scholarly journals Challenging a “Cushy” Life: Potential Roles of Thermogenesis and Adipose Tissue Adaptations in Delayed Aging of Ames and Snell Dwarf Mice

Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa G. Valencak ◽  
Tanja Spenlingwimmer ◽  
Ricarda Nimphy ◽  
Isabel Reinisch ◽  
Jessica M. Hoffman ◽  
...  

Laboratory mouse models with genetically altered growth hormone (GH) signaling and subsequent endocrine disruptions, have longer lifespans than control littermates. As such, these mice are commonly examined to determine the role of the somatotropic axis as it relates to healthspan and longevity in mammals. The two most prominent mouse mutants in this context are the genetically dwarf Ames and Snell models which have been studied extensively for over two decades. However, it has only been proposed recently that both white and brown adipose tissue depots may contribute to their delayed aging. Here we review the current state of the field and supplement it with recent data from our labs.

2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (9) ◽  
pp. E793-E799 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Andres Contreras ◽  
Yun-Hee Lee ◽  
Emilio P. Mottillo ◽  
James G. Granneman

Brown adipocytes (BA) generate heat in response to sympathetic activation and are the main site of nonshivering thermogenesis in mammals. Although most BA are located in classic brown adipose tissue depots, BA are also abundant in the inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) before weaning. The number of BA is correlated with the density of sympathetic innervation in iWAT; however, the role of continuous sympathetic tone in the establishment and maintenance of BA in WAT has not been investigated. BA marker expression in iWAT was abundant in weaning mice but was greatly reduced by 8 wk of age. Nonetheless, BA phenotype could be rapidly reinstated by acute β3-adrenergic stimulation with CL-316,243 (CL). Genetic tagging of adipocytes with adiponectin-CreERT2 demonstrated that CL reinstates uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in adipocytes that were present before weaning. Chronic surgical denervation dramatically reduced the ability of CL to induce the expression of UCP1 and other BA markers in the tissue as a whole, and this loss of responsiveness was prevented by concurrent treatment with CL. These results indicate that ongoing sympathetic activity is critical to preserve the ability of iWAT fat cells to express a BA phenotype upon adrenergic stimulation.


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.


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

Author(s):  
Aleix Gavaldà-Navarro ◽  
Joan Villarroya ◽  
Rubén Cereijo ◽  
Marta Giralt ◽  
Francesc Villarroya

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.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1122
Author(s):  
Jamie I. van der van der Vaart ◽  
Mariëtte R. Boon ◽  
Riekelt H. Houtkooper

Obesity is becoming a pandemic, and its prevalence is still increasing. Considering that obesity increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, research efforts are focusing on new ways to combat obesity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a possible target to achieve this for its functional role in energy expenditure by means of increasing thermogenesis. An important metabolic sensor and regulator of whole-body energy balance is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and its role in energy metabolism is evident. This review highlights the mechanisms of BAT activation and investigates how AMPK can be used as a target for BAT activation. We review compounds and other factors that are able to activate AMPK and further discuss the therapeutic use of AMPK in BAT activation. Extensive research shows that AMPK can be activated by a number of different kinases, such as LKB1, CaMKK, but also small molecules, hormones, and metabolic stresses. AMPK is able to activate BAT by inducing adipogenesis, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and inducing browning in white adipose tissue. We conclude that, despite encouraging results, many uncertainties should be clarified before AMPK can be posed as a target for anti-obesity treatment via BAT activation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Cox ◽  
Natasha Chernis ◽  
Kang Ho Kim ◽  
Peter M. Masschelin ◽  
Pradip K. Saha ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectiveWhite adipose tissue (WAT) expansion regulates energy balance and overall metabolic homeostasis. WAT absence or loss occurring through lipodystrophy and lipoatrophy contributes to the development of dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance. We previously demonstrated the sole small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E2-conjuguating enzyme Ubc9 represses human adipocyte differentiation. Germline and other tissue-specific deletions of Ubc9 frequently cause lethality in mice. As a result, the role of Ubc9 during WAT development remains unknown.MethodsTo determine how Ubc9 impacts body composition and energy balance, we generated adipocyte-specific Ubc9 knockout mice (Ubc9a-KO). CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing inserted loxP sites flanking exons 3 and 4 at the Ubc9 locus. Subsequent genetic crosses to AdipoQ-Cre transgenic mice allowed deletion of Ubc9 in white and brown adipocytes. We measured multiple metabolic endpoints that describe energy balance and carbohydrate metabolism in Ubc9a-KO and littermate controls during postnatal growth.ResultsTo our surprise, Ubc9a-KO mice developed hyperinsulinemia and hepatic steatosis. Global energy balance defects emerged from dysfunctional WAT marked by pronounced local inflammation, loss of serum adipokines, hepatomegaly, and near absence of major adipose tissue depots. We observed progressive lipoatrophy that commences in the early adolescent period.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that Ubc9 expression in mature adipocytes is essential for maintaining WAT expansion. Deletion of Ubc9 in fat cells compromised and diminished adipocyte function that provoked WAT inflammation and ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver. Our findings reveal an indispensable role for Ubc9 during white adipocyte expansion and endocrine control of energy balance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Allancer Divino De Carvalho Nunes ◽  
Lin Yu ◽  
Collin Lahde ◽  
Sarah Noureddine ◽  
Tatiana Saccon ◽  
...  

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