Comparative immunohistochemistry and histochemistry of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in rat organs during development

α1-antitrypsin promotes lung adenocarcinoma metastasis through upregulating fibronectin expression

α1-antitrypsin (AAT) has been recognized to be associated with lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which AAT promotes tumor metastasis remain to be investigated. Herein, we first examined AAT expression in a panel of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 88 lung adenocarcinoma patients undergoing curative resection, using immunohistochemical methods. Lung adenocarcinoma patients with high AAT expression showed a significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with low AAT expression by Kaplan-Meier method (P=0.008). High AAT expression was also identified as an independent prognostic factor by Cox regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.05; P=0.04). Second, the role of AAT in lung adenocarcinoma cell migration was evaluated in vitro using wound healing and Transwell assays, by transfecting the lentivirus vector with interfering sequence or coding sequence of AAT. The migration property of A549 and SPC-A1 cells was significantly diminished by downregulating AAT expression. Conversely, the migration of both cell lines was significantly increased through upregulating AAT. Furthermore, AAT could increase the expression of fibronectin (FN). FN down-regulation reversed AAT-induced promotion of adenocarcinoma cell migration. Third, a cancer cell/endothelial cell co-culture model was established to investigate the effect of AAT on adenocarcinoma cell adhesion using immunofluorescence examination. The results showed that downregulation of AAT inhibited adhesion between lung adenocarcinoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells whereas upregulation of AAT promoted adhesion, which may attribute to interactions between FN and integrin α5. Finally, AAT also showed the regulation effect on the metastatic behavior of lung adenocarcinoma cells in a mouse model, which may be through regulating FN expression. This study suggested that high AAT expression might be a negative prognostic marker for lung adenocarcinoma. AAT promoted lung adenocarcinoma metastasis, whose functional target may be FN. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanisms of lung adenocarcinoma metastasis.

Deep Digging: Far Red Imaging for the Monitoring of Transplanted Hepatocytes in Rats

Technologies for in vivo imaging of the distribution and integration of cell transplants gain significance for the use of novel cell therapy approaches in regenerative medicine. Applied to adequate animal models, they provide information on the spatio-temporal engraftment and functional performance of the cells transplanted. This chapter includes a detailed description of the in vivo tracking of transplanted hepatocytes in rat liver including the conjugation of antibodies to fluorochromes for far red imaging using a multispectral optical imager.

Blood pressure and glucose independent renoprotective effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition in a mouse model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Despite the beneficial effects of type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4) inhibitors on glucose levels, its effects on diabetic nephropathy remain unclear.

METHOD

This study examined the long-term renoprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin in db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. Results were compared with the known beneficial effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade by enalapril. Ten-week-old male diabetic db/db mice were treated for 3 months with either vehicle (n = 10), 3 mg linagliptin/kg per day (n = 8), or 20 mg enalapril/kg per day (n = 10). Heterozygous db/m mice treated with vehicle served as healthy controls (n = 8).

RESULTS

Neither linagliptin nor enalapril had significant effects on the parameters of glucose metabolism or blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. However, linagliptin treatment reduced albuminuria and attenuated kidney injury. In addition, expression of podocyte marker podocalyxin was normalized. We also analysed DPP-4 expression by immunofluorescence in human kidney biopsies and detected upregulation of DPP-4 in the glomeruli of patients with diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that our findings might be of relevance for human kidney disease as well.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin delays the progression of diabetic nephropathy damage in a glucose-independent and blood-pressure-independent manner. The observed effects may be because of the attenuation of podocyte injury and inhibition of myofibroblast transformation.

Physiology and pathophysiology of incretins in the kidney

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Incretin-based therapy with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is considered a promising therapeutic option for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cumulative evidence, mainly from preclinical animal studies, reveals that incretin-based therapies also may elicit beneficial effects on kidney function. This review gives an overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of the renal incretin system.

RECENT FINDINGS

Activation of GLP-1R in the kidney leads to diuretic and natriuretic effects, possibly through direct actions on renal tubular cells and sodium transporters. Moreover, there is evidence that incretin-based therapy reduces albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in the kidney, partially through GLP-1R-independent pathways. Molecular mechanisms by which incretins exert their renal effects are understood incompletely, thus further studies are needed.

SUMMARY

The GLP-1R and DPP-4 are expressed in the kidney in various species. The kidney plays an important role in the excretion of incretin metabolites and most GLP-1R agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, thus special attention is required when applying incretin-based therapy in renal impairment. Preclinical observations suggest direct renoprotective effects of incretin-based therapies in the setting of hypertension and other disorders of sodium retention, as well as in diabetic and nondiabetic nephropathy. Clinical studies are needed in order to confirm translational relevance from preclinical findings for treatment options of renal diseases.

Age-dependent hepatocyte transplantation for functional liver tissue reconstitution

The transplantation of hepatocytes could be an alternative therapeutic option to the whole organ transplantation for the treatment of end-stage liver diseases. However, this cell-based therapy needs the understanding of the molecular mechanisms to improve efficacy. This chapter includes a detailed method of a rat model for liver regeneration studies after age-dependent hepatocyte transplantation.

DPP8 and DPP9 expression in cynomolgus monkey and Sprague Dawley rat tissues

Dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs) are proteolytic enzymes that regulate many physiological systems by degrading signaling peptides. DPP8 and DPP9 are distinct from DPP4 in sequence, cellular localization and expression levels, thus implying distinct functions. However, DPP8 and DPP9 expression needs further delineation. We evaluated DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9 expression using three independent methods at the mRNA, protein, and functional levels to better understand the local physiological contribution of each enzyme. Sprague Dawley rats and cynomolgus monkeys were selected for DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9 expression profiling to represent animal species commonly utilized for drug preclinical safety evaluation. A novel Xhibit assay of DPP protease activity was applied in addition to newly available antibodies for immunohistochemical localization. This combined approach can facilitate a functional evaluation of protease expression, which is important for understanding physiological relevance. Few inter-species differences were observed. Tissue mRNA and protein levels generally correlated to functional DPP4 and DPP8/9 enzymatic activity. All three proteins were seen in epithelial cells, lymphoid cells and some endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Combined DPP8/DPP9 enzymatic activity was uniformly intracellular across tissues at approximately 10-fold lower levels than non-renal DPP4. Consistent levels of each DPP were detected among most non-renal tissues in rats and monkeys. DPP4 was ubiquitous, principally detected on cell membranes of epithelial and endothelial cells and was greatest in the kidney. The expression patterns suggest that DPP8 and DPP9 may act similarly across tissues, and that their actions might in part overlap with DPP4.

Dipeptidylpeptidase--IV, a key enzyme for the degradation of incretins and neuropeptides: activity and expression in the liver of lean and obese rats

Given the scarcity of donors, moderately fatty livers (FLs) are currently being considered as possible grafts for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), notwithstanding their poor tolerance to conventional cold preservation. The behaviour of parenchymal and sinusoidal liver cells during transplantation is being studied worldwide. Much less attention has been paid to the biliary tree, although this is considered the Achille's heel even of normal liver transplantation. To evaluate the response of the biliary compartment of FLs to the various phases of OLT reliable markers are necessary. Previously we demonstrated that Alkaline Phosphatase was scarcely active in bile canaliculi of FLs and thus ruled it out as a marker. As an alternative, dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV), was investigated. This ecto-peptidase plays an important role in glucose metabolism, rapidly inactivating insulin secreting hormones (incretins) that are important regulators of glucose metabolism. DPP-IV inhibitors are indeed used to treat Type II diabetes. Neuropeptides regulating bile transport and composition are further important substrates of DPP-IV in the enterohepatic axis. DPP-IV activity was investigated with an azo-coupling method in the liver of fatty Zucker rats (fa/fa), using as controls lean Zucker (fa/+) and normal Wistar rats. Protein expression was studied by immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibody (clone 5E8). In Wistar rat liver, DPP-IV activity and expression were high in the whole biliary tree, and moderate in sinusoid endothelial cells, in agreement with the literature. Main substrates of DPP-IV in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes could be incretins GLP-1 and GIP, and neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P, suggesting that these substances are inactivated or modified through the biliary route. In lean Zucker rat liver the enzyme reaction and protein expression patterns were similar to those of Wistar rat. In obese rat liver the patterns of DPP-IV activity and expression in hepatocytes reflected the morphological alterations induced by steatosis as lipid-rich hepatocytes had scarce activity, located either in deformed bile canaliculi or in the sinusoidal and lateral domains of the plasma membrane. These findings suggest that bile canaliculi in steatotic cells have an impaired capacity to inactivate incretins and neuropeptides. Incretin and/or neuropeptide deregulation is indeed thought to play important roles in obesity and insulin-resistance. No alteration in enzyme activity and expression was found in the upper segments of the biliary tree of obese respect to lean Zucker and Wistar rats. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that DPP-IV is a promising in situ marker of biliary functionality not only of normal but also of fatty rats. The approach, initially devised to investigate the behaviour of the liver during the various phases of transplantation, appears to have a much higher potentiality as it could be further exploited to investigate any pathological or stressful conditions involving the biliary tract (i.e., metabolic syndrome and cholestasis) and the response of the biliary tract to therapy and/or to surgery.

Expression and spatial heterogeneity of dipeptidyl peptidases in endothelial cells of conduct vessels and capillaries

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)/CD26 is by far the most extensively studied member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family of serine proteases. The discovery of the related enzymes DPP8 and DPP9 necessitates a (re-)evaluation of the DPPIV-like enzymatic activity in cells and organs. In this study, we aimed (1) to investigate the expression of the individual dipeptidyl peptidases in different types of endothelial cells (ECs) and (2) to reconsider published data in relation to our findings. Examination of DPP expression in rat primary ECs of aortic, endocardial and cardiac microvascular origin revealed the presence of DPPIV-like activity in all cell lysates. More than half of this activity could be attributed to DPP8/9. Western blot analysis revealed an abundance of the DPP8 protein as compared to DPP9. The expression of DPPIV and DPP8 was significantly higher in the cardiac microvascular endothelium than in the other ECs, suggesting a more pronounced role of these DPPs in the microvasculature. In situ, DPP activity in ventricular microvasculature was completely inhibited by sitagliptin, indicating that DPPIV is the predominant DPPIV-like enzyme in this organ. By contrast, immunohistochemical studies indicated DPP9 as the predominant DPP in human carotid artery ECs. In conclusion, our results support a highly regulated expression of individual DPPs in ECs, with a spatial heterogeneity in the cardiovascular tree.

The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin exhibits time- and dose-dependent localization in kidney, liver, and intestine after intravenous dosing: results from high resolution autoradiography in rats

Linagliptin is an orally active dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that is under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and shows dose-dependent pharmacokinetics in rats and humans. With microscopic autoradiography, the dose dependence of cellular distribution of [(3)H]linagliptin-related radioactivity was investigated in kidney at 3 h after intravenous injection of 7.4, 100, and 2000 microg/kg [(3)H]linagliptin. Furthermore, distribution of radioactivity in kidney, liver, and small intestine was investigated in relation to time (2 min, 3 h, and 192 h) after intravenous injection of 7.4 microg/kg [(3)H]linagliptin. The localization of radioactivity in the kidney at 3 h after administration of 7.4, 100, and 2000 microg/kg [(3)H]linagliptin changed with increasing dose from cortical glomeruli and parts of proximal tubule parts to parts of medullar proximal tubule. In addition, the compound distribution in the kidney shifted with time after administration of 7.4 microg/kg [(3)H]linagliptin from glomeruli (2 min) to the lower parts of proximal tubules (192 h). The radioactivity within proximal tubules was located primarily in the brush border. In the liver, the radioactivity persisted mainly around the portal triads and in the bile duct from 2 min to 192 h. In the small intestine, the radioactivity shifted from the lamina propria (2 min) to the surface of the villi and/or intestinal lumen (192 h). In conclusion, the cellular distribution pattern of [(3)H]linagliptin-related radioactivity reflected the known distribution of DPP-4. Together with the persistence of binding, this result supports the high relevance of DPP-4 binding of linagliptin for its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

A truncated polycystin-2 protein causes polycystic kidney disease and retinal degeneration in transgenic rats

The cloning of the PKD1 and PKD2 genes has led to promising new insight into the mechanisms that are responsible for cyst development in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Although the dominant pattern of inheritance would argue for haploinsufficiency, a gain of function, or a dominant negative mechanism, there is good evidence that autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease behaves like a recessive disease on a cellular level (two-hit mechanism of cystogenesis). For testing of whether other pathomechanisms in addition to the two-hit hypothesis can explain cyst formation, two transgenic rat lines that contain a truncated human polycystin-2 cDNA were generated. The protein product lacks almost the entire COOH-terminus and mimics mutations that frequently are found in patients. The transgene-encoded mRNA could be detected in multiple tissues of both transgenic lines, with the highest expression in the kidney. Both lines present with renal cysts that originate predominantly from the proximal tubule; in the tubular epithelial cells, the epitope-tagged mutant protein was detected in the brush border and in primary cilia. Further evidence of the involvement of primary cilia stems from the finding of retinal degeneration in the transgenic rats and from the fact that stably transfected LLC-PK(1) cells that inducibly produced the truncated polycystin-2 protein elaborated shorter cilia. Other experimental approaches, such as a knock-in strategy, will be necessary to validate these results, but this is the first preliminary evidence that cyst formation is due not only to somatic mutations.

Fibroblast activation protein increases apoptosis, cell adhesion, and migration by the LX-2 human stellate cell line

Injury and repair in chronic liver disease involve cell adhesion, migration, apoptosis, proliferation, and a wound healing response. In liver, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has both collagenase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPIV) activities and is expressed only by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and myofibroblasts, which produce and degrade extracellular matrix (ECM). FAP was colocalized with collagen fibers, fibronectin, and collagen type I in human liver. FAP function was examined in vitro by expressing green fluorescent protein FAP fusion protein in cell lines cultured on collagen-I, fibronectin, and Matrigel. Glutamates at 203 and 204 as well as serine624 of FAP were essential for peptidase activity. Human embryonic kidney 293T cells overexpressing FAP showed reduced adhesion and migration. FAP overexpression in the human HSC line LX-2 caused increased cell adhesion and migration on ECM proteins as well as invasion across transwells in the absence or presence of transforming growth factor beta-1. FAP overexpression enhanced staurosporine streptomyces-stimulated apoptosis in both cell lines. Interestingly, the enzyme activity of FAP was not required for these functions. Overexpressing FAP increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and CD44 and reduced integrin-beta1 expression in 293T cells, suggesting potential pathways of FAP-mediated impairment of cell adhesion and migration in this epithelial cell line. In conclusion, these findings further support a pro-fibrogenic role for FAP by indicating that, in addition to its enzymatic functions, FAP has important nonenzymatic functions that in chronic liver injury may facilitate tissue remodeling through FAP-mediated enhancement of HSC cell adhesion, migration, and apoptosis.

A novel consensus motif in fibronectin mediates dipeptidyl peptidase IV adhesion and metastasis

Lung endothelial dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV/CD26) is a vascular address for cancer cells decorated with cell-surface polymeric fibronectin (poly-FN). Here, we identified the DPPIV-binding sites in FN and examined the effect of binding site peptides on DPPIV/poly-FN adhesion and metastasis. Using proteolytic fragments and maltose-binding protein fusion proteins that together span full-length FN, we found DPPIV-binding sites in type III repeats 13, 14, and 15 (FNIII13, -14, and -15, respectively). DPPIV binding was mediated by the consensus motif T(I/L)TGLX(P/R)G(T/V)X and was confirmed by swapping this motif in FNIII13, -14, and -15 with the corresponding region in FNIII12, which did not bind DPPIV. DPPIV binding was lost in swapped FNIII13, -14, and -15 and gained in swapped FNIII12 (FNIII12(14)). Peptides containing the DPPIV-binding domain of FNIII14 blocked DPPIV/poly-FN adhesion and impeded pulmonary metastasis. This study adds to the classes of cell-surface adhesion receptors for FN and will help in the further characterization of the functional implications of the DPPIV/poly-FN adhesion in metastasis and possibly in cell-mediated immunity involving DPPIV-expressing lymphocytes.

An endocytosis defect as a possible cause of proteinuria in polycystic kidney disease

Because proteinuria has been demonstrated in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), we have investigated whether proteinuria also occurs in the (cy/+) rat, a widely used model for ADPKD. Increased urinary excretion of proteins, in particular of albumin, can be found in 16-wk-old (cy/+) rats, with a gel electrophoresis pattern compatible with a tubular origin of proteinuria. Using FITC-labeled dextran as an in vivo tracer for renal tubular endosomal function, we could show that portions of cyst-lining epithelia from proximal tubules have lost the ability to endocytose, which is necessary for the reabsorption of low-molecular-weight proteins. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of other proteins implicated in endocytosis, such as the chloride channel ClC-5 and the albumin receptor megalin, correlated well with the presence and absence of FITC-dextran in cysts. As an example of growth factor systems possibly being affected by this endocytosis defect, we could detect increased urinary levels of insulin-like growth factor-I protein in (cy/+) animals. These data indicate that proteinuria and albuminuria in the aforementioned rat model for ADPKD are due to a loss of the endocytic machinery in epithelia of proximal tubular cysts. This may also affect the concentration of different growth factors and hormones in cyst fluids and thus modulate cyst development.

Placental villous stroma as a model system for myofibroblast differentiation

Different subtypes of myofibroblasts have been described according to their cytoskeletal protein patterns. It is quite likely that these different subtypes represent distinct steps of differentiation. We propose the human placental stem villi as a particularly suitable model to study this differentiation process. During the course of pregnancy, different types of placental villi develop by differentiation of the mesenchymal stroma surrounding the fetal blood vessels. In order to characterise the differentiation of placental stromal cells in the human placenta, the expression patterns of the cytoskeletal proteins vimentin, desmin, alpha- and gamma-smooth muscle actin, pan-actin, smooth muscle myosin, and the monoclonal antibody GB 42, a marker of myofibroblasts, were investigated on placental tissue of different gestational age (7th-40th week of gestation). Proliferation patterns were assessed with the proliferation markers MIB 1 and PCNA. Additionally, dipeptidyl peptidase IV distribution was studied in term placenta and the ultrastructure of placental stromal cells was assessed by electron microscopy. Different subpopulations of extravascular stromal cells were distinguished according to typical co-expression patterns of cytoskeletal proteins. Around the fetal stem vessels in term placental villi they were arranged as concentric layers with increasing stage of differentiation. A variable layer of extravascular stromal cells lying beneath the trophoblast expressed vimentin (V) or vimentin and desmin (VD). They were mitotically active. The next layer co-expressed vimentin, desmin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (VDA). More centrally towards the fetal vessels, extravascular stromal cells co-expressed vimentin, desmin, alpha- and gamma-smooth muscle actin, and GB 42 (VDAG). Cells close to the fetal vessels additionally co-expressed smooth muscle myosin (VDAGM). Ultrastructurally, V cells resembled typical mesenchymal cells. VD cells corresponded to fibroblasts, while VDA and VDAG cells developed features of myofibroblasts. Cells of the VDAGM-type revealed a smooth muscle cell-related ultrastructure. In earlier stages of pregnancy, stromal cell types with less complex expression patterns prevailed. The media smooth muscle cells of the fetal vessels showed a mixture of different co-expression patterns. These cells were separated from extravascular stromal cells by a layer of collagen fibres. The results obtained indicate a clearly defined spatial differentiation gradient with increasing cytoskeletal complexity in human placental stromal cells from the superficial trophoblast towards the blood vessels in the centre of the stem villi. The spatial distribution of the various stages of differentiation suggests that human placental villi could be a useful model for the study of the differentiation of myofibroblasts.

Analysis of enzyme reactions in situ

Estimations of metabolic rates in cells and tissues and their regulation on the basis of kinetic properties of enzymes in diluted solutions may not be applicable to intact living cells or tissues. Enzymes often behave differently in living cells because of the high cellular protein content that can lead to homologous and heterologous associations of protein molecules. These associations often change the kinetics of enzymes as part of post-translational regulation mechanisms. An overview is given of these interactions between enzyme molecules or between enzyme molecules and structural elements in the cell, such as the cytoskeleton. Biochemical and histochemical methods are discussed that have been developed for in vivo and in situ analyses of enzyme reactions, particularly for the study of effects of molecular interactions. Quantitative (histochemical) analysis of local enzyme reactions or fluxes of metabolites has become increasingly important. At present, it is possible to calculate local concentrations of substrates in cells or tissue compartments and to express local kinetic parameters in units that are directly comparable with those obtained by biochemical assays of enzymes in suspensions. In situ analysis of the activities of a number of enzymes have revealed variations in their kinetic properties (Km and Vmax) in different tissue compartments. This stresses the importance of in vivo or in situ analyses of cellular metabolism. Finally, histochemical determinations of enzyme activity in parallel with immunohistochemistry for the detection of the total number of enzyme molecules and in situ hybridization of its messenger RNA allow the analysis of regulation mechanisms at all levels between transcription of the gene and post-translational activity modulation.

Immunolocalisation of cell surface peptidases in the developing human breast

The immunocytochemical distribution of three cell surface peptidases was investigated in samples of developing infant breast ranging in age from newborn to 9.5 months. We have previously demonstrated that in the adult breast these enzymes identify subpopulations of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. We therefore wished to address two questions: (a) At what stage in breast development can fibroblast subpopulations be identified, and (b) Is the distribution of these peptidases related to cellular differentiation and morphogenesis? At the histological level there was a cuff of stromal cells closely associated with the developing ductular and lobular structures. At all stages of ductular and lobular development the fibroblasts in this layer were consistently negative for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and clearly distinguished from the fibroblasts in the surrounding matrix, some of which expressed DPP IV in an age-dependent manner. Within the infant breast aminopeptidase N (APN) was localised to luminal epithelial cells and all fibroblasts, whilst neutral endopeptidase (NEP) was specifically localised to myoepithelial cells. These results are considered in relation to the role of stromal-epithelial interactions during morphogenesis and the proposed function of these enzymes.

Developmental changes of enzymes involved in peptide degradation in isolated rat brain microvessels

The specific activities of aminopeptidase A (APA), aminopeptidase M (APM), and dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV (DP IV) were determined in isolated brain microvessels and in brain homogenate of rats with different ages (between 1 and 8 weeks old). In addition, the blood-brain barrier (BBB)-specific enzymes gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. As similarly described by others, gamma-GT activity increased during this time period by fourfold, whereas ALP increased between weeks 1 and 2 and declined thereafter. DP IV activity increased fivefold during the first 8 weeks after birth and APM activity increased by twofold. A decrease of APA activity was found between weeks 1 and 2 after birth followed by an increase thereafter. The development of aminopeptidase activities responsible for the processing of specific neuropeptides acting on brain microvessels may be important in the development of regulation processes for cerebral blood flow and BBB permeability in the maturing animal.

The evolution of proteinase substrates with special reference to dipeptidylpeptidase IV

The design and development of specific substrates for proteolytic enzymes is reviewed. Particular attention is given to substrates containing the leaving groups 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (MNA) and 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (AFC). The MNA substrates are used for histochemical and cytochemical purposes, and they yield a coloured final reaction product when azo-coupled with a diazonium salt, an osmiophilic product for electron microscopy when coupled with hexazotized Pararosaniline, or a fluorescent final reaction product when coupled with 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde. AFC substrates are considerably more sensitive, and they yield the fluorescent product AFC after enzymatic cleavage of the substrate. AFC is not sufficiently water-insoluble to allow (intra)cellular localization, but AFC substrates are successfully used for incubations in microwells (Immu-Probe technique) and for the demonstration of banding patterns after gel electrophoresis (enzyme-directed overlay membrane technique). The methods are discussed with the example of the elucidation of the role of dipeptidylpeptidase IV in autoimmune diseases.

Development of monoclonal antibodies against different protein and carbohydrate epitopes of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from rat liver plasma membranes

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is a serine exopeptidase expressed at high levels in rat kidney, liver and lung. We established eight monoclonal antibodies against partially purified DPP IV from rat liver plasma membranes. By means of a competitive dot blot assay with purified DPP IV, these antibodies were shown to recognize four different epitopes of the glycoprotein, designated A - D. The epitopes are located on the extracellular domain of DPP IV, as shown by papain digestion of liver plasma membranes. Treatment of DPP IV with neuraminidase and glycopeptide N-glycosidase F, as well as incubation of hepatocytes with the alpha-mannosidase I inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin, revealed that epitope A may be formed by a mannose-rich sugar chain and epitope D might represent a complex carbohydrate structure in the mature glycoprotein, while the epitopes B and C are formed by the protein moiety. Concanavalin A reduced the binding of monoclonal antibody to epitope A by 78%. Binding to epitope D was blocked by 73% with wheat germ lectin, and by more than 99% with sialic acid; epitopes B and C were unaffected by any of the lectins or sugars tested. The immunological cross-reactivity with DPP IV from Morris hepatoma 7777 was demonstrated with monoclonal antibodies against epitopes A-C. Epitope D was not recognized on hepatoma DPP IV. However, in addition to DPP IV, four hepatoma plasma membrane glycoproteins were precipitated by the monoclonal antibody against the epitope D, indicating that this epitope is not uniquely restricted to DPP IV.