cathepsin d  (Athens Research)

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: Involvement of profibrotic macrophages in vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) UMAP of macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (b) Dot plots of profibrotic macrophage marker genes (Ctsd, Spp1, Gpnmb, Lgals3, and Fabp5) expressed in different subgroups of macrophages. (c) Percentage of cluster 2 (C2) macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (d) UMAP of expression of Ctsd, Spp1, Gpnmb, Lgals3, and Fabp5 in macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (e) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and CTSD in regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . L indicates lumens. Arrow heads indicate double positively stained cells. (f) WB results of levels of CTSD and SPP1 in native and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo and quantification of the levels of CTSD and SPP1. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different samples from five different animals were analyzed (n = 5).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, Marker, Expressing, Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: APOE KO reducing profibrotic macrophage formation during vascular regeneration. (a) UMAP of macrophages in native aortas from WT and Apoe −/− rats, heatmap of C2 scores in the UMAP of macrophages in the native aortas, and percentage of C2 cells in macrophages in the native aortas. UMAP of macrophages in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in WT and Apoe −/− rats, heatmap of C2 scores in the UMAP of macrophages in the regenerated aortas, and percentage of C2 cells in macrophages in the regenerated aortas on Day 30 (b) and Day 90 (c). (d) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and CTSD in regenerated aortas 30 and 90 days after graft implantation in WT and Apoe−/− rats. (e) Quantification of CD68 and CTSD double positive cells in regenerated aortas on Day 30 and Day 90. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different images from five different samples were analyzed (n = 5). (f) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in WT and Apoe −/− rats for 30 and 90 days. (g) Quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in regenerated aortas on Day 30 and Day 90. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different samples from five different animals were analyzed (n = 5). (h) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h. (i) Quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h ∗ indicates p < 0.05, ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, unpaired t -test. For each time point and each group, three different samples were analyzed (n = 3). (j) Immunofluorescence staining of APOE and CD68, CTSD and CD68, SPP1 and CD68, respectively, in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: APOE/LRP1 interaction promoting profibrotic macrophage formation during vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) Immunoprecipitation (IP) following mass spectrometry (MS) to screen potential receptors of APOE on surfaces of macrophages. (b) Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to confirm interaction between APOE and LRP1. (c) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and LRP1 in regenerated aortas across different time points. (d) Immunofluorescence staining of APOE and LRP1 in WT macrophages 48 h after their culture on PCL scaffolds. (e) WB results of LRP1, APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates (negative control, NC) or PCL scaffolds (PCL) for 48 h prior to treatment with shRNA ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1) for 24 h. Quantification of levels of LRP1 (f), APOE (g), CTSD (h) and SPP1 (i) in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates or PCL scaffolds treated with shRNA ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1). ∗ indicates p < 0.05, ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, N.S. indicates non-significant. Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, three different samples were analyzed (n = 3). (j) Flow cytometry analysis of CTSD positive cells in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates (negative control, NC) or PCL scaffolds (PCL) for 48 h prior to treatment with ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1) for 24 h and quantification of percentage of CTSD positive cells in WT macrophages in each group. ∗ indicates p < 0.05, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, three independent experiments were repeated, and results were analyzed (n = 3).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, Immunoprecipitation, Mass Spectrometry, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Cell Culture, Negative Control, shRNA, Flow Cytometry

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: Downregulation of APOE by AAV ameliorating fibrosis during vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) Illustration of a strategy of adventitial delivery of AAV-shRNA(Apoe) to inhibit APOE levels in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in vivo . Two weeks after graft implantation in vivo , AAV-shRNA(Apoe) were injected into the adventitia of the regenerated aortas, which were then harvested for analysis three weeks later. (b) M mode images of ultrasound detection of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. Arrow heads indicate movement of vascular walls. (c) Tensile tests of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (d) Quantification of RI, PI, and compliance of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different images from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (e) Quantification of elastic modulus of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different images from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (f) H&E, MTC and EVG staining of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (g) Immunofluorescence staining of COL I, COL III, elastin, αSMA, and eNOS in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. L indicates lumens. Arrow heads indicate capillaries. Quantification of adventitia thickness (h), collagen positive areas according to MTC staining (i), elastin positive areas according to EVG staining (j), COL I positive areas (k), COL III positive areas (l), and number of capillaries (m) in adventitial areas of regenerated aortas. (n) Immunofluorescence staining of CTSD and CD68 in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (o) CD68 and CTSD double positive cells in regenerated aortas. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (p) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks and quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in regenerated aortas. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (q) Quantification of IGF-1 concentrations in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks by ELISA. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 3).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, shRNA, Injection, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: HAP40 functions as a proteostasis regulator by controlling huntingtin interactions and its release into the extracellular space

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.31.715351

Figure Lengend Snippet: A) Representative immunoblots of total cell lysate treated with DMSO or 100 mM BafA1 for 24 hours. B) Quantification of HTT protein levels relative to tubulin, related to A. Data were normalized to parental control (either ST Hdh Q7 or ST Hdh Q111 ). Data are presented as mean ± SD of two independent replicates, each with three biological replicates. Statistical significance was assessed by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s multiple-comparisons test. C) Representative immunoblots of striatal lysates and conditioned media (CM), probed with anti-HTT (MAB2166) and total protein staining. D) Quantification assessing the percentage (%) of secreted protein in conditioned media. Data are presented as mean ± SD of three biological replicates. Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test . E) Immunoblot of striatal lysates and conditioned media (CM) in the presence of 100 mM BafA1 or DMSO for 24 hours, probed with anti-p62, anti-HTT (MAB2166), anti-Cathepsin D, and total protein staining. F) Quantification assessing the percentage (%) of secreted protein in conditioned media. Data are presented as mean ± SD of three biological replicates. Statistical significance was assessed by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test . G) Representative immunoblot of striatal conditioned media treated for 24 hours with 100 mM BafA1 or equal volume of DMSO, probed with anti-LC3B and total protein staining. H) Representative immunoblots of striatal lysates and conditioned media (CM) in the presence of 5 µg/mL Brefeldin A (BFA) or DMSO for 4 hours, probed with anti-HTT (MAB2166) and total protein staining. I) Quantification assessing the percentage (%) of HTT secreted protein in conditioned media. Data are presented as mean ± SD of three biological replicates. Statistical significance was assessed by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test . J) Quantification of ATP-based viability assay based on the luminescence signal relative to the number of cells per well, normalized to ST Hdh Q7 . Data represent the mean ± SD of two independent experiments, each with 7-8 technical replicates. Statistical significance was assessed by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s multiple-comparisons test.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were applied overnight at 4°C: rabbit anti-HAP40 (Atlas Antibodies, HPA046960, 1:1000), anti-HTT D7F7 antibody (Cell Signaling, 5656, 1:1000), anti-HTT MAB2166 antibody (Millipore, MAB2166, 1:500), anti-HTT MW1 antibody (DSHB, MW1, 1:500), mouse anti-SQSTM1(p62) (abcam, ab56416, 1:1000), rabbit anti-LC3B (abcam, ab192890, 1:1000), rabbit anti-UBB (PTG, 10201-2-AP, 1:1000), rabbit anti-Cathepsin D (Cell Signaling 69854, 1:1000), rabbit anti-STX17 (PTG 17815-1-AP, 1:1000), mouse anti-FLAG (Sigma, F3165, 1:1000), mouse anti-mNeonGreen (Chromotek, 32F6, 1:200), rabbit anti-GFP (Abcam, ab290, 1:2500), mouse anti-c-Myc (Merck, M4439, 1:2000), mouse anti-Actin (abcam, ab8224, 1:1000), mouse anti-Tubulin (Sigma, T6074, 1:80,000), mouse anti-TIM23 (BD Biosciences, 611223, 1:1000), and mouse anti-GAPDH (Santa Cruz, sc-47724, 1:1000).

Techniques: Western Blot, Control, Staining, Viability Assay