Jan Kovar

Comparison of the effect of individual saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on cell growth and death induction in the human pancreatic β-cell line NES2Y

We tested the effects of various types of fatty acids, differing in the degree of saturation and in the cis/trans configuration of the double bond, on the growth and viability of NES2Y cells (a human pancreatic beta-cell line). We found that during a 48-hour incubation period, saturated fatty acids, i.e. palmitic and stearic acids, at a physiologically relevant concentration of 1 mM and higher concentrations induced death of the beta-cells while their counterpart unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. palmitoleic and oleic acids, did not induce cell death at concentrations up to 3 mM. We also found that unsaturated elaidic acid with a trans double bond exerted significant inhibition of growth of the beta-cells at a concentration approximately ten times lower, i.e. 0.1 mM vs. 1 mM, than counterpart oleic acid with a cis double bond. This is the first direct evidence that a trans unsaturated fatty acid is significantly more effective in inhibiting beta-cell growth than a counterpart cis unsaturated fatty acid. Furthermore, we newly demonstrated that beta-cell death induced by saturated fatty acids is related to significant increase of caspase-2 activity (2 to 5-fold increase) but not to caspase-3 activation. The growth-inhibiting effect of saturated fatty acids at concentrations lower than death-inducing concentrations correlates with certain increase of caspase-2 activity.

Role of duodenal iron transporters and hepcidin in patients with alcoholic liver disease

Patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) often display disturbed iron indices. Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, has been shown to be down‐regulated by alcohol in cell lines and animal models. This down‐regulation led to increased duodenal iron transport and absorption in animals. In this study, we investigated gene expression of duodenal iron transport molecules and hepcidin in three groups of patients with ALD (with anaemia, with iron overload and without iron overload) and controls. Expression of DMT1, FPN1, DCYTB, HEPH, HFE and TFR1 was measured in duodenal biopsies by using real‐time PCR and Western blot. Serum hepcidin levels were measured by using ELISA. Serum hepcidin was decreased in patients with ALD. At the mRNA level, expressions of DMT1, FPN1 and TFR1 genes were significantly increased in ALD. This pattern was even more pronounced in the subgroups of patients without iron overload and with anaemia. Protein expression of FPN1 paralleled the increase at the mRNA level in the group of patients with ALD. Serum ferritin was negatively correlated with DMT1 mRNA. The down‐regulation of hepcidin expression leading to up‐regulation of iron transporters expression in the duodenum seems to explain iron metabolism disturbances in ALD. Alcohol consumption very probably causes suppression of hepcidin expression in patients with ALD.

Duodenal expression of iron transport molecules in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis or iron deficiency

Disturbances of iron metabolism are observed in chronic liver diseases. In the present study, we examined gene expression of duodenal iron transport molecules and hepcidin in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) (treated and untreated), involving various genotypes (genotypes which represent risk for HHC were examined), and in patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Gene expressions of DMT1, ferroportin, Dcytb, hephaestin, HFE and TFR1 were measured in duodenal biopsies using real‐time PCR and Western blot. Serum hepcidin levels were measured using ELISA. DMT1, ferroportin and TFR1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in post‐phlebotomized hemochromatics relative to controls. mRNAs of all tested molecules were significantly increased in patients with IDA compared to controls. The protein expression of ferroportin was increased in both groups of patients but not significantly. Spearman rank correlations showed that DMT1 versus ferroportin, Dcytb versus hephaestin and DMT1 versus TFR1 mRNAs were positively correlated regardless of the underlying cause, similarly to protein levels of ferroportin versus Dcytb and ferroportin versus hephaestin. Serum ferritin was negatively correlated with DMT1 mRNA in investigated groups of patients, except for HHC group. A decrease of serum hepcidin was observed in IDA patients, but this was not statistically significant. Our data showed that although untreated HHC patients do not have increased mRNA levels of iron transport molecules when compared to normal subjects, the expression is relatively increased in relation to body iron stores. On the other hand, post‐phlebotomized HHC patients had increased DMT1 and ferroportin mRNA levels possibly due to stimulated erythropoiesis after phlebotomy.

Effect of prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of DDT and DDE on protein expression in human pancreatic beta cells.

Pollution of the environment represents one of less explored potential reasons for the worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes. One of the most prevalent organochlorine pollutants remains the pesticide DDT and its degradation product DDE. Despite some epidemiologic correlations between levels of DDT and DDE in human organism and the prevalence of diabetes, there is almost no information about the exact targets of these compounds inside pancreatic beta cells. To detect functional areas of pancreatic beta cells that could be affected by exposure to DDT and DDE, we analyzed changes in protein expression in the NES2Y human pancreatic beta cell line exposed to three sublethal concentrations (0.1 μM, 1 μM, 10 μM) of DDT and DDE for 1 month. Protein separation and identification was achieved using high-resolution 2D-electrophoresis, computer analysis and mass spectrometry. With these techniques, four proteins were found downregulated after exposure to 10 μM DDT: three cytoskeletal proteins (cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 18 and actin) and one protein involved in glycolysis (alpha-enolase). Two proteins were downregulated after exposure to 10 μM DDE: cytokeratin 18 and heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 (HNRH1). These changes correlate with previously described effects of other stress conditions (e.g. exposure to palmitate, hyperglycemia, imidazoline derivative, and cytokines) on protein expression in pancreatic beta cells. We conclude that cytoskeletal proteins and their processing, glucose metabolism, and mRNA processing may represent targets affected by exposure to conditions hostile to pancreatic beta cells, including exposure to DDT and DDE.

Differentially expressed proteins in human breast cancer cells sensitive and resistant to paclitaxel

The resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs represents a major problem in cancer treatment. Despite all efforts, mechanisms of resistance have not yet been elucidated. To reveal proteins that could be involved in resistance to taxanes, we compared protein expression in whole cell lysates of SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells sensitive to paclitaxel and in lysates of the same line with acquired resistance to paclitaxel. The resistant SK-BR-3 cell line was established in our lab. Protein separation was achieved using high-resolution 2D-electrophoresis, computer analysis and mass spectro-metry. With these techniques we identified four proteins with different expression in resistant SK-BR-3 cells, i.e., serpin B3, serpin B4, heat shock protein 27 (all three upregulated) and cytokeratin 18 (downregulated). Observed changes were confirmed using western blot analysis. This study suggests new directions worthy of further study in the effort to reveal the mechanism of resistance to paclitaxel in breast cancer cells.

The effect of cultureware surfaces on functional and structural components of differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Abstract Experiments using cultured primary cells or cell lines are a routine in vitro approach used across multiple biological disciplines, However, the structural and functional influences of various cultureware materials on cultured cells is not clearly understood. Surface treatments of cultureware have proven to have profound effects on cell viability and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the impact of polystyrene and fluorocarbon cultureware dishes on the proteomic profile of differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. After expansion and differentiation of cells on appropriate cultureware dishes, cell lysates were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and proteins were visualized with Coomassie blue staining. Spots with the highest differential expression between the two culture conditions were subsequently analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and the identified proteins were subjected to pathway analysis. We observed that 43% of all spots were differentially expressed depending on the cultureware. Pathway analysis revealed that glucose metabolism, mitochondrial structure and cell differentiation, represented by 14-3-3 protein-mediated signaling and the mitochondrial inner membrane organizing system (MINOS), were significantly affected by cultureware material. These results indicate that cultureware material can have a profound effect on key adipocyte functional pathways. These effects modifications of the cells should be reflected in the design of in vitro experiments and interpretation of their results.

Modified Method for Isolation of Langerhans Islets From Mice

Successful isolation of Langerhans islets is a crucial prerequisite for their experimental or possible clinical use such as transplantation. Centrifugation in a Ficoll gradient is a common step used for separation of Langerhans islets from exocrine tissue. However, islets have been reported to be negatively affected by employing Ficoll gradients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to modify the isolation procedure by excluding Ficoll gradient centrifugation to obtain a similar or better yield of viable, functional islets. In our modification of the isolation procedure, the separation of islets from exocrine tissue was based on their sedimentation rate combined with their differential ability to attach to the surface of culture dishes for suspension cells. The resulting purity of islets facilitated their handpicking from the suspension. The mean yield was 900 viable, insulin-producing islets per mouse, which was comparable to or even higher than the yield in commonly used protocols. Our modification of the isolation method may be useful when centrifugation in Ficoll gradient is undesirable due to potential toxicity.

The Effect of Pericellular Oxygen Levels on Proteomic Profile and Lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Differentiated Preadipocytes Cultured on Gas-Permeable Cultureware.

Pericellular oxygen concentration represents an important factor in the regulation of cell functions, including cell differentiation, growth and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Hypoxia in adipose tissue has been associated with altered adipokine secretion profile and suggested as a possible factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. In vitro experiments provide an indispensable tool in metabolic research, however, physical laws of gas diffusion make prolonged exposure of adherent cells to desired pericellular O2 concentrations questionable. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effect of various O2 levels (1%, 4% and 20% O2) on the proteomic profile and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 differentiated preadipocytes using gas-permeable cultureware. Following differentiation of cells under desired pericellular O2 concentrations, cell lysates were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and protein visualization using Coomassie blue staining. Spots showing differential expression under hypoxia were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. All identified proteins were subjected to pathway analysis. We observed that protein expression of 26 spots was reproducibly affected by 4% and 1% O2 (17 upregulated and 9 downregulated). Pathway analysis showed that mitochondrial energy metabolism and triglyceride synthesis were significantly upregulated by hypoxia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the direct effects of pericellular O2 levels on adipocyte energy metabolism and triglyceride synthesis, probably mediated through the reversed tricarboxylic acid cycle flux.

Genetic and functional analyses do not explain the association of high PRC1 expression with poor survival of breast carcinoma patients

Microtubules are vitally important for eukaryotic cell division. Therefore, we evaluated the relevance of mitotic kinesin KIF14, protein-regulating cytokinesis 1 (PRC1), and citron kinase (CIT) for the prognosis of breast carcinoma patients. Transcript levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR in tissues from two independent groups of breast carcinoma patients and compared with clinical data. Tissue PRC1 protein levels were estimated using immunoblotting, and the PRC1 tagged haplotype was analyzed in genomic DNA. A functional study was performed in MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. KIF14, PRC1, and CIT transcripts were overexpressed in tumors compared with control tissues. Tumors without expression of hormonal receptors or high-grade tumors expressed significantly higher KIF14 and PRC1 levels than hormonally-positive or low-grade tumors. Patients with high intra-tumoral PRC1 levels had significantly worse disease-free survival than patients with low levels. PRC1 rs10520699 and rs11852999 polymorphisms were associated with PRC1 transcript levels, but not with patientś survival. Paclitaxel-induced PRC1 expression, but PRC1 knockdown did not modify the paclitaxel cytotoxicity in vitro. PRC1 overexpression predicts poor disease-free survival of patients with breast carcinomas. Genetic variability of PRC1 and the protein interaction with paclitaxel cytotoxicity do not explain this association.

Abstract B9: Role of disposition, transport, in vitro efficiency and expression of relevant genes in the effects of novel taxanes on subcutaneous lymphoma in Sprague‐Dawley/Cub rats

Novel taxoids SB‐T‐1214, SB‐T‐12851, SB‐T‐12852, SB‐T‐12853, SB‐T‐12854 and IDN‐5109 proved to be more effective than paclitaxel in vitro in MDA‐MB‐435 cell line, but especially in NCI/ADR‐RES cell line, highly expressing ABCB1. Thus, their effects in vivo are of considerable interest, because they could overcome drug‐resistance due to high ABCB1 and CYP3A expressions which may limit effects of paclitaxel. Purposes of the study: To investigate if some of the novel taxanes synthesized at Stony Brook exert significant effects on the genetically well defined lymphoma in Sprague‐Dawley/Cub rats, for which paclitaxel is ineffective. Experimental procedures: The rats were kept in standard laboratory conditions and the drugs were administered i.p. under conditions approved by Ethical Committee, Charles University Prague. The intravital area of subcutaneous lymphoma was measured by palpation and their weight during post‐mortem examination. Drug blood levels were determined by HPLC. Quantitative expressions of mRNAs of Abcb1, Cyp3a, Egf, Fgf, Pdgf and Vegf and their receptors Egfr, Fgfr, Pdgfr and Vegfr were made by real‐time PCR system using reaction mixtures of Applied Biosystems. Effects were also compared with in vitro efficiency of the drugs in P388D1 lymphoma line. Summary of new and unpublished data: IDN‐5109, SB‐T‐1214 and SB‐T‐12854 were the most effective drugs against the subcutaneous lymphoma. The higher effects of SB‐T‐1214 than SB‐T‐12854 are ascribed to 3.3‐higher blood levels, as well as to the fact that systemic toxicity of SB‐T‐1214 is significantly lower than that of SB‐T‐12854. Expression of Abcb1 and Cyp3a1 in lymphomas after treatment with the drugs does not correspond to their anti‐lymphoma effects. However, the anti‐lymphoma activities of IDN‐5109, SB‐T‐1214 and SB‐T‐12854 corresponded to their effects on growth factors and their receptors, especially Vegf and Vegfr. The result is consistent with the reported effect of paclitaxel on growth factors and tumor angiogenesis, and these effects could be an important factor for their activities in addition to the proved effects on mitosis and apoptosis. Higher in vitro activities of the novel taxanes than paclitaxel in P388D1 cell line correspond to their higher efficacies on the subcutaneous lymphoma in vivo as compared with paclitaxel. Conclusions: IDN‐5109, already proved effective against various tumors and presently in Phase II clinical studies, as well as novel taxanes SB‐T‐1214 and SB‐T‐12854, are found to be effective against non‐Hodgkin type rat lymphoma. These taxanes could be efficacious against paclitaxel‐resistant tumors, due to the fact that they are not subjected to drug‐resistance caused by high ABCB1 expression and are potentially effective against tumor angiogenesis. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B9.