A null mutation in SERPINE1 protects against biological aging in humans.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been shown to be a key component of the senescence-related secretome and a direct mediator of cellular senescence. In murine models of accelerated aging, genetic deficiency and targeted inhibition of PAI-1 protect against aging-like pathology and prolong life span. However, the role of PAI-1 in human longevity remains unclear. We hypothesized that a rare loss-of-function mutation in SERPINE1 (c.699_700dupTA), which encodes PAI-1, could play a role in longevity and metabolism in humans. We studied 177 members of the Berne Amish community, which included 43 carriers of the null SERPINE1 mutation. Heterozygosity was associated with significantly longer leukocyte telomere length, lower fasting insulin levels, and lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus. In the extended Amish kindred, carriers of the null SERPINE1 allele had a longer life span. Our study indicates a causal effect of PAI-1 on human longevity, which may be mediated by alterations in metabolism. Our findings demonstrate the utility of studying loss-of-function mutations in populations with geographic and genetic isolation and shed light on a novel therapeutic target for aging.

PAI-1 is a critical regulator of FGF23 homeostasis.

Elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a bone-derived phosphaturic hormone, are associated with a number of pathologic conditions including chronic kidney disease, cardiac hypertrophy, and congestive heart failure. Currently, there are no specific treatments available to lower plasma FGF23 levels. We have recently reported that genetic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) deficiency provided a significant reduction in circulating FGF23 levels while simultaneously prolonging the life span of Klotho-deficient mice. We extend our investigations into the effect of PAI-1 on FGF23 homeostasis. Transgenic overexpression of PAI-1 resulted in threefold increase in FGF23 levels compared to wild-type littermates. Moreover, pharmacological modulation of PAI-1 activity with the small-molecule PAI-1 antagonist TM5441 significantly reduced FGF23 levels in PAI-1 transgenic and Klotho-deficient mice. In addition, TM5441 treatment or PAI-1 deficiency significantly accelerated the clearance of endogenous FGF23 and recombinant human FGF23 from circulation in mice with acute kidney injury. On the basis of these observations, we studied the effects of plasminogen activators (PAs), tissue-type PA (tPA) and urokinase-type PA (uPA), on FGF23. We demonstrate that both PAs directly cleave FGF23; however, it is not known whether the PA-generated FGF23 peptides retain or acquire functions that affect binding and/or signaling properties of intact FGF23. PAI-1 inhibits the PA-dependent cleavage of FGF23, and TM5441 inhibition of PAI-1 restores the proteolysis of FGF23. Furthermore, top-down proteomic analysis indicates that tPA cleaves FGF23 at multiple arginines including the proconvertase sensitive site R176. In summary, our results indicate that PAI-1 prevents the PA-driven proteolysis of FGF23 and PAI-1 inhibition provides a novel therapeutic approach to prevent the pathologic consequences of increased FGF23.

Endothelial cell SHP-2 negatively regulates neutrophil adhesion and promotes transmigration by enhancing ICAM-1-VE-cadherin interaction.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mediates the firm adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells and initiates subsequent signaling that promotes their transendothelial migration (TEM). Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin plays a critical role in endothelial cell-cell adhesion, thereby controlling endothelial permeability and leukocyte transmigration. This study aimed to determine the molecular signaling events that originate from the ICAM-1-mediated firm adhesion of neutrophils that regulate VE-cadherin's role as a negative regulator of leukocyte transmigration. We observed that ICAM-1 interacts with Src homology domain 2-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), and SHP-2 down-regulation via silencing of small interfering RNA in endothelial cells enhanced neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells but inhibited neutrophil transmigration. We also found that VE-cadherin associated with the ICAM-1-SHP-2 complex. Moreover, whereas the activation of ICAM-1 leads to VE-cadherin dissociation from ICAM-1 and VE-cadherin association with actin, SHP-2 down-regulation prevented ICAM-1-VE-cadherin association and promoted VE-cadherin-actin association. Furthermore, SHP-2 down-regulation in vivo promoted LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment in mouse lung but delayed neutrophil extravasation. These results suggest that SHP-2-via association with ICAM-1-mediates ICAM-1-induced Src activation and modulates VE-cadherin switching association with ICAM-1 or actin, thereby negatively regulating neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells and enhancing their TEM.-Yan, M., Zhang, X., Chen, A., Gu, W., Liu, J., Ren, X., Zhang, J., Wu, X., Place, A. T., Minshall, R. D., Liu, G. Endothelial cell SHP-2 negatively regulates neutrophil adhesion and promotes transmigration by enhancing ICAM-1-VE-cadherin interaction.

ICAM-1 regulates macrophage polarization by suppressing MCP-1 expression via miR-124 upregulation.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is the adhesion molecule mediating leukocyte firm adhesion to endothelial cells, plays a critical role in subsequent leukocyte transmigration. ICAM-1 is also expressed in other cells including macrophages; however, the role of this adhesion molecule in mediating macrophage functions remains enigmatic. We report that ICAM-1 regulates macrophage polarization by positively modulating miR-124 expression. We found higher expression levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in lungs of mice lacking ICAM-1. Consistent with this result, siRNA mediated depletion of ICAM-1 in macrophage resulted in increased expression levels of MCP-1. Moreover, ICAM-1 controlled miR-124 expression and downregulated MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression by binding of miR-124 to MCP-1 3' untranslated region. ICAM-1 also induced the transcription factor Sp1 expression, which is important for miR-124 expressing in macrophages. Furthermore, ICAM-1 depletion led to M1 macrophage polarization, in contrast, miR-124 mimics promoted M2 macrophage polarization. Exogenous administration of miR-124 mimics into the lungs prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced myeloperoxidase activity in vivo, suggesting that miR-124 is important for dampening acute lung injury. These results collectively show that adhesion molecule ICAM-1 downregulates MCP-1 expression by controlling Sp1 mediated miR-124 levels, which in turn regulate M2 macrophage polarization. Targeting ICAM-1 and downstream miR-124 may present a new therapeutic strategy for acute lung injury.

MiR-125b Is Critical for Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition and Cardiac Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac fibrosis is the pathological consequence of stress-induced fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. MicroRNAs have been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. We identified a novel miRNA-driven mechanism that promotes cardiac fibrosis via regulation of multiple fibrogenic pathways. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we identified that miR-125b is a novel regulator of cardiac fibrosis, proliferation, and activation of cardiac fibroblasts. We demonstrate that miR-125b is induced in both fibrotic human heart and murine models of cardiac fibrosis. In addition, our results indicate that miR-125b is necessary and sufficient for the induction of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition by functionally targeting apelin, a critical repressor of fibrogenesis. Furthermore, we observed that miR-125b inhibits p53 to induce fibroblast proliferation. Most importantly, in vivo silencing of miR-125b by systemic delivery of locked nucleic acid rescued angiotensin II-induced perivascular and interstitial fibrosis. Finally, the RNA-sequencing analysis established that miR-125b altered the gene expression profiles of the key fibrosis-related genes and is a core component of fibrogenesis in the heart. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, miR-125b is critical for induction of cardiac fibrosis and acts as a potent repressor of multiple anti-fibrotic mechanisms. Inhibition of miR-125b may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of human cardiac fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.

PAI-1-regulated extracellular proteolysis governs senescence and survival in Klotho mice.

Cellular senescence restricts the proliferative capacity of cells and is accompanied by the production of several proteins, collectively termed the "senescence-messaging secretome" (SMS). As senescent cells accumulate in tissue, local effects of the SMS have been hypothesized to disrupt tissue regenerative capacity. Klotho functions as an aging-suppressor gene, and Klotho-deficient (kl/kl) mice exhibit an accelerated aging-like phenotype that includes a truncated lifespan, arteriosclerosis, and emphysema. Because plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN), is elevated in kl/kl mice and is a critical determinant of replicative senescence in vitro, we hypothesized that a reduction in extracellular proteolytic activity contributes to the accelerated aging-like phenotype of kl/kl mice. Here we show that PAI-1 deficiency retards the development of senescence and protects organ structure and function while prolonging the lifespan of kl/kl mice. These findings indicate that a SERPIN-regulated cell-nonautonomous proteolytic cascade is a critical determinant of senescence in vivo.

Antimetastatic potential of amide-linked local anesthetics: inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma cell migration and inflammatory Src signaling independent of sodium channel blockade.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing cancer surgery suggests the use of regional anesthesia may reduce cancer recurrence and improve survival. Amide-linked local anesthetics have antiinflammatory properties, although the mechanism of action in this regard is unclear. As inflammatory processes involving Src tyrosine protein kinase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are important in tumor growth and metastasis, we hypothesized that amide-linked local anesthetics may inhibit inflammatory Src-signaling involved in migration of adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: NCI-H838 lung cancer cells were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-α in absence/presence of ropivacaine, lidocaine, or chloroprocaine (1 nM-100 µM). Cell migration and total cell lysate Src-activation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 phosphorylation were assessed. The role of voltage-gated sodium-channels in the mechanism of local anesthetic effects was also evaluated. RESULTS: Ropivacaine treatment (100 µM) of H838 cells for 20 min decreased basal Src activity by 62% (P=0.003), and both ropivacaine and lidocaine coadministered with tumor necrosis factor-α statistically significantly decreased Src-activation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 phosphorylation, whereas chloroprocaine had no such effect. Migration of these cells at 4 h was inhibited by 26% (P=0.005) in presence of 1 µM ropivacaine and 21% by 1 µM lidocaine (P=0.004). These effects of ropivacaine and lidocaine were independent of voltage-gated sodium-channel inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that amide-, but not ester-linked, local anesthetics may provide beneficial antimetastatic effects. The observed inhibition of NCI-H838 cell migration by lidocaine and ropivacaine was associated with the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α-induced Src-activation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 phosphorylation, providing the first evidence of a molecular mechanism that appears to be independent of their known role as sodium-channel blockers.

ICAM-1-activated Src and eNOS signaling increase endothelial cell surface PECAM-1 adhesivity and neutrophil transmigration.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) extravasation requires selectin-mediated tethering, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)-dependent firm adhesion, and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1)-mediated transendothelial migration. An important unanswered question is whether ICAM-1-activated signaling contributes to PMN transmigration mediated by PECAM-1. We tested this concept and the roles of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Src activated by PMN ligation of ICAM-1 in mediating PECAM-1-dependent PMN transmigration. We observed that lung PMN infiltration in vivo induced in carrageenan-injected WT mice was significantly reduced in ICAM-1(-/-) and eNOS(-/-) mice. Crosslinking WT mouse ICAM-1 expressed in human endothelial cells (ECs), but not the phospho-defective Tyr(518)Phe ICAM-1 mutant, induced SHP-2-dependent Src Tyr530 dephosphorylation that resulted in Src activation. ICAM-1 activation also stimulated phosphorylation of Akt (p-Ser473) and eNOS (p-Ser1177), thereby increasing NO production. PMN migration across EC monolayers was abolished in cells expressing the Tyr(518)Phe ICAM-1 mutant or by pretreatment with either the Src inhibitor PP2 or eNOS inhibitor L-NAME. Importantly, phospho-ICAM-1 induction of Src signaling induced PECAM-1 Tyr686 phosphorylation and increased EC surface anti-PECAM-1 mAb-binding activity. These results collectively show that ICAM-1-activated Src and eNOS signaling sequentially induce PECAM-1-mediated PMN transendothelial migration. Both Src and eNOS inhibition may be important therapeutic targets to prevent or limit vascular inflammation.

Cooperative role of caveolin-1 and C-terminal Src kinase binding protein in C-terminal Src kinase-mediated negative regulation of c-Src.

In the present study, we assessed the cooperative roles of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) binding protein (Cbp) and Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in the mechanism of Src family tyrosine kinase (SFK) inhibition by Csk. SFKs are inactivated by phosphorylation of their C-terminal tyrosine by Csk. Whereas SFKs are membrane-associated, Csk is a cytoplasmic protein and therefore requires membrane adaptors such as Cbp or Cav-1 for recruitment to the plasma membrane to mediate SFK inhibition. To determine the specific role of Cav-1 and Cbp in SFK inhibition, we measured c-Src activity in the absence of each membrane adaptor. It is noteworthy that in lungs and fibroblasts from Cav-1(-/-) mice, we observed increased expression of Cbp compared with wild-type (WT) controls. However, both c-Src activity and Csk localization at the membrane were similar between Cav-1(-/-) fibroblasts and WT cells. Likewise, Cbp depletion by small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment of WT cells had no effect on basal c-Src activity, but it increased the phosphorylation state of Cav-1. Immunoprecipitation then confirmed increased association of Csk with phosphomimicking Cav-1. Knockdown of Cbp by siRNA in Cav-1(-/-) cells revealed increased basal c-Src activity, and re-expression of WT Cav-1 in the same cells reduced basal c-Src activity. Taken together, these results indicate that Cav-1 and Cbp cooperatively regulate c-Src activity by recruiting Csk to the membrane where it phosphorylates c-Src inhibitory tyrosine 529. Furthermore, when either Cav-1 or Cbp expression is reduced or absent, there is a compensatory increase in the phosphorylation state or expression level of the other membrane-associated Csk adaptor to maintain SFK inhibition.

Role of protein kinase Czeta in thrombin-induced RhoA activation and inter-endothelial gap formation of human dermal microvessel endothelial cell monolayers.

We studied the potential involvement of the Ca(2+)-independent atypical protein kinase C isoform PKCzeta in mediating the thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability. Studies were done using human dermal microvessel endothelial cells (HMEC), which we showed constitutively expressed PKCzeta. We quantified the patency of inter-endothelial junctions (IEJs) and endothelial barrier function by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) in confluent HMEC monolayers. In control monolayers, thrombin decreased TER by approximately 50%, indicating thrombin-dependent opening of IEJs. Thrombin also elicited increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration [Ca(2+)](i), actin stress fiber formation, and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Pan-PKC inhibitors, calphostin C and chelerythrine, abrogated these responses. Thrombin also decreased TER after depletion of conventional and novel Ca(2+)-dependent PKC isoforms using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In these PMA-treated cells, thrombin induced inter-endothelial gap formation, MLC phosphorylation, and actin stress fiber formation, but failed to increase [Ca(2+)](i). Inhibition of PKCzeta activation using the PKCzeta pseudosubstrate peptide (PSI), depletion of PKCzeta protein with siRNA, and competitive inhibition of PKCzeta activity using dominant-negative (dn) PKCzeta mutant all prevented the thrombin-induced decrease in TER and MLC phosphorylation. Expression of dn-PKCzeta also inhibited thrombin-induced RhoA activation. These findings reveal a novel Ca(2+)-independent, PKCzeta-dependent mechanism of thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability. The results raise the possibility that inhibition of PKCzeta may be a novel drug target for thrombin-induced inflammatory hyperpermeability.

Filamin A regulates caveolae internalization and trafficking in endothelial cells.

Transcytosis via caveolae is critical for maintaining vascular homeostasis by regulating the tissue delivery of macromolecules, hormones, and lipids. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that interactions between F-actin cross-linking protein filamin A and caveolin-1 facilitate the internalization and trafficking of caveolae. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of filamin A, but not filamin B, reduced the uptake and transcytosis of albumin by approximately 35 and 60%, respectively, without altering the actin cytoskeletal structure or cell-cell adherens junctions. Mobility of both intracellular caveolin-1-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled vesicles measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and membrane-associated vesicles measured by total internal reflection-fluorescence microscopy was decreased in cells with reduced filamin A expression. In addition, in melanoma cells that lack filamin A (M2 cells), the majority of caveolin-1-GFP was localized on the plasma membrane, whereas in cells in which filamin A expression was reconstituted (A7 cells and M2 cells transfected with filamin A-RFP), caveolin-1-GFP was concentrated in intracellular vesicles. Filamin A association with caveolin-1 in endothelial cells was confirmed by cofractionation of these proteins in density gradients, as well as by coimmunoprecipitation. Moreover, this interaction was enhanced by Src activation, associated with increased caveolin-1 phosphorylation, and blocked by Src inhibition. Taken together, these data suggest that filamin A association with caveolin-1 promotes caveolae-mediated transport by regulating vesicle internalization, clustering, and trafficking.

Vesicle formation and endocytosis: function, machinery, mechanisms, and modeling.

Vesicle formation provides a means of cellular entry for extracellular substances and for recycling of membrane constituents. Mechanisms governing the two primary endocytic pathways (i.e., caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, as well as newly emerging vesicular pathways) have become the focus of intense investigation to improve our understanding of nutrient, hormone, and drug delivery, as well as opportunistic invasion of pathogens. In this review of endocytosis, we broadly discuss the structural and signaling proteins that compose the molecular machinery governing endocytic vesicle formation (budding, invagination, and fission from the membrane), with some regard for the specificity observed in certain cell types and species. Important biochemical functions of endocytosis and diseases caused by their disruption also are discussed, along with the structures of key components of endocytic pathways and their known mechanistic contributions. The mechanisms by which principal components of the endocytic machinery are recruited to the plasma membrane, where they interact to induce vesicle formation, are discussed, together with computational approaches used to simulate simplified versions of endocytosis with the hope of clarifying aspects of vesicle formation that may be difficult to determine experimentally. Finally, we pose several unanswered questions intended to stimulate further research interest in the cell biology and modeling of endocytosis.

Regulation of endothelial permeability by Src kinase signaling: vascular leakage versus transcellular transport of drugs and macromolecules.

An important function of the endothelium is to regulate the transport of liquid and solutes across the semi-permeable vascular endothelial barrier. Two cellular pathways have been identified controlling endothelial barrier function. The normally restrictive paracellular pathway, which can become "leaky" during inflammation when gaps are induced between endothelial cells at the level of adherens and tight junctional complexes, and the transcellular pathway, which transports plasma proteins the size of albumin via transcytosis in vesicle carriers originating from cell surface caveolae. During non-inflammatory conditions, caveolae-mediated transport may be the primary mechanism of vascular permeability regulation of fluid phase molecules as well as lipids, hormones, and peptides that bind avidly to albumin. Src family protein tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the upstream signaling pathways that lead to endothelial hyperpermeability through both the paracellular and transcellular pathways. Endothelial barrier dysfunction not only affects vascular homeostasis and cell metabolism, but also governs drug delivery to underlying cells and tissues. In this review of the field, we discuss the current understanding of Src signaling in regulating paracellular and transcellular endothelial permeability pathways and effects on endogenous macromolecule and drug delivery.

Importance of signaling via the IFN-alpha/beta receptor on host cells for the realization of the therapeutic benefits of cyclophosphamide for mice bearing a large MOPC-315 tumor.

Here we show that low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY), that depends for its therapeutic effectiveness on the immunopotentiating activity of the drug for T cell-mediated tumor-eradicating immunity, is curative for approximately 80% of wild-type (WT) mice bearing a large s.c. MOPC-315 tumor, but only for approximately 10% of IFN-alpha/betaR-/- mice bearing a large s.c. MOPC-315 tumor. Histopathological examination of the s.c. tumors of such mice on day 4 after the chemotherapy revealed that the low dose of CY led to accumulation of T lymphocytes in both the WT and the IFN-alpha/betaR-/- mice. However, in the CY treated tumor bearing WT mice the T lymphocytes were present throughout the tumor mass and in direct contact with tumor cells, but in the CY treated tumor bearing IFN-alpha/betaR-/- mice most of the T lymphocytes remained in blood vessels. In addition to being important for CY-induced transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes into the tumor mass, we show here that signaling via the IFN-alpha/betaR is also important for CY-induced control of metastatic tumor progression in the spleen and liver of the tumor bearing mice. Finally, CY cured tumor bearing WT mice were resistant to a subsequent challenge with MOPC-315 tumor cells, but the few CY cured tumor bearing IFN-alpha/betaR-/- mice were not. Thus, signaling via the IFN-alpha/betaR on host cells in MOPC-315 tumor bearers is important for CY-induced: (a) transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes into the tumor mass and the eradication of the primary tumor, (b) control of metastatic tumor progression, and (c) resistance to a subsequent tumor challenge.