Angptl4 is upregulated under inflammatory conditions in the bone marrow of mice, expands myeloid progenitors, and accelerates reconstitution of platelets after myelosuppressive therapy

Odd skipped-related 1 controls the pro-regenerative response of fibro-adipogenic progenitors

Skeletal muscle regeneration requires the coordinated interplay of diverse tissue-resident- and infiltrating cells. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are an interstitial cell population that provides a beneficial microenvironment for muscle stem cells (MuSCs) during muscle regeneration. Here we show that the transcription factor Osr1 is essential for FAPs to communicate with MuSCs and infiltrating macrophages, thus coordinating muscle regeneration. Conditional inactivation of Osr1 impaired muscle regeneration with reduced myofiber growth and formation of excessive fibrotic tissue with reduced stiffness. Osr1-deficient FAPs acquired a fibrogenic identity with altered matrix secretion and cytokine expression resulting in impaired MuSC viability, expansion and differentiation. Immune cell profiling suggested a novel role for Osr1-FAPs in macrophage polarization. In vitro analysis suggested that increased TGFβ signaling and altered matrix deposition by Osr1-deficient FAPs actively suppressed regenerative myogenesis. In conclusion, we show that Osr1 is central to FAP function orchestrating key regenerative events such as inflammation, matrix secretion and myogenesis.

Dual roles of ANGPTL4 in multiple inflammatory responses in stomatitis mice

BACKGROUND

Stomatitis is inflammation of the oral mucosa. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has pleiotropic functions both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we tested whether there is a correlation between increased ANGPTL4 expression and inflammation in stomatitis mice and the mechanisms involved.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, the oral mucosa of mice was burned with 90% phenol and intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil to establish the model of stomatitis mice. The pathological changes of stomatitis mice were observed by H&E staining of paraffin section. The expressions of cytokines and ANGPTL4 were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the protein levels of ANGPTL4 were detected by western blot. Compared with control group, the oral mucosal structure of model mice was damaged. The expression of ANGPTL4 were significantly increased concomitantly with elevated production of anti-inflammatory cytokine (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) and pro-inflammatory cytokines [nuclear transcription factor-kappa B, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α] in mice with stomatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that ANGPTL4 may be a double-edged sword in multiple inflammatory responses in stomatitis mice.

Effect of Lipids and Lipoproteins on Hematopoietic Cell Metabolism and Commitment in Atherosclerosis

Hematopoiesis is the process that leads to multiple leukocyte lineage generation within the bone marrow. This process is maintained throughout life thanks to a nonstochastic division of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), where during each division, one daughter cell retains pluripotency while the other differentiates into a restricted multipotent progenitor (MPP) that converts into mature, committed circulating cell. This process is tightly regulated at the level of cellular metabolism and the shift from anaerobic glycolysis, typical of quiescent HSC, to oxidative metabolism fosters HSCs proliferation and commitment. Systemic and local factors influencing metabolism alter HSCs balance under pathological conditions, with chronic metabolic and inflammatory diseases driving HSCs commitment toward activated blood immune cell subsets. This is the case of atherosclerosis, where impaired systemic lipid metabolism affects HSCs epigenetics that reflects into increased differentiation toward activated circulating subsets.

Aim of this review is to discuss the impact of lipids and lipoproteins on HSCs pathophysiology, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms influencing cellular metabolism. A better understanding of these aspects will shed light on innovative strategies to target atherosclerosis-associated inflammation.

ANGPTL4: a multifunctional protein involved in metabolism and vascular homeostasis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since the first discovery of Angiopoetin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in 2000, the involvement of ANGPTL4 in different aspects of lipid metabolism and vascular biology has emerged as an important research field. In this review, we summarize the fundamental roles of ANGPTL4 in regulating metabolic and nonmetabolic functions and their implication in lipid metabolism and with several aspects of vascular function and dysfunction.

RECENT FINDINGS

ANGPTL4 is a secreted glycoprotein with a physiological role in lipid metabolism and a predominant expression in adipose tissue and liver. ANGPTL4 inhibits the activity of lipoprotein lipase and thereby promotes an increase in circulating triglyceride levels. Therefore, ANGPTL4 has been highly scrutinized as a potential therapeutic target. Further involvement of ANGPTL4 has been shown to occur in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, vascular permeability and stem cell regulation, which opens new opportunities of using ANGPTL4 as potential therapeutic targets for other pathophysiological conditions.

SUMMARY

Further determination of ANGPTL4 regulatory circuits and defining specific molecular events that mediate its biological effects remain key to future ANGPTL4-based therapeutic applications in different disease settings. Many new and unanticipated roles of ANGPTL4 in the control of cell-specific functions will assist clinicians and researchers in developing potential therapeutic applications.

Global Transcriptomic Profiling of the Bone Marrow Stromal Microenvironment during Postnatal Development, Aging, and Inflammation

Bone marrow (BM) stromal cells provide the regulatory framework for hematopoiesis and contribute to developmental stage-specific niches, such as those preserving hematopoietic stem cells. Despite advances in our understanding of stromal function, little is known about the transcriptional changes that this compartment undergoes throughout lifespan and during adaptation to stress. Using RNA sequencing, we perform transcriptional analyses of four principal stromal subsets, namely CXCL12-abundant reticular, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α⁺Sca1⁺, sinusoidal, and arterial endothelial cells, from early postnatal, adult, and aged mice. Our data reveal (1) molecular fingerprints defining cell-specific anatomical and functional features, (2) a radical reprogramming of pro-hematopoietic, immune, and matrisomic transcriptional programs during the transition from juvenile stages to adulthood, and (3) the aging-driven progressive upregulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression in stroma. We further demonstrate that transcriptomic pathways elicited in vivo by prototypic microbial molecules are largely recapitulated during aging, thereby supporting the inflammatory basis of age-related adaptations of BM hematopoietic function.

ANGPTL4 exacerbates pancreatitis by augmenting acinar cell injury through upregulation of C5a

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. However, little is known about the genes associated with pancreatitis severity. Our microarray analysis of pancreatic tissues from mild and severe acute pancreatitis mice models identified angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as one of the most significantly upregulated genes. Clinically, ANGPTL4 expression was also increased in the serum and pancreatic tissues of pancreatitis patients. The deficiency in ANGPTL4 in mice, either by gene deletion or neutralizing antibody, mitigated pancreatitis-associated pathological outcomes. Conversely, exogenous ANGPTL4 exacerbated pancreatic injury with elevated cytokine levels and apoptotic cell death. High ANGPTL4 enhanced macrophage activation and infiltration into the pancreas, which increased complement component 5a (C5a) level through PI3K/AKT signaling. The activation of the C5a receptor led to hypercytokinemia that accelerated acinar cell damage and furthered pancreatitis. Indeed, C5a neutralizing antibody decreased inflammatory response in LPS-activated macrophages and alleviated pancreatitis severity. In agreement, there was a significant positive correlation between C5a and ANGPTL4 levels in pancreatitis patients. Taken together, our study suggests that targeting ANGPTL4 is a potential strategy for the treatment of pancreatitis.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced podocyte injury is regulated by calcineurin/NFAT and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways through angiopoietin-like protein 4

Podocyte injury is an important cause of proteinuria. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) is a secreted glycoprotein and has a role in proteinuria. However, the exact role of Angptl4 in podocyte injury and its upstream regulators has not been clarified. In this study, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mice and cultured podocytes as podocyte injury models. Our results indicated that LPS increased the expression of podocyte Angptl4 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we showed that Angptl4 overexpression deteriorated LPS-induced podocyte injury by inducing podocyte cytoskeleton rearrangement, reducing the expression of synaptopodin while Angptl4 knockdown alleviated LPS-induced podocyte injury. In addition, we found that inhibitors and siRNA targeting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling inhibited the upregulation of Angptl4 in LPS-induced podocytes. Moreover, inhibitors and siRNA targeting calcineurin/NFAT signaling also relieved LPS-induced Angptl4 expression and podocyte injury in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, our study has elucidated that both of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and calcineurin/NFAT signaling mediate the upregulation of Angptl4 in LPS-induced podocytes, which has important implications for further understanding the molecular mechanism of LPS-induced podocyte injury.

Differential expression of genes associated with hypoxia pathway on bone marrow stem cells in osteoporosis patients with different bone mass index

Background

This study aimed to assess gene expression changes associated with hypoxia pathway on bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and explore effects of bone mass index (BMI) on hypoxia pathway of osteoporosis (OP) patients.

Methods

Human BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow. Subjects were divided into healthy control group and OP group which was further divided into BMI <25 OP subgroup and BMI ≥25 OP subgroup.

Results

The genes downregulated in OP patients were involved in hypoxia pathway. Furthermore, those genes were even downregulated in OP patients BMI ≥25 subgroup than OP patients BMI <25 subgroup. The genes were expressed in response to decreased oxygen levels, and their functions are related to photoperiodism, positive regulation of myoblast differentiation, and entrainment of circadian clock by gene ontology (GO) analysis.

Conclusions

The expression of genes associated with hypoxia pathway on BMSCs in OP patients are lower than healthy subjects, and the expression of genes related to carbohydrate metabolism are lower in overweight OP patients than in normal weight OP patients. These results need further research.

Angiopoietin-like 4 production upon treatment with hypoxia and L-mimosine in periodontal fibroblasts

Background and objective

A key factor in the modulation of angiogenesis as well as in bone resorption is angiopoietin‐like 4. However, the role of angiopoietin‐like 4 in periodontal tissue is unknown. Here, we hypothesized that hypoxia and the hypoxia mimetic agent L‐mimosine can induce the production of angiopoietin‐like 4 in periodontal fibroblasts.

Methods

Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) were cultured in monolayer and spheroid cultures. The cultures were incubated in the presence of hypoxia or L‐mimosine. Angiopoietin‐like 4 mRNA and protein levels were measured by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Also, the impact of Lipopolysaccharides of E. coli and P. gingivalis, interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α was evaluated. Furthermore, we tested dependency on hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1 activity by Western blotting for HIF‐1 and inhibitor studies with echinomycin. Potential autocrine effects were assessed by exposure of PDLF to recombinant angiopoietin‐like 4 in full length, C‐terminal and N‐terminal fragments. The impact on viability, DNA synthesis, alkaline phosphatase, and matrix mineralization was evaluated.

Results

Both hypoxia and L‐mimosine elevated angiopoietin‐like 4 mRNA and protein levels in monolayer cultures of PDLF. HIF‐1 was elevated after both hypoxia and L‐mimosine treatment. LPS, IL‐1β, and TNFα did not modulate angiopoietin‐like 4 levels significantly. Addition of echinomycin in the cultures inhibited the production of angiopoietin‐like 4. In spheroid cultures of PDLF, the increase did not reach the level of significance at mRNA and protein levels. Angiopoietin‐like 4 in full length, C‐terminal, and N‐terminal fragments did not modulate viability, DNA synthesis, alkaline phosphatase, and matrix mineralization.

Conclusion

Overall, we found that hypoxia and the hypoxia mimetic agent L‐mimosine can stimulate angiopoietin‐like 4 production in monolayer cultures of PDLF. This increase depends on HIF‐1 activity. Future studies will reveal how the modulation of angiopoietin‐like 4 in the periodontium contributes to periodontal disease and regeneration.

A review of the multifunctionality of angiopoietin-like 4 in eye disease

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional cytokine regulating vascular permeability, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Dysregulations in these responses contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic retinopathies such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion, and sickle cell retinopathy (SCR). However, the role of ANGPTL4 in these diseases remains controversial. Here, we summarize the functional mechanisms of ANGPTL4 in several diseases. We highlight original studies that provide detailed data about the mechanisms of action for ANGPTL4, its applications as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker, and its use as a potential therapeutic target. Taken together, the discussions in this review will help us gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which ANGPTL4 functions in eye disease and will provide directions for future research.

Cytokine control of megakaryopoiesis

Platelets are anuclear blood cells required for haemostasis and are implicated in other processes including inflammation and metastasis. Platelets are produced by megakaryocytes, specialized cells that are themselves generated by a process of controlled differentiation and maturation of bone-marrow stem and progenitor cells. This process of megakaryopoiesis involves the coordinated interplay of transcription factor-controlled cellular programming with extra-cellular cues produced locally in supporting niches or as circulating factors. This review focuses on these external cues, the cytokines and chemokines, that drive production of megakaryocytes and support the terminal process of platelet release. Emphasis is given to thrombopoietin (Tpo), the major cytokine regulator of steady-state megakaryopoiesis, and its specific cell surface receptor, the Mpl protein, including normal and pathological roles as well as clinical application. The potential for alternative or supplementary regulatory mechanisms for platelet production, particularly in times of acute need, or in states of infection or inflammation are also discussed.

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 and 4 in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and malnutrition: the effect of weight reduction and realimentation

Background

Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) 3 and 4 are circulating factors that participate in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Subjects and methods

We measured serum ANGPTL3 and 4 levels in 23 patients with obesity, 40 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 22 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 15 subjects undergoing 72-h fasting, and 12 patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), and their changes after very-low-calorie diet (VLCD), bariatric surgery, partial realimentation, acute fasting, and parenteral nutrition in order to assess their possible role in metabolic regulations.

Results

Serum ANGPTL4 levels were higher in obese subjects without/with T2DM (94.50 ± 9.51 and 134.19 ± 7.69 vs. 50.34 ± 4.22 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and lower in subjects with AN relative to healthy control subjects (38.22 ± 4.48 vs. 65.80 ± 7.98 ng/ml, p = 0.002), while serum ANGPTL3 levels demonstrated inverse tendency. Nutritional status had no effect on ANGPTL3 and 4 mRNA expression in adipose tissue. Fasting decreased ANGPTL3 and increased ANGPTL4 levels, while VLCD reduced only ANGPTL3. Bariatric surgery and realimentation of AN or SBS patients had no effect on either ANGPTL. Multiple regression analysis identified BMI as an independent predictor of ANGPTL3; and BMI and HbA_1c as independent predictors of ANGPTL4, respectively.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data suggest that serum ANGPTL3 and 4 levels are influenced by nutritional status and fasting and could be involved in the metabolic disturbances present in obesity and AN.

Multiple Roles of Angiopoietin-Like 4 in Osteolytic Disease

Hypoxia and the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factor drive pathological bone loss in conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, primary bone tumours, and bone metastatic cancer. There is therefore considerable interest in determining the function(s) of HIF-induced genes in these pathologies. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is an adipose-derived, HIF-1α- and PPARγ-induced gene that was originally discovered as an endocrine and autocrine/paracrine regulator of lipid metabolism. Given the inverse relationship between bone adiposity and fracture risk, ANGPTL4 might be considered a good candidate for mediating the downstream effects of HIF-1α relevant to osteolytic disease. This review will consider the possible roles of ANGPTL4 in regulation of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, cartilage degradation, angiogenesis, and inflammation, focusing on results obtained in the study of RA. Possible roles in other musculoskeletal pathologies will also be discussed. This will highlight ANGPTL4 as a regulator of multiple disease processes, which could represent a novel therapeutic target in osteolytic musculoskeletal disease.

α-Linoleic acid enhances the capacity of α-1 antitrypsin to inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced IL-1β in human blood neutrophils

Alpha1-antitrypsin (A1AT, SERPINA1), a major circulating inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (NE) and proteinase-3 (PR3), has been proposed to reduce the processing and release of IL-1β. Since the anti-inflammatory properties of A1AT are influenced by the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, we compared effects of fatty acid-free (A1AT-0) and α-linoleic acid bound (A1AT-LA) forms of A1AT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced synthesis of IL-1β precursor and the release of IL-1β from human blood neutrophils. The presence of A1AT-LA or A1AT-0 significantly reduced LPS induced release of mature IL-1β. However, only A1AT-LA reduced both steady state mRNA levels of IL-1β and the secretion of mature IL-1β. In LPS-stimulated neutrophils, mRNA levels of TLR2/4, NFKBIA, P2RX7, NLRP3, and CASP1 decreased significantly in the presence of A1AT-LA but not A1AT-0. A1AT-0 and A1AT-LA did not inhibit the direct enzymatic activity of caspase-1, but we observed complexes of either form of A1AT with NE and PR3. Consistent with the effect on TLR and IL-1β gene expression, only A1AT-LA inhibited LPS-induced gene expression of NE and PR3. Increased gene expression of PPAR-γ was observed in A1AT-LA treated neutrophils without of LPS stimulation, and the selective PPAR-γ antagonist (GW9662) prevented the reduction in IL-1β by A1AT-LA. We conclude from our data, that the ability of A1AT to reduce TLR and IL-1β gene expression depends on its association with LA. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of A1AT-LA are likely to be mediated by the activation of PPAR-γ.

Identification of early myeloid progenitors as immunosuppressive cells

Growing evidence suggests that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), precursors of mature immune cells, may play a direct role in immunosurveillance. Early myeloid progenitors are the major components of HSPCs and they often undergo extensive expansion in stress as a result of myeloid-biased hematopoiesis. Yet, the precise function of early myeloid progenitors remains unclear. Here we show that during tumor progression, mouse granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (GMPs) but not common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are markedly expanded within the bone marrow and blood of mice. Interestingly, both GMPs and CMPs freshly isolated from either tumor-bearing or naïve animals are capable of inhibiting polyclonal stimuli- and alloantigen-induced T cell proliferation, with tumor host-derived cells having elevated activities. Strikingly, these early myeloid progenitor cells even display much stronger suppressive capacity than the classical myeloid-derived suppressive cells. Analysis of GMPs indicates that they express iNOS and can secrete high levels of NO. Further studies unusing iNOS specific inhibitors reveal that the immunosuppression of GMPs is, to a large extent, NO-dependent. GMPs can also efficiently induce regulatory T cell development. These studies demonstrate that early myeloid progenitors can act as immunosuppressive cells. This finding provides novel insights into the functional diversity and plasticity of early myeloid progenitor cells.