Homocysteine induces inflammatory transcriptional signaling in monocytes

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2013 Jan 1;18(2):685-95. doi: 10.2741/4131.

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Here, we studied transcriptional regulation in homocysteine (Hcy)-induced gene expression in monocytes (MC). We identified 11 Hcy-induced genes, 17 anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10-induced, 8 pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN gamma)-induced and 8 pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)-induced genes through literature search. Binding frequency of 36 transcription factors (TFs) implicated in inflammation and MC differentiation were analyzed within core promoter regions of identified genes, and classified into 3 classes based on the significant binding frequency to the promoter of Hcy-induced genes. Class 1 TFs exert high significant binding frequency in Hcy-induced genes. Class 2 and 3 TFs have low and no significant binding frequency, respectively. Class 1 TF binding occurrence in Hcy-induced genes is similar to that in IFN gamma -induced genes, but not that in TNF alpha -induced. We conclude that Hcy is a pro-inflammatory amino acid and induces inflammatory transcriptional signal pathways mediated by class 1 TF. We term class 1 TF as putative Hcy-responsive TFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Homocysteine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-10 / pharmacology
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Transcription Factors
  • Homocysteine
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interferon-gamma