Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ Ligand Research Articles

Rosiglitazone Protects against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury by Inhibiting Multiple Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathways.

Excessive acetaminophen (APAP) use can lead to acute liver injury (ALI) by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). We previously found that pretreatment with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) ligand rosiglitazone (RSG) alleviated ALI in APAP-treated mice. To examine if RSG-mediated hepatoprotection is associated with ERS suppression. Forty-eight male CD-1 mice were randomly divided into control, RSG, APAP 4 h, APAP 24 h, RSG + APAP 4 h, and RSG + APAP 24 h groups. The RSG and RSG + APAP groups received RSG (20 mg/kg) by gavage 48, 24, and 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg APAP, while the APAP group received APAP alone and the control group received only normal saline. Animals were sacrificed immediately (RSG and control groups), 4 h (APAP 4 h and RSG + APAP 4 h), or 24 h (APAP 24 h and RSG + APAP 24 h) post-APAP injection. Liver tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL staining, and Western blotting for ERS-associated proteins. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were also measured. A second cohort received APAP or RSG + APAP as described and were monitored for survival over one week. At 4 and 24 h following APAP injection alone, serum ALT and AST levels were significantly elevated, and central lobular necrosis of the liver was observed. Necrosis area reached 21.7% at 4 h and 32.1% at 24 h post-APAP, while apoptotic fractions reached 25.6% and 32.4%. Further, 50% of mice in the survival analysis cohort died within one week post-APAP. At 4 h post-APAP, the ERS marker glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78) and ERS-associated proteins pJNK, GRP78, p-eIF2α, pPERK, and pIRE were all significantly upregulated. Pretreatment with RSG significantly reduced serum ALT and AST, liver necrosis area, apoptosis rate, and expression of ERS-associated proteins compared to APAP alone, while increasing survival to 80%. Rosiglitazone pretreatment can alleviate APAP-induced ALI by suppressing three branches of ERS signaling.

Human lung fibroblasts produce proresolving peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands in a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent manner

Human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) act as innate immune sentinel cells that amplify the inflammatory response to injurious stimuli. Here, we use targeted lipidomics to explore the hypothesis that HLFs also play an active role in the resolution of inflammation. We detected cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent production of both proinflammatory and proresolving prostaglandins (PGs) in conditioned culture medium from HLFs treated with a proinflammatory stimulus, IL-1β. Among the proresolving PGs in the HLF lipidome were several known ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a transcription factor whose activation in the lung yields potent anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and proresolving effects. Next, we used a cell-based luciferase reporter to confirm the ability of HLF supernatants to activate PPARγ, demonstrating, for the first time, that primary HLFs activated with proinflammatory IL-1β or cigarette smoke extract produce functional PPARγ ligands; this phenomenon is temporally regulated, COX-2- and lipocalin-type PGD synthase-dependent, and enhanced by arachidonic acid supplementation. Finally, we used luciferase reporter assays to show that several of the PGs in the lipidome of activated HLFs independently activate PPARγ and/or inhibit NFκB. These results indicate that HLFs, as immune sentinels, regulate both proinflammatory and proresolving responses to injurious stimuli. This novel endogenous resolution pathway represents a new therapeutic target for globally important inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rosiglitazone elicits in vitro relaxation in airways and precision cut lung slices from a mouse model of chronic allergic airways disease.

Rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand, is a novel dilator of small airways in mouse precision cut lung slices (PCLS). In this study, relaxation to RGZ and β-adrenoceptor agonists were compared in trachea from naïve mice and guinea pigs and trachea and PCLS from a mouse model of chronic allergic airways disease (AAD). Airways were precontracted with methacholine before addition of PPARγ ligands [RGZ, ciglitazone (CGZ), or 15-deoxy-(Δ12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15-deoxy-PGJ2)] or β-adrenoceptor agonists (isoprenaline and salbutamol). The effects of T0070907 and GW9662 (PPARγ antagonists) or epithelial removal on relaxation were assessed. Changes in force of trachea and lumen area in PCLS were measured using preparations from saline-challenged mice and mice sensitized (days 0 and 14) and challenged with ovalbumin (3 times/wk, 6 wk). RGZ and CGZ elicited complete relaxation with greater efficacy than β-adrenoceptor agonists in mouse airways but not guinea pig trachea, while 15-deoxy-PGJ2 did not mediate bronchodilation. Relaxation to RGZ was not prevented by T0070907 or GW9662 or by epithelial removal. RGZ-induced relaxation was preserved in the trachea and increased in PCLS after ovalbumin-challenge. Although RGZ was less potent than β-adrenoceptor agonists, its effects were additive with salbutamol and isoprenaline and only RGZ maintained potency and full efficacy in maximally contracted airways or after allergen challenge. Acute PPARγ-independent, epithelial-independent airway relaxation to RGZ is resistant to functional antagonism and maintained in both trachea and PCLS from a model of chronic AAD. These novel efficacious actions of RGZ support its therapeutic potential in asthma when responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor agonists is limited.

Adipose VEGF Links the White-to-Brown Fat Switch With Environmental, Genetic, and Pharmacological Stimuli in Male Mice.

Living in an enriched environment (EE) decreases adiposity, increases energy expenditure, causes resistance to diet induced obesity, and induces brown-like (beige) cells in white fat via activating a hypothalamic-adipocyte axis. Here we report that EE stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a fat depot-specific manner prior to the emergence of beige cells. The VEGF up-regulation was independent of hypoxia but required intact sympathetic tone to the adipose tissue. Targeted adipose overexpression of VEGF reproduced the browning effect of EE. Adipose-specific VEGF knockout or pharmacological VEGF blockade with antibodies abolished the induction of beige cell by EE. Hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulated by EE regulated the adipose VEGF expression, and VEGF signaling was essential to the hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor-induced white adipose tissue browning. Furthermore, VEGF signaling was essential to the beige cells induction by exercise, a β3-adrenergic agonist, and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand, suggesting a common downstream pathway integrating diverse upstream mechanisms. Exploiting this pathway may offer potential therapeutic interventions to obesity and metabolic diseases.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate is a ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ that regulates neoangiogenesis.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that can function both extracellularly and intracellularly to mediate a variety of cellular processes. Using lipid affinity matrices and a radiolabeled lipid binding assay, we reveal that S1P directly interacts with the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ. Herein, we show that S1P treatment of human endothelial cells (ECs) activated a luciferase-tagged PPARγ-specific gene reporter by ∼12-fold, independent of the S1P receptors. More specifically, in silico docking, gene reporter, and binding assays revealed that His323 of the PPARγ ligand binding domain is important for binding to S1P. PPARγ functions when associated with coregulatory proteins, and herein we identify that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1 (PGC1)β binds to PPARγ in ECs and their progenitors (nonadherent endothelial forming cells) and that the formation of this PPARγ:PGC1β complex is increased in response to S1P. ECs treated with S1P selectively regulated known PPARγ target genes with PGC1β and plasminogen-activated inhibitor-1 being increased, no change to adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 2 and suppression of CD36. S1P-induced in vitro tube formation was significantly attenuated in the presence of the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, and in vivo application of GW9662 also reduced vascular development in Matrigel plugs. Interestingly, activation of PPARγ by the synthetic ligand troglitazone also reduced tube formation in vitro and in vivo. To support this, Sphk1(-/-)Sphk2(+/-) mice, with low circulating S1P levels, demonstrated a similar reduction in vascular development. Taken together, our data reveal that the transcription factor, PPARγ, is a bona fide intracellular target for S1P and thus suggest that the S1P:PPARγ:PGC1β complex may be a useful target to manipulate neovascularization.

Combined treatment with troglitazone and lovastatin inhibited epidermal growth factor-induced migration through the downregulation of cysteine-rich protein 61 in human anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) can induce cell migration through the induction of cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) in human anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the inhibitory effects of combined treatment with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand troglitazone and the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin at clinically achievable concentrations on ATC cell migration. Combined treatment with 5 μM troglitazone and 1 μM lovastatin exhibited no cytotoxicity but significantly inhibited EGF-induced migration, as determined using wound healing and Boyden chamber assays. Cotreatment with troglitazone and lovastatin altered the epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) -related marker gene expression of the cells; specifically, E-cadherin expression increased and vimentin expression decreased. In addition, cotreatment reduced the number of filopodia, which are believed to be involved in migration, and significantly inhibited EGF-induced Cyr61 mRNA and protein expression as well as Cyr61 secretion. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of 2 crucial signal molecules for EGF-induced Cyr61 expression, the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), were decreased in cells cotreated with troglitazone and lovastatin. Performing a transient transfection assay revealed that the combined treatment significantly suppressed Cyr61 promoter activity. These results suggest that combined treatment with low doses of troglitazone and lovastatin effectively inhibits ATC cell migration and may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for metastatic ATC.

Rosiglitazone ameliorates senescence-like phenotypes in a cellular photoaging model

BackgroundRosiglitazone (RO), a second-generation thiazolidinedione used mainly in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, has been discovered to be a high-affinity ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Several studies have revealed that PPAR-γ is also involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation associated with aging process in vivo as well as with cellular senescence in vitro. We sought to investigate whether RO pretreatment will counteract the photoaging process using a well-established cellular photoaging model. MethodsMurine dermal fibroblasts (MDFs) were cultured in the absence or presence of RO for 48h, followed by exposure to repeated UVB irradiation. The senescent phenotypes were evaluated including cell viability, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) expression, cell morphology, ROS generation, cell cycle, production and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and the potential mechanisms were discussed. ResultsPretreatment with RO (40μM) significantly decreased the staining intensity and the percentage of SA-β-gal-positive cells and reserved the elongated cell shape compared with UVB group. The cells pretreated with RO also showed decreased UVB-induced degradation of type I collagen by decreasing MMPs expressions. In addition, we observed counteraction of cell-cycle arrest and repression of UVB-induced p53 and p21 in the presence of RO. We further confirmed a significant decrease in ROS accumulation accompanied by an increase in catalase in RO group. ConclusionsRO, a potent PPAR-γ activator, counteracts senescence-like phenotypes, including long-term growth arrest, flattened morphology, degradation of ECM and SA-β-gal-positive staining in MDFs by inhibiting the expression of MMPs and increasing the synthesis of catalase when administered to repeated UVB irradiation. The novel application of RO may lead to innovative and effective anti-photoaging therapies.

Anticancer effect of rosiglitazone in rats treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine via inhibition of DNA synthesis: an implication for hepatocellular carcinoma

Rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand, is a clinically tested drug used in the treatment of diabetes.

Rosiglitazone suppresses angiogenesis in multiple myeloma via downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA expression.

Rosiglitazone (RGZ) is a thiazolidinedione ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Our previous studies have confirmed that RGZ possesses antitumoral properties. Bone marrow angiogenesis exhibits an important role in multiple myeloma (MM), and angiogenesis often correlates with the prognosis and disease burden of MM. However, to the best of our knowledge, inhibition of angiopoiesis by RGZ in MM has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to investigate whether RGZ prevents angiogenesis and the possible underlying mechanism of this effect in MM. RPMI‑8226 cells, primary myeloma cells from patients with MM or mononuclear cells from healthy patients were treated with different concentrations of RGZ, and various biological responses were detected using MTT, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor‑1α (HIF1α) and insulin-like growth factor‑1 (IGF1) were significantly increased in the RPMI-8226 cells and the primary myeloma cells from the patients with MM compared with those in the mononuclear cells from the healthy patients. The results also showed that RGZ was able to inhibit proliferation and reduce viability of RPMI-8226 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. RGZ was able to concentration‑dependently inhibit the expression of HIF1α and IGF1 mRNA in RPMI-8226 and primary myeloma cells from patients with MM. RGZ also inhibited the expression of pAKT and downregulated the expression levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in RPMI-8226 cells. The results suggested that RGZ inhibits the angiopoiesis of tumors by interfering with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and ERK signaling pathways.

The PPARγ agonist Troglitazone induces autophagy, apoptosis and necroptosis in bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer is a major public health problem worldwide, with relatively high morbidity. However, there are few studies on drug development for bladder cancer. Troglitazone (TZ) is a synthetic ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and it can induce apoptosis and autophagy in a variety of cancer cells. Several studies have indicated that TZ affects both cell growth and differentiation progress and has an inhibitory effect on urinary cancer cells. However, this drug's effect on bladder cancer cells remains largely unknown. Here, we report that TZ induced autophagy and enhanced apoptosis in T24 cells. Autophagic blockage resulted in the attenuation of TZ-dependent apoptosis. Necrostatin-1, an inhibitor of necroptosis, was found to reduce light chain 3 (LC3)-II accumulation and partially rescue the loss of cell viability induced by TZ. It was demonstrated that TZ activated autophagy concurrent with the activation of the adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. AMPK inhibition led to a reduction in LC3-II levels, which were responsive to TZ treatment. Overall, TZ induced multiple types of programmed cell death in bladder cancer cells, and while the autophagy induced by the agonist contributed to the apoptotic process, crosstalk or switching between the different types of cell death likely occurred.

15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase-derived 15-Keto-prostaglandin E2 Inhibits Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Growth through Interaction with Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ, SMAD2/3, and TAP63 Proteins

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a potent lipid mediator that plays a key role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) catalyzes the oxidation of the 15(S)-hydroxyl group of PGE2, which leads to PGE2 biotransformation. In this study, we showed that the 15-PGDH-derived 15-keto-PGE2 is an endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) ligand that causes PPAR-γ dissociation from Smad2/3, allowing Smad2/3 association with the TGF-β receptor I and Smad anchor for receptor activation and subsequent Smad2/3 phosphorylation and transcription activation in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. The 15-PGDH/15-keto-PGE2-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation resulted in the formation of the pSmad2/3-TAP63-p53 ternary complex and their binding to the TAP63 promoter, inducing TAP63 autotranscription. The role of TAP63 in 15-PGDH/15-keto-PGE2-induced inhibition of tumor growth was further supported by the observation that knockdown of TAP63 prevented 15-PGDH-induced inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration. These findings disclose a novel 15-PGDH-mediated 15-keto-PGE2 signaling cascade that interacts with PPAR-γ, Smad2/3, and TAP63.

The effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands onin vitroandin vivomodels of COPD

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is expressed in alveolar macrophages. The anti-inflammatory potential of the PPAR-γ ligands rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were investigated using in vitro alveolar macrophage models and in vivo animal models relevant to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PPAR-γ protein and gene expression in COPD alveolar macrophages was compared with control smokers and never-smokers. COPD macrophages were used to investigate the effects of PPAR-γ ligands and corticosteroids on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production, alternative macrophage activation (M2) gene expression and efferocytosis. The effects of PPAR-γ ligands in a subchronic tobacco smoke model in mice were investigated. PPAR-γ protein expression was similar in COPD patients compared to controls, although increased gene expression levels were observed in COPD patients and control smokers compared to never-smokers. PPAR-γ ligands reduced tumour necrosis factor-α and CC chemokine ligand-5, but not CXC chemokine ligand-8, in COPD alveolar macrophages; these effects were generally less than those of the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Rosiglitazone increased M2 gene expression and enhanced efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone attenuated airway neutrophilia in a corticosteroid-resistant mouse model of pulmonary inflammation. We show biological actions of PPAR-γ agonists on corticosteroid-resistant disease, tobacco smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation, skewing of macrophage phenotype and clearance of apoptotic neutrophils.

PPAR-γ activation by rosiglitazone suppresses angiotensin II-mediated proliferation and phenotypictransition in cardiac fibroblasts via inhibition of activation of activator protein 1

Cardiac fibroblasts play an important role in myocardial remodeling by proliferating, differentiating, and secreting extracellular matrix proteins. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) ligands have been reported to have a number of cardioprotective properties. However, the mechanism underlying this protective effect has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated with angiotensin II (10–7M) in the presence or absence of rosiglitazone (10–5nM). Pretreatment of cardiac fibroblasts with rosiglitazone significantly inhibited angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation and profibrotic phenotypes differentiation and, thus, reduced the overall production of collagen components. PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 significantly inhibited these effects of rosiglitazone, suggesting that these effects of rosiglitazone were PPAR-γ-dependent. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we found that PPAR-γ activation by rosiglitazone inhibited the formation of c-fos/c-jun heterodimers and expression of activator protein 1 induced by ANG II and thus inhibited transcription of the downstream genes involved in CFs proliferation and differentiation. Our data suggests PPAR-γ activation could have an anti-fibrotic effect through limiting cardiac fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, which are the critical steps in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis.

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ activation inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion by upregulating plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands can inhibit cell growth and increase apoptosis of cancer cell lines, suggesting a potential role for PPARγ as a tumor suppressor. Whereas the related studies between PPARγ and cancer cell invasion are still poor. Our previous study indicates that β-estradiol (E2) suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell invasion. We report here that E2 can activate PPARγ of HCC cells, and activated PPARγ suppresses cell invasion by upregulating the expression level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). We found that PPARγ plays an important role in the E2-induced HCC cell invasion process. Using PPARγ agonist GW1929, a reduced invasion effect was found in HCC cell lines, and this inhibition of cell invasion was dosage-dependent. However, cell invasion was restored by treatment with PPARγ antagonist GW9662. The activated PPARγ upregulated the expression of cell migration-related protein PAI-1. Furthermore, knockdown of PPARγ in HCC cells decreased the level of PAI-1 and advanced cell invasion in response to GW1929. On the contrary, overexpression of PPARγ in HCC cells elevated the level of PAI-1 and inhibited cell invasion. These findings suggest that PPARγ activation inhibits HCC cell invasion via the upregulation of PAI-1 and implicate that PPARγ is a target for the treatment and prevention of HCC cell invasion.

Combined Treatment With Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Gamma Ligands and Gamma Radiation Induces Apoptosis by PPARγ-Independent Up-Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Signals in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

To investigate possible radiosensitizing activities of the well-known peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ ligand ciglitazone and novel PPARγ ligands CAY10415 and CAY10506 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Radiosensitivity was assessed using a clonogenic cell survival assay. To investigate the mechanism underlying PPARγ ligand-induced radiosensitization, the subdiploid cellular DNA fraction was analyzed by flow cytometry. Activation of the caspase pathway by combined PPARγ ligands and γ-radiation treatment was detected by immunoblot analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and flow cytometry. The 3 PPARγ ligands induced cell death and ROS generation in a PPARγ-independent manner, enhanced γ-radiation-induced apoptosis and caspase-3-mediated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in vitro. The combined PPARγ ligand/γ-radiation treatment triggered caspase-8 activation, and this initiator caspase played an important role in the combination-induced apoptosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands may enhance the γ-radiation-induced DNA damage response, possibly by increasing γ-H2AX expression. Moreover, the combination treatment significantly increased ROS generation, and the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine inhibited the combined treatment-induced ROS generation and apoptotic cell death. Taken together, these results indicated that the combined treatment of PPARγ ligands and γ-radiation synergistically induced DNA damage and apoptosis, which was regulated by ROS.

Pioglitazone Attenuates Valvular Calcification Induced by Hypercholesterolemia

Development of calcific aortic valve stenosis involves multiple signaling pathways, which may be modulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ). This study tested the hypothesis that pioglitazone (Pio), a ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, inhibits calcification of the aortic valve in hypercholesteremic mice. Low density lipoprotein receptor(-/-)/apolipoprotein B(100/100) mice were fed a Western-type diet with or without Pio (20 mg/kg per day) for 6 months. Pio attenuated lipid deposition and calcification in the aortic valve, but not aorta. In the aortic valve, Pio reduced levels of active caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Valve function (echocardiography) was significantly improved by Pio. To determine whether changes in gene expression are associated with differential effects of Pio on aortic valves versus aorta, Reversa mice were fed Western diet with or without Pio for 2 months. Several procalcific genes were increased by Western diet, and the increase was attenuated by Pio, in aortic valve, but not aorta. Pio attenuates lipid deposition, calcification, and apoptosis in aortic valves of hypercholesterolemic mice, improves aortic valve function, and exhibits preferential effects on aortic valves versus aorta. We suggest that Pio protects against calcific aortic valve stenosis, and Pio or other peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands may be useful for early intervention to prevent or slow stenosis of aortic valves.

From Macrophage Interleukin-13 Receptor to Foam Cell Formation: MECHANISMS FOR αMβ2 INTEGRIN INTERFERENCE

IL-13 is a potent stimulator of alternative monocyte/macrophage activation. During alternative activation, the expression of several proteins is induced including 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), a lipid-peroxidating enzyme and the scavenger receptor CD36. We previously reported that α(M)β(2) integrin activation or clustering suppresses the expression of both 15-LO and CD36. In this study we focused on exploring the molecular mechanisms that down-regulate CD36 expression and CD36-mediated foam cell formation in IL-13-stimulated monocytes/macrophages after α(M)β(2) activation. Our studies reveal that α(M)β(2) integrin activation inhibits the IL-13 activation of several critical pathways that are required for macrophage alternative activation; namely, blocking Jak2 and Tyk2 phosphorylation, which bind to the cytoplasmic tails of the IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1 complex. This leads to the inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stats (Stat1, Stat3, and Stat6) and prevents the formation of a signaling complex (containing p38MAPK, PKCδ, and Stat3) that are critical for the expression of both 15-LO and CD36. Jak2-mediated Hck activation is also inhibited, thereby preventing Stats serine phosphorylation, which is essential for downstream Stat-dependent gene transcription. Moreover, inhibition of Jak2, Tyk2, or their downstream target 15-LO with antisense oligonucleotides profoundly inhibits IL-13-induced CD36 expression and CD36-dependent foam cell formation, whereas13(S) Hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (HPODE), a 15-LO product and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand, completely restores CD36 expression in monocytes treated with 15-LO antisense. α(M)β(2) integrin activation controls CD36 expression and foam cell formation in alternatively activated monocyte/macrophages by blocking Tyk2/Jak2 phosphorylation via a 15-LO-dependent pathway. The discovery of this mechanism helps our understanding of the potential role of alternatively activated macrophages in atherogenesis and highlights the impact of integrin α(M)β(2) on this process.

DNA damage in exfoliated cells and histopathological alterations in the urinary tract of mice exposed to cigarette smoke and treated with chemopreventive agents

Cigarette smoke (CS) is convincingly carcinogenic in mice when exposure starts at birth. We investigated the induction and modulation of alterations in the kidney and urinary bladder of CS-exposed mice. A total of 484 strain H Swiss mice were either sham-exposed or exposed since birth to mainstream CS (MCS) for 4 months. Dietary agents, including myo-inositol, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, bexarotene, pioglitazone and a combination of bexarotene and pioglitazone, were administered after weaning. Comet analyses showed that, after 2 and 4 months, MCS causes DNA damage in exfoliated urothelial cells, which can be prevented by myo-inositol and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand pioglitazone. After 7 months, the 17.6% of MCS-exposed male mice exhibited lesions of the urinary tract versus the 6.1% of sham-exposed mice, which emphasizes the role of sex hormones in urinary tract carcinogenesis. Myo-inositol and the RXR-specific retinoid bexarotene did not affect these alterations. The histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (Vorinostat) increased the incidence of kidney epithelium hyperplasia. Pioglitazone significantly enhanced the incidence of kidney lesions as compared with mice exposed to MCS only, indicating possible adverse effects of this antidiabetic drug, which were lost upon combination with bexarotene according to a combined chemoprevention strategy. RXR is a heterodymeric partner for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, thereby modulating the expression of multiple target genes. In conclusion, there is contrast between the ability of pioglitazone to inhibit DNA damage in exfoliated cells and the alterations induced in the urinary tract of MCS-exposed mice, suggesting the occurrence of non-genotoxic mechanisms for this drug.

The influence of pioglitazone on the plasma amino acid profile in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) ligand, piglitazone, enhances the degradation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in adipose tissue. However, it remains unknown whether pioglitazone influences the plasma amino acids (AA) profile in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Thus, we investigated the relation between the therapeutic effect and the AA profile in NASH patients with a prospective study. We randomized 25 histologically proven NASH patients to diet treatment only or diet treatment plus pioglitazone (15mg/day), and investigated the biological data for 24months. We measured the concentrations of AAs and compared them between the beginning and the end of the study. Compared with the diet only group, pioglitazone therapy was associated with an increase in body weight (mean change -1.03 vs. +3.8kg; p=0.027) and subcutaneous fat (-3.7 vs. +45.7cm(2); p=0.056), and decreased ALT levels (-0.6 vs. -38.4IU/L; p=0.029) and HbA1c (0.33 vs. -0.29%; p=0.016). Regarding the AA profile, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-histidine, and L-lysine were significantly reduced in patients treated with pioglitazone. Furthermore, L-leucine was significantly reduced compared with those in the diet only group (mean change -34.8 vs. +4.12nmol/mL; p=0.032). Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between the changes in BCAAs, especially L-leucine, and those in ALT regardless of treatment with pioglitazone. Pioglitazone therapy in NASH subjects significantly reduced the plasma BCAA level and the degradation was closely related to the improvement of the ALT levels. These results suggest that pioglitazone improves insulin resistance and BCAA metabolism in NASH patients.

Rosiglitazone attenuates NF-κB-mediated Nox4 upregulation in hyperglycemia-activated endothelial cells

Vascular complications, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, are related to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Previously, we reported that rosiglitazone (RSG) attenuated vascular expression and activity of NADPH oxidases in diabetic mice. The mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. We hypothesized that RSG acts directly on endothelial cells to modulate vascular responses in diabetes. To test this hypothesis, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were exposed to normal glucose (NG; 5.6 mmol/l) or high glucose (HG; 30 mmol/l) concentrations. Select HAEC monolayers were treated with RSG, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), small interfering (si)RNA (to NF-κB/p65 or Nox4), or Tempol. HG increased the expression and activity of the NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit Nox4 but not Nox1 or Nox2. RSG attenuated HG-induced NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and binding to the Nox4 promoter. Inhibiting NF-κB with CAPE or siNF-κB/p65 also reduced HG-induced Nox4 expression and activity. HG-induced H(2)O(2) production was attenuated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nox4, and HG-induced HAEC monocyte adhesion was attenuated by treatment with RSG, DPI, CAPE, or Tempol. These results indicate that HG exposure stimulates HAEC NF-κB activation, Nox4 expression, and H(2)O(2) production and that RSG attenuates HG-induced oxidative stress and subsequent monocyte-endothelial interactions by attenuating NF-κB/p65 activation and Nox4 expression. This study provides novel insights into mechanisms by which the thiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand RSG favorably modulates endothelial responses in the diabetic vasculature.