Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) is a biomarker of poor prognosis in primary melanomas, and its depletion inhibits melanoma cell invasion and disrupts tumor blood vessel walls.

Melanoma is an unpredictable, highly metastatic malignancy, and treatment of advanced melanoma remains challenging. Novel molecular markers based on the alterations in gene expression and the molecular pathways activated or deactivated during melanoma progression are needed for predicting the course of the disease already in primary tumors and for providing new targets for therapy. Here, we sought to identify genes whose expression in primary melanomas correlate with patient disease-specific survival using global gene expression profiling. Many of the identified potential markers of poor prognosis were associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix formation, and angiogenesis. We studied further the significance of one of the genes, prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1), in melanoma progression. P4HA1 depletion in melanoma cells reduced cell adhesion, invasion, and viability in vitro. In melanoma xenograft assays, we found that P4HA1 knockdown reduced melanoma tumor invasion as well as the deposition of collagens, particularly type IV collagen, in the interstitial extracellular matrix and in the basement membranes of tumor blood vessels, leading to vessel wall rupture and hemorrhages. Further, P4HA1 knockdown reduced the secretion of collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), an important mediator of melanoma cell migration and invasion, in vitro and its deposition around tumor blood vessels in vivo. Taken together, P4HA1 is an interesting potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in primary melanomas, influencing many aspects of melanoma tumor progression.

Overexpression of the HIF hydroxylases PHD1, PHD2, PHD3 and FIH are individually and collectively unfavorable prognosticators for NSCLC survival.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia induced factors (HIFs) are at the heart of the adaptive mechanisms cancer cells must implement for survival. HIFs are regulated by four hydroxylases; Prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)-1,-2,-3 and factor inhibiting HIF (FIH). We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of these oxygen sensors in NSCLC. METHODS: Tumor tissue samples from 335 resected stages I to IIIA NSCLC patients was obtained and tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed. Hydroxylase expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There was scorable expression for all HIF hydroxylases in tumor cells, but not in stroma. In univariate analyses, high tumor cell expression of all the HIF hydroxylases were unfavorable prognosticators for disease-specific survival (DSS); PHD1 (P = 0.023), PHD2 (P = 0.013), PHD3 (P = 0.018) and FIH (P = 0.033). In the multivariate analyses we found high tumor cell expression of PHD2 (HR = 2.03, CI 95% 1.20-3.42, P = 0.008) and PHD1 (HR = 1.45, CI 95% 1.01-2.10, P = 0.047) to be significant independent prognosticators for DSS. Besides, there was an additive prognostic effect by the increasing number of highly expressed HIF hydroxylases. Provided none high expression HIF hydroxylases, the 5-year survival was 80% vs. 23% if all four were highly expressed (HR = 6.48, CI 95% 2.23-18.8, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIF hydroxylases are, in general, poor prognosticators for NSCLC survival. PHD1 and PHD2 are independent negative prognostic factors in NSCLC. Moreover, there is an additive poor prognostic impact by an increasing number of highly expressed HIF hydroxylases.

Tunable, post-translational hydroxylation of collagen Domains in Escherichia coli.

Prolyl 4-hydroxylases are ascorbate-dependent oxygenases that play key roles in a variety of eukaryotic biological processes including oxygen sensing, siRNA regulation, and collagen folding. They perform their functions by catalyzing the post-translational hydroxylation of specific proline residues on target proteins to form (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. Thus far, the study of these post-translational modifications has been limited by the lack of a prokaryotic recombinant expression system for producing hydroxylated proteins. By introducing a biosynthetic shunt to produce ascorbate-like molecules in Eschericia coli cells that heterologously express human prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H), we have created a strain of E. coli that produces collagenous proteins with high levels of (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. Using this new system, we have observed hydroxylation patterns indicative of a processive catalytic mode for P4H that is active even in the absence of ascorbate. Our results provide insights into P4H enzymology and create a foundation for better understanding how post-translational hydroxylation affects proteins.

Sandwich ELISA for quantitative detection of human collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase.

BACKGROUND: We describe a method for specific, quantitative and quick detection of human collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H), the key enzyme for collagen prolyl-4 hydroxylation, in crude samples based on a sandwich ELISA principle. The method is relevant to active C-P4H level monitoring during recombinant C-P4H and collagen production in different expression systems. The assay proves to be specific for the active C-P4H alpha2beta2 tetramer due to the use of antibodies against its both subunits. Thus in keeping with the method C-P4H is captured by coupled to an anti-alpha subunit antibody magnetic beads and an anti-beta subunit antibody binds to the PDI/beta subunit of the protein. Then the following holoenzyme detection is accomplished by a goat anti-rabbit IgG labeled with alkaline phosphatase which AP catalyzes the reaction of a substrate transformation with fluorescent signal generation. RESULTS: We applied an experimental design approach for the optimization of the antibody concentrations used in the sandwich ELISA. The assay sensitivity was 0.1 ng of C-P4H. The method was utilized for the analysis of C-P4H accumulation in crude cell extracts of E. coli overexpressing C-P4H. The sandwich ELISA signals obtained demonstrated a very good correlation with the detected protein activity levels measured with the standard radioactive assay. The developed assay was applied to optimize C-P4H production in E. coli Origami in a system where the C-P4H subunits expression acted under control by different promoters. The experiments performed in a shake flask fed-batch system (EnBase) verified earlier observations that cell density and oxygen supply are critical factors for the use of the inducer anhydrotetracycline and thus for the soluble C-P4H yield. CONCLUSIONS: Here we show an example of sandwich ELISA usage for quantifying multimeric proteins. The method was developed for monitoring the amount of recombinant C-P4H tetramer in crude E. coli extracts. Due to the specificity of the antibodies used in the assay against the different C-P4H subunits, the method detects the entire holoenzyme, and the signal is not disturbed by background expression of the separate subunits.

Fibrocytes are associated with vascular and parenchymal remodelling in patients with obliterative bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to explore the occurrence of fibrocytes in tissue and to investigate whether the appearance of fibrocytes may be linked to structural changes of the parenchyme and vasculature in the lungs of patients with obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) following lung or bone marrow transplantation. METHODS: Identification of parenchyme, vasculature, and fibrocytes was done by histological methods in lung tissue from bone marrow or lung-transplanted patients with obliterative bronchiolitis, and from controls. RESULTS: The transplanted patients had significantly higher amounts of tissue in the alveolar parenchyme (46.5 +/- 17.6%) than the controls (21.7 +/- 7.6%) (p < 0.05). The patients also had significantly increased numbers of fibrocytes identified by CXCR4/prolyl4-hydroxylase, CD45R0/prolyl4-hydroxylase, and CD34/prolyl4-hydroxylase compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was a correlation between the number of fibrocytes and the area of alveolar parenchyma; CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.05) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.05). In the pulmonary vessels, there was an increase in the endothelial layer in patients (0.31 +/- 0.13%) relative to the controls (0.037 +/- 0.02%) (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the number of fibrocytes and the total area of the endothelial layer CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01). The percent areas of the lumen of the vessels were significant (p < 0.001) enlarged in the patient with OB compared to the controls. There was also a correlation between total area of the lumen and number of fibrocytes, CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that fibrocytes are associated with pathological remodelling processes in patients with OB and that tissue fibrocytes might be a useful biomarker in these processes.

BRCA1 tumours correlate with a HIF-1alpha phenotype and have a poor prognosis through modulation of hydroxylase enzyme profile expression.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the hypoxia pathway in familial breast cancers. We therefore performed a study of hypoxic factors in BRCA1, BRCA2 and BRCAX breast cancers. METHODS: Immunoperoxidase staining for HIF-1alpha, PHD1, PHD2, PHD3, VEGF and FIH was carried out in 125 (38 BRCA1, 33 BRCA2 and 54 BRCAX) breast carcinomas. These were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and the intrinsic breast cancer phenotypes. RESULTS: BRCA1 tumours correlated with positivity for HIF-1alpha (P=0.008) and negativity for PHD3 (P=0.037). HIF-1alpha positivity (P=0.001), PHD3 negativity (P=0.037) and nuclear FIH negativity (P=0.011) was associated with basal phenotype. HIF-1alpha expression correlated with high tumour grade (P=0.009), negative oestrogen receptor (ER) status (P=0.001) and the absence of lymph node metastasis (P=0.028). Nuclear FIH expression and PHD3 correlated with positive ER expression (P=0.024 and P=0.035, respectively). BRCA1 cancers with positive HIF-1alpha or cytoplasmic FIH had a significantly shorter relapse-free survival (P=0.007 and P=0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The aggressive nature of BRCA1 and basal-type tumours may be partly explained by an enhanced hypoxic drive and hypoxia driven ER degradation because of suppressed PHD and aberrantly located FIH expression. This may have important implications, as these tumours may respond to compounds directed against HIF-1alpha or its downstream targets.

N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) inhibits proliferation, collagen gene transcription, and redox stress in rat palatal mucosal cells.

OBJECTIVES: Control of hyperplastic and invasively growing gingival tissue is crucial for maintaining normal oral function and for successful bone regenerative therapy. We tested the hypothesis that materials containing N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant cysteine derivative, can control proliferation and function of oral mucosal cells. METHODS: Oral mucosal cells derived from the rat palatal tissue were cultured with or without NAC at different concentrations (2.5-10.0mM). To simulate inflammatory conditions, cultures were treated with hydrogen peroxide. NAC was also applied via collagen materials in membrane and sponge forms to explore the clinical applicability. The redox balance inside the cells was evaluated by measuring the concentration of intracellular glutathione (GSH). RESULTS: Adding NAC into cultures of oral mucosal cells reduced their proliferation, transcriptional expression, and collagen production in an NAC-concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, NAC substantially reduced the hydrogen peroxide-induced elevation of cellular proliferation and collagen production. The controlling effects of NAC were also demonstrated in cells cultured on NAC-containing collagen materials and were associated with an increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH) reserves and a decrease in the oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG). SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicate that NAC may abrogate inflammation- or oxidative-stress-induced hyperfunction of oral mucosal cells and that it can be delivered effectively via biodegradable materials. This study provides a basis to explore NAC-containing biomaterials that are functionalized to control oral soft tissue growth and function without cytotoxicity.

Direct and continuous assay for prolyl 4-hydroxylase.

Prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) is a nonheme iron dioxygenase that catalyzes the posttranslational hydroxylation of (2S)-proline (Pro) residues in protocollagen strands. The resulting (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues are essential for the folding, secretion, and stability of the collagen triple helix. P4H uses alpha-ketoglutarate and O2 as cosubstrates, and forms succinate and CO2 as well as Hyp. Described herein is the first assay for P4H that continuously and directly detects turnover of the proline-containing substrate. This assay is based on (2S,4S)-4-fluoroproline (flp), a proline analogue that is transformed into (2S)-4-ketoproline (Kep) and inorganic fluoride by P4H. The fluoride ion, and thus turnover by P4H, is detected by a fluoride ion-selective electrode. Using this assay, steady-state kinetic parameters for the human P4H-catalyzed turnover of a flp-containing peptide were determined and found to be comparable to those obtained with a discontinuous HPLC-based assay. In addition, this assay can be used to characterize P4H variants, as demonstrated by a comparison of catalysis by D414A P4H and the wild-type enzyme. Finally, the use of the assay to identify small-molecule inhibitors of P4H was verified by an analysis of catalysis in the presence of 2,4-pyridine dicarboxylate, an analogue of alpha-ketoglutarate. Thus, the assay described herein could facilitate biochemical analyses of this essential enzyme.

The ubiquitin ligase Siah2 regulates tumorigenesis and metastasis by HIF-dependent and -independent pathways.

The ubiquitin ligase Siah2 has been shown to regulate prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) stability with concomitant effect on HIF-1alpha availability. Because HIF-1alpha is implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis, we used SW1 mouse melanoma cells, which develop primary tumors with a propensity to metastasize, in a syngeneic mouse model to assess a possible role for Siah2 in these processes. Inhibiting Siah2 activity by expressing a peptide designed to outcompete association of Siah2-interacting proteins reduced metastasis through HIF-1alpha without affecting tumorigenesis. Conversely, inhibiting Siah2 activity by means of a dominant-negative Siah2 RING mutant primarily reduced tumorigenesis through the action of Sprouty 2, a negative regulator of Ras signaling. Consistent with our findings, reduced expression of PHD3 and Sprouty2 was observed in more advanced stages of melanoma tumors. Using complementary approaches, our data establish the role of Siah2 in tumorigenesis and metastasis by HIF-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Nitric oxide donor, (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, stabilizes transactive hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha by inhibiting von Hippel-Lindau recruitment and asparagine hydroxylation.

We have confirmed that the NO donor (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) stabilizes the transactive form of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), leading to the induction of HIF-1alpha target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor and carbonic anhydrase 9. Activation of HIF-1alpha should require inhibition of the dual system that keeps it inactive. One is ubiquitination, which is triggered by hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha-proline and the subsequent binding of E3 ubiquitin ligase, the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) protein. The other is hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha-asparagine, which reduces the affinity of HIF-1alpha for its coactivator, cAMP responsive element binding protein/p300. We examined the effects of the NO donor SNAP on proline and asparagine hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha peptides by measuring the activities of the corresponding enzymes, HIF-1alpha-specific proline hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) and the HIF-1alpha-specific asparagine hydroxylase, designated factor inhibiting HIF-1alpha (FIH-1), respectively. We found that the SNAP did not prevent PHD2 from hydroxylating the proline of HIF-1alpha. Instead, it blocked the interaction between VHL and the proline-hydroxylated HIF-1alpha, but only when the reducing agents Fe(II) and vitamin C were limiting. The fact that the absence of cysteine 520 of HIF-1alpha abolishes its responsiveness to SNAP suggests that this residue mediates the inhibition by SNAP of the interaction between VHL and HIF-1alpha, presumably by S-nitrosylation of HIF-1alpha. Un-like PHD2, asparagine hydroxylation by FIH-1 was directly inhibited by SNAP, but again only when reducing agents were limiting. Substitution of cysteine 800 of HIF-1alpha with alanine failed to reverse the inhibitory effects of SNAP on asparagine hydroxylation, implying that FIH-1, not its substrate HIF-1alpha, is inhibited by SNAP.

[Effect of low dose radiation on human [corrected] bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by using proteomic analysis].

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of low dose radiation (LDR) on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by using proteomic analysis. The bidirectional gel electrophoresis was used to establish the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns of proteome in group of MSCs exposed to LDR and in group of sham irradiated MSCs, the matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins in two groups. The results showed that among the differentially expressed proteins in the two groups, the expressions of 12 proteins were up-regulated, the expressions of 12 protein were down-regulated, 3 proteins disappeared after LDR, 12 proteins had been identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. In conclusion, the identified 12 proteins, such as prolyl 4-hydroxylase, dihydropyrimidinase-like 2 variant, ARP3 (actin-related protein 3, yeast) homolog, guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), phosphoglycerate mutase 1 may be related to mechanism of LDR effect. The study provides some new explanation for the mechanism of low dose radiation injury.

Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase: purification and assays of PHD2.

The adaptation of animals to oxygen availability is mediated by a transcription factor termed hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). HIF is an alpha (alpha)/beta (beta) heterodimer that binds hypoxia response elements (HREs) of target genes, including some of medicinal importance, such as erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). While the concentration of the HIF-beta subunit, a constitutive nuclear protein, does not vary with oxygen availability, the abundance and activity of the HIF-alpha subunits are tightly regulated via oxygen-dependent modification of specific residues. Hydroxylation of prolyl residues (Pro402 and Pro564 in HIF-1alpha) promotes interaction with the von Hippel-Lindau E3 ubiquitin ligase and, consequently, proteolytic destruction by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This prolyl hydroxylation is catalyzed by the prolyl-hydroxylase domain (PHD) containing enzymes for which three isozymes have been identified in humans (1-3). Additionally, asparaginyl hydroxylation (Asn803 in HIF-1alpha) by factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH) ablates interaction of the HIF-alpha subunit with the coactivator p300, providing an alternative mechanism for down-regulation of HIF-dependent genes. Under hypoxic conditions, when oxygen-mediated regulation of the alpha-subunits is curtailed or minimized, dimerization of the alpha- and beta-subunits occurs with subsequent target gene upregulation. Therapeutic activation of HIF signaling has been suggested as a potential treatment for numerous conditions, including ischemia, stroke, heart attack, inflammation, and wounding. One possible route to achieve this is via inhibition of the HIF hydroxylases. This chapter details methods for the purification and assaying of PHD2, the most abundant PHD and the most important in setting steady-state levels of HIF-alpha. Assays are described that measure the activity of PHD2 via direct and indirect means. Furthermore, conditions for the screening of small molecules against PHD2 are described.

[Fibrosis markers in heavy alcohol drinkers].

Alcoholic intake has increased in society in recent years. gamma-GTP is used as a marker of liver damage by alcohol intake, but there is no reliable marker of pancreatic fibrosis. We used animal experiments and clinical data to identify a new reliable marker of early-stage pancreatic fibrosis. Pancreatic fibrosis is induced by intra-peritoneal injection of diethyldithiocarbamate. Pancreas tissue was extracted and measured. Human pure pancreatic juice was collected by endoscopic procedures. Prolyl hydroxylase in pancreas tissue is increased in the early stage of pancreatic fibrosis. Secretion of matrix metalloproteinase from pancreatic stellate cells is increased by diethyldithiocarbamate stimulation. Pancreatic stellate cells, prolyl hydroxylase and a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase in human pure pancreatic juice is increased in heavy alcohol drinkers and normalized in former alcohol drinkers. Active matrix metalloproteinase 2 is detected in pure pancreatic juice of chronic pancreatitis patients. Treatment with oral camostat increases pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor in chronic pancreatitis patients. Experimental and clinical data indicated that matrix metalloproteinase 2 and prolyl hydroxylase are candidates as markers of early-stage pancreatic fibrosis. Clinical data showed that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor in pure pancreatic juice had potential as markers of early-stage pancreatic fibrosis.

Hypoxia-inducible factor expression in human RPE cells.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a common transcription factor for many angiogenic proteins. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are an important source of angiogenic factors in the retina. The expression of HIF, its regulation by proline hydroxylase (PHD) enzymes, and its downstream regulation of angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO) was studied in RPE cells in order to determine some of the molecular mechanisms underlying ischaemic retinal disease. METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured for various times under hypoxic conditions. Cellular HIF and PHD isoforms were analysed and quantified using western blot and densitometry. VEGF and EPO secreted into the media were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RNA interference was achieved using siRNA techniques. RESULTS: HIF-1 alpha was readily produced by ARPE-19 cells under hypoxia, but HIF-2 alpha and HIF-3 alpha could not be detected even after HIF-1 alpha silencing. HIF-1 alpha protein levels showed an increasing trend for the first 24 h while HIF-1 alpha mRNA levels fluctuated during this time. After 36 h HIF-1 alpha protein levels declined to baseline levels, a change that was coincident with a rise in both PHD2 and PHD3. Silencing HIF-1 alpha significantly decreased VEGF secretion. Significant production of EPO could not be detected at the protein or mRNA level. CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1 alpha appears to be the main isoform of HIF functioning in ARPE-19 cells. Under hypoxia, HIF-1 alpha levels are likely self-regulated by a feedback loop that involves both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. VEGF production by human RPE cells is regulated by HIF-1 alpha. EPO was not produced in significant amounts by RPE cells under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that other cells and/or transcription factors in the retina are responsible for its production.

Use of a novel 3D culture model to elucidate the role of mesothelial cells, fibroblasts and extra-cellular matrices on adhesion and invasion of ovarian cancer cells to the omentum.

The omentum is a major site of ovarian cancer metastasis. Our goal was to establish a three-dimensional (3D) model of the key components of the omental microenvironment (mesothelial cells, fibroblasts and extracellular matrices) to study ovarian cancer cell adhesion and invasion. The 3D model comprised of primary human fibroblasts extracted from normal human omentum, mixed with ECM and covered by a layer of primary human mesothelial cells, also from normal human omentum. After addition of ovarian cancer cells, the histological appearance of the 3D culture mimicked microscopic metastases to the omentum from patients with ovarian cancer. When ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3ip.1 and HeyA8, were applied to the 3D omental culture, 60% and 68% of all cells attached, respectively, but only 18% and 25% were able to invade. Ovarian cancer cells preferentially adhered to and invaded collagen I, followed by binding to collagen IV, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin 10 and 1. Omental mesothelial cells significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell adhesion and invasion, while omental fibroblasts induced adhesion and invasion. This effect is clearly mediated by direct cell-cell contact, since conditioned medium from mesothelial cells or fibroblasts has a minimal, or no, effect on ovarian cancer cell adhesion and invasion. In summary, we have established a 3D model to study the early steps of ovarian cancer metastasis to the human omentum, and found that omental mesothelial cells inhibit, while omental fibroblasts and the ECM enhance, the attachment and invasion of ovarian cancer cells.

Peroxisomal localization of hypoxia-inducible factors and hypoxia-inducible factor regulatory hydroxylases in primary rat hepatocytes exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation.

Many signals involved in pathophysiology are controlled by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that induce expression of hypoxia-responsive genes. HIFs are post-translationally regulated by a family of O2-dependent HIF hydroxylases: four prolyl 4-hydroxylases and an asparaginyl hydroxylase. Most of these enzymes are abundant in resting liver, which is itself unique because of its physiological O2 gradient, and they can exist in both nuclear and cytoplasmic pools. In this study, we analyzed the cellular localization of endogenous HIFs and their regulatory hydroxylases in primary rat hepatocytes cultured under hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions. In hepatocytes, hypoxia targeted HIF-1alpha to the peroxisome, rather than the nucleus, where it co-localized with von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein and the HIF hydroxylases. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the HIF hydroxylases translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to hypoxia, with increased accumulation in peroxisomes on reoxygenation. These results were confirmed via immunotransmission electron microscopy and Western blotting. Surprisingly, in resting liver tissue, perivenous localization of the HIF hydroxylases was observed, consistent with areas of low pO2. In conclusion, these studies establish the peroxisome as a highly relevant site of subcellular localization and function for the endogenous HIF pathway in hepatocytes.

Direct spectroscopic detection of a C-H-cleaving high-spin Fe(IV) complex in a prolyl-4-hydroxylase.

The Fe(II)- and alpha-ketoglutarate (alphaKG)-dependent dioxygenases use mononuclear nonheme iron centers to effect hydroxylation of their substrates and decarboxylation of their cosubstrate, alphaKG, to CO(2) and succinate. Our recent dissection of the mechanism of taurine:alphaKG dioxygenase (TauD), a member of this enzyme family, revealed that two transient complexes accumulate during catalysis in the presence of saturating substrates. The first complex contains the long-postulated C-H-cleaving Fe(IV)-oxo intermediate, J, and the second is an enzyme.product(s) complex. Here, we demonstrate the accumulation of two transient complexes in the reaction of a prolyl-4-hydroxylase (P4H), a functional homologue of human alphaKG-dependent dioxygenases with essential roles in collagen biosynthesis and oxygen sensing. The kinetic and spectroscopic properties of these two P4H complexes suggest that they are homologues of the TauD intermediates. Most notably, the first exhibits optical absorption and Mössbauer spectra similar to those of J and, like J, a large substrate deuterium kinetic isotope on its decay. The close correspondence of the accumulating states in the P4H and TauD reactions supports the hypothesis of a conserved mechanism for substrate hydroxylation by enzymes in this family.

Isolation and characterization of synovial cells from the human temporomandibular joint.

BACKGROUND: The synovial tissues with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) often show chronic inflammatory changes and the synovial cells participate in the pathogenic processes of TMDs. The synovial membrane is composed of a synovial lining layer and a connective sublining layer. The synovial lining layer is made up of two kinds of cells: macrophage-like type A and fibroblastic type B cells. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize synovial cells from the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: Synovial cells were isolated using an explant culture method. Then, we characterized the cultured synovial cells (SGA2 cells) using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: SGA2 cells expressed the fibroblastic markers vimentin and prolyl 4-hydroxylase; they also expressed laminin and heat shock protein 27, all of which are markers of type B cells. However, some cells expressed the macrophage marker CD68. These CD68-positive cells simultaneously expressed laminin. CONCLUSIONS: We isolated and cultured synovial type B cells from the human TMJ, and identified the presence of intermediate type synovial lining cells, having the phenotypic properties of both type A and type B cells, among the synovial lining cells.

Assembly of homotrimeric type XXI minicollagen by coexpression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in stably transfected Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells.

We established stably transfected insect cell lines containing cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of human prolyl 4-hydroxylase in both Trichoplusia ni and Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. The expression level and enzymatic activity of recombinant prolyl 4-hydroxylase produced in the Drosophila expression system were significantly higher than those produced in the T. ni system. We further characterized the involvement of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the assembly of the three alpha chains to form trimeric type XXI minicollagen, which comprises the intact C-terminal non-collagenous (NC1) and collagenous domain (COL1), in the Drosophila system. When minicollagen XXI was stably expressed in Drosophila S2 cells alone, negligible amounts of interchain disulfide-bonded trimers were detected in the culture media. However, minicollagen XXI was secreted as disulfide-bonded homotrimers by coexpression with prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the stably transfected Drosophila S2 cells. Minicollagen XXI coexpressed with prolyl 4-hydroxylase contained sufficient amounts of hydroxyproline to form thermal stable pepsin-resistant triple helices consisting of both interchain and non-interchain disulfide-bonded trimers. These results demonstrate that a sufficient amount of active prolyl 4-hydroxylase is required for the assembly of type XXI collagen triple helices in Drosophila cells and the trimeric assembly is governed by the C-terminal collagenous domain.

Rheumatoid arthritis and pigmented villonodular synovitis: comparative analysis of cell polyploidy, cell cycle phases and expression of macrophage and fibroblast markers in proliferating synovial cells.

AIMS: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) are aggressive diseases with progressive joint destruction. The present study aims to define cell cycle phases, polyploidy and the immunophenotype of proliferating synovial cells in both diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Synovial tissues from patients with proliferative-active RA, localized and diffuse PVNS were analysed by DNA flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence with confocal laser scan microscopy. Expression of macrophage markers (CD68/CD163), fibroblast markers (h4Ph/CD55) and Ki67 antigen was examined. Synovial cells positive for either macrophage or fibroblast markers as well as double-labelled cells were found in both RA and PVNS. In RA, CD68/CD163+ synoviocytes were preferentially located in the vicinity of the synovial lining layer, while they were more randomly distributed in PVNS. Of cases with diffuse PVNS, 20% showed an aneuploid cell pattern. All samples of localized PVNS and RA were diploid. Proliferative activity was significantly higher in aneuploid PVNS. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of their histologically homogeneous appearance, proliferating synovial cells display a heterogeneous immunophenotype in both RA and PVNS, indicating functional properties of both macrophages and fibroblasts. Aneuploidy seems to be a special feature of diffuse PVNS.