Role of Hydroxytyrosol-dependent Regulation of HO-1 Expression in Promoting Wound Healing of Vascular Endothelial Cells via Nrf2 De Novo Synthesis and Stabilization

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), an olive plant (Olea europaea L.) polyphenol, has proven atheroprotective effects. We previously demonstrated that heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) is involved in the HT dependent prevention of dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Here, we further investigated the signaling pathway of HT‐dependent HO‐1 expression in VECs. HT dose‐ and time‐dependently increased HO‐1 mRNA and protein levels through the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D inhibited both increases, suggesting that HT‐triggered HO‐1 induction is transcriptionally regulated and that de novo protein synthesis is necessary for this HT effect. HT stimulated nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2). This Nrf2 accumulation was blocked by actinomycin D and cycloheximide whereas HT in combination with the 26S proteasome inhibitor MG132 enhanced the accumulation. HT also extended the half‐life of Nrf2 proteins by decelerating its turnover. Moreover, HO‐1 inhibitor, ZnppIX and CO scavenger, hemoglobin impaired HT‐dependent wound healing while CORM‐2, a CO generator, accelerated wound closure. Together, these data demonstrate that HT upregulates HO‐1 expression by stimulating the nuclear accumulation and stabilization of Nrf2, leading to the wound repair of VECs crucial in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.