Assessment of proteolytic degradation of the basement membrane: a fragment of type IV collagen as a biochemical marker for liver fibrosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Collagen deposition and an altered matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression profile are hallmarks of fibrosis. Type IV collagen is the most abundant structural basement membrane component of tissue, which increases 14-fold during fibrogenesis in the liver. Proteolytic degradation of collagens by proteases produces small fragments, so-called neoepitopes, which are released systemically. Technologies investigating MMP-generated fragments of collagens may provide more useful information than traditional serological assays that crudely measure total protein. In the present study, we developed an ELISA for the quantification of a neoepitope generated by MMP degradation of type IV collagen and evaluated the association of this neoepitope with liver fibrosis in two animal models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Type IV collagen was degraded <it>in vitro </it>by a variety of proteases. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed more than 200 different degradation fragments. A specific peptide sequence, 1438'GTPSVDHGFL'1447 (CO4-MMP), in the α1 chain of type IV collagen generated by MMP-9 was selected for ELISA development. ELISA was used to determine serum levels of the CO4-MMP neoepitope in two rat models of liver fibrosis: inhalation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and bile duct ligation (BDL). The levels were correlated to histological findings using Sirius red staining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A technically robust assay was produced that is specific to the type IV degradation fragment, GTPSVDHGFL. CO4-MMP serum levels increased significantly in all BDL groups compared to baseline, with a maximum increase of 248% seen two weeks after BDL. There were no changes in CO4-MMP levels in sham-operated rats. In the CCl₄model, levels of CO4-MMP were significantly elevated at weeks 12, 16 and 20 compared to baseline levels, with a maximum increase of 88% after 20 weeks. CO4-MMP levels correlated to Sirius red staining results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This ELISA is the first assay developed for assessment of proteolytic degraded type IV collagen, which, by enabling quantification of basement membrane degradation, could be relevant in investigating various fibrogenic pathologies. The CO4-MMP degradation fragment was highly associated with liver fibrosis in the two animal models studied.</p

Human macrophage foam cells degrade atherosclerotic plaques through cathepsin K mediated processes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proteolytic degradation of Type I Collagen by proteases may play an important role in remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques, contributing to increased risk of plaque rupture.</p> <p>The aim of the current study was to investigate whether human macrophage foam cells degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) of atherosclerotic plaques by cathepsin K mediated processes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We 1) cultured human macrophages on ECM and measured cathepsin K generated fragments of type I collagen (C-terminal fragments of Type I collagen (CTX-I) 2) investigated the presence of CTX-I in human coronary arteries and 3) finally investigated the clinical potential by measuring circulating CTX-I in women with and without radiographic evidence of aortic calcified atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Immune-histochemistry of early and advanced lesions of coronary arteries demonstrated co-localization of Cathepsin-K and CTX-I in areas of intimal hyperplasia and in shoulder regions of advanced plaques. Treatment of human monocytes with M-CSF or M-CSF+LDL generated macrophages and foam cells producing CTX-I when cultured on type I collagen enriched matrix. Circulating levels of CTX-I were not significantly different in women with aortic calcifications compared to those without.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Human macrophage foam cells degrade the atherosclerotic plaques though cathepsin K mediated processes, resulting in increase in levels of CTX-I. Serum CTX-I was not elevated in women with aortic calcification, likely due to the contribution of CTX-I from osteoclastic bone resorption which involves Cathepsin-K. The human macrophage model system may be used to identify important pathway leading to excessive proteolytic plaque remodeling and plaque rupture.</p

Myocardial Extracellular Matrix

The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex architectural network consisting of structural and nonstructural proteins, creating strength and plasticity. The nonstructural compartment of the ECM houses a variety of proteins, which are vital for ECM plasticity, and can be divided into 3 major groups: glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans. The common denominator for these groups is glycosylation, which refers to the decoration of proteins or lipids with sugars. This review will discuss the fundamental role of the matrix in cardiac development, homeostasis, and remodeling, from a glycobiology point of view. Glycoproteins (eg, thrombospondins, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, tenascins), proteoglycans (eg, versican, syndecans, biglycan), and glycosaminoglycans (eg, hyaluronan, heparan sulfate) are upregulated on cardiac injury and regulate key processes in the remodeling myocardium such as inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Albeit some parallels can be made regarding the processes these proteins are involved in, their specific functions are extremely diverse. In fact, under varying conditions, individual proteins can even have opposing functions, making spatiotemporal contribution of these proteins in the rearrangement of multifaceted ECM very hard to grasp. Alterations of protein characteristics by the addition of sugars may explain the immense, yet tightly regulated, variability of the remodeling cardiac matrix. Understanding the role of glycosylation in altering the ultimate function of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans in the myocardium may lead to the development of new biochemical structures or compounds with great therapeutic potential for patients with heart disease

Spatial Transcriptional Mapping Reveals Site-Specific Pathways Underlying Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture

Background: Atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, triggered by blood flow–associated biomechanical forces, cause most myocardial infarctions and strokes. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the exact location and underlying mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, identifying therapeutic targets against cardiovascular events. Methods: Histology, electron microscopy, bulk and spatial RNA sequencing on human carotid plaques were studied in proximal, most stenotic, and distal regions along the longitudinal blood flow direction. Genome-wide association studies were used to examine heritability enrichment and causal relationships of atherosclerosis and stroke. Associations between top differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and preoperative and postoperative cardiovascular events were examined in a validation cohort. Results: In human carotid atherosclerotic plaques, ruptures predominantly occurred in the proximal and most stenotic regions but not in the distal region. Histologic and electron microscopic examination showed that proximal and most stenotic regions exhibited features of plaque vulnerability and thrombosis. RNA sequencing identified DEGs distinguishing the proximal and most stenotic regions from the distal region which were deemed as most relevant to atherosclerosis-associated diseases as shown by heritability enrichment analyses. The identified pathways associated with the proximal rupture-prone regions were validated by spatial transcriptomics, firstly in human atherosclerosis. Of the 3 top DEGs, matrix metallopeptidase 9 emerged particularly because Mendelian randomization suggested that its high circulating levels were causally associated with atherosclerosis risk. Conclusions: Our findings show plaque site–specific transcriptional signatures associated with proximal rupture-prone regions of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. This led to the geographical mapping of novel therapeutic targets, such as matrix metallopeptidase 9, against plaque rupture.</p