title: Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB by high molecular weight and globular adiponectin.
abstract: Adipose tissue secretes a wide range of hormones named adipokines, and these may play a role in obesity-related inflammation. Adiponectin is an exceptional adipokine because low plasma concentrations are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. It has been observed that plasma adiponectin concentrations are elevated during inflammatory conditions like preeclampsia and arthritis. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is an essential transcription factor for expression of inflammation-related proteins. We have used U937 cells stably transfected to express luciferase under the control of NF-kappaB to examine if adiponectin may modulate NF-kappaB activity. Physiological concentrations of native adiponectin induced NF-kappaB activity. This effect was relatively strong compared with proinflammatory adipokines like leptin, resistin, and IL-6. The enhanced NF-kappaB activity was attributed to the high molecular weight adiponectin isoforms. NF-kappaB was not activated by mutated adiponectin that is unable to form high molecular weight complexes. Furthermore, the C-terminal fragment, globular adiponectin, markedly increased NF-kappaB reporter activity, cytokine release, and mRNA expression of inflammation marker genes, at higher levels than stimulation with TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide. NF-kappaB activation by globular adiponectin was not affected by antibody inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 or TNF receptors 1 and 2 but was attenuated by inhibitors of p38 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and protein kinase C. Analyses of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB in different leukocyte cell lines showed activation of two monocytic cell lines (U937 and THP-1) by native and globular adiponectin. Our results indicate that adiponectin has proinflammatory properties in monocytic cells.
authors: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. fred.haugen@medisin.uio.no
authors: Fred
authors: F
authors: Haugen
authors: Christian A
authors: CA
authors: Drevon
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D017510:Protein Folding; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000494:pharmacology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020298:U937 Cells; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases