Effects of siRNA-dependent knock-down of cardiolipin synthase and tafazzin on mitochondria and proliferation of glioma cells.

The mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) has been implicated with mitochondrial morphology, function, and cell proliferation. Changes in CL are often paralleled by changes in the lipid environment of mitochondria that may contribute to mitochondrial function and proliferation. This study aimed to separate the effects of CL content and CL composition from cellular free fatty acid distribution on bioenergetics and proliferation in C6 glioma cells. To this end, cardiolipin synthase and the CL remodelling enzyme, tafazzin, were knocked-down by siRNA in C6 cells. After 72 h of cultivation, we analysed CL composition by means of LC/MS/MS, distribution of cellular fatty acids by means of gas chromatography, and determined oxygen consumption and proliferation. Knock-down of cardiolipin synthase affected the cellular CL content in the presence of linoleic acid (LA) in the culture medium. Knock-down of tafazzin had no consequence with respect to the pattern of cellular fatty acids but caused a decrease in cell proliferation. It significantly changed the distribution of molecular CL species, increased CL content, decreased oxygen consumption, and decreased cell proliferation when cultured in the presence of linoleic acid (LA). The addition of linoleic acid to the culture medium caused significant changes in the pattern of cellular fatty acids and the composition of molecular CL species. These data suggest that tafazzin is required for efficient bioenergetics and for proliferation of glioma cells. Supplementation of fatty acids can be a powerful tool to direct specific changes in these parameters.

Cardiolipin composition correlates with prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. It has been recognized that diet can play a crucial role in PC genesis and progression. In this context, free fatty acids are considered as modulators of cell proliferation. Recently, a relationship between the composition of the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) and cell proliferation has been discussed. The aim of this study was to analyse the interrelationship between CL composition and the proliferation of prostate cells by exposing PC-3 tumour cells to different fatty acids and by analysing the CL composition in prostate tissue from PC patients after prostatectomy. Among the applied fatty acids, palmitic acid was found to stimulate proliferation of PC-3 cells, whereas oleic acid (OA) had an inhibiting effect. The lipidomic analysis of CL revealed that fatty acids supplied to PC-3 cells were incorporated into CL molecules. Further, the CL content of palmitoleic acid (C16:1) exclusively correlated with the proliferation of PC-3 cells. The CL composition significantly differed between tumour and normal prostate tissue from PC patients. In five out of six patients, the CL content of palmitoleic acid was higher in tumour prostate tissue in comparison to normal prostate tissue. Our data illustrate that the composition of CL can be easily modified by the fatty acid environment of cells. OA was most effective in decreasing the amount of palmitoleic acid within the CL molecules and deceleration of PC-3 cell proliferation. In conclusion, a diet rich in OA might be beneficial in protecting from rapid proliferation of PC cells.

Re-Expression of Tafazzin Isoforms in TAZ-Deficient C6 Glioma Cells Restores Cardiolipin Composition but Not Proliferation Rate and Alterations in Gene Expression.

Tafazzin-an acyltransferase-is involved in cardiolipin (CL) remodeling. CL is associated with mitochondrial function, structure and more recently with cell proliferation. Various tafazzin isoforms exist in humans. The role of these isoforms in cardiolipin remodeling is unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate if specific isoforms like Δ5 can restore the wild type phenotype with respect to CL composition, cellular proliferation and gene expression profile. In addition, we aimed to determine the molecular mechanism by which tafazzin can modulate gene expression by applying promoter analysis and (Ingenuity Pathway Analyis) IPA to genes regulated by TAZ-deficiency. Expression of Δ5 and rat full length TAZ in C6-TAZ- cells could fully restore CL composition and-as proven for Δ5-this is naturally associated with restoration of mitochondrial respiration. A similar restoration of CL-composition could not be observed after re-expression of an enzymatically dead full-length rat TAZ (H69L; TAZMut). Re-expression of only rat full length TAZ could restore proliferation rate. Surprisingly, the Δ5 variant failed to restore wild-type proliferation. Further, as expected, re-expression of the TAZMut variant completely failed to reverse the gene expression changes, whereas re-expression of the TAZ-FL variant largely did so and the Δ5 variant to somewhat less extent. Very likely TAZ-deficiency provokes substantial long-lasting changes in cellular lipid metabolism which contribute to changes in proliferation and gene expression, and are not or only very slowly reversible.

Corrigendum: Re-expression of tafazzin isoforms in TAZ-deficient C6 glioma cells restores cardiolipin composition but not proliferation rate and alterations in gene expression.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.931017.].

Proliferation of C6 glioma cells requires the phospholipid remodeling enzyme tafazzin independent of cardiolipin composition.

The mitochondrial phospholipid (CL) has been linked to mitochondrial and cellular functions. It has been postulated that the composition of CL is of impact for mitochondrial energy metabolism and cell proliferation. Although a correlation between CL composition and proliferation could be demonstrated for several cell types, evidence for a causal relationship remains obscure. Here, we applied two independent approaches, i) supplementation of fatty acids and ii) knock-out of the phospholipid remodeling enzyme tafazzin, to manipulate CL composition and analyzed the response on proliferation of C6 glioma cells. Both strategies caused substantial changes in the distribution of cellular fatty acids as well as in the distribution of fatty acids incorporated in CL that were accompanied by changes of the composition of molecular CL species. These changes did not correlate with cell proliferation. However, knock-out of tafazzin caused dramatic reduction in proliferation of C6 glioma cells independent of CL composition. The mechanism of tafazzin-dependent restriction of proliferation remains unclear. Among the various fatty acids administered only palmitic acid restricted cell proliferation by induction of cell death.

Activated clotting factor X mediates mitochondrial alterations and inflammatory responses via protease-activated receptor signaling in alveolar epithelial cells.

There is growing evidence for the contribution of the activated coagulation factor X (FXa) in the development of chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Therefore, we aimed to investigate effects of exogenous FXa on mitochondrial and metabolic function as well as the induction of inflammatory molecules in type II alveolar epithelial cells. Effects of FXa on epithelial cells were investigated in A549 cell line. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and induction of inflammatory molecules were examined by immunoblot and gene expression analysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed by the measurement of oxygen consumption during maximal oxidative phosphorylation and quantitative determination of cardiolipin oxidation. Apoptosis was tested using a caspase 3 antibody. Metabolic activity and lactate dehydrogenase assay were applied for the detection of cellular viability. FXa activated ERK1/2 and induced an increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which was prevented by an inhibitor of FXa, edoxaban, or an inhibitor of protease-activated receptor 1, vorapaxar. Exposure to FXa caused mitochondrial alteration with restricted capacity for ATP generation, which was effectively prevented by edoxaban, vorapaxar and GB83 (inhibitor of protease-activated receptor 2). Of note, exposure to FXa did not initiate apoptosis in epithelial cells. FXa-dependent pro-inflammatory state and impairment of mitochondria did not reach the level of significance in lung epithelial cells. However, these effects might limit regenerative potency of lung epithelial cells, particular under clinical circumstances where lung injury causes exposure to clotting factors.

Cytotoxicity of myeloperoxidase/nitrite-oxidized low-density lipoprotein toward endothelial cells is due to a high 7beta-hydroxycholesterol to 7-ketocholesterol ratio.

Oxygenated cholesterols (oxysterols) formed during oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. We compared the profile of oxysterols in modified human LDL obtained on reaction with myeloperoxidase/H2O2 plus nitrite (MPO/H2O2/nitrite-oxLDL) with that on Cu2+ -catalyzed oxidation. The 7beta-hydroxycholesterol/7-ketocholesterol ratio was markedly higher in MPO/H2O2/nitrite-oxLDL than in Cu2+ -oxidized LDL (7.9 +/- 3.0 versus 0.94 +/- 0.10). Like MPO/H2O2/nitrite-oxLDL, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol was cytotoxic toward endothelial cells through eliciting oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity was accompanied by DNA fragmentation and was prevented by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, suggesting stimulation of NADPH oxidase-mediated O2-* formation. 7-Ketocholesterol was only cytotoxic when added alone, whereas a 1:1-mixture with 7beta-hydroxycholesterol surprisingly was noncytotoxic. We conclude from our data that (i) 7beta-hydroxycholesterol is a pivotal cytotoxic component of oxidized LDL, (ii) 7-ketocholesterol protects against 7beta-hydroxycholesterol in oxysterol mixtures or oxLDL, (iii) the 7beta-hydroxycholesterol/7-ketocholesterol ratio is a crucial determinant for cytotoxicity of oxidized LDL species and oxysterol mixtures, and (iv) the low share of 7-ketocholesterol explains the higher cytotoxicity of MPO/H2O2/nitrite-oxLDL than other forms of oxidized LDL. The dietary polyphenol (-)-epicatechin inhibited not only formation but also cytotoxic actions of both oxLDL and oxysterols.

Degradation of phospholipids by oxidative stress--exceptional significance of cardiolipin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on mitochondrial phospholipids. In this context, this study investigated (i) the content of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cardiolipin (CL), (ii) the correlation of CL degradation with mitochondrial function and (iii) the correlation of CL degradation and CL oxidation. Oxidative stress induced by iron/ascorbate caused a dramatic decrease of these phospholipids, in which CL was the most sensitive phospholipid. Even moderate oxidative stress by hypoxia/reoxygenation caused a decrease in CL that was parallelled by a decrease in active respiration of isolated rat heart mitochondria. The relation between oxidative stress, CL degradation and CL oxidation was studied by in vitro treatment of commercially available CL with superoxide anion radicals and H2O2. The degradation of CL was mediated by H2O2 and required the presence of cytochrome c. Other peroxidases such as horse radish peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase had no effect. Cytochrome c in the presence of H2O2 caused CL oxidation. The data demonstrate that oxidative stress may cause degradation of phospholipids by oxidation, in particular CL; resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction.

Palmitate protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress and triacylglyceride accumulation by stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis in the presence of high glucose and insulin concentration.

Excessive flux of free fatty acids (FFA) into the liver contributes to liver impairment in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It remains unclear how FFA contribute to impairment of hepatocytes. This study treated hepatocytes with linoleic acid and palmitate to investigate the early event triggering FFA-mediated impairment. It determined cell viability, content of nitrite/nitrate and triacylglycerides (TG), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein, oxidation of cardiolipin (CL) as well as formation of F(2)-isoprostanes in the presence of insulin and glucose. Linoleic acid caused significant decrease in cell viability. It is shown that palmitate caused induction of iNOS resulting in increased nitrite/nitrate concentration and slight increase in TG content. Linoleic acid led to a decrease in nitrite/nitrate concentration parallelled by massive TG accumulation in combination with increased oxidation of CL and increased F(2)-isoprostane levels. It is concluded that nitric oxide (NO) concentration regulates FFA-dependent TG accumulation and oxidative stress in rat hepatocytes.

Serum Concentrations of F2-Isoprostanes and 4-Hydroxynonenal in Hemodialysis Patients in Relation to Inflammation and Renal Anemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are apparently exposed to enhanced oxidative stress and to inflammation. It was the aim of this study to characterize the state of systemic oxidative stress of ESRD patients before and following HD using highly specific biomarkers, F(2)-isoprostanes and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Furthermore the question should be answered, if there are associations between inflammation and systemic oxidative stress and/or between systemic oxidative stress and renal anemia, which is more or less typical for HD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Concentrations of F(2)-isoprostanes, HNE, C-reactive protein (CRP) as marker of inflammation, and hemoglobin were measured in serum samples of patients with ESRD before and after HD and of healthy control persons for comparison. Total (esterified plus free) F(2)-isoprostanes were quantified by highly sensitive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique, HNE by thin layer chromatography and HPLC/UV detection, CRP by immunoturbidimetry and hemoglobin by clinico-chemical routine assay. RESULTS: 1. HD patients showed significantly higher serum concentrations of F(2)-isoprostanes and HNE than healthy human control subjects. 2. Total (esterified plus free) F(2)-isoprostane levels before HD were not significantly different from those after HD, whereas HNE levels were significantly decreased in patients after HD. 3. F(2)-isoprostane concentrations in HD patients correlated with the levels of CRP, whereas HNE concentrations inversely correlated with the content of hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Both, F(2)-isoprostanes and HNE serum concentrations are useful oxidative stress parameters in ESRD patients undergoing HD. Whereas HNE strongly correlates with the severity of renal anemia, leading to left heart insufficiency, F(2)-isoprostanes (sum of free plus esterified) highly correlate with the degree of inflammation.

Oxysterols are increased in plasma of end-stage renal disease patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxidative stress occurs in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The objective of our study was to measure oxidation products of cholesterols, so-called oxysterols, in the serum of HD patients in comparison to healthy control persons. METHODS: In 42 HD patients, plasma oxysterols were measured before and after HD. The values were compared with those in 40 healthy controls. The following cholesterol derivatives were analyzed: dienes, 7beta-OH, beta-epoxy, alpha-epoxy, 20alpha-OH, alpha-triol, and 7-keto cholesterol. RESULTS: In HD patients, serum levels of oxysterols are increased in comparison to controls. The highest values were measured for beta-epoxy cholesterol and for 20alpha-OH cholesterol. During HD oxysterol concentrations increased, obviously by water removal and concentration of nondialyzable compounds. CONCLUSION: Due to oxidative stress which is known as a typical sign of chronic renal failure the plasma concentrations of oxysterols are also significantly increased in comparison to healthy controls. This underlines the data on accelerated lipid peroxidation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Accumulated oxysterols which are accused of exerting atherosclerosis-stimulating effects, which can contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk of ESRD patients, could either induce atherosclerosis via signaling or chronic effects. Direct chemical reactions stimulating plaque formation can be excluded because of the low levels of oxysterols. The share of oxysterols within the total cholesterol ranges from 4 to 15 per thousand.

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in 2874 patients: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) can replace surgical biopsy for the diagnosis of breast carcinoma. The authors evaluated the accuracy and clinical utility of VAB in a multicenter setting using a strict quality assurance protocol. METHODS: In the current study, VABs were performed successfully for 2874 patients at 5 sites. Benign lesions were verified by follow-up. Surgery was recommended for malignant and borderline lesions. VAB was performed on patients with lesions rated as highly suspicious (6%), intermediate to suspicious (85%), or probably benign (9%). Fifty-eight percent of the lesions were < 10 mm and 70% had microcalcifications. RESULTS: The authors identified 7% of patients with invasive carcinomas, 15% with ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), 5% with atypical ductal hyperplasias (ADH), and 0.6% with lobular carcinomas in situ. The results of the VAB necessitated an upgrade of 24% of patients with ADH to DCIS or DCIS and invasive carcinoma. Twelve percent of patients with DCIS proved to have invasive carcinoma. Seventy-three percent of the patients had benign lesions. Only 1 false-negative result was encountered (negative predictive value, 99.95%). Minor side effects were reported to occur in 1.4% of patients and 0.1% of patients required a subsequent intervention. Scarring relevant for mammography was rare among patients (i.e., 0.3% of patients had relevant scarring). CONCLUSIONS: Quality-assured VAB was found to be highly reliable. VAB effectively identified patients with benign lesions and assisted therapeutic decisions. Most important, only a single case of malignancy was missed. A close interdisciplinary approach assured optimal results.