Jihong Lian

Lumenal Lipid Metabolism Implications for Lipoprotein Assembly

Overproduction of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins by the liver and the intestine is 1 of the hallmarks of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and a well-established risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The assembly of apoB lipoproteins is regulated by the availability of lipids that form the neutral lipid core (triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester) and the limiting lipoprotein monolayer (phospholipids and cholesterol). Although tremendous advances have been made over the past decade toward understanding neutral lipid and phospholipid biosynthesis and neutral lipid storage in cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs), little is known about the mechanisms that govern the transfer of lipids to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for apoB lipidation. ApoB-synthesizing organs can deposit synthesized neutral lipids into at least 3 different types of LDs, each decorated with a subset of specific proteins: perilipin-decorated cytosolic LDs, and 2 types of LDs formed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, the secretion-destined LDs containing apoB, and resident lumenal LDs coated with microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and exchangeable apolipoproteins. This brief review will address the current knowledge of lumenal lipid metabolism in the context of apoB assembly and lipid storage.

Liver specific inactivation of carboxylesterase 3/triacylglycerol hydrolase decreases blood lipids without causing severe steatosis in mice

Carboxylesterase 3/triacylglycerol hydrolase (Ces3/TGH) participates in hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly and in adipose tissue basal lipolysis. Global ablation of Ces3/Tgh expression decreases serum triacylglycerol (TG) and nonesterified fatty acid levels and improves insulin sensitivity. To understand the tissue‐specific role of Ces3/TGH in lipid and glucose homeostasis, we generated mice with a liver‐specific deletion of Ces3/Tgh expression (L‐TGH knockout [KO]). Elimination of hepatic Ces3/Tgh expression dramatically decreased plasma VLDL TG and VLDL cholesterol concentrations but only moderately increased liver TG levels in mice fed a standard chow diet. Significantly reduced plasma TG and cholesterol without hepatic steatosis were also observed in L‐TGH KO mice challenged with a high‐fat, high‐cholesterol diet. L‐TGH KO mice presented with increased plasma ketone bodies and hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Intrahepatic TG in L‐TGH KO mice was stored in significantly smaller lipid droplets. Augmented hepatic TG levels in chow‐fed L‐TGH KO mice did not affect glucose tolerance or glucose production from hepatocytes, but impaired insulin tolerance was observed in female mice. Conclusion: Our data suggest that ablation of hepatic Ces3/Tgh expression decreases plasma lipid levels without causing severe hepatic steatosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:2154–2162)

Roles of Acyl-CoA:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferases 1 and 2 in Triacylglycerol Synthesis and Secretion in Primary Hepatocytes

Objective— Very low–density lipoprotein assembly and secretion are regulated by the availability of triacylglycerol. Although compelling evidence indicates that the majority of triacylglycerol in very low–density lipoprotein is derived from re-esterification of lipolytic products released by endoplasmic reticulum–associated lipases, little is known about roles of acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) in this process. We aimed to investigate the contribution of DGAT1 and DGAT2 in lipid metabolism and lipoprotein secretion in primary mouse and human hepatocytes. Approach and Results— We used highly selective small-molecule inhibitors of DGAT1 and DGAT2, and we tracked storage and secretion of lipids synthesized de novo from [3H]acetic acid and from exogenously supplied [3H]oleic acid. Inactivation of individual DGAT activity did not affect incorporation of either radiolabeled precursor into intracellular triacylglycerol, whereas combined inactivation of both DGATs severely attenuated triacylglycerol synthesis. However, inhibition of DGAT2 augmented fatty acid oxidation, whereas inhibition of DGAT1 increased triacylglycerol secretion, suggesting preferential channeling of separate DGAT-derived triacylglycerol pools to distinct metabolic pathways. Inactivation of DGAT2 impaired cytosolic lipid droplet expansion, whereas DGAT1 inactivation promoted large lipid droplet formation. Moreover, inactivation of DGAT2 attenuated expression of lipogenic genes. Finally, triacylglycerol secretion was significantly reduced on DGAT2 inhibition without altering extracellular apolipoprotein B levels. Conclusions— Our data suggest that DGAT1 and DGAT2 can compensate for each other to synthesize triacylglycerol, but triacylglycerol synthesized by DGAT1 is preferentially channeled to oxidation, whereas DGAT2 synthesizes triacylglycerol destined for very low–density lipoprotein assembly.

Carboxylesterase1/Esterase-x Regulates Chylomicron Production in Mice

Elevated postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations are commonly associated with obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fat contributes to this condition through the production of chylomicrons. Carboxylesterases have been mainly studied for their role in drug metabolism, but recently they have been shown to participate in lipid metabolism; however, their role in intestinal lipid metabolism is unknown. Carboxylesterase1/esterase-x (Ces1/Es-x) deficient mice become obese, hyperlipidemic and develop hepatic steatosis even on standard chow diet. Here, we aimed to explore the role of Ces1/Es-x in intestinal lipid metabolism. Six-month old wild-type and Ces1/Es-x deficient mice were maintained on chow diet and intestinal lipid metabolism and plasma chylomicron clearance were analyzed. Along the intestine Ces1/Es-x protein is expressed only in proximal jejunum. Ablation of Ces1/Es-x expression results in postprandial hyperlipidemia due to increased secretion of chylomicrons. The secreted chylomicrons have aberrant protein composition, which results in their reduced clearance. In conclusion, Ces1/Es-x participates in the regulation of chylomicron assembly and secretion. Ces1/Es-x might act as a lipid sensor in enterocytes regulating chylomicron secretion rate. Ces1/Es-x might represent an attractive pharmacological target for the treatment of lipid abnormalities associated with obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.

Ces3/TGH Deficiency Improves Dyslipidemia and Reduces Atherosclerosis in Ldlr−/− Mice

Rationale: Carboxylesterase 3/triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) has been shown to participate in hepatic very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly. Deficiency of TGH in mice lowers plasma lipids and atherogenic lipoproteins without inducing hepatic steatosis. Objective: To investigate the contribution of TGH to atherosclerotic lesion development in mice that lack low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Methods and Results: Mice deficient in LDL receptor (Ldlr−/−) and mice lacking both TGH and LDLR (Tgh−/−/Ldlr−/−) were fed with a Western-type diet for 12 weeks. Analysis of Tgh−/−/Ldlr−/− plasma showed an atheroprotective lipoprotein profile with decreased cholesterol in the VLDL and the LDL fractions, concomitant with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Significantly reduced plasma apolipoprotein B levels were also observed in Tgh−/−/Ldlr−/− mice. Consequently, Tgh−/−/Ldlr−/− mice presented with a significant reduction (54%, P<0.01) of the high-fat, high-cholesterol dieteninduced atherosclerotic plaques when compared with Tgh+/+/Ldlr−/− mice in the cross-sectional aortic root analysis. TGH deficiency did not further increase liver steatosis despite lowering plasma lipids, mainly due to reduced hepatic lipogenesis. The ameliorated dyslipidemia in Tgh−/−/Ldlr−/− mice was accompanied with significantly improved insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: Inhibition of TGH activity ameliorates atherosclerosis development and improves insulin sensitivity in Ldlr−/− mice.

Tumor-Induced Hyperlipidemia Contributes to Tumor Growth

Summary The known link between obesity and cancer suggests an important interaction between the host lipid metabolism and tumorigenesis. Here, we used a syngeneic tumor graft model to demonstrate that tumor development influences the host lipid metabolism. BCR-Abl-transformed precursor B cell tumors induced hyperlipidemia by stimulating very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) production and blunting VLDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) turnover. To assess whether tumor progression was dependent on tumor-induced hyperlipidemia, we utilized the VLDL production-deficient mouse model, carboxylesterase3/triacylglycerol hydrolase (Ces3/TGH) knockout mice. In Ces3/Tgh–/– tumor-bearing mice, plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels were attenuated. Importantly tumor weight was reduced in Ces3/Tgh–/– mice. Mechanistically, reduced tumor growth in Ces3/Tgh–/– mice was attributed to reversal of tumor-induced PCSK9-mediated degradation of hepatic LDLR and decrease of LDL turnover. Our data demonstrate that tumor-induced hyperlipidemia encompasses a feed-forward loop that reprograms hepatic lipoprotein homeostasis in part by providing LDL cholesterol to support tumor growth.

Carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism: from mouse to human

ABSTRACTMammalian carboxylesterases hydrolyze a wide range of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, including lipid esters. Physiological functions of carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in vivo have been demonstrated by genetic manipulations and chemical inhibition in mice, and in vitro through (over)expression, knockdown of expression, and chemical inhibition in a variety of cells. Recent research advances have revealed the relevance of carboxylesterases to metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease, suggesting these enzymes might be potential targets for treatment of metabolic disorders. In order to translate pre-clinical studies in cellular and mouse models to humans, differences and similarities of carboxylesterases between mice and human need to be elucidated. This review presents and discusses the research progress in structure and function of mouse and human carboxylesterases, and the role of these enzymes in lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders.

Ces3/TGH Deficiency Attenuates Steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in developed countries. NAFLD describes a wide range of liver pathologies from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NASH is distinguished from simple steatosis by inflammation, cell death and fibrosis. In this study we found that mice lacking triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH, also known as carboxylesterase 3 or carboxylesterase 1d) are protected from high-fat diet (HFD) - induced hepatic steatosis via decreased lipogenesis, increased fatty acid oxidation and improved hepatic insulin sensitivity. To examine the effect of the loss of TGH function on the more severe NAFLD form NASH, we ablated Tgh expression in two independent NASH mouse models, Pemt−/− mice fed HFD and Ldlr−/− mice fed high-fat, high-cholesterol Western-type diet (WTD). TGH deficiency reduced liver inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis in Pemt−/− mice. TGH deficiency also decreased NASH in Ldlr−/− mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that TGH deficiency attenuated both simple hepatic steatosis and irreversible NASH.

Liver-specific expression of carboxylesterase 1g/esterase-x reduces hepatic steatosis, counteracts dyslipidemia and improves insulin signaling.

Ces1g/Es-x deficiency in mice results in weight gain, insulin resistance, fatty liver and hyperlipidemia through upregulation of de novo lipogenesis and oversecretion of triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipoproteins. Here, we show that restoration of Ces1g/Es-x expression only in the liver significantly reduced hepatic TG concentration accompanied by decreased size of lipid droplets, reduced secretion of very low-density lipoproteins and improved insulin-mediated signal transduction in the liver. Collectively, these results demonstrate that hepatic Ces1g/Es-x plays a critical role in limiting hepatic steatosis, very low-density lipoprotein assembly and in augmenting insulin sensitivity.

Loss of Calreticulin Uncovers a Critical Role for Calcium in Regulating Cellular Lipid Homeostasis

A direct link between Ca2+ and lipid homeostasis has not been definitively demonstrated. In this study, we show that manipulation of ER Ca2+ causes the re-distribution of a portion of the intracellular unesterified cholesterol to a pool that is not available to the SCAP-SREBP complex. The SREBP processing pathway in ER Ca2+ depleted cells remained fully functional and responsive to changes in cellular cholesterol status but differed unexpectedly in basal activity. These findings establish the role of Ca2+ in determining the reference set-point for controlling cellular lipid homeostasis. We propose that ER Ca2+ status is an important determinant of the basal sensitivity of the sterol sensing mechanism inherent to the SREBP processing pathway.