Changes In Expression Of Transporters Research Articles

Navigating the complex landscape of cardiac metabolism in health and disease states

The intricate interplay between cardiovascular health and metabolic regulation forms a critical junction in understanding the complexities of heart-related conditions. Cardiometabolic regulation orchestrates a sophisticated network of factors governing energy utilization, substrate metabolism, and cellular processes within the cardiovascular system. Balancing these mechanisms is pivotal for optimal heart function, considering the substantial energy demands for both contractile and non-contractile activities. In a healthy heart, fatty acids (FAs) derived from FA β-oxidation contribute to approximately 70% of total energy production. However, emerging evidence sheds light on pathological changes in the heart that lead to profound metabolic alterations. These alterations involve a shift from predominant FA utilization to alternative substrates such as glucose and ketone bodies, accompanied by an increased reliance on FAs. This metabolic remodeling extends beyond substrate metabolism, encompassing changes in transporter expression, the activity of metabolic-related proteins, hormonal functions, and cardiac mitochondrial energetics. This comprehensive review article delves into the intricate web of cardiometabolic regulation, elucidating the multifaceted factors influencing cardiac metabolism across diverse states encompassing health, metabolic disorders, and heart diseases. Unraveling the molecular intricacies and interconnected pathways shaping cardiac metabolism in various physiological and pathological conditions provides critical insights into the adaptive mechanisms and dysregulations associated with heart-related conditions. Furthermore, the exploration of these regulatory mechanisms offers promising avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions and diagnostic strategies in cardiovascular medicine. Integrating multidisciplinary approaches and leveraging advanced technologies will facilitate a deeper understanding of cardiac metabolism, paving the way for innovative interventions to mitigate metabolic dysregulation and optimize cardiac health.

Distinct bile acid alterations in response to a single administration of PFOA and PFDA in mice

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a group of synthetic chemicals that were once widely used for industrial purposes and in consumer products, are widely found in the environment and in human blood due to their extraordinary resistance to degradation. Once inside the body, PFASs can activate nuclear receptors such as PPARα and CAR. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) on liver structure and functions, as well as bile acid homeostasis in mice. A single administration of 0.1 mmole/kg of PFDA, not PFOA, elevated serum ALT and bilirubin levels and caused cholestasis in WT mice. PFDA increased total and various bile acid species in serum but decreased them in the liver. Furthermore, in mouse livers, PFDA, not PFOA, down-regulated mRNA expression of uptake transporters (Ntcp, Oatp1a1, 1a4, 1b2, and 2b1) but induced efflux transporters (Bcrp, Mdr2, and Mrp2–4). In addition, PFDA, not PFOA, decreased Cyp7a1, 7b1, 8b1, and 27a1 mRNA expression in mouse livers with concomitant hepatic accumulation of cholesterol. In contrast, in PPARα-null mice, PFDA did not increase serum ALT, bilirubin, or total bile acids, but produced prominent hepatosteatosis; and the observed PFDA-induced expression changes of transporters and Cyps in WT mice were largely attenuated or abolished. In CAR-null mice, the observed PFDA-induced bile acid alterations in WT mice were mostly sustained. These results indicate that, at the dose employed, PFDA has more negative effects than PFOA on liver function. PPARα appears to play a major role in mediating most of PFDA-induced effects, which were absent or attenuated in PPARα-null mice. Lack of PPARα, however, exacerbated hepatic steatosis. Our findings indicate separated roles of PPARα in mediating the adaptive responses to PFDA: protective against hepatosteatosis but exacerbating cholestasis.

The SLC38A5/SNAT5 amino acid transporter: from pathophysiology to pro-cancer roles in the tumor microenvironment.

SLC38A5/SNAT5 is a system N transporter that can mediate net inward or outward transmembrane fluxes of neutral amino acids coupled with Na+ (symport) and H+ (antiport). Its preferential substrates are not only amino acids with side chains containing amide (glutamine and asparagine) or imidazole (histidine) groups, but also serine, glycine, and alanine are transported by the carrier. Expressed in the pancreas, intestinal tract, brain, liver, bone marrow, and placenta, it is regulated at mRNA and protein levels by mTORC1 and WNT/β-catenin pathways, and it is sensitive to pH, nutritional stress, inflammation, and hypoxia. SNAT5 expression has been found to be altered in pathological conditions such as chronic inflammatory diseases, gestational complications, chronic metabolic acidosis, and malnutrition. Growing experimental evidence shows that SNAT5 is overexpressed in several types of cancer cells. Moreover, recently published results indicate that SNAT5 expression in stromal cells can support the metabolic exchanges occurring in the tumor microenvironment of asparagine-auxotroph tumors. We review the functional role of the SNAT5 transporter in pathophysiology and propose that, due to its peculiar operational and regulatory features, SNAT5 may play important pro-cancer roles when expressed either in neoplastic or in stromal cells of glutamine-auxotroph tumors.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The transporter SLC38A5/SNAT5 provides net influx or efflux of glutamine, asparagine, and serine. These amino acids are of particular metabolic relevance in several conditions. Changes in transporter expression or activity have been described in selected types of human cancers, where SNAT5 can mediate amino acid exchanges between tumor and stromal cells, thus providing a potential therapeutic target. This is the first review that recapitulates the characteristics and roles of the transporter in physiology and pathology.

GABAA Receptor and Serotonin Transporter Expression Changes Dissociate Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Influence of Sex and Estrus Cycle Phase in Rats

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mild TBIs) can affect both males and females, but females are more likely to report long-term psychological complications, including changes in mood and generalized anxiety. Additionally, reproductive cycle phase has been shown to affect mild TBI symptom expression within females. These variances may result from sex differences in mild TBI-induced alterations to neurotransmission in brain regions that influence mood and emotion, possibly mediated by sex steroids. The hippocampus and amygdala are implicated in stress responses and anxiety, and within these regions, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin modulate output and behavioral expression. Metabolites of progesterone can allosterically enhance GABAergic signaling, and sex steroids are suggested to regulate the expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT). To determine how mild TBI might alter GABA receptor and SERT expression in males and females, immunocytochemistry was used to quantify expression of the alpha-1 subunit of the GABAA receptor (α1-GABAA), SERT, and a neuronal marker (NeuN) in the brains of adult male and naturally-cycling female rats, both with and without mild TBI, 17 days after injury. Mild TBI altered the expression of α1-GABAA in the amygdala and hippocampus in both sexes, but the direction of change observed depended on sex and reproductive cycle phase. In contrast, mild TBI had little effect on SERT expression. However, SERT expression differed between sexes and varied with the cycle phase. These findings demonstrate that regulation of neurotransmission following mild TBI differs between males and females, with implications for behavioral outcomes and the efficacy of therapeutic strategies.

Renal Transporter Alterations in Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases: Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Alcohol-Associated, Viral Hepatitis, and Alcohol-Viral Combination.

Alterations in hepatic transporters have been identified in precirrhotic chronic liver diseases (CLDs) that result in pharmacokinetic variations causing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, the effect of CLD on the expression of renal transporters is unknown despite the overwhelming evidence of kidney injury in CLD patients. This study determines the transcriptomic and proteomic expression profiles of renal drug transporters in patients with defined CLD etiology. Renal biopsies were obtained from patients with a history of CLD etiologies, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis C (HCV), and combination ALD/HCV. A significant decrease in organic anion transporter (OAT)-3 was identified in NASH, ALD, HCV, and ALD/HCV (1.56 ± 1.10; 1.01 ± 0.46; 1.03 ± 0.43; 0.86 ± 0.57 pmol/mg protein) relative to control (2.77 ± 1.39 pmol/mg protein). Additionally, a decrease was shown for OAT4 in NASH (24.9 ± 5.69 pmol/mg protein) relative to control (43.8 ± 19.9 pmol/mg protein) and in urate transporter 1 (URAT1) for ALD and HCV (1.56 ± 0.15 and 1.65 ± 0.69 pmol/mg protein) relative to control (4.69 ± 4.59 pmol/mg protein). These decreases in organic anion transporter expression could result in increased and prolonged systemic exposure to drugs and possible toxicity. Renal transporter changes, in addition to hepatic transporter alterations, should be considered in dose adjustments for CLD patients for a more accurate disposition profile. It is important to consider a multiorgan approach to altered pharmacokinetics of drugs prescribed to CLD patients to prevent ADRs and improve patient outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Chronic liver diseases are known to elicit alterations in hepatic transporters that result in a disrupted pharmacokinetic profile for various drugs. However, it is unknown if there are alterations in renal transporters during chronic liver disease, despite strong indications of renal dysfunction associated with chronic liver disease. Identifying renal transporter expression changes in patients with chronic liver disease facilitates essential investigations on the multifaceted relationship between liver dysfunction and kidney physiology to offer dose adjustments and prevent adverse drug reactions.

Treprostinil Supplementation Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and Regulates Expression of Hepatic Drug Transporters: An Isolated Perfused Rat Liver (IPRL) Study

PurposeIR injury is an unavoidable consequence in deceased donor liver transplantation. Cold preservation and warm reperfusion may change the expression and function of drug transporters in the liver due to vasoconstriction, infiltration of neutrophils and release of cytokines. We hypothesize that vasodilation, anti-platelet aggregation and proinflammatory downregulation activities of treprostinil will diminish the IR injury and its associated effects.MethodsLivers obtained from male SD rats (n = 20) were divided into 1) Control, 2) IR, 3) Treprostinil-1 (preservation only), and 4) Treprostinil-2 (preservation and reperfusion) groups. Control livers were procured and immediately reperfused. Livers in the other groups underwent preservation for 24 h and were reperfused. All the livers were perfused using an Isolated Perfused Rat Liver (IPRL) system. Periodic perfusate, cumulative bile samples and liver tissue at the end of perfusion were collected. Liver injury markers, bile flow rates, m-RNA levels for uptake and efflux transporters (qRT-PCR) were measured.ResultsCold preservation and warm reperfusion significantly increased the release of AST and ALT in untreated livers. Treprostinil supplementation substantially reduced liver injury. Bile flow rate was significantly improved in treprostinil-2 group. m-RNA levels of Slc10a1, Slc22a1, and Slc22a7 in liver were increased and m-RNA levels of Mdr1a were decreased by IR. Treprostinil treatment increased Abcb11 and Abcg2 m-RNA levels and maintained Slc22a1m-RNA similar to control livers.ConclusionsTreprostinil treatment significantly reduced liver injury. IR injury changed expression of both uptake and efflux transporters in rat livers. Treprostinil significantly altered the IR injury mediated changes in m-RNA expression of transporters.

Clinical Implications of Altered Drug Transporter Abundance/Function and PBPK Modeling in Specific Populations: An ITC Perspective.

The role of membrane transporters on pharmacokinetics (PKs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs), pharmacodynamics (PDs), and toxicity of drugs has been broadly recognized. However, our knowledge of modulation of transporter expression and/or function in the diseased patient population or specific populations, such as pediatrics or pregnancy, is still emerging. This white paper highlights recent advances in studying the changes in transporter expression and activity in various diseases (i.e., renal and hepatic impairment and cancer) and some specific populations (i.e., pediatrics and pregnancy) with the focus on clinical implications. Proposed alterations in transporter abundance and/or activity in diseased and specific populations are based on (i) quantitative transporter proteomic data and relative abundance in specific populations vs. healthy adults, (ii) clinical PKs, and emerging transporter biomarker and/or pharmacogenomic data, and (iii) physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation. The potential for altered PK, PD, and toxicity in these populations needs to be considered for drugs and their active metabolites in which transporter-mediated uptake/efflux is a major contributor to their absorption, distribution, and elimination pathways and/or associated DDI risk. In addition to best practices, this white paper discusses current challenges and knowledge gaps to study and quantitatively predict the effects of modulation in transporter activity in these populations, together with the perspectives from the International Transporter Consortium (ITC) on future directions.

Impact of inflammation and infection on the expression of amino acid transporters in the placenta: A minireview.

Amino acid transporters expressed in the placenta help to regulate the transfer of amino acids from maternal to fetal circulation. Nutritional or hormonal factors are known to potentially impact the expression of amino acid transporters in the placenta. A relatively new field of inquiry has also demonstrated that inflammation, whether associated with infection or not, also alters the expression of amino acid transporters in the placenta. Indeed, studies over the past 15 years have demonstrated that malaria, viral and bacterial models of infection, preeclampsia, and direct administration of proinflammatory cytokines can alter placental amino acid transporter expression. While such studies have largely focused on System A and System L transporters, other transporters are also affected. p38 MAPK, STAT3, mTORC1, and AMPK signaling have all been implicated in these changes, but the underlying mechanism(s) remain to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, the implications of such changes warrant further investigation. This review will summarize studies that have investigated the impact of inflammation on placental amino acid transporter expression, identify questions that remain unanswered, and propose future areas of research to advance the field. As amino acid transporters are now being considered for drug targeting and drug delivery, furthering our understanding of the regulation of these transporters during disease states will be of increasing clinical value. Significance Statement While this is a relatively new field of research, multiple studies have demonstrated that inflammation alters placental amino acid transporter expression. This review will serve to summarize, for the first time, studies in this field and identify gaps in current knowledge as research in this area moves beyond identifying changes in transporter expression to investigating the implications of such changes and the mechanisms underlying them.

Pharmacokinetic Imaging Using 99mTc-Mebrofenin to Untangle the Pattern of Hepatocyte Transporter Disruptions Induced by Endotoxemia in Rats

Endotoxemia-induced inflammation may impact the activity of hepatocyte transporters, which control the hepatobiliary elimination of drugs and bile acids. 99mTc-mebrofenin is a non-metabolized substrate of transporters expressed at the different poles of hepatocytes. 99mTc-mebrofenin imaging was performed in rats after the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Changes in transporter expression were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction of resected liver samples. Moreover, the particular impact of pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions in the context of endotoxemia was investigated using rifampicin (40 mg/kg), a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte transporters. LPS increased 99mTc-mebrofenin exposure in the liver (1.7 ± 0.4-fold). Kinetic modeling revealed that endotoxemia did not impact the blood-to-liver uptake of 99mTc-mebrofenin, which is mediated by organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp) transporters. However, liver-to-bile and liver-to-blood efflux rates were dramatically decreased, leading to liver accumulation. The transcriptomic profile of hepatocyte transporters consistently showed a downregulation of multidrug resistance-associated proteins 2 and 3 (Mrp2 and Mrp3), which mediate the canalicular and sinusoidal efflux of 99mTc-mebrofenin in hepatocytes, respectively. Rifampicin effectively blocked both the Oatp-mediated influx and the Mrp2/3-related efflux of 99mTc-mebrofenin. The additive impact of endotoxemia and rifampicin led to a 3.0 ± 1.3-fold increase in blood exposure compared with healthy non-treated animals. 99mTc-mebrofenin imaging is useful to investigate disease-associated change in hepatocyte transporter function.

Altered cisplatin pharmacokinetics during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis contributes to reduced nephrotoxicity

Disease-mediated alterations to drug disposition constitute a significant source of adverse drug reactions. Cisplatin (CDDP) elicits nephrotoxicity due to exposure in proximal tubule cells during renal secretion. Alterations to renal drug transporter expression have been discovered during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however, associated changes to substrate toxicity is unknown. To test this, a methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced rat model was used to evaluate NASH-associated changes to CDDP pharmacokinetics, transporter expression, and toxicity. NASH rats administered CDDP (6 mg/kg, i.p.) displayed 20% less nephrotoxicity than healthy rats. Likewise, CDDP renal clearance decreased in NASH rats from 7.39 to 3.83 mL/min, renal secretion decreased from 6.23 to 2.80 mL/min, and renal CDDP accumulation decreased by 15%, relative to healthy rats. Renal copper transporter-1 expression decreased, and organic cation transporter-2 and ATPase copper transporting protein-7b increased slightly, reducing CDDP secretion. Hepatic CDDP accumulation increased 250% in NASH rats relative to healthy rats. Hepatic organic cation transporter-1 induction and multidrug and toxin extrusion protein-1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein-4 reduction may contribute to hepatic CDDP sequestration in NASH rats, although no drug-related toxicity was observed. These data provide a link between NASH-induced hepatic and renal transporter expression changes and CDDP renal clearance, which may alter nephrotoxicity.

Heightened sensitivity of people with Alzheimer’s disease to the side effects of antipsychotic drug amisulpride may be mediated through an interaction with glucose transporter 1 at the blood‐brain barrier

AbstractBackgroundAmisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic which antagonises dopamine (D2, D3) receptors in vitro and in vivo (Schoemaker et al., 1997). Older people, particularly those with dementia are more susceptible to antipsychotic side effects, including amisulpride (Reeves et al., 2017). Clinical and basic science research suggested that blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption underpins this heightened sensitivity by increasing central drug access (Sekhar et al., 2019; Harwood et al., 1994). The current study examines healthy and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) physiology to further understand this increased sensitivity.MethodWe investigated the BBB transport of amisulpride in 5xFamilial Alzheimer’s mouse model (5xFAD), and in age‐matched wild type mice (WT, C57/BL6) (12‐15 months old). 5xFAD mice express human amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 transgenes with five AD‐linked mutations, they develop Aβ plaques and cognitive impairments (Oakley et al., 2006). All experiments were performed according the Animal Scientific Procedures Act (1986) and Amendment Regulations 2012. Anaesthesia was applied via intraperitoneal injection of medetomidine hydrochloride and ketamine mixture. The mice were perfused with artificial plasma, containing [3H]amisulpride (6.5 nM) and [14C]sucrose (9.4 μM). Brain amyloid plaques were confirmed in 5xFAD mice by transmission electron microscopy. In silico molecular docking using AuDock Vina and GOLD software identified transporters of interest for our model substrate. Amisulpride was considered a substrate for a given transporter, if it had free energy binding lower than ‐5 kcal/mole and high chem score.ResultCompared to WT (n=6), the 5xFAD (n=7) mice had increased striatal [3H]amisulpride uptake of 79% (t=1.975, df=11, p=0.0370). The [14C]sucrose (passive permeability measure) permeability was not significantly changed. Preliminary in silico analysis suggested that amisulpride is a substrate for glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and a very weak substrate for multidrug and toxin extrusion transporter (MATE2) (Table 1).ConclusionIn silico studies suggested amisulpride interacts with BBB solute carrier (SLC) transporters: organic cation transporter (OCT1), plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT), MATE1 (Sekhar et al., 2019), GLUT1 and MATE2, but not with the adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporter P‐glycoprotein. The increased brain permeability to amisulpride in 5xFAD mice suggests altered BBB transporter function, possibly due to SLC transporter expression changes associated with AD.

Issue Cover (October 2020)

Journal of NeurochemistryVolume 155, Issue 1 Issue CoverFree Access Issue Cover (October 2020) First published: 30 September 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.14763 Read the full article: ‘Amyloid-beta1–42 induced glutamatergic receptor and transporter expression changes in the mouse hippocampus’ by J. H. Y. Yeung, B. C.-F. Guzmán, T. H. Palpagama, J. Ethiraj, Y. Zhai, W. P. Tate, K. Peppercorn, H. J. Waldvogel, R. L. M. Faull, A. Kwakowsky, (J. Neurochem. 2020, vol. 155 (1), pp. 19–62) on doi:10.1111/jnc.15099 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract Front cover: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading type of dementia worldwide. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and plays an essential role in the function and health of neurons and neuronal excitability. This is the first comprehensive anatomical study to characterize the subregion- and cell layer-specific effect of beta-amyloid (Aβ1-42) on the expression of specific glutamate receptors and transporters in the mouse hippocampus, using immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy. Our data demonstrate heterogeneous expression changes in glutamatergic signaling components in an in vivo Aβ1-42-injected mouse model of AD. These changes have the ability to alter normal glutamatergic signaling and could contribute to AD pathology. Due to the pivotal role of the glutamatergic system in regulating synaptic activity, any disruption to its composition could have consequences for normal neuronal function. These findings also indicate that Aβ1-42 induces brain region and layer specific expression changes of the glutamatergic receptors and transporters, suggesting complex and spatial vulnerability of this pathway during AD neuropathology. Image content: The image shows glutamate receptor GluA1 subunit (green) and glutamate transporter vGluT1 (red) immunoreactivity in CA3 region of the mouse hippocampus. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst dye (blue). Read the full article ‘Amyloid-beta1–42 induced glutamatergic receptor and transporter expression changes in the mouse hippocampus’ by J. H. Y. Yeung, B. C.-F. Guzmán, T. H. Palpagama, J. Ethiraj, Y. Zhai, W. P. Tate, K. Peppercorn, H. J. Waldvogel, R. L. M. Faull, A. Kwakowsky, (J. Neurochem. 2020, vol. 155 (1), pp. 19–62) on doi:10.1111/jnc.15099 Volume155, Issue1October 2020 RelatedInformation

Amyloid-beta1-42 induced glutamatergic receptor and transporter expression changes in the mouse hippocampus.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading type of dementia worldwide. With an increasing burden of an aging population coupled with the lack of any foreseeable cure, AD warrants the current intense research effort on the toxic effects of an increased concentration of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Glutamate is the main excitatory brain neurotransmitter and it plays an essential role in the function and health of neurons and neuronal excitability.While previous studies have shownalterations in expression of glutamatergic signaling components in AD, the underlying mechanisms of these changes are not well understood. This is the first comprehensive anatomical study to characterize the subregion- and cell layer-specific long-term effect of Aβ1-42 on the expression of specific glutamate receptors and transporters in the mouse hippocampus, using immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy. Outcomes are examined 30days after Aβ1-42 stereotactic injection in aged male C57BL/6 mice. We report significant decreases in density of the glutamate receptor subunit GluA1 and the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) 1 in the conus ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus in the Aβ1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected and naïve controls, notably in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum. GluA1 subunit density also decreased within the dentate gyrus dorsal stratum moleculare in Aβ1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected controls. These changes are consistent with findings previously reported in the human AD hippocampus. By contrast, glutamate receptor subunits GluA2, GluN1, GluN2A, and VGluT2 showed no changes in expression. These findings indicate that Aβ1-42 induces brain region and layer specific expression changes of the glutamatergic receptors and transporters, suggesting complex and spatial vulnerability of this pathway during development of AD neuropathology. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 7. Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.14763.

Computational modeling to determine key regulators of hypoxia effects on the\xa0lactate production in the glycolysis pathway

In solid tumors, hypoxia can trigger aberrant expression of transcription factors and genes, resulting in abnormal biological functions such as altered energetic pathways in cancer cells. Glucose metabolism is an important part of this phenomenon, which is associated with changes in the functional expression of transporters and enzymes involved in the glycolysis pathway. The latter phenomenon can finally lead to the lactate accumulation and pH dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment and subsequently further invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Having capitalized on the computational modeling, in this study, for the first time, we aimed to investigate the effects of hypoxia-induced factor-1 (HIF-1) mediated hypoxia on the magnitude of functional expression of all the enzymes and transporters involved in the glycolysis process. The main objective was to establish a quantitative relationship between the hypoxia intensity and the intracellular lactate levels and determine the key regulators of the glycolysis pathway. This model clearly showed an increase in the lactate concentration during the oxygen depletion. The proposed model also predicted that the phosphofructokinase-1 and phosphoglucomutase enzymes might play the most important roles in the regulation of the lactate production.

Maternal Immune Activation Alters Placental and Fetal Brain Amino Acid Transport in Rats

ProblemMaternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. However, the exact mechanism through which this occurs is unknown. Due to the important roles that amino acids play in neurodevelopment, altered transport of amino acids across the placenta and throughout the developing fetal brain could play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our objectives were to determine whether virally mediated MIA alters amino acid transporter expression in the placenta and fetal brain, and to explore the underlying mechanism(s) associated with these changes.MethodsPregnant rats received poly(I:C) on gestational day 14 and placental and fetal tissues were collected 6, 24, and 48 hours later. Amino acid transporter expression in the placenta and fetal brain was measured using qPCR and immunoblotting. Free amino acid concentrations in the fetal brain were quantified using HPLC. To explore a possible mechanism, the expression and phosphorylation of components of the placental mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways were investigated using immunoblotting.ResultsPoly(I:C) induced the mRNA expression of multiple amino acid transporters in the placenta and fetal brain over all three timepoints. Conversely, poly(I:C) significantly decreased protein expression of ASCT1 and EAAT2 in the placenta, and SNAT5, EAAT1, and GLYT1 in the fetal brain. Changes in transporter expression were accompanied by functional changes in the concentrations of numerous amino acids in the fetal brain. We observed activation of AMPK and inhibition of mTOR signaling in the placentas of poly(I:C)‐treated dams.ConclusionsMIA induced by poly(I:C) significantly alters placental and fetal brain amino acid transporter expression as well as amino acid concentrations in the fetal brain. Due to the importance of amino acids in neurodevelopment, changes in amino acid transporters could contribute to the development of a neurodevelopmental disorder. AMPK and mTOR have been previously shown to regulate amino acid transporter expression. Since poly(I:C) altered the activation of placental and AMPK and mTOR, these could provide novel treatment targets to alleviate MIA‐induced changes in amino acid transport and investigate the implications of these changes in neurodevelopment.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) awarded to Dr. Piquette‐Miller [MOP 13346]. Eliza McColl was a recipient of a CIHR Canadian Graduate Scholarship (Master’s) and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and is currently funded by a CIHR Banting and Best Canadian Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral) [GSD‐164238].

Essential role of STAT-3 dependent NF-κB activation on IL-6-mediated downregulation of hepatic transporters

IL-6 markedly decreases the expression of numerous hepatic transporters. We previously demonstrated that IL-6-mediated downregulation of transporters occurs through STAT3, with partial involvement of PXR. However, while IL-6-mediated induction of STAT3 occurs rapidly, repression of transporter expression is not observed until 6 h post-treatment. This temporal mismatch suggested that the downregulation of transporters following IL-6 at 6 h might require additional signaling downstream of STAT3. Since NF-κB has been implicated in endotoxin-mediated downregulation of transporters, we hypothesized that NF-κB may be similarly involved in suppressing transporter expression following IL-6. Our objective was to investigate whether IL-6-mediated changes in transporter expression occur through STAT3-dependent NF-κB activation, and whether PXR is involved. PXR null (-/-) or wild type (+/+) mice were pre-dosed with the NF-κB inhibitor PHA408 or vehicle 30 min prior to receiving a single dose of IL-6 or saline. Mice were euthanized after 6 h and transporter expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR. IL-6 imposed downregulation of Abcb1a, Abcb1b, Abcc3, Abcg2 and Cyp3a11 in both PXR (+/+) and PXR (-/-) mice, while downregulation of Abcb11, Abcc2, Slc10a1, and Slco2b1 was only significant in PXR (+/+) mice. PHA408 pretreatment fully inhibited NF-κB activation in PXR (+/+) but only partially inhibited NF-κB in PXR (-/-). Inhibition of NF-κB attenuated IL-6-mediated changes in transporters in PXR (+/+) mice. Transient transfection assays did not detect significant activation of human or mouse PXR by PHA408. Our findings suggest that IL-6 imposes significant downregulation of numerous ABC and SLC transporters in the liver via collaborative STAT3/NF-κB activation. Since drug transporters play an integral role in the pharmacokinetics of numerous clinically relevant drugs, understanding the signaling pathways involved in transporter regulation during inflammation will contribute to a better understanding of drug-disease interactions.

Evaluating Metabolic Regulation of Human Erythropoiesis By Profiling Nutrient Transporter Expression

Recent studies have documented that cell metabolism regulates hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) renewal and lineage commitment. However, the detailed metabolic changes that occur during human erythropoiesis remain to be defined. As erythroid cell differentiation is likely to be associated with changes in metabolic requirements, we hypothesized that progenitors adapt to these metabolic modulations by altering their nutrient transporter expression profile. Using an in vitro erythroid-inducing cell culture system employing CD34+ cells from human bone marrow and peripheral blood as well as primary erythroid cells isolated from fresh bone marrow samples, we assessed the cell surface nutrient transporter profiles of progenitors at different stages of erythroid development. Quantification of cell surface nutrient transporter expression was performed using a novel scaffold of retroviral envelope receptor binding domains (RBDs) that function as specific ligands of solute carrier (SLC) nutrient transporters. This bank allowed an evaluation of diverse metabolite transporters including GLUT1/SLC2A1 glucose transporter, the PiT1/SLC20A1 and PiT2/SLC20A2 phosphate importers, the XPR1/SLC53A1 phosphate exporter, the FLVCR1 heme exporter, the RFVT1/2 (SLC52A1/SLC52A2) riboflavin importers, the CAT1/SLC7A1 arginine importer, the ASCT2/SLC1A5 glutamine transporter and the SMVT/SLC5A6 sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter. Notably, the cell surface expression profiles of these nutrient transporters, as evaluated by flow cytometry, revealed marked changes as a function of the stage of erythroid differentiation, as shown in the figure below. Specifically, while FLVCR1, RFVT1/2, and SMVT are highly expressed on erythroid progenitors, the levels of these transporters decrease starting at the proerythroblast stage. In addition, PiT1, PiT2, XPR1, and CAT1 are expressed highly during the erythroid colony forming unit (CFU-E) stage while GLUT1 gradually increases and reaches a peak at late stages of erythroid differentiation, remaining elevated on mature red cells. The noted distinct changes in transporter expression are likely a reflection of the changing demands of various nutrients during human erythropoiesis. In summary, we have established a comprehensive metabolite transporter profile at distinct stages of normal human erythropoiesis using a novel experimental strategy. These original findings form a strong foundation for future studies aiming at elucidating the metabolic requirements of normal erythropoiesis, evaluating diseases affecting red blood cell maturation due to aberrant metabolic regulation, and for identifying new therapeutic targets. Figure Disclosures Bitaudeau: Metafora-biosystems: Employment. Petit:Metafora-biosystems: Equity Ownership, Other: CEO and co-founder. Sitbon:Metafora-biosystems: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-founder.

Developmental Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 and 4 in Rat Liver

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) are proton-coupled integral membrane proteins that control the influx and efflux of endogenous monocarboxylates such as lactate, acetate and pyruvate. They also transport and mediate the clearance of drugs such as valproate and gamma-hydroxybutyrate. CD147 functions as ancillary protein that chaperones MCT1 and MCT4 to the cell membrane. There is limited data on the maturation of MCT and CD147 expression in tissues related to drug distribution and clearance. The objective of the present study was to quantify hepatic MCT1, MCT4, and CD147 mRNA, whole cell and membrane protein expression from birth to sexual maturity. Liver tissues were collected from male and female Sprague Dawley rats at postnatal days (PND) 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 28, 35, and 42 (n = 3 - 5). Hepatic mRNA, total and membrane protein expression of MCT1, MCT4, and CD147 was evaluated via qPCR and western blot. MCT1 mRNA and protein demonstrated nonlinear maturation patterns. MCT1 and CD147 membrane protein exhibited low expression at birth, with expression increasing three-fold by PND14, followed by a decline in expression at sexual maturity. MCT4 mRNA had highest expression at PND 1, with decreasing expression towards sexual maturity. In contrast, MCT4 membrane protein exhibited minimal expression from birth through weaning before a 10-fold surge at PND35, whereupon there was a sharp decline in expression at PND42. There was a significant positive correlation between MCT1 and CD147 whole cell and membrane expression, while MCT4 membrane expression demonstrated a weak negative correlation with CD147. Our study elucidates the transcriptional and translational maturation patterns of MCT1, MCT4 and CD147 expression, with isoform- dependent differences in the liver. Changes in transporter expression during development may greatly influence drug distribution and clearance in pediatric populations.

Intestinal Epithelial AMPK Regulates Paracellular Electrolyte Flux and Electrogenic Ion Transport Responses in Mouse Colon

Ion transport within the colonic epithelium is crucial to maintain colonic homeostasis. During pathological states such as intestinal inflammation, alteration of ion transport processes contributes to the development of diarrhea and constipation. These pathways are tightly regulated by expression and localization to ensure fluid balance. AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved energy‐sensing kinase that has previously been shown to regulate ion channels and transporters such as CFTR and NKCC1, in both intestinal epithelium and other epithelia. The aim of this study was to specifically test the impact of AMPK activity on ion flux across intestinal epithelia by utilizing a tissue‐specific knockout mouse model lacking both AMPK‐α catalytic isoforms.MethodsIntestinal epithelial cell‐specific knockout of AMPK activity (AMPKαΔIEC KO) was achieved by crossing Prkaa1 and Prkaa2 floxed mice (AMPKαfl/fl) with Villin‐Cre mice. For Ussing chamber experiments, large intestinal segments were stripped of the serosal layer and the mucosal layer was mounted in Ussing chambers containing Kreb's Ringer's buffer. Chloride secretion was stimulated using Forskolin (300μM) applied bilaterally, followed by Carbachol (10μM) applied basolaterally. For immunostaining, whole intestinal tissue was isolated and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight, washed with 1X PBS, and stored in 30% sucrose in 1X until OCT embedding. 5μm frozen sections of intestinal tissues were sliced and mounted onto glass slides.ResultsWe previously demonstrated AMPKαΔIEC KO mice do not have a barrier defect indicated by macromolecular intestinal permeability, histological analysis, and response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) compared to AMPKαfl/fl mice. We next determined if AMPK alters electrolye permeability in different regions of the large intestine. Indeed, loss of AMPK decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in mouse proximal colon (35.21 ± 3.3 Ω·cm2, n = 6–7, p = 0.0007). Conversely, AMPKαΔIEC KO mice exhibited an increase in basal TEER in the distal colon (62.5 ± 4.5 Ω·cm2, n = 2–3, p = 0.2683), although this was not statistically significant. We next tested if AMPKαΔIEC KO mice exhibited changes in electrogenic ion transport by intestinal region. Preliminary evidence in the cecum indicated increased electrogenic ion transport responses to carbachol and Forskolin in AMPKαΔIEC KO mice (n = 1–3) while only forskolin‐dependent ion transport was increased in the distal colon (n = 2–3). In the proximal colon, Ca2+‐dependent ion transport was increased two‐fold (n = 6–7, p = 0.1131) while there was no alteration in cAMP‐dependent ion transport (n = 6–7). To determine if these region‐specific effects were associated with changes in transporter expression, colonic sections were stained for the Na+‐K+‐Cl− Cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) as a key contributor to electrogenic ion secretion. NKCC1 expression in AMPKαΔIEC KO mice was similar to that of AMPKαfl/fl mice (n = 2–3).ConclusionsAMP‐activated protein kinase mediates region‐specific maintenance of the intestinal barrier and regulation of electrogenic ion transport in mice.Support or Funding InformationNIH 2R01DK091281 (DFM)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

STAT3 is involved in IL-6-Mediated Downregulation of Hepatic Transporters in Mice.

Our objective was to investigate whether IL-6-mediated effects occur through STAT3, and whether PXR plays a role in this regulation. PXR null (-/-) or wild-type (+/+) male mice were pre-dosed with a selective STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 (7.5 mg/kg ip) or vehicle (n=5-8/group) 30 minutes before receiving a single dose of IL-6 (1 µg ip) or saline. Animals were sacrificed after 6 hours and liver samples were analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blotting. As compared to saline controls, IL-6 decreased the expression of Cyp3a, Abcb1a, Abcc3, and Slco1a4 20-70% similarly in PXR (+/+) and (-/-) mice at 6 hr, while downregulation of Abcb11, Abcc2, Slc10a1and Slco2b1 was only seen in PXR (+/+). Pre-administration of S3I-201 attenuated IL-6-mediated changes of most transporters in PXR (+/+) and PXR (-/-) mice. At early times after IL-6 administration (10-120 minutes), transcript levels of Socs3, PXR, Abcb1a, Abcc3, Abcb11, Slco1a4 and Slco2b1were increased in PXR (+/+) mice. Our findings demonstrate that IL-6 imposes a significant downregulation of numerous ABC and SLC transporters in liver primarily through activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Based on time-dependent changes in transporter expression, downregulation likely occurs downstream of STAT3 activation. As IL-6 is elevated in many diseases, understanding the underlying mechanism(s) involved in transporter dysregulation will allow us to predict potential drug-disease interactions.