Novel Role of CD47 in Obesity-Associated Metabolic Dysfunctions

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are of global concern. These complications are largely driven by perturbations in energy homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress within metabolic tissues. Although these underlying pathways have been established, molecular mechanisms augmenting metabolic dysfunction have not been fully defined. CD47, a ubiquitously expressed cell membrane receptor, has been previously implicated in the development of inflammation and oxidative stress in a number of disease conditions. Previous work from our lab and others has confirmed that the most potent ligand of CD47, TSP1, plays a critical role in facilitating inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in diet-induced obesity. Whether these effects of TSP1 are mediated by CD47 has never been explored. Specifically, the functions of CD47 in white and brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the liver have never been characterized under obese conditions. Within our studies, we clearly defined distinct regulatory functions of CD47 in different metabolic tissues of a diet-induced obesity rodent model. We found that CD47 deficiency was associated with reduced adiposity and systemic inflammatory markers which preserved glucose homeostasis. In white adipose tissue, CD47 deficiency was associated with suppressed inflammation and macrophage recruitment which may be attributed to smaller adipocyte size driven by enhanced lipid mobilization. Further, whole body CD47 deficiency stimulated brown adipose tissue energy expenditure through increased FFA-mediated uncoupling and enhanced fatty acid oxidation. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed in skeletal muscle-dependent energy expenditure. In the liver, both TSP1 and CD47 deficiency protected mice from diet-induced fatty liver disease. In vitro studies demonstrated that TSP1 induces liver oxidative stress comparable to free fatty acids and that CD47 blockade partially attenuates this effect. From these studies, we concluded that increased lipid turnover fueled the enhanced energy requirements of activated brown adipose tissue resulting in a leaner phenotype despite high fat diet challenge. In addition, the increased TSP1-CD47 protein expression in the liver may augment ROS in fatty liver disease. Together, these studies provide evidence to suggest CD47 may contribute to metabolic dysfunction in a tissue-specific manner and that the pathological roles of CD47 function should expand to include obesity and its associated comorbidities

Communication of Professional Readiness in Dietetics and Human Nutrition Undergraduates: A Pilot Study

Learning experiences within the dietetics and human nutrition undergraduate curricula develop knowledge and skills pertinent to student career goals. Core competency requirements are extensively assessed in these programs, yet the communication of transferable skills gained and student professional readiness are rarely examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate undergraduate students\u27 perceived professional readiness following six professional development workshops on transferable skills and career preparedness communicated through resumes and personal statements. In this pilot study, twelve upper-level dietetics and human nutrition students self-assessed their resumes and personal statements with rubrics and completed surveys before and after the intervention. Following the workshops, four professionals in the students\u27 respective career field of interest assessed the resumes and personal statements using the same rubrics. Trends toward improvements were seen in three of 15 transferable skills and in six out of 10 skills assessing confidence in career preparedness. Four out of seven resume components saw trends toward improvements, and all items on the personal statements improved after the intervention. No differences were observed between the student and professional assessments. Providing structured time for student reflection to effectively articulate professional readiness may better prepare students for success in future professional endeavors

Integrating Policies, Systems, and Environments (PSE) Work into FCS Extension Programming: Lessons Learned from a Multi-State Training

Public health efforts have emphasized changes to policies, systems and environments (PSEs) to improve health behaviors for individuals and communities. Extension has increasingly emphasized these approaches, particularly for work of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents. In part, this emphasis on PSEs in Extension has been driven by SNAP-Ed and other federally funded initiatives, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) High Obesity Programs (HOP). However, broader adoption and implementation of PSEs at the local level has lagged in some states for various reasons. These include limited understanding about PSE interventions and how this work fits with a traditional Extension emphasis on direct education. To address these issues, faculty and specialists from two states receiving funding in the CDC’s first HOP round planned, designed, and implemented a face-to-face, multi-state, multi-institution PSE training for FCS agents. This paper describes the multi-state training effort, barriers to PSE work in Extension, and offers best practices and implications for others seeking to provide similar training