Arie Oosterhof

Heparan Sulfate Heterogeneity in Skeletal Muscle Basal Lamina: Demonstration by Phage Display-Derived Antibodies

The basal lamina (BL) enveloping skeletal muscle fibers contains different glycoproteins, including proteoglycans. To obtain more information on the glycosaminoglycan moiety of proteoglycans, we have selected a panel of anti-heparan sulfate (HS) antibodies from a semisynthetic antibody phage display library by panning against glycosaminoglycan preparations derived from skeletal muscle. Epitope recognition by the antibodies is strongly dependent onO- and N-sulfation of the heparan sulfate. Immunostaining with these antibodies showed a distinct distribution of heparan sulfate epitopes in muscle basal lamina of various species. Clear differences in staining intensity were observed between neural, synaptic, and extrasynaptic basal laminae. Moreover, temporal and regional changes in abundancy of heparan sulfate epitopes were observed during muscle development both in vitroand in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest a role for specific heparan sulfate domains/species in myogenesis and synaptogenesis. Detailed analysis of the functions of heparan sulfate epitopes in muscle morphogenesis has now become feasible with the isolation of antibodies specific for distinct heparan sulfate epitopes.

Concentration of nucleotides and deoxynucleotides in peripheral and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated mammalian lymphocytes: Effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine

Concentrations of purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotides were measured with HPLC in lymphocytes of man, horse, pig and sheep and in rat thymocytes. The ATP concentration was highest in lymphocytes of all species and about 850 pmol/10(6) cells in human and equine lymphocytes, higher in porcine and lower in ovine lymphocytes and rat thymocytes. The GTP concentration was comparable in human, equine and porcine lymphocytes, but lower in ovine lymphocytes. ATP concentration was also measured in lymphocytes of man, horse and pig with a luciferin-luciferase assay. During culturing with or without phytohemagglutinin the ATP concentrations decreased in these lymphocytes. The concentrations of TTP and dATP were measured with a DNA polymerase assay. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulation increased the TTP concentration in lymphocytes of all three species, the dATP concentration only in human lymphocytes. ATP, TTP and dATP concentrations and thymidine incorporation were measured in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes after 24 and 48 h culturing in the presence of adenosine or deoxyadenosine. Adenosine increased the ATP concentration in porcine and equine, but not in human lymphocytes. Deoxyadenosine and adenosine did not affect the TTP concentration. Deoxyadenosine decreased the ATP concentration only in the presence of EHNA in human lymphocytes, but increased it in other conditions and in equine and porcine lymphocytes. Deoxyadenosine in the presence of EHNA increased the dATP concentration in human, equine and porcine lymphocytes 3-, 10-, and 9-fold, respectively, and decreased considerably thymidine incorporation. Deoxyadenosine without EHNA increased the dATP concentration 2-5-fold, decreased the thymidine incorporation in lymphocytes of man and horse, but stimulated incorporation in porcine lymphocytes about 5-fold. The latter results indicate that accumulation of dATP is not always associated with inhibition of cell proliferation.

The calcium homeostasis and the membrane potential of cultured muscle cells from patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Using the fluorescence indicator, quin2, we compared the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of cultured myotubes obtained from control subjects and myotonic dystrophy (MyD) patients. In Ca2(+)-free buffer the [Ca2+]i of the cultured MyD muscle cells was not significantly different from that of the control cells. In the presence of 1 mM external Ca2+ the cultured MyD muscle cells showed a significantly higher [Ca2+]i, which was due to the influx of Ca2+ through voltage-operated nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. In the presence of external Ca2+, MyD myotubes did not respond to acetylcholine, whereas control myotubes showed a transient increase in [Ca2+]i after addition of acetylcholine. This increase was inhibited by the addition of nifedipine. The differences in Ca2(+)-homeostasis between cultured MyD muscle cells and control cells were not due to differences in the resting membrane potential or the inability of the MyD cells to depolarize as a response to acetylcholine. Therefore, cultured MyD muscle cells exhibit altered nifedipine-sensitive voltage-operated channels which are active under conditions in which they are normally present in the inactive state, and which are unable to respond to depolarization caused by acetylcholine.

The biochemical and structural maturation of human skeletal muscle cells in culture: the effect of the serum substitute Ultroser G.

On the basis of the percentage creatine kinase-MM, human skeletal muscle cells cultured on growth and differentiation media containing the serum substitute Ultroser G reach a significantly higher maturation grade after 7 days of differentiation than cells cultured on serum-containing media. They also remain viable for longer periods. The myotubes are much longer, their nuclei are often localized in rows on the periphery, and they show cross-striation more frequently. The activities of creatine kinase, citrate synthase, cytochrome c oxidase, AMP deaminase, and phosphorylase are significantly higher. Extending the differentiation period to 3 weeks increases the maturation grade of the cultures and the activities of all the enzymes mentioned before, except phosphorylase. A correlation exists between the enzyme activities and the maturation grade of the muscle cells. The content of fatty acid-binding protein also increases significantly with the maturation grade in contrast to the palmitate oxidation rate. The AMP deaminase and creatine kinase activity and the percentage MM-type remain lower in cultured cells than in adult muscle and the hexokinase activity remains higher, but the other enzyme activities become comparable after 20 days of differentiation. The myotubes, derived from Ultroser G-containing culture media, show spontaneous contractions after 12 days and cross-striation after 20 days when immunostained for the M-subunit of creatine kinase. These cells possess clusters of acetylcholine receptors, but aggregation of desmin at the site of the clusters was never detectable. The possibility of cultivating muscle cells with a predictable maturation grade allows the study of muscle development and muscular diseases caused by differentiation defects or by deficiency of a maturation-dependent (iso)enzyme.

Oxidative metabolism of cultured human skeletal muscle cells in comparison with biopsy material.

Human muscle cell cultures were examined for capacities to oxidize several substrates, and for activities of some enzymes related to intermediate metabolism. The results indicate that mitochondrial activities attained appreciable degrees of maturity. The specific activity of creatine kinase increased during myoblast fusion. In contrast, parameters of oxidative metabolism (palmitate and pyruvate oxidation, and cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase) did not significantly change throughout myogenesis and thereafter. In differentiated cells (myotubes) the oxidation capacities were pyruvate greater than 2-oxoglutarate greater than malate (+ acetylcarnitine) greater than malate (+ pyruvate), as in muscle biopsies. With regard to protein the cultured human muscle cells showed higher activities than the original biopsies (= 100%) with respect to citrate synthase (179%), but lower values for cytochrome c oxidase (50%) and creatine kinase (7%). Palmitate oxidation capacities were the same in both systems. The presence of antimycin and rotenon inhibited to a comparable extent the palmitate oxidation in cultured muscle and biopsies.

Adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolism in mammalian lymphocytes

Abstract 1. 1. Large differences were found in activities and kinetics of adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolizing enzymes in lymphocytes and erythrocytes of man and various mammalian species. 2. 2. ADA and PNP activities in erythrocytes do not always correlate with those in lymphocytes of the same species. 3. 3. ADA activity was low in equine and porcine lymphocytes, PNP activity was low in ovine and caprine lymphocytes. Adenosine and deoxyadenosine showed comparable Km values for ADA in lymphocytes of man, horse and pig; in equine lymphocytes these values were lower. 4. 4. Purine 5′-nucleotidase activity was low in lysates of lymphocytes of horse and pig, intermediate in those of sheep and high in those of man. The same pattern was found for ecto-S′-nucleotidase. 5. 5. Adenosine was phosphorylated at a higher rate than deoxyadenosine in lymphocyte extracts of man, horse and pig. Activities are comparable in all species. The Km value of adenosine for adenosine kinase is higher but the Km value of deoxyadenosine for phosphorylation is lower in human lymphocytes than in lymphocytes of horse and pig. Deoxycytidine markedly inhibited deoxyadenosine phosphoryla- tion in human lymphocytes and to a lower extent in equine and porcine lymphocytes. Adenosine considerably inhibited deoxyadenosine phosphorylation in lymphocytes of horse and pig, while it had no effect in human lymphocytes. 6. 6. Activity of S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase, measured in the synthetic direction, was lower in human lymphocytes than in those of pig and horse. Deoxyadenosine markedly inhibited enzyme activity only if it was preincubated with the enzyme without adenosine. 7. 7. The observed differences in adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolism between human lymphocytes and those of horse and pig may explain why equine and porcine lymphocytes show a normal immune function despite a low ADA activity.

Brody disease: insights into biochemical features of SERCA1 and identification of a novel mutation.

Brody disease is an inherited disorder of skeletal muscle function characterized by increasing impairment of relaxation during exercise. The autosomal recessive form can be caused by mutations in the ATP2A1 gene, which encodes for the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 1 (SERCA1) protein. We studied 2 siblings affected by Brody disease. The patients complained of exercise-induced delay of muscle relaxation and stiffness since childhood and had gene analysis of ATP2A1. Morphologic and biochemical studies were performed on a muscle biopsy from 1 patient. The biopsy showed fiber size variation and increased numbers of fibers with internal nuclei. Ultrastructural examination revealed dilatation of lateral cisternae and proliferation of tubular elements of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. By immunohistochemistry, SERCA1 was expressed in a normal pattern, but sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity was significantly reduced. Immunoblotting after high-resolution 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed a significant difference in the amount of SERCA1 protein between the patient and controls. Both patients were found to have 2 previously unreported in-frame deletions in ATP2A1. Because SERCA1 protein has specific biochemical characteristics in our patient, these results underline the importance of a pathologic and biochemical analyses for the diagnosis. In addition, we describe 2 novel mutations in the ATP2A1 gene.

Adenosine triphosphatases during maturation of cultured human skeletal muscle cells and in adult human muscle

Na+/K(+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase are examined in cultured human skeletal muscle cells of different maturation grade and in human skeletal muscle. Na+/K(+)-ATPase is investigated by measuring ouabain binding and the activities of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and K(+)-dependent 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphatase (3-O-MFPase). SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is examined by ELISA, Ca(2+)-dependent phosphorylation and its activities on ATP and 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphate. Na+/K(+)-ATPase and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase are localized by immunocytochemistry. The activities of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase show a good correlation with the other assayed parameters of these ion pumps. All ATPase parameters investigated increase with the maturation grade of the cultured muscle cells. The number of ouabain-binding sites and the activities of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and K(+)-dependent 3-O-MFPase are significantly higher in cultured muscle cells than in muscle. The Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, the content of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and the activities of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-dependent 3-O-MFPase remain significantly lower in cultured cells than in muscle. The ouabain-binding constant and the molecular activities of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase are equal in muscle and cultured cells. During ageing of human muscle the activity as well as the concentration of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase decrease. Thus the changes of the activities of the ATPases are caused by variations of the number of their molecules. Na+/K(+)-ATPase is localized in the periphery of fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers and at the sarcomeric I-band. SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is predominantly confined to the I-band, whereas fast-twitch fibers are much more immunoreactive than slow-twitch fibers. The presence of cross-striation for Na+/K(+)-ATPase and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase in highly matured cultured muscle cells indicate the development and subcellular organization of a transverse tubular system and SR, respectively, which resembles the in vivo situation.

Effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on growth and differentiation of cultured rat skeletal muscle cells

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have been associated with skeletal muscle myopathy, ranging from asymptomatic elevations of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity to rhabdomyolysis. In this study, we assessed the effects of addition of different concentrations of simvastatin and pravastatin on growth and differentiation of cultured primary rat skeletal muscle cells. Protein concentrations, CK activity and percentage CK-MM, which is a parameter for maturation, were determined. Effects were generally stronger if inhibitors were added to both growth and differentiation medium rather than only to differentiation medium. Addition of 25 microM pravastatin caused only a decrease of CK activity. Addition of 1-5 microM simvastatin resulted in a decrease of protein concentration, CK activity and percentage CK-MM, whereas 25 microM simvastatin resulted in cell death. Addition of mevalonic acid or cholesterol could not prevent the effects of 1 microM simvastatin. In addition, 1 microM simvastatin did not influence the cholesterol and phospholipid content of the cells. Superfusion of cultured cells with simvastatin concentrations of 10 microM and higher caused a transient increase of the cytoplasmic calcium concentration followed by an apparent second rise and cell puncture. The results indicate that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may affect skeletal muscle cell regeneration in vivo by a direct toxic effect on growth and differentiation.

Interfering with UDP-GlcNAc Metabolism and Heparan Sulfate Expression Using a Sugar Analogue Reduces Angiogenesis

Heparan sulfate (HS), a long linear polysaccharide, is implicated in various steps of tumorigenesis, including angiogenesis. We successfully interfered with HS biosynthesis using a peracetylated 4-deoxy analogue of the HS constituent GlcNAc and studied the compounds metabolic fate and its effect on angiogenesis. The 4-deoxy analogue was activated intracellularly into UDP-4-deoxy-GlcNAc, and HS expression was inhibited up to ∼96% (IC50 = 16 μM). HS chain size was reduced, without detectable incorporation of the 4-deoxy analogue, likely due to reduced levels of UDP-GlcNAc and/or inhibition of glycosyltransferase activity. Comprehensive gene expression analysis revealed reduced expression of genes regulated by HS binding growth factors such as FGF-2 and VEGF. Cellular binding and signaling of these angiogenic factors was inhibited. Microinjection in zebrafish embryos strongly reduced HS biosynthesis, and angiogenesis was inhibited in both zebrafish and chicken model systems. All of these data identify 4-deoxy-GlcNAc as a potent inhibitor of HS synthesis, which hampers pro-angiogenic signaling and neo-vessel formation.