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Biomedical subjects

Hideki Katagiri

Publications and source records attributed to Hideki Katagiri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Involvement of apolipoprotein E in excess fat accumulation and insulin resistance.

Although apolipoprotein E (apoE) is well known to play a major role in lipid metabolism, its role in glucose and energy homeostasis remains unclear. Herein, we established apoE-deficient genetically obese Ay (apoE(-/-);Ay/+) mice. ApoE deficiency in Ay mice prevented the development of obesity, with decreased fat accumulation in the liver and adipose tissues. ApoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited better glucose tolerance than apoE(+/+);Ay/+ mice. Insulin tolerance testing and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study revealed marked improvement of insulin sensitivity, despite increased plasma free fatty acid levels. These metabolic phenotypes were reversed by adenoviral replenishment of apoE protein, indicating circulating apoE to be involved in increased adiposity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Uptake of apoE-lacking VLDL into the liver and adipocytes was markedly inhibited, but adipocytes in apoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited normal differentiation, suggesting that apoE-dependent VLDL transport is involved in the development of obesity, i.e., surplus fat accumulation. Interestingly, apoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited decreased food intake and increased energy expenditure. Pair-feeding experiments indicate these phenomena to both contribute to the obesity-resistant phenotypes associated with apoE deficiency. Thus, apoE is involved in maintaining energy homeostasis. ApoE-dependent excess fat accumulation is a promising therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome.

Adipose Tissue↗

A novel method for evaluating human carotid artery elasticity: possible detection of early stage atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

We recently developed a novel method for evaluating the elasticity of arterial walls, the phased tracking method. Herein, we evaluated atherosclerosis of the carotid artery with this method in 242 individuals with type 2 diabetes. In multiple regression analysis of subject status, age, systolic blood pressure and hyperlipidemia were found to be independently associated with carotid artery elasticity values. We also measured currently established values for atherosclerosis, carotid artery IMT and baPWV, in these subjects. Carotid artery elasticity correlated with max IMT (r=0.291, p<0.01), plaque score (PS) (r=0.220, p<0.01) and baPWV (r=0.345, p<0.01). Elasticity, max IMT and plaque score, all correlated with the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, i.e. hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, in addition to diabetes, consistent with the view that these values reflect atherosclerosis. Importantly, however, in subjects with IMT <1.1mm, who are classified as not having atherosclerosis as defined by IMT criteria, only carotid artery elasticity correlated with the number of risk factors (p<0.05). These results suggest that (1) the measured carotid artery elasticity values reflect atherosclerosis and (2) our novel method has potential for detecting atherosclerosis in its early stage.

Aged↗

WFS1 protein modulates the free Ca(2+) concentration in the endoplasmic reticulum.

The WFS1 gene, encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane glycoprotein, is mutated in Wolfram syndrome characterized by diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy. Herein, Ca(2+) dynamics were examined in WFS1-knockdown and -overexpressing HEK293 cells. Studies using ER-targeted Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein aequorin demonstrated WFS1 protein to positively modulate ER Ca(2+) levels by increasing the rate of Ca(2+) uptake. Furthermore, Ca(2+) imaging with Fura-2 showed the magnitude of the store-operated Ca(2+) entry to parallel WFS1 expression levels. These data indicate that WFS1 protein participates in the regulation of cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, at least partly, by modulating the filling state of the ER Ca(2+) store.

Base Sequence↗

Neuronal pathway from the liver modulates energy expenditure and systemic insulin sensitivity.

Coordinated control of energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis requires communication between organs and tissues. We identified a neuronal pathway that participates in the cross talk between the liver and adipose tissue. By studying a mouse model, we showed that adenovirus-mediated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-g2 in the liver induces acute hepatic steatosis while markedly decreasing peripheral adiposity. These changes were accompanied by increased energy expenditure and improved systemic insulin sensitivity. Hepatic vagotomy and selective afferent blockage of the hepatic vagus revealed that the effects on peripheral tissues involve the afferent vagal nerve. Furthermore, an antidiabetic thiazolidinedione, a PPARg agonist, enhanced this pathway. This neuronal pathway from the liver may function to protect against metabolic perturbation induced by excessive energy storage.

Adipose Tissue↗

WFS1-deficiency increases endoplasmic reticulum stress, impairs cell cycle progression and triggers the apoptotic pathway specifically in pancreatic beta-cells.

Wolfram syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder associated with diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy, is caused by mutations in the WFS1 gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein. Herein, we report that pancreatic islets of wfs1-deficient mice exhibit increases in phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase, chaperone gene expressions and active XBP1 protein levels, indicating an enhanced ER stress response. We established wfs1-deficient MIN6 clonal beta-cells by crossing wfs1-deficient mice with mice expressing simian virus 40 large T antigen in beta-cells. These cells show essentially the same alterations in ER stress responses as wfs1-deficient islets, which were reversed by re-expression of WFS1 protein or overexpression of GRP78, a master regulator of the ER stress response. In contrast, these changes are not observed in heart, skeletal muscle or brown adipose tissues with WFS1-deficiency. The increased ER stress response was accompanied by reduced BrdU incorporation and increased caspase-3 cleavage, indicating impaired cell cycle progression and accelerated apoptotic processes in the mutant islets. These changes are associated with increased expression of the cell cycle regulator p21(CIP1) in wfs1-deficient islets and clonal beta-cells. Treatment of islets with thapsigargin, an ER stress inducer, caused upregulation of p21(CIP1). In addition, forced expression of p21(CIP1) resulted in reduced MIN6 beta-cell numbers, suggesting the ER stress-induced increase in p21(CIP1) expression to be involved in beta-cell loss in the mutant islets. These data indicate that WFS1-deficiency activates the ER stress response specifically in beta-cells, causing beta-cell loss through impaired cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Signals from intra-abdominal fat modulate insulin and leptin sensitivity through different mechanisms: neuronal involvement in food-intake regulation.

Intra-abdominal fat accumulation is involved in development of the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with insulin and leptin resistance. We show here that ectopic expression of very low levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in epididymal fat (Epi) reverses both insulin and leptin resistance. UCP1 expression in Epi improved glucose tolerance and decreased food intake in both diet-induced and genetically obese mouse models. In contrast, UCP1 expression in Epi of leptin-receptor mutant mice did not alter food intake, though it significantly decreased blood glucose and insulin levels. Thus, hypophagia induction requires a leptin signal, while the improved insulin sensitivity appears to be leptin independent. In wild-type mice, local-nerve dissection in the epididymis or pharmacological afferent blockade blunted the decrease in food intake, suggesting that afferent-nerve signals from intra-abdominal fat tissue regulate food intake by modulating hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. These novel signals are potential therapeutic targets for the metabolic syndrome.

Animals↗

Cold exposure suppresses serum adiponectin levels through sympathetic nerve activation in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Several lines of evidence suggest important roles for adiponectin in glucose and lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin production are still not completely understood. Our aim was to determine whether adiponectin synthesis is physiologically regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Mice were exposed to cold (4 degrees C) for 12 hours and for 24 hours with or without inhibition of noradrenaline synthesis or pan-beta adrenergic function, followed by measurement of serum adiponectin concentrations and levels of adiponectin and uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 expressions in various white adipose tissues (WATs). RESULTS: Cold exposure significantly reduced serum adiponectin concentrations without changing body weights or WAT sizes in either subcutaneous or intra-abdominal fat tissues. The serum adiponectin reduction was associated with a decrease in adiponectin mRNA expression in subcutaneous, epididymal, and mesenteric fat tissues. In these adipose tissues, UCP1 expression was markedly enhanced, suggesting SNS activation in these tissues. Administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or a combination of SR59230A and propranolol reversed the cold-exposure-induced decreases in serum adiponectin concentrations and adiponectin mRNA expression in these tissues. In contrast, in retroperitoneal fat, the effects of cold exposure on adiponectin and UCP1 expressions were strikingly weak but were not reversed by SNS inhibitors. DISCUSSION: SNS physiologically regulates serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin synthesis in WATs in vivo, although responsiveness to SNS stimulation differs markedly among WATs. Sympathetic activation might be involved in development of the metabolic syndrome by modulation of serum adiponectin concentrations.

Adiponectin↗

Resistin-like molecule beta activates MAPKs, suppresses insulin signaling in hepatocytes, and induces diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver in transgenic mice on a high fat diet.

Resistin and resistin-like molecules (RELMs) are a family of proteins reportedly related to insulin resistance and inflammation. Because the serum concentration and intestinal expression level of RELMbeta were elevated in insulin-resistant rodent models, in this study we investigated the effect of RELMbeta on insulin signaling and metabolism using transgenic mice and primary cultured hepatocytes. First, transgenic mice with hepatic RELMbeta overexpression were shown to exhibit significant hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, and pancreatic islet enlargement when fed a high fat diet. Hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp showed a decreased glucose infusion rate due to increased hepatic glucose production. In addition, the expression levels of IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins as well as the degrees of insulin-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt activations were attenuated in RELMbeta transgenic mice. Similar down-regulations of IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins were observed in primary cultured hepatocytes chronically treated (for 24 h) with RELMbeta, suggesting the insulin resistance-inducing effect of RELMbeta to be direct. Furthermore, it was shown that RELMbeta acutely and markedly activates ERK and p38, while weakly activating JNK, in primary cultured hepatocytes. This increased basal p38 phosphorylation level was also observed in the livers of RELMbeta transgenic mice. In conclusion, RELMbeta, a gut-derived hormone, impairs insulin signaling probably via the activations of classic MAPKs, and increased expression of RELMbeta may be involved in the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia in some insulin-resistant models. Thus, RELMbeta is a potentially useful marker for assessing insulin resistance and may also be a target for future novel anti-diabetic agents.

Animals↗

Cell type-specific activation of metabolism reveals that beta-cell secretion suppresses glucagon release from alpha-cells in rat pancreatic islets.

Abnormal glucagon secretion is often associated with diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms by which nutrients modulate glucagon secretion remain poorly understood. Paracrine modulation by beta- or delta-cells is among the postulated mechanisms. Herein we present further evidence of the paracrine mechanism. First, to activate cellular metabolism and thus hormone secretion in response to specific secretagogues, we engineered insulinoma INS-1E cells using an adenovirus-mediated expression system. Expression of the Na+-dependent dicarboxylate transporter (NaDC)-1 resulted in 2.5- to 4.6-fold (P < 0.01) increases in insulin secretion in response to various tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Similarly, expression of glycerol kinase (GlyK) increased insulin secretion 3.8- or 4.2-fold (P < 0.01) in response to glycerol or dihydroxyacetone, respectively. This cell engineering method was then modified, using the Cre-loxP switching system, to activate beta-cells and non-beta-cells separately in rat islets. NaDC-1 expression only in non-beta-cells, among which alpha-cells are predominant, caused an increase (by 1.8-fold, P < 0.05) in glucagon secretion in response to malate or succinate. However, the increase in glucagon release was prevented when NaDC-1 was expressed in whole islets, i.e., both beta-cells and non-beta-cells. Similarly, an increase in glucagon release with glycerol was observed when GlyK was expressed only in non-beta-cells but not when it was expressed in whole islets. Furthermore, dicarboxylates suppressed basal glucagon secretion by 30% (P < 0.05) when NaDC-1 was expressed only in beta-cells. These data demonstrate that glucagon secretion from rat alpha-cells depends on beta-cell activation and provide insights into the coordinated mechanisms underlying hormone secretion from pancreatic islets.

Animals↗

Secondary sulfonylurea failure: comparison of period until insulin treatment between diabetic patients treated with gliclazide and glibenclamide.

We retrospectively evaluated a possible difference in periods until start of insulin treatment between type 2 diabetic patients treated with gliclazide (GCZ) and glibenclamide (GBC), because GCZ might be protective for beta cells than GBC. Subjects were Japanese patients. GCZ group consisted of patients treated with GCZ alone or with GCZ and GBC in the separate treatment periods in combination with or without other oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs), while GBC group consisted of patients with GBC alone or in combination with other OHAs except GCZ. The periods until the treatment of insulin commenced were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Proportional hazards models were used to adjust the differing variables between GCZ and GBC groups. The periods until the start of insulin treatment from diabetes onset, diabetes treatment, or GCZ or GBC treatment were significantly longer in the GCZ group than those in GBC group (P<0.001 in each group). Independent variables affecting the period were average HbA1c levels during GCZ or GBC treatment (hazard ratio=2.5 per %), other OHAs combined (hazard ratio=1.9 on combination), and difference between GCZ and GBC groups (hazard ratio=0.5 on GCZ). These results imply that GCZ may be more protective against secondary beta cell failure than GBC.

Age of Onset↗

Equation-of-motion coupled-cluster study on exciton states of polyethylene with periodic boundary condition.

Equation-of-motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) method has been applied to exciton states of polyethylene using ab initio crystal Hartree-Fock method with one-dimensional periodic boundary condition. Full transformation of two-electron integrals from atomic-orbital basis to crystal-orbital basis has been performed for EOM-CCSD calculations. In order to make transformed integrals to have correct properties of translational symmetry, a lattice summation scheme has been proposed. The EOM-CCSD excitation energies have been obtained for the lowest singlet and triplet exciton states of polyethylene. The excitation energies converge with system size much faster than oligomer calculations using n-alkanes. Quasiparticle energy-level calculations by second-order many-body perturbation theory and by solving the inverse Dyson equation have also been performed to obtain exciton binding energies. Basis set dependencies on excitation energy, quasiparticle band gap, and exciton binding energy have been investigated. At the 6-31+G level, the excitation energy of the lowest singlet-exciton state and its binding energy are calculated to be 8.1 and 3.2 eV, respectively. The calculated excitation energy is well comparable with the corresponding experimental value, 7.6 eV.

Journal Article↗

A novel protein kinase B (PKB)/AKT-binding protein enhances PKB kinase activity and regulates DNA synthesis.

Protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt reportedly plays a role in the survival and/or proliferation of cells. We identified a novel protein, which binds to PKB, using a yeast two-hybrid screening system. This association was demonstrated not only in vivo by overexpressing both proteins or by coimmunoprecipitation of the endogenous proteins, but also in vitro using glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. Importantly, this protein specifically associates with the C terminus of PKB but not with other AGC kinases and enhances PKB phosphorylation and kinase activation without growth factor stimulation. Thus, we termed this Akt-specific binding protein APE (Akt-phosphorylation enhancer). Since APE-induced phosphorylation of PKB did not occur in cells treated with wortmannin or LY294002, APE itself is not a kinase but seems to enhance or prolong the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of PKB. In cells in which APE was suppressed by small interfering RNA, DNA synthesis was significantly reduced with suppression of PKB phosphorylation, suggesting a synergistic role of APE in PKB-induced proliferation. On the other hand, in cells overexpressing both PKB and APE, despite markedly increased basal phosphorylation of PKB, both DNA rereplication and subsequent Chk2 phosphorylation and apoptosis were seen, suggesting the involvement of APE in the regulation of cell cycling replication licensing. Taking these observations together, APE appears to be a novel regulator of PKB phosphorylation. Furthermore, the interaction between APE and PKB, possibly dependent on the expression levels of both proteins, may be a novel molecular mechanism leading to proliferation and/or apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Constitutively active PDX1 induced efficient insulin production in adult murine liver.

To generate insulin-producing cells in the liver, recombinant adenovirus containing a constitutively active mutant of PDX1 (PDX1-VP16), designed to activate target genes without the need for protein partners, was prepared and administered intravenously to streptozotocin (STZ)-treated diabetic mice. The effects were compared with those of administering wild-type PDX1 (wt-PDX1) adenovirus. Administration of these adenoviruses at 2x10(8)pfu induced similar levels of PDX1 protein expression in the liver. While wt-PDX1 expression exerted small effects on blood glucose levels, treatment with PDX1-VP16 adenovirus efficiently induced insulin production in hepatocytes, resulting in reversal of STZ-induced hyperglycemia. The effects were sustained through day 40 when exogenous PDX1-VP16 protein expression was undetectable in the liver. Endogenous PDX1 protein came to be expressed in the liver, which is likely to be the mechanism underlying the sustained effects. On the other hand, albumin and transferrin expressions were observed in insulin-producing cells in the liver, suggesting preservation of hepatocytic functions. Thus, transient expression of an active mutant of PDX1 in the liver induced sustained PDX1 and insulin expressions without loss of hepatocytic function.

Adenoviridae↗

Dissipating excess energy stored in the liver is a potential treatment strategy for diabetes associated with obesity.

For examining whether dissipating excess energy in the liver is a possible therapeutic approach to high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders, uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) was expressed in murine liver using adenoviral vectors in mice with high-fat diet-induced diabetes and obesity, and in standard diet-fed lean mice. Once diabetes with obesity developed, hepatic UCP1 expression increased energy expenditure, decreased body weight, and reduced fat in the liver and adipose tissues, resulting in markedly improved insulin resistance and, thus, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Decreased expressions of enzymes for lipid synthesis and glucose production and activation of AMP-activated kinase in the liver seem to contribute to these improvements. Hepatic UCP1 expression also reversed high-fat diet-induced hyperphagia and hypothalamic leptin resistance, as well as insulin resistance in muscle. In contrast, intriguingly, in standard diet-fed lean mice, hepatic UCP1 expression did not significantly affect energy expenditure or hepatic ATP contents. Furthermore, no alterations in blood glucose levels, body weight, or adiposity were observed. These findings suggest that ectopic UCP1 in the liver dissipates surplus energy without affecting required energy and exerts minimal metabolic effects in lean mice. Thus, enhanced UCP expression in the liver is a new potential therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome.

Adipose Tissue↗

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and N-glycosylation modulate expression of WFS1 protein.

Mutations of the WFS1 gene are responsible for two hereditary diseases, Wolfram syndrome and low frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The WFS1 protein is a glycoprotein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane but its function is poorly understood. Herein we show WFS1 mRNA and protein levels in pancreatic islets to be increased with ER-stress inducers, thapsigargin and dithiothreitol. Another ER-stress inducer, the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin, also raised WFS1 mRNA but not protein levels. Site-directed mutagenesis showed both Asn-663 and Asn-748 to be N-glycosylated in mouse WFS1 protein. The glycosylation-defective WFS1 protein, in which Asn-663 and Asn-748 had been substituted with aspartate, exhibited an increased protein turnover rate. Consistent with this, the WFS1 protein was more rapidly degraded in the presence of tunicamycin. These data indicate that ER-stress and N-glycosylation play important roles in WFS1 expression and stability, and also suggest regulatory roles for this protein in ER-stress induced cell death.

Animals↗

ANGPTL3 is increased in both insulin-deficient and -resistant diabetic states.

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) is secreted by the liver and was recently postulated to be an important hormone regulating serum triglyceride levels. In the present study, in order to clarify the regulation of ANGPTL3 gene expression in diabetic states, we examined mRNA and protein levels of ANGPTL3 in the livers of diabetic animals. The level of ANGPTL3 mRNA was increased approximately 2.2-fold in the livers of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic mice, and this effect was reversed by administration of insulin. Furthermore, the level of ANGPTL3 mRNA was increased more than 3.0-fold in type 2 diabetic obese mice, db/db mice, as compared with age matched lean littermates. The hepatic level of ANGPTL3 protein was also increased in these diabetic mice to an extent similar to that of ANGPTL3 mRNA. Thus, the expression of ANGPTL3 was enhanced in both insulin-deficient and -resistant diabetic states. These results strongly suggest ANGPTL3 to play an important role in hyperlipidemia in diabetes.

Angiopoietin-Like Protein 3↗

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) regulation of the cell viability in PTEN mutant glioblastoma and in vitro inhibition by the specific COX-2 inhibitor NS-398.

We report the increased activity and expression of the ILK protein in human glioblastomas and demonstrate that ILK activity is regulated by PTEN. The transfection of wild type-PTEN into the glioblastoma cell line U-251 MG altered the localization of ILK in the cell membrane; transfection with PTEN down-regulated PKB/Akt-Ser-473 phosphorylation via the inhibition of ILK-signaling. Our results suggest that ILK is critical for the PTEN-sensitive regulation of PKB/Akt-dependent cell survival. The selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 was found capable of down-regulating ILK and PKB/Akt phosphorylation. Our data indicate that inhibition of ILK signaling may be beneficial in the treatment of PTEN-deficient glioblastoma.

Brain↗