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Biomedical subjects

V N Smirnov

Publications and source records attributed to V N Smirnov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prothrombotic phenotype diversity of human aortic endothelial cells in culture.

We have previously demonstrated that human aortic endothelium exhibits morphologic heterogeneity in situ, and this heterogeneity can be reproduced in culture. In this study, we have compared prothrombotic properties of cultured endothelial cells (EC) from areas of human aorta at high risk for atherosclerosis (HP-EC) with EC from areas at low risk (LP-EC). Using paired cultures from the same donors, we have found that the expression of cell surface thrombomodulin (TM)--as measured by the ability to generate activated protein C (APC) from protein C in the presence of thrombin--is relatively reduced on HP-EC compared to LP-EC (respectively, 4.98 +/- 4.43 vs. 5.83 +/- 4.37 pM APC/min/cm2; p = .03, n = 12). Furthermore, HP-EC more efficiently assemble the prothrombinase complex on their cellular surface, resulting in an increased rate of thrombin generation from prothrombin (9.81 +/- 3.10 (HP-EC) vs. 7.96 +/- 3.20 nM thrombin/min/cm2 (LP-EC); p less than .03, n = 7). The combination of reduced TM expression and increased prothrombinase complex assembly on HP-EC suggests a prothrombotic phenotype in these cells. These findings may be important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis associated with atherosclerotic plaques.

Aorta

Cytokine secretion by human aortic endothelial cells is related to degree of atherosclerosis.

We have previously described a 13- to 15-kDa T-lymphocyte-specific chemotactic protein (endothelial cell-derived lymphocyte chemoattractant activity, ED-LCA) secreted by serotonin-stimulated bovine aortic endothelial cells. In the current study, we have identified a similar serotonin-induced chemotaxin secreted by human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Like the bovine ED-LCA, secretion of this human T-cell chemotaxin peaked at 10(-5) M serotonin, was blocked by 5-HT2-receptor antagonists, and was not induced by other vasoactive amines, such as histamine or angiotensin II. In addition, human ED-LCA had no effect on neutrophil or monocyte migration. Using HAEC and human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC) from the same individual, we found that serotonin-stimulated HAEC, but not HPAEC, secreted ED-LCA. Because human vascular endothelium affected by atherosclerosis is morphologically, ultrastructurally, and phenotypically distinct from unaffected areas, we evaluated the secretion of this cytokine from cultured HAEC derived from areas of aorta differentially affected by atherosclerosis. We found that the degree of atherosclerotic involvement of an individual vessel was associated with a decrease in the uptake of serotonin and a reduction in serotonin-induced ED-LCA secretion. In response to serotonin, HAEC derived from atherosclerotic plaques did not secrete ED-LCA, whereas HAEC derived from fatty streaks secreted lesser amounts of ED-LCA than HAEC derived from normal areas. These studies demonstrate that in vivo morphological heterogeneity of HAEC is maintained in vitro and is associated with alterations in function, as measured by cytokine secretion.

Aorta

Three types of naturally occurring modified lipoproteins induce intracellular lipid accumulation due to lipoprotein aggregation.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) from patients with coronary atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus as well as in vitro desialylated LDL, glycosylated LDL, and lipoprotein (a) caused a twofold to fourfold rise in cholesteryl ester in cultured human blood monocytes and intimal smooth muscle cells isolated from normal aorta. Native LDL from healthy subjects failed to induce intracellular lipid accumulation. We have demonstrated by laser correlative photometry and gel filtration chromatography that in vivo and in vitro modified lipoproteins form aggregates under cell culture conditions. The degree of modified lipoprotein aggregation directly correlated with the ability of these lipoproteins to elevate the cholesteryl ester content of cultured cells. Modified lipoprotein aggregates isolated by gel filtration induced a threefold to fivefold elevation in cellular cholesteryl ester content. Aggregates of 125I-modified LDL were taken up and degraded fivefold to sevenfold more effectively as compared with nonaggregated lipoproteins. The uptake and degradation of 125I-labeled aggregates were strongly inhibited by unlabeled aggregates, latex beads, and cytochalasin B but not by native or acetylated LDL. These data indicate that uptake of lipoprotein aggregates occurred by phagocytosis. Obtained results suggest that modified lipoprotein aggregation may be the key condition for lipid accumulation.

Cells, Cultured

Three types of naturally occurring modified lipoproteins induce intracellular lipid accumulation in human aortic intimal cells--the role of lipoprotein aggregation.

Blood monocytes or intimal smooth muscle cells from normal aorta were incubated with low density lipoprotein (LDL) from patients with coronary atherosclerosis, or with LDL from diabetic patients, or with lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)). In each case there was a 2- to 4-fold rise in the intracellular cholesteryl ester content. LDL from healthy subjects failed to induce intracellular lipid accumulation in these cells. LDL from patients with coronary atherosclerosis, LDL from diabetic patients, and Lp(a) form aggregates under cell culture conditions. The ability of these lipoproteins to increase the cholesteryl ester content of cultured cells is directly correlated to the degree of lipoprotein aggregation. When aggregates were removed from the lipoprotein preparations by filtration, the latter became less effective in promoting intracellular lipid accumulation. Incubation of cells with lipoprotein aggregates, isolated by gel filtration, induced a 3- to 5-fold elevation of the cellular cholesteryl ester content. These results suggest that LDL from atherosclerotic patients, or LDL from diabetic patients, or Lp(a) have a tendency to form aggregates and that these aggregates are avidly taken up by intimal smooth muscle cells followed by lipid accumulation. This aggregation tendency may play a role in atherogenesis.

Aorta

Multiple-modified desialylated low density lipoproteins that cause intracellular lipid accumulation. Isolation, fractionation and characterization.

BACKGROUND: The basic differences between sialylated (sialic acid rich) and desialylated (sialic acid poor) human low density lipoproteins (LDL) are not fully defined. It is not known whether there are any differences in the LDL composition of coronary atherosclerosis patients and healthy individuals. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sialylated (45 to 94% of total LDL) and desialylated (6 to 55%) LDL were separated by affinity chromatography on Ricinus communis agglutinin-agarose, and their chemical composition and physical properties were examined. RESULTS: Sialic acid contents in sialylated LDL fractions of healthy subjects and patients were the same and 1.5 to 3-fold higher than in desialylated LDL. Desialylated LDL had smaller sizes and greater electrophoretic mobility than sialylated ones. Desialylated, but not sialylated LDL, induced 1.5- to 4-fold accumulation of neutral lipids in human aortic smooth muscle cells and human blood monocytes. Subfractions of desialylated LDL containing lower amount of sialic acid revealed higher ability to accumulate lipids in cultured cells. Desialylated LDL contained lower amounts of cholesteryl esters, free cholesterol and triglycerides as compared with sialylated LDL. On the other hand, concentration of di-, monoglycerides and free fatty acids in desialylated LDL was 2 to 3-fold higher than in sialylated lipoproteins. Desialylated LDL fraction was characterized by lower levels of phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine, but higher content of lysophosphatidylcholine. Freshly isolated sialylated and desialylated LDL contained equal amounts of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, but oxidation of desialylated LDL was more pronounced in presence of Cu(2+)-ions. Desialylated LDL had higher level of oxysterols and lower amounts of vitamin A and E. Content of free amino groups of lysine in desialylated LDL of patients was 2-fold lower than in sialylated LDL. This difference was partially due to masking of amino groups caused by conformational change in the tertiary structure of apolipoprotein, partially to chemical modification of amino groups. When subfractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation, desialylated LDL was represented by higher density particles than sialylated LDL. Sialic acid content in desialylated LDL subfractions decreased with rise of lipoprotein density. Higher density desialylated LDL and in less extent sialylated LDL contained smaller amounts of free and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids. Only the densest subfractions of desialylated LDL from healthy subjects caused intracellular lipid accumulation. Ability of patients' desialylated LDL to accumulate cholesterol in cells increased with particle density. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive biochemical and biophysical analysis performed in this study shows that desialylated LDL differ from these sialylated LDL in many respects. The LDL of coronary atherosclerosis patients differ from those in healthy individuals in several parameters.

Adult

Sialic acid content of human low density lipoproteins affects their interaction with cell receptors and intracellular lipid accumulation.

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) isolated from the plasma of patients with angiographically demonstrable coronary heart disease (CHD) induced accumulation of triglycerides, free cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters in cultured macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells derived from uninvolved intima of human aorta, but not in skin fibroblasts or hepatoma cells. The sialic acid content of LDL from CHD patients was 40-75% lower than that from healthy donors. There was a negative correlation between LDL sialic acid content and the LDL-induced accumulation of total intracellular cholesterol. Neuraminidase treatment of LDL from normal healthy donors produced sialic acid-depleted LDL (Ds-LDL) which was able to stimulate intracellular lipid accumulation. Neuraminidase treatment of LDL from CHD patients further increased its capacity to induce intracellular lipid accumulation. Sialic acid-poor LDL isolated by affinity chromatography of LDL from CHD patients induced a 2- to 4-fold increase of free and esterified cholesterol in human intimal smooth muscle cells. Binding, uptake, and degradation of 125I-labeled Ds-LDL by macrophages and endothelial cells were 1.5- to 2-fold higher than for native LDL. Binding and uptake of Ds-LDL was inhibited 64-93% by the addition of 20-fold excess acetylated LDL (Ac-LDL); in the inverse experiment, the level of inhibition was 35-54%. These data indicate that a sialic acid-poor form of LDL isolated from CHD patients can interact with both native and scavenger LDL receptors. A sialic acid-poor form of LDL may be a naturally occurring ligand that interacts with the scavenger receptor(s) on macrophages and endothelial cells.

Adult

A monoclonal antibody, VM64, reacts with a 130 kDa glycoprotein common to platelets and endothelial cells: heterogeneity in antibody binding to human aortic endothelial cells.

A new monoclonal antibody (mAb), VM64, reacts with a common antigen on the surface of human platelets and vascular endothelial cells (EC). Under nonreduced conditions it recognized in immunoblotting a protein of 130 kDa both in platelets and EC. VM64 precipitated the same 130 kDa protein from the lysate of surface radioiodinated platelets. Electrophoretic mobility of this protein was not altered by reduction and differed from the bands precipitated by reference mAb against platelet glycoproteins (GP) Ia-IIa, Ib, IIb-IIIa and GMP130. VM64 binding to platelets and EC was specific and saturable. The number of binding sites on platelets was 9.9 +/- 3.5 x 10(3) per platelet and on the surface of EC monolayer -2.40 +/- 0.32 x 10(6) per cell. VM64 also binds to platelets from Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patients which lack GPIIb-IIIa. VM64 did not affect platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, thrombin and ristocetin. In the monolayers of EC from umbilical vein and human aorta, VM64 stained the area at the periphery of the cells adjacent to the cell-cell boundaries. In preconfluent cultures preferential staining was observed at the active leading margins of the cells. Unlike EC cultures from umbilical vein, where all cells were positively stained, in aortic EC cultures some unstained or poorly stained cells were constantly present, indicating a heterogeneity of EC population related to the expression of VM64 antigen. The biochemical characteristics of VM64 antigen, its presence both on platelets and EC and typical distribution on the surface of EC suggested that this antigen is identical to PECAM (CD31) protein.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Ribosome-bound EF-1 alpha-like protein of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The SUP2 (SUP35) omnipotent suppressor gene encodes the EF-1 alpha-like polypeptide, intimately involved in the control of translational ambiguity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The present study is devoted to the immunological characterization of the Sup2 protein. The SUP2 gene was fused to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene and a polyclonal antibody against the corresponding Sup2--beta-galactosidase hybrid protein was obtained. This antibody identified a 79-kDa protein that was absent in those cells where the SUP2 gene was disrupted, and an abundance of this protein was observed in cells overexpressing the SUP2 gene. The localization of this protein was studied in subcellular fractionation experiments. The SUP2 gene product proved to be uniformly distributed throughout ribosome-enriched samples, i.e. free polysomes, crude microsomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum. It was not found in the cytoplasm and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The SUP2-encoded protein was fully ribosome associated and less abundant than the ribosomal protein L3. Also, in a sucrose gradient, Sup2 preferentially cosedimented with the 40S ribosomal subunit, but not with the 60S subunit. The functional significance of this association is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Effect of chylomicron remnants on cholesterol metabolism in cultured rabbit hepatocytes: very low density lipoprotein and bile acid production.

The interrelationship between very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion and bile acid production was studied in primary culture of rabbit hepatocytes. Chylomicron remnants (CR) were added to the cultures to study their effect on VLDL secretion and bile acid production. After 24 hr preincubation of cells with CR (10-50 micrograms protein/mL), intercellular neutral lipid content was increased 1.5-4-fold in a dose-dependent manner. Neutral lipid accumulation was accompanied by a 70-90% reduction of [14C]acetate incorporation into cholesterol, while no stimulation of [14C]oleate incorporation into cholesteryl esters was observed. Incubation of cells with CR increased secretion of free cholesterol, triacylglycerol and apoproteins B and E in VLDL. Stimulation of VLDL cholesterol secretion was accompanied by a reduction of taurocholic acid synthesis. These data demonstrate the existence of an inverse relationship between secretion of VLDL cholesterol and bile acid production under conditions of effective uptake of triacylglycerol-rich CR by hepatocytes.

Acetates

Lipids in cells of atherosclerotic and uninvolved human aorta. III. Lipid distribution in intimal sublayers.

The distribution, content, and composition of tissue and cellular lipids in intimal layers of unaffected and atherosclerotic human aorta were studied. Aortic tissue was divided into medial and intimal layers; the intimal layer was further separated into elastic-hyperplastic and musculo-elastic sublayers. Cells were isolated from both intimal layers by enzyme digestion. The lipids extracted from whole tissue and cells were separated by TLC and analyzed by scanning densitometry. The highest content of phospholipids (PhL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (C), and cholesteryl esters (CE) was detected in the elastic-hyperplastic layer of atherosclerotic plaque. However, taking into account that the elastic-hyperplastic layer of intima in lesioned areas was thickened, the lipid content per volume unit of both sublayers in fatty streaks and in plaques was equal. In the media underlying an atherosclerotic plaque, an increase in CE rather than in other lipid classes occurred. In the intima, an overall increase in PhL, TG, C, and CE content was found to display a constant ratio between these lipid classes, similar to that of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Cells isolated from atherosclerotic lesions had a higher lipid content than cells from areas of unaffected intima. However, the increase in the content of different lipid classes was not proportional, compared with tissue lipids. The content of PhL was the same, while an increase in TG, C, and CE was observed. The major contribution to excess cellular lipid accumulation in cells from atherosclerotic lesions was made by CE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Synergetic effect of desialylated and glycated low density lipoproteins on cholesterol accumulation in cultured smooth muscle intimal cells.

We have studied the combined effect of non-enzymatically glycosylated and desialylated low density lipoproteins (LDL) on the cholesterol content of cells cultured from unaffected human aortic intima. Native LDL did not alter the intracellular cholesterol level while glycated LDL taken in the concentration percent, respectively. The effect of the same concentrations of glycated LDL treated with neuraminidase (desialylated-glycated LDL) was twice as powerful. Desialylated LDL in the concentration of 50 and 100 micrograms/ml raised the cholesterol level by 1.4- and 2.1-fold, respectively. Simultaneous incubation of cells with glycated (50 micrograms/ml) and desialylated (50 micrograms/ml) LDL brought about a 3.4-fold increase in intracellular cholesterol. The obtained data suggest that intensive development of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus may be partially explained by synergetic effects of desialylated and glycated lipoproteins as well as LDL with both types of modification.

Arteriosclerosis

Quantitative estimation of lipid-laden cells in atherosclerotic lesions of the human aorta.

The intima of the adult human aorta consists of three sublayers: a muscular layer lying next to the media, a median hyperplastic layer and an innermost connective tissue layer, adjoining the lumen. The cells inhabiting these sublayers were isolated by the method of alcoholic-alkaline dissociation from grossly normal areas, fatty streaks and atherosclerotic plaques. The populations obtained contained cells with different numbers of cytoplasmic inclusions and a number without any. In unaffected intima and in fatty streaks, the cells with lipid inclusions were found predominantly in the outermost intimal layer including the connective tissue and in part of the median hyperplastic layer. In the superficial layer of unaffected intima and the fatty streak, these cells accounted for 15 and 25% of the total cell population, respectively. In the plaque, most cells with lipid inclusions were localized in the median hyperplastic layer of the intima (10%). The muscular layer was characterized by the lowest content of cells with lipid inclusions both in the unaffected intima and atherosclerotic lesions (from 0.75% in unaffected intima to 5% plaques). Among the intimal smooth muscle cells of various shapes, the cells with lipid inclusions were most often found in the stellate cell subpopulation (5-35%). A possible role of stellate cells in atherogenesis is discussed.

Aorta

Lung is the target organ for a monoclonal antibody to angiotensin-converting enzyme.

125I-labeled mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), termed 9B9 and cross-reacting with rat and monkey ACE, when injected into the circulation, accumulates in the lung in up to 10 to 20 greater concentrations than in other organs and blood. That 111In-labeled MoAb 9B9 also accumulates in the lungs of both rats and monkeys very selectively, was clearly revealed by gamma-scintigraphy. Unlike polyclonal anti-ACE antibodies that induce an immunodependent lethal reaction when administered intravenously, MoAb 9B9 was well tolerated by rats even at very high doses (up to 300 mg/kg/body weight). At the same time, the administration of this antibody (which does not inhibit the catalytic activity of ACE) resulted in both a 3-fold decrease of the lung ACE activity and an increase in the activity of serum ACE. The highly organ-specific, nondamaging accumulation of the MoAb 9B9 makes it a promising vector for targeted drug delivery to the lung, for modeling of lung pathology, and for gamma-scintigraphic visualization of the lung vascular bed. We also suggest that MoAb 9B9 accumulation in the lung may serve as a highly sensitive marker of lung vessel damage upon various lung pathology.

Animals

Isolation of atherogenic modified (desialylated) low density lipoprotein from blood of atherosclerotic patients: separation from native lipoprotein by affinity chromatography.

A part of low density lipoproteins (LDL) isolated from the blood of healthy subjects and patients with coronary atherosclerosis bind to a Sepharose-linked Ricinus communis agglutinin, a lectin that interacts specifically with galactose residues. Bound LDL can be replaced by galactose, but not other saccharide constituents of the LDL molecule (mannose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, sialic acid). Bound LDL subfraction has a 2-3-fold lower content of sialic acid as compared with unbound LDL. The blood content of desialylated LDL in atherosclerotic patients was about 3-fold higher (1.5- to 6-fold) than in healthy subjects. Desialylated LDL induced a 2- to 4-fold more intensive accumulation of total cholesterol in cultured human aortic intimal cells. Unbound LDL had no effect on intracellular deposition of lipids. It is suggested that the subfraction of desialylated LDL may be responsible for the atherogenicity of LDL isolated from blood of atherosclerotic patients.

Adult

Comparison of the effect of six compactin-related compounds on cholesterol synthesis in five human cell types.

We have investigated the effect of six compactin-related compounds--mevinolin, compactin, ML-236A, monacolin X, monacolin L and dihydromonacolin L--on cholesterol synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human small intestine epithelial cells, human hepatoma cell line HEP G2, normal human skin fibroblasts and in skin fibroblasts from a patient with familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia. The inhibition of cholesterol synthesis was found to depend on both the cell type and the type of compound used. The most effective compounds were mevinolin and compactin. Monacolin X, monacolin L and ML-236A were less effective, and dihydromonacolin L was the least efficacious. Endothelial and epithelial cells were sensitive to very low concentrations of inhibitors (IC50 = 1.0-30 pg/mL), HEP G2 cells required higher concentrations (IC50 = 0.01-66 ng/mL) and fibroblasts needed even higher concentrations (IC50 = 0.1-200 ng/mL). Lactone and acid forms of the inhibitors were equally active. None of the inhibitors had any effect on either protein or fatty acid synthesis in any of the cell types studied. It can be concluded that different compactin-related compounds show a range of potencies as cholesterol synthesis inhibitors and a dose-dependent tissue-selectivity.

Anticholesteremic Agents

Low density lipoprotein-containing circulating immune complexes and coronary atherosclerosis.

Blood serum of most patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) caused a 2- to 5-fold increase in the lipid content of smooth muscle cells cultured from unaffected human aortic intima, i.e., possessed an atherogenic potential manifested in culture. Treatment of the CHD patients' serum with 2.5% polyethylene glycol 6000 removed the circulating immune complexes. The serum subjected to this treatment lost its atherogenic properties, i.e., failed to increase the content of lipids in cultured cells. Incubation of smooth muscle cells derived from human aortic intima with circulating immune complexes isolated from an atherogenic patient's serum caused a 1.5- to 3-fold rise in the intracellular cholesterol. Circulating immune complexes contained apolipoprotein B (apo B), but not apolipoproteins A1 and E. The apo B content strongly correlated with the total cholesterol content. The cholesterol/apo B ratio of the complexes was characteristic of low density lipoproteins (LDL), but not of very low density lipoproteins or intermediate density lipoproteins. The composition of the main lipid classes in these complexes was similar to that in LDL. Blood sera of most (90%) CHD patients was characterized by a high cholesterol and apolipoprotein B content in circulating immune complexes. The ability of these sera to induce lipid accumulation in cultured cells directly correlated with the cholesterol and apolipoprotein B level of circulating immune complexes (r = 0.91). These findings suggest that the atherogenic potential of CHD patients' blood serum is due to LDL-containing immune complexes.

Adult