snRNA-seq reveals a subpopulation of adipocytes that regulates thermogenesis.

Adipose tissue is usually classified on the basis of its function as white, brown or beige (brite)1. It is an important regulator of systemic metabolism, as shown by the fact that dysfunctional adipose tissue in obesity leads to a variety of secondary metabolic complications2,3. In addition, adipose tissue functions as a signalling hub that regulates systemic metabolism through paracrine and endocrine signals4. Here we use single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis in mice and humans to characterize adipocyte heterogeneity. We identify a rare subpopulation of adipocytes in mice that increases in abundance at higher temperatures, and we show that this subpopulation regulates the activity of neighbouring adipocytes through acetate-mediated modulation of their thermogenic capacity. Human adipose tissue contains higher numbers of cells of this subpopulation, which could explain the lower thermogenic activity of human compared to mouse adipose tissue and suggests that targeting this pathway could be used to restore thermogenic activity.

Microbial fermentation of flaxseed fibers modulates the transcriptome of GPR41-expressing enteroendocrine cells and protects mice against diet-induced obesity.

Dietary fibers, an integral part of the human diet, require the enzymatic activity of the gut microbiota for complete metabolism into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are important modulators of host metabolism and physiology and act in part as signaling molecules by activating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as GPR41. Flaxseed fibers improve metabolism in rodents and mice, but their fermentation profiles, effects on enteroendocrine cells, and associated metabolic benefits are unknown. We fed GPR41-red fluorescent protein mice, an enteroendocrine reporter mouse strain, chow, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented either with 10% nonfermentable fiber cellulose or fermentable flaxseed fibers for 12 wk to assess changes in cecal gut microbiota, enteroendocrine cell transcriptome in the ileum and colon, and physiological parameters. We observed that flaxseed fibers restructured the gut microbiota and promoted proliferation of the genera Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia compared with HFD. The shifts in cecal bacterial composition restored levels of the SCFAs butyrate similar to the chow diet, resulting in colonic but not ileal enteroendocrine cell transcriptional changes in genes related to cell cycle, mRNA, and protein transport compared with HFD. Consistent with the effects on enteroendocrine functions, flaxseed fibers also protected mice from diet-induced obesity, potentially by preventing a reduction in energy expenditure induced by an HFD. Our study shows that flaxseed fibers alter cecal microbial ecology, are fermented to SCFAs in the cecum, and modulate enteroendocrine cell transcriptome in the colon, which may contribute to their metabolically favorable phenotype.

Extracellular succinate hyperpolarizes M2 macrophages through SUCNR1/GPR91-mediated Gq signaling.

Succinate functions both as a classical TCA cycle metabolite and an extracellular metabolic stress signal sensed by the mainly Gi-coupled succinate receptor SUCNR1. In the present study, we characterize and compare effects and signaling pathways activated by succinate and both classes of non-metabolite SUCNR1 agonists. By use of specific receptor and pathway inhibitors, rescue in G-protein-depleted cells and monitoring of receptor G protein activation by BRET, we identify Gq rather than Gi signaling to be responsible for SUCNR1-mediated effects on basic transcriptional regulation. Importantly, in primary human M2 macrophages, in which SUCNR1 is highly expressed, we demonstrate that physiological concentrations of extracellular succinate act through SUCNR1-activated Gq signaling to efficiently regulate transcription of immune function genes in a manner that hyperpolarizes their M2 versus M1 phenotype. Thus, sensing of stress-induced extracellular succinate by SUCNR1 is an important transcriptional regulator in human M2 macrophages through Gq signaling.

Autocrine negative feedback regulation of lipolysis through sensing of NEFAs by FFAR4/GPR120 in WAT.

OBJECTIVES: Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) released from adipocytes inhibit lipolysis through an unclear mechanism. We hypothesized that the LCFA receptor, FFAR4 (GPR120), which is highly expressed in adipocytes, may be involved in this feedback regulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of conditioned media from isoproterenol-stimulated primary cultures of murine and human adipocytes demonstrated that most of the released non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFAs) are known agonists for FFAR4. In agreement with this, conditioned medium from isoproterenol-treated adipocytes stimulated signaling strongly in FFAR4 transfected COS-7 cells as opposed to non-transfected control cells. In transfected 3T3-L1 cells, FFAR4 agonism stimulated Gi- and Go-mini G protein binding more strongly than Gq, effects which were blocked by the selective FFAR4 antagonist AH7614. In primary cultures of murine white adipocytes, the synthetic, selective FFAR4 agonist CpdA inhibited isoproterenol-induced intracellular cAMP accumulation in a manner similar to the antilipolytic control agent nicotinic acid acting through another receptor, HCAR2. In vivo, oral gavage with the synthetic, specific FFAR4 agonist CpdB decreased the level of circulating NEFAs in fasting lean mice to a similar degree as nicotinic acid. In agreement with the identified anti-lipolytic effect of FFAR4, plasma NEFAs and glycerol were increased in FFAR4-deficient mice as compared to littermate controls despite having elevated insulin levels, and cAMP accumulation in primary adipocyte cultures was augmented by treatment with the FFAR4 antagonist conceivably by blocking the stimulatory tone of endogenous NEFAs on FFAR4. CONCLUSIONS: In white adipocytes, FFAR4 functions as an NEFA-activated, autocrine, negative feedback regulator of lipolysis by decreasing cAMP though Gi-mediated signaling.

Molecular adaptations in human subcutaneous adipose tissue after ten weeks of endurance exercise training in healthy males.

Endurance exercise training induces adaptations in metabolically active organs, but adaptations in human subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) remains incompletely understood. On the basis of animal studies, we hypothesized that endurance exercise training would increase the expression of proteins involved in lipolysis and glucose uptake in scAT. To test these hypotheses, 19 young and healthy males were randomized to either endurance exercise training (TR; age 18-24 yr; BMI 19.0-25.4 kg/m2) or a nonexercising control group (CON; age 21-35 yr; BMI 20.5-28.8 kg/m2). Abdominal subcutaneous fat biopsies and blood were obtained at rest before and after intervention. By using Western blotting and PCR, we determined expression of lipid droplet-associated proteins, various proteins involved in substrate metabolism, and mRNA abundance of cell surface G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Adipose tissue insulin sensitivity was determined from fasting plasma insulin and nonesterified fatty acids (adipose tissue insulin resistance index; Adipo-IR). Adipo-IR improved in TR compared with CON ( P = 0.03). This was accompanied by increased insulin receptor (IR) protein expression in scAT with a 1.54-fold (SD 0.79) change from baseline in TR vs. 0.85 (SD 0.30) in CON ( P = 0.007). Additionally, hexokinase II (HKII) and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) protein increased in TR compared with CON ( P = 0.006 and P = 0.04, respectively). We did not observe changes in lipid droplet-associated proteins or mRNA abundance of GPCRs. Collectively, 10 weeks of endurance exercise training improved adipose tissue insulin sensitivity, which was accompanied by increased IR, HKII, and SDHA protein expression in scAT. We suggest that these adaptations contribute to an improved metabolic flexibility. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate the molecular adaptations in human subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) after endurance exercise training compared with a nonexercising control group. We show that endurance exercise training improves insulin sensitivity in human scAT, and this is accompanied by increased expression of insulin receptor, hexokinase II, and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A. Collectively, our data suggest that endurance exercise training induces molecular adaptations in human scAT, which may contribute to an improved metabolic flexibility.

GPCR-Mediated Signaling of Metabolites.

In addition to their bioenergetic intracellular function, several classical metabolites act as extracellular signaling molecules activating cell-surface G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), similar to hormones and neurotransmitters. "Signaling metabolites" generated from nutrients or by gut microbiota target primarily enteroendocrine, neuronal, and immune cells in the lamina propria of the gut mucosa and the liver and, through these tissues, the rest of the body. In contrast, metabolites from the intermediary metabolism act mainly as metabolic stress-induced autocrine and paracrine signals in adipose tissue, the liver, and the endocrine pancreas. Importantly, distinct metabolite GPCRs act as efficient pro- and anti-inflammatory regulators of key immune cells, and signaling metabolites may thus function as important drivers of the low-grade inflammation associated with insulin resistance and obesity. The concept of key metabolites as ligands for specific GPCRs has broadened our understanding of metabolic signaling significantly and provides a number of novel potential drug targets.

GPR119, a Major Enteroendocrine Sensor of Dietary Triglyceride Metabolites Coacting in Synergy With FFA1 (GPR40).

Triglycerides (TGs) are among the most efficacious stimulators of incretin secretion; however, the relative importance of FFA1 (G Protein-coupled Receptor [GPR] 40), FFA4 (GPR120), and GPR119, which all recognize TG metabolites, ie, long-chain fatty acid and 2-monoacylglycerol, respectively, is still unclear. Here, we find all 3 receptors to be highly expressed and highly enriched in fluorescence-activated cell sorting-purified GLP-1 and GIP cells isolated from transgenic reporter mice. In vivo, the TG-induced increase in plasma GIP was significantly reduced in FFA1-deficient mice (to 34%, mean of 4 experiments each with 8-10 animals), in GPR119-deficient mice (to 24%) and in FFA1/FFA4 double deficient mice (to 15%) but not in FFA4-deficient mice. The TG-induced increase in plasma GLP-1 was only significantly reduced in the GPR119-deficient and the FFA1/FFA4 double deficient mice, but not in the FFA1, and FFA4-deficient mice. In mouse colonic crypt cultures the synthetic FFA1 agonists, TAK-875 stimulated GLP-1 secretion to a similar extent as the prototype GLP-1 secretagogue neuromedin C; this, however, only corresponded to approximately half the maximal efficiency of the GPR119 agonist AR231453, whereas the GPR120 agonist Metabolex-209 had no effect. Importantly, when the FFA1 agonist was administered on top of appropriately low doses of the GPR119 agonist, a clear synergistic, ie, more than additive, effect was observed. It is concluded that the 2-monoacylglycerol receptor GPR119 is at least as important as the long-chain fatty acid receptor FFA1 in mediating the TG-induced secretion of incretins and that the 2 receptors act in synergy, whereas FFA4 plays a minor if any role.

GPR41/FFAR3 and GPR43/FFAR2 as cosensors for short-chain fatty acids in enteroendocrine cells vs FFAR3 in enteric neurons and FFAR2 in enteric leukocytes.

The expression of short-chain fatty acid receptors GPR41/FFAR3 and GPR43/ free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) was studied in the gastrointestinal tract of transgenic monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) reporter mice. In the stomach free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3)-mRFP was expressed in a subpopulation of ghrelin and gastrin cells. In contrast, strong expression of FFAR3-mRFP was observed in all cholecystokinin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), and secretin cells of the proximal small intestine and in all glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY, and neurotensin cells of the distal small intestine. Throughout the colon and rectum, FFAR3-mRFP was strongly expressed in the large population of peptide YY and GLP-1 cells and in the neurotensin cells of the proximal colon. A gradient of expression of FFAR3-mRFP was observed in the somatostatin cells from less than 5% in the stomach to more than 95% in the rectum. Substance P-containing enterochromaffin cells displayed a similar gradient of FFAR3-mRFP expression throughout the small intestine. Surprisingly, FFAR3-mRFP was also expressed in the neuronal cells of the submucosal and myenteric ganglia. Quantitative PCR analysis of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) purified FFAR3-mRFP positive cells confirmed the coexpression with the various peptide hormones as well as key neuronal marker proteins. The FFAR2-mRFP reporter was strongly expressed in a large population of leukocytes in the lamina propria of in particular the small intestine but surprisingly only weakly in a subpopulation of enteroendocrine cells. Nevertheless, synthetic ligands specific for either FFAR3 or FFAR2 each released GLP-1 from colonic crypt cultures and the FFAR2 agonist mobilized intracellular Ca²âº in FFAR2 positive enteroendocrine cells. It is concluded that FFAR3-mRFP serves as a useful marker for the majority of enteroendocrine cells of the small and large intestine and that FFAR3 and FFAR2 both act as sensors for short-chain fatty acids in enteroendocrine cells, whereas FFAR3 apparently has this role alone in enteric neurons and FFAR2 in enteric leukocytes.

Seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor repertoire of gastric ghrelin cells.

The molecular mechanisms regulating secretion of the orexigenic-glucoregulatory hormone ghrelin remain unclear. Based on qPCR analysis of FACS-purified gastric ghrelin cells, highly expressed and enriched 7TM receptors were comprehensively identified and functionally characterized using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo methods. Five Gαs-coupled receptors efficiently stimulated ghrelin secretion: as expected the ß1-adrenergic, the GIP and the secretin receptors but surprisingly also the composite receptor for the sensory neuropeptide CGRP and the melanocortin 4 receptor. A number of Gαi/o-coupled receptors inhibited ghrelin secretion including somatostatin receptors SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR3 and unexpectedly the highly enriched lactate receptor, GPR81. Three other metabolite receptors known to be both Gαi/o- and Gαq/11-coupled all inhibited ghrelin secretion through a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gαi/o pathway: FFAR2 (short chain fatty acid receptor; GPR43), FFAR4 (long chain fatty acid receptor; GPR120) and CasR (calcium sensing receptor). In addition to the common Gα subunits three non-common Gαi/o subunits were highly enriched in ghrelin cells: GαoA, GαoB and Gαz. Inhibition of Gαi/o signaling via ghrelin cell-selective pertussis toxin expression markedly enhanced circulating ghrelin. These 7TM receptors and associated Gα subunits constitute a major part of the molecular machinery directly mediating neuronal and endocrine stimulation versus metabolite and somatostatin inhibition of ghrelin secretion including a series of novel receptor targets not previously identified on the ghrelin cell.