Immune-metabolic receptor GPR84 surrogate and endogenous agonists, 6-OAU and lauric acid, alter Brucella abortus 544 infection in both in vitro and in vivo systems

GPR84 in physiology-Many functions in many tissues

Members of the GPCR superfamily have a wide variety of physiological roles and are therefore valuable targets for developing effective medicines. However, within this superfamily are receptors that are less well characterized and remain orphans, including GPR84. This receptor is stimulated by ligands derived from dietary nutrients, specifically medium chain fatty acids (C9-14), and novel synthetic agonists. There are data demonstrating the role of GPR84 in inflammatory pathways, in addition to emerging data suggesting a key role for GPR84 as a nutrient-sensing GPCR involved in metabolism by sensing energy load via nutrient exposure and subsequent signalling leading to modulation of food intake. Exploring GPR84 pharmacology, its localization and what drives its expression has revealed multiple roles for this receptor. Here, we will reflect on these various roles of GRP84 demonstrated thus far, primarily by exploring data from pre-clinical and clinical studies in various physiological systems, with a specific focus on the gastrointestinal tract. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue GPR84 Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.10/issuetoc.

Biased agonists of GPR84 and insights into biological control

GPR84 was first identified as an open reading frame encoding an orphan Class A G protein coupled receptor in 2001. Gpr84 mRNA is expressed in a limited number of cell types with the highest levels of expression being in innate immune cells, M1 polarised macrophages and neutrophils. The first reported ligands for this receptor were medium chain fatty acids with chain lengths between 9 and 12 carbons. Subsequently, a series of synthetic agonists that signal via the GPR84 receptor were identified. Radioligand binding assays and molecular modelling with site-directed mutagenesis suggest the presence of three ligand binding sites on the receptor, but the physiological agonist(s) of the receptor remain unidentified. Here, we review the effects of GPR84 agonists on innate immune cells following a series of chemical discoveries since 2001. The development of highly biased agonists has helped to probe receptor function in vitro, and the remaining challenge is to follow the effects of biased signalling to the physiological functions of innate immune cell types. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue GPR84 Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.10/issuetoc.

Accuracy of molecular diagnostic methods for the detection of bovine brucellosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aim:

Bovine brucellosis is a disease of global socio-economic importance caused by Brucella abortus. Diagnosis is mainly based on bacterial culture and serology. However, these methods often lack sensitivity and specificity. A range of molecular diagnostic methods has been developed to address these challenges. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of molecular tools, in comparison to gold standard bacterial isolation and serological assays for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

Materials and Methods:

The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on analyses of peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 1, 1990, and June 6, 2020, in the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Springer Link databases. Data were extracted from studies reporting the use of molecular diagnostic methods for the detection of B. abortus infections in animals according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of included journal articles was assessed using the quality assessment of diagnostic-accuracy studies assessment tool and meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager.

Results:

From a total of 177 studies, only 26 articles met the inclusion criteria based on PRISMA guidelines. Data from 35 complete studies were included in the meta-analysis and used to construct 2 × 2 contingency tables. Improved diagnostic performance was observed when tissue (sensitivity 92.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 82.0–98.0%]) and serum samples (sensitivity 91.3% [95% CI 86.0–95.0%]) were used, while the BruAb2_0168 locus was the gene of preference for optimal assay performance (sensitivity 92.3% [95% CI 87.0–96.0%] and specificity 99.3% [95% CI 98.0–100.0%]). Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) had a higher diagnostic accuracy than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR with sensitivity of 92.0% (95% CI 78.0–98.0%) and specificity of 100.0% (95% CI 97.0–100.0%).

Conclusion:

The findings of this study assign superior diagnostic performance in the detection of B. abortus to LAMP. However, due to limitations associated with decreased specificity and a limited number of published articles on LAMP, the alternative use of PCR-based assays including those reported in literature is recommended while the use of LAMP for the detection of bovine brucellosis gains traction and should be evaluated more comprehensively in future.

Macrophage-Mediated Immune Responses: From Fatty Acids to Oxylipins

Macrophages have diverse functions in the pathogenesis, resolution, and repair of inflammatory processes. Elegant studies have elucidated the metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles of activated macrophages. However, the versatility of macrophage responses in inflammation is likely due, at least in part, to their ability to rearrange their repertoire of bioactive lipids, including fatty acids and oxylipins. This review will describe the fatty acids and oxylipins generated by macrophages and their role in type 1 and type 2 immune responses. We will highlight lipidomic studies that have shaped the current understanding of the role of lipids in macrophage polarization.