Increase In Lysyl Oxidase Activity Research Articles

Activin A-induced increase in LOX activity in human granulosa-lutein cells is mediated by CTGF.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is the key enzyme involved in the crosslinking of collagen and elastin that is essential for the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM). LOX-mediated ECM remodeling plays a critical role in follicle development, oocyte maturation and corpus luteum formation. To date, the regulation of LOX in human ovary has never been elucidated. Activin A and its functional receptors are highly expressed in ovarian follicles from an early developmental stage. They locally regulate follicle progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of activin A on the expression of LOX and its extracellular enzyme activity in primary and immortalized human granulosa-lutein cells obtained from patients undergoing an in vitro fertilization procedure. We demonstrated that activin A significantly upregulated the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and LOX via an activin/TGF-β type I receptor mediated-signaling pathway. Using a target depletion small interfering RNA knockdown approach, we further confirmed that the upregulation of CTGF expression resulted in an activin-A-induced increases in LOX expression and activity. These findings may provide insight into the mechanisms by which intrafollicular growth factors regulate the expression of LOX for ECM formation and tissue remodeling in the human ovary.

Lysyl oxidase expression in cardiac fibroblasts is regulated by α2β1 integrin interactions with the cellular microenvironment

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes crosslink formation between fibrillar collagens and elastins and an increase in LOX activity has been associated with cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI). It has been previously reported that LOX expression is regulated by growth factors and cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF-β1); however, it is unclear how the biophysical and biochemical properties of the cellular microenvironment affect LOX expression. In this study, we isolated rat cardiac fibroblasts (CF) and infarct cardiac fibroblasts (ICF), from healthy and 1-week post-MI left ventricular tissue respectively, and cultured them under varied substrate conditions in vitro to assess their influence on LOX expression. Culture of ICF on collagen I-coated plates increased LOX expression versus uncoated plates with an additional increase observed with the presence of TGF-β1. To further investigate the effect of integrin interactions with collagen I on LOX expression, we inhibited the α2β1 integrin from binding to collagen I and found gene and protein expression of LOX to be downregulated. Together, this demonstrates that the interaction of α2β1 integrin to collagen I in the cellular microenvironment can regulate expression of LOX. Further studies investigating additional integrin interactions may identify therapeutic targets for treating cardiac fibrosis.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) directly affects collagen fibril diameter and collagen cross-linking in osteoblast cultures

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is absolutely crucial in order to obtain optimal bone strength and collagen quality. However, as the GIPR is expressed in several tissues other than bone, it is difficult to ascertain whether the observed modifications of collagen maturity, reported in animal studies, were due to direct effects on osteoblasts or indirect through regulation of signals originating from other tissues. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether GIP can directly affect collagen biosynthesis and processing in osteoblast cultures and to decipher which molecular pathways were necessary for such effects.MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in the presence of GIP ranged between 10 and 100pM. Collagen fibril diameter was investigated by electron microscopy whilst collagen maturity was determined by Fourier transform infra-red microspectroscopy (FTIRM).GIP treatment resulted in dose-dependent increases in lysyl oxidase activity and collagen maturity. Furthermore, GIP treatment shifted the collagen fiber diameter towards lower value but did not significantly affect collagen heterogeneity. GIP acted directly on osteoblasts by activating the adenylyl cyclase–cAMP pathway.This study provides evidences that GIP acts directly on osteoblasts and is capable of improving collagen maturity and fibril diameter.

Stiffness-activated GEF-H1 expression exacerbates LPS-induced lung inflammation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is accompanied by decreased lung compliance. However, a role of tissue mechanics in modulation of inflammation remains unclear. We hypothesized that bacterial lipopolysacharide (LPS) stimulates extracellular matrix (ECM) production and vascular stiffening leading to stiffness-dependent exacerbation of endothelial cell (EC) inflammatory activation and lung barrier dysfunction. Expression of GEF-H1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, ECM proteins fibronectin and collagen, lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity, interleukin-8 and activation of Rho signaling were analyzed in lung samples and pulmonary EC grown on soft (1.5 or 2.8 kPa) and stiff (40 kPa) substrates. LPS induced EC inflammatory activation accompanied by expression of ECM proteins, increase in LOX activity, and activation of Rho signaling. These effects were augmented in EC grown on stiff substrate. Stiffness-dependent enhancement of inflammation was associated with increased expression of Rho activator, GEF-H1. Inhibition of ECM crosslinking and stiffening by LOX suppression reduced EC inflammatory activation and GEF-H1 expression in response to LPS. In vivo, LOX inhibition attenuated LPS-induced expression of GEF-H1 and lung dysfunction. These findings present a novel mechanism of stiffness-dependent exacerbation of vascular inflammation and escalation of ALI via stimulation of GEF-H1 - Rho pathway. This pathway represents a fundamental mechanism of positive feedback regulation of inflammation.

Upregulated Copper Transporters in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary vascular remodeling and increased arterial wall stiffness are two major causes for the elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure in patients and animals with pulmonary hypertension. Cellular copper (Cu) plays an important role in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling; increased Cu in vascular smooth muscle cells has been demonstrated to be associated with atherosclerosis and hypertension in animal experiments. In this study, we show that the Cu-uptake transporter 1, CTR1, and the Cu-efflux pump, ATP7A, were both upregulated in the lung tissues and pulmonary arteries of mice with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Hypoxia also significantly increased expression and activity of lysyl oxidase (LOX), a Cu-dependent enzyme that causes crosslinks of collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. In vitro experiments show that exposure to hypoxia or treatment with cobalt (CoCl2) also increased protein expression of CTR1, ATP7A, and LOX in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). In PASMC exposed to hypoxia or treated with CoCl2, we also confirmed that the Cu transport is increased using 64Cu uptake assays. Furthermore, hypoxia increased both cell migration and proliferation in a Cu-dependent manner. Downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) with siRNA significantly attenuated hypoxia-mediated upregulation of CTR1 mRNA. In summary, the data from this study indicate that increased Cu transportation due to upregulated CTR1 and ATP7A in pulmonary arteries and PASMC contributes to the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. The increased Cu uptake and elevated ATP7A also facilitate the increase in LOX activity and thus the increase in crosslink of extracellular matrix, and eventually leading to the increase in pulmonary arterial stiffness.

Lysyl oxidase inhibition in the volume overloaded heart prevents adverse collagen remodeling, apoptosis, and cardiac dysfunction

Heart failure is the most prevalent and costly disease in the U.S. Our goal was to determine if the over‐activation of lysyl oxidase (LOX), a collagen cross‐linking enzyme, accelerates cardiac disease and failure. LOX is elevated in human failing hearts, but it is not known if LOX plays a causative role in disease. Using the aortocaval fistula (ACF) rat surgical model of volume overload, we assessed the role of LOX activity in progression of heart failure over 14 wks. LOX activity was inhibited by BAPN (100 mg/kg/d) at 2 wks post‐surgery. Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function and progression of LV remodeling. LOX expression and activity, collagen content, cross‐linking, and typing were determined in LV homogenates. Fixed sections of mid‐LV were assessed for apoptosis by TUNEL. ACF surgery caused significant ventricular dilatation (43% increase) and dysfunction (26% decreased, %FS). LOX protein expression was increased (65%) with concomitant increases in LOX activity. These increases in LOX were associated with significantly elevated collagen concentration, cross‐linking, and type I/III. LOX inhibition prevented ACF‐induced changes in LV collagen, and led to maintenance of systolic function. LOX inhibition also attenuated LV dilatation and prevented apoptosis, but did not reduce LV hypertrophy. These data indicate that LOX inhibition is cardioprotective in the volume overloaded heart.

Abstract 2456: TGF-Beta regulates tumor ECM remodeling and progression to metastasis

Abstract To understand how loss of TGF-β signaling in cancer cells promotes tumor progression, we are evaluating modifications to the extracellular matrix in TGF-β type II receptor KO mammary tumors. Previous work from our lab supports a stromal expansion and increased TGF-β availability in PyMT tumors lacking TGF-β signaling in the epithelium. This expansion is characterized by increased activated fibroblasts, collagen deposition, and MDSC infiltration. We hypothesize that the increased TGF-β availability and fibroblast activation in TGF-β receptor II knock out tumors will also lead to increased ECM remodeling. Crosslinking of collagen fibers increases the overall stiffness of affected tissue providing the mechanical force necessary for tumor cell migration and invasion. Lysyl oxidase is a potent extracellular enzyme that crosslinks collagen and elastin fibers. The study of human breast cancer cell lines shows that HIF-1a upregulates lysyl oxidase in highly invasive cells and treatment with a lysyl oxidase inhibitor significantly decreases cellular invasion. Past work also supports TGF-B driving lysyl oxidase expression in the stroma of many tissue types. The interaction between the TGF-β secreted by infiltrating myeloid cells and stromal fibroblasts has yet to be elucidated and the combination of these effects on ECM remodeling and tumor metastasis will be the focus of this study. In this study we utilize transgenic mice which express PyMT under a mammary epithelial specific promoter, MMTV, and have the type II TGF-β receptor conditionally deleted from mammary epithelial cells. Prior to tumor palpation, we see an increase in collagen deposition as well as tissue tensile strength indicating a higher degree of collagen crosslinking. In PyMT tumors originating from the RII KO mammary glands, we see an increased deposition of collagen as well as an increased expression of lysyl oxidase. In our model, both in vitro and in vivo evidence supports stromal expression of lysyl oxidase by fibroblasts. Increased levels of stromal lysyl oxidase are correlated with increased levels of available TGF-β in the RII KO tumors which is primarily derived from infiltrating myeloid cells. Upon inhibition of lysyl oxidase activity during development of PyMT tumors in vivo, we observe a dramatic decrease in the ability of the cells to metastasize primarily through a loss of the ability to intravasate into the circulation. These results suggest that loss of the TGF-β type II receptor in mammary carcinoma cells promotes invasion through increases in lysyl oxidase activity and tissue stiffness. Future studies will focus on cellular response to variability in tissue stiffness and how the changes relate to in vivo tumors and their ability to enter the blood stream. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2456. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2456

A role for lysyl oxidase regulation in the control of normal collagen deposition in differentiating osteoblast cultures.

Differentiation of phenotypically normal osteoblast cultures leads to formation of a bone-like extracellular matrix in vitro. Maximum collagen synthesis occurs early in the life of these cultures, whereas insoluble collagen deposition occurs later and is accompanied by a diminished rate of collagen synthesis. The mechanisms that control collagen deposition seem likely to include regulation of extracellular collagen biosynthetic enzymes, but expression patterns of these enzymes in differentiating osteoblasts has received little attention. The present study determined the regulation of lysyl oxidase as a function of differentiation of phenotypically normal murine MC3T3-E1 cells at the level of RNA and protein expression and enzyme activity. In addition, the regulation of BMP-1/mTLD mRNA levels that encodes procollagen C-proteinases was assayed. The role of lysyl oxidase in controlling insoluble collagen accumulation was further investigated in inhibition studies utilizing beta-aminopropionitrile, a specific inhibitor of lysyl oxidase enzyme activity. Results indicate that lysyl oxidase is regulated as a function of differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, and that the maximum increase in lysyl oxidase activity precedes the most efficient phase of insoluble collagen accumulation. By contrast BMP-1/mTLD is more constitutively expressed. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase in these cultures increases the accumulation of abnormal collagen fibrils, as determined by solubility studies and by electron microscopy. Taken together, these data support that regulation of lysyl oxidase activity plays a key role in the control of collagen deposition by osteoblast cultures.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 increases lysyl oxidase enzyme activity and mRNA in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

This investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) regulates lysyl oxidase secretion from vascular smooth muscle cells. Lysyl oxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes an essential step in collagen and elastin cross-linking in the extracellular matrix, and TGF-beta 1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of restenosis after vascular injury. The effect of TGF-beta 1 on lysyl oxidase in vascular smooth muscle cells has not been previously defined. Rat aortic smooth muscle cells were grown in culture to confluence. Cells in passage 2 to 6 were incubated for 24 hours in media containing 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 10.0 ng/ml of TGF-beta 1. Lysyl oxidase activity in the media was quantitated with a tritium-release bioassay against an insoluble 3H-labeled aortic clastin substrate. Northern blot analyses were performed to determine steady-state levels of lysyl oxidase mRNA in the smooth muscle cells. Lysyl oxidase activity in the media increased 1.5-fold above control levels after exposure to 10 ng/ml of TGF-beta 1 (p < 0.01). This increase in lysyl oxidase activity was associated with a concentration-dependent increase in steady-state levels of lysyl oxidase mRNA, being 4.3- and 6.2-fold above control levels after exposure to 1 and 10 ng/ml TGF-beta 1, respectively (p < 0.01). The observed increase in steady-state lysyl oxidase mRNA after exposure to TGF-beta 1 was also time-dependent over the 24-hour experimental period. TGF-beta 1 appears to regulate lysyl oxidase in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Increases in lysyl oxidase activity may be one of the mechanisms by which TGF-beta 1 contributes to arterial restenosis after vascular injury.

Cigarette smoke impairs elastin resynthesis in lungs of hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema.

The severity of pulmonary emphysema can be affected by exposure to cigarette smoke in several ways. Inactivation of alpha-1-antitrypsin and recruitment of leukocytes to lung airways shifts the protease-antiprotease balance towards increased elastolytic activity. The present study demonstrates an additional effect of cigarette smoke inhalation and retardation of the repair process and of the neosynthesis of cross-linked elastin. Hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema, exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 wk immediately after elastase administration, showed a 40% reduction of 14C-lysine incorporation into the elastin-specific cross-links, desmosine, and isodesmosine. Concomitantly, there was a decrease in the level of lung lysyl oxidase to that observed in uninjured control animals, in sharp contrast to the sevenfold increase in lysyl oxidase activity in hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema recovering under atmospheric conditions. These findings suggest that impairment of the production of lysyl oxidase and the resynthesis of cross-linked elastin by smoke inhalation exacerbates alveolar destruction.

Stimulation of lung lysyl oxidase activity in hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema.

Lysyl oxidase activity was measured in lung extracts of hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema 8 days after administration of the enzyme and again after 2, 3, and 4 wk. Levels of activity rose rapidly to 7 times the base values determined in the lungs of saline-injected control animals. In parallel with the increase in lysyl oxidase activity, the rate of 14C-lysine incorporation into desmosine and isodesmosine was at its maximum 1 wk after elastase administration, reflecting the lysyl-oxidase-mediated cross-link formation, which is the final step in the resynthesis of the pulmonary elastin destroyed by the elastolytic insult.

Evaluation of (+)-catechin action on lysyl oxidase activity in aortic tissue

Small amounts of (+)-catechin (5 mg/kg body wt) administered intramuscularly to 8-day-old chicks raised the lysyl oxidase activity in aorta about 20%. (+)-Catechin had no effect on chicks that were copper-deficient. In the deficient chicks, (+)-catechin treatment prompted a substantially stronger increase in lysyl oxidase activity in response to CuSO 4. The observed increments in lysyl oxidase activity in vivo were sensitive to inhibition by β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), suggesting that (+)-catechin was affecting the enzyme. (+)-Catechin in the assay medium partially inhibited lysyl oxidase activity. With excess copper ions present, (+)-catechin catalyzed a very strong release of volatile tritium from the substrate proteins. The release of tritium, indicative of lysyl oxidase activity, was not blocked by BAPN, suggesting that the activity in vitro was not enzyme catalyzed.

Lung lysyl oxidase and prolyl hydroxylase: increases induced by cadmium chloride inhalation and the effect of beta-aminopropionitrile in rats.

Industrial workers who are accidentally exposed to cadmium fumes often develop severe lung damage leading to widespread peribronchiolar scarring. This study examined the effect of a single exposure of cadmium chloride aerosol on rat lung lysyl oxidase and prolyl hydroxylase, both markers of connective tissue biosynthesis. Rats were killed at 2, 4, 7, 10, and 21 days after a 2-h exposure to 0.1% Cdcl2 aerosol. Total lung lysyl oxidase was increased 14.8 times that a saline control animals by 4 days and returned to near normal values by 10 days. Interestingly, a small amount of lysyl oxidase activity was also detectable in the lung lavage of unexposed animals and was markedly elevated at the earlier times after cadmium exposure. Total lung prolyl hydroxylase activity paralleled that of lung lysyl oxidase and increased 7.4-fold by the fourth day. A significant increase in total lung hydroxyproline could be demonstrated. Administration of beta-aminopropionitrile, an irreversible inhibitor of lysyl oxidase, prevented much of the increase in lysyl oxidase activity and the accumulation of collagen. The altered tissue amounts of lysyl oxidase and prolyl hydroxylase after cadmium inhalation correlated well with the marked interstitial cell hyperplasia 4 to 5 days after exposure and suggested that connective tissue protein synthesis is activated in the interstitial cell fibroblasts soon after cadmium exposure.