Enhancing fatty acid oxidation negatively regulates PPARs signaling in the heart.

High fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is associated with lipotoxicity, but whether it causes lipotoxic cardiomyopathy remains controversial. Molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for FAO-induced lipotoxic cardiomyopathy are also elusive. In this study, increasing FAO by genetic deletion of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2) did not induce cardiac dysfunction after 16 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) feeding. This suggests that increasing FAO, per se, does not cause metabolic cardiomyopathy in obese mice. We compared transcriptomes of control and ACC2 deficient mouse hearts under chow- or HFD-fed conditions. ACC2 deletion had a significant impact on the global transcriptome including downregulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) signaling and fatty acid degradation pathways. Increasing fatty acids by HFD feeding normalized expression of fatty acid degradation genes in ACC2 deficient mouse hearts to the same level as the control mice. In contrast, cardiac transcriptome analysis of the lipotoxic mouse model (db/db) showed an upregulation of PPARs signaling and fatty acid degradation pathways. Our results suggest that enhancing FAO by genetic deletion of ACC2 negatively regulates PPARs signaling through depleting endogenous PPAR ligands, which can serve as a negative feedback mechanism to prevent excess activation of PPAR signaling under non-obese condition. In obesity, excessive lipid availability negates the feedback mechanism resulting in over activation of PPAR cascade, thus contributes to the development of cardiac lipotoxicity.

Early Inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthesis Reduces Generation of Memory Precursor Effector T Cells in Chronic Infection.

Understanding the mechanisms of CD4 memory T cell (Tmem) differentiation in malaria is critical for vaccine development. However, the metabolic regulation of CD4 Tmem differentiation is not clear, particularly in persistent infections. In this study, we investigated the role of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) in Tmem development in Plasmodium chabaudi chronic mouse malaria infection. We show that T cell-specific deletion and early pharmaceutical inhibition of acetyl CoA carboxylase 1, the rate limiting step of FAS, inhibit generation of early memory precursor effector T cells (MPEC). To compare the role of FAS during early differentiation or survival of Tmem in chronic infection, a specific inhibitor of acetyl CoA carboxylase 1, 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid, was administered at different times postinfection. Strikingly, the number of Tmem was only reduced when FAS was inhibited during T cell priming and not during the Tmem survival phase. FAS inhibition during priming increased effector T cell (Teff) proliferation and strongly decreased peak parasitemia, which is consistent with improved Teff function. Conversely, MPEC were decreased, in a T cell-intrinsic manner, upon early FAS inhibition in chronic, but not acute, infection. Early cure of infection also increased mitochondrial volume in Tmem compared with Teff, supporting previous reports in acute infection. We demonstrate that the MPEC-specific effect was due to the higher fatty acid content and synthesis in MPEC compared with terminally differentiated Teff. In conclusion, FAS in CD4 T cells regulates the early divergence of Tmem from Teff in chronic infection.

Preservation of myocardial fatty acid oxidation prevents diastolic dysfunction in mice subjected to angiotensin II infusion.

RATIONALE: Diastolic dysfunction is a common feature in many heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction and has been associated with altered myocardial metabolism in hypertensive and diabetic patients. Therefore, metabolic interventions to improve diastolic function are warranted. In mice with a germline cardiac-specific deletion of acetyl CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2), systolic dysfunction induced by pressure-overload was prevented by maintaining cardiac fatty acid oxidation (FAO). However, it has not been evaluated whether this strategy would prevent the development of diastolic dysfunction in the adult heart. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that augmenting cardiac FAO is protective against angiotensin II (AngII)-induced diastolic dysfunction in an adult mouse heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: We generated a mouse model to induce cardiac-specific deletion of ACC2 in adult mice. Tamoxifen treatment (20mg/kg/day for 5days) was sufficient to delete ACC2 protein and increase cardiac FAO by 50% in ACC2 flox/flox-MerCreMer+ mice (iKO). After 4weeks of AngII (1.1mg/kg/day), delivered by osmotic mini-pumps, iKO mice showed normalized E/E' and E'/A' ratios compared to AngII treated controls (CON). The prevention of diastolic dysfunction in iKO-AngII was accompanied by maintained FAO and reduced glycolysis and anaplerosis. Furthermore, iKO-AngII hearts had a~50% attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared to CON. In addition, maintenance of FAO in iKO hearts suppressed AngII-associated increases in oxidative stress and sustained mitochondrial respiratory complex activities. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that impaired FAO is a contributor to the development of diastolic dysfunction induced by AngII. Maintenance of FAO in this model leads to an attenuation of hypertrophy, reduces fibrosis, suppresses increases in oxidative stress, and maintains mitochondrial function. Therefore, targeting mitochondrial FAO is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diastolic dysfunction.

Disruption of de novo fatty acid synthesis via acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 inhibition prevents acute graft-versus-host disease.

Upon antigen-specific or allogeneic activation, T cells sharply increase their metabolic activity to cope with augmented needs for proliferation and effector functions. Therefore, enzymes involved in energy metabolism constitute attractive targets to modulate the activity of pathogenic effector T cells in the setting of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Here, we show that T cells deficient for acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (TACC1) are dramatically less pathogenic than wild-type (WT) T cells in a lethal C57BL/6 into BALB/c model of acute GVHD and permitted sustained survival of recipient mice. In line with this clinical observation, higher frequencies of GVHD-suppressing Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells were detected in the colon of TACC T-cell recipients. In vitro, T-cell stimulation with allogeneic DCs induced higher proportions of Treg cells but also led to diminished proliferation of TACC1 T cells compared to WT T cells. Furthermore, TACC1 T cells activated by allogeneic DCs showed impaired glycolysis and lipid synthesis. Thus, targeting de novo fatty acid synthesis via acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibition may be a promising new strategy to prevent GVHD.

Minimal impact of age and housing temperature on the metabolic phenotype of Acc2-/- mice.

An important regulator of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is the allosteric inhibition of CPT-1 by malonyl-CoA produced by the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2). Initial studies suggested that deletion of Acc2 (Acacb) increased fat oxidation and reduced adipose tissue mass but in an independently generated strain of Acc2 knockout mice we observed increased whole-body and skeletal muscle FAO and a compensatory increase in muscle glycogen stores without changes in glucose tolerance, energy expenditure or fat mass in young mice (12-16 weeks). The aim of the present study was to determine whether there was any effect of age or housing at thermoneutrality (29 °C; which reduces total energy expenditure) on the phenotype of Acc2 knockout mice. At 42-54 weeks of age, male WT and Acc2(-/-) mice had similar body weight, fat mass, muscle triglyceride content and glucose tolerance. Consistent with younger Acc2(-/-) mice, aged Acc2(-/-) mice showed increased whole-body FAO (24 h average respiratory exchange ratio=0.95±0.02 and 0.92±0.02 for WT and Acc2(-/-) mice respectively, P<0.05) and skeletal muscle glycogen content (+60%, P<0.05) without any detectable change in whole-body energy expenditure. Hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp studies revealed no difference in insulin action between groups with similar glucose infusion rates and tissue glucose uptake. Housing Acc2(-/-) mice at 29 °C did not alter body composition, glucose tolerance or the effects of fat feeding compared with WT mice. These results confirm that manipulation of Acc2 may alter FAO in mice, but this has little impact on body composition or insulin action.

Staphylococcus aureus fatty acid auxotrophs do not proliferate in mice.

Inactivation of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase confers resistance to fatty acid synthesis inhibitors in Staphylococcus aureus on media supplemented with fatty acids. The addition of anteiso-fatty acids (1 mM) plus lipoic acid supports normal growth of ΔaccD strains, but supplementation with mammalian fatty acids was less efficient. Mice infected with strain RN6930 developed bacteremia, but bacteria were not detected in mice infected with its ΔaccD derivative. S. aureus bacteria lacking acetyl-CoA carboxylase can be propagated in vitro but were unable to proliferate in mice, suggesting that the acquisition of inactivating mutations in this enzyme is not a mechanism for the evasion of fatty acid synthesis inhibitors.

Hepatic de novo lipogenesis is present in liver-specific ACC1-deficient mice.

Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. In mammals, two isozymes exist with distinct physiological roles: cytosolic ACC1 participates in de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and mitochondrial ACC2 is involved in negative regulation of mitochondrial beta-oxidation. Since systemic ACC1 null mice were embryonic lethal, to clarify the physiological role of ACC1 in hepatic DNL, we generated the liver-specific ACC1 null mouse by crossbreeding of an Acc1(lox(ex46)) mouse, in which exon 46 of Acc1 was flanked by two loxP sequences and the liver-specific Cre transgenic mouse. In liver-specific ACC1 null mice, neither hepatic Acc1 mRNA nor protein was detected. However, to compensate for ACC1 function, hepatic ACC2 protein and activity were induced 1.4 and 2.2 times, respectively. Surprisingly, hepatic DNL and malonyl-CoA were maintained at the same physiological levels as in wild-type mice. Furthermore, hepatic DNL was completely inhibited by an ACC1/2 dual inhibitor, 5-tetradecyloxyl-2-furancarboxylic acid. These results strongly demonstrate that malonyl-CoA from ACC2 can access fatty acid synthase and become the substrate for the DNL pathway under the unphysiological circumstances that result with ACC1 disruption. Therefore, there does not appear to be strict compartmentalization of malonyl-CoA from either of the ACC isozymes in the liver.

Liver-specific deletion of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 reduces hepatic triglyceride accumulation without affecting glucose homeostasis.

In animals, liver and white adipose are the main sites for the de novo fatty acid synthesis. Deletion of fatty acid synthase or acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) 1 in mice resulted in embryonic lethality, indicating that the de novo fatty acid synthesis is essential for embryonic development. To understand the importance of de novo fatty acid synthesis and the role of ACC1-produced malonyl-CoA in adult mouse tissues, we generated liver-specific ACC1 knockout (LACC1KO) mice. LACC1KO mice have no obvious health problem under normal feeding conditions. Total ACC activity and malonyl-CoA levels were approximately 70-75% lower in liver of LACC1KO mice compared with that of the WT mice. In addition, the livers of LACC1KO mice accumulated 40-70% less triglycerides. Unexpectedly, when fed fat-free diet for 10 days, there was significant up-regulation of PPARgamma and several enzymes in the lipogenic pathway in the liver of LACC1KO mice compared with the WT mice. Despite the significant up-regulation of the lipogenic enzymes, including a >2-fold increase in fatty acid synthase mRNA, protein, and activity, there was significant decrease in the de novo fatty acid synthesis and triglyceride accumulation in the liver. However, there were no significant changes in blood glucose and fasting ketone body levels. Hence, reducing cytosolic malonyl-CoA and, therefore, the de novo fatty acid synthesis in the liver, does not affect fatty acid oxidation and glucose homeostasis under lipogenic conditions.

Mutant mice lacking acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 are embryonically lethal.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylases (ACC1 and ACC2) catalyze the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA, an intermediate metabolite that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. We previously reported that ACC2 null mice are viable, and that ACC2 plays an important role in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation through the inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, a mitochondrial component of the fatty-acyl shuttle system. Herein, we used gene targeting to knock out the ACC1 gene. The heterozygous mutant mice (Acc1(+/-)) had normal fertility and lifespans and maintained a similar body weight to that of their wild-type cohorts. The mRNA level of ACC1 in the tissues of Acc1(+/-) mice was half that of the wild type; however, the protein level of ACC1 and the total malonyl-CoA level were similar. In addition, there was no difference in the acetate incorporation into fatty acids nor in the fatty acid oxidation between the hepatocytes of Acc1(+/-) mice and those of the wild type. In contrast to Acc2(-/-) mice, Acc1(-/-) mice were not detected after mating. Timed pregnancies of heterozygotes revealed that Acc(-/-) embryos are already undeveloped at embryonic day (E)7.5, they die by E8.5, and are completely resorbed at E11.5. Our previous results of the ACC2 knockout mice and current studies of ACC1 knockout mice further confirm our hypotheses that malonyl-CoA exists in two independent pools, and that ACC1 and ACC2 have distinct roles in fatty acid metabolism.

Glucose and fat metabolism in adipose tissue of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 knockout mice.

Acc2-/- mutant mice, when fed a high-fat/high-carbohydrate (HF/HC) diet, were protected against diet-induced obesity and diabetes. To investigate the role of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2) in the regulation of energy metabolism in adipose tissues, we studied fatty acid and glucose oxidation in primary cultures of adipocytes isolated from wild-type and Acc2-/- mutant mice fed either normal chow or a HF/HC diet. When fed normal chow, oxidation of [14C]palmitate in adipocytes of Acc2-/- mutant mice was approximately 80% higher than in adipocytes of WT mice, and it remained significantly higher in the presence of insulin. Interestingly, in addition to increased fatty acid oxidation, we also observed increased glucose oxidation in adipocytes of Acc2-/- mutant mice compared with that of WT mice. When fed a HF/HC diet for 4-5 months, adipocytes of Acc2-/- mutant mice maintained a 25% higher palmitate oxidation and a 2-fold higher glucose oxidation than WT mice. The mRNA level of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) decreased several fold in the adipose tissue of WT mice fed a HF/HC diet; however, in the adipose tissue of Acc2-/- mutant mice, it was 7-fold higher. Moreover, lipolysis activity was higher in adipocytes of Acc2-/- mutant mice compared with that in WT mice. These findings suggest that continuous fatty acid oxidation in the adipocytes of Acc2-/- mutant mice, combined with a higher level of glucose oxidation and a higher rate of lipolysis, are major factors leading to efficient maintenance of insulin sensitivity and leaner Acc2-/- mutant mice.

Continuous fatty acid oxidation and reduced fat storage in mice lacking acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2.

Malonyl-coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA), generated by acetyl-CoA carboxylases ACC1 and ACC2, is a key metabolite in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Here, we show that Acc2-/- mutant mice have a normal life span, a higher fatty acid oxidation rate, and lower amounts of fat. In comparison to the wild type, Acc2-deficient mice had 10- and 30-fold lower levels of malonyl-CoA in heart and muscle, respectively. The fatty acid oxidation rate in the soleus muscle of the Acc2-/- mice was 30% higher than that of wild-type mice and was not affected by addition of insulin; however, addition of insulin to the wild-type muscle reduced fatty acid oxidation by 45%. The mutant mice accumulated 50% less fat in their adipose tissue than did wild-type mice. These results raise the possibility that pharmacological manipulation of ACC2 may lead to loss of body fat in the context of normal caloric intake.

Five patients with a biotin-responsive defect in holocarboxylase formation: evaluation of responsiveness to biotin therapy in vivo and comparative biochemical studies in vitro.

Biochemical studies in five patients with a defect in biotin-responsive holocarboxylase synthesis are reported. The age of onset (2 d to 6 y) as well as the severity of illness varied considerably. In all patients diagnosis was established by the finding of organic aciduria typical for multiple carboxylase deficiency in a catabolic state. In four patients the response to biotin therapy was evaluated by measurement of mitochondrial carboxylase activities in lymphocytes and by monitoring urinary organic acid excretion. In three patients clinical symptoms disappeared with 10-20 mg biotin/d, whereas normalization of the biochemical parameters required higher doses (20-40 mg/d). The fourth patient required a dose of 100 mg biotin/d before her skin rash disappeared. She remains mentally retarded and shows slightly elevated urinary organic acid excretion. Carboxylase activities were clearly deficient in fibroblasts grown in the commonly used medium which contains 10 nmol/L biotin (contributed by FCS in medium) in two patients. Fibroblasts of the other three patients became deficient only in a low biotin medium (0.1 nmol/L). Reactivation of deficient carboxylase activities in relation to time and biotin concentration correlated well with the severity and age of onset of illness in four patients. In one patient, however, carboxylase reactivation followed a more complex pattern requiring the longest incubation time but only a moderately increased biotin concentration of 19 nmol/L compared with 3-5 nmol/L in normal cells and 34-4000 nmol/L in the other four patients. The results in the five patients are in accordance with a primary defect of holocarboxylase synthetase due to a decreased affinity for biotin, in one patient combined with a decreased Vmax.

Effects of biotin deficiency on serum fatty acid composition: evidence for abnormalities in humans.

In three patients who developed biotin deficiency during parenteral alimentation, serum fatty acid compositions of the four major lipid classes (phospholipid, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride and free fatty acid) were measured. Relative to the normal range, percent compositions of an odd-chain fatty acid (either 15:0 or 17:0 or both) were increased in each class of lipid, and these abnormalities generally returned to normal or decreased toward normal with biotin therapy. Abnormalities in particular fatty acids in the omega 6, omega 3 and omega 9 pathways were also found, but these abnormalities did not resolve with biotin therapy. These data provide evidence in favor of the conclusion that biotin deficiency causes increases in the composition of some odd-chain fatty acids in humans, perhaps by the same mechanism that leads to odd-chain fatty acidemia in the inborn deficiency of the biotin-dependent enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase.

Enzyme studies in biotin-responsive disorders.

There appear to be at least two underlying aetiologies for combined carboxylase deficiency; firstly, a failure of biotinylation of apocarboxylases due to a mutation of holocarboxylase synthetase (EC 6.3.4.10) which results in an enzyme with a high Km with respect to biotin and secondly, a failure of biotinylation due to a lowered availability of biotin due to biotinidase deficiency (EC 3.5.1.12). In both these disorders secondary defects of all four biotin-dependent carboxylases result which in turn causes the excretion of the metabolites characteristic of the isolated carboxylase deficiencies. In addition, both disorders respond biochemically and clinically to the administration of large amounts of biotin.