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Tsuji T, Tolstikov V, Zhang Y, Huang TL, Camara H, Halpin M, Narain NR, Yau KW, Lynes MD, Kiebish MA, Tseng YH. Light-responsive adipose-hypothalamus axis controls metabolic regulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6768. [PMID: 39117652 PMCID: PMC11310318 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50866-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Light is fundamental for biological life, with most mammals possessing light-sensing photoreceptors in various organs. Opsin3 is highly expressed in adipose tissue which has extensive communication with other organs, particularly with the brain through the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Our study reveals a new light-triggered crosstalk between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Direct blue-light exposure to subcutaneous white fat improves high-fat diet-induced metabolic abnormalities in an Opsin3-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis shows that blue light increases circulating levels of histidine, which activates histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) via SNS. Blocking central actions of histidine and denervating peripheral BAT blunts the effects of blue light. Human white adipocytes respond to direct blue light stimulation in a cell-autonomous manner, highlighting the translational relevance of this pathway. Together, these data demonstrate a light-responsive metabolic circuit involving adipose-hypothalamus communication, offering a potential strategy to alleviate obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadataka Tsuji
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Yang Zhang
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tian Lian Huang
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henrique Camara
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Halpin
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - King-Wai Yau
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew D Lynes
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, USA
| | | | - Yu-Hua Tseng
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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2
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Hernandez A, Martinez ME, Chaves C, Anselmo J. Epigenetic developmental programming and intergenerational effects of thyroid hormones. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 122:23-49. [PMID: 36863795 PMCID: PMC10938172 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence is showing that altered signaling through the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily can cause abnormal, long-term epigenetic changes which translate into pathological modifications and susceptibility to disease. These effects seem to be more prominent if the exposure occurs early in life, when transcriptomic profiles are rapidly changing. At this time, the coordination of the complex coordinated processes of cell proliferation and differentiation that characterize mammalian development. Such exposures may also alter the epigenetic information of the germ line, potentially leading to developmental changes and abnormal outcomes in subsequent generations. Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling is mediated by specific nuclear receptors, which have the ability to markedly change chromatin structure and gene transcription, and can also regulate other determinants of epigenetic marks. TH exhibits pleiotropic effects in mammals, and during development, its action is regulated in a highly dynamic manner to suit the rapidly evolving needs of multiple tissues. Their molecular mechanisms of action, timely developmental regulation and broad biological effects place THs in a central position to play a role in the developmental epigenetic programming of adult pathophysiology and, through effects on the germ line, in inter- and trans-generational epigenetic phenomena. These areas of epigenetic research are in their infancy, and studies regarding THs are limited. In the context of their characteristics as epigenetic modifiers and their finely tuned developmental action, here we review some of the observations underscoring the role that altered TH action may play in the developmental programming of adult traits and in the phenotypes of subsequent generations via germ line transmission of altered epigenetic information. Considering the relatively high prevalence of thyroid disease and the ability of some environmental chemicals to disrupt TH action, the epigenetic effects of abnormal levels of TH action may be important contributors to the non-genetic etiology of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States; Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States; Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - M Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Carolina Chaves
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Nutrição, Hospital Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
| | - Joao Anselmo
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Nutrição, Hospital Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
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3
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Wu Z, Martinez ME, DeMambro V, Francois M, Hernandez A. Developmental thyroid hormone action on pro-opiomelanocortin-expressing cells programs hypothalamic BMPR1A depletion and brown fat activation. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 14:mjac078. [PMID: 36581316 PMCID: PMC9982511 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone excess secondary to global type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) deficiency leads to increased locomotor activity and reduced adiposity, but also to concurrent alterations in parameters of the leptin-melanocortin system that would predict obesity. To distinguish the underlying contributions to the energy balance phenotype of DIO3 deficiency, we generated mice with thyroid hormone excess targeted to pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing cells via cell-specific DIO3 inactivation. These mice exhibit a male-specific phenotype of reduced hypothalamic Pomc expression, hyperphagia, and increased activity in brown adipose tissue, with adiposity and serum levels of leptin and thyroid hormones remained normal. These male mice also manifest a marked and widespread hypothalamic reduction in the expression of bone morphogenetic receptor 1a (BMPR1A), which has been shown to cause similar phenotypes when inactivated in POMC-expressing cells. Our results indicate that developmental overexposure to thyroid hormone in POMC-expressing cells programs energy balance mechanisms in a sexually dimorphic manner by suppressing adult hypothalamic BMPR1A expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofei Wu
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - M Elena Martinez
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
| | - Victoria DeMambro
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Marie Francois
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Division of Molecular Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- MaineHealth Institute for Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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4
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Townsend KL, Pritchard E, Coburn JM, Kwon YM, Blaszkiewicz M, Lynes MD, Kaplan DL, Tseng YH. Silk Hydrogel-Mediated Delivery of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 Directly to Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue Increases Browning and Energy Expenditure. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:884601. [PMID: 35646839 PMCID: PMC9135469 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.884601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Increasing the mass and/or activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is one promising avenue for treating obesity and related metabolic conditions, given that BAT has a high potential for energy expenditure and is capable of improving glucose and lipid homeostasis. BAT occurs either in discrete "classical" depots, or interspersed in white adipose tissue (WAT), termed "inducible/recruitable" BAT, or 'beige/brite' adipocytes. We and others have demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) induces brown adipogenesis in committed and uncommitted progenitor cells, resulting in increased energy expenditure and reduced weight gain in mice. BMP7 is therefore a reliable growth factor to induce browning of WAT. Methods: In this study, we sought to deliver BMP7 specifically to subcutaneous (sc)WAT in order to induce tissue-resident progenitor cells to differentiate into energy-expending recruitable brown adipocytes, without off-target effects like bone formation, which can occur when BMPs are in the presence of bone progenitor cells (outside of WAT). BMP7 delivery directly to WAT may also promote tissue innervation, or directly activate mitochondrial activity in brown adipocytes, as we have demonstrated previously. We utilized silk protein in the form of an injectable hydrogel carrying BMP7. Silk scaffolds are useful for in vivo delivery of substances due to favorable material properties, including controlled release of therapeutic proteins in an active form, biocompatibility with minimal immunogenic response, and prior FDA approval for some medical materials. For this study, the silk was engineered to meet desirable release kinetics for BMP7 in order to mimic our prior in vitro brown adipocyte differentiation studies. Fluorescently-labeled silk hydrogel loaded with BMP7 was directly injected into WAT through the skin and monitored by non-invasive in vivo whole body imaging, including in UCP1-luciferase reporter mice, thereby enabling an approach that is translatable to humans. Results: Injection of the BMP7-loaded silk hydrogels into the subcutaneous WAT of mice resulted in "browning", including the development of multilocular, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-positive brown adipocytes, and an increase in whole-body energy expenditure and skin temperature. In diet-induced obese mice, BMP7-loaded silk delivery to subcutaneous WAT resulted in less weight gain, reduced circulating glucose and lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Conclusions: In summary, BMP7 delivery via silk scaffolds directly into scWAT is a novel translational approach to increase browning and energy expenditure, and represents a potential therapeutic avenue for delivering substances directly to adipose depots in pursuit of metabolic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy L. Townsend
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Kristy L. Townsend, ; Yu-Hua Tseng,
| | - Eleanor Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Jeannine M. Coburn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Young Mi Kwon
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Magdalena Blaszkiewicz
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Matthew D. Lynes
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Yu-Hua Tseng
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,*Correspondence: Kristy L. Townsend, ; Yu-Hua Tseng,
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5
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Ghaddar B, Diotel N. Zebrafish: A New Promise to Study the Impact of Metabolic Disorders on the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105372. [PMID: 35628176 PMCID: PMC9141892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish has become a popular model to study many physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. In recent years, it has rapidly emerged in the study of metabolic disorders, namely, obesity and diabetes, as the regulatory mechanisms and metabolic pathways of glucose and lipid homeostasis are highly conserved between fish and mammals. Zebrafish is also widely used in the field of neurosciences to study brain plasticity and regenerative mechanisms due to the high maintenance and activity of neural stem cells during adulthood. Recently, a large body of evidence has established that metabolic disorders can alter brain homeostasis, leading to neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress and causing decreased neurogenesis. To date, these pathological metabolic conditions are also risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunctions and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we first aim to describe the main metabolic models established in zebrafish to demonstrate their similarities with their respective mammalian/human counterparts. Then, in the second part, we report the impact of metabolic disorders (obesity and diabetes) on brain homeostasis with a particular focus on the blood-brain barrier, neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress, cognitive functions and brain plasticity. Finally, we propose interesting signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms to be explored in order to better understand how metabolic disorders can negatively impact neural stem cell activity.
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6
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Jensen GS, Leon-Palmer NE, Townsend KL. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the central regulation of energy balance and adult neural plasticity. Metabolism 2021; 123:154837. [PMID: 34331962 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2021.154837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The current worldwide obesity pandemic highlights a need to better understand the regulation of energy balance and metabolism, including the role of the nervous system in controlling energy intake and energy expenditure. Neural plasticity in the hypothalamus of the adult brain has been implicated in full-body metabolic health, however, the mechanisms surrounding hypothalamic plasticity are incompletely understood. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) control metabolic health through actions in the brain as well as in peripheral tissues such as adipose, together regulating both energy intake and energy expenditure. BMP ligands, receptors, and inhibitors are found throughout plastic adult brain regions and have been demonstrated to modulate neurogenesis and gliogenesis, as well as synaptic and dendritic plasticity. This role for BMPs in adult neural plasticity is distinct from their roles in brain development. Existing evidence suggests that BMPs induce weight loss through hypothalamic pathways, and part of the mechanism of action may be through inducing neural plasticity. In this review, we summarize the data regarding how BMPs affect neural plasticity in the adult mammalian brain, as well as the relationship between central BMP signaling and metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Jensen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America; Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Noelle E Leon-Palmer
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
| | - Kristy L Townsend
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America; Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States of America; School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America.
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7
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Baboota RK, Blüher M, Smith U. Emerging Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 in Metabolic Disorders. Diabetes 2021; 70:303-312. [PMID: 33472940 DOI: 10.2337/db20-0884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of signaling molecules that belong to the TGF-β superfamily. Initially discovered for their ability to induce bone formation, BMPs are known to play a diverse and critical array of biological roles. We here focus on recent evidence showing that BMP4 is an important regulator of white/beige adipogenic differentiation with important consequences for thermogenesis, energy homeostasis, and development of obesity in vivo. BMP4 is highly expressed in, and released by, human adipose tissue, and serum levels are increased in obesity. Recent studies have now shown BMP4 to play an important role not only for white/beige/brown adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis but also in regulating systemic glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. It also has important suppressive effects on hepatic glucose production and lipid metabolism. Cellular BMP4 signaling/action is regulated by both ambient cell/systemic levels and several endogenous and systemic BMP antagonists. Reduced BMP4 signaling/action can contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance, and associated metabolic disorders. In this article, we summarize the pleiotropic functions of BMP4 in the pathophysiology of these diseases and also consider the therapeutic implications of targeting BMP4 in the prevention/treatment of obesity and its associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh K Baboota
- The Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulf Smith
- The Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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8
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da Conceição EPS, Morrison SF, Cano G, Chiavetta P, Tupone D. Median preoptic area neurons are required for the cooling and febrile activations of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in rat. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18072. [PMID: 33093475 PMCID: PMC7581749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74272-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the central neural circuitry for thermoregulation, the balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) determines the level of activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. We employed neuroanatomical and in vivo electrophysiological techniques to identify a source of excitation to thermogenesis-promoting neurons in the DMH that is required for cold defense and fever. Inhibition of median preoptic area (MnPO) neurons blocked the BAT thermogenic responses during both PGE2-induced fever and cold exposure. Disinhibition or direct activation of MnPO neurons induced a BAT thermogenic response in warm rats. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the DMH, or brain transection rostral to DMH, blocked cold-evoked or NMDA in MnPO-evoked BAT thermogenesis. RNAscope technique identified a glutamatergic population of MnPO neurons that projects to the DMH and expresses c-Fos following cold exposure. These discoveries relative to the glutamatergic drive to BAT sympathoexcitatory neurons in DMH augment our understanding of the central thermoregulatory circuitry in non-torpid mammals. Our data will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to induce therapeutic hypothermia for treating drug-resistant fever, and for improving glucose and energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Paula Santos da Conceição
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Shaun F Morrison
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Georgina Cano
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Pierfrancesco Chiavetta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Domenico Tupone
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA. .,Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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9
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Blaszkiewicz M, Willows JW, Dubois AL, Waible S, DiBello K, Lyons LL, Johnson CP, Paradie E, Banks N, Motyl K, Michael M, Harrison B, Townsend KL. Neuropathy and neural plasticity in the subcutaneous white adipose depot. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221766. [PMID: 31509546 PMCID: PMC6738614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The difficulty in obtaining as well as maintaining weight loss, together with the impairment of metabolic control in conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, may represent pathological situations of inadequate neural communication between the brain and peripheral organs and tissues. Innervation of adipose tissues by peripheral nerves provides a means of communication between the master metabolic regulator in the brain (chiefly the hypothalamus), and energy-expending and energy-storing cells in the body (primarily adipocytes). Although chemical and surgical denervation studies have clearly demonstrated how crucial adipose tissue neural innervation is for maintaining proper metabolic health, we have uncovered that adipose tissue becomes neuropathic (ie: reduction in neurites) in various conditions of metabolic dysregulation. Here, utilizing both human and mouse adipose tissues, we present evidence of adipose tissue neuropathy, or loss of proper innervation, under pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and aging, all of which are concomitant with insult to the adipose organ as well as metabolic dysfunction. Neuropathy is indicated by loss of nerve fiber protein expression, reduction in synaptic markers, and lower neurotrophic factor expression in adipose tissue. Aging-related adipose neuropathy particularly results in loss of innervation around the tissue vasculature, which cannot be reversed by exercise. Together with indications of neuropathy in muscle and bone, these findings underscore that peripheral neuropathy is not restricted to classic tissues like the skin of distal extremities, and that loss of innervation to adipose may trigger or exacerbate metabolic diseases. In addition, we have demonstrated stimulation of adipose tissue neural plasticity with cold exposure, which may ameliorate adipose neuropathy and be a potential therapeutic option to re-innervate adipose and restore metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Blaszkiewicz
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Jake W. Willows
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Amanda L. Dubois
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Stephen Waible
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Kristen DiBello
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Lila L. Lyons
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Cory P. Johnson
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Emma Paradie
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Banks
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough ME, United States of America
| | - Katherine Motyl
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough ME, United States of America
| | - Merilla Michael
- University of New England, Biddeford ME, United States of America
| | | | - Kristy L. Townsend
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono ME, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Zhu Q, Glazier BJ, Hinkel BC, Cao J, Liu L, Liang C, Shi H. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Metabolism Involving Different Types of Adipose Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2707. [PMID: 31159462 PMCID: PMC6600468 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous research efforts to identify regulatory factors that control energy metabolism, the prevalence of obesity has been continuously rising, with nearly 40% of US adults being obese. Interactions between secretory factors from adipose tissues and the nervous system innervating adipose tissues play key roles in maintaining energy metabolism and promoting survival in response to metabolic challenges. It is currently accepted that there are three types of adipose tissues, white (WAT), brown (BAT), and beige (BeAT), all of which play essential roles in maintaining energy homeostasis. WAT mainly stores energy under positive energy balance, while it releases fuels under negative energy balance. Thermogenic BAT and BeAT dissipate energy as heat under cold exposure to maintain body temperature. Adipose tissues require neural and endocrine communication with the brain. A number of WAT adipokines and BAT batokines interact with the neural circuits extending from the brain to cooperatively regulate whole-body lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. We review neuroanatomical, histological, genetic, and pharmacological studies in neuroendocrine regulation of adipose function, including lipid storage and mobilization of WAT, non-shivering thermogenesis of BAT, and browning of BeAT. Recent whole-tissue imaging and transcriptome analysis of differential gene expression in WAT and BAT yield promising findings to better understand the interaction between secretory factors and neural circuits, which represents a novel opportunity to tackle obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhu
- Program of Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Bradley J Glazier
- Program of Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Benjamin C Hinkel
- Program of Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Jingyi Cao
- Program of Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Lin Liu
- Program of Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Chun Liang
- Program of Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Haifei Shi
- Program of Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
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11
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Blaszkiewicz M, Willows JW, Johnson CP, Townsend KL. The Importance of Peripheral Nerves in Adipose Tissue for the Regulation of Energy Balance. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:E10. [PMID: 30759876 PMCID: PMC6466238 DOI: 10.3390/biology8010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Brown and white adipose tissues are essential for maintenance of proper energy balance and metabolic health. In order to function efficiently, these tissues require both endocrine and neural communication with the brain. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), as well as the inducible brown adipocytes that appear in white adipose tissue (WAT) after simulation, are thermogenic and energy expending. This uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-mediated process requires input from sympathetic nerves releasing norepinephrine. In addition to sympathetic noradrenergic signaling, adipose tissue contains sensory nerves that may be important for relaying fuel status to the brain. Chemical and surgical denervation studies of both WAT and BAT have clearly demonstrated the role of peripheral nerves in browning, thermogenesis, lipolysis, and adipogenesis. However, much is still unknown about which subtypes of nerves are present in BAT versus WAT, what nerve products are released from adipose nerves and how they act to mediate metabolic homeostasis, as well as which cell types in adipose are receiving synaptic input. Recent advances in whole-depot imaging and quantification of adipose nerve fibers, as well as other new research findings, have reinvigorated this field of research. This review summarizes the history of research into adipose innervation and brain⁻adipose communication, and also covers landmark and recent research on this topic to outline what we currently know and do not know about adipose tissue nerve supply and communication with the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Blaszkiewicz
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - Jake W Willows
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - Cory P Johnson
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - Kristy L Townsend
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
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