bims-imicid Biomed News
on Immunometabolism of infection, cancer and immune-mediated disease
Issue of 2022–02–06
28 papers selected by
Dylan Ryan, University of Cambridge



  1. J Exp Med. 2022 Mar 07. pii: e20210042. [Epub ahead of print]219(3):
      Obesity is one of the leading preventable causes of cancer; however, little is known about the effects of obesity on anti-tumor immunity. Here, we investigated the effects of obesity on CD8 T cells in mouse models and patients with endometrial cancer. Our findings revealed that CD8 T cell infiltration is suppressed in obesity, which was associated with a decrease in chemokine production. Tumor-resident CD8 T cells were also functionally suppressed in obese mice, which was associated with a suppression of amino acid metabolism. Similarly, we found that a high BMI negatively correlated with CD8 infiltration in human endometrial cancer and that weight loss was associated with a complete pathological response in six of nine patients. Moreover, immunotherapy using anti-PD-1 led to tumor rejection in lean and obese mice and partially restored CD8 metabolism and anti-tumor immunity. These findings highlight the suppressive effects of obesity on CD8 T cell anti-tumor immunity, which can partially be reversed by weight loss and/or immunotherapy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20210042
  2. Cell Death Discov. 2022 Feb 02. 8(1): 43
      Itaconate, a metabolite produced during inflammatory macrophage activation, has been extensively described to be involved in immunoregulation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. As a form of iron and lipid hydroperoxide-dependent regulated cell death, ferroptosis plays a critical role in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). However, the relationship between itaconate and ferroptosis remains unclear. This study aims to explore the regulatory role of itaconate on ferroptosis in sepsis-induced ALI. In in vivo experiments, mice were injected with LPS (10 mg/kg) for 12 h to generate experimental sepsis models. Differential gene expression analysis indicated that genes associated with ferroptosis existed significant differences after itaconate pretreatment. 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a cell-permeable derivative of endogenous itaconate, can significantly alleviate lung injury, increase LPS-induced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and reduce prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), malonaldehyde (MDA), and lipid ROS. In vitro experiments showed that both 4-OI and ferrostatin-1 inhibited LPS-induced lipid peroxidation and injury of THP-1 macrophage. Mechanistically, we identified that 4-OI inhibited the GPX4-dependent lipid peroxidation through increased accumulation and activation of Nrf2. The silence of Nrf2 abolished the inhibition of ferroptosis from 4-OI in THP-1 cells. Additionally, the protection of 4-OI for ALI was abolished in Nrf2-knockout mice. We concluded that ferroptosis was one of the critical mechanisms contributing to sepsis-induced ALI. Itaconate is promising as a therapeutic candidate against ALI through inhibiting ferroptosis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-021-00807-3
  3. J Clin Invest. 2022 Feb 01. pii: e152509. [Epub ahead of print]132(3):
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) causes an enormous burden of disease worldwide. As a central aspect of its pathogenesis, M. tuberculosis grows in macrophages, and host and microbe influence each other's metabolism. To define the metabolic impact of M. tuberculosis infection, we performed global metabolic profiling of M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. M. tuberculosis induced metabolic hallmarks of inflammatory macrophages and a prominent signature of cholesterol metabolism. We found that infected macrophages accumulate cholestenone, a mycobacterial-derived, oxidized derivative of cholesterol. We demonstrated that the accumulation of cholestenone in infected macrophages depended on the M. tuberculosis enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-Hsd) and correlated with pathogen burden. Because cholestenone is not a substantial human metabolite, we hypothesized it might be diagnostic of M. tuberculosis infection in clinical samples. Indeed, in 2 geographically distinct cohorts, sputum cholestenone levels distinguished subjects with tuberculosis (TB) from TB-negative controls who presented with TB-like symptoms. We also found country-specific detection of cholestenone in plasma samples from M. tuberculosis-infected subjects. While cholestenone was previously thought to be an intermediate required for cholesterol degradation by M. tuberculosis, we found that M. tuberculosis can utilize cholesterol for growth without making cholestenone. Thus, the accumulation of cholestenone in clinical samples suggests it has an alternative role in pathogenesis and could be a clinically useful biomarker of TB infection.
    Keywords:  Cholesterol; Infectious disease; Macrophages; Microbiology; Tuberculosis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI152509
  4. Nat Immunol. 2022 Feb;23(2): 287-302
      The volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) is formed by LRRC8 proteins and is responsible for the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) after hypotonic cell swelling. Besides chloride, VRAC transports other molecules, for example, immunomodulatory cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) including 2'3'cGAMP. Here, we identify LRRC8C as a critical component of VRAC in T cells, where its deletion abolishes VRAC currents and RVD. T cells of Lrrc8c-/- mice have increased cell cycle progression, proliferation, survival, Ca2+ influx and cytokine production-a phenotype associated with downmodulation of p53 signaling. Mechanistically, LRRC8C mediates the transport of 2'3'cGAMP in T cells, resulting in STING and p53 activation. Inhibition of STING recapitulates the phenotype of LRRC8C-deficient T cells, whereas overexpression of p53 inhibits their enhanced T cell function. Lrrc8c-/- mice have exacerbated T cell-dependent immune responses, including immunity to influenza A virus infection and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our results identify cGAMP uptake through LRRC8C and STING-p53 signaling as a new inhibitory signaling pathway in T cells and adaptive immunity.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-021-01105-x
  5. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 04. 12(1): 1943
      T helper (Th) cells provide immunity to pathogens but also contribute to detrimental immune responses during allergy and autoimmunity. Th2 cells mediate asthmatic airway inflammation and Th1 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. T cell activation involves complex transcriptional networks and metabolic reprogramming, which enable proliferation and differentiation into Th1 and Th2 cells. The essential trace element zinc has reported immunomodulatory capacity and high zinc concentrations interfere with T cell function. However, how high doses of zinc affect T cell gene networks and metabolism remained so far elusive. Herein, we demonstrate by means of transcriptomic analysis that zinc aspartate (UNIZINK), a registered pharmaceutical infusion solution with high bioavailability, negatively regulates gene networks controlling DNA replication and the energy metabolism of murine CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells. Specifically, in the presence of zinc, CD4+ T cells show impaired expression of cell cycle, glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle genes, which functionally cumulates in reduced glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, metabolic fitness and viability. Moreover, high zinc concentrations impaired nuclear expression of the metabolic transcription factor MYC, prevented Th1 and Th2 differentiation in vitro and reduced Th1 autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and Th2 asthmatic airway inflammation induced by house dust mites in vivo. Together, we find that higher zinc doses impair the metabolic fitness of CD4+ T cells and prevent Th1 CNS autoimmunity and Th2 allergy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-04827-6
  6. Cell Mol Immunol. 2022 Feb 04.
      Technical advances at the interface of biology and computation, such as single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), reveal new layers of complexity in cellular systems. An emerging area of investigation using the systems biology approach is the study of the metabolism of immune cells. The diverse spectra of immune cell phenotypes, sparsity of immune cell numbers in vivo, limitations in the number of metabolites identified, dynamic nature of cellular metabolism and metabolic fluxes, tissue specificity, and high dependence on the local milieu make investigations in immunometabolism challenging, especially at the single-cell level. In this review, we define the systemic nature of immunometabolism, summarize cell- and system-based approaches, and introduce mathematical modeling approaches for systems interrogation of metabolic changes in immune cells. We close the review by discussing the applications and shortcomings of, and challenges faced by metabolic modeling techniques. With systems-oriented studies of metabolism expected to become a mainstay of immunological research, an understanding of current approaches toward systems immunometabolism will help investigators make the best use of current resources and push the boundaries of the discipline.
    Keywords:  GSMM; Immunometabolism; Metabolic modeling; Metabolic techniques; Systems biology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-021-00783-9
  7. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2021 Dec 01. 32(4): 64-72
      The abnormal accumulation of visceral adipose tissue in obesity is associated with metabolic changes that include altered glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity also coincides with increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. Accumulating evidence suggest that prolonged metabolic overload related to overnutrition, influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, might affect immunologic self-tolerance through changes in the energy metabolism of immune cells, particularly regulatory T (Treg) cells. A strong activation of nutrient-energy signaling pathways blocks the induction of the transcription factor forkhead P3 (FOXP3), a master regulator of Treg cells, consequently inhibiting their generation and proliferation, thereby promoting proinflammatory response. Expanding our knowledge on the topic, particularly on metabolic T cell flexibility in vivo will provide new insights that can be used to develop therapeutic strategies for various inflammatory diseases, including obesity and autoimmune diseases. Targeting specific metabolic pathways is emerging as an important approach to control immune response and maintain immunological homeostasis.
    Keywords:  autoimmunity; cytokines; immunometabolism; lymphocyte metabolism; obesity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1684/ecn.2021.0474
  8. Mol Med. 2022 Jan 29. 28(1): 10
       BACKGROUND: Biofilm is a community of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix, which can colonize different human cells and tissues and subvert the host immune reactions by preventing immune detection and polarizing the immune reactions towards an anti-inflammatory state, promoting the persistence of biofilm-embedded bacteria in the host.
    MAIN BODY OF THE MANUSCRIPT: It is now well established that the function of immune cells is ultimately mediated by cellular metabolism. The immune cells are stimulated to regulate their immune functions upon sensing danger signals. Recent studies have determined that immune cells often display distinct metabolic alterations that impair their immune responses when triggered. Such metabolic reprogramming and its physiological implications are well established in cancer situations. In bacterial infections, immuno-metabolic evaluations have primarily focused on macrophages and neutrophils in the planktonic growth mode.
    CONCLUSION: Based on differences in inflammatory reactions of macrophages and neutrophils in planktonic- versus biofilm-associated bacterial infections, studies must also consider the metabolic functions of immune cells against biofilm infections. The profound characterization of the metabolic and immune cell reactions could offer exciting novel targets for antibiofilm therapy.
    Keywords:  Biofilm; Biofilm infection; Cancer; Immune polarization; Immunometabolism; Metabolism
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s10020-022-00435-2
  9. Endocrine. 2022 Feb 02.
       PURPOSE: Innate immune components participate in obesity-induced inflammation, which can contribute to endocrine dysfunction during metabolic diseases. However, the chronological activation of specific immune proteins such as Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and relevance to cellular crosstalk during the progression of obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR) is not known.
    METHODS: The NOD1 signaling in various insulin-sensitive metabolic tissues during the progression of diet-insulin resistance was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed with 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Intestinal permeability was measured using FITC-dextran. NOD1 activating potential was analyzed using HEK-Blue mNOD1 cells.
    RESULTS: HFD-fed mice showed progressive induction of glucose intolerance and impairment of insulin signaling in key metabolic tissues. We found a time-dependent increase in intestinal permeability coupled with transport and accumulation of NOD1 activating ligand in the serum of HFD-fed mice. We also observed a progressive accumulation of γ-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP), a microbial peptidoglycan ligand known to activate NOD1, in serum samples of the HFD-fed mice. There was also a progressive increase in transcripts levels of NOD1 in bone marrow-derived macrophages during HFD-feeding. In addition, skeletal muscle, adipose and liver, the key insulin sensitive metabolic tissues also had a time-dependent increase in transcripts of NOD1 and Rip2 and a corresponding activation of pro-inflammatory responses in these tissues.
    CONCLUSION: These data highlight the correlation of inflammation and insulin resistance to NOD1 activation in the bone marrow derived macrophages and insulin responsive metabolic tissues during high fat diet feeding in mice.
    Keywords:  Glucose metabolism; Inflammation; Innate immunity; Insulin resistance; NOD
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-022-02995-z
  10. J Immunol. 2022 Feb 15. 208(4): 793-798
      Metabolomics analyses suggest changes in amino acid abundance, particularly l-arginine (L-ARG), occur in patients with tuberculosis. Immune cells require L-ARG to fuel effector functions following infection. We have previously described an L-ARG synthesis pathway in immune cells; however, its role in APCs has yet to be uncovered. Using a coculture system with mycobacterial-specific CD4+ T cells, we show APC L-ARG synthesis supported T cell viability and proliferation, and activated T cells contained APC-derived L-ARG. We hypothesize that APCs supply L-ARG to support T cell activation under nutrient-limiting conditions. This work expands the current model of APC-T cell interactions and provides insight into the effects of nutrient availability in immune cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.2100652
  11. Neurochem Int. 2022 Feb 01. pii: S0197-0186(22)00021-3. [Epub ahead of print] 105296
      The metabolite itaconate has both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, its influence on chronic pain is unclear. Here, we demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of the itaconate derivative dimethyl itaconate (DI) alleviates chronic pain symptoms, such as allodynia and hyperalgesia, in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and inflammatory pain models. Moreover, intraperitoneal DI reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-alpha) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord and hind paw tissues, suppressed the activation of macrophages in DRG and glial cells in the spinal dorsal horn and decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the DRG and spinal cord. DI boosted nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels in the DRG and spinal cord of SNL mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 abolished the analgesic effect of DI and decreased the expression of Nrf2 in the DRG and spinal cord. Similarly, administration of DI potently reversed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory effect in microglia. Reduction of endogenous itaconate levels by pretreatment with immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) siRNA blocked Nrf2 expression, which impaired the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of DI in vitro. Therefore, our findings reveal for the first time that intraperitoneal DI elicits anti-inflammatory effect and sustained chronic pain relief, which may be regarded as a promising therapeutic agent for chronic pain treatment.
    Keywords:  Dimethyl itaconate; Inflammatory pain; Neuroinflammation; Neuropathic pain; Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105296
  12. Nat Cancer. 2021 Jul;2(7): 723-740
      The dynamics and phenotypes of intratumoral myeloid cells during tumor progression are poorly understood. Here we define myeloid cellular states in gliomas by longitudinal single-cell profiling and demonstrate their strict control by the tumor genotype: in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant tumors, differentiation of infiltrating myeloid cells is blocked, resulting in an immature phenotype. In late-stage gliomas, monocyte-derived macrophages drive tolerogenic alignment of the microenvironment, thus preventing T cell response. We define the IDH-dependent tumor education of infiltrating macrophages to be causally related to a complex re-orchestration of tryptophan metabolism, resulting in activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. We further show that the altered metabolism of IDH-mutant gliomas maintains this axis in bystander cells and that pharmacological inhibition of tryptophan metabolism can reverse immunosuppression. In conclusion, we provide evidence of a glioma genotype-dependent intratumoral network of resident and recruited myeloid cells and identify tryptophan metabolism as a target for immunotherapy of IDH-mutant tumors.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-021-00201-z
  13. Front Microbiol. 2021 ;12 752512
      Whether berberine mediates its anti-inflammatory and blood sugar and lipid-lowering effects solely by adjusting the structure of the gut microbiota or by first directly regulating the expression of host pro-inflammatory proteins and activation of macrophages and subsequently acting on gut microbiota, is currently unclear. To clarify the mechanism of berberine-mediated regulation of metabolism, we constructed an obese mouse model using SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice and conducted a systematic study of liver tissue pathology, inflammatory factor expression, and gut microbiota structure. We screened the gut microbiota targets of berberine and showed that the molecular mechanism of berberine-mediated treatment of metabolic syndrome involves the regulation of gut microbiota structure and the expression of inflammatory factors. Our results revealed that a high-fat diet (HFD) significantly changed mice gut microbiota, thereby probably increasing the level of toxins in the intestine, and triggered the host inflammatory response. The HFD also reduced the proportion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing genes, thereby hindering mucosal immunity and cell nutrition, and increased the host inflammatory response and liver fat metabolism disorders. Further, berberine could improve the chronic HFD-induced inflammatory metabolic syndrome to some extent and effectively improved the metabolism of high-fat foods in mice, which correlated with the gut microbiota composition. Taken together, our study may improve our understanding of host-microbe interactions during the treatment of metabolic diseases and provide useful insights into the action mechanism of berberine.
    Keywords:  berberine; gut microbiota; high-fat diet; metabolic syndrome; obesity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.752512
  14. Front Immunol. 2021 ;12 742736
      People living with HIV (PLWH) require life-long anti-retroviral treatment and often present with comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Systematic lipidomic characterization and its association with the metabolism are currently missing. We included 100 PLWH with MetS and 100 without MetS from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) cohort to examine whether and how lipidome profiles are associated with MetS in PLWH. We combined several standard biostatistical, machine learning, and network analysis techniques to investigate the lipidome systematically and comprehensively and its association with clinical parameters. Additionally, we generated weighted lipid-metabolite networks to understand the relationship between lipidomic profiles with those metabolites associated with MetS in PLWH. The lipidomic dataset consisted of 917 lipid species including 602 glycerolipids, 228 glycerophospholipids, 61 sphingolipids, and 26 steroids. With a consensus approach using four different statistical and machine learning methods, we observed 13 differentially abundant lipids between PLWH without MetS and PLWH with MetS, which mainly belongs to diacylglyceride (DAG, n = 2) and triacylglyceride (TAG, n = 11). The comprehensive network integration of the lipidomics and metabolomics data suggested interactions between specific glycerolipids' structural composition patterns and key metabolites involved in glutamate metabolism. Further integration of the clinical data with metabolomics and lipidomics resulted in the association of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and exposure to earlier generations of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our integrative omics data indicated disruption of glutamate and fatty acid metabolism, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of PLWH with MetS. Alterations in the lipid homeostasis and glutaminolysis need clinical interventions to prevent accelerated aging in PLWH with MetS.
    Keywords:  HIV-1; antiretroviral treatment; lipidomics; machine learning; metabolic syndrome
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.742736
  15. Cell Metab. 2022 Jan 31. pii: S1550-4131(22)00004-3. [Epub ahead of print]
      Fasting metabolism and immunity are tightly linked; however, it is largely unknown how immune cells contribute to metabolic homeostasis during fasting in healthy subjects. Here, we combined cell-type-resolved genomics and computational approaches to map crosstalk between hepatocytes and liver macrophages during fasting. We identified the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as a key driver of fasting-induced reprogramming of the macrophage secretome including fasting-suppressed cytokines and showed that lack of macrophage GR impaired induction of ketogenesis during fasting as well as endotoxemia. Mechanistically, macrophage GR suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and promoted nuclear translocation of hepatocyte GR to activate a fat oxidation/ketogenesis-related gene program, cooperatively induced by GR and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in hepatocytes. Together, our results demonstrate how resident liver macrophages directly influence ketogenesis in hepatocytes, thereby also outlining a strategy by which the immune system can set the metabolic tone during inflammatory disease and infection.
    Keywords:  fasting; genomics; glucocorticoid receptor; hepatocyte; ketogenesis; liver; macrophage; nuclear receptor; transcripional regulation; tumor necrosis factor
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2022.01.004
  16. Dis Model Mech. 2022 Feb 03. pii: dmm.048936. [Epub ahead of print]
      Obesity can lead to chronic inflammation in different tissues including the adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and brain. This inflammatory process generates insulin and leptin resistance, as well as alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to the development of degenerative diseases including type II diabetes. Additionally, the inhibition of inflammatory signaling can prevent the development of obesity and restore insulin sensitivity. Different studies have shown that an enriched environment (EE) has beneficial effects on learning and memory via enhancing central nervous system activity. Housing in an EE also regulates the differentiation and activation of immune cells and reduces inflammation in different disease models. Therefore, in the current study we explore whether an EE is capable of restoring energy balance in obese mice that previously presented metabolic alterations. We discovered that an EE improved glucose metabolism, increased insulin signaling in the liver, and reduced hepatic steatosis in mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Furthermore, the EE reduced the number of infiltrating macrophages and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the white adipose tissue (WAT), and increased the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, lipolysis, and browning in the WAT of HFD-fed mice. Finally, we found reduced inflammatory signaling and increased anorexigenic signaling in the hypothalamus of HFD-fed mice exposed to an EE. These data indicate that an EE is able to restore the metabolic imbalance caused from HFD feeding. Thus, we propose EE as a novel therapeutic approach to treat obesity-related metabolic alterations.
    Keywords:  Enriched environment; Inflammation; Metabolism; Obesity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.048936
  17. Int Immunopharmacol. 2022 Jan 29. pii: S1567-5769(22)00032-7. [Epub ahead of print]105 108548
      Macrophages exhibit significant phenotypic plasticity to switch their functional phenotypes during inflammation and recovery. Pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophages transform their morphology from round in M0 phenotype to flat and rapidly adhere to lesion sites to recognize series of molecular patterns: damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Macrophages could also reprogram their metabolism to influence their function. Torachrysone-8-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside (TG), a naphthalene glucoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, TG significantly inhibited the Tyr-phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a key regulator of morphological transformation, and downregulated FAK-mediated transcription of cytoskeleton genes. Thus, TG greatly restrained LPS-induced morphological transformation of macrophage cells into M1 type and reduced their adhesion. The inhibition of TG on FAK phosphorylation also blocked the binding between phosphor-FAK and pyruvate kinase (PK), which contributed to the inhibition of PK activity and limited the high glycolysis rate of M1 metabolic phenotype. Moreover, TG ameliorated defective function of the TCA cycle by markedly increasing of succinate dehydrogenase activity and upregulating the transcription of three rate-limiting enzymes of TCA cycle in M1-polarized macrophage cells. TG enhanced the expression of M2 polarization makers, blunting the sensitivity of RAW 264.7 cells to DAMPs/PAMPs, and inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, thus decreased the M1-associated the release of inflammatory factors. These results demonstrated that TG could be a potent anti-inflammatory agent that curbed both the morphological and metabolic phenotype changes of macrophages and warranted further investigations on anti-inflammation effects from angles of morphology, which were unfortunately mostly neglected.
    Keywords:  Anti-inflammation; Focal adhesion kinase; Metabolic reprogramming; Morphology; Torachrysone-8-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108548
  18. Front Immunol. 2021 ;12 833258
      
    Keywords:  CAT1 cationic amino acid transporter; L-trptophan; SLC3A2; SLC6A14 (ATB0+); SLC7A5; amino acid transporter
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.833258
  19. Front Microbiol. 2021 ;12 784745
      Highly pathogenic fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) is the causative agent of hydropericardium syndrome (HPS), which is characterized by pericardial effusion and hepatitis, and is one of the foremost causes of economic losses to the poultry industry over the last 30 years. However, the metabolic changes in cells in response to FAdV-4 infection remain unclear. In order to understand the metabolic interactions between the host cell and virus, we utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the metabolic profiles with hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (LMH) infected with FAdV-4. The results showed that FAdV-4 could restore metabolic networks in LMH cells and tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and metabolism of purines, pyrimidines, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar moieties. Moreover, FAdV-4 production was significantly reduced in LMH cells cultured in glucose or glutamine-deficient medium. These observations highlighted the importance of host cell metabolism in virus replication. Therefore, similarities and disparities in FAdV-4-regulation of the metabolism of host cells could help improve targeted drug and reduce infection.
    Keywords:  FAdV-4; LMH cells; UHPLC-QTOF-MS; glutamine metabolism; glycolysis; metabolomics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.784745
  20. J Immunol. 2022 Jan 31. pii: ji2100969. [Epub ahead of print]
      The development of long-lived immune memory cells against pathogens is critical for the success of vaccines to establish protection against future infections. However, the mechanisms governing the long-term survival of immune memory cells remain to be elucidated. In this article, we show that the maintenance mitochondrial homeostasis by autophagy is critical for restricting metabolic functions to protect IgG memory B cell survival. Knockout of mitochondrial autophagy genes, Nix and Bnip3, leads to mitochondrial accumulation and increases in oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid synthesis, resulting in the loss of IgG+ memory B cells in mice. Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis or silencing necroptosis gene Ripk3 rescued Nix-/-Bnip3-/- IgG memory B cells, indicating that mitochondrial autophagy is important for limiting metabolic functions to prevent cell death. Our results suggest a critical role for mitochondrial autophagy in the maintenance of immunological memory by protecting the metabolic quiescence and longevity of memory B cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.2100969
  21. Front Immunol. 2021 ;12 808799
      During an inflammatory process, shift in the cellular metabolism associated with an increase in extracellular acidification are well-known features. This pH drop in the inflamed tissue is largely attributed to the presence of lactate by an increase in glycolysis. In recent years, evidence has accumulated describing the role of lactate in inflammatory processes; however, there are differences as to whether lactate can currently be considered a pro- or anti-inflammatory mediator. Herein, we review these recent advances on the pleiotropic effects of lactate on the inflammatory process. Taken together, the evidence suggests that lactate could exert differential effects depending on the metabolic status, cell type in which the effects of lactate are studied, and the pathological process analyzed. Additionally, various targets, including post-translational modifications, G-protein coupled receptor and transcription factor activation such as NF-κB and HIF-1, allow lactate to modulate signaling pathways that control the expression of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and several enzymes associated with immune response and metabolism. Altogether, this would explain its varied effects on inflammatory processes beyond its well-known role as a waste product of metabolism.
    Keywords:  G-protein coupled receptors; immunometabolism; inflammation; lactate; monocarboxylate transport
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.808799
  22. Sci Adv. 2022 Feb 04. 8(5): eabl9770
      Initial T cell activation is triggered by the formation of highly dynamic, spatiotemporally restricted Ca2+ microdomains. Purinergic signaling is known to be involved in Ca2+ influx in T cells at later stages compared to the initial microdomain formation. Using a high-resolution Ca2+ live-cell imaging system, we show that the two purinergic cation channels P2X4 and P2X7 not only are involved in the global Ca2+ signals but also promote initial Ca2+ microdomains tens of milliseconds after T cell stimulation. These Ca2+ microdomains were significantly decreased in T cells from P2rx4-/- and P2rx7-/- mice or by pharmacological inhibition or blocking. Furthermore, we show a pannexin-1-dependent activation of P2X4 in the absence of T cell receptor/CD3 stimulation. Subsequently, upon T cell receptor/CD3 stimulation, ATP release is increased and autocrine activation of both P2X4 and P2X7 then amplifies initial Ca2+ microdomains already in the first second of T cell activation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abl9770
  23. Food Funct. 2022 Feb 03.
      Antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis) frequently cause clinical mastitis in dairy cows resulting in enormous economic losses. The regulation of immunometabolism is a promising strategy for controlling this bacterial infection. To investigate whether taurine alleviates S. uberis infection by the regulation of host glycolysis via HIF1α, the murine mammary epithelial cell line (EpH4-Ev) and C57BL/6J mice were challenged with S. uberis. Our data indicate that HIF1α-driven glycolysis promotes inflammation and damage in response to the S. uberis challenge. The activation of HIF1α is dependent on mTOR-mediated ROS production. These results were confirmed in vivo. Taurine, an intracellular metabolite present in most animal tissues, has been shown to effectively modulate HIF1α-triggered metabolic reprogramming and contributes to a reduction of inflammation, which reduces mammary tissue damage and prevents mammary gland dysfunction in S. uberis-induced mastitis. These data provide a novel putative prophylactic and therapeutic strategy for amelioration of dairy cow mastitis and bacterial inflammation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d1fo03909a
  24. Cell Death Discov. 2022 Feb 03. 8(1): 49
      In 2020, a group of experts officially suggested metabolic dysfunction associated with fatty liver disease "MAFLD" as a more appropriate overarching term than NAFLD, indicating the key role of metabolism in fatty liver disease. Bdh1, as the rate-limiting enzyme of ketone metabolism, acts as an important metabolic regulator in liver. However, the role of Bdh1 in MAFLD is unclear. In this study, we used the transgenic db/db mice as a MAFLD mouse model and observed the downregulated expression of Bdh1 in fatty liver. In addition, expression of Bdh1 was also reduced by palmitic acid (PA) treatment in LO2 cells. Bdh1 knockdown led to ROS overproduction and ROS-induced inflammation and apoptosis in LO2 cells, while Bdh1 overexpression protected LO2 cells from lipotoxicity by inhibiting ROS overproduction. Mechanistically, Bdh1-mediated βOHB metabolism inhibits ROS overproduction by activation of Nrf2 through enhancement of metabolic flux composed of βOHB-AcAc-succinate-fumarate. Notably, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Bdh1 overexpression successfully reversed the hepatic function indexes, fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis in fatty livers from db/db mice. In conclusion, our study revealed a Bdh1-mediated molecular mechanism in pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction related liver disease and identified Bdh1 as a novel potential therapeutic target for MAFLD.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-022-00840-w
  25. Front Pharmacol. 2021 ;12 816032
      Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a progressive metabolic disease that is emerging as a global epidemic. Considering that the complex pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, barely specific pharmacological therapy is recommended in current guidelines. Gentiana scabra (GS) is a commonly used herb in Tibetan medicine, which has received much attention in recent years due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-fibrosis. However, the therapeutic mechanisms are still unclear. Our investigation demonstrated a regulatory effect of GS on pro-inflammatory macrophages, which was extensively investigated in NAFLD that revealed intimate participation in the disease evolution, and the non-canonical IKK family member TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) was involved in this process. Plasmid vectors for shTBK1 and amlexanox (AML), an inhibitor of TBK1, were used in this study to verify the mechanisms of TBK1 both in vitro and in vivo, while a co-culture system for hepatocytes and BMDMs was constructed to confirm the critical role of macrophages for inflammatory cascade. The results revealed that metabolic burden up-regulated the phosphorylation of TBK1, resulting in activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, and consequently caused an elevated expression of MCP1 to induce the macrophage recruitment and accelerate the inflammatory cascade. In contrast, GS could inhibit the TBK1 phosphorylation and the MCP1 expression to restrain the recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages, so as to provide curative effects on metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Considering that GS is non-toxic and can be used as a kind of tea for long-term drinking, we propose it may be an effective option for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD, which deserves further exploration and application, and may provide new insights to improve the current standardized intervention strategy.
    Keywords:  Gentiana scabra; anti-inflammation; experimental evaluation; macrophages; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.816032
  26. Cell Rep Med. 2022 Jan 18. 3(1): 100498
      Obesity is a multi-systemic disorder of energy balance. Despite intense investigation, the determinants of energy homeostasis remain incompletely understood, and efficacious treatments against obesity and its complications are lacking. Here, we demonstrate that conferred arginine iminohydrolysis by the bacterial virulence factor and arginine deiminase, arcA, promotes mammalian energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity and reverses dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation in obese mice. Extending this, pharmacological arginine catabolism via pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20) recapitulates these metabolic effects in dietary and genetically obese models. These effects require hepatic and whole-body expression of the autophagy complex protein BECN1 and hepatocyte-specific FGF21 secretion. Single-cell ATAC sequencing further reveals BECN1-dependent hepatocyte chromatin accessibility changes in response to ADI-PEG 20. The data thus reveal an unexpected therapeutic utility for arginine catabolism in modulating energy metabolism by activating systemic autophagy, which is now exploitable through readily available pharmacotherapy.
    Keywords:  ADI-PEG 20; Beclin-1; FGF21; GLUT; arcA; arginase; arginine; arginine deiminase; autophagy; caloric restriction; diabetes; energy metabolism; fasting; glucose transport; insulin resistance; liver; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; obesity; thermogenesis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100498