Yasuhiro Adachi

Epidermal FABP (FABP5) Regulates Keratinocyte Differentiation by 13(S)-HODE-Mediated Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are postulated to serve as lipid shuttles that solubilize hydrophobic fatty acids and deliver them to appropriate intracellular sites. Epidermal FABP (E-FABP/FABP5) is predominantly expressed in keratinocytes and is overexpressed in the actively proliferating tissue characteristic of psoriasis and wound healing. In this study, we found decreased expression of the differentiation-specific proteins keratin 1, involucrin, and loricrin in E-FABP(-/-) keratinocytes relative to E-FABP(+/+) keratinocytes. We also determined that incorporation of linoleic acid was significantly reduced in E-FABP(-/-) keratinocytes. Although linoleic acid did not directly affect keratinocyte differentiation, keratin 1 expression was induced by the linoleic acid derivative 13(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13(S)-HODE), and this induction was concomitant with increased NF-κB activity. In E-FABP(-/-) keratinocytes, the expression of 13(S)-HODE and the subsequent induction of NF-κB activity was lower than in wild-type keratinocytes. The reduction of linoleic acid in E-FABP(-/-) keratinocytes led to decreased cellular 13(S)-HODE content, resulting in decreased keratin 1 expression through downregulation of NF-κB activity. The regulation of fatty acid metabolism by E-FABP during keratinocyte differentiation suggests that E-FABP may have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

FABP7 expression in normal and stab-injured brain cortex and its role in astrocyte proliferation

Reactive gliosis, in which astrocytes as well as other types of glial cells undergo massive proliferation, is a common hallmark of all brain pathologies. Brain-type fatty acid-binding protein (FABP7) is abundantly expressed in neural stem cells and astrocytes of developing brain, suggesting its role in differentiation and/or proliferation of glial cells through regulation of lipid metabolism and/or signaling. However, the role of FABP7 in proliferation of glial cells during reactive gliosis is unknown. In this study, we examined the expression of FABP7 in mouse cortical stab injury model and also the phenotype of FABP7-KO mice in glial cell proliferation. Western blotting showed that FABP7 expression was increased significantly in the injured cortex compared with the contralateral side. By immunohistochemistry, FABP7 was localized to GFAP+ astrocytes (21% of FABP7+ cells) and NG2+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (62%) in the normal cortex. In the injured cortex there was no change in the population of FABP7+/NG2+ cells, while there was a significant increase in FABP7+/GFAP+ cells. In the stab-injured cortex of FABP7-KO mice there was decrease in the total number of reactive astrocytes and in the number of BrdU+ astrocytes compared with wild-type mice. Primary cultured astrocytes from FABP7-KO mice also showed a significant decrease in proliferation and omega-3 fatty acid incorporation compared with wild-type astrocytes. Overall, these data suggest that FABP7 is involved in the proliferation of astrocytes by controlling cellular fatty acid homeostasis.

Fatty acid-binding protein 5 regulates diet-induced obesity via GIP secretion from enteroendocrine K cells in response to fat ingestion

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin released from enteroendocrine K cells in response to nutrient intake, especially fat. GIP is one of the contributing factors inducing fat accumulation that results in obesity. A recent study shows that fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) is expressed in murine K cells and is involved in fat-induced GIP secretion. We investigated the mechanism of fat-induced GIP secretion and the impact of FABP5-related GIP response on diet-induced obesity (DIO). Single oral administration of glucose and fat resulted in a 40% reduction of GIP response to fat but not to glucose in whole body FABP5-knockout (FABP5(-/-)) mice, with no change in K cell count or GIP content in K cells. In an ex vivo experiment using isolated upper small intestine, oleic acid induced only a slight increase in GIP release, which was markedly enhanced by coadministration of bile and oleic acid together with attenuated GIP response in the FABP5(-/-) sample. FABP5(-/-) mice exhibited a 24% reduction in body weight gain and body fat mass under a high-fat diet compared with wild-type (FABP5(+/+)) mice; the difference was not observed between GIP-GFP homozygous knock-in (GIP(gfp/gfp))-FABP5(+/+) mice and GIP(gfp/gfp)-FABP5(-/-) mice, in which GIP is genetically deleted. These results demonstrate that bile efficiently amplifies fat-induced GIP secretion and that FABP5 contributes to the development of DIO in a GIP-dependent manner.

Reduced size of sebaceous gland and altered sebum lipid composition in mice lacking fatty acid binding protein 5 gene

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are capable of binding long‐chain FA and are involved in intracellular FA transport and signal transduction. In sebaceous glands, FABP5 is highly expressed in differentiated sebocytes; though, its function remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of FABP5 in sebocytes using FABP5‐deficient mice. The size of sebaceous glands was significantly reduced, while the sebum volume was increased with altered lipid composition in FABP5‐deficient mice. However, no significant differences were discerned in the expression of proliferation or differentiation markers including Blimp1, c‐myc, Ki67 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPAR)γ between wild‐type and FABP5‐deficient sebaceous glands. The expression of cellular retinoic acid binding protein‐2 (CRABP2) that is a competitor of FABP5 for RA signalling was increased in FABP5‐deficient mice. These results suggest that FABP5 is involved in the regulation of sebaceous gland activity through modulation of cellular lipid signalling and/or metabolism in the sebocytes.

Identification of FABP7 in fibroblastic reticular cells of mouse lymph nodes

Fatty acids and their metabolites regulate immune cell function. The present study was undertaken to examine the detailed distribution of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), the cytosolic chaperones of fatty acids, in mouse peripheral immune organs. Using immunohistochemistry, FABP7 was localized to the alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+ fibroblastic reticular cells, which construct the stromal reticula in the T cell areas of the peripheral lymph nodes and spleen. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that FABP7+ cells enclosed the collagen fibers, forming a conduit system, which transport lymph and associated low-molecular-mass proteins. In contrast, FABP5+ cells were distributed throughout the lymph node and contained well-developed lysosome and phagocytic materials within the cytoplasm. The mesenteric lymph nodes of FABP7 knockout mice showed normal histological features, but the percentage of CD4+ cells was significantly increased compared with that in wild-type mice. These data indicate that FABP7 may be involved in T cell homeostasis, possibly by modulating lipid metabolism in fibroblastic reticular cells within the peripheral lymph nodes.

Fatty acid-binding protein regulates LPS-induced TNF-α production in mast cells

There has been increasing evidence for the involvement of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) in the cytokine production of macrophages and dendritic cells probably through the control of cellular lipid metabolism and signal transduction. Since mast cells (MCs) are recently shown to be involved in immune response through modification of cytokine production, it is possible that some FABPs could also be involved in the immune response of MCs. In this study, we found that epidermal-type FABP (E-FABP) was expressed in murine bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs). Using BMMCs from genetically E-FABP-null mutated mice, we demonstrated that E-FABP in BMMCs plays a key role in the production of TNF-alpha following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. In the in vivo septic peritonitis model (cecal ligation and puncture model), E-FABP-null mice showed a significantly increased mortality compared to wild-type mice. However, no significant difference in antigen-induced cytokine production was observed between wild-type and E-FABP-null BMMCs, and systemic anaphylaxis was equally induced in vivo in both wild-type and E-FABP-null mice. These results suggest that E-FABP is specifically involved in the LPS-induced cytokine production of MCs, and could play a role in the host-defense against bacterial infection, possibly through regulation of TNF-alpha production.

Semiquantitative Detection of Cytokine Messages in X-Irradiated and Regenerating Rat Thymus

Abstract Adachi, Y., Tokuda, N., Sawada, T. and Fukumoto, T. Semiquantitative Detection of Cytokine Messages in X-Irradiated and Regenerating Rat Thymus. Radiat. Res. 163, 400– 407 (2005). We investigated the expression of cytokine mRNA derived from thymocytes or thymic epithelial cells in X-irradiated (8 Gy) and recovering rat thymuses, according to our previous observation (Mizutani et al., Radiat. Res. 157, 281–289, 2002). The changes in mRNA expression level of interleukin 2 (Il2), Il4, tumor necrosis factor α (Tnf), interferon γ (Ifng), and transforming growth factor β (Tgfb) were examined. The mRNA expression of Il2 and Il4 decreased from day 5 to day 14 after irradiation. Thereafter, the expression level of Il2 mRNA recovered to normal control levels; however, the expression of Il4 mRNA tended toward significantly low levels. Tnf mRNA expression decreased on day 5 after irradiation and then showed a gradual increase back to normal control levels. Tgfb mRNA expression did not change significantly. Ifng mRNA expression was transiently enhanced from day 11 to day 14. The mRNA expression levels of Il10 increased significantly from day 3 to day 7 after irradiation. In addition, the mRNA expression of thymic epithelial cell-derived Il7 showed a transient decrease on day 3; however, then it showed a continuous increase from day 5 to day 21, finally reaching twice the normal control levels after X irradiation. These observations suggest that the expression of cytokine messages in the irradiated thymus changed significantly and did not return to normal for a long time after 8 Gy irradiation.

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and FABP5 modulate cytokine production in the mouse thymic epithelial cells.

Thymic stromal cells, including cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTEC) produce many humoral factors, such as cytokines and eicosanoids to modulate thymocyte homeostasis, thereby regulating the peripheral immune responses. In this study, we identified fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4), an intracellular fatty acid chaperone, in the mouse thymus, and examined its role in the control of cytokine production in comparison with FABP5. By immunofluorescent staining, FABP4+ cells enclosing the thymocytes were scattered throughout the thymic cortex with a spatial difference from the FABP5+ cell that were distributed widely throughout the cTEC. The FABP4+ cells were immunopositive for MHC class II, NLDC145 and cytokeratin 8, and were identified as part of cTEC. The FABP4+ cells were identified as thymic nurse cells (TNC), a subpopulation of cTEC, by their active phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes. Furthermore, FABP4 expression was confirmed in the isolated TNC at the gene and protein levels. To explore the function of FABP in TNC, TSt-4/DLL1 cells stably expressing either FABP4 or FABP5 were established and the gene expressions of various cytokines were examined. The gene expression of interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-18 was increased both in FABP4 and FABP5 over-expressing cells compared with controls, and moreover, the increase in their expressions by adding of stearic acids was significantly enhanced in the FABP4 over-expressing cells. These data suggest that both FABPs are involved in the maintenance of T lymphocyte homeostasis through the modulation of cytokine production, which is possibly regulated by cellular fatty acid-mediated signaling in TEC, including TNC.

Involvement of Bone Marrow-Derived Vascular Progenitor Cells in Neovascularization During Formation of the Corpus Luteum in Mice

ABSTRACT Neovascularization is necessary for formation of the corpus luteum (CL) and includes angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Vasculogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels by bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Here we investigated whether vasculogenesis occurs in neovascularization during CL formation. Mice transplanted with bone marrow from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were injected with equine chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation and subsequent CL formation. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the ovaries obtained before hCG injection and at 6, 12, and 24 h after hCG injection using antibodies for CD34 or CD31 (an endothelial cell marker), platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-beta, a pericyte marker), F4/80 (a macrophage marker), and GFP (a bone marrow-derived cell marker). Cells immunostained for CD34, PDGFR-beta, F4/80, and GFP were present in the theca cell layer of the preovulatory follicle before hCG injection. Each of these cell types invaded the granulosa cell layer after hCG injection, and a number of them were observed in the CL 24 h after hCG injection. Fluorescence-based immunohistochemistry or double immunohistochemical staining revealed that a few CD34/CD31-positive cells and PDGFR-beta-positive cells were also positive for GFP in the preovulatory follicle and CL, and that many of the GFP-positive cells recruited to the CL during CL formation were F4/80-positive macrophages. In conclusion, bone marrow-derived vascular progenitor cells and macrophages contribute to neovascularization during CL formation.

Expression of PAC1 receptor in rat thymus after irradiation

In the present work, PAC1-R (G-protein-coupled receptor specific for PACAP) was detected on cells in the normal thymus. Immunohistochemically PAC1-R was expressed strongly in stromal cells of the thymic medulla. Positive cells were also observed in the thymus of fetal and old adult rats. After 8 Gy irradiation to 9-week-old rats, PAC1-R expressions in the thymus decreased and almost recovered by day 21. The expression of PAC1-R mRNA was weak in the thymus and decreased further after irradiation. The expression almost recovered by day 28. Hip and hip/hop variants, which were not expressed in the normal thymus, were expressed in the thymus on days 3, 5 and 21 after irradiation. The expressions of IL-6 and IL-10 tended to increase initially after irradiation then decreased. Histologically, the thymic structures were destroyed on day 3 after irradiation and the thymus almost recovered by day 21. Thus PACAP is thought to be one of the important factors for cross-talk between cells involved in thymic regeneration.