Increased release and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with mandibuloacral dysplasia type A, a rare premature ageing syndrome.

Mandibuloacral dysplasia type A (MADA; OMIM 248370), a rare disorder caused by mutation in the LMNA gene, is characterized by post-natal growth retardation, craniofacial and skeletal anomalies (mandibular and clavicular hypoplasia, acroosteolysis, delayed closure of cranial sutures, low bone mass and joint contractures), cutaneous changes and partial lipodystrophy. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which LMNA mutations produce bone alterations. An altered bone extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling could play a pivotal role in this disorder and influence part of the typical bone phenotype observed in patients. Therefore, we have focused our investigation on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are degradative enzymes involved in ECM degradation and ECM remodelling, thus likely contributing to the altered bone mineral density and bone metabolism values seen in five MADA patients. We evaluated the serum levels of several MMPs involved in bone development, remodelling and homeostasis, such as MMP-9, -2, -3, -8 and -13, and found that only the 82 kDa active enzyme forms of MMP-9 are significantly higher in MADA sera compared with healthy controls (n = 16). The serum level of MMP-3 was instead lower in all patients. No significant differences were observed between controls and MADA patients for the serum levels of MMP-2, -8 and -13 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, a natural inhibitor of MMP-9. Similarly, normal serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1beta were detected. These data suggest a possible involvement of MMP-9 in MADA disease, underlying the potential use in diagnosis and therapy.

pH- and temperature-dependence of functional modulation in metalloproteinases. A comparison between neutrophil collagenase and gelatinases A and B.

Metalloproteases are metalloenzymes secreted in the extracellular fluid and involved in inflammatory pathologies or events, such as extracellular degradation. A Zn(2+) metal, present in the active site, is involved in the catalytic mechanism, and it is generally coordinated with histidyl and/or cysteinyl residues of the protein moiety. In this study we have investigated the effect of both pH (between pH 4.8 and 9.0) and temperature (between 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C) on the enzymatic functional properties of the neutrophil interstitial collagenase (MMP-8), gelatinases A (MMP-2) and B (MMP-9), using the same synthetic substrate, namely MCA-Pro-Leu-Gly approximately Leu-DPA-Ala-Arg-NH(2). A global analysis of the observed proton-linked behavior for k(cat)/K(m), k(cat), and K(m) indicates that in order to have a fully consistent description of the enzymatic action of these metalloproteases we have to imply at least three protonating groups, with differing features for the three enzymes investigated, which are involved in the modulation of substrate interaction and catalysis by the enzyme. This is the first investigation of this type on recombinant collagenases and gelatinases of human origin. The functional behavior, although qualitatively similar, displays significant differences with respect to what was previously observed for stromelysin and porcine collagenase and gelatinase (Stack, M. S., and R. D. Gray. 1990. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 281:257-263; Harrison, R. K., B. Chang, L. Niedzwiecki, and R. L. Stein. 1992. Biochemistry. 31:10757-10762). The functional characterization of these enzymes can have some relevant physiological significance, since it may be related to the marked changes in the environmental pH that collagenase and gelatinases may experience in vivo, moving from the intracellular environment to the extracellular matrix.

Correlation between osteoarthritic cartilage damage and levels of proteinases and proteinase inhibitors in synovial fluid from the knee joint.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the synovial fluid are responsible for collagen breakdown during physiologic cartilage turnover and the pathologic destruction of the cartilage. We measured the levels of MMPs, specific tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in synovial fluid from the knees of 36 patients with cartilage lesions subdivided according to severity based on arthroscopic findings. Lesions were classified as mild (group 1, edema with no disruption of the surface), moderate (group 2, open lesions without exposure of subchondral bone), or severe (group 3, exposure of subchondral bone). Zymography (gel electrophoresis in the presence of hydrolizable substrates) showed a 60-kd band in all samples. A second band (94-kd) was found exclusively in specimens from groups 2 and 3, and a third band (110-kd) was present only in group 3. Concentrations of 2 of the most important modulators of MMP activity, TIMP-1 and IL-6, were measured. TIMP-1 levels did not vary significantly with the severity of cartilage damage. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TIMP-1 and IL-6 in groups 1 and 2. These data indicate that the severity of the cartilage damage corresponds with MMP activity. The correlation between IL-6 and TIMP-1 in groups with mild and moderate damage suggests a regulating mechanism that is absent in severe lesions.

Cleavage of bovine collagen I by neutrophil collagenase MMP-8. Effect of pH on the catalytic properties as compared to synthetic substrates.

The enzymatic processing of bovine collagen I by neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8) has been monitored at 37 degrees C, envisaging the occurrence of multiple intermediate steps, following the initial cleavage, which leads to the formation of (1/4) and (3/4) fragments. Further, the first cleavage event has been investigated at 37 degrees C as a function of pH, and catalytic parameters have been obtained through a global analysis of steady-state kinetic data, such as to get an overall consistent picture of k(cat)/K(m), k(cat), and K(m). These data have been compared with those obtained from the catalysis by MMP-8 of two synthetic fluorogenic substrates under the same experimental conditions. The overall behavior can be accounted for by the existence of five protonating groups, which vary to a different extent their pK(a) values for the three substrates investigated. The main observation concerns the fact the two of these residues, which play a relevant role in the enzymatic activity of MMP-8, are relatively far from the primary recognition site, and they are coming into action only for large macromolecular substrates, such as bovine collagen I. This finding opens the question of appropriate testing for inhibitors of the enzymatic action of MMP-8, which must take into account, and also of these relevant interactions occurring only with natural substrates.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against L-carnitine: radioimmunologic assays for L-carnitine determination.

Monoclonal antibodies against L-carnitine have been produced and characterized. These antibodies have been found to specifically bind L-carnitine and, with different affinities, other carnitine-related compounds. No binding was observed with choline or acetylcholine. These antibodies have been used to measure L-carnitine in biological samples and serum. Data obtained demonstrate that, in biological samples, by using radiolabelled carnitine, it is possible quickly to detect small amounts of carnitine. The high specificity of the test is clearly demonstrated.

Hapten-carrier interactions and their role in the production of monoclonal antibodies against hydrophobic haptens.

The coupling of haptens to carrier proteins is required for the generation of antihapten antibody response. To date, different polypeptides (such as gelatin, albumin, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin) have been used to increase the immune response against haptens. Different methods of conjugation have also been used to increase the specificity of the antibody response. Our results, obtained through an analysis of the antibody response at both the polyclonal and the monoclonal levels, show that carrier proteins specifically modulate the antibody titer, the specificity of the response, the fusion efficiency, and the number of specific clones. Moreover, the affinity constants of both serum and randomly selected hybridomas directed against different haptens have been found to be exclusively modulated by carrier proteins. In addition, the results show that the carrier protein should be selected considering its possible physicochemical interaction with haptens. Data obtained suggested that any carrier is suitable for hydrophilic haptens, while the choice of the carrier for hydrophobic haptens is critical in obtaining a specific immune response. The use of specific carriers allowed the production of highly specific antibodies: even IgMs, obtained by using these carriers, were able to specifically react with hydrophobic haptens; the case of some IgM monoclonal antibodies specifically reacting with protoporphyrin IX is reported.

Monoclonal antibodies that react with human band 3 residues 542-555 recognize different conformations of this protein in uninfected and Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes.

A monoclonal antibody generated against synthetic peptides patterned on amino acids 542-555 of human band 3, designated 1F4, specifically immunostained Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes and inhibited the cytoadherence of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes to C32 amelanotic melanoma cells. 1F4 did not recognize intact band 3 protein on immunoblots, however it was reactive towards proteolytic fragments of band 3. The binding region of another murine monoclonal antibody previously reported to recognize the membrane spanning domain of human band 3, designated B6, was found to also recognize residues 542-555, however its properties differed from 1F4. Mab B6 recognized both infected and uninfected red cells, and reacted only with intact band 3 on immunoblots. Mab B6 was without effect on cytoadherence. These results demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies reactive against a common peptide sequence may bind to different conformations of the peptide sequence and suggest that the adherent competency of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes may result from a change in the surface topography of human band 3 protein.

Monoclonal antibody recognizes different quinone moieties in enzymes.

We produced monoclonal antibodies against the coenzyme pyrrolequinoline quinone (PQQ). These antibodies were obtained by immunizing mice with PQQ conjugated to a chemically modified polypeptide in order to induce a strong immune response. Among the various antibodies obtained, one was found to bind (besides PQQ and 6-hydroxydopamine conjugated to carrier proteins) several different quinoenzymes, namely lentil seedling and bovine serum diamine oxidases and methylamine dehydrogenase. This antibody was able to inhibit the catalytic activity of these enzymes. Moreover, the monoclonal antibody recognized different proteins of lentil seeds on Western blots. Even the variable fragment of immunoglobulin heavy chains of this monoclonal antibody expressed in Escherichia coli is able to recognize the active site of different quinoenzymes.