Role and therapeutic potential of gelsolin in atherosclerosis

Comparative Site-Specific O-Glycosylation Analysis of the Milk Fat Globule Membrane Proteome in Donkey Colostrum and Mature Milk

Donkey milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins are a class of membrane-bound secreted proteins with broad-spectrum biofunctional activities; however, their site-specific O-glycosylation landscapes have not been systematically mapped. In this study, an in-depth MFGM O-glycoproteome profile of donkey milk during lactation was constructed based on an intact glycopeptide-centered, label-free glycoproteomics pipeline, with 2137 site-specific O-glycans from 1121 MFGM glycoproteins and 619 site-specific O-glycans from 217 MFGM glycoproteins identified in donkey colostrum and donkey mature milk, respectively. As lactation progressed, the number of site-specific O-glycans from three glycoproteins significantly increased, whereas that of 11 site-specific O-glycans from five glycoproteins significantly decreased. Furthermore, donkey MFGM O-glycoproteins with core-1 and core-2 core structures and Lewis and sialylated branch structures may be involved in regulating apoptosis. The findings of this study reveal the differences in the composition of donkey MFGM O-glycoproteins and their site-specific O-glycosylation modification dynamic change rules during lactation, providing a molecular basis for understanding the complexity and biological functions of donkey MFGM protein O-glycosylation.

Semaglutide modulates prothrombotic and atherosclerotic mechanisms, associated with epicardial fat, neutrophils and endothelial cells network

BACKGROUND

Obesity has increased in recent years with consequences on diabetes and other comorbidities. Thus, 1 out of 3 diabetic patients suffers cardiovascular disease (CVD). The network among glucose, immune system, endothelium and epicardial fat has an important role on pro-inflammatory and thrombotic mechanisms of atherogenesis. Since semaglutide, long-acting glucagon like peptide 1- receptor agonist (GLP-1-RA), a glucose-lowering drug, reduces body weight, we aimed to study its effects on human epicardial fat (EAT), aortic endothelial cells and neutrophils as atherogenesis involved-cardiovascular cells.

METHODS

EAT and subcutaneous fat (SAT) were collected from patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Differential glucose consumption and protein cargo of fat-released exosomes, after semaglutide or/and insulin treatment were analyzed by enzymatic and TripleTOF, respectively. Human neutrophils phenotype and their adhesion to aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) or angiogenesis were analyzed by flow cytometry and functional fluorescence analysis. Immune cells and plasma protein markers were determined by flow cytometry and Luminex-multiplex on patients before and after 6 months treatment with semaglutide.

RESULTS

GLP-1 receptor was expressed on fat and neutrophils. Differential exosomes-protein cargo was identified on EAT explants after semaglutide treatment. This drug increased secretion of gelsolin, antithrombotic protein, by EAT, modulated CD11b on neutrophils, its migration and endothelial adhesion, induced by adiposity protein, FABP4, or a chemoattractant. Monocytes and neutrophils phenotype and plasma adiposity, stretch, mesothelial, fibrotic, and inflammatory markers on patients underwent semaglutide treatment for 6 months showed a 20% reduction with statistical significance on FABP4 levels and an 80% increase of neutrophils-CD88.

CONCLUSION

Semaglutide increases endocrine activity of epicardial fat with antithrombotic properties. Moreover, this drug modulates the pro-inflammatory and atherogenic profile induced by the adiposity marker, FABP4, which is also reduced in patients after semaglutide treatment.