Genetic Ablation of MiR-22 Fosters Diet-Induced Obesity and NAFLD Development

miR-22 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the liver and alterations of its hepatic expression have been associated with the development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, as well as cancer. However, the pathophysiological roles of miR-22-3p in the deregulated hepatic metabolism with obesity and cancer remains poorly characterized. Herein, we observed that alterations of hepatic miR-22-3p expression with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the context of obesity are not consistent in various human cohorts and animal models in contrast to the well-characterized miR-22-3p downregulation observed in hepatic cancers. To unravel the role of miR-22 in obesity-associated NAFLD, we generated constitutive Mir22 knockout (miR-22KO) mice, which were subsequently rendered obese by feeding with fat-enriched diet. Functional NAFLD- and obesity-associated metabolic parameters were then analyzed. Insights about the role of miR-22 in NAFLD associated with obesity were further obtained through an unbiased proteomic analysis of miR-22KO livers from obese mice. Metabolic processes governed by miR-22 were finally investigated in hepatic transformed cancer cells. Deletion of Mir22 was asymptomatic when mice were bred under standard conditions, except for an onset of glucose intolerance. However, when challenged with a high fat-containing diet, Mir22 deficiency dramatically exacerbated fat mass gain, hepatomegaly, and liver steatosis in mice. Analyses of explanted white adipose tissue revealed increased lipid synthesis, whereas mass spectrometry analysis of the liver proteome indicated that Mir22 deletion promotes hepatic upregulation of key enzymes in glycolysis and lipid uptake. Surprisingly, expression of miR-22-3p in Huh7 hepatic cancer cells triggers, in contrast to our in vivo observations, a clear induction of a Warburg effect with an increased glycolysis and an inhibited mitochondrial respiration. Together, our study indicates that miR-22-3p is a master regulator of the lipid and glucose metabolism with differential effects in specific organs and in transformed hepatic cancer cells, as compared to non-tumoral tissue

The Tpl2 kinase regulates the COX-2/prostaglandin E2 axis in adipocytes in inflammatory conditions

et al.Bioactive lipid mediators such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have emerged as potent regulator of obese adipocyte inflammation and functions. PGE2 is produced by cyclooxygenases (COXs) from arachidonic acid, but inflammatory signaling pathways controlling COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in adipocytes remain ill-defined. Here, we demonstrated that the MAP kinase kinase kinase tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2) controls COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion in adipocytes in response to different inflammatory mediators. We found that pharmacological- or small interfering RNA-mediated Tpl2 inhibition in 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreased by 50% COX-2 induction in response to IL-1β, TNF- α, or a mix of the 2 cytokines. PGE2 secretion induced by the cytokine mix was also markedly blunted. At the molecular level, nuclear factor κB was required for Tpl2-induced COX-2 expression in response to IL-1β but was inhibitory for the TNF-α or cytokine mix response. In a coculture between adipocytes and macrophages, COX-2 was mainly increased in adipocytes and pharmacological inhibition of Tpl2 or its silencing in adipocytes markedly reduced COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion. Further, Tpl2 inhibition in adipocytes reduces by 60% COX-2 expression induced by a conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. Importantly, LPS was less efficient to induce COX-2 mRNA in adipose tissue explants of Tpl2 null mice compared with wild-type and Tpl2 null mice displayed low COX-2 mRNA induction in adipose tissue in response to LPS injection. Collectively, these data established that activation of Tpl2 by inflammatory stimuli in adipocytes and adipose tissue contributes to increase COX-2 expression and production of PGE2 that could participate in the modulation of adipose tissue inflammation during obesity.This work was supported by Inserm, the Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, and Agence Nationale de la Recherche Grant 2010-BLAN-1117– 01 (to J.-F.T.); LABEX SIGNALIFE Grant ANR-11-LABX-0028 – 01 and an Alfediam-Abbott grant (J.-F.T.). F.C. is supported by an Inserm/Région Provence AlpesCote d’Azur/FEDER doctoral fellowship and by a grant from the Société Francophone du Diabète. F.M. is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Institut Thématique MultiOrganismes Cancer.Peer Reviewe

A two-week central leptin infusion is not sufficient to induce hypothalamic leptin- or insulin-resistance but is able to induce hypothalamic PTP-1B expression

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Bone Regulates Browning and Energy Metabolism Through Mature Osteoblast/Osteocyte PPARγ Expression

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a master regulator of energy metabolism. In bone, it is known to regulate osteoblast differentiation and osteoclast activity. Whether PPARγ expression in bone cells, particularly osteocytes, regulates energy metabolism remains unknown. Here, we show that mature osteoblast/osteocyte-specific ablation of PPARγ in mice (Ocy-PPARγ−/−) alters body composition with age, namely, to produce less fat and more lean mass, and enhances insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure compared with wild-type mice. In addition, Ocy-PPARγ−/− mice exhibit more bone density, structure, and strength by uncoupling bone formation from resorption. When challenged with a high-fat diet, Ocy-PPARγ−/− mice retain glycemic control, with increased browning of the adipose tissue, decreased gluconeogenesis, and less hepatic steatosis. Moreover, these metabolic effects, particularly an increase in fatty acid oxidation, cannot be explained by decarboxylated osteocalcin changes, suggesting existence of other osteokines that are under the control of PPARγ. We further identify bone morphogenetic protein 7 as one of them. Hence, osteocytes coregulate bone and glucose homeostasis through a PPARγ regulatory pathway, and its inhibition could be clinically relevant for the prevention of glucose metabolic disorders.</jats:p

Brain insulin signaling regulation by leptin and serotonin. Potential impact on the development of metabolic diseases

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Leptin but not Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) induces Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase-1B expression in human neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y): putative explanation of CNTF efficacy in leptin-resistant state

Growing evidences suggest that obesity is associated with hypothalamic leptin resistance, leading to the alteration of food intake control. Alternative treatment using ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been suggested because CNTF exerts a leptin-like effect, even in leptin-resistant states, but the mechanisms by which CNTF maintains this effect are not yet understood. Both leptin and CNTF act in the hypothalamus through similar signaling pathways including janus kinase-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 pathway. To explore the differences and interactions between leptin and CNTF signaling pathways, differentiated human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) were exposed to either leptin or CNTF and then challenged for each cytokine. Leptin pretreatment completely abolished leptin-dependent STAT-3 and ERK 1/2 phosphorylations without affecting CNTF action. The lack of cross-desensitization between leptin and CNTF signaling pathways occurred despite the induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in response to both cytokines. Interestingly, leptin as well as insulin induced the expression of phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-1B, whereas CNTF treatment did not affect its expression. In addition, acute leptin treatment but not CNTF induced PTP-1B expression in mouse hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Furthermore, the overexpression of human PTP-1B in SH-SY5Y cells completely abolished leptin-and insulin-dependent janus kinase-2, STAT-3, and ERK 1/2 phosphorylations, but CNTF action was not altered. Collectively, our results suggest that PTP-1B constitutes a key divergent element between leptin/insulin and CNTF signaling pathways at the neuronal level, which may constitute a possible mechanism that explains the efficacy of CNTF in leptin-resistant states. (Endocrinology 150: 1182-1191, 2009

Implication des MAP kinases dans l’inflammation et l’insulino-résistance associées à l’obésité

La résistance à l’action de l’insuline ou insulino-résistance est souvent associée à l’obésité et c’est un facteur de risque important pour le développement du diabète de type 2, de maladies cardiovasculaires et hépatiques; elle pourrait également favoriser l’apparition et/ou l’agressivité de certains cancers. L’insulino-résistance est due à des altérations de la signalisation de l’insuline dans ses tissus cibles. Au cours de ces dernières années, l’inflammation chronique de bas grade associée à l’obésité est apparue comme acteur important dans le développement de l’insulino-résistance. En effet, les cytokines inflammatoires activent différentes voies de signalisation qui interférent avec la signalisation insulinique. Parmi les différentes voies de signalisation activées par les cytokines inflammatoires, cette revue détaillera plus particulièrement l’implication des voies de signalisation des MAP (Mitogen Activated Protein kinases) JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) et ERK1/2 (Extracellular signal-regulated kinases) dans le développement des altérations de la signalisation insulinique et discutera la possibilité de cibler ces protéines pour réduire l’insulino-résistance

Brain Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) and hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis

Cytokines play an important role in energy-balance regulation. Notably leptin, an adipocyte-secreted cytokine, regulates the activity of hypothalamic neurons that are involved in the modulation of appetite. Leptin decreases appetite and stimulates weight loss in rodents. Unfortunately, numerous forms of obesity in humans seem to be resistant to leptin action. The ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurocytokine that belongs to the same family as leptin and that was originally characterized as a neurotrophic factor that promotes the survival of a broad spectrum of neuronal cell types and that enhances neurogenesis in adult rodents. It presents the advantage of stimulating weight loss in humans, despite the leptin resistance. Moreover, the weight loss persists several weeks after the cessation of treatment. Hence, CNTF has been considered as a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of obesity and has prompted intense research aimed at identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its potent anorexigenic properties. It has been found that CNTF shares signaling pathways with leptin and is expressed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), a key hypothalamic region controlling food intake. Endogenous CNTF may also participate in the control of energy balance. Indeed, its expression in the ARC is inversely correlated to body weight in rats fed a high-sucrose diet. Thus hypothalamic CNTF may act, in some individuals, as a protective factor against weight gain during hypercaloric diet and could account for individual differences in the susceptibility to obesity