Identification of MicroRNAs Associated with Prediabetic Status in Obese Women.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) recently emerged as means of communication between insulin-sensitive tissues to mediate diabetes development and progression, and as such they present a valuable proxy for epigenetic alterations associated with type 2 diabetes. In order to identify miRNA markers for the precursor of diabetes called prediabetes, we applied a translational approach encompassing analysis of human plasma samples, mouse tissues and an in vitro validation system. MiR-652-3p, miR-877-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-152-3p and let-7i-5p were increased in plasma of women with impaired fasting glucose levels (IFG) compared to those with normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Among these, let-7i-5p and miR-93-5p correlated with fasting blood glucose levels. Human data were then compared to miRNome data obtained from islets of Langerhans and adipose tissue of 10-week-old female New Zealand Obese mice, which differ in their degree of hyperglycemia and liver fat content. Similar to human plasma, let-7i-5p was increased in adipose tissue and islets of Langerhans of diabetes-prone mice. As predicted by the in silico analysis, overexpression of let-7i-5p in the rat ß-cell line INS-1 832/12 resulted in downregulation of insulin signaling pathway components (Insr, Rictor, Prkcb, Clock, Sos1 and Kcnma1). Taken together, our integrated approach highlighted let-7i-5p as a potential regulator of whole-body insulin sensitivity and a novel marker of prediabetes in women.

Alterations of Lipid Profile in Livers with Impaired Lipophagy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver. Various mechanisms such as an increased uptake in fatty acids or de novo synthesis contribute to the development of steatosis and progression to more severe stages. Furthermore, it has been shown that impaired lipophagy, the degradation of lipids by autophagic processes, contributes to NAFLD. Through an unbiased lipidome analysis of mouse livers in a genetic model of impaired lipophagy, we aimed to determine the resulting alterations in the lipidome. Observed changes overlap with those of the human disease. Overall, the entire lipid content and in particular the triacylglycerol concentration increased under conditions of impaired lipophagy. In addition, we detected a reduction in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and an increased ratio of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs, which was due to the depletion of n-3 PUFAs. Although the abundance of major phospholipid classes was reduced, the ratio of phosphatidylcholines to phosphatidylethanolamines was not affected. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that impaired lipophagy contributes to the pathology of NAFLD and is associated with an altered lipid profile. However, the lipid pattern does not appear to be specific for lipophagic alterations, as it resembles mainly that described in relation to fatty liver disease.

Distinct Adipogenic and Fibrogenic Differentiation Capacities of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Pancreas and White Adipose Tissue.

Pancreatic steatosis associates with ß-cell failure and may participate in the development of type-2-diabetes. Our previous studies have shown that diabetes-susceptible mice accumulate more adipocytes in the pancreas than diabetes-resistant mice. In addition, we have demonstrated that the co-culture of pancreatic islets and adipocytes affect insulin secretion. The aim of this current study was to elucidate if and to what extent pancreas-resident mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with adipogenic progenitor potential differ from the corresponding stromal-type cells of the inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). miRNA (miRNome) and mRNA expression (transcriptome) analyses of MSCs isolated by flow cytometry of both tissues revealed 121 differentially expressed miRNAs and 1227 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Target prediction analysis estimated 510 DEGs to be regulated by 58 differentially expressed miRNAs. Pathway analyses of DEGs and miRNA target genes showed unique transcriptional and miRNA signatures in pancreas (pMSCs) and iWAT MSCs (iwatMSCs), for instance fibrogenic and adipogenic differentiation, respectively. Accordingly, iwatMSCs revealed a higher adipogenic lineage commitment, whereas pMSCs showed an elevated fibrogenesis. As a low degree of adipogenesis was also observed in pMSCs of diabetes-susceptible mice, we conclude that the development of pancreatic steatosis has to be induced by other factors not related to cell-autonomous transcriptomic changes and miRNA-based signals.

Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Hyperglycemia in Mice.

Current attempts to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes have been moderately effective, and a better understanding of the molecular roots of this complex disease is important to develop more successful and precise treatment options. Recently, we initiated the collective diabetes cross, where four mouse inbred strains differing in their diabetes susceptibility were crossed with the obese and diabetes-prone NZO strain and identified the quantitative trait loci (QTL) Nidd13/NZO, a genomic region on chromosome 13 that correlates with hyperglycemia in NZO allele carriers compared to B6 controls. Subsequent analysis of the critical region, harboring 644 genes, included expression studies in pancreatic islets of congenic Nidd13/NZO mice, integration of single-cell data from parental NZO and B6 islets as well as haplotype analysis. Finally, of the five genes (Acot12, S100z, Ankrd55, Rnf180, and Iqgap2) within the polymorphic haplotype block that are differently expressed in islets of B6 compared to NZO mice, we identified the calcium-binding protein S100z gene to affect islet cell proliferation as well as apoptosis when overexpressed in MIN6 cells. In summary, we define S100z as the most striking gene to be causal for the diabetes QTL Nidd13/NZO by affecting ß-cell proliferation and apoptosis. Thus, S100z is an entirely novel diabetes gene regulating islet cell function.

Enriched Alternative Splicing in Islets of Diabetes-Susceptible Mice.

Dysfunctional islets of Langerhans are a hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We hypothesize that differences in islet gene expression alternative splicing which can contribute to altered protein function also participate in islet dysfunction. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data from islets of obese diabetes-resistant and diabetes-susceptible mice were analyzed for alternative splicing and its putative genetic and epigenetic modulators. We focused on the expression levels of chromatin modifiers and SNPs in regulatory sequences. We identified alternative splicing events in islets of diabetes-susceptible mice amongst others in genes linked to insulin secretion, endocytosis or ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathways. The expression pattern of 54 histones and chromatin modifiers, which may modulate splicing, were markedly downregulated in islets of diabetic animals. Furthermore, diabetes-susceptible mice carry SNPs in RNA-binding protein motifs and in splice sites potentially responsible for alternative splicing events. They also exhibit a larger exon skipping rate, e.g., in the diabetes gene Abcc8, which might affect protein function. Expression of the neuronal splicing factor Srrm4 which mediates inclusion of microexons in mRNA transcripts was markedly lower in islets of diabetes-prone compared to diabetes-resistant mice, correlating with a preferential skipping of SRRM4 target exons. The repression of Srrm4 expression is presumably mediated via a higher expression of miR-326-3p and miR-3547-3p in islets of diabetic mice. Thus, our study suggests that an altered splicing pattern in islets of diabetes-susceptible mice may contribute to an elevated T2D risk.

A collective diabetes cross in combination with a computational framework to dissect the genetics of human obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

To explore the genetic determinants of obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D), the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) conducted crossbreedings of the obese and diabetes-prone New Zealand Obese mouse strain with four different lean strains (B6, DBA, C3H, 129P2) that vary in their susceptibility to develop T2D. Genome-wide linkage analyses localized more than 290 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for obesity, 190 QTL for diabetes-related traits and 100 QTL for plasma metabolites in the outcross populations. A computational framework was developed that allowed to refine critical regions and to nominate a small number of candidate genes by integrating reciprocal haplotype mapping and transcriptome data. The efficiency of the complex procedure was demonstrated for one obesity QTL. The genomic interval of 35 Mb with 502 annotated candidate genes was narrowed down to six candidates. Accordingly, congenic mice retained the obesity phenotype owing to an interval that contains three of the six candidate genes. Among these the phospholipase PLA2G4A exhibited an elevated expression in adipose tissue of obese human subjects and is therefore a critical regulator of the obesity locus. Together, our broad and complex approach demonstrates that combined- and comparative-cross analysis exhibits improved mapping resolution and represents a valid tool for the identification of disease genes.

Immunity-related GTPase induces lipophagy to prevent excess hepatic lipid accumulation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Currently, only a few genetic variants explain the heritability of fatty liver disease. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of mouse strains has identified the susceptibility locus Ltg/NZO (liver triglycerides from New Zealand obese [NZO] alleles) on chromosome 18 as associating with increased hepatic triglycerides. Herein, we aimed to identify genomic variants responsible for this association. METHODS: Recombinant congenic mice carrying 5.3 Mbp of Ltg/NZO were fed a high-fat diet and characterized for liver fat. Bioinformatic analysis, mRNA profiles and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to identify genes responsible for the Ltg/NZO phenotype. Candidate genes were manipulated in vivo by injecting specific microRNAs into C57BL/6 mice. Pulldown coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics and immunoprecipitation were performed to identify interaction partners of IFGGA2. RESULTS: Through positional cloning, we identified 2 immunity-related GTPases (Ifgga2, Ifgga4) that prevent hepatic lipid storage. Expression of both murine genes and the human orthologue IRGM was significantly lower in fatty livers. Accordingly, liver-specific suppression of either Ifgga2 or Ifgga4 led to a 3-4-fold greater increase in hepatic fat content. In the liver of low-fat diet-fed mice, IFGGA2 localized to endosomes/lysosomes, while on a high-fat diet it associated with lipid droplets. Pulldown experiments and proteomics identified the lipase ATGL as a binding partner of IFGGA2 which was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Both proteins partially co-localized with the autophagic marker LC3B. Ifgga2 suppression in hepatocytes reduced the amount of LC3B-II, whereas overexpression of Ifgga2 increased the association of LC3B with lipid droplets and decreased triglyceride storage. CONCLUSION: IFGGA2 interacts with ATGL and protects against hepatic steatosis, most likely by enhancing the binding of LC3B to lipid droplets. LAY SUMMARY: The genetic basis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains incompletely defined. Herein, we identified members of the immunity-related GTPase family in mice and humans that act as regulators of hepatic fat accumulation, with links to autophagy. Overexpression of the gene Ifgga2 was shown to reduce hepatic lipid storage and could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of fatty liver disease.

Early hypermethylation of hepatic Igfbp2 results in its reduced expression preceding fatty liver in mice.

Obesity and ectopic fat disposition are risk factors for metabolic disease. Recent data indicate that IGFBP2 expression in liver is epigenetically inhibited during hepatic steatosis. The aim of this study was to investigate if epigenetic de-regulation of hepatic Igfbp2 occurs already early in life and is associated with increased risk for diet-induced obesity (DIO) during adolescence. Male C57BL/6J mice received a high-fat diet. After 3 weeks on this diet (age of 6 weeks), DIO-susceptible (responder, Resp) and DIO-resistant (non-responder, nResp) mice were identified by early weight gain. At the age of 6 weeks, Resp mice exhibited elevated blood glucose (p < 0.05), plasma insulin (p < 0.01), HOMA-IR and leptin/adiponectin ratio, whereas liver triglycerides were identical but significantly increased (p < 0.01) in Resp mice at 20 weeks of age. Igfbp2 expression was reduced in young Resp compared with nResp mice (p < 0.01), an effect that correlated with elevated DNA methylation of intronic CpG2605 (p < 0.01). The epigenetic inhibition of Igfbp2 was stable over time and preceded DIO and hepatosteatosis in adult mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that selective methylation of CpG2605 significantly reduced reporter activity by ∼85%, indicating that Igfbp2 expression is modulated by methylation. In human whole blood cells, methylation of IGFBP2 at the homologous CpG site was increased in obese men with impaired glucose tolerance. In conclusion, our data show that increased methylation of hepatic Igfbp2 during infancy predicts the development of fatty liver later in life and is linked to deterioration of glucose metabolism.

Identification of Four Mouse Diabetes Candidate Genes Altering ß-Cell Proliferation.

Beta-cell apoptosis and failure to induce beta-cell regeneration are hallmarks of type 2-like diabetes in mouse models. Here we show that islets from obese, diabetes-susceptible New Zealand Obese (NZO) mice, in contrast to diabetes-resistant C57BL/6J (B6)-ob/ob mice, do not proliferate in response to an in-vivo glucose challenge but lose their beta-cells. Genome-wide RNAseq based transcriptomics indicated an induction of 22 cell cycle-associated genes in B6-ob/ob islets that did not respond in NZO islets. Of all genes differentially expressed in islets of the two strains, seven mapped to the diabesity QTL Nob3, and were hypomorphic in either NZO (Lefty1, Apoa2, Pcp4l1, Mndal, Slamf7, Pydc3) or B6 (Ifi202b). Adenoviral overexpression of Lefty1, Apoa2, and Pcp4l1 in primary islet cells increased proliferation, whereas overexpression of Ifi202b suppressed it. We conclude that the identified genes in synergy with obesity and insulin resistance participate in adaptive islet hyperplasia and prevention from severe diabetes in B6-ob/ob mice.

A vast genomic deletion in the C56BL/6 genome affects different genes within the Ifi200 cluster on chromosome 1 and mediates obesity and insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, the excessive accumulation of body fat, is a highly heritable and genetically heterogeneous disorder. The complex, polygenic basis for the disease consisting of a network of different gene variants is still not completely known. RESULTS: In the current study we generated a BAC library of the obese-prone NZO strain to clarify the genomic alteration within the gene cluster Ifi200 on chr.1 including Ifi202b, an obesity gene that is in contrast to NZO not expressed in the lean B6 mouse. With the PacBio sequencing data of NZO BAC clones we identified a deletion spanning approximately 261.8 kb in the B6 reference genome. The deletion affects different members of the Ifi200 gene family which also includes the original first exon and 5'-regulatory parts of the Ifi202b gene and suggests to be the relevant cause of its expression deficiency in B6. In addition, the generation and characterization of congenic mice carrying the critical fragment on the B6 background demonstrate its crucial role for obesity and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal the reconstruction of a complex genomic region on mouse chr.1 resulting from deletions and duplications of Ifi200 genes and suggest to be relevant for the development of obesity. The results further demonstrate the complexity of the disease and highlight the importance for studying rare genetic variants as they can be causal for large effects.

Exercise training alters DNA methylation patterns in genes related to muscle growth and differentiation in mice.

The adaptive response of skeletal muscle to exercise training is tightly controlled and therefore requires transcriptional regulation. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism known to modulate gene expression, but its contribution to exercise-induced adaptations in skeletal muscle is not well studied. Here, we describe a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in muscle of trained mice (n = 3). Compared with sedentary controls, 2,762 genes exhibited differentially methylated CpGs (P < 0.05, meth diff >5%, coverage >10) in their putative promoter regions. Alignment with gene expression data (n = 6) revealed 200 genes with a negative correlation between methylation and expression changes in response to exercise training. The majority of these genes were related to muscle growth and differentiation, and a minor fraction involved in metabolic regulation. Among the candidates were genes that regulate the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (Plexin A2) as well as genes that participate in muscle hypertrophy (Igfbp4) and motor neuron innervation (Dok7). Interestingly, a transcription factor binding site enrichment study discovered significantly enriched occurrence of CpG methylation in the binding sites of the myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and myogenin. These findings suggest that DNA methylation is involved in the regulation of muscle adaptation to regular exercise training.

Novel markers and networks related to restored skeletal muscle transcriptome after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover novel markers underlying the improvement of skeletal muscle metabolism after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Skeletal muscle transcriptome data of lean people and people with obesity, before and 1 year after bariatric surgery, were subjected to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Results of LASSO were confirmed in a replication cohort. RESULTS: The expression levels of 440 genes differing between individuals with and without obesity were no longer different 1 year after surgery, indicating restoration. WGCNA clustered 116 genes with normalized expression in one major module, particularly correlating to weight loss and decreased plasma free fatty acids (FFA), 44 of which showed an obesity-related phenotype upon deletion in mice. Among the genes of the major module, 105 represented prominent markers for reduced FFA concentration, including 55 marker genes for decreased BMI in both the discovery and replication cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Previously unknown gene networks and marker genes underlined the important role of FFA in restoring muscle gene expression after bariatric surgery and further suggest novel therapeutic targets for obesity.

Different effects of bariatric surgery on epigenetic plasticity in skeletal muscle of individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.

AIM: Bariatric surgery is highly effective for the treatment of obesity in individuals without (OB1) and in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D2). However, whether bariatric surgery triggers similar or distinct molecular changes in OB and T2D remains unknown. Given that individuals with type 2 diabetes often exhibit more severe metabolic deterioration, we hypothesized that bariatric surgery induces distinct molecular adaptations in skeletal muscle, the major site of glucose uptake, of OB and T2D after surgery-induced weight loss. METHODS: All participants (OB, n = 13; T2D, n = 13) underwent detailed anthropometry before and one year after the surgery. Skeletal muscle biopsies were isolated at both time points and subjected to transcriptome and methylome analyses using a comprehensive bioinformatic pipeline. RESULTS: Before surgery, T2D had higher fasting glucose and insulin levels but lower whole-body insulin sensitivity, only glycemia remained higher in T2D than in OB after surgery. Surgery-mediated weight loss affected different subsets of genes with 2,013 differentially expressed in OB and 959 in T2D. In OB differentially expressed genes were involved in insulin, PPAR signaling and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, whereas ribosome and splicesome in T2D. LASSO regression analysis revealed distinct candidate genes correlated with improvement of phenotypic traits in OB and T2D. Compared to OB, DNA methylation was less affected in T2D in response to bariatric surgery. This may be due to increased global hydroxymethylation accompanied by decreased expression of one of the type 2 diabetes risk gene, TET2, encoding a demethylation enzyme in T2D. CONCLUSION: OB and T2D exhibit differential skeletal muscle transcriptome responses to bariatric surgery, presumably resulting from perturbed epigenetic flexibility.

Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression Signatures of Obese High and Low Responders to Endurance Exercise Training.

CONTEXT: Exercise training is known to improve glucose tolerance and reverse insulin resistance in people with obesity. However, some individuals fail to improve or even decline in their clinical traits following exercise intervention. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on gene expression and DNA methylation signatures in skeletal muscle of low (LRE) and high responders (RES) to 8 weeks of supervised endurance training. METHODS: We performed skeletal muscle gene expression and DNA methylation analyses in LRE and RES before and after exercise intervention. Additionally, we applied the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approach to identify predictive marker genes of exercise outcome. RESULTS: We show that the two groups differ markedly already before the intervention. RES were characterized by lower expression of genes involved in DNA replication and repair, and higher expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The LASSO approach identified several novel candidates (eg, ZCWPW2, FOXRED1, STK40) that have not been previously described in the context of obesity and exercise response. Following the intervention, LRE reacted with expression changes of genes related to inflammation and apoptosis, RES with genes related to mitochondrial function. LRE exhibited significantly higher expression of ECM components compared to RES, suggesting improper remodeling and potential negative effects on insulin sensitivity. Between 45% and 70% of differences in gene expression could be linked to differences in DNA methylation. CONCLUSION: Together, our data offer an insight into molecular mechanisms underlying differences in response to exercise and provide potential novel markers for the success of intervention.

Dietary medium-chain fatty acids reduce hepatic fat accumulation via activation of a CREBH-FGF21 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), characterized by chain lengths of 8-12 carbon atoms, have been proposed to have beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesized that MCFA intake benefits metabolic health by inducing the release of hormone-like factors. METHODS: The effects of chow diet, high-fat diet rich in long-chain fatty acids (LCFA HFD) fed ad libitum or pair-fed to a high-fat diet rich in MCFA (MCFA HFD) on glycemia, hepatic gene expression, circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and liver fat content in both wildtype and Fgf21 knockout mice were investigated. The impact of a single oral dose of an MCFA-rich oil on circulating FGF21 and hepatic Fgf21 mRNA expression was assessed. In flag-tagged Crebh knockin mice and liver-specific Crebh knockout mice, fed LCFA HFD or MCFA HFD, active hepatic CREBH and hepatic Fgf21 mRNA abundance were determined, respectively. RESULTS: MCFA HFD improves glucose tolerance, enhances glucose clearance into brown adipose tissue, and prevents high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in wildtype mice. These benefits are associated with increased liver expression of CREBH target genes (Apoa4 and Apoc2), including Fgf21. Both acute and chronic intake of dietary MCFAs elevate circulating FGF21. Augmented hepatic Fgf21 mRNA following MCFA HFD intake is accompanied by higher levels of active hepatic CREBH; and MCFA-induced hepatic Fgf21 expression is blocked in mice lacking Crebh. Notably, while feeding male and female Fgf21 wildtype mice MCFA HFD results in reduced liver triacylglycerol (TG) levels, this liver TG-lowering effect is blunted in Fgf21 knockout mice fed MCFA HFD. The reduction in liver TG levels observed with MCFA HFD was independent of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary MCFAs reduce liver fat accumulation via activation of a CREBH-FGF21 signaling axis.

Skeletal muscle p53-depletion uncovers a mechanism of fuel usage suppression that enables efficient energy conservation.

BACKGROUND: The ability of skeletal muscle to respond adequately to changes in nutrient availability, known as metabolic flexibility, is essential for the maintenance of metabolic health and loss of flexibility contributes to the development of diabetes and obesity. The tumour suppressor protein, p53, has been linked to the control of energy metabolism. We assessed its role in the acute control of nutrient allocation in skeletal muscle in the context of limited nutrient availability. METHODS: A mouse model with inducible deletion of the p53-encoding gene, Trp53, in skeletal muscle was generated using the Cre-loxP-system. A detailed analysis of nutrient metabolism in mice with control and knockout genotypes was performed under ad libitum fed and fasting conditions and in exercised mice. RESULTS: Acute deletion of p53 in myofibres of mice activated catabolic nutrient usage pathways even under ad libitum fed conditions, resulting in significantly increased overall energy expenditure (+10.6%; P = 0.0385) and a severe nutrient deficit in muscle characterized by depleted intramuscular glucose and glycogen levels (-62,0%; P < 0.0001 and -52.7%; P < 0.0001, respectively). This was accompanied by changes in marker gene expression patterns of circadian rhythmicity and hyperactivity (+57.4%; P = 0.0068). These metabolic changes occurred acutely, within 2-3 days after deletion of Trp53 was initiated, suggesting a rapid adaptive response to loss of p53, which resulted in a transient increase in lactate release to the circulation (+46.6%; P = 0.0115) from non-exercised muscle as a result of elevated carbohydrate mobilization. Conversely, an impairment of proteostasis and amino acid metabolism was observed in knockout mice during fasting. During endurance exercise testing, mice with acute, muscle-specific Trp53 inactivation displayed an early exhaustion phenotype with a premature shift in fuel usage and reductions in multiple performance parameters, including a significantly reduced running time and distance (-13.8%; P = 0.049 and -22.2%; P = 0.0384, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that efficient nutrient conservation is a key element of normal metabolic homeostasis that is sustained by p53. The homeostatic state in metabolic tissues is actively maintained to coordinate efficient energy conservation and metabolic flexibility towards nutrient stress. The acute deletion of Trp53 unlocks mechanisms that suppress the activity of nutrient catabolic pathways, causing substantial loss of intramuscular energy stores, which contributes to a fasting-like state in muscle tissue. Altogether, these findings uncover a novel function of p53 in the short-term regulation of nutrient metabolism in skeletal muscle and show that p53 serves to maintain metabolic homeostasis and efficient energy conservation.

Differences in DNA methylation of HAMP in blood cells predicts the development of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Better disease management can be achieved with earlier detection through robust, sensitive, and easily accessible biomarkers. The aim of the current study was to identify novel epigenetic biomarkers determining the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Livers of 10-week-old female New Zealand Obese (NZO) mice, slightly differing in their degree of hyperglycemia and liver fat content and thereby in their diabetes susceptibility were used for expression and methylation profiling. We screened for differences in hepatic expression and DNA methylation in diabetes-prone and -resistant mice, and verified a candidate (HAMP) in human livers and blood cells. Hamp expression was manipulated in primary hepatocytes and insulin-stimulated pAKT was detected. Luciferase reporter assays were conducted in a murine liver cell line to test the impact of DNA methylation on promoter activity. RESULTS: In livers of NZO mice, the overlap of methylome and transcriptome analyses revealed a potential transcriptional dysregulation of 12 hepatokines. The strongest effect with a 52% decreased expression in livers of diabetes-prone mice was detected for the Hamp gene, mediated by elevated DNA methylation of two CpG sites located in the promoter. Hamp encodes the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin, which had a lower abundance in the livers of mice prone to developing diabetes. Suppression of Hamp reduces the levels of pAKT in insulin-treated hepatocytes. In liver biopsies of obese insulin-resistant women, HAMP expression was significantly downregulated along with increased DNA methylation of a homologous CpG site. In blood cells of incident T2D cases from the prospective EPIC-Potsdam cohort, higher DNA methylation of two CpG sites was related to increased risk of incident diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: We identified epigenetic changes in the HAMP gene which may be used as an early marker preceding T2D.

Dietary medium-chain fatty acids reduce food intake via the GDF15-GFRAL axis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are fatty acids with chain lengths of 8-12 carbon atoms, have been shown to reduce food intake in rodents and humans, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Unlike most other fatty acids, MCFAs are absorbed from the intestine into the portal vein and enter first the liver. We thus hypothesized that MCFAs trigger the release of hepatic factors that reduce appetite. METHODS: The liver transcriptome in mice that were orally administered MCFAs as C8:0 triacylglycerol (TG) was analyzed. Circulating growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), tissue Gdf15 mRNA and food intake were investigated after acute oral gavage of MCFAs as C8:0 or C10:0 TG in mice. Effects of acute and subchronic administration of MCFAs as C8:0 TG on food intake and body weight were determined in mice lacking either the receptor for GDF15, GDNF Family Receptor Alpha Like (GFRAL), or GDF15. RESULTS: Hepatic and small intestinal expression of Gdf15 and circulating GDF15 increased after ingestion of MCFAs, while intake of typical dietary long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) had no effect. Plasma GDF15 levels also increased in the portal vein with MCFA intake, indicating that in addition to the liver, the small intestine contributes to the rise in circulating GDF15. Acute oral provision of MCFAs decreased food intake over 24 h compared with a LCFA-containing bolus, and this anorectic effect required the GDF15 receptor, GFRAL. Moreover, subchronic oral administration of MCFAs reduced body weight over 7 days, an effect that was blunted in mice lacking either GDF15 or GFRAL. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified ingestion of MCFAs as a novel nutritional approach that increases circulating GDF15 in mice and have revealed that the GDF15-GFRAL axis is required for the full anorectic effect of MCFAs.

Heterogeneous Development of ß-Cell Populations in Diabetes-Resistant and -Susceptible Mice.

Progressive dysfunction and failure of insulin-releasing ß-cells are a hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D). To study mechanisms of ß-cell loss in T2D, we performed islet single-cell RNA sequencing of two obese mouse strains differing in their diabetes susceptibility. With mice on a control diet, we identified six ß-cell clusters with similar abundance in both strains. However, after feeding of a diabetogenic diet for 2 days, ß-cell cluster composition markedly differed between strains. Islets of diabetes-resistant mice developed into a protective ß-cell cluster (Beta4), whereas those of diabetes-prone mice progressed toward stress-related clusters with a strikingly different expression pattern. Interestingly, the protective cluster showed indications of reduced ß-cell identity, such as downregulation of GLUT2, GLP1R, and MafA, and in vitro knockdown of GLUT2 in ß-cells-mimicking its phenotype-decreased stress response and apoptosis. This might explain enhanced ß-cell survival of diabetes-resistant islets. In contrast, ß-cells of diabetes-prone mice responded with expression changes indicating metabolic pressure and endoplasmic reticulum stress, presumably leading to later ß-cell loss. In conclusion, failure of diabetes-prone mice to adapt gene expression toward a more dedifferentiated state in response to rising blood glucose levels leads to ß-cell failure and diabetes development.

HSP60 reduction protects against diet-induced obesity by modulating energy metabolism in adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin regulates mitochondrial function, thereby propagating an efficient metabolism. Conversely, diabetes and insulin resistance are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction with a decreased expression of the mitochondrial chaperone HSP60. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of a reduced HSP60 expression on the development of obesity and insulin resistance. METHODS: Control and heterozygous whole-body HSP60 knockout (Hsp60+/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% calories from fat) for 16 weeks and subjected to extensive metabolic phenotyping. To understand the effect of HSP60 on white adipose tissue, microarray analysis of gonadal WAT was performed, ex vivo experiments were performed, and a lentiviral knockdown of HSP60 in 3T3-L1 cells was conducted to gain detailed insights into the effect of reduced HSP60 levels on adipocyte homeostasis. RESULTS: Male Hsp60+/- mice exhibited lower body weight with lower fat mass. These mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity compared to control, as assessed by Matsuda Index and HOMA-IR. Accordingly, insulin levels were significantly reduced in Hsp60+/- mice in a glucose tolerance test. However, Hsp60+/- mice exhibited an altered adipose tissue metabolism with elevated insulin-independent glucose uptake, adipocyte hyperplasia in the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction, altered autophagy, and local insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: We discovered that the reduction of HSP60 in mice predominantly affects adipose tissue homeostasis, leading to beneficial alterations in body weight, body composition, and adipocyte morphology, albeit exhibiting local insulin resistance.