Mutations in the human δ-sarcoglycan gene in familial and sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy

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Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Two genes have been identified for the X-linked forms (dystrophin and tafazzin), whereas three other genes (actin, lamin A/C, and desmin) cause autosomal dominant DCM; seven other loci for autosomal dominant DCM have been mapped but the genes have not been identified. Hypothesizing that DCM is a disease of the cytoskeleton and sarcolemma, we have focused on candidate genes whose products are found in these structures. Here we report the screening of the human δ-sarcoglycan gene, a member of the dystrophin-associated protein complex, by single-stranded DNA conformation polymorphism analysis and by DNA sequencing in patients with DCM. Mutations affecting the secondary structure were identified in one family and two sporadic cases, whereas immunofluorescence analysis of myocardium from one of these patients demonstrated significant reduction in δ-sarcoglycan staining. No skeletal muscle disease occurred in any of these patients. These data suggest that δ-sarcoglycan is a disease-causing gene responsible for familial and idiopathic DCM and lend support to our “final common pathway” hypothesis that DCM is a cytoskeletalopathy.

Authors

Shinichi Tsubata, Karla R. Bowles, Matteo Vatta, Carmelann Zintz, Jack Titus, Linda Muhonen, Neil E. Bowles, Jeffrey A. Towbin

c-Jun–dependent inhibition of cutaneous procollagen transcription following ultraviolet irradiation is reversed by all-trans retinoic acid

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Abstract

The aged appearance of skin following repeated exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiation stems largely from damage to cutaneous connective tissue, which is composed primarily of type I and type III collagens. We report here that a single exposure to UV irradiation causes significant loss of procollagen synthesis in human skin. Expression of type I and type III procollagens is substantially reduced within 24 hours after a single UV exposure, even at UV doses that cause only minimal skin reddening. Daily UV exposures over 4 days result in sustained reductions of both type I and type III procollagen protein levels for at least 24 hours after the final UV exposure. UV inhibition of type I procollagen synthesis is mediated in part by c-Jun, which is induced by UV irradiation and interferes with procollagen transcription. Pretreatment of human skin in vivo with all-trans retinoic acid inhibits UV induction of c-Jun and protects skin against loss of procollagen synthesis. We have reported previously that UV irradiation induces matrix-degrading metalloproteinases in human skin and that pretreatment of skin with all-trans retinoic acid inhibits this induction. UV irradiation, therefore, damages human skin connective tissue by simultaneously inhibiting procollagen synthesis and stimulating collagen breakdown. All-trans retinoic acid protects against both of these deleterious effects and may thereby retard premature skin aging.

Authors

Gary J. Fisher, Subhash Datta, ZengQuan Wang, Xiao-Yan Li, Taihao Quan, Jin Ho Chung, Sewon Kang, John J. Voorhees

A targeted DNA vaccine encoding Fas ligand defines its dual role in the regulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

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Abstract

This study used naked DNA vaccination to induce breakdown of tolerance to self and thus elicit immunological memory to native, membrane-bound Fas ligand (FasL). Upon induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), this memory was turned on to provide protective immunity. FasL-specific autoantibodies isolated from protected animals differentially downregulated the in vitro production of TNF-α, but not IFN-γ, by cultured T cells. These autoantibodies were highly protective when they were administered to rats at the onset of EAE. In contrast, administration of these FasL-specific Ab’s to EAE rats after the peak of the acute phase of disease prevented spontaneous recovery from disease. This extended illness is partially explained by inhibition of mononuclear cell apoptosis at the target organ, which resulted in increased accumulation of T cells and macrophages at the site of inflammation. Hence, FasL exerts two distinct, stage-specific regulatory functions in the control of this T-cell mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.

Authors

Gizi Wildbaum, Juergen Westermann, Gila Maor, Nathan Karin

Role of p38 in the regulation of renal cortical cyclooxygenase-2 expression by extracellular chloride

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Abstract

We have previously shown that in renal cortex, COX-2 expression is localized to macula densa and surrounding cortical thick ascending limb of Henle (cTALH). Dietary salt restriction increases local expression of COX-2, which mediates renin production and secretion. Given that decreased luminal chloride [Cl–] at the level of the macula densa increases renin production and secretion, we investigated the role of extracellular ion concentration on COX-2 expression. Quiescent rabbit cTALH cells were incubated in a physiological salt solution containing high or low levels of NaCl. Immunoreactive COX-2 expression increased significantly in the low NaCl solution. COX-2 expression also increased after administration of the Na+/K+/2Cl– cotransport inhibitor, bumetanide. Selective substitution of chloride led to increased COX-2 expression, whereas selective substitution of sodium had no effect. The p38 MAP kinase inhibitor PD169316 decreased low NaCl-induced COX-2 expression. Low-salt or low-chloride medium induced cultured cTALH to accumulate ≥ 3-fold higher levels of pp38, the activated (phosphorylated) form of p38; low-salt medium also increased pJNK and pERK levels. Feeding rats a low-salt diet for 14 days induced a significant increase in renal cortical pp38 expression, predominantly in the macula densa and cTALH. These results suggest that reduced extracellular chloride leads to increased COX-2 expression, which may be mediated by activation of a p38-dependent signaling pathway.

Authors

Hui-Fang Cheng, Jun-Ling Wang, Ming-Zhi Zhang, James A. McKanna, Raymond C. Harris

Impaired growth and elevated Fas receptor expression in PIGA⁺ stem cells in primary paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

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Abstract

The genetic defect underlying paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) has been shown to reside in PIGA, a gene that encodes an element required for the first step in glycophosphatidylinositol anchor assembly. Why PIGA-mutated cells are able to expand in PNH marrow, however, is as yet unclear. To address this question, we compared the growth of affected CD59–CD34+ and unaffected CD59+CD34+ cells from patients with that of normal CD59+CD34+ cells in liquid culture. One hundred FACS-sorted cells were added per well into microtiter plates, and after 11 days at 37°C the progeny were counted and were analyzed for their differentiation pattern. We found that CD59–CD34+ cells from PNH patients proliferated to levels approaching those of normal cells, but that CD59+CD34+ cells from the patients gave rise to 20- to 140-fold fewer cells. Prior to sorting, the patients’ CD59– and CD59+CD34+ cells were equivalent with respect to early differentiation markers, and following culture, the CD45 differentiation patterns were identical to those of control CD34+ cells. Further analyses of the unsorted CD59+CD34+ population, however, showed elevated levels of Fas receptor. Addition of agonist anti-Fas mAb to cultures reduced the CD59+CD34+ cell yield by up to 78% but had a minimal effect on the CD59–CD34+ cells, whereas antagonist anti-Fas mAb enhanced the yield by up to 250%. These results suggest that expansion of PIGA-mutated cells in PNH marrow is due to a growth defect in nonmutated cells, and that greater susceptibility to apoptosis is one factor involved in the growth impairment.

Authors

Rui Chen, Shanmugam Nagarajan, Gregory M. Prince, Uma Maheshwari, Leon W.M.M. Terstappen, David R. Kaplan, Stanton L. Gerson, Jeffrey M. Albert, Daniel E. Dunn, Hillard M. Lazarus, M. Edward Medof

β₃-adrenoceptor deficiency blocks nitric oxide–dependent inhibition of myocardial contractility

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Abstract

The cardiac β-adrenergic pathway potently stimulates myocardial performance, thereby providing a mechanism for myocardial contractile reserve. β-Adrenergic activation also increases cardiac nitric oxide (NO) production, which attenuates positive inotropy, suggesting a possible negative feedback mechanism. Recently, in vitro studies suggest that stimulation of the β3-adrenoceptor results in a negative inotropic effect through NO signaling. In this study, using mice with homozygous β3-adrenoceptor deletion mutations, we tested the hypothesis that the β3-adrenoceptor is responsible for β-adrenergic activation of NO. Although resting indices of myocardial contraction were similar, β-adrenergic–stimulated inotropy was increased in β3–/– mice, and similar hyper-responsiveness was seen in mice lacking endothelial NO synthase (NOS3). NOS inhibition augmented isoproterenol-stimulated inotropy in wild-type (WT), but not in β3–/– mice. Moreover, isoproterenol increased myocardial cGMP in WT, but not β3–/–, mice. NOS3 protein abundance was not changed in β3–/– mice, and cardiac β3-adrenoceptor mRNA was detected in both NOS3–/– and WT mice. These findings indicate that the β3-adrenergic subtype participates in NO-mediated negative feedback over β-adrenergic stimulation.

Authors

Paul Varghese, Robert W. Harrison, Robert A. Lofthouse, Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, Dan E. Berkowitz, Joshua M. Hare

Detection of a potent humoral response associated with immune-induced remission of chronic myelogenous leukemia

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Abstract

The effectiveness of donor-lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for treatment of relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is a clear demonstration of the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. T cells are critical mediators of GVL, but the antigenic targets of this response are unknown. To determine whether patients who respond to DLI also develop B-cell immunity to CML-associated antigens, we analyzed sera from three patients with relapsed CML who achieved a complete molecular remission after infusion of donor T cells. Sera from these individuals recognized 13 distinct gene products represented in a CML-derived cDNA library. Two proteins, Jκ-recombination signal-binding protein (RBP-Jκ) and related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), were recognized by sera from three of 19 DLI responders. None of these antigens were recognized by sera from healthy donors or patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Four gene products were recognized by sera from CML patients treated with hydroxyurea and nine were detected by sera from CML patients who responded to IFN-α. Antibody titers specific for RAFTK, but not for RBP-Jκ, were found to be temporally associated with the response to DLI. These results demonstrate that patients who respond to DLI generate potent antibody responses to CML-associated antigens, suggesting the development of coordinated T- and B-cell immunity. The characterization of B cell–defined antigens may help identify clinically relevant targets of the GVL response in vivo.

Authors

Catherine J. Wu, Xiao-Feng Yang, Stephen McLaughlin, Donna Neuberg, Christine Canning, Brady Stein, Edwin P. Alyea, Robert J. Soiffer, Glenn Dranoff, Jerome Ritz

Endothelial dysfunction in a murine model of mild hyperhomocyst(e)inemia

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Abstract

Homocysteine is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications. We have employed an animal model to explore the hypothesis that an increase in reactive oxygen species and a subsequent loss of nitric oxide bioactivity contribute to endothelial dysfunction in mild hyperhomocysteinemia. We examined endothelial function and in vivo oxidant burden in mice heterozygous for a deletion in the cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene, by studying isolated, precontracted aortic rings and mesenteric arterioles in situ. CBS–/+ mice demonstrated impaired acetylcholine-induced aortic relaxation and a paradoxical vasoconstriction of mesenteric microvessels in response to superfusion of methacholine and bradykinin. Cyclic GMP accumulation following acetylcholine treatment was also impaired in isolated aortic segments from CBS–/+ mice, but aortic relaxation and mesenteric arteriolar dilation in response to sodium nitroprusside were similar to wild-type. Plasma levels of 8-epi-PGF2α (8-IP) were somewhat increased in CBS–/+ mice, but liver levels of 8-IP and phospholipid hydroperoxides, another marker of oxidative stress, were normal. Aortic tissue from CBS–/+ mice also demonstrated greater superoxide production and greater immunostaining for 3-nitrotyrosine, particularly on the endothelial surface. Importantly, endothelial dysfunction appears early in CBS–/+ mice in the absence of structural arterial abnormalities. Hence, mild hyperhomocysteinemia due to reduced CBS expression impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation, likely due to impaired nitric oxide bioactivity, and increased oxidative stress apparently contributes to inactivating nitric oxide in chronic, mild hyperhomocysteinemia.

Authors

Robert T. Eberhardt, Marc A. Forgione, Andre Cap, Jane A. Leopold, M. Audrey Rudd, Maria Trolliet, Stanley Heydrick, Rachel Stark, Elizabeth S. Klings, Nicanor I. Moldovan, Mohammed Yaghoubi, Pascal J. Goldschmidt-Clermont, Harrison W. Farber, Richard Cohen, Joseph Loscalzo

Acute modulation of endothelial Akt/PKB activity alters nitric oxide–dependent vasomotor activity in vivo

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Abstract

The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt (protein kinase B) phosphorylates endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and enhances its ability to generate nitric oxide (NO). Because NO is an important regulator of vasomotor tone, we investigated whether Akt can regulate endothelium-dependent vasomotion in vivo using a rabbit femoral artery model of gene transfer. The endothelium of isolated femoral arteries was infected with replication-defective adenoviral constructs expressing β-galactosidase, constitutively-active Akt (myr-Akt), or dominant-negative Akt (dn-Akt). Femoral arteries transduced with myr-Akt showed a significant increase in resting diameter and blood flow, as assessed by angiography and Doppler flow measurements, respectively. L-NAME, an eNOS inhibitor, blocked myr-Akt–mediated vasodilatation. In contrast, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in response to acetylcholine was attenuated in vessels transduced with dn-Akt, although these vessels showed normal responses to nitroglycerin, an endothelium-independent vasodilator. Similarly, relaxation of murine aorta ex vivo in response to acetylcholine, but not nitroglycerin, was inhibited by transduction of dn-Akt to the endothelium. These data provide evidence that Akt functions as key regulator of vasomotor tone in vivo.

Authors

Zhengyu Luo, Yasushi Fujio, Yasuko Kureishi, Radu Daniel Rudic, Geraldine Daumerie, David Fulton, William C. Sessa, Kenneth Walsh

Leptin enhances wound re-epithelialization and constitutes a direct function of leptin in skin repair

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Abstract

Wound-healing disorders are a therapeutic problem of extensive clinical importance. Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice are characterized by a severely delayed wound healing that has been explained by the mild diabetic phenotype of these animals. Here we demonstrate that systemically and topically supplemented leptin improved re-epithelialization of wounds in ob/ob mice. Leptin completely reversed the atrophied morphology of the migrating epithelial tongue observed at the wound margins of leptin-deficient animals into a well-organized hyperproliferative epithelium. Moreover, topically supplemented leptin accelerated normal wound-healing conditions in wild-type mice. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, proliferating keratinocytes located at the wound margins specifically expressed the leptin-receptor subtype ObRb during repair. Additionally, leptin mediated a mitogenic stimulus to the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and human primary keratinocytes in vitro. Therefore, leptin might represent an effective novel therapeutic factor to improve impaired wound-healing conditions.

Authors

Stefan Frank, Birgit Stallmeyer, Heiko Kämpfer, Nicole Kolb, Josef Pfeilschifter