Insulin reverses growth hormone-induced homologous desensitization

Growth hormone (GH) is secreted in a pulsatile pattern to promote body growth and metabolism. GH exerts its function by activating several signaling pathways, including JAK2/STAT and MEK/ERK. ERK1/2 activation by GH plays important roles in gene expression, cell proliferation, and growth. We previously reported that in rat H4IIE hepatoma cells after an initial GH exposure, a second GH exposure induces STAT5 phosphorylation but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation (Ji, S., Frank, S. J., and Messina, J. L. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 28384-28393). In this study the mechanisms underlying GH-induced homologous desensitization were investigated. A second GH exposure activated the signaling intermediates upstream of MEK/ERK, including JAK2, Ras, and Raf-1. This correlated with recovery of GH receptor levels, but was insufficient for GH-induced phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. Insulin restored the ability of a second GH exposure to induce phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 without altering GH receptor levels or GH-induced phosphorylation/activation of JAK2 and Raf-1. GH and insulin synergized in promoting cell proliferation. Further investigation suggested that insulin increased the amount of MEK bound to KSR (kinase suppressor of Ras) and restored GH-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of KSR. Previous GH exposure also induced desensitization of STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, but this desensitization was not reversed by insulin. Thus, insulin-regulated resensitization of GH signaling may be necessary to reset the complete response to GH after a normal, physiologic pulse of GH.     

Continuous Enzymatic Regeneration of Electron Acceptors Used by Flavoenzymes: Cellobiose Dehydrogenase-Catalyzed Production of Lactobionic Acid as an Example

An efficient enzymatic bioprocess is described in which lactose, an abundant renewable resource produced by the dairy industry, is completely and efficiently converted with a specific productivity of up to 32 g (kU h)^-1 into lactobionic acid, without the formation of any by-products. The key biocatalyst of this new process is the fungal enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase which oxidizes several β-1,4-linked disaccharides including lactose specifically at position C-1 of the reducing sugar moiety to the corresponding lactones. The electron acceptor employed in this reaction is continuously regenerated with the help of laccase, a H₂O-producing, copper-containing oxidase, and therefore has to be added in low, catalytic amounts only. Redox mediators that were successfully employed in this novel process and hence are compatible with the laccase regeneration system include benzoquinone, ABTS, ferricyanide, or ferrocene, amongst others. Factors affecting operational stability of the biocatalysts employed in this process include the redox mediator used, the temperature, and importantly the volumetric gas flow necessary for maintaining the dissolved oxygen tension. Lactobionic acid is a mild and sweet tasting acid with excellent chelating properties. These useful characteristics have lead to a growing number of patents for diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical and detergent industries.     

Angiotensin receptor type 1 and endothelin receptor type A on immune cells mediate migration and the expression of IL-8 and CCL18 when stimulated by autoantibodies from systemic sclerosis patients

Introduction

Agonistic autoantibodies (Aabs) against the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) and the endothelin receptor type A (ETAR) have been identified in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In our present study, we examined the expression of the AT1R and the ETAR in human immune cells and the pathological effects mediated through these receptors by their corresponding Aabs.

Methods

Protein expression of AT1R and ETAR on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals and SSc patients was analyzed using flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of both receptors in PBMCs from healthy donors was examined by real-time PCR. In addition, PBMCs from healthy donors were stimulated in vitro with affinity-purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) fractions from SSc patients positive for AT1R and ETAR Aabs, as well as with IgG from healthy donors serving as controls. Alterations in cell surface marker expression, cytokine secretion and chemotactic motility were analyzed using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and chemotaxis assays, respectively. The results were correlated with the characteristics and clinical findings of the IgG donors.

Results

Both AT1R and ETAR were expressed on PBMCs in humans. Protein expression of both receptors was decreased in SSc patients compared with that of healthy donors and declined during the course of disease. IgG fractions of SSc patients positive for AT1R and ETAR Aabs induced T-cell migration in an Aab level–dependent manner. Moreover, IgG of SSc patients stimulated PBMCs to produce more interleukin 8 (IL-8) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) than did the IgG of healthy donors. All effects were significantly reduced by selective AT1R and ETAR antagonists. Statistical analysis revealed an association of SSc-IgG induced high IL-8 concentrations with an early disease stage and of high CCL18 concentrations with lung fibrosis onset and vascular complications in the respective IgG donors.

Conclusion

In our present study, we could demonstrate the expression of both AT1R and ETAR on human peripheral T cells, B cells and monocytes. The decreased receptor expression in SSc patients, the inflammatory and profibrotic effects upon Aab stimulation of PBMCs in vitro and the associations with clinical findings suggest a role for Aab-induced activation of immune cells mediated by the AT1R and the ETAR in the pathogenesis or even the onset of the disease.     

The crystal structure of the apoenzyme of the iron-sulphur cluster-free hydrogenase

The iron-sulphur cluster-free hydrogenase (Hmd, EC 1.12.98.2) from methanogenic archaea is a novel type of hydrogenase that tightly binds an iron-containing cofactor. The iron is coordinated by two CO molecules, one sulphur and a pyridone derivative, which is linked via a phosphodiester bond to a guanosine base. We report here on the crystal structure of the Hmd apoenzyme from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii at 1.75 A and from Methanopyrus kandleri at 2.4 A resolution. Homodimeric Hmd reveals a unique architecture composed of one central and two identical peripheral globular units. The central unit is composed of the intertwined C-terminal segments of both subunits, forming a novel intersubunit fold. The two peripheral units consist of the N-terminal domain of each subunit. The Rossmann fold-like structure of the N-terminal domain contains a mononucleotide-binding site, which could harbour the GMP moiety of the cofactor. Another binding site for the iron-containing cofactor is most probably Cys176, which is located at the bottom of a deep intersubunit cleft and which has been shown to be essential for enzyme activity. Adjacent to the iron of the cofactor modelled as a ligand to Cys176, an extended U-shaped extra electron density, interpreted as a polyethyleneglycol fragment, suggests a binding site for the substrate methenyltetrahydromethanopterin.     

Immune phagocytosis inhibition by commercial immunoglobulins

Sixteen commercially available immunoglobulins (Ig) and 5 anti-Rho (D) hyperimmune globulins were investigated for immune phagocytosis inhibition (IPI) factors as well as for T, B lymphocytotoxic and monocytotoxic antibodies. All Ig contained IPI factors with lowest inhibitory IgG concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 50 mg/ml. Pepsin-digested Ig was noninhibitory. IPI factors in anti-D preparations were uniformly high (inhibitory IgG concentrations 0.6-2.5 mg/ml). Cytotoxic antibodies against T, B lymphocytes and monocytes were found in 2,2 and 7 products, respectively. Since we have recently shown that IPI is caused by antibodies against major histocompatibility complex antigens, most likely HLA, the hypothesis is put forward that IPI factors in Ig are HLA-related, cytotoxic as well as noncytotoxic antibodies which act via Fc receptor blockade of human monocytes.     

A link between the accumulation of DNA damage and loss of multi‐potency of human mesenchymal stromal cells

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) represent an attractive cell source for clinic applications. Besides being multi‐potent, recent clinical trials suggest that they secrete both trophic and immunomodulatory factors, allowing allogenic MSCs to be used in a wider variety of clinical situations. The yield of prospective isolation is however very low, making expansion a required step toward clinical applications. Unfortunately, this leads to a significant decrease in their stemness. To identify the mechanism behind loss of multi‐potency, hMSCs were expanded until replicative senescence and the concomitant molecular changes were characterized at regular intervals. We observed that, with time of culture, loss of multi‐potency was associated with both the accumulation of DNA damage and the respective activation of the DNA damage response pathway, suggesting a correlation between both phenomena. Indeed, exposing hMSCs to DNA damage agents led to a significant decrease in the differentiation potential. We also showed that hMSCs are susceptible to accumulate DNA damage upon in vitro expansion, and that although hMSCs maintained an effective nucleotide excision repair activity, there was a progressive accumulation of DNA damage. We propose a model in which DNA damage accumulation contributes to the loss of differentiation potential of hMSCs, which might not only compromise their potential for clinical applications but also contribute to the characteristics of tissue ageing.     

Predicting cortisol stress responses in older individuals: influence of serotonin receptor 1A gene (HTR1A) and stressful life events

Considerable variability in the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress has been found in quantitative genetic studies investigating healthy individuals suggesting that at least part of this variance is due to genetic factors. Since the HPA axis is regulated by a neuronal network including amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex as well as brainstem circuits, the investigation of candidate genes that impact neurotransmitter systems related to these brain regions might further elucidate the genetic underpinnings of the stress response. However, aside from genetic risk factors, past stressful life events might also result in long-term adjustments of HPA axis reactivity. Here, we investigated the effects of the − 1019 G/C polymorphism in the HTR1A gene encoding the serotonin (5-HT) receptor 1A (5-HT_1A) and stressful life events experienced during childhood and adolescence on changes in cortisol levels in response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in a sample of healthy older adults (N = 97). Regression analyses revealed a significant effect of HTR1A genotype with the G allele being associated with a less pronounced stress response. In addition, an inverse relationship between past stressful life events and cortisol release but no gene × environment interaction was detected. The results further underscore the crucial role of functional serotonergic genetic variation as well as stressful events during critical stages of development on the acute stress response later in life.     

Human vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase complex subunit 1-like 1 (VKORC1L1) mediates vitamin K-dependent intracellular antioxidant function

Human vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase complex subunit 1-like 1 (VKORC1L1), expressed in HEK 293T cells and localized exclusively to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, was found to support both vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKOR) and vitamin K reductase enzymatic activities. Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters for dithiothreitol-driven VKOR activity were: K(m) (μM) = 4.15 (vitamin K(1) epoxide) and 11.24 (vitamin K(2) epoxide); V(max) (nmol·mg(-1)·hr(-1)) = 2.57 (vitamin K(1) epoxide) and 13.46 (vitamin K(2) epoxide). Oxidative stress induced by H(2)O(2) applied to cultured cells up-regulated VKORC1L1 expression and VKOR activity. Cell viability under conditions of no induced oxidative stress was increased by the presence of vitamins K(1) and K(2) but not ubinquinone-10 and was specifically dependent on VKORC1L1 expression. Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in cells treated with 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone were mitigated in a VKORC1L1 expression-dependent manner. Intracellular oxidative damage to membrane intrinsic proteins was inversely dependent on VKORC1L1 expression and the presence of vitamin K(1). Taken together, our results suggest that VKORC1L1 is responsible for driving vitamin K-mediated intracellular antioxidation pathways critical to cell survival.