51 research outputs found
Nonenzymatic glycation of mesangial matrix and prolonged exposure of mesangial matrix to elevated glucose reduces collagen synthesis and proteoglycan charge
Nonenzymatic glycation of mesangial matrix and prolonged exposure of mesangial matrix to elevated glucose reduces collagen synthesis and proteoglycan charge. Expansion of the mesangial matrix in diabetes occurs after prolonged exposure to the diabetic milieu. To mimic the long-term hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus we developed tissue culture systems that might approximate the chronic state. This was accomplished in two ways: (1) by growing mesangial cells on extracellular matrix glycated and crosslinked in vitro and (2) by continuously growing cells on their own matrix on filters in elevated glucose medium (500 mg/dl) for up to eight weeks without passage. Synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans was evaluated in cells grown under these conditions. In both these situations, 3H-proline incorporation into collagenase sensitive protein and 35S incorporation into sulfated proteins were reduced compared to control cultures. Despite reduction in 35S incorporation into proteoglycans in the high glucose cultures, total glycosaminoglycan content was unchanged. However, proteoglycans generated by mesangial cells grown in elevated glucose media were of a lower negative charge than controls. In mesangial cells continuously grown on filters, the levels of messenger RNA for collagen types I and IV, biglycan and TGF-β were not different in cells grown at elevated or standard glucose concentrations for two and four weeks. We conclude that crosslinking of mesangial matrix or continuous culture of cells for prolonged periods of time in high glucose medium, which may also crosslink matrix, suppresses collagen synthesis and reduces the negative charges on matrix proteoglycans without altering mRNA levels
BAMBI Is Expressed in Endothelial Cells and Is Regulated by Lysosomal/Autolysosomal Degradation
BACKGROUND: BAMBI (BMP and Activin Membrane Bound Inhibitor) is considered to influence TGFβ and Wnt signaling, and thereby fibrosis. Surprisingly data on cell type-specific expression of BAMBI are not available. We therefore examined the localization, gene regulation, and protein turnover of BAMBI in kidneys. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By immunofluorescence microscopy and by mRNA expression, BAMBI is restricted to endothelial cells of the glomerular and some peritubular capillaries and of arteries and veins in both murine and human kidneys. TGFβ upregulated mRNA of BAMBI in murine glomerular endothelial cells (mGEC). LPS did not downregulate mRNA for BAMBI in mGEC or in HUVECs. BAMBI mRNA had a half-life of only 60 minutes and was stabilized by cycloheximide, indicating post-transcriptional regulation due to AU-rich elements, which we identified in the 3' untranslated sequence of both the human and murine BAMBI gene. BAMBI protein turnover was studied in HUVECs with BAMBI overexpression using a lentiviral system. Serum starvation as an inducer of autophagy caused marked BAMBI degradation, which could be totally prevented by inhibition of lysosomal and autolysosomal degradation with bafilomycin, and partially by inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine, but not by proteasomal inhibitors. Rapamycin activates autophagy by inhibiting TOR, and resulted in BAMBI protein degradation. Both serum starvation and rapamycin increased the conversion of the autophagy marker LC3 from LC3-I to LC3-II and also enhanced co-staining for BAMBI and LC3 in autolysosomal vesicles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: 1. BAMBI localizes to endothelial cells in the kidney and to HUVECs. 2. BAMBI mRNA is regulated by post-transcriptional mechanisms. 3. BAMBI protein is regulated by lysosomal and autolysosomal degradation. The endothelial localization and the quick turnover of BAMBI may indicate novel, yet to be defined functions of this modulator for TGFβ and Wnt protein actions in the renal vascular endothelium in health and disease
BAMBI Regulates Angiogenesis and Endothelial Homeostasis through Modulation of Alternative TGFβ Signaling
BACKGROUND: BAMBI is a type I TGFβ receptor antagonist, whose in vivo function remains unclear, as BAMBI(-/-) mice lack an obvious phenotype. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Identifying BAMBI's functions requires identification of cell-specific expression of BAMBI. By immunohistology we found BAMBI expression restricted to endothelial cells and by electron microscopy BAMBI(-/-) mice showed prominent and swollen endothelial cells in myocardial and glomerular capillaries. In endothelial cells over-expression of BAMBI reduced, whereas knock-down enhanced capillary growth and migration in response to TGFβ. In vivo angiogenesis was enhanced in matrigel implants and in glomerular hypertrophy after unilateral nephrectomy in BAMBI(-/-) compared to BAMBI(+/+) mice consistent with an endothelial phenotype for BAMBI(-/-) mice. BAMBI's mechanism of action in endothelial cells was examined by canonical and alternative TGFβ signaling in HUVEC with over-expression or knock-down of BAMBI. BAMBI knockdown enhanced basal and TGFβ stimulated SMAD1/5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, while over-expression prevented both. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Thus we provide a first description of a vascular phenotype for BAMBI(-/-) mice, and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that BAMBI contributes to endothelial and vascular homeostasis. Further, we demonstrate that in endothelial cells BAMBI interferes with alternative TGFβ signaling, most likely through the ALK 1 receptor, which may explain the phenotype observed in BAMBI(-/-) mice. This newly described role for BAMBI in regulating endothelial function has potential implications for understanding and treating vascular disease and tumor neo-angiogenesis
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