1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose up-regulates heme oxygenase-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent manner in HepG2 cells

AIM: To examine the potency of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) as a hepatic heme oxygen-ase-1(HO-1) inducer and its regulation in HepG2 cells. METHODS: Expression of HO-1 and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were analyzed by Western blot, immuno-fluorescence assay, and flow cytometry. Transfections of HO-1 gene, small interfering RNAs for HO-1 and Nrf2, and dominant-negative gene for MAP/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were carried out to dissect the signaling pathways leading to HO-1 expression in HepG 2 cells. RESULTS: PGG up-regulated HO-1 expression and this expression conferred cytoprotection against oxidative injury induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide. Moreover, PGG induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which was found to be an upstream step of PGG-induced HO-1 expression, and ERK activation, of which pathway was involved in PGG-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, HO-1 expression and cytoprotection. CONCLUSION: PGG up-regulates HO-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation in an ERK-depen-dent manner, and HO-1 expression by PGG may serve as one of the important mechanisms for its hepatoprotective effects.

1-Chloromethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-sulfonic acid amide, a derivative of tetrahydroisoquinoline, induces granulocytic differentiation of the human leukemic HL-60 cells via G0/G1 phase arrest

Tetrahydroisoquinolines are known to have various biological effects, including antitumor activity. This study investigated the effect of 1-chloromethyl-6, 7-dimethoxy-3, 4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-sulfonic acid amide (CDST), a newly synthesized anticancer agent, on cellular differentiation and proliferation in HL-60 cells. Differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells were determined through expression of CD11b and CD14 surface antigens using flow cytometry and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay, and through analysis of cell cycle using propidium iodide staining, western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation, respectively. CDST induced the differentiation of HL-60, as shown by increased expression of differentiation surface antigen CD11b (but no significant change in CD14 expression) and increased NBT-reducing functional activity. DNA flow cytometry analysis indicated that CDST markedly induced a G0/G1 phase arrest of HL-60 cells. Subsequently, we examined the expre-ssion of G0/G1 phase cell cycle-related proteins, including cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), cyclins and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs), during the differentiation of HL-60. The levels of CDK2, CDK6, cyclin E and cyclin A were decreased, whereas steady-state levels of CDK4 and cyclin D1 were unaffected. The expression of the p27Kip1 was markedly increased by CDST, but not p21WAF1/Cip1. Moreover, CDST markedly enhanced the binding of p27Kip1 with CDK2 and CDK6, resulting in the reduced activity of both kinases. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CDST is capable of inducing cellular differentiation and growth inhibition through p27Kip1 protein-related G0/G1 phase arrest in HL-60 cells.

IRG1 induced by heme oxygenase- 1/carbon monoxide inhibits LPS-mediated sepsis and pro-inflammatory cytokine production

The immunoresponsive gene 1 （IRG 1） protein has crucial functions in embryonic implantation and neurodegeneration. IRG1 promotes endotoxin tolerance by increasing A20 expression in macrophages through reactive oxygen species （ROS）. The cytoprotective protein heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）, which generates endogenous carbon monoxide （CO）, is expressed in the lung during Lipopolysaccharide （LPS） tolerance and cross tolerance. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms and functional links between IRG1 and HO-1 in the innate immune system remain unknown. In the present study, we found that the CO releasing molecule-2 （CORM-2） and chemical inducers of HO- 1 increased I RG 1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent fashion in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of HO-1 activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX （ZnPP） and HO-1 siRNA significantly reduced expression of IRG1 under these conditions. In addition, treatment with CO and HO-1 induction significantly increased A20 expression, which was reversed by ZnPP and HO-1 siRNA. LPS-stimulated TNF-a was significantly decreased, whereas IRG1 and A20 were increased by CORM-2 application and HO-1 induction, which in turn were abrogated by ZnPP. Interestingly, siRNA against IRG1 and A20 reversed the effects of CO and HO-1 on LPS-stimulated TNF-a production. Additionally, CO and HO-1 inducers significantly increased IRG1 and A20 expression and downregulated TNF-a production in a LPS-stimulated sepsis mice model. Furthermore, the effects of CO and HO-1 on TNF-α production were significantly reversed when ZnPP was administered. In conclusion, CO and HO-1 induction regulates IRG1 and A20 expression, leading to inhibition of inflammation in vitroand in an in vivomice model.