Gaseous Molecule Carbon Monoxide Research Articles

Carbon monoxide promotes stomatal initiation by regulating the expression of two EPF genes in Arabidopsis cotyledons.

The gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO) can freely pass through the cell membrane and participate in signal transduction in the cell to regulate physiological activities in plants. Here, we report that CO has a positive regulatory role in stomatal development. Exogenous CO donor CORM-2 [Tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer] treatment resulted in an increase of stomatal index (SI) on the abaxial epidermis of cotyledons in wild-type, which can be reversed by the addition of the CO biosynthesis inhibitor ZnPPIX [Protoporphyrin IX zinc (II)]. Consistent with this result, mutation of the CO biosynthesis gene HY1 resulted in a decrease of SI in hy1-100 plants, while overexpression of HY1 led to an increase of SI. Further investigation revealed that CO acts upstream of SPCH and YDA in the stomatal development pathway, since the loss of function mutants spch-1 and yda-2 were insensitive to CORM-2. The expression of EPF2 was inhibited by CORM-2 treatment in wild type and is lower in hy1 than in wild-type plants. In contrast, the expression of STOMAGEN was promoted by CORM-2 treatment and is higher in HY1-overexpression lines. Loss of function mutants of both epf2 and stomagen are insensitive to CORM-2 treatment. These results indicated that CO positively regulates stomatal initiation and distribution by modulating the expression of EPF2 and STOMAGEN.

The Protective Role of the Heme Catabolic Pathway in Hepatic Disorders.

Significance: As the central metabolic organ, the liver is exposed to a variety of potentially cytotoxic, proinflammatory, profibrotic, and carcinogenic stimuli. To protect the organism from these deleterious effects, the liver has evolved a number of defense systems, which include antioxidant substrates and enzymes, anti-inflammatory tools, enzymatic biotransformation systems, and metabolic pathways. Recent Advances: One of the pivotal systems that evolved during phylogenesis was the heme catabolic pathway. Comprising the important enzymes heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase, this complex pathway has a number of key functions including enzymatic activities, but also cell signaling, and DNA transcription. It further generates two important bile pigments, biliverdin and bilirubin, as well as the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide. These heme degradation products have potent antioxidant, immunosuppressive, and cytoprotective effects. Recent data suggest that the pathway participates in the regulation of metabolic and hormonal processes implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic and other diseases. Critical Issues: This review discusses the impact of the heme catabolic pathway on major liver diseases, with particular focus on the involvement of cellular targeting and signaling in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Future Directions: To utilize the biological consequences of the heme catabolic pathway, several unique therapeutic strategies have been developed. Research indicates that pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and lifestyle modifications positively affect the pathway, delivering potentially long-term clinical benefits. However, further well-designed studies are needed to confirm the clinical benefits of these approaches. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 734-752.

FGF21 induced by carbon monoxide mediates metabolic homeostasis via the PERK/ATF4 pathway.

The prevalence of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, has rapidly increased, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic syndrome, a primary risk factor, remain incompletely understood. The small, gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO) has well-known anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiapoptotic effects in a variety of cellular- and tissue-injury models, whereas its potential effects on the complex pathways of metabolic disease remain unknown. We demonstrate here that CO can alleviate metabolic dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. We show that CO increased the expression and section of the fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in hepatocytes and liver. CO-stimulated PERK activation and enhanced the levels of FGF21 via the eIF2α–ATF4 signaling pathway. The induction of FGF21 by CO attenuated endoreticulum stress- or diet-induced, obesity-dependent hepatic steatosis. Moreover, CO inhalation lowered blood glucose levels, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and promoted energy expenditure by stimulating the emergence of beige adipose cells from white adipose cells. In conclusion, we suggest that CO acts as a potent inducer of FGF21 expression and that CO critically depends on FGF21 to regulate metabolic homeostasis.—Joe, Y., Kim, S., Kim, H. J., Park, J., Chen, Y., Park, H.-J., Jekal, S.-J., Ryter, S. W., Kim, U. H., Chung, H. T. FGF21 induced by carbon monoxide mediates metabolic homeostasis via the PERK/ATF4 pathway.

The Carbon monoxide releasing molecule ALF-186 mediates anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects via the soluble guanylate cyclase \xdf1 in rats\u2019 retinal ganglion cells after ischemia and reperfusion injury

BackgroundThe endogenously produced gaseous molecule carbon monoxide is able to promote organ protection after ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IRI). The impact of carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORM) regarding inflammation in neuronal tissues has not been studied in detail. In this investigation, we aimed to analyze the effects of the CORM ALF-186 on neuro-inflammation and hypothesized that the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is playing a decisive role.MethodsRetinal ischemia-reperfusion injury was performed for 60 min in Sprague-Dawley rats. Thereafter, the CORM ALF-186 (10 mg/kg) in the presence or absence of the sGC inhibitor ODQ was injected via a tail vein. Retinal tissue was harvested 24 h later to analyze mRNA or protein expression of sGC-β1 subunit, transcription factors NF-κB and CREB, the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, as well as the heat shock proteins (HSP) HSP-70 and HSP-90. Immunohistochemistry was performed on frozen sections of the retina. The overall neuroprotective effect of ALF-186 was assessed by counting fluorogold-pre-labeled retinal ganglion cells (RGC) 7 days after IRI.ResultsIschemia-reperfusion mediated loss of vital RGC was attenuated by the administration of ALF-186 after injury. ALF-186 treatment after IRI induced sGC-ß1 leading to a decreased NF-κB and CREB phosphorylation. Consecutively, ALF-186 mitigated IRI induced TNF-α and IL-6 expression in the retina and in the rats’ serum. Moreover, ALF-186 attenuated heat shock protein 70 (Hsp-70) while increasing Hsp-90. The sGC-inhibitor ODQ attenuated the anti-inflammatory effects of ALF-186 and increased retinal loss of ganglion cells. These results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry.ConclusionThe CORM ALF-186 protected RGC from IRI induced loss. Furthermore, ALF-186 reduced IRI mediated neuroinflammation in the retina and in the serum by activating sGC. Inhibition of sGC stopped the beneficial and protective effects of ALF-186. ALF-186 may present a promising therapeutic alternative in treating inflammation after neuronal IRI.

Complementary roles of gasotransmitters CO and H2S in sleep apnea

Sleep apnea, which is the periodic cessation of breathing during sleep, is a major health problem affecting over 10 million people in the United States and is associated with several sequelae, including hypertension and stroke. Clinical studies suggest that abnormal carotid body (CB) activity may be a driver of sleep apnea. Because gaseous molecules are important determinants of CB activity, aberrations in their signaling could lead to sleep apnea. Here, we report that mice deficient in heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2), which generates the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO), exhibit sleep apnea characterized by high apnea and hypopnea indices during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Similar high apnea and hypopnea indices were also noted in prehypertensive spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats, which are known to exhibit CB hyperactivity. We identified the gaseous molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as the major effector molecule driving apneas. Genetic ablation of the H2S-synthesizing enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) normalized breathing in HO-2-/- mice. Pharmacologic inhibition of CSE with l-propargyl glycine prevented apneas in both HO-2-/- mice and SH rats. These observations demonstrate that dysregulated CO and H2S signaling in the CB leads to apneas and suggest that CSE inhibition may be a useful therapeutic intervention for preventing CB-driven sleep apnea.

Neuroprotective, neurotherapeutic, and neurometabolic effects of carbon monoxide

Studies in animal models show that the primary mechanism by which heme-oxygenases impart beneficial effects is due to the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO). Produced in humans mainly by the catabolism of heme by heme-oxygenase, CO is a neurotransmitter important for multiple neurologic functions and affects several intracellular pathways as a regulatory molecule. Exogenous administration of inhaled CO or carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORM’s) impart similar neurophysiological responses as the endogenous gas. Its’ involvement in important neuronal functions suggests that regulation of CO synthesis and biochemical properties may be clinically relevant to neuroprotection and the key may be a change in metabolic substrate from glucose to lactate. Currently, the drug is under development as a therapeutic agent and safety studies in humans evaluating the safety and tolerability of inhaled doses of CO show no clinically important abnormalities, effects, or changes over time in laboratory safety variables. As an important therapeutic option, inhaled CO has entered clinical trials and its clinical role as a neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic agent has been suggested. In this article, we review the neuroprotective effects of endogenous CO and discuss exogenous CO as a neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic agent.

E. Coli heme oxygenase modulates murine innate immune response

Exposure of mice to the gaseous molecule CO (carbon monoxide) ameliorates experimental colitis through induction of mammalian heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Interestingly, enteric bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (EC) and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa express HO-1 homologues (ChuS and BphO, respectively). HO degrades heme into equimolar quantities of iron, biliverdin and CO that provides an alternative iron source for bacteria in low iron conditions. Mammalian HO-1 cloned and overexpressed in bacteria (Lactobacillus lactis) had been shown to decrease mucosal injury in a model of hemorrhagic shock in rats, providing evidence that enteric bacteria can modulate the host mammalian immune response through expression of HO-1 and generation its metabolic products (such as CO) in the intestinal lumen. Clinically, triggers that may result in bacterial HO induction, such as low iron diet or exposure to CO, may suppress the immune response through CO release. We hypothesize that the enteric bacterial biomass serves as a significant source of HO (and consequently CO released into the gut lumen) that may contribute to intestinal immune homeostasis. To begin to test this hypothesis, we studied effects of EC overexpressing ChuS on macrophage inflammatory responses. EC NC101 that constitutively overexpress ChuS (ChuS EC) (1500 fold increase of mRNA compared with WT EC) were generated. Murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) from C57Bl/6 mice were co-cultured with EC NC101 or ChuS EC (MOI 1:20) in low iron conditions supplemented with hemin as an alternative iron source. Il10 expression was 4.46 higher in BMMs co-cultured with ChuS EC compared to EC NC101 (p=0.007), correlating with increased IL-10 protein levels. Il12b expression and IL-12 p40 protein were lower in BMMs co-cultured with EC ChuS. Gentamicin protection assays demonstrated decreased phagocytosis (45% less) and killing (9.2% vs 30.5%) of ChuS EC compared to EC NC101 (p=0.016). Exposure of mice to exogenous CO for 14 days and analysis of enteric bacterial populations through T-RFLP and qPCR demonstrated an increase in E. Coli spp that express ChuS. ChuS E. Coli induces IL-10 and inhibits IL-12 p40 expression in macrophages. CO exposure results in alterations to the enteric microbiota in mice, with increased numbers of EC spp and increased amounts of ChuS.

The beneficial effect of small toxic molecules on dormancy alleviation and germination of apple embryos is due to NO formation

Deep dormancy of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) seeds is terminated by a 3-month-long cold stratification. It is expressed by rapid germination of seeds and undisturbed growth of seedlings. However, stimulation of germination of isolated apple embryos is also observed after applying inhibitors of cytochrome c oxidase: nitric oxide (NO) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN) during the first 3-6 h of imbibition of dormant embryos. The aim of this work was to compare the effect of yet another toxic gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO) with the effects of HCN and NO on germination of apple embryos and growth and development of young seedlings. We demonstrated that stimulation of germination after short-term pre-treatment with HCN, NO or CO was accompanied by enhanced NO emission from the embryo axes during their elongation. Moreover, similarly high NO production from non-dormant embryos, after cold stratification, was detected. Therefore, we propose that NO may act as signaling molecule in apple embryo dormancy break.

NO counterbalances HO-1 overexpression-induced acceleration of hepatocyte proliferation in mice

The trigger for liver regeneration, including shear stress, has been the subject of ongoing debate. Blood vessel-derived gaseous molecules carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) regulate vascular tone and play an important role in liver regeneration. In heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) transgenic mice, it has been shown that CO-mediated impairment of vasorelaxation is an NO-dependent event. We therefore studied liver regeneration in HO-1 overexpressing animals in dependency of NO availability. Mice were subjected to 2/3 hepatectomy and were treated with either cobalt protoporphyrin-IX for induction of CO-liberating HO-1, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) for blockade of NO synthase (NOS) or both. Application of molsidomine in L-NAME treated animals served for resubstitution of NO. Vehicle-treated animals served as respective control animals. We examined 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression as well as HO-1 and NOS-2 protein levels. Intrahepatic red blood cell velocity and volumetric blood flow were evaluated by in vivo fluorescence microscopy as indicators for microvascular shear stress. Hepatic regeneration remained unaffected by L-NAME application for NOS blockade. However, NOS blockade in HO-1 induced animals caused increased 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen measures of liver regeneration. In parallel, these animals revealed increased velocities and volumetric blood flow in the terminal afferent vessels and postsinusoidal venules. These local hemodynamic changes including enhanced hepatocyte proliferation could be reversed by NO liberation via molsidomine. The present findings stress the role of NO to counterbalance vascular tone in HO-1 overexpressing animals for maintenance of adequate perfusion and salutary shear force within the hepatic microvasculature upon liver resection.

Carbon monoxide inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

The gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO) is elevated in the breath of individuals with asthma. The physiologic function of CO in asthma is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that CO (250 ppm) markedly inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation, arresting cells at the G0/G1 phase. This CO-induced cell growth arrest of HASMC was associated with upregulation of p21 and downregulation of cyclin D1 expression. It is generally believed that the signaling pathway by which CO affects biologic processes is primarily mediated via the guanylyl cyclase/3',5'-Guanylate cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. To examine whether guanylyl cyclase/cGMP was involved in CO-induced growth arrest of HASMC, Rp-8-Br-cGMP, a selective inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and ODQ, a selective inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, were administered to HASMC in the presence of CO. Interestingly, CO-induced cell growth arrest was not reversed by these inhibitors. We next examined whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/ERK2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway may regulate the antiproliferative effect of CO. We first showed time-dependent activation of the various MAPKs in HASMC in response to serum, including phosphorylated ERK1/ERK2, p38, and JNK and then demonstrated that CO exerted negligible effect on activated p38 and JNK; however, ERK activation was significantly attenuated in the presence of CO. These data suggest that CO can inhibit HASMC proliferation via the ERK1/ERK2 MAPK pathway, independent of a guanylyl cyclase/cGMP independent pathway. CO may act as an important mediator of remodeling of human airways in asthma via its ability to regulate cell growth of airway smooth muscle cells.

Carbon monoxide generated by heme oxygenase 1 suppresses endothelial cell apoptosis.

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) inhibits apoptosis by regulating cellular prooxidant iron. We now show that there is an additional mechanism by which HO-1 inhibits apoptosis, namely by generating the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO). Overexpression of HO-1, or induction of HO-1 expression by heme, protects endothelial cells (ECs) from apoptosis. When HO-1 enzymatic activity is blocked by tin protoporphyrin (SnPPIX) or the action of CO is inhibited by hemoglobin (Hb), HO-1 no longer prevents EC apoptosis while these reagents do not affect the antiapoptotic action of bcl-2. Exposure of ECs to exogenous CO, under inhibition of HO-1 activity by SnPPIX, substitutes HO-1 in preventing EC apoptosis. The mechanism of action of HO-1/CO is dependent on the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling transduction pathway. Expression of HO-1 or exposure of ECs to exogenous CO enhanced p38 MAPK activation by TNF-alpha. Specific inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by the pyridinyl imidazol SB203580 or through overexpression of a p38 MAPK dominant negative mutant abrogated the antiapoptotic effect of HO-1. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 in ECs is mediated by CO and more specifically via the activation of p38 MAPK by CO.

Carbon monoxide provides protection against hyperoxic lung injury.

Findings in recent years strongly suggest that the stress-inducible gene heme oxygenase (HO)-1 plays an important role in protection against oxidative stress. Although the mechanism(s) by which this protection occurs is poorly understood, we hypothesized that the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO), a major by-product of heme catalysis by HO-1, may provide protection against oxidative stress. We demonstrate here that animals exposed to a low concentration of CO exhibit a marked tolerance to lethal concentrations of hyperoxia in vivo. This increased survival was associated with highly significant attenuation of hyperoxia-induced lung injury as assessed by the volume of pleural effusion, protein accumulation in the airways, and histological analysis. The lungs were completely devoid of lung airway and parenchymal inflammation, fibrin deposition, and pulmonary edema in rats exposed to hyperoxia in the presence of a low concentration of CO. Furthermore, exogenous CO completely protected against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in rats in which endogenous HO enzyme activity was inhibited with tin protoporphyrin, a selective inhibitor of HO. Rats exposed to CO also exhibited a marked attenuation of hyperoxia-induced neutrophil infiltration into the airways and total lung apoptotic index. Taken together, our data demonstrate, for the first time, that CO can be therapeutic against oxidative stress such as hyperoxia and highlight possible mechanism(s) by which CO may mediate these protective effects.