Guan-Lei Wang

Deficiency in ClC-3 Chloride Channels Prevents Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Abstract— Recent growing evidence suggests that chloride (Cl−) channels are critical to the cell cycle. In cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), we have previously found that Cl− channel blockers inhibit endothelin-1 (ET-1)–induced cell proliferation. The present study was designed to further identify the specific Cl− channels responsible for VSMC proliferation. Due to the lack of a specific blocker or opener of any known Cl− channels, we used the antisense strategy to investigate the potential role of ClC-3, a member of the voltage-gated Cl− channel gene family, in cell proliferation of cultured rat aortic VSMCs. With [3H]-thymidine incorporation and immunoblots, we found that ET-1–induced cell proliferation was parallel to a significant increase in the endogenous expression of ClC-3 protein. Transient transfection of rat aortic VSMCs with antisense oligonucleotide specific to ClC-3 caused an inhibition in ET-1–induced expression of ClC-3 protein and cell proliferation of VSMCs in the same concentration- and time-dependent pattern, whereas sense and missense oligonucleotides resulted in no effects on ClC-3 protein expression and cell proliferation. These results strongly suggest that ClC-3 may be the Cl− channel involved in VSMC proliferation and thus provide compelling molecular evidence linking a specific Cl− channel to cell proliferation. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.

Downregulation of TMEM16A Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel Contributes to Cerebrovascular Remodeling During Hypertension by Promoting Basilar Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Background— The Ca2+-activated chloride channel (CaCC) plays an important role in a variety of physiological functions. In vascular smooth muscle cells, CaCC is involved in the regulation of agonist-stimulated contraction and myogenic tone. The physiological functions of CaCC in blood vessels are not fully revealed because of the lack of specific channel blockers and the uncertainty concerning its molecular identity. Methods and Results— Whole-cell patch-clamp studies showed that knockdown of TMEM16A but not bestrophin-3 attenuated CaCC currents in rat basilar smooth muscle cells. The activity of CaCC in basilar smooth muscle cells isolated from 2-kidney, 2-clip renohypertensive rats was decreased, and CaCC activity was negatively correlated with blood pressure (n=25; P<0.0001) and medial cross-sectional area (n=24; P<0.0001) in basilar artery during hypertension. Both upregulation of CaMKII activity and downregulation of TMEM16A expression contributed to the reduction of CaCC in the hypertensive basilar artery. Western blot results demonstrated that angiotensin II repressed TMEM16A expression in basilar smooth muscle cells (n=6; P<0.01). Knockdown of TMEM16A facilitated and overexpression of TMEM16A inhibited angiotensin II–induced cell cycle transition and cell proliferation determined by flow cytometry and BrdU incorporation (n=6 in each group; P<0.05). TMEM16A affected cell cycle progression mainly through regulating the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Conclusions— TMEM16A CaCC is a negative regulator of cell proliferation. Downregulation of CaCC may play an important role in hypertension-induced cerebrovascular remodeling, suggesting that modification of the activity of CaCC may be a novel therapeutic strategy for hypertension-associated cardiovascular diseases such as stroke.

Silence of ClC-3 chloride channel inhibits cell proliferation and the cell cycle via G1/S phase arrest in rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells

Abstract.  Objectives: Previously, we have found that the ClC‐3 chloride channel is involved in endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐induced rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation. The present study was to investigate the role of ClC‐3 in cell cycle progression/distribution and the underlying mechanisms of proliferation. Materials and methods: Small interference RNA (siRNA) is used to silence ClC‐3 expression. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and protein expression were measured or detected with cell counting, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, Western blot and flow cytometric assays respectively. Results: ET‐1‐induced rat basilar vascular smooth muscle cell (BASMC) proliferation was parallel to a significant increase in endogenous expression of ClC‐3 protein. Silence of ClC‐3 by siRNA inhibited expression of ClC‐3 protein, prevented an increase in BrdU incorporation and cell number induced by ET‐1. Silence of ClC‐3 also caused cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and prevented the cells’ progression from G1 to S phase. Knockdown of ClC‐3 potently inhibited cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression and increased cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) p27KIP and p21CIP expression. Furthermore, ClC‐3 knockdown significantly attenuated phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) induced by ET‐1. Conclusion: Silence of ClC‐3 protein effectively suppressed phosphorylation of the Akt/GSK‐3β signal pathway, resulting in down‐regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, and up‐regulation of p27KIP and p21CIP. In these BASMCs, integrated effects lead to cell cycle G1/S arrest and inhibition of cell proliferation.

A novel marine compound xyloketal B protects against oxidized LDL-induced cell injury in vitro

Xyloketal B is a novel marine compound with unique chemical structure isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (no. 2508). Pretreatment with xyloketal B (0.63-40 microM) significantly improved oxLDL (150 microg/ml)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without either toxic or proliferative effects. Xyloketal B concentration-dependently attenuated oxLDL-induced ROS generation, peroxynitrite formation and decrease of Bcl-2 expression. In addition, xyloketal B significantly inhibited NADPH oxidase activity, as well as mRNA expression of gp91phox and p47phox. Furthermore, xyloketal B alone augmented the production of nitric oxide (NO). Collectively, these data indicate that xyloketal B protects against oxLDL-induced endothelial oxidative injury probably through inhibiting NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation, promoting NO production and restoring Bcl-2 expression, making it a promising compound for further evaluation in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Xyloketal Derivatives and Their Vasorelaxing Activities in Rat Thoracic Aorta and Angiogenic Activities in Zebrafish Angiogenesis Screen

A novel series of xyloketal derivatives (1-21) were designed and prepared. The majority of the compounds demonstrated vasorelaxation action on 60 mM KCl-induced contractions rat isolated aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner, and the action is mediated by both endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent mechanisms. Compounds 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19 showed higher vasorelaxation activities comparing with the lead compound 3. In addition, these derivatives had potential protective action against oxLDL-induced endothelial oxidative injury and enhanced NO production in HUVECs without toxic effects. The NO release was completely inhibited by eNOS inhibitor L-NAME. Furthermore, 3 significantly promoted the angiogenesis in zebrafish in a concentration-dependent manner at 0.1, 1, and 10 muM. Compounds 9, 12, 14, 16, 20, and 21 exhibited stronger angiogenic activities than 3. Therefore, xyloketal derivatives are unique compounds with multiple pharmacological properties and may have potential implications in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Alteration of Volume-Regulated Chloride Movement in Rat Cerebrovascular Smooth Muscle Cells During Hypertension

The cerebrovascular remodeling is a prominent feature of hypertension and considered a major risk factor for stroke. Cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells meet volume challenge during this pathophysiological process. Our previous studies suggest that volume regulated chloride channels may be critical to the cell cycle of vascular smooth muscle cells. However, it is unknown whether the volume-regulated chloride movement is altered in hypertension. Therefore, we directly measured the concentration of intracellular chloride ([Cl−]i) in rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells isolated from control rats and rats that were made hypertensive for 1 to 12 weeks after partial renal artery constriction (2-kidney, 2-clip method) using a 6-methoxy-N-ethylquinolinium iodide fluorescence probe. The [Cl−]i in isotonic solution showed no difference in all of the groups. After hypotonic perfusion, the reduction in [Cl−]i was more prominent in hypertensive cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells than in sham control cells. Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited hypotonic-induced reduction in [Cl−]i, whereas sodium orthovanadate, a protein–tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, enhanced hypotonic-induced reduction in [Cl−]i in both groups. The percentage inhibition of reduction in [Cl−]i by genistein on volume-regulated chloride movement has a positive correlation with blood pressure levels in the 2-kidney, 2-clip hypertensive group, as is the case for the percentage increase of reduction in [Cl−]i by sodium orthovanadate. Antihypertensive therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril completely reversed abnormal volume-regulated chloride movement in hypertensive rats. We conclude that volume-regulated chloride movement is augmented in rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells in proportion to the severity of hypertension.

Ginsenoside-Rd, a new voltage-independent Ca2+ entry blocker, reverses basilar hypertrophic remodeling in stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats

The total saponins of Panax notoginseng have been clinically used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in China. Our recent study has identified ginsenoside-Rd, a purified component of total saponins of P. notoginseng, as an inhibitor to remarkably inhibit voltage-independent Ca(2+) entry. We deduced a hypothesis that the inhibition of voltage-independent Ca(2+) entry might contribute to its cerebrovascular benefits. Ginsenoside-Rd was administered to two-kidney, two-clip (2k2c) stroke-prone hypertensive rats to examine its effects on blood pressure, cerebrovascular remodeling and Ca(2+) entry in freshly isolated basilar arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (BAVSMCs). Its effects on endothelin-1 induced Ca(2+) entry and cellular proliferation were assessed in cultured BAVSMCs. The results showed that, in vivo, ginsenoside-Rd treatment attenuated basilar hypertrophic inward remodeling in 2k2c hypertensive rats without affecting systemic blood pressure.During the development of hypertension, there were time-dependent increases in receptor-operated Ca(2+) channel (ROCC)-, store-operated Ca(2+) channel (SOCC)- and voltage dependent Ca(2+) channel (VDCC)-mediated Ca(2+) entries in freshly isolated BAVSMCs. Ginsenoside-Rd reversed the increase in SOCC- or ROCC- but not VDCC-mediated Ca(2+) entry. In vitro, ginsenoside-Rd concentration-dependently inhibited endothelin-1 induced BAVSMC proliferation and Mn(2+) quenching rate within the same concentration range as required for inhibition of increased SOCC- or ROCC-mediated Ca(2+) entries during hypertension. These results provide in vivo evidence showing attenuation of hypertensive cerebrovascular remodeling after ginsenoside-Rd treatment. The underlying mechanism might be associated with inhibitory effects of ginsenoside-Rd on voltage-independent Ca(2+) entry and BAVSMC proliferation, but not with VDCC-mediated Ca(2+) entry.

Marine compound Xyloketal B protects PC12 cells against OGD-induced cell damage.

Xyloketal B is a novel marine compound with unique chemical structure isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (no. 2508). Recently, we have demonstrated that Xyloketal B is an antioxidant and can protect against oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced cell injury. In the present study, we investigated whether Xyloketal B can protect against ischemia-induced cell injury in an in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model of ischemic stroke in PC12 cells. We found that Xyloketal B could directly scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and protect PC12 cells against OGD insult. Furthermore, Xyloketal B alleviated OGD-induced mitochondria superoxide, mitochondria fragmentation and GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) overexpression as well as reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. All together, the present study demonstrates that Xyloketal B protects PC12 cells against OGD-induced cell injury and that the anti-oxidative property and protective action on mitochondria may account for its neuroprotective actions.

Protective effects of xyloketal B against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans and PC12 cells.

Parkinsons disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting 2% of the population over age 65years. Mitochondrial defect and oxidative stress actively participate in the dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration in PD. Xyloketal B is a novel marine compound with unique chemical structure isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (no. 2508). Recently, we have demonstrated that Xyloketal B can directly scavenge DPPH free radicals and protects mitochondria against oxidative insult. In the present study, we investigate the neuroprotective action of xyloketal B against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans and PC12 cells. The viability and DA neurodegeneration was assessed in C. elegans selectively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in DA neurons. PC12 cell damage was measured using MTT and nuclear morphology. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and total GSH were assessed. Xyloketal B dose-dependently protected against MPP+-induced loss of viability and DA neurodegeneration in C. elegans. Similar neuroprotection was replicated in MPP+ PC12 cell model. In addition, xyloketal B attenuated MPP+-induced intracellular ROS accumulation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and restored total GSH level in PC12 cells. All together, the present study demonstrates that xyloketal B protects against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in C. elegans and PC12 cells mainly through its antioxidant property and restoration of total GSH level.

Xyloketal B Exhibits Its Antioxidant Activity through Induction of HO-1 in Vascular Endothelial Cells and Zebrafish

We previously reported that a novel marine compound, xyloketal B, has strong antioxidative actions in different models of cardiovascular diseases. Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an important endogenous antioxidant enzyme, has been considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. We here investigated whether xyloketal B exhibits its antioxidant activity through induction of HO-1. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), xyloketal B significantly induced HO-1 gene expression and translocation of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The protection of xyloketal B against angiotensin II-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production could be abrogated by the HO-1 specific inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin-IX (SnPP). Consistently, the suppressive effects of xyloketal B on NADPH oxidase activity could be reversed by SnPP in zebrafish embryos. In addition, xyloketal B induced Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and Erk1/2 inhibitor U0126 suppressed the induction of HO-1 and translocation of Nrf-2 by xyloketal B, whereas P38 inhibitor SB203580 did not. In conclusion, xyloketal B can induce HO-1 expression via PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 pathways, and the induction of HO-1 is mainly responsible for the antioxidant and antiapoptotic actions of xyloketal B.