Farnesoid X Receptor and its ligands inhibit the function of platelets

Objective - While initially seemingly paradoxical due to the lack of nucleus, platelets possess a number of transcription factors that regulate their function through DNA-independent mechanisms. These include the Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR), a member of the superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that has been identified as a bile acid receptor. In this study, we show that FXR is present in human platelets and FXR ligands, GW4064 and 6-ECDCA, modulate platelet activation nongenomically. Approach and Results - FXR ligands inhibited the activation of platelets in response to stimulation of collagen or thrombin receptors, resulting in diminished intracellular calcium mobilization and secretion, fibrinogen binding and aggregation. Exposure to FXR ligands also reduced integrin alphaIIbbeta3 outside-in signaling and thereby reduced the ability of platelets to spread and to stimulate clot retraction. FXR function in platelets was found to be associated with the modulation of cGMP levels in platelets and associated downstream inhibitory signaling. Platelets from FXR-deficient mice were refractory to the actions of FXR agonists on platelet function and cyclic nucleotide signaling, firmly linking the non-genomic actions of these ligands to the FXR receptor. Conclusion – This study provides support for the ability of FXR ligands to modulate platelet activation. The athero-protective effects of GW4064, with its novel antiplatelet effects, indicate FXR as a potential target for prevention of athero-thrombotic disease

Genomic Diversity in Staphylococcus xylosus▿

Staphylococcus xylosus is a commensal of the skin of humans and animals and a ubiquitous bacterium naturally present in food. It is one of the major starter cultures used for meat fermentation, but a few strains could potentially be hazardous and are related to animal opportunistic infections. To better understand the genetic diversity of S. xylosus intraspecies, suppressive and subtractive hybridization (SSH) was carried out with the S. xylosus C2a strain, a commensal of human skin, used as the driver for three tester strains, S04002 used as a starter culture, S04009 isolated from cow mastitis, and 00-1747, responsible for mouse dermatitis. SSH revealed 122 tester-specific fragments corresponding to 149 open reading frames (ORFs). A large proportion of these ORFs resembled genes involved in specific metabolisms. Analysis of the distribution of the tester-specific fragments in 20 S. xylosus strains of various origins showed that the S. xylosus species could be divided into two clusters with one composed only of potentially hazardous strains. The genetic content diversity of this species is colocalized in a region near the origin of replication of the chromosome. This region of speciation previously observed in the Staphylococcus genus corresponded in S. xylosus species to a strain-specific region potentially implicated in ecological fitness

Farnesoid X Receptor Activation in Brain Alters Brown Adipose Tissue Function via the Sympathetic System

International audienceThe nuclear bile acid (BA) receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a major regulator of metabolic/energy homeostasis in peripheral organs. Indeed, enterohepatic-expressed FXR controls metabolic processes (BA, glucose and lipid metabolism, fat mass, body weight). The central nervous system (CNS) regulates energy homeostasis in close interaction with peripheral organs. While FXR has been reported to be expressed in the brain, its function has not been studied so far. We studied the role of FXR in brain control of energy homeostasis by treating wild-type and FXR-deficient mice by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection with the reference FXR agonist GW4064. Here we show that pharmacological activation of brain FXR modifies energy homeostasis by affecting brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Brain FXR activation decreases the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and consequently the sympathetic tone. FXR activation acts by inhibiting hypothalamic PKA-CREB induction of TH expression. These findings identify a function of brain FXR in the control of energy homeostasis and shed new light on the complex control of energy homeostasis by BA through FXR

Évolutions épidémiologiques et nouvelles contraintes dans la lutte contre les myiases ovines

Sheep myiasis : recent developments in epidemiology and novel constraints in control. The blowfly (Lucilia sericata), the fleshfly (Wohlfahrtia magnifica) and the nasal-bot fly (Oestrus ovis) are important pests for the sheep industry. Moreover, sporadic opthalmomyiasis cases due to O. ovis are reported in human beings worldwide. In the last 20 years, the epidemiology of ovine myiasis showed considerable evolution in France with a marked spreading of their geographical distribution. A large array of chemical compounds is still available to control these parasites in meat sheep. However, due to revised milk withdrawal times, many efficient chemical compounds are now forbidden in dairy sheep. In the same time, alternative methods to chemical treatments are still in their infancy. Therefore, the information towards sheep breeders and veterinarians is of critical importance to detect clinical cases as soon as possible and for the global survey of these parasitosis.Une myiase naso-sinusale à Oestrus ovis et deux myiases cutanées à Lucilia sericata et Wohlfahrtia magnifica constituent toujours une dominante pathologique des ovins au pâturage. De plus, la myiase naso-sinusale à Oestrus ovis est responsable de cas sporadiques d’ophtalmomyiase externe chez l’homme. Dans les dernières décennies, ces affections parasitaires ont connu des évolutions épidémiologiques importantes, gagnant de nouveaux territoires en France métropolitaine. Leur contrôle reste tout à fait réalisable en élevage ovin allaitant même s’il est contraignant, mais il s’est considérablement compliqué en élevage ovin laitier en raison d’interdictions réglementaires de l’utilisation de nombreuses molécules actives. En parallèle, les méthodes alternatives au traitement chimique restent très limitées. L’information des éleveurs et des vétérinaires est donc essentielle pour la détection précoce des cas et la surveillance de ces parasitoses.Jacquiet Philippe, Alzieu Jean-Pierre, Liénard Emmanuel, Grisez Chistelle, Prévot Françoise, Bergeaud Jean-Paul, Bouhsira Emilie, Franc Michel, Dorchies Philippe. Évolutions épidémiologiques et nouvelles contraintes dans la lutte contre les myiases ovines. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 169 n°1, 2016. pp. 46-53

Farnesoid X receptor inhibits the transcriptional activity of carbohydrate response element binding protein in human hepatocytes.: Transrepression of ChREBP by FXR

International audienceThe glucose-activated transcription factor carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) induces the expression of hepatic glycolytic and lipogenic genes. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear bile acid receptor controlling bile acid, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. FXR negatively regulates hepatic glycolysis and lipogenesis in mouse liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether FXR regulates the transcriptional activity of ChREBP in human hepatocytes and to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms. Agonist-activated FXR inhibits glucose-induced transcription of several glycolytic genes, including the liver-type pyruvate kinase gene (L-PK), in the immortalized human hepatocyte (IHH) and HepaRG cell lines. This inhibition requires the L4L3 region of the L-PK promoter, known to bind the transcription factors ChREBP and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α). FXR interacts directly with ChREBP and HNF4α proteins. Analysis of the protein complex bound to the L4L3 region reveals the presence of ChREBP, HNF4α, FXR, and the transcriptional coactivators p300 and CBP at high glucose concentrations. FXR activation does not affect either FXR or HNF4α binding to the L4L3 region but does result in the concomitant release of ChREBP, p300, and CBP and in the recruitment of the transcriptional corepressor SMRT. Thus, FXR transrepresses the expression of genes involved in glycolysis in human hepatocytes

Topical Intestinal Aminoimidazole Agonists of G-Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1 Promote Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Secretion and Improve Glucose Tolerance

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Adipocyte-specific FXR-deficiency protects adipose tissue from oxidative stress and insulin resistance and improves glucose homeostasis

Objective: Obesity is associated with metabolic dysfunction of white adipose tissue (WAT). Activated adipocytes secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in the recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages, which contribute to WAT insulin resistance. The bile acid (BA)-activated nuclear Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) controls systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, we studied the role of FXR in adipose tissue function. Methods: We first investigated the immune phenotype of epididymal WAT (eWAT) from high fat diet (HFD)-fed whole-body FXR-deficient (FXR−/−) mice by flow cytometry and gene expression analysis. We then generated adipocyte-specific FXR-deficient (Ad-FXR−/−) mice and analyzed systemic and eWAT metabolism and immune phenotype upon HFD feeding. Transcriptomic analysis was done on mature eWAT adipocytes from HFD-fed Ad-FXR−/− mice. Results: eWAT from HFD-fed whole-body FXR−/− and Ad-FXR−/− mice displayed decreased pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration and inflammation. Ad-FXR−/− mice showed lower blood glucose concentrations, improved systemic glucose tolerance and WAT insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress. Transcriptomic analysis identified Gsta4, a modulator of oxidative stress in WAT, as the most upregulated gene in Ad-FXR−/− mouse adipocytes. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that FXR binds the Gsta4 gene promoter. Conclusions: These results indicate a role for the adipocyte FXR-GSTA4 axis in controlling HFD-induced inflammation and systemic glucose homeostasis

The nuclear receptor FXR inhibits Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 secretion in response to microbiota-derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

The gut microbiota participates in the control of energy homeostasis partly through fermentation of dietary fibers hence producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn promote the secretion of the incretin Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) by binding to the SCFA receptors FFAR2 and FFAR3 on enteroendocrine L-cells. We have previously shown that activation of the nuclear Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) decreases the L-cell response to glucose. Here, we investigated whether FXR also regulates the SCFA-induced GLP-1 secretion. GLP-1 secretion in response to SCFAs was evaluated ex vivo in murine colonic biopsies and in colonoids of wild-type (WT) and FXR knock-out (KO) mice, in vitro in GLUTag and NCI-H716 L-cells activated with the synthetic FXR agonist GW4064 and in vivo in WT and FXR KO mice after prebiotic supplementation. SCFA-induced GLP-1 secretion was blunted in colonic biopsies from GW4064-treated mice and enhanced in FXR KO colonoids. In vitro FXR activation inhibited GLP-1 secretion in response to SCFAs and FFAR2 synthetic ligands, mainly by decreasing FFAR2 expression and downstream Gαq-signaling. FXR KO mice displayed elevated colonic FFAR2 mRNA levels and increased plasma GLP-1 levels upon local supply of SCFAs with prebiotic supplementation. Our results demonstrate that FXR activation decreases L-cell GLP-1 secretion in response to inulin-derived SCFA by reducing FFAR2 expression and signaling. Inactivation of intestinal FXR using bile acid sequestrants or synthetic antagonists in combination with prebiotic supplementation may be a promising therapeutic approach to boost the incretin axis in type 2 diabetes

CDKN2A/p16INK4a suppresses hepatic fatty acid oxidation through the AMPKα2-SIRT1-PPARα signaling pathway

International audienceIn addition to their well-known role in the control of cellular proliferation and cancer, cell cycle regulators are increasingly identified as important metabolic modulators. Several GWAS have identified SNPs near CDKN2A, the locus encoding for p16INK4a (p16), associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes development, two pathologies associated with impaired hepatic lipid metabolism. Although p16 was recently shown to control hepatic glucose homeostasis, it is unknown whether p16 also controls hepatic lipid metabolism. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches, we found that p16 modulates fasting-induced hepatic fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and lipid droplet accumulation. In primary hepatocytes, p16-deficiency was associated with elevated expression of genes involved in fatty acid catabolism. These transcriptional changes led to increased FAO and were associated with enhanced activation of PPARα through a mechanism requiring the catalytic AMPKα2 subunit and SIRT1, two known activators of PPARα. By contrast, p16 overexpression was associated with triglyceride accumulation and increased lipid droplet numbers in vitro, and decreased ketogenesis and hepatic mitochondrial activity in vivo. Finally, gene expression analysis of liver samples from obese patients revealed a negative correlation between CDKN2A expression and PPARA and its target genes. Our findings demonstrate that p16 represses hepatic lipid catabolism during fasting and may thus participate in the preservation of metabolic flexibility

Endospanin-2 enhances skeletal muscle energy metabolism and running endurance capacity.

Metabolic stresses such as dietary energy restriction or physical activity exert beneficial metabolic effects. In the liver, endospanin-1 and endospanin-2 cooperatively modulate calorie restriction-mediated (CR-mediated) liver adaptations by controlling growth hormone sensitivity. Since we found CR to induce endospanin protein expression in skeletal muscle, we investigated their role in this tissue. In vivo and in vitro endospanin-2 triggers ERK phosphorylation in skeletal muscle through an autophagy-dependent pathway. Furthermore, endospanin-2, but not endospanin-1, overexpression decreases muscle mitochondrial ROS production, induces fast-to-slow fiber-type switch, increases skeletal muscle glycogen content, and improves glucose homeostasis, ultimately promoting running endurance capacity. In line, endospanin-2-/- mice display higher lipid peroxidation levels, increased mitochondrial ROS production under mitochondrial stress, decreased ERK phosphorylation, and reduced endurance capacity. In conclusion, our results identify endospanin-2 as a potentially novel player in skeletal muscle metabolism, plasticity, and function