Low-dose UVB irradiation stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression via a BLT2-linked pathway in HaCaT cells

Skin exposure to low-dose ultraviolet B (UVB) light up-regulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), thus contributing to premature skin aging (photo-aging). Although cyclooxygenase-2 (COX- 2) and its product, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE((2))), have been associated with UVB-induced signaling to MMP expression, very little are known about the roles of lipoxygenases and their products, especially leukotriene B((4)) (LTB((4))) and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), in MMP-1 expression in skin keratinocytes. In the present study, we demonstrate that BLT2, a cell surface receptor for LTB((4)) and 12(S)-HETE, plays a critical role in UVB-mediated MMP-1 upregulation in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Moreover, our results demonstrated that BLT2-mediated MMP-1 upregulation occurs through a signaling pathway dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the subsequent stimulation of ERK. Blockage of BLT2 via siRNA knockdown or with the BLT2-antagonist LY255283 completely abolished the up-regulated expression of MMP-1 induced by low-dose UVB irradiation. Finally, when HaCaT cells were transiently transfected with a BLT2 expression plasmid, MMP-1 expression was significantly enhanced, along with ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that BLT2 overexpression alone is sufficient for MMP-1 up-regulation. Together, our results suggest that the BLT2-ROS- ERK-linked cascade is a novel signaling mechanism for MMP-1 upregulation in low-dose UVB- irradiated keratinocytes and thus potentially contributes to photo-aging.     

Phloroglucinol attenuates ultraviolet B radiation-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human keratinocytes via inhibitory actions against mitogen-activated protein kinases and activator protein-1

Excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation cause skin aging via basement membrane/extracellular matrix degradation resulting from the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Recently, phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) was demonstrated to attenuate the cell damage induced by oxidative stress by quenching ROS and stimulating antioxidant systems. In the current study, the effect of phloroglucinol on UVB-induced photoaging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Phloroglucinol significantly inhibited the UVB-induced (1) upregulation of MMP-1 mRNA, protein and activity; (2) augmentation of intracellular Ca(2+) levels; (3) phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); (4) expression of c-Fos and phospho c-Jun; and (5) enhancement of activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding to the MMP-1 promoter. In addition, the knockdown of MAPKs significantly inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1 expression. The results of this study suggest that phloroglucinol may be useful as a photoprotective compound for the skin.     

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibits cell growth and cell cycle arrest via a prostaglandin E(2) independent pathway

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide known for its interaction with the plasma membrane induces several events in cells including cell growth and anti-tumor activity. In this study, we have investigated the possible role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in cell growth arrest induced by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited cell growth and arrested the cell cycle, and this cell cycle arrest reduced the population of cells in the S phase, and concomitantly reduced cyclin A and D expressions. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in a dose- and time-dependent manner, also induced COX-2 expression, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis, and COX-2 promoter activity. Pretreatment of cells with NS398, a COX-2 specific inhibitor completely blocked PGE(2) synthesis induced by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, however inhibition on cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest was not effected, suggesting non-association of COX-2 in the cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that methyl-beta-cyclodextrin induced cell growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in Raw264.7 cells may be mediated by cyclin A and D1 expression.     

Usnea barbata extract prevents ultraviolet-B induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis and COX-2 expression in HaCaT keratinocytes

Usnea barbata and its major constituent usnic acid are potent antimicrobial agents. Here, we have investigated anti-inflammatory properties of an U. barbata extract (UBE) containing 4% usnic acid in an ultraviolet-B (UVB) model with HaCaT keratinocytes. UVB irradiation induced PGE(2) production and COX-2 expression in a time and dose-dependent manner. UBE inhibited PGE(2) production at a half-maximal concentration of 60 microg/ml (2.4 microg/ml usnic acid) that did not affect the UVB-induced upregulation of COX-2, suggesting an effect on enzyme activity rather than on protein expression. The inhibition of PGE(2) production by UBE was not due to cytotoxicity. Besides its known antimicrobial properties, UBE displays specific UVB protective effects that might be useful in the topical treatment of UVB-mediated inflammatory skin conditions.     

Simultaneous determination of prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin E0 and 15-keto-prostaglandin E0 in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical-ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and selective routine method for the simultaneous determination of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), prostaglandin E0 (PGE0) and 15-keto-prostaglandin E0 (15-keto-PGE0) in human plasma is described using deuterated internal standards. The analytes were isolated from acidified human plasma by solid-phase extraction by means of Bond Elut C18 cartridges and derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) ester methoxime. The analytes were purified on Bond Elut Si cartridges and converted to the trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether. Quantitation was achieved by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical-ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The precursor ion [M-PFB]- = [P]- carried more than 80% of the total ion current. Collision activated decomposition (CAD) of [P]- resulted in characteristic product ions of which the [P-2(CH3)3SiOH]- ion (PGE1) and the [P-(CH3)3SiOH]- ion (PGE0 and 15-keto-PGE0) were used for quantitation. The lower limit of quantitation (LLQ) was 2 pg/ml (PGE1 and PGE0) and 10 pg/ml (15-keto-PGE0) extracted from 2 ml of human plasma. Linear calibration curves were obtained over the concentration range 2-100 pg/ml (PGE1 and PGE0) and 10-500 pg/ml (15-keto-PGE0). In all cases, the precision and accuracy were < 17%. The present method has been applied successfully to pharmacokinetic and clinical studies in humans.     

Glutathione peroxidase-1 regulates ASK1-dependent apoptosis via interaction with TRAF2 in RIPK3-negative cancer cells

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a selenocysteine-containing peroxidase enzyme that defends mammalian cells against oxidative stress, but the role of GPx signaling is poorly characterized. Here, we show that GPx type 1 (GPx1) plays a key regulatory role in the apoptosis signaling pathway. The absence of GPx1 augmented TNF-α-induced apoptosis in various RIPK3-negative cancer cells by markedly elevating the level of cytosolic H₂O₂, which is derived from mitochondria. At the molecular level, the absence of GPx1 led to the strengthened sequential activation of sustained JNK and caspase-8 expression. Two signaling mechanisms are involved in the GPx1-dependent regulation of the apoptosis pathway: (1) GPx1 regulates the level of cytosolic H₂O₂ that oxidizes the redox protein thioredoxin 1, blocking ASK1 activation, and (2) GPx1 interacts with TRAF2 and interferes with the formation of the active ASK1 complex. Inducible knockdown of GPx1 expression impaired the tumorigenic growth of MDA-MB-231 cells (>70% reduction, P = 0.0034) implanted in mice by promoting apoptosis in vivo. Overall, this study reveals the apoptosis-related signaling function of a GPx family enzyme highly conserved in aerobic organisms.Subject terms: Apoptosis, Cancer prevention     

Synaptotagmin-1 C2B domains cooperatively stabilize the fusion stalk via a master-servant mechanism

Synaptotagmin-1 is a low-affinity Ca²⁺ sensor that triggers synchronous vesicle fusion. It contains two similar C2 domains (C2A and C2B) that cooperate in membrane binding, being the C2B domain mainly responsible for the membrane fusion process due to its polybasic patch KRLKKKKTTIKK (321–332). In this work, a master-servant mechanism between two identical C2B domains is shown to control the formation of the fusion stalk in a calcium-independent manner. Two regions in C2B are essential for the process, the well-known polybasic patch and a recently described pair of arginines (398 399). The master domain shows strong PIP₂ interactions with its polybasic patch and its pair of arginines. At the same time, the servant analogously cooperates with the master to reduce the total work to form the fusion stalk. The strategic mutation (T328E, T329E) in both master and servant domains disrupts the cooperative mechanism, drastically increasing the free energy needed to induce the fusion stalk, however, with negligible effects on the master domain interactions with PIP₂. These data point to a difference in the behavior of the servant domain, which is unable to sustain its PIP₂ interactions neither through its polybasic patch nor through its pair of arginines, and in the end, losing its ability to assist the master in the formation of the fusion stalk.

Synaptotagmin-1 is a low-affinity Ca²⁺ sensor that triggers synchronous vesicle fusion.     

Synthesis and inhibitory effect of novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives on IL-1 beta-induced prostaglandin E(2) production in normal human dermal fibroblasts

Olean-11,13(18)-dien-3beta,30-diol dihemiphthalate (3), which was derived from glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), has been reported to produce a potent of anti-inflammatory effect in in vivo assays. Using 3 as a lead compound, we attempted to synthesize some modified compounds which varied in the following; i) the position of a carboxyl group in the phthalate moiety, ii) the number of carboxyls attached to the benzoyl group, iii) conversion of benzene ring to another ring system, iv) the linkage form between the benzene ring and oleanene skeleton at position 3 and/or 30. These were screened for their inhibitory activity against interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-induced prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). Although conversion of the ortho-carboxyl group of 3 into the meta-position or the para-position led to an increase in inhibitory activity, the elimination or increase of the carboxyl group resulted in loss of the inhibitory activity. Conversion of the ester bond to the amide bond at position 3 and/or 30 of 3 did not contribute to a significant increase in inhibitory activity. On the other hand, among the derivatives possessing an anthranilic acid moiety at position 30 of 3beta-O-acetyl-olean-11,13(18)-dien-30-oic acid (20), 3beta-hydroxy-30-nor-olean-11,13(18)-dien-20 beta-[N-(2-carboxyphenyl)]carboxamide (30) showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC(50) 1.0 microM) in this series.     

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates angiogenesis by activating the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a major product of cyclooxygenase, has been implicated in modulating angiogenesis, vascular function, and inflammatory processes, but the underlying mechanism is not clearly elucidated. We here investigated the molecular mechanism by which PGE2 regulates angiogenesis. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with PGE2 increased angiogenesis. PGE2 increased phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), eNOS activity, and nitric oxide (NO) production by the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Dibutyryl cAMP (DB-cAMP) mimicked the role of PGE2 in angiogenesis and the signaling pathway, suggesting that cAMP is a down-stream mediator of PGE2. Furthermore, PGE2 increased endothelial cell sprouting from normal murine aortic segments, but not from eNOS-deficient ones, on Matrigel. The angiogenic effects of PGE2 were inhibited by the inhibitors of PKA, PI3K, eNOS, and soluble guanylate cyclase, but not by phospholipase C inhibitor. These results clearly show that PGE2 increased angiogenesis by activating the NO/cGMP signaling pathway through PKA/PI3K/Akt-dependent increase in eNOS activity.     

A negative cooperativity mechanism of human CYP2E1 inferred from molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations

Human cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) participates in the metabolism of over 2% of all the oral drugs. A hallmark peculiar feature of this enzyme is that it exhibits a pronounced negative cooperativity in substrate binding. However the mechanism by which the negative cooperativity occurs is unclear. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations on human CYP2E1 to examine the structural differences between the substrate-free and the enzymes with one and two aniline molecules bound. Our results indicate that although the effector substrate does not bind in the active site cavity, it still can directly interact with the active site residues of human CYP2E1. The interaction of the effector substrate with the active site leads to a reorientation of active site residues, which thereby weakens the interactions of the active substrate with this site. We also identify a conserved residue T303 that plays a crucial role in the negative cooperative binding on the short-range effects. This residue is a key factor in the positioning of substrates and in proton delivery to the active site. Additionally, a long-range effect of the effector substrate is identified in which F478 is proposed to play a key role. As located in the interface between the active and effector sites, this residue structurally links the active and effector sites and is found to play a significant role in affecting substrate access and ligand positioning within the active site. In the negative cooperative binding, this residue can decrease the interactions of the active substrate with the active site by π-π stacking which then lowers the hydroxylation activity for the active substrate. These findings are in agreement with previous experimental observations and thus provide detailed atomistic insight into the poorly understood mechanism of the negative cooperativity in human CYP2E1.     

Induction of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 by cholesterol depletion leads to the conversion of proMMP-2 into active MMP-2 in human dermal fibroblasts

Cholesterol is one of major components of cell membrane and plays a role in vesicular trafficking and cellular signaling. We investigated the effects of cholesterol on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activation in human dermal fibroblasts. We found that tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression and active form MMP-2 (64 kD) were dose-dependently increased by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a cholesterol depletion agent. In contrast, cholesterol depletion-induced TIMP-2 expression and MMP-2 activation were suppressed by cholesterol repletion. Then we investigated the regulatory mechanism of TIMP-2 expression by cholesterol depletion. We found that the phosphorylation of JNK as well as ERK was significantly increased by cholesterol depletion. Moreover, cholesterol depletion-induced TIMP-2 expression and MMP-2 activation was significantly decreased by MEK inhibitor U0126, and JNK inhibitor SP600125, respectively. While a low dose of recombinant TIMP-2 (100 ng/ml) increased the level of active MMP-2 (64 kD), the high dose of TIMP-2 (≥ 200 ng/ml) decreased the level of active MMP-2 (64 kD). Taken together, we suggest that the induction of TIMP-2 by cholesterol depletion leads to the conversion of proMMP-2 (72 kD) into active MMP-2 (64 kD) in human dermal fibroblasts.     

Ultraviolet radiation attenuates thrombospondin 1 expression via PI3K-Akt activation in human keratinocytes

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is an extracellular glycoprotein and a recognized inhibitor of angiogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that UV radiation induces an angiogenic switch, by which it alters the balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in the skin. Here we describe the effects of acute UV exposure on TSP1 expression in human skin epidermis, primary keratinocytes and the epidermal cell line HaCaT. We found that protein and mRNA expressions of TSP1 are significantly reduced in human skin in vivo and in keratinocytes in vitro by a single UV exposure. In human skin and keratinocytes, UV exposure induced the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of the PI3K pathways. Specific inhibitors of PI3K, wortmannin and LY294002, completely blocked Akt activation and UV-induced TSP1 downregulation in keratinocytes. We showed that a specific Akt phosphorylation inhibitor and small interfering RNA-mediated Akt depletion were also blocked by UV-induced TSP1 downregulation in keratinocytes. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that acute UV exposure downregulates TSP1 expression via PI3K-Akt activation in human keratinocytes. These novel findings may help us understand the regulatory mechanisms of UV-induced skin angiogenesis.     

Effect of the ionic strength and prostaglandin E2 on the free Ca2+ concentration and the Ca2+ influx in human red blood cells

Human red blood cells (RBCs) were loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 to investigate the effects of media ionic strength and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). [Ca2+]i of intact RBCs in a Ca(2+)-containing physiological (high) ionic strength (HIS) solution was 75.1 +/- 8.3 nM after 5 min incubation, increasing to 114.9 +/- 9.6 nM after 1 h. In Ca(2+)-containing low ionic strength (LIS) solutions, [Ca2+]i was significantly lower than in the Ca(2+)-containing HIS solution (p = 0.041 or 0.0385 for LIS solutions containing 200 or 250 mM sucrose, respectively), but, as in HIS solution, an increase of [Ca2+]i was seen after 1 h. In Ca(2+)-free (0 Ca2+ plus 15 microM EGTA) media, [Ca2+]i decreased (ranging from 15 to 21 nM), but were not significantly different in HIS or LIS, and did not change following 1 h incubation. The effect of the ionic strength and PGE2 on passive Ca2+ influx was investigated on ATP-depleted RBCs. Ca2+ influx was faster during the initial 10 min in comparison with the subsequent time period (10-45 min), both in HIS and LIS media, decreasing from 20.3 +/- 1.9 to 12.9 +/- 1.3 micromol/(lcells x h) in HIS, and from 36.7 +/- 5.3 to 8.6 +/- 1.2 micromol/(lcells x h) in LIS. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 10(-7)-10(-11) M), dissolved in deionised water or in ethanol, did not affect [Ca2+]i in either normal or in ATP-depleted RBCs suspended in Ca(2+)-containing HIS medium. Finally, the addition of carbachol (100 microM) did not affect [Ca2+]i. The present findings suggest that stimulation of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel by PGE2, reported in [J. Biol. Chem. 271 (1996) 18651], cannot be mediated via increased [Ca2+]i.     

Synthesis of maremycins A and D1 via cycloaddition of a nitrone with (E)-3-ethylidene-1-methylindolin-2-one

A concise synthesis of maremycins A and D1 has been accomplished via cycloaddition of a chiral cyclic nitrone with ( E)-3-ethylidene-1-methylindolin-2-one as a key step. This synthesis clarifies the stereochemistry of the maremycins and is suitable for large-scale synthesis for biological screening.