RESUMEN
High-output synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible isoform of NO-synthases (NOS-2) plays an important role in hepatic pathophysiological processes and may contribute to both organ protection and organ destruction during inflammatory reactions. As they compete for the same substrate, L-arginine, an interdependence of NOS-2 and arginase-1 has been repeatedly observed in cells where arginase-1 is cytokine-inducible. However, in hepatocytes, arginases are constitutively expressed and thus, their impact on hepatic NOS-2-derived NO synthesis as well as the influence of L-arginine influx via cationic amino acid transporters during inflammatory reactions are still under debate. Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were cultured for 24h in the presence of various L-arginine concentrations with or without cytokine addition and nitrite and urea accumulation in culture supernatants was measured. We find that both, cytokine-induced NOS-2 and arginase activities strongly depend on extracellular L-arginine concentrations. When we competed for L-arginine influx via the cationic amino acid transporters by addition of L-lysine, we find a 60-70% inhibition of arginase activity without significant loss of NOS-2 activity. Addition of L-valine, as an arginase inhibitor, leads to a 25% increase in NO formation and an 80-90% decrease in arginase activity. Interestingly, product inhibition of arginase and competitive inhibition of CATs through the addition of L-ornithine leads to a highly significant increase in hepatocytic NOS-2 activity with a concomitant and complete abolishment of its dependence on extracellular L-arginine concentrations. In conclusion, hepatocytic NOS-2 activity shows a surprising pattern of dependence on exogenous L-arginine concentrations. Inhibition and competition experiments suggest a relatively tight link of NOS-2 and urea cycle activities. These data stress the hypothesis of a metabolon-like organization of the urea cycle together with NOS-2 in hepatocytes as excess L-ornithine will be metabolized to l-arginine and thereby increases NO production.
Asunto(s)
Arginasa/metabolismo , Arginina/farmacología , Hepatocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa de Tipo II/metabolismo , Urea/metabolismo , Sistemas de Transporte de Aminoácidos Básicos/metabolismo , Animales , Arginasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Arginina/metabolismo , Secuencia de Bases , Células Cultivadas , Citocinas/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Hepatocitos/enzimología , Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Inflamación/patología , Lisina/farmacología , Masculino , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Ornitina/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Valina/farmacologíaRESUMEN
In endothelial cells, the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the resulting high-output nitric oxide synthesis have often been assumed as detrimental to endothelial function, but recent publications have demonstrated a protective role resulting from iNOS espression and activity. To address this question, we used antisense-mediated iNOS knockdown during proinflammatory cytokine challenge in primary endothelial cell cultures and studied endothelial function by monitoring the expression of stress defense genes. Using antisense oligonucleotides, we achieved a block of iNOS protein formation, accompanied by a strong decrease in the expression of the protective stress response genes bcl-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Additionally, cells were also maintained in the presence of limited exogenous substrate concentrations during cytokine challenge, thereby mimicking a situation of low serum arginine level during inflammation. Under these conditions, cytokine addition results in full iNOS protein expression with minimal nitric oxide formation, concomitant with a significant reduction in stress response gene expression and susceptibility to cell death induced by reactive oxygen species. Taken together, our data suggest that cytokine-induced endogenous iNOS expression and activity have key functions in increasing endothelial survival and maintaining function. Thus suppression of iNOS expression or limited substrate supply, as has been reported to occur in atherosclerosis patients, appears to significantly contribute to endothelial dysfunction and death during oxidative stress.
Asunto(s)
Endotelio Vascular/enzimología , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa/genética , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiología , Animales , Aorta/citología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Arginina/farmacología , Arteriosclerosis/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Endotelio Vascular/citología , Activación Enzimática/efectos de los fármacos , Activación Enzimática/fisiología , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Peróxido de Hidrógeno/farmacología , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa de Tipo II , Oligonucleótidos , Oxidantes/farmacología , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , ARN Mensajero/análisis , RatasRESUMEN
The inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression via antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODN) may represent a highly specific tool. Endothelial cells (EC) represent prime candidate cells for in vivo application, and we therefore aimed at optimizing this technique for effectiveness and specificity in primary nontransformed rat EC. EC or L929 fibroblasts were incubated with iNOS-specific ODN optimizing all experimental steps. We find that ODN uptake, as analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and labeled ODN, was absolutely dependent on vehicle presence, and among the vehicles tested, Lipofectin displayed negligible toxicity and good uptake. In addition, omission of serum was also essential, a factor that might limit its use in vivo. Moreover, intranuclear accumulation of AS-ODN appeared crucial for successive inhibition. The impact of ODN on iNOS mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity was specific and resulted in >95% inhibition of protein formation. In conclusion, in this article we provide a protocol for an optimized AS-mediated knockdown, representing a specific and efficient instrument for blocking of iNOS formation and allowing for studying the impact of iNOS expression on endothelial function. We also expose application problems of this technique when working in inflammatory conditions.