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The uptake and digestion of host hemoglobin by malaria parasites during blood-stage growth leads to significant oxidative damage of membrane lipids. Repair of lipid peroxidation damage is crucial for parasite survival. Here, we demonstrate that Plasmodium falciparum imports a host antioxidant enzyme, peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), during hemoglobin uptake from the red blood cell cytosol. PRDX6 is a lipid-peroxidation repair enzyme with phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2) activity. Inhibition of PRDX6 with a PLA 2 inhibitor, Darapladib, increases lipid-peroxidation damage in the parasite and disrupts transport of hemoglobin-containing vesicles to the food vacuole, causing parasite death. Furthermore, inhibition of PRDX6 synergistically reduces the survival of artemisinin-resistant parasites following co-treatment of parasite cultures with artemisinin and Darapladib. Thus, PRDX6 is a host-derived drug target for development of antimalarial drugs that could help overcome artemisinin resistance. [Display omitted] • Human peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is internalized by P. falciparum blood stages • Inhibition of host PRDX6 causes lethal lipid-peroxidation damage in the parasite • Co-treatment with artemisinin and PRDX6 inhibitors overcomes artemisinin resistance • Targeting of a host enzyme like PRDX6 may prevent development of drug resistance Wagner et al. find that Plasmodium falciparum blood stages internalize human PRDX6, which repairs lipid-peroxidation damage. PRDX6 inhibitors prevent lipid repair and kill the parasite. Co-treatment of artemisinin-resistant strains with PRDX6 inhibitors and artemisinin restores susceptibility to artemisinin. PRDX6 thus provides a promising host-based target for anti-malaria drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phospholipase A2 (PLA2)activity of phosphorylated peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is required for activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX2). We investigated the interaction of Prdx6 with p67phox and its effect on NOX2 activity. With the use of specific antibodies, coimmunoprecipitation of p67phox and phosphorylated Prdx6 was demonstrated with lysates of mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MPMVECs) that were stimulated with angiotensin II; the interaction of p67phox with nonphosphorylated Prdx6 was relatively weak. Association of p67phox and phosphoPrdx6 in intact MPMVECs after angiotensin II stimulation was demonstrated by proximity ligation assay and was abolished by U0126, a MAP kinase inhibitor. By isothermal titration calorimetry, p67phox bound strongly to phosphoPrdx6 but bound poorly to Prdx6; phosphorylated p67phox did not bind to either Prdx6 or phosphoPrdx6. PLA2 activity of recombinant phosphoPrdx6 was decreased by >98% in the presence of p67phox; the calculated dissociation constant (Kd) of the p67phox: phosphoPrdx6 complex was 65 nM. PLA2 activity (MJ33 sensitive) in cell lysates following angioteusin II treatment of MPMVECs was increased by 85% following knockdown of p67phox with siRNA. These data indicate that p67phox binds to phosphoPrdx6 and inhibits its PLA2 activity, an interaction that could function to terminate the PLA2-mediated NOX2 activation signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab38 is a rat Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome gene that plays an important role in surfactant homeostasis in alveolar type II (ATII) pneumocytes. We examined Rab38 function in regulating lamellar body (LB) morphology in ATII cells. Quantitative electron microscopy revealed that LBs in ATII cells were ∼77% larger in Rab38-null fawn-hooded hypertension (FHH) than control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Rab38 protein expression was restricted in lung epithelial cells but was not found in primary endothelial cells. In SD ATII cells, Rab38 protein level gradually declined during 5 days in culture. Importantly, endogenous Rab38 was present in LB fractions purified from SD rat lungs, and transiently expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged Rab38 labeled only the limiting membranes of a subpopulation (∼30%) of LBs in cultured ATII cells. This selective targeting was abolished by point mutations to EGFP-Rab38 and was not shared by Rab7 and Rab4b, which also function in the ATII cells. Using confocal microscopy, we established a method for quantitative evaluation of the enlarged LB phenotype temporally preserved in cultured FHH ATII cells. A direct causal relationship was established when the enlarged LB phenotype was reserved and then rescued by transiently reexpressed EGFP-Rab38 in cultured FHH ATII cells. This rescuing effect was associated with dynamic EGFP-Rab38 targeting to and on LB limiting membranes. We conclude that Rab38 plays an indispensible role in maintaining LB morphology and surfactant homeostasis in ATII pneumocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays an important role in the maintenance of lung lipid homeostasis. Previously, an SP-A receptor, P63 (CKAP4), on type II pneumocyte plasma membranes (PM) was identified by chemical cross-linking techniques. An antibody to P63 blocked the specific binding of SP-A to pneumocytes and the ability of SP-A to regulate surfactant secretion. The current report shows that another biological activity of SP-A, the stimulation of surfactant uptake by pneumocytes, is inhibited by P63 antibody. cAMP exposure resulted in enrichment of P63 on the cell surface as shown by stimulation of SP-A binding, enhanced association of labeled P63 antibody with type II cells, and promotion of SP-A-mediated liposome uptake, all of which were inhibited by competing P63 antibody. Incubation of A549 and type II cells with SP-A also increased P63 localization on the PM. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) signaling pathway was explored as a mechanism for the transport of this endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein to the PM. Treatment with LY-294002, an inhibitor of the PI3-kinase pathway, prevented the SP-A-induced PM enrichment of P63. Exposure of pneumocytes to SP-A or cAMP activated Akt (PKB). Blocking either PI3-kinase or Akt altered SP-A-mediated lipid turnover. The data demonstrate an important role for the PI3-kinase-Akt pathway in intracellular transport of P63. The results add to the growing body of evidence that P63 is critical for SP-A receptor-mediated interactions with type II pneumocytes and the resultant regulation of surfactant turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar surfactant protein A (SP-A) is endocytosed by type II epithelial cells through clathrin-dependent uptake and targeted to lamellar bodies lot resecretion, However, the mechanism for secretion of newly synthesized SP-A, whether regulated exocytosis of lamellar bodies or constitutive secretion, is unresolved. If it is the latter, lamellar body SP-A would represent endocytosed protein. Amantadine, an inhibitor of clathrin-coated vesicle budding, was used to evaluate the role of endocytosis in accumulation of SP-A in lamellar bodies. In isolated rat lungs, amantadine (10 mM) inhibited uptake of endotracheally instilled 35S-labeled biosynthesized surfactant proteins by >80%. To study trafficking of newly synthesized SP-A, lungs were perfused for up to 6 h with [35S]methionine, and surfactant was isolated from lung lavage fluid and lamellar bodies were isolated from lung homogenate. With control lungs, the mean specific activity of [35]SP-A (disintegrations per minute per microgram of SP-A) increased linearly with time of perfusion: it was significantly higher in isolated lamellar bodies than in surfactant and was increased in both compartments by 50-60% in the presence of 0.1 mM 8-bromo-cAMP. These results suggest a precursor-product relationship between lamellar body and extracellular [35S]SP-A. Specific activities in both compartments were unaffected by addition of amantadine (10 mM) to the lung perfusate, indicating that uptake from the alveolar space was not responsible for the increase in lamellar body [35S]SP-A. Thus the pathway for secretion of newly synthesized SP-A is by transfer from the site of synthesis to the storage/secretory organelle prior to lamellar body exocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), an enzyme with glutathione peroxidase and PLA2 (aiPLA2) activities, is highly expressed in respiratory epithelium, where it participates in phospholipid turnover and antioxidant defense. Prdx6 has been localized by immunocytochemistry and subcellular fractionation to acidic organelles (lung lamellar bodies and lysosomes) and cytosol. On the basis of their pH optima, we have postulated that protein subcellular localization determines the balance between the two activities of Prdx6. Using green fluorescent protein-labeled protein expression in alveolar epithelial cell lines, we showed Prdx6 localization to organellar structures resembling lamellar bodies in mouse lung epithelial (MLE-12) cells and lysosomes in A549 cells. Localization within lamellar bodies/lysosomes was in the luminal compartment. Targeting to lysosome-like organelles was abolished by the deletion of amino acids 31-40 from the Prdx6 NH2-terminal region; deletion of the COOH-terminal region had no effect. A green fluorescent proteinlabeled peptide containing only amino acids 31-40 showed lysosomal targeting that was abolished by mutation of S32 or G34 within the peptide. Studies with mutated protein indicated that lipid binding was not necessary for Prdx6 targeting. This peptide sequence has no homology to known organellar targeting motifs. These studies indicate that the localization of Prdx6 in acidic organelles and consequent PLA2 activity depend on a novel 10-aa peptide located at positions 3 1-40 of the protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) regulates thrombosis and inflammation. Diverse forms of pulmonary and vascular injury are accompanied by down-regulation of TM, which aggravates tissue injury. We postulated that anchoring TM to the endothelial surface would restore its protective functions.Objectives: To design an effective and safe strategy to treat pulmonary thrombotic and inflammatory injury.Methods: We synthesized a fusion protein, designated scFv/TM, by linking the extracellular domain of mouse TM to a single-chain variable fragment of an antibody to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). The targeting and protective functions of scFv/TM were tested in mouse models of lung ischemia-reperfusion and acute lung injury (ALI) caused by intratracheal endotoxin and hyperoxia, both of which caused approximately 50% reduction in the endogenous expression of TM.Measurements and Main Results: Biochemical assays showed that scFv/TM accelerated protein C activation by thrombin and bound mouse PECAM-1 and cytokine high mobility group-B1. After intravenous injection, scFv/TM preferentially accumulated in the mouse pulmonary vasculature. In a lung model of ischemia-reperfusion injury, scFv/TM attenuated elevation of early growth response-1, inhibited pulmonary deposition of fibrin and leukocyte infiltration, and preserved blood oxygenation more effectively than soluble TM. In an ALI model, scFv/TM, but not soluble TM, suppressed activation of nuclear factor-kappaB, inflammation and edema in the lung and reduced mortality without causing hemorrhage.Conclusions: Targeting TM to the endothelium using an scFv anchor enhances its antithrombotic and antiinflammatory effectiveness in models of ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important complication of liver surgery and transplantation. Mitochondrial function is central to this injury. To examine alterations in mitochondrial function during I/R, we assessed the mitochondrial proteome in C57B1/6 mice. Proteomic analysis of liver mitochondria revealed 234 proteins with significantly altered expression after I/R. From these, 13 proteins with the greatest expression differences were identified. One of these proteins, peroxiredoxin-6 (Prdx6), has never before been described in mitochondria. In hepatocytes from sham-operated mice, Prdx6 expression was found exclusively in the cytoplasm. After ischemia or I/R, Prdx6 expression disappeared from the cytoplasm and appeared in the mitochondria, suggesting mitochondrial trafficking. To explore the functional role of Prdx6 in hepatic hR injury, wild-type and Prdx6-knockout mice were subjected to I/R injury. Prdx6-knockout mice had significantly more hepatocellular injury compared with wild-type mice. Interestingly, the increased injury in Prdx6-knockout mice occurred despite reduced inflammation and was associated with increased mitochondrial generation of H2O2 and dysfunction. The mitochondrial dysfunction appeared to be related to complex I of the electron transport chain. These data suggest that hepatocyte Prdx6 traffics to the mitochondria during I/R to limit mitochondrial dysfunction as a protective mechanism against hepatocellular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently described a putative receptor for lung surfactant protein-A (SP-A) on rat type II pneumocytes. The receptor, P63, is a 63-kDa type II transmembrane protein. Coincubation of type II cells with P63 antibody (Ab) reversed the inhibitory effect of SP-A on secretagogue-stimulated surfactant secretion from type II cells. To further characterize SP-A interactions with P63, we expressed recombinant P63 protein in Escherichia co/i and generated antibodies to P63. Immunogold electron microscopy confirmed endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane localization of P63 in type II cells with prominent labeling of microvilli. Binding characteristics of iodinated SP-A to type II cells in the presence of P63 Ab were determined. Binding (4°C, 1 h) of 125I-SP-A to type II cells demonstrated both specific (calcium-dependent) and nonspecific (calcium-independent) components. Ab to P63 protein blocked the specific binding of 125I-SP-A to type II cells and did not change the nonspecific SP-A association. A549 cells, a pneumocyte model cell line, expressed substantial levels of P63 and demonstrated specific binding of 125I-SP-A that was inhibited by the P63 Ab. The secretagogue (cAMP)-stimulated increase in calcium-dependent binding of SP-A to type II cells was blocked by the presence of P63 Ab. Transfection of type II cells with small interfering RNA to P63 reduced P63 protein expression, attenuated P63-specific SP-A binding, and reversed the ability of SP-A to prevent surfactant secretion from the cells. Our results further substantiate the role of P63 as an SP-A receptor protein localized on the surface of lung type II cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies with the isolated perfused rat lung showed that both clathrin- and actin- mediated pathways are responsible for endocytosis of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)-labeled liposomes by granular pneumocytes in the intact lung. Using surfactant protein-A (SP-A) gene-targeted mice, we examined the uptake of [³H]DPPC liposomes by isolated mouse lungs under basal and secretagogue-stimulated conditions. Unilamellar liposomes composed of [³H]DPPC: phosphatidyl- choline:cholesterol:egg phosphatidylglycerol (10:5:3:2 mol fraction) were instilled into the trachea of anesthetized mice, and the lungs were perfused (2 h). Uptake was calculated as percentage of instilled disintegrations per minute in the postlavaged lung. Amantadine, an inhibitor of clathrin and, thus, receptor-mediated endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits, decreased basal [³H]DPPC uptake by 70% in SP-A +/+ but only by 20% in SP-A -/- lung, data compatible with an SP-A/receptor-regulated lipid clearance pathway in the SP-A +/+ mice. The nonclathrin, actin-dependent process was low in the SP-A +/+ lung but accounted for 55% of liposome endocytosis in the SP-A -/- mouse. With secretagogue (8-bromoadenosine 3′,S′-cyclic monophosphate) treatment, both clathrin- and actin-dependent lipid clearance were elevated in the SP-A +/+ lungs while neither pathway responded in the SP-A -/- lungs. Binding of iodinated SP-A to type II cells isolated from both genotypes of mice was similar indicating a normal SP-A receptor status in the SP-A -/- lung. Inclusion of SP-A with instilled liposomes served to "rescue" the SP-A -/- lungs by reestablishing secretagogue-dependent enhancement of liposome uptake. These data are compatible with a major role for receptor-mediated endocytosis of DPPC by granular pneumocytes, a process critically dependent on SP-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a novel peroxidase enzyme belonging to the Prdx family, which in mammals contains five more peroxiredoxins (Prdx1-Prdx5). Like glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase, Prdx6 possesses H2O2-scavenging activities, and, like the former, it also removes hydroperoxides. Since significant amounts of catalase and GSHPx are present in the heart contributing toward the attenuation of H2O2 and hydroperoxides formed during ischemia-reperfusion injury and thereby providing cardioprotection, we asked whether Prdx6 also has any role in this process. In the present study we used Prdx6-/- mice to assess the role of Prdx6 in ischemic injury. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of any Prdx activity in the Prdx6-/- mouse heart, while the GSHPx-1 and catalase levels remained unchanged. Randomly selected hearts from Prdx6-/- mice and wild-type mice were subjected to 30 mm of global ischemia followed by 120 mm of reperfusion at normothermia. The hearts from the Prdx6-/- mice were more susceptible to ischemic reperfusion injury as evidenced by reduced recovery of left ventricular function, increased myocardial infarct size, and higher amount of apoptotic cardiomyocytes compared with wild-type mouse hearts. These Prdx6-/- hearts were also subjected to a higher amount of oxidative stress as evidenced by the presence of higher amount of malondialdehyde. The present study thus indicates a nonredundant role of Prdx6 in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury as catalase, and GSHPx could not make up for the deficiency of Prdx6 activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) binds to alveolar type II cells through a specific high-affinity cell membrane receptor, although the molecular nature of this receptor is unclear. In the present study, we have identified and characterized an SP-A cell surface binding protein by utilizing two chemical cross-linkers: profound sulfo-SBED protein-protein interaction reagent and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP). Sulfo-SBED-biotinylated SP-A was cross-linked to the plasma membranes isolated from rat type II cells, and the biotin label was transferred from SP-A to its receptor by reduction. The biotinylated SP-A-binding protein was identified on blots by using streptavidin-labeled horseradish peroxidase. By using DSP, we cross-linked SP-A to intact mouse type II cells and immunoprecipitated the SP-A-receptor complex using anti-SP-A antibody. Both of the cross-linking approaches showed a major band of 63 kDa under reduced conditions that was identified as the rat homolog of the human type II transmembrane protein p63 (CKAP4/ERGIC-63/CLIMP-63) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry of tryptic fragments. Thereafter, we confirmed the presence of p63 protein in the cross-linked SP-A-receptor complex by immunoprobing with p63 antibody. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments and functional assays confirmed specific interaction between SP-A and p63. Antibody to p63 could block SP-A-mediated inhibition of ATP-stimulated phospholipid secretion. Both intracellular and membrane localized pools of p63 were detected on type II cells by immunofluorescence and immunobloting, p63 colocalized with SP-A in early endosomes. Thus p63 closely interacts with SP-A and may play a role in the trafficking or the biological function of the surfactant protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous studies with peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) null mice demonstrated that the phospholipase A2 activity of this enzyme plays a major role in lung phospholipid metabolism. This study evaluated lung phospholipid metabolism in transgenic mice that over-express Prdx6. Lung lysosomal type PLA2 activity in transgenic mice was 222% of wild type in lung homogenate and 280% in isolated lamellar bodies. Total phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and disaturated PC were decreased approximately 20–35% in bronchoalveolar lung fluid, lung homogenate, and lung lamellar bodies in transgenic mice although lung compliance and type 2 cell ultrastructure were unaltered. To study metabolism, unilamellar liposomes (3H-DPPC: PC: cholesterol: PG, 10: 5: 3: 2 mol fraction) were instilled endotracheally in anesthetized mice and lungs were removed for perfusion. Compared to wild type, transgenic mice showed similar net uptake of liposomes in 2 h, but significantly increased 3H-DPPC degradation (38.9±1.1 vs. 29.0±1.3% of recovered dpm). The PLA2 competitive inhibitor MJ33 decreased degradation to 15% of recovered dpm in both transgenic and wild type lungs. Incorporation of [14C] palmitate into DSPC at 24 h after its intravenous injection was markedly increased in both the lung surfactant (+100%) and lamellar bodies (+188%) while incorporation of [3H] choline was increased by only 10–20%. These results indicate increased DPPC degradation and synthesis by the reacylation pathway with Prdx6 overexpression and provide additional evidence that the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 has an important role in lung surfactant turnover. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous studies have shown endothelial cell membrane depolarization and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells with abrupt reduction in shear stress (ischemia). This study evaluated the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and NADPH oxidase in the ischemic response by using Kir6.2-/- and gp91phox-/- mice. To evaluate ROS generation, we subjected isolated perfused mouse lungs labeled with 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF), hydroethidine (HE), or diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine (DPPP) to control perfusion followed by global ischemia. In wild-type C57BL/6J mice, imaging of subpleural endothelial cells showed a time-dependent increase in intensity for all three fluorescence probes with ischemia, which was blocked by preperfusion with cromakalim (a KATP channel agonist) or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, a flavoprotein inhibitor). Endothelial cell fluorescence with bis-oxonol, a membrane potential probe, increased during lung ischemia indicating cell membrane depolarization. The change in membrane potential with ischemia in lungs of gp91phox-/- mice was similar to wild type, but ROS generation did not occur. Lungs from Kir6.2-/- showed marked attenuation of the change in both membrane potential and ROS production. Thus membrane depolarization during lung ischemia requires the presence of a KATP channel and is required for activation of NADPH oxidase and endothelial ROS generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the role of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in Ca2+ influx with flow cessation in flow-adapted rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Methods: Cells were evaluated for mRNA and protein levels for major components of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ influx with flow cesastion and cell membrane potential were measured in real time with fluorescent dyes. Mibefradil and nifedipine were used as inhibitors of Ca2+ channel activity. Results: Voltage-gated Ca2+ channel protein and mRNA for the T-type channel were expressed at a relatively low level in endothelial cells cultured under static conditions and expression was induced significantly during flow adaptation. Flow-adapted but not control cells showed Ca2+ influx during flow cessation that was blocked by mibefradil but not by nifedipine. Ca2+ influx also was blocked by cromakalim, a KATP channel agonist. Cell membrane depolarization with flow cesastion was unaffected by mibefradil. Conclusions: Rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells express T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels that are induced during adaptation to flow and are responsible for Ca2+ influx that occurs as a result of flow cessation-mediated membrane depolarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]