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
Latest Advancements in Biotherapeutics
The scope of this thematic issue is to comprehensively explore the rapidly evolving landscape of biotherapeutics, emphasizing breakthroughs in precision medicine. Encompassing diverse therapeutic modalities, the issue will delve into the latest developments in monoclonal antibodies, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, CAR-T cell therapies, and innovative drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticle-based ...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
-
Timely Identification of Disease by Parallel Real-time Automated Processing of Huge Medical Databases of Images Distributed Geographically, through Knowledge Sharing
Current Bioinformatics Synthesis and Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of 5-Ylidene-4- Aminothiazol-2(5H)-one Derivatives
Medicinal Chemistry Comparative Mass Spectrometry & Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomic Approaches for Nutraceuticals Quality Control Analysis: A Brief Review
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Brain Metastatic and Non-Metastatic Lung Cancer Patients with Different Cell Types
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pleiotropic Effects of Cardioactive Glycosides
Current Medicinal Chemistry Autonomic Nervous System in Viral Myocarditis: Pathophysiology and Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phytosterols and Triterpenoids for Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic-related Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Bioenergetics Pathways and Therapeutic Resistance in Gliomas: Emerging Role of Mitochondria
Current Pharmaceutical Design Poor Safety and Tolerability Hamper Reaching a Potentially Therapeutic Dose in the Use of Thalidomide for Alzheimer’s Disease: Results from a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Current Alzheimer Research Drug-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Management
Current Cancer Drug Targets The GABAergic System and the Gastrointestinal Physiopathology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Protein & Peptide Science Modern Perspectives on the Structure, Function and Evolution of the Relaxin-Like Peptides and their Receptors
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Regulatory T Cells and Cancer Therapy: An Old Story with a New Hope
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Impact of Epigenetic Dietary Components on Cancer through Histone Modifications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Regulatory T Cells and Allergic Disease
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Endothelial Cell Aging and Apoptosis in Prevention and Disease: E-Selectin Expression and Modulation As A Model
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recurrent Left Atrial Low-grade Malignant Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Characterized by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Current Medical Imaging Polysaccharide-K (PSK) in Cancer - Old Story, New Possibilities?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nutritional Aspects Relating to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Current Women`s Health Reviews