Serum elastin-derived peptides and anti-elastin antibody in patients with systemic sclerosis

The elastin metabolism in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been known to be abnormal. The authors investigated relationship between the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and serum levels of soluble elastin-derived peptide (S-EDP) and anti-elastin antibodies. Serum samples were obtained from 79 patients with SSc and 79 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Concentrations of serum S-EDP and anti-elastin antibodies were measured by ELISA. The serum concentrations of S-EDP in SSc patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (median, 144.44 ng/mL vs 79.59 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum EDP concentrations were found to be correlated with disease duration in SSc (P = 0.002) and particularly in diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = 0.005). Levels of anti-elastin antibodies were found to be more elevated in SSc patients than in healthy controls (median, 0.222 U vs 0.191 U, P = 0.049), more increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc than limited cutaneous SSc (median, 0.368 U vs 0.204 U, P = 0.031). In addition, levels of anti-elastin antibodies were also found to be negatively associated with presence of anti-centromere antibody (P = 0.023). The S-EDP levels were not found to be correlated with levels of anti-elastin antibodies. The increased S-EDP and anti-elastin antibody levels and association with clinical and laboratory characteristics may reflect the abnormal metabolism in SSc.     

The role of elastin peptides in modulating the immune response in aging and age-related diseases

It is now well accepted that aging is associated with the occurrence of a low-grade inflammation called Inflamm-aging. This leads to the imbalance between the various mediators of the inflammatory response in favour of the pro-inflammatory response represented by pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. The question that arises, and is still under investigation, what is the origin of the driving force leading to these changes. One of the current hypotheses is that chronic stimulation of the immune system contributes to the pro-inflammatory shift. The chronic stimulation can be of viral origin such as cytomegalovirus, from tumor antigens or from other sources such as the extracellular matrix, especially from elastin fibres and collagens. Aging and various inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), cancer and type 2 diabetes are characterized by the destruction of elastin fibers and the consequent generation of elastin peptides which are biologically active. This review will describe the putative contribution of elastin peptides to inflamm-aging and extend on their role on immunosenescence, as well as on age-associated chronic inflammatory diseases.     

Analysis of the molecular mobility of collagen and elastin in safe, atheromatous and aneurysmal aortas

Aim of the study

In this study, we propose to use a thermal technique, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to follow the evolution of elastin and collagen in safe and pathological cardiovascular tissues.

Patients and methods

The first part of this study deals with the analysis of the elastin network and associated proteins during ageing (from children to old persons) in aortic walls. The second part is devoted to the characterization of the collagenic phase in aneurysms. In both cases, physical data are correlated with biochemical analyses.

Results and conclusion

For old persons aortas with atheromatous stades, elastin and associated proteins are found to interpenetrate to form a homogenous phase. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are characterized by structural alterations of the aortic wall resulting from the degradation of elastic fibers and an increase of collagen/elastin ratio. Notable modifications are evidenced between collagen from control tissue and collagen from AAA, particularly concerning the thermal denaturation. Biochemical and thermal results are compatible with the increase of new collagen deposition and/or impairment of the collagen phase stability in the extracellular matrix of AAAs.     

Association of cutis laxa and genital prolapse: a case report

Cutis laxa (CL) is an extremely inherited or acquired connective tissue disorder characterised by a markedly reduced systemic elastin content. Genital abnormalities in patients with CL have been rarely reported. We report such a case in a 48-year-old CL patient affected by genital prolapse, focusing on immunohistological and molecular biology assessment of elastin and collagen type I, III, VI content in the main uterine ligaments. The woman was referred to our department for the onset of a rapidly progressing genital prolapse and urinary incontinence. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and sacrocolpopexy. Punch biopsies from both cardinal and uterosacral ligaments revealed a dramatic reduction in elastin and an increase in collagen type VI content. The present report seems to underline the central role exerted primarily by elastin in the supportive connective tissue and might contribute to the knowledge of extracellular matrix abnormalities at the basis of genital abnormalities in CL patients.     

In vitro degradation of tropoelastin by reactive oxygen species

Abstract The effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on elastin molecules (tropoelastin) were studied in vitro. ROS generated by ultraviolet A and hematoporphyrin rapidly degraded tropoelastin within 5 min. Their degradative activity was inhibited by the addition of NaN₃. Treatment of tropoelastin with copper sulfate/ascorbic acid resulted in degradation of tropoelastin producing fragments of molecular weight 45, 30 and 10 kDa within 30 min. The degradation of tropoelastin was partially blocked by the addition of mannitol. ROS induced by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system also degraded tropoelastin within 6 h. The degradation was blocked by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD). ROS generated by copper-ascorbate seems to be unique in that it cleaves relatively specific sites of the tropoelastin molecule. Thus ROS may play a degradative role in elastin metabolism which may cause the elastolytic changes or the deposition of fragmented elastic fibers in photoaged skin or age-related elastolytic disorders. Received: 15 January 1998     

左旋精氨酸恢复eNOS和iNOS平衡并抑制肺动脉高压的研究

目的 探讨诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)在中、晚期肺动脉高压(PH)发病中的作用机制及左旋精氨酸 (L-Arg)对其产生的影响.方法 30只雄性SD大鼠随机均分为5组,对照组(C组)、MCT3组(M3组)、MCT5组(M5组)、L-Arg3/MCT3组(L3组)、L-Arg5/MCT5组(L5组).除C组外其他组大鼠均用野百合碱一次性腹腔注射诱导PH模型.此后L3组和L5组分别连续每天腹腔注射L-Arg 3周和5周,M3组和M5组分别连续每天腹腔注射与L-Arg等量的生理盐水3周和5周,C组连续每天腹腔注射与L-Arg等量的生理盐水共5周.实验周期结束则用右心导管法测定右心室收缩压(RVSP),间接反映肺动脉压力,然后取大鼠肺组织做免疫组化,检测各组iNOS、内皮一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)和弹性蛋白(elastin)的表达变化.结果 M3和M5组中iNOS和elastin的表达明显高于C组,而eNOS表达明显少于C组;L3和L5组iNOS和elastin的表达少于相应M3和M5组,但L5组两种蛋白表达仍高于C组,L3和L5组eNOS的减少明显比相应M3和M5组少,但不及C组.结论 PH形成的中、晚期,肺组织中eNOS表达减少,而此时iNOS的表达增高可能产生大量一氧化氮(NO),但并没有改善PH的病情,而L-Arg能够恢复eNOS和iNOS之间的平衡并有效抑制PH的进展.     

主动脉弹力纤维的修复策略

目的对主动脉弹力纤维修复的研究策略进行综述。方法查阅国内外关于弹力纤维及其修复的文献,围绕促进各组成蛋白合成、改善组装条件和减少危险因子破坏3方面进行综述。结果促进蛋白合成方面,以弹力蛋白的促表达研究较多,方法分别有基因转染、外源性因子刺激及诱导平滑肌表型转变;fibulin与赖氨酰氧化酶类有助于弹力纤维的组装,但其机制尚不明确;减少危险因子的破坏主要围绕抑制基质金属蛋白酶类的表达及其作用效应展开。结论主动脉弹力纤维的高质量修复,需保证其各组成蛋白的充足合成、有效组装并减少危险因子的破坏。     

Extracellular matrix and wound healing

Extracellular matrix has been known for a long time as an architectural support for the tissues. Many recent data, however, have shown that extracellular matrix macromolecules (collagens, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and connective tissue glycoproteins) are able to regulate many important cell functions, such as proliferation, migration, protein synthesis or degradation, apoptosis, etc., making them able to play an important role in the wound repair process. Not only the intact macromolecules but some of their specific domains, that we called “Matrikines”, are also able to regulate many cell activities. In this article, we will summarize main findings showing the effects of extracellular matrix macromolecules and matrikines on connective tissue and epithelial cells, particularly in skin, and their potential implication in the wound healing process. These examples show that extracellular matrix macromolecules or some of their specific domains may play a major role in wound healing. Better knowledge of these interactions may suggest new therapeutic targets in wound healing defects.     

Intratunical Injection of Human Adipose Tissue–derived Stem Cells Prevents Fibrosis and Is Associated with Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Peyronie's Disease

Background

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of the tunica albuginea (TA). Currently, no gold standard has been developed for the treatment of the disease in its active phase.

Objective

To test the effects of a local injection of adipose tissue–derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the active phase of a rat model of PD on the subsequent development of fibrosis and elastosis of the TA and underlying erectile tissue.

Design, setting, and participants

A total of 27 male 12-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in three equal groups and underwent injection of vehicle (sham), 50-μg transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in a 50-μl vehicle in either a PD or a PD plus ADSC group in the dorsal aspect of the TA.

Intervention

The sham and PD groups were treated 1 d after TGF-β1 injection with intralesional treatment of vehicle, and the PD plus ADSC group received 1 million human-labeled ADSCs in the 50-μl vehicle. Five weeks after treatment, six rats per group underwent erectile function measurement. Following euthanasia, penises were harvested for histology and Western blot.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

The ratio of intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) upon cavernous nerve stimulation, elastin, and collagen III protein expression and histomorphometric analysis of the penis. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey-Kramer test for post hoc comparisons or the Mann-Whitney test when applicable.

Results and limitations

Erectile function significantly improved after ADSC treatment (ICP/MAP 0.37 in PD vs 0.59 in PD plus ADSC at 5-V stimulation; p = 0.03). PD animals developed areas of fibrosis and elastosis with a significant upregulation of collagen III and elastin protein expression. These fibrotic changes were prevented by ADSC treatment.

Conclusions

This study is the first to test stem cell therapy in an animal model of PD. Injection of ADSCs into the TA during the active phase of PD prevents the formation of fibrosis and elastosis in the TA and corpus cavernosum.     

Effect of collagen and elastin content on the burst pressure of human blood vessel seals formed with a bipolar tissue sealing system

Background

Bipolar devices are routinely used to seal blood vessels instead of sutures and clips. Recent work examining the impact of vascular proteins on bipolar seal performance found that collagen and elastin (CE) content within porcine arteries was a significant predictor of a vessel's burst pressure (VBPr). This study examined seal performance across a range of human blood vessels to investigate whether a similar relationship existed. In addition, we compared VBPr and CE content between porcine and human blood vessels. Our primary hypothesis is that higher collagen-to-elastin ratio will predict higher VBPr in human vasculature.

Methods

In six cadavers, 185 blood vessels from nine anatomic locations were sealed using a bipolar electrosurgical system. A linear mixed model framework was used to evaluate the impact of vessel diameter and CE content on VBPr.

Results

The effect of CE ratio on VBPr is modified by vessel size, with CE ratio having larger influence on VBPr in smaller diameter vessels. Seal burst pressure of vessels 2–5 mm in diameter was significantly associated with their CE content. Comparison of average VBPr between species revealed porcine carotid and iliac arteries (440–670 mmHg) to be the best vessel types for predicting the seal strength of most human blood vessels (420–570 mmHg) examined.

Conclusions

CE content significantly modified the seal strength of small to medium sized blood vessels but had limited impact on vessels >5 mm.