Orphan receptor GPR153 facilitates vascular damage responses by modulating cAMP levels, YAP/TAZ signaling, and NF-κB activation.

Vascular cells express various G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with yet unknown function, among them orphan receptor GPR153. GPR153 was upregulated in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in response to injury, and knockdown of GPR153 resulted in reduced proliferation and mildly altered differentiation in human SMCs. Mice with tamoxifen-inducible, SMC-specific GPR153 deficiency were partially protected against ligation-induced neointima formation, and their SMCs were characterized by reduced proliferation and dedifferentiation.

Orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPRC5B controls macrophage function by facilitating prostaglandin E receptor 2 signaling.

Macrophages express numerous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that regulate adhesion, migration, and activation, but the function of orphan receptor GPRC5B in macrophages is unknown. Both resident peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages from myeloid-specific GPRC5B-deficient mice show increased migration and phagocytosis, resulting in improved bacterial clearance in a peritonitis model. In other models such as myocardial infarction, increased myeloid cell recruitment has adverse effects.

SPMs exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects through positive allosteric modulation of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor.

Inflammation is a protective response to pathogens and injury. To be effective it needs to be resolved by endogenous mechanisms in order to avoid prolonged and excessive inflammation, which can become chronic. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are a group of lipids derived from omega-3 fatty acids, which can induce the resolution of inflammation.

Age-Dependent RGS5 Loss in Pericytes Induces Cardiac Dysfunction and Fibrosis.

Background: Pericytes are capillary-associated mural cells involved in the maintenance and stability of the vascular network. Although aging is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the consequences of aging on cardiac pericytes are unknown.

Methods: In this study, we have combined single-nucleus RNA sequencing and histological analysis to determine the effects of aging on cardiac pericytes.

DSS-induced colitis is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction and disrupted hepatic lipid metabolism leading to hepatosteatosis and dyslipidemia in mice.

Considering high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this study aimed to elucidate molecular mechanisms for how intestinal inflammatory conditions are causally linked to hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia. Both younger and older mice treated with acute or chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) developed colitis, which was evidenced by weight loss, colon length shortening, and elevated disease activity index and inflammation score. They also showed decreased expression of intestinal barrier function-related proteins and elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide level, indicating DSS-induced barrier dysfunction and thereby increased permeability.

Comprehensive amelioration of high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunctions through activation of the PGC-1α pathway by probiotics treatment in mice.

Although the beneficial effects of probiotics in the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorders have been extensively researched, the precise mechanisms by which probiotics improve metabolic homeostasis are still not clear. Given that probiotics usually exert a comprehensive effect on multiple metabolic disorders, defining a concurrent mechanism underlying the multiple effects is critical to understand the function of probiotics. In this study, we identified the SIRT1-dependent or independent PGC-1α pathways in multiple organs that mediate the protective effects of a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum against high-fat diet-induced adiposity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia.

Protective effects of Bacillus probiotics against high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders in mice.

Recently, modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics treatment has been emerged as a promising strategy for treatment of metabolic disorders. Apart from lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus species (Bacillus spp.) have also been paid attention as potential probiotics, but nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms for their protective effect against metabolic dysfunction remain to be elucidated.

Association of visceral fat and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.

Purpose: Visceral fat (VF) is closely associated with many metabolic risk factors and is also known to be a strong predictive factor for severe metabolic complications in adults. But there are only a few studies concerning the association of VF and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents. In our study, we emphasized the association of VF [measured by VF computed tomography (VFCT)] and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.