Transcription profiling of mouse treated with piperidine agonists for 24hr or 5 days for molecular characterization of novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists
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ABSTRACT: The nuclear receptor PPARalpha is recognized as the primary target of the fibrate class of hypolipidemic drugs and mediates lipid lowering in part by activating a transcriptional cascade that induces genes involved in the catabolism of lipids. We report here the characterization of three novel PPARalpha agonists with therapeutic potential for treating dyslipidemia. These structurally related compounds display potent and selective binding to human PPARalpha and support robust recruitment of coactivator peptides in vitro. These compounds markedly potentiate chimeric transcription systems in cell-based assays and strikingly lower serum triglycerides in vivo. The transcription networks induced by these selective PPARalpha agonists were assessed by transcriptional profiling of mouse liver after acute and chronic treatment. The induction of several known PPARalpha target genes involved with fatty acid metabolism were observed, reflecting the expected pharmacology associated with PPARalpha activation. We also noted the downregulation of a number of genes related to immune cell function, the acute phase response, and glucose metabolism; suggesting that these compounds may have anti-inflammatory action in the mammalian liver. Taken together, these studies articulate the therapeutic promise of a selective PPARalpha agonist. Experiment Overall Design: Male C57Bl/6 mice (n=4 for all except 5 day treatment of 146-02 was n=2) were treated with the piperidine agonists for 24hr or 5 days at 1mg/kg/day, or water (vehicle) as control.
Project description:The nuclear receptor PPARalpha is recognized as the primary target of the fibrate class of hypolipidemic drugs and mediates lipid lowering in part by activating a transcriptional cascade that induces genes involved in the catabolism of lipids. We report here the characterization of three novel PPARalpha agonists with therapeutic potential for treating dyslipidemia. These structurally related compounds display potent and selective binding to human PPARalpha and support robust recruitment of coactivator peptides in vitro. These compounds markedly potentiate chimeric transcription systems in cell-based assays and strikingly lower serum triglycerides in vivo. The transcription networks induced by these selective PPARalpha agonists were assessed by transcriptional profiling of mouse liver after acute and chronic treatment. The induction of several known PPARalpha target genes involved with fatty acid metabolism were observed, reflecting the expected pharmacology associated with PPARalpha activation. We also noted the downregulation of a number of genes related to immune cell function, the acute phase response, and glucose metabolism; suggesting that these compounds may have anti-inflammatory action in the mammalian liver. Taken together, these studies articulate the therapeutic promise of a selective PPARalpha agonist. Keywords: acute versus chronic treatment of piperidine PPARalpha agonists
Project description:In rodents, treatment with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonists results in peroxisome proliferation, hepatocellular hypertrophy and hepatomegaly. Drugs in the fibrate class of PPARalpha agonists have also been reported to produce rare skeletal muscle toxicity. Although target-driven hepatic effects of PPARalpha treatment have been extensively studied, a characterization of the transcriptional effects of this nuclear receptor/transcription factor on skeletal muscle responses has not been reported. In this study we investigated the effects of PPARalpha agonists on skeletal muscle gene transcription in rats. Further, since statins have been reported to preferentially effect type II muscle fibers we compared PPARalpha signaling effects between type I and type II muscles. By comparing the transcriptional responses of agonists that signal through different nuclear receptors and, using a selection/deselection analytical strategy based on ANOVA, we identified a PPARalpha activation signature that is evident in type-I (soleus) but not type II (quadriceps femoris) skeletal muscle fibers. The fiber-type selective nature of this response is consistent with increased fatty acid uptake and beta-oxidation, which represent the major clinical benefits of the hypolipidemic compounds used in this study, but does not reveal any obvious off-target pathways that may drive adverse effects. Keywords: drug response
Project description:Breast cancer cells facilitate distant metastasis through the induction of immunosuppressive regulatory B cells, designated tBregs. We report here that, to do this, breast cancer cells produce metabolites of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway such as leukotriene B4 (LTB4) to activate the proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) in B cells. Inactivation of LTB4 signaling or genetic deficiency of PPARalpha in B cells blocks the generation of tBregs and thereby abrogates lung metastasis in mice with established breast cancer. Thus, in addition to eliciting fatty acid oxidation and metabolic signals, PPARalpha initiates programs required for differentiation of tBregs. We propose that PPARalpha in B cells or/and tumor 5-LO pathways represents new targets for pharmacological control of tBreg-mediated cancer escape.
Project description:Kupffer cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. However, their involvement in metabolic disorders of the liver, including fatty liver disease, remains unclear. The present study sought to determine the impact of Kupffer cells on hepatic triglyceride storage and to explore the possible mechanisms involved. To that end, C57Bl/6 mice rendered obese and steatotic by chronic high-fat feeding were treated for 1 week with clodronate liposomes, which cause depletion of Kupffer cells. Loss of expression of marker genes Cd68, F4/80, and Clec4f, and loss of Cd68 immunostaining verified almost complete removal of Kupffer cells from the liver. Also, expression of complement components C1, the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 6 (Ccl6), and cytokines interleukin-15 (IL-15) and IL-1beta were markedly reduced. Importantly, Kupffer cell depletion significantly decreased liver triglyceride and glucosylceramide levels concurrent with increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt1alpha), and fatty acid transport protein 2 (Fatp2). Treatment of mice with IL-1beta decreased expression of PPARalpha and its target genes, which was confirmed in primary hepatocytes. Consistent with these data, IL-1beta suppressed human and mouse PPARalpha promoter activity. Suppression of PPARalpha promoter activity was recapitulated by overexpression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) subunit p50 and p65, and was abolished upon deletion of putative NF-kappaB binding sites. Finally, IL-1beta and NF-kappaB interfered with the ability of PPARalpha to activate gene transcription. CONCLUSION: Our data point toward important cross-talk between Kupffer cells and hepatocytes in the regulation of hepatic triglyceride storage. The effect of Kupffer cells on liver triglycerides are at least partially mediated by IL-1beta, which suppresses PPARalpha expression and activity.
Project description:Kupffer cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. However, their involvement in metabolic disorders of the liver, including fatty liver disease, remains unclear. The present study sought to determine the impact of Kupffer cells on hepatic triglyceride storage and to explore the possible mechanisms involved. To that end, C57Bl/6 mice rendered obese and steatotic by chronic high-fat feeding were treated for 1 week with clodronate liposomes, which cause depletion of Kupffer cells. Loss of expression of marker genes Cd68, F4/80, and Clec4f, and loss of Cd68 immunostaining verified almost complete removal of Kupffer cells from the liver. Also, expression of complement components C1, the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 6 (Ccl6), and cytokines interleukin-15 (IL-15) and IL-1beta were markedly reduced. Importantly, Kupffer cell depletion significantly decreased liver triglyceride and glucosylceramide levels concurrent with increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt1alpha), and fatty acid transport protein 2 (Fatp2). Treatment of mice with IL-1beta decreased expression of PPARalpha and its target genes, which was confirmed in primary hepatocytes. Consistent with these data, IL-1beta suppressed human and mouse PPARalpha promoter activity. Suppression of PPARalpha promoter activity was recapitulated by overexpression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) subunit p50 and p65, and was abolished upon deletion of putative NF-kappaB binding sites. Finally, IL-1beta and NF-kappaB interfered with the ability of PPARalpha to activate gene transcription. CONCLUSION: Our data point toward important cross-talk between Kupffer cells and hepatocytes in the regulation of hepatic triglyceride storage. The effect of Kupffer cells on liver triglycerides are at least partially mediated by IL-1beta, which suppresses PPARalpha expression and activity. Expression profiling of livers from mice fed control, low-fat diet diet or high-fat diet for 20weeks with or without knockdown of Kupffer cells.
Project description:In addition to their role in the development and function of the reproductive system, estrogens have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Although both estrogen receptors (ERs) can mediate anti-inflammatory actions, ERbeta is a more desirable therapeutic target because ERalpha mediates the proliferative effects of estrogens on the mammary gland and uterus. In fact, selective ERbeta agonists have beneficial effects in preclinical models involving inflammation without causing growth-promoting effects on the uterus or mammary gland. However, their mechanism of action is unclear. The purpose of this study was to use microarray analysis to determine whether ERbeta-selective compounds produce their anti-inflammatory effects by repressing transcription of proinflammatory genes. We identified 49 genes that were activated by TNF-alpha in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells expressing ERbeta. Estradiol treatment significantly reduced the activation by TNF-alpha on 18 genes via ERbeta or ERalpha. Most repressed genes were inflammatory genes, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CSF2. Three ERbeta-selective compounds, ERB-041, WAY-202196, and WAY-214156, repressed the expression of these and other inflammatory genes. ERB-041 was the most ERbeta-selective compound, whereas WAY-202196 and WAY-214156 were the most potent. The ERbeta-selective compounds repressed inflammatory genes by recruiting the coactivator, SRC-2. ERB-041 also repressed cytokine genes in PBMCs, demonstrating that ERbeta-selective estrogens have anti-inflammatory properties in immune cells. Our study suggests that the anti-inflammatory effects of ERB-041 and other ERbeta-selective estrogens in animal models are due to transcriptional repression of proinflammatory genes. These compounds might represent a new class of drugs to treat inflammatory disorders. Keywords: estrogen receptor, gene regulation, TNF
Project description:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. In addition to the liver-related morbidity and mortality, NAFLD is now also associated with various extrahepatic diseases. Pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifactorial with limited pharmacotherapy options for the treatment of patients with NAFLD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that are involved in the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, energy balance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. PPAR agonists are attractive options for treatment of NAFLD as they can act at multiple targets involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We reviewed the available literature on the pathophysiological role of PPARs and use of PPAR agonists in the treatment of NAFLD. Original studies and review articles available on PubMed regarding the role of PPARs in the pathogenesis and utility of PPAR agonists in the treatment of NAFLD were included in this review article. ClinicalTrials.gov and Clinical Trials Registry-India sites were searched for ongoing studies on saroglitazar. The available literature suggests that PPARs play an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Use of PPAR gamma agonists is associated with histological improvement in NAFLD. Dual PPAR agonists with no or minimal PPAR gamma activity are being explored in the treatment of NAFLD. Because of the pathophysiological role of PPARs in NAFLD, PPAR agonists are attractive options for the treatment of patients with NAFLD. Dual PPAR agonists without significant gamma activity appear promising for the treatment of NAFLD.
Project description:Chronic pain presents a widespread and intractable medical problem. While numerous pharmaceuticals are used to treat chronic pain, drugs that are safe for extended use and highly effective at treating the most severe pain do not yet exist. Chronic pain resulting from nervous system injury (neuropathic pain) is common in conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis to HIV-1 infection to type II diabetes. Inflammation caused by neuropathy is believed to contribute to the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Chemokines are key inflammatory mediators, several of which (MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1α, fractalkine, SDF-1 among others) have been linked to chronic, neuropathic pain in both human conditions and animal models. The important roles chemokines play in inflammation and pain make them an attractive therapeutic target. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of nuclear receptors known for their roles in metabolism. Recent research has revealed that PPARs also play a role in inflammatory gene repression. PPAR agonists have wide-ranging effects including inhibition of chemokine expression and pain behavior reduction in animal models. Experimental evidence suggests a connection between the pain ameliorating effects of PPAR agonists and suppression of inflammatory gene expression, including chemokines. In early clinical research, one PPARα agonist, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), shows promise in relieving chronic pain. If this link can be better established, PPAR agonists may represent a new drug therapy for neuropathic pain.
Project description:Agonists of the nuclear receptor PPARγ are therapeutically used to combat hyperglycaemia associated with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. In spite of being effective in normalization of blood glucose levels, the currently used PPARγ agonists from the thiazolidinedione type have serious side effects, making the discovery of novel ligands highly relevant. Natural products have proven historically to be a promising pool of structures for drug discovery, and a significant research effort has recently been undertaken to explore the PPARγ-activating potential of a wide range of natural products originating from traditionally used medicinal plants or dietary sources. The majority of identified compounds are selective PPARγ modulators (SPPARMs), transactivating the expression of PPARγ-dependent reporter genes as partial agonists. Those natural PPARγ ligands have different binding modes to the receptor in comparison to the full thiazolidinedione agonists, and on some occasions activate in addition PPARα (e.g. genistein, biochanin A, sargaquinoic acid, sargahydroquinoic acid, resveratrol, amorphastilbol) or the PPARγ-dimer partner retinoid X receptor (RXR; e.g. the neolignans magnolol and honokiol). A number of in vivo studies suggest that some of the natural product activators of PPARγ (e.g. honokiol, amorfrutin 1, amorfrutin B, amorphastilbol) improve metabolic parameters in diabetic animal models, partly with reduced side effects in comparison to full thiazolidinedione agonists. The bioactivity pattern as well as the dietary use of several of the identified active compounds and plant extracts warrants future research regarding their therapeutic potential and the possibility to modulate PPARγ activation by dietary interventions or food supplements.