Proteome alteration induced by hTERT transfection of human fibroblast cells

Background: Telomerase confers cellular immortality by elongating telomeres, thereby circumventing the Hayflick limit. Extended-life-span cells have been generated by transfection with the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. hTERT transfected cell lines may be of outstanding interest to monitor the effect of drugs targeting the telomerase activity. The incidence of hTERT gene transfection at the proteome level is a prerequisite to that purpose. The effect of the transfection has been studied on the proteome of human fibroblast (W138). Cytosolic and nuclear fractions of W138 cells, empty vector transfected W138 (W138-HPV) and hTERT W138 cells were submitted to a 2D-DIGE (Two-Dimensional Differential In-Gel Electrophoresis) analysis. Only spots that had a similar abundance in W138 and W138-HPV, but were differentially expressed in W138 hTERT were selected for MS identification. This method directly points to the proteins linked with the hTERT expression. Number of false positive differentially expressed proteins has been excluded by using control W138-HPV cells. The proteome alteration induced by hTERT W138 transfection should be taken into account in subsequent use of the cell line for anti-telomerase drugs evaluation. Results: 2D-DIGE experiment shows that 57 spots out of 2246 are significantly differentially expressed in the cytosolic fraction due to hTERT transfection, and 38 were confidently identified. In the nuclear fraction, 44 spots out of 2172 were selected in the differential proteome analysis, and 14 were identified. The results show that, in addition to elongating telomeres, hTERT gene transfection has other physiological roles, among which an enhanced ER capacity and a potent cell protection against apoptosis. Conclusion: We show that the methodology reduces the complexity of the proteome analysis and highlights proteins implicated in other processes than telomere elongation. hTERT induced proteome changes suggest that telomerase expression enhances natural cell repair mechanisms and stress resistance probably required for long term resistance of immortalized cells. Thus, hTERT transfected cells can not be only consider as an immortal equivalent to parental cells but also as cells which are over-resistant to stresses. These findings are the prerequisite for any larger proteomics aiming to evaluate anti-telomerase drugs proteome alteration and thus therapeutics induced cell reactions

Mercury immune toxicity in harbour seals: Links to in vitro toxicity

peer reviewedBackground Mercury is known to bioaccumulate and to magnify in marine mammals, which is a cause of great concern in terms of their general health. In particular, the immune system is known to be susceptible to long-term mercury exposure. The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the mercury level in the blood of free-ranging harbour seals from the North Sea and (2) to examine the link between methylmercury in vitro exposure and immune functions using seal and human mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (T-lymphocytes). Methods Total mercury was analysed in the blood of 22 harbour seals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from seals (n = 11) and from humans (n = 9). Stimulated lymphocytes of both species were exposed to functional tests (proliferation, metabolic activity, radioactive precursor incorporation) under increasing doses of methylmercury (0.1 to 10 µM). The expression of cytokines (IL-2; IL-4 and TGF-beta was investigated in seal lymphocytes by RT-PCR and by real time quantitative PCR (n = 5) at methylmercury concentrations of 0.2 and 1 µM. Finally, proteomics analysis was attempted on human lymphocytes (cytoplasmic fraction) in order to identify biochemical pathways of toxicity at concentration of 1 µM (n = 3). Results The results showed that the number of seal lymphocytes, viability, metabolic activity, DNA and RNA synthesis were reduced in vitro, suggesting deleterious effects of methylmercury concentrations naturally encountered in free-ranging seals. Similar results were found for human lymphocytes. Functional tests showed that a 1 µM concentration was the critical concentration above which lymphocyte activity, proliferation and survival were compromised. The expression of IL-2 and TGF-beta mRNA was weaker in exposed seal lymphocytes compared to control cells (0.2 and 1 µM). Proteomics showed some variation in the protein expression profile (e.g. vimentin)

Selected Protein Monitoring in Histological Sections by Targeted MALDI-FTICR in-source decay Imaging.

peer reviewedMALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) is a rapidly growing method in biomedical research allowing molecular mapping of proteins on histological sections. The images can be analyzed in terms of spectral pattern to define regions of interest. However, the identification and the differential quantitative analysis of proteins require off line or in situ proteomic methods using enzymatic digestion. The rapid identification of biomarkers holds great promise for diagnostic research but the major obstacle is the absence of rapid and direct method to detect and identify with a sufficient dynamic range a set of specific biomarkers. In the current work, we present a proof of concept for a method allowing identifying simultaneously a set of selected biomarkers on histological slices with minimal sample treatment using in-source decay (ISD) MSI and MALDI-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR). In the proposed method, known biomarkers are spotted next to the tissue of interest, the whole MALDI plate being coated with 1,5-DAN matrix. The latter enhances MALDI radical-induced ISD, providing large tags of the amino acid sequences. Comparative analysis of ISD fragments between the reference spots and the specimen in imaging mode allows for unambiguous identification of the selected biomarker while preserving full spatial resolution. Moreover, the high resolution/high mass accuracy provided by FTICR mass spectrometry allows the identification of proteins. Well-resolved peaks and precise measurements of masses and mass differences allow the construction of reliable sequence tags for proteins identification. The method will allow the use MALDI-FTICR MSI as method for rapid targeted biomarker detection in complement to classical histology

OLFM4, KNG1 and Sec24C identified by proteomics and immunohistochemistry as potential markers of early colorectal cancer stages

peer reviewedAbstract Background: Despite recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and population screening programs, the identification of patients with preneoplastic lesions or with early CRC stages remains challenging and is important for reducing CRC incidence and increasing patient’s survival. Methods: We analysed 76 colorectal tissue samples originated from early CRC stages, normal or inflamed mucosa by label-free proteomics. The characterisation of three selected biomarker candidates was performed by immunohisto‑ chemistry on an independent set of precancerous and cancerous lesions harbouring increasing CRC stages. Results: Out of 5258 proteins identified, we obtained 561 proteins with a significant differential distribution among groups of patients and controls. KNG1, OLFM4 and Sec24C distributions were validated in tissues and showed differ‑ ent expression levels especially in the two early CRC stages compared to normal and preneoplastic tissues. Conclusion: We highlighted three proteins that require further investigations to better characterise their role in early CRC carcinogenesis and their potential as early CRC markers

Biomarqueurs potentiels de diagnostic des dysplasies colorectales associées à la rectocolite ulcéro-hémorragique

peer reviewedBiomarkers of Colorectal Dysplasi

Intraocular lenses with functionalized surfaces by biomolecules in relation with lens epithelial cell adhesion

A cataract is pathology opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or even blindness. Surgery, with lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation, is still the only currently available treatment. The most common complication after implantation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) is the posterior capsular opacification (PCO) or secondary cataract. This is the result of lens epithelial cells (LECs) proliferation and their transition to mesenchymal cells. In 1997, a Sandwich theory was proposed to elucidate the developmental process of PCO. [1] According to this model, an IOL with higher affinity to LECs will induce a less PCO. In our research, the pHEMA (Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)) based acrylic hydrophilic polymer is subjected to the surface modification by conjugating with the bioactive peptides. The RGD sequence, known for its excellent biocompatibility, is designed to stimulate the biointegration between the LECs and the polymer implant. [2]. From our research, The RGD peptide immobilized onto pHEMA surfaces significantly facilitates the adhesion of the porcine LEC. The peptide immobilized surface retains its biological function even after 10 times of autoclave. On the other hand, the immobilized peptide does not alter the hydrophobicity of the surface, the light transmission, as well as the cytotoxicity of the material. This functionalized biomaterial would possibly prevent the formation of PCO. [1] J Cataract Refract Surg. 1997 Dec;23(10):1539-42 [2] Trends Biotechnol. 2008 Jul;26(7):382-9

Proteomic analysis of telomerase inhibition by telomere specific ligands

Telomeres consist of protein complexes and repeated ‘TTAGGG’ double strand DNA sequences ended by a 3’ single strand DNA of the same sequence. Progressive telomere shortening is observed in vitro upon cell divisions and with ageing in vivo. At a critical telomere length, shortened telomeres trigger a permanent growth arrest known as replicative senescence. Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that extends telomeres by adding ‘TTAGGG’ repeats. It consists of a functional RNA component (hTR) which serves as template and a catalytic protein (hTERT) with reverse transcriptase activity. The expression of hTERT alone is sufficient for the immortalisation of cells. Telomerase is highly expressed in tumor cells but at very low level in most somatic cells. These observations make the telomerase an attractive target for anticancer strategies. One of these strategies relies on the use of drug candidates able to stabilize the particular telomere G-quadruplex DNA structures. The stabilization of these structures makes the telomere inaccessible for telomerase and thus inhibits telomerase activity. The effect of the hTERT transfection was first studied on the proteome of human WI38 fibroblast cells (1). Then, the proteome alteration response of hTERT transfected WI38 cells induced by the treatment of two G-quadruplexes ligands, telomestatin and TMPyP4, was analyzed. Both compounds can inhibit telomerase but have different selectivity for the different G-quadruplexes structures. Proteome analysis of the treated cells reveals that TMPyP4 induces much more protein expression alterations than telomestatin probably due to its poor selectivity. TMPyP4 induces especially a drastic down expression of the hnRNPs, a modulation of the proteasome pathway, an apparent decrease of the translation and an over expression of several molecular chaperones. Telomestatin induces in particular an over expression of the protein BCL2A1 which is involved in drug resistance of cancer cells and a probable increase of the translation. Both treatments have a common effect particularly on the molecular chaperone CCT (down expression), HSP90 alpha (over expression) and hnRNP D (down expression). The protein HSP90 alpha is also over expressed in hTERT transfected cells compared to parental cells. This protein is already a promising anticancer target protein due to its central role in oncogenesis and in telomerase activity regulation. 1 Mazzucchelli et al: Proteome Science 6: 12, 2008

RGD surface functionalization of the hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens material to control posterior capsular opacification

Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) is the capsule fibrosis developed on implanted IntraOcular Lens (IOL) by the de-differentiation of Lens Epithelial Cells (LECs) undergoing Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Literature has shown that the incidence of PCO is multifactorial including the patient’s age or disease, surgical technique, and IOL design and material. Reports comparing hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic IOLs have shown that the former has more severe PCO. On the other hand, we have previously demonstrated that the adhesion of LECs is favored on hydrophobic compared to hydrophilic materials. By combining these two facts and contemporary knowledge in PCO development via the EMT pathway, we propose a biomimetically inspired strategy to promote LEC adhesion without de-differentiation to reduce the risk of PCO development. By surface grafting of a cell adhesion molecule (RGD peptide) onto the conventional hydrophilic acrylic IOL material, the surface-functionalized IOL can be used to reconstitute a capsule-LEC-IOL sandwich structure, which has been considered to prevent PCO formation in literature. Our results show that the innovative biomaterial improves LEC adhesion, while also exhibiting similar optical (light transmittance, optical bench) and mechanical (haptic compression force, IOL injection force) properties compared to the starting material. In addition, compared to the hydrophobic IOL material, our bioactive biomaterial exhibits similar abilities in LEC adhesion, morphology maintenance, and EMT biomarker expression, which is the crucial pathway to induce PCO. The in vitro assays suggest that this biomaterial has the potential to reduce the risk factor of PCO development.Fonctionnalisation de lentilles intraoculaires acryliques par greffage de biomolécules limitant la cataracte secondair