scholarly journals Expression patterns of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoforms in corpora lutea of pseudopregnant rabbits at different luteal stages

2002 ◽  
Vol 173 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Boiti ◽  
D Zampini ◽  
G Guelfi ◽  
F Paolocci ◽  
M Zerani ◽  
...  

Total activity of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) and expression of both endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoforms were examined in corpora lutea (CL) of rabbits across pseudopregnancy by quantitative RT-PCR analysis, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. CL were collected at early- (day 4), mid- (day 9) and late- (day 13) luteal phases of pseudopregnancy. The PCR product of rabbit luteal eNOS was cloned and its direct sequence exhibited 90% homology with those of other species. The steady-state mRNA levels encoding eNOS remained fairly constant throughout both early- and mid-luteal stages of pseudopregnancy but dropped almost to half (P</=0.05) by day 13. By contrast, luteal eNOS proteins increased 2-fold (P</=0.05) from the early- to late-luteal phase. Independently of CL age, iNOS mRNA was very poorly expressed while protein levels gradually declined from the early- to late-luteal stage. Intense eNOS-like immunoreactivity was detected in large luteal cells, while iNOS staining was targeted to a few, isolated cells, probably macrophages. Basal NOS activity was greater in day 4 CL than in both day 9 and day 13 CL. These data are the first to characterize in rabbit CL the temporal expression patterns of NOS isoforms across different luteal stages of pseudopregnancy and, collectively, suggest the existence of an expressional control for this constitutive isoform, which might have a physiological role in regulating CL function during development.

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Boiti ◽  
Gabriella Guelfi ◽  
Massimo Zerani ◽  
Danilo Zampini ◽  
Gabriele Brecchia ◽  
...  

The gene expressions for macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and p53 were examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in corpora lutea (CL) of rabbits during spontaneous luteolysis at days 13, 15, 18 and 22 of pseudopregnancy. In the same luteal tissue, total activity of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) and genes for both endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoforms were also analysed. From day 13 to 15, MCP-1 and IL-1βmRNA levels rose (P≤ 0.01) almost 2-fold, and the transcript for p53 almost 8-fold, but then all dropped (P≤ 0.05) from day 18 onward. IL-2 mRNA abundance was higher (P≤ 0.01) on day 13 and then gradually declined. During luteolysis, eNOS mRNA decreased 40% (P≤ 0.05) by day 15, but thereafter remained unchanged, while iNOS mRNA was barely detectable and did not show any clear age-related pattern throughout the late luteal stages. Total NOS activity progressively increased (P≤ 0.01) from day 13 to 18 of pseudopregnancy and then dropped to the lowest (P≤ 0.01) levels on day 22. Luteal progesterone content also declined during CL regression from 411 to 17 pg/mg found on days 13 and 22 respectively, in parallel with the decrease in blood progesterone concentrations. These data further support a physiological role of NO as modulator of luteal demise in rabbits. Locally, luteal cytokines may be involved in the up-regulation of NOS activity, while downstream NO may inhibit steroroidogenesis and induce expression of p53 gene after removal of the protective action of progesterone.


Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 807-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Boiti ◽  
G Guelfi ◽  
D Zampini ◽  
G Brecchia ◽  
A Gobbetti ◽  
...  

Total activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the gene expression of both endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) isoforms in corpora lutea of pseudopregnant rabbits were examined during prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha))-induced luteolysis. Corpora lutea were collected at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after an injection of PGF(2alpha) at day 9 of pseudopregnancy. At 12 h after PGF(2alpha) administration, luteal mRNA encoding eNOS decreased (P0.05) by 40% and remained low throughout the subsequent 36 h, whereas eNOS protein increased (P0.05) two- to threefold. By contrast, expression of mRNA encoding iNOS was poor and remained fairly constant, but transcription increased eightfold (P0.01) within 6 h after PGF(2alpha) treatment and then decreased to values similar to those of controls. Total NOS activity increased twofold (P0.01) at 6 h after treatment and remained high thereafter, whereas progesterone concentrations in explanted corpora lutea decreased (P0.01) from 302.4+/-42.3 pg x mg(-1) at day 9 to 58.6+/-8.3 at 48 h later, and peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone declined too. Long-term administration of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (0.6 g l(-1) per os) from day 2 of pseudopregnancy onward partially blocked the luteolytic action of PGF(2alpha) administered at day 9 of pseudopregnancy. In nitric oxide (NO)-deficient rabbits, progesterone concentrations remained higher (P0.01) than in controls at 24-48 h after PGF(2alpha) administration (4.5 to 3.2 ng x ml(-1), respectively). These data are the first to characterize NOS activity. The time course of expression of eNOS and iNOS in rabbit corpora lutea during PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis gives additional support to a physiological role of NO in the regulation of regression of corpora lutea in rabbits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haidy A. Saleh ◽  
Eman Ramdan ◽  
Mohey M. Elmazar ◽  
Hassan M. E. Azzazy ◽  
Anwar Abdelnaser

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy is associated with the release of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages. This has been suggested to be, in part, due to DOX-mediated leakage of endotoxins from gut microflora, which activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in macrophages, causing severe inflammation. However, the direct function of DOX on macrophages is still unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that DOX alone is incapable of stimulating inflammatory response in macrophages. Then, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin (CUR), resveratrol (RES) and sulforaphane (SFN) against lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/IFN-γ)-mediated inflammation in the absence or presence of DOX. For this purpose, RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL/10 U/mL) in the absence or presence of DOX (0.1 µM). Our results showed that DOX alone is incapable of stimulating an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, after 24 h of incubation with LPS/IFN-γ, a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels was observed. Similarly, nitric oxide (NO) production and TNF-α and IL-6 protein levels were significantly upregulated. Moreover, in LPS/IFN-γ-treated macrophages, the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-21 were significantly overexpressed. Interestingly, upon testing CUR, RES, and SFN against LPS/IFN-γ-mediated inflammation, only SFN was able to significantly reverse the LPS/IFN-γ-mediated induction of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-6 and attenuate miR-146a and miR-155 levels. In conclusion, SFN, at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, exhibits potent immunomodulatory action against LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated macrophages, which may indicate SFN as a potential treatment for DOX-associated inflammation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 2015-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. Miller ◽  
Elizabeth Spiteri ◽  
Michael C. Condro ◽  
Ryan T. Dosumu-Johnson ◽  
Daniel H. Geschwind ◽  
...  

Cognitive and motor deficits associated with language and speech are seen in humans harboring FOXP2 mutations. The neural bases for FOXP2 mutation-related deficits are thought to reside in structural abnormalities distributed across systems important for language and motor learning including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. In these brain regions, our prior research showed that FoxP2 mRNA expression patterns are strikingly similar between developing humans and songbirds. Within the songbird brain, this pattern persists throughout life and includes the striatal subregion, Area X, that is dedicated to song development and maintenance. The persistent mRNA expression suggests a role for FoxP2 that extends beyond the formation of vocal learning circuits to their ongoing use. Because FoxP2 is a transcription factor, a role in shaping circuits likely depends on FoxP2 protein levels which might not always parallel mRNA levels. Indeed our current study shows that FoxP2 protein, like its mRNA, is acutely downregulated in mature Area X when adult males sing with some differences. Total corticosterone levels associated with the different behavioral contexts did not vary, indicating that differences in FoxP2 levels are not likely attributable to stress. Our data, together with recent reports on FoxP2's target genes, suggest that lowered FoxP2 levels may allow for expression of genes important for circuit modification and thus vocal variability.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. C849-C856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Ning Qi ◽  
Zuo-Qin Yan ◽  
Peter G. Whang ◽  
Qi Zhou ◽  
Long-En Chen ◽  
...  

This study examined mRNA and protein expressions of neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS), and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) in peripheral nerve after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Sixty-six rats were divided into the ischemia only and I/R groups. One sciatic nerve of each animal was used as the experimental side and the opposite untreated nerve as the control. mRNA levels in the nerve were quantitatively measured by competitive PCR, and protein was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that, after ischemia (2 h), both nNOS and eNOS protein expressions decreased. After I/R (2 h of ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion), expression of both nNOS and eNOS mRNA and protein decreased further. In contrast, iNOS mRNA significantly increased after ischemia and was further upregulated (14-fold) after I/R, while iNOS protein was not detected. The results reveal the dynamic expression of individual NOS isoforms during the course of I/R injury. An understanding of this modulation on a cellular and molecular level may lead to understanding the mechanisms of I/R injury and to methods of ameliorating peripheral nerve injury.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Yingchao Shen ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Song Xue ◽  
...  

The leaves of soybean cv. ZheA8901 show various symptoms (necrosis, mosaic and symptomless) when infected with different strains of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). Based on a proteomic analysis performed with tandem mass tags (TMT), 736 proteins were differentially expressed from soybean samples that showed asymptomatic, mosaic and necrosis symptoms induced by SMV strains SC3, SC7, and SC15, respectively. Among these, GmGSTU13 and APX (ascorbate peroxidase) were only upregulated in mosaic and symptomless leaves, respectively. The protein level of GmGSTU13 determined by Western blot was consistent with TMT analysis, qRT-PCR analysis showed that GmGSTU13 mRNA levels in mosaic plants was 5.26- and 3.75-fold higher than that in necrotic and symptomless plants, respectively. Additionally, the expression of viral coat protein (CP) gene was increased, and serious mosaic symptoms were observed in GmGSTU13-overexpressing plants inoculated with all three SMV strains. These results showed that GmGSTU13 is associated with the development of SMV-induced mosaic symptoms in soybean and that APX is upregulated in symptomless leaves at both the transcriptional and protein levels. In APX gene-silenced soybean plants, the relative expression of the viral CP gene was 1.50, 7.59 and 1.30 times higher than in positive control plants inoculated with the three SMV strains, suggesting that the upregulation of APX may be associated with lack of symptoms in soybean infected with SMV. This work provides a useful dataset for identifying key proteins responsible for symptom development in soybean infected with different SMV strains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Leguina-Ruzzi ◽  
Ortiz Diban ◽  
Velarde

Type 2 diabetes affects over 340 million people worldwide. This condition can go unnoticed and undiagnosed for years, leading to a late stage where high glycaemia produces complications such as delayed wound healing. Studies have shown that 12-HHT through BLT2, accelerates keratinocyte migration and wound healing. Additionally, evidence has shown the role of nitric oxide as a pro-regenerative mediator, which is decreased in diabetes. Our main goal was to study the association between the 12-HHT/BLT2 axis and the nitric oxide production in wound healing under different glycaemia conditions. For that purpose, we used in vivo and in vitro models. Our results show that the skin from diabetic mice showed reduced BLT2 and iNOS mRNA, TEER, 12-HHT, nitrites, and tight junction levels, accompanied by higher MMP9 mRNA levels. Furthermore, a positive correlation between BLT2 mRNA and nitrites was observed. In vitro, HaCaT-BLT2 cells showed higher nitric oxide and tight junction levels, and reduced MMP9 mRNA levels, compared to mock-keratinocytes under low and high glucose condition. The wound healing capacity was associated with higher nitric oxide production and was affected by the NOS inhibition. We suggest that the BLT2 expression improves the keratinocyte response to hyperglycaemia, associated with the production of nitric oxide.


2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (6) ◽  
pp. H2422-H2426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent R. Sharp ◽  
Steven P. Jones ◽  
David M. Rimmer ◽  
David J. Lefer

Two strains of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-deficient (−/−) mice have been developed that respond differently to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R). We evaluated both strains of eNOS−/− mice in an in vivo model of MI/R. Harvard (Har) eNOS−/− mice ( n = 12) experienced an 84% increase in myocardial necrosis compared with wild-type controls ( P < 0.05). University of North Carolina (UNC) eNOS−/−( n = 10) exhibited a 52% reduction in myocardial injury versus wild-type controls ( P < 0.05). PCR analysis of myocardial inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels revealed a significant ( P < 0.05) increase in the UNC eNOS−/− mice compared with wild-type mice, and there was no significant difference between the Har eNOS−/− and wild-type mice. UNC eNOS−/− mice treated with an iNOS inhibitor (1400W) exacerbated the extent of myocardial necrosis. When treated with 1400W, Har eNOS−/− did not exhibit a significant increase in myocardial necrosis. These data demonstrate that two distinct strains of eNOS−/− mice display opposite responses to MI/R. Although the protection seen in the UNC eNOS−/− mouse may result from compensatory increases in iNOS, other genes may be involved.


2002 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idit F. SCHWARTZ ◽  
Rami HERSHKOVITZ ◽  
Adrian IAINA ◽  
Ehud GNESSIN ◽  
Yoram WOLLMAN ◽  
...  

It is now accepted that allicin, the main biologically active compound in garlic, exhibits antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant activity of garlic can be partially attributed to the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production by cytokine-induced NO synthase (iNOS). Cardiac myocytes cultured from neonatal Wistar rats were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incubated for 24h with various concentrations of allicin. This resulted in marked inhibition of nitrite production. Interestingly, a low concentration of allicin (10μM) was significantly more potent in abrogating the effect of LPS on nitrite production than a higher concentration (40μM). Allicin decreased steady-state iNOS mRNA levels, and this effect was maximal when a lower concentration was used (10μM compared with 40μM). In order to explore additional effects of allicin on NO generation that might counteract the effect on iNOS, we assessed the effects of higher allicin concentrations on arginine transport. Allicin inhibited the uptake of 1mM extracellular arginine in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of the two arginine transporters that are expressed in cardiac myocytes [CAT-1 (cationic amino acid transporter-1) and CAT-2] was studied using reverse transcription-PCR. A concentration of 200μM allicin abolished the expression of CAT-2 mRNA, 100μM significantly attenuated it, whereas 50μM had no effect. Allicin had no effect on steady-state CAT-1 mRNA levels. Our results suggest that allicin inhibits iNOS activity through two different mechanisms: at lower concentrations it decreases iNOS mRNA levels, whereas at higher concentrations it inhibits arginine transport through down-regulation of CAT-2 mRNA.


1994 ◽  
Vol 304 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Kunz ◽  
G Walker ◽  
J Pfeilschifter

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in renal mesangial cells in response to two principal classes of activating signals that interact in a synergistic fashion. These two groups of activators comprise inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta or tumour necrosis factor alpha and agents that elevate cellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP). We examined whether dexamethasone differentially affects iNOS induction in response to IL-1 beta and a membrane-permeable cAMP analogue, N6,O-2′-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-phosphate (Bt2cAMP). Nanomolar concentrations of dexamethasone suppress IL-1 beta- as well as Bt2cAMP-induced iNOS protein expression and production of nitrite, the stable end product of nitric oxide (NO) formation. In contrast, dexamethasone prevents induction of iNOS mRNA in response to Bt2cAMP without affecting IL-1 beta-triggered increase in iNOS mRNA levels. These data suggest that dexamethasone acts at different levels, depending on the stimulus used to suppress iNOS induction in mesangial cells.


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