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| Open AccessObesity-related T cell dysfunction impairs immunosurveillance and increases cancer risk
Obesity represents a risk factor for cancer and compromises immune function, however the mechanisms linking the two together are not fully known. Here authors show in a mouse sarcoma model that obesity increases tumour incidence, impairs intra-tumoral T cell immunity but paradoxically increases sensitivity to immune therapy via impairing immunoediting.
- Alexander Piening
- , Emily Ebert
- & Ryan M. Teague
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Article
| Open AccessTM4SF19-mediated control of lysosomal activity in macrophages contributes to obesity-induced inflammation and metabolic dysfunction
Adipose tissue adapts to overnutrition in a complex process, wherein specialized immune cells remove and replace dysfunctional and stressed adipocytes with new fat cells. Here, the authors show that the deletion of TM4SF19 expressed in lipid-associated macrophages, enhances the clearance of dying adipocytes, thereby improving local and systemic insulin sensitivity as well as energy expenditure.
- Cheoljun Choi
- , Yujin L. Jeong
- & Yun-Hee Lee
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Article
| Open AccessSNX8 enables lysosome reformation and reverses lysosomal storage disorder
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are severe genetic diseases currently without routine therapies. Here, the authors identified that SNX8 participates in lysosome reformation and serves as a potential drug target for new therapies to treat LSDs.
- Xinran Li
- , Cong Xiang
- & Xin-Hua Feng
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Article
| Open AccessTrimethylamine N-oxide impairs β-cell function and glucose tolerance
β-Cell dysfunction is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Here, the authors show that trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO (a microbiota metabolite)) induces β-cell dysfunction and type 2 diabetes in mice through NLRP3 inflammasome activation and calcium transients.
- Lijuan Kong
- , Qijin Zhao
- & Pingping Li
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Article
| Open AccessNDUFS4 regulates cristae remodeling in diabetic kidney disease
Mitochondrial Ndufs4, a subunit of complex I, is a regulator of the electron transport chain. Here, the authors show that forced expression of Ndufs4 in podocytes improves the assembly of respiratory supercomplexes, maintains cristae integrity, and mitigates the progression of diabetic kidney disease
- Koki Mise
- , Jianyin Long
- & Farhad R. Danesh
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Article
| Open AccessProtection against overfeeding-induced weight gain is preserved in obesity but does not require FGF21 or MC4R
Overfeeding triggers a mechanistically ill-defined compensatory response that counteracts weight gain. Here, the authors show that the defence against overfeeding is preserved in obesity, and that it is independent from FGF21 and MC4R.
- Camilla Lund
- , Pablo Ranea-Robles
- & Christoffer Clemmensen
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Article
| Open AccessRelaxation of mitochondrial hyperfusion in the diabetic retina via N6-furfuryladenosine confers neuroprotection regardless of glycaemic status
Restoring mitochondrial function has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic retinopathy. Here, the authors show that mitochondrial hyperfusion blunts mitophagy during the disease process, and that rescuing this process pharmacologically confers retinal neuroprotection independent of an improved glycaemic status in type-1 diabetic mice.
- Aidan Anderson
- , Nada Alfahad
- & Jose R. Hombrebueno
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Article
| Open AccessArtesunate treats obesity in male mice and non-human primates through GDF15/GFRAL signalling axis
Obesity is a global health challenge with an ongoing need for new medical treatments. Here, the authors show that artesunate, an FDA-approved treatment for severe malaria, can be repurposed for the treatment of obesity via GDF15/GFRAL signaling axis without overt side effects in mice and non-human primates.
- Xuanming Guo
- , Pallavi Asthana
- & Hoi Leong Xavier Wong
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Article
| Open AccessAmyloid beta 42 alters cardiac metabolism and impairs cardiac function in male mice with obesity
Epidemiological evidence has identified associations among obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease. Here, the authors report that adipose tissue releases amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) and that antagonizing Aβ42 protects cardiac function in obesity murine models.
- Liam G. Hall
- , Juliane K. Czeczor
- & Sean L. McGee
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Article
| Open AccessDiabetic sensory neuropathy and insulin resistance are induced by loss of UCHL1 in Drosophila
The mechanisms underlying diabetic neuropathy remain elusive. Here, the authors identify that UCHL1 deubiquitinase positively regulates insulin signaling and its loss leads to axonal degeneration of sensory neurons.
- Daewon Lee
- , Eunju Yoon
- & Jongkyeong Chung
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Article
| Open AccessSurplus fatty acid synthesis increases oxidative stress in adipocytes and induces lipodystrophy
The physiological significance of low fatty acid synthesis in adipocytes remains unclear. Here, the authors show a protective role of this phenomenon by demonstrating that overproduction of fatty acids increases ROS production and results in adipocyte necroptosis and lipodystrophy.
- Li Weng
- , Wen-Shuai Tang
- & Tong-Jin Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessMtfp1 ablation enhances mitochondrial respiration and protects against hepatic steatosis
Excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes causes fatty liver disease and liver failure. Here the authors show that ablation of Mitochondrial Fission Process 1 in hepatocytes in mice protects fatty liver disease and dysfunction caused by high fat diet.
- Cecilia Patitucci
- , Juan Diego Hernández-Camacho
- & Timothy Wai
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Article
| Open AccessFunctional and analytical recapitulation of osteoclast biology on demineralized bone paper
Here, authors report demineralized bone paper-based in vitro osteogenic culture and assay platforms that replicate essential bone tissue complexity, osteoclast processes, and drug responses with high fidelity and predictive power.
- Yongkuk Park
- , Tadatoshi Sato
- & Jungwoo Lee
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Article
| Open AccessModulation of insulin secretion by RBFOX2-mediated alternative splicing
Insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cell is a tightly regulated process that is vital for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Here, the authors show that the RNA binding protein RBFOX2 is a regulator of insulin secretion through the alternative splicing of genes required for insulin granule docking and exocytosis.
- Nicole D. Moss
- , Kristen L. Wells
- & Lori Sussel
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Article
| Open AccessHepatocyte FBXW7-dependent activity of nutrient-sensing nuclear receptors controls systemic energy homeostasis and NASH progression in male mice
NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a severe fatty liver disease with no cure, can manifest through loss-of-function of the E3 ligase FBXW7. Here, the authors show an underpinning of dysregulated ERRα and PPARα nuclear receptor activity, thus highlighting potential new avenues for antiNASH therapy.
- Hui Xia
- , Catherine R. Dufour
- & Vincent Giguère
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Article
| Open AccessDeficiency of endothelial sirtuin1 in mice stimulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity by modifying the secretome
Endothelial Sirtuin1 downregulation in metabolic disorders causes vascular dysfunction and inflammation. Here, the authors show that deficiency of endothelial Sirtuin1, while having deleterious effects on the vasculature, stimulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and improves glucose disposal.
- Qiuxia Li
- , Quanjiang Zhang
- & Kaikobad Irani
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Article
| Open AccessMKP1 promotes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by suppressing AMPK activity through LKB1 nuclear retention
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a devastating type of liver disease that is caused by hepatocellular death which triggers liver inflammation and fibrosis. Here, the authors show that MAP kinase phosphatase-1 promotes hepatocellular death thus, driving the development of NASH.
- Bin Qiu
- , Ahmed Lawan
- & Anton M. Bennett
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Article
| Open AccessThe interplay between dietary fatty acids and gut microbiota influences host metabolism and hepatic steatosis
Here, Schoeler et al. investigate how interaction between dietary lipids and the gut microbiota affect hepatic steatosis and host metabolism, showing that dietary lipids impact the gut microbiota composition independent on fiber intake in humans and mice.
- Marc Schoeler
- , Sandrine Ellero-Simatos
- & Robert Caesar
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Article
| Open AccessHepatic SREBP signaling requires SPRING to govern systemic lipid metabolism in mice and humans
Hendrix et al show that absence of hepatic Spring dramatically lowers levels of lipids in the liver and plasma in mice, and protects from development of diet-induced steatosis. In line, genetic variation in SPRING is associated with lipid levels in humans.
- Sebastian Hendrix
- , Jenina Kingma
- & Noam Zelcer
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Article
| Open AccessImpaired Plakophilin-2 in obesity breaks cell cycle dynamics to breed adipocyte senescence
Plakophilin-2 is a key component of desmosomes required to maintain cardiac tissue cohesion. Here the authors uncover a previously unknown defect in cell cycle and adipocyte senescence due to impaired Plakophilin-2 in subjects with obesity.
- Aina Lluch
- , Jessica Latorre
- & Francisco J. Ortega
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Article
| Open AccessEndothelial ERα promotes glucose tolerance by enhancing endothelial insulin transport to skeletal muscle
Estrogen has anti-diabetic effects via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Here, authors show that via coupled nuclear and non-nuclear actions, ERα in endothelial cells promotes insulin transport to skeletal muscle to foster normal glucose homeostasis.
- Anastasia Sacharidou
- , Ken Chambliss
- & Philip W. Shaul
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Article
| Open AccessREPTOR and CREBRF encode key regulators of muscle energy metabolism
Obesity and cancer-induced cachexia are linked to an impairment in the ability of muscle to use glucose or lipids interchangeably as energy substrates. Here, the authors propose that Drosophila REPTOR and its mammalian ortholog CREBRF act as key transcriptional regulators of fuel choice in muscle.
- Pedro Saavedra
- , Phillip A. Dumesic
- & Norbert Perrimon
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Article
| Open AccessThe muscle-enriched myokine Musclin impairs beige fat thermogenesis and systemic energy homeostasis via Tfr1/PKA signaling in male mice
Interorgan communications play key roles in the regulation of whole-body energy metabolism. Here, the authors report the myokine Musclin as a negative regulator of beige adipose thermogenesis and systemic energy homeostasis through Tfr1/PKA signalling mediated muscle fat crosstalk.
- Lu Jin
- , Shuang Han
- & Zhuo-Xian Meng
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Article
| Open AccessRestoration of PITPNA in Type 2 diabetic human islets reverses pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by pancreatic beta-cell failure. Here, the authors show restoration of Phosphatidylinositol transfer protein alpha (PITPNA), a mediator of PtdIns-4-phosphate synthesis in the trans-Golgi network, in human T2D islets reverses impaired insulin granule maturation, exocytosis, and ER stress.
- Yu-Te Yeh
- , Chandan Sona
- & Matthew N. Poy
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Article
| Open AccessChronic UCN2 treatment desensitizes CRHR2 and improves insulin sensitivity
UCN2 acts as a ligand for the GPCR CRHR2 and there have been conflicting reports on whether UCN2 treatment improves or worsens glucose tolerance. Here, the authors show that acute UCN2 recruits Gs and decreases glucose uptake, while chronic treatment desensitizes CRHR2 and improves glucose uptake.
- Stephen E. Flaherty III
- , Olivier Bezy
- & Zhidan Wu
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Article
| Open AccessModeling and therapeutic targeting of inflammation-induced hepatic insulin resistance using human iPSC-derived hepatocytes and macrophages
Hepatic insulin resistance is an established driver of type 2 diabetes but is difficult to model in vitro. Here researchers use co-culture of hepatocytes and macrophages derived from the same human iPSC line to show how inflammation disrupts insulin-mediated regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism and identify targets for therapy of hepatic insulin resistance.
- Marko Groeger
- , Koji Matsuo
- & Holger Willenbring
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Article
| Open AccessEmbryonic vitamin D deficiency programs hematopoietic stem cells to induce type 2 diabetes
Environmental conditions during pregnancy contribute to offspring metabolic disease. Here, the authors show that immune cells reprogrammed in utero by maternal vitamin D deficiency increase lifetime diabetes risk in the offspring and are sufficient to transplant diabetes.
- Jisu Oh
- , Amy E. Riek
- & Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi
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Article
| Open AccessTranscriptional coactivation by EHMT2 restricts glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in a study with male mice
Glucocorticoids are known to induce insulin resistance via transcriptional activation of genes related to liver gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. Here the authors report that in male mice treated with glucocorticoids, the transcriptional co-regulator EHMT2 is involved in the induction of Irs2 (a gene promoting insulin action) to restrict the extent of insulin resistance in the liver.
- Rebecca A. Lee
- , Maggie Chang
- & Jen-Chywan Wang
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Article
| Open AccessGenetically prolonged beige fat in male mice confers long-lasting metabolic health
Beige adipocytes quickly transition into white adipocytes upon the removal of stimuli, limiting their therapeutic potential for chronic metabolic diseases. In this study, the authors show that inhibiting Cdkn2a-Becn1 mediated autophagy can maintain beige adipocytes and provide long term metabolic health benefits in mice.
- Ruifan Wu
- , Jooman Park
- & Yuwei Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessGlucocorticoid activation of anti-inflammatory macrophages protects against insulin resistance
Obesity and a high-fat diet can lead to insulin resistance in a process involving macrophage-mediated inflammation of adipose tissue. Here the authors show that glucocorticoid receptor-deficient macrophages have an elevated inflammatory response which aggravates insulin resistance implicating that glucocorticoids promote insulin-sensitizing actions via adipose tissue macrophages during obesity.
- Giorgio Caratti
- , Ulrich Stifel
- & Jan P. Tuckermann
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Article
| Open AccessNAD+ repletion with niacin counteracts cancer cachexia
The loss of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is reported to be associated with muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in murine cancer models. Here the authors show that niacin supplementation improves mitochondrial metabolism and reduces muscle wasting in mouse models of cachexia.
- Marc Beltrà
- , Noora Pöllänen
- & Fabio Penna
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Article
| Open AccessTime-of-day defines NAD+ efficacy to treat diet-induced metabolic disease by synchronizing the hepatic clock in mice
The timing of NAD + supply determines its efficacy to treat metabolic disease. Here, the authors show that increasing NAD + at the early active phase maximizes weight loss and glucose regulation in mice. NAD + can displace the phase of the liver clock which can cause circadian misalignment.
- Quetzalcoatl Escalante-Covarrubias
- , Lucía Mendoza-Viveros
- & Lorena Aguilar-Arnal
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Article
| Open AccessAdipocyte YTH N(6)-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein 1 protects against obesity by promoting white adipose tissue beiging in male mice
Activation of white adipose tissue (WAT) thermogenesis alleviates obesity-associated metabolic disorders in rodents. Here the authors report that the m6 A RNA modification reader YTHDF1 promotes WAT thermogenesis in a study with male mice, and may be a potential target for the treatment of obesity.
- Sujun Yan
- , Xiaoling Zhou
- & Xiangwei Gao
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Article
| Open AccessSAPS3 subunit of protein phosphatase 6 is an AMPK inhibitor and controls metabolic homeostasis upon dietary challenge in male mice
Inhibition of AMPK leads to metabolic perturbations yet how AMPK is inactivated is not fully understood. Here the authors show protein phosphatase 6 subunit SAPS3 is a negative regulator of AMPK and loss of SAPS3 activates AMPK and protects male mice against overnutrition.
- Ying Yang
- , Michael A. Reid
- & Mei Kong
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Article
| Open AccessIntra-pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone signaling regulates hepatic lipid metabolism in mice
Gonadotropes in the pituitary secrete follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone to control gonadal function and fertility, but whether they exert actions on extra-gonadal organs is not fully understood. Here the authors report that gonadotropes regulate liver steatosis independent of the ovaries in mice.
- Sen Qiao
- , Samer Alasmi
- & Ulrich Boehm
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Article
| Open AccessAdipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles increase insulin secretion through transport of insulinotropic protein cargo
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) convey inter-organ communication in health and disease. Here, the authors report that adipocyte-derived EVs isolated from insulin-resistant obese but not lean male mice stimulate insulin secretion via the targeted transfer of insulinotropic proteins from adipose tissue to β-cells.
- Konxhe Kulaj
- , Alexandra Harger
- & Kerstin Stemmer
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Article
| Open AccessGenetic and pharmacologic inhibition of ALDH1A3 as a treatment of β-cell failure
β-cell dedifferentiation is a key feature of type 2 diabetes. Here, the authors show evidence of re-differentiation of de-differentiated β-cells and identify ALDH1A3 as a key player in this process, proposing inhibition of ALDH1A3 as a treatment method for β-cell dysfunction in diabetes.
- Jinsook Son
- , Wen Du
- & Domenico Accili
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Article
| Open AccessEpigenetic regulation of Neuregulin 1 promotes breast cancer progression associated to hyperglycemia
Despite hyperglycemia has been associated to breast cancer, the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, the authors show that epigenetic regulation of Nrg1 gene during hyperglycemia promotes breast cancer development.
- Changhu Lee
- , Min Kim
- & Jiyoung Park
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Article
| Open AccessRevealing the tissue-level complexity of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression and signaling
Visualizing endogenous GPCRs is challenging. Here the authors generate mice with an enzyme self-label genome-edited into the endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor locus, design fluorescent dyes for specific labelling in complex tissue, and reveal tissue-level organisation and dynamics of an endogenous class B GPCR.
- Julia Ast
- , Daniela Nasteska
- & David J. Hodson
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Article
| Open AccessA randomized trial of oral gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) or the combination of GABA with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) on pancreatic islet endocrine function in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes
Based on preclinical studies, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and immunization for the enzyme that produces GABA glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) could be a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes. Here the authors report that in a placebo-controlled, double blind trial in children with new onset type 1 diabetes oral GABA plus GAD did not preserve beta-cell function measured as fasting/meal-stimulated c-peptide levels.
- Alexandra Martin
- , Gail J. Mick
- & Kenneth L. McCormick
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Article
| Open AccessG protein-coupled receptor 151 regulates glucose metabolism and hepatic gluconeogenesis
Rare variants in the G-protein coupled receptor 151 (GPR151) gene in humans are associated with lower odds ratio for type 2 diabetes, but the mechanism behind this association has remained elusive. Here, the authors show that GPR151 regulates the process of hepatic gluconeogenesis and affects whole-body glucose metabolism.
- Ewa Bielczyk-Maczynska
- , Meng Zhao
- & Joshua W. Knowles
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Article
| Open AccessSecreted EMC10 is upregulated in human obesity and its neutralizing antibody prevents diet-induced obesity in mice
Secreted isoform of endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex subunit 10 (scEMC10) is a secreted protein of incompletely understood physiological function. Here the authors show that scEMC10 is upregulated in people with obesity, and that that genetic EMC10 deletion or antibody-based neutralization of EMC10 prevents diet-induced obesity in mice.
- Xuanchun Wang
- , Yanliang Li
- & Chong Wee Liew
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Article
| Open AccessReduced secretion of neuronal growth regulator 1 contributes to impaired adipose-neuronal crosstalk in obesity
Adipose tissue is an important secretory organ, but less is known about the secretory activity of perivascular fat. Here the authors use proteomics analysis on secretomes from perivascular fat to identify neuronal growth regulator 1 as an adipocyte-derived neurotrophic factor, whose decreased secretion in obesity results in a loss of sympathetic innervation of adipose depots in mice.
- Elisa Duregotti
- , Christina M. Reumiller
- & Manuel Mayr
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Article
| Open AccessPhosphorylation of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 at serine 33 attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
A truncating variant of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-13 (17β-HSD13), a lipid droplet -associated protein, associates with lower risk of chronic liver disease. Here the authors identify a phosphorylation site in 17β-HSD13 which promotes lipolysis, and report that a knock-in mouse with a 17β-HSD13 mutant defective for phosphorylation is more susceptible to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Wen Su
- , Sijin Wu
- & Youfei Guan
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Article
| Open AccessAnalytical and computational workflow for in-depth analysis of oxidized complex lipids in blood plasma
Oxidized lipids are prominent bioactive agents, and yet their molecular repertoire remains largely unknown. Here, the authors apply bioinformatics and LC-MS/MS to uncover the diversity and specificity of modified lipids in human blood plasma of lean and obese individuals.
- Angela Criscuolo
- , Palina Nepachalovich
- & Maria Fedorova
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Article
| Open AccessPlasma membrane flipping of Syntaxin-2 regulates its inhibitory action on insulin granule exocytosis
Kang and colleagues find that plasma membrane flipping of Syntaxin-2 from inside (inhibitory) to outside (relief of inhibition) of pancreatic β-cells helps fine-tune insulin secretion. Increasing this flipping efficiency can alleviate the impaired insulin secretion in diabetes.
- Fei Kang
- , Li Xie
- & Herbert Y. Gaisano
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Article
| Open AccessThe Hippo pathway links adipocyte plasticity to adipose tissue fibrosis
Adipose tissue fibrosis is connected to obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. Qiu and colleagues discover that the Hippo pathway acts as a molecular switch in the initiation and development of adipose tissue fibrosis upon TGFβ stimulation.
- Hongyu Shen
- , Xun Huang
- & Yifu Qiu
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Article
| Open AccessChronic intake of high dietary sucrose induces sexually dimorphic metabolic adaptations in mouse liver and adipose tissue
Dietary sugar intake may contribute to the development non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Here the authors investigated the effects of chronic dietary sucrose on the liver-adipose-microbiome axis in mice, and report that sex is a moderating factor that influences sucrose-driven lipid storage in the liver and adipose tissue lipolysis.
- Erin J. Stephenson
- , Amanda S. Stayton
- & Joan C. Han
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Article
| Open AccessDeletion of skeletal muscle Akt1/2 causes osteosarcopenia and reduces lifespan in mice
Sasako et al. show that disruption of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling by suppressing Akt activity in mouse skeletal muscle can accelerate osteosarcopenia and shortens lifespan, which is reversed by inactivation of FoxOs rather than activation of mTOR, suggesting FoxOs as therapeutic targets.
- Takayoshi Sasako
- , Toshihiro Umehara
- & Kohjiro Ueki