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Ahmed TA, Ahmed SM, Elkhenany H, El-Desouky MA, Magdeldin S, Osama A, Anwar AM, Mohamed IK, Abdelgawad ME, Hanna DH, El-Badri N. The cross talk between type II diabetic microenvironment and the regenerative capacities of human adipose tissue-derived pericytes: a promising cell therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:36. [PMID: 38331889 PMCID: PMC10854071 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03643-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pericytes (PCs) are multipotent contractile cells that wrap around the endothelial cells (ECs) to maintain the blood vessel's functionality and integrity. The hyperglycemia associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was shown to impair the function of PCs and increase the risk of diabetes complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the deleterious effect of the diabetic microenvironment on the regenerative capacities of human PCs. METHODS PCs isolated from human adipose tissue were cultured in the presence or absence of serum collected from diabetic patients. The functionality of PCs was analyzed after 6, 14, and 30 days. RESULTS Microscopic examination of PCs cultured in DS (DS-PCs) showed increased aggregate formation and altered surface topography with hyperbolic invaginations. Compared to PCs cultured in normal serum (NS-PCs), DS-PCs showed more fragmented mitochondria and thicker nuclear membrane. DS caused impaired angiogenic differentiation of PCs as confirmed by tube formation, decreased VEGF-A and IGF-1 gene expression, upregulated TSP1, PF4, actin-related protein 2/3 complex, and downregulated COL21A1 protein expression. These cells suffered more pronounced apoptosis and showed higher expression of Clic4, apoptosis facilitator BCl-2-like protein, serine/threonine protein phosphatase, and caspase-7 proteins. DS-PCs showed dysregulated DNA repair genes CDKN1A, SIRT1, XRCC5 TERF2, and upregulation of the pro-inflammatory genes ICAM1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Further, DS-treated cells also showed disruption in the expression of the focal adhesion and binding proteins TSP1, TGF-β, fibronectin, and PCDH7. Interestingly, DS-PCs showed resistance mechanisms upon exposure to diabetic microenvironment by maintaining the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and upregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) organizing proteins as vinculin, IQGAP1, and tubulin beta chain. CONCLUSION These data showed that the diabetic microenvironment exert a deleterious effect on the regenerative capacities of human adipose tissue-derived PCs, and may thus have possible implications on the vascular complications of T2DM. Nevertheless, PCs have shown remarkable protective mechanisms when initially exposed to DS and thus they could provide a promising cellular therapy for T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toka A Ahmed
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara M Ahmed
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt
| | - Hoda Elkhenany
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 22785, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Desouky
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Sameh Magdeldin
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Research Program, Basic Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital, Cairo, 57357, Egypt
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Aya Osama
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Research Program, Basic Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital, Cairo, 57357, Egypt
| | - Ali Mostafa Anwar
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Research Program, Basic Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital, Cairo, 57357, Egypt
| | - Ihab K Mohamed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Essameldin Abdelgawad
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Innovative Cellular Microenvironment Optimization Platform (ICMOP), Precision Therapy Unit, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
- The Egyptian Network of Bioinformatics "BioNetMasr", Cairo, Egypt
| | - Demiana H Hanna
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Nagwa El-Badri
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt.
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Pedersen AKN, Gormsen LC, Nielsen S, Jessen N, Bjerre M. Metformin Improves the Prerequisites for FGF21 Signaling in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e552-e561. [PMID: 37776319 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 acts as a metabolic regulator and its therapeutic use is under investigation. FGF21 signaling requires binding to surface receptors, FGFR1c and β-klotho. FGF21 resistance is observed in metabolic diseases and FGF21 signaling is regulated by fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Metformin is reported to influence expression and secretion of FGF21 in preclinical models, but the effect of metformin on FGF21 in a clinical trial remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate how 12 weeks of treatment with metformin affects the FGF21 signaling pathway in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS Randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with T2D (n = 24) receiving either metformin (1000 mg twice daily) or placebo. A control group of body mass index- and age-matched healthy individuals (n = 12) received a similar dose of metformin. Blood samples and muscle and fat biopsies were collected at study entry and after 12 weeks. METHODS Plasma levels of FGF21 (total and intact) and FAP (total and activity) were measured. Muscle and fat biopsies were analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of targets relevant for activation of the FGF21 signaling pathway. RESULTS Circulating FAP activity decreased after metformin treatment compared with placebo (P = .006), whereas FGF21 levels were unchanged. Metformin treatment increased gene and protein expression of β-klotho, FGFR1c, and pFGFR1c in adipose tissue. FGF21 mRNA expression increased in muscle tissue after metformin and the FGF21 protein, but not mRNA levels, were observed in adipose tissue. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that metformin suppresses the circulating FAP activity and upregulates the expression of FGFR1c and β-klotho for increased FGF21 signaling in adipose tissue, thus improving peripheral FGF21 sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kathrine Nissen Pedersen
- Medical/Steno Aarhus Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Lars Christian Gormsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Søren Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Niels Jessen
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Mette Bjerre
- Medical/Steno Aarhus Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Phan P, Sonnaila S, Ternier G, Edirisinghe O, Okoto PS, Kumar TKS. Overexpression and Purification of Mitogenic and Metabolic Fibroblast Growth Factors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2762:151-181. [PMID: 38315365 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3666-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are proteins with a vast array of biological activity, such as cell development and repair, glucose and bile acid metabolisms, and wound healing. Due to their critical and diverse physiological functions, FGFs are believed to possess potential as therapeutic agents for many diseases and conditions that warrant further investigations. Thus, a simple, cost-efficient method to purify these biologically active signaling proteins is desirable. Herein, we introduce such techniques to purify FGFs that possess either high heparin-binding affinity or low to no heparin-binding affinity. This method takes advantage of the high affinity toward heparin sulfate from paracrine FGF1 to isolate the targeted protein. It also accounts for FGF members that have low heparin affinity, such as the metabolic FGFs, by introducing poly-histidine tags in the recombinant protein in combination with the immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Subsequently, the purified FGF products are separated from the other small protein by high-speed centrifugation. Products are then subjected to other biophysical experiments like SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and biological cell activity assay to confirm that the target proteins are purified with intact native conformation and no significant change in the intrinsic characteristics and biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Shivakumar Sonnaila
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Gaetane Ternier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Oshadi Edirisinghe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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Foresight regarding drug candidates acting on the succinate-GPR91 signalling pathway for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112298. [PMID: 34649219 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, and it is a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome, with a histological spectrum from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can evolve into progressive liver fibrosis and eventually lead to liver cirrhosis. The pathological mechanism of NASH is multifactorial, involving a series of metabolic disorders and changes that trigger low-level inflammation in the liver and other organs. In the pathogenesis of NASH, the signal transduction pathway involving succinate and the succinate receptor (G-protein-coupled receptor 91, GPR91) regulates inflammatory cell activation and liver fibrosis. This review describes the mechanism of the succinate-GPR91 signalling pathway in NASH and summarizes the drugs that act on this pathway, with the aim of providing a new approach to NASH treatment.
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Gao J, Liu J, Meng Z, Li Y, Hong Y, Wang L, He L, Hu B, Zheng Y, Li T, Cui D, Shen E. Ultrasound-assisted C 3F 8-filled PLGA nanobubbles for enhanced FGF21 delivery and improved prophylactic treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Acta Biomater 2021; 130:395-408. [PMID: 34129954 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks specific treatment. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been proved to have cardioprotective effect in DCM. However, the insufficient cardiac delivery effect of FGF21 limits its application in DCM. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of FGF21 in DCM, an effective drug delivery system is urgently required. In this study, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles (CPPNBs) were synthesized via double-emulsion evaporation and FGF21 was efficiently absorbed (CPPNBs@FGF21) via the electrostatic incorporation effect. CPPNBs@FGF21 could effectively deliver FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect under low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). The as-prepared CPPNBs@FGF21 could efficiently load FGF21 after doping with the cationic polymer PEI, and displayed uniform dispersion and favorable biosafety. After filling with C3F8, CPPNBs@FGF21 could be used for distribution monitoring through ultrasound imaging. Moreover, CPPNBs@FGF21 significantly downregulated the expression of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA via the action of LFUS owing to increased FGF21 release, therefore exhibiting enhanced inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis in DCM mice. In conclusion, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks effective clinical treatments. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can protect cardiomyocytes from diabetic damage, but insufficient cardiac drug delivery limits the application of FGF21 in DCM. In this study, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles loaded with FGF21 (CPPNBs@FGF21) were developed for the prophylactic treatment of DCM. CPPNBs@FGF21 could effectively deliver the FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect of low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). Our results indicated that CPPNBs@FGF21 combined with LFUS could significantly down-regulate the expressions of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA, and as a result, it prevented the myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis of DCM mice. Overall, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiameng Gao
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China.; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Department of Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China
| | - Zheying Meng
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China
| | - Yanming Li
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China
| | - Yuping Hong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Lirui Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Lan He
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, 8 Caobao Road, Shanghai 200235, PR China
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China.; Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, 8 Caobao Road, Shanghai 200235, PR China
| | - Yuanyi Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China
| | - Tianliang Li
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
| | - Daxiang Cui
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
| | - E Shen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, PR China.; Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, 8 Caobao Road, Shanghai 200235, PR China.
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Manandhar M, Chun E, Romesberg FE. Genetic Code Expansion: Inception, Development, Commercialization. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4859-4878. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miglena Manandhar
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Eugene Chun
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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Cho JM, Yang EH, Quan W, Nam EH, Cheon HG. Discovery of a novel fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor, BR103354, with anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic effects. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21280. [PMID: 33277568 PMCID: PMC7718273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77978-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a class of hepatokines that plays a protective role against obesity, insulin resistance, and liver damage. Despite this, protective effects of FGF21 in human appear to be minimal, possibly due to its proteolytic cleavage by the fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Here, we presented a novel FAP inhibitor, BR103354, and described its pharmacological activities as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of metabolic disorders. BR103354 inhibited FAP with an IC50 value of 14 nM, showing high selectivity against dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-related enzymes and prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP). In differentiated 3T3/L1 adipocytes, the addition of FAP diminished hFGF21-induced Glut1 and phosphorylated levels of ERK, which were restored by BR103354. BR103354 exhibited good pharmacokinetic properties as evidenced by oral bioavailability of 48.4% and minimal hERG inhibition. Single co-administration of BR103354 with hFGF21 reduced nonfasting blood glucose concentrations, in association with increased intact form of hFGF21 in ob/ob mice. Additionally, chronic treatment of BR103354 for 4 weeks reduced nonfasting blood glucose concentrations with improved glucose tolerance and with reduced triglyceride (TG) content in liver of ob/ob mice. Consistently, BR103354 improved hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse model. FAP inhibitory effects of BR103354 were confirmed in normal cynomolgus monkeys. Together, BR103354 acts as an effective FAP inhibitor in vitro and in vivo, thereby demonstrating its potential application as an anti-diabetic and anti-NASH agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Min Cho
- Innovative Drug Research Institute, Boryung Pharm. Co., Ltd, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15425, South Korea.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, South Korea
| | - Eun Hee Yang
- Innovative Drug Research Institute, Boryung Pharm. Co., Ltd, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15425, South Korea
| | - Wenying Quan
- Innovative Drug Research Institute, Boryung Pharm. Co., Ltd, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15425, South Korea
| | - Eun Hye Nam
- Innovative Drug Research Institute, Boryung Pharm. Co., Ltd, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15425, South Korea
| | - Hyae Gyeong Cheon
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, South Korea.
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Geng L, Lam KSL, Xu A. The therapeutic potential of FGF21 in metabolic diseases: from bench to clinic. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:654-667. [PMID: 32764725 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a stress-inducible hormone that has important roles in regulating energy balance and glucose and lipid homeostasis through a heterodimeric receptor complex comprising FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and β-klotho. Administration of FGF21 to rodents or non-human primates causes considerable pharmacological benefits on a cluster of obesity-related metabolic complications, including a reduction in fat mass and alleviation of hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disorders and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, native FGF21 is unsuitable for clinical use owing to poor pharmacokinetic and biophysical properties. A large number of long-acting FGF21 analogues and agonistic monoclonal antibodies for the FGFR1-β-klotho receptor complexes have been developed. Several FGF21 analogues and mimetics have progressed to early phases of clinical trials in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and NASH. In these trials, the primary end points of glycaemic control have not been met, whereas substantial improvements were observed in dyslipidaemia, hepatic fat fractions and serum markers of liver fibrosis in patients with NASH. The complexity and divergence in pharmacology and pathophysiology of FGF21, interspecies variations in FGF21 biology, the possible existence of obesity-related FGF21 resistance and endogenous FGF21 inactivation enzymes represent major obstacles to clinical implementation of FGF21-based pharmacotherapies for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leiluo Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen S L Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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BonDurant LD, Potthoff MJ. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21: A Versatile Regulator of Metabolic Homeostasis. Annu Rev Nutr 2018; 38:173-196. [PMID: 29727594 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine hormone derived from the liver that exerts pleiotropic effects on the body to maintain overall metabolic homeostasis. During the past decade, there has been an enormous effort made to understand the physiological roles of FGF21 in regulating metabolism and to identify the mechanism for its potent pharmacological effects to reverse diabetes and obesity. Through both human and rodent studies, it is now evident that FGF21 levels are dynamically regulated by nutrient sensing, and consequently FGF21 functions as a critical regulator of nutrient homeostasis. In addition, recent studies using new genetic and molecular tools have provided critical insight into the actions of this endocrine factor. This review examines the numerous functions of FGF21 and highlights the therapeutic potential of FGF21-targeted pathways for treating metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D BonDurant
- Department of Pharmacology and Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA;
| | - Matthew J Potthoff
- Department of Pharmacology and Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA;
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