Cell type-specific post-translational modifications of mouse osteopontin are associated with different adhesive properties

Osteopontin is increased in HIV-associated dementia

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, survival rates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have markedly improved, but less of an effect has been found for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. On the basis of our previous findings, we hypothesized that increased production of osteopontin might contribute to the persistence of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions. We found increased levels of osteopontin in the brains of humans with HIV encephalitis and monkeys with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) encephalitis. In cerebrospinal fluid, osteopontin levels were found to be elevated in HIV-infected individuals, regardless of their neuropsychological status. However, plasma osteopontin levels were significantly increased in individuals with HIV-associated dementia. In addition, a longitudinal study of monkeys revealed that plasma levels of osteopontin increased before the development of SIV-induced neurological and clinical abnormalities. Thus, plasma levels of osteopontin are significantly correlated with HIV-induced CNS dysfunction in the current era of efficacious antiviral treatment, and this finding suggests that the development of interventions to modulate osteopontin production or signaling might be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of HIV-induced CNS disorders.

Structural requirements for bone sialoprotein binding and modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) has been shown to induce limited gelatinase activity in latent matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) without removal of the propeptide and to restore enzymatic activity to MMP-2 previously inhibited by tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2). The current study identifies structural domains in human BSP and MMP-2 that contribute to these interactions. The 26 amino acid domain encoded by exon 4 of BSP is shown by a series of binding and activity assays to be involved in the displacement of MMP-2's propeptide from the active site and thereby inducing the protease activity. Binding assays in conjunction with enzyme activity assays demonstrate that both amino- and carboxy-terminal domains of BSP contribute to restoration of activity to TIMP2-inhibited MMP-2, while the MMP-2 hemopexin domain is not required for reactivation.

Potential relationship between hepatobiliary osteopontin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha expression following ethanol-associated hepatic injury in vivo and in vitro

Osteopontin (OPN) up-regulation is known to mediate hepatic inflammation in a rodent model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and alcohol ingestion is reported to inhibit hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) activity leading to hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the anti-inflammatory PPAR-alpha and proinflammatory OPN in rats and mice livers, and cell cultures of hepatocytes and biliary epithelium. Experiments were designed to evaluate the influence of ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and acetaldehyde (ACA) on OPN and PPAR-alpha expression levels in vivo (rats and mice) and in vitro (hepatocytes and biliary epithelium). Adult Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL6 mice were fed EtOH-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet for 6 weeks and injected with a single dose of LPS. A combination of EtOH and LPS treated rats and mice showed significant induction of hepatic OPN expression compared with the controls. Similarly, cells exposed to physiological doses of EtOH, LPS, a combination of EtOH and LPS, and ACA resulted in increased OPN protein and mRNA expression. Rats and mice in ALD model and cells treated with EtOH and ACA showed downregulation of PPAR-alpha mRNA. Also, DNA binding activity of PPAR-alpha to PPAR response element was significantly reduced following treatment. Overexpression of PPAR-alpha rescued the reduced PPAR-alpha activity and PPAR-alpha agonist, bezafibrate, elevated PPAR-alpha activity after treatment of EtOH, LPS, and ACA when cells were exposed by bezafibrate. To further delineate the potential relationship between OPN and PPAR-alpha, OPN(-/-) mice showed no change of PPAR-alpha mRNA level although wild-type mice showed downregulation of PPAR-alpha mRNA after EtOH treatment. In conclusion, the current study suggests that OPN is induced by EtOH and its metabolite ACA and opposite relationship likely exist between PPAR-alpha and OPN expression within the liver during ALD.

Progesterone and placentation increase secreted phosphoprotein one (SPP1 or osteopontin) in uterine glands and stroma for histotrophic and hematotrophic support of ovine pregnancy

Secreted phosphoprotein one (SPP1, osteopontin) may regulate conceptus implantation and placentation. We investigated effects of progesterone (P(4)) and the conceptus on expression and localization of SPP1 in the ovine uterus. Steady-state levels of SPP1 mRNA in the endometrium of unilaterally pregnant ewes did not differ significantly between nongravid and gravid horns within their respective days of pregnancy; however, levels did increase as pregnancy progressed. SPP1 mRNA was detectable in the glandular epithelium (GE) of both nongravid and gravid horns via in situ hybridization. SPP1 protein was localized to the apical surface of the luminal epithelium of both nongravid and gravid uterine horns. Gravid horns exhibited extensive stromal SPP1 on Days 40 through 120, whereas SPP1 was markedly lower in the stroma of nongravid uterine horns through Day 80 of pregnancy. By Day 120, stromal expression of SPP1 between nongravid and gravid horns was similar. Long-term P(4) treatment of ovariectomized ewes induced SPP1 in the uterine stroma and GE. A bioactive 45-kDa SPP1 fragment was purified from uterine secretions and promoted ovine trophectoderm cell attachment in vitro. Interestingly, increased stromal cell expression of SPP1 was positively associated with vascularization as assessed by von Willebrand factor staining. Finally, ovine uterine artery endothelial cells produced SPP1 during outgrowth into three-dimensional collagen matrices in an in vitro model system that recapitulates angiogenesis. Collectively, P(4) induces and the conceptus further stimulates SPP1 in uterine GE and stroma, where SPP1 likely influences histotrophic and hematotrophic support of conceptus development.

Osteopontin promotes the development of natural killer cells from hematopoietic stem cells

The detailed mechanisms driving the development of natural killer (NK) cells from hematopoietic stem cells remain to be clearly elucidated. Here, we show that osteopontin (OPN) is a key factor for NK development. OPN-deficient mice evidenced severe impairments of NK development in bone marrow (BM) and spleen in which the NK populations that express CD122 and NK cell receptors were reduced. However, the absence of intrinsic OPN expression did not affect NK development, whereas the absence of OPN in the microenvironment caused a significant reduction in NK population. The expression of OPN was induced by interleukin (IL)-15 in BM stromal cells, and the defect in NK differentiation in IL-15(-/-) hematopoietic precursor cells (HPC) was recovered by addition of recombinant OPN, suggesting that the microenvironmental OPN may be a key factor in IL-15-mediated NK differentiation. In addition, OPN-driven NK maturation was reduced in T-bet-deficient HPC, suggesting that T-bet is required for OPN-mediated NK development. Collectively, these results show that paracrine OPN signaling drives NK-lineage commitment, thus ultimately promoting NK cell development. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Post-translational modification and proteolytic processing of urinary osteopontin

OPN (osteopontin) is a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein present in many tissues and body fluids. In urine, OPN is a potent inhibitor of nucleation, growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals, suggesting that it has a role in the prevention of renal stone formation. The role of OPN in nephrolithiasis is, however, somewhat unclear, as it may also be involved in urinary stone formation, and it has been identified among the major protein components of renal calculi. Most likely, the function of OPN in urine is dependent on the highly anionic character of the protein. Besides a very high content of aspartic and glutamic residues, OPN is subjected to significant PTM (post-translational modification), such as phosphorylation, sulfation and glycosylation, which may function as regulatory switches in promotion or inhibition of mineralization. In the present study, we have characterized the PTMs of intact human urinary OPN and N-terminal fragments thereof. MS analysis showed a mass of 37.7 kDa for the intact protein. Enzymatic dephosphorylation and peptide mass analyses demonstrated that the protein contains approximately eight phosphate groups distributed over 30 potential phosphorylation sites. In addition, one sulfated tyrosine and five O-linked glycosylations were identified in OPN, whereas no N-linked glycans were detected. Peptide mapping and immunoblotting using different monoclonal antibodies showed that the N-terminal fragments present in urine are generated by proteolytic cleavage at Arg(228)-Leu(229) and Tyr(230)-Lys(231).

Small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs): multifunctional proteins in cancer

Numerous components and pathways are involved in the complex interplay between cancer cells and their environment. The family of glycophosphoproteins comprising osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, dentin sialophosphoprotein and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein - small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs) - are emerging as important players in many stages of cancer progression. From their detection in various human cancers to the demonstration of their key functional roles during malignant transformation, invasion and metastasis, the SIBLINGs are proteins with potential as diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as new therapeutic targets.

Control of osteopontin signaling and function by post-translational phosphorylation and protein folding

Osteopontin (OPN) plays roles in a variety of cellular processes from bone resorption and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling to immune cell activation and inhibition of apoptosis. Because it binds receptors (integrins, CD44 variants) typically engaged by ECM molecules, OPN acts as a "soluble" ECM molecule. A persistent theme throughout the characterization of how OPN functions has been the importance of phosphorylation. The source of the OPN used in specific experiments and the location of modified sites is an increasingly important consideration for OPN research. We review briefly some of the ways OPN impacts on the biology of mammalian systems with an emphasis on the importance of serine phosphorylation in modulating its signaling ability. We describe experiments that support the hypothesis that differences in the post-translational phosphorylation of OPN expressed by different cell types regulate how it impacts on target cells. Analyses of OPN's potential secondary structure reveal a possible beta-sheet conformation that offers an interpretation of certain experimental observations, specifically the effect of thrombin cleavage; it is consistent with an interaction between the C-terminal region of the protein and the central integrin-binding RGD sequence.

Characterization of anti-osteopontin monoclonal antibodies: Binding sensitivity to post-translational modifications

Osteopontin (OPN) is primarily a secreted phosphoglycoprotein found in a variety of tissues and body fluids. It has a wide range of reported functions, many of which are affected by the degree of post-translational modification (PTM) of the protein. These PTMs include phosphorylation, glycosylation, and cross-linking by transglutaminase. Here we describe the generation of unique monoclonal antibodies raised against recombinant OPN utilizing the OPN knockout mouse. The antibodies exhibit differential binding to OPN produced by different cell lines from the same species, as well to the multiple OPN forms in human urine. Most of the antibodies generated are able to recognize OPN produced by ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts, however only one antibody recognizes the more phosphorylated protein produced by the differentiating pre-osteoblast murine cell line MC3T3E1. Using a novel biopanning procedure combining T7 phage gene fragment display and protein G precipitation, we have epitope-mapped these antibodies. Several of the antibodies bind to regions of the OPN molecule that are phosphorylated, and one binds the region of OPN that is glycosylated. Using phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides, we show that the binding of two antibodies to the C-terminal end of OPN is inhibited by phosphorylation of this region. In addition, these two antibodies are able to inhibit cell adhesion to recombinant and weakly modified OPN. The antibodies described herein may prove useful in determining the presence of modifications at specific sites and for identifying structural forms of OPN. Also, the sensitivity of these antibodies to PTMs suggests that caution must be taken when choosing anti-OPN monoclonal antibodies to detect this highly modified protein.

Development of fragment-specific osteopontin antibodies and ELISA for quantification in human metastatic breast cancer

Background

Osteopontin (OPN) is associated with human cancers, and circulating blood OPN may have diagnostic or prognostic value in clinical oncology.

Methods

To evaluate OPN as a cancer biomarker, we generated and characterized five novel mouse monoclonal antibodies against the human full-length OPN (fl-OPN). Epitopes recognized by four antibodies (2C5, 2F10, 2H9, and 2E11) map to N-terminal OPN (aa1-166); one (1F11) maps to C-terminal OPN (aa167-314). These antibodies recognize recombinant and native OPN by ELISA and immunoblot, cross reacting with human and mouse OPN. Two of these novel antibodies (2F10 and 1F11) were used to develop a quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fl-OPN.

Results

In comparison with commercially available ELISAs, our assay had high accuracy in measuring fl-OPN standards, and high sensitivity. Specifically, our ELISA has a linear dose response between 0.078 ng/ml-10 ng/ml, with a sensitivity of 13.9 pg/ml. We utilized this assay to quantify fl-OPN in the plasma of healthy volunteers in comparison with patients with metastatic breast cancer. The average circulating plasma fl-OPN in healthy volunteers was 1.2 ng/ml, compared to 4.76 ng/ml in patients with metastatic breast cancer (p = 0.0042). Although the increase in fl-OPN in cancer patients is consistent with previous studies, the measured quantity varied greatly between all existing fl-OPN ELISAs.

Conclusion

Because OPN is a complex molecule with diversity from alternative splicing, post-translational modification, extracellular proteolytic modification, and participation in protein complexes, we suggest that further understanding of specific isoform recognition of multiple OPN species is essential for future studies of OPN biomarker utility.