Moderate alcohol intake induces thermogenic brown/beige adipocyte formation via elevating retinoic acid signaling [Research]
In conclusion, moderate alcohol intake induces thermogenic brown/beige adipocyte formation and promotes glucose and lipid oxidation via elevation of RA signaling.—Wang, B., Wang, Z., de Avila, J. M., Zhu, M.-J., Zhang, F., Gomez, N. A., Zhao, L., Tian, Q., Zhao, J., Maricelli, J., Zhang, H., Rodgers, B. D., Du, M. Moderate alcohol intake induces thermogenic brown/beige adipocyte formation via elevating retinoic acid signaling. (Source: FASEB Journal)
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Wang, B., Wang, Z., de Avila, J. M., Zhu, M.-J., Zhang, F., Gomez, N. A., Zhao, L., Tian, Q., Zhao, J., Maricelli, J., Zhang, H., Rodgers, B. D., Du, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Genetic determinants of susceptibility to silver nanoparticle-induced acute lung inflammation in mice [Research]
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are employed in a variety of consumer products; however, in vivo rodent studies indicate that AgNPs can cause lung inflammation and toxicity in a strain- and particle type–dependent manner, but mechanisms of susceptibility remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in AgNP-induced lung inflammation and toxicity across multiple inbred mouse strains and to use genome-wide association (GWA) mapping to identify potential candidate susceptibility genes. Mice received doses of 0.25 mg/kg of either 20-nm citrate-coated AgNPs or citrate buffer using oropharyngeal aspiration...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Scoville, D. K., Botta, D., Galdanes, K., Schmuck, S. C., White, C. C., Stapleton, P. L., Bammler, T. K., MacDonald, J. W., Altemeier, W. A., Hernandez, M., Kleeberger, S. R., Chen, L.-C., Gordon, T., Kavanagh, T. J. Tags: Research Source Type: research

The nuclear receptor NOR-1/NR4A3 regulates the multifunctional glycoprotein vitronectin in human vascular smooth muscle cells [Research]
The nuclear receptor NOR-1 (NR4A3) has recently been involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins associated with neointimal thickening and the vascular control of hemostasis. We sought to find as-yet unidentified NOR-1 target genes in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). An in silico analysis identified putative NOR-1 response elements in the proximal promoter region of several genes encoding for ECM proteins, including vitronectin (VTN). Lentiviral overexpression of NOR-1 strongly increased VTN mRNA and protein levels, whereas NOR-1 silencing significantly reduced VTN expression. Deletion and ...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Marti-Pamies, I., Canes, L., Alonso, J., Rodriguez, C., Martinez-Gonzalez, J. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Keratins regulate {beta}-cell mitochondrial morphology, motility, and homeostasis [Research]
In conclusion, keratins, likely through trichoplein–mitofusin interactions, regulate both structural and dynamic functions of β-cell mitochondria, which could have implications for downstream insulin secretion.—Silvander, J. S. G., Kvarnström, S. M., Kumari-Ilieva, A., Shrestha, A., Alam, C. M., Toivola, D. M. Keratins regulate β-cell mitochondrial morphology, motility, and homeostasis. (Source: FASEB Journal)
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Silvander, J. S. G., Kvarnström, S. M., Kumari-Ilieva, A., Shrestha, A., Alam, C. M., Toivola, D. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Vitamin A regulates Akt signaling through the phospholipid fatty acid composition [Research]
Protein kinases, including the serine/threonine kinase Akt, mediate manifold bioactivities of vitamin A, although the mechanisms behind the sustained kinase activation are diffuse. To investigate the role of cellular lipids as targetable factors in Akt signaling, we combined mass spectrometry-based lipidomics with immunologic detection of Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation. A screening campaign revealed retinol (vitamin A alcohol) and all-trans retinoic acid (vitamin A acid) (RA) as hits that time-dependently (≥24 h) deplete phosphatidylcholine-bound polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA-PCs) from NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts while ...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Pein, H., Koeberle, S. C., Voelkel, M., Schneider, F., Rossi, A., Thürmer, M., Loeser, K., Sautebin, L., Morrison, H., Werz, O., Koeberle, A. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Human adipose stem cells induced to osteogenic differentiation by an innovative collagen/hydroxylapatite hybrid scaffold [Research]
In this study, we investigated human adipose stem cells (hASCs) for osteogenic, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity effects of an innovative collagen/hydroxylapatite hybrid scaffold. In hASCs that were grown on this scaffold, osteogenic genes were analyzed for their expression profiles, together with adhesion and extracellular matrix genes. In hASC integrins, basement membrane constituents and collagens were up-regulated, together with cell proliferation. In addition, expression of osteopontin and activated focal adhesion kinase was studied at the protein level. Our in vitro data indicate that hASCs, together with hybr...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Mazzoni, E., DAgostino, A., Manfrini, M., Maniero, S., Puozzo, A., Bassi, E., Marsico, S., Fortini, C., Trevisiol, L., Patergnani, S., Tognon, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Timing of caloric intake during weight loss differentially affects striatal dopamine transporter and thalamic serotonin transporter binding [Research]
Recent studies have shown that meal timing throughout the day contributes to maintaining or regaining weight after hypocaloric diets. Although brain serotonin and dopamine are well known to be involved in regulating feeding, it is unknown whether meal timing during energy restriction affects these neurotransmitter systems. We studied the effect of a 4 wk hypocaloric diet with either 50% of daily calories consumed at breakfast (BF group) or at dinner (D group) on hypothalamic and thalamic serotonin transporter (SERT) binding and on striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding. The BF and D groups lost a similar amount of wei...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Versteeg, R. I., Schrantee, A., Adriaanse, S. M., Unmehopa, U. A., Booij, J., Reneman, L., Fliers, E., la Fleur, S. E., Serlie, M. J. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Phytoestrogen isoflavone intervention to engage the neuroprotective effect of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase against stroke [Research]
In the pathophysiologic setting of cerebral ischemia, excitotoxic levels of glutamate contribute to neuronal cell death. Our previous work demonstrated the ability of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) to metabolize neurotoxic glutamate in the stroke-affected brain. Here, we seek to identify small-molecule inducers of GOT expression to mitigate ischemic stroke injury. From a panel of phytoestrogen isoflavones, biochanin A (BCA) was identified as the most potent inducer of GOT gene expression in neural cells. BCA significantly increased GOT mRNA and protein expression at 24 h and protected against glutamate-induced c...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Khanna, S., Stewart, R., Gnyawali, S., Harris, H., Balch, M., Spieldenner, J., Sen, C. K., Rink, C. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Deguelin exerts potent nematocidal activity via the mitochondrial respiratory chain [Research]
This study highlights the dynamic biologic response of multicellular organisms to deguelin perturbation.—Preston, S., Korhonen, P. K., Mouchiroud, L., Cornaglia, M., McGee, S. L., Young, N. D., Davis, R. A., Crawford, S., Nowell, C., Ansell, B. R. E., Fisher, G. M., Andrews, K. T., Chang, B. C. H., Gijs, M. A. M., Sternberg, P. W., Auwerx, J., Baell, J., Hofmann, A., Jabbar, A., Gasser, R. B. Deguelin exerts potent nematocidal activity via the mitochondrial respiratory chain. (Source: FASEB Journal)
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Preston, S., Korhonen, P. K., Mouchiroud, L., Cornaglia, M., McGee, S. L., Young, N. D., Davis, R. A., Crawford, S., Nowell, C., Ansell, B. R. E., Fisher, G. M., Andrews, K. T., Chang, B. C. H., Gijs, M. A. M., Sternberg, P. W., Auwerx, J., Baell, J., Hof Tags: Research Source Type: research

TRAP1 ameliorates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction by protecting renal tubular epithelial cell mitochondria [Research]
In this study, we observed the effects of TRAP1 in renal tubular epithelial cell mitochondria in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction and its function in cell apoptosis and TIF. Results show that TRAP1 could protect the mitochondrial structure in renal tubular epithelial cells; maintain the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP, and mitochondrial DNA copy number; inhibit reactive oxygen species production; stabilize the expression of the mitochondrial inner membrane protein mitofilin; reduce renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis; and inhibit TIF. These results provide new theoretical foundations for additi...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Chen, J.-F., Wu, Q.-S., Xie, Y.-X., Si, B.-L., Yang, P.-P., Wang, W.-Y., Hua, Q., He, Q. Tags: Research Source Type: research

ROR{alpha} modulates semaphorin 3E transcription and neurovascular interaction in pathological retinal angiogenesis [Research]
Pathological proliferation of retinal blood vessels commonly causes vision impairment in proliferative retinopathies, including retinopathy of prematurity. Dysregulated crosstalk between the vasculature and retinal neurons is increasingly recognized as a major factor contributing to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Class 3 semaphorins (SEMA3s), a group of neuron-secreted axonal and vascular guidance factors, suppress pathological vascular growth in retinopathy. However, the upstream transcriptional regulators that mediate the function of SEMA3s in vascular growth are poorly understood. Here we showed that retinoic ac...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Sun, Y., Liu, C.-H., Wang, Z., Meng, S. S., Burnim, S. B., SanGiovanni, J. P., Kamenecka, T. M., Solt, L. A., Chen, J. Tags: Research Source Type: research

TSHB mRNA is linked to cholesterol metabolism in adipose tissue [Research]
Subclinical hypothyroidism is known to be associated with increased serum cholesterol. Since thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) exerts an inductor effect on cholesterol biosynthesis, we aimed to investigate the relationship between TSH mRNA and cholesterol metabolism in human adipose tissue (AT). Cross-sectionally, AT TSH-β (TSHB) mRNA was evaluated in 4 independent cohorts in association with serum total and LDL cholesterol, and AT lipidomics. Longitudinally, the effects of statins and of diet and exercise on AT TSHB mRNA were also examined. The bidirectional relationship between cholesterol and TSHB were studied in i...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Moreno-Navarrete, J. M., Moreno, M., Ortega, F., Xifra, G., Hong, S., Asara, J. M., Serrano, J. C. E., Jove, M., Pissios, P., Blüher, M., Ricart, W., Portero-Otin, M., Fernandez-Real, J. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Long noncoding RNA FOXD3-AS1 regulates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via sponging microRNA-150 [Research]
The function of most human long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) remains unclear. Our studies identified a highly up-regulated mammalian lncRNA, FOXD3-AS1, known as linc1623 in mice, in the setting of hyperoxia/reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced lung injury. We found that ROS induced a robust expression of FOXD3-AS1 in mouse lung tissue. Functionally, FOXD3-AS1 promoted oxidative stress-induced lung epithelial cell death. In human lung epithelial cells, the microRNA-150 (miR-150) was identified to interact with FOXD3-AS1; this finding was confirmed using the luciferase reporter assays. Consistently, mutation on the miR-150 pair...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Zhang, D., Lee, H., Haspel, J. A., Jin, Y. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Valproic acid induces aberrant development of striatal compartments and corticostriatal pathways in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder [Research]
The striatum comprises two neurochemical compartments: striosomes and the matrix. Striosomal and matrix compartments receive inputs from limbic system-related and sensorimotor cortices, respectively. Here, we investigate the impact on the corticostriosomal pathway in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism spectrum disorder mouse model. VPA administration during the neurogenesis time windows of striosomes, but not the matrix, resulted in aberrant compartmentation [i.e., maternal VPA injections at embryonic day (E)12.75 decreased μ-opioid receptor–positive striosomes, but increased calbindin-positive matrix in the r...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Kuo, H.-Y., Liu, F.-C. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Thioredoxin reductase from Toxoplasma gondii: an essential virulence effector with antioxidant function [Research]
Thioredoxin reductase (TR) can help pathogens resist oxidative-burst injury from host immune cells by maintaining a thioredoxin-reduction state during NADPH consumption. TR is a necessary virulence factor that enables the persistent infection of some parasites. We performed bioinformatics analyses and biochemical assays to characterize the activity, subcellular localization, and genetic ablation of Toxoplasma gondii TR (TgTR), to shed light on its biologic function. We expressed the TgTR protein with an Escherichia coli expression system and analyzed its enzyme activity, reporting a Km for the recombinant TgTR of 11.47&nda...
Source: FASEB Journal - September 28, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Xue, J., Jiang, W., Chen, Y., Gong, F., Wang, M., Zeng, P., Xia, C., Wang, Q., Huang, K. Tags: Research Source Type: research