ObjectiveTo determine that 1) an age-dependent loss of inducible autophagy underlies the failure to recover from AKI in older, adult animals during endotoxemia, and 2) pharmacologic induction of autophagy, even after established endotoxemia, is of therapeutic utility in facilitating renal recovery in aged mice.DesignMurine model of endotoxemia and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced acute kidney injury (AKI).SettingAcademic research laboratory.SubjectsC57Bl/6 mice of 8 (young) and 45 (adult) weeks of age.InterventionLipopolysaccharide (1.5 mg/kg), Temsirolimus (5 mg/kg), AICAR (100 mg/kg). Measurements and Main Results: Herein we report that diminished autophagy underlies the failure to recover renal function in older adult mice utilizing a murine model of LPS-induced AKI. The administration of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus, even after established endotoxemia, induced autophagy and protected against the development of AKI.ConclusionsThese novel results demonstrate a role for autophagy in the context of LPS-induced AKI and support further investigation into like interventions that have potential to alter the natural history of disease.

Background Mortality in sepsis is most often attributed to the development of multiple organ failure. In sepsis, inflammation-mediated endothelial activation, defined as a proinflammatory and procoagulant state of the endothelial cells, has been associated with severity of disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that AMPK activation limits inflammation and endothelium activation to protect against organ injury in sepsis. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), which is an AMP analogue, has been used to upregulate activity of AMPK. Compound C is a cell-permeable pyrrazolopyrimidine compound that inhibits AMPK activity. Methods Wild-type mice underwent CLP or Sham surgery. Mice were randomized to vehicle, AICAR, or Compound C. Mouse kidney endothelial cells were used for in vitro experiments. Renal and liver function, were determined by serum Cystatin C, BUN, creatinine, and ALT. Serum cytokines were measured by ELISA. Microvascular injury was determined using Evan’s blue dye and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure protein levels of p-AMPK, LC3, and ICAM. LC3 levels were used as a measure of autophagosome formation. Results AICAR decreased liver, and kidney injury induced by CLP and minimized cytokine elevation, in vivo and in vitro. CLP increased renal and hepatic phosphorylation of AMPK and autophagic signaling as determined by LC3. Inhibition of AMPK with Compound C prevented CLP-induced autophagy and exacerbated tissue injury. Additionally, CLP led to endothelial injury as determined by electron microscopy and Evan’s blue dye extravasation, and AICAR limited this injury. Furthermore, AICAR limited CLP and LPS induced upregulation of ICAM in vivo and in vitro, and decreased LPS induced neutrophil adhesion in vitro. Conclusion In this model, activation of AMPK was protective and AICAR minimized organ injury by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and endothelial activation. These data suggest that AMPK signaling influences sepsis or LPS induced endothelial activation and organ injury.

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The HBsAg-HBcAg vaccine candidate was safe, well tolerated and immunogenic in this phase I study in healthy adults. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of safety and immunogenicity for a nasal vaccine candidate comprising HBV antigens.

These preclinical and clinical investigations set up further clinical trials and studies that elucidate the endogenous role this pathway plays in protection against inflammatory signaling.