IGF-I and insulin amplify IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin biosynthesis.

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induces both cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with concomitant release of PGs and nitric oxide (NO) by glomerular mesangial cells. In our current studies, we determine whether insulin and IGF-I are involved in the signal transduction mechanisms resulting in IL-1 beta-induced NO and PGE2 biosynthesis in renal mesangial cells. We demonstrate that both insulin and IGF-I increase IL-1 beta-induced Cox-2 and iNOS protein expression, which in turn enhance PGE2 and NO production. Our data also indicate that both insulin and IGF-I enhance IL-1 beta-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and SAPK activation. These findings implicate the possible role of the MAPK pathway in mediating the effects of insulin and IGF-I on the upregulation of cytokine-stimulated NO and PG biosynthesis. Together, our results indicate that IGF-I and insulin may function to modulate the renal inflammatory process.

Overexpression of protein kinase C-zeta isoform increases cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. Nitric oxide synthase catalyzes the production of nitric oxide, a short-lived messenger molecule involved in many diverse cellular processes. Both of these enzymes have inducible forms [COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), respectively] that respond to environmental stresses, chemicals, and extracellular ligands such as interleukin-1, epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. The precise cascade of intracellular events that leads to the expression of either COX-2 or iNOS is not known. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of 11 serine-threonine kinases conserved throughout eukaryotic species that transduce a wide variety of signals critical for cellular functions. Using a retroviral vector to overexpress the zeta-isoform of PKC in rat mesangial cells, we demonstrate markedly increased COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), iNOS, and altered cellular morphology compared with mesangial cells expressing a control retroviral vector and untransfected mesangial cells. NIH/3T3 cells overexpressing PKC-zeta showed no change in morphology, PGE2 production, COX-2 expression, or iNOS expression at basal conditions. This suggests a role for PKC-zeta in the expression of these enzymes in mesangial cells.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase down-regulates nitric oxide and up-regulates prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis stimulated by interleukin-1beta.

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) induces both cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and the inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) with increases in the release of prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) from glomerular mesangial cells. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms by which IL-1beta induces iNOS and Cox-2 expression is obscure. Our current studies demonstrate that IL-1beta produces a rapid increase in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and activation. Serum starvation and SC68376, a drug which selectively inhibits p38 MAPK in mesangial cells, were used to investigate whether p38 MAPK contributes to the signaling mechanism of IL-1beta induction of NO and PG synthesis. Serum starvation and SC68376 selectively inhibited IL-1beta-induced activation of p38 MAPK. Both SC68376 and serum starvation enhanced NO biosynthesis by increasing iNOS mRNA expression, protein expression, and nitrite production. In contrast, both SC68376 and serum starvation suppressed PG release by inhibiting Cox-2 mRNA, protein expression, and PGE2 synthesis. These data demonstrate that IL-1beta phosphorylates and activates p38 MAPK in mesangial cells. The activation of p38 MAPK may provide a crucial signaling mechanism, which mediates the up-regulation of PG synthesis and the down-regulation of NO biosynthesis induced by IL-1beta.

Nitric oxide amplifies interleukin 1-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in rat mesangial cells.

Interleukin 1 and nitric oxide (NO) from infiltrating macrophages and activated mesangial cells may act in concert to sustain and promote glomerular damage. To evaluate if such synergy occurs, we evaluated the effect if IL-1 beta and NO on the formation of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and cyclooxygenase (COX) expression. The NO donors, sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, alone did not increase basal PGE2 formation. However, these compounds amplified IL-1 beta-induced PGE2 production. Similarly, sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine by themselves did not induce mRNA and protein for COX-2, the inducible isoform of COX; however, they both potentiated IL-1 beta-induced mRNA and protein expression of COX-2. The stimulatory effect of NO is likely to be mediated by cGMP since (a) an inhibitor of the soluble guanylate cyclase, methylene blue, reversed the stimulatory effect of NO donors on COX-2 mRNA expression; (b) the membrane-permeable cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP, mimicked the stimulatory effect of NO donors on COX-2-mRNA expression; and (c) atrial natriuretic peptide, which increases cellular cGMP by activating the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase, also amplified IL-1 beta-induced COX-2 mRNA expression. These data indicate a novel interaction between NO and COX pathways.

Antioxidants inhibit interleukin-1-induced cyclooxygenase and nitric-oxide synthase expression in rat mesangial cells. Evidence for post-transcriptional regulation.

Glomerular mesangial cells produce reactive oxygen intermediates when stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor. Recent observations suggest that reactive oxygen intermediates may play a role in IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor signaling and may upregulate gene expression. We therefore evaluated the effects of antioxidants on IL-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in rat mesangial cells. The oxidant scavenger, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), inhibited iNOS expression at the transcriptional level, since PDTC abolished iNOS mRNA accumulation. In contrast, PDTC inhibited Cox-2 expression at the post-transcriptional level, since PDTC did not affect IL-1beta-induced Cox-2 mRNA levels but inhibited Cox-2 protein expression and prostaglandin E2 production. Another antioxidant, rotenone, which inhibits reactive oxygen intermediate production by inhibiting the mitochondrial electron transport system, did not inhibit IL-1beta-induced iNOS and Cox-2 mRNA expression but inhibited iNOS and Cox-2 protein expression, suggesting a post-transcriptional target for the inhibition of NOS and Cox-2 expression induced by IL-1beta. These results suggest that not only transcriptional regulation but also post-transcriptional mechanisms are involved in redox-sensitive inhibition of cytokine induced Cox-2 and NOS expression. These results suggest a novel approach for intervention in cytokine-mediated inflammatory processes.

Interleukin-1 beta activates c-jun NH2-terminal kinase subgroup of mitogen-activated protein kinases in mesangial cells.

We investigated whether JNK is activated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in mesangial cells. We performed in-gel kinase assays with His-c-jun-(1-79), which contains the amino-terminal activation domain of c-jun and a mutant His-c-jun in which Ser-63 and Ser-73 of His-c-jun were mutated to Ala as the substrates. JNK1 (p45) and JNK2 (p54) isoforms phosphorylated His-c-jun in mesangial cells. IL-1 beta produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in JNK activity. IL-1 beta did not phosphorylated the mutant, His-c-jun. The IL-1 beta-activated JNK activity was independent of serum and suppressed by neither tyrosine kinase inhibitors nor protein kinase C inhibitors. JNK was also stimulated by anisomycin and okadaic acid but not by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The protein synthesis inhibitors and okadaic acid potentiated the IL-1 beta-induced JNK activity. Together, these studies indicate that the novel JNK group of protein kinases may play an important role in the signal transduction pathway initiated by proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 beta in mesangial cells.

Cross-talk between cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide pathways: prostaglandin E2 negatively modulates induction of nitric oxide synthase by interleukin 1.

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) induces both cyclooxygenase (COX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with increases in the release of prostaglandin (PG) and nitric oxide (NO) by mesangial cells. Recently, activation of the COX enzyme by NO has been described. However, the effects of COX products (PGs) on the NO pathway have not been fully clarified. Thus we determined the effect of COX inhibition and exogenous PGs on NO production and NOS induction in rat mesangial cells. A COX inhibitor, indomethacin, enhanced IL-1 beta-induced steady-state level of the inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA and nitrite production. The effect of indomethacin was dose dependently reversed by the replacement of endogenous PGE2 with exogenous PGE2, which is the predominant product of the COX pathway in rat mesangial cells. In contrast to PGE2, a stable analog of PGI2, carba prostacyclin, enhanced IL-1 beta-induced iNOS mRNA levels and nitrite production. Forskolin, an activator of the adenylate cyclase, mimicked the effect of carba prostacyclin but not PGE2. These data suggest that (i) endogenous PGE2 downregulates iNOS induction, (ii) this inhibitory effect of PGE2 on iNOS induction is not mediated by activation of adenylate cyclase, and (iii) exogenous PGI2 stimulates COX induction possibly by activation of adenylate cyclase.

Barbiturate tolerance: effects on GABA-operated chloride channel function.

Male ICR mice were fed powdered laboratory chow containing phenobarbital for 7 days to induce tolerance. Mice were sacrificed and brains assayed for changes in GABA-mediated chloride flux into brain membrane vesicles (microsacs). Concentration-dependent stimulation of chloride flux by GABA alone was not affected by the development of tolerance to phenobarbital. Phenobarbital potentiation of GABA-mediated chloride flux was significantly attenuated in the membranes prepared from phenobarbital-tolerant mice compared with those from pair-fed control mice. Similarly, stimulation of GABA-mediated flux by the benzodiazepine, flunitrazepam was also depressed in membranes from tolerant mice. However, the ability of ethanol and the benzodiazepine inverse agonist FG-7142 to modulate GABA-gated chloride flux was not affected by the development of phenobarbital tolerance. No significant changes in saturation [3H]diazepam binding parameters were observed. These findings suggest that there is a degree of cross-tolerance between phenobarbital and benzodiazepine agonist at the level of the GABA-operated chloride channel. Furthermore, although some reports have demonstrated behavioral cross-tolerance between ethanol and barbiturates, the present data suggest different mechanisms of tolerance development for these intoxicants at the level of the GABAA receptor chloride channel complex.

Effects of lorazepam tolerance and withdrawal on GABAA receptor-operated chloride channels.

Mice were treated with 4 mg/kg of lorazepam for 7 days via implanted osmotic mini pumps. After chronic drug treatment, brains were assayed for GABA-mediated chloride flux (GABA-Cl-). Compared to control, brain membranes from lorazepam-tolerant mice were resistant to flunitrazepam stimulation of GABA-Cl-. Lorazepam tolerance did not affect [3H]diazepam binding affinity but did lower binding number slightly. Membranes from lorazepam-tolerant mice were cross-tolerant to both ethanol and phenobarbital stimulation of GABA-Cl-. Pentobarbital-stimulation of GABA-Cl- was equivalent in the two treatment groups. An increase in maximum inhibition of chloride flux produced by the benzodiazepine partial inverse agonist, n-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide (FG-7142) in membranes from lorazepam-tolerant mice was observed. FG-7142 was also found to be a more potent inhibitor of [3H]diazepam binding in membranes from lorazepam-tolerant mice. Withdrawal from chronic treatment by an acute injection with the benzodiazepine antagonist RO-15-1788 (flumazenil), restored functioning of the channel complex to control levels. There were no differences between membranes from control and lorazepam withdrawn mice in stimulation by flunitrazepam, ethanol, phenobarbital and pentobarbital or inhibition by FG-7142 of GABA-Cl-. [3H]Diazepam-saturated binding parameters and inhibition of binding by FG-7142 were similar. Chronic administration of lorazepam reduces the coupling between the benzodiazepine agonist site and the chloride channel and concomitantly increases coupling between the channel and the inverse agonist site. Furthermore, these findings offer neurochemical evidence for cross-tolerance to ethanol and phenobarbital after induction of lorazepam tolerance.

Diabetes-induced glomerular dysfunction: links to a more reduced cytosolic ratio of NADH/NAD+.

These studies were undertaken to examine effects of elevated glucose levels on glycolysis, sorbitol pathway activity, and the cytosolic redox state of NADH/NAD+ in isolated glomeruli. Blood-free glomeruli were isolated from kidneys of male, Sprague-Dawley rats using standard sieving techniques, then incubated for one hour at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, pO2 approximately 500 torr, in Krebs bicarbonate/Hepes buffer containing 5 or 30 mM glucose. Elevated glucose levels increased glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, total triose phosphates, lactate, the lactate/pyruvate ratio, sorbitol, and fructose, but did not affect sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, pyruvate, or myo-inositol levels. The more reduced glomerular cytosolic redox state (manifested by the tissue lactate/pyruvate ratio) induced by 30 mM glucose was completely abrogated by aldose reductase inhibitors added to the diet two to seven days prior to glomerular isolation. These observations, coupled with evidence linking glucose- and diabetes-induced glomerular dysfunction to increased sorbitol pathway metabolism, support the hypothesis that metabolic imbalances associated with a more reduced ratio of cytosolic NADH/NAD+ (resulting from increased glucose metabolism via the sorbitol pathway) play an important role in mediating glucose- and diabetes-induced glomerular dysfunction.

Effect of thiol group modification on ion flux and ligand binding properties of the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex.

Agents that modify thiol groups have been shown to alter ligand binding at a variety of receptor sites. In addition, alkylation of sulfhydryls has been shown to block ion channel conductance. We studied the effects of thiol reagents on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated chloride flux (36Cl-) and [3H]-diazepam binding in mouse brain membrane preparation (microsacs). Incubation of microsacs in the presence of: mercuric chloride (HgCl2), p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (pCMBS), hydroxymercuribenzoate (HMB), n-ethylmaleimide (NEM), or iodoacetic acid (IAA) attenuated GABA-stimulated Cl- uptake. The thiol reagents reduced both maximal stimulation and the potency of GABA to induce Cl- uptake. Thiol reagent treatment decreased the affinity of high-affinity [3H]-muscimol equilibrium binding. Supernatant prepared from microsacs treated with pCMBS stimulated Cl- uptake in the absence of GABA agonist in microsacs unexposed to thiol reagents. The supernatant taken from pCMBS-treated microsacs also stimulated [3H]-diazepam binding. This effect was blocked by the addition of the GABA receptor antagonist bicuculline. The concentration of endogenous GABA in supernatant from pCMBS-treated microsacs was sixfold greater than that in supernatant from control microsacs. This increase in levels of endogenous GABA by thiol reagents was due to both an increase in GABA release and a decrease in high-affinity GABA uptake.

Effects of lorazepam tolerance and withdrawal on GABAA receptor operated chloride channels in mice selected for differences in ethanol withdrawal severity.

Withdrawal seizure prone (WSP) and withdrawal seizure resistant (WSR) mice were treated with 5 mg/kg lorazepam for 7 days via implanted osmotic mini pumps. Following chronic drug treatment, brains were assayed for GABA-mediated chloride flux (GABA-Cl-). Under control (drug naive) conditions, brain membranes prepared from WSP and WSR lines did not differ in flunitrazepam or ethanol stimulation of GABA-mediated 36Cl- uptake, but the WSP lines were more sensitive to inhibition of 36Cl- flux by the inverse agonist, FG-7142. Membranes from lorazepam tolerant WSP and WSR mice were resistant to flunitrazepam- and ethanol-stimulation of GABA-Cl-. Withdrawal from chronic treatment, by an acute injection with the benzodiazepine antagonist RO15-1788, returned flunitrazepam stimulation of GABA-Cl- to near control levels in WSR membranes but not in WSP membranes and restored ethanol modulation of the channel to control levels in both lines. Inhibition of chloride flux by the benzodiazepine partial inverse agonist, FG-7142 was greater in membranes from WSP mice compared with WSR mice. Tolerance to lorazepam increased sensitivity of the WSR membranes to FG-7142 without altering the response in the WSP line. Again, withdrawal restored the Cl- flux response to FG-7142 back to near control levels. Lorazepam tolerance lowered [3H]-flunitrazepam binding affinity slightly only in the WSR strain with no change in binding number. Withdrawal from chronic lorazepam treatment produced no significant change in binding affinity or number. The initial genotypic differences in benzodiazepine inverse agonist sensitivity, may be related to the selection for withdrawal seizure severity. Chronic administration of lorazepam reduces the coupling between the benzodiazepine agonist site and the chloride channel and concomitantly increases coupling between the channel and the inverse agonist site, while withdrawal resets the receptor coupling back to control response levels. However, for the WSP line, this drug environment dependent shift in channel coupling bias appears to be deficient compared with the WSR line.