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Kamuda K, Ronzoni R, Majumdar A, Guan FHX, Irving JA, Lomas DA. A novel pathological mutant reveals the role of torsional flexibility in the serpin breach in adoption of an aggregation-prone intermediate. FEBS J 2024; 291:2937-2954. [PMID: 38523412 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17121] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Mutants of alpha-1-antitrypsin cause the protein to self-associate and form ordered aggregates ('polymers') that are retained within hepatocytes, resulting in a predisposition to the development of liver disease. The associated reduction in secretion, and for some mutants, impairment of function, leads to a failure to protect lung tissue against proteases released during the inflammatory response and an increased risk of emphysema. We report here a novel deficiency mutation (Gly192Cys), that we name the Sydney variant, identified in a patient in heterozygosity with the Z allele (Glu342Lys). Cellular analysis revealed that the novel variant was mostly retained as insoluble polymers within the endoplasmic reticulum. The basis for this behaviour was investigated using biophysical and structural techniques. The variant showed a 40% reduction in inhibitory activity and a reduced stability as assessed by thermal unfolding experiments. Polymerisation involves adoption of an aggregation-prone intermediate and paradoxically the energy barrier for transition to this state was increased by 16% for the Gly192Cys variant with respect to the wild-type protein. However, with activation to the intermediate state, polymerisation occurred at a 3.8-fold faster rate overall. X-ray crystallography provided two crystal structures of the Gly192Cys variant, revealing perturbation within the 'breach' region with Cys192 in two different orientations: in one structure it faces towards the hydrophobic core while in the second it is solvent-exposed. This orientational heterogeneity was confirmed by PEGylation. These data show the critical role of the torsional freedom imparted by Gly192 in inhibitory activity and stability against polymerisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Kamuda
- Division of Medicine, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Institute, University College London, UK
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University College London, UK
| | - Riccardo Ronzoni
- Division of Medicine, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Institute, University College London, UK
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University College London, UK
| | - Avik Majumdar
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Victorian Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fiona H X Guan
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - James A Irving
- Division of Medicine, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Institute, University College London, UK
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University College London, UK
| | - David A Lomas
- Division of Medicine, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Institute, University College London, UK
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University College London, UK
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2
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Janciauskiene S, Lechowicz U, Pelc M, Olejnicka B, Chorostowska-Wynimko J. Diagnostic and therapeutic value of human serpin family proteins. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116618. [PMID: 38678961 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116618] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SERPIN (serine proteinase inhibitors) is an acronym for the superfamily of structurally similar proteins found in animals, plants, bacteria, viruses, and archaea. Over 1500 SERPINs are known in nature, while only 37 SERPINs are found in humans, which participate in inflammation, coagulation, angiogenesis, cell viability, and other pathophysiological processes. Both qualitative or quantitative deficiencies or overexpression and/or abnormal accumulation of SERPIN can lead to diseases commonly referred to as "serpinopathies". Hence, strategies involving SERPIN supplementation, elimination, or correction are utilized and/or under consideration. In this review, we discuss relationships between certain SERPINs and diseases as well as putative strategies for the clinical explorations of SERPINs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Janciauskiene
- Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases and BREATH German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 26 Plocka St, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Urszula Lechowicz
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 26 Plocka St, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Magdalena Pelc
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 26 Plocka St, Warsaw 01-138, Poland
| | - Beata Olejnicka
- Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases and BREATH German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko
- Department of Genetics and Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 26 Plocka St, Warsaw 01-138, Poland.
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3
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Sun G, Kropp KA, Kirchner M, Plückebaum N, Selich A, Serrero M, Dhingra A, Cabrera JR, Ritter B, Bauerfeind R, Wyler E, Landthaler M, Schambach A, Sodeik B, Mertins P, Viejo-Borbolla A. Herpes simplex virus type 1 modifies the protein composition of extracellular vesicles to promote neurite outgrowth and neuroinfection. mBio 2024; 15:e0330823. [PMID: 38275838 PMCID: PMC10865794 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03308-23] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The highly prevalent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes a range of diseases, including cold sores, blinding keratitis, and life-threatening encephalitis. HSV-1 initially replicates in epithelial cells, enters the peripheral nervous system via neurites, and establishes lifelong infection in the neuronal cell bodies. Neurites are highly dynamic structures that grow or retract in response to attractive or repulsive cues, respectively. Here, we show that infection with HSV-1, but not with a mutant virus lacking glycoprotein G (gG), reduced the repulsive effect of epithelial cells on neurite outgrowth and facilitated HSV-1 invasion of neurons. HSV-1 gG was required and sufficient to induce neurite outgrowth by modifying the protein composition of extracellular vesicles, increasing the amount of neurotrophic and neuroprotective proteins, including galectin-1. Antibodies directed against galectin-1 neutralized the capacity of extracellular vesicles released from HSV-1-infected cells to promote neurite outgrowth. Our study provides new insights into the neurotropism of HSV-1 and identifies a viral protein that modifies the protein composition of extracellular vesicles to stimulate neurite outgrowth and invasion of the nervous system.IMPORTANCEHerpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) must infect neurites (or nerve endings) to establish a chronic infection in neurons. Neurites are highly dynamic structures that retract or grow in the presence of repulsive or attractive proteins. Some of these proteins are released by epithelial cells in extracellular vesicles and act upon interaction with their receptor present on neurites. We show here that HSV-1 infection of epithelial cells modulated their effect on neurites, increasing neurite growth. Mechanistically, HSV-1 glycoprotein G (gG) modifies the protein composition of extracellular vesicles released by epithelial cells, increasing the amount of attractive proteins that enhance neurite outgrowth and facilitate neuronal infection. These results could inform of therapeutic strategies to block HSV-1 induction of neurite outgrowth and, thereby, neuronal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Sun
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Marieluise Kirchner
- Proteomics platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Plückebaum
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anton Selich
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manutea Serrero
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Akshay Dhingra
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jorge Rubén Cabrera
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas—Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Birgit Ritter
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rudolf Bauerfeind
- Research Core Unit for Laser Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Emanuel Wyler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Landthaler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Beate Sodeik
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST, EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp Mertins
- Proteomics platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Abel Viejo-Borbolla
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST, EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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4
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Sun Y, Wang X, Yang X, Wang L, Ding J, Wang CC, Zhang H, Wang X. V-ATPase recruitment to ER exit sites switches COPII-mediated transport to lysosomal degradation. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2761-2775.e5. [PMID: 37922908 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-phagy is crucial to regulate the function and homeostasis of the ER via lysosomal degradation, but how it is initiated is unclear. Here we discover that Z-AAT, a disease-causing mutant of α1-antitrypsin, induces noncanonical ER-phagy at ER exit sites (ERESs). Accumulation of misfolded Z-AAT at the ERESs impairs coat protein complex II (COPII)-mediated ER-to-Golgi transport and retains V0 subunits that further assemble V-ATPase at the arrested ERESs. V-ATPase subsequently recruits ATG16L1 onto ERESs to mediate in situ lipidation of LC3C. FAM134B-II is then recruited by LC3C via its LIR motif and elicits ER-phagy leading to efficient lysosomal degradation of Z-AAT. Activation of this ER-phagy mediated by the V-ATPase-ATG16L1-LC3C axis (EVAC) is also triggered by blocking ER export. Our findings identify a pathway which switches COPII-mediated transport to lysosomal degradation for ER quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi'e Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingjin Ding
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chih-Chen Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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5
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Wu Q, Xing L, Du M, Huang C, Liu B, Zhou H, Liu W, Wan F, Qian W. A Genome-Wide Analysis of Serine Protease Inhibitors in Cydia pomonella Provides Insights into Their Evolution and Expression Pattern. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16349. [PMID: 38003538 PMCID: PMC10671500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216349] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) appear to be ubiquitous in almost all living organisms, with a conserved structure and varying functions. Serpins can modulate immune responses by negatively regulating serine protease activities strictly and precisely. The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), a major invasive pest in China, can cause serious economic losses. However, knowledge of serpin genes in this insect remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of the serpin genes in C. pomonella, obtaining 26 serpins from the C. pomonella genome. Subsequently, their sequence features, evolutionary relationship, and expression pattern were characterized. Comparative analysis revealed the evolution of a number of serpin genes in Lepidoptera. Importantly, the evolutionary relationship and putative roles of serpin genes in C. pomonella were revealed. Additionally, selective pressure analysis found amino acid sites with strong evidence of positive selection. Interestingly, the serpin1 gene possessed at least six splicing isoforms with distinct reactive-center loops, and these isoforms were experimentally validated. Furthermore, we observed a subclade expansion of serpins, and these genes showed high expression in multiple tissues, suggesting their important roles in C. pomonella. Overall, this study will enrich our knowledge of the immunity of C. pomonella and help to elucidate the role of serpins in the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Longsheng Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Min Du
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Integrated Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Sino-Australian Joint Research Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Health, College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Hongxu Zhou
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory for Integrated Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Sino-Australian Joint Research Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Health, College of Plant Health & Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wanxue Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fanghao Wan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Wanqiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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6
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Miyata T, Horiuchi T. Biochemistry, molecular genetics, and clinical aspects of hereditary angioedema with and without C1 inhibitor deficiency. Allergol Int 2023:S1323-8930(23)00042-4. [PMID: 37169642 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.04.004] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous and submucosal swelling caused mostly by excessive local bradykinin production. Bradykinin is a vasoactive peptide generated by the limited proteolysis of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) by plasma kallikrein via the contact activation system. The contact activation system occurs not only in solution but also on the cell surface. Factor XII (FXII), prekallikrein, and HMWK are assembled on the endothelial cell surface via several proteins, including a trimer of a receptor for globular C1q domain in a Zn2+-dependent manner, and the reciprocal activation on the cell surface is believed to be physiologically important in vivo. Thus, the contact activation system leads to the activation of coagulation, complement, inflammation, and fibrinolysis. C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) is a plasma protease inhibitor that is a member of the serpin family. It mainly inhibits activated FXII (FXIIa), plasma kallikrein, and C1s. C1-INH hereditary deficiency induces HAE (HAE-C1-INH) due to excessive bradykinin production via the incomplete inhibition of plasma kallikrein and FXIIa through the low C1-INH level. HAE is also observed in patients with normal C1-INH (HAEnCI) who carry pathogenic variants in genes of factor XII, plasminogen, angiopoietin 1, kininogen, myoferlin, and heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase 6, which are associated with bradykinin production and/or vascular permeability. HAE-causing pathways triggered by pathogenic variants in patients with HAE-C1-INH and HAEnCI are reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Miyata
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiko Horiuchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Oita, Japan; Center for Research, Education, and Treatment of AngioEdema, A Specified Non-profit Corporation, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Kaur U, Kihn KC, Ke H, Kuo W, Gierasch LM, Hebert DN, Wintrode PL, Deredge D, Gershenson A. The conformational landscape of a serpin N-terminal subdomain facilitates folding and in-cell quality control. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.537978. [PMID: 37163105 PMCID: PMC10168285 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.537978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Many multi-domain proteins including the serpin family of serine protease inhibitors contain non-sequential domains composed of regions that are far apart in sequence. Because proteins are translated vectorially from N- to C-terminus, such domains pose a particular challenge: how to balance the conformational lability necessary to form productive interactions between early and late translated regions while avoiding aggregation. This balance is mediated by the protein sequence properties and the interactions of the folding protein with the cellular quality control machinery. For serpins, particularly α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT), mutations often lead to polymer accumulation in cells and consequent disease suggesting that the lability/aggregation balance is especially precarious. Therefore, we investigated the properties of progressively longer AAT N-terminal fragments in solution and in cells. The N-terminal subdomain, residues 1-190 (AAT190), is monomeric in solution and efficiently degraded in cells. More β -rich fragments, 1-290 and 1-323, form small oligomers in solution, but are still efficiently degraded, and even the polymerization promoting Siiyama (S53F) mutation did not significantly affect fragment degradation. In vitro, the AAT190 region is among the last regions incorporated into the final structure. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations show that AAT190 has a broad, dynamic conformational ensemble that helps protect one particularly aggregation prone β -strand from solvent. These AAT190 dynamics result in transient exposure of sequences that are buried in folded, full-length AAT, which may provide important recognition sites for the cellular quality control machinery and facilitate degradation and, under favorable conditions, reduce the likelihood of polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upneet Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Kyle C. Kihn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Haiping Ke
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Weiwei Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Lila M. Gierasch
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Daniel N. Hebert
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Patrick L. Wintrode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Daniel Deredge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
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8
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Defensin Interactions in Relation to Monoclonal and Disease-Related Proteinase 3 Antibodies Binding at the Catalytic Site. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12010023. [PMID: 36975370 PMCID: PMC10044823 DOI: 10.3390/antib12010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinase 3 (PR3) is a neutrophil granulocyte enzyme and an autoantigen found in several forms of vasculitis. Due to the diagnostic and clinical importance of antibodies (Abs) to PR3, it is important to characterize the protein and the nature of its epitopes. Here, we have characterized PR3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and disease-associated Abs and their dependency on the PR3 structure and modifications, especially interactions with α-defensins. Three MAbs (HYB 172-01, 172-04, 172-05), which bind to PR3 in its native and denatured forms and provide the disulphide bridges, were intact. α-1-antitrypsin (AT) binds to purified human neutrophil granulocyte PR3 and inhibits its proteolytic activity, towards a small synthetic peptide substrate and a large protein substrate (casein). AT also inhibited the binding of the three MAbs to PR3, indicating that they bind in a region affected by AT binding. However, the MAbs did not inhibit PR3 proteolytic activity with a small substrate, showing that they bound at the active site without restricting access to the substrate cleft. Patient-derived Abs showed essentially the same characteristics as the MAbs, with important implications for vasculitis diagnostics and pathophysiology. Current findings illustrate that PR3 epitopes depend on the three-dimensional structure of the PR3/defensin complex, and that the epitopes depend to a smaller or larger degree on PR3/defensin associations.
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9
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Biasini E, Faccioli P. Functional, pathogenic, and pharmacological roles of protein folding intermediates. Proteins 2023. [PMID: 36779817 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein expression and function in eukaryotic cells are tightly harmonized processes modulated by the combination of different layers of regulation, including transcription, processing, stability, and translation of messenger RNA, as well as assembly, maturation, sorting, recycling, and degradation of polypeptides. Integrating all these pathways and the protein quality control machinery, deputed to avoid the production and accumulation of aberrantly folded proteins, determines protein homeostasis. Over the last decade, the combined development of accurate time-resolved experimental techniques and efficient computer simulations has opened the possibility of investigating biological mechanisms at atomic resolution with physics-based models. A meaningful example is the reconstruction of protein folding pathways at atomic resolution, which has enabled the characterization of the folding kinetics of biologically relevant globular proteins consisting of a few hundred amino acids. Combining these innovative computational technologies with rigorous experimental approaches reveals the existence of non-native metastable states transiently appearing along the folding process of such proteins. Here, we review the primary evidence indicating that these protein folding intermediates could play roles in disparate biological processes, from the posttranslational regulation of protein expression to disease-relevant protein misfolding mechanisms. Finally, we discuss how the information encoded into protein folding pathways could be exploited to design an entirely new generation of pharmacological agents capable of promoting the selective degradation of protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Biasini
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Pietro Faccioli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics, Trento, Italy
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10
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Kantaputra P, Daroontum T, Chuamanochan M, Chaowattanapanit S, Kiratikanon S, Choonhakarn C, Intachai W, Olsen B, Tongsima S, Ngamphiw C, Pontisso P, Cox TC, Ounjai P. SERPINB3, Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency, and Generalized Pustular Psoriasis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020266. [PMID: 36833193 PMCID: PMC9957076 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP; MIM 614204) is a rare and severe pustular autoinflammatory skin disease in which acute generalized erythema and scaling develop with numerous sterile pustules. GPP shares skin manifestations, especially pustular skin reaction, with adult-onset immunodeficiency (AOID) with anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies, an autoimmune disease. METHODS Clinical examinations and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were performed on 32 patients with pustular psoriasis phenotypes and 21 patients with AOID with pustular skin reaction. Immunohistochemical and histopathological studies were performed. RESULTS WES identified three Thai patients presenting with similar pustular phenotypes-two with a diagnosis of AOID and the other with GPP. A heterozygous missense variant chr18:g.61325778C>A NM_006919.2: c.438G>T; NP_008850.1: p.Lys146Asn; rs193238900 in SERPINB3 was identified in two patients: one with GPP and the other with AOID. The other patient who had AOID carried a heterozygous missense variant chr18:g.61323147T>C NM_006919.2: c.917A>G; NP_008850.1: p.Asp306Gly in SERPINB3. Immunohistochemical studies showed overexpression of SERPINA1 and SERPINB3, a hallmark of psoriatic skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variants in SERPINB3 are associated with GPP and AOID with pustular skin reaction. The skin of patients with GPP and AOID carrying SERPINB3 mutations showed overexpression of SERPINB3 and SERPINA1. Clinically and genetically, GPP and AOID appear to share pathogenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piranit Kantaputra
- Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics Research, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Correspondence:
| | - Teerada Daroontum
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Mati Chuamanochan
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Suteeraporn Chaowattanapanit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Salin Kiratikanon
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Charoen Choonhakarn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Worrachet Intachai
- Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics Research, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Bjorn Olsen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sissades Tongsima
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Chumpol Ngamphiw
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
- European Reference Network—ERN RARE-LIVER, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timothy C. Cox
- Departments of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Puey Ounjai
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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11
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Humphreys SJ, Whyte CS, Mutch NJ. "Super" SERPINs-A stabilizing force against fibrinolysis in thromboinflammatory conditions. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1146833. [PMID: 37153474 PMCID: PMC10155837 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1146833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The superfamily of serine protease inhibitors (SERPINs) are a class of inhibitors that utilise a dynamic conformational change to trap and inhibit their target enzymes. Their powerful nature lends itself well to regulation of complex physiological enzymatic cascades, such as the haemostatic, inflammatory and complement pathways. The SERPINs α2-antiplasmin, plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen-activator inhibitor-2, protease nexin-1, and C1-inhibitor play crucial inhibitory roles in regulation of the fibrinolytic system and inflammation. Elevated levels of these SERPINs are associated with increased risk of thrombotic complications, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Conversely, deficiencies of these SERPINs have been linked to hyperfibrinolysis with bleeding and angioedema. In recent years SERPINs have been implicated in the modulation of the immune response and various thromboinflammatory conditions, such as sepsis and COVID-19. Here, we highlight the current understanding of the physiological role of SERPINs in haemostasis and inflammatory disease progression, with emphasis on the fibrinolytic pathway, and how this becomes dysregulated during disease. Finally, we consider the role of these SERPINs as potential biomarkers of disease progression and therapeutic targets for thromboinflammatory diseases.
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12
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Falloon K, Cohen BL, Ottichilo R, Grove D, Rieder F, Qazi T. Biomarkers for the Evaluation of Pouch Inflammation: A Systematic Review. CROHN'S & COLITIS 360 2022; 4:otac043. [PMID: 36778511 PMCID: PMC9802421 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ileal pouch inflammation is a common problem following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Despite its prevalence, diagnosis remains multimodal and requires endoscopy. The use of biomarkers in the prediction of and/or association with pouchitis has not been well characterized. We performed a systematic review to summarize the available evidence. Method A search of Ovid, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted. Inclusion criteria included studies evaluating biomarkers for the evaluation and prediction of inflammation in patients with IPAA utilizing pouchoscopy as the gold standard. Exclusion criteria included studies on the role of the microbiome or genetic markers. Results A total of 28 studies, 5 case-control studies, and 23 observational cohort studies were identified. Fecal biomarkers were assessed in 23 studies, of which fecal calprotectin was the most commonly studied with sensitivities ranging from 57% to 92% and specificities from 19% to 92%. Six studies examined serum biomarkers. None of the serum biomarkers demonstrated a high sensitivity or specificity in association with pouch inflammation. Six studies described the longitudinal assessment of biomarkers. Of these studies, only three reported a predictive role of biomarkers in diagnosing endoscopic inflammation. Conclusions Biomarkers have emerged as a potential option to improve the management of pouchitis given the relative ease of sampling compared to pouchoscopy. Unfortunately, the evaluated biomarkers have not consistently demonstrated accuracy in predicting inflammation. Moreover, these biomarkers have not been reliably shown to be sensitive or specific in association with endoscopic pouch inflammation to merit their widespread use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Falloon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin L Cohen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ronald Ottichilo
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity; Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - David Grove
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity; Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity; Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Taha Qazi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
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13
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Mun SJ, Cho E, Kim JS, Yang CS. Pathogen-derived peptides in drug targeting and its therapeutic approach. J Control Release 2022; 350:716-733. [PMID: 36030988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptides, short stretches of amino acids or small proteins that occupy a strategic position between proteins and amino acids, are readily accessible by chemical and biological methods. With ideal properties for forming high-affinity and specific interactions with host target proteins, they have established an important niche in the drug development spectrum complementing small molecule and biological therapeutics. Among the most successful biomedicines in use today, peptide-based drugs show great promise. This, coupled with recent advances in synthetic and nanochemical biology, has led to the creation of tailor-made peptide therapeutics for improved biocompatibility. This review presents an overview of the latest research on pathogen-derived, host-cell-interacting peptides. It also highlights strategies for using peptide-based therapeutics that address cellular transport challenges through the introduction of nanoparticles that serve as platforms to facilitate the delivery of peptide biologics and therapeutics for treating various inflammatory diseases. Finally, this paper describes future perspectives, specific pathogen-based peptides that can enhance specificity, efficiency, and capacity in functional peptide-based therapeutics, which are in the spotlight as new treatment alternatives for various diseases, and also presents verified sequences and targets that can increase chemical and pharmacological value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Jun Mun
- Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04673, Republic of Korea; Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Euni Cho
- Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04673, Republic of Korea; Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sung Kim
- Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04673, Republic of Korea; Institute of Natural Science & Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Su Yang
- Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Drouet C, López-Lera A, Ghannam A, López-Trascasa M, Cichon S, Ponard D, Parsopoulou F, Grombirikova H, Freiberger T, Rijavec M, Veronez CL, Pesquero JB, Germenis AE. SERPING1 Variants and C1-INH Biological Function: A Close Relationship With C1-INH-HAE. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:835503. [PMID: 35958943 PMCID: PMC9361472 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.835503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary angioedema with C1 Inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is caused by a constellation of variants of the SERPING1 gene (n = 809; 1,494 pedigrees), accounting for 86.8% of HAE families, showing a pronounced mutagenic liability of SERPING1 and pertaining to 5.6% de novo variants. C1-INH is the major control serpin of the kallikrein–kinin system (KKS). In addition, C1-INH controls complement C1 and plasminogen activation, both systems contributing to inflammation. Recognizing the failed control of C1s protease or KKS provides the diagnosis of C1-INH-HAE. SERPING1 variants usually behave in an autosomal-dominant character with an incomplete penetrance and a low prevalence. A great majority of variants (809/893; 90.5%) that were introduced into online database have been considered as pathogenic/likely pathogenic. Haploinsufficiency is a common feature in C1-INH-HAE where a dominant-negative variant product impacts the wild-type allele and renders it inactive. Small (36.2%) and large (8.3%) deletions/duplications are common, with exon 4 as the most affected one. Point substitutions with missense variants (32.2%) are of interest for the serpin structure–function relationship. Canonical splice sites can be affected by variants within introns and exons also (14.3%). For noncanonical sequences, exon skipping has been confirmed by splicing analyses of patients' blood-derived RNAs (n = 25). Exonic variants (n = 6) can affect exon splicing. Rare deep-intron variants (n = 6), putatively acting as pseudo-exon activating mutations, have been characterized as pathogenic. Some variants have been characterized as benign/likely benign/of uncertain significance (n = 74). This category includes some homozygous (n = 10) or compound heterozygous variants (n = 11). They are presenting with minor allele frequency (MAF) below 0.00002 (i.e., lower than C1-INH-HAE frequency), and may be quantitatively unable to cause haploinsufficiency. Rare benign variants could contribute as disease modifiers. Gonadal mosaicism in C1-INH-HAE is rare and must be distinguished from a de novo variant. Situations with paternal or maternal disomy have been recorded (n = 3). Genotypes must be interpreted with biological investigation fitting with C1-INH expression and typing. Any SERPING1 variant reminiscent of the dysfunctional phenotype of serpin with multimerization or latency should be identified as serpinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Drouet
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM UMR1016, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Univ. Grenoble-Alpes & Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
- *Correspondence: Christian Drouet
| | - Alberto López-Lera
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), CIBERER U-754, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Margarita López-Trascasa
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sven Cichon
- Human Genomics Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Denise Ponard
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Hana Grombirikova
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation Brno and Medical Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Freiberger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation Brno and Medical Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Matija Rijavec
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Golnik, Slovenia
| | - Camila L. Veronez
- Department of Biophysics, Centre for Research and Genetic Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Federal University of São Paolo, São Paolo, Brazil
| | - João Bosco Pesquero
- Department of Biophysics, Centre for Research and Genetic Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Federal University of São Paolo, São Paolo, Brazil
| | - Anastasios E. Germenis
- CeMIA SA, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Immunology & Histocompatibility, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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15
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Gooptu B. Surfactant protein C mutations and familial pulmonary fibrosis: stuck in a loop on the scenic route. Eur Respir J 2022; 59:59/1/2102147. [PMID: 35086844 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02147-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bibek Gooptu
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, Institute for Lung Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK .,Dept of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.,Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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16
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Habib O, Habib G, Hwang GH, Bae S. Comprehensive analysis of prime editing outcomes in human embryonic stem cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1187-1197. [PMID: 35018468 PMCID: PMC8789035 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prime editing is a versatile and precise genome editing technique that can directly copy desired genetic modifications into target DNA sites without the need for donor DNA. This technique holds great promise for the analysis of gene function, disease modeling, and the correction of pathogenic mutations in clinically relevant cells such as human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we comprehensively tested prime editing in hPSCs by generating a doxycycline-inducible prime editing platform. Prime editing successfully induced all types of nucleotide substitutions and small insertions and deletions, similar to observations in other human cell types. Moreover, we compared prime editing and base editing for correcting a disease-related mutation in induced pluripotent stem cells derived form a patient with α 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency. Finally, whole-genome sequencing showed that, unlike the cytidine deaminase domain of cytosine base editors, the reverse transcriptase domain of a prime editor does not lead to guide RNA-independent off-target mutations in the genome. Our results demonstrate that prime editing in hPSCs has great potential for complementing previously developed CRISPR genome editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Habib
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Gizem Habib
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Gue-Ho Hwang
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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17
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Khan N, Alimova Y, Clark SJ, Vekaria H, Walsh AE, Williams HC, Hawk GS, Sullivan P, Johnson LA, McClintock TS. Human APOE ɛ3 and APOE ɛ4 Alleles Have Differential Effects on Mouse Olfactory Epithelium. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:1481-1494. [PMID: 34958025 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive age-dependent disorder whose risk is affected by genetic factors. Better models for investigating early effects of risk factors such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype are needed. OBJECTIVE To determine whether APOE genotype produces neuropathologies in an AD-susceptible neural system, we compared effects of human APOE ɛ3 (E3) and APOE ɛ4 (E4) alleles on the mouse olfactory epithelium. METHODS RNA-Seq using the STAR aligner and DESeq2, immunohistochemistry for activated caspase-3 and phosphorylated histone H3, glucose uptake after oral gavage of 2-[1,2-3H (N)]-deoxy-D-glucose, and Seahorse Mito Stress tests on dissociated olfactory mucosal cells. RESULTS E3 and E4 olfactory mucosae show 121 differentially abundant mRNAs at age 6 months. These do not indicate differences in cell type proportions, but effects on 17 odorant receptor mRNAs suggest small differences in tissue development. Ten oxidoreductases mRNAs important for cellular metabolism and mitochondria are less abundant in E4 olfactory mucosae but this does not translate into differences in cellular respiration. E4 olfactory mucosae show lower glucose uptake, characteristic of AD susceptibility and consistent with greater expression of the glucose-sensitive gene, Asns. Olfactory sensory neuron apoptosis is unaffected at age 6 months but is greater in E4 mice at 10 months. CONCLUSION Effects of human APOE alleles on mouse olfactory epithelium phenotype are apparent in early adulthood, and neuronal loss begins to increase by middle age (10 months). The olfactory epithelium is an appropriate model for the ability of human APOE alleles to modulate age-dependent effects associated with the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naazneen Khan
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Yelena Alimova
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sophie J Clark
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hemendra Vekaria
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Adeline E Walsh
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Holden C Williams
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Gregory S Hawk
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Lexington Veterans' Affairs Healthcare System, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lance A Johnson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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18
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Lackey L, Coria A, Ghosh AJ, Grayeski P, Hatfield A, Shankar V, Platig J, Xu Z, Ramos SBV, Silverman EK, Ortega VE, Cho MH, Hersh CP, Hobbs BD, Castaldi P, Laederach A. Alternative poly-adenylation modulates α1-antitrypsin expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009912. [PMID: 34784346 PMCID: PMC8631626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
α1-anti-trypsin (A1AT), encoded by SERPINA1, is a neutrophil elastase inhibitor that controls the inflammatory response in the lung. Severe A1AT deficiency increases risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), however, the role of A1AT in COPD in non-deficient individuals is not well known. We identify a 2.1-fold increase (p = 2.5x10-6) in the use of a distal poly-adenylation site in primary lung tissue RNA-seq in 82 COPD cases when compared to 64 controls and replicate this in an independent study of 376 COPD and 267 controls. This alternative polyadenylation event involves two sites, a proximal and distal site, 61 and 1683 nucleotides downstream of the A1AT stop codon. To characterize this event, we measured the distal ratio in human primary tissue short read RNA-seq data and corroborated our results with long read RNA-seq data. Integrating these results with 3' end RNA-seq and nanoluciferase reporter assay experiments we show that use of the distal site yields mRNA transcripts with over 50-fold decreased translation efficiency and A1AT expression. We identified seven RNA binding proteins using enhanced CrossLinking and ImmunoPrecipitation precipitation (eCLIP) with one or more binding sites in the SERPINA1 3' UTR. We combined these data with measurements of the distal ratio in shRNA knockdown experiments, nuclear and cytoplasmic fractionation, and chemical RNA structure probing. We identify Quaking Homolog (QKI) as a modulator of SERPINA1 mRNA translation and confirm the role of QKI in SERPINA1 translation with luciferase reporter assays. Analysis of single-cell RNA-seq showed differences in the distribution of the SERPINA1 distal ratio among hepatocytes, macrophages, αβ-Tcells and plasma cells in the liver. Alveolar Type 1,2, dendritic cells and macrophages also vary in their distal ratio in the lung. Our work reveals a complex post-transcriptional mechanism that regulates alternative polyadenylation and A1AT expression in COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lela Lackey
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Aaztli Coria
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Auyon J. Ghosh
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Phil Grayeski
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Abigail Hatfield
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Vijay Shankar
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - John Platig
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zhonghui Xu
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Silvia B. V. Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edwin K. Silverman
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Victor E. Ortega
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Michael H. Cho
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Craig P. Hersh
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brian D. Hobbs
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peter Castaldi
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alain Laederach
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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19
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D'Acunto E, Fra A, Visentin C, Manno M, Ricagno S, Galliciotti G, Miranda E. Neuroserpin: structure, function, physiology and pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6409-6430. [PMID: 34405255 PMCID: PMC8558161 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03907-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor identified in a search for proteins implicated in neuronal axon growth and synapse formation. Since its discovery over 30 years ago, it has been the focus of active research. Many efforts have concentrated in elucidating its neuroprotective role in brain ischemic lesions, the structural bases of neuroserpin conformational change and the effects of neuroserpin polymers that underlie the neurodegenerative disease FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies), but the investigation of the physiological roles of neuroserpin has increased over the last years. In this review, we present an updated and critical revision of the current literature dealing with neuroserpin, covering all aspects of research including the expression and physiological roles of neuroserpin, both inside and outside the nervous system; its inhibitory and non-inhibitory mechanisms of action; the molecular structure of the monomeric and polymeric conformations of neuroserpin, including a detailed description of the polymerisation mechanism; and the involvement of neuroserpin in human disease, with particular emphasis on FENIB. Finally, we briefly discuss the identification by genome-wide screening of novel neuroserpin variants and their possible pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela D'Acunto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fra
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Visentin
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Cardiology, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Manno
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Ricagno
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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20
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Higgins NR, Greenslade JE, Wu JJ, Miranda E, Galliciotti G, Monteiro MJ. Serpin neuropathology in the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Brain Pathol 2021; 31:e12948. [PMID: 33780087 PMCID: PMC8387369 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests X-linked dominant mutations in UBQLN2 cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms. However, the mechanisms by which the mutations cause disease are still unclear. The goal of the study was to uncover the possible pathomechanism(s) by which UBQLN2 mutations cause ALS/FTD. An analysis of proteomic changes in neuronal tissue was used to identify proteins with altered accumulation in the P497S UBQLN2 transgenic mouse model of ALS/FTD. We then used immunocytochemistry and biochemical techniques to confirm protein changes in the mutant P497S mice. Additionally, we used cell lines inactivated of UBQLN2 expression to determine whether its loss underlies the alteration in the proteins seen in P497S mice. The proteome screen identified a dramatic alteration of serine protease inhibitor (serpin) proteins in the mutant P497S animals. Double immunofluorescent staining of brain and spinal cord tissues of the mutant and control mice revealed an age-dependent change in accumulation of Serpin A1, C1, and I1 in puncta whose staining colocalized with UBQLN2 puncta in the mutant P497S mice. Serpin A1 aggregation in P497S animals was confirmed by biochemical extraction and filter retardation assays. A similar phenomenon of serpin protein aggregation was found in HeLa and NSC34 motor neuron cells with inactivated UBQLN2 expression. We found aberrant aggregation of serpin proteins, particularly Serpin A1, in the brain and spinal cord of the P497S UBQLN2 mouse model of ALS/FTD. Similar aggregation of serpin proteins was found in UBQLN2 knockout cells suggesting that serpin aggregation in the mutant P497S animals may stem from loss of UBQLN2 function. Because serpin aggregation is known to cause disease through both loss- and gain-of-function mechanisms, we speculate that their accumulation in the P497S mouse model of ALS/FTD may contribute to disease pathogenesis through similar mechanism(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Higgins
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jessie E. Greenslade
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Josephine J. Wu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’Pasteur Institute – Cenci Bolognetti FoundationSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Mervyn J. Monteiro
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Anatomy and NeurobiologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
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21
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Living with the enemy: from protein-misfolding pathologies we know, to those we want to know. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101391. [PMID: 34119687 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Conformational diseases are caused by the aggregation of misfolded proteins. The risk for such pathologies develops years before clinical symptoms appear, and is higher in people with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) polymorphisms. Thousands of people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are underdiagnosed. Enemy-aggregating proteins may reside in these underdiagnosed AATD patients for many years before a pathology for AATD fully develops. In this perspective review, we hypothesize that the AAT protein could exert a new and previously unconsidered biological effect as an endogenous metal ion chelator that plays a significant role in essential metal ion homeostasis. In this respect, AAT polymorphism may cause an imbalance of metal ions, which could be correlated with the aggregation of amylin, tau, amyloid beta, and alpha synuclein proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively.
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22
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Pongprayoon P, Kaewhom P, Kaewmongkol S, Suwan E, Stich RW, Wiriya B, Jittapalapong S. Structural dynamics of Rhipicephalus microplus serpin-3. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2021.1962011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Prapasiri Pongprayoon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical, Food and Agricultural Industries, KU Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paitoon Kaewhom
- Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Burapha University, Sakaeo Campus, Sakaeo, Thailand
| | - Sarawan Kaewmongkol
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies for Agriculture and Food (CASAF), Food and Agricultural Industries, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (NRU-KU), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Eukote Suwan
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roger W. Stich
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Benjamaporn Wiriya
- Center for Advanced Studies for Agriculture and Food (CASAF), Food and Agricultural Industries, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (NRU-KU), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sathaporn Jittapalapong
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies for Agriculture and Food (CASAF), Food and Agricultural Industries, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (NRU-KU), Bangkok, Thailand
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23
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Karnaukhova E. C1-Inhibitor: Structure, Functional Diversity and Therapeutic Development. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:467-488. [PMID: 34348603 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210804085636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Human C1-Inhibitor (C1INH), also known as C1-esterase inhibitor, is an important multifunctional plasma glycoprotein that is uniquely involved in a regulatory network of complement, contact, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems. C1INH belongs to a superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitor (serpins) and exhibits its inhibitory activities towards several target proteases of plasmatic cascades, operating as a major anti-inflammatory protein in the circulation. In addition to its inhibitory activities, C1INH is also involved in non-inhibitory interactions with some endogenous proteins, polyanions, cells and infectious agents. While C1INH is essential for multiple physiological processes, it is better known for its deficiency with regards to Hereditary Angioedema (HAE), a rare autosomal dominant disease clinically manifested by recurrent acute attacks of increased vascular permeability and edema. Since the link was first established between functional C1INH deficiency in plasma and HAE in the 1960s, tremendous progress has been made in the biochemical characterization of C1INH and its therapeutic development for replacement therapies in patients with C1INH-dependent HAE. Various C1INH biological activities, recent advances in the HAE-targeted therapies, and availability of C1INH commercial products have prompted intensive investigation of the C1INH potential for treatment of clinical conditions other than HAE. This article provides an updated overview of the structure and biological activities of C1INH, its role in HAE pathogenesis, and recent advances in the research and therapeutic development of C1INH; it also considers some trends for using C1INH therapeutic preparations for applications other than angioedema, from sepsis and endotoxin shock to severe thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Karnaukhova
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993. United States
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24
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Remih K, Amzou S, Strnad P. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency: New therapies on the horizon. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 59:149-156. [PMID: 34256305 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is caused by mutations in the SERPINA1 gene, coding for alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT). AAT is synthesised mainly in the liver and is released into bloodstream to protect tissues (particularly lung) with its antiprotease activity. The homozygous Pi∗Z mutation (Pi∗ZZ genotype) is the predominant cause of severe AATD. It interferes with AAT secretion thereby leading to AAT accumulation in the liver and lack of AAT in the circulation and the lung. Accordingly, Pi∗ZZ individuals are strongly predisposed to lung and liver injury. The former is treated by a weekly AAT augmentation therapy, but not medicinal products exist for the liver. Our review summarises the current approaches silencing AAT production, improving protein folding and secretion or promoting AAT degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Remih
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Samira Amzou
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Coordinating Centre for Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency-related Liver Disease of the European Reference Network (ERN) "Rare Liver" and The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Registry Group "Alpha1-Liver", Germany.
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25
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Ronzoni R, Heyer‐Chauhan N, Fra A, Pearce AC, Rüdiger M, Miranda E, Irving JA, Lomas DA. The molecular species responsible for α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency are suppressed by a small molecule chaperone. FEBS J 2021; 288:2222-2237. [PMID: 33058391 PMCID: PMC8436759 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The formation of ordered Z (Glu342Lys) α1 -antitrypsin polymers in hepatocytes is central to liver disease in α1 -antitrypsin deficiency. In vitro experiments have identified an intermediate conformational state (M*) that precedes polymer formation, but this has yet to be identified in vivo. Moreover, the mechanism of polymer formation and their fate in cells have been incompletely characterised. We have used cell models of disease in conjunction with conformation-selective monoclonal antibodies and a small molecule inhibitor of polymerisation to define the dynamics of polymer formation, accumulation and secretion. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrate that Z α1 -antitrypsin accumulates as short-chain polymers that partition with soluble cellular components and are partially secreted by cells. These precede the formation of larger, insoluble polymers with a longer half-life (10.9 ± 1.7 h and 20.9 ± 7.4 h for soluble and insoluble polymers, respectively). The M* intermediate (or a by-product thereof) was identified in the cells by a conformation-specific monoclonal antibody. This was completely abrogated by treatment with the small molecule, which also blocked the formation of intracellular polymers. These data allow us to conclude that the M* conformation is central to polymerisation of Z α1 -antitrypsin in vivo; preventing its accumulation represents a tractable approach for pharmacological treatment of this condition; polymers are partially secreted; and polymers exist as two distinct populations in cells whose different dynamics have likely consequences for the aetiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Annamaria Fra
- Department of Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of BresciaItaly
| | | | | | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies‘Charles Darwin’ and Pasteur Institute – Cenci‐Bolognetti FoundationSapienza University of RomeItaly
| | - James A. Irving
- UCL RespiratoryDivision of MedicineUniversity College LondonUK
| | - David A. Lomas
- UCL RespiratoryDivision of MedicineUniversity College LondonUK
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26
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Lomas DA, Irving JA, Arico‐Muendel C, Belyanskaya S, Brewster A, Brown M, Chung C, Dave H, Denis A, Dodic N, Dossang A, Eddershaw P, Klimaszewska D, Haq I, Holmes DS, Hutchinson JP, Jagger AM, Jakhria T, Jigorel E, Liddle J, Lind K, Marciniak SJ, Messer J, Neu M, Olszewski A, Ordonez A, Ronzoni R, Rowedder J, Rüdiger M, Skinner S, Smith KJ, Terry R, Trottet L, Uings I, Wilson S, Zhu Z, Pearce AC. Development of a small molecule that corrects misfolding and increases secretion of Z α 1 -antitrypsin. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13167. [PMID: 33512066 PMCID: PMC7933930 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe α1 -antitrypsin deficiency results from the Z allele (Glu342Lys) that causes the accumulation of homopolymers of mutant α1 -antitrypsin within the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes in association with liver disease. We have used a DNA-encoded chemical library to undertake a high-throughput screen to identify small molecules that bind to, and stabilise Z α1 -antitrypsin. The lead compound blocks Z α1 -antitrypsin polymerisation in vitro, reduces intracellular polymerisation and increases the secretion of Z α1 -antitrypsin threefold in an iPSC model of disease. Crystallographic and biophysical analyses demonstrate that GSK716 and related molecules bind to a cryptic binding pocket, negate the local effects of the Z mutation and stabilise the bound state against progression along the polymerisation pathway. Oral dosing of transgenic mice at 100 mg/kg three times a day for 20 days increased the secretion of Z α1 -antitrypsin into the plasma by sevenfold. There was no observable clearance of hepatic inclusions with respect to controls over the same time period. This study provides proof of principle that "mutation ameliorating" small molecules can block the aberrant polymerisation that underlies Z α1 -antitrypsin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Lomas
- UCL RespiratoryRayne InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - James A Irving
- UCL RespiratoryRayne InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Imran Haq
- UCL RespiratoryRayne InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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27
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Goldspink PH, Warren CM, Kitajewski J, Wolska BM, Solaro RJ. A Perspective on Personalized Therapies in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2021; 77:317-322. [PMID: 33298734 PMCID: PMC7933064 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT A dominant mechanism of sudden cardiac death in the young is the progression of maladaptive responses to genes encoding proteins linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Most are mutant sarcomere proteins that trigger the progression by imposing a biophysical defect on the dynamics and levels of myofilament tension generation. We discuss approaches for personalized treatments that are indicated by recent advanced understanding of the progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul H. Goldspink
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Chad M. Warren
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Jan Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Beata M. Wolska
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - R. John Solaro
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
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28
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Grander C, Schaefer B, Schwärzler J, Grabherr F, de Graaf DM, Enrich B, Oberhuber G, Mayr L, Sangineto M, Jaschke N, Adolph TE, Effenberger M, Moschen AR, Dinarello CA, Zoller H, Tilg H. Alpha-1 antitrypsin governs alcohol-related liver disease in mice and humans. Gut 2021; 70:585-594. [PMID: 32699098 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a global healthcare problem with limited treatment options. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT, encoded by SERPINA1) shows potent anti-inflammatory activities in many preclinical and clinical trials. In our study, we aimed to explore the role of AAT in ALD. DESIGN An unselected cohort of 512 patients with cirrhosis was clinically characterised. Survival, clinical and biochemical parameters including AAT serum concentration were compared between patients with ALD and other aetiologies of liver disease. The role of AAT was evaluated in experimental ALD models. RESULTS Cirrhotic ALD patients with AAT serum concentrations less than 120 mg/dL had a significantly higher risk for death/liver transplantation as compared with patients with AAT serum concentrations higher than 120 mg/dL. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low AAT serum concentration was a NaMELD-independent predictor of survival/transplantation. Ethanol-fed wild-type (wt) mice displayed a significant decline in hepatic AAT compared with pair-fed mice. Therefore, hAAT-Tg mice were ethanol-fed, and these mice displayed protection from liver injury associated with decreased steatosis, hepatic neutrophil infiltration and abated expression of proinflammatory cytokines. To test the therapeutic capability of AAT, ethanol-fed wt mice were treated with human AAT. Administration of AAT ameliorated hepatic injury, neutrophil infiltration and steatosis. CONCLUSION Cirrhotic ALD patients with AAT concentrations less than 120 mg/dL displayed an increased risk for death/liver transplantation. Both hAAT-Tg mice and AAT-treated wt animals showed protection from ethanol-induced liver injury. AAT could reflect a treatment option for human ALD, especially for alcoholic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Grander
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Benedikt Schaefer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julian Schwärzler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felix Grabherr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dennis M de Graaf
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Barbara Enrich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Oberhuber
- INNPATH, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lisa Mayr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Moris Sangineto
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nikolai Jaschke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Timon E Adolph
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Effenberger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander R Moschen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Charles A Dinarello
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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29
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Kellici TF, Pilka ES, Bodkin MJ. Small-molecule modulators of serine protease inhibitor proteins (serpins). Drug Discov Today 2020; 26:442-454. [PMID: 33259801 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are a large family of proteins that regulate and control crucial physiological processes, such as inflammation, coagulation, thrombosis and thrombolysis, and immune responses. The extraordinary impact that these proteins have on numerous crucial pathways makes them an attractive target for drug discovery. In this review, we discuss recent advances in research on small-molecule modulators of serpins, examine their mode of action, analyse the structural data from crystallised protein-ligand complexes, and highlight the potential obstacles and possible therapeutic perspectives. The application of in silico methods for rational drug discovery is also summarised. In addition, we stress the need for continued research in this field.
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30
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Valandro F, Menguer PK, Cabreira-Cagliari C, Margis-Pinheiro M, Cagliari A. Programmed cell death (PCD) control in plants: New insights from the Arabidopsis thaliana deathosome. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 299:110603. [PMID: 32900441 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically controlled process that leads to cell suicide in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. In plants PCD occurs during development, defence response and when exposed to adverse conditions. PCD acts controlling the number of cells by eliminating damaged, old, or unnecessary cells to maintain cellular homeostasis. Unlike in animals, the knowledge about PCD in plants is limited. The molecular network that controls plant PCD is poorly understood. Here we present a review of the current mechanisms involved with the genetic control of PCD in plants. We also present an updated version of the AtLSD1 deathosome, which was previously proposed as a network controlling HR-mediated cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana. Finally, we discuss the unclear points and open questions related to the AtLSD1 deathosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Valandro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil.
| | - Paloma Koprovski Menguer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil.
| | | | - Márcia Margis-Pinheiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil.
| | - Alexandro Cagliari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ambiente e Sustentabilidade, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil; Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS), RS, Brazil.
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31
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The Intestinal Barrier and Current Techniques for the Assessment of Gut Permeability. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081909. [PMID: 32824536 PMCID: PMC7463717 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal barrier is essential in human health and constitutes the interface between the outside and the internal milieu of the body. A functional intestinal barrier allows absorption of nutrients and fluids but simultaneously prevents harmful substances like toxins and bacteria from crossing the intestinal epithelium and reaching the body. An altered intestinal permeability, a sign of a perturbed barrier function, has during the last decade been associated with several chronic conditions, including diseases originating in the gastrointestinal tract but also diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. This has led to an intensified interest from researchers with diverse backgrounds to perform functional studies of the intestinal barrier in different conditions. Intestinal permeability is defined as the passage of a solute through a simple membrane and can be measured by recording the passage of permeability markers over the epithelium via the paracellular or the transcellular route. The methodological tools to investigate the gut barrier function are rapidly expanding and new methodological approaches are being developed. Here we outline and discuss, in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo techniques and how these methods can be utilized for thorough investigation of the intestinal barrier.
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32
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Sosulski ML, Stiles KM, Frenk EZ, Hart FM, Matsumura Y, De BP, Kaminsky SM, Crystal RG. Gene therapy for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency with an oxidant-resistant human alpha 1-antitrypsin. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135951. [PMID: 32759494 PMCID: PMC7455074 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a hereditary disorder characterized by low serum levels of functional AAT, is associated with early development of panacinar emphysema. AAT inhibits serine proteases, including neutrophil elastase, protecting the lung from proteolytic destruction. Cigarette smoke, pollution, and inflammatory cell–mediated oxidation of methionine (M) 351 and 358 inactivates AAT, limiting lung protection. In vitro studies using amino acid substitutions demonstrated that replacing M351 with valine (V) and M358 with leucine (L) on a normal M1 alanine (A) 213 background provided maximum antiprotease protection despite oxidant stress. We hypothesized that a onetime administration of a serotype 8 adeno-associated virus (AAV8) gene transfer vector coding for the oxidation-resistant variant AAT (A213/V351/L358; 8/AVL) would maintain antiprotease activity under oxidant stress compared with normal AAT (A213/M351/M358; 8/AMM). 8/AVL was administered via intravenous (IV) and intrapleural (IPL) routes to C57BL/6 mice. High, dose-dependent AAT levels were found in the serum and lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of mice administered 8/AVL or 8/AMM by IV or IPL. 8/AVL serum and ELF retained serine protease–inhibitory activity despite oxidant stress while 8/AMM function was abolished. 8/AVL represents a second-generation gene therapy for AAT deficiency providing effective antiprotease protection even with oxidant stress. A gene transfer-based therapeutic to deliver oxidant-resistant alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) protects mice with AAT deficiency from lung destruction.
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Matsumoto NM, Aoki M, Okubo Y, Kuwahara K, Eura S, Dohi T, Akaishi S, Ogawa R. Gene Expression Profile of Isolated Dermal Vascular Endothelial Cells in Keloids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:658. [PMID: 32850798 PMCID: PMC7403211 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wound healing is a complex biological process, and imbalances of various substances in the wound environment may prolong healing and lead to excessive scarring. Keloid is abnormal proliferation of scar tissue beyond the original wound margins with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and chronic inflammation. Despite numerous previous research efforts, the pathogenesis of keloid remains unknown. Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are a major type of inductive cell in inflammation and fibrosis. Despite several studies on vascular morphology in keloid formation, there has been no functional analysis of the role of VECs. In the present study, we isolated living VECs from keloid tissues and investigated gene expression patterns using microarray analysis. We obtained 5 keloid tissue samples and 6 normal skin samples from patients without keloid. Immediately after excision, tissue samples were gently minced and living cells were isolated. Magnetic-activated cell sorting of VECs was performed by negative selection of fibroblasts and CD45+ cells and by positive selection of CD31+cells. After RNA extraction, gene expression analysis was performed to compare VECs isolated from keloid tissue (KVECs) with VECs from normal skin (NVECs). After cell isolation, the percentage of CD31+ cells as measured by flow cytometry ranged from 81.8%–98.6%. Principal component analysis was used to identify distinct molecular phenotypes in KVECs versus NVECs and these were divided into two subgroups. In total, 15 genes were upregulated, and 3 genes were downregulated in KVECs compared with NVECs using the t-test (< 0.05). Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed 16-fold and 11-fold overexpression of SERPINA3 and LAMC2, respectively. SERPINA3 encodes the serine protease inhibitor, α1-antichymotripsin. Laminin γ2-Chain (LAMC2) is a subunit of laminin-5 that induces retraction of vascular endothelial cells and enhances vascular permeability. This is the first report of VEC isolation and gene expression analysis in keloid tissue. Our data suggest that SERPINA3 and LAMC2 upregulation in KVECs may contribute to the development of fibrosis and prolonged inflammation in keloid. Further functional investigation of these genes will help clarify the mechanisms of abnormal scar tissue proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko M Matsumoto
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayo Aoki
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Okubo
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kuwahara
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeyoshi Eura
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Dohi
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akaishi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Musashi Kosugi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Rei Ogawa
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
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Laffranchi M, Elliston EL, Miranda E, Perez J, Ronzoni R, Jagger AM, Heyer-Chauhan N, Brantly ML, Fra A, Lomas DA, Irving JA. Intrahepatic heteropolymerization of M and Z alpha-1-antitrypsin. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135459. [PMID: 32699193 PMCID: PMC7453904 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The α-1-antitrypsin (or alpha-1-antitrypsin, A1AT) Z variant is the primary cause of severe A1AT deficiency and forms polymeric chains that aggregate in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. Around 2%-5% of Europeans are heterozygous for the Z and WT M allele, and there is evidence of increased risk of liver disease when compared with MM A1AT individuals. We have shown that Z and M A1AT can copolymerize in cell models, but there has been no direct observation of heteropolymer formation in vivo. To this end, we developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb2H2) that specifically binds to M in preference to Z A1AT, localized its epitope using crystallography to a region perturbed by the Z (Glu342Lys) substitution, and used Fab fragments to label polymers isolated from an MZ heterozygote liver explant. Glu342 is critical to the affinity of mAb2H2, since it also recognized the mild S-deficiency variant (Glu264Val) present in circulating polymers from SZ heterozygotes. Negative-stain electron microscopy of the Fab2H2-labeled liver polymers revealed that M comprises around 6% of the polymer subunits in the MZ liver sample. These data demonstrate that Z A1AT can form heteropolymers with polymerization-inert variants in vivo with implications for liver disease in heterozygous individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Laffranchi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Lk Elliston
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin' and Pasteur Institute - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Perez
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus de Teatinos, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Riccardo Ronzoni
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair M Jagger
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Heyer-Chauhan
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark L Brantly
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Annamaria Fra
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - David A Lomas
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James A Irving
- UCL Respiratory and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Li M, Takahashi D, Kanost MR. Peptides based on the reactive center loop of Manduca sexta serpin-3 block its protease inhibitory function. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11497. [PMID: 32661389 PMCID: PMC7359039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68316-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One innate immune response in insects is the proteolytic activation of hemolymph prophenoloxidase (proPO), regulated by protease inhibitors called serpins. In the inhibition reaction of serpins, a protease cleaves a peptide bond in a solvent-exposed reactive center loop (RCL) of the serpin, and the serpin undergoes a conformational change, incorporating the amino-terminal segment of the RCL into serpin β-sheet A as a new strand. This results in an irreversible inhibitory complex of the serpin with the protease. We synthesized four peptides with sequences from the hinge region in the RCL of Manduca sexta serpin-3 and found they were able to block serpin-3 inhibitory activity, resulting in suppression of inhibitory protease-serpin complex formation. An RCL-derived peptide with the sequence Ser-Val-Ala-Phe-Ser (SVAFS) displayed robust blocking activity against serpin-3. Addition of acetyl-SVAFS-amide to hemolymph led to unregulated proPO activation. Serpin-3 associated with Ac-SVAFS-COO− had an altered circular dichroism spectrum and enhanced thermal resistance to change in secondary structure, indicating that these two molecules formed a binary complex, most likely by insertion of the peptide into β-sheet A. The interference of RCL-derived peptides with serpin activity may lead to new possibilities of “silencing” arthropod serpins with unknown functions for investigation of their physiological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Michael R Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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36
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Visentin C, Musso L, Broggini L, Bonato F, Russo R, Moriconi C, Bolognesi M, Miranda E, Dallavalle S, Passarella D, Ricagno S. Embelin as Lead Compound for New Neuroserpin Polymerization Inhibitors. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10070111. [PMID: 32664592 PMCID: PMC7400170 DOI: 10.3390/life10070111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB) is a severe and lethal neurodegenerative disease. Upon specific point mutations in the SERPINI1gene-coding for the human protein neuroserpin (NS) the resulting pathologic NS variants polymerize and accumulate within the endoplasmic reticulum of neurons in the central nervous system. To date, embelin (EMB) is the only known inhibitor of NS polymerization in vitro. This molecule is capable of preventing NS polymerization and dissolving preformed polymers. Here, we show that lowering EMB concentration results in increasing size of NS oligomers in vitro. Moreover, we observe that in cells expressing NS, the polymerization of G392E NS is reduced, but this effect is mediated by an increased proteasomal degradation rather than polymerization impairment. For these reasons we designed a systematic chemical evolution of the EMB scaffold aimed to improve its anti-polymerization properties. The effect of EMB analogs against NS polymerization was assessed in vitro. None of the EMB analogs displayed an anti-polymerization activity better than the one reported for EMB, indicating that the EMB–NS interaction surface is very specific and highly optimized. Thus, our results indicate that EMB is, to date, still the best candidate for developing a treatment against NS polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Visentin
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Loana Musso
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Luca Broggini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Francesca Bonato
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi, 19, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Rosaria Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Fratelli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy;
| | - Claudia Moriconi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Martino Bolognesi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Elena Miranda
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (E.M.)
- Istituto Pasteur—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Dallavalle
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi, 19, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Stefano Ricagno
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-5031-4914
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Abstract
Complement plays important roles in both ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of solid organ allografts. One approach to possibly improve outcomes after transplantation is the use of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH), which blocks the first step in both the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation and also inhibits the contact, coagulation, and kinin systems. C1-INH can also directly block leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. C1-INH contrasts with eculizumab and other distal inhibitors, which do not affect C4b or C3b deposition or noncomplement pathways. Authors of reports on trials in kidney transplant recipients have suggested that C1-INH treatment may reduce IRI and delayed graft function, based on decreased requirements for dialysis in the first month after transplantation. This effect was particularly marked with grafts with Kidney Disease Profile Index ≥ 85. Other clinical studies and models suggest that C1-INH may decrease sensitization and donor-specific antibody production and might improve outcomes in AMR, including in patients who are refractory to other modalities. However, the studies have been small and often only single-center. This article reviews clinical data and ongoing trials with C1-INH in transplant recipients, compares the results with those of other complement inhibitors, and summarizes potentially productive directions for future research.
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Expression and function assessment of two serpin-type serine protease inhibitors from Haemaphysalis doenitzi. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:1-9. [PMID: 32464311 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) in ticks are implicated in the modulation of the vertebrate host response to the tick bite. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that serpins interfere with tick-borne pathogen transmission. However, knowledge on serpins in the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi is lacking. In this study, the expression of two serpin genes, named HDS1 and HDS2, were assessed in H. doenitzi, and their roles in immune regulation were further investigated. The expression of HDS1 and HDS2 showed no tissue specificity, with maximum expression levels detected in the hemolymph and salivary gland, respectively. Among the developmental stages, the highest expression of HDS1 and HDS2 were detected in larvae and adults, respectively. The recombinant protein rHDS1 displayed obvious inhibitory effects on trypsin and thrombin, whereas rHDS2 clearly inhibited thrombin only. In addition, rHDS1 and rHDS2 showed certain inhibitory activities against bacteria and fungi. The female engorgement body weight, female engorgement rate, and egg hatchability were significantly decreased after injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of HDS1 gene, whereas no significant effects were observed concerning the feeding period or attachment rate at 24 h after introduction via rabbit ears. When injected with dsRNA of HDS2 gene, no significant effect was observed on the attachment rate at 24 h after introduction into the rabbit ears, but the engorgement body weight and engorgement rate of female ticks were significantly decreased, and no egg hatchment occurred. The above results contribute to better understanding the function of serpins in the development and innate immunity of H. doenitzi.
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39
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Visentin C, Broggini L, Sala BM, Russo R, Barbiroli A, Santambrogio C, Nonnis S, Dubnovitsky A, Bolognesi M, Miranda E, Achour A, Ricagno S. Glycosylation Tunes Neuroserpin Physiological and Pathological Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3235. [PMID: 32375228 PMCID: PMC7247563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093235] [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: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroserpin (NS) is a member of the serine protease inhibitors superfamily. Specific point mutations are responsible for its accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum of neurons that leads to a pathological condition named familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB). Wild-type NS presents two N-glycosylation chains and does not form polymers in vivo, while non-glycosylated NS causes aberrant polymer accumulation in cell models. To date, all in vitro studies have been conducted on bacterially expressed NS, de facto neglecting the role of glycosylation in the biochemical properties of NS. Here, we report the expression and purification of human glycosylated NS (gNS) using a novel eukaryotic expression system, LEXSY. Our results confirm the correct N-glycosylation of wild-type gNS. The fold and stability of gNS are not altered compared to bacterially expressed NS, as demonstrated by the circular dichroism and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence assays. Intriguingly, gNS displays a remarkably reduced polymerisation propensity compared to non-glycosylated NS, in keeping with what was previously observed for wild-type NS in vivo and in cell models. Thus, our results support the relevance of gNS as a new in vitro tool to study the molecular bases of FENIB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Visentin
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (B.M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Luca Broggini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (B.M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Benedetta Maria Sala
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (B.M.S.); (M.B.)
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, and Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, AlbaNova University Center, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rosaria Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Fratelli Cervi, 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy;
| | - Alberto Barbiroli
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l′Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Carlo Santambrogio
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Simona Nonnis
- Departimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Anatoly Dubnovitsky
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and Division of Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Martino Bolognesi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (B.M.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Elena Miranda
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘Charles Darwin’, and Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, and Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Stefano Ricagno
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (L.B.); (B.M.S.); (M.B.)
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Yip E, Giousoh A, Fung C, Wilding B, Prakash MD, Williams C, Verkade H, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Bird PI. A transgenic zebrafish model of hepatocyte function in human Z α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Biol Chem 2020; 400:1603-1616. [PMID: 31091192 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In human α1-antitrypsin deficiency, homozygous carriers of the Z (E324K) mutation in the gene SERPINA1 have insufficient circulating α1-antitrypsin and are predisposed to emphysema. Misfolding and accumulation of the mutant protein in hepatocytes also causes endoplasmic reticulum stress and underpins long-term liver damage. Here, we describe transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) expressing the wildtype or the Z mutant form of human α1-antitrypsin in hepatocytes. As observed in afflicted humans, and in rodent models, about 80% less α1-antitrypsin is evident in the circulation of zebrafish expressing the Z mutant. Although these zebrafish also show signs of liver stress, they do not accumulate α1-antitrypsin in hepatocytes. This new zebrafish model will provide useful insights into understanding and treatment of α1-antitrypsin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Yip
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aminah Giousoh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Connie Fung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan Wilding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Monica D Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caitlin Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heather Verkade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Phillip I Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Victoria, Australia
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Ali MF, Kaushik A, Gupta D, Ansari S, Jairajpuri MA. Changes in strand 6B and helix B during neuroserpin inhibition: Implication in severity of clinical phenotype. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140363. [PMID: 31954927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuroserpin (NS) is predominantly expressed in brain and inhibits tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) with implications in brain development and memory. Nature of conformational change in pathological variants in strand 6B and helix B of NS that cause a relatively mild to severe epilepsy (and/or dementia) remains largely elusive. MD simulation with wild type (WT) NS, strand 6B and helix B variants indicated that substitution in this region affects the conformation of the strands 5B, 5A and reactive centre loop. Therefore, we designed variants of NS in strand 6B (I46D and F48S) and helix B (A54F, L55A and L55P) to investigate their role in tPA inhibition mechanism and propensity to aggregate. An interaction analysis showed disturbance of a hydrophobic patch centered at strands 5B, 6B and helix B in I46D and F48S but not in A54F, L55A, L55P and WT NS. Purified I46D, F48S and L55P variants showed decrease in fluorescence emission intensity but have similar α-helical content, however results of A54F and L55A were comparable to WT NS. Analysis of tPA inhibition showed marginal effect on A54F and L55A variant with tPA-NS complex formation. In contrast, I46D, F48S and L55P variants showed massive decrease in tPA inhibition, with no tPA-NS complex formation. Analysis of native PAGE under under polymerization condition showed prompt conversion of I46D, F48S and L55P to latent conformation but not A54F and L55A variants. Identification of these novel conformational changes will aid in the understanding of variable clinical phenotype of shutter region NS variants and other serpins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Farhan Ali
- Protein Conformation and Enzymology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Abhinav Kaushik
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Shoyab Ansari
- Protein Conformation and Enzymology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Mohamad Aman Jairajpuri
- Protein Conformation and Enzymology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India.
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Gershenson A, Gosavi S, Faccioli P, Wintrode PL. Successes and challenges in simulating the folding of large proteins. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:15-33. [PMID: 31712314 PMCID: PMC6952611 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.006794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational simulations of protein folding can be used to interpret experimental folding results, to design new folding experiments, and to test the effects of mutations and small molecules on folding. However, whereas major experimental and computational progress has been made in understanding how small proteins fold, research on larger, multidomain proteins, which comprise the majority of proteins, is less advanced. Specifically, large proteins often fold via long-lived partially folded intermediates, whose structures, potentially toxic oligomerization, and interactions with cellular chaperones remain poorly understood. Molecular dynamics based folding simulations that rely on knowledge of the native structure can provide critical, detailed information on folding free energy landscapes, intermediates, and pathways. Further, increases in computational power and methodological advances have made folding simulations of large proteins practical and valuable. Here, using serpins that inhibit proteases as an example, we review native-centric methods for simulating the folding of large proteins. These synergistic approaches range from Gō and related structure-based models that can predict the effects of the native structure on folding to all-atom-based methods that include side-chain chemistry and can predict how disease-associated mutations may impact folding. The application of these computational approaches to serpins and other large proteins highlights the successes and limitations of current computational methods and underscores how computational results can be used to inform experiments. These powerful simulation approaches in combination with experiments can provide unique insights into how large proteins fold and misfold, expanding our ability to predict and manipulate protein folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003; Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.
| | - Shachi Gosavi
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore-560065, India.
| | - Pietro Faccioli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá degli Studi di Trento, 38122 Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, 38123 Povo (Trento), Italy.
| | - Patrick L Wintrode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
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43
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Wang C, Zhao P, Sun S, Teckman J, Balch WE. Leveraging Population Genomics for Individualized Correction of the Hallmarks of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES-JOURNAL OF THE COPD FOUNDATION 2020; 7:224-246. [PMID: 32726074 DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.7.3.2019.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Deep medicine is rapidly moving towards a high-definition approach for therapeutic management of the patient as an individual given the rapid progress of genome sequencing technologies and machine learning algorithms. While considered a monogenic disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD) patients present with complex and variable phenotypes we refer to as the "hallmarks of AATD" that involve distinct molecular mechanisms in the liver, plasma and lung tissues, likely due to both coding and non-coding variation as well as genetic and environmental modifiers in different individuals. Herein, we briefly review the current therapeutic strategies for the management of AATD. To embrace genetic diversity in the management of AATD, we provide an overview of the disease phenotypes of AATD patients harboring different AAT variants. Linking genotypic diversity to phenotypic diversity illustrates the potential for sequence-specific regions of AAT protein fold design to play very different roles during nascent synthesis in the liver and/or function in post-liver plasma and lung environments. We illustrate how to manage diversity with recently developed machine learning (ML) approaches that bridge sequence-to-function-to-structure knowledge gaps based on the principle of spatial covariance (SCV). SCV relationships provide a deep understanding of the genotype to phenotype transformation initiated by AAT variation in the population to address the role of genetic and environmental modifiers in the individual. Embracing the complexity of AATD in the population is critical for risk management and therapeutic intervention to generate a high definition medicine approach for the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Pei Zhao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Shuhong Sun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Jeffrey Teckman
- Pediatrics and Biochemistry, Saint Louis University, and Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - William E Balch
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
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44
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Adams BM, Ke H, Gierasch LM, Gershenson A, Hebert DN. Proper secretion of the serpin antithrombin relies strictly on thiol-dependent quality control. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18992-19011. [PMID: 31662433 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein quality control machinery of the endoplasmic reticulum (ERQC) ensures that client proteins are properly folded. ERQC substrates may be recognized as nonnative by the presence of exposed hydrophobic surfaces, free thiols, or processed N-glycans. How these features dictate which ERQC pathways engage a given substrate is poorly understood. Here, using metabolic labeling, immunoprecipitations, various biochemical assays, and the human serpin antithrombin III (ATIII) as a model, we explored the role of ERQC systems in mammalian cells. Although ATIII has N-glycans and a hydrophobic core, we found that its quality control depended solely on free thiol content. Mutagenesis of all six Cys residues in ATIII to Ala resulted in its efficient secretion even though the product was not natively folded. ATIII variants with free thiols were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum but not degraded. These results provide insight into the hierarchy of ERQC systems and reveal a fundamental vulnerability of ERQC in a case of reliance on the thiol-dependent quality control pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.,Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Haiping Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Lila M Gierasch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.,Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.,Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.,Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Daniel N Hebert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003 .,Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
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45
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Zhang J, Xu HY, Wu YJ, Zhang X, Zhang LQ, Li YM. Neutrophil elastase inhibitory effects of pentacyclic triterpenoids from Eriobotrya japonica (loquat leaves). JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 242:111713. [PMID: 30703491 PMCID: PMC7127461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Eriobotrya japonica, a traditional herbal medicine in China and Japan, has long been used to treat chronic bronchitis and coughs. AIM OF THE STUDY Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PTs), especially ursolic acid (UA), have been found as reversibly and competitively human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors. However, the limited solubility and poor bioavailability of PTs hinder their clinical use. Crude plant extracts may have a greater activity than isolated constituents of the equivalent dosage. In this study, an Eriobotrya japonica (loquat leaves) extract (triterpenoid composition of loquat leaves, TCLL) with enriched PTs such as UA was prepared. The study aims to compare the HNE inhibitory (HNEI) effect in vitro and the therapeutic effect on acute lung injury (ALI) in vivo between TCLL and UA. MATERIALS AND METHODS An HNEI activity bioassay was performed with Sivelestat sodium hydrate as a positive control. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammatory model was established to evaluate TCLL's therapeutic effect on ALI in vivo. The absorption of UA in TCLL and in UA alone was determined using a Caco-2 cell uptake model and LC-MS. RESULTS The IC50 values of TCLL and UA for the HNEI effect were 3.26 ± 0.56 μg/mL and 8.49 ± 0.42 μg/mL (P < 0.01), respectively. TCLL significantly improved the inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokine production in mice compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Additionally, it performed better than the UA alone group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the uptake by Caco-2 cells of UA in TCLL was higher than that in UA alone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION TCLL has a significant HNEI effect in vitro and a therapeutic effect on LPS-induced inflammation in a mouse model. Both the effects are more efficient than UA. Improved absorption of PTs in TCLL may be one explanation for these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Hao-Yang Xu
- International Education College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yu-Juan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Xing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Liu-Qiang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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46
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Ito S, Saito M, Yoshida M, Takeuchi K, Doi T, Nagata K. A BRET-based assay reveals collagen-Hsp47 interaction dynamics in the endoplasmic reticulum and small-molecule inhibition of this interaction. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15962-15972. [PMID: 31492754 PMCID: PMC6827286 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperones perform pivotal roles in proteostasis by engaging in protein–protein interactions (PPIs). The collagen-specific molecular chaperone Hsp47 (heat shock protein 47) interacts with procollagen in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays crucial roles in collagen synthesis. PPIs between Hsp47 and collagen could offer a therapeutic target for fibrosis, which is characterized by abnormal collagen accumulation in the extracellular matrix of fibrotic organs. Herein, we established a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) system for assessing Hsp47–collagen interaction dynamics within the ER. After optimization and validation of the method, we could demonstrate inhibition of the interaction between Hsp47 and collagen by a small molecule (Col003) in the ER. Using the BRET system, we also found that Hsp47 interacts not only with the Gly-Pro-Arg motif but also weakly with Gly-Pro-Hyp motifs of triple-helical collagen in cells. Moreover, we found that the serpin loop of Hsp47 (SerpinH1) contributes to its binding to collagen. We propose that the method developed here can provide valuable information on PPIs between Hsp47 and collagen and on the effects of PPI inhibitors important for the management of fibrotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Ito
- Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
| | - Masazumi Saito
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Masahito Yoshida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Koh Takeuchi
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
| | - Takayuki Doi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nagata
- Institute for Protein Dynamics, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan .,Department of Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.,CREST, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
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47
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Serpins: Genome-Wide Characterisation and Expression Analysis of the Serine Protease Inhibitor Family in Triticum aestivum. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:2709-2722. [PMID: 31227524 PMCID: PMC6686943 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The serine protease inhibitor (serpin) gene family is the largest family of protease inhibitors. Serine protease inhibitors have an active, but under-characterized, role in grain development and defense against pathogen attack in cereal crops. By exploiting publicly available genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data for wheat (Triticum aestivum), we have identified and annotated the entire ’serpinome’ of wheat and constructed a high-quality and robust phylogenetic tree of the gene family, identifying paralogous and homeologous clades from the hexaploid wheat genome, including the Serpin-Z group that have been well characterized in barley. Using publicly available RNAseq data (http://www.wheat-expression.com/), expression profiles of the wheat serpins were explored across a variety of tissues from the developing grain, spikelet and spike. We show that the SERPIN-Z clade, among others, are highly expressed during grain development, and that there is homeologous and paralogous functional redundancy in this gene family. Further to their role in grain development, serpins play an important but under-explored role in response to fungal pathogens. Using 13 RNAseq datasets of wheat tissues infected by fungal pathogens, we identified 37 serpins with a significant disease response. The majority of the disease-responsive serpins were upregulated by Fusarium graminearum, a destructive fungal pathogen that attacks the spike and developing grain of wheat. As serpins are ubiquitous in wheat grain, the genes encoding serpins may be linked to grain development, with their disease response a result of pleiotropy.
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48
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Bai X, Bai A, Honda JR, Eichstaedt C, Musheyev A, Feng Z, Huitt G, Harbeck R, Kosmider B, Sandhaus RA, Chan ED. Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Enhances Primary Human Macrophage Immunity Against Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1417. [PMID: 31293581 PMCID: PMC6606736 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The association between non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is likely due, in part, to underlying emphysema or bronchiectasis. But there is increasing evidence that AAT itself enhances host immunity against microbial pathogens and thus deficiency could compromise host protection. Objectives: The goal of this project is to determine if AAT could augment macrophage activity against non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Methods: We compared the ability of monocyte-derived macrophages cultured in autologous plasma that were obtained immediately before and soon after AAT infusion—given to individuals with AAT deficiency—to control an ex vivo Mycobacterium intracellulare infection. Measurements and Main Results: We found that compared to pre-AAT infused monocyte-derived macrophages plus plasma, macrophages, and contemporaneous plasma obtained after a session of AAT infusion were significantly better able to control M. intracellulare infection; the reduced bacterial burden was linked with greater phagosome-lysosome fusion and increased autophagosome formation/maturation, the latter due to AAT inhibition of both M. intracellulare–induced nuclear factor-kappa B activation and A20 expression. While there was a modest increase in apoptosis in the M. intracellulare-infected post-AAT infused macrophages and plasma, inhibiting caspase-3 in THP-1 cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and alveolar macrophages unexpectedly reduced the M. intracellulare burden, indicating that apoptosis impairs macrophage control of M. intracellulare and that the host protective effects of AAT occurred despite inducing apoptosis. Conclusion: AAT augments macrophage control of M. intracellulare infection through enhancing phagosome-lysosome fusion and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyuan Bai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - An Bai
- Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Jennifer R Honda
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | | | - Ariel Musheyev
- Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Zhihong Feng
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Gwen Huitt
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Ronald Harbeck
- Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Beata Kosmider
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Physiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Robert A Sandhaus
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Edward D Chan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Academic Affairs, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
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49
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Pongprayoon P, Niramitranon J, Kaewhom P, Kaewmongkol S, Suwan E, Stich RW, Jittapalapong S. Dynamic and structural insights into tick serpin from Ixodes ricinus. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:2296-2303. [PMID: 31215334 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1630003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks have a crucial impact on people and domestic animals worldwide. These parasites also pose a serious threat to livestock. To date, vaccination of hosts against ticks is a safer, more sustainable alternative to chemical control of ticks and the disease agents they transmit. Because of their roles in tick physiology, serpins (serine protease inhibitors) from tick saliva are among the candidates for anti-tick vaccines. Inhibitory serpins employ a suicide inhibition mechanism to inhibit proteases, where the serpin reactive centre loop (RCL) is cleaved, by the targeted protease, and then inserted into the main β-sheet of the serpin. This causes a massive conformational change called the 'stressed to relaxed' (S→R) transition, leading to the breakdown of serpin into two regions (core domain and cleaved polypeptide). Recently, the first tick serpin crystal structure from Ixodes ricinus in R-state was reported. We thus employed molecular dynamics simulations to better understand serpin structure and dynamics in atomic detail. Overall, R-state serpin showed high rigidity, especially the core domain. The most flexible region is the terminal of the cleaved polypeptide, due to its high-water exposure, while the rest of the cleaved polypeptide is stably trapped behind the core domain. T363, D367 and N375 are found to play a vital role in protein-protein attachment. This finding can be used to explain the high stability of the R-state serpin at the atomic level and provides insight into this tick serpin which will be useful for rational anti-tick vaccine development. AbbreviationsMDMolecular DynamicsRCLReactive centre loopCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prapasiri Pongprayoon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand.,Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical, Food and Agricultural Industries, KU Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jitti Niramitranon
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phaitoon Kaewhom
- Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Burapha University, Sakaeo Campus, Sakaeo, Thailand
| | | | - Eukote Suwan
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roger W Stich
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sathaporn Jittapalapong
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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50
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Wang F, Orioli S, Ianeselli A, Spagnolli G, A Beccara S, Gershenson A, Faccioli P, Wintrode PL. All-Atom Simulations Reveal How Single-Point Mutations Promote Serpin Misfolding. Biophys J 2019; 114:2083-2094. [PMID: 29742402 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding is implicated in many diseases, including serpinopathies. For the canonical inhibitory serpin α1-antitrypsin, mutations can result in protein deficiencies leading to lung disease, and misfolded mutants can accumulate in hepatocytes, leading to liver disease. Using all-atom simulations based on the recently developed bias functional algorithm, we elucidate how wild-type α1-antitrypsin folds and how the disease-associated S (Glu264Val) and Z (Glu342Lys) mutations lead to misfolding. The deleterious Z mutation disrupts folding at an early stage, whereas the relatively benign S mutant shows late-stage minor misfolding. A number of suppressor mutations ameliorate the effects of the Z mutation, and simulations on these mutants help to elucidate the relative roles of steric clashes and electrostatic interactions in Z misfolding. These results demonstrate a striking correlation between atomistic events and disease severity and shine light on the mechanisms driving chains away from their correct folding routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Simone Orioli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Alan Ianeselli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Giovanni Spagnolli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Silvio A Beccara
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts.
| | - Pietro Faccioli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trento, Povo (Trento), Italy; Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Povo (Trento), Italy.
| | - Patrick L Wintrode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland.
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