Mei-Zhen Cui

Foam cell formation is the key process in the development of atherosclerosis. The uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) converts macrophages into foam cells. We recently reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced foam cell formation is regulated by CD14 and scavenger receptor AI (SR-AI). In this study, we employed pharmaceutical and gene knockdown approaches to determine the upstream molecular mediators, which control LPS-induced foam cell formation. Our results demonstrated that the specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway inhibitor, SP600125, but neither the specific inhibitor of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase MEK1/2, U0126, nor the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, significantly blocks LPS-induced oxLDL uptake, suggesting that the JNK pathway is the upstream mediator of LPS-induced oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation. To address whether JNK pathway mediates LPS-induced oxLDL uptake is due to JNK pathway-regulated CD14 and SR-AI expression, we assessed whether the pharmaceutical inhibitor of JNK influences LPS-induced expression of CD14 and SR-AI. Our results indicate that JNK pathway mediates LPS-induced CD14 and SR-AI expression. To conclusively address the isoform role of JNK family, we depleted JNK isoforms using the JNK isoform-specific siRNA. Our data showed that the depletion of JNK1, but not JNK2 blocked LPS-induced CD14/SR-AI expression and foam cell formation. Taken together, our results reveal for the first time that JNK1 is the key mediator of LPS-induced CD14 and SR-AI expression in macrophages, leading to LPS-induced oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation. We conclude that the novel JNK1/CD14/SR-AI pathway controls macrophage oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), one component of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), is a potent bioactive phospholipid. Our recent data reveal that LPA induces matricellular protein CCN1 (also known as Cyr61) expression in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and that CCN1 bridges LPA and integrin signaling pathways leading to SMC migration. Whether and how LPA regulates the transcriptional machinery of the CCN1 gene are unknown. In this study, we found that LPA markedly induces CCN1 mRNA expression in SMCs. Using deleting mutation and reporter gene strategies, we demonstrated regions from –2038 to –1787 and from –101 to +63 of the CCN1 promoter contain the essential regulatory elements. The serum response element (SRE) and cyclic AMP-response element (CRE) are located in these regions. LPA induced time-dependent phosphorylation of serum response factor (SRF) and CRE-binding protein (CREB) in mouse SMCs. Luciferase assays of a series of deleted, mutated CCN1 promoter-reporter gene constructs and dominant negative construct revealed the distal SRE and the proximal CRE in the CCN1 promoter are required for LPA-induced CCN1 gene expression. Our results imply that elevated LPA levels may trigger SMC migration and exacerbate restenosis and atherosclerotic lesions through the induced CCN1, which communicates with a set of plasma membrane proteins and intracellular kinases.

Presenilin-1 (PS1) or presenilin-2 (PS2), nicastrin (NCT), anterior pharynx-defective 1 (Aph-1), and presenilin enhancer-2 (Pen-2) have been considered the minimal essential subunits required to form an active γ -secretase complex. Besides PS, which has been widely believed to function as the catalytic subunit of the complex, the functional roles of the other subunits in the γ -secretase complex remain debatable. In the current study, we set out to determine the role of Pen-2 in γ -secretase activity. To this end, using knockout cells in combination with siRNA and immunoprecipitation approaches, our results revealed that Pen-2 together with presenilin are sufficient to form a functionally active enzyme to process Notch. Specifically, our data demonstrated that Pen-2 plays a crucial role in substrate binding, a mechanism by which Pen-2 contributes directly to the catalytic mechanism of γ -secretase activity. Our data also suggested that there may be different requirements for components to process AβPP and Notch. This information would be important for therapeutic strategy aimed at inhibition or modulation of γ -secretase activity.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a naturally occurring bioactive phospholipid, activates G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), leading to regulation of diverse cellular events including cell survival and apoptosis. Despite extensive studies of the signaling pathways that mediate LPA-regulated cell growth and survival, the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effect of LPA remain largely unclear. In this study, we investigated this issue in HeLa cells. Our data demonstrate that LPA induces apoptosis in HeLa cells at pathologic concentrations with a concomitant upregulation of the expression of TNFRSF21 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21), also known as death receptor number 6 (DR6) involved in inflammation. Moreover, treatment of cells with LPA receptor (LPAR) antagonist abolished the DR6 upregulation by LPA. LPA-induced DR6 expression was also abrogated by pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of GPCRs, and by inhibitors of PI3K, PKC, MEK, and ERK. Intriguingly, LPA-induced DR6 expression was specifically blocked by dominant-negative form of PKCδ(PKCδ-DN). LPA-induced DR6 expression was also dramatically inhibited by knockdown of ERK or CREB. These results suggest that activation of the MEK/ERK pathway and the transcription factor CREB mediate LPA-induced DR6 expression. More interestingly, knockdown of DR6 using siRNA approach remarkably attenuated LPA-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that LPA-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells is mediated by the upregulation of DR6 expression.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is an essential step involved in neointimal formation in restenosis and atherosclerosis. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive component of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and is produced by activated platelets, implying that LPA influences vascular remodeling. Our previous study revealed that matricellular protein CCN1, a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, mediates LPA-induced SMC migration in vitro. Here we examined the role of CCN1 in LPA-induced neointimal formation. By using LPA infusion of carotid artery in a mouse model, we demonstrated that LPA highly induced CCN1 expression (approximately six- to sevenfold) in neointimal lesions. Downregulation of CCN1 expression with the specific CCN1 siRNA in carotid arteries blocked LPA-induced neointimal formation, indicating that CCN1 is essential in LPA-induced neointimal formation. We then used LPA receptor knockout (LPA₁−/−, LPA₂−/−, and LPA₃−/−) mice to examine LPA receptor function in CCN1 expression in vivo and in LPA-induced neointimal formation. Our data reveal that LPA₁ deficiency, but not LPA₂ or LPA₃ deficiency, prevents LPA-induced CCN1 expression in vivo in mouse carotid arteries. We also observed that LPA₁ deficiency blunted LPA infusion-induced neointimal formation, indicating that LPA₁ is the major mediator for LPA-induced vascular remodeling. Our in vivo model of LPA-induced neointimal formation established a key role of the ECM protein CCN1 in mediating LPA-induced neointimal formation. Our data support the notion that the LPA₁-CCN1 axis may be the central control for SMC migration and vascular remodeling. CCN1 may serve as an important vascular disease marker and potential target for vascular therapeutic intervention.

Over 130 y have passed since Charles Darwin first discovered that the adventitious roots of English ivy ( Hedera helix ) exude a yellowish mucilage that promotes the capacity of this plant to climb vertical surfaces. Unfortunately, little progress has been made in elucidating the adhesion mechanisms underlying this high-strength adhesive. In the previous studies, spherical nanoparticles were observed in the viscous exudate. Here we show that these nanoparticles are predominantly composed of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), a superfamily of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins present in the extracellular spaces of plant cells. The spheroidal shape of the AGP-rich ivy nanoparticles results in a low viscosity of the ivy adhesive, and thus a favorable wetting behavior on the surface of substrates. Meanwhile, calcium-driven electrostatic interactions among carboxyl groups of the AGPs and the pectic acids give rise to the cross-linking of the exuded adhesive substances, favor subsequent curing (hardening) via formation of an adhesive film, and eventually promote the generation of mechanical interlocking between the adventitious roots of English ivy and the surface of substrates. Inspired by these molecular events, a reconstructed ivy-mimetic adhesive composite was developed by integrating purified AGP-rich ivy nanoparticles with pectic polysaccharides and calcium ions. Information gained from the subsequent tensile tests, in turn, substantiated the proposed adhesion mechanisms underlying the ivy-derived adhesive. Given that AGPs and pectic polysaccharides are also observed in bioadhesives exuded by other climbing plants, the adhesion mechanisms revealed by English ivy may forward the progress toward understanding the general principles underlying diverse botanic adhesives.