Charge-transfer interactions induce surface dependent conformational changes in apolipoprotein biocorona

Upon introduction into a biological system, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) rapidly associate with a variety of biomolecules such as proteins and lipids to form a biocorona. The presence of "biocorona" influences nano-bio interactions considerably, and could ultimately result in altered biological responses. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the major constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is one of the most prevalent proteins found in ENM-biocorona irrespective of ENM nature, size, and shape. Given the importance of ApoA-I in HDL and cholesterol transport, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of ApoA-I adsorption and the associated structural changes for assessing consequences of ENM exposure. Here, the authors used a comprehensive array of microscopic and spectroscopic tools to elucidate the interactions between ApoA-I and 100 nm Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with four different surface functional groups. The authors found that the protein adsorption and secondary structural changes are highly dependent on the surface functionality. Our electrochemical studies provided new evidence for charge transfer interactions that influence ApoA-I unfolding. While the unfolding of ApoA-I on AgNPs did not significantly change their uptake and short-term cytotoxicity, the authors observed that it strongly altered the ability of only some AgNPs to generate of reactive oxygen species. Our results shed new light on the importance of surface functionality and charge transfer interactions in biocorona formation.

Novel Roles of Epoxyeicosanoids in Regulating Cardiac Mitochondria

Maintenance of a healthy pool of mitochondria is important for the function and survival of terminally differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are epoxy lipids derived from metabolism of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 epoxygenases. We have previously shown that EETs trigger a protective response limiting mitochondrial dysfunction and reducing cellular death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EET-mediated effects influence mitochondrial quality in HL-1 cardiac cells during starvation. HL-1 cells were subjected to serum- and amino acid free conditions for 24h. We employed a dual-acting synthetic analog UA-8 (13-(3-propylureido)tridec-8-enoic acid), possessing both EET-mimetic and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory properties, or 14,15-EET as model EET molecules. We demonstrated that EET-mediated events significantly improved mitochondrial function as assessed by preservation of the ADP/ATP ratio and oxidative respiratory capacity. Starvation induced mitochondrial hyperfusion observed in control cells was attenuated by UA-8. However, EET-mediated events did not affect the expression of mitochondrial dynamic proteins Fis1, DRP-1 or Mfn2. Rather we observed increased levels of OPA-1 oligomers and increased mitochondrial cristae density, which correlated with the preserved mitochondrial function. Increased DNA binding activity of pCREB and Nrf1/2 and increased SIRT1 activity together with elevated mitochondrial proteins suggest EET-mediated events led to preserved mitobiogenesis. Thus, we provide new evidence for EET-mediated events that preserve a healthier pool of mitochondria in cardiac cells following starvation-induced stress.

Nuchal Fibroma : A rare entity of neck masses

A nuchal fibroma is a rare benign mass; it is a fibrolipoma-like soft tissue mass, usually located in the lower back and the neck. Males are affected far more often than females. It can occur extranuchally. It is a slow growing tumor and usually asymptomatic. We present a rare case of a 39-year old female who was diagnosed with nuchal-type fibroma on final pathology. The proper management for this type of tumor is complete excision.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids protect cardiac cells during starvation by modulating an autophagic response

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid involved in regulating pathways promoting cellular protection. We have previously shown that EETs trigger a protective response limiting mitochondrial dysfunction and reducing cellular death. Considering it is unknown how EETs regulate cell death processes, the major focus of the current study was to investigate their role in the autophagic response of HL-1 cells and neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCMs) during starvation. We employed a dual-acting synthetic analog UA-8 (13-(3-propylureido)tridec-8-enoic acid), possessing both EET-mimetic and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory properties, or 14,15-EET as model EET molecules. We demonstrated that EETs significantly improved viability and recovery of starved cardiac cells, whereas they lowered cellular stress responses such as caspase-3 and proteasome activities. Furthermore, treatment with EETs resulted in preservation of mitochondrial functional activity in starved cells. The protective effects of EETs were abolished by autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or pharmacological inhibition of autophagy. Mechanistic evidence demonstrated that sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channels (pmK_ATP) and enhanced activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) played a crucial role in the EET-mediated effect. Our data suggest that the protective effects of EETs involve regulating the autophagic response, which results in a healthier pool of mitochondria in the starved cardiac cells, thereby representing a novel mechanism of promoting survival of cardiac cells. Thus, we provide new evidence highlighting a central role of the autophagic response in linking EETs with promoting cell survival during deep metabolic stress such as starvation.

Differential responses to docosahexaenoic acid in primary and immortalized cardiac cells

The importance of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the reduction of cardiovascular disease has been recognized for many years. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3, DHA) is an n-3 PUFA known to affect numerous biological functions and provide cardioprotection; however, the exact molecular and cellular protective mechanism(s) remain unknown. In contrast, DHA also possesses many anti-tumorgenic properties including suppressing cell growth and inducing apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DHA toward H9c2 cells (an immortalized cardiac cell line) and neonatal primary cardiomyocytes (NCM). Cells were treated with 0μM, 10μM or 100μM DHA for upto 48h. Cell viability and mitochondrial activity were assayed at different time points. DHA caused a significant time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and mitochondrial activity in H9c2 cells but not NCM. In addition, DHA decreased levels of TGF-β1 but increased IL-6 release in H9c2 cells. Significant induction of apoptosis was observed only in H9c2 cells, which involved activation of caspase-8 and -3 activities with a marked release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. DHA-induced severe mitochondrial damage resulting in a fragmented and punctated morphology with corresponding loss of mitochondrial membrane potential within 3h, prior to activation of caspases and cytochrome c release at 6h in H9c2 cells. Our data indicate that DHA treatment targets mitochondria, triggering collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing cellular stress and mitochondrial fragmentation resulting in apoptosis in immortalized cardiac cells, H9c2, but not neonatal primary cardiomyocyte.

O2-sulfonylethyl protected isopropylamine diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolates as nitroxyl (HNO) donors: synthesis, β-elimination fragmentation, HNO release, positive inotropic properties, and blood pressure lowering studies

New types of nonexplosive O(2)-sulfonylethyl protected (-CH(2)CH(2)SO(2)R; R = OMe, NHOMe, NHOBn, Me) derivatives of isopropylamine diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (IPA/NO) (2-5) were developed that are designed to act as novel HNO donors. These compounds, with suitable half-lives (6.6-17.1 h) at pH 7.4, undergo a base-induced β-elimination reaction that releases a methyl vinyl sulfone product and the parent IPA/NO anion which subsequently preferentially releases HNO (46-61% range). Importantly, the O(2)-methylsulfonylethyl compound 5 exhibited a significant in vitro inotropic effect up to 283% of the baseline value and increased the rates of contraction and relaxation but did not induce a chronotropic effect. Furthermore, compound 5 (22.5 mg/kg po dose) provided a significant reduction in blood pressure up to 6 h after drug administration. All these data suggest that O(2)-sulfonylethyl protected derivatives of IPA/NO, which are efficient HNO donors, could have potential applications to treat cardiovascular disease(s) such as congestive heart failure.

Differential effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition and CYP2J2 overexpression on postischemic cardiac function in aged mice

Cardioprotective effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have been demonstrated in models of young mice with either the cardiomyocyte specific over-expression of cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2 Tr) or deletion of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH null). In this study we examined differences in EET-induced cardioprotection in young (2 months) and aged (12 months) CYP2J2 Tr and sEHnull mice using Langendorff isolated perfused heart model. Improved postischemic functional recovery was observed in both young and aged sEH null mice compared to age matched WT. Conversely, the cardioprotective effect observed in young CYP2J2 Tr was lost in aged CYP2J2 Tr mice. The loss of cardioprotection in aged CYP2J2 Tr was regained following perfusion with the sEH inhibitor t-AUCB. Data demonstrated increased levels of leukotoxin diol (DiHOME) and oxidative stress as well decreased protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activation in aged CYP2J2 Tr. In conclusion, inhibition of sEH and EET-induced cardioprotection is maintained in aged mice. However, the loss of protective effects observed in aged CYP2J2 Tr might be attributed to increased levels of DiHOME, oxidative stress and/or decreased PP2A activity.