Aldose reductase mediates retinal microglia activation.

Retinal microglia (RMG) are one of the major immune cells in charge of surveillance of inflammatory responses in the eye. In the absence of an inflammatory stimulus, RMG reside predominately in the ganglion layer and inner or outer plexiform layers. However, under stress RMG become activated and migrate into the inner nuclear layer (INL) or outer nuclear layer (ONL). Activated RMG in cell culture secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines in a manner sensitive to downregulation by aldose reductase inhibitors. In this study, we utilized CX3CR1(GFP) mice carrying AR mutant alleles to evaluate the role of AR on RMG activation and migration in vivo. When tested on an AR(WT) background, IP injection of LPS induced RMG activation and migration into the INL and ONL. However, this phenomenon was largely prevented by AR inhibitors or in AR null mice, or was exacerbated in transgenic mice that over-express AR. LPS-induced increases in ocular levels of TNF-α and CX3CL-1 in WT mice were substantially lower in AR null mice or were reduced by AR inhibitor treatment. These studies demonstrate that AR expression in RMG may contribute to the proinflammatory phenotypes common to various eye diseases such as uveitis and diabetic retinopathy.

Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin upregulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in endothelial cells via an aldose reductase-, MAPK-, and NF-κB-dependent pathway, leading to monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) produces a ∼ 20-kDa heat-labile enterotoxin (BFT) that plays an essential role in mucosal inflammation. Although a variety of inflammatory cells is found at ETBF-infected sites, little is known about leukocyte adhesion in response to BFT stimulation. We investigated whether BFT affected the expression of ICAM-1 and monocytic adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs). Stimulation of HUVECs and rat aortic ECs with BFT resulted in the induction of ICAM-1 expression. Upregulation of ICAM-1 was dependent on the activation of IκB kinase (IKK) and NF-κB signaling. In contrast, suppression of AP-1 did not affect ICAM-1 expression in BFT-stimulated cells. Suppression of NF-κB activity in HUVECs significantly reduced monocytic adhesion, indicating that ICAM-1 expression is indispensable for BFT-induced adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium. Inhibition of JNK resulted in a significant attenuation of BFT-induced ICAM-1 expression in ECs. Moreover, inhibition of aldose reductase significantly reduced JNK-dependent IKK/NF-κB activation, ICAM-1 expression, and adhesion of monocytes to HUVECs. These results suggest that a signaling pathway involving aldose reductase, JNK, IKK, and NF-κB is required for ICAM-1 induction in ECs exposed to BFT, and may be involved in the leukocyte-adhesion cascade following infection with ETBF.

Molecular cloning and characterization of Schistosoma japonicum aldose reductase.

Antioxidant defense is an essential mechanism for schistosomes to cope with damage from host immune-generated reactive oxygen species. The evaluation of the effects of aldose reductase, an important enzyme that may be involved in this system, has long been neglected. In the present study, aldose reductase of Schistosoma japonicum (SjAR) was cloned and characterized. The activity of SjAR was assessed in vitro and was suppressed by the reported inhibitor, epalrestat. RT-PCR analysis revealed that SjAR was expressed at each of the development stages analyzed with increased levels in cercariae. The results also showed that SjAR was expressed at higher levels in adult male worms than in adult female worms. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis indicated that the purified recombinant SjAR (rSjAR) protein displayed a significant level of antigenicity. Immunolocalization analysis revealed that SjAR was mainly distributed in the gynecophoral canal of adult male worms. BALB/c mice immunized with rSjAR induced a 32.91 % worm reduction compared to the adjuvant group (P < 0.01). Moreover, a 28.27 % reduction in egg development in the liver (P > 0.05) and a 42.75 % reduction in egg development in the fecal samples (P < 0.05) were also observed. These results suggested that SjAR may be a potential new drug target or vaccine candidate for schistosomes.

Autoimmunity in membranous nephropathy targets aldose reductase and SOD2.

Glomerular targets of autoimmunity in human membranous nephropathy are poorly understood. Here, we used a combined proteomic approach to identify specific antibodies against podocyte proteins in both serum and glomeruli of patients with membranous nephropathy (MN). We detected specific anti-aldose reductase (AR) and anti-manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) IgG(4) in sera of patients with MN. We also eluted high titers of anti-AR and anti-SOD2 IgG(4) from microdissected glomeruli of three biopsies of MN kidneys but not from biopsies of other glomerulonephritides characterized by IgG deposition (five lupus nephritis and two membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis). We identified both antigens in MN biopsies but not in other renal pathologies or normal kidney. Confocal and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) showed co-localization of anti-AR and anti-SOD2 with IgG(4) and C5b-9 in electron-dense podocyte immune deposits. Preliminary in vitro experiments showed an increase of SOD2 expression on podocyte plasma membrane after treatment with hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, our data support AR and SOD2 as renal antigens of human MN and suggest that oxidative stress may drive glomerular SOD2 expression.

Multi-Autoantibody Signature and Clinical Outcome in Membranous Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with membranous nephropathy can have circulating autoantibodies against membrane-bound (phospholipase A2 receptor 1 [PLA2R1] and thrombospondin type-1 domain containing 7A [THSD7A]) and intracellular (aldose reductase, SOD2, and α-enolase) podocyte autoantigens. We studied their combined association with clinical outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of anti-PLA2R1, anti-THSD7A, anti-aldose reductase, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase autoantibodies were determined in 285 patients at diagnosis and during follow-up using standardized and homemade assays. An eGFR>60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and remission of proteinuria (<0.3/<3.5 g per d) after 12 months were the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: At diagnosis, 182 (64%), eight (3%), and 95 (33%) patients were anti-PLA2R1+, anti-THSD7A+, and double negative, respectively. The prevalence of a detectable antibody to at least one intracellular antigen was similarly distributed in patients who were anti-PLA2R1+ (n=118, 65%) and double negative (n=64, 67%). Positivity for anti-PLA2R1, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase antibodies and higher titers at diagnosis were associated with poor clinical outcome independently to each other. Combined positivity for anti-PLA2R1, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase was associated with highest risk of poor outcome (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 24; P=0.01). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients who were anti-PLA2R1+/anti-SOD2+ or anti-PLA2R1+/anti-α-enolase+ had lower eGFR at 12 months compared with patients who were anti-PLA2R1+/anti-SOD2- or anti-α-enolase-. Predictive tests (net reclassification index and area under the curve-receiver-operating characteristic analysis) showed that combined assessment of antibodies improved classification of outcome in 22%-34% of cases for partial remission of proteinuria and maintenance of normal eGFR. For patients with nephrotic syndrome at diagnosis, anti-SOD2 positivity and high anti-PLA2R1 titer were associated with a lack of complete remission. Patients who were anti-PLA2R1-/anti-intracellular antigens- had the lowest proteinuria and the highest eGFR at diagnosis and the lowest risk of lower eGFR at 12 months. Epitope spreading was present in 81% of patients who were anti-PLA2R1+ and was associated with increased positivity for intracellular antigens and poor eGFR at diagnosis and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined serological analysis of autoantibodies targeting membrane-bound and intracellular autoantigens identifies patients with poor clinical outcomes.

Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Engeletin Suppresses Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Blocking the Phospholipase C/Protein Kinase C-Dependent/NF-κB and MAPK Cascades.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common inflammation in the upper reproductive tract in women and may cause serious and costly consequences without effective treatment. Engeletin is a flavanonol glycoside and a naturally derived aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor that is widely distributed in vegetables, fruits, and plant-based foods. The present study investigated the anti-PID activity of engeletin in a mucilage-induced rat model of PID and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Engeletin significantly reduced inflammation and ameliorated the typical uterine pathological changes in PID rats. Engeletin also inhibited AR-dependent PLC/PKC/NF-κB and MAPK inflammatory pathways, as indicated by the suppression of the phosphorylation levels of PLC, PKC, p38, ERK, and JNK and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. In vitro studies demonstrated that engeletin significantly inhibited inflammatory mediator expression and enhanced the phagocytic ability of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. RNA interference of AR prevented the engeletin-induced inhibition of inflammatory mediators. Engeletin also inhibited AR-dependent PLC/PKC/NF-κB and MAPK inflammatory pathways, which was consistent with the in vivo results. These findings support engeletin as a potential agent for prevention or treatment of PID.

[Preparation and identification of rabbit anti-AKR1B10 polyclonal antibody].

Objective To prepare rabbit anti-aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) polyclonal antibody and identify its specificity. Methods AKR1B10 cDNA was amplified by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET-15b to form recombinant plasmid pET-15b-AKR1B10. The recombinant plasmid pET-15b-AKR1B10 was transformed into E.coli DH5α. Isopropylthio-ß-D-galactoside (IPTG) was used to induce the expression of the recombinant protein His-tagged AKR1B10 in E.coli DH5α. The expression products from different clones of E.coli DH5α were identified by SDS-PAGE. The positive bacteria were picked out and amplified. His-Tag-AKR1B10 protein was purified from the expression product of the positive clones by His-tagged purification column. The purified recombinant protein His-Tag-AKR1B10 was used to immunize New Zealand white rabbits. Antisera were acquired after two months. Anti-AKR1B10 polyclonal antibodies were purified by antigen purification column with AKR1B10 recombinant protein. Lastly, the purified polyclonal antibodies were identified by SDS-PAGE, ELISA, Western blotting. Results The recombinant plasmid pET-15b-AKR1B10 was constructed successfully, and the recombinant protein His-Tag-AKR1B10 with high purity was acquired. The purified polyclonal antibodies were able to specifically recognize AKR1B10 protein. Conclusion The rabbit anti-AKR1B10 polyclonal antibodies is prepared successfully with high specificity.

Aldose reductase participates in the downregulation of T cell functions due to suppressor macrophages.

The cell-to-cell contact of T lymphocytes with immunosuppressive macrophages causes marked changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation of some cytosolic proteins of T cells. By phosphoproteome analysis, we identified a 36-kDa protein as aldose reductase (AR). The AR expression in T cells was not changed by TCR stimulation or due to cell-to-cell transmission of suppressor signals from immunosuppressive macrophages. Therefore, AR phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is essential for the transduction of TCR-mediated T-cell stimulatory signals, and moreover plays important roles for the cross-talk of immunosuppressive macrophage-derived suppressor signals with the signaling pathways for T-cell activation. Moreover, AR played important roles in the upregulation of ERK1/2-mediated signaling pathways in T lymphocytes. Notably, the enzymatic activity of AR was not required for its signaling action. Taken together, it is concluded that AR mediates intracellular transmission of the suppressor signal of immunosuppressive macrophages toward downstream ERK1/2 pathways, possibly through its direct interaction with acceptor proteins.

Aldose and aldehyde reductases in human tissues.

Immunochemical characterizations of aldose reductase and aldehyde reductases I and II, partially purified by DEAE-cellulose (DE-52) column chromatography from human tissues, were carried out by immunotitration, using antisera raised against the homogenous preparations of human and bovine lens aldose reductase and human placenta aldehyde reductase I and aldehyde reductase II. Anti-aldose antiserum cross-reacted with aldehyde reductase I, anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum cross-reacted with aldose reductase and anti-aldehyde reductase II antiserum precipitated aldehyde reductase II, but did not cross-react with aldose reductase or aldehyde reductase I from all the tissues examined. DE-52 elution profiles, substrate specificity and immunochemical characterization indicate that aldose reductase is present in human aorta, brain, erythrocyte and muscle; aldehyde reductase I is present in human kidney, liver and placenta; and aldehyde reductase II is present in human brain, erythrocyte, kidney, liver, lung and placenta. Monospecific anti-alpha and anti-beta antisera were purified from placenta anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum, using immunoaffinity techniques. Anti-alpha antiserum precipitated both aldehyde reductase I and aldose reductase, whereas anti-beta antibodies cross-reacted with only aldehyde reductase I. Based on these studies, a three gene loci model is proposed to explain the genetic interrelationships among these enzymes. Aldose reductase is a monomer of alpha subunits, aldehyde reductase I is a dimer of alpha and beta subunits and aldehyde reductase II is a monomer of delta subunits.

Interrelationships among human aldo-keto reductases: immunochemical, kinetic and structural properties.

We have proposed earlier a three gene loci model to explain the expression of the aldo-keto reductases in human tissues. According to this model, aldose reductase is a monomer of alpha subunits, aldehyde reductase I is a dimer of alpha, beta subunits, and aldehyde reductase II is a monomer of delta subunits. Using immunoaffinity methods, we have isolated the subunits of aldehyde reductase I (alpha and beta) and characterized them by immunocompetition studies. It is observed that the two subunits of aldehyde reductase I are weakly held together in the holoenzyme and can be dissociated under high ionic conditions. Aldose reductase (alpha subunits) was generated from human placenta and liver aldehyde reductase I by ammonium sulfate (80% saturation). The kinetic, structural and immunological properties of the generated aldose reductase are similar to the aldose reductase obtained from the human erythrocytes and bovine lens. The main characteristic of the generated enzyme is the requirement of Li2SO4 (0.4 M) for the expression of maximum enzyme activity, and its Km for glucose is less than 50 mM, whereas the parent enzyme, aldehyde reductase I, is completely inhibited by 0.4 M Li2SO4 and its Km for glucose is more than 200 mM. The beta subunits of aldehyde reductase I did not have enzyme activity but cross-reacted with anti-aldehyde reductase I antiserum. The beta subunits hybridized with the alpha subunits of placenta aldehyde reductase I, and aldose reductase purified from human brain and bovine lens. The hybridized enzyme had the characteristic properties of placenta aldehyde reductase I.

Aldose reductase expression in human diabetic retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

The conversion of glucose to sorbitol by aldose reductase (AR) and its subsequent intracellular accumulation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataracts. There is also evidence linking AR activity with retinal capillary basement membrane thickening in galactosemic rats, suggesting a possible role in diabetic retinopathy. In this study, we explored one feature of this issue by examining diabetic and nondiabetic eyes for immunoreactive AR. AR was immunohistochemically undetectable in the retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) and neural retinas of nondiabetic human eyes. Weak, focal staining for AR was present unilaterally in the RPE of 1 of 11 diabetic patients without pathologic ocular findings and in 43% of diabetic patients with mild ocular findings. Retinal positivity was found (unilaterally) in only 2 of 19 individuals from either of these mildly affected groups. Fifty-five percent of patients with background retinopathy demonstrated AR positivity in the RPE, and half of these expressed AR in the RPE of both eyes. Of the individuals with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 87.5% showed bilateral staining in the RPE. Retinal positivity was present in 36% of background retinopathy and 75% of proliferative retinopathy cases, demonstrating a positive correlation between AR expression and the severity of the disorder. In weakly staining retinas, only the ganglion cell bodies, nerve fibers, and Müller cells were positive, whereas in intensely staining cases, virtually the entire retina, except for the rod outer segments, was positive. Eyes from patients who had had diabetes less than or equal to 6 yr were negative for AR, but those from long- term-diabetic patients (14-45 yr) manifested positively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistochemical localization of aldose reductase. I. Enzyme purification and antibody preparation--localization in peripheral nerve, artery, and testis.

Aldose reductase (AR) was purified from rat and bovine seminal vesicles using DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, and Sephadex-gel column chromatography. The purification resulted in the obtention of an AR pool and a contaminating pool. Antibodies were raised in rabbits against both enzymes by subcutaneous injection of the AR pool. The antisera was judged to be specific for AR by immunoprecipitation of AR activity and by Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoretic methods. Antibodies against rat AR were used in the unlabeled antibody-enzyme (PAP) technique to demonstrate the cellular location of the enzyme in a number of tissues known to be sites of diabetic lesions. Antibodies against bovine AR were not cross reactive with the rat enzyme, as determined by Ouchterlony and competitive protein-binding studies. AR was localized in rat tissues to the Schwann cell sheath of peripheral nerve, arterial endothelium, and the sustentacular (Sertoli) cells and mature spermatids of the testis.

Immunohistochemical localization of aldose reductase. II. Rat eye and kidney.

Aldose reductase (AR) was purified from rat seminal vesicles. Specific antibodies to this enzyme were prepared in rabbits and were used in the unlabeled antibody-enzyme (PAP) technique to localize AR in a number of tissues known to be sites of diabetic lesions. AR was localized in the following structures in the eye: lens epithelial lining and cortical lenticular fibers; corneal endothelium; the inner, nonpigmented layer of ciliary body epithelium and its extension as the posterior surface of the iris; and neuroglial (Müller) cells in the retina. Retinal capillary endothelium did not contain immunoreactive AR. In the kidney, staining was intense in the inner medulla. Specific structures included thin limbs of the loop of Henle, collecting tubules deep in the inner medulla, and transitional epithelial cells lining the pelvic space: structures in the cortex including glomerular podocytes and distal convoluted tubules. Collecting tubules in the outer medulla and cortex, as well as proximal convoluted tubules and glomerular capillary endothelium did not contain immunoreactive AR.

Increased renal aldose reductase activity, immunoreactivity, and mRNA in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Increased accumulation of renal sorbitol has been documented in the diabetic rat, and it has been suggested that this accumulation may be important in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. It is not clear whether sorbitol accumulation results from increases in substrate, activity of the aldose reductase (AR) protein molecule, or activity due to an increase in the amount of enzyme present. In this study, we have quantitated renal AR activity, immunoreactivity, and mRNA in rats 3 mo after induction of diabetes with streptozocin (STZ-D, 65 mg/kg body wt). Renal AR activity was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with age-matched nondiabetic controls (0.95 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.03 U.mg-1.h-1, respectively, P less than .0005). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the antiserums recognized a single 40,000-Mr protein species in renal homogenates from both diabetic and nondiabetic rats. When quantitated in an immunodot assay, AR immunoreactivity was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with nondiabetic controls (0.57 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.02 U, respectively, P less than .0005). Hybridization of Northern blots with a synthetic 36-nucleotide oligomer and an AR cDNA identified a 1.4-kilobase pair transcript; the abundance of the transcript was significantly increased in poly(A)+ RNA from the kidneys of diabetic compared with nondiabetic rats (P less than .005). This study demonstrates that renal AR activity is increased in the STZ-D rats and suggests that the increased AR activity can be in part explained by enhanced AR gene expression.

Influence of interindividual variability of aldose reductase protein content on polyol-pathway metabolites and redox state in erythrocytes in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the influence of interindividual difference in the level of aldose reductase on the polyol pathway-related metabolism in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The enzyme protein content was determined by a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to recombinant human aldose reductase in erythrocytes from 35 diabetic patients and 11 healthy volunteers. Patients were stratified into two groups by the median of aldose reductase content, and the erythrocyte sorbitol level, the fructose level, and the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio were compared between the two groups. We also examined the correlation of the enzyme content with these metabolic parameters. RESULTS: The group of patients whose enzyme content was above the median showed a significant increase in the levels of sorbitol (34.7 +/- 4.9 vs. 20.4 +/- 2.0 nmol/g Hb, P < 0.05) and fructose (99.8 +/- 17.2 vs. 45.9 +/- 4.6 nmol/g Hb, P < 0.05), along with an elevated lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (28.6 +/- 6.1 vs. 11.7 +/- 1.2, P < 0.05), compared with patients with low enzyme levels. The aldose reductase content in erythrocytes was well correlated with its activity, and there was a significant correlation between the enzyme content and the erythrocyte sorbitol (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) or fructose (r = 0.57, P < 0.001) levels as well as between the enzyme level and the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (r = 0.38, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the interindividual variability of aldose reductase content may contribute tangibly to the polyol-pathway flux and cytoplasmic redox alteration in diabetic patients.

Serological proteome analysis reveals new specific biases in the IgM and IgG autoantibody repertoires in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1.

OBJECTIVE: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS 1) is caused by mutations in the AIRE gene that induce intrathymic T-cell tolerance breakdown, which results in tissue-specific autoimmune diseases. DESIGN: To evaluate the effect of a well-defined T-cell repertoire impairment on humoral self-reactive fingerprints, comparative serum self-IgG and self-IgM reactivities were analyzed using both one- and two-dimensional western blotting approaches against a broad spectrum of peripheral tissue antigens. METHODS: Autoantibody patterns of APS 1 patients were compared with those of subjects affected by other autoimmune endocrinopathies (OAE) and healthy controls. RESULTS: Using a Chi-square test, significant changes in the Ab repertoire were found when intergroup patterns were compared. A singular distortion of both serum self-IgG and self-IgM repertoires was noted in APS 1 patients. The molecular characterization of these antigenic targets was conducted using a proteomic approach. In this context, autoantibodies recognized more significantly either tissue-specific antigens, such as pancreatic amylase, pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase and pancreatic regenerating protein 1α, or widely distributed antigens, such as peroxiredoxin-2, heat shock cognate 71-kDa protein and aldose reductase. As expected, a well-defined self-reactive T-cell repertoire impairment, as described in APS 1 patients, affected the tissue-specific self-IgG repertoire. Interestingly, discriminant IgM reactivities targeting both tissue-specific and more widely expressed antigens were also specifically observed in APS 1 patients. Using recombinant targets, we observed that post translational modifications of these specific antigens impacted upon their recognition. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that T-cell-dependent but also T-cell-independent mechanisms are involved in the dynamic evolution of autoimmunity in APS 1.

Immunochemical characterization of aldo-keto reductases from human tissues.

Aldose reductase, aldehyde reductase and carbonyl reductase constitute a family of monomeric NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases with similar physical and chemical properties. Characterization of the enzymes from human tissues by immunotitration and an enzyme immunoassay indicated that, despite their apparent likeness, the three reductases do not cross-react immunochemically.

Aldose reductase localization in human retinal mural cells.

A hallmark of early diabetic retinopathy is the selective loss of the retinal mural cells (pericytes) from vessels. Using antibodies prepared against purified human placental aldose reductase, the presence of the enzyme aldose reductase can be demonstrated immunohistochemically in the cytoplasm of retinal mural cells of trypsin-digested human retinal vessels. This enzyme, which reduces various hexose sugars to their sugar alcohols, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diabetic complications.