Browsing by Subject "Inflammation"

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Association of Torquetenovirus Viremia with physical frailty and cognitive impairment in three independent European cohorts
(2023) Giacconi, Robertina; Laffon, Blanca; Costa, Solange; Teixeira-Gomes, Armanda; Maggi, Fabrizio; Macera, Lisa; Spezia, Pietro Giorgio; Piacenza, Francesco; Bürkle, Alexander; Moreno-Villanueva, María; Bonassi, Stefano; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Teixeira, Joao Paulo; Dollé, Martijn E.T.; Rietman, M. Liset; Jansen, Eugène; Grune, Tilman; Gonos, Efstathios S.; Franceschi, Claudio; Capri, Miriam; Weinberger, Birgit; Sikora, Ewa; Stuetz, Wolfgang; Toussaint, Olivier; Debacq-Chainiaux, Florence; Hervonen, Antti; Hurme, Mikko; Slagboom, P. Eline; Schön, Christiane; Bernhardt, Jürgen; Breusing, Nicolle; Pásaro, Eduardo; Maseda, Ana; Lorenzo-López, Laura; Millán-Calenti, José Carlos; Provinciali, Mauro; Malavolta, Marco
Introduction: Immunosenescence and inflammaging have been implicated in the pathophysiology of frailty. Torquetenovirus (TTV), a single-stranded DNA anellovirus, the major component of the human blood virome, shows an increased replication rate with advancing age. An elevated TTV viremia has been associated with an impaired immune function and an increased risk of mortality in the older population. The objective of this study was to analyze the relation between TTV viremia, physical frailty, and cognitive impairment. Methods: TTV viremia was measured in 1,131 nonfrail, 45 physically frail, and 113 cognitively impaired older adults recruited in the MARK-AGE study (overall mean age 64.7 ± 5.9 years), and then the results were checked in two other independent cohorts from Spain and Portugal, including 126 frail, 252 prefrail, and 141 nonfrail individuals (overall mean age: 77.5 ± 8.3 years). Results: TTV viremia ≥4log was associated with physical frailty (OR: 4.69; 95% CI: 2.06–10.67, p < 0.0001) and cognitive impairment (OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 2.14–5.69, p < 0.0001) in the MARK-AGE population. The association between TTV DNA load and frailty status was confirmed in the Spanish cohort, while a slight association with cognitive impairment was observed (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.000–1.773), only in the unadjusted model. No association between TTV load and frailty or cognitive impairment was found in the Portuguese sample, although a negative association between TTV viremia and MMSE score was observed in Spanish and Portuguese females. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate an association between TTV viremia and physical frailty, while the association with cognitive impairment was observed only in the younger population from the MARK-AGE study. Further research is necessary to clarify TTV’s clinical relevance in the onset and progression of frailty and cognitive decline in older individuals.
Cellular stress regulates fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) und αklotho
(2023) Münz, Sina; Föller, Michael
Cellular stress is defined as the impairment of regular cell function by internal or external stimuli including critical temperatures, energy deficiency, infections, mechanic injury, or chemical noxae. The present thesis aims to investigate the influence of cellular stress on the expression of FGF23 and αklotho. FGF23 is predominantly produced in bone and regulates the phosphate excretion in the kidney. Thereby, αklotho functions as a co-receptor for FGF23. By binding to the FGF receptor-αklotho complex, FGF23 reduces the reabsorption of phosphate from the tubular lumen by decreasing the abundance of sodium-phosphate co-transporters. Furthermore, FGF23 decreases the synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3, active vitamin D, and increases its degradation. 1,25(OH)2D3 is a regulator of intestinal phosphate absorption and therefore, FGF23 additionally reduces dietary phosphate uptake. Chronically elevated FGF23 is associated with numerous disorders such as kidney disease or CVD. Beside its function as a co-receptor of FGFR, αklotho has many beneficial FGF23-independent functions. It has originally been identified as an anti-aging hormone, as a loss-of-function mutation in the αklotho gene causes numerous aging-like symptoms such as vascular and tissue calcification, osteoporosis, sterility, and an early death. The present papers investigated the influence of cytostatic drugs cisplatin, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin as well as apoptosis inducers PAC-1 and serum depletion on the regulation of FGF23 and αklotho. In UMR106 rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells, a 24 or 48 h-treatment with cisplatin, doxorubicin, PAC-1, or serum reduction and depletion significantly up-regulated Fgf23 expression. Under serum depletion, also FGF23 protein secretion was increased. In addition to FGF23, cisplatin and doxorubicin also increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine Il6 hinting at the presence of necrotic cell death. By inhibiting Il-6 membrane receptor gp130 it has been shown, that FGF23 stimulation partially depended on IL-6 signaling. The stimulation of FGF23 by inflammatory mediators including IL-6, TNFα, TGF-β, or IL-1β has already been reported by others. Furthermore, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, CKD, or inflammatory bowel disease are associated with excess FGF23 serum concentrations. In this regard, we investigated gene expression and activation of the transcription factor NFκB, which regulates numerous inflammatory functions. Cisplatin and doxorubicin increased the expression of NFκB subunit Rela and cisplatin also stimulated the phosphorylation of NFκB. Independently, NFκB inhibitors wogonin and withaferin A attenuated cisplatin-mediated stimulation of FGF23 indicating, that FGF23 excess was in part promoted by NFκB signaling. These investigations confirmed a strong impact of cisplatin or doxorubicin-induced inflammation on FGF23 synthesis, whereas PAC-1 and serum depletion have reported to directly induce apoptosis, which is commonly not associated with inflammation. Known factors, induced by all cytotoxic substances used here, are the formation of ROS and activation of HIF1α. Both are positive regulators of FGF23, leading to the conclusion, that cellular stress might regulate FGF23 via HIF1α or oxidative stress. FGF23 excess results in increased bone resorption and suppressed bone formation. Likewise, also chemotherapeutic drugs and serum deficiency reduce bone density. Therefore, the stimulation of FGF23 may cause or further stimulate bone resorption. In paper 2, the influence of the cytostatic drugs cisplatin, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin as well as apoptosis inductors PAC-1 or serum depletion on αklotho expression in renal MDCK, NRK-52E, and HK-2 cells has been investigated. In fact, all cytotoxic compounds stimulated gene expression of αklotho while decreasing cell proliferation and viability. By using a combined apoptosis and necrosis assay, we confirmed the induction of apoptosis but also necrosis to a variable extent. Additionally, the transcriptional regulation of apoptotic proteins of the BCL-2 family was assessed and confirmed apoptosis stimulation. Transcription factor PPARγ is a known positive regulator of αklotho. In MDCK cells, we detected a significant influence of cisplatin-mediated stimulation of PPARγ mRNA on the αklotho increase. Furthermore, cisplatin, doxorubicin, PAC-1, and serum deprivation also up-regulated FGFR production in MDCK cells. In cancer cells, overexpression of FGFR is associated with enhanced resistance against chemotherapeutic drugs. Consequently, αklotho and FGFR1 stimulation may be a protective mechanism to prevent hyperphosphatemia during diseases. However, human HK-2 cells treated with cisplatin, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, or serum depletion significantly down-regulated αklotho expression and protein secretion. PAC-1 did not change the expression or production of αklotho in HK-2 cells, which might be explained by the minor effect of PAC-1 on non-carcinogenic cells lacking an overexpression of procaspase-3. The differential regulation of αklotho in MDCK and NRK-52E versus HK-2 cells by cytotoxic stress might have numerous causes. For instance, there is evidence of an increased sensitivity of HK-2 cells to stress stimuli but a better comparability to the animal model. However, immortalized cell lines can not completely reflect the conditions of native tissue especially with regard to cell death. Furthermore, the species, sex or age of the donor organism as well as passage number of the cells and drug transporter expression might impact αklotho regulation. Additionally, the mode of cell death determined by intracellular ATP homeostasis and its regulation of AMPK might play an important role in αklotho regulation. However, all these theories need to be further addressed. In summary, inflammation, ROS formation, or the activation of HIF1α are all reported to correlate in a negative manner with αklotho production or serum levels. αklotho down-regulation may be a tool to increase cell proliferation or prevent hypophosphatemia. In contrast, AMPK activation by intracellular ATP restriction may positively regulate αklotho to promote cell protection and avoid hyperphosphatemia.
Characterization of dietary and genetic influences on the gastrointestinal microbiota
(2023) Bubeck, Alena Marie; Fricke, Florian W.
Although the gut microbiota is known to contribute fundamentally to human health, e.g. by promoting the maturation of the immune system and intestinal homeostasis, the factors shaping its composition are only poorly understood. Extrinsic and intrinsic influences can disturb the tightly controlled equilibrium between the microbiome and the host and induce dysbiosis, which has been linked to diverse health conditions such as obesity, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, understanding events leading to microbial perturbations and the prediction of associated health outcomes could aid in the prevention and treatment of these conditions. In this work, the impact of dietary and genetic factors on gastrointestinal microbiota compositions were determined, with the diet serving as an exemplary extrinsic, modifiable microbiota-relevant factor and with a genetic deficiency in a mouse model for intestinal inflammation serving as an exemplary intrinsic, non-modifiable microbiota-relevant factor. In both studies, microbial communities obtained from either a human or a murine cohort, respectively, were taxonomically characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analyzed in the context of metabolic and inflammatory implications for the host. In ACVD, the reduction of excess blood cholesterol, which is a main risk factor, is tackled by clinical interventions aiming to reduce cholesterol uptake from exogenous, dietary sources or by inhibiting endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis. Cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion by the intestinal microbiota has also been suggested to reduce intestinal and serum cholesterol availability, but the dependencies of cholesterol conversion on specific bacterial taxa and dietary habits, as well as its association with serum lipid levels remain largely unknown. To study microbiota contributions to human cholesterol metabolism under varying conditions, fecal microbiota and lipid profiles, as well as serum lipid biomarkers, were determined in two independent human cohorts, including individuals with (CARBFUNC study) and without obesity (KETO study) on very low-carbohydrate high-fat diets (LCHF) for three to six months and six weeks, respectively. Across these two geographically independent studies, conserved distributions of cholesterol high and low-converter types were measured. Also, cholesterol conversion was most dominantly linked to the relative abundance of the cholesterol-converting bacterial species Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, which was further increased in low-converters by LCHF diets, shifting them towards a high-conversion state. Lean cholesterol high-converters, which were characterized by adverse serum lipid profiles even before the LCHF diet, responded to the intervention with increased LDL-C, independently of fat, cholesterol and saturated fatty acid intake. These findings identify the cholesterol high-converter type as a potential predictive biomarker for an increased LDL-C response to LCHF diet in metabolically healthy lean individuals. Although the etiology of IBD has not been fully resolved, an interplay between the intestinal microbiota, environmental factors and an individual’s genetic susceptibility is thought to trigger chronic inflammation by a dysregulation of the immune response in the gut. To identify colitis-associated microbiota alterations throughout the development of spontaneous colitis, mice with a genetic deficiency of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 (IL-10) from different litters were co-housed with wild-type mice and monitored for 20 weeks. The scoring of mice based on their phenotype and stool consistency mirrored the state of mucosal inflammation as assessed based on histopathological examinations and cytokine expression profiles. Also, the state of colitis was characterized by global microbiota alterations and susceptibility to colitis was dependent on litter-specific microbiome compositions that mice adopted early on in their lives. Colitis development was further associated with the presence of the bacterial genus Akkermansia in mature mice shortly before symptoms manifested. This genus was also a good predictor of colitis-related mice withdrawal, suggesting the potential of Akkermansia to serve as an early onset, subclinical colitis marker. In summary, fecal microbiota characterizations in response to LCHF diets in humans and throughout the development of intestinal inflammation in a colitis mouse model highlight the potential of personalized microbiome-based patient classifications to predict clinical outcomes and improve treatment approaches.
Dietary intake of fructooligosaccharides protects against metabolic derangements evoked by chronic exposure to fructose or galactose in rats
(2023) Almasri, Fidèle; Collotta, Debora; Aimaretti, Eleonora; Sus, Nadine; Aragno, Manuela; Dal Bello, Federica; Eva, Carola; Mastrocola, Raffaella; Landberg, Rikard; Frank, Jan; Collino, Massimo
Scope: Diets rich in fat and sugars evoke chronic low-grade inflammation, leading to metabolic derangements. This study investigates the impact of fructose and galactose, two commonly consumed simple sugars, on exacerbation of the harmful effects caused by high fat intake. Additionally, the potential efficacy of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a fermentable dietary fiber, in counteracting these effects is examined. Methods and results: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (six/group) are fed 8 weeks as follows: control 5% fat diet (CNT), 20% fat diet (FAT), FAT+10% FOS diet (FAT+FOS), FAT+25% galactose diet (FAT+GAL), FAT+GAL+10% FOS diet (FAT+GAL+FOS), FAT+25% fructose diet (FAT+FRU), FAT+FRU+10% FOS diet (FAT+FRU+FOS). The dietary manipulations tested do not affect body weight gain, blood glucose, or markers of systemic inflammation whereas significant increases in plasma concentrations of triacylglycerols, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotrasferase are detected in both FAT+FRU and FAT+GAL compared to CNT. In the liver and skeletal muscle, both sugars induce significant accumulation of lipids and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). FOS supplementation prevents these impairments. Conclusion: This study extends the understanding of the deleterious effects of a chronic intake of simple sugars and demonstrates the beneficial role of the prebiotic FOS in dampening the sugar-induced metabolic impairments by prevention of lipid and AGEs accumulation.
Inflammation and nutrition: friend or foe?
(2023) Stumpf, Franziska; Keller, Bettina; Gressies, Carla; Schuetz, Philipp
The importance of the interplay between inflammation and nutrition has generated much interest in recent times. Inflammation has been identified as a key driver for disease-related malnutrition, leading to anorexia, reduced food intake, muscle catabolism, and insulin resistance, which are stimulating a catabolic state. Interesting recent data suggest that inflammation also modulates the response to nutritional treatment. Studies have demonstrated that patients with high inflammation show no response to nutritional interventions, while patients with lower levels of inflammation do. This may explain the contradictory results of nutritional trials to date. Several studies of heterogeneous patient populations, or in the critically ill or advanced cancer patients, have not found significant benefits on clinical outcome. Vice versa, several dietary patterns and nutrients with pro- or anti-inflammatory properties have been identified, demonstrating that nutrition influences inflammation. Within this review, we summarize and discuss recent advances in both the role of inflammation in malnutrition and the effect of nutrition on inflammation.
Lactic acid induces fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells
(2021) Alber, Jana; Föller, Michael
Endocrine and paracrine fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a protein predominantly produced by bone cells with strong impact on phosphate and vitamin D metabolism by targeting the kidney. Plasma FGF23 concentration early rises in kidney and cardiovascular diseases correlating with progression and outcome. Lactic acid is generated in anaerobic glycolysis. Lactic acidosis is the consequence of various physiological and pathological conditions and may be fatal. Since FGF23 production is stimulated by inflammation and lactic acid induces pro-inflammatory signaling, we investigated whether and how lactic acid influences FGF23. Experiments were performed in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells, Fgf23 mRNA levels estimated from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and FGF23 protein determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lactic acid dose-dependently induced Fgf23 gene expression and up-regulated FGF23 synthesis. Also, Na+-lactate as well as formic acid and acetic acid up-regulated Fgf23. The lactic acid effect was significantly attenuated by nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B-cells (NFκB) inhibitors wogonin and withaferin A. Lactic acid induces FGF23 production, an effect at least in part mediated by NFκB. Lactic acidosis may, therefore, be paralleled by a surge in plasma FGF23.
Prostaglandin E2 signaling through prostaglandin E receptor subtype 2 and Nurr1 induces fibroblast growth factor 23 production
(2024) Feger, Martina; Hammerschmidt, Katharina; Liesche, lona; Rausch, Steffen; Alber, Jana; Föller, Michael
Bone cells produce fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a hormone regulating renal phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis, and a paracrine factor produced in further tissues. Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disorders are associated with early elevations of plasma FGF23 levels associated with clinical outcomes. FGF23 production is dependent on many conditions including inflammation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a major eicosanoid with a broad role in pain, inflammation, and fever. Moreover, it regulates renal blood flow, renin secretion, natriuresis as well as bone formation through prostaglandin E receptor 2 (EP2). Here, we studied the role of PGE2 and its signaling for the production of FGF23. Osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells were exposed to EP receptor agonists, antagonists or RNAi. Wild type and EP2 knockout mice were treated with stable EP2 agonist misoprostol. Fgf23 or Nurr1 gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, hormone and further blood parameters by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric methods. PGE2 and EP2 agonists misoprostol and butaprost enhanced FGF23 production in UMR-106 cells, effects mediated by EP2 and transcription factor Nurr1. A single dose of misoprostol up-regulated bone Fgf23 expression and FGF23 serum levels in wild type mice with subtle effects on parameters of mineral metabolism only. Compared to wild type mice, the FGF23 effect of misoprostol was significantly lower in EP2-deficient mice. To conclude, PGE2 signaling through EP2 and Nurr1 induces FGF23 production. Given the broad physiological and pathophysiological implications of PGE2 signaling, this effect is likely of clinical relevance.
Uncovering the relationship between selenium status, age, health, and dietary habits: Insights from a large population study including nonagenarian offspring from the MARK-AGE project
(2023) Giacconi, Robertina; Piacenza, Francesco; Aversano, Valentina; Zampieri, Michele; Bürkle, Alexander; Villanueva, María Moreno; Dollé, Martijn E.T.; Jansen, Eugène; Grune, Tilman; Gonos, Efstathios S.; Franceschi, Claudio; Capri, Miriam; Weinberger, Birgit; Sikora, Ewa; Toussaint, Olivier; Debacq-Chainiaux, Florence; Stuetz, Wolfgang; Slagboom, Pieternella Eline; Bernhardt, Jürgen; Fernández-Sánchez, Maria Luisa; Provinciali, Mauro; Malavolta, Marco
An inadequate selenium (Se) status can accelerate the aging process, increasing the vulnerability to age-related diseases. The study aimed to investigate plasma Se and Se species in a large population, including 2200 older adults from the general population (RASIG), 514 nonagenarian offspring (GO), and 293 GO Spouses (SGO). Plasma Se levels in women exhibit an inverted U-shaped pattern, increasing with age until the post-menopausal period and then declining. Conversely, men exhibit a linear decline in plasma Se levels with age. Subjects from Finland had the highest plasma Se values, while those from Poland had the lowest ones. Plasma Se was influenced by fish and vitamin consumption, but there were no significant differences between RASIG, GO, and SGO. Plasma Se was positively associated with albumin, HDL, total cholesterol, fibrinogen, and triglycerides and negatively associated with homocysteine. Fractionation analysis showed that Se distribution among plasma selenoproteins is affected by age, glucometabolic and inflammatory factors, and being GO or SGO. These findings show that sex-specific, nutritional, and inflammatory factors play a crucial role in the regulation of Se plasma levels throughout the aging process and that the shared environment of GO and SGO plays a role in their distinctive Se fractionation.
Up-regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 gene expression in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells with reduced viability
(2021) Münz, Sina; Feger, Martina; Edemir, Bayram; Föller, Michael
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) controls vitamin D and phosphate homeostasis in the kidney and has additional paracrine effects elsewhere. As a biomarker, its plasma concentration is associated with progression of inflammatory, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Major stimuli of FGF23 synthesis include active vitamin D and inflammation. Antineoplastic chemotherapy treats cancer by inducing cellular damage ultimately favoring cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) and causing inflammation. Our study explored whether chemotherapeutics and other apoptosis inducers impact on Fgf23 expression. Experiments were performed in osteoblast-like UMR106 cells, Fgf23 gene expression and protein synthesis were determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Viability was assessed by MTT assay and NFκB activity by Western Blotting. Antineoplastic drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin as well as apoptosis inducers procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1), a caspase 3 activator, and serum depletion up-regulated Fgf23 transcripts while reducing cell proliferation and viability. The effect of cisplatin on Fgf23 transcription was paralleled by Il-6 up-regulation and NFκB activation and attenuated by Il-6 and NFκB signaling inhibitors. To conclude, cell viability-decreasing chemotherapeutics as well as apoptosis stimulants PAC-1 and serum depletion up-regulate Fgf23 gene expression. At least in part, Il-6 and NFκB may contribute to this effect.