Mechanism of Naringenin Blocking the Protection of LTB4/BLT1 Receptor Against Septic Cardiac Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of Naringenin in AMPK signaling pathway in LPS-induced septic cardiac dysfunction in mice and to elucidate the inherent mechanism. METHODS: Male C57 mice were used in the establishment of mouse sepsis model. The effect of Naringenin on septic cardiac dysfunction was observed. Echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Western blot was employed to detect the expressions of BCL-2, BAX, cleaved caspase-3, pNF-kB and IkB-α. Myocardial mitochondria were isolated and extracted. Real-time PCR was applied to detect the expressions of Cox4i, Cox5a mRNA, mt-Nd1, mt-Nd2, mt-Co1 and mt-Co2 mRNA. Western blot was employed to detect the expressions of Complex I, Complex II, and OPA1 to evaluate the effects of Naringenin on myocardial mitochondrial biology and function in septic cardiac dysfunction. RESULTS: The expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, pNF-κB and IκB-α have changed after Naringenin treatment. IκB-α expression was decreased, expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and pNF-κB were increased. Naringenin has significantly inhibited AMPK and ACC phosphorylation, and decreased PGC1α expression. Moreover, Naringenin reversed the increased expressions of PGC1α and phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC by U75302 treatment, and decreased the expressions of complex I, complex II and OPA1. CONCLUSION: Naringenin inhibits LTB4/BLT1 receptors to attenuate cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis, which may mediate the protective effect of anti-septic cardiac dysfunction by activating AMPK signaling pathway and inhibiting NF-κB signaling and mitochondrial damage.

The role of the LTB4-BLT1 axis in health and disease.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a major type of lipid mediator that is rapidly generated from arachidonic acid through sequential action of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) and LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H) in response to various stimuli. LTB4 is well known to be a chemoattractant for leukocytes, particularly neutrophils, via interaction with its high-affinity receptor BLT1. Extensive attention has been paid to the role of the LTB4-BLT1 axis in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as infectious diseases, allergy, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disease via mediating recruitment and/or activation of different types of inflammatory cells depending on different stages or the nature of inflammatory response. Recent studies also demonstrated that LTB4 acts on non-immune cells via BLT1 to initiate and/or amplify pathological inflammation in various tissues. In addition, emerging evidence reveals a complex role of the LTB4-BLT1 axis in cancer, either tumor-inhibitory or tumor-promoting, depending on the different target cells. In this review, we summarize both established understanding and the most recent progress in our knowledge about the LTB4-BLT1 axis in host defense, inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Montelukast, Leukotriene Inhibitor, Reduces LPS-Induced Acute Lung Inflammation and Human Neutrophil Activation.

OBJECTIVES: Some pro-inflammatory lipids derived from 1 lipooxygenase enzyme are potent neutrophil chemoattractant, a cell centrally involved in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); a syndrome lacking effective treatment. Considering the beneficial effects of the leukotriene receptor inhibitor, montelukast, on other lung diseases, whether montelukast attenuates inflammation in a mouse model of ARDS, and whether it reduces LPS stimulated activation of human neutrophils was investigated. METHODS: Thirty-five C57Bl/6 mice were distributed into control (PBS)+24h, LPS+24h (10µg/mouse), control+48h, LPS+48h, and LPS 48h+Montelukast (10mg/kg). In addition, human neutrophils were incubated with LPS (1µg/mL) and treated with montelukast (10µM). RESULTS: Oral-tracheal administration of montelukast significantly attenuated total cells (P<.05), macrophages (P<.05), neutrophils (P<.01), lymphocytes (P<.001) and total protein levels in BAL (P<.05), as well as IL-6 (P<.05), CXCL1/KC (P<.05), IL-17 (P<.05) and TNF-α (P<.05). Furthermore, montelukast reduced neutrophils (P<.001), lymphocytes (P<.01) and macrophages (P<.01) in the lung parenchyma. In addition, montelukast restored BAL VEGF levels (P<.05). LTB4 receptor expression (P<.001) as well as NF-κB (P<.001), a downstream target of LPS, were also reduced in lung parenchymal leukocytes. Furthermore, montelukast reduced IL-8 (P<.001) production by LPS-treated human neutrophils. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, montelukast efficiently attenuated both LPS-induced lung inflammation in a mouse model of ARDS and in LPS challenged human neutrophils.

Excessive localized leukotriene B4 levels dictate poor skin host defense in diabetic mice.

Poorly controlled diabetes leads to comorbidities and enhanced susceptibility to infections. While the immune components involved in wound healing in diabetes have been studied, the components involved in susceptibility to skin infections remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of the inflammatory lipid mediator leukotriene B4 (LTB4) signaling through its receptor B leukotriene receptor 1 (BLT1) in the progression of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection in 2 models of diabetes. Diabetic mice produced higher levels of LTB4 in the skin, which correlated with larger nonhealing lesion areas and increased bacterial loads compared with nondiabetic mice. High LTB4 levels were also associated with dysregulated cytokine and chemokine production, excessive neutrophil migration but impaired abscess formation, and uncontrolled collagen deposition. Both genetic deletion and topical pharmacological BLT1 antagonism restored inflammatory response and abscess formation, followed by a reduction in the bacterial load and lesion area in the diabetic mice. Macrophage depletion in diabetic mice limited LTB4 production and improved abscess architecture and skin host defense. These data demonstrate that exaggerated LTB4/BLT1 responses mediate a derailed inflammatory milieu that underlies poor host defense in diabetes. Prevention of LTB4 production/actions could provide a new therapeutic strategy to restore host defense in diabetes.

Endothelial 12(S)-HETE vasorelaxation is mediated by thromboxane receptor inhibition in mouse mesenteric arteries.

Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites mediate endothelium-dependent relaxation in many vascular beds. Previously, we identified the major AA 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) metabolite of mouse arteries as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). The goal was to determine the stereospecific configuration of mouse vascular 12-HETE and characterize the role of 12-HETE stereoisomers in the regulation of vascular tone. Using normal, reverse phase, and chiral HPLC, the stereospecific configuration was identified as 12(S)-HETE. 12(S)-HETE relaxed U46619-, carbocyclic thromboxane A(2)-, PGF(2α)-, and 8-iso PGF(2α)-preconstricted mesenteric arteries, but not phenylephrine-preconstricted arteries. 12(R)-HETE was more potent than 12(S)-HETE in relaxing U46619-preconstricted mouse arteries (maximum relaxations = 91.4 ± 2.7% and 71.8 ± 5.9%, respectively). Neither 12-HETE isomer caused constriction. Pretreatment with 12(S)- or 12(R)-HETE (1 µM) inhibited constrictions to U46619 but not phenylephrine. To investigate the role of thromboxane A(2) (TP) receptors in 12-HETE vascular actions, [(3)H]SQ29548 radioligand binding studies were performed in mouse platelets. U46619, 12(R)-HETE, and 12(S)-HETE displaced [(3)H]SQ29548 binding with IC(50)s of 0.07, 0.32, and 1.73 µM, respectively. Both 12(S)- and 12(R)-HETE inhibited intracellular calcium increases induced by U46619 (10 nM) in HEK293 cells overexpressing TP(α) receptor (65.5% and 45.1%, respectively) and coexpressing prostacyclin (IP) and TP(α) receptors (58.0% and 27.1%, respectively). The LO inhibitor NDGA (10 µM) reduced AA relaxations in arteries preconstricted with U46619 but not phenylephrine. These results indicate that exogenous and endogenous 12(S)-HETE relax mouse mesenteric arteries that are preconstricted with thromboxane agonists. These 12(S)-HETE relaxations are mediated by TP receptor competitive inhibition and inhibition of TP agonist-induced increases in intracellular calcium.

Preparation of leukotriene B(4) inhibitory active 2- and 3-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)benzo[b]furan derivatives and their growth inhibitory activity on human pancreatic cancer cells.

A series of 2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)benzo[b]furan and 3-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)benzo[b]furan derivatives were prepared, and their leukotriene B(4) inhibitory activity and growth inhibitory activity in cancer cell lines were evaluated. Several compounds showed strong inhibition of calcium mobilization in CHO cells overexpressing human BLT(1) and BLT(2) receptors and growth inhibition to human pancreatic cancer cells MIA PaCa-2. 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-[5-formyl-2-[(dimethylamino)methyleneamino]thiazol-4-yl]-5-methoxybenzo[b]furan 8b showed the most potent and selective inhibition for the human BLT(2) receptor, and its IC(50) value was smaller than that of the selected positive control compound, ZK-158252. 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-[2-[(dimethylamino)methyleneamino]-5-(2-hydroxyethyliminomethyl)thiazol-4-yl]-5-methoxybenzo[b]furan 9a displayed growth inhibitory activity towards MIA PaCa-2.

Involvement of the BLT2 receptor in the itch-associated scratching induced by 12-(S)-lipoxygenase products in ICR mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, we reported that 12(S)-HPETE (12(S)-hydroperoxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-tetraenoic acid) induces scratching in ICR mice. We hypothesized that 12(S)-HPETE might act as an agonist of the low-affinity leukotriene B4 receptor BLT2. To confirm the involvement of the BLT2 receptor in 12(S)-HPETE-induced scratching, we studied the scratch response using the BLT2 receptor agonists compound A (4'-[[pentanoyl (phenyl) amino]methyl]-1,1'-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid) and 12(S)-HETE (12(S)-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-tetraenoic acid). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A video recording was used to determine whether the BLT2 receptor agonists caused itch-associated scratching in ICR mice. Selective antagonists and several chemicals were used. KEY RESULTS: Both 12(S)-HETE and compound A dose dependently induced scratching in the ICR mice. The dose-response curve for compound A showed peaks at around 0.005-0.015 nmol per site. Compound A- and 12(S)-HETE-induced scratching was suppressed by capsaicin and naltrexon. We examined the suppressive effects of U75302 (6-[6-(3-hydroxy-1E,5Z-undecadienyl)-2-pyridinyl]-1,5-hexanediol, the BLT1 receptor antagonist) and LY255283 (1-[5-ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-[[6-methyl-6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)heptyl]oxy]phenyl]-ethanone, the BLT2 receptor antagonist) on the BLT2 agonist-induced scratching. LY255283 suppressed compound A- and 12(S)-HETE-induced scratching, but U75302 did not. LY255283 required a higher dose to suppress the compound A-induced scratching than it did to suppress the 12(S)-HETE-induced scratching. One of the BLT(2) receptor agonists, 12(R)-HETE (12(R)-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-tetraenoic acid), also induced scratching in the ICR mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our present results corroborate the hypothesis that the BLT2 receptor is involved in 12(S)-lipoxygenase-product-induced scratching in ICR mice. We also confirmed that this animal model could be a valuable means of evaluating the effects of BLT2 receptor antagonists.

Gene expression analysis in sinonasal polyposis before and after oral corticosteroids: a preliminary investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize gene expression in sinonasal polyps and to gain insight into change in expression after oral corticosteroid treatment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Nasal polyps were obtained before and after oral corticosteroid treatment and gene expression was analyzed with a focused gene array technique. RESULTS: Pretreated sinonasal polyps demonstrated high gene expression for chemokine and leukotriene receptor genes (CCR2, CCR5, CX3CL1, and LTB4R) in all patients. After treatment, the global effects of corticosteroids were evident on gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Gene array techniques hold promise as a research method in sinonasal polyposis. The potential benefits, as well as the potential challenges, in using these research methods will be discussed.

Fibrinogen induces IL-8 synthesis in human neutrophils stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or leukotriene B(4).

Human exudative neutrophils have greatly increased stores of the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8 compared with peripheral blood cells, but the mechanism for the increase is not defined. In this report, we show that treatment of peripheral blood neutrophils with the chemotactic peptide fMLP or with leukotriene B(4) or fibrinogen results in little increase in the production of IL-8 by peripheral blood neutrophils. However, a chemotactically active dose of fMLP (5 x 10(-9) M) or leukotriene B(4) (1 x 10(-7) M) in the presence of a physiological concentration (2 mg/ml) of fibrinogen results in a receptor-mediated, pertussis toxin-sensitive, synergistic 30-fold increase in IL-8 synthesis. The levels of IL-8 attained are comparable to those observed in exudative cells. Higher concentrations of fMLP (1 x 10(-7) M) are associated with reduced IL-8 protein synthesis without IL-8 degradation, indicating a sensitive regulatory mechanism for IL-8 production. Treatment of neutrophils with fibrinogen and fMLP resulted in minimal changes in the steady state levels of mRNA for macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and -1beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In contrast, in the presence of fibrinogen, the steady-state level of neutrophil IL-8 mRNA increased 8-fold with 5 x 10(-9) M fMLP but was not decreased with 1 x 10(-7) M fMLP, suggesting that neutrophils are specifically adapted to modulate neutrophil IL-8 synthesis through transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. The data indicate that fibrinogen can function not only as a substrate in the clotting cascade, but also as an important effector during the evolution of the innate immune response.

Dose-related protection of exercise bronchoconstriction by montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene-receptor antagonist, at the end of a once-daily dosing interval.

The dose-related protective effects of montelukast, a potent and selective cysteinyl leukotriene-receptor antagonist, against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were investigated in a five-period, randomized, incomplete-block, crossover study with montelukast (0.4, 2, 10, 50 mg) and placebo. The study subjects were 27 nonsmoking, healthy stable patients with asthma (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], 82.0% predicted) who demonstrated a > or = 20% decrease in FEV1 while beta-agonist was withheld for 6 hours before treadmill exercise. The standard exercise challenge was performed 20 to 24 hours, and again 32 to 36 hours, after the second of two once-daily doses. The effect of oral montelukast on exercise was measured by the area above the postexercise percentage decrease in FEV1 versus time curve from 0 to 60 minutes [AUC(0-60)], the maximal percentage decrease in FEV1 after exercise, and time after maximal decrease to recovery of FEV1 to within 5% of the preexercise baseline. Twenty to 24 hours after administration, montelukast caused dose-related protection, while providing similar protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction at the two highest doses. The AUC(0-60) values (mean +/- SD) were 637 +/- 898, 715 +/- 870, 988 +/- 1147, and 927 +/- 968 min. % for 50, 10, 2, and 0.4 mg montelukast, respectively, and 1193 +/- 1097 min. % for placebo (p = 0.003). No important clinical effect was present 36 hours after dosing. Montelukast was generally well tolerated at all dose levels. In conclusion, montelukast caused dose-related protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction at the end of a once-daily dosing interval. Protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction can be used to determine appropriate dose selection.

Sequential morphologic events during apoptosis of human neutrophils. Modulation by lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids.

Dual-laser flow cytometry, based on the properties of the DNA-binding dyes Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide, was used, with light and electron microscopy and DNA fragmentation studies, to define the influence of lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids on apoptosis of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in vitro. Apoptosis was characterized by progression through an early apoptotic phase characterized by condensation of chromatin and coalescence of nuclear lobes, to a late apoptotic phase characterized by nuclear degradation and evanescence, and secondary necrosis. Prolonged exposure of PMN to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) afforded dose-dependent inhibition of constitutive PMN apoptosis (percentage of normal and apoptotic PMN, respectively, after aging for 18 h: vehicle, 30.5 +/- 2.7% and 61.8 +/- 3.2%; LTB4 10(-7) M, 57.6 +/- 1.2% and 37.6 +/- 1.0%) and apoptosis triggered by the classic peptide chemoattractant FMLP. In contrast, apoptosis was not affected by the LTB4 precursor 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), the omega-oxidation LTB4 metabolites 20-hydroxy-LTB4 and 20-carboxy-LTB4, the cysteinyl leukotriene LTC4, the 15-lipoxygenase product 15(S)-HETE, or the lipoxygenase interaction product lipoxin A4. The anti-apoptotic effect of LTB4 was mimicked by 20,20,20-trifluoro-LTB4, LTB4-dimethylamide, and 14,15-dehydro-LTB4, and was blunted by pertussis toxin and genistein, inhibitors of G alpha i GTP-binding proteins and tyrosine kinases, respectively, but not by staurosporine, 15(S)-HETE, or lipoxin A4. This unique pharmacologic profile suggested that LTB4 attenuated apoptosis through activation of cell surface receptors and signaling events distinct from those involved with PMN trafficking, degranulation, and respiratory bursts.

Identification and characterization of a high-affinity leukotriene B4 receptor on guinea pig T lymphocytes and its regulation by lipoxin A4.

A single class of high affinity leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptors has been identified on the surface of guinea pig peritoneal exudate T lymphocytes. The Kd of these receptors is 1.6 nM, with a Bmax of 25.2 fmol/10(7) cells (1500 sites/cell). Receptor binding activity can be blocked by specific LTB4 receptor antagonists, but not by a specific LTD4 receptor antagonist, lipoxins A4 or B4 (LXA4, LXB4) or K252a, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Pretreatment of T lymphocytes with phorbol myristyl acetate or LXA4, reduced LTB4 receptor density in a concentration-dependent manner, although similar concentrations of LXB4 had no effect. LTB4 receptor down-modulation by LXA4 was reversed by K252a. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, an inactive structural analogue of phorbol myristyl acetate, did not activate protein kinase C or decrease LTB4 receptor density. These results suggest that LTB4 receptor density on T cells may by ultimately down-regulated by a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism and are consistent with a physiological role of LXA4 in the modulation of inflammatory process.

Characterization of the pharmacological profile of the potent LTB4 antagonist CP-105,696 on murine LTB4 receptors in vitro.

1. Binding of [3H]-leukotriene B4 ([3H]-LTB4) to murine spleen membranes (MSM) was determined. 2. Scatchard analyses of [3H]-LTB4 binding indicated the presence of high (KD1 = 1.7 nM) and low (KD2 = 7.5 nM) affinity receptors on MSM with Bmax values of 151 fmol mg-1 protein (Bmax1) and 354 fmol mg-1 protein (Bmax2), respectively. 3. CP-105,696, a potent LTB4 antagonist, inhibited [3H]-LTB4 (0.67 nM) binding to the high affinity receptor on MSM, IC50 = 30.2 nM, Ki = 17.7 nM with a Hill coefficient of 0.93. 4. Scatchard analyses of [3H]-LTB4 binding to MSM in the presence of CP-105,696 indicated that the high-affinity receptor was inhibited in a non-competitive manner and the low-affinity receptor in a competitive manner. 5. Isolated peripheral blood murine neutrophils (MN) responded chemotactically to LTB4, EC50 = 2.5 nM. CP-105,696 blocked this response, IC50 = 2.3 nM. When examined over a full concentration-response range of LTB4, CP-105,696 inhibited chemotaxis in a non-competitive manner. 6. Murine neutrophils in anticoagulated whole blood upregulated the integrin, complement receptor type 3 (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1) in response to LTB4, EC50 = 20 nM and this was inhibited by CP-105,696 in a competitive manner. 7. These results provide evidence that MSM have specific binding sites for LTB4, and as exemplified by CP-105,696, that these receptors may be useful for determining the potency and nature of antagonism of novel LTB4 receptor antagonists.

Stimulation of protein kinase C redistribution and inhibition of leukotriene B4-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate generation in human neutrophils by lipoxin A4.

1. To test the hypothesis that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the inhibitory actions of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on second messenger generation, we studied the effects of LXA4 on PKC in human neutrophils and on leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-stimulated inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) generation. 2. LXA4, 1 microM, caused a fall in cytosolic PKC-dependent histone phosphorylating activity to 23.5% of basal levels. 3. LXA4, caused an increase in particulate PKC-dependent histone phosphorylating activity with a bell-shaped dose-response fashion; maximal stimulation was observed at 10 nM LXA4. 4. Western blot analysis with affinity-purified antibodies to alpha- and beta-PKC showed that only the beta-PKC isotype was translocated by LXA4. 5. LXA4 inhibited LTB4-stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation in a bell-shaped fashion with maximal inhibition at 1 nM LXA4. The observed inhibition was dose-dependently removed by pre-incubation with a PKC inhibitor (Ro-31-8220). 6. These results show that LXA4 activates PKC in whole cells and supports a role for PKC activation in the inhibitory action of LXA4 on LTB4-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation. 7. LXA4 (1-1000 nM) pre-incubation did not affect specific binding of [3H]-LTB4 to neutrophils. Thus, the inhibitory effect of LXA4 on LTB4-stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation could not be attributed to an effect on LTB4 receptors.

The leukotriene B4 receptor agonist/antagonist activities of SC-45694 in human neutrophils.

SC-45694 (7-[4-(1-hydroxy-3Z-nonenyl)phenyl]-5S-hydroxy-6Z-hept enoic acid lithium salt), a representative of a new class of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) analogs that are conformationally restricted, was evaluated for effects on human neutrophil functions. SC-45694 inhibited [3H] LTB4 binding to the high-affinity receptors on human neutrophils with a KD value of 0.76 microM, but it was a very weak inhibitor of [3H]N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine binding (KD > 83 microM). SC-45694 stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis with half-maximal and maximal effects at 1 and 10 microM, respectively, and produced a maximal chemotactic response similar to that produced by LTB4. The chemotactic activity of SC-45694 was blocked by the LTB4 receptor antagonists SC-41930 and LY-255283. At concentrations that showed agonist activity for neutrophil chemotactic response, SC-45694 showed no agonist activity for degranulation, antagonized LTB4-induced degranulation and inhibited [3H] LTB4 binding to low-affinity receptors. SC-45694 inhibited LTB4-induced maximal degranulation with an IC50 value of 0.3 microM, but it did not inhibit N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced degranulation. The inhibition by SC-45694 of LTB4-induced degranulation was time-dependent, noncompetitive and reversible. Thus SC-45694 exhibited a specific, full LTB4 agonist activity for chemotaxis and an antagonist activity against LTB4-induced degranulation. These properties suggest that members of the new class of LTB4 analogs, such as SC-45694, may be useful in further characterizing distinct LTB4 receptor subtypes that mediate these two neutrophil functions.