IMPC: Is Lrg1 an autocrine/paracrine regulator of thermogenesis in brown and beige adipose tissue? Implications for cardiometabolic disease.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Medicine
Abstract
Background: Our bodies store excess energy as fat inside special cells, called white fat cells (that form white adipose tissue). But not all fat cells are the same; brown fat cells (brown adipose tissue) break down stored fat to generate heat during exposure to cold, while beige fat cells can switch between the two, either storing or burning fat.
It is thought that brown and beige fat cells have protective properties against obesity and type 2 diabetes, due to their fat burning activity. However, during aging and obesity the amount of brown and beige fat in our bodies decreases, while the amount of white fat increases. This may contribute to an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases such a type 2 diabetes. We do not yet fully understand why the amount of brown and beige fat decreases during obesity. Our experiments suggest that fat cells release a protein signal, known as Lrg1, which may enter the blood and decrease the fat burning ability of brown and beige fat cells. Lrg1 is increased in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes, and those who are obese. The concentration of Lrg1 in blood also increases with age. We don't yet know for certain whether Lrg1 decreases the fat burning ability of beige and brown fat in the body, or whether this contributes to accelerated development of type 2 diabetes.
Research aims: This research in Dr Roberts' laboratory will determine whether "turning off" the gene for Lrg1 increases the amount of beige and brown fat cells, and their ability to burn fat. The research will also investigate whether switching off the Lrg1 gene protects against obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Potential benefit to society and people with diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide healthcare challenge; with an estimated 422 million people thought to have type 2 diabetes globally. In the UK the NHS spends £14 billion a year to treat diabetes. Understanding how obesity increases the risk of developing this disease, may lead to new treatments to target the twin global epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. By studying the role Lrg1 plays in regulating the fat burning capacity of beige and brown fat cells, this research hopes to identify whether Lrg1 is a potential new therapy target to protect against the loss of beige and brown fat and the onset of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
It is thought that brown and beige fat cells have protective properties against obesity and type 2 diabetes, due to their fat burning activity. However, during aging and obesity the amount of brown and beige fat in our bodies decreases, while the amount of white fat increases. This may contribute to an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases such a type 2 diabetes. We do not yet fully understand why the amount of brown and beige fat decreases during obesity. Our experiments suggest that fat cells release a protein signal, known as Lrg1, which may enter the blood and decrease the fat burning ability of brown and beige fat cells. Lrg1 is increased in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes, and those who are obese. The concentration of Lrg1 in blood also increases with age. We don't yet know for certain whether Lrg1 decreases the fat burning ability of beige and brown fat in the body, or whether this contributes to accelerated development of type 2 diabetes.
Research aims: This research in Dr Roberts' laboratory will determine whether "turning off" the gene for Lrg1 increases the amount of beige and brown fat cells, and their ability to burn fat. The research will also investigate whether switching off the Lrg1 gene protects against obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Potential benefit to society and people with diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide healthcare challenge; with an estimated 422 million people thought to have type 2 diabetes globally. In the UK the NHS spends £14 billion a year to treat diabetes. Understanding how obesity increases the risk of developing this disease, may lead to new treatments to target the twin global epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. By studying the role Lrg1 plays in regulating the fat burning capacity of beige and brown fat cells, this research hopes to identify whether Lrg1 is a potential new therapy target to protect against the loss of beige and brown fat and the onset of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Technical Summary
Significance: An estimated 422 million people worldwide suffer from Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), making the discovery of novel therapeutics imperative.
Context: Brown and beige adipose tissue are characterized by high levels of fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis. Thermogenesis in beige and brown adipocytes alters systemic energy balance with anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. Brown and beige fat mass and thermogenic capacity decrease with age and obesity.
Leucine-rich-alpha2-glycoprotein 1 (Lrg1) is a liver and adipose-associated secreted protein. Lrg1 plasma concentration is correlated with age, body mass index, and adiposity, suggesting a role in obesity. Our data indicate that Lrg1 inhibits thermogenic gene expression in beige and brown adipose tissue.
Aim: To determine whether Lrg1 contributes to obesity related brown and beige adipose loss, and subsequent pathophysiology, using the Lrg1tm1(KOMP)Vlcg mouse.
Objectives: 1) Establish an Lrg1tm1(KOMP)Vlcg mouse colony at the University of Leeds. 2) Investigate the effect of Lrg1 knockout on the brown and subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolic phenotype. 3) Assess the metabolic effect of Lrg1 knockout in a dietary-induced mouse model of T2D.
Methodology: The effect of Lrg1 knockout on the phenotype of brown and subcutaneous adipose tissue will be investigated using molecular biology and metabolic approaches. The effect of Lrg1 knockout on metabolic parameters (weight, body composition, energy expenditure and glucose/insulin homeostasis) will be assessed in a dietary-induced T2D mouse model. Analysis of systemic metabolic phenotypes including indirect calorimetry, activity and food intake, body composition, and glucose/insulin homeostasis will be conducted using metabolic cages, MRI imaging and glucose and insulin tolerance tests.
Applications: This research may identify whether Lrg1 contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity; and highlight Lrg1 as a therapeutic target for T2D.
Context: Brown and beige adipose tissue are characterized by high levels of fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis. Thermogenesis in beige and brown adipocytes alters systemic energy balance with anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. Brown and beige fat mass and thermogenic capacity decrease with age and obesity.
Leucine-rich-alpha2-glycoprotein 1 (Lrg1) is a liver and adipose-associated secreted protein. Lrg1 plasma concentration is correlated with age, body mass index, and adiposity, suggesting a role in obesity. Our data indicate that Lrg1 inhibits thermogenic gene expression in beige and brown adipose tissue.
Aim: To determine whether Lrg1 contributes to obesity related brown and beige adipose loss, and subsequent pathophysiology, using the Lrg1tm1(KOMP)Vlcg mouse.
Objectives: 1) Establish an Lrg1tm1(KOMP)Vlcg mouse colony at the University of Leeds. 2) Investigate the effect of Lrg1 knockout on the brown and subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolic phenotype. 3) Assess the metabolic effect of Lrg1 knockout in a dietary-induced mouse model of T2D.
Methodology: The effect of Lrg1 knockout on the phenotype of brown and subcutaneous adipose tissue will be investigated using molecular biology and metabolic approaches. The effect of Lrg1 knockout on metabolic parameters (weight, body composition, energy expenditure and glucose/insulin homeostasis) will be assessed in a dietary-induced T2D mouse model. Analysis of systemic metabolic phenotypes including indirect calorimetry, activity and food intake, body composition, and glucose/insulin homeostasis will be conducted using metabolic cages, MRI imaging and glucose and insulin tolerance tests.
Applications: This research may identify whether Lrg1 contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity; and highlight Lrg1 as a therapeutic target for T2D.
Organisations
Publications
Chowdhary A
(2022)
Prospective Longitudinal Characterization of the Relationship between Diabetes and Cardiac Structural and Functional Changes.
in Cardiology research and practice
Haywood NJ
(2021)
Endothelial IGF-1 receptor mediates crosstalk with the gut wall to regulate microbiota in obesity.
in EMBO reports
Liu KD
(2020)
Consequences of Lipid Remodeling of Adipocyte Membranes Being Functionally Distinct from Lipid Storage in Obesity.
in Journal of proteome research
MacCannell A
(2021)
Multimodal functional imaging of brown adipose tissue
in Journal of Lipid Research
MacCannell A
(2021)
Lrg1 is a Driver of Brown Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity
in The FASEB Journal
MacCannell AD
(2022)
Metabokines in the regulation of systemic energy metabolism.
in Current opinion in pharmacology
MacCannell ADV
(2021)
Sexual dimorphism in adipose tissue mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility in obesity.
in International journal of obesity (2005)
McNally BD
(2022)
Long-chain ceramides are cell non-autonomous signals linking lipotoxicity to endoplasmic reticulum stress in skeletal muscle.
in Nature communications
Scalabrin M
(2022)
Temporal analysis of skeletal muscle remodeling post hindlimb ischemia reveals intricate autophagy regulation.
in American journal of physiology. Cell physiology
Description | Is Lrg1 an autocrine/paracrine regulator of thermogenesis in brown and beige adipose tissue? Implications for cardiometabolic disease |
Amount | £153,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | FS/18/61/34182B |
Organisation | British Heart Foundation (BHF) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Doctoral Postgraduate Scholarships |
Amount | $63,000 (CAD) |
Organisation | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Canada |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Summerhayes Fellowship - Determining the molecular mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of exercise on cardiometabolic health |
Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2022 |
End | 10/2024 |
Title | LipidQuan: Quantifying the Lipidome of Transgenic Mice Tissue Extracts, a Rapid and Comprehensive Targeted Approach |
Description | Although advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have allowed for more in-depth lipidomic analysis, unambiguous identification and quantification has proven difficult as lipids exhibit a high number of isomeric and isobaric species. In this application note, we adapt the LipidQuan workflow to provide a comprehensive and quantitative overview of the lipid species from murine adipose tissue extracts. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Researchers internationally are using this method for transgenic mouse metabolic profiling. This was developed in partnership with Industrial collaborators at Waters Corporation. |
URL | https://www.waters.com/nextgen/gb/en/library/application-notes/2020/LipidQuan-Quantifying-the-Lipido... |
Title | Multimodal functional imaging of brown adipose tissue |
Description | Development of a new preclinical method for multimodal functional imaging of brown adipose tissue using optical imaging in combination with PET/CT. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This work has been used and cited by other research groups internationally. |
URL | https://www.jlr.org/article/S0022-2275(20)43707-1/fulltext |
Description | Conference Poster: Lrg1 is a Driver of Brown Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation at the Biochemical Society Adipocytes across biological scales, International Conference, Edinburgh |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.biochemistry.org/events/the-adipocyte-across-biological-scales/ |
Description | Conference presentation: Lrg1 regulates skeletal muscle function and adaptive response to exercise |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference talk at the University of Leeds Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/multidisciplinary-cardiovascular-research-centre |
Description | Conference talk: Sexism of Fat: Is it sufficient to use only one sex in obesity research? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | University of Leeds PhD Showcase - University of Leeds wide PhD conference and competition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/7136/doctoral_college_showcase_poster_competition_winners_... |
Description | Experimental Biology conference talk: Lrg1 is a driver of BAT dysfunction in obesity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation at international meeting - Experimental Biology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.00285 |
Description | Is Lrg1 an autocrine/paracrine regulator of thermogenesis in brown and beige adipose tissue? Implications for cardiometabolic disease. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | British Heart Foundation PhD Student Conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Lrg1 is a driver of BAT dysfunction in obesity. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | International talk at the "Kern Lipid Conference" Vale USA to scientists, students and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.kernconference.org/index.html |
Description | Lrg1 is a driver of BAT dysfunction in obesity. British Heart Foundation student conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | British Heart Foundation Postgraduate Research Student Conference. Oral Presentation to PhD Student audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Lrg1 regulates skeletal muscle function and adaptive response to exercise. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited talk to an international conference "Europhysiology" of scientists, students and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://europhysiology2022.org/ |
Description | Sexual Dimorphism of Adipose Tissue Metabolism |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | "Metabolism Month" - International Conference, MetaboCentre, Copenhagen. Oral presenation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/events/metabolism-month-an-online-conference-about-energy-control-an... |