Víctor Cortés

Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in the AGPAT2-Deficient Mouse Model of Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy

Mutations in 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2) cause congenital generalized lipodystrophy. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic complications associated with AGPAT2 deficiency, Agpat2 null mice were generated. Agpat2(-/-) mice develop severe lipodystrophy affecting both white and brown adipose tissue, extreme insulin resistance, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. The expression of lipogenic genes and rates of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis were increased approximately 4-fold in Agpat2(-/-) mouse livers. The mRNA and protein levels of monoacylglycerol acyltransferase isoform 1 were markedly increased in the livers of Agpat2(-/-) mice, suggesting that the alternative monoacylglycerol pathway for triglyceride biosynthesis is activated in the absence of AGPAT2. Feeding a fat-free diet reduced liver triglycerides by approximately 50% in Agpat2(-/-) mice. These observations suggest that both dietary fat and hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis via a monoacylglycerol pathway may contribute to hepatic steatosis in Agpat2(-/-) mice.

Increased expression of syndecan-1 protects against cardiac dilatation and dysfunction after myocardial infarction

Background— The cell-associated proteoglycan syndecan-1 (Synd1) closely regulates inflammation and cell-matrix interactions during wound healing and tumorigenesis. The present study investigated whether Synd1 may also regulate cardiac inflammation, matrix remodeling, and function after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results— First, we showed increased protein and mRNA expression of Synd1 from 24 hours on, reaching its maximum at 7 days after MI and declining thereafter. Targeted deletion of Synd1 resulted in increased inflammation and accelerated, yet functionally adverse, infarct healing after MI. In concordance, adenoviral gene expression of Synd1 protected against exaggerated inflammation after MI, mainly by reducing transendothelial adhesion and migration of leukocytes, as shown in vitro. Increased inflammation in the absence of Synd1 resulted in increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression, increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, and decreased activity of tissue transglutaminase, associated with increased collagen fragmentation and disorganization. Exaggerated inflammation and adverse matrix remodeling in the absence of Synd1 increased cardiac dilatation and impaired systolic function, whereas gene overexpression of Synd1 reduced inflammation and protected against cardiac dilatation and failure. Conclusions— Increased expression of Synd1 in the infarct protects against exaggerated inflammation and adverse infarct healing, thereby reducing cardiac dilatation and dysfunction after MI in mice.

Human 1-Acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-Acyltransferase Isoforms 1 and 2 BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND INABILITY TO RESCUE HEPATIC STEATOSIS IN Agpat2−/− GENE LIPODYSTROPHIC MICE

Loss-of-function mutations in 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (AGPAT) 2 in humans and mice result in loss of both the white and brown adipose tissues from birth. AGPAT2 generates precursors for the synthesis of glycerophospholipids and triacylglycerols. Loss of adipose tissue, or lipodystrophy, results in hyperinsulinemia, diabetes mellitus, and severe hepatic steatosis. Here, we analyzed biochemical properties of human AGPAT2 and its close homolog, AGPAT1, and we studied their role in liver by transducing their expression via recombinant adenoviruses in Agpat2−/− mice. The in vitro substrate specificities of AGPAT1 and AGPAT2 are quite similar for lysophosphatidic acid and acyl-CoA. Protein homology modeling of both the AGPATs with glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 (GPAT1) revealed that they have similar tertiary protein structure, which is consistent with their similar substrate specificities. When co-expressed, both isoforms co-localize to the endoplasmic reticulum. Despite such similarities, restoring AGPAT activity in liver by overexpression of either AGPAT1 or AGPAT2 in Agpat2−/− mice failed to ameliorate the hepatic steatosis. From these studies, we suggest that the role of AGPAT1 or AGPAT2 in liver lipogenesis is minimal and that accumulation of liver fat is primarily a consequence of insulin resistance and loss of adipose tissue in Agpat2−/− mice.

NO production and eNOS phosphorylation induced by epinephrine through the activation of β-adrenoceptors

Epinephrine plays a key role in the control of vasomotor tone; however, the participation of the NO/cGMP pathway in response to beta-adrenoceptor activation remains controversial. To evaluate the involvement of the endothelium in the vascular response to epinephrine, we assessed NO production, endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation, and tissue accumulation of cGMP in the perfused arterial mesenteric bed of rat. Epinephrine elicited a concentration-dependent increase in NO (EC(50) of 45.7 pM), which was coupled to cGMP tissue accumulation. Both NO and cGMP production were blocked by either endothelium removal (saponin) or NO synthase inhibition (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine). Blockade of beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors with 1 microM propranolol or beta(3)-adrenoceptor with 10 nM SR 59230A displaced rightward the concentration-NO production curve evoked by epinephrine. Selective stimulation of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, or beta(3)-adrenoceptors also resulted in NO and cGMP production. Propranolol (1 microM) inhibited the rise in NO induced by isoproterenol or the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol. Likewise, 10 nM SR 59230A reduced the effects of the beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists BRL 37344, CGP 12177, SR 595611A, or pindolol. The NO production induced by epinephrine and BRL 37344 was associated with the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway and phosphorylation of eNOS in serine 1177. In addition, in anaesthetized rats, bolus administration of isoproterenol, salbutamol, or BRL 37344 produced NO-dependent reductions in systolic blood pressure. These findings indicate that beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-adrenoceptors are coupled to the NO/cGMP pathway, highlighting the role of the endothelium in the vasomotor action elicited by epinephrine and related beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

Leptin ameliorates insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in Agpat2-/- lipodystrophic mice independent of hepatocyte leptin receptors.

Leptin is essential for energy homeostasis and regulation of food intake. Patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) due to mutations in 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2) and the CGL murine model (Agpat2−/− mice) both have severe insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis, and low plasma leptin levels. In this study, we show that continuous leptin treatment of Agpat2−/− mice for 28 days reduced plasma insulin and glucose levels and normalized hepatic steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia. Leptin also partially, but significantly, reversed the low plasma thyroxine and high corticosterone levels found in Agpat2−/− mice. Levels of carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) were reduced, whereas lipogenic gene expression were increased in the livers of Agpat2−/− mice, suggesting that deregulated ChREBP contributed to the development of fatty livers in these mice and that this transcription factor is a target of leptins beneficial metabolic action. Leptin administration did not change hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes mRNA levels in Agpat2−/− mice. The selective deletion of leptin receptors only in hepatocytes did not prevent the positive metabolic actions of leptin in Agpat2−/− mice, supporting the notion that the majority of metabolic actions of leptin are dependent on its action in nonhepatocyte cells and/or the central nervous system.

Carbohydrate-response-element-binding protein (ChREBP) and not the liver X receptor α (LXRα) mediates elevated hepatic lipogenic gene expression in a mouse model of glycogen storage disease type 1

GSD-1 (glycogen storage disease type 1) is caused by an inherited defect in glucose-6-phosphatase activity, resulting in a massive accumulation of hepatic glycogen content and an induction of de novo lipogenesis. The chlorogenic acid derivative S4048 is a pharmacological inhibitor of the glucose 6-phosphate transporter, which is part of glucose-6-phosphatase, and allows for mechanistic studies concerning metabolic defects in GSD-1. Treatment of mice with S4048 resulted in an ~60% reduction in blood glucose, increased hepatic glycogen and triacylglycerol (triglyceride) content, and a markedly enhanced hepatic lipogenic gene expression. In mammals, hepatic expression of lipogenic genes is regulated by the co-ordinated action of the transcription factors SREBP (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein)-1c, LXRα (liver X receptor α) and ChREBP (carbohydrate-response-element-binding protein). Treatment of Lxra-/- mice and Chrebp-/- mice with S4048 demonstrated that ChREBP, but not LXRα, mediates the induction of hepatic lipogenic gene expression in this murine model of GSD-1. Thus ChREBP is an attractive target to alleviate derangements in lipid metabolism observed in patients with GSD-1.

Expression of SREBP-1c requires SREBP-2-mediated generation of a sterol ligand for LXR in livers of mice

The synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids (FA) in the liver is independently regulated by SREBP-2 and SREBP-1c, respectively. Here, we genetically deleted Srebf-2 from hepatocytes and confirmed that SREBP-2 regulates all genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, the LDL receptor, and PCSK9; a secreted protein that degrades LDL receptors in the liver. Surprisingly, we found that elimination of Srebf-2 in hepatocytes of mice also markedly reduced SREBP-1c and the expression of all genes involved in FA and triglyceride synthesis that are normally regulated by SREBP-1c. The nuclear receptor LXR is necessary for Srebf-1c transcription. The deletion of Srebf-2 and subsequent lower sterol synthesis in hepatocytes eliminated the production of an endogenous sterol ligand required for LXR activity and SREBP-1c expression. These studies demonstrate that cholesterol and FA synthesis in hepatocytes are coupled and that flux through the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the maximal SREBP-1c expression and high rates of FA synthesis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25015.001

Physiological and pathological implications of cholesterol.

Cholesterol has evolved to fulfill sophisticated biophysical, cell signaling and endocrine requirements of animal systems. At a cellular level, cholesterol is found in membranes, where it increases both bilayer stiffness and impermeability to water and ions. Furthermore, cholesterol is integrated into specialized lipid-protein membrane microdomains with critical topographical and signaling functions. At an organismal level, cholesterol is the precursor for all steroid hormones, including gluco- and mineralo-corticoids, sex hormones and vitamin D, all of which regulate carbohydrate, sodium, reproductive and bone homeostasis, respectively. This sterol is also the precursor for bile acids, which are important for intestinal absorption of dietary lipids as well as energy and glucose metabolic regulation. Importantly, complex mechanisms maintain cholesterol within physiological ranges and the disregulation of these mechanisms results in embryonic or adult diseases, caused by either excessive or reduced tissue cholesterol levels. The causative role of cholesterol in these diseases has been demonstrated by diverse genetic and pharmacologic animal models that are commented in this review.

Npc1 deficiency in the C57BL/6J genetic background enhances Niemann-Pick disease type C spleen pathology.

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive neurovisceral lipid storage disorder. The affected genes are NPC1 and NPC2. Mutations in either gene lead to intracellular cholesterol accumulation. There are three forms of the disease, which are categorized based on the onset and severity of the disease: the infantile form, in which the liver and spleen are severely affected, the juvenile form, in which the liver and brain are affected, and the adult form, which affects the brain. In mice, a spontaneous mutation in the Npc1 gene originated in the BALB/c inbred strain mimics the juvenile form of the disease. To study the influence of genetic background on the expression of NPC disease in mice, we transferred the Npc1 mutation from the BALB/c to C57BL/6J inbred background. We found that C57BL/6J-Npc1(-/-) mice present with a much more aggressive form of the disease, including a shorter lifespan than BALB/c-Npc1(-/-) mice. Surprisingly, there was no difference in the amount of cholesterol in the brains of Npc1(-/-) mice of either mouse strain. However, Npc1(-/-) mice with the C57BL/6J genetic background showed striking spleen damage with a marked buildup of cholesterol and phospholipids at an early age, which correlated with large foamy cell clusters. In addition, C57BL/6J Npc1(-/-) mice presented red cell abnormalities and abundant ghost erythrocytes that correlated with a lower hemoglobin concentration. We also found abnormalities in white cells, such as cytoplasmic granulation and neutrophil hypersegmentation that included lymphopenia and atypias. In conclusion, Npc1 deficiency in the C57BL6/J background is associated with spleen, erythrocyte, and immune system abnormalities that lead to a reduced lifespan.

Adenovirus-mediated hepatic syndecan-1 overexpression induces hepatocyte proliferation and hyperlipidaemia in mice.

Background: Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) have been involved in the regulation of cell growth, apoptosis and lipid metabolism in vitro; however, their functional role in vivo remains unknown.