The Prolonged Activation of the p65 Subunit of the NF-Kappa-B Nuclear Factor Sustains the Persistent Effect of Advanced Glycation End Products on Inflammatory Sensitization in Macrophages.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) prime macrophages for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. We investigated the persistence of cellular AGE-sensitization to LPS, considering the nuclear content of p50 and p65 nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) subunits and the expression of inflammatory genes. Macrophages treated with control (C) or AGE-albumin were rested for varying intervals in medium alone before being incubated with LPS. Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA or Student t-test (n = 6). AGE-albumin primed macrophages for increased responsiveness to LPS, resulting in elevated levels of TNF, IL-6, and IL-1beta (1.5%, 9.4%, and 5.6%, respectively), compared to C-albumin. TNF, IL-6, and IL-1 beta secretion persisted for up to 24 h even after the removal of AGE-albumin (area under the curve greater by 1.6, 16, and 5.2 times, respectively). The expressions of Il6 and RelA were higher 8 h after albumin removal, and Il6 and Abca1 were higher 24 h after albumin removal. The nuclear content of p50 remained similar, but p65 showed a sustained increase (2.9 times) for up to 24 h in AGE-albumin-treated cells. The prolonged activation of the p65 subunit of NFKB contributes to the persistent effect of AGEs on macrophage inflammatory priming, which could be targeted for therapies to prevent complications based on the AGE-RAGE-NFKB axis.

Increased Expression of miR-223-3p and miR-375-3p and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in HDL of Newly Diagnosed Women in Advanced Stages of Breast Cancer.

The expression of inflammation-related miRs bound to high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), the anti-inflammatory activity of HDLs isolated from individuals with breast cancer, and controls were determined. Forty newly diagnosed women with breast cancer naïve of treatment and 10 control participants were included. Cholesterol-loaded bone-marrow-derived macrophages were incubated with HDL from both groups and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the medium were quantified. The miRs in HDLs were determined by RT-qPCR. Age, body mass index, menopausal status, plasma lipids, and HDL composition were similar between groups. The ability of HDL to inhibit IL6 and TNF production was higher in breast cancer compared to controls, especially in advanced stages of the disease. The miR-223-3p and 375-3p were higher in the HDLs of breast cancer independent of the histological type of the tumor and had a high discriminatory power between breast cancer and controls. The miR-375-3p was greater in the advanced stages of the disease and was inversely correlated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation-related miRs and the anti-inflammatory role of HDLs may have a significant impact on breast cancer pathophysiology.

Persistent Effect of Advanced Glycated Albumin Driving Inflammation and Disturbances in Cholesterol Efflux in Macrophages.

Advanced glycated albumin (AGE-albumin) impairs cholesterol efflux and contributes to inflammation in macrophages. The current study evaluated: (1) the persistence of the deleterious effect of AGE-albumin in cholesterol efflux and in inflammation, and (2) how metabolic control in diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes to attenuate the deleterious role of AGE-albumin in macrophage cholesterol homeostasis. Methods: AGE-albumin was produced in vitro or isolated from uncontrolled DM subjects' serum before (bGC) and after improved glycemic control (aGC). Albumin samples were incubated with bone marrow-derived macrophages and 14C-cholesterol efflux or LPS- induced cytokine secretion were determined immediately, or after cell resting in culture media alone. The ABCA-1 degradation rate was determined after cell incubation with cycloheximide, and ABCA1 protein level by immunoblot. Oil Red O staining was used to assess intracellular lipid accumulation. Results: A persistent effect of AGE-albumin was observed in macrophages in terms of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and reduced cholesterol efflux. HDL-mediated 14C-cholesterol efflux was at least two times higher in macrophages treated with aCG-albumin as compared to bGC-albumin, and intracellular lipid content was significantly reduced in aGC-albumin-treated cells. As compared to bGC-albumin, the ABCA-1 protein content in whole cell bulk was 94% higher in aCG-albumin. A 20% increased ABCA-1 decay rate was observed in macrophages treated with albumin from poorly controlled DM. AGE-albumin has a persistent deleterious effect on macrophage lipid homeostasis and inflammation. The reduction of AGEs in albumin ameliorates cholesterol efflux.