Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Adipocytes”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Studies on adipocyte glucagon receptor assay--with special reference to the effect of cold acclimation on glucagon receptors of white adipocytes].

The changes in glucagon receptors of white adipocytes from cold-acclimated rats were investigated to know the metabolic role of glucagon in cold acclimation by establishing a glucagon radioreceptor assay system for isolated white adipocytes. Glucagon radioreceptor assay methodology The binding of 125I-labelled glucagon to isolated epididymal white adipocytes was linearly related to the number of cells (0.5-2.0 X 10(5) cells/ml) added in the medium. At a cell concentration higher than 3.0 X 10(5) cells/ml, the amount of specific binding failed to show the proportional relationship to the number of adipocytes. The effects of incubation temperature (4 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C) on the glucagon binding were investigated. Incubation at 25 degrees C was adopted in the present study because of the highest maximum binding and the longest steady state obtained. Preincubation at 25 degrees C for 15 min increased significantly the amount of specific binding. It was confirmed that bacitracin, polypeptide antibiotics, inhibited significantly the degradation of glucagon. The glucagon binding under these conditions was found to be saturable and reversible, validating a specific reaction for the glucagon receptor. When a Scatchard plot was constructed, the data was curvilinear with an upward concavity, indicating the presence of at least two classes of binding site with different fixed affinities or of negatively cooperative interactions between receptors. It was concluded that an appropriate condition for glucagon receptor assay of white adipocytes consists of cell concentration of 1 X 10(5) cells/ml, 15 minute-preincubation and 30 minute-reaction at 25 degrees C in the presence of bacitracin (1 mg/ml). Effect of cold acclimation on glucagon receptors of white adipocytes Cold acclimation decreased the size and increased the number of epididymal white adipocytes. Cold acclimation increased the number of glucagon receptors of white adipocytes; about 140% increase expressed as per cell, approximately 260% increase per unit of surface area and 210% increase per whole tissue. The affinity of binding sites was not changed. The increased binding sites could explain, at least partly, the enhanced metabolic response of cold-acclimated rats to glucagon.

Acclimatization↗

Potential involvement of adipocyte insulin resistance in obesity-associated up-regulation of adipocyte lysophospholipase D/autotaxin expression.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Autotaxin is a lysophospholipase D that is secreted by adipocytes and whose expression is substantially up-regulated in obese, diabetic db/db mice. The aim of the present study was to depict the physiopathological and cellular mechanisms involved in regulation of adipocyte autotaxin expression. METHODS: Autotaxin mRNAs were quantified in adipose tissue from db/db mice (obese and highly diabetic type 2), gold-thioglucose-treated (GTG) mice (highly obese and moderately diabetic type 2), high-fat diet-fed (HFD) mice (obese and moderately diabetic type 2), streptozotocin-treated mice (thin and diabetic type 1), and massively obese humans with glucose intolerance. RESULTS: When compared to non-obese controls, autotaxin expression in db/db mice was significantly increased, but not in GTG, HFD, or streptozotocin-treated mice. During db/db mice development, up-regulation of autotaxin occurred only 3 weeks after the emergence of hyperinsulinaemia, and simultaneously with the emergence of hyperglycaaemia. Adipocytes from db/db mice exhibited a stronger impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake than non-obese and HFD-induced obese mice. Autotaxin expression was up-regulated by treatment with TNFalpha (insulin resistance-promoting cytokine), and down-regulated by rosiglitazone treatment (insulin-sensitising compound) in 3T3F442A adipocytes. Finally, adipose tissue autotaxin expression was significantly up-regulated in patients exhibiting both insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The present work demonstrates the existence of a db/db-specific up-regulation of adipocyte autotaxin expression, which could be related to the severe type 2 diabetes phenotype and adipocyte insulin resistance, rather than excess adiposity in itself. It also showed that type 2 diabetes in humans is also associated with up-regulation of adipocyte autotaxin expression.

Adipocytes↗

Human adipocytes attenuate cardiomyocyte contraction: characterization of an adipocyte-derived negative inotropic activity.

The causal relationship between obesity and heart failure is broadly acknowledged; however, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study we investigated whether human adipocytes secrete cardioactive substances that may affect cardiomyocyte contractility. We cultivated adipocytes obtained from human white adipose tissue and incubated isolated rat adult cardiomyocytes with adipocyte-conditioned or control medium. This is the first report to demonstrate that human adipocytes exhibit cardiodepressant activity with a direct and acute effect on cardiomyocyte contraction. This adipocyte-derived negative inotropic activity directly depresses shortening amplitude as well as intracellular systolic peak Ca2+ in cardiomyocytes within a few minutes. The adipocyte-derived cardiodepressant activity was dose-dependent and was completely blunted by heating or by trypsin digestion. Filtration of adipocyte-conditioned medium based on molecular mass characterized the cardiodepressant activity at between 10 and 30 kDa. In summary, adipose tissue exerts highly potent activity with an acute depressant effect directly on cardiomyocytes, which may well contribute to increased heart failure risk in overweight patients.

Adipocytes↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha suppresses adipocyte-specific genes and activates expression of preadipocyte genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: nuclear factor-kappaB activation by TNF-alpha is obligatory.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a contributing cause of the insulin resistance seen in obesity and obesity-linked type 2 diabetes, but the mechanism(s) by which TNF-alpha induces insulin resistance is not understood. By using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and oligonucleotide microarrays, we identified 142 known genes reproducibly upregulated by at least threefold after 4 h and/or 24 h of TNF-alpha treatment, and 78 known genes downregulated by at least twofold after 24 h of TNF-alpha incubation. TNF-alpha-induced genes include transcription factors implicated in preadipocyte gene expression or NF-kappaB activation, cytokines and cytokine-induced proteins, growth factors, enzymes, and signaling molecules. Importantly, a number of adipocyte-abundant genes, including GLUT4, hormone sensitive lipase, long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthase, adipocyte complement-related protein of 30 kDa, and transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha, receptor retinoid X receptor-alpha, and peroxisome profilerator-activated receptor gamma were significantly downregulated by TNF-alpha treatment. Correspondingly, 24-h exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to TNF-alpha resulted in reduced protein levels of GLUT4 and several insulin signaling proteins, including the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and protein kinase B (AKT). Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was activated within 15 min of TNF-alpha addition. 3T3-L1 adipocytes expressing IkappaBalpha-DN, a nondegradable NF-kappaB inhibitor, exhibited normal morphology, global gene expression, and insulin responses. However, absence of NF-kappaB activation abolished suppression of >98% of the genes normally suppressed by TNF-alpha and induction of 60-70% of the genes normally induced by TNF-alpha. Moreover, extensive cell death occurred in IkappaBalpha-DN-expressing adipocytes after 2 h of TNF-alpha treatment. Thus the changes in adipocyte gene expression induced by TNF-alpha could lead to insulin resistance. Further, NF-kappaB is an obligatory mediator of most of these TNF-alpha responses.

3T3 Cells↗

Atrophy of brown adipocytes in the adult mouse causes transformation into white adipocyte-like cells.

Adipose tissue is an important endocrine regulator of glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Researches have focused on this tissue not only as a target for pharmacotherapy of obesity and insulin resistance but also as an endocrine tissue with leptin secretion and high insulin sensitivity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) additionally plays a unique role in thermoregulation through the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. As a genetic tissue ablation model of BAT, we made transgenic mice expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) driven by the brown adipocyte- specific UCP1 minimal regulatory element. The HSV-TK transgene was expressed specifically in BAT and more than 35% increase of apoptosis was induced by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. Nevertheless, the expression level was not high enough to induce BAT ablation in GCV-treated adult mice. Importantly, however, we found that brown adipocytes in the periphery of interscapular BAT were transformed into white adipocyte-like unilocular cells. These cells express white adipocyte-specific leptin protein but are different in the ultrastructure of mitochondria from classical white adipocytes. Our data indicates that atrophy of BAT causes transformation into white adipocyte-like cells in the adult mouse and also suggests that further molecular understanding of adipocyte plasticity using our transgenic mouse model might be beneficial for the development of anti-obesity/anti-diabetic therapies.

Adipose Tissue↗

A trypsin-sensitive, heat-labile, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor in adipocyte post-microsomal supernatant which affects the assay of adipocyte glycerol phosphate acyltransferase activities.

Addition of adipocyte 100 000 g post-microsomal supernatant to assays of glycerol phosphate acyltransferase in isolated mitochondria or microsomal fractions decreased activity at lower concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA. At higher concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA, activation was observed on addition of post-microsomal supernatant. The effect of post-microsomal supernatant to decrease activity at lower [palmitoyl-CoA] was abolished by heating or by trypsin treatment, and was also abolished by addition of N-ethylmaleimide to assays or by pretreatment of post-microsomal supernatant with N-ethylmaleimide. The stimulatory effect seen at higher [palmitoyl-CoA] was not sensitive to heat or trypsin treatment. The effect of post-microsomal supernatant at lower [palmitoyl-CoA] cannot be attributed to palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity. It was found that brief treatment of adipocyte mitochondria with low concentrations of trypsin was an effective way to remove contaminating microsomal glycerol phosphate acyltransferase activity. Adipocyte post-microsomal supernatant was more effective than an equivalent quantity of liver post-microsomal supernatant protein in decreasing adipocyte microsomal glycerol phosphate acyltransferase activity. The effects of the supernatants from both tissues were decreased by flavaspidic acid. Semi-purified Z-protein fraction from rat liver did not mimic the effect of adipocyte post-microsomal supernatant to decrease glycerol phosphate acyltransferase at lower [palmitoyl-CoA]. Post-microsomal supernatants obtained from noradrenaline-treated adipocytes were less effective than those from control cells in decreasing glycerol phosphate acyltransferase activity in microsomal fractions at lower [palmitoyl-CoA]. It is suggested that adipocyte cytosol may contain an acyl-CoA-binding protein or proteins differing from Z-protein in some respects. The physiological significance of the findings is briefly discussed.

Acyltransferases↗

Conversion to adipocytes of a clonal bone marrow preadipocyte line (H-1/A) and fatty acid composition of the resultant adipocytes.

Conversion to adipocytes and fatty acid composition were investigated in a clonal bone marrow preadipocyte line (H-1/A). The growing cells exhibited a fibroblastic appearance. After the cessation of growth, triacylglyceride (TG) synthesis in the cells increased as they incorporated precursor from the growth medium and became adipocytes. Hydrocortisone and insulin accelerated the TG synthesis in H-1/A cells in a dose-dependent manner when they were cultured in the growth medium containing 10% horse serum. The rate of conversion to adipocytes was reduced as the concentration of horse serum was decreased, and this reduction was not influenced by the addition of insulin and/or hydrocortisone. These results suggest that conversion to adipocytes of H-1/A cells is primarily dependent on some component(s) of the serum. Conversion to adipocytes of the cells may involve a process of differentiation since the conversion was completely inhibited when the cells were cultured in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine. Fatty acid composition was significantly different between adipose H-1/A cells and adipocytes derived from other marrow preadipocyte line MC3T3-G2/PA6 cells. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 76% of the fatty acid composition of adipose H-1/A cells; in contrast, saturated fatty acids constituted 65% of the fatty acid composition of the adipose MC3T3-G2/PA6 cells. These results suggest that there is a heterogeneity of preadipocytes in bone marrow. These two preadipocyte lines thus provide a useful tool for the study of marrow adipocytes and can also be used to analyze the hematopoietic microenvironment through studies of the effect of these cells on hematopoietic cell proliferation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Studies on the expression of adipocyte-specific cell surface antigens during the differentiation of adipocyte precursor cells in vitro.

Using species and cell specific antiadipocyte sera an immunoprecipitation procedure was developed which allowed the nature of adipocyte cell surface antigens to be investigated. Analysis of immunoprecipitates from mature adipocyte plasma membranes of rat, ox and chicken and similar 125I-labelled membranes revealed the presence of specific externally disposed adipocyte specific antigens which were also species specific. For mature cells the specific antigens had molecular weights of 124,000, 92,000 and 59,000 in the case of the rat, 87,000 in the case of the ox and 56,000, 47,000 and 37,000 in the case of the chicken. None of these antigens were cross immunoprecipated by antisera to non-homologous adipocytes. The presence of the antigens at the surface of differentiating rat while adipocyte precursor cells was demonstrated using a labelled-second antibody cellular immunoassay and the expression of this reactivity revealed to be an early event in the differentiation programme of the cells. The increase in cell surface immunoreactivity during the differentiation of the cells was shown to be dependent upon the expression of two of the antigens previously shown to be markers of the mature adipocyte phenotype. The functional identity and possible role of these antigens in the control of adipocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo now becomes accessible to investigation experimentally.

Adipose Tissue↗

Anthocyanin enhances adipocytokine secretion and adipocyte-specific gene expression in isolated rat adipocytes.

Adipocyte dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. It is accepted that the regulation of adipocytokine secretion or the adipocyte-specific gene expression is one of the most important targets for the prevention of obesity and amelioration of insulin sensitivity. In this study, we demonstrated that anthocyanins (cyanidin or cyanidin 3-glucoside) have the potency of a unique pharmacological function in isolated rat adipocytes. Treated adipocytes with anthocyanins enhanced adipocytokine (adiponectin and leptin) secretion and up-regulated the adipocyte specific gene expression without activation of PPARgamma in isolated rat adipocytes. The gene expression of adiponectin was also up-regulated in white adipose tissue in mice fed an anthocyanin supplemented diet. As one of the possible mechanisms, AMP-activated protein kinase activation would be associated with these changes, nevertheless, the AMP:ATP ratio was significantly decreased by administration of the anthocyanins. These data suggest that anthocyanins have a potency of unique therapeutic advantage and also have important implications for preventing obesity and diabetes.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

Identification of adipocyte adhesion molecule (ACAM), a novel CTX gene family, implicated in adipocyte maturation and development of obesity.

Few cell adhesion molecules have been reported to be expressed in mature adipocytes, and the significance of cell adhesion process in adipocyte biology is also unknown. In the present study, we identified ACAM (adipocyte adhesion molecule), a novel homologue of the CTX (cortical thymocyte marker in Xenopus) gene family. ACAM cDNA was isolated during PCR-based cDNA subtraction, and its mRNA was shown to be up-regulated in WATs (white adipose tissues) of OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty) rats, an animal model for Type II diabetes and obesity. ACAM, 372 amino acids in total, has a signal peptide, V-type (variable) and C2-type (constant) Ig domains, a single transmembrane segment and a cytoplasmic tail. The amino acid sequence in rat is highly homologous to mouse (94%) and human (87%). ACAM mRNA was predominantly expressed in WATs in OLETF rats, and increased with the development of obesity until 30 weeks of age, which is when the peak of body mass is reached. Western blot analysis revealed that ACAM protein, approx. 45 kDa, was associated with plasma membrane fractions of mature adipocytes isolated from mesenteric and subdermal adipose deposits of OLETF rats. Up-regulation of ACAM mRNAs in obesity was also shown in WATs of genetically obese db/db mice, diet-induced obese ICR mice and human obese subjects. In primary cultured mouse and human adipocytes, ACAM mRNA expression was progressively up-regulated during differentiation. Several stably transfected Chinese-hamster ovary K1 cell lines were established, and the quantification of ACAM mRNA and cell aggregation assay revealed that the degree of homophilic aggregation correlated well with ACAM mRNA expression. In summary, ACAM may be the critical adhesion molecule in adipocyte differentiation and development of obesity.

Adipocytes↗

PRL receptor-mediated effects in female mouse adipocytes: PRL induces suppressors of cytokine signaling expression and suppresses insulin-induced leptin production in adipocytes in vitro.

PRL has been reported to regulate fat metabolism in several species. We recently reported PRL receptor (PRLR) expression in mouse adipocytes and increased levels of PRLR expression in the adipose tissue of lactating and PRL-transgenic mice compared with controls. These results suggest PRLR-mediated effects in adipose tissue. However, to date most studies have been performed in vivo, and it is unclear whether PRL has direct effects on adipocytes. The PRLR belongs to the cytokine receptor family, and a family of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) was recently identified. The present study was performed to investigate whether PRL has direct effects on adipocytes. The expression of cytokine-inducible SH2-domain-containing protein (CIS), SOCS-3, and SOCS-2 mRNA and protein was analyzed using ribonuclease protection assay and immunoblotting, respectively. Ovine PRL induced CIS mRNA expression and a combination of oPRL and insulin induced SOCS-3 mRNA expression in adipocytes cultured in vitro for 0-240 min, demonstrating PRLR-mediated direct effects in these cells. Furthermore, CIS, SOCS-3, and SOCS-2 mRNA and protein were all transiently expressed in adipose tissue obtained from female mice stimulated with oPRL (1 microg/g BW) for 0-24 h. In adipose tissue of female mice with endogenously high PRL levels, PRL-transgenic mice, only SOCS-2 expression was increased. The level of SOCS-2 mRNA was also increased in adipose tissue during pregnancy and lactation compared with that in wild-type virgin female mice. A possible reason for increased SOCS-2 expression after prolonged PRL exposure during lactation and in the PRL transgenes could be to restore the sensitivity of adipose tissue to PRL. In addition, the direct effect of PRL on leptin production was investigated in adipocytes cultured in vitro for 6 h. PRL inhibited insulin-induced leptin production in vitro. However, PRL had no effect on leptin production in the absence of insulin. In contrast, serum leptin concentrations were increased in PRL-transgenic females compared with control mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate functional PRLRs in mouse adipocytes and suggest a role for CIS, SOCS-3, and SOCS-2 in regulating PRL signal transduction in adipose tissue.

Adipocytes↗

Functional assessment of white and brown adipocyte development and energy metabolism in cell culture. Dissociation of terminal differentiation and thermogenesis in brown adipocytes.

We investigated the effect of insulin, triiodothyronine (T3) and dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) on differentiation, lipid metabolism and thermogenesis of preadipocytes isolated from white fat (WAT) and brown fat (BAT) from the Siberian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Cell cultures from WAT and BAT were chronically treated with the above hormones alone or in any combination. After differentiation (day 8 or 9 of culture) we measured the following parameters: adipogenic index (number x size of adipocytes), protein content, lipolysis, cell respiration, and expression of the uncoupling protein UCP, which is unique to mitochondria of brown adipocytes. Insulin was the most important adipogenic factor for brown and white adipocytes and necessary for terminal differentiation, whereas dexamethasone alone completely inhibited differentiation. T3 had no effect on adipogenesis in WAT cultures, but further increased insulin stimulated adipogenesis in BAT cultures. Basal lipolysis was higher in WAT than in BAT cultures except when dexamethasone was present, which stimulated lipolysis in both culture types to the same extent. T3 had a pronounced dose dependent lipolytic effect on WAT cultures but very little effect on BAT cultures. Respiration rates were generally higher in differentiated adipocytes than in fibroblast like cells. T3 had no effect on thermogenesis in WAT cultures but increased thermogenesis in BAT cultures, and this was further elevated by insulin. UCP expression in BAT cultures could be detected by western blot in insulin treated, T3 treated and insulin+T3 treated cultures with highest expression in the latter. These results imply a possible dissociation of terminal differentiation and thermogenic function of brown adipocytes. In WAT cultures there was also a low level of UCP detectable in the insulin+T3 treated cultures. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed the presence of UCP in 10-15% of adipocytes from WAT cultures (in BAT cultures: 90%), indicating the presence of some brown preadipocytes in typical WAT deposits.

Adipocytes↗

Adipocyte metabolism in adipocyte fatty acid binding protein knockout mice (aP2-/-) after short-term high-fat feeding: functional compensation by the keratinocyte [correction of keritinocyte] fatty acid binding protein.

Mice null for adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP) compensate by increasing expression of keratinocyte fatty acid binding protein (KFABP) (Hotamisligil et al. Science 274:1377-1379, 1996). In the present study, AFABP knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice became equally obese on a high-fat diet, as judged by fat pad weights, adipocyte size, and body composition analysis. High-fat feeding led to moderate insulin resistance in both WT and AFABP knockout mice, as indicated by an approximately 2-fold increase in plasma insulin. However, in the high fat-fed mice, plasma glucose levels were approximately 15% lower in the AFABP-KO mice. Adipocytes isolated from AFABP-KO and WT mice fed high- or low-fat diets exhibited similar rates of basal and norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis and insulin-stimulated rates of glucose conversion to fatty acids and glyceride-glycerol. However, basal glucose conversion to fatty acids was higher in adipocytes of AFABP-KO mice. Adipocyte tumor necrosis factor-alpha release was similarly increased by high-fat diet-induced obesity in both WT and AFABP-KO mice. As assessed by Western blot analysis, the level of KFABP protein in AFABP-KOs was approximately 40% of the level of AFABP in WT controls. The binding affinities of KFABP for long-chain fatty acids were 2- to 4-fold higher than those of AFABP, but the relative affinities for different fatty acids were similar. As for AFABP, the rate of fatty acid transfer from KFABP to model phospholipid vesicles was increased with acceptor membrane concentration and by inclusion of acidic phospholipids, indicating a similar mechanism of transfer. We conclude KFABP can functionally compensate for the absence of AFABP, resulting in no major alterations in adipocyte metabolism or fat accumulation in response to short-term feeding of high-fat diets that result in moderate hyperinsulinemia.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Influence of adipocyte triglyceride on the partition of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl between 3T3L1 adipocytes and surrounding pseudoblood.

Removal from adipose tissue is an important first step in ultimate removal of many lipophilic xenobiotics from the body. This study concerned the elucidation of mechanisms by which hexabromobiphenyl (HBB) was deposited in and removed from adipocytes. Adipocytes derived from the 3T3L1 cell line of mouse fibroblasts were used to conduct studies in vitro. Results support the idea that HBB enters the 3T3L1 adipocyte via passive diffusion. A plot of the velocity of uptake versus concentration was linear, the uptake of HBB does not appear to be energy dependent, and structurally similar biphenyls did not cause an inhibition of uptake. A linear relationship between the quantities of triglyceride and HBB in the cells was found during both uptake of HBB in lipogenesis and removal of HBB in lipolysis (r greater than 0.98). This supports the contention that the quantity of triglyceride in the cells has a strong influence on the movement of HBB between adipocytes and surrounding pseudoblood. Evidence has been presented that is consistent with the hypothesis that HBB moves freely across the adipocyte membrane and is sequestered in either cells or medium according to its relative solubility in these compartments. Methods to increase the removal of HBB from adipocytes have been proposed.

Adipose Tissue↗

Inhibition by bacitracin of rat adipocyte plasma membrane degradation of 125I-insulin is associated with an increase in plasma membrane bound insulin and a potentiation of glucose oxidation by adipocytes.

The present study demonstrated that at physiological concentrations of insulin bacitracin inhibited the degradation of specifically bound insulin by enzymes located in the rat adipocyte plasma membrane. Bacitracin increased the amount of intact insulin specifically bound to the plasma membrane and potentiated the stimulation of adipocyte glucose oxidation by submaximal concentrations of the hormone. In contrast to agents such as chloroquine, which inhibit lysosomal degradation of internalized insulin, bacitracin was shown by two approaches to inhibit a degradative process localized to the adipocyte plasma membrane. Cyanide and 2,4-dinitrophenol, agents which inhibit energy requiring endocytosis, had no effect on the bacitracin inhibition of cellular degradation of 125I-insulin. Bacitracin directly inhibited 125I-insulin degradation by isolated plasma membranes at similar concentrations and to a similar extent as found with cells. The degradative process inhibited by bacitracin accounted for the majority of cellular degradation of the hormone. The increased 125I-insulin bound to adipocytes was shown to be intact by gel chromatographic analysis and was localized to the plasma membrane by direct and indirect approaches. Bacitracin increased 125I-insulin specifically bound to isolated plasma membranes as early as 2 min. The 125I-insulin bound to adipocytes in the presence of bacitracin was completely dissociable by the addition of 8 microM unlabeled insulin whereas a significant portion of 125I-insulin bound to chloroquine-treated cells could not be dissociated. Bacitracin slowed dissociation of 125I-insulin from the cells. Bacitracin increased the 125I-insulin binding to cells in the presence and absence of cyanide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Bacitracin potentiated the stimulation of adipocyte glucose oxidation at submaximal concentrations of insulin.

Adipose Tissue↗

Angiotensin II-responsive element is the insulin-responsive element in the adipocyte fatty acid synthase gene: role of adipocyte determination and differentiation factor 1/sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c.

We have previously shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) increases the expression of the gene encoding adipocyte fatty acid synthase (FAS). Here we investigate the mechanism responsible for increased FAS gene transcription by Ang II. We demonstrate that Ang II increased luciferase activity by 3-fold in 3T3-L1 adipocytes transfected with fusion constructs linking the FAS promoter to the luciferase reporter gene. Interestingly, we mapped the Ang II regulatory sequences to the insulin-responsive region (E box) in the proximal FAS promoter. The E box alone was able to mediate Ang II responsiveness when linked to a heterologous promoter. However, this response was lost when mutations that abolished the binding of the E box to its transcription factors were introduced. Using adenoviral overexpression of a dominant-negative form of adipocyte determination and differentiation factor 1 (ADD1), a transcription factor that binds to the insulin-responsive E box, we demonstrated that ADD1 was required for Ang II regulation of the FAS gene in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, ADD1 expression was also up-regulated by Ang II. With the use of transfections as well as glucose transport assays, we further demonstrated that Ang II stimulation of the FAS gene was dependent on glucose. In conclusion, this is the first report that Ang II regulates adipocyte FAS gene transcription via insulin response sequences in a glucose-dependent manner and that this regulation is mediated at least in part via the ADD1 transcription factor.

3T3 Cells↗

The primary amine metabolite of sibutramine stimulates lipolysis in adipocytes isolated from lean and obese mice and in isolated human adipocytes.

Sibutramine is a satiety-inducing serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor that acts predominantly via its primary and secondary metabolites. This study investigates the possibility that sibutramine and/or its metabolites could act directly on white adipose tissue to increase lipolysis. Adipocytes were isolated by a collagenase digestion procedure from homozygous lean (+/+) and obese-diabetic OB/OB mice, and from lean nondiabetic human subjects. The lipolytic activity of adipocyte preparations was measured by the determination of glycerol release over a 2-hour incubation period. The primary amine metabolite of sibutramine M2, caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of glycerol release by murine lean and obese adipocytes (maximum increase by 157+/-22 and 245+/-16%, respectively, p<0.05). Neither sibutramine nor its secondary amine metabolite M1 had any effect on lipolytic activity. Preliminary studies indicated that M2-induced lipolysis was mediated via a beta-adrenergic action. The non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (10 (-6) M) strongly inhibited M2-stimulated lipolysis in lean and obese murine adipocytes. M2 similarly increased lipolysis by isolated human omental and subcutaneous adipocytes (maximum increase by 194+/-33 and 136+/-4%, respectively, p<0.05) with EC50 values of 12 nM and 3 nM, respectively. These results indicate that the sibutramine metabolite M2 can act directly on murine and human adipose tissue to increase lipolysis via a pathway involving beta-adrenoceptors.

Adipocytes↗

Inhibition of chicken adipocyte differentiation by in vitro exposure to monoclonal antibodies against embryonic chicken adipocyte plasma membranes.

Specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against adipocyte precursor antigens were developed. These MAb identified adipocyte precursors and reduced their prominence in primary stromal-vascular (SV) cultures by complement-mediated cytotoxicity or by inhibition of differentiation. Binding of antibodies to chicken adipocyte precursors was confirmed by immunofluorescence visual examination following secondary exposure to fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated goat antimouse IgG. Cross-reaction of MAb with muscle, kidney, liver, fibroblasts, and other cell types not containing lipid droplets was not observed in primary cultures. Adipocyte precursors were obtained from 18-d chick embryo adipose tissue by collagenase digestion to investigate complement-mediated cytotoxicity of preadipocytes. Cultures were maintained in Medium 199 with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 4 d. Subsequently, Medium 199 supplemented with 10% chicken serum initiated adipocyte differentiation. At Day 5 postinoculation, individual or combinations of MAb were administered to preadipocyte cultures; rabbit complement was added 30 min later. After 1 d of incubation, four of the six individual MAb with complement significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of fat cell clusters that developed by 40 to 60%. These MAb in the presence of complement also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced mean cell width and apparent cell area or cell cluster area of lipid-containing cells. Neither MAb nor complement alone reduced fat cell cluster number, cell size, or cluster size. Treatment with pools of two and four MAb decreased the total amount of MAb protein required to reduce fat cell cluster number. Four antibodies, alone or in combination, reduced fat cell cluster development in a complement-dependent manner.

Adipocytes↗