Lysyl Oxidase Enzyme Activity Research Articles

LOX-mediated ECM mechanical stress induces Piezo1 activation in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and identification of novel inhibitor of LOX

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) poses a significant challenge in neonatal medicine, often resulting in profound and lasting neurological deficits. Current therapeutic strategies for hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD) remain limited. Ferroptosis has been reported to play a crucial role in HIE and serves as a potential therapeutic target. However, the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in HIBD remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that elevated lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression correlates closely with the severity of HIE, suggesting LOX as a potential biomarker for HIE. LOX expression levels and enzymatic activity were significantly increased in HI-induced neuronal models both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, we discovered that HI-induced brain tissue injury results in increased stiffness and observed a selective upregulation of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in both brain tissue of HIBD and primary cortex neurons. Mechanistically, LOX increases its catalytic substrates, the Collagen I/III components, promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and possibly mediating ECM cross-linking, which leads to increased stiffness at the site of injury and subsequent activation of the Piezo1 channel. Piezo1 senses these stiffness stimuli and then induces neuronal ferroptosis in a GPX4-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of LOX or Piezo1 ameliorated brain neuronal ferroptosis and improved learning and memory impairments. Furthermore, we identified traumatic acid (TA) as a novel LOX inhibitor that effectively suppresses LOX enzymatic activity, mitigating neuronal ferroptosis and promoting synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, our findings elucidate a critical role for LOX-mediated ECM mechanical stress-induced Piezo1 activation in regulating ferroptotic cell death in HIBD. This mechanistic insight provides a basis for developing targeted therapies aimed at ameliorating neurological outcomes in neonates affected by HIBD.

Recombinant lysyl oxidase effects on embryonic tendon cell phenotype and behavior.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) plays an important role in the elaboration of tendon mechanical properties during embryonic development by mediating enzymatic collagen crosslinking. We previously showed recombinant LOX (rLOX) treatment of developing tendon significantly increased LOX-mediated collagen crosslink density to enhance tendon mechanical properties at different stages of tissue formation. Working toward the future development of rLOX-based therapeutic strategies to enhance mechanical properties of tendons that are compromised, such as after injury or due to abnormal development, this study characterized the direct effects of rLOX treatment on embryonic tendon cells from different stages of tissue formation. Tendon cell morphology, proliferation rate, proliferative capacity, and metabolic activity were not affected by rLOX treatment. Tenogenic phenotype was stable with rLOX treatment, reflected by no change in cell morphology or tendon marker messenger RNA (mRNA) levels assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Collagen mRNA levels also remained constant. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression levels were downregulated in later stage tendon cells, but not in earlier stage cells, whereas enzyme activity levels were undetected. Bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) expression was upregulated in earlier stage tendon cells, but not in later stage cells. Furthermore, BMP-1 activity was unchanged when intracellular LOX enzyme activity levels were upregulated in both stage cells, suggesting exogenous rLOX may have entered the cells. Based on our data, rLOX treatment had minimal effects on tendon cell phenotype and behaviors. These findings will inform future development of LOX-focused treatments to enhance tendon mechanical properties without adverse effects on tendon cell phenotype and behaviors.

Abstract LT015: Overcoming chemotherapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer via targeting lysyl oxidase (LOX)

Abstract Chemoresistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive breast cancer subtype. To overcome chemoresistance, we have selected TNBC tumors for chemotherapy resistance in vivo, characterized their transcriptomes by RNA-sequencing and identified hypoxia-induced ECM re-modeler, lysyl oxidase (LOX) as a key inducer of chemoresistance. LOX overexpression has two distinct effects in hypoxic tumors treated with chemotherapy. As an ECM remodeler, LOX enhances collagen cross-linking and fibronectin assembly, thereby decreasing drug penetration. In addition, LOX exerts a surprising novel effect on transcription, increasing the expression of Integrin Subunit Alpha 5 (ITGA5), the major receptor for fibronectin (FN1), leading to activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)/Src signaling and chemoresistance. Inhibition of LOX or ITGA5 with shRNA-mediated knockdown or inhibition of FAK or Src kinases with small molecule inhibitors in combination with doxorubicin greatly enhanced tumor growth inhibition in vivo relative to individual treatments. The role of LOX in chemoresistance has further been demonstrated using chemoresistant TNBC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and organoids, treated with doxorubicin alone or in combination with the LOX family inhibitor, BAPN. Notably, higher LOX, ITGA5, or FN1 levels are associated with shorter survival in chemotherapy treated TNBC patients. Currently available LOX inhibitors suffer from lack of specificity and high toxicity. To identify a more potent and selective LOX inhibitor, we performed a high-throughput screen (HTS) of a diversified small-molecule library. HTS resulted in identification of several hits that inhibit LOX enzymatic activity without any cytotoxicity. A lead compound was identified after the screening of hits based on their inhibitory effects on LOX enzymatic activity and the degree of chemosensitization in collagen-embedded cells. We are currently performing structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis to optimize the lead compound for more potent activity and better drug-like properties. In addition, we are analyzing the mechanisms through which LOX enhances ITGA5 transcription and how the enzymatic activity of LOX contributes to transcriptional regulation. Our study provides a pre-clinical rationale for the development and testing of LOX inhibitors to overcome chemotherapy resistance in TNBC patients. Citation Format: Ozge Saatci, Ozge Akbulut, Abdol-Hossein Rezaeain, Carolyn Banister, Vitali Sikirzhytski, Sercan Aksoy, Aytekin Akyol, Aysegul Uner, Phillip Buckhaults, Mikhail Chernov, Campbell McInnes, Yasser Riazalhosseini, Ozgur Sahin. Overcoming chemotherapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer via targeting lysyl oxidase (LOX) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on the Evolving Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression: Mechanisms and Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities; in association with the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Working Group; 2021 Jan 11-12. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(5 Suppl):Abstract nr LT015.

Differential cleavage of lysyl oxidase by the metalloproteinases BMP1 and ADAMTS2/14 regulates collagen binding through a tyrosine sulfate domain

Collagens are the main structural component of the extracellular matrix and provide biomechanical properties to connective tissues. A critical step in collagen fibril formation is the proteolytic removal of N- and C-terminal propeptides from procollagens by metalloproteinases of the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) and BMP1 (bone morphogenetic protein 1)/Tolloid-like families, respectively. BMP1 also cleaves and activates the lysyl oxidase (LOX) precursor, the enzyme catalyzing the initial step in the formation of covalent collagen cross-links, an essential process for fibril stabilization. In this study, using murine skin fibroblasts and HEK293 cells, along with immunoprecipitation, LOX enzymatic activity, solid-phase binding assays, and proteomics analyses, we report that the LOX precursor is proteolytically processed by the procollagen N-proteinases ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 between Asp-218 and Tyr-219, 50 amino acids downstream of the BMP1 cleavage site. We noted that the LOX sequence between the BMP1- and ADAMTS-processing sites contains several conserved tyrosine residues, of which some are post-translationally modified by tyrosine O-sulfation and contribute to binding to collagen. Taken together, these findings unravel an additional level of regulation in the formation of collagen fibrils. They point to a mechanism that controls the binding of LOX to collagen and is based on differential BMP1- and ADAMTS2/14-mediated cleavage of a tyrosine-sulfated domain.

Anti-metastatic Inhibitors of Lysyl Oxidase (LOX): Design and Structure-Activity Relationships.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a secreted copper-dependent amine oxidase that cross-links collagens and elastin in the extracellular matrix and is a critical mediator of tumor growth and metastatic spread. LOX is a target for cancer therapy, and thus the search for therapeutic agents against LOX has been widely sought. We report herein the medicinal chemistry discovery of a series of LOX inhibitors bearing an aminomethylenethiophene (AMT) scaffold. High-throughput screening provided the initial hits. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies led to the discovery of AMT inhibitors with sub-micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) in a LOX enzyme activity assay. Further SAR optimization yielded the orally bioavailable LOX inhibitor CCT365623 with good anti-LOX potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, as well as anti-metastatic efficacy.

Lysyl Oxidase Enhances the Deposition of Tropoelastin through the Catalysis of Tropoelastin Molecules on the Cell Surface.

The cross-linking of elastin by lysyl oxidase (LOX) family members is essential for the integrity and elasticity of elastic fibers, which play an important role in the characteristic resilience of various tissues. However, the temporal sequence of oxidation by LOX during elastic fiber formation is still incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the cross-linking of tropoelastin molecules by LOX occurs concurrent with elastin deposition. Our data show that LOX deficiency or the inhibition of LOX enzyme activity leads to the loss of elastin deposition in skin fibroblast. Moreover, overexpression of LOX promotes the deposition and alignment of tropoelastin, whereas the addition of recombinant active-form of LOX in culture medium caused abnormal elastic fiber assembly. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence show that LOX and tropoelastin are present together with fibronectin on the cell surface of preconfluent cultures. Further, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis for the localization of LOX on the cell surface reveals that the transfer of LOX to the extracellular space occurs in association with elastic fiber formation. In conclusion, our results support the view that LOX and tropoelastin are present on the cell surface and suggests the possibility that lysine oxidation by LOX precedes tropoelastin deposition onto microfibrils.

TGF-β Induced Collagen Remodelling by IPF Fibroblasts is Alleviated by Inhibition of Lysyl Oxidase Enzyme Activity

TGF-β Induced Collagen Remodelling by IPF Fibroblasts is Alleviated by Inhibition of Lysyl Oxidase Enzyme Activity

Decreased Copper Concentrations But Increased Lysyl Oxidase in Rhesus Monkey Model of Myocardial Ischemic Infarction

Ischemic injury leads to collagen deposition in the heart. Lysyl oxidase (LOX), a copper (Cu) dependent enzyme, catalyzes cross-linking of collagens. The present study was to investigate the relationship between Cu concentrations and LOX activities in the heart of ischemic infarction. Rhesus monkeys were subjected to coronary artery ligation, developing ischemic infarction. At 8 weeks after the surgery, monkeys were sacrificed and the molecular changes in the hearts were determined by Western blot, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), LOX enzyme activity, and atom absorption spectrometry (AAS). Collagen deposition was detected by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Masson's staining, and immunohistochemistry. Both type I and III collagen mRNA levels were increased along with increased fibrosis LOX protein levels and enzyme activities were significantly increased. However, Cu concentrations were significantly decreased Thus the increase in the Cu-dependent LOX activity with the decrease in the total Cu concentrations would predict a redistribution of Cu under ischemic condition, leading to enhanced collagen deposition. This study is supported by National Science Foundation of China (81300109).

Therapeutic interventions in oral submucous fibrosis: an experimental and clinical study.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic debilitating disease and premalignant condition of the oral cavity and is a serious public health issue in India and many parts of the world. The treatment is still elusive and empirical because of poorly understood etiopathogenesis, which is believed to be multifactorial including areca nut chewing, ingestion of chillies, genetic and immunologic processes, nutritional deficiencies, and many others. The present investigations was focused to understand the possible therapeutic interventions of anti-OSF agents in arecoline induced experimental in vitro model of OSF and clinical application of these anti-OSF agents in the restoration of various grade of the disease. The 127 subjects were selected from patients who visited the OPD of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Sciences, K.G. Medical University, Lucknow. Further the subjects were divided in two groups on the basis of clinical examination. Group-1 subjects showed presence of fibrosis bands in the labial and/or buccal mucosa, loss of elasticity, difficulty to open the mouth and had a habit chewing areca-nut in some form. Group-2 subjects had no habit of chewing areca-nut, were apparently healthy with no mucosal disorder. The samples were collected and were immediately transported to Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, for isolation and cultivation of primary cultures of mucosal fibroblast cells. Then isolation and cultivation of oral mucosal fibroblast, identification of non-cytotoxic doses of arecoline, real time PCR, immunocytochemistry, cytokine determination in culture cells, western blot analyses, functional activity of collagenase, lysyl oxidase enzyme activity, collagen beads assay, cyclooxygenase (COX-2) expression analysis was done. This study, shows that the reduction of phagocytic cells was strongly related to the arecoline levels in fibroblast culture when we exposed arecoline to normal oral mucosal cells (NOMC) and cells from OSF patient. An enhancement of phagocytic cells was observed following the pre exposure of cells to 1μM dexamethasone, a glucocorticoids, In this study, histologic evidence is presented which supports the finding that COX-2 expression is upregulated in OSF specimens compared to normal oral submucosal cells. Strong immunostaining for COX-2 was detected in arecoline exposed NOMC and cells from OSF patient. Areca nut extract up-regulates prostaglandin production, cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression of human oral keratinocytes. The number of phagocytic cells and phagocytic activity in cultured human oral fibroblasts from OSF site was lower than the fibroblasts from the normal regions of the same person.

Post-translational Modifications of Recombinant Human Lysyl Oxidase-like 2 (rhLOXL2) Secreted from Drosophila S2 Cells*

Human lysyl oxidase-like 2 (hLOXL2) is highly up-regulated in metastatic breast cancer cells and tissues and induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the first step of metastasis/invasion. hloxl2 encodes four N-terminal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domains and the highly conserved C-terminal lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalytic domain. Here, we assessed the extent of the post-translational modifications of hLOXL2 using truncated recombinant proteins produced in Drosophila S2 cells. The recombinant proteins are soluble, in contrast to LOX, which is consistently reported to require 2-6 m urea for solubilization. The recombinant proteins also show activity in tropoelastin oxidation. After phenylhydrazine derivatization and trypsin digestion, we used mass spectrometry to identify peptides containing the derivatized lysine tyrosylquinone cross-link at Lys-653 and Tyr-689, as well as N-linked glycans at Asn-455 and Asn-644. Disruption of N-glycosylation by site-directed mutagenesis or tunicamycin treatment completely inhibited secretion so that only small quantities of inclusion bodies were detected. The N-glycosylation site at Asn-644 in the LOX catalytic domain is not conserved in human LOX (hLOX), although the LOX catalytic domain of hLOX shares ∼50% identity and ∼70% homology with hLOXL2. The catalytic domain of hLOX was not secreted from S2 cells using the same expression system. These results suggest that the N-glycan at Asn-644 of hLOXL2 enhances the solubility and stability of the LOX catalytic domain.

Cross-linking of structural proteins in ageing skin: an in situ assay for the detection of amine oxidase activity

With increasing age, dynamic tissues such as lungs, blood vessels and skin lose their ability to both deform and recoil, culminating in tissue stiffening. This loss of tissue elasticity, which profoundly impacts tissue function and thus morbidity, may be due not only to changes in the relative abundance of key extracellular matrix proteins within tissues but also to their accumulation of post-translational modifications. Whilst to date attention has focussed primarily on the age-related non-enzymatic formation of advanced glycation end products, the accumulation of pathological enzyme-mediated cross-links may also lead to age-related tissue stiffening. The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of enzymes are constitutively expressed in adult tissues and are known to drive the catalysis of cross-links in both fibrillar collagens and elastin. Although immunochemical approaches are commonly used to localise the inactive pro-enzyme of LOX, and biochemical methods are employed to quantify activity in homogenised tissue, they do not allow for the in situ localisation of the enzyme. Thus, we have developed a novel assay to both detect and localise LOX enzyme activity in situ. LOX family members are amine oxidases and this assay uses the principle that an amine substrate in the presence of this class of enzyme will be oxidised to an aldehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In turn, H2O2, when combined with luminol and horseradish peroxidase, will produce a light-emitting reaction that can be detected by film autoradiography. The development of a technique to localise specific amine oxidase activity in tissue sections may provide crucial additional information on the exact role played by this class of enzymes in mediating age-related tissue stiffening.

Cardiomyocyte-specific transgenic expression of lysyl oxidase-like protein-1 induces cardiac hypertrophy in mice

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) and LOX-like protein-1 (LOXL-1) are extracellular matrix-embedded amine oxidases that have critical roles in the cross-linking of collagen and elastin. LOX family proteins are abundantly expressed in the remodeled heart of animals and humans and are implicated in cardiac fibrosis; however, their role in cardiac hypertrophy is unknown. In this study, in vitro stimulation with hypertrophic agonists significantly increased LOXL-1 expression, LOX enzyme activity and [(3)H] leucine incorporation in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. A LOX inhibitor, beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), inhibited agonist-induced leucine incorporation in cardiomyocytes in vitro, suggesting the involvement of LOXL-1 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Abdominal aortic constriction in rats produced left ventricular hypertrophy in parallel with LOXL-1 mRNA upregulation. And BAPN administration significantly inhibited angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. These results suggest a role of LOXL-1 in cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. We generated transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific expression of LOXL-1. LOXL-1 transgenic mice pups were born normally and grew to adulthood without increased mortality; these mice exhibited a greater left ventricle to body weight ratio, larger myocyte diameter, and more brain natriuretic peptide expression than their wild-type littermates. Echocardiography revealed that the LOXL-1 transgenic mice also had greater wall thickness with preserved cardiac contraction. Our results indicate a possible fundamental role of LOXL-1 in cardiac hypertrophy.

Lysyl oxidase enzymatic function increases stiffness to drive colorectal cancer progression through FAK.

The extracellular, matrix-modifying enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) has recently been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, in particular to the stages of invasion and metastasis. In this report, we use cell lines expressing a catalytically inactive mutant form of LOX to show that catalytic activity is required for LOX-mediated effects on proliferation and invasion in both in vitro and in vivo models of CRC. Furthermore, we use rheology to measure the relative stiffness of modified collagen matrices and subcutaneous tumors, and show that LOX-induced collagen cross-linking results in stiffening of the matrix both in vitro and in vivo. We observe a strong association between matrix stiffness and activation of the FAK (focal adhesion kinase)/SRC-signaling pathway, with a stiffer environment resulting in increased FAK/SRC phosphorylation and a more proliferative and invasive phenotype. We are the first to show a direct relationship between LOX enzymatic activity and tissue stiffness, and to demonstrate a role for stiffness in driving CRC progression. Our findings provide significant evidence to suggest that therapeutic inhibition of LOX activity may provide a novel effective treatment option for patients with metastatic CRC.

Kinky Hair, Kinky Vessels, and Bladder Diverticula in Menkes Disease

Menkes disease (MD) is an infantile-onset X-linked recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by deficiency or dysfunction of a copper-transporting ATPase, ATP7A. The effect of altered transportation of copper may affect various enzymatic functions differently. Among all enzymatic functions, lysyl-oxidase enzymatic activity, which is crucial in the formation of the lysine-derived cross-links in collagen and elastin, is the most sensitive to the copper transport alterations. Pili torti, tortuous intracranial vessels and bladder diverticula are clinical aspects strictly related to the connective tissue alterations dependent on the lysyl-oxidase deficiency. Despite a pleiotropic clinical appearance of MD patients, we observed tortuous intracranial vessels and bladder diverticula in 4 consecutive Menkes patients at different stages of the disease. We speculate that these findings are present at early stages and could be considered suggestive findings in MD.

Lysyl Oxidase-like-2 (LOXL2) Is a Major Isoform in Chondrocytes and Is Critically Required for Differentiation

The lysyl oxidase family is made up of five members: lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like 1-4 (LOXL1-LOXL4). All members share conserved C-terminal catalytic domains that provide for lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase-like enzyme activity; and more divergent propeptide regions. LOX family enzyme activities catalyze the final enzymatic conversion required for the formation of normal biosynthetic collagen and elastin cross-links. The importance of lysyl oxidase enzyme activity to normal bone development has long been appreciated, but regulation and roles for specific LOX isoforms in bone formation in vivo is largely unexplored. Fracture healing recapitulates aspects of endochondral bone development. The present study first investigated the expression of all LOX isoforms in fracture healing. A remarkable coincidence of LOXL2 expression with the chondrogenic phase of fracture healing was found, prompting more detailed analyses of LOXL2 expression in normal growth plates, and LOXL2 expression and function in developing ATDC5 chondrogenic cells. Data show that LOXL2 is expressed by pre-hypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes in vivo, and that LOXL2 expression is regulated in vitro as a function of chondrocyte differentiation. Moreover, LOXL2 knockdown studies in vitro show that LOXL2 expression is required for ATDC5 chondrocyte cell line differentiation through regulation of SNAIL and SOX9, important transcription factors that control chondrocyte differentiation. Taken together, data provide evidence that LOXL2, like LOX, is a multifunctional protein. LOXL2 promotes chondrocyte differentiation by mechanisms that are likely to include roles as both a regulator and an effector of chondrocyte differentiation.

Hypoxia-induced ROS signaling is required for LOX up-regulation in endothelial cells

The adaptive response of endothelial cells to hypoxia involves a substantial remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM). In endothelial cells hypoxia up-regulates lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key enzyme in ECM assembly, relevant to vascular homeostasis. However, the mechanism underlying this response has not been established. Hypoxia up-regulated LOX expression in endothelial cells (HUVEC and BAEC) and concomitantly increased LOX enzymatic activity. This effect was independent of autocrine factors released by hypoxic cells and relies on a transcriptional mechanism. Both mTOR blockade and HIF-1alpha knockdown slightly prevented LOX up-regulation by hypoxia, suggesting that HIF-1alpha is only partially responsible for this effect. In fact, serial promoter deletion and mutagenesis studies indicated a limited contribution of the previously described hypoxia response element (-75 bp). Interestingly, Smad over-expression further increased LOX transcriptional activity in endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia. Moreover, the increase in LOX expression triggered by hypoxia was significantly reduced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitors. Thus, our data support a role of Smad signaling and ROS in the up-regulation of LOX by hypoxia in endothelial cells.

Role of Lysyl Oxidase Propeptide in Secretion and Enzyme Activity

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is secreted as a proenzyme (proLOX) that is proteolytically processed in the extracellular milieu to release the propeptide and mature, active LOX. LOX oxidizes lysyl residues of a number of protein substrates in the extracellular matrix and on the cell surface, which impacts several physiological and disease states. Although the LOX propeptide (LOX-PP) is glycosylated, little is known about the role of this modification in LOX secretion and activity. To gain insight into this issue, cells were transfected with native, full-length LOX cDNA (pre-pro-LOX), the N-glycosylation null pre-[N/Q]pro-LOX cDNA and the deletion mutant pre-LOX cDNA, referred to as secretory LOX, in which mature LOX is targeted to the secretory pathway without its N-terminal propeptide sequence. The results show that glycosylation of the LOX-PP is not required for secretion and extracellular processing of pro-LOX but it is required for optimal enzyme activity of the resulting mature LOX. Complete deletion of the propeptide sequence prevents mature LOX from exiting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Taken together, our study points out the requirement of the LOX-PP for pro-LOX exit from the ER and is the first to highlight the influence of LOX-PP glycosylation on LOX enzyme activity.

High Glucose Increases Lysyl Oxidase Expression and Activity in Retinal Endothelial Cells: Mechanism for Compromised Extracellular Matrix Barrier Function

OBJECTIVEIn diabetes, retinal vascular basement membrane (BM) undergoes significant thickening and compromises vessel function including increased vascular permeability, a prominent lesion of early diabetic retinopathy. In this study we determined whether altered expression and activity of lysyl oxidase (LOX), a cross-linking enzyme, may compromise vascular basement membrane functional integrity under high-glucose (HG) conditions.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSRat retinal endothelial cells (RRECs) grown in normal (5 mmol/l) or HG (30 mmol/l glucose) medium for 7 days were assessed for expression of LOX and proLOX by Western blot analysis and LOX enzyme activity. To determine whether HG alters cellular distribution patterns of LOX and proLOX, immunostaining with respective antibodies was performed. Similarly, cells grown in normal or HG medium were subjected to both LOX inhibition with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) and by small interfering RNA knockdown, and respectively examined for cell monolayer permeability. Additionally, retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were analyzed to determine if diabetes altered LOX expression.RESULTSWestern blot analysis revealed significantly increased LOX and proLOX expression in cells grown in HG medium compared with those grown in normal medium. The increased LOX level was strikingly similar to LOX upegulation in the diabetic retinas. In cells grown in HG medium, LOX activity and cell monolayer permeability was significantly increased, as were LOX and proLOX immunostaining. Small interfering RNA- or BAPN–induced-specific blockage of LOX expression or activity, respectively, reduced cell monolayer permeability.CONCLUSIONSHG-induced increased LOX expression and activity compromises barrier functional integrity, a prominent lesion of diabetic retinopathy.

Lysyl Oxidase silencing impairs keratinocyte differentiation in a reconstructed‐epidermis model

Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) is an extracellular enzyme involved in the maturation of connective tissues. It also acts in many cell types as a regulator of cell behaviour and phenotype through intracellular signalling pathways. Recently, LOX was shown to be present in human epidermis where its precise functions remain unclear. We showed here that in confluent monolayer cultures of normal human keratinocytes (KCs) and N/TERT-1-immortalized KCs, LOX expression was induced during the first differentiation steps. Moreover, the silencing of LOX by stable RNA interference disrupted the expression of early differentiation markers. In a reconstructed-epidermis model, LOX silencing did not impair the stratification process nor the formation of the first differentiated layers. However, terminal differentiation was strongly impaired, as shown by a decreased expression of late differentiation proteins and by the absence of stratum corneum. Nonetheless, inhibition of LOX enzymatic activity by β-aminopropionitrile did not affect the differentiation process. Therefore, LOX protein acts during the first steps of KC differentiation and is important for subsequent commitment into terminal differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that a finely regulated expression of LOX is necessary for normal KC differentiation and thus for maintenance of epidermal homeostasis.

Characterization of Recombinant Lysyl Oxidase Propeptide

Lysyl oxidase enzyme activity is critical for the biosynthesis of mature and functional collagens and elastin. In addition, lysyl oxidase has tumor suppressor activity that has been shown to depend on the propeptide region (LOX-PP) derived from pro-lysyl oxidase (Pro-LOX) and not on lysyl oxidase enzyme activity. Pro-LOX is secreted as a 50 kDa proenzyme and then undergoes biosynthetic proteolytic processing to active approximately 30 kDa LOX enzyme and LOX-PP. The present study reports the efficient recombinant expression and purification of rat LOX-PP. Moreover, using enzymatic deglycosylation and DTT derivatization combined with mass spectrometry technologies, it is shown for the first time that rLOX-PP and naturally occurring LOX-PP contain both N- and O-linked carbohydrates. Structure predictions furthermore suggest that LOX-PP is a mostly disordered protein, which was experimentally confirmed in circular dichroism studies. Due to its high isoelectric point and its disordered structure, we propose that LOX-PP can associate with extracellular and intracellular binding partners to affect its known biological activities as a tumor suppressor and inhibitor of cell proliferation.