Decreased mitochondrial respiration in aneurysmal aortas of Fibulin-4 mutant mice is linked to PGC1A regulation

Aim Thoracic aortic aneurysms are a life-threatening condition often diagnosed too late. To discover novel robust biomarkers, we aimed to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying aneurysm formation. Methods and results In Fibulin-4R/R mice, the extracellular matrix protein Fibulin-4 is 4-fold reduced, resulting in progressive ascending aneurysm formation and early death around 3 months of age. We performed proteomics and genomics studies on Fibulin-4R/R mouse aortas. Intriguingly, we observed alterations in mitochondrial protein composition in Fibulin-4R/R aortas. Consistently, functional studies in Fibulin-4R/R vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) revealed lower oxygen consumption rates, but increased acidification rates. Yet, mitochondria in Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs showed no aberrant cytoplasmic localization. We found similar reduced mitochondrial respiration in Tgfbr-1M318R/+ VSMCs, a mouse model for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). Interestingly, also human fibroblasts from Marfan (FBN1) and LDS (TGFBR2 and SMAD3) patients showed lower oxygen consumption. While individual mitochondrial Complexes I–V activities were unaltered in Fibulin-4R/R heart and muscle, these tissues showed similar decreased oxygen consumption. Furthermore, aortas of aneurysmal Fibulin-4R/R mice displayed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Consistent with these findings, gene expression analyses revealed dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Accordingly, blood ketone levels of Fibulin-4R/R mice were reduced and liver fatty acids were decreased, while liver glycogen was increased, indicating dysregulated metabolism at the organismal level. As predicted by gene expression analysis, the activity of PGC1α, a key regulator between mitochondrial function and organismal metabolism, was downregulated in Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs. Increased TGFβ reduced PGC1α levels, indicating involvement of TGFβ signalling in PGC1α regulation. Activation of PGC1α restored the decreased oxygen consumption in Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs and improved their reduced growth potential, emphasizing the importance of this key regulator. Conclusion Our data indicate altered mitochondrial function and metabolic dysregulation, leading to increased ROS levels and altered energy production, as a novel mechanism, which may contribute to thoracic aortic aneurysm formation

PGC-1 coactivators in β-cells regulate lipid metabolism and are essential for insulin secretion coupled to fatty acids

Objectives: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 (PPARGCA1, PGC-1) transcriptional coactivators control gene programs important for nutrient metabolism. Islets of type 2 diabetic subjects have reduced PGC-1α expression and this is associated with decreased insulin secretion, yet little is known about why this occurs or what role it plays in the development of diabetes. Our goal was to delineate the role and importance of PGC-1 proteins to β-cell function and energy homeostasis. Methods: We investigated how nutrient signals regulate coactivator expression in islets and the metabolic consequences of reduced PGC-1α and PGC-1β in primary and cultured β-cells. Mice with inducible β-cell specific double knockout of Pgc-1α/Pgc-1β (βPgc-1 KO) were created to determine the physiological impact of reduced Pgc1 expression on glucose homeostasis. Results: Pgc-1α and Pgc-1β expression was increased in primary mouse and human islets by acute glucose and palmitate exposure. Surprisingly, PGC-1 proteins were dispensable for the maintenance of mitochondrial mass, gene expression, and oxygen consumption in response to glucose in adult β-cells. However, islets and mice with an inducible, β-cell-specific PGC-1 knockout had decreased insulin secretion due in large part to loss of the potentiating effect of fatty acids. Consistent with an essential role for PGC-1 in lipid metabolism, β-cells with reduced PGC-1s accumulated acyl-glycerols and PGC-1s controlled expression of key enzymes in lipolysis and the glycerolipid/free fatty acid cycle. Conclusions: These data highlight the importance of PGC-1s in coupling β-cell lipid metabolism to promote efficient insulin secretion