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Nieddu G, Formato M, Lepedda AJ. Searching for Atherosclerosis Biomarkers by Proteomics: A Focus on Lesion Pathogenesis and Vulnerability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15175. [PMID: 37894856 PMCID: PMC10607641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plaque rupture and thrombosis are the most important clinical complications in the pathogenesis of stroke, coronary arteries, and peripheral vascular diseases. The identification of early biomarkers of plaque presence and susceptibility to ulceration could be of primary importance in preventing such life-threatening events. With the improvement of proteomic tools, large-scale technologies have been proven valuable in attempting to unravel pathways of atherosclerotic degeneration and identifying new circulating markers to be utilized either as early diagnostic traits or as targets for new drug therapies. To address these issues, different matrices of human origin, such as vascular cells, arterial tissues, plasma, and urine, have been investigated. Besides, proteomics was also applied to experimental atherosclerosis in order to unveil significant insights into the mechanisms influencing atherogenesis. This narrative review provides an overview of the last twenty years of omics applications to the study of atherogenesis and lesion vulnerability, with particular emphasis on lipoproteomics and vascular tissue proteomics. Major issues of tissue analyses, such as plaque complexity, sampling, availability, choice of proper controls, and lipoproteins purification, will be raised, and future directions will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Junior Lepedda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.); Antonio Junior Lepedda (A.J.L.)
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Finamore F, Nieddu G, Rocchiccioli S, Spirito R, Guarino A, Formato M, Lepedda AJ. Apolipoprotein Signature of HDL and LDL from Atherosclerotic Patients in Relation with Carotid Plaque Typology: A Preliminary Report. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091156. [PMID: 34572342 PMCID: PMC8465382 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past years, it has become increasingly clear that the protein cargo of the different lipoprotein classes is largely responsible for carrying out their various functions, also in relation to pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis. Accordingly, detailed information about their apolipoprotein composition and structure may contribute to the revelation of their role in atherogenesis and the understanding of the mechanisms that lead to atherosclerotic degeneration and toward vulnerable plaque formation. With this aim, shotgun proteomics was applied to identify the apolipoprotein signatures of both high-density and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) plasma fractions purified from healthy volunteers and atherosclerotic patients with different plaque typologies who underwent carotid endarterectomy. By this approach, two proteins with potential implications in inflammatory, immune, and hemostatic pathways, namely, integrin beta-2 (P05107) and secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (Q96PL1), have been confirmed to belong to the HDL proteome. Similarly, the list of LDL-associated proteins has been enriched with 21 proteins involved in complement and coagulation cascades and the acute-phase response, which potentially double the protein species of LDL cargo. Moreover, differential expression analysis has shown protein signatures specific for patients with “hard” or “soft” plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Finamore
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (S.R.)
| | - Gabriele Nieddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Silvia Rocchiccioli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (S.R.)
| | - Rita Spirito
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, via Parea 4, 20138 Milano, Italy; (R.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Anna Guarino
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, via Parea 4, 20138 Milano, Italy; (R.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Marilena Formato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Antonio Junior Lepedda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.N.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Loss-of-Function Is Detrimental to the Juvenile Host With Septic Shock. Crit Care Med 2021; 48:1513-1520. [PMID: 32769621 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is a central regulator of lipid metabolism and has been implicated in regulating the host response to sepsis. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 loss-of-function is associated with improved sepsis outcomes in the adult host through increased hepatic bacterial clearance. Thus, there is interest in leveraging proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy in adults with sepsis. We sought to validate this association in children with septic shock and in a juvenile murine model of sepsis. DESIGN Prospectively enrolled cohort of children with septic shock; experimental mice. SETTING Seventeen participating institutions; research laboratory. PATIENTS AND SUBJECTS Five-hundred twenty-two children with septic shock; juvenile (14 d old) and adult (10-14 wk) mice with constitutive proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 null and wildtype control mice (C57BL/6). INTERVENTIONS Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, and lipid profiles in patients. Cecal slurry murine model of sepsis; survival studies in juvenile and adult mice, assessment of lipoprotein fractions, bacterial burden, and inflammation in juvenile mice. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS PCSK9 loss-of-function genetic variants were independently associated with increased odds of complicated course and mortality in children with septic shock. PCSK9, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein concentrations were lower among patients with complicated course relative to those without. PCSK9 concentrations negatively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 loss-of-function decreased survival in juvenile mice, but increased survival in adult mice with sepsis. PCSK9 loss-of-function resulted in low lipoproteins and decreased hepatic bacterial burden in juvenile mice. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the adult host, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 loss-of-function is detrimental to the juvenile host with septic shock. PCSK9 loss-of-function, in the context of low lipoproteins, may result in reduced hepatic bacterial clearance in the juvenile host with septic shock. Our data indicate that children should be excluded in sepsis clinical trials involving proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors.
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Wagner R, Dittrich J, Thiery J, Ceglarek U, Burkhardt R. Simultaneous LC/MS/MS quantification of eight apolipoproteins in normal and hypercholesterolemic mouse plasma. J Lipid Res 2019; 60:900-908. [PMID: 30723096 PMCID: PMC6446716 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.d084301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Apolipoproteins are major structural and functional constituents of lipoprotein particles. As modulators of lipid metabolism, adipose tissue biology, and energy homeostasis, apolipoproteins may serve as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for cardiometabolic diseases. Mice are the preferred model to study metabolic disease and CVD, but a comprehensive method to quantify circulating apolipoproteins in mice is lacking. We developed and validated a targeted proteomics assay to quantify eight apolipoproteins in mice via proteotypic signature peptides and corresponding stable isotope-labeled analogs. The LC/MS/MS method requires only a 3 µl sample volume to simultaneously determine mouse apoA-I, apoA-II, apoA-IV, apoB-100, total apoB, apoC-I, apoE, and apoJ concentrations. ApoB-48 concentrations can be calculated by subtracting apoB-100 from total apoB. After we established the analytic performance (sensitivity, linearity, and imprecision) and compared results for selected apolipoproteins against immunoassays, we applied the method to profile apolipoprotein levels in plasma and isolated HDL from normocholesterolemic C57BL/6 mice and from hypercholesterolemic Ldl-receptor- and Apoe-deficient mice. In conclusion, we present a robust, quantitative LC/MS/MS method for the multiplexed analysis of eight apolipoproteins in mice. This assay can be applied to investigate the effects of genetic manipulation or dietary interventions on apolipoprotein levels in plasma and isolated lipoprotein fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Wagner
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Dittrich
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joachim Thiery
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uta Ceglarek
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Previous epidemiological studies and studies in experimental animals have provided strong evidence for the atheroprotective effect of HDL and its major apoprotein, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I). Identification of genetic loci associating apoA-I/HDL with cardiovascular disease is needed to establish a causal relationship. RECENT FINDINGS Pharmacological interventions to increase apoA-I or HDL cholesterol levels in humans are not associated with reduction in atherosclerosis. Genome wide association study (GWAS) studies in humans and hybrid mouse diversity panel (HMDP) studies looking for genetic variants associated with apoA-I or HDL cholesterol levels with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis have not provided strong evidence for their atheroprotective function. SUMMARY These findings indicate that GWAS and HMDP studies identifying possible genetic determinants of HDL and apoA-I function are needed.
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Swertfeger DK, Li H, Rebholz S, Zhu X, Shah AS, Davidson WS, Lu LJ. Mapping Atheroprotective Functions and Related Proteins/Lipoproteins in Size Fractionated Human Plasma. Mol Cell Proteomics 2017; 16:680-693. [PMID: 28223350 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m116.066290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
HDL has been shown to possess a variety of cardio-protective functions, including removal of excess cholesterol from the periphery, and inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation. It has been proposed that various HDL subparticles exist, each with distinct protein and lipid compositions, which may be responsible for HDL's many functions. We hypothesized that HDL functions will co-migrate with the operational lipoprotein subspecies when separated by gel filtration chromatography. Plasma from 10 healthy male donors was fractionated and the protein composition of the phospholipid containing fractions was analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Each fraction was evaluated for its proteomic content as well as its ability to promote cholesterol efflux and protect low density lipoprotein (LDL) from free radical oxidation. For each function, several peaks of activity were identified across the plasma size gradient. Neither cholesterol efflux or LDL antioxidation activity correlated strongly with any single protein across the fractions. However, we identified multiple proteins that had strong correlations (r values >0.7, p < 0.01) with individual peaks of activity. These proteins fell into diverse functional categories, including those traditionally associated with lipid metabolism, as well as alternative complement cascade, innate immunity and clotting cascades and immunoglobulins. Additionally, the phospholipid and cholesterol concentration of the fractions correlated strongly with cholesterol efflux (r = 0.95 and 0.82 respectively), whereas the total protein content of the fractions correlated best with antioxidant activity across all fractions (r = 0.746). Furthermore, two previously postulated subspecies (apoA-I, apoA-II and apoC-1; as well as apoA-I, apoC-I and apoJ) were found to have strong correlations with both cholesterol efflux and antioxidation activity. Up till now, very little has been known about how lipoprotein composition mediates functions like cholesterol efflux and antioxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debi K Swertfeger
- §Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Hailong Li
- §Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Sandra Rebholz
- §Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039.,¶Center for Lipid and Arteriosclerosis Science, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 2120 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237-0507
| | - Xiaoting Zhu
- §Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Amy S Shah
- ‖Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - W Sean Davidson
- ¶Center for Lipid and Arteriosclerosis Science, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 2120 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237-0507
| | - Long J Lu
- From the ‡School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; .,§Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
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Baig F, Joshi A, Mayr M. High-density lipoproteins in high resolution: Will proteomics solve the paradox for cardiovascular risk? Proteomics 2017; 17. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201600426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferheen Baig
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre; King's College London; London UK
| | - Abhishek Joshi
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre; King's College London; London UK
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre; King's College London; London UK
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