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Cyr B, de Rivero Vaccari JP. Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Profile in the Brain of Young and Aged Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1372. [PMID: 37408205 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide with no cures identified. Thus, there is a critical need for preventative measures and treatments as the number of patients is expected to increase. Many neurodegenerative diseases have sex-biased prevalence, indicating a need to examine sex differences when investigating prevention and treatment strategies. Inflammation is a key contributor to many neurodegenerative diseases and is a promising target for prevention since inflammation increases with age, which is known as inflammaging. Here, we analyzed the protein expression levels of cytokines, chemokines, and inflammasome signaling proteins in the cortex of young and aged male and female mice. Our results show an increase in caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and ASC specks in females compared to males. Additionally, there was an increase in IL-1α, VEGF-A, CCL3, CXCL1, CCL4, CCL17, and CCL22 in aging females and an increase in IL-8, IL-17a, IL-7, LT-α, and CCL22 in aging males. IL-12/IL-23p40, CCL13, and IL-10 were increased in females compared to males but not with age. These results indicate that there are sex differences in cortical inflammaging and provide potential targets to attenuate inflammation to prevent the development of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Cyr
- Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
- Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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2
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Yamashiro LH, de Souza GEP, de Melo Soares D. Role of CINC-1 and CXCR2 receptors on LPS-induced fever in rats. Pflugers Arch 2018; 471:301-311. [PMID: 30349936 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-018-2222-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The classic model of fever induction is based on the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria in experimental animals. LPS-induced fever results in the synthesis/release of many mediators that assemble an LPS-fever cascade. We have previously demonstrated that cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1, a Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR) + chemokine, centrally administered to rats, induces fever and increases prostaglandin E2 in the cerebrospinal fluid. We now attempt to investigate the involvement of CINC-1 and its functional receptor CXCR2 on the fever induced by exogenous and endogenous pyrogens in rats. We also investigated the effect of reparixin, an allosteric inhibitor of CXCR1/CXCR2 receptors, on fever induced by either systemic administration of LPS or intracerebroventricular injection of CINC-1, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, or ET-1, known mediators of febrile response. Our results show increased CINC-1 mRNA expression in the liver, hypothalamus, CSF, and plasma following LPS injection. Moreover, reparixin administered right before CINC-1 or LPS abolished the fever induced by CINC-1 and significantly reduced the response induced by LPS. In spite of these results, reparixin does not modify the fever induced by IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, but significantly reduces ET-1-induced fever. Therefore, it is plausible to suggest that CINC-1 might contribute to LPS-induced fever in rats by activating CXCR2 receptor on the CNS. Moreover, it can be hypothesized that CINC-1 is placed upstream TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 among the prostaglandin-dependent fever-mediator cascade and amidst the prostaglandin-independent synthesis pathway of fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Harumi Yamashiro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Physic and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Glória Emília Petto de Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Physic and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Denis de Melo Soares
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão do Jeremoabo, no. 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-115, Brazil.
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Fülle L, Offermann N, Hansen JN, Breithausen B, Erazo AB, Schanz O, Radau L, Gondorf F, Knöpper K, Alferink J, Abdullah Z, Neumann H, Weighardt H, Henneberger C, Halle A, Förster I. CCL17 exerts a neuroimmune modulatory function and is expressed in hippocampal neurons. Glia 2018; 66:2246-2261. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Fülle
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Nina Offermann
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Jan Niklas Hansen
- Neuroimmunology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR); Bonn Germany
| | - Björn Breithausen
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences; University of Bonn Medical School; Bonn Germany
| | - Anna Belen Erazo
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Oliver Schanz
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Luca Radau
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Fabian Gondorf
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Konrad Knöpper
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Judith Alferink
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Molecular Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Harald Neumann
- Neural Regeneration Group, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Heike Weighardt
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Christian Henneberger
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences; University of Bonn Medical School; Bonn Germany
- Institute of Neurology; University College London; London United Kingdom
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE); Bonn Germany
| | - Annett Halle
- Neuroimmunology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR); Bonn Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE); Bonn Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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4
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Bell MR, Dryden A, Will R, Gore AC. Sex differences in effects of gestational polychlorinated biphenyl exposure on hypothalamic neuroimmune and neuromodulator systems in neonatal rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 353:55-66. [PMID: 29879404 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous in the environment and exposure to them is associated with immune, endocrine and neural dysfunction. Effects of PCBs on inflammation and immunity are best described in spleen and blood, with fewer studies on neural tissues. This is an important gap in knowledge, as molecules typically associated with neuroinflammation also serve neuromodulatory roles and interact with hormones in normal brain development. The current study used Sprague-Dawley rats to assess whether gestational PCB exposure altered hypothalamic gene expression and serum cytokine concentration in neonatal animals given an immune challenge. Dams were fed wafers containing a mixture of PCBs at an environmentally relevant dose and composition (20 μg/kg, 1:1:1 Aroclor 1242:1248:1254) or oil vehicle control throughout their pregnancy. One day old male and female offspring were treated with an inflammatory challenge (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 50 μg/kg, sc) or saline vehicle control approximately 3.5 h prior to tissue collection. Across both basal and activated inflammatory states, PCB exposure caused greater expression of a subset of inflammatory genes in the hypothalamus and lower expression of genes involved in dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems compared to oil controls. PCB exposure also altered reactions to inflammatory challenge: it reversed the normal decrease in Esr2 hypothalamic expression and induced an abnormal increase in IL-1b and IL-6 serum concentration in response to LPS. Many of these effects were sex specific. Given the potential long-term consequences of neuroimmune disruption, our findings demonstrate the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret R Bell
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, United States.
| | - Ariel Dryden
- Franklin College, Franklin, IN 46131, United States.
| | - Ryan Will
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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Montanari T, Pošćić N, Colitti M. Factors involved in white-to-brown adipose tissue conversion and in thermogenesis: a review. Obes Rev 2017; 18:495-513. [PMID: 28187240 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is the result of energy intake chronically exceeding energy expenditure. Classical treatments against obesity do not provide a satisfactory long-term outcome for the majority of patients. After the demonstration of functional brown adipose tissue in human adults, great effort is being devoted to develop therapies based on the adipose tissue itself, through the conversion of fat-accumulating white adipose tissue into energy-dissipating brown adipose tissue. Anti-obesity treatments that exploit endogenous, pharmacological and nutritional factors to drive such conversion are especially in demand. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge about the various molecules that can be applied in promoting white-to-brown adipose tissue conversion and energy expenditure and the cellular mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Montanari
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - N Pošćić
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M Colitti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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6
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Ambrée O, Klassen I, Förster I, Arolt V, Scheu S, Alferink J. Reduced locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in CC chemokine receptor 4 deficient mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 314:87-95. [PMID: 27469058 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines and their receptors are key regulators of immune cell trafficking and activation. Recent findings suggest that they may also play pathophysiological roles in psychiatric diseases like depression and anxiety disorders. The CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) and its two ligands, CCL17 and CCL22, are functionally involved in neuroinflammation as well as anti-infectious and autoimmune responses. However, their influence on behavior remains unknown. Here we characterized the functional role of the CCR4-CCL17 chemokine-receptor axis in the modulation of anxiety-related behavior, locomotor activity, and object exploration and recognition. Additionally, we investigated social exploration of CCR4 and CCL17 knockout mice and wild type (WT) controls. CCR4 knockout (CCR4(-/-)) mice exhibited fewer anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze, diminished locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, and social exploration, while their recognition memory was not affected. In contrast, CCL17 deficient mice did not show an altered behavior compared to WT mice regarding locomotor activity, anxiety-related behavior, social exploration, and object recognition memory. In the dark-light and object recognition tests, CCL17(-/-) mice even covered longer distances than WT mice. These data demonstrate a mechanistic or developmental role of CCR4 in the regulation of locomotor and exploratory behaviors, whereas the ligand CCL17 appears not to be involved in the behaviors measured here. Thus, either CCL17 and the alternative ligand CCL22 may be redundant, or CCL22 is the main activator of CCR4 in these processes. Taken together, these findings contribute to the growing evidence regarding the involvement of chemokines and their receptors in the regulation of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Ambrée
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Irene Klassen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Volker Arolt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Scheu
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Judith Alferink
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Zampronio AR, Soares DM, Souza GEP. Central mediators involved in the febrile response: effects of antipyretic drugs. Temperature (Austin) 2015; 2:506-21. [PMID: 27227071 PMCID: PMC4843933 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2015.1102802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fever is a complex signal of inflammatory and infectious diseases. It is generally initiated when peripherally produced endogenous pyrogens reach areas that surround the hypothalamus. These peripheral endogenous pyrogens are cytokines that are produced by leukocytes and other cells, the most known of which are interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. Because of the capacity of these molecules to induce their own synthesis and the synthesis of other cytokines, they can also be synthesized in the central nervous system. However, these pyrogens are not the final mediators of the febrile response. These cytokines can induce the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2, which produces prostaglandins. These prostanoids alter hypothalamic temperature control, leading to an increase in heat production, the conservation of heat, and ultimately fever. The effect of antipyretics is based on blocking prostaglandin synthesis. In this review, we discuss recent data on the importance of prostaglandins in the febrile response, and we show that some endogenous mediators can still induce the febrile response even when known antipyretics reduce the levels of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. These studies suggest that centrally produced mediators other than prostaglandins participate in the genesis of fever. Among the most studied central mediators of fever are corticotropin-releasing factor, endothelins, chemokines, endogenous opioids, and substance P, which are discussed herein. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that these different pathways of fever induction may be activated during different pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander R Zampronio
- Department of Pharmacology; Biological Sciences Section; Federal University of Paraná ; Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Denis M Soares
- Department of Medicament; Faculty of Pharmacy; Federal University of Bahia ; Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Glória E P Souza
- Discipline of Pharmacology; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo ; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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8
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Zampronio AR, Soares DM, Souza GEP. Central mediators involved in the febrile response: effects of antipyretic drugs. Temperature (Austin) 2015. [PMID: 27227071 DOI: 10.1080/23328940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fever is a complex signal of inflammatory and infectious diseases. It is generally initiated when peripherally produced endogenous pyrogens reach areas that surround the hypothalamus. These peripheral endogenous pyrogens are cytokines that are produced by leukocytes and other cells, the most known of which are interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. Because of the capacity of these molecules to induce their own synthesis and the synthesis of other cytokines, they can also be synthesized in the central nervous system. However, these pyrogens are not the final mediators of the febrile response. These cytokines can induce the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2, which produces prostaglandins. These prostanoids alter hypothalamic temperature control, leading to an increase in heat production, the conservation of heat, and ultimately fever. The effect of antipyretics is based on blocking prostaglandin synthesis. In this review, we discuss recent data on the importance of prostaglandins in the febrile response, and we show that some endogenous mediators can still induce the febrile response even when known antipyretics reduce the levels of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. These studies suggest that centrally produced mediators other than prostaglandins participate in the genesis of fever. Among the most studied central mediators of fever are corticotropin-releasing factor, endothelins, chemokines, endogenous opioids, and substance P, which are discussed herein. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that these different pathways of fever induction may be activated during different pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander R Zampronio
- Department of Pharmacology; Biological Sciences Section; Federal University of Paraná ; Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Denis M Soares
- Department of Medicament; Faculty of Pharmacy; Federal University of Bahia ; Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Glória E P Souza
- Discipline of Pharmacology; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo ; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in severe traumatic brain injury: a phase II randomized control trial. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2014; 34:845-51. [PMID: 24569690 PMCID: PMC4013762 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2014.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the commonest cause of death and disability in those aged under 40 years. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra) is an endogenous competitive antagonist at the interleukin-1 type-1 receptor (IL-1R). Antagonism at the IL-1R confers neuroprotection in several rodent models of neuronal injury (i.e., trauma, stroke and excitotoxicity). We describe a single center, phase II, open label, randomized-control study of recombinant human IL1ra (rhIL1ra, anakinra) in severe TBI, at a dose of 100 mg subcutaneously once a day for 5 days in 20 patients randomized 1:1. We provide safety data (primary outcome) in this pathology, utilize cerebral microdialysis to directly determine brain extracellular concentrations of IL1ra and 41 cytokines and chemokines, and use principal component analysis (PCA) to explore the resultant cerebral cytokine profile. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was safe, penetrated into plasma and the brain extracellular fluid. The PCA showed a separation in cytokine profiles after IL1ra administration. A candidate cytokine from this analysis, macrophage-derived chemoattractant, was significantly lower in the rhIL1ra-treated group. Our results provide promising data for rhIL1ra as a therapeutic candidate by showing safety, brain penetration and a modification of the neuroinflammatory response to TBI by a putative neuroprotective agent in humans for the first time.
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Osborn O, Oh DY, McNelis J, Sanchez-Alavez M, Talukdar S, Lu M, Li P, Thiede L, Morinaga H, Kim JJ, Heinrichsdorff J, Nalbandian S, Ofrecio JM, Scadeng M, Schenk S, Hadcock J, Bartfai T, Olefsky JM. G protein-coupled receptor 21 deletion improves insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:2444-53. [PMID: 22653059 DOI: 10.1172/jci61953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity-induced inflammation is a key component of systemic insulin resistance, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. A major driver of this inflammation/insulin resistance syndrome is the accumulation of proinflammatory macrophages in adipose tissue and liver. We found that the orphan GPCR Gpr21 was highly expressed in the hypothalamus and macrophages of mice and that whole-body KO of this receptor led to a robust improvement in glucose tolerance and systemic insulin sensitivity and a modest lean phenotype. The improvement in insulin sensitivity in the high-fat diet-fed (HFD-fed) Gpr21 KO mouse was traced to a marked reduction in tissue inflammation caused by decreased chemotaxis of Gpr21 KO macrophages into adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, mice lacking macrophage expression of Gpr21 were protected from HFD-induced inflammation and displayed improved insulin sensitivity. Results of in vitro chemotaxis studies in human monocytes suggested that the defect in chemotaxis observed ex vivo and in vivo in mice is also translatable to humans. Cumulatively, our data indicate that GPR21 has a critical function in coordinating macrophage proinflammatory activity in the context of obesity-induced insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Osborn
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Drug targets: single-cell transcriptomics hastens unbiased discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2011; 33:9-16. [PMID: 22032985 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2011.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery in neuro- and psychopharmacology is lagging, and the most commonly mentioned cause is the scarcity of drug targets. Using NextGen 'sequencing based single-cell transcriptomics' (SBSCT), several hundred different receptors and channels can be identified in individual neurons, and the functional gene product can subsequently be validated. The use of single-cell transcriptome data to reveal the entire receptor repertoire is crucial, as the copy numbers of mRNAs encoding receptors are low, and when cells are pooled dilution of rare mRNAs leads to loss of signal. These overlooked receptors on key neurons often mediate robust effects that may be therapeutically useful. SBSCT also enables the identification of orphan receptors and can provide strong evidence for receptor heterodimers. Here, we compare SBSCT to other single-cell profiling methods. We argue that the unbiased nature of SBSCT makes it a powerful tool for the identification of new drug targets.
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