Search Results

You are looking at 11 - 20 of 611 items for :

  • macrophages x
  • Refine by access: Content accessible to me x
Clear All
Maayan Vatarescu The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Maayan Vatarescu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Sapir Bechor The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Sapir Bechor in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Yulia Haim The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Yulia Haim in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Tal Pecht The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Tal Pecht in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Tanya Tarnovscki The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Tanya Tarnovscki in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Noa Slutsky The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Noa Slutsky in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Ori Nov The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Ori Nov in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Hagit Shapiro The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Hagit Shapiro in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Avishai Shemesh The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Avishai Shemesh in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Angel Porgador The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Angel Porgador in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Nava Bashan The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Nava Bashan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Assaf Rudich The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Search for other papers by Assaf Rudich in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

inflammation (particularly macrophage infiltration) characterizes obese persons who develop insulin resistance ( Harman-Boehm et al . 2007 ), but to a much lesser degree age, sex and BMI-matched obese persons who remain insulin sensitive ( Kloting et al

Open access
Xiaohui Wang
Search for other papers by Xiaohui Wang in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Yuxia Chen
Search for other papers by Yuxia Chen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Yan Wang
Search for other papers by Yan Wang in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Xiaoyan Zhu
Search for other papers by Xiaoyan Zhu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Yuanyuan Ma
Search for other papers by Yuanyuan Ma in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Shimin Zhang Department of Pathophysiology, American Registry of Pathology at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China

Search for other papers by Shimin Zhang in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Jian Lu
Search for other papers by Jian Lu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

cytokine production in macrophages ( Distelhorst 2002 , Frankfurt & Rosen 2004 ). Macrophages also play a key role in the immune and inflammatory process, mainly acting as antigen-processing/presenting cells and sources of inflammatory cytokines. Although

Free access
Michael P Corcoran Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Michael P Corcoran in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Mohsen Meydani Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Mohsen Meydani in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Alice H Lichtenstein Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Alice H Lichtenstein in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Ernst J Schaefer Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Ernst J Schaefer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Alice Dillard Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Alice Dillard in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Stefania Lamon-Fava Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Vascular Biology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

Search for other papers by Stefania Lamon-Fava in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

local inflammation ( Brown & Goldstein 1983 ). Recruited monocytes differentiate into macrophages and begin to take up oxidized lipoproteins, leading to the formation of foam cells. Foam cells are a primary component of early atheroma lesion formation

Free access
L E Nicol Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by L E Nicol in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
W F Grant Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by W F Grant in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S M Comstock Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by S M Comstock in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M L Nguyen Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by M L Nguyen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M S Smith Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by M S Smith in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
K L Grove Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by K L Grove in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
D L Marks Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute
Pediatrics, Division of Neurosciences, Pape Pediatric Research Institute

Search for other papers by D L Marks in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

(Arg1; Rh02826373_m1) M1- and M2-activated macrophages respectively from the same cDNA as mentioned earlier. Quantitative PCRs were run on an ABI 7300 (Applied Biosystems), using TaqMan universal PCR master mix TaqMan master mix in a 10 μl reaction

Free access
Hyo Youl Moon
Search for other papers by Hyo Youl Moon in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Parkyong Song BioSignal Network Laboratory, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, School of Nano-Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Engineering Building 104, 689-805 Ulsan, Republic of Korea

Search for other papers by Parkyong Song in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Cheol Soo Choi BioSignal Network Laboratory, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, School of Nano-Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Engineering Building 104, 689-805 Ulsan, Republic of Korea

Search for other papers by Cheol Soo Choi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Sung Ho Ryu BioSignal Network Laboratory, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, School of Nano-Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Engineering Building 104, 689-805 Ulsan, Republic of Korea

Search for other papers by Sung Ho Ryu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Pann-Ghill Suh
Search for other papers by Pann-Ghill Suh in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

) ( Ruderman & Prentki 2004 ). Based on the requirement for AMPK to alleviate hepatic steatosis, there is growing demand to identify mediators of AMPK activation in response to dynamic physiological activity. Although macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF

Open access
Véronique Serre-Beinier Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Véronique Serre-Beinier in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Christian Toso Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Christian Toso in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Philippe Morel Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Philippe Morel in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Carmen Gonelle-Gispert Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Carmen Gonelle-Gispert in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Christelle Veyrat-Durebex Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Christelle Veyrat-Durebex in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Françoise Rohner-Jeanrenaud Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Françoise Rohner-Jeanrenaud in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Thierry Calandra Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Thierry Calandra in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Thierry Roger Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Thierry Roger in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Richard W James Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Richard W James in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Xavier Montet Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery
Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery
Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Xavier Montet in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Léo Bühler Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Léo Bühler in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Domenico Bosco Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Domenico Bosco in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Thierry Berney Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Metabolism, Infectious Diseases Service, Clinical Diabetes Unit, Radiology, Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery

Search for other papers by Thierry Berney in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

Introduction Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Originally described as a T-cell-derived product, MIF has now been shown to be released by numerous cell types and

Free access
Anne Q Reuwer Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Anne Q Reuwer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Marco van Eijk Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Marco van Eijk in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Felicia M Houttuijn-Bloemendaal Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Felicia M Houttuijn-Bloemendaal in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Chris M van der Loos Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Chris M van der Loos in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Nike Claessen Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Nike Claessen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Peter Teeling Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Peter Teeling in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
John J P Kastelein Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by John J P Kastelein in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Jörg Hamann Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Jörg Hamann in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Vincent Goffin Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Vincent Goffin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Jan H von der Thüsen Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Jan H von der Thüsen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Marcel Th B Twickler Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Marcel Th B Twickler in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Jan Aten Departments of, Vascular Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Experimental Immunology, INSERM, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Search for other papers by Jan Aten in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

by inflammatory cell infiltration, accumulation of heterogeneous macrophage populations, T-cell activation, cytokine production, and cell death, is also an integral part of the atherosclerotic process ( Packard & Libby 2008 ). In fact, all stages of

Free access
Uniza W Khan Comparative Immunoendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India

Search for other papers by Uniza W Khan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
and
Umesh Rai Comparative Immunoendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India

Search for other papers by Umesh Rai in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

). In the last decade, there has been a groundswell of interest in understanding the interrelationship between Leydig cells and testicular macrophages ( Haider 2004 , Hutson 2006 ). Moreover, lymphocytes and low number of mast cells are also present

Free access
Kelly D McCall Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Kelly D McCall in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Dawn Holliday Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Dawn Holliday in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Eric Dickerson Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Eric Dickerson in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Brian Wallace Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Brian Wallace in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Anthony L Schwartz Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Anthony L Schwartz in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Christopher Schwartz Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Christopher Schwartz in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Christopher J Lewis Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Christopher J Lewis in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Leonard D Kohn Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Leonard D Kohn in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Frank L Schwartz Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center
Department of Specialty Medicine, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Program, Interthyr Corporation, Diabetes Research Center

Search for other papers by Frank L Schwartz in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

adipocytes and associated inflammatory cells (macrophages) produce and release excessive amounts of biologically active ‘cytokines/adipokines’ (TNF-α, resistin, IL6, and PAI-1, etc.), which circulate via the portal and systemic vascular system to other

Free access
M Schmidt
Search for other papers by M Schmidt in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M Kreutz
Search for other papers by M Kreutz in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
G Loffler
Search for other papers by G Loffler in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
J Scholmerich
Search for other papers by J Scholmerich in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
RH Straub
Search for other papers by RH Straub in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a ubiquitous adrenal hormone with immunomodulatory effects such as inhibition of the production of monokines. Whether DHEA itself or the downstream steroids are the immunomodulatory effector hormones in target cells is not known. In this study, we investigated the conversion of DHEA to downstream steroid hormones in target macrophages. Within 1 day of culture with radiolabeled DHEA, monocyte-derived macrophages converted DHEA to significant amounts of Delta5-derivatives such as 16OH-DHEA, 3beta, 17beta-androstenediol (A'diol), and 3beta,16alpha, 17beta-androstenetriol (A'triol). However, the production of Delta4-steroids (androstenedione (A'dione), testosterone (T), and 16OH-T) and estrogens (estrone, estradiol, and estriol) was relatively low. Further cultivation of macrophages for 5 days with radiolabeled DHEA resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase of the molar amounts of A'triol (P=0.012), 16OH-T (P=0.008), and estriol (P=0.003). In contrast to monocyte-derived macrophages, monocytes did not express aromatase mRNA, which was demonstrated by RT-PCR (P<0.01). Furthermore, DHEA in macrophages significantly inhibited one of the downstream converting enzymes, the aromatase, which was not demonstrated in the presence of the typical macrophage activator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (P<0.01). In conclusion, conversion of DHEA to physiologically relevant amounts of Delta5- and Delta4-steroids and estrogens was demonstrated in monocyte-derived macrophages. The conversion depends on maturation of monocytes and local factors such as the presence of LPS. The conversion of DHEA leads to an increase of downstream effector hormones in target macrophages which may be an important factor for local immunomodulation.

Free access