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Published on: July 17, 2018
Pathways regulated by glucocorticoids in omental and subcutaneous human adipose tissues: a microarray study
Mi-Jeong Lee1, Da-Wei Gong, Bryan F Burkey
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 650 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118, USA. mijlee@bu.edu
American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 30, 2010
Summary
Glucocorticoids (GC) significantly alter gene expression in human fat tissue, impacting metabolism, inflammation, and adipocyte function. These powerful regulators influence key networks controlling obesity and related metabolic processes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Glucocorticoids (GC) are key regulators of adipocyte function, metabolism, and endocrine activity.
- GC promote upper body obesity, particularly visceral fat accumulation.
- Understanding GC's impact on adipose tissue is crucial for metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze how glucocorticoids affect gene expression patterns in human adipose tissue.
- To compare the effects of GC on abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose depots.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying GC-induced metabolic and inflammatory changes in fat.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling using HG U95 Affymetrix arrays.
- Culture of abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues from severely obese subjects.
- Treatment with insulin alone or insulin plus dexamethasone (Dex) for 7 days.
Main Results:
- Long-term GC exposure affected approximately 20% of adipose-expressed genes (561 in omental, 569 in subcutaneous).
- Most genes (90%) were commonly regulated by Dex in both depots; specific depot-unique regulations were also observed.
- GC modulated genes involved in metabolism, immune response, apoptosis, acute-phase response, and stress response, including key transcription factors.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticoids exert profound effects on gene networks regulating critical functions in human adipose tissue.
- GC influence metabolic pathways, adipogenesis, insulin action, and inflammatory responses within fat depots.
- These findings provide insights into GC-driven obesity and metabolic dysregulation.
