Akira Uruno

Transcriptional Suppression of Type 1 Angiotensin II Receptor Gene Expression by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells1

Angiotensin (A) II plays a critical role in vascular remodeling, and its action is mediated by type 1 AII receptor (AT1R). Recently, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 and thiazolidinediones have been shown to be ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and activate PPAR-γ. In the present work, we have studied the effect of PPAR-γ on AT1R expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We observed that: 1) endogenous AT1R expression was significantly decreased by PPAR-γ ligands both at messenger RNA and protein levels, whereas AT1R messenger RNA stability was not affected; 2) AII-induced increase of 3H-thymidine incorporation into VSMCs was inhibited by PPAR-γ ligands; 3) rat AT1R gene promoter activity was significantly suppressed by PPAR-γ ligands, and PPAR-γ overexpression further suppressed the promoter activity; 4) transcriptional analyses using AT1R gene promoter mutants revealed that a GC-box-related sequence within the −58/−34 region of the AT1R gene promoter was respo...

The Keap1-Nrf2 System Prevents Onset of Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT Transcription factor Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) regulates a broad cytoprotective response to environmental stresses. Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is an adaptor protein for cullin3-based ubiquitin E3 ligase and negatively regulates Nrf2. Whereas the Keap1-Nrf2 system plays important roles in oxidative stress response and metabolism, the roles Nrf2 plays in the prevention of diabetes mellitus remain elusive. Here we show that genetic activation of Nrf2 signaling by Keap1 gene hypomorphic knockdown (Keap1flox/−) markedly suppresses the onset of diabetes. When Keap1flox/− mice were crossed with diabetic db/db mice, blood glucose levels became lower through improvement of both insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Keap1flox/− also prevented high-calorie-diet-induced diabetes. Oral administration of the Nrf2 inducer CDDO-Im {oleanolic acid 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl] imidazole} also attenuated diabetes in db/db mice. Nrf2 induction altered antioxidant-, energy consumption-, and gluconeogenesis-related gene expression in metabolic tissues. Thus, the Keap1-Nrf2 system is a critical target for preventing the onset of diabetes mellitus.

The Keap1-Nrf2 system as an in vivo sensor for electrophiles.

The Keap1-Nrf2 regulatory system plays a central role in cytoprotection from electrophilic and oxidative stress. In unstressed conditions, Nrf2 is constantly ubiquitinated by the Cul3-Keap1 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex and is degraded in the proteasome. Upon the exposure to electrophilic and oxidative stress, reactive cysteine residues in Keap1 are covalently modified, which abrogates the E3 ligase activity of the Cul3-Keap1 complex. Consequently Nrf2 is stabilized and induces the transcription of various cytoprotective genes. Structural analyses have revealed the overall structure of the Keap1 homodimer as well as structural features of the association between Keap1 and Nrf2, which has greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of the Keap1-Nrf2 system. Recently nitric oxide signaling has been shown to activate Nrf2, suggesting that Nrf2 is a mediator of the cytoprotective effect of nitric oxide. Analyses of Nrf2-null mice have revealed a critical contribution of Nrf2 to the protection from various diseases caused by electrophilic and oxidative stress. In contrast, constitutive activation of Nrf2 has been found in many cancers, resulting in resistance against chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer cells. Thus, Nrf2 is a promising target for drug development. The development of Nrf2 inducers and inhibitors is an important challenge for enhancing therapies for stress-induced diseases and cancers, respectively.

Accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

p62/SQSTM1 is a selective substrate of autophagy, and aberrant accumulation of p62 has been observed in various pathological conditions. To understand the roles p62 plays in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we carried out immunohistochemical analyses of p62 expression in a cohort of patients with annotated clinicopathological data. As analyses of murine and human hepatocellular carcinomas suggested a correlation between p62 and Nrf2 accumulations, we also examined NRF2 expression in the same cohort. The expression of NRF2 and p62 was examined by immunohistochemical methods in 109 NSCLC cases, which included patients with adenocarcinoma (n = 72), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 31), and large cell carcinoma (n = 6). Accumulation of NRF2 and p62 was detected in 34% and 37% of NSCLC patients, respectively. The accumulations of p62 and NRF2 did not correlate with each other, but both were associated with worse lung cancer‐specific survival (P = 0.0003 for NRF2; P = 0.0130 for p62). NRF2 status had an impact on NSCLC prognosis irrespective of histology types, but p62 status did so particularly in adenocarcinoma (P = 0.037). Multivariate analysis indicated that positive immunoreactivities of NRF2 and p62 were both independent factors predicting worse lung cancer‐specific survival (P < 0.0001 for NRF2 and P = 0.04 for p62). This study revealed that both NRF2 and p62 are independent prognostic factors for NSCLC. The prognostic impact of p62 status was pronounced in adenocarcinoma patients, suggesting that molecular mechanisms underlying cancer evolution differ between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 760–766)

Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide Modulates Vascular Action of Aldosterone in Renal Arteriole

Abstract—We have recently demonstrated that aldosterone causes nongenomic vasoconstriction by activating phospholipase C (PLC) in the preglomerular afferent arteriole (Af-Art). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that endothelium modulates this vasoconstrictor action by releasing nitric oxide (NO). In addition, to study the post-PLC mechanism, we examined possible contributions of phosphoinositol hydrolysis products. Rabbit Af-Arts were microperfused at 60 mm Hg in vitro, and increasing doses of aldosterone (10−10 to 10−8 mol/L) were added to the bath and lumen. Aldosterone caused dose-dependent vasoconstriction (within 10 minutes); significant (P <0.01) constriction was observed from 5×10−9 mol/L, and at 10−8 mol/L, intraluminal diameter decreased by 29%±3% (n=9). Disrupting the endothelium augmented vasoconstriction; significant constriction was observed from 10−10 mol/L, and at 10−8 mol/L, the diameter decreased by 38%±2% (n=6). NO synthesis inhibition reproduced this augmentation (n=7). Pretreatment with chelerythrine (10−6 mol/L), a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, slightly attenuated the constriction; aldosterone at 10−8 mol/L now decreased the diameter by 18%±3% (n=7). However, in Af-Arts treated with thapsigargin (10−6 mol/L) or dantrolene (3×10−5 mol/L), which blocks inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-induced intracellular calcium release, aldosterone at 10−8 mol/L decreased the diameter by only 9%±1% (n=6) or 9%±2% (n=5), respectively. These results demonstrate that in the Af-Art endothelium-derived NO modulates vasoconstrictor actions of aldosterone that are mediated by the activation of both IP3 and PKC pathways. Such vasoconstrictor actions of aldosterone may contribute to the development or aggravation of hypertension by elevating renal vascular resistance in cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelium dysfunction.

Transcription suppression of thromboxane receptor gene by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma via an interaction with Sp1 in vascular smooth muscle cells

Thromboxane (TX) A2exerts contraction and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via its specific membrane TX receptor (TXR), possibly leading to the progression of atherosclerosis. A nuclear hormone receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, has recently been reported to be expressed in VSMCs. Here we examined a role of PPAR-γ in TXR gene expression in VSMCs. PPAR-γ ligands 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 and troglitazone reduced TXR mRNA expression levels as well as cell growth as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Transcriptional activity of the TXR gene promoter was suppressed with PPAR-γ ligands, and the suppression was augmented further by PPAR-γ overexpression. By deletion and mutation analyses, the transcription suppression was shown to be the result of a −22/−7 GC box-related sequence (upstream of transcription start site). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays also showed that the sequence was bound by Sp1 but not by PPAR-γ, and the formation of a Sp1·DNA complex was inhibited either by coincubation with PPAR-γ or PPAR-γ ligand treatment of VSMCs. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays demonstrated a direct interaction between PPAR-γ and Sp1. In conclusion, PPAR-γ suppresses TXR gene transcription via an interaction with Sp1. PPAR-γ may possibly have an antiatherosclerotic action by inhibiting TXR gene expression in VSMCs.

Nrf2 Protects Pancreatic β-Cells from Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Diabetic Model Mice

Transcription factor Nrf2 (NF-E2–related factor 2) regulates wide-ranging cytoprotective genes in response to environmental stress. Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH–associated protein 1) is an adaptor protein for Cullin3-based ubiquitin E3 ligase and negatively regulates Nrf2. The Keap1-Nrf2 system plays important roles in the oxidative stress response and metabolism. However, the roles Nrf2 plays in prevention of pancreatic β-cell damage remain elusive. To demonstrate the roles of Nrf2 in pancreatic β-cells, we used four genetically engineered mouse models: 1) β-cell–specific Keap1-conditional knockout mice, 2) β-cell–specific Nos2 transgenic mice, 3) conventional Nrf2-heterozygous knockout mice, and 4) β-cell–specific Nrf2-conditional knockout mice. We found that Nrf2 induction suppressed the oxidative DNA-adduct formation in pancreatic islets of iNOS-Tg mice and strongly restored insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells in the context of reactive species (RS) damage. Consistently, Nrf2 suppressed accumulation of intracellular RS in isolated islets and pancreatic β-cell lines and also decreased nitrotyrosine levels. Nrf2 induced glutathione-related genes and reduced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis mediated by nitric oxide. In contrast, Nrf2 depletion in Nrf2-heterozygous knockout and β-cell–specific Nrf2-conditional knockout mice strongly aggravated pancreatic β-cell damage. These results demonstrate that Nrf2 induction prevents RS damage in pancreatic β-cells and that the Keap1-Nrf2 system is the crucial defense pathway for the physiological and pathological protection of pancreatic β-cells.

Localization of Aldosterone-Producing Adrenocortical Adenomas: Significance of Adrenal Venous Sampling

Accurate localization of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) is essential for the treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA). In order to confirm the clinical usefulness of adrenal venous sampling (AVS), we retrospectively studied 87 cases of PA in whom AVS was conducted. We collected right and left adrenal venous effluents simultaneously before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation for measurements of aldosterone concentration (A) and cortisol concentration (C). Based on AVS results, we judged 66 cases as having unilateral aldosterone hypersecretion and the remaining 21 cases as having no apparent laterality. Of the above 66 subjects, 61 underwent laparoscopic removal of the adrenal gland through a retroperitoneal approach. The presence of APA was histopathologically confirmed, and blood pressure decreased significantly with normalization of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in all cases. The receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis between the operated and no–apparent-laterality groups revealed that the ratio of A/C on the higher side to A/C on the lower side (A/C ratio) after ACTH stimulation is a useful index, with a cutoff value of 2.6, a sensitivity of 0.98 and a specificity of 1.0. The ROC curve analysis between the APA side and contralateral side within the operated patients revealed that the cutoff value of A was 1,340 ng/dL, with a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 1.00. Our results indicate the usefulness of simultaneous AVS and ACTH stimulation for localizing APA.

The Keap1-Nrf2 system and diabetes mellitus.

Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) plays a key role in the protection of vertebrates against environmental stress by contributing to the inducible expression of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is a sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stresses. Keap1 also acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate-recognition subunit that specifically targets Nrf2. Keap1 causes Nrf2 to be degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and thus ensures that Nrf2 is constitutively suppressed under unstressed conditions. Upon exposure to oxidative or electrophilic stress, Keap1 loses its ability to ubiquitinate Nrf2. Many lines of evidence have recently clarified that the Keap1-Nrf2 system also plays critical roles in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. One of the most salient examples is the contribution of Keap1-Nrf2 to metabolic and energy-balance regulation. In particular, how the Keap1-Nrf2 system protects the body against diabetes mellitus and how perturbations in this system provoke the disease condition are now under intense investigation. This review will summarize the recent progress made in this area.

Important role of heparan sulfate in postnatal islet growth and insulin secretion.

Heparan sulfate (HS) binds with several signaling molecules and regulates ligand-receptor interactions, playing an essential role in embryonic development. Here we showed that HS was intensively expressed in pancreatic islet beta-cells after 1 week of age in mice. The enzymatic removal of HS in isolated islets resulted in attenuated glucose-induced insulin secretion with a concomitant reduction in gene expression of several key components in the insulin secretion machinery. We further depleted islet HS by inactivating the exostosin tumor-like 3 gene specifically in beta-cells. These mice exhibited abnormal islet morphology with reduced beta-cell proliferation after 1 week of age and glucose intolerance due to defective insulin secretion. These results demonstrate that islet HS is involved in the regulation of postnatal islet maturation and required to ensure normal insulin secretion.