scholarly journals Uncovering the Role of p38 Family Members in Adipose Tissue Physiology

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Leiva ◽  
Nuria Matesanz ◽  
Marta Pulgarín-Alfaro ◽  
Ivana Nikolic ◽  
Guadalupe Sabio

The complex functions of adipose tissue have been a focus of research interest over the past twenty years. Adipose tissue is not only the main energy storage depot, but also one of the largest endocrine organs in the body and carries out crucial metabolic functions. Moreover, brown and beige adipose depots are major sites of energy expenditure through the activation of adaptive, non-shivering thermogenesis. In recent years, numerous signaling molecules and pathways have emerged as critical regulators of adipose tissue, in both homeostasis and obesity-related disease. Among the best characterized are members of the p38 kinase family. The activity of these kinases has emerged as a key contributor to the biology of the white and brown adipose tissues, and their modulation could provide new therapeutic approaches against obesity. Here, we give an overview of the roles of the distinct p38 family members in adipose tissue, focusing on their actions in adipogenesis, thermogenic activity, and secretory function.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5560
Author(s):  
Alejandro Álvarez-Artime ◽  
Belén García-Soler ◽  
Rosa María Sainz ◽  
Juan Carlos Mayo

In addition to its well-known role as an energy repository, adipose tissue is one of the largest endocrine organs in the organism due to its ability to synthesize and release different bioactive molecules. Two main types of adipose tissue have been described, namely white adipose tissue (WAT) with a classical energy storage function, and brown adipose tissue (BAT) with thermogenic activity. The prostate, an exocrine gland present in the reproductive system of most mammals, is surrounded by periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) that contributes to maintaining glandular homeostasis in conjunction with other cell types of the microenvironment. In pathological conditions such as the development and progression of prostate cancer, adipose tissue plays a key role through paracrine and endocrine signaling. In this context, the role of WAT has been thoroughly studied. However, the influence of BAT on prostate tumor development and progression is unclear and has received much less attention. This review tries to bring an update on the role of different factors released by WAT which may participate in the initiation, progression and metastasis, as well as to compile the available information on BAT to discuss and open a new field of knowledge about the possible protective role of BAT in prostate cancer.


2021 ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
Irina Chernukha ◽  
Liliya Fedulova ◽  
Elena Kotenkova

Introduction. Traditionally, mammalian adipose tissue is divided into white (white adipose tissue – WAT) and brown (brown adipose tissue – BAT). While the functions of WAT are well known as the triglyceride depot, the role of BAT in mammalian physiology has been under close investigation. The first description of the role of BAT in maintaining thermogenesis dates back to 1961. This article offers a review of structural and functional specificity of white, beige and brown adipose tissue. Results and discussion. The differences and descriptions of adipocytes and their impact on the maintenance of the main functions of the mammalian body are described in this manuscript. In particular, thermogenesis, stress response, obesity, type II diabetes. In addition to WAT and BAT, an intermediate form was also detected in the body – beige fat (BeAT or Brite). The opposite opinions regarding the presence of three types of adipose tissue in the human and animal bodies are presented. Studies on the identification of uncoupling proteins 1 and 3 and their role in the transformation of white fat into beige/brown are considered. Basically, the data on the factors of endogenous and exogenous nature on their formation are given on the example of the human body. Conclusion. With an abundance of publications on the keywords: “white, brown fat”, these studies, in the overwhelming majority, are devoted to the role of these fats in the formation of human thermogenesis, the assessment of the impact on obesity. Pigs have also been suggested to lack functional BAT, which is a major cause of neonatal death in the swine industry, therefore the focus on investigating role of different types of adipose tissue in pigs seems very promising in order to understand whether there is a compensating mechanism of thermogenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvand Asghari ◽  
Linh Bui ◽  
Robert Stephen ◽  
Michihisa Umetani

Abstract 27-Hydroxycholesterol (27HC) is the most abundant oxysterol in circulation and metabolized by a P450 enzyme CYP7B1. Its levels closely correspond to those of cholesterol in the body. In addition, previously it was found that 27HC is an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which links cholesterol metabolism to estrogen receptor actions (1). Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the primary source of energy expenditure and energy homeostasis, as well as body temperature maintenance. While previously it was believed that BAT activity is limited to neonates and young children, it is now recognized that BAT is also active in adult humans and its function is impaired by metabolic diseases such as obesity. BAT is also a secretory organ and produces brown adipokines, although the exact function of BAT and adipokines from this tissue in obesity has not been completely understood. Recently, it was reported that 27HC plays an important role in obesity and augments body weight gain in response to a high fat, high cholesterol (HFHC) diet by increasing pre-adipocyte population in the white adipose tissue. 27HC mimics the effects by HFHC diet-feeding on white adipose tissue, such as promoting the inflammation and macrophage infiltration (2). In this study, we explored the effect of 27HC on BAT morphology and function. First, we compared the morphology of BAT from wild-type mice and Cyp7b1-/- mice that have elevated levels of 27HC using H&E staining. Interestingly, brown adipocytes from Cyp7b1-/- mice were larger in cell size than those from wild-type mice, and the cells were mostly unilocular compared to the multilocular cells from wild-type mice, indicating the transition toward a “whitening” phenotype. Next, We treated mice fed a normal chow or a HFHC diet with 27HC or vehicle control for 8 weeks to examine the direct effect by 27HC on BAT. Similar to the phenotype in Cyp7b1-/-mice, 27HC increased the “whitening” of BAT regardless of the diet. We also determined the gene expression of brown adipocyte markers such as UCP1, PGC1a, and DIO2, and found that 27HC significantly decreased the expression of the BAT markers regardless of the diet, confirming the “whitening” observed in the morphology. Moreover, the energy expenditure in mice treated with 27HC was decreased compared to the vehicle control on a HFHC diet, suggesting that 27HC also alters BAT function. These results show that 27HC causes the whitening of BAT, and shed light on the important role of 27HC in brown adipose tissue function. Future experiments will be warranted toward further understanding of the role of 27HC in BAT function. Reference:(1) Umetani, Michihisa, et al. Nature medicine 13.10 (2007): 1185. (2) Asghari, Arvand, et al. Endocrinology 160.10 (2019): 2485-2494.


1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
David O. Foster

The calorigenic response to infused noradrenaline (NA) of barbital-anesthetized, cold-acclimated, adult, gnotobiotic, albino rats tested 1 h after removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue (I.B.A.T.) was 14% lower than before surgery and 15% lower than the response of either sham-operated or non-operated rats; but 4 days later, the response of rats without I.B.A.T. was not significantly different from that of the controls. In unanesthetized rats, response to NA was also unaffected by interruption of blood flow to I.B.A.T. 1–3 days before the measurements. Since these results do not conform with previous findings of 30–60% reductions in response to NA following removal of I.B.A.T. or interference with the tissue's vascular connections, they contradict the current hypothesis that the B.A.T. of cold-acclimated rodents has a unique role as a mediator of calorigenesis in other tissues.A supplementary feature of the study was the discovery of apparent thermolability in the process by which cold-acclimated rats respond calorigenically to NA. If, during infusion of NA, colonic temperature exceeded about 41.5 °C, an apparently critical degree of hyperthermia response to the hormone during a subsequent infusion was reduced. This reduction was linearly related to the previous maximum colonic temperature over the range 41.6–42.4 °C and amounted to approximately 70% at 42.4 °C. These results indicate the necessity for monitoring the body temperatures of animals during infusion of NA, particularly in experiments in which two or more tests of response to NA are done on the same animal. Since such temperature measurements were not reported in those studies that have suggested a mediatory role of B.A.T. in calorigenesis in rodents, it is not possible to resolve the discrepancies on this basis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 242 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina A Vaitkus ◽  
Francesco S Celi

Adipose tissue (fat) is a heterogeneous organ, both in function and histology, distributed throughout the body. White adipose tissue, responsible for energy storage and more recently found to have endocrine and inflammation-modulatory activities, was historically thought to be the only type of fat present in adult humans. The recent demonstration of functional brown adipose tissue in adults, which is highly metabolic, shifted this paradigm. Additionally, recent studies demonstrate the ability of white adipose tissue to be induced toward the brown adipose phenotype – “beige” or “brite” adipose tissue – in a process referred to as “browning.” While these adipose tissue depots are under investigation in the context of obesity, new evidence suggests a maladaptive role in other metabolic disturbances including cancer-associated cachexia, which is the topic of this review. This syndrome is multifactorial in nature and is an independent factor associated with poor prognosis. Here, we review the contributions of all three adipose depots – white, brown, and beige – to the development and progression of cancer-associated cachexia. Specifically, we focus on the local and systemic processes involving these adipose tissues that lead to increased energy expenditure and sustained negative energy balance. We highlight key findings from both animal and human studies and discuss areas within the field that need further exploration. Impact statement Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a complex, multifactorial syndrome that negatively impacts patient quality of live and prognosis. This work reviews a component of CAC that lacks prior discussion: adipose tissue contributions. Uniquely, it discusses all three types of adipose tissue, white, beige, and brown, their interactions, and their contributions to the development and progression of CAC. Summarizing key bench and clinical studies, it provides information that will be useful to both basic and clinical researchers in designing experiments, studies, and clinical trials.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Hayward ◽  
P. F. Davies

The increased rate of oxygen consumption by cold-acclimated, adult mice after subcutaneous injection of noradrenaline has been measured for intact individuals and for those with the arterial supply to their interscapular brown adipose tissue ligated. An immediate reduction of 40% of this calorigenic response was noted in mice thus operated. Dissection of the total brown fat of the body indicated that the interscapular deposits comprise 43% by weight of the total brown adipose tissue, which in turn forms only 1% of the body weight. Since a 40% reduction in calorigenic response to noradrenaline cannot be ascribed to the loss of an amount of brown fat constituting less than 0.5%) of the body weight, the results support the hypothesis that brown fat can mediate calorigenic responses of other tissues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 267-270
Author(s):  
Khojasta Talash ◽  
Maheswara Reddy Eevuri ◽  
Phuoc-Tan Diep

Cold water swimming is thought to provide mental and physical health benefits, although the details of the potential signalling pathways involved in the body have not yet been fully established. We know that brown fat/brown adipose tissue is important in thermogenesis, thereby possibly helping in training the body to adapt to cold stimuli. As a result of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis during cold exposure, the body uses up the stored fat energy to produce heat energy. Such metabolism of fat can therefore help combat diseases associated with gain of fat, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we present a potential role for oxytocin in stimulating brown adipose tissue thermogenesis during cold exposure and adaptation. We discuss cold adaptation and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and present our hypothesis for the role of oxytocin in cold adaptation and its perceived benefits for health.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1479
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pinkowska ◽  
Marzenna Podhorska-Okołów ◽  
Piotr Dzięgiel ◽  
Katarzyna Nowińska

Irisin (Ir) is an adipomyokine that is involved in the regulation of metabolic processes. It also influences processes related to inflammation, including cancer. Initially, Ir was considered a hormone secreted by skeletal muscles in response to physical exercise. Further studies showed that Ir is also present in other healthy tissues, organs, and plasma. It influences the change in phenotype of white adipose tissue (WAT) into brown adipose tissue (BAT). It increases mitochondrial biogenesis and affects the expression of thermogenin (UCP1). This adipomyokine has also been found in many tumor tissues and in the serum of cancer patients. Studies are underway to determine the association between Ir and carcinogenesis. It has been confirmed that Ir inhibits in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion. It is involved in the inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, Ir affects the expression of the transcription factor Snail, which is involved in EMT, and inhibits transcription of the gene encoding E-cadherin, which is characteristic of epithelial-derived cells. Many studies have been performed to determine the role of Ir in physiological and pathological processes. Further detailed studies should determine more precisely the effect of Ir on the body in health and disease.


Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 142-OR
Author(s):  
MASAJI SAKAGUCHI ◽  
SHOTA OKAGAWA ◽  
SAYAKA KITANO ◽  
TATSUYA KONDO ◽  
EIICHI ARAKI

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8289
Author(s):  
Mari T. Kaartinen ◽  
Mansi Arora ◽  
Sini Heinonen ◽  
Aila Rissanen ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
...  

Transglutaminases TG2 and FXIII-A have recently been linked to adipose tissue biology and obesity, however, human studies for TG family members in adipocytes have not been conducted. In this study, we investigated the association of TGM family members to acquired weight gain in a rare set of monozygotic (MZ) twins discordant for body weight, i.e., heavy–lean twin pairs. We report that F13A1 is the only TGM family member showing significantly altered, higher expression in adipose tissue of the heavier twin. Our previous work linked adipocyte F13A1 to increased weight, body fat mass, adipocyte size, and pro-inflammatory pathways. Here, we explored further the link of F13A1 to adipocyte size in the MZ twins via a previously conducted TWA study that was further mined for genes that specifically associate to hypertrophic adipocytes. We report that differential expression of F13A1 (ΔHeavy–Lean) associated with 47 genes which were linked via gene enrichment analysis to immune response, leucocyte and neutrophil activation, as well as cytokine response and signaling. Our work brings further support to the role of F13A1 in the human adipose tissue pathology, suggesting a role in the cascade that links hypertrophic adipocytes with inflammation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document