Paraoxonase 1 interactions with atherosclerotic lesions and arterial macrophages protect against foam cell formation and atherosclerosis development

J, Ahmad SF, Attia SM, Emran TB, Patil RB, Ahmed SSSJ. Structural Characteristics of PON1 with Leu55Met and Gln192Arg Variants Influencing Oxidative-Stress-Related Diseases: An Integrated Molecular Modeling and Dynamics Study

Background and Objectives: PON1 is a multi-functional antioxidant protein that hydrolyzes a variety of endogenous and exogenous substrates in the human system. Growing evidence suggests that the Leu55Met and Gln192Arg substitutions alter PON1 activity and are linked with a variety of oxidative-stress-related diseases. Materials and Methods: We implemented structural modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation along with essential dynamics of PON1 and molecular docking with their endogenous (n = 4) and exogenous (n = 6) substrates to gain insights into conformational changes and binding affinity in order to characterize the specific functional ramifications of PON1 variants. Results: The Leu55Met variation had a higher root mean square deviation (0.249 nm) than the wild type (0.216 nm) and Gln192Arg (0.202 nm), implying increased protein flexibility. Furthermore, the essential dynamics analysis confirms the structural change in PON1 with Leu55Met vs. Gln192Arg and wild type. Additionally, PON1 with Leu55Met causes local conformational alterations at the substrate binding site, leading to changes in binding affinity with their substrates. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the structural consequences of the variants, which would increase understanding of the role of PON1 in the pathogenesis of oxidative-stress-related diseases, as well as the management of endogenous and exogenous chemicals in the treatment of diseases.

Vutiglabridin Modulates Paraoxonase 1 and Ameliorates Diet-Induced Obesity in Hyperlipidemic Mice

Vutiglabridin is a clinical-stage synthetic small molecule that is being developed for the treatment of obesity and its target proteins have not been fully identified. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an HDL-associated plasma enzyme that hydrolyzes diverse substrates including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Furthermore, PON1 harbors anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities and has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target for treating various metabolic diseases. In this study, we performed a non-biased target deconvolution of vutiglabridin using Nematic Protein Organisation Technique (NPOT) and identified PON1 as an interacting protein. We examined this interaction in detail and demonstrate that vutiglabridin binds to PON1 with high affinity and protects PON1 against oxidative damage. Vutiglabridin treatment significantly increased plasma PON1 levels and enzyme activity but not PON1 mRNA in wild-type C57BL/6J mice, suggesting that vutiglabridin modulates PON1 post-transcriptionally. We further investigated the effects of vutiglabridin in obese and hyperlipidemic LDLR-/- mice and found that it significantly increases plasma PON1 levels, while decreasing body weight, total fat mass, and plasma cholesterol levels. Overall, our results demonstrate that PON1 is a direct, interacting target of vutiglabridin, and that the modulation of PON1 by vutiglabridin may provide benefits for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity.

The role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A and paraoxonase-1 in the pathophysiology of neuroprogressive disorders

Lowered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been reported in major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, first episode of psychosis, and schizophrenia. HDL, its major apolipoprotein component, ApoA1, and the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase (PON)1 (which is normally bound to ApoA1) all have anti-atherogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory roles, which are discussed in this paper. The paper details the pathways mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of HDL, ApoA1 and PON1 and describes the mechanisms leading to compromised HDL and PON1 levels and function in an environment of chronic inflammation. The molecular mechanisms by which changes in HDL, ApoA1 and PON1 might contribute to the pathophysiology of the neuroprogressive disorders are explained. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory actions of ApoM-mediated sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signalling are reviewed as well as the deleterious effects of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress on ApoM/S1P signalling. Finally, therapeutic interventions specifically aimed at improving the levels and function of HDL and PON1 while reducing levels of inflammation and oxidative stress are considered. These include the so-called Mediterranean diet, extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, pomegranate juice, melatonin and the Mediterranean diet combined with the ketogenic diet.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect of zingiberene on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in experimental animals

This study aimed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effect of zingiberene (ZBN) on isoproterenol-(ISO) induced myocardial infarction in rats. ZBN (10 mg/kg b.wt.) was orally administered to rats for 21 days and ISO (85 mg/kg b.wt.) was subcutaneously injected into the rats at 24 h intervals for the last 2 consecutive days. We observed increased serum creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin T, and I levels in ISO-treated MI rats. Conversely, ZBN oral administration significantly prevented in cardiac marker enzyme activities in ISO-mediated rats. We also noticed that ZBN oral administration prevented ISO-induced expression of lipid peroxidative markers, total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to the normal basal level. Furthermore, ZBN restored ISO-mediated antioxidant status, increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and tissue phospholipids to the near-normal levels. Besides, ZBN pre-treatment significantly reduced the level of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, and IL-1β) in ISO-induced MI in rats. We noticed that ZBN pretreatment inhibited the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cytochrome c and increased the Bcl-2 expression in ISO induced rats. The gene expression profiling by qRT-PCR array illustrates that ZBN treatment prevents the ISO mediated activation of cardiac markers, inflammatory, and fibrosis-related genes in the heart tissue. Taken together, pre-treatment with ZBN attenuated ISO-induced MI resolved exhibits the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effect.

Alzheimer's Disease Markers in Aged ApoE-PON1 Deficient Mice

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging. Cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and atherosclerosis increase the risk for AD. Polymorphic alleles of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) are one of the main genetic determinants of AD.

OBJECTIVE

Mice, double-knockout (DKO) for ApoE (major cholesterol carrier in brain) and PON1 (paroxonase1, reduces oxidative stress), showed severe age-dependent atherosclerosis of the arteries carrying blood to the brain even on normal diet. This prompted us to investigate the possibility of an AD pathology resulting from the deficiency of ApoE and the induction of oxidative stress.

METHODS

Atherosclerotic lesions were quantified by ImageJ. The brain hippocampus of young and old ApoE-PON1 DKO mice and control mice were harvested. RT-PCR analysis was performed for mRNA levels of AD specific markers. Blood levels of S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) protein were measured by ELISA. H&E as well as immunostaining was performed to detect amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain tissues. Evans blue dye was used to evaluate the vascular permeability and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction.

RESULTS

Results showed that the older DKO mice had severe carotid atherosclerosis, increased mRNA levels of AD markers in brain tissue, and elevated levels of serum S100B protein. Immunological staining confirmed the characteristics of AD. Ex-vivo imaging showed higher levels of Evans blue dye in the ApoE-PON1 DKO mice brain tissues, pointing toward impaired vasculature.

CONCLUSION

Aged ApoE-PON1 DKO mice displaying AD specific markers along with Aβ plaques, NFTs, and disrupted BBB suggests the animals are suffering from AD.

Cholesterol reduction and macrophage function: role of paraoxonases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Unregulated uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophages to form foam cells is the hallmark for atherosclerosis. The paraoxonase (PON) family of enzymes plays a critical role in attenuating atherosclerotic lesion formation by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides (LOOHs) and preventing the oxidation of LDL particles and by enhancing HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux. Findings in recent years suggest novel mechanisms by which PON isoforms interact with macrophages to regulate cholesterol metabolism and cellular function.

RECENT FINDINGS

The association of PON with HDL particles facilitates binding of the particle to macrophages and ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux. The hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids by PON generates lysophosphatidylcholine which is shown to regulate expression of cholesterol transport proteins. The PON family also regulates multiple aspects of macrophage function. PON attenuates inflammation and prevents induction of apoptosis via activation of a scavenger receptor class B type-1-dependent signaling mechanism. PON limits macrophage-dependent oxidant formation by preventing the activation of the membrane-associated NADPH oxidase and by stabilizing mitochondria. PON also promotes the differentiation of macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. This function appears to be independent of PON enzymatic activity and, rather, is dependent on the ability of endogenous sulfhydryls to neutralize pro-inflammatory peroxides.

SUMMARY

In recent years, the therapeutic efficacy of HDL-based therapies has been subject to dispute. Pharmacological approaches that target an increase in the expression and/or activity of PON may facilitate macrophage cholesterol metabolism and attenuate inflammatory injury.

HDL3 stimulates paraoxonase 1 antiatherogenic catalytic and biological activities in a macrophage model system: in vivo and in vitro studies

We analyzed in-vivo and in-vitro high density lipoprotein (HDL) effects on paraoxonase 1 (PON1) antiatherogenic properties in serum and in macrophages. Intraperitoneal injection to C57BL/6 mice of recombinant PON1 (rePON1) + HDL, in comparison to HDL or to rePON1 alone, significantly increased serum PON1 arylesterase activity (by 20%), and serum-mediated cholesterol efflux from J774A.1 macrophages (by 18%). Similarly, in peritoneal macrophages (MPM) harvested from mice injected with HDL + rePON1 versus rePON1 alone, we observed reduction in oxidative stress (by 11%), increase in cellular PON1 activity (by 14%) and in HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux (by 38%). Incubation of serum or HDL with rePON1, substantially increased PON1 arylesterase activity, two-fold more than the expected additive values. HDL2 and HDL3 increased PON1 activity by 199% or 274%, respectively. Macrophage (J774A.1) cholesterol efflux rate significantly increased by HDL3 + rePON1 versus HDL3 alone (by 19%), but not by HDL2 + rePON1 versus HDL2 alone. Oxidation of HDL3 reduced its ability to induce macrophage cholesterol efflux, and abolished HDL3 stimulatory effects on rePON1. Addition of exogenous polyphenol quercetin (60 µM), but not phosphatidylcholine or apolipoprotein A1, to HDL + rePON1 increased PON1 activity (by 404%), increased the ability to reduce oxidative stress in J774A.1 macrophages (by 53%) and to stimulate macrophage cholesterol efflux (by 14%). Upon adding the hypocholesterolemic drug simvastatin (15 µg/mL) to HDL + rePON1, PON1 activity and the ability to induce macrophage cholesterol efflux increased, in comparison to HDL + rePON1. We thus concluded that HDL (mostly HDL3), stimulates PON1 antiatherogenic activities in macrophages, and these PON1 activities were further stimulated by quercetin, or by simvastatin.

Paraoxonase 1 activities, regulation, and interactions with atherosclerotic lesion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Improving serum levels of HDL and its subfractions, as well as, oxidative/inflammatory properties has become a fundamental aim in today's atherosclerosis research. Efforts to reach this goal are paralleled by achievements in drug development toward decreasing serum LDL levels and oxidative status.

RECENT FINDINGS

Paraoxonase1 (PON1) is an HDL-associated enzyme that is deemed responsible for many of the HDL's antiatherogenic and cardioprotective characteristics. PON1 is highly sensitive to variations in its milieu, and endogenous compounds (fatty acids, phospholipids), nutritional ingredients (flavonoids and other antioxidants), and environmental elements (reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, metals, surfactants), significantly affect the enzyme's activities. PON1 was shown to be responsible for some of the HDL antiatherogenic characteristics such as HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages, and the inhibition of LDL oxidation.

SUMMARY

The present review summarizes the recent literature related to various elements in PON1's milieu that regulate its activities, with an emphasis on its interrelation with components of the human carotid atherosclerotic lesion (plaque) which are in constant contact with circulating HDL-associated PON1.

Long term stability of paraoxonase-1 and high-density lipoprotein in human serum

BACKGROUND

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme with numerous functions and receives an increasing interest in clinical and epidemiological studies. Sometimes samples are stored for longer periods at a certain temperature. Therefore the stability of PON1 activity must be checked and retained upon storage for longer periods.

RESULTS

In this study the stability of PON1 activity has been tested in human serum samples during storage up to 12 months at 3 commonly used temperatures, -20°C, -70°C and -196°C. It was found that the stability of the PON1 activity is constant during 12 months of storage at -70°C and -196°C. Storage at -20°C resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease after 6 months to about 94% of its original value. Nonetheless, the rank order between the samples at T = 0 and 12 months remained the same. The same temperature dependence was found for the associated high-density lipoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that -70°C is the right temperature for storage to maintain the PON1 activity for at least one year. Storage at a lower temperature in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) is not necessary.

Glabridin protects paraoxonase 1 from linoleic acid hydroperoxide inhibition via specific interaction: a fluorescence-quenching study

The enzyme paraoxonase 1 (PON1) binds to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and is responsible for many of HDL's antiatherogenic properties. We previously showed that recombinant PON1 is inhibited by linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LA-OOH) present in the lipid fraction of the human carotid plaque (LLE) via oxidation of the enzyme's Cys284 thiol. Here we explore the effect of glabridin, an isoflavan isolated from licorice root, on preventing LA-OOH's inhibitory effect on rePON1 using the tryptophan-fluorescence-quenching technique and modeling calculations. Glabridin significantly prevented rePON1 inhibition by LLE or oxidized linoleic acid (by 22% and 15%, respectively), whereas ascorbic acid and Trolox, strong antioxidants, had no effect. Glabridin quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of rePON1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Binding parameters and modeling calculations demonstrated a major role for hydrophobic forces in the rePON1-glabridin interaction, indicating that it is not the antioxidant capacity of glabridin that protects rePON1 from LA-OOH inhibition, but rather its specific interaction with the enzyme.

Injection of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) to mice stimulates their HDL and macrophage antiatherogenicity

We analyzed, for the first time, the effects of recombinant PON1 (rePON1) intraperitoneal injection to C₅₇BL/6 mice on their HDL and macrophage antiatherogenic properties. Thioglycolate-treated mice were injected with either saline (Control), or rePON1 (50 μg/mouse), and 20 H post injection, their blood samples and peritoneal macrophages (MPM) were collected. A significant increase in serum and HDL-PON1 arylesterase and lactonase activities was noted. Similarly, a significant increment, by 3.8 and 2.8 fold, in MPM-PON1 arylesterase and lactonase activities, respectively, as compared to the activities in control MPM was observed. The HDL from rePON1-injected mice was resistant to oxidation by copper ions as compared to control HDL. Furthermore, enrichment of the mouse HDL with rePON1 increased its ability to induce cholesterol efflux from J774A.1 macrophage cell line, and to inhibit macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation. In MPM from rePON1-injected mice vs. control MPM, there was a significant reduction in cholesterol mass, by 42%, in association with inhibition in cellular cholesterol biosynthesis rate, by 33%, and with significant stimulation, by 65%, of human HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from the cells. We conclude that rePON1 injection to mice improved the mice HDL and MPM antiatherogenic properties, and these effects could probably lead to attenuation of atherosclerosis development.