Fluvastatin inhibits the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase, an inflammatory biomarker, in hepatocytes.

AIM: Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitors), which were originally designed to lower plasma cholesterol levels, are increasingly recognized as anti-inflammatory agents. In the inflamed liver, pro-inflammatory cytokines stimulate the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Overproduction of NO by iNOS has been implicated as a factor in liver injury. We examined pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes as a simple in vitro injury model to determine liver-protective effects of statins. We hypothesized that statins are involved in the downregulation of iNOS, resulting in decreased hepatic inflammation. METHODS: Hepatocytes were isolated from rats by collagenase perfusion and centrifugation. Primary cultured hepatocytes were treated with interleukin (IL)-1ß in the presence or absence of fluvastatin. The induction of iNOS and its signaling pathway were analyzed. RESULTS: IL-1ß produced increased levels of NO. This effect was inhibited by fluvastatin, which exerted its maximal effects at 100 µM. Fluvastatin decreased the levels of iNOS protein and its mRNA expression. Fluvastatin had no effects on IκB degradation and nuclear factor-κB activation. However, fluvastatin inhibited the upregulation of type I IL-1 receptor mRNA and protein expression. Transfection experiments demonstrated that fluvastatin suppressed iNOS induction by the inhibition of promoter transactivation and mRNA stabilization. Fluvastatin reduced the expression of an iNOS gene antisense-transcript, which is involved in iNOS mRNA stability. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that fluvastatin inhibits the induction of iNOS at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional steps, leading to the prevention of NO production. Fluvastatin may provide therapeutic potential in iNOS induction involved in various liver injuries.

alpha-lipoic acid prevents the induction of iNOS gene expression through destabilization of its mRNA in proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: α-Lipoic acid (α-LA) has been reported to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Proinflammatory cytokines stimulate the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression, leading to excess production of NO and resulting in liver injury including IRI. We hypothesized that inhibition of iNOS induction underlies the protective effects of α-LA on the liver. The objective was to investigate whether α-LA directly influences iNOS induction in cultured hepatocytes, which is used as a simple in vitro injury model, and the mechanism involved. METHODS: Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with interleukin (IL)-1ß in the presence or absence of α-LA. The induction of iNOS and NO production and its signal were analyzed. RESULTS: α-LA inhibited the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein dose- and time-dependently, resulting in decreases in NO production. α-LA had no effects on the degradation of IκB proteins and activation of NF-κB. In contrast, α-LA inhibited the upregulation of type I IL-1 receptor stimulated by IL-1ß, although α-LA had no effect on Akt activation. Transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed that α-LA had no effect on the transactivation of the iNOS promoter, but decreased the stabilization of iNOS mRNA. Further, α-LA inhibited the expression of an iNOS gene antisense-transcript, which is involved in iNOS mRNA stability. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that α-LA inhibits the induction of iNOS gene expression at a posttranscriptional step via iNOS mRNA stabilization, rather than promoter activation. It may provide useful therapeutic effects through the suppression of iNOS induction involved in liver injury.

Dexamethasone inhibits the induction of iNOS gene expression through destabilization of its mRNA in proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes.

In the inflamed liver, proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma stimulate the induction of iNOS gene expression, leading to excess production of NO and resulting in liver injury. The induction of iNOS is regulated by transactivation of the iNOS promoter with transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappaB and by posttranscriptional modifications such as mRNA stabilization. The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone has been reported to inhibit iNOS induction, which may contribute to its inflammation-reducing effects. The objective was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the down-regulation of iNOS gene expression by dexamethasone. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with IL-1beta (1 nM) in the presence or absence of dexamethasone. The induction of iNOS and its signal were analyzed. Dexamethasone (10-250 nM) inhibited the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein dose and time dependently, resulting in decreases in NO production. However, dexamethasone did not inhibit the up-regulation of type I IL-1 receptor stimulated by IL-1beta. Dexamethasone also had no effect on the degradation of IkappaB proteins and on the activation of nuclear factor kappaB. Transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed that dexamethasone had no effect on the transactivation of the iNOS promoter but decreased the stabilization of iNOS mRNA. In support of the latter observation, dexamethasone inhibited the expression of an iNOS gene antisense transcript, which stabilizes iNOS mRNA by interacting with its 3'-untranslated region and 3'-untranslated region-binding proteins. Dexamethasone may inhibit the induction of iNOS gene expression at the step of mRNA stabilization rather than promoter activation and may provide useful therapeutic effects in iNOS induction involved in liver injuries.

Edaravone inhibits the induction of iNOS gene expression at transcriptional and posttranscriptional steps in murine macrophages.

Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, plays crucial roles in the prevention of injuries to the brain, heart, and liver. Our in vivo study indicated that edaravone prevented endotoxin-induced liver injury through inhibition of NO production in addition to reductions in oxidative products and proinflammatory cytokine induction. Studies were performed to determine whether edaravone directly influences the induction of iNOS in murine RAW264 macrophages as a substitute for Kupffer cells (resident macrophages) in the liver. RAW264 cells were treated with LPS (1 microg/mL) in the presence or absence of edaravone. NO production, iNOS induction, and its related signaling were analyzed. Edaravone (0.5 - 5 mM) decreased the production of NO stimulated by LPS in time- and dose-dependent manners, and these concentrations of edaravone had no cytotoxic effects. Edaravone decreased the levels of iNOS protein and mRNA. Transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed that edaravone inhibited the activities of both iNOS promoter transactivation and iNOS mRNA stabilization. However, edaravone did not have any effects on I kappaB alpha degradation or nuclear factor-kappaB activation. In contrast, edaravone markedly suppressed the LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS antisense-transcript, which stabilizes iNOS mRNA by interacting with its 3'-untranslated region and RNA-binding proteins. Edaravone may inhibit the induction of iNOS gene expression at the steps of its promoter transactivation in a nuclear factor-kappaB-independent manner and mRNA stabilization in RAW264 cells.

Edaravone prevents iNOS expression by inhibiting its promoter transactivation and mRNA stability in cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes.

Edaravone has an anti-inflammatory effect in experimental models of various organ injuries. We reported that edaravone reduces the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines in endotoxin-treated rats with partial hepatectomy, leading to the prevention of liver injury. Studies were performed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of iNOS expression by edaravone in hepatocytes. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with interleukin (IL)-1beta in the presence or absence of edaravone, and iNOS and its signal were analyzed. Edaravone decreased the expression of iNOS mRNA and its protein stimulated by IL-1beta, resulting in the reduction of NO production. Edaravone inhibited the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB through IkappaB degradation and the up-regulation of type I IL-1 receptor through PI3K/Akt activation, which are essential signals for iNOS induction. Further transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase construct having iNOS 3'-UTR revealed that edaravone decreased the stability of iNOS mRNA. In support of this observation, edaravone decreased the expression of iNOS antisense-transcript, which stabilizes iNOS mRNA by interacting with its 3'-UTR and RNA-binding protein. Edaravone may inhibit the induction of iNOS gene expression at steps of promoter transactivation and mRNA stabilization in cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes.

Pitavastatin up-regulates the induction of iNOS through enhanced stabilization of its mRNA in pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes.

Studies have indicated that protective effects of statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) are associated with the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or inducible NOS (iNOS) in heart and liver diseases. Statins have been reported to enhance hepatic NO production and decrease the vascular tone in patients with cirrhosis. However, it is unclear which NOS contributes to the increased NO production. We hypothesized that statins are involved in the up-regulation of iNOS in inflammatory liver, resulting in decreased hepatic resistance. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta in the presence or absence of pitavastatin. Pretreatment of cells with pitavastatin resulted in up-regulation of iNOS induction by IL-1beta, followed by increased NO production. Pitavastatin had no effects on the degradation of IkappaB or activation of NF-kappaB. However, pitavastatin super-induced the up-regulation of type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI), which is essential for iNOS induction in addition to the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway. Mevalonate and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate blocked the stimulatory effects of pitavastatin on iNOS and IL-1RI induction. Transfection experiments revealed that pitavastatin increased the stability of iNOS mRNA rather than its promoter transactivation. In support of this observation, pitavastatin increased the antisense-transcript corresponding to the 3'-UTR of iNOS mRNA, which stabilizes iNOS mRNA by interacting with the 3'-UTR- and RNA-binding proteins. These findings demonstrate that pitavastatin up-regulates iNOS by the stabilization of its mRNA, presumably through the super-induction of IL-1RI and antisense-transcript. This implies that statins may contribute to a novel potentiated treatment in liver injuries including cirrhosis.

Characterization of alternatively spliced isoforms of the type I interleukin-1 receptor on iNOS induction in rat hepatocytes.

In animal models of liver injury, proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in inducing iNOS, which is followed by the production of NO in hepatocytes. Previously we have reported that the up-regulation of type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI) is required for the transcriptional activation of iNOS gene, in concert with the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB. In this study, we found three alternatively spliced isoforms of IL-1RI in primary cultured rat hepatocytes: two (long and short) membrane-bound and one soluble IL-1RI. Interleukin (IL)-1beta markedly augmented the mRNA levels of long and short IL-1RI with time, but was less effective for soluble IL-1RI. Two membrane-bound IL-1RI were localized in the intracellular fraction, whereas soluble IL-1RI was released into the culture medium. Cotransfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed that the overexpression of long and short IL-1RI, but not soluble IL-1RI, significantly increased the transactivation of iNOS promoter and the stabilization of its mRNA. In contrast, the addition of conditioned medium containing soluble IL-1RI reduced the induction of iNOS and NO production stimulated by IL-1beta. These results further suggest that the enhancement of IL-1RI isoforms may contribute to the regulation of iNOS induction in hepatocytes.

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion upregulates the susceptibility of hepatocytes to confer the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression.

During hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL) 1beta stimulate the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hepatocytes, followed by massive production of nitric oxide. We hypothesized that I/R upregulated the susceptibility of hepatocytes to confer the induction of iNOS gene expression. This study was designed to investigate whether cell susceptibility occurs in response to I/R and to delineate the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility. Hepatocytes were isolated from rats with hepatic I/R or sham, cultured, and treated with IL-1beta. The iNOS induction and its signal including inhibitor kappaB (IkappaB) kinase/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and Akt/type 1 interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R1) were analyzed. Hepatocytes isolated from rats with I/R markedly increased the production of nitric oxide when stimulated by IL-1beta as compared with sham control. Ischemia/R also increased the levels of iNOS protein and its messenger RNA. Furthermore, I/R enhanced the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB and the transactivation of iNOS promoter. However, I/R had no effects on the degradation of IkappaB and the nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. In contrast, I/R increased the phosphorylation of Akt and the upregulation of IL-1R1 induction, which is essential signal for the transcriptional activation of iNOS in addition to IkappaB kinase/NF-kappaB. These results demonstrate that I/R may augment hepatocyte susceptibility for the induction of iNOS gene expression through the enhancement of IL-1R1.

Up-regulation of IL-1 receptor through PI3K/Akt is essential for the induction of iNOS gene expression in hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB is essential, as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulates the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in hepatocytes. However, recent evidence indicates that the activation of NF-kappaB is not sufficient to induce the NF-kappaB-dependent transcription, and the existence of a second signaling is postulated. METHODS: Primary cultured hepatocytes were treated with IL-1beta, and the expression of iNOS and type 1 IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) was analyzed in the presence of antisense of IL-1R1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, proteasome inhibitor and hypoxia. Moreover, the activities of Akt and NF-kappaB were recorded and the cotransfection was carried out. RESULTS: Antisense experiment revealed that IL-1R1 was required for iNOS transcription. IL-1beta markedly stimulated the induction of IL-1R1, which preceded the induction of iNOS. The IL-1R1 induction was found to be PI3K/Akt-dependent but NF-kappaB-independent. The up-regulation of IL-1R1 was associated with the second activation of Akt, which accelerated the phosphorylation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit. Cotransfection experiments revealed that Akt increased the transcriptional activity of iNOS gene promoter. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the up-regulation of IL-1R1 in concert with the activation of NF-kappaB is required for the transcriptional activation of iNOS gene.