Real-time OXPHOS capacity analysis in wounded skin from diabetic mice: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) impairs wound healing. The aim was to determine whether DM influences mitochondrial respiration in wounded skin (WS) and non-wounded skin (NWS), in a pre-clinical wound healing model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. METHODS: Six weeks after diabetes induction, two wounds were created in the back of C57BL/J6 mice. Using high-resolution respirometry (HRR), oxygen flux was measured, in WS and NWS, using two substrate-uncoupler-inhibitor titration protocols, at baseline (day 0), day 3 and 10 post-wounding, in STZ-DM and non-diabetic (NDM) mice. Flux control ratios for the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity were calculated. RESULTS: A significant increase in mitochondrial respiration was observed in STZ-DM skin compared to control skin at baseline. The OXPHOS capacity was decreased in WS under diabetes at day 3 post-wounding (inflammation phase). However, at day 10 post-wounding (remodeling phase), the OXPHOS capacity was higher in WS from STZ-DM compared to NDM mice, and compared to NWS from STZ-DM mice. A significant relative contribution of pyruvate, malate and glutamate (PMG) oxidation to the OXPHOS capacity was observed in WS compared to NWS from STZ-DM mice, at day 10, while the relative contribution of fatty acid oxidation to the OXPHOS capacity was higher in NWS. The OXPHOS capacity is altered in WS from STZ-DM compared to NDM mice across the healing process, and so is the substrate contribution in WS and NWS from STZ-DM mice, at each time point. CONCLUSION: HRR may be a sensitive tool to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of tissue repair during wound healing.

Healing profiles in patients with a chronic diabetic foot ulcer: An exploratory study with machine learning.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the most frequent and debilitating complications of diabetes. DFU wound healing is a highly complex process, resulting in significant medical, economic and social challenges. Therefore, early identification of patients with a high-risk profile would be important to adequate treatment and more successful health outcomes. This study explores risk assessment profiles for DFU healing and healing prognosis, using machine learning predictive approaches and decision tree algorithms. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0; N = 158) and 2 months later (T1; N = 108) on sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical and psychological variables. The performance evaluation of the models comprised F1-score, accuracy, precision and recall. Only profiles with F1-score >0.7 were selected for analysis. According to the two profiles generated for DFU healing, the most important predictive factors were illness representations on T1 IPQ-B (IPQ-B ≤ 9.5 and < 10.5) and the DFU duration (≤ 13 weeks). The two predictive models for DFU healing prognosis suggest that biochemical factors are the best predictors of a favorable healing prognosis, namely IL-6, microRNA-146a-5p and PECAM-1 at T0 and angiopoietin-2 at T1. Illness perception at T0 (IPQ-B ≤ 39.5) also emerged as a relevant predictor for healing prognosis. The results emphasize the importance of DFU duration, illness perception and biochemical markers as predictors of  healing in chronic DFUs. Future research is needed to confirm and test the obtained predictive models.

Innovative Functional Biomaterials as Therapeutic Wound Dressings for Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

The imbalance of local and systemic factors in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) delays, or even interrupts, the highly complex and dynamic process of wound healing, leading to diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in 15 to 25% of cases. DFU is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations worldwide, posing a huge threat to the well-being of individuals with DM and the healthcare system. Moreover, despite all the latest efforts, the efficient management of DFUs still remains a clinical challenge, with limited success rates in treating severe infections. Biomaterial-based wound dressings have emerged as a therapeutic strategy with rising potential to handle the tricky macro and micro wound environments of individuals with DM. Indeed, biomaterials have long been related to unique versatility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, hydrophilicity, and wound healing properties, features that make them ideal candidates for therapeutic applications. Furthermore, biomaterials may be used as a local depot of biomolecules with anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and antimicrobial properties, further promoting adequate wound healing. Accordingly, this review aims to unravel the multiple functional properties of biomaterials as promising wound dressings for chronic wound healing, and to examine how these are currently being evaluated in research and clinical settings as cutting-edge wound dressings for DFU management.

Adipose-related microRNAs as modulators of the cardiovascular system: the role of epicardial adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue expansion and subsequent metabolic dysfunction has been considered one of the major risk factors for development of cardiometabolic disease. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in particular is a unique subtype of visceral adipose tissue located on the surface of the heart, around the coronary arteries. Due to its proximity, EAT can modulate the local metabolic and immune function of cardiomyocytes and coronary arteries. Several microRNAs have been described as key players in both cardiac and vascular function that when dysregulated will contribute to dysfunction. Here we review the influence of obesity in the crosstalk between specific adipose tissue types, in particular the EAT-secreted microRNAs, as key modulators of cardiac disease progression, not only as early biomarkers but also as therapeutic targets for cardiometabolic disease.

Heme Oxygenase-1 as Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the major complications of diabetes. Wound healing under diabetic conditions is often impaired. This is in part due to the excessive oxidative stress, prolonged inflammation, immune cell dysfunction, delayed re-epithelialization, and decreased angiogenesis present at the wound site. As a result of these multifactorial impaired healing pathways, it has been difficult to develop effective therapeutic strategies for DFU. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation generating carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin (BV) which is converted into bilirubin (BR), and iron. HO-1 is a potent antioxidant. It can act as an anti-inflammatory, proliferative, angiogenic and cytoprotective enzyme. Due to its biological functions, HO-1 plays a very important role in wound healing, in part mediated through the biologically active end products generated by its enzymatic activity, particularly CO, BV, and BR. Therapeutic strategies involving the activation of HO-1, or the topical application of its biologically active end products are important in diabetic wound healing. Therefore, HO-1 is an attractive therapeutic target for DFU treatment. This review will provide an overview and discussion of the importance of HO-1 as a therapeutic target for diabetic wound healing.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for chronic wounds in diabetes.

Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication in diabetic patients. Their incidence has increased in recent years. Although there are several treatments for DFUs, they are often not effective enough to avoid amputation. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is expressed in most tissues and is a negative regulator of important metabolic pathways. PTP1B is overexpressed in tissues under diabetic conditions. Recently, PTP1B inhibition has been found to enhance wound healing. PTP1B inhibition decreases inflammation and bacterial infection at the wound site and promotes angiogenesis and tissue regeneration, thereby facilitating diabetic wound healing. In summary, the pharmacological modulation of PTP1B activity may help treat DFUs, suggesting that PTP1B inhibition is an outstanding therapeutic target.

A comparative study of mitochondrial respiration in circulating blood cells and skeletal muscle fibers in women.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration is thought to be altered in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes; however, the invasive nature of tissue biopsies is an important limiting factor for studying mitochondrial function. Recent findings suggest that bioenergetics profiling of circulating cells may inform on mitochondrial function in other tissues in lieu of biopsies. Thus, we sought to determine whether mitochondrial respiration in circulating cells [peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and platelets] reflects that of skeletal muscle fibers derived from the same subjects. PBMCs, platelets, and skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) samples were obtained from 32 young (25-35 yr) women of varying body mass indexes. With the use of extracellular flux analysis and high-resolution respirometry, mitochondrial respiration was measured in intact blood cells as well as in permeabilized cells and permeabilized muscle fibers. Respiratory parameters were not correlated between permeabilized muscle fibers and intact PBMCs or platelets. In a subset of samples (n = 12-13) with permeabilized blood cells available, raw measures of substrate (pyruvate, malate, glutamate, and succinate)-driven respiration did not correlate between permeabilized muscle (per mg tissue) and permeabilized PBMCs (per 106 cells); however, complex I leak and oxidative phosphorylation coupling efficiency correlated between permeabilized platelets and muscle (Spearman's ρ = 0.64, P = 0.030; Spearman's ρ = 0.72, P = 0.010, respectively). Our data indicate that bioenergetics phenotypes in circulating cells cannot recapitulate muscle mitochondrial function. Select circulating cell bioenergetics phenotypes may possibly inform on overall metabolic health, but this postulate awaits validation in cohorts spanning a larger range of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes status.

Establishing a Link between Endothelial Cell Metabolism and Vascular Behaviour in a Type 1 Diabetes Mouse Model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular complications contribute significantly to the extensive morbidity and mortality rates observed in people with diabetes. Despite well known that the diabetic kidney and heart exhibit imbalanced angiogenesis, the mechanisms implicated in this angiogenic paradox remain unknown. In this study, we examined the angiogenic and metabolic gene expression profile (GEP) of endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from a mouse model with type1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: ECs were isolated from kidneys and hearts of healthy and streptozocin (STZ)-treated mice. RNA was then extracted for molecular studies. GEP of 84 angiogenic and 84 AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)-dependent genes were examined by microarrays. Real time PCR confirmed the changes observed in significantly altered genes. Microvessel density (MVD) was analysed by immunohistochemistry, fibrosis was assessed by the Sirius red histological staining and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: The relative percentage of ECs and MVD were increased in the kidneys of T1DM animals whereas the opposite trend was observed in the hearts of diabetic mice. Accordingly, the majority of AMPK-associated genes were upregulated in kidneys and downregulated in hearts of these animals. Angiogenic GEP revealed significant differences in Tgfß, Notch signaling and Timp2 in both diabetic organs. These findings were in agreement with the angiogenesis histological assays. Fibrosis was augmented in both organs in diabetic as compared to healthy animals. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our findings indicate, for the first time, that T1DM heart and kidney ECs present opposite metabolic cues, which are accompanied by distinct angiogenic patterns. These findings enable the development of innovative organ-specific therapeutic strategies targeting diabetic-associated vascular disorders.

Calcineurin is an important factor involved in glucose uptake in human adipocytes.

Calcineurin inhibitors are used in immunosuppressive therapy applied after transplantation, but they are associated with major metabolic side effects including the development of new onset diabetes. Previously, we have shown that the calcineurin inhibiting drugs tacrolimus and cyclosporin A reduce adipocyte and myocyte glucose uptakes by reducing the amount of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) at the cell surface, due to an increased internalization rate. However, this happens without alteration in total protein and phosphorylation levels of key proteins involved in insulin signalling or in the total amount of GLUT4. The present study evaluates possible pathways involved in the altered internalization of GLUT4 and consequent reduction of glucose uptake provoked by calcineurin inhibitors in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Short- and long-term treatments with tacrolimus, cyclosporin A or another CNI deltamethrin (herbicide) decreased basal and insulin-dependent glucose uptake in adipocytes, without any additive effects observed when added together. However, no tacrolimus effects were observed on glucose uptake when gene transcription and protein translation were inhibited. Investigation of genes potentially involved in GLUT4 trafficking showed only a small effect on ARHGEF11 gene expression (p < 0.05). In conlusion, the specific inhibition of calcineurin, but not that of protein phosphatases, decreases glucose uptake in human subcutaneous adipocytes, suggesting that calcineurin is an important regulator of glucose transport. This inhibitory effect is mediated via gene transcription or protein translation; however, expression of genes potentially involved in GLUT4 trafficking and endocytosis appears not to be involved in these effects.

Neurotensin, substance P, and insulin enhance cell migration.

Neurotensin, substance P, and insulin have been demonstrated to improve wound healing in vivo. However, the mechanism behind their effect is still not fully understood. This study investigates the effects leading to enhanced scratch closure by these peptides in vitro. The skin keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, was used to test scratch closure effects of the peptides and alterations of cytokine levels. HUVEC cells were used to test the angiogenic effect of the peptides. Furthermore, clinical isolates of Staphylococcus lugdunensis were used to examine the potential antimicrobial activity of each peptide. Our results demonstrate that neurotensin, substance P, and insulin had significant migratory effects in scratch assays were neurotensin had the lowest effect. Furthermore, we investigated use of the peptides in combination. When substance P was used in combination with neurotensin, the cell migratory capacity was decreased, and the peptides showed a negative correlation (r = -0.298, P < .001). Neurotensin and insulin significantly increased levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (P < .001) secreted from white blood cells, whereas substance P showed a tendency. Interestingly, neurotensin increased the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 significantly compared to substance P (P < .01). Additionally, the peptides decreased TNFα mRNA levels (P < .001) in HaCaT cells, whereas only neurotensin and insulin decreased IL-8 mRNA (P < .001) but had no significant effect on IL-6 mRNA levels. Surprisingly, substance P increased IL-6 mRNA 9-fold (P < .001). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the peptides increased angiogenesis in the HUVEC cells (P < .001). Finally, S. lugdunensis isolates were not susceptible to the peptides. We demonstrate that the peptides worked differently on HaCaT cells, but substance P acted differently than neurotensin on cytokine levels expression as well as on migration of HaCaT cells. On the contrary, neurotensin and insulin worked similarly. All of these aspects are crucial for proper wound healing, and the results suggest multiple mechanisms for wound-healing properties of these peptides.

Rapamycin negatively impacts insulin signaling, glucose uptake and uncoupling protein-1 in brown adipocytes.

New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a metabolic disorder that affects 40% of patients on immunosuppressive agent (IA) treatment, such as rapamycin (also known as sirolimus). IAs negatively modulate insulin action in peripheral tissues including skeletal muscle, liver and white fat. However, the effects of IAs on insulin sensitivity and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) have not been investigated. We have analyzed the impact of rapamycin on insulin signaling, thermogenic gene-expression and mitochondrial respiration in BAT. Treatment of brown adipocytes with rapamycin for 16h significantly decreased insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) protein expression and insulin-mediated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation. Consequently, both insulin-induced glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane and glucose uptake were decreased. Early activation of the N-terminal Janus activated kinase (JNK) was also observed, thereby increasing IRS1 Ser 307 phosphorylation. These effects of rapamycin on insulin signaling in brown adipocytes were partly prevented by a JNK inhibitor. In vivo treatment of rats with rapamycin for three weeks abolished insulin-mediated Akt phosphorylation in BAT. Rapamycin also inhibited norepinephrine (NE)-induced lipolysis, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 in brown adipocytes. Importantly, basal mitochondrial respiration, proton leak and maximal respiratory capacity were significantly decreased in brown adipocytes treated with rapamycin. In conclusion, we demonstrate, for the first time the important role of brown adipocytes as target cells of rapamycin, suggesting that insulin resistance in BAT might play a major role in NODAT development.

Glucose uptake and lipid metabolism are impaired in epicardial adipose tissue from heart failure patients with or without diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease is a leading complication of diabetes. Epicardial adipose tissue surrounding the heart displays biochemical, thermogenic, and cardioprotective properties. However, the metabolic cross-talk between epicardial fat and the myocardium is largely unknown. This study sought to understand epicardial adipose tissue metabolism from heart failure patients with or without diabetes. We aimed to unravel possible differences in glucose and lipid metabolism between human epicardial and subcutaneous adipocytes and elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms involved in heart failure. Insulin-stimulated [(14)C]glucose uptake and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis were measured in isolated epicardial and subcutaneous adipocytes. The expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in adipocytes. In addition, epicardial and subcutaneous fatty acid composition was analyzed by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The difference between basal and insulin conditions in glucose uptake was significantly decreased (P= 0.006) in epicardial compared with subcutaneous adipocytes. Moreover, a significant (P< 0.001) decrease in the isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis was also observed when the two fat depots were compared, and it was strongly correlated with lipolysis, lipid storage, and inflammation-related gene expression. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of these tissues was significantly altered by diabetes. These results emphasize potential metabolic differences between both fat depots in the presence of heart failure and highlight epicardial fat as a possible therapeutic target in situ in the cardiac microenvironment.

Substance P promotes wound healing in diabetes by modulating inflammation and macrophage phenotype.

Diabetic foot ulceration is a major complication of diabetes. Substance P (SP) is involved in wound healing, but its effect in diabetic skin wounds is unclear. We examined the effect of exogenous SP delivery on diabetic mouse and rabbit wounds. We also studied the impact of deficiency in SP or its receptor, neurokinin-1 receptor, on wound healing in mouse models. SP treatment improved wound healing in mice and rabbits, whereas the absence of SP or its receptor impaired wound progression in mice. Moreover, SP bioavailability in diabetic skin was reduced as SP gene expression was decreased, whereas the gene expression and protein levels of the enzyme that degrades SP, neutral endopeptidase, were increased. Diabetes and SP deficiency were associated with absence of an acute inflammatory response important for wound healing progression and instead revealed a persistent inflammation throughout the healing process. SP treatment induced an acute inflammatory response, which enabled the progression to the proliferative phase and modulated macrophage activation toward the M2 phenotype that promotes wound healing. In conclusion, SP treatment reverses the chronic proinflammatory state in diabetic skin and promotes healing of diabetic wounds.

Neurotensin-loaded collagen dressings reduce inflammation and improve wound healing in diabetic mice.

Impaired wound healing is an important clinical problem in diabetes mellitus and results in failure to completely heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which may lead to lower extremity amputations. In the present study, collagen based dressings were prepared to be applied as support for the delivery of neurotensin (NT), a neuropeptide that acts as an inflammatory modulator in wound healing. The performance of NT alone and NT-loaded collagen matrices to treat wounds in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic induced mice was evaluated. Results showed that the prepared dressings were not-cytotoxic up to 72h after contact with macrophages (Raw 264.7) and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines. Moreover, those cells were shown to adhere to the collagen matrices without noticeable change in their morphology. NT-loaded collagen dressings induced faster healing (17% wound area reduction) in the early phases of wound healing in diabetic wounded mice. In addition, they also significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine expression namely, TNF-α (p<0.01) and IL-1ß (p<0.01) and decreased the inflammatory infiltrate at day 3 post-wounding (inflammatory phase). After complete healing, metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is reduced in diabetic skin (p<0.05) which significantly increased fibroblast migration and collagen (collagen type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) and collagen type III, alpha 1 (COL3A1)) expression and deposition. These results suggest that collagen-based dressings can be an effective support for NT release into diabetic wound enhancing the healing process. Nevertheless, a more prominent scar is observed in diabetic wounds treated with collagen when compared to the treatment with NT alone.

Transition from cyclosporine-induced renal dysfunction to nephrotoxicity in an in vivo rat model.

Cyclosporin A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor, remain the cornerstone of immunosuppressive regimens, regardless of nephrotoxicity, which depends on the duration of drug exposure. The mechanisms and biomarkers underlying the transition from CsA-induced renal dysfunction to nephrotoxicity deserve better elucidation, and would help clinical decisions. This study aimed to clarify these issues, using a rat model of short- and long-term CsA (5 mg/kg bw/day) treatments (3 and 9 weeks, respectively). Renal function was assessed on serum and urine; kidney tissue was used for histopathological characterization and gene and/or protein expression of markers of proliferation, fibrosis and inflammation. In the short-term, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels increased and clearances decreased, accompanied by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction, but without kidney lesions; at that stage, CsA exposure induced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), factor nuclear kappa B (NF-κß) and Tumor Protein P53 (TP53) kidney mRNA up-regulation. In the long-term treatment, renal dysfunction data was accompanied by glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions, with remarkable kidney mRNA up-regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki-67 (Mki67), accompanied by mTOR protein overexpression. Transition from CsA-induced renal dysfunction to nephrotoxicity is accompanied by modification of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers, being mTOR one of the key players for kidney lesion evolution, thus suggesting, by mean of molecular evidences, that early CsA replacement by mTOR inhibitors is indeed the better therapeutic choice to prevent chronic allograft nephropathy.

Role of CD20+ T cells in cancer, autoimmunity and obesity.

Despite the known link between obesity and insulin resistance (IR) to chronic low-grade inflammation, new markers capable of early IR detection are needed. Immune cells are components of adipose tissue's (AT) stromal vascular fraction (SVF) that regulate AT homeostasis. The altered phenotype and function of AT-infiltrating immune cells may contribute to the development and maintenance of local AT inflammation observed under obesity-induced IR conditions. Impaired AT-specific immunometabolic function may influence the whole organism. Therefore, AT-infiltrating immune cells may be important players in the development of obesity-related metabolic complications, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). B and T cells, particularly CD20+ T cells, play important roles in human pathology, such as autoimmune disease and cancer. However, the question remains as to whether CD20+ T cells have an important contribution to the development of obesity-related IR. While circulating CD20+ T cells are mostly of the central memory phenotype (i.e. antigen-experienced T cells with the ability to home to secondary lymphoid organs), tissues-infiltrated CD20+ T cells are predominantly of the effector memory phenotype (i.e. antigen-experienced T cells that preferentially infiltrate peripheral tissues). The latter produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-17, which play a role in obesity-related IR development. This review describes the CD20 molecule and its presence in both B and T cells, shedding light on its ontogeny and function, in health and disease, with emphasis on AT. The link between CD20+ T cell dysregulation, obesity, and IR development supports the role of CD20+ T cells as markers of adipose tissue dysmetabolism.

The role of CD20+ T cells: Insights in human peripheral blood.

CD20+ T cells constitute a small subset of T cells. These are found among CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD8+, CD4-CD8- T, and TCRγδ+ T cells, and have been poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood (PB) CD20+ T cells and compare them to their PB CD20- T cell counterparts. PB from 17 healthy individuals was collected. The distribution of CD20+ T cells among maturation-associated T cells compartments (naïve, central memory, transitional memory, effector memory, and effector T cells), their polarization, activation status, and expression of immune-regulatory proteins were evaluated by flow cytometry. Their function was also assessed, by measuring IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 production. Compared with CD20- T cells, CD20+ T cells represent a higher proportion of transitional memory cells. Furthermore, CD20+ T cells display a proinflammatory phenotype, characterized by the expansion of Th1, Th1/17, and Tc1 cell subsets , associated to a high expression of activation (CD25) and exhaustion (PD-1) markers. In addition, the simultaneous production of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 was also detected in CD4+CD20+ T cells. Our results show that CD20+ T cells are phenotypically and functionally different from CD20- T cells, suggesting that these cells are a distinct subset of T cells.

CD8+ Treg cells play a role in the obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation may trigger insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D) development. Cells with regulatory phenotype have been shown to be reduced during obesity, especially CD4+ Treg cells. However, little is known about the CD8+ Treg cells. Therefore, we aim to characterize the CD8+ Treg cells in human peripheral blood and adipose tissue, specifically, to address the effect of obesity and insulin resistance in this regulatory immune cell population. A group of 42 participants with obesity (OB group) were recruited. Fourteen of them were evaluated pre- and post-bariatric surgery. A group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (n = 12) was also recruited (nOB group). CD8+ Treg cell quantification and phenotype were evaluated by flow cytometry, in peripheral blood (PB), subcutaneous (SAT), and visceral adipose tissues (VAT). The OB group displayed a higher percentage of CD8+ Treg cells in PB, compared to the nOB. In addition, they were preferentially polarized into Tc1- and Tc1/17-like CD8+ Treg cells, compared to nOB. Moreover, SAT displayed the highest content of CD8+ Tregs infiltrated, compared to PB or VAT, while CD8+ Tregs infiltrating VAT displayed a higher percentage of cells with Tc1-like phenotype. Participants with pre-diabetes displayed a reduced percentage of TIM-3+CD8+ Tregs in circulation, and PD-1+CD8+ Tregs infiltrated in the VAT. An increase in the percentage of circulating Tc1-like CD8+ Treg cells expressing PD-1 was observed post-surgery. In conclusion, obesity induces significant alterations in CD8+ Treg cells, affecting their percentage and phenotype, as well as the expression of important immune regulatory molecules.

Changes in Metabolic and Inflammatory Markers after a Combined Exercise Program in Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of a 16-week combined exercise training on body composition, metabolic and inflammatory markers in sedentary middle-aged workers. We also assessed whether significant alterations in metabolic markers were associated with changes in health-related outcomes. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved 46 participants randomly allocated into control and exercise groups. The exercise group performed 16-week combined aerobic and resistance training for 75 min/session, 3 times/week. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 16-week intervention to determine lipid profile, metabolic and inflammatory markers as primary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 36 participants completed the intervention (53.70 ± 6.92 years old) (n = 18 in each group). Waist circumference (interaction effect: F = 7.423, p = 0.002), fat mass (interaction effect: F = 5.070, p = 0.011), and muscle mass (interaction effect: F = 5.420, p = 0.007) were improved in the exercise group compared to the control group. Fasting glucose increased after the 16-week follow-up (time effect: F = 73.253, p < 0.001), without an intergroup difference. Insulin levels were greater in the control compared to exercise group (group effect: F = 6.509, p = 0.015). The control group tended to increase the HOMA-IR index (interaction effect: F = 3.493, p = 0.070) and to decrease the QUICKI index (interaction effect: F = 3.364, p = 0.075) to a greater extent compared to the exercise group. Exercise group reduced leptin (interaction effect: F = 11.175, p = 0.002) and adiponectin (interaction effect: F = 4.437, p = 0.043) concentrations in a greater magnitude than control group. IL-6 (time effect: F = 17.767, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (time effect: F = 9.781, p = 0.004) concentrations decreased after the intervention, without an intergroup difference. IL-17A levels increased in the control compared to exercise group (interaction effect: F = 5.010, p = 0.033). Effects on adiponectin, IL-6 and IL-17A levels seem to depend on baseline BMI, age, and sex. Percentage changes in leptin correlated positively with changes in HOMA-IR index in the exercise (r = 0.565, p = 0.015) and control (r = 0.670, p = 0.002) groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combined training program can be an effective strategy to improve body composition and inflammatory markers and prevent marked reductions in insulin sensitivity among middle-aged workers.

Bariatric Surgery Induces Alterations in the Immune Profile of Peripheral Blood T Cells.

Low-grade inflammation is closely linked to obesity and obesity-related comorbidities; therefore, immune cells have become an important topic in obesity research. Here, we performed a deep phenotypic characterization of circulating T cells in people with obesity, using flow cytometry. Forty-one individuals with obesity (OB) and clinical criteria for bariatric surgery were enrolled in this study. We identified and quantified 44 different circulating T cell subsets and assessed their activation status and the expression of immune-checkpoint molecules, immediately before (T1) and 7-18 months after (T2) the bariatric surgery. Twelve age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (nOB) were also recruited. The OB participants showed higher leukocyte counts and a higher percentage of neutrophils. The percentage of circulating Th1 cells were negatively correlated to HbA1c and insulin levels. OB Th1 cells displayed a higher activation status and lower PD-1 expression. The percentage of Th17 and Th1/17 cells were increased in OB, whereas the CD4+ Tregs' percentage was decreased. Interestingly, a higher proportion of OB CD4+ Tregs were polarized toward Th1- and Th1/17-like cells and expressed higher levels of CCR5. Bariatric surgery induced the recovery of CD4+ Treg cell levels and the expansion and activation of Tfh and B cells. Our results show alterations in the distribution and phenotype of circulating T cells from OB people, including activation markers and immune-checkpoint proteins, demonstrating that different metabolic profiles are associated to distinct immune profiles, and both are modulated by bariatric surgery.