Manjula Karpurapu

An essential role for SRC-activated STAT-3 in 14,15-EET–induced VEGF expression and angiogenesis

To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET)-induced angiogenesis, here we have studied the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3). 14,15-EET stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-3 and its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMVECs). Adenovirus-mediated delivery of dominant negative STAT-3 substantially inhibited 14,15-EET-induced HDMVEC migration, and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. 14,15-EET activated Src, as measured by its tyrosine phosphorylation and blockade of its activation by adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant negative mutant, significantly attenuated 14,15-EET-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation in HDMVECs and the migration and tube formation of these cells and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. 14,15-EET induced the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in a time- and Src-STAT-3-dependent manner in HDMVECs. Transfac analysis of VEGF promoter revealed the presence of STAT-binding elements and 14,15-EET induced STAT-3 binding to this promoter in vivo, and this interaction was inhibited by suppression of Src-STAT-3 signaling. Neutralizing anti-VEGF antibodies completely blocked 14,15-EET-induced HDMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. These results reveal that Src-dependent STAT-3-mediated VEGF expression is a major mechanism of 14,15-EET-induced angiogenesis.

CREB-Mediated IL-6 Expression Is Required for 15(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid–Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration

Objective—Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from media to intima is a key event in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and restenosis. The lipoxygenase products of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were shown to play a role in these diseases. cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) has been implicated in the regulation of VSMC growth and motility in response to thrombin and angiotensin II. The aim of the present study was to test the role of CREB in an oxidized lipid molecule, 15(S)-HETE–induced VSMC migration and neointima formation. Methods and Results—15(S)-HETE stimulated VSMC migration in CREB-dependent manner, as measured by the modified Boyden chamber method. Blockade of MEK1, JNK1, or p38MAPK inhibited 15(S)-HETE–induced CREB phosphorylation and VSMC migration. 15(S)-HETE induced expression and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), as analyzed by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Neutralizing anti–IL-6 antibodies blocked 15(S)-HETE–induced VSMC migration. Dominant-negative mutant-mediated blockade of ERK1/2, JNK1, p38MAPK, or CREB suppressed 15(S)-HETE–induced IL-6 expression in VSMCs. Serial 5′ deletions and site-directed mutagenesis of IL-6 promoter along with chromatin immunoprecipitation using anti-CREB antibodies showed that cAMP response element is essential for 15(S)-HETE–induced IL-6 expression. Dominant-negative CREB also suppressed balloon injury–induced IL-6 expression, SMC migration from media to intimal region, and neointima formation. Adenovirus-mediated transduction of 15-lipoxygenase 2 (15-LOX2) caused increased production of 15-HETE in VSMCs and enhanced IL-6 expression, SMC migration from media to intimal region, and neointima formation in response to arterial injury. Conclusions—The above results suggest a role for 15-LOX2–15-HETE in the regulation of VSMC migration and neointima formation involving CREB-mediated IL-6 expression.

SRC-dependent STAT-3-mediated expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is required for 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration

To understand the role of human 15-lipoxygenase 1 (15-LOX1) in vascular wall remodeling, we have studied the effect of the major 15-LOX1 metabolite of arachidonic acid, 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE), on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration both in vitro and in vivo. Among 5(S)-HETE, 12(S)-HETE, and 15(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE potentially stimulated more vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration. In addition, 15(S)-HETE-induced VSMC migration was dependent on Src-mediated activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3). 15(S)-HETE also induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression via Src-STAT-3 signaling, and neutralizing anti-MCP-1 antibodies completely negated 15(S)-HETE-induced VSMC migration. Cloning and characterization of a 2.6-kb MCP-1 promoter revealed the presence of four putative STAT-binding sites, and the site that is proximal to the transcription start site was found to be essential for 15(S)-HETE-induced Src-STAT-3-mediated MCP-1 expression. Rat carotid arteries that were subjected to balloon injury and transduced with Ad-15-LOX1 upon exposure to [3H]arachidonic acid ex vivo produced 15-HETE as a major eicosanoid and enhanced balloon injury-induced expression of MCP-1 in smooth muscle cells in Src and STAT-3-dependent manner in vivo. Adenovirus-mediated delivery of 15-LOX1 into rat carotid artery also led to recruitment and homing of macrophages to medial region in response to injury. In addition, transduction of Ad-15-LOX1 into arteries enhanced balloon injury-induced smooth muscle cell migration from media to intima and neointima formation. These results show for the first time that 15-LOX1–15(S)-HETE axis plays a major role in vascular wall remodeling after balloon angioplasty.

An Essential Role for gp130 in Neointima Formation Following Arterial Injury

Interleukin (IL)-6 induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) motility in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, IL-6 stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130, resulting in the recruitment and activation of STAT-3. IL-6–induced VSMC motility was found to be dependent on activation of gp130/STAT-3 signaling. IL-6 also induced cyclin D1 expression in a time- and gp130/STAT-3–dependent manner in VSMCs. Suppression of cyclin D1 levels via the use of its small interfering RNA molecules inhibited IL-6–induced VSMC motility. Furthermore, balloon injury induced IL-6 expression both at mRNA and protein levels in rat carotid artery. Balloon injury also caused increased STAT-3 phosphorylation and cyclin D1 expression, leading to smooth muscle cell migration from the media to the intimal region. Blockade of gp130/STAT-3 signaling via adenovirus-mediated expression of dngp130 or dnSTAT-3 attenuated balloon injury–induced STAT-3 phosphorylation and cyclin D1 induction, resulting in reduced smooth muscle cell migration from media to intima and decreased neointima formation. Together, these observations for the first time suggest that IL-6/gp130/STAT-3 signaling plays an important role in vascular wall remodeling particularly in the settings of postangioplasty and thereby in neointima formation.

Cyclin D1 is a bona fide target gene of NFATc1 and is sufficient in the mediation of injury-induced vascular wall remodeling

Platelet-derived growth factor BB induced cyclin D1 expression in a time- and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-dependent manner in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), and blockade of NFATs prevented HASMC DNA synthesis and their cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. Selective inhibition of NFATc1 by its small interfering RNA also blocked HASMC proliferation and migration. Characterization of the cyclin D1 promoter revealed the presence of several NFAT binding sites, and the site at nucleotide −1333 was found to be sufficient in mediating platelet-derived growth factor BB-induced cyclin D1 promoter-luciferase reporter gene activity. In addition to its role in cell cycle progression, cyclin D1 mediated HASMC migration in an NFATc1-dependent manner. Balloon injury-induced cyclin D1-CDK4 activity requires NFAT activation, and adenovirus-mediated transduction of cyclin D1 was found to be sufficient to overcome the blockade effect of NFATs by VIVIT on balloon injury-induced vascular wall remodeling events, including smooth muscle cell migration from the medial to luminal region, their proliferation in the intimal region, and neointima formation. Together, these results provide more mechanistic evidence for the role of NFATs, particularly NFATc1, in the regulation of HASMC proliferation and migration as well as vascular wall remodeling. NFATc1 could be a potential therapeutic target against the renarrowing of artery after angioplasty.

NFATc1 Targets Cyclin A in the Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Multiplication during Restenosis

Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) induced cyclin A expression and CDK2 activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Inhibition of nuclear factors of activated T cell (NFAT) activation by cyclosporin A (CsA) and VIVIT suppressed PDGF-BB-induced cyclin A expression and CDK2 activity, resulting in blockade of VSMC in the G1 phase. In addition, CsA- and VIVIT-mediated inhibition of NFATs and small interfering RNA-targeted down-regulation of cyclin A levels suppressed PDGF-BB-induced VSMC DNA synthesis. PDGF-BB also induced cyclin A mRNA levels in VSMC in an NFAT-dependent manner. Cloning and bioinformatic analysis of rat cyclin A promoter revealed the presence of NFAT-binding elements, and PDGF-BB induced the binding of NFATs to these regulatory sequences in a CsA- and VIVIT-sensitive manner. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that NFATc1 binds to the cyclin A promoter in response to PDGF-BB in a VIVIT-sensitive manner. Furthermore, PDGF-BB induced cyclin A promoter-luciferase reporter gene activity in VSMC, and it was inhibited by both CsA and VIVIT. Balloon injury induced cyclin A expression and CDK2 activity in rat carotid arteries, and these responses were also blocked by VIVIT. In addition, VIVIT attenuated balloon injury-induced SMC proliferation, resulting in reduced restenosis. Down-regulation of NFATc1 by its small interfering RNA inhibited PDGF-BB-induced cyclin A expression and DNA synthesis both in rat and human VSMC. Together, these findings demonstrate that the cyclin A-CDK2 complex may be a potential effector of NFATs, specifically NFATc1, in mediating SMC multiplication leading to neointima formation. Therefore, NFATs may be used as target molecules for the development of therapeutic agents against vascular diseases such as restenosis.

A Role for Gab1/SHP2 in Thrombin Activation of PAK1 Gene Transfer of Kinase-Dead PAK1 Inhibits Injury-Induced Restenosis

To understand the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist–induced signaling events, we have studied the capacity of thrombin in the activation of Gab1-SHP2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Thrombin activated both Gab1 and SHP2 in EGFR-dependent manner. Similarly, thrombin induced Rac1 and Cdc42 activation, and these responses were suppressed when either Gab1 or SHP2 stimulation is blocked. Thrombin also induced PAK1 activation in a time- and EGFR-Gab1-SHP2-Rac1/Cdc42–dependent manner. Inhibition of activation of EGFR, Gab1, SHP2, Rac1, Cdc42, or PAK1 by pharmacological or genetic approaches attenuated thrombin-induced VSMC stress fiber formation and motility. Thrombin activated RhoA in a time-dependent manner in VSMCs. LARG, a RhoA-specific GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor), was found to be associated with Gab1 and siRNA-mediated depletion of its levels suppressed RhoA, Rac1 and PAK1 activation. Dominant negative mutant-mediated interference of RhoA activation inhibited thrombin-induced Rac1 and PAK1 stimulation in VSMCs and their stress fiber formation and migration. Balloon injury induced PAK1 activity and interference with its activation led to attenuation of SMC migration from media to intima, resulting in reduced neointima formation and increased lumen size. Inhibition of thrombin signaling by recombinant hirudin also blocked balloon injury–induced EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and PAK1 activity. These results show that thrombin-mediated PAK1 activation plays a crucial role in vascular wall remodeling and it could be a potential target for drug development against these vascular lesions.

A novel role for activating transcription factor-2 in 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced angiogenesis

To investigate the mechanisms underlying 15(S)-HETE-induced angiogenesis, we have studied the role of the small GTPase, Rac1. We find that 15(S)-HETE activated Rac1 in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVEC) in a time-dependent manner. Blockade of Rac1 by adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant negative mutant suppressed HRMVEC migration as well as tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. 15(S)-HETE stimulated Src in HRMVEC in a time-dependent manner and blockade of its activation inhibited 15(S)-HETE-induced Rac1 stimulation in HRMVEC and the migration and tube formation of these cells as well as Matrigel plug angiogenesis. 15(S)-HETE stimulated JNK1 in Src-Rac1-dependent manner in HRMVEC and adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant negative mutant suppressed the migration and tube formation of these cells and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. 15(S)-HETE activated ATF-2 in HRMVEC in Src-Rac1-JNK1-dependent manner and interference with its activation via adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant negative mutant abrogated migration and tube formation of HRMVEC and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. In addition, 15(S)-HETE-induced MEK1 stimulation was found to be dependent on Src-Rac1 activation. Blockade of MEK1 activation inhibited 15(S)-HETE-induced JNK1 activity and ATF-2 phosphorylation. Together, these findings show that 15(S)-HETE activates ATF-2 via the Src-Rac1-MEK1-JNK1 signaling axis in HRMVEC leading to their angiogenic differentiation.

The 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced angiogenesis requires Janus kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription-5B–dependent expression of interleukin-8

To understand the molecular basis underlying 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE)-induced angiogenesis, we have studied the role of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) signaling. The 15(S)-HETE stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 in a time-dependent manner in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs). Inhibition of Jak2 activation via adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant-negative mutant attenuated 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. Similarly, 15(S)-HETE activated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-5B in a time-dependent manner. Dominant-negative mutant-mediated interference of STAT-5B activation suppressed 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. The 15(S)-HETE induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in Jak2-STAT-5B-dependent manner in HRMVECs. In addition, neutralizing anti-IL-8 antibodies reduced 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. Cloning and Transfac analysis of IL-8 promoter revealed the presence of 1 putative STAT-binding sequence at -476 nt, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed the binding of STAT-5B to this site in response to 15(S)-HETE. Mutational analysis showed that STAT binding site is essential for 15(S)-HETE-induced IL-8 promoter activity. Together, these observations suggest that 15(S)-HETE-induced angiogenesis requires Jak2-STAT-5B-dependent expression of IL-8.