Xizhen Xu

Increased CYP2J3 Expression Reduces Insulin Resistance in Fructose-Treated Rats and db/db Mice

OBJECTIVE Accumulating evidence suggests that cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid into epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which play crucial and diverse roles in cardiovascular homeostasis. The anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and pro-proliferative effects of EETs suggest a possible beneficial role for EETs on insulin resistance and diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study investigated the effects of CYP2J3 epoxygenase gene therapy on insulin resistance and blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice and in a model of fructose-induced hypertension and insulin resistance in rats. RESULTS CYP2J3 gene delivery in vivo increased EET generation, reduced blood pressure, and reversed insulin resistance as determined by plasma glucose levels, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, and glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, CYP2J3 treatment prevented fructose-induced decreases in insulin receptor signaling and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPKs) in liver, muscle, heart, kidney, and aorta. Thus, overexpression of CYP2J3 protected against diabetes and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues through activation of insulin receptor and AMPK pathways. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the beneficial roles of the CYP epoxygenase-EET system in diabetes and insulin resistance.

Increased Endothelial Nitric-Oxide Synthase Expression Reduces Hypertension and Hyperinsulinemia in Fructose-Treated Rats

Endothelial dysfunction and decreased production of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and insulin resistance. Because the potential influence of increased eNOS expression/activity on these parameters is unclear, the present study examined the effects of eNOS gene therapy on insulin resistance and blood pressure alterations in a fructose-induced hypertension model in rats. As predicted, 2 weeks of fructose consumption in the drinking water resulted in elevated systolic blood pressure and insulin resistance. These and other physiologic alterations were reversed within 2 weeks after a single intravenous injection of a vector containing the human eNOS cDNA (pcDNA3.1-eNOS), whereas injection of an empty vector (pcDNA3.1) was without effect. In support of the beneficial effects of pcDNA3.1-eNOS treatment being because of enhanced eNOS expression and activity, increased eNOS protein levels were documented in aorta, liver, kidney, and heart of fructose-treated rats injected with pcDNA3.1-eNOS, and corresponding elevations in nitrite/nitrate and cGMP concentrations were observed in urine. Furthermore, pcDNA3.1-eNOS treatment prevented fructose-induced decreases in expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1, the p110 catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phosphorylated Akt, and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinases in liver, aorta, and skeletal muscle. The results of this study cumulatively indicate that gene therapy with human eNOS decreased fructose-induced hypertension and insulin resistance in rats and suggest potential signaling pathways that mediate these effects. These data highlight the potential utility of eNOS gene therapy in the treatment of hypertension and insulin resistance.

Delivery of AAV2-CYP2J2 Protects Remnant Kidney in the 5/6-Nephrectomized Rat via Inhibition of Apoptosis and Fibrosis

The cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, CYP2J2, converts arachidonic acid to four regioisomeric epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are highly abundant in the kidney and considered renoprotective. Accumulating evidence suggests that EETs are important in regulating renal and cardiovascular function. Further, EETs have been confirmed to exert diverse biological activities including potent vasodilation; fibrinolytic properties; and antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, and mitogenic effects. In the current study, we investigated the effects of overexpression of CYP2J2 via recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) in protection against renal damage in a rat 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6-Nx) model of chronic renal failure. The rAAV-CYP2J2 gene delivery in vivo increased EET generation; attenuated the rise in blood pressure; and reduced the levels of proteinuria, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Morphological analysis indicated that rAAV-CYP2J2 gene delivery reduced 5/6 nephrectomy-induced glomerular sclerosis, tubular dilatation, luminal protein cast formation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. rAAV-CYP2J2 gene delivery also significantly lowered collagen I and IV deposition, as well as renal cell apoptosis detected by TUNEL staining, caspase-3 activity, and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)). Furthermore, rAAV-CYP2J2 gene delivery regulated the level of protein expression including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β(1)/SMADs; matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); and apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x(L). Together, these findings demonstrated that rAAV-CYP2J2 gene delivery can protect remnant kidney against renal injury in 5/6-Nx rats by inhibiting apoptosis and fibrosis via regulation of protein expression including TGF-β(1)/SMADs, MMPs, MAPKs, and apoptosis-related proteins.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids protect rat hearts against tumor necrosis factor-α-induced injury

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), the primary arachidonic acid metabolites of cytochrome P450 2J (CYP2J) epoxygenases, possess potent vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and mitogenic effects. To date, little is known about the role of CYP2J2 and EETs in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α–induced cardiac injury. We utilized cell culture and in vivo models to examine the effects of exogenously applied EETs or CYP2J2 overexpression on TNF-α–induced cardiac apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, TNF-α–induced apoptosis was markedly attenuated by EETs or CYP2J2 overexpression, leading to significantly improved cell survival. Further studies showed that TNF-α decreased expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, decreased IκBα and PPARγ, and also inhibited PI3K-dependent Akt and EGFR signaling. Both EETs and CYP2J2 overexpression reversed the effects of TNF-α on these pathways. Furthermore, overexpression of CYP2J2 in rats prevented the decline in cardiac function that is normally observed in TNF-α-challenged animals. These results demonstrate that EETs or CYP2J2 overexpression can prevent TNF-α–induced cardiac cell injury and cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting apoptosis, reducing inflammation, and enhancing PPARγ expression. Targeting the CYP2J2 epoxygenase pathway may represent a novel approach to mitigate cardiac injury in diseases such as heart failure, where increased TNF-α levels are known to occur.

Cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP2J2 attenuates diabetic cardiomyopathy in male streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid to biologically active cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which have potent vasodilatory, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antidiabetes properties. Here, we showed the effects of cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP epoxygenase 2J2 (CYP2J2) on diabetic cardiomyopathy and insulin resistance in high-fat (HF) diet fed, low-dose streptozotocin-treated mice. Diabetic cardiomyopathy was induced by HF and streptozotocin in cardiac-specific CYP2J2 transgenic mice. Physiological parameters and systemic metabolic parameters were monitored using ELISA kits. Intraperitoneal injection glucose tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study were implied to indicate insulin resistance. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and Millar catheter system. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used in signal pathway detection. αMHC-CYP2J2 transgenic mice showed significantly lower plasma glucose and insulin levels, improved glucose tolerance, and increased cardiac glucose uptake. Furthermore, αMHC-CYP2J2 transgenic mice were significantly protected from HF-streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. Strikingly, CYP2J2 overexpression attenuated myocardial hypertrophy induced by diabetes. We conclude that cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP2J2 significantly protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be due to improved cardiac insulin resistance, glucose uptake, and reversal of cardiac hypertrophy. Relevant mechanisms may include up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, activation of insulin receptor and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, and inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 signal by enhanced atrial natriuretic peptide production. These results suggest that CYP2J2 epoxygenase metabolites likely play an important role in plasma glucose homeostasis, and enhancement of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids activation may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated human tissue kallikrein for therapy of chronic renal failure in rats

The tissue kallikrein-kinin system is important in regulating cardiovascular and renal function, and dysregulation of the system has been implicated in heart and kidney pathologies. These findings suggest that if balance can be restored to the kallikrein-kinin axis, then associated disease progression may be attenuated. To test this hypothesis, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated human tissue kallikrein (HK) expression was induced in a rodent model of chronic renal failure involving 5/6 nephrectomy (nephrectomy plus 70% reduction of remaining kidney). rAAV-HK treatment attenuated the rise in blood pressure, glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury observed in this model. rAAV-HK treatment also attenuated renal function decline as measured by urinary microalbumin, osmolarity, and cGMP levels. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that rAAV-HK-treated rats had higher levels of bradykinin receptor-2 (B(2)R) and dopamine receptor-1 mRNAs. In contrast, angiotensin II receptor-1, endothelin receptor-A, and vasopressin receptor-2 mRNAs were markedly downregulated in kidneys from HK-treated rats. Bradykinin induced similar changes in receptor levels and prevented transforming growth factor-beta(1)-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The effects of bradykinin could be reversed with the B(2)R antagonist HOE-140. Together, these findings suggest that restoration of the kallikrein-kinin system reduces kidney injury and protects renal function in 5/6-nephrectomized rats via changes in the expression and activation of G protein-coupled receptors including B(2)R.

Cytochrome P450 2J2 is protective against global cerebral ischemia in transgenic mice

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, EETs, have multiple cardiovascular effects, including reduction of blood pressure, protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and attenuation of endothelial apoptosis. This study investigated the hypothesis that transgenic mice with endothelial overexpression of CYP2J2 (Tie2-CYP2J2-Tr) would be protected against global cerebral ischemia induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) and action mechanisms of EETs on cerebral ischemia in cultures of astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Tie2-CYP2J2-Tr mice had significantly increased CYP2J2 expression, increased 14,15-EET production, increases regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and microvascular density, decreased ROS production, decreased brain infarct size and apoptosis after ischemia compared to wild type mice, these were associated with increased activation of the PI3K/AKT and apoptosis-related protein in ischemic brain. Addition of exogenous EETs or CYP2J2 transfection attenuated OGD-induced apoptosis in astrocytes via activation of PI3K/AKT and anti-apoptosis pathways. However, these effects were reduced by pretreatments with inhibitor of the PI3K (LY294002) and 14,15-EET (14,15-EEZE), respectively. These results indicate that CYP2J2 overexpression exerts marked neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury by a mechanism linked to increased level of circulating EETs and increases CBF and reduction of apoptosis.

Genetic disruption of soluble epoxide hydrolase is protective against streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid into epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which play important roles in regulating cardiovascular functions. The anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, proangiogenic, and antihypertensive properties of EETs suggest a beneficial role for EETs in diabetic nephropathy. Endogenous EET levels are maintained by a balance between synthesis by CYP epoxygenases and hydrolysis by epoxide hydrolases into physiologically less active dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. Genetic disruption of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH/EPHX2) results in increased EET levels through decreased hydrolysis. This study investigated the effects of sEH gene disruption on diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic manifestations were attenuated in sEH-deficient mice relative to wild-type controls, with significantly decreased levels of Hb A(1c), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and urinary microalbumin excretion. The sEH-deficient diabetic mice also had decreased renal tubular apoptosis that coincided with increased levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, and decreased levels of the proapoptotic Bax. These effects were associated with activation of the PI3K-Akt-NOS3 and AMPK signaling cascades. sEH gene inhibition and exogenous EETs significantly protected HK-2 cells from TNFα-induced apoptosis in vitro. These findings highlight the beneficial role of the CYP epoxygenase-EETs-sEH system in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and suggest that the sEH inhibitors available may be potential therapeutic agents for this condition.

Gene Delivery of Cytochrome P450 Epoxygenase Ameliorates Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease that leads to progressive pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and death. Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation were implicated in the pathogenesis of PAH. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), products of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid, are potent vasodilators that possess anti-inflammatory and other protective properties in endothelial cells. We investigated whether gene delivery with the human cytochrome P450 epoxygenase 2J2 (CYP2J2) ameliorates monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. Significant pulmonary hypertension developed 3 weeks after the administration of MCT, but gene therapy with CYP2J2 significantly attenuated the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling, without causing changes in systemic arterial pressure or heart rate. These effects were associated with increased pulmonary endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and its activity, inhibition of inflammation in the lungs, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/type II bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPRII)-drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic proteins (Smads) signaling. Collectively, these data suggest that gene therapy with CYP2J2 may have potential as a novel therapeutic approach to this progressive and oftentimes lethal disorder.

EETs and CYP2J2 inhibit TNF-α-induced apoptosis in pulmonary artery endothelial cells and TGF-β1-induced migration in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have multiple biological functions in cardiovascular homeostasis. The antiinflammatory, anti-migratory and pro-proliferative effects of EETs suggest a possible beneficial role for EETs in the apoptosis, proliferation and migration of pulmonary vascular cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous EETs and cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) overexpression on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) apoptosis, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and migration. PAECs and PASMCs were cultured from porcine pulmonary arteries. Our findings indicated that EETs or CYP2J2 overexpression significantly protected the PAECs from TNF-α-induced apoptosis, as evaluated by cell viability and flow cytometry. Two mechanisms were found to be involved in these important protective effects: firstly, EETs and CYP2J2 overexpression inhibited the decrease in the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, as well as the increase in the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, mediated by TNF-α; secondly, they activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. We also found that 11,12-EET and 14,15-EET significantly inhibited TGF-β1-stimulated PASMC migration. However, EETs did not suppress TGF-β1-induced PASMC proliferation in vitro. These data may represent a novel approach to mitigate pulmonary vascular remodeling in diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.