Adaption of oxidative phosphorylation machinery compensates for hepatic lipotoxicity in early stages of MAFLD [hepatocyte]
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ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial function is an important control variable in the progression of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We hypothesize that organization and function of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) in this pathologic condition is a consequence of shifted substrate availability. Paradoxically, in MAFLD increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) occurs despite hepatic insulin resistance. Therefore, we addressed this question using our animal model alb-SREBP-1c, which exhibits increased DNL by constitutively active SREBP-1c. Using an omics approach, we show that the abundance of ETC complex subunits and metabolic pathways are altered in liver of these animals. Analyses of cellular metabolic status by functional assays revealed that SREBP-1c-forced DNL induces a limitation of substrates for oxidative phosphorylation that is rescued by enhanced complex II activity. Furthermore, energy metabolism associated gene regulation indicates the counteracting to increase expression of mitochondrial genes and features cell communication by miRNA and exosomal RNA transfer. In conclusion, substrate availability fuels mainly complex II electron flows as a consequence of activated DNL with impact on whole body by liver-specific exosomal RNAs in early stages of MAFLD.
Project description:Mitochondrial function is an important control variable in the progression of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We hypothesize that organization and function of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) in this pathologic condition is a consequence of shifted substrate availability. Paradoxically, in MAFLD increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) occurs despite hepatic insulin resistance. Therefore, we addressed this question using our animal model alb-SREBP-1c, which exhibits increased DNL by constitutively active SREBP-1c. Using an omics approach, we show that the abundance of ETC complex subunits and metabolic pathways are altered in liver of these animals. Analyses of cellular metabolic status by functional assays revealed that SREBP-1c-forced DNL induces a limitation of substrates for oxidative phosphorylation that is rescued by enhanced complex II activity. Furthermore, energy metabolism associated gene regulation indicates the counteracting to increase expression of mitochondrial genes and features cell communication by miRNA and exosomal RNA transfer. In conclusion, substrate availability fuels mainly complex II electron flows as a consequence of activated DNL with impact on whole body by liver-specific exosomal RNAs in early stages of MAFLD.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35743314/
Project description:Mitochondrial function is an important control variable in the progression of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We hypothesize that organization and function of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) in this pathologic condition is a consequence of shifted substrate availability. Paradoxically, in MAFLD increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) occurs despite hepatic insulin resistance. Therefore, we addressed this question using our animal model alb-SREBP-1c, which exhibits increased DNL by constitutively active SREBP-1c. Using an omics approach, we show that the abundance of ETC complex subunits and metabolic pathways are altered in liver of these animals. Analyses of cellular metabolic status by functional assays revealed that SREBP-1c-forced DNL induces a limitation of substrates for oxidative phosphorylation that is rescued by enhanced complex II activity. Furthermore, energy metabolism associated gene regulation indicates the counteracting to increase expression of mitochondrial genes and features cell communication by miRNA and exosomal RNA transfer. In conclusion, substrate availability fuels mainly complex II electron flows as a consequence of activated DNL with impact on whole body by liver-specific exosomal RNAs in early stages of MAFLD.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35743314/
Project description:In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by ectopic lipid accumulation, lipotoxicity is a crucial molecular risk factor. Mechanisms to eliminate lipid overflow can prevent the liver from functional complications. This may involve increased secretion of lipids or metabolic adaptation to ß-oxidation in lipid-degrading organelles such as mitochondria and peroxisomes. In addition to dietary factors, increased plasma fatty acid levels may be due to increased triglyceride synthesis, lipolysis, as well as de novo lipid synthesis (DNL) in the liver. In the present study, we investigated the impact of fatty liver caused by elevated DNL, in a transgenic mouse model with liver-specific overexpression of human sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (alb-SREBP-1c), on hepatic gene expression, on plasma lipids and especially on the proteome of peroxisomes by omics analyses, and we interpreted the results with knowledge-based analyses. In summary, the increased hepatic DNL is accompanied by marginal gene expression changes but massive changes in peroxisomal proteome. Furthermore, plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) as well as lysoPC species were altered. Based on these observations, it can be speculated that the plasticity of organelles and their functionality may be directly affected by lipid overflow.
Project description:Understanding mechanisms causing MAFLD (Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease) and its progression to MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) is clinically important and scientifically challenging. Hepatic insulin resistance is a common component in the progression of MAFLD in patients and experimental animals; however, hepatic steatosis caused by the HFD45% (high-fat diet) decreases during chronic hepatic IR generated by inactivation of Irs1/2 (LDKO), AKT1/2, or InsR 1-3—which is inconsistent with the expected relationship between IR and MAFLD in humans4. Here we found that complete hepatic insulin resistance promotes the fructose-enriched GAN diet-induced MAFLD, including acute inflammation and MASH in LDKO mice. Unexpectedly, fructose phosphorylation catalyzed by hepatic Khk (ketohexokinase) was not required as acute MAFLD progressed strongly in LDKOKhkL/L mice fed the GAN diet. FoxO1 activated during hepatic IR induces Fst (Follistatin) expression and secretion from the liver of LDKO mice. Inactivation of hepatic FoxO1 in LTKO mice (LDKO•FoxO1L/L) or Fst in LDKOFstKO mice prevented acute MAFLD during the GAN diet. Consistently, overexpression of hepatic Fst promoted GAN diet-induced MAFLD/MASH and hepatic carcinoma. Mechanistically, circulating Fst promoted adipose tissue IR and lipolysis, which can deliver FFA (free fatty acid) to the liver for esterification with excess Gro3P (glycerol 3-phosphate) generated by fructose metabolism, although hepatic DNL (de novo lipogenesis) decreased strongly in LDKO mice while. Since circulating FST correlates positively with both T2D and MAFLD in humans, our results suggests that hepatic FST induced by progressive hepatic IR might promote MAFLD/MASH during the consumption of sugar-sweetened food and beverages consumed frequently by people and animals with T2D.
Project description:We find that selective inhibition of one arm of mTORC1 signaling, via deletion of FLCN, promotes activation of the transcription factor TFE3 and profoundly protects against NAFLD and NASH in mice. (1) We performed genome-wide RNA-seq on livers from Control, liver-specific Flcn-null mice (LiFKO), and Flcn/Tfe3 double knock-out (DKO) mice fed either normal chow (NC) or a NAFLD-inducing diet (AMLN). We find TFE3-mediated induction of lysosomal and mitochondrial gene programs, and also suppression of de novo lipogenesis genes. (2) To understand whether TFE3 directly affects gene expression, we performed TFE3 ChIP-seq on livers from Control and LiFKO mice on normal chow. We find TFE3 occupancy on the chromatin at lysosomal genes, Ppargc1a (a driver of mitochondrial genes), and at de novo lipogenesis genes. (3) Finally, we wanted to test whether TFE3 antagonistically competes with the pro-lipogenic transcription factor SREBP-1c on chromatin. We therefore injected HA-tagged constitutively nuclear (active) SREBP-1c (nSREBP-1c), or a control virus, into control and LiFKO mice, treated them with a NAFLD-inducing diet (FPC diet), and collected liver tissue. We consequently performed HA-nSREBP-1c and TFE3 ChIP-seq experiments and observed no evidence of antagonistic competition.
Project description:The synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol is regulated by three membrane-bound transcription factors: sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1a, -1c, and -2. Their function in liver has been characterized in transgenic mice that overexpress each SREBP isoform and in mice that lack all three nuclear SREBPs because of gene knockout of SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) required for nuclear localization of SREBPs. Here, we use oligonucleotide arrays hybridized with RNA from livers of three lines of mice (transgenic for SREBP-1a, transgenic for SREBP-2, and knockout for SCAP) to identify genes that are likely to be direct targets of SREBPs in liver. Application of stringent combinatorial criteria to the transgenic/knockout approach allows identification of genes whose activities are likely controlled directly by the SREBPs.
Project description:The synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol is regulated by three membrane-bound transcription factors: sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1a, -1c, and -2. Their function in liver has been characterized in transgenic mice that overexpress each SREBP isoform and in mice that lack all three nuclear SREBPs because of gene knockout of SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) required for nuclear localization of SREBPs. Here, we use oligonucleotide arrays hybridized with RNA from livers of three lines of mice (transgenic for SREBP-1a, transgenic for SREBP-2, and knockout for SCAP) to identify genes that are likely to be direct targets of SREBPs in liver. Application of stringent combinatorial criteria to the transgenic/knockout approach allows identification of genes whose activities are likely controlled directly by the SREBPs.
Project description:The synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol is regulated by three membrane-bound transcription factors: sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1a, -1c, and -2. Their function in liver has been characterized in transgenic mice that overexpress each SREBP isoform and in mice that lack all three nuclear SREBPs because of gene knockout of SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) required for nuclear localization of SREBPs. Here, we use oligonucleotide arrays hybridized with RNA from livers of three lines of mice (transgenic for SREBP-1a, transgenic for SREBP-2, and knockout for SCAP) to identify genes that are likely to be direct targets of SREBPs in liver. Application of stringent combinatorial criteria to the transgenic/knockout approach allows identification of genes whose activities are likely controlled directly by the SREBPs.
Project description:Chronic stress leads post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to metabolic complications, including fatty liver. It is feasible, that stress immediately initiates molecular mechanisms to alter energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis which interfere with hepatic lipid accumulation after stress recovery. We aim to elucidate these molecular mechanisms of long term stress effects on metabolism and focus on physiological adaptation and the role of FGF21, which is protective in hepatic lipid accumulation. Methods FGF21 knockout and control mice were exposed to chronic variable stress (Cvs) and recovered for 3 months to simulate PTSD. We determined in vivo and ex vivo energy metabolism, mitochondrial function by extracellular flux analysis, alterations in DNA modifying enzymes and gene regulation immediately after stress and after the recovery period to determine long term alterations. Results Chronic stress leads to reduced insulin sensitivity and hepatic lipid accumulation with increased fatty acid uptake (FAU), stress-induced lipolysis, and reduction in NAD+/NAD ratio and Sirt activity. Immediately after stress, PPARa and SREBP-1 target genes are differentially regulated and are involved in the development of stress-induced fatty liver. After recovery, insulin sensitivity increases but insulin-induced de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is reduced and FAU is increased. HDAC and MT activity are suppressed, whereas HAT activity increases, linking metabolic adjustments to transcriptional regulators. Thus, key metabolic genes are differentially regulated and secreted proteins indicate the activation of liver disease by Cvs only in FGF21WT. GR binding to the Cd36 promoter is altered. After stress recovery, serum FGF21 is increased and protects against lipid accumulation. FGF21 interacts by attenuating DNL, increasing FAU and HAT activity, and balancing mitochondrial activity. Higher long-term stress-induced activation and binding of GR to the FGF21 promoter may contribute to the prolonged FGF21 release. Conclusions We show that previous stress exposure determines predisposition to fatty liver disease is regulated by FGF21. Immediately after Cvs, altered gene regulation and activity of DNA-modifying enzymes determine the metabolic late effects seen in PTSD. FGF21 functions after chronic stress exposure i) to protect against hepatic lipid accumulation, ii) to maintain mitochondrial capacity, and iii) to mediate in the modulation of DNA-modifying enzymes. These findings highlight the protective role of FGF21 even in stress-induced hepatic lipid accumulation.
Project description:Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has a global prevalence of about 25% and no approved therapy. Using metabolomic and proteomic analyses, we identified high expression of hepatic transketolase (TKT), a metabolic enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, in human and mouse MAFLD. Hyperinsulinemia promoted TKT expression through the insulin receptor-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha axis. Utilizing liver-specific TKT overexpression and knockout mouse models, we demonstrated that TKT was sufficient and required for MAFLD progression. Further metabolic flux analysis revealed that Tkt deletion increased hepatic inosine levels to activate the protein kinase A-cAMP response element binding protein cascade, promote phosphatidylcholine synthesis and improve mitochondrial function. Moreover, insulin induced hepatic TKT to limit inosine-dependent mitochondrial activity. Importantly, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-siRNA conjugates targeting hepatic TKT showed promising therapeutic effects on mouse MAFLD. Our study uncovers how hyperinsulinemia regulates TKT-orchestrated inosine metabolism and mitochondrial function, and provides a novel therapeutic strategy for MAFLD prevention and treatment.