Biomedical subjects

Craig N Morrell

Publications and source records attributed to Craig N Morrell.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Hydrogen peroxide regulation of endothelial exocytosis by inhibition of N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor.

Although an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage the vasculature, low concentrations of ROS mediate intracellular signal transduction pathways. We hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide plays a beneficial role in the vasculature by inhibiting endothelial exocytosis that would otherwise induce vascular inflammation and thrombosis. We now show that endogenous H(2)O(2) inhibits thrombin-induced exocytosis of granules from endothelial cells. H(2)O(2) regulates exocytosis by inhibiting N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF), a protein that regulates membrane fusion events necessary for exocytosis. H(2)O(2) decreases the ability of NSF to hydrolyze adenosine triphosphate and to disassemble the soluble NSF attachment protein receptor complex. Mutation of NSF cysteine residue C264T eliminates the sensitivity of NSF to H(2)O(2), suggesting that this cysteine residue is a redox sensor for NSF. Increasing endogenous H(2)O(2) levels in mice decreases exocytosis and platelet rolling on venules in vivo. By inhibiting endothelial cell exocytosis, endogenous H(2)O(2) may protect the vasculature from inflammation and thrombosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2005

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors inhibit endothelial exocytosis and decrease myocardial infarct size.

Three-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors protect the vasculature from inflammation and atherosclerosis by cholesterol dependent and cholesterol independent mechanisms. We hypothesized that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors decrease exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies, endothelial cell granules whose contents promote thrombosis and vascular inflammation. We pretreated human aortic endothelial cells with simvastatin for 24 hours, then stimulated the cells with thrombin, and measured the amount of vWF released into the media. We then measured the effect of simvastatin on myocardial infarction in mice. Simvastatin decreased thrombin-stimulated Weibel-Palade body exocytosis by 89%. Simvastatin inhibited exocytosis in part by increasing synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which S-nitrosylated N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF), a critical regulator of exocytosis. Simvastatin treatment attenuated myocardial infarct size by 58% in wild-type but not eNOS knockout mice. Furthermore, simvastatin decreased endothelial exocytosis and neutrophil infiltration into ischemic-reperfused myocardium, which was mediated in part by P-selectin contained in Weibel-Palade bodies. However, simvastatin did not affect exocytosis and inflammation in myocardial infarcts of eNOS knockout mice. Inhibition of endothelial exocytosis is a novel mechanism by which HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may reduce vascular inflammation, inhibit thrombosis, and protect the ischemic myocardium. These findings may explain part of the pleiotropic effects of statin therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A novel inhibitor of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor decreases leukocyte trafficking and peritonitis.

Endothelial exocytosis is an early stage in the process of leukocyte trafficking. N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in regulating exocytosis. We hypothesized that inhibitors of NSF decrease endothelial exocytosis and vascular inflammation. We designed a novel fusion polypeptide consisting of a human immunodeficiency virus transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain joined to a NSF homohexamerization domain. We show that this TAT-NSF polypeptide inhibits the ATPase activity and the disassembly activity of NSF. Furthermore, the TAT-NSF polypeptide decreases endothelial cell exocytosis and reduces leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells in culture. Finally, the TAT-NSF polypeptide inhibits leukocyte rolling on murine venules in vivo and inhibits leukocyte trafficking into the peritoneal cavity in a murine model of experimental peritonitis. These data suggest that NSF is a critical regulator of leukocyte trafficking in vivo. Novel compounds that inhibit the exocytic machinery in endothelial cells may be useful anti-inflammatory drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of platelet granule exocytosis by S-nitrosylation.

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates platelet activation by cGMP-dependent mechanisms and by mechanisms that are not completely defined. Platelet activation includes exocytosis of platelet granules, releasing mediators that regulate interactions between platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells. Exocytosis is mediated in part by N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), an ATPase that disassembles complexes of soluble NSF attachment protein receptors. We now demonstrate that NO inhibits exocytosis of dense granules, lysosomal granules, and alpha-granules from human platelets by S-nitrosylation of NSF. Platelets lacking endothelial NO synthase show increased rolling on venules, increased thrombosis in arterioles, and increased exocytosis in vivo. Regulation of exocytosis is thus a mechanism by which NO regulates thrombosis.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of Weibel-Palade body exocytosis.

Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are endothelial granules that store von Willebrand factor (VWF), P-selectin, and other vascular modulators. Endothelial cells secrete WPBs in response to vascular injury, releasing VWF, which triggers platelet rolling, and externalizing P-selectin, which activates leukocyte trafficking. Endothelial exocytosis is one of the earliest responses to vascular damage and plays a pivotal role in thrombosis and inflammation. This review examines the regulation of WPB exocytosis-the exocytic machinery, activators, and inhibitors of exocytosis-and speculates about the development of novel anti-exocytic drugs.

Endothelium, Vascular↗

PubMed2004

A novel class of fusion polypeptides inhibits exocytosis.

N-Ethyl-maleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in the regulation of exocytosis. NSF regulates exocytosis by interacting with a complex containing soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) molecules, hydrolyzing ATP, and disassembling the SNARE complex. We hypothesized that peptide inhibitors of NSF would decrease exocytosis. We now report the development of a novel set of peptides that block exocytosis by inhibiting NSF activity. These NSF inhibitors are fusion polypeptides composed of an 11 amino acid human immunodeficiency virus transactivating regulatory protein (TAT) domain fused to a 22 amino acid NSF domain. These TAT-NSF fusion polypeptides cross endothelial cell membranes, inhibit NSF hydrolysis of ATP, decrease NSF disassembly of SNARE molecules, and block exocytosis of von Willebrand factor. Control peptides have no effect on exocytosis. TAT-NSF inhibitors administered to mice prolong the bleeding time. Blood concentrations of these TAT-NSF peptides rapidly decrease within 5 min after injection and then remain constant from 10 to 60 min after injection. These TAT-NSF compounds may be useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases in which exocytosis plays a prominent role, including myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis, and autoimmune disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of Weibel-Palade-body exocytosis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) not only regulates angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and vasodilation but also promotes vascular inflammation. However, the molecular basis for the proinflammatory effects of VEGF is not understood. We now show that VEGF activates endothelial cell exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies, releasing vasoactive substances capable of causing vascular thrombosis and inflammation. VEGF triggers endothelial exocytosis in part through calcium and phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) signal transduction. However, VEGF also modulates endothelial cell exocytosis by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) production of nitric oxide (NO), which nitrosylates N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and inhibits exocytosis. Thus, VEGF plays a dual role in regulating endothelial exocytosis, triggering pathways that both promote and inhibit endothelial exocytosis. Regulation of endothelial exocytosis may explain part of the proinflammatory effects of VEGF.

Aorta↗

PubMed2004

Sphingosine 1-phosphate activates Weibel-Palade body exocytosis.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) not only regulates angiogenesis, vascular permeability and vascular tone, but it also promotes vascular inflammation. However, the molecular basis for the proinflammatory effects of S1P is not understood. We now show that S1P activates endothelial cell exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies, releasing vasoactive substances capable of causing vascular thrombosis and inflammation. S1P triggers endothelial exocytosis in part through phospholipase C-gamma signal transduction. However, S1P also modulates endothelial cell exocytosis by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase production of nitric oxide, which inhibits exocytosis. Thus S1P plays a dual role in regulating endothelial exocytosis, triggering pathways that both promote and inhibit endothelial exocytosis. Regulation of endothelial exocytosis may explain part of the proinflammatory effects of S1P.

Aorta↗

PubMed2004

Ceramide triggers Weibel-Palade body exocytosis.

The sphingolipid ceramide mediates a variety of stress responses, including vascular inflammation and thrombosis. Activated endothelial cells release Weibel-Palade bodies, granules containing von Willebrand factor (vWF) and P-selectin, which induce leukocyte rolling and platelet adhesion and aggregation. We hypothesized that ceramide induces vascular inflammation and thrombosis in part by triggering Weibel-Palade body exocytosis. We added ceramide to human aortic endothelial cells and assayed Weibel-Palade body exocytosis by measuring the concentration of vWF released into the media. Exogenous ceramide induces vWF release from endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Activators of endogenous ceramide production, neutral sphingomyelinase, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha also induce Weibel-Palade body exocytosis. We next studied NO effects on ceramide-induced Weibel-Palade body exocytosis because NO can inhibit vascular inflammation. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine decreases ceramide-induced vWF release in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester increases ceramide-induced vWF release. In summary, our findings show that endogenous ceramide triggers Weibel-Palade body exocytosis, and that endogenous NO inhibits ceramide-induced exocytosis. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which ceramide induces vascular inflammation and thrombosis.

Aorta↗

PubMed2003

Nitric oxide regulates exocytosis by S-nitrosylation of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor.

Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits vascular inflammation, but the molecular basis for its anti-inflammatory properties is unknown. We show that NO inhibits exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies, endothelial granules that mediate vascular inflammation and thrombosis, by regulating the activity of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF). NO inhibits NSF disassembly of soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes by nitrosylating critical cysteine residues of NSF. NO may regulate exocytosis in a variety of physiological processes, including vascular inflammation, neurotransmission, thrombosis, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell killing.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Heterozygous disruption of Hic1 predisposes mice to a gender-dependent spectrum of malignant tumors.

The gene hypermethylated in cancer-1 (HIC1) encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor that belongs to a group of proteins known as the POZ family. HIC1 is hypermethylated and transcriptionally silent in several types of human cancer. Homozygous disruption of Hic1 impairs development and results in embryonic and perinatal lethality in mice. Here we show that mice disrupted in the germ line for only one allele of Hic1 develop many different spontaneous malignant tumors, including a predominance of epithelial cancers in males and lymphomas and sarcomas in females. The complete loss of Hic1 function in the heterozygous mice seems to involve dense methylation of the promoter of the remaining wild-type allele. We conclude that HIC1 is a candidate tumor-suppressor gene for which loss of function in both mouse and human cancers is associated only with epigenetic modifications.

Animals↗