Reduced adipogenic gene expression in fibroblasts from a patient with type 2 congenital generalized lipodystrophy.

Abstract

AIMS:

Beradinelli-Seip congenital generalized lipodystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by near-complete absence of adipose tissue, Herculean appearance, insulin resistance, hypoleptinaemia and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of pioglitazone on the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis in fibroblasts from a patient with this condition due to a seipin mutation.

METHODS:

Primary cultures of fibroblasts from the skin of the patient were obtained. Fibroblasts were treated with classic adipose differentiation medium, with and without pioglitazone. Several adipogenes were evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Intracellular localization of prelamin A was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS:

The expression of the adipogenic genes PPARG, LPL, LEP and SLC2A4 was reduced in lipodystrophic fibroblasts, while treatment with pioglitazone increased the expression of these genes. Moreover, and unexpectedly, we found an accumulation of farnesylated prelamin A in lipodystrophic fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS:

The process of adipocyte differentiation is compromised in patients with Beradinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy owing to diminished expression of the regulatory genes involved, which pioglitazone treatment partially rescues. Prelamin A accumulation establishes a link with other types of familial lipodystrophies, as familial partial lipodystrophy.

• Authors: B Victoria, J M Cabezas-Agrícola, B González-Méndez, G Lattanzi, R Del Coco, L Loidi, F Barreiro, C Calvo, J Lado-Abeal, D Araújo-Vilar
• Journal: Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association (Diabet Med) Vol. 27 Issue 10 Pg. 1178-87 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1464-5491 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20854387 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2010 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2010 Diabetes UK.

Chemical References

• Thiazolidinediones
• Pioglitazone

Topics

• Adipogenesis (drug effects, genetics)
• Adolescent
• Blotting, Western
• Fibroblasts (drug effects, metabolism)
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Lipodystrophy, Congenital Generalized (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism)
• Male
• Pioglitazone
• Thiazolidinediones (therapeutic use)