Project description:Extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) has been recognized as a disease trigger in hemolytic conditions such as sickle cell disease, malaria and blood transfusion. In vivo, many of the adverse effects of free Hb can be attenuated by the Hb scavenger acute phase protein haptoglobin (Hp). The primary physiologic disturbances that can be caused be free Hb are found within the cardiovascular system and Hb triggered oxidative toxicity towards the endothelium has been promoted as a potential mechanism. The molecular mechanisms of this toxicity as well as of the protective activities of Hp are not yet clear. Within this study we systematically investigated the structural, biochemical and cell biologic nature of Hb toxicity in an endothelial cell system under peroxidative stress. We identified two principal mechanisms of oxidative Hb toxicity that are mediated by globin degradation products and by modified lipoprotein species, respectively. The two damage pathways trigger diverse and discriminative inflammatory and cytotoxic responses. Hp provides structural stabilization of Hb and shields Hb’s oxidative reactions with lipoproteins providing dramatic protection against both pathways of toxicity. By these mechanisms Hp shifts Hb’s destructive pseudo-peroxidative reaction into a potential anti-oxidative function during peroxidative stress. HPAEC: A two color common reference design was chosen with 4-8 independent biological replicates of each condition. Each experimental sample (Cy5 labeled) was hybridized against a non-treated reference sample (Cy3 labeled). HUVEC: A two color common reference design was chosen with 3-4 independent biological replicates of each condition. Each experimental sample (Cy5 labeled) was hybridized against a non-treated reference sample (Cy3 labeled).
Project description:Hemoglobin (Hb) released from red blood cells during hemolysis is a trigger of oxidative vascular damage with endothelial cells being a primary target. The Hb and heme scavenger proteins haptoglobin (Hp) and hemopexin (Hx) have been characterized as a sequential defense system with Hp as the primary protector and Hx as a backup when all Hp is depleted during more severe or prolonged hemolysis. The paradigm of sequential protection by the two scavengers is based on observational patient data proposed by Mueller-Eberhardt. In this study we present a mechanistic rationale for these clinical observations using a novel in vitro model of Hb triggered endothelial damage. We identified oxyHb(Fe2+) transformation to ferric Hb(Fe3+), free heme transfer from ferric Hb(Fe3+) to lipoprotein and subsequent oxidative reactions in the lipophilic phase. The accumulation of toxic lipid peroxidation products liberated during oxidation reactions lead to endothelial damage characterized by a specific gene expression pattern, reduced cellular ATP and monolayer disintegration. Quantitative analysis of key biochemical and functional parameters allowed us to precisely define the mechanisms and concentrations required for Hp and Hx to prevent this toxicity. In the case of Hp we defined an exponential relationship between Hp availability relative to oxyHb(Fe2+) and related protective activity. This exponential relationship demonstrates that large Hp quantities are required to prevent Hb toxicity. In contrast, the linear relationship between Hx concentration and protective activity allows for significant protection by the backup scavenger during conditions of large excess of free oxyHb(Fe2+) that occurs when all Hp is consumed. The diverse protective function of Hp and Hx in this model can be explained by the different target specificities of the two proteins.
Project description:Haptoglobin and Hemopexin are plasma acute phase proteins that bind with high affinity hemoglobin and heme, respectively. Several studies have demonstrated that they have a key role in the protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. However, little is known about the functional modules in which they are involved. To gain insights into this issue, we integrated bioinformatic and experimental approaches to identify genes coexpressed with Haptoglobin or Hemopexin and modulated in Haptoglobin and/or Hemopexin knock-out mice. These genes have a high probability to be functionally related to Haptoglobin and/or Hemopexin. Keywords: haptoglobin, hemopexin, microarray, bioinformatics
Project description:Extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) has been recognized as a disease trigger in hemolytic conditions such as sickle cell disease, malaria and blood transfusion. In vivo, many of the adverse effects of free Hb can be attenuated by the Hb scavenger acute phase protein haptoglobin (Hp). The primary physiologic disturbances that can be caused be free Hb are found within the cardiovascular system and Hb triggered oxidative toxicity towards the endothelium has been promoted as a potential mechanism. The molecular mechanisms of this toxicity as well as of the protective activities of Hp are not yet clear. Within this study we systematically investigated the structural, biochemical and cell biologic nature of Hb toxicity in an endothelial cell system under peroxidative stress. We identified two principal mechanisms of oxidative Hb toxicity that are mediated by globin degradation products and by modified lipoprotein species, respectively. The two damage pathways trigger diverse and discriminative inflammatory and cytotoxic responses. Hp provides structural stabilization of Hb and shields Hb’s oxidative reactions with lipoproteins providing dramatic protection against both pathways of toxicity. By these mechanisms Hp shifts Hb’s destructive pseudo-peroxidative reaction into a potential anti-oxidative function during peroxidative stress.
Project description:Haptoglobin is a major serum protein that sequesters free hemoglobin. Moreover, haptoglobin regulates the inflammatory response in the absence of hemoglobin. Conflicting functional outcomes are reported, whereas involvement of NFκB is suggested consistently. Our data indicate that purified haptoglobin induces NFκB-dependent transcription through toll-like receptor 4. Notably, haptoglobin itself is dispensable for this effect. We show here that haptoglobin binds lipopolysaccharides from different bacterial species with micromolar affinities. This finding explains previous divergent observations. Pro-inflammatory responses elicited by purified haptoglobin are caused by heterogeneous lipopolysaccharides associated with the protein. Given its abundance in human serum, haptoglobin constitutes a buffer for serum-borne lipopolysaccharide. Restricted lipopolysaccharide availability dampens inflammatory responses. Concordantly, NFκB activation in primary macrophages is delayed relative to stimulation with pure lipopolysaccharide. Our findings warrant evaluation of therapeutic benefits of haptoglobin for non-hemolytic conditions as well as re-evaluation of purification strategies and will furthermore allow to disentangle mechanisms of haptoglobin-dependent immunoregulation.
Project description:Haptoglobin and Hemopexin are plasma acute phase proteins that bind with high affinity hemoglobin and heme, respectively. Several studies have demonstrated that they have a key role in the protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. However, little is known about the functional modules in which they are involved. To gain insights into this issue, we integrated bioinformatic and experimental approaches to identify genes coexpressed with Haptoglobin or Hemopexin and modulated in Haptoglobin and/or Hemopexin knock-out mice. These genes have a high probability to be functionally related to Haptoglobin and/or Hemopexin. We performed a gene expression analysis of the livers of Hp- and/or Hx-null mice compared to wild-type controls. The mice used in the following experiments, i.e. wild-type (Hp+/Hx+/), Hp-null (Hp-/-Hx+/), Hx-null (Hp+/Hx-/-), and HpHx-null (Hp-/-Hx-/-), were littermates derived by breeding F1 double heterozygous Hp+/-Hx+/- mice in the mixed genetic background C57/BLJ6 X 129Sv. We have three experimental points: Hx-null mice, Hp-null mice and HpHx-null mice. At least 5 adult mice per genotype were perfused via aorta with PBS, sacrificed and their liver pooled. Thirty microgram of total RNA were subjected to direct labeling reaction by incorporation of cyanin 3 (Cy3) or cyanin 5 (Cy5) fluorescent dyes into the cDNA by priming with oligo(dT). Four replicates were set up for each experimental point. In order to exclude artifacts resulting from different dye usage, we employed the dye-swap approach.
Project description:Protection against endothelial damage is recognized as a frontline approach to preventing the progression of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6) promotes vascular endothelial damage during CRS, although the molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Targeting IL-6 receptor signaling delays CRS progression; however, current options are limited by persistent inhibition of the immune system. Here, we show that endothelial IL-6 trans-signaling promoted vascular damage and inflammatory responses via hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α)‒induced glycolysis. Using pharmacological inhibitors targeting HIF1α activity or mice with the genetic ablation of gp130 in the endothelium, we found that inhibition of IL-6R‒HIF1α signaling in endothelial cells protected against vascular injury caused by septic damage and provided survival benefit in a mouse model of sepsis. In addition, we developed a short half-life anti-IL-6R antibody (silent anti-IL-6R antibody) and found that it was highly effective at augmenting survival for sepsis and severe burn by strengthening the endothelial glycocalyx and reducing cytokine storm, and vascular leakage. Together, our data advance the role of endothelial IL-6 trans-signaling in the progression of CRS and indicate a potential therapeutic approach for burns to address the lack of burn-specific treatments.
Project description:Study of Oxidative stress Markers (F2 Isoprostanes for lipid peroxidation, Carbonyl groups for protein peroxidation, 3 Nitrotyrosine for damage by nitrogens, and 8-Hydroxyguanosine for RNA peroxidation)in patients with colorectal cancer undergo surgical treatment (preoperatively during the intervention and postoperatively) and controls.
Project description:Human fungal pathogens must survive diverse reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by host immune cells. ROS can oxidize a range of cellular molecules including proteins, lipids, and DNA. Formation of lipid radicals by ROS can be especially damaging, as it leads to a chain reaction of lipid peroxidation that causes widespread damage to the plasma membrane. Most previous studies on antioxidant pathways in fungal pathogens have been conducted with hydrogen peroxide, so the pathways used to combat organic peroxides and lipid peroxidation are not well understood. The most well-known peroxidase in Candida albicans, catalase, only acts on hydrogen peroxide. We therefore characterized a family of four glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) that were predicted to play an important role in reducing organic peroxides. One of the GPxs, Gpx3 is also known to activate the Cap1 transcription factor that plays the major role in inducing antioxidant genes in response to ROS. Surprisingly, we found that the only measurable role of the GPxs is activation of Cap1 and did not find a significant role for GPxs in the direct detoxification of peroxides. Furthermore, a CAP1 deletion mutant strain was highly sensitive to organic peroxides and oxidized lipids, indicating an important role for antioxidant genes upregulated by Cap1 in protecting cells from organic peroxides. We identified GLR1 (Glutathione reductase), a gene upregulated by Cap1, as important for protecting cells from oxidized lipids, implicating glutathione utilizing enzymes in the protection against lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, an RNA-sequencing study in C. albicans measuring the transcriptional response for exposure to an organic peroxide showed upregulation of antioxidant and protein damage pathways. Overall, our results identify novel mechanisms by which C. albicans responds to oxidative stress resistance which open new avenues for understanding how fungal pathogens resist ROS in the host.