activation of Nrf2 target genes. E2 decreased the mRNA and protein level of the Nrf2 target gene NQO1, and the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors reversed this effect. The reversal of E2 action by these compounds was not due to binding to ER as ER antagonists. Further, a selected compound attenuated oxidative stress induced by E2, determined by the level of a biomarker 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine. These findings suggest that the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors have potent antioxidant activity by activating Nrf2 pathways and inhibit E2-induced gene and protein expression. These compounds may serve as potential chemopreventive agents in estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

The contribution of chymase-dependent formation of ANG II to cardiac dysfunction in metabolic syndrome of young rats: roles of fructose and EETs.

The roles of ACE-independent ANG II production via chymase and therapeutic potential of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adolescent population remain elusive. Thus we tested the hypothesis that a high-fructose diet (HFD) in young rats elicits chymase-dependent increases in ANG II production and oxidative stress, responses that are reversible by 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) that metabolizes EETs. Three groups of weanling rats (21-day-old) were fed a normal diet, 60% HFD, and HFD with TPPU, respectively, for 30 days. HFD rats developed MetS, characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertension and associated with decreases in cardiac output and stroke volume and loss of nitric oxide (NO) modulation of myocardial oxygen consumption; all impairments were normalized by TPPU that significantly elevated circulating 11,12-EET, a major cardiac EET isoform. In the presence of comparable cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression/activity among the three groups, HFD rats exhibited significantly greater chymase-dependent ANG II formation in hearts, as indicated by an augmented cardiac chymase content as a function of enhanced mast cell degranulation. The enhanced chymase-dependent ANG II production was paralleled with increases in ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R) expression and NADPH oxidase (Nox)-induced superoxide, alterations that were significantly reversed by TPPU. Conversely, HFD-induced downregulation of cardiac ACE2, followed by a lower Ang-(1-7) level displayed in an TPPU-irreversible manner. In conclusion, HFD-driven adverse chymase/ANG II/Nox/superoxide signaling in young rats was prevented by inhibition of sEH via, at least in part, an EET-mediated stabilization of mast cells, highlighting chymase and sEH as therapeutic targets during treatment of MetS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY As the highest fructose consumers, the adolescent population is highly susceptible to the metabolic syndrome, where increases in mast cell chymase-dependent formation of ANG II, ensued by cardiometabolic dysfunction, are reversible in response to inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). This study highlights chymase and sEH as therapeutic targets and unravels novel avenues for the development of optimal strategies for young patients with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome.

Loss of Brap Results in Premature G1/S Phase Transition and Impeded Neural Progenitor Differentiation.

Cells initiate fate decisions during G1 phase by converting extracellular signals into distinctive cell cycle kinetics. The DNA replication timing is determined in G1 phase; lengthened G1 and hastened S phases correlate with increased neurogenic propensity of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), although the underlying molecular control remains elusive. Here, we report that proper G1 phase completion in NPCs requires Brap, a Ras-Erk signaling modulator with ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. We identified Skp2 and Skp2-associated SCF ubiquitin ligase as a key target of Brap-mediated polyubiquitination. Loss of Brap resulted in elevated Skp2, which increased p27Kip1 destruction, leading to G1 phase truncation and premature S phase entry. The aberrantly executed G1 in Brap-mutant NPCs, followed by hindered S phase progression and increased G2 phase arrest, which together prolonged the cell cycle, impeded neuronal differentiation and culminated in microcephaly. These findings demonstrate that neuronal differentiation is potentiated during G1 phase by Brap-directed cascade of events in cell signaling and protein turnover.

A novel mechanism of ascorbate direct modulation of soluble epoxide hydrolase.

To test the hypothesis that VitC downregulates soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH, responsible for converting EETs to DHETs) to stabilize tissue EETs, the heart, lung, liver, kidney, and mesenteric arteries isolated from normal rats were incubated with VitC (1000µM) for 72h, and tissue sEH expression, along with EET and DHET profiles were assessed. VitC caused significant reductions in sEH mRNA and protein content in the liver, heart and vessels, but had no effect on renal and pulmonary sEH expression, revealing a tissue-specific regulatory mechanism. The functional consequence of reduced sEH expression was validated by LC/MS/MS-based analysis, indicating that in VitC-treated tissues that displayed downregulation of sEH mRNA and protein expression, total DHETs were significantly lower, accompanied with a greater ratio of EETs/DHETs than those in VitC-untreated groups. Thus, VitC elicits a transcriptional downregulation of sEH in normal liver, heart, and vessels to reduce EET degradation and increase EET bioavailability.

EETs promote hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction via constrictor prostanoids.

To test the hypothesis that epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) facilitate pulmonary responses to hypoxia, male wild-type (WT) and soluble-epoxide hydrolase knockout (sEH-KO) mice, and WT mice chronically fed a sEH inhibitor (t-TUCB; 1 mg·kg-1·day-1) were used. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was recorded under control and hypoxic conditions. The control RVSP was comparable among all groups. However, hypoxia elicited increases in RVSP in all groups with predominance in sEH-KO and t-TUCB-treated mice. 14,15-EEZE (an EET antagonist) attenuated the hypoxia-induced greater elevation of RVSP in sEH-deficient mice, suggesting an EET-mediated increment. Exogenous 5,6-; 8,9-, or 14,15-EET (0.05 ng/g body wt) did not change RVSP in any conditions, but 11,12-EET enhanced RVSP under hypoxia. Isometric tension was recorded from pulmonary arteries isolated from WT and sEH-KO mice, vessels that behaved identically in their responsiveness to vasoactive agents and vessel stretch. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV, expressed as increases in hypoxic force) was significantly greater in vessels of sEH-KO than WT vessels; the enhanced component was inhibited by EEZE. Treatment of WT vessels with 11,12-EET enhanced HPV to the same level as sEH-KO vessels, confirming EETs as primary players. Inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COXs) significantly enhanced HPV in WT vessels, but attenuated HPV in sEH-KO vessels. Blocking/inhibiting COX-1, prostaglandin H2 (PGH2)/thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptors and TXA synthase prevented the enhanced HPV in sEH-KO vessels but had no effects on WT vessels. In conclusion, an EET-dependent alteration in PG metabolism that favors the action of vasoconstrictor PGH2 and TXA2 potentiates HPV and hypoxia-induced elevation of RVSP in sEH-deficient mice.

Chymase-dependent production of angiotensin II: an old enzyme in old hearts.

Age-dependent alteration of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and generation of angiotensin II (Ang II) are well documented. By contrast, RAS-independent generation of Ang II in aging and its responses to exercise have not been explored. To this end, we examined the effects of chymase, a secretory serine protease, on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-independent conversion of Ang I to Ang II. We hypothesized that age-dependent alteration of cardiac Ang II formation is chymase dependent in nature and is prevented by exercise training. Experiments were conducted on hearts isolated from young (3 mo), aged sedentary (24 mo), and aged rats chronically exercised on a treadmill. In the presence of low Ang I levels and downregulation of ACE expression/activity, cardiac Ang II levels were significantly higher in aged than young rats, suggesting an ACE-independent response. Aged hearts also displayed significantly increased chymase expression and activity, as well as upregulation of tryptase, a biological marker of mast cells, confirming a mast cell-sourced increase in chymase. Coincidently, cardiac superoxide produced from NADPH oxidase (Nox) was significantly enhanced in aged rats and was normalized by exercise. Conversely, a significant reduction in cardiac expression of ACE2 followed by lower Ang 1-7 levels and downregulation of the Mas receptor (binding protein of Ang 1-7) in aged rats were completely reversed by exercise. In conclusion, local formation of Ang II is increased in aged hearts, and chymase is primarily responsible for this increase. Chronic exercise is able to normalize the age-dependent alterations via compromising chymase/Ang II/angiotensin type 1 receptor/Nox actions while promoting ACE2/Ang 1-7/MasR signaling. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Aging increases angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-independent production of cardiac angiotensin II (Ang II), a response that is driven by chymase in an exercise-reversible manner. These findings highlight chymase, in addition to ACE, as an important therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of Ang II-induced deterioration of cardiac function in the elderly.

Sexually dimorphic adaptation of cardiac function: roles of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cardioprotective mediators metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to form corresponding diols (DHETs). As a sex-susceptible target, sEH is involved in the sexually dimorphic regulation of cardiovascular function. Thus, we hypothesized that the female sex favors EET-mediated potentiation of cardiac function via downregulation of sEH expression, followed by upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Hearts were isolated from male (M) and female (F) wild-type (WT) and sEH-KO mice, and perfused with constant flow at different preloads. Basal coronary flow required to maintain the perfusion pressure at 100 mmHg was significantly greater in females than males, and sEH-KO than WT mice. All hearts displayed a dose-dependent decrease in coronary resistance and increase in cardiac contractility, represented as developed tension in response to increases in preload. These responses were also significantly greater in females than males, and sEH-KO than WT 14,15-EEZE abolished the sex-induced (F vs. M) and transgenic model-dependent (KO vs. WT) differences in the cardiac contractility, confirming an EET-driven response. Compared with M-WT controls, F-WT hearts expressed downregulation of sEH, associated with increased EETs and reduced DHETs, a pattern comparable to that observed in sEH-KO hearts. Coincidentally, F-WT and sEH-KO hearts exhibited increased PPARα expression, but comparable expression of eNOS, PPARß, and EET synthases. In conclusion, female-specific downregulation of sEH initiates an EET-dependent adaptation of cardiac function, characterized by increased coronary flow via reduction in vascular resistance, and promotion of cardiac contractility, a response that could be further intensified by PPARα.

Female-favorable attenuation of coronary myogenic constriction via reciprocal activations of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and nitric oxide.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are metabolites of arachidonic acid via CYP/epoxygenases, which are catabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and known to possess cardioprotective properties. To date, the role of sEH in the modulation of pressure-induced myogenic response/constriction in coronary arteries, an important regulatory mechanism in the coronary circulation, and the issue as to whether the disruption of the sEH gene affects the myogenic response sex differentially have never been addressed. To this end, experiments were conducted on male (M) and female (F) wild-type (WT) and sEH-knockout (KO) mice. Pressure-diameter relationships were assessed in isolated and cannulated coronary arteries. All vessels constricted in response to increases in intraluminal pressure from 60 to 120 mmHg. Myogenic vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated, expressed as an upward shift in the pressure-diameter curve of vessels, associated with higher cardiac EETs in M-KO, F-WT, and F-KO mice compared with M-WT controls. Blockade of EETs via exposure of vessels to 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid (14,15-EEZE) prevented the attenuated myogenic constriction in sEH-KO mice. In the presence of 14,15-EEZE, pressure-diameter curves of females presented an upward shift from those of males, exhibiting a sex-different phenotype. Additional administration of N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester eliminated the sex difference in myogenic responses, leading to four overlapped pressure-diameter curves. Cardiac sEH was downregulated in F-WT compared with M-WT mice, whereas expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and CYP4A (20-HETE synthase) was comparable among all groups. In summary, in combination with NO, the increased EET bioavailability as a function of genetic deletion and/or downregulation of sEH accounts for the female-favorable attenuation of pressure-induced vasoconstriction.