endothelin-1 and Neurodegenerative-Diseases

There is substantial research on the vasoactive peptide endothelin (ET)-1 in physiology, as well as in pathology. In fact, pathologically elevated levels of ET-1 have been found in several disease states, such as various cardiovascular diseases, different cancers, some neurodegenerative disorders, as well as in diabetes. Here, we describe and discuss ET-1, its importance in different diseases, and the potential therapeutic effects of ET-traps in the treatment of these diseases. Previous in vitro and in vivo research (in the diabetes disease space) demonstrated that ET-traps potently and significantly prevent the induction of different markers of diabetes-related pathology. This included induction of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (collagen 4α1 and fibronectin), which are pathologically elevated in diabetes. The ET-traps prevented induction of these and brought a significant return to non-diabetic levels. We also discuss the merits of using ET-traps over the currently used endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) and previously used therapeutic antibodies.

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; Endothelin-1; Female; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Receptors, Endothelin

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key redox-sensitive protein, the activity of which is largely affected by oxidative modifications at its highly reactive cysteine residue in the active site of the enzyme (Cys-152). These modifications occur as a result of S-thiolation, S-nitrosylation or disulfide bonds that lead to aggregate formation. The oxidative changes not only affect the glycolytic function but also stimulate the participation of GAPDH in numerous cellular processes. In this review we describe how thiol modification of Cys-152 in GAPDH re-routes metabolic pathways in the cell and converts a metabolic enzyme into a pro-apoptotic factor. Especially interesting issue is the participation of GAPDH in the regulation of expression of endothelin 1 and nitrosylation of nuclear proteins. In the last section we describe involvement of GAPDH in the processes associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cysteine; Endothelin-1; Glyceraldehyde; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Nuclear Proteins; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress

Neurodegeneration is a hallmark of most of the central nervous system (CNS) disorders including stroke. Recently inflammation has been implicated in pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was analysis of expression of several inflammatory markers and its correlation with development of neurodegeneration during the early stage of experimental stroke. Ischemic stroke model was induced by stereotaxic intracerebral injection of vasoconstricting agent endothelin-1 (ET-1). It was observed that neurodegeneration appears very early in that model and correlates well with migration of inflammatory lymphocytes and macrophages to the brain. Although the expression of several studied chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) was significantly increased at the early phase of ET-1 induced stroke model, no clear correlation of this expression with neurodegeneration was observed. These data may indicate that chemokines do not induce neurodegeneration directly. Upregulated in the ischemic brain chemokines may be a potential target for future therapies reducing inflammatory cell migration to the brain in early stroke. Inhibition of inflammatory cell accumulation in the brain at the early stage of stroke may lead to amelioration of ischemic neurodegeneration.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Ischemia; Chemokine CCL2; Chemokine CCL3; Chemokine CCL5; Chemokine CXCL2; Chemokines; Endothelin-1; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Mice; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Stroke