Lithium ion reversibly inhibits inducer-stimulated adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells

Dietary overload lithium decreases the adipogenesis in abdominal adipose tissue of broiler chickens

To investigate the toxic effects of dietary overload lithium on the adipogenesis in adipose tissue of chicken and the role of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) in this process, one-day-old male chicks were fed with the basal diet added with 0 (control) or 100mg lithium/kg diet from lithium chloride (overload lithium) for 35days. Abdominal adipose tissue and hypothalamus were collected at day 6, 14, and 35. As a percentage of body weight, abdominal fat decreased (p<0.001) at day 6, 14, and 35, and feed intake and body weight gain decreased during day 7-14, and day 15-35 in overload lithium treated broilers as compared to control. Adipocyte diameter and DNA content in abdominal adipose tissue were significantly lower in overload-lithium treatment than control at day 35, although no significant differences were observed at day 6 and 14. Dietary overload lithium decreased (p<0.01) transcriptional expression of preadipocyte proliferation makers ki-67 (KI67), microtubule-associated protein homolog (TPX2), and topoisomerase 2-alpha (TOP2A), and preadipocyte differentiation transcriptional factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α mRNA abundance in abdominal adipose tissue. In hypothalamus, dietary overload lithium influenced (p<0.001) NPY, and NPY receptor (NPYR) 6 mRNA abundance at day 6 and 14, but not at day 35. In conclusion, dietary overload lithium decreased the adipogenesis in abdominal adipose tissue of chicken, which was accompanied by depressing transcriptional expression of adipogenesis-associated factors. Hypothalamic NPY had a potential role in the adipogenesis in abdominal adipose tissue of broilers with a short-term overload lithium treatment.

Modulation of triglyceride accumulation in adipocytes by psychopharmacological agents in vitro

Weight gain is a major problem during psychopharmacological treatment. Research has concentrated on the appetite inducing properties and mechanisms of these drugs in the central nervous system. The potential contribution of direct effects of drugs on metabolically relevant peripheral cells such as adipocytes is less well understood. We examined the influence of the antidepressant imipramine, the antipsychotic clozapine, and the mood stabilizer lithium on preadipocytes and adipocytes in vitro, using Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) cells, an established human preadipocyte model. Parameters of cell differentiation and signaling, and cell metabolism were measured. We found significantly increased triglyceride accumulation in adipocytes after supplementation with imipramine and lithium at therapeutic concentrations, compared to non-supplemented control samples. However, gene expression levels of an early marker of adipogenesis, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and a late marker of adipogenesis, the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), as well as expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) did not change significantly in the presence of these psychopharmacological agents. The results suggest a direct influence of imipramine and lithium but not clozapine on fat storage of adipocytes. The underlying mechanisms of fatty acid storage and adipocyte differentiation however remain to be elucidated.

Prospective influences of circadian clocks in adipose tissue and metabolism

Circadian rhythms make a critical contribution to endocrine functions that involve adipose tissue. These contributions are made at the systemic, organ and stem cell levels. The transcription factors and enzymes responsible for the maintenance of circadian rhythms in adipose depots and other peripheral tissues that are metabolically active have now been identified. Furthermore, the circadian regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism is well-established. Animal and human models provide strong evidence that disturbances in circadian pathways are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and their comorbidities. Thus, circadian mechanisms represent a novel putative target for therapy in patients with metabolic diseases.

The 4th dimension and adult stem cells: Can timing be everything?

The rotation of the earth on its axis influences the physiology of all organisms. A highly conserved set of genes encoding the core circadian regulatory proteins (CCRP) has evolved across species. The CCRP acts through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms to direct the oscillatory expression of genes essential for key metabolic events. In addition to the light:dark cycle, the CCRP expression can be entrained by changes in feeding and physical activity patterns. While mammalian CCRP were originally associated with the central clock located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain, there is a growing body of evidence documenting the presence of the CCRP in peripheral tissues. It is now evident that the CCRP play a role in regulating the proliferation, differentiation, and function of adult stem cells in multiple organs. This concise review highlights findings concerning the role of the CCRP in modulating the adult stem cell activities. Although the manuscript focuses on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and cancer stem cells, it is likely that the contribution of the CCRP merits consideration and evaluation in all stem cell pathways.

Induction of circadian gene expression in human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells

OBJECTIVE

Genes encoding the circadian transcriptional apparatus exhibit robust oscillatory expression in murine adipose tissues. This study tests the hypothesis that human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) provide an in vitro model in which to monitor the activity of the core circadian transcriptional apparatus.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Primary cultures of undifferentiated or adipocyte-differentiated ASCs were treated with dexamethasone, rosiglitazone, or 30% fetal bovine serum. The response of undifferentiated ASCs to dexamethasone was further evaluated in the presence of lithium chloride. Lithium inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3, a key component of the circadian apparatus. Total RNA was harvested at 4-hour intervals over 48 hours and examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Adipocyte-differentiated cells responded more rapidly to treatments than their donor-matched undifferentiated controls; however, the period of the circadian gene oscillation was longer in the adipocyte-differentiated cells. Dexamethasone generated circadian gene expression patterns with mean periods of 25.4 and 26.7 hours in undifferentiated and adipocyte-differentiated ASCs, respectively. Both rosiglitazone and serum shock generated a significantly longer period in adipocyte-differentiated ASCs relative to undifferentiated ASCs. The Bmal1 profile was phase-shifted by approximately 8 to 12 hours relative to Per1, Per3, and Cry2, consistent with their expression in vivo. Lithium chloride inhibited adipogenesis and significantly lengthened the period of Per3 and Rev-erbalpha gene expression profiles by >5 hours in dexamethasone-activated undifferentiated ASCs.

DISCUSSION

These results support the initial hypothesis and validate ASCs as an in vitro model for the analysis of circadian biology in human adipose tissue.

Lithium inhibits brown adipocyte differentiation

Lithium impairs the appearance of the characteristic morphology of brown adipocytes and downregulates the expression of marker genes of brown adipocyte differentiation. These effects are dose-dependent and are more pronounced when exposure of preadipocytes to lithium is initiated at early stages of differentiation. Although lithium reduces the expression of genes common to both white and brown adipocytes [fatty acid binding protein aP2 (aP2/FABP) or peroxisome proliferating activated receptor gamma], genes expressed differentially in brown adipocytes, i.e., uncoupling protein 1, PPAR gamma coactivator-1alpha, and peroxisome proliferating activated receptor alpha, are particularly sensitive to lithium treatment-dependent downregulation. Brown adipocytes appear as preferential targets of the inhibitory action of lithium on adipocyte differentiation.

Carnitine profiles during differentiation and effects of carnitine on differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

These experiments were conducted to investigate carnitine profiles during differentiation and the effects of carnitine on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. To induce cell differentiation, undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with dexamethasone, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, and d-biotin. Carnitine was also exogenously added to the cells to test its effect on cell differentiation. Triglyceride, total lipid, total protein, nonesterified carnitine, acid-soluble acylcarnitine, and acid-insoluble acylcarnitine were analyzed during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Total lipid, triglyceride, and total protein increased during the 3T3-L1 cell differentiation. However, nonesterified carnitine, acid-soluble acylcarnitine, and acid-insoluble acylcarnitine concentrations were lower in the differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, the exogenously added carnitine inhibited the increases in triglyceride and total lipid levels. These results suggest that carnitine may have an inhibitory role on the early stage of 3T3-L1 cell differentiation.

Hypoxic enhancement of type IV collagen secretion accelerates adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts

Hypoxic modulation of collagen metabolism appears to be related to pathogenesis of many diseases such as fibrosis of connective tissue after injury and scleroderma. Since most of our understanding of how procollagen assembles within the cell has come from studies on cells cultured under normoxia, it may not be helpful for the etiology of the diseases observed in peripheral tissues under hypoxic conditions. As an experimental model for the hypoxic modulation of collagen metabolism, we cultured 3T3-L1 fibroblasts under low partial oxygen pressure and found that hypoxia enhances secretion of type IV collagen 10-fold and accelerates adipose conversion of the cells. The enhanced secretion of type IV collagen was not accompanied by an appreciable increase of alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV) mRNAs. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase alpha increased only 3-fold under hypoxia. We suggest that hypoxia creates an environment of prolyl 4-hydroxylase alpha(2)beta(2) tetramers favorable for the folding of type IV procollagen which has many interruptions of the Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeat.

A high-capacity screen for adipogenic differentiation

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) is highly expressed in mature adipocytes. Activity of this enzyme is therefore routinely measured to assess adipogenic differentiation in cell cultures. Existing protocols for GPDH assays require relatively large amounts of cells, and throughput is limited due to multiple steps needed for cell harvest and enzyme extraction. We present here a new protocol allowing GPDH determinations to be performed in a 96-well-plate format. From the start of cell culture to the final readout all steps are carried out using the same multiwell plate, with a minimum of handling required. Our method is suitable for setting up high-throughput assays of adipogenic differentiation.

Differentiation-dependent expression of laminin-8 (alpha 4 beta 1 gamma 1) mRNAs in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes

We report that laminin-8 (alpha 4 beta 1 gamma 1) is the specific isoform of laminin synthesized in adipocytes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of mRNA from mouse 3T3-L1 cells with paired primers for alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5, beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, gamma 1 and gamma 2 laminins yielded amplified fragments only for alpha 4, beta 1 and gamma 1. A polyclonal antibody against mouse laminin-1 (alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 1) precipitated alpha 4 in addition to beta 1 and gamma 1, while the antibody against a deduced peptide sequence of mouse alpha 4 in addition to beta 1 and gamma 1 in addition to alpha 4. Thus, laminin-8 (alpha 4 beta 1 gamma 1) is the only isoform expressed in 3T3-L1 cells. Northern blots showed that the levels of alpha 4, beta 1 and gamma 1 mRNAs increased 2.5-fold during adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells. A 1062 bp cDNA fragment cloned by RT-PCR demonstrated a polymorphism in the mouse alpha 4 gene which would lead to five amino acid changes in the domain G.

The differentiation-dependent inhibition of SV40 early promoter/enhancer activity in 3T3-L1 cells is mediated through promoter and not enhancer sequences

Using a plasmid bearing chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene controlled by Simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter/enhancer complex (pA0cat), we analyzed functional enhancer motifs in 3T3-L1 fibroblast and adipocyte cells. Deletion mutant series of pA0 at the enhancer complex showed that gene expression both in fibroblast and adipocyte cells was dependent on a similar set of enhancer motifs. When pA0 was introduced into 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and the cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, CAT activity expressed in fibroblasts was suppressed. Experiments with the deletion mutants at the enhancer complex showed that the suppression was not related to any enhancer motif, and CAT activity was observed with a plasmid having only the promoter sequence. When pA0cat was co-transfected with excess of promoter sequence, the suppression in adipocytes was counteracted. This suggested that negative trans-acting factors of the promoter sequence were responsible for the suppression in adipocytes.

Ascorbic acid phosphate stimulates type IV collagen synthesis and accelerates adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells

We showed that the synthesis and secretion of type IV collagen, entactin, and laminin were enhanced when adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells at confluence was stimulated by hormones (Y. Aratani and Y. Kitagawa (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 16163-16169). Ascorbic acid phosphate (Asc-P) stimulated the synthesis and secretion of type IV collagen and other collagens from both 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. The synthesis and secretion of laminin and entactin were not affected by Asc-P. The continuous addition of Asc-P stimulated cell growth and increased cell density at confluence 1.3-fold. Concomitantly, Asc-P remarkably accelerated the emergence of lipoprotein lipase, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, and Oil Red O-stainable lipid droplets. These findings suggest an important role for type IV collagen in adipocyte differentiation.

Differentiation of intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-18) by an acid extract of rat small intestine

A factor which may induce differentiation of intestinal epithelial cell lines in vitro was found in an acid extract of adult rat small intestine. The addition of a partially purified acetic acid extract of rat small intestine to IEC-18 cell culture dishes increased sucrase activity within 48 h. Thymidine incorporation markedly decreased within 24 h. Significant development of microvilli-like structures was observed on the acid extract-treated IEC-18 cells, compared with controls. This activity of rat acid extract was heat-stable and the apparent molecular weight of the factor was 400-800. These findings suggested that the factor may be related to the epithelial differentiation of rat small intestinal crypt cells.

Tyrosine sulfation is not the last modification of entactin before its secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Tyrosine sulfation of entactin was studied by labeling of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with [35S]methionine or H2 35SO4 in the presence or absence of tunicamycin or monensin. Four precursors (EN1-4) at different steps of modification were detected in addition to mature entactin. Under normal conditions, EN2 and mature entactin were intracellular species, and the latter was sulfated and secreted. Inhibition of co-translational transfer of N-linked oligosaccharides by tunicamycin produced EN1 and EN3 as intracellular species, and EN3 was sulfated and secreted. Interruption of protein transport from medial to trans (distal) Golgi cisternae by monensin, and consequent blockage of terminal glycosylation caused intracellular accumulation of EN4. EN4 was sulfated and of different size compared to mature entactin. These facts suggested that tyrosine sulfation of entactin occurs in medial Golgi cisternae and is not the last modification before its secretion. Our results appeared inconsistent with recent observations by Baeuerle and Huttner [(1987) J. Cell Biol. 105, 2655-2664] that tyrosine sulfation of IgM occurred within the trans (distal) Golgi cisternae as the last modification before its exit from the Golgi complex.