Hydroxyproline Formation Research Articles

Effects of L-ascorbic acid (C6H8O6: Vit-C) on collagen amino acids: DFT study.

Vitamin C plays a very important role in the repair of connective tissue, especially for sports whose training causes the most damage to this tissue. Therefore, many people believe that L-ascorbic acid (C6H8O6: vitamin C) reduces the recovery time between sports exercises. The most abundant form of structural protein in the body is collagen. Collagen is characterized by a high concentration of the three amino acids glycine (Gly), proline (Pro), and hydroxyproline (Hyp), which creates its characteristic triple helix structure. Therefore, in this study, the effect of vitamin C presence on the sequence, interaction, and orientation of amino acids for collagen formation is investigated using computational simulation. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of vitamin C in terms of thermodynamics and structure of the reaction. The calculations are performed using density function theory (DFT) by the base set of B3LYP/6-311++G (p,d). The results show that the presence of vitamin C is effective in the formation of collagen protein for this interaction and the mechanism of amino acid sequence (Gly-Hyp-Pro) is better in the formation of collagen protein in the presence of vitamin C. The presence of Vit-C in the formation and direction of hydroxyproline (Hyp) causes its separation from the prolyl 5-hydroxylase enzyme. In the absence of vitamin C, the reaction stops at this stage and proline cannot be converted into hydroxyproline. The computational data shows vitamin C prevents unwanted interactions and directs amino acid reactions to repair connective tissue (collagen). Therefore, vitamin C acts as a cofactor in the Prolyl 5-Hydroxylase enzyme and causes it to convert proline to hydroxyl.

Transient Glyco-Engineering to Produce Recombinant IgA1 with Defined N- and O-Glycans in Plants.

The production of therapeutic antibodies to combat pathogens and treat diseases, such as cancer is of great interest for the biotechnology industry. The recent development of plant-based expression systems has demonstrated that plants are well-suited for the production of recombinant monoclonal antibodies with defined glycosylation. Compared to immunoglobulin G (IgG), less effort has been undertaken to express immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is the most prevalent antibody class at mucosal sites and a promising candidate for novel recombinant biopharmaceuticals with enhanced anti-tumor activity. Here, we transiently expressed recombinant human IgA1 against the VP8* rotavirus antigen in glyco-engineered ΔXT/FT Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Mass spectrometric analysis of IgA1 glycopeptides revealed the presence of complex biantennary N-glycans with terminal N-acetylglucosamine present on the N-glycosylation site of the CH2 domain in the IgA1 alpha chain. Analysis of the peptide carrying nine potential O-glycosylation sites in the IgA1 alpha chain hinge region showed the presence of plant-specific modifications including hydroxyproline formation and the attachment of pentoses. By co-expression of enzymes required for initiation and elongation of human O-glycosylation it was possible to generate disialylated mucin-type core 1 O-glycans on plant-produced IgA1. Our data demonstrate that ΔXT/FT N. benthamiana plants can be engineered toward the production of recombinant IgA1 with defined human-type N- and O-linked glycans.

Efficacy of Low Level Laser Therapy in Lumbar Discopathy Pain (Randomized Controlled Study)

Introduction Finding evidence based and effective method of managing low back pain (LBP) has been always a major dilemma in the field of neuromusculoskeletal system. The focus of this investigation is to establish a treatment regime for the discopathy origin of LBP using low level laser (LLL). This type of LBP is the cause of a significant number of days of sick leave in many countries. LLLT has not yet been fully adopted as a treatment method. Results of studies on LLL suggest that it reduces pain by a range of physiologic responses, such as increase in b-endorphins and depolarization blockage of c-fiber afferent nerves. The purpose of this study is evaluating the effect of LLLT on LBP due to discopathy. Materials and Methods Patients A total of 42 patients between 25 and 65 years old recruited from out-patient clinics with complaints of lumbar chronic pain(at least 6 month). Randomized from all out-patients referred to our department were in both sex (female and male). The diagnosis by MRI and EMG, NCV was discopathy. Environment temperature was 25 degrees. Laser type: scanner semiconductor GA-AS 808 nm. With maximum power output of 400 MW and maximum energy density of 10 J/cm2. polaris2. Methods Subjects sampling selection was by randomization in two groups with 21 patients in each group. G1: LLLT + PT G2: PT Treatment protocol: 2 weeks, five sessions per week, time: 1600 to 1900, time of study: from October 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012. Tests: 1, Trigger point palpation pain. 2. VAS. 3, NHP: Nottingham health profile (NHP). 4, NPAINAD (nonverbal pain assessment in advanced dementia). Time of tests: 1, before treatment. 2, after 2 weeks (end of treatment). 3, follow-up: 2 weeks after end of treatment: First: first pain assessment: before treatment. Second: pain assessment after end of treatment (after 2 weeks). Third: pain assessment 2 weeks after end of treatment (follow-up). Results There was no significant difference between two groups before treatment. There was significant improvement in G1 at the end of treatment and 2 weeks after completion treatment ( p < 0.01). G2: PT alone seemed to aid relieving pain significantly while G2: LLLT with PT had superior significant effect in reducing pain of discopathy within 2 weeks follow-up. G1 *1st and *2nd: p = 0.002 2nd and *3rd: p = 0.001 1st and 3rd: p = 0.001 G2 1st and 2nd: p = 0.005 2nd and 3rd: p = 0.018 1st and 3rd: p = 0.005 Conclusion Therapeutic laser offers a safe often effective, easily utilized primary or adjunctive therapy that is relatively cost effective for clinician and patient. LLLT is more effective in pain relief and in the improvement of functional ability and quality of life thus LLLT can be an important adjunct especially in patients with adverse side effects to drugs and invasive treatment. Disclosure of Interest None declared References Jamal AK, Yaacob WA, Din LB. A Chemical study on Phyllanthus Columnaris. European Journal of Scientific Research 2009;28(1):76-81 Kneebone WJ. Therapeutic laser for chronic low back pain. Practical Pain Management 2007;38–41 Hakgüder A, Birtane M, Gürcan S, Kokino S, Turan FN. Efficacy of low level laser therapy in myofascial pain syndrome: an algometric and thermographic evaluation. Lasers Surg Med 2003;33(5):339–343 Warden V, Hurley AC, Volicer L. Development and psychometric evaluation of the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2003;4(1):9–15 Logdberg-Andersson M, Mutzell S, Hazel A. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) of tendinitis and myofascial pains: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Laser Therapy 1997;9(2):79-85 Wewers ME, Lowe NK. A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. Res Nurs Health 1990;13(4):227-236 Labbe RF, Skogerboe KJ, Davis HA, Rettmer RL. Laser photobioactivation mechanisms: in vitro studies using ascorbic acid uptake and hydroxyproline formation as biochemical markers of irradiation response. Lasers Surg Med 1990;10(2):201–207

Novel bioactivity of phosvitin in connective tissue and bone organogenesis revealed by live calvarial bone organ culture models

Egg yolk phosvitin is one of the most highly phosphorylated extracellular matrix proteins known in nature with unique physico-chemical properties deemed to be critical during ex-vivo egg embryo development. We have utilized our unique live mouse calvarial bone organ culture models under conditions which dissociates the two bone remodeling stages, viz., resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts, to highlight important and to date unknown critical biological functions of egg phosvitin. In our resorption model live bone cultures were grown in the absence of ascorbate and were stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) to undergo rapid osteoclast formation/differentiation with bone resorption. In this resorption model native phosvitin potently inhibited PTH-induced osteoclastic bone resorption with simultaneous new osteoid/bone formation in the absence of ascorbate (vitamin C). These surprising and critical observations were extended using the bone formation model in the absence of ascorbate and in the presence of phosvitin which supported the above results. The results were corroborated by analyses for calcium release or uptake, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity (marker for osteoclasts), alkaline phosphatase activity (marker for osteoblasts), collagen and hydroxyproline composition, and histological and quantitative histomorphometric evaluations. The data revealed that the discovered bioactivity of phosvitin mirrors that of ascorbate during collagen synthesis and the formation of new osteoid/bone. Complementing those studies use of the synthetic collagen peptide analog and cultured calvarial osteoblasts in conjunction with mass spectrometric analysis provided results that augmented the bone organ culture work and confirmed the capacity of phosvitin to stimulate differentiation of osteoblasts, collagen synthesis, hydroxyproline formation, and biomineralization. There are striking implications and interrelationships of this affect that relates to the evolutionary inactivation of the gene of an enzyme l-gulono-γ-lactone oxidase, which is involved in the final step of ascorbate biosynthesis, in many vertebrate species including passeriform birds, reptiles and teleost fish whose egg yolk contain phosvitin. These represent examples of how developing ex-vivo embryos of such species can achieve connective tissue and skeletal system formation in the absence of ascorbate.

Protective Effects of Cuscutae semen against Dimethylnitrosamine-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Sprague-Dawley Rats

We investigated the protective effect of Cuscutae semen (CS) on acute liver injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in Sprague-Dawley rats. CS is an important traditional herbal medicine widely used as a tonic and aphrodisiac to nourish the liver and kidney and to treat impotence and seminal emission. Rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of DMN (40 mg/kg), and were then treated with CS daily by oral gavage for 4 d. Immunohistochemical studies for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were performed, along with hydroxyproline and biological assay. Liver injury caused by DMN-injection was significantly inhibited in the CS-treated group compared to the silymarin-treated group. The results of blood biological assay were significantly protected by CS in serum total protein (T-protein), T-bilirubin (T-bili), D-bilirubin (D-bili), GOT, GPT, and ALP. The hydroxyproline content and amount of active alpha-SMA and PCNA were significantly decreased in the CS-treated group than in the silymarin-treated group. CS exhibited an in vivo hepatoprotective effect and anti-fibrogenic effects against DMN-induced acute liver injury and inhibited the formation of hydroxyproline, which suggests that CS may be useful in preventing fibrogenesis after liver injury.

Human Prolyl-4-hydroxylase α(I) Transcription Is Mediated by Upstream Stimulatory Factors

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase alpha(I) (P4Halpha(I)) is the rate-limiting subunit for P4H enzyme activity, which is essential for procollagen hydroxylation and secretion. In the current study, we have characterized the human P4Halpha(I) promoter for transcription factors and DNA elements regulating P4Halpha(I) expression. Using a progressive deletion cloning approach, we have constructed pGL3-P4Halpha(I) recombinant plasmids. We have identified a positive regulatory region at the positions of bp -184 to -97 responsible for approximately 80% of the P4Halpha(I) promoter efficiency. Three E-boxes were located within this region, and the E-box at position bp -135 explains most of the regulatory capacity. Upstream stimulatory factors (USF1/USF2) were shown to bind on the E-box using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Suppression of USF1 and/or USF2 using specific short interference RNA resulted in a significant reduction in P4Halpha(I) promoter activity, and overexpressed USF1 or USF2 increased P4Halpha(I) promoter activity significantly. Although transforming growth factor beta1 increased the USF1/USF2-E-box binding and P4Halpha(I) promoter activity, this up-regulatory effect can be largely prevented by USF1/USF2-specific short interference RNA. On the other hand, cigarette smoking extracts, which have been shown to suppress P4Halpha(I) expression, inhibited the binding between the USF1/USF2 and E-box, resulting in a reduced P4Halpha(I) promoter activity. Furthermore, the E-box on the P4Halpha(I) promoter appeared to indiscriminately bind with either USF1 or USF2, with a similar outcome on the promoter efficiency. In conclusion, our study shows that USF1/USF2 plays a critical role in basal P4Halpha(I) expression, and both positive (transforming growth factor beta1) and negative (cigarette smoking extract) regulators appear to influence the USF-E-box interaction and affect P4Halpha(I) expression.

Prolonged hypoxia accelerates the posttranscriptional process of collagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts

Molecular oxygen is essential for metazoan life. Hypoxia, a reduced oxygen condition, induces systemic and cellular responses for acclimation to the limited oxygen availability. Multicellularity of metazoans is maintained on extracellular matrices. Previously, we demonstrated that acute hypoxia up-regulated the prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I) subunit, the rate-limiting subunit for the hydroxylation of proline residues of procollagens (Y. Takahashi, S. Takahashi, Y. Shiga, T. Yoshimi, and T Miura, 2000, J. Biol. Chem., 275, 14139–14146). The formation of hydroxyproline is an essential posttranscriptional process for stabilization of the helical trimer of procollagen polypeptides at physiological temperature. In this present study, we cultured fetal rat lung fibroblasts for up to 9 days and examined the effects of prolonged hypoxia on the level of procollagen mRNA in the cells and the posttranscriptional steps of collagen synthesis. Hypoxia accelerated the deposition of collagen molecules. These enhancements in hypoxic cultures were observed with or without ascorbic acid in the culture medium. The steady-state level of procollagen α1(I) mRNA was not affected by the prolonged hypoxia. In contrast, the mRNA and protein levels of the prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I) subunit were increased by hypoxic culture under both ascorbic acid-sufficient and -deficient conditions. These results suggest that hypoxic enhancement of the posttranscriptional step of collagen synthesis contributed to the accelerated deposition of collagen fibrils.

Aging differentially modulates the expression of collagen and collagenase in dermal fibroblasts.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aging on collagen and collagenase expression by human dermal fibroblasts. To evaluate this effect, the expression of these ECM was determined and compared between either fetal and adult fibroblasts or dermal fibroblasts at various passages. A total of 13 cell strains, 8 fetal foreskin and 5 adult dermal fibroblasts, were grown to 80-90% confluency and their rates of cell proliferation and expression of mRNA for collagenase (MMP-1) and pro alpha1(I) chain of type I collagen was determined and compared. Fetal cells had a significantly higher rate of proliferation relative to adult fibroblasts evaluated within 10 days of culture. Northern analysis was used to evaluate the steady state levels of mRNA in these cells. The result of these experiments revealed a significantly greater expression of mRNA for collagenase (58.6 +/- 7.7 vs. 9.9 +/- 1.5, p < 0.05) in strains of adult fibroblasts. This was consistent with collagenase activity of conditioned medium derived from adult cells relative to fetal fibroblasts. However the expression of pro alpha1 (I) chain of type I collagen mRNA was not significantly (56.2 +/- 5.2 vs. 58.5 +/- 3.5) different between adult and fetal fibroblasts. This finding was confirmed by measuring total collagen production present in conditioned medium of these cells using hydroxyproline as an index for collagen production. The cellular response to IGF-1 and IFN-alpha2b as representatives of fibrogenic and anti-fibrogenic factors were also evaluated. When expression of collagenase was used as an indication for cellular response, the degree of this response to IGF-1 but not IFN-alpha2b was significantly greater in fetal relative to adult cells. Serial passage was also used as an in vitro model for aging fibroblasts and found a gradual reduction in pro alpha1(I) chain of type I collagen mRNA and hydroxyproline formation due to passaging. In conclusion, a slower rate of proliferation, a greater collagenase activity and expression of collagenase mRNA by aging fibroblasts could be some of the main reasons for attenuation of wound healing in elderly patients.

Requirement for Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport in osteoblast function

Ascorbic acid is necessary for expression of the osteoblast phenotype. We examined whether Na(+)-dependent transport is required for MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells to respond to vitamin C and investigated the role of membrane transport in the intracellular accumulation and function of ascorbate. MC3T3-E1 cells were found to possess a saturable, stereoselective, Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport activity that is sensitive to the transport inhibitors sulfinpyrazone, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, and phloretin. Transport activity showed no competition with glucose or 2-deoxyglucose and was not inhibited by cytochalasin B, indicating that it is distinct from known hexose transporters. On addition of 100 microM ascorbic acid to the extracellular medium, intracellular concentrations of 10 mM were reached within 5-10 h and remained constant for up to 24 h. A good correlation was observed between intracellular ascorbic acid concentration and rate of hydroxyproline synthesis. Although ascorbic acid was transported preferentially compared with D-isoascorbic acid, both isomers had equivalent activity in stimulating hydroxyproline formation once they entered cells. Marked stereoselectivity for extracellular L-ascorbic acid relative to D-isoascorbic acid was also seen when alkaline phosphatase and total hydroxyproline were measured after 6 days in culture. Moreover, ascorbic acid transport inhibitors that prevented intracellular accumulation of vitamin blocked the synthesis of hydroxyproline. Thus Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport is required for MC3T3-E1 cells to achieve the millimolar intracellular vitamin C concentrations necessary for maximal prolyl hydroxylase activity and expression of the osteoblast phenotype.

Differential expression of thrombospondin, collagen, and thyroglobulin by thyroid‐stimulating hormone and tumor‐promoting phorbol ester in cultured porcine thyroid cells

In the present study, we have investigated the potential regulation of thyroglobulin (Tg) and extracellular matrix components synthesis by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on thyroid cells. Porcine thyroid cells isolated by trypsin-EGTA digestion of thyroid glands were maintained in serum containing medium on poly (L-lysine)-coated dishes. Cells differentiated into follicular or vesicular-like structures were distinguished by their ability to organify Na[125I] and to respond to TSH stimulation. After an incubation of the cells with radiolabeled proline or methionine, two major proteins were identified, p450-480 and p290 (so named because of their molecular masses). Tg (p290) synthesis was demonstrated by the synthesis of [131I]-labeled polypeptides with electrophoretic properties identical to those of authentic Tg molecules. P450-480 resolved to M(r) 190,000 under reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) conditions. It was identified as thrombospondin by its reactivity with a monoclonal anti-human thrombospondin and by peptide sequencing of some of its tryptic fragments that displayed identity to thrombospondin I. Collagen synthesis was demonstrated by the formation of radioactive hydroxyproline and by the synthesis of pepsin-resistant polypeptides ranging from M(rs) 120,000 to 200,000. When the cells were cultured in the presence of 100 nM TPA, the culture medium contents of thrombospondin and collagen were increased by 2.7 and 1.6-fold, respectively, whereas Tg content was decreased by a factor 3.9. In contrast, the acute treatment of control cells with TPA induced a decrease in both Tg and collagen content by factors 3.0 and 1.5, respectively, and an increase in thrombospondin content by a factor 2.5. In the presence of 100 nM TPA, TSH (1 mU/ml) did not counteract the stimulating effect of TPA on extracellular matrix components synthesis. In contrast, when cells were cultured in the presence of TSH alone at concentrations higher than 0.1 mU/ml, collagen and thrombospondin in the medium were decreased by a factor 2.0 and 1.9, respectively, and TSH preferentially activated Tg synthesis. However, no acute response to TSH was observed in cells incubated for 2 days without effectors (control cells). On TSH differentiated cells, TPA decreased both collagen and Tg accumulation by factors 1.2 and 1.8, respectively, whereas it increased the one of thrombospondin by a factor 2. These results, together with the stimulating effect of TPA on TSH mediated cell proliferation, argue for a role of thrombospondin in cell adhesion and migration events within the thyroid epithelium.

Inhibition of prolyl hydroxylation and procollagen processing in chick-embryo calvaria by a derivative of pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylate. Characterization of the diethyl ester as a proinhibitor

The biochemical and morphological consequences of procollagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase inhibition by pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (2,4-PDCA) and its diethyl ester (diethyl-2,4-PDC) were studied in chick-embryo calvaria, which predominantly synthesize type I collagen. Half-maximal inhibition of tissue hydroxyproline formation required 650 microM-2,4-PDCA, whereas the Ki with respect to chicken prolyl 4-hydroxylase in vitro was 2 microM. In contrast, half-maximal inhibition was caused by 10 microM-diethyl-2,4-PDC in the intact calvaria, although chicken prolyl 4-hydroxylase in vitro was not inhibited even at 1 mM. The collagenous material produced in the presence of diethyl-2,4-PDC showed an altered 'melting' profile and a lowering of the transition temperature by 10 degrees C, indicating misalignment and thermal instability of its triple-helical structure. Amount and electrophoretic mobility of procollagen type I chains were increased in a dose-dependent manner. The amounts of partially processed species and alpha-chains were decreased, without change in mobility. This marked effect on procollagen-collagen conversion in the intact calvaria suggests that the underhydroxylated collagenous material generated in the presence of diethyl-2,4-PDC is resistant to or acts as endogenous secondary inhibitor of type I procollagen N-proteinase. Electron microscopy of treated calvaria cells showed dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous phagolysosomes, indicating intracellular retention and lysosomal degradation of the newly synthesized underhydroxylated collagenous material. In summary, these results identify 2,4-PDCA and diethyl-2,4-PDC as the first prolyl 4-hydroxylase-directed inhibitor/proinhibitor pair that affects intra- and extra-cellular events during collagen formation.

Assessment of pulmonary and hematologic toxicities of liblomycin, a novel bleomycin analog

The antitumor efficacy as well as hematologic and pulmonary toxicity of Liblomycin, a new lipophilic analog of bleomycin, was evaluated in BDF1 mice. In comparison to bleomycin which was without any antitumor efficacy against P388 leukemia, a dose of 10 mg/kg Liblomycin administered on a daily schedule for 10 consecutive days resulted in a significant increase in animal survival (% T/C of 190). This therapeutic dose and schedule of drug administration did not produce any evidence of pulmonary histopathologic injury; at a similar dose and schedule bleomycin resulted in greater than 40% consolidation of alveolar lung space. Mouse lung collagen synthesis measured as rate of [3H]hydroxyproline formation was increased almost 4-fold by bleomycin 7 days following a single maximally tolerated i.v. injection (133 mg/kg); in contrast, Liblomycin (60 mg/kg) did not significantly alter the rate of lung collagen synthesis compared to saline injected control animals. Lung function was assessed by whole body plethysmography. Bleomycin produced an increase in breathing rates above control values by day 15 following administration of drug at 10 mg/kg (d1-10). Mice treated with Liblomycin did not exhibit an increased rate of breathing. Liblomycin, in contrast to bleomycin, produced mild and transient leukopenia and thrombocytopenia suggesting that this toxicity will be a limiting one in future clinical trials. The only other toxicity noted in this study was the appearance after repeated intraperitoneal administration of Liblomycin of a hepatic collagenous fibrous capsule. The capsule formation resulted in an abnormal and grossly lobulated liver which was believed to have affected animal survival. Intravenous administration of Liblomycin, however, was not associated with any detectable hepatic injury.

Laser photobioactivation mechanisms: In vitro studies using ascorbic acid uptake and hydroxyproline formation as biochemical markers of irradiation response

Clinical investigations of laser photobioactivation, or biostimulation, might be differently designed and more fruitful if knowledge of basic biochemical mechanisms were better understood. In this investigation, biochemical events identified as responses to 904 nm irradiation included increased ascorbic acid uptake by fibroblasts. These cells also showed increased hydroxyproline formation, and this was increased several-fold by the addition of proline to the medium. Maximum biochemical responses were observed at a pulse frequency of 67 Hz and a pulse width of 150 nsec with an energy density of approximately 7 mJ/cm2 per exposure. Elements in the mitochondrial cytochrome system are proposed as the radiation absorbing chromophore(s). Hypothetically, the energy generated is linked to ascorbic acid uptake, which in turn stimulates collagen synthesis.

Induction of collagen synthesis by ascorbic acid. A possible mechanism.

L-Ascorbic acid stimulates procollagen synthesis in cultured human skin fibroblasts without appreciably altering noncollagen protein synthesis. The effect is unrelated to intracellular degradation of newly synthesized procollagen. Levels of mRNA for pro alpha 1(I), pro alpha 2(I), and pro alpha 1(III), measured by hybridization with the corresponding cDNA probes, are elevated in the presence of ascorbic acid, whereas the level of mRNA for fibronectin is unchanged. Levels of functional mRNA for procollagen, measured in a cell-free translation assay, are specifically increased in the presence of ascorbic acid. Thus, ascorbic acid appears to control the expression of three different procollagen genes, each of which is located on a separate chromosome. It is proposed that intracellularly accumulated procollagen in ascorbate deficiency may lead to a translational repression of procollagen synthesis. Ascorbic acid may relieve this block by promoting hydroxyproline formation and, consequently, secretion of procollagen from the cell. The increased level of procollagen mRNA under the influence of ascorbic acid may be secondary to increased synthesis of procollagen polypeptides; the control point may be gene transcription or mRNA degradation.

Control of type IV collagen production in rat mammary epithelial and myoepithelial-like cells.

A rat mammary myoepithelial-like cell line (Rama 401) produces 3.5 times more type IV collagen than a mammary epithelial cell line (Rama 25), as measured by the formation of protein hydroxyproline. However, using quantitative "dot" hybridization techniques, the level of poly (A)-containing mRNA hybridizing to a type IV collagen cDNA probe is only 50% higher in Rama 401 cells than in Rama 25 cells. The total amount of hydroxyproline synthesized per cell by the two cell lines is similar. However, in the Rama 25 cells approximately 70% of the hydroxyproline is found as free hydroxyproline against 13% for Rama 401 cells. When Rama 25 cells are grown on collagen gels, they accumulate 2.5-fold more type IV collagen. However, type IV collagen mRNA levels are only 30% higher in Rama 25 cells grown on collagen. The total amount of hydroxyproline synthesized is the same as cells grown on plastic, whereas the extent of collagen degradation is reduced from 71% to 30% in cells grown on collagen gels. No degradation of type IV collagen can be detected in the culture medium of Rama 25 cells. These results indicate that the increased accumulation of type IV collagen in Rama 401 cells is not due to increased synthesis but to a decreased rate of intracellular degradation, and that for Rama 25 cells, the extracellular matrix modulates type IV collagen production by regulating the rate of intracellular collagen degradation.

Relationship of age to rat lung collagen synthesis in response to ozone exposure

We investigated the relationship of age to rat lung collagen synthesis in response to ozone (O3) exposure. Specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley male rats 24, 30, 45, 60, 94, 182 and 365 days old were exposed to either 0.8 ±.05 ppm O3 for 3 days or to 0.8 ± 0.5 ppm O3 for 3 days followed by 4.0 ±.2 ppm O3 for 8 hours and 60 days recovery in air. A matched number of rats from each age group received filtered air and served as controls. Lung dry weight, protein content, hydroxyproline content, 14C proline incorporation and 14C hydroxyproline formation were determined in control and exposed rat lungs. Rats exposed to 0.8 ppm O3 for 3 days had greater dry weight, protein content, incorporation of 14C proline, and formation of 14C hydroxyproline per lung relative to controls, with the greatest changes occurring in rats older than 60 days. Rats 24 and 94 days old, exposed to 0.8 ppm O3 for 3 days followed by 4.0 ppm O3 for 8 hours and 60 days recovery in air, had greater lung collagen content than controls: 50% and 80%, respectively. These results suggest that collagen synthesis was increased following O3 exposure and that the degree of change was influenced by age in the rat. Age, therefore, may be an important factor in the lung’s response to pulmonary injury.

Effect of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid on prolyl hydroxylase activity as related to collagen formation in mouse fibroblast monolayers.

Dried and wet mouse fibroblast monolayers with labeled collagenous substrate were used to study the effects of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) on cellular prolyl hydroxylase activity. LTA is a scavenger of cations, and Fe2+ is essential for prolyl hydroxylase activity. Surprisingly, addition of LTA to dried monolayers resulted in increased prolyl hydroxylase activity, whereas preincubation of Fe2+ with LTA only negated this increase. However, significant inhibition of enzyme activity by wet monolayers occurred whether LTA was added directly to the test system or whether it was used after preincubation with Fe2+. These data suggest that LTA causes membrane perturbations. Also, that the binding of LTA to the membrane of dried and wet monolayers appears to be decidedly different when based on the subsequent availability of Fe2+ for cellular prolyl hydroxylase activity. The ability of LTA to act as a cationic exchanger and the presence of intracellular Fe2+ inaccessible to LTA probably accounted for the lack of complete inhibition of prolyl hydroxylase activity by this amphiphile in the wet cell system. Considerably less iron was needed to negate the partial inhibition of prolyl hydroxylase activity by LTA in viable cells than was needed to restore the increased enzyme activity by this amphiphile in equivalent dried preparations. These and other results showed that, although LTA does not affect collagen polypeptide chain formation in wet monolayers, its involvement at the molecular level does result in a marked decrease in the hydroxylation of collagenous peptidyl prolyl residues through LTA interaction with Fe2+. This reduction in prolyl hydroxylase activity equaled the reduction in hydroxylation of collagenous protein in fibroblast monolayers caused by LTA reported earlier (O. Leon and C. Panos, Infect. Immun. 40:785-794, 1983). Therefore, these data suggest that partial inhibition of prolyl hydroxylase activity is directly related to the synthesis of defective collagen by wet fibroblast monolayers exposed to minute amounts of group A, type 12 streptococcal LTA. Use of LTA also showed that complete inhibition of hydroxyproline formation is not required for the continued formation and accumulation of defective collagenous protein by these monolayers.

Ascorbic acid requirements for collagen synthesis (proline hydroxylation) during long-term culture of embryonic chick femurs

Although ascorbate is essential for collagen synthesis, especially the hydroxylation of prolyl residues, femurs from 15-day-old chick embryos could be cultured for at least 5 days without ascorbate additions to the medium before the hydroxylation of proline was significantly impaired. Only when the ascorbate concentration in the tissue was less than 6 μg/g wet weight (compared with 50–70 μg/g wet weight in fresh tissue), was hydroxyproline formation reduced by 75–85%. When sufficient ascorbate was present in the culture medium, the femurs accumulated and stored the vitamin at concentrations which were 5–10-fold above the threshold required for collagen synthesis. This may represent an adaptive mechanism to the instability of the vitamin. Above the minimum required level, synthesis of collagen was not quantitatively related to ascorbate concentration. To obtain comprehensive data on changes in collagen content and collagen synthesis during culture, total hydroxyproline was measured as well as [ 3H]proline uptake and the formation of [ 3H]hydroxyproline. These three parameters were assessed with a new combined assay, which was modified from existing methods, yet was more sensitive and less tedious.

Synthesis of basement membrane components by differentiated thyroid cells

Morphological studies indicate that basement membrane formation or maintenance can be achieved in cultures of thyroid cells. In the present investigation we have studied the biosynthesis of this extracellular matrix by differentiated porcine thyroid cells in culture. They were prepared by two procedures: (1) thyroid cells isolated by dispase digestion of the thyroid gland were maintained in serum-free medium on poly( l-lysine) coated dishes; (2) thyroid follicles released by collagenase treatment of the gland were isolated by differential filtration and cultured in suspension on agarose-coated dishes. In both cases, functional follicular-like structures were obtained as shown by their ability to organify Na 125I and to respond to thyrotropin stimulation (250 μU/ml). After incubating the cells with radiolabeled proline or methionine, collagen synthesis was observed with the two types of culture, as shown by the formation of radioactive hydroxyproline and by the synthesis of peptides with electrophoretic properties identical to those of authentic collagen molecules and susceptible to collagenase. Besides variable amounts of type I and type III collagen-like peptides, significant proportions of labeled peptides migrated with type IV collagen chains and were precipitated by anti-type IV collagen antibody; thyrotropin had no significant effect either on the total collagen synthesis or on the relative amounts of the different collagen peptides. When thyroid cells were incubated with [ 35S]sulfate, a labeled glycosaminoglycan with chromatographic properties analogous to that of heparan sulfate could be obtained in both culture conditions; here again, no effect of thyrotropin was observed. The ability of differentiated porcine thyroid cells to synthesize basement membrane was suggested by their production of type IV collagen and heparan sulfate, two of its potential components. Thyrotropin, which drastically enhanced the functional property of the cells, did not seem to regulate this synthesis.

Biochemical Composition of the Connective Tissue in Keloids and Analysis of Collagen Metabolism in Keloid Fibroblast Cultures

Keloids are histologically characterized by an abundance of the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. In the present study, we examined the connective tissue composition of keloids, and analyzed the details of collagen metabolism utilizing fibroblast cultures established from keloid tissue. Quantitative connective tissue analyses indicated that collagen was the predominant extracellular matrix component in keloids. The ratio of genetically distinct collagens type I/III was significantly increased, as compared to normal human skin. Collagen biosynthesis was measured in fibroblast cultures by the formation of radioactive hydroxyproline: 5 of 9 keloid cell cultures studied demonstrated increased procollagen production in comparison to age-, sex-, and passage-matched control skin fibroblast lines, while the remaining 4 cell lines were within the control range. Keloid fibroblast cultures which were high collagen producers also demonstrated elevated prolyl hydroxylase activity. The mechanisms of increased procollagen production in fibroblast cultures were first examined by assaying the abundance of type I procollagen-specific mRNA utilizing dot blot hybridizations with a pro alpha 2(I)-chain-specific cDNA. The type I procollagen mRNA levels were significantly increased in 4 keloid fibroblast lines, and a good correlation between the mRNA levels and the rate of procollagen production in the same cultures was noted. These observations suggest regulation of the collagen gene expression on the transcriptional level. The catabolic pathway of collagen metabolism in fibroblast cultures was examined by determining the degradation of newly synthesized procollagen polypeptides through assay of radioactive hydroxyproline in small-molecular-weight peptide fragments. In 3 keloid cell cultures, the degradation of newly synthesized collagen polypeptides was below the range of normal controls. These findings suggest that a reduced degradation of newly synthesized polypeptides might contribute to the accumulation of procollagen in some keloid fibroblast cultures. The results of this study suggest two possible mechanisms for deposition of collagen in keloid lesions in vivo: first, the growth of the lesions may result from a localized loss of control of the extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts; secondly, reduced degradation of the newly synthesized procollagen polypeptides may contribute to collagen deposition in some keloids.