α/β-Hydrolase Domain Containing Protein 15 (ABHD15) – an Adipogenic Protein Protecting from Apoptosis

<div><p>Our knowledge about adipocyte metabolism and development is steadily growing, yet many players are still undefined. Here, we show that α/β-hydrolase domain containing protein 15 (Abhd15) is a direct and functional target gene of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), the master regulator of adipogenesis. In line, Abhd15 is mainly expressed in brown and white adipose tissue and strongly upregulated during adipogenesis in various murine and human cell lines. Stable knockdown of Abhd15 in 3T3-L1 cells evokes a striking differentiation defect, as evidenced by low lipid accumulation and decreased expression of adipocyte marker genes. In preconfluent cells, knockdown of Abhd15 leads to impaired proliferation, which is caused by apoptosis, as we see an increased SubG1 peak, caspase 3/7 activity, and BAX protein expression as well as a reduction in anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein. Furthermore, apoptosis-inducing amounts of palmitic acid evoke a massive increase of Abhd15 expression, proposing an apoptosis-protecting role for ABHD15. On the other hand, in mature adipocytes physiological (i.e. non-apoptotic) concentrations of palmitic acid down-regulate Abhd15 expression. Accordingly, we found that the expression of Abhd15 in adipose tissue is reduced in physiological situations with high free fatty acid levels, like high-fat diet, fasting, and aging as well as in genetically obese mice. Collectively, our results position ABHD15 as an essential component in the development of adipocytes as well as in apoptosis, thereby connecting two substantial factors in the regulation of adipocyte number and size. Together with its intricate regulation by free fatty acids, ABHD15 might be an intriguing new target in obesity and diabetes research.</p> </div

Frequent Down Regulation of the Tumor Suppressor Gene A20 in Multiple Myeloma

<div><p>Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant clonal expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow and belongs to the mature B-cell neoplams. The pathogenesis of MM is associated with constitutive NF-κB activation. However, genetic alterations causing constitutive NF-κB activation are still incompletely understood. Since A20 (<i>TNFAIP3</i>) is a suppressor of the NF-κB pathway and is frequently inactivated in various lymphoid malignancies, we investigated the genetic and epigenetic properties of A20 in MM. In total, of 46 patient specimens analyzed, 3 single base pair exchanges, 2 synonymous mutations and one missense mutation were detected by direct sequencing. Gene copy number analysis revealed a reduced A20 gene copy number in 8 of 45 (17.7%) patients. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining confirmed that A20 expression correlates with the reduction of A20 gene copy number. These data suggest that A20 contributes to tumor formation in a significant fraction of myeloma patients.</p></div

Abhd15 is a direct and functional PPARγ target gene.

<p><b>A</b>. Genome organization around the Abhd15 transcription start side (TSS) of 3T3-L1 cells during differentiation with ChIP data of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) (day 6 and day 10) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) (day 10) binding, and Pparγ-Retinoid X receptor (RXRα) direct repeat motif analysis. The data suggest putative PPARγ-RXRα binding ~990 bp and ~440 bp upstream of the Abhd15 TSS. <b>B</b>-<b>D</b>. Abhd15 mRNA levels of 3T3-L1 cells upon PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (Rosi) treatments. Cells were treated with 1 µM Rosi (<b>B</b>) during differentiation, (<b>C</b>) for 12 and 24 hours on day 7 of differentiation, and (<b>D</b>) for 6, 12, and 24 hours before induction of differentiation, all leading to increased Abhd15 expression. <b>E</b>. Abhd15 mRNA expression in Pparγ -/- and Pparγ +/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Abhd15 is hardly expressed in Pparγ -/- MEFs and can only be further increased upon addition of Rosi (1 µM) in Pparγ +/- MEFs. <b>F</b>. Sequence map of the sequences containing either one (F2 and F3) or two (F1) of the putative PPARγ-RXRα binding sites, evaluated in figure A, used for the luciferase assay. <b>G</b>. The 3 regions of interest located upstream of the Abhd15 gene were cloned into luciferase reporter vectors (named pGL4.21-F1, pGL4.26-F2, pGL4.21-F3) and cotransfected with either Pparγ/Rxrα expressing vectors or an empty vector (pCMX) into Cos7 cells. The luciferase activity of pGL4.21-F1 and pGL4.21-F3, both containing the putative PPARγ-RXRα binding site ~440 bp upstream to the TSS, were significantly increased when compared to pCMX-transfected cells. Addition of Rosi to cells cotransfected with pGL4.21-F1 or pGL44.21-F3 and Pparγ/Rxrα, again significantly increased luciferase activity. Data is presented as mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using the two-tailed Student’s t-test. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001.</p

Abhd15 expression is regulated during adipogenesis and decreased by elevated free fatty acid levels.

<p><b>A</b>-<b>B</b>. Abhd15 mRNA expression is increased during adipocyte differentiation of (<b>A</b>) OP 9 cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), and (<b>B</b>) human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) cells. <b>C</b>. Abhd15 mRNA is highly expressed in brown and white adipose tissue (BAT and WAT), to a lower extent in liver (Liv), and hardly in skeletal (SM) and cardiac muscle (CM) of wild-type mice in the fed state. <b>D</b>. Abhd15 mRNA expression is decreased in WAT and BAT of genetically obese mice (ob/ob) compared to wild type (wt) mice. <b>E</b>. Mice fed a high fat diet (HFD, 60% calories in fat) show a decreased Abhd15 mRNA expression in WAT already after 3 days, but still after 15 weeks on this diet. Additionally, aging strongly decreases Abhd15 mRNA levels. <b>F</b>. Abhd15 mRNA expression is regulated depending on the nutritional status in mouse tissues. Upon fasting, the expression is decreased in both BAT and WAT. <b>G</b>. Simulated fasting of fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells (day 7 of differentiation) with IBMX (0.5 mM) and isoproterenol (10 µM) for 2 hours resulted in reduced Abhd15 mRNA expression. <b>H</b>. Treatment of fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells (day 7 of differentiation) with palmitic acid (100 µM) strongly reduces Abhd15 mRNA expression. Data is presented as mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using the two-tailed Student’s t-test. *p<0.05, **p<0.01.</p

Abhd15 expression is required for adipogenesis.

<p><b>A</b>-<b>D</b>. 3T3-L1 cells were infected with lentiviral particles coding for Abhd15 shRNA (Abhd15_sil) or using a non-target shRNA as control (ntc), selected for puromycin resistance, expanded as a mixed population and differentiated. <b>A</b>. Silencing efficiency during adipogenesis of two knock-down lentiviruses against Abhd15, determined by qPCR assay. <b>B</b>. Protein was harvested at day 4 of differentiation of control (ntc) and Abhd15-silenced 3T3-L1 cells (Abhd15_sil1) and subjected to western blotting using the anti-Abhd15 antibody. β-actin served as loading control. Abhd15 protein expression is decreased in Abhd15-silenced 3T3-L1 cells compared to control cells. n=2 C. Silencing of Abhd15 impairs adipogenesis, indicated by the strongly decreased amount of neutral lipids on day 7 of differentiation, stained with Oil red O. <b>D</b>. Stable silencing of Abhd15 in 3T3-L1 cells showed high influences on the expression levels of various important adipogenic genes on day 5 of differentiation (Cebpα, Pparγ, fatty acid binding protein 4 (Fabp4), fatty acid synthase (Fasn)). <b>E</b>. Transient silencing of Abhd15 by electroporation of siRNAs on day 8 of differentiation did not show any effects onto the mRNA levels of adipogenic genes in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells (day 10). Data is presented as mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments if not otherwise stated. Statistical significance was determined using the two-tailed Student’s t-test. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001.</p

Genetic aberrations of A20 in multiple myeloma.

<p><b>a: Electropherogram of rs368271377 in exon 7:</b> Arrows indicate the single base pair substitution. <b>b: Electropherogram of rs143002189 in exon 9:</b> The arrow indicates the single base pair substitution. <b>c: Gene copy number analysis of A20 of selected cases:</b> For the gene copy number assays two technical replicates of each samples were used. The blue bar represents the data for exon 4 and the red one for exon 6. Each bar represents the mean values of expression levels ± standard deviation (SD). Cut off for deletion—depicted as red line—was set at 0.7 through the fact that samples exhibited up to 40% non-neoplastic surrounding tissue. <b>d: Representative immunohistochemical A20 staining of multiple myeloma samples.</b> i and ii: multiple myeloma samples with reduced A20 gene copy number. iii and iv: multiple myeloma samples with normal A20 gene copy number.</p

mRNA expression analysis of A20 and 7 NF-κB target genes (BCL2, Cyclin D1, CCR7, CD44, CXCR2, cFlip, IRF4) of MM cases with (n = 6) and without (n = 14) monoallelic A20 deletions and of non-neoplastic bone marrow biopsies (BM; n = 6).

<p>mRNA expression levels were calculated as relative expression in comparison with peripheral mononucleated cells serving as a calibrator. Each bar represents the mean values of expression levels ± standard deviation (SD). The comparison of the expression levels was performed by using the Mann-Whitney U test; all significant associations were corrected for multiple testing by applying a Bonferroni correction.</p

Intracellular calcium response to four different agonists in MUG-Chor1 cells was measured.

<p>A) Histamine (His), acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5HT), and P2Y purinoceptor agonist mes-ATP were applied at a concentration of 10 µM for a period of 60 seconds as indicated by the grey bars; the ratio between 340 nm and 380 nm is given. After stimulation, the respective agonist was washed out for another 60 seconds. B) The first two peaks of ratio values of MUG-Chor1 cells indicate ACh-application in the presence of extracellular calcium (NT+[Ca²⁺]_ex; upper, open bar); peak reduction was induced by removing external calcium (NT w/o [Ca²⁺]_ex; upper, grey bar). Small bars represent the time of perfusion with ACh at the two different concentrations (10 µM: lower, grey bar; 100 µM: lower, black bar). C) Within the bar chart a summary of ACh-induced changes is given. The first two bars represent effects in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by ACh (10 µM; 100 µM) given as average value (± standard deviation) of the change in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca²⁺]_i (nM). The usage of calcium within the perfusion solution as well as the different concentrations of ACh is indicated below the x-axis. Significant changes evaluated by the students t-test are given (***, p<0.001; **, p<0.01).</p

HPF fixed vacuoles within the chordoma cells.

<p>All micrographs indicate the connection of the vacuoles. A) Overview of the vacuoles (V); arrows indicate the network within the MUG-Chor1 cells. B) Cells show a high number of small vacuoles connected to each other as well as endosomes and Golgi apparatus, surrounded by dense cytoplasm. C) Higher magnification enables the visualization of the linkages between either small vacuoles or endosomes and vacuoles; arrows indicate the exchange of material within the vacuoles.</p

Conventional electron microscopy of vacuoles in chordoma cells (arrows indicate the reduced connection of the vacuoles; mitochondria (M); nucleolus (N); vacuoles (V)).

<p>A) MUG-Chor1 cells show a prominent nucleus, abundant vacuoles with a diverse density of material. B) Higher magnification of large densely filled vacuoles. C) Overview of single vacuoles with barely visible contact zones between the vacuoles.</p