Therapeutic targeting of immunometabolism reveals a critical reliance on hexokinase 2 dosage for microglial activation and Alzheimer’s progression

Summary: Neuroinflammation is a prominent feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Activated microglia undergo a reprogramming of cellular metabolism necessary to power their cellular activities during disease. Thus, selective targeting of microglial immunometabolism might be of therapeutic benefit for treating AD. In the AD brain, the levels of microglial hexokinase 2 (HK2), an enzyme that supports inflammatory responses by promoting glycolysis, are significantly increased. In addition, HK2 displays non-metabolic activities that extend its inflammatory role beyond glycolysis. The antagonism of HK2 affects microglial phenotypes and disease progression in a gene-dose-dependent manner. HK2 complete loss fails to improve pathology by exacerbating inflammation, while its haploinsufficiency reduces pathology in 5xFAD mice. We propose that the partial antagonism of HK2 is effective in slowing disease progression by modulating NF-κB signaling through its cytosolic target, IKBα. The complete loss of HK2 affects additional inflammatory mechanisms related to mitochondrial dysfunction

The Dietary Fiber Inulin Slows Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease–Mineral Bone Disorder (CKD‐MBD) in a Rat Model of CKD

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD)–mineral bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) leads to fractures and cardiovascular disease. Observational studies suggest beneficial effects of dietary fiber on both bone and cardiovascular outcomes, but the effect of fiber on CKD‐MBD is unknown. To determine the effect of fiber on CKD‐MBD, we fed the Cy/+ rat with progressive CKD a casein‐based diet of 0.7% phosphate with 10% inulin (fermentable fiber) or cellulose (non‐fermentable fiber) from 22 weeks to either 30 or 32 weeks of age (~30% and ~15% of normal kidney function; CKD 4 and 5). We assessed CKD‐MBD end points of biochemistry, bone quantity and quality, cardiovascular health, and cecal microbiota and serum gut‐derived uremic toxins. Results were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the main effects of CKD stage and inulin, and their interaction. The results showed that in CKD animals, inulin did not alter kidney function but reduced the increase from stage 4 to 5 in serum levels of phosphate and parathyroid hormone, but not fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF23). Bone turnover and cortical bone parameters were similarly improved but mechanical properties were not altered. Inulin slowed progression of aorta and cardiac calcification, left ventricular mass index, and fibrosis. To understand the mechanism, we assessed intestinal microbiota and found changes in alpha and beta diversity and significant changes in several taxa with inulin, together with a reduction in circulating gut derived uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and short‐chain fatty acids. In conclusion, the addition of the fermentable fiber inulin to the diet of CKD rats led to a slowed progression of CKD‐MBD without affecting kidney function, likely mediated by changes in the gut microbiota composition and lowered gut‐derived uremic toxins. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Themis controls thymocyte selection through regulation of T cell antigen receptor-mediated signaling.

Themis (thymocyte-expressed molecule involved in selection), a member of a family of proteins with unknown functions, is highly conserved among vertebrates. Here we found that Themis had high expression in thymocytes between the pre-T cell antigen receptor (pre-TCR) and positive-selection checkpoints and low expression in mature T cells. Themis-deficient thymocytes showed defective positive selection, which resulted in fewer mature thymocytes. Negative selection was also impaired in Themis-deficient mice. A greater percentage of Themis-deficient T cells had CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory and CD62L(lo)CD44(hi) memory phenotypes than did wild-type T cells. In support of the idea that Themis is involved in TCR signaling, this protein was phosphorylated quickly after TCR stimulation and was needed for optimal TCR-driven calcium mobilization and activation of the kinase Erk