Increased blood pressure in nesfatin/nuclebindin-2-transgenic mice

The role of nesfatin-1 in kidney diseases

Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered protein with a pleiotropic function on various organs, including kidneys. This molecule presents antiapoptotic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, and anorectic features. Available data regarding the role of nesfatin-1 in kidney function and diseases focuses on chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, blood pressure, and renal cell carcinoma. Various studies have shown that the levels of nesfatin-1 were increased in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD); therefore, it was suggested that nesfatin-1 might act as an early DKD marker. Furthermore, the potential protective function of nesfatin-1 against inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and apoptosis in kidney tissues was described in several studies. Alternatively, as reported in the literature, a positive correlation between blood pressure elevation and nesfatin-1 levels was noted. Moreover, nesfatin-1 might exert influence on renal cell carcinoma progression and invasion of cancerous cells. Nesfatin-1 shows considerable potential for acting as a prognostic marker or a defensive factor for kidney diseases; however, further investigation, especially in the pediatric population, is still required.

Nesfatin-1 enhances vascular smooth muscle calcification through facilitating BMP-2 osteogenic signaling

Vascular calcification (VC) arises from the accumulation of calcium salts in the intimal or tunica media layer of the aorta, contributing to higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Despite this, the mechanisms driving VC remain incompletely understood. We previously described that nesfatin-1 functioned as a switch for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plasticity in hypertension and neointimal hyperplasia. In this study, we sought to investigate the role and mechanism of nesfatin-1 in VC. The expression of nesfatin-1 was measured in calcified VSMCs and aortas, as well as in patients. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were evaluated the roles of nesfatin-1 in VC pathogenesis. The transcription activation of nesfatin-1 was detected using a mass spectrometry. We found higher levels of nesfatin-1 in both calcified VSMCs and aortas, as well as in patients with coronary calcification. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments revealed that nesfatin-1 was a key regulator of VC by facilitating the osteogenic transformation of VSMCs. Mechanistically, nesfatin-1 promoted the de-ubiquitination and stability of BMP-2 via inhibiting the E3 ligase SYTL4, and the interaction of nesfatin-1 with BMP-2 potentiated BMP-2 signaling and induced phosphorylation of Smad, followed by HDAC4 phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion. The dissociation of HDAC4 from RUNX2 elicited RUNX2 acetylation and subsequent nuclear translocation, leading to the transcription upregulation of OPN, a critical player in VC. From a small library of natural compounds, we identified that Curculigoside and Chebulagic acid reduced VC development via binding to and inhibiting nesfatin-1. Eventually, we designed a mass spectrometry-based DNA-protein interaction screening to identify that STAT3 mediated the transcription activation of nesfatin-1 in the context of VC. Overall, our study demonstrates that nesfatin-1 enhances BMP-2 signaling by inhibiting the E3 ligase SYTL4, thereby stabilizing BMP-2 and facilitating the downstream phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/9 and HDAC4. This signaling cascade leads to RUNX2 activation and the transcriptional upregulation of MSX2, driving VC. These insights position nesfatin-1 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing or treating VC, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this critical cardiovascular condition.

Nesfatin-1 is a regulator of inflammation with implications during obesity and metabolic syndrome

Nesfatin-1, derived from the nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2) precursor, is a potent anorexigenic peptide that was discovered in 2006. Since its identification in the hypothalamus, it has been shown to have wide ranging actions within and outside of the central nervous system. One of these actions is the regulation of inflammation, which could potentially be exploited therapeutically in the context of obesity-associated inflammation in adipose tissue. Here, we review recent advances in our knowledge about the ability of nesfatin-1 to control inflammation by regulating NFκB signaling, which likely attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inhibits apoptosis.

Transcriptomic signatures of progressive and regressive liver fibrosis and portal hypertension

Persistent liver injury triggers a fibrogenic program that causes pathologic remodeling of the hepatic microenvironment (i.e., liver fibrosis) and portal hypertension. The dynamics of gene regulation during liver disease progression and early regression remain understudied. Here, we generated hepatic transcriptome profiles in two well-established liver disease models at peak fibrosis and during spontaneous regression after the removal of the inducing agents. We linked the dynamics of key disease readouts, such as portal pressure, collagen area, and transaminase levels, to differentially expressed genes, enabling the identification of transcriptomic signatures of progressive vs. regressive liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. These candidate biomarkers (e.g., Tcf4, Mmp7, Trem2, Spp1, Scube1, Islr) were validated in RNA sequencing datasets of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, and those cured from hepatitis C infection. Finally, deconvolution identified major cell types and suggested an association of macrophage and portal hepatocyte signatures with portal hypertension and fibrosis area.

Nesfatin-1 peptide protects rat renal epithelial cells against high glucose and H2O2 induced injury via inhibition of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis

Nesfatin-1 is a potent polypeptide and plays a crucial role in many physiological functions. Nesfatin-1 levels are reported in both the central nervous system and peripheral organs. However, the expression of nesfatin-1 in the renal system under chronic oxidative stress-induced conditions and the direct effect of nesfatin-1 treatment on stress-induced pathological damage are not reported. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the role of nesfatin-1 in vitro in oxidative stress-induced renal epithelial cells. High glucose (HG) and H2O2 combination were used to induce oxidative stress (OS). MTT, crystal violet, and H and E staining were used to measure cell viability, cytotoxicity, and morphology. FACS analysis and confocal microscopy were used to measure OS and apoptosis. RT-PCR was done for gene expression analysis. Decreased nesfatin-1 expression was observed in renal epithelial cells induced with HG and H2O2 compared to an untreated control (0.16; p < 0.0001). Nesfatin-1 co-treatment with HG and H2O2 attenuated ROS, apoptosis, and fibrosis. SOD, Catalase, and Bcl-2 expression decreased (p < 0.0001) and Caspase-3 and TGF-β1 expression increased in HG and H2O2-induced cells compared to control cells (p < 0.0001). Nesfatin-1 co-treatment attenuated these changes induced by HG and H2O2 (p < 0.0001). Nesfatin-1 expression was decreased in renal epithelial cells under stress-induced conditions. Moreover, nesfatin-1 co-treatment under stress-induced conditions protects the renal epithelial cells via inhibition of oxidative stress, apoptotic, and fibrotic signaling pathways.

A comparative account of nesfatin-1 in vertebrates

Nesfatin-1 was discovered as an anorexigenic peptide derived from proteolytic cleavage of the prepropeptide, nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2). It is widely expressed in central as well as peripheral tissues and is known to have pleiotropic effects such as regulation of feeding, reproduction, cardiovascular functions and maintenance of glucose homeostasis. In order to execute its multifaceted role, nesfatin-1 employs diverse signaling pathways though its receptor has not been identified till date. Further, nesfatin-1 is reported to be under the regulatory effect of feeding state, nutritional status as well as several metabolic and reproductive hormones. This peptide has also been associated with variety of human diseases, especially metabolic, reproductive, cardiovascular and mental disorders. The current review is aimed to present a consolidated picture and highlight lacunae for further investigation in order to develop a deeper comprehensive understanding on physiological significance of nesfatin-1 in vertebrates.

Role of the Novel Peptide Phoenixin in Stress Response and Possible Interactions with Nesfatin-1

The novel peptide phoenixin was shown to be involved in several physiological processes ranging from reproduction to food intake. Interest in this protein has steadily increased over the last few years and its known implications have become much broader, playing a role in glucose homeostasis, anxiety, nociception, and pruritus. Phoenixin is expressed in a multitude of organs such as the small intestine, pancreas, and in the hypothalamus, as well as several other brain nuclei influencing numerous physiological functions. Its highly conserved amino-acid sequence amongst species leads to the assumption, that phoenixin might be involved in essential physiological functions. Its co-expression and opposing functionality to the extensively studied peptide nesfatin-1 has given rise to the idea of a possible counterbalancing role. Several recent publications focused on phoenixin’s role in stress reactions, namely restraint stress and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation response, in which also nesfatin-1 is known to be altered. This review provides an overview on the phoenixins and nesfatin-1 properties and putative effects, and especially highlights the recent developments on their role and interaction in the response to response.

Nesfatin-1 in cardiovascular orchestration: From bench to bedside

Since the discovery of Nesfatin-1 in 2006, intensive research was finalized to further and deeper investigate the precise physiological functions of the peptide at both central and peripheral levels, rapidly enriching the knowledge regarding this intriguing molecule. Nesfatin-1 is a hypothalamic peptide generated via the post-translational processing of its precursor Nucleobindin 2, a protein supposed to play a role in many biological processes thanks to its ability to bind calcium and to interact with different intracellular proteins. Nesfatin-1 is mainly known for its anorexic properties, but it also controls water intake and glucose homeostasis. Recent experimental evidences describe the peptide as a possible direct/indirect orchestrator of central and peripheral cardiovascular control. A specific Nesfatin-1 receptor still remains to be identified although numerous studies suggest that the peptide activates extra- and intracellular regulatory pathways by involving several putative binding sites. The present paper was designed to systematically review the latest findings about Nesfatin-1, focusing on its cardiovascular regulatory properties under normal and physiopathological conditions. The hope is to provide the conceptual basis to consider Nesfatin-1 not only as a pleiotropic neuroendocrine molecule, but also as a homeostatic modulator of the cardiovascular function and with a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases.

Nesfatin-1 suppresses peripheral arterial remodeling without elevating blood pressure in mice

Nesfatin-1 is a novel anorexic peptide hormone that also exerts cardiovascular protective effects in rodent models. However, nesfatin-1 treatment at high doses also exerts vasopressor effects, which potentially limits its therapeutic application. Here, we evaluated the vasoprotective and vasopressor effects of nesfatin-1 at different doses in mouse models. Wild-type mice and those with the transgene nucleobindin-2, a precursor of nesfatin-1, were employed. Wild-type mice were randomly assigned to treatment with vehicle or nesfatin-1 at 0.2, 2.0 or 10 μg/kg/day (Nes-0.2, Nes-2, Nes-10, respectively). Subsequently, mice underwent femoral artery wire injury to induce arterial remodeling. After 4 weeks, injured arteries were collected for morphometric analysis. Compared with vehicle, nesfatin-1 treatments at 2.0 and 10 μg/kg/day decreased body weights and elevated plasma nesfatin-1 levels with no changes in systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, these treatments reduced neointimal hyperplasia without inducing undesirable remodeling in injured arteries. However, nesfatin-1 treatment at 0.2 μg/kg/day was insufficient to elevate plasma nesfatin-1 levels and showed no vascular effects. In nucleobindin-2-transgenic mice, blood pressure was slightly higher but neointimal area was lower than those observed in littermate controls. In cultured human vascular endothelial cells, nesfatin-1 concentration-dependently increased nitric oxide production. Additionally, nesfatin-1 increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, which was abolished by inhibiting liver kinase B1. We thus demonstrated that nesfatin-1 treatment at appropriate doses suppressed arterial remodeling without affecting blood pressure. Our findings indicate that nesfatin-1 can be a therapeutic target for improved treatment of peripheral artery disease.

Role of nesfatin-1 in anxiety, depression and the response to stress

Nesfatin-1 has been discovered a decade ago and since then drawn a lot of attention. The initially proposed anorexigenic effect was followed by the description of several other involvements such as a role in gastrointestinal motility, glucose homeostasis, cardiovascular functions and thermoregulation giving rise to a pleiotropic action of this peptide. The recent years witnessed mounting evidence on the involvement of nesfatin-1 in emotional processes as well. The present review will describe the peptide's relations to anxiety, depressiveness and stress in animal models and humans and also discuss existing gaps in knowledge in order to stimulate further research.

Current Understanding of the Role of Nesfatin-1

Nesfatin-1 was discovered in 2006 and implicated in the regulation of food intake. Subsequently, its widespread central and peripheral distribution gave rise to additional effects. Indeed, a multitude of actions were described, including modulation of gastrointestinal functions, glucose and lipid metabolism, thermogenesis, mediation of anxiety and depression, as well as cardiovascular and reproductive functions. Recent years have witnessed a great increase in our knowledge of these effects and their underlying mechanisms, which will be discussed in the present review. Lastly, gaps in knowledge will be highlighted to foster further studies.