HSP47 levels determine the degree of body adiposity

Shin J., Toyoda S., Okuno Y., et al. HSP47 levels determine the degree of body adiposity. Nature Communications 14, 7319 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43080-x.Adiposity varies among individuals with the influence of diverse physiological, pathological, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, but a unified molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we identify HSP47, a collagen-specific chaperone, as a key determinant of body adiposity. HSP47 expression is abundant in adipose tissue; increased with feeding, overeating, and obesity; decreased with fasting, exercise, calorie restriction, bariatric surgery, and cachexia; and correlated with fat mass, BMI, waist, and hip circumferences. Insulin and glucocorticoids, respectively, up- and down-regulate HSP47 expression. In humans, the increase of HSP47 gene expression by its intron or synonymous variants is associated with higher body adiposity traits. In mice, the adipose-specific knockout or pharmacological inhibition of HSP47 leads to lower body adiposity compared to the control. Mechanistically, HSP47 promotes collagen dynamics in the folding, secretion, and interaction with integrin, which activates FAK signaling and preserves PPARγ protein from proteasomal degradation, partly related to MDM2. The study highlights the significance of HSP47 in determining the amount of body fat individually and under various circumstances

Smooth sectioning of biological samples by FIB-TOF-SIMS

Spheroids, which are three-dimensionally cultured cells that resemble actual living organisms, have been attracting attention. FIB-TOF-SIMS (Focused Ion Beam Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) is capable of simultaneous mass imaging of multiple elements without the need for labeling. FIB-TOF-SIMS is expected to process the spheroid and image the cross-sectional components. However, FIB processing of spheroids larger than 100μm often results in uneven cross sections due to the so-called curtain effect. The unevenness of the cross-section affects the sputtering and hinders component imaging. In this experiment, we considered the processing of spheroids by FIB from multiple directions to suppress the curtain effect. The curtain effect was evaluated by comparing the processing from one direction and from multiple directions

美しい歩き方に関する研究―加速度計による評価法―

This paper presents the measurement of the walking that uses the potable acceleration device and the estimation method of walking. By measuring the walking which uses the potable accelerometer device,the walking action was able to be grasped. In addition, the measured data of the walking made the walking evaluation on progressing direction, the deflection of the body in right and left, up and down movement possible

美しい歩き方に関する研究―歩き方と文化―

Since Edo era, walking style of Japanese people has been significantly changed along with cultural transitions. This article compiles a research on features of Japanese traditional walking style,such as"Nanba"and"Suriashi", then discusses issues of today\u27s walking style

美しい歩き方に関する研究―高齢者の健康への取り組み―

This study tried to develop a method of analyzing a style of walking. As a result, it was found that the analysis could be made using data collected by an accelerometer. We also propose a style of walking which is suitable for the elderly in this paper

Identification of mTEC precursor cells

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity. However, the differentiation program of Aire-expressing mTECs (Aire+ mTECs) is unclear. Here, we describe novel embryonic precursors of Aire+ mTECs. We found the candidate precursors of Aire+ mTECs (pMECs) by monitoring the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), which is required for Aire+ mTEC differentiation. pMECs unexpectedly expressed cortical TEC molecules in addition to the mTEC markers UEA-1 ligand and RANK and differentiated into mTECs in reaggregation thymic organ culture. Introduction of pMECs in the embryonic thymus permitted long-term maintenance of Aire+ mTECs and efficiently suppressed the onset of autoimmunity induced by Aire+ mTEC deficiency. Mechanistically, pMECs differentiated into Aire+ mTECs by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-dependent RANK signaling. Moreover, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB activation triggered by RANK and lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling promoted pMEC induction from progenitors exhibiting lower RANK expression and higher CD24 expression. Thus, our findings identified two novel stages in the differentiation program of Aire+ mTECs

サービングサイズ オ モチイタ カンイ ショクモツ セッシュリョウ チョウサホウ ノ カイハツ

近年,生活習慣病の深刻化に伴い,管理栄養士に高度な専門知識や技能が求められるようになった。対象者の食行動の変容を目的とした栄養教育の過程で,栄養状態や食習慣の十分な把握は重要であり,実際に個人または集団レベルでの食物および栄養摂取量評価のために食事調査が行われている。その方法は多種類あるが,我々は個人および集団を対象とし,簡便かつ調査者および被調査者の負担が軽く,より正確な摂取状況を把握する方法としてサービングサイズを用いた簡易食物摂取量調査法を開発するために,20歳代女子大生に見合った簡易記録法(以下,簡易法)I,IIを作成し,段階的調査を行った。簡易法の摂取栄養量の算出のため,食品群別荷重平均成分表(以下,荷重平均成分表)を作成し,24時間秤量法(以下,秤量法)との整合性をはかり,精度を高める検討をした。秤量法と簡易法の一回目の検討の結果,食品群では調味料類を除いて有意な差は認められなかったが,食品摂取量の間に相違がみられた。栄養素では,ナトリウム(以下,Na)を除いて有意な差は認められなかった。両調査法間の相関関係は,全ての食品群で有意な正の相関がみられた。栄養素では,レチノール当量を除いて有意な正の相関が認められた。しかし,簡易法の摂取量と秤量法のそれとの間の近似をはかるために,1日の目標量を訂正し,両調査法の二度目の検討を行った。調査IIの結果,食品群では嗜好飲料類を除いて有意な差は認めらなかった。両調査法による食品摂取量は,目標量に対する充足率80∿120%を示し,近似値が認められた。栄養素では,鉄(以下,Fe),レチノール当量,ビタミンC(以下,VC)を除いて有意な差は認められなかった。両調査法間の相関関係は,嗜好飲料類を除く全ての食品群で有意であった。また,全ての栄養素で有意な正の相関が認められた