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The article discusses the results of the study "Circulating Triacylglycerol Signatures in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated With the l148M Variant in PNPLA3 and With Obesity," by J. Hyysalo, P. Gopalacharyulu, H. Bian and colleagues, published within the issue. Findings show that patients expressing the variant patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) have lower circulating triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations.

Women gain weight and their diabetes risk increases as they transition through menopause; these changes can be partly reversed by hormone therapy. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are unknown. A novel knock-in mouse line with the selective blockade of the membrane-initiated estrogen receptor (ER) pathway was used, and we found that the lack of this pathway precipitated excessive weight gain and glucose intolerance independent of food intake and that this was accompanied by impaired adaptive thermogenesis and reduced physical activity. Notably, the central activation of protein phosphatase (PP) 2A improved metabolic disorders induced by the lack of membrane-initiated ER signaling. Furthermore, the antiobesity effect of estrogen replacement in a murine menopause model was abolished by central PP2A inactivation. These findings define a critical role for membrane-initiated ER signaling in metabolic homeostasis via the central action of PP2A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine in obese young adults the influence of ethnicity and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) inflammation on hepatic fat fraction (HFF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) deposition, insulin sensitivity (SI), β-cell function, and SAT gene expression.Research Design and Methods: SAT biopsies were obtained from 36 obese young adults (20 Hispanics, 16 African Americans) to measure crown-like structures (CLS), reflecting SAT inflammation. SAT, VAT, and HFF were measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and SI and β-cell function (disposition index [DI]) were measured by intravenous glucose tolerance test. SAT gene expression was assessed using Illumina microarrays.Results: Participants with CLS in SAT (n = 16) were similar to those without CLS in terms of ethnicity, sex, and total body fat. Individuals with CLS had greater VAT (3.7 ± 1.3 vs. 2.6 ± 1.6 L; P = 0.04), HFF (9.9 ± 7.3 vs. 5.8 ± 4.4%; P = 0.03), tumor necrosis factor-α (20.8 ± 4.8 vs. 16.2 ± 5.8 pg/mL; P = 0.01), fasting insulin (20.9 ± 10.6 vs. 9.7 ± 6.6 mU/mL; P < 0.001) and glucose (94.4 ± 9.3 vs. 86.8 ± 5.3 mg/dL; P = 0.005), and lower DI (1,559 ± 984 vs. 2,024 ± 829 × 10(-4) min(-1); P = 0.03). Individuals with CLS in SAT exhibited upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and monocyte antigen CD14 genes, as well as several other genes belonging to the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) stress pathway.Conclusions: Adipose tissue inflammation was equally distributed between sexes and ethnicities. It was associated with partitioning of fat toward VAT and the liver and altered β-cell function, independent of total adiposity. Several genes belonging to the NF-κB stress pathway were upregulated, suggesting stimulation of proinflammatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--To examine in obese young adults the influence of ethnicity and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) inflammation on hepatic fat fraction (HFF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) deposition, insulin sensitivity (SI), β-cell function, and SAT gene expression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--SAT biopsies were obtained from 36 obese young adults (20 Hispanics, 16 African Americans) to measure crown-like structures (CLS), reflecting SAT inflammation. SAT, VAT, and HFF were measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and SI and β-cell function (disposition index [DI]) were measured by intravenous glucose tolerance test. SAT gene expression was assessed using Illumina microarrays. RESULTS--Participants with CLS in SAT (n = 16) were similar to those without CLS in terms of ethnicity, sex, and total body fat. Individuals with CLS had greater VAT (3.7 ± 1.3 vs. 2.6 ± 1.6 L; P = 0.04), HFF (9.9 ± 7.3 vs. 5.8 ± 4.4%; P = 0.03), tumor necrosis factor-α (20.8 ± 4.8 vs. 16.2 ± 5.8 pg/mL; P = 0.01), fasting insulin (20.9 ± 10.6 vs. 9.7 ± 6.6 mU/mL; P < 0.001) and glucose (94.4 ± 9.3 vs. 86.8 ± 5.3 mg/dL; P = 0.005), and lower DI (1,559 ± 984 vs. 2,024 ± 829 x 10-4 min-1; P = 0.03). Individuals with CLS in SAT exhibited upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and monocyte antigen CD14 genes, as well as several other genes belonging to the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) stress pathway. CONCLUSIONS--Adipose tissue inflammation was equally distributed between sexes and ethnicities. It was associated with partitioning of fat toward VAT and the liver and altered β-cell function, independent of total adiposity. Several genes belonging to the NF-κB stress pathway were upregulated, suggesting stimulation of proinflammatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--Obesity-associated low-grade systemic inflammation resulting from increased adipose mass is strongly related to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes as well as other metabolic complications. Recent studies have demonstrated that the obese metabolic state can be improved by ablating certain inflammatory signaling pathways. Tumor progression locus 2 (TPL2), a kinase that integrates signals from Toll receptors, cytokine receptors, and inhibitor of κ-B kinase-β is an important regulator of inflammatory pathways. We used TPL2 knockout (KO) mice to investigate the role of TPL2 in mediating obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Male TPL2KO and wild-type (WT) littermates were fed a low-fat diet or a high-fat diet to investigate the effect of TPL2 deletion on obesity, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. RESULTS--We demonstrate that TPL2 deletion does not alter body weight gain or adipose depot weight. However, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies revealed improved insulin sensitivity with enhanced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and increased suppression of hepatic glucose output in obese TPL2KO mice compared with obese WT mice. Consistent with an improved metabolic phenotype, immune cell infiltration and inflammation was attenuated in the adipose tissue of obese TPL2KO mice coincident with reduced hepatic inflammatory gene expression and lipid accumulation. CONCLUSIONS--Our results provide the first in vivo demonstration that TPL2 ablation attenuates obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. These data suggest TPL2 is a novel target for improving the metabolic state associated with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify, localize, and determine M1/M2 polarization of epidydimal adipose tissue (eAT) macrophages (Phis) during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.Research Design and Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD (60% fat kcal) or low-fat diet (LFD) (10% fat kcal) for 8 or 12 weeks. eATMPhis (F4/80(+) cells) were characterized by in vivo fluorescent labeling, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and quantitative PCR.Results: Recruited interstitial macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin (MGL)1(+)/CD11c(-) and crown-like structure-associated MGL1(-)/CD11c(+) and MGL1(med)/CD11c(+) eATMPhis were identified after 8 weeks of HFD. MGL1(med)/CD11c(+) cells comprised approximately 65% of CD11c(+) eATMPhis. CD11c(+) eATMPhis expressed a mixed M1/M2 profile, with some M1 transcripts upregulated (IL-12p40 and IL-1beta), others downregulated (iNOS, caspase-1, MCP-1, and CD86), and multiple M2 and matrix remodeling transcripts upregulated (arginase-1, IL-1Ra, MMP-12, ADAM8, VEGF, and Clec-7a). At HFD week 12, each eATMPhi subtype displayed an enhanced M2 phenotype as compared with HFD week 8. CD11c(+) subtypes downregulated IL-1beta and genes mediating antigen presentation (I-a, CD80) and upregulated the M2 hallmark Ym-1 and genes promoting oxidative metabolism (PGC-1alpha) and adipogenesis (MMP-2). MGL1(med)/CD11c(+) eATMPhis upregulated additional M2 genes (IL-13, SPHK1, CD163, LYVE-1, and PPAR-alpha). MGL1(med)/CD11c(+) ATMPhis expressing elevated PGC-1alpha, PPAR-alpha, and Ym-1 transcripts were selectively enriched in eAT of obese mice fed pioglitazone for 6 days, confirming the M2 features of the MGL1(med)/CD11c(+) eATMPhi transcriptional profile and implicating PPAR activation in its elicitation.Conclusions: These results 1) redefine the phenotypic potential of CD11c(+) eATMPhis and 2) suggest previously unappreciated phenotypic and functional commonality between murine and human ATMPhis in the development of obesity and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--To identify, localize, and determine M1/M2 polarization of epidydimal adipose tissue (eAT) macrophages (Φs) during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD (60% fat kcal) or low-fat diet (LFD) (10% fat kcal) for 8 or 12 weeks, eATMΦs (F4/80[sup +] cells) were characterized by in vivo fluorescent labeling, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and quantitative PCR. RESULTS--Recruited interstitial macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin (MGL)1[sup +]/CD11c[sup -] and crown-like structure--associated MGL1[sup -]/CD11c[sup +] and MGL1[sup med]/CD11c[sup +] eATMΦs were identified after 8 weeks of HFD. MGL1[sup med]/CD11c[sup +] cells comprised ∼65% of CD11c[sup +] eATMΦs. CD11c[sup +] eATMΦs expressed a mixed M1/M2 profile, with some M1 transcripts upregulated (IL-12p40 and IL-1β), others downregulated (iNOS, caspase-1, MCP-1, and CD86), and multiple M2 and matrix remodeling transcripts upregulated (arginase-1, IL-1Ra, MMP-12, ADAM8, VEGF, and Clec-7a). At HFD week 12, each eATMΦ subtype displayed an enhanced M2 phenotype as compared with HFD week 8. CD11c[sup +] subtypes downregulated IL-1β and genes mediating antigen presentation (I-a, CD80) and upregulated the M2 hallmark Ym-1 and genes promoting oxidative metabolism (PGC-1α) and adipogenesis (MMP-2). MGL1[sup med]/CD11c[sup +] eATMΦs upregulated additional M2 genes (IL-13, SPHK1, CD163, LYVE-1, and PPAR-α). MGL1[sup med]/CD11c[sup +] ATMΦs expressing elevated PGC-1α, PPAR-α, and Ym-1 transcripts were selectively enriched in eAT of obese mice fed pioglitazone for 6 days, confirming the M2 features of the MGL1[sup med]/CD11c[sup +] eATMΦ transcriptional profile and implicating PPAR activation in its elicitation. CONCLUSIONS--These results 1) redefine the phenotypic potential of CD11c[sup +] eATMΦs and 2) suggest previously unappreciated phenotypic and functional commonality between murine and human ATMΦs in the development of obesity and its complications. Diabetes 59:1171-1181, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--We sought to determine the role of adipocyte death in obesity-induced adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and obesity complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks to induce obesity. Every 4 weeks, insulin resistance was assessed by intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests, and epididymal (eAT) and inguinal subcutaneous AT OAT) and livers were harvested for histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression analyses. RESULTS--Frequency of adipocyte death in eAT increased from <0.1% at baseline to 16% at week 12, coincident with increases in 1) depot weight; 2) AT macrophages (ATMΦPs) expressing F4/80 and CD11c; 3) mRNA for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, and interleukin (IL)-10; and 4) insulin resistance. ATMΦs in crown-like structures surrounding dead adipocytes expressed TNF-α and IL-6 proteins. Adipocyte number began to decline at week 12. At week 16, adipocyte death reached ∼80%, coincident with maximal expression of CD11c and inflammatory genes, loss (40%) of eAT mass, widespread collagen deposition, and accelerated hepatic macrosteatosis. By week 20, adipocyte number was restored with small adipocytes, coincident with reduced adipocyte death (fourfold), CD11c and MCP-1 gene expression (twofold), and insulin resistance (35%). eAT weight did not increase at week 20 and was inversely correlated with liver weight after week 12 (r = -0. 85, P < 0.001). In iAT, adipocyte death was first detected at week 12 and remained ≤3%. CONCLUSIONS--These results implicate depot-selective adipocyte death and MΦ-mediated AT remodeling in inflammatory and metabolic complications of murine obesity. Diabetes 56: 2910-2918, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulates lipolysis in human adipocytes. However, the mechanisms regulating this process are largely unknown. We demonstrate that TNF-alpha increases lipolysis in differentiated human adipocytes by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and elevation of intracellular cAMP. TNF-alpha activated ERK and increased lipolysis; these effects were inhibited by two specific MEK inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126. TNF-alpha treatment caused an electrophoretic shift of perilipin from 65 to 67 kDa, consistent with perilipin hyperphosphorylation by activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Coincubation with TNF-alpha and MEK inhibitors caused perilipin to migrate as a single 65-kDa band. Consistent with the hypothesis that TNF-alpha induces perilipin hyperphosphorylation by activating PKA, TNF-alpha increased intracellular cAMP approximately 1.7-fold, and the increase was abrogated by PD98059. Furthermore, H89, a specific PKA inhibitor, blocked TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis and the electrophoretic shift of perilipin, suggesting a role for PKA in TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis. Finally, TNF-alpha decreased the expression of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) by approximately 50%, delineating a mechanism by which TNF-alpha could increase intracellular cAMP. Cotreatment with PD98059 restored PDE3B expression. These studies suggest that in human adipocytes, TNF-alpha stimulates lipolysis through activation of MEK-ERK and subsequent increase in intracellular cAMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulates lipolysis in human adipocytes. However, the mechanisms regulating this process are largely unknown. We demonstrate that TNF-α increases lipolysis in differentiated human adipocytes by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and elevation of intracellular cAMP. TNF-α activated ERK and increased lipolysis; these effects were inhibited by two specific MEK inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126. TNF-α treatment caused an electrophoretic shift of perilipin from 65 to 67 kDa, consistent with perilipin hyperphosphorylation by activated cAMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Coincubation with TNF-α and MEK inhibitors caused perilipin to migrate as a single 65-kDa band. Consistent with the hypothesis that TNF-α induces perilipin hyperphosphorylation by activating PKA, TNF-α increased intracellular cAMP ∼l.7-fold, and the increase was abrogated by PD98059. Furthermore, H89, a specific PKA inhibitor, blocked TNF-α-induced lipolysis and the electrophoretic shift of perilipin, suggesting a role for PKA in TNF-α-induced lipolysis. Finally, TNF-α decreased the expression of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) by ∼50%, delineating a mechanism by which TNF-α could increase intracellular cAMP. Cotreatment with PD98059 restored PDE3B expression. These studies suggest that in human adipocytes, TNF-α stimulates lipolysis through activation of MEK-ERK and subsequent increase in intracellular cAMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV protease inhibitors (HPIs) are potent antiretroviral agents clinically used in the management of HIV infection. Recently, HPI therapy has been linked to the development of a metabolic syndrome in which adipocyte insulin resistance appears to play a major role. In this study, we assessed the effect of nelfinavir on glucose uptake and lipolysis in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. An 18-h exposure to nelfinavir resulted in an impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and activation of basal lipolysis. Impaired insulin stimulation of glucose up take occurred at nelfinavir concentrations >10 micromol/l (EC(50) = 20 micromol/l) and could be attributed to impaired GLUT4 translocation. Basal glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) release were significantly enhanced with as low as 5 micromol/l nelfinavir, displaying fivefold stimulation of FFA release at 10 micromol/l. Yet, the antilipolytic action of insulin was preserved at this concentration. Potential underlying mechanisms for these metabolic effects included both impaired insulin stimulation of protein kinase B Ser 473 phosphorylation with preserved insulin receptor substrate tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased expression of the lipolysis regulator perilipin. Troglitazone pre- and cotreatment with nelfinavir partly protected the cells from the increase in basal lipolysis, but it had no effect on the impairment in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake induced by this HPI. This study demonstrates that nelfinavir induces insulin resistance and activates basal lipolysis in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, providing potential cellular mechanisms that may contribute to altered adipocyte metabolism in treated HIV patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of the fuel-sensing enzyme AMPK has been shown to improve various conditions associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. In adipocytes, beta-adrenergic agonists activate AMPK; however the mechanism(s) by which they do so is not known. In the present study we examined whether the effect of these agents is dependent on their ability to stimulate lipolysis. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with isoproterenol, isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin increased AMPK activity, as reflected by a 3-fold increase in P-ACC Ser79 and a 2-fold increase in P-AMPK T172-within 1 hour. ShRNA-mediated silencing of adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a key regulator of triglyceride hydrolysis, totally inhibited the stimulation of both lipolysis and AMPK activation by forskolin. Likewise, co-incubation of the adipocytes with the general lipase inhibitor orlistat caused a 50% inhibition of both forskolin-stimulated lipolysis and AMPK activation. In contrast, orlistat did not diminish forskolin-induced increases in the abundance of P-CREB Ser 133 or P-LKB1 Ser431, indicating that it did not alter signaling events caused by PKA activation. We then assessed whether a change in cellular energy state (AMP/ATP ratio) mediated the activation of AMPK caused by lipolysis. In support of this notion, incubation with forskolin caused a 4-fold increase in the cellular AMP/ATP ratio. Conversely, when forskolin stimulated-lipolysis was partially inhibited by orlistat, both the activation of AMPK, and the increase in the AMP/ATP ratio were diminished by 50%. Fatty acyl CoA synthase (ACS) uses ATP and generates AMP when it catalyzes the conversion of flee fatty acids to fatty acyl CoA. When We inhibited ACS with triacsin C, activation of AMPK by forskolin was completely abrogated despite the fact that lipolysis was increased to the same extent as in control conditions. In conclusion, the results indicate that the activation of AMPK following beta-adrenergic stimulation of the adipocyte is secondary to lipolysis and is not the direct result of increases in cAMP abundance or PKA activity. They suggest that a decrease in energy state most likely explains how lipolysis activates AMPK and that the energy-consuming enzyme ACS is involved in this mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]