Milk lipid regulation at the maternal-offspring interface.

Milk lipids provide a large proportion of energy, nutrients, essential fatty acids, and signaling molecules for the newborns, the synthesis of which is a tightly controlled process. Dysregulated milk lipid production and composition may be detrimental to the growth, development, health and survival of the newborns. Many genetically modified animal models have contributed to our understanding of milk lipid regulation in the lactating mammary gland. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of the mechanisms that control milk lipid biosynthesis and secretion during lactation, and how maternal genetic and dietary defects impact milk lipid composition and consequently offspring traits.

CLSTN3B enhances adipocyte lipid droplet structure and function via endoplasmic reticulum contact.

Interorganelle contacts facilitate material exchanges and sustain the structural and functional integrity of organelles. Lipid droplets (LDs) of adipocytes are responsible for energy storage and mobilization responding to body needs. LD biogenesis defects compromise the lipid-storing capacity of adipocytes, resulting in ectopic lipid deposition and metabolic disorders, yet how the uniquely large LDs in adipocytes attain structural and functional maturation is incompletely understood. Here we show that the mammalian adipocyte-specific protein CLSTN3B is crucial for adipocyte LD maturation. CLSTN3B employs an arginine-rich segment to promote extensive contact and hemifusion-like structure formation between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and LD, allowing ER-to-LD phospholipid diffusion during LD expansion. CLSTN3B ablation results in reduced LD surface phospholipid density, increased turnover of LD-surface proteins, and impaired LD functions. Our results establish the central role of CLSTN3B in the adipocyte-specific LD maturation pathway that enhances lipid storage and maintenance of metabolic health under caloric overload.

The hedonic overdrive model best explains high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

OBJECTIVE: High-fat diets cause obesity in male mice; however, the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. Here, three contrasting ideas were assessed: hedonic overdrive, reverse causality, and passive overconsumption models. METHODS: A total of 12 groups of 20 individually housed 12-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to 12 high-fat diets with varying fat content from 40% to 80% (by calories), protein content from 5% to 30%, and carbohydrate content from 8.4% to 40%. Body weight and food intake were monitored for 30 days after 7 days at baseline on a standard low-fat diet. RESULTS: After exposure to the diets, energy intake increased first, and body weight followed later. Intake then declined. The peak energy intake was dependent on both dietary protein and carbohydrate, but not the dietary fat and energy density, whereas the rate of decrease in intake was only related to dietary protein. On high-fat diets, the weight of food intake declined, but despite this average reduction of 14.4 g in food intake, they consumed, on average, 357 kJ more energy than at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The hedonic overdrive model fit the data best. The other two models were not supported.

Effects of reproduction on immuno-suppression and oxidative damage, and hence support or otherwise for their roles as mechanisms underpinning life history trade-offs, are tissue and assay dependent.

Life history parameters appear to be traded off against each other, but the physiological mechanisms involved remain unclear. One hypothesis is that potentially energetically costly processes such as immune function and protection from oxidative stress may be compromised during reproductive attempts because of selective resource allocation. Lower temperatures also impose energy costs, and hence allocation decisions might be more pronounced when animals are forced to reproduce in the cold. Here, we experimentally tested whether reproduction at different ambient temperatures was associated with elevated oxidative stress and suppressed immune function in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Using a variety of different markers for both immune function and oxidative stress, we found that some measures of immune function (serum bactericidal capacity and size of the thymus) were significantly suppressed, while some measures of oxidative protection [serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity] were also reduced, and a marker of oxidative damage (protein carbonyls in serum) was increased in lactating compared with non-reproductive gerbils. These changes were in line with the selective resource allocation predictions. However, the phytohaemagglutinin response and serum total immunoglobulin (IgG) were not suppressed, and other markers of oxidative damage [malondialdehyde (MDA) (TBARS) and protein carbonyls in the liver] were actually lower in lactating compared with non-reproductive gerbils, consistent with increased levels of SOD activity and total antioxidant capacity in the liver. These latter changes were opposite of the expectations based on resource allocation. Furthermore, other measures of protection (GPx levels in the liver and protein thiols in both serum and liver) and damage [MDA (TBARS) in serum] were unrelated to reproductive status. Ambient temperature differences did not impact on these patterns. Collectively, our results indicated that the inferred effects of reproduction on immunosuppression and oxidative damage, and hence support or otherwise for particular physiological mechanisms that underpin life history trade-offs, are critically dependent on the exact markers and tissues used. This may be because during reproduction individuals selectively allocate protection to some key tissues, but sacrifice protection of others.

Limits to sustained energy intake. XIX. A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

We evaluated factors limiting lactating Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) at three temperatures (10, 21 and 30°C). Energy intake and daily energy expenditure (DEE) increased with decreased ambient temperature. At peak lactation (day 14 of lactation), energy intake increased from 148.7±5.7 kJ day(-1) at 30°C to 213.1±8.2 kJ day(-1) at 21°C and 248.7±12.3 kJ day(-1) at 10°C. DEE increased from 105.1±4.0 kJ day(-1) at 30°C to 134.7±5.6 kJ day(-1) at 21°C and 179.5±8.4 kJ day(-1) at 10°C on days 14-16 of lactation. With nearly identical mean litter sizes, lactating gerbils at 30°C exported 32.0 kJ day(-1) less energy as milk at peak lactation than those allocated to 10 or 21°C, with no difference between the latter groups. On day 14 of lactation, the litter masses at 10 and 30°C were 12.2 and 9.3 g lower than those at 21°C, respectively. Lactating gerbils had higher thermal conductance of the fur and lower UCP-1 levels in brown adipose tissue than non-reproductive gerbils, independent of ambient temperature, suggesting that they were attempting to avoid heat stress. Thermal conductance of the fur was positively related to circulating prolactin levels. We implanted non-reproductive gerbils with mini-osmotic pumps that delivered either prolactin or saline. Prolactin did not influence thermal conductance of the fur, but did reduce physical activity and UCP-1 levels in brown adipose tissue. Transferring lactating gerbils from warm to hot conditions resulted in reduced milk production, consistent with the heat dissipation limit theory, but transferring them from warm to cold conditions did not elevate milk production, consistent with the peripheral limitation hypothesis, and placed constraints on pup growth.

High dietary protein and fat contents exacerbate hepatic senescence and SASP in mice.

Dietary choices have a profound impact on the aging process. In addition to the total amount of energy intake, macronutrient composition influences both health and lifespan. However, the exact mechanisms by which dietary macronutrients influence onset and progression of age-associated features remain poorly understood. Cellular senescence is a state of stable growth arrest characterized by the secretion of numerous bioactive molecules with pro-inflammatory properties. Accumulation of senescent cells is considered one of the basic mechanisms of aging and an important contributor to chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration. Whether dietary macronutrients affect the accumulation and the phenotype of senescent cells with age is still unknown. Here, we show that feeding on diets with varying ratios of dietary macronutrients for 3 months has a significant effect on different senescence-associated markers in the mouse liver. High protein intake is associated with higher expression levels of the two classical senescence-associated growth arrest genes, p21 and p16. Furthermore, the expression of many pro-inflammatory secretory markers was increased in diets enriched in protein and further enhanced by increases in fat content. These results provide preliminary evidence that dietary macronutrients have a significant influence on senescence markers and merit further investigation.

Maternal High Fat Diet in Lactation Impacts Hypothalamic Neurogenesis and Neurotrophic Development, Leading to Later Life Susceptibility to Obesity in Male but Not Female Mice.

Early life nutrition can reprogram development and exert long-term consequences on body weight regulation. In mice, maternal high-fat diet (HFD) during lactation predisposed male but not female offspring to diet-induced obesity when adult. Molecular and cellular changes in the hypothalamus at important time points are examined in the early postnatal life in relation to maternal diet and demonstrated sex-differential hypothalamic reprogramming. Maternal HFD in lactation decreased the neurotropic development of neurons formed at the embryo stage (e12.5) and impaired early postnatal neurogenesis in the hypothalamic regions of both males and females. Males show a larger increased ratio of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) to Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in early postnatal neurogenesis, in response to maternal HFD, setting an obese tone for male offspring. These data provide insights into the mechanisms by which hypothalamic reprograming by early life overnutrition contributes to the sex-dependent susceptibility to obesity in adult life in mice.

Partial removal of brown adipose tissue enhances humoral immunity in warm-acclimated Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Temperate rodent species experience marked seasonal fluctuations in environmental temperatures. High thermoregulatory demands during winter usually weaken immune function. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a crucial role in adaptive thermoregulatory process. Thus, we proposed the hypothesis that BAT might participate in the regulation of seasonal changes in immune function. The present study examined the trade-off between thermoregulation and immune function and the potential role of BAT in regulating seasonal changes in immune function in Mongolian gerbils. Specifically, surgical removal of interscapular BAT (34% of total BAT) was performed in male gerbils, and subsequently acclimated to either warm (23 ± 1 °C) or cold (4 ± 1 °C) conditions. Gerbils were then challenged with innocuous antigens and the immune responses were measured. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) were increased under cold conditions. However, the cost of thermoregulation during cold acclimation did not suppress T-cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity or decrease spleen mass, thymus mass and white blood cells. Partial removal of BAT significantly enhanced humoral immunity in warm-acclimated, but not in cold-acclimated gerbils. T-cell mediated immunity, white blood cells and immune organs were not affected by BAT removal under both warm and cold conditions. Collectively, our results imply that BAT has a suppressive effect on humoral immunity in warm-acclimated gerbils and differential effects of BAT on humoral immunity under different temperatures (e.g., summer and winter) might be benefit to their survival.

Increased Variation in Body Weight and Food Intake Is Related to Increased Dietary Fat but Not Increased Carbohydrate or Protein in Mice.

A variety of inbred mouse strains have been used for research in metabolic disorders. Despite being inbred, they display large inter-individual variability for many traits like food intake and body weight. However, the relationship between dietary macronutrients and inter-individual variation in body weight and food intake of different mouse strains is still unclear. We investigated the association between macronutrient content of the diet and variations in food intake, body composition, and glucose tolerance by exposing five different mouse strains (C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H, DBA/2, and FVB) to 24 different diets with variable protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents. We found only increasing dietary fat, but not protein or carbohydrate had a significant association (positive) with variation in both food intake and body weight. The highest variation in both body weight and food intake occurred with 50% dietary fat. However, there were no significant relationships between the variation in fat and lean mass with dietary protein, fat, or carbohydrate levels. In addition, none of the dietary macronutrients had significant impacts on the variation in glucose tolerance ability in C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the variations in food intake and body weight changes increased with the elevation of dietary fat levels.

Corrigendum: Increased variation in body weight and food intake is related to increased dietary fat but not increased carbohydrate or protein in mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.835536.].

Effects of dietary macronutrients on the hepatic transcriptome and serum metabolome in mice.

Dietary macronutrient composition influences both hepatic function and aging. Previous work suggested that longevity and hepatic gene expression levels were highly responsive to dietary protein, but almost unaffected by other macronutrients. In contrast, we found expression of 4005, 4232, and 4292 genes in the livers of mice were significantly associated with changes in dietary protein (5%-30%), fat (20%-60%), and carbohydrate (10%-75%), respectively. More genes in aging-related pathways (notably mTOR, IGF-1, and NF-kappaB) had significant correlations with dietary fat intake than protein and carbohydrate intake, and the pattern of gene expression changes in relation to dietary fat intake was in the opposite direction to the effect of graded levels of caloric restriction consistent with dietary fat having a negative impact on aging. We found 732, 808, and 995 serum metabolites were significantly correlated with dietary protein (5%-30%), fat (8.3%-80%), and carbohydrate (10%-80%) contents, respectively. Metabolomics pathway analysis revealed sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling was the significantly affected pathway by dietary fat content which has also been identified as significant changed metabolic pathway in the previous caloric restriction study. Our results suggest dietary fat has major impact on aging-related gene and metabolic pathways compared with other macronutrients.

Fam20C Regulates Bone Resorption and Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis through Osteopontin and BMP4.

Fam20C is a kinase that generates the majority of secreted phosphoproteins and regulates biomineralization. However, its potential roles in bone resorption and breast cancer bone metastasis are unknown. Here we show that Fam20C in the myeloid lineage suppresses osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, during which, osteopontin (OPN) is the most abundant phosphoprotein secreted in a Fam20C-dependent manner. OPN phosphorylation by Fam20C decreased OPN secretion, and OPN neutralization reduced Fam20C deficiency-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone metastasis. In contrast, Fam20C in breast cancer cells promoted bone metastasis by facilitating the phosphorylation and secretion of BMP4, which in turn enhanced osteoclastogenesis. Mutation of the BMP4 phosphorylation site elevated BMP4 lysosomal degradation and reduced BMP4 secretion. In breast cancer cells, BMP4 depletion or treatment with a BMP4 signaling inhibitor diminished osteoclast differentiation and bone metastasis and abolished Fam20C-mediated regulation of these processes. Collectively, this study discovers distinct roles for Fam20C in myeloid cells and breast cancer cells and highlights OPN and BMP4 as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer bone metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: Osteoclastogenesis and bone metastasis are suppressed by myeloid-derived Fam20C, but enhanced by breast cancer-associated Fam20C, uncovering novel Fam20C functions and new therapeutic strategies via targeting Fam20C substrates OPN and BMP4.

Effects of dietary macronutrients and body composition on glucose homeostasis in mice.

As a major health issue, obesity is linked with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes. However, whether disrupted glucose homeostasis is due to altered body composition alone, or whether dietary macronutrients play an additional role, independent of their impact on body composition, remains unclear. We investigated the associations between macronutrients, body composition, blood hormones and glucose homeostasis. We fed C57BL/6N mice 29 different diets with variable macronutrients for 12 weeks. After 10 weeks, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed. Generalized linear models were generated to evaluate the impacts of macronutrients, body composition and blood hormones on glucose homeostasis. The area under the glucose curve (AUC) was strongly associated with body fat mass, but not dietary macronutrients. AUC was significantly associated with fasting insulin levels. Six genes from transcriptomic analysis of epididymal white adipose tissue and subcutaneous white adipose tissue were significantly associated with AUC. These genes may encode secreted proteins that play important previously unanticipated roles in glucose homeostasis.

Differential regulation of breast cancer bone metastasis by PARP1 and PARP2.

PARP1 and PARP2 dual inhibitors, such as olaparib, have been recently FDA approved for the treatment of advanced breast and ovarian cancers. However, their effects on bone mass and bone metastasis are unknown. Here we show that olaparib increases breast cancer bone metastasis through PARP2, but not PARP1, specifically in the myeloid lineage, but not in the cancer cells. Olaparib treatment or PARP1/2 deletion promotes osteoclast differentiation and bone loss. Intriguingly, myeloid deletion of PARP2, but not PARP1, increases the population of immature myeloid cells in bone marrow, and impairs the expression of chemokines such as CCL3 through enhancing the transcriptional repression by ß-catenin. Compromised CCL3 production in turn creates an immune-suppressive milieu by altering T cell subpopulations. Our findings warrant careful examination of current PARP inhibitors on bone metastasis and bone loss, and suggest cotreatment with CCL3, ß-catenin inhibitors, anti-RANKL or bisphosphonates as potential combination therapy for PARP inhibitors.

The carbohydrate-insulin model does not explain the impact of varying dietary macronutrients on the body weight and adiposity of mice.

OBJECTIVES: The carbohydrate-insulin model (CIM) predicts that increases in fasting and post-prandial insulin in response to dietary carbohydrates stimulate energy intake and lower energy expenditures, leading to positive energy balance and weight gain. The objective of the present study was to directly test the CIM's predictions using C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Diets were designed by altering dietary carbohydrates with either fixed protein or fat content and were fed to C57BL/6 mice acutely or chronically for 12 weeks. The body weight, body composition, food intake, and energy expenditures of the mice were measured. Their fasting and post-prandial glucose and insulin levels were also measured. RNA-seq was performed on RNA from the hypothalamus and subcutaneous white adipose tissue. Pathway analysis was conducted using IPA. RESULTS: Only the post-prandial insulin and fasting glucose levels followed the CIM's predictions. The lipolysis and leptin signaling pathways in the sWAT were inhibited in relation to the elevated fasting insulin, supporting the CIM's predicted impact of high insulin. However, because higher fasting insulin was unrelated to carbohydrate intake, the overall pattern did not support the model. Moreover, the hypothalamic hunger pathways were inhibited in relation to the increased fasting insulin, and the energy intake was not increased. The browning pathway in the sWAT was inhibited at higher insulin levels, but the daily energy expenditure was not altered. CONCLUSIONS: Two of the predictions were partially supported (and hence also partially not supported) and the other three predictions were not supported. We conclude that the CIM does not explain the impact of dietary macronutrients on adiposity in mice.

Molecular determinants for the polarization of macrophage and osteoclast.

Emerging evidence suggest that macrophage and osteoclast are two competing differentiation outcomes from myeloid progenitors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the polarization of macrophage and osteoclast. These include nuclear receptors/transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), their transcription cofactor PPARγ coactivator 1-ß (PGC-1ß), metabolic factors such as mitochondrial complex I (CI) component NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase iron-sulfur protein 4 (Ndufs4), as well as transmembrane receptors such as very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR). These molecular rheostats promote osteoclast differentiation but suppress proinflammatory macrophage activation and inflammation, by acting lineage-intrinsically, systemically or cross generation. These findings provide new insights to the understanding of the interactions between innate immunity and bone remodeling, advancing the field of osteoimmunology.

NR Supplementation During Lactation: Benefiting Mother and Child.

Abnormal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism causes a wide spectrum of diseases. A recent study (Cell Rep. 2019;26:969-983) shows that postpartum NAD+ homeostasis is depressed. By restoring NAD+ homeostasis, maternal nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation during lactation enhances postpartum weight loss, as well as juvenile development and adult neurogenesis in the offspring.

Dietary Fat, but Not Protein or Carbohydrate, Regulates Energy Intake and Causes Adiposity in Mice.

The impacts of different macronutrients on body weight regulation remain unresolved, with different studies suggesting increased dietary fat, increased carbohydrates (particularly sugars), or reduced protein may all stimulate overconsumption and drive obesity. We exposed C57BL/6 mice to 29 different diets varying from 8.3% to 80% fat, 10% to 80% carbohydrate, 5% to 30% protein, and 5% to 30% sucrose. Only increased dietary fat content was associated with elevated energy intake and adiposity. This response was associated with increased gene expression in the 5-HT receptors, and the dopamine and opioid signaling pathways in the hypothalamus. We replicated the core findings in four other mouse strains (DBA/2, BALB/c, FVB, and C3H). Mice regulate their food consumption primarily to meet an energy rather than a protein target, but this system can be over-ridden by hedonic factors linked to fat, but not sucrose, consumption.

Limits to sustained energy intake XXV: milk energy output and thermogenesis in Swiss mice lactating at thermoneutrality.

Previous studies at 21 °C and 5 °C suggest that in Swiss mice sustained energy intake (SusEI) and reproductive performance are constrained by the mammary capacity to produce milk. We aimed to establish if this constraint also applied at higher ambient temperature (30 °C). Female Swiss mice lactating at 30 °C had lower asymptotic food intake and weaned lighter litters than those at 21 °C. Resting metabolic rate, daily energy expenditure, milk energy output and suckling time were all lower at 30 °C. In a second experiment we gave mice at 30 °C either 6 or 9 pups to raise. Female performance was independent of litter size, indicating that it is probably not controlled by pup demands. In a third experiment we exposed only the mother, or only the offspring to the elevated temperature. In this case the performance of the mother was only reduced when she was exposed, and not when her pups were exposed, showing that the high temperature directly constrains female performance. These data suggest that at 30 °C SusEI and reproductive performance are likely constrained by the capacity of females to dissipate body heat, and not indirectly via pup demands. Constraints seem to change with ambient temperature in this strain of mouse.

Photoperiod induced obesity in the Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii): a model of 'healthy obesity'?

Brandt's voles have an annual cycle of body weight and adiposity. These changes can be induced in the laboratory by manipulation of photoperiod. In the present study, male captive-bred Brandt's voles aged 35 days were acclimated to a short day (SD) photoperiod (8L:16D) for 70 days. A subgroup of individuals (n=16) were implanted with transmitters to monitor physical activity and body temperature. They were then randomly allocated into long day (LD=16L:8D) (n=19, 8 with transmitters) and SD (n=18, 8 with transmitters) groups for an additional 70 days. We monitored aspects of energy balance, glucose and insulin tolerance (GTT and ITT), body composition and organ fat content after exposure to the different photoperiods. LD voles increased in weight for 35 days and then re-established stability at a higher level. At the end of the experiment LD-exposed voles had greater white adipose tissue mass than SD voles (P=0.003). During weight gain they did not differ in their food intake or digestive efficiency; however, daily energy expenditure was significantly reduced in the LD compared with SD animals (ANCOVA, P<0.05) and there was a trend to reduced resting metabolic rate RMR (P=0.075). Physical activity levels were unchanged. Despite different levels of fat storage, the GTT and ITT responses of SD and LD voles were not significantly different, and these traits were not correlated to body fatness. Hence, the photoperiod-induced obesity was independent on disruptions to glucose homeostasis, indicating a potential adaptive decoupling of these states in evolutionary time. Fat content in both the liver and muscle showed no significant difference between LD and SD animals. How voles overcome the common negative aspects of fat storage might make them a useful model for understanding the phenomenon of 'healthy obesity'.