Identification of TUB as a novel candidate gene influencing body weight in humans.

Previously, we identified a locus on 11p influencing obesity in families with type 2 diabetes. Based on mouse studies, we selected TUB as a functional candidate gene and performed association studies to determine whether this controls obesity. We analyzed the genotypes of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around TUB in 492 unrelated type 2 diabetic patients with known BMI values. One SNP (rs1528133) was found to have a significant effect on BMI (1.54 kg/m(2), P = 0.006). This association was confirmed in a population enriched for type 2 diabetes, using 750 individuals who were not selected for type 2 diabetes. Two SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with rs1528133 and mapping to the 3' end of TUB, rs2272382, and rs2272383 also affected BMI by 1.3 kg/m2 (P = 0.016 and P = 0.010, respectively). Combined analysis confirmed this association (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, comparing 349 obese subjects (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) from the combined cohort with 289 normal subjects (BMI <25 kg/m(2)) revealed that the protective alleles have a lower frequency in obese subjects (odds ratio 1.32 [95% CI 1.04-1.67], P = 0.022). Altogether, data from the tubby mouse as well as these data suggest that TUB could be an important factor in controlling the central regulation of body weight in humans.

Superoxide anion radicals activate hepatic stellate cells after entry through chloride channels: a new target in liver fibrosis.

It is generally accepted that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. ROS, however, constitute a group of species with varying properties making it likely that their contribution to the pathological mechanism varies. LX-2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were exposed to superoxide anion radicals (O2(·-)) generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. To rule out that the activation of HSCs is due to hydrogen peroxide derived from O2(·-), control incubations with copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase and tempol were studied as well. Influx of O2(·-) activated HSCs, evidenced by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and the secretion of transforming growth factor ß1 and collagen. We further found that blockade of chloride channels with 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropyl-amino) benzoic acid (NPPB) or indanyloxyacetic acid (IAA-94) prevented the increase of intracellular O2(·-) levels as well as the activation of HSCs. These findings suggest that O2(·-) is involved in the development of liver fibrosis and that entry of O2(·-), through chloride channels, in stellate cells is critical for their activation. This study provides new insight into the mechanism by which ROS induce liver fibrosis. Furthermore, our data suggest that chloride channels constitute a potential target for new anti-fibrotic drugs.

Variance-component analysis of obesity in type 2 diabetes confirms loci on chromosomes 1q and 11q.

To study genetic loci influencing obesity in nuclear families with type 2 diabetes, we performed a genome-wide screen with 325 microsatellite markers that had an average spacing of 11 cM and a mean heterozygosity of approximately 75% covering all 22 autosomes. Genotype data were obtained from 562 individuals from 178 families from the Breda Study Cohort. These families were determined to have at least two members with type 2 diabetes. As a measure of obesity, the BMI of each diabetes patient was determined. The genotypes were analyzed using variance components (VCs) analysis implemented in GENEHUNTER 2 to determine quantitative trait loci influencing BMI. The VC analysis revealed two genomic regions showing VC logarithm of odds (LOD) scores > or =1.0 on chromosome 1 and chromosome 11. The regions of interest on both chromosomes were further investigated by fine-mapping with additional markers, resulting in a VC LOD score of 1.5 on chromosome 1q and a VC LOD of 2.4 on chromosome 11q. The locus on chromosome 1 has been implicated previously in diabetes. The locus on chromosome 11 has been implicated previously in diabetes and obesity. Our study to determine linkage for BMI confirms the presence of quantitative trait loci influencing obesity in subjects with type 2 diabetes on chromosomes 1q31-q42 and 11q14-q24.