Maria A. O'Connell

Role of IKK1 and IKK2 in lipopolysaccharide signaling in human monocytic cells

Mononuclear phagocytes play a major role in immune and inflammatory responses. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces monocytes to express a variety of genes by activating the NF-κB/Rel transcription factor family. Recently, we have reported that the tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 signaling pathways activate two kinases, IKK1 and IKK2. Phosphorylation of the IκB cytoplasmic inhibitors, IκBα, IκBβ, and IκBε, by these kinases triggers proteolytic degradation and the release of NF-κB/Rel proteins into the nucleus. At present, the role of the IKKs in LPS signaling has not been investigated. Here, we report that LPS induces IKK activity in human monocytes and THP-1 monocytic cells. The kinetics of activation of kinase activity in monocytic cells are relatively slow with maximal activity observed at 60 min, which coincides with the degradation of IκBs and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. In transfection experiments, overexpression of wild type IKK1, a dominant negative mutant IKK1 (K44M), or wild type IKK2 did not affect LPS-induced κB-dependent transcription in monocytic cells. In contrast, a dominant negative mutant of IKK2 inhibited LPS induction of κB-dependent transcription in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that LPS induction of κB-dependent gene expression in human monocytic cells requires activation of IKK2.

The impact of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on inflammation, insulin sensitivity and CVD risk in a group of overweight women with an inflammatory phenotype.

Background:  Inflammation is strongly related to obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The metabolic benefits of long chain (LC) n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may be attributable to its anti‐inflammatory properties.

Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Human Monocytic Cells Is Mediated via Nrf2 and Protein Kinase C

Monocytes play a key role in mobilization of the immune response during sepsis. In response to LPS, monocytes produce both proinflammatory mediators and regulatory proteins that counteract the inflammation and oxidative stress. In murine macrophages, LPS stimulates expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), a cytoprotective enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of heme. The HO-1 5′-untranslated region, similarly to other cytoprotective genes, contains antioxidant-response elements (AREs) that can bind the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). At present, the role of Nrf2 in LPS-induced HO-1 expression in monocytic cells has not been investigated. In this study, LPS induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in human monocytes and THP-1 cells. Nrf2 translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to LPS and bound to the ARE site in the human HO-1 promoter. In addition, a dominant negative Nrf2 mutant inhibited LPS-induced HO-1 mRNA expression but not TNF-α mRNA expression in THP-1 cells. Ro-31-8220, a pan-protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and Go6976, a classical PKC inhibitor, blunted LPS-induced HO-1 mRNA expression in monocytes and THP-1 cells. Both PKC inhibitors also blocked LPS-induced Nrf2 binding to the ARE. These results indicate that LPS-induced HO-1 expression in human monocytic cells requires Nrf2 and PKC.

Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Expression of NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 and Heme Oxygenase-1 Protects against Excessive Inflammatory Responses in Human Monocytes

Monocytes play a central role in the immunopathological effects of sepsis. This role is mediated by production of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates innate immune responses in various experimental disease models. Presently, the role of Nrf2-regulated genes in LPS-treated human monocytes is not well defined. Herein we show that Nrf2 mediates a significant regulation of LPS-induced inflammatory responses. Analysis of Nrf2-regulated gene expression in human monocytes showed that LPS induced the expression of the phase II detoxification gene NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Furthermore, NQO1 mRNA or protein expression in response to LPS was regulated by Nrf2. Silencing Nrf2 expression in human monocytes inhibited LPS-induced NQO1 expression; however, in contrast, it significantly increased TNF and IL-1β production. Silencing expression of NQO1 alone, or in combination with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) silencing, markedly increased LPS-induced TNF and IL-1β expression. Additionally, overexpression of NQO1 and/or HO-1 inhibited LPS-induced TNF and IL-1β expression. These results show for the first time that LPS induces NQO1 and HO-1 expression in human monocytes via Nrf2 to modulate their inflammatory responsiveness, thus providing novel potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of sepsis.

Seasonal childhood anaemia in West Africa is associated with the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype

Background Anaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for children in Africa. The plasma protein haptoglobin (Hp) binds avidly to free haemoglobin released following malaria-induced haemolysis. Haptoglobin polymorphisms result in proteins with altered haemoglobin-binding capacity and different antioxidant, iron-recycling, and immune functions. Previous studies examined the importance of haptoglobin polymorphism in malaria and iron homeostasis, but it is unknown whether haptoglobin genotype might be a risk factor for anaemia in children in a malaria-endemic area. Methods and Findings A cohort of 780 rural Gambian children aged 2–6 y was surveyed at the start and end of the malaria season. Samples were taken to assess haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, iron status (ferritin, zinc protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, and soluble transferrin receptor concentration), haptoglobin concentration, α-1-antichymotrypsin (a measure of inflammation), and malaria parasites on blood film. We extracted DNA and genotyped for haptoglobin, sickle cell, and glucose-6-phosphate (G6PD) deficiency. Mean Hb levels fell over the malaria season. Children with the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype (17%) had a greater mean drop in Hb level over the malaria season (an 8.9 g/l drop; confidence interval [CI] 5.7, 12.1) compared to other children (a 5.1 g/l drop; CI 3.8, 6.4). In multivariate regression analysis, controlling for baseline Hb level, age group, village, malaria parasites on blood film, iron status, haptoglobin concentration, and G6PD deficiency, haptoglobin genotype predicted Hb level at the end of the malaria season ( p = 0.0009, coefficient = −4.2). Iron status was not influenced by haptoglobin genotype. Conclusions The finding that haptoglobin 2-2 genotype is a risk factor for anaemia in children in a malaria-endemic area may reflect the reduced ability of the Hp2-2 polymer to scavenge free haemoglobin-iron following malaria-induced haemolysis. The magnitude of the effect of haptoglobin genotype (4 g/l Hb difference, p = 0.0009) was comparable to that of G6PD deficiency or HbAS (3 g/l difference, p = 0.03; and 2 g/l difference, p = 0.68, respectively).

Anti-inflammatory Effect of a Cell-Penetrating Peptide Targeting the Nrf2/Keap1 Interaction

Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is increasingly recognized as a central regulator of multiple signaling pathways in inflammation and cancer, and the ability to use chemical biological tools to investigate its biological effects is very attractive. A peptide comprising a TAT-conjugated Nrf2 sequence is shown to activate Nrf2 and its downstream target gene heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner in intact human THP-1 monocytes. Levels of Nrf2 protein peak after 3 h, whereas HO-1 mRNA and protein peak after 6 and 12 h, respectively. The peptide is also shown to inhibit the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF. The TAT-14mer constitutes a useful chemical biology tool with potential therapeutic applications.

Curcumin: potential for hepatic fibrosis therapy?

The beneficial antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory and antitumorigenic effects of curcumin have been well documented in relation to cancer and other chronic diseases. Recent evidence suggests that it may be of therapeutic interest in chronic liver disease. Hepatic fibrosis (scarring) occurs in advanced liver disease, where normal hepatic tissue is replaced with collagen‐rich extracellular matrix and, if left untreated, results in cirrhosis. Curcumin inhibits liver cirrhosis in a rodent model and exerts multiple biological effects in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which play a central role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. In response to liver injury, these cells proliferate producing pro‐inflammatory mediators and extracellular matrix. Curcumin induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation in HSCs. In addition, it inhibits extracellular matrix formation by enhancing HSC matrix metalloproteinase expression via PPARγ and suppressing connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression. In this issue, Chen and co‐workers propose that curcumin suppresses CTGF expression in HSC by inhibiting ERK and NF‐κB activation. These studies suggest that curcumin modulates several intracellular signalling pathways in HSC and may be of future interest in hepatic fibrosis therapy.

Synthesis of natural-product-like scaffolds in unprecedented efficiency via a 12-fold branching pathway

Tying the knot! The marriage of two-directional synthesis and tandem reactions allows access to twelve skeletally diverse scaffolds in just fifteen reactions. Two-directional synthesis yields a symmetrical linear “rope-like” keto-dienoate which is then subjected to twelve separate tandem reactions to “tie the rope in knots” thus creating twelve diverse natural product-like scaffolds containing useful functionality for further elaboration.

Haem oxygenase-1: a target for dietary antioxidants.

HO-1 (haem oxygenase-1) is a stress-response enzyme involved in the catabolism of haem. In animal models, it plays a key protective role in vascular disease. HO-1 has anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages and is induced by a range of stimuli, including antioxidants, in various cell types. As dietary antioxidants are considered to be beneficial in vascular disease, their protective effects may occur through induction of HO-1. Emerging evidence suggests that a range of dietary and other naturally occurring antioxidants stimulate HO-1 expression in various cell types, although regulation by these compounds has not been investigated in detail. These studies suggest that HO-1 may be a target for dietary therapy in vascular disease.

Protein recognition by short peptide reversible inhibitors of the chromatin-modifying LSD1/CoREST lysine demethylase.

The combinatorial assembly of protein complexes is at the heart of chromatin biology. Lysine demethylase LSD1(KDM1A)/CoREST beautifully exemplifies this concept. The active site of the enzyme tightly associates to the N-terminal domain of transcription factors of the SNAIL1 family, which therefore can competitively inhibit the binding of the N-terminal tail of the histone substrate. Our enzymatic, crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational studies reveal that LSD1/CoREST can bind to a hexapeptide derived from the SNAIL sequence through recognition of a positively charged α-helical turn that forms upon binding to the enzyme. Variations in sequence and length of this six amino acid ligand modulate affinities enabling the same binding site to differentially interact with proteins that exert distinct biological functions. The discovered short peptide inhibitors exhibit antiproliferative activities and lay the foundation for the development of peptidomimetic small molecule inhibitors of LSD1.