scholarly journals Energy metabolism adaptations and gene expression reprogramming in a cellular MAFLD model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Ran Zhou ◽  
Cagla Cömert ◽  
Xiaoyu Zhou ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
Lars Bolund ◽  
...  

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aims to characterize mitochondrial dysfunctions in a human MAFLD Huh7 cell model triggered by free fatty acid (FFA) (palmitate and oleate) overload for 24 hours. We investigate its impact on cellular energy metabolism and identify potential targets for MAFLD treatment. FFA-treated cells displayed an accumulation of lipid droplets and slightly decreased viability but no significant changes in mitochondrial superoxide levels. Bioenergetic analysis showed a shift to more respiration and less glycolytic fermentation. Comprehensive transcriptomics and proteomics analyses identified changes in the expression of genes prominently involved in fatty acid handling and metabolism. The expressions of seven genes were consistently and significantly (p<0.05) altered (4 upregulated and 3 downregulated genes) in both proteomics and transcriptomics. The FFA-treated Huh7 cell model is an appropriate in vitro model to study fatty acid metabolism and suitable to investigate the role of mitochondria, glycolysis, and multiple metabolic pathways in MAFLD. Our comprehensive analyses form a basis for drug discovery and screening using this model.

Author(s):  
VS Shadrin ◽  
PM Kozhin ◽  
OO Shoshina ◽  
NG Luzgina ◽  
AL Rusanov

The search for the optimal cell model for studying the pathogenesis of pathological scars is a pressing challenge. This study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of using telomerized fibroblasts for the in vitro 3D modeling of pathological hypertrophic scars. NF and Fb-hTERT cells were cultured as monolayers and spheroids in the absence and in the presence of TGFβ1. The metabolic activity of the cultured cells was assessed using the MTT assay. Cell migration was estimated using the scratch assay. The expression of genes associated with fibrous scar tissue growth was measured by qRT-PCR. Fb-hTERT cells were more metabolically active than NF cells in the presence of TGFβ1 (for 1 ng/ml: 179 ± 12% vs. 135 ± 13% respectively; p < 0,05). Spheroids grown from Fb-hTERT cells were significantly larger than those derived from NF cells. In the presence of TGFβ1, the expression of proteins associated with extracellular matrix production (COL1A1, COL3A1, FN1) was lower in Fb-hTERT cells than in NF cells (more than 25, 20 and 2-fold, respectively; p < 0.05). Intact NF cells were more active in closing the scratch than Fb-hTERT cells: on day 2, the gap closure rate was 2.28 times higher in NF cells (p < 0.05). Exposure to TGFβ1 stimulated Fb-hTERT, unlike NF cells, to close the gap 2 times faster on day 2 (p < 0.05). Thus, telomerized fibroblasts have a few phenotypic traits observed in keloid fibroblasts; still there are some limitations that should be accounted for when using Fb-hTERT cells for the modeling of pathological hypertrophic scars.


2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (05) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wendisch ◽  
D. Aurich ◽  
R. Runge ◽  
R. Freudenberg ◽  
J. Kotzerke ◽  
...  

SummaryTechnetium radiopharmaceuticals are well established in nuclear medicine. Besides its well-known gamma radiation, 99mTc emits an average of five Auger and internal conversion electrons per decay. The biological toxicity of these low-energy, high-LET (linear energy transfer) emissions is a controversial subject. One aim of this study was to estimate in a cell model how much 99mTc can be present in exposed cells and which radiobiological effects could be estimated in 99mTc-overloaded cells. Methods: Sodium iodine symporter (NIS)- positive thyroid cells were used. 99mTc-uptake studies were performed after preincubation with a non-radioactive (cold) stannous pyro - phosphate kit solution or as a standard 99mTc pyrophosphate kit preparation or with pure pertechnetate solution. Survival curves were analyzed from colony-forming assays. Results: Preincubation with stannous complexes causes irreversible intracellular radioactivity retention of 99mTc and is followed by further pertechnetate influx to an unexpectedly high 99mTc level. The uptake of 99mTc pertechnetate in NIS-positive cells can be modified using stannous pyrophosphate from 3–5% to >80%. The maximum possible cellular uptake of 99mTc was 90 Bq/cell. Compared with nearly pure extracellular irradiation from routine 99mTc complexes, cell survival was reduced by 3–4 orders of magnitude after preincubation with stannous pyrophosphate. Conclusions: Intra cellular 99mTc retention is related to reduced survival, which is most likely mediated by the emission of low-energy electrons. Our findings show that the described experiments constitute a simple and useful in vitro model for radiobiological investigations in a cell model.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Yongqing Lan ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Shuangli Mi

Hematopoietic differentiation is a well-orchestrated process by many regulators such as transcription factor and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, due to the large number of lncRNAs and the difficulty in determining their roles, the study of lncRNAs is a considerable challenge in hematopoietic differentiation. Here, through gene co-expression network analysis over RNA-seq data generated from representative types of mouse myeloid cells, we obtained a catalog of potential key lncRNAs in the context of mouse myeloid differentiation. Then, employing a widely used in vitro cell model, we screened a novel lncRNA, named Gdal1 (Granulocytic differentiation associated lncRNA 1), from this list and demonstrated that Gdal1 was required for granulocytic differentiation. Furthermore, knockdown of Cebpe, a principal transcription factor of granulocytic differentiation regulation, led to down-regulation of Gdal1, but not vice versa. In addition, expression of genes involved in myeloid differentiation and its regulation, such as Cebpa, were influenced in Gdal1 knockdown cells with differentiation blockage. We thus systematically identified myeloid differentiation associated lncRNAs and substantiated the identification by investigation of one of these lncRNAs on cellular phenotype and gene regulation levels. This study promotes our understanding of the regulation of myeloid differentiation and the characterization of roles of lncRNAs in hematopoietic system.


Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buffy S. Ellsworth ◽  
Brett R. White ◽  
Ann T. Burns ◽  
Brian D. Cherrington ◽  
Annette M. Otis ◽  
...  

Reproductive function is dependent on the interaction between GnRH and its cognate receptor found on gonadotrope cells of the anterior pituitary gland. GnRH activation of the GnRH receptor (GnRHR) is a potent stimulus for increased expression of multiple genes including the gene encoding the GnRHR itself. Thus, homologous regulation of the GnRHR is an important mechanism underlying gonadotrope sensitivity to GnRH. Previously, we have found that GnRH induction of GnRHR gene expression in αT3-1 cells is partially mediated by protein kinase C activation of a canonical activator protein-1 (AP-1) element. In contrast, protein kinase A and a cAMP response element-like element have been implicated in mediating the GnRH response of the GnRHR gene using a heterologous cell model (GGH3). Herein we find that selective removal of the canonical AP-1 site leads to a loss of GnRH regulation of the GnRHR promoter in transgenic mice. Thus, an intact AP-1 element is necessary for GnRH responsiveness of the GnRHR gene both in vitro and in vivo. Based on in vitro analyses, GnRH appeared to enhance the interaction of JunD, FosB, and c-Fos at the GnRHR AP-1 element. Although enhanced binding of cFos reflected an increase in gene expression, GnRH appeared to regulate both FosB and JunD at a posttranslational level. Neither overexpression of a constitutively active Raf-kinase nor pharmacological blockade of GnRH-induced ERK activation eliminated the GnRH response of the GnRHR promoter. GnRH responsiveness was, however, lost in αT3-1 cells that stably express a dominant-negative c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) kinase, suggesting a critical role for JNK in mediating GnRH regulation of the GnRHR gene. Consistent with this possibility, we find that the ability of forskolin and membrane-permeable forms of cAMP to inhibit the GnRH response of the GnRHR promoter is associated with a loss of both JNK activation and GnRH-mediated recruitment of the primary AP-1-binding components.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Frasca ◽  
Maria Romero ◽  
Denisse Garcia ◽  
Alain Diaz ◽  
Bonnie B. Blomberg

We have measured the secretion of autoimmune antibodies in plasma samples and in culture supernatants of blood-derived B cells from four groups of individuals: young lean (YL), elderly lean (EL), young obese (YO) and elderly obese (EO). We found secretion comparable in YO and EL individuals, suggesting that obesity accelerates age-associated defects in circulating B cells. To define at least one possible molecular pathway involved, we used an in vitro model in which B cells from YL and EL individuals have been stimulated with the Fatty Acid (FA) palmitate, the most common saturated FA in the human body. The rationale to use palmitate is that there is a chronic increase in circulating levels of palmitate, due to increased spontaneous lipolysis occurring during aging and obesity, and this may induce autoimmune B cells. Results herein show that in vitro incubation of B cells from YL and EL individuals with the FA palmitate induces mRNA expression of T-bet, the transcription factor for autoimmune antibodies, as well as secretion of autoimmune IgG antibodies, with B cells from YL individuals looking similar to B cells from EL individuals, confirming our initial hypothesis. The generation of autoimmune B cells in the presence of the FA palmitate was found to be associated with a metabolic reprogramming of B cells from both YL and EL individuals. These results altogether show the critical role of the FA palmitate in inducing human B cell immunosenescence and show for the first time the importance of metabolic pathways in this process.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory P. Cunningham ◽  
Mary P. Moore ◽  
Ryan J. Daskek ◽  
Grace M. Meers ◽  
Takamune Takahashi ◽  
...  

Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in hepatocytes may be an important target in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and progression to steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, we show genetic deletion and viral knockdown of hepatocyte-specific eNOS exacerbated hepatic steatosis and inflammation, decreased hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and respiration, increased mitochondrial H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> emission, and impaired the hepatic mitophagic (BNIP3 and LC3II) response. Conversely, overexpressing eNOS in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo increased hepatocyte mitochondrial respiration and attenuated western diet induced NASH. Moreover, patients with elevated NAFLD activity score (histology score of worsening steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation) exhibited reduced hepatic eNOS expression which correlated with reduced hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and lower hepatic protein expression of mitophagy protein BNIP3. The current study reveals an important molecular role for hepatocyte-specific eNOS as a key regulator of NAFLD/NASH susceptibility and mitochondrial quality control with direct clinical correlation to patients with NASH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio César Rodriguez-Gonzalez ◽  
Ivones Hernández-Balmaseda ◽  
Ken Declerck ◽  
Claudina Pérez-Novo ◽  
Emilie Logie ◽  
...  

In spite of the current advances and achievements in cancer treatments, colorectal cancer (CRC) persists as one of the most prevalent and deadly tumor types in both men and women worldwide. Drug resistance, adverse side effects and high rate of angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor relapse remain one of the greatest challenges in long-term management of CRC and urges need for new leads of anticancer drugs. We demonstrate that CRC treatment with the phytopharmaceutical mangiferin (MGF), a glucosylxanthone present in Mango tree stem bark and leaves (Mangifera Indica L.), induces dose-dependent tumor regression and decreases lung metastasis in a syngeneic immunocompetent allograft mouse model of murine CT26 colon carcinoma, which increases overall survival of mice. Antimetastatic and antiangiogenic MGF effects could be further validated in a wound healing in vitro model in human HT29 cells and in a matrigel plug implant mouse model. Interestingly, transcriptome pathway enrichment analysis demonstrates that MGF inhibits tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis by multi-targeting of mitochondrial oxidoreductase and fatty acid β-oxidation metabolism, PPAR, SIRT, NFκB, Stat3, HIF, Wnt and GP6 signaling pathways. MGF effects on fatty acid β-oxidation metabolism and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) protein expression could be further confirmed in vitro in human HT29 colon cells. In conclusion, antitumor, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic effects of MGF treatment hold promise to reduce adverse toxicity and to mitigate therapeutic outcome of colorectal cancer treatment by targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism in the tumor microenvironment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiwen Wang ◽  
Zhecheng Wang ◽  
Ruimin Sun ◽  
Rong Fu ◽  
Yu Sun ◽  
...  

Fatty acid β-oxidation is an essential pathogenic mechanism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and TATA-box binding protein associated factor 9 (TAF9) has been reported to be involved in the regulation of fatty acid β-oxidation. However, the function of TAF9 in NAFLD, as well as the mechanism by which TAF9 is regulated, remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the signaling mechanism underlying the involvement of TAF9 in NAFLD and the protective effect of the natural phenolic compound Danshensu (DSS) against NAFLD via the HDAC1/TAF9 pathway. An in vivo model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and a palmitic acid (PA)-treated AML-12 cell model were developed. Pharmacological treatment with DSS significantly increased fatty acid β-oxidation and reduced lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in NAFLD. TAF9 overexpression had the same effects on these processes both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, the protective effect of DSS was markedly blocked by TAF9 knockdown. Mechanistically, TAF9 was shown to be deacetylated by HDAC1, which regulates the capacity of TAF9 to mediate fatty acid β-oxidation and LD accumulation during NAFLD. In conclusion, TAF9 is a key regulator in the treatment of NAFLD that acts by increasing fatty acid β-oxidation and reducing LD accumulation, and DSS confers protection against NAFLD through the HDAC1/TAF9 pathway.


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