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G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have originally been described as a family of receptors activated by hormones, neurotransmitters, and other mediators. However, in recent years GPCRs have shown to bind endogenous metabolites, which serve functions other than as signaling mediators. These receptors respond to fatty acids, mono- and disaccharides, amino acids, or various intermediates and products of metabolism, including ketone bodies, lactate, succinate, or bile acids. Given that many of these metabolic processes are dysregulated under pathological conditions, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity, receptors of endogenous metabolites have also been recognized as potential drug targets to prevent and/or treat metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. This review describes G protein-coupled receptors activated by endogenous metabolites and summarizes their physiological, pathophysiological, and potential pharmacological roles.

Purinergic G-protein-coupled receptors are ancient and the most abundant group of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The wide distribution of purinergic receptors in the cardiovascular system, together with the expression of multiple receptor subtypes in endothelial cells (ECs) and other vascular cells demonstrates the physiological importance of the purinergic signaling system in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. This review discusses the contribution of purinergic P2Y receptors to endothelial dysfunction (ED) in numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Endothelial dysfunction can be defined as a shift from a “calm” or non-activated state, characterized by low permeability, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, to a “activated” state, characterized by vasoconstriction and increased permeability, pro-thrombotic, and pro-inflammatory properties. This state of ED is observed in many diseases, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, sepsis, and pulmonary hypertension. Herein, we review the recent advances in P2Y receptor physiology and emphasize some of their unique signaling features in pulmonary endothelial cells.

The vasa vasorum (VV), the microvascular network around large vessels, has been recognized as an important contributor to the pathological vascular remodeling in cardiovascular diseases. In bovine and rat models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH), we have previously shown that chronic hypoxia profoundly increased pulmonary artery (PA) VV permeability, associated with infiltration of inflammatory and progenitor cells in the arterial wall, perivascular inflammation, and structural vascular remodeling. Extracellular adenosine was shown to exhibit a barrier-protective effect on VV endothelial cells (VVEC) via cAMP-independent mechanisms, which involved adenosine A1 receptor-mediated activation of Gi-phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt pathway and actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Using VVEC isolated from the adventitia of calf PA, in this study we investigated in more detail the mechanisms linking Gi activation to downstream barrier protection pathways. Using a small-interference RNA (siRNA) technique and transendothelial electrical resistance assay, we found that the adaptor protein, engulfment and cell motility 1 (ELMO1), the tyrosine phosphatase Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2, and atypical Gi- and Rac1-mediated protein kinase A activation are implicated in VVEC barrier enhancement. In contrast, the actin-interacting GTP-binding protein, girdin, and the p21-activated kinase 1 downstream target, LIM kinase, are not involved in this response. In addition, adenosine-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement involves activation of cofilin and inactivation of ezrin-radixin-moesin regulatory cytoskeletal proteins, consistent with a barrier-protective mechanism. Collectively, our data indicate that targeting adenosine receptors and downstream barrier-protective pathways in VVEC may have a potential translational significance in developing pharmacological approach for the VV barrier protection in PH.

Angiogenic vasa vasorum (VV) expansion plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH), a cardiovascular disease. We previously showed that extracellular ATP released under hypoxic conditions is an autocrine/paracrine, the angiogenic factor for pulmonary artery (PA) VV endothelial cells (VVECs), acting via P2Y purinergic receptors (P2YR) and the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ATP-mediated VV angiogenesis, we determined the profile of ATP-inducible transcription factors (TFs) in VVECs using a TranSignal protein/DNA array. C-Jun, c-Myc, and Foxo3 were found to be upregulated in most VVEC populations and formed nodes connecting several signaling networks. siRNA-mediated knockdown (KD) of these TFs revealed their critical role in ATP-induced VVEC angiogenic responses and the regulation of downstream targets involved in tissue remodeling, cell cycle control, expression of endothelial markers, cell adhesion, and junction proteins. Our results showed that c-Jun was required for the expression of ATP-stimulated angiogenic genes, c-Myc was repressive to anti-angiogenic genes, and Foxo3a predominantly controlled the expression of anti-apoptotic and junctional proteins. The findings from our study suggest that pharmacological targeting of the components of P2YR-PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis and specific TFs reduced ATP-mediated VVEC angiogenic response and may have a potential translational significance in attenuating pathological vascular remodeling.

Background and Aims Inflammatory Bowel Diseases [IBDs] are chronic intestinal inflammatory conditions in part mediated by CD4+ T cells. Anti-inflammatory Foxp3+ regulatory T cells [Tregs] maintain immune homeostasis and protect against IBD development via multiple mechanisms, including cytokine secretion and cell–cell interaction. CCAAT enhancer binding protein-beta [C/EBPβ] is a stress-responsive transcription factor linked with IBD susceptibility. Whole-body C/EBPβ deficiency induces CD4+ T cell–predominant hyperproliferation, and we hypothesize that this may be due to impaired Treg function. Methods We used the C/EBPβ–/– mice in the CD45RBHigh adoptive transfer model, to assess C/EBPβ–/– CD4+ T cells for their colitiogenic potential, and C/EBPβ–/– CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregs for their ability to inhibit colitis. We assessed Tregs from the C/EBPβ–/– mice for expression of Treg functional genes and proteins. Results Naïve C/EBPβ–/– CD4+ T cells are more colitogenic in vivo. The exacerbated colitis does not appear to reflect impaired Treg development, however, as C/EBPβ–/– mice displayed more, rather than fewer intestinal CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in vivo. Instead, this reflects impaired Treg function as seen by the reduced capacity to suppress T cell proliferation in vitro, along with decreased secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These findings were corroborated in vivo by additional adoptive co-transfer studies in which wildtype Tregs prevented colitis but C/EBPβ–/– Tregs did not. Conclusion C/EBPβ deficiency impairs Treg function and potentiates T cell–mediated colitis. A clearer understanding of the function of this transcription factor may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for IBD.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive cardiovascular disorder in which local vascular inflammation leads to increased pulmonary vascular remodeling and ultimately to right heart failure. The HDAC inhibitor butyrate, a product of microbial fermentation, is protective in inflammatory intestinal diseases, but little is known regarding its effect on extraintestinal diseases, such as PH. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that butyrate is protective in a Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat model of hypoxic PH. Treatment with butyrate (220 mg/kg intake) prevented hypoxia-induced right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), hypoxia-induced increases in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), pulmonary vascular remodeling, and permeability. A reversal effect of butyrate (2200 mg/kg intake) was observed on elevated RVH. Butyrate treatment also increased the acetylation of histone H3, 25–34 kDa, and 34–50 kDa proteins in the total lung lysates of butyrate-treated animals. In addition, butyrate decreased hypoxia-induced accumulation of alveolar (mostly CD68+) and interstitial (CD68+ and CD163+) lung macrophages. Analysis of cytokine profiles in lung tissue lysates showed a hypoxia-induced upregulation of TIMP-1, CINC-1, and Fractalkine and downregulation of soluble ICAM (sICAM). The expression of Fractalkine and VEGFα, but not CINC-1, TIMP-1, and sICAM was downregulated by butyrate. In rat microvascular endothelial cells (RMVEC), butyrate (1 mM, 2 and 24 h) exhibited a protective effect against TNFα- and LPS-induced barrier disruption. Butyrate (1 mM, 24 h) also upregulated tight junctional proteins (occludin, cingulin, claudin-1) and increased the acetylation of histone H3 but not α-tubulin. These findings provide evidence of the protective effect of butyrate on hypoxic PH and suggest its potential use as a complementary treatment for PH and other cardiovascular diseases.

Ras-homologous (Rho)A/Rho-kinase pathway plays an essential role in many cellular functions, including contraction, motility, proliferation, and apoptosis, inflammation, and its excessive activity induces oxidative stress and promotes the development of cardiovascular diseases. Given its role in many physiological and pathological functions, targeting can result in adverse effects and limit its use for therapy. In this review, we have summarized the role of RhoGTPases with an emphasis on RhoA in vascular disease and its impact on endothelial, smooth muscle, and heart and lung fibroblasts. It is clear from the various studies that understanding the regulation of RhoGTPases and their regulators in physiology and pathological conditions is required for effective targeting of Rho.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases [IBDs] are chronic intestinal inflammatory conditions in part mediated by CD4(+) T cells. Anti-inflammatory Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells [Tregs] maintain immune homeostasis and protect against IBD development via multiple mechanisms, including cytokine secretion and cell–cell interaction. CCAAT enhancer binding protein-beta [C/EBPβ] is a stress-responsive transcription factor linked with IBD susceptibility. Whole-body C/EBPβ deficiency induces CD4(+) T cell–predominant hyperproliferation, and we hypothesize that this may be due to impaired Treg function. METHODS: We used the C/EBPβ(–/–) mice in the CD45RB(High) adoptive transfer model, to assess C/EBPβ(–/–) CD4(+) T cells for their colitiogenic potential, and C/EBPβ(–/–) CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs for their ability to inhibit colitis. We assessed Tregs from the C/EBPβ(–/–) mice for expression of Treg functional genes and proteins. RESULTS: Naïve C/EBPβ(–/–) CD4(+) T cells are more colitogenic in vivo. The exacerbated colitis does not appear to reflect impaired Treg development, however, as C/EBPβ(–/–) mice displayed more, rather than fewer intestinal CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs in vivo. Instead, this reflects impaired Treg function as seen by the reduced capacity to suppress T cell proliferation in vitro, along with decreased secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These findings were corroborated in vivo by additional adoptive co-transfer studies in which wildtype Tregs prevented colitis but C/EBPβ(–/–) Tregs did not. CONCLUSION: C/EBPβ deficiency impairs Treg function and potentiates T cell–mediated colitis. A clearer understanding of the function of this transcription factor may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for IBD.

Pathological vascular remodeling is observed in various cardiovascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension (PH), a disease of unknown etiology that has been characterized by pulmonary artery vasoconstriction, right ventricular hypertrophy, vascular inflammation, and abnormal angiogenesis in pulmonary circulation. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family in the genome and widely expressed in cardiovascular system. They regulate all aspects of PH pathophysiology and represent therapeutic targets. We overview GPCRs function in vasoconstriction, vasodilation, vascular inflammation-driven remodeling and describe signaling cross talk between GPCR, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. Overall, the goal of this review is to emphasize the importance of GPCRs as critical signal transducers and targets for drug development in PH.

Angiogenesis is an energy-demanding process; however, the role of cellular energy pathways and their regulation by extracellular stimuli, especially extracellular nucleotides, remain largely unexplored. Using metabolic inhibitors of glycolysis (2-deoxyglucose) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) (oligomycin, rotenone, and FCCP), we demonstrate that glycolysis and OXPHOS are both essential for angiogenic responses of vasa vasorum endothelial cell (VVEC). Treatment with P2R agonists, ATP, and 2-methylthioadenosine diphosphate trisodium salt (MeSADP), but not P1 receptor agonist, adenosine, increased glycolytic activity in VVEC (measured by extracellular acidification rate and lactate production). Stimulation of glycolysis was accompanied by increased levels of phospho-phosphofructokinase B3, hexokinase (HK), and GLUT-1, but not lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, extracellular ATP and MeSADP, and to a lesser extent adenosine, increased basal and maximal oxygen consumption rates in VVEC. These effects were potentiated when the cells were cultured in 20 mM galactose and 5 mM glucose compared with 25 mM glucose. Treatment with P2R agonists decreased phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1α and increased succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), cytochrome oxidase IV, and β-subunit of F1F0ATP synthase expression. In addition, P2R stimulation transiently elevated mitochondrial Ca2+concentration, implying involvement of mitochondria in VVEC angiogenic activation. We also demonstrated a critical role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt pathways in lactate production, PDH-E1α phosphorylation, and the expression of HK, SDH, and GLUT-1 in ATP-stimulated VVEC. Together, our findings suggest that purinergic and metabolic regulation of VVEC energy pathways is essential for VV angiogenesis and may contribute to pathologic vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.

Protein kinase C (PKC)α/β dependent signaling events downstream of TLR4 or TLR2 were investigated in neutrophils stimulated with LPS or PGN. Pretreatment of neutrophils with the structurally distinct PKCα/β inhibitors Go6976 or GF109203X decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB and production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Inhibition of PKCα/β also prevented LPS or PGN induced phosphorylation of IKKα/β, phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, as well as phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Activation of p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2 in response to TLR2 engagement was diminished in neutrophils in which PKCα/β was inhibited. However, no alteration in the activation of these kinases was found in TLR4 stimulated neutrophils when PKCα/β was blocked. Such results indicate that distinct intracellular signalling pathways leading to MAPK activation are induced by TLR4 and TLR2 stimulation. PKCα/β can regulate NF-κB dependent transcription in neutrophils both by enhancing nuclear translocation of NF-κB and also by stimulating phosphorylation of the p65 subunit.

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Although increased circulating levels of uPA are present in endotoxemia and sepsis, conditions in which activated neutrophils contribute to the development of acute organ dysfunction, the ability of uPA to participate directly in LPS-induced neutrophil activation has not been examined. In the present experiments, we show that uPA can enhance activation of neutrophils exposed to submaximal stimulatory doses of LPS. In particular, uPA increased LPS-induced activation of intracellular signaling pathways, including Akt and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear translocation of the transcriptional regulatory factor NF-κB, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and TNF-α. There was no effect of uPA on LPS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in neutrophils. Transgenic mice unable to produce uPA (uPA−/−) were protected from endotoxemia-induced lung injury, as determined by development of lung edema, pulmonary neutrophil accumulation, lung IL-1β, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and TNF-α cytokine levels. These results demonstrate that uPA can potentiate LPS-induced neutrophil responses and also suggest that such effects are sufficiently important in vivo to play a major contributory role in neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses, such as the development of acute lung injury.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, a DNA binding protein that stabilizes nucleosomes and facilitates transcription, was recently identified as a late mediator of endotoxin lethality. High serum HMGB1 levels in patients with sepsis are associated with increased mortality, and administration of HMGB1 produces acute inflammation in animal models of lung injury and endotoxemia. Neutrophils occupy a critical role in mediating the development of endotoxemia-associated acute lung injury, but previously it was not known whether HMGB1 could influence neutrophil activation. In the present experiments, we demonstrate that HMGB1 increases the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and enhances the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human neutrophils. These proinflammatory effects of HMGB1 in neutrophils appear to involve the p38 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, and ERK1/2 pathways. The mechanisms of HMGB1-induced neutrophil activation are distinct from endotoxin-induced signals, because HMGB1 leads to a different profile of gene expression, pattern of cytokine expression, and kinetics of p38 activation compared with LPS. These findings indicate that HMGB1 is an effective stimulus of neutrophil activation that can contribute to development of a proinflammatory phenotype in diseases characterized by excessively high levels of HMGB1.

Sepsis is the systematic response to infection. In septic patients who develop severe disease, excessive inflammation damages the lungs, liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system, leading to multiple organ failure and an associated high mortality rate. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in the intensive care unit. The damage to critical organs is primarily due to excessive acute inflammatory response rather than inadequate combat of the infection per se. Impairment of critical organs is closely associated with infiltration of activated neutrophils into those tissues as well as increased activation of endothelial, epithelial, and macrophage populations within the organs to produce a deregulated, overly aggressive inflammatory response. New pharmacological advances hold promise in improving survival from this multi-systemic disorder. Increasing understanding of the signal transduction pathways of inflammatory cells involved in the disease suggests that targeting specific kinases and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms may prove improve outcome from sepsis.

Catecholamines are released in high levels after hemorrhage or endotoxemia and have been shown to modulate immune function, including cellular release of inflammatory mediators. In the present experiments, we examined the effects of endogenous and exogenous catecholamines on neutrophil accumulation and activation in the lungs using pretreatment with α- or β-antagonists or α-adrenergic agonists before hemorrhage or endotoxemia. These studies showed that α-, but not β-adrenergic stimuli, modulated the severity of acute lung injury after hemorrhage or endotoxemia, and α-adrenergic stimuli was proinflammatory after hemorrhage but anti-inflammatory after endotoxemia. The observed α-adrenergic effects on lung neutrophil activation appeared to involve primarily the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway at the upstream kinase Raf, but not Ras. Although p38 and protein kinase A were activated in lung neutrophils after hemorrhage or endotoxemia, these kinases were not affected by α- or β-adrenergic modulation. These results demonstrate that catecholamines have important immunomodulatory effects in vivo that affect intracellular signaling pathways in neutrophils and neutrophil-driven, inflammatory processes such as the development of acute lung injury.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases thought to reflect a dysregulated immune response. Although antibody-based inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has provided relief to many inflammatory bowel diseases patients, these therapies are either ineffective in a patient subset or lose their efficacy over time, leaving an unmet need for alternatives. Given the critical role of the heat shock response in regulating inflammation, this study proposed to define the impact of selective inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) on intestinal inflammation. Using multiple preclinical mouse models of inflammatory bowel diseases, we demonstrate a potent anti-inflammatory effect of selective inhibition of the HSP90 C-terminal ATPase using the compound novobiocin. Novobiocin-attenuated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and CD45RBhigh adoptive-transfer colitis through the suppression of inflammatory cytokine secretion, including TNF-α. In vitro assays demonstrate that CD4+ T cells treated with novobiocin produced significantly less TNF-α measured by intracellular cytokine staining and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This corresponded to significantly decreased nuclear p65 translocation by Western blot and a decrease in nuclear factor-κB luciferase activity in Jurkat T cells. Finally, to verify the anti-TNF action of novobiocin, 20-week-old TNFΔARE mice were treated for 2 weeks with subcutaneous administration of novobiocin. This model has high levels of circulating TNF-α and exhibits spontaneous transmural segmental ileitis. Novobiocin treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrate in the ileal lamina propria. HSP90 inhibition with novobiocin offers a novel method of inflammatory cytokine suppression without potential for the development of tolerance that limits current antibody-based methods.

Delayed graft function (DGF), defined as the need for dialysis in the first 7 days after transplantation surgery,1 is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection.2,3 The increased risk of rejection is seen with both cadaveric3 and live donor4 organs, and also, it is associated with increased recipient mortality.5,6 Furthermore, long-term survival is worse in DGF kidney grafts, and there is an increasing recognition that ongoing inflammation drives interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (formerly known as chronic allograft nephropathy)7–9 and may limit average duration of transplant survival. Although it is well known that a host of systemic inflammatory diseases cause renal injury, far less is known about the effect of AKI on the immune system. Animal and human data seem to be conflicting, indicating that AKI both is an intensely inflammatory event10–12 and may also have immunosuppressive effects.13 Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of native kidneys may also perturb systemic immune responses. AKI is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and synergistically increases patient mortality because of sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome.14 With the increasing incidence of AKI,15,16 it is important to understand the effects of AKI on immune function. Long-lasting immune lymphocyte activation has been shown after IRI.17 In the specific setting of renal transplantation, stubbornly high rates of late graft failure are now thought to involve persistent subclinical immune activity,18,19 and basic science work has shown a variety of immune factors that are active in the failing allograft, including T cells, selectins, integrins, and chemokine receptors such as chemokine receptor-2, chemokine receptor-7, and CXC chemokine receptor-4.8 There is an increasing awareness that ischemic kidney damage causes local inflammation in the kidney. In the case of renal allografts that suffer ischemic damage, it may be a pathologic process ultimately leading to increased antibody-mediated rejection. These observations led us to hypothesize that IRI amplifies the humoral immune response to a newly presented antigen. To test this hypothesis, we subjected mice to bilateral renal IRI and then immunized them with nitrophenol keyhole limpet hemocyanin (NP-KLH), a large T cell-dependent antigen that is commonly used in humoral immunity experiments. We show the effect of IRI on antibody levels after immunization and explore mechanisms for the observed phenomena.

Glomerular IgM and C3 deposits frequently accompany idiopathic FSGS and secondary glomerulosclerosis, but it is unknown whether IgM activates complement, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of these diseases. We hypothesized that IgM natural antibody binds to neoepitopes exposed in the glomerulus after nonimmune insults, triggering activation of the complement system and further injury. We examined the effects of depleting B cells, using three different strategies, on adriamycin-induced glomerulosclerosis. First, we treated wild-type mice with an anti-murine CD20 antibody, which depletes B cells, before disease induction. Second, we evaluated adriamycin-induced glomerulosclerosis in Jh mice, a strain that lacks mature B cells. Third, we locally depleted peritoneal B cells via hypotonic shock before disease induction. All three strategies reduced deposition of IgM in the glomerulus after administration of adriamycin and attenuated the development of albuminuria. Furthermore, we found that glomerular IgM and C3 were detectable in a subset of patients with FSGS ; C3 was present as an activation fragment and colocalized with glomerular IgM, suggesting that glomerular IgM may have bound a cognate ligand. Taken together, these results suggest that IgM activates the complement system within the glomerulus in an animal model of glomerulosclerosis. Strategies that reduce IgM natural antibody or that prevent complement activation may slow the progression of glomerulosclerosis.

Cross-regulation from the stimulatory phospholipase C to the adenylyl cyclase pathways was explored in neuroblastoma-glioma NG-108-15 cells in culture. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol myristic acid resulted in a markedly attenuated activation of the inhibitory adenylyl cyclase response to delta-opiate agonists and epinephrine but not to the muscarinic agonist carbachol. The ability of okadaic acid to mimic the effects of phorbol myristic acid on the inhibitory response suggested a role for protein phosphorylation. Adenylyl cyclase activity from cells in which protein kinase C had been activated demonstrated a loss in the inhibitory adenylyl cyclase response at the level of the G-protein. Activation of protein kinase C prompted a 2-4-fold increase in phosphorylation of G1 alpha 2 in cells metabolically labeled with [32P]orthophosphate. The phosphate content of Gi alpha 2 was determined to be approximately 0.5 mol/mol subunit in the unstimulated cells and approximately 1.5 mol/mol subunit for cells in which protein kinase C was activated. The effects of okadaic acid, 4-alpha-phorbol, and calphostin C on inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in cells treated with phorbol myristic acid correlate with the effects of these agents on phosphorylation of Gi alpha 2. The time courses for attenuation of inhibitory adenylyl cyclase and that for phosphorylation of Gi alpha 2 were similar in cells challenged with phorbol myristic acid. These data argue for cross-regulation from the stimulatory protein kinase C to inhibitory adenylyl cyclase pathways at the level of Gi alpha 2 via protein phosphorylation.

Persistent accumulation of monocytes/macrophages in the pulmonary artery adventitial/perivascular areas of animals and humans with pulmonary hypertension has been documented. The cellular mechanisms contributing to chronic inflammatory responses remain unclear. We hypothesized that perivascular inflammation is perpetuated by activated adventitial fibroblasts, which, through sustained production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and adhesion molecules, induce accumulation, retention, and activation of monocytes/macrophages. We further hypothesized that this proinflammatory phenotype is the result of the abnormal activity of histone-modifying enzymes, specifically, class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). Pulmonary adventitial fibroblasts from chronically hypoxic hypertensive calves (termed PH-Fibs) expressed a constitutive and persistent proinflammatory phenotype defined by high expression of IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2(MCP-1), CXCL12(SDF-1), CCL5(RANTES), CCR7, CXCR4, GM-CSF, CD40, CD40L, and VCAM-1. The proinflammatory phenotype of PH-Fibs was associated with epigenetic alterations as demonstrated by increased activity of HDACs and the findings that class I HDAC inhibitors markedly decreased cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression levels in these cells. PH-Fibs induced increased adhesion of THP-1 monocytes and produced soluble factors that induced increased migration of THP-1 and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages as well as activated monocytes/macrophages to express proinflammatory cytokines and profibrogenic mediators (TIMP1 and type I collagen) at the transcriptional level. Class I HDAC inhibitors markedly reduced the ability of PH-Fibs to induce monocyte migration and proinflammatory activation. The emergence of a distinct adventitial fibroblast population with an epigenetically altered proinflammatory phenotype capable of recruiting, retaining, and activating monocytes/macrophages characterizes pulmonary hypertension-associated vascular remodeling and thus could contribute significantly to chronic inflammatory processes in the pulmonary artery wall.

Factor H is a regulator of the alternative pathway of complement. Genetic studies have revealed that patients with factor H mutations are at increased risk for several types of renal disease. Pathogenic activation of the alternative pathway in acquired diseases, such as ischemic acute kidney injury, also suggests that non-mutated factor H also has a limited ability to control the alternative pathway in the kidney. In the current study we examined the ability of circulating factor H to control alternative pathway activation on renal tubular epithelial cells. We found that an absolute deficiency of factor H prevented complement activation on the cells after ischemia/reperfusion, likely because of consumption of alternative pathway proteins in the fluid phase. In contrast, when the fluid phase regulation by factor H was retained but the interaction of factor H with cell surfaces was blocked, complement activation after renal ischemia/reperfusion increased. Finally, a recombinant form of factor H that is specifically targeted to sites of C3 deposition was found to reduce complement activation in the tubulointerstitium after I/R. These studies demonstrate that native factor H provides critical regulation of the alternative pathway in the renal tubulointerstitium after injury, but that this protection is incomplete. An inhibitor that targeted recombinant factor H to the tissue surface prevented alternative pathway activation and attenuated renal injury after I/R.

Increasing evidence indicates that pulmonary arterial hypertension is a vascular inflammatory disease. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is widely used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and is believed to benefit patients largely through vasodilatory effects. PGI2 is also increasingly believed to have anti-inflammatory effects, including decreasing leukocyte cytokine production, yet few mechanistic details exist to explain how these effects are mediated at the transcriptional level. Because activated monocytes are critical sources of MCP-1 and other cytokines in cardiovascular inflammation, we examined the effects of iloprost on IFN-γ- and IL-6-stimulated cytokine production in human monocytes. We found that iloprost inhibited IFN-γ- and IL-6-induced MCP-1, IL-8, RANTES, and TNF-α production in monocytes, indicating wide-ranging anti-inflammatory action. We found that activation of STAT1 was critical for IFN-γ-induced MCP-1 production and demonstrated that iloprost inhibited STAT1 activation by several actions as follows: 1) iloprost inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1-S727 in the transactivation domain, thereby reducing recruitment of the histone acetylase and coactivator CBP/p300 to STAT1; 2) iloprost selectively inhibited activation of JAK2 but not JAK1, both responsible for activation of STAT1 via phosphorylation of STAT1-Y701, resulting in reduced nuclear recruitment and activation of STAT1; and 3) SOCS-1, which normally terminates IFN-γ-signaling, was not involved in iloprost-mediated inhibition of STAT1, indicating divergence from the classical pathway for terminating IFN-γ-signaling. We conclude that PGI2 exerts anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting STAT1-induced cytokine production, in part by targeting the transactivation domain-induced recruitment of the histone acetylase CBP/p300.

All forms of chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH) are characterized by structural remodeling of the pulmonary artery (PA) media, a process previously attributed solely to changes in the phenotype of resident smooth muscle cells (SMC). However, recent experimental evidence in both systemic and pulmonary circulations suggests that other cell types, including circulating and local progenitors, contribute significantly to this process. The goal of this study was to determine if hypoxia-induced remodeling of distal PA (dPA) media involves the emergence of cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics distinct from those of resident dPA SMC and fibroblasts. In vivo, in contrast to the phenotypically uniform SMC composition of dPA media in control calves, the remodeled dPA media of neonatal calves with severe hypoxia-induced PH comprised cells exhibiting a distinct phenotype, including the expression of hematopoetic (CD45), leukocytic/monocytic (CD11b, CD14), progenitor (cKit), and motility-associated (S100A4) cell markers. Consistent with these in vivo observations, primary cell cultures isolated from dPA media of hypertensive calves yielded not only differentiated SMC, but also smaller, morphologically rhomboidal (thus termed here “R”) cells that transiently expressed CD11b, constitutively expressed the mesenchymal cell marker type I procollagen, expressed high mRNA levels of progenitor cell markers cKit, CD34, CD73, as well as for inflammatory mediators, IL-6 and MCP-1, and, with time in culture, gained expression of a myofibroblast marker, α-SM-actin. R cells exhibited highly augmented proliferative, migratory, invasive, and potent promitogenic capabilities, which were due, at least in part, to the production of PDGFs, SDF-1/CXCL12, and S100A4. These data suggest that the cellular mechanisms of dPA remodeling include the emergence of cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics markedly distinct from those of resident dPA cells.

Recent studies demonstrate that sustained hypoxia induces the robust accumulation of leukocytes and mesenchymal progenitor cells in pulmonary arteries (PAs). Since the factors orchestrating hypoxia-induced vascular inflammation are not well-defined, the goal of this study was to identify mediators potentially responsible for recruitment to and retention and differentiation of circulating cells within the hypoxic PA. We analyzed mRNA expression of 44 different chemokine/chemokine receptor, cytokine, adhesion, and growth and differentiation genes in PAs obtained via laser capture microdissection in adjacent lung parenchyma and in systemic arteries by RT-PCR at several time points of hypoxic exposure (1, 7, and 28 days) in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Analysis of inflammatory cell accumulation and protein expression of selected genes was concomitantly assessed by immunochemistry. We found that hypoxia induced progressive accumulation of monocytes and dendritic cells in the vessel wall with few T cells and no B cells or neutrophils. Upregulation of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), VEGF, growth-related oncogene protein-alpha (GRO-alpha), C5, ICAM-1, osteopontin (OPN), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) preceded mononuclear cell influx. With time, a more complex pattern of gene expression developed with persistent upregulation of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and OPN) and monocyte/fibrocyte growth and differentiation factors (TGF-beta, endothelin-1, and 5-lipoxygenase). On return to normoxia, expression of many genes (including SDF-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, C5, ICAM-1, and TGF-beta) rapidly returned to control levels, changes that preceded the disappearance of monocytes and reversal of vascular remodeling. In conclusion, sustained hypoxia leads to the development of a complex, PA-specific, proinflammatory microenvironment capable of promoting recruitment, retention, and differentiation of circulating monocytic cell populations that contribute to vascular remodeling.

Adipocyte membranes from control rats exhibited a functional Gi (inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein) activity which could be assessed either by the inhibitory action of low concentrations of guanosine 5-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) upon forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity or by the inhibitory action of high concentrations of GTP upon isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. When membranes from animals made diabetic with streptozotocin were used, then both such inhibitory functions of Gi were abolished. In contrast, receptor-mediated inhibitory responses of Gi, effected by N6-phenylisopropyl (adenosine), prostaglandin E2 or nicotinate, were either unchanged or even apparently more effective in membranes from diabetic animals. Induction of diabetes did not cause any change in the adipocyte plasma membrane levels of the alpha, GTP-binding subunits of either Gi1 or Gi2 or of Gs (stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein), but elicited an increase in the level of alpha-Gi3. The induction of diabetes reduced the specific activity of adenylate cyclase in adipocyte membranes and enhanced the stimulatory effect of isoprenaline. It is suggested that diabetes causes selective changes in the functioning of Gi in adipocyte membranes which removes the tonic GTP-dependent inhibitory function of this G-protein.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), originally described as a DNA-binding protein, can also be released extracellularly and functions as a late mediator of inflammatory responses. Although recent reports have indicated that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) as well as Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 are involved in cellular activation by HMGB1, there has been little evidence of direct association between HMGB1 and these receptors. To examine this issue, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and immunoprecipitation to directly investigate cell surface interactions of HMGB1 with TLR2, TLR4, and RAGE. FRET images in RAW264.7 macrophages demonstrated association of HMGB1 with TLR2 and TLR4 but not RAGE. Transient transfections into human embryonic kidney-293 cells showed that HMGB1 induced cellular activation and NF-κB-dependent transcription through TLR2 or TLR4 but not RAGE. Coimmunoprecipitation also found interaction between HMGB1 and TLR2 as well as TLR4, but not with RAGE. These studies provide the first direct evidence that HMGB1 can interact with both TLR2 and TLR4 and also supply an explanation for the ability of HMGB1 to induce cellular activation and generate inflammatory responses that are similar to those initiated by LPS.

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. In addition, uPA has been shown to have proinflammatory properties, particularly in potentiating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophil responses. To explore the mechanisms by which uPA exerts these effects, we examined the ability of specific uPA domains to increase cytokine expression in murine and human neutrophils stimulated with LPS. Whereas the addition of intact uPA to neutrophils cultured with LPS increased mRNA and protein levels of interleukin-1β, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and tumor necrosis factor α, deletion of the kringle domain (KD) from uPA resulted in loss of these potentiating effects. Addition of purified uPA KD to LPS-stimulated neutrophils increased cytokine expression to a degree comparable with that produced by single-chain uPA. Inclusion of the arginine-glycine-aspartic but not the arginine-glycine-glutamic peptide to neutrophil cultures blocked uPA kringle-induced potentiation of proinflammatory responses, demonstrating that interactions between the KD and integrins were involved. Antibodies to αV or β3 integrins or to the combination of αVβ3 prevented uPA kringle-induced enhancement of expression of proinflammatory cytokines and also of adhesion of neutrophils to the uPA KD. These results demonstrate that the KD of uPA, through interaction with αVβ3 integrins, potentiates neutrophil activation.

The SHIP converts phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 triphosphate to phosphatidyl 3,4 biphosphate. SHIP has negative regulatory functions on PI3K-dependent signaling pathways, which occupy important roles in modulating neutrophil functions. We used neutrophils from transgenic SHIP−/− and SHIP+/+ mice that were stimulated with peptidoglycan (PGN) to examine the role of SHIP in TLR2-induced neutrophil activation. SHIP−/− neutrophils demonstrated significantly increased activation of the PI3K-dependent kinase Akt after exposure to PGN. Release of cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and MIP-2, was also increased in SHIP−/− compared with SHIP+/+ neutrophils. There was no difference in the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional factor NF-κB between PGN-stimulated SHIP−/− and SHIP+/+ neutrophils. However, phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB, an event essential for optimal transcriptional activity of NF-κB, was increased in TLR2-activated SHIP−/− neutrophils. SHIP−/− neutrophils demonstrated greater activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs than did SHIP+/+ neutrophils after exposure to PGN. The severity of acute lung injury induced by PGN was greater in SHIP−/− as compared with SHIP+/+ mice. These results demonstrate that SHIP has a negative regulatory role in TLR2-induced neutrophil activation and in the development of related in vivo neutrophil-dependent inflammatory processes, such as acute lung injury.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a novel late mediator of inflammatory responses that contributes to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury and sepsis-associated lethality. Although acute lung injury is a frequent complication of severe blood loss, the contribution of HMGB1 to organ system dysfunction in this setting has not been investigated. In this study, HMGB1 was detected in pulmonary endothelial cells and macrophages under baseline conditions. After hemorrhage, in addition to positively staining endothelial cells and macrophages, neutrophils expressing HMGB1 were present in the lungs. HMGB1 expression in the lung was found to be increased within 4 h of hemorrhage and then remained elevated for more than 72 h after blood loss. Neutrophils appeared to contribute to the increase in posthemorrhage pulmonary HMGB1 expression since no change in lung HMGB1 levels was found after hemorrhage in mice made neutropenic with cyclophosphamide. Plasma concentrations of HMGB1 also increased after hemorrhage. Blockade of HMGB1 by administration of anti-HMGB1 antibodies prevented hemorrhage-induced increases in nuclear translocation of NF-κB in the lungs and pulmonary levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including keratinocyte-derived chemokine, IL-6, and IL-1β. Similarly, both the accumulation of neutrophils in the lung as well as enhanced lung permeability were reduced when anti-HMGB1 antibodies were injected after hemorrhage. These results demonstrate that hemorrhage results in increased HMGB1 expression in the lungs, primarily through neutrophil sources, and that HMGB1 participates in hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury.

Protein kinase C (PKC)alpha/beta dependent signaling events downstream of TLR4 or TLR2 were investigated in neutrophils stimulated with LPS or PGN. Pretreatment of neutrophils with the structurally distinct PKCalpha/beta inhibitors Go6976 or GF109203X decreased nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. Inhibition of PKCalpha/beta also prevented LPS or PGN induced phosphorylation of IKKalpha/beta, phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha, as well as phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Activation of p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2 in response to TLR2 engagement was diminished in neutrophils in which PKCalpha/beta was inhibited. However, no alteration in the activation of these kinases was found in TLR4 stimulated neutrophils when PKCalpha/beta was blocked. Such results indicate that distinct intracellular signalling pathways leading to MAPK activation are induced by TLR4 and TLR2 stimulation. PKCalpha/beta can regulate NF-kappaB dependent transcription in neutrophils both by enhancing nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and also by stimulating phosphorylation of the p65 subunit.

Neutrophils are critical initiators and effectors of the innate immune system and express Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4. Although signaling through pathways involving phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) and the downstream kinase Akt (protein kinase B) plays a central role in modulating neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation in response to engagement of G protein-coupled receptors, the importance of these kinases in affecting inflammatory responses of neutrophils stimulated through TLR2 has not been examined. In these experiments, we found activation of Akt in neutrophils stimulated with the TLR2-specific ligands peptidoglycan and the lipopeptide tri-palmitoyl-S-glyceryl-Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 that occurred earlier and was of greater magnitude than that present after exposure to the TLR4 agonist LPS. The release of the proinflammatory mediators TNF-α and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by PI3-K blockade. The IC50 for inhibition of peptidoglycan-stimulated Akt activation and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 release correlated closely, indicating linkage of these two events. PI3-K blockade did not inhibit nuclear translocation of NF-κB, but did prevent Ser536 phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB, an event required for maximal transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Inhibition of PI3-K also prevented activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular receptor-activated kinase 1/2 in TLR2-stimulated neutrophils. These results demonstrate that the PI3-K-Akt axis occupies a central role in TLR2-induced activation of neutrophils.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are generated in increased amounts in pathological, biological processes and can play a role in signal transduction. Neutrophils often accumulate in acute inflammatory reactions, at sites where elevated concentrations of ROS are present. ROS have been demonstrated to participate in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, including those involved in modulating nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of NF-κB. However, the role of ROS in affecting such events in neutrophils has not been examined. Using exposure of murine bone marrow neutrophils to H2O2as a model of oxidative stress, we found both strong and persistent activation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and PKB, but not the p21-activated kinase. Stimulating the bone marrow-derived neutrophils with H2O2did not affect nuclear translocation of NF-κB. However, production and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in LPS-stimulated neutrophils were inhibited by H2O2. Exposure of LPS- or TNF-α-stimulated neutrophils to H2O2decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB. LPS-induced activation of the transcriptional factor AP-1 was also inhibited by H2O2. This inhibition of nuclear accumulation of NF-κB by H2O2was not caused by an impaired capacity of LPS to stimulate the IKK pathway or to direct oxidative effects on NF-κB but rather reflected diminished degradation of IκB-α. These results indicate that oxidative stress, despite being able to selectively activate intracellular kinases in bone marrow-derived neutrophils, also inhibits NF-κB activation and associated TNF-α expression. Such inhibitory effects on neutrophil activation may limit tissue damage produced by oxidative stress.

Activation of phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) by G protein-coupled receptors typically results in rapid but transient second messenger generation. Although PLC-beta deactivation may contribute to the transient nature of this response, the mechanisms governing PLC-beta deactivation are poorly characterized. We investigated the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the termination of PLC-beta activation induced by endogenous P2Y(2) purinergic receptors and transfected M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Activation of P2Y(2) receptors causes Galpha(q/11) to associate with PLC-beta3, whereas M(3) mAChR activation causes Galpha(q/11) to associate with both PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta3 in these cells. Phosphorylation of PLC-beta3, but not PLC-beta1, is induced by activating either P2Y(2) receptors or M(3) mAChR. We demonstrate that PKC rather than protein kinase A mediates the G protein-coupled receptor-induced phosphorylation of PLC-beta3. The PKC-mediated phosphorylation of PLC-beta3 diminishes the interaction of Galpha(q/11) with PLC-beta3, thereby contributing to the termination PLC-beta3 activity. These findings indicate that the distinct temporal profiles of PLC activation by P2Y(2) receptors and mAChR may arise from the differential activation of PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta3 by the receptors, coupled with a selective PKC-mediated negative feedback mechanism that targets PLC-beta3 but not PLC-beta1.