Nitric oxide (NO) mediates cell signaling via cGMP- and non-cGMP-dependent reactions and yields secondary oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that expand the range of molecular targets of NO via oxidation, nitrosation and nitration reactions. The reactions of NO and its products with unsaturated fatty acids transduces NO signaling via the formation of electrophilic nitro-fatty acids, generically termed N02-FA. The research objectives set for the upcoming renewal of this R37/Merit award will continue to probe the concept that inflammatory-derived electrophilic fatty acids are redox signaling mediators that work in tandem with their highly conserved molecular targets (e.g., transcriptional regulatory proteins) to regulate adaptive cell signaling events. These reactions permit organisms to link gene expression with their metabolic, environmental and inflammatory status. Importantly, there still remains a lack of knowledge regarding the structural properties and biochemical reactivities of N02-FA that account for their induction of adaptive cell signaling responses. We will utilize HPLC-MS/MS to characterize the patterns and mechanisms of EFOX production during conditions relevant to obesity-induced diabetes. After learning more about the structural characteristics, concentrations, metabolism and molecular targets of specific EFOXs, we will evaluate the therapeutic potential of synthetic homologs of key EFOXs by administering these species in the setting of a model of obesity-induced diabetes, high fat diet-fed C57/BI6 mice. It is hypothesized that the electrophilic derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids formed by the oxidative inflammatory milieu mediate adaptive cell signaling responses. This hypothesis will be tested by pursuing three Specific Aims: 1. Structurally characterize and quantitate the predominant electrophilic fatty acid species present in the inflammatory milieu of obesity, using cell, rodent and clinically-derived specimens. 2. Define the contribution of mitochondrial redox reactions in the formation of electrophilic derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids. 3. Examine the anti-inflammatory actions of electrophilic fatty acids in cell and animal models of obesityinduced diabetes.

Public Health Relevance

The research plan capitalizes on the discovery that nitro- and keto-fatty acid derivatives are potent and broadly-acting anti-inflammatory mediators. We will a) identify new inflammatory-derived fatty acid electrophiles, and b) better understand the salutary cell signaling and physiological actions of these endogenously-produced electrophilic fatty acids and c) begin to develop these species as a new drug class.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37HL058115-21
Application #
9293353
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Charette, Marc F
Project Start
1998-01-15
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$552,436
Indirect Cost
$191,476
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Freeman, Bruce A; O'Donnell, Valerie B; Schopfer, Francisco J (2018) The discovery of nitro-fatty acids as products of metabolic and inflammatory reactions and mediators of adaptive cell signaling. Nitric Oxide 77:106-111
Villacorta, Luis; Minarrieta, Lucia; Salvatore, Sonia R et al. (2018) In situ generation, metabolism and immunomodulatory signaling actions of nitro-conjugated linoleic acid in a murine model of inflammation. Redox Biol 15:522-531
Schopfer, Francisco J; Vitturi, Dario A; Jorkasky, Diane K et al. (2018) Nitro-fatty acids: New drug candidates for chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Nitric Oxide 79:31-37
Hughan, Kara S; Wendell, Stacy Gelhaus; Delmastro-Greenwood, Meghan et al. (2017) Conjugated Linoleic Acid Modulates Clinical Responses to Oral Nitrite and Nitrate. Hypertension :
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Zhou, Chaoming; Ramaswamy, Swarna S; Johnson, Derrick E et al. (2016) Novel Roles for Peroxynitrite in Angiotensin II and CaMKII Signaling. Sci Rep 6:23416
Ambrozova, Gabriela; Fidlerova, Tana; Verescakova, Hana et al. (2016) Nitro-oleic acid inhibits vascular endothelial inflammatory responses and the endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Biochim Biophys Acta 1860:2428-2437
Rudolph, Tanja K; Ravekes, Thorben; Klinke, Anna et al. (2016) Nitrated fatty acids suppress angiotensin II-mediated fibrotic remodelling and atrial fibrillation. Cardiovasc Res 109:174-84
Diaz-Amarilla, Pablo; Miquel, Ernesto; Trostchansky, Andrés et al. (2016) Electrophilic nitro-fatty acids prevent astrocyte-mediated toxicity to motor neurons in a cell model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor activation. Free Radic Biol Med 95:112-20
Ambrozova, Gabriela; Martiskova, Hana; Koudelka, Adolf et al. (2016) Nitro-oleic acid modulates classical and regulatory activation of macrophages and their involvement in pro-fibrotic responses. Free Radic Biol Med 90:252-260

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