2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an endogenous metabolite of estradiol with no affinity for estrogen receptors, is a potent anticarcinogenic agent (in phase II clinical trials) and mediates the inhibitory effects of estradiol on smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth. Here we studied the intracellular mechanisms by which 2-ME inhibits SMC growth and whether 2-ME prevents injury-induced neointima formation. 2-ME concentrations that inhibit proliferation of cycling human aortic SMCs by >or=50% blocked cell-cycle progression in G(0)/G(1) and in G(2)/M phase, as determined by flow cytometry. Consistent with the cell-cycle effects, at a molecular level (Western blots), 2-ME inhibited cyclin D(1) and cyclin B(1) expression; cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk)-1 and cdk-2 activity; and retinoblastoma protein (pRb), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and Akt phosphorylation. 2-ME also upregulated the Cdk inhibitor p27 and interfered with tubulin polymerization. Moreover, 2-ME augmented COX-2 expression, suggesting that it may also inhibit SMC growth via prostaglandin formation. In rats, treatment with 2-ME abrogated injury-induced neointima formation; decreased proliferating SMCs; downregulated expression of proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), c-myc, cyclin D(1), cyclin B(1), phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated ERK1/2, p21, and pRb; inhibited cdk-1 and cdk-4 activity; and upregulated expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and p27. Caspase-3 cleavage assay and fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) analysis showed no evidence of apoptosis in 2-ME-treated SMCs, and TUNEL staining in carotid segments showed no evidence of 2-ME-induced apoptosis in vivo. The antimitotic effects of 2-ME on SMCs are mediated by the inhibition of key cell-cycle regulatory proteins and effects on tubulin polymerization and COX-2 upregulation. These effects of 2-ME most likely contribute to the antivasoocclusive actions of this endogenous compound.

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Abstract-Estrogen receptors (ERs) are considered to mediate the ability of 17␤-estradiol (estradiol) to reduce injury-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to vascular lesions. However, the finding that estradiol attenuates formation of vascular lesions in response to vascular injury in knockout mice that lack either ER-␣ or ER-␤ challenges this concept. Our hypothesis is that the local metabolism of estradiol to methoxyestradiols, metabolites of estradiol with little affinity for ERs, mediates the ER-independent antimitogenic effects of estradiol on VSMCs. In human VSMCs, 2-methoxyestradiol and 2-hydroxyestradiol were more potent than was estradiol in inhibiting DNA synthesis ( 3 [H]-thymidine incorporation), collagen synthesis ( 3 [H]-proline incorporation), cell proliferation (cell number), and cell migration (movement of cells across a polycarbonate membrane). The inhibitory effects of estradiol on VSMCs were enhanced by cytochrome-P450 (CYP450) inducers 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of estradiol were blocked in the presence of the CYP450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole and the catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors quercetin and OR486. Both OR486 and quercetin blocked the conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol; moreover, they blocked the antimitogenic effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol but not of 2-methoxyestradiol. The ER antagonist ICI182780 blocked the inhibitor effects of estradiol on VSMCs, but only at concentrations (Ͼ50 mol/L) that also inhibit the metabolism of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols (precursors of methoxyestradiols). In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of locally applied estradiol on human VSMCs are mediated via a novel ER-independent mechanism involving estradiol metabolism. These findings imply that vascular estradiol metabolism may be an important determinant of the cardiovascular protective effects of estradiol and that nonfeminizing estradiol metabolites may confer cardiovascular protection regardless of gender.

Abstract-The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the inhibitory effects of estradiol in human coronary vascular smooth muscle cells are mediated via local conversion to methoxyestradiols via specific cytochrome P 450s (CYP450s) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). The inhibitory effects of estradiol on serum-induced cell activity (DNA synthesis, cell number, collagen synthesis, and cell migration) were enhanced by 3-methylcholantherene, phenobarbital (broad-spectrum CYP450 inducers), and ␤-naphthoflavone (CYP1A1/1A2 inducer) and were blocked by 1-aminobenzotriazole (broad-spectrum CYP450 inhibitor). Ellipticine, ␣-naphthoflavone (selective CYP1A1 inhibitors), and pyrene (selective CYP1B1 inhibitor), but not ketoconazole (selective CYP3A4 inhibitor) or furafylline (selective CYP1A2 inhibitor), abrogated the inhibitor effects of estradiol on cell activity, a profile consistent with a CYP1A1/CYP1B1-mediated mechanism. The inhibitory effects of estradiol were blocked by the COMT inhibitors OR486 and quercetin. The estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 blocked the inhibitory effects of estradiol, but only at concentrations that also blocked the metabolism of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols (precursors of methoxyestradiols).Western blot analysis revealed that coronary smooth muscle cells expressed CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Moreover, these cells metabolized estradiol to hydroxyestradiols and methoxyestradiols, and the conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol was blocked by OR486 and quercetin. These findings provide evidence that the inhibitory effects of estradiol on coronary smooth muscle cells are largely mediated via CYP1A1-and CYP1B1-derived hydroxyestradiols that are converted to methoxyestradiols by COMT. Key Words: hormones Ⅲ menopause Ⅲ estrogen Ⅲ metabolism Ⅲ coronary artery disease Ⅲ remodeling Ⅲ cardiovascular diseases E stradiol protects the blood vessels against vasoocclusive disorders. In this regard, physiological concentrations of estradiol attenuate the development of atherosclerosis, 1 decrease balloon injury-induced and allograft-induced vascular lesions 1 and inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), 2 a process that contributes to vascular pathology after vascular injury. 1 Because the biological effects of estrogens are mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs), and arteries express both ER␣ and ER␤, 1-3 the antivasoocclusive actions of estradiol are thought to be ER mediated. However, the recent findings that estradiol inhibits injuryinduced lesion formation in arteries of mice lacking either ER␣ 4 or ER␤, 5 and inhibits injury-induced SMC proliferation in double knockout mice lacking both ER␣ and ER␤, 6 challenge this concept. Thus, other mechanisms that do not involve ERs may participate in the vasculoprotective actions of estradiol.We have recently shown that catecholestradiols and methoxyestradiols, endogenous metabolites of estradiol with little or no affinity for ERs, are potent inhibitors of SMC growth. 5 Moreover, production of estradiol m...

Background-Studies using pharmacological agents suggest but do not prove that the antimitogenic effects of estradiol are caused by conversion of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols (mediated by CYP450s) followed by methylation of hydroxyestradiols to methoxyestradiols (mediated by catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT). Methods and Results-To test this hypothesis more rigorously, we used aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mice lacking COMT (COMT-KO). Wild-type (WT) but not COMT-KO SMCs efficiently converted 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. Both WT and COMT-KO SMCs expressed estrogen receptors. Estradiol and 2-hydroxyestradiol concentration-dependently inhibited serum-induced DNA synthesis, cell numbers, and collagen synthesis in WT but not COMT-KO SMCs. 2-Methoxyestradiol inhibited DNA synthesis, cell numbers, and collagen synthesis in both WT and COMT-KO SMCs. Conclusions-These data provide strong evidence that the vascular antimitogenic effects of estradiol are estrogen receptor-independent and involve the sequential conversion of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols and then to methoxyestradiols. (Circulation. 2003;108:2974-2978.)Key Words: coronary disease Ⅲ hormones Ⅲ metabolism Ⅲ muscle, smooth Ⅲ receptors S eventeen ␤-estradiol (estradiol) inhibits the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), even in mice lacking estrogen receptors (ERs). 1-3 Because methoxyestradiols (major endogenous metabolites of estradiol with no affinity for ERs) inhibit growth of cancer cells, 4 it is feasible that the vascular antimitogenic effects of estradiol are mediated by methoxyestradiols. Using pharmacological agents, previous studies demonstrate that metabolism of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols by CYP450 followed by methylation of hydroxyestradiols by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to form methoxyestradiols is critical for estradiol-induced inhibition of SMC growth. 5 In the present study, we use aortic SMCs from COMT-knockout (COMT-KO) mice 6 that express ERs but lack methylation capability to test our hypothesis that the vascular antimitogenic effects of estradiol are mediated via an ER-independent mechanism involving formation of methoxyestradiols. MethodsCOMT-KO mice were developed by Dr Karayiorgou. 6 Aortic SMCs were cultured from male mice by the explant technique. SMC purity was tested by immunostaining with SMC-specific antibodies as described previously. 7 Cells in passage 2 were used.3 H]proline incorporation, and cell proliferation were conducted as previously. 7 The absence of COMT was confirmed by incubating SMCs from wild-type (WT) and COMT-KO mice for 2 hours with 2-hydroxyestradiol (2 mol/L) and analyzing 2-hydroxyestradiol/2-methoxyestradiol by high-performance liquid chromatography, as previously. 8 ER␣ and ER␤ expression were analyzed by Western blots. 9 Experiments were conducted in triplicate (repeated 3 or 4 times). Results are expressed as meanϮSEM. Statistical analyses were performed with ANOVA and Fisher's least significant difference test. A value of PϽ0.05 was considered statistically ...

We investigated the role of specific cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in the growth inhibitory effects of estradiol in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) expressing functional estrogen receptors. 3-Methylcholantherene, phenobarbital (broad-spectrum CYP450 inducers), and beta-naphthoflavone (CYP1A1/1A2 inducer) augmented, and 1-aminobenzotriazole (broad-spectrum CYP450 inhibitor) blocked, the inhibitory effects of estradiol on serum-induced CF growth (DNA synthesis, cell number, and collagen synthesis). Neither ketoconazole (3A4 inhibitor) nor furafylline (selective 1A2 inhibitor) altered the antimitogenic effects of estradiol on CF growth. In contrast, ellipticine (selective 1A1 inhibitor), pyrene (selective 1B1 inhibitor), and alpha-naphthoflavone (1A1>1A2 inhibitor) abrogated the antimitogenic effects of estradiol on CF growth. OR486 (COMT inhibitor) also blocked the antimitogenic effects of estradiol in both the presence and absence of the CYP450 inducers. ICI182780 (estrogen receptor antagonist) attenuated the growth inhibitory effects of estradiol, but only at concentrations that inhibit the metabolism of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols (precursors of methoxyestradiols). CFs expressed CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, isozymes that convert estradiol to hydroxyestradiols. Moreover, CFs metabolized estradiol to hydroxyestradiol, and 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. OR486 and quercetin (COMT inhibitor) blocked the conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol in CFs. We conclude that the antimitogenic effects of estradiol on CF growth are mediated in part by conversion to hydroxyestradiols via CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, followed by metabolism of hydroxyestradiols to methoxyestradiols by COMT.

Abstract-2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME; estradiol metabolite) inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and protects against atherosclerosis and vascular injury; however, the mechanisms by which 2-ME induces these actions remain obscure. To assess the impact of 2-ME on biochemical pathways regulating VSMC biology, we used high-density oligonucleotide microarrays to identify differentially expressed genes in cultured human female aortic VSMCs treated with 2-ME acutely (4 hours) or long term (30 hours). Both single gene analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed 2-ME-induced downregulation of genes involved in mitotic spindle assembly and function in VSMCs. Also, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified effects of 2-ME on genes regulating cell-cycle progression, cell migration/adhesion, vasorelaxation, inflammation, and cholesterol metabolism. Transcriptional changes were associated with changes in protein expression, including inhibition of cyclin D1, cyclin B1, cyclindependent kinase 6, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, tubulin polymerization, cholesterol and steroid synthesis, and upregulation of cyclooxygenase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 1. Microarray data suggested that 2-ME may activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in VSMCs, and 2-ME has structural similarities with rosiglitazone (PPAR␥ agonist). However, our finding of weak activation and lack of binding of 2-ME to PPARs suggests that 2-ME may modulate PPAR-associated genes via indirect mechanisms, potentially involving cyclooxygenase 2. Indeed, the antimitogenic effects of 2-ME at concentrations that do not inhibit tubulin polymerization were blocked by the PPAR antagonist GW9662 and the cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor NS398. Finally, we demonstrated that 2-ME inhibited hypoxia-inducible factor 1␣. Identification of candidate genes that are positively or negatively regulated by 2-ME provides important leads to investigate and better understand the mechanisms by which 2-ME induces its vasoprotective actions. (Hypertension. 2010;56:964-972.)Key Words: 2-methoxyestradiol Ⅲ PPAR Ⅲ vascular smooth muscle cells Ⅲ microarray analysis A s with cancer, abnormal cell growth plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases. For example, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is involved in vascular remodeling that occurs at sites of atherosclerosis, hypertension-induced vascular changes, and injury-induced restenosis. 1 Hence, drugs capable of inhibiting VSMC growth by targeting key mitogenic mechanisms are effective in protecting against cardiovascular disease. 2 Thus, it is not surprising that various antimitotic therapies used in cancer also protect against vascular proliferative disorders. 3 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is an endogenous metabolite of estradiol with no affinity for estrogen receptors that exerts anticarcinogenic effects by inhibiting growth of cancer cells and neovascularization of tumors and is in phase II clinical trials for cancer. 4,5 Consistent with the notion that anticancer drugs may be useful in cardiovascular d...

Abstract-Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) repair damaged endothelium and promote capillary formation, processes involving receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Because estradiol augments vascular repair, we hypothesize that estradiol increases EPC proliferation and capillary formation via RTK activation and induction of HO-1. Physiological concentrations of estradiol (10 nmol/L) increased EPC-induced capillary sprout and lumen formation in matrigel/fibrin/collagen systems. Propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT; 100 nmol/L; estrogen receptor [ER]-␣ agonist), but not diarylpropionitrile (ER-␤ agonist), mimicked the stimulatory effects of estradiol on capillary formation, and methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (ER-␣ antagonist) abolished the effects of estradiol and PPT. Three different RTK activators (vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and stromal derived growth factor 1) mimicked the capillary-stimulating effects of estradiol and PPT. SU5416 (RTK inhibitor) blocked the stimulatory effects of estradiol and PPT on capillary formation. Estradiol increased HO-1 expression by 2-to 3-fold, an effect blocked by SU5416, and PPT mimicked the effects of estradiol on HO-1. The ability of estradiol to enhance capillary formation, increase expression of HO-1, and augment phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, Akt, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 was mimicked by its cell-impermeable analog BSA estradiol. Actinomycin (transcription inhibitor) did not alter the effects of estradiol on RTK activity or vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. We conclude that estradiol via ER-␣ promotes EPC-mediated capillary formation by a mechanism that involves nongenomic activation of RTKs and HO-1 activation. Estradiol in particular and ER-␣ agonists in general may promote healing of injured vascular beds by promoting EPC activity leading to more rapid endothelial recovery and capillary formation after injury. (Hypertension. 2010;56:397-404.)