Subclinical atherosclerosis and accelerated epigenetic age mediated by inflammation: a multi-omics study.

AIMS: Epigenetic age is emerging as a personalized and accurate predictor of biological age. The aim of this article is to assess the association of subclinical atherosclerosis with accelerated epigenetic age and to investigate the underlying mechanisms mediating this association. METHODS AND RESULTS: Whole blood methylomics, transcriptomics, and plasma proteomics were obtained for 391 participants of the Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis study. Epigenetic age was calculated from methylomics data for each participant. Its divergence from chronological age is termed epigenetic age acceleration. Subclinical atherosclerosis burden was estimated by multi-territory 2D/3D vascular ultrasound and by coronary artery calcification. In healthy individuals, the presence, extension, and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis were associated with a significant acceleration of the Grim epigenetic age, a predictor of health and lifespan, regardless of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Individuals with an accelerated Grim epigenetic age were characterized by an increased systemic inflammation and associated with a score of low-grade, chronic inflammation. Mediation analysis using transcriptomics and proteomics data revealed key pro-inflammatory pathways (IL6, Inflammasome, and IL10) and genes (IL1B, OSM, TLR5, and CD14) mediating the association between subclinical atherosclerosis and epigenetic age acceleration. CONCLUSION: The presence, extension, and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged asymptomatic individuals are associated with an acceleration in the Grim epigenetic age. Mediation analysis using transcriptomics and proteomics data suggests a key role of systemic inflammation in this association, reinforcing the relevance of interventions on inflammation to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Combined Immunoglobulin Free Light Chains Are Novel Predictors of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterised by the presence of B cells and immunoglobulins in the aortic wall, mainly in the adventitia. Kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) free light chains (FLCs) are produced from B cells during immunoglobulin synthesis. This study investigated the presence and prognostic value of combined FLCs (cFLCs or summed κ and λ) in patients with AAA. METHODS: cFLCs were analysed by a turbidimetric specific assay in tissue conditioned media from AAA samples (n = 34) compared with healthy aortas (n = 34) from France and in plasma samples from patients with AAA (n = 434) and age matched controls (n = 104) selected from the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) AAA screening trial in Denmark. t test, logistic regression, and Cox regression were used to test whether plasma cFLCs serve as a marker for AAA presence and whether cFLCs were predictive of death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or major adverse lower limb events (MALE). RESULTS: Increased cFLC levels were detected in the AAA adventitial layer compared with the AAA medial layer and healthy media layer (13.65 ± 3.17 vs. 6.57 ± 1.01 vs. 0.49 ± 0.09 mg/L, respectively, p < .050). The upper tertile of plasma cFLCs was independently associated with AAA presence after correcting for confounders (odds ratio [OR] 7.596, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.117 - 18.513; p < .001). Of 434 patients with AAA, 89 (20.5%) died, 104 (24.0%) suffered MACE, and 63 (14.5%) suffered MALE, during a five year follow up. In univariable analysis, the cFLC upper tertile was associated with a higher risk of death, MACE, and MALE (p < .001 for all). After adjustment for confounders, cFLCs remained an independent predictor of all cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.310, 95% CI 2.157 - 8.609; p < .001), MACE (HR 2.153, 95% CI 1.218 - 3.804; p = .008), or MALE (HR 3.442, 95% CI 1.548 - 7.652; p = .002) for those in the upper tertile. CONCLUSION: Increased cFLCs are observed in adventitial tissue of patients with AAA, indicating local activation of B cells. Plasma cFLC levels are an independent predictor of death, MACE, and MALE in patients with AAA.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals That Cyclooxygenase-2 Modulates Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex IV in Cardiomyocytes.

The biochemical mechanisms of cell injury and myocardial cell death after myocardial infarction remain unresolved. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in prostanoid synthesis, is expressed in human ischemic myocardium and dilated cardiomyopathy, but it is absent in healthy hearts. To assess the role of COX-2 in cardiovascular physiopathology, we developed transgenic mice that constitutively express functional human COX-2 in cardiomyocytes under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter. These animals had no apparent phenotype but were protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated hearts, with enhanced functional recovery and diminished cellular necrosis. To further explore the phenotype of this animal model, we carried out a differential proteome analysis of wild-type vs. transgenic cardiomyocytes. The results revealed a tissue-specific proteomic profile dominated by mitochondrial proteins. In particular, an increased expression of respiratory chain complex IV proteins was observed. This correlated with increased catalytic activity, enhanced respiratory capacity, and increased ATP levels in the heart of COX-2 transgenic mice. These data suggest a new link between COX-2 and mitochondria, which might contribute to the protective cardiac effects of COX-2 against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

New protein-protein interactions of mitochondrial connexin 43 in mouse heart.

Connexin 43 (Cx43), the gap junction protein involved in cell-to-cell coupling in the heart, is also present in the subsarcolemmal fraction of cardiomyocyte mitochondria. It has been described to regulate mitochondrial potassium influx and respiration and to be important for ischaemic preconditioning protection, although the molecular effectors involved are not fully characterized. In this study, we looked for potential partners of mitochondrial Cx43 in an attempt to identify new molecular pathways for cardioprotection. Mass spectrometry analysis of native immunoprecipitated mitochondrial extracts showed that Cx43 interacts with several proteins related with mitochondrial function and metabolism. Among them, we selected for further analysis only those present in the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial fraction and known to be related with the respiratory chain. Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and the beta-subunit of the electron-transfer protein (ETFB), two proteins unrelated to date with Cx43, fulfilled these conditions, and their interaction with Cx43 was proven by direct and reverse co-immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, a previously unknown molecular interaction between AIF and ETFB was established, and protein content and sub-cellular localization appeared to be independent from the presence of Cx43. Our results identify new protein-protein interactions between AIF-Cx43, ETFB-Cx43 and AIF-ETFB as possible players in the regulation of the mitochondrial redox state.

Ischemic preconditioning protects cardiomyocyte mitochondria through mechanisms independent of cytosol.

Mitochondria play a central role in the protection conferred by ischemic preconditioning (IP) by not fully elucidated mechanisms. We investigated whether IP protects mitochondria against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury through mechanisms independent of cytosolic signaling. In isolated rat hearts, sublethal IR increased superoxide production and reduced complex-I- and II-mediated respiration in subsarcolemmal (SS), but not interfibrillar (IF) mitochondria. This effect of IR on mitochondrial respiration was significantly attenuated by IP. Similar results were obtained in isolated cardiac mitochondria subjected to in vitro IR. The reduction in SS mitochondrial respiration in the heart and in vitro model was paralleled by an increase in oxidized cysteine residues, which was also prevented by IP. IP was also protective in mitochondria submitted to lethal IR. The protective effect of IP against respiratory failure was unaffected by inhibition of mitochondrial KATP channels or mitochondrial permeability transition. However, IP protection was lost in mitochondria from genetically-modified animals in which connexin-43, a protein present in SS but not IF mitochondria, was replaced by connexin-32. Our results demonstrate the existence of a protective mitochondrial mechanism or "mitochondrial preconditioning" independent of cytosol that confers protection against IR-induced respiratory failure and oxidative damage, and requires connexin-43.

General statistical framework for quantitative proteomics by stable isotope labeling.

The combination of stable isotope labeling (SIL) with mass spectrometry (MS) allows comparison of the abundance of thousands of proteins in complex mixtures. However, interpretation of the large data sets generated by these techniques remains a challenge because appropriate statistical standards are lacking. Here, we present a generally applicable model that accurately explains the behavior of data obtained using current SIL approaches, including (18)O, iTRAQ, and SILAC labeling, and different MS instruments. The model decomposes the total technical variance into the spectral, peptide, and protein variance components, and its general validity was demonstrated by confronting 48 experimental distributions against 18 different null hypotheses. In addition to its general applicability, the performance of the algorithm was at least similar than that of other existing methods. The model also provides a general framework to integrate quantitative and error information fully, allowing a comparative analysis of the results obtained from different SIL experiments. The model was applied to the global analysis of protein alterations induced by low H2O2 concentrations in yeast, demonstrating the increased statistical power that may be achieved by rigorous data integration. Our results highlight the importance of establishing an adequate and validated statistical framework for the analysis of high-throughput data.

A novel strategy for global analysis of the dynamic thiol redox proteome.

Nitroxidative stress in cells occurs mainly through the action of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) on protein thiol groups. Reactive nitrogen and oxygen species-mediated protein modifications are associated with pathophysiological states, but can also convey physiological signals. Identification of Cys residues that are modified by oxidative stimuli still poses technical challenges and these changes have never been statistically analyzed from a proteome-wide perspective. Here we show that GELSILOX, a method that combines a robust proteomics protocol with a new computational approach that analyzes variance at the peptide level, allows a simultaneous analysis of dynamic alterations in the redox state of Cys sites and of protein abundance. GELSILOX permits the characterization of the major endothelial redox targets of hydrogen peroxide in endothelial cells and reveals that hypoxia induces a significant increase in the status of oxidized thiols. GELSILOX also detected thiols that are redox-modified by ischemia-reperfusion in heart mitochondria and demonstrated that these alterations are abolished in ischemia-preconditioned animals.

A Multiplexed Quantitative Proteomics Approach to the Human Plasma Protein Signature.

Despite the plasma proteome being able to provide a unique insight into the health and disease status of individuals, holding singular promise as a source of protein biomarkers that could be pivotal in the context of personalized medicine, only around 100 proteins covering a few human conditions have been approved as biomarkers by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so far. Mass spectrometry (MS) currently has enormous potential for high-throughput analysis in clinical research; however, plasma proteomics remains challenging mainly due to the wide dynamic range of plasma protein abundances and the time-consuming procedures required. We applied a new MS-based multiplexed proteomics workflow to quantitate proteins, encompassing 67 FDA-approved biomarkers, in >1300 human plasma samples from a clinical cohort. Our results indicate that this workflow is suitable for large-scale clinical studies, showing good accuracy and reproducibility (coefficient of variation (CV) < 20 for 90% of the proteins). Furthermore, we identified plasma signature proteins (stable in time on an individual basis), stable proteins (exhibiting low biological variability and high temporal stability), and highly variable proteins (with low temporal stability) that can be used for personalized health monitoring and medicine.

iSanXoT: A standalone application for the integrative analysis of mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics data.

Many bioinformatics tools are available for the quantitative analysis of proteomics experiments. Most of these tools use a dedicated statistical model to derive absolute quantitative protein values from mass spectrometry (MS) data. Here, we present iSanXoT, a standalone application that processes relative abundances between MS signals and then integrates them sequentially to upper levels using the previously published Generic Integration Algorithm (GIA). iSanXoT offers unique capabilities that complement conventional quantitative software applications, including statistical weighting and independent modeling of error distributions in each integration, aggregation of technical or biological replicates, quantification of posttranslational modifications, and analysis of coordinated protein behavior. iSanXoT is a standalone, user-friendly application that accepts output from popular proteomics pipelines and enables unrestricted creation of quantification workflows and fully customizable reports that can be reused across projects or shared among users. Numerous publications attest the successful application of diverse integrative workflows constructed using the GIA for the analysis of high-throughput quantitative proteomics experiments. iSanXoT has been tested with the main operating systems. Download links for the corresponding distributions are available at https://github.com/CNIC-Proteomics/iSanXoT/releases.

A robust method for quantitative high-throughput analysis of proteomes by 18O labeling.

MS-based quantitative proteomics plays an increasingly important role in biological and medical research and the development of these techniques remains one of the most important challenges in mass spectrometry. Numerous stable isotope labeling approaches have been proposed. However, and particularly in the case of (18)O-labeling, a standard protocol of general applicability is still lacking, and statistical issues associated to these methods remain to be investigated. In this work we present an improved high-throughput quantitative proteomics method based on whole proteome concentration by SDS-PAGE, optimized in-gel digestion, peptide (18)O-labeling, and separation by off-gel isoelectric focusing followed by liquid chromatography-LIT-MS. We demonstrate that the off-gel technique is fully compatible with (18)O peptide labeling in any pH range. A recently developed statistical model indicated that partial digestions and methionine oxidation do not alter protein quantification and that variances at the scan, peptide, and protein levels are stable and reproducible in a variety of proteomes of different origin. We have also analyzed the dynamic range of quantification and demonstrated the practical utility of the method by detecting expression changes in a model of activation of Jurkat T-cells. Our protocol provides a general approach to perform quantitative proteomics by (18)O-labeling in high-throughput studies, with the added value that it has a validated statistical model for the null hypothesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where a general protocol for stable isotope labeling is tested in practice using a collection of samples and analyzed at this degree of statistical detail.

Mapping the Serum Proteome of COVID-19 Patients; Guidance for Severity Assessment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whose outbreak in 2019 led to an ongoing pandemic with devastating consequences for the global economy and human health. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has affected more than 481 million people worldwide, with 6 million confirmed deaths. The joint efforts of the scientific community have undoubtedly increased the pace of production of COVID-19 vaccines, but there is still so much uncharted ground to cover regarding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, replication and host response. These issues can be approached by proteomics with unprecedented capacity paving the way for the development of more efficient strategies for patient care. In this study, we present a deep proteome analysis that has been performed on a cohort of 72 COVID-19 patients aiming to identify serum proteins assessing the dynamics of the disease at different age ranges. A panel of 53 proteins that participate in several functions such as acute-phase response and inflammation, blood coagulation, cell adhesion, complement cascade, endocytosis, immune response, oxidative stress and tissue injury, have been correlated with patient severity, suggesting a molecular basis for their clinical stratification. Eighteen protein candidates were further validated by targeted proteomics in an independent cohort of 84 patients including a group of individuals that had satisfactorily resolved SARS-CoV-2 infection. Remarkably, all protein alterations were normalized 100 days after leaving the hospital, which further supports the reliability of the selected proteins as hallmarks of COVID-19 progression and grading. The optimized protein panel may prove its value for optimal severity assessment as well as in the follow up of COVID-19 patients.

Galectin-1 prevents pathological vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Pathological vascular remodeling is the underlying cause of atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here, we analyzed the role of galectin-1 (Gal-1), a ß-galactoside-binding protein, as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and AAA. Mice lacking Gal-1 (Lgals1-/-) developed severe atherosclerosis induced by pAAV/D377Y-mPCSK9 adenovirus and displayed higher lipid levels and lower expression of contractile markers of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in plaques than wild-type mice. Proteomic analysis of Lgals1-/- aortas showed changes in markers of VSMC phenotypic switch and altered composition of mitochondrial proteins. Mechanistically, Gal-1 silencing resulted in increased foam cell formation and mitochondrial dysfunction in VSMCs, while treatment with recombinant Gal-1 (rGal-1) prevented these effects. Furthermore, rGal-1 treatment attenuated atherosclerosis and elastase-induced AAA, leading to higher contractile VSMCs in aortic tissues. Gal-1 expression decreased in human atheroma and AAA compared to control tissue. Thus, Gal-1-driven circuits emerge as potential therapeutic strategies in atherosclerosis and AAA.

Unbiased plasma proteomics discovery of biomarkers for improved detection of subclinical atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis improves cardiovascular risk prediction on top of traditional risk factors. However, cardiovascular imaging is not universally available. This work aims to identify circulating proteins that could predict subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: Hypothesis-free proteomics was used to analyze plasma from 444 subjects from PESA cohort study (222 with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging, and 222 matched controls) at two timepoints (three years apart) for discovery, and from 350 subjects from AWHS cohort study (175 subjects with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging and 175 matched controls) for external validation. A selected three-protein panel was further validated by immunoturbidimetry in the AWHS population and in 2999 subjects from ILERVAS cohort study. FINDINGS: PIGR, IGHA2, APOA, HPT and HEP2 were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently from traditional risk factors at both timepoints in the discovery and validation cohorts. Multivariate analysis rendered a potential three-protein biomarker panel, including IGHA2, APOA and HPT. Immunoturbidimetry confirmed the independent associations of these three proteins with subclinical atherosclerosis in AWHS and ILERVAS. A machine-learning model with these three proteins was able to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in ILERVAS (AUC [95%CI]:0.73 [0.70-0.74], p < 1 × 10-99), and also in the subpopulation of individuals with low cardiovascular risk according to FHS 10-year score (0.71 [0.69-0.73], p < 1 × 10-69). INTERPRETATION: Plasma levels of IGHA2, APOA and HPT are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently of traditional risk factors and offers potential to predict this disease. The panel could improve primary prevention strategies in areas where imaging is not available. FUNDING: This study was supported by competitive grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (BIO2015-67580-P, PGC2018-097019-B-I00, PID2019-106814RB-I00 and SAF2016-80843-R), through the Carlos III Institute of Health-Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria grant PRB3 (IPT17/0019 - ISCIII-SGEFI / ERDF, ProteoRed), CIBERCV and CIBERDEM, the Fundacio MaratoTV3 (grant 122/C/2015) and "la Caixa" Banking Foundation (project HR17-00247). The PESA study is co-funded equally by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain, and Banco Santander, Madrid, Spain. The ILERVAS study was funded by the Diputacio de Lleida. The study also receives funding from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI15/02019; PI18/00610; RD16/0009) and the FEDER funds. The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (MCNU) and the Pro CNIC Foundation.

Quantitative proteomics by 2-DE, 16O/18O labelling and linear ion trap mass spectrometry analysis of lymph nodes from piglets inoculated by porcine circovirus type 2.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been identified as the essential causal agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. However, little is known regarding the mechanism(s) underlying the pathogenesis of PCV2-induced disease and the interaction of the virus with the host immune system. Here, we present a proteomics study on inguinal lymph nodes of piglets inoculated with PCV2, in order to better understand the pathogenesis of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome and the pathways might be affected after infection. We used two proteomics strategies, 2-DE and 1-DE followed by (16)O/(18)O peptide labelling and peptide identification and quantification by MS. More than 100 proteins were found to be differentially regulated and the results obtained by the two strategies were fairly concordant but also complementary, the (18)O labelling approach being a more robust alternative. Analysis of these proteins by systems biology tools revealed the implication of acute phase response and NrF2-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting a putative role for these pathways in the pig immune response. Besides, CD81 was found to be up-regulated, suggesting a possible role in the internalization of the virus. The use of proteomics technologies together with biology analysis systems opens up the way to gain more exhaustive and systematic knowledge of virus-pathogen interactions.

Statistical model to analyze quantitative proteomics data obtained by 18O/16O labeling and linear ion trap mass spectrometry: application to the study of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in endothelial cells.

Statistical models for the analysis of protein expression changes by stable isotope labeling are still poorly developed, particularly for data obtained by 16O/18O labeling. Besides large scale test experiments to validate the null hypothesis are lacking. Although the study of mechanisms underlying biological actions promoted by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on endothelial cells is of considerable interest, quantitative proteomics studies on this subject are scarce and have been performed after exposing cells to the factor for long periods of time. In this work we present the largest quantitative proteomics study to date on the short term effects of VEGF on human umbilical vein endothelial cells by 18O/16O labeling. Current statistical models based on normality and variance homogeneity were found unsuitable to describe the null hypothesis in a large scale test experiment performed on these cells, producing false expression changes. A random effects model was developed including four different sources of variance at the spectrum-fitting, scan, peptide, and protein levels. With the new model the number of outliers at scan and peptide levels was negligible in three large scale experiments, and only one false protein expression change was observed in the test experiment among more than 1000 proteins. The new model allowed the detection of significant protein expression changes upon VEGF stimulation for 4 and 8 h. The consistency of the changes observed at 4 h was confirmed by a replica at a smaller scale and further validated by Western blot analysis of some proteins. Most of the observed changes have not been described previously and are consistent with a pattern of protein expression that dynamically changes over time following the evolution of the angiogenic response. With this statistical model the 18O labeling approach emerges as a very promising and robust alternative to perform quantitative proteomics studies at a depth of several thousand proteins.

Improved integrative analysis of the thiol redox proteome using filter-aided sample preparation.

Changes in the oxidation state of protein Cys residues are involved in cell signalling and play a key role in a variety of pathophysiological states. We had previously developed GELSILOX, an in-gel method that enables the large-scale, parallel analysis of dynamic alterations to the redox state of Cys sites and protein abundance changes. Here we present FASILOX, a further development of the GELSILOX approach featuring: i) significantly increased peptide recovery, ii) enhanced sensitivity for the detection of Cys oxidative alterations, and iii) streamlined workflow that results in shortened assay duration. In mitochondria isolated from the adipose tissue of obese, diabetic patients, FASILOX revealed a sexually dimorphic trait of Cys oxidation involving mainly mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes. These results provide the first evidence for a decreased efficiency in the antioxidant response of men as compared to women.

Why Does COVID-19 Affect Patients with Spinal Cord Injury Milder? A Case-Control Study: Results from Two Observational Cohorts.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented global challenge in this century. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection, yet the clinical characteristics of this infection differ in spinal cord injury patients from those observed in the general population. Cough and asthenia are the most frequent symptoms in this population. Moreover, infected spinal cord injury patients rarely present complications that require admission to an Intensive Care Unit, in contrast to the general population. Thus, there is a clear need to understand how COVID-19 affects spinal cord injury patients from a molecular perspective. Here, we employed an -omics strategy in order to identify variations in protein abundance in spinal cord injury patients with and without COVID-19. After a quantitative differential analysis using isobaric tags and mass spectrometry and a verification phase, we have found differences mainly related to coagulation and platelet activation. Our results suggest a key role of heparin in the response of spinal cord injury patients to COVID-19 infection, showing a significant correlation between these proteins and heparin dose. Although the number of patients is limited, these data may shed light on new therapeutic options to improve the management these patients and, possibly, those of the general population as well.

Complement C5 Protein as a Marker of Subclinical Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying early atherosclerotic plaque formation are not completely understood. Moreover, plasma biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the temporal and topologically resolved protein changes taking place in human aortas with early atherosclerosis to find new potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets. METHODS: The protein composition of healthy aortas (media layer) or with early atheroma (fatty streak and fibrolipidic, media and intima layers) was analyzed by deep quantitative multiplexed proteomics. Further analysis was performed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma levels of complement C5 were analyzed in relation to the presence of generalized (>2 plaques) or incipient (0 to 2 plaques) subclinical atherosclerosis in 2 independent clinical cohorts (PESA [Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis] [n = 360] and NEFRONA [National Observatory of Atherosclerosis in Nephrology] [n = 394]). RESULTS: Proteins involved in lipid transport, complement system, immunoglobulin superfamily, and hemostasis are increased in early plaques. Components from the complement activation pathway were predominantly increased in the intima of fibrolipidic plaques. Among them, increased C5 protein levels were further confirmed by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, and associated with in situ complement activation. Plasma C5 was significantly increased in individuals with generalized subclinical atherosclerosis in both PESA and NEFRONA cohorts, independently of risk factors. Moreover, in the PESA study, C5 plasma levels positively correlated with global plaque volume and coronary calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the complement system is a major alteration in early atherosclerotic plaques and is reflected by increased C5 plasma levels, which have promising value as a novel circulating biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Interplay between post-translational cyclooxygenase-2 modifications and the metabolic and proteomic profile in a colorectal cancer cohort.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. It is broadly described that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is mainly overexpressed in CRC but less is known regarding post-translational modifications of this enzyme that may regulate its activity, intracellular localization and stability. Since metabolic and proteomic profile analysis is essential for cancer prognosis and diagnosis, our hypothesis is that the analysis of correlations between these specific parameters and COX-2 state in tumors of a high number of CRC patients could be useful for the understanding of the basis of this cancer in humans. AIM: To analyze COX-2 regulation in colorectal cancer and to perform a detailed analysis of their metabolic and proteomic profile. METHODS: Biopsies from both healthy and pathological colorectal tissues were taken under informed consent from patients during standard colonoscopy procedure in the University Hospital of Bellvitge (Barcelona, Spain) and Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (Campus Can Ruti) (Barcelona, Spain). Western blot analysis was used to determine COX-2 levels. Deglycosylation assays were performed in both cells and tumor samples incubating each sample with peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGase F). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were determined using a specific ELISA. 1H high resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) analysis was performed using a Bruker AVIII 500 MHz spectrometer and proteomic analysis was performed in a nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (nano LC-MS/MS) using a QExactive HF orbitrap MS. RESULTS: Our data show that COX-2 has a differential expression profile in tumor tissue of CRC patients vs the adjacent non-tumor area, which correspond to a glycosylated and less active state of the protein. This fact was associated to a lesser PGE2 production in tumors. These results were corroborated in vitro performing deglycosylation assays in HT29 cell line where COX-2 protein profile was modified after PNGase F incubation, showing higher PGE2 levels. Moreover, HRMAS analysis indicated that tumor tissue has altered metabolic features vs non-tumor counterparts, presenting increased levels of certain metabolites such as taurine and phosphocholine and lower levels of lactate. In proteomic experiments, we detected an enlarged number of proteins in tumors that are mainly implicated in basic biological functions like mitochondrial activity, DNA/RNA processing, vesicular trafficking, metabolism, cytoskeleton and splicing. CONCLUSION: In our colorectal cancer cohort, tumor tissue presents a differential COX-2 expression pattern with lower enzymatic activity that can be related to an altered metabolic and proteomic profile.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by Endonuclease G deficiency requires reactive oxygen radicals accumulation and is inhibitable by the micropeptide humanin.

The endonuclease G gene (Endog), which codes for a mitochondrial nuclease, was identified as a determinant of cardiac hypertrophy. How ENDOG controls cardiomyocyte growth is still unknown. Thus, we aimed at finding the link between ENDOG activity and cardiomyocyte growth. Endog deficiency induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and abnormal growth in neonatal rodent cardiomyocytes, altering the AKT-GSK3ß and Class-II histone deacethylases (HDAC) signal transduction pathways. These effects were blocked by ROS scavengers. Lack of ENDOG reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication independently of ROS accumulation. Because mtDNA encodes several subunits of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, whose activity is an important source of cellular ROS, we investigated whether Endog deficiency compromised the expression and activity of the respiratory chain complexes but found no changes in these parameters nor in ATP content. MtDNA also codes for humanin, a micropeptide with possible metabolic functions. Nanomolar concentrations of synthetic humanin restored normal ROS levels and cell size in Endog-deficient cardiomyocytes. These results support the involvement of redox signaling in the control of cardiomyocyte growth by ENDOG and suggest a pathway relating mtDNA content to the regulation of cell growth probably involving humanin, which prevents reactive oxygen radicals accumulation and hypertrophy induced by Endog deficiency.