Noriko Uesugi

IgG4-positive plasma cells in inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: the possibility of an aortic manifestation of IgG4-related sclerosing disease.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAA) is associated with autoimmune disease. However, the precise mechanism of IAA remains unclear. There is increasing evidence that IgG4 is involved in the autoimmune mechanism of various idiopathic sclerosing lesions, including sclerosing pancreatitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis. The present study investigated the hypothesis that the IgG4-related autoimmune reaction is involved in the formation of IAA. The study group consisted of 11 cases of IAA (69.2±8.59 y) and 12 age-matched cases of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA, 69.6±5.94 y), which were used in the previous report. A clinicopathologic examination of these lesions was performed, including histology and immunohistochemistry, in relation to the involvement of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the formation of IAA. No difference in the incidence of risk factors for atherosclerosis was observed between the patients with IAA and AAA. Autoimmune diseases were diagnosed in 2 patients with IAA, including rheumatoid arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa. A patient with IAA had pulmonary fibrosis. In contrast, autoimmune diseases were absent in patients with AAA. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of autoimmune diseases between the patients with IAA and AAA. Lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis were significantly more intense and extensive in IAA than in AAA. In addition, lymph follicle formation and vasculitis of small veins and arteries were frequently found in the affected lesions of IAA. Immunohistochemically, IAA showed a significant increase in the number of infiltrating IgG4-positive plasma cells and the incidence of a disrupted follicular dendritic cell network in lymph follicles, in comparison with AAA. These findings suggest that IAA may be an aortic lesion reflecting the presence of IgG4-related sclerosing disease, and not a simple inflammatory aneurysm of the aorta.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein stimulates collagen production in cultured arterial smooth muscle cells

We examined the interactive effect of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) and ascorbic acid on collagen production in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Porcine aortic SMCs were incubated with 50-200 micrograms/ml of human LDL with/without 5 microM Cu2+ for 24 h. Collagen production was assayed by successive salt precipitation at acidic and neutral pH after pepsin digestion of 3H-proline-labeled collagenous protein. Oxidation of LDL was evaluated by electrophoresis and by the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Ascorbic acid reduced the oxidation of LDL + Cu2+ (53% reduction). In the presence of ascorbic acid, no differences were noted in collagen production between LDL and LDL + Cu2+. Without ascorbic acid, collagen production with LDL + Cu2+ was increased dose-dependently up to 6-fold with 150 micrograms/ml LDL, while no such effects were observed at any doses of native LDL. The addition of butylated hydroxytoluene to LDL + Cu2+ strongly suppressed oxidation (88% reduction), and significantly reduced collagen production close to that seen with native LDL. These results indicate that oxidized LDL stimulates collagen production in SMCs, while native LDL does not. Therefore, oxidized LDL may play a direct role in stimulating collagen production in SMCs, which could lead to collagenosis in atherosclerosis.

Glycoxidation and lipid peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein can synergistically enhance atherogenesis

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of glycoxidation and lipid peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in atherogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the formation of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), a glycoxidation product, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, in vitro and their co-localization in human atherosclerotic lesions. Immunochemical analysis revealed that CML was formed in a time-dependent manner by human LDL incubated with copper ions and glucose, i.e. an in vitro model of glycoxidation of LDL. When LDL was exposed to copper ions alone, a small amount of CML was formed, however this was significantly less in oxidized LDL than glycoxidative LDL. In contrast, MDA formation was observed in both oxidation and glycoxidation of LDL, but not in glycation of LDL. Hexitol-lysine (HL), an Amadori product, was formed by both glycation and glycoxidation of LDL, but not by oxidation of LDL. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CML and MDA accumulated mainly in macrophage/foam cells, while pyrraline, a non-oxidative product of glycation, and apolipoprotein B were localized in the extracellular matrix in atherosclerotic lesions. Atheromas were positive for CML and MDA, but negative for pyrraline. Macrophage/foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions exhibited co-localization of macrophage scavenger receptor-A with CML and MDA, but not with pyrraline. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that glycoxidation and lipid peroxidation of LDL synergistically promote the development of atherosclerotic lesions through interaction with macrophage scavenger receptor-A.

Possible Induction of Renal Dysfunction in Patients With Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Deficiency by Oxidized Phosphatidylcholine in Glomeruli

To clarify the causes of renal dysfunction in familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency, kidney samples from 4 patients with LCAT deficiency (3 homozygotes and 1 heterozygote) were examined immunohistochemically. All of the patients exhibited corneal opacities, anemia, renal dysfunction, deficiencies in plasma high density lipoprotein and LCAT activity and mass, and an increase in the ratio of plasma unesterified cholesterol to esterified cholesterol. Renal lesions began with the deposition of lipidlike structures in the glomerular basement membrane, and these structures accumulated in the mesangium and capillary subendothelium. By electron microscopy, 2 types of distinctive structure were found in glomerular lesions: vacuole structures and cross-striated, membranelike structures. The plasma oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC) -modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in LCAT-deficient subjects were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in controls (1.30+/-0.82 versus 0.42+/-0.32 ng/5 microg LDL, respectively), and a significant (P<0.01) difference was observed even after adjustment for confounding factors by an analysis of covariance. The patient with the highest plasma oxPC-modified LDL had the most membranelike structures in the glomeruli and showed the greatest renal deterioration from a young age. In glomerular lesions, although there was an abundance of apoB and apoE, oil red O-positive lipids, macrophages, apoA1, and malondialdehyde were scarce. OxPC was found extracellularly in glomerular lesions, and although its distribution differed from that of apolipoproteins, it was quite similar to that of phospholipids. In conclusion, these results indicate that oxPC in plasma and glomeruli is distinctive for patients with LCAT deficiency. Therefore, oxPC may be a factor in the deterioration of kidneys in patients with familial LCAT deficiency.

Aberrant Notch1-dependent effects on glomerular parietal epithelial cells promotes collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with progressive podocyte loss

Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (cFSGS) is a progressive kidney disease characterized by glomerular collapse with epithelial hyperplasia. Here we used a transgenic mouse model of cFSGS with immunotoxin-induced podocyte-specific injury to determine the role for Notch signaling in its pathogenesis. The mice exhibited progressive loss of podocytes and severe proteinuria concomitant with histological features of cFSGS. Hyperplastic epithelium was negative for genetic podocyte tags, but positive for the parietal epithelial cell marker claudin-1, and expressed Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 mRNA and protein. Enhanced Notch mRNA expression induced by transforming growth factor-β1 in cultured parietal epithelial cells was associated with mesenchymal markers (α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and Snail1). Notch inhibition in vitro suppressed these phenotypic transcripts and Notch-dependent cell migration. Moreover, Notch inhibition in vivo significantly decreased parietal epithelial cell lesions but worsened proteinuria and histopathology in our cFSGS model. Thus, aberrant Notch1-mediated parietal epithelial cell migration with phenotypic changes appears to underlie the pathogenesis of cFSGS. Parietal epithelial cell hyperplasia may also represent an adaptive response to compensate for a disrupted filtration barrier with progressive podocyte loss.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human lungs with usual interstitial pneumonia: Quantitative immunohistochemistry

Fibroblastic foci, a major histological feature of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), play a critical role in the development of UIP. The mechanisms involved in the formation of these foci, however, including cellular origin, remain unclear. Recent in vitro and animal studies suggested epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells during pulmonary fibrogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of EMT in patients with UIP on quantitative immunohistochemistry using pathological tissue sections. The study subjects were 13 patients with UIP pattern among 52 patients with interstitial pneumonia who underwent lung biopsy. Alveolar epithelial cells overlying fibroblastic foci expressed epithelial markers less frequently and mesenchymal markers more frequently compared with those in non‐diseased control lung tissues (n= 10). Moreover, double immunostaining showed that some epithelial cells stained for both epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Furthermore, significantly higher numbers of epithelial marker‐positive fibroblastic cells were found in fibroblastic foci in UIP as well as in other non‐UIP fibrosing diseases than in control lung tissues. The results showed that some epithelial cells overlying fibroblastic foci lose the epithelial phenotype and gain the mesenchymal phenotype, and that some fibroblastic cells in fibroblastic foci originate from epithelial cells. But this EMT may not be specific for UIP.

Obesity Associated with Hypertension or Hyperlipidemia Accelerates Renal Damage

Obesity is known as a risk factor for nephropathy, especially nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and can aggravate renal dysfunction. However, whether these changes are caused by obesity itself or by the associated hypertension (HT) and hyperlipidemia (HC) remains unclear at present. We investigated the influence of HT and HC in obesity on glomerular morphometry. The study included cases with obesity alone (O, body mass index more than 25 kg/m2, n = 16), O+HC (n = 8), O+HT (n = 17), HC (n = 10) alone, HT (n = 7) alone, and normal subjects (N, n = 11). Renal biopsies were examined and the glomerular diameter, and length and diameter of the glomerular capillary loop were determined using image analysis software. Clinically related data were obtained from medical records at the time of biopsy. Obesity was associated with dilatation of glomerular diameter due to glomerular loop elongation. However, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was not noted in patients with obesity only. In contrast, ESRD requiring hemodialysis was noted in group O+HT within a 7.7-year follow-up period. Furthermore, enlargement of loop diameter was noted in group O+HC, but not in HC alone. These results suggest that obesity alone may not result in glomerular hyperfiltration or renal dysfunction, but obesity associated with hypertension or hyperlipidemia may accelerate renal damage.

Up-regulated expression of ADAM17 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: coexpression with EGFR and EGFR ligands.

Metalloproteinase activities of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and membrane type (MT‐)MMPs are involved in many aspects of tumor biology. ADAMs are transmembrane proteins that cleave membrane‐anchored proteins to release soluble factors, and thereby mediate important biological phenomena in tumors. The aim of this study was to analyze histopathology, expression and roles of metalloproteinases, especially ADAMs, in gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Histopathology and immunohistochemical expression of ADAMs were examined in 89 gastric GISTs. In 11 GISTs, ADAM expression was examined at mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunoblotting, respectively. RT‐PCR analysis showed frequent expression of ADAM9 (91%), ADAM10 (64%), ADAM17 (82%), MMP‐2 (82%), and MT1‐MMP (73%). However, ADAM17 and MMP‐2 were the only metalloproteinases that were up‐regulated in GISTs at the protein level compared with non‐neoplastic gastric tissues. ADAM17 was immunohistochemically expressed in 93% of GIST versus 16% of normal gastric tissues. Furthermore, CD117‐positive interstitial cells of Cajal in normal gastric tissues were all negative for ADAM17 with double immunostaining. Expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and several EGFR ligands such as amphiregulin, heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (HB‐EGF), betacellulin, and epiregulin were also demonstrated in GIST by RT‐PCR. Protein expression of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR, amphiregulin, and HB‐EGF, both of which can be shed by ADAM17, was confirmed in tumors coexpressing ADAM17 by immunoblotting. Moreover, proteolytically cleaved soluble forms of amphiregulin were identified in tumor extracts. Considered together, the results suggest that ADAM17 may contribute to the progression and growth of GIST through shedding of EGFR ligands and consequent EGFR stimulation. ADAM17, as a major sheddase in GIST, could be potentially a suitable target in anticancer treatment of imatinib‐resistant GISTs. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 654–662)

Prognosis of renal amyloidosis: a clinicopathological study using cluster analysis.

Progression of renal amyloidosis is associated with severe proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome, and various mechanisms have been postulated to explain these complications. We studied the acceleration of proteinuria and reduced renal function by cluster analysis using clinical parameters, renal histological findings, type of renal amyloidosis and follow-up data. We divided 97 cases into three groups of renal amyloidosis. Accelerated progression correlated with serum creatinine (s-Cr) levels at renal biopsy and histological grade of renal damage by amyloid deposition (p < 0.0001). The most influential prognostic factors (s-Cr level ≧2.0 mg/dl) were tubulointerstitial and vascular damage induced by amyloid deposition at biopsy (odds ratio 96.9 and 69.2, respectively). In addition, we found amyloidosis type amyloid associated (AA) correlated with more amyloid-mediated vascular and tubulointerstitial damage than amyloidosis type amyloid light chain (AL) (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). Proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome were more severe in cases of amyloidosis AL than in amyloidosis AA (p = 0.076). In conclusion, less tubulointerstitial and vascular damage was caused by amyloid deposition; this was slowly progressive. Amyloid AA was detected in tubulointerstitial tissue and vessels more frequently than amyloid AL. Heavy proteinuria and/or nephrosis were not indicators of rapid progression.

Appearance of cross linked proteins in human atheroma and rat pre-fibrotic liver detected by a new monoclonal antibody

A new monoclonal antibody against malondialdehyde (MDA)-treated low density lipoprotein (LDL) was raised using homogenate of human atheroma as immunogen. This antibody, DLH2, was obtained by selecting the clones which did not react to native LDL but did react to copper-induced oxidized LDL (OxLDL). DLH2 showed a greater reactivity to MDA-LDL than to OxLDL. When LDL was treated with various aldehyde containing reagents, treatment of LDL with glutaraldehyde or MDA greatly increased the reactivity to the antibody, while LDL treated with 2,4-hexadienal or 4-hydroxynonenal was not reactive. Among many proteins tested, high density lipoprotein, bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin showed significant reactivity to DLH2 after they were treated with MDA or glutaraldehyde. When low density and high density lipoproteins treated with MDA were subjected to immunoblot analysis, newly formed products larger than the original apolipoproteins were detected with the antibody, suggesting that this antibody recognizes aggregated proteins with divalent short chain cross linkers. The antigenic materials were shown by immunohistochemical analysis to be present in foamy macrophages in human atheromatous lesions. DLH2 antigen did not colocalize either with apolipoprotein B. Furthermore, we found a massive accumulation of the antigenic material in Kupffer cells in the liver of rats treated with alcohol and carbonyl iron, a model of hepatic fibrosis due to oxidative stress. These results suggest the presence of cross linked proteins in damaged tissues.