Understanding the complex interactions between metabolism and the immune system ("metaflammation") is crucial for the identification of key immunomodulatory factors as potential therapeutic targets in obesity and in cardiovascular diseases. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) is an important factor of innate immunity and is expressed in adipocytes. CAMP, therefore, might play a role as an adipokine in metaflammation and adipose inflammation. TNFα, cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA), and toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 are components of the innate immune system and are functionally active in adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of TNFα and cfDNA on CAMP expression in adipocytes. Since cfDNA acts as a physiological TLR9 agonist, we additionally investigated TLR9-mediated CAMP regulation in adipocytes and adipose tissue. CAMP gene expression in murine 3T3-L1 and human SGBS adipocytes and in murine and human adipose tissues was quantified by real-time PCR. Adipocyte inflammation was induced in vitro by TNFα and cfDNA stimulation. Serum CAMP concentrations in TLR9 knockout (KO) and in wildtype mice were quantified by ELISA. In primary adipocytes of wildtype and TLR9 KO mice, CAMP gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR. CAMP gene expression was considerably increased in 3T3-L1 and SGBS adipocytes during differentiation. TNFα significantly induced CAMP gene expression in mature adipocytes, which was effectively antagonized by inhibition of PI3K signaling. Cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA) significantly impaired CAMP gene expression, whereas synthetic agonistic and antagonistic TLR9 ligands had no effect. CAMP and TLR9 gene expression were correlated positively in murine and human subcutaneous but not in intra-abdominal/visceral adipose tissues. Male TLR9 knockout mice exhibited lower systemic CAMP concentrations than wildtype mice. CAMP gene expression levels in primary adipocytes did not significantly differ between wildtype and TLR9 KO mice. These findings suggest a regulatory role of inflammatory mediators, such as TNFα and cfDNA, in adipocytic CAMP expression as a novel putative molecular mechanism in adipose tissue innate immunity.

CAMP (Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide) expression in adipocytes is regulated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Secreted adipokines such as CTRP-3 have been suggested to participate in innate immune signaling in adipose tissue (AT). This study investigates whether TLR-induced CAMP expression in adipocytes is antagonized by CTRP-3.

Recent data argue for a pro-inflammatory role of CAMP (cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide) in adipocytes and adipose tissue (AT) and for regulatory circuits involving TLRs. In order to investigate regulatory effects of TLR2 and TLR4, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with TLR2 agonistic lipopeptide MALP-2 and with TLR4 agonist LPS in presence or absence of signal transduction inhibitors. CAMP gene expression was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR in adipocytes and in murine AT compartments and cellular subfractions. CAMP expression was higher in gonadal than in subcutaneous AT and there was a gender-specific effect with higher levels in males. Adipocytes had higher CAMP expression than the stroma-vascular cell (SVC) fraction. MALP-2 up-regulated CAMP expression significantly, mediated by STAT3 and PI3K and potentially (non-significant trend) by NF-κB and MAPK, but not by raf-activated MEK-1/-2. Moreover, LPS proved to act as a potent inducer of CAMP via NF-κB, PI3K and STAT3, whereas specific inhibition of MAPK and MEK-1/-2 had no effect. In conclusion, activation of TLR2 and TLR4 by classical ligands up-regulates adipocyte CAMP expression involving classical signal transduction elements. These might represent future drug targets for pharmacological modulation of CAMP expression in adipocytes, especially in the context of metabolic and infectious diseases.

Obesity and related diseases are among the main public health issues in the western world. They are thought to be caused by a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) was recently discovered to be expressed and secreted by adipocytes. Representing a novel immunomodulatory adipokine, CAMP might play an important role in the complex interaction between metabolism and inflammation.

The postprandial regulation of angiopoietin-like proteins (Angptls) and their expression in adipocytes is poorly characterized.