POP3: a novel inhibitor of endothelial cell activation

Northwestern University At Chicago, Evanston IL

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Persistent and exaggerated chronic inflammation that remains unresolved is linked to tissue destruction and cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. Therefore timely termination of inflammatory responses is crucial to prevent detrimental effects. Activation of the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-?B) is essential for the inflammatory activation of endothelial cells and the subsequent recruitment and transmigration of circulating leukocytes by adhesion molecules. However, the molecular mechanisms that terminate endothelial cell activation are still not completely understood. We identified a novel PYRIN domain-only protein (POP) involved in the resolution of inflammatory activation of endothelial cells by blocking cytokine and IFI16-mediated NF-?B activity and inflammatory mediator synthesis. We propose to elucidate the responsible molecular mechanism and the consequences on endothelial cell activation and leukocyte adhesion and transmigration. In the first specific aim, we will establish POP3 as a negative regulator of the activation of endothelial cells and inflammatory mediators. In specific aim 2, we will determine the impact of POP3 on leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and transmigration. In specific aim 3, we propose to study the in vivo role of POP by generating a novel mouse model expressing POP from the Tie2 promoter specifically in endothelial cells and to evaluate POP peptidomimetics in the resolution of endothelial cell activation. POPs are negative regulators of macrophage inflammasomes, while this novel POP is the first POP identified to terminate inflammatory responses in endothelial cells. It is important to understand the ramifications of this novel mechanism on the resolution of endothelial cell activation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. A major factor in the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease is chronic inflammation and persistent activation of endothelial cells via the transcription factor NF-?B, and inhibition of NF-?B is thus considered a promising therapeutic target to combat cardiovascular disease. Timely resolution of inflammatory reactions is essential to prevent detrimental effects, but the molecular mechanisms that terminate endothelial cell activation are poorly understood. We identified a novel mechanism responsible for terminating cytokine-mediated NF-?B activation, and therefore delineating this protective event will have significant ramifications for designing novel and improved therapies to combat endothelial cells activation and cardiovascular disease.