Impaired lipophagy in endothelial cells with prolonged exposure to oxidized low­density lipoprotein.

Oxidative stress induces the formation of oxidized low­density lipoprotein (ox­LDL), which accelerates the development of atherosclerosis and the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques by promoting lipid accumulation and inhibiting autophagy in vascular cells. Lipophagy is known to be involved in maintaining the balance of neutral lipid metabolism; however, the phenomenon of lipophagy deficiency in ox­LDL­treated endothelial cells (ECs) remains to be elucidated. It has been demonstrated that lipid accumulation caused by ox­LDL inhibits autophagy, which promotes apoptosis in ECs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between decreased autophagy and lipid accumulation in ECs treated with ox­LDL. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the formation of autolipophagosomes was decreased in ox­LDL­treated human umbilical vein ECs compared with that in the LDL­treated group and was accompanied by a decrease in the autophagy­associated proteins via western blotting analysis. Using laser focal colocalization detection, decreased lipid processing was observed in the lysosomes of ox­LDL­treated ECs, which indicated that lipophagy may be attenuated and subsequently result in lipid accumulation in ox­LDL­treated ECs.

PX Domain-Containing Kinesin KIF16B and Microtubule-Dependent Intracellular Movements.

As a member of the kinesin-3 family, kinesin family member 16B (KIF16B) has a characteristic PhoX homology (PX) domain that binds to membranes containing phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P) and moves along microtubule filaments to the plus end via a process regulated by coiled coils in the stalk region in various cell types. The physiological function of KIF16B supports the transport of intracellular cargo and the formation of endosomal tubules. Ras-related protein (Rab) coordinates many steps of membrane transport and are involved in the regulation of KIF16B-mediated vesicle trafficking. Data obtained from clinical research suggest that KIF16B has a potential effect on the disease processes in intellectual disability, abnormal lipid metabolism, and tumor brain metastasis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the structural and physiological characteristics of KIF16B as well as diseases associated with KIF16B disorders, and speculating its role as a potential adaptor for intracellular cholesterol trafficking.

MMP-12 as a potential biomarker to forecast ischemic stroke in obese patients.

Human health is threatened by obesity which causes the increasing incidence of various diseases, especially stroke. Ischemic stroke (IS) is mostly caused by the rupture of arterial plaque, whose instability is positively associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrades extracellular matrix components. Studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) may be involved in the pathogenesis of IS. Because of the higher incidence of stroke in obese patients than that in normal weight people, it is urgent for obesity to forecast stroke early. Considering high levels MMP-12 in obesity, we put forward that MMP-12 may be a potential biomarker for IS in obese patients.