New insights into the inter-organ crosstalk mediated by ChREBP

Carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is a glucose responsive transcription factor recognized by its critical role in the transcriptional control of glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis. Substantial advances in the field have revealed novel ChREBP functions. Indeed, due to its actions in different tissues, ChREBP modulates the inter-organ communication through secretion of peptides and lipid factors, ensuring metabolic homeostasis. Dysregulation of these orchestrated interactions is associated with development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we recapitulate the current knowledge about ChREBP-mediated inter-organ crosstalk through secreted factors and its physiological implications. As the liver is considered a crucial endocrine organ, we will focus in this review on the role of ChREBP-regulated hepatokines. Lastly, we will discuss the involvement of ChREBP in the progression of metabolic pathologies, as well as how the impairment of ChREBP-dependent signaling factors contributes to the onset of such diseases

O-GlcNacylation Links TxNIP to Inflammasome Activation in Pancreatic β Cells

Thioredoxin interacting protein (TxNIP), which strongly responds to glucose, has emerged as a central mediator of glucotoxicity in pancreatic β cells. TxNIP is a scaffold protein interacting with target proteins to inhibit or stimulate their activity. Recent studies reported that high glucose stimulates the interaction of TxNIP with the inflammasome protein NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) to increase interleukin-1 β (IL1β) secretion by pancreatic β cells. To better understand the regulation of TxNIP by glucose in pancreatic β cells, we investigated the implication of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAcylation) in regulating TxNIP at the posttranslational level. O-GlcNAcylation of proteins is controlled by two enzymes: the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which transfers a monosaccharide to serine/threonine residues on target proteins, and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA), which removes it. Our study shows that TxNIP is subjected to O-GlcNAcylation in response to high glucose concentrations in β cell lines. Modification of the O-GlcNAcylation pathway through manipulation of OGT or OGA expression or activity significantly modulates TxNIP O-GlcNAcylation in INS1 832/13 cells. Interestingly, expression and O-GlcNAcylation of TxNIP appeared to be increased in islets of diabetic rodents. At the mechanistic level, the induction of the O-GlcNAcylation pathway in human and rat islets promotes inflammasome activation as evidenced by enhanced cleaved IL1β. Overexpression of OGT in HEK293 or INS1 832/13 cells stimulates TxNIP and NLRP3 interaction, while reducing TxNIP O-GlcNAcylation through OGA overexpression destabilizes this interaction. Altogether, our study reveals that O-GlcNAcylation represents an important regulatory mechanism for TxNIP activity in β cells

LRH-1-dependent glucose sensing determines intermediary metabolism in liver

Liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1), an established regulator of cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis, has recently emerged as a potential drug target for liver disease. Although LRH-1 activation may protect the liver against diet-induced steatosis and insulin resistance, little is known about how LRH-1 controls hepatic glucose and fatty acid metabolism under physiological conditions. We therefore assessed the role of LRH-1 in hepatic intermediary metabolism. In mice with conditional deletion of Lrhl in liver, analysis of hepatic glucose fluxes revealed reduced glucokinase (GCK) and glycogen synthase fluxes as compared with those of wild-type littermates. These changes were attributed to direct transcriptional regulation of Gck by LRH-1. Impaired glucokinase-mediated glucose phosphorylation in LRH-1-deficient livers was also associated with reduced glycogen synthesis, glycolysis, and de novo lipogenesis in response to acute and prolonged glucose exposure. Accordingly, hepatic carbohydrate response element-binding protein activity was reduced in these animals. Cumulatively, these data identify LRH-1 as a key regulatory component of the hepatic glucose-sensing system required for proper integration of postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism

Monoacylglycerol lipase reprograms hepatocytes and macrophages to promote liver regeneration

Background & Aims: Liver regeneration is a repair process in which metabolic reprogramming of parenchymal and inflammatory cells plays a major role. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is an ubiquitous enzyme at the crossroad between lipid metabolism and inflammation. It converts monoacylglycerols into free fatty acids and metabolises 2-arachidonoylglycerol into arachidonic acid, being thus the major source of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in the liver. In this study, we investigated the role of MAGL in liver regeneration. Methods: Hepatocyte proliferation was studied in vitro in hepatoma cell lines and ex vivo in precision-cut human liver slices. Liver regeneration was investigated in mice treated with a pharmacological MAGL inhibitor, MJN110, as well as in animals globally invalidated for MAGL (MAGL-/-) and specifically invalidated in hepatocytes (MAGLHep-/-) or myeloid cells (MAGLMye-/-). Two models of liver regeneration were used: acute toxic carbon tetrachloride injection and two-thirds partial hepatectomy. MAGLMye-/- liver macrophages profiling was analysed by RNA sequencing. A rescue experiment was performed by in vivo administration of interferon receptor antibody in MAGLMye-/- mice. Results: Precision-cut human liver slices from patients with chronic liver disease and human hepatocyte cell lines exposed to MJN110 showed reduced hepatocyte proliferation. Mice with global invalidation or mice treated with MJN110 showed blunted liver regeneration. Moreover, mice with specific deletion of MAGL in either hepatocytes or myeloid cells displayed delayed liver regeneration. Mechanistically, MAGLHep-/- mice showed reduced liver eicosanoid production, in particular prostaglandin E2 that negatively impacts on hepatocyte proliferation. MAGL inhibition in macrophages resulted in the induction of the type I interferon pathway. Importantly, neutralising the type I interferon pathway restored liver regeneration of MAGLMye-/- mice. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that MAGL promotes liver regeneration by hepatocyte and macrophage reprogramming. Impact and Implications: By using human liver samples and mouse models of global or specific cell type invalidation, we show that the monoacylglycerol pathway plays an essential role in liver regeneration. We unveil the mechanisms by which MAGL expressed in both hepatocytes and macrophages impacts the liver regeneration process, via eicosanoid production by hepatocytes and the modulation of the macrophage interferon pathway profile that restrains hepatocyte proliferation.The authors thank V. Fauveau, Institut Cochin, for help in surgery experiments; Olivier Thibaudeau of the Plateau de Morphologie Facility (INSERM UMR 1152, France) and Nicolas Sorhaindo of the Plateforme de Biochimie (CRI, INSERM UMR1149) for their help in the histology and liver function tests; and K. Bailly from the cytometry platform of Cochin Institute and H. Fohrer-Ting from the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris University, for cell sorting analyses.Scopu

LKB1 is required for hepatic bile acid transport and canalicular membrane integrity in mice

LKB1 is a ‘master’ protein kinase implicated in the regulation of metabolism, cell proliferation, cell polarity and tumorigenesis. However, the long-term role of LKB1 in hepatic function is unknown. In the present study, it is shown that hepatic LKB1 plays a key role in liver cellular architecture and metabolism. We report that liver-specific deletion of LKB1 in mice leads to defective canaliculi and bile duct formation, causing impaired bile acid clearance and subsequent accumulation of bile acids in serum and liver. Concomitant with this, it was found that the majority of BSEP (bile salt export pump) was retained in intracellular pools rather than localized to the canalicular membrane in hepatocytes from LLKB1KO (liver-specific Lkb1-knockout) mice. Together, these changes resulted in toxic accumulation of bile salts, reduced liver function and failure to thrive. Additionally, circulating LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and non-esterified cholesterol levels were increased in LLKB1KO mice with an associated alteration in red blood cell morphology and development of hyperbilirubinaemia. These results indicate that LKB1 plays a critical role in bile acid homoeostasis and that lack of LKB1 in the liver results in cholestasis. These findings indicate a novel key role for LKB1 in the development of hepatic morphology and membrane targeting of canalicular proteins

Immunometabolism at the crossroads of obesity and cancer-a Keystone Symposia report.

peer reviewedImmunometabolism considers the relationship between metabolism and immunity. Typically, researchers focus on either the metabolic pathways within immune cells that affect their function or the impact of immune cells on systemic metabolism. A more holistic approach that considers both these viewpoints is needed. On September 5-8, 2022, experts in the field of immunometabolism met for the Keystone symposium "Immunometabolism at the Crossroads of Obesity and Cancer" to present recent research across the field of immunometabolism, with the setting of obesity and cancer as an ideal example of the complex interplay between metabolism, immunity, and cancer. Speakers highlighted new insights on the metabolic links between tumor cells and immune cells, with a focus on leveraging unique metabolic vulnerabilities of different cell types in the tumor microenvironment as therapeutic targets and demonstrated the effects of diet, the microbiome, and obesity on immune system function and cancer pathogenesis and therapy. Finally, speakers presented new technologies to interrogate the immune system and uncover novel metabolic pathways important for immunity

Cross-regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism ChREBP and Nuclear Receptors

International audienceThere is a worldwide epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, two major public health concerns associated with alterations in both insulin and glucose signaling pathways. Glucose is not only an energy source but also controls the expression of key genes involved in energetic metabolism, through the glucose-signaling transcription factor, Carbohydrate Responsive Element Binding Protein (ChREBP). ChREBP has emerged as a central regulator of fatty acid synthesis (lipogenesis) in response to glucose under both physiological and physiopathological conditions. Glucose activates ChREBP by regulating its entry from the cytosol to the nucleus, thereby promoting its binding to carbohydrate responsive element (ChoRE) in the promoter regions of glycolytic (L-PK) and lipogenic genes (ACC and FAS). We have previously reported that the inhibition of ChREBP in liver of obese ob/ob mice improves the metabolic alterations linked to obesity, fatty liver and insulin-resistance. Therefore, regulating ChREBP activity could be an attractive target for lipid-lowering therapies in obesity and diabetes. However, before this is possible, a better understanding of the mechanism(s) regulating its activity is needed. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the role and regulation of ChREBP and particularly emphasize on the cross-regulations that may exist between key nuclear receptors (LXR, TR, HNF4α) and ChREBP for the control of hepatic glucose metabolism. These novel molecular cross-talks may open the way to new pharmacological opportunities

ChREBP et le contrôle de la lipogenèse hépatique (interrelation avec les récepteurs nucléaires et la signalisation insulinique)

Ce travail a porté sur le facteur de transcription ChREBP, un régulateur clef de la synthèse d acides gras à partir du glucose, ou lipogenèse. Cette voie métabolique est stimulée par un signal glucose, via ChREBP, et par l insuline, via les facteurs LXR et SREBP-1c. L expression adénovirale d une forme constitutivement active de ChREBP (ChREBPCA) dans le foie de souris suffit à stimuler la lipogenèse et l accumulation de triglycérides hépatiques (stéatose), même en l absence de SREBP-1c (souris insulinopéniques traitées à la streptozotocine STZ) ou de LXR et de SREBP1c (souris LXR / KO). Bien que la stéatose soit bégnine, elle est la première étape d un spectre de maladies hépatiques délétères. Chez les souris STZ, ChREBPCA permet de restaurer la voie de signalisation insulinique hépatique et stimule le stockage de glucose. A moyen terme, ces souris présentent une amélioration de la glycémie due probablement à la stimulation par ChREBPCA de FGF21, une hépatokine bénéfique pour l homéostasie énergétique. L expression de ChREBPCA est en revanche néfaste chez les souris LXR / KO. La stéatose s accompagne dans ce cas d une inflammation et d une importante apoptose. ChREBPCA diminue l expression du régulateur CAR et perturbe la voie de détoxification des acides biliaires. Ceux-ci s accumulent dans le foie et causent des dommages importants chez les souris LXR / KO mais pas les sauvages, soulignant ainsi le rôle protecteur du récepteur nucléaire LXR. Ces données révèlent le rôle ambivalent de ChREBP dans la physiologie hépatique, et apportent des éléments nouveaux sur les mécanismes qui gouvernent la transition de la stéatose simple à l apparition des dommages hépatiquesThis work focused on ChREBP, a master regulator of fatty acid synthesis (lipogenesis) from glucose. This metabolic pathway is stimulated by a glucose signal, via ChREBP, and by an insulin signal, via transcription factors LXR and SREBP-1c. Adenoviral expression of a constitutive active form of ChREBP (ChREBPCA) in liver was sufficient to promote lipogenesis and triglyceride accumulation (steatosis) even in a situation of SREBP-1c deficiency (insulinopenic streptozotocin (STZ) treated mice) or synergistic LXR and SREBP-1c deficiency (LXR / KO mice). Hepatic steatosis, by itself, is benign, but represents the first step of a spectrum of deleterious liver diseases (NAFLD). In STZ mice, ChREBPCA rescued the hepatic insulin signaling pathway and led to enhanced hepatic glucose storage under the form of glycogen and lipids. These mice also displayed improved glycemia, probably due to the stimulation by ChREBPCA of the insulin-sensitizer circulating factor FGF21. In contrast, expression of ChREBPCA in liver of LXR / KO mice was deleterious. Steatosis in this model was linked to inflammatory markers and to hepatocyte apoptosis. In addition, ChREBPCA, by downregulating the expression of the nuclear receptor CAR, led to an alteration in the bile acid and bilirubin detoxification pathway. In turn, accumulation of these toxic components in liver caused critical alterations in liver of LXR / KO but not in wild type mice, underlining the protective role of LXR against stressed-induced damages. These results provide novel insights on the ambivalent role of ChREBP in liver physiology, as well as on the mechanisms triggering simple steatosis transition toward more severe liver damagesPARIS-BIUSJ-Biologie recherche (751052107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Rôle du facteur de transcription ChREBP dans la régulation transcriptionnelle par le glucose des gènes de la glycolyse et de la lipogenèse dans le foie (implication dans la physiopathologie de l'obésité et/ ou du diabète de type 2)

PARIS7-Bibliothèque centrale (751132105) / SudocSudocFranceF