Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Henry Jay Forman

Publications and source records attributed to Henry Jay Forman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Silica induces macrophage cytokines through phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C with hydrogen peroxide.

Silica particle-associated inflammation is implicated in the genesis of several pulmonary diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer. In this study we investigated the role of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) in silica-stimulated induction of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and how PC-PLC activity is regulated by silica in a rat alveolar macrophage model. We demonstrated that inhibition of PC-PLC, which was achieved with tricychodecan-9-yl-xanthate (D609), blocked the silica-stimulated induction of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in alveolar macrophage, suggesting that PC-PLC is involved in the silica-associated inflammatory response. PC-PLC activity was increased significantly by silica exposure, and this could be inhibited by MnTBAP, which catalyzes both the dismutation of O2.- to O2 and H2O2 and the dismutation of H2O2 to O2 and H2O, revealing that PC-PLC activity is regulated in a redox-dependent manner. This is further confirmed by the finding that PC-PLC activity was increased by exogenous H2O2. The intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA blocked the H2O2-increased PC-PLC activity, while the calcium ionophore, A23187, enhanced PC-PLC activity. The data indicate that PC-PLC plays critical roles in the silica-associated inflammatory response and that PC-PLC is regulated through redox- and calcium-dependent manners in alveolar macrophages.

Animals↗

ATP activates a reactive oxygen species-dependent oxidative stress response and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages.

Secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18, usually requires two signals. The first, due to microbial products such as lipopolysaccharide, initiates transcription of the cytokine genes and accumulation of the precursor proteins. Cleavage and secretion of the cytokines is mediated by caspase-1, in association with an inflammasome containing Nalp3, which can be activated by binding of extracellular ATP to purinergic receptors. We show that treatment of macrophages with ATP results in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which stimulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and subsequent Akt and ERK1/2 activation. ROS exerts its effect through glutathionylation of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10), whose inactivation would shift the equilibrium in favor of PI3K. ATP-dependent ROS production and PI3K activation also stimulate transcription of genes required for an oxidative stress response. In parallel, ATP-mediated ROS-dependent PI3K is required for activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1beta and IL-18. Thus, an increase in ROS levels in ATP-treated macrophages results in activation of a single pathway that promotes both adaptation to subsequent exposure to oxidants or inflammation, and processing and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Antioxidants in cystic fibrosis. Conclusions from the CF antioxidant workshop, Bethesda, Maryland, November 11-12, 2003.

Although great strides are being made in the care of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), this condition remains the most common fatal hereditary disease in North America. Numerous links exist between progression of CF lung disease and oxidative stress. The defect in CF is the loss of function of the transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein; recent evidence that CFTR expression and function are modulated by oxidative stress suggests that the loss may result in a poor adaptive response to oxidants. Pancreatic insufficiency in CF also increases susceptibility to deficiencies in lipophilic antioxidants. Finally the airway infection and inflammatory processes in the CF lung are potential sources of oxidants that can affect normal airway physiology and contribute to the mechanisms causing characteristic changes associated with bronchiectasis and loss of lung function. These multiple abnormalities in the oxidant/antioxidant balance raise several possibilities for therapeutic interventions that must be carefully assessed.

Animals↗

Redox modulation of the hepatitis C virus replication complex is calcium dependent.

Reactive species and perturbation of the redox balance have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many viral diseases, including hepatitis C. Previously, we made a surprising discovery that concentrations of H(2)O(2) that are nontoxic to host cells disrupted the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex (RC) in Huh7 human hepatoma cells in a manner that suggested signaling. Here, we show that H(2)O(2) and interferon-gamma have comparable effects on the HCV subgenomic and genomic RNA replication in Huh7 cells. H(2)O(2) induced a gradual rise in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Both rapid and sustained suppression of HCV RNA replication by H(2)O(2) depended on this calcium elevation. The peroxide-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation was independent of extracellular calcium and derived, at least in part, from the endoplasmic reticulum. Likewise, the suppression of the HCV RC by H(2)O(2) was independent of extracellular calcium but required an intracellular calcium source. Other agents that elevated [Ca(2+)](i) could also suppress the HCV RC, suggesting that calcium elevation might be sufficient to suppress HCV RNA replication. In conclusion, oxidants may modulate the HCV RC through calcium. Effects on the infectivity and the morphogenesis of HCV remain to be determined. These findings suggest possible regulatory roles for redox and calcium signaling during viral infections.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Stimulation of the alveolar macrophage respiratory burst by ADP causes selective glutathionylation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B.

H(2)O(2) produced by stimulation of the macrophage NADPH oxidase is involved both in bacterial killing and as a second messenger in these cells. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are targets for H(2)O(2) signaling through oxidation of their catalytic cysteine, resulting in inhibition of their activity. Here, we show that, in the rat alveolar macrophage NR8383 cell line, H(2)O(2) produced through the ADP-stimulated respiratory burst induces the formation of a disulfide bond between PTP1B and GSH that was detectable with an antibody to glutathione-protein complexes and was reversed by DTT addition. PTP1B glutathionylation was dependent on H(2)O(2) as the presence of catalase at the time of ADP stimulation inhibited the formation of the conjugate. Interestingly, other PTPs, i.e., SHP-1 and SHP-2, did not undergo glutathionylation in response to ADP stimulation of the respiratory burst, although glutathionylation of these proteins could be shown by reaction with 25 mM glutathione disulfide in vitro. While previous studies have suggested the reversible oxidation of PTP1B during signaling or showed PTP1B glutathionylation in vitro, the present study directly demonstrates that physiological stimulation of H(2)O(2) production results in PTP1B glutathionylation in intact cells, which may affect downstream signaling.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Up-regulation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity following glutathione depletion has a compensatory rather than an inhibitory effect on mitochondrial complex I activity: implications for Parkinson's disease.

Up-regulation of activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) has been reported to occur in the Parkinsonian substantia nigra, the area of the brain affected by the disease. Increased GGT activity has been hypothesized to play a role in subsequent mitochondrial complex I (CI) inhibition by increasing cysteine as substrate for cellular uptake. Intracellular cysteine has been proposed to form toxic adducts with dopamine which can be metabolized to compounds which inhibit CI activity. We have demonstrated that in addition to CI inhibition, GGT activity is up-regulated in dopaminergic cells as a consequence of glutathione depletion. Inhibition of GGT rather than resulting in increased CI inhibition results in exacerbation of this inhibitory effect. This suggests that increased GGT activity is likely an adaptive response to the loss of glutathione to conserve intracellular glutathione content and results in a compensatory effect on CI activity rather than in its inhibition as has been previously widely hypothesized.

Animals↗

The ADP-stimulated NADPH oxidase activates the ASK-1/MKK4/JNK pathway in alveolar macrophages.

The role of H2O2 as a second messenger in signal transduction pathways is well established. We show here that the NADPH oxidase-dependent production of O2*(-) and H2O2 or respiratory burst in alveolar macrophages (AM) (NR8383 cells) is required for ADP-stimulated c-Jun phosphorylation and the activation of JNK1/2, MKK4 (but not MKK7) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1). ASK1 binds only to the reduced form of thioredoxin (Trx). ADP induced the dissociation of ASK1/Trx complex and thus resulted in ASK1 activation, as assessed by phosphorylation at Thr845, which was enhanced after treatment with aurothioglucose (ATG), an inhibitor of Trx reductase. While dissociation of the complex implies Trx oxidation, protein electrophoretic mobility shift assay detected oxidation of Trx only after bolus H2O2 but not after ADP stimulation. These results demonstrate that the ADP-stimulated respiratory burst activated the ASK1-MKK4-JNK1/c-Jun signaling pathway in AM and suggest that transient and localized oxidation of Trx by the NADPH oxidase-mediated generation of H2O2 may play a critical role in ASK1 activation and the inflammatory response.

Adenine↗

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase is induced by 4-hydroxynonenal via EpRE/Nrf2 signaling in rat epithelial type II cells.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays key roles in glutathione homeostasis and metabolism of glutathione S-conjugates. Rat GGT is transcribed via five tandemly arranged promoters into seven transcripts. The transcription of mRNA V is controlled by promoter 5. Previously we found that GGT mRNA V-2 was responsible for the induction of GGT in rat alveolar epithelial cells by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). In the current study, the underlying mechanism was investigated. Reporter deletion and mutation analysis demonstrated that an electrophile-response element (EpRE) in the proximal region of GGT promoter 5 (GP5) was responsible for the basal- and HNE-induced promoter activity. Gel-shift assays showed an increased binding activity of GP5 EpRE after HNE exposure. The nuclear content of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was significantly increased by HNE. The recruitment of Nrf2 to GP5 EpRE after HNE treatment was demonstrated by supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The tissue expression pattern of GGT mRNA V was previously unknown. Using polymerase chain reaction, we found that GGT mRNA V-2 was expressed in many tissues in rat. Taken together, GGT mRNA V-2 is widely expressed in rat tissues and its basal and HNE-induced expression is mediated through EpRE/Nrf2 signaling.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Protective effect of L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxilic acid preload against cell death induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation in differentiated PC12 cells.

It has been postulated that cellular glutamate is released into the extracellular fluid when the energy supply of the brain is compromised (i.e., anoxia or oxygen/glucose deprivation), and there the amino acid triggers the so-called excitotoxic cascade, causing neuronal death. Several mechanisms for this release have been postulated, and, by using glutamate transporter inhibitors, several authors have established that reversed uptake is the major mechanism through which glutamate is released in acute oxygen/glucose deprivation. We have studied the effect of the slowly transported glutamate analogue L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxilic acid (PDC) preload on glutamate release and cell death in an in vitro model of oxygen plus glucose deprivation with differentiated PC12 cells. As expected, we found that PDC preload inhibits glutamate release induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation, supporting the conclusion that it occurs via reverse transport. In addition, we show that PDC preload but not the nontransportable glutamate uptake inhibitor DL-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA) protects cells against the death induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation, indicating that PDC entry into the cell is necessary for this protective effect. This protection does not correlate with the extracellular glutamate concentration or changes in proteins synthesis rate and eukaryotic initiation 2 phosphorylation. Oxygen/glucose deprivation induces a significant increase in glutathione levels in both unloaded and PDC-preloaded cells, but this increase is not due to up-regulation of glutamate cysteine ligase levels. Intracellular glutathione disulfide (GSSG) significantly increased after oxygen/glucose deprivation. It was also interesting that intracellular GSSG levels in PDC-preloaded cells under oxygen/glucose deprivation strongly correlate with the protection exerted by this compound against cell death.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

4-Hydroxynonenal induces rat gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase through mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated electrophile response element/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays critical roles in glutathione homeostasis and metabolism. Rat GGT is a single-copy gene from which seven types of GGT mRNA with a common protein encoding sequence, but different 5'-untranslated regions, may be transcribed. We previously showed that type V-2 was the predominant form of GGT mRNA in rat L2 epithelial cells, and that it could be induced by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) through the electrophile response element (EpRE) located in GGT promoter 5 (GP5). Here, we report transcription factors binding to GP5 EpRE and the involved signaling pathways. Immunodepletion gel shift assays demonstrated that GP5 EpRE bound JunB, c-Jun, FosB, and Fra2 from unstimulated cells, and that after exposure to HNE, EpRE binding complexes contained nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf) 1, Nrf2, JunB, c-Jun, FosB, c-Fos, Fra1, and Fra2. HNE-induced binding of Nrf2 and c-Jun in GP5 EpRE was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Using reporter assays and specific inhibitors, we found that HNE induction of rat GGT mRNA V-2 was dependent on activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but not protein kinase C or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Pretreatment with ERK and p38MAPK inhibitors also blocked HNE-increased EpRE binding. HNE-increased nuclear content of Nrf1, Nrf2, and c-Jun in L2 cells was partially blocked by inhibition of either ERK1/2 or p38MAPK and completely blocked by simultaneous inhibition of both MAPKs. In conclusion, HNE induces GGT mRNA V-2 through altered EpRE transcription factor binding mediated by both ERK and p38MAPK.

Aldehydes↗

HNE increases HO-1 through activation of the ERK pathway in pulmonary epithelial cells.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a key cytoprotective enzyme and an established marker of oxidative stress. Increased HO-1 expression has been found in the resident macrophages in the alveolar spaces of smokers. The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is also increased in the bronchial and alveolar epithelium in response to cigarette smoke. This suggests a link between a chronic environmental stress, HNE formation, and HO-1 induction. HNE is both an agent of oxidative stress in vivo and a potent cell signaling molecule. We hypothesize that HNE acts as an endogenously produced pulmonary signaling molecule that elicits an adaptive response culminating in the induction of HO-1. Here we demonstrate that HNE increases HO-1 mRNA, protein, and activity in pulmonary epithelial cells and identify ERK as a key pathway involved. Treatment with HNE increased ERK phosphorylation, c-Fos protein, JNK phosphorylation, c-Jun phosphorylation, and AP-1 binding. Whereas inhibiting the ERK pathway with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 significantly decreased HNE-mediated ERK phosphorylation, c-Fos protein induction, AP-1 binding, and HO-1 protein induction, inhibition of the ERK pathway had no effect on HNE-induced HO-1 mRNA. This suggests that ERK is involved in the increase in HO-1 through regulation of translation rather than transcription.

Aldehydes↗

4-Hydroxynonenal increases gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase gene expression through mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays key roles in the metabolism of glutathione. Previous studies have shown that GGT expression was increased by oxidants, but the mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, the effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), an electrophilic end product of lipid peroxidation, on GGT expression were investigated in rat lung epithelial type II (L2) cells. We demonstrated that HNE increased GGT activity and mRNA content in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Actinomycin D, an RNA transcription inhibitor, blocked HNE-stimulated increase in GGT mRNA, suggesting transcriptional regulation of GGT mRNA by HNE. Of the seven GGT mRNA transcripts known to be produced from the single rat GGT gene, we found that types I, II, and V-2 were constitutively expressed in L2 cells, but only types I and V-2 were increased by HNE. PD98059 and SB203580, relatively specific inhibitors of the ERK and the p38MAPK kinase pathway, respectively, significantly attenuated HNE induction of both GGT activity and mRNA content. In contrast, studies with JNK inhibitor I, a cell-permeable peptide, indicated that JNK was not involved in the GGT induction by HNE. We also found that GGT induction by HNE could be completely blocked by a cocktail of PD98059 and SB203580, suggesting a combined effect of ERK and p38MAPK pathways in HNE-mediated GGT induction. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that HNE increased GGT expression in rat alveolar type II cells and that the induction of GGT by HNE was mediated through activation of the ERK and p38MAPK pathways.

Aldehydes↗

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in glutathione biosynthesis.

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant nonprotein thiol in cells and has multiple biological functions. Glutathione biosynthesis by way of the gamma-glutamyl cycle is important for maintaining GSH homeostasis and normal redox status. As the only enzyme of the cycle located on the outer surface of plasma membrane, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays key roles in GSH homeostasis by breaking down extracellular GSH and providing cysteine, the rate-limiting substrate, for intracellular de novo synthesis of GSH. GGT also initiates the metabolism of glutathione S-conjugates to mercapturic acids by transferring the gamma-glutamyl moiety to an acceptor amino acid and releasing cysteinylglycine. GGT is expressed in a tissue-, developmental phase-, and cell-specific manner that may be related to its complex gene structure. In rodents, there is a single GGT gene, and several promoters that generate different mRNA subtypes and regulate its expression. In contrast, several GGT genes have been found in humans. During oxidative stress, GGT gene expression is increased, and this is believed to constitute an adaptation to stress. Interestingly, only certain mRNA subtypes are increased, suggesting a specific mode of regulation of GGT gene expression by oxidants. Here, protocols to measure GGT activity, relative levels of total and specific GGT mRNA subtypes, and GSH concentration are described.

Animals↗

Human glutamate cysteine ligase gene regulation through the electrophile response element.

Glutathione (GSH) is the primary nonprotein thiol in the cell. It has many important roles in cell function, including regulating redox-dependent signal transduction pathways. The content of GSH within the cell varies with stress. In many cases, a process involving GSH synthesis results in adaptation to subsequent stressors. Sustained increases in GSH content are controlled primarily through induction of two genes, Gclc and Gclm, leading to the synthesis of the rate-limiting enzyme for GSH synthesis, glutamate cysteine ligase. Each of these genes in humans has a number of putative enhancer elements in their promoters. Overall, the most important element in both Gclc and Gclm expression is the electrophile response element. We review the evidence that has led to this conclusion and the implications for the redox-dependent regulation of this critical intracellular antioxidant.

Curcumin↗

Variable regulation of glutamate cysteine ligase subunit proteins affects glutathione biosynthesis in response to oxidative stress.

Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), composed of a catalytic (GCLC) and modulatory (GCLM) subunit, catalyzes the first step of glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis. Using 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE), 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), and tertiary-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) as models of oxidative stress which are known to work through different mechanisms, we measured changes in cellular GSH, GCL mRNA, and GCL protein. 4HNE and tBHQ treatments increased cellular GSH levels, while DMNQ exposure depleted GSH. Furthermore, changes in the two GCL mRNAs largely paralleled changes in the GCL proteins; however, the magnitudes differed, suggesting some form of translational control. The molar ratio of GCLC:GCLM ranged from 3:1 to 17:1 in control human bronchial epithelial (HBE1) cells and all treatments further increased this ratio. Data from several mouse tissues show molar ratios of GCLC:GCLM that range from 1:1 to 10:1 in support of these findings. These data demonstrate that alterations in cellular GSH are clearly correlated with GCLC to a greater extent than GCLM. Surprisingly, both control HBE1 cells and some mouse tissues have more GCLC than GCLM and GCLM increases to a much lesser extent than GCLC, suggesting that the regulatory role of GCLM is minimal under physiologically relevant conditions of oxidative stress.

Aldehydes↗