Direct regulation of IGF-binding protein 1 promoter by interleukin-1β via an insulin- and FoxO-1-independent mechanism

Plasma IGFBP-1, Fas, kallistatin, and P-selectin as predictive biomarkers of histologic chorioamnionitis and associated intra-amniotic infection in women with preterm labor

PROBLEM

To determine whether altered levels of 13 plasma biomarkers, alone or in combination, could be independently associated with histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) and microbial-associated HCA (defined as the presence of HCA along with microbial invasion) in women with preterm labor (PTL).

METHODS OF STUDY

This was a retrospective cohort study involving 77 singleton pregnant women with PTL (23-34 gestational weeks) who delivered within 96 h of plasma and amniotic fluid (AF) sampling. DKK-3, E-selectin, Fas, haptoglobin, IGFBP-1, kallistatin, MMP-2, MMP-8, pentraxin 3, progranulin, P-selectin, SAA4, and TGFBI levels were assayed in plasma samples by ELISA. AF obtained via amniocentesis was used for microorganism identification.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between low plasma IGFBP-1 levels and acute HCA, and between low plasma Fas and kallistatin levels, and elevated plasma P-selectin levels and microbial-associated HCA (all p < .05), after adjusting for gestational age. Using a stepwise regression procedure, a multi-biomarker panel for microbial-associated HCA was developed, which included plasma MMP-2, kallistatin, and P-selectin levels (area under the curve [AUC], .867). The AUC for this three-marker panel was significantly or borderline significantly greater than that of any single variable included in the panel. However, a predictive model for acute HCA could not be developed because only one variable (MMP-2) was selected.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that IGFBP-1, Fas, kallistatin, and P-selectin are associated with acute HCA and microbial-associated HCA in women with PTL. Their combined use can significantly improve the diagnostic ability for the detection of microbial-associated HCA.

Wear of hip prostheses increases serum IGFBP-1 levels in patients with aseptic loosening

The biological mechanisms involved in aseptic loosening include inflammation-associated and bone resorption-associated processes. Coordinated cellular actions result in biochemical imbalances with devastating consequences for the joint. Given that this condition is not known for showing systemic signs, we investigated whether circulating levels of inflammation-related proteins are altered in patients with aseptic loosening. Our study included 37 patients who underwent revision surgery due to hip osteolysis and aseptic loosening and 31 patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Using antibody arrays, we evaluated the serum levels of 320 proteins in four patients from each group. The results showed differences in insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) concentrations, which we then quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests in all study patients. The results confirmed that serum IGFBP-1 concentrations were higher in the revision surgery patients than in the hip arthroplasty patients. In vitro studies showed that exposure of human osteoblasts to titanium particles induced an IGFBP-1 release that further increased when exposure to particles was performed in media conditioned by human M1 macrophages. These findings suggest that elevated serum IGFBP-1 levels in patients with aseptic loosening can arise from increased local IGFBP-1 production in the inflammatory environment of the periprosthetic bed.

Early pregnancy serum IGFBP-1 relates to lipid profile in overweight and obese women

Lower level of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP-1) has been observed in insulin resistance, while higher level of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) has been linked to obesity. The aim here was to study in overweight and obese women, typically manifesting with insulin resistance, whether IGFBP-1 and MMP-8 are related to and reflect systemic low-grade inflammation, metabolism and diet. Fasting serum from overweight and obese pregnant women (n = 100) in early pregnancy were analysed for IGFBP-1, phosphorylated IGFBP-1 (phIGFBP-1) and MMP-8. High-sensitivity CRP and GlycA were used as markers for low grade inflammation. GlycA and lipids were quantified using NMR. IGFBP-1 associated negatively with GlycA, evidenced by higher concentrations in the lowest quartile (median 1.53 (IQR 1.45–1.72)) compared to the highest (1.46 (1.39–1.55)) (P = 0.03). Several lipid metabolites, particularly HDL-cholesterol, correlated inversely with phIGFBP-1 (FDR<0.1). Nutritional status and diet contributed to the levels of IGFBP-1, demonstrated as an inverse correlation with maternal weight (Spearman r = -0.205, P = 0.04) and dietary intake of vitamin A (r = -0.253, P = 0.014) and a direct correlation with dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Spearman r = 0.222, P = 0.03). MMP-8 correlated inversely with pyridoxine (r = -0.321, P = 0.002) and potassium (r = -0.220, P = 0.033). Maternal serum IGFBP-1 may contribute to maternal lipid metabolism in overweight and obese women during early pregnancy. These findings may be of importance in identification of metabolic disturbances preceding the adverse metabolic outcomes in pregnancy.

Complement and other immune-related factors in cervicovaginal fluid associated with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation and spontaneous preterm delivery in women with preterm labor

PURPOSE

To investigate whether complement and other immune-related proteins in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) can predict intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) and spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD, < 34.0 weeks) in women with preterm labor (PTL) and to compare the predictive abilities of these biomarkers with that of amniotic fluid (AF) white blood cells (WBCs).

METHODS

We designed a retrospective cohort study of 145 women with PTL at 23.0-33.6 weeks who underwent amniocentesis. AF was cultured and assayed for WBC count and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CVF samples were obtained at the time of amniocentesis. CVF was assayed for complement C3a and C5a, IGFBP-1, and MMP-9 by ELISA.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, elevated CVF levels of C5a and IGFBP-1 were significantly associated with IAI and SPTD at < 34 weeks, while those of C3a were associated with IAI, but not SPTD, even after adjusting for other baseline confounders. For C3a, C5a, and IGFBP-1 in the CVF, area under the curve (AUC) values were statistically similar to that of AF WBCs for detecting IAI, whereas these CVF biomarkers had similar or higher AUC values than AF WBCs for predicting SPTD at < 34 weeks. However, univariate analysis showed no significant correlation between high CVF MMP-9 and IAI or SPTD at < 34 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with PTL, the CVF levels of C3a, C5a, and IGFBP-1 may be useful as novel non-invasive predictors of IAI and SPTD at < 34 weeks. These biomarkers (especially IGFBP-1) have similar or better diagnostic performance compared to AF WBCs.

Early Postnatal IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 Blood Levels in Extremely Preterm Infants: Relationships with Indicators of Placental Insufficiency and with Systemic Inflammation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate to what extent indicators of placenta insufficiency are associated with low concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in neonatal blood, and to what extent the concentrations of these growth factors are associated with concentrations of proteins with inflammatory, neurotrophic, or angiogenic properties.

STUDY DESIGN

Using multiplex immunoassays, we measured the concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-1, as well as 25 other proteins in blood spots collected weekly from ≥ 880 infants born before the 28th week of gestation, and sought correlates of concentrations in the top and bottom quartiles for gestational age and day the specimen was collected.

RESULTS

Medically indicated delivery and severe fetal growth restriction (sFGR) were associated with low concentrations of IGF-1 on the first postnatal day and with high concentrations of IGFBP-1 on almost all days. Elevated concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 were accompanied by elevated concentrations of many other proteins with inflammatory, neurotrophic, or angiogenic properties.

CONCLUSION

Disorders associated with impaired placenta implantation and sFGR appear to account for a relative paucity of IGF-1 on the first postnatal day. Elevated concentrations of IGF-1 and especially IGFBP-1 were associated with same-day elevated concentrations of inflammatory, neurotrophic, and angiogenic proteins.

The Cross-Talk Between Sphingolipids and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling: Significance for Aging and Neurodegeneration

Bioactive sphingolipids: sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide, and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) are increasingly implicated in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and in multiple aspects of stress response in the nervous system. The opposite roles of closely related sphingolipid species in cell survival/death signaling is reflected in the concept of tightly controlled sphingolipid rheostat. Aging has a complex influence on sphingolipid metabolism, disturbing signaling pathways and the properties of lipid membranes. A metabolic signature of stress resistance-associated sphingolipids correlates with longevity in humans. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests extensive links between sphingolipid signaling and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-Akt-mTOR pathway (IIS), which is involved in the modulation of aging process and longevity. IIS integrates a wide array of metabolic signals, cross-talks with p53, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and influences gene expression to shape the cellular metabolic profile and stress resistance. The multiple connections between sphingolipids and IIS signaling suggest possible engagement of these compounds in the aging process itself, which creates a vulnerable background for the majority of neurodegenerative disorders.

Effect of food intake on 92 biomarkers for cardiovascular disease

Objective

The present study evaluates the effect of food intake on 92 biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

Twenty two healthy subjects (11 male and 11 female aged 25.9±4.2 years) were investigated. A total of 92 biomarkers were measured before a standardized meal as well as 30 and 120 minutes afterwards with the Proseek Multiplex CVD III kit.

Results

The levels for eight biomarkers decreased significantly (P<0.05) 30 minutes after food intake. The levels for seven biomarkers remained significantly decreased 120 minutes after food intake. Nine biomarker decreased significantly at 120 minutes after food intake. The changes were between 4–30%, most commonly around 5%. Only six biomarkers showed a difference of 10% or more due to food intake. The biggest differences were observed for Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (30%); Azurocidin, Cystatin-B, and Myeloperoxidase (13%); Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (11%); and Myeloblastin (10%), all 120 minutes after food intake.

Conclusions

This study shows that food intake affects several different CVD biomarkers, but the effect is predominantly modest. Timing of blood sampling in relation to food intake, therefore, appears not to be a major concern. Further studies are warranted in older healthy subjects and in patients with various cardiac diseases to determine whether the findings are reproducible.