Proinflammatory Cytokine Induction of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1) in Human Adipocytes Is Mediated by MEK, C/EBPβ, and NF-κB/RelA

Cristina L Esteves, Val Kelly, Amandine Breton, Ashley I Taylor, Christopher C West, Francesc X Donadeu, Bruno Péault, Jonathan R Seckl, Karen E Chapman

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    30 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Context:
    Levels of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), which regenerates active glucocorticoids, are selectively elevated in adipose tissue in human obesity and metabolic syndrome, both conditions associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. 11β-HSD1 expression is induced by proinflammatory cytokines in a variety of cell types, including in human adipocytes differentiated in vitro.

    Objective:
    Our objective was to determine the mechanisms by which proinflammatory cytokines induce 11β-HSD1 in human adipocytes.

    Results:
    The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α (10 ng/mL) and TNFα (20 ng/mL) increased 11β-HSD1 mRNA levels in human primary adipocyte fractions and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes (P < .001). Inhibition of the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) attenuated CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β phosphorylation at Thr235 and IL-1α/TNFα induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .007). The small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of C/EBPβ and nuclear factor (NF)-κB/RelA or inhibition of NF-κB/RelA also attenuated cytokine induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .001). Moreover, induction of 11β-HSD1 by IL-1α in SGBS cells was associated with nuclear localization of C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA located to the 11β-HSD1 promoter in human adipose tissue. Treatment of adipocyte fractions or SGBS adipocytes with metformin or acetylsalicylic acid, which target C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA signaling, attenuated the IL-1α induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .002).

    Conclusions:
    Increased proinflammatory signaling in inflamed adipose tissue may mediate elevated 11β-HSD1 expression at this site via MEK, C/EBPβ, and NF-κB/RelA. These molecules/signaling pathways are, therefore, potential targets for drugs, including metformin and acetylsalicylic acid, to prevent/decreased up-regulation of 11β-HSD1 in human obese/metabolic syndrome adipose tissue.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article numberN/A
    Pages (from-to)E160-E168
    Number of pages9
    JournalThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
    Volume99
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

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