1
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Navneet S, Rohrer B. Elastin turnover in ocular diseases: A special focus on age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109164. [PMID: 35798060 PMCID: PMC9795808 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its turnover play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Elastin, a critical protein component of the ECM, not only provides structural and mechanical support to tissues, but also mediates several intracellular and extracellular molecular signaling pathways. Abnormal turnover of elastin has pathological implications. In the eye elastin is a major structural component of Bruch's membrane (BrM), a critical ECM structure separating the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from the choriocapillaris. Reduced integrity of macular BrM elastin, increased serum levels of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), and elevated elastin antibodies have been reported in AMD. Existing reports suggest that elastases, the elastin-degrading enzymes secreted by RPE, infiltrating macrophages or neutrophils could be involved in BrM elastin degradation, thus contributing to AMD pathogenesis. EDPs derived from elastin degradation can increase inflammatory and angiogenic responses in tissues, and the elastin antibodies are shown to play roles in immune cell activity and complement activation. This review summarizes our current understanding on the elastases/elastin fragments-mediated mechanisms of AMD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Navneet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Bärbel Rohrer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Division of Research, Charleston, SC, USA.
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2
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Yang C, Weiss AS, Tarakanova A. Changes in elastin structure and extensibility induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia. Acta Biomater 2022; 163:131-145. [PMID: 35364318 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Elastin is a key elastomeric protein responsible for the elasticity of many organs, including heart, skin, and blood vessels. Due to its intrinsic long life and low turnover rate, damage in elastin induced by pathophysiological conditions, such as hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, accumulates during biological aging and in aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Prior studies have shown that calcification induced by hypercalcemia deteriorates the function of aortic tissues. Glycation of elastin is triggered by hyperglycemia and associated with elastic tissue damage and loss of mechanical functions via the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. To evaluate the effects on elastin's structural conformations and elasticity by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, we perform classical atomistic and steered molecular dynamics simulations on tropoelastin, the soluble precursor of elastin, under different conditions. We characterize the interaction sites of glucose and calcium and associated structural conformational changes. Additionally, we find that elevated levels of calcium ions and glucose hinder the extensibility of tropoelastin by rearranging structural domains and altering hydrogen bonding patterns, respectively. Overall, our investigation helps to reveal the behavior of tropoelastin and the biomechanics of elastin biomaterials in these physiological environments. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Elastin is a key component of elastic fibers which endow many important tissues and organs, from arteries and veins, to skin and heart, with strength and elasticity. During aging and aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, physicochemical stressors, including hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, induce accumulated irreversible damage in elastin, and consequently alter mechanical function. Yet, molecular mechanisms associated with these processes are still poorly understood. Here, we present the first study on how these changes in elastin structure and extensibility are induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, revealing the essential roles that calcium and glucose play in triggering structural alterations and mechanical stiffness. Our findings yield critical insights into the first steps of hypercalcemia- and hyperglycemia-mediated aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengeng Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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3
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Singh M, Becker M, Godwin AR, Baldock C. Structural studies of elastic fibre and microfibrillar proteins. Matrix Biol Plus 2021; 12:100078. [PMID: 34355160 PMCID: PMC8322146 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastic tissues owe their functional properties to the composition of their extracellular matrices, particularly the range of extracellular, multidomain extensible elastic fibre and microfibrillar proteins. These proteins include elastin, fibrillin, latent TGFβ binding proteins (LTBPs) and collagens, where their biophysical and biochemical properties not only give the matrix structural integrity, but also play a vital role in the mechanisms that underlie tissue homeostasis. Thus far structural information regarding the structure and hierarchical assembly of these molecules has been challenging and the resolution has been limited due to post-translational modification and their multidomain nature leading to flexibility, which together result in conformational and structural heterogeneity. In this review, we describe some of the matrix proteins found in elastic fibres and the new emerging techniques that can shed light on their structure and dynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukti Singh
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mark Becker
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alan R.F. Godwin
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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4
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Florio G, Pugno NM, Buehler MJ, Puglisi G. A coarse-grained mechanical model for folding and unfolding of tropoelastin with possible mutations. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:477-489. [PMID: 34303013 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
We propose a simple general framework to predict folding, native states, energy barriers, protein unfolding, as well as mutation induced diseases and other protein structural analyses. The model should not be considered as an alternative to classical approaches (Molecular Dynamics or Monte Carlo) because it neglects low scale details and rather focuses on global features of proteins and structural information. We aim at the description of phenomena that are out of the range of classical molecular modeling approaches due to the large computational cost: multimolecular interactions, cyclic behavior under variable external interactions, and similar. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in a real case, we focus on the folding and unfolding behavior of tropoelastin and its mutations. Specifically, we derive a discrete mechanical model whose structure is deduced based on a coarse graining approach that allows us to group the amino acids sequence in a smaller number of `equivalent' masses. Nearest neighbor energy terms are then introduced to reproduce the interaction of such amino acid groups. Nearest and non-nearest neighbor energy terms, inter and intra functional blocks are phenomenologically added in the form of Morse potentials. As we show, the resulting system reproduces important properties of the folding-unfolding mechanical response, including the monotonic and cyclic force-elongation behavior, representing a physiologically important information for elastin. The comparison with the experimental behavior of mutated tropoelastin confirms the predictivity of the model. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Classical approaches to the study of phenomena at the molecular scale such as Molecular Dynamics (MD) represent an incredible tool to unveil mechanical and conformational properties of macromolecules, in particular for biological and medical applications. On the other hand, due to the computational cost, the time and spatial scales are limited. Focusing of the real case of tropoelastin, we propose a new approach based on a careful coarse graining of the system, able to describe the overall properties of the macromolecule and amenable of extension to larger scale effects (protein bundles, protein-protein interactions, cyclic loading). The comparison with tropoelastin behavior, also for mutations, is very promising.
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5
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Schmelzer CEH, Duca L. Elastic fibers: formation, function, and fate during aging and disease. FEBS J 2021; 289:3704-3730. [PMID: 33896108 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibers are extracellular components of higher vertebrates and confer elasticity and resilience to numerous tissues and organs such as large blood vessels, lungs, and skin. Their formation and maturation take place in a complex multistage process called elastogenesis. It requires interactions between very different proteins but also other molecules and leads to the deposition and crosslinking of elastin's precursor on a scaffold of fibrillin-rich microfibrils. Mature fibers are exceptionally resistant to most influences and, under healthy conditions, retain their biomechanical function over the life of the organism. However, due to their longevity, they accumulate damages during aging. These are caused by proteolytic degradation, formation of advanced glycation end products, calcification, oxidative damage, aspartic acid racemization, lipid accumulation, carbamylation, and mechanical fatigue. The resulting changes can lead to diminution or complete loss of elastic fiber function and ultimately affect morbidity and mortality. Particularly, the production of elastokines has been clearly shown to influence several life-threatening diseases. Moreover, the structure, distribution, and abundance of elastic fibers are directly or indirectly influenced by a variety of inherited pathological conditions, which mainly affect organs and tissues such as skin, lungs, or the cardiovascular system. A distinction can be made between microfibril-related inherited diseases that are the result of mutations in diverse microfibril genes and indirectly affect elastogenesis, and elastinopathies that are linked to changes in the elastin gene. This review gives an overview on the formation, structure, and function of elastic fibers and their fate over the human lifespan in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E H Schmelzer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Natural Sciences I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Laurent Duca
- UMR CNRS 7369 MEDyC, SFR CAP-Sante, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France
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6
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Sharma A, Sharma P, Roy S. Elastin-inspired supramolecular hydrogels: a multifaceted extracellular matrix protein in biomedical engineering. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3266-3290. [PMID: 33730140 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02202k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The phenomenal advancement in regenerative medicines has led to the development of bioinspired materials to fabricate a biomimetic artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) to support cellular survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Researchers have diligently developed protein polymers consisting of functional sequences of amino acids evolved in nature. Nowadays, certain repetitive bioinspired polymers are treated as an alternative to synthetic polymers due to their unique properties like biodegradability, easy scale-up, biocompatibility, and non-covalent molecular associations which imparts tunable supramolecular architecture to these materials. In this direction, elastin has been identified as a potential scaffold that renders extensibility and elasticity to the tissues. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are artificial repetitive polymers that exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in a particular environment than synthetic polymers and hence have gained extensive interest in the fabrication of stimuli-responsive biomaterials. This review discusses in detail the unique structural aspects of the elastin and its soluble precursor, tropoelastin. Furthermore, the versatility of elastin-like peptides is discussed through numerous examples that bolster the significance of elastin in the field of regenerative medicines such as wound care, cardiac tissue engineering, ocular disorders, bone tissue regeneration, etc. Finally, the review highlights the importance of exploring short elastin-mimetic peptides to recapitulate the structural and functional aspects of elastin for advanced healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archita Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector 81, Knowledge City, Mohali, 140306, Punjab, India.
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7
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Ozsvar J, Yang C, Cain SA, Baldock C, Tarakanova A, Weiss AS. Tropoelastin and Elastin Assembly. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:643110. [PMID: 33718344 PMCID: PMC7947355 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.643110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastic fibers are an important component of the extracellular matrix, providing stretch, resilience, and cell interactivity to a broad range of elastic tissues. Elastin makes up the majority of elastic fibers and is formed by the hierarchical assembly of its monomer, tropoelastin. Our understanding of key aspects of the assembly process have been unclear due to the intrinsic properties of elastin and tropoelastin that render them difficult to study. This review focuses on recent developments that have shaped our current knowledge of elastin assembly through understanding the relationship between tropoelastin’s structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmin Ozsvar
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chengeng Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Stuart A Cain
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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8
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Reichheld SE, Muiznieks LD, Huynh Q, Wang N, Ing C, Miao M, Sitarz EE, Pomès R, Sharpe S, Keeley FW. The evolutionary background and functional consequences of the rs2071307 polymorphism in human tropoelastin. Biopolymers 2020; 112:e23414. [PMID: 33351193 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Elastin is a major polymeric protein of the extracellular matrix, providing critical properties of extensibility and elastic recoil. The rs2071307 genomic polymorphism, resulting in the substitution of a serine for a glycine residue in a VPG motif in tropoelastin, has an unusually high minor allele frequency in humans. A consequence of such allelic heterozygosity would be the presence of a heterogeneous elastin polymer in up to 50% of the population, a situation which appears to be unique to Homo sapiens. VPG motifs are extremely common in hydrophobic domains of tropoelastins and are the sites of transient β-turns that are essential for maintaining the conformational flexibility required for its function as an entropic elastomer. Earlier data demonstrated that single amino acid substitutions in tropoelastin can have functional consequences for polymeric elastin, particularly when present in mixed polymers. Here, using NMR and molecular dynamics approaches, we show the rs2071307 polymorphism reduces local propensity for β-turn formation, with a consequent increase in polypeptide hydration and an expansion of the conformational ensemble manifested as an increased hydrodynamic radius, radius of gyration and asphericity. Furthermore, this substitution affects functional properties of polymeric elastin, particularly in heterogeneous polymers mimicking allelic heterozygosity. We discuss whether such effects, together with the unusually high minor allele frequency of the polymorphism, could imply some some evolutionary advantage for the heterozygous state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean E Reichheld
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Lisa D Muiznieks
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Elvesys Microfluidics Innovation Center, 172 rue de Charonne, 75011, Paris, France
| | - Quang Huynh
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Nick Wang
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,135 W 52nd St. Apt 20A, 10019-7691, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher Ing
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,ProteinQure, Suite 304, 119 Spadina Avenue, M5V2L1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ming Miao
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Eva E Sitarz
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Régis Pomès
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fred W Keeley
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Gomez-Florit M, Pardo A, Domingues RMA, Graça AL, Babo PS, Reis RL, Gomes ME. Natural-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications. Molecules 2020; 25:E5858. [PMID: 33322369 PMCID: PMC7763437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, hydrogels are used as biomaterials to support cell attachment and promote tissue regeneration due to their unique biomimetic characteristics. The use of natural-origin materials significantly influenced the origin and progress of the field due to their ability to mimic the native tissues' extracellular matrix and biocompatibility. However, the majority of these natural materials failed to provide satisfactory cues to guide cell differentiation toward the formation of new tissues. In addition, the integration of technological advances, such as 3D printing, microfluidics and nanotechnology, in tissue engineering has obsoleted the first generation of natural-origin hydrogels. During the last decade, a new generation of hydrogels has emerged to meet the specific tissue necessities, to be used with state-of-the-art techniques and to capitalize the intrinsic characteristics of natural-based materials. In this review, we briefly examine important hydrogel crosslinking mechanisms. Then, the latest developments in engineering natural-based hydrogels are investigated and major applications in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are highlighted. Finally, the current limitations, future challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed to encourage realistic developments for the clinical translation of tissue engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gomez-Florit
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Alberto Pardo
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui M. A. Domingues
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana L. Graça
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro S. Babo
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Manuela E. Gomes
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.-F.); (A.P.); (R.M.A.D.); (A.L.G.); (P.S.B.); (R.L.R.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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10
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Lockhart-Cairns MP, Newandee H, Thomson J, Weiss AS, Baldock C, Tarakanova A. Transglutaminase-Mediated Cross-Linking of Tropoelastin to Fibrillin Stabilises the Elastin Precursor Prior to Elastic Fibre Assembly. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:5736-5751. [PMID: 32898582 PMCID: PMC7610145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibres are essential components of all mammalian elastic tissues such as blood vessels, lung and skin, and are critically important for the mechanical properties they endow. The main components of elastic fibres are elastin and fibrillin, where correct formation of elastic fibres requires a fibrillin microfibril scaffold for the deposition of elastin. It has been demonstrated previously that the interaction between fibrillin and tropoelastin, the elastin precursor, increases the rate of assembly of tropoelastin. Furthermore, tropoelastin and fibrillin can be cross-linked by transglutaminase-2, but the function of cross-linking on their elastic properties is yet to be elucidated. Here we show that transglutaminase cross-linking supports formation of a 1:1 stoichiometric fibrillin-tropoelastin complex. SAXS data show that the complex retains features of the individual proteins but is elongated supporting end-to-end assembly. Elastic network models were constructed to compare the dynamics of tropoelastin and fibrillin individually as well as in the cross-linked complex. Normal mode analysis was performed to determine the structures' most energetically favourable, biologically accessible motions which show that within the complex, tropoelastin is less mobile and this molecular stabilisation extends along the length of the tropoelastin molecule to regions remote from the cross-linking site. Together, these data suggest a long-range stabilising effect of cross-linking that occurs due to the covalent linkage of fibrillin to tropoelastin. This work provides insight into the interactions of tropoelastin and fibrillin and how cross-link formation stabilises the elastin precursor so it is primed for elastic fibre assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Lockhart-Cairns
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Helena Newandee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA
| | - Jennifer Thomson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- School of Molecular Bioscience, Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA.
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11
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Gómez-Florit M, Domingues RM, Bakht SM, Mendes BB, Reis RL, Gomes ME. Natural Materials. Biomater Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816137-1.00026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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12
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Sequence variants of human tropoelastin affecting assembly, structural characteristics and functional properties of polymeric elastin in health and disease. Matrix Biol 2019; 84:68-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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13
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Vindin H, Mithieux SM, Weiss AS. Elastin architecture. Matrix Biol 2019; 84:4-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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Almeida H, Domingues RMA, Mithieux SM, Pires RA, Gonçalves AI, Gómez-Florit M, Reis RL, Weiss AS, Gomes ME. Tropoelastin-Coated Tendon Biomimetic Scaffolds Promote Stem Cell Tenogenic Commitment and Deposition of Elastin-Rich Matrix. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:19830-19840. [PMID: 31088069 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b04616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tendon tissue engineering strategies that recreate the biophysical and biochemical native microenvironment have a greater potential to achieve regeneration. Here, we developed tendon biomimetic scaffolds using mechanically competent yarns of poly-ε-caprolactone, chitosan, and cellulose nanocrystals to recreate the inherent tendon hierarchy from a nano-to-macro scale. These were then coated with tropoelastin (TROPO) through polydopamine (PDA) linking, to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and elasticity. Both PDA and TROPO coatings decreased surface stiffness without masking the underlying substrate. We found that human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) seeded onto these TROPO biomimetic scaffolds more rapidly acquired their spindle-shape morphology and high aspect ratio characteristic of tenocytes. Immunocytochemistry shows that the PDA and TROPO-coated surfaces boosted differentiation of hASCs toward the tenogenic lineage, with sustained expression of the tendon-related markers scleraxis and tenomodulin up to 21 days of culture. Furthermore, these surfaces enabled the deposition of a tendon-like ECM, supported by the expression of collagens type I and III, tenascin, and decorin. Gene expression analysis revealed a downregulation of osteogenic and fibrosis markers in the presence of TROPO when compared with the control groups, suggesting proper ECM deposition. Remarkably, differentiated cells exposed to TROPO acquired an elastogenic profile due to the evident elastin synthesis and deposition, contributing to the formation of a more mimetic matrix in comparison with the PDA-coated and uncoated conditions. In summary, our biomimetic substrates combining biophysical and biological cues modulate stem cell behavior potentiating their long-term tenogenic commitment and the production of an elastin-rich ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Almeida
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
| | - Rui M A Domingues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
- The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine , Headquarters at University of Minho , Avepark , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
| | | | - Ricardo A Pires
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
- The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine , Headquarters at University of Minho , Avepark , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
| | - Ana I Gonçalves
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
| | - Manuel Gómez-Florit
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
- The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine , Headquarters at University of Minho , Avepark , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
| | | | - Manuela E Gomes
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics , University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine , AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães , Portugal
- The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine , Headquarters at University of Minho , Avepark , Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães , Portugal
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15
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16
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Synthesis and Mechanochemical Activity of Peptide-Based Cu(I) Bis( N-heterocyclic carbene) Complexes. Biomimetics (Basel) 2019; 4:biomimetics4010024. [PMID: 31105209 PMCID: PMC6477612 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics4010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With the class of shock-absorbing proteins, nature created some of the most robust materials combining both mechanical strength and elasticity. Their excellent ability to dissipate energy to prevent surrounding cells from damage is an interesting property that regularly is exploited for applications in biomimetic materials. Similar to biomaterials, where mechanical stimuli are transmitted into a (bio)chemical response, mechanophoric catalysts transform mechanical energy into a chemical reaction. Force transmission is realized commonly by polymeric handles directing the applied force to the mechanophoric bond, which in turn leads to stress-induced activation of the catalyst. Therefore, shock-absorbing proteins able to take up and store mechanical energy elastically for subsequent force transduction to the labile bond seem to be perfect candidates to fulfill this task. Here, we report on the synthesis of two different latent mechanophoric copper(I) bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes bearing either two carboxyl groups or two amino groups which allow conjugation reactions with either the N- or the C-terminus of amino acids or peptides. The chosen catalysts can be activated, for instance, by applying external mechanical force via ultrasound, removing one N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand. Post-modification of the mechanophoric catalysts via peptide coupling (Gly, Val) and first reactions showed that the mechanoresponsive behavior was still present after the coupling. Subsequent polycondensation of both catalysts lead to a polyamide including the Cu(I) moiety. Mechanochemical activation by ultrasound showed conversions in the copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide “click” reaction (CuAAC) up to 9.9% proving the potential application for the time and spatial controlled CuAAC.
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17
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Ozsvar J, Tarakanova A, Wang R, Buehler MJ, Weiss AS. Allysine modifications perturb tropoelastin structure and mobility on a local and global scale. Matrix Biol Plus 2019; 2:100002. [PMID: 33543005 PMCID: PMC7852328 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin provides elastic tissues with resilience through stretch and recoil cycles, and is primarily made of its extensively cross-linked monomer, tropoelastin. Here, we leverage the recently published full atomistic model of tropoelastin to assess how allysine modifications, which are essential to cross-linking, contribute to the dynamics and structural changes that occur in tropoelastin in the context of elastin assembly. We used replica exchange molecular dynamics to generate structural ensembles of allysine containing tropoelastin. We conducted principal component analysis on these ensembles and found that the molecule departs from the canonical structural ensemble. Furthermore, we showed that, while the canonical scissors-twist movement was retained, new movements emerged that deviated from those of the wild type protein, providing evidence for the involvement of a variety of molecular motions in elastin assembly. Additionally, we highlighted secondary structural changes and linked these perturbations to the longevity of specific salt bridges. We propose a model where allysines in tropoelastin contribute to hierarchical elastin assembly through global and local perturbations to molecular structure and dynamics. converting lysine to allysine by lysyl oxidases is needed to generate crosslinks between tropoelastin molecules in order to make elastin structural changes in the intact tropoelastin molecule ensue where modified tropoelastin molecules structurally depart from the canonical ensemble new molecular motions deviate from those of unmodified tropoelastin persistence times of specific salt bridges contribute to these perturbations allysines in tropoelastin contribute to hierarchical elastin assembly through global and local perturbations to molecular structure and dynamics
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Key Words
- 5ALK, tropoelastin containing 5 allysine residues
- ALK353, tropoelastin containing allysine at residue 353
- ALK353, tropoelastin containing allysine at residue 507
- ALL, allysine aldol
- ANM, anisotropic network model
- Assembly
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- Elastin
- LNL, lysinonorleucine
- MD, molecular dynamics
- Molecular dynamics
- NMA, normal mode analysis
- PCA, principal component analysis
- REMD, replica exchange molecular dynamics
- RMSD, root mean square deviation
- Replica exchange molecular dynamics
- SASA, solvent accessible surface area
- WT, wild type tropoelastin
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmin Ozsvar
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard Wang
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia.,Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia
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18
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Yeo GC, Kosobrodova E, Kondyurin A, McKenzie DR, Bilek MM, Weiss AS. Plasma‐Activated Substrate with a Tropoelastin Anchor for the Maintenance and Delivery of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells. Macromol Biosci 2018; 19:e1800233. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201800233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giselle C. Yeo
- Charles Perkins CentreUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Bosch InstituteUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Elena Kosobrodova
- School of PhysicsUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- School of AerospaceMechanical and Mechatronic EngineeringUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Alexey Kondyurin
- School of PhysicsUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - David R. McKenzie
- School of PhysicsUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Marcela M. Bilek
- Charles Perkins CentreUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- School of PhysicsUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- School of AerospaceMechanical and Mechatronic EngineeringUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Australian Institute of Nanoscale Science and TechnologyUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Anthony S. Weiss
- Charles Perkins CentreUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Bosch InstituteUniversity of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy ManufacturingUniversity of South Australia City West Campus Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
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19
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Tarakanova A, Yeo GC, Baldock C, Weiss AS, Buehler MJ. Molecular model of human tropoelastin and implications of associated mutations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7338-7343. [PMID: 29946030 PMCID: PMC6048532 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1801205115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein folding poses unique challenges for large, disordered proteins due to the low resolution of structural data accessible in experiment and on the basis of short time scales and limited sampling attainable in computation. Such molecules are uniquely suited to accelerated-sampling molecular dynamics algorithms due to a flat-energy landscape. We apply these methods to report here the folded structure in water from a fully extended chain of tropoelastin, a 698-amino acid molecular precursor to elastic fibers that confer elasticity and recoil to tissues, finding good agreement with experimental data. We then study a series of artificial and disease-related mutations, yielding molecular mechanisms to explain structural differences and variation in hierarchical assembly observed in experiment. The present model builds a framework for studying assembly and disease and yields critical insight into molecular mechanisms behind these processes. These results suggest that proteins with disordered regions are suitable candidates for characterization by this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 01239
| | - Giselle C Yeo
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 01239;
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20
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Degendorfer G, Chuang CY, Mariotti M, Hammer A, Hoefler G, Hägglund P, Malle E, Wise SG, Davies MJ. Exposure of tropoelastin to peroxynitrous acid gives high yields of nitrated tyrosine residues, di-tyrosine cross-links and altered protein structure and function. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 115:219-231. [PMID: 29191462 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Elastin is an abundant extracellular matrix protein in elastic tissues, including the lungs, skin and arteries, and comprises 30-57% of the aorta by dry mass. The monomeric precursor, tropoelastin (TE), undergoes complex processing during elastogenesis to form mature elastic fibres. Peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH), a potent oxidising and nitrating agent, is formed in vivo from superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. Considerable evidence supports ONOOH formation in the inflamed artery wall, and a role for this species in the development of human atherosclerotic lesions, with ONOOH-damaged extracellular matrix implicated in lesion rupture. We demonstrate that TE is highly sensitive to ONOOH, with this resulting in extensive dimerization, fragmentation and nitration of Tyr residues to give 3-nitrotyrosine (3-nitroTyr). This occurs with equimolar or greater levels of oxidant and increases in a dose-dependent manner. Quantification of Tyr loss and 3-nitroTyr formation indicates extensive Tyr modification with up to two modified Tyr per protein molecule, and up to 8% conversion of initial ONOOH to 3-nitroTyr. These effects were modulated by bicarbonate, an alternative target for ONOOH. Inter- and intra-protein di-tyrosine cross-links have been characterized by mass spectrometry. Examination of human atherosclerotic lesions shows colocalization of 3-nitroTyr with elastin epitopes, consistent with TE or elastin modification in vivo, and also an association of 3-nitroTyr containing proteins and elastin with lipid deposits. These data suggest that exposure of TE to ONOOH gives marked chemical and structural changes to TE and altered matrix assembly, and that such damage accumulates in human arterial tissue during the development of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Y Chuang
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michele Mariotti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Astrid Hammer
- Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerald Hoefler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Per Hägglund
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ernst Malle
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Steven G Wise
- The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael J Davies
- The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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21
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Yeo G, Baldock C, Wise SG, Weiss AS. Targeted Modulation of Tropoelastin Structure and Assembly. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:2832-2844. [PMID: 29152561 PMCID: PMC5686564 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tropoelastin, as the monomer unit of elastin, assembles into elastic fibers that impart strength and resilience to elastic tissues. Tropoelastin is also widely used to manufacture versatile materials with specific mechanical and biological properties. The assembly of tropoelastin into elastic fibers or biomaterials is crucially influenced by key submolecular regions and specific residues within these domains. In this work, we identify the functional contributions of two rarely occurring negatively charged residues, glutamate 345 in domain 19 and glutamate 414 in domain 21, in jointly maintaining the native conformation of the tropoelastin hinge, bridge and foot regions. Alanine substitution of E345 and/or E414 variably alters the positioning and interactive accessibility of these regions, as illustrated by nanostructural studies and detected by antibody and cell probes. These structural changes are associated with a lower propensity for monomer coacervation, cross-linking into morphologically and functionally atypical hydrogels, and markedly impaired and abnormal elastic fiber formation. Our work indicates the crucial significance of both E345 and E414 residues in modulating specific local structure and higher-order assembly of human tropoelastin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle
C. Yeo
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and
Environmental Sciences, School of Physics, Sydney Medical School, and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome
Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine
and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Steven G. Wise
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and
Environmental Sciences, School of Physics, Sydney Medical School, and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- The
Heart Research Institute, 7 Eliza Street, Newtown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Anthony S. Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and
Environmental Sciences, School of Physics, Sydney Medical School, and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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22
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Hsieh CL, Tseng A, He H, Kuo CJ, Wang X, Chang YF. Leptospira Immunoglobulin-Like Protein B Interacts with the 20th Exon of Human Tropoelastin Contributing to Leptospiral Adhesion to Human Lung Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:163. [PMID: 28536676 PMCID: PMC5422739 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospira immunoglobulin-like protein B (LigB), a surface adhesin, is capable of mediating the attachment of pathogenic leptospira to the host through interaction with various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Human tropoelastin (HTE), the building block of elastin, confers resilience and elasticity to lung, and other tissues. Previously identified Ig-like domains of LigB, including LigB4 and LigB12, bind to HTE, which is likely to promote Leptospira adhesion to lung tissue. However, the molecular mechanism that mediates the LigB-HTE interaction is unclear. In this study, the LigB-binding site on HTE was further pinpointed to a N-terminal region of the 20th exon of HTE (HTE20N). Alanine mutants of basic and aromatic residues on HTE20N significantly reduced binding to the LigB. Additionally, HTE-binding site was narrowed down to the first β-sheet of LigB12. On this binding surface, residues F1054, D1061, A1065, and D1066 were critical for the association with HTE. Most importantly, the recombinant HTE truncates could diminish the binding of LigB to human lung fibroblasts (WI-38) by 68%, and could block the association of LigA-expressing L. biflexa to lung cells by 61%. These findings should expand our understanding of leptospiral pathogenesis, particularly in pulmonary manifestations of leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Tseng
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY, USA
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Chih-Jung Kuo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing UniversityTaichung, Taiwan
| | - Xuannian Wang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY, USA.,Research Center for Biotechnology, Xinxiang UniversityXinxiang, China
| | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY, USA
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23
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Mithieux SM, Weiss AS. Design of an elastin-layered dermal regeneration template. Acta Biomater 2017; 52:33-40. [PMID: 27903444 PMCID: PMC5402719 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a novel approach for the production of tunable quantities of elastic fibers. We also show that exogenous tropoelastin is rate-limiting for elastin synthesis regardless of the age of the dermal fibroblast donor. Additionally, we provide a strategy to further enhance synthesis by older cells through the application of conditioned media. We show that this approach delivers an elastin layer on one side of the leading dermal repair template for contact with the deep dermis in order to deliver prefabricated elastic fibers to a physiologically appropriate site during subsequent surgery. This system is attractive because it provides for the first time a viable path for sufficient, histologically detectable levels of patient elastin into full-thickness wound sites that have until now lacked this elastic underlayer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The scars of full thickness wounds typically lack elasticity. Elastin is essential for skin elasticity and is enriched in the deep dermis. This paper is significant because it shows that: (1) we can generate elastic fibers in tunable quantities, (2) tropoelastin is the rate-limiting component in elastin synthesis in vitro, (3) we can generate elastin fibers regardless of donor age, (4) we describe a novel approach to further increase the numbers and thickness of elastic fibers for older donors, (5) we improve on Integra Dermal Regeneration Template and generate a new hybrid biomaterial intended to subsequently surgically deliver these elastic fibers, (6) the elastic fiber layer is presented on the side of Integra that is intended for delivery into its physiologically appropriate site i.e. the deep dermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Mithieux
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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24
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Zhang Y, Li J, Boutis GS. The Coupled Bio-Chemo-Electro-Mechanical Behavior of Glucose Exposed Arterial Elastin. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D: APPLIED PHYSICS 2017; 50:133001. [PMID: 28989186 PMCID: PMC5626447 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/aa5c55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Elastin, the principle protein component of the elastic fiber, is a critical extracellular matrix (ECM) component of the arterial wall providing structural resilience and biological signaling essential in vascular morphogenesis and maintenance of mechanical homeostasis. Pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases have been associated with alterations of elastin. As a long-lived ECM protein that is deposited and organized before adulthood, elastic fibers can suffer from cumulative effects of biochemical exposure encountered during aging and/or disease, which greatly compromise their mechanical function. This review article covers findings from recent studies of the mechanical and structural contribution of elastin to vascular function, and the effects of biochemical degradation. Results from diverse experimental methods including tissue-level mechanical characterization, fiber-level nonlinear optical imaging, piezoelectric force microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance are reviewed. The intriguing coupled bio-chemo-electro-mechanical behavior of elastin calls for a multi-scale and multi-physical understanding of ECM mechanics and mechanobiology in vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhang Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiangyu Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Nanobiomechanics, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gregory S Boutis
- Department of Physics, Brooklyn College and The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, NY, USA
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25
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Single nucleotide polymorphisms and domain/splice variants modulate assembly and elastomeric properties of human elastin. Implications for tissue specificity and durability of elastic tissue. Biopolymers 2017; 107. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.23007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Wise SG, Liu H, Yeo GC, Michael PL, Chan AHP, Ngo AKY, Bilek MMM, Bao S, Weiss AS. Blended Polyurethane and Tropoelastin as a Novel Class of Biologically Interactive Elastomer. Tissue Eng Part A 2016; 22:524-33. [PMID: 26857114 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2015.0409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyurethanes are versatile elastomers but suffer from biological limitations such as poor control over cell attachment and the associated disadvantages of increased fibrosis. We address this problem by presenting a novel strategy that retains elasticity while modulating biological performance. We describe a new biomaterial that comprises a blend of synthetic and natural elastomers: the biostable polyurethane Elast-Eon and the recombinant human tropoelastin protein. We demonstrate that the hybrid constructs yield a class of coblended elastomers with unique physical properties. Hybrid constructs displayed higher elasticity and linear stress-strain responses over more than threefold strain. The hybrid materials showed increased overall porosity and swelling in comparison to polyurethane alone, facilitating enhanced cellular interactions. In vitro, human dermal fibroblasts showed enhanced proliferation, while in vivo, following subcutaneous implantation in mice, hybrid scaffolds displayed a reduced fibrotic response and tunable degradation rate. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a blend of synthetic and natural elastomers and is a promising approach for generating tailored bioactive scaffolds for tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Wise
- 1 The Heart Research Institute , Sydney, Australia .,2 Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,3 School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Hongjuan Liu
- 2 Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,4 Discipline of Pathology and School of Medical Science, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,5 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,6 Bosch Institute, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Giselle C Yeo
- 3 School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,5 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Praveesuda L Michael
- 1 The Heart Research Institute , Sydney, Australia .,2 Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Alex H P Chan
- 1 The Heart Research Institute , Sydney, Australia .,2 Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Alan K Y Ngo
- 3 School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Shisan Bao
- 2 Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,4 Discipline of Pathology and School of Medical Science, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,5 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,6 Bosch Institute, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- 3 School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,5 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia .,6 Bosch Institute, University of Sydney , Sydney, Australia
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Aziz J, Shezali H, Radzi Z, Yahya NA, Abu Kassim NH, Czernuszka J, Rahman MT. Molecular Mechanisms of Stress-Responsive Changes in Collagen and Elastin Networks in Skin. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2016; 29:190-203. [PMID: 27434176 DOI: 10.1159/000447017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Collagen and elastin networks make up the majority of the extracellular matrix in many organs, such as the skin. The mechanisms which are involved in the maintenance of homeostatic equilibrium of these networks are numerous, involving the regulation of genetic expression, growth factor secretion, signalling pathways, secondary messaging systems, and ion channel activity. However, many factors are capable of disrupting these pathways, which leads to an imbalance of homeostatic equilibrium. Ultimately, this leads to changes in the physical nature of skin, both functionally and cosmetically. Although various factors have been identified, including carcinogenesis, ultraviolet exposure, and mechanical stretching of skin, it was discovered that many of them affect similar components of regulatory pathways, such as fibroblasts, lysyl oxidase, and fibronectin. Additionally, it was discovered that the various regulatory pathways intersect with each other at various stages instead of working independently of each other. This review paper proposes a model which elucidates how these molecular pathways intersect with one another, and how various internal and external factors can disrupt these pathways, ultimately leading to a disruption in collagen and elastin networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazli Aziz
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Muiznieks LD, Miao M, Sitarz EE, Keeley FW. Contribution of domain 30 of tropoelastin to elastic fiber formation and material elasticity. Biopolymers 2016; 105:267-75. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D. Muiznieks
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Ave. Toronto ON M5G1X8 Canada
| | - Ming Miao
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Ave. Toronto ON M5G1X8 Canada
| | - Eva E. Sitarz
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Ave. Toronto ON M5G1X8 Canada
| | - Fred W. Keeley
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Ave. Toronto ON M5G1X8 Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, 1 King's College Circle; University of Toronto; Toronto ON M5S1A8 Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 1 King's College Circle; University of Toronto; Toronto ON M5S1A8 Canada
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Yeo GC, Tarakanova A, Baldock C, Wise SG, Buehler MJ, Weiss AS. Subtle balance of tropoelastin molecular shape and flexibility regulates dynamics and hierarchical assembly. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1501145. [PMID: 26998516 PMCID: PMC4795673 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of the tropoelastin monomer into elastin is vital for conferring elasticity on blood vessels, skin, and lungs. Tropoelastin has dual needs for flexibility and structure in self-assembly. We explore the structure-dynamics-function interplay, consider the duality of molecular order and disorder, and identify equally significant functional contributions by local and global structures. To study these organizational stratifications, we perturb a key hinge region by expressing an exon that is universally spliced out in human tropoelastins. We find a herniated nanostructure with a displaced C terminus and explain by molecular modeling that flexible helices are replaced with substantial β sheets. We see atypical higher-order cross-linking and inefficient assembly into discontinuous, thick elastic fibers. We explain this dysfunction by correlating local and global structural effects with changes in the molecule's assembly dynamics. This work has general implications for our understanding of elastomeric proteins, which balance disordered regions with defined structural modules at multiple scales for functional assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle C. Yeo
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Steven G. Wise
- The Heart Research Institute, Newtown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Markus J. Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony S. Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Weiss AS. Perspectives on the Molecular and Biological Implications of Tropoelastin in Human Tissue Elasticity. Aust J Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/ch16452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The elasticity of a range of vertebrate and particularly human tissues depends on the dynamic and persistent protein elastin. This elasticity is diverse, and comprises skin, blood vessels, and lung, and is essential for tissue viability. Elastin is predominantly made by assembling tropoelastin, which is an asymmetric 20-nm-long protein molecule. This overview considers tropoelastin’s molecular features and biological interactions in the context of its value in tissue repair.
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Yang J, Zhao HL, Tang BL, Chen XL, Su HN, Zhang XY, Song XY, Zhou BC, Xie BB, Weiss AS, Zhang YZ. Mechanistic insight into the elastin degradation process by the metalloprotease myroilysin from the deep-sea bacterium Myroides profundi D25. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:1481-96. [PMID: 25793427 PMCID: PMC4377995 DOI: 10.3390/md13031481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastases have been widely studied because of their important uses as medicine and meat tenderizers. However, there are relatively few studies on marine elastases. Myroilysin, secreted by Myroides profundi D25 from deep-sea sediment, is a novel elastase. In this study, we examined the elastin degradation mechanism of myroilysin. When mixed with insoluble bovine elastin, myroilysin bound hydrophobically, suggesting that this elastase may interact with the hydrophobic domains of elastin. Consistent with this, analysis of the cleavage pattern of myroilysin on bovine elastin and recombinant tropoelastin revealed that myroilysin preferentially cleaves peptide bonds with hydrophobic residues at the P1 and/or P1′ positions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of cross-linked recombinant tropoelastin degraded by myroilysin showed preferential damages of spherules over cross-links, as expected for a hydrophobic preference. The degradation process of myroilysin on bovine elastin fibres was followed by light microscopy and SEM, revealing that degradation begins with the formation of crevices and cavities at the fibre surface, with these openings increasing in number and size until the fibre breaks into small pieces, which are subsequently fragmented. Our results are helpful for developing biotechnological applications for myroilysin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Hui-Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Shandong Province, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Bai-Lu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Xiu-Lan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Hai-Nan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Xi-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Xiao-Yan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Bai-Cheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Bin-Bin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Yu-Zhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
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Matrix metalloproteinase interactions with collagen and elastin. Matrix Biol 2015; 44-46:224-31. [PMID: 25599938 PMCID: PMC4466143 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Most abundant in the extracellular matrix are collagens, joined by elastin that confers elastic recoil to the lung, aorta, and skin. These fibrils are highly resistant to proteolysis but can succumb to a minority of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Considerable inroads to understanding how such MMPs move to the susceptible sites in collagen and then unwind the triple helix of collagen monomers have been gained. The essential role in unwinding of the hemopexin-like domain of interstitial collagenases or the collagen binding domain of gelatinases is highlighted. Elastolysis is also facilitated by the collagen binding domain in the cases of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and remote exosites of the catalytic domain in the case of MMP-12.
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Yeo GC, Baldock C, Wise SG, Weiss AS. A negatively charged residue stabilizes the tropoelastin N-terminal region for elastic fiber assembly. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:34815-26. [PMID: 25342751 PMCID: PMC4263881 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.606772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropoelastin is an extracellular matrix protein that assembles into elastic fibers that provide elasticity and strength to vertebrate tissues. Although the contributions of specific tropoelastin regions during each stage of elastogenesis are still not fully understood, studies predominantly recognize the central hinge/bridge and C-terminal foot as the major participants in tropoelastin assembly, with a number of interactions mediated by the abundant positively charged residues within these regions. However, much less is known about the importance of the rarely occurring negatively charged residues and the N-terminal coil region in tropoelastin assembly. The sole negatively charged residue in the first half of human tropoelastin is aspartate 72. In contrast, the same region comprises 17 positively charged residues. We mutated this aspartate residue to alanine and assessed the elastogenic capacity of this novel construct. We found that D72A tropoelastin has a decreased propensity for initial self-association, and it cross-links aberrantly into denser, less porous hydrogels with reduced swelling properties. Although the mutant can bind cells normally, it does not form elastic fibers with human dermal fibroblasts and forms fewer atypical fibers with human retinal pigmented epithelial cells. This impaired functionality is associated with conformational changes in the N-terminal region. Our results strongly point to the role of the Asp-72 site in stabilizing the N-terminal segment of human tropoelastin and the importance of this region in facilitating elastic fiber assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle C Yeo
- From the School of Molecular Bioscience and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Steven G Wise
- the Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia, and the Sydney Medical School and
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- From the School of Molecular Bioscience and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Huang W, Rollett A, Kaplan DL. Silk-elastin-like protein biomaterials for the controlled delivery of therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2014; 12:779-91. [PMID: 25476201 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2015.989830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Genetically engineered biomaterials are useful for controlled delivery owing to their rational design, tunable structure-function, biocompatibility, degradability and target specificity. Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs), a family of genetically engineered recombinant protein polymers, possess these properties. Additionally, given the benefits of combining semi-crystalline silk-blocks and elastomeric elastin-blocks, SELPs possess multi-stimuli-responsive properties and tunability, thereby becoming promising candidates for targeted cancer therapeutics delivery and controlled gene release. AREAS COVERED An overview of SELP biomaterials for drug delivery and gene release is provided. Biosynthetic strategies used for SELP production, fundamental physicochemical properties and self-assembly mechanisms are discussed. The review focuses on sequence-structure-function relationships, stimuli-responsive features and current and potential drug delivery applications. EXPERT OPINION The tunable material properties allow SELPs to be pursued as promising biomaterials for nanocarriers and injectable drug release systems. Current applications of SELPs have focused on thermally-triggered biomaterial formats for the delivery of therapeutics, based on local hyperthermia in tumors or infections. Other prominent controlled release applications of SELPs as injectable hydrogels for gene release have also been pursued. Further biomedical applications that utilize other stimuli to trigger the reversible material responses of SELPs for targeted delivery, including pH, ionic strength, redox, enzymatic stimuli and electric field, are in progress. Exploiting these additional stimuli-responsive features will provide a broader range of functional biomaterials for controlled therapeutics release and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Huang
- Tufts University, Department of Biomedical Engineering , 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155 , USA
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Wise SG, Yeo GC, Hiob MA, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Kaplan DL, Ng MKC, Weiss AS. Tropoelastin: a versatile, bioactive assembly module. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1532-41. [PMID: 23938199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Elastin provides structural integrity, biological cues and persistent elasticity to a range of important tissues, including the vasculature and lungs. Its critical importance to normal physiology makes it a desirable component of biomaterials that seek to repair or replace these tissues. The recent availability of large quantities of the highly purified elastin monomer, tropoelastin, has allowed for a thorough characterization of the mechanical and biological mechanisms underpinning the benefits of mature elastin. While tropoelastin is a flexible molecule, a combination of optical and structural analyses has defined key regions of the molecule that directly contribute to the elastomeric properties and control the cell interactions of the protein. Insights into the structure and behavior of tropoelastin have translated into increasingly sophisticated elastin-like biomaterials, evolving from classically manufactured hydrogels and fibers to new forms, stabilized in the absence of incorporated cross-linkers. Tropoelastin is also compatible with synthetic and natural co-polymers, expanding the applications of its potential use beyond traditional elastin-rich tissues and facilitating finer control of biomaterial properties and the design of next-generation tailored bioactive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Wise
- The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Giselle C Yeo
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Matti A Hiob
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Martin K C Ng
- The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Three-dimensional multilayers of smooth muscle cells as a new experimental model for vascular elastic fiber formation studies. Atherosclerosis 2014; 233:590-600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Pritchard RH, Huang YYS, Terentjev EM. Mechanics of biological networks: from the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissue. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:1864-84. [PMID: 24652375 DOI: 10.1039/c3sm52769g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
From the cell cytoskeleton to connective tissues, fibrous networks are ubiquitous in metazoan life as the key promoters of mechanical strength, support and integrity. In recent decades, the application of physics to biological systems has made substantial strides in elucidating the striking mechanical phenomena observed in such networks, explaining strain stiffening, power law rheology and cytoskeletal fluidisation - all key to the biological function of individual cells and tissues. In this review we focus on the current progress in the field, with a primer into the basic physics of individual filaments and the networks they form. This is followed by a discussion of biological networks in the context of a broad spread of recent in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn H Pritchard
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
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Benitez PL, Heilshorn SC. Recombinant Protein Hydrogels for Cell Injection and Transplantation. HYDROGELS IN CELL-BASED THERAPIES 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/9781782622055-00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
As found in nature, full-length proteins consist of a genetically specified sequence of the 20 canonical amino acids, of a defined length. This sequence of chemically diverse functional groups enables the many highly controlled interactions with other molecules found in natural proteins. Recombinant proteins can be engineered to incorporate some of nature's palette of protein functionality into hydrogels for cell delivery. Current work demonstrates how this level of molecular precision can be used to address challenges in cell therapies, such as post-implantation viability, localization, and control, via specified gelation mechanics and tailored bioactive domains. Leveraging recombinant technology, including protein engineering, gene synthesis, expression, and purification, materials scientists have appropriated and modified naturally occurring proteins to achieve hydrogels that combine defined gelation mechanics with specified bioactive protein chemistries. Here, we specifically review recent developments in recombinant protein hydrogels that are either inspired by native extracellular matrix proteins (e.g. elastin, collagen, and resilin) or designed from non-matrix peptides (e.g. mixing-induced two-component hydrogels). In many of these case studies, domain- and sequence-level engineering enables a broad range of biochemical activity and mechanical control via gelation. Despite the remaining challenges of scalability and forward-designed predictability, hydrogels made of recombinant proteins offer exciting possibilities for sophisticated delivery of therapeutic cells, including multifactorial control, native-like mechanics, and sensitivity to signals from delivered cells or host tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah C. Heilshorn
- Materials Science and Engineering McCullough Building, 476 Lomita Mall Stanford CA USA
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Abstract
Elastic fibres are insoluble components of the extracellular matrix of dynamic connective tissues such as skin, arteries, lungs and ligaments. They are laid down during development, and comprise a cross-linked elastin core within a template of fibrillin-based microfibrils. Their function is to endow tissues with the property of elastic recoil, and they also regulate the bioavailability of transforming growth factor β. Severe heritable elastic fibre diseases are caused by mutations in elastic fibre components; for example, mutations in elastin cause supravalvular aortic stenosis and autosomal dominant cutis laxa, mutations in fibrillin-1 cause Marfan syndrome and Weill–Marchesani syndrome, and mutations in fibulins-4 and -5 cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa. Acquired elastic fibre defects include dermal elastosis, whereas inflammatory damage to fibres contributes to pathologies such as pulmonary emphysema and vascular disease. This review outlines the latest understanding of the composition and assembly of elastic fibres, and describes elastic fibre diseases and current therapeutic approaches.
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Hiob MA, Wise SG, Kondyurin A, Waterhouse A, Bilek MM, Ng MKC, Weiss AS. The use of plasma-activated covalent attachment of early domains of tropoelastin to enhance vascular compatibility of surfaces. Biomaterials 2013; 34:7584-91. [PMID: 23863453 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All current metallic vascular prostheses, including stents, exhibit suboptimal biocompatibility. Improving the re-endothelialization and reducing the thrombogenicity of these devices would substantially improve their clinical efficacy. Tropoelastin (TE), the soluble precursor of elastin, mediates favorable endothelial cell interactions while having low thrombogenicity. Here we show that constructs of TE corresponding to the first 10 ("N10") and first 18 ("N18") N-terminal domains of the molecule facilitate endothelial cell attachment and proliferation equivalent to the performance of full-length TE. This N-terminal ability contrasts with the known role of the C-terminus of TE in facilitating cell attachment, particularly of fibroblasts. When immobilized on a plasma-activated coating ("PAC"), N10 and N18 retained their bioactivity and endothelial cell interactive properties, demonstrating attachment and proliferation equivalent to full-length TE. In whole blood assays, both N10 and N18 maintained the low thrombogenicity of PAC. Furthermore, these N-terminal constructs displayed far greater resistance to protease degradation by blood serine proteases kallikrein and thrombin than did full-length TE. When immobilized onto a PAC surface, these shorter constructs form a modified metal interface to establish a platform technology for biologically compatible, implantable cardiovascular devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti A Hiob
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Miao M, Sitarz E, Bellingham CM, Won E, Muiznieks LD, Keeley FW. Sequence and domain arrangements influence mechanical properties of elastin-like polymeric elastomers. Biopolymers 2013; 99:392-407. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Miao
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Research Institute; The Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Avenue; Toronto; ON; M5G1X8; Canada
| | - Eva Sitarz
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Research Institute; The Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Avenue; Toronto; ON; M5G1X8; Canada
| | - Catherine M. Bellingham
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Research Institute; The Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Avenue; Toronto; ON; M5G1X8; Canada
| | - Emily Won
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Research Institute; The Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Avenue; Toronto; ON; M5G1X8; Canada
| | - Lisa D. Muiznieks
- Molecular Structure and Function Program; Research Institute; The Hospital for Sick Children; 555 University Avenue; Toronto; ON; M5G1X8; Canada
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Li L, Tong Z, Jia X, Kiick KL. Resilin-Like Polypeptide Hydrogels Engineered for Versatile Biological Functions. SOFT MATTER 2013; 9:665-673. [PMID: 23505396 PMCID: PMC3595062 DOI: 10.1039/c2sm26812d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Natural resilin, the rubber-like protein that exists in specialized compartments of most arthropods, possesses excellent mechanical properties such as low stiffness, high resilience and effective energy storage. Recombinantly-engineered resilin-like polypeptides (RLPs) that possess the favorable attributes of native resilin would be attractive candidates for the modular design of biomaterials for engineering mechanically active tissues. Based on our previous success in creating a novel RLP-based hydrogel and demonstrating useful mechanical and cell-adhesive properties, we have produced a suite of new RLP-based constructs, each equipped with 12 repeats of the putative resilin consensus sequence and a single, distinct biologically active domain. This approach allows independent control over the concentrations of cell-binding, MMP-sensitive, and polysaccharide-sequestration domains in hydrogels comprising mixtures of the various RLPs. The high purity, molecular weight and correct compositions of each new polypeptide have been confirmed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and amino acid analysis. These RLP-based polypeptides exhibit largely random-coil conformation, both in solution and in the cross-linked hydrogels, as indicated by circular dichroic and infrared spectroscopic analyses. Hydrogels of various compositions, with a range of elastic moduli (1kPa to 25kPa) can be produced from these polypeptides, and the activity of the cell-binding and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) sensitive domains was confirmed. Tris(hydroxymethyl phosphine) cross-linked RLP hydrogels were able to maintain their mechanical integrity as well as the viability of encapsulated primary human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These results validate the promising properties of these RLP-based elastomeric biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqing Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
| | - Zhixiang Tong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
| | - Xinqiao Jia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, Delaware,19711,USA
| | - Kristi L. Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware,19716,USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, Delaware,19711,USA
- 212 DuPont Hall, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA. Fax: +1-302-831- 4545; Tel: +1-302-831- 0201;
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Elastogenic protein expression of a highly elastic murine spinal ligament: the ligamentum flavum. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38475. [PMID: 22685574 PMCID: PMC3369910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal ligaments, such as the ligamentum flavum (LF), are prone to degeneration and iatrogenic injury that can lead to back pain and nerve dysfunction. Repair and regeneration strategies for these tissues are lacking, perhaps due to limited understanding of spinal ligament formation, the elaboration of its elastic fibers, maturation and homeostasis. Using immunohistochemistry and histology, we investigated murine LF elastogenesis and tissue formation from embryonic to mature postnatal stages. We characterized the spatiotemporal distribution of the key elastogenic proteins tropoelastin, fibrillin-1, fibulin-4 and lysyl oxidase. We found that elastogenesis begins in utero with the microfibril constituent fibrillin-1 staining intensely just before birth. Elastic fibers were first detected histologically at postnatal day (P) 7, the earliest stage at which tropoelastin and fibulin-4 stained intensely. From P7 to P28, elastic fibers grew in diameter and became straighter along the axis. The growth of elastic fibers coincided with intense staining of tropoelastin and fibulin-4 staining, possibly supporting a chaperone role for fibulin-4. These expression patterns correlated with reported skeletal and behavioral changes during murine development. This immunohistochemical characterization of elastogenesis of the LF will be useful for future studies investigating mechanisms for elastogenesis and developing new strategies for treatment or regeneration of spinal ligaments and other highly elastic tissues.
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