Cells respond to stress by coordinating proliferative and metabolic pathways. Starvation restricts cell proliferative (glycolytic) and activates energy productive (oxidative) pathways. Conversely, ...cell growth and proliferation require increased glycolytic and decreased oxidative metabolism levels(1). E2F transcription factors regulate both proliferative and metabolic genes(2,3). E2Fs have been implicated in the G1/S cell-cycle transition, DNA repair, apoptosis, development and differentiation(2-4). In pancreatic beta-cells, E2F1 gene regulation facilitated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion(5,6). Moreover, mice lacking E2F1 (E2f1(-/-)) were resistant to diet-induced obesity(4). Here, we show that E2F1 coordinates cellular responses by acting as a regulatory switch between cell proliferation and metabolism. In basal conditions, E2F1 repressed key genes that regulate energy homeostasis and mitochondrial functions in muscle and brown adipose tissue. Consequently, E2f1(-/-) mice had a marked oxidative phenotype. An association between E2F1 and pRB was required for repression of genes implicated in oxidative metabolism. This repression was alleviated in a constitutively active CDK4 (CDK4(R24C)) mouse model or when adaptation to energy demand was required. Thus, E2F1 represents a metabolic switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism that responds to stressful conditions
Circulating free fatty acids are a reflection of the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis that takes place mainly in adipose tissue. We found that mice deficient for regulator of G protein ...signaling (RGS)-4 have increased circulating catecholamines, and increased free fatty acids. Consequently, RGS4−/− mice have increased concentration of circulating free fatty acids; abnormally accumulate fatty acids in liver, resulting in liver steatosis; and show a higher degree of glucose intolerance and decreased insulin secretion in pancreas. We show in this study that RGS4 controls adipose tissue lipolysis through regulation of the secretion of catecholamines by adrenal glands. RGS4 controls the balance between adipose tissue lipolysis and lipogenesis, secondary to its role in the regulation of catecholamine secretion by adrenal glands. RGS4 therefore could be a good target for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
We have reported recently that the chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8)/CXCL8 was overexpressed in invasive estrogen receptor (ERalpha)-negative breast cancer cells compared with ERalpha-positive breast ...cancer cells. We now demonstrate that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an essential role in the regulation of IL-8 gene expression in ERalpha-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) led to a strong up-regulation of IL-8 protein and RNA levels in MCF-7 cells. The up-regulation of IL-8 in MCF-7 cells was time- and concentration-dependent. Moreover, run-on and transfection experiments demonstrated that IL-8 induction by HDAC inhibitors was transcriptional and involved mainly the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) site of the IL-8 promoter. These observations are corroborated by an up-regulation of NF-kappaB activity in MCF-7 cells in the presence of TSA. In addition, blocking NF-kappaB pathway by adenoviral delivery of a dominant-negative IkappaBorIkappaB kinase complex 2 (IKK2) mutant abolished IL-8 gene induction by histone deacetylase inhibitors. HDAC inhibitors triggered IKK phosphorylation and up-regulated p65 nuclear translocation, although they decreased the protein levels of IkappaBalpha, which accounts for NF-kappaB activation. TSA increased binding of acetylated histone 3 to the IL-8 gene promoter. In summary, our results demonstrate that NF-kappaB pathway repression by HDAC is responsible for the low expression of IL-8 in ERalpha-positive breast cancer cells.
Objective: To explore the regulation of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) expression and its role in adipose tissue.
Research Methods and Procedures: We studied the regulation of ...SPARC expression in transgenic mice expressing the human β3 and α2 adrenergic receptors on a murine β3 adrenergic receptor null background that became obese under a high‐fat diet mainly as a result of adipose tissue hyperplasia. Furthermore, we analyzed its expression in human adipose tissue and its regulation during adipocyte differentiation.
Results: SPARC protein in adipose tissue was increased in obese transgenic mice compared with control mice, indicating that SPARC expression was associated with adipose tissue hyperplasia. Both SPARC mRNA and protein were detected in human adipose tissue. Comparing adipocytes and vascular stroma, we found that SPARC expression was mainly associated with the adipocyte fraction. Consistent with this, SPARC transcript increased during differentiation of human primary preadipocytes. 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes showed an increase in SPARC expression in differentiated cells but with biphasic expression during the process. After induction in committed cells, SPARC mRNA and protein levels declined as differentiation began and returned to elevated levels in fully differentiated adipocytes.
Discussion: SPARC expression correlated with adipose tissue hyperplasia and adipogenesis. Therefore, SPARC seems to play a role in adipose tissue physiology as it is involved in growth and differentiation.
We show here high levels of expression and secretion of the chemokine CXC ligand 5 (CXCL5) in the macrophage fraction of white adipose tissue (WAT). Moreover, we find that CXCL5 is dramatically ...increased in serum of human obese compared to lean subjects. Conversely, CXCL5 concentration is decreased in obese subjects after a weight reduction program, or in obese non-insulin-resistant, compared to insulin-resistant, subjects. Most importantly we demonstrate that treatment with recombinant CXCL5 blocks insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle in mice. CXCL5 blocks insulin signaling by activating the Jak2/STAT5/SOCS2 pathway. Finally, by treating obese, insulin-resistant mice with either anti-CXCL5 neutralizing antibodies or antagonists of CXCR2, which is the CXCL5 receptor, we demonstrate that CXCL5 mediates insulin resistance. Furthermore CXCR2-/- mice are protected against obesity-induced insulin resistance. Taken together, these results show that secretion of CXCL5 by WAT resident macrophages represents a link between obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
We show here high levels of expression and secretion of the chemokine CXCL5 in the macrophage fraction of white adipose tissue (WAT). Moreover, we find that CXCL5 is dramatically increased in serum ...of human obese compared to lean subjects. Conversely, CXCL5 concentration is decreased in obese subjects after a weight reduction program, or in obese non-insulin resistant, compared to insulin resistant obese subjects. Most importantly we demonstrate that treatment with recombinant CXCL5 blocks insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle in mice. CXCL5 blocks insulin signaling by activating the Jak2/STAT5/SOCS2 pathway. Finally, by treating obese, insulin resistant mice with either anti-CXCL5 neutralizing antibodies or antagonists of CXCR2, which is the CXCL5 receptor we demonstrate that CXCL5 mediates insulin resistance. Furthermore CXCR2−/− mice are protected against obesity-induced insulin resistance. Taken together, these results show that secretion of CXCL5 by WAT resident macrophages represents a link between obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) expression and its role in adipose tissue. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We studied the regulation of ...SPARC expression in transgenic mice expressing the human β3 and α2 adrenergic receptors on a murine β3 adrenergic receptor null background that became obese under a high-fat diet mainly as a result of adipose tissue hyperplasia. Furthermore, we analyzed its expression in human adipose tissue and its regulation during adipocyte differentiation. RESULTS: SPARC protein in adipose tissue was increased in obese transgenic mice compared with control mice, indicating that SPARC expression was associated with adipose tissue hyperplasia. Both SPARC mRNA and protein were detected in human adipose tissue. Comparing adipocytes and vascular stroma, we found that SPARC expression was mainly associated with the adipocyte fraction. Consistent with this, SPARC transcript increased during differentiation of human primary preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed an increase in SPARC expression in differentiated cells but with biphasic expression during the process. After induction in committed cells, SPARC mRNA and protein levels declined as differentiation began and returned to elevated levels in fully differentiated adipocytes. DISCUSSION: SPARC expression correlated with adipose tissue hyperplasia and adipogenesis. Therefore, SPARC seems to play a role in adipose tissue physiology as it is involved in growth and differentiation.