Resolution of inflammation in obesity-induced liver disease

Low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue is recognized as a critical event in the development of obesity-related co-morbidities. This chronic inflammation is powerfully augmented through the infiltration of macrophages, which together with adipocytes, perpetuate a vicious cycle of inflammatory cell recruitment and secretion of free fatty acids and deleterious adipokines that predispose to greater incidence of metabolic complications. In the last decade, many factors have been identified to contribute to mounting unresolved inflammation in obese adipose tissue. Among them, pro-inflammatory lipid mediators (i.e., leukotrienes) derived from the omega-6 polyunsaturated arachidonic acid have been shown to play a prominent role. Of note, the same lipid mediators that initially trigger the inflammatory response also signal its termination by stimulating the formation of anti-inflammatory signals. Resolvins and protectins derived from the omega-3 polyunsaturated docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids have emerged as a representative family of this novel class of autacoids with dual anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties that act as “stop-signals” of the inflammatory response. This review discusses the participation of these endogenous autacoids in the resolution of adipose tissue inflammation, with a special emphasis in the amelioration of obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions, namely insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Resolution of Inflammation: Circuits and Chemical Mediators

Inflammation plays a vital role in host defense against invasive pathogens and tissue and wound repair. Inflammation is part of the innate immune response and is initiated by a cascade of signals in response to an infection or injury that leads to the recruitment of specialized inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils (PMN), into injured tissue to neutralize and eliminate the injurious stimuli (Barton, 2008; Chen and Nuñez, 2010). The innate immune response not only acts as the first line of defense against an insult, but it also provides the necessary signals to instruct the adaptive immune system for an effective response to deal with the noxious agent. Although inflammation is important in eradication of pathogens, unresolved, chronic inflammation that occurs when the offending agent is not removed or contained is detrimental to the host, resulting in tissue damage, fibrosis, and loss of function (Barton, 2008; Chen and Nuñez, 2010).

Since unresolved inflammation is detrimental to the host, higher organisms have evolved protective mechanisms to ensure resolution of the inflammatory response in a specific time-limited manner (Serhan et al., 2008). Once considered a mere passive process of dilution, resolution is today envisioned as a highly orchestrated process coordinated by a complex regulatory network of cells and mediators. This novel insight offers the possibility to harness resolution factors that clear inflammation and use them to ameliorate the pathologies associated with chronic inflammation. This has the benefit to avoid any unwanted side-effect observed during the long-term therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs such as cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. COX inhibitors, like aspirin (ASA) or ibuprofen, can cause gastrointestinal irritation and renal damage when used in high doses (Wallace and Vong, 2008). Although at first glance selective COX-2 inhibitors looked like to overcome NSAID toxicity on the gastrointestinal tract, COX-2 inhibitors as Vioxx were later withdrawn from the market for their increased risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events (Wallace and Vong, 2008). For this reason, the search for novel targets and the identification of molecular circuits and chemical mediators involved in resolution represent a priority in anti-inflammatory therapy.

Among the molecules that facilitate resolution, lipid mediators derived from the metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids have attracted most attention. The first recognized family of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) was the lipoxins (LXs). LXs are conjugated trihydroxytetraene-containing eicosanoids generated from endogenous sources of the omega-6 arachidonic acid (Serhan, 2002). A major route of transcellular LX biosynthesis is initiated by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) forming 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE), which is rapidly converted to LXA₄ by 5-LO (Figure 1; Serhan et al., 1984). Another major route of transcellular LX biosynthesis is the generation of 15-epi-LXs through a circuit initiated by acetylation of COX-2 by ASA (Clària and Serhan, 1995). In this route, when ASA inhibits prostaglandin (PG) formation in cells bearing a cytokine-induced COX-2, the resulting ASA-acetylated COX-2 converts arachidonic acid into 15R-HETE. Subsequently, 15R-HETE is transformed by 5-LO of activated neutrophils into 15-epi-LXs, which carry the carbon-15 alcohol in the R configuration, instead of the S as in the native LXs (Figure 1; Clària and Serhan, 1995). These SPM act as “stop-signals” for inflammation and inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis, adhesion to and transmigration across endothelial monolayers in response to LTB₄ (Serhan et al., 2008). LX stable analogs inhibit in vivo LTB₄-induced leukocyte rolling, adherence, margination and extravasation and when applied topically to mouse ears they dramatically inhibit leukocyte infiltration and vascular permeability (Serhan et al., 2008).

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1. Biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM). During the process of resolution of inflammation, the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) is converted by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) to 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE), which is rapidly converted to LXA₄ and LXB₄ by 5-LOX. Formation of 15-epi-LXA₄ and 15-epi-LXB₄ from 15R-HETE can also occur after acetylation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by aspirin (ASA). Similarly, the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is converted into 18-hydroperoxy-EPE (18-HEPE) by aspirin-treated COX-2 or through cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and subsequently transformed by 5-LOX into 18S- or 18R-resolvin (Rv) E1. DHA is converted into 17-hydroxy-DHA (17-HDHA) by 15-LOX which subsequently is transformed by 5-LOX into RvD1 and by epoxidation hydrolysis into protectin D1 (PD1), respectively. Finally, DHA is transformed by 12-LOX into 14-hydroxy-DHA (14-HDHA) and by 5-LOX into maresin 1 (MaR1).

Resolvins are the second family of SPM with recognized anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. Resolvins are endogenous lipid mediators generated from the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). They were initially identified using a lipidomics-based approach that combined liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry within self-limited inflammatory exudates captured during the “spontaneous resolution” phase of acute inflammation (Serhan et al., 2000, 2002). Resolvins are classified into D- and E-series in accordance with their biosynthetic precursor, either DHA or EPA, respectively. Schematically, resolvin biosynthesis is initiated by 15-LO which transforms endogenous sources of DHA into 17S-hydroxy-DHA which is further transformed by leukocyte 5-LO into resolvin (Rv) D1 and RvD2 (Figure 1; Hong et al., 2003). Endothelial cells expressing COX-2 treated with aspirin also transform DHA into 17R-hydroxy-DHA which is further converted by 5-LO into 17R-RvD1 (Figure 1; Serhan et al., 2000, 2002). DHA can also be metabolized into a dihydroxy-containing derivative via an intermediate epoxide that opens via hydrolysis and subsequent rearrangements to form protectin (PD) 1 (Figure 1; Serhan et al., 2000, 2002; Hong et al., 2003). Similarly, RvE1 biosynthesis is initiated when EPA is converted to 18-hydroperoxy-EPE by aspirin-treated COX-2 or through cytochrome P450 activity (Serhan et al., 2000; Haas-Stapleton et al., 2007). By transcellular biosynthesis, 18-hydroperoxy-EPE is transformed by 5-LO of neighboring leukocytes into RvE1 via a 5(6)epoxide intermediate (Figure 1; Serhan et al., 2000, 2002).

RvD1, RvD2, PD1, and RvE1 are potent SPM, which contrary to their metabolic substrates, DHA and EPA, exert their biological actions at the nanomolar range. Indeed, the potency of these SPM is notable with concentrations as low as 10 nM producing a 50% reduction in PMN transmigration. Two receptors (ALX/FPR2 and GPR32) have been shown to transmit RvD1 signals (Krishnamoorthy et al., 2010), whereas a G-protein coupled receptor (ChemR23) signals for RvE1 (Arita et al., 2005a). The full structural elucidation, stereochemical assignment and biological actions for these compounds were first completed in RvE1. RvE1 was readily shown to decrease PMN infiltration and T cell migration, reduce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and IFNγ secretion, inhibit chemokine formation, and block interleukin (IL)-1-induced NF-κB activation (Schwab et al., 2007; Bannenberg and Serhan, 2010). RvE1 was also shown to stimulate macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic PMN and to be a potent counter-regulator of L-selectin expression (Schwab et al., 2007; Dona et al., 2008). RvE1 displayed potent anti-inflammatory actions in vivo, protecting mice against experimental periodontitis, colitis, peritonitis, and brain ischemia-reperfusion (Arita et al., 2005b; Bannenberg and Serhan, 2010). A RvE1-initiated resolution program for allergic airway response was identified by Haworth et al. (2008). Similarly, RvD1 and RvD2 were reported to reduce inflammatory pain, block IL-1β transcripts induced by TNFα in microglial cells and function as potent regulators limiting PMN infiltration into inflamed brain, skin, and peritoneum (Hong et al., 2003; Sun et al., 2007). RvD2 in particular has been shown to be a potent endogenous regulator of excessive inflammatory responses in mice with microbial sepsis (Spite et al., 2009). Moreover, PD1 has been reported to exert protective actions in acute models of inflammation by blocking PMN migration and infiltration into the inflammatory site (Serhan et al., 2006). Finally, these SPM expedite the resolution process by paving the way for monocyte migration and their differentiation to phagocytosing macrophages, which remove dead cells (efferocytosis) and then terminate the inflammatory response by promoting macrophage efflux into lymphatics (Schif-Zuck et al., 2011).

Resolution of Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Obesity

Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are the predominant underlying risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and related co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Elks and Francis, 2010). A wealth of evidence indicates that metabolic disorders associated with obesity are initiated by the presence of a chronic “low-grade” state of inflammation in the adipose tissue (Ferrante, 2007; Elks and Francis, 2010). This “low-grade” inflammatory state is aggravated by the recruitment of inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages in the adipose tissue (Ferrante, 2007; Elks and Francis, 2010). As a consequence of this unresolved inflammatory response, the production of pro-inflammatory adipokines [i.e., IL-6, TNFα, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)] is increased while the secretion of adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing adipokine, is reduced (Figure 2A; Ferrante, 2007; Elks and Francis, 2010). In addition to adipokines, the formation of pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators is also severely deregulated in obesity. Indeed, we have recently demonstrated that the production of SPM (i.e., RvD1 and PD1 and the metabolic precursors 14-HDHA, 17-HDHA, 18-HEPE) is deficient in inflamed obese adipose tissue (Clària et al., 2012). Whether the response to these mediators is also impaired and whether this SPM deficit is a generalized property of obese tissues are open questions that need to be addressed.

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2. Schematic overview summarizing the cross-talk between macrophages and adipocytes in obese adipose tissue. Obese adipose tissue shows a remarkable infiltration of macrophages which form “crown-like” structures that surround necrotic adipocytes. This recruited macrophages together with hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of adipocytes produce an aberrant release of pro-inflammatory adipokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)] that leads to insulin resistance. Unbalanced formation of pro-inflammatory leukotriene (LT) B₄ and leptin accompanied by a deficit in anti-inflammatory mediators [i.e., resolvin (Rv) D1, protectin (PD) 1, and adiponectin] contributes to a state of unresolved inflammation in obese adipose tissue. (B) Schematic representation of the protective actions of specialized omega-3-derived mediators on liver and adipose tissue. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is converted into 18-hydroperoxy-EPE (18-HEPE) and resolvin (Rv) E1, whereas DHA is converted into 17-hydroxy-DHA (17-HDHA) and RvD1 and protectin D1 (PD1). In the liver, these specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) protect hepatocytes from DNA damage and oxidative stress and dampen inflammation by inhibiting TNFα, LTB₄, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Kupffer cells. In adipose tissue, SPM exert insulin sensitizing actions by up-regulating adiponectin, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), insulin receptor signaling-1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) in adipocytes and promoting M2 polarization [arginase 1 (Arg1), IL-10, chitinase 3-like 3 (Ym1), resistin-like molecule (RELM)-α, and CD206] while inhibiting M1 markers (TNFα, IL-6, and MCP-1) in macrophages.

Adipose tissue inflammation is also driven by the activation of classical pro-inflammatory pathways such as arachidonate 5-LO. Indeed, over-expression of FLAP is a common finding in adipose tissue of patients and animals with obesity and insulin resistance (Kaaman et al., 2006; Horrillo et al., 2010). Moreover, linkage studies have identified 5-LO as a gene with pleiotropic actions on adipose fat accumulation and pancreatic function (Mehrabian et al., 2008). The ability of adipose tissue to generate 5-LO-derived products has recently been challenged by Horrillo et al. (2010). These authors have demonstrated the presence of all enzymes necessary for the formation of 5-LO products (5-LO, FLAP, LTA₄ hydrolase, and LTC₄ synthase) as well as all receptors involved in leukotriene (LT) signaling (BLT1, BLT2, CysLT1, and CysLT2) in adipose tissue of both lean and obese mice (Horrillo et al., 2010). Importantly, adipose tissue samples from obese mice showed increased formation of 5-LO products, mainly LTB₄ (Horrillo et al., 2010). Similar findings have been reported in visceral adipose tissue from obese Zucker rats (Chakrabarti et al., 2011). An important observation of the study by Horrillo et al. (2010) was that LTB₄ unequivocally triggered an inflammatory response in adipose tissue by inducing the nuclear translocation of p50 and p65 subunits of NF-κB. Secondary to LTB₄-induced NF-κB activation, there was an enhanced release of MCP-1 and IL-6, which directly connect adipose tissue inflammation with insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis (Horrillo et al., 2010). The physiological consequences of these changes in adipose tissue function were corroborated in vivo by observing that either pharmacological inhibition of the 5-LO pathway or genetic deletion of Alox5, the gene coding for 5-LO, alleviate insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in obese animals (Horrillo et al., 2010; Martínez-Clemente et al., 2010).

In sharp contrast to the pro-inflammatory actions for the most part of omega-6-derived products, omega-3-derived lipid mediators act as “braking signals” of the persistent vicious cycle leading to unremitting inflammation in obese adipose tissue. Endres et al. (1989) were the first to demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties of the omega-3 fatty acids. Since then, supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids has proven to exert overall benefits in obesity and metabolic syndrome. In a recent series of experiments, González-Périz et al.(2009) have demonstrated that administration of an omega-3-enriched diet to ob/ob mice, an experimental model of obesity and fatty liver disease, resulted in increased adiponectin levels and reduced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. These changes occurred in parallel with augmented formation of omega-3-derived SPM in adipose tissue, while formation of the omega-6-derived products PGE₂, 5-HETE, and LTB₄ was significantly inhibited (González-Périz et al. 2009). Along these lines, intraperitoneal injection of nanogram doses of RvE1 elicited significant insulin-sensitizing effects by inducing adiponectin, glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and insulin receptor signaling-1 (IRS-1) expression in adipose tissue and conferred significant protection against hepatic steatosis (González-Périz et al. 2009). Similarly, in leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) obese and diabetic mice, nanogram doses of RvD1 improved glucose tolerance, decreased fasting blood glucose, and increased insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation while reducing the formation of crown-like structures rich in inflammatory macrophages in adipose tissue (Hellmann et al., 2011). Recently, similar beneficial actions have been described for LXA₄ in an experimental model of age-associated adipose inflammation (Börgeson et al., 2012).

Omega-3-derived mediators can also induce changes in the status of macrophage polarization toward a pro-resolution phenotype. Tissue macrophages are phenotypically heterogeneous and display an extensive receptor repertoire and a versatile biosynthetic capacity that confer them the plasticity to adapt to different tissue microenvironments (Gordon and Taylor, 2005). Macrophages are broadly characterized by their activation (polarization) state according to the M1/M2 classification system (Mantovani et al., 2007). In this classification, the M1 designation is reserved for classically activated macrophages following stimulation with IFNγ and LPS, whereas the M2 designation is applied to the alternatively activated macrophages after in vitro stimulation with IL-4 and IL-13. M1 macrophages secrete high amounts of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas M2 macrophages dampen pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and promote resolution of inflammation and tissue repair (Gordon and Taylor, 2005). M1/M2 macrophage polarization can be monitored by assessing the expression of selected markers. M1-associated markers include inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and classical pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1. In contrast, established M2 markers include scavenger, mannose (CD206) and galactose (Mgl-1) receptors, arginase 1, IL-10, chitinases Ym1 and Ym2, and resistin-like molecule (RELM)-α (Martínez et al., 2009).

In a recent study, Titos et al. (2011) have demonstrated that RvD1 consistently induced M2 polarization in adipose tissue macrophages. These investigators first noticed that DHA did not modify the total number of macrophages in obese adipose tissue, but markedly reduced the percentage of CD11b^high/F4/80^high expressing cells in parallel with the emergence of low-expressing CD11b/F4/80 macrophages, suggesting a phenotypic switch in macrophage polarization. Indeed, these investigators further demonstrated that DHA and RvD1 up-regulated a complete panel of M2 markers including IL-10, CD206, RELM-α, and Ym1, and remarkably stimulated arginase 1 expression while promoting non-phlogistic macrophage phagocytosis and attenuating IFNγ/LPS-induced Th1 cytokine secretion (Titos et al., 2011). These results were in agreement with those reported by Hellmann et al. (2011), who showed the ability of RvD1 to improve insulin resistance in obese-diabetic mice, by reducing macrophage F4/80⁺CD11c⁺ cell accumulation and increasing the percentage of positive F4/80 cells expressing the M2 marker Mgl-1 in adipose tissue. The ability of resolvins to modify macrophage plasticity has also been demonstrated by Schif-Zuck et al. (2011), who reported that administration of RvD1 and RvE1 to peritonitis-affected mice enhanced the appearance of CD11b^low macrophages by reducing the number of engulfment-related events required for macrophage deactivation and by reducing the ability of peritoneal macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines upon LPS stimulation. As the majority of macrophages that accumulate in obese adipose tissue are M1 inflammatory type, these findings are a strong argument in favor of the pro-resolution actions of omega-3-derived mediators in obese adipose tissue.

Resolution of Obesity-Induced Steatohepatitis

Lipids, adipokines, and other soluble factors released by inflamed adipose tissue have a direct impact on other insulin-sensitive tissues, especially on the liver. In fact, both adipose and hepatic tissues have immediate access to a vast network of blood vessels that implicate a direct connection between these two tissues. This connection is exemplified by the observation that the circulating fatty acid pool derived from fat is the primary contributor to hepatic steatosis, the initial stage in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (Donnelly et al., 2005). In this context, adiponectin represents a paradigmatic example of the direct control of adipokines on liver function. Adiponectin, which is an adipokine with potent anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, is a hepatoprotective adipokine lowering hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance and preventing liver fibrosis (Tilg, 2010). Importantly, adiponectin is able to up-regulate the RvE1 receptor ChemR23 in primary human adipocytes, which expression is seri-ously compromised in human and rodent fatty liver (Wanninger et al., 2012).

To better appreciate how adipose tissue influences hepatic inflammation and the progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis, it is necessary to fully understand the complex cellular architecture of the liver. The hepatic tissue is arranged in a peculiar fenestrated capillary network known as the hepatic sinusoid (Wisse et al., 1996). The morphological features of the hepatic sinusoid provide a unique environment where each single hepatocyte is in close contact with other hepatocytes as well as with non-parenchymal sinusoidal liver cells, including Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells (Wisse et al., 1996). In terms of inflammation, Kupffer cells, the liver resident macrophages, play the most relevant role and have been classically considered the major sinusoidal cell type involved in hepatic eicosanoid formation (Decker, 1990). Indeed, Kupffer cells express COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LO and generate relevant amounts of PGE₂, PGI₂, PGF_2α, PGD₂, LTB₄, and LTC₄/LTD₄/LTE₄ (Decker, 1990; Titos et al., 2000, 2003). These resident hepatic macrophages are also able to generate LXA₄ from endogenous sources of arachidonic acid or by transcellular biosynthesis from 15S-HETE released by nearby 15-LO-containing hepatocytes (Clària and Planagumà, 2005). Unlike LTB₄ and PGE₂, Kupffer cell-derived LXA₄ down-regulates the cytokine–chemokine axis in adjacent hepatocytes (Planagumà et al., 2002).

Liver tissue is also a rich source of omega-3-derived SPM, such as PD1 and its intermediate precursor 17S-HDHA (González-Périz et al. 2006). These SPM produced an amelioration of necroinflammatory liver injury, an effect that was associated with a decrease in hepatic COX-2 expression and PGE₂ formation and reduced genotoxic DNA damage and oxidative stress in isolated hepatocytes (González-Périz et al. 2006). More important, these SPM reduced TNFα release in macrophages, recognized as the predominant effector cells involved in the inflammatory cascade leading to hepatocyte damage. A significant down-regulation of 5-LO protein expression was also noticed in macrophages treated with 17S-HDHA and in liver tissue from mice receiving DHA in the diet (González-Périz et al. 2006). This is relevant because the presence of an active 5-LO pathway in the liver is restricted to Kupffer cells and its inhibition is linked to lower necroinflammatory liver injury and fibrosis (Titos et al., 2000, 2003, 2005).

Summary

Obesity and the associated metabolic disorders are characterized by the presence of a chronic “low-grade” inflammatory response in insulin sensitive tissues, in particular adipose tissue and liver. The mechanisms explaining this observation are unknown but unremitting inflammation is likely to be the consequence of an impaired resolution. Resolution of inflammation (the so-called, “catabasis”) is not a passive process that simply occurs when the stimulus disappears, but it is a highly regulated process that requires the coordinated action of pro-resolution SPM. Among these, in recent years we have witnessed an emergence of a number of SPM carrying both anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties, namely LXs, resolvins, and protectins. A schematic representation of the actions of these lipid mediators on adipose tissue and liver cells is shown in Figure 2B. In summation, these autacoids enhance inflamed adipose tissue catabasis and provide powerful templates for the design of novel therapies to combat the progression of metabolic complications associated with obesity.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

Our laboratory is supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF 09/08767 and SAF 12/32789) and is a Consolidated Research Group recognized by the Generalitat de Catalunya (2009SGR1484). CIBERehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. This work was carried out at the Esther Koplowitz Centre.

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