Adipokines: inflammation and the pleiotropic role of white adipose tissue

I had been working on the endocrine and signalling role of white adipose tissue (WAT) since 1994 following the identification of the ob (Lep) gene(1), this after some 15 years investigating the physiological role of brown adipose tissue. The ob gene, a mutation in which it is responsible for the profound obesity of ob/ob (Lepob/Lepob) mice, is expressed primarily in white adipocytes and encodes the pleiotropic hormone leptin. The discovery of this adipocyte hormone had wide-ranging implications, including that white fat has multiple functions that far transcend the traditional picture of a simple lipid storage organ.

Proses Pencokelatan Jaringan Adiposa

Obesity is a common, serious, and detrimental condition. In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight. Obesity is associated with many diseases and the increase in obesity has become a major health problem. Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy consumption. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that secretes many hormones and cytokines that can affect metabolism. There are two types of adipose tissue in the body with different functions, namely white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. White fat has a major function in storing energy and is increased in obesity, while brown fat produces heat (thermogenesis) and then increases energy consumption. Therefore, brown fat and the induction of brown fat-like properties in white fat, have been considered as targets in the fight against obesity. The complex process of cell differentiation leading to the appearance of active brown adipocytes has been identified. There are classic brown adipocytes and cream adipocytes. Beige adipocytes are brown adipocytes that appear on precursor cells of white adipose tissue due to stimuli. Brown adipocytes are equipped with mitochondria containing uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which, when activated, controls ATP synthesis and stimulates respiratory chain activity. The browning process of adipose tissue is controlled by factors such as exercise. Obesitas merupakan keadaan yang umum, serius, dan merugikan. Tahun 2014, lebih dari 1,9 milyar orang dewasa mengalami kelebihan berat badan. Obesitas berasosiasi dengan banyak penyakit dan peningkatan obesitas telah menjadi masalah kesehatan utama. Obesitas disebabkan oleh ketidakseimbangan antara energi yang masuk dan konsumsi energi. Jaringan adiposa dalam tubuh ada dua tipe yang fungsinya berbeda, yakni jaringan adiposa putih dan jaringan adiposa cokelat. Lemak putih berfungsi utama dalam menyimpan energi dan meningkat pada obesitas, sedangkan lemak cokelat menghasilkan panas (termogenesis) dan kemudian meningkatkan konsumsi energi. Oleh karena itu, lemak cokelat dan induksi sifat seperti lemak cokelat pada lemak putih, telah dipertimbangkan sebagai target dalam melawan obesitas. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui proses pencoklatan jaringan adiposa putih. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelusuran ilmiah. Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa adiposit krem merupakan adiposit cokelat yang muncul pada sel prekursor dari jaringan adiposa putih karena adanya stimuli. Adiposit krem sama seperti adiposit cokelat dilengkapi dengan mitokondria yang mengandung uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), yang ketika teraktivasi akan mengendalikan sintesis ATP dan menstimulasi aktivitas rantai respirasi. Beberapa regulator seperti PPAR γ, PGC-1α, dan PRDM16 muncul sebagai pelaku utama dalam proses diferensiasi adiposit krem.

Electroacupuncture altered expression of microRNAs in Stat5 knockout obese mice

Background: Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs contribute to the establishment and development of obesity by affecting many biological and pathological processes, such as adipocyte differentiation, hepatic lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and neurological regulation of obesity. As a clinical intervention approach, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Our previous whole genome study in central nervous system (CNS)-specific Stat5 knockout (KNO) obese mice found that electroacupuncture (EA) could reduce body weight and promote white browning. Objective: To clarify the effect of EA on miRNAs and understand how it regulates gene expression. Methods: Twelve-week-old male Stat5NKO mice with body weight 20% greater than that of Stat5fl/fl (control) mice were divided into a Stat5NKO (model) group and EA-treated Stat5NKO + EA group. A cohort of Stat5fl/fl mice of the same age were included as the control group. EA was administered under isoflurane anesthesia at unilateral ST36 and ST44 daily (left and right sides were treated every other day), 6 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. The miRNA profile was generated and miRNA regulatory networks were analyzed in the Stat5 nestin-cre mice before and after EA treatment. Autophagy-related proteins in adipocytes were detected after over-expression of miR27a. Results: EA altered abnormal miRNA expression, including miRNA27a expression, and reduced the autophagy-related proteins ATG5 and ATG12. Conclusion: We found that EA could regulate miRNA27a-mediated autophagy-related proteins and promote white fat browning, which may contribute to weight loss. To our knowledge, this is the first report of miRNAs potentially driving the effect of EA on white fat browning through the autophagy process.

White, beige and brown adipose tissue: structure, function, specific features and possibility formation and divergence in pigs

Introduction. Traditionally, mammalian adipose tissue is divided into white (white adipose tissue – WAT) and brown (brown adipose tissue – BAT). While the functions of WAT are well known as the triglyceride depot, the role of BAT in mammalian physiology has been under close investigation. The first description of the role of BAT in maintaining thermogenesis dates back to 1961. This article offers a review of structural and functional specificity of white, beige and brown adipose tissue. Results and discussion. The differences and descriptions of adipocytes and their impact on the maintenance of the main functions of the mammalian body are described in this manuscript. In particular, thermogenesis, stress response, obesity, type II diabetes. In addition to WAT and BAT, an intermediate form was also detected in the body – beige fat (BeAT or Brite). The opposite opinions regarding the presence of three types of adipose tissue in the human and animal bodies are presented. Studies on the identification of uncoupling proteins 1 and 3 and their role in the transformation of white fat into beige/brown are considered. Basically, the data on the factors of endogenous and exogenous nature on their formation are given on the example of the human body. Conclusion. With an abundance of publications on the keywords: “white, brown fat”, these studies, in the overwhelming majority, are devoted to the role of these fats in the formation of human thermogenesis, the assessment of the impact on obesity. Pigs have also been suggested to lack functional BAT, which is a major cause of neonatal death in the swine industry, therefore the focus on investigating role of different types of adipose tissue in pigs seems very promising in order to understand whether there is a compensating mechanism of thermogenesis.

The Mechanism of Leptin on Inhibiting Fibrosis and Promoting Browning of White Fat by Reducing ITGA5 in Mice

Leptin is a small molecule protein secreted by adipocytes, which can promote white fat browning through activating the hypothalamic nervous system and inhibiting downstream signaling pathways. Moreover, white fat browning has been proven to alleviate fat tissue fibrosis. This study explores the mechanism of leptin in regulating adipose tissue fibrosis and white fat browning. After treating mice with leptin, we screened out the recombinant integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5) through proteomics sequencing, which may play a role in adipose tissue fibrosis. Through real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting (WB), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson’s trichrome, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, etc., the results showed that after leptin treated adipocytes, the expression of fibrosis-related genes and ITGA5 was significantly down-regulated in adipocytes. We constructed fibrosis model through transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and a high-fat diet (HFD), and treated with ITGA5 overexpression vector and interference fragments. The results indicated the expression of fibrosis-related genes were significantly down-regulated after interfering with ITGA5. After treating adipocytes with wortmannin, fibrosis-related gene expression was inhibited after overexpression of ITGA5. Moreover, after injecting mice with leptin, we also found that leptin significantly up-regulated the expression of adipose tissue browning-related genes. Overall, our research shows that leptin can inhibit the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway by reducing the expression of ITGA5, which could alleviate adipose tissue fibrosis, and further promote white fat browning. Our research provides a theoretical basis for further research on the effect of leptin in fibrosis-related adipose tissue metabolism.

Liraglutide suppresses obesity and promotes browning of white fat via miR-27b in vivo and in vitro

Objective To investigate the effect of liraglutide on the browning of white fat and the suppression of obesity via regulating microRNA (miR)-27b in vivo and in vitro. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF) diet and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated into mature white adipocytes. Rats and mature adipocytes were then treated with different doses of liraglutide. The mRNA and protein levels of browning-associated proteins, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (CEBPβ), cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results Liraglutide decreased body weight and reduced the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in HF diet-fed rats. Liraglutide increased the levels of UCP1, PRDM16, CEBPβ, CIDEA and PGC-1α in vivo and vitro. The levels of miR-27b were upregulated in HF diet-fed rats, whereas liraglutide reduced the levels of miR-27b. In vitro, overexpression of miR-27b decreased the mRNA and protein levels of UCP1, PRDM16, CEBPβ, CIDEA and PGC-1α. Transfection with the miR-27b mimics attenuated the effect of liraglutide on the browning of white adipocytes. Conclusion Liraglutide induced browning of white adipose through regulation of miR-27b.

Unraveling the complexity of thermogenic remodeling of white fat reveals potential antiobesity therapies

Adipose tissue is a complex organ consisting of a mixture of mature adipocytes and stromal vascular cells. It displays a remarkable ability to adapt to environmental and dietary cues by changing its morphology and metabolic capacity. This plasticity is demonstrated by the emergence of interspersed thermogenic beige adipocytes within white depots in response to catecholamines secretion. Coordinated cellular interaction between different cell types within the tissue and a fine-tuned transcriptional program synergistically take place to promote beige remodeling. However, both cell–cell interactions and molecular mechanisms governing beige adipocyte appearance and maintenance are poorly understood. In this and the previous issue of Genes & Development, Shao and colleagues (pp. 1461–1474) and Shan and colleagues (pp. 1333–1338) advance our understanding of these issues and, in doing so, highlight potential therapeutic strategies to combat obesity-associated diseases.

Glucose intolerance in aging is mediated by the Gpcpd1-GPC metabolic axis

Skeletal muscle plays a central role in the regulation of systemic metabolism during lifespan. With aging, muscle mediated metabolic homeostasis is perturbed, contributing to the onset of multiple chronic diseases. Our knowledge on the mechanisms responsible for this age-related perturbation is limited, as it is difficult to distinguish between correlation and causality of molecular changes in muscle aging. Glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase 1 (GPCPD1) is a highly abundant muscle enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the lipid glycerophosphocholine (GPC). The physiological function of GPCPD1 remained largely unknown. Here, we report that the GPCPD1-GPC metabolic pathway is dramatically perturbed in the aged muscle. Muscle-specific inactivation of Gpcpd1 resulted in severely affected glucose metabolism, without affecting muscle development. This pathology was muscle specific and did not occur in white fat-, brown fat- and liver-specific Gpcpd1 deficient mice. Moreover, in the muscle specific mutant mice, glucose intolerance was markedly accelerated under high sugar and high fat diet. Mechanistically, Gpcpd1 deficiency results in accumulation of GPC, without any other significant changes in the global lipidome. This causes an aged-like transcriptomic signature in young Gpcpd1 deficient muscles, changes in myofiber osmolarity, and impaired insulin signaling. Finally, we report that GPC levels are markedly perturbed in muscles from both aged humans and patients with Type 2 diabetes. These results identify the GPCPD1-GPC metabolic pathway as critical to muscle aging and age-associated glucose intolerance.