| 1. |
- Lahore, G. F., et al.
(författare)
-
Vitamin D3 receptor polymorphisms regulate T cells and T cell-dependent inflammatory diseases
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 117:40, s. 24986-24997
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has proven difficult to identify the underlying genes in complex autoimmune diseases. Here, we use forward genetics to identify polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene (Vdr) promoter, controlling Vdr expression and T cell activation. We isolated these polymorphisms in a congenic mouse line, allowing us to study the immunomodulatory properties of VDR in a physiological context. Congenic mice overexpressed VDR selectively in T cells, and thus did not suffer from calcemic effects. VDR overexpression resulted in an enhanced antigen-specific T cell response and more severe autoimmune phenotypes. In contrast, vitamin D3-deficiency inhibited T cell responses and protected mice from developing autoimmune arthritis. Our observations are likely translatable to humans, as Vdr is overexpressed in rheumatic joints. Genetic control of VDR availability codetermines the proinflammatory behavior of T cells, suggesting that increased presence of VDR at the site of inflammation might limit the antiinflammatory properties of its ligand.
|
|
| 2. |
- Adlanmerini, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Mutation of Arginine 264 on ER alpha (Estrogen Receptor Alpha) Selectively Abrogates the Rapid Signaling of Estradiol in the Endothelium Without Altering Fertility
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 1079-5642 .- 1524-4636. ; 40:9, s. 2143-2158
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: ER alpha (estrogen receptor alpha) exerts nuclear genomic actions and also rapid membrane-initiated steroid signaling. The mutation of the cysteine 451 into alanine in vivo has recently revealed the key role of this ER alpha palmitoylation site on some vasculoprotective actions of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and fertility. Here, we studied the in vivo role of the arginine 260 of ER alpha which has also been described to be involved in its E2-induced rapid signaling with PI-3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) as well as G protein in cultured cell lines. Approach and Results: We generated a mouse model harboring a point mutation of the murine counterpart of this arginine into alanine (R264A-ER alpha). In contrast to theC451A-ER alpha, theR264A-ER alpha females are fertile with standard hormonal serum levels and normal control of hypothalamus-pituitary ovarian axis. Although R264A-ER alpha protein abundance was normal, the well-described membrane ER alpha-dependent actions of estradiol, such as the rapid dilation of mesenteric arteries and the acceleration of endothelial repair of carotid, were abrogated inR264A-ER alpha mice. In striking contrast, E2-regulated gene expression was highly preserved in the uterus and the aorta, revealing intact nuclear/genomic actions in response to E2. Consistently, 2 recognized nuclear ER alpha-dependent actions of E2, namely atheroma prevention and flow-mediated arterial remodeling were totally preserved. Conclusions: These data underline the exquisite role of arginine 264 of ER alpha for endothelial membrane-initiated steroid signaling effects of E2 but not for nuclear/genomic actions. This provides the first model of fertile mouse with no overt endocrine abnormalities with specific loss-of-function of rapid ER alpha signaling in vascular functions.
|
|
| 3. |
- Aguilar-Pimentel, Juan Antonio, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased estrogen to androgen ratio enhances immunoglobulin levels and impairs B cell function in male mice.
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 10:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sex steroids, such as estrogens and androgens, are important regulators of the humoral immune response. Studies in female mice have demonstrated that alteration of circulating estrogen concentration regulates antibody-mediated immunity. As males have normally little endogenous estrogen, we hypothesized that in males high estrogens and low androgens affect the immune system and enhance the allergic inflammatory response. Here, we studied transgenic male mice expressing human aromatase (AROM+). These animals have a high circulating estrogen to androgen ratio (E/A), causing female traits such as gynecomastia. We found that AROM+ male mice had significantly higher plasma immunoglobulin levels, particularly IgE. Flow cytometry analyses of splenocytes revealed changes in mature/immature B cell ratio together with a transcriptional upregulation of the Igh locus. Furthermore, higher proliferation rate and increased IgE synthesis after IgE class-switching was found. Subsequently, we utilized an ovalbumin airway challenge model to test the allergic response in AROM+ male mice. In line with above observations, an increase in IgE levels was measured, albeit no impact on immune cell infiltration into the lungs was detected. Together, our findings suggest that high circulating E/A in males significantly alters B cell function without any significant enhancement in allergic inflammation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Ahluwalia, T. S., et al.
(författare)
-
Genome-wide association study of circulating interleukin 6 levels identifies novel loci
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Human molecular genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 30:5, s. 393-409
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties with a heritability estimate of up to 61%. The circulating levels of IL-6 in blood have been associated with an increased risk of complex disease pathogenesis. We conducted a two-staged, discovery and replication meta genome-wide association study (GWAS) of circulating serum IL-6 levels comprising up to 67428 (n(discovery)=52654 and n(replication)=14774) individuals of European ancestry. The inverse variance fixed effects based discovery meta-analysis, followed by replication led to the identification of two independent loci, IL1F10/IL1RN rs6734238 on chromosome (Chr) 2q14, (P-combined=1.8x10(-11)), HLA-DRB1/DRB5 rs660895 on Chr6p21 (P-combined=1.5x10(-10)) in the combined meta-analyses of all samples. We also replicated the IL6R rs4537545 locus on Chr1q21 (P-combined=1.2x10(-122)). Our study identifies novel loci for circulating IL-6 levels uncovering new immunological and inflammatory pathways that may influence IL-6 pathobiology.
|
|
| 5. |
- Antonson, P., et al.
(författare)
-
Generation of an all-exon Esr2 deleted mouse line: Effects on fertility
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 529:2, s. 231-237
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), encoded by the Esr2 gene, is one of two nuclear receptors that mediate the functions of the steroid hormone estradiol. The binding of estradiol to the receptor results in enhanced transcription of many genes that have estrogen response elements in promoter or enhancer regions. Several genetically modified mouse lines with mutations or deletions of exons in the Esr2 gene have been developed and results from analysis of these are not completely consistent, especially regarding ER beta's role in fertility. To address these controversies, we have used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to make a deletion of the entire Esr2 gene in the mouse genome and determined the effect of this mutation on fertility. We show that female Esr2 deleted mice, Esr2(Delta E1-10), are subfertile at young age, with fewer litters and smaller litter size, and that they become infertile/have severely reduced fertility at around six months of age, while the male Esr2(Delta E1-10) mice are fertile. Ovaries from Esr2(Delta E1-10) mice are smaller than those from wild-type littermates and the morphology of the ovary displays very few corpora lutea, indicating a defect in ovulation. We also show that the estradiol levels are reduced at diestrus, the phase in the estrous cycle when levels are expected to start to increase before ovulation. Our results verify that ER beta has an important function in female reproduction, likely as a regulator of serum estradiol levels, and that its loss does not affect male reproductive function. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bake, Tina, et al.
(författare)
-
The gravitostat protects diet-induced obese rats against fat accumulation and weight gain
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Journal of Neuroendocrinology. - : Wiley. - 0953-8194 .- 1365-2826. ; 33:8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The gravitostat is a novel homeostatic body weight-regulating mechanism, mostly studied in mice, and recently confirmed in obese humans. In the present study, we explored the effect of weight loading on metabolic outcomes, meal patterns and parameters linked to energy expenditure in both obese and lean rats. Diet-induced obese (DIO) and lean rats were implanted with capsules weighing either 15% of biological body weight (load) or empty capsules (1.3% of body weight; controls). Loading protected against fat accumulation more markedly in the DIO group. In line with this, the obesity-related impairment in insulin sensitivity was notably ameliorated in DIO rats upon loading, as revealed by the reduction in serum insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index scores. Although 24-hour caloric intake was reduced in both groups, this effect was greater in loaded DIO rats than in loaded lean peers. During days 10-16, after recovery from surgery, loading: (i) decreased meal size in both groups (only during the light phase in DIO rats) but this was compensated in lean rats by an increase in meal frequency; (ii) reduced dark phase locomotor activity only in lean rats; and (iii) reduced mean caloric efficiency in DIO rats. Muscle weight was unaffected by loading in either group. Dietary-obese rats are therefore more responsive than lean rats to loading.
|
|
| 7. |
- Barroso, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Neonatal exposure to androgens dynamically alters gut microbiota architecture
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Endocrinology. - : Bioscientifica. - 0022-0795 .- 1479-6805. ; 247:1, s. 69-85
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gonadal steroids strongly contribute to the metabolic programming that shapes the susceptibility to the manifestation of diseases later in life, and the effect is often sexually dimorphic. Microbiome signatures, together with metabolic traits and sex steroid levels, were analyzed at adulthood in neonatally androgenized female rats, and compared with those of control male and female rats. Exposure of female rats to high doses of androgens on early postnatal life resulted in persistent alterations of the sex steroid profile later on life, namely lower progesterone and higher estr adiol and estrone levels, with no effect on endogenous androgens. Neonatally androgenized females were heavier (10% at early adulthood and 26% at adulthood) than controls and had impaired glucose homeostasis observed by higher AUC of glucose in GTT and ITT when subjected to obesogenic manipulations. Androgenized female displayed overt alterations in gut microbiota, indicated especially by higher Bacteroidetes and lower Firmicutes abundance at early adulthood, which disappeared when animals were concurrently overfed at adulthood. Notably, these changes in gut microbiota were related with the intestinal expression of several miRNAs, such as miR-27a-3p, miR-29a-5p, and miR-100-3p. Our results suggest that nutritional and hormonal disruption at early developmental periods not only alters the metabolic programming of the individual later in life but also perturbs the architecture of gut microbiota, which may interact with the host by a cross-talk mediated by intestinal miRNAs; phenomena that may contribute to amplify the metabolic derangement caused by obesity, as seen in neonatally androgenized female rats.
|
|
| 8. |
- Brommage, Robert, et al.
(författare)
-
High Fidelity of Mouse Models Mimicking Human Genetic Skeletal Disorders
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Endocrinology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-2392. ; 10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The 2019 International Skeletal Dysplasia Society nosology update lists 441 genes for which mutations result in rare human skeletal disorders. These genes code for enzymes (33%), scaffolding proteins (18%), signal transduction proteins (16%), transcription factors (14%), cilia proteins (8%), extracellular matrix proteins (5%), and membrane transporters (4%). Skeletal disorders include aggrecanopathies, channelopathies, ciliopathies, cohesinopathies, laminopathies, linkeropathies, lysosomal storage diseases, protein-folding and RNA splicing defects, and ribosomopathies. With the goal of evaluating the ability of mouse models to mimic these human genetic skeletal disorders, a PubMed literature search identified 260 genes for which mutant mice were examined for skeletal phenotypes. These mouse models included spontaneous and ENU-induced mutants, global and conditional gene knockouts, and transgenic mice with gene over-expression or specific base-pair substitutions. The human X-linked gene ARSE and small nuclear RNA U4ATAC, a component of the minor spliceosome, do not have mouse homologs. Mouse skeletal phenotypes mimicking human skeletal disorders were observed in 249 of the 260 genes (96%) for which comparisons are possible. A supplemental table in spreadsheet format provides PubMed weblinks to representative publications of mutant mouse skeletal phenotypes. Mutations in 11 mouse genes (Ccn6, Cyp2r1, Flna, Galns, Gna13, Lemd3, Manba, Mnx1, Nsd1, Plod1, Smarcal1) do not result in similar skeletal phenotypes observed with mutations of the homologous human genes. These discrepancies can result from failure of mouse models to mimic the exact human gene mutations. There are no obvious commonalities among these 11 genes. Body BMD and/or radiologic dysmorphology phenotypes were successfully identified for 28 genes by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC). Forward genetics using ENU mouse mutagenesis successfully identified 37 nosology gene phenotypes. Since many human genetic disorders involve hypomorphic, gain-of-function, dominant-negative and intronic mutations, future studies will undoubtedly utilize CRISPR/Cas9 technology to examine transgenic mice having genes modified to exactly mimic variant human sequences. Mutant mice will increasingly be employed for drug development studies designed to treat human genetic skeletal disorders.
|
|
| 9. |
- Bygdell, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Prevalence of overweight and obesity from 5 to 19 years of age in Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 110:12, s. 3349-3355
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim The aim of this study was to present prevalence data for overweight and obesity across school age in a large, recent, population-based cohort of children in Gothenburg, Sweden. Methods We included 66,807 children (48.5% girls) aged 5-18.9 years who had their height and weight measured in school health care 2015-2018. The BMI values were categorised according to the age-dependent cut-offs for overweight and obesity from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Results Overall, the prevalence of overweight and obesity for girls and boys was 18.1% and 18.0%, respectively. We observed increasing proportions of overweight (girls 11.5-17.1% and boys 8.4-17.4%) and obesity (girls 3.0-4.2% and boys 2.7-6.1%) with increasing age (p < 0.001 for trend in both sexes). Moreover, girls had higher prevalence of overweight during ages 5.0 to 8.9 years compared with boys (p < 0.001), while boys had higher prevalence of obesity 15.0-18.9 years compared with girls (p < 0.001). Conclusion In conclusion, we demonstrate increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity across the entire school age range, as well as differences in prevalences between boys and girls, in a population-based sample of 67,000 children in Gothenburg city, Sweden. Continuous monitoring of schoolchildren, together with effective preventive measures, is crucial to curb the obesity epidemic and its consequences.
|
|
| 10. |
- Bygdell, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Revisiting the critical weight hypothesis for regulation of pubertal timing in boys.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: The American journal of clinical nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 1938-3207 .- 0002-9165. ; 113:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent findings indicate that there is a body weight-sensing homeostatic regulation of body weight in postpubertal rodents and humans. It is possible that body weight sensing also might be involved in the regulation of pubertal timing. Although an early small study suggested that there is a critical body weight for pubertal timing in girls, most studies have focused on BMI and reported an inverse association between BMI and pubertal timing.In the present longitudinal well-powered cohort study, we revisited the critical weight hypothesis and tested if prepubertal body weight is a more robust inverse predictor of pubertal timing than prepubertal BMI in boys.We included men born during 1945-1961 (old cohort; n=31,971) and men born during 1981-1996 (recent cohort; n=1465) in the large BMI Epidemiology Study (BEST) Gothenburg (combined BEST cohort n=33,436). Men with information on prepubertal body weight and BMI at 8 y of age and age at peak height velocity (PHV; an objective measure of pubertal timing) were included.Body weight explained more of the variance in age at PHV than BMI in both the old cohort and the recent cohort (combined cohort, body weight 6.3%, BMI 3.6%). Both body weight (β: -0.24 SD/SD increase in weight; 95% CI: -0.25, -0.23) and BMI (β: -0.18 SD/SD increase in BMI, 95% CI: -0.19, -0.17) were inversely associated with age at PHV but the association for body weight was significantly more pronounced than the association for BMI (P<0.001).In conclusion, prepubertal body weight is a more robust inverse predictor of pubertal timing than prepubertal BMI in boys. We propose that body weight sensing constitutes a feedback mechanism to regulate pubertal timing.
|
|
