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Aromolaran KA, Corbin A, Aromolaran AS. Obesity Arrhythmias: Role of IL-6 Trans-Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8407. [PMID: 39125976 PMCID: PMC11313575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease that is rapidly increasing in prevalence and affects more than 600 million adults worldwide, and this figure is estimated to increase by at least double by 2030. In the United States, more than one-third of the adult population is either overweight or obese. The global obesity epidemic is a major risk factor for the development of life-threatening arrhythmias occurring in patients with long QT, particularly in conditions where multiple heart-rate-corrected QT-interval-prolonging mechanisms are simultaneously present. In obesity, excess dietary fat in adipose tissue stimulates the release of immunomodulatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, leading to a state of chronic inflammation in patients. Over the last decade, increasing evidence has been found to support IL-6 signaling as a powerful predictor of the severity of heart diseases and increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias. IL-6's pro-inflammatory effects are mediated via trans-signaling and may represent a novel arrhythmogenic risk factor in obese hearts. The first selective inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signaling, olamkicept, has shown encouraging results in phase II clinical studies for inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, the connection between IL-6 trans-signaling and obesity-linked ventricular arrhythmias remains unexplored. Therefore, understanding how IL-6 trans-signaling elicits a cellular pro-arrhythmic phenotype and its use as an anti-arrhythmic target in a model of obesity remain unmet clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A. Aromolaran
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (K.A.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Andrea Corbin
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (K.A.A.); (A.C.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Ademuyiwa S. Aromolaran
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (K.A.A.); (A.C.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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Corbin A, Aromolaran KA, Aromolaran AS. STAT4 Mediates IL-6 Trans-Signaling Arrhythmias in High Fat Diet Guinea Pig Heart. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7813. [PMID: 39063055 PMCID: PMC11277091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of life-threatening malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Risks may be highest for patients with high levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. We used our guinea pig model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced arrhythmias that exhibit a heightened proinflammatory-like pathology, which is also observed in human obesity arrhythmias, as well as immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy approaches to evaluate the pathological IL-6 trans-signaling function and explore the underlying mechanisms. Using blind-stick and electrocardiogram (ECG) techniques, we tested the hypothesis that heightened IL-6 trans-signaling would exhibit increased ventricular arrhythmia/SCD incidence and underlying arrhythmia substrates. Remarkably, compared to low-fat diet (LFD)-fed controls, HFD promoted phosphorylation of the IL-6 signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), leading to its activation and enhanced nuclear translocation of pSTAT4/STAT4 compared to LFD controls and pSTAT3/STAT3 nuclear expression. Overactivation of IL-6 trans-signaling in guinea pigs prolonged the QT interval, which resulted in greater susceptibility to arrhythmias/SCD with isoproterenol challenge, as also observed with the downstream Janus kinase (JAK) 2 activator. These findings may have potentially profound implications for more effective arrhythmia therapy in the vulnerable obese patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Corbin
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.C.); (K.A.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Kelly A. Aromolaran
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.C.); (K.A.A.)
| | - Ademuyiwa S. Aromolaran
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.C.); (K.A.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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Samoilova EV, Korotaeva AА, Zhirov IV, Aksenova YO, Nasonova SN, Tereschenko SN. Interleukin 6 Signalling in Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction. KARDIOLOGIIA 2024; 64:34-39. [PMID: 38597760 DOI: 10.18087/cardio.2024.3.n2534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
AIM Identification of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling pathways in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). MATERIAL AND METHODS The diversity of IL-6 effects is due to the presence of classical signaling and trans-signaling pathways. The study included 164 patients with CHF hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), of which 129 had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF), and 35 had preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Blood concentrations of IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble transducer protein gp130 (sgp130), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. RESULTS Patients with HFpEF had lower concentrations of IL-6 (6.15 [2.78, 10.65] pg/ml) and hsCRP (11.27 [5.84, 24.40] mg/ml) than patients with HFrEF (9.20 [4.70; 15.62] pg/ml and 17.23 [8.70; 34.51 mg/ml], respectively). In contrast, concentrations of rIL-6R were higher in HFpEF (59.06 [40.00; 75.85] ng/ml) than in HFrEF (49.15 [38.20; 64.89] ng/ml). Concentrations of sgp130 were not significantly different. In patients with HFrEF, positive correlations were found between the concentrations of IL-6 and hsCRP, IL-6 and rIL-6R, and IL-6 and sgp130, while in patients with HFpEF, there was a correlation only between IL-6 and hsCRP, which appeared stronger than in patients with HFrEF (r=0.698; p<0.001 and r=0.297; p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION Classical IL-6 signaling and trans-signaling are expressed to different degrees in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF in ADHF. The results of the study supplement the existing knowledge about the pathogenesis of inflammation in CHF and may contribute to the development of new methods and approaches to the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Samoilova
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
| | - A А Korotaeva
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
| | - I V Zhirov
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
| | - Yu O Aksenova
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
| | - S N Nasonova
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
| | - S N Tereschenko
- Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow
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Deng W, Zhao Z, Zou T, Kuang T, Wang J. Research Advances in Fusion Protein-Based Drugs for Diabetes Treatment. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:343-362. [PMID: 38288338 PMCID: PMC10823413 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s421527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, resulting in multi-organ dysfunction and various complications. Fusion proteins can form multifunctional complexes by combining the target proteins with partner proteins. It has significant advantages in improving the performance of the target proteins, extending their biological half-life, and enhancing patient drug compliance. Fusion protein-based drugs have emerged as promising new drugs in diabetes therapeutics. However, there has not been a systematic review of fusion protein-based drugs for diabetes therapeutics. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive review of published literature on diabetic fusion protein-based drugs for diabetes, with a primary focus on immunoglobulin G (IgG) fragment crystallizable (Fc) region, albumin, and transferrin (TF). This review aims to provide a reference for the subsequent development and clinical application of fusion protein-based drugs in diabetes therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenying Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, 421001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyi Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, 421001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, 421001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tongdong Kuang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi Province, 541199, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, 421001, People’s Republic of China
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Martinez E, Li N. Blocking interleukin-6 trans-signaling in AF: Promises and challenges. Heart Rhythm 2023; 20:1771-1772. [PMID: 37696442 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Martinez
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Na Li
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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Blanchard I, Vootukuru N, Bhattaru A, Patil S, Rojulpote C. PET Radiotracers in Atherosclerosis: A Review. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023; 48:101925. [PMID: 37392979 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Traditional atherosclerosis imaging modalities are limited to late stages of disease, prior to which patients are frequently asymptomatic. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging allows for the visualization of metabolic processes underscoring disease progression via radioactive tracer, allowing earlier-stage disease to be identified. 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake largely reflects the metabolic activity of macrophages, but is unspecific and limited in its utility. By detecting areas of microcalcification, 18F-Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake also provides insight into atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Gallium-68 DOTA-0-Tyr3-Octreotate (68Ga-DOTATATE) PET has also shown potential in identifying vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques with high somatostatin receptor expression. Finally, 11-carbon (11C)-choline and 18F-fluoromethylcholine (FMCH) tracers may identify high-risk atherosclerotic plaques by detecting increased choline metabolism. Together, these radiotracers quantify disease burden, assess treatment efficacy, and stratify risk for adverse cardiac events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nishita Vootukuru
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Abhijit Bhattaru
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Chaitanya Rojulpote
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Medicine, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Scranton, PA.
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Schumacher N, Thomsen I, Brundert F, Hejret V, Düsterhöft S, Tichý B, Schmidt-Arras D, Voss M, Rose-John S. EGFR stimulation enables IL-6 trans-signalling via iRhom2-dependent ADAM17 activation in mammary epithelial cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119489. [PMID: 37271223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has considerable pro-inflammatory properties and is a driver of many physiological and pathophysiological processes. Cellular responses to IL-6 are mediated by membrane-bound or soluble forms of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) complexed with the signal-transducing subunit gp130. While expression of the membrane-bound IL-6R is restricted to selected cell types, soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) enables gp130 engagement on all cells, a process termed IL-6 trans-signalling and considered to be pro-inflammatory. sIL-6R is predominantly generated through proteolytic processing by the metalloproteinase ADAM17. ADAM17 also liberates ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is a prerequisite for EGFR activation and results in stimulation of proliferative signals. Hyperactivation of EGFR mostly due to activating mutations drives cancer development. Here, we reveal an important link between overshooting EGFR signalling and the IL-6 trans-signalling pathway. In epithelial cells, EGFR activity induces not only IL-6 expression but also the proteolytic release of sIL-6R from the cell membrane by increasing ADAM17 surface activity. We find that this derives from the transcriptional upregulation of iRhom2, a crucial regulator of ADAM17 trafficking and activation, upon EGFR engagement, which results in increased surface localization of ADAM17. Also, phosphorylation of the EGFR-downstream mediator ERK mediates ADAM17 activity via interaction with iRhom2. In sum, our study reveals an unforeseen interplay between EGFR activation and IL-6 trans-signalling, which has been shown to be fundamental in inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neele Schumacher
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Kiel University, Germany.
| | - Ilka Thomsen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Florian Brundert
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Vaclav Hejret
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
| | - Stefan Düsterhöft
- Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, University Hospital Aachen/RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Boris Tichý
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
| | | | - Matthias Voss
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Stefan Rose-John
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Kiel University, Germany
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Rose-John S, Jenkins BJ, Garbers C, Moll JM, Scheller J. Targeting IL-6 trans-signalling: past, present and future prospects. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:666-681. [PMID: 37069261 PMCID: PMC10108826 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00856-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key immunomodulatory cytokine that affects the pathogenesis of diverse diseases, including autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions and cancer. Classical IL-6 signalling involves the binding of IL-6 to the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor α-subunit (hereafter termed 'mIL-6R') and glycoprotein 130 (gp130) signal-transducing subunit. By contrast, in IL-6 trans-signalling, complexes of IL-6 and the soluble form of IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) signal via membrane-bound gp130. A third mode of IL-6 signalling - known as cluster signalling - involves preformed complexes of membrane-bound IL-6-mIL-6R on one cell activating gp130 subunits on target cells. Antibodies and small molecules have been developed that block all three forms of IL-6 signalling, but in the past decade, IL-6 trans-signalling has emerged as the predominant pathway by which IL-6 promotes disease pathogenesis. The first selective inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signalling, sgp130, has shown therapeutic potential in various preclinical models of disease and olamkicept, a sgp130Fc variant, had promising results in phase II clinical studies for inflammatory bowel disease. Technological developments have already led to next-generation sgp130 variants with increased affinity and selectivity towards IL-6 trans-signalling, along with indirect strategies to block IL-6 trans-signalling. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the biological outcomes of IL-6-mediated signalling and the potential for targeting this pathway in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Rose-John
- Biochemical Institute, Medical Faculty, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Brendan J Jenkins
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christoph Garbers
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC:I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jens M Moll
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jürgen Scheller
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Garbers C, Rose-John S. Dissecting Interleukin-6 Classic and Trans-signaling in Inflammation and Cancer. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2691:207-224. [PMID: 37355548 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3331-1_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine synthesized by many cells in the human body. IL-6 binds to a membrane-bound receptor (IL-6R), which is only present on hepatocytes, some epithelial cells, and some leukocytes. The complex of IL-6 and IL-6R binds to the ubiquitously expressed receptor subunit gp130, which forms a homodimer and thereby initiates intracellular signaling, e.g., the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways. Proteases can cleave the membrane-bound IL-6R from the cell surface and generate a soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R), which retains its ability to bind IL-6. The IL-6/sIL-6R complex associates with gp130 and induces signaling even on cells which do not express the IL-6R. This paradigm has been called IL-6 trans-signaling, whereas signaling via the membrane-bound IL-6R is referred to as classic signaling. We have generated several molecular tools to differentiate between both pathways and to analyze the consequences of cellular IL-6 signaling in vivo. One of these tools is soluble gp130Fc, which selectively inhibits IL-6 trans-signaling. This protein under the WHO name Olamkicept has successfully undergone phase II clinical trials in patients with autoimmune diseases. Here, in this chapter, we describe several molecular tools to differentiate between IL-6 classic and trans-signaling and to analyze the consequences of cellular IL-6 signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Garbers
- Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC:I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
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