title: Nitroalkenes induce rat aortic smooth muscle cell apoptosis via activation of caspase-dependent pathways.
abstract: Nitroalkene derivatives of nitro-linoleic acid (LNO(2)) and nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO(2)) are nitrated unsaturated fatty acids that can be detected in healthy human plasma, red blood cells and urine. It has been shown that nitroalkenes have potent anti-inflammatory properties in multiple disease models. In the present study, we are the first to investigate the apoptotic effects of nitroalkenes in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). We observed that nitroalkenes induce RASMCs apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, nitroalkenes stimulate extrinsic caspase-8 and intrinsic caspase-9 activity to trigger the caspase-3 apoptotic signaling cascade, resulting in RASMCs death. Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic protein, Bad was upregulated and antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-xl was downregulated during nitroalkene-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that nitroalkenes can induce RASMCs apoptosis via stimulation of caspase activity and the regulation of apoptotic protein expression levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan, Cardiovascular Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Kae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Huarong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamblin
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villacorta
authors.forename: Kejie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Hongsheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Jifeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000475:Alkenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: C501855:10-nitro-9,12-octadecadienoic acid; C521487:10-nitro-oleic acid; D000475:Alkenes; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D009829:Oleic Acids; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D020169:Caspases