Characterization of novel interactions with membrane NEU1 highlights new regulatory functions for the Elastin Receptor Complex in monocyte interaction with endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Vascular aging is associated with remodeling of elastin, one of the main extracellular matrix component of the arterial wall, and production of elastin-derived peptides (EDP). These extracellular matrix degradation products have been shown to trigger biological activities through the elastin receptor complex (ERC) and data from the last decade have brought significant insights on the critical role played by its NEU1 subunit in the biological effects mediated by EDP and the ERC in vascular and metabolic diseases. RESULTS: Using a proteomic approach, we previously identified new potential interaction partners of membrane NEU1. Here, we validated the interaction between NEU1 and the ß2 integrin in human monocytes and show that binding of EDP to the ERC leads to desialylation of ß2 integrin through NEU1. A similar action mechanism was identified in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) for intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Importantly, these effects were associated with a significant increase in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and monocyte transendothelial migration. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that membrane NEU1 sialidase interacts and modulates the sialylation levels of the ß2 integrin and ICAM-1 through the ERC in monocytes and endothelial cells, respectively, and suggest that EDP and the ERC, through this newly identified common mode of action governed by NEU1, may be important regulators of circulating monocyte recruitment to inflamed vascular sites. Moreover, by its ability to interact with and to modulate the sialylation of key membrane glycoproteins through NEU1, new biological functions are anticipated for EDP and the ERC in elastin remodeling-associated disorders.

Adverse Effects of Oseltamivir Phosphate Therapy on the Liver of LDLR-/- Mice Without Any Benefit on Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis.

ABSTRACT: Desialylation, governed by sialidases or neuraminidases, is strongly implicated in a wide range of human disorders, and accumulative data show that inhibition of neuraminidases, such as neuraminidases 1 sialidase, may be useful for managing atherosclerosis. Several studies have reported promising effects of oseltamivir phosphate, a widely used anti-influenza sialidase inhibitor, on human cancer cells, inflammation, and insulin resistance. In this study, we evaluated the effects of oseltamivir phosphate on atherosclerosis and thrombosis and potential liver toxicity in LDLR-/- mice fed with high-fat diet. Our results showed that oseltamivir phosphate significantly decreased plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and elastin fragmentation in aorta. However, no effect was observed on both atherosclerotic plaque size in aortic roots and chemically induced thrombosis in carotid arteries. Importantly, oseltamivir phosphate administration had adverse effects on the liver of mice and significantly increased messenger RNA expression levels of F4/80, interleukin-1ß, transforming growth factor-ß1, matrix metalloproteinase-12, and collagen. Taken together, our findings suggest that oseltamivir phosphate has limited benefits on atherosclerosis and carotid thrombosis and may lead to adverse side effects on the liver with increased inflammation and fibrosis.

Identification of CD36 as a new interaction partner of membrane NEU1: potential implication in the pro-atherogenic effects of the elastin receptor complex.

In addition to its critical role in lysosomes for catabolism of sialoglycoconjugates, NEU1 is expressed at the plasma membrane and regulates a myriad of receptors by desialylation, playing a key role in many pathophysiological processes. Here, we developed a proteomic approach dedicated to the purification and identification by LC-MS/MS of plasma membrane NEU1 interaction partners in human macrophages. Already known interaction partners were identified as well as several new candidates such as the class B scavenger receptor CD36. Interaction between NEU1 and CD36 was confirmed by complementary approaches. We showed that elastin-derived peptides (EDP) desialylate CD36 and that this effect was blocked by the V14 peptide, which blocks the interaction between bioactive EDP and the elastin receptor complex (ERC). Importantly, EDP also increased the uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophages that is blocked by both the V14 peptide and the sialidase inhibitor 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA). These results demonstrate, for the first time, that binding of EDP to the ERC indirectly modulates CD36 sialylation level and regulates oxidized LDL uptake through this sialidase. These effects could contribute to the previously reported proatherogenic role of EDP and add a new dimension in the regulation of biological processes through NEU1.

New Insights into Molecular Organization of Human Neuraminidase-1: Transmembrane Topology and Dimerization Ability.

Neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) is a lysosomal sialidase catalyzing the removal of terminal sialic acids from sialyloconjugates. A plasma membrane-bound NEU1 modulating a plethora of receptors by desialylation, has been consistently documented from the last ten years. Despite a growing interest of the scientific community to NEU1, its membrane organization is not understood and current structural and biochemical data cannot account for such membrane localization. By combining molecular biology and biochemical analyses with structural biophysics and computational approaches, we identified here two regions in human NEU1 - segments 139-159 (TM1) and 316-333 (TM2) - as potential transmembrane (TM) domains. In membrane mimicking environments, the corresponding peptides form stable α-helices and TM2 is suited for self-association. This was confirmed with full-size NEU1 by co-immunoprecipitations from membrane preparations and split-ubiquitin yeast two hybrids. The TM2 region was shown to be critical for dimerization since introduction of point mutations within TM2 leads to disruption of NEU1 dimerization and decrease of sialidase activity in membrane. In conclusion, these results bring new insights in the molecular organization of membrane-bound NEU1 and demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of two potential TM domains that may anchor NEU1 in the membrane, control its dimerization and sialidase activity.

Elastin-derived peptides are new regulators of thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Elastin is the major structural extracellular matrix component of the arterial wall that provides the elastic recoil properties and resilience essential for proper vascular function. Elastin-derived peptides (EDP) originating from elastin fragmentation during vascular remodeling have been shown to play an important role in cell physiology and development of cardiovascular diseases. However, their involvement in thrombosis has been unexplored to date. In this study, we investigated the effects of EDP on (1) platelet aggregation and related signaling and (2) thrombus formation. We also characterized the mechanism by which EDP regulate thrombosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We show that EDP, derived from organo-alkaline hydrolysate of bovine insoluble elastin (kappa-elastin), decrease human platelet aggregation in whole blood induced by weak and strong agonists, such as ADP, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, collagen, TRAP, and U46619. In a mouse whole blood perfusion assay over a collagen matrix, kappa-elastin and VGVAPG, the canonical peptide recognizing the elastin receptor complex, significantly decrease thrombus formation under arterial shear conditions. We confirmed these results in vivo by demonstrating that both kappa-elastin and VGVAPG significantly prolonged the time for complete arteriole occlusion in a mouse model of thrombosis and increased tail bleeding times. Finally, we demonstrate that the regulatory role of EDP on thrombosis relies on platelets that express a functional elastin receptor complex and on the ability of EDP to disrupt plasma von Willebrand factor interaction with collagen. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the complex nature of the mechanisms governing thrombus formation and reveal an unsuspected regulatory role for circulating EDP in thrombosis.

Interaction between the elastin peptide VGVAPG and human elastin binding protein.

The elastin binding protein (EBP), a spliced variant of lysosomal ß-galactosidase, is the primary receptor of elastin peptides that have been linked to emphysema, aneurysm and cancer progression. The sequences recognized by EBP share the XGXXPG consensus pattern found in numerous matrix proteins, notably in elastin where the VGVAPG motif is repeated. To delineate the elastin binding site of human EBP, we built a homology model of this protein and docked VGVAPG on its surface. Analysis of this model suggested that Gln-97 and Asp-98 were required for interaction with VGVAPG because they contribute to the definition of a pocket thought to represent the elastin binding site of EBP. Additionally, we proposed that Leu-103, Arg-107, and Glu-137 were essential residues because they could interact with VGVAPG itself. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments at these key positions validated our model. This work therefore provides the first structural data concerning the interaction of the VGVAPG with its cognate receptor. The present structural data should now allow the development of EBP-specific antagonists.

Endospanins regulate a postinternalization step of the leptin receptor endocytic pathway.

Endospanin-1 is a negative regulator of the cell surface expression of leptin receptor (OB-R), and endospanin-2 is a homologue of unknown function. We investigated the mechanism for endospanin-1 action in regulating OB-R cell surface expression. Here we show that endospanin-1 and -2 are small integral membrane proteins that localize in endosomes and the trans-Golgi network. Antibody uptake experiments showed that both endospanins are transported to the plasma membrane and then internalized into early endosomes but do not recycle back to the trans-Golgi network. Overexpression of endospanin-1 or endospanin-2 led to a decrease of OB-R cell surface expression, whereas shRNA-mediated depletion of each protein increased OB-R cell surface expression. This increased cell surface expression was not observed with OB-Ra mutants defective in endocytosis or with transferrin and EGF receptors. Endospanin-1 or endospanin-2 depletion did not change the internalization rate of OB-Ra but slowed down its lysosomal degradation. Thus, both endospanins are regulators of postinternalization membrane traffic of the endocytic pathway of OB-R.

Glucocorticoid receptors in dopaminoceptive neurons, key for cocaine, are dispensable for molecular and behavioral morphine responses.

BACKGROUND: Psychostimulants and opiates trigger similar enduring neuroadaptations within the reward circuitry thought to underlie addiction. Transcription factors are key to mediating these enduring behavioral alterations. The facilitation of these maladaptive changes by glucocorticoid hormones suggests that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a transcription factor involved in the stress response, could be a common mediator of responses to pharmacologically distinct classes of abused drugs. METHODS: We employed mouse models carrying GR gene inactivation in either dopamine or dopaminoceptive neurons to determine the involvement of this transcription factor in behavioral responses to cocaine and morphine. We then combined microarray analysis, drug-elicited immediate early gene induction, and in vivo microdialysis to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of these responses. RESULTS: Inactivating GR within dopaminoceptive neurons markedly reduces cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and the expression of locomotor sensitization. In striking contrast, GR had no effect on behavioral morphine responses in either dopaminoceptive or dopamine neurons. The dopaminoceptive mutation engenders alterations in the expression of striatal genes that are implicated in glutamatergic transmission and plasticity. Within the nucleus accumbens, impaired cellular responses to cocaine are conspicuous; a pronounced deficit in cocaine-elicited extracellular dopamine release, expression of the key IEGs c-Fos and Zif268, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in mutants were observed. In contrast, these molecular and neurochemical changes were not observed in response to morphine, mirroring the lack of effect on behavioral responses to morphine. CONCLUSION: Combined behavioral and molecular approaches have identified a subset of neurons in which GR differentially influences cocaine- and morphine-induced responses.