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Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 protects mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity by decreasing adipocyte hypertrophy

International Journal of Obesity volume 44, pages 466–474 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

A Correction to this article was published on 13 September 2019

Abstract

Objectives

Obesity, an emerging global health issue, involves numerous factors; understanding its underlying mechanisms for prevention and therapeutics is urgently needed. Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (Crabp1) knockout (CKO) mice exhibit an obese phenotype under normal diet (ND) feedings, which prompted us to propose that Crabp1 could play a role in modulating adipose tissue development/homeostasis. Studies were designed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of Crabp1′s action in reducing obesity.

Subjects/methods

In animal studies, 6 weeks old male wild type and CKO mice were fed with ND or high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. Body weight and food intake were regularly monitored. Glucose tolerance test and biological parameters of plasma (glucose and insulin levels) were measured after 10 weeks of ND vs. HFD feedings. Visceral adipose tissues were collected for histological and molecular analyses to determine affected signaling pathways. In cell culture studies, the 3T3L1 adipocyte differentiation model was used to examine and validate relevant signaling pathways.

Results

CKO mice, compared to WT mice, gained more body weight, exhibited more elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, and developed more severe impaired glucose tolerance under both ND and HFD. Histological examination revealed readily increased adipocyte hypertrophy and adipose tissue inflammation under HFD feedings. In 3T3L1 adipocytes, Crabp1 silencing enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation, accompanied by elevated markers and signaling pathways of lipid accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy.

Conclusions

This study identifies Crabp1′s physiological role against the development of obesity. The protective function of CRABP1 is likely attributed to its classically proposed (canonical) activity as a trap for RA, which will reduce RA availability, thereby dampening RA-stimulated ERK1/2 activation and adipocyte hypertrophy. The results suggest Crabp1 as a potentially new therapeutic target in managing obesity and metabolic diseases.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Neal Mukherjee for technical support.

Funding

This work was supported by NIH grants DK54733, DK60521, and the Dean’s Commitment and the Distinguished McKnight Professorship of University of Minnesota to LNW.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Yi-Wei Lin, Sung Wook Park, Yu-Lung Lin, Frank H. Burton & Li-Na Wei

  2. Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA

    Frank H. Burton

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Lin, YW., Park, S.W., Lin, YL. et al. Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 protects mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity by decreasing adipocyte hypertrophy. Int J Obes 44, 466–474 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0379-z

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