Hidetaka Ota

Sirt1 inhibitor, Sirtinol, induces senescence-like growth arrest with attenuated Ras–MAPK signaling in human cancer cells

The induction of senescence-like growth arrest has emerged as a putative contributor to the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of inhibitors for class I and II histone deacetylases to treat malignancies. However, a potential antiproliferative effect of inhibitor for Sirt1, which is an NAD+-dependent deacetylase and belongs to class III histone deacetylases, has not yet been explored. Here, we show that Sirt1 inhibitor, Sirtinol, induced senescence-like growth arrest characterized by induction of senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and lung cancer H1299 cells. Sirtinol-induced senescence-like growth arrest was accompanied by impaired activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, namely, extracellular-regulated protein kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK, in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Active Ras was reduced in Sirtinol-treated senescent cells compared with untreated cells. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptors for EGF and IGF-I and Akt/PKB activation were unaltered by Sirtinol treatment. These results suggest that inhibitors for Sirt1 may have anticancer potential, and that impaired activation of Ras–MAPK pathway might take part in a senescence-like growth arrest program induced by Sirtinol.

Cilostazol Inhibits Oxidative Stress–Induced Premature Senescence Via Upregulation of Sirt1 in Human Endothelial Cells

Objective—Cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of PDE3, has a protective effect on endothelium after ischemic vascular damage, through production of nitric oxide (NO). The purpose of the present study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the preventive effect of treatment with cilostazol on oxidative stress–induced premature senescence in human endothelial cells. Methods and Results—Prematurely senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were induced by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as judged by senescence-associated &bgr;-galactosidase assay (SA-&bgr;gal), cell morphological appearance, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression. Treatment with H2O2 caused 93% of the cells to be SA-&bgr;gal positive, whereas 46% of cilostazol (100 &mgr;mol/L)-treated cells were positive. HUVECs treated with other cAMP-elevating agents and DETA-NO showed a reduction of SA-&bgr;gal–positive cells as well. Cilostazol increased phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 and of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at Ser1177, with a dose-dependent increase in Sirt1 expression. Moreover, the effect of cilostazol on premature senescence was abrogated through inhibition of Sirt1. Conclusions—Our results indicated that cilostazol exerted protective effects against endothelial senescence and dysfunction, and enhancement of NO production is a key mediator in upregulation of Sirt1.

Statins Protect Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells From Inorganic Phosphate-Induced Calcification by Restoring Gas6-Axl Survival Pathway

Vascular calcification is clinically important in the development of cardiovascular disease. It is reported that hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) inhibited vascular calcification in several clinical trials. However, the mechanism is poorly understood. Recently, it has been suggested that apoptosis is one of the important processes regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. In this study, we investigated the effect of statins on VSMC calcification by testing their effect on apoptosis, focusing in particular on regulation of the survival pathway mediated by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6), a member of the vitamin K–dependent protein family, and its receptor, Axl. In human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC), statins significantly inhibited inorganic phosphate (Pi)-induced calcification in a concentration-dependent manner (reduced by 49% at 0.1 &mgr;mol/L atorvastatin). The inhibitory effect of statins was mediated by preventing apoptosis, which was increased by Pi in a concentration-dependent manner, and not by inhibiting sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NPC) activity, another mechanism regulating HASMC calcification. Furthermore, the antiapoptotic effect of statins was dependent on restoration of Gas6, whose expression was downregulated by Pi. Restoration of Gas6 mRNA by statins was mediated by mRNA stabilization, and not by an increase in transcriptional activity. Suppression of Gas6 using small interfering RNA and the Axl-extracellular domain abolished the preventive effect of statins on Pi-induced apoptosis and calcification. These data demonstrate that statins protected HASMC from Pi-induced calcification by inhibiting apoptosis via restoration of the Gas6-Axl pathway.

Induction of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase, SIRT1, and Catalase by Statins Inhibits Endothelial Senescence Through the Akt Pathway

Objective—Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) have pleiotropic vascular protective effects besides cholesterol lowering. Recently, experimental and clinical studies have indicated that senescence of endothelial cells is involved in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine whether statins would reduce endothelial senescence and to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the antisenescent property of statins. Methods and Results—Senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells were induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as judged by senescence-associated &bgr;-galactosidase assay and cell morphological appearance. Atorvastatin, pravastatin, and pitavastatin inhibited the oxidative stress induced-endothelial senescence. These statins phosphorylated Akt at Ser473 and subsequently led to increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), SIRT1, and catalase. Treatment with LY294002 or Akt short interfering RNA decreased the eNOS activation, SIRT1 expression, and antisenescent property of atorvastatin. Moreover, in streptozotocin-diabetic mice, administration of pitavastatin increased eNOS, SIRT1, and catalase expression and decreased endothelial senescence, but levels remained unaltered in Sirt1 knockout mice. Conclusion—Our results indicate that treatment with statins inhibits endothelial senescence and that enhancement of SIRT1 plays a critical role in prevention of endothelial senescence through the Akt pathway, a direct target of statins.

Sirtuin 1 Retards Hyperphosphatemia-Induced Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective— Arterial calcification is associated with cardiovascular disease as a complication of advanced atherosclerosis. Aged vascular cells manifest some morphological features of a senescent phenotype. Recent studies have demonstrated that mammalian sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a histone deacetylase, is an exciting target for cardiovascular disease management. Here, we investigated the role of SIRT1 in a calcification model of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Methods and Results— In adenine-induced renal failure rats with hyperphosphatemia, massive calcification was induced in the aortic media. Senescence-associated &bgr;-galactosidase (SA&bgr;-gal) activity, a marker of cellular senescence, in medial SMCs was significantly increased, and its induction was positively associated with the degree of calcification. In cultured SMCs, inorganic phosphate (Pi) stimulation dose-dependently increased SA&bgr;-gal-positive cells, and Pi-induced senescence was associated with downregulation of SIRT1 expression, leading to p21 activation. The activation via SIRT1 downregulation was blunted by inhibition of Pi cotransporter. Activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol significantly reduced the senescence-associated calcification. Conversely, SIRT1 knockdown by small interfering RNA accelerated the Pi-induced SMC senescence and subsequent calcification. In addition, SIRT1 knockdown induced phenotypic change from a differentiated state to osteoblast-like cells. The senescence-related SMC calcification was completely prevented by p21 knockdown. In addition to Pi-induced premature senescence, SMCs with replicative senescence were also more sensitive to Pi-induced calcification compared with young SMCs, and this finding was attributable to augmented p21 expression. Conclusion— SIRT1 plays an essential role in preventing hyperphosphatemia-induced arterial calcification via inhibition of osteoblastic transdifferentiation. In addition, Pi-induced SMC calcification may be associated with both premature and replicative cellular senescence.

Aortic arch calcification detectable on chest X-ray is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events beyond traditional risk factors

OBJECTIVES Arterial calcification makes the management of hemodynamics more difficult. Some reports have previously shown that simple assessment of aortic calcification using plain radiography is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events; however, these studies simply assessed whether aortic calcification was present or absent only, without considering its extent. Here, we evaluated validity of grading aortic arch calcification (AAC) to predict new CV events. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively reviewed chest X-rays in 239 asymptomatic out-patients who underwent measurement of endothelial function at the 1994-2000 without past history of CV events. The extent of AAC was divided into four grades (0-3). Among these subjects, the follow-up of CV events in 209 patients was completed. At baseline, AAC grade was positively related to age, pulse pressure, diabetes and renal dysfunction. Impairment of endothelial function, as determined by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), was also correlated to increasing AAC grade. Fifty-seven CV events in total occurred during a mean follow-up period of 69+/-45 months. With multivariate adjustment, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the incidence was significantly higher in patients with higher AAC grade (grades 2 and 3) than in those with grade 0 or 1 (p<0.01, log-rank test). Two kinds of multivariate Cox-proportional hazards analyses showed the predictive values of AAC grade were significant (hazard ratio, 2.49; p=0.01, 2.56; p<0.01, respectively), and the predictive power was superior to that of renal dysfunction or FMD. In addition, the prediction was valuable even in patients without CKD. CONCLUSIONS AAC detectable on chest X-ray is a strong independent predictor of CV events beyond traditional risk factors including endothelial dysfunction. Risk stratification by assessment of AAC may provide important information for management of atherosclerotic disease.

Sirolimus and Everolimus Induce Endothelial Cellular Senescence Via Sirtuin 1 Down-Regulation: Therapeutic Implication of Cilostazol After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the effects of paclitaxel, sirolimus, and everolimus on the senescent phenotype in human endothelial cells, and to further investigate possible involvement of mammalian sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) down-regulation as a mechanism. BACKGROUND Endothelial cell senescence may play a role in impaired re-endothelialization after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Recently, the down-regulation of Sirt1 has been shown to mediate oxidative stress-induced endothelial senescence. METHODS Senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were judged by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase assay (SA-betagal), morphological appearance, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1. RESULTS Treatment with paclitaxel, sirolimus, and everolimus significantly caused a senescent phenotype and PAI-1 up-regulation, associated with a decrease in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Sirt1 expression. Overexpression of Sirt1 or Sirt1 activation reversed the sirolimus- or everolimus-induced senescent phenotype. Interestingly, paclitaxel-induced senescence was not suppressed by Sirt1 overexpression, suggesting the existence of a different mechanism. Cilostazol markedly inhibited the sirolimus- or everolimus-induced senescent phenotype (sirolimus or everolimus [2.5 nmol/l]; 49.2% or 53.0% SA-betagal positive vs. only 13.6% or 14.6% with cilostazol [100 micromol/l]) and PAI-1 up-regulation, but had no influence on the effects of paclitaxel. Finally, aspirin significantly blunted sirolimus- or everolimus-induced senescence, but neither ticlopidine nor clopidogrel had any effects. CONCLUSIONS Sirolimus and everolimus induce endothelial senescence involving down-regulation of Sirt1. In contrast, the development of endothelial senescence by paclitaxel involves a Sirt1-independent pathway. Because sirolimus and everolimus are involved in Sirt1 modulation, cilostazol rescues HUVEC from sirolimus- or everolimus-induced senescence. These results may have therapeutic implications in the clinical sequelae after DES implantation.

Testosterone Deficiency Accelerates Neuronal and Vascular Aging of SAMP8 Mice: Protective Role of eNOS and SIRT1

Oxidative stress and atherosclerosis-related vascular disorders are risk factors for cognitive decline with aging. In a small clinical study in men, testosterone improved cognitive function; however, it is unknown how testosterone ameliorates the pathogenesis of cognitive decline with aging. Here, we investigated whether the cognitive decline in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), which exhibits cognitive impairment and hypogonadism, could be reversed by testosterone, and the mechanism by which testosterone inhibits cognitive decline. We found that treatment with testosterone ameliorated cognitive function and inhibited senescence of hippocampal vascular endothelial cells of SAMP8. Notably, SAMP8 showed enhancement of oxidative stress in the hippocampus. We observed that an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, SIRT1, played an important role in the protective effect of testosterone against oxidative stress-induced endothelial senescence. Testosterone increased eNOS activity and subsequently induced SIRT1 expression. SIRT1 inhibited endothelial senescence via up-regulation of eNOS. Finally, we showed, using co-culture system, that senescent endothelial cells promoted neuronal senescence through humoral factors. Our results suggest a critical role of testosterone and SIRT1 in the prevention of vascular and neuronal aging.

trans-Resveratrol in Gnetum gnemon protects against oxidative-stress-induced endothelial senescence.

Gnetum gnemon is an arboreal dioecious plant that is cultivated in Indonesia. The seeds of this species mainly contain dimeric stilbenoid compounds [gnetin C (1), gnemonoside A (2), and gnemonoside D (3)] along with trans-resveratrol (4). trans-Resveratrol has been reported to have antiaging, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects, as well as being a calorie restriction mimetic. SIRT1 exerts a protective effect against vascular senescence. In this study, the effects of these four main stilbenoid derivatives of a G. gnemon seed endosperm ethanolic extract on endothelial senescence were investigated. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, administration of the G. gnemon ethanolic extract increased SIRT1 and decreased endothelial senescence. The concentration of 1 in blood plasma was 6-fold higher than 4 in these mice. Next, the in vitro effects of the four main stilbenoid derivatives of G. gnemon seeds were investigated. Senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells were induced by hydrogen peroxide. Endothelial senescence was inhibited by 4, which increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and SIRT1, whereas 1-3 had no effect. These results indicated that the ethanolic extract of G. gnemon seeds inhibits endothelial senescence, suggesting that 4 plays a critical role in the prevention of endothelial senescence.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Resveratrol Derivatives in Humans after Oral Administration of Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) Seed Extract Powder

Fruits and seeds of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) are resveratrol derivative-rich materials. Pharmacokinetics of resveratrol derivatives in healthy volunteers after oral administration of 1000 mg of melinjo seed extract (MSE) powder were assessed and compared with those after oral dosing of trans-resveratrol (tRV) powder containing 4.8 mg of tRV only, equivalent to the content in 1000 mg MSE powder. Plasma tRV concentrations with enzymatic hydrolysis were maintained over 24 h, with a tmax of 12 h and a mean residence time (MRT) of 14 h, 5 and 2 times higher than those for tRV powder intake, respectively. Gnetin C, a resveratrol dimer, with hydrolysis was maintained in plasma for >96 h with a 36 h MRT. With repeated doses once daily for 28 days, plasma tRV and gnetin C concentrations with hydrolysis were in good agreement with the theoretical curves. MSE powder was well tolerated up to the oral dosing of 5000 mg with no serious adverse events.