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Key points Afadin is a ubiquitously expressed scaffold protein with a recently discovered role in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Afadin at S1795 occurs in insulin-responsive tissues such as adipose tissue, muscle, liver, pancreas and heart. Afadin abundance and AfadinS1795 phosphorylation are dynamically regulated in metabolic tissues during diet-induced obesity progression. Genetic silencing of AfadinS1795 phosphorylation improves glucose homeostasis in the early stages of diet-induced metabolic dysregulation. AfadinS1795 phosphorylation contributes to the early development of obesity-related complications in mice. Abstract Obesity is associated with systemic insulin resistance and numerous metabolic disorders. Yet, the mechanisms underlying impaired insulin action during obesity remain to be fully elucidated. Afadin is a multifunctional scaffold protein with the ability to modulate insulin action through its phosphorylation at S1795 in adipocytes. In the present study, we report that insulin-stimulated AfadinS1795 phosphorylation is not restricted to adipose tissues, but is a common signaling event in insulin-responsive tissues including muscle, liver, pancreas and heart. Furthermore, a dynamic regulation of Afadin abundance occurred during diet-induced obesity progression, while its phosphorylation was progressively attenuated. To investigate the role of AfadinS1795 phosphorylation in the regulation of whole-body metabolic homeostasis, we generated a phospho-defective mouse model (Afadin SA) in which the Afadin phosphorylation site was silenced (S1795A) at the whole-body level using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene-editing. Metabolic characterization of these mice under basal physiological conditions or during high fat diet (HFD) challenge revealed that preventing AfadinS1795 phosphorylation improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and increased liver glycogen storage in the early stage of diet-induced metabolic dysregulation, without affecting body weight. Taken together, our findings reveal that AfadinS1795 phosphorylation in metabolic tissues is critical during obesity progression and contributes to promote systemic insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in the early phase of diet-induced obesity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A glucose responsive insulin (GRI) that responds to changes in blood glucose concentrations has remained an elusive goal. Here we describe the development of glucose cleavable linkers based on hydrazone and thiazolidine structures. We developed linkers with low levels of spontaneous hydrolysis but increased level of hydrolysis with rising concentrations of glucose, which demonstrated their glucose responsiveness in vitro. Lipidated hydrazones and thiazolidines were conjugated to the LysB29 side-chain of HI by pH-controlled acylations providing GRIs with glucose responsiveness confirmed in vitro for thiazolidines. Clamp studies showed increased glucose infusion at hyperglycemic conditions for one GRI indicative of a true glucose response. The glucose responsive cleavable linker in these GRIs allow changes in glucose levels to drive the release of active insulin from a circulating depot. We have demonstrated an unprecedented, chemically responsive linker concept for biopharmaceuticals.

Human thermogenic adipose tissue mitigates metabolic disease, thus raising much interest in understanding its development and function. Here, we show that human thermogenic adipocytes specifically express a primate-specific long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), LINC00473, which is highly correlated with UCP1 expression and is decreased in obesity and type-2 diabetes. LINC00473 is detected in progenitor cells, and increases following differentiation and in response to cyclic AMP (cAMP). In contrast to other known adipocyte long intergenic noncoding RNAs, LINC00473 shuttles out of the nucleus, colocalizes and can be cross-linked to mitochondrial and lipid droplet proteins. Up- or downregulation of LINC00473 results in reciprocal alterations in lipolysis, respiration and transcription of genes associated with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Depletion of PLIN1 results in impaired cAMP-responsive LINC00473 expression and lipolysis, indicating bidirectional interactions among PLIN1, LINC00473 and mitochondrial oxidative functions. Thus, we suggest that LINC00473 is a key regulator of human thermogenic adipocyte function and reveal a role for a lncRNA in interorganelle communication and human energy metabolism. Thermogenic adipose tissue has been suggested as a potential target to treat metabolic diseases. Here, Tran et al. show that a long noncoding RNA, LINC00473, is induced during activation of thermogenic adipocytes and regulates energy metabolism through interorganelle communication.

Thermogenic adipocytes possess a therapeutically appealing, energy-expending capacity, which is canonically cold-induced by ligand-dependent activation of β-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we uncover an alternate paradigm of GPCR-mediated adipose thermogenesis through the constitutively active receptor, GPR3. We show that the N terminus of GPR3 confers intrinsic signaling activity, resulting in continuous Gs-coupling and cAMP production without an exogenous ligand. Thus, transcriptional induction of Gpr3 represents the regulatory parallel to ligand-binding of conventional GPCRs. Consequently, increasing Gpr3 expression in thermogenic adipocytes is alone sufficient to drive energy expenditure and counteract metabolic disease in mice. Gpr3 transcription is cold-stimulated by a lipolytic signal, and dietary fat potentiates GPR3-dependent thermogenesis to amplify the response to caloric excess. Moreover, we find GPR3 to be an essential, adrenergic-independent regulator of human brown adipocytes. Taken together, our findings reveal a noncanonical mechanism of GPCR control and thermogenic activation through the lipolysis-induced expression of constitutively active GPR3., Cell, 184 (13), ISSN:0092-8674, ISSN:1097-4172

Afadin is a ubiquitously expressed scaffold protein with a recently discovered role in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Afadin at S1795 occurs in insulin-responsive tissues such as adipose tissue, muscle, liver, pancreas and heart. Afadin abundance and AfadinObesity is associated with systemic insulin resistance and numerous metabolic disorders. Yet, the mechanisms underlying impaired insulin action during obesity remain to be fully elucidated. Afadin is a multifunctional scaffold protein with the ability to modulate insulin action through its phosphorylation at S1795 in adipocytes. In the present study, we report that insulin-stimulated Afadin

The pathogenesis of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) has been associated with altered non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) metabolism. The aim of this study was to characterize expression, function and cellular location of ACh-related proteins in biopsies obtained from endoscopic normal appearing sigmoid colon in patients with and without CRN. Messenger-RNA (mRNA) levels of 17 ACh-related proteins were quantified by rt-qPCR. Functional responses to ACh, measured as electrogenic transepithelial short circuit current (SCC), were recorded using the Ussing chamber technique. Finally, cellular localization of choline transporter-like proteins (CTLs) and butyryl-cholinesterase enzyme (BChE) was determined by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression of CTL1 and CTL4 was increased in patients with CRN (p = 0.002 and p = 0.04, respectively). In functional experiments, baseline SCC was increased in CRN patients. ACh induced rapid biphasic changes in SCC. An initial decreasing phase was observed in the minority of CRN patients vs. the majority of controls (25% vs. 69%, respectively, p = 0.031). For the second increasing phase of SCC, data indicated ACh-activation of two receptors. For both parts of the biphasic response, the half maximal effective concentration and maximal responses showed no difference between patient groups. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated CTL1, 3 and 4 and BChE to be localized to colonic crypt cells. We conclude that CRN is associated with increased expression of CTL1 and CTL4, augmented basal prostaglandin-dependent secretion, and altered functional channel response to ACh in human endoscopic normal appearing colonic mucosa. The immunohistochemical findings support CTL1, CTL3, CTL4 and BChE to be involved in non-neuronal mucosal ACh metabolism. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) prevents glucolipotoxicity-induced &beta, cell dysfunction and apoptosis by alleviation of proapoptotic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-signaling, but the precise molecular mechanisms of alleviation are unexplored. By unbiased microarray analysis of the &beta, cell gene expression profile of insulin-producing cells exposed to glucolipotoxicity in the presence or absence of a selective HDAC3 inhibitor, we identified Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) as the sole target candidate. &beta, Cells were protected against glucolipotoxicity-induced ER stress and apoptosis by EZH2 attenuation. Small molecule inhibitors of EZH2 histone methyltransferase activity rescued human islets from glucolipotoxicity-induced apoptosis. Moreover, EZH2 knockdown cells were protected against glucolipotoxicity-induced downregulation of the protective non-canonical Nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells (NF&kappa, B) pathway. We conclude that EZH2 deficiency protects from glucolipotoxicity-induced ER stress, apoptosis and downregulation of the non-canonical NF&kappa, B pathway, but not from insulin secretory dysfunction. The mechanism likely involves transcriptional regulation via EZH2 functioning as a methyltransferase and/or as a methylation-dependent transcription factor.

Brown and brown-like beige/brite adipocytes dissipate energy and have been proposed as therapeutic targets to combat metabolic disorders. However, the therapeutic effects of cell-based therapy in humans remain unclear. Here, we created human brown-like (HUMBLE) cells by engineering human white preadipocytes using CRISPR/Cas9-SAM-gRNA to activate endogenous uncoupling protein 1 expression. Obese mice that received HUMBLE cell transplants showed a sustained improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, as well as increased energy expenditure. Mechanistically, increased arginine/nitric oxide (NO) metabolism in HUMBLE adipocytes promoted the production of NO that was carried by S-nitrosothiols and nitrite in red blood cells to activate endogenous brown fat and improved glucose homeostasis in recipient animals. Taken together, these data demonstrate the utility of using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to engineer human white adipocytes to display brown fat-like phenotypes and may open up cell-based therapeutic opportunities to combat obesity and diabetes.

Insulin orchestrates metabolic homeostasis through a complex signaling network for which the precise mechanisms controlling its fine‐tuning are not completely understood. Here, we report that Afadin, a scaffold protein, is phosphorylated on S1795 (S1718 in humans) in response to insulin in adipocytes, and this phosphorylation is impaired with obesity and insulin resistance. In turn, loss of Afadin enhances the response to insulin in adipose tissues via upregulation of the insulin receptor protein levels. This happens in a cell‐autonomous and phosphorylation‐dependent manner. Insulin‐stimulated Afadin‐S1795 phosphorylation modulates Afadin binding with interaction partners in adipocytes, among which HDAC6 preferentially interacts with phosphorylated Afadin and acts as a key intermediate to suppress insulin receptor protein levels. Adipose tissue‐specific Afadin depletion protects against insulin resistance and improves glucose homeostasis in diet‐induced obese mice, independently of adiposity. Altogether, we uncover a novel insulin‐induced cellular feedback mechanism governed by the interaction of Afadin with HDAC6 to negatively control insulin action in adipocytes, which may offer new strategies to alleviate insulin resistance.

Achieving the optimal combination of multiple glucose measurements and insulin injections provides a complex daily situation for most insulin-dependent diabetes patients with currently available insulin products. To date, several fast-acting and long-acting insulins have been developed. However, while the pharmacokinetic profiles have been optimized, it has remained an elusive goal for decades to develop a Glucose Responsive Insulin (GRI), which can be responsive to the fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations during the day. Here we present an unprecedented GRI concept. The concept is based on the hydrolysis of a cleavable linker that is covalently bound to insulin. The chemical nature of this central linker is designed to rapidly release active insulin when glucose rises above euglycemia (5 mM), and this release of active insulin will increase with increasing blood glucose concentration. The second element of the concept is an albumin-mediated inactivation of the GRI by lipidation. After injection, the GRI will bind to albumin and circulate as a depot, resulting in a slow release of insulin like seen with other basal insulins such as insulin Detemir. At the linker level, we have tested three concentrations of glucose, and glucose responsiveness was demonstrated by a decrease in reaction time with increasing glucose concentration. Moreover, fully conjugated GRI molecules were tested in 90% pancreatectomized rats, a model of type 1 diabetes, demonstrating significant and long-lasting glucose lowering effect as compared to control. Overall, we have demonstrated the feasibility of providing a GRI approach, which combines the properties of a basal insulin with that of a bolus insulin. With the circulating depot approach the concept also holds a promise for liver preference. Ultimately our approach could provide a safe insulin for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes with very low risk of side effects. Disclosure K. Mannerstedt: Employee; Self; Gubra. E. Engholm: Employee; Self; Gubra. N.K. Mishra: Employee; Self; Gubra. M. Lundh: Employee; Self; Gubra. N. Buch-Månson: None. L.N. Fink: Employee; Self; Gubra. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S.L. Pedersen: None. P.J. Pedersen: Employee; Self; Gubra. P. Le-Huu: Employee; Self; Gubra, Novo Nordisk A/S. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk A/S. J. Lai: Employee; Self; Gubra. K.J. Jensen: Consultant; Self; Gubra. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Gubra. K. Fosgerau: Stock/Shareholder; Self; Gubra.

Since traditional weight loss strategies have been unsuccessful at slowing the increasing rate of obesity, alternative strategies are in high demand. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a thermogenic tissue that efficiently expends energy. Thermogenesis in BAT occurs through the action of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Identifying novel transcriptional regulators of UCP1 may lead to potential targets to increase BAT activity since its expression is under tight transcriptional control. Engineered DNA-binding molecule-mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation (enChIP) is a modified CRISPR/Cas9 methodology that identifies novel transcriptional regulators. EnChIP uses dCas9 (lacks endonuclease activity) and guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting a specific promoter region. The DNA-bound dCas9 can be immunoprecipitated, and the associated promoter region/transcriptional machinery can be sent for proteomic analysis to identify novel transcriptional regulators. Following β-adrenergic stimulation, which activates UCP1 gene transcription in brown adipocytes, we performed enChIP by using five gRNAs targeting the UCP1 promoter. EnChIP analysis of the UCP1 promoter revealed cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRIP2) as a putative transcriptional regulator of UCP1, which was validated by ChIP-PCR. We demonstrated that knocking down CRIP2 in brown adipocytes significantly decreased β-adrenergic-induced UCP1 expression and heat production. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that following β-adrenergic stimulation, CRIP2 was phosphorylated and translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus, where it interacted with peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Taken together, using the unbiased CRISPR-based enChIP approach, we identify CRIP2 as a novel transcriptional regulator that modulates UCP1 expression in response to β-adrenergic stimulation. These findings pave the foundation for developing new anti-obesity and antidiabetes therapies. Disclosure J. Darcy: None. C. Wang: None. M. Lundh: Employee; Self; Gubra. F. Shamsi: None. M. Lynes: None. T. d'Aprigny: None. B. Emanuelli: None. Y. Tseng: Other Relationship; Self; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK077097, R01DK102898, T32DK007260)

Adipose tissue dysfunction is one of the main culprits triggering metabolic imbalance associated with obesity. We identified the cell junction protein Afadin as one of the most highly phosphorylated proteins in response to insulin/IGF-1 stimulation using quantitative phospho-proteomic analysis in pre-adipocytes, and investigated the role of Afadin in mediating insulin action and in adipocyte biology. We found that phosphorylation of Afadin occurred in response to insulin in both pre- and mature adipocytes obtained from mice and human subjects. In addition, Afadin phosphorylation was observed in mouse adipose tissues following insulin injection, and after re-feeding, indicating physiological relevance. In obese mice, however, brown fat insulin-induced phosphorylation of Afadin was abolished. Surprisingly, glucose and insulin tolerance were improved in Fat-specific Afadin knock-out (KO) mice on a high fat diet, despite similar body weight gain and adipose mass as wild type controls. Furthermore, ablation of Afadin in vitro did not affect adipogenesis. Yet, prolonged insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt was observed in KO adipocytes, and was associated with increased insulin-mediated fatty-acid uptake. Finally, phosphorylation of Afadin regulates the docking of several proteins, which may be involved in the regulation of insulin action and adipocyte metabolism. Thus, Afadin is a novel bona fide substrate of the insulin signaling pathway, and is involved in the regulation of insulin action and metabolism. Disclosure M. Lundh: None. M.S. Isidor: None. K. Plucinska: None. F. Shamsi: None. P. Petersen: None. Y. Tseng: Other Relationship; Self; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. Research Support; Self; MedImmune. B. Emanuelli: None.

Brown and brown-like beige adipocytes dissipate energy for thermogenesis and have been proposed to combat obesity and metabolic disorders. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is uniquely expressed in brown and beige adipocytes, and facilitates fuel utilization and energy expenditure. Ectopic UCP1 overexpression improves obesity and insulin resistance in mice. Recently, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 synergistic activation mediator and specific gRNAs to boost endogenous UCP1 expression in human white adipocytes. The CRISPR/Cas9 engineered human brown fat-like (referred to as HUMBLE, hereafter) cells had acquired human brown fat features when comparing bona fide human brown adipocytes derived from the same individual. Obese mice receiving a transplantation of HUMBLE cells showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, as well as increased energy expenditure. This was mediated, at least in part, via activation of endogenous brown fat, which showed an increase in heat production and glucose uptake in mice receiving HUMBLE cells. Co-culture with HUMBLE cells or treatment of conditional medium from HUMBLE cells promoted glucose uptake and thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. Metabolomic analysis identified an increased ratio of arginine and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) in the sera of mice receiving HUMBLE cell transplantation. Arginine is known to promote nitric oxide biosynthesis, which can activate thermogenic function of brown fat. Consistently, the level of nitric oxide was increased in the endogenous brown fat of mice receiving HUMBLE cells. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase abolished the HUMBLE cells-mediated activation of brown adipocytes in vitro and in vivo. In summary, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation of endogenous UCP1 expression in human white adipocytes creates brown fat-like features, and activates endogenous brown fat, potentially through arginine-related metabolites to improve the systemic glucose utilization. Disclosure C. Wang: None. M. Lundh: None. R. Kriszt: Employee; Self; QuintilesIMS. T. Huang: None. L.O. Leiria: None. F. Shamsi: None. M. Lynes: None. J. Darcy: None. B. Emanuelli: None. M. Kiebish: None. Y. Tseng: Other Relationship; Self; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. Research Support; Self; MedImmune.

β-Cells may be a source of IL-1β that is produced as inactive pro-IL-1β and processed into biologically-active IL-1β by enzymatic cleavage mediated by the NLRP1-, NLRP3- and NLRC4-inflammasomes. Little is known about the β-cell inflammasomes. NLRP1-expression was upregulated in islet-cells from T2D-patients and by IL-1β+IFNγ in INS-1 cells in a histone-deacetylase dependent manner. NLRP3 was downregulated by cytokines in INS-1 cells. NLRC4 was barely expressed and not regulated by cytokines. High extracellular K+ reduced cytokine-induced apoptosis and NO production and restored cytokine-inhibited accumulated insulin-secretion. Basal inflammasome expression was JNK1-3 dependent. Knock-down of the ASC interaction domain common for NLRP1 and 3 improved insulin secretion and ameliorated IL-1β and/or glucolipotoxicity-induced cell death and reduced cytokine-induced NO-production. Broad inflammasome-inhibition, but not NLRP3-selective inhibition, protected against IL-1β-induced INS-1 cell-toxicity. We suggest that IL-1β causes β-cell toxicity in part by NLRP1 mediated caspase-1-activation and maturation of IL-1β leading to an autocrine potentiation loop.

Modulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity has been implicated as a potential therapeutic strategy for multiple diseases. However, it has been difficult to dissect the role of individual HDACs due to a lack of selective small-molecule inhibitors. Here, we report the synthesis of a series of highly potent and isoform-selective class I HDAC inhibitors, rationally designed by exploiting minimal structural changes to the clinically experienced HDAC inhibitor CI-994. We used this toolkit of isochemogenic or chemically matched inhibitors to probe the role of class I HDACs in β-cell pathobiology and demonstrate for the first time that selective inhibition of an individual HDAC isoform retains beneficial biological activity and mitigates mechanism-based toxicities. The highly selective HDAC3 inhibitor BRD3308 suppressed pancreatic β-cell apoptosis induced by inflammatory cytokines, as expected, or now glucolipotoxic stress, and increased functional insulin release. In addition, BRD3308 had no effect on human megakaryocyte differentiation, while inhibitors of HDAC1 and 2 were toxic. Our findings demonstrate that the selective inhibition of HDAC3 represents a potential path forward as a therapy to protect pancreatic β-cells from inflammatory cytokines and nutrient overload in diabetes.

Mechanisms explaining exercise-induced β-cell health are unknown.This study aimed to define the role of muscle contraction and acute exercise-derived soluble humoral mediators on β-cell health.In vitro models were used.University.Healthy subjects.Conditioned media (CM) were collected from human skeletal muscle (HSkM) cells treated with or without electrical pulse stimulation (EPS). Antecubital and femoral venous blood serum were collected before and after an exercise bout. CM and sera with or without IL-6 neutralization were used to incubate insulin-producing INS-1 cells and rat islets for 24 h in the presence or absence of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β+IFN-γ).INS-1 and islet apoptosis and accumulated insulin secretion.IL-1β+IFN-γ increased INS-1 and islet apoptosis and decreased insulin secretion. EPS-treated HSkM cell CM did not affect these variables. Exercise-conditioned antecubital but not femoral sera prevented IL-1β+IFN-γ-induced INS-1 and islet apoptosis. Femoral sera reduced insulin secretion under normal and proinflammatory conditions in INS-1 but not islet cells. EPS increased HSkM cell IL-6 secretion and exercise increased circulating IL-6 levels in antecubital and femoral serum. IL-6 neutralization demonstrated that muscle-derived IL-6 prevents INS-1 and islet apoptosis in the absence of IL-1β+IFN-γ, but augments apoptosis under proinflammatory conditions, and that muscle-derived IL-6 supports islet insulin secretion in the absence of IL-1β+IFN-γ.Unidentified circulating humoral mediators released during exercise prevent proinflammatory cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis. Muscle-derived mediators released during exercise suppress β-cell insulin secretion. Furthermore, muscle-derived IL-6 seems to prevent β-cell apoptosis under normal conditions but contributes to β-cell apoptosis under proinflammatory conditions.

Failure of pancreatic β cells to compensate for insulin resistance is a prerequisite for the development of type 2 diabetes. Sustained elevated circulating levels of free fatty acids and glucose contribute to β-cell failure. Selective inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC)-3 protects pancreatic β cells against inflammatory and metabolic insults in vitro. In the present study, we tested the ability of a selective HDAC3 inhibitor, BRD3308, to reduce hyperglycaemia and increase insulin secretion in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. At diabetes onset, an ambulatory hyperglycaemic clamp was performed. HDAC3 inhibition improved hyperglycaemia over the study period without affecting weight gain. At the end of the hyperglycaemic clamp, circulating insulin levels were significantly higher in BRD3308-treated rats. Pancreatic insulin staining and contents were also significantly higher. These findings highlight HDAC3 as a key therapeutic target for β-cell protection in type 2 diabetes.

Summary Activation of energy expenditure in thermogenic fat is a promising strategy to improve metabolic health, yet the dynamic processes that evoke this response are poorly understood. Here we show that synthesis of the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin is indispensable for stimulating and sustaining thermogenic fat function. Cardiolipin biosynthesis is robustly induced in brown and beige adipose upon cold exposure. Mimicking this response through overexpression of cardiolipin synthase (Crls1) enhances energy consumption in mouse and human adipocytes. Crls1 deficiency in thermogenic adipocytes diminishes inducible mitochondrial uncoupling and elicits a nuclear transcriptional response through endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated retrograde communication. Cardiolipin depletion in brown and beige fat abolishes adipose thermogenesis and glucose uptake, which renders animals insulin resistant. We further identify a rare human CRLS1 variant associated with insulin resistance and show that adipose CRLS1 levels positively correlate with insulin sensitivity. Thus, adipose cardiolipin has a powerful impact on organismal energy homeostasis through thermogenic fat bioenergetics., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Cardiolipin (CL) is a key effector of brown and beige fat thermogenic programs • CL mediates mitochondria-to-nucleus crosstalk through the ER stress factor CHOP-10 • Disruption of brown and beige fat mitochondria causes insulin resistance • CL synthesis in adipose tissue is linked to insulin sensitivity in humans, Sustarsic et al. reveal that synthesis of the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin is a hallmark of brown and beige fat activation by cold temperature. This single lipid species in thermogenic fat not only shapes adipose mitochondrial bioenergetics but also exerts profound control over whole-body insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipose tissue combust fuels for heat production in adult humans, and so constitute an appealing target for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia1,2. Cold exposure can enhance energy expenditure by activating BAT, and it has been shown to improve nutrient metabolism3–5. These therapies, however, are time consuming and uncomfortable, demonstrating the need for pharmacological interventions. Recently, lipids have been identified that are released from tissues and act locally or systemically to promote insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance; as a class, these lipids are referred to as ‘lipokines’6–8. Because BAT is a specialized metabolic tissue that takes up and burns lipids and is linked to systemic metabolic homeostasis, we hypothesized that there might be thermogenic lipokines that activate BAT in response to cold. Here we show that the lipid 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) is a stimulator of BAT activity, and that its levels are negatively correlated with body-mass index and insulin resistance. Using a global lipidomic analysis, we found that 12,13-diHOME was increased in the circulation of humans and mice exposed to cold. Furthermore, we found that the enzymes that produce 12,13-diHOME were uniquely induced in BAT by cold stimulation. The injection of 12,13-diHOME acutely activated BAT fuel uptake and enhanced cold tolerance, which resulted in decreased levels of serum triglycerides. Mechanistically, 12,13-diHOME increased fatty acid (FA) uptake into brown adipocytes by promoting the translocation of the FA transporters FATP1 and CD36 to the cell membrane. These data suggest that 12,13-diHOME, or a functional analog, could be developed as a treatment for metabolic disorders.

Disease is conventionally viewed as the chaotic inappropriate outcome of deranged tissue function resulting from aberrancies in cellular processes. Yet the patho-biology of cellular dysfunction and death encompasses a coordinated network no less sophisticated and regulated than maintenance of homeostatic balance. Cellular demise is far from passive subordination to stress but requires controlled coordination of energy-requiring activities including gene transcription and protein translation that determine the graded transition between defensive mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, dedifferentiation and ultimately to the activation of death programmes. In fact, most stressors stimulate both homeostasis and regeneration on one hand and impairment and destruction on the other, depending on the ambient circumstances. Here we illustrate this bimodal ambiguity in cell response by reviewing recent progress in our understanding of how the pancreatic β cell copes with inflammatory stress by changing gene transcription and protein translation by the differential and interconnected action of reactive oxygen and nitric oxide species, microRNAs and posttranslational protein modifications.

Both common forms of diabetes have an inflammatory pathogenesis in which immune and metabolic factors converge on interleukin-1β as a key mediator of insulin resistance and β-cell failure. In addition to improving insulin resistance and preventing β-cell inflammatory damage, there is evidence of genetic association between diabetes and histone deacetylases (HDACs); and HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) promote β-cell development, proliferation, differentiation and function and positively affect late diabetic microvascular complications. Here we review this evidence and propose that there is a strong rationale for preclinical studies and clinical trials with the aim of testing the utility of HDACi as a novel therapy for diabetes.

Biological activity of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) depends on both adhesion and acti-vation of intra-cellular signaling. Based on in vitro experiments with truncated extra-cellulardomains, several models describing homophilic NCAM trans- and cis-interactions have been pro-posed. However, cis-dimerization in living cells has not been shown directly and the role of the cyto-plasmic part in NCAM dimerization is poorly understood. Here, we used the bioluminescenceresonance energy transfer (BRET 2 ) technique to directly demonstrate that full-length NCAM cis-homodimerizes in living cells. Based on BRET 2 50 values we suggest that the intra-cellular part ofNCAM inhibits cis-dimerization, an effect mainly dependent on the palmitoylation sites.Structured summary:MINT-8071463: NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM140(uniprotkb:P13591-1) by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (MI:0012)MINT-8071506: NCAM180 (genbank_protein_gi:119587605) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM-180 (genbank_protein_gi:119587605) by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (MI:0012)MINT-8071483: NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM140(uniprotkb:P13591-1) by competition binding (MI:0405) 2010 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

As microRNAs (miRs) are gaining increasing attention as key regulators of cellular processes, expressional quantification is widely applied. However, in the processing of relatively quantified data, the importance of testing the stability of several reference mRNAs and/or miRs and choosing among these for normalization is often overlooked, potentially leading to biased results. Here, we have optimized the purification of miR-enriched total RNA from pancreatic insulin-producing INS-1 cells. Additionally, we optimized and analyzed miR expression by a qPCR-based microarray and by specific qPCR and tested the stability of candidate reference mRNAs and miRs. Hence, this study gives a widely applicable example on how to easily and systematically test and decide how to normalize miR quantification. We suggest that caution in the interpretation of miR quantification studies that do not comprise stability analysis should be exerted.

Phenotypic cell-based screening is a powerful approach to small-molecule discovery, but a major challenge of this strategy lies in determining the intracellular target and mechanism of action (MoA) for validated hits. Here, we show that the small-molecule BRD0476, a novel suppressor of pancreatic β-cell apoptosis, inhibits interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-induced Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activation of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling to promote β-cell survival. However, unlike common JAK-STAT pathway inhibitors, BRD0476 inhibits JAK-STAT signaling without suppressing the kinase activity of any JAK. Rather, we identified the deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9X (USP9X) as an intracellular target, using a quantitative proteomic analysis in rat β cells. RNAi-mediated and CRISPR/Cas9 knockdown mimicked the effects of BRD0476, and reverse chemical genetics using a known inhibitor of USP9X blocked JAK-STAT signaling without suppressing JAK activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of a putative ubiquitination site on JAK2 mitigated BRD0476 activity, suggesting a competition between phosphorylation and ubiquitination to explain small-molecule MoA. These results demonstrate that phenotypic screening, followed by comprehensive MoA efforts, can provide novel mechanistic insights into ostensibly well-understood cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, these results uncover USP9X as a potential target for regulating JAK2 activity in cellular inflammation.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition protects pancreatic beta-cells against apoptosis induced by the combination of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon (IFN)-γ. Decreased expression of cell damage-related genes is observed on the transcriptional level upon HDAC inhibition using either IL-1β or IFN-γ alone. Whereas HDAC inhibition has been shown to regulate NFκB-activity, related primarily to IL-1β signaling, it is unknown whether the inhibition of HDACs affect IFN-γ signaling in beta-cells. Further, in non-beta-cells, there is a dispute whether HDAC inhibition regulates IFN-γ signaling at the level of STAT1 Tyr701 phosphorylation. Using different small molecule HDAC inhibitors with varying class selectivity, INS-1E wild type and stable HDAC1-3 knockdown pancreatic INS-1 cell lines, we show that IFN-γ-induced Cxcl9 and iNos expression as well as Cxcl9 and GAS reporter activity were decreased by HDAC inhibition in a STAT1 Tyr701 phosphorylation-independent fashion. In fact, knockdown of HDAC1 increased IFN-γ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation.

The Burmese python exhibits unprecedented regulatory responses during the digestion of a meal, including a doubling of organ masses, 10 to 40-fold increases in organ performance, and as much as a 1...

Background Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is implicated in neuroinflammation, an essential component of neurodegeneration. We evaluated the potential anti-inflammatory effect of a novel peptide antagonist of IL-1 signaling, Ilantide. Methods We investigated the binding of Ilantide to IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) using surface plasmon resonance, the inhibition of Il-1β-induced activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in HEK-Blue cells that contained an IL-1β-sensitive reporter, the secretion of TNF-α in macrophages, protection against IL-1-induced apoptosis in neonatal pancreatic islets, and the penetration of Ilantide through the blood–brain barrier using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We studied the effects of the peptide on social behavior and memory in rat models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and amyloid-induced neuroinflammation, respectively, and its effect in a rat model of experimental autoimmune enchephalomyelitis. Results Ilantide bound IL-1RI, inhibited the IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB, and inhibited the secretion of TNF-α in vitro. Ilantide protected pancreatic islets from apoptosis in vitro and reduced inflammation in an animal model of arthritis. The peptide penetrated the blood–brain barrier. It reduced the deficits in social activity and memory in LPS- and amyloid-treated animals and delayed the development of experimental autoimmune enchephalomyelitis. Conclusions These findings indicate that Ilantide is a novel and potent IL-1RI antagonist that is able to reduce inflammatory damage in the central nervous system and pancreatic islets.

Type 1 diabetes is due to destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Lysine deacetylase inhibitors (KDACi) protect β-cells from inflammatory destruction in vitro and are promising immunomodulators. Here we demonstrate that the clinically well-tolerated KDACi vorinostat and givinostat revert diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes and counteract inflammatory target cell damage by a mechanism of action consistent with transcription factor--rather than global chromatin--hyperacetylation. Weaning NOD mice received low doses of vorinostat and givinostat in their drinking water until 100-120 d of age. Diabetes incidence was reduced by 38% and 45%, respectively, there was a 15% increase in the percentage of islets without infiltration, and pancreatic insulin content increased by 200%. Vorinostat treatment increased the frequency of functional regulatory T-cell subsets and their transcription factors Gata3 and FoxP3 in parallel to a decrease in inflammatory dendritic cell subsets and their cytokines IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. KDACi also inhibited LPS-induced Cox-2 expression in peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 and NOD mice. In insulin-producing β-cells, givinostat did not upregulate expression of the anti-inflammatory genes Socs1-3 or sirtuin-1 but reduced levels of IL-1β + IFN-γ-induced proinflammatory Il1a, Il1b, Tnfα, Fas, Cxcl2, and reduced cytokine-induced ERK phosphorylation. Further, NF-κB genomic iNos promoter binding was reduced by 50%, and NF-κB-dependent mRNA expression was blocked. These effects were associated with NF-κB subunit p65 hyperacetylation. Taken together, these data provide a rationale for clinical trials of safety and efficacy of KDACi in patients with autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes. ispartof: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol:111 issue:3 pages:1055-9 ispartof: location:United States status: published

We previously reported the discovery of BRD0476 (1), a small molecule generated by diversity-oriented synthesis that suppresses cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of 1 and analogs with improved aqueous solubility. By replacing naphthyl with quinoline moieties, we prepared active analogs with up to a 1400-fold increase in solubility from 1. In addition, we demonstrated that compound 1 and analogs inhibit STAT1 signal transduction induced by IFN-γ.

With the worldwide increase in diabetes prevalence there is a pressing unmet need for novel antidiabetic therapies. Insufficient insulin production due to impaired β-cell function and apoptotic reduction of β-cell mass is a common denominator in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Current treatments are directed at improving insulin sensitivity, and stimulating insulin secretion or replacing the hormone, but do not target progressive apoptotic β-cell loss. Here we review the current development of small-molecule inhibitors designed to rescue β-cells from apoptosis. Several distinct classes of small molecules have been identified that protect β-cells from inflammatory, oxidative and/or metabolically induced apoptosis. Although none of these have yet reached the clinic, β-cell protective small molecules alone or in combination with current therapies provide exciting opportunities for the development of novel treatments for diabetes.

Aims: Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, in particular IL-1β, IFNγ, and CXCL10, contribute to β-cell failure and loss in DM via IL-1R, IFNγR, and TLR4 signaling. IL-1 signaling deficiency reduces diabetes incidence, islet IL-1β secretion, and hyperglycemia in animal models of diabetes. Further, IL-1R antagonism improves normoglycemia and β-cell function in type 2 diabetic patients. Inhibition of lysine deacetylases (KDACi) counteracts β-cell toxicity induced by the combination of IL-1 and IFNγ and reduces diabetes incidence in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. We hypothesized that KDACi breaks an autoinflammatory circuit by differentially preventing β-cell expression of the β-cell toxic inflammatory molecules IL-1β and CXCL10 induced by single cytokines. Results: CXCL10 did not induce transcription of IL-1β mRNA. IL-1β induced β-cell IL-1β mRNA and both IL-1β and IFNγ individually induced Cxcl10 mRNA transcription. Givinostat inhibited IL-1β-induced IL-1β mRNA expression in INS-1 and rat islets and IL-1β processing in INS-1 cells. Givinostat also reduced IFNγ induced Cxcl10 transcription in INS-1 cells but not in rat islets, while IL-1β induced Cxcl10 transcription was unaffected in both. Materials and Methods: INS-1 cells and rat islets of Langerhans were exposed to IL-1β, IFNγ or CXCL10 in the presence or absence of KDACi (givinostat). Cytokine and chemokine mRNA expressions were quantified by real-time qPCR, and IL-1β processing by western blotting of cell lysates. Conclusion/Interpretation: Inhibition of β-cell IL-1β expression and processing and Cxcl10 transcription contributes to the β-cell protective actions of KDACi. In vitro β-cell destructive effects of CXCL10 are not mediated via IL-1β transcription. The differential proinflammatory actions of KDACs may be attractive novel drug targets in DM.

Item does not contain fulltext AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are promising pharmacological targets in cancer and autoimmune diseases. All 11 classical HDACs (HDAC1-11) are found in the pancreatic beta cell, and HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) protect beta cells from inflammatory insults. We investigated which HDACs mediate inflammatory beta cell damage and how the islet content of these HDACs is regulated in recent-onset type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The rat beta cell line INS-1 and dispersed primary islets from rats, either wild type or HDAC1-3 deficient, were exposed to cytokines and HDACi. Molecular mechanisms were investigated using real-time PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation and ELISA assays. Pancreases from healthy children and children with type 1 diabetes were assessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Screening of 19 compounds with different HDAC selectivity revealed that inhibitors of HDAC1, -2 and -3 rescued INS-1 cells from inflammatory damage. Small hairpin RNAs against HDAC1 and -3, but not HDAC2, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced beta cell apoptosis in INS-1 and primary rat islets. The protective properties of specific HDAC knock-down correlated with attenuated cytokine-induced iNos expression but not with altered expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators Il1alpha, Il1beta, Tnfalpha or Cxcl2. HDAC3 knock-down reduced nuclear factor kappaB binding to the iNos promoter and HDAC1 knock-down restored insulin secretion. In pancreatic sections from children with type 1 diabetes of recent onset, HDAC1 was upregulated in beta cells whereas HDAC2 and -3 were downregulated in comparison with five paediatric controls. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These data demonstrate non-redundant functions of islet class I HDACs and suggest that targeting HDAC1 and HDAC3 would provide optimal protection of beta cell mass and function in clinical islet transplantation and recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients.

Cytokine-induced beta cell toxicity is abrogated by non-selective inhibitors of lysine deacetylases (KDACs). The KDAC family consists of 11 members, namely histone deacetylases HDAC1 to HDAC11, but it is not known which KDAC members play a role in cytokine-mediated beta cell death. The aim of the present study was to examine the KDAC gene expression profile of the beta cell and to investigate whether KDAC expression is regulated by cytokines. In addition, the protective effect of the non-selective KDAC inhibitor ITF2357 and interdependent regulation of four selected KDACs were investigated.The beta cell line INS-1 and intact rat and human islets were exposed to cytokines with or without ITF2357. Expression of mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR and selected targets validated at the protein level by immunoblotting. Effects on cytokine-induced toxicity were investigated by in vitro assays.Hdac1 to Hdac11 were expressed and differentially regulated by cytokines in INS-1 cells and rat islets. HDAC1, -2, -6 and -11 were found to be expressed and regulated by cytokines in human islets. ITF2357 protected against cytokine-induced beta cell apoptosis and counteracted cytokine-induced attenuation of basal insulin secretion. In addition, cytokine-induced regulation of Hdac2 and Hdac6, but not Hdac1 and Hdac11, was reduced by KDAC inhibition.All classical KDAC genes are expressed by beta cells and differentially regulated by cytokines. Based on the relative expression levels and degree of regulation by cytokines, we propose that HDAC1, -2, -6 and -11 are of particular importance for beta cell function. These observations may help in the design of specific KDAC inhibitors to prevent beta cell destruction in situ and in islet grafts.

Background The pathogenesis of colorectal neoplasia is still unresolved but has been associated with alterations in epithelial clearance of xenobiotics and metabolic waste products. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize the transport of cyclic nucleotides in colonic biopsies from patients with and without colorectal neoplasia. Methods Cyclic nucleotides were used as model substrates shared by some OATP- and ABC-transporters, which in part are responsible for clearance of metabolites and xenobiotics from the colonic epithelium. On colonic biopsies from patients with and without colorectal neoplasia, molecular transport was electrophysiologically registered in Ussing-chamber set-ups, mRNA level of selected transporters was quantified by rt-PCR, and subcellular location of transporters was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results Of four cyclic nucleotides, dibuturyl-cAMP induced the largest short circuit current in both patient groups. The induced short circuit current was significantly lower in neoplasia-patients (p = 0.024). The observed altered transport of dibuturyl-cAMP in neoplasia-patients could not be directly translated to an observed increased mRNA expression of OATP4A1 and OATP2B1 in neoplasia patients. All other examined transporters were expressed to similar extents in both patient groups. Conclusions OATP1C1, OATP4A1, OATP4C1 seem to be involved in the excretory system of human colon. ABCC4 is likely to be involved from an endoplasmic-Golgi complex and basolateral location in goblet cells. ABCC5 might be directly involved in the turnover of intracellular cAMP at the basolateral membrane of columnar epithelial cells, while OATP2B1 is indirectly related to the excretory system. Colorectal neoplasia is associated with lower transport or sensitivity to cyclic nucleotides and increased expression of OATP2B1 and OATP4A1 transporters, known to transport PGE2.