08 Oct Irisin Exerts Dual Effects on Browning and Adipogenesis of Human White Fat
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Li-Jun Yang
Li-Jun Yang MD
Professor, Hematopathology
University of Florida
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Irisin, an exercise-induced myokine, promotes converting subcutaneous (sc) fat-storing adipocytes into fat-burning adipocytes, namely “browning”. Although beneficial effects of irisin such as browning and weight loss in obese animal have been observed in mice, the effect of irisin in human adipocytes is controversial. Moreover, the mechanisms of irisin’s anti-obesity are not clear and systemic studies are not available using human adipose tissues. In our study, we aimed at exploring at the multiple levels in the mechanisms of irisin’s anti-obesity effects using human adipocytes and human adipose tissues.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Main findings include:
(1) Irisin increases the expression of beige adipocytes related genes and the UCP1 protein via activating ERK/P38 MAPK signal pathways in both human primary mature white adipocytes and fresh subcutaneous human white adipose tissue (scHuWAT).
(2) Treatment of mature white adipocytes with irisin significantly increases cellular thermogenesis via mechanisms of increased browning (UCP1 expression) and increased mitochondrial biogenesis.
(3) Treatment of adipose tissue derived preadipocytes with irisin during differentiation period significantly inhibits adipogenesis, but promotes osteogenesis.
(4) There is a positive correlation between basal levels of genes related to beige adipocytes and FDNC5 (irisin precursor) and the responsiveness of scHuWAT to irisin in term of expression of browning related genes (UCP1 and PRDM16) among individuals.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: : Irisin has dual effects on human adipocytes:
1) promotes “browning” of mature adipocytes by converting mature energy-storing white adipocytes into energy-burning brown-like adipocytes; and
2) also inhibits new adipocyte formation during differentiation in human.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: In our study, we found different people respond differently to irisin. Our data suggest a positive correlation between the basal levels of beige gene expression in scHuWAT and the levels of UCP1 expression of these adipose tissues in response to irisin.
However, our data is limited; further large scale studies are needed to address the sensitivity of irisin in different fat depots among people and explore any relationship related to donors’ genetic and epigenetic and metabolic profiles.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Irisin exerts dual effects on browning and adipogenesis of human white adipocytes
Yuan Zhang, Chao Xie, Hai Wang, Robin Foss, Morgan Clare, Eva Vertes George, Shiwu Li, Adam Katz, Henrique Cheng, Yousong Ding, Dongqi Tang, Westley H. Reeves, Li-Jun Yang
American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism Published 19 July 2016 Vol. no. , DOI:10.1152/ajpendo.00094.2016
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Last Updated on October 8, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD