Cancer-associated cachexia is a condition defined by a sustained net-negative energy imbalance. Although the different types of adipose tissue – white, beige, and brown – have been implicated in contributing to cancer-associated cachexia, the mechanisms of these maladaptive changes and their impact on whole-body energy expenditure have not been fully elucidated. Using breast cancer as our model, we demonstrate white adipose tissue browning in murine and human breast cancer; furthermore, we demonstrate that this effect is extremely localized and takes place early in tumor progression. We utilized in vitro cell culture techniques and demonstrate that cancer secreted factors and cross-talk with white adipocytes decrease expression of classic white adipose tissue-related genes. We also demonstrate in murine and human culture models that cancer secreted factors reduce white adipocyte lipid droplet size, and cross-talk between cancer cells and adipocytes results in an increase in lipolysis-related gene expression. Interestingly, our results strongly suggest that in mice, neither cancer secreted factors nor cross talk with adipocytes can induce white adipose tissue browning, indicate that this process likely occurs independently of direct cancer interactions with local white adipocytes. We demonstrate that interleukin 6, a cytokine with previous implications in white adipose tissue browning, induces interleukin 6-mediated signaling; however, that signaling alone is not enough to directly induce white adipose tissue browning. We present preliminary data suggesting that immune cell population shifts within the white adipose tissue of mice with breast cancer tumors may be source of white adipose tissue browning. We show that the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has an identifiable population of patients with cancer with what we hypothesize as maladaptive thermogenic adipose tissue activity, and discuss ongoing experiments aimed at understanding the implications of these changes on whole body energy expenditure in human patients. Lastly, in a case of autoimmune diabetes mellitus in the setting of an extra-adrenal paraganglioma, we demonstrate that the interaction between cancer and whole-body metabolism is multifaceted. Together, these experiments demonstrate that adipose tissue plasticity occurs in breast cancer (and other cancers), and that different drivers for individual changes exist within the tumor microenvironment. We predict that further exploration of the exact mechanisms and translational implications will provide useful information to lead to new therapeutic treatments for patients with cancer-associated cachexia.

Previous investigators demonstrated that epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) lipectomy suppressed spermatogenesis and caused atrophy of the seminiferous tubules. EWAT lipectomy, however, may disrupt testicular innervation, which reportedly compromises testicular function. To resolve this confound and better clarify the role of EWAT in spermatogenesis, three experimental groups of hamsters were created in which: i.) the superior and inferior spermatic nerves were transected (SSNx) at the testicular level, ii.) EWAT was extirpated (EWATx), and iii.) testicular nerves and EWAT were left intact (SHAM controls). It was hypothesized that transection of the superior and inferior spermatic nerves would disrupt normal spermatogenesis. The findings indicate a significant reduction in spermatogenic activity and marked seminal tubule atrophy within the EWATx testis, as compared to the SSNx and controls testes, which did not differ significantly from each other. From these data, it is concluded that EWAT, and not testicular innervation, is central to normal spermatogenesis.

Largely as a consequence of the ongoing obesity epidemic, research into adipose tissue biology has increased substantially in recent years. Worldwide, the number of people classed as overweight or obese is growing, and this represents a major public health concern. Adipose tissue is broadly divided into two types; white and brown. Whilst white adipose tissue (WAT) functions to store and mobilise triglycerides, brown adipose tissue burns chemical energy to generate heat. WAT is further divided into visceral “bad” fat and subcutaneous “good” fat depots, and it is an increase in the former that is linked to obesity-associated diseases. As well as adipocytes, several other cell types including haematopoietic and endothelial are found within adipose tissue, and comprise the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Adipocyte precursor cells (APCs) also reside within the SVF and are essential for the maintenance and expansion of adipose tissue. The protein encoded by the Wilms’ tumour 1 (Wt1) gene is predominantly known to function as a transcription factor, but also has a role in post-transcriptional processing. Deletion of Wt1 in adult mice results in a considerable loss of fat tissue. Moreover, recent work has revealed that a proportion of the APCs from all visceral WAT depots express Wt1, therefore revealing heterogeneity within the APC population. Additionally, visceral WAT depots are encapsulated by a WT1 expressing mesothelial layer, which has its origins in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM), and can give rise to mature adipocytes. Lineage tracing has demonstrated that a significant proportion of the mature adipocytes in all adult visceral WAT depots (but not subcutaneous) are derived from cells that express Wt1 in late gestation. These findings uncovered key ontogenetic differences between visceral and subcutaneous WAT and led us to ask whether Wt1 functions in visceral adipose tissue biology. Preliminary work has shown that adipocytes derived from Wt1 expressing (Wt1+) precursor cells have fewer, larger lipid droplets than those derived from non-Wt1 expressing (Wt1-) precursors. In this thesis, this heterogeneity is explored further using a Wt1GFP/+ knock-in mouse. When Wt1+ and Wt1- APCs are cultured separately, the Wt1+ population differentiate into adipocytes more readily. Moreover, the Wt1+ APCs are more proliferative than the Wt1-. Preliminary results also suggest that the Wt1+ APCs may secrete a factor(s) that causes the Wt1- APCs to exhibit improved adipogenic differentiation, a result that is supported by data from comparative transcriptomic analysis. Finally, the percentage of APCs decreases when mice are fed a high fat diet. Interestingly, this decrease is more pronounced for the Wt1+ population. Therefore, it appears that as well as exhibiting differing behaviours in vitro, the Wt1+ and Wt1- populations respond differently to physiologically relevant conditions in vivo. Whilst the LPM is a major source of visceral WAT, the origin of subcutaneous WAT is currently unknown. Here, the Prx1-Cre and Prx1-CreERT2 mouse lines are used to investigate this. It is shown that the majority of subcutaneous WAT adipocytes and APCs are labelled by Prx1-Cre, however this is not the case for most of the visceral WAT depots. The exception to this is the pericardial (heart fat) depot, in which approximately 70% of the adipocytes and 40% of the APCs are labelled. Moreover, a proportion of the Prx1-Cre labelled pericardial APCs also express Wt1, therefore suggesting additional heterogeneity. Preliminary results show that this heterogeneity may have functional consequences, at least in vitro. Additionally, lineage tracing studies suggest that the somatic LPM may be one source of subcutaneous WAT and pericardial visceral WAT Finally, it is shown that the conditional deletion of Wt1 in the Prx1-Cre lineage results in abnormal diaphragm development. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is severe birth defect, the etiology of which is not well understood. Here, a new model of CDH has been developed, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the defect in this model are investigated.

A diabetes mellitus (DM) é considerada uma das principais epidemias mundiais deste século, sendo responsável direta ou indiretamente pelo óbito de 123 mil diabéticos no Brasil em 2010. Na diabetes mellitus do tipo 1 (DM1), que corresponde a 5-10% dos casos, há ausência ou um relativo déficit de insulina circulante, acarretando aumento na glicemia e em produtos glicosilados, que por sua vez, podem estar relacionados à perda de visão e doenças cardiovasculares. Além disso, a marcante perda de tecido adiposo verificada na DM1 também pode acarretar hipercolesterolemia e esteatose hepática, além de possivelmente contribuir para a inflamação crônica característica da doença. Neste contexto, o objetivo principal do presente estudo foi examinar o efeito do treinamento de força e suplementação da dieta com leucina no tecido adiposo de ratos portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Para a realização do estudo, ratos Wistar machos foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em quatros grupos: i) Grupo DA (controle) (n=8) - sem treinamento (sedentário) e suplementado com uma mistura de aminoácidos não-essenciais (água ad libitum); ii) Grupo DL (n=8) - sem treinamento (sedentário) e suplementado com leucina (água ad libitum); iii) Grupo DTA (n=8) - com treinamento de força e suplementado com uma mistura de aminoácidos não-essenciais (água ad libitum); iv) Grupo DTL (n = 8) - com treinamento de força e suplementado com leucina (água ad libitum). Após 12 semanas de intervenção, os animais foram eutanasiados. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: lactato, tolerância à glicose, sensibilidade à insulina, consumo semanal de ração e água, evolução semanal do peso total dos animais, peso total do tecido adiposo e dos diferentes coxins; no soro: triacilglicerol (TAG), lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL), colesterol total, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, leptina, adiponectina e insulina; no tecido adiposo retroperitoneal: expressão gênica de mTOR, Akt, 4E-BP, eif4E, p70s6k, PPARy, LPL, leptina, adiponectina e CEBP-α; concentração total de TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, e IL-1β. A tolerância à glicose, o consumo de ração e água, a concentração total do TAB e do TARP, assim como a expressão gênica de mTOR, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPARγ e CEBP-α encontraram-se melhorados nos grupos DL, DTA e DTL em comparação ao grupo DA; e as concentrações de HDL, colesterol total, IL-10 e adiponectina no soro, bem como a expressão gênica de adiponectina e a concentração total de IL-10 no TARP apresentaram-se aumentadas somente nos grupos DTA e DTL quando comparados ao grupo DA. Como conclusão, ambas intervenções foram capazes de atenuar as alterações fisiológicas verificadas na DM1, dentre eles as perdas excessivas do TAB. No entanto, por servir de estímulo para uma maior síntese de citocinas e hormônios antiinflamatórios por parte TAB, o treinamento de força foi o principal responsável pela redução da inflamação sistêmica dos animais. / Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered one of the most important world epidemics of this century, being responsible directly or indirectly for the death of 123000 diabetics in Brazil in 2010. In type 1 diabetes (DM1), which corresponds to 5-10% of cases, there is absence or relative deficit of circulating insulin, leading to an increased glycemia and glycosilated products, which might be related to loss of vision and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the marked loss of white adipose tissue (WAT) associated with DM1 might induce liver steatosis and hypercholesterolemia, besides possibly contributing to an increased chronic systemic inflammation. In this context, the main objective of the present study was examine the effect of resistance training and supplementation with leucine in the adipose tissue of type 1 diabetic rats. To conduct this study, Wistar male rats were randomly distributed in 4 groups: i) DA group (control of the experiment) (n=8) - without RT and supplemented with a mixture containing non-essential amino acids (water ad libitum); ii) DL group - without RT and supplemented with leucine (water ad libitum); iii) DTA group (n=8) - with RT and supplemented with a mixture containing non-essential amino acids (water ad libitum); iv) DTL group - with RT and supplemented with leucine (water ad libitum). After 12 weeks of intervention, animals were euthanized. The following parameters were analyzed: blood lactate, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, weekly consumption of chow and water, evolution of total weight, WAT total weight and depots; concentration of triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, adiponectin, leptin and insulin in the serum; gene expression of mTOR, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPARγ, CEBP-α, LPL, leptin and adiponectin; in addition to the concentration of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL- 1β in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue. Glucose tolerance, weekly consumption of chow and water, WAT and RPAT total weight, such as gene expression of mTOR, Akt, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPARγ and CEBP-α were improved in DL, DTA and DTL groups in comparison with DA group; and the concentrations of HDL, total cholesterol, IL-10 and adiponectin in the serum, as well as gene expression of adiponectin and total concentration of IL-10 in the serum were increased only in DTA and DTL groups when compared to DA group. In conclusion, both interventions were capable of improving some DM1 physiological alterations, including the excessive loss of WAT. However, because resistance training stimulates an increased synthesis of antiinflammatory cytokines and hormones by WAT, this intervention might be the main responsible by the reduction of systemic inflammation of the animals.

Evidências na literatura demonstraram que o aumento da adiposidade confere maior suscetibilidade ao desenvolvimento de diabetes tipo 2, pois o tecido adiposo branco (TAB) atua na regulação da homeostasia energética e da sensibilidade à insulina através da sua atividade endócrina e de interações com reguladores neuroendócrinos. O treinamento físico aeróbio tem sido fortemente recomendado para a prevenção e tratamento do diabetes tipo 2, pois promove adaptações no metabolismo energético que contribuem diretamente para a melhora da resposta glicêmica e para o controle de peso corporal. Embora esteja claro na literatura o papel do treinamento físico contra o desenvolvimento de distúrbios no metabolismo da glicose e obesidade, uma lacuna de conhecimento ainda existe quando buscamos informações a respeito da participação metabólica do TAB na prevenção do diabetes tipo 2 através do treinamento físico aeróbio. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo testar a hipótese de que o efeito protetor do treinamento físico contra o desenvolvimento de diabetes tipo 2 é mediado por adaptações funcionais do TAB. Para isso, foram utilizados camundongos alimentados com dieta normocalórica e de cafeteria submetidos ou não ao treinamento físico aeróbio. O treinamento físico aeróbio foi eficaz para a prevenção do diabetes tipo 2, e essa resposta foi associada à menor adiposidade corporal resultante do aumento da lipólise e da capacidade oxidativa do TAB induzido pela maior ativação via da AMPK/ACC / Evidence in the literature have shown that increased adiposity confers greater susceptibility to developing type 2 diabetes and white adipose tissue (WAT) acts in the regulation of energy homeostasis and insulin sensibility through its endocrine activity and interaction with neuroendocrine regulators. Aerobic physical training has been strongly recommended for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes because it promotes adaptations in the energy metabolism that contribute directly to the improvement of glycemic metabolism and body weight control. Although it is clear in the literature the role of physical training against the development of disturbances in the glucose metabolism and obesity, the role of WAT to prevent type 2 diabetes through physical training was poorly investigated. Thus, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that the protective effect of physical training against the development of type 2 diabetes is mediated by functional adaptations of WAT. For this, we used mice fed with control or cafeteria diet and submitted or not to aerobic physical training. The physical training was effective for the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and this response was associated with lower body fat due to increased lipolysis and oxidative capacity of WAT induced by the activation of AMPK/ACC

1 Abstrakt Hnědá tuková tkáň je unikátní termoregulační orgán, její funkcí je přeměňovat energii ve formě protonového gradientu na energii tepelnou a zároveň snižovat efektivitu metabolismu. Její funkce se zdá být nadějí v léčbě metabolického syndromu a komplikací s ním spojených. Efekt hnědé tukové tkáně v léčbě MS však stále není objasněn a proto jsme chirurgicky odstranili tuto tkáň u potkanů, kteří trpí metabolickým syndromem, abychom objasnili důsledky extirpace na parametry metabolického syndromu. V této práci jsme sledovali aktivitu interskapulární tukové tkáně na parametry metabolického syndromu. Srovnávali jsme parametry mezi kmeny HHTg potkanů a kontrolním kmenem potkanů Wistar a pozorovali jsme nižší hmotnost potkanů kmene HHTg přes projevy ostatních parametrů metabolického syndromu, jako je dyslipidémie, inzulinová rezistence tukové tkáně, vyšší hodnoty NEMK v krvi. Zjistili jsme, že tito potkani mají významně vyšší aktivitu iBAT, jak v inkorporaci palmitátu do lipidů, tak ve spalování lipidů ve formě CO2 a zejména v nižším věku. Tato zjištění nás vedla k hypotéze, že iBAT by mohla mít zásadní vliv na parametry MS u neobézních potkanů. Extirpací iBAT u mladých potkanů, ani u potkanů v pokročilejším věku však neměla zásadní vliv na metabolismus ani na hmotnost. Dokonce došlo ke zlepšení některých...

The prevention and treatment of obesity is a major problem of health care systems in affluent societies. Metabolism of adipose tissue belongs to the therapeutical targets, since accumulation of adipose tissue is the basis of obesity development. Experiments using transgenic mice with ectopic expression of brown- fat uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white adipose tissue (WAT), verified a concept that obesity could be ameliorated by increasing energy expenditure in WAT. The goal of the experiments of this PhD Thesis was to characterize in detail the phenotype of this unique animal model of obesity resistance. We have shown that mitochondrial uncoupling in WAT resulted in increased oxidation of fatty acids (FA), in face of decreased lipogenesis and induced mitochondrial biogenesis in this tissue. In further studies, we aimed to modulate propensity to obesity be increasing FA oxidation in WAT in response to physiological stimuli. This could be accomplished in response to the combination treatment using n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and mild calorie restriction in mice fed high-fat diet. Synergistic induction of mitochondrial oxidative capacity and lipid catabolism in epididymal WAT was associated with suppression of low-grade inflammation of WAT, which is typical for obesity. The improvement of lipid...

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<p>The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a specialized organelle that facilitates correct protein folding and maturation. Disruptions in ER homeostasis lead to ER stress and activation of a series of signal transduction cascades known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), which acts to restore ER homeostasis. In recent years, ER stress and UPR dysfunction have been linked to obesity, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Lipid-laden adipocytes, the main cellular component of white adipose tissue (WAT), play a critical role in whole body energy homeostasis as well as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Mature adipocytes, which are metabolically active endocrine cells, differentiate from precursor fibroblast-like preadipocytes, through a process called adipogenesis, leading to formation of cells capable of secreting numerous proteins, cytokines and hormones. ER homeostasis and UPR activation are essential to the function/differentiation of highly secretory cells, however, the role of ER stress/UPR activation in adipogenesis had previously not been examined. We hypothesized that<em> adipogenesis may rely on physiological UPR activation to accommodate the demand on the ER for increased folding and secretion of proteins.</em></p> <p>Initial experiments examining UPR activation during 3T3-L1 adipogenesis identified that expression of ER stress/UPR markers was modulated during adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, inhibition of ER stress/UPR activation by the chemical chaperone, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA), inhibited adipogenesis and blunted high fat-diet induced weight gain in 4-PBA supplemented mice. These findings suggested that UPR activation modulates adipogenesis and adipose tissue metabolism.</p> <p>Subsequently, we sought to identify novel candidate ER stress/UPR responsive genes that may be involved in adipogenesis and WAT metabolism. The expression of a recently recognized ER stress-responsive gene, T-cell death associated gene 51 (TDAG51) was identified to be differentially regulated during adipogenesis. However, the function of TDAG51 in adipogenesis or energy regulation was not known. Studies from this thesis showed that TDAG51 protein expression is attenuated by ER stress/UPR activation in preadipocytes and declines during adipogenesis. Based on these results, and given the importance of adipogenesis in WAT function and whole body energy metabolism, it was<em> </em>hypothesized that<em> TDAG51 may be a novel regulator of adipogenesis and energy homeostasis.</em> Indeed, as reported here, knock-down or absence of TDAG51 (<em>TDAG51^-/-</em>) in pre-adipocytes increased lipogenesis and lead to earlier and more potent expression of adipogenic markers.</p> <p>Finally, we investigated whether absence of TDAG51 in mice affected adiposity and metabolic outcomes. Consistent with the <em>in vitro </em>results, we found that <em>TDAG51^-/-</em>mice fed a standard chow diet, exhibited an age-associated increase in WAT, developed fatty liver, and exhibited insulin resistance as compared to wild-type mice.</p> <p>Taken together, the findings in this thesis indicate that physiological UPR activation and the UPR-responsive gene TDAG51 play important roles in regulating adipogenesis, lipogenesis and whole-body energy metabolism. Thus, therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating ER folding capacity, UPR activation and/or TDAG51 expression may have great potential in the treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Un régime alimentaire déséquilibré et/ou la présence de composés contaminantsexogènes peuvent modifier la signalisation endocrine et l’homéostasie des lipides et induirel’obésité. Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre de cette thèse ont permis, dans un premier temps,de développer une méthode simple et rapide, dénommée "zebrafish obesogenic (ZO) test",pour identifier in vivo, par utilisation de la larve de poisson zèbre, des facteurs qui peuventaugmenter ou diminuer la taille de l’adipocyte blanc et ainsi moduler le niveau de l’adiposité(Tingaud-Sequeira, Ouadah, Babin, J. Lipid Res. 52, 1765-1772, 2011). Ce test permetd’identifier des composés et des mélanges de molécules obésogènes et anti-obésogènes etfournit des informations pertinentes pour l'évaluation des risques liés leur présence maiségalement pour élucider les mécanismes impliqués. Les travaux ont, dans un second temps,permis d’apporter des réponses quant aux modalités d’action d’un obésogène puissant, lechlorure de tributylétain, contaminant retrouvé très largement dans notre environnement.Cette molécule agit sur l’adipocyte blanc à une concentration de l’ordre du nano molaire viales récepteurs nucléaires RXR et LXR, et non pas via les isoformes PPARgamma/delta(Ouadah et Babin, manuscrit en préparation). / An unbalanced diet and / or the presence of exogenous compounds contaminants mayalter endocrine signaling and lipid homeostasis and induce obesity. The work done in thisthesis have, at first, developed a simple and rapid method, called "zebrafish obesogenic (ZO)test" to identify in vivo by using the zebrafish larva, the factors that may increase or decreasethe size of the white adipocyte and therefore modulate the level of adiposity (Tingaud-Sequeira, Ouadah, Babin, J. Lipid Res. 52, 1765-1772, 2011). This test helps to identifycompounds and mixtures of obesogenic and anti-obesogenic molecules and providesinformation relevant to the risk assessment of their presence but also to elucidate themechanisms involved. Work in a second time allowed to answer as to how the action oftributyltin chloride, a powerful obesogenic contaminant found widely in the environment.This molecule acts in vivo on white adipocytes in a concentration of the order of nano molarvia nuclear receptors LXR and RXR, and not via the PPARgamma isoforms / delta (Ouadahand Babin, manuscript in preparation).