Proteomics and lipids of lipoproteins isolated at low salt concentrations in D2O/sucrose or in KBr

There is much interest in the significance of apolipoproteins and proteins that are noncovalently associated with lipoproteins. It is possible that the high ionic strength used for isolation of lipoproteins with KBr and NaI could alter the pattern of associated exchangeable proteins. Here we describe lipoprotein classes fractionation from up to 0.5 ml of serum or plasma with buffers of physiological ionic strength and pH prepared with deuterium oxide (D(2)O) and sucrose. An advantage of the D(2)O/sucrose procedure was that the lipoproteins could be directly analyzed by the techniques described without need for desalting. We compared the isolated lipoproteins with those obtained using ultracentrifugation in KBr from the same plasma pool. Electrophoretic homogeneity of the lipoproteins was very similar using the two methods, as well as their lipid composition evaluated by HPLC. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and surface-enhanced laser adsorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry indicated that the patterns of exchangeable proteins of VLDL isolated using with the two procedures were very similar. However, significant differences were found in the profiles of LDL and HDL, indicating that the D(2)O/sucrose method allowed a more complete characterization of its exchangeable apolipoproteins and proteins.     

Quantifying size distributions of nanolipoprotein particles with single-particle analysis and molecular dynamic simulations

Self-assembly of purified apolipoproteins and phospholipids results in the formation of nanometer-sized lipoprotein complexes, referred to as nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs). These bilayer constructs are fully soluble in aqueous environments and hold great promise as a model system to aid in solubilizing membrane proteins. Size variability in the self-assembly process has been recognized for some time, yet limited studies have been conducted to examine this phenomenon. Understanding the source of this heterogeneity may lead to methods to mitigate heterogeneity or to control NLP size, which may be important for tailoring NLPs for specific membrane proteins. Here, we have used atomic force microscopy, ion mobility spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy to quantify NLP size distributions on the single-particle scale, specifically focusing on assemblies with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and a recombinant apolipoprotein E variant containing the N-terminal 22 kDa fragment (E422k). Four discrete sizes of E422k/DMPC NLPs were identified by all three techniques, with diameters centered at approximately 14.5, 19, 23.5, and 28 nm. Computer simulations suggest that these sizes are related to the structure and number of E422k lipoproteins surrounding the NLPs and particles with an odd number of lipoproteins are consistent with the double-belt model, in which at least one lipoprotein adopts a hairpin structure.     

地塞米松对HepG2细胞分泌载脂蛋白的影响

以培养的人肝癌细胞系HepG2为研究对象,采用“冻干浓缩培养液载脂蛋白测定法”,考察了地塞米松对HepG2细胞载脂蛋白(apolipoprotein,apo)AⅠ、AⅡ、CⅢ、B100及E分泌的影响.结果表明：地塞米松对HepG2细胞apoAⅠ和apoE的分泌有促进作用,对apoAⅡ、apoB100和apoCⅢ的分泌有抑制作用,且这种作用随地塞米松浓度的增加而增强.当培养液中地塞米松的浓度为5.5×10^－5mol/L时,apoAⅠ和apoE的分泌分别增加36.6%和49.4%（P＜0.01）,apoAⅡ、apoB100和apoCⅢ的分泌分别减少38.9%、31.9%和29.8%（P＜0.01）.     

Identification of biomarker panels as predictors of severity in coronary artery disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in atherosclerotic plaque rupture and recondition. Specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) control MMP functions. Both MMPs and TIMPs are potential biomarkers of plaque instability. Elevated Apo-CII and CIII and Apo-E levels are recognized as cardiovascular disease risk factors. We aimed to establish the best blood biomarker panel to evaluate the coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. Plasma levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, Apo-CII, Apo-CIII and Apo-E were measured in 472 patients with CAD evaluated by coronary angiography and electrocardiography, and in 285 healthy controls. MMP-3 and MMP-9 plasma levels in CAD patients were significantly increased (P < 0.001) compared to controls (3.54- and 3.81-fold, respectively). Furthermore, these increments are modulated by CAD severity as well as for Apo-CII and Apo-CIII levels (P < 0.001). TIMPs levels were decreased in CAD versus controls (P < 0.001) and in inverse correlation to MMPs. Standard ROC curve approach showed the importance of panels of biomarkers, including MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, Apo-CII and Apo-CIII, for disease aggravation diagnosis. A high area under curve (AUC) value (0.995) was reached for the association of MMP-9, TIMP-2 and Apo-CIII. The unbalance between MMPs and TIMPs in vascular wall and dyslipidaemia creates favourable conditions for plaque disruption. Our study suggests that the combination of MMP-9, TIMP-2 and Apo-CIII values (‘CAD aggravation panel’) characterizes the severity of CAD, that is electrophysiological state, number of involved vessels, stent disposal and type of stent.     

Targeted On‐line SPE‐LC‐MS/MS Assay for the Quantitation of 12 Apolipoproteins from Human Blood

Laborious sample pretreatment of biological samples represents the most limiting factor for the translation of targeted proteomics assays from research to clinical routine. An optimized method for the simultaneous quantitation of 12 major apolipoproteins (apos) combining on‐line SPE and fast LC‐MS/MS analysis in 6.5 min total run time was developed, reducing the manual sample pretreatment time of 3 μL serum or plasma by 60%. Within‐run and between‐day imprecisions below 10 and 15% (n = 10) and high recovery rates (94–131%) were obtained applying the high‐throughput setup. High‐quality porcine trypsin was used, which outperformed cost‐effective bovine trypsin regarding digestion efficiency. Comparisons with immunoassays and another LC‐MS/MS assay demonstrated good correlation (Pearson's R: 0.81–0.98). Further, requirements on sample quality concerning sampling, processing, and long‐term storage up to 1 year were investigated revealing significant influences of the applied sampling material and coagulant on quantitation results. Apo profiles of 1339 subjects of the LIFE‐Adult‐Study were associated with lifestyle and physiological parameters as well as establish parameters of lipid metabolism (e.g., triglycerides, cholesterol). Besides gender effects, most significant impact was seen regarding lipid‐lowering medication. In conclusion, this novel highly standardized, high‐throughput targeted proteomics assay utilizes a fast, simultaneous analysis of 12 apos from least sample amounts.