Lupus nephritis (LN) leads to renal failure in up to 50% of cases over 5 years despite aggressive immune suppressing therapies that are nonspecific and often contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Further investigations into the pathogenesis of LN are necessary to develop targeted therapies. Elevated nitric oxide (NO), isoprostane, and thromboxane (TXA2) and reduced prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis occur in LN. TXA2 synthase inhibitors, TXA2 receptor antagonists, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitors abrogate murine LN, while the same TXA2 specific therapies improve renal function in human LN. No combines with superoxide to form peroxynitrite (ONOO), which can alter TXA2 and PGI2 metabolism. Thus, one mechanism by which NO may be pathogenic in LN is through the effect of ONOO-induced alternations in intra renal accessioned synthesis. To test this hypothesis, the following specific aims are proposed: 1) Correlate systemic ONOO production in humans with LN with urinary excretion of 8-is PGF2a ( an isoprostane) and the excreted renal metabolites of TXA2, PGI2 and PGE2. Alter ONOO production in murine LN using pharmacologic an genetic means and measure the renal synthesis and urinary excretion of the same eicosanoids, GFR, and nitration of renal TXA2 and PGI2 synthase. 3) Isolate glomeruli from murine models of LN and measure directly the effects of exogenous NO and ONOO donors and iNOS inhibitors on accessioned synthesis and determine if nitration of renal TXA2 and PGI2 synthase occurs. We will measure longitudinal SLE and LN disease activity (in 38 SLG and 38 LN subjects compared to 38 controls) and correlated these with serum 3NT and renal accessioned synthesis. To determine if NO and ONOO exert downstream effects on accessioned metabolism, we will measure the same parameters in 2 models of murine LN in response to iNOS inhibition (with iNOS inhibitors, vitamin E, and MRL/lpr iNOS -/- mice). Glomeruli from murine models of LN will be isolated to determine in vitro the effect of iNOS inhibitors and NO/ONOO- donors on accessioned synthesis. Determining the pathogenic mechanisms of ONOO production as it relates to accessioned synthesis in LN may lead to the use of specific iNOS inhibitors in humans with LN. If we disprove our hypothesis that ONOO induces alternations in eicosanoid synthesis in LN iNOS activity and eicosanoids synthesis may be triggered by common or parallel upstream mechanisms. Alternatively, eicosanoids could regulate NO synthesis in LN as they can in some experimental systems. In either event, future studies would address the use of selective COX-2 or TXA2 synthase inhibitors/receptor blockers, antioxidants, and/or PGI2/PGE2 agonists in conduction with iNOS inhibitors as therapies for LN.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08AR002193-02
Application #
6511744
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Program Officer
Gretz, Elizabeth
Project Start
2001-04-25
Project End
2006-02-28
Budget Start
2002-03-01
Budget End
2003-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$123,899
Indirect Cost
Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
183710748
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29425
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Al Gadban, Mohammed M; German, Jashalynn; Truman, Jean-Philip et al. (2012) Lack of nitric oxide synthases increases lipoprotein immune complex deposition in the aorta and elevates plasma sphingolipid levels in lupus. Cell Immunol 276:42-51
Oates, Jim C; Halushka, Perry V; Hutchison, Florence N et al. (2011) Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor suppresses renal thromboxane production but not proliferative lesions in the MRL/lpr murine model of lupus nephritis. Am J Med Sci 341:101-5
Oates, Jim C; Shaftman, Stephanie R; Self, Sally E et al. (2008) Association of serum nitrate and nitrite levels with longitudinal assessments of disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Arthritis Rheum 58:263-72
Njoku, Chinedu; Self, Sally E; Ruiz, Philip et al. (2008) Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor SD-3651 reduces proteinuria in MRL/lpr mice deficient in the NOS2 gene. J Investig Med 56:911-9
Oates, Jim (2007) Renal biopsy at the onset of clinical lupus nephritis: can it yield useful information? J Rheumatol 34:256-8
Oates, James C; Farrelly, Libby W; Hofbauer, Ann F et al. (2007) Association of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediate and complement levels with apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in lupus patients. Arthritis Rheum 56:3738-47
Njoku, Chinedu J; Patrick, Kennerly S; Ruiz Jr, Philip et al. (2005) Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors reduce urinary markers of systemic oxidant stress in murine proliferative lupus nephritis. J Investig Med 53:347-52
Oates, Jim C; Gilkeson, Gary S (2004) Nitric oxide induces apoptosis in spleen lymphocytes from MRL/lpr mice. J Investig Med 52:62-71
Oates, Jim C; Gilkeson, Gary S (2002) Mediators of injury in lupus nephritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 14:498-503