Synthetic small molecule analogues of the immunomodulatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62 promote metabolic homeostasis during obesity in a mouse model

Lumb, F. E., Crowe, J., Doonan, J., Suckling, C. J., Selman, C. , Harnett, M. M. and Harnett, W. (2019) Synthetic small molecule analogues of the immunomodulatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62 promote metabolic homeostasis during obesity in a mouse model. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 111232. (doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111232) (PMID:31634505)

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Abstract

One of the most rapidly increasing human public health problems is obesity, whose sequelae like type-2 diabetes, represent continuously worsening, life-long conditions. Over the last 15 years, data have begun to emerge from human and more frequently, mouse studies, that support the idea that parasitic worm infection can protect against this condition. We have therefore investigated the potential of two synthetic small molecule analogues (SMAs) of the anti-inflammatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62, to protect against metabolic dysfunction in a C57BL/6 J mouse model of high calorie-induced obesity. We found weekly subcutaneous administration of the SMAs in combination (1 μg of each), starting one week before continuous exposure to high calorie diet (HCD), decreased fasting glucose levels and reversed the impaired glucose clearance observed in male mice, when measured at approximately 7 and 13 weeks after exposure to HCD. Fasting glucose levels were also improved in male mice fed a HCD for some 38 weeks when given SMA-treatment 13 weeks after the start of HCD, indicating an SMA-therapeutic potential. For the most part, protective effects were not observed in female mice. SMA treatment also conferred protection against each of reduced ileum villus length and liver fibrosis, but more prominently in female mice. Previous studies in mice indicate that protection against metabolic dysfunction is usually associated with polarisation of the immune system towards a type-2/anti-inflammatory direction but our attempts to correlate improved metabolic parameters with such changes were unsuccessful. Further analysis will therefore be required to define mechanism of action. Nevertheless, overall our data clearly show the potential of the drug-like SMAs as a preventative or treatment for metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The study was funded by linked awards to MMH and CS (BB/ M029727/1) and WH (BB/M029662/1) from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harnett, Professor Margaret and Selman, Professor Colin
Authors: Lumb, F. E., Crowe, J., Doonan, J., Suckling, C. J., Selman, C., Harnett, M. M., and Harnett, W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Research Centre:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
Journal Name:Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
Publisher:Elsevier BV
ISSN:0166-6851
ISSN (Online):1872-9428
Published Online:18 October 2019

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
172179Can studying the mechanism of action of the parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator ES-62, inform on how to slow ageing and improve healthspan?Margaret HarnettBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/M029727/1III - Immunology