Ccr7 null mice are protected against diet-induced obesity via Ucp1 upregulation and enhanced energy expenditure

Background

The chemokine receptor CCR7, expressed on various immune cells, is associated with cell migration and lympho-node homing. Mice lacking Ccr7 are protected from diet-induced obesity and subsequent insulin resistance. We evaluated the mechanism underlying these protective effects from the standpoint of energy expenditure.

Methods

Wild-type and Ccr7 null mice were fed a high-fat diet, and the regulation of energy metabolism and energy metabolism-related molecules, e.g., Ucp1, Cidea, and Pgc1α, were evaluated.

Results

Food intake did not differ between groups. O₂ consumption and CO₂ production were higher in Ccr7 null mice than in wild-type mice, despite a similar respiratory quotient and glucose and lipid utilization, suggesting that energy expenditure increased in Ccr7 null mice via enhanced metabolism. In white adipose tissues of Ccr7 null mice, Prdm16, Cd137, Tmem26, Th, and Tbx1 expression increased. Similarly, in brown adipose tissues of Ccr7 null mice, Dio2, Pgc1α, Cidea, Sirt1, and Adiponectin expression increased. In both white and brown adipose tissues, Ucp1 gene and protein expression levels were higher in null mice than in wild-type mice.

Conclusions

In Ccr7 null mice, browning of white adipocytes as well as the activation of brown adipocytes cause enhanced energy metabolism, resulting in protection against diet-induced obesity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12986-019-0372-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Possible involvement of normalized Pin1 expression level and AMPK activation in the molecular mechanisms underlying renal protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in mice

BACKGROUND

Recently, clinical studies have shown the protective effects of sodium glucose co-transporter2 (SGLT2) inhibitors against progression of diabetic nephropathy, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

Diabetic mice were prepared by injecting nicotinamide and streptozotocin, followed by high-sucrose diet feeding (NA/STZ/Suc mice). The SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin was administered as a 0.03% (w/w) mixture in the diet for 4 weeks. Then, various parameters and effects of canagliflozin on diabetic nephropathy were investigated.

RESULTS

Canagliflozin administration to NA/STZ/Suc mice normalized hyperglycemia as well as elevated renal mRNA of collagen 1a1, 1a2, CTGF, TNFα and MCP-1. Microscopic observation revealed reduced fibrotic deposition in the kidneys of canagliflozin-treated NA/STZ/Suc mice. Interestingly, the protein level of Pin1, reportedly involved in the inflammation and fibrosis affecting several tissues, was markedly increased in the NA/STZ/Suc mouse kidney, but this was normalized with canagliflozin treatment. The cells showing increased Pin1 expression in the kidney were mainly mesangial cells, along with podocytes, based on immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, it was revealed that canagliflozin induced AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activation concentration-dependently in CRL1927 mesangial as well as THP-1 macrophage cell lines. AMPK activation was speculated to suppress mesangial cell proliferation and exert anti-inflammatory effects in hematopoietic cells.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we can reasonably suggest that normalized Pin1 expression and AMPK activation contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying SGLT2 inhibitor-induced suppression of diabetic nephropathy, possibly at least in part by reducing inflammation and fibrotic change.

Characterization of human dental pulp cells grown in chemically defined serum-free medium

Dental pulp cells (DPCs) are promising candidates for use as transplantable cells in regenerative medicine. However, ex vivo expansion of these cells typically requires culture media containing fetal bovine serum, which may cause infection and immunological reaction following transplantation. In addition, the proliferation and differentiation of DPCs markedly depend upon serum batches. Therefore, the present study examined whether DPCs could be expanded under serum-free conditions. DPCs obtained from four donors were identified to proliferate actively in the serum-free medium, STK2, when compared with those cells in control medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% serum). The high proliferative potential with STK2 was maintained through multiple successive culture passages. DNA microarray analyses demonstrated that the gene expression profile of DPCs grown in STK2 was similar to that of cells grown in the control medium; however, a number of genes related to cell proliferation, including placental growth factor and inhibin-βE, were upregulated in the STK2 cultures. Following induction of osteogenesis, DPCs grown in STK2 induced alkaline phosphatase activity and calcification at higher levels compared with the control medium cultures, indicating maintenance of differentiation potential in STK2. This serum-free culture system with DPCs may have applications in further experimental studies and as a clinical strategy in regenerative medicine.

Metabolic Endotoxemia-Activated Macrophages Promote Pancreatic β Cell Death via IFNβ-Xaf1 Pathway

Metabolic endotoxemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In addition to adipose tissue inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration is also observed in islets, although its effect on islets is largely unknown. We hypothesized that macrophage infiltration into islets leads to impairment of α or β cell function, which ultimately act to exacerbate the pathophysiology of diabetes. Gene expression in a murine α cell line, αTC1, and β cell line, βTC6, was investigated by DNA microarray after co-culturing the cells with a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, in the presence or absence of bacterial endotoxin. Among the genes showing highly upregulated expression, genes specifically upregulated only in β cells were evaluated to determine the roles of the gene products on the cellular function of β cells. In both α and β cells, expression of type I interferon-responsive genes was highly upregulated upon endotoxin stimulation. Among these genes, expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (Xiap)-associated factor 1 (Xaf1) gene, which is associated with the induction of apoptosis, was specifically enhanced in β cells by endotoxin stimulation. This upregulation appeared to be mediated by macrophage-derived interferon β (IFNβ), as endotoxin-stimulated macrophages produced higher amounts of IFNβ, and exogenous addition of IFNβ into βTC6 cultures resulted in increased Xaf1 protein production and cleaved caspase 3, which accelerated β-cell apoptosis. Macrophages activated by metabolic endotoxemia infiltrated into islets and produced IFNβ, which induced β-cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of Xaf1.

Genome-wide identification of chromatin-enriched RNA reveals that unspliced dentin matrix protein-1 mRNA regulates cell proliferation in squamous cell carcinoma

Chromatin-enriched noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key molecules in epigenetic processes by interacting with chromatin-associated proteins. Recently, protein-coding mRNA genes have been reported to be chromatin-tethered, similar with ncRNA. However, very little is known about whether chromatin-enriched mRNA is involved in the chromatin modification process. Here, we comprehensively examined chromatin-enriched RNA in squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) cells by RNA subcellular localization analysis, which was a combination of RNA fractionation and RNA-seq. We identified 11 mRNAs as highly chromatin-enriched RNAs. Among these, we focused on the dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) gene because its expression in SQCC cells has not been reported. Furthermore, we clarified that DMP-1 mRNA was retained in chromatin in its unspliced form in SQCC in vitro and in vivo. As the inhibition of the unspliced DMP-1 mRNA (unspDMP-1) expression resulted in decreased cellular proliferation in SQCC cells, we performed ChIP-qPCR to identify cell cycle-related genes whose expression was epigenetically modified by unspDMP-1, and found that the CDKN1B promoter became active in SQCC cells by inhibiting unspDMP-1 expression. This result was further validated by the increased CDKN1B gene expression in the cells treated with siRNA for unspDMP-1 and by restoration of the decreased cellular proliferation rate by simultaneously inhibiting CDKN1B expression in SQCC cells. Further, to examine whether unspDMP-1 was able to associate with the CDKN1B promoter region, SQCC cells stably expressing PP7-mCherry fusion protein were transiently transfected with the unspDMP-1 fused to 24 repeats of the PP7 RNA stem loop (unspDMP-1-24xPP7) and we found that unspDMP-1-24xPP7 was efficiently precipitated with the antibody against mCherry and was significantly enriched in the CDKN1B promoter region. Thus, unspDMP-1 is a novel chromatin-enriched RNA that epigenetically regulates cellular proliferation of SQCC.

Adipose tissue complement factor B promotes adipocyte maturation

OBJECTIVES

It is well-known that the complement system plays an essential role in host immunity. Observational studies have indicated that complement system-related molecules such as complement factor B (CfB) and other components are correlated with obesity and/or insulin resistance parameters. In this study, we investigated the role of adipocyte-derived CfB in adipose tissue metabolism.

METHODS

We investigated the expression level of complement system-related genes in adipocytes. To understand the role of CfB in adipocyte, we performed Cfb overexpression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and generated adipocyte-specific Cfb transgenic mice.

RESULTS

Cfb expression was markedly enhanced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes co-cultured with macrophages following endotoxin stimulation. In Cfb-overexpressing cells, the expression of adipocyte differentiation/maturation-related genes encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparγ), adipocyte Protein 2 and perilipin was significantly enhanced. Cfb transgenic mice showed a marked increase in the expression of genes encoding Pparγ, perilipin, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 c, and Cd36 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

CfB plays a crucial role in late-phase of adipocyte differentiation and subsequent lipid droplet formation.

Roles of serum in innate immune responses of human leukocytes to synthetic lipopeptide

Tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-l-Cys-Ser-(Lys)₄ (Pam₃CSK₄) is a highly conserved molecular motif found in various classes of lipoproteins. The requirement for leukocyte to respond to synthetic Pam₃CSK₄ were studied. Pam₃CSK₄ primed neutrophils for a respiratory burst in a serum-dependent manner. Pam₃CSK₄ upregulated CD11b, CD14, and cytochrome b₅₅₈, and downregulated Leu-8. Treatment of neutrophils with anti-CD14 antibodies and treatment of serum with anti-LPS binding protein (LBP) antibodies resulted in the inhibition of priming for respiratory burst by Pam₃CSK₄. It should be noted that LBP could not replicate the effects of serum in priming of neutrophils for respiratory burst by Pam₃CSK₄. Serum LBP bound to immobilized Pam₃CSK₄. Pam₃CSK₄ induced the interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by leukocytes in a serum-dependent manner. Further, Pam₃CSK₄-induced priming of neutrophils for respiratory burst was not inhibited by the LPS antagonists LA-14-PP, Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS, or E5531, and Pam₃CSK₄-induced IL-8 production by leukocytes was not affected by LPS antagonist, E5531, indicating that Pam₃CSK₄ was recognized by a different receptor than LPS. Thus, Pam₃CSK₄ and LPS had similar biological activities and similar requirement to act on leukocytes, but were recognized by different receptors. Serum in the action of Pam₃CSK₄ on leukocytes was not replicated by LBP, suggesting that Pam₃CSK₄ might be disaggregated by serum to result in the activation of leukocytes.

The number of microvascular complications is associated with an increased risk for severity of periodontitis in type 2 diabetes patients: Results of a multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional study

Aims/Introduction

To explore the relationships between periodontitis and microvascular complications as well as glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

Materials and Methods

This multicenter, hospital‐based, cross‐sectional study included 620 patients with type 2 diabetes. We compared the prevalence and severity of periodontitis between patients with ≥1 microvascular complication and those without microvascular complications. We also compared the prevalence and severity of periodontitis among patients with different degrees of glycemic control.

Results

After adjusting for confounding factors, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the severity of periodontitis was significantly associated with the number of microvascular complications (odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.6), glycated hemoglobin ≥8.0% (64 mmol/mol; odds ratio 1.6; 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.3), and older age (≥50 years; odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.6). However, the prevalence of periodontitis was not significantly associated with the number of microvascular complications, but was associated with male sex, high glycated hemoglobin (≥8.0% [64 mmol/mol]), older age (≥40 years), longer duration of diabetes (≥15 years) and fewer teeth (≤25). Furthermore, propensity score matching for age, sex, diabetes duration and glycated hemoglobin showed that the incidence of severe periodontitis was significantly higher among patients with microvascular complications than among those without microvascular complications (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The number of microvascular complications is a risk factor for more severe periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes, whereas poor glycemic control is a risk factor for increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 is a positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Several studies have reported that angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) is expressed abundantly in adipocytes and is associated with adipose tissue inflammation. In the present study, we found that osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells also expressed Angptl2 at high levels. The aim of this study was to understand the role of Angptl2 in osteoblastic cell differentiation.

METHODS

Angptl2 expression was examined during osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. The role of Angptl2 on cell differentiation and associated signaling was analyzed by gene knockdown using Angptl2 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA).

RESULTS

Angptl2 was highly expressed in MC3T3-E1 cells, ST2 cells and primary osteoblasts, but not in RAW264 cells. Inhibition of Angptl2 expression using siRNA markedly inhibited alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1, ST2 cells and primary osteoblasts. Angptl2 siRNA also inhibited adipocyte differentiation in ST2 cells. Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with Angptl2 siRNA led to the down-regulation of the activities of several cell signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), Akt, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signals. It also down-regulated the expression of Osterix, but not that of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), suggesting that Angptl2 is a positive activator of Osterix and its down-stream signals. Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with anti-Angptl2 antibodies suppressed ALP gene expression. In addition, treatment of Angptl2 siRNA-treated cells with culture supernatants of normal MC3T3-E1 cells restored ALP gene expression, indicating that Angptl2 acts in an autocrine manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that Angptl2 is an autocrine positive regulator of cell differentiation. Thus, it is suggested that Angptl2 regulates not only adipose tissue metabolism but also bone metabolism.

Mechanisms of the Macrolide-Induced Inhibition of Superoxide Generation by Neutrophils

The effect of macrolides on the superoxide (O2 (-)) production by neutrophils was studied. Resting neutrophils become primed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), and primed neutrophils generate O2 (-) in response to fMLP or adhesion, respectively. Both LPS-primed fMLP-stimulated O2 (-) generation by macrolide-treated neutrophils and adhesion-stimulated O2 (-) generation by macrolide-treated fMLP-primed neutrophils were inhibited. Macrolide inhibition of O2 (-) generation was dependent on serum or pH. Serum could be substituted by NaHCO3. The intensity of inhibition was azithromycin = roxithromycin > clarithromycin > erythromycin, in that order. Non-antimicrobial derivatives of erythromycin, that is, EM703 and EM900, inhibited O2 (-) generation at pH 7.4. NH4Cl abolished the activity of azithromycin (AZ) only when added to neutrophils with AZ but not after incubation with AZ, suggesting that NH4Cl prevented the influx of AZ. AZ did not affect the expression of alkaline phosphatase, CD11b, and cytochrome b558 in both resting and LPS-primed neutrophils. These results suggested that macrolides did not affect granule mobilization but inhibited O2 (-) generation selectively.

Epicatechin downregulates adipose tissue CCL19 expression and thereby ameliorates diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Epicatechin (EC) intake has been suggested to be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders, and it is well known that adipose tissue inflammation is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo effects of EC on adipose tissue inflammation and obesity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DNA microarray analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of EC on gene expression in adipocytes co-cultured with bacterial endotoxin-stimulated macrophages. To determine the in vivo effects of the catechin, C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD combined with EC, and metabolic changes were observed EC suppressed the expression of many inflammatory genes in the adipocytes co-cultured with endotoxin-stimulated macrophages. Specifically, EC markedly suppressed chemokine (CC motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) expression. The target cell of EC appeared to macrophages. The in vivo study indicated that mice fed the EC-supplemented HFD were protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Accordingly, the expression levels of genes associated with inflammation in adipose tissue and in the liver were downregulated in this group of mice.

CONCLUSIONS

EC exerts beneficial effects for the prevention of adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Since we previously reported that mice deficient in the CCL19 receptor were protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, it can be concluded that the beneficial effects of EC could be mediated, at least in part, by marked suppression of CCL19 expression.

Antibiotic effects against periodontal bacteria in organ cultured tissue

Mechanical reduction of infectious bacteria by using physical instruments is considered the principal therapeutic strategy for periodontal disease; addition of antibiotics is adjunctive. However, local antibiotic treatment, combined with conventional mechanical debridement, has recently been shown to be more effective in periodontitis subjects with type 2 diabetes. This suggests that some bacteria may invade the inflamed inner gingival epithelium, and mechanical debridement alone will be unable to reduce these bacteria completely. Therefore, we tried to establish infected organ culture models that mimic the inner gingival epithelium and aimed to see the effects of antibiotics in these established models. Mouse dorsal skin epithelia were isolated, and periodontal bacteria were injected into the epithelia. Infected epithelia were incubated with test antibiotics, and colony-forming ability was evaluated. Results indicated that effective antibiotics differed according to injected bacteria and the bacterial combinations tested. Overall, in organ culture model, the combination of amoxicillin or cefdinir and metronidazole compensate for the effects of less effective bacterial combinations on each other. This in vitro study would suggest effective periodontal treatment regimens, especially for severe periodontitis.

Assessing the progression of chronic periodontitis using subgingival pathogen levels: a 24-month prospective multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of the progression of periodontitis presently depends on the use of clinical symptoms (such as attachment loss) and radiographic imaging. The aim of the multicenter study described here was to evaluate the diagnostic use of the bacterial content of subgingival plaque recovered from the deepest pockets in assessing disease progression in chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS

This study consisted of a 24-month investigation of a total of 163 patients with chronic periodontitis who received trimonthly follow-up care. Subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was recovered and assessed for bacterial content of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the modified Invader PLUS assay. The corresponding serum IgG titers were measured using ELISA. Changes in clinical parameters were evaluated over the course of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and prediction values were calculated and used to determine cutoff points for prediction of the progression of chronic periodontitis.

RESULTS

Of the 124 individuals who completed the 24-month monitoring phase, 62 exhibited progression of periodontitis, whereas 62 demonstrated stable disease. The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was significantly associated with the progression of periodontitis (p < 0.001, positive predictive value = 0.708).

CONCLUSIONS

The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets may be associated with the progression of periodontitis.

Serum Amyloid A3 Gene Expression in Adipocytes is an Indicator of the Interaction with Macrophages

The infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue and their interaction with adipocytes are essential for the chronic low-grade inflammation of obese adipose tissue. In this study, we identified the serum amyloid A3 (Saa3) gene as a key adipocyte-derived factor that is affected by interaction with macrophages. We showed that the Saa3 promoter in adipocytes actually responds to activated macrophages in a co-culture system. Decreasing C/EBPβ abundance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes or point mutation of C/EBPβ elements suppressed the increased promoter activity in response to activated macrophages, suggesting an essential role of C/EBPβ in Saa3 promoter activation. Bioluminescence based on Saa3 promoter activity in Saa3-luc mice was promoted in obese adipose tissue, showing that Saa3 promoter activity is most likely related to macrophage infiltration. This study suggests that the level of expression of the Saa3 gene could be utilized for the number of infiltrated macrophages in obese adipose tissue.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate/S1PR2-mediated signaling triggers Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and thereby induces Runx2 expression in osteoblasts

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling sphingolipid that also plays crucial roles in bone regeneration. Recently, we reported that the S1P receptors S1PR1 and S1PR2 were mainly expressed in osteoblast-like cells, and that the S1P/S1PR1 signaling pathway up-regulated osteoprotegerin and osteoblast differentiation. However, the involvement of S1P/S1PR2 signaling in osteoblast differentiation is not well understood. Here we investigate the role of S1P/S1PR2-mediated signaling in osteoblast differentiation and clarify the underlying signaling mechanisms. We found that an S1P/S1PR2/Gi-independent signaling pathway activated RhoA activity, leading to phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 in mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts. Furthermore, this signaling pathway promoted nuclear translocation of Smad4, and increased the amount of Smad6/7 protein in the nucleus. S1P also up-regulated runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression through S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK/Smad1/5/8 signaling. Moreover, we found that S1P partially triggered S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway leading to bone formation in vivo. These findings suggest that S1P induces RhoA activity, leading to the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, thereby promoting Runx2 expression and differentiation in osteoblasts. Our findings describe novel molecular mechanisms in S1P/S1PR2-mediated osteoblast differentiation that could aid future studies of bone regeneration.

Innate immune-stimulatory activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae is eliminated by phase separation using Triton X-114

Fimbriae are virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). In this study, the action of fimbriae on neutrophil respiratory burst and cytokine production by mononuclear cells (MNC) were investigated. Native or denatured form of purified P. gingivalis fimbriae contained endotoxin at an equivalence of 1-3μglipopolysaccharides(LPS)/mg protein. The endotoxin could be reduced to the equivalent of 1ng-LPS/mg protein by phase separation using Triton X-114. Unfractionated fimbriae caused serum-dependent priming of neutrophils for enhanced respiratory burst, but both native and denatured forms of Triton X-114-fractionated fimbriae were not active at 100μg/mL. Unfractionated fimbriae induced serum-dependent production of IL-1β by MNC. Triton X-114-fractionated fimbriae (10μg/mL)-induced production of IL-1β, IL-8 or TNF-α was much lower than that induced by unfractionated fimbriae or 10ng/mL P. gingivalis-LPS preparation. Triton X-114-fractionated fimbriae immobilized on polystyrene tubes induced adhesion-stimulated superoxide release by LPS-primed neutrophils in a β₂ integrin-dependent manner. P. gingivalis cells caused priming of neutrophils; however, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 antagonists did not affect this response. Thus, P. gingivalis fimbriae were ineffective in inducing innate immune response in leukocytes; however, they induced β₂ integrin-mediated response by neutrophils. Immune-stimulatory components of P. gingivalis might be recognized by receptors other than TLR4.

Thiazolidinedione (Pioglitazone) Blocks P. gingivalis- and F. nucleatum, but not E. coli, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Production in Adipocytes

An elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) predicts the future development of coronary heart disease. Periodontitis appears to up-regulate CRP. CRP is produced by hepatocytes in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6). A major source of IL-6 in obese subjects is adipocytes. We hypothesized that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from periodontal pathogens stimulated adipocytes to produce IL-6, and that the production was suppressed by the drugs targeted against insulin resistance, thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone), since this agent potentially showed an anti-inflammatory effect. Mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with E. coli, P. gingivalis, and F. nucleatum LPS. The IL-6 concentration in culture supernatants was measured. All LPS stimulated adipocytes to produce IL-6. Although pioglitazone changed adipocyte appearance from large to small, and completely suppressed P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum LPS-induced IL-6 production, E. coli LPS-induced IL-6 production was not efficiently blocked. Thus, pioglitazone completely blocked periodontal-bacteria-derived LPS-induced IL-6 production in adipocytes, a major inducer of CRP.

IL-17A synergistically enhances TNFα-induced IL-6 and CCL20 production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is known to induce inflammatory responses and to be involved in the pathogenesis of not only autoimmune diseases, but also several metabolic and infectious diseases. In this study, IL-17A is shown to induce IL-6 expression in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. Interestingly, we found that IL-17A synergistically amplified TNFα-induced secretion of IL-6 and upregulation of IL-17RA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Its synergistic effects on IL-6 production were inhibited by pre-treatment with inhibitors of IκBα and JNK. Furthermore, IL-17A cooperatively enhanced LPS-mediated IL-6 production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, IL-17A also enhanced CCL20 production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes stimulated with TNFα or co-cultured with LPS-stimulated RAW macrophages. In high-fat diet-fed mouse epididymal adipose tissues, IL-17RA and RORγt mRNA levels were significantly increased and the serum level of CCL20 was also upregulated. Taken together, these data show that, in adipose tissues, IL-17A contributes to exacerbating insulin resistance-enhancing IL-6 production and promotes the infiltration of Th17 cells in cooperation with TNFα; these findings represent a novel hypothesis for the association between IL-17A-producing cells and type 2 diabetes.

Inhibition of Sprouty2 polarizes macrophages toward an M2 phenotype by stimulation with interferon γ and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by specific bacteria residing in the biofilm, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). Sprouty2 (Spry2) functions as a negative regulator of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway. We previously demonstrated that sequestration of Spry2 induced proliferation and osteogenesis in osteoblastic cells by basic FGF (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation in vitro, but diminished cell proliferation in gingival epithelial cells. In addition, Spry2 knockdown in combination with bFGF and EGF stimulation increases periodontal ligament cell proliferation and migration accompanied by prevention of osteoblastic differentiation. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms through which Spry2 depletion by interferon (IFN) γ and Pg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation affected the physiology of macrophages in vitro. Transfection of macrophages with Spry2 small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) promoted the expression of genes characteristic of M2 alternative activated macrophages, induced interleukin (IL)‐10 expression, and enhanced arginase activity, even in cells stimulated with IFNγ and Pg LPS. In addition, we found that phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and AKT activation by Spry2 downregulation enhanced efferocytosis of apoptotic cells by increasing Rac1 activation and decreasing nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) p65 phosphorylation but not signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation. Collectively, our results suggested that topical administration of Spry2 inhibitors may efficiently resolve inflammation in periodontal disease as macrophage‐based anti‐inflammatory immunotherapy and may create a suitable environment for periodontal wound healing. These in vitro findings provide a molecular basis for new therapeutic approaches in periodontal tissue regeneration.