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Biomedical subjects

Bart Staels

Publications and source records attributed to Bart Staels.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Transient impairment of the adaptive response to fasting in FXR-deficient mice.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been suggested to play a role in gluconeogenesis. To determine whether FXR modulates the response to fasting in vivo, FXR-deficient (FXR-/-) and wild-type mice were submitted to fasting for 48 h. Our results demonstrate that FXR modulates the kinetics of alterations of glucose homeostasis during fasting, with FXR-/- mice displaying an early, accelerated hypoglycaemia response. Basal hepatic glucose production rate was lower in FXR-/- mice, together with a decrease in hepatic glycogen content. Moreover, hepatic PEPCK gene expression was transiently lower in FXR-/- mice after 6h of fasting and was decreased in FXR-/- hepatocytes. FXR therefore plays an unexpected role in the control of fuel availability upon fasting.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

The Farnesoid X receptor: a molecular link between bile acid and lipid and glucose metabolism.

Bile acids are the end products of cholesterol metabolism. They are synthesized in the liver and secreted via bile into the intestine, where they aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and dietary fat. Subsequently, bile acids return to the liver to complete their enterohepatic circulation. The Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and has emerged as a key player in the control of multiple metabolic pathways. On its activation by bile acids, FXR regulates bile acid synthesis, conjugation, and transport, as well as various aspects of lipid and glucose metabolism. This review summarizes recent advances in deciphering the role of FXR in the context of hepatic lipid and glucose homeostasis and discusses the potential of FXR as a pharmacological target for therapeutic applications.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

PPARalpha, but not PPARgamma, activators decrease macrophage-laden atherosclerotic lesions in a nondiabetic mouse model of mixed dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and gamma are nuclear receptors that may modulate atherogenesis, not only by correcting metabolic disorders predisposing to atherosclerosis but also by directly acting at the level of the vascular wall. The accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages in the arterial wall is an early pivotal event participating in the initiation and promotion of atherosclerotic lesion formation. Because PPARalpha and gamma modulate macrophage gene expression and cellular function, it has been suggested that their ligands may modulate atherosclerosis development via direct effects on macrophages. In this report, we investigated the effect of a PPARalpha ligand (fenofibrate) and 2 PPARgamma ligands (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone) on atherogenesis in a dyslipidemic nondiabetic murine model that develops essentially macrophage-laden lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice were fed a Western diet supplemented or not with fenofibrate (100 mpk), rosiglitazone (10 mpk), or pioglitazone (40 mpk) for 10 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions together with metabolic parameters were measured after treatment. Fenofibrate treatment significantly improved lipoprotein metabolism toward a less atherogenic phenotype but did not affect insulin sensitivity. Contrarily, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone improved glucose homeostasis, whereas they did not improve lipoprotein metabolism. Fenofibrate treatment significantly decreased the accumulation of lipids and macrophages in the aortic sinus. However, surprisingly, neither rosiglitazone nor pioglitazone had an effect on lesion lipid accumulation or macrophage content. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in a dyslipidemic nondiabetic murine model, PPARalpha, but not PPARgamma, activators protect against macrophage foam cell formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The gene encoding fibrinogen-beta is a target for retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha.

Fibrinogen is a plasma protein synthesized by the liver. It is composed of three chains (alpha, beta, gamma). In addition to its main function as a coagulation factor, this acute phase protein is also a risk marker for atherosclerosis. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (ROR)alpha is a nuclear receptor modulating physiopathological processes such as cerebellar ataxia, inflammation, atherosclerosis, and angiogenesis. In this study, we identified RORalpha as a regulator of fibrinogen-beta gene expression in human hepatoma cells and in mouse liver. A putative RORalpha response element (RORE) was identified in the human fibrinogen-beta promoter. EMSA showed that RORalpha binds specifically to this RORE, and cotransfection experiments in HepG2 hepatoma cells indicated that this RORE confers RORalpha-dependent transcriptional activation to both the human fibrinogen-beta and the thymidine kinase promoters. Stable transfection experiments in HepG2 and Hep3B hepatoma cells demonstrated that overexpression of RORalpha specifically increases endogenous fibrinogen-beta mRNA levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that the fibrinogen-beta RORE is occupied by RORalpha in HepG2 cells. Thus, the human fibrinogen-beta gene is a direct target for RORalpha. Furthermore, fibrinogen-beta mRNA levels in liver and plasma fibrinogen concentrations are specifically decreased in staggerer mice, which are homozygous for a deletion invalidating the Rora gene. Taken together, these data add further evidence for an important role of RORalpha in the control of liver gene expression with potential pathophysiological consequences on coagulation and cardiovascular risk.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The farnesoid X receptor modulates hepatic carbohydrate metabolism during the fasting-refeeding transition.

The liver plays a central role in the control of blood glucose homeostasis by maintaining a balance between glucose production and utilization. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor. Hepatic FXR expression is regulated by glucose and insulin. Here we identify a role for FXR in the control of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism. When submitted to a controlled fasting-refeeding schedule, FXR(-/-) mice displayed an accelerated response to high carbohydrate refeeding with an accelerated induction of glycolytic and lipogenic genes and a more pronounced repression of gluconeogenic genes. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were lower in FXR(-/-) mice upon refeeding the high-carbohydrate diet. These alterations were paralleled by decreased hepatic glycogen content. Hepatic insulin sensitivity was unchanged in FXR(-/-) mice. Treatment of isolated primary hepatocytes with a synthetic FXR agonist attenuated glucose-induced mRNA expression as well as promoter activity of L-type pyruvate kinase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, and Spot14. Moreover, activated FXR interfered negatively with the carbohydrate response elements regions. These results identify a novel role for FXR as a modulator of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Pancreatic islet response to hyperglycemia is dependent on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha).

This study tests the hypothesis that islet peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) influences insulin secretion. Freshly isolated islets of normoglycemic PPARalpha-null mice display no major alteration of glucose-stimulated insulin release. However, after 24 h of culture in high glucose, PPARalpha-null islets exhibit elevated basal insulin secretion and fail to increase insulin mRNA. 24-h culture with palmitate replicates this phenotype in wild-type islets. The data suggest that PPARalpha is needed to ensure appropriate insulin secretory response in situation of short-term hyperglycemia, likely by maintaining islet lipid homeostasis. As such, islet PPARalpha could contribute to delay the progression of type 2 diabetes.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Transcriptional regulation of apolipoprotein A5 gene expression by the nuclear receptor RORalpha.

OBJECTIVE: The newly identified apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5), selectively expressed in the liver, is a crucial determinant of plasma triglyceride levels. Because elevated plasma triglyceride concentrations constitute an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, it is important to understand how the expression of this gene is regulated. In the present study, we identified the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-alpha (RORalpha) as a regulator of human APOA5 gene expression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using electromobility shift assays, we first demonstrated that RORalpha1 and RORalpha4 proteins can bind specifically to a direct repeat 1 site present at the position -272/-260 in the APOA5 gene promoter. In addition, using transient cotransfection experiments in HepG2 and HuH7 cells, we demonstrated that both RORalpha1 and RORalpha4 strongly increase APOA5 promoter transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, adenoviral overexpression of hRORalpha in HepG2 cells led to enhanced hAPOA5 mRNA accumulation. We show that the homologous region in mouse apoa5 promoter is not functional. Moreover, we show that in staggerer mice, apoa5 gene is not affected by RORalpha. CONCLUSIONS: These findings identify RORalpha1 and RORalpha4 as transcriptional activators of human APOA5 gene expression. These data suggest an additional important physiological role for RORalpha in the regulation of genes involved in lipid homeostasis and probably in the development of atherosclerosis.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

Complete functional rescue of the ABCA1-/- mouse by human BAC transgenesis.

Humanized mouse models are useful tools to explore the functional and regulatory differences between human and murine orthologous genes. We have combined a bioinformatics approach and an in vivo approach to assess the functional and regulatory differences between the human and mouse ABCA1 genes. Computational analysis identified significant differences in potential regulatory sites between the human and mouse genes. The effect of these differences was assessed in vivo, using a bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic humanized ABCA1 mouse model that expresses the human gene in the absence of mouse ABCA1. Humanized mice expressed human ABCA1 protein at levels similar to wild-type mice and fully compensated for cholesterol efflux activity and lipid levels seen in ABCA1-deficient mice. Liver X receptor agonist administration resulted in significant increases in HDL values associated with parallel increases in the hepatic ABCA1 protein and mRNA levels in the humanized ABCA1 mice, as seen in the wild-type animals. Our studies indicate that despite differences in potential regulatory regions, the human ABCA1 gene is able to functionally fully compensate for the mouse gene. Our humanized ABCA1 mice can serve as a useful model system for functional analysis of the human ABCA1 gene in vivo and can be used for the generation of potential new therapeutics that target HDL metabolism.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗
PubMed2005

Pleiotropic effects of fibrates.

Fibrates are a widely used class of hypolipidemic drugs. The effects of fibrates are mediated through the activation of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARa). Fibrates act to modulate the transcription of genes that encode proteins controlling lipid transport and metabolism. Fibrates also exert pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects by down regulating expression of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines and acute phase response proteins. These combined actions translate into clinical benefit as demonstrated by the reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary intervention trials.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Potential regulatory role of the farnesoid X receptor in the metabolic syndrome.

Dyslipidemia and gallbladder diseases are two current anomalies observed in patients suffering from the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The bile acid-activated nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) controls bile acid as well as lipid metabolism. Recent observations indicate a role for FXR also in carbohydrate metabolism. Hepatic FXR expression is altered in diabetic animal models in vivo and regulated by hormones and nutrients in vitro. At the molecular level, FXR activation modifies the transcriptional activity of different transcription factors controlling gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis, thus affecting in concert bile acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The present review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the modulation of carbohydrate metabolism by FXR. These observations raise the intriguing possibility for a modulatory role of this receptor also in the metabolic syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Fluid retention mediated by renal PPARgamma.

Thiazolidinediones are activators of the nuclear receptor PPARgamma with proven efficacy on glucose homeostasis. However, treatment with these drugs often results in fluid retention and edema. Recent studies establish a role for PPARgamma in renal sodium reabsorption, providing a mechanism for the plasma volume expansion induced by these drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Role of the PPAR family of nuclear receptors in the regulation of metabolic and cardiovascular homeostasis: new approaches to therapy.

Several conditions and risk factors predispose to cardiovascular disease, including visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and are collectively called the metabolic syndrome. Different pharmacological approaches are under development to address these risk factors and improve the cardiovascular risk profile. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that control lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as the inflammatory response. Thus PPARs appear good drug targets for the correction of the global risk profile that predisposes an individual to cardiovascular disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[A role of PPARgamma in reproduction?].

Synthetic molecules of the glitazone family are currently used in the treatment of type II diabetes. Glitazones also improve secondary pathologies that are frequently associated with insulin resistance such as the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Glitazones bind to the peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a nuclear receptor which is highly expressed in adipose tissue. PPARgamma also binds natural ligands such as long-chain fatty acids. Recently, several groups have shown that PPARgamma is also highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells, and that glitazones are able to modulate in vitro granulosa cell proliferation and steroidogenesis in several species. These recent data raise new questions concerning the underlying mechanism of the effect of glitazones on PCOS. One might hypothesize, as for other << glucophage >> molecules such as metformin, that it is the general improvement of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by glitazones which indirectly, and via an unknown mechanism, ameliorates ovarian functionality. The data discussed here suggest now an alternative possibility, that glitazones act directly at the ovarian level. Moreover, PPARgamma also seems to play a key role in the maturation of the placenta. In particular, inactivation of PPARgamma in mice is lethal, since the foetus is unable to develop because of alterations of placental maturation. In women, the activation of PPARgamma in placenta leads to an increase of placental hormone secretion. Overall, these results raise some questions about the role of natural ligands of PPARgamma such as long chain fatty acids on female fertility and the interactions between energy metabolism and reproduction in general.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

TReP-132 controls cell proliferation by regulating the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1.

The transcriptional regulating protein of 132 kDa (TReP-132) has been identified in steroidogenic tissues, where it acts as a coactivator of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1). We show here that TReP-132 plays a role in the control of cell proliferation. In human HeLa cells, TReP-132 knockdown by using small interfering RNA resulted in increased G(1)-->S cell cycle progression. The growth-inhibitory effects of TReP-132 was further shown to be mediated by induction of G(1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21(WAF1) (p21) and p27(KIP1) (p27) expression levels. As a consequence, G(1) cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase activities and pRB phosphorylation were markedly reduced, and cell cycle progression was blocked in the G(1) phase. The stimulatory effect of TReP-132 on p21 and p27 gene transcription involved interaction of TReP-132 with the transcription factor Sp1 at proximal Sp1-binding sites in their promoters. Moreover, in different breast tumor cell lines, endogenous TReP-132 expression was positively related with a lower proliferation rate. In addition, TReP-132 knockdown resulted in enhanced cell proliferation and lowered p21 and p27 mRNA levels in the steroid-responsive and nonresponsive T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. Finally, a statistic profiling of human breast tumor samples highlighted that expression of TReP-132 is correlated with p21 and p27 levels and is associated with lower tumor incidence and aggressiveness. Together, these results identify TReP-132 as a basal cell cycle regulatory protein acting, at least in part, by interacting with Sp1 to activate the p21 and p27 gene promoters.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Insulin-mediated down-regulation of apolipoprotein A5 gene expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway: role of upstream stimulatory factor.

The apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) has been repeatedly implicated in lowering plasma triglyceride levels. Since several studies have demonstrated that hyperinsulinemia is associated with hypertriglyceridemia, we sought to determine whether APOA5 is regulated by insulin. Here, we show that cell lines and mice treated with insulin down-regulate APOA5 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that insulin decreases human APOA5 promoter activity, and subsequent deletion and mutation analyses uncovered a functional E box in the promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that this APOA5 E box binds upstream stimulatory factors (USFs). Moreover, in transfection studies, USF1 stimulates APOA5 promoter activity, and the treatment with insulin reduced the binding of USF1/USF2 to the APOA5 promoter. The inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway abolished insulin's effect on APOA5 gene expression, while the inhibition of the P70 S6 kinase pathway with rapamycin reversed its effect and increased APOA5 gene expression. Using an oligonucleotide precipitation assay for USF from nuclear extracts, we demonstrate that phosphorylated USF1 fails to bind to the APOA5 promoter. Taken together, these data indicate that insulin-mediated APOA5 gene transrepression could involve a phosphorylation of USFs through the PI3K and P70 S6 kinase pathways that modulate their binding to the APOA5 E box and results in APOA5 down-regulation. The effect of exogenous hyperinsulinemia in men showed a decrease in the plasma ApoAV level. These results suggest a potential contribution of the APOA5 gene in hypertriglyceridemia associated with hyperinsulinemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

PPAR alpha inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation underlying intimal hyperplasia by inducing the tumor suppressor p16INK4a.

Vascular SMC proliferation is a crucial event in occlusive cardiovascular diseases. PPARalpha is a nuclear receptor controlling lipid metabolism and inflammation, but its role in the regulation of SMC growth remains to be established. Here, we show that PPARalpha controls SMC cell-cycle progression at the G1/S transition by targeting the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor p16(INK4a) (p16), resulting in an inhibition of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. PPARalpha activates p16 gene transcription by both binding to a canonical PPAR-response element and interacting with the transcription factor Sp1 at specific proximal Sp1-binding sites of the p16 promoter. In a carotid arterial-injury mouse model, p16 deficiency results in an enhanced SMC proliferation underlying intimal hyperplasia. Moreover, PPARalpha activation inhibits SMC growth in vivo, and this effect requires p16 expression. These results identify an unexpected role for p16 in SMC cell-cycle control and demonstrate that PPARalpha inhibits SMC proliferation through p16. Thus, the PPARalpha/p16 pathway may be a potential pharmacological target for the prevention of cardiovascular occlusive complications of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Molecular characterization of new selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma modulators with angiotensin receptor blocking activity.

Selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma modulation is a new pharmacological approach that, based on selective receptor-cofactor interactions and target gene regulation, should result in potent insulin sensitization in the absence of PPARgamma-mediated adverse effects. Here, we characterize two angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), telmisartan and irbesartan, as new selective PPAR modulators (SPPARMs). Analysis of PPARgamma protein conformation using protease protection showed that telmisartan directly interacts with the receptor, producing a distinct conformational change compared with a glitazone. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down and fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays revealed selective cofactor binding by the ARBs compared with glitazones with an attenuated release of the nuclear receptor corepressor and absence of transcriptional intermediary factor 2 recruitment by ARBs. Consistently, selective cofactor binding resulted in differential gene expression profiles in adipocytes (ARB versus glitazone treated) assessed by oligo microarray analysis. Finally, telmisartan improved insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice in the absence of weight gain. The present study identifies two ARBs as new SPPARMs. SPPARM activity by ARBs could retain the metabolic efficacy of PPARgamma activation with reduction in adverse effects exerting in parallel AT1 receptor blockade. This may provide a new therapeutic option for better cardiovascular risk management in metabolic diseases and may initiate the development of new classes of drugs combining potent antihypertensive and antidiabetic actions.

3T3 Cells↗