Schwann cells modulate nociception in neurofibromatosis 1.

Pain of unknown etiology is frequent in individuals with the tumor predisposition syndrome neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), even when tumors are absent. Nerve Schwann cells (SCs) were recently shown to play roles in nociceptive processing, and we find that chemogenetic activation of SCs is sufficient to induce afferent and behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity in wild-type mice. In mouse models, animals showed afferent and behavioral hypersensitivity when SCs, but not neurons, lacked Nf1. Importantly, hypersensitivity corresponded with SC-specific upregulation of mRNA encoding glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), independently of the presence of tumors. Neuropathic pain-like behaviors in the NF1 mice were inhibited by either chemogenetic silencing of SC calcium or by systemic delivery of GDNF-targeting antibodies. Together, these findings suggest that alterations in SCs directly modulate mechanical pain and suggest cell-specific treatment strategies to ameliorate pain in individuals with NF1.

Blocking αVß3 integrin ligand occupancy inhibits the progression of albuminuria in diabetic rats.

This study determined if blocking ligand occupancy of the αVß3 integrin could inhibit the pathophysiologic changes that occur in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Diabetic rats were treated with either vehicle or a monoclonal antibody that binds the ß3 subunit of the αVß3 integrin. After 4 weeks of diabetes the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) increased in both diabetic animals that subsequently received vehicle and in the animals that subsequently received the anti-ß3 antibody compared with control nondiabetic rats. After 8 weeks of treatment the UACR continued to rise in the vehicle-treated rats; however it returned to levels comparable to control nondiabetic rats in rats treated with the anti-ß3 antibody. Treatment with the antibody prevented the increase of several profibrotic proteins that have been implicated in the development of DN. Diabetes was associated with an increase in phosphorylation of the ß3 subunit in kidney homogenates from diabetic animals, but this was prevented by the antibody treatment. This study demonstrates that, when administered after establishment of early pathophysiologic changes in renal function, the anti-ß3 antibody reversed the effects of diabetes normalizing albuminuria and profibrotic proteins in the kidney to the levels observed in nondiabetic control animals.

Blocking ligand occupancy of the αVß3 integrin inhibits the development of nephropathy in diabetic pigs.

Hyperglycemia stimulates secretion of αVß3 ligands from vascular cells, including endothelial cells, resulting in activation of the αVß3 integrin. This study determined whether blocking ligand occupancy of αVß3 would inhibit the development of diabetic nephropathy. Ten diabetic pigs received an F(ab)2 fragment of an antibody directed against the extracellular domain of the ß3-subunit, and 10 received a control IgG F(ab)2 for 18 weeks. Nondiabetic pigs excreted 115 ± 50 µg of protein/mg creatinine compared with control F(ab)2-treated diabetic animals (218 ± 57 µg/mg), whereas diabetic animals treated with the anti-ß3 F(ab)2 excreted 119 ± 55 µg/mg (P < .05). Mesangial volume/glomerular volume increased to 21 ± 2.4% in control-treated diabetic animals compared with 14 ± 2.8% (P < .01) in animals treated with active antibody. Diabetic animals treated with control F(ab)2 had significantly less glomerular podocin staining compared with nondiabetic animals, and this decrease was attenuated by treatment with anti-ß3 F(ab)2. Glomerular basement membrane thickness was increased in the control, F(ab)2-treated diabetic animals (212 ± 14 nm) compared with nondiabetic animals (170 ± 8.8 nm), but it was unchanged (159.9 ± 16.4 nm) in animals receiving anti-ß3 F(ab)2. Podocyte foot process width was greater in control, F(ab)2-treated, animals (502 ± 34 nm) compared with animals treated with the anti-ß3 F(ab)2 (357 ± 47 nm, P < .05). Renal ß3 tyrosine phosphorylation decreased from 13 934 ± 6437 to 6730 ± 1524 (P < .01) scanning units in the anti-ß3-treated group. We conclude that administration of an antibody that inhibits activation of the ß3-subunit of αVß3 that is induced by hyperglycemia attenuates proteinuria and early histologic changes of diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that it may have utility in preventing the progression of this disease complication.

Burn injury induces high levels of phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.

PURPOSE: Burn injury is associated with early apoptotic death of T cells. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) is able to protect T cells from apoptosis. Association of IGF-I with its IGFBP (Binding Protein)-1 limits its bioavailability and serine phosphorylation of IGFBP-1 lowers this further because of an increased affinity for IGF-I. The level of phosphorylated IGFBP-1 has been shown to increase in pediatric burn patients. Thus we hypothesized that a longitudinal study of burn patients would demonstrate 1) increased IGFBP-1 levels, 2) increased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation and 3) decreased IGF-I levels over time. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in adult burn patients admitted to UNC Jaycee Burn Center. Plasma levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGGBP-1) were measured on admission up to 10 days post admission. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of insulin, IGF-I and IGFBP-1. Serine phosphorylation of IGFBP-1 was measured by Western blot with and without the incubation of calf intestinal phosphatase (CIP). Significant findings: There was a significant positive correlation of increasing %TBSA burn and increasing levels of serum IGFBP-1 from admittance blood draws. Levels of IGF-I also decreased with increasing Total Body Surface Area (TBSA, p<0.05). In patients studied longitudinally (n=84) we found that IGFBP-1 levels are significantly (p<0.05) increased 1-72 hours post burn (mean±SEM serum concentration; burn=172±23 ng/mL, normal=13±3 ng/mL) and that levels of IGF-I are reduced. IGFBP-1 is serine phosphorylated in burn patients. In patients surviving past 72 hours IGFBP-1 remained phosphorylated over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: IGFBP-1 and its serine phosphorylation regulate and limit IGF-I bioavailability. Our results suggest that increases in IGFBP-1 and persistent serine phosphorylation of IGFBP-1 correlate with the severity of burn injury, and may contribute to burn-associated T cell apoptosis and subsequent immune dysfunction by reducing the bioavailability of this important cell survival factor.

The heparin-binding domains of IGFBP-2 mediate its inhibitory effect on preadipocyte differentiation and fat development in male mice.

IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 overexpression confers resistance to high-fat feeding and inhibits the differentiation of preadipocytes in vitro. However, whether administration of IGFBP-2 can regulate adipogenesis in vivo and the domains that mediate this response have not been defined. IGFBP-2 contains 2 heparin-binding domains (HBD), which are localized in the linker region (HBD1) and C-terminal region (HBD2) of IGFBP-2. To determine the relative importance of these domains, we used synthetic peptides as well as mutagenesis. Both HBD1 and HBD2 peptides inhibited preadipocyte differentiation, but the HBD2 peptide was more effective. Selective substitution of charged residues in the HBD1 or HBD2 regions attenuated the ability of the full-length protein to inhibit cell differentiation, but the HBD2 mutant had the greatest reduction. To determine their activities in vivo, pegylated forms of each peptide were administered to IGFBP-2(-/-) mice for 12 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging scanning showed that only the HBD2 peptide significantly reduced (48 ± 9%, P < .05) gain in total fat mass. Both inguinal (32 ± 7%, P < .01) and visceral fat (44 ± 7%, P < .01) were significantly decreased by HBD2 whereas HBD1 reduced only visceral fat accumulation (24 ± 5%, P < .05). The HBD2 peptide was more effective peptide in reducing triglyceride content and serum adiponectin, but only the HBD2 peptide increased serum leptin. These findings demonstrate that the HBD2 domain of IGFBP-2 is the primary region that accounts for its ability to inhibit adipogenesis and that a peptide encompassing this region has activity that is comparable with native IGFBP-2.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein 2 functions coordinately with receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase ß and the IGF-I receptor to regulate IGF-I-stimulated signaling.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and has been implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) modify IGF-I actions independently of IGF binding, but a receptor-based mechanism by which they function has not been elucidated. We investigated the role of IGFBP-2 and receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase ß (RPTPß) in regulating IGF-I signaling and cellular proliferation. IGFBP-2 bound RPTPß, which led to its dimerization and inactivation. This enhanced PTEN tyrosine phosphorylation and inhibited PTEN activity. Utilization of substrate trapping and phosphatase-dead mutants showed that RPTPß bound specifically to PTEN and dephosphorylated it. IGFBP-2 knockdown led to decreased PTEN tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased AKT Ser473 activation. IGFBP-2 enhanced IGF-I-stimulated VSMC migration and proliferation. Analysis of aortas obtained from IGFBP-2(-/-) mice showed that RPTPß was activated, and this was associated with inhibition of IGF-I stimulated AKT Ser473 phosphorylation and VSMC proliferation. These changes were rescued following administration of IGFBP-2. These findings present a novel mechanism for coordinate regulation of IGFBP-2 and IGF-I signaling functions that lead to stimulation of VSMC proliferation. The results have important implications for understanding how IGFBPs modulate the cellular response to IGF-I.

Hyperglycemia enhances IGF-I-stimulated Src activation via increasing Nox4-derived reactive oxygen species in a PKCζ-dependent manner in vascular smooth muscle cells.

IGF-I-stimulated sarcoma viral oncogene (Src) activation during hyperglycemia is required for propagating downstream signaling. The aim of the current study was to determine the mechanism by which hyperglycemia enhances IGF-I-stimulated Src activation and the role of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) in mediating this response in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Nox4 expression was analyzed in VSMCs exposed to hyperglycemia. The role of Nox4-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in IGF-I-stimulated Src activation was investigated via knockdown of Nox4. Different isoforms of PKC were screened to investigate their role in hyperglycemia-induced Nox4. The oxidation of Src was shown to be a prerequisite for its activation in response to IGF-I during hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia induced Nox4, but not Nox1, and p22 phagocyte oxidase (p22phox) expression and IGF-I stimulated Nox4/p22phox complex formation, leading to increased ROS generation. Knockdown of Nox4 prevented ROS generation and impaired the oxidation and activation of Src in response to IGF-I, whereas knockdown of Nox1 had no effect. PKCζ was shown to mediate the hyperglycemia-induced increase in Nox4 expression. The key observations in cultured VSMCs were confirmed in the diabetic mice. Nox4-derived ROS is responsible for the enhancing effect of hyperglycemia on IGF-I-stimulated Src activation, which in turn amplifies IGF-I-linked downstream signaling and biological actions.

IGF-I stimulates cooperative interaction between the IGF-I receptor and CSK homologous kinase that regulates SHPS-1 phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

IGF-I plays an important role in smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. In vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in 25 mm glucose, IGF-I stimulated a significant increase in Src homology 2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate-1 (SHPS-1) phosphorylation compared with 5 mm glucose and this increase was required for smooth muscle cell proliferation. A proteome-wide screen revealed that carboxyl-terminal SRC kinase homologous kinase (CTK) bound directly to phosphotyrosines in the SHPS-1 cytoplasmic domain. Because the kinase(s) that phosphorylates these tyrosines in response to IGF-I is unknown, we determined the roles of IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and CTK in mediating SHPS-1 phosphorylation. After IGF-I stimulation, CTK was recruited to IGF-IR and subsequently to phospho-SHPS-1. Expression of an IGF-IR mutant that eliminated CTK binding reduced CTK transfer to SHPS-1, SHPS-1 phosphorylation, and cell proliferation. IGF-IR phosphorylated SHPS-1, which provided a binding site for CTK. CTK recruitment to SHPS-1 resulted in a further enhancement of SHPS-1 phosphorylation. CTK knockdown also impaired IGF-I-stimulated SHPS-1 phosphorylation and downstream signaling. Analysis of specific tyrosines showed that mutation of tyrosines 428/452 in SHPS-1 to phenylalanine reduced SHPS-1 phosphorylation but allowed CTK binding. In contrast, the mutation of tyrosines 469/495 inhibited IGF-IR-mediated the phosphorylation of SHPS-1 and CTK binding, suggesting that IGF-IR phosphorylated Y469/495, allowing CTK binding, and that CTK subsequently phosphorylated Y428/452. Based on the above findings, we conclude that after IGF-I stimulation, CTK is recruited to IGF-IR and its recruitment facilitates CTK's subsequent association with phospho-SHPS-1. This results in the enhanced CTK transfer to SHPS-1, and the two kinases then fully phosphorylate SHPS-1, which is necessary for IGF-I stimulated cellular proliferation.

An essential role for the association of CD47 to SHPS-1 in skeletal remodeling.

Integrin-associated protein (IAP/CD47) has been implicated in macrophage-macrophage fusion. To understand the actions of CD47 on skeletal remodeling, we compared Cd47(-/-) mice with Cd47(+/+) controls. Cd47(-/-) mice weighed less and had decreased areal bone mineral density compared with controls. Cd47(-/-) femurs were shorter in length with thinner cortices and exhibited lower trabecular bone volume owing to decreased trabecular number and thickness. Histomorphometry revealed reduced bone-formation and mineral apposition rates, accompanied by decreased osteoblast numbers. No differences in osteoclast number were observed despite a nonsignificant but 40% decrease in eroded surface/bone surface in Cd47(-/-) mice. In vitro, the number of functional osteoclasts formed by differentiating Cd47(-/-) bone marrow cells was significantly decreased compared with wild-type cultures and was associated with a decrease in bone-resorption capacity. Furthermore, by disrupting the CD47-SHPS-1 association, we found that osteoclastogenesis was markedly impaired. Assays for markers of osteoclast maturation suggested that the defect was at the point of fusion and not differentiation and was associated with a lack of SHPS-1 phosphorylation, SHP-1 phosphatase recruitment, and subsequent dephosphorylation of non-muscle cell myosin IIA. We also demonstrated a significant decrease in osteoblastogenesis in bone marrow stromal cells derived from Cd47(-/-) mice. Our finding of cell-autonomous defects in Cd47(-/-) osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation coupled with the pronounced skeletal phenotype of Cd47(-/-) mice support the conclusion that CD47 plays an important role in regulating skeletal acquisition and maintenance through its actions on both bone formation and bone resorption.

Aldosterone enhances IGF-I-mediated signaling and biological function in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The IGF-I pathway and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis are both involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis, but no information is available about IGF-I and aldosterone interaction or their potential synergistic effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The aims of this study were to investigate whether aldosterone influences IGF-I signaling and to determine the mechanism(s) by which aldosterone affects IGF-I function. Aldosterone resulted in significant increases in the Akt (1.87 ± 0.24, P < 0.001), MAPK (1.78 ± 0.13, P < 0.001), p70S6kinase (1.92 ± 0.15, P < 0.001), IGF-I receptor (1.69 ± 0.05, P < 0.01), and insulin receptor substrate-1 (1.7 ± 0.04, P < 0.01) (fold increase, mean ± SEM, n = 3) phosphorylation responses to IGF-I compared with IGF-I treatment alone. There were also significant increases in VSMC proliferation, migration, and protein synthesis (1.63 ± 0.03-, 1.56 ± 0.08-, and 1.51 ± 0.04-fold increases compared with IGF-I alone, respectively, n = 3, P < 0.001). Aldosterone induced osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression and activation of αVß3-integrin as well as an increase in the synthesis of IGF-I receptor. The enhancing effects of aldosterone were inhibited by eplerenone (10 µmol/liter), actinomycin-D (20 nmol/liter), and an anti-αVß3-integrin antibody that blocks OPN binding. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (2 mmol/liter) completely inhibited the ability of aldosterone to induce any of these changes. In conclusion, our results show that aldosterone enhances IGF-I signaling and biological actions in VSMCs through induction of OPN followed by its subsequent activation of the αVß3-integrin and by increasing IGF-I receptor. These changes are mediated in part through increased oxidative stress. The findings suggest a new mechanism by which aldosterone could accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.

Glucose regulation of thrombospondin and its role in the modulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) maintained in high glucose are more responsive to IGF-I than those in normal glucose. There is significantly more thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in extracellular matrix surrounding SMC grown in 25 mM glucose. In this study we investigated 1) the mechanism by which glucose regulates TSP-1 levels and 2) the mechanism by which TS-1 enhances IGF-I signaling. The addition of TSP-1 to primary SMC was sufficient to enhance IGF-I responsiveness in normal glucose. Reducing TSP-1 protein levels inhibited IGF-I signaling in SMC maintained in high glucose. We determined that TSP-1 protected IAP/CD47 from cleavage and thereby facilitated its association with SHP substrate-1 (SHPS-1). We have shown previously that the hyperglycemia induced protection of IAP from cleavage is an important component of the ability of hyperglycemia to enhance IGF-I signaling. Furthermore we determined that TSP-1 also enhanced phosphorylation of the beta3 subunit of the alphaVbeta3 integrin, another molecular event that we have shown are critical for SMC response to IGF-I in high glucose. Our studies also revealed that the difference in the amount of TSP-1 in the two different glucose conditions was due, at least in part, to a difference in the cellular uptake and degradation of TSP-1.

IGF-I activation of the AKT pathway is impaired in visceral but not subcutaneous preadipocytes from obese subjects.

Obesity morbidity is associated with excess visceral adiposity, whereas sc adipose tissue is much less metabolically hazardous. Human abdominal sc preadipocytes have greater capacity for proliferation, differentiation, and survival than omental preadipocytes. IGF-I is a critical mediator of preadipocyte proliferation, differentiation, and survival through multiple signaling pathways. We investigated IGF-I action in primary cultures of human preadipocytes isolated from sc and omental adipose tissue of obese subjects. IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis was significantly lower in omental compared with sc preadipocytes. IGF-I phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor and the ERK pathway was comparable in sc and omental cells. However, omental preadipocytes had decreased insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein associated with increased IRS-1-serine(636/639) phosphorylation and degradation. IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of AKT on serine(473) but not threonine(308) was decreased in omental cells, and activation of downstream targets, including S6Kinase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and Forkhead box O1 was also impaired. CyclinD1 abundance was decreased in omental cells due to increased degradation. Over-expression of IRS-1 by lentivirus in omental preadipocytes increased IGF-I-stimulated AKT-serine(473) phosphorylation. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-Rictor complex regulates phosphorylation of AKT-serine(473) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but knockdown of Rictor by lentivirus-delivered short hairpin RNA in sc preadipocytes did not affect AKT-serine(473) phosphorylation by IGF-I. These data reveal an intrinsic defect in IGF-I activation of the AKT pathway in omental preadipocytes from obese subjects that involves IRS-1 but probably not mTOR-Rictor complex. We conclude that impaired cell cycle regulation by AKT contributes to the distinct growth phenotype of preadipocytes in visceral fat of obese subjects.

A monoclonal antibody against alphaVbeta3 integrin inhibits development of atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic pigs.

Atherosclerotic lesions develop and progress more rapidly in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic individuals. This may be caused by accelerated lesion formation in the high-glucose environment of diabetes. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) cultured in high glucose are more responsive to growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This enhanced response to IGF-1 is due in part to increased activation of the alpha(V)beta(3) integrin. We tested whether alpha(V)beta(3) integrin activation was increased in diabetic animals and whether an antibody to beta(3) would inhibit IGF-1 action and development of atherosclerosis. Eight male pigs were made diabetic with streptozotocin and fed a high-fat diet. A F(ab)(2) antibody fragment directed at beta(3) was infused into one femoral artery, whereas the other artery received control F(ab)(2) for 3.5 months. There was a 65 +/- 8% reduction in atherosclerotic lesion area in the arteries treated with F(ab)(2) antibody to beta(3). Phosphorylation of beta(3) was reduced by 75 +/- 18% in vessels treated with the antibody. Shc and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, which are required for IGF-1-stimulated SMC proliferation, were also significantly reduced. We conclude that activation of IGF-1 receptor and alpha(V)beta(3)-linked signaling pathways accelerates atherosclerosis in diabetes and that administration of an antibody to beta(3) to diabetic pigs inhibits alpha(V)beta(3) activation, IGF-1-stimulated signaling, and atherosclerotic lesion development. This approach offers a potential therapeutic approach to the treatment of this disorder.

Insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated insulin receptor substrate-1 negatively regulates Src homology 2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase substrate-1 function in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Vascular smooth muscle cells maintained in normal (5.6 mm) glucose respond to insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) with increased protein synthesis but do not proliferate. In contrast, hyperglycemia alters responsiveness to IGF-I, resulting in increased SHPS-1 phosphorylation and assembly of a signaling complex that enhances MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways. Hyperglycemia also reduces the basal IRS-1 concentration and IGF-I-stimulated IRS-1-linked signaling. To determine if failure to down-regulate IRS-1 alters vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) responses to IGF-I, we overexpressed IRS-1 in VSMCs maintained in high glucose. These cultures showed reduced SHPS-1 phosphorylation, transfer of SHP-2 to SHPS-1, and impaired Shc and MAPK phosphorylation and cell proliferation in response to IGF-I. In vitro studies demonstrated that SHPS-1 was a substrate for type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR) and that IRS-1 competitively inhibited SHPS-1 phosphorylation. Exposure of VSMC cultures to a peptide that inhibited IRS-1/IGF-IR interaction showed that IRS-1 binding to IGF-IR impairs SHPS-1 phosphorylation in vivo. IRS-1 also sequestered SHP-2. Expression of an IRS-1 mutant (Y1179F/Y1229F) reduced IRS-1/SHP-2 association, and exposure of cells expressing the mutant to the inhibitory peptide enhanced SHPS-1 phosphorylation and SHP-2 transfer. This result was confirmed by expressing an IRS-1 mutant that had both impaired binding to IGF-IR and to SHP-2 IGF-I increased SHPS-1 phosphorylation, SHP-2 association with SHPS-1, Shc MAPK phosphorylation, and proliferation in cells expressing the mutant. We conclude that IRS-1 is an important factor for maintaining VSMCs in the non-proliferative state and that its down-regulation is a component of the VSMC response to hyperglycemic stress that results in an enhanced response to IGF-I.

Glucose-oxidized low-density lipoproteins enhance insulin-like growth factor I-stimulated smooth muscle cell proliferation by inhibiting integrin-associated protein cleavage.

Prior published reports have demonstrated that glucose-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (g-OxLDL) enhance the proliferative response of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) to IGF-I. Our previous studies have determined that the regulation of cleavage of integrin-associated protein (IAP) by matrix-metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) in diabetic mice in response to hyperglycemia is a key regulator of the response of SMC to IGF-I. Because chronic hyperglycemia enhances glucose-induced LDL oxidation, these studies were conducted to determine whether g-OxLDL modulates the response of SMC to IGF-I by regulating MMP-2-mediated cleavage of IAP. We determined that exposure of SMC to g-OxLDL, but not native LDL, was sufficient to facilitate an increase in cell proliferation in response to IGF-I. Exposure to an anti-CD36 antibody, which has been shown to inhibit g-OxLDL-mediated signaling, inhibited the effects of g-OxLDL on IGF-I-stimulated SMC proliferation. The effect of g-OxLDL could be attributed, in part, to an associated decrease in proteolytic cleavage of IAP leading to increase in the basal association between IAP and Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate-1, which is required for IGF-I-stimulated proliferation. The inhibitory effect of g-OxLDL on IAP cleavage appeared to be due to its ability to decrease the amount of activated MMP-2, the protease responsible for IAP cleavage. In conclusion, these data provide a molecular mechanism to explain previous studies that have reported an enhancing effect of g-OxLDL on IGF-I-stimulated SMC proliferation.

Identification of compounds that inhibit IGF-I signaling in hyperglycemia.

Increased responsiveness of vascular cells to the growth factor IGF-I has been implicated in complications associated with diabetes. Here we describe the development of an assay and screening of a library of compounds for their ability to accelerate cleavage of the transmembrane protein integrin-associated protein (IAP) thereby disrupting the association between IAP and SHPS-1 which we have shown as critical for the enhanced response of vascular cells to IGF-I. The cell-based ELISA utilizes an antibody that specifically detects cleaved, but not intact, IAP. Of the 1040 compounds tested, 14 were considered active by virtue of their ability to stimulate an increase in antibody-binding indicative of IAP cleavage. In experiments with smooth muscle and retinal endothelial cell cultures in hyperglycemic conditions, each active compound was shown to accelerate the cleavage of IAP, and this was associated with a decrease in IAP association with SHPS-1 as determined by coimmunoprecipitation of the proteins from cell lysates. As a consequence of the acceleration in IAP cleavage, the compounds were shown to inhibit IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of key signaling molecules including Shc and ERK1/2, and this in turn was associated with a decrease in IGF-I-stimulated cell proliferation. Identification of these compounds that utilize this mechanism has the potential to yield novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of vascular complications associated with diabetes.

Modulation of integrin antagonist signaling by ligand binding of the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin to the alphaVbeta3 integrin.

The interaction between the arginine glycine and aspartic acid motif (RGD) of integrin ligands such as vitronectin and the integrin receptor alphaVbeta3 in mediating cell attachment has been well described. Similarly, the ability of disintegrins, small RGD containing peptides, to inhibit cell attachment and other cellular processes has also been studied extensively. Recently, we characterized a second site of interaction between vitronectin and its integrin partner. We determined that amino acids within the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin bind to a cysteine loop (C-loop) region of beta3 and that this interaction is required for the positive effects of alphaVbeta3 ligand occupancy on IGF-I signaling in smooth muscle cells. In this study we examine the signaling events activated following ligand binding of disintegrins to the alphaVbeta3 and the ability of these signals to be regulated by binding of the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin. We demonstrate that disintegrin ligand binding activates a series of events including the sequential activation of the tyrosine kinases c-Src and Syk. This leads to the activation of calpain and the cleavage of the beta3 cytoplasmic tail. Addition of vitronectin or a peptide homologous to the heparin-binding domain inhibited activation of this pathway. Our results suggest that the signaling events that occur following ligand binding to the alphaVbeta3 integrin reflects a balance between the effects mediated through the RGD binding site interaction and the effects mediated by the heparin binding site interaction and that for intact vitronectin the effect of the heparin-binding domain predominates.

Integrin-associated protein association with SRC homology 2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatase substrate 1 regulates igf-I signaling in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Smooth muscle cell (SMC) maintained in medium containing normal levels of glucose do not proliferate in response to IGF-I, whereas cells maintained in medium containing 25 mmol/l glucose can respond. The aim of this study was to determine whether signaling events that have been shown to be required for stimulation of SMC growth were regulated by glucose concentrations in vivo. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared IGF-I-stimulated signaling events and growth in the aortic smooth muscle cells from normal and hyperglycemic mice. RESULTS: We determined that, in mice, hyperglycemia was associated with an increase in formation of the integrin-associated protein (IAP)/Src homology 2 domaine containing tyrosine phosphatase substrate 1 (SHPS-1) complex. There was a corresponding increase in Shc recruitment to SHPS-1 and Shc phosphorylation in response to IGF-I. There was also an increase in mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and SMC proliferation. The increase in IAP association with SHPS-1 in hyperglycemia appeared to be due to the protection of IAP from cleavage that occurred during exposure to normal glucose. In addition, we demonstrated that the protease responsible for IAP cleavage was matrix metalloprotease-2. An anti-IAP antibody that disrupted the IAP-SHPS-1 association resulted in complete inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results support a model in which hyperglycemia is associated with a reduction in IAP cleavage, thus allowing the formation of the IAP-SHPS-1 signaling complex that is required for IGF-I-stimulated proliferation of SMC.

Insulin-like growth factor-I stimulates Shc-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation via Grb2-associated p85 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by activating both MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) maintained in 25 mm glucose sustain MAPK activation via increased Shc phosphorylation and Grb2 association resulting in an enhanced mitogenic response compared with cells grown in 5 mm glucose. PI3K plays a major role in IGF-I-stimulated VSMC migration, and hyperglycemia augments this response. In contrast to MAPK activation the role of Shc in modulating PI3K in response to IGF-I has not been determined. In this study we show that impaired Shc association with Grb2 results in decreased Grb2-p85 association, SHPS-1-p85 recruitment, and PI3K activation in response to IGF-I. Exposure of VSMCs to cell-permeable peptides, which contained polyproline sequences from p85 proposed to mediate Grb2 association, resulted in inhibition of Grb2-p85 binding and AKT phosphorylation. Transfected cells that expressed p85 mutant that had specific prolines mutated to alanines resulted in less Grb2-p85 association, and a Grb2 mutant (W36A/W193A) that attenuated p85 binding showed decreased association of p85 with SHPS-1, PI3K activation, AKT phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and migration in response to IGF-I. Cellular exposure to 25 mm glucose, which is required for Shc phosphorylation in response to IGF-I, resulted in enhanced Grb2 binding to p85, activation of PI3K activity, and increased AKT phosphorylation as compared with cells exposed to 5 mm glucose. We conclude that in VSMCs exposed to hyperglycemia, IGF-I stimulation of Shc facilitates the transfer of Grb2 to p85 resulting in enhanced PI3K activation and AKT phosphorylation leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration.

Glucose regulation of integrin-associated protein cleavage controls the response of vascular smooth muscle cells to insulin-like growth factor-I.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) maintained in high glucose are more responsive to IGF-I than SMC maintained in normal glucose due to a difference in the Shc phosphorylation response. In this study we aimed to determine the mechanism by which glucose regulates the sensitivity of SMC to IGF-I. For Shc to be phosphorylated in response to IGF-I it must be recruited to tyrosine-phosphorylated sites on Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase (SHP) substrate-1 (SHPS-1). The association of integrin-associated protein (IAP) with SHPS-1 is required for SHPS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. When SMC were grown in 5 mm glucose, the amount of intact IAP was reduced, compared with SMC grown in 25 mm glucose. This reduction was due to proteolytic cleavage of IAP. Proteolysis of IAP resulted in loss of its SHPS-1 binding site, which led to loss of SHPS-1 phosphorylation. Analysis of the conditioned medium showed that there was more protease activity in the medium from SMC cultured in 5 mm glucose as compared with 25 mm. Inhibition of matrix metalloprotease-2 synthesis using RNA interference or its activity using a specific protease inhibitor protected IAP from cleavage. This protection was associated with an increase in IAP-SHPS-1 association, increased recruitment and phosphorylation of Shc, and increased cell growth in response to IGF-I. Our results show that the enhanced response of SMC in 25 mm glucose to IGF-I is due to the protection of IAP from proteolytic degradation, thereby increasing its association with SHPS-1 and allowing the formation of the SHPS-1-Shc signaling complex.