Neuronal modulation of brown adipose activity through perturbation of white adipocyte lipogenesis.

Objective: Crosstalk between adipocytes and local neurons may be an important regulatory mechanism to control energy homeostasis. We previously reported that perturbation of adipocyte de novo lipogenesis (DNL) by deletion of fatty acid synthase (FASN) expands sympathetic neurons within white adipose tissue (WAT) and stimulates the appearance of "beige" adipocytes. Here we tested whether WAT DNL activity can also influence neuronal regulation and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT).

Adipocyte lipid synthesis coupled to neuronal control of thermogenic programming.

Background: The de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids (DNL) through fatty acid synthase (FASN) in adipocytes is exquisitely regulated by nutrients, hormones, fasting, and obesity in mice and humans. However, the functions of DNL in adipocyte biology and in the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis are not fully understood.

Methods & Results: Here we show adipocyte DNL controls crosstalk to localized sympathetic neurons that mediate expansion of beige/brite adipocytes within inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT).

Individual-specific variation in the respiratory activities of HMECs and their bioenergetic response to IGF1 and TNFα.

Metabolic reprograming is a hallmark of cancer cells. However, the roles of pre-existing differences in normal cells metabolism toward cancer risk is not known. In order to assess pre-existing variations in normal cell metabolism, we have quantified the inter-individual variation in oxidative metabolism of normal primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs).

Rhodiola crenulata induces an early estrogenic response and reduces proliferation and tumorsphere formation over time in MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Background: Rhodiola crenulata is a Tibetan mountainous plant, commonly used in Eastern alternative medicine. Many phytochemicals possess estrogenic activity, a critical regulator of proliferation in mammary epithelial cells. We have previously characterized anti-cancer properties of R.

Comparative Analysis of the Mitochondrial Physiology of Pancreatic β Cells.

The mitochondrial metabolism of β cells is thought to be highly specialized. Its direct comparison with other cells using isolated mitochondria is limited by the availability of islets/β cells in sufficient quantity. In this study, we have compared mitochondrial metabolism of INS1E/β cells with other cells in intact and permeabilized states.

The effects of diet induced obesity on breast cancer associated pathways in mice deficient in SFRP1.

Background: Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are a family of proteins that block the Wnt signaling pathway and loss of Sfrp1 expression is observed in breast cancer. The molecular mechanisms by which obesity contributes to breast tumorigenesis are not well defined, but involve increased inflammation. Mice deficient in Sfrp1 show enhanced mammary gland inflammation in response to diet induced obesity (DIO).

Efficacy of polyMPC-DOX prodrugs in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice.

We report the in vivo efficacy, in tumor-bearing mice, of cancer prodrugs consisting of poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (polyMPC) conjugated to doxorubicin (DOX). Our synthesis of polyMPC-DOX conjugates established prodrugs with tunable drug loading, pH sensitive release kinetics, and a maximum tolerated dose in the range of 30-50 mg/kg (DOX equivalent) in healthy mice. Here we show prolonged circulation of polyMPC-DOX, with a measured in vivo half-life (t1/2) 8 times greater than that of the free drug.

Mice deficient in Sfrp1 exhibit increased adiposity, dysregulated glucose metabolism, and enhanced macrophage infiltration.

The molecular mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and related complications remain unclear. Wnt signaling plays an important role in preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. The expression of a Wnt antagonist, secreted frizzled related protein 1 (SFRP1), is increased in response to initial weight gain, then levels are reduced under conditions of extreme obesity in both humans and animals.

PolyMPC-doxorubicin prodrugs.

We demonstrate the conjugation of the cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) to poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (polyMPC), linked by hydrazone groups, using (1) a one-pot ATRP/click sequence, and (2) a post-polymerization conjugation strategy. While the one-pot method gave polyMPC-DOX conjugates in a facile single step, post-polymerization conjugation gave higher-molecular-weight polymers with very high DOX loadings. DOX release from the polyMPC backbone was pH-dependent (faster at pH 5.

Pentafluorophenyl ester-functionalized phosphorylcholine polymers: preparation of linear, two-arm, and grafted polymer-protein conjugates.

Novel pentafluorophenyl (PFP)-ester-functionalized phosphorylcholine (PC) polymers of different architectures were prepared and conjugated to lysozyme as a model protein. Linear and two-arm poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (polyMPC) structures containing PFP functionality at the chain-end were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from novel initiators. Additional conjugates were prepared from phosphorylcholine-substituted cyclooctene (PC-COE) polymers containing PFP-ester bearing comonomers.

Effects of shampoo and water washing on hair cortisol concentrations.

Background: Measurement of cortisol in hair is an emerging biomarker for chronic stress in human and nonhuman primates. Currently unknown, however, is the extent of potential cortisol loss from hair that has been repeatedly exposed to shampoo and/or water.

Methods: Pooled hair samples from 20 rhesus monkeys were subjected to five treatment conditions: 10, 20, or 30 shampoo washes, 20 water-only washes, or a no-wash control.