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Hibi K, Gohbara M, Uemura K, Iwahashi N, Okada K, Iwata H, Fukumoto Y, Hiro T, Ozaki Y, Iimuro S, Sakuma I, Hokimoto S, Miyauchi K, Matsuyama Y, Nakagawa Y, Ogawa H, Daida H, Shimokawa H, Saito Y, Kimura T, Matsuzaki M, Kimura K, Nagai R. Serum mature and furin-cleaved proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels and their association with cardiovascular events in statin-treated patients with cardiovascular disease. J Clin Lipidol 2024:S1933-2874(24)00212-5. [PMID: 39278769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2024.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous studies have not found a consistent association between circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels and the risk of cardiovascular events partly due to measurement methods that cannot distinguish between uncleaved and furin-cleaved forms of PCSK9. METHODS This is a prespecified sub-study of the REAL-CAD study which is a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial to compare high- versus low-dose statin in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The primary endpoint was major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events (MACCE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring emergency hospitalization. In this case-cohort study, serum mature (uncleaved) and furin-cleaved PCSK9 levels obtained at 6 months after randomization were measured among 426 participants who developed MACCE (cases) and 1,478 randomly selected participants (sub-cohort). RESULTS From 1,478 patients in sub-cohort, the Cox proportional hazards models with a pseudolikelihood method for case-cohort design revealed that the risk of the primary endpoint in patients with the highest quartile of mature PCSK9 levels was similar to that in the lowest quartile (hazard ration [HR] 0.809; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.541-1.209). Similarly, the HR for the highest to lowest quartiles of furin-cleaved PCSK9 was 0.948 [95% CI, 0.645-1.392] (P = 0.784). Compared to the lowest quartile, neither serum mature nor furin-cleaved PCSK9 levels predicted MACCE. CONCLUSIONS In a large-scale secondary prevention cohort, serum mature and furin-cleaved PCSK9 levels did not provide useful information for predicting future cardiovascular events in statin-treated patients with stable CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hibi
- Division of Cardiology, Yokohama City University medical Center, Yokohama, Japan (Drs Hibi, Gohbara, Iwahashi, Okada, Kimura).
| | - Masaomi Gohbara
- Division of Cardiology, Yokohama City University medical Center, Yokohama, Japan (Drs Hibi, Gohbara, Iwahashi, Okada, Kimura)
| | - Kohei Uemura
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Uemura)
| | - Noriaki Iwahashi
- Division of Cardiology, Yokohama City University medical Center, Yokohama, Japan (Drs Hibi, Gohbara, Iwahashi, Okada, Kimura)
| | - Kozo Okada
- Division of Cardiology, Yokohama City University medical Center, Yokohama, Japan (Drs Hibi, Gohbara, Iwahashi, Okada, Kimura)
| | - Hiroshi Iwata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (Drs Iwata, Miyauchi, Daida)
| | - Yoshihiro Fukumoto
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan (Dr Fukumoto)
| | - Takafumi Hiro
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Hiro)
| | - Yukio Ozaki
- Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan (Dr Ozaki)
| | - Satoshi Iimuro
- Innovation and Research Support Center, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Iimuro)
| | - Ichiro Sakuma
- Caress Sapporo Hokko Memorial Clinic, Sapporo, Japan (Dr Sakuma)
| | - Seiji Hokimoto
- Kumamoto Municipal Ueki Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan (Dr Hokimoto)
| | - Katsumi Miyauchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (Drs Iwata, Miyauchi, Daida)
| | - Yutaka Matsuyama
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Matsuyama)
| | - Yoshihisa Nakagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, Japan (Dr Nakagawa)
| | - Hisao Ogawa
- Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan (Dr Ogawa)
| | - Hiroyuki Daida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (Drs Iwata, Miyauchi, Daida)
| | - Hiroaki Shimokawa
- International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan (Dr Shimokawa)
| | | | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan (Dr. Kimura)
| | | | - Kazuo Kimura
- Division of Cardiology, Yokohama City University medical Center, Yokohama, Japan (Drs Hibi, Gohbara, Iwahashi, Okada, Kimura)
| | - Ryozo Nagai
- Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Dr Nagai)
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2
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Cao Zhang AM, Ziogos E, Harb T, Gerstenblith G, Leucker TM. Emerging clinical role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition-Part one: Pleiotropic pro-atherosclerotic effects of PCSK9. Eur J Clin Invest 2024:e14273. [PMID: 38922860 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is primarily recognized for its role in lipid metabolism, but recent evidence suggests that it may have broader implications due to its diverse tissue expression. OBJECTIVE This review aims to explore the multifaceted functions of PCSK9, highlighting its pro-atherosclerotic effects, including its impact on circulating lipoprotein variables, non-low-density lipoprotein receptors, and various cell types involved in atherosclerotic plaque development. CONCLUSIONS PCSK9 exhibits diverse roles beyond lipid metabolism, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis through multiple pathways. Understanding these mechanisms could offer new insights into therapeutic strategies targeting PCSK9 for cardiovascular disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Cao Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Efthymios Ziogos
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tarek Harb
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gary Gerstenblith
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Thorsten M Leucker
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Grejtakova D, Boronova I, Bernasovska J, Bellosta S. PCSK9 and Lipid Metabolism: Genetic Variants, Current Therapies, and Cardiovascular Outcomes. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2024:10.1007/s10557-024-07599-5. [PMID: 38907775 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-024-07599-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a crucial role in the modulation of lipid metabolism as a critical negative regulator of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) levels and circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) clearance. Numerous gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in PCSK9 have been identified as causing familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) by reducing LDLR levels, and loss-of-function (LOF) mutations associated with a hypercholesterolemia phenotype protective against atherosclerosis. PCSK9 represents an example of successful translational research resulting in the identification of PCSK9 as a major drug target for a lipid-lowering therapy. To explore the genetic constitution of PCSK9 and its biologic role, in this review, we summarize the current evidence of clinically significant PCSK9 genetic variants involved in lipid metabolism as well as emphasize the importance of PCSK9 inhibition for the improvement of cardiovascular outcomes by conducting a meta-analysis of the available data on the incidence of cardiovascular disease events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Grejtakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Presov, 17 November 1, Presov, 08001, Slovakia.
| | - Iveta Boronova
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Presov, 17 November 1, Presov, 08001, Slovakia
| | - Jarmila Bernasovska
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Presov, 17 November 1, Presov, 08001, Slovakia
| | - Stefano Bellosta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
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4
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Sinha K, Basu I, Shah Z, Shah S, Chakrabarty S. Leveraging Bidirectional Nature of Allostery To Inhibit Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs): A Case Study of PCSK9-LDLR Interaction. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3923-3932. [PMID: 38615325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The protein PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9) negatively regulates the recycling of LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor), leading to an elevated plasma level of LDL. Inhibition of PCSK9-LDLR interaction has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to manage hypercholesterolemia. However, the large interaction surface area between PCSK9 and LDLR makes it challenging to identify a small molecule competitive inhibitor. An alternative strategy would be to identify distal cryptic sites as targets for allosteric inhibitors that can remotely modulate PCSK9-LDLR interaction. Using several microseconds long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we demonstrate that on binding with LDLR, there is a significant conformational change (population shift) in a distal loop (residues 211-222) region of PCSK9. Consistent with the bidirectional nature of allostery, we establish a clear correlation between the loop conformation and the binding affinity with LDLR. Using a thermodynamic argument, we establish that the loop conformations predominantly present in the apo state of PCSK9 would have lower LDLR binding affinity, and they would be potential targets for designing allosteric inhibitors. We elucidate the molecular origin of the allosteric coupling between this loop and the LDLR binding interface in terms of the population shift in a set of salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Overall, our work provides a general strategy toward identifying allosteric hotspots: compare the conformational ensemble of the receptor between the apo and bound states of the protein and identify distal conformational changes, if any. The inhibitors should be designed to bind and stabilize the apo-specific conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnendu Sinha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Ipsita Basu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Zacharia Shah
- Hingez Therapeutics Inc., 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, STE 1331, Vienna, Virginia 22182, United States
| | - Salim Shah
- Hingez Therapeutics Inc., 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, STE 1331, Vienna, Virginia 22182, United States
| | - Suman Chakrabarty
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata 700 106, India
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5
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Bao X, Liang Y, Chang H, Cai T, Feng B, Gordon K, Zhu Y, Shi H, He Y, Xie L. Targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): from bench to bedside. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38185721 PMCID: PMC10772138 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01690-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has evolved as a pivotal enzyme in lipid metabolism and a revolutionary therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and its related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review delineates the intricate roles and wide-ranging implications of PCSK9, extending beyond CVD to emphasize its significance in diverse physiological and pathological states, including liver diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and notably, cancer. Our exploration offers insights into the interaction between PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), elucidating its substantial impact on cholesterol homeostasis and cardiovascular health. It also details the evolution of PCSK9-targeted therapies, translating foundational bench discoveries into bedside applications for optimized patient care. The advent and clinical approval of innovative PCSK9 inhibitory therapies (PCSK9-iTs), including three monoclonal antibodies (Evolocumab, Alirocumab, and Tafolecimab) and one small interfering RNA (siRNA, Inclisiran), have marked a significant breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine. These therapies have demonstrated unparalleled efficacy in mitigating hypercholesterolemia, reducing cardiovascular risks, and have showcased profound value in clinical applications, offering novel therapeutic avenues and a promising future in personalized medicine for cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, emerging research, inclusive of our findings, unveils PCSK9's potential role as a pivotal indicator for cancer prognosis and its prospective application as a transformative target for cancer treatment. This review also highlights PCSK9's aberrant expression in various cancer forms, its association with cancer prognosis, and its crucial roles in carcinogenesis and cancer immunity. In conclusion, this synthesized review integrates existing knowledge and novel insights on PCSK9, providing a holistic perspective on its transformative impact in reshaping therapeutic paradigms across various disorders. It emphasizes the clinical value and effect of PCSK9-iT, underscoring its potential in advancing the landscape of biomedical research and its capabilities in heralding new eras in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Bao
- Institute of Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Center for Clinical Research, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Cell-based Immunotherapy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Yongjun Liang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanman Chang
- Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tianji Cai
- Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Baijie Feng
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Konstantin Gordon
- Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
- A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Yuekun Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hailian Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, Shanghai, China
| | - Yundong He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liyi Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Eldjarn GH, Ferkingstad E, Lund SH, Helgason H, Magnusson OT, Gunnarsdottir K, Olafsdottir TA, Halldorsson BV, Olason PI, Zink F, Gudjonsson SA, Sveinbjornsson G, Magnusson MI, Helgason A, Oddsson A, Halldorsson GH, Magnusson MK, Saevarsdottir S, Eiriksdottir T, Masson G, Stefansson H, Jonsdottir I, Holm H, Rafnar T, Melsted P, Saemundsdottir J, Norddahl GL, Thorleifsson G, Ulfarsson MO, Gudbjartsson DF, Thorsteinsdottir U, Sulem P, Stefansson K. Large-scale plasma proteomics comparisons through genetics and disease associations. Nature 2023; 622:348-358. [PMID: 37794188 PMCID: PMC10567571 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput proteomics platforms measuring thousands of proteins in plasma combined with genomic and phenotypic information have the power to bridge the gap between the genome and diseases. Here we performed association studies of Olink Explore 3072 data generated by the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project1 on plasma samples from more than 50,000 UK Biobank participants with phenotypic and genotypic data, stratifying on British or Irish, African and South Asian ancestries. We compared the results with those of a SomaScan v4 study on plasma from 36,000 Icelandic people2, for 1,514 of whom Olink data were also available. We found modest correlation between the two platforms. Although cis protein quantitative trait loci were detected for a similar absolute number of assays on the two platforms (2,101 on Olink versus 2,120 on SomaScan), the proportion of assays with such supporting evidence for assay performance was higher on the Olink platform (72% versus 43%). A considerable number of proteins had genomic associations that differed between the platforms. We provide examples where differences between platforms may influence conclusions drawn from the integration of protein levels with the study of diseases. We demonstrate how leveraging the diverse ancestries of participants in the UK Biobank helps to detect novel associations and refine genomic location. Our results show the value of the information provided by the two most commonly used high-throughput proteomics platforms and demonstrate the differences between them that at times provides useful complementarity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sigrun H Lund
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Hannes Helgason
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | - Bjarni V Halldorsson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Technology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Agnar Helgason
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Anthropology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Magnus K Magnusson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Saedis Saevarsdottir
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | - Ingileif Jonsdottir
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Hilma Holm
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Pall Melsted
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | - Magnus O Ulfarsson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Daniel F Gudbjartsson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Unnur Thorsteinsdottir
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Kari Stefansson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
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7
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Hummelgaard S, Vilstrup JP, Gustafsen C, Glerup S, Weyer K. Targeting PCSK9 to tackle cardiovascular disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 249:108480. [PMID: 37331523 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Lowering blood cholesterol levels efficiently reduces the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the main cause of death worldwide. CAD is caused by plaque formation, comprising cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin/type 9 (PCSK9) was discovered in the early 2000s and later identified as a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 induces lysosomal degradation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the liver, which is responsible for clearing LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) from the circulation. Accordingly, gain-of-function PCSK9 mutations are causative of familial hypercholesterolemia, a severe condition with extremely high plasma cholesterol levels and increased ASCVD risk, whereas loss-of-function PCSK9 mutations are associated with very low LDL-C levels and protection against CAD. Since the discovery of PCSK9, extensive investigations in developing PCSK9 targeting therapies have been performed. The combined delineation of clear biology, genetic risk variants, and PCSK9 crystal structures have been major drivers in developing antagonistic molecules. Today, two antibody-based PCSK9 inhibitors have successfully progressed to clinical application and shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels and mitigating the risk of ASCVD events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death, without any major adverse effects. A third siRNA-based inhibitor has been FDA-approved but awaits cardiovascular outcome data. In this review, we outline the PCSK9 biology, focusing on the structure and nonsynonymous mutations reported in the PCSK9 gene and elaborate on PCSK9-lowering strategies under development. Finally, we discuss future perspectives with PCSK9 inhibition in other severe disorders beyond cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon Glerup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Draupnir Bio, INCUBA Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kathrin Weyer
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Kunimura A, Miura K, Segawa H, Torii S, Kondo K, Hisamatsu T, Kadota A, Fujiyoshi A, Yano Y, Nakagawa Y, Okamura T, Ueshima H. Relationship between Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Concentration and Prevalence of Coronary Artery Calcium in a Community-Based Sample of Japanese Men. J Atheroscler Thromb 2023; 30:767-777. [PMID: 36123046 PMCID: PMC10322734 DOI: 10.5551/jat.63549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising new target for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. However, the influence of circulating PCSK9 concentration on atherosclerotic plaque formation in the general population remains unknown. We assessed the relationship between serum PCSK9 concentration and coronary artery calcium (CAC) prevalence in the general population. METHODS Community-dwelling Japanese men (n=622) aged 46-82 years without a history of cardiovascular disease and lipid-lowering medications were included. Serum PCSK9 concentration and CAC score were measured using the Agatston method, and the multivariable analysis was used to assess their association. CAC was defined as an Agatston score of >10. We conducted further analysis stratified by age (<60, 60-69, and ≥ 70 years). RESULTS The average age, LDL-C, and median serum PCSK9 concentration were 68 years, 122 mg/dL, and 240 ng/mL, respectively. After multivariable adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, no significant association was observed between serum PCSK9 concentration and CAC prevalence (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-1.13). With age stratification, serum PCSK9 concentration was significantly associated with CAC prevalence in men aged <60 years (aRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.88) but not in men aged 60-69 years (aRR 0.96, 95% CI 0.85-1.10) or ≥ 70 years (aRR 1.08, 95% CI 0.99-1.19). CONCLUSIONS A higher serum PCSK9 concentration was associated with a higher CAC prevalence in men aged <60 years, which was independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Kunimura
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- Department of Cardiology, Kobe Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Miura
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Segawa
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Sayuki Torii
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Keiko Kondo
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Takashi Hisamatsu
- Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Aya Kadota
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Akira Fujiyoshi
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- Department of Hygiene, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Yano
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Nakagawa
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Tomonori Okamura
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Ueshima
- Department of Public Health, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
- NCD Epidemiology Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
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9
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Yang W, Cao J, McVey DG, Ye S. Allele-Specific Epigenetic Regulation of FURIN Expression at a Coronary Artery Disease Susceptibility Locus. Cells 2023; 12:1681. [PMID: 37443715 PMCID: PMC10341058 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have revealed an association between the genetic variant rs17514846 in the FURIN gene and coronary artery disease. We investigated the mechanism through which rs17514846 modulates FURIN expression. An analysis of isogenic monocytic cell lines showed that the cells of the rs17514846 A/A genotype expressed higher levels of FURIN than cells of the C/C genotype. Pyrosequencing showed that the cytosine (in a CpG motif) at the rs17514846 position on the C allele was methylated. Treatment with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine increased FURIN expression. An electrophoretic mobility super-shift assay with a probe corresponding to the DNA sequence at and around the rs17514846 position of the C allele detected DNA-protein complex bands that were altered by an anti-MeCP2 antibody. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay with the anti-MeCP2 antibody showed an enrichment of the DNA sequence containing the rs17514846 site. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MeCP2 caused an increase in FURIN expression. Furthermore, MeCP2 knockdown increased monocyte migration and proliferation, and this effect was diminished by a FURIN inhibitor. The results of our study suggest that DNA methylation inhibits FURIN expression and that the coronary artery disease-predisposing variant rs17514846 modulates FURIN expression and monocyte migration via an allele-specific effect on DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Junjun Cao
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - David G. McVey
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK
- Cardiovascular-Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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10
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Chen H, Zhang L, Mi S, Wang H, Wang C, Jia W, Gong L, Dong H, Xu B, Jing Y, Ge P, Pei Z, Zhong L, Yang J. FURIN suppresses the progression of atherosclerosis by promoting macrophage autophagy. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22933. [PMID: 37093709 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201762rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
FURIN, a member of the mammalian proprotein convertases (PCs) family, can promote the proteolytic maturation of proproteins. It has been shown that FURIN plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Current evidence indicates that autophagy widely participates in atherogenesis. This study aimed to explore whether FURIN could affect atherogenesis via autophagy. The effect of FURIN on autophagy was studied using aortic tissues from aortic dissection patients who had BENTALL surgery, as well as macrophages and ApoE-/- mice. In atherosclerotic plaques of aortic tissues from patients, FURIN expression and autophagy were elevated. In macrophages, FURIN-shRNA and FURIN-overexpression lentivirus were used to intervene in FURIN expression. The results showed that FURIN overexpression accelerated LC3 formation in macrophages during the autophagosome formation phase. Furthermore, FURIN-induced autophagy resulted in lower lipid droplet concentrations in macrophages. The western blot revealed that FURIN regulated autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1/PI3KIII signaling pathway. In vivo, FURIN overexpression resulted in increased macrophage LC3 formation in ApoE-/- mice atherosclerotic plaques, confirming that FURIN could inhibit the progression of AS by promoting macrophage autophagy. The present study demonstrated that FURIN suppressed the progression of AS by promoting macrophage autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1/PI3KIII signaling pathway, which attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation. Based on this data, current findings add to our understanding of the complexity of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Chen
- School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Lihui Zhang
- School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Shaohua Mi
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Chunxiao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Wenjuan Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Lei Gong
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Haibin Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- The 2nd Medical Colloge, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yanyan Jing
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Peipei Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Zhigang Pei
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Lin Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Yuhuangding Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine of Qingdao University, Yantai, Yantai, China
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11
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Dec A, Niemiec A, Wojciechowska E, Maligłówka M, Bułdak Ł, Bołdys A, Okopień B. Inclisiran-A Revolutionary Addition to a Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6858. [PMID: 37047830 PMCID: PMC10095256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis, but it remains an undertreated and underdiagnosed disease. Taking into consideration the high prevalence of lipid disorders, long duration of the asymptomatic course of the disease, life-threatening complications resulting from inaccurate therapy, and stringent treatment goals concerning LDL cholesterol level in the prevention of cardiovascular events, novel lipid-lowering therapies have been introduced in the last few years. In this article, a drug belonging to the group of small interfering RNA (siRNA) called inclisiran is described. It is a novel molecule that increases the number of LDL receptors (LDLRs) on the surface of hepatic cells by preventing the formation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) responsible for the degradation of LDLRs. With great potential for lowering plasma LDL cholesterol level, high liver specificity, comfortable dosing regimen, and good tolerance without significant adverse effects, it could play an important part in future hypolipemic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Dec
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Niemiec
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Eliza Wojciechowska
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Maligłówka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bułdak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Bołdys
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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12
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Proprotein convertases regulate trafficking and maturation of key proteins within the secretory pathway. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:1-54. [PMID: 36707198 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein Convertases (PCs) are serine endoproteases that regulate the homeostasis of protein substrates in the cell. The PCs family counts 9 members-PC1/3, PC2, PC4, PACE4, PC5/6, PC7, Furin, SKI-1/S1P, and PCSK9. The first seven PCs are known as Basic Proprotein Convertases due to their propensity to cleave after polybasic clusters. SKI-1/S1P requires the additional presence of hydrophobic residues for processing, whereas PCSK9 is catalytically dead after autoactivation and exerts its functions using mechanisms alternative to direct cleavage. All PCs traffic through the canonical secretory pathway, reaching different compartments where the various substrates reside. Despite PCs members do not share the same subcellular localization, most of the cellular organelles count one or more Proprotein Convertases, including ER, Golgi stack, endosomes, secretory granules, and plasma membranes. The widespread expression of these enzymes at the systemic level speaks for their importance in the homeostasis of a large number of biological functions. Among others, PCs cleave precursors of hormones and growth factors and activate receptors and transcription factors. Notably, dysregulation of the enzymatic activity of Proprotein Convertases is associated to major human pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, infections, inflammation, autoimmunity diseases, and Parkinson. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, Furin has further attracted the attention as a key player for conferring high pathogenicity to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we review the Proprotein Convertases family and their most important substrates along the secretory pathway. Knowledge about the complex functions of PCs is important to identify potential drug strategies targeting this class of enzymes.
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13
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Essalmani R, Andréo U, Evagelidis A, Le Dévéhat M, Pereira Ramos OH, Fruchart Gaillard C, Susan-Resiga D, Cohen ÉA, Seidah NG. SKI-1/S1P Facilitates SARS-CoV-2 Spike Induced Cell-to-Cell Fusion via Activation of SREBP-2 and Metalloproteases, Whereas PCSK9 Enhances the Degradation of ACE2. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020360. [PMID: 36851576 PMCID: PMC9959508 DOI: 10.3390/v15020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases activate various envelope glycoproteins and participate in cellular entry of many viruses. We recently showed that the convertase furin is critical for the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, which requires cleavage of its spike protein (S) at two sites: S1/S2 and S2'. This study investigates the implication of the two cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 in SARS-CoV-2 entry. The assays used were cell-to-cell fusion in HeLa cells and pseudoparticle entry into Calu-3 cells. SKI-1 increased cell-to-cell fusion by enhancing the activation of SREBP-2, whereas PCSK9 reduced cell-to-cell fusion by promoting the cellular degradation of ACE2. SKI-1 activity led to enhanced S2' formation, which was attributed to increased metalloprotease activity as a response to enhanced cholesterol levels via activated SREBP-2. However, high metalloprotease activity resulted in the shedding of S2' into a new C-terminal fragment (S2″), leading to reduced cell-to-cell fusion. Indeed, S-mutants that increase S2″ formation abolished S2' and cell-to-cell fusion, as well as pseudoparticle entry, indicating that the formation of S2″ prevents SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell fusion and entry. We next demonstrated that PCSK9 enhanced the cellular degradation of ACE2, thereby reducing cell-to-cell fusion. However, different from the LDLR, a canonical target of PCSK9, the C-terminal CHRD domain of PCSK9 is dispensable for the PCSK9-induced degradation of ACE2. Molecular modeling suggested the binding of ACE2 to the Pro/Catalytic domains of mature PCSK9. Thus, both cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 can modulate SARS-CoV-2 entry via two independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Ursula Andréo
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Alexandra Evagelidis
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Maïlys Le Dévéhat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Oscar Henrique Pereira Ramos
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SI-MoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Carole Fruchart Gaillard
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SI-MoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Éric A. Cohen
- Laboratory of Human Retrovirology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-987-5609
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14
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Los B, Ferreira GM, Borges JB, Kronenberger T, Oliveira VFD, Dagli-Hernandez C, Bortolin RH, Gonçalves RM, Faludi AA, Mori AA, Barbosa TKA, Freitas RCCD, Jannes CE, Pereira ADC, Bastos GM, Poso A, Hirata RDC, Hirata MH. Effects of PCSK9 missense variants on molecular conformation and biological activity in transfected HEK293FT cells. Gene 2023; 851:146979. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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15
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Goksøyr L, Skrzypczak M, Sampson M, Nielsen MA, Salanti A, Theander TG, Remaley AT, De Jongh WA, Sander AF. A cVLP-Based Vaccine Displaying Full-Length PCSK9 Elicits a Higher Reduction in Plasma PCSK9 Than Similar Peptide-Based cVLP Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010002. [PMID: 36679847 PMCID: PMC9864010 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of PCSK9-specific monoclonal antibodies, as well as peptide-based PCSK9 vaccines, can lower plasma LDL cholesterol by blocking PCSK9. However, these treatments also cause an increase in plasma PCSK9 levels, presumably due to the formation of immune complexes. Here, we utilize a versatile capsid virus-like particle (cVLP)-based vaccine platform to deliver both full-length (FL) PCSK9 and PCSK9-derived peptide antigens, to investigate whether induction of a broader polyclonal anti-PCSK9 antibody response would mediate more efficient clearance of plasma PCSK9. This head-to-head immunization study reveals a significantly increased capacity of the FL PCSK9 cVLP vaccine to opsonize and clear plasma PCSK9. These findings may have implications for the design of PCSK9 and other vaccines that should effectively mediate opsonization and immune clearance of target antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Goksøyr
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- AdaptVac Aps, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Maureen Sampson
- Lipoprotein Metabolism Section, Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Morten A. Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor G. Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alan T. Remaley
- Lipoprotein Metabolism Section, Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Adam F. Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- AdaptVac Aps, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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Alannan M, Seidah NG, Merched AJ. PCSK9 in Liver Cancers at the Crossroads between Lipid Metabolism and Immunity. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244132. [PMID: 36552895 PMCID: PMC9777286 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring and defective immune responses are considered to be the main driving forces sustaining cell growth and oncogenesis in many cancers. The atypical enzyme, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), is produced by the liver in large amounts and plays a major role in lipid metabolism via the control of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and other cell surface receptors. In this context, many clinical studies have clearly demonstrated the high efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in treating hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Recent data implicated PCSK9 in the degradation of major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) receptors and the immune system as well as in other physiological activities. This review highlights the complex crosstalk between PCSK9, lipid metabolism and immunosuppression and underlines the latest advances in understanding the involvement of this convertase in other critical functions. We present a comprehensive assessment of the different strategies targeting PCSK9 and show how these approaches could be extended to future therapeutic options to treat cancers with a main focus on the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Alannan
- Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, IRCM, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Aksam J. Merched
- Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
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Ahamad S, Bhat SA. Recent Update on the Development of PCSK9 Inhibitors for Hypercholesterolemia Treatment. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15513-15539. [PMID: 36446632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) binds to low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby trafficking them to lysosomes upon endocytosis and enhancing intracellular degradation to prevent their recycling. As a result, the levels of circulating LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) increase, which is a prominent risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Thus, PCSK9 has become a promising therapeutic target that offers a fertile testing ground for new drug modalities to regulate plasma LDL-C levels to prevent ASCVD. In this review, we have discussed the role of PCSK9 in lipid metabolism and briefly summarized the current clinical status of modalities targeting PCSK9. In particular, a detailed overview of peptide-based PCSK9 inhibitors is presented, which emphasizes their structural features and design, therapeutic effects on patients, and preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) models, along with PCSK9 modulation mechanisms. As a promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for managing LDL-C, anti-PCSK9 peptides are emerging as a prospective next generation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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18
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Sawaguchi J, Saeki Y, Oda M, Takamura TA, Fujibayashi K, Wakasa M, Akao H, Kitayama M, Kawai Y, Kajinami K. The circulating furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio has a potential prognostic significance in statin-naïve patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2022; 50:50-56. [PMID: 36643795 PMCID: PMC9833232 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) circulates as mature and furin-cleaved forms, but their biological functions are uncertain. We investigated whether their levels associate with prognosis in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods We enrolled 160 statin-naïve patients with acute STEMI and followed for 3 years. PCSK9 subtype levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and at five timepoints up to 48 h after emergent coronary intervention. The occurrence of coronary and cardiac events was compared between subjects stratified by the PCSK9 level. Results One hundred and twenty-six patients completed 3 years of follow-up. In the acute phase, both PCSK9 subtype levels decreased, and thereafter increased from 6 to 48 h (mature: from 198 ± 67 to 334 ± 116 ng/mL, furin-cleaved: from 20 ± 7 to 39 ± 16 ng/mL, both p < 0.01). Major cardiac events occurred in 46 patients. The furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio at 48 h after coronary intervention predicted the likelihood of experiencing of events; patients in the third tertile had lower event-free survival than those in the first and second tetiles in Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that this ratio had a greater impact (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.06-3.45, p = 0.03) on events than other known atherosclerosis risk factors. Conclusions The furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio was associated with 3-year cardiovascular events in statin-naïve patients with acute STEMI, suggesting a potential link between furin cleavage process of PCSK9 and its effect on prognosis. (249 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sawaguchi
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Saeki
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Minako Oda
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | | | | | - Minoru Wakasa
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Hironobu Akao
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Michihiko Kitayama
- Trans-catheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kawai
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Kouji Kajinami
- Department of Cardiology, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, 920-0293, Japan,Corresponding author. Department of Cardiology, Kanazawa Medical University , 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan.
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19
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Ferri N, Ruscica M, Lupo MG, Vicenzi M, Sirtori CR, Corsini A. Pharmacological rationale for the very early treatment of acute coronary syndrome with monoclonal antibodies anti-PCSK9. Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106439. [PMID: 36100012 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immediate and aggressive lipid lowering therapies after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are supported by the ESC/EAS dyslipidemia guidelines, recommending the initiation of high-intensity statin therapy within the first 1-4 days of hospitalization. However, whether non statin lipid-lowering agents, added to statin treatment, could produce a further reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) is still unknown. Thus, the efficacy of early treatment post-ACS with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) anti PCSK9, evolocumab and alirocumab, is under investigation. The rationale to explore the rapid and aggressive pharmacological intervention with PCSK9 mAbs is supported by at least five confirmatory data in ACS: 1) circulating PCSK9 levels are raised during ACS 2) PCSK9 may stimulate platelet reactivity, this last being pivotal in the recurrence of ischemic events; 3) PCSK9 is associated with intraplaque inflammation, macrophage activation and endothelial dysfunction; 4) PCSK9 concentrations are associated with inflammation in the acute phase of ACS; and 5) statins raise PCSK9 levels promptly and, at times, dramatically. In this scenario, appropriate pharmacodynamic characteristics of anti PCSK9 therapies are a prerequisite for an effective response. Monoclonal antibodies act on circulating PCSK9 with a direct and rapid binding by blocking the interaction with the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Evolocumab and alirocumab show a very rapid (within 4 h) and effective suppression of circulating unbound PCSK9 (- 95 % ÷ - 97 %). This inhibition results in a significant reduction of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) after 48 h (- 35 %) post injection with a full effect after 7-10 days (55-75 %). The complete and swift inhibitory action by evolocumab and alirocumab could have a potential clinical impact in ACS patients, also considering their potential inhibition of PCSK9 within the atherosclerotic plaque. Thus, administration of evolocumab or alirocumab is effective in lowering LDL-C levels in ACS, although the efficacy to prevent further cardiovascular (CV) events is still undetermined. The answer to this question will be provided by the ongoing clinical trials with evolocumab and alirocumab in ACS. In the present review we will discuss the pharmacological and biological rationale supporting the potential use of PCSK9 mAbs in ACS patients and the emerging evidence of evolocumab and alirocumab treatment in this clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Ferri
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Ruscica
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Vicenzi
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare R Sirtori
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Corsini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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20
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Dafnis I, Tsouka AN, Gkolfinopoulou C, Tellis CC, Chroni A, Tselepis AD. PCSK9 is minimally associated with HDL but impairs the anti-atherosclerotic HDL effects on endothelial cell activation. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100272. [PMID: 36067830 PMCID: PMC9526147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates the cell-surface localization of LDL receptors in hepatocytes and is associated with LDL and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] uptake, reducing blood concentrations. However, the connection between PCSK9 and HDL is unclear. Here, we investigated the association of plasma PCSK9 with HDL subpopulations and examined the effects of PCSK9 on the atheroprotective function of HDL. We examined the association of PCSK9 with HDL in apoB-depleted plasma by ELISA, native PAGE, and immunoblotting. Our analyses showed that upon apoB-depletion, total circulating PCSK9 levels were 32% of those observed in normolipidemic plasma, and only 6% of PCSK9 in the apoB-depleted plasma, including both the mature and furin-cleaved forms, was associated with HDL. We also show human recombinant PCSK9 abolished the capacity of reconstituted HDL to reduce the formation of ROS in endothelial cells, while a PCSK9-blocking antibody enhanced the capacity of human HDL (in apoB-depleted plasma) to reduce ROS formation in endothelial cells and promote endothelial cell migration. Overall, our findings suggest that PCSK9 is only minimally associated with HDL particles, but PCSK9 in apoB-depleted plasma can affect the atheroprotective properties of HDL related to preservation of endothelial function. This study contributes to the elucidation of the pathophysiological role of plasma PCSK9 and highlights further the anti-atherosclerotic effect of PCSK9 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Dafnis
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini N Tsouka
- Atherothrombosis Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christina Gkolfinopoulou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos C Tellis
- Atherothrombosis Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki Chroni
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros D Tselepis
- Atherothrombosis Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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21
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Dobó J, Kocsis A, Dani R, Gál P. Proprotein Convertases and the Complement System. Front Immunol 2022; 13:958121. [PMID: 35874789 PMCID: PMC9296861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.958121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins destined for secretion - after removal of the signal sequence - often undergo further proteolytic processing by proprotein convertases (PCs). Prohormones are typically processed in the regulated secretory pathway, while most plasma proteins travel though the constitutive pathway. The complement system is a major proteolytic cascade in the blood, serving as a first line of defense against microbes and also contributing to the immune homeostasis. Several complement components, namely C3, C4, C5 and factor I (FI), are multi-chain proteins that are apparently processed by PCs intracellularly. Cleavage occurs at consecutive basic residues and probably also involves the action of carboxypeptidases. The most likely candidate for the intracellular processing of complement proteins is furin, however, because of the overlapping specificities of basic amino acid residue-specific proprotein convertases, other PCs might be involved. To our surprise, we have recently discovered that processing of another complement protein, mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3) occurs in the blood by PCSK6 (PACE4). A similar mechanism had been described for the membrane protease corin, which is also activated extracellularly by PCSK6. In this review we intend to point out that the proper functioning of the complement system intimately depends on the action of proprotein convertases. In addition to the non-enzymatic components (C3, C4, C5), two constitutively active complement proteases are directly activated by PCs either intracellularly (FI), or extracellularly (MASP-3), moreover indirectly, through the constitutive activation of pro-factor D by MASP-3, the activity of the alternative pathway also depends on a PC present in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Péter Gál
- *Correspondence: József Dobó, ; Péter Gál,
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22
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Kudo T, Sasaki K, Tada H. Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia caused by homozygous loss-of-function mutations in PCSK9: A case report. J Clin Lipidol 2022; 16:596-600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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Tchéoubi SER, Akpovi CD, Coppée F, Declèves AE, Laurent S, Agbangla C, Burtea C. Molecular and cellular biology of PCSK9: impact on glucose homeostasis. J Drug Target 2022; 30:948-960. [PMID: 35723066 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2092622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (PCSK9i) revolutionised the lipid-lowering therapy. However, a risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is evoked under PCSK9i therapy. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the link of PCSK9 with T2DM. A significant correlation was found between PCSK9 and insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance and glycated haemoglobin. PCSK9 is also involved in inflammation. PCSK9 loss-of-function variants increased T2DM risk by altering insulin secretion. Local pancreatic low PCSK9 regulates β-cell LDLR expression which in turn promotes intracellular cholesterol accumulation and hampers insulin secretion. Nevertheless, the association of PCSK9 loss-of-function variants and T2DM is inconsistent. InsLeu and R46L polymorphisms were associated with T2DM, low HOMA for β-cell function and impaired fasting glucose, while the C679X polymorphism was associated with low fasting glucose in Black South African people. Hence, we assume that the impact of these variants on glucose homeostasis may vary depending on the genetic background of the studied populations and the type of effect caused by those genetic variants on the PCSK9 protein. Accordingly, these factors should be considered when choosing a genetic variant of PCSK9 to assess the impact of long-term use of PCSK9i on glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sègbédé E R Tchéoubi
- General, Organic and Biomedical Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Mons, Belgium.,Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Research Unit, Laboratory of Applied Biology Research, University of Abomey-Calavi - UAC, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Casimir D Akpovi
- Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Research Unit, Laboratory of Applied Biology Research, University of Abomey-Calavi - UAC, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Frédérique Coppée
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Mons, Belgium
| | - Anne-Emilie Declèves
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sophie Laurent
- General, Organic and Biomedical Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Mons, Belgium
| | - Clément Agbangla
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Genome Analyzes, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Abomey-Calavi - UAC, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Carmen Burtea
- General, Organic and Biomedical Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Mons, Belgium
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24
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Abstract
This article reviews the discovery of PCSK9, its structure-function characteristics, and its presently known and proposed novel biological functions. The major critical function of PCSK9 deduced from human and mouse studies, as well as cellular and structural analyses, is its role in increasing the levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDLc), via its ability to enhance the sorting and escort of the cell surface LDL receptor (LDLR) to lysosomes. This implicates the binding of the catalytic domain of PCSK9 to the EGF-A domain of the LDLR. This also requires the presence of the C-terminal Cys/His-rich domain, its binding to the secreted cytosolic cyclase associated protein 1, and possibly another membrane-bound "protein X". Curiously, in PCSK9-deficient mice, an alternative to the downregulation of the surface levels of the LDLR by PCSK9 is taking place in the liver of female mice in a 17β-estradiol-dependent manner by still an unknown mechanism. Recent studies have extended our understanding of the biological functions of PCSK9, namely its implication in septic shock, vascular inflammation, viral infections (Dengue; SARS-CoV-2) or immune checkpoint modulation in cancer via the regulation of the cell surface levels of the T-cell receptor and MHC-I, which govern the antitumoral activity of CD8+ T cells. Because PCSK9 inhibition may be advantageous in these processes, the availability of injectable safe PCSK9 inhibitors that reduces by 50% to 60% LDLc above the effect of statins is highly valuable. Indeed, injectable PCSK9 monoclonal antibody or small interfering RNA could be added to current immunotherapies in cancer/metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC, Canada
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25
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Pelletier RM, Layeghkhavidaki H, Seidah NG, Prat A, Vitale ML. PCSK9 Contributes to the Cholesterol, Glucose, and Insulin2 Homeostasis in Seminiferous Tubules and Maintenance of Immunotolerance in Testis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:889972. [PMID: 35586340 PMCID: PMC9108277 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.889972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The PCSK9 contribution to cholesterol and immunotolerance homeostasis and response to glucose, and insulin in testis and hypophysis were studied using Pcsk9-deficient (-/-) and transgenic [Tg (PCSK9)] mice, and diabetic, obese ob/ob and db/db mice. The spermatids/spermatozoa acrosome, peritubular vessels, and epididymal adipocytes were PCSK9- and LDL-R-positive. The pro-PCSK9/PCSK9 ratio was high in interstitial tissue-fractions (ITf) and spermatozoa and low in seminiferous tubule-fractions (STf) in normal adult mice. This ratio decreased in ITf in ob/ob and db/db mice but increased in tubules in ob/ob mice. Deleting pcsk9 lowered cholesterol in serum but increased testicular cholesterol. Furthermore, HMGCoA-red, ACAT-2 and LDL-R turnover increased whereas SR-BI decreased in ITf; in tubules, ABCA1 decreased and 160 kDa LDL-R increased in Pcsk9 -/- mice. Excess testicular cholesterol could result from increased cholesterol synthesis and uptake with reduction in SR-BI-mediated efflux in ITf and from the overload of apoptotic cells, lowered ABCA1-mediated efflux and stimulated LDL-R protein synthesis in tubules in Pcsk9 -/- mice. Concomitantly with the cholesterol accumulation, tubules showed infiltrates of immune cells, elevated IL-17A and IL-17RA, and changes in the immunotolerance homeostasis. PCSK9 deficiency decreased glucose in tubules and spermatozoa while increasing insulin2 in ITf and tubules not serum. Moreover, IR-α, and IR-β augmented in tubules but decreased in the anterior pituitary; IR-α increased whereas IR-β decreased in ITf. The histology and cholesterol levels were normal in Tg (PCSK9) mouse testis. The excess cholesterol creates a milieu favorable to the action of high IL-17A and IL-17RA, the development of inflammatory conditions and self-tolerance breakdown in testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.-Marc Pelletier
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hamed Layeghkhavidaki
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - María L. Vitale
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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26
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Lebeau PF, Platko K, Byun JH, Makda Y, Austin RC. The Emerging Roles of Intracellular PCSK9 and Their Implications in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Metabolic Diseases. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030215. [PMID: 35323658 PMCID: PMC8954296 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) gene was quickly recognized by the scientific community as the third locus for familial hypercholesterolemia. By promoting the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), secreted PCSK9 protein plays a vital role in the regulation of circulating cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease risk. For this reason, the majority of published works have focused on the secreted form of PCSK9 since its initial characterization in 2003. In recent years, however, PCSK9 has been shown to play roles in a variety of cellular pathways and disease contexts in LDLR-dependent and -independent manners. This article examines the current body of literature that uncovers the intracellular and LDLR-independent roles of PCSK9 and also explores the many downstream implications in metabolic diseases.
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27
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Ben-Naim L, Khalaila I, Papo N. Modifying pH-sensitive PCSK9/LDLR interactions as a strategy to enhance hepatic cell uptake of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Protein Eng Des Sel 2022; 35:6529797. [DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
LDL-receptor (LDLR)-mediated uptake of LDL-C into hepatocytes is impaired by lysosomal degradation of LDLR, which is promoted by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Cell surface binding of PCSK9 to LDLR produces a complex that translocates to an endosome, where the acidic pH strengthens the binding affinity of PCSK9 to LDLR, preventing LDLR recycling to the cell membrane. We present a new approach to inhibit PCSK9-mediated LDLR degradation, namely, targeting the PCSK9/LDLR interface with a PCSK9-antagonist, designated Flag-PCSK9PH, which prevents access of WT PCSK9 to LDLR. In HepG2 cells, Flag-PCSK9PH, a truncated version (residues 53–451) of human WT PCSK9, strongly bound LDLR at the neutral pH of the cell surface but dissociated from it in the endosome (acidic pH), allowing LDLR to exit the lysosomes intact and recycle to the cell membrane. Flag-PCSK9PH thus significantly enhanced cell-surface LDLR levels and the ability of LDLR to take up extracellular LDL-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lital Ben-Naim
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Isam Khalaila
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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28
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Grewal T, Buechler C. Emerging Insights on the Diverse Roles of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) in Chronic Liver Diseases: Cholesterol Metabolism and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031070. [PMID: 35162992 PMCID: PMC8834914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are commonly associated with dysregulated cholesterol metabolism. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease of the proprotein convertase family that is mainly synthetized and secreted by the liver, and represents one of the key regulators of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Its ability to bind and induce LDL-receptor degradation, in particular in the liver, increases circulating LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Hence, inhibition of PCSK9 has become a very potent tool for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Besides PCSK9 limiting entry of LDL-derived cholesterol, affecting multiple cholesterol-related functions in cells, more recent studies have associated PCSK9 with various other cellular processes, including inflammation, fatty acid metabolism, cancerogenesis and visceral adiposity. It is increasingly becoming evident that additional roles for PCSK9 beyond cholesterol homeostasis are crucial for liver physiology in health and disease, often contributing to pathophysiology. This review will summarize studies analyzing circulating and hepatic PCSK9 levels in patients with chronic liver diseases. The factors affecting PCSK9 levels in the circulation and in hepatocytes, clinically relevant studies and the pathophysiological role of PCSK9 in chronic liver injury are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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29
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PCSK9 as a Target for Development of a New Generation of Hypolipidemic Drugs. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27020434. [PMID: 35056760 PMCID: PMC8778893 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PCSK9 has now become an important target to create new classes of lipid-lowering drugs. The prevention of its interaction with LDL receptors allows an increase in the number of these receptors on the surface of the cell membrane of hepatocytes, which leads to an increase in the uptake of cholesterol-rich atherogenic LDL from the bloodstream. The PCSK9 antagonists described in this review belong to different classes of compounds, may have a low molecular weight or belong to macromolecular structures, and also demonstrate different mechanisms of action. The mechanisms of action include preventing the effective binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, stimulating the degradation of PCSK9, and even blocking its transcription or transport to the plasma membrane/cell surface. Although several types of antihyperlipidemic drugs have been introduced on the market and are actively used in clinical practice, they are not without disadvantages, such as well-known side effects (statins) or high costs (monoclonal antibodies). Thus, there is still a need for effective cholesterol-lowering drugs with minimal side effects, preferably orally bioavailable. Low-molecular-weight PCSK9 inhibitors could be a worthy alternative for this purpose.
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30
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Furuhashi M, Sakuma I, Morimoto T, Higashiura Y, Sakai A, Matsumoto M, Sakuma M, Shimabukuro M, Nomiyama T, Arasaki O, Node K, Ueda S. Differential Effects of DPP-4 Inhibitors, Anagliptin and Sitagliptin, on PCSK9 Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who are Receiving Statin Therapy. J Atheroscler Thromb 2022; 29:24-37. [PMID: 33342939 PMCID: PMC8737073 DOI: 10.5551/jat.58396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim:
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) degrades the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, leading to hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular risk. Treatment with a statin leads to a compensatory increase in circulating PCSK9 level. Anagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, was shown to decrease LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels to a greater extent than that by sitagliptin, another DPP-4 inhibitor, in the Randomized Evaluation of Anagliptin versus Sitagliptin On low-density lipoproteiN cholesterol in diabetes (REASON) trial. We investigated PCSK9 concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the impact of treatment with anagliptin or sitagliptin on PCSK9 level as a sub-analysis of the REASON trial.
Methods:
PCSK9 concentration was measured at baseline and after 52 weeks of treatment with anagliptin (
n
=122) or sitagliptin (
n
=128) in patients with T2DM who were receiving statin therapy. All of the included patients had been treated with a DPP-4 inhibitor prior to randomization.
Results:
Baseline PCSK9 level was positively, but not significantly, correlated with LDL-C and was independently associated with platelet count and level of triglycerides. Concomitant with reduction of LDL-C, but not hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), by anagliptin, PCSK9 level was significantly increased by treatment with sitagliptin (218±98 vs. 242±115 ng/mL,
P
=0.01), but not anagliptin (233±97 vs. 250±106 ng/mL,
P
=0.07).
Conclusions:
PCSK9 level is independently associated with platelet count and level of triglycerides, but not LDL-C, in patients with T2DM. Anagliptin reduces LDL-C level independent of HbA1c control in patients with T2DM who are on statin therapy possibly by suppressing excess statin-mediated PCSK9 induction and subsequent degradation of the LDL receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Furuhashi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Yukimura Higashiura
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Akiko Sakai
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Megumi Matsumoto
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Mio Sakuma
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine
| | - Michio Shimabukuro
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fukushima Medical University
| | - Takashi Nomiyama
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, International University of Health and Welfare Ichikawa Hospital
| | - Osamu Arasaki
- Department of Cardiology, Tomishiro Central Hospital
| | - Koichi Node
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Saga University
| | - Shinichiro Ueda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of the Ryukyus
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31
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Uribe KB, Chemello K, Larrea-Sebal A, Benito-Vicente A, Galicia-Garcia U, Bourane S, Jaafar AK, Lambert G, Martín C. A Systematic Approach to Assess the Activity and Classification of PCSK9 Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413602. [PMID: 34948399 PMCID: PMC8706470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gain of function (GOF) mutations of PCSK9 cause autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia as they reduce the abundance of LDL receptor (LDLR) more efficiently than wild-type PCSK9. In contrast, PCSK9 loss of function (LOF) variants are associated with a hypocholesterolemic phenotype. Dozens of PCSK9 variants have been reported, but most remain of unknown significance since their characterization has not been conducted. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to make the most comprehensive assessment of PCSK9 variants and to determine the simplest approach for the classification of these variants. METHODS The expression, maturation, secretion, and activity of nine well-established PCSK9 variants were assessed in transiently transfected HEK293 cells by Western blot and flow cytometry. Their extracellular activities were determined in HepG2 cells incubated with the purified recombinant PCSK9 variants. Their binding affinities toward the LDLR were determined by solid-phase immunoassay. RESULTS LDLR expression increased when cells were transfected with LOF variants and reduced when cells were transfected with GOF variants compared with wild-type PCSK9. Extracellular activities measurements yielded exactly similar results. GOF and LOF variants had increased, respectively reduced, affinities for the LDLR compared with wild-type PCSK9 with the exception of one GOF variant (R218S) that showed complete resistance to inactivation by furin. All variants were expressed at similar levels and underwent normal maturation and secretion patterns except for two LOF and two GOF mutants. CONCLUSIONS We propose that transient transfections of HEK293 cells with a plasmid encoding a PCSK9 variant followed by LDLR expression assessment by flow cytometry is sufficient to reliably determine its GOF or LOF status. More refined experiments should only be used to determine the underlying mechanism(s) at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kepa B. Uribe
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biofisika Institute, University of Basque Country and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (K.B.U.); (A.L.-S.); (A.B.-V.); (U.G.-G.)
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Kevin Chemello
- Inserm, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Saint-Denis de La Reunion, France; (K.C.); (S.B.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Asier Larrea-Sebal
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biofisika Institute, University of Basque Country and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (K.B.U.); (A.L.-S.); (A.B.-V.); (U.G.-G.)
- Fundación Biofisika Bizkaia, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Asier Benito-Vicente
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biofisika Institute, University of Basque Country and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (K.B.U.); (A.L.-S.); (A.B.-V.); (U.G.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Unai Galicia-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biofisika Institute, University of Basque Country and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (K.B.U.); (A.L.-S.); (A.B.-V.); (U.G.-G.)
- Fundación Biofisika Bizkaia, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Steeve Bourane
- Inserm, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Saint-Denis de La Reunion, France; (K.C.); (S.B.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Ali K. Jaafar
- Inserm, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Saint-Denis de La Reunion, France; (K.C.); (S.B.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Inserm, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Saint-Denis de La Reunion, France; (K.C.); (S.B.); (A.K.J.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (C.M.); Tel.: +94-601-8053 (C.M.)
| | - César Martín
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biofisika Institute, University of Basque Country and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (K.B.U.); (A.L.-S.); (A.B.-V.); (U.G.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (C.M.); Tel.: +94-601-8053 (C.M.)
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Kataoka Y, Harada-Shiba M, Hori M, Watanabe M, Kokubo Y, Noguchi T, Yasuda S, Miyamoto Y. Circulating Furin-Cleaved Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Concentration Predicts Future Coronary Events in Japanese Subjects. JACC: ASIA 2021; 1:360-368. [PMID: 36341208 PMCID: PMC9627806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) circulates as mature and furin-cleaved forms, which differ in their properties to degrade low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors. Objectives In this study, we sought to investigate whether PCSK9 subtypes associate with atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Methods We investigated 1,436 statin-naive Japanese subjects without any cardiovascular disease in the Suita Study, an epidemiologic Japanese cohort study. Total, mature, and furin-cleaved PCSK9 levels were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The occurrence of coronary and stroke events were compared in subjects stratified by PCSK9 level tertile. Results Total, mature, and furin-cleaved PCSK9 levels were associated with non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001, P = 0.004, and P < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, only furin-cleaved PCSK9 level was correlated to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.001). During the 13.6-year observational period, furin-cleaved PCSK9 level predicted a greater likelihood of experiencing coronary events (tertile 2: hazard ratio [HR]: 2.84 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-6.65; P = 0.01]; tertile 3: HR: 2.81 [95% CI: 1.17-6.74; P = 0.02]), but not stroke (tertile 2: HR: 1.31 [95% CI: 0.72-2.40; P = 0.36]; tertile 3: HR: 1.27 [95% CI: 0.68-2.38; P = 0.44]). Total and mature PCSK9 levels were not associated with coronary events (total PCSK9: tertile 2: HR: 1.35 [95% CI: 0.68-2.68; P = 0.39]; tertile 3: HR: 1.13 [95% CI: 0.54-2.34; P = 0.73]; mature PCSK9: tertile 2: HR: 1.02 [95% CI: 0.52-2.02; P = 0.93]; tertile 3: HR: 0.96 [95% CI: 0.47-1.95; P = 0.92]) and stroke events (total PCSK9: tertile 2: HR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.50-1.61; P = 0.72]; tertile 3: HR: 0.99 [95% CI:0.54-1.80; P = 0.97]; mature PCSK9: tertile 2: HR: 0.86 [95% CI: 0.47-1.57; P = 0.63]; tertile 3: HR: 1.11 [95% CI: 0.61-1.99; P = 0.72]), respectively. Conclusions Furin-cleaved but not total and mature PCSK9 was associated with both LDL cholesterol and hs-CRP and predicted future coronary events in the primary prevention settings. Our findings provide pathophysiological insights into the properties of PCSK9 subtypes in association with coronary events.
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Xia XD, Peng ZS, Gu HM, Wang M, Wang GQ, Zhang DW. Regulation of PCSK9 Expression and Function: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:764038. [PMID: 34782856 PMCID: PMC8589637 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.764038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) promotes degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and plays a central role in regulating plasma levels of LDL cholesterol levels, lipoprotein(a) and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, PCSK9 promotes degradation of major histocompatibility protein class I and reduces intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T cells. Inhibition of PCSK9 increases expression of LDLR, thereby reducing plasma levels of lipoproteins and the risk of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 inhibition also increases cell surface levels of major histocompatibility protein class I in cancer cells and suppresses tumor growth. Therefore, PCSK9 plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and cancer, the top two causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Monoclonal anti-PCSK9 antibody-based therapy is currently the only available treatment that can effectively reduce plasma LDL-C levels and suppress tumor growth. However, high expenses limit their widespread use. PCSK9 promotes lysosomal degradation of its substrates, but the detailed molecular mechanism by which PCSK9 promotes degradation of its substrates is not completely understood, impeding the development of more cost-effective alternative strategies to inhibit PCSK9. Here, we review our current understanding of PCSK9 and focus on the regulation of its expression and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Zhong-Sheng Peng
- School of Economics, Management and Law, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hong-Mei Gu
- Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maggie Wang
- Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gui-Qing Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Da-Wei Zhang
- Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Perrot N, Pelletier W, Bourgault J, Couture C, Li Z, Mitchell PL, Ghodsian N, Bossé Y, Thériault S, Mathieu P, Arsenault BJ. A trans-omic Mendelian randomization study of parental lifespan uncovers novel aging biology and therapeutic candidates for chronic diseases. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13497. [PMID: 34704651 PMCID: PMC8590095 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of parental lifespan has emerged as an innovative tool to advance aging biology and our understanding of the genetic architecture of human longevity and aging-associated diseases. Here, we leveraged summary statistics of a genome-wide association study including over one million parental lifespans to identify genetically regulated genes from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project. Through a combination of multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association analyses and genetic colocalization, we identified novel genes that may be associated with parental lifespan. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses also identified circulating proteins and metabolites causally associated with parental lifespan and chronic diseases offering new drug repositioning opportunities such as those targeting apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins. Liver expression of HP, the gene encoding haptoglobin, and plasma haptoglobin levels were causally linked with parental lifespan. Phenome-wide MR analyses were used to map genetically regulated genes, proteins and metabolites with other human traits as well as the disease-related phenome in the FinnGen cohorts (n = 135,638). Altogether, this study identified new candidate genes, circulating proteins and metabolites that may influence human aging as well as potential therapeutic targets for chronic diseases that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Perrot
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - William Pelletier
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - Jérôme Bourgault
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
| | - Christian Couture
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
| | - Zhonglin Li
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
| | - Patricia L. Mitchell
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
| | - Nooshin Ghodsian
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
| | - Yohan Bossé
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of Molecular MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - Sébastien Thériault
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and PathologyFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - Patrick Mathieu
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of SurgeryFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - Benoit J. Arsenault
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de QuébecQuébecQCCanada
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
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Seidah NG. The PCSK9 discovery, an inactive protease with varied functions in hypercholesterolemia, viral infections, and cancer. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100130. [PMID: 34606887 PMCID: PMC8551645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2003, the sequences of mammalian proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were reported. Radiolabeling pulse-chase analyses demonstrated that PCSK9 was synthesized as a precursor (proPCSK9) that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage in the endoplasmic reticulum into PCSK9, which is then secreted as an inactive enzyme in complex with its inhibitory prodomain. Its high mRNA expression in liver hepatocytes and its gene localization on chromosome 1p32, a third locus associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, other than LDLR or APOB, led us to identify three patient families expressing the PCSK9 variants S127R or F216L. Although Pcsk9 and Ldlr were downregulated in mice that were fed a cholesterol-rich diet, PCSK9 overexpression led to the degradation of the LDLR. This led to the demonstration that gain-of-function and loss-of-function variations in PCSK9 modulate its bioactivity, whereby PCSK9 binds the LDLR in a nonenzymatic fashion to induce its degradation in endosomes/lysosomes. PCSK9 was also shown to play major roles in targeting other receptors for degradation, thereby regulating various processes, including hypercholesterolemia and associated atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, viral infections, and immune checkpoint regulation in cancer. Injectable PCSK9 monoclonal antibody or siRNA is currently used in clinics worldwide to treat hypercholesterolemia and could be combined with current therapies in cancer/metastasis. In this review, we present the critical information that led to the discovery of PCSK9 and its implication in LDL-C metabolism. We further analyze the underlying functional mechanism(s) in the regulation of LDL-C, as well as the evolving novel roles of PCSK9 in both health and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
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Susan-Resiga D, Girard E, Essalmani R, Roubtsova A, Marcinkiewicz J, Derbali RM, Evagelidis A, Byun JH, Lebeau PF, Austin RC, Seidah NG. Asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 is a novel PCSK9-independent ligand of liver LDLR cleaved by furin. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101177. [PMID: 34508778 PMCID: PMC8479480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatic carbohydrate-recognizing asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR1) mediates the endocytosis/lysosomal degradation of desialylated glycoproteins following binding to terminal galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine. Human heterozygote carriers of ASGR1 deletions exhibit ∼34% lower risk of coronary artery disease and ∼10% to 14% reduction of non-HDL cholesterol. Since the proprotein convertase PCSK9 is a major degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), we investigated the degradation and functionality of LDLR and/or PCSK9 by endogenous/overexpressed ASGR1 using Western blot and immunofluorescence in HepG2-naïve and HepG2-PCSK9-knockout cells. ASGR1, like PCSK9, targets LDLR, and both independently interact with/enhance the degradation of the receptor. This lack of cooperativity between PCSK9 and ASGR1 was confirmed in livers of wildtype (WT) and Pcsk9−/− mice. ASGR1 knockdown in HepG2-naïve cells significantly increased total (∼1.2-fold) and cell-surface (∼4-fold) LDLR protein. In HepG2-PCSK9-knockout cells, ASGR1 silencing led to ∼2-fold higher levels of LDLR protein and DiI (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate)-LDL uptake associated with ∼9-fold increased cell-surface LDLR. Overexpression of WT-ASGR1/2 primarily reduced levels of immature non-O-glycosylated LDLR (∼110 kDa), whereas the triple Ala-mutant of Gln240/Trp244/Glu253 (characterized by loss of carbohydrate binding) reduced expression of the mature form of LDLR (∼150 kDa), suggesting that ASGR1 binds the LDLR in both a sugar-dependent and -independent fashion. The protease furin cleaves ASGR1 at the RKMK103↓ motif into a secreted form, likely resulting in a loss of function on LDLR. Altogether, we demonstrate that LDLR is the first example of a liver-receptor ligand of ASGR1. We conclude that silencing of ASGR1 and PCSK9 may lead to higher LDL uptake by hepatocytes, thereby providing a novel approach to further reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Susan-Resiga
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Girard
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anna Roubtsova
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jadwiga Marcinkiewicz
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabeb M Derbali
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexandra Evagelidis
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jae H Byun
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul F Lebeau
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard C Austin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Affiliated to the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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PCSK9: A Multi-Faceted Protein That Is Involved in Cardiovascular Biology. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070793. [PMID: 34356856 PMCID: PMC8301306 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is secreted mostly by hepatocytes and to a lesser extent by the intestine, pancreas, kidney, adipose tissue, and vascular cells. PCSK9 has been known to interact with the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and chaperones the receptor to its degradation. In this manner, targeting PCSK9 is a novel attractive approach to reduce hyperlipidaemia and the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Recently, it has been recognised that the effects of PCSK9 in relation to cardiovascular complications are not only LDLR related, but that various LDLR-independent pathways and processes are also influenced. In this review, the various LDLR dependent and especially independent effects of PCSK9 on the cardiovascular system are discussed, followed by an overview of related PCSK9-polymorphisms and currently available and future therapeutic approaches to manipulate PCSK9 expression.
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Kuyama N, Kataoka Y, Takegami M, Nishimura K, Harada‐Shiba M, Hori M, Ogura M, Otsuka F, Asaumi Y, Noguchi T, Tsujita K, Yasuda S. Circulating Mature PCSK9 Level Predicts Diminished Response to Statin Therapy. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019525. [PMID: 33998287 PMCID: PMC8483520 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Statin-mediated efficacy of lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol varies in each individual, and its diminished response is associated with worse outcomes. However, there is no established approach to predict hyporesponse to statins. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subxilisin/kexin type 9) is a serine-protease associated with LDL metabolism, which circulates as mature and furin-cleaved PCSK9. Since mature PCSK9 more potently degrades the LDL receptor, its evaluation may enable the identification of statin hyporesponders. Methods and Results We analyzed 101 statin-naive patients with coronary artery disease who commenced a statin. PCSK9 subtypes at baseline and 1 month after statin use were measured by ELISA. Hyporesponse to statins was defined as a percent reduction in LDL cholesterol <15%. The relationship between each PCSK9 subtype level and hyporesponse to statins was investigated. Statins significantly lowered LDL cholesterol level (percent reduction, 40%±21%), whereas 11% of study participants exhibited a hyporeseponse to statins. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that baseline mature PCSK9 level was an independent predictor for hyporesponse to statins even after adjusting clinical characteristics (mature PCSK9 per 10-ng/mL increase: odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.24 [P=0.03]), whereas furin-cleaved level was not (per 10-ng/mL increase: OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.73-2.58 [P=0.33]). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified mature PCSK9 level of 228 ng/mL as an optimal cutoff to predict hyporesponse to statins (area under the curve, 0.73 [sensitivity, 0.91; specificity, 0.56]). Conclusions Baseline mature PCSK9 level >228 ng/mL is associated with hyporesponse to statins. This finding suggests that mature PCSK9 might be a potential determinant of hyporesponse to statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Kuyama
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineGraduate School of Medical SciencesKumamoto UniversityJapan
| | - Yu Kataoka
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Misa Takegami
- Department of Preventive Medicine and EpidemiologyNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Department of Preventive Medicine and EpidemiologyNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Mariko Harada‐Shiba
- Department of Molecular Innovation in LipidologyNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Mika Hori
- Department of Molecular Innovation in LipidologyNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
- Department of EndocrinologyResearch Institute of Environmental MedicineNagoya UniversityJapan
| | - Masatsune Ogura
- Department of Molecular Innovation in LipidologyNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Fumiyuki Otsuka
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Yasuhide Asaumi
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Teruo Noguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Kenichi Tsujita
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineGraduate School of Medical SciencesKumamoto UniversityJapan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
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Barale C, Melchionda E, Morotti A, Russo I. PCSK9 Biology and Its Role in Atherothrombosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115880. [PMID: 34070931 PMCID: PMC8198903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now about 20 years since the first case of a gain-of-function mutation involving the as-yet-unknown actor in cholesterol homeostasis, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), was described. It was soon clear that this protein would have been of huge scientific and clinical value as a therapeutic strategy for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) management. Indeed, PCSK9 is a serine protease belonging to the proprotein convertase family, mainly produced by the liver, and essential for metabolism of LDL particles by inhibiting LDL receptor (LDLR) recirculation to the cell surface with the consequent upregulation of LDLR-dependent LDL-C levels. Beyond its effects on LDL metabolism, several studies revealed the existence of additional roles of PCSK9 in different stages of atherosclerosis, also for its ability to target other members of the LDLR family. PCSK9 from plasma and vascular cells can contribute to the development of atherosclerotic plaque and thrombosis by promoting platelet activation, leukocyte recruitment and clot formation, also through mechanisms not related to systemic lipid changes. These results further supported the value for the potential cardiovascular benefits of therapies based on PCSK9 inhibition. Actually, the passive immunization with anti-PCSK9 antibodies, evolocumab and alirocumab, is shown to be effective in dramatically reducing the LDL-C levels and attenuating CVD. While monoclonal antibodies sequester circulating PCSK9, inclisiran, a small interfering RNA, is a new drug that inhibits PCSK9 synthesis with the important advantage, compared with PCSK9 mAbs, to preserve its pharmacodynamic effects when administrated every 6 months. Here, we will focus on the major understandings related to PCSK9, from its discovery to its role in lipoprotein metabolism, involvement in atherothrombosis and a brief excursus on approved current therapies used to inhibit its action.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Atherosclerosis/drug therapy
- Atherosclerosis/enzymology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Blood Platelets/drug effects
- Blood Platelets/enzymology
- Blood Platelets/pathology
- Cholesterol, LDL/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cholesterol, LDL/metabolism
- Dyslipidemias/drug therapy
- Dyslipidemias/enzymology
- Dyslipidemias/genetics
- Dyslipidemias/pathology
- Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use
- Lipid Metabolism/drug effects
- Lipid Metabolism/genetics
- PCSK9 Inhibitors
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/drug therapy
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/enzymology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Platelet Activation/drug effects
- Proprotein Convertase 9/biosynthesis
- Proprotein Convertase 9/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/therapeutic use
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Thrombosis/enzymology
- Thrombosis/genetics
- Thrombosis/pathology
- Thrombosis/prevention & control
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Zhou Y, Chen W, Lu M, Wang Y. Association Between Circulating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Stroke, and All-Cause Mortality: Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:617249. [PMID: 33738300 PMCID: PMC7960648 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.617249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a pivotal protein in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism, has been validated to be an established target for cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction. Nevertheless, prospective studies concerning the associations between circulating PCSK9 and the risk of CV events and mortality have yielded, so far, inconsistent results. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association systemically. Methods: Pertinent studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database through July 2020. Longitudinal studies investigating the value of circulating PCSK9 for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) or stroke or all-cause mortally with risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were included in the analyses. Dose-response meta-analysis was also applied to evaluate circulating PCSK9 and risk of MACEs in this study. Results: A total of 22 eligible cohorts comprising 28,319 participants from 20 eligible articles were finally included in the study. The pooled relative risk (RR) of MACEs for one standard deviation increase in baseline PCSK9 was 1.120 (95% CI, 1.056-1.189). When categorizing subjects into tertiles, the pooled RR for the highest tertile of baseline PCSK9 was 1.252 (95% CI, 1.104-1.420) compared with the lowest category. This positive association between PCSK9 level and risk of MACEs persisted in sensitivity and most of the subgroup analyses. Twelve studies were included in dose-response meta-analysis, and a linear association between PCSK9 concentration and risk of MACEs was observed (x2 test for non-linearity = 0.31, P non-linearity = 0.575). No significant correlation was found either on stroke or all-cause mortality. Conclusion: This meta-analysis added further evidence that high circulating PCSK9 concentration significantly associated with increased risk of MACEs, and a linear dose-response association was observed. However, available data did not suggest significant association either on stroke or all-cause mortality. Additional well-designed studies are warranted to further investigate the correlations between PCSK9 concentration and stroke and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimo Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
- Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
- Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, National Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
- Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Disease, Beijing, China
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Oleaga C, Hay J, Gurcan E, David LL, Mueller PA, Tavori H, Shapiro MD, Pamir N, Fazio S. Insights into the kinetics and dynamics of the furin-cleaved form of PCSK9. J Lipid Res 2020; 62:100003. [PMID: 33429337 PMCID: PMC7890205 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.ra120000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates cholesterol metabolism by inducing the degradation of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs). Plasma PCSK9 has 2 main molecular forms: a 62 kDa mature form (PCSK9_62) and a 55 kDa, furin-cleaved form (PCSK9_55). PCSK9_55 is considered less active than PCSK9_62 in degrading LDLRs. We aimed to identify the site of PCSK9_55 formation (intracellular vs. extracellular) and to further characterize the LDLR-degradative function of PCSK9_55 relative to PCSK9_62. Coexpressing PCSK9_62 with furin in cell culture induced formation of PCSK9_55, most of which was found in the extracellular space. Under the same conditions, we found that i) adding a cell-permeable furin inhibitor preferentially decreased the formation of PCSK9_55 extracellularly; ii) using pulse-chase analysis, we observed the formation of PCSK9_55 exclusively extracellularly in a time-dependent manner. A recombinant form of PCSK9_55 was efficiently produced but displayed impaired secretion that resulted in its intracellular trapping. However, the nonsecreted PCSK9_55 was able to induce degradation of LDLR, though with 50% lower efficiency than PCSK9_62. Collectively, our data show that 1) PCSK9_55 is formed extracellularly; 2) PCSK9_55 has a shorter half-life; 3) there is a small intracellular pool of PCSK9_55 that is not secreted; and 4) PCSK9_55 retained within the cell maintains a reduced efficiency to cause LDLR degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Oleaga
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joshua Hay
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Emma Gurcan
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Larry L David
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Paul A Mueller
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hagai Tavori
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael D Shapiro
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nathalie Pamir
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Sergio Fazio
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Preventive Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Wang YK, Tang JN, Han L, Liu XD, Shen YL, Zhang CY, Liu XB. Elevated FURIN levels in predicting mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Metabolism 2020; 111:154323. [PMID: 32730764 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin (PCSK) family member 3 (FURIN) has been suggested to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implication of FURIN in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS This prospective study analyzed data from a total of 1312 consecutive patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from August 2013 to June 2016. FURIN levels were analyzed in plasma obtained from AMI patients. RESULTS The study included 1312 AMI patients. The patient population was predominantly male (63%) with a median age of 66 years (IQR: 19 years), and 59% were STEMI patients. During a follow-up of 2 years, 117 patients died, and 377 patients reached the combined endpoints of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Patients with elevated FURIN levels had increased risk of MACE, all-cause mortality, recurrent MI and hospitalization for HF (log-rank test, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for clinical risk factors and established markers, the association of FURIN concentrations with the risk of MACE and its individual components and cardiovascular death was statistically significant in the higher tertile of FURIN concentrations. After the addition of FURIN to the models, FURIN showed additive prognostic significance for 2-year clinical outcomes. Variable importance plots of the models showed that FURIN was of high importance to predict both occurrence of MACE and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS We found that FURIN was associated with all-cause mortality and recurrent cardiovascular events in AMI patients independent of conventional risk factors and established markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Ni Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Han
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xian Dong Liu
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Li Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Bo Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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Guo Y, Yan B, Gui Y, Tang Z, Tai S, Zhou S, Zheng XL. Physiology and role of PCSK9 in vascular disease: Potential impact of localized PCSK9 in vascular wall. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:2333-2351. [PMID: 32875580 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9), a member of the proprotein convertase family, is an important drug target because of its crucial role in lipid metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests a direct role of localized PCSK9 in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. With this in our consideration, we reviewed PCSK9 physiology with respect to recent development and major studies (clinical and experimental) on PCSK9 functionality in vascular disease. PCSK9 upregulates low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels by binding to the LDL-receptor (LDLR) and facilitating its lysosomal degradation. PCSK9 gain-of-function mutations have been confirmed as a novel genetic mechanism for familial hypercholesterolemia. Elevated serum PCSK9 levels in patients with vascular diseases may contribute to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular diseases, vasculitis, aortic diseases, and arterial aging pathogenesis. Experimental models of atherosclerosis, arterial aneurysm, and coronary or carotid artery ligation also support PCSK9 contribution to inflammatory response and disease progression, through LDLR-dependent or -independent mechanisms. More recently, several clinical trials have confirmed that anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies can reduce systemic LDL levels, total nonfatal cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. Interaction of PCSK9 with other receptor proteins (LDLR-related proteins, cluster of differentiation family members, epithelial Na+ channels, and sortilin) may underlie its roles in vascular disease. Improved understanding of PCSK9 roles and molecular mechanisms in various vascular diseases will facilitate advances in lipid-lowering therapy and disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Binjie Yan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zhihan Tang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Shi Tai
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shenghua Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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45
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Shedding of cancer susceptibility candidate 4 by the convertases PC7/furin unravels a novel secretory protein implicated in cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:665. [PMID: 32820145 PMCID: PMC7441151 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertases (PCs) are responsible for the maturation of precursor proteins, and are involved in multiple and critical biological processes. Over the past 30 years, the PCs have had great translational applications, but the physiological roles of PC7, the seventh member of the family, are still obscure. Searching for new substrates of PC7, a quantitative proteomics screen for selective enrichment of N-glycosylated polypeptides secreted from hepatic HuH7 cells identified two human type-II transmembrane proteins of unknown function(s): Cancer Susceptibility Candidate 4 (CASC4) and Golgi Phosphoprotein of 130 kDa (GPP130/GOLIM4). Concentrating on CASC4, its mutagenesis characterized the PC7/Furin-shedding site to occur at KR66↓NS, in HEK293 cells. We defined PC7 and Furin trafficking and activity, and demonstrated that CASC4 shedding occurs in acidic endosomes and/or in the trans-Golgi Network. Our data unraveled a cancer-protective role for CASC4, because siRNA silencing of endogenous CASC4 expression in the invasive triple-negative breast cancer human cell line MDA-MB-231 resulted in a significantly increased cellular migration and invasion. Conversely, MDA-MB-231 cells stably expressing CASC4 exhibited reduced migration and invasion, which can be explained by an increased number of paxillin-positive focal adhesions. This phenotypic cancer-protective role of CASC4 is reversed in cells overexpressing an optimally PC7/Furin-cleaved CASC4 mutant, or upon overexpression of the N-terminally convertase-generated membrane-bound segment. This phenotype was associated with increased formation of podosome-like structures, especially evident in cells overexpressing the N-terminal fragment. In accord, breast cancer patients’ data sets show that high CASC4 and PCSK7 expression levels predict a significantly worse prognosis compared to high CASC4 but low PCSK7 levels. In conclusion, CASC4 shedding not only disrupts its anti-migratory/invasive role, but also generates a membrane-bound fragment that drastically modifies the actin cytoskeleton, resulting in an enhanced cellular migration and invasion. This phenotype might be clinically relevant in the prognosis of breast cancer patients.
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Molina-Jijon E, Gambut S, Macé C, Avila-Casado C, Clement LC. Secretion of the epithelial sodium channel chaperone PCSK9 from the cortical collecting duct links sodium retention with hypercholesterolemia in nephrotic syndrome. Kidney Int 2020; 98:1449-1460. [PMID: 32750454 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein PCSK9 functions as a chaperone for the epithelial sodium channel in the cortical collecting duct (CCD), is highly expressed in the liver, and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia. Lower levels of PCSK9 expression also occur in the normal kidney and intestine. Here, we found increased PCSK9 expression in the CCD of biopsies of patients with primary glomerular disease and explored a possible relationship with hypercholesterolemia of nephrotic syndrome. Significantly elevated serum PCSK9 and cholesterol levels were noted in two models of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, the Rrm2b-/- mouse and the Buffalo/Mna rat. Increased expression of PCSK9 in the kidney occurred when liver expression was reduced in both models. The impact of reduced or increased PCSK9 in the CCD on hypercholesterolemia in nephrotic syndrome was next studied. Mice with selective deficiency of PCSK9 expression in the collecting duct failed to develop hypercholesterolemia after injection of nephrotoxic serum. Blocking epithelial sodium channel activity with Amiloride in Rrm2b-/- mice resulted in increased expression of its chaperone PCSK9 in the CCD, followed by elevated plasma levels and worsening hypercholesterolemia. Thus, our data suggest that PCSK9 in the kidney plays a role in the initiation of hypercholesterolemia in nephrotic syndrome and make a case for depletion of PCSK9 early in patients with nephrotic syndrome to prevent the development of hypercholesterolemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Molina-Jijon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stéphanie Gambut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Camille Macé
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carmen Avila-Casado
- Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lionel C Clement
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Nakamura A, Kanazawa M, Kagaya Y, Kondo M, Sato K, Endo H, Nozaki E. Plasma kinetics of mature PCSK9, furin-cleaved PCSK9, and Lp(a) with or without administration of PCSK9 inhibitors in acute myocardial infarction. J Cardiol 2020; 76:395-401. [PMID: 32439340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are two types of circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), mature and furin-cleaved. Most types of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an independent risk factor of cardiovascular events, bind to mature PCSK9. OBJECTIVE This study examined the effects of monoclonal anti-PCSK9 antibody on plasma PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels in acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS Acute MI patients (n=36) were randomly divided into evolocumab (140mg; n=17) and non-evolocumab (n=19) groups. Changes in plasma PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels were monitored before and 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 days after evolocumab administration. RESULTS In the non-evolocumab group, plasma levels of mature PCSK9, furin-cleaved PCSK9, and Lp(a) (236.4±57.3ng/mL, 22.4±5.8ng/mL, and 19.2.±16.5mg/dL, respectively) significantly increased by day 3 (408.8±77.1ng/mL, p<0.001; 47.2±15.7ng/mL, p<0.001; and 39.7±21.3mg/dL, p<0.005, respectively) and returned to the baseline by day 10 or 20. In the evolocumab group, mature PCSK9 significantly increased by >1000ng/mL with a simultaneous decline of furin-cleaved PCSK9 below the measurement sensitivity level after day 3. The incremental area under the curve for plasma Lp(a) levels was significantly smaller in the evolocumab group compared with the non-evolocumab group (p=0.038). CONCLUSION Mature and furin-cleaved PCSK9 are transiently upregulated after MI onset. Evolocumab significantly increases mature PCSK9 and decreases furin-cleaved PCSK9 and might inhibit transient increase of plasma Lp(a) in acute MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Nakamura
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan.
| | - Masanori Kanazawa
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yuta Kagaya
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
| | - Masateru Kondo
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Sato
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hideaki Endo
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
| | - Eiji Nozaki
- Department of Cardiology, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Morioka, Japan
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Cavalli M, Diamanti K, Pan G, Spalinskas R, Kumar C, Deshmukh AS, Mann M, Sahlén P, Komorowski J, Wadelius C. A Multi-Omics Approach to Liver Diseases: Integration of Single Nuclei Transcriptomics with Proteomics and HiCap Bulk Data in Human Liver. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2020; 24:180-194. [PMID: 32181701 PMCID: PMC7185313 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2019.0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The liver is the largest solid organ and a primary metabolic hub. In recent years, intact cell nuclei were used to perform single-nuclei RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) for tissues difficult to dissociate and for flash-frozen archived tissue samples to discover unknown and rare cell subpopulations. In this study, we performed snRNA-seq of a liver sample to identify subpopulations of cells based on nuclear transcriptomics. In 4282 single nuclei, we detected, on average, 1377 active genes and we identified seven major cell types. We integrated data from 94,286 distal interactions (p < 0.05) for 7682 promoters from a targeted chromosome conformation capture technique (HiCap) and mass spectrometry proteomics for the same liver sample. We observed a reasonable correlation between proteomics and in silico bulk snRNA-seq (r = 0.47) using tissue-independent gene-specific protein abundancy estimation factors. We specifically looked at genes of medical importance. The DPYD gene is involved in the pharmacogenetics of fluoropyrimidine toxicity and some of its variants are analyzed for clinical purposes. We identified a new putative polymorphic regulatory element, which may contribute to variation in toxicity. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and we investigated all known risk genes. We identified a complex regulatory landscape for the SLC2A2 gene with 16 candidate enhancers. Three of them harbor somatic motif breaking and other mutations in HCC in the Pan Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes dataset and are candidates to contribute to malignancy. Our results highlight the potential of a multi-omics approach in the study of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cavalli
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Klev Diamanti
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gang Pan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rapolas Spalinskas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chanchal Kumar
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Karolinska Institutet/AstraZeneca Integrated CardioMetabolic Center (KI/AZ ICMC), Department of Medicine, Novum, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Atul Shahaji Deshmukh
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Proteomics Program, Clinical Proteomics Group, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias Mann
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Proteomics Program, Clinical Proteomics Group, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pelin Sahlén
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Komorowski
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Computer Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Claes Wadelius
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Martin WR, Lightstone FC, Cheng F. In Silico Insights into Protein-protein Interaction Disruptive Mutations in the PCSK9-LDLR complex. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1550. [PMID: 32106405 PMCID: PMC7084799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gain-of-function mutations in PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) lead to reduced uptake of LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and, therefore, increased plasma LDL levels. However, the mechanism by which these mutants reduce LDL reuptake is not fully understood. Here, we have used molecular dynamics simulations, MM/PBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) binding affinity calculations, and residue interaction networks, to investigate the protein-protein interaction (PPI) disruptive effects of two of PCSK9's gain-of-function mutations, Ser127Arg and Asp374Tyr on the PCSK9 and LDL receptor complex. In addition to these PPI disruptive mutants, a third, non-interface mutation (Arg496Trp) is included as a positive control. Our results indicate that Ser127Arg and Asp374Tyr confer significantly improved binding affinity, as well as different binding modes, when compared to the wild-type. These PPI disruptive mutations lie between the EGF(A) (epidermal growth factor precursor homology domain A) of the LDL receptor and the catalytic domain of PCSK9 (Asp374Tyr) and between the prodomain of PCSK9 and the β-propeller of the LDL receptor (Ser127Arg). The interactions involved in these two interfaces result in an LDL receptor that is sterically inhibited from entering its closed conformation. This could potentially implicate the prodomain as a target for small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R. Martin
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Felice C. Lightstone
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Feixiong Cheng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Shen Y, Wang B, Deng S, Zhai L, Gu HM, Alabi A, Xia X, Zhao Y, Chang X, Qin S, Zhang DW. Surf4 regulates expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) but is not required for PCSK9 secretion in cultured human hepatocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1865:158555. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2019.158555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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