Dysregulation of Lipid and Glucose Homeostasis in Hepatocyte-Specific SLC25A34 Knockout Mice.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an epidemic affecting 30% of the US population. It is characterized by insulin resistance, and by defective lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver. SLC25A34 is a major repressive target of miR-122, a miR that has a central role in NAFLD and liver cancer. However, little is known about the function of SLC25A34. To investigate SLC25A34 in vitro, mitochondrial respiration and bioenergetics were examined using hepatocytes depleted of Slc25a34 or overexpressing Slc25a34. To test the function of SLC25A34 in vivo, a hepatocyte-specific knockout mouse was generated, and loss of SLC25A34 was assessed in mice maintained on a chow diet and a fast-food diet (FFD), a model for NAFLD. Hepatocytes depleted of Slc25a34 displayed increased mitochondrial biogenesis, lipid synthesis, and ADP/ATP ratio; Slc25a34 overexpression had the opposite effect. In the knockout model on chow diet, SLC25A34 loss modestly affected liver function (altered glucose metabolism was the most pronounced defect). RNA-sequencing revealed changes in metabolic processes, especially fatty acid metabolism. After 2 months on FFD, knockouts had a more severe phenotype, with increased lipid content and impaired glucose tolerance, which was attenuated after longer FFD feeding (6 months). This work thus presents a novel model for studying SLC25A34 in vivo in which SLC25A34 plays a role in mitochondrial respiration and bioenergetics during NAFLD.

ONSL and OSKM cocktails act synergistically in reprogramming human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.

The advent of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) is revolutionizing many research fields including cell-replacement therapy, drug screening, physiopathology of specific diseases and more basic research such as embryonic development or diseases modeling. Despite the large number of reports on reprogramming methods, techniques in use remain globally inefficient. We present here a new optimized approach to improve this efficiency. After having tested different monocistronic vectors with poor results, we adopted a polycistronic cassette encoding Thomson's cocktail OCT4, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28 (ONSL) separated by 2A peptides. This cassette was tested in various vector backbones, based on lentivirus or retrovirus under a LTR or EF1 alpha promoter. This allowed us to show that ONSL-carrier retrovectors reprogrammed adult fibroblast cells with a much higher efficiency (up to 0.6%) than any other tested. We then compared the reprogramming efficiencies of two different polycistronic genes, ONSL and OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and cMYC (OSKM) placed in the same retrovector backbone. Interestingly, in this context ONSL gene reprograms more efficiently than OSKM but OSKM reprograms faster suggesting that the two cocktails may reprogram through distinct pathways. By equally mixing RV-LTR-ONSL and RV-LTR-OSKM, we indeed observed a remarkable synergy, yielding a reprogramming efficiency of >2%. We present here a drastic improvement of the reprogramming efficiency, which opens doors to the development of automated and high throughput strategies of hiPSC production. Furthermore, non-integrative reprogramming protocols (i.e. mRNA) may take advantage of this synergy to boost their efficiency.

Long-Term Region-Specific Mitochondrial Functionality Changes in Both Cerebral Hemispheres after fMCAo Model of Ischemic Stroke.

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) refers to a secondary brain injury that results in mitochondrial dysfunction of variable extent, leading to neuronal cell damage. The impact of this process has mainly been studied in the short term, from the early hours up to one week after blood flow reperfusion, and in the ischemic hemisphere only. The focus of this study was to assess the long-term impacts of I/R on mitochondrial functionality using high-resolution fluorespirometry to evaluate state-dependent activities in both ischemic (ipsilateral) and non-ischemic (contralateral) hemispheres of male mice 60, 90, 120, and 180 days after I/R caused by 60-min-long filament-induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (fMCAo). Our results indicate that in cortical tissues, succinate-supported oxygen flux (Complex I&II OXPHOS state) and H2O2 production (Complex II LEAK state) were significantly decreased in the fMCAo (stroke) group ipsilateral hemisphere compared to measurements in the contralateral hemisphere 60 and 90 days after stroke. In hippocampal tissues, during the Complex I&II ET state, mitochondrial respiration was generally lower in the ipsilateral compared to the contralateral hemisphere 90 days following stroke. An aging-dependent impact on mitochondria oxygen consumption following I/R injury was observed 180 days after surgery, wherein Complex I&II activities were lowest in both hemispheres. The obtained results highlight the importance of long-term studies in the field of ischemic stroke, particularly when evaluating mitochondrial bioenergetics in specific brain regions within and between separately affected cerebral hemispheres.

Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity in Reduced Walk Speed of Older Adults With Diabetes.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial oxidative capacity are associated with reduced walking speed in older adults, but their impact on walking speed in older adults with diabetes has not been clearly defined. We examined differences in cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity between older adults with and without diabetes, as well as determined their relative contribution to slower walking speed in older adults with diabetes. Participants with diabetes (n = 159) had lower cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized fiber bundles compared with those without diabetes (n = 717), following adjustments for covariates including BMI, chronic comorbid health conditions, and physical activity. Four-meter and 400-m walking speeds were slower in those with diabetes. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity alone or combined with cardiorespiratory fitness mediated ∼20-70% of the difference in walking speed between older adults with and without diabetes. Additional adjustments for BMI and comorbidities further explained the group differences in walking speed. Cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity contribute to slower walking speeds in older adults with diabetes.

Hepatic ketogenesis regulates lipid homeostasis via ACSL1-mediated fatty acid partitioning.

Liver-derived ketone bodies play a crucial role in fasting energy homeostasis by fueling the brain and peripheral tissues. Ketogenesis also acts as a conduit to remove excess acetyl-CoA generated from fatty acid oxidation and protects against diet-induced hepatic steatosis. Surprisingly, no study has examined the role of ketogenesis in fasting-associated hepatocellular lipid metabolism. Ketogenesis is driven by the rate-limiting mitochondrial enzyme 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA synthase (HMGCS2) abundantly expressed in the liver. Here, we show that ketogenic insufficiency via disruption of hepatic HMGCS2 exacerbates liver steatosis in fasted chow and high-fat-fed mice. We found that the hepatic steatosis is driven by increased fatty acid partitioning to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for re-esterification via acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1). Mechanistically, acetyl-CoA accumulation from impaired hepatic ketogenesis is responsible for the elevated translocation of ACSL1 to the ER. Moreover, we show increased ER-localized ACSL1 and re-esterification of lipids in human NASH displaying impaired hepatic ketogenesis. Finally, we show that L-carnitine, which buffers excess acetyl-CoA, decreases the ER-associated ACSL1 and alleviates hepatic steatosis. Thus, ketogenesis via controlling hepatocellular acetyl-CoA homeostasis regulates lipid partitioning and protects against hepatic steatosis.

Hemispheric analysis of mitochondrial Complex I and II activity in the mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury.

Brain ischemia/reperfusion injury results in a variable mixture of cellular damage, but little is known about possible patterns of mitochondrial dysfunction from the scope of hemispheric processes. The current study used high-resolution fluorespirometry to compare ipsi- and contralateral hemispheres' linked respiration and ROS emission after 60-minutes of filament induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (fMCAo) and 2, 24, 72, and 168 h after reperfusion in mice. Our findings highlight that experimental ischemic stroke resulted in higher mitochondrial respiration in the contralateral compared to the ipsilateral hemisphere and highest ROS emission in ipsilateral hemisphere. The largest difference between the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres was observed 2 h after reperfusion in Complex I and II ETS state. Oxygen flux returns to near baseline 72 h after reperfusion without any changes thereafter in Complex I and II respiration. Studying the effects of brain mitochondrial functionality after ischemic stroke in each cerebral hemisphere separately provides a better understanding about the molecular and compensatory processes of the contralateral hemisphere, a region of the brain often neglected in stroke research.

Intact mitochondrial function in the setting of telomere-induced senescence.

Mitochondria play essential roles in metabolic support and signaling within all cells. Congenital and acquired defects in mitochondria are responsible for several pathologies, including premature entrance to cellar senescence. Conversely, we examined the consequences of dysfunctional telomere-driven cellular senescence on mitochondrial biogenesis and function. We drove senescence in vitro and in vivo by deleting the telomere-binding protein TRF2 in fibroblasts and hepatocytes, respectively. Deletion of TRF2 led to a robust DNA damage response, global changes in transcription, and induction of cellular senescence. In vitro, senescent cells had significant increases in mitochondrial respiratory capacity driven by increased cellular and mitochondrial volume. Hepatocytes with dysfunctional telomeres maintained their mitochondrial respiratory capacity in vivo, whether measured in intact cells or purified mitochondria. Induction of senescence led to the upregulation of overlapping and distinct genes in fibroblasts and hepatocytes, but transcripts related to mitochondria were preserved. Our results support that mitochondrial function and activity are preserved in telomere dysfunction-induced senescence, which may facilitate continued cellular functions.

Mitochondrial Energetics in Skeletal Muscle Are Associated With Leg Power and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial energetics are an important property of aging muscle, as generation of energy is pivotal to the execution of muscle contraction. However, its association with functional outcomes, including leg power and cardiorespiratory fitness, is largely understudied. METHODS: In the Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging, we collected vastus lateralis biopsies from older adults (n = 879, 70-94 years, 59.2% women). Maximal State 3 respiration (Max OXPHOS) was assessed in permeabilized fiber bundles by high-resolution respirometry. Capacity for maximal adenosine triphosphate production (ATPmax) was measured in vivo by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Leg extension power was measured with a Keiser press system, and VO2 peak was determined using a standardized cardiopulmonary exercise test. Gender-stratified multivariate linear regression models were adjusted for age, race, technician/site, adiposity, and physical activity with beta coefficients expressed per 1-SD increment in the independent variable. RESULTS: Max OXPHOS was associated with leg power for both women (ß = 0.12 Watts/kg, p < .001) and men (ß = 0.11 Watts/kg, p < .050). ATPmax was associated with leg power for men (ß = 0.09 Watts/kg, p < .05) but was not significant for women (ß = 0.03 Watts/kg, p = .11). Max OXPHOS and ATPmax were associated with VO2 peak in women and men (Max OXPHOS, ß women = 1.03 mL/kg/min, ß men = 1.32 mL/kg/min; ATPmax ß women = 0.87 mL/kg/min, ß men = 1.50 mL/kg/min; all p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher muscle mitochondrial energetics measures were associated with both better cardiorespiratory fitness and greater leg power in older adults. Muscle mitochondrial energetics explained a greater degree of variance in VO2 peak compared to leg power.

Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Mitochondrial Energetics in Reduced Walk Speed of Older Adults with Diabetes in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA).

Rationale: Cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial energetics are associated with reduced walking speed in older adults. The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial energetics on walking speed in older adults with diabetes has not been clearly defined. Objective: To examine differences in cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics between older adults with and without diabetes. We also assessed the contribution of cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics to slower walking speed in older adults with diabetes. Findings: Participants with diabetes had lower cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial energetics when compared to those without diabetes, following adjustments for covariates including BMI, chronic comorbid health conditions, and physical activity. 4-m and 400-m walking speeds were slower in those with diabetes. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity alone or combined with cardiorespiratory fitness mediated ∼20-70% of the difference in walk speed between older adults with and without diabetes. Further adjustments of BMI and co-morbidities further explained the group differences in walk speed. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics and cardiorespiratory fitness contribute to slower walking speeds in older adults with diabetes. Cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial energetics may be therapeutic targets to maintain or improve mobility in older adults with diabetes. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: Why did we undertake this study? To determine if mitochondrial energetics and cardiorespiratory fitness contribute to slower walking speed in older adults with diabetes. What is the specific question(s) we wanted to answer? Are mitochondrial energetics and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults with diabetes lower than those without diabetes? How does mitochondrial energetics and cardiorespiratory fitness impact walking speed in older adults with diabetes? What did we find? Mitochondrial energetics and cardiorespiratory fitness were lower in older adults with diabetes compared to those without diabetes, and energetics, and cardiorespiratory fitness, contributed to slower walking speed in those with diabetes. What are the implications of our findings? Cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial energetics may be key therapeutic targets to maintain or improve mobility in older adults with diabetes.

Hepatocyte-derived GDF15 suppresses feeding and improves insulin sensitivity in obese mice.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress-induced secreted protein whose circulating levels are increased in the context of obesity. Recombinant GDF15 reduces body weight and improves glycemia in obese models, which is largely attributed to the central action of GDF15 to suppress feeding and reduce body weight. Despite these advances in knowledge, the tissue-specific sites of GDF15 production during obesity are unknown, and the effects of modulating circulating GDF15 levels on insulin sensitivity have not been evaluated directly. Here, we demonstrate that hepatocyte Gdf15 expression is sufficient for changes in circulating levels of GDF15 during obesity and that restoring Gdf15 expression specifically in hepatocytes of Gdf15 knockout mice results in marked improvements in hyperinsulinemia, hepatic insulin sensitivity, and to a lesser extent peripheral insulin sensitivity. These data support that liver hepatocytes are the primary source of circulating GDF15 in obesity.