Proteasome inhibitors improve the function of mutant lysosomal α-glucosidase in fibroblasts from Pompe disease patient carrying c.546G>T mutation

Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II) is an autosomal recessive myopathic disorder arising from the deficiency of lysosomal acid α-glucosidase (GAA). Recently, we found that mutant GAA in patient fibroblasts carrying c.546G>T mutation is stabilized by treatment with proteasome inhibitor as well as pharmacological chaperon N-butyl-deoxynojirimycin. In this study, we characterized the effect of two proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib and MG132, on maturation, subcellular localization and residual activity of mutant GAA in the patient fibroblasts carrying c.546G>T mutation. Each proteasome inhibitor promoted the stabilization of patient GAA and processing of them to mature forms without cytotoxic effect. Immunocytochemical analysis showed increased colocalization of GAA with the lysosomal marker LAMP2 in patient fibroblasts treated with proteasome inhibitors. Furthermore, bortezomib and MG132 also increased enzyme activity in the patient fibroblasts (about 4-fold and 2-fold, respectively). These findings indicate that proteasome inhibitor may be a novel drug as potential pharmacological chaperone therapy for Pompe disease patient carrying chaperon-responsive mutation.     

老年2型糖尿病患者血清ANGPTL4、Betatrophin、Vaspin水平与血糖、血脂及下肢血管病变的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨老年2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者血清脂肪因子血管生成素样蛋白4（ANGPTL4）、促代谢因子（Betatrophin）、腹腔脂肪型丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂（Vaspin）水平与血糖、血脂、下肢血管病变（LVD）的关系。方法：选取我院2018年8月～2019年8月收治的老年T2DM患者108例,根据患者是否合并LVD,分成LVD组（n=38）和无LVD组（n=70）,比较两组临床资料、血清ANGPTL4、Betatrophin、Vaspin水平、血糖指标[空腹血糖（FPG）、餐后2 h血糖（2hPG）、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）]、血脂指标[总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）]。经Pearson线性相关分析患者血清ANGPTL4、Betatrophin、Vaspin水平与血糖、血脂指标相关性。经Logistic多因素回归模型分析患者LVD发生的影响因素。结果：LVD组舒张压、收缩压均高于无LVD组（P＜0.05）。LVD组血清Betatrophin水平及TC、TG、LDL-C、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c高于无LVD组,血清ANGPTL4、Vaspin水平及HDL-C低于无LVD组（P＜0.05）。Pearson线性相关分析显示,血清ANGPTL4、Vaspin与TC、TG、LDL-C、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c呈负相关,与HDL-C呈正相关（P＜0.05）。血清Betatrophin与TC、TG、LDL-C、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c呈正相关,与HDL-C呈负相关（P＜0.05）。Logistic多因素回归模型分析结果显示,血清ANGPTL4、Betatrophin、Vaspin以及舒张压、TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c是患者LVD发生的影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：老年T2DM合并LVD患者的血清ANGPTL4、Vaspin水平明显下降,而血清Betatrophin水平升高,且三者与血糖、血脂指标均存在相关性,并且是患者发生LVD的影响因素,临床可考虑通过检测血清ANGPTL4、Betatrophin、Vaspin水平,辅助评估LVD的发生风险。     

X-Linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein is involved in mutant SOD1-mediated neuronal degeneration

Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene cause the degeneration of motor neurons in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). An apoptotic process including caspase-1 and -3 has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of FALS transgenic (Tg) mouse model. Here we report that IAP proteins, potent inhibitors of apoptosis, are involved in the FALS Tg mouse pathologic process. The levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the spinal cord of symptomatic G93A-SOD1 Tg mice compared with littermates. In contrast, the levels of cIAP-1 mRNA and protein were increased in symptomatic G93A-SOD1 Tg mice, whereas the levels of cIAP-2 mRNA and protein were unchanged. In situ hybridization showed that the expression of XIAP was remarkably reduced in the motor neurons of Tg mice, and the expression of cIAP-1 was strongly increased in the reactive astrocytes of Tg mice. Overexpression of XIAP markedly inhibited the cell death and caspase-3 activity in the neuro2a cells expressing mutant SOD1. Deletional mutant analysis revealed that the N-terminal domain of XIAP, the BIR1-2 domains, was essential for this inhibitory activity. These results suggest that XIAP plays a role in the apoptotic mechanism in the progression of disease in mutant SOD1 Tg mice and holds therapeutic possibilities for FALS.     

Structural characterization of a novel mono-sulfated gangliotriaosylceramide containing a 3-O-sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine from rat kidney

A novel mono-sulfated glycosphingolipid based on the gangliotriaose core structure was isolated from rat kidney. The isolation procedure involved extraction of lipids with chloroform/methanol, mild alkaline methanolysis, column chromatographies with anion exchangers and silica beads. The structure was characterized by compositional analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, methylation analysis,¹H-NMR spectroscopy and negative-ion liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) using the intact glycolipid and its desulfation product. The two dimensional chemical shift correlated spectroscopy provided information on the sugar sequence as well as anomeric configurations, and indicated the presence of a 3-O-sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine within the molecule. Negative-ion LSIMS with high- and low-energy collision-induced dissociation defined the sugar sequence and ceramide composition, confirming the presence of a sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine at the non-reducing terminus. From these results, the complete structure was proposed to be HSO₃-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (Gg₃Cer III³-sulfate, SM2b). Abbreviations: Abbreviations for sulfated glycolipids [17] follow the modifications of the nomenclature system of Svennerholm for gangliosides [37], and the designation of the other glycosphingolipids follows the IUPAC-IUB recommendations [38]. Cer, ceramide; LacCer, lactosylceramide, Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gg₃Cer, gangliotriaosylceramide, GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gg₄Cer, gangliotetraosylceramide, Gal1-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; iGb₄Cer, isoglobotetraosylceramide, GalNAc1-3Gal1-3Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gb₄Cer, globotetraosylceramide, GalNAc1-3Gal1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; SM4s, galactosylceramide sulfate, GalCer I³-sulfate; SM3, lactosylceramide sulfate, LacCer II³-sulfate; SM2a, Gg₃Cer II³-sulfate; SM2b, Gg₃Cer III³-sulfate; SB2, Gg₃Cer II³,III³-bis-sulfate; SM1a, Gg₄Cer II³-sulfate; SM1b, Gg₄Cer IV³-sulfate; SB1a, Gg₄Cer II³,IV³-bissulfate; GLC, gas-liquid chromatography; GC-MS, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; DQF, double quantum filtered; COSY, chemical-shift-correlated spectroscopy; LSIMS, liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry; CID, collision-induced dissociation; MS/MS, tandem mass spectrometry.     

疏风解毒胶囊辅以综合管理干预对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者呼吸及运动功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨疏风解毒胶囊辅以综合管理干预对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者呼吸及运动功能改善的影响。方法：选取2018年10月-2019年10月到我院进行治疗的COPD患者84例作为研究对象,随机数字表法分为两组,患者均使用疏风解毒胶囊进行治疗,对照组（n=42）予以常规干预,试验组（n=42）进行综合管理干预。对比两组患者的临床治疗有效率、肺功能改善情况、肺功能指标、呼吸困难指数（MRC）评分以及6分钟步行实验（6MWT）结果。结果：试验组的临床治疗有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。干预后,两组动脉血二氧化碳分压（PaCO₂）和MRC评分较干预前降低（P<0.05）,动脉血氧分压（PaO₂）、动脉血氧饱和度（SaO₂）、第1秒用力呼气容器（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、FEV₁/FVC均较干预前升高（P<0.05）,6MWT距离较干预前增加（P<0.05）,且试验组上述指标改善情况更优（P<0.05）。结论：疏风解毒胶囊辅以综合管理干预可提高COPD患者的临床治疗效果,改善其肺功能,可有效缓解呼吸困难,提升运动强度,值得在临床上应用与推广。     

Regulation of brain endothelial cells migration and angiogenesis by P-glycoprotein/caveolin-1 interaction

We have investigated the involvement of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/caveolin-1 interaction in the regulation of brain endothelial cells (EC) migration and tubulogenesis. P-gp overexpression in MDCK-MDR cells was correlated with enhanced cell migration whereas treatment with P-gp inhibitors CsA or PSC833 reduced it. Transfection of RBE4 rat brain endothelial cells with mutated versions of MDR1, in the caveolin-1 interaction motif, decreased the interaction between P-gp and caveolin-1, enhanced P-gp transport activity and cell migration. Moreover, down-regulation of caveolin-1 in RBE4 cells by siRNA against caveolin-1 stimulated cell migration. Interestingly, the inhibition of P-gp/caveolin-1 interaction increased also EC tubulogenesis. Furthermore, decrease of P-gp expression by siRNA inhibited EC tubulogenesis. These data indicate that the level of P-gp/caveolin-1 interaction can modulate brain endothelial angiogenesis and P-gp dependent cell migration.     

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 signaling acts as a molecular switch between syngenic differentiation and neural transdifferentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells

Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types from different germ layers. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying the transdifferentiation of MSCs into specific cell types still need to be elucidated. In this study, we unexpectedly found that treatment of human adipose- and bone marrow-derived MSCs with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, in particular CDK4 inhibitor, selectively led to transdifferentiation into neural cells with a high frequency. Specifically, targeted inhibition of CDK4 expression using recombinant adenovial shRNA induced the neural transdifferentiation of human MSCs. However, the inhibition of CDK4 activity attenuated the syngenic differentiation of human adipose-derived MSCs. Importantly, the forced regulation of CDK4 activity showed reciprocal reversibility between neural differentiation and dedifferentiation of human MSCs. Together, these results provide novel molecular evidence underlying the neural transdifferentiation of human MSCs; in addition, CDK4 signaling appears to act as a molecular switch from syngenic differentiation to neural transdifferentiation of human MSCs.     

5/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global problem. Slowing CKD progression is a major health priority. Since CKD is characterized by complex derangements of homeostasis, integrative animal models are necessary to study development and progression of CKD. To study development of CKD and novel therapeutic interventions in CKD, we use the 5/6th nephrectomy ablation model, a well known experimental model of progressive renal disease, resembling several aspects of human CKD. The gross reduction in renal mass causes progressive glomerular and tubulo-interstitial injury, loss of remnant nephrons and development of systemic and glomerular hypertension. It is also associated with progressive intrarenal capillary loss, inflammation and glomerulosclerosis. Risk factors for CKD invariably impact on endothelial function. To mimic this, we combine removal of 5/6th of renal mass with nitric oxide (NO) depletion and a high salt diet. After arrival and acclimatization, animals receive a NO synthase inhibitor (NG-nitro-L-Arginine) (L-NNA) supplemented to drinking water (20 mg/L) for a period of 4 weeks, followed by right sided uninephrectomy. One week later, a subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) is performed on the left side. After SNX, animals are allowed to recover for two days followed by LNNA in drinking water (20 mg/L) for a further period of 4 weeks. A high salt diet (6%), supplemented in ground chow (see time line Figure 1), is continued throughout the experiment. Progression of renal failure is followed over time by measuring plasma urea, systolic blood pressure and proteinuria. By six weeks after SNX, renal failure has developed. Renal function is measured using ''gold standard'' inulin and para-amino hippuric acid (PAH) clearance technology. This model of CKD is characterized by a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), hypertension (systolic blood pressure>150 mmHg), proteinuria (> 50 mg/24 hr) and mild uremia (>10 mM). Histological features include tubulo-interstitial damage reflected by inflammation, tubular atrophy and fibrosis and focal glomerulosclerosis leading to massive reduction of healthy glomeruli within the remnant population (<10%). Follow-up until 12 weeks after SNX shows further progression of CKD.     

First encounters--deployment of defence-related natural products by plants

Plant-derived natural products have important functions in ecological interactions. In some cases these compounds are deployed to sites of pathogen challenge by vesicle-mediated trafficking. Polar vesicle trafficking of natural products, proteins and other, as yet uncharacterized, cargo is emerging as a common theme in investigations of diverse disease resistance mechanisms in plants. Root-derived natural products can have marked effects on interactions between plants and soilborne organisms, for example by serving as signals for initiation of symbioses with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi. They may also contribute to competitiveness of invasive plant species by inhibiting the growth of neighbouring plants (allelopathy). Very little is known about the mechanisms of release of natural products from aerial plant parts or from roots, although there are likely to be commonalities in these processes. There is increasing evidence to indicate that pathogens and symbionts can manipulate plant endomembrane systems to suppress host defence responses and facilitate accommodation within plant cells. The relationship between secretory processes and plant interactions forms the focus of this review, which brings together different aspects of the deployment of defence-related natural products by plants.     

Metabolic adaptation of renal carbohydrate metabolism. V.In vivo response of rat renal-tubule gluconeogenesis to different diuretics

We have studied the effects of the diuretics mersalyl, furosemide and ethacrynic acid on renal gluconeogenesis in isolated rat-kidney tubules and on the activities of the most important gluconeogenic and glycolytic enzymes in both fed and fasted rats. Mersalyl (15 mg.kg^–1 animal weight) significantly decreased the rate of gluconeogenesis in well-fed rats (68%) as well as in 24 and 48-h fasted ones (33 and 37% respectively). This inhibition occurred when lactate, pyruvate, glycerol or fructose were used as substrates. Ethacrynic acid at a dose of 50 mg.kg^–1 animal weight provoked a transient inhibition of renal glucose production by almost 20% but only in fed rats with lactate as substrate, whereas the same dose of furosemide did not affect this metabolic pathway.Parallel to these changes, mersalyl caused a significant inhibition in the maximum activity of the most important gluconeogenic enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and glucose 6-phosphatase, in both fed and fasted rats. Neither ethacrynic acid nor furosemide produced any variations in the activities of these enzymes. The activity of the glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase was not modified by these diuretics. Nevertheless, the activity of the thiol-enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase was severely inhibited by mersalyl and to a lesser extent by the other diuretics. This inhibition was higher in fasted than fed rats. Hence, we conclude that the inhibitory effect of mersalyl on renal gluconeogenesis is due, at least partly, to a decrease in the flux through the gluconeogenic enzymes. Blood glucose was not modified after diuretic treatment in fed animals whereas mersalyl decreased the levels of blood glucose in 24-h fasted rats. Thein vivo effects of diuretics on gluconeogenesis correlate well with the previously observedin vitro effects, although ethacrynic acid was less potent as an inhibitorin vivo, probably because of its rapid clearance.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - EGTA ethyleneglycolbis (-aminoethylether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - DTT dithiothreitol - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - TRIS 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol Publication No. 166 from Drogas, Tóxicos Ambientales y Metabolismo Celular Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain