Metabolic effect of low fluoride levels in the islets of NOD mice: integrative morphological, immunohistochemical, and proteomic analyses

OBJECTIVES

Fluoride (F) has been widely used to control dental caries, and studies suggest beneficial effects against diabetes when a low dose of F is added to the drinking water (10 mgF/L). This study evaluated metabolic changes in pancreatic islets of NOD mice exposed to low doses of F and the main pathways altered by the treatment.

METHODOLOGY

In total, 42 female NOD mice were randomly divided into two groups, considering the concentration of F administered in the drinking water for 14 weeks: 0 or 10 mgF/L. After the experimental period, the pancreas was collected for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis, and the islets for proteomic analysis.

RESULTS

In the morphological and immunohistochemical analysis, no significant differences were found in the percentage of cells labelled for insulin, glucagon, and acetylated histone H3, although the treated group had higher percentages than the control group. Moreover, no significant differences were found for the mean percentages of pancreatic areas occupied by islets and for the pancreatic inflammatory infiltrate between the control and treated groups. Proteomic analysis showed large increases in histones H3 and, to a lesser extent, in histone acetyltransferases, concomitant with a decrease in enzymes involved in the formation of acetyl-CoA, besides many changes in proteins involved in several metabolic pathways, especially energy metabolism. The conjunction analysis of these data showed an attempt by the organism to maintain protein synthesis in the islets, even with the dramatic changes in energy metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests epigenetic alterations in the islets of NOD mice exposed to F levels comparable to those found in public supply water consumed by humans.

Imbalance of the intestinal virome and altered viral-bacterial interactions caused by a conditional deletion of the vitamin D receptor

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) deficiency is associated with cancer, infection, and chronic inflammation. Prior research has demonstrated VDR regulation of bacteria; however, little is known regarding VDR and viruses. We hypothesize that VDR deficiency impacts on the intestinal virome and viral-bacterial interactions. We specifically deleted VDR from intestinal epithelial cells (VDR^ΔIEC), Paneth cells (VDR^ΔPC), and myeloid cells (VDR^ΔLyz) in mice. Feces were collected for shotgun metagenomic sequencing and metabolite profiling. To test the functional changes, we evaluated pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and analyzed microbial metabolites. Vibrio phages, Lactobacillus phages, and Escherichia coli typing phages were significantly enriched in all three conditional VDR-knockout mice. In the VDR^ΔLyz mice, the levels of eight more virus species (2 enriched, 6 depleted) were significantly changed. Altered virus species were primarily observed in female VDR^ΔLyz (2 enriched, 3 depleted) versus male VDR^ΔLyz (1 enriched, 1 depleted). Altered alpha and beta diversity (family to species) were found in VDR^ΔLyz. In VDR^ΔIEC mice, bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 was significantly enriched. A significant correlation between viral and bacterial alterations was found in conditional VDR knockout mice. There was a positive correlation between Vibrio phage JSF5 and Cutibacterium acnes in VDR^ΔPC and VDR^ΔLyz mice. Also, there were more altered viral species in female conditional VDR knockout mice. Notably, there were significant changes in PRRs: upregulated TLR3, TLR7, and NOD2 in VDR^ΔLyz mice and increased CLEC4L expression in VDR^ΔIEC and VDR^ΔPC mice. Furthermore, we identified metabolites related to virus infection: decreased glucose in VDR^ΔIEC mice, increased ribulose/xylulose and xylose in VDR^ΔLyz mice, and increased long-chain fatty acids in VDR^ΔIEC and VDR^ΔLyz female mice. Tissue-specific deletion of VDR changes the virome and functionally changes viral receptors, which leads to dysbiosis, metabolic dysfunction, and infection risk. This study helps to elucidate VDR regulating the virome in a tissue-specific and sex-specific manner.

Nitric Oxide Dismutase (nod) Genes as a Functional Marker for the Diversity and Phylogeny of Methane-Driven Oxygenic Denitrifiers

Oxygenic denitrification represents a new route in reductive nitrogen turnover which differs from canonical denitrification in how nitric oxide (NO) is transformed into dinitrogen gas. Instead of NO reduction via N₂O to N₂, NO is proposed to be directly disproportionated into N₂ and O₂ in oxygenic denitrification, catalyzed by the putative NO dismutase (Nod). Although a high diversity of nod genes has been recovered from various environments, still little is known about the niche partitioning and ecophysiology of oxygenic denitrifiers. One constraint is that nod as a functional marker for oxygenic denitrifiers is not well established. To address this issue, we compared the diversity and phylogeny of nod, 16S rRNA and pmoA gene sequences of four NC10 enrichments that are capable of methane-driven oxygenic denitrification and one environmental sample. The phylogenies of nod, 16S rRNA and pmoA genes of these cultures were generally congruent. The diversity of NC10 bacteria inferred from different genes was also similar in each sample. A new set of NC10-specific nod primers was developed and used in qPCR. The abundance of NC10 bacteria inferred from nod genes was constantly lower than via 16S rRNA genes, but the difference was within one order of magnitude. These results suggest that nod is a suitable molecular marker for studying the diversity and phylogeny of methane-driven oxygenic denitrifiers, the further investigation of which may be of value to develop enhanced strategies for sustainable nitrogen or methane removal.

Innate immunity in the small intestine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews the most recent publications on innate immunity in the small intestine. We will go over the innate immune receptors that act as sensors of microbial presence or cell injury, Paneth cells as the main epithelial cell type that secrete antimicrobial peptides, and mucosal production of immunoglobulin A (IgA). In addition, we will give an update on examples of imbalance of the innate immune response resulting in clinical disease with the most relevant example being Crohn's disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in B-cell homing to the intestine, rejection of small intestinal allografts, and recruitment of mast cells. The TLR adaptor Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β is necessary to activate innate immunity after Yersinia enterocolitica infection. Moreover, MyD88 is required to keep the intestinal microbiota under control and physically separated from the epithelium, and RegIIIγ is responsible for the bacterial segregation from the lining epithelial cells. In Crohn's disease, ATG16L1 T300A variant promotes a proinflammatory response; and miR-196 downregulates a protective immunity-related GTPase family M protein (IRGM) polymorphism leading to impaired clearance of adherent Escherichia coli in the intestine.

SUMMARY

The intestine is continuously exposed to dietary and microbial antigens. The host has to maintain intestinal homeostasis to keep the commensal and pathogenic bacteria under control. Some of the mechanisms to do so are by expression of innate immune receptors, production of antimicrobial peptides, secretion of IgA, or autophagy of intracellular bacteria. Unfortunately, in some cases the innate immune response fails to protect the host and chronic inflammation, transplant rejection, or other disorders may occur.

Interplay of protease-activated receptors and NOD pattern recognition receptors in epithelial innate immune responses to bacteria

Protease-activated receptors (PARs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a role in innate immunity, but little is known about interaction between these receptors. The goal of this study was to investigate how silencing one receptor affects the expression of other receptors and downstream innate immune markers in response to bacteria. Human gingival epithelial cells (GECs) were transfected with siRNA specific for PAR1 or PAR2, then stimulated with periopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, bridging organism between pathogens and non-pathogens Fusobacterium nucleatum, or non-pathogen Streptococcus gordonii. PAR1 or PAR2 knock-down resulted in up-regulated NOD1 and NOD2 expression with P. gingivalis or F. nucleatum stimulation (p<0.01), as well as enhanced TLR2 and TLR4 expression when cells were stimulated by bacteria that utilize TLR2 or TLR4, respectively. Involvement of PARs for induction of CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), a cytokine with antimicrobial properties, was observed following stimulation of the three bacterial species. Furthermore, results from multiple cytokine ELISA array showed receptors utilized in the induction of various innate immune markers are tailored to individual bacterium tested. Our data suggest complex interplay of several receptors is required for appropriate innate immune responses to the different types of bacteria present within the oral cavity and that receptor expression itself is altered depending on which organism the cell encounters.

Immune responses to gut microbiota-commensals and pathogens

The mammalian alimentary tract harbors hundreds of species of commensal microorganisms that intimately interact with the host immune system. Within the gut, the immune system actively reacts with potentially pathogenic microbes, while simultaneously remaining ignorant towards the vast majority of non-pathogenic microbiota. The disruption of this delicate balance results in inflammatory bowel diseases. In this review, we describe the recent advances in our understanding of how host-microbiota interactions shape the immune system and how they affect the responses against pathogenic bacteria.

Functional expression of pattern recognition receptors in tissues of the human female reproductive tract

The human female reproductive tract (FRT) must balance the requirements of procreation with the demands of protection from pathogen invasion. We hypothesize that the FRT expresses functional pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins that may mediate these tasks. Expression of PRRs was evaluated in FRT tissues by RT-PCR. PRR function within FRT tissue cells was determined by CXCL8 (IL-8) production in response to treatment with PRR agonists. We now report that TLRs7-9 are expressed in Fallopian tube, uterine endometrium, cervix and ectocervix, while TLR10 expression is restricted to Fallopian tube. NOD1 and NOD2 and the signal transducer RICK were detected in all FRT tissues. Stimulation of FRT tissue cells with PRR ligands resulted in secretion of CXCL8. Results of these studies indicate that PRRs are functionally expressed in FRT tissues, and suggest that these receptors mediate microbial recognition and immune defense in the reproductive tract.

Molecular composition of the peri-islet basement membrane in NOD mice: a barrier against destructive insulitis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

This study examined whether the capsule which encases islets of Langerhans in the NOD mouse pancreas represents a specialised extracellular matrix (ECM) or basement membrane that protects islets from autoimmune attack.

METHODS

Immunofluorescence microscopy using a panel of antibodies to collagens type IV, laminins, nidogens and perlecan was performed to localise matrix components in NOD mouse pancreas before diabetes onset, at onset of diabetes and after clinical diabetes was established (2-8.5 weeks post-onset).

RESULTS

Perlecan, a heparan sulphate proteoglycan that is characteristic of basement membranes and has not previously been investigated in islets, was localised in the peri-islet capsule and surrounding intra-islet capillaries. Other components present in the peri-islet capsule included laminin chains alpha2, beta1 and gamma1, collagen type IV alpha1 and alpha2, and nidogen 1 and 2. Collagen type IV alpha3-alpha6 were not detected. These findings confirm that the peri-islet capsule represents a specialised ECM or conventional basement membrane. The islet basement membrane was destroyed in islets where intra-islet infiltration of leucocytes marked the progression from non-destructive to destructive insulitis. No changes in basement membrane composition were observed before leucocyte infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These findings suggest that the islet basement membrane functions as a physical barrier to leucocyte migration into islets and that degradation of the islet basement membrane marks the onset of destructive autoimmune insulitis and diabetes development in NOD mice. The components of the islet basement membrane that we identified predict that specialised degradative enzymes are likely to function in autoimmune islet damage.

Monarch-1/PYPAF7 and other CATERPILLER (CLR, NOD, NLR) proteins with negative regulatory functions

CATERPILLER is a mammalian gene family with signature NBD and LRR domains. Several members of this family are positive regulators of inflammatory responses. Others, however, exert negative effects on proinflammatory responses. These data are particularly convincing when shRNA/siRNA are used. This review focuses on the Monarch-1/PYPAF7 gene with brief discussions of CLR16.2/NOD3, PYPAF2/PAN1/NALP2, and PYPAF3.

Resident skin-specific gammadelta T cells provide local, nonredundant regulation of cutaneous inflammation

The function of the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) network of T cell receptor (TCR) gammadelta(+) (Vgamma5(+)) dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) was evaluated by examining several mouse strains genetically deficient in gammadelta T cells (delta(-/-) mice), and in delta(-/-) mice reconstituted with DETC or with different gammadelta cell subpopulations. NOD.delta(-/-) and FVB.delta(-/-) mice spontaneously developed localized, chronic dermatitis, whereas interestingly, the commonly used C57BL/6.delta(-/-) strain did not. Genetic analyses indicated a single autosomal recessive gene controlled the dermatitis susceptibility of NOD.delta(-/-) mice. Furthermore, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis reactions were exaggerated in FVB.delta(-/-), but not in C57BL/6.delta(-/-) mice. Neither spontaneous nor augmented irritant dermatitis was observed in FVB.beta(-/-) delta(-/-) mice lacking all T cells, indicating that alphabeta T cell-mediated inflammation is the target for gammadelta-mediated down-regulation. Reconstitution studies demonstrated that both spontaneous and augmented irritant dermatitis in FVB.delta(-/-) mice were down-regulated by Vgamma5(+) DETC, but not by epidermal T cells expressing other gammadelta TCRs. This study demonstrates that functional impairment at an epithelial interface can be specifically attributed to absence of the local TCR-gammadelta(+) IEL subset and suggests that systemic inflammatory reactions may more generally be subject to substantial regulation by local IELs.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 restores sensitivity to cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and protects against diabetes

The activated form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, and its analogues can prevent type I diabetes in NOD mice. Protection is achieved without signs of systemic immunosuppression and is associated with a restoration of the defective immune regulator system of the NOD mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this restoration of regulator cell function is the only mechanism in the prevention of diabetes by 1,25(OH)2D3. We tested therefore if 1,25(OH)2D3 could prevent cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes, since diabetes occurring after cyclophosphamide injection is believed to be due to an elimination of suppresser cells. NOD mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 (5 microg/kg every 2 days) from the time of weaning were clearly protected against diabetes induced by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg body wt at 70 days old) (2/12 (17%) versus 36/53 (68%) in control mice, P < 0.005). By co-transfer experiments it was demonstrated that cyclophosphamide had indeed eliminated the suppresser cells present in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mice. Since cyclophosphamide injection did not break the protection offered by 1,25(OH)2D3, it was clear that diabetogenic effector cells were affected by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment as well. This was confirmed by the finding that splenocytes from 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mice were less capable of transferring diabetes in young, irradiated NOD mice, and by the demonstration of lower Th1 cytokine levels in the pancreases of 1,25(OH)2D3-treated, cyclophosphamide-injected mice. This better elimination of effector cells in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mice could be explained by a restoration of the sensitivity to cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis in both thymocytes and splenocytes, in normally apoptosis-resistant NOD mice. Altogether, these data indicate that the protection against diabetes offered by 1,25(OH)2D3 may be independent of the presence of suppresser cells, and may involve increased apoptosis of Th1 autoimmune effector cells.

Differential clearance of glycoforms of IgG in normal and autoimmune-prone mice

In order to understand better the origins of the elevated levels of the glycoform of IgG that lacks galactose on both arms of the oligosaccharide chain (G0%) located in the Fc, which occurs in man and mouse with age, and in particular in autoimmune disease, we investigated the clearance of two glycosylated forms of IgG2a and IgG1 in normal (BALB/c) and autoimmune-prone (MRL/1pr, MRL/+, and non-obese diabetic (NOD)) mice. To investigate the possibility of different rates of catabolism, enzymatically generated glycoforms of monomeric IgG1 and IgG2a (fully glycosylated or G0%), were iodinated and injected into the tail vein of the mice. We found that the G0% IgG2a remained in circulation significantly longer than the fully glycosylated variants, in all of the mouse strains tested. In contrast, the two forms of IgG1 had similar kinetics in all the autoimmune-prone mice, whereas in BALB/c, there was a longer half-life (t1/2) for G0% IgG1. These data suggest that there may be differences in the ability of the IgG glycoforms to bind to the Fc gamma receptors, in particular Fc gamma RI. The clearance rates were found to vary among the strains studied, with MRL/1pr having the fastest catabolic rates for all glycoforms and IgG subclasses tested. This appeared to be due to the presence of circulating IgG and IgM rheumatoid factors (RF). There were significantly increased frequencies and titres for both IgM and IgG RF in MRL/1pr mice compared with the other strains. In contrast, interferon-gamma, known to induce the Fc gamma RI, was found to be similar in the sera, in all of the strains of mice examined. These results suggest that RF probably play an important biological function in the MRL/1pr mice and aid in the clearance of circulating IgG. Our study shows that the state of glycosylation of IgG affects the t1/2 in vivo, and that by removing the terminal sugars (sialic acid and galactose), the antibody (IgG2a) will remain in circulation significantly longer. These observations may thus provide a partial explanation for the increase in relative percentage of this glycoform that occurs with age.

Strain-dependent migration of CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets to lymph nodes in NOD (nonobese diabetic) and control mice

Subpopulations of lymphoid cells were compared with respect to their ability to migrate into peripheral lymphoid organs of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and various strains of control mice. In short-term, in vivo homing studies, no major differences in the pattern of homing of B and T cells were observed among all mouse strains studied. On the other hand, CD4 cells localized consistently more efficiently than CD8 cells in both PP and LN of adult NOD and BALB/c mice, whereas both populations migrated roughly equivalently in LN of adult DBA/2, CBA, and C57BL/6 mice. No age-dependent differences in the homing of CD4 and CD8 cells were observed in BALB/c mice. On the contrary, in 2-week-old NOD mice, CD4 and CD8 cells migrated equally well. The preferential entry of CD4 cells in adult NOD and BALB/c did not result from increased blood transit time of CD8 cells. On the other hand, the preferential migration of CD8 cells was observed in the liver, whereas the two T-cell subsets migrated equally well in the lungs. The differences in the homing characteristics of CD4 and CD8 cells among NOD, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 mice were not related to modifications in the level of expression of adhesion molecules such as MEL-14, LFA-1, and Pgp-1.