gyy-4137 and Atherosclerosis

Physiological concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) have multiple protective effects in the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have implicated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a new member of vasculoprotective gasotransmitter family, behaving similarly to NO and CO. H2S has been demonstrated to inhibit multiple key aspects of atherosclerosis, including atherogenic modification of LDL, monocytes adhesion to the endothelial cells, macrophage-derived foam cell formation and inflammation, smooth muscle cell proliferation, neointimal hyperplasia, vascular calcification, and thrombogenesis. H2S also decreases plasma homocysteine levels in experimental animal models. In the human body, H2S production is predominantly catalyzed by cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). CSE is the primary H2S-producing enzyme in the vasculature. Growing evidence suggests that atherosclerosis is associated with vascular CSE/H2S deficiency and that H2S supplementation by exogenous H2S donors (such as NaHS and GYY4137) attenuates, and H2S synthesis suppression by inhibitors (such as D, L-propargylglycine) aggravates the development of atherosclerotic plaques. However, it remains elusive whether CSE deficiency plays a causative role in atherosclerosis. A recent study (Circulation. 2013; 127: 2523-2534) demonstrates that decreased endogenous H2S production by CSE genetic deletion accelerates atherosclerosis in athero-prone ApoE-/- mice, pinpointing that endogenously produced H2S by CSE activation may be of benefit in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. This study will facilitate the development of H2S-based pharmaceuticals with therapeutic applications in atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases.

Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Carbon Dioxide; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Mice; Morpholines; Nitric Oxide; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Oxidative Stress; Signal Transduction

Topics: Animals; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; Mice; Morpholines; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; RAW 264.7 Cells; Signal Transduction; Toll-Like Receptor 4

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to have powerful antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that can regulate multiple cardiovascular functions. However, its precise role in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis remains unclear. We report here that H2S reduced aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation with reduction in superoxide (O2 (-)) generation and the adhesion molecules in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced LDLr(-/-) mice but not in LDLr(-/-)Nrf2(-/-) mice. In vitro, H2S inhibited foam cell formation, decreased O2 (-) generation, and increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and consequently heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression upregulation in high glucose (HG) plus oxidized LDL (ox-LDL)-treated primary peritoneal macrophages from wild-type but not Nrf2(-/-) mice. H2S also decreased O2 (-) and adhesion molecule levels and increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 expression, which were suppressed by Nrf2 knockdown in HG/ox-LDL-treated endothelial cells. H2S increased S-sulfhydration of Keap1, induced Nrf2 dissociation from Keap1, enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and inhibited O2 (-) generation, which were abrogated after Keap1 mutated at Cys151, but not Cys273, in endothelial cells. Collectively, H2S attenuates diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis, which may be related to inhibition of oxidative stress via Keap1 sulfhydrylation at Cys151 to activate Nrf2 signaling. This may provide a novel therapeutic target to prevent atherosclerosis in the context of diabetes.

Topics: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Animals; Atherosclerosis; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Glucose; Heme Oxygenase-1; Hydrogen Sulfide; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Lipoproteins, LDL; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Morpholines; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Protein Binding; Receptors, LDL

Atherosclerosis is associated with reduced vascular hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) biosynthesis. GYY4137 is a novel slow-releasing H2 S compound that may effectively mimic the time course of H2 S release in vivo. However, it is not known whether GYY4137 affects atherosclerosis.. RAW 264.7 cells and human blood monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) with/without GYY4137. ApoE(-/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks and administered GYY4137 for 30 days. Lipid and atherosclerotic lesions were measured by oil red O staining. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was assessed in response to acetylcholine. Superoxide production was detected by dihydroethidium staining. Expression of mRNA and protein were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.. GYY4137 inhibited ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation and cholesterol esterification in cultured cells. GYY4137 decreased the expression of lectin-like ox-LDL receptor-1, iNOS, phosphorylated IκBα, NF-κB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and chemokines, including CXCL2, CXCR4, CXCL10 and CCL17, but increased the scavenger protein CD36, in ox-LDL-treated RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo, GYY4137 decreased aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation and partially restored aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation in apoE(-/-) mice. GYY4137 decreased ICAM-1, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression as well as superoxide (O2 (-) ) generation in aorta. In addition, GYY4137 increased aortic eNOS phosphorylation and expression of PI3K, enhanced Akt Ser(473) phosphorylation and down-regulated the expression of LOX-1.. GYY4137 inhibits lipid accumulation induced by ox-LDL in RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo, GYY4137 decreased vascular inflammation and oxidative stress, improved endothelial function and reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in apoE(-/-) mice.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; Cells, Cultured; Cholesterol; Diet, High-Fat; Down-Regulation; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Foam Cells; Humans; I-kappa B Proteins; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Interleukin-6; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Morpholines; NF-kappa B; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Oxidative Stress; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Scavenger Receptors, Class E; Superoxides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1