Progression of Chronic Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis Driven by Activation of c-JUN Signaling in Sirt6 Mutant Mice

The human body has a remarkable ability to regulate inflammation, a biophysical response triggered by virus infection and tissue damage. Sirt6 is critical for metabolism and lifespan; however, its role in inflammation is unknown. Here we show that Sirt6-null (Sirt6^−/−) mice developed chronic liver inflammation starting at ∼2 months of age, and all animals were affected by 7–8 months of age. Deletion of Sirt6 in T cells or myeloid-derived cells was sufficient to induce liver inflammation and fibrosis, albeit to a lesser degree than that in the global Sirt6^−/− mice, suggesting that Sirt6 deficiency in the immune cells is the cause. Consistently, macrophages derived from the bone marrow of Sirt6^−/− mice showed increased MCP-1, IL-6, and TNFα expression levels and were hypersensitive to LPS stimulation. Mechanistically, SIRT6 interacts with c-JUN and deacetylates histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) at the promoter of proinflammatory genes whose expression involves the c-JUN signaling pathway. Sirt6-deficient macrophages displayed hyperacetylation of H3K9 and increased occupancy of c-JUN in the promoter of these genes, leading to their elevated expression. These data suggest that Sirt6 plays an anti-inflammatory role in mice by inhibiting c-JUN-dependent expression of proinflammatory genes.     

MiR-128-3p mediates TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses by regulating Sirt1 expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), a multifunctional pro-inflammatory cytokine, is produced by macrophages/monocytes during acute inflammation, and plays a critical role in orchestrating the cytokine cascade in various inflammatory diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that TNF-α induces inflammatory responses in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation, leading to unsatisfactory effects and limit the clinical use of BMSCs. MicroRNAs are reported to involve in inflammation by regulating the expression of their targets in inflammatory response pathway. However, whether microRNAs mediate TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses in BMSCs remains elusive. Here, we found that TNF-α treatment induced an inflammatory response by increasing the levels of key inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in BMSCs. Moreover, real-time PCR result showed dramatically up-regulation of miR-128-3p after exposure to TNF-α. Interestingly, miR-128-3p over-expression exacerbated the TNF-α-induced inflammatory response, while suppression of miR-128-3p effectively eliminated the inflammatory response in BMSCs. Bioinformatic analysis identified sirtuin 1 is a direct target of miR-128-3p. Up-regulation of sirtuin 1 induced by resveratrol also diminished the TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in BMSCs. Altogether, our results indicated that miR-128-3p targets sirtuin 1 to mediate the TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in BMSCs, which may provide new strategies to protect against inflammatory-dependent impairments in BMSCs.     

Carboxy-terminal phosphorylation of SIRT1 by protein kinase CK2

Previous analyses of the sirtuin family of histone deacetylases and its most prominent member SIRT1 have focused primarily on the identification of cellular targets exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms of its implicated function in the control of metabolic homeostasis, differentiation, apoptosis and cell survival. So far, little is known about the regulation of SIRT1 itself. In the study presented herein, we assigned the main region of SIRT1 in vivo phosphorylation to amino acids 643-691 of the unique carboxy-terminal domain. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SIRT1 is a substrate for protein kinase CK2 both in vitro and in vivo. Both, deletion construct analyses and serine-to-alanine mutations identified SIRT1 Ser-659 and Ser-661 as major CK2 phosphorylation sites that are phosphorylated in vivo as well.     

Ethanol intoxication increases hepatic N-lysyl protein acetylation

The acetylation of the ε-amino group of lysine to form N-acetyl lysine (N-AcLys)-modified proteins regulates the activity of metabolic proteins. Because of the multiple effects of ethanol upon hepatic metabolism, it was hypothesized that ethanol exposure increases the hepatic content of N-AcLys-modified proteins. To test this hypothesis, rats or mice were exposed to ethanol using a liquid diet regimen. Content of N-AcLys-modified proteins was elevated more than 5-fold after 6 weeks of ethanol exposure and persisted after ethanol withdrawal. Use of CYP2E1-knockout mice demonstrated that ethanol-induced acetylation was not dependent solely on CYP2E1 expression. The mitochondrial content of N-AcLys-modified proteins was elevated almost 5-fold following 6 weeks of ethanol exposure. Mitochondrial content of the deacetylase Sirt3 was unchanged by 6 weeks of ethanol exposure. These data indicate ethanol intoxication changes the acetylation status of, and likely the activity of, multiple mitochondrial proteins.     

Identification of constitutively active interleukin 33 (IL-33) splice variant

IL-33/IL-1F11 is a new member of the IL-1 family ligand and provokes T helper-type immune responses. IL-33 is the ligand of ST2 and IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) that triggers nuclear factor-κ light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and MAPK signaling. We discovered a novel short splice variant of IL-33 that was termed spIL-33. The new spIL-33 lacks exon 3 containing a proposed caspase-1 cleavage site. We isolated spIL-33 cDNA from the Huh7 human hepatocarcinoma cell line and expressed the recombinant spIL-33 protein in Escherichia coli. The recombinant spIL-33 and pro-IL-33 were not cleaved by caspase-1, unlike IL-18 (IL-1F4). The recombinant spIL-33 was constitutively active, and spIL-33-induced inflammatory cytokine production was caspase-1-independent in HMC-1 and Raw 264.7 cells. The recombinant spIL-33 induced the phosphorylation of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK1), NF-κB, p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, and JNK in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Anti-ST2 monoclonal antibody specifically blocked the spIL-33-induced cytokine production. In this study, we identified and characterized a new IL-33 splice variant, which was a constitutively active IL-33 isoform. The existence of constitutively active spIL-33 suggests that the biological activity of IL-33 could be triggered by diverse stimulations during immune responses. Further investigation of the spIL-33 expression pattern may contribute to understanding the involvement of IL-33 in inflammatory disorders.     

Sirtuins与PARP-1在细胞凋亡过程中的相互作用

哺乳动物Sirtuins家族目前共发现7个成员：SIRT1～SIRT7,它们均为NAD+依 赖性且从细菌到人类都保守的一类酶.人们已经对这7种去乙酰化酶进行了亚细胞定位 .目前,对其研究主要集中在对细胞发育相关的重要转录因子如p53、FOXO家族及相关 蛋白的去乙酰化修饰.Sirtuins对许多生理过程有着重要的调节作用,尤其是当发现 它们对寿命延长的调控作用后,Sirtuins引起了人们极大的关注,且都发表在世界顶 级刊物上.聚ADP核糖聚合酶(poly ADP-ribose polymerase, PARP)是一类存在于大多 数真核细胞中的蛋白质翻译后修饰酶,尤其是聚ADP核糖聚合酶1(PARP-1)在细胞内 DNA损伤修复等过程中起着重要作用,该酶同样以NAD+作为催化反应的底物.有研究发 现,Sirtuins家族成员与PARP-1在细胞内某些重要生理过程中存在着相互作用.本文评 述了Sirtuins家族成员、PARP-1的生物学特点,并就其参与哺乳动物细胞凋亡的调控 机制和相关信号通路进行了详细的论述,以期对Sirtuins家族成员、PARP-1生物学功 能及其相互作用的研究提供理论指导.     

Emerging roles for β-arrestin-1 in the control of the pancreatic β-cell function and mass: New therapeutic strategies and consequences for drug screening

Defective insulin secretion is a feature of type 2 diabetes that results from inadequate compensatory increase in β-cell mass, decreased β-cell survival and impaired glucose-dependent insulin release. Pancreatic β-cell proliferation, survival and secretion are thought to be regulated by signalling pathways linked to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors. β-arrestin-1 serves as a multifunctional adaptor protein that mediates receptor desensitization, receptor internalization, and links GPCRs to downstream pathways such as tyrosine kinase Src, ERK1/2 or Akt/PKB. Importantly, recent studies found that β-arrestin-1 mediates GLP-1 signalling to insulin secretion, GLP-1 antiapoptotic effect by phosphorylating the proapoptotic protein Bad through ERK1/2 activation, and PACAP potentiation of glucose-induced long-lasting ERK1/2 activation controlling IRS-2 expression. Together, these novel findings reveal an important functional role for β-arrestin-1 in the regulation of insulin secretion and β-cell survival by GPCRs.     

大蒜素激活SIRT1通路抑制过氧化氢诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞的衰老

Sirtuin1(SIRT1)活性的异常与血管内皮细胞的衰老密切相关。大蒜素作为一种生物活性分子具有抗氧化、抗炎及调脂作用,然而目前尚未见关于大蒜素与SIRT1的活性调节的报道。本研究旨在阐明大蒜素对过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）衰老的影响,以及Sirtuin1(SIRT1)在其中的作用。SA-β-gal染色及活性氧检测提示,与对照组相比,大蒜素明显减少H2O2诱导半乳糖苷酶阳性细胞数及活性氧的产生。用Western印迹、MTT、RT-PCR及SIRT1活化检测对SIRT1、p-SIRT1、PAI-1的蛋白质、SIRT1mRNA表达及细胞活力进行检测,结果显示,大蒜素可以逆转H2O2诱导的PAI-1表达的升高、SIRT1磷酸化及活性的降低,并且上调细胞的活力。当采用SIRT1抑制剂NAM处理后,大蒜素的这些作用均被阻断。以上结果表明,大蒜素通过激活SIRT1抑制H2O2诱导的HUVECs ROS的产生、活力的下降及细胞的衰老。     

Sirtuins: novel targets for metabolic disease in drug development

Calorie restriction extends lifespan and produces a metabolic profile desirable for treating diseases such as type 2 diabetes. SIRT1, an NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase, is a principal modulator of pathways downstream of calorie restriction that produces beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Activation of SIRT1 leads to enhanced activity of multiple proteins, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and FOXO which helps to mediate some of the in vitro and in vivo effects of sirtuins. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic SIRT1 activator, mimics the effects of calorie restriction in lower organisms and in mice fed a high-fat diet ameliorates insulin resistance. In this review, we summarize recent research advances in unveiling the molecular mechanisms that underpin sirtuin as therapeutic candidates and discuss the possibility of using resveratrol as potential drug for treatment of diabetes.     

Cigarette smoke-induced kinin B1 receptor promotes NADPH oxidase activity in cultured human alveolar epithelial cells

Pulmonary inflammation is an important pathological feature of tobacco smoke-related lung diseases. Kinin B1 receptor (B1R) is up-regulated in the rat trachea chronically exposed to cigarette-smoke. This study aimed at determining (1) whether exposure to total particulate matter of the cigarette smoke (TPM) can induce B1R in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells, (2) the mechanism of B1R induction, (3) the functionality of de novo synthesized B1R, and (4) the role of B1R in TPM-induced increase of superoxide anion (O₂^●-) level. Results show that A549 cells exposed to 10 μg/ml TPM increased O₂^●- level along with B1R (protein and mRNA) and IL-1β mRNA. In contrast, B2R and TNF-α mRNA were not affected by TPM. The increasing effect of TPM on O₂^●- level was not significantly affected by the B1R antagonist SSR240612. TPM-increased B1R mRNA was prevented by co-treatments with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (potent antioxidant), diphenyleneiodonium (NADPH oxidase inhibitor), IL-1Ra (interleukin-1R antagonist) and SN-50 (specific inhibitor of NF-kB activation) but not by pentoxifylline (TNF-α release inhibitor), indomethacin and niflumic acid (COX-1 and -2 inhibitors). Stimulation of B1R with a selective agonist (des-Arg⁹-BK, 10 μM; 30 min) increased O₂^●-production which was prevented by apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium (NADPH oxidase inhibitors). Data suggest that the increased expression of B1R by TPM in A549 cells is mediated by oxidative stress, IL-1β and NF-kB but not by cyclooxygenases or TNF-α. The amplification of O₂^●- levels via the activation of B1R-NADPH oxidase may exacerbate pulmonary inflammation and contribute to the chronicity of tobacco smoke-related lung diseases.     

Erythropoietin alleviates hepatic steatosis by activating SIRT1-mediated autophagy

Erythropoietin (EPO), besides its stimulatory effect on erythropoiesis, is beneficial to insulin resistance and obesity. However, its role in hepatic steatosis remains unexplored. Activating autophagy seems a promising mechanism for improving fatty liver disease. The present study investigated the role of EPO in alleviating hepatic steatosis and sought to determine whether its function is mediated by the activation of autophagy. Here, we show that EPO decreased hepatic lipid content significantly in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, EPO/EPO receptor (EPOR) signalling induced autophagy activation in hepatocytes as indicated by western blot assay, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy. In addition, EPO increased the co-localization of autophagosomes and cellular lipids as shown by double labelling of the autophagy marker light chain microtubule-associated protein 3 (LC3) and lipids. Importantly, suppression of autophagy by an inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the EPO-mediated alleviation hepatic steatosis in vitro. Furthermore, EPO up-regulated sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression, and siRNA-mediated SIRT1 silencing abrogated the EPO-induced increases in LC3 protein and deacetylation levels, thereby preventing the alleviation of hepatic steatosis. Taken together, this study revealed a new mechanism wherein EPO alleviates hepatic steatosis by activating autophagy via SIRT1-dependent deacetylation of LC3. This finding might have therapeutic value in the treatment of hepatic steatosis.     

Sirtuin1:抗炎治疗新靶点

Sirtuin 1(SIRT1)是组蛋白去乙酰化酶的代表性成员,除可调节代谢、衰老、凋亡外,SIRT1还可通过催化组蛋白及核因子κB(NF-κB)、激活蛋白1(AP-1)等的去乙酰化,从而改变染色质构象、降低转录因子活性、下调炎症基因转录。临床研究已揭示SIRT1在某些炎症性疾病中含量明显降低,而动物实验证实白藜芦醇、SRT1720等SIRT1激活剂可有效减轻炎症损伤。因而,SIRT1有望成为抗炎治疗的新靶点。     

Substituted phenanthrene imidazoles as potent, selective, and orally active mPGES-1 inhibitors

Phenanthrene imidazole 3 (MF63) has been identified as a novel potent, selective, and orally active mPGES-1 inhibitor. This new series was developed by lead optimization of a hit from an internal HTS campaign. Compound 3 is significantly more potent than the previously reported indole carboxylic acid 1 with an A549 whole cell IC₅₀ of 0.42 μM (50% FBS) and a human whole blood IC₅₀ of 1.3 μM. It exhibited a significant analgesic effect in a guinea pig hyperalgesia model when orally dosed at 30 and 100 mg/kg.     

Design of a novel nucleoside analog as potent inhibitor of the NAD<Superscript>+</Superscript> dependent deacetylase,SIRT2

Sirtuins (class III histone deacetylase) are evolutionarily conserved NAD⁺-dependent enzymes that catalyze the deacetylation of acetyl-lysine residues of histones and other target proteins. Because of their associations in various pathophysiological conditions, the identification of small molecule modulators has been of significant interest. In the present study, virtual screening was carried out with NCI Diversity Set II using crystal structure of hSIRT2 (PDB ID: 1J8F) as a model for the docking procedure to find potential compounds, which were then subjected to experimental tests for their in vitro SIRT2 inhibitory activity. One of the 40 compounds tested, NSC671136 (IUPAC name: 6-Acetyl-4-oxo-1,3-diphenyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl 2,4-dichlorobenzoate) has structurally unique scaffold, showed strong inhibitory activity towards SIRT2 with IC₅₀ of ~8.7 μM and to a lesser extent on SIRT1 activity. The reported compound is substantially potent compared to the published SIRT2 inhibitors and serves as an excellent base for future lead development.