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Biomedical subjects

J M TeKoppele

Publications and source records attributed to J M TeKoppele.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Fluorogenic MMP activity assay for plasma including MMPs complexed to alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Elevated MMP activities are implicated in tissue degradation in, e.g., arthritis and cancer. The present study was designed to measure MMP enzyme activity in plasma. Free active MMP is unlikely to be present in plasma: upon entering the circulation, active MMP is expected to be captured by the proteinase inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M). Reconstituted MMP-13/alpha 2M complex was unable to degrade collagen (MW 300,000) in contrast to the low-molecular-weight fluorogenic substrate (MW < 1500). Limited access of high-MW substrates to the active site of MMPs captured by alpha 2M presents the most likely explanation. Consistently, the high-MW inhibitor TIMP (MW approximately 28,000) was unable to inhibit MMP/alpha 2M enzyme activity, whereas the low-MW inhibitor BB94 (MW approximately 500) effectively suppressed enzyme activity. By using fluorogenic substrates with Dabcyl/Fluorescein as quencher/fluorophore combin-ation, sensitive MMP-activity assays in plasma were achieved. Spiking of active MMP-13 and MMP-13/alpha 2M complex, and inhibitor studies with TIMP-1 and BB94, indicated that active MMPs are efficiently captured by alpha 2M in plasma. MMP activity was even detected in control plasma, and was significantly increased in plasma from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Collagen↗

Defective collagen crosslinking in bone, but not in ligament or cartilage, in Bruck syndrome: indications for a bone-specific telopeptide lysyl hydroxylase on chromosome 17.

Bruck syndrome is characterized by the presence of osteoporosis, joint contractures, fragile bones, and short stature. We report that lysine residues within the telopeptides of collagen type I in bone are underhydroxylated, leading to aberrant crosslinking, but that the lysine residues in the triple helix are normally modified. In contrast to bone, cartilage and ligament show unaltered telopeptide hydroxylation as evidenced by normal patterns of crosslinking. The results provide compelling evidence that collagen crosslinking is regulated primarily by tissue-specific enzymes that hydroxylate only telopeptide lysine residues and not those destined for the helical portion of the molecule. This new family of enzymes appears to provide the primary regulation for controlling the different pathways of collagen crosslinking and explains why crosslink patterns are tissue specific and not related to a genetic collagen type. A genome screen identified only a single region on chromosome 17p12 where all affected sibs shared a cluster of haplotypes identical by descent; this might be the BS (Bruck syndrome) locus and consequently the region where bone telopeptidyl lysyl hydroxylase is located. Further knowledge of this enzyme has important implications for conditions where aberrant expression of telopeptide lysyl hydroxylase occurs, such as fibrosis and scar formation.

Adolescent↗

Age-related decrease in proteoglycan synthesis of human articular chondrocytes: the role of nonenzymatic glycation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of nonenzymatic glycation of cartilage extracellular matrix on the synthetic activity of chondrocytes. METHODS: The proteoglycan-synthesis rate (35SO4(2-) incorporation) and levels of advanced nonenzymatic glycation (determined by high-performance liquid chromatography measurement of pentosidine) were evaluated in human articular cartilage from 129 donors, varying in age from 25 to 88 years, and in cartilage with enhanced levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) resulting from incubation with ribose. RESULTS: Cartilage showed a strong age-related increase in pentosidine levels (r = 0.97, P < 0.0005) and, concomitantly, a decrease in proteoglycan synthesis (r = -0.98, P < 0.0002). This decrease in proteoglycan synthesis correlated with the increase in pentosidine (r = -0.95, P < 0.02). Moreover, the elevation of pentosidine levels in the in vitro-ribosylated cartilage was proportional with the decrease in proteoglycan synthesis (r = -0.95, P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: In both aged and in vitro AGE-enriched cartilage, the rate of proteoglycan synthesis was negatively correlated with the degree of glycation. This suggests that the age-related increase in cartilage AGE levels may be responsible, at least in part, for the age-related decline in the synthetic capacity of cartilage.

Adult↗

Blood-induced joint damage: a canine in vivo study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the direct and indirect (via synovial inflammation) effects of intraarticular bleeding on cartilage in vivo. METHODS: Right knees of 14 beagle dogs were injected with autologous blood on days 0 and 2. Cartilage matrix proteoglycan turnover, collagen damage, and synovial inflammation of these knees, including the cartilage-destructive properties of the synovial tissue, were determined and compared with those of the left control knees on day 4 (short-term effects; n = 7) and day 16 (long-term effects; n = 7). RESULTS: Injected knees had a diminished content of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix, and release of proteoglycans was enhanced (days 4 and 16). The synthesis of proteoglycans was significantly inhibited on day 4 but was enhanced on day 16. On day 4 more collagen was denatured in the injected joint than in the control joint; this effect was no longer detectable on day 16. Synovial tissue showed signs of inflammation on day 4 and day 16 but had cartilage-destructive properties only on day 16. CONCLUSION: In vivo exposure of articular cartilage to blood for a relatively short time results in lasting changes in chondrocyte activity and in cartilage matrix integrity, changes that may predict lasting joint damage over time. Interestingly, the direct effect of blood on cartilage precedes the indirect effect via synovial inflammation.

Animals↗

Lysylhydroxylation and non-reducible crosslinking of human supraspinatus tendon collagen: changes with age and in chronic rotator cuff tendinitis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate age related and site specific variations in turnover and chemistry of the collagen network in healthy tendons as well as the role of collagen remodelling in the degeneration of the supraspinatus tendon (ST-D) in rotator cuff tendinitis. METHODS: Collagen content and the amount of hydroxylysine (Hyl), hydroxy-lysylpyridinoline (HP), lysylpyridinoline (LP), and the degree of non-enzymatic glycation (pentosidine) were investigated in ST-D and in normal human supraspinatus (ST-N) and biceps brachii tendons (BT-N) by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: In BT-N, tendons that served as control tissue as it shows rarely matrix abnormalities, pentosidine levels rise linearly with age (20-90 years), indicating little tissue remodelling (resulting in an undisturbed accumulation of pentosidine). A similar accumulation was observed in ST-N up to 50 years. At older ages, little pentosidine accumulation was observed and pentosidine levels showed large interindividual variability. This was interpreted as remodelling of collagen in normal ST after age 50 years because of microruptures (thus diluting old collagen with newly synthesised collagen). All degenerate ST samples showed decreased pentosidine levels compared with age matched controls, indicating extensive remodelling in an attempt to repair the tendon defect. Collagen content and the amount of Hyl, HP, and LP of ST-N and BT-N did not change with age. With the exception of collagen content, which did not differ, all parameters were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in BT-N. The ST-D samples had a reduced collagen content and had higher Hyl, HP, and LP levels than ST-N (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inasmuch as Hyl, HP, and LP levels in ST-N did not change with age, tissue remodelling as a consequence of microruptures does not seem to affect the quality of the tendon collagen. On the other hand, the clearly different profile of post-translational modifications in ST-D indicates that the newly deposited collagen network in degenerated tendons is qualitatively different. It is concluded that in ST-D the previously functional and carefully constructed matrix is replaced by aberrant collagen. This may result in a mechanically less stable tendon; as the supraspinatus is constantly subjected to considerable forces this could explain why tendinitis is mostly of a chronic nature.

Adolescent↗

Influence of site and age on biochemical characteristics of the collagen network of equine articular cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine variations in biochemical characteristics of equine articular cartilage in relation to age and the degree of predisposition for osteochondral disease at a specific site. SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage specimens from 53 horses 4 to 30 years old. PROCEDURE: Healthy specimens were obtained from 2 locations on the proximal articular surface of the first phalanx that had different disease prevalences (site 1 at the mediodorsal margin and site 2 at the center of the medial cavity). Water, total collagen, and hydroxylysine contents and enzymatic (hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP]) and nonenzymatic (pentosidine) crosslinking were determined at both sites. Differences between sites were analyzed by ANOVA (factors, site, and age), and age correlation was tested by Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis. Significance was set at P< 0.01. RESULTS: Correlation with age was not found for water, collagen, hydroxylysine contents, and enzymatic cross-linking. Nonenzymatic crosslinking was higher in older horses and was linearly related to age (r = 0.94). Water and collagen contents and HP and pentosidine crosslinks were significantly higher at site 1. Hydroxylysine content was significantly lower at site 1. CONCLUSIONS: Except for nonenzymatic glycation, the composition of articular cartilage collagen does not change significantly in adult horses. A significant topographic variation exists in biochemical characteristics of the articular cartilage collagen network in equine metacarpophalangeal joints. These differences may influence local biomechanical properties and, hence, susceptibility to osteochondral disease, as will greater pentosidine crosslinks in older horses that are likely to cause stiffer and more brittle cartilage.

Aging↗

Matrix degradation by chondrocytes cultured in alginate: IL-1 beta induces proteoglycan degradation and proMMP synthesis but does not result in collagen degradation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in the degradation of proteoglycans and collagen by articular chondrocytes. DESIGN: Chondrocytes were cultured in alginate beads for 2 weeks to produce extracellular matrix, followed by the addition of IL-1 beta for 1 or 2 days. Breakdown of extracellular matrix (with and without activation of pro-matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by APMA) was monitored by release of glycosaminoglycans (GAG, proteoglycans) and hydroxyproline (collagen) from the beads into the medium, and by the amount of damaged collagen in the bead. Levels of (pro)MMPs in the beads were assayed by zymography and their activity was quantified fluorometrically. RESULTS: IL-1 beta induced a profound GAG release (approximately 80% after 2 days at 20 ng/ml IL-1 beta) that was both time and IL-1 beta concentration dependent. Under these conditions no increase in collagen release or damaged collagen in the bead was detected. Zymography demonstrated that the synthesis of a variety of proMMPs was induced by IL-1 beta, without a detectable increase of MMP-activity as measured in the activity assay. After activation of the proMMPs by APMA, a time and IL-1 beta concentration-dependent increase in MMP-activity was found, which resulted in almost complete deterioration of collagen already after 18 h of incubation. In the presence of APMA, GAG release from IL-1 beta treated beads was significantly increased from 24 to 31%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that proteoglycan and collagen degradation are regulated through different mechanisms: IL-1 beta induces the synthesis of active enzymes that degrade proteoglycans, such as 'aggrecanase', and inactive proMMPs. Thus, IL-1 beta alone is not sufficient to result in collagen-degrading MMPs. Once activated, MMPs may account for up to a quarter of the aggrecan degradation in this model.

Alginates↗

Matrix metalloproteinase activity in equine synovial fluid: influence of age, osteoarthritis, and osteochondrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of age, osteoarthritis (OA), and osteochondrosis (OC) on the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the synovial fluid (SF) of equine joints. METHODS: SF was collected from normal and osteoarthritic metacarpophalangeal joints (normal: 14 adult, 28 juvenile; OA: 22 adult). And from normal and osteochondrotic tarsocrural joints (5 months: 11 normal, 8 OC; 11 months: 7 normal, 6 OC). Subsequently, overall MMP activity was measured. RESULTS: The level of active MMPs was almost twofold higher in SF from juvenile horses (age up to 11 months) than in SF from mature animals (4-30 years; p < 0.001). In juvenile horses MMP activity was higher in 5 month old foals than in 11 month old foals (p < 0.01). In adult horses MMP activity was independent of age. In OA joints the activity was nearly twice as high as in normal joints (p < 0.001). In OC joints MMP activity was not significantly different from normal, age matched, control joints. CONCLUSIONS: MMP activity in SF from normal adult joints is not related to age. In juvenile joints MMP activity is significantly higher than activity in joints from adult animals. It is hypothesised that the gradual decrease in MMP activity with increasing age reflects the declining metabolic activity resulting from ceasing growth and the accompanying decrease in cartilage remodelling. The increased MMP activity in osteoarthritis joints most likely reflects matrix destruction. In osteochondrosis MMP mediated matrix degradation appears not to be different from normal joints.

Age Factors↗

Doxycycline inhibits collagen synthesis by differentiated articular chondrocytes.

Doxycycline (DOX) profoundly inhibited collagen synthesis by differentiated articular chondrocytes. At 25 microM, the rate of collagen synthesis was suppressed by more than 50% without affecting cell proliferation (DNA levels) and general protein synthesis (35S-Met and 35S-Cys incorporation). Steady-state mRNA levels of type II collagen were also reduced, indicating that DOX may have an effect at the transcriptional level of type II collagen. The IC50 value of DOX to downregulate collagen synthesis (17 microM) is close to DOX levels attained in vivo (< 10 microM), and it is more than ten-fold lower than the IC50 values to inhibit the activity of most matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). As such, these findings support the hypothesis that the reduced severity of OA observed in the dog anterior cruciate ligament model resulting from prophylactic treatment with DOX may involve mechanisms other than MMP inhibition alone. Our findings suggest that prevention of changes in the chondrocyte phenotype may be involved in the beneficial effect of doxycycline in experimental osteoarthritis, for differentiated chondrocytes in early stages of osteoarthritis exhibit elevated collagen synthesis.

Animals↗

Distinct associations of HbA1c and the urinary excretion of pentosidine, an advanced glycosylation end-product, with markers of endothelial function in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is considered an early step in the development of diabetic angiopathy. Hyperglycaemia results in endothelial dysfunction, both through direct effects of glucose and through formation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs). We hypothesized that the effects of glucose and AGEs on endothelial function in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are distinct and are reflected by distinct plasma markers of endothelial function. We therefore measured plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble (s) E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and evaluated the relationship with HbA1c and urinary excretion of pentosidine, an AGE product, in 56 patients with IDDM. Urinary pentosidine excretion was higher in the diabetic than in a control group (n = 60) of similar age (P < 0.0001) and showed a steeper increase with age (P < 0.02 vs controls). In the diabetic group, sE-selectin was correlated to HbA1c (r = 0.52, P < 0.0001), whereas sVCAM-1 was not (r = 0.11, P = 0.47). In contrast, sVCAM-1 showed a trend towards a correlation with log (pentosidine excretion) (r = 0.27, P = 0.06), whereas sE-selectin did not (r = -0.16, P = 0.27). Log(vWF) was correlated to HbA1c (r = 0.50, P < 0.0001) and tended to correlate with log (pentosidine excretion) (r = 0.25, P = 0.07). Multivariate analyses with both pentosidine and HbA1c as independent variables showed significant associations of sE-selectin with HbA1c, of sVCAM-1 with pentosidine, and of log(vWF) with both HbA1c and pentosidine (all P-values < 0.02). Our results imply that the effects of glucose and AGEs on the endothelium can be reflected by distinct endothelial markers. Plasma sE-selectin may reflect short-term effects of glucose on the endothelium, sVCAM-1 the effects of AGEs, and vWF the combined effect of glucose and AGEs.

Adult↗

Sensitive fluorimetric quantitation of pyridinium and pentosidine crosslinks in biological samples in a single high-performance liquid chromatographic run.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for pyridinium crosslinks and pentosidine in mature collagen of a wide variety of connective tissue hydrolysates by a simple two-step isocratic assay using a reversed-phase column. The crosslinks (including the internal standard pyridoxine) were optimally detected by their native fluorescence by switching wavelengths of the detector during the assay. The method resulted in highly sensitive and accurate measurements, without need for precleaning of the samples: crosslink levels in 200 microm thin slices of the various zones of articular cartilage were easily quantified. The detection limit was as low as 0.4 pmol for the pyridinolines and 0.05 pmol for pentosidine. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were as low as 2% (pyridinolines) and 5% (pentosidine); calibration curves for all compounds were linear over a concentration range larger than two orders of magnitude. With our chromatographic system, the diglycosylated form of hydroxylysylpyridinoline in unhydrolyzed urine was separated as well.

Adolescent↗

Pre-column derivatisation method for the measurement of glycosylated hydroxylysines of collagenous proteins.

Measurement of the glycosylated hydroxylysines galactosyl- and glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine (GH and GGH) in combination with other amino acids has been based on ion-exchange chromatography followed by reaction with ninhydrin. Here, a rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorimetric detection has been developed and employed to determine the glycosylated hydroxylysine residues in alkaline collagen hydrolysates. After hydrolysis, amino acids were derivatised with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and separated on a Micropak ODS-80TM reversed-phase column (150x4.6 mm). With a multistep gradient system all amino acids were separated in less than 30 min, including the collagen-specific hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline and the glycosylated hydroxylysines. The method was used to evaluate the glycosylation levels of human articular cartilage derived from femoral head, femoral condyle, tibial plateau and ankle. GGH was highest in cartilage from femoral head and ankle; GH showed no differences between the different sources of cartilage.

Animals↗

Highly increased levels of active stromelysin in rheumatoid synovial fluid determined by a selective fluorogenic assay.

Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) is an important member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. In joint-degrading diseases like arthritis, elevated levels of MMP-3 protein are detected in synovial fluid using immunological methods. However, these methods do not discriminate between active and inactive enzyme. In the present study, a specific stromelysin activity assay was developed using the selective fluorogenic substrate TNO003 (Dabcyl-Gaba-Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Val-Glu / Nva-Trp-Arg-Glu-(EDANS)-Ala-Lys-NH2, / =cleavage site). For its use in biological media, cleavage of TNO003 by enzymes other than stromelysin was effectively blocked by a proteinase inhibitor cocktail. Spiking of MMP-3 to synovial fluid resulted in an MMP-3 concentration-dependent linear increase in activity. The measured MMP-3 activity was not affected by the addition of MMP-13, even in a 5-fold excess over MMP-3. Synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients demonstrated 100-fold higher levels of active stromelysin than control synovial fluids.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Synthesis of collagen by bovine chondrocytes cultured in alginate; posttranslational modifications and cell-matrix interaction.

The extracellular matrix synthesized by articular chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads was investigated. Collagen levels increased sigmoidally with time and remained constant after 2 weeks of culture. The presence of cartilage-specific type II collagen was confirmed immunohistochemically. Predominantly type II collagen was present in the alginate bead, as reflected by the unique extent of lysyl hydroxylation, glycosylation, and pyridinoline crosslink formation measured. Collagen crosslinks, predominantly hydroxylysylpyridinoline (> 93%), were observed after 7 to 11 days of culture and their formation was effectively blocked by beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN). Unexpectedly, BAPN treatment resulted in a 100% increase of collagen levels, without influencing cell proliferation and proteoglycan levels. In control cultures 90% of the synthesized collagen was retained in the cell-associated matrix, while in BAPN-treated cultures half of the collagen was found in the interterritorial matrix compartment further removed from the cells. This suggests that impaired crosslinking of collagen interferes with pericellular collagen deposition, causing upregulation of collagen synthesis by impaired cell-matrix interactions. Integrins are likely to be involved in this feedback inhibition by extracellular collagen since the cyclic RGD-containing peptide CGRGDSPC downregulated collagen synthesis by 37%.

Alginates↗

Doxyclycline inhibits collagen synthesis by bovine chondrocytes cultured in alginate.

Doxycycline is known for its ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of enzymes that play a role in cartilage breakdown in arthritides. Its prophylactic effect in reducing joint degradation in osteoarthritis is mainly attributed to this property. In this study, we show that doxycycline exhibits a profound inhibition of collagen synthesis by bovine articular chondrocytes cultured in alginate. At 25 microM doxycycline, collagen synthesis was decreased by 50%; no effect on cell proliferation (DNA levels) or general protein synthesis (35S-Met and 35S-Cys incorporation) was observed. Messenger RNA levels of type II collagen were also reduced, indicating an effect of doxycycline at the transcriptional level. The concentration of doxycycline needed to downregulate collagen synthesis was > 10-fold lower than that needed to inhibit most of the MMPs. Inasmuch as differentiated chondrocytes in the early stages of osteoarthritis exhibit increased collagen synthesis, the beneficial effect of doxycycline in vivo may involve prevention of changes in chondrocyte phenotype.

Alginates↗

No therapeutic effect of plasmin antagonist tranexamic acid in rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effects of plasmin antagonist tranexamic acid (TEA) on urinary pyridinoline excretion rates were investigated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: The study was set up as a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. Ten patients received tranexamic acid and 9 received placebo for 12 weeks. Urinary excretion rates of hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) and lysylpyridinoline (LP) were used as molecular markers of articular cartilage and bone degradation. In addition, clinical parameters of disease activity were assessed and CRP levels were measured. RESULTS: Treatment with TEA did not reduce pyridinoline excretion, nor was any effect observed on clinical parameters of disease activity or on CRP levels. CONCLUSION: The results of the present pilot study show no beneficial effect of TEA as adjuvant therapy in RA patients with respect to joint destruction or disease activity.

Amino Acids↗

Active MMPs captured by alpha 2 macroglobulin as a marker of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze alpha 2 Macroglobulin/MMP (alpha 2M/MMP) complex formation and to investigate whether MMP activity in alpha 2M/MMP complexes in serum can be used as a disease marker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: High and low molecular weight (H/LMW) substrates and inhibitors and size exclusion were used to analyze alpha 2M/MMP complex formation. LMW fluorogenic substrates were used to quantify the level of MMPs in alpha 2M/MMP complexes in the serum of RA patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: Active MMPs were fully inhibited by LMW inhibitor BB94 in the presence of alpha 2M, whereas no inhibition was achieved by HMW inhibitor TIMP-1. Size exclusion analysis showed alpha 2M/MMP complex formation in buffer and in normal plasma spiked with activated MMPs, which indicated alpha 2M/MMP complex formation in the systemic circulation. MMP activity in alpha 2M/MMP complexes in the serum of RA patients was significantly higher than in the serum of healthy controls (P < 0.001). MMP activity levels in the serum of RA patients were correlated with ESR (r = 0.72, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the systemic circulation of RA patients, active MMPs form complexes with alpha 2M and can be detected using LMW fluorogenic substrates. MMP activity measurements in serum allow discrimination between RA patients and healthy controls and provide a new tool for the assessment of the disease process in RA.

Adult↗