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Isabelle Castan-Laurell

Publications and source records attributed to Isabelle Castan-Laurell.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

TNFalpha up-regulates apelin expression in human and mouse adipose tissue.

We have recently identified apelin as a novel adipokine up-regulated by insulin and obesity. Since obesity and insulin resistance are associated with chronically elevated levels of both insulin and TNFalpha, the present study was performed to investigate a putative regulation of apelin expression in adipocytes by TNFalpha. Herein, we report a tight correlation between apelin and TNFalpha expression in adipose tissue of lean and obese humans. Apelin regulation by TNFalpha was further studied in cultured explants of human adipose tissue. The endogenous expression of TNFalpha in adipocytes isolated from the explants was accompanied by a 6-9 h subsequent increase of apelin expression in adipocytes. This increase was reversed by inhibiting TNFalpha expression with 100 microM isobutylmethylxanthine. In different mouse models of obesity, expression of both TNFalpha and apelin was also significantly increased in adipocytes of obese mice. Furthermore, short-term exposure to an i.p. injection of TNFalpha in C57Bl6/J mice induced an increase of apelin expression in adipose tissue as well as apelin plasma levels. Finally, a direct positive effect of TNFalpha has been shown in differentiated 3T3F442A adipocytes on apelin expression and secretion. The signaling pathways of TNFalpha for the induction of apelin were dependent of PI3-kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and MAPK but not PKC activation. All together, these findings suggest that apelin might be a candidate to better understand potential links between obesity and associated disorders such as inflammation and insulin resistance.

3T3 Cells↗

Regulation of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine during adipose conversion and adipose tissue hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) expression and its role in adipose tissue. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We studied the regulation of SPARC expression in transgenic mice expressing the human beta3 and alpha2 adrenergic receptors on a murine beta3 adrenergic receptor null background that became obese under a high-fat diet mainly as a result of adipose tissue hyperplasia. Furthermore, we analyzed its expression in human adipose tissue and its regulation during adipocyte differentiation. RESULTS: SPARC protein in adipose tissue was increased in obese transgenic mice compared with control mice, indicating that SPARC expression was associated with adipose tissue hyperplasia. Both SPARC mRNA and protein were detected in human adipose tissue. Comparing adipocytes and vascular stroma, we found that SPARC expression was mainly associated with the adipocyte fraction. Consistent with this, SPARC transcript increased during differentiation of human primary preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed an increase in SPARC expression in differentiated cells but with biphasic expression during the process. After induction in committed cells, SPARC mRNA and protein levels declined as differentiation began and returned to elevated levels in fully differentiated adipocytes. DISCUSSION: SPARC expression correlated with adipose tissue hyperplasia and adipogenesis. Therefore, SPARC seems to play a role in adipose tissue physiology as it is involved in growth and differentiation.

Adipocytes↗

Apelin, a newly identified adipokine up-regulated by insulin and obesity.

The results presented herein demonstrate that apelin is expressed and secreted by both human and mouse adipocytes. Apelin mRNA levels in isolated adipocytes are close to other cell types present in white adipose tissue or other organs known to express apelin such as kidney, heart, and to a lesser extent brown adipose tissue. Apelin expression is increased during adipocyte differentiation stage. A comparison of four different models of obesity in mice showed a large increase in both apelin expression in fat cells and apelin plasma levels in all the hyperinsulinemia-associated obesities and clearly demonstrated that obesity or high-fat feeding are not the main determinants of the rise of apelin expression. The lack of insulin in streptozotocin-treated mice is associated with a decreased expression of apelin in adipocytes. Furthermore, apelin expression in fat cells is strongly inhibited by fasting and recovered after refeeding, in a similar way to insulin. A direct regulation of apelin expression by insulin is observed in both human and mouse adipocytes and clearly associated with the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and MAPK. These data provide evidence that insulin exerts a direct control on apelin gene expression in adipocytes. In obese patients, both plasma apelin and insulin levels were significantly higher, suggesting that the regulation of apelin by insulin could influence blood concentrations of apelin. The present work identifies apelin as a novel adipocyte endocrine secretion and focuses on its potential link with obesity-associated variations of insulin sensitivity status.

Adipocytes↗

Understanding adipose tissue development from transgenic animal models.

The World Health Organization has recognized obesity as a health problem of pandemic proportions. Recent work led to major breakthroughs in the understanding of the molecular basis of adipose tissue development with the cloning and characterization of numerous genes involved in fat cell differentiation and metabolism. Transgenesis has proved very useful in establishing the physiological roles of these genes. Here we review transgenic models made to study adipose tissue's metabolic and trophic responses. Genetic modifications unexpectedly associated to alterations of adipose tissue development are also examined because of their potential involvement in obesity and energy balance regulation. After a description of the methodologies commonly used, we review the data obtained on transcription factors, metabolism, signal transduction, secreted products, and models of lipodystrophy. An overview of such integrative studies leads to a better understanding of the physiology of adipose tissue development. Alterations in expression levels of proteins involved at different steps of a regulatory pathway highlight the complementary roles of genes in the regulation of adipose tissue development. However, lack of phenotypes also illustrates the capacity of animals to set up adaptive mechanisms.

Adipose Tissue↗