Objective-Brain expresses abundant lipocalin-type prostaglandin (PG) D 2 (PGD 2 ) synthase but the role of PGD 2 and its metabolite, 15-deoxy-⌬ 12,14 PGJ 2 (15d-PGJ 2 ) in brain protection is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of 15d-PGJ 2 on neuroprotection. Methods and Results-Adenoviral transfer of cyclooxygenase-1 (Adv-COX-1) was used to amplify the production of 15d-PGJ 2 in ischemic cortex in a rat focal infarction model. Cortical 15d-PGJ 2 in Adv-COX-1-treated rats was increased by 3-fold over control, which was correlated with reduced infarct volume and activated caspase 3, and increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-␥ (PPAR␥) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Intraventricular infusion of 15d-PGJ 2 resulted in reduction of infarct volume, which was abrogated by a PPAR␥ inhibitor. Rosiglitazone infusion had a similar effect. 15d-PGJ 2 and rosiglitazone at low concentrations suppressed H 2 O 2 -induced rat or human neuronal apoptosis and necrosis and induced PPAR␥ and HO-1 expression. The anti-apoptotic effect was abrogated by PPAR␥ inhibition. Key Words: COX-1 Ⅲ 15d-PGJ 2 Ⅲ PPAR␥ Ⅲ apoptosis Ⅲ stroke P rostaglandin (PG) H synthase-1 (also known as cyclooxygenase-1 [COX-1]) is constitutively expressed in almost all mammalian cells. 1 It is a bifunctional enzyme with a cyclooxygenase activity that converts arachidonic acid to PG G 2 (PGG 2 ) and a peroxidase activity that converts PGG 2 to PGH 2 . 2 PGH 2 is converted to diverse prostanoids by specific enzymes. COX-1 plays an important role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and protecting brain tissues from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. COX-1 deleted mice are highly susceptible to ischemic brain infarction, 3 whereas COX-1 overexpression protects brain from I/R damage, which is abrogated by a selective COX-1 inhibitor. 4 COX-1 overexpression in ischemic brain augments the production of PGI 2 , PGD 2 , and PGE 2 , and suppresses leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) and LTC 4 . As LTB 4 and LTC 4 have been shown to be detrimental to brain tissue, whereas PGI 2 is protective, 5-7 COX-1 overexpression tilts the eicosanoid balance toward tissue protection. PGD 2 is elevated in COX-1 overexpressed brain tissues but its role in brain I/R injury is unclear. Brain is enriched in lipocalin-type PGD synthase (L-PGDS), which catalyzes the formation of abundant PGD 2 . 8 The role of PGD 2 in I/R brain injury is unclear. As 15-deoxy-⌬ 12,14 ; PGJ 2 (15d-PGJ 2 ), a nonenzymatic product of PGD 2 , was shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties through activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-␥ (PPAR␥), 9 -13 PGD 2 has been implicated in tissue protection. However, it has recently been argued that the tissue 15d-PGJ 2 level is too low to elicit an anti-inflammatory action in vivo, especially in vascular tissues. 14 In view of abundant expression of L-PGDS and PGD 2 in brain, we postulated that 15d-PGJ 2 contributes to cerebral protection. Our experimental findings show a considerable amount of 15d-PGJ 2 in ischemia brain, which...

Background Thiazolidinediones (TZD) were reported to protect against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Their protective actions are considered to be PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ)-dependent. However, it is unclear how PPAR-γ activation confers resistance to I/R. Methods and Results We evaluated the effects of rosiglitazone or PPAR-γ overexpression on cerebral infarction in a rat model and investigated the anti-apoptotic actions in N2-A neuroblastoma cell model. Rosiglitazone or PPAR-γ overexpression significantly reduced infarct volume. The protective effect was abrogated by PPAR-γ siRNA. In mice with knockin of a PPAR-γ domain negative mutant, infarct volume was enhanced. Proteomic analysis reveals that brain 14-3-3ε was highly upregulated in rats treated with rosiglitazone. 14-3-3ε upregulation was abrogated by PPAR-γ siRNA or antagonist. Promoter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation reveal that rosiglitazone induced PPAR-γ binding to specific regulatory elements on 14-3-3ε promoter and thereby increased 14-3-3ε transcription. 14-3-3ε siRNA abrogated the anti-apoptotic actions of rosiglitazone or PPAR-γ overexpression while 14-3-3ε recombinant proteins rescued brain tissues and N2-A cells from ischemia-induced damage and apoptosis. Elevated 14-3-3ε enhanced binding of phosphorylated Bad, and protected mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions Ligand-activated PPAR-γ confers resistance to neuronal apoptosis and cerebral infarction by driving 14-3-3ε transcription. 14-3-3ε upregulation enhances sequestration of phosphorylated Bad and thereby suppresses apoptosis.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant of global concern with a 10-30-year biological half-life in humans. Accumulating evidence suggests that the lung is one of the major target organs of inhaled Cd compounds. Our previous report demonstrated that 100 microM Cd induces MRC-5 cells, normal human lung fibroblasts, to undergo caspase-independent apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria into the nucleus. Here, using benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-(ome) fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD.fmk) as a tool, we further demonstrated that Cd could induce caspase-independent apoptosis at concentrations varied from 25 to 150 microM, which was modulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), mannitol, and tiron, indicating that ROS play a crucial role in the apoptogenic activity of Cd. Consistent with this notion, the intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was 2.9-fold elevated after 3 h of Cd treatment and diminished rapidly within 1 h as detected by flow cytometry with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. Using inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) (oligomycin A and rotenone for complex I and V, respectively) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) (cyclosporin A and aristolochic acid), we coincidently found the ROS production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and apoptotic content were almost completely or partially abolished. As revealed by confocal microscopy staining with chloromethyl-X-rosamine (CMXRos) and an anti-AIF antibody, the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by Cd (3 h-treatment) was a prelude to the translocation of caspase-independent pro-apoptotic factor, AIF, into the nucleus (after 4 h of Cd treatment). In summary, this study demonstrated that, in MRC-5 fibroblasts, Cd induced caspase-independent apoptosis through a mitochondria-ROS pathway. More importantly, we provide several lines of evidence supporting a role of mitochondrial ETC and MPTP in the regulation of caspase-independent cell death triggered by Cd.

To determine the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) in cytoprotection, we subjected N2-A cells to oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (H-R). Following H-R insults, H(2)O(2) production was increased while cell viability declined, which was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, caspases 9 and 3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage and apoptosis. Rosiglitazone up to 5 microM protected cell viability, normalized MMP, and prevented apoptotic signals. The protective effect of rosiglitazone was abrogated by GW9662, a PPAR-gamma antagonist, or a specific PPAR-gamma small interference RNA (siRNA) but not a control scRNA. PPAR-gamma overexpression alone was effective in maintaining MMP and preventing apoptosis and its protective effect was also abrogated by PPAR-gamma siRNA or GW9662. To elucidate the mechanism by which PPAR-gamma protects MMP and prevents apoptosis, we analyzed Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and phosphorylated Bad (p-Bad). H-R suppressed them. Rosiglitazone or PPAR-gamma overexpression restored them via PPAR-gamma. Rosiglitazone or PPAR-gamma overexpression preserved phosphorylated Akt and 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) in a PPAR-gamma dependent manner. These results indicate that ligand-activated PPAR-gamma protects N2-A cells against H-R damage by enhancing Bcl-2/Bcl-xl and maintaining p-Bad via preservation of p-Akt.

As the growth of the aging population continues to accelerate globally, increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and stroke, has generated substantial public concern. Unfortunately, despite of discoveries of common factors underlying these diseases, few drugs are available to effectively treat these diseases. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. PPAR-γ has been shown to influence the expression or activity of a large number of genes in a variety of signaling networks, including regulation of insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, fatty acid oxidation, immune responses, redox balance, cardiovascular integrity, and cell fates. Recent epidemiological, preclinical animal, and clinical studies also show that PPAR-γ agonists can lower the incidence of a number of neurological disorders, despite of multiple etiological factors involved in the development of these disorders. In this manuscript, we review current knowledge on mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of PPAR-γ in different neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, AD, PD, and stroke, and attempt to analyze common and overlapping features among these diseases. Our investigation unveiled information suggesting the ability for PPAR-γ to inhibit NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling at multiple sites, and conclude that PPAR-γ agonists represent a novel class of drugs for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.

Cadmium, a well-known environmental hazard, has caused serious health problems in humans and animals. Accumulating evidence suggests the cadmium toxicity is mediated by oxidative stress-induced cell death. However, the molecular signaling underlying cadmium-induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate here that cadmium induced mixed types of cell death including primary apoptosis (early apoptosis), secondary necrosis (late apoptosis), and necrosis in normal human lung cells, MRC-5, as revealed by chromatin condensation, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, and hypodiploid DNA content. The total apoptotic cells reached a plateau of around 40.0% after 24 h exposure of 100 microM cadmium. Pretreatment with Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-fmk), a broad spectrum of caspase inhibitor, could not rescue apoptotic cells from cadmium toxicity. Coincidently, we failed to detect the activation of pro-caspase-3 and cleavage of PARP by immunoblot, which implies the apoptogenic activity of cadmium in MRC-5 cells is caspase-independent. JC-1 staining also indicated that mitochondrial depolarization is a prelude to cadmium-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by a translocation of caspase-independent pro-apoptotic factor apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) into the nucleus as revealed by the immunofluorescence assay. In summary, this study demonstrated for the first time that cadmium induced a caspase-independent apoptotic pathway through mitochondria-mediated AIF translocation into the nucleus.

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and mortality. Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke. Patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of stroke and a poorer prognosis after stroke. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-modulated transcriptional factor and a therapeutic target for treating type II diabetes. It is well-documented that activation of PPAR-gamma can also attenuate postischemic inflammation and damage. In this review, we focus on the newly revealed anti-apoptotic actions of PPAR-gamma against cerebral ischemia. PPAR-gamma, by increasing superoxide dismutase/catalase and decreasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase levels, attenuated ischemia-induced reactive oxygen species and subsequently alleviated the postischemic degradation of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Akt. The preserved Akt phosphorylated Bad. Meanwhile, PPAR-gamma also promotes the transcription of 14-3-3epsilon. Elevated 14-3-3epsilon binds and sequesters p-Bad and prevents Bad translocation to neutralize the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2. This review further supports the notion that PPAR-gamma may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating ischemic stroke.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), a stress-induced transcription factor, protects neurons against ischemic stroke insult by reducing oxidative stress. NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation, a major driving force in ROS generation in the setting of reoxygenation/reperfusion, constitutes an important pathogenetic mechanism of ischemic brain damage. In the present study, both transient in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation and in vivo middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion-reperfusion experimental paradigms of ischemic neuronal death were used to investigate the interaction between PPAR-γ and NOX. With pharmacological (PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662), loss-of-function (PPAR-γ siRNA), and gain-of-function (Ad-PPAR-γ) approaches, we first demonstrated that 15-deoxy-∆(12,14)-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2), via selectively attenuating p22phox expression, inhibited NOX activation and the subsequent ROS generation and neuronal death in a PPAR-γ-dependent manner. Secondly, results of promoter analyses and subcellular localization studies further revealed that PPAR-γ, via inhibiting hypoxia-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, indirectly suppressed NF-κB-driven p22phox transcription. Noteworthily, postischemic p22phox siRNA treatment not only reduced infarct volumes but also improved functional outcome. In summary, we report a novel transrepression mechanism involving PPAR-γ downregulation of p22phox expression to suppress the subsequent NOX activation, ischemic neuronal death, and brain infarct. Identification of a PPAR-γ → NF-κB → p22phox neuroprotective signaling cascade opens a new avenue for protecting the brain against ischemic insult.