Role of the adiponectin binding protein, T-cadherin (Cdh13), in allergic airways responses in mice

Adiponectin is an adipose derived hormone that declines in obesity. We have previously shown that exogenous administration of adiponectin reduces allergic airways responses in mice. T-cadherin (T-cad; Cdh13) is a binding protein for the high molecular weight isoforms of adiponectin. To determine whether the beneficial effects of adiponectin on allergic airways responses require T-cad, we sensitized wildtype (WT), T-cadherin deficient (T-cad(-/-)) and adiponectin and T-cad bideficient mice to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged the mice with aerosolized OVA or PBS. Compared to WT, T-cad(-/-) mice were protected against OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, increases in BAL inflammatory cells, and induction of IL-13, IL-17, and eotaxin expression. Histological analysis of the lungs of OVA-challenged T-cad(-/-) versus WT mice indicated reduced inflammation around the airways, and reduced mucous cell hyperplasia. Combined adiponectin and T-cad deficiency reversed the effects of T-cad deficiency alone, indicating that the observed effects of T-cad deficiency require adiponectin. Compared to WT, serum adiponectin was markedly increased in T-cad(-/-) mice, likely because adiponectin that is normally sequestered by endothelial T-cad remains free in the circulation. In conclusion, T-cad does not mediate the protective effects of adiponectin. Instead, mice lacking T-cad have reduced allergic airways disease, likely because elevated serum adiponectin levels act on other adiponectin signaling pathways.     

Cell adhesion molecule T-cadherin regulates vascular cell adhesion, phenotype and motility

T-cadherin (T-cad), an unusual glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored member of the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules, is widely expressed in the cardiovascular system. The expression profile of T-cad within diseased (atherosclerotic and restenotic) vessels indicates some relationship between expression of T-cad and the phenotypic status of resident cells. Using cultures of human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) we investigate the hypothesis that T-cad may function in modulating adhesive properties of vascular cells. Coating of culture plates with recombinant T-cad protein or with antibody against the first amino-terminal domain of T-cad (anti-EC1) significantly decreased adhesion and spreading of SMC and HUVEC. HUVECs adherent on T-cad or anti-EC1 substratum exhibited an elongated morphology and associated redistribution of the cytoskeleton and focal adhesions to a distinctly peripheral location. These changes are characteristic of the less-adhesive, motile or pro-migratory, pro-angiogenic phenotype. Boyden chamber migration assay demonstrated that the deadhesion induced by T-cad facilitates cell migration towards a serum gradient. Overexpression of T-cad in vascular cells using adenoviral vectors does not influence cell adhesion or motility per se, but increases the detachment and migratory responses induced by T-cad substratum. The data suggest that T-cad acts as an anti-adhesive signal for vascular cells, thus modulating vascular cell phenotype and migration properties.     

Cross-talk between EGFR and T-cadherin: EGFR activation promotes T-cadherin localization to intercellular contacts

Reciprocal cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and classical cadherins (e.g. EGFR/E-cadherin, VEGFR/VE-cadherin) has gained appreciation as a combinatorial molecular mechanism enabling diversification of the signalling environment and according differential cellular responses. Atypical glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored T-cadherin (T-cad) was recently demonstrated to function as a negative auxiliary regulator of EGFR pathway activation in A431 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. Here we investigate the reciprocal impact of EGFR activation on T-cad. In resting A431 T-cad was distributed globally over the cell body. Following EGF stimulation T-cad was redistributed to the sites of cell–cell contact where it colocalized with phosphorylated EGFR^Tyr1068. T-cad redistribution was not affected by endomembrane protein trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A or de novo protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, supporting mobilization of plasma membrane associated T-cad. EGF-induced relocalization of T-cad to cell–cell contacts could be abrogated by specific inhibitors of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity (gefitinib or lapatinib), lipid raft integrity (filipin), actin microfilament polymerization (cytochalasin D or cytochalasin B), p38MAPK (SB203580) or Rac1 (compound4). Erk1/2 inhibitor PD98059 increased phospho-EGFR^tyr1068 levels and not only amplified effects of EGF but also per se promoted some relocalization of T-cad to cell–cell contacts. Rac1 activation by EGF was inhibited by gefitinib, lapatinib or SB203580 but amplified by PD98059. Taken together our data suggest that T-cad translocation to cell–cell contacts is sensitive to the activity status of EGFR, requires lipid raft domain integrity and actin filament polymerization, and crucial intracellular signalling mediators include Rac1 and p38MAPK. The study has revealed a novel aspect of reciprocal cross-talk between EGFR and T-cad.     

Aldosterone perturbs adiponectin and PAI-1 expression and secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Aldosterone is considered as a new cardiovascular risk factor that plays an important role in metabolic syndrome; however, the underlying mechanism of these effects is not clear. Hypoadiponectinemia and elevated circulating concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are causally associated with obesity-related insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of aldosterone on the production of adiponectin and PAI-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that aldosterone treatment inhibited adiponectin mRNA expression and secretion and simultaneously enhanced PAI-1 mRNA expression and secretion in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Rosiglitazone did not prevent aldosterone's effect on adiponectin or PAI-1 expression. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α produced dramatic synergistic effects on adiponectin and PAI-1 expression when added together with aldosterone. Furthermore, the effects of aldosterone on adiponectin and PAI-1 expression appear to be mediated through glucocorticoid receptor (GR) but not mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). These results suggest that the effects of aldosterone on adiponectin and PAI-1 production are one of the underlying mechanisms linking it to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.     

Gender-Specific Associations between Circulating T-Cadherin and High Molecular Weight-Adiponectin in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Close relationships exist between presence of adiponectin (APN) within vascular tissue and expression of T-cadherin (T-cad) on vascular cells. APN and T-cad are also present in the circulation but here their relationships are unknown. This study investigates associations between circulating levels of high molecular weight APN (HMW-APN) and T-cad in a population comprising 66 women and 181 men with angiographically proven stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Plasma HMW-APN and T-cad were measured by ELISA and analysed for associations with baseline clinical characteristics and with each other. In multivariable analysis BMI and HDL were independently associated with HMW-APN in both genders, while diabetes and extent of coronary stenosis were independently associated with T-cad in males only. Regression analysis showed no significant association between HMW-APN and T-cad in the overall study population. However, there was a negative association between HMW-APN and T-cad (P=0.037) in a subgroup of young men (age <60 years, had no diabetes and no or 1-vessel CAD) which persisted after multivariable analysis with adjustment for all potentially influential variables (P=0.021). In the corresponding subgroup of women there was a positive association between HMW-APN and T-cad (P=0.013) which disappeared after adjustment for HDL. After exclusion of the young men, a positive association (P=0.008) between HMW-APN and T-cad was found for the remaining participants of the overall population which disappeared after adjustment for HDL and BMI. The existence of opposing correlations between circulating HMW-APN and T-cad in male and female patient populations underscores the necessity to consider gender as a confounding variable when evaluating biomarker potentials of APN and T-cad.     

Expression of cell adhesion molecule T-cadherin in the human vasculature

Alterations in expression of surface adhesion molecules on resident vascular and blood-derived cells play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been shown to express T-cadherin (T-cad), an unusual GPI-anchored member of the cadherin family of adhesion molecules. Particular relevance for T-cad in cardiovascular tissues is indicated by our present screen (immunoblotting) of human tissues and organs whereby highest expression of T-cad was found in aorta, carotid, iliac and renal arteries and heart. To explore the (patho)physiological role for T-cad in the vasculature we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of T-cad expression in normal human aorta and atherosclerotic lesions of varying severity. T-cad was present both in the intima and media and was expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), SMCs and pericytes, but not in monocytes/macrophages, foam cells and lymphocytes. In the adventitia T-cad was present in the wall of vasa vasorum and was expressed in ECs, SMCs and pericytes. T-cad was differentially expressed in SMCs from distinct vascular layers of normal aorta (for example, high in the subendothelial (proteoglycan) layer of the intima, low in the musculoelastic intimal layer and in the media), as well as at different stages of lesion progression. In SMCs there was an apparent inverse relationship between the intensities of T-cad and smooth muscle alpha-actin expression, this being most prominent in lesions. The findings suggest a phenotype-associated expression of T-cad which may be relevant to control of the normal vascular architecture and its remodelling during atherogenesis.     

Identification of Proteins Associating with Glycosylphosphatidylinositol- Anchored T-Cadherin on the Surface of Vascular Endothelial Cells: Role for Grp78/BiP in T-Cadherin-Dependent Cell Survival

There is scant knowledge regarding how cell surface lipid-anchored T-cadherin (T-cad) transmits signals through the plasma membrane to its intracellular targets. This study aimed to identify membrane proteins colocalizing with atypical glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored T-cad on the surface of endothelial cells and to evaluate their role as signaling adaptors for T-cad. Application of coimmunoprecipitation from endothelial cells expressing c-myc-tagged T-cad and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed putative association of T-cad with the following proteins: glucose-related protein GRP78, GABA-A receptor α1 subunit, integrin β₃, and two hypothetical proteins, LOC124245 and FLJ32070. Association of Grp78 and integrin β₃ with T-cad on the cell surface was confirmed by surface biotinylation and reciprocal immunoprecipitation and by confocal microscopy. Use of anti-Grp78 blocking antibodies, Grp78 small interfering RNA, and coexpression of constitutively active Akt demonstrated an essential role for surface Grp78 in T-cad-dependent survival signal transduction via Akt in endothelial cells. The findings herein are relevant in the context of both the identification of transmembrane signaling partners for GPI-anchored T-cad as well as the demonstration of a novel mechanism whereby Grp78 can influence endothelial cell survival as a cell surface signaling receptor rather than an intracellular chaperone.T-cadherin (T-cad, or H-cadherin or cadherin-13) is an atypical member of the cadherin superfamily of adhesion molecules. The “classical” cadherins are transmembrane receptors that mediate homophilic Ca²⁺-dependent adhesion between the cells of solid tissues (2). The extracellular domain organization of T-cad is similar to that of classical cadherins, but it lacks transmembrane and cytosolic domains and is attached to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor (57). T-cad was shown to mediate weak homophilic cell aggregation in suspensions of transfected cells (45, 57). However, there is a large amount of data suggesting that, in contrast to classical cadherins, atypical T-cad does not primarily function in the maintenance of intercellular adhesion; T-cad is not concentrated at sites of cell-cell contacts, is expressed on the luminal but not the baso-lateral surface of polarized transfected cells, and locates in lipid raft domains of the plasma membrane (29, 42, 43). In the embryonic nervous system T-cad functions as a negative guidance cue regulating motor axon outgrowth and innervation of skeletal muscle (15). Many studies in the cancer field have demonstrated a relationship between T-cad expression levels in tumor cells and tumor progression, although its influence on cell behavior varies in different cancer types, either inhibiting invasion and growth or correlating with a high proliferative and invasive potential (46, 52).In the cardiovascular system T-cad is highly expressed on endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes. Its expression level is increased in atherosclerotic lesions from the human aorta (22), in experimental restenosis during neointima formation after balloon catheterization of rat carotid artery (30), and in ECs from tumor vasculature (59). Together, these data suggest that upregulation or/and ligation of T-cad molecules on vascular cells might importantly contribute to progression of vascular pathologies associated with vascular tissue remodelling and stress, such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions or tumors. This hypothesis is supported by studies showing that overexpression and/or homophilic ligation of T-cad in ECs stimulates proliferation, migration, and survival under conditions of oxidative stress and promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo (21, 23, 26, 40).Signaling mechanisms underlying T-cad effects on cell growth and motility are poorly studied. We have identified some target signaling pathways activated in cultured vascular ECs by surface T-cad. Changes in cell phenotype during T-cad ligation-induced migration depend on activation of RhoA and Rac GTPases (41). Overexpression and/or ligation of T-cad induces increases in Akt and GSKβ3 phosphorylation levels and activation of β-catenin, and all these effects are blocked by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitors (26).There is scant knowledge regarding how cell surface lipid-anchored T-cad transmits signals through the plasma membrane to its intracellular targets. The absence of transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains implies the existence of transmembrane “adaptors” that interact with T-cad on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. Data in the current literature do not allow prediction of membrane associations of T-cad, which from the structural point of view shares homology with two distinct protein groups, namely, cadherins and GPI-anchored proteins. Absence of the cytoplasmic domain excludes any possibility of direct interactions between T-cad and molecular mechanisms utilized by classical cadherins, such as catenins. Recently we have demonstrated that T-cad overexpression results in stimulation of β-catenin signaling in ECs (25). However, this effect is the consequence of Akt/GSK3β pathway activation rather than the result of a direct physical interaction with β-catenin. A requirement for integrin-linked kinase (ILK) upstream of Akt/GSKβ3/β-catenin modulation by T-cad has recently been shown (25). However, ILK is located intracellularly and thus cannot function as a primary molecular adaptor for surface T-cad.The presence of a lipid GPI anchor on the C terminus of the T-cad molecule suggests that T-cad may utilize some of the signaling mechanisms that depend on its localization within lipid rafts, cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich domains of the plasma membrane that act as signal transduction platforms compartmentalizing, clustering, and facilitating interactions between various lipid-anchored signaling molecules (49). However, the group of GPI proteins is highly heterogeneous both structurally and functionally and includes membrane-associated enzymes, adhesion receptors, differentiation markers, protozoan coat components, and other miscellaneous glycoproteins. Likewise, downstream raft-associated signaling is also diverse, including small GTPases, Src kinases, lipid second messengers, and many others (20). Moreover, molecular interactions within lipid rafts have been shown to be determined by many factors, such as the presence of receptor ligands, their precise membrane localization (the leading edge versus overall surface distribution), and lipid composition (ganglioside GM1-enriched versus GM3-enriched lipid rafts), among others (7).This study aimed to identify membrane proteins colocalizing with atypical GPI-anchored T-cad on the surface of cultured ECs and to evaluate the role of identified molecules as adaptors transmitting signals from cell surface T-cad to its intracellular targets. We have identified several candidate proteins with potential functions as membrane adaptors for T-cad, namely, glucose-related protein Grp78/BiP, GABA-A receptor α1 subunit, integrin β₃, and two hypothetical proteins, LOC124245 and FLJ32070. We demonstrate that the interaction between T-cad and surface Grp78 is necessary for T-cad-dependent activation of prosurvival signaling in ECs.     

The glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor of human T-cadherin binds lipoproteins

T-cadherin (T-cad) is a Ca(2+)-dependent cell adhesion glycoprotein bound to the plasma membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. T-cad expressed on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) binds lipoproteins on blot. To analyze the molecular basis for the interaction of T-cad with lipoproteins we expressed recombinant human T-cad in HEK293 cells. Whereas membrane-bound T-cad from SMC and T-cad transfected HEK293 cells bind lipoproteins, T-cadherin proteins cleaved from the cell surface by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) do not. The lipoprotein-binding function is also lacking both for a recombinant human T-cad expressed in HEK293 cells without the GPI signal sequence, and for a human T-cad form expressed in Escherichia coli that contains the signal sequence for GPI attachment but is not modified with a GPI. We conclude that the GPI moiety of T-cadherin is necessary and sufficient to mediate lipoprotein binding.     

LDL induces intracellular signalling and cell migration via atypical LDL-binding protein T-cadherin

Cadherins are a superfamily of adhesion molecules that mediate Ca²⁺-dependent cell–cell adhesion. T-cadherin (T-cad), a unique glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored member of the cadherin superfamily, was initially identified by immunoblotting of vascular cell membranes as an atypical low affinity low density lipoprotein (LDL)-binding protein. It is not known whether this heterophilic interaction is physiologically relevant. Expression of T-cadherin is upregulated in vascular cells during atherosclerosis, restenosis and tumour angiogenesis, conditions characterized by enhanced cell migration and growth. Elevated levels of serum low density lipoproteins (LDL), which result in cholesterol accumulation in vascular wall, is a widely accepted risk factor in atherosclerosis development. Additionally to its metabolic effects, LDL can produce hormone-like effects in a number of cell types. This study has utilized HEK293 cells and L929 cells stably transfected with T-cadherin cDNA to investigate T-cad-dependent responses to LDL. Stable expression of T-cad in both HEK293 and L929 cells results in significantly (p < 0.05) elevated specific surface binding of [I¹²⁵]-LDL. Compared with mock-transfectants, cells expressing T-cad exhibit significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced LDL-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca²⁺-stores and a significantly (p < 0.01) increased migration toward an LDL gradient (0.1% BSA + 60 g/ml LDL) in Boyden chamber migration assay. Thus LDL-binding to T-cad is capable of activating physiologically relevant intracellular signaling and functional responses.     

Divergent Roles for Adiponectin Receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and AdipoR2 in Mediating Revascularization and Metabolic Dysfunction in Vivo

Adiponectin is a well described anti-inflammatory adipokine that is highly abundant in serum. Previous reports have found that adiponectin deficiency promotes cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction in murine models, whereas its overexpression is protective. Two candidate adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, are uncharacterized with regard to cardiovascular tissue homeostasis, and their in vivo metabolic functions remain controversial. Here we subjected AdipoR1- and AdipoR2-deficient mice to chronic hind limb ischemic surgery. Blood flow recovery in AdipoR1-deficient mice was similar to wild-type; however, revascularization in AdipoR2-deficient mice was severely attenuated. Treatment with adiponectin enhanced the recovery of wild-type mice but failed to rescue the impairment observed in AdipoR2-deficient mice. In view of this divergent receptor function in the hind limb ischemia model, AdipoR1- and AdipoR2-deficient mice were also evaluated in a model of diet-induced obesity. Strikingly, AdipoR1-deficient mice developed severe metabolic dysfunction compared with wild type, whereas AdipoR2-deficient mice were protected from diet-induced weight gain and metabolic perturbations. These data show that AdipoR2, but not AdipoR1, is functionally important in an in vivo model of ischemia-induced revascularization and that its expression is essential for the revascularization actions of adiponectin. These data also show that, in contrast to revascularization responses, AdipoR1, but not AdipoR2 deficiency, leads to diet-induced metabolic dysfunction, revealing that these receptors have highly divergent roles in vascular and metabolic homeostasis.     

Central role of the adipocyte in the insulin-sensitising and cardiovascular risk modifying actions of the thiazolidinediones

Insulin resistance is a key metabolic defect in type 2 diabetes that is exacerbated by obesity, especially if the excess adiposity is located intra-abdominally/centrally. Insulin resistance underpins many metabolic abnormalities-collectively known as the insulin resistance syndrome-that accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. Thiazolidinedione anti-diabetic agents improve glycaemic control by activating the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma). This receptor is highly expressed in adipose tissues. In insulin resistant fat depots, thiazolidinediones increase pre-adipocyte differentiation and oppose the actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha. The metabolic consequences are enhanced insulin signalling, resulting in increased glucose uptake and lipid storage coupled with reduced release of free fatty acids (FFA) into the circulation. Metabolic effects of PPARgamma activation are depot specific-in people with type 2 diabetes central fat mass is reduced and subcutaneous depots are increased. Thiazolidinediones increase insulin sensitivity in liver and skeletal muscle as well as in fat, but they do not express high levels of PPARgamma, suggesting that improvement in insulin action is indirect. Reduced FFA availability from adipose tissues to liver and skeletal muscle is a pivotal component of the insulin-sensitising mechanism in these latter two tissues. Adipocytes secrete multiple proteins that may both regulate insulin signalling and impact on abnormalities of the insulin resistance syndrome--this may explain the link between central obesity and cardiovascular disease. Of these proteins, low plasma adiponectin is associated with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis--thiazolidinediones increase adipocyte adiponectin production. Like FFA, adiponectin is probably an important signalling molecule regulating insulin sensitivity in muscle and liver. Adipocyte production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, and angiotensin II secretion are partially corrected by PPARgamma activation. The favourable modification of adipocyte-derived cardiovascular risk factors by thiazolidinediones suggests that these agents may reduce cardiovascular disease as well as provide durable glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.     

Differentiation of human pre-adipocytes by recombinant adiponectin

Obesity has become a global health problem and it is linked to a higher risk of diseases and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The adipose tissue plays an important role in monitoring and controlling whole-body metabolism by secreting a variety of bioactive molecules such as adiponectin. Deficiencies of this hormone can cause type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease both in mice and in humans. Therefore, adiponectin is an attractive molecule to use in human therapy, particularly in a recombinant form. The source of recombinant adiponectin could be the expression of full-length adiponectin either in Escherichia coli, or in baculovirus. In this work we express and purify human adiponectin in both systems. The adiponectin produced by baculovirus was found to be 10 times more active as far as oligomerization and human pre-adipocyte differentiation are concerned, when compared with adiponectin produced by E. coli. We presume that adiponectin expressed in baculovirus has post-translation modifications not made by bacteria which may be responsible for these differences in activity. This renders adiponectin produced by baculovirus a better candidate for the treatment of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.     

Adiponectin, obesity, and cardiovascular disease

Several adipocyte-secreted factors have been demonstrated to potentially link obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Among those, adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory adipokine, concentrations of which are decreased in obesity-associated metabolic and vascular disorders. Recently, two adiponectin receptors (AdipoR) have been isolated and adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK), as well as acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), appear to be critical downstream mediators for various effects of this adipokine. In addition to beneficial metabolic effects, adiponectin seems to be vasoprotective by interfering with various atherogenic processes. Of clinical interest, thiazolidinediones (TZDs) which are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes stimulate adiponectin expression and secretion whereas several hormones dysregulated in insulin resistance and obesity downregulate this adipokine. The current knowledge on regulation and function of adiponectin in obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease is summarized in this review and its clinical implications are discussed.     

T-cadherin attenuates the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response and protects vascular endothelial cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activated by perturbations in ER homeostasis induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) with chaperon Grp78 as the key activator of UPR signalling. The aim of UPR is to restore normal ER function; however prolonged or severe ER stress triggers apoptosis of damaged cells to ensure protection of the whole organism. Recent findings support an association of ER stress-induced apoptosis of vascular cells with cardiovascular pathologies. T-cadherin (T-cad), an atypical glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored member of the cadherin superfamily is upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions. Here we investigate the ability of T-cad to influence UPR signalling and endothelial cell (EC) survival during ER stress. EC were treated with a variety of ER stress-inducing compounds (thapsigargin, dithiothereitol, brefeldin A, tunicamycin, A23187 or homocysteine) and induction of ER stress validated by increases in levels of UPR signalling molecules Grp78 (glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa), phospho-eIF2α (phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α) and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein). All compounds also increased T-cad mRNA and protein levels. Overexpression or silencing of T-cad in EC respectively attenuated or amplified the ER stress-induced increase in phospho-eIF2α, Grp78, CHOP and active caspases. Effects of T-cad-overexpression or T-cad-silencing on ER stress responses in EC were not affected by inclusion of either N-acetylcysteine (reactive oxygen species scavenger), LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor) or SP6000125 (Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor). The data suggest that upregulation of T-cad on EC during ER stress attenuates the activation of the proapoptotic PERK (PKR (double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase)-like ER kinase) branch of the UPR cascade and thereby protects EC from ER stress-induced apoptosis.     

The role of adiponectin in pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

The aim of this review is to present the up-to-date data about adiponectin and it's role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin is a hormone derived from adipose tissue which regulates energy metabolism, and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Serum levels of adiponectin are reduced in obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, plasma adiponectin concentration is inversely associated with LDL-cholesterol, TG and is positively related to HDL-cholesterol. Recent studies have indicated that adiponectin has antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic properties. Review of the data confirmed the hypothesis that adiponectin plays an important role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.     

Adiponectin represents an independent cardiovascular risk factor predicting serum HDL-cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor and, besides reduced physical activity, mechanisms leading to decreased HDL-cholesterol levels are not known. We aimed to test the hypothesis, that adiponectin provides a missing link between type 2 diabetes and low levels of HDL-cholesterol, independent from common metabolic risk factors. 523 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated for adiponectin serum levels and parameters of lipid metabolism. Even after correction for age, gender, BMI and fasting insulin concentration, serum levels of adiponectin were highly significant (P<0.0001) and positively (regression analysis: r=0.86) associated with HDL-cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: adiponectin seems to predict HDL-cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Low levels of adiponectin are associated with low levels of HDL-cholesterol independently from common metabolic risk factors and therefore represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor in type 2 diabetes. Thus, adiponectin is a potentially new drug target in the treatment of dyslipidaemia.     

Adiponectin Promotes Macrophage Polarization toward an Anti-inflammatory Phenotype

It is established that the adipocyte-derived cytokine adiponectin protects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, but the effect of this adipokine on macrophage polarization, an important mediator of disease progression, has never been assessed. We hypothesized that adiponectin modulates macrophage polarization from that resembling a classically activated M1 phenotype to that resembling alternatively-activated M2 cells. Peritoneal macrophages and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells of adipose tissue isolated from adiponectin knock-out mice displayed increased M1 markers, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and decreased M2 markers, including arginase-1, macrophage galactose N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin-1, and interleukin-10. The systemic delivery of adenovirus expressing adiponectin significantly augmented arginase-1 expression in peritoneal macrophages and SVF cells in both wild-type and adiponectin knock-out mice. In culture, the treatment of macrophages with recombinant adiponectin protein led to an increase in the levels of M2 markers and a reduction of reactive oxygen species and reactive oxygen species-related gene expression. Adiponectin also stimulated the expression of M2 markers and attenuated the expression of M1 markers in human monocyte-derived macrophages and SVF cells isolated from human adipose tissue. These data show that adiponectin functions as a regulator of macrophage polarization, and they indicate that conditions of high adiponectin expression may deter metabolic and cardiovascular disease progression by favoring an anti-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages.     

Adiponectin and cardiovascular disease: state of the art?

The cardiometabolic syndrome, associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in the industrialized world, is estimated to affect one in four adults. Although the mechanisms linking obesity and cardiovascular disease remain unclear, research continues to unravel the molecular pathways behind this pandemic. Adipose tissue has emerged as a metabolically active participant in mediating vascular complications, serving as an active endocrine and paracrine organ secreting adipokines, which participate in diverse metabolic processes. Among these adipokines is adiponectin, which seems to possess antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects and may be protective against cardiovascular disease development. The current review describes the pathophysiology of adiponectin in atherosclerotic disease.