De novo synthesis of diacylglycerol in endothelium may mediate the association between PAI-1 and the insulin resistance syndrome

Sec62 promotes pro-angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells under hypoxia

This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular pathogenic mechanism of Sec62 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Microarray analysis was conducted to profile the global gene expression in the HCC cell line Huh7 cells transfected with Sec62^high vs. NC and Sec62^low vs. NC. Ingenuity pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were used to perform Sec62-related signaling pathway analysis from screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Experimental validation of the expression of key DEGs was conducted. Hypoxia-induced tube formation was undertaken to investigate the role of Sec62 in angiogenesis. A total of 74 intersected DEGs were identified from Huh7 cells with Sec62^high vs. NC and Sec62^low vs. NC. Among them, 65 DEGs were correlated with the expression of Sec62. The P53 signaling pathway was found to be enriched in Huh7 cells with Sec62^high vs. NC, while the acute phase response signaling pathway was enriched in Huh7 cells with Sec62^low vs. NC. DEGs, such as serine protease inhibitor E (SERPINE) and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11B (TNFRSF11B), were not only identified as the lead genes of these enriched pathways, but were also found to be closely related to Sec62. Moreover, knockdown of Sec62 decreased the expression of SERPINE1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1)) and TNFRSF11B, whereas overexpression of Sec62 had the opposite effects. In addition, knockdown of Sec62 inhibited hypoxia-induced tube formation via PAI-1. Sec62 promoted pro-angiogenesis of HCC under hypoxia by regulating PAI-1, and it may be a crucial angiogenic switch in HCC.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in relation to hypoxia and oncoproteins in clinical cervical tumors

PURPOSE

Explore the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in cervical cancer and its relationship to hypoxia and the expression of p53, Ku70/80, and cyclin D1.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The expression of PAI-1, cyclin D1, and p53, together with tumor oxygenation, were determined in 43 consecutive patients suffering from localized cervical carcinoma. Oncoprotein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Tumor oxygenation was measured using a polarographic probe system, "pO2 histography."

RESULTS

PAI expression was considered negative in 32.6% and overexpressed in 18.6% of cases. Cyclin D1 showed a median expression of 5.0 (range 0-70). We observed a positive association between PAI expression and altered p53 (p = 0.049) and cyclin D1 (p = 0.020). An inverse association was detected between PAI and Ku70/80 expression (p = 0.042). Cyclin D1 staining increased according to tumor volume (r = 0.314, p = 0.009). We did not observe a significant association between PAI and hypoxia or other clinicopathological parameters.

CONCLUSION

The present results show that PAI-1 overexpression is associated with nonhomologous end-joining DNA repair down-regulation (low Ku70/80 expression) and with increased p53 and cyclin D1 expression, and they suggest that PAI-1 plays a role in the tumor behavior in cervical carcinoma.

Maternal high-fat diet triggers lipotoxicity in the fetal livers of nonhuman primates

Maternal obesity is thought to increase the offspring's risk of juvenile obesity and metabolic diseases; however, the mechanism(s) whereby excess maternal nutrition affects fetal development remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated in nonhuman primates the effect of chronic high-fat diet (HFD) on the development of fetal metabolic systems. We found that fetal offspring from both lean and obese mothers chronically consuming a HFD had a 3-fold increase in liver triglycerides (TGs). In addition, fetal offspring from HFD-fed mothers (O-HFD) showed increased evidence of hepatic oxidative stress early in the third trimester, consistent with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). O-HFD animals also exhibited elevated hepatic expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and transcription factors. Furthermore, fetal glycerol levels were 2-fold higher in O-HFD animals than in control fetal offspring and correlated with maternal levels. The increased fetal hepatic TG levels persisted at P180, concurrent with a 2-fold increase in percent body fat. Importantly, reversing the maternal HFD to a low-fat diet during a subsequent pregnancy improved fetal hepatic TG levels and partially normalized gluconeogenic enzyme expression, without changing maternal body weight. These results suggest that a developing fetus is highly vulnerable to excess lipids, independent of maternal diabetes and/or obesity, and that exposure to this may increase the risk of pediatric NAFLD.

Adipokine and insulin profiles distinguish diabetogenic and non-diabetogenic obesities in mice

OBJECTIVE

To use longitudinal profiling of plasma adipokines to distinguish diabetogenic vs. non-diabetogenic obesity syndrome in two new mouse models of polygenic obesity.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Male mice of the NONcNZO5 strain develop a polygenic obesity syndrome uncomplicated by diabetes, whereas NONcNZO10 males develop a comparable polygenic obesity that precipitates type 2 diabetes. A multiplex immunoassay for simultaneous measurement of insulin and a panel of mouse adipokines (leptin, resistin, adiponectin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were used to profile longitudinal changes in these strains between 4 and 16 weeks of age that might distinguish the non-diabetogenic vs. diabetogenic obesity (diabesity).

RESULTS

Both strains became adipose, with NONcNZO5 males attaining a higher mean body weight with a higher percentage fat content. Weight gain in NONcNZO5 was accompanied by a transient peak in plasma insulin (PI) at 8 weeks followed by a decline into normal range, with normoglycemia maintained throughout. In contrast, NONcNZO10 showed no early PI secretory response because both body weight and plasma glucose increased between 4 and 8 weeks. Only after 12 weeks, with hyperglycemia established, was a delayed PI secretory response observed. Neither plasma leptin nor adiponectin concentrations significantly differentiated the two syndromes over time. However, repeated measures ANOVA showed that NONcNZO10 males maintained significantly higher plasma concentrations of two adipokines, resistin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine/adipokine macrophage chemoattractant protein-1.

DISCUSSION

Longitudinal profiling of PI and adipokines in two new mouse models developing moderate obesity demonstrated that specific marker signatures differentiated a non-diabetogenic obesity from a diabetogenic obesity.

Adipokines and the blood-brain barrier

Just as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is not a static barrier, the adipocytes are not inert storage depots. Adipokines are peptides or polypeptides produced by white adipose tissue; they play important roles in normal physiology as well as in the metabolic syndrome. Adipokines secreted into the circulation can interact with the BBB and exert potent CNS effects. The specific transport systems for two important adipokines, leptin and tumor necrosis factor alpha, have been characterized during the past decade. By contrast, transforming growth factor beta-1 and adiponectin do not show specific permeation across the BBB, but modulate endothelial functions. Still others, like interleukin-6, may reach the brain but are rapidly degraded. This review summarizes current knowledge and recent findings of the rapidly growing family of adipokines and their interactions with the BBB.