TGF-beta is a multifunctional cytokine affecting many cell types and implicated in tissue remodeling processes. Due to its many functions and cell-specific effects, the consequences of TGF-beta signaling are process-and stage-dependent, and it is not uncommon that TGF-beta exerts distinct and sometimes opposing effects on a disease progression depending on the stage and on the pathological changes associated with the stage. The mechanisms underlying cell- and process-specific effects of TGF-beta are poorly understood. We are describing a novel pathway that mediates induction of angiogenesis in response to TGF-beta1. We found that in endothelial cells (EC) thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4), a secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, is upregulated in response to TGF-beta1 and mediates the effects of TGF-beta1 on angiogenesis. Upregulation of TSP-4 does not require the synthesis of new protein, is not caused by decreased secretion of
miR-467 regulates inflammation and blood insulin and glucose
Creator
Gajeton J; Krukovets I; Yendamuri R; Verbovetskiy D; Vasanji A; Sul L; Stenina-Adognravi O
Publisher
Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine
Description
Obesity is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance (IR), but the regulation of insulin sensitivity (IS) and connections between IS and inflammation remain unclear. We investigated the role of miR-467a-5p, a miRNA induced by hyperglycaemia, in regulating inflammation and blood glucose handling. We previously demonstrated that miR-467a-5p is induced by hyperglycaemia and inhibits the production of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein implicated in regulating inflammation. To investigate the role of miR-467 in blood glucose handling and tissue inflammation, WT C57BL/6 mice were fed chow or Western diet from 5 to 32 weeks of age and injected weekly with miR-467a-5p antagonist. Inhibiting miR-467a-5p resulted in 47% increase in macrophage infiltration and increased Il6 levels in adipose tissue, higher plasma insulin levels (98 ng/mL vs 63 ng/mL), and 17% decrease in glucose clearance without increase in weight or HDL/LDL. The antagonist effect was lost in mice on Western diet. Mice lacking TSP-1 lost some but not all of the miR-467 effects, suggesting Thbs1 (and other unknown transcripts) are targeted by miR-467 to regulate inflammation. miR-467a-5p provides a physiological feedback when blood glucose is elevated to avoid inflammation and increased blood glucose and insulin levels, which may prevent IR.