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Paul Trayhurn

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Trayhurn.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Regulation of haptoglobin gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by cytokines, catecholamines, and PPARgamma.

Factors which regulate expression of the haptoglobin (acute phase reactant) gene in adipocytes have been examined using 3T3-L1 cells. Haptoglobin expression was observed by Northern blotting in each of the major white adipose tissue depots of mice (epididymal, subcutaneous, mesenteric, and perirenal) and in interscapular brown fat. Expression occurred in mature adipocytes, but not in the stromal-vascular fraction. In 3T3-L1 cells, haptoglobin mRNA was detected from day 4 after the induction of differentiation into adipocytes. Lipopolysaccharide and the cytokines, TNFalpha and interleukin-6, resulted in substantial increases in haptoglobin mRNA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; the increase (7-fold) was highest with TNFalpha. Increases in haptoglobin mRNA level were also induced by dexamethasone, noradrenaline, isoprenaline, and a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist. In contrast, haptoglobin mRNA was reduced by nicotinic acid and the PPARgamma agonist, rosiglitazone. RT-PCR showed that the haptoglobin gene was expressed in human adipose tissue (subcutaneous, omental). It is concluded that haptoglobin gene expression in adipocytes is stimulated by inflammatory cytokines, glucocorticoids, and the sympathetic system, while activation of the PPARgamma nuclear receptor is strongly inhibitory.

3T3-L1 Cells↗

Adipokines: inflammation and the pleiotropic role of white adipose tissue.

White adipose tissue is now recognised to be a multifunctional organ; in addition to the central role of lipid storage, it has a major endocrine function secreting several hormones, notably leptin and adiponectin, and a diverse range of other protein factors. These various protein signals have been given the collective name 'adipocytokines' or 'adipokines'. However, since most are neither 'cytokines' nor 'cytokine-like', it is recommended that the term 'adipokine' be universally adopted to describe a protein that is secreted from (and synthesised by) adipocytes. It is suggested that the term is restricted to proteins secreted from adipocytes, excluding signals released only by the other cell types (such as macrophages) in adipose tissue. The adipokinome (which together with lipid moieties released, such as fatty acids and prostaglandins, constitute the secretome of fat cells) includes proteins involved in lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, the alternative complement system, vascular haemostasis, blood pressure regulation and angiogenesis, as well as the regulation of energy balance. In addition, there is a growing list of adipokines involved in inflammation (TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, nerve growth factor) and the acute-phase response (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A). Production of these proteins by adipose tissue is increased in obesity, and raised circulating levels of several acute-phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines has led to the view that the obese are characterised by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, and that this links causally to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. It is, however, unclear as to the extent to which adipose tissue contributes quantitatively to the elevated circulating levels of these factors in obesity and whether there is a generalised or local state of inflammation. The parsimonious view is that the increased production of inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins by adipose tissue in obesity relates primarily to localised events within the expanding fat depots. It is suggested that these events reflect hypoxia in parts of the growing adipose tissue mass in advance of angiogenesis, and involve the key controller of the cellular response to hypoxia, the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Expression of Class III facilitative glucose transporter genes (GLUT-10 and GLUT-12) in mouse and human adipose tissues.

We have examined whether GLUT-10 and GLUT-12, members of the Class III group of the recently expanded family of facilitative glucose transporters, are expressed in adipose tissues. The mouse GLUT-12 gene, located on chromosome 10, comprises at least five exons and encodes a 622 amino acid protein exhibiting 83% sequence identity and 91% sequence similarity to human GLUT-12. Expression of the GLUT-12 gene was evident in all the major mouse adipose tissue depots (epididymal, perirenal, mesenteric, omental, and subcutaneous white; interscapular brown). The GLUT-10 gene is also expressed in mouse adipose tissues and as with GLUT-12 expression occurred in the mature adipocytes as well as the stromal vascular cells. 3T3-L1 adipocytes express GLUT-10, but not GLUT-12, and expression of GLUT-12 was not induced by insulin or glucose. Both GLUT-10 and GLUT-12 expression was also found in human adipose tissue (subcutaneous and omental) and SGBS adipocytes. It is concluded that white fat expresses a wide range of facilitative glucose transporters.

3T3 Cells↗

Leptin--a critical body weight signal and a "master" hormone?

Leptin, initially identified as a hormone produced by white fat that acted as a satiety signal, has since been found to be synthesized in various tissues and to subserve diverse functions, including regulation of blood glucose concentrations and blood vessel growth, and signaling to the reproductive and immune systems. Recent research suggests that leptin, acting through the sympathetic nervous system, may also regulate bone density. Trayhurn discusses this research in the context of the established bidirectional interaction between leptin and the sympathetic nervous system, and the need to elucidate a unifying theme with which to make sense of leptin's myriad, seemingly quite disparate, functions.

Adipose Tissue↗

Glucose transporters (GLUT and SGLT): expanded families of sugar transport proteins.

The number of known glucose transporters has expanded considerably over the past 2 years. At least three, and up to six, Na+-dependent glucose transporters (SGLT1-SGLT6; gene name SLC5A) have been identified. Similarly, thirteen members of the family of facilitative sugar transporters (GLUT1-GLUT12 and HMIT; gene name SLC2A) are now recognised. These various transporters exhibit different substrate specificities, kinetic properties and tissue expression profiles. The number of distinct gene products, together with the presence of several different transporters in certain tissues and cells (for example, GLUT1, GLUT4, GLUT5, GLUT8, GLUT12 and HMIT in white adipose tissue), indicates that glucose delivery into cells is a process of considerable complexity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Resistin and RELM-alpha gene expression in white adipose tissue of lactating mice.

The adipose tissue-derived factor resistin has been suggested to induce insulin resistance in obesity and inhibit adipocyte differentiation. Lactation is associated with major metabolic adaptations, which cause a profound loss of adipose tissue to support milk production by the mammary gland. This study has examined the expression of the resistin and resistin-like molecule-alpha (RELM-alpha) genes in white adipose tissue of lactating mice. Lactation induced significant increases in food intake and body weight, whereas body fat was substantially decreased at peak lactation. Resistin and RELM-alpha mRNAs were both detectable in gonadal, subcutaneous, and mammary gland fat; mRNA level was highest in gonadal fat and lowest in mammary tissue. There was no difference in resistin mRNA level in gonadal fat of lactating mice compared with controls. However, RELM-alpha mRNA fell by approximately 40% in early lactation and there was a parallel fall in the leptin mRNA level proportional to the loss of fat mass. These results indicate that the substantial reduction of adiposity in lactation does not lead to any changes in resistin gene expression; however, the fall in RELM-alpha mRNA might indicate a role for RELM-alpha in the metabolic adaptations of lactation.

Adipose Tissue↗