CRP and LOX-1: a Mechanism for Increasing the Tumorigenic Potential of Colorectal Cancer Carcinoma Cell Line.

Chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia are associated with an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Serum C- reactive protein (CRP) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), as Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) ligands, increase during inflammation and dyslipidemia, respectively. To evaluate the effects of CRP on the expression of important genes involved in the development of CRC, the CRC cell line, LS174T, was treated with the commercial CRP. Based on the Real-time PCR data, in the presence of CRP, LOX-1, CEA, MMP1, and MMP2 mRNA expression significantly increased, compared to the control group. Moreover, in the presence of CRP, secretion, and expression of CEA in the cell lysate and conditioned media increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of flow cytometry showed that expression of LOX-1 receptors at the cell surface increased significantly in the presence of 10 mg/L of CRP. However, inhibition of LOX-1 receptors with a specific monoclonal antibody reduced the effects of CRP on protein/mRNA expression. In conclusion, Increased CRP level, can potentially elevate the expression of important genes in CRC by stimulating LOX-1 receptors.

NadA3 Structures Reveal Undecad Coiled Coils and LOX1 Binding Regions Competed by Meningococcus B Vaccine-Elicited Human Antibodies.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is a major cause of sepsis and invasive meningococcal disease. A multicomponent vaccine, 4CMenB, is approved for protection against MenB. Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) is one of the main vaccine antigens, acts in host cell adhesion, and may influence colonization and invasion. Six major genetic variants of NadA exist and can be classified into immunologically distinct groups I and II. Knowledge of the crystal structure of the 4CMenB vaccine component NadA3 (group I) would improve understanding of its immunogenicity, folding, and functional properties and might aid antigen design. Here, X-ray crystallography, biochemical, and cellular studies were used to deeply characterize NadA3. The NadA3 crystal structure is reported; it revealed two unexpected regions of undecad coiled-coil motifs and other conformational differences from NadA5 (group II) not predicted by previous analyses. Structure-guided engineering was performed to increase NadA3 thermostability, and a second crystal structure confirmed the improved packing. Functional NadA3 residues mediating interactions with human receptor LOX-1 were identified. Also, for two protective vaccine-elicited human monoclonal antibodies (5D11, 12H11), we mapped key NadA3 epitopes. These vaccine-elicited human MAbs competed binding of NadA3 to LOX-1, suggesting their potential to inhibit host-pathogen colonizing interactions. The data presented provide a significant advance in the understanding of the structure, immunogenicity and function of NadA, one of the main antigens of the multicomponent meningococcus B vaccine.IMPORTANCE The bacterial microbe Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is a major cause of devastating meningococcal disease. An approved multicomponent vaccine, 4CMenB, protects against MenB. Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) is a key vaccine antigen and acts in host cell-pathogen interactions. We investigated the 4CMenB vaccine component NadA3 in order to improve the understanding of its immunogenicity, structure, and function and to aid antigen design. We report crystal structures of NadA3, revealing unexpected structural motifs, and other conformational differences from the NadA5 orthologue studied previously. We performed structure-based antigen design to engineer increased NadA3 thermostability. Functional NadA3 residues mediating interactions with the human receptor LOX-1 and vaccine-elicited human antibodies were identified. These antibodies competed binding of NadA3 to LOX-1, suggesting their potential to inhibit host-pathogen colonizing interactions. Our data provide a significant advance in the overall understanding of the 4CMenB vaccine antigen NadA.

LOX-1 activation by oxLDL triggers an epithelial mesenchymal transition and promotes tumorigenic potential in prostate cancer cells.

Obesity is related to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer with high malignancy stages or metastasis. Recent results demonstrated that LOX-1, a receptor associated with obesity and atherosclerosis, is overexpressed in advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore, high levels of oxLDL, the main ligand for LOX-1, have been found in patients with advanced prostate cancer. However, the role of LOX-1 in prostate cancer has not been unraveled completely yet. Here, we show that LOX-1 is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells and its activation by oxLDL promotes an epithelial to mesenchymal transition, through of lowered expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin and plakoglobin) and an increased expression of mesenchymal markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, snail, slug, MMP-2 and MMP-9). Consequently, LOX-1 activation by oxLDL promotes actin cytoskeleton restructuration and MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity inducing prostate cancer cell invasion and migration. Additionally, LOX-1 increased the tumorigenic potential of prostate cancer cells and its expression was necessary for tumor growth in nude mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that oxLDL/LOX-1 could be ones of mechanisms that explain why obese patients with prostate cancer have an accelerated tumor progression and a greater probability of developing metastasis.

Efectos inflamatorios, oxidativos y aterogénicos del receptor endotelial de la lipoproteína de baja densidad oxidada-1 / Inflammatory, oxidative and atherogenic effects of endothelial lectin-like receptor of oxidized low density lipoprotein-1 / Efeitos inflamatórios, oxidativos e aterogênicos do receptor endotelial da lipoproteína de baixa densidade oxidativa-1

LOX-1 es un receptor endotelial de la familia de las lectinas. Su actividad biológica tiene un fuerte impacto en los fenómenos inflamatorios, oxidativos y aterogénicos endoteliales. Cuando se conoció el receptor de la lipoproteína de baja densidad (RLDL) y su regulación, se afirmó el papel aterogénico del colesterol transportado en esta lipoproteína (C-LDL). Este papel de las lipoproteínas fue la base de la denominación de dislipoproteinemias en reemplazo de dislipemias. En condiciones post-prandiales, las lipoproteínas ricas en triglicéridos, como quilomicrones y lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (VLDL), son degradadas por la lipoproteína lipasa (LPL) de la pared vascular, produciéndose remanentes de quilomicrones (RQ) y lipoproteínas de densidad intermedia (IDL), respectivamente, que en conjunto se denominan lipoproteínas remanentes (RLPs). Dependiendo del estrés oxidativo las RLPs son oxidables y pueden unirse al LOX-1. También se liberan ácidos grasos que injurian células endoteliales y contribuyen a abrir brechas en el endotelio, que en condiciones fisiológicas es una barrera de células con uniones estrechas. El dominio intracelular de LOX-1 regula el reconocimiento de lipoproteínas de baja densidad oxidadas (LDLOX) y de RLPs. Además, posee un efecto dependiente de los radicales reactivos de oxígeno (ROS). Su dominio transmembrana actúa en el pasaje de LDLOX y monocitos al subendotelio. La inhibición de LOX-1 con anticuerpos específicos impide su unión con LDLOX, restableciendo la barrera entre el lumen vascular y el subendotelio. En cambio, las LDLOX unidas al dominio transmembrana, producen apoptosis de las células endoteliales y suprimen uniones estrechas intercelulares en el endotelio, facilitando la actividad de las moléculas de adhesión leucocitarias que promueven el pasaje al subendotelio de los elementos del lumen, tales como monocitos, plaquetas, LDLOX, RLPs oxidables y lipoproteínas (a) (Lp(a)) semejantes al plasminógeno. Las LDLOX subendoteliales aumentan la movilidad de células musculares lisas. Los monocitos subendoteliales se establecen como residentes, e incorporan LDLOX, convirtiéndose sucesivamente en macrófagos, células espumosas y lesiones aterogénicas. Sin embargo, desde Assmann G y su estudio PROCAM no puede ignorarse el papel de los triglicéridos y colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (C-HDL) como componentes del cuadro de riesgo en ECV.

LOX-1 is an endothelial receptor belonging to the family of lectins. Its biological activity has a strong impact on inflammatory, oxidative and atherogenic phenomena in endothelium. When Low Density Lipoprotein receptor (RLDL) and its regulation were known, the atherogenic role of the cholesterol transported in LDL (LDL-C) was confirmed. This lipoprotein role in atherosclerosis was the base to use the term dyslipoproteinemia instead of dyslipidemia. In post-prandial conditions, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins like chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), are degraded by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) on the vascular wall, with the resultant formation of chylomicron remnants (CR) and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) respectively, which as a whole are called remnant lipoproteins (RLPs). Depending on oxidative stress, RLPs are oxidized and then they can bind the LOX-1. In this process, fatty acids are also released, injuring endothelial cells and contributing to open gaps in endothelium, which under physiological conditions, is a barrier of cells with tight junctions. The intracellular domain of LOX-1 regulates the recognition of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and RLPs, and its effect depends on reactive oxygen species (ROS). LOX-1 transmembrane domain acts in the passage of oxLDL and monocytes to the sub-endothelium. Inhibition of LOX-1 by specific antibodies prevents its binding with OxLDL, restoring the barrier between the vascular lumen and sub-endothelium. By contrast, the oxLDL, attached to the transmembrane domain, produce apoptosis of endothelial cells and the suppression of narrow intercellular junctions in the endothelium. Thus, enabling the activity of leucocyte adhesion molecules that promote the transfer to subendothelial elements lumen of monocytes, platelets, oxLDL, oxidized RLPs and lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)), similar to plasminogen such as. Sub-endothelial OxLDL increase the mobility of smooth muscle cells. Sub-endothelial monocytes establish as resident, up-take oxLDL and successively become into macrophages, foam cells and atherosclerotic lesions. However, since Assman’s PROCAM study, the role of triglycerides and High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), as components of cardiovascular risk, cannot be ignored.

LOX-1 é um receptor endotelial da família das lectinas. Sua atividade biológica tem um importante impacto nos fenômenos inflamatórios, oxidativos e aterogênicos endoteliais. Quando foi conhecido o receptor da lipoproteína de baixa densidade (RLDL) e sua regulação, afirmou-se o papel aterogênico do colesterol transportado nesta lipoproteína (C-LDL). Este papel das lipoproteínas foi a base da denominação de dislipoproteinemias em substituição de dislipidemias. Em condições pós-prandiais, as lipoproteínas ricas em triglicérides como quilomícrons e Lipoproteínas de muito baixa densidade (VLDL) são degradadas pela lipoproteína lipase (LPL) da parede vascular, produzindo remanescentes de quilomícrons (RQ) e lipoproteínas de densidade intermediária (IDL) respectivamente, que em conjunto são chamadas lipoproteínas remanescentes (RLPs). Dependendo do estresse oxidativo, as RLPs são oxidáveis e podem se ligar ao LOX-1. Também são liberados ácidos graxos que injuriam células endoteliais e contribuem na abertura de fendas no endotélio, que em condições fisiológicas é uma barreira de células com uniões estreitas. O domínio intracelular de LOX-1 regula o reconhecimento de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade oxidativa (LDLOX) e de RLPs. Também possui um efeito dependente dos radicais reativos de oxigênio (ROS). Seu domínio transmembrana atua na passagem de LDLOX e monócitos para o subendotélio. A inibição de LOX-1 com anticorpos específicos impede sua união com LDLOX restabelecendo a barreira entre o lúmem vascular e o subendotélio. Entretanto, as LDLOX ligadas ao domínio transmembrana produzem apoptose das células endoteliais e suprimem estreitas junções intercelulares no endotélio, facilitando a atividade das moléculas de adesão leucocitária que promovem a passagem para o subendotélio de elementos do lúmem, tais como monócitos, plaquetas, LDLOX, RLPs oxidáveis e lipoproteínas (a) [Lp(a)] semelhantes ao plasminogênio. As LDLOX subendoteliais aumentam a mobilidade das células musculares lisas. Os monócitos subendoteliais se estabelecem como residentes, e incorporam LDLOX, virando sucessivamente em macrófagos, células espumosas e lesões aterogênicas. No entanto, desde Assman G e seu estudo PROCAM, não pode se ignorar o papel dos triglicérides e do colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (C-HDL) como componentes do evento de risco em ECV.

Chronic Aerobic Exercise Decreases Lectin-Like Low Density Lipoprotein (LOX-1) Receptor Expression in Heart of Diabetic Rat.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of lectin-like low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) receptor plays an important role in hyperglycemia-induced vascular complications such as atherosclerosis. Based on the beneficial effects of exercise on preventing cardiovascular complications of diabetes, we aimed to examine the protective effects of aerobic exercise on expression of LOX-1 receptor and production of free radicals in the heart of diabetic rats. METHODS: Four groups of rats were used: (n = 5 per group): sedentary normal, trained normal, sedentary diabetes and trained diabetes. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The exercise protocol was consisted of swimming 30 min/day, 5 days/week for eight weeks. Plasma glucose was evaluated at initiation, weeks 4 and 8 of experiment. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and the heart was removed for determination of nitrate, malondialdehyde, and LOX-1 gene expression. RESULTS: In normal non-diabetic rats, the blood glucose level was <150 mg/dl; however, the induction of diabetes resulted in levels more than >400 mg/dl. Gene expression of LOX-1 was increased in the heart of diabetic rats. Exercise reduced the gene expression of this protein in diabetic states without reducing the blood glucose. Finally, swimming exercise decreased the malondialdehyde and nitrate levels in heart tissue both in control and diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Swimming exercise reduces heart expression of the LOX-1 receptor in accompany with reduction of free radicals production. Since these parameters are important in generation of diabetic complications, swimming exercise is a good candidate for reducing these complications.

Chronic effects of aerobic exercise on gene expression of LOX-1 receptor in the heart of rats fed with high fat diet.

OBJECTIVES: Lectin-like low density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) has pivot role in vascular complications, which is upregulated in numerous pathological conditions. Since exercise has beneficial effects in prevention of hyperlipidemic complications, present study examined protective effects of aerobic exercise through reduction of LOX-1 expression in heart during dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of rats were used (N=25): Normal, Normal and exercise, High fat and High fat and exercise. High fat diet (HFD) was made by adding 10% animal oil, 2% cholesterol and 0.5% colic acid to standard rodent chow. Exercise protocol consisted of swimming 1 hr/day, and 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Plasma lipids were evaluated at the end of experiment, 48 hr after final session of exercise. At the end, rats were sacrificed and heart was removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and LOX-1 expression. RESULTS: HFD meaningfully changed lipid profile (>50%), but chronic exercise had no significant effects on lipid profile. LOX-1 expression was significantly increased in heart of rats fed with HFD, while swimming exercise considerably reduced gene expression of LOX-1. MDA content was significantly enhanced in rats fed with HFD (4.37±0.6 nmol/mg, P<0.01) compared to normal group (1.56±0.48 nmol/mg), whereas swimming exercise decreased MDA level of heart in rats fed with HFD (2.28±0.32, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Findings indicated that swimming exercise is able to diminish heart expression of LOX-1 receptor concomitant reduction of oxidative stress. Since these parameters are involved in generation of dyslipidemic complications, swimming exercise is a good candidate to reduce these complications.

Molecular mechanism of statin-mediated LOX-1 inhibition.

Statins are largely used in clinics in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases for their effect on lowering circulating cholesterol. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1), the primary receptor for ox-LDL, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. We have recently shown that chronic exposure of cells to lovastatin disrupts LOX-1 receptor cluster distribution in plasma membranes, leading to a marked loss of LOX-1 function. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism of statin-mediated LOX-1 inhibition and we demonstrate that all tested statins are able to displace the binding of fluorescent ox-LDL to LOX-1 by a direct interaction with LOX-1 receptors in a cell-based binding assay. Molecular docking simulations confirm the interaction and indicate that statins completely fill the hydrophobic tunnel that crosses the C-type lectin-like (CTLD) recognition domain of LOX-1. Classical molecular dynamics simulation technique applied to the LOX-1 CTLD, considered in the entire receptor structure with or without a statin ligand inside the tunnel, indicates that the presence of a ligand largely increases the dimer stability. Electrophoretic separation and western blot confirm that different statins binding stabilize the dimer assembly of LOX-1 receptors in vivo. The simulative and experimental results allow us to propose a CTLD clamp motion, which enables the receptor-substrate coupling. These findings reveal a novel and significant functional effect of statins.

Chlamydia pneumoniae induces expression of pro-atherogenic factors through activation of the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1.

Several lines of evidence have associated Chlamydia pneumoniae with cardiovascular disease including acceleration of atherosclerotic lesion progression in hyperlipidemic animal models by infection. Many of the pro-atherogenic effects of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) occur through the activation of the lectin-like ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). Chlamydia pneumoniae upregulates the expression of the LOX-1 mRNA, promotes the uptake of ox-LDL, and utilizes the LOX-1 receptor for infectivity. The overall goal of this study was to determine whether C. pneumoniae organisms upregulated LOX-1 protein expression in vascular cells and whether upregulation of pro-atherogenic factors by C. pneumoniae occurred through LOX-1. Chlamydia pneumoniae induced LOX-1 protein expression in both endothelial cells and RAW macrophages. Upregulation was prevented by preincubation of cells with LOX-1 antibody prior to infection. Similarly, C. pneumoniae upregulated protein expression of adhesion molecules, MMP-1, and MMP-3, which was mitigated by anti-LOX-1 antibody. Prior treatment of organisms with PNGase, which removes the chlamydial glycan that is N-linked to the major outer membrane, abolished C. pneumoniae upregulation of LOX-1. These studies suggest that activation of LOX-1 expression occurs through binding of the chlamydial glycan and provides one mechanism by which C. pneumoniae infection could play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Putting pleiotropy and selection into context defines a new paradigm for interpreting genetic data.

BACKGROUND: Natural selection shapes many human genes, including some related to complex diseases. Understanding how selection affects genes, especially pleiotropic ones, may be important in evaluating disease associations and the role played by environmental variation. This may be of particular interest for genes with antagonistic roles that cause divergent patterns of selection. The lectin-like low-density lipoprotein 1 receptor, encoded by OLR1, is exemplary. It has antagonistic functions in the cardiovascular and immune systems because the same protein domain binds oxidized low-density lipoprotein and bacterial cell wall proteins, the former contributing to atherosclerosis and the latter presumably protecting from infection. We studied patterns of selection in this gene, in humans and nonhuman primates, to determine whether variable selection can lead to conflicting results in cardiovascular disease association studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed sequences from 11 nonhuman primate species, as well as single-nucleotide polymorphisms and sequence data from multiple human populations. Results indicate that the derived allele is favored across primate lineages (probably because of recent positive selection). However, both the derived and ancestral alleles were maintained in human populations, especially European ones (possibly because of balancing selection derived from dual roles of LOX-1). Balancing selection likely reflects response to diverse environmental pressures among humans. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that differential selection patterns, within and between species, in OLR1 render association studies difficult to replicate even if the gene is etiologically connected to cardiovascular disease. Selection analyses can identify genes exhibiting gene-environment interactions critical for unraveling disease association.

Olmesartan attenuates the impairment of endothelial cells induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein through downregulating expression of LOX-1.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and its receptor, lectin-Like ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), play important roles in the development of endothelial injuries. Olmesartan can protect endothelial cells from the impairment caused by various pathological stimulations. In the present study we investigated whether olmesartan decreased the impairment of endothelial cells induced by ox-LDL by exerting its effects on LOX-1 both in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of cultured endothelial cells of neonatal rats with ox-LDL for 24 h or infusion of ox-LDL in mice for 3 weeks led to the remarkable impairment of endothelial cells, including increased lactate dehydrogenase synthesis, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) and expression of apoptotic genes such as B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3. Simultaneously, the cell vitality and expression of Bcl-2 gene were greatly reduced. All these effects, however, were significantly suppressed by the treatment with olmesartan. Furthermore, ox-LDL promoted up-regulation of LOX-1 expression either in cultured endothelial cells or in the aortas of mice, which was reversed with the administration of olmesartan. Our data indicated that olmesartan may attenuate the impairment of endothelial cell via down-regulation of the increased LOX-1 expression induced by ox-LDL.