Diabetic HDL Is Dysfunctional in Stimulating Endothelial Cell Migration and Proliferation Due to Down Regulation of SR-BI Expression

Background

Diabetic HDL had diminished capacity to stimulate endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration, and adhesion to extracellular matrix. The mechanism of such dysfunction is poorly understood and we therefore sought to determine the mechanistic features of diabetic HDL dysfunction.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We found that the dysfunction of diabetic HDL on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was associated with the down regulation of the HDL receptor protein, SR-BI. Akt-phosphorylation in HUVECs was induced in a biphasic manner by normal HDL. While diabetic HDL induced Akt phosphorylation normally after 20 minutes, the phosphorylation observed 24 hours after diabetic HDL treatment was reduced. To determine the role of SR-BI down regulation on diminished EC responses of diabetic HDL, Mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) were isolated from wild type and SR-BI (−/−) mice, and treated with normal and diabetic HDL. The proliferative and migratory effects of normal HDL on wild type MAECs were greatly diminished in SR-BI (−/−) cells. In contrast, response to diabetic HDL was impaired in both types suggesting diminished effectiveness of diabetic HDL on EC proliferation and migration might be due to the down regulation of SR-BI. Additionally, SR-BI down regulation diminishes diabetic HDL’s capacity to activate Akt chronically.

Conclusions/Significance

Diabetic HDL was dysfunctional in promoting EC proliferation, migration, and adhesion to matrix which was associated with the down-regulation of SR-BI. Additionally, SR-BI down regulation diminishes diabetic HDL’s capacity to activate Akt chronically.     

Interactions of the nuclear matrix-associated steroid receptor binding factor with its DNA binding element in the c-myc gene promoter

Steroid receptor binding factor (RBF) was originally isolated from avian oviduct nuclear matrix. When bound to avian genomic DNA, RBF generates saturable high-affinity binding sites for the avian progesterone receptor (PR). Recent studies have shown that RBF binds to a 54 bp element in the 5'-flanking region of the progesterone-regulated avian c-myc gene, and nuclear matrix-like attachment sites flank the RBF element [Lauber et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 24657-24665]. In this paper, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and S1 nuclease treatment are used to demonstrate that the RBF-maltose binding protei (MBP) fusion protein binds to single-stranded DNA of its element. Only the N-terminal domain of RBF binds the RBF DNA element as demonstrated by southwestern blot analyses, and by competition EMSAs between RBF-MBP and the N-terminal domain. Mass spectrometric analysis of the C-terminal domain of RBF demonstrates its potential to form noncovalent protein-protein interactions via a potential leucine-isoleucine zipperlike structure, suggesting a homo- and/or possible heterodimer structure in solution. These data support that the nuclear matrix binding site (acceptor site) for PR in the c-myc gene promoter is composed of RBF dimers bound to a specific single-stranded DNA element. The dimers of RBF are generated by C-terminal leucine zipper and the DNA binding occurs at the N-terminal parallel beta-sheet DNA binding motif. This complex is flanked by nuclear matrix attachment sites.     

Seasonal fluctuations of the mineral concentration of alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) from the field

Summary The seasonal fluctuation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Co, in leaves, roots and nodules of 40–50 year oldAlnus glutinosa trees growing at four different locations along the banks of the Tormes river, in the province of Salamanca, was studied. Also, the evolution of the soil organic matter under the trees sampled was evaluated. The data obtained for the various nutrient elements in the three plant parts are statistically treated at the significance levels of 99–95 per cent, and some remarks as to the nutritional status of the European alder in respect to the nutrients and its contribution to soil nutrient-cycling are provided. A positive correlation was found between N–P, N–K, N–Mg, and N–Mo, in leaves, and between N–P, N–K, N–Fe, N–Mn, and N–Mo in root nodules. In roots only, no significance at any level was obtained between N and any of the elements analyzed.     

Kdo2-Lipid A of Escherichia coli, a defined endotoxin that activates macrophages via TLR-4

The LIPID MAPS Consortium (www.lipidmaps.org) is developing comprehensive procedures for identifying all lipids of the macrophage, following activation by endotoxin. The goal is to quantify temporal and spatial changes in lipids that occur with cellular metabolism and to develop bioinformatic approaches that establish dynamic lipid networks. To achieve these aims, an endotoxin of the highest possible analytical specification is crucial. We now report a large-scale preparation of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo)(2)-Lipid A, a nearly homogeneous Re lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sub-structure with endotoxin activity equal to LPS. Kdo(2)-Lipid A was extracted from 2 kg cell paste of a heptose-deficient Escherichia coli mutant. It was purified by chromatography on silica, DEAE-cellulose, and C18 reverse-phase resin. Structure and purity were evaluated by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and (1)H-NMR. Its bioactivity was compared with LPS in RAW 264.7 cells and bone marrow macrophages from wild-type and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4)-deficient mice. Cytokine and eicosanoid production, in conjunction with gene expression profiling, were employed as readouts. Kdo(2)-Lipid A is comparable to LPS by these criteria. Its activity is reduced by >10(3) in cells from TLR-4-deficient mice. The purity of Kdo(2)-Lipid A should facilitate structural analysis of complexes with receptors like TLR-4/MD2.     

Role of cytosol in the stimulation of RNA transport in vitro during cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

The 100,000 g supernatant isolated from hypertrophic hearts on fractionation by (NH4)2SO4 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography showed an enhanced RNA-transport activity when incubated with isolated nuclei from sham-operated hearts in vitro. Proteins of Mr 73,000, 68,000, 43,000 and 32,000 are enriched in the DEAE-cellulose fractions exhibiting maximal transport activity, and they are phosphorylatable. Pretreatment of the cytosol with antibodies to the Mr-68,000 and -32,000 proteins decreases the transport activity of the cytosol from 14% to 4.25%. Proteins of Mr 73,000, 68,000, 43,000 and 32,000 are translocated from the cytosol to the nuclear envelope under conditions of RNA transport in vitro. Our results here suggest that at least two of these proteins, those of Mr 68,000 and 32,000, play an indispensible role in the nucleocytoplasmic RNA transport in vitro. By making use of a specific myosin heavy-chain B-gene probe and hybridization, we have also shown the effect of cytosol on the transport of myosin heavy-chain mRNA from nucleus to cytosol.     

Curcumin prevents corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and abnormalities of neuroplasticity via 5-HT receptor pathway

Curcumin, a major active component of Curcuma longa, possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. The present study explores the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against corticosterone and its relation to 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) receptors. Exposure of cortical neurons to corticosterone results in decreased mRNA levels for three 5-HT receptor subtypes, 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(4), but 5-HT(1B,) 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C), 5-HT(6) and 5-HT(7) receptors remain unchanged. Pre-treatment with curcumin reversed this effect on mRNA for the 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(4) receptors, but not for the 5-HT(2A) receptor. Moreover, curcumin exerted a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neuronal death. This observed effect of curcumin was partially blocked by either 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist p-MPPI or 5-HT(4) receptor antagonist RS 39604 alone; whereas, the simultaneous application of both antagonists completely reversed the effect. Curcumin was also found to regulate corticosterone-induced morphological changes such as increases in soma size, dendritic branching and dendritic spine density, as well as elevate synaptophysin expression in cortical neurons. p-MPPI and RS 39604 reversed the effect of curcumin-induced change in neuronal morphology and synaptophysin expression of corticosterone-treated neurons. In addition, an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level was observed after curcumin treatment, which was further prevented by RS 39604, but not by p-MPPI. However, curcumin-induced elevation in protein kinase A activity and phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein levels were inhibited by both p-MPPI and RS 39604. These findings suggest that the neuroprotection and modulation of neuroplasticity exhibited by curcumin might be mediated, at least in part, via the 5-HT receptor-cAMP-PKA-CREB signal pathway.     

Expression and Localization of Plant Protein Disulfide Isomerase

A cDNA clone encoding a putative protein disulfide isomerase (PDI, EC 5.3.4.1) from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and an antiserum was raised against the expressed PDI-active protein. The antiserum recognized a protein of approximately 60 kD in extracts from alfalfa, soybean, and tobacco roots and stems. Levels of this protein remained relatively constant on exposure of alfalfa cell suspension cultures to the protein glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin, whereas a slightly lower molecular mass form, also detected by the antiserum, was induced by this treatment. A lower molecular mass form of PDI was also observed in roots of alfalfa seedlings during the first 5 weeks after germination. PDI levels increased in developing soybean seeds up to 17 d after fertilization and then declined. Tissue print immunoblots revealed highest levels of PDI protein in the cambial tissues of soybean stems and petioles and in epidermal, subepidermal, cortical, and pith tissues of stems of alfalfa and tobacco. Immunogold electron microscopy confirmed the localization of PDI to the endoplasmic reticulum in soybean root nodules.