CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
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CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra (IIIUC), Casa Costa Alemão, Coimbra, Portugal
APDP-Portuguese Diabetes Association, Lisbon, Portugal
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Despite the known link between obesity and insulin resistance (IR) to chronic low-grade inflammation, new markers capable of early IR detection are needed. Immune cells are components of adipose tissue’s (AT) stromal vascular fraction (SVF) that regulate AT homeostasis. The altered phenotype and function of AT-infiltrating immune cells may contribute to the development and maintenance of local AT inflammation observed under obesity-induced IR conditions. Impaired AT-specific immunometabolic function may influence the whole organism. Therefore, AT-infiltrating immune cells may be important players in the development of obesity-related metabolic complications, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). B and T cells, particularly CD20+ T cells, play important roles in human pathology, such as autoimmune disease and cancer. However, the question remains as to whether CD20+ T cells have an important contribution to the development of obesity-related IR. While circulating CD20+ T cells are mostly of the central memory phenotype (i.e. antigen-experienced T cells with the ability to home to secondary lymphoid organs), tissues-infiltrated CD20+ T cells are predominantly of the effector memory phenotype (i.e. antigen-experienced T cells that preferentially infiltrate peripheral tissues). The latter produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-17, which play a role in obesity-related IR development. This review describes the CD20 molecule and its presence in both B and T cells, shedding light on its ontogeny and function, in health and disease, with emphasis on AT. The link between CD20+ T cell dysregulation, obesity, and IR development supports the role of CD20+ T cells as markers of adipose tissue dysmetabolism.
Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Somatostatin receptors (SSTs) are widely expressed in pituitary tumors and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of different origins, i.e. the gastrointestinal tract and the thorax (lungs and thymus), thus representing a well-established target for medical treatment with SST ligands (SRLs). However, the response to SRLs is highly heterogeneous between tumors. Two main factors can contribute to this variability: (i) the differential SST expression among tumor types and (ii) the differential expression/modulation of the SST-related intracellular machinery. In this literature review, we provide an overview of available data on the variable expression of SSTs in pituitary tumors and NENs, together with the resulting clinical implications. Moreover, we aim to describe the complex intracellular machinery involved in SST signaling and trafficking. Particularly, we will focus on β-arrestins and describe their role in receptor internalization and recycling, as well as the various functions of these scaffold molecules in tumor pathogenesis and progression. This review highlights the interplay between membrane receptors and intracellular machinery, together with its role in determining the clinical behavior of the tumor and the response to treatment in patients with pituitary tumors or NENs.
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Mononuclear cytotrophoblasts (CTs) differentiate and fuse to form multinuclear syncytiotrophoblasts (STs), which produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone to maintain pregnancy. Impaired differentiation and fusion of CTs to form STs are associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal growth restriction. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a multifunctional single transmembrane heme-binding protein. We previously demonstrated that downregulation of PGRMC1 promotes endometrial stromal cell differentiation (decidualization). Here, we explored the role of PGRMC1 in trophoblast differentiation and fusion. PGRMC1 expression was lower in STs than in CTs of first-trimester placental tissues. PGRMC1 expression in BeWo cells (a trophoblast-derived choriocarcinoma cell line) decreased upon dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP)-induced differentiation. Both inhibition and knockdown of PGRMC1 stimulated hCG production in the presence of db-cAMP. Furthermore, a quantitative cell fusion assay we developed revealed that inhibition and knockdown of PGRMC1 enhanced db-cAMP-stimulated cell fusion. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists decreased PGRMC1 expression and stimulated the cell fusion in BeWo cells. These findings suggest that downregulation of PGRMC1 expression in part through activation of PPARγ during trophoblast differentiation promotes hCG production and cell fusion for formation and maintenance of placental villi during pregnancy.
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Research and Innovation group, Hertfordshire, UK
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Institute of Precision & Diagnostic Medicine, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, NHS trust, Coventry, UK
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Over the last two decades, it has become clear that the human gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses, are a critical determinant of human health and disease. Microbiota-derived metabolites provide the host with energy, protect against pathogens, modulate immune and endocrine systems as well as the level of reactive oxygen species in the gut. It has come with no surprise that the human gut microbiota is also linked to the production, utilisation and regulation of host hormones. This implies that the gut microbiota is capable of influencing human behaviour, appetite regulation and metabolism as well as development and immunity. Many of the advances in the field of crosstalk between the gut microbiota and host health, disease and behaviours are generally based on DNA analyses of microbial populations and transplantation of monocultured commensal species to germ-free animals. Recent reports on the activity of the gut microbiota in gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer have highlighted two important points. First, microbial DNA-based abundance does not always correlate with their level of activity and secondly, that metabolism of the complex gut microbiota is regulated by host health status, including the production and metabolism of several human hormones. In this review, we will discuss the lessons learnt from studying the activity and metabolism of the human gut microbiota in health and across gastrointestinal diseases, and how these findings can shape future research on the microbiome–gut–endocrine axis.
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Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are key nutrients that play a diverse set of roles in physiological function, including regulating metabolic homeostasis. Generated through the fermentation of dietary fibers in the distal colon by the gut microbiome, SCFAs and their effects are partially mediated by their cognate receptors, including free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2). FFA2 is highly expressed in the intestinal epithelial cells, where its putative functions are controversial, with numerous in vivo studies relying on global knockout mouse models to characterize intestine-specific roles of the receptor. Here, we used the Villin-Cre mouse line to generate a novel, intestine-specific knockout mouse model for FFA2 (Vil-FFA2) to investigate receptor function within the intestine. Because dietary changes are known to affect the composition of the gut microbiome, and can thereby alter SCFA production, we performed an obesogenic challenge on male Vil-FFA2 mice and their littermate controls (FFA2-floxed, FFA2fl/fl) to identify physiological changes on a high-fat, high-sugar ‘Western diet’ (WD) compared to a low-fat control diet (CD). We found that the WD-fed Vil-FFA2 mice were transiently protected from the obesogenic effects of the WD and had lower fat mass and improved glucose homeostasis compared to the WD-fed FFA2fl/fl control group during the first half of the study. Additionally, major differences in respiratory exchange ratio and energy expenditure were observed in the WD-fed Vil-FFA2 mice, and food intake was found to be significantly reduced at multiple points in the study. Taken together, this study uncovers a novel role of intestinal FFA2 in mediating the development of obesity.
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During pregnancy the maternal pancreatic islets of Langerhans undergo adaptive changes to compensate for gestational insulin resistance. The lactogenic hormones are well established to play a key role in regulating the islet adaptation to pregnancy, and one of the mechanisms through which they act is through upregulating β-cell serotonin production. During pregnancy islet serotonin levels are significantly elevated, where it is released from the β-cells to drive the adaptive response through paracrine and autocrine effects. We have previously shown that placental kisspeptin (KP) also plays a role in promoting the elevated insulin secretion and β-cell proliferation observed during pregnancy, although the precise mechanisms involved are unclear. In the present study we investigated the effects of KP on expression of pro-proliferative genes and serotonin biosynthesis within rodent islets. Whilst KP had limited effect on pro-proliferative gene expression at the time points tested, KP did significantly stimulate expression of the serotonin biosynthesis enzyme Tph-1. Furthermore, the islets of pregnant β-cell-specific GPR54 knockdown mice were found to contain significantly fewer serotonin-positive β-cells when compared to pregnant controls. Our previous studies suggested that reduced placental kisspeptin production, with consequent impaired kisspeptin-dependent β-cell compensation, may be a factor in the development of GDM in humans. These current data suggest that, similar to the lactogenic hormones, KP may also contribute to serotonin biosynthesis and subsequent islet signalling during pregnancy. Furthermore, upregulation of serotonin biosynthesis may represent a common mechanism through which multiple signals might influence the islet adaptation to pregnancy.
Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Aging-related reduction in androgen levels may be a possible risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to cognitive impairment. Androgens may affect synaptic function and cognition in an androgen receptor (AR)-independent manner; however, the mechanisms connecting theses effects are unknown. Therefore, we used testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) male mice, a model with AR mutation, to test the effects of testosterone on synaptic function and cognition. Our results showed that testosterone ameliorated spatial memory deficit and neuronal damage, and increased dendritic spines density and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1) expression in the hippocampus of Tfm male mice. And these effects of testosterone were not inhibited by anastrozole, which suppressed conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Mechanistically, testosterone activated the extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus of Tfm male mice. Meanwhile, Erk1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 blocked the upregulation of phospho-CREB, PSD95, and GluA1 induced by testosterone in HT22 cells pretreated with flutamide, an androgen antagonist. Collectively, our data indicate that testosterone may ameliorate hippocampal synaptic damage and spatial memory deficit by activating the Erk1/2–CREB signaling pathway in an AR-independent manner.
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Long lagging behind insulin, glucagon research has caught up in large part, thanks to technological breakthroughs. Here we review how the field was propelled by the development of novel techniques and approaches. The glucagon radioimmunoassay and islet isolation are methods that now seem trivial, but for decades they were crucial in defining the biology of the pancreatic alpha cell and the role of glucagon in glucose homeostasis. More recently, mouse models have become the main workhorse of this research effort, if not of biomedical research in general. The mouse model allowed detailed mechanistic studies that are revealing alpha cell functions beyond its canonical glucoregulatory role. A recent profusion of gene expression and transcription regulation studies is providing new vistas into what constitutes alpha cell identity. In particular, the combination of transcriptomic techniques with functional recordings promises to move molecular guesswork into real-time physiology. The challenge right now is not to get enamored with these powerful techniques and to make sure that the research continues to be transformative and paradigm shifting. We should imagine a future in which the biology of the alpha cell will be studied at single-cell resolution, non-invasively, and in real time in the human body.
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