Endoplasmic reticulum quality control in lipoprotein metabolism

Molecular Regulation and Therapeutic Targeting of VLDL Production in Cardiometabolic Disease

There exists a complex relationship between steatotic liver disease (SLD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals with SLD, particularly those with metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD), a significant proportion of whom also exhibit features of insulin resistance. Recent evidence supports an expanded role of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the pathogenesis of CVD in patients, both with and without associated metabolic dysfunction. VLDL represents the major vehicle for exporting neutral lipid from hepatocytes, with each particle containing one molecule of apolipoproteinB100 (APOB100). VLDL production becomes dysregulated under conditions characteristic of MASLD including steatosis and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance not only affects VLDL production but also mediates the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic CVD. VLDL assembly and secretion therefore represents an important pathway in the setting of cardiometabolic disease and offers several candidates for therapeutic targeting, particularly in metabolically complex patients with MASLD at increased risk of atherosclerotic CVD. Here we review the clinical significance as well as the translational and therapeutic potential of key regulatory steps impacting VLDL initiation, maturation, secretion, catabolism, and clearance.

Calreticulin: Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ gatekeeper

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal Ca2+ is vital for the function of the ER and regulates many cellular processes. Calreticulin is a highly conserved, ER-resident Ca2+ binding protein and lectin-like chaperone. Over four decades of studying calreticulin demonstrate that this protein plays a crucial role in maintaining Ca2+ supply under different physiological conditions, in managing access to Ca2+ and how Ca2+ is used depending on the environmental events and in making sure that Ca2+ is not misused. Calreticulin plays a role of ER luminal Ca2+ sensor to manage Ca2+-dependent ER luminal events including maintaining interaction with its partners, Ca2+ handling molecules, substrates and stress sensors. The protein is strategically positioned in the lumen of the ER from where the protein manages access to and distribution of Ca2+ for many cellular Ca2+-signalling events. The importance of calreticulin Ca2+ pool extends beyond the ER and includes influence of cellular processes involved in many aspects of cellular pathophysiology. Abnormal handling of the ER Ca2+ contributes to many pathologies from heart failure to neurodegeneration and metabolic diseases.

ApoB100 and Atherosclerosis: What's New in the 21st Century?

ApoB is the main protein of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and is further divided into ApoB48 in the intestine and ApoB100 in the liver. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is produced by the liver, contains ApoB100, and is metabolized into its remnants, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). ApoB100 has been suggested to play a crucial role in the formation of the atherogenic plaque. Apart from being a biomarker of atherosclerosis, ApoB100 seems to be implicated in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis per se. In this review, we will focus on the structure, the metabolism, and the function of ApoB100, as well as its role as a predictor biomarker of cardiovascular risk. Moreover, we will elaborate upon the molecular mechanisms regarding the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, and we will discuss the disorders associated with the APOB gene mutations, and the potential role of various drugs as therapeutic targets.

Dietary choline activates the Ampk/Srebp signaling pathway and decreases lipid levels in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) to evaluate the effects of dietary choline supplementation on choline transport and metabolism, hepatopancreas histological structure and fatty acid profile, and regulation of lipid metabolism. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain different choline levels of 2.91 (basal diet), 3.85, 4.67, 6.55, 10.70 and 18.90 g/kg, respectively. A total of 960 shrimp (initial weight, 1.38 ± 0.01 g) were distributed randomly into twenty-four 250-L cylindrical fiber-glass tanks, with each diet assigned randomly to 4 replicate tanks. The results indicated that dietary choline significantly promoted the deposition of choline, betaine and carnitine (P < 0.05). The diameters and areas of R cells, total lipid and triglyceride contents in hepatopancreas, and triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid contents in hemolymph were negatively correlated with dietary choline level. The contents of functional fatty acids in hepatopancreas, the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc), and the mRNA expression of fas, srebp and acc were highest in shrimp fed the diet containing 4.67 g/kg choline, and significantly higher than those fed the diet containing 2.91 g/kg, the lowest level of choline (P < 0.05). The number of R cells, content of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), activities of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase (Cpt1), lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase, and the mRNA expression levels of cpt1, fabp, fatp, ldlr, and ampk in hepatopancreas increased significantly as dietary choline increased (P < 0.05). In addition, hepatopancreas mRNA expression levels of ctl1, ctl2, oct1, badh, bhmt, ck, cept, and cct were generally up-regulated as dietary choline level increased (P < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary choline promoted the deposition of choline and its metabolites by up-regulating genes related to choline transport and metabolism. Moreover, appropriate dietary choline level promoted the development of hepatopancreas R cells and maintained the normal accumulation of lipids required for development, while high dietary choline not only promoted hepatopancreas lipid export by enhancing VLDL synthesis, but also promoted fatty acid β-oxidation and inhibited de novo fatty acid synthesis by activating the Ampk/Srebp signaling pathway. These findings provided further insight and understanding of the mechanisms by which dietary choline regulated lipid metabolism in L. vannamei.

The PTP1B selective inhibitor MSI-1436 mitigates Tunicamycin-induced ER stress in human hepatocarcinoma cell line through XBP1 splicing modulation

Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B is considered as a key metabolic enzyme that has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance onset, and underlying cellular metabolic malfunctions, including ER stress and mitochondrial failure. In this study, effects of selective PTP1B inhibition using MSI-1436 on cellular apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress have been assessed using an in vitro model of Tunicamycin induced ER stress in HepG2 cell line. Inhibition of PTP1B using MSI-1436 significantly increased cell viability and reduced the number of apoptotic cells as well as the expression of key apoptosis initiators and effectors. MSI-1436 further mitigated ER stress, by downregulating the expression of IRE1, ATF6 and PERK transcripts, all being key ER stress sensors. Interestingly, MSI-1436 inhibited the XBP1 splicing, and thus its UPR-associated transcriptional activity. PTP1B inhibition further enabled to restore proper mitochondrial biogenesis, by improving transmembrane potential, and diminishing intracellular ROS while restoring of endogenous antioxidant enzymes genes expression. PTP1B inhibition using MSI-1436 could improve cellular apoptosis and metabolic integrity through the mitigation of ER and mitochondrial stress signalling pathways, and excessive ROS accumulation. This strategy may be useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders including IR, NAFLD and diabetes.

Association of KATP variants with CMD and RAP in CAD patients with increased serum lipoprotein(a) levels

CONTEXT

Refractory angina pectoris (RAP) is a specific subtype of coronary artery disease (CAD). Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and its induced coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) play an important role in pathogenesis of RAP, but its metabolism was mostly genetically determined. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) is involved in lipid metabolism and microvascular homeostasis, and becomes a promising target for the management of Lp(a) and its related RAP.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations of KATP variants with hyperlipoprotein(a)emia, CMD and RAP in CAD patients.

DESIGN, PATIENTS, SETTINGS

A total of 1,148 newly diagnosed CAD patients were prospectively selected, and divided into control [Lp(a) < 180 mg/dL] and case [Lp(a) ≥ 180 mg/dL, hyperlipoprotein(a)emia] group.

METHODS

9 KATP variants were genotyped by MassARRAY system. The expression profile of exosome-derived microRNAs (exo-miRs) was identified by next-generation sequencing, and the expression levels of differentially expressed exo-miRs were evaluated by qRT-PCR in verification cohort.

RESULTS

Three KATP variants were associated with increased risk of hyperlipoprotein(a)emia in CAD patients as follows: rs2285676 (AA + GA genotype, adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.10-1.88, P = 0.008), rs1799858 (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.73, P = 0.030), and rs141294036 (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10-1.87, P = 0.008). Only rs141294036 was associated with increased risk of CMD (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.23-2.13, P = 0.001), and further with increased RAP risk (CC genotype, adjusted HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22-3.43, P = 0.007) after median follow-up of 50.6-months. Between the two genotypes of rs141294036, 152 exo-miRs were significantly differentially expressed, only 10 exo-miRs (miR-7110-3p, miR-548az-5p, miR-214-3p, let-7i-5p, miR-218-5p, miR-128-3p, miR-378i, miR-625-3p, miR-128-1-5p and miR-3187-3p) were further confirmed in RAP patients with hyperlipoprotein(a)emia and CMD.

CONCLUSION

KATP rs141294036 may serve a potential genetic marker for hyperlipoprotein(a)emia, CMD and RAP in CAD patients.

FGF21 Reduces Lipid Accumulation in Bovine Hepatocytes by Enhancing Lipid Oxidation and Reducing Lipogenesis via AMPK Signaling

During the periparturient period, dairy cows suffer drastic metabolic stress because of plasma increased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) that stem from a negative energy balance. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatokine that activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway to maintain intracellular energy balance and tissue integrity via the promotion of catabolism and the inhibition of anabolic regulation. FGF21 treatment caused a 50% reduction in triglyceride (TG) content in liver in dairy cows. However, it is not clear whether FGF21 regulates lipid metabolism in bovine liver. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of FGF21 on lipid metabolism via AMPK signaling in bovine hepatocytes. The hepatocytes isolated from calves were treated with different concentrations of FGF21 or co-treated with AMPK inhibitor (BML-275). Herein, the study showed that FGF21 significantly reduced TG content in a dose–response manner and promoted very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion via an up-regulation of the proteins (ApoB 100, ApoE and MTTP) involved in VLDL secretion. Otherwise, the genes associated with lipid transport (LDLR and CD36) and lipid oxidation (PPARGC1A, ACOX1 and CPT1A), were up-regulated following FGF21 treatment. Moreover, FGF21 treatment inhibited lipogenesis via SREBF1, ACACA, FASN and ACLY inhibition. After being co-treated with the AMPK inhibitor, FGF21-induced changes were reversed in some genes. In conclusion, these results indicate that FGF21 adaptively regulates energy metabolism for a negative impact on lipogenesis, strengthens lipid oxidation, and inhibited lipid transportation via AMPK signaling in bovine hepatocytes. The present data suggest the possibility that FGF21 has potential value in alleviating perinatal metabolic diseases in dairy cows, and specific research in vivo should be studied in more detail.

Albumin Uptake and Processing by the Proximal Tubule: Physiologic, Pathologic and Therapeutic Implications

For nearly 50 years the proximal tubule (PT) has been known to reabsorb, process, and either catabolize or transcytose albumin from the glomerular filtrate. Innovative techniques and approaches have provided insights into these processes. Several genetic diseases, nonselective PT cell defects, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and acute PT injury lead to significant albuminuria, reaching nephrotic range. Albumin is also known to stimulate PT injury cascades. Thus, the mechanisms of albumin reabsorption, catabolism, and transcytosis are being reexamined with the use of techniques that allow for novel molecular and cellular discoveries. Megalin, a scavenger receptor, cubilin, amnionless, and Dab2 form a nonselective multireceptor complex that mediates albumin binding and uptake and directs proteins for lysosomal degradation after endocytosis. Albumin transcytosis is mediated by a pH-dependent binding affinity to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in the endosomal compartments. This reclamation pathway rescues albumin from urinary losses and cellular catabolism, extending its serum half-life. Albumin that has been altered by oxidation, glycation, or carbamylation or because of other bound ligands that do not bind to FcRn traffics to the lysosome. This molecular sorting mechanism reclaims physiological albumin and eliminates potentially toxic albumin. The clinical importance of PT albumin metabolism has also increased as albumin is now being used to bind therapeutic agents to extend their half-life and minimize filtration and kidney injury. The purpose of this review is to update and integrate evolving information regarding the reabsorption and processing of albumin by proximal tubule cells including discussion of genetic disorders and therapeutic considerations.

Expression and one-step purification of active lipoprotein lipase contemplated by biophysical considerations

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is essential for intravascular lipid metabolism and is of high medical relevance. Since LPL is notoriously unstable, there is an unmet need for a robust expression system producing high quantities of active and pure recombinant human LPL. We showed previously that bovine LPL purified from milk is unstable at body temperature (T_m is 34.8 °C), but in the presence of the endothelial transporter glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) LPL is stabile (T_m increases to 57.6 °C). Building on this information, we now designed an expression system for human LPL using Drosophila S2 cells grown in suspension at high cell density and at an advantageous temperature of 25 °C. We co-transfected S2 cells with human LPL, LMF1 and soluble GPIHBP1 to provide an efficient chaperoning and stabilization of LPL in all compartments during synthesis and after secretion into the conditioned medium. For LPL purification, we used heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography, which disrupted LPL-GPIHBP1 complexes causing GPIHBP1 to elute with the flow-through of the conditioned media. This one-step purification procedure yielded high quantities of pure and active LPL (4‒28 mg/L). Purification of several human LPL variants (furin-cleavage resistant mutant R297A, active-site mutant S132A, and lipid-binding-deficient mutant W390A-W393A-W394A) as well as murine LPL underscores the versatility and robustness of this protocol. Notably, we were able to produce and purify LPL containing the cognate furin-cleavage site. This method provides an efficient and cost-effective approach to produce large quantities of LPL for biophysical and large-scale drug discovery studies.

Apolipoprotein B and Cardiovascular Disease: Biomarker and Potential Therapeutic Target

Apolipoprotein (apo) B, the critical structural protein of the atherogenic lipoproteins, has two major isoforms: apoB48 and apoB100. ApoB48 is found in chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants with one apoB48 molecule per chylomicron particle. Similarly, a single apoB100 molecule is contained per particle of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein, LDL and lipoprotein(a). This unique one apoB per particle ratio makes plasma apoB concentration a direct measure of the number of circulating atherogenic lipoproteins. ApoB levels indicate the atherogenic particle concentration independent of the particle cholesterol content, which is variable. While LDL, the major cholesterol-carrying serum lipoprotein, is the primary therapeutic target for management and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, there is strong evidence that apoB is a more accurate indicator of cardiovascular risk than either total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. This review examines multiple aspects of apoB structure and function, with a focus on the controversy over use of apoB as a therapeutic target in clinical practice. Ongoing coronary artery disease residual risk, despite lipid-lowering treatment, has left patients and clinicians with unsatisfactory options for monitoring cardiovascular health. At the present time, the substitution of apoB for LDL-C in cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines has been deemed unjustified, but discussions continue.

GPIHBP1 and ANGPTL4 Utilize Protein Disorder to Orchestrate Order in Plasma Triglyceride Metabolism and Regulate Compartmentalization of LPL Activity

Intravascular processing of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) is crucial for delivery of dietary lipids fueling energy metabolism in heart and skeletal muscle and for storage in white adipose tissue. During the last decade, mechanisms underlying focal lipolytic processing of TRLs along the luminal surface of capillaries have been clarified by fresh insights into the functions of lipoprotein lipase (LPL); LPL's dedicated transporter protein, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1); and its endogenous inhibitors, angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL) proteins 3, 4, and 8. Key discoveries in LPL biology include solving the crystal structure of LPL, showing LPL is catalytically active as a monomer rather than as a homodimer, and that the borderline stability of LPL's hydrolase domain is crucial for the regulation of LPL activity. Another key discovery was understanding how ANGPTL4 regulates LPL activity. The binding of ANGPTL4 to LPL sequences adjacent to the catalytic cavity triggers cooperative and sequential unfolding of LPL's hydrolase domain resulting in irreversible collapse of the catalytic cavity and loss of LPL activity. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the ANGPTL3-ANGPTL8 complex for endocrine regulation of LPL activity in oxidative organs (e.g., heart, skeletal muscle, brown adipose tissue), but the molecular mechanisms have not been fully defined. New insights have also been gained into LPL-GPIHBP1 interactions and how GPIHBP1 moves LPL to its site of action in the capillary lumen. GPIHBP1 is an atypical member of the LU (Ly6/uPAR) domain protein superfamily, containing an intrinsically disordered and highly acidic N-terminal extension and a disulfide bond-rich three-fingered LU domain. Both the disordered acidic domain and the folded LU domain are crucial for the stability and transport of LPL, and for modulating its susceptibility to ANGPTL4-mediated unfolding. This review focuses on recent advances in the biology and biochemistry of crucial proteins for intravascular lipolysis.

The Effects of Diosgenin on Hypolipidemia and Its Underlying Mechanism: A Review

Hyperlipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism, which is a major cause of coronary heart disease. Although there has been considerable progress in hyperlipidemia treatment, morbidity and risk associated with the condition continue to rise. The first-line treatment for hyperlipidemia, statins, has multiple side effects; therefore, development of safe and effective drugs from natural products to prevent and treat hyperlipidemia is necessary. Diosgenin is primarily derived from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds, and is also abundant in medicinal herbs such as Dioscorea rhizome, Dioscorea septemloba, and Rhizoma polygonati, is a well-known steroidal sapogenin and the active ingredient in many drugs to treat cardiovascular conditions. There is abundant evidence that diosgenin has potential for application in correcting lipid metabolism disorders. In this review, we evaluated the latest evidence related to diosgenin and hyperlipidemia from clinical and animal studies. Additionally, we elaborate the pharmacological mechanism underlying the activity of diosgenin in treating hyperlipidemia in detail, including its role in inhibition of intestinal absorption of lipids, regulation of cholesterol transport, promotion of cholesterol conversion into bile acid and its excretion, inhibition of endogenous lipid biosynthesis, antioxidation and lipoprotein lipase activity, and regulation of transcription factors related to lipid metabolism. This review provides a deep exploration of the pharmacological mechanisms involved in diosgenin-hyperlipidemia interactions and suggests potential routes for the development of novel drug therapies for hyperlipidemia.

Data-Independent Acquisition-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Protective Effect of Apigenin on Palmitate-Induced Lipotoxicity in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

The ingestion of excessive free fatty acid could induce lipotoxicity in tissues and then lead to the initiation of many metabolism diseases. In this work, the protective effect of apigenin on palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) was investigated. Compared with 150 μM palmitate treatment alone, pretreatment with 10 μM apigenin for 6 h significantly increased the cell viability from 71.55 ± 3.62 to 91.06 ± 4.30% and improved mitochondrial membrane potential to the normal level (101.62 ± 11.72% of control). In addition, the production of nitric oxide was markedly elevated by apigenin cotreatment from 7.10 ± 3.95 to 94.20 ± 21.86%. The data-independent acquisition-based proteomic approach was used to study the protective mechanism, and the results revealed that 242 proteins were differently expressed in cells treated with palmitate and 93 proteins were reversed after apigenin supplementation. Apigenin realized its protective function mainly via regulating pathways such as IL-17, TNF, Fox O, cell adhesion, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing. Collectively, these data demonstrated that apigenin supplement may serve as an alternative nutritional intervention to protect HAEC against lipotoxicity.

Unfolding of monomeric lipoprotein lipase by ANGPTL4: Insight into the regulation of plasma triglyceride metabolism

The binding of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to GPIHBP1 focuses the intravascular hydrolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins on the surface of capillary endothelial cells. This process provides essential lipid nutrients for vital tissues (e.g., heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue). Deficiencies in either LPL or GPIHBP1 impair triglyceride hydrolysis, resulting in severe hypertriglyceridemia. The activity of LPL in tissues is regulated by angiopoietin-like proteins 3, 4, and 8 (ANGPTL). Dogma has held that these ANGPTLs inactivate LPL by converting LPL homodimers into monomers, rendering them highly susceptible to spontaneous unfolding and loss of enzymatic activity. Here, we show that binding of an LPL-specific monoclonal antibody (5D2) to the tryptophan-rich lipid-binding loop in the carboxyl terminus of LPL prevents homodimer formation and forces LPL into a monomeric state. Of note, 5D2-bound LPL monomers are as stable as LPL homodimers (i.e., they are not more prone to unfolding), but they remain highly susceptible to ANGPTL4-catalyzed unfolding and inactivation. Binding of GPIHBP1 to LPL alone or to 5D2-bound LPL counteracts ANGPTL4-mediated unfolding of LPL. In conclusion, ANGPTL4-mediated inactivation of LPL, accomplished by catalyzing the unfolding of LPL, does not require the conversion of LPL homodimers into monomers. Thus, our findings necessitate changes to long-standing dogma on mechanisms for LPL inactivation by ANGPTL proteins. At the same time, our findings align well with insights into LPL function from the recent crystal structure of the LPL•GPIHBP1 complex.