Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Dominique Langin

Publications and source records attributed to Dominique Langin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Weight loss regulates inflammation-related genes in white adipose tissue of obese subjects.

Adipose tissue produces inflammation and immunity molecules suspected to be involved in obesity-related complications. The pattern of expression and the nutritional regulation of these molecules in humans are poorly understood. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of subcutaneous white adipose tissue from 29 obese subjects during very low calorie diet (VLCD) using cDNA microarray and reverse transcription quantitative PCR. The patterns of expression were compared with that of 17 non-obese subjects. We determined whether the regulated genes were expressed in adipocytes or stromavascular fraction cells. Gene expression profiling identified 100 inflammation-related transcripts that are regulated in obese individuals when eating a 28 day VLCD but not a 2 day VLCD. Cluster analysis showed that the pattern of gene expression in obese subjects after 28 day VLCD was closer to the profile of lean subjects than to the pattern of obese subjects before VLCD. Weight loss improves the inflammatory profile of obese subjects through a decrease of proinflammatory factors and an increase of anti-inflammatory molecules. The genes are expressed mostly in the stromavascular fraction of adipose tissue, which is shown to contain numerous macrophages. The beneficial effect of weight loss on obesity-related complications may be associated with the modification of the inflammatory profile in adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

Adiponectin gene expression and plasma values in obese women during very-low-calorie diet. Relationship with cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance.

Adiponectin, a newly discovered adipose-tissue-specific protein, is thought to be involved in the regulation of insulin action. The aim of the present study was to determine whether adiponectin contributes to the improvement in insulin sensitivity during very-low-calorie diet (VLCD). Biopsies of sc abdominal adipose tissue and blood sampling for analysis of plasma adiponectin and related hormones and metabolites were performed before and at the end of a 4-wk VLCD in 33 nonmorbidly obese women (body mass index, 34.4 +/- 4.1 kg/m(2)). VLCD produced a decrease in weight (7.1 +/- 0.4 kg) and in insulin and leptin levels and led to an improvement in insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin gene expression and plasma levels were not modified during calorie restriction. Before VLCD, we found negative correlations between plasma adiponectin and variables related to the metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin mRNA levels showed a negative correlation with lipoprotein a plasma values. The correlations observed before VLCD were not found after VLCD. The data suggest that adiponectin is related to the protection against the metabolic syndrome but is not involved in the regulation of VLCD-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity.

Abdomen↗

In vivo epinephrine-mediated regulation of gene expression in human skeletal muscle.

The stress hormone epinephrine produces major physiological effects on skeletal muscle. Here we determined skeletal muscle mRNA expression profiles before and during a 6-h epinephrine infusion performed in nine young men. Stringent statistical analysis of data obtained using 43000 cDNA element microarrays showed that 1206 and 474 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Microarray data were validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Gene classification was performed through data mining of Gene Ontology annotations, cluster analysis of regulated genes among 14 human tissues, and correlation analysis of mRNA and clinical parameter variations. Evidence of an autoregulatory control was provided by the regulation of key genes of the cAMP-dependent transcription pathway. Genes with known functional cAMP response elements were regulated by the hormone. The impact on metabolism was illustrated by coordinated regulations of genes involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolisms. Epinephrine had a profound effect on genes involved in immunity and inflammatory response, a previously unappreciated aspect of catecholamine action. Information on 526 mRNAs corresponded to genes of unknown function. These data define the molecular signatures of epinephrine action in human skeletal muscle. They may contribute to the understanding of skeletal muscle alterations observed in pathological conditions characterized by sympathetic nervous system overdrive.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

Adiponutrin: A new gene regulated by energy balance in human adipose tissue.

Adiponutrin is a newly identified nonsecreted adipocyte protein regulated by changes in energy balance in rodents. We documented the influence of energy balance modification on adiponutrin gene expression in humans. We investigated the mRNA expression in sc adipose tissue of nonobese women and in obese women during 2-d very low-calorie diet (VLCD) and subsequent refeeding as well as before and after a VLCD of 3 wk (21-d VLCD). The adiponutrin mRNA levels of the nonobese and obese women were not different (P > 0.05). Two-day VLCD reduced the average level of adiponutrin mRNA expression by 36% (P = 0.0016), whereas refeeding elevated the mRNA level by 31% (P = 0.004). The 3-wk VLCD caused a dramatic 58% fall of the adiponutrin mRNA expression level (P = 0.001). The mRNA level was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (Rho = -0.62; P < 0.0001), and subjects with high adiponutrin mRNA level had an increased insulin sensitivity. Compared with other adipocyte proteins such as leptin and adiponectin, adiponutrin mRNA did not show correlation with either adiposity indexes or with leptin or adiponectin mRNAs. These results indicate that adiponutrin gene expression in humans is highly regulated by changes in energy balance.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effects of different hypocaloric diets on protein secretion from adipose tissue of obese women.

Little is known about common factors (e.g., macronutrients and energy supply) regulating the protein secretory function of adipose tissue. We therefore compared the effects of randomly assigned 10-week hypoenergetic (-600 kcal/day) diets with moderate-fat/moderate-carbohydrate or low-fat/high-carbohydrate content on circulating levels and production of proteins (using radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) from subcutaneous adipose tissue in 40 obese but otherwise healthy women. Similar results were obtained by the two diets. Body weight decreased by approximately 7.5%. The secretion rate of leptin decreased by approximately 40%, as did that of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL)-6 and -8 decreased by 25-30%, whereas the secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and adiponectin did not show any changes. Regarding mRNA expression (by real-time PCR), only that of leptin and IL-6 decreased significantly. Circulating levels of leptin and PAI-1 decreased by 30 and 40%, respectively, but there were only minor changes in circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6, or adiponectin. In conclusion, moderate caloric restriction but not macronutrient composition influences the production and secretion of adipose tissue-derived proteins during weight reduction, leptin being the most sensitive and adiponectin and PAI-1 the least sensitive.

Adipose Tissue↗

A novel hormone-sensitive lipase isoform expressed in pancreatic beta-cells.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a key enzyme in fatty acid mobilization in many cell types. Two isoforms of HSL are known to date, namely HSL(adi) (84 kDa in rat) and HSL(tes) (130 kDa in rat). These are encoded by the same gene, with exons 1-9 encoding the parts that are common to both and an additional 5'-exon encoding the additional amino acids in HSL(tes). HSL of various tissues, among these the islet of Langerhans, is larger than HSL(adi), but not as large as HSL(tes), indicating that there may be other 5'-coding exons. Here we describe the molecular basis for a novel 89-kDa HSL isoform that is expressed in beta-cells, adipocytes, adrenal glands, and ovaries in the rat and that is encoded by exons 1-9 and exon A, which is spliced to exon 1 and thereby introducing an upstream start codon. The additional 5'-base pairs encode a 43-amino acid peptide, which is highly positively charged. Conglomerates of HSL molecules are in close association with the secretory granules of the beta-cell, as determined by immunoelectron microscopy with antibodies targeting two separate regions of HSL. We have also determined that the human genomic sequence upstream of exon A has promoter activity in INS-1 cells as well as glucose sensing capability, mediating an increase in expression at high glucose concentration. The minimal promoter is present within 170 bp from the transcriptional start site and maximal glucose responsiveness is conferred by sequence within 850 bp from the transcriptional start site.

Adipocytes↗

beta3-Adrenergic stimulation produces a decrease of cardiac contractility ex vivo in mice overexpressing the human beta3-adrenergic receptor.

OBJECTIVES: The regulation of cardiac function by catecholamines involves three populations of beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR). beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR stimulations produce an increase in contractility and beta(3)-AR stimulation mediates a negative inotropic effect in human ventricular muscle. Because of the lack of suitable animal models, we have generated transgenic mice with cardiac-specific expression of the human beta(3)-AR (TG beta(3) mice). METHODS: TG beta(3) mice were produced by microinjection of the human beta(3)-AR under the control of the alpha myosin heavy chain promoter. Phenotypic analyses comprised beta(3)-AR mRNA and protein determinations, histological studies, electrocardiogram, contractility and cyclic nucleotide measurements. RESULTS: TG beta(3) mice presented no histological evidence of myocyte hypertrophy or fibrogenesis. In basal conditions, TG beta(3) mice were characterized by an increase in heart rate and an acceleration of twitch parameters without modification of its amplitude. beta(3)-AR agonists (CL 316243, SR 58611A) decreased contractility at low concentrations (1-100 nM). At high concentrations, the negative inotropic effect was abolished. Pretreatment with nadolol, a beta(1)/beta(2)-AR blocker, blunted the rebound in peak tension elicited by beta(3)-AR agonists suggesting a non-specific action of these compounds on beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR. The involvement of beta(3)-AR in the negative inotropic effect was confirmed by the pretreatment with bupranolol, a non-selective beta-AR antagonist, which fully abolished the effects of SR 58611A. The negative inotropic effect was associated with an increase in intracellular cGMP level. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that cardiac overexpression of beta(3)-AR in mice reproduces ex vivo the negative inotropic effects obtained with beta(3)-AR stimulation in human ventricular tissues.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Acquirement of brown fat cell features by human white adipocytes.

Obesity, i.e. an excess of white adipose tissue (WAT), predisposes to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Brown adipose tissue is present in rodents but not in adult humans. It expresses uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) that allows dissipation of energy as heat. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) activate mouse UCP1 gene transcription. We show here that human PGC-1 alpha induced the activation of the human UCP1 promoter by PPAR gamma. Adenovirus-mediated expression of human PGC-1 alpha increased the expression of UCP1, respiratory chain proteins, and fatty acid oxidation enzymes in human subcutaneous white adipocytes. Changes in the expression of other genes were also consistent with brown adipocyte mRNA expression profile. PGC-1 alpha increased the palmitate oxidation rate by fat cells. Human white adipocytes can therefore acquire typical features of brown fat cells. The PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone potentiated the effect of PGC-1 alpha on UCP1 expression and fatty acid oxidation. Hence, PGC-1 alpha is able to direct human WAT PPAR gamma toward a transcriptional program linked to energy dissipation. However, the response of typical white adipocyte targets to rosiglitazone treatment was not altered by PGC-1 alpha. UCP1 mRNA induction was shown in vivo by injection of the PGC-1 alpha adenovirus in mouse white fat. Alteration of energy balance through an increased utilization of fat in WAT may be a conceivable strategy for the treatment of obesity.

Adenoviridae↗

Conversion from white to brown adipocytes: a strategy for the control of fat mass?

Understanding the mechanisms governing the acquisition of white and brown adipocyte phenotypes might have implications for the physiopathology of, and therapeutic strategies for obesity. Peroxisome proliferator-activated recetor gamma (PPARgamma) and its coactivators, PGC-1alpha and SRC-1, influence brown adipocyte metabolism and development. Ectopic expression of PGC-1alpha induces the expression of brown adipocyte genes in human white adipocytes. The changes in gene expression promote stimulation of fatty acid oxidation. There is now evidence to support the concept of an alteration in energy balance through a conversion of white to brown adipose tissue.

Adipocytes↗

Effect of thyroid hormone on gene expression.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Thyroid hormones are key regulators of development and metabolism that modulate transcription via nuclear receptors. Although the molecular actions of thyroid hormones have been thoroughly studied, their pleiotropic effects are mediated by complex changes in expression of numerous, but still largely unknown, target genes. This review summarizes the recent advances in the characterization of target genes in different organs. RECENT FINDINGS: New patterns of gene expression regulation have been described in tissues with known physiological actions of thyroid hormone, that is brain, liver, skeletal and cardiac muscles, and brown and white adipose tissues. The studies have benefited from the numerous transgenic models with altered thyroid hormone receptor expression and the application of DNA microarray technology to mouse and human tissues. SUMMARY: Data on thyroid hormone-mediated control of gene expression and on the roles of the different thyroid hormone receptor isoforms bring new clues to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in physiological situations and, most importantly, in diseases associated with alterations of the thyroid status.

Adipose Tissue↗

Expression of human hormone-sensitive lipase in white adipose tissue of transgenic mice increases lipase activity but does not enhance in vitro lipolysis.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyzes the hydrolysis of acylglycerols and cholesteryl esters (CEs). The enzyme is highly expressed in adipose tissues (ATs), where it is thought to play an important role in fat mobilization. The purpose of the present work was to study the effect of a physiological increase of HSL expression in vivo. Transgenic mice were produced with a 21 kb human genomic fragment encompassing the exons encoding the adipocyte form of HSL. hHSL mRNA was expressed at 3-fold higher levels than murine HSL mRNA in white adipocytes. Transgene expression was also observed in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and skeletal muscle. The human protein was detected in ATs of transgenic (Tg) mice. The hydrolytic activities against triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DG) analog, and CE were increased in transgenic mouse AT. However, cAMP-inducible adipocyte lipolysis was lower in transgenic animals. In the B6CBA genetic background, transgenic mice up to 14 weeks of age showed lower body weight and fat mass. The phenotype was not observed in older animals and in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). In the OF1 genetic background, there was no difference in fat mass of mice fed ad libitum. However, transgenic mice became leaner than their wild-type (WT) littermates after a 4 day calorie restriction. The data show that overexpression of HSL, despite increased lipase activity, does not lead to enhanced lipolysis.

Adipose Tissue↗

Adiponectin gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese women in response to short-term very low calorie diet and refeeding.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein suggested to be involved in energy homeostasis and in lipid and glucose metabolism. Little is known regarding the consequence of acute changes in energy balance on adiponectin mRNA expression in human adipose tissue. Using a real-time RT-PCR assay, we investigated the effects of 2-d very low calorie diet (VLCD) and subsequent refeeding on adiponectin mRNA expression in sc adipose tissue of morbidly obese women. Basal adiponectin mRNA abundance of the obese women showed a wide distribution (2.6-14.3 mRNA/18S rRNA; coefficient of variation, 51.2%) and was significantly lower than that of lean controls (P < 0.001). In the obese group, the VLCD caused a 33% rise (P < 0.01) in the average level of mRNA, whereas refeeding caused a 32.8% fall (P < 0.05). In contrast, the change in leptin mRNA expression with either VLCD or refeeding was not statistically significant. The obese subjects who showed an acute adiponectin mRNA response to the changes in energy intake had a higher basal level of adiponectin mRNA (P = 0.02) and a borderline-significantly lower body mass index compared with the subjects who showed no or weak adiponectin mRNA response. Insulin sensitivity of the responder subgroup significantly increased by 89% (P = 0.008) after the VLCD, whereas insulin sensitivity of the nonresponder subgroup only increased by 24% (P = 1.56). This study indicates that adiponectin mRNA in sc adipose tissue can acutely respond to short-term energy changes in some obese subjects. Both the levels of adiposity and insulin sensitivity may contribute to the variation in adiponectin gene expression in response to acute energy changes.

Adiponectin↗

The role of uncoupling protein 2 in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Uncoupling proteins (UCP) are carriers expressed in the mitochondrial inner membrane that uncouple oxygen consumption by the respiratory chain from ATP synthesis. UCP2 is a member of the multigenic UCP family that is expressed in a wide range of tissues and organs. Possible functions of UCP2 include control of ATP synthesis, regulation of fatty acid metabolism and control of reactive oxygen species production. UCP2 expression in tissues involved in lipid and energy metabolism and mapping of the gene to a region linked to obesity and hyperinsulinemia prompted studies on the involvement of UCP2 in metabolic disorders, and especially in type 2 diabetes. In human adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, UCP2 expression is increased during fasting. The carrier was shown to be under the control of fatty acids and thyroid hormones in vivo. An upregulation has been observed in the liver during high-fat feeding and obesity. However, data in UCP2 gene knockout mice do not support a role for UCP2 in steatohepatitis. The most compelling metabolic role of UCP2 comes from studies in pancreatic beta cells. Overexpression in isolated pancreatic islets results in decreased ATP content and blunted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. UCP2-deficient mice show an increased ATP level and an enhanced insulin secretion. Lack of UCP2 dramatically improves insulin secretion and decreases hyperglycemia in leptin-deficient mice. The role of UCP2 in the control of insulin secretion constitutes, to date, the most pertinent path to investigate in a therapeutic perspective.

Animals↗

The presence of a catalytically inactive form of hormone-sensitive lipase is associated with decreased lipolysis in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese subjects.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)-L is a key enzyme in the mobilization of fatty acids from triglyceride stores in adipocytes. A shorter variant of HSL (HSL-S) was detected in humans. This one is generated through in-frame skipping of exon 6 during the processing of HSL mRNA and results in a protein devoid of lipase activity. The role of HSL-S is unknown. The aims of this study were to identify both HSL variants in adipose tissue biopsies and to determine if the presence of HSL-S is correlated to the lipolytic capacity of adipocytes. The study was performed in human abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes from two groups of seven obese subjects. In the group of subjects with both HSL proteins (L+S) group, two immunoreactive bands (80 and 88 kDa) were detected, whereas only the 88-kDa protein was detected in the group with only the wild-type HSL-protein (L group). In the L+S group, the HSL activity was 20% lower (P < 0.05) and the (S/S(+)) HSL mRNA ratio was twofold higher than in the L group (P < 0.05). The maximally lipolytic capacities measured from isolated adipocytes incubated with norepinephrine or other lipolytic agents were 40% lower in the L+S group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the presence of the truncated HSL protein is associated with an impaired adipocyte lipolysis.

Abdomen↗

Hormone-sensitive lipase is a cholesterol esterase of the intestinal mucosa.

The identity of the enzymes responsible for lipase and cholesterol esterase activities in the small intestinal mucosa is not known. Because hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyzes the hydrolysis of acylglycerols and cholesteryl esters, we sought to determine whether HSL could be involved. HSL mRNA and protein were detected in all segments of the small intestine by Northern and Western blot analyses, respectively. Immunocytochemistry experiments revealed that HSL was expressed in the differentiated enterocytes of the villi and was absent in the undifferentiated cells of the crypt. Diacylglycerol lipase and cholesterol esterase activities were found in the different segments. Analysis of gut from HSL-null mice showed that diacylglycerol lipase activity was unchanged in the duodenum and reduced in jejunum. Neutral cholesterol esterase activity was totally abolished in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of HSL-null mice. Analysis of HSL mRNA structure showed two types of transcripts expressed in equal amounts with alternative 5'-ends transcribed from two exons. This work demonstrates that HSL is expressed in the mucosa of the small intestine. The results also reveal that the enzyme participates in acylglycerol hydrolysis in jejunal enterocytes and cholesteryl ester hydrolysis throughout the small intestine.

Animals↗

Characterization of a novel testicular form of human hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is an esterase and lipase, which are essential for spermatogenesis. Two HSL mRNAs are expressed in human testis. A long form is encoded by a testis-specific exon and nine exons common to testis and adipocyte HSL. Here we show that the short-form 3.3-kb mRNA possesses a unique 5' end that is transcribed from a novel testis-specific exon. The corresponding protein is similar to the 775-amino-acid-long adipocyte HSL. Immunohistochemistry experiments on human testis sections revealed that the long form is strictly expressed in haploid germ cells whereas the short form is expressed in interstitial and tubular somatic cells as well as premeiotic germ cells.

Base Sequence↗

In vivo regulation of human skeletal muscle gene expression by thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormones are key regulators of metabolism that modulate transcription via nuclear receptors. Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased metabolic rate, protein breakdown, and weight loss. Although the molecular actions of thyroid hormones have been studied thoroughly, their pleiotropic effects are mediated by complex changes in expression of an unknown number of target genes. Here, we measured patterns of skeletal muscle gene expression in five healthy men treated for 14 days with 75 microg of triiodothyronine, using 24,000 cDNA element microarrays. To analyze the data, we used a new statistical method that identifies significant changes in expression and estimates the false discovery rate. The 381 up-regulated genes were involved in a wide range of cellular functions including transcriptional control, mRNA maturation, protein turnover, signal transduction, cellular trafficking, and energy metabolism. Only two genes were down-regulated. Most of the genes are novel targets of thyroid hormone. Cluster analysis of triiodothyronine-regulated gene expression among 19 different human tissues or cell lines revealed sets of coregulated genes that serve similar biologic functions. These results define molecular signatures that help to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of thyroid hormone action.

Administration, Oral↗