Abstract
The integration of knowledge concerning the regulation of metallothionein (MT) with research on its proposed functions is necessary to clarify how MT affects cellular processes. MT expression is induced/enhanced in various tissues by a number of physiological mediators through several response elements in the MT gene promoter. The cellular accumulation of MT depends on the availability of cellular zinc derived from the diet. MT modulates: 1) the binding and exchange/ transport of heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium, or copper under physiological conditions and cytoprotection from their toxicities, and 2) the release of gaseous mediators such as hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxide. In addition, MT reportedly affects a number of cellular processes, such as gene expression, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. Given the genetic approach, the apparently healthy status of MT-deficient mice argues against an essential biological role for MT; however, the molecule may be critical in cells/tissues/organs in times of stress, since MT expression is also evoked/enhanced by various stresses. In particular, because metallothionein (MT) is induced by inflammatory stress, its roles in inflammation are implied. Also, MT expression in the lung can be enhanced by inflammatory stimuli, suggesting that its expression correlates with inflammatory pulmonary diseases. In this paper, we review the role of MT of various inflammatory conditions in the airway.
Keywords: Metallothionein, pulmonary inflammation, lipopolysaccharide, allergen, ozone.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title:Metallothionein as a Negative Regulator of Pulmonary Inflammation
Volume: 14 Issue: 4
Author(s): Ken-ichiro Inoue and Hirohisa Takano
Affiliation:
Keywords: Metallothionein, pulmonary inflammation, lipopolysaccharide, allergen, ozone.
Abstract: The integration of knowledge concerning the regulation of metallothionein (MT) with research on its proposed functions is necessary to clarify how MT affects cellular processes. MT expression is induced/enhanced in various tissues by a number of physiological mediators through several response elements in the MT gene promoter. The cellular accumulation of MT depends on the availability of cellular zinc derived from the diet. MT modulates: 1) the binding and exchange/ transport of heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium, or copper under physiological conditions and cytoprotection from their toxicities, and 2) the release of gaseous mediators such as hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxide. In addition, MT reportedly affects a number of cellular processes, such as gene expression, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. Given the genetic approach, the apparently healthy status of MT-deficient mice argues against an essential biological role for MT; however, the molecule may be critical in cells/tissues/organs in times of stress, since MT expression is also evoked/enhanced by various stresses. In particular, because metallothionein (MT) is induced by inflammatory stress, its roles in inflammation are implied. Also, MT expression in the lung can be enhanced by inflammatory stimuli, suggesting that its expression correlates with inflammatory pulmonary diseases. In this paper, we review the role of MT of various inflammatory conditions in the airway.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Inoue Ken-ichiro and Takano Hirohisa, Metallothionein as a Negative Regulator of Pulmonary Inflammation, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2013; 14 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389201011314040005
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389201011314040005 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes and explores biological data. This field combines biology and information system. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has attracted great attention as it tries to replicate human intelligence. It has become common technology for analyzing and solving complex data and problems and encompasses sub-fields of machine ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Recent Advances in the Membrane Receptor Initiated Vitamin D Signaling of Calcium and Phosphate Transport Across Intestinal and Kidney Epithelia
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Molecular Basis of Therapeutic Strategies for Breast Cancer
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Transport of Bupropion and its Metabolites by the Model CHO and HEK293 Cell Lines
Drug Metabolism Letters Chemotherapeutic Properties of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids - Old Concepts and New Insights
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Probiotics/Prebiotics in Viral Respiratory Infections: Implication for Emerging Pathogens
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Preface: Studies on Understanding and Anti-Tumor Agents of Reproductive Cancer Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Dual-modality Chemo-photodynamic Therapy Using RB and DOX as Anti-cancer Drugs by PAMAM-grafted Hollow Porous Silica Nanoparticles
Current Nanoscience Tetracyclines: Drugs with Huge Therapeutic Potential
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Sleep Disturbance: A Meta-Analysis
Adolescent Psychiatry Quinoline as a Privileged Scaffold in Cancer Drug Discovery
Current Medicinal Chemistry Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Changes in Transporter Protein Abundance in Liver, Kidney and Brain of Mice by Pregnancy
Drug Metabolism Letters Natural Monophenols as Therapeutics, Antioxidants and Toxins; Electron Transfer, Radicals and Oxidative Stress
The Natural Products Journal Current Status and Future Perspectives of PI3K and mTOR Inhibitor as Anticancer Drugs in Breast Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets The Nutrigenetics and Pharmacogenetics of Vitamin D Pathways
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity of Anticancer Titanocenes
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Immunocal® and Preservation of Glutathione as a Novel Neuroprotective Strategy for Degenerative Disorders of the Nervous System
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Roles of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Drug Resistance
Current Cancer Drug Targets Momordica charantia Seed and Aryl Extracts Potentiate Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis by Dual Blocking of PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways as a Downstream Target of EGFR Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells
Current Nutrition & Food Science Phosphoregulation of Twist1 Provides a Mechanism of Cell Fate Control
Current Medicinal Chemistry Current Advances in the Development of Anticancer Drugs Targeting Tyrosine Kinases of the Src Family
Current Drug Therapy