Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Egido

Publications and source records attributed to J Egido.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The central role of nuclear factor-kappa B in mesangial cell activation.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a family of transcription factors that is recognized by the kappa B enhancer element. Numerous proinflammatory genes have binding sites for NF-kappa B, and the products of these genes are an integral part of cellular activation and inflammatory response systems. Because there is a close relationship between NF-kappa B and mediators of cell activation, it is possible that a disruption of NF-kappa B-activating pathways may effectively influence mesangial cell activation. METHODS: We reviewed available studies related to both NF-kappa B and mesangial cells in order to provide evidence for the role of NF-kappa B in mesangial cell activation. RESULTS: Studies reported by this laboratory and others showed that various experimental maneuvers that modulate NF-kappa B activation result in a parallel modulation of proinflammatory molecule production in cultured mesangial cells. Likewise, the ability of the inhibitors of NF-kappa B activation to down-regulate the inflammatory response in animal models of renal disease has been recently demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a pivotal role of NF-kappa B in mesangial cell activation and designate it as an obvious target for the modulation of this activation. Studies are necessary to characterize the role of NF-kappa B in human renal injury.

Animals↗

The Fas ligand/Fas system in renal injury.

The FasL-Fas system regulates renal cell apoptosis, as well as the immune and inflammatory responses. Evidence that FasL and Fas participate in renal injury may be summarized along modified Koch's postulates (Table 1): (i) FasL is expressed by renal cells and during renal injury, (ii) activation of the Fas receptor promotes apoptosis of cultured renal cells, (iii) Fas agonists induce glomerular injury but they may also decrease renal injury by limiting injurious immunological responses, (iv) mice with disrupted FasL/Fas systems are protected from tubular cell injury during ischaemia reperfusion, although they develop autoimmune glomerulonephritis if other genetic predisposing factors are present. FasL/Fas must be considered a new target for therapeutic intervention in renal injury. Therapeutic modulation of Fas should aim not only at protecting intrinsic glomerular or tubular epithelial cells from death, but also at modulating the immune, inflammatory, and fibrogenic responses. Possible therapeutic interventions include Fas agonists, soluble Fas receptors, or other antagonists, and targetting of Fas to undesired cells, such as fibroblasts, in order to decrease their numbers in a physiological manner through apoptosis. Any therapeutic attempt should carefully take into account the possible effects of interference with Fas in other 1833 cell systems. Given the complexities of the FasL/Fas system, further studies are warranted.

Animals↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme is upregulated in the proximal tubules of rats with intense proteinuria.

Persistent proteinuria is considered a deleterious prognostic factor in most progressive renal diseases. However, the mechanisms by which proteinuria induces renal damage remain undetermined. Since proximal tubular cells possess all the machinery to generate angiotensin II (Ang II), we approached the hypothesis that proteinuria could elicit the renal activation of the renin-angiotensin system in a model of intense proteinuria and interstitial nephritis induced by protein overload. After uninephrectomy (UNX), Wistar-Kyoto rats received daily injections of 1 g BSA or saline for 8 days. The mean peak of proteinuria was observed at the fourth day (538+/-89 versus 3+/-1 mg/24 h in UNX controls; n=12; P<0.05) and was increased during the whole study period (at the eighth day: 438+/-49 mg/24 h; n=12; P=NS). Morphological examination of the kidneys at the end of the study showed marked tubular lesions (atrophy, vacuolization, dilation, and casts), interstitial infiltration of mononuclear cells, and mesangial expansion. In relation to UNX control rats, renal cortex of BSA-overloaded rats showed an increment in the gene expression of angiotensinogen (2.4-fold) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (2.1-fold), as well as a diminution in renin gene expression. No changes were observed in angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor mRNA expression in both groups of rats. By in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, ACE expression (gene and protein) was mainly localized in proximal and distal tubules and in the glomeruli. By immunohistochemistry, angiotensinogen was localized only in proximal tubules, and AT1 receptor was localized mainly in proximal and distal tubules. In the tubular brush border, an increase in ACE activity was also seen (5. 5+/-0.5 versus 3.1+/-0.7 U/mg protein x10(-4) in UNX control; n=7; P<0.05). Our results show that in the kidney of rats with intense proteinuria, ACE and angiotensinogen were upregulated, while gene expression of renin was inhibited and AT1 was unmodified. On the whole, these data suggest an increase in Ang II intrarenal generation. Since Ang II can elicit renal cell growth and matrix production through the activation of AT1 receptor, this peptide may be responsible for the tubulointerstitial lesions occurring in this model. These results suggest a novel mechanism by which proteinuria may participate in the progression of renal diseases.

Animals↗

Changes in the pattern of fibronectin mRNA alternative splicing in acute experimental mesangioproliferative nephritis.

Fibronectins (FN) regulate cell migration, proliferation, and matrix formation during tissue injury. In humans, up to 20 different FN isoforms are generated by alternative splicing in three regions called EIIIA, EIIIB, and V, which have been implicated in the process undergoing wound healing and embryonic development. Specifically, EIIIA- and EIIIB-containing isoforms have been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation and migration, whereas FN isoforms containing the full-length V region (named V120) are ligands to the VLA-4 integrin. To study the changes in the expression of FN isoforms in the anti-Thy-1 nephritis, an acute and self-resolutive model of mesangioproliferative nephritis, we analyzed the FN splicing patterns by means of ribonuclease protection assays. At Day 7 after anti-Thy-1 monoclonal injection, time of the maximal matrix expansion and glomerular hypercellularity, EIIIA+, EIIIB-, and V120 FN mRNA isoforms were increased. In accordance with the mRNA studies, FN proteins, including the EIIIA and V120 regions, increased in the mesangium of nephritic rats, as assayed by immunohistochemistry. Coinciding with the EIIIA and V120 isoforms up-regulation, there was an increase in mesangial cell proliferation and in the number of VLA-4+ infiltrating cells. At Day 14, in parallel with a remission of the above-mentioned changes, there was a decline in the mRNA and protein FN isoforms increased in the previous phase. The marked and reversible changes in the pattern of FN isoforms and their temporal association with other indicators of glomerular injury suggest that certain FN isotypes are important and coordinated components of the mechanisms attempting to reverse glomerular damage.

Acute Disease↗

A platelet activating factor receptor antagonist prevents the development of chronic arthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of treatment with the platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist BN 50730 on the clinical and morphological evolution of collagen induced arthritis in mice. METHODS: Mice with collagen induced arthritis were treated with BN 50730 (0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.1% Tween-20 in saline) once a day, from 3 days before the induction of the arthritis to 70 days after. Disease evolution was followed daily by inspection of inflammatory signs and measurement of the knee joint diameter on Days 0, 40, and 70. At the end of the treatment period, the morphological evaluation of the synovial membrane, the immunodetection of fibronectin, and the content of cartilage proteoglycans were studied. RESULTS: On Day 40, mice receiving the highest dose of BN 50730 (3 mg/kg) showed a reduction in the knee joint diameter in comparison with untreated (2.1 +/- 0.2 vs 2.8 +/- 0.4 mm, p < 0.01). On Day 70, animals receiving 1 and 3 mg/kg had a normal knee diameter, while it remained enlarged in the untreated ones. In BN 50730 treated mice (3 mg/kg) we also observed a significant reduction of the inflammation score (0.1 +/- 0.1 vs 2.5 +/- 0.2 in the untreated) and deposition of fibronectin. Depletion of cartilage proteoglycans was also reversed with BN 50730. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects in this model of joint injury after administration of the PAF antagonist BN 50730 suggest that PAF could be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic arthritis.

Animals↗

Lipophilic statins induce apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: The accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in the intima is an early feature of atherosclerosis that results from a balance of migration from the media, proliferation, and eventual death (including programmed cell death) of VSMC. Several reports have described that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) attenuate both the migration and proliferation of VSMC. However, the potential effect of statins on VSMC programmed cell death has received little attention. METHODS: Human and rat VSMC were incubated with different concentration of statins in the presence of fetal bovine serum as a survival factor. The presence of apoptosis was evaluated by morphological criteria, flow cytometry and DNA electrophoresis. RESULTS: Lipophilic statins induced, in a dose-dependent manner the appearance of VSMC apoptosis. The effect of statins was fully reversed by mevalonate, farnesylpyrophosphate, and geranylgeranypyrophosphate, but not by cholesterol or other mevalonate metabolites, suggesting a role for isoprenoids in VSMC apoptosis. In addition, the induction of apoptosis by statins was associated with the inhibition of prenylation of Rho B. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that protein prenylation inhibition by statins may be involved in statin-induced VSMC apoptosis. These data provide a new potential mechanism by which statins may modulate the evolution of atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase and isoprenylation inhibitors induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in culture.

Recent evidence suggests that apoptosis may be involved in the control of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) number in atherosclerotic lesions. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have been reported to induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cell lines. To evaluate whether these agents also induce apoptosis of VSMCs, cultured rat VSMCs were treated with increasing doses of atorvastatin in the presence of FBS as a survival factor. The presence of apoptosis was evaluated by morphological criteria, annexin V binding, and DNA fragmentation and quantified as the proportion of hypodiploid cells by flow cytometry. Atorvastatin induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, an effect also seen with simvastatin and lovastatin, but not with the hydrophilic drug pravastatin. The proapoptotic effect of statins was seen only when the inhibition of acetate incorporation into sterols was >95% and was fully reversed by mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate, and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate but not by isopentenyl adenosine, ubiquinone, or squalene, suggesting a role for prenylated proteins in the regulation of VSMC apoptosis. To further assess the role of protein prenylation, VSMCs were exposed to the prenyl transferase inhibitors perillic acid and manumycin A. Both agents induced VSMC apoptosis as evaluated by the above-mentioned criteria. Finally, VSMC treatment with lipophilic statins was associated with decreased prenylation of p21-Rho B, further supporting the role of protein prenylation inhibition in statin-induced VSMC apoptosis. The present data suggest that interference with protein prenylation by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or other agents may provide new strategies for the prevention of neointimal thickening.

Animals↗

Angiotensin II participates in mononuclear cell recruitment in experimental immune complex nephritis through nuclear factor-kappa B activation and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 synthesis.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce macrophage infiltration in several models of renal injury. We approached the hypothesis that angiotensin II (AngII) could be involved in inflammatory cell recruitment during renal damage through the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). In a model of immune complex nephritis, we observed an up-regulation of renal MCP-1 (mRNA and protein) coincidentally with mononuclear cell infiltration that were markedly reduced by treatment with the ACE inhibitor quinapril. Exposure of cultured rat mesangial cells to AngII increased MCP-1 mRNA expression (2.7-fold) and synthesis (3-fold), similar to that observed with TNF-alpha. Since NF-kappaB is involved in the regulation of MCP-1 gene, we explored whether the effects of AngII were mediated through NF-kappaB activation. Untreated nephritic rats showed increased renal NF-kappaB activity (3.5-fold) that decreased in response to ACE inhibition. In mesangial cells, AngII activated NF-kappaB (4.3-fold), and the NF-kappaB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate abolished the AngII-induced NF-kappaB activation and MCP-1 gene expression. Our results suggest that AngII could participate in the recruitment of mononuclear cells through NF-kappaB activation and MCP-1 expression by renal cells. This could be a novel mechanism that might further explain the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in progressive renal diseases.

Administration, Oral↗

ACE inhibitor quinapril reduces the arterial expression of NF-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory factors but not of collagen I in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.

Increasing evidence supports an association between inflammation and plaque rupture. Macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells are a source of cytokines and growth factors, which contribute to ongoing inflammation during atherogenesis. In a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, we evaluated the effect of the ACE inhibitor quinapril on different parameters implicated in the pathogenesis of the plaque, such as the presence of chemokines (interleukin-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), collagen I, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation (PDGF-B). Since nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been implicated in the control of chemokine transcription and cell proliferation, we also investigated its activation and localization in the lesion. Quinapril administration for 28 days caused a down-regulation in arterial expression of interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (mRNA and protein). However, collagen I expression (mRNA and protein) was not modified. PDGF-B expression was reduced in both the intima and the media. Active NF-kappaB, found in both macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, was also reduced by quinapril. Nevertheless, no significant changes were noted in the mild neointima formation, although a certain trend toward normalization was found in the quinapril-treated group. In conclusion, our results show that quinapril treatment attenuates several parameters associated with inflammation within the atherosclerotic lesions that are controlled by NF-kappaB, although it has no effect on collagen I expression. Both effects could contribute to the stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

HMG-CoA reductase inhibition by atorvastatin reduces neointimal inflammation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)-reductase inhibitor atorvastatin on the potential mechanisms involved in the recruitment of monocytic cells into the vessel wall. BACKGROUND: Inhibitors of HMG-CoA-reductase reduce cardiovascular mortality though the mechanisms yet elucidated. Most ischemic events are secondary to disruption of atherosclerotic plaques highly infiltrated by macrophages. METHODS: Atherosclerosis was induced in the femoral arteries of rabbits by endothelial damage and atherogenic diet for 4 weeks. Then, animals were switched to standard chow and randomized to receive either no treatment or atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/d) and killed after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Atorvastatin induced a significant reduction in serum lipids and in lesion size. Arterial macrophage infiltration was abolished by the treatment, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was significantly diminished in the neointima and in the media. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) was activated in the 60% of the lesions, both in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), of the untreated group while only in 30% of the atorvastatin group. NF-kappaB activity was also lower in the uninjured aorta and liver of treated compared with untreated rabbits. In cultured VSMC, MCP-1 expression and NF-kappaB activity induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha were downregulated by atorvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit atherosclerosis model, atorvastatin diminishes the neointimal inflammation, and this could contribute to the stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. This may be an additional explanation for the reduction of acute ischemic events in patients treated with statins.

Animals↗

Tenidap decreases IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in the synovial tissue of rabbits with antigen arthritis and in cultured synovial cells.

Since IL-8 and MCP-1 are chemoattractant proteins that participate in the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the arthritic joint, we examined the effects of tenidap, a new anti-inflammatory drug of the oxindole family, on IL-8 and MCP-1 expression in the joints of rabbits with acute antigen arthritis. The model was induced by injecting 5 mg/ml ovalbumin into the knees of 20 preimmunized rabbits. Animals were randomized into two groups: treated with tenidap (15 mg/kg per 12 h), or untreated. The effect of tenidap treatment was evaluated on chemokine production in synovial membranes of rabbits with arthritis and in cultured monocytic and synovial cells (SC). By immunoperoxidase staining, chemokines were localized in the synovial tissue. Chemokine messenger RNA levels in the synovial membranes and in cultured cells were analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the end of the study, tenidap significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration into the joint cavity (27+/-4 x 10(6) cells/ml versus 45+/-6 x 10(6) cells/ml in untreated; P<0.05), and synovial effusion (134+/-15 microl versus 236+/-19 microl in untreated; P<0.005). Untreated rabbits showed synovial membrane up-regulation in mRNA expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 (11- and seven-fold versus healthy rabbits, respectively) that was markedly decreased by tenidap (two- and three-fold versus healthy rabbits, respectively). IL-8 and MCP-1 were localized in the synovial tissue in a perivascular pattern and areas of the interstitium and lining, mostly coinciding with cell infiltration. Tenidap also reduced the accumulation of IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins. In cultured synovial and monocytic cells, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) elicited an increase in gene expression of IL-8 (four- and nine-fold, respectively) and MCP-1 (nine- and four-fold, respectively) that was significantly reversed in both cell types by 10 microM tenidap. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of tenidap in acute antigen arthritis could be related to the down-regulation in gene expression and synthesis of IL-8 and MCP-1, two key chemokines involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells.

Acute Disease↗

Cyclosporine A induces apoptosis in murine tubular epithelial cells: role of caspases.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of cyclosporine A (CsA) nephrotoxicity has not been completely elucidated. METHODS: The ability of CsA to induce apoptosis in cultured murine tubular epithelial cells and its regulation by the cell microenvironment and inhibitors of caspases were studied. RESULTS: This study found that CsA induces apoptotic death in murine proximal tubular epithelial MCT cells in a dose- (0.1 to 15 micrograms/ml) and time-dependent (24 to 72 hr) manner. Death caused by CsA is additive to apoptosis induced by deprivation of the survival factors present in serum. Primary cultures of murine tubular epithelial cells are also sensitive to CsA-induced apoptosis. Peptide inhibitors of caspases such as zVAD-fmk (which inhibits caspases 8 and 9) and DEVD-CHO (which inhibits caspase 3 and related caspases) prevented CsA-induced apoptosis in MCT cells, although zVAD-fmk was effective at lower concentrations. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that tubular cell apoptosis mediated by caspases may play a role in CsA nephrotoxicity and that the microenvironment modulates resistance to CsA lethality as low local levels of survival factors may potentiate nephrotoxicity. Caspases my be new therapeutic targets in the management of nephrotoxic injury.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Angiotensin III up-regulates genes involved in kidney damage in mesangial cells and renal interstitial fibroblasts.

Angiotensin (Ang) II is considered the effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that acts as a renal growth factor. Some studies have shown that the angiotensin degradation product Ang III presents some biological activities, though its role in renal pathology has not been explored. We have observed that in renal interstitial fibroblasts Ang III induces c-fos gene expression, suggesting a potential role of Ang III in the control of cell proliferation. To study the involvement of Ang III in matrix regulation, we determined whether Ang III increased TGF-beta gene expression and fibronectin production in cultured rat mesangial cells and renal interstitial fibroblasts, the main effector cells in glomerular and interstitial fibrosis, respectively. In both cell types, treatment with Ang III (10(-7) M) for six hours up-regulated gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1; 2.3- and 2.2-fold, respectively). This peptide also increased fibronectin production in renal interstitial fibroblasts. All these data suggest that Ang III could contribute to matrix accumulation. Activation of local RAS has been described during renal damage. Renal cells express angiotensinogen mRNA that was up-regulated in response to Ang II and Ang III stimulation, and therefore both peptides may participate in the generation of angiotensin peptides in the kidney. In conclusion, our results suggest that the angiotensin degradation product Ang III could participate in the pathogenesis of key events of renal diseases, supporting the hypothesis that other peptides of the RAS besides Ang II may be involved in renal injury.

Angiotensin III↗

Overexpression of extracellular matrix proteins in renal tubulointerstitial cells by platelet-activating-factor stimulation.

BACKGROUND: One common feature of renal diseases is the development of interstitial fibrosis, but the mechanism of this process remains undefined. We hypothesized that platelet-activating factor (PAF), a classical acute inflammatory mediator involved in the pathogenesis of renal damage, acts on renal tubulointerstitial cells, contributing to the development of fibrosis. For this reason we evaluated the effect of PAF on matrix regulation and cell-growth-related events in tubulointerstitial cells. METHODS: In vitro studies were conducted with two tubulointerstitial cell lines: renal tubuloepithelial cells (NRK 52E) and interstitial fibroblasts (NRK 49F). The effect of PAF on extracellular matrix gene expression was determined by Northern blot. Fibronectin synthesis was quantified by metabolic labelling and immunoprecipitation. Cell growth changes were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis (cell cycle and size) and total protein content by 3[H]leucine incorporation. RESULTS: In renal tubuloepithelial cells and interstitial fibroblasts, PAF increased fibronectin mRNA expression. PAF-effect on the expression of collagen genes differed depending on the cell type studied. In tubuloepithelial cells there was an increase in type I and IV collagen mRNA levels, while only type I collagen was increased in fibroblasts. The overexpression of matrix proteins induced by PAF was completely blocked by preincubation of cells with the PAF receptor antagonist, BN52021. The PAF-induced upregulation of fibronectin expression was correlated with the increase in fibronectin synthesis. These effects were not associated with an increase in hyperplasia (characterized by changes in cell cycle) either in tubuloepithelial cells or in interstitial fibroblasts. Moreover, PAF did not induce tubular hypertrophy (changes in protein content and cell size). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that PAF could be a mediator involved in extracellular matrix accumulation and, therefore, participate in the formation of renal interstitial fibrosis.

Animals↗

Mesangial cells possess an asialoglycoprotein receptor with affinity for human immunoglobulin A.

Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R), a hepatic lectin involved in the clearance of galactose-terminal glycoproteins, is also present in extrahepatic tissues, but its expression in renal cells is not well established. This study examines the presence of ASGP-R in cultured mesangial cells (MC), key cells involved in the removal of macromolecules deposited in the glomerulus. The binding of asialo-orosomucoid (ASOR) to rat MC was saturable and galactose-specific. In addition, MC internalized and degraded ASOR in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Parallel studies were performed in a homologous system (human MC), obtaining similar binding curve and competition with unlabeled ASOR and carbohydrates. The purified receptor from rat MC consisted of two proteins (41 and 55 kD) with similar size to the hepatic receptor. Both subunits were detected by mRNA expression analysis (ratio 2:1). Because the hepatic receptor presents avidity for the carbohydrates of IgA1, a protein deposited in the glomerulus of patients with IgA nephropathy, the interaction of IgA1 with the mesangial ASGP-R was explored. As for the interaction with ASOR, catabolism of IgA1 by rat and human MC was Ca(2+)-dependent and was reduced with galactose. In addition, the interaction of ASOR with rat MC was partially inhibited by incubation with IgA1 and its desialylated form, but not by IgA2, as demonstrated in binding experiments and in receptor purification. It is concluded that MC possess ASGP-R specific for galactose residues of several glycoproteins, including IgA1. These data could be important for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Animals↗

Interaction of IgA with Fc alpha receptors of human mesangial cells activates transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B and induces expression and synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8, and IFN-inducible protein 10.

The mechanisms of glomerular damage in IgA nephropathy remain undefined. Mesangial cells (MC) possess Fc receptors for IgA (Fc alpha R), and their occupancy triggers cytokine expression, cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. In cultured human MC we examined the effects of soluble IgA aggregates (AIgA) on the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and the production of proinflammatory chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, and IFN-inducible protein-10 (IP-10). The exposure of MC to AIgA rapidly activated a NF-kappa B complex constituted of p50 and p65 subunits. NF-kappa B activation was dose dependent, abolished by preincubation with IgA Fc fragments (indicating that AIgA effects occur via specific Fc alpha R), and attenuated by kinase inhibitors. MC stimulation with AIgA increased the mRNA expression of MCP-1, IL-8, and IP-10 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Maximal expression of IL-8 was observed at 3 h (4.5-fold), while IP-10 and MCP-1 peaked at 6 h (5-fold for both). AIgA also induced biosynthesis and release of the chemokines, which presented biological activity in neutrophil and monocyte chemoattractant assays, peaking at 6 and 9 h, respectively. MC pretreatment with the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibited NF-kappa B activation and chemokine mRNA expression. This study shows that stimulation of Fc alphaR in MC induces gene expression of MCP-1, IL-8, and IP-10, a process partially mediated by NF-kappa B activation. These data may be of importance for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of glomerular damage in IgA immune complex-related diseases.

Antigens, CD↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition prevents arterial nuclear factor-kappa B activation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression, and macrophage infiltration in a rabbit model of early accelerated atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The migration of monocytes into the vessel wall is a critical event leading to the development of atherosclerosis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is the main chemotactic factor involved in this phenomenon, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is one of the nuclear factors controlling its expression. ACE inhibitors have been useful in some experimental models of atherosclerosis. In this work, we addressed the hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II) may be implicated in the recruitment of monocytes into the vessel wall through the activation of NF-kappa B and the induction of MCP-1 expression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Accelerated atherosclerosis was induced in the femoral arteries of rabbits by endothelial desiccation and atherogenic diet for 7 days. Atherosclerotic vessels exhibited an increase in NF-kappa B-like activity, and p50 and p65 NF-kappa B subunits were identified as components of this activity. MCP-1 (mRNA and protein) was also expressed in the injured vessels coincidently with the neointimal macrophage infiltration. ACE inhibition with quinapril reduced these three parameters. In cultured monocytic and vascular smooth muscle cells. Ang II elicited an increase in NF-kappa B activation and MCP-1 expression that was prevented by preincubation of cells with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data support a role for Ang II in neointimal monocyte infiltration through NF-kappa B activation and MCP-1 expression in a model of accelerated atherosclerosis in rabbits. Our results suggest that ACE inhibitors may have a beneficial effect in early atherosclerosis.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗