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Antisense oligonucleotide knockdown (ASO-KD) of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in high-fat diet (HFD)–fed mice has been reported to reduce weight gain and plasma insulin levels and to improve glucose tolerance. Using NNMT-ASO-KD or NNMT knockout mice (NNMT−/−), we tested the hypothesis that Nnmt deletion protects against diet-induced obesity and its metabolic consequences in males and females on obesity-inducing diets. We also examined samples from a human weight reduction (WR) study for adipose NNMT (aNNMT) expression and plasma 1-methylnicotinamide (MNAM) levels. In Western diet (WD)–fed female mice, NNMT-ASO-KD reduced body weight, fat mass, and insulin level and improved glucose tolerance. Although NNMT−/− mice fed a standard diet had no obvious phenotype, NNMT−/− males fed an HFD showed strongly improved insulin sensitivity (IS). Furthermore, NNMT−/− females fed a WD showed reduced weight gain, less fat, and lower insulin levels. However, no improved glucose tolerance was observed in NNMT−/− mice. Although NNMT expression in human fat biopsy samples increased during WR, corresponding plasma MNAM levels significantly declined, suggesting that other mechanisms besides aNNMT expression modulate circulating MNAM levels during WR. In summary, upon NNMT deletion or knockdown in males and females fed different obesity-inducing diets, we observed sex- and diet-specific differences in body composition, weight, and glucose tolerance and estimates of IS.

Objective Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a world-wide health concern and risk factor for cardio-metabolic diseases. Citrate uptake modifies intracellular hepatic energy metabolism and is controlled by the conserved sodium-dicarboxylate cotransporter solute carrier family 13 member 5 (SLC13A5, mammalian homolog of INDY: mINDY). In Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans INDY reduction decreased whole-body lipid accumulation. Genetic deletion of Slc13a5 in mice protected from diet-induced adiposity and insulin resistance. We hypothesized that inducible hepatic mINDY inhibition should prevent the development of fatty liver and hepatic insulin resistance. Methods Adult C57BL/6J mice were fed a Western diet (60% kcal from fat, 21% kcal from carbohydrate) ad libitum. Knockdown of mINDY was induced by weekly injection of a chemically modified, liver-selective siRNA for 8 weeks. Mice were metabolically characterized and the effect of mINDY suppression on glucose tolerance as well as insulin sensitivity was assessed with an ipGTT and a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Hepatic lipid accumulation was determined by biochemical measurements and histochemistry. Results Within the 8 week intervention, hepatic mINDY expression was suppressed by a liver-selective siRNA by over 60%. mINDY knockdown improved hepatic insulin sensitivity (i.e. insulin-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production) of C57BL/6J mice in the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Moreover, the siRNA-mediated mINDY inhibition prevented neutral lipid storage and triglyceride accumulation in the liver, while we found no effect on body weight. Conclusions We show that inducible mINDY inhibition improved hepatic insulin sensitivity and prevented diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adult C57BL6/J mice. These effects did not depend on changes of body weight or body composition., Graphical abstract, Highlights • mINDY/Slc13a5 knockdown was induced by liver-selective siRNA in mice. • Liver-selective knockdown of mINDY improved hepatic insulin sensitivity. • Liver-selective knockdown of mINDY prevented steatosis hepatis.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is expressed in most tissues including muscle, adipose tissue, liver and digestive organs. Recent research suggests the involvement of NNMT in the pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance and related metabolic disease. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) knockdown in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice led to reduced weight gain, relative fat mass, plasma insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance. We tested the hypothesis, that genetic NNMT deletion protects mice on HFD and Western diet (WD) against obesity and explored the metabolic effects of NNMT. Using NNMT ASO treatment and a NNMT knockout mouse (NNMT-/-), we investigate the effects of NNMT deletion on energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis and the development of obesity. We also examined data from a human study concerning NNMT expression and 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) levels regarding weight reduction. In WD-fed mice, NNMT ASO treatment improved acute glucose tolerance, reduced weight gain and fat mass increase and, consequently, lowered plasma insulin levels. NNMT-/- mice exhibited virtually no MNA but threefold higher nicotinamide levels. Whereas NNMT-/- male and female mice on normal chow revealed no metabolic phenotype, NNMT-/- males on HFD showed improved glucose infusion rates, nearly complete insulin-mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production and an enhanced glucose uptake during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Furthermore, NNMT-/- females on WD showed reduced weight gain, less fat mass and lower plasma insulin levels compared to controls. While NNMT gene expression in human fat biopsies increased over weight loss, corresponding plasma MNA levels significantly declined after weight reduction, suggesting that other mechanisms rather than adipose NNMT expression modulate circulating MNA levels during weight reduction. In conclusion, we observed an improvement of basal metabolic parameters and insulin sensitivity in NNMT-deficient mouse models. Disclosure S. Brachs: Research Support; Self; Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH. J. Polack: None. M. Brachs: Research Support; Spouse/Partner; Sanofi. K. Jahn-Hofmann: None. R. Elvert: Employee; Self; Sanofi. A. Pfenninger: None. F. Bärenz: None. D. Margerie: Employee; Self; Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH. K. Mai: None. A. Kannt: Employee; Self; Sanofi. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Sanofi. J. Spranger: Research Support; Self; Sanofi R&D.

Rationale: The coincidence of inflammation and metabolic derangements in obese adipose tissue has sparked the concept of met-inflammation. Previous observations, however, suggest that inflammatory pathways may not ultimately cause dysmetabolism. Objective: We have revisited the relationship between inflammation and metabolism by testing the role of TRAF (tumor necrosis receptor-associated factor)-1, an inhibitory adapter of inflammatory signaling of TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-a, IL (interleukin)-1ß, and TLRs (toll-like receptors). Methods and Results: Mice defcient for TRAF-1, which is expressed in obese adipocytes and adipose tissue lymphocytes, caused an expected hyperinflammatory phenotype in adipose tissue with enhanced adipokine and chemokine expression, increased leukocyte accumulation, and potentiated proinflammatory signaling in macrophages and adipocytes in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Unexpectedly, TRAF-1-/-mice were protected from metabolic derangements and adipocyte growth, failed to gain weight, and showed improved insulin resistance-an effect caused by increased lipid breakdown in adipocytes and UCP (uncoupling protein)-1-enabled thermogenesis. TRAF-1-dependent catabolic and proinflammatory cues were synergistically driven by ß3-adrenergic and inflammatory signaling and required the presence of both TRAF-1-defcient adipocytes and macrophages. In human obesity, TRAF-1-dependent genes were upregulated. Conclusions: Enhancing TRAF-1-dependent inflammatory pathways in a gain-of-function approach protected from metabolic derangements in diet-induced obesity. These fndings identify TRAF-1 as a regulator of dysmetabolism in mice and humans and question the pathogenic role of chronic inflammation in metabolism. Fil: Michel, Nathaly Anto. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Colberg, Christian. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Buscher, Konrad. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados Unidos Fil: Sommer, Björn. Universitat Erlangen-Nuremberg; Alemania Fil: Pramod, Akula Bala. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados Unidos Fil: Ehinger, Erik. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados Unidos Fil: Dufner, Bianca. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Hoppe, Natalie. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Pfeiffer, Katharina. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Marchini, Timoteo Oscar. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina Fil: Willecke, Florian. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Stachon, Peter. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Hilgendorf, Ingo. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Heidt, Timo. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Von Zur Muhlen, Constantin. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Von Elverfeldt, Dominik. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Pfeifer, Dietmar. University of Freiburg; Alemania Fil: Schüle, Roland. University of Freiburg; Alemania Fil: Kintscher, Ulrich. University of Freiburg; Alemania Fil: Brachs, Sebastian. Center For Cardiovascular Research; Alemania Fil: Ley, Klaus. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados Unidos Fil: Bode, Christoph. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Zirlik, Andreas. University of Freiburg. University Medical Center; Alemania Fil: Wolf, Dennis. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados Unidos

Objective Betatrophin has been identified as a marker linking liver with beta cell function and lipid metabolism in murine models. Until now, the regulation of circulating betatrophin in humans is not entirely clear. We here analyzed the relation of betatrophin levels to phenotypes of the metabolic syndrome and speculated that renal function might influence circulating betatrophin levels and explain age-dependent changes of betatrophin. Subjects We analyzed blood samples from 535 individuals participating in the Metabolic Syndrome Berlin Potsdam study. Results In a crude analysis we found a positive correlation between betatrophin levels and HbA1c (r = 0.24; p < 0.001), fasting glucose (r = 0.20; p < 0.001) and triglycerides (r = 0.12; p = 0.007). Furthermore betatrophin was positively correlated with age (r = 0.47; p

Compartmentalization of the BCR in membrane rafts is important for its signaling capacity. Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 (Swip-1) is an EF-hand and coiled-coil–containing adaptor protein with predicted Src homology 3 (SH3) binding sites that we identified in membrane rafts. We showed previously that Swip-1 amplifies BCR-induced apoptosis; however, the mechanism of this amplification was unknown. To address this question, we overexpressed Swip-1 and found that Swip-1 amplified the BCR-induced calcium flux in WEHI231, B62.1, and Bal17 cells. Conversely, the BCR-elicited calcium flux was strongly attenuated in Swip-1–silenced WEHI231 cells, and this was due to a decreased calcium mobilization from intracellular stores. Complementation of Swip-1 expression in Swip-1–silenced WEHI231 cells restored the BCR-induced calcium flux and enhanced spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) tyrosine phosphorylation and activity as well as SLP65/BLNK/BASH and phospholipase C γ2 (PLCγ2) tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, Swip-1 induced the constitutive association of the BCR itself, Syk, and PLCγ2 with membrane rafts. Concomitantly, Swip-1 stabilized the association of BCR with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, specifically Syk and PLCγ2, and enhanced the constitutive interaction of Syk and PLCγ2 with Lyn. Interestingly, Swip-1 bound to the rSH3 domains of the Src kinases Lyn and Fgr, as well as to that of PLCγ. Deletion of the predicted SH3-binding region in Swip-1 diminished its association and that of Syk and PLCγ2 with membrane rafts, reduced its interaction with the SH3 domain of PLCγ, and diminished the BCR-induced calcium flux. Hence, Swip-1 provides a membrane scaffold that is required for the Syk-, SLP-65–, and PLCγ2-dependent BCR-induced calcium flux.

The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) induces cytoprotective genes, but has also been linked to the regulation of hepatic energy metabolism. In order to assess the pharmacological potential of hepatic Nrf2 activation in metabolic disease, Nrf2 was activated over 7 weeks in mice on Western diet using two different siRNAs against kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), the inhibitory protein of Nrf2. Whole genome expression analysis followed by pathway analysis demonstrated successful knock-down of Keap1 expression and induction of Nrf2-dependent genes involved in anti- oxidative stress defense and biotransformation, proving the activation of Nrf2 by the siRNAs against Keap1. Neither the expression of fatty acid- nor carbohydrate-handling proteins was regulated by Keap1 knock-down. Metabolic profiling of the animals did also not show effects on plasma and hepatic lipids, energy expenditure or glucose tolerance. The data indicate that hepatic Keap1/Nrf2 is not a major regulator of glucose or lipid metabolism in mice.

The B cell receptor (BCR)-elicited calcium flux results in activation of mature B cells. We have recently shown that the adaptor protein Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 (EFhd2) amplifies the BCR-induced calcium flux in B cell lines. EFhd2 is a calcium binding adaptor protein with two predicted EF-hands. Here we asked whether these domains are functional and control its function. Using a blot-overlay assay with radioactive calcium we show that both EF-hands of EFhd2 have an intrinsic capacity to bind calcium. Equilibrium centrifugation confirmed that EFhd2 binds 2 calcium ions, with an apparent K d of 110 μM. Point mutations revealed that the conserved residues E116 and E152, which reside in the canonical calcium binding loop in EF-hands 1 and 2, are essential for calcium binding by EFhd2. These mutations as well as deletion of the EF-hands, in particular EF-hand 1, abolished the ability of EFhd2 to restore BCR-induced calcium signaling in EFhd2-deficient WEHI231 cells. N-terminal deletions, but not C-terminal deletions, acted similarly. Thus, the N-terminal part of EFhd2 as well as calcium binding to its EF-hands control the intracellular calcium concentration in response to BCR stimulation in WEHI231 cells. Hence, EFhd2 regulates the BCR-elicited calcium flux through a calcium-dependent positive feedback mechanism in WEHI231 cells.

Changes in the intracellular calcium concentration govern cytoskeletal rearrangement, mitosis, apoptosis, transcriptional regulation or synaptic transmission, thereby, regulating cellular effector and organ functions. Calcium binding proteins respond to changes in the intracellular calcium concentration with structural changes, triggering enzymatic activation and association with downstream proteins. One type of calcium binding proteins are EF-hand super family proteins. Here, we describe two recently discovered homologous EF-hand containing adaptor proteins, Swiprosin-1/EF-hand domain containing 2 (EFhd2) and Swiprosin-2/EF-hand domain containing 1 (EFhd1), which are related to allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1). For reasons of simplicity and concision we propose to name Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 and Swiprosin-2/EFhd1 from now on EFhd2 and EFhd1, according to their respective gene symbols. AIF-1 and Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 are already present in Bilateria, for instance in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenhorhabditis elegans. Swiprosin-2/EFhd1 arose later from gene duplication in the tetrapodal lineage. Secondary structure prediction of AIF-1 reveals disordered regions and one functional EF-hand. Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 and Swiprosin-2/EFhd1 exhibit a disordered region at the N-terminus, followed by two EF-hands and a coiled-coil domain. Whereas both proteins are similar in their predicted overall structure they differ in a non-homologous stretch of 60 amino acids just in front of the EF-hands. AIF-1 controls calcium-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement in innate immune cells by means of its functional EF-hand. We propose that Swiprosin-1/EFhd2 as well is a cytoskeleton associated adaptor protein involved in immune and brain cell function. Pro-inflammatory conditions are likely to modulate expression and function of Swiprosin-1/EFhd2. Swiprosin-2/EFhd1, on the other hand, modulates apoptosis and differentiation of neuronal and muscle precursor cells, probably through an association with mitochondria. We suggest furthermore that Swiprosin-2/EFhd1 is part of a cellular response to oxidative stress, which could explain its pro-survival activity in neuronal, muscle and perhaps some malignant tissues.

The adaptor protein Swiprosin-1/Efhd2 that we identified recently in B cell lipid rafts exhibits its highest expression in immature B cells. Swiprosin-1/Efhd2 consists of a proline rich domain, two EF-hands and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain. Knock-down of Swiprosin-1/Efhd2 in an immature B cell line with a shRNA directed against the 3'-UTR (WEHI231shSw1) impaired spontaneous and BCR-elicited apoptosis. Due to co-clustering of a Swiprosin-1-EGFP fusion protein with the B-cell receptor we expected Swiprosin-1 to be a player in proximal BCR signaling. Indeed, downregulation of Swiprosin-1 attenuated total tyrosine phosphorylation and diminished BCR induced intracellular calcium flux. In contrast, WEHI231 cells ectopically expressing Swiprosin-1 showed increased, but shortened total tyrosine phosphorylation at early time points, as well as increased BCR induced calcium flux. Concomitantly, transient re-expression of Swiprosin-1 in WEHI231shSW1 cells restored BCR-induced calcium flux. These data suggested interactions of Swiprosin-1 with central elements of the BCR signaling cascade. In fact, GST-pulldown experiments showed that Swiprosin-1 can interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins of ~145 and 70 kDa. With this assay we identified the protein tyrosine kinase Syk in its phosphorylated form as interaction partner of Swiprosin-1. The interaction of pSyk with Swiprosin-1 is mediated by the C-terminal part of Swiprosin-1 because a deletion mutant of Swiprosin-1 lacking the EF-hands and the coiled-coil domain of Swiprosin-1 did not show any interaction with pSyk. We next tested the kinase activity of Syk as a function of Swiprosin-1 levels. Interestingly, immune complex kinase assays showed that BCR-induced Syk activity was reduced in WEHI231shSw1 cells. Hence, Swiprosin-1 could regulate proximal BCR signaling through maintenance of Syk activity.