Adipogenetic effects of retrofractamide A derivatives in 3T3-L1 cells

In a previous study, retrofractamide A from the fruit of Piper chaba was shown to promote adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. In the present study, retrofractamide A and its derivatives were synthesized, and their adipogenetic effects in 3T3-L1 cells were examined. Among the tested compounds, an amide composed of 9-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-nona-2E,4E,8E-trienoic acid and an n-butyl or n-pentyl amine showed strongest activity. Moreover, the amide with the n-pentyl amine moiety significantly increased the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose into the cells, and also increased the mRNA levels of adiponectin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α and β in a similar manner as the PPARγ agonist troglitazone, although it had less agonistic activity against PPARγ.     

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYSA) inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a main component of safflor yellow, has been demonstrated to prevent steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head by inhibiting primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells adipogenic differentiation induced by steroid. In this study, we investigate the effect of HSYA on the proliferation and adipogenesis of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The effects of HSYA on proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and its possible mechanism were studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide spectrophotometry, Oil Red O staining, intracellular triglyceride assays, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, transient transfection and dual luciferase reporter gene methods. HSYA inhibited the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and cell viability greatly decreased in a dose and time dependent manner. HSYA (1 mg/l) notably reduced the amount of intracellular lipid and triglyceride content in adipocytes by 21.3 % (2.13 ± 0.36 vs 2.71 ± 0.40, P < 0.01) and 22.6 % (1.33 ± 0.07 vs 1.72 ± 0.07, P < 0.01) on days 8 following the differentiation, respectively. HSYA (1 mg/l) significantly increased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) mRNA expression and promoter activities by 2.4- and 1.55-fold, respectively (P < 0.01), in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. HSYA inhibits the proliferation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The inhibitory action of HYSA on adipogenesis may be due to the promotion of lipolytic-specific enzyme HSL expression by increasing HSL promoter activity.     

Impact of stress hormone on adipogenesis in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Stress hormone is known to play a vital role in lipolysis and adipogenesis in fat cells. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of epinephrine on adipogenesis in the 3T3-L1 cells. The investigation on adipogenesis was done in both mono and co-cultured 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and C2C12 cells were grown independently on transwell plates and transferred to differentiation medium. Following differentiation, C2C12 cells transferred to 3T3-L1 plate and treated with medium containing 10 μg/ml of epinephrine. Adipogenic markers such as fatty acid binding protein 4, peroxisome proliferator activating receptor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein, adiponectin, lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid synthase mRNA expressions were evaluated in the 3T3-L1 cells. Epinephrine treatment reduced adipogenesis, evidenced by reducing adipogenic marker mRNA expression in the 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, glycerol accumulation and oil red-O staining supported the reduced rate of adipogenesis. Taking all together, it is concluded that the stress hormone, epinephrine reduces the rate of adipogenesis in the mono and co-cultured 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, the rate of adipogenesis is much reduced in the co-cultured 3T3-L1 cells compared monocultured 3T3-L1 cells.     

A high-capacity assay for PPARgamma ligand regulation of endogenous aP2 expression in 3T3-L1 cells

A novel class of insulin-sensitizing agents, the thiazolidinedines (TZDs), has proven effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These compounds, as well as a subclass of non-TZD insulin-sensitizing agents, have been shown to be peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonists. PPARgamma plays a critical role in adipogenesis and PPARgamma agonists have been shown to induce adipocyte differentiation. Here, PPARgamma ligand activity has been assessed in murine 3T3-L1 cells, a commonly used in vitro model of adipogenesis, by measuring their ability to induce adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) mRNA expression. In order to perform this task, we have developed a novel, multiwell assay for the direct detection of aP2 mRNA in cell lysates that is based on hybridization of mRNA to target-specific oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotide probes are conjugated to enzymes that efficiently process unique chemical substrates into robust fluorescent products. Ribosomal protein 36B4 mRNA, a gene whose expression is unaffected by adipogenesis, serves as the control in the assay. Two assay formats have been developed, a single analyte assay in which aP2 and 36B4 mRNA expression are assayed in separate lysate aliquots and a dual analyte assay which can measure aP2 and 36B4 mRNA simultaneously. Both forms of the assay have been used to quantify attomole levels of aP2 and 36B4 mRNAs in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with PPARgamma agonists. The potencies of PPARgamma agonists determined by this novel methodology showed good correlation with those derived from aP2 mRNA slot-blot analysis and PPARgamma transactivation assays. We conclude that the aP2 single and dual analyte assays both provide specific and sensitive measurements of endogenous aP2 mRNA levels that can be used to assess the activity of PPARgamma ligands in 3T3-L1 cells. Since the assay obviates the need for RNA isolation and is performed in an automatable multiwell format, it can serve as a high-throughput, cell-based screen for the identification and characterization of PPARgamma modulators.     

Differential expression and functional analysis of the tristetraprolin family during early differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

The tristetraprolin (TTP) family comprises zinc finger-containing AU-rich element (ARE)-binding proteins consisting of three major members: TTP, ZFP36L1, and ZFP36L2. The present study generated specific antibodies against each TTP member to evaluate its expression during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In contrast to the inducible expression of TTP, results indicated constitutive expression of ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and their phosphorylation in response to differentiation signals. Physical RNA pull-down and functional luciferase assays revealed that ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 bound to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mRNA and downregulated Mkp-1 3'UTR-mediated luciferase activity. Mkp-1 is an immediate early gene for which the mRNA is transiently expressed in response to differentiation signals. The half-life of Mkp-1 mRNA was longer at 30 min of induction than at 1 h and 2 h of induction. Knockdown of TTP or ZFP36L2 increased the Mkp-1 mRNA half-life at 1 h of induction. Knockdown of ZFP36L1, but not ZFP36L2, increased Mkp-1 mRNA basal levels via mRNA stabilization and downregulated ERK activation. Differentiation induced phosphorylation of ZFP36L1 through ERK and AKT signals. Phosphorylated ZFP36L1 then interacted with 14-3-3, which might decrease its mRNA destabilizing activity. Inhibition of adipogenesis also occurred in ZFP36L1 and TTP knockdown cells. The findings indicate that the differential expression of TTP family members regulates immediate early gene expression and modulates adipogenesis.     

LMO4 modulates proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Previous microarray analyses revealed that LMO4 is expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, however, its roles in adipogenesis are unknown. In the present study, using RT-PCR sequencing and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we confirmed that LMO4 gene is expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and its expression peaks at the early stage of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Further analyses showed that LMO4 knockdown decreased the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and attenuated the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as evidenced by reduced lipid accumulation and down-regulation of PPARγ gene expression. Collectively, our findings indicate that LMO4 is a novel modulator of adipogenesis.     

Differential expression of murine CGI-105 gene in 3T3-L1 cells by adrenocorticotropic hormones

The effects of adrenocorticotropic hormones on murine CGI-105 gene expression were investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. Expression was markedly increased in differentiated cells and it was up-regulated 2-fold in cells induced to differentiate with dexamethasone.     

Anti-adipogenic activity of compounds isolated from Idesia polycarpa on 3T3-L1 cells

Recently, obesity is a complex multifactorial chronic disease increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension, and has become a major worldwide health problem. In the course of screening natural products employing 3T3-L1 cells as an in vitro system, the methanol extract of Idesia polycarpa Maxim. Fruits (Flacourtiaceae) significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation by measuring lipid contents using oil red O staining. One new compound, 6-(oxymethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (8), was isolated along with nine known compounds (1–7 and 9–10) from CHCl₃ and n-BuOH fractions of the methanol extract of I. polycarpa fruits. Among them, idescarpin (1) with 1-hydroxy-6-oxo-2-cyclohexenecarboxylate moiety showed the most potent inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation with IC₅₀ values of 23.2 μM. Idescarpin (1) dramatically suppressed the induction of C/EBPα expression, whereas it significantly increased the induction of PPARγ expression, supported by quantitative real time PCR and Western blot analysis. The down-regulation in mRNA levels of SREBP1c, SCD-1, and FAS by idescarpin (1) during adipocyte differentiation revealed that the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation was mediated by the regulation of lipogenesis. Taken together, we suggest that idescarpin (1) shows a great potential against obesity and diabetes though the anti-adipogenic activity and the up-regulation of PPARγ.     

AFM对3T3-L1前脂细胞及其骨架的可视化研究

目的:为脂肪细胞分化提供数据,加深对3T3-L1细胞分化机制的了解.方法:应用AFM对3T3-L1前脂细胞的形貌、超微结构、机械性能和细胞骨架进行了可视化研究.结果:3T3-L1细胞舒展,伪足丰富,膜表面有大小不一的斑块和突起.通过统计分析得出3T3-L1细胞的高低差,均方根粗糙度、平均粗糙度和平均高度分别为622.3nm、77.34nm、55.80nm、393.1nm;AFM针尖与细胞膜表面的相对粘弹力为95.10±19.41pN,平均硬度为2.36±0.39mN/m,杨氏模量为4.85±0.99kPa.AFM对3T3-L1细胞骨架成像,观察到骨架南排列整齐的大纤维束和细小的微纤维以及颗粒状蛋白组成,形成网络结构.结论:细胞形貌结合细胞的机械性能可知3T3-L1细胞生长状态良好,细胞的移动迁移能力强.     

Expression and modulation of TUB by insulin and thyroid hormone in primary rat and murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes

tub encodes a protein of poorly understood function, but one implicated strongly in the control of energy balance and insulin sensitivity. Whilst tub expression is particularly prominent in neurones it is also detectable in extraneuronal tissues. We show here, for the first time, expression of TUB protein in rat adipocytes and the murine adipocyte model 3T3-L1 and demonstrate that insulin induces its tyrosine phosphorylation and association with the insulin receptor. TUB expression is regulated developmentally during adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and in response to cell treatment with thyroid hormone or induction of insulin resistance. TUB was upregulated 5- to 10-fold in adipocytes from obese Zucker rats and 3T3-L1 adipocytes that had been rendered insulin resistant, a response that could be antagonised by rosiglitasone, an insulin-sensitising drug. Our data are consistent with a previously unforeseen role for TUB in insulin signalling and fuel homeostasis in adipocytes.     

Generation of mature fat pads in vitro and in vivo utilizing 3-D long-term culture of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Tissue-inherent factors such as cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions are regarded to exert a potentially large impact on adipogenesis as well as on secretory functions of adipose tissue. However, an appropriate 3-D adipogenesis model useful for addressing such interactions is still lacking. In this study, using tissue-engineering techniques, we demonstrate for the first time the development of coherent fat pads consisting of unilocular signet-ring cells in vitro. The constructs were generated by differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes on 3-D polymeric scaffolds for either 9, 21, or 35 days in vitro. Only long-term culture yielded uniform tissues histologically comparable to native fat. Light and scanning electron microscopy provided direct evidence of 3-D tissue coherence and cell-cell contact in a tissue context, which was in strong contrast to conventional 2-D monolayer culture. Further differences between the two culture systems included enhanced secretion of leptin in 3-D tissue culture and differences in laminin expression (mRNA and protein level). Increase of triglyceride content over culture time and mRNA expression of other adipocyte genes, such as PPARgamma and Glut-4, were found to be similar. Implantation of long-term differentiated tissue constructs in nude mice resulted in further development and maintenance of fat pads. The presented model system is suggested to contribute to a better understanding of adipose tissue development and function facilitating studies on tissue-inherent interactions in vitro and in vivo.     

Kibizu concentrated liquid suppresses the accumulation of lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells

Adipocyte size is closely related to the occurrence of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. Thus, researchers are searching for active substances that function to reduce adipocyte size. In the present study, we focused on sugar cane vinegar, Kibizu, and evaluated the function of Kibizu to reduce adipocyte size by using an in vitro model system, because people in Amami Oshima famous for longevity regularly consume Kibizu. Results showed that Kibizu treatment significantly reduced the size and number of lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells, relative to treatment with Kurozu, another traditional vinegar. Results of an extraction experiment suggest that the active components in Kibizu are lipophilic and hydrophobic. In addition, an in vivo experiment on rats treated with Kibizu showed that the active components were contained in large vein blood. Results of an additional in vivo experiment suggest that metabolites generated by Kibizu-treated rats are primarily contained or modified specifically in the large vein blood.     

Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis disrupts lipid raft/caveolae and affects insulin receptor activation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Lipid rafts are plasma membrane microdomains that are highly enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids and in which various receptors and other proteins involved in signal transduction reside. In the present work, we analyzed the effect of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition on lipid raft/caveolae composition and functionality and assessed whether sterol precursors of cholesterol could substitute for cholesterol in lipid rafts/caveolae. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with distal inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis or vehicle (control) and then membrane rafts were isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis with either SKF 104976, AY 9944, 5,22-cholestadien-3β-ol or triparanol, which inhibit different enzymes on the pathway, led to a marked reduction in cholesterol content and accumulation of different sterol intermediates in both lipid rafts and non-raft domains. These changes in sterol composition were accompanied by disruption of lipid rafts, with redistribution of caveolin-1 and Fyn, impairment of insulin-Akt signaling and the inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Cholesterol repletion abrogated the effects of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors, reflecting they were specific. Our results show that cholesterol is required for functional raft-dependent insulin signaling.     

MiR-186-5p对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化的影响研究 *

目的 探究miR-186-5p对小鼠3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,分化的影响及其潜在的分子机制.方法: qRT-PCR检测miR-186-5p在不同周龄小鼠白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化过程中的表达变化;通过脂质体将miR-186-5p mimics,inhibitors转染入增殖液或分化液培养的3T3-L1细胞后,利用CCK-8,EdU和qRT-PCR检测3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖变化,油红O染色观察其脂滴形态;通过生物信息软件TargetScan和双荧光报告系统分别对miR-186-5p靶基因进行预测和确认.结果: (1)miR-186-5p在1~6周龄小鼠的白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞自然分化过程中表达量均逐渐上调.(2)与阴性对照相比,mimics或inhibitors转染分别显著地促进或抑制了miR-186-5p的表达.(3)过表达miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的增殖速率减慢,脂滴增大增多;而抑制miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖速率增快,脂滴数量减少,且粒径变小.其中过表达miR-186-5p显著地降低了野生型Wnt5a和Mapk1 3'-UTR活性,而突变相应的绑定位点可解除该抑制作用.结论: miR-186-5p可抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,且通过直接靶向Wnt5a和Mapk1以促进其分化为成熟脂肪细胞.     

Lipid droplets fusion in adipocyte differentiated 3T3-L1 cells: A Monte Carlo simulation

Several human worldwide diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis, atherosclerosis and other metabolic pathologies are related to the excessive accumulation of lipids in cells. Lipids accumulate in spherical cellular inclusions called lipid droplets (LDs) whose sizes range from fraction to one hundred of micrometers in adipocytes. It has been suggested that LDs can grow in size due to a fusion process by which a larger LD is obtained with spherical shape and volume equal to the sum of the progenitors’ ones. In this study, the size distribution of two populations of LDs was analyzed in immature and mature (5-days differentiated) 3T3-L1 adipocytes (first and second populations, respectively) after Oil Red O staining. A Monte Carlo simulation of interaction between LDs has been developed in order to quantify the size distribution and the number of fusion events needed to obtain the distribution of the second population size starting from the first one. Four models are presented here based on different kinds of interaction: a surface weighted interaction (R2 Model), a volume weighted interaction (R3 Model), a random interaction (Random model) and an interaction related to the place where the LDs are born (Nearest Model). The last two models mimic quite well the behavior found in the experimental data. This work represents a first step in developing numerical simulations of the LDs growth process. Due to the complex phenomena involving LDs (absorption, growth through additional neutral lipid deposition in existing droplets, de novo formation and catabolism) the study focuses on the fusion process. The results suggest that, to obtain the observed size distribution, a number of fusion events comparable with the number of LDs themselves is needed. Moreover the MC approach results a powerful tool for investigating the LDs growth process.