The multifunctional protein E4F1 links P53 to lipid metabolism in adipocytes.

Growing evidence supports the importance of the p53 tumor suppressor in metabolism but the mechanisms underlying p53-mediated control of metabolism remain poorly understood. Here, we identify the multifunctional E4F1 protein as a key regulator of p53 metabolic functions in adipocytes. While E4F1 expression is upregulated during obesity, E4f1 inactivation in mouse adipose tissue results in a lean phenotype associated with insulin resistance and protection against induced obesity. Adipocytes lacking E4F1 activate a p53-dependent transcriptional program involved in lipid metabolism. The direct interaction between E4F1 and p53 and their co-recruitment to the Steaoryl-CoA Desaturase-1 locus play an important role to regulate monounsaturated fatty acids synthesis in adipocytes. Consistent with the role of this E4F1-p53-Steaoryl-CoA Desaturase-1 axis in adipocytes, p53 inactivation or diet complementation with oleate partly restore adiposity and improve insulin sensitivity in E4F1-deficient mice. Altogether, our findings identify a crosstalk between E4F1 and p53 in the control of lipid metabolism in adipocytes that is relevant to obesity and insulin resistance.

Natriuretic peptides promote glucose uptake in a cGMP-dependent manner in human adipocytes.

Robust associations between low plasma level of natriuretic peptides (NP) and increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been recently reported in humans. Adipose tissue (AT) is a known target of NP. However it is unknown whether NP signalling in human AT relates to insulin sensitivity and modulates glucose metabolism. We here show in two European cohorts that the NP receptor guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) expression in subcutaneous AT was down-regulated as a function of obesity grade while adipose NP clearance receptor (NPRC) was up-regulated. Adipose GC-A mRNA level was down-regulated in prediabetes and T2D, and negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and fasting blood glucose. We show for the first time that NP promote glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. This effect is reduced in adipocytes of obese individuals. NP activate mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2) and Akt signalling. These effects were totally abrogated by inhibition of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and mTORC1/2 by rapamycin. We further show that NP treatment favoured glucose oxidation and de novo lipogenesis independently of significant gene regulation. Collectively, our data support a role for NP in blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose uptake in human adipocytes. This effect is partly blunted in obesity.

High-fat diet-mediated lipotoxicity and insulin resistance is related to impaired lipase expression in mouse skeletal muscle.

Elevated expression/activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and/or reduced activity of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in skeletal muscle are causally linked to insulin resistance in vitro. We investigated here the effect of high-fat feeding on skeletal muscle lipolytic proteins, lipotoxicity, and insulin signaling in vivo. Five-week-old C3H mice were fed normal chow diet (NCD) or 45% kcal high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Wild-type and HSL knockout mice fed NCD were also studied. Whole-body and muscle insulin sensitivity, as well as lipolytic protein expression, lipid levels, and insulin signaling in skeletal muscle, were measured. HFD induced whole-body insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and reduced skeletal muscle glucose uptake compared with NCD. HFD increased skeletal muscle total diacylglycerol (DAG) content, protein kinase Cθ and protein kinase Cε membrane translocation, and impaired insulin signaling as reflected by a robust increase of basal Ser1101 insulin receptor substrate 1 phosphorylation (2.8-fold, P < .05) and a decrease of insulin-stimulated v-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog Ser473 (-37%, P < .05) and AS160 Thr642 (-47%, P <.01) phosphorylation. We next showed that HFD strongly reduced HSL phosphorylation at Ser660. HFD significantly up-regulated the muscle protein content of the ATGL coactivator comparative gene identification 58 and triacylglycerol hydrolase activity, despite a lower ATGL protein content. We further show a defective skeletal muscle insulin signaling and DAG accumulation in HSL knockout compared with wild-type mice. Together, these data suggest a pathophysiological link between altered skeletal muscle lipase expression and DAG-mediated insulin resistance in mice.

Altered skeletal muscle lipase expression and activity contribute to insulin resistance in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance is associated with elevated content of skeletal muscle lipids, including triacylglycerols (TAGs) and diacylglycerols (DAGs). DAGs are by-products of lipolysis consecutive to TAG hydrolysis by adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and are subsequently hydrolyzed by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). We hypothesized that an imbalance of ATGL relative to HSL (expression or activity) may contribute to DAG accumulation and insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We first measured lipase expression in vastus lateralis biopsies of young lean (n = 9), young obese (n = 9), and obese-matched type 2 diabetic (n = 8) subjects. We next investigated in vitro in human primary myotubes the impact of altered lipase expression/activity on lipid content and insulin signaling. RESULTS: Muscle ATGL protein was negatively associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity in our population (r = -0.55, P = 0.005), whereas muscle HSL protein was reduced in obese subjects. We next showed that adenovirus-mediated ATGL overexpression in human primary myotubes induced DAG and ceramide accumulation. ATGL overexpression reduced insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis (-30%, P < 0.05) and disrupted insulin signaling at Ser1101 of the insulin receptor substrate-1 and downstream Akt activation at Ser473. These defects were fully rescued by nonselective protein kinase C inhibition or concomitant HSL overexpression to restore a proper lipolytic balance. We show that selective HSL inhibition induces DAG accumulation and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data indicate that altered ATGL and HSL expression in skeletal muscle could promote DAG accumulation and disrupt insulin signaling and action. Targeting skeletal muscle lipases may constitute an interesting strategy to improve insulin sensitivity in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Chronic TNFalpha and cAMP pre-treatment of human adipocytes alter HSL, ATGL and perilipin to regulate basal and stimulated lipolysis.

We examined the effects of chronic TNFalpha and dibutyryl-cAMP (Db-cAMP) pre-treatment on the lipolytic machinery of human hMADS adipocytes. TNFalpha decreased adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) protein content and triglycerides (TG)-hydrolase activity but increased basal lipolysis due to a marked reduction in perilipin (PLIN) protein content. Conversely, Db-cAMP increased ATGL and HSL protein content but prevented PLIN phosphorylation, the net result being accentuated basal lipolysis. In forskolin-stimulated conditions, TNFalpha and Db-cAMP pre-treatment decreased stimulated TG-hydrolase activity and impaired PLIN phosphorylation. Together, this resulted in a severely attenuated response to forskolin-stimulated lipolysis.

Influence of gender, obesity, and muscle lipase activity on intramyocellular lipids in sedentary individuals.

CONTEXT: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with elevated intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) and insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle lipases activity could influence IMCL content (including diacylglycerol and ceramides). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The present study included 48 subjects with a wide range of age (19-68 yr) and body mass index (20-45 kg/m(2)) who underwent skeletal muscle biopsy, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic clamp, and intramyocellular triacylglycerol (IMTG), diacylglycerol (DAG), and ceramides content, and triacylglycerol and diacylglycerol hydrolase activities were measured in biopsies of vastus lateralis. IMCL was measured by (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a subgroup of 25 subjects. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the main predictors of IMCL. RESULTS: Body fat was the main predictor of IMTG independently of the method and the type of muscle; IMTG concentration was higher in females vs. males and obese vs. nonobese subjects. Muscle DAG and ceramides concentrations were elevated in obese and type 2 diabetic subjects and were not related to body fat and fasting free fatty acids, whereas a direct association with the ratio of diacylglycerol hydrolase to triacylglycerol hydrolase activity (an index of incomplete triacylglycerol hydrolysis) was observed, which explained 54 and 38% of the variance in DAG and ceramides (P < 0.001), respectively. DAG content was the main determinant of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that intramyocellular DAG is an independent predictor of insulin resistance in humans and that its levels correlate with lipolytic enzymes activity in skeletal muscle but not with markers of adiposity.

The transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)gamma coactivator-1 alpha and the nuclear receptor PPAR alpha control the expression of glycerol kinase and metabolism genes independently of PPAR gamma activation in human white adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to determine the pattern of genes regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) in human adipocytes and the involvement of PPARalpha and PPARgamma in PGC-1 alpha transcriptional action. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Primary cultures of human adipocytes were transduced with a PGC-1 alpha adenovirus and treated with PPARgamma and PPARalpha agonists. Variation in gene expression was assessed using pangenomic microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR. To investigate glycerol kinase (GyK), a target of PGC-1 alpha, we measured enzymatic activity and glycerol incorporation into triglycerides. In vivo studies were performed on wild-type and PPARalpha(-/-) mice. The GyK promoter was studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter reporter gene assays. RESULTS: Among the large number of genes regulated by PGC-1 alpha independently of PPARgamma, new targets involved in metabolism included the gene encoding GyK. The induction of GyK by PGC-1 alpha was observed at the levels of mRNA, enzymatic activity, and glycerol incorporation into triglycerides. PPARalpha was also upregulated by PGC-1 alpha. Its activation led to an increase in GyK expression and activity. PPARalpha was shown to bind and activate the GyK promoter. Experiments in mice confirmed the role of PGC-1 alpha and PPARalpha in the regulation of GyK in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This work uncovers novel pathways regulated by PGC-1 alpha and reveals that PPARalpha controls gene expression in human white adipocytes. The induction of GyK by PGC-1 alpha and PPARalpha may promote a futile cycle of triglyceride hydrolysis and fatty acid reesterification.

Comparative studies of the role of hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase in human fat cell lipolysis.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) regulate adipocyte lipolysis in rodents. The purpose of this study was to compare the roles of these lipases for lipolysis in human adipocytes. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was investigated. HSL and ATGL protein expression were related to lipolysis in isolated mature fat cells. ATGL or HSL were knocked down by RNA interference (RNAi) or selectively inhibited, and effects on lipolysis were studied in differentiated preadipocytes or adipocytes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Subjects were all women. There were 12 lean controls, 8 lean with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 27 otherwise healthy obese subjects. We found that norepinephrine-induced lipolysis was positively correlated with HSL protein levels (P < 0.0001) but not with ATGL protein. Women with PCOS or obesity had significantly decreased norepinephrine-induced lipolysis and HSL protein expression but no change in ATGL protein expression. HSL knock down by RNAi reduced basal and catecholamine-induced lipolysis. Knock down of ATGL decreased basal lipolysis but did not change catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Treatment of hMSC with a selective HSL inhibitor during and/or after differentiation in adipocytes reduced basal lipolysis by 50%, but stimulated lipolysis was inhibited completely. In contrast to findings in rodents, ATGL is of less importance than HSL in regulating catecholamine-induced lipolysis and cannot replace HSL when this enzyme is continuously inhibited. However, both lipases regulate basal lipolysis in human adipocytes. ATGL expression, unlike HSL, is not influenced by obesity or PCOS.

Myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma share very similar genomic imbalances.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma. Nevertheless, the validity of this heterogeneous pathological entity has been recurrently questioned by pathologists. Recently, analyses by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of a large series of MFHs suggested that MFHs consist of morphologic modulation of other poorly differentiated sarcomas like leiomyosarcomas (LMS) or dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DLPS). We report here an analysis by CGH of 22 myxoid MFHs (mMFH), one of the five histological subtypes of MFH, and of nine pleomorphic liposarcomas (pLPS), a rare poorly differentiated LPS. The chromosome imbalances encountered in the series of mMFH were very similar to those observed in the series of pLPS studied in the laboratory and in the series of 14 pLPS published in the literature. The most frequent gains involved chromosome subregions: pericentromeric regions of 1, 5p, 19p, 19q and 20q. Losses found in the chromosomal arms 1q, 2q, 3p, 4q, 10q, 11q and 13q were also recurrent. The use of a clustering software did not separate the two pathological groups (mMFH and pLPS) on the basis of genomic data. Moreover, pLPS-mMFH represented, according to the clustering software results, an entity clearly distinguished from other soft tissue sarcomas, LMS in particular, with which they share common genetic aberrations. Additional studies are needed to identify genes targeted by these genomic aberrations, and implicated in the oncogenesis of these tumor subtypes. The characterization of common gene alterations in both tumor groups would suggest a closer relationship between these two types of soft tissue sarcomas.

ASK1 (MAP3K5) as a potential therapeutic target in malignant fibrous histiocytomas with 12q14-q15 and 6q23 amplifications.

Malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) are aggressive tumors without any definable line of differentiation. We recently demonstrated that about 20% of them are characterized by high-level amplifications of the 12q14-q15 chromosome region, associated with either 1p32 or 6q23 band amplification. This genetic finding, very similar to that in well-differentiated liposarcomas, strongly suggests that these tumors actually correspond to undifferentiated liposarcomas. It also suggests that the lack of differentiation could be the consequence of amplification of target genes localized in the 1p32 or 6q23 bands. We report here the characterization by array CGH of the 6q23 minimal region of amplification. Our findings demonstrate that amplification and overexpression of ASK1 (MAP3K5), a gene localized in the 6q23 band and encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase of the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway, could inhibit the adipocytic differentiation process of the tumor cells. Treatment of a cell line with specific inhibitors of ASK1 protein resulted in the bypass of the differentiation block and induction of a strong adipocytic differentiation. These observations indicate that ASK1 is a target for new therapeutic management of these aggressive tumors.

Most malignant fibrous histiocytomas developed in the retroperitoneum are dedifferentiated liposarcomas: a review of 25 cases initially diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Forty-four samples from 25 cases of retroperitoneal sarcoma initially diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma were histologically reviewed. Immunohistochemistry for mdm2 and cdk4 was performed on 20 cases. Comparative genomic hybridization was performed on 18 samples from 13 patients. Seventeen cases were reclassified as dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Twenty-one of 32 samples from these patients showed areas of well-differentiated liposarcoma, allowing the diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Immunohistochemistry performed in 15 of these cases showed positivity for mdm2 and cdk4. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis performed on 15 samples from 11 of these patients showed an amplification of the 12q13-15 region. Eight cases were reclassified as poorly differentiated sarcoma. Twelve samples from these patients showed no area of well-differentiated liposarcoma. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for mdm2 and cdk4 in one of six of these patients and showed positivity for CD34 in another one. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis performed on three samples from two of these patients showed no amplification of the 12q13-15 region but showed complex profiles. This study shows that most so-called malignant fibrous histiocytomas developed in the retroperitoneum are dedifferentiated liposarcoma and that a poorly differentiated sarcoma in this area should prompt extensive sampling to demonstrate a well-differentiated liposarcoma component, immunohistochemistry for mdm2 and cdk4, and if possible, a cytogenetic or a molecular biology analysis.

The use of clustering software for the classification of comparative genomic hybridization data. an analysis of 109 malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is considered the most frequent soft-tissue sarcoma of late adult life. Nevertheless, the validity of this entity has been recurrently questioned by pathologists. Preliminary analyses by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of series of MFH have suggested that this tumor group is heterogeneous at the genomic level, and that at least two main genetic subgroups exist. We report an analysis by CGH of a large series of 109 MFH and on the use of clustering software for an objective classification of these tumors. We confirm our preliminary CGH results and demonstrate that two main clusters of tumors are present in the series analyzed.