Metabolic plasma profiling of the metabolic syndrome and cancer cachexia

Department of Science & Technology

Project Description

Abdominal obesity together with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension are hallmarks of the metabolic syndrome (MeS). Furthermore, this disease is also characterized by a low-grade-inflammatory status of adipose tissue causing changes in lipid metabolism of adipocytes by misbalancing uptake, deposition and release of lipids and free fatty acids (FFAs). Markers for abnormal lipid metabolism and inflammation are also found to be elevated in patients suffering from cancer cachexia (CaC). We suppose that pathological alterations of the lipid metabolism are main contributors in MeS and CaC. Therefore, we hypothesize that metabolic signatures comprising lipid, eicosanoid and cytokine patterns are reflecting disease states and disease progression and can help to monitor the impact of clinical interventions. In this study, a comprehensive plasma profiling will be applied to characterize the lipid, eicosanoid and cytokine patterns of patients suffering from MeS and CaC. The goal of the project is to identify metabolic signatures indicative for the onset and progression of the diseases and for determining the therapeutic efficacy of clinical interventions. The Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences holds the lead of the project. Additional partners are the University of Vienna and Medical Universities of Vienna and Graz.

The project was funded by the Niederösterreichische Forschungs- und Bildungsges.m.b.H. (NFB).

Further Information
Status: Completed
Project ID : 445
Sponsor :
Land NÖ

Project Leader
Prof.(FH) Priv. Doz. Mag. Dr. Andreas Eger
Deputy Head of Institute / Institute Krems Bioanalytics
Prof.(FH) Priv. Doz. Mag. Dr. Andreas Eger
Deputy Head of Institute / Institute Krems Bioanalytics
Institute Krems Bioanalytics
+43 2732 802 369
[email protected]
IMC TFZIMC TFZ Haupthaus (Verwaltungsgebäude 1)
Drug Discovery
Organotypic Disease Models
Bioanalytics and Biomarker
Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Master of Science in Engineering / full-time
Stoffwechsel-Plasma-Analyse bei metabolischem Syndrom und Tumorkachexie
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
DNA Methylierung im Lungenkrebs und ihre geschlechtsspezifische Auswirkung auf die Effizienz epigenetischer Therapien
Department of Science & Technology
Entwicklung von therapeutischen Peptiden für Krebs- und regenerative Medizin
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
Etablierung der molekularen Toxikologie für rasche, frühzeitige sowie sensitive Toxizitätsbestimmungen und Biokompatibilität
Department of Science & Technology
Entwicklung komplexer extrakorporaler Karzinommodelle für die Identifikation personalisierter Krebstherapien
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
AdsorbTech: Entwicklung einer neuen Technologieplattform für Peptid-basierte therapeutische Apheresesysteme
Department of Science & Technology
Entwicklung neuer immunregulierender Peptide und geschlechtsspezifischer organotypischer Zellmodelle für humane Sepsis
Department of Science & Technology
Entwicklung neuer Methoden zur Verbesserung von immuntherapeutischen Verfahren in der Onkologie
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
Funktionale Validierung prädiktiver Biomarker für zielgerichtete Krebstherapien
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
Etablierung innovativer humaner Tumor-Mimetika für das Screening von bioaktiven Wirkstoffen
Project Leader, Department of Science & Technology
Hundsberger, H., Stierschneider, A., Sarne, V., Ripper, D., Schimon, J., Weitzenböck, H. P., Schild, D., Jacobi, N., Eger, A., Atzler, J., Klein, C. T., & Wiesner, C. (2021): Concentration-Dependent Pro- and Antitumor Activities of Quercetin in Human Melanoma Spheroids: Comparative Analysis of 2D and 3D Cell Culture Models. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(3): 717.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030717
Jacobi, N., Seeboeck, R., Hofmann, E., Schweiger, H., Smolinska, V., Mohr, T., Boyer, A., Sommergruber, W., Lechner, P., Pichler-Huebschmann, C., Önder, K., Hundsberger, H., Wiesner, C., & Eger, A. (2017): Organotypic three-dimensional cancer cell cultures mirror drug responses in vivo: lessons learned from the inhibition of EGFR signaling. Oncotarget, 8(64): 107423–107440.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.22475
Jacobi, N., Smolinska, V., Seeboeck, R., Stierschneider, A., Klein, C., Hofmann, E., Wiesner, C., Mohr, T., Oender, K., Lechner, P., Kaiser, H., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A. (2017): 3D Anti-Cancer drug discovery models: A promising approach for precision medicine. In IMC Fachhochschule Krems GmbH (Hrsg.), Online-Tagungsband FHK Forschungsforum 2017. Krems: FFH.
Jacobi, N., Seeboeck, R., Hofmann, E., & Eger, A. (2017): ErbB Family Signalling: A Paradigm for Oncogene Addiction and Personalized Oncology. Cancers, 9(4): 33.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers9040033
Hundsberger, H., Koppensteiner, A., Hofmann, E., Ripper, D., Pflüger, M., Stadlmann, V., Klein, C. T., Kreiseder, B., Katzlinger, M., Eger, A., Forster, F., Missbichler, A., & Wiesner, C. (2017): A Screening Approach for Identifying Gliadin Neutralizing Antibodies on Epithelial Intestinal Caco-2 Cells. SLAS discovery : advancing life sciences R & D, 22(8): 1035–1043.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2472555217697435
Hofmann, E., Seeboeck, R., Jacobi, N., Obrist, P., Huter, S., Klein, C., Oender, K., Wiesner, C., Hundsberger, H., & Eger, A. (2016): The combinatorial approach of laser-captured microdissection and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction accurately determines HER2 status in breast cancer. Biomarker research, 7(4): 8.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40364-016-0062-7
Jacobi, N., Smolinska, V., Stierschneider, A., Klein, C., Oender, K., Lechner, P., Kaiser, H., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A. (2016): Development of organotypic cancer models for the identification of individualized cancer therapies. In FH des BFI Wien (Hrsg.), Online-Tagungsband FHK Forschungsforum 2016. Wien: FFH.
Herzog, J., Rid, R., Wagner, M., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A., Bauer, J., & Önder, K. (2015): Whole-transcriptome gene expression profiling in an epidermolysis bullosa simplex Dowling-Meara model keratinocyte cell line uncovered novel, potential therapeutic targets and affected pathways. BMC research notes, 8: 785.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1783-7
Kreiseder, B., Holper-Schichl, Y. M., Muellauer, B., Jacobi, N., Pretsch, A., Schmid, J. A., de Martin, R., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A., & Wiesner, C. (2015): Alpha-catulin contributes to drug-resistance of melanoma by activating NF-κB and AP-1. PloS one, 10(3): e0119402.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119402
Bakiri, L., Macho-Maschler, S., Custic, I., Niemiec, J., Guío-Carrión, A., Hasenfuss, S. C., Eger, A., Müller, M., Beug, H., & Wagner, E. F. (2015): Fra-1/AP-1 induces EMT in mammary epithelial cells by modulating Zeb1/2 and TGFβ expression. Cell death and differentiation, 22(2): 336–350.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/cdd.2014.157
Spilka, R., Ernst, C., Bergler, H., Rainer, J., Flechsig, S., Vogetseder, A., Lederer, E., Benesch, M., Brunner, A., Geley, S., Eger, A., Bachmann, F., Doppler, W., Obrist, P., & Haybaeck, J. (2014): eIF3a is over-expressed in urinary bladder cancer and influences its phenotype independent of translation initiation. Cellular oncology (Dordrecht), 37(4): 253–267.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13402-014-0181-9
Pretsch, A., Nagl, M., Schwendinger, K., Kreiseder, B., Wiederstein, M., Pretsch, D., Genov, M., Hollaus, R., Zinssmeister, D., Debbab, A., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A., Proksch, P., & Wiesner, C. (2014): Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of endophytic fungi Talaromyces wortmannii extracts against acne-inducing bacteria. PloS one, 9(6): e97929.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0097929
Kapuścik, A., Hrouzek, P., Kuzma, M., Bártová, S., Novák, P., Jokela, J., Pflüger, M., Eger, A., Hundsberger, H., Kopecký, J. (2013): Novel Aeruginosin-865 from Nostoc sp. as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology, 14(17): 2329-2337.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.201300246
Rid, R., Herzog, J., Maier, R. H., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A., Hintner, H., Bauer, J. W., Onder, K. (2013): Real-time monitoring of relative peptide-protein interaction strengths in the yeast two-hybrid system. Assay and drug development technologies, 11(4): 269-275.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/adt.2012.496
Pflüger, M., Kapuscik, A., Lucas, R., Koppensteiner, A., Katzlinger, M., Jokela, J., Eger, A., Jacobi, N., Wiesner, C., Hofmann, E., Onder, K., Kopecky, J., Schütt, W., Hundsberger, H. (2013): A combined impedance and AlphaLISA-based approach to identify anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective compounds in human endothelium. Journal of biomolecular screening, 18(1): 67-74.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1087057112458316
Imhof, M., Karas, I., Gomez, I., Eger, A., & Imhof, M. (2013): Interaction of tumor cells with the immune system: implications for dendritic cell therapy and cancer progression. Drug discovery today, 18(1-2): 35-42.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2012.07.010
Maier, C., Maier, R., Rid, R., Trost, A., Hundsberger, H., Eger, A., Hintner, H., Bauer, J., Onder, K. (2012): PIM-1 kinase interacts with the DNA binding domain of the vitamin D receptor: a further kinase implicated in 1,25-(OH)2D3 signaling. BMC molecular biology, 13: 18.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2199-13-18
Vonach, C., Viola, K., Giessrigl, B., Huttary, N., Raab, I., Kalt, R., Krieger, S., Vo, T. P., Madlener, S., Bauer, S., Marian, B., Hämmerle, M., Kretschy, N., Teichmann, M., Hantusch, B., Stary, S., Unger, C., Seelinger, M., Eger, A., Mader, R., Jäger, W., Schmidt, W., Grusch, M., Dolznig, H., Mikulits, W., Krupitza, G. (2011): NF-κB mediates the 12(S)-HETE-induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition of lymphendothelial cells during the intravasation of breast carcinoma cells. British journal of cancer, 105(2): 263-271.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2011.194
Amatschek, S., Lucas, R., Eger, A., Pflueger, M., Hundsberger, H., Knoll, C., Grosse-Kracht, S., Schuett, W., Koszik, F., Maurer, D., Wiesner, C. (2011): CXCL9 induces chemotaxis, chemorepulsion and endothelial barrier disruption through CXCR3-mediated activation of melanoma cells. British journal of cancer, 104(3): 469-479.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6606056
Spaderna, S., Schmalhofer, O., Wahlbuhl, M., Dimmler, A., Bauer, K., Sultan, A., Hlubek, F., Jung, A., Strand, D., Eger, A., Kirchner, T., Behrens, J., & Brabletz, T. (2008): The transcriptional repressor ZEB1 promotes metastasis and loss of cell polarity in cancer. Cancer research, 68(2): 537–544.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-5682
Mikula M., Lahsnig C., Fischer A. N. M., Proell V., Huber H, Fuchs E., Eger A., Beug H. and Mikulits W. (2007): Epithelial plasticity of hepatocytes during liver tumor progression. Stem cells and their potential for clinical application. NATO Science for Peace and Security. Series/NATO Science Foundation. Springer Netherland, Edition 1.
Aigner, K., Dampier, B., Descovich, L., Mikula, M., Sultan, A., Schreiber, M., Mikulits, W., Brabletz, T., Strand, D., Obrist, P., Sommergruber, W., Schweifer, N., Wernitznig, A., Beug, H., Foisner, R., & Eger, A. (2007): The transcription factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1) promotes tumour cell dedifferentiation by repressing master regulators of epithelial polarity. Oncogene, 26(49): 6979–6988.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1210508
Aigner, K., Descovich, L., Mikula, M., Sultan, A., Dampier, B., Bonné, S., van Roy, F., Mikulits, W., Schreiber, M., Brabletz, T., Sommergruber, W., Schweifer, N., Wernitznig, A., Beug, H., Foisner, R., & Eger, A. (2007): The transcription factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1) represses Plakophilin 3 during human cancer progression. FEBS letters, 581(8): 1617-24.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.026
Pacher, M., Seewald, M. J., Mikula, M., Oehler, S., Mogg, M., Vinatzer, U., Eger, A., Schweifer, N., Varecka, R., Sommergruber, W., Mikulits, W., & Schreiber, M. (2007): Impact of constitutive IGF1/IGF2 stimulation on the transcriptional program of human breast cancer cells. Carcinogenesis, 28(1): 49-59.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgl091
Spaderna, S., Schmalhofer, O., Hlubek, F., Berx, G., Eger, A., Merkel, S., Jung, A., Kirchner, T., & Brabletz, T. (2006): A transient, EMT-linked loss of basement membranes indicates metastasis and poor survival in colorectal cancer. Gastroenterology, 131(3): 830–840.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2006.06.016
Stary, M., Pasteiner, W., Summer, A., Hrdina, A., Eger, A., & Weitzer, G. (2005): Parietal endoderm secreted SPARC promotes early cardiomyogenesis in vitro. Experimental cell research, 310(2): 331-43.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.07.013
Eger, A., Mikulits, W. (2005): Models of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models, 2(1): 57-63.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ddmod.2005.04.001
Eger, A., Aigner, K., Sonderegger, S., Dampier, B., Oehler, S., Schreiber, M., Berx, G., Cano, A., Beug, H., & Foisner, R. (2005): DeltaEF1 is a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin and regulates epithelial plasticity in breast cancer cells. Oncogene, 24(14): 2375-85.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1208429
Eger, A., Stockinger, A., Park, J., Langkopf, E., Mikula, M., Gotzmann, J., Mikulits, W., Beug, H., & Foisner, R. (2004): β-catenin and TGFβ signalling cooperate to maintain a mesenchymal phenotype after FosER-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Oncogene, 23(15): 2672-2680.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1207416
Gotzmann, J., Mikula, M., Eger, A., Schulte-Hermann, R., Foisner, R., Beug, H., & Mikulits, W. (2004): Molecular aspects of epithelial cell plasticity: implications for local tumor invasion and metastasis. Mutation research, 566(1): 9–20.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s1383-5742(03)00033-4
Stockinger, A., Eger, A., Wolf, J., Beug, H., & Foisner, R. (2001): E-cadherin regulates cell growth by modulating proliferation-dependent beta-catenin transcriptional activity. The Journal of cell biology, 154(6): 1185–1196.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200104036
Eger A. and Foisner R. (2000): Dynamic and cross talk of junctional proteins: a molecular basis for the regulation of cell adhesion and epithelial polarity. Protoplasma, 211(3-4): 125-133.
Eger, A., Stockinger, A., Schaffhauser, B., Beug, H., & Foisner, R. (2000): Epithelial mesenchymal transition by c-Fos estrogen receptor activation involves nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and upregulation of beta-catenin/lymphoid enhancer binding factor-1 transcriptional activity. The Journal of cell biology, 148(1): 173-188.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.148.1.173
Gotzmann, J., Eger, A., Meissner, M., Grimm, R., Gerner, C., Sauermann, G., & Foisner, R. (1997): Two-dimensional electrophoresis reveals a nuclear matrix-associated nucleolin complex of basic isoelectric point. Electrophoresis, 18(14): 2645–2653.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.1150181421
Eger, A., Stockinger, A., Wiche, G., & Foisner, R. (1997): Polarisation-dependent association of plectin with desmoplakin and the lateral submembrane skeleton in MDCK cells. Journal of cell science, 110: 1307-1316.

Back to overview

Metabolic plasma profiling of the metabolic syndrome and cancer cachexia

Department of Science & Technology

Project Description

Prof.(FH) Priv. Doz. Mag. Dr. Andreas Eger