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Darryl C Zeldin

Publications and source records attributed to Darryl C Zeldin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Risk of coronary artery disease associated with polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2.

BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is expressed in the vascular endothelium and metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). The EETs are potent endogenous vasodilators and inhibitors of vascular inflammation. However, it is not known whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2J2 are associated with increased cardiovascular risks. METHODS AND RESULTS: All 9 exons of the CYP2J2 gene and its proximal promoter were sequenced in 132 patients to identify potential variants. Functional consequence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter of CYP2J2 was further evaluated by use of transcription factor-binding and reporter assays. A total of 17 polymorphisms were identified. One of the most relevant polymorphisms in terms of frequency and functional importance is located at -50 (G-50T) in the proximal promoter of CYP2J2. Screening of 289 patients with coronary artery disease and 255 control subjects revealed 77 individuals with the G-50T SNP (17.3% of coronary artery disease patients, 10.6% of control subjects; P=0.026). The association of the G-50T polymorphism remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.79). The G-50T mutation resulted in the loss of binding of the Sp1 transcription factor to the CYP2J2 promoter and resulted in a 48.1+/-2.4% decrease in CYP2J2 promoter activity (P<0.01). Plasma concentrations of stable EET metabolites were significantly lower in individuals with the G-50T SNP. CONCLUSIONS: A functionally relevant polymorphism of the CYP2J2 gene is independently associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Enhancement of cardiac L-type Ca2+ currents in transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP2J2.

CYP2J2 is abundant in cardiomyocytes and is involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which affect multiple cell functions. In this study, we investigated the effect of overexpression of CYP2J2 on cardiac L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa) in adult transgenic mice. Cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP2J2 was achieved using the alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter. ICa was recorded from isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. Compared with the wild-type cardiomyocytes (n = 60), the density of ICa was significantly increased by 40 +/- 9% in the CYP2J2 transgenic cardiomyocytes (n = 71; P < 0.001). N-Methylsulfonyl-6-(2-proparglyloxyphenyl)hexanamide (MS-PPOH), a specific inhibitor of EET biosynthesis, and clotrimazole, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, significantly reduced ICa in both wild-type and transgenic cardiomyocytes; however, MS-PPOH inhibited ICa to a greater extent in the CYP2J2 transgenic cells (n = 10) than in the wild-type cells (n = 10; P < 0.01). Addition of 11,12-EET significantly restored ICa in MS-PPOH-treated cells. Intracellular dialysis with either of two inhibitory monoclonal antibodies against CYP2J2 significantly reduced ICa in both wild-type and transgenic mice. Membrane-permeable 8-bromo-cAMP and the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol significantly reversed the monoclonal antibody-induced inhibition of ICa. In addition, the total protein level of the alpha1 subunit of the Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel was not altered in CYP2J2 transgenic hearts, but the phosphorylated portion was markedly increased. In conclusion, overexpression of CYP2J2 increases ICa in CYP2J2 transgenic cardiomyocytes via a mechanism that involves cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Enhanced postischemic functional recovery in CYP2J2 transgenic hearts involves mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels and p42/p44 MAPK pathway.

Human CYP2J2 is abundant in heart and active in the biosynthesis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs); however, the functional role of this P450 and its eicosanoid products in the heart remains unknown. Transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of CYP2J2 were generated. CYP2J2 transgenic (Tr) mice have normal heart anatomy and basal contractile function. CYP2J2 Tr hearts have improved recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) compared with wild-type (WT) hearts after 20 minutes ischemia and 40 minutes reperfusion. Perfusion with the selective P450 epoxygenase inhibitor N-methylsulphonyl-6-(2-proparglyloxyphenyl)hexanamide (MS-PPOH) for 20 minutes before ischemia results in reduced postischemic LVDP recovery in WT hearts and abolishes the improved postischemic LVDP recovery in CYP2J2 Tr hearts. Perfusion with the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (K(ATP)) inhibitor glibenclamide (GLIB) or the mitochondrial K(ATP) (mitoK(ATP)) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) for 20 minutes before ischemia abolishes the cardioprotective effects of CYP2J2 overexpression. Flavoprotein fluorescence, a marker of mitoK(ATP) activity, is higher in cardiomyocytes from CYP2J2 Tr versus WT mice. Moreover, CYP2J2-derived EETs (1 to 5 micromol/L) increase flavoprotein fluorescence in WT cardiomyocytes. CYP2J2 Tr mice exhibit increased expression of phospho-p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) after ischemia, and addition of the p42/p44 MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 during reperfusion abolishes the cardioprotective effects of CYP2J2 overexpression. Together, these data suggest that CYP2J2-derived metabolites are cardioprotective after ischemia, and the mechanism for this cardioprotection involves activation of mitoK(ATP) and p42/p44 MAPK.

Animals↗

CYP2C44, a new murine CYP2C that metabolizes arachidonic acid to unique stereospecific products.

The human CYP2Cs have been studied extensively with respect to the metabolism of clinically important drugs and endogenous chemicals such as arachidonic acid (AA). Five members of the mouse CYP2C family have previously been described that metabolize arachidonic acid into regio- and stereospecific epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, which have many important physiological roles. Herein, we describe the cloning and characterization of a new mouse cytochrome P450 (P450), CYP2C44, which has the lowest homology with other known mouse CYP2Cs. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction detected CYP2C44 mRNA and protein in liver >> kidney > adrenals. Kidney contained approximately 10% of the CYP2C44 mRNA content of liver. CYP2C44 metabolized AA to unique stereospecific products, 11R,12S-EET and 8R, 9S-EET, which are similar to those produced by rat CYP2C23. CY2C23 is highly expressed in rat kidney and has been suggested to be important in producing compensatory renal artery vasodilation in response to salt-loading in this species. Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of CYP2C44 in hepatocytes, biliary cells of the liver, and the proximal tubules of the kidney. Unlike mouse CYP2C29, CYP2C38, and CYP2C39, CYP2C44 did not metabolize the common CYP2C substrate tolbutamide. CYP2C44 was not induced by phenobarbital or pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile, two prototypical inducers of hepatic P450s. The presence of CYP2C44 in mouse liver, kidney, and adrenals and the unique stereospecificity of its arachidonic acid metabolites are consistent with the possibility that it may have unique physiological roles within these tissues, such as modulation of electrolyte transport or vascular tone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Excess nitric oxide decreases cytochrome P-450 2J4 content and P-450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism in lungs of rats with acute pneumonia.

Recently, we demonstrated that pulmonary CYP2J4 content, a prominent source of EETs and HETEs formation in rat lungs, is reduced in pneumonia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of iNOS-derived NO in reduced pulmonary CYP2J4 protein content and decreased CYP metabolites in pneumonia. Rats were randomized to control, control plus 1400W (iNOS inhibitor), pneumonia, and pneumonia plus 1400W groups. Pseudomonas organisms were injected into lungs of pneumonia rats. At 40 h after surgery, rats were treated with either saline or 1400W for 4 h before death. Venous plasma samples were obtained for measuring nitrites/nitrates (NOx). There was no significant effect of 1400W on blood pressure measured in control or pneumonia rats, whereas 1400W reduced the elevated plasma NOx levels in pneumonia rats by half. CYP primary metabolites of AA formed at significantly lower rates in pulmonary microsomes from pneumonia rats compared with control rats. Treatment of pneumonia rats with 1400W resulted in a significant increase in the rate of formation of pulmonary EETs and omega-terminal HETEs compared with untreated pneumonia rats. The reduction in CYP2J4 protein content in pneumonia lung microsomes was also partially prevented by 1400W. Therefore, excess NO from iNOS decreases the pulmonary production of EETs and omega-HETEs in acute pneumonia. Inhibition of iNOS restores CYP2J4 protein content and CYP activity in acute pneumonia, indicating an important NO-CYP interaction in pulmonary responses to infection. We speculate CYP2J4 and its AA metabolites are involved in the modulation of pulmonary function in health and disease.

Acute Disease↗

Abatement of cockroach allergens (Bla g 1 and Bla g 2) in low-income, urban housing: month 12 continuation results.

BACKGROUND: In the first 6 months of this previously published, randomized trial, the combined intervention of occupant education, insecticide bait application, and professional cleaning significantly reduced cockroach numbers and Bla g 1 allergen levels in inner-city homes. OBJECTIVE: This continuation study investigated whether the cockroach allergen reductions achieved by month 6 could be maintained through month 12 with insecticide application alone. METHODS: Because we had agreed to place insecticide bait in control homes at the conclusion of the first study, intervention and control homes were treated with insecticide bait at months 6 and 9. No other intervention was conducted in either arm. Vacuumed dust and swab samples were collected at month 12. Twenty-one of the 31 original homes completed the 12-month study. RESULTS: Among the original intervention homes, Bla g 1 concentrations remained essentially unchanged from months 6 to 12. However, among the crossed-over control homes, the geometric mean Bla g 1 concentrations (Units per gram of dust) decreased from 287 to 14.4 for kitchen floors (95% reduction), from 28.8 to 5.6 for living room floors/sofas (81% reduction), from 26.7 to 4.7 for bedroom floors (82% reduction), and from 7.2 to 2.4 for beds (67% reduction). At month 12, Bla g 1 concentrations did not significantly differ between intervention and crossed-over control homes (P >.64 at each location). Similar results were seen for the allergen Bla g 2. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in cockroach allergen concentrations achieved through the combined intervention of occupant education, insecticide application, and professional cleaning can be maintained with continued cockroach control. Surprisingly, and in contrast to other studies, insecticide application alone significantly lowered allergen concentrations in the crossed-over control homes. This unexpected result is being tested further in another randomized trial.

Allergens↗

National prevalence and exposure risk for mouse allergen in US households.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to mouse allergen is a known cause of asthma in occupational settings and exhibits high prevalence and association with allergic sensitization in inner-city home environments. It has never been characterized on a nationally representative scale. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to characterize mouse allergen prevalence in a representative sample of US homes and to assess risk factors for increased concentrations. METHODS: Allergen, questionnaire, and observational data were analyzed from the first National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, a cross-sectional survey of 831 US housing units. Allergen levels were characterized and related to demographic factors and household characteristics. RESULTS: Detectable levels of mouse allergen (Mus m 1) exist in 82% of US homes. Kitchen floor concentrations exceed 1.6 microg/g, a level associated with increased sensitization rates, in 22% of homes. Increased concentrations (>1.6 microg/g) were observed in high-rise apartments and mobile homes, older homes, and low-income homes. Odds of having increased concentrations were increased when rodent (odds ratio [OR], 3.38) or cockroach (OR, 1.81) problems were reported and when floor mopping (OR, 2.17) was performed instead of vacuuming. CONCLUSIONS: Household mouse allergen is widespread in many settings at levels that might contribute to asthma morbidity. The likelihood of exposure can be assessed by consideration of demographic and household determinants.

Allergens↗

Dog allergen (Can f 1) and cat allergen (Fel d 1) in US homes: results from the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing.

BACKGROUND: Exposures to dog and cat allergens are believed to play important roles in the etiology of asthma; however, the levels of these allergens have never been assessed in a representative sample of US homes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate and characterize exposures to Can f 1 (dog allergen) and Fel d 1 (cat allergen) in US homes. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, a nationally representative survey of 831 US homes. Vacuumed-collected dust samples from the bed, bedroom floor, living room floor, and living room sofa were analyzed for concentrations of Can f 1 and Fel d 1 (micrograms of allergen per gram of dust). RESULTS: Although a dog or cat had lived in only 49.1% of homes in the previous 6 months, Can f 1 and Fel d 1 were detected in 100% and 99.9% of homes, respectively. Averaged over the sampled sites, geometric mean concentrations (microg/g) were 4.69 for Can f 1 and 4.73 for Fel d 1. Among homes with an indoor dog and cat, respectively, geometric mean concentrations were 69 for Can f 1 and 200 for Fel d 1. Among homes without the indoor pet, geometric mean concentrations were above 1.0. The independent predictors of elevated concentrations in homes without pets were all demographic variables that were also linked to a higher prevalence of pet ownership. CONCLUSIONS: Can f 1 and Fel d 1 are universally present in US homes. Levels that have been associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization were found even in homes without pets. Because of the transportability of these allergens on clothing, elevated levels in homes without pets, particularly among demographic groups in which pet ownership is more prevalent, implicate the community as an important source of these pet allergens.

Allergens↗

Comparison of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes from the mouse and human genomes, including nomenclature recommendations for genes, pseudogenes and alternative-splice variants.

OBJECTIVES: Completion of both the mouse and human genome sequences in the private and public sectors has prompted comparison between the two species at multiple levels. This review summarizes the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene superfamily. For the first time, we have the ability to compare complete sets of CYP genes from two mammals. Use of the mouse as a model mammal, and as a surrogate for human biology, assumes reasonable similarity between the two. It is therefore of interest to catalog the genetic similarities and differences, and to clarify the limits of extrapolation from mouse to human. METHODS: Data-mining methods have been used to find all the mouse and human CYP sequences; this includes 102 putatively functional genes and 88 pseudogenes in the mouse, and 57 putatively functional genes and 58 pseudogenes in the human. Comparison is made between all these genes, especially the seven main CYP gene clusters. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The seven CYP clusters are greatly expanded in the mouse with 72 functional genes versus only 27 in the human, while many pseudogenes are present; presumably this phenomenon will be seen in many other gene superfamily clusters. Complete identification of all pseudogene sequences is likely to be clinically important, because some of these highly similar exons can interfere with PCR-based genotyping assays. A naming procedure for each of four categories of CYP pseudogenes is proposed, and we encourage various gene nomenclature committees to consider seriously the adoption and application of this pseudogene nomenclature system.

Alternative Splicing↗

Regulation of mouse renal CYP2J5 expression by sex hormones.

Mouse CYP2J5 is abundant in kidney and active in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Western blots of microsomes prepared from mouse kidneys demonstrate that after puberty, CYP2J5 protein is present at higher levels in male mice than in female mice. Northern analysis reveals that CYP2J5 transcripts are more abundant in adult male versus female kidneys, indicating that gender differences in renal CYP2J5 expression are regulated at a pretranslational level. Castration of male mice results in decreased renal CYP2J5 expression, and treatment of castrated male mice or female mice with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone increases expression to levels that approximate those in intact male mice. In contrast, treatment of ovariectomized female mice or castrated male mice with 17beta-estradiol causes a further reduction in CYP2J5 expression. Growth hormone-deficient (lit/lit) mice respond similarly to castration and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone treatment, indicating that the androgen effects are not mediated by alterations in the growth hormone secretory pattern. Mice that lack a functional androgen receptor (Tfm hemizygous) have reduced levels of renal CYP2J5 and do not respond to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone treatment. Similarly, wild-type male mice treated with flutamide, an androgen antagonist, exhibit reduced renal CYP2J5 levels. Female estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (alphaERKO) mice, which are known to have elevated circulating testosterone levels, have significantly increased renal CYP2J5 expression compared with wild-type female mice, and these differences are abrogated by ovariectomy or treatment with flutamide. Based on these data, we conclude that the renal expression of CYP2J5 is up-regulated by androgen and down-regulated by estrogen.

Androgens↗

Cloning, expression, and characterization of three new mouse cytochrome p450 enzymes and partial characterization of their fatty acid oxidation activities.

The mammalian CYP2C subfamily is one of the largest and most complicated in the cytochrome P450 superfamily. In this report, we describe the organization of the mouse Cyp2c locus, which contains 15 genes and four pseudogenes, all of which are located in a 5.5-megabase region on chromosome 19. We cloned three novel mouse CYP2C cDNAs (designated CYP2C50, CYP2C54, and CYP2C55) from mouse heart, liver, and colon, respectively. All three cDNAs contain open reading frames that encode 490 amino acid polypeptides that are 57 to 95% identical to other CYP2Cs. The recombinant CYP2C proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli after N-terminal modification, partially purified, and shown to be active in the metabolism of both arachidonic acid (AA) and linoleic acid, albeit with different catalytic efficiencies and profiles. CYP2C50 and CYP2C54 metabolize AA to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) primarily, and linoleic acid to epoxyoctadecenoic acids (EOAs) primarily, whereas CYP2C55 metabolizes AA to EETs and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and linoleic acid to EOAs and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids. Northern blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis reveal that CYP2C50 transcripts are abundant in liver and heart; CYP2C54 transcripts are present in liver, kidney, and stomach; and CYP2C55 transcripts are abundant in liver, colon, and kidney. Immunoblotting studies demonstrate that CYP2C50 protein is expressed in liver and heart, CYP2C54 protein is detected primarily in liver, and CYP2C55 protein is present primarily in colon. Immunohistochemistry reveals that CYP2C55 is most abundant in surface columnar epithelium in the cecum. We conclude that these new CYP2C enzymes are probably involved in AA and linoleic acid metabolism in mouse hepatic and extrahepatic tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rabbit aorta converts 15-HPETE to trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids: potential role of cytochrome P450.

Previous work showed that rabbit aorta metabolizes arachidonic acid via 15-lipoxygenase to 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), which undergoes an enzymatic rearrangement to 11-hydroxy-14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11-H-14,15-EETA) and 15-hydroxy-11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (15-H-11,12-EETA). Hydrolysis of the epoxy group results in the formation of 11,14,15- and 11,12,15-trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (THETAs). Endothelial cells have several heme-containing enzymes including cytochromes P450 (CYP), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and prostacyclin (PGI(2)) synthase that catalyze the rearrangement of 15-HPETE to HEETAs. Incubation of arachidonic acid and 15-lipoxygenase, or 15-HPETE with rabbit aortic microsomes or rat liver microsomes, a rich source of CYP, resulted in the formation of a product that comigrated with THETAs and HEETAs on HPLC. Immunoblot analysis showed the presence of CYP2C8 and CYP2J2 in aortic tissue and when CYP2J2 or CYP2C8 was incubated with arachidonic acid and 15-lipoxygenase, the major products were 11,12,15- and 11,14,15-THETAs. Incubation of purified hematin, CYP2C11, eNOS or PGI(2) synthase enzymes with arachidonic acid and 15-lipoxygenase produced a different pattern of metabolites from rabbit aortic microsomes. Clotrimazole, a non-specific CYP inhibitor, and ebastine and terfenadone, specific CYP2J2 inhibitors, blocked the ability of aortic microsomes to produce THETAs while specific inhibitors of PGI(2) synthase, eNOS or CYP2C8/2C9 had no effect on THETA production. We suggest that a CYP, possibly CYP2J2, may function as the hydroperoxide isomerase converting 15-HPETE to HEETAs in rabbit vascular tissue. Further hydrolysis of the epoxy group of the HEETAs results in the formation of 11,12,15- and 11,14,15-THETAs. The HEETAs and THETAs are both vasodilators and may function as important regulators of vascular tone.

Animals↗

Gene therapy with human tissue kallikrein reduces hypertension and hyperinsulinemia in fructose-induced hypertensive rats.

This study investigates gene therapy with human tissue kallikrein as a treatment for fructose-induced hypertension in rats. Hypertension was induced by addition of 10% fructose to drinking water. Fructose-fed rats also had increased serum insulin and triglycerides, decreased urine osmolarity, increased urine volume and endothelin-1, and increased aortic endothelin-1, endothelin-A receptor, and angiotensin II receptor type 1 mRNA levels. Fructose-induced hypertensive and control rats were injected intravenously with a construct containing the human tissue kallikrein cDNA. Two weeks after injection of hypertensive rats, systolic blood pressure and serum insulin levels normalized, urine osmolarity increased, urine endothelin-1 levels decreased, and aortic endothelin-1, endothelin-A receptor, and angiotensin II receptor type 1 mRNA levels decreased. In contrast, injection of the human tissue kallikrein cDNA had minimal effect on blood pressure or insulin levels in control rats. These results suggest that gene therapy with human tissue kallikrein may have potential as a treatment for hypertension and associated insulin resistance. Moreover, our data suggest that the beneficial effects of human tissue kallikrein on these parameters are associated with changes in endothelin-1, endothelin-A receptor, and angiotensin II receptor type 1 expression.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor involves mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C signaling pathways.

Cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid, the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), are proposed to be endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF) that affect vascular tone; however, the effects of EDHF on endothelial-derived nitric oxide biosynthesis remain unknown. We examined the regulation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) by EDHF and investigated the relevant signaling pathways involved. The P450 epoxygenases CYP102 F87V mutant, CYP2C11-CYPOR, and CYP2J2 were transfected into cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, and the effects of endogenously formed or exogenously applied EETs on eNOS expression and activity were assessed. Transfection with the P450 epoxygenases led to increased eNOS protein expression, an effect that was attenuated by cotreatment with the P450 inhibitor 17-ODYA. Northern analysis demonstrated that P450 transfection led to increased eNOS mRNA levels consistent with an effect at the pretranslational level. P450 epoxygenase transfection resulted in increased eNOS activity as measured by the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. Addition of synthetic EETs (50-200 nM) to the culture media also increased eNOS expression and activity. Treatment with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), MAPK kinase, and protein kinase C inhibitors apigenin, 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059), and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), respectively, significantly inhibited the effects of P450 transfection on eNOS expression. Overexpression of P450 epoxygenases or addition of synthetic EETs increased Thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS, an effect that was inhibited by both apigenin and PD98059. Overexpression of P450 epoxygenases in rats resulted in increased aortic eNOS expression, providing direct evidence that EDHF can influence vascular eNOS levels in vivo. Based on this data, we conclude that EDHF up-regulates eNOS via activation of MAPK and protein kinase C signaling pathways.

Animals↗

Salt-sensitive hypertension after exposure to angiotensin is associated with inability to upregulate renal epoxygenases.

The current study was designed to determine whether angiotensin II infusion could lead to persistent salt-sensitive hypertension and to examine involvement of renal microvascular epoxygenases in this process. Six groups were studied: rats maintained on a normal salt diet for 4 weeks (NS); rats maintained on a high salt diet for 4 weeks (HS); and all other animals receiving angiotensin II (ANG) infusion and being fed a normal or high salt diet for 2 weeks; then the angiotensin II infusion was stopped and diets were either maintained or switched (ANG/NS-NS, ANG/NS-HS, ANG/HS-HS, ANG/HS-NS). Angiotensin II infusion resulted in a rise in blood pressure and an increase in urinary albumin excretion over the 2-week period. After angiotensin II withdrawal, blood pressure returned to normal in animals receiving a normal salt diet from weeks 2 to 4 (ANG/NS-NS and ANG/HS-NS groups). In contrast, blood pressure remained elevated in the group maintained on a high salt diet throughout the entire 4-week period (ANG/HS-HS group). Renal microvascular CYP2C11 and CYP2C23 protein levels were decreased by 50% to 60% in the ANG/HS-HS group compared with the NS group. Likewise, renal microvascular CYP2J protein was significantly decreased in the ANG/HS-HS group versus the NS group. Renal microvascular CYP2C11 and CYP2C23 mRNA levels were reduced in the ANG/HS-HS group compared with both the NS and HS groups. These results support the hypothesis that angiotensin II infusion induces persistent salt-sensitive hypertension after withdrawal of angiotensin II that may be due to downregulation of CYP2C and CYP2J epoxygenases in renal microvessels.

Administration, Oral↗

Pulmonary cytochrome P-450 2J4 is reduced in a rat model of acute Pseudomonas pneumonia.

We previously reported that the levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) are depressed in microsomes prepared from lungs of rats with acute Pseudomonas pneumonia. We also showed a potential role for cytochrome P-450 (CYP) metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) in contractile responses of both normal pulmonary arteries and pulmonary arteries from rats with pneumonia. The CYP2J subfamily enzymes (endogenous source of EETs and HETEs) are constitutively expressed in human and rat lungs where they are localized in vascular smooth muscle and endothelium. The purpose of this study was to determine if CYP2J proteins are modified in pneumonia. Pseudomonas organisms were injected via a tracheostomy in the lungs of rats. Later (44 h), lungs were frozen, and microsomes were prepared from pneumonia and control rat lung homogenates. Lung microsomal proteins were then immunoblotted with anti-CYP2B1/2B2, anti-CYP4A, anti-CYP2J9pep2 (which reacts with rat CYP2J3), anti-CYP2J6pep1 (which reacts with rat CYP2J4), anti-CYP2J2pep4, or anti-CYP2J2pep3 (both of which react with all known CYP2J isozymes). Western blotting revealed a prominent 55-kDa band with anti-CYP2J2pep3, anti-CYP2J2pep4, and anti-CYP2J6pep1 (but not anti-CYP2J9pep2) that was reduced in pneumonia compared with control lung microsomes. The CYP2B bands (51-52 kDa) were less prominent and not different between pneumonia and control lungs. CYP4A proteins (20-HETE sources) were not detected in rat lung microsomes. Therefore, rat lung contains a protein with immunological characteristics similar to CYP2J4, and this CYP is reduced after pneumonia. We speculate that CYP2J (but not CYP2B) enzymes and their AA metabolic products (EETs) are involved in the modulation of pulmonary vascular tone in pneumonia in rats.

Acute Disease↗

Identification and regulation of a new vertebrate cytochrome P450 subfamily, the CYP2Ps, and functional characterization of CYP2P3, a conserved arachidonic acid epoxygenase/19-hydroxylase.

Three genes cloned from Fundulus heteroclitus (killifish) define a new P450 subfamily, CYP2P. Structurally, the CYP2Ps are related to fish CYP2Ns and mammalian CYP2Js. CYP2P transcripts are expressed predominantly in liver and intestine. CYP2P3 coexpressed with P450 oxidoreductase in a baculovirus system catalyzed benzphetamine-N-demethylation and arachidonic acid oxidation, forming 14,15-, 11,12-, and 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. CYP2P3 regio- and enantioselectivities with arachidonic acid were remarkably similar to human CYP2J2 and rat CYP2J3. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and their corresponding hydration products, the dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, were detected in killifish liver and intestine, indicating metabolism of arachidonic acid by killifish P450s in vivo. Levels of these products in killifish intestine were higher than those in mammalian intestine. 12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate suppressed expression of CYP2P2 and CYP2P3 in killifish intestine; fasting itself suppressed expression of CYP2P2/3 but not CYP2P1. In rat intestine fasting similarly depressed the levels of CYP2J proteins. The CYP2Ps and the CYP2Js appear to be derived from a common ancestral gene, likely a fatty acid monooxygenase.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗

Accentuated T helper type 2 airway response after allergen challenge in cyclooxygenase-1-/- but not cyclooxygenase-2-/- mice.

Acute pharmacologic inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 or -2 during allergen sensitization and exposure leads to enhanced T helper type 2 (Th2) airway responses. COX-1 and -2 play functionally distinct roles in lymphocyte development, and consequently, genetic deficiency of either enzyme, as opposed to acute pharmacologic inhibition, may modulate Th2-mediated allergic airway disease differently. An ovalbumin-induced mouse model of allergic airway disease was used. The immunophenotype of bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry, bronchoalveolar lavage cytokines, and chemokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, adhesion molecule expression was assessed by immunoblotting in combination with immunohistochemistry, and bronchoconstriction was assessed by whole body plethysmography. The airways of COX-1-/- mice contained increased numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, exaggerated levels of the Th2 cytokines interleukin-4, -5, and -13, and increased levels of eotaxin and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine. Allergen-induced bronchoconstriction was also increased in COX-1-/- mice. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels were increased in lungs of both COX-1-/- and COX-2-/- mice relative to wild type. These data suggest that genetic deficiency of COX-1 but not COX-2 modulates T cell recruitment, Th2 cytokine secretion, and lung function in the allergic airway.

Allergens↗