TY - JOUR A1 - Stepanovska, Bisera A1 - Zivkovic, Aleksandra A1 - Enzmann, Gaby A1 - Tietz, Silvia A1 - Homann, Thomas A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Engelhardt, Britta A1 - Stark, Holger A1 - Huwiler, Andrea T1 - Morpholino analogues of fingolimod as novel and selective S1P1 ligands with in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of experimental antigen-induced encephalomyelitis JF - International journal of molecular sciences N2 - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which is associated with lower life expectancy and disability. The experimental antigen-induced encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice is a useful animal model of MS, which allows exploring the etiopathogenetic mechanisms and testing novel potential therapeutic drugs. A new therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of MS was introduced in 2010 through the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) analogue fingolimod (FTY720, Gilenya(R)), which acts as a functional S1P(1) antagonist on T lymphocytes to deplete these cells from the blood. In this study, we synthesized two novel structures, ST-1893 and ST-1894, which are derived from fingolimod and chemically feature a morpholine ring in the polar head group. These compounds showed a selective S1P(1) activation profile and a sustained S1P(1) internalization in cultures of S1P(1)-overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells, consistent with a functional antagonism. In vivo, both compounds induced a profound lymphopenia in mice. Finally, these substances showed efficacy in the EAE model, where they reduced clinical symptoms of the disease, and, on the molecular level, they reduced the T-cell infiltration and several inflammatory mediators in the brain and spinal cord. In summary, these data suggest that S1P(1)-selective compounds may have an advantage over fingolimod and siponimod, not only in MS but also in other autoimmune diseases. KW - ST-1893 KW - ST-1894 KW - morpholino analogues of fingolimod KW - sphingosine KW - 1-phosphate KW - immunomodulator KW - lymphopenia KW - multiple sclerosis KW - experimental antigen-induced encephalomyelitis Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186463 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 21 IS - 18 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rothwell, Joseph A. A1 - Murphy, Neil A1 - Aleksandrova, Krasimira A1 - Schulze, Matthias Bernd A1 - Bešević, Jelena A1 - Kliemann, Nathalie A1 - Jenab, Mazda A1 - Ferrari, Pietro A1 - Achaintre, David A1 - Gicquiau, Audrey A1 - Vozar, Béatrice A1 - Scalbert, Augustin A1 - Huybrechts, Inge A1 - Freisling, Heinz A1 - Prehn, Cornelia A1 - Adamski, Jerzy A1 - Cross, Amanda J. A1 - Pala, Valeria Maria A1 - Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine A1 - Dahm, Christina C. A1 - Overvad, Kim A1 - Gram, Inger Torhild A1 - Sandanger, Torkjel M. A1 - Skeie, Guri A1 - Jakszyn, Paula A1 - Tsilidis, Kostas K. A1 - Hughes, David J. A1 - van Guelpen, Bethany A1 - Bodén, Stina A1 - Sánchez, Maria-José A1 - Schmidt, Julie A. A1 - Katzke, Verena A1 - Kühn, Tilman A1 - Colorado-Yohar, Sandra A1 - Tumino, Rosario A1 - Bueno-de-Mesquita, Bas A1 - Vineis, Paolo A1 - Masala, Giovanna A1 - Panico, Salvatore A1 - Eriksen, Anne Kirstine A1 - Tjønneland, Anne A1 - Aune, Dagfinn A1 - Weiderpass, Elisabete A1 - Severi, Gianluca A1 - Chajès, Véronique A1 - Gunter, Marc J. T1 - Metabolic signatures of healthy lifestyle patterns and colorectal cancer risk in a European cohort JF - Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology N2 - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colorectal cancer risk can be lowered by adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) guidelines. We derived metabolic signatures of adherence to these guidelines and tested their associations with colorectal cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. METHODS: Scores reflecting adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations (scale, 1-5) were calculated from participant data on weight maintenance, physical activity, diet, and alcohol among a discovery set of 5738 cancer-free European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition participants with metabolomics data. Partial least-squares regression was used to derive fatty acid and endogenous metabolite signatures of the WCRF/AICR score in this group. In an independent set of 1608 colorectal cancer cases and matched controls, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated for colorectal cancer risk per unit increase in WCRF/AICR score and per the corresponding change in metabolic signatures using multivariable conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Higher WCRF/AICR scores were characterized by metabolic signatures of increased odd-chain fatty acids, serine, glycine, and specific phosphatidylcholines. Signatures were inversely associated more strongly with colorectal cancer risk (fatty acids: OR, 0.51 per unit increase; 95% CI, 0.29-0.90; endogenous metabolites: OR, 0.62 per unit change; 95% CI, 0.50-0.78) than the WCRF/AICR score (OR, 0.93 per unit change; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00) overall. Signature associations were stronger in male compared with female participants. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolite profiles reflecting adherence to WCRF/AICR guidelines and additional lifestyle or biological risk factors were associated with colorectal cancer. Measuring a specific panel of metabolites representative of a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle may identify strata of the population at higher risk of colorectal cancer. KW - colorectal neoplasm KW - risk factors KW - World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Recommendations KW - targeted metabolomics Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2020.11.045 SN - 1542-3565 SN - 1542-7714 VL - 20 SP - E1061 EP - E1082 PB - Elsevier CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Li, Chen A1 - Stoma, Svetlana A1 - Lotta, Luca A. A1 - Warner, Sophie A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Allione, Alessandra A1 - Arp, Pascal P. A1 - Broer, Linda A1 - Buxton, Jessica L. A1 - Boeing, Heiner A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Codd, Veryan T1 - Genome-wide association analysis in humans links nucleotide metabolism to leukocyte telomere length JF - American Journal of Human Genetics N2 - Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a heritable biomarker of genomic aging. In this study, we perform a genome-wide meta-analysis of LTL by pooling densely genotyped and imputed association results across large-scale European-descent studies including up to 78,592 individuals. We identify 49 genomic regions at a false dicovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 threshold and prioritize genes at 31, with five highlighting nucleotide metabolism as an important regulator of LTL. We report six genome-wide significant loci in or near SENP7, MOB1B, CARMIL1 , PRRC2A, TERF2, and RFWD3, and our results support recently identified PARP1, POT1, ATM, and MPHOSPH6 loci. Phenome-wide analyses in >350,000 UK Biobank participants suggest that genetically shorter telomere length increases the risk of hypothyroidism and decreases the risk of thyroid cancer, lymphoma, and a range of proliferative conditions. Our results replicate previously reported associations with increased risk of coronary artery disease and lower risk for multiple cancer types. Our findings substantially expand current knowledge on genes that regulate LTL and their impact on human health and disease. KW - Mendelian randomization KW - risk KW - variants KW - disease KW - cancer KW - loci KW - database KW - genes KW - heart KW - gwas Y1 - 2019 VL - 106 IS - 3 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Olayide, Priscilla A1 - Large, Annabel A1 - Stridh, Linnea A1 - Rabbi, Ismail A1 - Baldermann, Susanne A1 - Stavolone, Livia A1 - Alexandersson, Erik T1 - Gene expression and metabolite profiling of thirteen Nigerian cassava landraces to elucidate starch and carotenoid composition JF - Agronomy N2 - The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates effective approaches to improve provitamin A content of major staple crops. Cassava holds much promise for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, but a negative correlation between beta-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid, and dry matter content has been reported, which poses a challenge to cassava biofortification by conventional breeding. To identify suitable material for genetic transformation in tissue culture with the overall aim to increase beta-carotene and maintain starch content as well as better understand carotenoid composition, root and leaf tissues from thirteen field-grown cassava landraces were analyzed for agronomic traits, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and starch content. The expression of five genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis were determined in selected landraces. Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between starch and beta-carotene content, whereas there was a strong positive correlation between root yield and many carotenoids including beta-carotene. Carotenoid synthesis genes were expressed in both white and yellow cassava roots, but phytoene synthase 2 (PSY2), lycopene-epsilon-cyclase (LCY epsilon), and beta-carotenoid hydroxylase (CHY beta) expression were generally higher in yellow roots. This study identified lines with reasonably high content of starch and beta-carotene that could be candidates for biofortification by further breeding or plant biotechnological means. KW - carotenoid biosynthesis KW - ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) KW - provitamin A KW - biofortification Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030424 SN - 2073-4395 VL - 10 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - McNulty, Margaret A. A1 - Goupil, Brad A. A1 - Albarado, Diana C. A1 - Castaño-Martinez, Teresa A1 - Ambrosi, Thomas H. A1 - Puh, Spela A1 - Schulz, Tim Julius A1 - Schürmann, Annette A1 - Morrison, Christopher D. A1 - Laeger, Thomas T1 - FGF21, not GCN2, influences bone morphology due to dietary protein restrictions JF - Bone Reports N2 - Background: Dietary protein restriction is emerging as an alternative approach to treat obesity and glucose intolerance because it markedly increases plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentrations. Similarly, dietary restriction of methionine is known to mimic metabolic effects of energy and protein restriction with FGF21 as a required mechanism. However, dietary protein has been shown to be required for normal bone growth, though there is conflicting evidence as to the influence of dietary protein restriction on bone remodeling. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and methionine restriction on bone in lean and obese mice, and clarify whether FGF21 and general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) kinase, that are part of a novel endocrine pathway implicated in the detection of protein restriction, influence the effect of dietary protein restriction on bone. Methods: Adult wild-type (WT) or Fgf21 KO mice were fed a normal protein (18 kcal%; CON) or low protein (4 kcal%; LP) diet for 2 or 27 weeks. In addition, adult WT or Gcn2 KO mice were fed a CON or LP diet for 27 weeks. Young New Zealand obese (NZO) mice were placed on high-fat diets that provided protein at control (16 kcal%; CON), low levels (4 kcal%) in a high-carbohydrate (LP/HC) or high-fat (LP/HF) regimen, or on high-fat diets (protein, 16 kcal%) that provided methionine at control (0.86%; CON-MR) or low levels (0.17%; MR) for up to 9 weeks. Long bones from the hind limbs of these mice were collected and evaluated with micro-computed tomography (mu CT) for changes in trabecular and cortical architecture and mass. Results: In WT mice the 27-week LP diet significantly reduced cortical bone, and this effect was enhanced by deletion of Fgf21 but not Gcn2. This decrease in bone did not appear after 2 weeks on the LP diet. In addition, Fgf21 KO mice had significantly less bone than their WT counterparts. In obese NZO mice dietary protein and methionine restriction altered bone architecture. The changes were mediated by FGF21 due to methionine restriction in the presence of cystine, which did not increase plasma FGF21 levels and did not affect bone architecture. Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence of a reduction in bone following long-term dietary protein restriction in a mouse model, effects that appear to be mediated by FGF21. KW - dietary restriction KW - protein restriction KW - FGF21 KW - GCN2 KW - microcomputed tomography Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bonr.2019.100241 SN - 2352-1872 VL - 12 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Borremans, An A1 - Bußler, Sara A1 - Sagu Tchewonpi, Sorel A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal A1 - Schlüter, Oliver K. A1 - Leen, Van Campenhout T1 - Effect of blanching plus fermentation on selected functional properties of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) powders JF - Foods : open access journal N2 - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of blanching followed by fermentation of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) with commercial meat starter cultures on the functional properties of powders produced from the larvae. Full fat and defatted powder samples were prepared from non-fermented and fermented mealworm pastes. Then the crude protein, crude fat, and dry matter contents, pH, bulk density, colour, water and oil binding capacity, foaming capacity and stability, emulsion capacity and stability, protein solubility, quantity of free amino groups, and protein composition of the powders were evaluated. Regardless of the starter culture used, the blanching plus fermentation process reduced the crude and soluble protein contents of the full fat powders and in general impaired their water and oil binding, foaming, and emulsifying properties. Defatting of the powders improved most functional properties studied. The o-phthaldialdehyde assay revealed that the amount of free amino groups was higher in the fermented powders while sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the soluble proteins of the fermented powders were composed of molecules of lower molecular mass compared to non-fermented powders. As molecular sizes of the soluble proteins decreased, it was clear that the protein structure was also modified by the fermentation process, which in turn led to changes in functional properties. In general, it was concluded that fermentation of mealworms with blanching as a pre-treatment does not contribute to the functional properties studied in this work. Nevertheless, the results confirmed that the properties of non-fermented powders are comparable to other food protein sources. KW - mealworm KW - fermentation KW - functional properties KW - insect proteins KW - SDS-PAGE Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9070917 SN - 2304-8158 VL - 9 IS - 7 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko A1 - Reichetzeder, Christoph A1 - Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed A1 - Slowinski, Torsten A1 - Chu, Chang A1 - Krämer, Bernhard K. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001). KW - fetal origins hypothesis KW - birth weight KW - repetitive elements KW - glucocorticoid receptor KW - nutrient transport KW - growth restriction KW - later health KW - pregnancy KW - genes KW - patterns Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57725-0 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Springer Nature CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lang, Judith A1 - Bohn, Patrick A1 - Bhat, Hilal A1 - Jastrow, Holger A1 - Walkenfort, Bernd A1 - Cansiz, Feyza A1 - Fink, Julian A1 - Bauer, Michael A1 - Schumacher, Fabian A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Lang, Karl S. T1 - Acid ceramidase of macrophages traps herpes simplex virus in multivesicular bodies and protects from severe disease JF - Nature Communications N2 - Macrophages have important protective functions during infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, molecular mechanisms that restrict viral propagation and protect from severe disease are unclear. Here we show that macrophages take up HSV-1 via endocytosis and transport the virions into multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In MVBs, acid ceramidase (aCDase) converts ceramide into sphingosine and increases the formation of sphingosine-rich intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). Once HSV-1 particles reach MVBs, sphingosine-rich ILVs bind to HSV-1 particles, which restricts fusion with the limiting endosomal membrane and prevents cellular infection. Lack of aCDase in macrophage cultures or in Asah1(-/-) mice results in replication of HSV-1 and Asah1(-/-) mice die soon after systemic or intravaginal inoculation. The treatment of macrophages with sphingosine enhancing compounds blocks HSV-1 propagation, suggesting a therapeutic potential of this pathway. In conclusion, aCDase loads ILVs with sphingosine, which prevents HSV-1 capsids from penetrating into the cytosol. KW - immunology KW - infection KW - membrane fusion KW - phagocytosis KW - sphingolipids Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15072-8 SN - 2041-1723 VL - 11 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - Nature Publishing Group UK CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Boekstegers, Felix A1 - Marcelain, Katherine A1 - Barahona Ponce, Carol A1 - Baez Benavides, Pablo F. A1 - Müller, Bettina A1 - de Toro, Gonzalo A1 - Retamales, Javier A1 - Barajas, Olga A1 - Ahumada, Monica A1 - Aleksandrova, Krasimira A1 - Bermejo, Justo Lorenzo T1 - ABCB1/4 gallbladder cancer risk variants identified in India also show strong effects in Chileans JF - Cancer Epidemiology N2 - Background: The first large-scale genome-wide association study of gallbladder cancer (GBC) recently identified and validated three susceptibility variants in the ABCB1 and ABCB4 genes for individuals of Indian descent. We investigated whether these variants were also associated with GBC risk in Chileans, who show the highest incidence of GBC worldwide, and in Europeans with a low GBC incidence. Methods: This population-based study analysed genotype data from retrospective Chilean case-control (255 cases, 2042 controls) and prospective European cohort (108 cases, 181 controls) samples consistently with the original publication. Results: Our results confirmed the reported associations for Chileans with similar risk effects. Particularly strong associations (per-allele odds ratios close to 2) were observed for Chileans with high Native American (=Mapuche) ancestry. No associations were noticed for Europeans, but the statistical power was low. Conclusion: Taking full advantage of genetic and ethnic differences in GBC risk may improve the efficiency of current prevention programs. KW - cancer epidemiology KW - gallbladder cancer KW - native American ancestry KW - population-specific risk marker Y1 - 2020 VL - 65 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Winkelbeiner, Nicola Lisa A1 - Wandt, Viktoria Klara Veronika A1 - Ebert, Franziska A1 - Lossow, Kristina A1 - Bankoglu, Ezgi E. A1 - Martin, Maximilian A1 - Mangerich, Aswin A1 - Stopper, Helga A1 - Bornhorst, Julia A1 - Kipp, Anna Patricia A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja T1 - A Multi-Endpoint Approach to Base Excision Repair Incision Activity Augmented by PARylation and DNA Damage Levels in Mice BT - Impact of Sex and Age JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Investigation of processes that contribute to the maintenance of genomic stability is one crucial factor in the attempt to understand mechanisms that facilitate ageing. The DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair mechanisms are crucial to safeguard the integrity of DNA and to prevent accumulation of persistent DNA damage. Among them, base excision repair (BER) plays a decisive role. BER is the major repair pathway for small oxidative base modifications and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. We established a highly sensitive non-radioactive assay to measure BER incision activity in murine liver samples. Incision activity can be assessed towards the three DNA lesions 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 5-hydroxy-2’-deoxyuracil (5-OHdU), and an AP site analogue. We applied the established assay to murine livers of adult and old mice of both sexes. Furthermore, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) was assessed, which is an important determinant in DDR and BER. Additionally, DNA damage levels were measured to examine the overall damage levels. No impact of ageing on the investigated endpoints in liver tissue were found. However, animal sex seems to be a significant impact factor, as evident by sex-dependent alterations in all endpoints investigated. Moreover, our results revealed interrelationships between the investigated endpoints indicative for the synergetic mode of action of the cellular DNA integrity maintaining machinery. KW - maintenance of genomic integrity KW - ageing KW - sex KW - DNA damage KW - base excision repair (incision activity) KW - DNA damage response KW - poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation KW - liver Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186600 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 21 IS - 18 PB - Molecular Diversity Preservation International CY - Basel ER -