Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) adeno-associated viral vectors of serotype 8 (AAV8) gene therapy targeting the liver prevents the development of obesity in initially lean mice by browning the large subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and enhancing energy expenditure. Here, we examine whether this approach could also reduce established obesity.Methods
Dietary-induced obese C57BL6/N mice received AAV8 BMP4 gene therapy at 17-18 weeks of age. They were kept on a high-fat diet and phenotypically characterized for an additional 10-12 weeks. Following termination, the mice underwent additional characterization in vitro.Results
Surprisingly, we observed no effect on body weight, browning of WAT, or energy expenditure in these obese mice, but whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were robustly improved. Insulin signaling and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were increased in both adipose cells and skeletal muscle. BMP4 also decreased hepatic glucose production and reduced gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver, but not in the kidney, in addition to enhancing insulin action in the liver.Conclusions
Our findings show that BMP4 prevents, but does not reverse, established obesity in adult mice, while it improves insulin sensitivity independent of weight reduction. The BMP antagonist Noggin was increased in WAT in obesity, which may account for the lack of browning.
SUBMITTER: Hoffmann JM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6933264 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Hoffmann Jenny M JM Grünberg John R JR Hammarstedt Ann A Kroon Tobias T Greiner Thomas U TU Maurer Stefanie S Elias Ivet I Palsdottir Vilborg V Bosch Fatima F Boucher Jeremie J Hedjazifar Shahram S Smith Ulf U
Molecular metabolism 20191217
<h4>Objective</h4>Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) adeno-associated viral vectors of serotype 8 (AAV8) gene therapy targeting the liver prevents the development of obesity in initially lean mice by browning the large subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and enhancing energy expenditure. Here, we examine whether this approach could also reduce established obesity.<h4>Methods</h4>Dietary-induced obese C57BL6/N mice received AAV8 BMP4 gene therapy at 17-18 weeks of age. They were kept on a hi ...[more]