Posttranscriptional Regulation of the Human LDL Receptor by the U2-Spliceosome

Background: The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in the liver is the major determinant of LDL-cholesterol levels in human plasma. The discovery of genes that regulate the activity of LDLR helps to identify pathomechanisms of hypercholesterolemia and novel therapeutic targets against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Methods: We performed a genome-wide RNA interference screen for genes limiting the uptake of fluorescent LDL into Huh-7 hepatocarcinoma cells. Top hit genes were validated by in vitro experiments as well as analyses of datasets on gene expression and variants in human populations.Results: The knockdown of 54 genes significantly inhibited LDL uptake. Fifteen of them encode for components or interactors of the U2-spliceosome. Knocking down any one of 11 out of 15 genes resulted in the selective retention of intron 3 of LDLR. The translated LDLR fragment lacks 88% of the full length LDLR and is detectable neither in non-transfected cells nor in human plasma. The hepatic expression of the intron 3 retention transcript is increased in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as after bariatric surgery. Its expression in blood cells correlates with LDL-cholesterol and age. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and three rare variants of one spliceosome gene, RBM25, are associated with LDL-cholesterol in the population and familial hypercholesterolemia, respectively. Compared to overexpression of wild type RBM25, overexpression of the three rare RBM25 mutants in Huh-7 cells led to lower LDL uptake.Conclusions: We identified a novel mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of LDLR activity in humans and associations of genetic variants of RBM25 with LDL-cholesterol levels.</p

Endocytosis of lipoproteins

During their metabolism, all lipoproteins undergo endocytosis, either to be degraded intracellularly, for example in hepatocytes or macrophages, or to be re-secreted, for example in the course of transcytosis by endothelial cells. Moreover, there are several examples of internalized lipoproteins sequestered intracellularly, possibly to exert intracellular functions, for example the cytolysis of trypanosoma. Endocytosis and the subsequent intracellular itinerary of lipoproteins hence are key areas for understanding the regulation of plasma lipid levels as well as the biological functions of lipoproteins. Indeed, the identification of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor and the unraveling of its transcriptional regulation led to the elucidation of familial hypercholesterolemia as well as to the development of statins, the most successful therapeutics for lowering of cholesterol levels and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Novel limiting factors of intracellular trafficking of LDL and the LDL receptor continue to be discovered and to provide drug targets such as PCSK9. Surprisingly, the receptors mediating endocytosis of high-density lipoproteins or lipoprotein(a) are still a matter of controversy or even new discovery. Finally, the receptors and mechanisms, which mediate the uptake of lipoproteins into non-degrading intracellular itineraries for re-secretion (transcytosis, retroendocytosis), storage, or execution of intracellular functions, are largely unknown

Scavenger receptor BI promotes cytoplasmic accumulation of lipoproteins in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) are characterized by inactivation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene and intracellular lipid accumulation by unknown pathomechanism. The immunochemical analysis of 356 RCCs revealed high abundance of apolipoproteins apoA-I and apoB as well as scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) in the clear cell RCC subtype. Given the characteristic loss of VHL function in ccRCC, we used VHL-defective and VHL-proficient cells to study the potential influence of VHL on lipoprotein uptake. VHL-defective patient-derived ccRCC cells and cell lines (786O and RCC4) showed enhanced uptake as well as less re-secretion and degradation of radio-iodinated high and low density lipoproteins (125I-HDL and 125I-LDL) compared to the VHL-proficient cells. The ccRCC cells showed enhanced VEGF and SR-BI expression compared to normal kidney epithelial cells. Uptake of 125I-HDL and 125I-LDL by patient-derived normal kidney epithelial cells as well as VHL-re-expressing ccRCC cell lines 786-O-VHL and RCC4-O-VHL cells was strongly enhanced by VEGF treatment. The knock-down of VEGF co-receptor neuropilin (NRP1) as well as blocking of SR-BI significantly reduced the uptake of lipoproteins into ccRCC cells in vitro. LDL stimulated proliferation of 786-O cells more potently than 786-O-VHL cells in a NRP1- and SR-BI- dependent manner. In conclusion, enhanced lipoprotein uptake due to increased activities of VEGF/NRP1 and SR-BI promotes lipid accumulation and proliferation of VHL-defective ccRCC cells

Positive crosstalk between arginase-II and S6K1 in vascular endothelial inflammation and aging

Augmented activities of both arginase and S6K1 are involved in endothelial dysfunction in aging. This study was to investigate whether or not there is a crosstalk between arginase and S6K1 in endothelial inflammation and aging in senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells and in aging mouse models. We show increased arginase-II (Arg-II) expression/activity in senescent endothelial cells. Silencing Arg-II in senescent cells suppresses eNOS-uncoupling, several senescence markers such as senescence-associated-β-galactosidase activity, p53-S15, p21, and expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1). Conversely, overexpressing Arg-II in nonsenescent cells promotes eNOS-uncoupling, endothelial senescence, and enhances VCAM1/ICAM1 levels and monocyte adhesion, which are inhibited by co-expressing superoxide dismutase-1. Moreover, overexpressing S6K1 in nonsenescent cells increases, whereas silencing S6K1 in senescent cells decreases Arg-II gene expression/activity through regulation of Arg-II mRNA stability. Furthermore, S6K1 overexpression exerts the same effects as Arg-II on endothelial senescence and inflammation responses, which are prevented by silencing Arg-II, demonstrating a role of Arg-II as the mediator of S6K1-induced endothelial aging. Interestingly, mice that are deficient in Arg-II gene (Arg-II−/−) are not only protected from age-associated increase in Arg-II, VCAM1/ICAM1, aging markers, and eNOS-uncoupling in the aortas but also reveal a decrease in S6K1 activity. Similarly, silencing Arg-II in senescent cells decreases S6K1 activity, demonstrating that Arg-II also stimulates S6K1 in aging. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of mutual positive regulation between S6K1 and Arg-II in endothelial inflammation and aging. Targeting S6K1 and/or Arg-II may decelerate vascular aging and age-associated cardiovascular disease development

Plasmalogens of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are associated with coronary artery disease and anti-apoptotic activity of HDL

OBJECTIVE: Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and loss of atheroprotective functions of HDL are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Here, we investigated the associations of HDL phospholipids with acute and stable CAD as well as with the anti-apoptotic activity of HDL. METHODS: 49 species of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lysophosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins (SMs) as well as three species of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were quantified by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry in HDL isolated from 22 healthy subjects as well as 23 and 22 patients with stable CAD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), respectively. Native HDL and artificially reconstituted HDL (rHDL) were tested for their capacity to inhibit apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) induced by serum deprivation. RESULTS: HDL of CAD or ACS patients differed from HDL of healthy controls by the content in nine of the 52 quantified phospholipid species as well as reduced anti-apoptotic activity. The capacity of HDL to inhibit EC apoptosis correlated significantly with five of eleven odd-chain PC's (= plasmalogens), two S1P's, SM42:2, PC34:2, and PC32:0. An orthogonal partial least square - discriminant analysis revealed independent associations of stable CAD with HDL-associated PC34:2, PC33:3 and PC35:2 as well as anti-apoptotic activity of HDL and of ACS with HDL-associated PC33:3, PC35:2, SM42:1, PC34:2 and PC36:2. rHDL reconstituted with apoA-I, PC34:1, and PC35:2 inhibited apoptosis of EC's more effectively than rHDL containing only apoA-I and PC34:1. CONCLUSIONS: The inverse association of HDL-plasmalogen levels with both stable and acute CAD may reflect direct anti-apoptotic effects of plasmologens on ECs

Prevalence and causes of abnormal PSA recovery

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is of paramount importance as a diagnostic tool for the detection and monitoring of patients with prostate cancer. In the presence of interfering factors such as heterophilic antibodies or anti-PSA antibodies the PSA test can yield significantly falsified results. The prevalence of these factors is unknown. METHODS: We determined the recovery of PSA concentrations diluting patient samples with a standard serum of known PSA concentration. Based on the frequency distribution of recoveries in a pre-study on 268 samples, samples with recoveries 120% were defined as suspect, re-tested and further characterized to identify the cause of interference. RESULTS: A total of 1158 consecutive serum samples were analyzed. Four samples (0.3%) showed reproducibly disturbed recoveries of 10%, 68%, 166% and 4441%. In three samples heterophilic antibodies were identified as the probable cause, in the fourth anti-PSA-autoantibodies. The very low recovery caused by the latter interference was confirmed in serum, as well as heparin- and EDTA plasma of blood samples obtained 6 months later. Analysis by eight different immunoassays showed recoveries ranging between <10% and 80%. In a follow-up study of 212 random plasma samples we found seven samples with autoantibodies against PSA which however did not show any disturbed PSA recovery. CONCLUSIONS: About 0.3% of PSA determinations by the electrochemiluminescence assay (ECLIA) of Roche diagnostics are disturbed by heterophilic or anti-PSA autoantibodies. Although they are rare, these interferences can cause relevant misinterpretations of a PSA test result

VEGF-A regulates cellular localization of SR-BI as well as transendothelial transport of HDL but not LDL

OBJECTIVE: Low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) must pass the endothelial layer to exert pro- and antiatherogenic activities, respectively, within the vascular wall. However, the rate-limiting factors that mediate transendothelial transport of lipoproteins are yet little known. Therefore, we performed a high-throughput screen with kinase drug inhibitors to identify modulators of transendothelial LDL and HDL transport. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Microscopy-based high-content screening was performed by incubating human aortic endothelial cells with 141 kinase-inhibiting drugs and fluorescent-labeled LDL or HDL. Inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFR) significantly decreased the uptake of HDL but not LDL. Silencing of VEGF receptor 2 significantly decreased cellular binding, association, and transendothelial transport of (125)I-HDL but not (125)I-LDL. RNA interference with VEGF receptor 1 or VEGF receptor 3 had no effect. Binding, uptake, and transport of HDL but not LDL were strongly reduced in the absence of VEGF-A from the cell culture medium and were restored by the addition of VEGF-A. The restoring effect of VEGF-A on endothelial binding, uptake, and transport of HDL was abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidyl-inositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, as well as silencing of scavenger receptor BI. Moreover, the presence of VEGF-A was found to be a prerequisite for the localization of scavenger receptor BI in the plasma membrane of endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of VEGF as a regulatory factor of transendothelial transport of HDL but not LDL supports the concept that the endothelium is a specific and, hence, druggable barrier for the entry of lipoproteins into the vascular wall

Apolipoprotein M and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 Promote the Transendothelial Transport of High-Density Lipoprotein

OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) enriches sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) within high density lipoproteins (HDL) and facilitates the activation of the S1P(1) receptor by S1P, thereby preserving endothelial barrier function. Many protective functions exerted by HDL in extravascular tissues raise the question how S1P regulates transendothelial HDL transport. APPROACH AND RESULTS: HDL were isolated from plasma of wild type mice, Apom knock-out mice, human apoM transgenic mice or humans and radioiodinated to trace its binding, association, and transport by bovine or human aortic endothelial cells (BAECs and HAECs, respectively). We also compared the transport of fluorescently-labeled HDL or Evan’s Blue, which labels albumin, from the tail vein into the peritoneal cavity of apoE-haploinsufficient mice with (S1P(1)-iECKI) or without (CTRL) endothelium specific knock-in of S1P(1). The binding, association, and transport of HDL from Apom knock-out mice and human apoM-depleted HDL by BAECs was significantly lower than that of HDL from wild type mice and human apoM containing HDL, respectively. The binding, uptake, and transport of (125)I-HDL by HAECs was increased by an S1P(1) agonist but decreased by an S1P(1) inhibitor. Silencing of scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) abrogated the stimulation of (125)I-HDL transport by the S1P(1) agonist. Compared to CTRL, S1P(1)-iECKI showed decreased transport of Evan’s Blue but increased transport of HDL from blood into the peritoneal cavity and SR-BI expression in the aortal endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: ApoM and S1P(1) promote transendothelial HDL transport. Their opposite effect on transendothelial transport of albumin and HDL indicates that HDL passes endothelial barriers by specific mechanisms rather than passive filtration

Apolipoprotein M and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 Promote the Transendothelial Transport of High-Density Lipoprotein

Objective: ApoM enriches S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate) within HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and facilitates the activation of the S1P1 (S1P receptor type 1) by S1P, thereby preserving endothelial barrier function. Many protective functions exerted by HDL in extravascular tissues raise the question of how S1P regulates transendothelial HDL transport. Approach and Results: HDL were isolated from plasma of wild-type mice, Apom knockout mice, human apoM transgenic mice or humans and radioiodinated to trace its binding, association, and transport by bovine or human aortic endothelial cells. We also compared the transport of fluorescently-labeled HDL or Evans Blue, which labels albumin, from the tail vein into the peritoneal cavity of apoE-haploinsufficient mice with (apoE-haploinsufficient mice with endothelium-specific knockin of S1P1) or without (control mice, ie, apoE-haploinsufficient mice without endothelium-specific knockin of S1P1) endothelium-specific knockin of S1P1. The binding, association, and transport of HDL from Apom knockout mice and human apoM-depleted HDL by bovine aortic endothelial cells was significantly lower than that of HDL from wild-type mice and human apoM-containing HDL, respectively. The binding, uptake, and transport of 125I-HDL by human aortic endothelial cells was increased by an S1P1 agonist but decreased by an S1P1 inhibitor. Silencing of SR-BI (scavenger receptor BI) abrogated the stimulation of 125I-HDL transport by the S1P1 agonist. Compared with control mice, that is, apoE-haploinsufficient mice without endothelium-specific knockin of S1P1, apoE-haploinsufficient mice with endothelium-specific knockin of S1P1 showed decreased transport of Evans Blue but increased transport of HDL from blood into the peritoneal cavity and SR-BI expression in the aortal endothelium. Conclusions: ApoM and S1P1 promote transendothelial HDL transport. Their opposite effect on transendothelial transport of albumin and HDL indicates that HDL passes endothelial barriers by specific mechanisms rather than passive filtration. Keywords: apolipoprotein; endothelium; lipoprotein; mice; sphingosine-1-phosphate