Endoplasmic reticulum stress in adipose tissue augments lipolysis

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle important for protein synthesis and folding, lipid synthesis and Ca²⁺ homoeostasis. Consequently, ER stress or dysfunction affects numerous cellular processes and has been implicated as a contributing factor in several pathophysiological conditions. Tunicamycin induces ER stress in various cell types in vitro as well as in vivo. In mice, a hallmark of tunicamycin administration is the development of fatty livers within 24–48 hrs accompanied by hepatic ER stress. We hypothesized that tunicamycin would induce ER stress in adipose tissue that would lead to increased lipolysis and subsequently to fatty infiltration of the liver and hepatomegaly. Our results show that intraperitoneal administration of tunicamycin rapidly induced an ER stress response in adipose tissue that correlated with increased circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol along with decreased adipose tissue mass and lipid droplet size. Furthermore, we found that in addition to fatty infiltration of the liver as well as hepatomegaly, lipid accumulation was also present in the heart, skeletal muscle and kidney. To corroborate our findings to a clinical setting, we examined adipose tissue from burned patients where increases in lipolysis and the development of fatty livers have been well documented. We found that burned patients displayed significant ER stress within adipose tissue and that ER stress augments lipolysis in cultured human adipocytes. Our results indicate a possible role for ER stress induced lipolysis in adipose tissue as an underlying mechanism contributing to increases in circulating FFAs and fatty infiltration into other organs.     

FGF21 mediates alcohol-induced adipose tissue lipolysis by activation of systemic release of catecholamine in mice

Alcohol consumption leads to adipose tissue lipoatrophy and mobilization of FFAs, which contributes to hepatic fat accumulation in alcoholic liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21, a metabolic regulator, in the regulation of chronic-binge alcohol-induced adipose tissue lipolysis. FGF21 KO mice were subjected to chronic-binge alcohol exposure, and epididymal white adipose tissue lipolysis and liver steatosis were investigated. Alcohol exposure caused adipose intracellular cAMP elevation and activation of lipolytic enzymes, leading to FFA mobilization in both WT and FGF21 KO mice. However, alcohol-induced systemic elevation of catecholamine, which is known to be a major player in adipose lipolysis by binding to the β-adrenergic receptor, was markedly inhibited in KO mice. Supplementation with recombinant human FGF21 to alcohol-exposed FGF21 KO mice resulted in an increase in fat loss in parallel with an increase of circulating norepinephrine concentration. Furthermore, alcohol consumption-induced fatty liver was blunted in the KO mice, indicating an inhibition of fatty acid reverse transport from adipose to the liver in the KO mice. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that FGF21 KO mice are protected from alcohol-induced adipose tissue excess-lipolysis through a mechanism involving systemic catecholamine release.     

一个潜在的糖尿病新靶标——GPR40

G蛋白偶联受体40(GPR40)是典型的七次跨膜受体,在游离脂肪酸的刺激下,它能起到放大葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌效应,是一种潜在的治疗糖尿病药物的靶标。另外,GPR40还被认为和一些神经类疾病以及某些癌症有关。本文着重叙述了游离脂肪酸经由GPR40放大葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌机制,同时也介绍了GPR40的其他一些生理功能。     

Brown adipose tissue takes up plasma triglycerides mostly after lipolysis

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) produces heat by burning TGs that are stored within intracellular lipid droplets and need to be replenished by the uptake of TG-derived FA from plasma. It is currently unclear whether BAT takes up FA via uptake of TG-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), after lipolysis-mediated liberation of FA, or via a combination of both. Therefore, we generated glycerol tri[³H]oleate and [¹⁴C]cholesteryl oleate double-labeled TRL-mimicking particles with an average diameter of 45, 80, and 150 nm (representing small VLDL to chylomicrons) and injected these intravenously into male C57Bl/6J mice. At room temperature (21°C), the uptake of ³H-activity by BAT, expressed per gram of tissue, was much higher than the uptake of ¹⁴C-activity, irrespective of particle size, indicating lipolysis-mediated uptake of TG-derived FA rather than whole particle uptake. Cold exposure (7°C) increased the uptake of FA derived from the differently sized particles by BAT, while retaining the selectivity for uptake of FA over cholesteryl ester (CE). At thermoneutrality (28°C), total FA uptake by BAT was attenuated, but the specificity of uptake of FA over CE was again largely retained. Altogether, we conclude that, in our model, BAT takes up plasma TG preferentially by means of lipolysis-mediated uptake of FA.     

Role of GPR81 in lactate-mediated reduction of adipose lipolysis

Heavy exercise or oxygen deficit often links with higher levels of arterial lactate and lower levels of plasma free fatty acids (FFA). Treatment with lactate reduces circulating levels of FFA in vivo and lipolysis in adipose tissues in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism has remained unclear. Here we employ pharmacological and genetic approaches to show that GPR81, an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor with relatively restricted expression in the adipose tissues, functions as a receptor for lactate and can mediate an anti-lipolytic effect of lactate. GPR81 may thus function as a sensor of lactate that can modulate the FFA pool under exercise or conditions of oxygen deficit.     

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy 2 regulates adipocyte lipolysis,browning, and energy balance in adult animals

Mutations in BSCL2/SEIPIN cause Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2), but the mechanisms whereby Bscl2 regulates adipose tissue function are unclear. Here, we generated adipose tissue (mature) Bscl2 knockout (Ad-mKO) mice, in which Bscl2 was specifically ablated in adipocytes of adult animals, to investigate the impact of acquired Bscl2 deletion on adipose tissue function and energy balance. Ad-mKO mice displayed reduced adiposity and were protected against high fat diet-induced obesity, but not insulin resistance or hepatic steatosis. Gene expression profiling and biochemical assays revealed increased lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue , as well as browning of WAT, owing to induction of cAMP/protein kinase A signaling upon Bscl2 deletion. Interestingly, Bscl2 deletion reduced food intake and downregulated adipose β3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) expression. Impaired ADRB3 signaling partially offsets upregulated browning-induced energy expenditure and thermogenesis in Ad-mKO mice housed at ambient temperature. However, this counter-regulatory response was abrogated under thermoneutral conditions, resulting in even greater body mass loss in Ad-mKO mice. These findings suggest that Bscl2 regulates adipocyte lipolysis and β-adrenergic signaling to produce complex effects on adipose tissues and whole-body energy balance.     

Fatty acid binding protein expression in different human adipose tissue depots in relation to rates of lipolysis and insulin concentration in obese individuals

Two fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are expressed in adipose tissue, adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP) and keratinocyte lipid binding protein (KLBP). This study investigated FABP expression in visceral and subcutaneous human adipose tissue depots and associations with lipolytic differences between the depots and circulating insulin concentrations. ALBP and KLBP (protein and RNA) were quantified in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue from obese individuals and expressed relative to actin. ALBP RNA and protein expression was significantly higher in subcutaneous compared to omental adipose tissue (both p < 0.05), whereas KLBP RNA and protein expression was no different between the two sites. There were significant inverse correlations between serum insulin concentrations and the ALBP/KLBP RNA ratio in both subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue (both p < 0.02). Basal rates of glycerol and fatty acid release measured in adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue were significantly higher in the former (p 0.02). Therefore the relative ALBP/KLBP content of human adipose tissue is different in different adipose tissue depots and at the RNA level is related to the circulating insulin concentration, at least in obese subjects. The higher rates of basal lipolysis in adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous compared to omental adipose tissue might be related to the increased ALBP content of the former. Therefore adipose tissue FABPs are interesting candidates for investigation to further our understanding of the insulin resistance syndrome and regulation of lipolysis.     

G0/G1 switch gene-2 regulates human adipocyte lipolysis by affecting activity and localization of adipose triglyceride lipase

The hydrolysis of triglycerides in adipocytes, termed lipolysis, provides free fatty acids as energy fuel. Murine lipolysis largely depends on the activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), which is regulated by two proteins annotated as comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) and G0/G1 switch gene-2 (G0S2). CGI-58 activates and G0S2 inhibits ATGL activity. In contrast to mice, the functional role of G0S2 in human adipocyte lipolysis is poorly characterized. Here we show that overexpression or silencing of G0S2 in human SGBS adipocytes decreases and increases lipolysis, respectively. Human G0S2 is upregulated during adipocyte differentiation and inhibits ATGL activity in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, C-terminally truncated ATGL mutants, which fail to localize to lipid droplets, translocate to the lipid droplet upon coexpression with G0S2, suggesting that G0S2 anchors ATGL to lipid droplets independent of ATGL''s C-terminal lipid binding domain. Taken together, our results indicate that G0S2 also regulates human lipolysis by affecting enzyme activity and intracellular localization of ATGL. Increased lipolysis is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, and G0S2 expression has been shown to be reduced in poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients. Our data indicate that downregulation of G0S2 in adipose tissue could represent one of the underlying causes leading to increased lipolysis in the insulin-resistant state.     

Selective suppression of adipose tissue apoE expression impacts systemic metabolic phenotype and adipose tissue inflammation

apoE is a multi-functional protein expressed in several cell types and in several organs. It is highly expressed in adipose tissue, where it is important for modulating adipocyte lipid flux and gene expression in isolated adipocytes. In order to investigate a potential systemic role for apoE that is produced in adipose tissue, mice were generated with selective suppression of adipose tissue apoE expression and normal circulating apoE levels. These mice had less adipose tissue with smaller adipocytes containing fewer lipids, but no change in adipocyte number compared with control mice. Adipocyte TG synthesis in the presence of apoE-containing VLDL was markedly impaired. Adipocyte caveolin and leptin gene expression were reduced, but adiponectin, PGC-1, and CPT-1 gene expression were increased. Mice with selective suppression of adipose tissue apoE had lower fasting lipid, insulin, and glucose levels, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were consistent with increased insulin sensitivity. Lipid storage in muscle, heart, and liver was significantly reduced. Adipose tissue macrophage inflammatory activation was markedly diminished with suppression of adipose tissue apoE expression. Our results establish a novel effect of adipose tissue apoE expression, distinct from circulating apoE, on systemic substrate metabolism and adipose tissue inflammatory state.     

Pioglitazone induces apoptosis of macrophages in human adipose tissue

Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with an increased number of macrophage cells that infiltrate white adipose tissue (WAT). Previously, we demonstrated that the treatment of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonist pioglitazone resulted in a decrease in macrophage number in adipose tissue. Here, adipose tissue samples from IGT subjects treated with pioglitazone were examined for apoptosis with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. TUNEL-positive cells were identified, and there was a significant 42% increase in TUNEL-positive cells following pioglitazone treatment. Overlay experiments with anti-CD68 antibody demonstrated that most of the TUNEL-positive cells were macrophages. To determine whether macrophage apoptosis was a direct or indirect effect of pioglitazone treatment, human THP1 cells were treated with pioglitazone in vitro, demonstrating increased TUNEL staining in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the appearance of the active proteolytic subunits of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected in cell lysate from THP1 cells and also increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner following pioglitazone treatment. Pretreatment with a PPARgamma inhibitor, GW9662, prevented pioglitazone induction of the apoptotic pathway in THP1 cells. Differentiated human adipocytes did not show any significant increase in apoptosis after treatment in vitro with piolgitazone. These findings indicate that PPARgamma has distinct functions in different cell types in WAT, such that pioglitazone reduces macrophage infiltration by inducing apoptotic cell death specifically in macrophages through PPARgamma activation.     

CDP-diacylglycerol phospholipid synthesis in detergent-soluble, non-raft, membrane microdomains of the endoplasmic reticulum

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is essential for numerous cell functions and is generated by consecutive reactions catalyzed by CDP-diacylglycerol synthase (CDS) and PI synthase. In this study, we investigated the membrane organization of CDP-diacylglycerol synthesis. Separation of mildly disrupted A431 cell membranes on sucrose density gradients revealed cofractionation of CDS and PI synthase activities with cholesterol-poor, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and partial overlap with plasma membrane caveolae. Cofractionation of CDS activity with caveolae was also observed when low-buoyant density caveolin-enriched membranes were prepared using a carbonate-based method. However, immunoisolation studies determined that CDS activity localized to ER membrane fragments containing calnexin and type III inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors but not to caveolae. Membrane fragmentation in neutral pH buffer established that CDP-diacylglycerol and PI syntheses were restricted to a subfraction of the calnexin-positive ER. In contrast to lipid rafts enriched for caveolin, cholesterol, and GM1 glycosphingolipids, the CDS-containing ER membranes were detergent soluble. In cell imaging studies, CDS and calnexin colocalized in microdomain-sized patches of the ER and also unexpectedly at the plasma membrane. These results demonstrate that key components of the PI pathway localize to nonraft, phospholipid-synthesizing microdomains of the ER that are also enriched for calnexin.