Updates and New Concepts in Regulation of Proinflammatory Gene Expression by Steroid Hormones

FAPESPUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Pharmacol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmacol, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmacol, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2013/07937-8Web of Scienc

Gene Expression Control by Glucocorticoid Receptors during Innate Immune Responses

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potent anti-inflammatory compounds that have been extensively used in clinical practice for several decades. GC's effects on inflammation are generally mediated through GC receptors (GRs). Signal transduction through these nuclear receptors leads to dramatic changes in gene expression programs in different cell types, typically due to GR binding to DNA or to transcription modulators. During the last decade, the view of GCs as exclusive anti-inflammatory molecules has been challenged. GR negative interference in pro-inflammatory gene expression was a landmark in terms of molecular mechanisms that suppress immune activity. In fact, GR can induce varied inhibitory molecules, including a negative regulator of Toll-like receptors pathway, or subject key transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B and AP-1, to a repressor mechanism. In contrast, the expression of some acute-phase proteins and other players of innate immunity generally requires GR signaling. Consequently, GRs must operate context-dependent inhibitory, permissive, or stimulatory effects on host defense signaling triggered by pathogens or tissue damage. This review aims to disclose how contradictory or comparable effects on inflammatory gene expression can depend on pharmacological approach (including selective GC receptor modulatorsSEGRMs), cell culture, animal treatment, or transgenic strategies used as models. Although the current view of GR-signaling integrated many advances in the field, some answers to important questions remain elusive.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloConselho National de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolOgicoUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, Sao Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa Sao Paulo Med Sch, Dept Physiol Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2007/53732-8CNPq: 484869/2012-4Web of Scienc

Atividade da óxido nítrico sintase em plaquetas humanas: um método otimizado

A análise cinética da atividade da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) plaquetária foi avaliada pela conversão de [³H]-arginina em [³H]-citrulina em plaquetas humanas frescas não estimuladas. A atividade da NOS foi detectada na fração citosólica e na membrana, além de ser dependente de Ca2+-calmodulina, que é uma característica da NOS endotelial (eNOS). A omissão de NADPH levou à diminuição da atividade da NOS dependente da dose causando redução de 85,2% da atividade enzimática. A cinética variou de acordo com as concentrações de proteína e de arginina, sendo que as melhores leituras foram obtidas com 80 µg de proteína, 120 nM de arginina em 0,5 µCi de ³H arginina, em 60 minutos de incubação. A atividade da NOS na ausência de FAD (flavina adenina dinucleotídeo), FMN (flavina mononucleotídeo) e BH4 (tetrahidrobiopterina) foi de apenas 2,8% da atividade medida na presença destes três cofatores. A atividade da enzima foi completamente inibida pelo L-NAME (1 mM; 98,1 %), EGTA (5 mM; 98,8 %) e adição de trifluoperazina (TFP), nas concentrações de 200 µM e 500 µM, inibiu a atividade da enzima em 73,2% e 83,8 %, respectivamente. Em condições basais, o Km da NOS para Larginina foi de 0,84 ± 0,08 µM e o valor de Vmax foi de 0,122 ± 0,025 pmol.mg-1.min-1. A atividade média da NOS plaquetária humana foi de 0,020 ± 0,010 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Os resultados indicam que a eNOS em plaquetas humanas pode ser avaliada pelo método da conversão de [³H]-arginina em [³H]-citrulina, que em condições otimizadas, fornece resultados reprodutíveis e precisos com ótima sensibilidade para experimentos clínicos envolvendo doenças neurológicas e psiquiátricas.We investigated the kinetic analysis of human platelet Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) activity by the rate of conversion of [³H] arginine to [³H]-citrulline in unstimulated fresh platelets. NOS activity was present in the membrane fraction and cytosol, and was Ca2+- and calmodulin dependent which is a characteristic of endothelial NOS. NOS activity was also dependent of NADPH since the omission of this cofactor induced an important decrease (85,2%) in the enzyme activity. The kinetic varied with protein and arginine concentration but optimum concentrations were found up to 60 minutes, and up to 80 µg of protein at 120 nM of arginine and 0.5 µCi of ³H-arginine. NOS activity in the absence of FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), FMN (flavin mononucleotide) and BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin) was only 2.8% of the activity measured in the presence of these three cofactors. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by L-NAME (1 mM) (98.1 %) and EGTA (5 mM) (98.8 %). Trifluoperazine (TFP) caused 73.2% inhibition of the enzyme activity at 200 µM and 83.8 % at 500 µM. Under basal conditions, NOS Km for L-arginine was 0.84 ± 0.08 µM and mean Vmax values were 0.122 ± 0.025 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Mean human NOS platelet activity was 0.020 ± 0.010 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Results indicate that the eNOS in human platelet can be evaluated by conversion of [³H]-arginine to [³H]citrulline in an optimized method, which provide reproducible and accurate results with good sensitivity to clinical experiments involving neurological and psychiatric diseases

Brain Innate Immune Response in Diet-Induced Obesity as a Paradigm for Metabolic Influence on Inflammatory Signaling

Obesity is a predisposing factor for numerous morbidities, including those affecting the central nervous system. Hypothalamic inflammation is a hallmark of obesity and is believed to participate in the onset and progression of the obese phenotype, by promoting changes in neuronal functions involved in the control of metabolism. The activation of brain immune cells in the hypothalamus, which are represented by microglia and brain macrophages, is associated with obesity and has been the focus of intense research. Despite the significant body of knowledge gathered on this topic, obesity-induced metabolic changes in brain cells involved in innate immune responses are still poorly characterized due, at least in part, to limitations in the existing experimental methods. Since the metabolic state influences immune responses of microglia and other myeloid cells, the understanding and characterization of the effects of cellular metabolism on the functions of these cells, and their impact on brain integrity, are crucial for the development of efficient therapeutic interventions for individuals exposed to a long-term high fat diet (HFD). Here we review and speculate on the cellular basis that may underlie the observed changes in the reactivity and metabolism of the innate immune cells of the brain in diet-induced obesity (DIO), and discuss important points that deserve further investigation

Genes Involved in the Balance between Neuronal Survival and Death during Inflammation

Glucocorticoids are potent regulators of the innate immune response, and alteration in this inhibitory feedback has detrimental consequences for the neural tissue. This study profiled and investigated functionally candidate genes mediating this switch between cell survival and death during an acute inflammatory reaction subsequent to the absence of glucocorticoid signaling. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed that following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intracerebral administration at striatum level, more modulated genes presented transcription impairment than exacerbation upon glucocorticoid receptor blockage. Among impaired genes we identified ceruloplasmin (Cp), which plays a key role in iron metabolism and is implicated in a neurodegenative disease. Microglial and endothelial induction of Cp is a natural neuroprotective mechanism during inflammation, because Cp-deficient mice exhibited increased iron accumulation and demyelination when exposed to LPS and neurovascular reactivity to pneumococcal meningitis. This study has identified genes that can play a critical role in programming the innate immune response, helping to clarify the mechanisms leading to protection or damage during inflammatory conditions in the CNS

Human platelet nitric oxide synthase activity: an optimized method Atividade da óxido nítrico sintase em plaquetas humanas: um método otimizado

We investigated the kinetic analysis of human platelet Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) activity by the rate of conversion of [³H] arginine to [³H]-citrulline in unstimulated fresh platelets. NOS activity was present in the membrane fraction and cytosol, and was Ca2+- and calmodulin dependent which is a characteristic of endothelial NOS. NOS activity was also dependent of NADPH since the omission of this cofactor induced an important decrease (85,2%) in the enzyme activity. The kinetic varied with protein and arginine concentration but optimum concentrations were found up to 60 minutes, and up to 80 µg of protein at 120 nM of arginine and 0.5 µCi of ³H-arginine. NOS activity in the absence of FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), FMN (flavin mononucleotide) and BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin) was only 2.8% of the activity measured in the presence of these three cofactors. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by L-NAME (1 mM) (98.1 %) and EGTA (5 mM) (98.8 %). Trifluoperazine (TFP) caused 73.2% inhibition of the enzyme activity at 200 µM and 83.8 % at 500 µM. Under basal conditions, NOS Km for L-arginine was 0.84 ± 0.08 µM and mean Vmax values were 0.122 ± 0.025 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Mean human NOS platelet activity was 0.020 ± 0.010 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Results indicate that the eNOS in human platelet can be evaluated by conversion of [³H]-arginine to [³H]citrulline in an optimized method, which provide reproducible and accurate results with good sensitivity to clinical experiments involving neurological and psychiatric diseases.<br>A análise cinética da atividade da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) plaquetária foi avaliada pela conversão de [³H]-arginina em [³H]-citrulina em plaquetas humanas frescas não estimuladas. A atividade da NOS foi detectada na fração citosólica e na membrana, além de ser dependente de Ca2+-calmodulina, que é uma característica da NOS endotelial (eNOS). A omissão de NADPH levou à diminuição da atividade da NOS dependente da dose causando redução de 85,2% da atividade enzimática. A cinética variou de acordo com as concentrações de proteína e de arginina, sendo que as melhores leituras foram obtidas com 80 µg de proteína, 120 nM de arginina em 0,5 µCi de ³H arginina, em 60 minutos de incubação. A atividade da NOS na ausência de FAD (flavina adenina dinucleotídeo), FMN (flavina mononucleotídeo) e BH4 (tetrahidrobiopterina) foi de apenas 2,8% da atividade medida na presença destes três cofatores. A atividade da enzima foi completamente inibida pelo L-NAME (1 mM; 98,1 %), EGTA (5 mM; 98,8 %) e adição de trifluoperazina (TFP), nas concentrações de 200 µM e 500 µM, inibiu a atividade da enzima em 73,2% e 83,8 %, respectivamente. Em condições basais, o Km da NOS para Larginina foi de 0,84 ± 0,08 µM e o valor de Vmax foi de 0,122 ± 0,025 pmol.mg-1.min-1. A atividade média da NOS plaquetária humana foi de 0,020 ± 0,010 pmol.mg-1.min-1. Os resultados indicam que a eNOS em plaquetas humanas pode ser avaliada pelo método da conversão de [³H]-arginina em [³H]-citrulina, que em condições otimizadas, fornece resultados reprodutíveis e precisos com ótima sensibilidade para experimentos clínicos envolvendo doenças neurológicas e psiquiátricas

Topical Dexamethasone Administration Impairs Protein Synthesis and Neuronal Regeneration in the Olfactory Epithelium

Chronic inflammatory process in the nasal mucosa is correlated with poor smell perception. Over-activation of immune cells in the olfactory epithelium (OE) is generally associated with loss of olfactory function, and topical steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been largely used for treating such condition. Whether this therapeutic strategy could directly affect the regenerative process in the OE remains unclear. In this study, we show that nasal topical application of dexamethasone (DEX; 200 or 800 ng/nostril), a potent synthetic anti-inflammatory steroid, attenuates OE lesion caused by Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intranasal infusion. In contrast, repeated DEX (400 ng/nostril) local application after lesion establishment limited the regeneration of olfactory sensory neurons after injury promoted by LPS or methimazole. Remarkably, DEX effects were observed when the drug was infused as 3 consecutive days regimen. The anti-inflammatory drug does not induce OE progenitor cell death, however, disturbance in mammalian target of rapamycin downstream signaling pathway and impairment of protein synthesis were observed during the course of DEX treatment. In addition, in vitro studies conducted with OE neurospheres in the absence of an inflammatory environment showed that glucocorticoid receptor engagement directly reduces OE progenitor cells proliferation. Our results suggest that DEX can interfere with the intrinsic regenerative cellular mechanisms of the OE, raising concerns on the use of topical anti-inflammatory steroids as a risk factor for progressive olfactory function impairment

CD36 Shunts Eicosanoid Metabolism to Repress CD14 Licensed Interleukin-1β Release and Inflammation

Interleukin (IL)-1β is a potential target for treatment of several inflammatory diseases, including envenomation by the scorpion Tityus serrulatus. In this context, bioactive lipids such as prostaglandin (PG)E2 and leukotriene (LT)B4 modulate the production of IL-1β by innate immune cells. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that perceive T. serrulatus venom (TsV), and orchestrate LTB4, PGE2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production to regulate IL-1β release are unknown. Furthermore, molecular mechanisms driving human cell responses to TsV remain uncharacterized. Here, we identified that both CD14 and CD36 control the synthesis of bioactive lipids, inflammatory cytokines, and mortality mediated by TsV. CD14 induces PGE2/cAMP/IL-1β release and inflammation. By contrast, CD36 shunts eicosanoid metabolism toward production of LTB4, which represses the PGE2/cAMP/IL-1β axis and mortality. Of importance, the molecular mechanisms observed in mice strongly correlate with those of human cell responses to TsV. Overall, this study provides major insights into molecular mechanisms connecting CD14 and CD36 with differential eicosanoid metabolism and inflammation mediated by IL-1β