Transcriptome analysis on the inflammatory cell infiltration of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in bama minipigs induced by a long-term high-fat, high-sucrose diet

CXCL9, IL2RB, and SPP1, potential diagnostic biomarkers in the co-morbidity pattern of atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a hepatocyte inflammation based on hepatocellular steatosis, yet there is no effective drug treatment. Atherosclerosis (AS) is caused by lipid deposition in the endothelium, which can lead to various cardiovascular diseases. NASH and AS share common risk factors, and NASH can also elevate the risk of AS, causing a higher morbidity and mortality rate for atherosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, timely detection and diagnosis of NASH and AS are particularly important. In this study, differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were performed on the AS (GSE100927) and NASH (GSE89632) datasets to obtain common crosstalk genes, respectively. Then, candidate Hub genes were screened using four topological algorithms and externally validated in the GSE43292 and GSE63067 datasets to obtain Hub genes. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis and gene set variation analysis were performed on the Hub genes to explore the underlying mechanisms. The DGIbd database was used to screen candidate drugs for AS and NASH. Finally, a NASH model was constructed using free fatty acid-induced human L02 cells, an AS model was constructed using lipopolysaccharide-induced HUVECs, and a co-morbidity model was constructed using L02 cells and HUVECs to verify Hub gene expression. The result showed that a total of 113 genes common to both AS and NASH were identified as crosstalk genes, and enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were mainly involved in the regulation of immune and metabolism-related pathways. 28 candidate Hub genes were screened according to four topological algorithms, and CXCL9, IL2RB, and SPP1 were identified as Hub genes after in vitro experiments and external dataset validation. The ROC curves and SVM modeling demonstrated the good diagnostic efficacy of these three Hub genes. In addition, the Hub genes are strongly associated with immune cell infiltration, especially macrophages and γ-δ T cell infiltration. Finally, five potential therapeutic drugs were identified. has-miR-185 and hsa-miR-335 were closely related to AS and NASH. This study demonstrates that CXCL9, IL2RB, and SPP1 may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of the co-morbidity patterns of AS and NASH and as potential targets for drug therapy.

Perioperative changes of serum orphanin in diabetic patients and its relationship with sympathetic nervous system

The occurrence of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients during the perioperative period is related to the activation of sympathetic nerves. Basic research shows that serum nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) levels in diabetic neuropathy rats increased, and N/OFQ reduces the release of norepinephrine (NE). We hypothesize that N/OFQ will affect the sympathetic nervous system during perioperative myocardium of diabetic patients. 66 patients with unilateral knee arthroplasty were divided into diabetes group (D group) and non-diabetes group (N group). Measured blood glucose, serum NE, N/OFQ concentrations at the 30 min before anesthesia (T0), 1 h after surgery (T1), 24 h after surgery (T2) and the cardiac troponinI (cTnI) concentration at T0 and T2. Compared with N group, the concentration of blood glucose, N/OFQ and cTnI in D group was higher and the NE was lower at T0 (P < 0.05). At T1, the blood glucose, N/OFQ, NE concentrations of D group increased, only the blood glucose increased in N group (P < 0.05). Serum N/OFQ of D group from T0 to T1 was correlated with the change trend of blood glucose, NE concentration from T0 to T1 and cTnI from T0 to T2(r = 0.386, P = 0.027; r = 0.350, P = 0.046; r = 0.363, P = 0.038). The outcomes demonstrated that the preoperative serum N/OFQ concentration in diabetic patients was increased, and the increase in N/OFQ concentration during the operation was related to the increase in NE and cTnI concentrations, perioperative N/OFQ may mediate myocardial injury through sympathetic nervous system.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: new insights from bioinformatics

AIMS

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are related conditions with an increasing incidence. The mechanism of their relationship remains undefined. Here, we aimed to explore the potential mechanisms, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic options for HFpEF and NAFLD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HFpEF and NAFLD datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened for functional annotation. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on the STRING database, and hub genes were analysed using GeneMANIA annotation. ImmuCellAI (Immune Cell Abundance Identifier) was employed for analysis of immune infiltration. We also used validation datasets to validate the expression levels of hub genes and the correlation of immune cells. To screen for diagnostic biomarkers, we employed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination. Drug signature database was used to predict potential therapeutic drugs. Our analyses identified a total of 33 DEGs. Inflammation and immune infiltration played important roles in the development of both diseases. The data showed a close relationship between chemokine signalling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, calcium signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, osteoclast differentiation, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G signalling pathway. We demonstrated that PRF1 (perforin 1) and IL2RB (interleukin-2 receptor subunit beta) proteins were perturbed by the diseases and may be the hub genes. The analysis showed that miR-375 may be a potential diagnostic marker for both diseases. Our drug prediction analysis showed that bosentan, eldecalcitol, ramipril, and probucol could be potential therapeutic options for the diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed common pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic agents for HFpEF and NAFLD. There is need for further experimental studies to validate our findings.

Development of High Fat Diet-Induced Hyperinsulinemia in Mice Is Enhanced by Co-treatment With a TLR7 Agonist

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients and is associated with increased cardio-renal risk. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) stimulation promotes the development of SLE through mechanisms including activating type I Interferon (IFN) and autoreactive B cells. The current study tested whether combined TLR7 agonist treatment and exposure to a high fat, high sucrose “Western diet” intervention affects the early-stage development of SLE or MetS features. Female C57BL/6 mice were untreated or treated with the TLR7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD; fat 42% kcal, sucrose 34% kcal) or control diet (fat 12.6% kcal, sucrose 34% kcal) for 6 weeks. Supporting early-stage induction of autoimmunity, spleen weights were significantly increased and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity was detected in IMQ-treated mice. Increased body weight, gonadal fat pad mass, and plasma leptin levels were observed between HFD and control animals for both IMQ and untreated mice. However, the increase in these parameters with HFD was slightly but significantly diminished in IMQ-treated mice. Both the HFD and IMQ treatments significantly increased fasting blood glucose levels. Notably, IMQ treatment affected fasting insulin concentrations in a diet-dependent manner, with hyperinsulinemia observed in IMQ-HFD treated mice. Together, this indicates that the IMQ model of SLE is associated with metabolic alterations, impaired glycemic control, and hyperinsulinemia under HFD conditions. This model may be helpful in further investigating the relationship between MetS and SLE, and supports a role of TLR7 signaling in promoting or accelerating the development of dysglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

High-fidelity porcine models of metabolic syndrome: a contemporary synthesis

This review aims to describe and compare porcine models of metabolic syndrome. This syndrome and its associated secondary comorbidities are set to become the greatest challenge to healthcare providers and policy makers in the coming century. However, an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis has left significant knowledge gaps in terms of efficacious therapeutics. To further our comprehension and, in turn, management of metabolic syndrome, appropriate high-fidelity models of the disease complex are of great importance. In this context, our review aims to assess the most promising porcine models of metabolic syndrome currently available for their similarity to the human phenotype. In addition, we aim to highlight the strengths and shortcomings of each model in an attempt to identify the most appropriate application of each. Although no porcine model perfectly recapitulates the human metabolic syndrome, several pose satisfactory approximations. The Ossabaw miniature swine in particular represents a highly translatable model that develops each of the core parameters of the syndrome with many of the associated secondary comorbidities. Future high-fidelity porcine models of metabolic syndrome need to focus on secondary sequelae replication, which may require extended induction period to reveal.

Hepatic galectin-3 is associated with lipid droplet area in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a new swine model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently a growing epidemic disease that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic cancer when it evolves into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a gap not well understood. To characterize this disease, pigs, considered to be one of the most similar to human experimental animal models, were used. To date, all swine-based settings have been carried out using rare predisposed breeds or long-term experiments. Herein, we fully describe a new experimental swine model for initial and reversible NASH using cross-bred animals fed on a high saturated fat, fructose, cholesterol, cholate, choline and methionine-deficient diet. To gain insight into the hepatic transcriptome that undergoes steatosis and steatohepatitis, we used RNA sequencing. This process significantly up-regulated 976 and down-regulated 209 genes mainly involved in cellular processes. Gene expression changes of 22 selected transcripts were verified by RT-qPCR. Lipid droplet area was positively associated with CD68, GPNMB, LGALS3, SLC51B and SPP1, and negatively with SQLE expressions. When these genes were tested in a second experiment of NASH reversion, LGALS3, SLC51B and SPP1 significantly decreased their expression. However, only LGALS3 was associated with lipid droplet areas. Our results suggest a role for LGALS3 in the transition of NAFLD to NASH.

Liver-fibrosis-activated transcriptional networks govern hepatocyte reprogramming and intra-hepatic communication

Liver fibrosis is a strong predictor of long-term mortality in individuals with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease; yet, the mechanisms underlying the progression from the comparatively benign fatty liver state to advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis are incompletely understood. Using cell-type-resolved genomics, we show that comprehensive alterations in hepatocyte genomic and transcriptional settings during NASH progression, led to a loss of hepatocyte identity. The hepatocyte reprogramming was under tight cooperative control of a network of fibrosis-activated transcription factors, as exemplified by the transcription factor Elf-3 (ELF3) and zinc finger protein GLIS2 (GLIS2). Indeed, ELF3- and GLIS2-controlled fibrosis-dependent hepatokine genes targeting disease-associated hepatic stellate cell gene programs. Thus, interconnected transcription factor networks not only promoted hepatocyte dysfunction but also directed the intra-hepatic crosstalk necessary for NASH and fibrosis progression, implying that molecular "hub-centered" targeting strategies are superior to existing mono-target approaches as currently used in NASH therapy.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of ovaries from high and low egg-laying Lingyun black-bone chickens

Egg‐laying rate is mainly determined by ovarian function and regulated by the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis; however, the mechanism by which the ovary regulates the egg‐laying rate is still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the transcriptomes of the ovary of Lingyun black‐bone chickens with relatively high and low egg‐laying rates and screen candidate genes related to the egg‐laying rate. RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq) was conducted to explore the chicken transcriptome from the ovarian tissue of six Lingyun black‐bone chickens with high (group G, n = 3) and low (group D, n = 3) egg‐laying rates. The results showed that 235 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the chickens with high and low egg‐laying rates; among them, 209 DEGs were up‐regulated and 26 DEGs were down‐regulated. Gene Ontology analysis showed that the up‐regulated 209 DEGs were enriched in 50 GO terms and the down‐regulated 26 DEGs were enriched in 40 GO terms. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that up‐regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in 25 pathways and down‐regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in three pathways. Among the pathways, we found the longevity regulating pathway‐multiple species pathway, Estrogen signalling pathway and PPAR signalling pathway may have an essential function in regulating the egg‐laying rate. The results highlighted DEGs in the ovarian tissues of relatively high and low laying Lingyun black‐bone chicken and identified essential candidate genes related to the egg‐laying rate, thereby providing a theoretical basis for improving the egg‐laying rate of Lingyun black‐bone chicken.

CD8+ T Cells Involved in Metabolic Inflammation in Visceral Adipose Tissue and Liver of Transgenic Pigs

Anti-inflammatory therapies have the potential to become an effective treatment for obesity-related diseases. However, the huge gap of immune system between human and rodent leads to limitations of drug discovery. This work aims at constructing a transgenic pig model with higher risk of metabolic diseases and outlining the immune responses at the early stage of metaflammation by transcriptomic strategy. We used CRISPR/Cas9 techniques to targeted knock-in three humanized disease risk genes, GIPR^dn , hIAPP and PNPLA3^I148M . Transgenic effect increased the risk of metabolic disorders. Triple-transgenic pigs with short-term diet intervention showed early symptoms of type 2 diabetes, including glucose intolerance, pancreatic lipid infiltration, islet hypertrophy, hepatic lobular inflammation and adipose tissue inflammation. Molecular pathways related to CD8⁺ T cell function were significantly activated in the liver and visceral adipose samples from triple-transgenic pigs, including antigen processing and presentation, T-cell receptor signaling, co-stimulation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine and chemokine secretion. The similar pro-inflammatory signaling in liver and visceral adipose tissue indicated that there might be a potential immune crosstalk between the two tissues. Moreover, genes that functionally related to liver antioxidant activity, mitochondrial function and extracellular matrix showed distinct expression between the two groups, indicating metabolic stress in transgenic pigs' liver samples. We confirmed that triple-transgenic pigs had high coincidence with human metabolic diseases, especially in the scope of inflammatory signaling at early stage metaflammation. Taken together, this study provides a valuable large animal model for the clinical study of metaflammation and metabolic diseases.

Downregulation of miR-497-5p Improves Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Targeting IL2RB

Introduction

Acute lung injury (ALI) induced by sepsis is a process related to inflammatory reactions, which involves lung cell apoptosis and production of inflammatory cytokine. Here, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was applied to stimulate the mouse or human normal lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) to construct a sepsis model in vivo and in vitro, and we also investigated the effect of miR-497-5p on sepsis-induced ALI. Material and Methods. Before LPS treatment, miR-497-5p antagomir was injected intravenously into mice to inhibit miR-497-5p expression in vivo. Similarly, miR-497-5p was knocked down in BEAS-2B cells. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to predict and confirm the miR-497-5p target gene. Cell viability, apoptosis, the levels of miR-497-5p, IL2RB, SP1, inflammatory cytokine, and lung injury were assessed.

Results

In BEAS-2B cells, a significant increase of apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine was shown after LPS stimulation. In septic mice, increased inflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis in lung cells and pulmonary morphological abnormalities were shown. The miR-497-5p inhibitor transfection showed antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on BEAS-2B cells upon LPS stimulation. In septic mice, the miR-497-5p antagomir injection also alleviated ALI, apoptosis, and inflammation caused by sepsis. The downregulation of IL2RB in BEAS-2B cells reversed the protective effects of the miR-497-5p inhibitor against ALI.

Conclusion

In conclusion, downregulation of miR-497-5p reduced ALI caused by sepsis through targeting IL2RB, indicating the potential effect of miR-497-5p for improving ALI caused by sepsis.

Circular RNA expression profiles and features in NAFLD mice: a study using RNA-seq data

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is primarily characterized by the hepatic cholesterol accumulation. Circular RNA (circRNA), one of noncoding RNA, involves in many liver diseases progression. However, no recent studies on circRNA expression profiles in NAFLD have been reported previously.

Methods

A NAFLD mouse model was constructed by providing high-fat diet (HFD) for 32 weeks. The circRNAs expression profile in normal mice and NAFLD mice were determined using high-output RNA sequencing method and bioinformatics methods, while the differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed using Sanger sequencing and qRT-PCR. The circRNA-miRNA network was also predicted. The biological functions of circRNAs were annotated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).

Results

The results demonstrated the successful construction of NAFLD mice model by immunohistology and serology assay. In total, 93 dysregulated circRNAs were observed, including 57 upregulated circRNAs and 36 downregulated circRNAs, in the NAFLD group. The circRNA-miRNA network revealed the complex interaction between circRNAs and its potential miRNA targets in NAFLD. The characteristic of tissue-specific expression in circRNA was demonstrated. The differentially expressed circRNAs with important biological function were also annotated using GO and KEGG. Both DDAH1 and VAV3 genes were found to be associated with the NAFLD development.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study demonstrated the circRNAs expression profile and features in NAFLD, which may provide potential biological markers for the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Liver transcriptome profiling and functional analysis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets reveals a genetic correction and sexual-dimorphic gene expression during postnatal development

BACKGROUND

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains a major problem associated with swine production. Thus, understanding the physiological changes of postnatal IUGR piglets would aid in improving growth performance. Moreover, liver metabolism plays an important role in the growth and survival of neonatal piglets.

RESULTS

By profiling the transcriptome of liver samples on postnatal Days 1, 7, and 28, our study focused on characterizing the growth, function, and metabolism in the liver of IUGR neonatal piglets. Our study demonstrates that the livers of IUGR piglets were associated with a series of complications, including inflammatory stress and immune dysregulation; cytoskeleton and membrane structure disorganization; dysregulated transcription events; and abnormal glucocorticoid metabolism. In addition, the abnormal liver function index in the serum [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP)], coupled with hepatic pathological and ultrastructural morphological changes are indicative of liver damage and dysfunction in IUGR piglets. Moreover, these results reveal the sex-biased developmental dynamics between male and female IUGR piglets, and that male IUGR piglets may be more sensitive to disrupted metabolic homeostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations provide a detailed reference for understanding the mechanisms and characterizations of IUGR liver functions, and suggest that the potential strategies for improving the survival and growth performance of IUGR offspring should consider the balance between postnatal catch-up growth and adverse metabolic consequences. In particular, sex-specific intervention strategies should be considered for both female and male IUGR piglets.

The expression signatures in liver and adipose tissue from obese Göttingen Minipigs reveal a predisposition for healthy fat accumulation

BACKGROUND

Model animals are valuable resources for dissecting basic aspects of the regulation of obesity and metabolism. The translatability of results relies on understanding comparative aspects of molecular pathophysiology. Several studies have shown that despite the presence of overt obesity and dyslipidemia in the pig key human pathological hepatic findings such as hepatocellular ballooning and abundant steatosis are lacking in the model.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to elucidate why these histopathological characteristics did not occur in a high fat, fructose and cholesterol (FFC) diet-induced obese Göttingen Minipig model.

METHODS

High-throughput expression profiling of more than 90 metabolically relevant genes was performed in liver, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of male minipigs diet fed: standard chow (SD, n = 7); FFC diet (n = 14); FFC diet in streptozotocin-induced diabetic pigs (FFCDIA, n = 8). Moreover, histopathological assessment of SAT and VAT was performed.

RESULTS

12, 4 and 1 genes were highly significantly differentially expressed in liver, SAT and VAT when comparing the FFC and SD groups whereas the corresponding numbers were 15, 2, and 1 when comparing the FFCDIA and SD groups. Although the minipigs in both FFC groups developed sever obesity and dyslipidemia, the insulin-signaling pathways were not affected. Notably, four genes involved in lipid acquisition and removal, were highly deregulated in the liver: PPARG, LPL, CD36 and FABP4. These genes have been reported to play a major role in promoting hepatic steatosis in rodents and humans. Since very little macrophage-associated pro-inflammatory response was detected in the adipose tissues the expansion appears to have no adverse impact on adipose tissue metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that morbidly obese Göttingen Minipigs are protected against many of the metabolic and hepatic abnormalities associated with obesity due to a remarkable ability to expand the adipose compartments to accommodate excess calories.

Integrative analysis of blood and gut microbiota data suggests a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related disorder in French SLAdd minipigs

Minipigs are a group of small-sized swine lines, which show a broad range of phenotype variation and which often tend to be obese. The SLA^dd (DD) minipig line was created by the NIH and selected as homozygous at the SLA locus. It was brought to France more than 30 years ago and maintained inbred ever since. In this report, we characterized the physiological status of a herd of French DD pigs by measuring intermediate phenotypes from blood and faeces and by using Large White (LW) pigs as controls. Three datasets were produced, i.e. complete blood counts (CBCs), microarray-based blood transcriptome, and faecal microbiota obtained by 16S rRNA sequencing. CBCs and expression profiles suggested a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related pathology associated to comorbid cardiac diseases. The characterization of 16S sequencing data was less straightforward, suggesting only a potential weak link to obesity. The integration of the datasets identified several fine-scale associations between CBCs, gene expression, and faecal microbiota composition. NAFLD is a common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries and is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiac pathologies. Here we show that the French DD herd is potentially affected by this syndrome.

Challenges and opportunities in drug development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are considered major global medical burdens with high prevalence and steeply rising incidence. Despite the characterization of numerous pathophysiologic pathways leading to metabolic disorder, lipid accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately end-stage liver disease or liver cancer formation, so far no causal pharmacological therapy is available. Drug development for NAFLD and NASH is limited by long disease duration and slow progression and the need for sequential biopsies to monitor the disease stage. Additional non-invasive biomarkers could therefore improve design and feasibility of such. Here, the current concepts on preclinical models, biomarkers and clinical endpoints and trial designs are briefly reviewed.

Hepatic lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in aging

Aging is associated with dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Various factors that contribute to the dysregulation include both modifiable (e.g. obesity, insulin resistance) and non-modifiable risk factors (age-associated physiologic changes). Although there is no linear relationship between aging and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, current data strongly suggests that advanced age leads to more severe histological changes and poorer clinical outcomes. Hepatic lipid accumulation could lead to significant hepatic and systemic consequences including steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, impairment of systemic glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome, thereby contributing to age-related diseases. Insulin, leptin and adiponectin are key regulators of the various physiologic processes that regulate hepatic lipid metabolism. Recent advances have expanded our understanding in this field, highlighting the role of novel mediators such as FGF 21, and mitochondria derived peptides. In this review, we will summarize the mediators of hepatic lipid metabolism and how they are altered in aging.

Microcirculatory disturbances and cellular changes during progression of hepatic steatosis to liver tumors

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is closely associated with metabolic syndrome and comprises a pathological spectrum of liver disease ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis and can progress to fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In 2013, a mouse model was described that mimics non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression from steatohepatitis to tumors in a short time span and with high incidence. As microcirculatory disturbances play a crucial role in liver disease, the suitability of the steatosis-inflammation-tumor model for microcirculatory studies was assessed. Herein, we present a comprehensive view on morphological, microvascular, cellular, and functional aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression in the steatosis-inflammation-tumor model using intravital microscopy, biochemical, and histological techniques. Mice develop steatohepatitis, mild fibrosis, and liver tumors at ages of 6, 12, and 20 weeks, respectively. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression was accompanied by several general aspects of disease severity like increasing liver/body weight index, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, and hepatocellular apoptosis. Intravital microscopic analysis revealed significant changes in hepatic microcirculation with increasing structural alterations, elevated leukocyte adherence, and impaired nutritive perfusion. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was further characterized by a lower sinusoidal density with a striking rise at 20 weeks. The characteristic microcirculatory changes make the model a convenient tool for analysis of microcirculation during progression from steatosis to liver tumor. Impact statement Significant alterations of microcirculation contribute to progression of NAFLD, a chronic liver disease with increasing medical and socio-economic impact. Characterization of microcirculation in a NAFLD model reflecting all relevant stages of disease progression was still missing. Thus, we evaluated microcirculatory and cellular changes in a steatosis-inflammation-tumor model using in vivo microscopy. Analyses revealed increasing structural alterations, elevated leukocyte-endothelial interaction, and impaired nutritive perfusion. Thus, this model is suitable for further studies investigating therapeutic approaches targeting these progressive microcirculatory disturbances.

Transcriptome analysis of the effects of chitosan on the hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in high-fat diet fed mice

Transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the alterations in gene expression after chitosan (CS) treatment on the liver of mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed that the body weight, the liver weight and the epididymal fat mass of HFD mice, which were 62.98%, 46.51% and 239.37%, respectively, higher than those of control mice, could be significantly decreased by chitosan supplementation. Also, high-fat diet increased both plasma lipid and liver lipid as compared with the control mice. Chitosan supplementation decreased the plasma lipid and liver lipid, increased the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activity, increased T-AOC and decreased MDA in the liver and the epididymis adipose as compared with the HFD mice. Transcriptome analysis indicated that increased Mups, Lcn2, Gstm3 and CYP2E1 expressions clearly indicated HFD induced lipid metabolism disorder and oxidative damage. Especially, chitosan treatment decreased the Mup17 and Lcn2 expressions by 64.32% and 82.43% respectively as compared with those of HFD mice. These results indicated that chitosan possess the ability to improve the impairment of lipid metabolism as strongly associated with increased Mups expressions and gene expressions related to oxidative stress.

Ovarian transcriptomic analysis of Shan Ma ducks at peak and late stages of egg production

Objective

To assess the differences in ovarian transcriptomes in Shan Ma ducks between their peak and late stages of egg production, and to obtain new transcriptomic data of these egg-producing ducks.

Methods

The Illumina HiSeq 2000 system was used for high throughput sequencing of ovarian transcriptomes from Shan Ma ducks at their peak or late stages of egg production.

Results

Greater than 93% of the sequencing data had a base quality score (Q score) that was not less than 20 (Q20). From ducks at their peak stage of egg production, 42,782,676 reads were obtained, with 4,307,499,083 bp sequenced. From ducks at their late stage of egg production, 45,316,166 reads were obtained, with 4,562,063,363 bp sequenced. A comparison of the two datasets identified 2,002 differentially expressed genes, with 790 upregulated and 1,212 downregulated. Further analysis showed that 1,645 of the 2,002 differentially expressed genes were annotated in the non-redundant (NR) database, with 646 upregulated and 999 downregulated. Among the differentially expressed genes with annotations in the NR database, 696 genes were functionally annotated in the clusters of orthologous groups of proteins database, involving 25 functional categories. One thousand two hundred four of the differentially expressed genes with annotations in the NR database were functionally annotated in the gene ontology (GO) database, and could be divided into three domains and 56 categories. The three domains were cellular component, molecular function, and biological process. Among the genes identified in the GO database, 451 are involved in development and reproduction. Analysis of the differentially expressed genes with annotations in the NR database against the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database revealed that 446 of the genes could be assigned to 175 metabolic pathways, of which the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, fructose and mannose metabolic pathways, gonadotropin releasing hormone signaling pathway and transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway were significantly enriched.

Conclusion

The differences in ovarian transcriptomes in Shan Ma ducks between their peak and late stages of egg production were elucidated, which greatly enriched the ovarian transcriptomic information of egg-producing ducks.

Long-chain bases from sea cucumber mitigate endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in obesity mice

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation can induce hyperglycemia. Long-chain bases (LCBs) from sea cucumber exhibit antihyperglycemic activities. However, their effects on ER stress and inflammation are unknown. We investigated the effects of LCBs on ER stress and inflammatory response in high-fat, fructose diet-induced obesity mice. Reactive oxygen species and free fatty acids were measured. Inflammatory cytokines in serum and their mRNA expressions in epididymal adipose tissues were investigated. Hepatic ER stress-related key genes were detected. c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase and nuclear factor κB inflammatory pathways were also evaluated in the liver. Results showed that LCBs reduced serum and hepatic reactive oxygen species and free fatty acids concentrations. LCBs decreased serum proinflammatory cytokines levels, namely interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 1, and c-reactive protein, and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 concentration. The mRNA and protein expressions of these cytokines in epididymal adipose tissues were regulated by LCBs as similar to their circulatory contents. LCBs inhibited phosphorylated c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase and inhibitor κ kinase β, and nuclear factor κB nuclear translocation. LCBs also inhibited mRNA expression of ER stress markers glucose regulated protein, activating transcription factor 6, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, and X-box binding protein 1, and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-α and inositol requiring enzyme 1α. These results indicate that LCBs can alleviate ER stress and inflammatory response. Nutritional supplementation with LCBs may offer an adjunctive therapy for RE stress-associated inflammation.

Characterization of long non-coding RNA transcriptome in high-energy diet induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis minipigs

Today, obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are a worldwide epidemic, although how these syndromes are regulated with respect to lncRNAs remains largely unknown. Our previous studies have revealed important pathological features and molecular characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the minipig model, and in this study, we analyze the features of lncRNAs and their potential target genes. Minipig samples only from liver were analyzed using next-generation deep sequencing. In total, we obtained 585 million raw reads approximately 70.4 Gb of high quality data. After a strict five-step filtering process, 1,179 lncRNAs were identified, including 89 differentially expressed lncRNAs (P < 0.05) in the experiment group relative to the control group. The cis and trans analysis identified target genes that were enriched for specific GO terms (P < 0.01), including immune processes, chemokine activity, cytokine activity, and G-protein coupled receptor binding, which are closely related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The predicted protein-coding targets of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were further analyzed, such as PPAR, FADS2, DGAT2, ACAA2, CYP2E1, ADH4, and Fos. This study reveals a wealth of candidate lncRNAs involved in NASH and their regulated pathways, which should facilitate further research into the molecular mechanisms of this disorder.

Multi‑transgenic minipig models exhibiting potential for hepatic insulin resistance and pancreatic apoptosis

There are currently no multi‑transgenic minipig models of diabetes for the regulation of multiple genes involved in its pathogenesis. The foot and mouth disease virus 2A (F2A)‑mediated polycistronic system possesses several advantages, and the present study developed a novel multi‑transgenic minipig model associated with diabetes using this system. The tissue‑specific polycistronic system used in the present study consisted of two expression cassettes, separated by an insulator: (i) 11‑β‑hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β‑HSD1), driven by the porcine liver‑specific apolipoprotein E promoter; (ii) human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), linked to the furin digested site and F‑2A, driven by the porcine pancreas‑specific insulin promoter. In the present study, porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with this vector. Following somatic cell nuclear transfer using 10 cell clones and the transplantation of 1,459 embryos in total, three Landrace x Yorkshire surrogates became pregnant and delivered three Wuzhishan piglets. Genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated that the piglets were multi‑transgenic. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR confirmed that 11β‑HSD1 transcription was upregulated in the targeted liver. Similarly, hIAPP and CHOP were expressed at high levels, compared with the control (P<0.05 and P<0.01) in the pancreas, consistent with the western blotting and immunohistochemistry results. The primary results also showed that overexpression of 11β‑HSD1 in the liver increased the liver fat lipid parameters; and the levels of hIAPP and CHOP in the pancreatic islet cells, leading to delayed β‑cell development and apoptosis. This novel tissue‑specific polycistronic system offers a promising starting point for efficiently mimicking multigenic metabolic disease.

A Long-Term High-Fat/High-Sucrose Diet Promotes Kidney Lipid Deposition and Causes Apoptosis and Glomerular Hypertrophy in Bama Minipigs

Metabolic syndrome can induce chronic renal injury in humans. In the present study, Bama minipigs were fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) for 23 months, which caused them to develop the pathological characteristics of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia, and resulted in kidney tissue damage. In the HFHSD group, the ratio of the glomus areas to the glomerulus area and the glomerular density inside the renal cortex both decreased. Lipid deposition in the renal tubules was detected in the HFHSD group, and up-regulated expression levels of SREBP-1, FABP3 and LEPR promoted lipid deposition. The decreased levels of SOD, T-AOC and GSH-PX indicated that the antioxidant capacity of the renal tissues was diminished in the HFHSD group compared with MDA, which increased. The renal tissue in the HFHSD group exhibited clear signs of inflammation as well as significantly elevated expression of key genes associated with inflammation, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), compared with the control group. The tubular epithelial cells in the HFHSD group displayed significantly greater numbers of apoptotic cells, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the renal tubules decreased. Caspase-3 expression increased significantly, and the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was activated and translocated into the nucleus. In conclusion, long-term HFHSDs cause metabolic syndrome and chronic renal tissue injury in Bama minipigs. These findings provide a foundation for further studies investigating metabolic syndrome and nephropathy.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Ovaries from Pigs with High And Low Litter Size

Litter size is one of the most important economic traits for pig production as it is directly related to the production efficiency. Litter size is affected by interactions between multiple genes and the environment. While recent studies have identified some genes associated with prolificacy in pigs, transcriptomic studies of specific genes affecting litter size in porcine ovaries are rare. In order to identify candidate genes associated with litter size in swine, we assessed gene expression differences between the ovaries of Yorkshire pigs with extremely high and low litter sizes using the RNA-Seq method. A total of 1 243 differentially expressed genes were identified: 897 genes were upregulated and 346 genes were downregulated in high litter size ovary samples compared with low litter size ovary samples. A large number of these genes related to steroid hormone regulation in animal ovaries, including 59 Gene Ontology terms and 27 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways involved in steroid biosynthesis and ovarian steroidogenesis. From these differentially expressed genes, we identified a total of 11 genes using a bioinformatics screen that may be associated with high litter size in Yorkshire pigs. These results provide a list of new candidate genes for porcine litter size and prolificacy to be further investigated.

Nutritional systems biology of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become an increasingly challenging health burden due to its high morbidity, mortality, and heightened prevalence worldwide. Although dietary and nutritional imbalances have long been recognized as key risk factors for T2D, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The advent of nutritional systems biology, a field that aims to elucidate the interactions between dietary nutrients and endogenous molecular entities in disease-related tissues, offers unique opportunities to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying the health-modifying capacities of nutritional molecules. The recent revolutionary advances in omics technologies have particularly empowered this incipient field. In this review, we discuss the applications of multi-omics approaches toward a systems-level understanding of how dietary patterns and particular nutrients modulate the risk of T2D. We focus on nutritional studies utilizing transcriptomics, epigenomomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, and integration of diverse omics technologies. We also summarize the potential molecular mechanisms through which nutritional imbalances contribute to T2D pathogenesis based on these studies. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges of nutritional systems biology and how the field can be optimized to further our understanding of T2D and guide disease management via nutritional interventions.

Global Transcriptomic Profiling of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fatty Heart Induced by Long-Term High-Energy Diet in Bama Miniature Pigs

A long-term high-energy diet affects human health and leads to obesity and metabolic syndrome in addition to cardiac steatosis and hypertrophy. Ectopic fat accumulation in the heart has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for heart disorders, but the molecular mechanism of heart disease remains largely unknown. Bama miniature pigs were fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) for 23 months. These pigs developed symptoms of metabolic syndrome and showed cardiac steatosis and hypertrophy with a greatly increased body weight (2.73-fold, P<0.01), insulin level (4.60-fold, P<0.01), heart weight (1.82-fold, P<0.05) and heart volume (1.60-fold, P<0.05) compared with the control pigs. To understand the molecular mechanisms of cardiac steatosis and hypertrophy, nine pig heart cRNA samples were hybridized to porcine GeneChips. Microarray analyses revealed that 1,022 genes were significantly differentially expressed (P<0.05, ≥1.5-fold change), including 591 up-regulated and 431 down-regulated genes in the HFHSD group relative to the control group. KEGG analysis indicated that the observed heart disorder involved the signal transduction-related MAPK, cytokine, and PPAR signaling pathways, energy metabolism-related fatty acid and oxidative phosphorylation signaling pathways, heart function signaling-related focal adhesion, axon guidance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and actin cytoskeleton signaling pathways, inflammation and apoptosis pathways, and others. Quantitative RT-PCR assays identified several important differentially expressed heart-related genes, including STAT3, ACSL4, ATF4, FADD, PPP3CA, CD74, SLA-8, VCL, ACTN2 and FGFR1, which may be targets of further research. This study shows that a long-term, high-energy diet induces obesity, cardiac steatosis, and hypertrophy and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of hypertrophy and fatty heart to facilitate further research.

Efficacy and safety profile of autologous blood versus tetracycline pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion

OBJECTIVES

Autologous blood pleurodesis (ABP) is used for the treatment of pneumothorax with a good efficacy. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of ABP in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE).

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. Symptomatic MPE patients were randomized to receive pleurodesis with either autologous blood or tetracycline. In the ABP group, 100 ml of autologous venous blood was instilled via chest tube followed by 50 ml of sterile normal saline (NSS). In the tetracycline group, 20 ml of 1% lidocaine diluted in 30 ml NSS was instilled followed by 1 g of tetracycline diluted in 100 ml of NSS. The chest tube was clamped for 2 hours, then reconnected to suction and removed. Pleurodesis effectiveness was evaluated according to Paladine's criteria and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 48 symptomatic MPE patients were recruited. Of these, 24 cases were randomized to receive ABP and 24 cases received tetracycline. There was no difference between the two groups in baseline characteristics. The overall success rate of pleurodesis was the same in both the autologous blood group and the tetracycline group (83.4% versus 87.5%, p = 0.36). In the ABP group, the pain score and fever were significantly lower (8.3% versus 29.1%, p = 0.003) and there was a small percentage of cases that needed analgesia (4.2% versus 75%, p < 0.001); no serious events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

ABP was as effective as tetracycline in the treatment of MPE. ABP produced less pain and fever, and could shorten the hospital stay.