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Dzhanaev R, Hasberg C, Gorgels A, Schmitz C, Winkler CF, Malyaran H, Gräber S, Gentier A, Jaminon A, Agten S, Hackeng T, Akbulut AC, Schurgers L, Mottaghy FM, Goettsch C, Jahnen-Dechent W. Application of the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A for the detection of calcified lesions. Theranostics 2023; 13:659-672. [PMID: 36632229 PMCID: PMC9830449 DOI: 10.7150/thno.78773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Calcium plays an essential role in the biology of vertebrates. Calcium content in body fluids is maintained within a narrow physiologic range by feedback control. Phosphate is equally important for metabolism and is likewise controlled, albeit over a wider range. This results in a nearly supersaturated state of calcium phosphate in body liquids driving mineral precipitation in soft tissues, which is actively prevented by calcification inhibitors. The hepatic plasma protein fetuin-A is a circulating mineralization inhibitor regulating calcium phosphate crystal growth and calcified matrix metabolism. Ectopic mineralization is associated with many pathological conditions aggravating their outcome. Current diagnostic methods lack sensitivity towards microcalcifications representing the initial stages of the process. Given the irreversibility of established calcifications, novel diagnostic tools capable of detecting nascent calcium phosphate deposits are highly desirable. Methods: We designed fluorescent fusion proteins consisting of fetuin-A coupled to a green or red fluorescent protein derivate, mEmerald or mRuby3, respectively. The proteins were expressed in mammalian cell lines. Sequence optimization resolved folding issues and increased sensitivity of mineral binding. Chimeric proteins were tested for their ability to detect calcifications in cell cultures and tissue sections retrieved from calcification-prone mice. Results: We employed novel genetically labeled fetuin-A-based fluorescent proteins for the detection of ectopic calcifications. We show that fetuin-A-based imaging agents are non-toxic and suitable for live imaging of microcalcifications beyond the detection limit of conventional staining techniques. The ability of fetuin-A to preferentially bind nascent calcium phosphate crystals allowed the resolution of histopathological detail of early kidney damage that went previously undetected. Endogenous expression of fetuin-A fluorescent fusion proteins allowed extended live imaging of calcifying cells with unprecedented sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Ectopic microcalcifications represent a major clinical concern lacking effective diagnostic and treatment options. In this paper, we describe novel highly sensitive fetuin-A-based fluorescent probes for imaging microcalcifications. We show that fusion proteins consisting of a fetuin-A mineral binding moiety and a fluorescent protein are superior to the routine methods for detecting calcifications. They also surpass in continuous live cell imaging the chemically fluorescence labeled fetuin-A, which we established previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Dzhanaev
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Hasberg
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Gorgels
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carlo Schmitz
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Hanna Malyaran
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,IZKF - Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Steffen Gräber
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anouk Gentier
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Armand Jaminon
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn Agten
- IZKF - Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tilman Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Asim Cengiz Akbulut
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Leon Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Manuel Mottaghy
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Goettsch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Willi Jahnen-Dechent
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,✉ Corresponding author: E-mail:
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Seime T, Akbulut AC, Liljeqvist ML, Siika A, Jin H, Winski G, van Gorp RH, Karlöf E, Lengquist M, Buckler AJ, Kronqvist M, Waring OJ, Lindeman JHN, Biessen EAL, Maegdefessel L, Razuvaev A, Schurgers LJ, Hedin U, Matic L. Proteoglycan 4 Modulates Osteogenic Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation during Vascular Remodeling and Intimal Calcification. Cells 2021; 10:1276. [PMID: 34063989 PMCID: PMC8224064 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcification is a prominent feature of late-stage atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms driving this process are unclear. Using a biobank of carotid endarterectomies, we recently showed that Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is a key molecular signature of calcified plaques, expressed in smooth muscle cell (SMC) rich regions. Here, we aimed to unravel the PRG4 role in vascular remodeling and intimal calcification. PRG4 expression in human carotid endarterectomies correlated with calcification assessed by preoperative computed tomographies. PRG4 localized to SMCs in early intimal thickening, while in advanced lesions it was found in the extracellular matrix, surrounding macro-calcifications. In experimental models, Prg4 was upregulated in SMCs from partially ligated ApoE-/- mice and rat carotid intimal hyperplasia, correlating with osteogenic markers and TGFb1. Furthermore, PRG4 was enriched in cells positive for chondrogenic marker SOX9 and around plaque calcifications in ApoE-/- mice on warfarin. In vitro, PRG4 was induced in SMCs by IFNg, TGFb1 and calcifying medium, while SMC markers were repressed under calcifying conditions. Silencing experiments showed that PRG4 expression was driven by transcription factors SMAD3 and SOX9. Functionally, the addition of recombinant human PRG4 increased ectopic SMC calcification, while arresting cell migration and proliferation. Mechanistically, it suppressed endogenous PRG4, SMAD3 and SOX9, and restored SMC markers' expression. PRG4 modulates SMC function and osteogenic phenotype during intimal remodeling and macro-calcification in response to TGFb1 signaling, SMAD3 and SOX9 activation. The effects of PRG4 on SMC phenotype and calcification suggest its role in atherosclerotic plaque stability, warranting further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Seime
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Asim Cengiz Akbulut
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (R.H.v.G.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Moritz Lindquist Liljeqvist
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Antti Siika
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Hong Jin
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (G.W.); (L.M.)
| | - Greg Winski
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (G.W.); (L.M.)
| | - Rick H. van Gorp
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (R.H.v.G.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Eva Karlöf
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Mariette Lengquist
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Andrew J. Buckler
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Malin Kronqvist
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Olivia J. Waring
- Department of Pathology, CARIM, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (O.J.W.); (E.A.L.B.)
| | - Jan H. N. Lindeman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Erik A. L. Biessen
- Department of Pathology, CARIM, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (O.J.W.); (E.A.L.B.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (G.W.); (L.M.)
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81679 Munich, Germany
| | - Anton Razuvaev
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Leon J. Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (R.H.v.G.); (L.J.S.)
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
| | - Ljubica Matic
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (M.L.L.); (A.S.); (H.J.); (E.K.); (M.L.); (A.J.B.); (M.K.); (A.R.); (U.H.)
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Akbulut AC, Wasilewski GB, Rapp N, Forin F, Singer H, Czogalla-Nitsche KJ, Schurgers LJ. Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Improves Osteogenesis in Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:618760. [PMID: 33585456 PMCID: PMC7876270 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.618760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of clinical stem cell interventions are hampered by immature cell progeny under current protocols. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple lineages. Generating hMSCs from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an attractive avenue for cost-efficient and scalable production of cellular material. In this study we generate mature osteoblasts from iPSCs using a stable expandable MSC intermediate, refining established protocols. We investigated the timeframe and phenotype of cells under osteogenic conditions as well as the effect of menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on differentiation. From day 2 we noted a significant increase in RUNX2 expression under osteogenic conditions with MK-7, as well as decreases in ROS species production, increased cellular migration and changes to dynamics of collagen deposition when compared to differentiated cells that were not treated with MK-7. At day 21 OsteoMK-7 increased alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen deposition, as well as downregulated RUNX2 expression, suggesting to a mature cellular phenotype. Throughout we note no changes to expression of osteocalcin suggesting a non-canonical function of MK-7 in osteoblast differentiation. Together our data provide further mechanistic insight between basic and clinical studies on extrahepatic activity of MK-7. Our findings show that MK-7 promotes osteoblast maturation thereby increasing osteogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Cengiz Akbulut
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Grzegorz B Wasilewski
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,NattoPharma ASA, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolas Rapp
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Francesco Forin
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Heike Singer
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin J Czogalla-Nitsche
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Leon J Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Nephro-Cardiology, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Klinikum, Aachen, Germany
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Akbulut AC, Pavlic A, Petsophonsakul P, Halder M, Maresz K, Kramann R, Schurgers L. Vitamin K2 Needs an RDI Separate from Vitamin K1. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1852. [PMID: 32575901 PMCID: PMC7353270 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin K and its essential role in coagulation (vitamin K [Koagulation]) have been well established and accepted the world over. Many countries have a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin K based on early research, and its necessary role in the activation of vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins is known. In the past few decades, the role of vitamin K-dependent proteins in processes beyond coagulation has been discovered. Various isoforms of vitamin K have been identified, and vitamin K2 specifically has been highlighted for its long half-life and extrahepatic activity, whereas the dietary form vitamin K1 has a shorter half-life. In this review, we highlight the specific activity of vitamin K2 based upon proposed frameworks necessary for a bioactive substance to be recommended for an RDI. Vitamin K2 meets all these criteria and should be considered for a specific dietary recommendation intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Cengiz Akbulut
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (A.P.); (P.P.)
| | - Angelina Pavlic
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (A.P.); (P.P.)
| | - Ploingarm Petsophonsakul
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (A.P.); (P.P.)
| | - Maurice Halder
- Division of Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.H.); (R.K.)
| | - Katarzyna Maresz
- International Science & Health Foundation, 30-134 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Division of Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.H.); (R.K.)
| | - Leon Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (A.C.A.); (A.P.); (P.P.)
- Division of Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.H.); (R.K.)
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