Leucine-rich diet induces a shift in tumour metabolism from glycolytic towards oxidative phosphorylation, reducing glucose consumption and metastasis in Walker-256 tumour-bearing rats

Leucine can stimulate protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and recent studies have shown an increase in leucine-related mitochondria! biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation capacity in muscle cells. However, leucine-related effects in tumour tissues are still poorly understood. Thus, we described the effects of leucine in both in vivo and in vitro models of a Walker-256 tumour. Tumour-bearing Wistar rats were randomly distributed into a control group (W; normoprotein diet) and leucine group (LW; leucine-rich diet [normoprotein +3% leucine]). After 20 days of tumour evolution, the animals underwent (18)-fludeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (F-18-FDG PET-CT) imaging, and after euthanasia, fresh tumour biopsy samples were taken for oxygen consumption rate measurements (Oroboros Oxygraph), electron microscopy analysis and RNA and protein extraction. Our main results from the LW group showed no tumour size change, lower tumour glucose (F-18-FDG) uptake, and reduced metastatic sites. Furthermore, leucine stimulated a shift in tumour metabolism from glycolytic towards oxidative phosphorylation, higher mRNA and protein expression of oxidative phosphorylation components, and enhanced mitochondria! density/area even though the leucine-treated tumour had a higher number of apoptotic nuclei with increased oxidative stress. In summary, a leucine-rich diet directed Walker-256 tumour metabolism to a less glycolytic phenotype profile in which these metabolic alterations were associated with a decrease in tumour aggressiveness and reduction in the number of metastatic sites in rats fed a diet supplemented with this branched-chain amino acid.9CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPSem informação302863/2013-3; 302425/2016-92012/06955-0; 2014/13334-7; 2015/21890-0; 2017/02739-

Leucine-Rich Diet Modulates the Metabolomic and Proteomic Profile of Skeletal Muscle during Cancer Cachexia

Background: Cancer-cachexia induces a variety of metabolic disorders, including skeletal muscle imbalance. Alternative therapy, as nutritional supplementation with leucine, shows a modulatory effect over tumour damage in vivo and in vitro. Method: Adult rats distributed into Control (C), Walker tumour-bearing (W), control fed a leucine-rich diet (L), and tumour-bearing fed a leucine-rich diet (WL) groups had the gastrocnemius muscle metabolomic and proteomic assays performed in parallel to in vitro assays. Results: W group presented an affected muscle metabolomic and proteomic profile mainly related to energy generation and carbohydrates catabolic processes, but leucine-supplemented group (WL) recovered the energy production. In vitro assay showed that cell proliferation, mitochondria number and oxygen consumption were higher under leucine effect than the tumour influence. Muscle proteomics results showed that the main affected cell component was mitochondria, leading to an impacted energy generation, including impairment in proteins of the tricarboxylic cycle and carbohydrates catabolic processes, which were modulated and improved by leucine treatment. Conclusion: In summary, we showed a beneficial effect of leucine upon mitochondria, providing information about the muscle glycolytic pathways used by this amino acid, where it can be associated with the preservation of morphometric parameters and consequent protection against the effects of cachexia

Influence of macrophage depletion in pubic symphysis remodeling of C57BL6 mice during late pregnancy and postpartum

Orientador: Paulo Pinto JoazeiroDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: A sínfise púbica (SP) faz parte do conjunto de elementos do sistema musculoesquelético que oferece suporte aos órgãos pélvicos. Em alguns animais, como camundongos e cobaias, esta junção fibrocartilaginosa passa por drásticas modificações hormonalmente reguladas durante a prenhez, resultando no afastamento dos ossos púbicos e na formação de um ligamento elástico (LiP) que facilita a passagem dos fetos durante o parto. Assim como o LiP, a cérvice uterina (CV) também sofre extensa remodelação durante a prenhez e ambos apresentam similaridades no que diz respeito à composição tecidual, proliferação celular e regulação por relaxina e hormônios esteroides. Embora alguns achados relacionem o relaxamento da SP da e CV à ativação de uma resposta pró-inflamatória sem a participação de granulócitos, a participação de outros leucócitos no remodelamento da SP durante o parto e pós-parto ainda não foi devidamente investigada em camundongos. Com a finalidade de caracterizar aspectos que envolvem a participação de leucócitos neste remodelamento realizamos o presente estudo visando à caracterização morfológica e análise da expressão gênica destas células durante o relaxamento (dias 12, 18 e 19ddg) e a remodelamento da SP no pós-parto (dias 1 e 3dpp) associadas à depleção de monócitos/macrófago. A análise morfológica demonstrou a presença de monócitos/macrófagos, positivos para os marcadores dos antígenos 7/4 e F4/80 respectivamente, dispersos na matriz e no interior de lacunas do LiP entre 18ddg e 3dpp nos grupos controle e tratados. No grupo controle, as análises de PCR em tempo real demonstraram o aumento da expressão de receptor (Ccr2) característico de monócitos inflamatórios nos tecidos interpúbicos, no final da prenhez e pós-parto. Durante a separação dos ossos púbicos, as evidencias indicaram tendência à polarização dos macrófagos favorável ao fenótipo anti-inflamatório M2 (Arg1). No relaxamento houve aumento dos fenótipos pro-inflamatório M1 (Il1a, Tnfa) e anti-inflamatório M2 (Il10); enquanto no pós-parto (1dpp) houve aumento na expressão de genes caraterísticos do fenótipo M1 e queda da expressão relativa de Arg1, simultaneamente ao remodelamento da matriz necessário a reorganização da articulação interpúbica. Posteriormente, no 3dpp, apesar da manutenção dos níveis de expressão de Il1a e Tnfa houve aumento da expressão de Il10, Arg1 e Tgfb, genes relacionados ao fenótipo M2, o que potencialmente pode ser associado à ativação de mecanismos de reparo tecidual necessários à reaproximação dos ossos púbicos. A depleção de monócitos/macrófagos nas etapas de separação e relaxamento dos tecidos interpúbicos, assim como no 3dpp favoreceu a polarização de macrófagos de fenótipo M1 (Il1a, Tnfa), resultando em alterações na compactação da matriz extracelular. Este estudo demonstra que os fagócitos mononucleares são células importantes no processo fisiológico do remodelamento da SP do camundongo durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto. Estas células atuam por meio de mecanismos finamente regulados capazes de garantir o sucesso da reparação tecidual de estruturas suportes da cavidade pélvica do camundongoAbstract: The pubic symphysis (PS) is part of the musculoskeletal system elements that provide support to the pelvic organs. In mice, this fibrocartinaginous joint undergoes hormonally regulated changes during pregnancy involving the pubic bones reabsortion and formation of an elastic ligament (IpL) that leading to a safe delivery. At this period, the uterine cervix (UC) also undergoes an extensive remodeling sharing some similarities with the IpL tissue like connective tissue composition, cell proliferation and hormonal regulation of that process. Although some findings relate the relaxation of PS and UC to the activation of a pro-inflammatory response without the granulocytes involvement, others leukocytes participation in PS remodeling at the delivery and postpartum were not well investigated in mice. In order to characterize aspects of the participation of leukocytes in the PS remodeling we conducted the morphological characterization and analysis of gene expression of these cells during relaxation (12, 18 and 19 days of pregnancy) and the remodeling of the PS postpartum (1 and 3dpp) associated with the depletion of monocytes / macrophages. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of positive cells for antigen 7/4 and F4 / 80, monocytes and macrophages respectively, dispersed in the matrix and inside gaps of the IpL between the 18dp and 3dpp in the control and treated groups. In control group, the real-time PCR analysis showed increased expression of the characteristic inflammatory monocytes receptor (Ccr2) at the interpúbicos tissues on late pregnancy and postpartum. During pubic bones separation, evidences indicated that macrophages preferentially tend to polarize in the anti-inflammatory phenotype M2 (Arg1). At the relaxation of IpL pro-inflammatory M1 (Il1a, Tnfa) and anti-inflammatory M2 (I110) phenotypes was increased; in the meantime, parallel to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix necessary to the interpúbica joint reorganization at postpartum (1dpp), there was an increase in the expression of genes characteristic of M1 phenotype and decreasing in the Arg1 relative expression. Subsequently, at the 3dpp, despite the maintenance in expression levels of Il1a and Tnfa there was an increased in M2 phenotype-related genes expression (Il10, Arg1 and Tgfb) potentially involved in the activation of tissue repair mechanisms necessary to pubic bones reapproximation. Depletion of monocytes / macrophages at separation and interpubic tissue relaxation, as well as 3dpp favored the M1 macrophage phenotype polarization (Il1a, Tnfa), leading to changes in the extracellular matrix compression. This study shows that mononuclear phagocytes are important cells in the physiological process of mice PS remodeling during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. These cells act through finely regulated mechanisms to ensure the successfull tissue repair of the pelvic support structures in miceMestradoBiologia TecidualMestra em Biologia Celular e Estrutura

Immunometabolic Signature during Respiratory Viral Infection: A Potential Target for Host-Directed Therapies

RNA viruses are known to induce a wide variety of respiratory tract illnesses, from simple colds to the latest coronavirus pandemic, causing effects on public health and the economy worldwide. Influenza virus (IV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RhV), and coronavirus (CoV) are some of the most notable RNA viruses. Despite efforts, due to the high mutation rate, there are still no effective and scalable treatments that accompany the rapid emergence of new diseases associated with respiratory RNA viruses. Host-directed therapies have been applied to combat RNA virus infections by interfering with host cell factors that enhance the ability of immune cells to respond against those pathogens. The reprogramming of immune cell metabolism has recently emerged as a central mechanism in orchestrated immunity against respiratory viruses. Therefore, understanding the metabolic signature of immune cells during virus infection may be a promising tool for developing host-directed therapies. In this review, we revisit recent findings on the immunometabolic modulation in response to infection and discuss how these metabolic pathways may be used as targets for new therapies to combat illnesses caused by respiratory RNA viruses

Time-dependent regulation of morphological changes and cartilage differentiation markers in the mouse pubic symphysis during pregnancy and postpartum recovery

<div><p>Animal models commonly serve as a bridge between <i>in vitro</i> experiments and clinical applications; however, few physiological processes in adult animals are sufficient to serve as proof-of-concept models for cartilage regeneration. Intriguingly, some rodents, such as young adult mice, undergo physiological connective tissue modifications to birth canal elements such as the pubic symphysis during pregnancy; therefore, we investigated whether the differential expression of cartilage differentiation markers is associated with cartilaginous tissue morphological modifications during these changes. Our results showed that osteochondral progenitor cells expressing <i>Runx2</i>, <i>Sox9</i>, <i>Col2a1</i> and <i>Dcx</i> at the non-pregnant pubic symphysis proliferated and differentiated throughout pregnancy, giving rise to a complex osteoligamentous junction that attached the interpubic ligament to the pubic bones until labour occurred. After delivery, the recovery of pubic symphysis cartilaginous tissues was improved by the time-dependent expression of these chondrocytic lineage markers at the osteoligamentous junction. This process potentially recapitulates embryologic chondrocytic differentiation to successfully recover hyaline cartilaginous pads at 10 days postpartum. Therefore, we propose that this physiological phenomenon represents a proof-of-concept model for investigating the mechanisms involved in cartilage restoration in adult animals.</p></div

Spatiotemporal expression of Col2a1 in the PS cartilage pads and IpL osteoligamentous junction during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

<p>(A- F) Distribution of <i>Col2a1</i> mRNA expression in hyaline cartilage (HC), near the subchondral bone (SB), in fibrocartilage (FC) at NP and 1dpp PS, and in BDR and BPR regions of the osteoligamentous junction from D19 to 5dpp. <i>Col2a1</i>-positive cells exhibit variable phenotypes: round cells at SB, elongated cells at the BPR, angular chondrocyte-like cells (HC/BDR) and elliptical chondrocyte-like cells (FC) from NP to 10dpp PS (arrowheads). (G-L) Areas temporally immunostaining to procollagen encoded by Col2a1. Positive cells presented a coincident phenotype and localization with <i>Col2a1</i> mRNA-positive cells (arrowheads) (1:2000 anti-DIG pod/H-O). <i>In situ</i> hybridization (ISH) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments. Scale bars = 20 μm.</p

Spatiotemporal expression of Dcx in the PS cartilage pads and IpL osteoligamentous junction during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

<p>(A and G) Both Dcx mRNA and protein were observed in round cells near the NP PS subchondral bone (SB) and in hyaline cartilage (HC) angular chondrocyte-like cells (arrowheads). (B, E, H and K). At the osteoligamentous junction, Dcx mRNA and protein were observed in elongated cells and round cells of the BPR region at D19 and 5dpp, respectively (arrowheads). (C, D, F, I, J and L) Only DCX protein-positive cells were localized in both the BPR and BDR regions of the IpL osteoligamentous junction at 1dpp and 3dpp, and this occurred mostly in round cells near the PS subchondral bone (SB) at 10dpp PS (arrowheads). (1:2000 anti-DIG pod/H-O <i>In situ</i> hybridization (ISH) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments. Scale bars = 20 μm.</p

Spatiotemporal expression of Sox9 in the PS cartilage pads and IpL osteoligamentous junction during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

<p>(A, F, G and L) Both Sox9 mRNA and protein were localized at the hyaline cartilage (HC) and fibrocartilage (FC) in angular and elliptical chondrocyte-like cells and at round cells near the subchondral bone (SB) in NP and 10dpp PS (arrowheads). (B and H) At the IpL osteoligamentous junction, Sox9 mRNA and protein were observed in elongated cells at the BPR and mainly in BDR angular chondrocyte-like cells at D19 (arrowheads). (E and K) At 5dpp, Sox9 mRNA and protein were localized in round cells at the BPR region of the IpL osteoligamentous junction, but only cells testing positive for <i>Sox9</i> mRNA were observed at the BDR (arrowheads). (C, D, I and J) From 1dpp to 3dpp, no cells positive for either Sox9 mRNA or protein were observed at the IpL osteoligamentous junction (1:2000 anti-DIG pod/H-O). <i>In situ</i> hybridization (ISH) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments. Scale bars = 20 μm.</p

ISH probes: Primers, amplicon sizes and temperatures used in the hybridization assays.

<p>Gene-specific forward (F) and reverse (R) primers were used to generate antisense RNA probes for use in the in situ hybridization (ISH) assays. All R primers also contained the T7 RNA promoter sequence (<u><b><i>T7PS</i></b></u>) at the 5’-end (5´-TAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGA-3´). The amplicon sizes and temperatures used in the ISH assays are also shown.</p