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A Hinek

Publications and source records attributed to A Hinek.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Functional interplay between interleukin-1 receptor and elastin binding protein regulates fibronectin production in coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

We have previously shown that free galactosugars and N-acetylgalactosamine glycosaminoglycans, e.g., chondroitin sulfate (CS), release the 67-kDa elastin binding protein (EBP) from arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) surfaces. This disrupts cell contact with elastin, impairs assembly of new elastic fibers, and increases fibronectin production, all of which promote SMC migration and intimal thickening. The present study uncovered a mechanism regulating fibronectin production in vascular myocytes related to a functional interplay between EBP and the interleukin-1 receptor type I. We showed that CS-induced shedding of the EBP or internalization of this receptor after saturation with elastin-derived peptides (kappa-elastin, kappa-El) stimulated fibronectin production in cultures of coronary artery SMC to a level observed with recombinant interleukin (IL)-1beta. Upregulation of fibronectin by CS or kappa-El was abolished by a soluble IL-1 receptor antagonist, and synergistic stimulation of fibronectin production occurred when CS or kappa-El was added with IL-1beta. Immunohistochemistry showed that EBP and IL-1 receptor type I codistributed on surfaces of unstimulated coronary artery SMC, while CS- and kappa-El-dependent removal of EBP from the cell surface increased binding of radiolabeled IL-1beta to CA SMC. We propose a unique interaction between both receptors in which unoccupied EBP interferes with IL-1beta binding. Conversely, increased accumulation of N-acetylgalactosamine glycosaminoglycans or elastin-derived peptides in the vascular wall may unmask IL-1 receptor type I and increase binding of the cytokine and consequent upregulation of fibronectin production.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1996

Early proteolytic cleavage with loss of a C-terminal fragment underlies altered processing of the beta-galactosidase precursor in galactosialidosis.

Processing of human beta-galactosidase (beta-GAL) was studied in permanently transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and compared with that in normal cells and in cells from subjects with GM1-gangliosidosis, galactosialidosis and I-cell disease. Biosynthesis of beta-GAL in CHO cells results in the synthesis of an 88 kDa glycosylated and phosphorylated monomer precursor which is enzymically active and is secreted into the medium. Post-translational processing begins at the C-terminal end of the protein and gives rise to structurally related 67 and 64 kDa mature forms. These are subsequently degraded to give several inactive products of which a 50 kDa and a 18 kDa species are prominent. In normal fibroblasts only the 84 kDa precursor is readily detected inside cells, while the 88 kDa precursor is the only form secreted from cells in the presence of ammonium chloride. Processing of the precursor in normal fibroblasts results in the appearance of both the 67 and 64 kDa mature forms, which are also degraded to give 50 and 18 kDa products, as in transfected CHO cells. As affected controls, GM1-gangliosidosis cells showed a general loss of all forms of the enzyme, while in I-cell fibroblasts only the 84 kDa precursor and an 18 kDa degradation form were prominent. In galactosialidosis fibroblasts, taken from two different subjects, processing of beta-GAL was characterized by the respective appearance of intermediate 80 and 72 kDa enzymically inactive polypeptides, at levels lower than the normal amounts of the 67 and 64 kDa mature forms and higher than the normal amounts of degradation products, one of which is of 45 kDa and arises by endoproteolytic cleavage of the 80 kDa polypeptide. Incubation for up to 72 h in medium containing leupeptin, a potent inhibitor of thiol-dependent proteases, resulted in a significantly increased level of beta-GAL activity to near normal levels in fibroblasts from one galactosialidosis subject. Concordant with this, the abundance of the 84 kDa precursor was increased and the levels of the 80 kDa, 45 kDa and 18 kDa digestion products were diminished. However, in fibroblasts from the second galactosialidosis subject, the amount of the abnormal 72 kDa polypeptide was not influenced by leupeptin treatment. Leupeptin treatment did not increase enzymic activity levels in normal, GM1-gangliosidosis or I-cell disease fibroblasts, despite the fact that the production of the 50 kDa and 18 kDa degradation products was blocked in the presence of leupeptin. We concluded that in galactosialidosis the leupeptin-inhibitable proteolytic cleavage of a small fragment causes a conformational change of the precursor that precludes its further normal processing and results in its enzymic deficiency. This early abnormal trimming of beta-GAL is ascribable to a deficiency in the functional protective protein, the function of which is absolutely essential to render beta-GAL cryptic from at least two distinct and separate proteolytic attacks that together remove at least 12 kDa from the C-terminal end of the enzyme.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The Val192Leu mutation in the alpha-subunit of beta-hexosaminidase A is not associated with the B1-variant form of Tay-Sachs disease.

Substitution mutations adversely affecting the alpha-subunit of beta-hexosaminidase A (alphabeta) (EC 3.2.1.52) result in Tay-Sachs disease. The majority affect the initial folding of the pro-alpha chain in the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in its retention and degradation. A much less common occurrence is a mutation that specifically affects an "active-site" residue necessary for substrate binding and/or catalysis. In this case, hexosaminidase A is present in the lysosome, but it lacks all alpha-specific activity. This biochemical phenotype is referred to as the "B1-variant form" of Tay-Sachs disease. Kinetic analysis of suspected B1-variant mutations is complex because hexosaminidase A is heterodimeric and both subunits possess similar active sites. In this report, we examine a previously identified B1-variant mutation, alpha-Val192Leu. Chinese hamster ovary cells were permanently cotransfected with an alpha-cDNA-construct encoding the substitution and a mutant beta-cDNA (beta-Arg211Lys), encoding a beta-subunit that is inactive but normal in all other respects. We were surprised to find that the Val192Leu substitution, produced a pro-alpha chain that did not form alpha-beta dimers and was not transported to the lysosome. Finally, we reexamined the hexosaminidase activity and protein levels in the fibroblasts from the original patient. These data were also not consistent with the biochemical phenotype of the B1 variant of Tay-Sachs disease previously reported to be present. Thus, we conclude that the Val192Leu substitution does not specifically affect the alpha-active site.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The 67 kDa spliced variant of beta-galactosidase serves as a reusable protective chaperone for tropoelastin.

Numerous cell types express the 67 kDa galactolectin related to the alternatively spliced variant of beta-galactosidase. This 67 kDa protein, while present on cell surfaces, mediates cell contacts with elastin, laminin and collagen type IV. In elastin-producing tissues, the 67 kDa protein also co-localizes with intracellular tropoelastin and mature elastic fibres. We have established that this elastin binding protein (EBP) serves as a molecular chaperone for tropoelastin. The EBP binds this highly hydrophobic and unglycosylated ligand intracellularly, protecting it from intracellular self aggregation and premature proteolytic degradation, and mediates its orderly assembly upon the microfibrillar scaffold. While some of this protein is incorporated as a permanent component of elastic fibres, most of the EBP, after extracellular dissociation from its ligand, recycles back to the intracellular endosomal compartment and re-associates with the newly synthesized tropoelastin. We suggest that recycling of this reusable shuttle protein is imperative for the effective extracellular deposition of insoluble elastin.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1995

Recycling of the 67-kDa elastin binding protein in arterial myocytes is imperative for secretion of tropoelastin.

We have shown previously that the 67-kDa elastin binding protein (EBP) colocalizes intracellularly and extracellularly with tropoelastin in fetal sheep aorta, suggesting that these two proteins associate along the secretory pathway. Moreover, we have established that association with EBP protects tropoelastin from serine proteinases and from intracellular coacervation, and is necessary for its proper extracellular assembly. Since the production of tropoelastin by aortic smooth muscle cells (Ao SMC) exceeds production of the EBP, we speculated that this binding protein might recycle back into the cell, associating again with newly synthesized tropoelastin. In this report we labeled cultured Ao SMC externally with the F(ab')2 fragments of immunoglobulin which recognizes sheep EBP and followed trafficking of EBP by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Our results indicate that the majority of the EBP residing on the cell surface can be internalized to endocytic compartments (but not to lysosomes) and recycled back to the plasma membrane within 45-60 min. We have also determined that reagents disturbing pH of distinct endocytic compartments (chloroquine and bafilomycin A1, but not ammonium chloride) arrest recycling of the EBP and, at the same time, strongly inhibit deposition of insoluble elastin in cultures of sheep Ao SMC and in organ cultures of chicken aorta. In contrast, neither chloroquine nor bafilomycin A1 inhibit total protein synthesis or synthesis of tropoelastin. Our results suggest that the EBP serves as a reusable shuttle protein for tropoelastin and that its recycling is essential for effective deposition of insoluble elastin.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Kinetic mechanism and characterization of human beta-galactosidase precursor secreted by permanently transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Chinese hamster ovary cell clones permanently transfected with the cDNA for human lysosomal beta-galactosidase secrete the enzyme precursor into the cell medium, from which it is purified to apparent homogeneity in a single step by affinity chromatography. The purified precursor is fully active, displays the same pH optimum and Km values as the mature placental enzyme, and has an intact C-terminus. The intact enzyme when chromatographed on a Sephacryl S-200 molecular-sieve column elutes as a 105,500 Da monomer, whereas on SDS/PAGE gels the polypeptide migrates as an 88 kDa polypeptide. A time course of digestion with glycopeptide-N-glycanase shows the gradual conversion of the precursor from an 88 to a 72 kDa protein, suggesting the presence of five N-linked oligosaccharides in the protein. The precursor is readily taken up in a mannose-6-phosphate-dependent manner into beta-galactosidase-deficient, GM1-gangliosidosis fibroblasts, and the enzyme activity is returned to normal levels. We show that the stereochemical course of enzymic hydrolysis involves the retention of the beta-configuration at the anomeric centre, suggesting a double-displacement mechanism. Furthermore, the enzyme is rapidly and irreversibly inactivated in the presence of the mechanism-based inactivator 2,4-dinitrophenyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-galactopyranoside, which implicates a covalent intermediate. The enzyme is also inactivated by 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodi-imide and by phenylglyoxal, which implicates carboxylate and arginine residues respectively in the active site. We conclude that the beta-galactosidase precursor is functionally identical to the mature lysosomal form of the enzyme and serves as an excellent enzyme source for investigation of structure-function relationships in the protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

67-kD elastin-binding protein is a protective "companion" of extracellular insoluble elastin and intracellular tropoelastin.

The 67-kD elastin-binding protein (EBP) mediates cell adhesion to elastin and elastin fiber assembly, and it is similar, if not identical, to the 67-kD enzymatically inactive, alternatively spliced beta-galactosidase. The latter contains an elastin binding domain (S-GAL) homologous both to the aorta EBP and to NH2-terminal sequences of serine proteinases (Hinek, A., M. Rabinovitch, F. W. Keeley, and J. Callahan. 1993. J. Clin. Invest. 91:1198-1205). We now confirm the functional importance of this homology by showing that elastolytic activity of a representative serine elastase, porcine pancreatic elastase, was prevented by an antibody (anti-S-GAL) and by competing with purified EBP or S-GAL peptide. Immunohistochemistry of adult aorta indicates that the EBP exists as a permanent component of mature elastic fibers. This observation, together with the in vitro studies, suggests that the EBP could protect insoluble elastin from extracellular proteolysis and contribute to the extraordinary stability of this protein. Double immunolabeling of fetal lamb aorta with anti-S-GAL and antitropoelastin antibodies demonstrated, under light and electron microscopy, intracellular colocalization of the proteins in smooth muscle cells (SMC). Incubation of SMC with galactosugars to dissociate tropoelastin from EBP caused intracellular aggregation of tropoelastin. A tropoelastin/EBP complex was extracted from SMC lysates by coimmunoprecipitation and cross-linking, and its functional significance was addressed by showing that its dissociation by galactosugars caused degradation of tropoelastin by endogenous serine proteinase(s). This suggests that the EBP may also serve as a "companion" to intracellular tropoelastin, protecting this highly hydrophobic protein from self-aggregation and proteolytic degradation.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

The endogenous vascular elastase that governs development and progression of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats is a novel enzyme related to the serine proteinase adipsin.

We showed previously a cause and effect relationship between increased activity of an endogenous vascular elastase (EVE) and experimentally induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. We now report the isolation and characterization of EVE. Degenerate oligonucleotides synthesized to homologous sequences in serine elastases were used in a PCR with rat pulmonary artery (PA) cDNA. The PCR product hybridized to a 1.2-kb mRNA and the intensity of hybridization was threefold increased in RNA from rat hypertensive PA at a timepoint when EVE activity was increased. The PCR product was used to screen a cDNA library and sequences obtained encoded rat adipsin. We then used immunoaffinity to purify EVE. An antibody to the elastin-binding protein was used to remove this competitor of elastase from the PA extract and the elastolytic activity increased 100-fold. The enzyme was purified using an antibody that recognizes NH2-terminal sequences of serine proteinases and the eluate was further purified using an antibody raised against recombinant adipsin. A single band at 20 kD immunoreactive with the adipsin antibody was resolved as an active enzyme on an elastin substrate gel. Immunogold labeling with an antibody to an adipsin peptide sequence localized EVE to PA smooth muscle cells. This is the first isolation of EVE; it appears to be a novel enzyme related to the serine proteinase adipsin originally found in adipose tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Nature and the multiple functions of the 67-kD elastin-/laminin binding protein.

Numerous cell types, including fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, chondroblasts, monocytes, neutrophils, and several tumor cells express the 67-kD galactolectin, homologous to the alternatively spliced variant of beta-galactosidase. The 67-kD protein resides on the cell surfaces and is capable of interacting with elastin, laminin and collagen type IV. This peripheral membrane protein binds its matrix ligands but only in the absence of galactosugars, whereas binding of galactosugar-containing moieties to its lectin site changes its molecular folding which causes discharge of the ligand and release of the receptor from the cell surface. This review will address the functional significance of the single receptor that interacts with multiple matrix proteins and can be shed from cell surfaces by galactosugars. I will emphasize the role of the 67-kD protein in divergent cellular processes, such as cell-matrix attachment, matrix assembly, cellular chemotaxis, and active migration through the vascular walls.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1993

The ductus arteriosus migratory smooth muscle cell phenotype processes tropoelastin to a 52-kDa product associated with impaired assembly of elastic laminae.

We established the identity of a 52-kDa protein secreted by fetal lamb ductus arteriosus (DA) smooth muscle cells (SMC) and suggest how it might be related to structural changes unique to DA development, i.e. reduced assembly of elastic laminae and associated formation of intimal cushions. We produced a monoclonal antibody (HI-20) to the 52-kDa protein and observed, by electron microscopy, immunogold labeling of elastin in both DA and aorta vessel walls. Western immunoblotting showed that HI-20, as well as antibodies to tropoelastin, reacted with the 52-kDa protein secreted by DA SMC, as well as with 68-kDa tropoelastin. The highly specific antibody to the carboxyl-terminal sequence of tropoelastin failed, however, to recognize the 52-kDa protein, although it reacted well with the 68-kDa tropoelastin. Amino acid analysis and sequencing data confirmed the identity of the affinity-purified 52-kDa protein as truncated tropoelastin with an intact amino terminus. Cell-free translation of mRNA extracted from DA and aorta SMC produced a 68-kDa, but not a 52-kDa, immunoprecipitated tropoelastin. When DA and aorta SMC were pulsed with [14C]valine, we immunoprecipitated, after only a 15-min chase, both 68-kDa and 52-kDa tropoelastin from cell extracts of DA SMC, but only the 68-kDa tropoelastin was present in aorta SMC. There was no evidence of proteolytic degradation of radiolabeled aorta 68-kDa tropoelastin to a 52-kDa species when mixed with DA SMC conditioned medium. This suggests that the 52-kDa tropoelastin is the result of cell-associated processing or degradation of an original 68-kDa product of translation. Furthermore, pulse-chase experiments showed initial secretion of equivalent amounts of 68-kDa and 52-kDa tropoelastins by cultured DA SMC with increasing accumulation of the 52-kDa species, suggesting its impaired insolubilization. The production, in high concentration, of a 52-kDa tropoelastin product that lacks the carboxyl terminus, may prevent its alignment on the microfibrillar scaffold, resulting in abnormal assembly of elastic laminae in the DA. The accumulation of this soluble tropoelastin may be associated with the previously described property of chemotaxis resulting in the increased SMC migration into the subendothelium associated with DA intimal thickening.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The 67-kD elastin/laminin-binding protein is related to an enzymatically inactive, alternatively spliced form of beta-galactosidase.

We and others have previously shown that a 67-kD cell surface elastin/laminin-binding protein (EBP) is responsible for cell adhesion to elastin and laminin and for mediating the process of elastin fiber assembly, but the nature of this protein was unknown. In this report we provide evidence that a 67-kD catalytically inactive form of beta-galactosidase produced by alternative splicing demonstrates immunological and functional similarity and sequence homology to the 67-kD EBP, suggesting that the two might be the same. Antibody prepared to a synthetic peptide, N-Ac-GSPSAQDEASPL, corresponding to a frame-shift-generated sequence unique to the alternatively spliced form of human beta-galactosidase, also recognized sheep EBP both on Western blotting and in aortic tissue. Furthermore, this synthetic peptide (S-GAL) binds to elastin and laminin, but not to fibronectin, collagen I, or collagen III. Moreover, both tropoelastin and laminin which bind to S-GAL peptide affinity columns can be specifically eluted from them with an excess of free S-GAL peptides. In addition, sequence homology among this splice variant of human beta-galactosidase, sheep EBP, and NH2-terminal sequences of some elastases suggests that these proteins share a common ligand-binding motif that has not been previously recognized.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1992

Vascular smooth muscle cell detachment from elastin and migration through elastic laminae is promoted by chondroitin sulfate-induced "shedding" of the 67-kDa cell surface elastin binding protein.

Impaired elastin fiber assembly is observed in the fetal ductus arteriosus (DA), associated with a reduced concentration of elastin binding protein (EBP), a 67-kDa galactolectin. It is also seen in cultured aortic (Ao) smooth muscle cells (SMC) following the release of the EBP by glycosaminoglycans rich in N-acetylgalactosamine, such as chondroitin sulfate (CS). In the DA, impaired elastin fiber assembly is observed in conjunction with intimal thickening associated with increased migration of SMC into the subendothelium, a feature we previously related to increased production of fibronectin. In this report, we determined whether SMC use the EBP to attach to an elastin substrate, whether shedding of the EBP promotes SMC migration through a three-dimensional network of pure elastic laminae prepared from sheep aorta, and whether the latter is associated with increased production of fibronectin. We observed reduced attachment to elastin-coated surfaces of DA SMC deficient in EBP compared to Ao SMC. Addition of CS but not heparan sulfate (a glycosaminoglycan which does not induce EBP shedding) decreased Ao SMC attachment to elastin, as did preincubation with VGVAPG elastin-derived peptides which saturate the EBP. The immunolocalization of cell surface EBP suggested that cells can quickly replace EBP released from their surfaces by CS treatment. The magnitude of CS-induced impaired attachment of SMC to elastin was dose dependent and could be further increased by the administration of cyclohexamide and sodium azide. Also, the reversibility of CS-induced detachment was prevented by monensin. This suggests that a process of new synthesis and intracellular transport of the EBP was necessary to replace the EBP molecules released from the cell surface by CS treatment. In the migration assay, both DA and Ao SMC attached to the top of an elastin membrane, but only DA SMC deficient in EBP migrated through the laminae. Addition of CS, which induced shedding of EBP, resulted in Ao SMC migration associated with increased synthesis of fibronectin. We postulate that CS-induced release of EBP from SMC surfaces causes cell detachment from elastin and an increase in fibronectin synthesis, processes which may be critical in promoting SMC migration associated with intimal thickening developmentally in the DA and perhaps also in vascular disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Ligand affinity of the 67-kD elastin/laminin binding protein is modulated by the protein's lectin domain: visualization of elastin/laminin-receptor complexes with gold-tagged ligands.

Video-enhanced microscopy was used to examine the interaction of elastin- or laminin-coated gold particles with elastin binding proteins on the surface of live cells. By visualizing the binding events in real time, it was possible to determine the specificity and avidity of ligand binding as well as to analyze the motion of the receptor-ligand complex in the plane of the plasma membrane. Although it was difficult to interpret the rates of binding and release rigorously because of the possibility for multiple interactions between particles and the cell surface, relative changes in binding have revealed important aspects of the regulation of affinity of ligand-receptor interaction in situ. Both elastin and laminin were found to compete for binding to the cell surface and lactose dramatically decreased the affinity of the receptor(s) for both elastin and laminin. These findings were supported by in vitro studies of the detergent-solubilized receptor. Further, immobilization of the ligand-receptor complexes through binding to the cytoskeleton dramatically decreased the ability of bound particles to leave the receptor. The changes in the kinetics of ligand-coated gold binding to living cells suggest that both laminin and elastin binding is inhibited by lactose and that attachment of receptor to the cytoskeleton increases its affinity for the ligand.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1991

Impaired elastin fiber assembly related to reduced 67-kD elastin-binding protein in fetal lamb ductus arteriosus and in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells treated with chondroitin sulfate.

In the fetal ductus arteriosus (DA) disruption in the assembly of elastin fibers is associated with intimal thickening and we previously reported that fetal lamb DA smooth muscle cells incubated with endothelial conditioned medium produce two-fold more chondroitin sulfate (CS) compared with aorta (Ao) cells (Boudreau, N., and M. Rabinovitch. 1991. Lab. Invest. 64:187-199). We hypothesized that CS or dermatan sulfate (DS), both N-acetylgalactosamine glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), may be similar to free galactosugars in causing release of the 67-kD elastin binding protein (EBP) from the smooth muscle cell surfaces and impaired elastin fiber assembly. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, and western immunoblot we demonstrated a reduction in the 67-kD EBP in fetal lamb DA smooth muscle in tissue and in cultured cells. Also, reduced EBP was observed in fetal lamb and neonatal rat Ao smooth muscle cells incubated with N-acetylgalactosamine GAGs, CS, and DS, but not with N-acetylglucosamine containing GAGs, heparan sulfate (HS), or hyaluronan. Reduction in EBP was related to shedding from cell surfaces into the conditioned medium. This was associated with impaired elastin fiber assembly in cultured cells, assessed both morphologically and by a relative increase in tropoelastin and decrease in desmosines. The EBP extracted from smooth muscle cell membranes binds to an elastin affinity gel and can be eluted from it with CS but not with HS. Moreover, the amount of EBP extractable from smooth muscle cell membranes correlated with the morphologic assessment. We propose that increased CS or DS, may impair assembly of newly synthesized elastin in the media of the ductus arteriosus associated with the development of intimal thickening.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Polyclonal antibodies to tropoelastin and the specific detection and measurement of tropoelastin in vitro.

Because tropoelastin is difficult to purify, most antibodies to elastin are raised against the insoluble form of the molecule. While these antibodies cross-react with tropoelastin, antigenic differences between insoluble and soluble elastin suggest that antibodies raised directly against tropoelastin might provide a more sensitive and specific reagent for evaluating tropoelastin production in elastin-producing systems. Using an improved method for purifying tropoelastin from tissue culture explants, we describe the generation and characterization of an antibody to bovine tropoelastin. This antibody was used to develop a sensitive, direct-binding immunoassay capable of quantifying small levels of tropoelastin in conditioned medium from cultured cells. This assay takes advantage of the propensity of tropoelastin to adsorb to vinyl microtiter plates, even in the presence of serum proteins. This property, in combination with the increased sensitivity obtained using antibodies to tropoelastin, provides for a direct-binding immunoassay that detects nanogram quantities of tropoelastin directly in cell culture medium, avoiding sample preparation steps that result in extensive loss of tropoelastin. In addition, this direct-binding assay is ten- to 30-fold more sensitive than the existing competitive ELISA assays.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of tropoelastin expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Elastin production is modulated by steroid hormones and is dependent on calcium. Because vitamin D3 is involved in the regulation of calcium metabolism and influences the expression of various extracellular matrix proteins, we investigated whether vitamin D3 influences tropoelastin expression. Three elastin-producing, bovine cell types, auricular chondroblasts, nuchal ligament fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells, were treated with the principal active metabolite of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3), and with 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25[OH]2D3). Tropoelastin levels in culture media and cell layers, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay, decreased in a dose and exposure dependent manner after treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3; 24,25(OH)2D3 had no effect on tropoelastin production relative to solvent-treated controls. The maximal effective dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 10(-7) M for 48 hr, which resulted in a severalfold reduction of tropoelastin production, and decreased tropoelastin levels were detected at 8 hr after treatment. Reduction of tropoelastin protein production was paralleled by a decrease of equal magnitude in the steady-state levels of tropoelastin mRNA. Vitamin D3 metabolites had no effect on DNA or total protein synthesis. These results suggest that vitamin D3 may be an important modulator of elastin expression.

Animals↗