Increased Circulating Levels of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in Association with Metabolic Disorders in People Living with HIV Receiving Combined Antiretroviral Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased cardiovascular risk (CVR) owing to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and HIV/combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-associated lipodystrophy (HALS). Atherosclerosis and inflammation are related to growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15). The relationship between metabolic disturbances, HALS, and CVR with GDF15 in PLWH is not known. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Circulating GDF15 levels in 152 PLWH (with HALS = 60, without HALS = 43, cART-naïve = 49) and 34 healthy controls were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Correlations with lipids, glucose homeostasis, fat distribution, and CVR were explored. RESULTS: PLWH had increased circulating GDF15 levels relative to controls. The increase was the largest in cART-treated PLWH. Age, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance 1 (HOMA1-IR), HALS, dyslipidemia, C-reactive protein, and CVR estimated with the Framingham score correlated with GDF15 levels. The GDF15-Framingham correlation was lost after age adjustment. No correlation was found between GDF15 and the D:A:D Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) score estimated CVR. CVR independent predictors were patient group (naïve, HALS-, and HALS+) and cumulated protease inhibitor or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor exposure. CONCLUSIONS: PLWH, especially when cART-treated, has increased GDF15 levels-this increase is associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, HALS, and inflammation-related parameters. GDF15 is unassociated with CVR when age-adjusted.

Aging is associated with increased FGF21 levels but unaltered FGF21 responsiveness in adipose tissue.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been proposed to be an antiaging hormone on the basis of experimental studies in rodent models. However, circulating FGF21 levels are increased with aging in rodents and humans. Moreover, despite the metabolic health-promoting effects of FGF21, the levels of this hormone are increased under conditions such as obesity and diabetes, an apparent incongruity that has been attributed to altered tissue responsiveness to FGF21. Here, we investigated serum FGF21 levels and expression of genes encoding components of the FGF21-response molecular machinery in adipose tissue from healthy elderly individuals (≥70 years old) and young controls. Serum FGF21 levels were increased in elderly individuals and were positively correlated with insulinemia and HOMA-IR, indices of mildly deteriorated glucose homeostasis. Levels of ß-Klotho, the coreceptor required for cellular responsiveness to FGF21, were increased in subcutaneous adipose tissue from elderly individuals relative to those from young controls, whereas FGF receptor-1 levels were unaltered. Moreover, total ERK1/2 protein levels were decreased in elderly individuals in association with an increase in the ERK1/2 phosphorylation ratio relative to young controls. Adipose explants from aged and young mice respond similarly to FGF21 "ex vivo". Thus, in contrast to what is observed in obesity and diabetes, high levels of FGF21 in healthy aging are not associated with repressed FGF21-responsiveness machinery in adipose tissue. The lack of evidence for impaired FGF21 responsiveness in adipose tissue establishes a distinction between alterations in the FGF21 endocrine system in aging and chronic metabolic pathologies.

Reciprocal Effects of Antiretroviral Drugs Used To Treat HIV Infection on the Fibroblast Growth Factor 21/ß-Klotho System.

Following antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected patients show increased circulating levels of the antidiabetic hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). In contrast, the expression of the FGF21-obligatory coreceptor ß-Klotho (KLB) is reduced in target tissues. This situation is comparable to the FGF21 resistance status observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Here, we performed the first systematic study of the effects of distinct members of different antiretroviral drug classes on the FGF21/KLB system in human hepatic, adipose, and skeletal muscle cells. Most protease inhibitors and the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz induced FGF21 gene expression. Neither nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors nor the viral entry inhibitor maraviroc had any effect. Among the integrase inhibitors, elvitegravir significantly induced FGF21 expression, whereas raltegravir had minor effects only in adipose cells. In human hepatocytes and adipocytes, known target cells of FGF21 action, efavirenz, elvitegravir, and the lopinavir-ritonavir combination exerted inhibitory effects on KLB gene expression. Drug treatments that elicited FGF21 induction/KLB repression were those found to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress. Notably, the pharmacological agents thapsigargin and tunicamycin, which induce these stress pathways, mimicked the effects of drug treatments. Moreover, pharmacological inhibitors of either ER or oxidative stress significantly impaired lopinavir-ritonavir-induced regulation of FGF21, but not KLB. In conclusion, the present in vitro screen study identifies the antiretroviral drugs that affect FGF21/KLB expression in human cells. The present results could have important implications for the management of comorbidities resulting from side effects of specific antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV-infected patients.

High FGF21 levels are associated with altered bone homeostasis in HIV-1-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) has emerged as an important regulator of glucose, lipid, and body weight homeostasis. However, recent experimental studies have reported that increased FGF21 levels may lead to bone loss. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of serum FGF21 levels and altered bone homeostasis in HIV-1-infected patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 137 HIV-1-infected patients and 35 healthy controls conducted at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona. Among HIV-1-infected patients, 35 were untreated (naïve), 43 were treated with antiretrovirals (HIV-1/ART) with no lipodystrophy, and 59 patients were HIV-1/ART and experienced lipodystrophy. Bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of FGF21, receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-KB ligand (RANKL), and C-telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTX-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum levels of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were determined using an antibody-linked, fluorescently labeled microsphere bead-based multiplex analysis system. RESULTS: Alterations in bone parameters and bone homeostasis marker levels were consistent with higher turnover and bone loss in HIV-1 infected patients. FGF21 correlated negatively with BMD and BMC. FGF21 correlated positively with serum levels of osteoprotegerin and CTX-1, as well as with the CTX-1/osteocalcin ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated FGF21 levels are associated with poor bone homeostasis in HIV-1-infected patients. Increases in FGF21 serum level may be an indicator not only of metabolic derangement but it may also serve as a biomarker of altered bone homeostasis in HIV-1 infected patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 15/19 (FGF15/19) protects from diet-induced hepatic steatosis: development of an FGF19-based chimeric molecule to promote fatty liver regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast growth factor 15/19 (FGF15/19), an enterokine that regulates synthesis of hepatic bile acids (BA), has been proposed to influence fat metabolism. Without FGF15/19, mouse liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) is severely impaired. We studied the role of FGF15/19 in response to a high fat diet (HFD) and its regulation by saturated fatty acids. We developed a fusion molecule encompassing FGF19 and apolipoprotein A-I, termed Fibapo, and evaluated its pharmacological properties in fatty liver regeneration. DESIGN: Fgf15-/- mice were fed a HFD. Liver fat and the expression of fat metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes were measured. Influence of palmitic acid (PA) on FGF15/19 expression was determined in mice and in human liver cell lines. In vivo half-life and biological activity of Fibapo and FGF19 were compared. Hepatoprotective and proregenerative activities of Fibapo were evaluated in obese db/db mice undergoing PH. RESULTS: Hepatosteatosis and ER stress were exacerbated in HFD-fed Fgf15-/- mice. Hepatic expression of Pparγ2 was elevated in Fgf15-/- mice, being reversed by FGF19 treatment. PA induced FGF15/19 expression in mouse ileum and human liver cells, and FGF19 protected from PA-mediated ER stress and cytotoxicity. Fibapo reduced liver BA and lipid accumulation, inhibited ER stress and showed enhanced half-life. Fibapo provided increased db/db mice survival and improved regeneration upon PH. CONCLUSIONS: FGF15/19 is essential for hepatic metabolic adaptation to dietary fat being a physiological regulator of Pparγ2 expression. Perioperative administration of Fibapo improves fatty liver regeneration.

FGF19 and FGF21 serum concentrations in human obesity and type 2 diabetes behave differently after diet- or surgically-induced weight loss.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) and 21 (FGF21) have emerged as key regulators of energy homeostasis. Our aim was to analyze the impact of weight loss (WL) induced either by conventional dietary treatment (CDT) or bariatric surgery on FGF19 and FGF21 concentrations. Furthermore, the diverse effect of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) versus RYGB (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) as two surgical procedures that affect the gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology differently was also analyzed. METHODS: Serum concentrations of FGF19 and FGF21 were measured in 137 obese patients with different degrees of insulin resistance matched by sex, age and body adiposity and compared to 33 lean individuals. Furthermore, FGF19 and FGF21 were measured in 114 subjects before and one-year after WL induced either by CDT (n = 28), SG (n = 20) or RYGB (n = 66). RESULTS: Circulating serum FGF19 concentrations were decreased (P < 0.01) similarly in obese patients regardless of their degree of insulin resistance, while FGF21 levels were increased in obesity (P < 0.01), being further increased in obesity-associated T2D (P < 0.01). FGF19 concentrations were increased in obese subjects after surgically-induced WL (P < 0.01), but not after WL achieved by CDT, while FGF21 levels were reduced after CDT- (P < 0.05) or SG-induced WL (P < 0.05), but not after RYGB. The change in FGF21 concentrations emerged as a significant predictor of the change in insulin resistance (HOMA) after WL. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the circulating concentrations and their subsequent pattern of response following WL, we conclude that FGF19 levels are mainly related to body adiposity, in particular visceral adiposity, while FGF21 is mainly related to glucose homeostasis. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01572090.

Impact of elvitegravir on human adipocytes: Alterations in differentiation, gene expression and release of adipokines and cytokines.

Elvitegravir is a recently developed integrase inhibitor used for antiretroviral treatment of HIV infection. Secondary effects, including disturbances in lipid metabolism and, ultimately, in adipose tissue distribution and function, are common concerns associated with antiretroviral treatments. Here, we provide the first study of the effects of elvitegravir (in comparison with efavirenz, a non-nucleoside analog inhibitor of reverse transcriptase; and raltegravir, another integrase inhibitor) on human adipocyte differentiation, gene expression and secretion of adipokines and cytokines. Elvitegravir impaired adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism in human SGBS adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner (delaying acquisition of adipocyte morphology and reducing the expression of adipogenesis marker genes such as PPARγ, glucose transporter GLUT4, lipoprotein lipase, and the adipokines adiponectin and leptin). Compared with efavirenz, the effects of elvitegravir were similar but tended to occur at higher concentrations than those elicited by efavirenz, or were somewhat less intense than those caused by efavirenz at similar concentration. Elvitegravir tended to cause a more moderate induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines than efavirenz. Efavirenz induced a marked concentration-dependent increase in interleukin-8 expression and release whereas elvitregravir had little effect. Raltegravir had totally neutral actions of adipogenesis, adipocyte metabolism-related gene expression and release of adipokines and cytokines. In conclusion, elvitegravir alters adipocyte differentiation and function and promotes induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines similarly to efavirenz, but several effects were less intense. Further assessment of lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function in patients administered elvitegravir-based regimes is advisable considering that totally neutral effects of elvitegravir on lipid homeostasis cannot be anticipated from the current study in vitro.

Searching for Classical Brown Fat in Humans: Development of a Novel Human Fetal Brown Stem Cell Model.

The potential therapeutic applications of targeting brown adipose tissue open new clinical avenues in fighting against metabolic pathologies. However, due to the limited extension in adult humans of brown depots, which are dramatically reduced after birth, solid cell models to study human brown adipogenesis and its regulatory factors in pathophysiology are urgently needed. Here, we generated a novel human model of brown adipose stem cells, hfB-ASC, derived for the first time from fetal interscapular brown fat depots. Besides the characterization of their stem and classical brown adipose properties, we demonstrated that these cells retain a specific intrinsic differentiation program to functional brown adipocytes, even spontaneously generating organoid structures with brown features. Moreover, for the first time, we investigated the thermogenic and electrophysiological activity of the in vitro-derived fetal brown adipocytes compared to their undifferentiated precursors hfB-ASC, in basal and norepinephrine-induced conditions. In conclusion, from interscapular brown fat of the human fetus we developed and functionally characterized a novel physiological brown adipose stem cell model early programmed to brown differentiation, which may represent a unique opportunity for further studies on brown adipogenesis processes in humans as well as the most suitable target to study novel therapeutic approaches for stimulating brown activity in metabolic pathologies. Stem Cells 2016;34:1679-1691.

Circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels are associated with metabolic disturbances and fat distribution but not cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and HIV/HAART-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS) are common comorbidities in HIV-1-infected patients, which may increase cardiovascular risk. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone with effects on metabolism and phosphate homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between FGF23 levels, metabolic alterations, fat distribution and cardiovascular risk. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Serum FGF23 levels were analysed in 152 patients and 34 healthy control individuals. Patients belonged to three groups: HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients who have developed HALS (n = 60); HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients without HALS (n = 43); and untreated (naive) HIV-1-infected patients (n = 49). Serum FGF23 levels were compared with lipid and glucose homeostasis parameters, fat distribution and cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Serum FGF23 levels were increased in HIV-1-infected patients, but the increase was most marked in those with HALS. FGF23 levels showed a strong positive correlation with age, indicators of dyslipidaemia (LDL cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids), HALS parameters (trunk/appendicular fat ratio), insulin resistance (fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and C-reactive protein. FGF23 levels correlated with cardiovascular risk but correlation was lost after age adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: FGF23 levels are increased in HIV-1-infected patients, especially in those with HALS, and this increase is associated with dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, fat distribution and parameters of inflammation. FGF23 is not associated with cardiovascular risk when age is taken into account.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 is expressed in neonatal and pheochromocytoma-induced adult human brown adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: In rodents, brown (BAT) and white (WAT) adipose tissues are targets and expression sites for fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21). In contrast, human WAT expresses negligible levels of FGF21. We examined FGF21 expression in human BAT samples, including the induced BAT found in adult patients with pheochromocytoma, and interscapular and visceral BAT from newborns. METHODS: The expression of FGF21 and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1, a brown adipocyte marker), was determined by quantitative real-time-PCR and immunoblotting. The transcript levels of marker genes for developmentally-programmed BAT (zinc-finger-protein of the cerebellum-1, ZIC1) and inducible-BAT (cluster of differentiation-137, CD137) were also determined. RESULTS: FGF21 and UCP1 are significantly expressed in visceral adipose tissue from pheochromocytoma patients, but not in visceral fat from healthy individuals. In neonates, FGF21 and UCP1 are both expressed in visceral and interscapular fat, and their expression levels show a significant positive correlation. Marker gene expression profiles suggest that inducible BAT is present in visceral fat from pheochromocytoma patients and neonates, whereas developmentally-programmed BAT is present in neonatal interscapular fat. CONCLUSIONS: Human BAT, but not WAT, expresses FGF21. The expression of FGF21 is especially high in inducible, also called beige/brite, neonatal BAT, but it is also found in the interscapular, developmentally-programmed, BAT of neonates.

Differentially altered molecular signature of visceral adipose tissue in HIV-1-associated lipodystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Lipodystrophy in HIV-1-infected antiretroviral-treated patients is often associated with opposite alterations in adipose tissue depots as follows: lipoatrophy of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) versus lipohypertrophy of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We determined the specific molecular alterations in VAT relative to SAT in patients. DESIGN: We analyzed the expression of marker genes of mitochondrial function, adipogenesis, and inflammation in a unique collection of 8 biopsies of omental VAT from HIV-1-infected antiretroviral-treated patients with lipodystrophy. For comparison, we analyzed SAT from 10 patients, and SAT and VAT from 10 noninfected individuals. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of mitochondrial DNA and gene transcripts; immunoblot and multiplex for quantification of specific proteins. RESULTS: Similar mitochondrial DNA depletion and abnormal increases in mitochondrial protein levels were found in VAT and SAT from patients. Transcript levels of adipogenesis and metabolism marker genes were unaltered in VAT but were decreased in SAT. Tumor necrosis factor α and CD68 were similarly induced in both adipose depots from patients, but other markers of inflammation-related pathways showed distinct alterations as follows: interleukin 18 and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist were induced only in SAT, whereas interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression was reduced in VAT but not in SAT. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial alterations are similar in VAT and SAT from patients, whereas adipogenic gene expression is decreased in SAT but unaltered in VAT, highlighting the relevance of adipogenic processes in the differential alterations of fat depots. Specific disturbances in inflammatory status in VAT relative to SAT are present. Milder induction of proinflammatory signaling in VAT could be involved in preventing fat wasting in this depot.

Hypertrophied facial fat in an HIV-1-infected patient after autologous transplantation from 'buffalo hump' retains a partial brown-fat-like molecular signature.

BACKGROUND: Facial lipoatrophy, a common alteration among HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients, is often corrected using autologous transplantation. In some cases, especially when enlarged adipose tissue from the dorso-cervical area (that is, a 'buffalo hump') is used as a source of fat for transplantation, the transplanted fat develops progressive hypertrophy. To gain insight into the molecular basis of this phenomenon, we evaluated the cell morphology and gene expression in this hypertrophied facial fat. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to examine the expression of various marker genes in a sample of facial fat that underwent hypertrophy after autologous transplantation. The results were compared with gene expression data from 'buffalo hump' fat and subcutaneous fat from healthy controls. Optical and electron microscopic analyses were used to determine cell morphology. RESULTS: The enlarged facial adipose tissue did not exhibit the overt microscopic morphology of brown adipose tissue but (similar to 'buffalo hump' fat) it contained adipocytes heterogeneous in size. The enlarged facial fat retained the partial molecular signature of a distorted brown-to-white adipocyte phenotype, including expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) transcript, and showed unaltered adipogenesis and inflammation that are characteristic of 'buffalo hump' fat. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being implanted in a former lipoatrophic area, facially grafted 'buffalo hump' tissue appears to retain the altered phenotype of dorso-cervical adipose cells, thus accounting for its progressive enlargement. These results argue that caution should be exercised when considering 'buffalo hump' fat depots as a fat source for autologous transplantation.

Reduced levels of serum FGF19 and impaired expression of receptors for endocrine FGFs in adipose tissue from HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: To determine the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19 and FGF21 and the endocrine FGFs receptor system in the metabolic alterations that manifest in HIV-1-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). METHODS: Serum FGF19 and FGF21 levels were determined in 4 groups of individuals as follows: (1) HIV-1-infected HAART patients with lipodystrophy (n = 38); or (2) without lipodystrophy (n = 34); (3) untreated (naive) HIV-1-infected patients (n = 34); and (4) healthy controls (n = 31). Serum FGF19 levels were correlated with anthropometric, metabolic, HIV-1 infection-related, and HAART-related parameters and with FGF21 levels. The gene expression of FGF receptor 1 and the coreceptor ß-Klotho was analyzed in adipose tissue from 10 individuals from each group. RESULTS: Serum FGF19 levels were significantly reduced in all groups of HIV-1-infected patients, whereas FGF21 levels were increased. FGF19 levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and insulin levels and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. FGF19 was inversely correlated with cumulative exposure to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drugs. The expression of FGF receptor 1 and coreceptor ß-Klotho was reduced in adipose tissue from all groups of HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: FGF19 levels are reduced in HIV-1-infected patients, in contrast with FGF21 levels. Impaired expression of the corresponding receptor and coreceptor, which mediate the actions of endocrine FGFs in adipose tissue, suggests a resistance to the metabolic effects of FGF19 and FGF21 in HIV-1-infected patients. Considering the beneficial effects of endocrine FGFs on metabolism, the observed reduction in FGF19 levels and decreased sensitivity to endocrine FGFs in adipose tissue may contribute to metabolic alterations in HIV-1-infected patients.

Adipogenic/lipid, inflammatory, and mitochondrial parameters in subcutaneous adipose tissue of untreated HIV-1-infected long-term nonprogressors: significant alterations despite low viral burden.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 can induce disturbances in adipose tissue in infected subjects through the effects of some of its proteins or inflammation. It is not known whether this also takes place in HIV-1-infected long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). Our objectives were to determine whether adipocyte differentiation/lipid, inflammatory, and mitochondrial parameters are perturbed in abdominal wall subcutaneous adipose tissue of untreated HIV-1-infected patients LTNPs. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 10 LTNPs, 10 typical progressors (TPs), and 10 uninfected controls (UCs). The parameters assessed were peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), lipoprotein lipase, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 mRNA (adipogenic/lipid); tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 18 (IL-18), ß2-MCG, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, CD1A, and C3 mRNA (inflammation); and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII), COIV, CYCA, nuclear respiratory factor 1, PPARγ coactivator 1α mRNA, and mtDNA content (mitochondrial). RESULTS: Regarding adipogenic/lipid parameters, LTNPs had PPARγ, lipoprotein lipase, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 mRNA significantly decreased compared with UCs (P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). PPARγ mRNA was significantly greater in LTNP than in TP (P = 0.006). With respect to inflammatory parameters, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-18, and ß2-MCG mRNA were significantly higher in LTNPs compared with UCs (P < 0.005 for all comparisons), whereas IL-18 mRNA was greater in TPs compared with LTNPs (P = 0.01). As mitochondrial parameters are concerned, mtDNA was significantly reduced in LTNPs compared with TPs (P = 0.04) and UCs (P = 0.03). COII and COIV were also significantly reduced in LTNPs compared with UCs and TPs. CONCLUSIONS: Adipose tissue from untreated LTNPs may have limited but significant derangements in some adipogenic/lipid and may have inflammatory processes at a lower degree than that observed in untreated TPs. LTNPs may have mitochondrial-related alterations in adipose tissue which are greater than that observed in TPs.

Effects of nevirapine and efavirenz on human adipocyte differentiation, gene expression, and release of adipokines and cytokines.

The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) nevirapine and efavirenz are drugs of choice for initial antiretroviral treatment for HIV-1 infection. Although NNRTIs have not traditionally been associated with the appearance of adipose alterations, recent data suggest that efavirenz may contribute to adipose tissue alterations in antiretroviral-treated patients, consistent with its ability to impair differentiation of adipocytes in cell cultures. No such effects have been reported for nevirapine, the other most commonly used NNRTI. In this study, we determined the effects of nevirapine on differentiation, gene expression and release of regulatory proteins (adipokines and cytokines) in differentiating human adipocytes, and compared them with those of efavirenz. Efavirenz caused a dose-dependent repression of adipocyte differentiation that was associated with down-regulation of the master adipogenesis regulator genes SREBP-1, PPARγ and C/EBPα, and their target genes encoding lipoprotein lipase, leptin and adiponectin, which are key proteins in adipocyte function. In contrast, nevirapine does not affect adipogenesis and causes a modest but significant coordinate increase in the expression of SREBP-1, PPARγ and C/EBPα and their target genes only at a concentration of 20 µM. Whereas efavirenz caused a significant increase in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-8, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), nevirapine either had no effect on these factors or decreased their release (IL-6 and HGF). Nevirapine significantly increased adiponectin release, whereas efavirenz strongly repressed it. Moreover, nevirapine inhibited preadipocyte endogenous reverse transcriptase activity, whereas efavirenz did not alter it. It is concluded that, in contrast with the profound anti-adipogenic and pro-inflammatory response elicited by efavirenz, nevirapine does not impair adipogenesis.

Uridine metabolism in HIV-1-infected patients: effect of infection, of antiretroviral therapy and of HIV-1/ART-associated lipodystrophy syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Uridine has been advocated for the treatment of HIV-1/HAART-associated lipodystrophy (HALS), although its metabolism in HIV-1-infected patients is poorly understood. METHODS: Plasma uridine concentrations were measured in 35 controls and 221 HIV-1-infected patients and fat uridine in 15 controls and 19 patients. The diagnosis of HALS was performed following the criteria of the Lipodystrophy Severity Grading Scale. Uridine was measured by a binary gradient-elution HPLC method. Analysis of genes encoding uridine metabolizing enzymes in fat was performed with TaqMan RT-PCR. RESULTS: Median plasma uridine concentrations for HIV-1-infected patients were 3.80 µmol/l (interquartile range: 1.60), and for controls 4.60 µmol/l (IQR: 1.8) (P = 0.0009). In fat, they were of 6.0 (3.67), and 2.8 (4.65) nmol/mg of protein, respectively (P = 0.0118). Patients with a mixed HALS form had a median plasma uridine level of 4.0 (IC95%: 3.40-4.80) whereas in those with isolated lipoatrophy it was 3.25 (2.55-4.15) µmol/l/l (P = 0.0066). The expression of uridine cytidine kinase and uridine phosphorylase genes was significantly decreased in all groups of patients with respect to controls. A higher expression of the mRNAs for concentrative nucleoside transporters was found in HIV-1-infected patients with respect to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 infection is associated with a decrease in plasma uridine and a shift of uridine to the adipose tissue compartment. Antiretroviral therapy was not associated with plasma uridine concentrations, but pure lipoatrophic HALS was associated with significantly lower plasma uridine concentrations.

Differential effects of efavirenz and lopinavir/ritonavir on human adipocyte differentiation, gene expression and release of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

In the present study, a comparative assessment of the effects of efavirenz (EFV) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r; 4:1) on human adipocytes in culture has been performed. Human pre-adipocytes were treated with EFV or LPV/r during or after adipogenic differentiation. Acquisition of adipocyte morphology, expression of gene markers of mitochondrial toxicity, adipogenesis and inflammation, and release of adipokines and cytokines to the medium were measured. Results indicated that EFV and LPV/r impaired adipocyte differentiation in association with a reduction in transcript levels for adipogenic differentiation genes (adiponectin, lipoprotein lipase, leptin) and master regulators of adipogenesis (PPAR, C/EBP). The effects were greater with EFV than LPV/r. Both LPV/r and EFV induced increases in monocytechemoattactant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA levels, but the effect was greater with EFV. Similarly, the release of proinflammatory cytokines and other inflammation-related molecules (interleukins 6 and 8, MCP-1, PAI-1) was enhanced to a much higher degree by EFV than by LPV/r. Adiponectin and leptin release by adipocytes was reduced by both drugs, although to a higher extent by EFV. Neither drug affected mitochondrial DNA levels, transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins or lactate release by adipocytes. In previously differentiated adipocytes, EFV caused a significant reduction in PPARγ and adiponectin expression, whereas LPV/r did not. We conclude that both EFV and LPV/r impair human adipogenesis, reduce adipokine release and increase the expression and release of inflammation-related cytokines, but the overall effects are greater with EFV. These findings may have implications for the pathogenesis of HIV-1-associated lipodystrophy and the development of HIV-1 therapies.

Serum FGF21 levels are elevated in association with lipodystrophy, insulin resistance and biomarkers of liver injury in HIV-1-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: HIV-1-infected patients with lipodystrophy show insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and other signs of metabolic syndrome. Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is a novel metabolic regulator that has been suggested to exert beneficial effects on metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Our goal was to determine the relationship between FGF21 levels and metabolic alterations in these patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum FGF21 levels were analyzed in 179 individuals belonging to four groups: HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients that have developed lipodystrophy (n = 59); HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients without lipodystrophy (n = 45); untreated (naive) HIV-1-infected patients (n = 41); and healthy control individuals (n = 34). Serum FGF21 levels were correlated with parameters indicative of altered fat distribution, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, and in relation to HIV-1 infection and antiretroviral treatment regimens. RESULTS: Serum FGF21 levels were increased in all HIV-1-infected patients, but the increases were most marked in those with lipodystrophy. FGF21 levels showed a strong positive correlation with indicators of lipodystrophy (trunk/apendicular fat ratio, waist-to-hip ratio), insulin resistance (fasting glucose, HOMA-R), dyslipidemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and liver injury (γ-glutamyltransferase). CONCLUSIONS: FGF21 levels are increased in HIV-1-infected patients, especially in those with lipodystrophy, and this increase is closely associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and makers of liver damage. Further research will be required to determine whether the increase in FGF21 levels is caused by a compensatory response or resistance to FGF21, and to establish the potential of FGF21 as a biomarker of altered metabolism in HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients.

Lipotoxicity on the basis of metabolic syndrome and lipodystrophy in HIV-1-infected patients under antiretroviral treatment.

The development of efficacious antiretroviral drugs that minimize adverse effects is a current challenge in HIV-1 therapy. Metabolic alterations reminiscent of the metabolic syndrome and overt lipodystrophy appear often in HIV-1-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral treatment. The etiopathogenesis of these alterations is complex, but lipotoxicity has recently emerged as a key concept for explaining the metabolic syndrome in HIV-1-infected patients, similarly to what has been observed in diseases such as obesity and genetic lipodystrophies. Antiretroviral drugs from distinct drug families may directly elicit such lipotoxic phenomena, via increased lipolysis, enhanced adipocyte apoptosis and impaired adipogenesis, which collectively lead to a reduced capacity of subcutaneous adipose tissue to enlarge to meet fat storage requirements. Thus, fatty acids that cannot be properly stored as triglycerides in subcutaneous adipose tissue are expected to accumulate in visceral fat as well as in organs and tissues, such as the pancreas, muscle and liver, leading to the pattern of metabolic alterations associated with abnormal ectopic fat accumulation, mainly insulin resistance. Inflammatory responses, evoked by the combined effects of antiretroviral drugs and the underlying HIV-1 infection, also contribute to lipotoxicity, reflecting the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines that enhance lipolytic activity in adipose tissue and impair adipogenesis. Minimizing the lipotoxic action of antiretroviral drugs is ultimately essential in reducing metabolic alterations in treated patients. Moreover, pharmacological strategies that reduce lipotoxicity and promote adipose tissue expandability can be expected to ameliorate the overall metabolic abnormalities in HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral-treated patients.

Differential gene expression indicates that 'buffalo hump' is a distinct adipose tissue disturbance in HIV-1-associated lipodystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular basis of the progressive enlargement of dorso-cervical adipose tissue, the so-called 'buffalo hump', that appears in a sub-set of patients with HIV-1/HAART-associated lipodystrophy. DESIGN: Analysis of the expression of marker genes of mitochondrial function, adipogenesis, inflammation and cell proliferation in ten 'buffalo hump' samples and ten subcutaneous fat samples from HIV-1-infected/HAART-treated patients, and in ten healthy controls. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of mitochondrial DNA and gene transcripts, and immunoblot for specific proteins. RESULTS: 'Buffalo hump' patients had lower levels of mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial DNA-encoded transcripts with respect to healthy controls. The uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 gene was expressed only in 'buffalo hump' fat. There were no significant changes in the expression of UCP2, UCP3 or of marker genes of adipogenesis in 'buffalo hump' patients relative to healthy controls. 'Buffalo hump' fat did not show the high expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and beta2-microglobulin identified in lipoatrophic subcutaneous fat from patients. The expression of the macrophage marker CD68 was also lower in 'buffalo hump' than in subcutaneous fat from patients. In contrast, 'buffalo hump' showed a higher expression of the cell proliferation marker PCNA. CONCLUSIONS: 'Buffalo hump' adipose tissue shows specific disturbances in gene expression with respect to subcutaneous fat from HIV-1-infected/HAART-treated patients. Mitochondrial alterations cannot explain the differential behavior of 'buffalo hump' with respect to adipose depots prone to lipoatrophy. The absence of a local inflammatory status in 'buffalo hump' may explain in part the differential behavior of this adipose tissue.