Fibroblast Activation Protein Cleaves and Inactivates Fibroblast Growth Factor 21

FGF21 is a stress-induced hormone with potent anti-obesity, insulin-sensitizing, and hepatoprotective properties. Although proteolytic cleavage of recombinant human FGF21 in preclinical species has been observed previously, the regulation of endogenously produced FGF21 is not well understood. Here we identify fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as the enzyme that cleaves and inactivates human FGF21. A selective chemical inhibitor, immunodepletion, or genetic deletion of Fap stabilized recombinant human FGF21 in serum. In addition, administration of a selective FAP inhibitor acutely increased circulating intact FGF21 levels in cynomolgus monkeys. On the basis of our findings, we propose selective FAP inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to increase endogenous FGF21 activity for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and related metabolic disorders.     

Probiotic culture supernatant improves metabolic function through FGF21-adiponectin pathway in mice

High-fat/high-fructose diet plus intermittent hypoxia exposure (HFDIH) causes metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects and understand the mechanism of action of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG culture supernatant (LGGs) on HFDIH-induced metabolic dysfunction. Mice were fed high-fat:high-fructose diet for 15 weeks. After 3 weeks of feeding, the mice were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia for the next 12 weeks (HFDIH), and LGGs was supplemented over the entire experiment. HFDIH exposure significantly led to metabolic disorders. LGGs treatment showed significant improvements in indices of metabolic disorders including fat mass, energy expenditure, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, increased hepatic steatosis and liver injury. HFDIH mice markedly increased adipose inflammation and adipocyte size, and reduced circulating adiponectin, which was restored by LGGs treatment. LGGs treatment increased hepatic FGF21 mRNA expression and circulating FGF21 protein levels, which were associated with increased hepatic PPARα expression and fecal butyrate concentration. In addition, HFDIH-induced hepatic fat accumulation and apoptosis were significantly reduced by LGGs supplementation. In summary, LGGs treatment increased energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity and prevented metabolic abnormalities in HFDIH mice, and this is associated with the FGF21-adiponectin signaling pathway. LGGs may be a potential prevention/treatment strategy in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.     

成纤维细胞生长因子21对1型糖尿病动物模型的肝糖代谢影响及机制研究

成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)-21是FGF家族的成员之一.作为近年发现的一种新的糖代谢调节因子,大量研究表明,FGF-21是一种不依赖胰岛素,能够独立降糖的2型糖尿病治疗潜力型药物.但是,能否应用于1型糖尿病的治疗,国内外目前尚无报道.通过改良传统造模方法,诱导小鼠缓慢产生糖耐量异常,研究FGF-21对此类模型的糖代谢影响及肝糖代谢机制.通过检测FGF-21短期注射和长期注射后模型动物血糖的变化,研究FGF-21在模型动物上对血糖的调控效果.采用实时定量PCR检测FGF-21对模型动物肝脏中葡萄糖转运蛋白(GLUT)1、4 mRNA的表达影响.利用蒽酮法检测模型动物肝脏中糖原合成量.实验结果显示,FGF-21能够调节1型糖尿病动物的血糖水平,并呈剂量依赖性.同时,首次在1型糖尿病动物模型上证实了低剂量FGF-21(0.125 mg/kg)与胰岛素的协同作用效果优于相同剂量FGF-21和胰岛素单独注射的效果.治疗结果表明,FGF-21能够维持1型糖尿病动物模型血糖在正常范围,效果优于胰岛素.实时定量PCR结果发现,与胰岛素上调GLUT4 mRNA表达量不同的是,FGF-21作用动物模型8周后,GLUT1 mRNA表达量显著提高,长期的FGF-21与胰岛素协同注射使GLUT1、4 mRNA表达量同时显著提高.长期FGF-21与胰岛素协同注射组和高剂量FGF-21注射均可显著提高模型动物肝糖原的合成.结果表明,FGF-21促进动物模型糖代谢机制与增加GLUT1表达、增加糖原合成作用有关.为临床应用FGF-21治疗1型糖尿病,增加胰岛素敏感性提供了理论依据.     

Mitiglinide treatment may decreases plasma fibroblast growth factor-21 levels in individuals with new-onset T2DM

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) has been identified as a potent metabolic regulator. Despite the importance of FGF-21 in the regulation of glucose, lipid and energy homeostasis, much less is known about the effect of common anti-diabetic treatment on the plasma levels of FGF-21. The aim of our study was to measure its plasma levels in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) and healthy subjects, and to assess the changes of its circulating levels after pharmacological interventions. One hundred and eleven patients with nT2DM, and 87 gender-, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched normal glucose tolerance (NGT) controls participated in the study. The patients with nT2DM were treated with mitiglinide for 16 weeks. Biochemical parameters, plasma FGF-21 and insulin levels were measured by commercial ELISA or RIA kits pre- and post-treatment with mitiglinide. Fasting plasma FGF-21 levels were higher in the nT2DM group than in controls (3.21 ± 1.37 vs. 1.52 ± 0.36 μg/L, P<0.01). In nT2DM patients, fasting plasma FGF-21 concentrations were significantly decreased after mitiglinide treatment for 16 weeks (3.21 ± 1.37 vs. 2.79 ± 1.14μg/L, P<0.05), accompanied by significant amelioration of glucose metabolism. Our study showed that mitiglinide treatment decreased plasma FGF-21 levels, and this decrease might be associated with the amelioration of glucose metabolism.     

Rationale-Based Engineering of a Potent Long-Acting FGF21 Analog for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, the use of wild type native FGF21 is challenging due to several limitations. Among these are its short half-life, its susceptibility to in vivo proteolytic degradation and its propensity to in vitro aggregation. We here describe a rationale-based protein engineering approach to generate a potent long-acting FGF21 analog with improved resistance to proteolysis and aggregation. A recombinant Fc-FGF21 fusion protein was constructed by fusing the Fc domain of human IgG1 to the N-terminus of human mature FGF21 via a linker peptide. The Fc positioned at the N-terminus was determined to be superior to the C-terminus as the N-terminal Fc fusion retained the βKlotho binding affinity and the in vitro and in vivo potency similar to native FGF21. Two specific point mutations were introduced into FGF21. The leucine to arginine substitution at position 98 (L98R) suppressed FGF21 aggregation at high concentrations and elevated temperatures. The proline to glycine replacement at position 171 (P171G) eliminated a site-specific proteolytic cleavage of FGF21 identified in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. The derived Fc-FGF21(RG) molecule demonstrated a significantly improved circulating half-life while maintaining the in vitro activity similar to that of wild type protein. The half-life of Fc-FGF21(RG) was 11 h in mice and 30 h in monkeys as compared to 1-2 h for native FGF21 or Fc-FGF21 wild type. A single administration of Fc-FGF21(RG) in diabetic mice resulted in a sustained reduction in blood glucose levels and body weight gains up to 5-7 days, whereas the efficacy of FGF21 or Fc-FGF21 lasted only for 1 day. In summary, we engineered a potent and efficacious long-acting FGF21 analog with a favorable pharmaceutical property for potential clinical development.     

Serum levels of FGF-21 are increased in coronary heart disease patients and are independently associated with adverse lipid profile

Background

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a metabolic regulator with multiple beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism in animal models. The relationship between plasma levels of FGF-21 and coronary heart disease (CHD) in unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

This study aimed to investigate the correlation of serum FGF-21 levels and lipid metabolism in the patients with coronary heart disease. We performed a logistic regression analysis of the relation between serum levels of FGF-21 and CHD patients with and without diabetes and hypertension. This study was conducted in the Departments of Endocrinology and Cardiovascular Diseases at two University Hospitals. Participants consisted of one hundred and thirty-five patients who have been diagnosed to have CHD and sixty-one control subjects. Serum FGF-21 level and levels of fasting blood glucose; triglyceride; apolipoprotein B100; HOMA-IR; insulin; total cholesterol; HDL-cholesterol; LDL-cholesterol; and C-reactive protein were measured. We found that median serum FGF-21 levels were significantly higher in CHD than that of control subjects (P<0.0001). Serum FGF-21 levels in CHD patients with diabetes, hypertension, or both were higher than that of patients without these comorbidities. Serum FGF-21 levels correlated positively with triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, apolipoprotein B100, insulin and HOMA-IR but negatively with HDL-C and apolipoprotein A1 after adjusting for BMI, diabetes and hypertension. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that FGF-21 showed an independent association with triglyceride and apolipoprotein A1.

Conclusions/Significance

High levels of FGF-21 are associated with adverse lipid profiles in CHD patients. The paradoxical increase of serum FGF-21 in CHD patients may indicate a compensatory response or resistance to FGF-21.     

Inhibition of high-fat diet–induced obesity via reduction of ER-resident protein Nogo occurs through multiple mechanisms

Obesity is a risk factor for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Reticulon-4 (Nogo) is an endoplasmic reticulum–resident protein with unclear functions in obesity. Herein, we investigated the effect of Nogo on obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Human serum samples were collected to explore the relationship between circulating Nogo-B and body mass index value. Nogo-deficient and WT littermate control mice were fed normal chow or high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks, and HFD-induced obese C57BL/6J mice were injected scrambled or Nogo siRNA for 2 weeks. We found that in human and mouse serum, Nogo-B was positively correlated to body mass index/bodyweight and lipid profiles. Reduced Nogo (by genetic deletion or siRNA transfection) protected mice against HFD-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders. We demonstrate that Nogo deficiency reversed HFD-induced whitening of brown adipose tissue, thereby increasing thermogenesis. It also ameliorated lipid accumulation in tissues by activating the adiponectin–adiponectin receptor 1–AMP-activated kinase α signaling axis. Finally, Nogo deficiency potently reduced HFD-induced serum proinflammatory cytokines and infiltration of macrophages into metabolic organs, which is related to enhanced NF-κB p65 degradation via the lysosome pathway. Collectively, our study suggests that reduced levels of Nogo protect mice against HFD-induced obesity by increasing thermogenesis and energy metabolism while inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Our results indicate that inhibition of Nogo may be a potential strategy for obesity treatment.     

鼠源成纤维细胞生长因子-21对脂肪细胞糖代谢的作用

成纤维细胞生长因子-21(FGF-21)是FGF家族的成员之一．近年发现FGF-21是一种新的代谢调节因子．从小鼠肝脏克隆FGF-21 cDNA,经测序正确后亚克隆至具有羟胺切割位点的小泛素相关修饰物表达载体上,转化宿主菌Rosetta,得到的转化子经IPTG诱导后获得稳定、高效、可溶的表达产物．表达产物经羟胺切割、透析、复性、柱层析纯化后,在每升宿主菌中可获得4 mg纯度为95%的成熟鼠源FGF-21蛋白,利用葡萄糖氧化酶-过氧化物酶(POD-GOD)法在小鼠3T3-L1脂肪细胞中进行生物学活性检测．结果表明,鼠源FGF-21具有促进脂肪细胞吸收葡萄糖的作用,短期作用(1 h)与胰岛素相似,长期作用(8和12 h)明显优于胰岛素．这一结果为以鼠源FGF-21为模型进一步研究FGF-21的生物学活性及其在糖代谢方面的作用机理奠定了基础．     

成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)-21改善胰岛素抵抗肝细胞对葡萄糖的吸收和肝糖原的合成

在体外建立胰岛素抵抗肝细胞模型,探讨在胰岛素抵抗状态下成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)-21对模型细胞糖代谢的影响及机制．将HepG2细胞置于10^-7 mol/L 的胰岛素培养基中培养24 h,建立胰岛素抵抗细胞模型．分别用不同浓度的胰岛素和FGF-21处理模型细胞,采用葡萄糖氧化酶-过氧化物酶(GOD-POD)法检测细胞对葡萄糖的摄取情况,并检查胰岛素与FGF-21的协同作用．利用实时荧光定量PCR检测FGF-21对模型细胞葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)mRNA表达的影响,蒽酮法检测模型细胞糖原合成量,探讨FGF-21对胰岛素抵抗细胞模型葡萄糖摄取的影响及机制．结果发现,用高浓度胰岛素处理HepG2细胞24 h后,细胞对胰岛素的敏感性显著降低,说明成功建立了胰岛素抵抗细胞模型,抵抗状态可维持48 h,未发现细胞形态学变化．FGF-21能改善胰岛素抵抗模型细胞的葡萄糖摄取,参与肝糖原的合成,并与胰岛素产生协同作用．实时荧光定量PCR结果发现,FGF-21作用模型细胞后,细胞的GLUT1 mRNA表达量显著增加,说明FGF-21促进模型细胞摄取葡萄糖的作用机制与其增加GLUT1的表达有关．     

Dual actions of fibroblast growth factor 19 on lipid metabolism

Elevated triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and are often associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Recent reports suggest that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)19 and FGF21 can dramatically improve metabolic dysfunction, including hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Due to their similar receptor specificities and co-receptor requirements, FGF19 and FGF21 share many common properties and have been thought to be interchangeable in metabolic regulation. Here we directly compared how pharmacological administration of recombinant FGF19 or FGF21 proteins affect metabolism in B6.V-Lep^ob/J leptin-deficient mice. FGF19 and FGF21 equally improved glucose parameters; however, we observed increased serum TG and cholesterol levels after treatment with FGF19 but not with FGF21. Increases in serum TGs were also observed after a 4-day treatment with FGF19 in C57BL6/J mice on a high-fat diet. This is in contrast to many literature reports that showed significant improvements in hyperlipidemia after chronic treatment with FGF19 or FGF21 in high-fat diet models. We propose that FGF19 has lipid-raising and lipid-lowering actions mediated through different FGF receptors and target tissues, and the results described here provide a potential mechanism that may explain the inconsistency in the reported effects of FGF19 on lipid metabolism.     

提高成纤维细胞生长因子-21产率和纯度

成纤维细胞生长因子-21(FGF-21)作为近期发现的新型代谢调节因子,因其具有独立于胰岛素调节糖脂代谢、增加胰岛素敏感性等作用,有望成为治疗糖尿病的新型药物。包涵体形式表达外源蛋白表达量及纯度高,但是以pET载体表达时,FGF-21以包涵体形式表达,且复性率及产率低,蛋白活性降低[1]。针对这一瓶颈问题,用SUMO载体首次以包涵体形式表达带有SUMO标签的hFGF-21,通过优化培养条件,并应用中空纤维柱膜过滤技术对菌体进行富集,对包涵体进行洗涤、变性及复性,经过亲和层析、凝胶过滤层析的纯化方法,得到了成熟的hFGF-21,在保证蛋白活性的同时增加了蛋白的产量及纯度。通过检测HepG2细胞葡萄糖吸收及2型糖尿病db/db小鼠短期及长期血糖变化鉴定其降糖生物学活性。结果表明,以包涵体形式表达hFGF-21(ihFGF-21)的表达量是可溶形式表达的hFGF-21(shFGF-21)的3倍,最终ihFGF-21的收率为20 mg/L,而shFGF-21的收率仅为6 mg/L。ihFGF-21的纯度可达到95%以上,而shFGF-21仅能达到90%左右;在细胞水平和动物水平上两者的降糖生物学活性一致。在保证hFGF-21生物学活性的前提下,与传统包涵体途径提取目的蛋白的方法相比,应用中空纤维柱膜过滤技术使hFGF-21的生产周期缩短了约1/3左右。综上所述,此法为FGF-21中试及工业化生产提供了高效、经济的策略。     

Liraglutide Increases FGF-21 Activity and Insulin Sensitivity in High Fat Diet and Adiponectin Knockdown Induced Insulin Resistance

Background

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue that stimulates insulin secretion and improves β-cell function. However, it is not clear whether liraglutide achieves its glucose lowering effect only by its known effects or whether other as yet unknown mechanisms are involved. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of liraglutide on Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) activity in High-fat diet (HFD) fed ApoE^−/− mice with adiponectin (Acrp30) knockdown.

Method

HFD-fed ApoE^−/− mice were treated with adenovirus vectors expressing shAcrp30 to produce insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies were performed to evaluate insulin sensitivity of the mouse model. QRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of the target genes.

Results

The combination of HFD, ApoE deficiency, and hypoadiponectinemia resulted in an additive effect on insulin resistance. FGF-21 mRNA expressions in both liver and adipose tissues were significantly increased while FGF-21 receptor 1 (FGFR-1) and β-Klotho mRNA levels in adipose tissue, as well as FGFR-1-3 and β-Klotho mRNA levels in liver were significantly decreased in this model. Liraglutide treatment markedly improved insulin resistance and increased FGF-21 expression in liver and FGFR-3 in adipose tissue, restored β-Klotho mRNA expression in adipose tissue as well as FGFR-1-3, β-Klotho levels and phosphorylation of FGFR1 up to the levels observed in control mice in liver. Liraglutide treatment also further increased FGF-21 proteins in liver and plasma. In addition, as shown by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, liraglutide treatment also markedly improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in these animals.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate an additive effect of HFD, ApoE deficiency, and adiponectin knockdown on insulin resistance and unveil that the regulation of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by liraglutide may be partly mediated via increased FGF-21 and its receptors action.     

Rational Design of a Fibroblast Growth Factor 21-Based Clinical Candidate,LY2405319

Fibroblast growth factor 21 is a novel hormonal regulator with the potential to treat a broad variety of metabolic abnormalities, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and cardiovascular disease. Human recombinant wild type FGF21 (FGF21) has been shown to ameliorate metabolic disorders in rodents and non-human primates. However, development of FGF21 as a drug is challenging and requires re-engineering of its amino acid sequence to improve protein expression and formulation stability. Here we report the design and characterization of a novel FGF21 variant, LY2405319. To enable the development of a potential drug product with a once-daily dosing profile, in a preserved, multi-use formulation, an additional disulfide bond was introduced in FGF21 through Leu118Cys and Ala134Cys mutations. FGF21 was further optimized by deleting the four N-terminal amino acids, His-Pro-Ile-Pro (HPIP), which was subject to proteolytic cleavage. In addition, to eliminate an O-linked glycosylation site in yeast a Ser167Ala mutation was introduced, thus allowing large-scale, homogenous protein production in Pichia pastoris. Altogether re-engineering of FGF21 led to significant improvements in its biopharmaceutical properties. The impact of these changes was assessed in a panel of in vitro and in vivo assays, which confirmed that biological properties of LY2405319 were essentially identical to FGF21. Specifically, subcutaneous administration of LY2405319 in ob/ob and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice over 7–14 days resulted in a 25–50% lowering of plasma glucose coupled with a 10–30% reduction in body weight. Thus, LY2405319 exhibited all the biopharmaceutical and biological properties required for initiation of a clinical program designed to test the hypothesis that administration of exogenous FGF21 would result in effects on disease-related metabolic parameters in humans.     

Effects of short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion on fasting plasma fibroblast growth factor-21 levels in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

To investigate the effects of short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) on plasma fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM).

Method

Sixty-eight patients with nT2DM (nT2DM group), and 52 gender-, age- and body mass index (BMI) -matched normal glucose tolerance (NGT group) controls participated in the study. 30 nT2DM patients with FBG≥14.0 mmol/L were treated with CSII for 2 weeks, and were underwent a euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp pre- and post-treatment. Plasma FGF-21 concentrations were measured with a commercial ELISA kit. The relationship between plasma FGF-21 levels and metabolic parameters was also analyzed.

Results

Fasting plasma FGF-21 levels were higher in the nT2DM group than in NGT groups (1.60±0.08 vs. 1.13±0.26 µg/L, P<0.01). In nT2DM patients, fasting plasma FGF-21 concentrations were significantly decreased after CSII treatment for 2 weeks (1.60±0.08 vs.1.30±0.05 µg/L, P<0.05), accompanied by a significant increase in the whole body glucose uptake (M value) and blood glucose control. The changes in plasma FGF-21 levels (ΔFGF-21) were positively associated with the amelioration of insulin resistance shown by the changes in M value.

Conclusion

Plasma FGF-21 level is associated with whole body insulin sensitivity and significantly reduced following short-term CSII treatment.     

Glucose metabolic abnormality is associated with defective mineral homeostasis in skeletal disorder mouse model

Bone was reported as a crucial organ for regulating glucose homeostasis. In this study, we found that Phex mutant mice(PUG), a model of human X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets(XLH), displayed metabolic abnormality in addition to abnormal phosphate homeostasis, skeletal deformity and growth retardation. Glucose tolerance was elevated with enhanced insulin sensitivity in PUG, though circulating insulin level decreased. Interestingly, bone mineral density defects and glucose metabolic abnormality were both rescued by adding phosphorus- and calcium-enriched supplements in daily diet. Serum insulin level, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity showed no differences between PUG and wild-type mice with rescued osteocalcin(OCN) following treatment. Our study suggested that OCN is a potential mediator between mineral homeostasis and glucose metabolism. This investigation brings a new perspective on glucose metabolism regulation through skeleton triggered mineral homeostasis and provides new clues in clinical therapeutics of potential metabolic disorders in XLH patients.     

聚乙二醇修饰的成纤维细胞生长因子-21的降血糖作用

成纤维细胞生长因子-21(FGF-21)是FGF家族的一员．现有大量研究表明,FGF-21是除胰岛素以外的一种新的血糖调节因子,有望成为治疗2型糖尿病的新型药物．然而,FGF-21在动物体内稳定性较差,半衰期较短,严重影响了其在临床上的应用．为解决这些问题,本实验采用分子质量为20 ku的单甲氧基聚乙二醇-丙醛(mPEG-ALD)对鼠源FGF-21(mFGF-21)进行N端定点修饰,以改善mFGF-21的性质(如提高体内半衰期、降低免疫原性等)．本文研究了反应pH、反应时间、蛋白质浓度及反应物之间的质量比对mFGF-21与聚乙二醇(PEG)合成反应的影响．采用Capto Q阴离子交换层析或Superdex 75凝胶过滤层析分离纯化聚乙二醇化mFGF-21(PEG-mFGF-21),并最终确定了mFGF-21 聚乙二醇修饰的反应条件和分离PEG-mFGF-21的纯化工艺．随后分别进行了PEG-mFGF-21的理化性质(大小、纯度和体外稳定性)、免疫原性、体内半衰期、体外葡萄糖吸收活性及体内降糖活性的研究．体外稳定性实验结果显示,mFGF-21经PEG修饰后温度稳定性和抗蛋白酶水解稳定性都显著提高．间接ELISA方法检测血清中mFGF-21抗体水平及目标蛋白含量的结果表明,PEG修饰mFGF-21可明显降低其免疫原性,延长体内半衰期．HepG2细胞的葡萄糖吸收实验结果发现,PEG-mFGF-21的细胞活性并没有下降,反而随着刺激细胞时间的延长,经PEG-mFGF-21刺激的细胞葡萄糖吸收显著高于mFGF-21刺激的细胞葡萄糖吸收．2型糖尿病db/db小鼠短期血糖调控实验结果表明,mFGF-21降糖速度快于PEG-mFGF-21,但其持续时间较PEG-mFGF-21短;长期血糖调控实验结果显示,PEG-mFGF-21长期降糖效果优于mFGF-21,作用持续时间长,并且PEG-mFGF-21在停药后控制血糖的能力也高于mFGF-21．综上所述可知,mFGF-21的PEG修饰在不影响其体外生物活性的前提下,能够提高mFGF-21的物理稳定性和抵抗蛋白酶水解的能力、降低免疫原性、增加体内稳定性、延长mFGF-21在动物体内降血糖作用的效果和时间．本实验为FGF-21化学修饰提供了重要的技术平台,对以后FGF-21的临床应用具有非常重要的意义．     

Impaired Glucose Metabolism in Response to High Fat Diet in Female Mice Conceived by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Ovarian Stimulation Alone

Individuals conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be at increased risk of cardio-metabolic disorders. We recently reported that IVF conceived male mice displayed impaired glucose metabolism at normal and high body weights. In this study, we examined glucose metabolism in mature female C57BL/6J mice that were conceived by natural conception (NC), by ovarian stimulation (OS) or by IVF following chow or high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. By design, litter size was comparable between groups, but interestingly the birth weight of IVF and OS females was lower than NC females (p≤0.001). Mature IVF female mice displayed increased fasting glucose as compared to NC and OS mice, irrespective of diet. Mature IVF and OS mice were also more susceptible to the metabolic consequences of high fat diet as compared with NC females, with impaired glucose tolerance (p≤0.01), whereas peripheral insulin resistance and increased hepatic expression of gluconeogenic genes Ppargc1α, Pck1 and G6pc was observed in IVF mice only (p<0.05). This study suggests that ovarian stimulation alone and IVF program distinct metabolic effects in females, but that high fat diet may be required to unmask these effects. This study adds to the growing body of literature that assisted reproduction procedures may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in an obesity prone environment.     

Mesenchymal stromal cells enhance wound healing by ameliorating impaired metabolism in diabetic mice

Background aimsMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been documented to improve delayed wound healing in diabetes, but the underlying mechanism remains obscure. We aimed to investigate whether the therapeutic effects on wounds was associated with metabolic alterations by paracrine action of MSCs.MethodsMSCs from mice with high-fat diet/streptozotocin–induced diabetes or wild-type C57BL/6 mice were evaluated for their paracrine potential in vitro using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical staining assay. MSCs were then evaluated for their therapeutic potential in vivo using an excisional cutaneous wound model in mice with diabetes. Metabolic alterations and glucose transporter four (GLUT4) as well as PI3K/Akt signaling pathway expression after wounding were also examined.ResultsMSCs from normal mice expressed even more insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) than mice with diabetes, suggesting putative paracrine action. Furthermore, compared with IGF-1 knockdown MSCs, normal MSCs markedly accelerated wound healing, as revealed by higher wound closure rate and better healing quality at 21 days post-wound. By contrast, MSCs administration increased the level of insulin as well as GLUT4 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway expression but repressed the biochemical indexes of glucose and lipid, resulting in obvious metabolic improvement.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that IGF-1 is an important paracrine factor that mediates the therapeutic effects of MSCs on wound healing in diabetes, and the benefits of MSCs may be associated with metabolism improvements, which would provide a new target for treatment.