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Liver X receptor (LXR) agonism has theoretical potential for treating NAFLD/NASH, but synthetic agonists induce hyperlipidemia in preclinical models. Desmosterol, which is converted by Δ24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) into cholesterol, is a potent endogenous LXR agonist with anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of DHCR24 inhibition on NAFLD/NASH development. Here, by using APOE*3-Leiden. CETP mice, a well-established translational model that develops diet-induced human-like NAFLD/NASH characteristics, we report that SH42, a published DHCR24 inhibitor, markedly increases desmosterol levels in liver and plasma, reduces hepatic lipid content and the steatosis score, and decreases plasma fatty acid and cholesteryl ester concentrations. Flow cytometry showed that SH42 decreases liver inflammation by preventing Kupffer cell activation and monocyte infiltration. LXRα deficiency completely abolishes these beneficial effects of SH42. Together, the inhibition of DHCR24 by SH42 prevents diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a strictly LXRα-dependent manner without causing hyperlipidemia. Finally, we also showed that SH42 treatment decreased liver collagen content and plasma alanine transaminase levels in an established NAFLD model. In conclusion, we anticipate that pharmacological DHCR24 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of NAFLD/NASH.

Analogues of the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are in clinical development for type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) treatment. Although their glucose-lowering and insulin-sensitizing effects have been largely unraveled, the mechanisms by which they alleviate liver injury have only been scarcely addressed. Here, we aimed to unveil the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of FGF21 on NASH using APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice, a well-established model for human-like metabolic diseases. Liver-specific FGF21 overexpression was achieved in mice, followed by administration of a high-fat high-cholesterol diet for 23 weeks. FGF21 prevented hepatic lipotoxicity, accompanied by activation of thermogenic tissues and attenuation of adipose tissue inflammation, improvement of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and upregulation of hepatic programs involved in fatty acid oxidation and cholesterol removal. Furthermore, FGF21 inhibited hepatic inflammation, as evidenced by reduced Kupffer cell (KC) activation, diminished monocyte infiltration, and lowered accumulation of monocyte-derived macrophages. Moreover, FGF21 decreased lipid- and scar-associated macrophages, which correlated with less hepatic fibrosis as demonstrated by reduced collagen accumulation. Collectively, hepatic FGF21 overexpression limits hepatic lipotoxicity, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, FGF21 blocks hepatic lipid influx and accumulation through combined endocrine and autocrine signaling, respectively, which prevents KC activation and lowers the presence of lipid- and scar-associated macrophages to inhibit fibrogenesis.

Chronic infection with Schistosoma mansoni parasites is associated with reduced allergic sensitization in humans, while schistosome eggs protects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in mice. One of the main secretory/excretory molecules from schistosome eggs is the glycosylated T2-RNAse Omega-1 (ω1). We hypothesized that ω1 induces protection against AAI during infection. Peritoneal administration of ω1 prior to sensitization with Ovalbumin (OVA) reduced airway eosinophilia and pathology, and OVA-specific Th2 responses upon challenge, independent from changes in regulatory T cells. ω1 was taken up by monocyte-derived dendritic cells, mannose receptor (CD206)-positive conventional type 2 dendritic cells (CD206+ cDC2), and by recruited peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, ω1 impaired CCR7, F-actin, and costimulatory molecule expression on myeloid cells and cDC2 migration in and ex vivo, as evidenced by reduced OVA+ CD206+ cDC2 in the draining mediastinal lymph nodes (medLn) and retainment in the peritoneal cavity, while antigen processing and presentation in cDC2 were not affected by ω1 treatment. Importantly, RNAse mutant ω1 was unable to reduce AAI or affect DC migration, indicating that ω1 effects are dependent on its RNAse activity. Altogether, ω1 hampers migration of OVA+ cDC2 to the draining medLn in mice, elucidating how ω1 prevents allergic airway inflammation in the OVA/alum mouse model. Author summary: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, leading to cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath. The prevalence has increased drastically in Westernized societies and is now increasing in low- and middle-income countries. Chronic infection with the parasitic helminth, Schistosoma (S.) mansoni protects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in mice, and is associated with reduced skin prick test positivity to inhaled allergens in humans. Here we show that peritoneal administration of ω1, a single glycoprotein secreted by S. mansoni eggs, reduced OVA/alum-induced AAI. ω1 is taken up in the peritoneal cavity by dendritic cells (DCs) expressing the mannose receptor, reducing their expression of CCR7 and migratory capacity to the draining mediastinal lymph nodes. This results in accumulation of DCs in the peritoneal cavity of allergic mice and reduced numbers of DCs reaching the draining lymph nodes. The effects observed for ω1 is dependent on its RNAse activity, since the RNAse mutant form of ω1 was unable to reduce AAI nor affect DC migration. Our findings provide insights into how ω1 can modulated the immune response during allergic inflammation, and this may open new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the combined effect of inflammation and recurrent autoimmunity. In recent years, the role played by beta cells in the development of T1D has evolved from passive victims of the immune system to active contributors in their own destruction. We and others have demonstrated that perturbations in the islet microenvironment promote endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in beta cells, leading to enhanced immunogenicity. Among the underlying mechanisms, secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by beta cells has been suggested to mediate the crosstalk with the immune cell compartment. Methods: To study the role of cellular stress in the early events of T1D development, we generated a novel cellular model for constitutive ER stress by modulating the expression of HSPA5, which encodes BiP/GRP78, in EndoC-βH1 cells. To investigate the role of EVs in the interaction between beta cells and the immune system, we characterized the EV miRNA cargo and evaluated their effect on innate immune cells. Results: Analysis of the transcriptome showed that HSPA5 knockdown resulted in the upregulation of signaling pathways involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) and changes the miRNA content of EVs, including reduced levels of miRNAs involved in IL-1β signaling. Treatment of primary human monocytes with EVs from stressed beta cells resulted in increased surface expression of CD11b, HLA-DR, CD40 and CD86 and upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the content of EVs derived from stressed beta cells can be a mediator of islet inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity‐induced chronic low‐grade inflammation, also known as metaflammation, results from alterations of the immune response in metabolic organs and contributes to the development of fatty liver diseases and type 2 diabetes. The diversity of tissue‐resident leukocytes involved in these metabolic dysfunctions warrants an in‐depth immunophenotyping in order to elucidate disease etiology. Here, we present a 30‐color, full spectrum flow cytometry panel, designed to (i) identify the major innate and adaptive immune cell subsets in murine liver and white adipose tissues and (ii) discriminate various tissue‐specific myeloid subsets known to contribute to the development of metabolic dysfunctions. This panel notably allows for distinguishing embryonically‐derived liver‐resident Kupffer cells from newly recruited monocyte‐derived macrophages and KCs. Furthermore, several adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) subsets, including perivascular macrophages, lipid‐associated macrophages, and pro‐inflammatory CD11c+ ATMs, can also be identified. Finally, the panel includes cell‐surface markers that have been associated with metabolic activation of different macrophage and dendritic cell subsets. Altogether, our spectral flow cytometry panel allows for an extensive immunophenotyping of murine metabolic tissues, with a particular focus on metabolically‐relevant myeloid cell subsets, and can easily be adjusted to include various new markers if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic helminths have coexisted with human beings throughout time. Success in eradicating helminths has limited helminth-induced morbidity and mortality but is also correlated with increasing rates of 'western' diseases, including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies in mice describe how type 2 immune cells, traditionally associated with helminth infection, maintain adipose tissue homeostasis and promote adipose tissue beiging, protecting against obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Here, we review these studies and discuss how helminths and helminth-derived molecules may modulate these physiologic pathways to improve metabolic functions in specific tissues, such as adipose and liver, as well as at the whole-organism level.