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Published on: September 2, 2010
Proteomic analysis of endothelial cold-adaptation.
Michael A J Zieger1, Mahesh P Gupta, Mu Wang
1Methodist Research Institute, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mzieger@iuhealth.org
BMC Genomics
|December 24, 2011
Summary
Human endothelial cells adapt to cold by reducing energy-intensive processes and boosting antioxidant defenses, enhancing resistance to oxidative stress during hypothermic storage and rewarming.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) cultured at 37°C were adapted to 25°C to investigate hypothermic protection.
- Cold adaptation increased intracellular glutathione, conferring resistance to oxidative stress from 0°C storage and rewarming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of endothelial cold adaptation.
- To identify differentially expressed proteins in cold-adapted HCAECs.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative proteomic analysis of proteins isolated from HCAECs adapted to 25°C for 72 hours.
- Bioinformatic categorization of differentially expressed proteins using DAVID Bioinformatics Resource.
Main Results:
- Cold adaptation altered 219 proteins, with 2/3 decreasing, particularly those in anabolic and protein metabolic processes, indicating an energy-conserving state.
- Increased abundance/activity of redox proteins (glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase) correlated with reduced oxidative stress and improved thiol recovery.
- Upregulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase suggests roles for transsulfuration and NAD salvage pathways in enhancing cellular reducing capacity.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial adaptation to hypothermia downregulates anabolic processes and enhances reducing capacity, improving resistance to cold-induced oxidative injury.
- Clinical induction of these adaptations could mitigate ischemia-related damage and metabolic disruption during hypothermic procedures.

