| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Circulation. 2002;105:1962.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
Basic Science Reports |
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica (H.L., T-N.L. W-M.C., G-M.N., P-H.T., S-F.C., J-J.C., S-K.S., J-Y.L., C-W.W.), Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center (H.L.), Taipei, Taiwan; and Vascular Biology Research Center, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Division of Hematology, University of TexasHouston Health Science Center (K.K.W.).
Correspondence to Dr Kenneth K. Wu, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030 (E-mail Kenneth.K.Wu{at}uth.tmc.edu) or to Dr Teng-Nan Lin, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 128 Academy Rd, Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan (E-mail bmltn@IBMS.sinica.edu.tw).
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Methods and Results We infused into lateral ventricle of a rat stroke model recombinant adenoviruses (rAd) containing COX-1 (Adv-COX-1), COX-1 and PGIS (Adv-COX-1/PGIS), or Adv-PGK control vector, and we determined COX-1 and PGIS protein and eicosanoid levels and infarct volume. COX-1 and PGIS proteins were increased in a time-dependent manner. Adv-COX-1/PGIS infusion selectively augmented prostacyclin levels, with reduction of other eicosanoids in ischemic cortex and a significant reduction of infarct volume, even when the rAd was administered 5 hours after ischemia. Infusion of Adv-COX-1 also increased prostacyclin, suppressed leukotriene levels, and achieved a similar degree of cerebral protection. Its neuroprotection was abrogated by treatment with a selective COX-1 inhibitor.
Conclusions COX-1/PGIS and COX-1 gene transfer reduce cerebral infarct volume by augmenting prostacyclin and suppressing leukotriene productions. COX-1based gene transfer has potential for treating ischemic stroke.
Key Words: prostaglandins genes stroke ischemia gene therapy
| Introduction |
|---|
|
|
|---|
To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the effects of Adv-COX-1 and Adv-COX-1/PGIS versus a control vector (Adv-PGK) on eicosanoid levels in ischemic brain and on infarct volume in a rat ischemic stroke model.
| Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
90% regional blood flow reduction.15,16 Rats were euthanized by decapitation under anesthesia. The brain was quickly removed, and the cerebral cortex was isolated and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. All procedures were approved by the institutional Animal Studies Committee in accordance with the Public Health Service Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Western Blot Analysis
Analysis of COX-1 or PGIS proteins in cortex was performed as described previously,14 by a specific COX-1 antibody (Cayman) or a PGIS antibody kindly provided by Dr K-H. Ruan (University of TexasHouston Medical School). Protein bands were visualized by an enhanced chemiluminescence system (Pierce).
Preparation of Replication-Defective Recombinant Adenoviral Vectors
The procedure was previously described.11,13 We constructed in the replication-defective recombinant adenoviral (rAd) vector a human phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter to drive COX-1 expression (Adv-PGK-COX-1 or Adv-COX-1); 2 separate PGK promoters (bicistronic) to drive COX-1 and PGIS, respectively (Adv-PGK-COX-1/PGIS or Adv-COX-1/PGIs); and a PGK alone to serve as control (Adv-PGK). Replication-defective rAd vectors were generated by homologous recombination and amplified in 293 cells as described previously.11,13 rAd stocks were prepared by CsCl gradient centrifugation, aliquoted, and stored at -80°C. Viral titers were determined by a plaque-assay method. Two hundred ninety-three cells were infected with serially diluted viral preparations and then overlaid with low melting-point agarose after infection. Numbers of plaques formed were counted within 2 weeks.
Measurements of Brain Tissue Eicosanoids by Enzyme Immunoassay
Cortex was homogenized gently in 1 mL ice-cold buffer (0.05 mol/L Tris at pH 7.0, 0.1 mol/L NaCl, 0.02 mol/L EDTA) and centrifuged at 55 000g for 1 hour. The supernatant was acidified and passed through a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. Eicosanoids were eluted with 100% methanol, dried under nitrogen gas, redissolved in a small amount of buffer, and analyzed using enzyme immunoassay kits: PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1
, TXB2, and LTB4 kits from R&D System Ins and PGD2 and LTC4 kits from Cayman Chemical Co.
Intraventricular Infusion of Adenoviral Constructs
Based on our preliminary data, which suggest that Adv-COX-1 at 108 plaque-forming units (pfu)/10 µL and Adv-COX-1/PGIS at 107 pfu/10 µL were optimal, we infused rAd at these 2 titers intraventricularly throughout the study. Anesthetized rats were placed in a stereotaxic apparatus, and 10 µL of rAd was infused into the right lateral ventricle at a rate of 5 µL/min at the following coordinates: A, 3.0 mm caudal to bregma; R, 3.5 mm lateral to midline; and V, 3.0 mm ventral to dural surface. Periodic confirmation of proper placement of the needle was performed with infusion of fast green. To ascertain the transgene expression at the region of rAd infusion, we infused recombinant adenoviruses containing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene into the right lateral ventricle and examined the GFP expression in 8 coronal slices of right cortex 72 hours later. GFP was visualized in the lining ependymal cells and cells surrounding the right ventricular region in all 8 coronal brain slices. GFP was not visualized in the left ventricle. These results confirm the uptake and expression of rAd by ependymal and surrounding cells.
Measurement of Infarct Volume
The infarct volume in the right MCA territory was measured as described.17 Rats were euthanized, and the cortex was carefully removed, cooled in ice-cold saline for 5 minutes, and dissected coronally into 2-mm slices using a Jacobowitz brain slicer (Zivic-Miller), which were incubated in PBS (pH 7.4) containing 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride at 37°C for 30 minutes and then stored in 10% neutral-buffered formalin. The cross-sectional area of infarction in the right MCA territory for each brain slice was measured with a Zeiss IBAS image analyzer.
Statistical Analysis
ANOVA was used to compare the temporal expression of infarct volume and levels of eicosanoid. The level of differences among groups was analyzed by Fishers protected t tests (GB-STAT 5.0.4, Dynamic Microsystem Inc). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Several key eicosanoids in brain tissues were measured at 72 hours after adenoviral infusion in normal rats. Adv-COX-1 increased ipsilateral PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1
, PGD2, and TXB2 levels accompanied by reduced LTB4 (Figure 3A). Adv-COX-1/PGIS significantly increased the level of 6-keto-PGF1
and TXB2 in normal brain tissues (Figure 3B).
|
Adv-COX-1 Administration Increased Prostacyclin and Reduced Infarct Volume
Results from previous studies indicate that transfer of COX-1 cDNA alone increases prostacyclin. We therefore evaluated the effects of Adv-COX-1 administration on prostacyclin and other eicosanoid levels and infarct volume. Intraventricular Adv-COX-1 administration 72 hours before MCA occlusion increased 6-keto-PGF1
levels and other COX metabolites, including PGE2 and PGD2, in ischemic brain when compared with Adv-PGK administration (Figure 4A). TXB2 levels were not significantly altered, whereas LTB4 and LTC4 were significantly reduced. The infarct volume in rats receiving Adv-COX-1 72 hours before ischemia was significantly reduced (Figure 4B). We next performed a time course experiment, wherein Adv-COX-1 was administered at reducing intervals from the onset of ischemia. The infarct volume was significantly reduced when Adv-COX-1 was administered at -24 hours, at the onset of ischemia, and, importantly, at 5 hours after ischemia (Figure 4B). The infarct volume was not significantly reduced when Adv-COX-1 was administered at 24 hours after ischemia (Figure 4B).
|
Combined COX-1/PGIS Gene Transfer Selectively Augmented Brain Prostacyclin Levels and Reduced Infarct Volume
We have recently shown in cell transfection experiments that concurrent COX-1 and PGIS expressions by using a bicistronic COX-1/PGIS vector selectively augmented PGI2 synthesis.11 To determine whether the selective prostacyclin increase occurred in vivo, we intraventricularly infused Adv-COX-1/PGIS (107 pfu) 72 hours before MCA occlusion and measured eicosanoid levels in ischemic cortex 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion. Compared with normal brains transduced with Adv-PGK control vectors, the Adv-PGK transduced ischemic brains had a significantly higher level of PGE2 (P<0.01), PGD2 (P<0.01), TXB2 (P<0.01), LTB4 (P<0.01), and LTC4 (P<0.01) (Figure 5A versus 3A or 3B). The 6-keto-PGF1
level was higher in Adv-PGKtransduced ischemic brain, but the difference was not statistically significant. The eicosanoid levels in Adv-PGKtransduced ischemic brain are comparable with those of ischemic brain without adenoviral transduction. The 6-keto-PGF1
level in Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced ischemic brain was increased by 3-fold over that of Adv-PGK control (Figure 5A). In contrast, PGE2, PGD2, TXB2, LTB4, and LTC4 levels were all significantly reduced in Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced ischemic brain tissues (Figure 5A). These results are consistent with selective augmentation of PGI2 productions by shunting PGH2 into the PGIS pathway.11 The ischemia-induced infarct volume was significantly lower in rats receiving Adv-COX-1/PGIS 72 hours before ischemia than in rats receiving Adv-PGK under an identical experimental protocol (Figure 5B). Results from time course experiments revealed that the infarct volume was significantly reduced when Adv-COX-1/PGIS was administered at -24 hours, at the onset of ischemia, and at 5 hours after ischemia (Figure 5B). Similar to Adv-COX-1 treatment, Adv-COX-1/PGIS was no longer effective in controlling cerebral infarction when administered 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion (Figure 5B).
|
Protective Effect of COX-1 Gene Transfer Was Abrogated by a Selective COX-1 Inhibitor
To confirm the role that COX-1 plays in protection against ischemia-induced infarct, we treated rats with a selective COX-1 inhibitor, SC560 (2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally after reperfusion. SC560 significantly reduced all the COX-1 metabolites and increased LTB4 and LTC4 in Adv-COX-1transduced ischemic brain tissues (Figure 6A). It also reduced COX-1 metabolites except TXB2 and increased LTB4 and LTC4 in Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced tissues (Figure 6B). It is to be noted that the 6-keto-PGF1
level in SC560-treated Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced tissues was significantly higher than that in SC560-treated Adv-COX-1transduced tissues (Figure 6B versus 6A) and was close to that in Adv-COX-1transduced tissues without SC560 treatment (Figure 6B versus 4A). SC560 treatment increased the infarct volume in Adv-PGKtreated rats and abrogated the protective effect of Adv-COX-1 (Figure 7). By contrast, it did not reverse the protective effect of Adv-COX-1/PGIS (Figure 7).
|
|
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Our findings suggest that Adv-COX-1 or Adv-COX-1/PGIS infused into lateral ventricle is taken up and expressed in cells close to the ischemic region. The exact cell types involved in transgene expression are not yet characterized. Preliminary work suggests that ependymal cells and surrounding cells, possibly microglial cells, are capable of expressing the transgenes. Overexpressions of COX-1 with or without a concurrent PGIS overexpression in those cells cause changes in prostanoid levels that are consistent with those in cultured cells.1113 Overexpression of COX-1 results in the production of a large quantity of PGH2, which is converted to final products by the downstream-specific enzymes such as PGI2, PGD2, PGE2, and thromboxane A2 synthases. These prostaglandin-specific enzymes are present in cells in brain. However, the exact types of cells that express these enzymes and are responsible for synthesis of their respective prostanoids is not entirely clear. Transfer of COX-1/PGIS increases the expression of an equivalent level of COX-1 and PGIS, and this co-overexpression leads to the conversion of a majority of PGH2 produced by COX-1 though the PGIS pathway.11 PGH2 available for other terminal enzymes appears to be reduced resulting in production of lower levels of other prostanoids. The reasons for reduced LTB4 and LTC4 production are unclear. Our data suggest that this may be caused by a negative regulation by the overproduced prostanoids such as PGI2. The crosstalk between COX and lipoxygenase pathway will require further investigation.
The important role of COX-1 in ischemic neuroprotection is supported by the demonstration that a selective COX-1 inhibitor abrogated the neuroprotective action of Adv-COX-1. It is interesting to note that the selective COX-1 inhibitor increased the infarct volume in nonviral-transfected and Adv-PGKtreated rats. The ischemic brain COX-1 protein level was increased over the basal level (Figure 1C), and this COX-1 level was constant for at least 48 hours after ischemia/reperfusion (data not shown). Our selective COX-1 inhibitor data are thus consistent with a vital role that COX-1 plays in controlling ischemic brain damage. Because the level of expression of this housekeeping gene in ischemic brain is relatively low, however, it may not produce a sufficient amount of neuroprotective prostaglandins. Augmentation of COX-1 by gene transfer increases its expression and the synthesis of PGI2, thereby protecting the brain tissue from further damage. Neuroprotection augmented by COX-1 gene transfer was abrogated by COX-1 inhibition. This reversal of protection may be attributed to reduction of prostacyclin to the basal ischemic level and the increase in leukotrienes. Selective COX-1 inhibition did not significantly influence neuroprotection conferred by Adv-COX-1/PGIS. The reason for this is not entirely clear. One possible explanation is that although the 6-keto-PGF1
level in Adv-COX-1/PGIS transduced brain tissue was substantially reduced, as in Adv-COX-1transduced tissue by SC560, it remained higher than the basal ischemic level and was equivalent to that in Adv-COX-1transduced tissues without SC560 treatment. It is likely that this level of PGI2 may still be adequate for protecting brain tissues from ischemic damage. It is intriguing that SC560 did not inhibit 6-keto-PGF1
levels in Adv-COX-1 and Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced tissues to a similar extent. A higher 6-keto-PGF1
level in Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced tissue than in Adv-COX-1transduced tissue is not caused by a differential induction of COX-2, as neither viral construct had a significant effect on COX-2 level (Figure 1D). We suspect that the different 6-keto-PGF1
level may be owing to a higher level of PGIS in Adv-COX-1/PGIStransduced tissue than in Adv-COX-1transduced tissue, resulting in higher capacity for converting residual COX-1derived PGH2 to prostacyclin. Further studies are needed to test this hypothesis.
We have evaluated the effects of Adv-COX-1 and Adv-COX-1/PGIS infusion on cerebral infarct volume at several time points before and after the 60-minute MCA ischemia. A significant reduction in the infarct volume was noted not only at preischemic time points but also at 5 hours after ischemia. These results suggest multiple actions of prostaglandins on the pathophysiological events in ischemia-induced neuronal death. Neuronal death after ischemia can be divided into an early phase owing to excitotoxicity, and a delayed phase owing to inflammation and apoptosis.18 Because Adv-COX-1 and Adv-COX-1/PGIS administered 5 hours after ischemia remain effective in controlling ischemic brain damage, it is likely that neuroprotective prostaglandins generated via the COX-1 or COX-1/PGIS pathway after ischemia are still capable of curtailing inflammation and apoptosis, thereby controlling neuronal damage. Loss of protective effects by gene transfer at 24 hours after ischemia is consistent with irreversible neuronal damage after the tissue has been under ischemic insults for 24 hours. Our findings have important therapeutic implications. COX-1based gene transfer has a potential for treating human ischemic stroke when the therapeutic genes are administered at the reversible phase of neuronal damage. Results from our experiments suggest that "the window of therapeutic opportunity" during the reversible phase of ischemic neuronal damage is between 5 hours and 24 hours after cerebrovascular occlusion has occurred. It will be important to determine the maximal time point that gene transfer remains efficacious after ischemia.
| Acknowledgments |
|---|
| Footnotes |
|---|
Guest editor for this article was William B. Campbell, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Received January 30, 2002; revision received March 1, 2002; accepted March 3, 2002.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
2. Hsu CY, Liu TH, Xu J, et al. Arachidonic acid and its metabolites in cerebral ischemia. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1989; 559: 282295.
3. Moncada S. Biology and therapeutic potential of prostacyclin. Stroke. 1983; 14: 157168.
4. Wu KK, Kulmacz RJ, Wang L-H, et al. Molecular biology of prostacyclin biosynthesis.In: Rubanyi G, Vane JR, eds. Prostacyclin: New Perspectives for Basic Research and Novel Therapeutic Indications. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Science BV; 1992: 1123.
5. Wu KK. Inducible cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase. Adv Pharmacol. 1995; 33: 179207.
6. Sanduja SK, Tsai AL, Matijevic-Aleksic N, et al. Kinetics of prostacyclin synthesis in PGHS-1overexpression endothelial cell. Am J Physiol. 1994; 267: C1459C1466.
7. Egan RW, Paxton J, Kuehl FA Jr. Mechanism of irreversible self-deactivation of prostaglandin synthase. J Biol Chem. 1976; 251: 75257535.
8. Matsuda S, Wen TC, Karasawa Y, et al. Protective effect of a prostaglandin I2 analog, TEI-7165, on ischemic neuronal damage in gerbils. Brain Res. 1997; 769: 321328.
9. Martin JF, Hamdy N, Nicholl J, et al. Double-blind controlled trial of prostacyclin in cerebral infarction. Stroke. 1985; 16: 386390.
10. Cui Y, Kataoka Y, Satoh T, et al. Protective effect of prostaglandin I2 analogs on ischemic delayed neuronal damage in gerbils. Biochem Biophys Res Comm. 1999; 265: 301304.
11. Shyue SK, Tsai MJ, Liou JY, et al. Selective augmentation of prostacyclin production by combined prostacyclin synthase and cyclooxygenase-1 gene transfer. Circulation. 2001; 103: 20902095.
12. Xu XM, Ohashi K, Sanduja SK, et al. Enhanced prostacyclin synthesis in endothelial cells by retrovirus-mediated transfer of prostaglandin H synthase cDNA. J Clin Invest. 1993; 91: 18431849.
13. Zoldhelyi P, McNatt J, Xu XM, et al. Prevention of arterial thrombosis by adenovirus-mediated transfer of cyclooxygenase gene. Circulation. 1996; 93: 1017.
14. Lin TN, Nian GM, Chen SF, et al. Induction of Tie-1 and Tie-2 protein expression after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2001; 21: 690701.
15. Kiu T, Beckman JS, Freeman BS, et al. Polyethylene glycolconjugated superoxide dismutase and catalase reduce ischemic brain injury. Amer J Physiol. 1989; 256: 1158911593.
16. An G, Lin TN, Liu JS, et al. Expression of c-fos and c-jun family genes after focal cerebral ischemia. Ann Neurol. 1993; 33: 457464.
17. Lin T-N, He Y-Y, Wu G, et al. Effect of brain edema on infarct volume in a focal cerebral ischemia model in the rat. Stroke. 1993; 24: 117121.
18. Dirnagl U, Iadecola C, Moskowitz MA, Pathobiology of ischemic stroke: an integrated view. Trends Neurosci. 1999; 22: 391397.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
H. Lin, C.-C. Hou, C.-F. Cheng, T.-H. Chiu, Y.-H. Hsu, Y.-M. Sue, T.-H. Chen, H.-H. Hou, Y.-C. Chao, T.-H. Cheng, et al. Peroxisomal Proliferator-Activated Receptor-{alpha} Protects Renal Tubular Cells from Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis Mol. Pharmacol., November 1, 2007; 72(5): 1238 - 1245. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J.-Y. Liou, S. Lee, D. Ghelani, N. Matijevic-Aleksic, and K. K. Wu Protection of Endothelial Survival by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-{delta} Mediated 14-3-3 Upregulation Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., July 1, 2006; 26(7): 1481 - 1487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Zhao, A. Patzer, T. Herdegen, P. Gohlke, and J. Culman Activation of cerebral peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma promotes neuroprotection by attenuation of neuronal cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression after focal cerebral ischemia in rats FASEB J, June 1, 2006; 20(8): 1162 - 1175. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T.-N. Lin, W.-M. Cheung, J.-S. Wu, J.-J. Chen, H. Lin, J.-J. Chen, J.-Y. Liou, S.-K. Shyue, and K. K. Wu 15d-Prostaglandin J2 Protects Brain From Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., March 1, 2006; 26(3): 481 - 487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T.-C. Chang, C.-J. Huang, K. Tam, S.-F. Chen, K. T. Tan, M.-S. Tsai, T.-N. Lin, and S.-K. Shyue Stabilization of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1{alpha} by Prostacyclin under Prolonged Hypoxia via Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species Level in Endothelial Cells J. Biol. Chem., November 4, 2005; 280(44): 36567 - 36574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y.-C. Hsieh, W.-Y. Liang, S.-K. Tsai, and C.-S. Wong Intrathecal Ketorolac Pretreatment Reduced Spinal Cord Ischemic Injury in Rats Anesth. Analg., April 1, 2005; 100(4): 1134 - 1139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. C. Salzberg-Brenhouse, E.-Y. Chen, D. F. Emerich, S. Baldwin, K. Hogeland, S. Ranelli, D. Lafreniere, B. Perdomo, L. Novak, T. Kladis, et al. Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2, but Not Cyclooxygenase-1 Provide Structural and Functional Protection against Quinolinic Acid-Induced Neurodegeneration J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., July 1, 2003; 306(1): 218 - 228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Ospina, S. P. Duckles, and D. N. Krause 17{beta}-Estradiol decreases vascular tone in cerebral arteries by shifting COX-dependent vasoconstriction to vasodilation Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 5, 2003; 285(1): H241 - H250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Circulation Home | Subscriptions | Archives | Feedback | Authors | Help | AHA Journals Home | Search Copyright © 2002 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. |