The Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase Vkorc1l1 Promotes Preadipocyte Differentiation in Mice

Pantothenic Acid Alleviates Fat Deposition and Inflammation by Suppressing the JNK/P38 MAPK Signaling Pathway

Excessive fat deposition leads to obesity and cardiovascular diseases with abnormal metabolism. Pantothenic acid (PA) is a major B vitamin required for energy metabolism. However, the effect of PA on lipid metabolism and obesity has not been explored. We investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of PA on fat accumulation as well as the influence of adipogenic marker genes in both adult male mice and primary adipocytes. First, we demonstrated that PA attenuates weight gain in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD). Besides, PA supplementation substantially improved glucose tolerance and lipid metabolic disorder in obese mice. Furthermore, PA significantly inhibited white adipose tissue (WAT) deposition as well as fat droplets visualized by magnification in both chow and HFD group. More importantly, PA obviously suppressed the mRNA levels of CD36, IL-6, and TNF-α to alleviate inflammation and reduced the levels of PPARγ, aP2, and C/EBPα genes that are related to lipid metabolism in inguinal white adipose tissue (ing-WAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (ei-WAT). In vitro, PA supplementation showed a lower lipid droplet aggregation as well as reduced expression levels of adipogentic genes. Finally, we identified that PA inhibits the phosphorylation levels of p38 and JNK in murine primary adipocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrated for the first time that PA attenuates lipid metabolic disorder as well as fat deposition by JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Sodium dehydroacetate-induced disorder of coagulation function in broiler chickens and the protective effect afforded by vitamin K

Sodium dehydroacetate (S-DHA) is used widely as a preservative in several products, including poultry feed. The anticoagulation effect of 200 mg/kg S-DHA in rats has been reported to accompany a reduction in hepatic expression of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1). Poultry and mammals have different physiology and coagulation systems, and species differences in VKORC1 expression have been found. The effect of S-DHA on blood clotting of poultry has not been studies deeply. S-DHA was given to yellow-plumage broilers (YBs) as single and multiple administrations. Vitamin K3 (VK₃) was injected into YBs 2 wk after S-DHA administration. Then, the prothrombin time (PT), partial activated prothrombin time (APTT), plasma levels of vitamin K (VK), factor IX (FIX), and S-DHA, and hepatic expression of VKORC1 were obtained. Chicken hepatocellular carcinoma (LMH) cells were also exposed to S-DHA, and the cell activity, VK level, and FIX level were measured. S-DHA prolonged the PT or APTT significantly, decreased levels of VK and FIX in blood, and inhibited hepatic expression of VKORC1. The maximum changes were 1.15-fold in the PT, 1.42-fold in the APTT, 0.8-fold in the VK level, 0.7-fold in the FIX level, and 0.35-fold in VKORC1 expression compared with controls. The cell activity, VK level, FIX level, and VKORC1/VKORC1L1 expression of LMH cells were reduced significantly at S-DHA doses of 2.0 to 10.0 mM. Prolongation of the PT/APTT and lower levels of VK/FIX in YBs or the lower cell activity and VK/FIX levels in LMH cells induced by S-DHA therapy were resisted significantly by VK₃ treatment. We demonstrated that S-DHA could induce a disorder in coagulation function in YBs or in LMH cells via reduction of VKORC1/VKORC1L1 expression, and that VK could resist this anticoagulation effect.

Targeting hypoxia downstream signaling protein, CAIX, for CAR T-cell therapy against glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma survival remains unchanged despite continuing therapeutic innovation. Herein, we aim to (i) develop chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with a specificity to a unique antigen, carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which is expressed in the hypoxic microenvironment characteristic of glioblastoma, and (ii) demonstrate its efficacy with limited off-target effects.

METHODS

First we demonstrated expression of CAIX in patient-derived glioblastoma samples and available databases. CAR T cells were generated against CAIX and efficacy was assessed in 4 glioblastoma cell lines and 2 glioblastoma stem cell lines. Cytotoxicity of anti-CAIX CAR T cells was assessed via interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-2 levels when co-cultured with tumor cells. Finally, we assessed efficacy of direct intratumoral injection of the anti-CAIX CAR T cells on an in vivo xenograft mouse model using the U251 luciferase cell line. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We confirm that CAIX is highly expressed in glioblastoma from patients. We demonstrate that CAIX is a suitable target for CAR T-cell therapy using anti-CAIX CAR T cells against glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo. In our mouse model, a 20% cure rate was observed without detectable systemic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

By establishing the specificity of CAIX under hypoxic conditions in glioblastoma and highlighting its efficacy as a target for CAR T-cell therapy, our data suggest that anti-CAIX CAR T may be a promising strategy to treat glioblastoma. Direct intratumoral injection increases anti-CAIX CAR T-cell potency while limiting its off-target effects.

Endocrine roles of vitamin K-dependent- osteocalcin in the relation between bone metabolism and metabolic disorders

Obesity and diabetes are important metabolic diseases and a major public health problem among the world, they have serious health and economic complications. Overweight and obesity are increased risk for deficiency of vitamin particularly shortage of fat soluble-vitamins. Studies reported that vitamin K supplementation reduces oxidative stress and metabolic risk biomarkers for diabetes, as well as reduces progression of insulin resistance. Vitamin K-dependent-protein osteocalcin (bone derived hormone) plays crucial roles in energy metabolism. There is a clear association between circulating vitamin k and dependent-osteocalcin concentrations with obesity and risk of Type 2 diabetes. Osteocalcin through molecular mechanisms improves insulin resistance, lipid and glucose profile, and mediate vitamin K positive effects. Insulin also signals osteocalcin to regulate bone mineralization. Normal carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins/ hormones is a key step in preventing apoptosis and calcification of vascular endothelial cells. A missing relationship between bone, glucose and fat metabolism could clarify and manage many metabolic mechanisms. This review focuses on the physiological relationship between vitamin K-dependent-osteocalcin, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases through some molecular proteins and hormones including adipokines. A better understanding of the mechanism of action of osteocalcin modulated by vitamin K could help in implementing therapeutic drugs to cure metabolic diseases.

Inhibition of PP2A with LB-100 Enhances Efficacy of CAR-T Cell Therapy Against Glioblastoma

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells represent a promising modality for treating glioblastoma. Recently, we demonstrated that CAR-T cells targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), a protein involved in HIF-1a hypoxic signaling, is a promising CAR-T cell target in an intracranial murine glioblastoma model. Anti-CAIX CAR-T cell therapy is limited by its suboptimal activation within the tumor microenvironment. LB-100, a small molecular inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), has been shown to enhance T cell anti-tumor activity through activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Herein, we investigated if a treatment strategy consisting of a combination of LB-100 and anti-CAIX CAR-T cell therapy produced a synergistic anti-tumor effect. Our studies demonstrate that LB-100 enhanced anti-CAIX CAR-T cell treatment efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrate the role of LB-100 in augmenting the cytotoxic activity of anti-CAIX CAR-T cells and underscore the synergistic therapeutic potential of applying combination LB-100 and CAR-T Cell therapy to other solid tumors.

Vitamin K: Double Bonds beyond Coagulation Insights into Differences between Vitamin K1 and K2 in Health and Disease

Vitamin K is an essential bioactive compound required for optimal body function. Vitamin K can be present in various isoforms, distinguishable by two main structures, namely, phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinones (K2). The difference in structure between K1 and K2 is seen in different absorption rates, tissue distribution, and bioavailability. Although differing in structure, both act as cofactor for the enzyme gamma-glutamylcarboxylase, encompassing both hepatic and extrahepatic activity. Only carboxylated proteins are active and promote a health profile like hemostasis. Furthermore, vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 has been shown to be a bioactive compound in regulating osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer and inflammatory diseases without risk of negative side effects or overdosing. This review is the first to highlight differences between isoforms vitamin K1 and K2 by means of source, function, and extrahepatic activity.