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Biomedical subjects

M Rosseneu

Publications and source records attributed to M Rosseneu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

LCAT activation properties of apo A-I CNBr fragments and conversion of discoidal complexes into spherical particles.

We studied the substrate properties of the phospholipid-cholesterol-apolipoprotein complexes generated with apo A-I, apo A-I-CNBr fragments, apo A-II and apo A-IV for cholesterol esterification by the enzyme lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). The kinetic parameters determined with the different complexes as substrates, showed that the complexes containing apo A-I and apo A-IV were about 40-times more efficient than those generated with the apo A-I fragments. In this system, the substrates containing apo A-II had the lowest efficiency. In spite of the differences in the kinetic parameters observed with the various apolipoprotein-lipid complexes, the cholesterol inserted in the complexes was esterified for more than 90% after 24 h in all systems studied. Based upon the results of the kinetic experiments, we followed the transformation of the discoidal complexes into spherical particles, due to the formation of a cholesteryl esters core, in the presence of low-density lipoproteins as an external source of cholesterol. We observed the formation of spherical particles by electron microscopy, after incubation of the discoidal complexes with LCAT for 24 h. The average percentage of cholesteryl esters in the converted particles was around 60% of the total cholesterol, varying between 40% for the apo A-I-CNBr-1-DPPC-cholesterol complex and up to 86% for the apo A-I-DPPC-cholesterol complex. The secondary structure of protein in the complexes was not significantly modified. However, the phospholipid phase transition disappeared, together with the parallel orientation of the phospholipid acyl chains with the helical segments of the apolipoproteins, as the phospholipids are organized in a monolayer at the surface of the spheres.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine

Diminished capacity to release metabolites of nitric oxide synthase in macrophages loaded with oxidized low-density lipoproteins.

Activation of J774-macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS and recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, as measured by the production of nitrite and citrulline. NO synthase activity was suppressed by loading the cells with oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) but not with acetylated LDL (ac-LDL), although the intracellular lipid accumulation was comparable. This suggests that the extent of activation of lipid-loaded macrophages may be influenced by the type of lipid.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases

Molecular modeling of the amphipathic helices of the plasma apolipoproteins.

In this paper we propose a classification of the amphipathic helical repeats occurring in the plasma apolipoprotein sequences. It is based upon the calculation of the molecular hydrophobicity potential around the helical segments. The repeats were identified using a new autocorrelation matrix, based upon similarities of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the amino acid residues within the apolipoprotein sequences. The helices were constructed by molecular modeling, the molecular hydrophobicity potential was calculated, and isopotential contour lines drawn around the helices yielded a three-dimensional visualization of the hydrophobicity potential. Two classes of apolipoproteins could be differentiated by comparing the hydrophobic angles obtained by projection of the isopotential contour lines on a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the helix. The isopotential contour lines around apo AI, AIV, and E are more hydrophilic than hydrophobic, whereas they are of similar intensity for apo AII, CI, and CIII. In both cases discoidal lipid-protein complexes are generated, with the amphipathic helices around the edge of the lipid core. The long axis of the helices is oriented parallel to the phospholipid acyl chains and the hydrophilic side of the helix toward the aqueous phase. As a result of the differences in hydrophobicity potential, the contact between the hydrophobic side of the helices and the phospholipid acyl chains is larger for apo AII, CI, and CIII than for the other apolipoproteins. This might account for the greater stability of the discoidal complexes generated between phospholipids and these apoproteins.

Algorithms

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein (apo) AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster: detection of genetic variation determining plasma apo AI, apo CIII and apo AIV concentrations.

We have examined the associations between levels of plasma apolipoprotein (apo) AI, apo CIII and apo AIV and genetic variation in the apo AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster in 162 boys and young men from Belgium aged from 7 to 23 years. Genotypes were determined for six restriction enzymes XmnI, PstI, SstI, PvuIIA-CIII, PvuIIB-AIV and XbaI, and for the G to A substitution at -75 bp in the 5' region of the apo AI gene. The polymorphism most strongly associated with apo AI levels was the G to A substitution (P = 0.025, R2 x 100 = 3.6%) confirming previous observations. The polymorphism most strongly associated with apo CIII levels was that of PvuIIA-CIII (P = 0.023, R2 x 100 = 2.9%) in the apo CIII gene. This novel association must be interpreted with caution until it has been confirmed in an independent sample. The polymorphism associated with the largest effect on apo AIV levels was that detected with XbaI in the apo AIV gene, but this association was not statistically significant. Previously reported associations between the SstI polymorphism and triglyceride levels, and between the PstI polymorphism and apo AI levels, were weakly detected in the present sample. Our results show that variation associated with some of the polymorphisms in the apo AI-CIII-AIV cluster makes a small, but statistically significant, contribution to the determination of apo AI and apo CIII levels in this sample of young men and boys. These observations may, in part, explain reported associations between polymorphisms in this gene cluster, differences in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, and prevalence of coronary artery disease.

Adolescent

Structural and functional properties of apolipoprotein B in chemically modified low density lipoproteins.

The structural and compositional changes occurring during in vitro chemical modification of apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B), the apolipoprotein component of low density lipoproteins (LDL), were investigated in this study. The functional properties of chemically modified apo B and especially its potential to induce accumulation of cholesterol esters in macrophages were related to the structural changes of apo B. Acetylation, maleylation or malondialdehyde conjugation did not significantly affect the lipid composition of LDL. However, the unsaturated cholesteryl esters content, especially that of cholesteryl arachidonate was significantly decreased through Cu-oxidation. The number of reactive lysine residues in apo B was decreased by Cu-catalyzed LDL oxidation, acetylation, maleylation and by malondialdehyde conjugation. The number of free cysteines decreased from six in native apo B-100 to three in Cu-oxidized LDL. The tryptophan fluorescence intensity decreased most in malondialdehyde-conjugated LDL and in Cu-oxidized LDL, compared with acetylated and maleylated LDL. The secondary structure of native and chemically modified LDL was measured by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and by circular dichroism. No significant changes were observed in the secondary structure of any of the modified LDL. These data suggest that neither acetylation, malondialdehyde treatment or even Cu-oxidation substantially altered the secondary structure of apo B, in spite of significant modifications in the primary structure. Incubation of chemically modified LDL with J774 macrophages induced an accumulation of cellular cholesteryl esters and foam cell formation. The highest cholesterol accumulation was induced after malondialdehyde treatment of LDL. These data suggest that the cellular uptake and accumulation of modified LDL is not modulated by changes in the apo B structure. Rather it seems dependent upon the net charge of the apo B protein and probably involves the modification of critical lysine residues.

Acetylation

Serum cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and high-density lipoprotein development in newborn infants: response to formulas supplemented with cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid.

Healthy newborn infants were either breast-fed or randomly designated to receive a standard formula, formula plus cholesterol, or formula plus gamma-linolenic acid at birth. At 0, 7, and 30 days of life, the following variables were measured: cholesteryl esters (cholesteryl arachidonate, cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl palmitate, and cholesteryl linoleate), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apoproteins (A-I, A-II, B, C-II, C-III, and E), and the cholesterol and apoprotein A-I content of the HDL subfractions HDL-2b, HDL-(2a + 3a), and HDL-(3b + 3c). Breast-fed infants had higher serum levels of cholesterol, cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl palmitate, cholesteryl arachidonate, and HDL-2b than had formula-fed infants. Addition of gamma-linolenic acid to formula raised cholesteryl-arachidonate levels, and cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid raised serum HDL-2b levels compared with those produced by unsupplemented formula. Our data suggest that both exogenous cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid contribute to the maturation of HDL particles associated with human milk consumption in newborn infants. They may also promote adequate delivery of cholesterol and arachidonic acid to the developing brain.

Breast Feeding

Plasma apolipoprotein A-IV metabolism in patients with chronic renal disease.

The plasma concentration and distribution of apolipoprotein A-IV were investigated in normotriglyceridaemic patients with end-stage renal disease and compared with those in a sex- and age-matched control group with normal renal function. A three-fold elevated plasma mean concentration of apolipoprotein A-IV was found in patients with end-stage renal disease treated by haemo- or peritoneal dialysis (58.5 +/- 18.9 mg dl-1 or 50.5 +/- 12.2 mg dl-1, respectively) compared with the controls (18.3 +/- 6.4 mg dl-1). The plasma distribution of apolipoprotein A-IV was studied in patients treated by haemodialysis and in controls by gel permeation chromatography. In the haemodialysis group, 40.3% of the apolipoprotein A-IV was found to be associated with the fraction of high density lipoproteins, whereas the rest (59.7%) was not associated with lipoproteins. This distribution was significantly different from that in the control group (24.8% vs. 75.2%, 0.01 less than P less than 0.05). The elevated plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein A-IV in the patients are not related to triglyceride levels and therefore are unlikely to result from an impaired catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The accumulation of apolipoprotein A-IV in high density lipoproteins from patients with end-stage renal disease might reflect the impaired reversed cholesterol transport mechanisms which are believed to be a major cause of the high prevalence of atherosclerotic diseases in these patients.

Adult

Lipoprotein profile of a Greenland Inuit population. Influence of anthropometric variables, Apo E and A4 polymorphism, and lifestyle.

Previously it has been reported that Greenland Inuit (Eskimos) from the Uummannaq district display low levels of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and relatively high levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) when compared with healthy Danish control subjects (Lancet 1971;1:1143-1146). Here we present data obtained in 1989 that show the following. In a group of 133 healthy adult Greenland Inuit from Nanortalik, the levels of plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (6.39 and 4.39 mmol/l, respectively) were slightly higher than "normal" values found in western societies, whereas the HDL cholesterol level was markedly higher (1.64 mmol/l). Compared with most Caucasian populations, the Inuit population we studied exhibits a high apolipoprotein (APO)E*4 allele frequency (0.229), whereas the APOE*2 allele frequency was extremely low (0.015). In contrast to Caucasian populations, in the Inuit population the apoE polymorphism showed only a minor influence on the plasma lipid and (apo)lipoprotein levels, as evaluated by multiple regression analysis, with the exception of apoE levels. This absence of an effect could be explained by the low very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) plus intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) cholesterol levels. The contributions of eicosapentaenoic acid and linoleic acid to the total amount of fatty acids in plasma cholesterol esters differed markedly from those reported in 1971 for another Greenland Inuit population (3.2% versus 15.8% and 49.5% versus 20.4%, respectively), thereby resembling values now found in the average western population. Even in those Inuit who reported exclusive consumption of the traditional Inuit diet (13% of the population), the fatty acid composition of the plasma cholesterol esters closely resembled the values measured in western populations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Plasma lipoprotein(a) values and severity of coronary artery disease in a large population of patients undergoing coronary angiography.

To determine possible associations between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and the severity of coronary artery lesions, we measured lipid, apolipoprotein, and Lp(a) in a large population of Belgian patients (n = 1054) undergoing coronary angiography. In both women and men, univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in the Lp(a) concentrations according to the severity of the coronary stenosis. However, after adjustment for possible confounding factors, many of these differences were attenuated, indicating that other variables that differentiate patients from control subjects also influence Lp(a) distribution. Differences in lipid, apolipoprotein, and Lp(a) concentrations between male and female patients are discussed.

Adult

Acquired hypolipoproteinemia.

We present a six-year follow-up of a boy with a novel type of hypolipoproteinemia, with clinical and biochemical features distinct from classical hypoalphalipoproteinemias. There were abnormally low concentrations of total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, apo A-I, and apo A-II, and the phospholipids were decreased. The most striking abnormality was an extra fraction containing mainly phospholipids and apo A-I in the HDL3 subfraction. This fraction is reminiscent of concentric 20- to 50-nm-diameter lamellar phospholipid liposomes. Plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was strongly decreased. We noted a persisting polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, hematological abnormalities (hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia), and a progressive splenomegaly. After the five-year follow-up, the patient had recurrent severe infections; moderate hematuria and proteinuria developed gradually. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulins improved thrombocytopenia and hypolipoproteinemia. These clinical and biochemical findings differ from those in the known primary and secondary hypo-alpha-lipoproteinemia syndromes. Although investigation of the relatives suggests a familial predisposition for hypo-alpha-lipoproteinemia, the subject's condition can be regarded as acquired.

Adolescent

Catalytic triad residue mutation (Asp156----Gly) causing familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency. Co-inheritance with a nonsense mutation (Ser447----Ter) in a Turkish family.

We studied the molecular basis of familial Type I hyperlipoproteinemia in two brothers of Turkish descent who had normal plasma apolipoprotein C-II levels and undetectable plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. We cloned the cDNAs of LPL mRNA from adipose tissue biopsies obtained from these individuals by the polymerase chain reaction and directional cloning into M13 vectors. Direct sequencing of pools of greater than 2000 cDNA clones indicates that their LPL mRNA contains two mutations: a missense mutation changing codon 156 from GAU to GGU predicting an Asp156----Gly substitution and a nonsense mutation changing the codon for Ser447 from UCA to UGA, a stop codon, predicting a truncated LPL protein that contains 446 instead of 448 amino acid residues. Both patients were homozygous for both mutations. Analysis of genomic DNAs of the patients and their family members by the polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion (the GAT----GGT mutation abolishes a TaqI restriction site), and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization confirms that the patients were homozygous for these mutations at the chromosomal level, and the clinically unaffected parents and sibling were true obligate heterozygotes for both mutations. In order to examine the functional significance of the mutations in this family, we expressed wild type and mutant LPLs in vitro using a eukaryotic expression vector. Five types of LPL proteins were produced in COS cells by transient transfection: (i) wild type LPL, (ii) Asp156----Gly mutant, (iii) Ser447----Ter mutant, (iv) Gly448----Ter mutant, and (v) Asp156----Gly/Ser447----Ter double mutant. Both LPL immunoreactive mass and enzyme activity were determined in the culture media and intracellularly. Immunoreactive LPLs were produced in all cases. The mutant LPLs, Asp156----Gly and Asp156----Gly/Ser447----Ter, were devoid of enzyme activity, indicating that the Asp156----Gly mutation is the underlying defect for the LPL deficiency in the two patients. The two mutant LPLs missing a single residue (Gly448) or a dipeptide (Ser447-Gly448) from its carboxyl terminus had normal enzyme activity. Thus, despite its conservation among all mammalian LPLs examined to date, the carboxyl terminus of LPL is not essential for enzyme activity. We further screened 224 unrelated normal Caucasians for the Ser447----Ter mutation and found 36 individuals who were heterozygous and one individual who was homozygous for this mutation, indicating that it is a sequence polymorphism of no functional significance. Human LPL shows high homology to hepatic triglyceride lipase and pancreatic lipase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue

Lipoprotein(a) profiles and evolution in newborns.

Plasma Lp(a) concentrations in newborns were quantified by a specific and sensitive ELISA assay and their evolution was followed between birth and 6 months. The influence of the diet on Lp(a) levels was also investigated. Moreover, the high sensitivity of the assay enabled the localisation of the Lp(a) fraction in the lipoprotein profile obtained after plasma separation by gel chromatography. Lp(a) levels are low at birth and rise significantly between 0 and 7 days post partum; in this newborn population, a continuous rise of the mean Lp(a) levels was observed until 180 days, in contrast with the apo B concentration that plateaus after 7 days. An early screening enabled the detection of newborns with elevated Lp(a) levels compared to the mean value of their age group. A further follow-up of some cases at 16 months confirmed the high Lp(a) levels measured in the infants and at least one of the parents. The investigation of the lipoprotein profiles as a function of the age of the newborn enabled an estimation of the size and distribution of the Lp(a) lipoprotein in four infants. At birth, Lp(a) particles were larger than LDL and tend to become more heterogeneous with increasing age of the newborn. We could not observe any statistically significant influence of the nutritional factors on the plasma Lp(a) concentrations at any age.

Age Factors

Effect of simvastatin treatment on the dyslipoproteinemia in CAPD patients.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have been proven effective in decreasing the plasma cholesterol levels in patients affected with various forms of hypercholesterolemia, familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia and in nephrotic and diabetic dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to monitor and evaluate the efficiency and safety of the therapy with simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in a group of patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with severe hypercholesterolemia. Monitoring of the changes occurring in the various lipids and apolipoproteins in these patients included the measurements of the plasma lipids and apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, C-II, A-IV and Lp(a). Lipoproteins were separated by gel filtration, on a Superose 6HR column, before and after 24 weeks of treatment. The patterns were compared to those observed in a group of primary hyperlipidemic patients treated with Lovastatin, a compound of the same class. The drug was well tolerated by the CAPD patients and no adverse reaction was observed. In addition to the decrease of the total and LDL cholesterol, similar to that reported in other groups of patients, we further observed a decrease of the apo E concentration in both the CAPD and the hyperlipidemic patients. This decrease was especially pronounced in the HDLE fraction and could involve an upregulation of the apo B-E and/or apo E receptor. These results should provide information about the mechanism of action of this drug in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Adult

Characterization of the discoidal complexes formed between apoA-I-CNBr fragments and phosphatidylcholine.

The structure, composition, and physico-chemical properties of lipid-protein complexes generated between dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DPMC) and the CNBr fragments of human apoA-I were studied. The fragments were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and purified on a reversed-phase column. The complexes with DMPC were isolated on a Superose column; their dimensions were obtained by gradient gel electrophoresis and by electron microscopy. The secondary structure of the protein in the complexes was studied both by circular dichroism and by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. The fragments 1 and 4 of apoA-I, containing, respectively, two and three amphipathic helices, recombined with the phospholipid to generate discoidal particles with sizes similar to that of apoA-I- and apoA-II-DMPC complexes. The infrared measurements indicated that in all complexes the apolipoprotein helical segments were oriented parallel to the phospholipid acyl chains and that the protein was located around the edges of the discs. Computer modelling of the complexes based on energy minimization techniques proposed a model for these particles in agreement with the dimensions measured experimentally. In conclusion, we propose that apoA-I and its longest CNBr fragments are able to generate discoidal particles with DMPC, with apolipoprotein helical segments oriented parallel to the acyl chains of the phospholipids.

Apolipoprotein A-I

Quantification of lipoprotein(a) in dried blood spots and screening for above-normal lipoprotein(a) concentrations in newborns.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is considered an additional, independent, and largely genetically determined risk factor for the development of premature coronary heart disease. Analogous with increased Lp(a) concentrations that represent an additional risk factor in adults, above-normal concentrations of Lp(a) can be detected in five- to seven-day-old newborns. We describe a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring Lp(a) in dried blood spots collected by heel-prick in five- to seven-day-old infants. Lp(a) could be quantitatively recovered from blood spots. We chose a cutoff value of 100 mg/L for identifying the newborns at risk, based on the Lp(a) distribution in 180 such infants.

Apolipoproteins A

Mode of assembly of amphipathic helical segments in model high-density lipoproteins.

The structure of discoidal apo A-I-phospholipid complexes, representing the metabolic precursors of mature high-density lipoprotein particles, was studied by a combination of both a theoretical and an experimental approach. The secondary structure of the complex was determined by circular dichroic measurements, while the relative orientation of the apo A-I helical segments and of the phospholipid acyl chains was determined by ATR infrared measurements. Fluorescence energy transfer between the tryptophan residues of apo A-I and fluorescent phospholipid probes yielded an estimation of the relative topography of the lipid and apolipoprotein components in discoidal and spherical particles. The theoretical approach consisted of the identification of the helical segments in various apo A-I species. These segments were then oriented at a lipid/water interface by minimization of their hydrophobic and hydrophilic transfer energies. The calculation of the hydrophobicity profiles along the axis of the helices leads to the identification of specific interactions between pairs of helices. The helices were further assembled together with the phospholipids by computer modelling, enabling an estimation of the dimensions of the complex. The combination of the experimental and theoretical results yielded a model for discoidal apolipoprotein-phospholipid complexes, in which the amphipathic helical segments are oriented along the edges of the discs. Such a model can be extended to the conversion of these complexes into mature spherical HDL, through the formation of a cholesteryl ester core.

Amino Acid Sequence

Determinants of fat consumption in a general population.

In a random sample of the adult population (aged 25-64 years) from Ghent and Charleroi in Belgium, dietary fat consumption was estimated using both qualitative and quantitative dietary methods. A fat consumption score (FCS) was constructed from the qualitative method, and it correlated significantly with the dietary polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P/S) ratio calculated from the quantitative method (r = -0.48; p less than 0.001). Differences in FCS were then studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. In both men and women, FCS was higher in Charleroi than in Ghent. In men, FCS was inversely related with educational level and with age. In women, significant correlations were observed with marital status. No differences were found in FCS by smoking behaviour. With the coronary risk factors, low-order relationships were found, but only in men. In the middle-aged group, significant correlations were found between FCS and the fatty acid composition of the serum cholesteryl esters, in particular with the linoleate/oleate ratio.

Adult