Functional assessment of white and brown adipocyte development and energy metabolism in cell culture. Dissociation of terminal differentiation and thermogenesis in brown adipocytes

1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (10) ◽  
pp. 3171-3180
Author(s):  
S. Klaus ◽  
M. Ely ◽  
D. Encke ◽  
G. Heldmaier
Keyword(s):  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Index Number ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Dwarf Hamster ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
White Fat ◽  
Adipocyte Development

We investigated the effect of insulin, triiodothyronine (T3) and dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) on differentiation, lipid metabolism and thermogenesis of preadipocytes isolated from white fat (WAT) and brown fat (BAT) from the Siberian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Cell cultures from WAT and BAT were chronically treated with the above hormones alone or in any combination. After differentiation (day 8 or 9 of culture) we measured the following parameters: adipogenic index (number × size of adipocytes), protein content, lipolysis, cell respiration, and expression of the uncoupling protein UCP, which is unique to mitochondria of brown adipocytes. Insulin was the most important adipogenic factor for brown and white adipocytes and necessary for terminal differentiation, whereas dexamethasone alone completely inhibited differentiation. T3 had no effect on adipogenesis in WAT cultures, but further increased insulin stimulated adipogenesis in BAT cultures. Basal lipolysis was higher in WAT than in BAT cultures except when dexamethasone was present, which stimulated lipolysis in both culture types to the same extent. T3 had a pronounced dose dependent lipolytic effect on WAT cultures but very little effect on BAT cultures. Respiration rates were generally higher in differentiated adipocytes than in fibroblast like cells. T3 had no effect on thermogenesis in WAT cultures but increased thermogenesis in BAT cultures, and this was further elevated by insulin. UCP expression in BAT cultures could be detected by western blot in insulin treated, T3 treated and insulin+T3 treated cultures with highest expression in the latter. These results imply a possible dissociation of terminal differentiation and thermogenic function of brown adipocytes. In WAT cultures there was also a low level of UCP detectable in the insulin+T3 treated cultures. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed the presence of UCP in 10–15% of adipocytes from WAT cultures (in BAT cultures: 90%), indicating the presence of some brown preadipocytes in typical WAT deposits.

scholarly journals Emergence during development of the white-adipocyte cell phenotype is independent of the brown-adipocyte cell phenotype

2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (2) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine MOULIN ◽  
Nathalie TRUEL ◽  
Mireille ANDRÉ ◽  
Emmanuelle ARNAULD ◽  
Maryse NIBBELINK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brown Fat ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Lacz Gene ◽  
Experimental Proof ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Adipocyte Cell ◽  
White Fat

In mammals, two types of adipose tissue are present, brown and white. They develop sequentially, as brown fat occurs during late gestation whereas white fat grows mainly after birth. However, both tissues have been shown to have great plasticity. Thus an apparent transformation of brown fat into white fat takes place during post-natal development. This observation raises questions about a possible conversion of brown into white adipocytes during development, although indirect data argue against this hypothesis. To investigate such questions in vivo, we generated two types of transgenic line. The first carried a transgene expressing Cre recombinase specifically in brown adipocytes under the control of the rat UCP1 promoter. The second corresponded to an inactive lacZ gene under the control of the human cytomegalovirus promoter. This dormant gene is inducible by Cre because it contains a Stop sequence between two loxP sequences, separating the promoter from the coding sequence. Adipose tissues of progeny derived by crossing independent lines established from both constructs were investigated. LacZ mRNA corresponding to the activated reporter gene was easily detected in brown fat and not typically in white fat, even by reverse transcriptase PCR experiments. These data represent the first direct experimental proof that, during normal development, most white adipocytes do not derive from brown adipocytes.

Growth factor regulation of uncoupling protein-1 mRNA expression in brown adipocytes

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (1) ◽  
pp. C105-C112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibian García ◽  
Maria-Jesús Obregón
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Uncoupling Protein 1 ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Continuous Presence

To study the effect of the mitogens epidermal growth factor (EGF), acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF), and vasopressin on brown adipocyte differentiation, we analyzed the expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) mRNA. Quiescent brown preadipocytes express high levels of UCP-1 mRNA in response to triiodothyronine (T3) and norepinephrine (NE). The addition of serum or the mitogenic condition aFGF + vasopressin + NE or EGF + vasopressin + NE decreases UCP-1 mRNA. A second addition of mitogens further decreases UCP-1 mRNA. Treatment with aFGF or bFGF alone increases UCP-1 mRNA, whereas the addition of EGF or vasopressin dramatically reduces UCP-1 mRNA levels. The continuous presence of T3 increases UCP-1 mRNA levels in cells treated with EGF, aFGF, or bFGF. The effect of T3 on the stimulation of DNA synthesis also was tested. T3 inhibits the mitogenic activity of aFGF and bFGF. In conclusion, mitogens like aFGF or bFGF allow brown adipocyte differentiation, whereas EGF and vasopressin inhibit the differentiation process. T3 behaves as an important hormone that regulates both brown adipocyte proliferation and differentiation.

scholarly journals ASKA technology-based pull-down method reveals a suppressive effect of ASK1 on the inflammatory NOD-RIPK2 pathway in brown adipocytes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saki Takayanagi ◽  
Kengo Watanabe ◽  
Takeshi Maruyama ◽  
Motoyuki Ogawa ◽  
Kazuhiro Morishita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Adipose Tissues ◽  
Signaling Complex ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Immune Pathway

AbstractRecent studies have shown that adipose tissue is an immunological organ. While inflammation in energy-storing white adipose tissues has been the focus of intense research, the regulatory mechanisms of inflammation in heat-producing brown adipose tissues remain largely unknown. We previously identified apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) as a critical regulator of brown adipocyte maturation; the PKA-ASK1-p38 axis facilitates uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) induction cell-autonomously. Here, we show that ASK1 suppresses an innate immune pathway and contributes to maintenance of brown adipocytes. We report a novel chemical pull-down method for endogenous kinases using analog sensitive kinase allele (ASKA) technology and identify an ASK1 interactor in brown adipocytes, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2). ASK1 disrupts the RIPK2 signaling complex and inhibits the NOD-RIPK2 pathway to downregulate the production of inflammatory cytokines. As a potential biological significance, an in vitro model for intercellular regulation suggests that ASK1 facilitates the expression of UCP1 through the suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. In parallel to our previous report on the PKA-ASK1-p38 axis, our work raises the possibility of an auxiliary role of ASK1 in brown adipocyte maintenance through neutralizing the thermogenesis-suppressive effect of the NOD-RIPK2 pathway.

scholarly journals Liraglutide suppresses obesity and promotes browning of white fat via miR-27b in vivo and in vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 030006052110550
Author(s):  
Xing Wang ◽  
Shuchun Chen ◽  
Dan Lv ◽  
Zelin Li ◽  
Luping Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
White Fat

Objective To investigate the effect of liraglutide on the browning of white fat and the suppression of obesity via regulating microRNA (miR)-27b in vivo and in vitro. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF) diet and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated into mature white adipocytes. Rats and mature adipocytes were then treated with different doses of liraglutide. The mRNA and protein levels of browning-associated proteins, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (CEBPβ), cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results Liraglutide decreased body weight and reduced the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in HF diet-fed rats. Liraglutide increased the levels of UCP1, PRDM16, CEBPβ, CIDEA and PGC-1α in vivo and vitro. The levels of miR-27b were upregulated in HF diet-fed rats, whereas liraglutide reduced the levels of miR-27b. In vitro, overexpression of miR-27b decreased the mRNA and protein levels of UCP1, PRDM16, CEBPβ, CIDEA and PGC-1α. Transfection with the miR-27b mimics attenuated the effect of liraglutide on the browning of white adipocytes. Conclusion Liraglutide induced browning of white adipose through regulation of miR-27b.

Abstract 19727: ROCK2 Mediates Browning of White Fat and Protects Against Obesity

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phetcharat Chen ◽  
Christina Park ◽  
Eltayeb Karrar ◽  
Chaoyung Wang ◽  
James Liao
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Cold Exposure ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
And Function ◽  
White Fat ◽  
Adipocyte Development

Background: The Rho-activated kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2) are serine threonine kinases that are ubiquitously expressed with higher levels of ROCK2 compared to ROCK1 in adipocytes. Recent studies suggest that ROCK2 may be an important regulator of energy metabolism and obesity. However, its role in adipocyte development and function is unknown. Methods and Result: To determine the role of ROCK2 in adipocyte development and obesity, we generated adipocyte-specific deletion (ROCK2 adipoQ-/- ) and overexpression (CA-ROCK adipoQ+/+ ) of ROCK2 in mice. Compared to control mice, CA-ROCK adipoQ+/+ mice exhibited increased browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). Indeed, immunohistochemical staining of iWAT in CA-ROCK adipoQ+/+ mice showed that UCP1 was upregulated. Furthermore, CA-ROCK adipoQ+/+ mice on high fat diet were resistant to weight gain and obesity for up to 18 weeks. This is in contrast to ROCK2 adipoQ-/- mice, which developed more weight gain or obesity than control mice. To determine the physiological effects of ROCK2 on browning of iWAT, control and ROCK2 adipoQ-/- mice were exposed to 4°C for 1 week. In control mice, cold exposure increased ROCK2 activity and lead to browning of iWAT. However, the iWAT in ROCK2 adipoQ-/- mice failed to undergo browning. Analysis of gene expression in iWAT demonstrated increased UCP1 and mitochondria proteins in control but not ROCK2 adipoQ-/- mice. Thermal imaging revealed that ROCK2 adipoQ-/- mice were unable to maintain basal body temperature after prolonged cold exposure. In contrast, the heat map of the CA-ROCK adipoQ+/+ mice showed an elevation of body temperature, particularly in areas of iWAT as compared to that of control littermates. Conclusions: ROCK2 mediates the “browning” of white adipocytes and prevents the development of obesity through increased thermogenesis. These findings suggest that the activation of ROCK2 in adipocytes may have therapeutic benefits in preventing diet-induced obesity.

scholarly journals Dopamine directly increases mitochondrial mass and thermogenesis in brown adipocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Kohlie ◽  
Nina Perwitz ◽  
Julia Resch ◽  
Sebastian M Schmid ◽  
Hendrik Lehnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Mitochondrial Mass ◽  
Brown Adipose

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is key to energy homeostasis. By virtue of its thermogenic potential, it may dissipate excessive energy, regulate body weight and increase insulin sensitivity. Catecholamines are critically involved in the regulation of BAT thermogenesis, yet research has focussed on the effects of noradrenaline and adrenaline. Some evidence suggests a role of dopamine (DA) in BAT thermogenesis, but the cellular mechanisms involved have not been addressed. We employed our extensively characterised murine brown adipocyte cells. D1-like and D2-like receptors were detectable at the protein level. Stimulation with DA caused an increase in cAMP concentrations. Oxygen consumption rates (OCR), mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) levels increased after 24 h of treatment with either DA or a D1-like specific receptor agonist. A D1-like receptor antagonist abolished the DA-mediated effect on OCR, Δψm and UCP1. DA induced the release of fatty acids, which did not additionally alter DA-mediated increases of OCR. Mitochondrial mass (as determined by (i) CCCP- and oligomycin-mediated effects on OCR and (ii) immunoblot analysis of mitochondrial proteins) also increased within 24 h. This was accompanied by an increase in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha protein levels. Also, DA caused an increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation and pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK abolished the DA-mediated effect on Δψm. In summary, our study is the first to reveal direct D1-like receptor and p38 MAPK-mediated increases of thermogenesis and mitochondrial mass in brown adipocytes. These results expand our understanding of catecholaminergic effects on BAT thermogenesis.

scholarly journals SUN-587 IDH1-Dependent Alpha-KG Regulates Brown Fat Differentiation and Function by Modulating Histone Methylation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Kon Kim ◽  
Baek-Soo Han
Keyword(s):  
Histone Methylation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
And Function ◽  
Brown Adipogenesis

Abstract Brown adipocytes play important roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis by uncoupling protein 1-mediated non-shivering thermogenesis. Recent studies suggest that brown adipocytes as novel therapeutic targets for combating obesity and associated diseases, such as type II diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying brown adipocyte differentiation and function are not fully understood. We employed previous findings obtained through proteomic studies performed to assess proteins displaying altered levels during brown adipocyte differentiation. Here, we performed assays to determine the functional significance of their altered levels during brown adipogenesis and development. We identified isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) as upregulated during brown adipocyte differentiation, with subsequent investigations revealing that ectopic expression of IDH1 inhibited brown adipogenesis, whereas suppression of IDH1 levels promoted differentiation of brown adipocytes. Additionally, Idh1 overexpression resulted in increased levels of intracellular α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) and inhibited the expression of genes involved in brown adipogenesis. Exogenous treatment with α-KG reduced brown adipogenesis during the early phase of differentiation, and ChIP analysis revealed that IDH1-mediated α-KG reduced trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 in the promoters of genes associated with brown adipogenesis. Furthermore, administration of α-KG decreased adipogenic gene expression by modulating histone methylation in brown adipose tissues of mice. These results suggested that the IDH1–α-KG axis plays an important role in regulating brown adipocyte differentiation and might represent a therapeutic target for treating metabolic diseases.

Brown adipocytes postnatally arise through both differentiation from progenitors and conversion from white adipocytes in Syrian hamster

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura ◽  
Junko Nio-Kobayashi ◽  
Kazuki Nagaya ◽  
Ayumi Tsubota ◽  
Kazuhiro Kimura
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Syrian Hamsters ◽  
Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Adipocyte Progenitors

To investigate the postnatal development of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in Syrian hamsters, we histologically examined interscapular fat tissue from 5–16-day-old pups, focusing on how brown adipocytes arise. Interscapular fat of 5-day-old hamsters mainly consisted of white adipocytes containing large unilocular lipid droplets, as observed in typical white adipose tissue (WAT). On day 7, clusters of small, proliferative nonadipocytes with a strong immunoreactivity for Ki67 appeared near the edge of the interscapular fat tissue. The area of the Ki67-positive regions expanded to ~50% of the total tissue area by day 10. The interscapular fat showed the typical BAT feature by day 16. A brown adipocyte-specific marker, uncoupling protein-1, was clearly detected on day 10 and thereafter, while not detected on day 7. During conversion of interscapular fat from WAT to BAT, unilocular adipocytes completely and rapidly disappeared without obvious apoptosis. Dual immunofluorescence staining for Ki67 and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), another selective marker for brown adipocytes, revealed that most of the proliferating cells were of the brown adipocyte lineage. Electron microscopic examination showed that some of the white adipocytes contained small lipid droplets in addition to the large droplet and expressed MCT1 as do progenitor and mature brown adipocytes, implying a direct conversion from white to brown adipocytes. These results suggest that BAT of Syrian hamsters develops postnatally through two different pathways: the proliferation and differentiation of brown adipocyte progenitors and the conversion of unilocular adipocytes to multilocular brown adipocytes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Brown and white adipose tissues (BAT and WAT, respectively) are quite different in morphological features and function; however, the boundary between these tissues is obscure. In this study, we histologically evaluated the process of BAT development in Syrian hamsters, which shows postnatal conversion of WAT to BAT. Our results suggest that brown adipocytes arise through two different pathways: the proliferation and differentiation of brown adipocyte progenitors and the conversion from white adipocytes.

scholarly journals Comparison of triacylglycerol synthesis in rat brown and white adipocytes. Effects of hypothyroidism and streptozotocin-diabetes on enzyme activities and metabolic fluxes

1988 ◽  
Vol 250 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
H S Baht ◽  
E D Saggerson
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Enzyme Activities ◽  
Metabolic Flux ◽  
Streptozotocin Diabetes ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Triacylglycerol Synthesis ◽  
White Adipocytes

1. Adipocytes were isolated from the interscapular brown fat and the epididymal white fat of normal, streptozotocin-diabetic and hypothyroid rats. 2. Measurements were made of the maximum rate of triacylglycerol synthesis by monitoring the incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into acylglycerol glycerol in the presence of palmitate (1 mM) and insulin (4 nM) and of the activities of the following triacylglycerol-synthesizing enzymes: fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (FAS), mitochondrial and microsomal forms of glycerolphosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT), monoacylglycerol phosphate acyltransferase (MGPAT), Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PPH) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT). 3. FAS activity in brown adipocytes was predominantly localized in the mitochondrial fraction, whereas a microsomal localization of this enzyme predominated in white adipocytes. Subcellular distributions of the other enzyme activities in brown adipocytes were similar to those shown previously with white adipocytes [Saggerson, Carpenter, Cheng & Sooranna (1980) Biochem. J. 190, 183-189]. 4. Relative to cell DNA, brown adipocytes had lower activities of triacylglycerol-synthesizing enzymes and showed lower rates of metabolic flux into acylglycerols than did white adipocytes isolated from the same animals. 5. Diabetes decreased both metabolic flux into acylglycerols and the activities of triacylglycerol-synthesizing enzymes in white adipocytes. By contrast, although diabetes decreased metabolic flux into brown-adipocyte acylglycerols by 80%, there were no decreases in the activities of triacylglycerol-synthesizing enzymes, and the activity of PPH was significantly increased. 6. Hypothyroidism increased metabolic flux into acylglycerols in both cell types, and increased activities of all triacylglycerol-synthesizing enzymes in brown adipocytes. By contrast, in white adipocytes, although hypothyroidism increased the activities of FAS, microsomal GPAT and DGAT, this condition decreased the activities of mitochondrial GPAT and PPH. 7. It was calculated that the maximum capabilities for fatty acid oxidation and esterification are approximately equal in brown adipocytes. In white adipocytes esterification is predominant by approx. 100-fold. 8. Diabetes almost abolished incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into fatty acids in both adipocyte types. Hypothyroidism increased fatty acid synthesis in white and brown adipocytes by 50% and 1000% respectively.

Pref-1 preferentially inhibits heat production in brown adipose tissue

2012 ◽  
Vol 443 (3) ◽  
pp. e3-e5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Rakhshandehroo ◽  
Arjen Koppen ◽  
Eric Kalkhoven
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
White Adipocyte ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Biochemical Journal ◽  
Undifferentiated State ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Factor C

In mammals there are two types of adipocytes with opposing functions. Brown adipocytes are characterized by a high number of mitochondria and are specialized for heat production (thermogenesis), expressing thermogenic genes such as UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1). White adipocytes, on the other hand, store energy. Although many key regulators in the differentiation of white adipocytes have been established, our current knowledge on the same proteins in brown adipogenesis is lagging behind. One example is Pref-1 (pre-adipocyte factor-1), which maintains white pre-adipocytes in an undifferentiated state, but is only poorly characterized in the brown pre-adipocyte lineage. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Armengol et al. now shed new light on the role and regulation of Pref-1 in brown pre-adipocytes. First, Pref-1 specifically inhibits the thermogenic gene programme in brown pre-adipocytes. Secondly, they identified the transcription factor C/EBPδ (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ) as a direct positive regulator of Pref-1 expression, whereas this protein does not fulfil this role in white adipogenesis. Taken together, these findings indicate that specific manipulation of brown adipocyte differentiation and/or function without interfering with their white adipocyte counterparts may be possible, which may open up new therapeutic ways to combat obesity-associated health problems.

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