OBJECTIVE: Proinflammatory mediators influence atherosclerosis by inducing adhesion molecules (eg, VCAM-1) on endothelial cells (ECs) via signaling intermediaries including p38 MAP kinase. Regions of arteries exposed to high shear stress are protected from inflammation and atherosclerosis, whereas low-shear regions are susceptible. Here we investigated whether the transcription factor Nrf2 regulates EC activation in arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: En face staining revealed that Nrf2 was activated in ECs at an atheroprotected region of the murine aorta where it negatively regulated p38-VCAM-1 signaling, but was expressed in an inactive form in ECs at an atherosusceptible site. Treatment with sulforaphane, a dietary antioxidant, activated Nrf2 and suppressed p38-VCAM-1 signaling at the susceptible site in wild-type but not Nrf2(-/-) animals, indicating that it suppresses EC activation via Nrf2. Studies of cultured ECs revealed that Nrf2 inactivates p38 by suppressing an upstream activator MKK3/6 and by enhancing the activity of the negative regulator MKP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Nrf2 prevents ECs at the atheroprotected site from exhibiting a proinflammatory state via the suppression of p38-VCAM-1 signaling. Pharmacological activation of Nrf2 reduces EC activation at atherosusceptible sites and may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent or reduce atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: Proinflammatory mediators influence atherosclerosis by inducing adhesion molecules (eg, VCAM-1) on endothelial cells (ECs) via signaling intermediaries including p38 MAP kinase. Regions of arteries exposed to high shear stress are protected from inflammation and atherosclerosis, whereas low-shear regions are susceptible. Here we investigated whether the transcription factor Nrf2 regulates EC activation in arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: En face staining revealed that Nrf2 was activated in ECs at an atheroprotected region of the murine aorta where it negatively regulated p38-VCAM-1 signaling, but was expressed in an inactive form in ECs at an atherosusceptible site. Treatment with sulforaphane, a dietary antioxidant, activated Nrf2 and suppressed p38-VCAM-1 signaling at the susceptible site in wild-type but not Nrf2(-/-) animals, indicating that it suppresses EC activation via Nrf2. Studies of cultured ECs revealed that Nrf2 inactivates p38 by suppressing an upstream activator MKK3/6 and by enhancing the activity of the negative regulator MKP-1. CONCLUSIONS:Nrf2 prevents ECs at the atheroprotected site from exhibiting a proinflammatory state via the suppression of p38-VCAM-1 signaling. Pharmacological activation of Nrf2 reduces EC activation at atherosusceptible sites and may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent or reduce atherosclerosis.
Authors: Delong Liu; Alexander P Glaser; Sushmitha Patibandla; Arnon Blum; Peter J Munson; J Philip McCoy; Nalini Raghavachari; Richard O Cannon Journal: Cytotherapy Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 5.414
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Authors: Brahm H Segal; Wei Han; Jennifer J Bushey; Myungsoo Joo; Zahida Bhatti; Joy Feminella; Carly G Dennis; R Robert Vethanayagam; Fiona E Yull; Maegan Capitano; Paul K Wallace; Hans Minderman; John W Christman; Michael B Sporn; Jefferson Chan; Donald C Vinh; Steven M Holland; Luigina R Romani; Sarah L Gaffen; Michael L Freeman; Timothy S Blackwell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-03-16 Impact factor: 3.240