15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2 Reinforces the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Endothelial Cells With a Genetically Determined NO Deficit

• Published in: Circulation research Vol. 125; no. 3; pp. 282 - 294
• Main Authors: Urban, Ivelina, Turinsky, Martin, Gehrmann, Sviatlana, Morgenstern, Jakob, Brune, Maik, Milewski, Moritz R, Wagner, Andreas H, Rumig, Cordula, Fleming, Thomas, Leuschner, Florian, Gleissner, Christian A, Hecker, Markus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Heart Association, Inc 19-07-2019
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313820

RATIONALE:Fluid shear stress (FSS) maintains NOS-3 (endothelial NO synthase) expression. Homozygosity for the C variant of the T-786C single-nucleotide polymorphism of the NOS3 gene, which solely exists in humans, renders the gene less sensitive to FSS, resulting in a reduced endothelial cell (EC) capacity to generate NO. Decreased bioavailability of NO in the arterial vessel wall facilitates atherosclerosis. Consequently, individuals homozygous for the C variant have an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).
OBJECTIVE:At least 2 compensatory mechanisms seem to minimize the deleterious effects of this single-nucleotide polymorphism in affected individuals, one of which is characterized herein.
METHODS AND RESULTS:Human genotyped umbilical vein ECs and THP-1 monocytes were used to investigate the role of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) in vitro. Its concentration in plasma samples from genotyped patients with CHD and age-matched CHD-free controls was determined using quantitative ultraperformance LC-MS/MS. Exposure of human ECs to FSS effectively reduced monocyte transmigration particularly through monolayers of CC-genotype ECs. Primarily in CC-genotype ECs, FSS elicited a marked rise in COX (cyclooxygenase)-2 and L-PGDS (lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase) expression, which appeared to be NO sensitive, and provoked a significant release of 15d-PGJ2 over baseline. Exogenous 15d-PGJ2 significantly reduced monocyte transmigration and exerted a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect on the transmigrated monocytes by downregulating, for example, transcription of the IL (interleukin)-1β gene (IL1B). Reporter gene analyses verified that this effect is due to binding of Nrf2 (nuclear factor [erythroid-derived 2]–like 2) to 2 AREs (antioxidant response elements) in the proximal IL1B promoter. In patients with CHD, 15d-PGJ2 plasma levels were significantly upregulated compared with age-matched CHD-free controls, suggesting that this powerful anti-inflammatory prostanoid is part of an endogenous defence mechanism to counteract CHD.
CONCLUSIONS:Despite a reduced capacity to form NO, CC-genotype ECs maintain a robust anti-inflammatory phenotype through an enhanced FSS-dependent release of 15d-PGJ2.