@article{HenzeHomannRohnetal.2016, author = {Henze, Andrea and Homann, Thomas and Rohn, Isabelle and Aschner, Michael A. and Link, Christopher D. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Schweigert, Florian J. and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia}, title = {Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/srep37346}, pages = {12}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time-and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight - mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.}, language = {en} } @article{ReegJungCastroetal.2016, author = {Reeg, Sandra and Jung, Tobias and Castro, Jos{\´e} Pedro and Davies, Kelvin J. A. and Henze, Andrea and Grune, Tilman}, title = {The molecular chaperone Hsp70 promotes the proteolytic removal of oxidatively damaged proteins by the proteasome}, series = {Free radical biology and medicine : the official journal of the Oxygen Society, a constituent member of the International Society for Free Radical Research}, volume = {99}, journal = {Free radical biology and medicine : the official journal of the Oxygen Society, a constituent member of the International Society for Free Radical Research}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {0891-5849}, doi = {10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.08.002}, pages = {153 -- 166}, year = {2016}, abstract = {One hallmark of aging is the accumulation of protein aggregates, promoted by the unfolding of oxidized proteins. Unraveling the mechanism by which oxidized proteins are degraded may provide a basis to delay the early onset of features, such as protein aggregate formation, that contribute to the aging phenotype. In order to prevent aggregation of oxidized proteins, cells recur to the 20S proteasome, an efficient turnover proteolysis complex. It has previously been shown that upon oxidative stress the 26S proteasome, another form, dissociates into the 20S form. A critical player implicated in its dissociation is the Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70), which promotes an increase in free 20S proteasome and, therefore, an increased capability to degrade oxidized proteins. The aim of this study was to test whether or not Hsp70 is involved in cooperating with the 20S proteasome for a selective degradation of oxidatively damaged proteins. Our results demonstrate that Hsp70 expression is induced in HT22 cells as a result of mild oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, Hsp70 prevents the accumulation of oxidized proteins and directly promotes their degradation by the 20S proteasome. In contrast the expression of the Heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) was not changed in recovery after oxidative stress and Hsc70 has no influence on the removal of oxidatively damaged proteins. We were able to demonstrate in HT22 cells, in brain homogenates from 129/SV mice and in vitro, that there is an increased interaction of Hsp70 with oxidized proteins, but also with the 20S proteasome, indicating a role of Hsp70 in mediating the interaction of oxidized proteins with the 20S proteasome. Thus, our data clearly implicate an involvement of Hsp70 oxidatively damaged protein degradation by the 20S proteasome. c) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).}, language = {en} } @article{DanquahDobruckyFranketal.2015, author = {Danquah, Ina and Dobrucky, C. Lydia and Frank, Laura K. and Henze, Andrea and Amoako, Yaw A. and Bedu-Addo, George and Raila, Jens and Schulze, Matthias Bernd and Mockenhaupt, Frank P. and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Vitamin A: potential misclassification of vitamin A status among patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in urban Ghana}, series = {The American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, volume = {102}, journal = {The American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, address = {Bethesda}, issn = {0002-9165}, doi = {10.3945/ajcn.114.101345}, pages = {207 -- 214}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a double burden of malnutrition: vitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevails, whereas the nutrition-related chronic conditions type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension are emerging. Serum retinol a VAD marker increases in kidney disease and decreases in inflammation, which can partly be attributed to alterations in the vitamin A transport proteins retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and prealbumin. Kidney dysfunction and inflammation commonly accompany T2D and hypertension. Objective: Among urban Ghanaians, we investigated the associations of T2D and hypertension with serum retinol as well as the importance of kidney function and inflammation in this regard. Design: A hospital-based, case-control study in individuals for risk factors of T2D, hypertension, or both was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana (328 controls, 197 with T2D, 354 with hypertension, and 340 with T2D plus hypertension). In 1219 blood samples, serum retinol, RBP4, and prealbumin were measured. Urinary albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) defined kidney function. C-reactive protein (CRP) >5 mg/L indicated inflammation. We identified associations of T2D and hypertension with retinol by linear regression and calculated the contribution of RBP4, prealbumin, urinary albumin, eGFR, and CRP to these associations as the percentages of the explained variance of retinol. Results: VAD (retinol <1.05 mu mol/L) was present in 10\% of this predominantly female, middle-aged, overweight, and deprived population. Hypertension, but not T2D, was positively associated with retinol (beta: 0.12; 95\% CI: 0.08, 0,17), adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic factors, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle. In addition to RBP4 (72\%) and prealbumin (22\%), the effect of increased retinol on individuals with hypertension was mainly attributed to impaired kidney function (eGFR: 30\%; urinary albumin: 5\%) but not to inflammation. Conclusions: In patients with hypertension, VAD might be underestimated because of increased serum retinol in the context of kidney dysfunction. Thus, the interpretation of serum retinol in sub-Saharan Africa should account for hypertension status.}, language = {en} } @article{FruscalzoLonderoDriuletal.2015, author = {Fruscalzo, Arrigo and Londero, Ambrogio P. and Driul, Lorenza and Henze, Andrea and Tonutti, Laura and Ceraudo, Maria and Zanotti, Giuseppe and Berni, Rodolfo and Schweigert, Florian J. and Raila, Jens}, title = {First trimester concentrations of the TTR-RBP4-retinol complex components as early markers of insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus}, series = {Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine : journal of the Forum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry - the European Branch of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine}, volume = {53}, journal = {Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine : journal of the Forum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry - the European Branch of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine}, number = {10}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1434-6621}, doi = {10.1515/cclm-2014-0929}, pages = {1643 -- 1651}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between first trimester maternal serum levels of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components and the later insurgence of an altered glucose metabolism during pregnancy. Methods: Retrospective case control study including 96 patients between the 12th and 14th week of gestation, 32 that developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), respectively, 21 non-insulin-treated (dGDM) and 11 insulin-treated (iGDM), 20 large for gestational age fetuses (LGA) without GDM and 44 patients with normal outcome as control. Serum concentrations of RBP4 and TTR were assessed by ELISA; serum concentration of ROH by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (rpHPLC). The molecular heterogeneity of TTR and RBP4 was analyzed after immunoprecipitation by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results: iGDM patients were characterized by reduced TTR, RBP4 and ROH compared to controls (respectively, iGDM vs. controls, mean +/- SD: TTR 3.96 +/- 0.89 mu mol/L vs. 4.68 +/- 1.21 mu mol/L, RBP4 1.13 +/- 0.25 mu mol/L vs. 1.33 +/- 0.38 mu mol/L and ROH 1.33 +/- 0.17 mu mol/L vs. 1.62 +/- 0.29 mu mol/L, p < 0.05). TTR containing Gly10 in place of Cys10 was lower in the iGDM group (p < 0.05) compared to controls. In the final logistic regression model ROH significantly predicted the diagnosis of iGDM (OR 0.93, 95\% CI 0.87-0.98, p < 0.05). Conclusions: First trimester maternal serum ROH, RBP4 and TTR represent potential biomarkers associated with the development of iGDM.}, language = {en} } @article{FredeHenzeKhaliletal.2014, author = {Frede, Katja and Henze, Andrea and Khalil, Mahmoud and Baldermann, Susanne and Schweigert, Florian J. and Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal}, title = {Stability and cellular uptake of lutein-loaded emulsions}, series = {Journal of functional food}, volume = {8}, journal = {Journal of functional food}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1756-4646}, doi = {10.1016/j.jff.2014.03.011}, pages = {118 -- 127}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The carotenoid lutein can improve human health. Since only a fraction is absorbed from food, lutein supplementation might be recommended. Emulsions could be good carrier systems to improve the bioavailability of lutein. Six different emulsifier compositions were used in this study to prepare lutein-loaded emulsions: beta-lactoglobulin, beta-lactoglobulin/lecithin, Biozate 1, Biozate 1/lecithin, Been 20 and Tween 20/lecithin. The droplet size, resistance to creaming, lutein stability, cytotoxicity and lutein uptake by HT29 cells were investigated. The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin, the whey protein hydrolysate Biozate 1 and the combination with lecithin brought the most promising results. The small droplet sizes and resistance to creaming were an indication of physical stable emulsions. Furthermore, these emulsifiers prevented oxidation of lutein. The choice of emulsifier had a strong impact on the uptake by HT29 cells. The highest lutein absorption was observed with the combination of Biozate 1 and lecithin.}, language = {en} } @article{EspeRailaHenzeetal.2013, author = {Espe, Katharina M. and Raila, Jens and Henze, Andrea and Blouin, Katja and Schneider, Andreas and Schmiedeke, Daniel and Krane, Vera and Pilz, Stefan and Schweigert, Florian J. and Hocher, Berthold and Wanner, Christoph and Drechsler, Christiane}, title = {Low plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and adverse clinical outcomes in diabetic hemodialysis patients}, series = {Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Society of Nephrology}, address = {Washington}, organization = {German Diabet \& Dialysis Study Inv}, issn = {1555-9041}, doi = {10.2215/CJN.04880511}, pages = {452 -- 458}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background and objectives Trials with the antioxidant vitamin E have failed to show benefit in the general population. Considering the different causes of death in ESRD, this study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and specific clinical outcomes in diabetic hemodialysis patients. Design, settings, participants, \& measurements In 1046 diabetic hemodialysis patients (participants of the German Diabetes and Dialysis Study), alpha-tocopherol was measured in plasma by reversed-phase HPLC. By Cox regression analyses, hazard ratios were determined for prespecified end points according to baseline plasma alpha-tocopherol levels: sudden death (n=134), myocardial infarction (n=172), stroke (n=89), combined cardiovascular events (n=398), fatal infection (n=107), and all-cause mortality (n=508). Results Patients had a mean age of 66 8 years, and mean plasma alpha-tocopherol level was 22.8+/-9.6 mu mol/L. Levels of alpha-tocopherol were highly correlated to triglycerides (r=0.63, P<0.001). Patients in the lowest alpha-tocopherol quartile had (in unadjusted analyses) a 79\% higher risk of stroke and a 31\% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with patients in the highest quartile. The associations were attenuated after adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio(stroke)=1.56, 95\% confidence interval=0.75-3.25; hazard ratio(mortality)=1.22, 95\% confidence interval=0.89-1.69, respectively). There was no association between alpha-tocopherol and myocardial infarction, sudden death, or infectious death. Conclusions Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were not independently associated with cardiovascular outcomes, infectious deaths, or all-cause mortality in diabetic hemodialysis patients. The lack of association can partly be explained by a confounding influence of malnutrition, which should be considered in the planning of trials to reduce cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients.}, language = {en} } @article{HenzeRailaScholzeetal.2013, author = {Henze, Andrea and Raila, Jens and Scholze, Alexandra and Zidek, Walter and Tepel, Martin and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Does N-Acetylcysteine modulate post-translational modifications of transthyretin in hemodialysis patients?}, series = {Antioxidants \& redox signaling}, volume = {19}, journal = {Antioxidants \& redox signaling}, number = {11}, publisher = {Liebert}, address = {New Rochelle}, issn = {1523-0864}, doi = {10.1089/ars.2012.5125}, pages = {1166 -- 1172}, year = {2013}, abstract = {It is assumed that effects of the thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) are mediated by interaction with protein-associated cysteine residues, however, information on protein level in vivo are missing. Therefore, we analyzed NAC-induced modifications of the protein transthyretin (TTR) in plasma of hemodialysis patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. TTR was selected due to its low molecular weight and the free cysteine residue in the polypeptide chain, which is known to be extensively modified by formation of mixed disulfides. The intravenous application of NAC during a hemodialysis session resulted in a substantial increase of native TTR from median 15\% (range 8.8\%-30\%) to median 40\% (37-50) and reduction of S-cysteinylated TTR [51\% (44-60) vs. 6.6\% (2.4-10)]. Additionally the pronounced formation of a TTR-NAC adduct was detected. However, all these modifications seemed to be reversible. Additionally, in vitro incubation of plasma with NAC confirmed the in vivo results and indicated that changes in post-translational modification pattern of TTR were a function of NAC concentration. Based on these observations and the essential metabolic and biochemical role of protein-associated cysteine residues we hypothesize that the interaction of NAC with proteins may explain altered protein functions due to modification of cysteine residues. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 1166-1172.}, language = {en} } @article{MuenznerTuviaDeutschmannetal.2013, author = {M{\"u}nzner, Matthias and Tuvia, Neta and Deutschmann, Claudia and Witte, Nicole and Tolkachov, Alexander and Valai, Atijeh and Henze, Andrea and Sander, Leif E. and Raila, Jens and Schupp, Michael}, title = {Retinol-binding protein 4 and its membrane receptor STRA6 control adipogenesis by regulating cellular retinoid homeostasis and retinoic acid receptor alpha activity}, series = {Molecular and cellular biology}, volume = {33}, journal = {Molecular and cellular biology}, number = {20}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0270-7306}, doi = {10.1128/MCB.00221-13}, pages = {4068 -- 4082}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Retinoids are vitamin A (retinol) derivatives and complex regulators of adipogenesis by activating specific nuclear receptors, including the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). Circulating retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and its membrane receptor STRA6 coordinate cellular retinol uptake. It is unknown whether retinol levels and the activity of RAR and RXR in adipocyte precursors are linked via RBP4/STRA6. Here, we show that STRA6 is expressed in precursor cells and, dictated by the apo-and holo-RBP4 isoforms, mediates bidirectional retinol transport that controls RAR alpha activity and subsequent adipocyte differentiation. Mobilization of retinoid stores in mice by inducing RBP4 secretion from the liver activated RAR alpha signaling in the precursor cell containing the stromal-vascular fraction of adipose tissue. Retinol-loaded holo-RBP4 blocked adipocyte differentiation of cultured precursors by activating RAR alpha. Remarkably, retinol-free apo-RBP4 triggered retinol efflux that reduced cellular retinoids, RAR alpha activity, and target gene expression and enhanced adipogenesis synergistically with ectopic STRA6. Thus, STRA6 in adipocyte precursor cells links nuclear RAR alpha activity to the circulating RBP4 isoforms, whose ratio in obese mice was shifted toward limiting the adipogenic potential of their precursors. This novel cross talk identifies a retinoldependent metabolic function of RBP4 that may have important implications for the treatment of obesity.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HenzeRailaScholzeetal.2013, author = {Henze, Andrea and Raila, Jens and Scholze, Alexandra and Schweigert, Florian J. and Tepel, Martin}, title = {Administration of N-Acetylcyteine causes beneficial posttranslationalmodifications of transthyretin in hemodialysis patients}, series = {Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation}, volume = {28}, booktitle = {Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0931-0509}, pages = {164 -- 164}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @article{OttAltervonWebskyetal.2012, author = {Ott, Ina M. and Alter, Markus L. and von Websky, Karoline and Kretschmer, Axel and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Krause-Relle, Katharina and Raila, Jens and Henze, Andrea and Stasch, Johannes-Peter and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Effects of Stimulation of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase on Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetic eNOS Knockout Mice on Top of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {8}, publisher = {PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE}, address = {SAN FRANCISCO}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0042623}, pages = {9}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), is rising worldwide and prevention and treatment are therefore becoming increasingly important. Therapy of DN is particularly important for patients who do not adequately respond to angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment. Novel approaches include the stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) as it is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiac and renal damage. We aimed to investigate the effects of the sGC stimulator riociguat and ARB telmisartan on kidney function and structure in a hypertensive model of diabetic nephropathy. Seventy-six diabetic male eNOS knockout C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided after having received streptozotocin: telmisartan (1 mg/kg/d), riociguat (3 mg/kg/d), riociguat+telmisartan (3+1 mg/kg/d), and vehicle. Fourteen mice were used as non-diabetic controls. Treatment duration was 11 weeks. Glucose concentrations were increased and similar in all diabetic groups. Telmisartan insignificantly reduced blood pressure by 5.9 mmHg compared with diabetic controls (111.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg vs. 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg; p = 0.071). Treatment with riociguat both alone and in combination with telmisartan led to a significant reduction of blood pressure towards diabetic vehicle (105.2 +/- 2.5 mmHg and 105.0 +/- 3.2 mmHg, respectively, vs. 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg). Combined treatment also significantly decreased albuminuria compared with diabetic controls (47.3 +/- 9.6 mu g/24 h vs. 170.8 +/- 34.2 mu g/24 h; p = 0.002) reaching levels similar to those of non-diabetic controls (34.4 +/- 10.6 mu g/24 h), whereas the reduction by single treatment with either telmisartan (97.8 +/- 26.4 mu g/24 h) or riociguat (97.1 +/- 15.7 mu g/24 h) was not statistically significant. The combination treatment led to a significant (p < 0.01) decrease of tissue immunoreactivity of malondialdehyde, as consequence of reduced oxidative stress. In conclusion, stimulation of sGC significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion in diabetic eNOS knockout mice treated already with ARB. Thus, this new drug class on top of standard ARBs administration may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients resistant to ARB treatment.}, language = {en} }