Protein Kinase C Controls Vesicular Transport and Secretion of Apolipoprotein E from Primary Human Macrophages

Macrophage-specific apolipoprotein E (apoE) secretion plays an important protective role in atherosclerosis. However, the precise signaling mechanisms regulating apoE secretion from primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) remain unclear. Here we investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating basal and stimulated apoE secretion from HMDMs. Treatment of HMDMs with structurally distinct pan-PKC inhibitors (calphostin C, Ro-31-8220, Go6976) and a PKC inhibitory peptide all significantly decreased apoE secretion without significantly affecting apoE mRNA or apoE protein levels. The PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated apoE secretion, and both PMA-induced and apoAI-induced apoE secretion were inhibited by PKC inhibitors. PKC regulation of apoE secretion was found to be independent of the ATP binding cassette transporter ABCA1. Live cell imaging demonstrated that PKC inhibitors inhibited vesicular transport of apoE to the plasma membrane. Pharmacological or peptide inhibitor and knockdown studies indicate that classical isoforms PKCα/β and not PKCδ, -ϵ, -θ, or -ι/ζ isoforms regulate apoE secretion from HMDMs. The activity of myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) correlated with modulation of PKC activity in these cells, and direct peptide inhibition of MARCKS inhibited apoE secretion, implicating MARCKS as a downstream effector of PKC in apoE secretion. Comparison with other secreted proteins indicated that PKC similarly regulated secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and chitinase-3-like-1 protein but differentially affected the secretion of other proteins. In conclusion, PKC regulates the secretion of apoE from primary human macrophages.     

极低密度脂蛋白对巨噬细胞载脂蛋白E基因表达的调节

巨噬细胞（M）是动脉粥样硬化（AS）斑块中泡沫细胞的主要来源之一,它可通过其表面的多种脂蛋白受体介导摄取合APOB或APOE的脂蛋白,导致M的脂质增加．此外,M有较强的分泌ApOE的能力[1],这一现象虽已发现多年,但意义尚不清楚VLDL是一种含APOE的脂蛋白,它能通过M膜上识别APOE的受体进入M,从而促进Mg内脂质堆积,并与AS密切相关[2,3]．流行病学调查发现在我国的高脂血症中2／3为VLDL升高为主的高甘油三酯（HTG）血症．另外,Evans等报道HTG血症患者的血浆中以ApoE－poorVLDL升高为主,它们在血浆中清除的速率较Apo…     

巨噬细胞对正常人极低密度脂蛋白亚组分代谢的研究

本文研究了小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞对正常人极低密度脂蛋白(N-VLDL)两种亚组分VLDL_1和VLDL_3的代谢。两种亚组分都能以受体方式和非特异性方式被巨噬细胞摄取和降解。在受体途径中以VLDL_1的摄入量居多。对胞内甘油三酯(TG)的堆积作用以VLDL_1较强,对胆固醇酶(CE)的堆积则以VLDL_3较强。表明两者在促进巨噬细胞向泡沫细胞转变中的作用有所不同。     

Ferritin, Lipid Peroxidation and Redox-Cycling Xenobiotics

A number of xenobiotics are toxic because they rcdox cycle and generate free radicals. Interaction with iron, either to produce reactive species such as the hydroxyl radical, or to promote lipid peroxidation, is an important factor in this toxicity. A potential biological source of iron is ferritin. The cytotoxic pyrimidines, dialuric acid, divicine and isouramil, readily release iron from ferritin and promote ferritin-dependent lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase and GSH, which maintain the pyrimidines in their reduced form, enhance both iron release and lipid peroxidation. Microsomes plus NADPH can reduce a number of iron complexes, although not ferritin. Reduction of Adriamycin. paraquat or various quinones to their radicals by the microsomes enhances reduction of the iron complexes, and in some cases, enables iron release from ferritin. Adriamycin stimulates iron-dependent lipid peroxidation of the microsomes. Ferritin can provide the iron, and peroxidation is most pronounced at low PO₂. Compiexing agents that supress intraccllular iron reduction and lipid peroxidation may protect against the toxicity of Adriamycin.     

天然及氧化修饰脂蛋白对人动脉平滑肌细胞原癌基因表达的影响

动脉平滑肌细胞（ＳＭＣ）的增殖在动脉粥样硬化（ＡＳ）的形成过程中极其重要。我们在建立人主动脉ＳＭＣ体外培养方法的基础上,观察了ＬＤＬ,ＶＬＤＬ及ＨＤＬ和相应的氧化修饰型脂蛋白对培养人ＳＭＣｓｉｓ,ｊｕｎ,Ｈ－ｒａｓ原癌基因及Ｒｂ抗癌基因转录表达的影响。结果表明：（１）ＨＤＬ对ＳＭＣｓｉｓ,ｊｕｎ,ｒａｓ基因表达无影响;（２）ＬＤＬ和ＶＬＤＬ有使这些基因表达增加的趋势;（３）ｏｘ－ＬＤＬ,ｏｘ－ＶＬＤＬ和ｏｘ－ＨＤＬ具有使ＳＭＣｓｉｓ,ｊｕｎ,和ｒａｓ基因表达显著增强的作用（Ｐ＜０．０１）,且其作用较相应的天然脂蛋白大（Ｐ＜０．０１）;（４）天然和氧化修饰型脂蛋白对Ｒｂ基因表达均无影响。据上述结果推测：ＬＤＬ,ＶＬＤＬ,ｏｘ－ＬＤＬ,ｏｘ－ＶＬＤＬ和ｏｘ－ＨＤＬ的致ＡＳ作用可能与刺激ＳＭＣｓｉｓ,ｊｕｎ和ｒａｓ原癌基因表达增加有关。     

Lipoproteins: comparison of different separation strategies

This review describes two chromatographic techniques for the separation of three main classes of lipoproteins (HDLs, LDLs and VLDLs) from human serum: hydroxyapatite chromatography and counter-current chromatography. The HDLs, LDLs and VLDLs were purified by the combined use of the two chromatographic techniques without prior ultracentrifugation.     

氧化低密度脂蛋白对THP-1巨噬细胞吞噬和分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)对巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞吞噬功能和炎症相关因子分泌功能的影响。方法:利用佛波酯(phorbol ester,PMA)诱导THP-1细胞分化形成巨噬细胞,之后采用ox-LDL处理48小时后,诱导其形成泡沫细胞。利用中性红吞噬实验,分析泡沫细胞形成前后吞噬功能的变化;通过ELISA法,检测细胞培养上清中肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factorα,TNF-α)含量,观察ox-LDL对THP-1巨噬细胞功能的影响。结果:细胞形态学结果表明,我们成功利用ox-LDL诱导THP-1巨噬细胞形成泡沫细胞;进一步发现ox-LDL诱导THP-1巨噬细胞表面的清道夫受体CD36表达升高,并促进细胞吞噬功能增加,进一步促进细胞内胆固醇含量显著升高(P0.05);同时,ox-LDL能够刺激巨噬细胞大量分泌TNF-α(P0.05)。结论:ox-LDL通过增强清道夫受体CD36表达,提高巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,引起大量胆固醇聚集,产生细胞毒性损伤,并促进TNF-α炎性因子的大量分泌。     

巨噬细胞极低密度脂蛋白受体的调节作用

本文研究了小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)受体的调节。用富含甘油三酯(TG)的VLDL与小鼠巨噬细胞预温育后,细胞结合~(125)I-VLDL的最大结合容量(Bmax)比对照细胞只降低5％(1071/1127ng/mg细胞蛋白质),当细胞内TG增加到对照的2.5倍时,细胞摄取及降解~(125)I-VLDL的量分别下降40％和22％;乙酰-低密度脂蛋白(AC-LDL)预温育的细胞结合~(125)I-VLDL的Bmax比对照细胞只降低14％(633/831ng/mg细胞蛋白质),当细胞内胆固醇(Ch)增加到对照的23倍时,细胞摄取及降解~(125)I-VLDL的量只分别下降10％和21％。此后随着细胞内TG或Ch含量的增加,摄取及降解~(125)I-VLDL的量仍保持不变。 结论:细胞内TG或Ch含量对VLDL受体的调节作用微弱,与TG相比,Ch的调节作用更弱。     

铁蛋白的生物工程应用

铁蛋白是一种普遍存在于生物体内的储铁蛋白,具有铁离子代谢、抗氧化胁迫及消除其他过量金属离子毒害作用的功能。随着对铁蛋白结构和生化功能认识的深入,铁蛋白作为一个含有四氧化三铁核心的特殊蛋白复合体,被广泛应用于生物医学、纳米材料、生物分子成像等各种生物工程领域。该综述针对已知的主要铁蛋白分子,论述了铁蛋白的结构及酶活性机理,基于铁蛋白的多功能分子骨架应用,以及基于铁蛋白磁性的生物分子开关等热点研究,最后对铁蛋白生物工程、生物医学领域的应用和发展进行了展望。     

Ferritin accumulation under iron scarcity in Drosophila iron cells

Ferritins are highly stable, multi-subunit protein complexes with iron-binding capacities that reach 4500 iron atoms per ferritin molecule. The strict dependence of cellular physiology on an adequate supply of iron cofactors has likely been a key driving force in the evolution of ferritins as iron storage molecules. The insect intestine has long been known to contain cells that are responsive to dietary iron levels and a specialized group of “iron cells” that always accumulate iron-loaded ferritin, even when no supplementary iron is added to the diet. Here, we further characterize ferritin localization in Drosophila melanogaster larvae raised under iron-enriched and iron-depleted conditions. High dietary iron intake results in ferritin accumulation in the anterior midgut, but also in garland (wreath) cells and in pericardial cells, which together filter the circulating hemolymph. Ferritin is also abundant in the brain, where levels remain unaltered following dietary iron chelation, a treatment that depletes ferritin from the aforementioned tissues. We attribute the stability of ferritin levels in the brain to the function of the blood-brain barrier that may shield this organ from systemic iron fluctuations. Most intriguingly, our dietary manipulations demonstrably iron-depleted the iron cells without a concomitant reduction in their production of ferritin. Therefore, insect iron cells may constitute an exception from the evolutionary norm with respect to iron-dependent ferritin regulation. It will be of interest to decipher both the physiological purpose served and the mechanism employed to untie ferritin regulation from cellular iron levels in this cell type.     

Glycodelin-A Stimulates Interleukin-6 Secretion by Human Monocytes and Macrophages through L-selectin and the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway

Macrophages represent the second major type of decidual leukocytes at the fetomaternal interface. Changes in macrophage number and activity are associated with fetal loss and pregnancy complications. Glycodelin-A (GdA) is an abundant glycoprotein in the first-trimester decidua. It is involved in fetomaternal defense and early placental development through its regulatory activities in various immune cells. The N-glycosylation of GdA mediates the binding and therefore the activities of the molecule. In this study, we studied the biological activities of GdA in the functions of human monocytes/macrophages. GdA was purified from amniotic fluid by affinity chromatography. GdA treatment did not affect the viability, cell death, or phagocytic activity of the monocytes/macrophages. GdA, but not recombinant glycodelin without glycosylation, induced IL-6 production as demonstrated by cytokine array, intracellular staining, and ELISA. GdA also induced phosphorylation of ERK in monocytes/macrophages. The involvement of ERKs in IL-6 induction was confirmed using pharmacological inhibitors. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that L-selectin on the monocytes/macrophages was the binding protein of GdA. Treatment with anti-L-selectin antibody reduced GdA binding and GdA-induced IL-6 production. GdA-treated macrophages suppressed IFN-γ expression by co-cultured T-helper cells in an IL-6-dependent manner. These results show that GdA interacts with L-selectin to induce IL-6 production in monocytes/macrophages by activating the ERK signaling pathway. In turn, the increased IL-6 production suppresses IFN-γ expression in T-helper cells, which may play an important role in inducing a Th-2-polarized cytokine environment that flavors the immunotolerance of the fetoplacental unit.     

Effect of Polysaccharides and Human Plasma Lipoproteins on the Secretion of Cystatin C by Peritoneal Macrophages from Normal and Tumor Bearing Mice

Intact peritoneal macrophages in vitro secreted the cysteine proteinase inhibitor cystatin C. Polysaccharides stimulated cystatin C secretion: lipopolysaccharide < carboxymethylated beta-D-glucan < sulfoethylated beta-D-glucan. Human plasma low-density- (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are still more potent inducers of cystatin C secretion by macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages from mice with experimental HA-1 hepatoma compared to those from intact mice secreted more cystatin C with maximum polysaccharide-stimulated secretion after 30 min of incubation. LDL and HDL induced cystatin C secretion by tumor macrophages also.     

Ferritin in the field of nanodevices

Biomineralization of ferritin core has been extended to the artificial synthesis of homogeneous metal complex nanoparticles (NPs) and semiconductor NPs. The inner cavity of apoferritin is an ideal spatially restricted chemical reaction chamber for NP synthesis. The obtained ferritin (biocomplexes, NP and the surrounding protein shell) has attracted great interest among researchers in the field of nanodevices. Ferritins were delivered onto specific substrate locations in a one-by-one manner or a hexagonally close-packed array through ferritin outer surface interactions. After selective elimination of protein shells from the ferritin, bare NPs were left at the positions where they were delivered. The obtained NPs were used as catalysts for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth and metal induced lateral crystallization (MILC), charge storage nodes of floating gate memory, and nanometer-scale etching masks, which could not be performed by other methods.     

Strong Changes in Lipoproteins and Autoantibodies of Blood Serum of the Tundra Nency Population as a Result of Environmental Radiation on the Territory they Inhabit

As a result of large‐scale nuclear tests on the Novaya Zemlya test site (1955–62) the Tundra Nentsy population of Yamal‐Nentsy autonomous region (YNAR) fell under the constant influence of incorporated radioactive isotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr). Therefore, it is very important to analyze a possible spectrum of diseases of Tundra Nentsy population.     

中华鲟铁蛋白基因cDNA全长克隆与组织表达分析

根据铁蛋白基因的保守序列,搜索GenBank数据库中华鲟的EST数据库得到一条同源序列.通过RT-PCR的方法对该序列进行扩增,修改其测序错误,获得中华鲟铁蛋白亚基cDNA全长,经过注释提交GenBank数据库,获取序列登录号EU348782.该cDNA长度为896bp,包含531bp的完整编码区,推测编码的蛋白质为176aa,分子量为20339.9Mr,理论等电点为5.66.它和大两洋鲑鱼铁蛋白序列同源性最高,达到82.9%.该基闪在中华鲟肝脏、胰脏、肌肉、脑、心脏、鳃和胃粘膜等多种组织表达,在胰脏和心脏中表达量较高,在肌肉组织中表达较低.根据同源模建的方法得到该蛋白质三维结构,其包括5个α螺旋和10个转角结构,和人、蛙和细菌的铁蛋白均能很好的叠合,表现了很高的相似性,表明该蛋白结构和功能在基因进化中的高度保守性.     

High-density lipoproteins protect endothelial cells from apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoproteins

Summary Endothelial lesion by oxidized low-density liproproteins (LDL) is one of the first stages in the development of atherosclerosis. The effect of these lipoproteins can range from a functional lesion of the endothelium to death of the endothelial cells by apoptosis. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are one of the factors which can have a protective effect against the development of atheromatous plaques. The aim of this study is to establish whether the death of endothelial cells by apoptosis induced by oxidized LDLs is prevented by HDLs. ECV304 endothelial cells and bovine aorta endothelial cells were incubated with native LDLs, oxidized LDLs, and a combination of both oxidized LDLs and HDLs. Oxidized LDLs caused a significant increase of mortality mainly by apoptosis. However, when HDLs were added together with oxidized LDLs the percentage of total mortality, the degree of lipoprotein oxidation in the medium, and the percentage of cells in apoptosis were all significantly decreased. HDLs protect against the cytotoxicity of oxidized LDLs possibly by preventing the propagation of the oxidative chain in these lipoproteins.Abbreviations LDL low-density lipoproteins - HDL high-density lipoproteins - BAEC bovine aortic endothelial cell - TBARS thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances     

Ferritin protein nanocage ion channels: gating by N-terminal extensions

Ferritin protein nanocages, self-assembled from four-α-helix bundle subunits, use Fe²⁺ and oxygen to synthesize encapsulated, ferric oxide minerals. Ferritin minerals are iron concentrates stored for cell growth. Ferritins are also antioxidants, scavenging Fenton chemistry reactants. Channels for iron entry and exit consist of helical hairpin segments surrounding the 3-fold symmetry axes of the ferritin nanocages. We now report structural differences caused by amino acid substitutions in the Fe²⁺ ion entry and exit channels and at the cytoplasmic pores, from high resolution (1.3–1.8 Å) protein crystal structures of the eukaryotic model ferritin, frog M. Mutations that eliminate conserved ionic or hydrophobic interactions between Arg-72 and Asp-122 and between Leu-110 and Leu-134 increase flexibility in the ion channels, cytoplasmic pores, and/or the N-terminal extensions of the helix bundles. Decreased ion binding in the channels and changes in ordered water are also observed. Protein structural changes coincide with increased Fe²⁺ exit from dissolved, ferric minerals inside ferritin protein cages; Fe²⁺ exit from ferritin cages depends on a complex, surface-limited process to reduce and dissolve the ferric mineral. High concentrations of bovine serum albumin or lysozyme (protein crowders) to mimic the cytoplasm restored Fe²⁺ exit in the variants to wild type. The data suggest that fluctuations in pore structure control gating. The newly identified role of the ferritin subunit N-terminal extensions in gating Fe²⁺ exit from the cytoplasmic pores strengthens the structural and functional analogies between ferritin ion channels in the water-soluble protein assembly and membrane protein ion channels gated by cytoplasmic N-terminal peptides.     

Mechanism of Ferrous Iron Binding and Oxidation by Ferritin from a Pennate Diatom

A novel ferritin was recently found in Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries (PmFTN), a marine pennate diatom that plays a major role in global primary production and carbon sequestration into the deep ocean. Crystals of recombinant PmFTN were soaked in iron and zinc solutions, and the structures were solved to 1.65–2.2-Å resolution. Three distinct iron binding sites were identified as determined from anomalous dispersion data from aerobically grown ferrous soaked crystals. Sites A and B comprise the conserved ferroxidase active site, and site C forms a pathway leading toward the central cavity where iron storage occurs. In contrast, crystal structures derived from anaerobically grown and ferrous soaked crystals revealed only one ferrous iron in the active site occupying site A. In the presence of dioxygen, zinc is observed bound to all three sites. Iron oxidation experiments using stopped-flow absorbance spectroscopy revealed an extremely rapid phase corresponding to Fe(II) oxidation at the ferroxidase site, which is saturated after adding 48 ferrous iron to apo-PmFTN (two ferrous iron per subunit), and a much slower phase due to iron core formation. These results suggest an ordered stepwise binding of ferrous iron and dioxygen to the ferroxidase site in preparation for catalysis and a partial mobilization of iron from the site following oxidation.     

冠心病合并糖尿病患者外周血巨噬细胞中脂质稳态与动脉粥样硬化指数的关联研究

摘要 目的：探究冠心病合并糖尿病患者外周血巨噬细胞中脂质稳态与动脉粥样硬化指数的关联机制。方法：2015年1月至2020年9月,筛选78名2型冠心病合并糖尿病患者,根据血糖变异度分为3组：A组、B组及C组。检测总胆固醇（TC）,甘油三酯（TG）,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、空腹胰岛素（FINS）和超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）。评估动脉粥样硬化指数（AI）和冠状动脉狭窄程度,并分析其相关性及独立危险因素。结果：B组较A组TC、LDL-C和AI升高,HDL-C降低,B组较C组TC、LDL-C和AI降低,HDL-C升高（P<0.05）。B组较A组hs-CRP、FINS、TG值升高,B组较C组hs-CRP、FINS、TG值降低（P<0.05）。B组较A组HOMA-IR值升高,B组较C组HOMA-IR值降低（P<0.05）。B组较A组AI和冠脉Gensini评分值升高,B组较C组AI和冠脉Gensini评分降低（P<0.05）。Person线性相关分析显示：hs-CRP、TG、Gensini评分、HOMA-IR值与AI正相关（P<0.05）。在逻辑回归模型中,结果显示：hs-CRP、TG、Gensini评分、HOMA-IR值是AI的独立危险因素。结论：Gensini评分与AI呈正相关,且hs-CRP、TG、Gensini评分、HOMA-IR值AI的独立危险因素。