scholarly journals Cathepsin B-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Formation and Activation in Angiotensin II -Induced Hypertensive Mice: Role of Macrophage Digestion Dysfunction

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1585-1600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Lian ◽  
Jieqing Lai ◽  
Yanjiao Wu ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Yongjun Chen ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an octapeptide hormone that plays a significant role in mediating hypertension. Although hypertension is considered a chronic inflammatory disease, the molecular basis of the sterile inflammatory response involved in hypertension remains unclear. Methods: We investigated the role of macrophage NLRP3 inflammasomes in engulfing and digesting microbes, a key macrophage function, and in early onset of hypertension-associated macrophage injury using biochemical analyses, gene silencing, molecular biotechnology, immunofluorescence, and microbiology. Results: Ang II stimulation decreased nitric oxide (NO) release and macrophage digestion in cultured THP-1 cells and markedly increased NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation. NO release and macrophage digestion were restored by NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition with isoliquiritigenin and gene silencing. This Ang II-induced upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in macrophages was attributed to lysosomal damage and release of cathepsin B. Mechanistically, losartan, a nonpeptide Ang II receptor antagonist, decreased Ang II-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, lysosomal membrane permeability, lysosomal cathepsin B release, and macrophage digestion dysfunction. Similarly, Ang II-induced macrophage microbe digestion and NO production, which were blocked by ATI gene silencing. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that the bacteria scavenging function was clearly decreased in macrophages from Ang II-induced hypertensive mice. Conclusion: Angiotensin II enhances lysosomal membrane permeabilization and the consequent release of lysosomal cathepsin B, resulting in activation of the macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome. This may contribute to NO mediation of dysfunction in digesting microbes.

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Chan ◽  
Ju-Chi Liu ◽  
Li-Jen Lin ◽  
Po-Yuan Chen ◽  
Tzu-Hurng Cheng ◽  
...  

Tanshinone IIA extracted from Danshen, a popular medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits cardio-protective effects. However, the mechanism of its cardioprotective effect is not well established. The aims of this study were to examine whether tanshinone IIA may alter angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cell proliferation and to identify the putative underlying signaling pathways in rat cardiac fibroblasts. Cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts were pre-treated with tanshinone IIA and stimulated with Ang II, cell proliferation and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression were examined. The effect of tanshinone IIA on Ang II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were also examined. In addition, the effect of tanshinone IIA on nitric oxide (NO) production, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation were tested to elucidate the intracellular mechanism. The increased cell proliferation and ET-1 expression by Ang II (100 nM) were partially inhibited by tanshinone IIA. Tanshinone IIA also inhibited Ang II-increased ROS formation, and ERK phosphorylation. In addition, tanshinone IIA was found to increase the NO generation, and eNOS phosphorylation. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, and the short interfering RNA transfection for eNOS markedly attenuated the inhibitory effect of tanshinone IIA on Ang II-induced cell proliferation. The results suggest that tanshinone IIA prevents cardiac fibroblast proliferation by interfering with the generation of ROS and involves the activation of the eNOS-NO pathway.


Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Ramil C Montaniel ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Matthew R Bersi ◽  
Liang Xiao ◽  
Hana A Itani ◽  
...  

We and others have shown that hypertension (HTN) is associated with a striking deposition of collagen in the vascular adventitia. This causes vascular stiffening, which increases pulse wave velocity and contributes to end-organ damage. Through a screen of vascular microRNAs (miRNAs), we found that miR-762 is the most upregulated miRNA in mice with angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced HTN. qRT-PCR confirmed that miR-762 is upregulated 6.35±1.22 (p=0.03) fold in aortas of Ang II-infused mice compared with controls. This was a direct effect of Ang II, as miR-762 upregulation was not eliminated by lowering blood pressure with hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide and was increased only 2-fold in DOCA salt HTN. To study the role of miR-762 in HTN, we administered a locked nucleic acid inhibitor of miR-762 (antagomiR-762). AntagomiR-762 administration did not alter the hypertensive response to Ang II, yet it normalized stress-strain relationships and aortic energy storage that occurs in systole (Table). Further studies showed that antagomiR-762 dramatically affected vascular matrix proteins, reducing mRNA for several collagens and fibronectin and dramatically upregulating collagenases MMP1a, 8 and 13 (Table). Thus, miR-762 has a major role in modulating vascular stiffening and its inhibition dramatically inhibits pathological fibrosis, enhances matrix degradation and normalizes aortic stiffness. AntagomiR-762 might represent a new approach to prevent aortic stiffening and its consequent end-organ damage.


Hypertension ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 688-688
Author(s):  
Toshihiro Ichiki ◽  
Kotaro Takeda ◽  
Akira Takeshita

58 Recent studies suggest a crucial role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the signaling of Angiotensin II (Ang II) through type 1 Ang II receptor (AT1-R). However, the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R expression has not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of an antioxidant on the homologous downregulation of AT1-R by Ang II. Ang II (10 -6 mol/L) decreased AT1-R mRNA with a peak suppression at 6 hours of stimulation in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Ang II dose-dependently (10 -8 -10 -6 ) suppressed AT1-R mRNA at 6 hours of stimulation. Preincubation of VSMC with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, almost completely inhibited the Ang II-induced downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The effect of NAC was due to stabilization of the AT1-R mRNA that was destabilized by Ang II. Ang II did not affect the promoter activity of AT1-R gene. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADH/NADPH oxidase failed to inhibit the Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation. The Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation was also blocked by PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor. Ang II-induced ERK activation was inhibited by NAC as well as PD98059 whereas DPI did not inhibit it. To confirm the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R mRNA expression, VSMC were stimulated with H 2 O 2 . H 2 O 2 suppressed the AT1-R mRNA expression and activated ERK. These results suggest that production of ROS and activation of ERK are critical for downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The differential effect of NAC and DPI on the downregulation of AT1-R mRNA may suggest the presence of other sources than NADH/NADPH oxidase pathway for ROS in Ang II signaling. Generation of ROS through stimulation of AT1-R not only mediates signaling of Ang II but may play a crucial role in the adaptation process of AT1-R to the sustained stimulation of Ang II.


Author(s):  
Marzieh Kafami ◽  
Mahmoud Hosseini ◽  
Saeed Niazmand ◽  
Esmaeil Farrokhi ◽  
Mosa Al-Reza Hajzadeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although numerous studies have proven that estrogen (Est) has a protective effect on the development of hypertension, more research needs to be done to show its detailed mechanism in a variety of hypertension. The important role of active oxygen species in blood pressure is well defined. We examined whether or not sex hormones change the growth of reactive oxygen species (ROS) ‎in kidneys after central microinjection of angiotensin II (Ang II).‎ Materials and methods Female Wistar rats, 8 weeks old (200 ± 10 g) were used in this study. The animal groups were (1) Sham, (2) Ovariectomy (OVX), (3) Sham-Hypertension (Sham-Hyper), (4) OVX-Hypertension (OVX-Hyper), (5) Sham-Hyper-Est, (6) OVX-Hyper-Est‎;‎ (7) Sham-Hyper-Testosterone (Tst) and (8) OVX-Hyper-Tst. Solutions of 1% NaCl and 0.1 KCl ‎were used and desoxycorticostrone (doca-salt) was injected (45 mg/kg) 3 times a week in Hypertension groups. Estradiol and Tst (2 mg/kg and ‎5 mg/kg‎; daily; subcutaneously) for 4 weeks. Ang II (50 μM, 5 μL) was microinjected by intracerebroventricular ( i.c.v.) infusion and malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiol in the kidneys were measured. Results MDA in the kidneys was increased by Ang II and doca-salt treatments. Both estradiol and Tst decreased the kidney’s MDA. The level of thiol was higher in Hyper ‎groups and reversed after treatment with estradiol and Tst. Conclusions Our findings suggest that central effect of Ang II on blood pressure and kidney ‎disease is accompanied with increased levels of oxidative stress in the kidneys. Indeed sex hormones change the ROS level in the kidneys after central ‎microinjection of Ang II.‎‎


1982 ◽  
Vol 243 (3) ◽  
pp. F260-F264 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kastner ◽  
J. E. Hall ◽  
A. C. Guyton

Studies were performed to quantitate the effects of progressive increases in renal venous pressure (RVP) on renin secretion (RS) and renal hemodynamics. RVP was raised in 10 mmHg increments to 50 mmHg. Renin secretion rate increased modestly as RVP was increased to 30 mmHg and then increased sharply after RVP exceeded 30 mmHg. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal blood flow (RBF), and filtration fraction (FF) did not change significantly when RVP was elevated to 50 mmHg. GFR and RBF were also measured after the renin-angiotension system (RAS) was blocked with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) SQ 14225. After a 60-min CEI infusion, RBF was elevated (32%), GFR was unchanged, FF was decreased, and total renal resistance (TRR) was decreased. As RVP was increased to 50 mmHg, GFR and FF decreased to 36.3 and 40.0% of control, respectively, RBF returned to a value not significantly different from control, and TRR decreased to 44.8% of control. The data indicate that the RAS plays an important role in preventing reductions in GFR during increased RVP because blockade of angiotensin II (ANG II) formation by the CEI results in marked decreases in GFR at high RVPs. The decreases in GFR after ANG II blockade and RVP elevation were not due to lack of renal vasodilation, since TRR was maintained below while RBF was maintained either above or at the pre-CEI levels.


1994 ◽  
Vol 297 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kojima ◽  
N Kawamura ◽  
H Shibata

The present study was conducted to monitor precisely the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in adrenal glomerulosa cells stimulated by angiotensin II (ANG II). PKC activity in cells was monitored by measuring phosphorylation of a synthetic KRTLRR peptide, a specific substrate for PKC, immediately after the permeabilization of the cells with digitonin [Heasley and Johnson J. Biol. Chem. (1989) 264, 8646-8652]. Addition of 1 nM ANG II induced a gradual increase in KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation, which reached a peak at 30 min, and phosphorylation was sustained thereafter. When the action of ANG II was terminated by adding [Sar1,Ala8]ANG II, a competitive antagonist, both Ca2+ entry and KRTLRR phosphorylation ceased rapidly, whereas diacylglyercol (DAG) content was not changed significantly within 10 min. Similarly, when blockade of Ca2+ entry was achieved by decreasing extracellular Ca2+ to 1 microM or by adding 1 microM nitrendipine, KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation was decreased within 5 min. In addition, restoration of Ca2+ entry was accompanied by an immediate increase in KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation. Under the same condition, DAG content did not change significantly. We then examined the role of the PKC pathway in ANG II-induced aldosterone production. Ro 31-8220 inhibited ANG II-induced KRTLRR phosphorylation without affecting the activity of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. In the presence of Ro 31-8220, ANG II-mediated aldosterone production was decreased to approx. 50%. Likewise, intracellular administration of PKC19-36, a sequence corresponding to residues 19-36 of the regulatory domain of PKC known to inhibit PKC activity, attenuated ANG II-mediated activation of PKC and aldosterone output. These results indicate a critical role of Ca2+ entry in the regulation of PKC activity by ANG II.


1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (3) ◽  
pp. R371-R377 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Huang ◽  
M. J. Kluger ◽  
R. L. Malvin

The thermoregulatory role of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) was tested by intracerebroventricular (IVT) infusion of ANG II or the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 20881 (SQ) in 15 conscious sheep. Deep body temperature decreased 0.30 +/- 0.07 degree C (SE) during the 3-h period of IVT ANG II (25 ng/min) infusion (P less than 0.05) and increased 0.50 +/- 0.13 degree C during IVT SQ (1 microgram/min) infusion (P less than 0.01). To determine whether the rise in body temperature after IVT SQ infusion might be the result of a central renin-angiotensin system (RAS), SQ was infused IVT in five conscious sheep 20 h after bilateral nephrectomy. This resulted in a significant rise in body temperature of 0.28 +/- 0.05 degree C (P less than 0.05). When vasopressin antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was infused intravenously at the same time of IVT SQ infusion, the rise in temperature was depressed, but ADH did not lower the temperature below basal. IVT dopamine (20 micrograms/min) increased body temperature by 0.40 +/- 0.04 degree C (P less than 0.01), which was qualitatively similar to the result with IVT SQ. These data support the hypothesis that endogenous brain ANG II may play a role in thermoregulation. Furthermore, plasma ADH level, regulated in part by brain ANG II, is probably not the mediator of that thermoregulation. The similar effects of IVT dopamine and SQ on body temperature strengthen the hypothesis that dopamine may be involved in the central action of brain ANG II.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Myronidou ◽  
B. Kokkas ◽  
A. Kouyoumtzis ◽  
N. Gregoriadis ◽  
A. Lourbopoulos ◽  
...  

In these studies we investigated if losartan, an AT1- receptor blocker has any beneficial effect on NO production from the bovine aortic preparations in vitro while under stimulation from angiotensin II. Experiments were performed on intact specimens of bovine thoracic aorta, incubated in Dulbeco's MOD medium in a metabolic shaker for 24 hours under 95 % O2 and 5 % CO2 at a temperature of 37°C. We found that angiotensin II 1nM−10 μM does not exert any statistically significant action on NO production. On the contrary, angiotensin II 10nM increases the production of NO by 58.14 % (from 12.16 + 2.9 μm/l to 19.23 + 4.2 μm/l in the presence of losartan 1nM (P<0.05). Nitric oxide levels depend on both rate production and rate catabolism or chemical inactivation. Such an equilibrium is vital for the normal function of many systems including the cardiovascular one. The above results demonstrate that the blockade of AT1-receptors favors the biosynthesis of NO and indicate the protective role of losartan on the vascular wall.


Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (7) ◽  
pp. 3284-3294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo G. Mele ◽  
Alejandra Duarte ◽  
Cristina Paz ◽  
Alessandro Capponi ◽  
Ernesto J. Podestá

Although the role of arachidonic acid (AA) in angiotensin II (ANG II)- and potassium-stimulated steroid production in zona glomerulosa cells is well documented, the mechanism responsible for AA release is not fully described. In this study we evaluated the mechanism involved in the release of intramitochondrial AA and its role in the regulation of aldosterone synthesis by ANG II in glomerulosa cells. We show that ANG II and potassium induce the expression of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioesterase 2 and acyl-CoA synthetase 4, two enzymes involved in intramitochondrial AA generation/export system well characterized in other steroidogenic systems. We demonstrate that mitochondrial ATP is required for AA generation/export system, steroid production, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction. We also demonstrate the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases regulating acyl-CoA synthetase 4 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction, and hence ANG II-stimulated aldosterone synthesis.


Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quaisar Ali ◽  
Yonnie Wu ◽  
Tadashi Inagami ◽  
Tahir Hussain

Angiotensin II acting via Angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) is believed to be protective against blood pressure increase and affects renal function under pathophysiological condition. Recently we have observed that stimulation of AT2Rs in male obese Zucker rats has shifted the two opposing arms of renin angiotensin system (RAS) i.e. ACE-Ang II-AT1 vs ACE2/Ang-(1-7)-Mas. Evidence suggests that estrogen regulates RAS, including AT2R in female mice. We hypothesized that AT2R has a gender specific regulation of RAS. In the present study, we investigated the role of AT2Rs in regulating RAS components in male and female mice. Kidney cortex from AT2R knockout (AT2RKO) male and female mice and wild type (WT) with similar background (C57BL/6) of 20 weeks of age were used in the study. The cortical ACE expression (ng ACE/μg tissue) was significantly increased in AT2RKO mice (3±0.02) compared to WT males (1.9±0.02). LC/MS analysis of cortical tissue revealed that Ang II was also significantly increased in AT2RKO mice (WT: 31±3, AT2RKO: 47±3 fmoles/mg tissue). Deletion of AT2R significantly increased AT1R (204%, 204 of 100) expression and had no effect on renin activity compared to WT males. The cortical expression of ACE2 activity (WT: 113±8, AT2RKO: 40±11, RFU/min), Ang-(1-7) levels (WT: 7.3±1.4, AT2RKO: 3±0.8 fmoles/mg tissue) and Mas receptor (AT2RKO: 54±15, % of WT) was significantly decreased in AT2RKO males compared to WT. The cortical expression of the AT2R and MasR was 2-fold greater in WT females compared to WT male. The renin activity (WT: 32±2, AT2RKO: 21±0.3, RFU/min) and MasR expression (WT: 187.5±55, AT2KO: 47±9) was significantly decreased in AT2RKO females compared to the female WT. Interestingly, Ang-(1-7) level (WT: 5.7±0.7, AT2RKO 2.6±0.7 fmoles/mg tissue) was decreased but no changes in ACE or ACE2 activity was observed in AT2KO females compared to their WT, suggesting a role of non-ACE2 pathway. This study suggests that AT2R regulates ACE/ACE2 ratio-Ang II-AT1R expression negatively only in males, whereas in females, it regulates Ang-(1-7) potentially via non-ACE2 pathway. Such changes indicate a gender specific mechanisms potentially associated with AT2R-mediated regulation of renal function and blood pressure control.


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