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Objective-Oxidative stress mediated by Nox1-and Nox4-based NADPH oxidase (Nox) plays a key role in vascular diseases. The molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of Nox are not entirely elucidated. Because JAK/STAT regulates many genes linked to inflammation, cell proliferation, and differentiation, we questioned whether this pathway is involved in the regulation of Nox1 and Nox4 in human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Methods and Results-Cultured SMCs were exposed to interferon ␥ (IFN␥) for 24 hours. Using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and dihydroethidium assays, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis, we found that JAK/STAT inhibitors significantly diminished the IFN␥-dependent upregulation of Nox activity, Nox1 and Nox4 expression. In silico analysis revealed the presence of highly conserved GAS elements within human Nox1, Nox4, p22phox, p47phox, and p67phox promoters. Transient overexpression of STAT1/STAT3 augmented the promoter activities of each subunit. JAK/STAT blockade reduced the Nox subunits transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated the physical interaction of STAT1/STAT3 proteins with the predicted GAS elements from Nox1 and Nox4 promoters. Key Words: NADPH oxidase Ⅲ JAK/STAT Ⅲ oxidative stress Ⅲ atherosclerosis E merging clinical and experimental evidence demonstrate the role of oxidative stress in the development of cardiovascular disorders. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in different cell processes associated to vascular plaque formation such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). 1,2 Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of ROS production may lead to new therapeutic approaches. Conclusions-JAK/STATNADPH oxidases (Nox) are regulated by a plethora of stimuli and represent a major source of ROS in the vasculature. Depending on the cell type, the vascular Nox comprises 3 distinct catalytic subunits (Nox1, Nox2, Nox4) and 6 cytosolic regulatory components (p47phox, p67phox, NoxO1, NoxA1, Rac1/2). The p22phox component is essential for Nox activity forming a bound complex with 4 SMCs express predominantly Nox1 and Nox4 isoforms, which are differentially distributed in the cellular compartments and direct several redox-dependent processes. 5 It was postulated that Nox1 associates with and promotes SMCs proliferation, whereas Nox4 is required for the maintenance of differentiated phenotype. 6 Changes in gene expression of the Nox isoforms are critical for its function. In previous studies we showed that the expression of p22phox subunit and the ensuing superoxide production is regulated by NF-kB and AP-1 in human aortic SMCs. 7,8 However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of oxidase components are not entirely elucidated.Activation of Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway is an essential pathogenic mechanism leading to SMC hypertrophy and hyperplasia. It was shown that STAT1 and STAT...

Objective-NADPH oxidase (NADPHox) is the major source of reactive oxygen species in vascular diseases; the mechanisms of enzyme activation are not completely elucidated. AP-1 controls the expression of many genes linked to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) dysfunction. In this study we searched for the role of AP-1 in the regulation of NADPHox expression and function in human aortic SMCs exposed to proinflammatory conditions. Methods and Results-Cultured SMCs were exposed to either angiotensin II (Ang II) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣.The lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that AP-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors reduced both Ang II or TNF-␣-dependent upregulation of NADPHox activity and mRNA expression (NOX1, NOX4, p67 phox , p47 phox , p22 phox ). n cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and diabetes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased in the vasculature primarily through the activation of NADPH oxidase 1,2 (NADPHox), a group of multi-subunit enzymes expressed by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), pericytes, adventitial fibroblasts, and cardiac myocytes. 3,4 Hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is associated with functional-structural changes of blood vessels and in particular with vascular SMC hypertrophy, synthesis of excess extracellular matrix, and inflammatory cytokines. 5,6 Evidence exists that angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertensionrelated cardiovascular diseases. Besides its vasoactive action, Ang II stimulates NADPHox-derived ROS production, and exerts hypertrophic and hyperplasic effects by activating various intracellular signal transduction pathways. The latter include mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2, c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, and transcription factors such as nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). [7][8][9][10] Also, NADPHox-resulting ROS activate AP-1, which regulates cell growth and transformation, inflammation, innate immune response, and apoptosis. In vivo, evidence supports a key role of AP-1 in the vascular response to injury. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The NADPHox complex, the major source of superoxide in the vascular wall, 16 consists of 5 subunits: a membraneassociated cytochrome b 558 containing gp91 phox and p22 phox and a cytosolic complex of p40 phox , p47 phox , p67 phox17 . Besides gp91 phox (NOX2), NOX1 and NOX4 were identified in cardiovascular cells 3,4 and all require p22 phox for their activity. 6,18,19 The increased expression of oxidase subunits correlates with an enhanced vascular superoxid production in human atherosclerotic arteries and in hypertension 18,20 ; although important, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of NADPHox components are not entirely elucidated.Because proinflammatory stimuli activate both AP-1...

Accumulating evidence demonstrates the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. The molecular mechanisms accountable for the increased production of reactive oxygen species remain uncertain. Among others, NADPH oxidase is one of the most important sources of superoxide in vascular cells. Here we investigate the role of NF-kB in the regulation of p22(phox) subunit and NADPH oxidase activity, in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Overexpression of p65/RelA or IKKbeta up-regulated p22(phox) gene promoter activity. Transcription factor pull-down assays demonstrated the physical interaction of p65/RelA protein with predicted NF-kB binding sites. Real time PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that p22(phox) mRNA and protein expression are significantly down-regulated by NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides and N-alpha-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK). Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay revealed that NF-kB inhibitors reduce the NADPH-dependent superoxide production. Regulation of NADPH oxidase by NF-kB may represent a possible mechanism whereby pro-inflammatory factors induce oxidative stress in atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, stroke or heart failure.

The major complication of diabetes is accelerated atherosclerosis, the progression of which entails complex interactions between the modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and the cells of the arterial wall. Advanced glycation end product-modified-LDL (AGE-LDL) that occurs at high rate in diabetes contributes to diabetic atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the direct effect of AGE-LDL on human vascular smooth muscle cells (hSMC) dysfunction. Cultured hSMC incubated (24 hrs) with human AGE-LDL, native LDL (nLDL) or oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were subjected to: (i) quantification of the expression of the receptors for modified LDL and AGE proteins (LRP1, CD36, RAGE) and estimation of lipid loading, (ii) determination of NADPH oxidase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and (iii) evaluation of the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). The results show that exposure of hSMC to AGE-LDL (compared to nLDL) induced: (a) increased NADPH oxidase activity (30%) and ROS production (28%) by up-regulation of NOX1, NOX4, p22phox and p67phox expression, (b) accumulation of intracellular cholesteryl esters, (c) enhanced gene expression of LRP1 (160%) and CD36 (35%), and protein expression of LRP1, CD36 and RAGE, (d) increased MCP-1 gene expression (160%) and protein secretion (300%) and (e) augmented cell proliferation (30%). In conclusion, AGE-LDL activates hSMC (increasing CD36, LRP1, RAGE), inducing a pro-oxidant state (activation of NADPHox), lipid accumulation and a pro-inflammatory state (expression of MCP-1). These results may partly explain the contribution of AGE-LDL and hSMC to the accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by up-regulated NADPH oxidase (Nox) contribute to structural-functional alterations of the vascular wall in diabetes. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone acetylation, emerged as important regulators of gene expression in cardiovascular disorders. Since their role in diabetes is still elusive we hypothesized that histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent mechanisms could mediate vascular Nox overexpression in diabetic conditions. Non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice were randomized to receive vehicle or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a pan-HDAC inhibitor. In vitro studies were performed on a human aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) line. Aortic SMCs typically express Nox1, Nox4, and Nox5 subtypes. HDAC1 and HDAC2 proteins along with Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 levels were found significantly elevated in the aortas of diabetic mice compared to non-diabetic animals. Treatment of diabetic mice with SAHA mitigated the aortic expression of Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 subtypes and NADPH-stimulated ROS production. High concentrations of glucose increased HDAC1 and HDAC2 protein levels in cultured SMCs. SAHA significantly reduced the high glucose-induced Nox1/4/5 expression, ROS production, and the formation malondialdehyde-protein adducts in SMCs. Overexpression of HDAC2 up-regulated the Nox1/4/5 gene promoter activities in SMCs. Physical interactions of HDAC1/2 and p300 proteins with Nox1/4/5 promoters were detected at the sites of active transcription. High glucose induced histone H3K27 acetylation enrichment at the promoters of Nox1/4/5 genes in SMCs. The novel data of this study indicate that HDACs mediate vascular Nox up-regulation in diabetes. HDAC inhibition reduces vascular ROS production in experimental diabetes, possibly by a mechanism involving negative regulation of Nox expression.

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NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are instrumental in all inflammatory phases of atherosclerosis. Dysregulated histone deacetylase (HDAC)-related epigenetic pathways have been mechanistically linked to alterations in gene expression in experimental models of cardiovascular disorders. Hitherto, the relation between HDAC and Nox in atherosclerosis is not known. We aimed at uncovering whether HDAC plays a role in mediating Nox up-regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerotic lesion progression. Human non-atherosclerotic and atherosclerotic arterial samples, ApoE−/− mice, and in vitro polarized monocyte-derived M1/M2-macrophages (Mac) were examined. Male ApoE−/− mice, maintained on normal or high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet, were randomized to receive 10 mg/kg suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a pan-HDAC inhibitor, or its vehicle, for 4 weeks. In the human/animal studies, real-time PCR, Western blot, lipid staining, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were employed. The protein levels of class I, class IIa, class IIb, and class IV HDAC isoenzymes were significantly elevated both in human atherosclerotic tissue samples and in atherosclerotic aorta of ApoE−/− mice. Treatment of ApoE−/− mice with SAHA reduced significantly the extent of atherosclerotic lesions, and the aortic expression of Nox subtypes, NADPH-stimulated ROS production, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory markers. Significantly up-regulated HDAC and Nox subtypes were detected in inflammatory M1-Mac. In these cells, SAHA reduced the Nox1/2/4 transcript levels. Collectively, HDAC inhibition reduced atherosclerotic lesion progression in ApoE−/− mice, possibly by intertwined mechanisms involving negative regulation of Nox expression and inflammation. The data propose that HDAC-oriented pharmacological interventions could represent an effective therapeutic strategy in atherosclerosis.