The low resolution structure of ApoA1 in spherical high density lipoprotein revealed by small angle neutron scattering.

Spherical high density lipoprotein (sHDL), a key player in reverse cholesterol transport and the most abundant form of HDL, is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Small angle neutron scattering with contrast variation was used to determine the solution structure of protein and lipid components of reconstituted sHDL. Apolipoprotein A1, the major protein of sHDL, forms a hollow structure that cradles a central compact lipid core. Three apoA1 chains are arranged within the low resolution structure of the protein component as one of three possible global architectures: (i) a helical dimer with a hairpin (HdHp), (ii) three hairpins (3Hp), or (iii) an integrated trimer (iT) in which the three apoA1 monomers mutually associate over a portion of the sHDL surface. Cross-linking and mass spectrometry analyses help to discriminate among the three molecular models and are most consistent with the HdHp overall architecture of apoA1 within sHDL.

Modification of high density lipoprotein by myeloperoxidase generates a pro-inflammatory particle.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) is the major atheroprotective particle in plasma. Recent studies demonstrate that myeloperoxidase (MPO) binds to HDL in vivo, selectively targeting apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) of HDL for oxidative modification and concurrent loss in cholesterol efflux and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activating activities, generating a "dysfunctional HDL" particle. We now show that (patho)physiologically relevant levels of MPO-catalyzed oxidation result in loss of non-cholesterol efflux activities of HDL including anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory functions. One mechanism responsible is shown to involve the loss of modified HDL binding to the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor B1, and concurrent acquisition of saturable and specific binding to a novel unknown receptor independent of scavenger receptors CD36 and SR-A1. HDL modification by MPO is further shown to confer pro-inflammatory gain of function activities as monitored by NF-kappaB activation and surface vascular cell adhesion molecule levels on aortic endothelial cells exposed to MPO-oxidized HDL. The loss of non-cholesterol efflux activities and the gain of pro-inflammatory functions requires modification of the entire particle and can be recapitulated by oxidation of reconstituted HDL particles comprised of apoA1 and nonoxidizable phosphatidylcholine species. Multiple site-directed mutagenesis studies of apoA1 suggest that the pro-inflammatory activity of MPO-modified HDL does not involve methionine, tyrosine, or tryptophan, oxidant-sensitive residues previously mapped as sites of apoA1 oxidation within human atheroma. Thus, MPO-catalyzed oxidation of HDL results not only in the loss of classic atheroprotective reverse cholesterol transport activities of the lipoprotein but also both the loss of non-cholesterol efflux related activities and the gain of pro-inflammatory functions.

Double superhelix model of high density lipoprotein.

High density lipoprotein (HDL), the carrier of so-called "good" cholesterol, serves as the major athero-protective lipoprotein and has emerged as a key therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. We applied small angle neutron scattering (SANS) with contrast variation and selective isotopic deuteration to the study of nascent HDL to obtain the low resolution structure in solution of the overall time-averaged conformation of apolipoprotein AI (apoA-I) versus the lipid (acyl chain) core of the particle. Remarkably, apoA-I is observed to possess an open helical shape that wraps around a central ellipsoidal lipid phase. Using the low resolution SANS shapes of the protein and lipid core as scaffolding, an all-atom computational model for the protein and lipid components of nascent HDL was developed by integrating complementary structural data from hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and previously published constraints from multiple biophysical techniques. Both SANS data and the new computational model, the double superhelix model, suggest an unexpected structural arrangement of protein and lipids of nascent HDL, an anti-parallel double superhelix wrapped around an ellipsoidal lipid phase. The protein and lipid organization in nascent HDL envisages a potential generalized mechanism for lipoprotein biogenesis and remodeling, biological processes critical to sterol and lipid transport, organismal energy metabolism, and innate immunity.

Chronic Hypopituitarism Associated with Increased Postconcussive Symptoms Is Prevalent after Blast-Induced Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

The most frequent injury sustained by US service members deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan is mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), or concussion, by far most often caused by blast waves from improvised explosive devices or other explosive ordnance. TBI from all causes gives rise to chronic neuroendocrine disorders with an estimated prevalence of 25-50%. The current study expands upon our earlier finding that chronic pituitary gland dysfunction occurs with a similarly high frequency after blast-related concussions. We measured circulating hormone levels and accessed demographic and testing data from two groups of male veterans with hazardous duty experience in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans in the mTBI group had experienced one or more blast-related concussion. Members of the deployment control (DC) group encountered similar deployment conditions but had no history of blast-related mTBI. 12 of 39 (31%) of the mTBI participants and 3 of 20 (15%) veterans in the DC group screened positive for one or more neuroendocrine disorders. Positive screens for growth hormone deficiency occurred most often. Analysis of responses on self-report questionnaires revealed main effects of both mTBI and hypopituitarism on postconcussive and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Symptoms associated with pituitary dysfunction overlap considerably with those of PTSD. They include cognitive deficiencies, mood and anxiety disorders, sleep problems, diminished quality of life, deleterious changes in metabolism and body composition, and increased cardiovascular mortality. When such symptoms are due to hypopituitarism, they may be alleviated by hormone replacement. These findings suggest consideration of routine post-deployment neuroendocrine screening of service members and veterans who have experienced blast-related mTBI and are reporting postconcussive symptoms.