Anna Kleyman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Anna Kleyman

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular Control of Systemic Bile Acid Homeostasis by the Liver Glucocorticoid Receptor

Cell Metabolism, Jul 1, 2011

Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohep... more Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohepatic function, and postprandial thermogenesis. However, major checkpoints for the dynamics and the molecular regulation of BA homeostasis remain unknown. Here we show that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis impairment in humans and liver-specific deficiency of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in mice disrupts the normal changes in systemic BA distribution during the fasted-to-fed transition. Fasted mice with hepatocyte-specific GR knockdown had smaller gallbladder BA content and were more susceptible to developing cholesterol gallstones when fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Hepatic GR deficiency impaired liver BA uptake/transport via lower expression of the major hepatocyte basolateral BA transporter, Na +-taurocholate transport protein (Ntcp/Slc10a1), which affected dietary fat absorption and brown adipose tissue activation. Our results demonstrate a role of the HPA axis in the endocrine regulation of BA homeostasis through the liver GR control of enterohepatic BA recycling.

Research paper thumbnail of Association Between Hypocholesterolemia and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Critical care explorations, Feb 1, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Correction to: Dysregulated expression of the b2-adrenergic receptor insepsis

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Research paper thumbnail of The Many Roles of Cholesterol in Sepsis: A Review

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2021

The biological functions of cholesterol are diverse, ranging from cell membrane integrity, cell m... more The biological functions of cholesterol are diverse, ranging from cell membrane integrity, cell membrane signaling, and immunity to the synthesis of steroid and sex hormones, vitamin D, bile acids, and oxysterols. Multiple studies have demonstrated hypocholesterolemia in sepsis, the degree of which is an excellent prognosticator of poor outcomes. However, the clinical significance of hypocholesterolemia has been largely unrecognized. We undertook a detailed review of the biological roles of cholesterol, the impact of sepsis, its reliability as a prognosticator in sepsis, and the potential utility of cholesterol as a treatment. Sepsis affects cholesterol synthesis, transport, and metabolism. This likely impacts its biological functions, including immunity, hormone and vitamin production, and cell membrane receptor sensitivity. Early preclinical studies show promise for cholesterol as a pleiotropic therapeutic agent. Hypocholesterolemia is a frequent condition in sepsis and an important early prognosticator. Low plasma concentrations are associated with wider changes in cholesterol metabolism and its functional roles, and these appear to play a significant role in sepsis pathophysiology. The therapeutic impact of cholesterol elevation warrants further investigation.

Research paper thumbnail of Protein recycling and limb muscle recovery after critical illness in slow- and fast-twitch limb muscle

American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2019

An impaired capacity of muscle to regenerate after critical illness results in long-term function... more An impaired capacity of muscle to regenerate after critical illness results in long-term functional disability. We previously described in a long-term rat peritonitis model that gastrocnemius displays near-normal histology whereas soleus demonstrates a necrotizing phenotype. We thus investigated the link between the necrotizing phenotype of critical illness myopathy and proteasome activity in these two limb muscles. We studied male Wistar rats that underwent an intraperitoneal injection of the fungal cell wall constituent zymosan or n-saline as a sham-treated control. Rats ( n = 74) were killed at 2, 7, and 14 days postintervention with gastrocnemius and soleus muscle removed and studied ex vivo. Zymosan-treated animals displayed an initial reduction of body weight but a persistent decrease in mass of both lower hindlimb muscles. Zymosan increased chymotrypsin- and trypsin-like proteasome activities in gastrocnemius at days 2 and 7 but in soleus at day 2 only. Activated caspases-3 a...

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Fat Metabolism Between Predicted Survivors and Non-Survivors of Faecal Peritonitis

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The glucocorticoid receptor requires pro-inflammatory signaling to protect from lung inflammation and high fat diet induced insulin resistance

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of TNF inhibits glucocorticoid receptor function in mice: A strong signal towards lethal shock

Journal of Biological Chemistry

As Glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is ... more As Glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is an urgent need for a more effective glucocorticoid therapy, for which insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCR are essential. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNFα, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator in numerous inflammatory diseases, compromises the protective function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) against TNFα-induced lethal inflammation. Indeed, protection of mice by dexamethasone against TNFα lethality was completely abolished when it was administered after TNFα stimulation, indicating compromised GR function upon TNFα challenge. TNFα-induced GCR was further demonstrated by impaired GR-dependent gene expression in the liver. Furthermore, TNFα downregulates the levels of both GR mRNA and protein. However, this downregulation seems to occur independently of GC production, as TNFα also resulted in downregulation of GR levels in adrenalectomized mice. These find...

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular Control of Systemic Bile Acid Homeostasis by the Liver Glucocorticoid Receptor

Cell Metabolism, 2011

Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohep... more Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohepatic function, and postprandial thermogenesis. However, major checkpoints for the dynamics and the molecular regulation of BA homeostasis remain unknown. Here we show that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis impairment in humans and liver-specific deficiency of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in mice disrupts the normal changes in systemic BA distribution during the fasted-to-fed transition. Fasted mice with hepatocyte-specific GR knockdown had smaller gallbladder BA content and were more susceptible to developing cholesterol gallstones when fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Hepatic GR deficiency impaired liver BA uptake/transport via lower expression of the major hepatocyte basolateral BA transporter, Na +-taurocholate transport protein (Ntcp/Slc10a1), which affected dietary fat absorption and brown adipose tissue activation. Our results demonstrate a role of the HPA axis in the endocrine regulation of BA homeostasis through the liver GR control of enterohepatic BA recycling.

Research paper thumbnail of Lipid metabolic signatures deviate in sepsis survivors compared to non-survivors

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 2020

Sepsis remains a major cause of death despite advances in medical care. Metabolic deregulation is... more Sepsis remains a major cause of death despite advances in medical care. Metabolic deregulation is an important component of the survival process. Metabolomic analysis allows profiling of critical metabolic functions with the potential to classify patient outcome. Our prospective longitudinal characterization of 33 septic and non-septic critically ill patients showed that deviations, independent of direction, in plasma levels of lipid metabolites were associated with sepsis mortality. We identified a coupling of metabolic signatures between liver and plasma of a rat sepsis model that allowed us to apply a human kinetic model of mitochondrial beta-oxidation to reveal differing enzyme concentrations for medium/short-chain hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (elevated in survivors) and crotonase (elevated in non-survivors). These data suggest a need to monitor cellular energy metabolism beyond the available biomarkers. A loss of metabolic adaptation appears to be reflected by an inability to maintain cellular (fatty acid) metabolism within a ''corridor of safety".

Research paper thumbnail of Cholesterol and its association with muscle weakness in critical illness

Research paper thumbnail of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibits Glucocorticoid Receptor Function in Mice

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011

As glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is ... more As glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is an urgent need for a more effective glucocorticoid therapy, for which insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCR are essential. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNF␣, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator in numerous inflammatory diseases, compromises the protective function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) against TNF␣-induced lethal inflammation. Indeed, protection of mice by dexamethasone against TNF␣ lethality was completely abolished when it was administered after TNF␣ stimulation, indicating compromised GR function upon TNF␣ challenge. TNF␣-induced GCR was further demonstrated by impaired GR-dependent gene expression in the liver. Furthermore, TNF␣ down-regulates the levels of both GR mRNA and protein. However, this down-regulation seems to occur independently of GC production, as TNF␣ also resulted in downregulation of GR levels in adrenalectomized mice. These findings suggest that the decreased amount of GR determines the GR response and outcome of TNF␣-induced shock, as supported by our studies with GR heterozygous mice. We propose that by inducing GCR, TNF␣ inhibits a major brake on inflammation and thereby amplifies the pro-inflammatory response. Our findings might prove helpful in understanding GCR in inflammatory diseases in which TNF␣ is intimately involved. * The work was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders, the Belgian Interuniversity Attraction Poles program (IAP VI/18), and the Belgische Vereniging tegen Kanker.

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoids control systemic inflammatory response by regulation of energy metabolism and cytokine expression

Critical Care, 2012

Background: Most clinical trials of sepsis treatment modalities fail at their primary objective o... more Background: Most clinical trials of sepsis treatment modalities fail at their primary objective of establishing superiority over placebo when added to background standard of care. While there is no definitive explanation for the high failure rate, it might be stated that our attempts to insert a new therapeutic agent into standard of care encounters severe problems with definition of exactly what stage is ongoing, and what are the criteria for progression or resolution from that time point onwards. Clearly there is need for a means of defining steps in the septic process that would apply to individuals, and to better define the course of sepsis in each patient after they are enrolled in a trial. Methods: For core model development, 30 septic patients were studied for time-related progression in relation to biomarkers, employing a Load Model in a neural net algorithm in MatLab. Causative bacterial infections were linked to primary infection sites. In order to minimize overparameterization, the model was allowed to estimate outputs using the best three input parameters. Bacterial load was tracked from origin using clinical and microbiologic data to provide an estimate at the start of sepsis. The bacterial load as well as clinical and laboratory parameters were model inputs with the output parameter being organ failures and/ or mortality. Results: At onset of sepsis, human bacterial load estimates ranged from between 10 8 and 10 11 CFU, which is consistent with inocula in animal models of sepsis. Sepsis proceeds to organ failures and mortality in a series of steps that are initially linked to bacterial load and inflammatory response, followed by coagulopathy, ischemia, oxygen deprivation in organs and tissues, and culminating in organ failures. The later stages of sepsis are all driven by metabolic parameters, and there seems to be little benefit to blocking inflammation at later stages. Substrate and oxygen deficiencies must be addressed first. Conclusion: Neural net progression models based on biomarkers and physiological markers are able to describe the evolution of sepsis to septic shock, organ failures, and provide some evidence that mortality may be a consequence of the stages of sepsis. Overall, these models appear useful to the task of sorting out organ failure endpoints and mechanisms in individual patients with sepsis progression across sepsis to septic shock. P2 Extracellular matrix turnover, angiogenesis and endothelial function in acute lung injury: relationship to pulmonary dysfunction and outcome

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoid receptor dimerization induces MKP1 to protect against TNF-induced inflammation

The Journal of clinical investigation, 2012

Glucocorticoids acting through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibit TNF-induced lethal inflam... more Glucocorticoids acting through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibit TNF-induced lethal inflammation. Here, we demonstrate that GR dimerization plays a role in reducing TNF sensitivity. In mutant mice unable to dimerize GR, we found that TNF failed to induce MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1). We assessed TNF sensitivity in Mkp1(-/-) mice and found increased inflammatory gene induction in livers, increased circulating cytokines, cell death in intestinal epithelium, severe intestinal inflammation, hypothermia, and death. Mkp1(-/-) mice had increased levels of phosphorylated JNK, which promotes apoptosis, in liver tissue. We further examined JNK-deficient mice for their response to TNF. Although Jnk1(-/-) mice showed no change in sensitivity to TNF, Jnk2(-/-) mice were significantly protected against TNF, identifying JNK2 as an essential player in inflammation induced by TNF. Furthermore, we found that loss of Jnk2 partially rescued the increased sensitivity of Mkp1(-/-) and mutant GR mice ...

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular Control of Systemic Bile Acid Homeostasis by the Liver Glucocorticoid Receptor

Cell Metabolism, Jul 1, 2011

Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohep... more Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohepatic function, and postprandial thermogenesis. However, major checkpoints for the dynamics and the molecular regulation of BA homeostasis remain unknown. Here we show that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis impairment in humans and liver-specific deficiency of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in mice disrupts the normal changes in systemic BA distribution during the fasted-to-fed transition. Fasted mice with hepatocyte-specific GR knockdown had smaller gallbladder BA content and were more susceptible to developing cholesterol gallstones when fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Hepatic GR deficiency impaired liver BA uptake/transport via lower expression of the major hepatocyte basolateral BA transporter, Na +-taurocholate transport protein (Ntcp/Slc10a1), which affected dietary fat absorption and brown adipose tissue activation. Our results demonstrate a role of the HPA axis in the endocrine regulation of BA homeostasis through the liver GR control of enterohepatic BA recycling.

Research paper thumbnail of Association Between Hypocholesterolemia and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Critical care explorations, Feb 1, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Correction to: Dysregulated expression of the b2-adrenergic receptor insepsis

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Research paper thumbnail of The Many Roles of Cholesterol in Sepsis: A Review

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2021

The biological functions of cholesterol are diverse, ranging from cell membrane integrity, cell m... more The biological functions of cholesterol are diverse, ranging from cell membrane integrity, cell membrane signaling, and immunity to the synthesis of steroid and sex hormones, vitamin D, bile acids, and oxysterols. Multiple studies have demonstrated hypocholesterolemia in sepsis, the degree of which is an excellent prognosticator of poor outcomes. However, the clinical significance of hypocholesterolemia has been largely unrecognized. We undertook a detailed review of the biological roles of cholesterol, the impact of sepsis, its reliability as a prognosticator in sepsis, and the potential utility of cholesterol as a treatment. Sepsis affects cholesterol synthesis, transport, and metabolism. This likely impacts its biological functions, including immunity, hormone and vitamin production, and cell membrane receptor sensitivity. Early preclinical studies show promise for cholesterol as a pleiotropic therapeutic agent. Hypocholesterolemia is a frequent condition in sepsis and an important early prognosticator. Low plasma concentrations are associated with wider changes in cholesterol metabolism and its functional roles, and these appear to play a significant role in sepsis pathophysiology. The therapeutic impact of cholesterol elevation warrants further investigation.

Research paper thumbnail of Protein recycling and limb muscle recovery after critical illness in slow- and fast-twitch limb muscle

American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2019

An impaired capacity of muscle to regenerate after critical illness results in long-term function... more An impaired capacity of muscle to regenerate after critical illness results in long-term functional disability. We previously described in a long-term rat peritonitis model that gastrocnemius displays near-normal histology whereas soleus demonstrates a necrotizing phenotype. We thus investigated the link between the necrotizing phenotype of critical illness myopathy and proteasome activity in these two limb muscles. We studied male Wistar rats that underwent an intraperitoneal injection of the fungal cell wall constituent zymosan or n-saline as a sham-treated control. Rats ( n = 74) were killed at 2, 7, and 14 days postintervention with gastrocnemius and soleus muscle removed and studied ex vivo. Zymosan-treated animals displayed an initial reduction of body weight but a persistent decrease in mass of both lower hindlimb muscles. Zymosan increased chymotrypsin- and trypsin-like proteasome activities in gastrocnemius at days 2 and 7 but in soleus at day 2 only. Activated caspases-3 a...

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Fat Metabolism Between Predicted Survivors and Non-Survivors of Faecal Peritonitis

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The glucocorticoid receptor requires pro-inflammatory signaling to protect from lung inflammation and high fat diet induced insulin resistance

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of TNF inhibits glucocorticoid receptor function in mice: A strong signal towards lethal shock

Journal of Biological Chemistry

As Glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is ... more As Glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is an urgent need for a more effective glucocorticoid therapy, for which insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCR are essential. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNFα, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator in numerous inflammatory diseases, compromises the protective function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) against TNFα-induced lethal inflammation. Indeed, protection of mice by dexamethasone against TNFα lethality was completely abolished when it was administered after TNFα stimulation, indicating compromised GR function upon TNFα challenge. TNFα-induced GCR was further demonstrated by impaired GR-dependent gene expression in the liver. Furthermore, TNFα downregulates the levels of both GR mRNA and protein. However, this downregulation seems to occur independently of GC production, as TNFα also resulted in downregulation of GR levels in adrenalectomized mice. These find...

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular Control of Systemic Bile Acid Homeostasis by the Liver Glucocorticoid Receptor

Cell Metabolism, 2011

Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohep... more Systemic bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a critical determinant of dietary fat digestion, enterohepatic function, and postprandial thermogenesis. However, major checkpoints for the dynamics and the molecular regulation of BA homeostasis remain unknown. Here we show that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis impairment in humans and liver-specific deficiency of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in mice disrupts the normal changes in systemic BA distribution during the fasted-to-fed transition. Fasted mice with hepatocyte-specific GR knockdown had smaller gallbladder BA content and were more susceptible to developing cholesterol gallstones when fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Hepatic GR deficiency impaired liver BA uptake/transport via lower expression of the major hepatocyte basolateral BA transporter, Na +-taurocholate transport protein (Ntcp/Slc10a1), which affected dietary fat absorption and brown adipose tissue activation. Our results demonstrate a role of the HPA axis in the endocrine regulation of BA homeostasis through the liver GR control of enterohepatic BA recycling.

Research paper thumbnail of Lipid metabolic signatures deviate in sepsis survivors compared to non-survivors

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 2020

Sepsis remains a major cause of death despite advances in medical care. Metabolic deregulation is... more Sepsis remains a major cause of death despite advances in medical care. Metabolic deregulation is an important component of the survival process. Metabolomic analysis allows profiling of critical metabolic functions with the potential to classify patient outcome. Our prospective longitudinal characterization of 33 septic and non-septic critically ill patients showed that deviations, independent of direction, in plasma levels of lipid metabolites were associated with sepsis mortality. We identified a coupling of metabolic signatures between liver and plasma of a rat sepsis model that allowed us to apply a human kinetic model of mitochondrial beta-oxidation to reveal differing enzyme concentrations for medium/short-chain hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (elevated in survivors) and crotonase (elevated in non-survivors). These data suggest a need to monitor cellular energy metabolism beyond the available biomarkers. A loss of metabolic adaptation appears to be reflected by an inability to maintain cellular (fatty acid) metabolism within a ''corridor of safety".

Research paper thumbnail of Cholesterol and its association with muscle weakness in critical illness

Research paper thumbnail of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibits Glucocorticoid Receptor Function in Mice

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011

As glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is ... more As glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) and the concomitant burden pose a worldwide problem, there is an urgent need for a more effective glucocorticoid therapy, for which insights into the molecular mechanisms of GCR are essential. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNF␣, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator in numerous inflammatory diseases, compromises the protective function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) against TNF␣-induced lethal inflammation. Indeed, protection of mice by dexamethasone against TNF␣ lethality was completely abolished when it was administered after TNF␣ stimulation, indicating compromised GR function upon TNF␣ challenge. TNF␣-induced GCR was further demonstrated by impaired GR-dependent gene expression in the liver. Furthermore, TNF␣ down-regulates the levels of both GR mRNA and protein. However, this down-regulation seems to occur independently of GC production, as TNF␣ also resulted in downregulation of GR levels in adrenalectomized mice. These findings suggest that the decreased amount of GR determines the GR response and outcome of TNF␣-induced shock, as supported by our studies with GR heterozygous mice. We propose that by inducing GCR, TNF␣ inhibits a major brake on inflammation and thereby amplifies the pro-inflammatory response. Our findings might prove helpful in understanding GCR in inflammatory diseases in which TNF␣ is intimately involved. * The work was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders, the Belgian Interuniversity Attraction Poles program (IAP VI/18), and the Belgische Vereniging tegen Kanker.

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoids control systemic inflammatory response by regulation of energy metabolism and cytokine expression

Critical Care, 2012

Background: Most clinical trials of sepsis treatment modalities fail at their primary objective o... more Background: Most clinical trials of sepsis treatment modalities fail at their primary objective of establishing superiority over placebo when added to background standard of care. While there is no definitive explanation for the high failure rate, it might be stated that our attempts to insert a new therapeutic agent into standard of care encounters severe problems with definition of exactly what stage is ongoing, and what are the criteria for progression or resolution from that time point onwards. Clearly there is need for a means of defining steps in the septic process that would apply to individuals, and to better define the course of sepsis in each patient after they are enrolled in a trial. Methods: For core model development, 30 septic patients were studied for time-related progression in relation to biomarkers, employing a Load Model in a neural net algorithm in MatLab. Causative bacterial infections were linked to primary infection sites. In order to minimize overparameterization, the model was allowed to estimate outputs using the best three input parameters. Bacterial load was tracked from origin using clinical and microbiologic data to provide an estimate at the start of sepsis. The bacterial load as well as clinical and laboratory parameters were model inputs with the output parameter being organ failures and/ or mortality. Results: At onset of sepsis, human bacterial load estimates ranged from between 10 8 and 10 11 CFU, which is consistent with inocula in animal models of sepsis. Sepsis proceeds to organ failures and mortality in a series of steps that are initially linked to bacterial load and inflammatory response, followed by coagulopathy, ischemia, oxygen deprivation in organs and tissues, and culminating in organ failures. The later stages of sepsis are all driven by metabolic parameters, and there seems to be little benefit to blocking inflammation at later stages. Substrate and oxygen deficiencies must be addressed first. Conclusion: Neural net progression models based on biomarkers and physiological markers are able to describe the evolution of sepsis to septic shock, organ failures, and provide some evidence that mortality may be a consequence of the stages of sepsis. Overall, these models appear useful to the task of sorting out organ failure endpoints and mechanisms in individual patients with sepsis progression across sepsis to septic shock. P2 Extracellular matrix turnover, angiogenesis and endothelial function in acute lung injury: relationship to pulmonary dysfunction and outcome

Research paper thumbnail of Glucocorticoid receptor dimerization induces MKP1 to protect against TNF-induced inflammation

The Journal of clinical investigation, 2012

Glucocorticoids acting through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibit TNF-induced lethal inflam... more Glucocorticoids acting through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibit TNF-induced lethal inflammation. Here, we demonstrate that GR dimerization plays a role in reducing TNF sensitivity. In mutant mice unable to dimerize GR, we found that TNF failed to induce MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1). We assessed TNF sensitivity in Mkp1(-/-) mice and found increased inflammatory gene induction in livers, increased circulating cytokines, cell death in intestinal epithelium, severe intestinal inflammation, hypothermia, and death. Mkp1(-/-) mice had increased levels of phosphorylated JNK, which promotes apoptosis, in liver tissue. We further examined JNK-deficient mice for their response to TNF. Although Jnk1(-/-) mice showed no change in sensitivity to TNF, Jnk2(-/-) mice were significantly protected against TNF, identifying JNK2 as an essential player in inflammation induced by TNF. Furthermore, we found that loss of Jnk2 partially rescued the increased sensitivity of Mkp1(-/-) and mutant GR mice ...