Secretion of apolipoproteins A-I and B by HepG2 cells: regulation by substrates and metabolic inhibitors

Differential effects of oxidized LDL on apolipoprotein AI and B synthesis in HepG2 cells

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Ox-LDL) are key elements in atherogenesis. Apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) is an active component of the antiatherogenic high-density lipoproteins (HDL). In contrast, plasma apolipoprotein B (apoB), the main component of LDL, is highly correlated with coronary risk. Our results, obtained in HepG2 cells, show that Ox-LDL, unlike native LDL, leads to opposite effects on apoB and apoAI, namely a decrease in apoAI and an increase in apoB secretion as evaluated by [(3)H]leucine incorporation and specific immunoprecipitation. Parallel pulse-chase studies show that Ox-LDL impaired apoB degradation, whereas apoAI degradation was increased and mRNA levels were decreased. We also found that enhanced lipid biosynthesis of both triglycerides and cholesterol esters was involved in the Ox-LDL-induced increase in apoB secretion. Our data suggest that the increase in apoB and decrease in apoAI secretion may in part contribute to the known atherogenicity of Ox-LDL through an elevated LDL/HDL ratio, a strong predictor of coronary risk in patients.

Treating the metabolic syndrome: acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibition

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors (abdominal obesity, hyperinsulinaemia, atherogenic dislipidaemia, hypertension, hypercoagulability) that together increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease and Type-2 diabetes. Inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), with its resultant inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and stimulation of fatty acid oxidation, has the potential to favourably affect, in a concerted manner, a multitude of cardiovascular risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Studies in ACC2 knockout mice and in experimental animals treated with isozyme-nonselective ACC inhibitors have demonstrated the potential for treating metabolic syndrome through this modality. A variety of structurally diverse, mechanistically distinct classes of ACC inhibitors have been disclosed in the scientific and patent literature. Isozyme-nonselective ACC inhibitors may provide the optimal therapeutic potential for beneficially affecting metabolic syndrome. However, demonstration of the full potential of isozyme-selective inhibitors, once identified, should reveal advantages and liabilities associated with single isozyme inhibition. Whereas demonstrating clinical efficacy of an ACC inhibitor should be straightforward, the heterogeneity of the patient population and absence of established guidelines regarding approval end points for agents simultaneously affecting multiple aspects of metabolic syndrome will pose developmental challenges for initial market entries.

Glucosamine-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes ApoB100 degradation: evidence for Grp78-mediated targeting to proteasomal degradation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of glucosamine-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Grp78 (BiP) in the intracellular degradation of apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) in cultured hepatocytes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Glucosamine treatment (2.5 to 10 mmol/L) of HepG2 cells increased levels of the ER chaperones, 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp78) and Grp94, in a dose-dependent manner and led to significant decreases in both cellular and secreted apoB100 by up to 97% (P<0.01). In contrast, no changes were observed in ER resident (ER60, PTP-1B) or secretory (albumin, apoE) control proteins. Glucosamine-induced apoB degradation was similarly observed in primary hamster hepatocytes and McA-RH7777 cells. Glucosamine treatment led to reduced tranlocational efficiency of apoB100 in the ER and enhanced its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Adenoviral overexpression of Grp78 also led to significantly decreased levels of newly synthesized apoB100 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Grp78-induced downregulation of apoB100 was sensitive to inhibition by the proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin, but not lysosomal protease inhibitors, E64 and leupeptin, suggesting that overexpression of Grp78 selectively induced proteasomal degradation of apoB100.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that binding and retention by Grp78 may play a critical role in proteasomal targeting and the ER quality-control of misfolded apoB. Interaction with core lipoprotein lipids may facilitate apoB transport out of the ER by reducing Grp78-mediated ER retention.

Obesity‐related leptin regulates Alzheimer's Aβ

Abeta peptide is the major proteinateous component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and is regarded by many as the culprit of the disorder. It is well documented that brain lipids are intricately involved in Abeta-related pathogenic pathways. An important modulator of lipid homeostasis is the pluripotent peptide leptin. Here we demonstrate leptin's ability to modify Abeta levels in vitro and in vivo. Similar to methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, leptin reduces beta-secretase activity in neuronal cells possibly by altering the lipid composition of membrane lipid rafts. This phenotype contrasts treatments with cholesterol and etomoxir, an inhibitor of carnitine-palmitoyl transferase-1. Conversely, inhibitors of acetyl CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase mimicked leptin's action. Leptin was also able to increase apoE-dependent Abeta uptake in vitro. Thus, leptin can modulate bidirectional Abeta kinesis, reducing its levels extracellularly. Most strikingly, chronic administration of leptin to AD-transgenic animals reduced the brain Abeta load, underlying its therapeutic potential.

Isozyme-nonselective N-substituted bipiperidylcarboxamide acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors reduce tissue malonyl-CoA concentrations, inhibit fatty acid synthesis, and increase fatty acid oxidation in cultured cells and in experimental animals

Inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), with its resultant inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and stimulation of fatty acid oxidation, has the potential to favorably affect the multitude of cardiovascular risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. To achieve maximal effectiveness, an ACC inhibitor should inhibit both the lipogenic tissue isozyme (ACC1) and the oxidative tissue isozyme (ACC2). Herein, we describe the biochemical and acute physiological properties of CP-610431, an isozyme-nonselective ACC inhibitor identified through high throughput inhibition screening, and CP-640186, an analog with improved metabolic stability. CP-610431 inhibited ACC1 and ACC2 with IC50s of approximately 50 nm. Inhibition was reversible, uncompetitive with respect to ATP, and non-competitive with respect to bicarbonate, acetyl-CoA, and citrate, indicating interaction with the enzymatic carboxyl transfer reaction. CP-610431 also inhibited fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride (TG) synthesis, TG secretion, and apolipoprotein B secretion in HepG2 cells (ACC1) with EC50s of 1.6, 1.8, 3.0, and 5.7 microm, without affecting either cholesterol synthesis or apolipoprotein CIII secretion. CP-640186, also inhibited both isozymes with IC50sof approximately 55 nm but was 2-3 times more potent than CP-610431 in inhibiting HepG2 cell fatty acid and TG synthesis. CP-640186 also stimulated fatty acid oxidation in C2C12 cells (ACC2) and in rat epitrochlearis muscle strips with EC50s of 57 nm and 1.3 microm. In rats, CP-640186 lowered hepatic, soleus muscle, quadriceps muscle, and cardiac muscle malonyl-CoA with ED50s of 55, 6, 15, and 8 mg/kg. Consequently, CP-640186 inhibited fatty acid synthesis in rats, CD1 mice, and ob/ob mice with ED50s of 13, 11, and 4 mg/kg, and stimulated rat whole body fatty acid oxidation with an ED50 of approximately 30 mg/kg. Taken together, These observations indicate that isozyme-nonselective ACC inhibition has the potential to favorably affect risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome.

ACTH decreases the expression and secretion of apolipoprotein B in HepG2 cell cultures

Administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) has been shown to decrease plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins, including lipoprotein(a), in man. However, the mechanism behind this hypolipidemic effect is unknown. This study aimed at distinguishing between the main possibilities (increased elimination or decreased production of lipoproteins) using HepG2 cell cultures. Addition of ACTH to the cell culture medium selectively down-regulated apoB mRNA expression and apoB secretion in a dose-dependent manner. At 100 pmol/liter ACTH, the apoB mRNA level was about 40% lower than in the untreated cells, and the secretion of apoB into the medium was decreased to a similar extent. The expression and secretion of other apolipoproteins (apoA-I, apoE, and apoM), however, were not affected by ACTH. Under normal culture conditions the level of secretion of apoB from HepG2 cells is quite low. In the presence of 0.4 mmol/liter oleic acid secretion of apoB increased 3-fold, but this phenomenon was not seen in ACTH-treated cells. Binding and internalization of radiolabeled low density lipoprotein (LDL) by HepG2 cell, as well as LDL-receptor mRNA and scavenger receptor B-I mRNA levels, were not influenced by ACTH. In conclusion, ACTH directly and selectively down-regulated the production and secretion of apoB in HepG2 cell cultures, suggesting that a principal mechanism behind the cholesterol-lowering effect of ACTH in vivo may be a decreased production rate of apoB-containing lipoproteins from the liver.

Albumin inhibits apolipoprotein AI and AII production in human hepatoblastoma cell line (Hep G2): additive effects of oleate-albumin complex

Although the role of multiple humoral agents (such as plasma albumin, glucose, hormones etc.) are implicated in lipoprotein metabolism, the mechanism of action of these agents on various steps of the synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins (protein moieties of lipoproteins) are not completely understood. Specifically, the hepatocellular mechanisms of the effect of albumin and fatty acids on apolipoprotein (apo) AI and AII [major proteins of high density lipoproteins (HDL)] synthesis and secretion are not known. Using human hepatoblastoma cells (Hep G2) as an in vitro model system, this study examined the effect of albumin and fatty acids on the synthesis, secretion, and the steady-state mRNA expression of apo AI and AII. The data indicated that the incubation of Hep G2 cells with albumin, dose-dependently, inhibited apo AI and AII accumulation (secretion) in the media, de novo synthesis, and the steady-state mRNA expression. Albumin did not alter total protein synthesis; thus the effect of albumin appeared to be specific for the synthesis and secretion of apo AI and apo AII. Free fatty acids (FFA) are transported by albumin and diseases characterized by enhanced FFA mobilization (e.g. diabetes mellitus) are associated with low HDL levels. Studies were therefore performed to examine the effect of albumin-bound-oleic acid on apo AI and apo AII production. The results showed that the albumin-oleate complex further increased the inhibitory effects of albumin on apo AI and apo AII production. These data suggest how HDL metabolism may be affected at the hepatocellular level by alterations in plasma albumin concentrations and/or fatty acid mobilization in clinical situations characterized by altered HDL levels.

NK-104, a potent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, decreases apolipoprotein B-100 secretion from Hep G2 cells

Intracellular cholesterol biosynthesis may play a key role in supplying cholesterol (as cholesteryl ester) for the neutral core of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), thus modulating the secretion of apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100) from hepatocytes. The effect of compound NK-104 was studied, a new competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA-reductase), on apo B-100 synthesis and secretion from the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2. Cells were preincubated with NK-104 (0.01-5 microM) in the presence or absence of oleate (0.8 mM). Apo B-100 in the medium was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Incubation of Hep G2 with NK-104 resulted in a marked inhibition of cholesterogenesis (up to 95%), determined as incorporation of [14C]acetate into sterols, and decreased in a dose-dependent manner apo B-100 secretion, both in basal conditions (from 110 to 82 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.01) and after incubation with oleate (from 227 to 165 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.01). Density gradient for distribution of apo B-100 secreted, showed that this decrease was essentially due to a reduction of apo B-100 associated with lipoproteins in the density range of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Pulse chase experiment demonstrated that NK-104 did not affect the synthetic rate of apo B-100 but increased intracellular degradation of newly synthesized protein. The compound had only marginal effect on the mass of intracellular triglyceride but significantly decreased intracellular mass of free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester (P < 0.01). It is speculated that the ability of compound NK-104 to decrease apo B-100 secretion from Hep G2 cells is due to a decreased intracellular cholesterol availability.

Glucose phosphorylation is essential for the turnover of neutral lipid and the second stage assembly of triacylglycerol-rich ApoB-containing lipoproteins in primary hepatocyte cultures

Primary hepatocytes cultured in a medium supplemented with amino acids and lipogenic substrates responded to increased extracellular glucose by increasing the secretion of VLDL apoB. This effect was accompanied by an increased secretion of VLDL triacylglycerol (TAG) derived from endogenous stores. Glucose also stimulated intracellular TAG mobilization via the TAG lipolysis/esterification cycle. All these effects were abolished in the presence of mannoheptulose (MH), an inhibitor of glucose phosphorylation. Glucose also gave rise to a modest (50% to 60%) increase in the incorporation of 35S methionine into newly synthesized apoB (P<0.05) and to a doubling of newly-synthesized apoB secretion as VLDL (P<0. 05). The magnitude of these effects was similar for apoB-48 and for apoB-100. MH inhibited apoB-48 and apoB-100 synthesis and VLDL secretion at all glucose concentrations. The effects of glucose and MH on the secretion of newly-synthesized apoB-48 or apoB-100 as small dense particles were less pronounced. Glucose had no effects on the posttranslational degradation of newly-synthesized apoB-100 or apoB-48. However, this process was significantly enhanced by MH. The results suggest that glucose stimulates TAG synthesis, turnover, and output as VLDL. These effects are associated with an increased VLDL output of apoB mediated mainly by an increase in the net synthesis of both apoB-48 and apoB-100. All these changes are prevented by interference with glucose phosphorylation. Output of small, dense, apoB-containing particles is relatively unaffected by the glucose and MH-induced changes in TAG synthesis and lipolysis, an observation which suggests that only the bulk lipid addition step of VLDL assembly is affected by changes in glucose metabolism.

ApoB-100 secretion by HepG2 cells is regulated by the rate of triglyceride biosynthesis but not by intracellular lipid pools

Triglycerides (TGs), cholesteryl esters (CEs), cholesterol, and phosphatidylcholine have been independently proposed as playing regulatory roles in apoB-100 secretion; the results depended on the cellular model used. In this study, we reinvestigate the role of lipids in apoB-100 production in HepG2 cells and in particular, we clarify the respective roles of intracellular mass and the biosynthesis of lipids in the regulation of apoB-100 production. In a first set of experiments, the pool size of cholesterol, CEs, and TGs was modulated by a 3-day treatment with either lipid precursors or inhibitors of enzymes involved in lipid synthesis. We used simvastatin (a hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor), 58-035 (an acyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor), 5-tetradecyloxy-2-furancarboxylic acid (TOFA, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis), and oleic acid. The secretion rate of apoB-100 was not affected by the large modulation of lipid mass induced by these various pre-treatments. In a second set of experiments, the same lipid modulators were added during a 4-hour labeling period. Simvastatin and 58-035 inhibited cholesterol and CE synthesis without affecting apoB-100 secretion. By contrast, treatment of HepG2 cells with TOFA resulted in the inhibition of TG synthesis and apoB-100 secretion. This effect was highly specific for apoB-100 and was reversed by adding oleic acid, which stimulated both TG synthesis and apoB-100 secretion. Moreover, a combination of oleic acid and 58-035 inhibited CE biosynthesis and increased both TG synthesis and apoB-100 secretion. These results show that in HepG2 cells TG biosynthesis regulates apoB-100 secretion, whereas the rate of cholesterol or CE biosynthesis has no effect.

Microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein prevents presecretory degradation of apolipoprotein B-100. A dithiothreitol-sensitive protease is involved

The role of microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein (MTP) in the secretion of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) has been studied using an inhibitor of MTP: 4'-bromo-3'-methylmetaqualone. In vitro, this compound inhibits trioleoylglycerol transfer between lipid vesicles mediated by MTP with an IC50 of 0.9 microM whereas it does not inhibit the lipid transfer mediated by the cholesteryl ester transfer protein. In HepG2 cells, 4'-bromo-3'-methylmetaqualone inhibits the secretion of apoB-100 with an IC50 of 0.3 microM, without affecting the secretion of several other proteins like apoA-I or albumin. Moreover, there is no accumulation of apoB-100 in treated cells. Oleic acid, which increases apoB-100 secretion, only slightly modifies the IC50 of 4'-bromo-3'-methylmetaqualone (0.5 microM). The latter has no effect on the synthesis of major lipids within the cell, but decreases the secretion of triacylglycerol into apoB-100-containing lipoproteins. Pulse/chase experiments reveal that 4'-bromo-3'-methylmetaqualone acts on apoB-100 production either at the co-translational or post-translational level. The cysteine protease inhibitor N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal does not protect apoB-100 from the 4'-bromo-3'-methylmetaqualone effect but seems to be involved in a later step of apoB-100 intracellular degradation. By contrast, dithiothreitol can totally reverse the effect of the MTP inhibitor on apoB-100 production. The mechanism of MTP-mediated lipid assembly with apoB-100 is discussed.