1
|
Domin H, Śmiałowska M. The diverse role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and its CRF1 and CRF2 receptors under pathophysiological conditions: Insights into stress/anxiety, depression, and brain injury processes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105748. [PMID: 38857667 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105748] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, corticoliberin) is a neuromodulatory peptide activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) in mammals. In addition to its neuroendocrine effects, CRF is essential in regulating many functions under physiological and pathophysiological conditions through CRF1 and CRF2 receptors (CRF1R, CRF2R). This review aims to present selected examples of the diverse and sometimes opposite effects of CRF and its receptor ligands in various pathophysiological states, including stress/anxiety, depression, and processes associated with brain injury. It seems interesting to draw particular attention to the fact that CRF and its receptor ligands exert different effects depending on the brain structures or subregions, likely stemming from the varied distribution of CRFRs in these regions and interactions with other neurotransmitters. CRFR-mediated region-specific effects might also be related to brain site-specific ligand binding and the associated activated signaling pathways. Intriguingly, different types of CRF molecules can also influence the diverse actions of CRF in the CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Domin
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 31-343 Kraków, 12 Smętna Street, Poland.
| | - Maria Śmiałowska
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 31-343 Kraków, 12 Smętna Street, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu C, Li S. The peripheral corticotropin releasing factor family's role in vasculitis. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107275. [PMID: 38184094 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107275] [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] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor family peptides (CRF peptides) include 4 members, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), Urocortin (UCN1), UCN2 and UCN3. CRF peptides function via the two distinct receptors, CRF1 and CRF2. Among them, CRH/CRF1 has been recognized to influence immunity/inflammation peripherally. Both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of CRH are reported. Likewise, UCNs, peripherally in cardiovascular system have been documented to have both potent protective and harmful effects, with UCN1 acting on both CRF1 & CRF2 and UCN2 & UCN3 on CRF2. We and others also observe protective and detrimental effects of CRF peptides/receptors on vasculature, with the latter of predominantly higher incidence, i.e., they play an important role in the development of vasculitis while in some cases they are found to counteract vascular inflammation. The pro-vasculitis effects of CRH & UCNs include increasing vascular endothelial permeability, interrupting endothelial adherens & tight junctions leading to hyperpermeability, stimulating immune/inflammatory cells to release inflammatory factors, and promoting angiogenesis by VEGF release while the anti-vasculitis effects may be just the opposite, depending on many factors such as different CRF receptor types, species and systemic conditions. Furthermore, CRF peptides' pro-vasculitis effects are found to be likely related to cPLA2 and S1P receptor signal pathway. This minireview will focus on summarizing the peripheral effects of CRF peptides on vasculature participating in the processes of vasculitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue, 101, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue, 101, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhu C, Pan L, Zhou F, Mao R, Hong Y, Wan R, Li X, Jin L, Zou H, Zhang H, Chen QM, Li S. Urocortin2 attenuates diabetic coronary microvascular dysfunction by regulating macrophage extracellular vesicles. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115976. [PMID: 38081372 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115976] [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] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic patients develop coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and exhibit high mortality of coronary artery disease. Methylglyoxal (MGO) largely accumulates in the circulation due to diabetes. We addressed whether macrophages exposed to MGO exhibited damaging effect on the coronary artery and whether urocortin2 (UCN2) serve as protecting factors against such diabetes-associated complication. Type 2 diabetes was induced by high-fat diet and a single low-dose streptozotocin in mice. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) derived from MGO-treated macrophages (MGO-sEV) were used to produce diabetes-like CMD. UCN2 was examined for a protective role against CMD. The involvement of arginase1 and IL-33 was tested by pharmacological inhibitor and IL-33-/- mice. MGO-sEV was capable of causing coronary artery endothelial dysfunction similar to that by diabetes. Immunocytochemistry studies of diabetic coronary arteries supported the transfer of arginase1 from macrophages to endothelial cells. Mechanism studies revealed arginase1 contributed to the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in diabetic and MGO-sEV-treated mice. UCN2 significantly improved coronary artery endothelial function, and prevented MGO elevation in diabetic mice or enrichment of arginase1 in MGO-sEV. Diabetes caused a reduction of IL-33, which was also reversed by UCN2. IL-33-/- mice showed impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries, which can be mitigated by arginase1 inhibition but can't be improved by UCN2 anymore, indicating the importance of restoring IL-33 for the protection against diabetic CMD by UCN2. Our data suggest that MGO-sEV induces CMD via shuttling arginase1 to coronary arteries. UCN2 is able to protect against diabetic CMD via modulating MGO-altered macrophage sEV cargoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Lihua Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Feier Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Rongchen Mao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yali Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Rong Wan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Lai Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Huayiyang Zou
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qin M Chen
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Flaherty SE, Bezy O, Zheng W, Yan D, Li X, Jagarlapudi S, Albuquerque B, Esquejo RM, Peloquin M, Semache M, Mancini A, Kang L, Drujan D, Breitkopf SB, Griffin JD, Jean Beltran PM, Xue L, Stansfield J, Pashos E, Shakey Q, Pehmøller C, Monetti M, Birnbaum MJ, Fortin JP, Wu Z. Chronic UCN2 treatment desensitizes CRHR2 and improves insulin sensitivity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3953. [PMID: 37402735 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39597-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Urocortin 2 (UCN2) acts as a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2). UCN2 has been reported to improve or worsen insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in vivo. Here we show that acute dosing of UCN2 induces systemic insulin resistance in male mice and skeletal muscle. Inversely, chronic elevation of UCN2 by injection with adenovirus encoding UCN2 resolves metabolic complications, improving glucose tolerance. CRHR2 recruits Gs in response to low concentrations of UCN2, as well as Gi and β-Arrestin at high concentrations of UCN2. Pre-treating cells and skeletal muscle ex vivo with UCN2 leads to internalization of CRHR2, dampened ligand-dependent increases in cAMP, and blunted reductions in insulin signaling. These results provide mechanistic insights into how UCN2 regulates insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and in vivo. Importantly, a working model was derived from these results that unifies the contradictory metabolic effects of UCN2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Flaherty
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Bezy
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dong Yan
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiangping Li
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Srinath Jagarlapudi
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bina Albuquerque
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ryan M Esquejo
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Peloquin
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Liya Kang
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Doreen Drujan
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Susanne B Breitkopf
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John D Griffin
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pierre M Jean Beltran
- Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Liang Xue
- Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John Stansfield
- Biostatistics, Early Clinical Development, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Evanthia Pashos
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Quazi Shakey
- Biomedicine design, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christian Pehmøller
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mara Monetti
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Morris J Birnbaum
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Fortin
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhidan Wu
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhargava A. Unraveling corticotropin-releasing factor family-orchestrated signaling and function in both sexes. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:27-65. [PMID: 37717988 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Stress responses to physical, psychological, environmental, or cellular stressors, has two arms: initiation and recovery. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is primarily responsible for regulating and/or initiating stress responses via, whereas urocortins (UCNs) are involved in the recovery response to stress via feedback inhibition. Stress is a loaded, polysemous word and is experienced in a myriad of ways. Some stressors are good for an individual, in fact essential, whereas other stressors are associated with bad outcomes. Perceived stress, like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder, and hence the same stressor can result in individual-specific outcomes. In mammals, there are two main biological sexes with reproduction as primary function. Reproduction and nutrition can also be viewed as stressors; based on a body of work from my laboratory, we propose that the functions of all other organs have co-evolved to optimize and facilitate an individual's nutritional and reproductive functions. Hence, sex differences in physiologically relevant outcomes are innate and occur at all levels- molecular, endocrine, immune, and (patho)physiological. CRF and three UCNs are peptide hormones that mediate their physiological effects by binding to two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), CRF1 and CRF2. Expression and function of CRF family of hormones and their receptors is likely to be sexually dimorphic in all organs. In this chapter, based on the large body of work from others and my laboratory, an overview of the CRF family with special emphasis on sex-specific actions of peripherally expressed CRF2 receptor in health and disease is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bhargava
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hulse JL, Habibi J, Igbekele AE, Zhang B, Li J, Whaley-Connell A, Sowers JR, Jia G. Mineralocorticoid Receptors Mediate Diet-Induced Lipid Infiltration of Skeletal Muscle and Insulin Resistance. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6678806. [PMID: 36039677 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Excess circulating lipids increase total intramyocellular (IMC) lipid content and ectopic fat storage, resulting in lipotoxicity and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Consumption of a diet high in fat and refined sugars-a Western diet (WD)-has been shown to activate mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and promote insulin resistance. However, our understanding of the precise mechanisms by which enhanced MR activation promotes skeletal muscle insulin resistance remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which enhanced MR signaling in soleus muscle promotes ectopic skeletal muscle lipid accumulation and related insulin resistance. Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed either a mouse chow diet or a WD with or without spironolactone (1 mg/kg/day) for 16 weeks. Spironolactone attenuated 16 weeks of WD-induced in vivo glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and improved soleus insulin metabolic signaling. Improved insulin sensitivity was accompanied by increased glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) expression in conjunction with decreased soleus free fatty acid and IMC lipid content, as well as CD36 expression. Additionally, spironolactone prevented WD-induced soleus mitochondria dysfunction. Furthermore, MR signaling also mediated WD/aldosterone-induced reductions in soleus microRNA (miR)-99a, which was identified to negatively target CD36 and prevented palmitic acid-induced increases in CD36 expression, lipid droplet formation, mitochondria dysfunction, and insulin resistance in C2C12 cells. These data indicate that inhibition of MR activation with spironolactone prevented diet-induced abnormal expression of miR-99a, which had the capacity to reduce CD36, leading to reduced IMC lipid content and improved soleus mitochondria function and insulin sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack L Hulse
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Javad Habibi
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Aderonke E Igbekele
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Bingyue Zhang
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Jessie Li
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Adam Whaley-Connell
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Medicine-Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - James R Sowers
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Medicine-Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Guanghong Jia
- Department of Medicine-Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lautherbach N, Gonçalves DAP, Silveira WA, Paula-Gomes S, Valentim RR, Zanon NM, Pereira MG, Miyabara EH, Navegantes LCC, Kettelhut IC. Urocortin 2 promotes hypertrophy and enhances skeletal muscle function through cAMP and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways. Mol Metab 2022; 60:101492. [PMID: 35390501 PMCID: PMC9035725 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Although it is well established that urocortin 2 (Ucn2), a peptide member of the corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) family, and its specific corticotrophin-releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF2R) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle, the role of this peptide in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and protein metabolism remains elusive. Methods To elucidate the mechanisms how Ucn2 directly controls protein metabolism in skeletal muscles of normal mice, we carried out genetic tools, physiological and molecular analyses of muscles in vivo and in vitro. Results Here, we demonstrated that Ucn2 overexpression activated cAMP signaling and promoted an expressive muscle hypertrophy associated with higher rates of protein synthesis and activation of Akt/mTOR and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Furthermore, Ucn2 induced a decrease in mRNA levels of atrogin-1 and in autophagic flux inferred by an increase in the protein content of LC3-I, LC3-II and p62. Accordingly, Ucn2 reduced both the transcriptional activity of FoxO in vivo and the overall protein degradation in vitro through an inhibition of lysosomal proteolytic activity. In addition, we demonstrated that Ucn2 induced a fast-to-slow fiber type shift and improved fatigue muscle resistance, an effect that was completely blocked in muscles co-transfected with mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), but not with dominant-negative Akt mutant (Aktmt). Conclusions These data suggest that Ucn2 triggers an anabolic and anti-catabolic response in skeletal muscle of normal mice probably through the activation of cAMP cascade and participation of Akt and ERK1/2 signaling. These findings open new perspectives in the development of therapeutic strategies to cope with the loss of muscle mass. Ucn2 overexpression promotes muscle growth due to an increase in protein synthesis. Ucn2 inhibits FoxO activity and autophagic-lysosomal system. Ucn2-induced skeletal muscle phenotype is dependent on Akt and ERK1/2. Ucn2 induces a fast-to-slow fiber type shift and improves fatigue resistance. The increase in muscle fatigue resistance is dependent on ERK1/2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lautherbach
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry/Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Dawit A P Gonçalves
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Physical Education, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Wilian A Silveira
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
| | - Sílvia Paula-Gomes
- Department of Biochemistry/Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Rossi Valentim
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Neuza M Zanon
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo G Pereira
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Elen H Miyabara
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Luiz C C Navegantes
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Isis C Kettelhut
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry/Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Christoffersen BØ, Sanchez‐Delgado G, John LM, Ryan DH, Raun K, Ravussin E. Beyond appetite regulation: Targeting energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and lean mass preservation for sustainable weight loss. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2022; 30:841-857. [PMID: 35333444 PMCID: PMC9310705 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
New appetite-regulating antiobesity treatments such as semaglutide and agents under investigation such as tirzepatide show promise in achieving weight loss of 15% or more. Energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and lean mass preservation are important determinants of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance beyond appetite regulation. This review discusses prior failures in clinical development of weight-loss drugs targeting energy expenditure and explores novel strategies for targeting energy expenditure: mitochondrial proton leak, uncoupling, dynamics, and biogenesis; futile calcium and substrate cycling; leptin for weight maintenance; increased sympathetic nervous system activity; and browning of white fat. Relevant targets for preserving lean mass are also reviewed: growth hormone, activin type II receptor inhibition, and urocortin 2 and 3. We endorse moderate modulation of energy expenditure and preservation of lean mass in combination with efficient appetite reduction as a means of obtaining a significant, safe, and long-lasting weight loss. Furthermore, we suggest that the regulatory guidelines should be revisited to focus more on the quality of weight loss and its maintenance rather than the absolute weight loss. Commitment to this research focus both from a scientific and from a regulatory point of view could signal the beginning of the next era in obesity therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Linu Mary John
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease ResearchGlobal Drug DiscoveryNovo Nordisk A/SMåløvDenmark
| | - Donna H. Ryan
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Kirsten Raun
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease ResearchGlobal Drug DiscoveryNovo Nordisk A/SMåløvDenmark
| | - Eric Ravussin
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
In vivo metabolic effects after acute activation of skeletal muscle G s signaling. Mol Metab 2021; 55:101415. [PMID: 34883278 PMCID: PMC8728399 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The goal of this study was to determine the glucometabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM) in vivo and its contribution to whole-body glucose homeostasis. Methods To address this question, we studied mice that express a Gs-coupled designer G protein-coupled receptor (Gs-DREADD or GsD) selectively in skeletal muscle. We also identified two Gs-coupled GPCRs that are endogenously expressed by SKM at relatively high levels (β2-adrenergic receptor and CRF2 receptor) and studied the acute metabolic effects of activating these receptors in vivo by highly selective agonists (clenbuterol and urocortin 2 (UCN2), respectively). Results Acute stimulation of GsD signaling in SKM impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice by decreasing glucose uptake selectively into SKM. The acute metabolic effects following agonist activation of β2-adrenergic and, potentially, CRF2 receptors appear primarily mediated by altered insulin release. Clenbuterol injection improved glucose tolerance by increasing insulin secretion in lean mice. In SKM, clenbuterol stimulated glycogen breakdown. UCN2 injection resulted in decreased glucose tolerance associated with lower plasma insulin levels. The acute metabolic effects of UCN2 were not mediated by SKM Gs signaling. Conclusions Selective activation of Gs signaling in SKM causes an acute increase in blood glucose levels. However, acute in vivo stimulation of endogenous Gs-coupled receptors enriched in SKM has only a limited impact on whole-body glucose homeostasis, most likely due to the fact that these receptors are also expressed by pancreatic islets where they modulate insulin release. A novel mouse model allowed us to study the in vivo metabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM). Acute stimulation of this pathway resulted in impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice due to decreased glucose uptake by SKM. Acute treatment of mice with selective β2-adrenergic and CRF2 receptor agonists (both receptors couple to Gs and are enriched in SKM) resulted in complex in vivo metabolic outcomes, primarily due to altered insulin release. Our study provides an excellent example of how different tissue expression patterns of receptors can affect the acute effects of GPCR agonists on whole-body glucose homeostasis Our findings also highlight the importance of studying both acute and chronic effects of GPCR agonist treatment to properly assess translationally relevant metabolic outcomes.
Collapse
|
10
|
Borg ML, Massart J, De Castro Barbosa T, Archilla-Ortega A, Smith JAB, Lanner JT, Alsina-Fernandez J, Yaden B, Culver AE, Karlsson HKR, Brozinick JT, Zierath JR. Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity-induced insulin resistance. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2021; 12:1232-1248. [PMID: 34342159 PMCID: PMC8517345 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes and obesity are often seen concurrently with skeletal muscle wasting, leading to further derangements in function and metabolism. Muscle wasting remains an unmet need for metabolic disease, and new approaches are warranted. The neuropeptide urocortin 2 (UCN2) and its receptor corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRHR2) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle and play a role in regulating energy balance, glucose metabolism, and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of modified UCN2 peptides as a pharmaceutical therapy to counteract the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and casting immobilization. METHODS High-fat-fed mice (C57Bl/6J; 26 weeks old) and ob/ob mice (11 weeks old) were injected daily with a PEGylated (Compound A) and non-PEGylated (Compound B) modified human UCN2 at 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously for 14 days. A separate group of chow-fed C57Bl/6J mice (12 weeks old) was subjected to hindlimb cast immobilization and, after 1 week, received daily injections with Compound A. In vivo functional tests were performed to measure protein synthesis rates and skeletal muscle function. Ex vivo functional and molecular tests were performed to measure contractile force and signal transduction of catabolic and anabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. RESULTS Skeletal muscles (extensor digitorum longus, soleus, and tibialis anterior) from high-fat-fed mice treated with Compound A were ~14% heavier than muscles from vehicle-treated mice. Chronic treatment with modified UCN2 peptides altered the expression of structural genes and transcription factors in skeletal muscle in high-fat diet-induced obesity including down-regulation of Trim63 and up-regulation of Nr4a2 and Igf1 (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Signal transduction via both catabolic and anabolic pathways was increased in tibialis anterior muscle, with increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 at Ser235/236 , FOXO1 at Ser256 , and ULK1 at Ser317 , suggesting that UCN2 treatment modulates protein synthesis and degradation pathways (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Acutely, a single injection of Compound A in drug-naïve mice had no effect on the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, as measured via the surface sensing of translation method, while the expression of Nr4a3 and Ppargc1a4 was increased (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Compound A treatment prevented the loss of force production from disuse due to casting. Compound B treatment increased time to fatigue during ex vivo contractions of fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle. Compound A and B treatment increased lean mass and rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in ob/ob mice. CONCLUSIONS Modified human UCN2 is a pharmacological candidate for the prevention of the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and immobilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Borg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julie Massart
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thais De Castro Barbosa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adrià Archilla-Ortega
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathon A B Smith
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna T Lanner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Molecular Muscle Physiology and Pathophysiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Benjamin Yaden
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Alexander E Culver
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Håkan K R Karlsson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joseph T Brozinick
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Juleen R Zierath
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section for Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Diabetes is on the rise across the globe affecting more than 463 million people and crucially increasing morbidities of diabetes-associated diseases. Urgent and immense actions are needed to improve diabetes prevention and treatment. Regarding the correlation of diabetes with many associated diseases, inhibition of the disease progression is more crucial than controlling symptoms. Currently, anti-diabetic drugs are accompanied by undesirable side-effects and target confined types of biomolecules. Thus, extensive research is demanding to identify novel disease mechanisms and molecular targets as probable candidates for effective treatment of diabetes. This review discusses the conventional molecule targets that have been applied for their therapeutic rationale in treatment of diabetes. Further, the emerging and prospective molecular targets for the future focus of library screenings are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Almasi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Lab, Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadipanah
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Lab, Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Akt+ IKKα/β+ Rab5+ Signalosome Mediate the Endosomal Recruitment of Sec61 and Contribute to Cross-Presentation in Bone Marrow Precursor Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030539. [PMID: 32957586 PMCID: PMC7563657 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-presentation in dendritic cells (DC) requires the endosomal relocations of internalized antigens and the endoplasmic reticulum protein Sec61. Despite the fact that endotoxin-containing pathogen and endotoxin-free antigen have different effects on protein kinase B (Akt) and I-kappa B Kinase α/β (IKKα/β) activation, the exact roles of Akt phosphorylation, IKKα or IKKβ activation in endotoxin-containing pathogen-derived cross-presentation are poorly understood. In this study, endotoxin-free ovalbumin supplemented with endotoxin was used as a model pathogen. We investigated the effects of endotoxin-containing pathogen and endotoxin-free antigen on Akt phosphorylation, IKKα/β activation, and explored the mechanisms that the endotoxin-containing pathogen orchestrating the endosomal recruitment of Sec61 of the cross-presentation in bone marrow precursor cells (BMPC). We demonstrated that endotoxin-containing pathogen and endotoxin-free antigen efficiently induced the phosphorylation of Akt-IKKα/β and Akt-IKKα, respectively. Endotoxin-containing pathogen derived Akt+ IKKα/β+ Rab5+ signalosome, together with augmented the recruitment of Sec61 toward endosome, lead to the increased cross-presentation in BMPC. Importantly, the endosomal recruitment of Sec61 was partly mediated by the formation of Akt+ IKKα/β+ signalosome. Thus, these data suggest that Akt+ IKKα/β+ Rab5+ signalosome contribute to endotoxin-containing pathogen-induced the endosomal recruitment of Sec61 and the superior efficacy of cross-presentation in BMPC.
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhou Y, Zhang A, Gong M, Lu Y, Zhao C, Shen X, Zhang X, Wang L, Chen J, Ju R. Maternal Testosterone Excess Contributes to Reproductive System Dysfunction of Female Offspring Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5611346. [PMID: 31680156 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqz011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hyperandrogenism is considered 1 of the most important characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects more than 10% of females of reproductive age and is a common cause of infertility. In addition to the effects on patients themselves, maternal androgen excess has also been reported to impair the growth and development of offspring. In our current study, we found that maternal testosterone (T) treatment during different gestational stages increased the percentage of atretic follicle and decreased corpus luteum formation in female offspring. In addition, decreased serum estradiol and increased T levels were also observed in female offspring of T-treated mice during late gestational stage. Further studies revealed that Forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2) and Cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily a member 1 (CYP19A1) expression in granulosa cells of these female offspring mice were decreased. By using mouse primary granulosa cells and the KGN cell line, we demonstrated that decreasing FOXL2 and CYP19A1 levels in ovarian granulosa cells partially may contribute to disturbed sex hormone synthesis in female offspring of T-treated mice during the late gestational stage. Findings from our current study highlight a critical role of excess maternal T exposure, especially during the late gestational stage, which could further lead to aberrant ovary development and sex hormone synthesis in female offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Anhong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingfei Lu
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianquan Chen
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Ju
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Family: A Stress Hormone-Receptor System's Emerging Role in Mediating Sex-Specific Signaling. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040839. [PMID: 32244319 PMCID: PMC7226788 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
No organ in the body is impervious to the effects of stress, and a coordinated response from all organs is essential to deal with stressors. A dysregulated stress response that fails to bring systems back to homeostasis leads to compromised function and ultimately a diseased state. The components of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, an ancient and evolutionarily conserved stress hormone-receptor system, helps both initiate stress responses and bring systems back to homeostasis once the stressors are removed. The mammalian CRF family comprises of four known agonists, CRF and urocortins (UCN1–3), and two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), CRF1 and CRF2. Evolutionarily, precursors of CRF- and urocortin-like peptides and their receptors were involved in osmoregulation/diuretic functions, in addition to nutrient sensing. Both CRF and UCN1 peptide hormones as well as their receptors appeared after a duplication event nearly 400 million years ago. All four agonists and both CRF receptors show sex-specific changes in expression and/or function, and single nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with a plethora of human diseases. CRF receptors harbor N-terminal cleavable peptide sequences, conferring biased ligand properties. CRF receptors have the ability to heteromerize with each other as well as with other GPCRs. Taken together, CRF receptors and their agonists due to their versatile functional adaptability mediate nuanced responses and are uniquely positioned to orchestrate sex-specific signaling and function in several tissues.
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen K, Jia H, Liu Y, Yin P, Wei Y. Insulin‐Sensitizing Activity of Sub‐Nanoscaled Polyalkoxyvanadate Clusters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e1900281. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and TechnologySouth China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China
- Department of ChemistryTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Hongli Jia
- Department of ChemistryTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsPeking University Beijing 100191 China
| | - Yuan Liu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and TechnologySouth China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China
| | - Panchao Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and TechnologySouth China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China
| | - Yongge Wei
- Department of ChemistryTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsPeking University Beijing 100191 China
| |
Collapse
|