Anthracyclines induce calpain-dependent titin proteolysis and necrosis in cardiomyocytes

Titin, the largest myofilament protein, serves as a template for sarcomere assembly and acts as a molecular spring to contribute to diastolic function. Titin is known to be extremely susceptible to calcium-dependent protease degradation in vitro. We hypothesized that titin degradation is an early event in doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury and that titin degradation occurs by activation of the calcium-dependent proteases, the calpains. Treatment of cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes with 1 or 3 micromol/liter doxorubicin for 24 h resulted in degradation of titin in myocyte lysates, which was confirmed by a reduction in immunostaining of an antibody to the spring-like (PEVK) domain of titin at the I-band of the sarcomere. The elastic domain of titin appears to be most susceptible to proteolysis because co-immunostaining with an antibody to titin at the M-line was preserved, suggesting targeted proteolysis of the spring-like domain of titin. Doxorubicin treatment for 1 h resulted in approximately 3-fold increase in calpain activity, which remained elevated at 48 h. Co-treatment with calpain inhibitors resulted in preservation of titin, reduction in myofibrillar disarray, and attenuation of cardiomyocyte necrosis but not apoptosis. Co-treatment with a caspase inhibitor did not prevent the degradation of titin, which precludes caspase-3 as an early mechanism of titin proteolysis. We conclude that calpain activation is an early event after doxorubicin treatment in cardiomyocytes and appears to target the degradation of titin. Proteolysis of the spring-like domain of titin may predispose cardiomyocytes to diastolic dysfunction, myofilament instability, and cell death by necrosis.     

Efficient strategies for the conjugation of oligonucleotides to antibodies enabling highly sensitive protein detection

Three methods for the conjugation of oligonucleotides to antibodies and the subsequent application of these conjugates to protein detection at attomole levels in immunoassays are described. The methods are based on chemical modification of both antibody and oligonucleotide. Aldehydes were introduced onto antibodies by modification of primary amines or oxidation of carbohydrate residues. Aldehyde- or hydrazine-modified oligonucleotides were prepared either during phosphoramidite synthesis or by post-synthesis derivatization. Conjugation between the modified oligonucleotide and antibody resulted in the formation of a hydrazone bond that proved to be stable over long periods of time under physiological conditions. The binding activity of each antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate was determined to be comparable to the corresponding unmodified antibody using a standard sandwich ELISA. Each oligonucleotide contained a unique DNA sequence flanked by universal primers at both ends and was assigned to a specific antibody. Highly sensitive immunoassays were performed by immobilizing analyte for each conjugate onto a solid support with cognate capture antibodies. Binding of the antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate to the immobilized analyte allowed for amplification of the attached DNA. Products of amplification were visualized using gel electrophoresis, thus denoting the presence of bound analyte. The preferred conjugation method was used to generate a set of antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates suitable for high-sensitivity protein detection.     

Hepatic expression of PPARalpha,a molecular target of fibrates,is regulated during inflammation in a gender-specific manner

Dyslipidemia, inflammation and gender are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease. Here we show that hepatic expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), a nuclear receptor that regulates lipid metabolism and inflammation, is regulated in a gender-specific manner during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation. Immediately following LPS-induced systemic inflammation, hepatic PPARalpha mRNA level decreased dramatically in mice. It was restored to baseline within 24 h in females but remained below baseline for >72 h in male mice. In gonadectomized mice of both sexes, PPARalpha mRNA level was restored to baseline within 48 h after the initial decrease.     

Fibroblast alignment under interstitial fluid flow using a novel 3-D tissue culture model

Interstitial flow is an important component of the microcirculation and interstitial environment, yet its effects on cell organization and tissue architecture are poorly understood, in part due to the lack of in vitro models. To examine the effects of interstitial flow on cell morphology and matrix remodeling, we developed a tissue culture model that physically supports soft tissue cultures and allows microscopic visualization of cells within the three-dimensional matrix. In addition, pressure-flow relationships can be continuously monitored to evaluate the bulk hydraulic resistance as an indicator of changes in the overall matrix integrity. We observed that cells such as human dermal fibroblasts aligned perpendicular to the direction of interstitial flow. In contrast, fibroblasts in static three-dimensional controls remained randomly oriented, whereas cells subjected to fluid shear as a two-dimensional monolayer regressed. Also, the dynamic measurements of hydraulic conductivity suggest reorganization toward a steady state. These primary findings help establish the importance of interstitial flow on the biology of tissue organization and interstitial fluid balance.     

The APOA5 locus is a strong determinant of plasma triglyceride concentrations across ethnic groups in Singapore

Singapore comprises three ethnic groups: Chinese (76.7%), Malays (14%), and Asian-Indians (7.9%). Overall, Singaporeans experience coronary heart disease rates similar to those found in the United States. However, there is a dramatic interethnic gradient, with Asian-Indians having significantly higher risk than Chinese and Malays. These differences are associated with HDL cholesterol levels and cannot be solely explained by environmental exposure, and may be driven by genetic factors. The gene encoding apolipoprotein A-V (APOA5) has been located on chromosome 11, and it is emerging as an important candidate gene for lipoprotein metabolism. We investigated associations between APOA5 polymorphisms and plasma lipids in 3,971 Singaporeans to establish whether they accounted for some of the ethnic differences in plasma lipids. We found significant associations between the minor alleles at each of four common polymorphisms and higher plasma triglycerides (TGs) across ethnic groups. Haplotype analyses showed significant associations with TGs, explaining 6.9%, 5.2%, and 2.7% of the TG variance in Malays, Asian-Indians, and Chinese, respectively. Conversely, we observed significant inverse associations between the minor alleles and HDL cholesterol concentrations for Chinese and Malays. These data suggest that APOA5 plays a role in the ethnic differences observed for plasma TG and HDL cholesterol concentrations.     

Sprouty2 attenuates epidermal growth factor receptor ubiquitylation and endocytosis,and consequently enhances Ras/ERK signalling

Drosophila Sprouty (dSpry) was genetically identified as a novel antagonist of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Sevenless signalling, ostensibly by eliciting its response on the Ras/MAPK pathway. Four mammalian sprouty genes have been cloned, which appear to play an inhibitory role mainly in FGF- mediated lung and limb morphogenesis. Evidence is presented herein that describes the functional implications of the direct association between human Sprouty2 (hSpry2) and c-Cbl, and its impact on the cellular localization and signalling capacity of EGFR. Contrary to the consensus view that Spry2 is a general inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase signalling, hSpry2 was shown to abrogate EGFR ubiquitylation and endocytosis, and sustain EGF-induced ERK signalling that culminates in differentiation of PC12 cells. Correlative evidence showed the failure of hSpry2DeltaN11 and mSpry4, both deficient in c-Cbl binding, to instigate these effects. hSpry2 interacts specifically with the c-Cbl RING finger domain and displaces UbcH7 from its binding site on the E3 ligase. We conclude that hSpry2 potentiates EGFR signalling by specifically intercepting c-Cbl-mediated effects on receptor down-regulation.     

Paraoxonase and other coronary risk factors in a community-based cohort

Oxidative damage to circulating lipids and vascular tissues contributes to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. High density lipoprotein provides protection from atherosclerosis and the enzyme paraoxonase may contribute to this effect. The aim of the present study was to examine the trends in paraoxonase activity during the course of a community-directed life-style intervention, and relationships of paraoxonase activity to other coronary heart disease risk factors, in a cohort of Australian Aboriginal people.