Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) by macrophages and the resulting accumulation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids within the cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The effect of fibronectin (FN) on the binding and uptake of ox-LDL by macrophages was investigated using thioglycollate-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages. The ability of the macrophages to bind ox-LDL was assessed by the binding of mouse red blood cells (RBC) pre-coated with ox-LDL (ox-LDL-RBC) prepared in vitro to macrophages at 37 degrees C. The binding of ox-LDL-RBC to macrophages was significantly enhanced when the macrophages were plated on a FN-coated substrate. Similar enhancement was observed when the macrophages were plated on a substrate pre-coated with Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP) peptide, an adhesive sequence of FN involved in binding to the cells, but not with the control Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro (GRGESP) peptide. The effect of FN was inhibited when GRGDSP, but not GRGESP, was present during the macrophage attachment to the FN-coated substrate, suggesting that the specific interaction of this sequence and the FN-receptor is responsible for the effect of FN. The addition of FN or GRGDSP in solution to the macrophage layers on an uncoated substrate was ineffective. Thus, attachment to a substrate is necessary for FN to be effective on the macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Binding and uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) by macrophage scavenger receptors are enhanced by substrate-bound fibronectin. 755 Jan 11

This review concerns our understanding of the molecular basis of platelet function in haemostasis. In particular, we indicate how research into platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) receptors is yielding vital information on the mechanisms of platelet adhesion and aggregation. These receptors, nearly always complexes of two or more subunits, are now known to belong to distinct gene families, some of which are unique to platelets while others are widely distributed in mammalian tissues. GP Ib-IX complexes are responsible for the high-shear-rate-dependent adhesion of platelets to von Willebrand factor (vWF) exposed within the subendothelium of damaged vessels. Other adhesion receptors include members of the VLA subclass of the integrin family: VLA-2, VLA-5 and VLA-6, which mediate platelet adhesion to collagen, fibronectin and laminin, respectively. Platelet aggregation is initiated by distinct populations of receptors specific for each physiological agonist. Many of these receptors, including the highly important and recently cloned thrombin receptor, have seven transmembrane domains and possess highly selective agonist-binding determinants. Finally, we highlight platelet aggregation and the role of GP IIb-IIIa complexes which, following platelet activation, bind fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins. The latter, through being polyvalent for GP IIb-IIIa, then form the bridges linking adjoining platelets. The 'ligand-binding pocket' of GP IIb-IIIa contains at least three sequences essential for ligand binding; fibrinogen also binds to the activated complex through identified domains, one of which, the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, is also found in vWF and the other adhesive proteins able to support platelet aggregation. Finally, we further describe how these, and other glycoproteins in both surface and internal membrane systems, constitute a complex receptor network capable of translocation and reorganization after platelet activation. In cardiovascular disease, platelets accumulate within arteries whose luminal surface has been modified through atherosclerosis. Recent molecular advances are yielding exciting opportunities for the development of new, and more powerful, drugs acting as specific inhibitors of thrombotic processes.
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PMID:A review of the role of platelet membrane glycoproteins in the platelet-vessel wall interaction. 802 47

T lymphocytes and macrophages (M phi) have been seen to accumulate at sites of lesions in blood vessel walls, suggesting that these cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory reactions. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine produced by both M phi and T lymphocytes, plays a major role in inflammatory reactions, blood vessel formation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis. We now report that secretion of TNF-alpha by cloned CD4+ rat T cells, and to a lesser degree by peripheral T cells, and M phi can be induced in vitro in the absence of antigen, in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-independent manner by integrin-mediated recognition of immobilized components of extracellular matrix such as fibronectin and laminin; the secretion of TNF-alpha by the interacting resting cells on fibronectin was partially abrogated by the presence of the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing amino acid sequence. This T cell-M phi interaction involves CD2 and CD4 molecules and requires a signal transduced in the T cells by a protein tyrosine kinase. Thus, a multicellular interaction with extracellular matrix protein exposed as a consequence of vascular wall injury can serve to signal the secretion of TNF-alpha which induces the recruitment of additional immune cells to the developing lesion.
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PMID:Extracellular matrix induces tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion by an interaction between resting rat CD4+ T cells and macrophages. 809 10

Osteopontin is a phosphorylated, sialic acid-rich, noncollagenous bone matrix protein containing the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser amino acid sequence responsible for cell adhesion. The protein strongly binds to hydroxyapatite and play an important role in calcification. Expression of osteopontin mRNA was analyzed in human aortic atherosclerotic lesion by Northern blot hybridization, as well as by in situ hybridization. The expression of osteopontin mRNA was detected in 24 out of 25 samples of aorta obtained from 17 autopsy cases, but not in one normal aortic sample. The magnitude of expression was proportional to the stage of atherosclerosis. In situ hybridization revealed that the cells expressing osteopontin mRNA were detected in the wall surrounding atheroma and closely associated with calcification. They were morphologically identified as foam cells and immunohistologically positive with HHF35, appearing to be derived from smooth muscle cells. These findings have suggested that smooth muscle cell-derived foam cells express osteopontin mRNA and play an important role in calcification of the atherosclerotic lesions.
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PMID:Osteopontin mRNA is expressed by smooth muscle-derived foam cells in human atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta. 825 36

The phenotypic transition of smooth muscle cells (SMC) from a contractile to a synthetic state appears to be an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We examined the effects of extracellular matrix components on the phenotypic modulation of rabbit arterial SMC in primary culture by flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that freshly isolated SMC attached, spread, and started to proliferate on type I collagen as well as on fibronectin. Moreover, type I collagen was as efficient as fibronectin in promoting the transition of the cells into the synthetic phenotype without exogenous mitogens. However, unlike on fibronectin, the synthetic peptide GRGDSP (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro) and the peptide KDGEA (Lys-Asp-Gly-Glu-Ala), which contains the recognition sequence for alpha 2 beta 1 integrin in type I collagen, interfered little with the attachment, spreading, and phenotypic modulation of the cells on type I collagen. On the other hand, the phenotypic modulation of the cells was counteracted by the anti-beta 1 integrin antibody. These findings indicate that type I collagen promotes the phenotypic transition of the rabbit arterial SMC by interacting with a cell surface receptor (beta 1 integrin family) for a cell-binding sequence without RGD and DGEA. In contrast, elastin, a major constituent of the media, suppressed the cell attachment and spreading and maintained the cells in the contractile phenotype as laminin. These results suggest diverse roles of type I collagen and elastin as well as of fibronectin and laminin in the control of the differentiated properties of arterial SMC.
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PMID:Type I collagen promotes modulation of cultured rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. 841 90

To isolate the genes involved in the cell cycle G1 phase progression of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a cDNA clone (M11) was previously selected by differential hybridization screening of a mid-G1 serum-stimulated SMC cDNA library. The delay of induction after mitogenic stimulation, time of expression, and need for new protein synthesis for full expression made it possible to classify this gene in the "delayed early" gene group. Determination of the partial M11 cDNA sequence showed full homology with the osteopontin gene (secreted phosphoprotein 1, 2ar), an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing extracellular matrix protein. Osteopontin mRNA was also detected in the aorta at levels as high as in the kidney but lower than in bone, two tissues in which it has been previously detected. In vitro analysis of osteopontin expression in serum-stimulated quiescent SMCs and asynchronously cycling SMCs demonstrated that osteopontin overexpression was associated with SMC proliferation. In view of our results, the high osteopontin expression observed by others in the injured carotid artery could be explained by the involvement of SMCs in the proliferative process. Taken together, these results suggest that osteopontin may play an important role in pathological processes that are associated with arterial SMC proliferation, such as atherosclerosis or restenosis.
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PMID:Osteopontin overexpression is associated with arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro. 842 34

Macrophage scavenger receptors have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and other macrophage-associated functions, including host defense. The mechanism by which these receptors bind a wide array of polyanions, such as acetylated low density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL), with high affinity has not yet been elucidated; however, it has been proposed that the positively charged extracellular collagenous domain of scavenger receptors plays a key role in ligand binding. To test this proposal, we generated truncation mutants of the bovine and murine scavenger receptors and studied their expression in transiently transfected COS cells. These mutants contain only 8 (bovine) or 5 (murine) of the 24 Gly-X-Y tripeptide repeats found in the collagenous domains of the full-length receptors. Immunochemical analyses established that the truncation of the bovine scavenger receptor did not interfere significantly with its synthesis, trimerization, post-translational processing, intracellular transport, surface expression, or stability. However, unlike their full-length counterparts, the truncated bovine and murine receptors were unable to bind Ac-LDL. Thus, the collagenous domain was necessary for normal ligand binding. In addition, cotransfection of the expression vector for the truncated bovine scavenger receptor with that for the full-length receptor resulted in dramatically reduced activity of the full-length construct (dominant negative effect). A ligand bead-binding assay was used to show that the isolated collagenous domain from a different protein, complement component C1q, could bind a wide variety of polyanions with a specificity which was similar, but not identical, to that of scavenger receptors. These results suggest that the collagenous domain of the scavenger receptor is both necessary and sufficient to determine the broad binding specificity that characterizes this unusual receptor. Scavenger receptors and C1q, along with the mannose-binding protein, conglutinin, and lung surfactant apoprotein A, help define a set of proteins which all contain short collagenous domains and which all appear to participate in host defense. Their short collagenous domains may contribute significantly to their host-defense functions.
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PMID:The collagenous domains of macrophage scavenger receptors and complement component C1q mediate their similar, but not identical, binding specificities for polyanionic ligands. 842 29

Dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (DSPG) were extracted from intima-media of grossly normal aortic tissue of White Carneau pigeons and were purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel followed by size exclusion chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B. The major aortic DSPG had an average size of 310 kDa. The core protein resulting from treatment of the PG with chondroitinase ABC: (1) was found to be approximately 48 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (2) was recognized by monoclonal antibody (Mab) 2-B-6 but not by Mab 3-B-3 on Western blots, indicating the presence of delta Di-4S and absence of delta Di-6S; (3) was glycosylated with Asn-linked oligosaccharides; (4) contained a high content of Asx, Glx and Leu, similar to that found for core proteins of this size from other tissues and species and (5) contained an N-terminal sequence (Asp-Glu-Gly-Xaa-Ala-Asp-Met-Pro-Pro-Xaa-Asp-Asp-Pro-Val- Ile-(ile)-Gly-Phe-), which was similar to sequences of DSPG core proteins previously described as 'decorin' and distinct from DSPG described as 'biglycan'. The results suggest that the major DSPG of aorta can be classified as a decorin molecule. The overall size of the DSPG in aorta was larger than decorin molecules described in non-arterial tissues of other species. Evidence is presented to conclude the larger size results from more than one dermatan sulfate-glycosaminoglycan chain.
Atherosclerosis 1993 Jan 04
PMID:Structural properties and partial protein sequence analysis of the major dermatan sulfate proteoglycan of pigeon aorta. 845 55

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mediates monocyte migration into tissues in inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. We have investigated structure-activity relationships for human MCP-1. Mutations were introduced based upon differences between MCP-1 and the structurally related but functionally distinct molecule interleukin-8 (IL-8). Mutant proteins produced using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system were purified and their ability to stimulate monocyte chemotaxis and elevation of intracellular calcium in THP-1 monocytic leukaemia cells was measured. Two regions in MCP-1 were identified as important for its biological activity. One region consists of the sequence Thr-Cys-Cys-Tyr (amino acids 10-13). Point mutations of Thr-10 to Arg and Tyr-13 to Ile greatly lowered MCP-1 activity. The second functionally important region is formed by Ser-34 and Lys-35. Insertion of a Pro between these two residues, or their substitution by the sequence Gly-Pro-His, caused nearly complete loss of MCP-1 activity. Competition binding experiments showed that the mutations that affected activity also lowered the ability to compete with wild-type MCP-1 for receptors on THP-1 cells. Point mutations at positions 8, 15, 30, 37, 38 and 68 had little effect on MCP-1 activity. The important regions that we have identified in MCP-1 correspond with previously identified functionally important regions of IL-8, suggesting that the two molecules bind to their respective receptors by similar contacts.
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PMID:Site-directed mutagenesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 identifies two regions of the polypeptide essential for biological activity. 857 3

Mutations in the gene for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor cause the autosomal dominant disease familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the prevalence of which is about 0.2% in most populations. By PCR-SSCP analysis and direct sequencing, we identified the receptor-negative Trp23-Stop LDL receptor mutation (FH Cincinnati-5) in 10 of 63 FH probands and the receptor-defective Trp66-Gly LDL receptor mutation (FH French Canadian-4) in another 10 of the 63 FH probands. These two mutations thus account for 30% of diagnosed FH families in Denmark. Comparison of the mean lipid concentrations (unadjusted and adjusted for age), including serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, showed no significant differences between the two groups of FH heterozygote probands (cholesterol: 10.7 mmol/l vs. 10.7 mmol/l) and between the probands and 16 and 22 non-proband family members with the Trp23-stop (cholesterol: 10.1 mmol/l) ad Trp66-Gly (cholesterol: 10.7 mmol/l) mutations, respectively.
Atherosclerosis 1996 Feb
PMID:The Trp23-Stop and Trp66-Gly mutations in the LDL receptor gene: common causes of familial hypercholesterolemia in Denmark. 864 71


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