Predictors of Impaired HDL Function in HIV-1 Infected Compared to Uninfected Individuals.

Objective: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) function rather than absolute level may be a more accurate indicator for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Novel methods can measure HDL function using patient samples. The objective of this study is to identify factors that may contribute to HDL dysfunction in chronic treated HIV-1 infection.

TGRL Lipolysis Products Induce Stress Protein ATF3 via the TGF-β Receptor Pathway in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

Studies have suggested a link between the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling cascade and the stress-inducible activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). We have demonstrated that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRL) lipolysis products activate MAP kinase stress associated JNK/c-Jun pathways resulting in up-regulation of ATF3, pro-inflammatory genes and induction of apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells. Here we demonstrate increased release of active TGF-β at 15 min, phosphorylation of Smad2 and translocation of co-Smad4 from cytosol to nucleus after a 1.

Characterizing blood-brain barrier perturbations after exposure to human triglyceride-rich lipoprotein lipolysis products using MRI in a rat model.

Purpose: Previous studies indicated hyperlipidemia may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but the contributions of postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TGRL) are not known. In this study, changes in blood-brain barrier diffusional transport following exposure to human TGRL lipolysis products were studied using MRI in a rat model.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (∼180-250 g) received an i.

HDL-apolipoprotein A-I exchange is independently associated with cholesterol efflux capacity.

HDL is the primary mediator of cholesterol mobilization from the periphery to the liver via reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). A critical first step in this process is the uptake of cholesterol from lipid-loaded macrophages by HDL, a function of HDL inversely associated with prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that the dynamic ability of HDL to undergo remodeling and exchange of apoA-I is an important and potentially rate-limiting aspect of RCT.

MRI measurement of blood-brain barrier transport with a rapid acquisition refocused echo (RARE) method.

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) MRI is increasingly being used to assess changes in capillary permeability. Most quantitative techniques used to measure capillary permeability are based on the Fick equation that requires measurement of signal reflecting both plasma and tissue concentrations of the solute being tested. To date, most Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods for acquiring appropriate data quickly rely on gradient recalled echo (GRE) type acquisitions, which work well in clinical low field settings.

Role of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in renal injury.

Dyslipidemia is implicated as a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Specifically triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their lipolysis products are shown to be proinflammatory and proapoptosis in both in vivo and in vitro studies with endothelium. However, the role of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the progression of kidney diseases is not clear.

Role of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A large body of evidence suggests that dyslipidemia has an important role in the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. Lipids may induce renal injury by stimulating TGF-beta, thereby inducing the production of reactive oxygen species and causing damage to the glomeruli and glomerular glycocalyx.

Kinetic and stability properties of Penicillium chrysogenum ATP sulfurylase missing the C-terminal regulatory domain.

ATP sulfurylase from Penicillium chrysogenum is a homohexameric enzyme that is subject to allosteric inhibition by 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate. In contrast to the wild type enzyme, recombinant ATP sulfurylase lacking the C-terminal allosteric domain was monomeric and noncooperative. All kcat values were decreased (the adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (adenylylsulfate) (APS) synthesis reaction to 17% of the wild type value).