Fisetin treatment alleviates kidney injury in mice with diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis through inhibiting CD36/fibrosis pathway.

Diabetes-related vascular complications include diabetic cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy, etc. DN can promote the process of end-stage renal disease. On the other hand, atherosclerosis accelerates kidney damage. It is really an urge to explore the mechanisms of diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis as well as new agents for treatment of diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis and the complications. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effects of fisetin, a natural flavonoid from fruits and vegetables, on kidney injury caused by streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic atherosclerosis in low density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mice. Diabetes was induced in LDLR-/- mice by injecting STZ, and the mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) containing fisetin for 12 weeks. We found that fisetin treatment effectively attenuated diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we showed that fisetin treatment significantly ameliorated atherosclerosis-enhanced diabetic kidney injury, evidenced by regulating uric acid, urea and creatinine levels in urine and serum, and ameliorating morphological damages and fibrosis in the kidney. In addition, we found that the improvement of glomerular function by fisetin was mediated by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, fisetin treatment reduced accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney by inhibiting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), fibronectin and collagens, while enhancing matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2) and MMP9, which was mainly mediated by inactivating transforming growth factor ß (TGFß)/SMAD family member 2/3 (Smad2/3) pathways. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that the therapeutic effects of fisetin on kidney fibrosis resulted from inhibiting CD36 expression. In conclusion, our results suggest that fisetin is a promising natural agent for the treatment of renal injury caused by diabetes and atherosclerosis. We reveal that fisetin is an inhibitor of CD36 for reducing the progression of kidney fibrosis, and fisetin-regulated CD36 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Tanshinone IIA attenuates atherosclerosis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) possesses potent anti-atherogenic function, however, the underlying pharmacological mechanism remains incompletely understood. Previous studies suggest that oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-induced NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome activation in macrophages plays a vital role in atherogenesis. Whether the anti-atherogenic effect of Tan IIA relies on the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome has not been investigated before. In this study, we found that Tan IIA treatment of high-fat diet fed ApoE-/- mice significantly attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Consistently, Tan IIA also potently inhibited oxLDL-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse macrophages. Mechanically, Tan IIA inhibited NF-κB activation to downregulate pro-interleukin (IL) -1ß and NLRP3 expression, and decreased oxLDL-induced expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), thereby attenuating oxLDL cellular uptake and subsequent induction of mitochondrial and lysosomal damage - events that promote the NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Through regulating both the inflammasome 'priming' and 'activation' steps, Tan IIA potently inhibited oxLDL-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby ameliorating atherogenesis.

Effects of Cigarette Smoke and Opium on the Expression of CD9, CD36, and CD68 at mRNA and Protein Levels in Human Macrophage Cell Line THP-1.

Cigarette smoking and opium use are risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been known that scavenger receptors such as CD36 and CD68 play critical roles in the pathogenesis of CAD. CD9, as a member of the tetraspanin, has been shown to interact with scavenger receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of these risk factors on expression levels of CD9, CD36, and CD68 on the THP-1 cell line. The THP-1 cell line treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE( and opium, both individually and combinatory, in 24 h incubation. The protein and mRNA levels of CD9, CD36, and CD68 were evaluated by flow cytometry and quantitative reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) techniques, respectively. CD36 and CD68 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in the cells treated with cigarette smoke extract compared to the control (p<0.001 in mRNA expression levels and p=0.016 and p=0.012 in protein expression levels, respectively). The CSE increased the level of CD9 protein expression compared to the control group (p=0.041) on the human macrophage cell line THP-1. No significant differences were observed in the CD9, CD36, and CD68 gene expression and at the protein levels between opium-treated THP-1 cells and controls. In conclusion, cigarettes by increasing the levels of CD36, CD68, and CD9 can be a risk factor in the development of many inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung carcinoma.

Exendin-4 Improves Diabetic Kidney Disease in C57BL/6 Mice Independent of Brown Adipose Tissue Activation.

BACKGROUND: The role of exendin-4 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation was not very clear. This study is to verify the role of BAT involved in renal benefits of exendin-4 in diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into nondiabetic (control) and diabetic groups (DM). The diabetic mice were randomized into a control group (DM-Con), BAT-excision group (DM+Exc), exendin-4-treated group (DM+E4), and BAT-excision plus exendin-4-treated group (DM+Exc+E4). The weight, blood glucose and lipids, 24 h urine albumin and 8-OH-dG, and renal fibrosis were analyzed. In vitro, we investigated the role of exendin-4 in the differentiation process of 3T3-L1 and brown preadipocytes and its effect on the rat mesangial cells induced by oleate. RESULTS: The expressions of UCP-1, PGC-1α, ATGL, and CD36 in BAT of DM mice were all downregulated, which could be upregulated by exendin-4 treatment with significant effects on ATGL and CD36. BAT-excision exacerbated high blood glucose (BG) with no significant effect on the serum lipid level. Exendin-4 significantly lowered the level of serum triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein- (LDL-) c, 24 h urine albumin, and 8-OH-dG; improved renal fibrosis and lipid accumulation; and activated renal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in diabetic mice regardless of BAT excision. In vitro, there was no significant effect of exendin-4 on brown or white adipogenesis. However, exendin-4 could improve lipid accumulation and myofibroblast-like phenotype transition of mesangial cells induced by oleate via activating the AMPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Exendin-4 could decrease the renal lipid deposit and improve diabetic nephropathy via activating the renal AMPK pathway independent of BAT activation.

Minocycline decreases CD36 and increases CD44 in LPS-induced microglia.

Microglia are the resident macrophages patrolling the central nervous system (CNS) to find dangerous signals and infectious agents mediating catastrophic cascades resulting in neuronal degeneration. Their morphological and biochemical properties made them enable to swift activation in response to neural insults and site-directed phagocytosis. Beside of beneficial roles in homeostasis of the brain and spinal cord, microglia can be participating in neuronal destruction and propagation of inflammation when they are unregulated or hyper-activated. A large body of research indicates that various cluster of differentiations (CDs) contribute to flame/quench the inflammatory processes occurred in immune system. In this study, we investigated the expression of CD36 and CD44 in LPS-activated primary rat microglia in response to treatment of minocycline at the levels of protein and gene using flow cytometry and real-time PCR, respectively. The results showed that minocycline decreased the expression of CD36 in cells treated with minocycline with respect to cells treated with LPS. Inversely, the expression of CD44 was increased in cells treated with minocycline in comparison to LPS-induced microglia. It seems that minocycline can modulate the expression of CDs involved in inflammatory reactions and enrich the armamentarium of therapeutic agents used for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Acute Testosterone Deficiency Alters Adipose Tissue Fatty Acid Storage.

Context: Although the long-term effects of testosterone on adipose tissue lipid metabolism in men have been defined, the short-term regulation of these effects is not well understood. Objective: We examined the effects of acute testosterone withdrawal on subcutaneous abdominal and femoral adipose tissue fatty acid (FA) storage and cellular mechanisms. Design: This was a prospective, randomized trial. Setting: Mayo Clinic Clinical Research Unit. Patients or Participants: Thirty-two male volunteers ages 18 to 50 participated in these studies. Interventions: Volunteers were randomized to receive (1) no treatment (control), (2) injections (7.5 mg) of Lupron®, or (3) Lupron and testosterone (L+T) replacement for 49 days, resulting in 4 weeks of sex steroid suppression in the Lupron group. Main Outcome Measures: We measured body composition, fat cell size, adipose tissue meal FA and direct free FA storage, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl coenzyme A synthetase (ACS), diacylglycerol acyltransferase activities, and CD36 content. Results: Compared with control and L+T groups, acute testosterone deficiency resulted in greater femoral adipose tissue meal FA storage rates, fasting and fed LPL activity, and ACS activity. Conclusions: These results suggest that in men, testosterone plays a tonic role in restraining FA storage in femoral adipose tissue via suppression of LPL and ACS activities. FA storage mechanisms in men appear sensitive to short-term changes in testosterone concentrations.

Expression of genes encoding IGFBPs, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 in the liver of mice treated with chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles on the expression level of genes encoding important regulatory factors (IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK/NUAK2, CD36, and PECAM1/CD31) in mouse liver for evaluation of possible toxic effects of these nanoparticles. METHODS: Male mice received 20 mg chromium disilicide nanoparticles (45 nm) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (20 nm) with food every working day for 2 months. The expression of IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 genes in mouse liver was studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with chromium disilicide nanoparticles led to down-regulation of the expression of IGFBP2, IGFBP5, PECAM1, and SNARK genes in the liver in comparison with control mice, with more prominent changes for SNARK gene. At the same time, the expression of IGFBP3 and CD36 genes was increased in mouse liver upon treatment with chromium disilicide nanoparticles. We have also shown that treatment with titanium nitride nanoparticles resulted in down-regulation of the expression of IGFBP2 and SNARK genes in the liver with more prominent changes for SNARK gene. At the same time, the expression of IGFBP3, IGFBP4, and CD36 genes was increased in the liver of mice treated with titanium nitride nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effect of chromium disilicide nanoparticles on IGFBP2 and CD36 genes expression was significantly stronger as compared to titanium nitride nanoparticles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles have variable effects on the expression of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, SNARK, CD36, and PECAM1 genes in mouse liver, which may reflect the genotoxic activities of the studied nanoparticles.

The cold-induced lipokine 12,13-diHOME promotes fatty acid transport into brown adipose tissue.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipose tissue combust fuels for heat production in adult humans, and so constitute an appealing target for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Cold exposure can enhance energy expenditure by activating BAT, and it has been shown to improve nutrient metabolism. These therapies, however, are time consuming and uncomfortable, demonstrating the need for pharmacological interventions. Recently, lipids have been identified that are released from tissues and act locally or systemically to promote insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance; as a class, these lipids are referred to as 'lipokines'. Because BAT is a specialized metabolic tissue that takes up and burns lipids and is linked to systemic metabolic homeostasis, we hypothesized that there might be thermogenic lipokines that activate BAT in response to cold. Here we show that the lipid 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) is a stimulator of BAT activity, and that its levels are negatively correlated with body-mass index and insulin sensitivity. Using a global lipidomic analysis, we found that 12,13-diHOME was increased in the circulation of humans and mice exposed to cold. Furthermore, we found that the enzymes that produce 12,13-diHOME were uniquely induced in BAT by cold stimulation. The injection of 12,13-diHOME acutely activated BAT fuel uptake and enhanced cold tolerance, which resulted in decreased levels of serum triglycerides. Mechanistically, 12,13-diHOME increased fatty acid (FA) uptake into brown adipocytes by promoting the translocation of the FA transporters FATP1 and CD36 to the cell membrane. These data suggest that 12,13-diHOME, or a functional analog, could be developed as a treatment for metabolic disorders.

Identification of Inhibitors of CD36-Amyloid Beta Binding as Potential Agents for Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuroinflammation is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Amyloid ß has a central role in microglia activation and the subsequent secretion of inflammatory mediators that are associated with neuronal toxicity. The recognition of amyloid ß by microglia depends on the expression of several receptors implicated in the clearance of amyloid and in cell activation. CD36 receptor expressed on microglia interacts with fibrils of amyloid inducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines and amyloid internalization. The interruption of the interaction CD36-amyloid ß compromises the activation of microglia cells. We have developed and validated a new colorimetric assay to identify potential inhibitors of the binding of amyloid ß to CD36. We have found seven molecules, structural analogues of the Trichodermamide family of natural products that interfere with the interaction CD36-amyloid ß. By combining molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we suggested the second fatty acids binding site within the large luminal hydrophobic tunnel, present in the extracellular domain of CD36, as the binding pocket of these compounds. Free energy calculations predicted the nonpolar component as the driving force for the binding of these inhibitors. These molecules also inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß by peritoneal macrophages stimulated with fibrils of amyloid ß. This work serves as a platform for the identification of new potential anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Free fatty acids: potential proinflammatory mediators in rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Due to their role in inflammatory metabolic diseases, we hypothesised that free fatty acids (FFA) are also involved in inflammatory joint diseases. To test this hypothesis, we analysed the effect of FFA on synovial fibroblasts (SF), human chondrocytes and endothelial cells. We also investigated whether the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which can contribute to driving arthritis, is involved in FFA signalling. METHODS: Rheumatoid arthritis SF, osteoarthritis SF, psoriatic arthritis SF, human chondrocytes and endothelial cells were stimulated in vitro with different FFA. Immunoassays were used to quantify FFA-induced protein secretion. TLR4 signalling was inhibited extracellularly and intracellularly. Fatty acid translocase (CD36), responsible for transporting long-chain FFA into the cell, was also inhibited. RESULTS: In rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF), FFA dose-dependently enhanced the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, the chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1, as well as the matrix-degrading enzymes pro-MMP1 and MMP3. The intensity of the response was mainly dependent on the patient rather than on the type of disease. Both saturated and unsaturated FFA showed similar effects on RASF, while responses to the different FFA varied for human chondrocytes and endothelial cells. Extracellular and intracellular TLR4 inhibition as well as fatty acid transport inhibition blocked the palmitic acid-induced IL-6 secretion of RASF. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that FFA are not only metabolic substrates but may also directly contribute to articular inflammation and degradation in inflammatory joint diseases. Moreover, the data suggest that, in RASF, FFA exert their effects via TLR4 and require extracellular and intracellular access to the TLR4 receptor complex.

Cleavage and reduced CD36 ectodomain density on heart and spleen macrophages in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Metabolic disease is accompanied by a range of cellular defects ("comorbidities") whose origin is uncertain. To investigate this pathophysiological phenomenon we used the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR), which besides an elevated arterial blood pressure also has many other comorbidities, including a defective glucose and lipid metabolism. We have shown that this model of metabolic disease has elevated plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which cleaves the extracellular domain of membrane receptors. We hypothesize here that the increased MMP activity also leads to abnormal cleavage of the scavenger receptor and fatty acid transporter CD36. To test this idea, chronic pharmaceutical MMP inhibition (CGS27023A) of the SHR and its normotensive control, the Wistar Kyoto Rat (WKY), was used to determine if inhibition of MMP activity serves to maintain CD36 receptor density and function. Surface density of CD36 on macrophages from the heart, spleen, and liver was determined in WKY, SHR, CGS-treated WKY (CGS WKY), and CGS-treated SHR (CGS SHR) by immunohistochemistry with an antibody against the CD36 ectodomain. The extracellular CD36 density was lower in SHR heart and spleen macrophages compared to that in the WKY. MMP inhibition by CGS served to restore the reduced CD36 density on SHR cardiac and splanchnic macrophages to levels of the WKY. To examine CD36 function, culture assays with murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) after incubation in fresh WKY or SHR plasma were used to test for adhesion of light-weight donor red blood cell (RBC) by CD36. This form of RBC adhesion to macrophages was reduced after incubation in SHR compared WKY plasma. Analysis of the supernatant macrophage media by Western blot shows a higher level of CD36 extracellular protein fragments following exposure to SHR plasma compared to WKY. MMP inhibition in the SHR plasma compared to untreated plasma, served to increase the RBC adhesion to macrophages and decrease the number of receptor fragments in the macrophage media. In conclusion, these studies bring to light that plasma in the SHR model of metabolic disease has an unchecked MMP degrading activity which causes cleavage of a variety of membrane receptors, including CD36, which attenuates several cellular functions typical for the metabolic disease, including RBC adhesion to the scavenger receptor CD36. In addition to other cell dysfunctions chronic MMP inhibition restores CD36 in the SHR.

Intermedin inhibits uptake of oxidized LDL via CD36 pathway in RAW264.7 cells.

Intermedin (IMD) exerts a potent function in preventing atherosclerosis, while the mechanism remains unclear. Here we investigated the potential molecular mechanism responsible for the protective function of IMD in preventing foam cell formation in RAW264.7 cells. In our present study, IMD significantly inhibited intracellular cholesterol accumulation. Additionally, IMD dose-dependently down-regulated CD36 expression, which was confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analysis. Our data suggest that IMD could inhibit the formation of foam cells through, at least partly, a CD36-dependent mechanism. This study suggests that IMD may be a therapeutic candidate for treating atherosclerosis.

Structure-dependent effects of pyridine derivatives on mechanisms of intestinal fatty acid uptake: regulation of nicotinic acid receptor and fatty acid transporter expression.

Pyridines are widely distributed in foods. Nicotinic acid (NA), a carboxylated pyridine derivative, inhibits lipolysis in adipocytes by activation of the orphan NA receptor (HM74A) and is applied to treat hyperlipidemia. However, knowledge on the impact of pyridine derivatives on intestinal lipid metabolism is scarce. This study was performed to identify the structural determinants of pyridines for their effects on fatty acid uptake in enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells and to elucidate the mechanisms of action. The impact of 17 pyridine derivatives on fatty acid uptake was tested. Multiple regression analysis revealed the presence of a methyl group to be the structural determinant at 0.1 mM, whereas at 1 mM, the presence of a carboxylic group and the N-methylation presented further structural characteristics to affect the fatty acid uptake. NA, showing a stimulating effect on FA uptake, and N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), inhibiting FA uptake, were selected for mechanistic studies. Gene expression of the fatty acid transporters CD36, FATP2 and FATP4, and the lipid metabolism regulating transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARγ was up-regulated upon NA treatment. Caco-2 cells were demonstrated to express the low-affinity NA receptor HM74 of which the gene expression was up-regulated upon NA treatment. We hypothesize that the NA-induced fatty acid uptake might result from NA receptor activation and related intracellular signaling cascades. In contrast, MPP increased transepithelial electrical resistance. We therefore conclude that NA and MPP, both sharing the pyridine motif core, exhibit their contrary effects on intestinal FA uptake by activation of different mechanisms.

Contributions of a disulfide bond and a reduced cysteine side chain to the intrinsic activity of the high-density lipoprotein receptor SR-BI.

The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), binds HDL and mediates selective cholesteryl ester uptake. SR-BI's structure and mechanism are poorly understood. We used mass spectrometry to assign the two disulfide bonds in SR-BI that connect cysteines within the conserved Cys(321)-Pro(322)-Cys(323) (CPC) motif and connect Cys(280) to Cys(334). We used site-specific mutagenesis to evaluate the contributions of the CPC motif and the side chain of extracellular Cys(384) to HDL binding and lipid uptake. The effects of CPC mutations on activity were context-dependent. Full wild-type (WT) activity required Pro(322) and Cys(323) only when Cys(321) was present. Reduced intrinsic activities were observed for CXC and CPX, but not XXC, XPX, or XXX mutants (X ≠ WT residue). Apparently, a free thiol side chain at position 321 that cannot form an intra-CPC disulfide bond with Cys(323) is deleterious, perhaps because of aberrant disulfide bond formation. Pro(322) may stabilize an otherwise strained CPC disulfide bond, thus supporting WT activity, but this disulfide bond is not absolutely required for normal activity. C(384)X (X = S, T, L, Y, G, or A) mutants exhibited altered activities that varied with the side chain's size: larger side chains phenocopied WT SR-BI treated with its thiosemicarbazone inhibitor BLT-1 (enhanced binding, weakened uptake); smaller side chains produced almost inverse effects (increased uptake:binding ratio). C(384)X mutants were BLT-1-resistant, supporting the proposal that Cys(384)'s thiol interacts with BLT-1. We discuss the implications of our findings on the functions of the extracellular loop cysteines in SR-BI and compare our results to those presented by other laboratories.

Salvianolic acid B inhibits macrophage uptake of modified low density lipoprotein (mLDL) in a scavenger receptor CD36-dependent manner.

CD36, a class B scavenger receptor, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a host of vascular inflammatory diseases. Through a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for CD36 antagonist, we previously identified salvianolic acid B (SAB), a hydrophilic component derived from the herb Danshen, as a potential candidate. Danshen, the dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been widely used in China for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis-related disorders. Previous studies showed that SAB acted as an anti-oxidant by preventing lipid peroxidation and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) formation. The present study was to investigate the specificity and efficacy of SAB in the inhibition of CD36-mediated lipid uptake. SAB reduced modified LDL (mLDL) uptake in a dose-dependent manner in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated THP-1 and RAW 264.7 cells. In the CD36 silenced THP-1 cells, SAB had no effect in reducing mLDL uptake, whereas its overexpression in CHO cells reinstates the effect, indicating a specific involvement of SAB in antagonizing the CD36's function. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis revealed a direct binding of SAB to CD36 with a high affinity (K(D) = 3.74 µM), confirming physical interactions of SAB with the receptor. Additionally, SAB reduced oxLDL-induced CD36 gene expression in the cultured cell lines and primary macrophages. In ApoE KO mice fed a high fat diet, SAB reduced CD36 gene expression and lipid uptake in macrophages, showing its ability to antagonize CD36 pathways in vivo. These results demonstrate that SAB is an effective CD36 antagonist and suggest SAB as a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent.

Losartan attenuates human monocyte-derived dendritic cell immune maturation via downregulation of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1.

The angiotensin II receptor-1 blockers have generally been shown to have antiatherogenic effects, and dendritic cells (DCs) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells that play an active role in the development of atherosclerosis through inflammatory-immune responses. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the antiatherogenic effect of losartan, the first angiotensin II receptor-1 blockers, might partly be mediated by attenuating DCs maturation. In this study, we showed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and angiotensin II (Ang II) could induce the maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs, stimulate CD83, HLA-DR expressions and IL-12, interferon-gamma secretions and increase the capacity of DCs to stimulate T-cell proliferation, which were suppressed by losartan. OxLDL could promote the autocrine secretion of Ang II by DCs and upregulate the expressions of 3 scavenger receptors SR-A, CD36, and LOX-1. Losartan reduced oxLDL-induced LOX-1 expression but not SR-A and CD36 expressions. Ang II could only upregulate the LOX-1 expression, which was reduced by losartan. OxLDL- and Ang II-induced upregulation of CD83 and secretion of IL-12 were all attenuated by LOX-1 neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, losartan could attenuate the oxLDL- and Ang II-induced immune maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs partly through downregulation of the LOX-1 expression.

CD36 as a therapeutic target for endothelial dysfunction in stroke.

Stroke pathology involves multifactorial pro-death responses, including inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, and activation of necrotic and apoptotic pathways. The interruption of a single specific pathway in defined stroke model systems has not been sufficient to address the multifactorial nature of stroke-induced injuries in the human population. CD36 is a class B scavenger receptor that functions in regulating normal physiological and pathological functions. CD36 pathways are activated by several distinct ligands. Convergence of these pathways results in inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction, which may be an underlying cause of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. The current review describes receptor CD36-ligand interactions relevant to endothelial function and discusses how targeting CD36 may have therapeutic utility in stroke.

Inhibitory effect of andrographolide in 3T3-L1 adipocytes differentiation through the PPARγ pathway.

Andrographolide (AG), an active compound found in Andrographis paniculate Nees, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anti-hyperglycemic effects. However, its biological activities against obesity have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of AG on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We found AG significantly inhibited not only on adipocyte differentiation induced by standard adipogenic agents and MDI, but also on the adipogenesis-related transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), as well as the expressions of the PPARγ targeted genes, such as CD36, LPL, FAS and other adiocyte markers. Taken together, our data showed AG inhibited the early stage of adipogenic differentiation, in part via the inhibition of PPARγ-dependent mechanisms.

Beneficial effects of mangiferin on hyperlipidemia in high-fat-fed hamsters.

SCOPE: Mangiferin, a natural polyphenol, has been shown to have hypolipidemic effect in rat and mouse. However, the mechanism of action is not well understood. This study was conducted to determine the effect and mechanism of action of mangiferin on hyperlipidemia induced in hamsters by a high-fat diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty male hamsters were randomly assigned to normal control, high-fat control, and high fat with mangiferin (50 and 150 mg/kg BW) groups. Mangiferin treatment significantly decreased final body weight, liver weight and visceral fat-pad weight, serum triglyceride (TG) and total free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations, hepatic TG levels and hepatic and muscle total FFA contents. Mangiferin upregulated mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), fatty acid translocase (CD36) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), but downregulated mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT-2) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in liver. Mangiferin also stimulated mRNA expression of PPAR-α, CD36, CPT-1 and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that mangiferin may ameliorate hypertriglyceridemia partly by modulating the expression levels of genes involved in lipid oxidation and lipogenesis.

[Effect of ciglitazone on THP-1 macrophage CD36 expression and cholesterol influx].

AIM: To investigate the effect of ciglitazone on CD36 expression and cholesterol influx in THP-1 macrophage. METHODS: After exposure of the cultured THP-1 macrophage to ciglitazone for 24 h, [(3)H] labeled Cholesterol influx was determined by FJ-2107P typed liquid scintillator. CD36 mRNA and protein level were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS: PPARγ agonist, ciglitazone, elevated CD36 in both protein and mRNA levels, and increased cholesterol influx in THP-1 macrophage. The levels of cholesterol influx were 20. 3%, 28. 6%, 37. 2%, 44. 3%, 48. 7% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that ciglitazone may play an important role in cholesterol influx and modulating CD36 expression in THP-1 macrophage.