Maximilian Zeyda

The TSC-mTOR Signaling Pathway Regulates the Innate Inflammatory Response

The innate inflammatory immune response must be tightly controlled to avoid damage to the host. Here, we showed that the tuberous sclerosis complex-mammalian target of rapamycin (TSC-mTOR) pathway regulated inflammatory responses after bacterial stimulation in monocytes, macrophages, and primary dendritic cells. Inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin promoted production of proinflammatory cytokines via the transcription factor NF-kappaB but blocked the release of interleukin-10 via the transcription factor STAT3. Conversely, deletion of TSC2, the key negative regulator of mTOR, diminished NF-kappaB but enhanced STAT3 activity and reversed this proinflammatory cytokine shift. Rapamycin-hyperactivated monocytes displayed a strong T helper 1 (Th1) cell- and Th17 cell-polarizing potency. Inhibition of mTOR in vivo regulated the inflammatory response and protected genetically susceptible mice against lethal Listeria monocytogenes infection. These data identify the TSC2-mTOR pathway as a key regulator of innate immune homeostasis with broad clinical implications for infectious and autoimmune diseases, vaccination, cancer, and transplantation.

Human adipose tissue macrophages are of an anti-inflammatory phenotype but capable of excessive pro-inflammatory mediator production

Objective:Obesity is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammation and an increased abundance of macrophages in adipose tissue. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) are assumed to interfere with adipocyte function leading to insulin resistance, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Macrophages exist in separate types of differentiation, but the nature of ATMs is largely unknown.Design and measurements:Stromal vascular cells (SVCs) and ATMs were isolated from human adipose tissues from different locations. We characterized ATMs phenotypically and functionally by flow cytometry, endocytosis assay and determination of secreted cytokines. For comparison, we used macrophages of the ‘classical’ (M1) and the ‘alternative’, anti-inflammatory (M2) type differentiated in vitro from peripheral blood monocytes.Results:Like prototypic M2 macrophages, ATMs expressed considerable amounts of mannose receptor, haemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 and integrin αvβ5. The number of cells expressing these molecules correlated significantly with the donors’ body mass indices (BMIs). Notably, SVCs positive for the common monocyte/macrophage marker CD14 contained a considerable fraction of blood monocytes, the abundance of which did not correlate with the BMIs, pointing to the requirement of the surface markers identified here for the identification of ATMs. ATMs showed endocytic activities similar to M2 macrophages and accordingly secreted high amounts of IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist. However, basal and induced secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, MCP-1 and MIP-1α was even higher in ATMs than in pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages.Conclusion:ATMs comprise a particular macrophage type that is M2-like by surface marker expression, but they are competent to produce extensive amounts of inflammatory cytokines, which could considerably contribute to the development of insulin resistance.

Adipose tissue inflammation induced by high-fat diet in obese diabetic mice is prevented by n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Aims/hypothesisInflammatory alterations in white adipose tissue appear to underlie complications of obesity including diabetes mellitus. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly those of the n−3 series, modulate immune responses and may ameliorate insulin sensitivity. In this study, we investigated how PUFA affect white adipose tissue inflammation and gene expression in obese diabetic animals.Materials and methodsWe treated db/db mice as well as lean non-diabetic mice (db/+) with either low-fat standard diet (LF) or high-fat diets rich in (1) saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids (HF/S), (2) n−6 PUFA (HF/6) and (3) the latter including purified marine n−3 PUFA (HF/3).ResultsMany genes involved in inflammatory alterations were upregulated in db/db mice on HF/S compared with LF in parallel with phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In parallel, adipose tissue infiltration with macrophages was markedly enhanced by HF/S. When compared with HF/S, HF/6 showed only marginal effects on adipose tissue inflammation. However, inclusion of n−3 PUFA in the diet (HF/3) completely prevented macrophage infiltration induced by high-fat diet and changes in inflammatory gene expression, also tending to reduce JNK phosphorylation (p<0.1) in diabetic mice despite unreduced body weight. Moreover, high-fat diets (HF/S, HF/6) downregulated expression and reduced serum concentrations of adiponectin, but this was not the case with n−3 PUFA.Conclusions/interpretationn−3 PUFA prevent adipose tissue inflammation induced by high-fat diet in obese diabetic mice, thereby dissecting obesity from adipose tissue inflammation. These data suggest that beneficial effects of n−3 PUFA on diabetes development could be mediated by their effect on adipose tissue inflammation.

Obesity, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance – A Mini-Review

The association of obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation has been evident for several years by now. Since obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation all are related to aging as well, the mechanisms underlying this association are of critical importance for gerontology. Although several molecular and cellular mechanisms by which inflammatory events decrease the sensitivity to insulin in obese patients have recently been elucidated, the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance is still obscure in many aspects. This review aims at giving a general view on the known mechanisms and summarizing the recent progress. Research currently focuses on adipose tissue inflammation as predominantly driven by adipose tissue macrophages, but also related alterations in other organs (liver, muscle, pancreas) have to be considered. Moreover, novel approaches for treatment and prevention of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by targeting obesity-induced inflammatory processes are discussed here.

CC Chemokine and CC Chemokine Receptor Profiles in Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Are Altered in Human Obesity

BACKGROUND/AIMS Obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and macrophage infiltration of adipose tissue. The role of CC chemokines and their respective receptors in human adipose tissue inflammation remains to be determined. METHODS sc and visceral adipose tissue of obese patients (body mass index 53.1 +/- 11.3 kg/m(2)) compared with lean controls (body mass index 25.9 +/- 3.8 kg/m(2)) was analyzed for alterations in inflammatory gene expression. RESULTS Macrophage infiltration was increased in sc and visceral adipose tissue of obese patients as determined by increased mRNA expression of a macrophage-specific marker (CD68) and by elevated macrophage infiltration. Gene expression of CC chemokines involved in monocyte chemotaxis (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, and CCL11) and their receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR5) was higher in sc and visceral adipose tissue of obese patients. Serum concentrations of the inflammatory marker IL-6 and C-reactive protein were elevated in obese patients compared with lean controls. Obese patients revealed increased insulin resistance as assessed by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index and reduced plasma adiponectin concentrations. Adipose tissue expression of many CC chemokines and their receptors in the obese group positively correlated with CD68 expression. CONCLUSION Up-regulation of the CC chemokines and their respective receptors in adipose tissue occurs in human obesity and is associated with increased systemic inflammation.

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein links innate immune cell activation with adaptive immunity via a Toll-like receptor-4–dependent mechanism

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) is expressed exclusively in the kidney and constitutes the most abundant protein in mammalian urine. A critical role for THP in antibacterial host defense and inflammatory disorders of the urogenital tract has been suggested. We demonstrate that THP activates myeloid DCs via Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) to acquire a fully mature DC phenotype. THP triggers typical TLR signaling, culminating in activation of NF-kappaB. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from TLR4- and MyD88-deficient mice were nonresponsive to THP in contrast to those from TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice. In vivo THP-driven TNF-alpha production was evident in WT but not in Tlr4-/- mice. Importantly, generation of THP-specific Abs consistently detectable in urinary tract inflammation was completely blunted in Tlr4-/- mice. These data show that THP is a regulatory factor of innate and adaptive immunity and therefore could have significant impact on host immunity in the urinary tract.

A Versatile Role of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin in Human Dendritic Cell Function and Differentiation

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates cell growth and survival and exists as rapamycin-sensitive mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 and as rapamycin-insensitive mTORC2. Although mTOR is a well-known regulator of diverse immune cells, its detailed role in human dendritic cell (DC) function and differentiation is only incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate divergent roles of mTOR during activation and differentiation of myeloid DCs (mDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs). Inhibition of mTORC1 in mDCs activated with TLR-dependent or -independent stimuli increased proinflammatory cytokines and NF-κB, whereas IL-10 and STAT3 were blocked. Rapamycin regulated the costimulatory/surface molecules CD86, programmed death ligand-1, and CD25 on mDCs and significantly increased the T cell allostimulatory potential of mDCs. In contrast, rapamycin suppressed immunostimulatory molecules and the allostimulatory potential of LPS-stimulated moDCs by an inability to augment NF-κB signaling. In differentiating moDCs, the PI3K/Akt-dependent mTOR pathway was constitutively activated by GM-CSF to induce DC differentiation in an mTORC1-dependent manner. Inhibition of mTORC1 or mTORC1/2 during moDC differentiation decreased moDC survival and markedly hampered its immunostimulatory phenotype. Analyzing the fate of DCs in vivo, we found that kidney transplant patients treated with rapamycin displayed an increased immunostimulatory potential of mDCs compared with patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors. Furthermore, rapamycin did not interfere with mDC differentiation in these patients. Collectively, mTOR exerts divergent immunoregulatory functions during DC activation and differentiation depending on the DC type that lead to opposing T cell responses, which might be of clinical importance in transplantation, cancer, and also for novel vaccination strategies.

Long-chain n−3 PUFAs reduce adipose tissue and systemic inflammation in severely obese nondiabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Chronic adipose tissue inflammation is a hallmark of obesity, triggering the development of associated pathologies, particularly type 2 diabetes. Long-chain n-3 PUFAs reduce cardiovascular events and exert well-established antiinflammatory effects, but their effects on human adipose tissue inflammation are unknown. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether n-3 PUFAs reduce adipose tissue inflammation in severely obese nondiabetic patients. DESIGN We treated 55 severely obese nondiabetic patients, scheduled to undergo elective bariatric surgery, with 3.36 g long-chain n-3 PUFAs/d (EPA, DHA) or an equivalent amount of butterfat as control, for 8 wk, in a randomized open-label controlled clinical trial. The primary efficacy measure was inflammatory gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples (subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue), collected during surgery after the intervention. Secondary efficacy variables were adipose tissue production of antiinflammatory n-3 PUFA-derived eicosanoids, plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers, metabolic control, and the effect of the Pro12Ala PPARG polymorphism on the treatment response. RESULTS Treatment with n-3 PUFAs, which was well tolerated, decreased the gene expression of most analyzed inflammatory genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue (P < 0.05) and increased production of antiinflammatory eicosanoids in visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue (P < 0.05). In comparison with control subjects who received butterfat, circulating interleukin-6 and triglyceride concentrations decreased significantly in the n-3 PUFA group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). The Pro12Ala polymorphism affected the serum cholesterol response to n-3 PUFA treatment. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with long-chain n-3 PUFAs favorably modulated adipose tissue and systemic inflammation in severely obese nondiabetic patients and improved lipid metabolism. These effects may be beneficial in the long-term treatment of obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00760760.

Retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 regulates a thermogenic program in white adipose tissue

Promoting brown adipose tissue (BAT) formation and function may reduce obesity. Recent data link retinoids to energy balance, but a specific role for retinoid metabolism in white versus brown fat is unknown. Retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Aldhs), also known as aldehyde dehydrogenases, are rate-limiting enzymes that convert retinaldehyde (Rald) to retinoic acid. Here we show that Aldh1a1 is expressed predominately in white adipose tissue (WAT), including visceral depots in mice and humans. Deficiency of the Aldh1a1 gene induced a BAT-like transcriptional program in WAT that drove uncoupled respiration and adaptive thermogenesis. WAT-selective Aldh1a1 knockdown conferred this BAT program in obese mice, limiting weight gain and improving glucose homeostasis. Rald induced uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1) mRNA and protein levels in white adipocytes by selectively activating the retinoic acid receptor (RAR), recruiting the coactivator PGC-1α and inducing Ucp1 promoter activity. These data establish Aldh1a1 and its substrate Rald as previously unrecognized determinants of adipocyte plasticity and adaptive thermogenesis, which may have potential therapeutic implications.

Neutralization of Osteopontin Inhibits Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

OBJECTIVE Obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation mediated by immune cells that are primarily located to adipose tissue and liver. The chronic inflammatory response appears to underlie obesity-induced metabolic deterioration including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Osteopontin (OPN) is an inflammatory cytokine, the expression of which is strongly upregulated in adipose tissue and liver upon obesity. Here, we studied OPN effects in obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance by targeting OPN action in vivo. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity and were then intravenously treated with an OPN-neutralizing or control antibody. Insulin sensitivity and inflammatory alterations in adipose tissue and liver were assessed. RESULTS Interference with OPN action by a neutralizing antibody for 5 days significantly improved insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice. Anti-OPN treatment attenuated liver and adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and inflammatory gene expression by increasing macrophage apoptosis and significantly reducing c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation. Moreover, we report OPN as a novel negative regulator for the activation of hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which is essential for glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Consequently, OPN neutralization decreased expression of hepatic gluconeogenic markers, which are targets of STAT3-mediated downregulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that antibody-mediated neutralization of OPN action significantly reduces insulin resistance in obesity. OPN neutralization partially decreases obesity-associated inflammation in adipose tissue and liver and reverses signal transduction related to insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis. Hence, targeting OPN could provide a novel approach for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic disorders.