Predominant expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the caudal lobe of chicken pituitary and parallel developmental increase in expression of pituitary GH and proventriculus ghrelin mRNA

To examine the involvement of ghrelin in growth hormone (GH) synthesis in the chicken pituitary, the regional distribution of GH secretagogue receptor (GHS‐R)/ghrelin receptor was investigated. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) analysis revealed that the expression levels of GHS‐R and GH mRNA in the caudal lobe were about fourfold and sevenfold higher in the cephalic lobe of 7 day‐old chickens, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that GHS‐R immunoreactivity was more abundant in the caudal lobe than in the cephalic lobe, as was the case for GH immunoreactivity. By Q‐PCR, parallel increases were observed in the expression levels of ghrelin mRNA in the proventriculus and GH mRNA in the pituitary from embryonic day 17 to day 7 after hatching, whereas no significant change was found in the expression levels of GHS‐R mRNA in the pituitary during this period. These results suggest that proventriculus‐derived ghrelin may participate in pituitary GH synthesis by acting on its receptor during late embryonic development and the early post‐hatching period in chickens.     

AMP-activated protein kinase and adipogenesis in sheep fetal skeletal muscle and 3T3-L1 cells

Marbling, or i.m. fat, is an important factor determining beef quality. Both adipogenesis and hypertrophy of existing adipocytes contribute to enhanced marbling. We hypothesized that the fetal stage is important for the formation of i.m. adipocytes and that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a key role in adipogenesis during this stage. The objective of this study was to assess the role of AMPK in adipogenesis in fetal sheep muscle and 3T3-L1 cells. Nonpregnant ewes were randomly assigned to a control (Con, 100% of NRC recommendations, n = 7) or overfed (OF, 150% of NRC, n = 7) diet from 60 d before to 75 d after conception, when the ewes were killed. The fetal LM was collected at necropsy for biochemical analyses. The activity of AMPK was less in the fetal muscle of OF sheep. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma, a marker of adipogenesis, was greater in OF fetal muscle compared with Con fetal muscle. To further show the role of AMPK in adipogenesis, we used 3T3-L1 cells. The 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in a standard adipogenic medium for 24 h and 10 d. Activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-car-boxamide-1-beta-d-ribonucleoside dramatically inhibited the expression of PPARgamma and reduced the presence of adipocytes after 10 d of differentiation. Inhibition of AMPK by compound C enhanced the expression of PPARgamma. In conclusion, these data show that AMPK activity is inversely related to adipogenesis in fetal sheep muscle and 3T3-L1 cells.     

Effects of ghrelin and its analogues on chicken ovarian granulosa cells

The aim of these in vitro experiments was (1) to examine the effects of ghrelin on the basic functions of ovarian cells (proliferation, apoptosis, secretory activity); (2) to determine the possible involvement of the GHS-R1a receptor and PKA- and MAPK-dependent post-receptor intracellular signalling cascades; (3) to identify the active part of the 28-amino acid molecule responsible for the effects of ghrelin on ovarian cells. We compared the effect of full-length ghrelin 1-28, a synthetic activator of GHS-R1a, GHRP6, and ghrelin molecular fragments 1-18 and 1-5 on cultured chicken ovarian cells. Indices of cell apoptosis (expression of the apoptotic peptide bax and the anti-apoptotic peptide bcl-2), proliferation (expression of proliferation-associated peptide PCNA), and expression of protein kinases (PKA and MAPK) within ovarian granulosa cells were analysed by immunocytochemistry. The secretion of progesterone (P(4)), testosterone (T), estradiol (E(2)) and arginine-vasotocin (AVT) by isolated ovarian follicular fragments was evaluated by RIA/EIA. It was observed that accumulation of bax was increased by ghrelin 1-28, GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-18, but not by ghrelin 1-5. Expression of bcl-2 was suppressed by addition of ghrelin 1-28, GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-5, but promoted by ghrelin 1-18. The occurrence of PCNA was reduced by ghrelin 1-28, GHRP6, ghrelin 1-18 and ghrelin 1-5. An increase in the expression of MAPK/ERK1, 2 was observed after addition of ghrelin 1-28, GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-18, but not ghrelin 1-5. The accumulation of PKA decreased after treatment with ghrelin 1-28 and increased after treatment with GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-18 but not ghrelin 1-5. Secretion of P(4) by ovarian follicular fragments was decreased after addition of ghrelin 1-28 or ghrelin 1-5 but stimulated by GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-18. Testosterone secretion was inhibited by ghrelins 1-28 and 1-18, but not by GHRP6 or ghrelin 1-5. Estradiol secretion was reduced after treatment with ghrelin 1-28 but stimulated by ghrelins 1-18 and 1-5; GHRP6 had no effect. AVT secretion was stimulated by ghrelin 1-28, GHRP6 and ghrelin 1-18, but inhibited by ghrelin 1-5. The comparison of the effects of the four ghrelin analogues on nine parameters of ovarian cells suggest (1) a direct effect of ghrelin on basic ovarian functions-apoptosis, proliferation, steroid and peptide hormone secretion; (2) that the majority of these effects can be mediated through GHS-R1a receptors; (3) an effect of ghrelin on MAPK- and PKA-dependent intracellular mechanisms, which can potentially mediate the action of ghrelin at the post-receptor level; (4) that ghrelin residues 5-18 may be responsible for the major effects of ghrelin on the avian ovary.     

葛根素对Akt通路调控3T3-L1脂肪细胞分化的影响

为了研究葛根素（puerarin）对3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化的影响,探索其在成脂分化过程中的潜在作用机制,试验在脂肪形成过程中将0、10、50 μmol/L葛根素加入到诱导分化培养基中诱导分化,分别通过油红O染色法及甘油三酯酶法检测葛根素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞的脂滴积累、甘油三酯的影响;采用实时荧光定量PCR检测脂肪细胞中CCAAT-增强子结合蛋白α（C/EBPα）和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）的mRNA表达量,Western blotting检测脂肪形成相关转录因子及Akt信号通路的蛋白水平的表达量。结果表明,10 μmol/L葛根素极显著增加了成熟脂肪细胞中脂滴和甘油三酯（TG）的积聚,极显著促进了脂肪形成相关转录因子C/EBPα和PPARγ的mRNA和蛋白水平的表达量（P<0.01）。进一步研究发现,与对照组相比,葛根素的刺激可增强Akt信号通路Ser473蛋白的磷酸化表达水平,表明葛根素对成脂分化过程的促进作用很大程度上是通过Akt信号通路的磷酸化来实现的。综上所述,葛根素能够促进3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞的分化,改善胰岛素敏感性,其作用机制与激活Akt信号通路Ser473位点的磷酸化水平有关。本试验结果可为研究胰岛素的效应机制提供新见解,为胰岛素抵抗相关疾病的治疗提供新思路。     

Characterization of key genes of the renin–angiotensin system in mature feline adipocytes and during in vitro adipogenesis

Obesity is a growing health problem in humans as well as companion animals. In the development and progression of obesity‐associated diseases, the members of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) are proposed to be involved. Particularly, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in cats has increased enormously which is often been linked to obesity as well as to RAS. So far, reports about the expression of a local RAS in cat adipocytes are missing. Therefore, we investigated the mRNA expression of various RAS genes as well as the adipocyte marker genes adiponectin, leptin and PPAR‐γ in feline adipocytes using quantitative PCR. To characterize the gene expression during adipogenesis, feline pre‐adipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes in a primary cell culture and the expression of RAS key genes measured. All major RAS components were expressed in feline cells, but obvious differences in the expression between pre‐adipocytes and the various differentiation stages were found. Interestingly, the two enzymes ACE and ACE2 showed an opposite expression course. In addition to the in vitro experiments, mature adipocytes were isolated from subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Significant differences between both fat depots were found for ACE as well as AT1 receptor with greater expression in subcutaneous than in visceral adipocytes. Visceral adipocytes had significantly higher adiponectin and PPAR‐γ mRNA level compared to the subcutaneous fat cells. Concerning the nutritional status, a significant lower expression of ACE2 was measured in subcutaneous adipocytes of overweight cats. In summary, the results show the existence of a potentially functional local RAS in feline adipose tissue which is differentially regulated during adipogenesis and dependent on the fat tissue depot and nutritional status. These findings are relevant for understanding the development of obesity‐associated diseases in cats such as diabetes mellitus.     

Ghrelin and truncated ghrelin variant plasmid vectors administration into skeletal muscle augments long-term growth in rats

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide recently identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogues (GHSs) receptor (GHS-R) and is involved in a novel system for regulating GH release. To study the biological activities of ghrelin using plasmid vector administration, we constructed myogenic expression vectors containing the full length cDNA of swine ghrelin-28 (pGEM-wt-sGhln) and truncated variant (pGEM-tmt-sGhln) consisting of the first seven residues of ghrelin (including Ser3 substituted with Trp3) with addition of a basic amino acid, Lys (K) at the C-terminus. After intramuscular injection of pGEM-wt-sGhln and pGEM-tmt-sGhln, RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the ectopic expressions of ghrelin and its variant were observed 30 days post-injection. The level of GH increased in rat serum, and was significantly higher than that of the control group 20 days post-injection with pGEM-tmt-sGhln (P < 0.05). Administration of 150 microg of pGEM-wt-sGhln and pGEM-tmt-sGhln enhanced growth in rats over 30 days and great stimulatory responses were observed at day 10 and 20 post-injection respectively, whose body weight gains were on average 15% (P < 0.05) and 21% P < 0.033 significantly heavier than controls. These results suggested that skeletal muscle might have the potential to perform post-translational acylation for ghrelin, and short ghrelin variant might have the biological effects as wild type ghrelin.     

葛根素对松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞成脂分化的影响

为探究葛根素对松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞成脂分化的调控作用,在细胞诱导液中分别添加0、10、20、40、60和80 μmol/L葛根素进行成脂诱导分化,用油红O染色法和甘油三酯酶法检测脂肪细胞分化过程中脂滴聚集情况和甘油三酯含量以考察脂质沉积和分化效果,并确定葛根素的最佳添加浓度;用实时荧光定量PCR检测对照组(0 μmol/L)和最佳葛根素浓度添加组成脂标志基因细胞过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)、CCAAT-增强子结合蛋白α(C/EBPα)及成脂分化基因乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP4)、应激蛋白(TRIB)和叉头框蛋白O1 (FOXO1)的mRNA的表达水平,用Western blotting检测PPARγ和C/EBPα的蛋白表达水平。结果表明,与对照组相比,20、40和60 μmol/L葛根素均显著增加脂滴和甘油三酯含量(P<0.05),且40 μmol/L葛根素效果最佳;实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,与对照组相比,40 μmol/L葛根素显著上调成脂标志基因PPARγ、C/EBPα及成脂分化基因ACC、FABP4、FOXO1和TRIB的表达(P<0.05);Western blotting结果显示,与对照组相比,40 μmol/L葛根素显著增加PPARγ蛋白表达(P<0.05)。综上所述,40 μmol/L葛根素能够促进松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞的成脂分化和脂质沉积。     

Adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression as related to bovine carcass adiposity

Genetic regulation of the site of fat deposition is not well defined. The objective of this study was to investigate adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression in feedlot cattle (>75% Angus; <25% Simmental parentage) of varying adipose accretion patterns. Four groups of 4 steers were selected via ultrasound for the following adipose tissue characteristics: low subcutaneous-low intramuscular (LSQ-LIM), low subcutaneous-high intramuscular (LSQ-HIM), high subcutaneous-low intramuscular (HSQ-LIM), and high subcutaneous-high intramuscular (HSQ-HIM). Adipose tissue from the subcutaneous (SQ) and intramuscular (IM) depots was collected at slaughter. The relative expression of adipogenic genes was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Data were analyzed using the mixed model of SAS, and gene expression data were analyzed using covariate analysis with ribosomal protein L19 as the covariate. No interactions (P > 0.10) were observed between IM and SQ adipose tissue depots for any of the variables measured. Therefore, only the main effects of high and low accretion within a depot and the effects of depot are reported. Steers with LIM had smaller mean diameter IM adipocytes (P < 0.001) than HIM steers. Steers with HSQ had larger mean diameter SQ adipocytes (P < 0.001) than LSQ. However, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in any of the genes measured due to high or low adipose accretion. Preadipogenic delta-like kinase1 mRNA was greater in the IM than the SQ adipose tissue; conversely, differentiating and adipogenic genes, lipoprotein lipase, PPARγ, fatty acid synthetase, and fatty acid binding protein 4 were greater (P < 0.001) in the SQ than the IM depot. Intramuscular adipocytes were smaller than SQ adipocytes and had greater expression of the preadipogenic gene, indicating that more hyperplasia was occurring. Meanwhile, SQ adipose tissue contained much larger (P < 0.001) adipocytes that had a greater expression (P < 0.001) of differentiating and adipogenic genes than did the IM adipose tissue, indicating more cells were undergoing differentiation and hypertrophy. Adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression was not different in cattle with various phenotypes, but adipogenesis in the SQ and IM adipose tissues seems to occur independently.     

Paired box 7 inhibits differentiation in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes

Myogenesis is precisely proceeded by myogenic regulatory factors. Myogenic stem cells are activated, proliferated and fused into a multinuclear myofiber. Pax7, paired box 7, one of the earliest markers during myogenesis. It has been reported that Pax7 regulates the muscle marker genes, Myf5 and MyoD toward differentiation. The possible roles of Pax7 in myogenic cells have been well researched. However, it has not yet been clarified if Pax7 itself is able to induce myogenic fate in nonmyogenic lineage cells. In this study, we performed experiments using stably expressed Pax7 in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes to elucidate if Pax7 inhibits adipogenesis. We found that Pax7 represses adipogenic markers and prevents differentiation. These cells showed decreased expression of PDGFRα, PPARγ and Fabp4 and inhibited forming lipid droplets.     

RNF20及其介导的组蛋白H2B单泛素化对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞分化的影响

旨在研究RNF20及其介导的组蛋白H2B第120位赖氨酸的单泛素化（H2Bub）对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞成脂分化的影响。采集1日龄和2月龄雄性C57BL/6小鼠的棕色脂肪组织（n=3），用Western blot方法检测RNF20的表达及其介导的H2Bub水平。利用胶原酶消化法分离获得1日龄小鼠的棕色前体脂肪细胞。分别诱导棕色前体脂肪细胞和C3H10T1/2细胞系成脂分化，通过油红O染色检测其分化效果，进一步通过Western blot检测细胞分化前后（0和8 d）RNF20的表达及其介导的H2Bub水平。通过siRNA干扰Rnf20基因在C3H10T1/2细胞系中的表达，油红O染色方法观察Rnf20基因对成脂分化的影响，利用qPCR和Western blot技术检测Rnf20基因的干扰效率及其介导的H2Bub水平。结果显示，2月龄小鼠棕色脂肪组织中RNF20表达量及其介导的H2Bub水平均显著高于1日龄小鼠。脂肪细胞分化标记蛋白PPARγ和CEBPα的表达水平，RNF20表达量及其介导的H2Bub水平在棕色前体脂肪细胞及C3H10T1/2细胞成脂分化后均显著增加。此外，在C3H10T1/2细胞中敲降Rnf20基因后，与阴性对照组相比，RNF20及其介导的H2Bub水平显著降低，成脂分化后脂滴明显减少。综上表明，RNF20对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞的分化是必需的，敲降Rnf20基因导致组蛋白H2Bub水平显著降低，且降低了C3H10T1/2细胞的成脂分化效率。本研究丰富了小鼠棕色脂肪细胞分化过程中的表观遗传调控研究，为深入理解动物脂肪细胞分化提供了新的基因素材。     

RNA-Seq analysis reveals the potential molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of finishing Xianan beef cattle

Daidzein has been reported to be effective in regulating lipid metabolism in animals. However, the molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in beef cattle are not yet reported and the results of daidzein on affecting lipid metabolism in other species have been conflicting. High-throughput sequencing of mRNA (RNA-Seq) technology was performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of daidzein on adipogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of finishing Xianan beef cattle. A total of 893 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by differential expression analysis, among which 405 genes were upregulated and 488 genes were downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that these DEGs were significantly enriched to the pathways related to lipid metabolism including ECM–receptor interaction, Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis and Hedgehog signalling pathway. Daidzein significantly affected the candidate genes (Shh, Pec, Gli, Wnt6, DLK, IGFBP2, ID3 and C/EBPE) related to adipocyte differentiation. Besides, daidzein improved the ability of subcutaneous adipocytes in synthesizing triglycerides by directly using the long-chain fatty acids and enhanced the efficiency of triglyceride synthesis of subcutaneous adipocytes in Xianan steers. In conclusion, daidzein plays a positive role not only in adipogenic differentiation, but also in triglyceride synthesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Xianan beef cattle.     

民猪脂肪细胞分化过程中抗寒相关基因表达规律研究

旨在探究民猪脂肪细胞分化过程中产热基因和米色脂肪标记基因的表达变化规律，为进一步研究民猪脂肪细胞向米色脂肪细胞分化的分子机制提供依据。本研究采集1月龄民猪的背部脂肪组织，分离前体脂肪细胞进行培养及成脂诱导，观察分化过程中细胞形态并进行油红O染色鉴定；检测产热基因UCP3、PGC-1α、PPARα和米色脂肪标记基因EBF2、CD81、PDGFRα在诱导分化第0、2、4、6、8天的表达量。结果表明，随着诱导分化的时间增加，细胞中的脂滴逐渐增多，在分化第8天时进行油红O染色，多数细胞达到成熟脂肪细胞阶段。以第0天为对照，PGC-1α、EBF2、PDGFRα在第2天时表达量极显著升高（P<0.01），且达到最高，第4、6、8天呈下降趋势。UCP3在第4、6、8天表达量极显著升高（P<0.01），第8天有所下降。PPARα和CD81在第2天时表达量极显著升高（P<0.01），且在第4和6天表达量与第2天相比变化不大。综上表明，本研究成功进行了民猪前体脂肪细胞的成脂诱导分化，揭示了分化过程中产热和米色脂肪标记基因的表达规律，为进一步研究民猪前体脂肪细胞向米色脂肪细胞分化的分子机制和民猪抗寒能力奠定基础。     

Optimization of adipogenic differentiation conditions for canine adipose-derived stem cells

BackgroundCanine adipose-derived stem cells (cADSCs) exhibit various differentiation properties and are isolated from the canine subcutaneous fat. Although cADSCs are valuable as tools for research on adipogenic differentiation, studies focusing on adipogenic differentiation methods and the underlying mechanisms are still lacking.ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to establish an optimal method for adipogenic differentiation conditions of cADSCs and evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the adipogenic differentiation.MethodsTo induce adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs, 3 different adipogenic medium conditions, MDI, DRI, and MDRI, using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (M), dexamethasone (D), insulin (I), and rosiglitazone (R) were tested.ResultsMDRI, addition of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone to MDI, was the most significantly facilitated cADSC into adipocyte. GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, significantly reduced adipogenic differentiation induced by rosiglitazone. Adipogenic differentiation was also stimulated when 17β-estradiol was added to MDI and DRI, and this stimulation was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI182,780.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that PPARγ and ER signaling are related to the adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs. This study could provide basic information for future research on obesity or anti-obesity mechanisms in dogs.