Simultaneous Overexpression of Functional Human HO-1, E5NT and ENTPD1 Protects Murine Fibroblasts against TNF-α-Induced Injury In Vitro

Purinergic ecto-enzymes in human and ovine aortic valves: indicators of bacterial nanocellulose scaffold cellularization

Purinergic signalling pathways play a vital role in the biological functions of the aortic valve (AV) through nucleotide and adenosine-dependent receptor effects. This study focused on characterizing a side-specific purinergic cascade in human non-stenotic and stenotic AVs, ovine native AVs and a novel bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) bio-prosthesis in an ovine model. Human stenotic AVs were collected during replacement surgeries, while non-stenotic AVs came from heart transplant patients. Ovine native AVs were sourced from domestic sheep, and the BNC prosthesis was implanted in the ovine aorta for six months, with hemodynamic monitoring throughout. Biochemical assessments revealed a beneficial ecto-enzyme pattern in non-stenotic and native AVs, contrasting with a detrimental pattern in stenotic valves. The BNC prosthesis demonstrated significantly lower nucleotide conversion activities than native valves and displayed increased peripheral blood mononuclear cell adhesion on its aortic surface. These findings suggest that nucleotide-converting ecto-enzymes could serve as markers for the biological activity of AV prostheses, highlighting the need for further studies to enhance the cellularization of BNC prostheses, potentially through adenosine-releasing scaffold modifications.

Hemin-induced transient senescence via DNA damage response: a neuroprotective mechanism against ferroptosis in intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) poses acute fatality and long-term neurological risks, in part due to hemin and iron accumulation from hemoglobin breakdown. We observed that hemin induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), prompting a senescence-like phenotype in neurons, necessitating a deeper exploration of cellular responses. Using experimental ICH models and human ICH patient tissue, we elucidate hemin-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) inducing transient senescence and delayed expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1). HO-1 co-localizes with senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in ICH patient tissues, emphasizing the clinical relevance of inducible HO-1 expression in senescent cells. We reveal a reversible senescence state protective against acute cell death by hemin, while repeat exposure leads to long-lasting senescence. Inhibiting early senescence expression increases cell death, supporting the protective role of senescence against hemin toxicity. Hemin-induced senescence is attenuated by a pleiotropic carbon nanoparticle that is a catalytic mimic of superoxide dismutase, but this treatment increased lipid peroxidation, consistent with ferroptosis from hemin breakdown released iron. When coupled with iron chelator deferoxamine (DEF), the nanoparticle reduces hemin-induced senescence and upregulates factors protecting against ferroptosis. Our study suggests transient senescence induced by DDR as an early potential neuroprotective mechanism in ICH, but the risk of iron-related toxicity supports a multi-pronged therapeutic approach.

Hemin-Induced Transient Senescence Via DNA Damage Response: A Neuroprotective Mechanism Against Ferroptosis in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) poses acute fatality and long-term neurological risks due to hemin and iron accumulation from hemoglobin breakdown. Our observation that hemin induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), prompting a senescence-like phenotype in neurons, necessitating deeper exploration of cellular responses. Using experimental ICH models and human ICH patient tissue, we elucidate hemin-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) inducing transient senescence and delayed expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1). HO-1 co-localizes with senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in ICH patient tissues, emphasizing clinical relevance of inducible HO-1 expression in senescent cells. We reveal a reversible senescence state protective against acute cell death by hemin, while repeat exposure leads to long-lasting senescence. Inhibiting early senescence expression increases cell death, supporting the protective role of senescence against hemin toxicity. Hemin-induced senescence is attenuated by a pleiotropic carbon nanoparticle that is a catalytic mimic of superoxide dismutase, but this treatment increased lipid peroxidation, consistent with ferroptosis from hemin breakdown released iron. When coupled with iron chelator deferoxamine (DEF), the nanoparticle reduces hemin-induced senescence and upregulates factors protecting against ferroptosis. Our study suggests transient senescence induced by DDR as an early potential neuroprotective mechanism in ICH, but the risk or iron-related toxicity supports a multi-pronged therapeutic approach.

Hyperphosphorylated Tau Inflicts Intracellular Stress Responses that Are Mitigated by Apomorphine

Abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-binding protein tau in the brain is a key pathological marker for Alzheimer's disease and additional neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, how hyperphosphorylated tau causes cellular dysfunction or death that underlies neurodegeneration remains an unsolved question critical for the understanding of disease mechanism and the design of efficacious drugs. Using a recombinant hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) synthesized by the PIMAX approach, we examined how cells responded to the cytotoxic tau and explored means to enhance cellular resistance to tau attack. Upon p-tau uptake, the intracellular calcium levels rose promptly. Gene expression analyses revealed that p-tau potently triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), ER stress-associated apoptosis, and pro-inflammation in cells. Proteomics studies showed that p-tau diminished heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an ER stress-associated anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress regulator, while stimulated the accumulation of MIOS and other proteins. p-Tau-induced ER stress-associated apoptosis and pro-inflammation are ameliorated by apomorphine, a brain-permeable prescription drug widely used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms, and by overexpression of HO-1. Our results reveal probable cellular functions targeted by hyperphosphorylated tau. Some of these dysfunctions and stress responses have been linked to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The observations that the ill effects of p-tau can be mitigated by a small compound and by overexpressing HO-1 that is otherwise diminished in the treated cells inform new directions of Alzheimer's disease drug discovery.

Endothelial Effects of Simultaneous Expression of Human HO-1, E5NT, and ENTPD1 in a Mouse

The vascular endothelium is key target for immune and thrombotic responses that has to be controlled in successful xenotransplantation. Several genes were identified that, if induced or overexpressed, help to regulate the inflammatory response and preserve the transplanted organ function and metabolism. However, few studies addressed combined expression of such genes. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vivo the effects of the simultaneous expression of three human genes in a mouse generated using the multi-cistronic F2A technology. Male 3-month-old mice that express human heme oxygenase 1 (hHO-1), ecto-5'-nucleotidase (hE5NT), and ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (hENTPD1) (Transgenic) were compared to wild-type FVB mice (Control). Background analysis include extracellular nucleotide catabolism enzymes profile on the aortic surface, blood nucleotide concentration, and serum L-arginine metabolites. Furthermore, inflammatory stress induced by LPS in transgenic and control mice was used to characterize interleukin 6 (IL-6) and adhesion molecules endothelium permeability responses. Transgenic mice had significantly higher rates of extracellular adenosine triphosphate and adenosine monophosphate hydrolysis on the aortic surface in comparison to control. Increased levels of blood AMP and adenosine were also noticed in transgenics. Moreover, transgenic animals demonstrated the decrease in serum monomethyl-L-arginine level and a higher L-arginine/monomethyl-L-arginine ratio. Importantly, significantly decreased serum IL-6, and adhesion molecule levels were observed in transgenic mice in comparison to control after LPS treatment. Furthermore, reduced endothelial permeability in the LPS-treated transgenic mice was noted as compared to LPS-treated control. The human enzymes (hHO-1, hE5NT, hENTPD1) simultaneously encoded in transgenic mice demonstrated benefits in several biochemical and functional aspects of endothelium. This is consistent in use of this approach in the context of xenotransplantation.

Hyperphosphorylated tau Inflicts Intracellular Stress Responses That Are Mitigated by Apomorphine

Background

Abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-binding protein tau in the brain is a key pathological marker for Alzheimer's disease and additional neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, how hyperphosphorylated tau causes cellular dysfunction or death that underlie neurodegeneration remains an unsolved question critical for the understanding of disease mechanism and the design of efficacious drugs.

Methods

Using a recombinant hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) synthesized by the PIMAX approach, we examined how cells responded to the cytotoxic tau and explored means to enhance cellular resistance to tau attack.

Results

Upon p-tau uptake, the intracellular calcium levels rose promptly. Gene expression analyses revealed that p-tau potently triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), ER stress-associated apoptosis, and pro-inflammation in cells. Proteomics studies showed that p-tau diminished heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an ER stress associated anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress regulator, while stimulated the accumulation of MIOS and other proteins. P-tau-induced ER stress-associated apoptosis and pro-inflammation are ameliorated by apomorphine, a brain-permeable prescription drug widely used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms, and by overexpression of HO-1.

Conclusion

Our results reveal probable cellular functions targeted by hyperphosphorylated tau. Some of these dysfunctions and stress responses have been linked to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The observations that the ill effects of p-tau can be mitigated by a small compound and by overexpressing HO-1 that is otherwise diminished in the treated cells inform new directions of Alzheimer's disease drug discovery.

Evidence for the important role of inflammation in xenotransplantation

There is increasing evidence of a sustained state of systemic inflammation after pig-to-nonhuman primate (NHP) xenotransplantation (that has been termed systemic inflammation in xenograft recipients [SIXR]). Increases in inflammatory markers, e.g., C-reactive protein, histones, serum amyloid A, D-dimer, cytokines, chemokines, and a decrease in free triiodothyronine, have been demonstrated in the recipient NHPs. The complex interactions between inflammation, coagulation, and the immune response are well-recognized, but the role of inflammation in xenograft recipients is not fully understood. The evidence suggests that inflammation can promote the activation of coagulation and the adaptive immune response, but the exact mechanisms remain uncertain. If prolonged xenograft survival is to be achieved, anti-inflammatory strategies (e.g., the administration of anti-inflammatory agents, and/or the generation of genetically-engineered organ-source pigs that are protected from the effect of inflammation) may be necessary to prevent, control, or negate the effect of the systemic inflammation that develops in xenograft recipients. This may allow for a reduction in the intensity of exogenous immunosuppressive therapy. If immunological tolerance to a xenograft is to be obtained, then control of inflammation may be essential.

The 1ALCTL and 1BLCTL isoforms of Arg/Abl2 induce fibroblast activation and extra cellular matrix remodelling differently

The fibrotic tissue and the stroma adjacent to cancer cells are characterised by the presence of activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) which play a role in creating a supportive tissue characterised by abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion. The myofibroblasts remodel this tissue through secreted molecules and modulation of their cytoskeleton and specialized contractile structures. The non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase Arg (also called Abl2) has the unique ability to bind directly to the actin cytoskeleton, transducing diverse extracellular signals into cytoskeletal rearrangements. In this study we analysed the 1ALCTL and 1BLCTL Arg isoforms in Arg^−/− murine embryonal fibroblasts (MEF) cell line, focusing on their capacity to activate fibroblasts and to remodel ECM. The results obtained showed that Arg isoform 1BLCTL has a major role in proliferation, migration/invasion of MEF and in inducing a milieu able to modulate tumour cell morphology, while 1ALCTL isoform has a role in MEF adhesion maintaining active focal adhesions. On the whole, the presence of Arg in MEF supports the proliferation, activation, adhesion, ECM contraction and stiffness, while the absence of Arg affected these myofibroblast features.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Summary: The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Arg and its isoforms modulate the extra cellular matrix production that is relevant in fibrosis and tumour growth, this may open future novel therapeutic approaches.

The CHD6 chromatin remodeler is an oxidative DNA damage response factor

Cell survival after oxidative DNA damage requires signaling, repair and transcriptional events often enabled by nucleosome displacement, exchange or removal by chromatin remodeling enzymes. Here, we show that Chromodomain Helicase DNA-binding protein 6 (CHD6), distinct to other CHD enzymes, is stabilized during oxidative stress via reduced degradation. CHD6 relocates rapidly to DNA damage in a manner dependent upon oxidative lesions and a conserved N-terminal poly(ADP-ribose)-dependent recruitment motif, with later retention requiring the double chromodomain and central core. CHD6 ablation increases reactive oxygen species persistence and impairs anti-oxidant transcriptional responses, leading to elevated DNA breakage and poly(ADP-ribose) induction that cannot be rescued by catalytic or double chromodomain mutants. Despite no overt epigenetic or DNA repair abnormalities, CHD6 loss leads to impaired cell survival after chronic oxidative stress, abnormal chromatin relaxation, amplified DNA damage signaling and checkpoint hypersensitivity. We suggest that CHD6 is a key regulator of the oxidative DNA damage response.

Oxidative DNA damage is associated with nucleosome respacing and transcriptional changes requiring chromatin remodeling enzymes. Here, the authors reveal that the CHD6 remodeler is a DNA damage response factor that relocates to damaged sites and promotes cell survival following oxidative damage.

Expression of Cholesterol Hydroxylase/Lyase System Proteins in Yeast S. cerevisiae Cells as a Self-Processing Polyprotein

2A peptide discovered in Picornaviridae is capable of self-cleavage providing an opportunity to carry out synthesis of several proteins using one transcript. Dissociation in the 2A sequence during translation leads to the individual proteins formation. We constructed cDNA including genes of the bovine cholesterol hydroxylase/lyase (CHL) system proteins-cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1), adrenodoxin (Adx) and adrenodoxin reductase (AdR), that are fused into a single ORF using FMDV 2A nucleotide sequences. The constructed vectors direct the expression of cDNA encoding polyprotein P450scc-2A-Adx-2A-AdR (CHL-2A) in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The induced bacterial cells exhibit a high level of CHL-2A expression, but polyprotein is not cleaved at the FMDV sites. In yeast S. cerevisiae, the discrete proteins P450scc-2A, Adx-2A and AdR are expressed. Moreover, a significant proportion of AdR and Adx is present in a fusion Adx-2A-AdR. Thus, the first 2A linker provides an efficient cleavage of the polyprotein, while the second 2A linker demonstrates lower efficiency. Cholesterol hydroxylase/lyase activity registered in the recombinant yeast cell homogenate indicates that the catalytically active CHL system is present in these cells. Consequently, for the first time the mammalian system of cytochrome P450 has been successfully reconstructed in yeast cells through expressing the self-processing polyprotein.

Simultaneous accurate quantification of HO-1, CD39, and CD73 in human calcified aortic valves using multiple enzyme digestion - filter aided sample pretreatment (MED-FASP) method and targeted proteomics

Several proteins such as membrane-associated ectonucleotidases: ecto-5'-nucleotidase (E5NT/CD73) and ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (ENTPD1/CD39), and intracellular heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) may contribute to protection from inflammation-related diseases such as calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAS). Accurate quantification of these proteins could contribute to better understanding of the disease mechanisms and identification of biomarkers. This report presents development and validation of quantification method for E5NT/CD73, ENTPD1/CD39 and HO-1. The multiplexed targeted proteomic assay involved antibody-free, multiple-enzyme digestion, filter-assisted sample preparation (MED-FASP) strategy and a nanoflow liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry under multiple reaction monitoring mode (LC-MRM/MS). The method developed presented high sensitivity (LLOQ of 5 pg/mL for each of the analytes) and accuracy that ranged from 92.0% to 107.0%, and was successfully applied for the absolute quantification of HO-1, CD39 and CD73 proteins in homogenates of human calcified and non-calcified valves. The absolute CD39 and CD73 concentrations were lower in calcified aortic valves (as compared to non-stenotic ones) and were found to be: 1.16 ± 0.39 vs. 3.15 ± 0.37 pmol/mg protein and 1.94 ± 0.21 vs. 2.39 ± 0.39 pmol/mg protein, respectively, while the quantity of HO-1 was elevated in calcified valves (10.72 ± 1.18 vs. 4.28 ± 0.42 amol/mg protein). These results were consistent but more reproducible as compared to immunoassays. In conclusion, multiplexed quantification of HO-1, CD39 and CD73 proteins by LC-MRM/MS works well in challenging human tissues such as aortic valves. This analysis confirmed the relevance of these proteins in pathogenesis of CAS and could be extended to other biomedical investigations.

Simultaneous overexpression of human E5NT and ENTPD1 protects porcine endothelial cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in vitro

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and oxidative stress still limit the survival of cells and organs in xenotransplantation models. Ectonucleotidases play an important role in inflammation and IRI in transplantation settings. We tested the potential protective effects derived by the co-expression of the two main vascular ectonucleotidases, ecto-5'-nucleotidase (E5NT) and ecto nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (ENTPD1), in an in vitro model of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. We produced a dicistronic plasmid (named pCX-DI-2A) for the co-expression of human E5NT and ENTPD1 by using the F2A technology. pCX-DI-2A-transfected porcine endothelial cells simultaneously overexpressed hE5NT and hENTPD1, which were correctly processed and localized on the plasma membrane. Furthermore, such co-expression system led to the synergistic enzymatic activity of hE5NT and hENTPD1 as shown by the efficient catabolism of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic extracellular adenine nucleotides along with the enhanced production of the anti-inflammatory molecule adenosine. Interestingly, we found that the hE5NT/hENTPD1 co-expression system conferred protection to cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. pCX-DI-2A-transfected cells showed reduced activation of caspase 3/7 and cytotoxicity than mock-, hE5NT- and hENTPD1-transfected cells. Furthermore, pCX-DI-2A-transfected cells showed decreased H₂O₂-induced production of ROS as compared to the other control cell lines. The cytoprotective phenotype observed in pCX-DI-2A-transfected cells was associated with higher detoxifying activity of catalase as well as increased activation of the survival signaling molecules Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Our data add new insights to the protective effects of the combination of hE5NT and hENTPD1 against oxidative stress and constitute a proof of concept for testing this new genetic combination in pig-to-non-human primates xenotransplantation models.