Conjugated linoleic acid regulates phosphorylation of PPARγ by modulation of ERK 1/2 and p38 signaling in human macrophages/fatty acid-laden macrophages

Macrophage polarization by potential nutraceutical compounds: A strategic approach to counteract inflammation in atherosclerosis

Chronic inflammation represents a main event in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and is closely associated with oxidative stress in a sort of vicious circle that amplifies and sustains all stages of the disease. Key players of atherosclerosis are monocytes/macrophages. According to their pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotype and biological functions, lesional macrophages can release various mediators and enzymes, which in turn contribute to plaque progression and destabilization or, alternatively, lead to its resolution. Among the factors connected to atherosclerotic disease, lipid species carried by low density lipoproteins and pro-oxidant stimuli strongly promote inflammatory events in the vasculature, also by modulating the macrophage phenotyping. Therapies specifically aimed to balance macrophage inflammatory state are increasingly considered as powerful tools to counteract plaque formation and destabilization. In this connection, several molecules of natural origin have been recognized to be active mediators of diverse metabolic and signaling pathways regulating lipid homeostasis, redox state, and inflammation; they are, thus, considered as promising candidates to modulate macrophage responsiveness to pro-atherogenic stimuli. The current knowledge of the capability of nutraceuticals to target macrophage polarization and to counteract atherosclerotic lesion progression, based mainly on in vitro investigation, is summarized in the present review.

Long Chain Fatty Acids as Modulators of Immune Cells Function: Contribution of FFA1 and FFA4 Receptors

Long-chain fatty acids are molecules that act as metabolic intermediates and constituents of membranes; however, their novel role as signaling molecules in immune function has also been demonstrated. The presence of free fatty acid (FFA) receptors on immune cells has contributed to the understanding of this new role of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) in immune function, showing their role as anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory molecules and elucidating their intracellular mechanisms. The FFA1 and FFA4 receptors, also known as GPR40 and GPR120, respectively, have been described in macrophages and neutrophils, two key cells mediating innate immune response. Ligands of the FFA1 and FFA4 receptors induce the release of a myriad of cytokines through well-defined intracellular signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the cellular responses and intracellular mechanisms activated by LCFAs, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in T-cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, as well as the role of the FFA1 and FFA4 receptors in immune cells.

Inhibition of ERK1/2 improves lipid balance in rat macrophages via ABCA1/G1 and CD36

ATP-binding cassette transporters A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1), and macrophage scavenger receptor, cluster of differentiation (CD)36, function as key mediators of cholesterol efflux and influx from macrophages. In addition, they are associated with foam cell formation and the development of atherosclerosis (AS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibition on lipid balance in oxidized-low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-stimulated rat macrophages, and to examine the role of ERK1/2 inhibitors in AS. Rat peritoneal macrophages were treated with Ox-LDL alone or in combination with an ERK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, and untreated cells served as controls. Ox-LDL-induced lipid accumulation was detected by DiI fluorescence and oil red O staining. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of ABCA1, ABCG1 and CD36 were determined using polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Treatment with Ox-LDL significantly increased lipid accumulation and upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of ABCA1, ABCG1 and CD36 in macrophages. The addition of U0126 resulted in a marked reduction of lipid deposition, upregulation of ABCA1/G1 expression and suppression of CD36 expression in Ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages. The results of the present study indicated a novel association between ERK1/2 signaling and lipid metabolism, thus suggesting that inhibition of ERK1/2 may be considered a promising therapeutic strategy against AS.

Modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR γ) by conjugated fatty acid in obesity and inflammatory bowel disease

Conjugated fatty acids including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) have drawn significant attention for their variety of biologically beneficial effects. Evidence suggested that CLA and CLNA could play physiological roles by regulating the expression and activity of PPAR γ. This review summarizes the current understanding of evidence of the role of CLA (cis-9,trans-11 CLA and trans-10,cis-12 CLA) and CLNA (punicic acid and α-eleostearic acid) in modulating the expression or activity of PPAR γ that could in turn be employed as complementary treatment for obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.

Conjugated linoleic acid induces an atheroprotective macrophage MΦ2 phenotype and limits foam cell formation

Background

Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart attack and strokes, is a progresive dyslipidemic and inflammatory disease where monocyte-derived macrophage cells play a pivotal role. Although most of the mechanisms that contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis have been identified, there is limited information on those governing regression. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of isomers of linoleic acid that differ in the position and/or geometry of their double bonds. We have previously shown that a specific CLA blend (80:20 cis-9,trans-11:trans-10,cis-12-CLA) induces regression of pre-established atherosclerosis in vivo, via modulation of monocyte/macrophage function. However, the exact mechanisms through which CLA mediates this effect remain to be elucidated.

Methods

Here, we address if CLA primes monocytes towards an anti-inflammatory MΦ2 macrophage and examine the effect of individual CLA isomers and the atheroprotective blend on monocyte-macrophage differentiation, cytokine generation, foam cell formation and cholesterol metabolism in human peripheral blood monocyte (HPBMC)-derived macrophages.

Results

cis-9,trans-11-CLA and the atheroprotective 80:20 CLA blend regulates expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and modulates the inflammatory cytokine profile of macrophages and foam cells. In addition, cis-9,trans-11-CLA and CLA blend primes HPBMCs towards an anti-inflammatory MΦ2 phenotype, characterised by increased scavenger receptor (CD36) and efflux protein (ABCA-1) expression. Furthermore, this altered macrophage phenotype impacts on foam cell formation, inhibiting ox-LDL accumulation and promoting cholesterol efflux via both PPARγ and LXRα dependent pathways.

Conclusion

The data increases the understanding of the pathways regulated by CLA in atheroprotection, namely, inhibiting the progressive acquisition of a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12950-015-0060-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Current issues surrounding the definition of trans-fatty acids: implications for health, industry and food labels

The definition of trans-fatty acids (TFA) was established by the Codex Alimentarius to guide nutritional and legislative regulations to reduce TFA consumption. Currently, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is excluded from the TFA definition based on evidence (primarily preclinical studies) implying health benefits on weight management and cancer prevention. While the efficacy of CLA supplements remains inconsistent in randomised clinical trials, evidence has emerged to associate supplemental CLA with negative health outcomes, including increased subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress (particularly at high doses). This has resulted in concerns regarding the correctness of excluding CLA from the TFA definition. Here we review recent clinical and preclinical literature on health implications of CLA and ruminant TFA, and highlight several issues surrounding the current Codex definition of TFA and how it may influence interpretation for public health. We find that CLA derived from ruminant foods differ from commercial CLA supplements in their isomer composition/distribution, consumption level and bioactivity. We conclude that health concerns associated with the use of supplemental CLA do not repudiate the exclusion of all forms of CLA from the Codex TFA definition, particularly when using the definition for food-related purposes. Given the emerging differential bioactivity of TFA from industrial v. ruminant sources, we advocate that regional nutrition guidelines/policies should focus on eliminating industrial forms of trans-fat from processed foods as opposed to all TFA per se.