Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.

The pathogenesis of fatty liver is not understood in detail, but lipid overflow as well as de novo lipogenesis (DNL) seem to be the key points of hepatocyte accumulation of lipids. One key transcription factor in DNL is sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c. We generated mice with liv...

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Main Authors: Birgit Knebel, Jutta Haas, Sonja Hartwig, Sylvia Jacob, Cornelia Köllmer, Ulrike Nitzgen, Dirk Muller-Wieland, Jorg Kotzka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3283692?pdf=render
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author Birgit Knebel
Jutta Haas
Sonja Hartwig
Sylvia Jacob
Cornelia Köllmer
Ulrike Nitzgen
Dirk Muller-Wieland
Jorg Kotzka
author_facet Birgit Knebel
Jutta Haas
Sonja Hartwig
Sylvia Jacob
Cornelia Köllmer
Ulrike Nitzgen
Dirk Muller-Wieland
Jorg Kotzka
author_sort Birgit Knebel
collection DOAJ
description The pathogenesis of fatty liver is not understood in detail, but lipid overflow as well as de novo lipogenesis (DNL) seem to be the key points of hepatocyte accumulation of lipids. One key transcription factor in DNL is sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c. We generated mice with liver-specific over-expression of mature human SREBP-1c under control of the albumin promoter and a liver-specific enhancer (alb-SREBP-1c) to analyze systemic perturbations caused by this distinct alteration. SREBP-1c targets specific genes and causes key enzymes in DNL and lipid metabolism to be up-regulated. The alb-SREBP-1c mice developed hepatic lipid accumulation featuring a fatty liver by the age of 24 weeks under normocaloric nutrition. On a molecular level, clinical parameters and lipid-profiles varied according to the fatty liver phenotype. The desaturation index was increased compared to wild type mice. In liver, fatty acids (FA) were increased by 50% (p<0.01) and lipid composition was shifted to mono unsaturated FA, whereas lipid profile in adipose tissue or serum was not altered. Serum analyses revealed a ∼2-fold (p<0.01) increase in triglycerides and free fatty acids, and a ∼3-fold (p<0.01) increase in insulin levels, indicating insulin resistance; however, no significant cytokine profile alterations have been determined. Interestingly and unexpectedly, mice also developed adipositas with considerably increased visceral adipose tissue, although calorie intake was not different compared to control mice. In conclusion, the alb-SREBP-1c mouse model allowed the elucidation of the systemic impact of SREBP-1c as a central regulator of lipid metabolism in vivo and also demonstrated that the liver is a more active player in metabolic diseases such as visceral obesity and insulin resistance.
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spelling doaj.art-e3d86e993ed84c28b063bbd67ac289182022-12-22T02:07:08ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-0172e3181210.1371/journal.pone.0031812Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.Birgit KnebelJutta HaasSonja HartwigSylvia JacobCornelia KöllmerUlrike NitzgenDirk Muller-WielandJorg KotzkaThe pathogenesis of fatty liver is not understood in detail, but lipid overflow as well as de novo lipogenesis (DNL) seem to be the key points of hepatocyte accumulation of lipids. One key transcription factor in DNL is sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c. We generated mice with liver-specific over-expression of mature human SREBP-1c under control of the albumin promoter and a liver-specific enhancer (alb-SREBP-1c) to analyze systemic perturbations caused by this distinct alteration. SREBP-1c targets specific genes and causes key enzymes in DNL and lipid metabolism to be up-regulated. The alb-SREBP-1c mice developed hepatic lipid accumulation featuring a fatty liver by the age of 24 weeks under normocaloric nutrition. On a molecular level, clinical parameters and lipid-profiles varied according to the fatty liver phenotype. The desaturation index was increased compared to wild type mice. In liver, fatty acids (FA) were increased by 50% (p<0.01) and lipid composition was shifted to mono unsaturated FA, whereas lipid profile in adipose tissue or serum was not altered. Serum analyses revealed a ∼2-fold (p<0.01) increase in triglycerides and free fatty acids, and a ∼3-fold (p<0.01) increase in insulin levels, indicating insulin resistance; however, no significant cytokine profile alterations have been determined. Interestingly and unexpectedly, mice also developed adipositas with considerably increased visceral adipose tissue, although calorie intake was not different compared to control mice. In conclusion, the alb-SREBP-1c mouse model allowed the elucidation of the systemic impact of SREBP-1c as a central regulator of lipid metabolism in vivo and also demonstrated that the liver is a more active player in metabolic diseases such as visceral obesity and insulin resistance.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3283692?pdf=render
spellingShingle Birgit Knebel
Jutta Haas
Sonja Hartwig
Sylvia Jacob
Cornelia Köllmer
Ulrike Nitzgen
Dirk Muller-Wieland
Jorg Kotzka
Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
PLoS ONE
title Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
title_full Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
title_fullStr Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
title_full_unstemmed Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
title_short Liver-specific expression of transcriptionally active SREBP-1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass.
title_sort liver specific expression of transcriptionally active srebp 1c is associated with fatty liver and increased visceral fat mass
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3283692?pdf=render
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