Cystatin C regulates the cytotoxicity of infection-induced endothelial-derived β-amyloid

Ron Balczon, Kyle A. Morrow, Silas Leavesley, Christopher M. Francis, Trevor C. Stevens, Ezinne Agwaramgbo, Christopher Williams, Reece P. Stevens, Geri Langham, Sarah Voth, Eugene A. Cioffi, Susan E. Weintraub, Troy Stevens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infection of rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces the production and release of cytotoxic oligomeric tau and beta amyloid (Aβ). Here, we characterized these cytotoxic amyloids. Cytotoxic behavior and oligomeric tau were partially resistant to digestion with proteinase K, but cytotoxicity was abolished by various denaturants including phenol, diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC), and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-isopropanol (HFIP). Ultracentrifugation for 8 h at 150 000 g was required to remove cytotoxic activity from the supernatant. Ultracentrifugation, DEPC treatment, and immunodepletion using antibodies against Aβ also demonstrated that cytoprotective protein(s) are released from endothelial cells during P. aeruginosa infection. Mass spectrometry of endothelial cell culture media following P. aeruginosa infection allowed identification of multiple potential secreted modulators of Aβ, including cystatin C, gelsolin, and ApoJ/clusterin. Immunodepletion, co-immunoprecipitation, and ultracentrifugation determined that the cytoprotective factor released during infection of endothelial cells by P. aeruginosa is cystatin C, which appears to be in a complex with Aβ. Cytoprotective cystatin C may provide a novel therapeutic avenue for protection against the long-term consequences of infection with P. aeruginosa.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2464-2477
Number of pages14
JournalFEBS Open Bio
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2020

Keywords

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Tau protein
  • cystatin C
  • endothelial cell
  • pneumonia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cystatin C regulates the cytotoxicity of infection-induced endothelial-derived β-amyloid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this