Pluripotent stem cell energy metabolism: an update

Recent studies link changes in energy metabolism with the fate of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Safe use of PSC derivatives in regenerative medicine requires an enhanced understanding and control of factors that optimize in vitro reprogramming and differentiation protocols. Relative shifts in metabolism from naïve through “primed” pluripotent states to lineage‐directed differentiation place variable demands on mitochondrial biogenesis and function for cell types with distinct energetic and biosynthetic requirements. In this context, mitochondrial respiration, network dynamics, TCA cycle function, and turnover all have the potential to influence reprogramming and differentiation outcomes. Shifts in cellular metabolism affect enzymes that control epigenetic configuration, which impacts chromatin reorganization and gene expression changes during reprogramming and differentiation. Induced PSCs (iPSCs) may have utility for modeling metabolic diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA, for which few disease models exist. Here, we explore key features of PSC energy metabolism research in mice and man and the impact this work is starting to have on our understanding of early development, disease modeling, and potential therapeutic applications.     

CD8+ T cell metabolic changes in breast cancer

Immunometabolism has advanced our understanding of how the cellular environment and nutrient availability regulates immune cell fate. Not only are metabolic pathways closely tied to cell signaling and differentiation, but can induce different subsets of immune cells to adopt unique metabolic programs, influencing disease progression. Dysregulation of immune cell metabolism plays an essential role in the progression of several diseases including breast cancer (BC). Metabolic reprogramming plays a critical role in regulating T cell functions. CD8⁺ T cells are an essential cell type within the tumor microenvironment (TME). To induce antitumor responses, CD8⁺ T cells need to adapt their metabolism to fulfill their energy requirement for effective function. However, different markers and immunologic techniques have made identifying specific CD8⁺ T cells subtypes in BC a challenge to the field. This review discusses the immunometabolic processes of CD8⁺ T cell in the TME in the context of BC and highlights the role of CD8⁺ T cell metabolic changes in tumor progression.     

The roles of GRP81 as a metabolic sensor and inflammatory mediator

GPR81 (also named as HCA1) is a member of a subfamily of orphan G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), coupled to G_i-type G proteins. GPR81 was discovered in 2001 and identified as the only known endogenous receptor of lactate under physiological conditions in 2008, which opened a new field of research on how lactate may act as a signal molecule along with the GPR81 expression in the roles of metabolic process and inflammatory response. Recent studies showed that the physiological functions of GPR81 include lipid metabolism in adipose tissues, metabolic excitability in the brain, cellular development, and inflammatory response modulation. These findings may reveal a novel therapeutic strategy to treat clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. This article will summarize past research on GPR81, including its characteristics of distribution and expression, functional residues, pharmacological, and physiological agonists, involvement in signal transduction, and pharmacological applications.     

The role of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in metabolic diseases

It is well known that an unhealthy lifestyle is a major risk factor for metabolic diseases,while in recent years,accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the gut microbiome and its metabolites also play a crucial role in the onset and development of many metabolic dis-eases,including obesity,type 2 diabetes,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,cardiovascular disease and so on.Numerous microorganisms dwell in the gastrointestinal tract,which is a key interface for energy acquisition and can metabolize dietary nutrients into many bioactive substances,thus acting as a link between the gut microbiome and its host.The gut microbiome is shaped by host genetics,immune responses and dietary fac-tors.The metabolic and immune potential of the gut microbiome determines its significance in host health and diseases.Therefore,targeting the gut microbiome and relevant metabolic pathways would be effective therapeutic treatments for many metabolic diseases in the near future.This review will summarize information about the role of the gut microbiome in organism metabolism and the relationship between gut micro-biome-derived metabolites and the pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases.Furthermore,recent advan-ces in improving metabolic diseases by regulating the gut microbiome will be discussed.     

Autophagy in obesity and atherosclerosis: Interrelationships between cholesterol homeostasis,lipoprotein metabolism and autophagy in macrophages and other systems

The incidence of diseases characterized by a dysregulation of lipid metabolism such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis is rising at alarming rates, driving research to uncover new therapies to manage dyslipidemias and resolve the metabolic syndrome conundrum. Autophagy and lipid homeostasis – both ancient cellular pathways – have seemingly co-evolved to share common regulatory elements, and autophagy has emerged as a prominent mechanism involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism. This review highlights recent findings on the role of autophagy in the regulation of cellular cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism, with special emphasis on macrophages. From modulation of inflammation to regulation of cellular cholesterol levels, a protective role for autophagy in atherosclerosis is emerging. The manipulation of autophagic activity represents a new possible therapeutic approach for the treatment complex metabolic disorders such as obesity and the metabolic syndrome.     

The interplay between host cellular and gut microbial metabolism in NAFLD development and prevention

Metabolism regulation centred on insulin resistance is increasingly important in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This review focuses on the interactions between the host cellular and gut microbial metabolism during the development of NAFLD. The cellular metabolism of essential nutrients, such as glucose, lipids and amino acids, is reconstructed with inflammation, immune mechanisms and oxidative stress, and these alterations modify the intestinal, hepatic and systemic environments, and regulate the composition and activity of gut microbes. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, protein fermentation products, choline and ethanol and bacterial toxicants, such as lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans and bacterial DNA, play vital roles in NAFLD. The microbe–metabolite relationship is crucial for the modulation of intestinal microbial composition and metabolic activity. The intestinal microbiota and their metabolites participate in epithelial cell metabolism via a series of cell receptors and signalling pathways and remodel the metabolism of various cells in the liver via the gut–liver axis. Microbial metabolic manipulation is a promising strategy for NAFLD prevention, but larger-sampled clinical trials are required for future application.     

Molecular facets of sphingolipids: Mediators of diseases

Sphingolipids constitute a biologically active lipid class that is significantly important from both structural and regulatory aspects. The manipulation of sphingolipid metabolism is currently being studied as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. The basics of this therapeutic approach lie in the regulation property of sphingolipids on cellular processes, which are important in a cell's fate, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and inflammation. Furthermore, the mutations in the enzymes catalyzing some specific reactions in the sphingolipid metabolism cause mortal lysosomal storage diseases like Fabry, Gaucher, Niemann-Pick, Farber, Krabbe, and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. Therefore, the alteration of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway determines the choice between life and death. Understanding the sphingolipid metabolism and regulation is significant for the development of new therapeutic approaches for all sphingolipid-related diseases, as well as for cancer. An important feature of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway is the compartmentalization into endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, lysosome and plasma membrane, and this compartmentalization makes the transport of sphingolipids critical for proper functioning. This paper focuses on the structures, metabolic pathways, localization, transport mechanisms, and diseases of sphingolipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and humans, and provides the latest comprehensive information on sphingolipid research.     

Exploring the therapeutic role of creatine supplementation

Creatine (Cr) plays a central role in energy provision through a reaction catalyzed by phosphorylcreatine kinase. Furthermore, this amine enhances both gene expression and satellite cell activation involved in hypertrophic response. Recent findings have indicated that Cr supplementation has a therapeutic role in several diseases characterized by atrophic conditions, weakness, and metabolic disturbances (i.e., in the muscle, bone, lung, and brain). Accordingly, there has been an evidence indicating that Cr supplementation is capable of attenuating the degenerative state in some muscle disorders (i.e., Duchenne and inflammatory myopathies), central nervous diseases (i.e., Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s), and bone and metabolic disturbances (i.e., osteoporosis and type II diabetes). In light of this, Cr supplementation could be used as a therapeutic tool for the elderly. The aim of this review is to summarize the main studies conducted in this field and to highlight the scientific and clinical perspectives of this promising therapeutic supplement.     

城市代谢研究评述:内涵与方法

随着城市发展面临的生态问题日益显著,部分研究者试图通过对自然生态系统进行类比来寻求解决途径,城市代谢理论应运而生。当以系统科学来研究城市生态系统时,哲学思想的引入为探索和城市及城市代谢的内涵提供了最原始的桥梁。因此,在介绍城市代谢内涵与研究进展的基础上,融合产业、家庭、社会等多尺度代谢理论,对城市代谢的边界进行扩展,将其分为狭义与广义两类,结合亚里士多德的"四因说"对其质料因(组分)、形式因(结构)、动力因(驱动力)和目的因(功能)进行识别分析,据此将城市代谢研究方法归纳为质料、形式和混合研究方法三类,并提出未来研究的主要动向和解决手段。城市代谢"四因图"可为相关研究者提供参考。     

How Mitochondrial Metabolism Contributes to Macrophage Phenotype and Functions

Metabolic reprogramming of cells from the innate immune system is one of the most noteworthy topics in immunological research nowadays. Upon infection or tissue damage, innate immune cells, such as macrophages, mobilize various immune and metabolic signals to mount a response best suited to eradicate the threat. Current data indicate that both the immune and metabolic responses are closely interconnected. On account of its peculiar position in regulating both of these processes, the mitochondrion has emerged as a critical organelle that orchestrates the coordinated metabolic and immune adaptations in macrophages. Significant effort is now underway to understand how metabolic features of differentiated macrophages regulate their immune specificities with the eventual goal to manipulate cellular metabolism to control immunity. In this review, we highlight some of the recent work that place cellular and mitochondrial metabolism in a central position in the macrophage differentiation program.     

短链脂肪酸在宿主能量代谢方面的调节作用

肠道菌群数量庞大,对宿主多种生理活动具有重要调节作用。现有研究发现,肠道菌群主要通过调节其产生的不同代谢产物,参与宿主物质代谢反应,改变能量代谢水平,影响机体炎症反应。在诸多代谢产物中,短链脂肪酸（醋酸盐、丙酸盐、丁酸盐等）具有重要调节作用,对机体代谢功能方面具有深远影响。本文结合国内外相关研究文献,综述了短链脂肪酸在调节机体能量代谢方面的相关研究,以期为进一步阐明其在机体能量代谢方面的作用提供科学依据。     

神经退行性疾病的早期信号:线粒体功能障碍

线粒体是广泛存在于各种真核细胞中,可以进行独立复制的特殊的细胞器,它既能提供细胞内各种生命活动所需要的能源,也参与多种其他极为重要的生理活动。线粒体呼吸功能的障碍是许多神经退行性疾病发病早期共识的病理现象,探索线粒体在疾病发生过程中的变化,不仅对研究AD等神经退行性疾病的发病机理,对设计和开发创新药物也具有重要的指导意义。本文就线粒体的结构功能及其在神经退行性疾病发病过程中出现功能障碍的证据、诱因和可能的治疗方案作一简要综述。     

The real face of HIF1α in the tumor process

It is well known that the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF1α) is detectable as adaptive metabolic response to hypoxia. However, HIF1/HIF1α is detectable even under normoxic conditions, if the metabolism is altered, e.g., high proliferation index. Importantly, both hypoxic metabolism and the Warburg effect have in common a decrease of the intracellular pH value.

In our interpretation, HIF1α is not directly accumulated by hypoxia, but by a process which occurs always under hypoxic conditions, a decrease of the intracellular pH value because of metabolic imbalances. We assume that HIF1α is a sensitive controller of the intracellular pH value independently of the oxygen concentration. Moreover, HIF1α has its major role in activating genes to eliminate toxic metabolic waste products (e.g., NH₃/NH₄+) generated by the tumor-specific metabolism called glutaminolysis, which occur during hypoxia, or the Warburg effect. For that reason, HIF1α appears as a potential target for tumor therapy to disturb the pH balance and to inhibit the elimination of toxic metabolic waste products in the tumor cells.