Young Wild-type Mice Research Articles

Affective and cognitive behavior in the alpha-galactosidase A deficient mouse model of Fabry disease.

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder with intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) due to α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficiency. Fabry patients frequently report of anxiety, depression, and impaired cognitive function. We characterized affective and cognitive phenotype of male mice with α-Gal A deficiency (Fabry KO) and compared results with those of age-matched male wildtype (WT) littermates. Young (3 months) and old (≥ 18 months) mice were tested in the naïve state and after i.pl. injection of complete Freund`s adjuvant (CFA) as an inflammatory pain model. We used the elevated plus maze (EPM), the light-dark box (LDB) and the open field test (OF) to investigate anxiety-like behavior. The forced swim test (FST) and Morris water maze (MWM) were applied to assess depressive-like and learning behavior. The EPM test revealed no intergroup difference for anxiety-like behavior in naïve young and old Fabry KO mice compared to WT littermates, except for longer time spent in open arms of the EPM for young WT mice compared to young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05). After CFA injection, young Fabry KO mice showed increased anxiety-like behavior compared to young WT littermates (p<0.05) and naïve young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05) in the EPM as reflected by shorter time spent in EPM open arms. There were no relevant differences in the LDB and the OF test, except for longer time spent in the center zone of the OF by young WT mice compared to young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05). Complementary to this, depression-like and learning behavior were not different between genotypes and age-groups, except for the expectedly lower memory performance in older age-groups compared to young mice. Our results indicate that genetic influences on affective and cognitive symptoms in FD may be of subordinate relevance, drawing attention to potential influences of environmental and epigenetic factors.

P 088 - p38α and NF-κB regulate antioxidant defense in the liver through an age-dependent mechanism

p38α MAPK is a sensor of oxidative stress. The aim of this work was to assess the role of p38α in the regulation of the antioxidant defense in the liver with aging. Livers ofyoung and old wild type (WT) and p38α liver-specific knock out (KO) mice were used to determine glutathione redox status by mass spectrometry; malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by HPLC; mRNA expression of glutamate cysteine ligase (Gclc), Sod1, Sod2 and catalase by RT-PCR and nuclear levels of NF-κB subunit p65 by western-blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay of p65 was performed. Young KO liver exhibited increased in GSSG/GSH ratio and MDA levels when are compared with young WT mice. However, old KO mice had lower hepatic GSSG/GSH ratio and MDA levels than young KO mice. The mRNA expression of Gclc, Sod1, Sod2 and catalase was decreased in young KO mice compared with WT young mice. In contrast, these antioxidant enzymes were up-regulated in KO old mice regard to WT. p65 was markedly phosphorylated in the nucleus of WT young and old KO mice. ChIP assay of p65 confirmed the recruitment of p65 to the promoters of antioxidant genes in WT young and KO old mice. Deficiency of p38α in the liver causes dramatic down-regulation of antioxidant enzymes in young mice, but triggers adaptive up-regulation in the long term via NF-κB to enhance the antioxidant defense in old p38α KO mice.

Cathepsin B plays a critical role in inducing Alzheimer’s disease-like phenotypes following chronic systemic exposure to lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis in mice

A number of clinical and experimental studies have revealed a strong association between periodontitis and accelerated cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the mechanism of the association is unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that cathepsin (Cat) B plays a critical role in the initiation of neuroinflammation and neural dysfunction following chronic systemic exposure to lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgLPS) in mice (1mg/kg, daily, intraperitoneally). Young (2months old) and middle-aged (12months old) wild-type (WT; C57BL/6N) or CatB-deficient (CatB−/−) mice were exposed to PgLPS daily for 5 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory function were assessed using the passive avoidance test, and the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), CatB, TLR2 and IL-1β was analyzed in brain tissues by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. We found that chronic systemic exposure to PgLPS for five consecutive weeks induced learning and memory deficits with the intracellular accumulation of Aβ in neurons in the middle-aged WT mice, but not in young WT or middle-aged CatB−/− mice. PgLPS significantly increased the expression of CatB in both microglia and neurons in middle-aged WT mice, while increased expression of mature IL-1β and TLR2 was restricted to microglia in the hippocampus of middle-aged WT mice, but not in that of the middle-aged CatB−/− ones. In in vitro studies, PgLPS (1µg/ml) stimulation upregulated the mean mRNA expression of IL-1β, TLR2 and downregulated the protein levels of IκBα in the cultured MG6 microglia as well as in the primary microglia from WT mice, which were significantly inhibited by the CatB-specific inhibitor CA-074Me as well as by the primary microglia from CatB−/− mice. Furthermore, the mean mRNA expression of APP and CatB were significantly increased in the primary cultured hippocampal neurons after treatment with conditioned medium from PgLPS-treated WT primary microglia, but not after treatment with conditioned medium neutralized with anti-IL-1beta, and not after treatment with conditioned medium from PgLPS-treated CatB−/− primary microglia or with PgLPS directly. Taken together, these findings indicate that chronic systemic exposure to PgLPS induces AD-like phenotypes, including microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, intracellular Aβ accumulation in neurons and impairment of the learning and memory functions in the middle-aged mice in a CatB-dependent manner. We propose that CatB may be a therapeutic target for preventing periodontitis-associated cognitive decline in AD.

153 Metabolic disorder-induced global nox2 activation and endothelial dysfunction in ageing

Ageing is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases which involves oxidative stress derived from a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase. However, the mechanism of endothelial Nox2 activation in normal ageing process...

Metal Transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) Deletion in Mice Increases Manganese Deposition and Produces Neurotoxic Signatures and Diminished Motor Activity.

Mutations in human ZIP14 have been linked to symptoms of the early onset of Parkinsonism and Dystonia. This phenotype is likely related to excess manganese accumulation in the CNS. The metal transporter ZIP14 (SLC39A14) is viewed primarily as a zinc transporter that is inducible via proinflammatory stimuli. In vitro evidence shows that ZIP14 can also transport manganese. To examine a role for ZIP14 in manganese homeostasis, we used Zip14 knock-out (KO) male and female mice to conduct comparative metabolic, imaging, and functional studies. Manganese accumulation was fourfold to fivefold higher in brains of Zip14 KO mice compared with young adult wild-type mice. There was less accumulation of subcutaneously administered 54Mn in the liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract of the KO mice, suggesting that manganese elimination is impaired with Zip14 ablation. Impaired elimination creates the opportunity for atypical manganese accumulation in tissues, including the brain. The intensity of MR images from brains of the Zip14 KO mice is indicative of major manganese accumulation. In agreement with excessive manganese accumulation was the impaired motor function observed in the Zip14 KO mice. These results also demonstrate that ZIP14 is not essential for manganese uptake by the brain. Nevertheless, the upregulation of signatures of brain injury observed in the Zip14 KO mice demonstrates that normal ZIP14 function is an essential factor required to prevent manganese-linked neurodegeneration.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Manganese is an essential micronutrient. When acquired in excess, manganese accumulates in tissues of the CNS and is associated with neurodegenerative disease, particularly Parkinson-like syndrome and dystonia. Some members of the ZIP metal transporter family transport manganese. Using mutant mice deficient in the ZIP14 metal transporter, we have discovered that ZIP14 is essential for manganese elimination via the gastrointestinal tract, and a lack of ZIP14 results in manganese accumulation in critical tissues such as the brain, as measured by MRI, and produces signatures of brain injury and impaired motor function. Humans with altered ZIP14 function would lack this gatekeeper function of ZIP14 and therefore would be prone to manganese-related neurological diseases.

Aging-associated metabolic disorder induces Nox2 activation and oxidative damage of endothelial function

Oxidative stress attributable to the activation of a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase is involved in the development of vascular diseases and in aging. However, the mechanism of Nox2 activation in normal aging remains unclear. In this study, we used age-matched wild-type (WT) and Nox2 knockout (KO) mice at 3–4 months (young); 11–12 months (middle-aged) and 21–22 months (aging) to investigate age-related metabolic disorders, Nox2 activation and endothelial dysfunction. Compared to young mice, middle-aged and aging WT mice had significant hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, increased systemic oxidative stress and higher blood pressure. Endothelium-dependent vessel relaxation to acetylcholine was significantly impaired in WT aging aortas, and this was accompanied by increased Nox2 and ICAM-1 expressions, MAPK activation and decreased insulin receptor expression and signaling. However, these aging-associated disorders were significantly reduced or absent in Nox2KO aging mice. The effect of metabolic disorder on Nox2 activation and endothelial dysfunction was further confirmed using high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in middle-aged WT mice treated with apocynin (a Nox2 inhibitor). In vitro experiments showed that in response to high glucose plus high insulin challenge, WT coronary microvascular endothelial cells increased significantly the levels of Nox2 expression, activation of stress signaling pathways and the cells were senescent, e.g. increased p53 and β–galactosidase activity. However, these changes were absent in Nox2KO cells. In conclusion, Nox2 activation in response to aging-associated hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia plays a key role in the oxidative damage of vascular function. Inhibition or knockout of Nox2 preserves endothelial function and improves global metabolism in old age.

Involvement of progranulin in modulating neuroinflammatory responses but not neurogenesis in the hippocampus of aged mice

It is well established that adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus declines with age. Our previous studies have suggested that progranulin (PGRN) has a facilitative effect on hippocampal neurogenesis. We have also shown that PGRN plays a role in suppressing excessive neuroinflammatory responses in the cortex and thalamus after brain injury and aging, respectively. However, the roles of PGRN in modulating neurogenesis and neuroinflammatory responses in the hippocampus of aged animals are not yet understood. In the present study, we investigated neurogenesis and neuroinflammation-related responses in the hippocampus of young (15-week-old) and old (135-week-old) wild-type and PGRN-deficient male mice. Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus markedly declined with age, and there was no significant difference between the genotype. The number of CD68-positive activated microglia and the expression of lysosomal genes in the hippocampus were significantly increased with age, and PGRN deficiency further increased them. The expression of pro-inflammatory genes was also increased with age, and PGRN deficiency significantly enhanced some of them. These results suggest that PGRN deficiency exacerbates neuroinflammatory responses related to activated microglia in aged animals, while PGRN may not counteract the decline of hippocampal neurogenesis with age.

Abstract 362: Knockout of NADPH Oxidase 2 Improves Global Metabolism and Endothelial Function in Aging Mice

Oxidative stress attributable to the activation of a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase has been suggested to play a crucial role in the development of aging-associated vascular diseases. However, the mechanism of endothelial Nox2 activation in normal aging process remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting Nox2 in improving global metabolism and endothelial function at old age by using age-matched wild-type and Nox2 knockout mice at 3-4 months (young); 11-12 months (middle aged) and 21-22 months (aging). Compared to young mice, middle-aged and ageing wild-type mice had significantly higher blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia. These were accompanied by oxidative stress in multiple organs including the lung, the liver, the heart and the vessels. The vessel motor function was examined in an organ bath using aortas isolated from these mice. Endothelium-dependent vessel relaxation to acetylcholine was significantly impaired in aortas of wild-type aging mice, and this was accompanied by increased expressions of Nox2 and markers of inflammation, activation of MAPK and Akt and decreased insulin receptor expression and function. However, these aging-associated disorders in aortas were significantly reduced by knocking out Nox2 in mice. In response to high glucose plus high insulin challenge, coronary microvascular endothelial cells isolated from wild-type mice displayed significantly increased Nox2 expression, oxidative stress and cell senescence, e.g. increased p53 expression and β-galactosidase activity. However, these responses were absent or significantly reduced in the endothelial cells isolated from Nox2 knockout mice. In conclusion, metabolic disorders in particular hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance play an important role in mediating Nox2 activation and oxidative stress in multiple organs in aging. Nox2 is involved in normal aging process-associated vascular inflammation and oxidative damage of endothelial dysfunction.

Abstract 113: Glucose Metabolic Disorders in Aging-Associated Microglial NADPH Oxidase 2 Activation and Oxidative Damage of Cerebral Microvasculature and Neurons

Aging has been recognised to be a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and growing evidence suggests a role for oxidative stress. A Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase has been reported to be a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the vascular system and in the brain. However, the role of Nox2 enzyme in aging-related metabolic disorders and vascular neurodegeneration remains unclear. In this study, we used age-matched wild-type (WT) and Nox2-deficient (Nox2 -/- ) mice on a C57BL/6 background at young (3-4 month) and aging (20-24 month) to investigate the role of Nox2 in aging-related oxidative stress, metabolic disorders and cerebral vascular dysfunction. There was an aging-related increase in blood pressure in WT mice (126 mmHg for young and 148 mmHg for aging) (P&lt;0.05); however the blood pressure was well maintained without significant change in Nox2 -/- aging mice. Compared to young WT mice, WT aging mice had significantly high levels of fasting serum insulin and this was accompanied with delayed clearance of glucose (P&lt;0.05) indicating insulin resistance. In contrast, there was no indication of insulin resistance for Nox2 -/- aging mice. We then examined aging-related brain oxidative stress. Compared to WT young mice, there were significant increases (2.7±0.7 folds) in the levels of ROS production by WT aging brain tissue homogenates as detected by lucigenin-chemiluminescence and DHE fluorescence. Increased ROS production in WT aging brain was accompanied by a significant increase (1.8±0.3 folds) in the Nox2 expression detected mainly in the microglial cells (labelled by Iba-1) and decreases in brain capillaries (labelled by CD31) (2.4±0.8 folds) and neurons (labelled by Neu-N) (2.9±0.5 folds) (all P&lt;0.05). Knockout of Nox2 abolished aging-associated increases in brain ROS production and significantly reduced the aging-related pathophysiological changes in the brain. In conclusion, aging-associated metabolic disorders play a crucial role in aging-associated Nox2 activation and vascular neurodegeneration. Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase represents a valuable therapeutic target for oxidative stress-related brain microvascular damage and neurodegeneration.

Age-Dependent Allergic Asthma Development and Cystathionine Gamma-Lyase Deficiency.

The pathogenic mechanisms for the higher prevalence of allergic asthma in children than in adults have not been settled. The aim of the present study is to examine whether the age-dependent development of allergic asthma is caused by age-dependent expression of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), a key enzyme that catalyzes the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Allergic asthma was induced with ovalbumin in wild-type (WT) and CSE knock-out (KO) mice at young and old ages. CSE expression and H2S production were lower in immune cells of young WT mice than in those of old WT mice. Coincidentally, more severe asthmatic symptoms with a greater type-2 immunoreaction were found in young WT mice than old WT mice. H2S supplementation reversed the asthmatic symptoms. Lower expression levels of CSE proteins were also found in human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in comparison with that of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from adult people. The age-dependent asthma propensity vanished in CSE-KO mice, but these mice developed more severe asthma than WT mice. More splenocytes were differentiated to type-2 cytokine-generating cells in young WT mice and in CSE-KO mice at all ages. This differentiation was inhibited by H2S donors. GATA3 translocation to the nucleus and type-2 immunoreaction of splenocytes were inhibited after GATA3 was S-sulfhydrated by H2S. Innovation and Conclusion: For the first time, this study demonstrated that lower abundance of CSE expression and H2S production enhances type-2 immunoreaction and renders a higher incidence of allergic asthma at a young age. As such, H2S level may be a biomarker for asthma development and a H2S-based strategy can be perceived for asthma prevention and treatment. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 931-944.

Complex inhibition of autophagy by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase shortens lifespan and exacerbates cardiac aging

Autophagy, a conservative degradation process for long-lived and damaged proteins, participates in a cascade of biological processes including aging. A number of autophagy regulators have been identified. Here we demonstrated that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), an enzyme with the most common single point mutation in humans, governs cardiac aging through regulation of autophagy. Myocardial mechanical and autophagy properties were examined in young (4months) and old (26–28months) wild-type (WT) and global ALDH2 transgenic mice. ALDH2 overexpression shortened lifespan by 7.7% without affecting aging-associated changes in plasma metabolic profiles. Myocardial function was compromised with aging associated with cardiac hypertrophy, the effects were accentuated by ALDH2. Aging overtly suppressed autophagy and compromised autophagy flux, the effects were exacerbated by ALDH2. Aging dampened phosphorylation of JNK, Bcl-2, IKKβ, AMPK and TSC2 while promoting phosphorylation of mTOR, the effects of which were exaggerated by ALDH2. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed increased dissociation between Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 (result of decreased Bcl-2 phosphorylation) in aging, the effect of which was exacerbated with ALDH2. Chronic treatment of the autophagy inducer rapamycin alleviated aging-induced cardiac dysfunction in both WT and ALDH2 mice. Moreover, activation of JNK and inhibition of either Bcl-2 or IKKβ overtly attenuated ALDH2 activation-induced accentuation of cardiomyocyte aging. Examination of the otherwise elderly individuals revealed a positive correlation between cardiac function/geometry and ALDH2 gene mutation. Taken together, our data revealed that ALDH2 enzyme may suppress myocardial autophagy possibly through a complex JNK-Bcl-2 and IKKβ-AMPK-dependent mechanism en route to accentuation of myocardial remodeling and contractile dysfunction in aging. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Genetic and epigenetic control of heart failure - edited by Jun Ren & Megan Yingmei Zhang.

Subacute ibuprofen treatment rescues the synaptic and cognitive deficits in advanced-aged mice

Aging is accompanied by increased neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive deficits both in rodents and humans, yet the onset and progression of these deficits throughout the life span remain unknown. These aging-related deficits affect the quality of life and present challenges to our aging society. Here, we defined age-dependent and progressive impairments of synaptic and cognitive functions and showed that reducing astrocyte-related neuroinflammation through anti-inflammatory drug treatment in aged mice reverses these events. By comparing young (3 months), middle-aged (18 months), aged (24 months), and advanced-aged wild-type mice (30 months), we found that the levels of an astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, progressively increased after 18 months of age, which preceded the decreases of the synaptic marker PSD-95. Hippocampal long-term potentiation was also suppressed in an age-dependent manner, where significant deficits were observed after 24 months of age. Fear conditioning tests demonstrated that associative memory in the context and cued conditions was decreased starting at the ages of 18 and 30 months, respectively. When the mice were tested on hidden platform water maze, spatial learning memory was significantly impaired after 24 months of age. Importantly, subacute treatment with the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen suppressed astrocyte activation and restored synaptic plasticity and memory function in advanced-aged mice. These results support the critical contribution of aging-related inflammatory responses to hippocampal-dependent cognitive function and synaptic plasticity, in particular during advanced aging. Our findings provide strong evidence that suppression of neuroinflammation could be a promising treatment strategy to preserve cognition during aging.

Abstract TP346: Pge2 Ep1-4 Temporospatial Expression Level Changes in the Brain After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Young, Aged, and Ep1 Deficient Mice Suggests Cross-talk Interactions

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe form of stroke with the highest mortality. Neuroinflammation contributes to ICH-induced brain injury and the upregulation of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) has been implicated in modulating these deleterious pathways. PGE 2 acts mainly on four G-protein-coupled E Prostanoid (EP) receptors, EP1-4, each having different downstream pathways, tissue distributions, and expression profiles. Our previous studies demonstrate that EP1 receptor deletion promotes injury following ICH; whereas, deletion of EP2 and EP3 is neuroprotective in an equivalent approach. Here, we aimed to investigate the time course, brain sub-region expression profile, and relative level of EP1-4 mRNA expression in young (5-7mo) and aged (12-13mo) wildtype (WT) and EP1-/- mice. Following ICH or sham surgery, EP1-4 mRNA levels were assessed by RT-qPCR whereby the relative fold change of the gene of interest were determined using the reference gene Tbp and the 2 -ΔΔCT method relative to the control. Minimal EP1-4 expression changes are seen at 24h after ICH; although, EP2 (p=0.036) and EP4 (p=0.066) are 1.6X increased in the cortex of young WT mice. At 72h post-ICH, EP1 is 3.9x elevated in the cortex (p=0.0003) and 4.6x in the striatum (p=0.012). EP3 is also 1.6x elevated in the cortex (p=0.044). In the contralateral hemisphere, a mean 2.4x increase of EP1-4 (p&lt;0.01) expression is seen. In contrast, at 72h after ICH, EP1-/- mice have 0.53x reduced EP3 in the cortex (p=0.030) and 0.68x and 0.71x decreased EP3 (p=0.016) and EP4 (p=0.049), respectively, in the contralateral. Aged EP1 -/- mice show significantly decreased expression levels of EP2-4 in nearly all areas. Due to the contralateral differences, basal expression levels of EP2-4 were investigated in the EP1-/- mice, where EP2 is 2.6x, 3.4x, and 3.8x increased in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum; whereas, EP3 trended oppositely. These data indicate a cross talk between EP1 and the other EP receptors pre- and post-ICH and an association between age and EP receptor expression levels. A better understanding of EP receptor localization and dynamic expression levels after ICH will spark the development of effective pharmacological treatments. Funding: NIH F31NS086441 (JLL) and R01NS046400 (SD)

Acute and Chronic Sustained Hypoxia Do Not Substantially Regulate Amyloid-β Peptide Generation In Vivo.

BackgroundRecent epidemiological evidence has linked hypoxia with the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). A number of in vitro and in vivo studies have reported that hypoxia can induce amyloid-β peptide accumulation through various molecular mechanisms including the up-regulation of the amyloid-β precursor protein, the β-secretase Bace1, or the γγ-secretase complex components, as well as the down-regulation of Aβ-degrading enzymes.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of acute and chronic sustained hypoxia in Aβ generation in vivo.Methods2–3 month-old C57/Bl6J wild-type mice were exposed to either normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (9% O2) for either 4 to 72 h (acute) or 21–30 days (chronic sustained) in a hermetic chamber. Brain mRNA levels of Aβ-related genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR, whereas levels of Bace1 protein, full length AβPP, and its C-terminal fragments (C99/C88 ratio) were measured by Western blot. In addition, 8 and 14-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mice were subjected to 9% O2 for 21 days and levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, full length AβPP, and soluble AβPPα (sAβPPα) were measured by ELISA or WB.ResultsHypoxia (either acute or chronic sustained) did not impact the transcription of any of the Aβ-related genes in young wild-type mice. A significant reduction of Bace1 protein level was noted with acute hypoxia for 16 h but did not correlate with an increased level of full length AβPP or a decreased C99/C83 ratio. Chronic sustained hypoxia did not significantly alter the levels of Bace1, full length AβPP or the C99/C83 ratio. Last, chronic sustained hypoxia did not significantly change the levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, full length AβPP, or sAβPPα in either young or aged APP/PS1 mice.DiscussionOur results argue against a hypoxia-induced shift of AβPP proteolysis from the non-amyloidogenic to the amyloidogenic pathways. We discuss the possible methodological caveats of previous in vivo studies.

Advanced atherosclerosis is associated with inflammation, vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress, but not hypertension

Although hypertension may involve underlying inflammation, it is unknown whether advanced atherosclerosis − a chronic inflammatory condition − can by itself promote hypertension. We thus tested if advanced atherosclerosis in chronically hypercholesterolemic mice is associated with systemic and end-organ inflammation, vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress, and whether blood pressure is higher than in control mice. Male ApoE−/− and wild-type (C57Bl6J) mice were placed on a high fat or chow diet, respectively, from 5 to 61 weeks of age. Expression of several cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and/or IL-1β) was elevated in plasma, brain, and aorta of ApoE−/− mice. Aortic superoxide production was ∼3.5-fold greater, and endothelium-dependent relaxation was markedly reduced in aorta and mesenteric artery of ApoE−/− versus wild-type mice. There was no difference in blood pressure of aged ApoE−/− (104±3mmHg, n=13) and wild-type mice (113±1mmHg, n=18). To clarify any effects of aging alone, findings from 61 week-old wild-type mice were compared with those from young (8–12 weeks old) chow-fed wild-type mice. The data indicate that aging alone increased renal and aortic expression of numerous cytokines (including CCL2, CCL7 and IL-1β). Aging had no effect on blood pressure, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress or endothelial function. Despite systemic and end-organ inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, advanced atherosclerosis does not necessarily result in elevated blood pressure.

NADPH oxidase 4 regulates vascular inflammation in aging and atherosclerosis

We recently reported that increased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression and activity during aging results in enhanced cellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) for these effects and determine the importance of NOX4 modulation of proinflammatory gene expression in mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). A novel peptide-mediated siRNA transfection approach was used to inhibit Nox4 expression with minimal cellular toxicity. Using melittin-derived peptide p5RHH, we achieved significantly higher transfection efficiency (92% vs. 85% with Lipofectamine) and decreased toxicity (p<0.001 vs. Lipofectamine in MTT and p<0.0001 vs. Lipofectamine in LDH assays) in VSMCs. TGFβ1 significantly upregulates Nox4 mRNA (p<0.01) and protein (p<0.01) expression in VSMCs. p5RHH-mediated Nox4 siRNA transfection greatly attenuated TGFβ1-induced upregulation of Nox4 mRNA (p<0.01) and protein (p<0.0001) levels and decreased hydrogen peroxide production (p<0.0001). Expression of pro-inflammatory genes Ccl2, Ccl5, Il6, and Vcam1 was significantly upregulated in VSMCs in several settings cells isolated from aged vs. young wild-type mice, in atherosclerotic arteries of Apoe−/− mice, and atherosclerotic human carotid arteries and correlated with NOX4 expression. p5RHH-mediated Nox4 siRNA transfection significantly attenuated the expression of these pro-inflammatory genes in TGFβ1-treated mouse VSMCs, with the highest degree of inhibition in the expression of Il6. p5RHH peptide-mediated knockdown of TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1, also known as Map3k7), Jun, and Rela, but not Nfkb2, downregulated TGFβ1-induced Nox4 expression in VSMCs. Together, these data demonstrate that increased expression and activation of NOX4, which might result from increased TGFβ1 levels seen during aging, induces a proinflammatory phenotype in VSMCs, enhancing atherosclerosis.

169 - Comparing Progeria to Natural Aging Reveals New Insights Regarding the Association of Time and Redox Imbalance

The free radical theory of aging remains controversial. A central factor underpinning this controversy is that alteration of antioxidant levels has failed to consistently impact the lifespan and health of model organisms as one would logically predict. To test the free radical theory of aging with a novel approach, we posed two hypotheses: 1) reactive species production and/or antioxidant buffering capacity change with time and 2) the same changes should occur earlier in mice that age rapidly, even if the etiology of accelerated aging is unrelated to free radical biology. To test these hypotheses, indices of oxidative damage, abundance of biomolecular free radicals, antioxidant capacity and activity of crucial redox-related enzymes were measured in young and old wild-type mice and compared to results obtained with mice that model a human progeroid syndrome caused by a DNA repair defect (Ercc1−/Δ mice). Increased rates of superoxide (O2●–) production were detected in livers of old wild-type and Ercc1−/Δ mice compared to young adult wild-type mice. This observation correlated with elevation in the oxidation of both lipids and DNA, indicating that naturally aged as well as prematurely aged (Ercc1−/Δ mice) mice experience a greater degree of oxidative stress compared to young mice. In the naturally aged and Ercc1−/Δ mice, activity of oxidant-producing enzymes xanthine oxidase (XO) and NADPH oxidase were significantly elevated while mitochondrial respiration was altered in a manner consistent with increased production of reactive species. In addition, multi-omic analysis revealed diminution in antioxidant enzyme expression with both natural and premature aging. This was validated by measuring expression and activity of catalase, MnSOD and CuZnSOD in the liver. Furthermore, GSSG/GSH was significantly increased in both natural and prematurely aged mice: all indicative of age-dependent impaired antioxidant buffering capacity. In toto, these data strongly support the free radical theory of aging. In contrast to the theory, the data also indicate that free radical damage occurs late in life due to changes in oxidant production/neutralization rather than time-dependent accumulation of damage suggesting that time may not be a seminal determinant to aging but rather a correlative bystander.

350 - Mutation of the SERCA-Reactive Cysteine-674 to Serine Attenuates Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Senescent Mice

Background We have shown previously that oxidation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) cysteine-674 was associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in senescent mice. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that mutation of the SERCA-reactive cysteine-674 to serine (C674S), thereby protecting it from oxidation at this site, will attenuate LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in senescent mice. Methods Young (5-month-old) and senescent (24-month-old) wild-type (WT) or SERCA C674S knock-in (SKI) mice (n=5-8 per group) were studied. We measured LV structure and function by echocardiography, myocyte cross-sectional area by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and myocardial 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) expression by immunohistochemical staining. Results Conventional echocardiography in senescent WT mice demonstrated an increase in LV total wall thickness (TWTh, 1.84±0.05 vs. 1.45±0.03 mm in Young WT) with preserved LV dimension and systolic function. Mitral inflow and tissue Doppler echocardiography in senescent mice showed prolongation of LV isovolumetric relaxation time and deceleration time of early filling in association with decreases in the ratio of peak early-to-late transmitral velocity (E/A ratio, 1.16±0.04 vs. 1.80±0.04 in Young WT) and diastolic myocardial tissue velocity (Em, 18.9±1.5 vs. 26.2±0.5 mm/sec in Young WT), a pattern typical of abnormal relaxation. All of these abnormalities in LV wall thickness and diastolic function were attenuated (p Conclusion Protection of SERCA from oxidation at C674S attenuates aging-induced LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, suggesting that strategies to protect oxidant target proteins such as SERCA are implicated in preserving diastolic function in the aging heart.

Inflammatory changes in optic nerve after closed-head repeated traumatic brain injury: Preliminary study

Background: Closed-head, repeated, mild traumatic brain injury (r-mTBI) leads to inflammatory and degenerative changes in the optic nerve of young wild type mice. This work has investigated whether similar changes may be present when the same model is applied to htau mice, a transgenic mouse in which the non-mutated human tau gene is expressed on a null murine tau background.Methods: This study investigated neuropathological changes in the optic nerve in both young (15 weeks) and old (65–70 weeks) htau mice at 24 hours after r-mTBI or anaesthesia only (r-sham). Change in the level of cellularity, myelin content and astroglial reactivity were evaluated in optic nerve samples.Results: Increased cellularity and areas of demyelination were clearly detectable in the intracranial portion of the optic nerve in both young (10–15 weeks) and old (65–75) htau r-mTBI mice at 24 hours post-injury, in contrast to r-sham. Increased astroglial reactivity was also observed, together with increased tau phosphorylation.Conclusions: Localized inflammatory and degenerative response of the intracranial part of the optic nerve was detected in htau mice after r-mTBI. Further studies to clarify the cause and consequences of this phenomenon are warranted.

The role of Nrf2 in skeletal muscle contractile and mitochondrial function.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that confers cellular protection by upregulating antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidative stress. However, Nrf2 function within skeletal muscle remains to be further elucidated. We examined the role of Nrf2 in determining muscle phenotype using young (3 mo) and older (12 mo) Nrf2 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice. Basally, the absence of Nrf2 did not impact mitochondrial content. In intermyofibrillar mitochondria, lack of Nrf2 resulted in a 40% reduction in state 4 respiration, which coincided with a 68% increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission. Nrf2 abrogation impaired in situ muscle performance, characterized by a 48% greater rate of fatigue and a 35% decrease in force within the first 5 min of stimulation. Acute treadmill exercise resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in Nrf2 activation via enhanced DNA binding in WT animals. In response to training, cytochrome-c oxidase activity increased by 20% in the WT animals; however, this response was attenuated in KO mice. Nrf2 protein was reduced 30% by training. Despite this, exercise training normalized respiration, ROS production, and muscle performance in KO mice. Our results suggest that Nrf2 transcriptional activity is increased by exercise and that Nrf2 is required for the maintenance of basal mitochondrial function as well as for the normal increase in specific mitochondrial proteins in response to training. Nonetheless, the decrements in mitochondrial function in Nrf2 KO muscle can be rescued by exercise training, suggesting that this restorative function operates via a pathway independent of Nrf2.