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The effect of superoxide anion in the production of seven major cholesterol oxidation products in aptoric and protic conditions.

The reaction of cholesterol with superoxide anion was investigated in aprotic (dry) and in protic (aqueous) conditions. Superoxide anion was produced by electro-chemical reduction of molecular oxygen in a solution of 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium bromide in acetonitrile. The cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products, 7-ketocholesterol, 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography using a mu-Porasil normal phase column and a UV detector. Cholesterol triol, 5 alpha and 5 beta cholesterol epoxides were measured by capillary gas chromatography. None of these cholesterol oxidation products was detected from the reaction of cholesterol with superoxide anion in aprotic conditions. This indicates that cholesterol was not oxidized by direct attack of superoxide anion. When 4% water (v/v) was added to the aprotic reaction mixture, to induce the dismutation of superoxide anions and the production of hydroxy free radicals, it was found that cholesterol was not oxidized by the active oxygen species thus produced. The effects of hydrogen peroxide, on the reaction of cholesterol with superoxide anion in the protic condition was also investigated. When hydrogen peroxide was added to superoxide anion in aqueous solution, only 7-ketocholesterol, 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol were formed from cholesterol.

Cholesterol↗

Comparison of pregnenolone synthesis by cytochrome P-450scc in mitochondria from porcine corpora lutea and granulosa cells of follicles.

Substrate turnover rates by cytochrome P-450scc were measured in mitochondria isolated from corpora lutea and granulosa cells of follicles. Hydroxycholesterol substrates were added to the mitochondria to test the degree of saturation of the cytochrome with endogenous cholesterol during pregnenolone synthesis. 25-Hydroxycholesterol proved unsuitable for this since it was converted into pregnenolone with a maximum velocity of only 25% of that for cholesterol. 20 alpha-Hydroxycholesterol was found to be suitable providing correction was made for the one less hydroxylation required to convert this substrate into pregnenolone, compared to cholesterol. Mitochondria isolated from large follicles and corpora lutea displayed biphasic time courses for pregnenolone synthesis from endogenous cholesterol with a rapid phase lasting for 2-4 min and a slow phase which was linear for at least 30 min. Only a single rapid phase was observed for these mitochondria in the presence of 20 alpha-hydroxycholesterol. From the degree of stimulation of the substrate turnover rate by this steroid, it was concluded that the endogenous cholesterol concentration was saturating during the fast phase for large follicles but subsaturating in luteal mitochondria. Time courses for pregnenolone synthesis by mitochondria isolated from granulosa cells of small and medium follicles were linear for 30 min and gave a substrate turnover rate of 16-18 mol of steroid/min/mol of cytochrome P-450scc, similar to the turnover rates under saturating substrate conditions determined for large follicles and corpora lutea. The substrate turnover rate for cytochrome P-450scc in medium follicles was not increased by the addition of 20 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, indicating that the cholesterol concentration in the steroidogenic pool of these mitochondria was saturating and remained so over the 30-min duration of the incubation. It is therefore unlikely that gonadotropin stimulation of granulosa cells of small to medium follicles could acutely regulate pregnenolone synthesis by increasing the rate of transfer of cholesterol into a steroidogenic pool. This study shows that as the cytochrome P-450scc concentration in porcine ovarian mitochondria increases during follicular growth and luteinization there is a decrease in the fractional saturation of the cytochrome with cholesterol.

Animals↗

Regulation of cholesterol synthesis in primary rat hepatocyte culture cells. Possible regulatory site at sterol demethylation.

Primary rat hepatocyte culture cells were used to study the acute regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity in response to 25-hydroxycholesterol, 3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-cholestantriol, and mevalonolactone. All three effectors caused a rapid suppression of HMG-CoA reductase activity. 25-Hydroxycholesterol also caused an increase in the ratio of newly synthesized methyl sterols to newly synthesized C27-sterols. Furthermore, in 25-hydroxycholesterol-treated cells, the relative contribution of delta 24-sterol precursors to the nonsaponifiable lipid fraction increased. Di- and trimethyl-diene sterols were the dominant methyl sterols synthesized in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. 3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-Cholestrantriol (50 microM) also caused a very strong (97%) suppression of sterol demethylation; 4,4-dimethylmonoene sterols were more prominent (23%) in cells treated with 3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-cholestrantriol, than in cells treated with 25-hydroxycholesterol (2%). The rates of both unesterified and esterified sterol synthesis increased as a function of exogenous mevalonolactone concentration. C27-sterol synthesis was saturated at a concentration of (R)-mevalonolactone which produced only a 33% suppression of HMG-CoA reductase activity. However, there was a direct relationship between the accumulation of methyl sterols and the decrease in HMG-CoA reductase activity. With the aid of triparanol, it was demonstrated that the suppression of HMG-CoA reductase activity by mevalonolactone was linked with the ability of the cells to convert squalene-2,3-epoxide into sterols. The results described in the present article support an important and perhaps necessary relationship between the rate of methyl sterol conversion of C27-sterols and the suppression or inhibition of HMG-Coa reductase in primary hepatocyte culture cells.

Acetates↗

Roles of multiple oxidized LDL lipids in cellular injury: dominance of 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol.

The relative toxicities of several lipid oxidation products formed on oxidized LDL, their presence on oxidized LDL, and potential mechanisms of cell injury compared to oxidized LDL were examined. Toxicities to fibroblasts, with lipoprotein-deficient serum supplementation, were: 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol > 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol = 4-hydroxynonenal > 7-ketocholesterol > 5 alpha, 6 alpha-epoxycholesterol. Lysophosphatidylcholine was only significantly cytotoxic in the absence of lipoprotein-deficient serum. Without serum, relative toxicities were: 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol > lysophosphatidylcholine > 4-hydroxynonenal > 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol. Similar relative potencies were observed in smooth muscle and endothelial cell cultures. 7 beta-Hydroperoxycholesterol accumulated on oxidized LDL to greater amounts than other oxysterols and 4-hydroxynonenal, but less than lysophosphatidylcholine. Cell injury by 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol and oxidized LDL was inhibitable by antioxidants but not by exogenous cholesterol or cycloheximide. In contrast, a) toxicities by 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 5 alpha, 6 alpha-epoxycholesterol, and 4-hydroxynonenal were not inhibited by antioxidants; b) 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol and lysophosphatidylcholine toxicities were inhibited by exogenous cholesterol; and c) 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol toxicity was inhibited by cycloheximide. Injury by lysophosphatidylcholine was reduced by vitamin E and not affected by altering the cellular exposure to selenium; reduced selenium enhanced toxicity by oxidized LDL and 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol. The high relative toxicity of 7 beta-hydroperoxycholesterol, the level of its accumulation on oxidized LDL, and its mechanism of action similar to oxidized LDL suggest that it is the compound predominantly responsible for oxidized LDL induced cytotoxicity.

Cells, Cultured↗

Cholesterol oxides as biomarkers of oxidative stress in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formation of cholesterol oxides (ChOx) as biomarkers of oxidative stress in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes. METHODS: Blood plasma levels of cholesterol oxidation products were determined in the following groups: type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), type 2 diabetes (DM2), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), children without diabetes (C1) and adults without diabetes (C2). The serum levels of cholest-5-ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol (7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7alpha-OH), cholest-5-ene-3beta,7beta-diol (7beta-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-OH), 3beta-hydroxycholest-5-7-one (7-ketocholesterol, 7-K), 5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol (cholestanetriol), 5,6alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (cholesterol-5alpha,6alpha-epoxide,), 5,6beta-epoxy-5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol (cholesterol-5beta,6beta-epoxide) and cholest-5-eno-3beta,25-diol (25-hydroxycholesterol, 25-OH) (trivial name and abbreviations indicated in parentheses) were quantified by gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. RESULTS: The levels of total ChOx were elevated in the DM1 and DM2 groups compared to age-matched subjects without diabetes (p < 0.05). The concentrations of 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, cholesterol-alpha-epoxide and cholesterol-beta-epoxide were higher in the blood plasma of subjects in the DM2 group than in the blood plasma of subjects in the C2 and IGT groups (p < 0.05). Treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with oral hypoglycemic drugs associated with insulin resulted in lower concentrations of nitrotyrosine in the blood plasma without significant changes in the concentrations of glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Moreover, combination with statins in both treatments decreased the concentrations of ChOx. CONCLUSIONS: ChOx are suitable biomarkers of oxidative stress and may be useful in clinical studies to follow drug effects on lipid oxidative modifications in diabetic patients.

Adolescent↗

Inhibition of squalene synthase but not squalene cyclase prevents mevalonate-mediated suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase synthesis at a posttranscriptional level.

Previously, we found that mevalonate-derived products together with an oxysterol regulated reductase synthesis at a posttranscriptional level. To determine which products were responsible for this regulation, either the squalene synthase inhibitor zaragozic acid A or the squalene cyclase inhibitor 4,4,10-beta-trimethyl-trans-decal-3beta-ol (TMD) was added to lovastatin-treated Syrian hamster cells in conjunction with mevalonate. Mevalonate alone decreased reductase synthesis 50% compared with lovastatin-treated cells. In contrast, when both zaragozic acid A and mevalonate were added to lovastatin-treated cells, there was no change in reductase synthesis. With either treatment, reductase mRNA levels did not change compared with lovastatin-treated cells. When both 25-hydroxycholesterol and mevalonate were added to lovastatin-treated cells, reductase synthesis and mRNA levels were decreased 95 and 50%, respectively. The 10-fold difference between changes in reductase synthesis and mRNA levels under these conditions reflects a specific effect of mevalonate-derived isoprenoids on reductase synthesis at the translational level. In contrast, coincubation of cells with mevalonate plus 25-hydroxycholesterol in the presence of zaragozic acid decreased reductase synthesis and mRNA levels 60 and 50%, respectively, compared with lovastatin-treated cells. Moreover, degradation of reductase was increased approximately 7-fold in cells treated with mevalonate alone but only 3-fold in cells treated with mevalonate and zaragozic acid A. These results indicate that isoprenoid products between mevalonate and squalene affect reductase at a posttranslational level by increasing degradation but do not regulate reductase synthesis at a posttranscriptional level. In contrast, when both TMD and mevalonate were added to lovastatin-treated cells, reductase synthesis was decreased approximately 50% with no corresponding decrease in reductase mRNA levels, similar to mevalonate only. Reductase degradation was increased approximately 7-fold under these conditions. Cellular incubation in TMD, mevalonate, and 25-hydroxycholesterol decreased reductase synthesis and mRNA levels 95 and 50%, respectively. From these results we concluded that mevalonate-derived nonsterols synthesized between squalene and lanosterol decrease reductase synthesis at a translational level-either alone or in combination with 25-hydroxycholesterol-and also increase reductase degradation.

Animals↗

Oxysterols induced apoptosis in cultured smooth muscle cells through CPP32 protease activation and bcl-2 protein downregulation.

Previously we have shown that oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and that this apoptosis contributed to oxysterol, 7-ketocholesterol. The aim in this present study was to identify the mechanism by which oxysterols induced apoptosis in VSMCs. We show that both 7-ketocholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol induced apoptosis, followed by a rapid decrease in bcl-2 protein in the cells. CPP32/Yamma inhibitor prevented apoptosis induced by 7-ketocholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol in VSMCs, whereas the exogenous cholesterol, which itself did not have any apoptotic activity, inhibited 25-hydroxycholesterol induced apoptosis but the 7-ketocholesterol-induced apoptosis was not affected. These results suggest that 25-hydroxycholesterol induced-apoptosis occurs by a different mechanism than 7-ketocholesterol induced-apoptosis.

Animals↗

The mevalonate/isoprenoid pathway inhibitor apomine (SR-45023A) is antiproliferative and induces apoptosis similar to farnesol.

Apomine (SR-45023A) is a new antineoplastic compound which is currently in clinical trials and representative of the family of cholesterol synthesis inhibitors 1,1-bisphosphonate esters. Apomine inhibits growth of a wide variety of tumor cell lines with IC(50) values ranging from 5 to 14 microM. The antiproliferative activity of apomine was studied in comparison with that of other inhibitors of the mevalonate/isoprenoid pathway of cholesterol synthesis, simvastatin, farnesol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol. All these compounds inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity. Apomine (IC(50) = 14 microM), simvastatin (IC(50) = 3 microM), farnesol (IC(50) = 60 microM), and 25-hydroxycholesterol (IC(50) = 2 microM) inhibited HL60 cell growth. Growth inhibition due to simvastatin was reverted by mevalonate, whereas the antiproliferative activity of apomine, farnesol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol was not. Apomine triggered apoptosis in HL60 cells in less than 2 h. Apomine and farnesol induced caspase-3 activity at concentrations similar to their IC(50) values for cell proliferation, whereas a 10-fold excess of simvastatin was necessary to trigger apoptosis compared to its potency on proliferation. Caspase-3 activity was not induced by 25-hydroxycholesterol. The overall similar profile on mevalonate synthesis inhibition, cell growth inhibition, and apoptosis suggests that apomine acts as a synthetic mimetic of farnesol.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Effects of cholesterol oxidation derivatives on cholesterol esterifying and cholesteryl ester hydrolytic enzyme activity of cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.

The effects of 5 micrograms/ml of 25-hydroxycholesterol; cholestane-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol; and cholesterol on acyl CoA cholesterol acyltransferase, acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase and neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase was studied in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells. After 1 hour incubation, 25-hydroxycholesterol resulted in a fourfold stimulation of acyl CoA cholesterol acyltransferase activity. No stimulation by 25-hydroxycholesterol was noted before 15 minutes or after 5 hours of incubation. Neither cholestane-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol nor cholesterol influenced acyl CoA cholesterol acyltransferase activity at any time interval. No significant effects of any of the sterols were noted on acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase or neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity. The imbalance between acyl CoA cholesterol acyl transferase and hydrolase activities induced by 25-hydroxycholesterol could result in cholesteryl ester accumulation by arterial smooth muscle cells, which may be associated with atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Sterol-mediated suppression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels in cultured cells requires protein synthesis.

The mRNA levels for HMG-CoA reductase were measured in Chinese hamster lung Dede cells or ovary CHO cells by Northern blot analysis. It was observed that 25-hydroxycholesterol decreased the level of reductase mRNA by 40 to 70% in a 6 hour treatment. Inclusion of cycloheximide in the culture prevented the decrease observed with 25-hydroxycholesterol alone. Pretreatment of cells with 25-hydroxycholesterol for 6 hours prior to cycloheximide addition reveals that the protein synthesis inhibitor can return the suppressed levels of reductase mRNA back to control levels. Thus, protein synthesis is required for 25-hydroxycholesterol dependent suppression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA.

Animals↗

Influence of lipid environment on insulin binding in cultured hepatoma cells.

The influence of alterations of plasma membrane physico-chemical properties on insulin binding have been characterized in an insulin-sensitive rat hepatoma cell line adapted to grow for several generations in culture medium enriched with linoleic acid (18:2) or with 25-hydroxycholesterol. The cells took up 18:2 and 25-hydroxycholesterol added to the culture medium, without exhibiting any sign of intolerance or intoxication. These compounds respectively increased and decreased membrane fluidity at 37 degrees C. The cells demonstrated extensive changes in insulin binding parameters in response to experimental modifications of their membrane lipid composition. When determined at 4 degrees C, insulin receptors were present in the control cells at 136,000 sites/cell but this fell to 111,000 (P less than 0.05) in cells enriched in 18:2, and rose to 176,000 (P less than 0.001) in hydroxysterol-grown cells. According to a two-site model, the main effect of 18:2 was a significant increase of the number of high-affinity sites with a concomitant decrease of low-affinity sites. The hydroxysterol had the opposite effects on these parameters. The high-affinity insulin binding capacity of the hepatoma cells was affected by lipid supplementation in a similar way, whether it was determined at 4 degrees C or at 37 degrees C. Assuming a negative cooperativity model, 18:2 enhanced the degree of negative cooperativity among the sites, while 25-hydroxycholesterol reduced it. The time-course of insulin-induced receptor down-regulation was accelerated in the cells enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids, but reduced in cells exposed to 25-hydroxycholesterol. These insulin-binding alterations cannot be directly related to modifications of cellular growth rate, receptor internalization or membrane fluidity per se, and are discussed as being more likely due to membrane lipid composition than to overall cell metabolism modifications.

Animals↗

Modifications of cellular lipids induce insulin resistance in cultured hepatoma cells.

We altered the cellular lipid composition of an insulin sensitive rat hepatoma cell line through supplementation of the culture medium with linoleic acid (18:2) or 25-hydroxycholesterol, and we studied the effects on insulin stimulation of aminoacid transport system A and glycogen synthesis. The basal rate of sodium-dependent aminoisobutyric acid uptake was slightly reduced in hydroxysterol-treated cells and increased in 18:2-enriched cells. Maximal insulin stimulation of transport was decreased by about 40% in both 18:2 and 25-hydroxycholesterol modified cells, as compared to control cells. In addition to reduced responsiveness, the hydroxysterol-treated cells also showed a diminished sensitivity to insulin, as revealed by a right-shift of the dose-response curve leading to a ED50 of 1.2 X 10(-8) M (P less than 0.02), as compared to 2.45 X 10(-9) M in control cells and 2.13 X 10(-9) M in 18:2 enriched cells. Concerning glycogen synthesis, the basal rate was unaffected by 25-hydroxycholesterol supplementation and slightly reduced in cells enriched in 18:2. Maximal insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis was reduced by about 40% in both types of lipid modified cells. 25-Hydroxycholesterol again provoked a decrease in sensitivity to insulin: the ED50 was enhanced to 4.9 X 10(-9) M (P less than 0.05), as compared to 1.25 X 10(-9) M in control cells and 1.57 X 10(-9) M in 18:2-supplemented cells. Taken together with the previously reported changes of insulin binding to lipid modified hepatoma cells (Bruneau et al. (1987) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 928, 287-296) our results demonstrate an influence of alterations of the cellular lipid composition on both binding and biological actions of insulin, leading to an insulin-resistant state. Divergences between insulin binding and action were obtained and it was suggested that post-binding events may be responsible for the observed changes. Our findings may be relevant to experimental and clinical states of insulin resistance.

Amino Acids↗

Steroidogenic properties of isolated turkey adrenocortical cells.

Some functional properties of highly enriched turkey poult adrenocortical cells were characterized. Cells were incubated with various mammalian and avian ACTH analogues, 8-Br-cAMP, and 25-hydroxycholesterol for 2 hr. Corticosterone production and, where appropriate, cyclic AMP (cAMP) production were measured by radioimmunoassay. Human ACTH-(1-24) was the most efficacious and potent ACTH analogue for stimulating corticosterone and cAMP production, whereas turkey ACTH-(1-39) was among the least efficacious and least potent analogues. Maximal corticosterone production induced by 8-Br-cAMP and supported by 25-hydroxycholesterol was 67-109% greater than that induced by ACTH analogues. The data suggest that intracellular concentrations of cAMP-dependent factors and steroidogenic enzymes exceed those which are accessible to ACTH-activated cellular processes. In addition, there were sex-dependent contrasts in some functional parameters, despite the immature status of the birds. Basal corticosterone production of female cells was 19% greater than that of male cells, albeit maximal ACTH analogue-induced corticosterone production was not different between male and female cells. In contrast, maximal 8-Br-cAMP-induced and 25-hydroxycholesterol-supported corticosterone production of male cells were, respectively, 72 and 45% greater than that of female cells, thus suggesting greater intracellular concentrations of protein kinase A-dependent factors and steroidogenic enzymes in male cells compared to female cells. However, maximal ACTH-induced cAMP production of female cells was 21% greater than those of male cells, thus suggesting a compensatory mechanism in female cells. In addition, there were sex-dependent differences in sensitivity to ACTH as indicated by corticosterone and cAMP responses to ACTH analogues: sensitivity to ACTH as indicated by corticosterone and cAMP responses to ACTH analogues: sensitivity of male cells was 1.2-3.2 times that of female cells. A sex-dependent difference in ACTH-cell interaction, possibly including ACTH receptors, is implicated since there were no sex differences in cellular sensitivities to 8-Br-cAMP and 25-hydroxycholesterol. These data indicate that the turkey adrenal gland is amenable for the preparation of isolated adrenocortical cells that have functional integrity. Thus, turkey adrenocortical cells expand the in vitro repertoire for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of avian adrenocortical function.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Catalytic properties of cytochrome P-450scc from bovine and porcine adrenocortical mitochondria: effect of Tween20 concentration.

Cholesterol side-chain cleavage activities of cytochrome P-450ssc purified from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria were measured for various substrates, including cholesterol, 20[S]-hydroxycholesterol, 22[R]-hydroxycholesterol and 20[R], 22[R]-dihydroxycholesterol, in the reconstituted enzyme system at various Tween20 concentrations. The side-chain cleavage activity for cholesterol showed more than 10-fold enhancement upon addition of 0.1% Tween20, compared with that without the detergent. Addition of Tween20 did not cause any enhancement of the side-chain cleavage activities for 20[S]-hydroxycholesterol and 22[R]-hydroxycholesterol; rather, it resulted in an inhibition of the activities. The side-chain cleavage activity for 20[R],22[R]-dihydroxycholesterol showed a very high value even without the detergent. As the stimulatory effect of Tween20 was only specific for cholesterol, Tween20 seemed to enhance the rate of access of cholesterol to cytochrome P-450scc. These results are consistent with the suggestion that a transfer of substrate, cholesterol, in mitochondrial inner membrane, to the substrate-binding site of cytochrome P-450scc is the rate-limiting step in the cholesterol side-chain cleavage reaction.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Oxysterol sensitive and resistant lymphoid cells: correlation with regulation of cellular nucleic acid binding protein mRNA.

Oxygenated derivatives of cholesterol inhibit cholesterol synthesis, prevent lymphoid cell growth, and evoke cell death. We have employed a novel selection method to isolate M10 cells, a line of oxysterol-resistant cells, from the sensitive clone CEM C7. Concentrations of the potent sterol 25-hydroxycholesterol that occupy the oxysterol binding protein cause cell death in CEM C7, but not in M10 cells. Both cell lines have similar amounts of the oxysterol binding protein with similar affinities for oxysterol. However, in neither line are the levels of oxysterol binding protein mRNA affected by 1 microM 25-hydroxycholesterol. Furthermore, both cells express the cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP), a 7 zinc finger, DNA-binding protein of unknown function, regulated by oxysterols. The levels of CNBP mRNA are significantly reduced by 25-hydroxycholesterol in the sensitive CEM C7 cells, in which the dose response and time course are consistent with occupancy of the oxysterol binding protein by oxysterol and with subsequent cell kill. However, in the resistant M10 cells, CNBP mRNA levels are unaffected by these concentrations of the 25-hydroxycholesterol. Our results suggest a role for CNBP in oxysterol-induced regulation of cell viability and growth.

Cell Death↗

Kaempferol inhibits apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle induced by a component of oxidized LDL.

Antioxidants such as flavonoids afford protection against oxysterols-induced toxicity. We have investigated the effect of kaempferol and rutin, active components of red wine, in the apoptosis induced by 7beta-hydroxycholesterol in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. 7beta-Hydroxycholesterol induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle which include BcL-x(L) degradation, caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. The apoptosis induced by 7beta-hydroxycholesterol was prevented by pretreatment with kaempferol (10-30 microM), but not with rutin. Interestingly preincubation with the estrogen receptor alpha antagonist ICI 182,780 (1 microM) prior to kaempferol partially reverted the antiapoptotic effect of this flavonoid on caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation induced by 7beta-hydroxycholesterol. In conclusion, the flavonoid kaempferol, unlike rutin, diminished the apoptosis induced by a component of oxidized low-density lipproteins (oxLDL). This effect was partially mediated by the estrogen receptor alpha.

Animals↗

Cholesterol oxides mediated changes in cytoskeletal organisation involves Rho GTPases.

The small GTPases Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 regulate the actin cytoskeleton in all eukaryotic cells. In this study we have evaluated the effect of cholesterol oxides (7-ketocholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol) on cell migration, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal organisation of lens epithelial cells (LEC). Effects of cholesterol oxides on cytoskeleton were evaluated by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The 7-ketocholesterol induced cell arborisation, with bundling of vimentin and tubulin in the cell processes and formation of filopodia and stress fibres. Cells treated with 25-hydroxycholesterol showed a collapse of vimentin filaments towards the nucleus and formation of lamellipodia. In addition, cells treated with 7-ketocholesterol or 25-hydroxycholesterol showed decreased migration. The effects of cholesterol oxides on cytoskeletal proteins involve the activation of the small GTPases Rho, Rac, and Cdc42. Indeed, formation of both filopodia and stress fibres induced by 7-ketocholesterol is inhibited by overexpressing dominant negatives forms of Cdc42 and RhoA, respectively. Similarly, the collapse of vimentin intermediate filament network and the formation of lamellipodia, induced by 25-hydroxycholesterol, is inhibited by overexpressing dominant negatives forms of Rac1. The effects of cholesterol oxides described in this study for LEC are also observed for at least two other cell lines (H36CE and U373), suggesting that this may represent a general mechanism whereby cholesterol oxides induces cytoskeletal disorganisation.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Inhibition of phosphorylation of the oxysterol binding protein by brefeldin A.

Oxysterol binding protein (OSBP), a high affinity receptor for 25-hydroxycholesterol that localizes to a Golgi/vesicular compartment, migrated on SDS-PAGE as a doublet of 96 and 101 kDa. The reduced mobility of the upper band of this doublet is the result of phosphorylation on multiple serine residues. Phosphorylation of rabbit OSBP stably overexpressed in CHO-K1 cells was altered by staurosporine and okadaic acid, while other protein kinase activators and inhibitors such as TPA, sphingosine and bis-indolylmaleimide were without affect. Treatment of overexpressing and control cells with brefeldin A (BFA) caused dephosphorylation of OSBP that coincided with disruption of the Golgi apparatus. [32P]Phosphate pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation experiments showed that BFA inhibited phosphorylation of OSBP, but not its rate of dephosphorylation. Phosphopeptide maps of OSBP from overexpressing and control CHO-K1 cells were similar, and BFA promoted dephosphorylation of all five peptides. Compared to overexpressing cells, one tryptic phosphopeptide was more abundant in control CHO-K1 cells and was preferentially dephosphorylated by BFA treatment. OSBP was phosphorylated in vitro by the Golgi enriched fraction of CHO-K1 cells or rat liver by a staurosporine- and BFA-insensitive kinase. The phosphorylation status of OSBP was not affected by 25-hydroxycholesterol and did not alter in vitro 25-[3H]hydroxycholesterol binding. Furthermore, dephosphorylation of OSBP by staurosporine did not affect 25-hydroxycholesterol-mediated localization to the Golgi apparatus. Rapid phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of OSBP requires interaction with the Golgi apparatus and an associated kinase. (c) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Animals↗