Excessive hyperplastic cell growth within occlusive vascular lesions has been recognized as a key component of the inflammatory response associated with atherosclerosis, restenosis post-angioplasty, ...and graft atherosclerosis after coronary artery bypass. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate arterial cell proliferation is therefore essential for the development of new tools for the treatment of these diseases. Mammalian cell proliferation is controlled by a large number of proteins that modulate the mitotic cell cycle, including cyclin-dependent kinases, cyclins, and tumour suppressors. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge about the role of these cell cycle regulators in the development of native and graft atherosclerosis that has arisen from animal studies, histological examination of specimens from human patients, and genetic studies.
Although leukocytes adhere in arteries in various vascular diseases, to date no endogenous proinflammatory molecule has been identified to initiate leukocyte adhesion in the arterial vasculature. ...This study was undertaken to assess angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced leukocyte adhesion in arterioles in vivo. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of Ang II; 4 hours later, leukocyte recruitment in mesenteric microcirculation was examined using intravital microscopy. Ang II (1 nM) produced significant arteriolar leukocyte adhesion of mononuclear cells. Using function-blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different rat cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), we discovered that this effect was dependent on P-selectin and β2-integrin. In postcapillary venules, Ang II also induced leukocyte infiltration, which was reduced by P-selectin and by β2- and α4-integrin blockade. Interestingly, neutrophils were the primary cells recruited in venules. Although β2-integrin expression in peripheral leukocytes of Ang II-treated animals was not altered, it was increased in peritoneal cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed increased P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in response to Ang II in arterioles and venules. These findings provide the first evidence that Ang II causes leukocyte adhesion to the arterial endothelium in vivo at physiologically relevant doses. Therefore, Ang II may be a key molecule in cardiovascular diseases in which leukocyte adhesion to the arteries is a characteristic feature. (Blood. 2004;104:402-408)
Angiotensin II (Ang-II) and mononuclear leukocytes are involved in atherosclerosis. This study reports the inhibition of Ang-II-induced mononuclear cell recruitment by CXCR2 antagonism and the ...mechanisms involved.
Ang-II (1 nmol/L, i.p. in rats) induced CXC and CC chemokines, followed by neutrophil and mononuclear cell recruitment. Administration of the CXCR2 antagonist, SB-517785-M, inhibited the infiltration of both neutrophils (98%) and mononuclear cells (60%). SB-517785-M had no effect on the increase in CXC chemokine levels but reduced MCP-1, RANTES, and MIP-1alpha release by 66%, 63%, and 80%, respectively. Intravital microscopy showed that pretreatment with SB-517785-M inhibited Ang-II-induced arteriolar mononuclear leukocyte adhesion. Stimulation of human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAECs) or whole blood with 1 micromol/L Ang-II induced the synthesis of chemokines. Ang-II increased HUAEC CXCR2 expression, and its blockade caused a significant reduction of MCP-1, -3, and RANTES release, as well as mononuclear cell arrest. Ang-II-induced MIP-1alpha release from blood cells was also inhibited.
Mononuclear leukocyte recruitment induced by Ang-II is, surprisingly, largely mediated by the CXC chemokines which appear to induce the release of CC chemokines. Therefore, CXC chemokine receptor antagonists may help to prevent mononuclear cell infiltration and the progression of the atherogenic process.
Infection remains a drawback of parenteral nutrition (PN), probably related, among other factors, to immunosuppressive effects of its lipid component. Newer preparations may have lesser ...immunosuppressive impact. This study examines the effects of an olive oil-based lipid emulsion (long-chain triacylglycerols-monounsaturated fatty acids LCT-MUFA; ClinOleic) on various functions of human neutrophils in vitro and on rat leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo compared with LCT (Intralipid) and 50% LCT-50% medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT; Lipofundin) mixture.
Neutrophils isolated from healthy donors were incubated with concentrations (0.03-3 mmol/L) of lipid emulsions encompassing clinically relevant levels. In vivo leukocyte recruitment was studied with intravital microscopy within rat mesenteric microcirculation.
LCT-MUFA (3 mmol/L) did not alter the N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced rise in Ca2+i, oxidative burst, chemotaxis, and elastase release, whereas LCT-MCT decreased Ca2+i and chemotaxis and increased oxidative burst. FMLP-induced LTB4 production was augmented by lipid emulsions. Serum-opsonized zymosan-induced phagocytosis was unaltered by lipid emulsions. Basal and FMLP-induced CD11b expression was unaffected by lipid emulsions. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-8 mRNA, and protein expression was unaltered by LCT-MUFA, whereas LCT and LCT-MCT decreased IL-1beta mRNA and protein. LCT-MUFA did not alter apoptosis, but LCT increased apoptosis in absence and presence of GM-CSF. LPS (1 microg/mL)-induced increase in leukocyte rolling flux, adhesion, and emigration was inhibited by LCT and LCT-MCT but unaffected in LCT-MUFA-treated rats. Immunohistochemistry showed LPS-induced increase in P-selectin expression attenuated by LCT and LCT-MCT but not LCT-MUFA.
LCT-MUFA showed lower in vitro and in vivo impact on neutrophil function compared with LCT and LCT-MCT.
Angiotensin II (Ang-II) exerts inflammatory activity and is involved in different cardiovascular disorders. This study has evaluated the involvement of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the ...leukocyte accumulation elicited by Ang-II. Ang-II (1 nM intraperitoneally in rats) induced TNFα release at 1 hour followed by neutrophil and mononuclear cell recruitment. The administration of an antirat TNFα antiserum had no effect on Ang-IIinduced neutrophil accumulation but inhibited the infiltration of mononuclear cells and reduced CC chemokine content in the peritoneal exudate. Pretreatment with either an anti-TNFα or an anti-IL-4 antiserum decreased Ang-II-induced arteriolar mononuclear leukocyte adhesion by 68% and 60%, respectively, in the rat mesenteric microcirculation. While no expression of TNFα was found in the postcapillary venules of Ang-II-injected animals, this cytokine was clearly up-regulated in the arterioles. Stimulation of human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAECs) or isolated human mononuclear cells with 1 μM Ang-II caused increased TNFα mRNA expression and protein. Neutralization of TNFα activity reduced Ang-II-induced MCP-1, MCP-3, and RANTES release from HUAECs and MIP-1α from blood cells. In conclusion, the selective mononuclear leukocyte adhesion to Ang-II-stimulated arterioles is largely mediated by TNFα in cooperation with constitutive IL-4. Therefore, neutralization of TNFα activity may help to prevent mononuclear cell infiltration and the progression of the atherogenic process.
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is implicated in the development of cardiac ischemic disorders in which prominent neutrophil accumulation occurs. Ang II can be generated intravascularly by the ...renin-angiotensin system or extravascularly by mast cell chymase. In this study, we characterized the ability of Ang II to induce neutrophil accumulation.
Intraperitoneal administration of Ang II (1 nmol/L) induced significant neutrophil recruitment within 4 hours (13.3+/-2.3x10(6) neutrophils per rat versus 0.7+/-0.5x10(6) in control animals), which disappeared by 24 hours. Maximal levels of CXC chemokines were detected 1 hour after Ang II injection (577+/-224 pmol/L cytokine-inducible neutrophil chemoattractant CINC/keratinocyte-derived chemokine KC versus 5+/-3, and 281+/-120 pmol/L macrophage inflammatory protein MIP-2 versus 14+/-6). Intravital microscopy within the rat mesenteric microcirculation showed that the short-term (30 to 60 minutes) leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions induced by Ang II were attenuated by an anti-rat CINC/KC antibody and nearly abolished by the CXCR2 antagonist SB-517785-M. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or human pulmonary artery media in culture, Ang II induced interleukin (IL)-8 mRNA expression at 1, 4, and 24 hours and the release of IL-8 at 4 hours through interaction with Ang II type 1 receptors. When HUVECs were pretreated with IL-1 for 24 hours to promote IL-8 storage in Weibel-Palade bodies, the Ang II-induced IL-8 release was more rapid and of greater magnitude.
Ang II provokes rapid neutrophil recruitment, mediated through the release of CXC chemokines such as CINC/KC and MIP-2 in rats and IL-8 in humans, and may contribute to the infiltration of neutrophils observed in acute myocardial infarction.
Aims
In vitro studies suggest that mast cell chymase (MCP) is more important than angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) for generating angiotensin II (Ang II) within the cardiovascular system. We ...investigated in vivo the relative contributions of ACE and MCP to leucocyte recruitment induced by endogenously generated Ang II.
Methods and results
Exposure of the murine cremasteric microcirculation of C57BL/6 mice to Ang I (100 nM for 4 h) induced leucocyte-endothelium interactions. Either losartan (an Ang II receptor-1 antagonist, AT1) or enalapril (an ACE inhibitor), but not chymostatin (a chymase inhibitor), inhibited Ang I-induced responses. Mast cell degranulation with compound 48/80 (CMP48/80, 1 μg/mL) also induced leucocyte adhesion but this was only weakly affected by the inhibitors. When Ang I and CMP48/80 were co-administered, AT1B receptor expression was increased, MCP-4 was found surrounding the vessel wall, and ACE was detected in the endothelium. Ang I + CMP48/80 induced enhanced leucocyte adhesion that was attenuated by losartan, enalapril, enalapril + chymostatin, and cromolyn (a mast cell stabilizer). The use of male mast cell-deficient WBB6F1/J-Kitw/Kitw-v mice (C57BL/6 background) confirmed these findings.
Conclusion
In vivo, Ang II is primarily generated by ACE under basal conditions, but in inflammatory conditions, the release of MCP amplifies local Ang II concentrations and the associated inflammatory process. Thus, AT1 receptor antagonists may be more effective than ACE inhibitors for treating ongoing Ang II-mediated vascular inflammation.
1
Macrolides have long been used as anti‐bacterial agents; however, there is some evidence that may exert anti‐inflammatory activity. Therefore, erythromycin was used to characterize the mechanisms ...involved in their in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity.
2
Erythromycin pretreatment (30 mg kg−1 day−1 for 1 week) reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS; intratracheal, 0.4 mg kg−1)‐induced increase in neutrophil count and elastase activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue myeloperoxidase activity, but failed to decrease tumor necrosis factor‐α and macrophage‐inflammatory protein‐2 augmented levels in BALF. Erythromycin pretreatment also prevented lung P‐selectin, E‐selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) mRNA upregulation in response to airway challenge with LPS.
3
Mesentery superfusion with LPS (1 μg ml−1) induced a significant increase in leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions at 60 min. Erythromycin pretreatment abolished the increases in these parameters.
4
LPS exposure of the mesentery for 4 h caused a significant increase in leukocyte rolling flux, adhesion and emigration, which were inhibited by erythromycin by 100, 93 and 95%, respectively.
5
Immunohistochemical analysis showed that LPS exposure of the mesentery for 4 h caused a significant enhancement in P‐selectin, E‐selectin, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 expression that was downregulated by erythromycin pretreatment.
6
Flow cytometry analysis indicated that erythromycin pretreatment inhibited LPS‐induced CD11b augmented expression in rat neutrophils.
7
In conclusion, erythromycin inhibits leukocyte recruitment in the lung and this effect appears mediated through downregulation of CAM expression. Therefore, macrolides may be useful in the control of neutrophilic pulmonary diseases.
British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 190–201. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706021
Angiotensin II (Ang-II) is associated with atherogenesis and arterial subendothelial mononuclear leukocyte infiltration. We have demonstrated that Ang-II causes the initial attachment of mononuclear ...cells to the arteriolar endothelium. We now report on the contribution of CC chemokines to this response. Intraperitoneal administration of 1 nM Ang-II induced MCP-1, RANTES, and MIP-1alpha generation, maximal at 4 h, followed by mononuclear leukocyte recruitment at 8 and 24 h. Using intravital microscopy within the rat mesenteric microcirculation 4 h after exposure to 1 nM Ang-II, arteriolar mononuclear cell adhesion was 80-90% inhibited by pretreatment with Met-RANTES, a CCR1 and CCR5 antagonist, or an anti-MCP-1 antiserum, without affecting the increased endothelial expression of P-selectin and VCAM-1. Conversely, leukocyte interactions with the venular endothelium, although inhibited by Met-RANTES, were little affected by the anti-MCP-1. Using rat whole blood in vitro, Ang-II (100 nM) induced the expression of monocyte CD11b that was inhibited by Met-RANTES but not by anti-MCP-1. Stimulation of human endothelial cells (human umbilical arterial endothelial cells and HUVECs) with 1-1000 nM Ang-II, predominantly acting at its AT(1) receptor, induced the release of MCP-1 within 1 h, RANTES within 4 h, and MCP-3 within 24 h. Eotaxin-3, a natural CCR2 antagonist, was released within 1 h and may delay mononuclear cell responses to MCP-1. Therefore, Ang-II-induced mononuclear leukocyte recruitment at arterioles and venules is mediated by the production of different CC chemokines. Thus, Ang-II may be a key molecule in the initial attachment of mononuclear cells to the arterial endothelium in cardiovascular disease states where this event is a characteristic feature.
Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate the role in atherosclerosis of the tumor suppressor protein ARF (human p14ARF , mouse p19ARF ) encoded by the CDKN2A gene. Background ...Atherosclerosis is characterized by excessive proliferation and apoptosis, 2 cellular processes regulated by CDKN2A . Although recent genome-wide association studies have linked atherosclerotic diseases to a genomic region in human chromosome 9p21 near the CDKN2A locus, the mechanisms underlying this gene–disease association remain undefined, and no causal link has been established between CDKN2A and atherosclerosis. Methods Atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (apoE)-null and doubly deficient apoE-p19ARF mice were fed an atherogenic diet and sacrificed to quantify atherosclerosis burden in whole-mounted aortas and in aortic cross-sections. Proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in atherosclerotic lesions and in primary cultures of macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells obtained from both groups of mice. Results Genetic disruption of p19ARF in apoE-null mice augments aortic atherosclerosis without affecting body weight, plasma lipoproteins, or plaque's proliferative activity. Notably, p19ARF deficiency significantly attenuates apoptosis both in atherosclerotic lesions and in cultured macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, 2 major cellular constituents of atheromatous plaques. Conclusions Our findings establish a direct link between p19ARF , plaque apoptosis, and atherosclerosis, and suggest that human genetic variants associated to diminished CDKN2A expression may accelerate atherosclerosis by limiting plaque apoptosis.
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