Plasma proteome profiling discovers novel proteins associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
Authors: Niu, Lili; Geyer, Philipp E.; Albrechtsen, Nicolai J. Wewer; Gluud, Lise L.; Santos, Alberto; Doll, Sophia; Treit, Peter, V; Holst, Jens J.; Knop, Filip K.; Vilsbol, Tina; Junker, Anders; Sachs, Stephan; Stemmer, Kerstin; Mueller, Timo D.; Tschoep, Matthias H.; Hofmann, Susanna M.; Mann, Matthias
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25% of the population and can progress to cirrhosis with limited treatment options. As the liver secretes most of the blood plasma proteins, liver disease may affect the plasma proteome. Plasma proteome profiling of 48 patients with and without cirrhosis or NAFLD revealed six statistically significantly changing proteins (ALDOB, APOM, LGALS3BP, PIGR, VTN, and AFM), two of which are already linked to liver disease. Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PICR) was significantly elevated in both cohorts by 170% in NAFLD and 298% in cirrhosis and was further validated in mouse models. Furthermore, a global correlation map of clinical and proteomic data strongly associated DPP4, ANPEP, TGFBI, PIGR, and APOE with NAFLD and cirrhosis. The prominent diabetic drug target DPP4 is an aminopeptidase like ANPEP, ENPEP, and LAP3, all of which are up-regulated in the human or mouse data. Furthermore, ANPEP and TGFBI have potential roles in extracellular matrix remodeling in fibrosis. Thus, plasma proteome profiling can identify potential biomarkers and drug targets in liver disease.
Aminopeptidase N reduces basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase in proximal tubule cells
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
Authors: Kotlo, Kumar; Shukla, Sagar; Tawar, Urmila; Skidgel, Randal A.; Danziger, Robert S.
Abstract
Aminopeptidase N/CD13 (Anpep) is a membrane-bound protein that catalyzes the formation of natriuretic hexapeptide angiotensin IV (ANG IV) from ANG III. We previously reported that Anpep is more highly expressed in the kidneys of Dahl salt-resistant (SR/Jr) than salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) rats, Anpep maps to a quantitative trait locus for hypertension, and that the Dahl SR/Jr rat contains a functional polymorphism of the gene. This suggests that renal Anpep may be linked to salt sensitivity; however, its effect on renal Na handling has not been determined. Here, we examined regulation of basolateral Na+ -K+ -ATPase, a preeminent basolateral Na+ transporter in proximal tubule cells, by Anpep in LLC-PK1 cells. Treatment of the cells with Anpep siRNA increased total cellular Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity and basolateral Na+ -K+ -ATPase abundance by approximately twofold. Conversely, Anpep overexpression reduced Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity and basolateral abundance by similar to 50%. Similar effects were observed after treatment with ANG IV (10 nM, x30 min and 12 h). ANG IV receptor (AGTRIV) knockdown via specific siRNA relieved the decreases in basolateral Na+ -K+ -ATPase levels and activity induced by Anpep overexpression. In sum, these results demonstrate that Anpep reduces basolateral Na+ -K+ -ATPase levels via ANG IV/AGTRIV signaling. This novel pathway may be important in renal adaptation to high salt.