Characterization of hydrogen sulphide reaction with rat-tail tendon type I collagen in vitro

Effect of methyl mercaptan on synthesis and degradation of collagen

Measurements of the conversion of [14C]-proline to [14C]-hydroxyproline were employed to assess the effect of methyl mercaptan on intra- and extracellular metabolism of collagenous proteins in human gingival fibroblast cultures. Following a 30-min pulse, 10 ng of methyl mercaptan per ml of 95% air/5% CO2 head-space suppressed collagen synthesis by 39% and increased the intracellular degradation of newly synthesized collagen from 26% to 42%. Parallel cultures assayed for proline transport demonstrated a 29% inhibition of [14C]-proline uptake. A similar analysis of cultures exposed to methyl mercaptan for 12 h revealed an increase in intracellular degradation (20% control vs. 30% test) and a marked increase in extracellular collagenolysis (4% control vs. 55% test). While pulsing, collagen synthesis was decreased by 39%. Slab gel electrophoresis also demonstrated that treatment with methyl mercaptan caused reductions both in mature alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of type I collagen and in type III procollagen. Identities of the procollagen species were confirmed by pepsin digestion. Reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction was utilized to compare expression of alpha 1 chains of type I procollagen with type III procollagen and indicated suppression of mRNA synthesis for type III procollagen in cultures exposed to methyl mercaptan.

Effect of volatile thiol compounds on protein metabolism by human gingival fibroblasts

The levels of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) in periodontal pockets and mouth air have been found to correlate with severity of the disease process. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan on protein metabolism of human gingival fibroblasts. The incorporation of labelled amino acids into protein was used to evaluate effects on total protein content. Changes in collagenous protein concentration were monitored by release of radioactivity following collagenase digestion as well as direct analysis of hydroxyproline. Both thiols were found to reduce total protein synthesis, with mercaptan exerting a greater adverse effect. In cultures exposed to mercaptan, total protein was reduced by 35%. The changes in total protein were accompanied by a corresponding decrease in collagenase-digestible protein. Hydroxyproline analysis of CH3SH-exposed cultures confirmed the changes associated with collagenous proteins. It indicated that in comparison to the controls the CH3SH-exposed cultures had a 70% reduction in collagen which resulted from a combined effect of suppressed synthesis and increased rate of collagen degradation. The possibility of thiol reaction with collagen was determined using in vitro systems in which type I collagen was reacted with varying concentrations of [35S]-H2S. The carboxymethyl (CM) cellulose assays of resulting reaction mixtures indicate that [35S]-radioactivity was incorporated directly into alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 11, beta 12 peptide chains. Furthermore, upon exposure of collagen to elevated H2S concentrations, the H2S converted some of the acid-soluble collagen to a more soluble product which could be extracted in neutral salt and analyzed by CM-cellulose chromatography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies to extracellular matrix proteins in the sera of MRL-lpr mice

Autoimmune MRL-lpr mice develop a spontaneous arthritis displaying similar articular and extra-articular features to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. In this study we used an ELISA assay to evaluate the serological responses of MRL-lpr mice to select extracellular matrix proteins associated with the joint. Significant levels of antibodies to collagens types I, II, III, IV, and V were demonstrated starting between 17 and 20 weeks of age. Moreover, the sera contained a strong reactivity to fibronectin. Responses to proteoglycans and laminin were weaker but still detectable. Specificity studies on pooled sera from MRL-lpr mice suggest that the autoantibodies produced are highly cross-reactive. The results indicate that the MRL-lpr mouse strain exhibits similar anti-extracellular matrix antibody profiles to those seen in varying frequencies in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.