Thyroid Hormone Receptor Sumoylation Is Required for Preadipocyte Differentiation and Proliferation

Thyroid hormone and thyroid hormone receptor (TR) play an essential role in metabolic regulation. However, the role of TR in adipogenesis has not been established. We reported previously that TR sumoylation is essential for TR-mediated gene regulation and that mutation of either of the two sites in TRα or any of the three sites in TRβ reduces TR sumoylation. Here, we transfected TR sumoylation site mutants into human primary preadiocytes and the mouse 3T3L1 preadipocyte cell line to determine the role of TR sumoylation in adipogenesis. Reduced sumoylation of TRα or TRβ resulted in fewer and smaller lipid droplets and reduced proliferation of preadipocytes. TR sumoylation mutations, compared with wild-type TR, results in reduced C/EBP expression and reduced PPARγ₂ mRNA and protein levels. TR sumoylation mutants recruited NCoR and disrupted PPARγ-mediated perilipin1 (Plin1) gene expression, associated with impaired lipid droplet formation. Expression of NCoRΔID, a mutant NCoR lacking the TR interaction domain, partially “rescued” the delayed adipogenesis and restored Plin1 gene expression and adipogenesis. TR sumoylation site mutants impaired Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and the proliferation of primary human preadipocytes. Expression of the TRβ K146Q sumoylation site mutant down-regulated the essential genes required for canonical Wnt signal-mediated proliferation, including Wnt ligands, Fzds, β-catenin, LEF1, and CCND1. Additionally, the TRβ K146Q mutant enhanced the canonical Wnt signaling inhibitor Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1). Our data demonstrate that TR sumoylation is required for activation of the Wnt canonical signaling pathway during preadipocyte proliferation and enhances the PPARγ signaling that promotes differentiation.     

PPARγ and LXR Signaling Inhibit Dendritic Cell-Mediated HIV-1 Capture and trans-Infection

Dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission and dissemination by capturing and transporting infectious virus from the mucosa to draining lymph nodes, and transferring these virus particles to CD4+ T cells with high efficiency. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced maturation of DCs enhances their ability to mediate trans-infection of T cells and their ability to migrate from the site of infection. Because TLR-induced maturation can be inhibited by nuclear receptor (NR) signaling, we hypothesized that ligand-activated NRs could repress DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission and dissemination. Here, we show that ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and liver X receptor (LXR) prevented proinflammatory cytokine production by DCs and inhibited DC migration in response to the chemokine CCL21 by preventing the TLR-induced upregulation of CCR7. Importantly, PPARγ and LXR signaling inhibited both immature and mature DC-mediated trans-infection by preventing the capture of HIV-1 by DCs independent of the viral envelope glycoprotein. PPARγ and LXR signaling induced cholesterol efflux from DCs and led to a decrease in DC-associated cholesterol, which has previously been shown to be required for DC capture of HIV-1. Finally, both cholesterol repletion and the targeted knockdown of the cholesterol transport protein ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) restored the ability of NR ligand treated cells to capture HIV-1 and transfer it to T cells. Our results suggest that PPARγ and LXR signaling up-regulate ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from DCs and that this accounts for the decreased ability of DCs to capture HIV-1. The ability of NR ligands to repress DC mediated trans-infection, inflammation, and DC migration underscores their potential therapeutic value in inhibiting HIV-1 mucosal transmission.     

Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived SDF-1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung adenocarcinoma via CXCR4/β-catenin/PPARδ signalling

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to tumour epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via interaction with cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tumour-promoting EMT of CAFs in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) remain unclear. Here, we observed that CAFs isolated from lung ADC promoted EMT via production of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in conditioned medium (CM). CAF-derived SDF-1 enhanced invasiveness and EMT by upregulating CXCR4, β-catenin, and PPARδ, while downregulating these proteins reversed the effect. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated CXCR4 knockdown suppressed β-catenin and PPARδ expression, while β-catenin inhibition effectively downregulated PPARδ without affecting CXCR4; however, treatment with a PPARδ inhibitor did not inhibit CXCR4 or β-catenin expression. Additionally, pairwise analysis revealed that high expression of CXCR4, β-catenin, and PPARδ correlated positively with 75 human lung adenocarcinoma tissues, which was predictive of poor prognosis. Thus, targeting the CAF-derived, SDF-1-mediated CXCR4 β-catenin/ PPARδ cascade may serve as an effective targeted approach for lung cancer treatment.Subject terms: Cancer microenvironment, Non-small-cell lung cancer     

The orphan nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner is required for thiazolidinedione effects in leptin-deficient mice

Background

Small heterodimer partner (SHP, NR0B2) is involved in diverse metabolic pathways, including hepatic bile acid, lipid and glucose homeostasis, and has been implicated in effects on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a master regulator of adipogenesis and the receptor for antidiabetic drugs thiazolidinediones (TZDs). In this study, we aim to investigate the role of SHP in TZD response by comparing TZD-treated leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and leptin-, SHP-deficient (ob/ob;Shp^−/−) double mutant mice.

Results

Both ob/ob and double mutant ob/ob;Shp^−/− mice developed hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia, but hepatic fat accumulation was decreased in the double mutant ob/ob;Shp^−/− mice. PPARγ2 mRNA levels were markedly lower in ob/ob;Shp^−/− liver and decreased to a lesser extent in adipose tissue. The TZD troglitazone did not reduce glucose or circulating triglyceride levels in ob/ob;Shp^−/− mice. Expression of the adipocytokines, such as adiponectin and resistin, was not stimulated by troglitazone treatment. Expression of hepatic lipogenic genes was also reduced in ob/ob;Shp^−/− mice. Moreover, overexpression of SHP by adenovirus infection increased PPARγ2 mRNA levels in mouse primary hepatocytes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that SHP is required for both antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of TZDs in ob/ob mice through regulation of PPARγ expression.     

Involvement of Inducible 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase in the Anti-diabetic Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Activation in Mice

PFKFB3 is the gene that codes for the inducible isoform of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (iPFK2), a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis. As one of the targets of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), PFKFB3/iPFK2 is up-regulated by thiazolidinediones. In the present study, using PFKFB3/iPFK2-disrupted mice, the role of PFKFB3/iPFK2 in the anti-diabetic effect of PPARγ activation was determined. In wild-type littermate mice, PPARγ activation (i.e. treatment with rosiglitazone) restored euglycemia and reversed high fat diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. In contrast, PPARγ activation did not reduce high fat diet-induced hyperglycemia and failed to reverse insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in PFKFB3^+/− mice. The lack of anti-diabetic effect in PFKFB3^+/− mice was associated with the inability of PPARγ activation to suppress adipose tissue lipolysis and proinflammatory cytokine production, stimulate visceral fat accumulation, enhance adipose tissue insulin signaling, and appropriately regulate adipokine expression. Similarly, in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, knockdown of PFKFB3/iPFK2 lessened the effect of PPARγ activation on stimulating lipid accumulation. Furthermore, PPARγ activation did not suppress inflammatory signaling in PFKFB3/iPFK2-knockdown adipocytes as it did in control adipocytes. Upon inhibition of excessive fatty acid oxidation in PFKFB3/iPFK2-knockdown adipocytes, PPARγ activation was able to significantly reverse inflammatory signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression and restore insulin signaling. Together, these data demonstrate that PFKFB3/iPFK2 is critically involved in the anti-diabetic effect of PPARγ activation.     

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α (PPARα) Suppresses Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) Signaling in Cancer Cells

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis, yet the mechanisms behind these actions remain to be characterized. In this study, we examined the effects of PPARα activation on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway in human breast (MCF-7) and ovarian (A2780) cancer cells under hypoxia. Incubation of cancer cells under 1% oxygen for 16 h significantly induced HIF-1α expression and activity as assayed by Western blotting and reporter gene analysis. Treatment of the cells with PPARα agonists, but not a PPARγ agonist, prior to hypoxia diminished hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression and activity, and addition of a PPARα antagonist attenuated the suppression of HIF-1α signaling. Activation of PPARα attenuated hypoxia-induced HA-tagged HIF-1α protein expression without affecting the HA-tagged HIF-1α mutant protein level, indicating that PPARα activation promotes HIF-1α degradation in these cells. This was further confirmed using proteasome inhibitors, which reversed PPARα-mediated suppression of HIF-1α expression under hypoxia. Using the co-immunoprecipitation technique, we found that activation of PPARα enhances the binding of HIF-1α to von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (pVHL), a protein known to mediate HIF-1α degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Following PPARα-mediated suppression of HIF-1α signaling, VEGF secretion from the cancer cells was significantly reduced, and tube formation by endothelial cells was dramatically impaired. Taken together, these findings demonstrate for the first time that activation of PPARα suppresses hypoxia-induced HIF-1α signaling in cancer cells, providing novel insight into the anticancer properties of PPARα agonists.     

The Role of PPARγ in Advanced Glycation End Products-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Chondrocytes

ObjectiveAdvances made in the past ten years highlight the notion that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) has protective properties in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to define the roles of PPARγ in AGEs-induced inflammatory response in human chondrocytes.MethodsPrimary human chondrocytes were stimulated with AGEs in the presence or absence of neutralizing antibody against RAGE (anti-RAGE), MAPK specific inhibitors and PPARγ agonist pioglitazone. The expression of IL-1, MMP-13, TNF-α, PPARγ, nuclear NF-κB p65 and cytosol IκBα was determined by western blotting and real-time PCR.ResultsAGEs could enhance the expression of IL-1, TNF-α, and MMP-13, but the level of PPARγ was decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by anti-RAGE, SB203580 (P38 MAPK specific inhibitor) and SP600125 (a selective inhibitor of JNK). PPARγ agonist pioglitazone could inhibit the effects of AGEs-induced inflammatory response and PPARγ down-regulation. In human chondrocytes, AGEs could induce cytosol IκBα degradation and increase the level of nuclear NF-κB p65, which was inhibited by PPARγ agonist pioglitazone.ConclusionsIn primary human chondrocytes, AGEs could down-regulate PPARγ expression and increase the inflammatory mediators, which could be reversed by PPARγ agonist pioglitazone. Activation of RAGE by AGEs triggers a cascade of downstream signaling, including MAPK JNK/ p38, PPARγ and NF-κB. Taken together, PPARγ could be a potential target for pharmacologic intervention in the treatment of OA.     

Evaluation of the Synuclein-γ (SNCG) Gene as a PPARγ Target in Murine Adipocytes,Dorsal Root Ganglia Somatosensory Neurons,and Human Adipose Tissue

Recent evidence in adipocytes points to a role for synuclein-γ in metabolism and lipid droplet dynamics, but interestingly this factor is also robustly expressed in peripheral neurons. Specific regulation of the synuclein-γ gene (Sncg) by PPARγ requires further evaluation, especially in peripheral neurons, prompting us to test if Sncg is a bona fide PPARγ target in murine adipocytes and peripheral somatosensory neurons derived from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Sncg mRNA was decreased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (~68%) by rosiglitazone, and this effect was diminished by the PPARγ antagonist T0070907. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed PPARγ protein binding at two promoter sequences of Sncg during 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. Rosiglitazone did not affect Sncg mRNA expression in murine cultured DRG neurons. In subcutaneous human WAT samples from two cohorts treated with pioglitazone (>11 wks), SNCG mRNA expression was reduced, albeit highly variable and most evident in type 2 diabetes. Leptin (Lep) expression, thought to be coordinately-regulated with Sncg based on correlations in human adipose tissue, was also reduced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by rosiglitazone. However, Lep was unaffected by PPARγ antagonist, and the LXR agonist T0901317 significantly reduced Lep expression (~64%) while not impacting Sncg. The results support the concept that synuclein-γ shares some, but not all, gene regulators with leptin and is a PPARγ target in adipocytes but not DRG neurons. Regulation of synuclein-γ by cues such as PPARγ agonism in adipocytes is logical based on recent evidence for an important role for synuclein-γ in the maintenance and dynamics of adipocyte lipid droplets.     

Modeling the Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and MicroRNA-146 in Mucosal Immune Responses to Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacterium that has re-emerged as a facultative pathogen and can cause nosocomial diarrhea, colitis or even death. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ has been implicated in the prevention of inflammation in autoimmune and infectious diseases; however, its role in the immunoregulatory mechanisms modulating host responses to C. difficile and its toxins remains largely unknown. To characterize the role of PPARγ in C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD), immunity and gut pathology, we used a mouse model of C. difficile infection in wild-type and T cell-specific PPARγ null mice. The loss of PPARγ in T cells increased disease activity and colonic inflammatory lesions following C. difficile infection. Colonic expression of IL-17 was upregulated and IL-10 downregulated in colons of T cell-specific PPARγ null mice. Also, both the loss of PPARγ in T cells and C. difficile infection favored Th17 responses in spleen and colonic lamina propria of mice with CDAD. MicroRNA (miRNA)-sequencing analysis and RT-PCR validation indicated that miR-146b was significantly overexpressed and nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) suppressed in colons of C. difficile-infected mice. We next developed a computational model that predicts the upregulation of miR-146b, downregulation of the PPARγ co-activator NCOA4, and PPARγ, leading to upregulation of IL-17. Oral treatment of C. difficile-infected mice with the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone ameliorated colitis and suppressed pro-inflammatory gene expression. In conclusion, our data indicates that miRNA-146b and PPARγ activation may be implicated in the regulation of Th17 responses and colitis in C. difficile-infected mice.