LXR agonist T0901317 upregulates thrombomodulin expression in glomerular endothelial cells by inhibition of nuclear factor‑κB

LXR Agonist T0901317's Hepatic Impact Overrules Its Atheroprotective Action in Macrophages, Driving Early Atherogenesis in Chow-Diet-Fed Male Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice

Preclinical studies regarding the potential of liver X receptor (LXR) agonists to inhibit macrophage foam cell formation and the development of atherosclerotic lesions are generally executed in mice fed with Western-type diets enriched in cholesterol and fat. Here, we investigated whether LXR agonism remains anti-atherogenic under dietary conditions with a low basal hepatic lipogenesis rate. Hereto, atherosclerosis-susceptible male apolipoprotein E knockout mice were fed a low-fat diet with or without 10 mg/kg/day LXR agonist T0901317 supplementation for 8 weeks. Importantly, T0901317 significantly stimulated atherosclerosis susceptibility, despite an associated increase in the macrophage gene expression levels of cholesterol efflux transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1. The pro-atherogenic effect of T0901317 coincided with exacerbated hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and a significant rise in hepatic triglyceride stores and macrophage numbers. Furthermore, T0901317-treated mice exhibited elevated plasma MCP-1 levels and monocytosis. In conclusion, these findings highlight that the pro-atherogenic hepatic effects of LXR agonism are dominant over the anti-atherogenic effects in macrophages in determining the overall atherosclerosis outcome under low-fat diet feeding conditions. A low-fat diet experimental setting, as compared to the commonly used high-fat-diet-based preclinical setup, thus appears more sensitive in uncovering the potential relevance of the off-target liver effects of novel anti-atherogenic therapeutic approaches that target macrophage LXR.

Thrombomodulin activation driven by LXR agonist attenuates renal injury in diabetic nephropathy

Objective

Inflammation and thrombosis are recognized as interrelated biological processes. Both thrombomodulin (TM) and factor XIII-A (FXIII-A) are involved in inflammation and coagulation process. However, their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unclear. In vitro study, the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 can up-regulate the expression of TM in glomerular endothelial cells. Now we evaluated the interaction between TM activation and FXIII-A and their effects against renal injury.

Methods

We first evaluated the serum levels of FXIII-A and TM and the expression of TM, LXR-α and FXIII-A in renal tissues of patients with biopsy-proven DN. We then analyzed the expression of TM, LXR-α and FXIII-A in renal tissues of db/db DN mice after upregulating TM expression via T0901317 or downregulating its expression via transfection of TM shRNA-loaded adenovirus. We also investigated the serum levels of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, creatinine, and urinary microalbumin level in db/db mice.

Results

Our study showed that elevations in serum levels of FXIII-A positively correlated to the serum levels of TM and were also associated with end-stage kidney disease in patients with DN. The number of TM⁺ cells in the renal tissues of patients with DN negatively correlated with the number of FXIII-A⁺ cells and positively correlated with the number of LXR-α⁺ cells and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), whereas the number of FXIII-A⁺ cells negatively correlated with the eGFR.

Conclusion

Thrombomodulin activation with T0901317 downregulated FXIII-A expression in the kidney tissue and alleviated renal injury in db/db mice.

Medicarpin Improves Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Mouse Model of Depression by Upregulating Liver X Receptor β Expression in the Amygdala

Presently, the regulatory mechanism underlying depression is indistinct, and almost 50% of depression sufferers undergo no apparent effects during treatment. This study explored the effects of medicarpin on depressive-like behaviors in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced mouse model of depression. The results of network pharmacological analysis revealed that liver X receptor β (LXRβ) might be a potential target of medicarpin and depression. The LXRβ level was reduced in the amygdala of mice induced by CUMS; however, this effect was suppressed by co-treatment with medicarpin. Medicarpin treatment ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in CUMS-induced mice by modulating LXRβ level. Moreover, medicarpin treatment reduced M1 polarization and enhanced M2 polarization of amygdala microglia in CUMS-induced mice, as well as increased GFAP level in the amygdala. Medicarpin treatment also suppressed CUMS-induced inflammation and hindered nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) signaling activation. These data indicate that medicarpin activated astrocytes and inhibited microglia M1 polarization while promoted M2 polarization by enhancing the expression of LXRβ. Hence, our results suggest that medicarpin could have a positive effect on the treatment of depression, and LXRβ could serve as a novel therapeutic target.

Deregulation of signaling pathways controlling cell survival and proliferation in cancer cells alters induction of cytochrome P450 family 1 enzymes

Cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1) enzymes contribute both to metabolism of xenobiotics and to the control of endogenous levels of ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Their activities, similar to other CYPs, can be altered in tumor tissues. Here, we examined a possible role of proliferative/survival pathways signaling, which is often deregulated in tumor cells, and possible links with p300 histone acetyltransferase (a transcriptional co-activator) in the control of CYP1 expression, focusing particularly on CYP1A1. Using cell models derived from human liver, we observed that the induction of CYP1A1 expression, as well as other CYP1 enzymes, was reduced in exponentially growing cells, as compared with their non-dividing counterparts. The siRNA-mediated inhibition of proliferation/pro-survival signaling pathway effectors (such as β-catenin and/or Hippo pathway effectors YAP/TAZ) increased the AhR ligand-induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels in liver HepaRG cells, and/or in colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells. The activation of proliferative Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCT-116 cells reduced both the induction of CYP1 enzymes and the binding of p300 to the promoter of CYP1A1 or CYP1B1 genes. These results seem to indicate that aberrant proliferative signaling in tumor cells could suppress induction of CYP1A1 (or other CYP1 enzymes) via competition for p300 binding. This mechanism could be involved in modulation of the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous substrates of CYP1A1 (and other CYP1 enzymes), with possible further consequences for alterations of the AhR signaling in tumor cells, or additional functional roles of CYP1 enzymes.

The oxysterome and its receptors as pharmacological targets in inflammatory diseases

Oxysterols have gained attention over the last decades and are now considered as fully fledged bioactive lipids. The study of their levels in several conditions, including atherosclerosis, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases, led to a better understanding of their involvement in (patho)physiological processes such as inflammation and immunity. For instance, the characterization of the cholesterol-7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol/GPR183 axis and its implication in immunity represents an important step in the oxysterome study. Besides this axis, others were identified as important in several inflammatory pathologies (such as colitis, lung inflammation and atherosclerosis). However, the oxysterome is a complex system notably due to a redundancy of metabolic enzymes and a wide range of receptors. Indeed, deciphering oxysterol roles and identifying the potential receptor(s) involved in a given pathology remain challenging. Oxysterol properties are very diverse, but most of them could be connected by a common component: inflammation. Here, we review the implication of oxysterol receptors in inflammatory diseases.

Discovery of a "Gatekeeper" Antagonist that Blocks Entry Pathway to Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) without Allosteric Ligand Inhibition in Permissive RXR Heterodimers

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers such as PPAR/RXR, LXR/RXR, and FXR/RXR can be activated by RXR agonists alone and are therefore designated as permissive. Similarly, existing RXR antagonists show allosteric antagonism toward partner receptor agonists in these permissive RXR heterodimers. Here, we show 1-(3-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (14, CBTF-EE) as the first RXR antagonist that does not show allosteric inhibition in permissive RXR heterodimers. This compound was designed based on the hypothesis that RXR antagonists that do not induce conformational changes of RXR would not exhibit such allosteric inhibition. CD spectra and X-ray co-crystallography of the complex of 14 and the RXR ligand binding domain (LBD) confirmed that 14 does not change the conformation of hRXR-LBD. The X-ray structure analysis revealed that 14 binds at the entrance of the ligand binding pocket (LBP), blocking access to the LBP and thus serving as a "gatekeeper".

The roles of liver X receptor α in inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases

Liver X receptor α (LXRα; also known as NR1H3), an isoform of LXRs, is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors and plays essential roles in the transcriptional control of cholesterol homeostasis. Previous in-depth phenotypic analyses of mouse models with deficient LXRα have also demonstrated various physiological functions of this receptor within inflammatory responses. LXRα activation exerts a combination of metabolic and anti-inflammatory actions resulting in the modulation and the amelioration of inflammatory disorders. The tight "repercussions" between LXRα and inflammation, as well as cholesterol homeostasis, have suggested that LXRα could be pharmacologically targeted in pathologies such as atherosclerosis, acute lung injury, and Alzheimer's disease. This review gives an overview of the recent advances in understanding the roles of LXRα in inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases, which will help in the design of future experimental researches on the potential of LXRα and advance the investigation of LXRα as pharmacological inflammatory targets.

Nuclear receptors in the kidney during health and disease

Over the last 30 years, nuclear receptors (NRs) have been increasingly recognized as key modulators of systemic homeostasis and as contributing factors in many diseases. In the kidney, NRs play numerous important roles in maintaining homeostasis-many of which continue to be unraveled. As "master regulators", these important transcription factors integrate and coordinate many renal processes such as circadian responses, lipid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, glucose handling, and inflammatory responses. The use of recently-developed genetic tools and small molecule modulators have allowed for detailed studies of how renal NRs contribute to kidney homeostasis. Importantly, while NRs are intimately involved in proper kidney function, they are also implicated in a variety of renal diseases such as diabetes, acute kidney injury, and other conditions such as aging. In the last 10 years, our understanding of renal disease etiology and progression has been greatly shaped by knowledge regarding how NRs are dysregulated in these conditions. Importantly, NRs have also become attractive therapeutic targets for attenuation of renal diseases, and their modulation for this purpose has been the subject of intense investigation. Here, we review the role in health and disease of six key renal NRs including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), estrogen-related receptors (ERR), the farnesoid X receptors (FXR), estrogen receptors (ER), liver X receptors (LXR), and vitamin D receptors (VDR) with an emphasis on recent findings over the last decade. These NRs have generated a wealth of data over the last 10 years that demonstrate their crucial role in maintaining normal renal homeostasis as well as their capacity to modulate disease progression.

Role of Liver X Receptor in Mastitis Therapy and Regulation of Milk Fat Synthesis

Mastitis is important disease that causes huge economic losses in the dairy industry. In recent years, antibiotic therapy has become the primary treatment for mastitis, however, due to drug residue in milk and food safety factors, we lack safe and effective drugs for treating mastitis. Therefore, new targets and drugs are urgently needed to control mastitis. LXRα, one of the main members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is reported to play important roles in metabolism, infection and immunity. Activation of LXRα could inhibit LPS-induced mastitis. Furthermore, LXRα is reported to enhance milk fat production, thus, LXRα may serve as a new target for mastitis therapy and regulation of milk fat synthesis. This review summarizes the effects of LXRα in regulating milk fat synthesis and treatment of mastitis and highlights the potential agonists involved in both issues.

The effects of LXR agonist GW3965 on vascular reactivity and inflammation in hypertensive rat aorta

AIMS

Liver X receptors (LXRs) play an important role in the regulation of cholesterol, fatty acid and glucose metabolisms together with inflammatory processes. In the present study, the effects of LXR agonist GW3965 on vascular reactivity and expression of functional proteins in DOCA-Salt induced hypertension were examined.

MAIN METHODS

Hypertension was induced through unilateral nephrectomy and deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) injection (20 mg/kg, twice a week) for 6 weeks in male Wistar albino rats (8 weeks old). An LXR agonist GW3965 (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered to animals for last seven days.

KEY FINDINGS

GW3965 treatment reduced systolic blood pressures in hypertensive rats. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent and sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent vasorelaxations were decreased in hypertensive rats but not affected by GW3965. GW3965 treatment enhanced plasma nitrite levels in normotensive rats. KCl and phenylephrine (Phe)-induced vasocontractions were reduced in hypertensive groups and increased with GW3965 treatment. Decreased sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase2 (SERCA2) expression in the hypertensive aorta was not changed by GW3965 treatment. Expression of inositoltrisphosphate receptor1 (IP3R1) was increased by GW3965 in normotensive animals. The nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expressions were increased in hypertensive rats and reduced by GW3965 treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of study indicate that the LXR agonist, GW3965, exhibited a beneficial effect on increased blood pressure and improved hypertension-induced impairment in contractile activity of vessel and inflammatory markers in vascular tissue. Therefore, these effects of LXR agonists on vessel should be taken into account in experimental or therapeutic approaches to hypertension.