Cellular senescence is characterized by a permanent cell-cycle arrest and a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype, and can be induced by a variety of stimuli, including ionizing radiation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In endothelial cells, this phenomenon might contribute to vascular disease. Plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are increased in age-related and chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Although TNFα is a known activator of the central inflammatory mediator NF-κB, and can induce the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the question whether TNFα can induce senescence has not been answered conclusively. Here, we investigated the effect of prolonged TNFα exposure on the fate of endothelial cells and found that such treatment induced premature senescence. Induction of endothelial senescence was prevented by the anti-oxidant N-acetyl cysteine, as well as by plumericin and PHA-408, inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway. Our results indicated that prolonged TNFα exposure could have detrimental consequences to endothelial cells by causing senescence and, therefore, chronically increased TNFα levels might possibly contribute to the pathology of chronic inflammatory diseases by driving premature endothelial senescence.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe transcription factor NF-κB orchestrates many pro-inflammatory signals and its inhibition is considered a promising strategy to combat inflammation. Here we report the characterization of the natural product plumericin as a highly potent inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway with a novel chemical scaffold, which was isolated via a bioactivity-guided approach, from extracts of Himatanthus sucuuba, an Amazonian plant traditionally used to treat inflammation-related disorders.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHA NF-κB luciferase reporter gene assay was used to identify NF-κB pathway inhibitors from H. sucuuba extracts. Monitoring of TNF-α-induced expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin by flow cytometry was used to confirm NF-κB inhibition in endothelial cells, and thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in mice to confirm effects in vivo. Western blotting and transfection experiments were used to investigate the mechanism of action of plumericin.KEY RESULTSPlumericin inhibited NF-κB-mediated transactivation of a luciferase reporter gene (IC50 1 μM), abolished TNF-α-induced expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin in endothelial cells and suppressed thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in mice. Plumericin exerted its NF-κB pathway inhibitory effect by blocking IκB phosphorylation and degradation. Plumericin also inhibited NF-κB activation induced by transfection with the constitutively active catalytic subunit of the IκB kinase (IKK-β), suggesting IKK involvement in the inhibitory action of this natural product.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSPlumericin is a potent inhibitor of NF-κB pathways with a new chemical scaffold. It could be further explored as a novel anti-inflammatory lead compound.

Summary. Background: Organs intended for transplantation are generally stored in the cold for better preservation of their function. However, following transplantation and reperfusion, the microvasculature of transplanted organs often proves to be activated. Extensive leukocyte adhesion and microthrombus formation contribute to failure of the transplanted organ. Objectives: In this study we analyzed cold-induced changes to the activation status of cultured endothelial cells, possibly contributing to organ failure. Methods: We exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to temperatures below 37°C (mostly to 8°C) for 30 min and upon rewarming to 37°C kept incubating them for up to 24 h. We also in vivo locally exposed mice to cold. Results: The exposure to low temperatures induced, in HUVECs, expression of the prothrombotic factors plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue factor (TF) and of the inflammatory adhesion molecules, E-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Furthermore, upon rewarming for 30 min, we detected activation of the inflammatory NF-jB pathway, as measured by transient NF-jB translocation to the nucleus and IjBa degradation. Using butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we further demonstrated that cold-induced NF-jB activation depends on ROS production. Local exposure to cold also, in vivo, induced ROS production and ICAM-1 expression and resulted in leukocyte infiltration. Conclusions: Our results point to a causative link between ROS production and NF-jB activation, suppression of which had been shown to be beneficial during hypothermic storage and subsequent rewarming of organs for transplantation.

HSA preparations for i.v. use are administered in critically ill patients. Although increasing intravascular osmotic pressure seems to be a pathophysiologically orientated treatment, clinical trials do not indicate a benefit for mortality in HSA-treated patients. Instead, there is evidence for inflammatory reactions upon infusion of different HSA batches. A neglected issue concerning the safety and quality of these therapeutics is processing-related post-transcriptional protein modifications, such as AGEs. We therefore tested the hypothesis that commercially available infusion solutions contain AGEs and studied whether these protein modifications influence outcome and inflammation in a murine model of sepsis induced by CLP. Screening of different HSA and Ig preparations in this study revealed an up to approximate tenfold difference in the amount of AGE modifications. Application of clinically relevant concentrations of CML-modified HSA in CLP led to increased inflammation and enhanced mortality in wild-type mice but not in mice lacking the RAGE. Lethality was paralleled by increased activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB, NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the peritoneal cavity. This study implies that infusion solutions containing a high load of the AGE-modified protein have the potential to activate RAGE/NF-kappaB-mediated inflammatory reactions, causing increased mortality in experimental peritonitis.

In vitro screening of 17 Alpine lichen species for their inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 and nuclear factor kappa B revealed Cetrelia monachorum (Zahlbr.) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. As conceivable source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds. Phytochemical investigation of the ethanolic crude extract resulted in the isolation and identification of 11 constituents, belonging to depsides and derivatives of orsellinic acid, olivetolic acid and olivetol. The two depsides imbricaric acid (4) and perlatolic acid (5) approved dual inhibitory activities on microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (IC50 = 1.9 and 0.4 µM, resp.) and on 5-lipoxygenase tested in a cell-based assay (IC50 = 5.3 and 1.8 µM, resp.) and on purified enzyme (IC50 = 3.5 and 0.4 µM, resp.). Additionally, these two main constituents quantified in the extract with 15.22% (4) and 9.10% (5) showed significant inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation in luciferase reporter cells with IC50 values of 2.0 and 7.0 µM, respectively. In a murine in vivo model of inflammation, 5 impaired the inflammatory, thioglycollate-induced recruitment of leukocytes to the peritoneum. The potent inhibitory effects on the three identified targets attest 4 and 5 a pronounced multi-target anti-inflammatory profile which warrants further investigation on their pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy.

These data suggest that interferon-a therapy should be administered with caution in patients showing any predisposition to Diabetes mellitus. Anti inflammatory therapy is critically recommended as a protector against disease development due to cytokine mediated Diabetes mellitus during hepatitis C therapy, since inflammation seems to be a main candidate to interferon suspected diabetogenesis.

SummaryIn most studies showing cardio- and vasculoprotective effects of estrogens, 17β-estradiol was used and little information on possible effects of different estrogen metabolites is yet available. We investigated whether particular estrogen metabolites are effective in counteracting inflammatory activation of human endothelium. Human endothelial cells were incubated with 17α-dihydroequilenin, 17β-dihydroequilenin, δ-8,9-dehydroestrone, estrone and 17β-estradiol and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1α.The expression of IL-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was determined. 17β-dihydroequilenin and 17β-estradiol at a concentration of 1µM reduced IL-1α-induced up regulation of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 close to control levels. When both compounds were used in combination an additive effect was observed. 17α-dihydroequilenin and δ-8,9-dehydroestrone showed a similar anti-inflammatory effect only when used at 10µM whereas estrone had no effect. The effect of 17β-dihydroequilenin on IL-1α-induced production of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 was reversed by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. 17β-dihydroequilenin also inhibited IL-1α-induced translocation of p50 and p65 to the nucleus of the cells. We have identified the estrogen metabolite 17β-dihydroequilenin, as an inhibitor of inflammatory activation of human endothelial cells. Characterization of specific estrogens – as shown in our study – could provide the basis for tailored therapies, which might be able to achieve vasoprotection without adverse side effects.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential ability of shear wave elastography (SWE) to evaluate the sural nerve (SN) in healthy subjects. Methods and Results: Thirty-six SNs were evaluated in 18 healthy adult subjects. Subjects were examined in the prone position with the ankle in the neutral position, and the knees fully extended; a linear transducer was used [L18-4, MHZ] (EPIQ Elite SW 5.0.1, Philips). Nerve conduction studies were performed with the Nihon-Cohden Neuropack device. The mean cross sectional area of the SN at both sides was 4.03±1.16mm2. The mean shear elastic modulus of the right SN in the SA was 24.92±6.08 kPa, while in the LA it was 26.45±5.66 kPa. The mean shear elastic modulus of the left SN in the SA was 24.1±4.1 kPa [range 19-33.13], while in the long axis it was 23.9±4.9 kPa [range 16.4-30.77]. The cross sectional area of the SN correlated positively with height (P<0.05), weight (P<0.001), and body mass index (P<0.01). Conclusion: SWE could play a complementary role in future evaluation of SN pathologies.