Porcine preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation: a role for leptin?

LEP inhibits intramuscular adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway in vitro

Leptin can indirectly regulate fatty-acid metabolism and synthesis in muscle in vivo and directly in incubated muscle ex vivo. In addition, non-synonymous mutations in the bovine leptin gene (LEP) are associated with carcass intramuscular fat (IMF) content. However, the effects of LEP on lipid synthesis of adipocytes have not been clearly studied at the cellular level. Therefore, this study focused on bovine primary intramuscular preadipocytes to investigate the effects of LEP on the proliferation and differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes, as well as its regulatory mechanism in lipid synthesis. The results showed that both the LEP and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) were highly expressed in IMF tissues, and their mRNA expression levels were positively correlated at different developmental stages of intramuscular preadipocytes. The overexpression of LEP inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes, while interference with LEP had the opposite effect. Additionally, LEP significantly promoted the phosphorylation level of AMPKα by promoting the protein expression of CAMKK2. Meanwhile, rescue experiments showed that the increasing effect of AMPK inhibitors on the number of intramuscular preadipocytes was significantly weakened by the overexpression of LEP. Furthermore, the overexpression of LEP could weaken the promoting effect of AMPK inhibitor on triglyceride content and droplet accumulation, and prevent the upregulation of adipogenic protein expression (SREBF1, FABP4, FASN, and ACCα) caused by AMPK inhibitor. Taken together, LEP acted on the AMPK signaling pathway by regulating the protein expression of CAMKK2, thereby downregulating the expression of proliferation-related and adipogenic-related genes and proteins, ultimately reducing intramuscular adipogenesis.

Interference with DGAT Gene Inhibited TAG Accumulation and Lipid Droplet Synthesis in Bovine Preadipocytes

Triacylglycerol (TGA) is the primary component of intramuscular fat. Expression of diacylglyceryl transferase (DGAT) determines the polyester differentiation ability of precursor adipocytes. The two DGAT isoforms (DGAT1 and DGAT2) play different roles in TAG metabolism. This study investigates the roles of DGAT1 and DGAT2 in signaling pathways related to differentiation and lipid metabolism in Yanbian bovine preadipocytes. sh-DGAT1 (sh-1), sh-DGAT2 (sh-2), and sh-DGAT1 + sh-DGAT2 (sh-1 + 2) were prepared using short interfering RNA (siRNA) interference technique targeting DGAT1 and DGAT2 genes and infected bovine preadipocytes. Molecular and transcriptomic techniques, including differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, were used to investigate the effects on the differentiation of Yanbian bovine preadipocytes. After interference with DGAT1 and DGAT2 genes, the contents of TAG and adiponectin were decreased. The TAG content in the sh-2 and sh-1 + 2 groups was significantly lower than that in the sh-NC group. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) results showed 2070, 2242, and 2446 DEGs in the sh-1, sh-2, and sh-1 + 2 groups, respectively. The DEGs of the sh-2 group were mainly concentrated in the PPAR, AMPK, and Wnt signaling pathways associated with adipocyte proliferation and differentiation. These results demonstrated that at the mRNA level, DGAT2 plays a more important role in lipid metabolism than DGAT1.

Overexpression of DGAT2 Regulates the Differentiation of Bovine Preadipocytes

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are a major component of intramuscular fat. Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2(DGAT2) expression determines the rate of TAG synthesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DGAT2 in the differentiation of Yanbian cattle preadipocytes and lipid metabolism-related signalling pathways. Bovine preadipocytes were infected with overexpression and interfering adenovirus vectors of DGAT2. The effects on the differentiation of Yanbian cattle preadipocytes were examined using molecular and transcriptomic techniques, including differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. DGAT2 overexpression significantly increased (p < 0.05) intracellular TAG, adiponectin, and lipid droplet (LD) contents. Moreover, it upregulated (p < 0.05) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α, and fatty acid binding protein 4 mRNA expression. In contrast, DGAT2 knockdown reduced intracellular TAG and LD content and downregulated (p < 0.05) C/EBPβ, mannosyl (alpha-1,3-)-glycoproteinbeta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, lipin 1,1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 4, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha mRNA expression. Between DGAT2-overexpressing preadipocytes and normal cells, 208 DEGs were identified, including 106 upregulated and 102 downregulated genes. KEGG pathway analysis revealed DEGs mainly enriched in PPAR signalling and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways, cholesterol metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. These results demonstrated that DGAT2 regulated preadipocyte differentiation and LD and TAG accumulation by mediating the expression of adipose differentiation-, lipid metabolism-, and fatty acid synthesis-related genes.

Leptin as a key regulator of the adipose organ

Leptin is a hormone primarily produced by the adipose tissue in proportion to the size of fat stores, with a primary function in the control of lipid reserves. Besides adipose tissue, leptin is also produced by other tissues, such as the stomach, placenta, and mammary gland. Altogether, leptin exerts a broad spectrum of short, medium, and long-term regulatory actions at the central and peripheral levels, including metabolic programming effects that condition the proper development and function of the adipose organ, which are relevant for its main role in energy homeostasis. Comprehending how leptin regulates adipose tissue may provide important clues to understand the pathophysiology of obesity and related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, as well as its prevention and treatment. This review focuses on the physiological and long-lasting regulatory effects of leptin on adipose tissue, the mechanisms and pathways involved, its main outcomes on whole-body physiological homeostasis, and its consequences on chronic diseases.

There and Back Again: Leptin Actions in White Adipose Tissue

Leptin is a hormone discovered almost 30 years ago with important implications in metabolism. It is primarily produced by white adipose tissue (WAT) in proportion to the amount of fat. The discovery of leptin was a turning point for two principle reasons: on one hand, it generated promising expectations for the treatment of the obesity, and on the other, it changed the classical concept that white adipose tissue was simply an inert storage organ. Thus, adipocytes in WAT produce the majority of leptin and, although its primary role is the regulation of fat stores by controlling lipolysis and lipogenesis, this hormone also has implications in other physiological processes within WAT, such as apoptosis, browning and inflammation. Although a massive number of questions related to leptin actions have been answered, the necessity for further clarification facilitates constantly renewing interest in this hormone and its pathways. In this review, leptin actions in white adipose tissue will be summarized in the context of obesity.

Metabolomics of heat stress response in pig adipose tissue reveals alteration of phospholipid and fatty acid composition during heat stress

To determine the effect of heat stress (HS) on adipose tissue metabolome, a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics profiling approaches was applied to characterize changes of metabolite classes in adipocytes differentiated in culture (in vitro) and mesenteric adipose tissue of pigs exposed to HS (in vivo). Effect of HS on the composition of individual fatty acids in cultured adipocytes, mesenteric adipose tissue, and serum of animals was also investigated using gas chromatography analysis. In vitro, preadipocytes were differentiated either under control (37 °C) or HS (41.5 °C) temperature for 9 d. For the animal experiment, pigs were kept either in control (Con) environment (20 °C) with ad libitum feed intake, HS (35 °C) temperature with ad libitum feed intake (HS), or at 20 °C with pair feeding to the HS pigs. In cultured cells, HS increased triglyceride and decreased monoacylglycerol (P < 0.05) species accumulation compared with control. Phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine were increased by HS, whereas phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol were decreased relative to control (P < 0.05). Heat-stressed adipocytes in culture also had higher concentrations of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) relative to control. Pathways of proline and biotin metabolism were elevated (P < 0.05) by HS in adipocytes. The metabolomics signatures in adipocytes cultured under HS indicates that pathways centered around diacylglycerol metabolism are impacted by HS. In adipose tissue from animals in the HS treatment, there was increased (P < 0.05) abundance of 4,8 dimethylnonanoyl carnitine (P < 0.05). Heat-stressed animals also had higher (P < 005) serum linoleic, total polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased total SFA than PF (P < 0.05). These results indicate that HS elevates lipogenic pathways while suppressing fatty acid oxidation and demonstrate the usefulness of metabolomics analysis as a tool for determining the impact of HS in pig tissues.

Expression of leptin receptor in the oviduct of Chinese brown frog (Rana dybowskii)

The oviduct of Chinese brown frog ( Rana dybowskii) expands specifically during prehibernation instead of in the breeding period. In this study, we investigated the expression of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) in Rana dybowskii oviduct during the breeding period and prehibernation. Histologically, the oviduct of Rana dybowskii consists of glandular cells, tubule lumen, and epithelial cells. The oviductal weight and pipe diameter also revealed significant differences, which were higher in prehibernation than that of the breeding period. Ob-Rb was observed in stromal cells of oviductal tissue in both the breeding period and prehibernation. The mean protein and mRNA levels of the Ob-Rb were significantly higher in prehibernation as compared with the breeding period. In addition, oviductal content of leptin was also higher in prehibernation than that of the breeding period. These results suggested that oviduct of Rana dybowskii might be a target organ of leptin, and leptin may play an autocrine/paracrine role mediated by Ob-Rb in regulating the oviductal hypertrophy during prehibernation.

Postnatal high-fat diet enhances ectopic fat deposition in pigs with intrauterine growth retardation

OBJECTIVES

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and postnatal nutrition are risk factors for adult metabolic syndrome. However, the influences of long-term high-fat diet (HFD) intake on ectopic fat deposition in non-adipose tissues in IUGR pigs remain unclear. The present study was to determine whether HFD consumption would enhance ectopic fat deposition in IUGR pigs.

METHODS

At day 28, IUGR and control pigs were fed ad libitum to either a regular diet or a HFD. Lipid store, enzymatic activities and mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related factors in liver and semitendinosus muscle (SM) were quantified at postnatal day 178.

RESULTS

Feeding a HFD to IUGR pigs but not to control pigs significantly increased daily weight gain, carcass fat mass, plasma leptin level and lipid content and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and mRNA abundances of LPL and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in liver and SM, but decreased daily feed intake and mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (LIPE) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) in liver and SM (P < 0.05). Compared with control pigs, IUGR pigs had a lower body weight but higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and insulin (P < 0.05). HFD-fed pigs exhibited greater body weight, plasma concentrations of triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), regardless of birth weight (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that IUGR increased the vulnerability of HFD-fed pigs to ectopic fat deposition via enhanced fatty acid flux toward ectopic sites and reduced lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation.

Immunoreactivities of PPARγ2, leptin and leptin receptor in oviduct of Chinese brown frog during breeding period and pre-hibernation

The Chinese brown frog (Rana dybowskii) is a special amphibian with one unique physiological phenomenon, which is that its oviduct expands prior to hibernation, instead of during the breeding period. In this study, we investigate the localization and expression level of PPARγ2, leptin and leptin receptor proteins in oviduct of Rana dybowskii during breeding period and pre-hibernation. There were significant variations in oviductal weight and size, with values much lower in the breeding period than in pre-hibernation. PPARγ2 was observed in stromal and epithelial cells in both periods. Leptin was immunolocalized in epithelial cells in both periods, whereas leptin receptor was detected only in stromal cells. Consistently, the protein levels of PPARγ2, leptin and leptin receptor were higher in pre-hibernation as compared to the breeding period. These results suggested that oviduct was the target organ of leptin, which may play an important paracrine role in regulating the oviductal hypertrophy during prehibernation.

Direct and indirect effects of leptin on adipocyte metabolism

Leptin is hypothesized to function as a negative feedback signal in the regulation of energy balance. It is produced primarily by adipose tissue and circulating concentrations correlate with the size of body fat stores. Administration of exogenous leptin to normal weight, leptin responsive animals inhibits food intake and reduces the size of body fat stores whereas mice that are deficient in either leptin or functional leptin receptors are hyperphagic and obese, consistent with a role for leptin in the control of body weight. This review discusses the effect of leptin on adipocyte metabolism. Because adipocytes express leptin receptors there is the potential for leptin to influence adipocyte metabolism directly. Adipocytes also are insulin responsive and receive sympathetic innervation, therefore leptin can also modify adipocyte metabolism indirectly. Studies published to date suggest that direct activation of adipocyte leptin receptors has little effect on cell metabolism in vivo, but that leptin modifies adipocyte sensitivity to insulin to inhibit lipid accumulation. In vivo administration of leptin leads to a suppression of lipogenesis, an increase in triglyceride hydrolysis and an increase in fatty acid and glucose oxidation. Activation of central leptin receptors also contributes to the development of a catabolic state in adipocytes, but this may vary between different fat depots. Leptin reduces the size of white fat depots by inhibiting cell proliferation both through induction of inhibitory circulating factors and by contributing to sympathetic tone which suppresses adipocyte proliferation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Modulation of Adipose Tissue in Health and Disease.

Inhibitory effect of leptin on rosiglitazone-induced differentiation of primary adipocytes prepared from TallyHO/Jng mice

The effects of leptin on rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation were investigated in the primary adipocytes prepared from subcutaneous fat of TallyHO/Jng (TallyHO) mouse, a recently developed model animal for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The treatment of leptin inhibited the rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation with a decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) a key adipogenic transcription factor, both in mRNA and protein levels. Leptin (10 nM) was sufficient to inhibit the adipocyte differentiation, which seemed to come from increased expression of leptin receptor genes in the fat of TallyHO mice. The inhibition of adipogenesis by leptin was restored by the treatment of inhibitors for extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) (fludarabine). Furthermore, in vivo intraperitoneal administration of PD98059 and fludarabine increased the PPARγ expression in the subcutaneous fat of TallyHO mice. These data suggest that leptin could inhibit the PPARγ expression and adipocyte differentiation in its physiological concentration in TallyHO mice.

Cell line models for differentiation: preadipocytes and adipocytes

In vitro models have been invaluable in determining the mechanisms involved in adipocyte proliferation, differentiation, adipokine secretion and gene/protein expression. The cells presently available for research purposes all have unique advantages and disadvantages that one should be aware of when selecting cells. Established cell lines, such as 3T3-L1 cells, are easier and less costly to use than freshly isolated cells, even though freshly isolated cells allow for various comparisons such as the in vitro evaluation of different in vivo conditions that may not be possible using cell lines. Moreover, stem cells, transdifferentiated cells or dedifferentiated cells are relatively new cell models being evaluated for the study of adipocyte regulation and physiology. The focus of this brief review is to highlight similarities and differences in adipocyte models to aid in appropriate model selection and data interpretation for successful advancement of our understanding of adipocyte biology.

Global comparison of gene expression profiles between intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes of neonatal landrace pig using microarray

The objective of this study was to compare the differences of gene expression profiles between intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes originated from the isolated preadipocytes in vitro. Cytosolic triglyceride determination indicated that subcutaneous adipocytes accumulated more lipid than intramuscular adipocytes did at the late stage of differentiation. Microarray assay revealed that 172 probes representing 133 genes were differentially expressed, among which 46 genes were highly expressed in intramuscular adipocytes and the other 87 genes were highly expressed in subcutaneous adipocytes. Real-time PCR confirmed that genes related to lipid metabolism, such as LPL, FABP4, FABP5 and OSBPL10, were predominantly expressed in subcutaneous adipocytes, whereas BMP4 and BMP7 were highly expressed in intramuscular adipocytes. The results indicated that the accumulation of lipid mass in subcutaneous adipocytes might be due to the highly expressed genes related to lipid metabolism, and the high levels of BMP4 and BMP7 in intramuscular adipocytes suggested that BMPs might be involved in the differentiation of intramuscular adipocytes.

Expression changes of angiotensin II pathways and bioactive mediators during human preadipocytes-visceral differentiation

Obesity is a worldwide serious health problem; and it may result in a wide range of complications, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. As a consequence, molecular identification on the differentiation of preadipocytes and the generation of bioactive mediators is crucial in understanding the formation and development of obesity and obesity-associated health problems. In addition, exhaustive exhibition and purposeful control of adipocytes formation also play critical roles in the plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures. The primary purpose of this study was to exhibit the expression changes of angiotensin II (Ang II) pathways and 2 vital adipokines, leptin and resistin, during human preadipocytes-visceral differentiation by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The present result indicated that the generation of Ang II during preadipocytes differentiation was achieved through both renin-angiotensin system pathway and non-renin-angiotensin system pathways, and the latter may be more important in this process. Gene expression of Ang II receptor type 1 and 2 increased in the initial phase of differentiation and then quickly decreased after 9 days. Moreover, the expression of both leptin and resistin increased significantly during preadipocyte-adipocyte conversion. The present work provided a fundamental understanding of human visceral preadipocytes differentiation molecularly. It may promote the understanding of obesity and obesity-associated diseases to some extent. However, there is still a long way to go to treat obesity and its complications effectively; and more efforts should be devoted urgently.

Leptin inhibits rosiglitazone-induced adipogenesis in murine primary adipocytes

Leptin mainly acts on the hypothalamus in the brain, in which it regulates food intake and energy expenditure. However, the direct effects of leptin on adipocytes have been controversial in the cellular level. In this study, the effects of leptin on rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation were investigated in the primary preadipocytes prepared from subcutaneous fat tissues of C57BL/6-Lep(ob/ob) mouse. We found that acute and prolonged treatment of leptin on preadipocytes inhibited the rosiglitazone-induced transcription factor expression and adipocyte differentiation, respectively, accompanied with decreased expression of PPARgamma and aP2. Either PD98059, an ERK inhibitor or fludarabine, a STAT1 inhibitor restored leptin-inhibited PPARgamma expression and subsequent lipid accumulation, but inhibitors for PI-3K (LY294002) and for STAT3 (piceatannol) did not. Furthermore, leptin decreased PPARgamma expression also in fully differentiated adipocytes, which was reversed by either PD98059 or fludarabine. Taken together, these data suggest that leptin has a direct inhibitory effect on the rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation and PPARgamma expression, in which ERK1/2 MAP kinase and JAK/STAT1 signaling pathways are involved.

Effects of leptin on lipid metabolism and gene expression of differentiation-associated growth factors and transcription factors during differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

The present study was designed to determine the effects of leptin on lipid metabolism and gene expression during differentiation and maturation of the 3T3-L1 murine preadipocyte. The preadipocytes were induced to differentiate in a growth medium containing 10% calf serum and a hormonal cocktail for 2 days. The cells were next allowed to maturate for 14 days in the growth medium supplemented with 10 microg/ml insulin or 500 ng/ml insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in the absence or presence of supplemented leptin. Leptin, at a dose of 5 to 500 ng/ml, had no effect on proliferation of undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells. However, leptin suppressed the insulin- or IGF-I-stimulated lipid accumulation and enhanced the release of glycerol, a measure of lipolysis, in a dose-dependent manner during and after the maturation of the cell. Moreover, leptin at a dose of 50 ng/ml inhibited IGF-I gene expression during the entire differentiation and maturation and also peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma expression during late maturation as monitored by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. However, leptin exerted no effect on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta, CCAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha and PPAR-delta. Taken together, results suggest the anti-lipogenic and lipolytic effects of leptin in differentiating and mature adipocytes may have been partly mediated by suppressing the expression of PPAR-gamma and IGF-I genes.

Adipocytes and adipose tissue

An epidemic of obesity is taking place in most societies around the world. Overall obesity substantially increases the risk of subsequent morbidity. In children and adolescents the degree of body fat mass depends upon ethnic background, gender, developmental stage and age. Obesity is characterized by increases in the number or size of fat cells, or a combination of both. It is generally believed that the number of fat cells depends on age of onset and degree of obesity. This chapter provides information on intrauterine growth of fetal adipose tissue, the earliest period of onset of proliferation, and some of the factors that interact to enhance or suppress development. Fetal adipose tissue development is regulated by the complex interaction of transcription factors, nutrients and adipocytokines. Maternal, endocrine, and paracrine factors also influence specific changes in angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and metabolism. During embryogenesis and in fetal life, leptin and adiponectin, two important adipocytokines, are present at high concentrations in the circulation and in tissues. Developmental stages and metabolic processes influenced by specific hormones and paracrine factors have been identified through examination of the offspring of obese and diabetic pregnancies, hormonal manipulation during late pregnancy in animal models, and the use of cell cultures. Collectively, the results of the studies cited herein delineate the basis for imprinting or conditioning of fetal pre-adipocytes at the paracrine/autocrine level, and of fetal adipose tissue development and metabolism.

Direct and indirect effects of leptin on preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation

Leptin has been shown to reduce body fat in vivo. Adipocytes express the leptin receptor; therefore, it is realistic to expect a direct effect of leptin on adipocyte growth and metabolism. In vitro studies examining the effect of leptin on adipocyte metabolism require supraphysiological doses of the protein to see a decrease in lipogenesis or stimulation of lipolysis, implying an indirect action of leptin. It also is possible that leptin reduces adipose mass by inhibiting preadipocyte proliferation (increase in cell number) and/or differentiation (lipid filling). Thus we determined direct and indirect effects of leptin on preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation in vitro. We tested the effect of leptin (0-500 ng/ml), serum from leptin-infused rats (0.25% by volume), and adipose tissue-conditioned medium from leptin-infused rats (0-30% by volume) on preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation in a primary culture of cells from male Sprague-Dawley rat adipose tissue. Leptin (50 ng/ml) stimulated proliferation of preadipocytes (P<0.05), but 250 and 500 ng leptin/ml inhibited proliferation of both preadipocyte and stromal vascular cell fractions (P<0.01), as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Serum from leptin-infused rats inhibited proliferation of the adipose and stromal vascular fractions (P=0.01), but adipose tissue-conditioned medium had no effect on proliferation of either cell fraction. None of the treatments changed preadipocyte differentiation as measured by sn-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity. These results suggest that leptin could inhibit preadipocyte proliferation by modifying release of a factor from tissue other than adipose tissue.