Lipid-Independent Regulation of PLIN5 via IL-6 through the JAK/STAT3 Axis in Hep3B Cells

Molecular mechanisms of lipid droplets-mitochondria coupling in obesity and metabolic syndrome: insights and pharmacological implications

Abnormal lipid accumulation is a fundamental contributor to obesity and metabolic disorders. Lipid droplets (LDs) and mitochondria (MT) serve as organelle chaperones in lipid metabolism and energy balance. LDs play a crucial role in lipid storage and mobilization, working in conjunction with MT to regulate lipid metabolism within the liver, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, thereby maintaining metabolic homeostasis. The novelty of our review is the comprehensive description of LD and MT interaction mechanisms. We also focus on the current drugs that target this metabolism, which provide novel approaches for obesity and related metabolism disorder treatment.

The influence of perilipin 5 deficiency on gut microbiome profiles in murine metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and MAFLD-hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has emerged as the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Over the years, Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) has been recognized as a key regulator of both MAFLD and HCC development. In our previous studies we demonstrated that deficiency in Plin5 reduces the severity of MAFLD and HCC in mice. Interestingly, it has been established that patients with MAFLD and HCC exhibit various changes in their gut microbiome profiles. The gut microbiome itself has been shown to play a role in modulating carcinogenesis and the immune response against cancer.

Methods

Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the alterations in fecal microbiome composition in wild type (WT) and Plin5-deficient (Plin5 -/-) mice models of MAFLD and MAFLD-induced HCC (MAFLD-HCC). We utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis to profile the composition of gut bacteria in fecal samples.

Results

Notably, we discovered that the absence of Plin5 alone is already associated with changes in gut microbiota composition. Moreover, feeding the mice a Western diet (WD) resulted in additional microbial alterations. Interestingly, Plin5 -/- animals exhibited an enrichment of the beneficial taxa Lactobacillus in both animal models.

Discussion

Our findings identify Plin5 as a major regulator of gut microbiota during the development of MAFLD and MAFLD-HCC.

Plantaginis Semen Ameliorates Hyperuricemia Induced by Potassium Oxonate

Plantaginis semen is the dried ripe seed of Plantago asiatica L. or Plantago depressa Willd., which has a long history in alleviating hyperuricemia (HUA) and chronic kidney diseases. While the major chemical ingredients and mechanism remained to be illustrated. Therefore, this work aimed to elucidate the chemicals and working mechanisms of PS for HUA. UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS was applied to identify the main components of PS in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted to explore the gene expression profile, and the genes involved were further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). A total of 39 components were identified from PS, and 13 of them were detected in the rat serum after treating the rat with PS. The kidney tissue injury and serum uric acid (UA), xanthine oxidase (XOD), and cytokine levels were reversed by PS. Meanwhile, renal urate anion transporter 1 (Urat1) and glucose transporter 9 (Glut9) levels were reversed with PS treatment. RNA-seq analysis showed that the PPAR signaling pathway; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism signaling pathway; and fatty acid metabolism signaling pathway were significantly modified by PS treatment. Further, the gene expression of Slc7a8, Pck1, Mgll, and Bhmt were significantly elevated, and Fkbp5 was downregulated, consistent with RNA-seq results. The PPAR signaling pathway involved Pparα, Pparγ, Lpl, Plin5, Atgl, and Hsl were elevated by PS treatment. URAT1 and PPARα proteins levels were confirmed by Western blotting. In conclusion, this study elucidates the chemical profile and working mechanisms of PS for prevention and therapy of HUA and provides a promising traditional Chinese medicine agency for HUA prophylaxis.

Perilipin 5 deletion protects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses

The molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are incompletely understood. During the development of NAFLD, Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) can regulate lipid metabolism by suppressing lipolysis and preventing lipotoxicity. Other reports suggest that the lack of PLIN5 decreases hepatic injury, indicating a protective role in NAFLD pathology. To better understand the role of PLIN5 in liver disease, we established mouse models of NAFLD and NAFLD-induced HCC, in which wild-type and Plin5 null mice were exposed to a single dose of acetone or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in acetone, followed by a 30-week high-fat diet supplemented with glucose/fructose. In the NAFLD model, RNA-seq revealed significant changes in genes related to lipid metabolism and immune response. At the intermediate level, pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and protein kinase B (AKT) were blunted in Plin5-deficient mice (Plin5-/-) compared to wild-type mice (WT). In the NAFLD-HCC model, only WT mice developed liver tumors, while Plin5-/- mice were resistant to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, only 32 differentially expressed genes associated with NALFD progession were identified in Plin5 null mice. The markers of mitochondrial function and immune response, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and phosphorylated STAT3, were decreased. Lipidomic analysis revealed differential levels of some sphingomyelins between WT and Plin5-/- mice. Interestingly, these changes were not detected in the HCC model, indicating a possible shift in the metabolism of sphingomelins during carcinogenesis.