Elias N. Glaros

Myriocin slows the progression of established atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice

The serine palmitoyl transferase inhibitor myriocin potently suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene knockout (apoE−/−) mice fed a high-fat diet. This is associated with reduced plasma sphingomyelin (SM) and glycosphingolipid levels. Furthermore, oral administration of myriocin decreases plasma cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels. Here, we aimed to determine whether myriocin could inhibit the progression (or stimulate the regression) of established atherosclerotic lesions and to examine potential changes in hepatic and plasma lipid concentrations. Adult apoE−/− mice were fed a high-fat diet for 30 days, and lesion formation was histologically confirmed. Replicate groups of mice were then transferred to either regular chow or chow containing myriocin (0.3 mg/kg/day) and maintained for a further 60 days. Myriocin significantly inhibited the progression of established atherosclerosis when combined lesion areas (aortic sinus, arch, and celiac branch point) were measured. Although the inhibition of lesion progression was observed mainly in the distal regions of the aorta, regression of lesion size was not detected. The inhibition of lesion progression was associated with reductions in hepatic and plasma SM, cholesterol, and TG levels and increased hepatic and plasma apoA-I levels, indicating that the modulation of pathways associated with several classes of atherogenic lipids may be involved.

Necrotic platelets provide a procoagulant surface during thrombosis

A subpopulation of platelets fulfills a procoagulant role in hemostasis and thrombosis by enabling the thrombin burst required for fibrin formation and clot stability at the site of vascular injury. Excess procoagulant activity is linked with pathological thrombosis. The identity of the procoagulant platelet has been elusive. The cell death marker 4-[N-(S-glutathionylacetyl)amino]phenylarsonous acid (GSAO) rapidly enters a subpopulation of agonist-stimulated platelets via an organic anion-transporting polypeptide and is retained in the cytosol through covalent reaction with protein dithiols. Labeling with GSAO, together with exposure of P-selectin, distinguishes necrotic from apoptotic platelets and correlates with procoagulant potential. GSAO(+) platelets form in occluding murine thrombi after ferric chloride injury and are attenuated with megakaryocyte-directed deletion of the cyclophilin D gene. These platelets form a procoagulant surface, supporting fibrin formation, and reduction in GSAO(+) platelets is associated with reduction in platelet thrombus size and fibrin formation. Analysis of platelets from human subjects receiving aspirin therapy indicates that these procoagulant platelets form despite aspirin therapy, but are attenuated by inhibition of the necrosis pathway. These findings indicate that the major subpopulation of platelets involved in fibrin formation are formed via regulated necrosis involving cyclophilin D, and that they may be targeted independent of platelet activation.

Human Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Is a Catalyst of Physiological Heme Peroxidase Reactions IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INHIBITION OF DIOXYGENASE ACTIVITY BY HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Background: Certain heme proteins exhibit a pseudo-peroxidase activity that alters their function. Results: H2O2 engages the peroxidase activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) to oxidatively inactivate its dioxygenase activity, consume nitric oxide, and promote IDO protein nitration. Conclusion: IDO is a catalyst of physiological peroxidase reactions. Significance: IDO peroxidase activity has novel implications for the control and biological actions of this important immune regulatory enzyme. The heme enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a key regulator of immune responses through catalyzing l-tryptophan (l-Trp) oxidation. Here, we show that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activates the peroxidase function of IDO to induce protein oxidation and inhibit dioxygenase activity. Exposure of IDO-expressing cells or recombinant human IDO (rIDO) to H2O2 inhibited dioxygenase activity in a manner abrogated by l-Trp. Dioxygenase inhibition correlated with IDO-catalyzed H2O2 consumption, compound I-mediated formation of protein-centered radicals, altered protein secondary structure, and opening of the distal heme pocket to promote nonproductive substrate binding; these changes were inhibited by l-Trp, the heme ligand cyanide, or free radical scavengers. Protection by l-Trp coincided with its oxidation into oxindolylalanine and kynurenine and the formation of a compound II-type ferryl-oxo heme. Physiological peroxidase substrates, ascorbate or tyrosine, enhanced rIDO-mediated H2O2 consumption and attenuated H2O2-induced protein oxidation and dioxygenase inhibition. In the presence of H2O2, rIDO catalytically consumed nitric oxide (NO) and utilized nitrite to promote 3-nitrotyrosine formation on IDO. The promotion of H2O2 consumption by peroxidase substrates, NO consumption, and IDO nitration was inhibited by l-Trp. This study identifies IDO as a heme peroxidase that, in the absence of substrates, self-inactivates dioxygenase activity via compound I-initiated protein oxidation. l-Trp protects against dioxygenase inactivation by reacting with compound I and retarding compound II reduction to suppress peroxidase turnover. Peroxidase-mediated dioxygenase inactivation, NO consumption, or protein nitration may modulate the biological actions of IDO expressed in inflammatory tissues where the levels of H2O2 and NO are elevated and l-Trp is low.

Apolipoprotein A-I Increases Insulin Secretion and Production From Pancreatic β-Cells via a G-Protein-cAMP-PKA-FoxO1–Dependent Mechanism

Objective— Therapeutic interventions that increase plasma levels of high-density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) A-I, the major high-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein, improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. High-density lipoproteins and apoA-I also enhance insulin synthesis and secretion in isolated pancreatic islets and clonal &bgr;-cell lines. This study identifies the signaling pathways that mediate these effects. Approach and Results— Incubation with apoA-I increased cAMP accumulation in Ins-1E cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The increase in cAMP levels was inhibited by preincubating the cells with the cell-permeable, transmembrane adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 2′5′ dideoxyadenosine, but not with KH7, which inhibits soluble adenylyl cyclases. Incubation of Ins-1E cells with apoA-I resulted in colocalization of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 with the G&agr;s subunit of a heterotrimeric G-protein and a G&agr;s subunit-dependent increase in insulin secretion. Incubation of Ins-1E cells with apoA-I also increased protein kinase A phosphorylation and reduced the nuclear localization of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1). Preincubation of Ins-1E cells with the protein kinase A–specific inhibitors, H89 and PKI amide, prevented apoA-I from increasing insulin secretion and mediating the nuclear exclusion of FoxO1. Transfection of Ins-1E cells with a mutated FoxO1 that is restricted to the nucleus confirmed the requirement for FoxO1 nuclear exclusion by blocking insulin secretion in apoA-I–treated Ins-1E cells. ApoA-I also increased Irs1, Irs2, Ins1, Ins2, and Pdx1 mRNA levels. Conclusions— ApoA-I increases insulin synthesis and secretion via a heterotrimeric G-protein-cAMP-protein kinase A-FoxO1–dependent mechanism that involves transmembrane adenylyl cyclases and increased transcription of key insulin response and &bgr;-cell survival genes.

Myriocin-mediated up-regulation of hepatocyte apoA-I synthesis is associated with ERK inhibition

Sphingolipids including sphingomyelin have been implicated as potential atherogenic lipids. Studies in apoE (apolipoprotein E)-null mice have revealed that the serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor myriocin reduces plasma levels of sphingomyelin, ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate and glycosphingolipids and that this is associated with potent inhibition of atherosclerosis. Interestingly, hepatic apoA-I (apolipoprotein A-I) synthesis and plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol levels were also increased in apoE-null mice treated with myriocin. Since myriocin is a known inhibitor of ERK (extracellular-signal-related kinase) phosphorylation, we assessed the possibility that myriocin may be acting to increase hepatic apoA-I production via this pathway. To address this, HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes were treated with 200 μM myriocin for up to 48 h. Myriocin increased apoA-I mRNA and protein levels by approx. 3- and 2-fold respectively. Myriocin also increased apoA-I secretion up to 3.5-fold and decreased ERK phosphorylation by approx. 70%. Similar findings were obtained when primary hepatocytes were isolated from apoE-null mice that were treated with myriocin (intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight). Further experiments revealed that the MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase) inhibitor PD98059 potently inhibited ERK phosphorylation, as expected, and increased primary hepatocyte apoA-I production by 3-fold. These results indicate that ERK phosphorylation plays a role in regulating hepatic apoA-I expression and suggest that the anti-atherogenic mechanism of action for myriocin may be linked to this pathway.

Superoxide dismutase deficiency impairs olfactory sexual signaling and alters bioenergetic function in mice

Significance Oxidative stress is expected to restrict investment in life history traits, including sexual signals used to attract mates. However, evidence supporting this prediction remains equivocal. We utilized superoxide dismutase knockout mice to provide, to our knowledge, the first direct evidence that oxidative stress impairs investment in important sexual signals, in this case major urinary protein pheromones with a well-established role in mate attraction. When males were housed in a competitive social environment, further morphological impairments in sexual signaling were revealed (through smaller preputial glands). Impairments in bioenergetic function, not previously known in this mouse model, also became apparent, highlighting how changes in the housing environment of model organisms can reveal previously undiscovered traits of interest. Oxidative stress (an overproduction of reactive oxygen species in relation to defense mechanisms) may restrict investment in life history traits, such as growth, reproduction, lifespan, and the production of sexual signals to attract mates. The constraint on sexual signaling by oxidative stress is of particular interest because it has been proposed as a mechanism ensuring that only good-quality males produce the most attractive sexual signals. Despite these predictions, evidence supporting this theory is, at best, equivocal. We used a superoxide dismutase knockout mouse to demonstrate that oxidative stress directly impairs investment in morphological (preputial glands) and molecular (major urinary proteins) components of olfactory signaling essential for mate attraction. By maintaining males in a much more competitive environment than usual for mouse laboratory experiments, we also revealed a range of phenotypes of superoxide dismutase deficiency not observed in previous studies of this mouse model. This range included impaired bioenergetic function, which was undetectable in the control environment of this study. We urge further examination of model organisms in seminatural conditions and more competitive laboratory environments, as important phenotypes can be exposed under these more demanding conditions.

Heterogeneous expression of apolipoprotein-E by human macrophages

Apolipoprotein‐E (apoE) is expressed at high levels by macrophages. In addition to its role in lipid transport, macrophage‐derived apoE plays an important role in immunoregulation. Previous studies have identified macrophage subpopulations that differ substantially in their ability to synthesize specific cytokines and enzymes, however, potential heterogeneous macrophage apoE expression has not been studied. Here we examined apoE expression in human THP‐1 macrophages and monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM). Using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry methods we reveal a striking heterogeneity in macrophage apoE expression in both cell types. In phorbol‐ester‐differentiated THP‐1 macrophages, 5% of the cells over‐expressed apoE at levels more than 50‐fold higher than the rest of the population. ApoE over‐expressing THP‐1 macrophages contained condensed/fragmented nuclei and increased levels of activated caspase‐3 indicating induction of apoptosis. In MDM, 3–5% of the cells also highly over‐expressed apoE, up to 50‐fold higher than the rest of the population; however, this was not associated with obvious nuclear alterations. The apoE over‐expressing MDM were larger, more granular, and more autofluorescent than the majority of cells and they contained numerous vesicle‐like structures that appeared to be coated by apoE. Flow cytometry experiments indicated that the apoE over‐expressing subpopulation of MDM were positive for CD14, CD11b/Mac‐1 and CD68. These observations suggest that specific macrophage subpopulations may be important for apoE‐mediated immunoregulation and clearly indicate that subpopulation heterogeneity should be taken into account when investigating macrophage apoE expression.

Accumulation of serum lipids by vascular smooth muscle cells involves a macropinocytosis-like uptake pathway and is associated with the downregulation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are present in arterial intima before atherosclerotic plaques develop and are likely to be exposed to unmodified serum lipids as they enter the vessel wall. We examined the effects of sera from mice on the morphology and function of mouse VSMC. Incubation of a mouse VSMC line (MOVAS) with sera from normocholesterolemic (C57BL/6J) or hypercholesterolemic (APOE−/−) mice caused concentration-dependent increases in lipid accumulation as measured by AdipoRed, with the extent of lipid uptake significantly greater with the latter sera type. Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (SP600125), Src kinases (AG1879), and clathrin-dependent endocytosis (monodansylcadaverine) to disrupt scavenger receptor-mediated uptake of lipids had no effect on serum-induced lipid accumulation by VSMC. By contrast, inhibition of macropinocytosis with antagonists of PI-3 kinase (LY294002) and actin (cytochalasin D) markedly reduced lipid accumulation. Serum exposure reduced the expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1, consistent with impaired cholesterol efflux, but had no effect on the expression of markers of VSMC differentiation. Moreover, the expression of several inflammation and foam cell markers was unchanged (CCL2, CCL5, and CD68) by mouse sera. The accumulation of unmodified serum lipids by VSMC involves a macropinocytosis-like uptake pathway and is associated with the downregulation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter. We speculate that VSMC may play an atheroprotective role in arterial intima by acting as a “sink” for unmodified lipids.

Immune response to enzyme replacement therapy: single epitope control of antigen distribution from circulation.

Immune response to replacement therapy has been reported for a range of therapeutic strategies being developed for the treatment of patients with genetic disease. The potential problem of immune response to enzyme replacement therapy has been investigated in alpha-L-iduronidase immunized rats, representing a model of the lysosomal storage disorder Hurler syndrome (alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency). The antibody response to alpha-L-iduronidase showed that the positional location of antibody reactivity was similar for different immunized rats, but the precise linear sequence epitopes identified, varied between rats. A monoclonal antibody reacting to an epitope in close proximity to one high antigenicity site on alpha-L-iduronidase was used to reproduce the in vivo effect of altered enzyme tissue distribution, previously observed in immunized rats infused with alpha-L-iduronidase. The study demonstrated that during an immune response, antibody reacting to a single epitope could partially control the tissue distribution of antigen from circulation.

MAPK/ERK2 phosphorylates ERG at serine 283 in leukemic cells and promotes stem cell signatures and cell proliferation.

Aberrant ERG (v-ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog) expression drives leukemic transformation in mice and high expression is associated with poor patient outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Protein phosphorylation regulates the activity of many ETS factors but little is known about ERG in leukemic cells. To characterize ERG phosphorylation in leukemic cells, we applied liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry and identified five phosphorylated serines on endogenous ERG in T-ALL and AML cells. S283 was distinct as it was abundantly phosphorylated in leukemic cells but not in healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Overexpression of a phosphoactive mutant (S283D) increased expansion and clonogenicity of primary HSPCs over and above wild-type ERG. Using a custom antibody, we screened a panel of primary leukemic xenografts and showed that ERG S283 phosphorylation was mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling and in turn regulated expression of components of this pathway. S283 phosphorylation facilitates ERG enrichment and transactivation at the ERG +85 HSPC enhancer that is active in AML and T-ALL with poor prognosis. Taken together, we have identified a specific post-translational modification in leukemic cells that promotes progenitor proliferation and is a potential target to modulate ERG-driven transcriptional programs in leukemia.