Hypoxia is associated with a lower expression of genes involved in lipogenesis in visceral adipose tissue

J Transl Med. 2015 Nov 30:13:373. doi: 10.1186/s12967-015-0732-5.

Abstract

Background: A key role for HIF-1α in the promotion and maintenance of dietary obesity has been proposed. We analyzed the association between hypoxia and de novo lipogenesis in human adipose tissue.

Methods: We studied HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression in fasting status in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from non-obese and morbidly obese subjects, and in VAT from wild-type and ob/ob C57BL6J mice in both fasting and feeding status. We also analyzed the effect of hypoxia on the VAT mRNA expression of genes involved in lipogenesis.

Results: HIF-1α was increased in VAT from morbidly obese subjects. In fasting status, C57BL6J ob/ob mice had a higher VAT HIF-1α mRNA expression than C57BL6J wild-type mice. In feeding status, VAT HIF-1α mRNA expression significantly increased in C57BL6J wild-type, but not in C57BL6J ob/ob mice. In humans, HIF-1α mRNA expression correlated positively with body mass index and insulin resistance. VAT HIF-1α mRNA expression correlated negatively with ACC1, PDHB and SIRT3 mRNA expression, and positively with PPAR-γ. VAT explants incubated in hypoxia showed reduced SIRT3 and increased PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c, ACLY, ACC1 and FASN mRNA expression.

Conclusions: Morbidly obese subjects have a higher level of VAT HIF-1α. Postprandial status is associated with an increase in HIF-1α mRNA expression in C57BL6J wild-type mice. Hypoxia alters the mRNA expression of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis in human VAT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / genetics*
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / metabolism*
  • Lipogenesis / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • RNA, Messenger