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Rasmussen TS, Mentzel CMJ, Danielsen MR, Jakobsen RR, Zachariassen LSF, Castro Mejia JL, Brunse A, Hansen LH, Hansen CHF, Hansen AK, Nielsen DS. Fecal virome transfer improves proliferation of commensal gut Akkermansia muciniphila and unexpectedly enhances the fertility rate in laboratory mice. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2208504. [PMID: 37150906 PMCID: PMC10167882 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2208504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are intended to improve gastrointestinal health when consumed. However, the probiotics marketed today only colonize the densely populated gut to a limited extent. Bacteriophages comprise the majority of viruses in the human gut virome and there are strong indications that they play important roles in shaping the gut microbiome. Here, we investigate the use of fecal virome transplantation (FVT, sterile filtrated feces) as a mean to alter the gut microbiome composition to lead the way for persistent colonization of two types of probiotics: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) representing a well-established probiotic and Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) representing a putative next-generation probiotic. Male and female C57BL/6NTac mice were cohoused in pairs from 4 weeks of age and received the following treatment by oral gavage at week 5 and 6: AKM+FVT, LGG+FVT, probiotic sham (Pro-sham)+FVT, LGG+Saline, AKM+Saline, and control (Pro-sham+Saline). The FVT donor material originated from mice with high relative abundance of A. muciniphila. All animals were terminated at age 9 weeks. The FVT treatment did not increase the relative abundance of the administered LGG or AKM in the recipient mice. Instead FVT significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundance of naturally occurring A. muciniphila compared to the control. This highlights the potential of propagating the existing commensal "probiotics" that have already permanently colonized the gut. Being co-housed male and female, a fraction of the female mice became pregnant. Unexpectedly, the FVT treated mice were found to have a significantly (p < 0.05) higher fertility rate independent of probiotic administration. These preliminary observations urge for follow-up studies investigating interactions between the gut microbiome and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Sølbeck Rasmussen
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Dept. of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Malene Refslund Danielsen
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Dept. of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Riemer Jakobsen
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Dept. of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Line Sidsel Fisker Zachariassen
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Josue Leonardo Castro Mejia
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Dept. of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Anders Brunse
- Section of Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Lars Hestbjerg Hansen
- Section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Camilla Hartmann Friis Hansen
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Axel Kornerup Hansen
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dennis Sandris Nielsen
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Dept. of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Keinicke H, Sun G, Mentzel CMJ, Fredholm M, John LM, Andersen B, Raun K, Kjaergaard M. FGF21 regulates hepatic metabolic pathways to improve steatosis and inflammation. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:755-768. [PMID: 32688339 PMCID: PMC7424338 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased dramatically worldwide and, subsequently, also the risk of developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. Today, weight loss is the only available treatment, but administration of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogues have, in addition to weight loss, shown improvements on liver metabolic health but the mechanisms behind are not entirely clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatic metabolic profile in response to FGF21 treatment. Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were treated with s.c. administration of FGF21 or subjected to caloric restriction by switching from high fat diet (HFD) to chow to induce 20% weight loss and changes were compared to vehicle dosed DIO mice. Cumulative caloric intake was reduced by chow, while no differences were observed between FGF21 and vehicle dosed mice. The body weight loss in both treatment groups was associated with reduced body fat mass and hepatic triglycerides (TG), while hepatic cholesterol was slightly decreased by chow. Liver glycogen was decreased by FGF21 and increased by chow. The hepatic gene expression profiles suggest that FGF21 increased uptake of fatty acids and lipoproteins, channeled TGs toward the production of cholesterol and bile acid, reduced lipogenesis and increased hepatic glucose output. Furthermore, FGF21 appeared to reduce inflammation and regulate hepatic leptin receptor-a expression. In conclusion, FGF21 affected several metabolic pathways to reduce hepatic steatosis and improve hepatic health and markedly more genes than diet restriction (61 vs 16 out of 89 investigated genes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helle Keinicke
- Insulin and Device Trial Operations, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark
| | - Gao Sun
- Pharmacology and Histopathology, Novo Nordisk A/S, China
| | - Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Department of Experimental Animal Models, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Linu Mary John
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Andersen
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Raun
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Marina Kjaergaard
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Kjaergaard:
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Jacobsen MJ, Havgaard JH, Anthon C, Mentzel CMJ, Cirera S, Krogh PM, Pundhir S, Karlskov-Mortensen P, Bruun CS, Lesnik P, Guerin M, Gorodkin J, Jørgensen CB, Fredholm M, Barrès R. Epigenetic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Pure Adipocyte Fractions From Obese Pigs Identifies Candidate Pathways Controlling Metabolism. Front Genet 2019; 10:1268. [PMID: 31921306 PMCID: PMC6927937 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of adipocyte function in obesity is implicated in metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. Here, we used the pig, an animal model sharing many physiological and pathophysiological similarities with humans, to perform in-depth epigenomic and transcriptomic characterization of pure adipocyte fractions. Using a combined DNA methylation capture sequencing and Reduced Representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) strategy in 11 lean and 12 obese pigs, we identified in 3529 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) located at close proximity to-, or within genes in the adipocytes. By sequencing of the transcriptome from the same fraction of isolated adipocytes, we identified 276 differentially expressed transcripts with at least one or more DMR. These transcripts were over-represented in gene pathways related to MAPK, metabolic and insulin signaling. Using a candidate gene approach, we further characterized 13 genes potentially regulated by DNA methylation and identified putative transcription factor binding sites that could be affected by the differential methylation in obesity. Our data constitute a valuable resource for further investigations aiming to delineate the epigenetic etiology of metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Juul Jacobsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob H Havgaard
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Anthon
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Poula Maltha Krogh
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sachin Pundhir
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Karlskov-Mortensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla S Bruun
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Lesnik
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pierre and Marie Curie University, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Maryse Guerin
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pierre and Marie Curie University, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus B Jørgensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Romain Barrès
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lützhøft DO, Sánchez-Alcoholado L, Tougaard P, Junker Mentzel CM, Kot W, Nielsen DS, Hansen AK. Short communication: Gut microbial colonization of the mouse colon using faecal transfer was equally effective when comparing rectal inoculation and oral inoculation based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Res Vet Sci 2019; 126:227-232. [PMID: 31627163 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we hypothesized that a higher degree of gut microbiota (GM) transfer and colonization could be reached by rectal inoculation compared to oral inoculation, which is commonly used in mouse studies for GM transfer. We treated C57BL/6NTac Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) mice with antibiotics and subsequently we inoculated these with GM from donor mice of the same strain by either the oral or the rectal inoculation method. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the colon microbiota showed no difference in microbial community on account of inoculation method as determined by unweighted UniFrac distance metrics in C57BL/6NTac SPF mice. In addition, qPCR analysis on colon tissue revealed no difference in mRNA expression between the inoculation methods. Next, the SPF mice were compared to germ-free (GF)-mice to identify differences in inoculation efficacy. Whether the mice were antibiotic treated SPF or GF clearly influenced GM determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing where the SPF mice experienced up-regulation of S24-7 (p = .0001) and a decrease in Rikenellaceae (p = .016) compared to GF mice. qPCR analysis on colon tissue revealed up-regulation in mRNA gene expression of Il6, Il10, Reg3g and transcription factor RORγt (Rorc) in GF mice compared to SPF mice on a significant level (p < .05). This gene expression profile is consistent with post colonization development of the intestinal barrier in GF mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ditte Olsen Lützhøft
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Lidia Sánchez-Alcoholado
- Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Center for biomedical research in the network of physiopathology of obesity and nutrition (CIBERobn), Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter Tougaard
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Witold Kot
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Aarhus, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Dennis S Nielsen
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Axel Kornerup Hansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Mentzel CMJ, Cardoso TF, Lex AMJ, Sørensen DB, Fredholm M, Cirera S. Fat and carbohydrate content in the diet induces drastic changes in gene expression in young Göttingen minipigs. Mamm Genome 2017; 28:166-175. [PMID: 28396939 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-017-9690-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In human health, there is interest in developing specific diets to reduce body weight. These studies are mainly focused on phenotypic changes induced in blood measurements, i.e., triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and insulin, and on physical changes, i.e., body weight and BMI. To evaluate the biological impact of diet interventions, it is very important to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving the diet-induced phenotypic changes in relevant tissues. However, studying these effects in humans is difficult due to ethical concerns in doing interventions and obtaining tissue samples and good animal models are therefore needed. Göttingen minipigs, a small size obesity prone pig breed, have previously been shown to be a useful translational animal model for metabolic studies. In this study, 16 Göttingen minipig males (2-month old) were submitted to 13 weeks of differential diets to investigate the initial stages of diet-induced metabolic changes. Half of them were fed a high-fat/cholesterol, low-carbohydrate (HFLC) diet, and the other half were fed a low- fat/cholesterol, high-carbohydrate (LFHC) diet. After 13 weeks, the HFLC group weighted less and had dyslipidemia compared to the LFHC group. Liver, pancreas, and adipose tissues were collected at slaughter. Gene expression profiling of 83 metabolism-relevant genes was performed using high-throughput qPCR. In total, 41 genes were deregulated in at least one of the five tissues analyzed, with liver being the most drastically affected tissue. The new knowledge gained in this study could potentially be of value for considering direct modulation of gene expression by nutrient content in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Tainã Figueiredo Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Department of Animal Genetics, Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Spain
| | - Annika M J Lex
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dorte Bratbo Sørensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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Mentzel CMJ, Alkan F, Keinicke H, Jacobsen MJ, Gorodkin J, Fredholm M, Cirera S. Joint Profiling of miRNAs and mRNAs Reveals miRNA Mediated Gene Regulation in the Göttingen Minipig Obesity Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167285. [PMID: 27902747 PMCID: PMC5130236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and its comorbidities are an increasing challenge for both affected individuals and health care systems, worldwide. In obese individuals, perturbation of expression of both protein-coding genes and microRNAs (miRNA) are seen in obesity-relevant tissues (i.e. adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle). miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules which have important regulatory roles in a wide range of biological processes, including obesity. Rodents are widely used animal models for human diseases including obesity. However, not all research is applicable for human health or diseases. In contrast, pigs are emerging as an excellent animal model for obesity studies, due to their similarities in their metabolism, their digestive tract and their genetics, when compared to humans. The Göttingen minipig is a small sized easy-to-handle pig breed which has been extensively used for modeling human obesity, due to its capacity to develop severe obesity when fed ad libitum. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed of protein-coding genes and miRNAs in a Göttingen minipig obesity model. Liver, skeletal muscle and abdominal adipose tissue were sampled from 7 lean and 7 obese minipigs. Differential gene expression was investigated using high-throughput quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) on 90 mRNAs and 72 miRNAs. The results revealed de-regulation of several obesity and inflammation-relevant protein-coding genes and miRNAs in all tissues examined. Many genes that are known to be de-regulated in obese humans were confirmed in the obese minipigs and several of these genes have target sites for miRNAs expressed in the opposing direction of the gene, confirming miRNA-mediated regulation in obesity. These results confirm the translational value of the pig for human obesity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Junker Mentzel
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ferhat Alkan
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Helle Keinicke
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mette J. Jacobsen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Jacobsen MJ, Mentzel CMJ, Olesen AS, Huby T, Jørgensen CB, Barrès R, Fredholm M, Simar D. Altered Methylation Profile of Lymphocytes Is Concordant with Perturbation of Lipids Metabolism and Inflammatory Response in Obesity. J Diabetes Res 2016; 2016:8539057. [PMID: 26798656 PMCID: PMC4698937 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8539057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with immunological perturbations that contribute to insulin resistance. Epigenetic mechanisms can control immune functions and have been linked to metabolic complications, although their contribution to insulin resistance still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the link between metabolic dysfunction and immune alterations with the epigenetic signature in leukocytes in a porcine model of obesity. Global DNA methylation of circulating leukocytes, adipose tissue leukocyte trafficking, and macrophage polarisation were established by flow cytometry. Adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic function were further characterised by quantification of metabolites and expression levels of genes associated with obesity and inflammation. Here we show that obese pigs showed bigger visceral fat pads, higher levels of circulating LDL cholesterol, and impaired glucose tolerance. These changes coincided with impaired metabolism, sustained macrophages infiltration, and increased inflammation in the adipose tissue. Those immune alterations were linked to global DNA hypermethylation in both B-cells and T-cells. Our results provide novel insight into the possible contribution of immune cell epigenetics into the immunological disturbances observed in obesity. The dramatic changes in the transcriptomic and epigenetic signature of circulating lymphocytes reinforce the concept that epigenetic processes participate in the increased immune cell activation and impaired metabolic functions in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette J. Jacobsen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Caroline M. Junker Mentzel
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ann Sofie Olesen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Thierry Huby
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S 1166, Integrative Biology of Atherosclerosis Team, 75013 Paris, France
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Claus B. Jørgensen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Romain Barrès
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- *Merete Fredholm: and
| | - David Simar
- Inflammation and Infection Research, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- *David Simar:
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Mentzel CMJ, Anthon C, Jacobsen MJ, Karlskov-Mortensen P, Bruun CS, Jørgensen CB, Gorodkin J, Cirera S, Fredholm M. Gender and Obesity Specific MicroRNA Expression in Adipose Tissue from Lean and Obese Pigs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131650. [PMID: 26222688 PMCID: PMC4519260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a complex condition that increases the risk of life threatening diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Studying the gene regulation of obesity is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the obesity derived diseases and may lead to better intervention and treatment plans. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs regulating target mRNA by binding to their 3'UTR. They are involved in numerous biological processes and diseases, including obesity. In this study we use a mixed breed pig model designed for obesity studies to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs in subcutaneous adipose tissue by RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Both male and female pigs are included to explore gender differences. The RNAseq study shows that the most highly expressed miRNAs are in accordance with comparable studies in pigs and humans. A total of six miRNAs are differentially expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue between the lean and obese group of pigs, and in addition gender specific significant differential expression is observed for a number of miRNAs. The differentially expressed miRNAs have been verified using qPCR. The results of these studies in general confirm the trends found by RNAseq. Mir-9 and mir-124a are significantly differentially expressed with large fold changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue between lean and obese pigs. Mir-9 is more highly expressed in the obese pigs with a fold change of 10 and a p-value < 0.001. Mir-124a is more highly expressed in the obese pigs with a fold change of 114 and a p-value < 0.001. In addition, mir-124a is significantly higher expressed in abdominal adipose tissue in male pigs with a fold change of 119 and a p-value < 0.05. Both miRNAs are also significantly higher expressed in the liver of obese male pigs where mir-124a has a fold change of 12 and mir-9 has a fold change of 1.6, both with p-values < 0.05.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Junker Mentzel
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Christian Anthon
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mette J. Jacobsen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter Karlskov-Mortensen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Camilla S. Bruun
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Claus B. Jørgensen
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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