Molecular characterization of novel and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists with robust hypolipidemic activity in vivo

Hepatic Transcriptome Comparative In Silico Analysis Reveals Similar Pathways and Targets Altered by Legacy and Alternative Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Mice

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of fluorinated carbon chains that include legacy PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). These compounds induce adverse health effects, including hepatotoxicity. Potential alternatives to the legacy PFAS (HFPO-DA (GenX), HFPO4, HFPO-TA, F-53B, 6:2 FTSA, and 6:2 FTCA), as well as a byproduct of PFAS manufacturing (Nafion BP2), are increasingly being found in the environment. The potential hazards of these new alternatives are less well known. To better understand the diversity of molecular targets of the PFAS, we performed a comparative toxicogenomics analysis of the gene expression changes in the livers of mice exposed to these PFAS, and compared these to five activators of PPARα, a common target of many PFAS. Using hierarchical clustering, pathway analysis, and predictive biomarkers, we found that most of the alternative PFAS modulate molecular targets that overlap with legacy PFAS. Only three of the 11 PFAS tested did not appreciably activate PPARα (Nafion BP2, 6:2 FTSA, and 6:2 FTCA). Predictive biomarkers showed that most PFAS (PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, HFPO-TA, F-53B, HFPO4, Nafion BP2) activated CAR. PFNA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, HFPO4, HFPO-TA, F-53B, Nafion BP2, and 6:2 FTSA suppressed STAT5b, activated NRF2, and activated SREBP. There was no apparent relationship between the length of the carbon chain, type of head group, or number of ether linkages and the transcriptomic changes. This work highlights the similarities in molecular targets between the legacy and alternative PFAS.

Paternal cadmium exposure induces glucolipid metabolic reprogramming in offspring mice via PPAR signaling pathway

In industrialized societies, the prevalence of metabolic diseases has substantially increased over the past few decades, yet the underlying causes remain unclear. Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous heavy metal and pervasive environmental endocrine disruptor. Here, we investigate the effects of paternal Cd exposure on offspring glucolipid metabolism. Paternal Cd exposure (1 mg kg-1 body weight) impaired glucose tolerance, increased random serum glucose and fasting serum insulin, elevated serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein in offspring mice. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of male offspring liver tissue revealed that paternal Cd exposure can affect offspring glucolipid metabolic reprogramming, which involved biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, metabolism of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and α-linolenic acid. Transcriptome sequencing of male offspring liver tissue showed that arachidonic acid metabolism, AMPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway and adipocytokine signaling pathway were significantly inhibited in the Cd-exposed group. The mRNA expression levels of PPAR signaling pathway related genes (Acsl1, Cyp4a14, Cyp4a10, Cd36, Ppard and Pck1) were significantly decreased. The protein expression levels of ACSL1, CD36, PPARD and PCK1 were also significantly reduced. Collectively, our findings suggest that paternal Cd exposure affect offspring glucolipid metabolic reprogramming via PPAR signaling pathway.

Development of bile acid activated receptors hybrid molecules for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic disorders

The farnesoid-x-receptor (FXR) and the G protein bile acid activated receptor (GPBAR)1 are two bile acid activated receptors highly expressed in entero-hepatic, immune, adipose and cardiovascular tissues. FXR and GPBAR1 are clinically validated targets in the treatment of metabolic disorders and FXR agonists are currently trialled in patients with non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH). Results of these trials, however, have raised concerns over safety and efficacy of selective FXR ligands suggesting that the development of novel agent designed to impact on multiple targets might have utility in the treatment of complex, multigenic, disorders. Harnessing on FXR and GPBAR1 agonists, several novel hybrid molecules have been developed, including dual FXR and GPBAR1 agonists and antagonists, while exploiting the flexibility of FXR agonists toward other nuclear receptors, dual FXR and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs) and liver-X-receptors (LXRs) and Pregnane-X-receptor (PXR) agonists have been reported. In addition, modifications of FXR agonists has led to the discovery of dual FXR agonists and fatty acid binding protein (FABP)1 and Leukotriene B4 hydrolase (LTB4H) inhibitors. The GPBAR1 binding site has also proven flexible to accommodate hybrid molecules functioning as GPBAR1 agonist and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CYSLTR)1 antagonists, as well as dual GPBAR1 agonists and retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt antagonists, dual GPBAR1 agonist and LXR antagonists and dual GPBAR1 agonists endowed with inhibitory activity on dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). In this review we have revised the current landscape of FXR and GPBAR1 based hybrid agents focusing on their utility in the treatment of metabolic associated liver disorders.

Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation

Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.

Recent advances in β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction inhibitors

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is crucial both in normal embryonic development and throughout the life of an organism. Moreover, aberrant Wnt signaling has been associated with various diseases, especially cancer and fibrosis. Recent research suggests that direct targeting of the β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a promising strategy to block the Wnt pathway. Progress in understanding the cocrystalline complex and mechanism of action of the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction facilitates the discovery process of its inhibitors, but only a few inhibitors have been reported. In this review, the discovery and development of β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors in the areas of drug design, structure-activity relationships and biological and biochemical properties are summarized. In addition, perspectives for the future development of β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors are explored.

The Effects of New Selective PPARα Agonist CP775146 on Systematic Lipid Metabolism in Obese Mice and Its Potential Mechanism

PURPOSE

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) plays a crucial role in the control of lipid homeostasis. Here, we investigated the effects of CP775146, a new selective PPARα agonist, on lipid metabolism in diet-induced obese mice and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce obesity and then received CP775146 via intraperitoneal injection for 3 days. The content/morphology of the liver, serum lipid, and liver function was measured. The expression of genes related to lipolysis and synthesis in liver was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The safe dose of CP775146 was <0.3 mg/kg. CP775146 reduced the serum levels of liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) and lipid metabolism-related biomarkers, including triglycerides (TGs) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c), and hepatic TG content, at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg. HFD-induced pathological liver changes improved after CP775146 treatment. The expression of genes involved in liver fatty acid oxidation (acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, long chain (Acadl), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (Acox-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), and enoyl-CoA, hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (Ehhadh)) was upregulated in CP775146-treated mice. Furthermore, CP775146 induced the expression of thermogenesis genes (cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector a (Cidea), uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1)) and lipolysis genes (hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl), adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (Atgl)) in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), activating browning and thermogenesis.

CONCLUSION

CP775146 efficiently alleviates obesity-induced liver damage, prevents lipid accumulation by activating the liver fatty acid β-oxidation pathway, and regulates the expression of genes that control brown fat-like pathway in eWAT.

Hyper- and hypo- nutrition studies of the hepatic transcriptome and epigenome suggest that PPARα regulates anaerobic glycolysis

Diet plays a crucial role in shaping human health and disease. Diets promoting obesity and insulin resistance can lead to severe metabolic diseases, while calorie-restricted (CR) diets can improve health and extend lifespan. In this work, we fed mice either a chow diet (CD), a 16 week high-fat diet (HFD), or a CR diet to compare and contrast the effects of these diets on mouse liver biology. We collected transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets from these mice using RNA-Seq and DNase-Seq. We found that both CR and HFD induce extensive transcriptional changes, in some cases altering the same genes in the same direction. We used our epigenomic data to infer transcriptional regulatory proteins bound near these genes that likely influence their expression levels. In particular, we found evidence for critical roles played by PPARα and RXRα. We used ChIP-Seq to profile the binding locations for these factors in HFD and CR livers. We found extensive binding of PPARα near genes involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and uncovered a role for this factor in regulating anaerobic glycolysis. Overall, we generated extensive transcriptional and epigenomic datasets from livers of mice fed these diets and uncovered new functions and gene targets for PPARα.

Research Resources for Nuclear Receptor Signaling Pathways

Nuclear receptor (NR) signaling pathways impact cellular function in a broad variety of tissues in both normal physiology and disease states. The complex tissue-specific biology of these pathways is an enduring impediment to the development of clinical NR small-molecule modulators that combine therapeutically desirable effects in specific target tissues with suppression of off-target effects in other tissues. Supporting the important primary research in this area is a variety of web-based resources that assist researchers in gaining an appreciation of the molecular determinants of the pharmacology of a NR pathway in a given tissue. In this study, selected representative examples of these tools are reviewed, along with discussions on how current and future generations of tools might optimally adapt to the future of NR signaling research.

PPARα (Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α) Activation Reduces Hepatic CEACAM1 Protein Expression to Regulate Fatty Acid Oxidation during Fasting-refeeding Transition

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is expressed at high levels in the hepatocyte, consistent with its role in promoting insulin clearance in liver. CEACAM1 also mediates a negative acute effect of insulin on fatty acid synthase activity. Western blot analysis reveals lower hepatic CEACAM1 expression during fasting. Treating of rat hepatoma FAO cells with Wy14,643, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), rapidly reduces Ceacam1 mRNA and CEACAM1 protein levels within 1 and 2 h, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay shows a decrease in the promoter activity of both rat and mouse genes by Pparα activation, and 5'-deletion and block substitution analyses reveal that the Pparα response element between nucleotides -557 and -543 is required for regulation of the mouse promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates binding of liganded Pparα toCeacam1promoter in liver lysates ofPparα(+/+), but notPparα(-/-)mice fed a Wy14,643-supplemented chow diet. Consequently, Wy14,643 feeding reduces hepatic Ceacam1 mRNA and CEACAM1 protein levels, thus decreasing insulin clearance to compensate for compromised insulin secretion and maintain glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in wild-type mice. Together, the data show that the low hepatic CEACAM1 expression at fasting is mediated by Pparα-dependent mechanisms. Changes in CEACAM1 expression contribute to the coordination of fatty acid oxidation and insulin action in the fasting-refeeding transition.

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: nuclear hormone receptors

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full.

Nuclear hormone receptors are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein-coupled receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, ion channels, catalytic receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets.

It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC-IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR-DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates.

Effects of CP-900691, a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, agonist on diabetic nephropathy in the BTBR ob/ob mouse

Piperidine-based peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonists are agents that are efficacious in improving lipid, glycemic, and inflammatory indicators in diabetes and obesity. This study sought to determine whether CP-900691 ((S)-3-[3-(1-carboxy-1-methyl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl ester; CP), a member of this novel class of agents, by decreasing plasma triglycerides, could prevent diabetic nephropathy in the Black and Tan, BRachyuric (BTBR) ob/ob mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Four-week old female BTBR WT and BTBR ob/ob mice received either regular chow or one containing CP (3 mg/kg per day) for 14 weeks. CP elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein, albuminuria, and urinary excretion of 8-epi PGF(2α), a product of the nonenzymatic metabolism of arachidonic acid and whose production is elevated in oxidative stress, in BTBR WT mice. In BTBR ob/ob mice, CP reduced plasma triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, fasting blood glucose, body weight, and plasma interleukin-6, while concomitantly improving insulin resistance. Despite these beneficial metabolic effects, CP had no effect on elevated plasma insulin, 8-epi PGF(2α) excretion, and albuminuria, and surprisingly, did not ameliorate the development of diabetic nephropathy, having no effect on the accumulation of renal macrophages, glomerular hypertrophy, and increased mesangial matrix expansion. In addition, CP did not increase plasma high-density lipoprotein in BTBR ob/ob mice, while paradoxically increasing total cholesterol levels. These findings indicate that 8-epi PGF(2α), possibly along with hyperinsulinemia and inflammatory and dysfunctional lipoproteins, is integral to the development of diabetic nephropathy and should be considered as a potential target of therapy in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

PPAR-α as a key nutritional and environmental sensor for metabolic adaptation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors that belong to the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors and regulate the expression of several genes involved in metabolic processes that are potentially linked to the development of some diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity. One type of PPAR, PPAR-α, is a transcription factor that regulates the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids and is activated by ligands such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and drugs used to treat dyslipidemias. There is evidence that genetic variants within the PPARα gene have been associated with a risk of the development of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease by influencing fasting and postprandial lipid concentrations; the gene variants have also been associated with an acceleration of the progression of type 2 diabetes. The interactions between genetic PPARα variants and the response to dietary factors will help to identify individuals or populations who can benefit from specific dietary recommendations. Interestingly, certain nutritional conditions, such as the prolonged consumption of a protein-restricted diet, can produce long-lasting effects on PPARα gene expression through modifications in the methylation of a specific locus surrounding the PPARα gene. Thus, this review underlines our current knowledge about the important role of PPAR-α as a mediator of the metabolic response to nutritional and environmental factors.

The PPAR-RXR Transcriptional Complex in the Vasculature

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that coordinately regulate gene expression. This PPAR-RXR transcriptional complex plays a critical role in energy balance, including triglyceride metabolism, fatty acid handling and storage, and glucose homeostasis: processes whose dysregulation characterize obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. PPARs and RXRs are also involved directly in inflammatory and vascular responses in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. New insights into fundamental aspects of PPAR and RXR biology, and their actions in the vasculature, continue to appear. Although RXRs are obligate heterodimeric partners for PPAR action, the part that RXRs, and their endogenous retinoid mediators, exert in the vessel wall is less well understood. Biological insights into PPAR-RXRs may help inform interpretation of clinical trials with synthetic PPAR agonists and prospects for future PPAR therapeutics. Importantly, the extensive data establishing a key role for PPARs and RXRs in energy balance, inflammation, and vascular biology stands separately from the clinical experience with any given synthetic PPAR agonist. Both the basic science data and the clinical experience with PPAR agonists identify the need to better understand these important transcriptional regulators.

Regulation of Immune Responses and Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by PPARs

PPARs are members of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily and play an important role in regulating inflammation as well as lipid metabolism. The PPAR subfamily has been defined as PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ, each with different ligands, target genes, and biological roles. PPARs regulate the expression of target inflammatory genes through mechanisms involving both transactivation and transrepression. The anti-inflammatory properties of PPAR agonists have led to the investigation of PPAR functions in regulating autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This paper will summarize some of the general mechanisms by which PPARs regulate inflammatory gene expression and focus on the recent advances of PPAR regulation of autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

PPARalpha: energy combustion, hypolipidemia, inflammation and cancer

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha, or NR1C1) is a nuclear hormone receptor activated by a structurally diverse array of synthetic chemicals known as peroxisome proliferators. Endogenous activation of PPARalpha in liver has also been observed in certain gene knockout mouse models of lipid metabolism, implying the existence of enzymes that either generate (synthesize) or degrade endogenous PPARalpha agonists. For example, substrates involved in fatty acid oxidation can function as PPARalpha ligands. PPARalpha serves as a xenobiotic and lipid sensor to regulate energy combustion, hepatic steatosis, lipoprotein synthesis, inflammation and liver cancer. Mainly, PPARalpha modulates the activities of all three fatty acid oxidation systems, namely mitochondrial and peroxisomal beta-oxidation and microsomal omega-oxidation, and thus plays a key role in energy expenditure. Sustained activation of PPARalpha by either exogenous or endogenous agonists leads to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma resulting from sustained oxidative and possibly endoplasmic reticulum stress and liver cell proliferation. PPARalpha requires transcription coactivator PPAR-binding protein (PBP)/mediator subunit 1(MED1) for its transcriptional activity.