HSP47 levels determine the degree of body adiposity.

Adiposity varies among individuals with the influence of diverse physiological, pathological, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, but a unified molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we identify HSP47, a collagen-specific chaperone, as a key determinant of body adiposity. HSP47 expression is abundant in adipose tissue; increased with feeding, overeating, and obesity; decreased with fasting, exercise, calorie restriction, bariatric surgery, and cachexia; and correlated with fat mass, BMI, waist, and hip circumferences. Insulin and glucocorticoids, respectively, up- and down-regulate HSP47 expression. In humans, the increase of HSP47 gene expression by its intron or synonymous variants is associated with higher body adiposity traits. In mice, the adipose-specific knockout or pharmacological inhibition of HSP47 leads to lower body adiposity compared to the control. Mechanistically, HSP47 promotes collagen dynamics in the folding, secretion, and interaction with integrin, which activates FAK signaling and preserves PPARγ protein from proteasomal degradation, partly related to MDM2. The study highlights the significance of HSP47 in determining the amount of body fat individually and under various circumstances.

ARMC5-CUL3 E3 ligase targets full-length SREBF in adrenocortical tumors.

Inactivating mutations of ARMC5 are responsible for the development of bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (BMAH). Although ARMC5 inhibits adrenocortical tumor growth and is considered a tumor-suppressor gene, its molecular function is poorly understood. In this study, through biochemical purification using SREBF (SREBP) as bait, we identified the interaction between SREBF and ARMC5 through its Armadillo repeat. We also found that ARMC5 interacted with CUL3 through its BTB domain and underwent self-ubiquitination. ARMC5 colocalized with SREBF1 in the cytosol and induced proteasome-dependent degradation of full-length SREBF through ubiquitination. Introduction of missense mutations in Armadillo repeat of ARMC5 attenuated the interaction between SREBF, and introduction of mutations found in BMAH completely abolished its ability to degrade full-length SREBF. In H295R adrenocortical cells, silencing of ARMC5 increased full-length SREBFs and upregulated SREBF2 target genes. siARMC5-mediated cell growth was abrogated by simultaneous knockdown of SREBF2 in H295R cells. Our results demonstrate that ARMC5 was a substrate adaptor protein between full-length SREBF and CUL3-based E3 ligase, and they suggest the involvement of the SREBF pathway in the development of BMAH.

Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate enhances adipocyte function.

Ketone bodies, including 3HBA, are endogenous products of fatty acid oxidation, and Hmgcs2 is the first rate-limiting enzyme of ketogenesis. From database analysis and in vivo and in vitro experiments, we found that adipose tissue and adipocytes express Hmgcs2, and that adipocytes produce and secrete 3HBA. Treatment with 3HBA enhanced the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors in adipose tissue in vivo and in adipocytes in vitro, accompanied by reduced ROS levels. Knockdown of endogenous Hmgcs2 in adipocytes markedly decreased 3HBA levels in adipocytes and decreased the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors with increased ROS levels. Conversely, overexpression of Hmgcs2 in adipocytes increased 3HBA secretion from adipocytes and enhanced the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors. These results demonstrate that 3HBA plays significant roles in enhancing the physiological function of adipocytes.

Glutamine deficiency induces lipolysis in adipocytes.

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, and adipose tissue is one of the glutamine-producing organs. Glutamine has important and unique metabolic functions; however, its effects in adipocytes are still unclear. 3T3-L1 adipocytes produced and secreted glutamine dependent on glutamine synthetase, but preadipocytes did not. The inhibition of glutamine synthetase by l-methionine sulfoximine (MSO) impaired the differentiation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes, and this inhibitory effect of MSO was rescued by exogenous glutamine supplementation. Glutamine concentrations were low, and Atgl gene expression was high in epididymal white adipose tissues of fasting mice in vivo. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, glutamine deprivation induced Atgl expression and increased glycerol concentration in culture medium. Atgl expression is regulated by FoxO1, and glutamine deprivation reduced FoxO1 phosphorylation (Ser256), indicating the activation of FoxO1. These results demonstrate that glutamine is necessary for the differentiation of preadipocytes and regulates lipolysis through FoxO1 in mature adipocytes.

Laparoscopic resection of aortocaval paraganglioma diagnosed by serial increase in urinary metanephrines after bilateral adrenalectomy in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

INTRODUCTION: Although bilateral pheochromocytoma is prevalent in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, extra-adrenal tumors rarely occur in the aortocaval area. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (RET codon Cys634Arg mutation) underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for metachronous pheochromocytoma. After bilateral adrenalectomy, urinary metanephrines decreased below the measurement sensitivity. The levels of urinary metanephrines were serially elevating to a peak of 187 ng/mgCr during the 11-year follow-up period; however, urinary normetanephrine levels remained almost stable. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine single-photon emission computed tomography revealed abnormal accumulation with a mass of 25 × 18 mm in diameter in the aortocaval space cranially to the renal vessels. The extra-adrenal paraganglioma was successfully resected using transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: The serial increase in urinary metanephrine levels was useful for the detection of the recurrent tumor in a patient who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy.

Coincidence of Large Adrenal Cyst and Prominent Hyporeninemic Hyperaldosteronism.

A 67-year-old Japanese woman who had end-stage renal disease was referred to our hospital for kidney transplantation. Abdominal CT revealed a large adrenal mass with inhomogeneity. She had a history of hospitalization for stroke and heart failure and exhibited prominent hyporeninemic hyperaldosteronism. Histological examination of the resected tumor with anti-CYP11B2 antibody indicated that she had a vascular endothelial cyst with primary aldosteronism (PA) due to multiple adrenocortical micronodules. This report implicates the pathological interaction between adrenal vascular cysts and PA-mediated vascular damage of the adrenal vein.

Oral Contraceptive Disturbed the Recovery of the Adrenal Function after Adrenalectomy in Cushing Syndrome.

Estrogen is known to increase exogenous corticosteroid levels. In this case, a 27-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for examination of an adrenal tumor and was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome. Resection of the tumor resulted in secondary adrenal insufficiency. She also developed microcytic anemia due to hypermenorrhea, which was masked by Cushing syndrome. An oral contraceptive was administered for the treatment of hypermenorrhea, but this led to a marked increase in serum cortisol and the reduction of plasma adenocorticotropic hormone, disturbing the recovery of the adrenal function. Attention is required when oral contraceptives are used to treat hypermenorrhea masked by Cushing syndrome.

Marked Hypergastrinemia with G-cell Hyperplasia in Two Autoimmune Gastritis Patients.

Gastrin regulates gastric acid secretion, and gastrin secretion itself is regulated by the negative feedback system of gastric acidity. Autoimmune gastritis (AG) is a disease where parietal cells are destroyed, resulting in decreased acid production and an elevated serum gastrin level. We herein report 2 AG cases with marked hypergastrinemia (>5,000 pg/mL). In both cases, 24-hour gastric pH monitoring showed no time when gastric pH was <2, and immunohistochemistry revealed more than 140 gastrin-positive cells per linear millimeter at the antral mucosa. This is the first report to confirm the relationship between marked hypergastrinemia and G-cell hyperplasia with AG.

Adipocyte GR Inhibits Healthy Adipose Expansion Through Multiple Mechanisms in Cushing Syndrome.

In Cushing syndrome, excessive glucocorticoids lead to metabolic disturbances, such as insulin resistance, adipocyte hypertrophy, and liver steatosis. In vitro experiments have highlighted the importance of adipocyte glucocorticoid receptor (GR), but its metabolic roles in vivo have not been fully elucidated in Cushing syndrome. In this study, using clinical samples from patients with Cushing syndrome and adipocyte-specific GR knockout (AGRKO) mice, we investigated the roles of adipocyte GR and its clinical relevance in Cushing syndrome. Under chronic treatment with corticosterone, AGRKO mice underwent healthy adipose expansion with diminished ectopic lipid deposition and improved insulin sensitivity. These changes were associated with Atgl-mediated lipolysis through a novel intronic glucocorticoid-responsive element. Additionally, integrated analysis with RNA sequencing of AGRKO mice and clinical samples revealed that healthy adipose expansion was associated with dysregulation of tissue remodeling, preadipocyte proliferation, and expression of the circadian gene. Thus, our study revealed the roles of adipocyte GR on healthy adipose expansion and its multiple mechanisms in Cushing syndrome.

Impact of MR on mature adipocytes in high-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced obesity

Active glucocorticoid levels are elevated in the adipose tissue of obesity due to the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Glucocorticoids can bind and activate both glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and pharmacological blockades of MR prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. To determine the significance of MR in adipocytes, we generated adipocyte-specific MR-knockout mice (AdipoMR-KO) and fed them high-fat/high-sucrose diet. We found that adipocyte-specific deletion of MR did not affect the body weight, fat weight, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. While liver weight was slightly reduced in AdipoMR-KO, there were no significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of genes associated with lipogenesis, lipolysis, adipocytokines and oxidative stress in adipose tissues between the control and AdipoMR-KO mice. The results indicated that MR in mature adipocytes plays a minor role in the regulation of insulin resistance and inflammation in high-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced obese mice.

Metabolomic and microarray analyses of adipose tissue of dapagliflozin-treated mice, and effects of 3-hydroxybutyrate on induction of adiponectin in adipocytes.

Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor improves systemic glucose metabolism. To clarify the effect of dapagliflozin, we performed gene expression microarray and metabolomic analyses of murine adipose tissue. Three groups of mice were used; non-diabetic control KK mice (KK), diabetic KKAy mice (KKAy), and KKAy mice treated with dapagliflozin (KKAy + Dapa). Plasma glucose levels were significantly reduced in KKAy + Dapa compared with KKAy. Food consumption was larger in KKAy + Dapa than KKAy, and there were no significant differences in body and adipose tissue weight among the groups. Metabolomic analysis showed higher levels of many intermediate metabolites of the glycolytic pathway and TCA cycle in KKAy than KK, albeit insignificantly. Dapagliflozin partially improved accumulation of glycolytic intermediate metabolites, but not intermediate metabolites of the TCA cycle, compared with KKAy. Interestingly, dapagliflozin increased plasma and adipose 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-HBA) levels. Microarray analysis showed that adipocytokines were downregulated in KKAy compared with KK mice, and upregulated by dapagliflozin. In vitro, 3-HBA induced ß-hydroxybutyrylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 and upregulation of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes independent of their acetylation or methylation. Our results suggest that 3-HBA seems to provide protection through epigenetic modifications of adiponectin gene in adipocytes.

Oxidative Stress Inhibits Healthy Adipose Expansion Through Suppression of SREBF1-Mediated Lipogenic Pathway.

Recent studies have emphasized the association of adipose oxidative stress (Fat reactive oxygen species [ROS]) with the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in obesity. However, the causal roles of Fat ROS in metabolic disturbances in vivo remain unclear because no mouse model has been available in which oxidative stress is manipulated by targeting adipocytes. In this research, we generated two models of Fat ROS-manipulated mice and evaluated the metabolic features in diet-induced obesity. Fat ROS-eliminated mice, in which Cat and Sod1 were overexpressed in adipocytes, exhibited adipose expansion with decreased ectopic lipid accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity. Conversely, Fat ROS-augmented mice, in which glutathione was depleted specifically in adipocytes, exhibited restricted adipose expansion associated with increased ectopic lipid accumulation and deteriorated insulin sensitivity. In the white adipose tissues of these mice, macrophage polarization, tissue fibrosis, and de novo lipogenesis were significantly changed. In vitro approaches identified KDM1A-mediated attenuation of sterol-regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) transcriptional activities as the underlying mechanism for the suppression of de novo lipogenesis by oxidative stress. Thus, our study uncovered the novel roles of Fat ROS in healthy adipose expansion, ectopic lipid accumulation, and insulin resistance, providing the possibility for the adipocyte-targeting antioxidant therapy.

Impact of dexamethasone concentration on cartilage tissue formation from human synovial derived stem cells in vitro.

Human synovial mesenchymal stem cells (hSMSCs) are a promising cell source for cartilage regeneration because of their superior chondrogenic potential in vitro. This study aimed to further optimize the conditions for inducing chondrogenesis of hSMSCs, focusing on the dose of dexamethasone in combination with transforming growth factor-ß3 (TGFß3) and/or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2). When hSMSCs-derived aggregates were cultured with TGFß3, dexamethasone up to 10 nM promoted chondrogenesis, but attenuated it with heterogeneous tissue formation when used at concentrations over than 100 nM. On the other hands, BMP2-induced chondrogenesis was remarkably disturbed in the presence of more than 10 nM dexamethasone along with unexpected adipogenic differentiation. In the presence of both TGFß3 and BMP2, dexamethasone dose dependently promoted cartilaginous tissue formation as judged by tissue volume, proteoglycan content, and type 2 collagen expression, whereas few adipocytes were detected in the formed tissue when cultures were supplemented with over 100 nM dexamethasone. Even in chondrogenic conditions, dexamethasone thus affected hSMSCs differentiation not only toward chondrocytes, but also towards adipocytes dependent on the dose and combined growth factor. These findings have important implications regarding the use of glucocorticoids in in vitro tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration using hSMSCs.

Novel insights into histone modifiers in adipogenesis.

Recently, it has been progressively recognized that gene expression is regulated by histone methylation status, which is dynamically modulated by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs). In the past decade, many HMTs and HDMs were identified and their biological and biochemical functions have been characterized. As with other cells, several HMTs and HDMs are known to be indispensable for appropriate differentiation of adipocytes from mesenchymal stem cells. Phf2 is a recently identified dimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2) demethylase that has a significant function in hepatocytes and macrophages in vitro; however, the in vivo significance of Phf2 remains unclear. To determine the physiological role of Phf2, we recently generated Phf2 knockout mice. Our analyses of these mice revealed that Phf2 has a positive role in adipogenesis by coactivating CEBPA, one of the master regulators of adipogenesis, through its demethylation activity toward H3K9me2. In this commentary, we discuss several remaining questions that underlie phenotypic abnormalities seen in our investigations of Phf2 knockout mice. These studies are related to novel functions of histone modifiers and may help identify new therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome.

Epigenetic regulation of adipogenesis by PHF2 histone demethylase.

PHF2 is a JmjC family histone demethylase that removes the methyl group from H3K9me2 and works as a coactivator for several metabolism-related transcription factors. In this study, we examined the in vivo role of PHF2 in mice. We generated Phf2 floxed mice, systemic Phf2 null mice by crossing Phf2 floxed mice with CMV-Cre transgenic mice, and tamoxifen-inducible Phf2 knockout mice by crossing Phf2 floxed mice with Cre-ERT2 transgenic mice. Systemic Phf2 null mice had partial neonatal death and growth retardation and exhibited less adipose tissue and reduced adipocyte numbers compared with control littermates. Tamoxifen-induced conditional knockout of PHF2 resulted in impaired adipogenesis in stromal vascular cells from the adipose tissue of tamoxifen-inducible Phf2 knockout mice as well as of Phf2 knocked-down 3T3-L1 cells. PHF2 interacts with CEBPA and demethylates H3K9me2 in the promoters of CEBPA-regulated adipogenic genes. These findings suggest that PHF2 histone demethylase potentiates adipogenesis through interaction with CEBPA in vivo. Taken together, PHF2 may be a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

PKA-dependent regulation of the histone lysine demethylase complex PHF2-ARID5B.

Reversible histone methylation and demethylation are highly regulated processes that are crucial for chromatin reorganization and regulation of gene transcription in response to extracellular conditions. However, the mechanisms that regulate histone-modifying enzymes are largely unknown. Here, we characterized a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent histone lysine demethylase complex, PHF2-ARID5B. PHF2, a jmjC demethylase, is enzymatically inactive by itself, but becomes an active H3K9Me2 demethylase through PKA-mediated phosphorylation. We found that phosphorylated PHF2 then associates with ARID5B, a DNA-binding protein, and induce demethylation of methylated ARID5B. This modification leads to targeting of the PHF2-ARID5B complex to its target promoters, where it removes the repressive H3K9Me2 mark. These findings suggest that the PHF2-ARID5B complex is a signal-sensing modulator of histone methylation and gene transcription, in which phosphorylation of PHF2 enables subsequent formation of a competent and specific histone demethylase complex.

KIAA1718 is a histone demethylase that erases repressive histone methyl marks.

The methylation states of histone lysine residues are regarded as significant epigenetic marks governing transcriptional regulation. A number of histone demethylases containing a jumonji C (JmjC) domain have been recognized; however, their properties remain to be investigated. Here, we show that KIAA1718, a PHF2/PHF8 subfamily member, possesses histone demethylase activity specific for H3K9 and H3K27, transcriptionally repressive histone marks. Biochemical purification of the KIAA1718 interactants reveals that KIAA1718 forms complexes with several factors including KAP1, a transcriptional co-activator. Consistent with these findings, KIAA1718 shows a transcriptional activation function in the chromatin context. Thus, our study identifies KIAA1718 as a histone demethylase for repressive methyl marks and shows that it is involved in transcriptional activation.

Human catalase gene is regulated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma through a response element distinct from that of mouse.

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a causal role in atherosclerosis, microvascular complications of diabetes as well as in beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes. PPARgamma agonists not only improve insulin sensitivity but also eliminate oxidative stress. In mouse, catalase, a major antioxidant enzyme, is directly regulated by PPARgamma through two PPARgamma binding elements in its promoter. This study examined the regulatory mechanisms of catalase expression in human. Expression of catalase was significantly upregulated in human primary adipocytes upon treatment with a PPARgamma agonist. However, the mouse PPARgamma response elements are not functionally conserved in human catalase promoter. In luciferase reporter assay containing human catalase promoter, PPARgamma /RXRalpha, in combination of a PPARgamma agonist significantly transactivated 19 kb of promoter and this was mediated via a novel PPARgamma response element (PPRE) at -12 kb from transcription initiation site of human catalase gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed direct binding of PPARgamma to this PPRE. Together, our results indicate that PPARgamma regulates the expression of catalase gene in human through a PPRE distinct from that of mouse, and could explain, at least in part, the observed inhibitory effects of PPARgamma on oxidative stress in human.

Competitive binding of musclin to natriuretic peptide receptor 3 with atrial natriuretic peptide.

Musclin is a novel skeletal muscle-derived secretory factor that was isolated by our group. Musclin contains a region homologous to natriuretic peptides (NPs). This study investigated the interaction between musclin and NP receptors (NPRs). Musclin specifically bound to NPR3, but not to NPR1 or NPR2. Musclin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) competed for binding to NPR3. We conducted binding assays using various synthetic musclin peptides and mutant musclin proteins. The first NP-homologous region in musclin ((88)LDRL(91)) and the second homologous region ((117)MDRI(120)) were responsible cooperatively for high-affinity binding to NPR3. The first NP-homologous region was more importantly associated with binding to NPR3, than the second homologous region. The competitive nature of musclin with ANP for the natriuretic clearance receptor NPR3 was also confirmed in vivo. We conclude that musclin binds to NPR3 competitively with ANP and may affect ANP concentrations in a local or systemic manner.

Identification of a novel distal enhancer in human adiponectin gene.

Adiponectin is exclusively expressed in adipose tissue and secreted from adipocytes, and shows anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic properties. However, the precise transcriptional mechanism of adiponectin remains elusive. In this study, the 5' flanking promoter region of human adiponectin gene was analyzed using UCSC genome browser, and a 10 390-bp fragment, containing an evolutionally conserved region among species, was investigated. The luciferase reporter assay using this fragment identified a novel distal enhancer of human adiponectin gene. Promoter constructs with the distal enhancer exhibited high promoter activities in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. However, no such activity was observed in other types of cell lines. The distal enhancer is highly conserved, and contains two completely conserved CCAAT boxes. In 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes, deletion or each point mutation of these CCAAT boxes markedly reduced luciferase activity driven by adiponectin promoter. Knockdown of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA; also known as C/EBPalpha) using small interfering RNA diminished adiponectin mRNA expression and luciferase activity driven by adiponectin promoter with the distal enhancer. However, adiponectin promoter with each mutation of two CCAAT boxes in the distal enhancer did not respond to knockdown of CEBPA expression. Furthermore, CEBPA bound to the distal enhancer both in vitro and in vivo. We also identified a proximal promoter region responsible for transcriptional activation by the distal enhancer in human adiponectin gene. Our results indicate that CEBPA plays a pivotal role in the transcription of human adiponectin gene via the distal enhancer and proximal region in its promoter.