Biomedical subjects

Rafat A Siddiqui

Publications and source records attributed to Rafat A Siddiqui.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Diverse signaling pathways regulate fibroblast differentiation and transformation through Rho kinase activation.

This study examined the role of agonist-induced Rho kinase (ROCK) involvement in the morphological outcome of pulmonary-derived fibroblasts. Normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) spontaneously differentiate into network-like structures in a two-dimensional growth factor reduced Matrigel matrix-based assay. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP), a bioactive phospholipid that regulates angiogenesis, inhibited fibroblast morphogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, virtually eliminating the presence of multi-cellular structures at 500 nM. Pretreatment with the Rho kinase-specific inhibitor, H1152, eradicated the high dose SPP-induced inhibition. Similarly, NHLFs transfected with Rho kinase siRNA prevented SPP-induced inhibition of the fibroblast morphogenesis. Alternatively, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a cytokine recognized as a key mediator of wound healing, terminally differentiates NHLF into myofibroblasts as evidenced by the expression of the smooth muscle cell isoform of alpha-actin (alpha-SMA). H1152 suppressed TGF-beta1-induced alpha-SMA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, treatment with Rho kinase siRNA reduced alpha-SMA expression by greater than 50%. SPP treatment had no effect on TGF-beta1-induced transformation into myofibroblasts, and TGF-beta1 treatment did not alter fibroblast morphogenesis. This study suggests a dual regulatory role for Rho kinase in cellular regulation of fibroblasts in which SPP-induced Rho kinase activation via a G-protein coupled receptor suppresses fibroblast morphogenesis while TGF-beta1-induced Rho kinase activation through a serine/threonine kinase receptor culminates in transformation into myofibroblasts.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed2006

Endothelial cell fatty acid unsaturation mediates cold-induced oxidative stress.

Ultraprofound hypothermia (< 5 degrees C) induces changes to cell membranes such as liquid-to-gel lipid transitions and oxidative stress that have a negative effect on membrane function and cell survival. We hypothesized that fatty acid substitution of endothelial cell lipids and alterations in their unsaturation would modify cell survival at 0 degrees C, a temperature commonly used during storage and transportation of isolated cells or tissues and organs used in transplantation. Confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells were treated with 18-carbon fatty acids (C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, or C18:3n-3), C20:5n-3 or C22:6n-3 (DHA), and then stored at 0 degrees C without fatty acid supplements. Storage of control cells caused the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a threefold increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) when compared to control cells not exposed to cold. Pre-treating cells with C18:0 decreased the unsaturation of cell lipids and reduced LDH release at 0 degrees C by 50%, but all mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acids increased injury in a concentration-dependent manner and as the extent of fatty acid unsaturation increased. DHA-treatment increased cell fatty acid unsaturation and caused maximal injury at 0 degrees C, which was prevented by lipophilic antioxidants BHT or vitamin E, the iron chelator deferoxamine, and to a lesser extent by vitamin C. Furthermore, the cold-induced increase in LPO was reduced by C18:0, vitamin E, or DFO but enhanced by DHA. In conclusion, the findings implicate iron catalyzed free radicals and LPO as a predominant mechanism of endothelial cell injury at 0 degrees C, which may be reduced by increasing lipid saturation or treating cells with antioxidants.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids attenuate breast cancer growth through activation of a neutral sphingomyelinase-mediated pathway.

The effect of fish oils and their active omega-3 fatty acid constituents, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), were investigated on breast cancer growth. In in vivo experiments, mice were fed diets that were rich in either omega-3 (fish oil) or omega-6 (corn oil) fatty acids. Three weeks after implantation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for mice fed the omega-3 diets compared to those fed the omega-6 diets. Dietary fish oil also caused a 40% (p < 0.05) increase in neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMYase) activity in the tumors. The tumor tissues from fish oil-fed animals expressed elevated p21 (waf1/cip1) mRNA, whereas tumor tissues from corn oil-fed animals exhibited undetectable levels of p21 expression. In in vitro experiments, at concentrations as low as 25 muM, DHA and EPA inhibited the growth of cultured MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner by 20-25% (p < 0.05). N-SMYase activity was also increased by 30-40% (p < 0.05) in the DHA- or EPA-treated cells in which an increase in ceramide formation was observed. DHA and EPA were both observed to enhance membrane bleb formation and also to induce the expression of p21. Omega-3 fatty acids-induced bleb formation and p21 expression were inhibited by the N-SMYase inhibitor GW4869, which also inhibited apoptosis by approximately 40% (p < 0.05). The results suggest that inhibition of breast cancer growth in nude mice by dietary fish oil and inhibition of breast cancer cell growth in culture by treatment with DHA and EPA is mediated by activation of N-SMYase.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Anticancer properties of propofol-docosahexaenoate and propofol-eicosapentaenoate on breast cancer cells.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological evidence strongly links fish oil, which is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), with low incidences of several types of cancer. The inhibitory effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cancer development and progression are supported by studies with cultured cells and animal models. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is the most extensively used general anesthetic-sedative agent employed today and is nontoxic to humans at high levels (50 microg/ml). Clinically relevant concentrations of propofol (3 to 8 microg/ml; 20 to 50 microM) have also been reported to have anticancer activities. The present study describes the synthesis, purification, characterization and evaluation of two novel anticancer conjugates, propofol-docosahexaenoate (propofol-DHA) and propofol-eicosapentaenoate (propofol-EPA). METHODS: The conjugates linking an omega-3 fatty acid, either DHA or EPA, with propofol were synthesized and tested for their effects on migration, adhesion and apoptosis on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. RESULTS: At low concentrations (25 microM), DHA, EPA or propofol alone or in combination had minimal effect on cell adhesion to vitronectin, cell migration against serum and the induction of apoptosis (only 5 to 15% of the cells became apoptotic). In contrast, the propofol-DHA or propofol-EPA conjugates significantly inhibited cell adhesion (15 to 30%) and migration (about 50%) and induced apoptosis (about 40%) in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the novel propofol-DHA and propofol-EPA conjugates reported here may be useful for the treatment of breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Inhibition of phenylephrine-induced cardiac hypertrophy by docosahexaenoic acid.

Many of the cardiovascular benefits of fish oil result from the antiarrhythmic actions of the n-3 polyunsaturated lipids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The beneficial effects of DHA/EPA in patients with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction may also result from modulation of the myocardial hypertrophic response. Hypertrophy was assessed in neonatal cardiomyocytes exposed to phenylephrine (PE) by measuring cell surface area, total protein synthesis ((14)C leucine incorporation), and the organization of sarcomeric alpha-actinin and by monitoring expression of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). We report that PE induced a twofold increase in cell surface area and protein synthesis in cardiomyocytes. The hypertrophied cardiomyocytes also exhibited increased expression of ANF in perinuclear regions and organization of sarcomeric alpha-actinin into classical z-bands. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with 5 microM DHA effectively prevented PE-induced hypertrophy as shown by inhibition of surface area expansion and protein synthesis, inhibition of ANF expression, and prevention of alpha-actinin organization into z-bands. DHA treatment prevented PE-induced activation of Ras and Raf-1 kinase. The upstream inhibition of Ras --> Raf-1 effectively prevented translocation and nuclear localization of phosphorylated extracellularly regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2). These effects consequently led to inhibition of nuclear translocation, and hence, activation of the downstream signaling enzyme p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90(rsk)). These results indicate that PE-induced cardiac hypertrophy can be minimized by DHA. Our results suggest that inhibition of Ras --> Raf-1 --> Erk1/2 --> p90(rsk) --> hypertrophy is one possible pathway by which DHA can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy. In vivo studies are needed to confirm these in vitro effects of DHA.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Oleic and docosahexaenoic acid differentially phase separate from lipid raft molecules: a comparative NMR, DSC, AFM, and detergent extraction study.

We have previously suggested that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may in part function by enhancing membrane lipid phase separation into lipid rafts. Here we further tested for differences in the molecular interactions of an oleic (OA) versus DHA-containing phospholipid with sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (CHOL) utilizing (2)H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, and detergent extractions in model bilayer membranes. (2)H NMR and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) established the phase behavior of the OA-containing 1-[(2)H(31)]palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (16:0-18:1PE-d(31))/SM (1:1) and the DHA-containing 1-[(2)H(31)]palmitoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (16:0-22:6PE-d(31))/SM (1:1) in the absence and presence of equimolar CHOL. CHOL was observed to affect the OA-containing phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) more than the DHA-containing PE, as exemplified by >2 x greater increase in order measured for the perdeuterated palmitic chain in 16:0-18:1PE-d(31)/SM (1:1) compared to 16:0-22:6PE-d(31)/SM (1:1) bilayers in the liquid crystalline phase. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments showed less lateral phase separation between 16:0-18:1PE-rich and SM/CHOL-rich raft domains in 16:0-18:1PE/SM/CHOL (1:1:1) bilayers than was observed when 16:0-22:6PE replaced 16:0-18:1PE. Differences in the molecular interaction of 16:0-18:1PE and 16:0-22:6PE with SM/CHOL were also found using biochemical detergent extractions. In the presence of equimolar SM/CHOL, 16:0-18:1PE showed decreased solubilization in comparison to 16:0-22:6PE, indicating greater phase separation with the DHA-PE. Detergent experiments were also conducted with cardiomyocytes fed radiolabeled OA or DHA. Although both OA and DHA were found to be largely detergent solubilized, the amount of OA that was found to be associated with raft-rich detergent-resistant membranes exceeded DHA by almost a factor of 2. We conclude that the OA-PE phase separates from rafts far less than DHA-PE, which may have implications for cellular signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Omega 3-fatty acids: health benefits and cellular mechanisms of action.

Epidemiological evidence has established that ingestion of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs), abundant in fish oils, have profound effects on many human disorders and diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Here we briefly review the dietary recommendations and the food sources that are naturally enriched by these fatty acids. There are also a number of products including eggs, bread, and cereals available to supplement omega-3 fatty acid dietary intake. Some of these supplements are proposed to aid different pathological conditions. While the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids can no longer be doubted, their molecular mechanism of action remains elusive. Without question, the action of omega-3 fatty acids is complex and involves a number of integrated signaling pathways. This review focuses on one of the possible cellular mechanisms by which the omega-3 PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may function. Studies with cancer cells suggest that DHA induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by activating protein phosphatases, leading to dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB). Protein phosphatases are also involved with the protein Bcl2, which regulates the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and eventually, activation of the apoptotic enzyme caspase 3.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

Biologically active dietary peptides.

A large variety of peptides are generated in the gut lumen during normal digestion of dietary proteins. Large quantities of small peptides (ie. dipeptides and tripeptides) are absorbed through the gut mucosa and represent the primary mechanism for absorption of dietary nitrogen. However, larger peptide fragments are also absorbed with absorption decreasing with increasing chain length. Many of these dietary peptides have been shown to have biologic activity and many are active in microgram quantities. These peptides may modulate neural, endocrine, and immune function. In this report, we review normal protein digestion and absorption. We then discuss the biological actions of the amino acids arginine and glutamine and the biologic actions of a variety of dietary derived peptides. We concentrate on the immune effects of these peptides. We illustrate the potency of dietary peptides with a discussion of the cardiovascular effects of carnosine. We also review biologic effects of different protein sources, which generate different peptide profiles during digestion. The implications of dietary peptides for modulation of disease are discussed.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2003

Acyl chain unsaturation in PEs modulates phase separation from lipid raft molecules.

By one hypothesis, phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids may be involved in phase separation from the lipid raft molecules sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (CHOL). We tested the effect of increasing the number of double bonds in the acyl chains of phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) on phase separation from SM/CHOL. The detergent extraction method was employed on various homoacid and heteroacid PEs in mixed vesicles composed of PE/SM/CHOL (1:1:1mol). The disaturated homoacid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (16:0-16:0PE) showed the least solubility upon detergent extraction whereas maximal solubility was observed for the polyunsaturated homoacid 1,2-didocosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (22:6-22:6PE). Increasing the number of double bonds in the sn-2 position of heteroacid saturated-unsaturated PEs resulted in an increase in detergent solubility, which correlated with a general decrease in the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of the PEs. Our findings demonstrate that increasing unsaturation in PEs results in increased phase separation from SM/CHOL membranes, which may have implications for cellular signaling.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

PubMed2003

Cell-cycle arrest in Jurkat leukaemic cells: a possible role for docosahexaenoic acid.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to have anti-cancer activities by mechanisms that are not well understood. In the present study, we test one possible pathway for DHA action in Jurkat leukaemic cells. Low doses of DHA (10 microM) are shown to induce cell-cycle arrest, whereas higher doses are cytotoxic. However, when cells that were pre-treated with 10 microM DHA are given an additional 10 microM DHA dose, cell viability rapidly decreases. Immunoblotting reveals that repeated low doses of DHA results in activation of caspase 3, implying induction of apoptosis. DHA (10 microM) is shown to increase ceramide levels after 6 h of incubation and, after 24 h, the cells appear to be arrested in S phase. With DHA, the amount of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb) decreases significantly. Western blot analysis also shows that DHA greatly reduces the level of cyclin A, while increasing the level of p21 WAF1, a cellular inhibitor of cyclin A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) activity. Furthermore, the observed DHA-induced doubling of the ratio of hypophosphorylated pRb (hypo-pRb) to total pRb is inhibited by tautomycin and phosphatidic acid (PA), known inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and by the PP2 inhibitor okadaic acid. The present study demonstrates one possible connected pathway for DHA action. By this pathway, low doses of DHA increase ceramide levels, which leads to inhibition of cdk2 activity and stimulation of PP1 and PP2A. The net effect of cdk2 inhibition and protein phosphatase activation is an inhibition of pRb phosphorylation, consequently arresting Jurkat cell growth.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2002

Serum factors involved in human microvascular endothelial cell morphogenesis.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that lipid and protein angiogenic factors operate in tandem to induce optimal angiogenic responses in vivo. This study was undertaken to clarify the nature of the substances in human serum that are responsible for its remarkable ability to promote capillary morphogenesis in vitro. The ability of dilute (2%) human serum to promote the morphogenic differentiation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells on Matrigel supports was depleted by more than 50% by treatment of the serum with activated charcoal, a procedure that effectively removes biologically active lipid growth factors. The remainder of the activity within serum was lost on heating to 60 degrees C for 60 minutes, indicating the involvement of a protein in the response. The ability of charcoal-treated serum to promote capillary morphogenesis was completely restored by the addition of sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP, 500 nmol/L), but other lipids thought to be released into serum during clotting were ineffective. In addition, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) effectively restored the ability of heat-treated serum to promote endothelial cell morphogenesis, but other protein growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, were ineffective. Together, SPP and bFGF were as effective as whole serum in promoting capillary morphogenesis. Responses to purified SPP were entirely sensitive to the effects of preexposure of the cells to pertussis toxin, whereas responses to bFGF were entirely pertussis toxin-resistant. Consistent with our hypothesis that two distinct factors in serum play a role in promoting capillary morphogenesis, responses induced by serum were inhibited approximately 50% by preexposure of endothelial cells to pertussis toxin. We conclude that platelet-released SPP acts in conjunction with circulating bFGF to promote capillary formation by microvascular endothelial cells. Lipid and protein growth factors apparently exert complementary roles in the angiogenic response, as demonstrated by their ability to promote chemotaxis, angiogenic differentiation, and angiogenesis in vivo.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗