Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Activity Research Articles

Magnesium accumulation upon cyclin M4 silencing activates microsomal triglyceride transfer protein improving NASH

Background & Aims:Perturbations of intracellular magnesium (Mg2+) homeostasis have implications for cell physiology. The cyclin M family, CNNM, perform key functions in the transport of Mg2+ across cell membranes. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the role of CNNM4 in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).Methods:Serum Mg2+ levels and hepatic CNNM4 expression were characterised in clinical samples. Primary hepatocytes were cultured under methionine and choline deprivation. A 0.1% methionine and choline-deficient diet, or a choline-deficient high-fat diet were used to induce NASH in our in vivo rodent models. Cnnm4 was silenced using siRNA, in vitro with DharmaFECT and in vivo with Invivofectamine® or conjugated to N-acetylgalactosamine.Results:Patients with NASH showed hepatic CNNM4 overexpression and dysregulated Mg2+ levels in the serum. Cnnm4 silencing ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in the rodent NASH models. Mechanistically, CNNM4 knockdown in hepatocytes induced cellular Mg2+ accumulation, reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress, and increased microsomal triglyceride transfer activity, which promoted hepatic lipid clearance by increasing the secretion of VLDLs.Conclusions:CNNM4 is overexpressed in patients with NASH and is responsible for dysregulated Mg2+ transport. Hepatic CNNM4 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of NASH.Lay summary:Cyclin M4 (CNNM4) is overexpressed in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and promotes the export of magnesium from the liver. The liver-specific silencing of Cnnm4 ameliorates NASH by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and promoting the activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein.

Increased LDL cholesterol and CRP in infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes

Proatherogenic stimuli during foetal life may predispose to development of atherosclerosis in adulthood. Elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) expression is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined how maternal type 1 diabetes affects foetal plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP. In comparison with healthy mothers, the plasma LDL cholesterol was not increased in the mothers with diabetes, however, the umbilical-cord plasma LDL cholesterol was increased in their infants. CRP was increased in infants of mothers with diabetes and high haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, > or = 6.2%). Human placenta expresses microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), which facilitates secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Microsomal triglyceride transfer activity was slightly higher (11%) in placentas from mothers with diabetes and HbA1c > or = 6.2% compared with the controls. The results suggest that maternal type 1 diabetes increases the foetal plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP concentration and thus might predispose the offspring to development of atherosclerosis.

Human Placenta Secretes Apolipoprotein B-100-containing Lipoproteins

Supply of lipids from the mother is essential for fetal growth and development. In mice, disruption of yolk sac cell secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins results in embryonic lethality. In humans, the yolk sac is vestigial. Nutritional functions are instead established very early during pregnancy in the placenta. To examine whether the human placenta produces lipoproteins, we examined apoB and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) mRNA expression in placental biopsies. ApoB and MTP are mandatory for assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Both genes were expressed in placenta and microsomal extracts from human placenta contained triglyceride transfer activity, indicating expression of bioactive MTP. To detect lipoprotein secretion, biopsies from term placentas were placed in medium with [(35)S]methionine and [(35)S]cysteine for 3-24 h. Upon sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of the labeled medium, fractions were analyzed by apoB-immunoprecipitation. (35)S-labeled apoB-100 was recovered in d approximately 1.02-1.04 g/ml particles (i.e. similar to the density of plasma low density lipoproteins). Electron microscopy of negatively stained lipoproteins secreted from placental tissue showed spherical particles with a diameter of 47 +/- 10 nm. These results demonstrate that human placenta expresses both apoB and MTP and consequently synthesize and secrete apoB-100-containing lipoproteins. Placental lipoprotein formation constitutes a novel pathway of lipid transfer from the mother to the developing fetus.

Hepatic expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and in vivo secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are increased in obese diabetic mice.

Secondary hyperlipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Increased hepatic production of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins contributes to the elevated plasma levels, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Recent results have established that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is rate limiting for the assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins. To better understand the mechanism of type 2 diabetes-associated hyperlipidemia, we quantified hepatic MTP mRNA levels, hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer activity, and in vivo triglyceride secretion from the liver in two diabetic mouse models. Obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice had 45% higher (P = 0.006) hepatic MTP mRNA levels, 54% higher (P < 0.0001) microsomal triglyceride transfer activity, and 70% higher (P < 0.0001) in vivo triglyceride secretion rates compared with ob/+ control mice. In contrast, in lean streptozotocin-treated diabetic mice, hepatic MTP mRNA levels were unchanged, whereas microsomal triglyceride transfer activity and in vivo triglyceride secretion rates were marginally decreased. These studies suggest that obesity-induced type 2 diabetes in mice confers increases in hepatic MTP expression and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. High blood glucose and altered hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein genes play a minor role in this diabetic response.

Hepatic overexpression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) results in increased in vivo secretion of VLDL triglycerides and apolipoprotein B

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the hepatic secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins. Previous studies have indicated that inhibition of MTP results in decreased apoB plasma levels and decreased hepatic triglyceride secretion. However, the metabolic effects of overexpression of MTP have not been investigated. We constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing MTP (AdhMTP) and used it to assess the effects of hepatic overexpression of MTP in mice. Injection of AdhMTP into C57BL/6 mice resulted in a 3-fold increase in hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer activity compared to mice injected with Adnull. On day 4 after virus injection, AdhMTP-injected mice had significantly elevated plasma TG levels as compared to control virus (Adnull)-injected mice. Hepatic TG secretion rates were significantly greater in AdhMTP-injected mice (184 +/- 12 mg/kg/h) compared with Adnull-injected mice (65 +/- 9 mg/kg/h, P < 0.001). In addition, hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) apoB secretion in the AdhMTP-injected group was 74% higher than in the control virus group. Hepatic secretion of apoB-48 and apoB-100 contributed equally to this increase. These results provide the first data that hepatic overexpression of MTP results in increased secretion of VLDL-triglycerides as well as VLDL-apoB in vivo. These results suggest that MTP is rate-limiting for VLDL apoB secretion in wild-type mice under basal chow-fed conditions.

Inhibition of apolipoprotein B and triglyceride secretion in human hepatoma cells (HepG2).

Apolipoprotein B (apoB), the major protein component of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is assembled into a lipoprotein particle via a complex, multistep process. Recent studies indicate that triglyceride-rich lipoprotein assembly requires the activity of the heterodimeric protein, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). We identified a novel inhibitor of apolipoprotein B secretion using the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. CP-10447, a derivative of the hypnotic drug methaqualone (Quaalude), inhibited apoB secretion from HepG2 cells with an IC50 of approximately 5 microM. CP-10447 also inhibited apoB secretion from Caco-2 cells, a model of intestinal lipoprotein production. In experiments using [3H]glycerol as a precursor for triglyceride synthesis, CP-10447 (20 microM) inhibited radiolabeled triglyceride secretion by approximately 83% (P < 0.0001) in HepG2 cells and 76% (P < 0.05) in Caco-2 cells with no effect on radiolabel incorporation into cellular triglyceride, indicating that CP-10447 inhibited triglyceride secretion without affecting triglyceride synthesis. RNA solution hybridization assay indicated that CP-10447 did not affect apoB or apoA-I mRNA levels. Pulse-chase experiments in HepG2 cells confirmed that CP-10447 inhibited the secretion of apoB (not its synthesis) without affecting secretion of total proteins or albumin and suggested that CP-10447 stimulates the early intracellular degradation of apoB in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Further studies demonstrated that CP-10447 is a potent inhibitor of human liver microsomal triglyceride transfer activity (IC50 approximately 1.7 microM) in an in vitro assay containing artificial liposomes and partially purified human MTP. These data suggest that CP-10447 may inhibit apoB and triglyceride secretion by inhibiting MTP activity and stimulating the early ER degradation of apoB. CP-10447 should provide a useful tool for further study of the mechanisms of apoB secretion and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein assembly.