Bacteria differentially induce degradation of Bcl-xL, a survival protein, by human platelets.

Bacteria can enter the bloodstream in response to infectious insults. Bacteremia elicits several immune and clinical complications, including thrombocytopenia. A primary cause of thrombocytopenia is shortened survival of platelets. We demonstrate that pathogenic bacteria induce apoptotic events in platelets that include calpain-mediated degradation of Bcl-x(L), an essential regulator of platelet survival. Specifically, bloodstream bacterial isolates from patients with sepsis induce lateral condensation of actin, impair mitochondrial membrane potential, and degrade Bcl-x(L) protein in platelets. Bcl-x(L) protein degradation is enhanced when platelets are exposed to pathogenic Escherichia coli that produce the pore-forming toxin α-hemolysin, a response that is markedly attenuated when the gene is deleted from E coli. We also found that nonpathogenic E coli gain degrading activity when they are forced to express α-hemolysin. Like α-hemolysin, purified α-toxin readily degrades Bcl-x(L) protein in platelets, as do clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates that produce α-toxin. Inhibition of calpain activity, but not the proteasome, rescues Bcl-x(L) protein degradation in platelets coincubated with pathogenic E coli including α-hemolysin producing strains. This is the first evidence that pathogenic bacteria can trigger activation of the platelet intrinsic apoptosis program and our results suggest a new mechanism by which bacterial pathogens might cause thrombocytopenia in patients with bloodstream infections.

Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization reflects disease severity in patients with sepsis and correlates with clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, even in modern times, and thrombocytopenia has been closely associated with unfavorable disease outcome. Decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (depolarization) were found in different tissues during sepsis. Previous work suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction of platelets correlates with clinical disease activity in sepsis. However, platelet mitochondrial membrane potential (Mmp) has not been investigated in a clinical follow-up design and not with regard to disease outcome. METHODS: In this study, platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization was assessed by means of a fluorescent Mmp-Index with flow cytometry in 26 patients with sepsis compared with control patients. Platelet Mmp-Index on admission was correlated with the clinical disease scores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Score (SOFA), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). Finally, platelet Mmp-Index on admission and follow-up were compared in the group of sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors. Expression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-xL in platelets was quantified by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization correlated significantly with the simultaneously assessed clinical disease severity by APACHE II (r = -0.867; P < 0.0001), SOFA (r = -0.857; P <0.0001), and SAPS II score (r = -0.839; P < 0.0001). Patients with severe sepsis showed a significant reduction in platelet Mmp-Index compared with sepsis without organ failure (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.79 (0.49 to 0.85), P < 0.0006) or with the control group (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.89 (0.68 to 1.00), P < 0.0001). Platelet Mmp-Index remained persistently low in sepsis nonsurvivors (0.269 (0.230 to 0.305)), whereas we observed recovery of platelet Mmp-Index in the survivor group (0.9 (0.713 to 1.017)). Furthermore, the level of prosurvival protein Bcl-xL decreased in platelets during severe sepsis. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that mitochondrial membrane depolarization in platelets correlates with clinical disease severity in patients with sepsis during the disease course and may be a valuable adjunct parameter to aid in the assessment of disease severity, risk stratification, and clinical outcome.

Role of the hydrophobic and charged residues in the 218-226 region of apoA-I in the biogenesis of HDL.

We investigated the significance of hydrophobic and charged residues 218-226 on the structure and functions of apoA-I and their contribution to the biogenesis of HDL. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of apoA-I[L218A/L219A/V221A/L222A] in apoA-I⁻/⁻ mice decreased plasma cholesterol and apoA-I levels to 15% of wild-type (WT) control mice and generated pre-ß- and α4-HDL particles. In apoA-I⁻/⁻ × apoE⁻/⁻ mice, the same mutant formed few discoidal and pre-ß-HDL particles that could not be converted to mature α-HDL particles by excess LCAT. Expression of the apoA-I[E223A/K226A] mutant in apoA-I⁻/⁻ mice caused lesser but discrete alterations in the HDL phenotype. The apoA-I[218-222] and apoA-I[E223A/K226A] mutants had 20% and normal capacity, respectively, to promote ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. Both mutants had ∼65% of normal capacity to activate LCAT in vitro. Biophysical analyses suggested that both mutants affected in a distinct manner the structural integrity and plasticity of apoA-I that is necessary for normal functions. We conclude that the alteration of the hydrophobic 218-222 residues of apoA-I disrupts apoA-I/ABCA1 interactions and promotes the generation of defective pre-ß particles that fail to mature into α-HDL subpopulations, thus resulting in low plasma apoA-I and HDL. Alterations of the charged 223, 226 residues caused milder but discrete changes in HDL phenotype.

Steroid binding properties of the 2nd WHO International Standard for sex hormone-binding globulin.

BACKGROUND: Stocks of 95/560, the 1st International Standard for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), are running out, and 08/266 has been prepared as a replacement. We compared the steroid binding capacities of 95/560 and 08/266. METHODS: 95/560 and 08/266 stored at -20 °C, and accelerated thermal degradation samples of 08/266 were subjected to gelfiltration. Binding of the SHBG-containing fractions to a dihydrotestosterone derivative was then investigated using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. The SHBG content of the gelfiltration fractions was determined with an immunoassay. Steroid binding capacity of each standard was then calculated as the mean of the ratio of biosensor binding/SHBG concentration. Affinity constants for the SHBG steroid interaction were calculated. RESULTS: Maximum achievable biomolecular interactions were lower for 95/560 than for the 08/266 preparations. 95/560 exhibited steroid binding capacity only half as high as any of the novel standards, as well as a lower affinity constant for the SHBG steroid interaction. No significant differences could be observed between the samples of 08/266 stored at different temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: The steroid binding capacity of 08/266 is two times higher than that of 95/560. Steroid binding of lyophilized 08/266 is preserved at storage temperatures of up to 45 °C for at least 6 months.

Unusual eta2-allene osmacycle with apoptotic properties.

Screening of a library of structurally unusual osmacyclic complexes for their antiproliferate properties in HeLa cells led to the discovery of a highly cytotoxic eta2-allene osmacycle. In this remarkably stable complex, osmium constitutes part of a metallacycle through the formation of a sigma-bond to a carbon in combination with coordination to an allene moiety. The osmacycle strongly induces apoptosis in Burkitt-like lymphoma cells at submicromolar concentrations. The reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the induction of DNA fragmentation, and the activation of caspases-9 and -3 reveal that programmed cell death occurs through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. From the lipophilic and cationic nature of the osmacycle, in addition to a low oxidation potential (E1/2=+0.27 V vs. Fc/Fc+, Fc=ferrocene) it is proposed that mitochondria are the cellular target where oxidative decomposition initiates apoptosis.

The proteasome regulates collagen-induced platelet aggregation via nuclear-factor-kappa-B (NFĸB) activation.

INTRODUCTION: Platelets possess critical hemostatic functions in the system of thrombosis and hemostasis, which can be affected by a multitude of external factors. Previous research has shown that platelets have the capacity to synthesize proteins de novo and more recently a multicatalytic protein complex, the proteasome, has been discovered in platelets. Due to its vital function for cellular integrity, the proteasome has become a therapeutic target for anti-proliferative drug therapies in cancer. Clinically thrombocytopenia is a frequent side-effect, but the aggregatory function of platelets also appears to be affected. Little is known however about underlying regulatory mechanisms and functional aspects of proteasome inhibition on platelets. Our study aims to investigate the role of the proteasome in regulating collagen-induced platelet aggregation and its interaction with NFkB in this context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using fluorescence activity assays, platelet aggregometry and immunoblotting, we investigate regulatory interactions of the proteasome and Nuclear-factor-kappa-B (NFkB) in collagen-induced platelet aggregation. RESULTS: We show that collagen induces proteasome activation in platelets and collagen-induced platelet aggregation can be reduced with proteasome inhibition by the specific inhibitor epoxomicin. This effect does not depend on Rho-kinase/ROCK activation or thromboxane release, but rather depends on NFkB activation. Inhibition of the proteasome prevented cleavage of NFκB-inhibitor protein IκBα and decreased NFκB activity after collagen stimulation. Inhibition of the NFκB-pathway in return reduced collagen-induced platelet proteasome activity and cleavage of proteasome substrates. CONCLUSIONS: This work offers novel explanations how the proteasome influences collagen-dependent platelet aggregation by involving non-genomic functions of NFkB.

Discovery of a strongly apoptotic ruthenium complex through combinatorial coordination chemistry.

A strategy for combinatorial parallel coordination chemistry is introduced that provides access to libraries of tris-heteroleptic ruthenium complexes in an economical fashion. Using this method, a library of 560 constitutionally unique, monocationic ruthenium complexes was synthesized, followed by a screening for anticancer activity and resulting in the identification of three hits with promising cytotoxic properties in HeLa cancer cells. A subsequent structure-activity relationship led to the discovery of the surprisingly simple anticancer complex [Ru(tBu(2)bpy)(2)(phox)]PF(6) (complex 1), with tBu(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-buty-2,2'-bipyridine and Hphox = 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)oxazoline, displaying an LC(50) value in HeLa cells of 1.3 microM and 0.3 microM after incubation for 24 and 72 h, respectively. Complex 1 also shows remarkable antiproliferative and apoptotic properties at submicromolar concentrations in more clinically relevant Burkitt-like lymphoma cells. A reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential by 1 indicates the involvement of the intrinsic pathway of programmed cell death. Further investigations reveal that 1 requires caspase-3 for the induction of apoptosis but is insensitive to the proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins Smac and Bcl-2, respectively.

Inert ruthenium half-sandwich complexes with anticancer activity.

In this study, we investigate the anticancer properties of an inert half-sandwich metal complex scaffold. UV melting experiments with duplex DNA and (1)H-NMR experiments with 9-ethylguanine reveal that the apoptotic ruthenium complex DW12 does not interact with DNA. On the other hand, diminishing the kinase inhibition properties of DW12 by methylating the maleimide nitrogen (DW12-Me) abolishes the anticancer activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of a fluorine into the pyridine moiety (NP309) improves the IC(50) value for glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) and at the same time the cytotoxicity, implying that the anticancer activity correlates with the inhibition of GSK-3 and maybe other not yet identified kinases. We demonstrate in Burkitt-like lymphoma (BJAB) cells that NP309 is not necrotic but induces apoptosis and that this apoptosis is mediated by a loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-9 processing, and is partly dependent on Bcl-2 expression. In addition, NP309 efficiently induces apoptosis in vincristine- and cytarabine-resistant human B-cell precursor cell lines.

Effective dosages for recording Veraviewepocs dental panoramic images: analog film, digital, and panoramic scout for CBCT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effective doses from analog film, panoramic digital, and panoramic scout for cone-beam computerized tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN: Three different types of Veraviewepocs machines were investigated: Veraviewepocs Conventional, Veraviewepocs Digital, and Veraviewepocs 3D (Morita, Kyoto, Japan). Organ absorbed doses were measured using an anthropomorphic phantom loaded with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD 100H) at 16 sites located in sensitive organs. The resulting effective organ doses (muSv) were compared by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The highest value (5.2 muSv) was for Veraviewepocs Conventional. The Veraviewepocs Digital (2.7 muSv) and Veraviewepocs 3D (2.95 muSv) presented low effective doses in the same range. CONCLUSIONS: The panoramic digital system delivered the least radiation dose. The use of the panoramic scout for cone-beam CT was marginally higher in dose than its 2D counterpart.