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Summary: Hepatic lipid accumulation is closely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Adipose-triglyceride-lipase (ATGL) regulates triglyceride hydrolysis and maintains energy homeostasis in hepatocytes. Identifying key factors in the regulation of ATGL will help tackle hepatic lipid accumulation and related metabolic diseases. Herein, we demonstrate that syntaxin11 (STX11), a member of the SNARE family, generally expressed in immune cells, mediates lipid metabolism by binding to ATGL and inhibiting lipid droplet degradation and lipid autophagy in hepatocytes. Our data show that the C-terminal of STX11 and the patatin domain-containing segment of ATGL have direct physical interactions. Thus, STX11 overexpression prevents spatial translocation of ATGL onto LDs by recruitment of ATGL to the ER. Conversely, STX11 deficiency in hepatocytes promotes lipid hydrolysis, and the ATGL-SIRT1 signaling pathway enhances lipophagy. Overall, this study uncovered that the regulation of lipolysis and lipophagy is achieved by STX11 through the attenuation of ATGL action in hepatocytes.

Photoresponsive materials have attracted growing interest because of their potential applications in materials science, such as photoswitches, photopatterning, information storage, and so on. However, there are some challenges for photoresponsive materials for certain applications: 1) Only a few photoresponsive surfaces are transformed into multiple states after photoreactions to adapt to changing environmental conditions; 2) Photoresponsive materials may not function properly in cold environments, especially for gels. To address these problems, we have recently developed photoresponsive materials based on ruthenium (Ru) complexes. Such Ru complexes showed a photoinduced ligand substitution under visible light irradiation. Reconfigurable surfaces that can adapt to environmental changes and photoresponsive organohydrogels that function effectively at sub‐zero temperatures have been fabricated using photoresponsive Ru complexes. Herein, it is demonstrated that based on photocontrolled Ru–ligand coordination, reconfigurable surfaces can be modified for user‐defined functions via visible light irradiation and that photoresponsive gels can function even at –20 °C. As a perspective, Ru‐containing photoresponsive complexes could open up pathways for a variety of applications.

Background. All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) is effective for many proliferative diseases.We investigated the protective effects of atRA against atherosclerosis. Methods. Rabbits were randomly allocated to receive basal diet or an HFD for 4 weeks. HFD group then received rosuvastatin (3 mg/day), atRA (5 mg/kg/day), or the same volume of vehicle, respectively, for next 8 weeks. Results. HFD group showed increases in plasma lipids and aortic plaque formation. P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding on platelets or deposition on the intima of the aorta also increased significantly as did the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and fibrinogen in plasma. After 8 weeks of treatment with atRA, there was a significant decrease in plasma lipids and improvement in aortic lesions. AtRA also inhibited the expression of P-selectin and fibrinogen binding on platelets and deposition on the intima of the aorta. Conclusion. AtRA can ameliorate HFD-induced AS in rabbits by inhibiting platelet activation and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]