TGR5 signalling promotes mitochondrial fission and beige remodelling of white adipose tissue

Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 16;9(1):245. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02068-0.

Abstract

Remodelling of energy storing white fat into energy expending beige fat could be a promising strategy to reduce adiposity. Here, we show that the bile acid-responsive membrane receptor TGR5 mediates beiging of the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) under multiple environmental cues including cold exposure and prolonged high-fat diet feeding. Moreover, administration of TGR5-selective bile acid mimetics to thermoneutral housed mice leads to the appearance of beige adipocyte markers and increases mitochondrial content in the scWAT of Tgr5 +/+ mice but not in their Tgr5 -/- littermates. This phenotype is recapitulated in vitro in differentiated adipocytes, in which TGR5 activation increases free fatty acid availability through lipolysis, hence fuelling β-oxidation and thermogenic activity. TGR5 signalling also induces mitochondrial fission through the ERK/DRP1 pathway, further improving mitochondrial respiration. Taken together, these data identify TGR5 as a druggable target to promote beiging with potential applications in the management of metabolic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes, Beige / metabolism
  • Adipocytes, White / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, Beige / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue, Beige / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue, White / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Subcutaneous Fat / cytology
  • Subcutaneous Fat / metabolism
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Gpbar1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled