scholarly journals The Role of Nrf2 Transcription Factor and Sp1-Nrf2 Protein Complex in Glutamine Transporter SN1 Regulation in Mouse Cortical Astrocytes Exposed to Ammonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11233
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dąbrowska ◽  
Katarzyna Skowrońska ◽  
Mariusz Popek ◽  
Jan Albrecht ◽  
Magdalena Zielińska

Ammonia toxicity in the brain primarily affects astrocytes via a mechanism in which oxidative stress (OS), is coupled to the imbalance between glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission. Ammonia also downregulates the astrocytic N system transporter SN1 that controls glutamine supply from astrocytes to neurons for the replenishment of both neurotransmitters. Here, we tested the hypothesis that activation of Nrf2 is the process that links ammonia-induced OS formation in astrocytes to downregulation and inactivation of SN1 and that it may involve the formation of a complex between Nrf2 and Sp1. Treatment of cultured cortical mouse astrocytes with ammonia (5 mM NH4Cl for 24 h) evoked Nrf2 nuclear translocation, increased its activity in a p38 MAPK pathway-dependent manner, and enhanced Nrf2 binding to Slc38a3 promoter. Nrf2 silencing increased SN1 mRNA and protein level without influencing astrocytic [3H]glutamine transport. Ammonia decreased SN1 expression in Nrf2 siRNA treated astrocytes and reduced [3H]glutamine uptake. In addition, while Nrf2 formed a complex with Sp1 in ammonia-treated astrocytes less efficiently than in control cells, treatment of astrocytes with hybrid-mode inactivated Sp1-Nrf2 complex (Nrf2 silencing + pharmacological inhibition of Sp1) did not affect SN1 protein level in ammonia-treated astrocytes. In summary, the results document that SN1 transporter dysregulation by ammonia in astrocytes involves activation of Nrf2 but does not require the formation of the Sp1-Nrf2 complex.

Author(s):  
Lingfeng Qin ◽  
Haifeng Zhang ◽  
Busu Li ◽  
Quan Jiang ◽  
Francesc Lopez ◽  
...  

Objective: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) can happen anywhere in the body, although they most commonly produce symptoms in the brain. The role of CCM genes in other vascular beds outside the brain and retina is not well-examined, although the 3 CCM-associated genes ( CCM1 , CCM2 , and CCM3 ) are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues. We aimed to determine the role of CCM gene in lymphatics. Approach and Results: Mice with an inducible pan–endothelial cell (EC) or lymphatic EC deletion of Ccm3 ( Pdcd10 ECKO or Pdcd10 LECKO ) exhibit dilated lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels with abnormal valve structure. Morphological alterations were correlated with lymphatic dysfunction in Pdcd10 LECKO mice as determined by Evans blue dye and fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-dextran transport assays. Pdcd10 LECKO lymphatics had increased VEGFR3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3)-ERK1/2 signaling with lymphatic hyperplasia. Mechanistic studies suggested that VEGFR3 is primarily regulated at a transcriptional level in Ccm3-deficient lymphatic ECs, in an NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)–dependent manner. CCM3 binds to importin alpha 2/KPNA2 (karyopherin subunit alpha 2), and a CCM3 deletion releases KPNA2 to activate NF-κB P65 by facilitating its nuclear translocation and P65-dependent VEGFR3 transcription. Moreover, increased VEGFR3 in lymphatic EC preferentially activates ERK1/2 signaling, which is critical for lymphatic EC proliferation. Importantly, inhibition of VEGFR3 or ERK1/2 rescued the lymphatic defects in structure and function. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that CCM3 deletion augments the VEGFR3-ERK1/2 signaling in lymphatic EC that drives lymphatic hyperplasia and malformation and warrant further investigation on the potential clinical relevance of lymphatic dysfunction in patients with CCM.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Su-Jung Hwang ◽  
Ye-Seul Song ◽  
Hyo-Jong Lee

Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentis) is used to treat ulcerative colitis, tumors, and pruritus. Recently, phaseolin, formononetin, matrine, luteolin, and quercetin, through a network pharmacology approach, were tentatively identified as five bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescentis. However, the role of phaseolin (one of the primary components of S. flavescentis) in the direct regulation of inflammation and inflammatory processes is not well known. In this study, the beneficial role of phaseolin against inflammation was explored in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation models of RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae. Phaseolin inhibited LPS-mediated production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability. In addition, phaseolin suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, phaseolin reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity as well as macrophage adhesion in vitro and the recruitment of leukocytes in vivo by downregulating Ninjurin 1 (Ninj1), an adhesion molecule. Finally, phaseolin inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In view of the above, our results suggest that phaseolin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the management of inflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sireesh Kumar Teertam ◽  
Phanithi Prakash Babu

AbstractCerebral ischemia (CI) is a severe cause of neurological dysfunction and mortality. Sirtuin-1 (Silent information regulator family protein 1, SIRT1), an oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylase, plays an important role in protection against several neurodegenerative disorders. The present study aims to investigate the protective role of SIRT1 after CI in experimental young and aged rats and humans. Also, the study examines the possible regulatory mechanisms of neuronal death in CI settings. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate changes in the expression of SIRT1, JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling, and pro-apoptotic caspase-3 in experimental rats and CI patients. The study findings demonstrated that, in aged experimental rats, SIRT1 activation positively influenced JNK and ERK phosphorylation and modulated neuronal survival in AKT-dependent manner. Further, the protection conferred by SIRT1 was effectively reversed by JNK inhibition and increased pro-apoptotic caspase-3 expression. In young experimental rats, SIRT1 activation decreased the phosphorylation of stress-induced JNK, ERK, caspase-3, and increased the phosphorylation of AKT after CI. Inhibition of SIRT1 reversed the protective effect of resveratrol. More importantly, in human patients, SIRT1 expression, phosphorylation of JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling and caspase-3 were up-regulated. In conclusion, SIRT1 could possibly be involved in the modulation of JNK/ERK/MAPK/AKT signaling pathway in experimental rats and humans after CI.


Author(s):  
Ting-Yu Chin ◽  
Che-Chuan Wang ◽  
Kuo-Hsing Ma ◽  
Chia-Wei Kuo ◽  
Ming-Kuan Hu ◽  
...  

Disruption of copper homeostasis is closely involved in neurodegenerative disorders. This study examined whether a hybrid copper binding compound, (E)-2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenylimino)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (DPMQ), is able to protect NG108-15 cells against oxidative stress. we found that treatment of cells with rotenone or hydrogen peroxide increased cellular oxidative stress and resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The cellular levels of Nrf2 and the Cu2+ chaperone DJ-1 were also decreased. These oxidative detrimental effects were all inhibited when cells were co-treated with DPMQ. DPMQ increased cellular Cu2+ content, DJ-1 protein level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Nrf2 nuclear translocation under basal state. The activity of SOD decreased under redox imbalance and this decrease was blocked by DPMQ treatment, while the protein level of SOD1 remained unaltered regardless of the oxidative stress and DPMQ treatment. Using endogenous proteins, co-immunoprecipitation showed that DJ-1 bound with SOD1 and Nrf2 individually. The amount of Nrf2, bound to DJ-1, consistently reflected its cellular level, while the amount of SOD1, bound to DJ-1, was potentiated by DPMQ, being greater in basal state than under redox imbalance. Simultaneous inclusion of non-permeable Cu2+ chelator tetrathiomolybdate or triethylenetetramine during DPMQ treatment blocked all aforementioned effects of DPMQ, showing that the dependency of the effect of DPMQ on extracellular Cu2+. In addition, silencing of DJ-1 blocked the protection of DPMQ against oxidative stress. Taken all together, our results suggest that DPMQ stabilizes DJ-1 in a Cu2+ dependent manner, which then brings about SOD1 activation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation; these together alleviate cellular oxidative stress.


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. C1047-C1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarojini Balkrishna ◽  
Angelika Bröer ◽  
Alice Kingsland ◽  
Stefan Bröer

The glutamine transporter SNAT3 is involved in the uptake and release of glutamine in the brain, liver, and kidney. Substrate transport is accompanied by Na+ cotransport and H+ antiport. In this study, treatment of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing rat SNAT3 with the phorbol ester PMA resulted in a rapid downregulation of glutamine uptake in less than 20 min. PMA treatment of oocytes coexpressing SNAT3 and the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 reduced SNAT3 activity only, demonstrating the specificity of the regulatory mechanism. Single or combined mutations of seven putative phosphorylation sites in the SNAT3 sequence did not affect the regulation of SNAT3 by PMA. Expression of an EGFP-SNAT3 fusion protein in oocytes established that the downregulation was caused by the retrieval of the transporter from the plasma membrane. Coexpression of SNAT3 with dominant-negative mutants of dynamin or caveolin revealed that SNAT3 trafficking occurs in a dynamin-independent manner and is influenced by caveolin. Although system N activity was not affected by PMA in cultured astrocytes, a downregulation was observed in HepG2 cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikru B. Bedada ◽  
Oyonumo E. Ntekim ◽  
Evaristus O. Nwulia ◽  
Thomas V. Fungwe ◽  
Sheeba Raaj Nadarajah ◽  
...  

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and FOXOs transcription factors play a pivotal role in cellular clearance and minimizing the accumulation of Aβ in neurodegeneration (ND). In African Americans (AAs) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the role of components of UPS and FOXOs; and whether they are amenable to exercise effects is unknown. We hypothesized that exercise can enhance cellular clearance systems during aging and ND by increasing expressions of FBXO32 and FOXO1. To test this hypothesis, we used TaqMan gene expression analysis in peripheral blood (PB) to investigate the component of UPS and FOXOs; and provide mechanistic insight at baseline, during exercise, and in both genders. At baseline, levels of FBXO32 were higher in women than in men. In our attempt to discern gender-specific exercise-related changes, we observed that levels of FBXO32 increased in men but not in women. Similarly, levels of FOXO1 increased in men only. These data suggest that a graded dose of FBXO32 and FOXO1 may be beneficial when PB cells carrying FBXO32 and FOXO1 summon into the brain in response to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) perturbation (docking station PB cells). Our observation is consistent with emerging studies that exercise allows the trafficking of blood factors. Given the significance of FBXO32 and FOXO1 to ND and associated muscle integrity, our findings may explain, at least in part, the benefits of exercise on memory, associated gait, and balance perturbation acknowledged to herald the emergence of MCI.


2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes A. Vega Rasgado ◽  
Iván Villanueva ◽  
Fernando Vega Díaz

Abstractγ-Ethyl-γ-phenyl-butyrolactone (EFBL) is a structural combination of the anticonvulsant γ-hydroxy-γ-ethyl-γ-phenylbutyramide (HEPB) and the hypnotic γ-butyrolactone (GBL), which inherits both properties. To clarify its mechanism of action, the effects of EFBL, GBL and HEPB on dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) brain levels were investigated. Influences of chlorpromazine, phenelzine and aminooxyacetic acid were also studied. EFBL increased DA in a dose-dependent manner, remaining enhanced by 80 % over a period of 24 h and augmented NA by 54 % one hour after treatment. HEPB increased DA and NA approximately 2-fold after the first hour. GBL raised DA and NA after three and 24 h, resp. EFBL reversed chlorpromazine effects but potentiated those of phenelzine on DA. Amino-oxyacetic modified neither DA nor NA brain levels, not even in the presence of EFBL. The anticonvulsant and hypnotic properties of EFBL are attributed to its effect on presynaptic dopaminergic receptors and its lasting effect on ethyl and phenyl radicals that hinder its degradation. The results support the role of DA and NA in regulating seizure activity in the brain and indicate that EFBL offers a potential treatment for refractory epilepsy without complementary drugs and Parkinson’s disease, without the drawbacks of oral therapies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (17) ◽  
pp. 1953-1962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa S. Hendricks ◽  
Hossam A. Shaltout ◽  
Brain M. Westwood ◽  
Mark C. Chappell ◽  
Debra I. Diz

Antenatal betamethasone (BM) therapy for women in jeopardy of premature delivery accelerates the lung development in preterm infants and reduces infant mortality rates, but may induce early programming events with chronic cardiovascular consequences. In a sheep model of fetal programming, in utero BM-exposed (BMX) offspring as adults exhibit elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP), decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for the control of heart rate and insulin resistance accompanied by dysregulation of the brain renin–angiotensin (Ang) system (RAS). However, the status of signaling mechanisms in the brain dorsomedial medulla (DMM) of the BMX sheep that comprise both the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) cellular pathways is unknown. Given the importance of these signaling pathways in the actions of Ang peptides as well as baroreflex function and autonomic integration, we applied both a kinase signaling array and associated individual immunoblots of the dorsomedial brain medulla from adult female and male sheep with antenatal BMX. MAPK and PI3K pathways were altered significantly in the BMX sheep in a sex-dependent manner. A protein array for kinases (PathScan® Intracellular Signaling Array Kit, Cell Signaling) and subsequent verification by immunoblot revealed that within the DMM, female BMX sheep exhibit lower expression of proteins in the PI3K pathway, while male BMX sheep show greater expression of p-MAPK pathway proteins extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. We conclude that maladaptive changes in these two kinase pathways in the DMM may contribute to the chronic dysregulation of blood pressure in this model of fetal programming.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1622-1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Dong Wang ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Wei-Dong Chen ◽  
Xiongfei Huang ◽  
Lily Lai ◽  
...  

Abstract The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a key metabolic regulator in the liver by maintaining the homeostasis of liver metabolites. Recent findings suggest that FXR may have a much broader function in liver physiology and pathology. In the present work, we identify a novel role of FXR in protecting liver cell from apoptosis induced by nutritional withdrawal including serum deprivation in vitro or starvation in vivo. Two FXR ligands, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and GW4064, rescued HepG2 cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This effect of FXR on apoptotic suppression was compromised when FXR was knocked down by short interfering RNA. Similarly, the effects of both CDCA and GW4064 were abolished after inhibition of the MAPK pathway by a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase 1/2. Immunoblotting results indicated that FXR activation by CDCA and GW4064 induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by serum deprivation. In vivo, FXR−/− mice exhibited an exacerbated liver apoptosis and lower levels of phosphorylated-ERK1/2 compared to wild-type mice after starvation. In conclusion, our results suggest a novel role of FXR in modulating liver cell apoptosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Xiuxia Liu ◽  
Shanshan Zhou ◽  
Ye Jia ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
...  

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The JNK inhibitor SP600125 was reported to ameliorate DN. However, the mechanism remained unclear. We previously reported that SP600125 activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a governor of the cellular antioxidant defense system, in the aortas of the diabetic mice. Given the critical role of NRF2 in preventing DN, the present study aimed to test whether or not NRF2 is required for SP600125’s protection against DN. To test the role of NRF2 in SP600125’s effect, streptozotocin-induced C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and Nrf2-knockout (KO) diabetic mice were treated in the presence or absence of SP600125, for 24 weeks. To explore the mechanism by which SP600125 activates NRF2, mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) were treated with high glucose (HG), in the presence or absence of either SP600125 or JNK siRNA. SP600125 significantly attenuated the diabetes-induced renal oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, pathological change and dysfunction in the WT, but not the Nrf2 KO mice. SP600125 inactivated JNK, inhibited kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 expression, preserved NRF2 protein and facilitated its nuclear translocation in the kidneys of the WT mice, the effects of which were similarly produced by either SP600125 or JNK siRNA in HG-treated MMCs. Further, both SP600125 and JNK siRNA alleviated HG-induced mesangial oxidative stress and expression of inflammatory and fibrotic genes. The present study demonstrates that NRF2 is required for SP600125’s protection against DN. SP600125 activates NRF2 possibly via inhibition of JNK-induced Keap1 expression.


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