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Ely EV, Kapinski AT, Paradi SG, Tang R, Guilak F, Collins KH. Designer Fat Cells: Adipogenic Differentiation of CRISPR-Cas9 Genome-Engineered Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.564206. [PMID: 37961399 PMCID: PMC10634849 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that can signal bidirectionally to many tissues and organ systems in the body. With obesity, adipose tissue is a source of low-level inflammation that contributes to various co-morbidities and damage to downstream effector tissues. The ability to synthesize genetically engineered adipose tissue could have critical applications in studying adipokine signaling and the use of adipose tissue for novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to develop a method for non-viral adipogenic differentiation of genome-edited murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and to test the ability of such cells to engraft in mice in vivo . Designer adipocytes were created from iPSCs, which can be readily genetically engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out or insert individual genes of interest. As a model system for adipocyte-based drug delivery, an existing iPSC cell line that transcribes interleukin 1 receptor antagonist under the endogenous macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 promoter was tested for adipogenic capabilities under these same differentiation conditions. To understand the role of various adipocyte subtypes and their impact on health and disease, an efficient method was devised for inducing browning and whitening of IPSC-derived adipocytes in culture. Finally, to study the downstream effects of designer adipocytes in vivo , we transplanted the designer adipocytes into fat-free lipodystrophic mice as a model system for studying adipose signaling in different models of disease or repair. This novel translational tissue engineering and regenerative medicine platform provides an innovative approach to studying the role of adipose interorgan communication in various conditions.
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Cuciureanu M, Caratașu CC, Gabrielian L, Frăsinariu OE, Checheriță LE, Trandafir LM, Stanciu GD, Szilagyi A, Pogonea I, Bordeianu G, Soroceanu RP, Andrițoiu CV, Anghel MM, Munteanu D, Cernescu IT, Tamba BI. 360-Degree Perspectives on Obesity. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1119. [PMID: 37374323 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59061119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Alarming statistics show that the number of people affected by excessive weight has surpassed 2 billion, representing approximately 30% of the world's population. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of one of the most serious public health problems, considering that obesity requires an integrative approach that takes into account its complex etiology, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Only an understanding of the connections between the many contributors to obesity and the synergy between treatment interventions can ensure satisfactory outcomes in reducing obesity. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated complications. Compounding factors such as the deleterious effects of stress, the novel challenge posed by the obesogenic digital (food) environment, and the stigma associated with obesity should not be overlooked. Preclinical research in animal models has been instrumental in elucidating these mechanisms, and translation into clinical practice has provided promising therapeutic options, including epigenetic approaches, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. However, more studies are necessary to discover new compounds that target key metabolic pathways, innovative ways to deliver the drugs, the optimal combinations of lifestyle interventions with allopathic treatments, and, last but not least, emerging biological markers for effective monitoring. With each passing day, the obesity crisis tightens its grip, threatening not only individual lives but also burdening healthcare systems and societies at large. It is high time we took action as we confront the urgent imperative to address this escalating global health challenge head-on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cuciureanu
- Department of Pharmacology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cătălin-Cezar Caratașu
- Department of Pharmacology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Levon Gabrielian
- Department of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Otilia Elena Frăsinariu
- Department of Mother and Child, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Elisabeta Checheriță
- 2nd Dental Medicine Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Mihaela Trandafir
- Department of Mother and Child, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gabriela Dumitrița Stanciu
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Andrei Szilagyi
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ina Pogonea
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, "Nicolae Testemiţanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Gabriela Bordeianu
- Department of Biochemistry, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Radu Petru Soroceanu
- Department of Surgery, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Călin Vasile Andrițoiu
- Specialization of Nutrition and Dietetics, "Vasile Goldis" Western University of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Maria Mihalache Anghel
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, "Nicolae Testemiţanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Diana Munteanu
- Institute of Mother and Child, "Nicolae Testemiţanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2062 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Irina Teodora Cernescu
- Department of Pharmacology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Department of Pharmacology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Chua D, Low ZS, Cheam GX, Ng AS, Tan NS. Utility of Human Relevant Preclinical Animal Models in Navigating NAFLD to MAFLD Paradigm. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314762. [PMID: 36499091 PMCID: PMC9737809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is an emerging contributor to disease burden worldwide. The past decades of work established the heterogeneous nature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) etiology and systemic contributions to the pathogenesis of the disease. This called for the proposal of a redefinition in 2020 to that of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the current understanding of the disease. To date, several clinical cohort studies comparing NAFLD and MAFLD hint at the relevancy of the new nomenclature in enriching for patients with more severe hepatic injury and extrahepatic comorbidities. However, the underlying systemic pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Preclinical animal models have been imperative in elucidating key biological mechanisms in various contexts, including intrahepatic disease progression, interorgan crosstalk and systemic dysregulation. Furthermore, they are integral in developing novel therapeutics against MAFLD. However, substantial contextual variabilities exist across different models due to the lack of standardization in several aspects. As such, it is crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing models to better align them to the human condition. In this review, we consolidate the implications arising from the change in nomenclature and summarize MAFLD pathogenesis. Subsequently, we provide an updated evaluation of existing MAFLD preclinical models in alignment with the new definitions and perspectives to improve their translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Chua
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
| | - Zun Siong Low
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Guo Xiang Cheam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Aik Seng Ng
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Nguan Soon Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
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Collins KH, Gui C, Ely EV, Lenz KL, Harris CA, Guilak F, Meyer GA. Leptin mediates the regulation of muscle mass and strength by adipose tissue. J Physiol 2022; 600:3795-3817. [PMID: 35844058 PMCID: PMC9378542 DOI: 10.1113/jp283034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue secretes numerous cytokines (termed 'adipokines') that have known or hypothesized actions on skeletal muscle. The majority of adipokines have been implicated in the pathological link between excess adipose and muscle insulin resistance, but approximately half also have documented in vitro effects on myogenesis and/or hypertrophy. This complexity suggests a potential dual role for adipokines in the regulation of muscle mass in homeostasis and the development of pathology. In this study, we used lipodystrophic 'fat-free' mice to demonstrate that adipose tissue is indeed necessary for the development of normal muscle mass and strength. Fat-free mice had significantly reduced mass (∼15%) and peak contractile tension (∼20%) of fast-twitch muscles, a slowing of contractile dynamics and decreased cross-sectional area of fast twitch fibres compared to wild-type littermates. These deficits in mass and contractile tension were fully rescued by reconstitution of ∼10% of normal adipose mass, indicating that this phenotype is the direct consequence of absent adipose. We then showed that the rescue is solely mediated by the adipokine leptin, as similar reconstitution of adipose from leptin-knockout mice fails to rescue mass or strength. Together, these data indicate that the development of muscle mass and strength in wild-type mice is dependent on adipose-secreted leptin. This finding extends our current understanding of the multiple roles of adipokines in physiology as well as disease pathophysiology to include a critical role for the adipokine leptin in muscle homeostasis. KEY POINTS: Adipose-derived cytokines (adipokines) have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity but likely have other under-appreciated roles in muscle physiology. Here we use a fat-free mouse to show that adipose tissue is necessary for the normal development of muscle mass and strength. Through add-back of genetically modified adipose tissue we show that leptin is the key adipokine mediating this regulation. This expands our understanding of leptin's role in adipose-muscle signalling to include development and homeostasis and adds the surprising finding that leptin is the sole mediator of the maintenance of muscle mass and strength by adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey H. Collins
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenSt LouisMOUSA,Center of Regenerative MedicineWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA
| | - Chang Gui
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Program in Physical TherapyWashington UniversitySt LouisMOUSA
| | - Erica V. Ely
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenSt LouisMOUSA,Center of Regenerative MedicineWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA
| | - Kristin L. Lenz
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenSt LouisMOUSA,Center of Regenerative MedicineWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA
| | - Charles A. Harris
- Division of EndocrinologyMetabolism & Lipid ResearchWashington UniversitySt LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Farshid Guilak
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenSt LouisMOUSA,Center of Regenerative MedicineWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA
| | - Gretchen A. Meyer
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Center of Regenerative MedicineWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisMOUSA,Program in Physical TherapyWashington UniversitySt LouisMOUSA,Department of NeurologyWashington University in St. LouisSt LouisMOUSA
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5
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Collins KH, Lenz KL, Pollitt EN, Ferguson D, Hutson I, Springer LE, Oestreich AK, Tang R, Choi YR, Meyer GA, Teitelbaum SL, Pham CTN, Harris CA, Guilak F. Adipose tissue is a critical regulator of osteoarthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2021096118. [PMID: 33443201 PMCID: PMC7817130 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021096118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), the leading cause of pain and disability worldwide, disproportionally affects individuals with obesity. The mechanisms by which obesity leads to the onset and progression of OA are unclear due to the complex interactions among the metabolic, biomechanical, and inflammatory factors that accompany increased adiposity. We used a murine preclinical model of lipodystrophy (LD) to examine the direct contribution of adipose tissue to OA. Knee joints of LD mice were protected from spontaneous or posttraumatic OA, on either a chow or high-fat diet, despite similar body weight and the presence of systemic inflammation. These findings indicate that adipose tissue itself plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of OA. Susceptibility to posttraumatic OA was reintroduced into LD mice using implantation of a small adipose tissue depot derived from wild-type animals or mouse embryonic fibroblasts that undergo spontaneous adipogenesis, implicating paracrine signaling from fat, rather than body weight, as a mediator of joint degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey H Collins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Kristin L Lenz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Eleanor N Pollitt
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Daniel Ferguson
- Division of Endocrinology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Irina Hutson
- Division of Endocrinology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Luke E Springer
- Division of Rheumatology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Arin K Oestreich
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Ruhang Tang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Yun-Rak Choi
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
| | - Gretchen A Meyer
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Steven L Teitelbaum
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | | | - Charles A Harris
- Division of Endocrinology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Farshid Guilak
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110;
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
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Vohra MS, Ahmad B, Serpell CJ, Parhar IS, Wong EH. Murine in vitro cellular models to better understand adipogenesis and its potential applications. Differentiation 2020; 115:62-84. [PMID: 32891960 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adipogenesis has been extensively studied using in vitro models of cellular differentiation, enabling long-term regulation of fat cell metabolism in human adipose tissue (AT) material. Many studies promote the idea that manipulation of this process could potentially reduce the prevalence of obesity and its related diseases. It has now become essential to understand the molecular basis of fat cell development to tackle this pandemic disease, by identifying therapeutic targets and new biomarkers. This review explores murine cell models and their applications for study of the adipogenic differentiation process in vitro. We focus on the benefits and limitations of different cell line models to aid in interpreting data and selecting a good cell line model for successful understanding of adipose biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sufyan Vohra
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Bilal Ahmad
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Christopher J Serpell
- School of Physical Sciences, Ingram Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, United Kingdom.
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffery Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, PJ 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Eng Hwa Wong
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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Brenot A, Hutson I, Harris C. Epithelial-adipocyte interactions are required for mammary gland development, but not for milk production or fertility. Dev Biol 2020; 458:153-163. [PMID: 31697938 PMCID: PMC6995771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of adipose tissue in reproductive function and mammary gland development and function, we have examined lipodystrophic (LD) mice. LD mice of both sexes are sterile, but fertility can be restored with leptin injections. Mammary glands from lipodystrophic mice were rudimentary and lacked terminal end buds. Leptin-injected LD mice were able to become pregnant, showed normal pregnancy-associated glandular proliferation despite a smaller glandular area, were able to produce a small amount of milk that had grossly normal content of milk proteins and neutral lipids, but could not sustain pups to weaning. In order to separate the individual requirements for 1) adipokines such as leptin, 2) estradiol, and 3) physical epithelial-adipocyte interactions, we performed a series of experiments with both lipodystrophic mice and ob (obese mice with a mutation in the lep gene encoding the adipokine leptin) mice that received either estradiol treatment or preadipocyte transplant. The resulting fat pad did not rescue the defect in mammary gland development in lipodystrophic mice. The defect also could not be rescued with estradiol pellets. Ob/ob mice, like LD mice, lack leptin and estradiol, but retain adipose tissue. Ob mice have defective mammary gland development. However, in striking contrast to what was observed in lipodystrophic mice, reconstitution of a WT fat pad in ob mice rescued the defect in mammary gland development. Estradiol treatment did not rescue mammary gland development in ob mice. Therefore direct interaction between mammary gland epithelia and adipocytes is a requirement for full invasion and expansion of the gland, but is not required for glandular proliferation during pregnancy and milk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Brenot
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology and Oncology, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States
| | - Irina Hutson
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States
| | - Charles Harris
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States; Medicine Service, Division of Endocrinology, St. Louis VA Medical Center, 915 N Grand Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63106, United States.
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Ferguson D, Hutson I, Tycksen E, Pietka TA, Bauerle K, Harris CA. Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Adipogenesis and Obesity in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqz010. [PMID: 32036385 PMCID: PMC7007880 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Increased visceral adiposity and hyperglycemia, 2 characteristics of metabolic syndrome, are also present in conditions of excess glucocorticoids (GCs). GCs are hormones thought to act primarily via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). GCs are commonly prescribed for inflammatory disorders, yet their use is limited due to many adverse metabolic side effects. In addition to GR, GCs also bind the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), but there are many conflicting studies about the exact role of MR in metabolic disease. Using MR knockout mice (MRKO), we find that both white and brown adipose depots form normally when compared with wild-type mice at P5. We created mice with adipocyte-specific deletion of MR (FMRKO) to better understand the role of MR in metabolic dysfunction. Treatment of mice with excess GCs for 4 weeks, via corticosterone in drinking water, induced increased fat mass and glucose intolerance to similar levels in FMRKO and floxed control mice. Separately, when fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks, FMRKO mice had reduced body weight, fat mass, and hepatic steatosis, relative to floxed control mice. Decreased adiposity likely resulted from increased energy expenditure since food intake was not different. RNA sequencing analysis revealed decreased enrichment of genes associated with adipogenesis in inguinal white adipose of FMRKO mice. Differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) showed modestly impaired adipogenesis in MRKO MEFs compared with wild type, but this was rescued upon the addition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist or PPARγ overexpression. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence supporting the potential value of MR as a therapeutic target for conditions associated with metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ferguson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Irina Hutson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Eric Tycksen
- Genome Technology Access Center, McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Terri A Pietka
- Nutrition and Geriatrics Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kevin Bauerle
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Charles A Harris
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs St Louis Healthcare System, John Cochran Division, St. Louis, Missouri
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Wang J, Ge J, Cao H, Zhang X, Guo Y, Li X, Xia B, Yang G, Shi X. Leptin Promotes White Adipocyte Browning by Inhibiting the Hh Signaling Pathway. Cells 2019; 8:cells8040372. [PMID: 31022919 PMCID: PMC6523697 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptin is an important secretory protein that regulates the body’s intake and energy consumption, and the functions of the Hh signaling pathway related to white adipocyte browning are controversial. It has been reported that leptin plays a critical role in adipogenesis by regulating the Hh signaling pathway, but whether there is a functional relationship between leptin, the Hh signaling pathway, and adipocyte browning is not clear. In this research, mouse white pre-adipocytes were isolated to explore the influence of the Hh signal pathway and leptin during the process described above. This showed that leptin decreased high fat diet-induced obese mice body weight and inhibited the Hh signaling pathway, which suggested that leptin and the Hh signaling pathway have an important role in obesity. After activation of the Hh signaling pathway, significantly decreased browning fat-relative gene expression levels were recorded, whereas inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway significantly up-regulated the expression of these genes. Similarly, leptin also up-regulated the expression of these genes, and increased mitochondrial DNA content, but decreased the expression of Gli, the key transcription factors of the Hh signaling pathway. In short, the results show that leptin promotes white adipocyte browning through inhibiting the Hh signaling pathway. Overall, these results demonstrate that leptin serves as a potential intervention to decrease obesity by inhibiting the Hh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jing Ge
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Haigang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Bo Xia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Gongshe Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xin'e Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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