Environmental and genetic factors influence the relationship between circulating IL-10 and obesity phenotypes

Lack of Effects of the Genetic Polymorphisms of Interleukin-10 in Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms have been associated with severity and outcomes in patients with respiratory and nonrespiratory viral infections. The aim of this study was to assess whether rs1800871 and rs1800872 polymorphisms of IL-10 gene are associated with the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in a Mexican population. Study subjects were 193 COVID-19 patients. The genotyping was carried out with real-time PCR and serum IL-10 levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analysis was used for analysis association with clinical outcomes. There was no evidence of an association between alleles, genotypes, or haplotypes frequencies between patient groups according to severity and outcomes. The rs1800871 and rs1800872 polymorphisms might not be genetic risk factors for severity and mortality for COVID-19 in Mexican mestizos patients from northwest Mexico.

Gene co-expression networks are associated with obesity-related traits in kidney transplant recipients

Background

Obesity is common among kidney transplant recipients; However biological mediators of obesity are not well understood in this population. Because subcutaneous adipose tissue can be easily obtained during kidney transplant surgery, it provides a unique avenue for studying the mechanisms of obesity for this group. Although differential gene expression patterns were previously profiled for kidney transplant patients, gene co-expression patterns can shed light on gene modules not yet explored on the coordinative behaviors of gene transcription in biological and disease processes from a systems perspective.

Methods

In this study, we collected 29 demographic and clinical variables and matching microarray expression data for 26 kidney transplant patients. We conducted Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) for 5758 genes with the highest average expression levels and related gene co-expression to clinical traits.

Results

A total of 35 co-expression modules were detected, two of which showed associations with obesity-related traits, mainly at baseline. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment was found for these two clinical trait-associated modules. One module consisting of 129 genes was enriched for a variety of processes, including cellular homeostasis and immune responses. The other module consisting of 36 genes was enriched for tissue development processes.

Conclusions

Our study generated gene co-expression modules associated with obesity-related traits in kidney transplant patients and provided new insights regarding the cellular biological processes underlying obesity in this population.

Is early life exposure to polyomaviruses and herpesviruses associated with obesity indices and metabolic traits in childhood?

BACKGROUND

Evidence for an infectious origin of obesity is emerging. We explored whether common viruses were associated with obesity and metabolic traits.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional (n = 674) and prospective (n = 440) data from children participating at the 4 and 6 years of age follow-up in the Rhea birth cohort. Presence of IgG antibodies to ten polyomaviruses (BKPyV, JCPyV, KIPyV, WUPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7, TSPyV, MCPyV, HPyV9, and HPyV10) and four herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, HSV-1, and HSV-2) were measured at age 4. Body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness were measured at age 4 and 6. Data on serum lipids, leptin, and adiponectin were also available. Multivariable linear regression models were used to explore the associations.

RESULTS

At 4 years of age, seroprevalence to polyomaviruses ranged from 21.0% for HPyV9 to 82.0% for HPyV10. Seroprevalence for EBV, CMV, HSV-1, and HSV-2 was 53.0%, 26.0%, 3.6%, and 1.5% respectively. BKPyV seropositivity was associated with lower BMI SD score at age 4 [-0.21 (95% CI: -0.39, -0.03)] and 6 [-0.27 (95% CI:-0.48, -0.05)], waist circumference at age 4 [-1.12 cm (95% CI: -2.10, -0.15)] and 6 [-1.73 cm (95% CI: -3.33, -0.12)], sum of four skinfolds [-2.97 mm (95% CI: -5.70, -0.24)], and leptin levels at age 4 [ratio of geometric means, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98)]. CMV seropositivity was associated with higher BMI SD score at age 4 [0.28 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.45)] and 6 [0.24 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.45)] and sum of four skinfolds at age 6 [4.75 mm (95% CI: 0.67, 8.83)]. Having "2-3 herpesviruses infections" (versus "0 herpesvirus infections") was associated with higher BMI SD score [0.32, (95% CI: 0.12, 0.53)], waist circumference [1.22 cm (95% CI: 0.13, 2.31)], and sum of four skinfolds [3.26 mm (95% CI: 0.18, 6.35)] at age 4. Polyomaviruses burden was not associated with outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher herpesviruses burden and CMV seropositivity were associated with obesity traits in childhood.

Dyslipidemia rather than Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Chronic Periodontitis Affects the Systemic Expression of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Genes

A high percentage of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients are also affected by dyslipidemia and chronic periodontitis (CP), but no studies have determined the gene expression in patients that are simultaneously affected by all three diseases. We investigated the systemic expression of immune-related genes in T2D, dyslipidemia, and CP patients. One hundred and fifty patients were separated into five groups containing 30 individuals each: (G1) poorly controlled T2D with dyslipidemia and CP; (G2) well-controlled T2D with dyslipidemia and CP; (G3) normoglycemic individuals with dyslipidemia and CP; (G4) healthy individuals with CP; (G5) systemic and periodontally healthy individuals. Blood analyses of lipid and glycemic profiles were carried out. The expression of genes, including IL10, JAK1, STAT3, SOCS3, IP10, ICAM1, IFNA, IFNG, STAT1, and IRF1, was investigated by RT-qPCR. Patients with dyslipidemia demonstrated statistically higher expression of the IL10 and IFNA genes, while IFNG, IP10, IRF1, JAK1, and STAT3 were lower in comparison with nondyslipidemic patients. Anti-inflammatory genes, such as IL10, positively correlated with parameters of glucose, lipid, and periodontal profiles, while proinflammatory genes, such as IFNG, were negatively correlated with these parameters. We conclude that dyslipidemia appears to be the primary disease that is associated with gene expression of immune-related genes, while parameters of T2D and CP were correlated with the expression of these important immune genes.

Interaction of SNP in the CRP gene and plasma fatty acid profile in inflammatory pattern: A cross-sectional population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the interaction of three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene and plasma fatty acid (FA) levels in modulating inflammatory profile.

METHODS

A total of 262 subjects, aged >19 y and <60 y, participated in a cross-sectional, population-based study performed in Brazil. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1205, rs1417938, and rs2808630) spanning the CRP gene were genotyped. Eleven plasma inflammatory biomarkers and plasma FA profile were determined. Cluster analysis was performed to stratify individuals based on eleven inflammatory biomarkers into two groups: an inflammatory (INF) and a noninflammatory group.

RESULTS

The INF cluster had higher age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure; higher levels of triacylglycerol, high-sensitivity CRP, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-12, IL-10, soluble monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, C16:0, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and omega (n)-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid; and greater C20:4n-6, C18:1/18:0, and C20:4/20:3 ratios than the noninflammatory group. Statistically significant gene-plasma C16:1n-7 interaction was detected for rs1417938 (P = 0.047). Those with a dominant homozygous rs2808630 had a lower risk of belonging to the INF group with the upper 50th percentile of C20:4n-6, n-3 highly unsaturated FA, and C20:4/20:3 ratio. Regarding rs1205, A allele carriers had lower risk of being in the INF group when C20:5n-3 and n-3 highly unsaturated FA levels were greater than the median.

CONCLUSIONS

The INF group exhibited changes in metabolic parameters that predispose this group to chronic disease, where polymorphisms in the CRP gene modulated the risk of being in the INF group depending on individual plasma fatty acid and lipid profile.

Indices of adiposity as predictors of cardiometabolic risk and inflammation in young adults

BACKGROUND

Studies investigating obesity and cardiometabolic risk have focused on 'at-risk' populations and methodological inconsistencies have produced equivocal findings. The present cross-sectional study investigated indices of body composition as predictors of cardiometabolic risk and their relationship with inflammation in apparently healthy young adults.

METHODS

A fasting blood sample was taken from consenting adults (160 males, 32 females, aged 18-40 years) for assessment of cardiometabolic risk markers (blood pressure, lipid profiles and insulin resistance) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and adiponectin). Together with anthropometry, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. FM was expressed in absolute terms (kg), as well as relative to total body weight (%), height [FM index (FMI, kg m(-2) )] and FFM (FM : FFM,%).

RESULTS

Although anthropometric indices were associated with most cardiometabolic risk markers, the strongest relationship was observed with FMI. Relative to having a low cardiometabolic risk (≤2 markers above clinically relevant cut-offs), each kg m(-2) increase in FMI, increased the likelihood of having an increased cardiometabolic risk by 29% (odds ratio = 1.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-1.49). Inflammatory markers were not associated with body composition or cardiometabolic risk.

CONCLUSIONS

FMI was the strongest predictor of overall cardiometabolic risk but not inflammation per se. However, anthropometric indices, such as body mass index and waist-to-height ratio, remain valuable surrogate measures of adiposity in this group, particularly when risk markers are considered independently.

A peripheral circulating TH1 cytokine profile is inversely associated with prostate cancer risk in CLUE II

BACKGROUND

TH1 cytokines, such as IFNγ and TNFα, and potentially innate cytokines, such as IL6, can potentiate the immune response to tumor. Cytokines, such as IL1β, IL8, and IL10, may suppress anticancer immunity. Thus, we prospectively evaluated the association between peripheral-cytokine concentrations and prostate cancer.

METHODS

We conducted an age-race matched case-control study (268 pairs) of incident prostate cancer in CLUE-II. We measured plasma IFNγ, IL10, IL12p70, IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNFα concentrations using an ultrasensitive multiplex kit. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

The OR of prostate cancer decreased across quartiles of IFNγ (highest vs. lowest quartiles: OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81; Ptrend = 0.006), TNFα (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.96; Ptrend = 0.01), and IL6 (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.79; Ptrend = 0.007). Higher TNFα (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.85; Ptrend = 0.01) and IL6 (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.67; Ptrend = 0.003) concentrations were associated with lower Gleason sum ≥7 disease risk. Other cytokines were not as clearly associated with risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Men with a prediagnostic circulating TH1 profile and higher IL6 may have a lower risk of prostate cancer, including aggressive disease. Whether this profile reflects (i) an intraprostatic immune environment in benign tissue that protects against prostate cancer, (ii) the immune milieu in response to a prostate adenocarcinoma that inhibits tumor growth and detectability, and/or (iii) a systemic immune profile that mediates the influence of modifiable factors on risk, warrants additional study.

IMPACT

Identifying specific inflammatory cytokines associated with prostate cancer may lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies.

The expression of LEP, LEPR, IGF1 and IL10 in obesity and the relationship with microRNAs

Obesity is a multifactorial disease, with epigenetic alterations. Have been described modifications in the expression of some microRNAs, and some proteins related to obesity. The objective was to determine and correlate, in obese patients, the gene expression of LEP, LEPR, IGF1, IL10 and of miR-27a, miR-27b, miR-143 and miR-145. RNA was extracted from biopsies of subcutaneous fat, liver and visceral fat of 15 obese subjects submitted to bariatric surgery and of 15 non-obese subjects submitted to cholecystectomy for cDNA synthesis and for RT-PCR. The microRNAs were chosen using the TargetScan software. An increased expression of LEP and IGF1 was detected in the subcutaneous fat of the obese group compared to control, while the expression of IGF1 was higher in the control group than in the obese one. MiRNA-27a had a higher expression in the omentum of the obese patients and there was also a correlation in the expression of miRNA-145 and LEPR in the omentum of this group.

Biomarkers in the field of obesity and its related comorbidities

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the last decades both in children and adults and is now considered a major health problem. It is associated with numerous comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the mechanisms that connect obesity with these comorbidities is the secretion of so-called adipocytokines or adipokines by the adipose tissue itself. Most adipokines with pro-inflammatory properties are overproduced with increasing adiposity, whereas some adipokines with anti-inflammatory or insulin-sensitizing properties, like adiponectin, are decreased. This dysregulation of adipokines production may promote obesity-linked metabolic disorders and CVD. Except adipokines a wide complex network of chemicals balances pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we summarize the role of various adipokines and other chemicals associated with obesity and its related cardiometabolic comorbidities, with a special focus on recent evidence showing their potential role as biomarkers whose expression are indicative of obesity and its complications.

EXPERT OPINION

Biomarkers associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CVD could prove beneficial for early identification, proper treatment and good life assurance. Unfortunately, the complexity of biological pathways interactions is such that further research is necessary before any of these markers could reach an accurate diagnostic value.

Immunomodulatory glycan LNFPIII alleviates hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance through direct and indirect control of metabolic pathways

Parasitic worms express host-like glycans to attenuate the immune response of human hosts. The therapeutic potential of this immunomodulatory mechanism in controlling metabolic dysfunction associated with chronic inflammation remains unexplored. We demonstrate here that administration of Lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFPIII), a Lewis^X containing immunomodulatory glycan found in human milk and on parasitic helminths, improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice. This effect is mediated partly through increased Il-10 production by LNFPIII activated macrophages and dendritic cells, which reduces white adipose tissue inflammation and sensitizes the insulin response of adipocytes. Concurrently, LNFPIII treatment up-regulates nuclear receptor Fxr-α (or Nr1h4) to suppress lipogenesis in the liver, conferring protection against hepatosteatosis. At the signaling level, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)-Ap1 pathway appears to mediate the effects of LNFPIII on both inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Our results suggest that LNFPIII may provide novel therapeutic approaches to treat metabolic diseases.

Circulating pigment epithelium-derived factor levels are associated with insulin resistance and decrease after weight loss

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study circulating pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in vivo in association with insulin resistance and in vitro in human adipocytes.

METHODS

Circulating PEDF (ELISA) and metabolic profile were assessed in 125 Caucasian men. PEDF levels were also assessed in an independent cohort of subjects (n = 33) to study the effects of changing insulin action. PEDF gene expression and secretion were measured during differentiation of human preadipocytes.

RESULTS

In all subjects, PEDF was positively associated with body mass index (r = 0.326; P < 0.0001), waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.380; P < 0.0001), HbA(1c), and fasting triglycerides and negatively with insulin sensitivity (r = -0.320; P < 0.0001). PEDF levels were significantly increased in subjects with altered glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. Of the inflammatory markers measured, PEDF levels were positively associated with serum soluble TNF-α receptor 1 and IL-10 in obese subjects. Interestingly, weight loss led to significantly decreased PEDF concentration from 34.8 ± 19.3 to 22.5 ± 14.2 μg/ml (P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that insulin sensitivity contributed independently to explain 14% of the variance in PEDF levels after controlling for the effects of body mass index, age, and log fasting triglycerides. Differences in PEDF observed after weight loss were related to changes in obesity, insulin resistance, and blood pressure measures. PEDF gene expression and secretion increased during differentiation of human preadipocytes.

CONCLUSION

Circulating PEDF is associated with insulin sensitivity. The findings show, for the first time in humans, that PEDF concentrations decrease significantly after weight loss in association with blood pressure. PEDF seems to be involved in human adipocyte biology.

Impact of obesity in patients infected with 2009 influenza A(H1N1)

OBJECTIVE

A large proportion of patients infected with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) (A[H1N1]) are obese. Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor influencing outcome in these patients. However, its role remains unclear. We evaluate the outcome of patients who are obese and infected with A(H1N1) in the ICU, determining whether obesity is a risk factor for mortality.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational, and multicenter study performed in 144 ICUs in Spain. Data were obtained from the Grupo de Trabajo en Enfermedades Infecciosas de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (GTEI/SEMICYUC) registry. Adult patients with A(H1N1) that was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction were included in the analysis. Patients who were obese (BMI > 30) were compared with patients who were nonobese. Cox regression analysis was used to determine adjusted mortality. Differences of P < .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

In January 2010, the GTEI/SEMICYUC registry had complete records for 416 patients. One hundred and fifty patients (36.1%) were obese, of whom 67 (44.7%) were morbidly obese (BMI > 40). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was more frequently applied in patients who were obese (64% vs 52.4%, P < .01) Patients with obesity remained on MV longer than patients who were nonobese (6.5 ± 10.3 days vs 9.3 ± 9.7 days, P = .02), had longer ICU length of stay (10.8 ± 12.1 days vs 13.7 ± 11.7 days, P = .03), and had longer hospitalization (18.2 ± 14.6 days vs 22.2 ± 16.5 days, P = .02). Mortality adjusted by severity and potential confounders identified that obesity was not significantly associated with ICU mortality (hazard ratio, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.69-1.75; P = .68).

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, patients who were obese and infected with A(H1N1) did not have increased mortality. However, there was an association between obesity and higher ICU resource consumption.