Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that obesity is rising exponentially to pandemic levels in the USA. The failure of current pharmacological approaches to treat obesity strongly indicates that new therapeutic strategies are required. New strategies require new knowledge. We recently identified a peptide named TLQP-21 which is encoded by the VGF gene. TLQP-21 binds the G-protein coupled receptor Complement 3a receptor1 (C3aR1), potentiates ?-adrenergic receptors (?AR)-induced lipolysis and, reduces fat mass in obese mice. TLQP-21 also improves diabetes and has a very safe cardiovascular profile. Much remains to be established on it molecular mechanism of action. Similarly, the role of C3aR1 is well established in immunity but its functional role in adipocytes and obesity is poorly understood. We propose a project in which the Central Hypothesis will be tested that TLQP-21 opposes obesity by enhancing lipolysis with a mechanism requiring priming by cAMP and mediated by increased intracellular calcium concentration.
The Specific Aim (SA)1 will determine the role of cAMP on priming TLQP-21-induced activation of C3aR1 in adipocytes and the role of increased [Ca2+]i on its pro-lipolytic effect. The SA2 will investigate the physiologicl consequence of introducing an inactive TLQP-21 mutant on the development of obesity in mice and the behavior of the peptide in a C3aR1 ko mouse. Finally, SA3 will focus on the pro-lipolytic effect of TLQP-21 in human adipocytes. The impact of successful achievement of the aims of this project will be significant on the field. After the failure of sympathomimetic drugs and other pro-lipolytic agents to cure obesity, current therapeutic approaches primarily target feeding or nutrient absorption through the gastro-enteric tract. These more recent approaches are not devoid of adverse effects. The mechanism of action of TLQP-21 has the potential to cure obesity by selectively and safely reducing the excessive adipose fat mass.

Public Health Relevance

Obesity is rising exponentially to pandemic level in the USA. Obesity dramatically increases the risk to develop diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and many others. The current pharmacological options for obesity are very limited and not very effective in reducing fat mass and weight. In the proposed project we propose that a peptide that we have identified named TLQP-21 can activates a novel mechanism to treat obesity by reducing fat mass. Remarkably the lipolytic effect is paralleled by an improvement in type 2 diabetes and a very safe cardiovascular profile. The impact of successful achievement of the aims of our project will be significant on the field and have a major translational impact on human health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK102496-03
Application #
9115605
Study Section
Integrative Physiology of Obesity and Diabetes Study Section (IPOD)
Program Officer
Haft, Carol R
Project Start
2014-08-06
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Strakova, Jana; Kamdar, Forum; Kulhanek, Debra et al. (2018) Integrative effects of dystrophin loss on metabolic function of the mdx mouse. Sci Rep 8:13624
Guo, ZengKui; Sahu, Bhavani S; He, Rongjun et al. (2018) Clearance kinetics of the VGF-derived neuropeptide TLQP-21. Neuropeptides 71:97-103
Razzoli, Maria; Emmett, Matthew J; Lazar, Mitchell A et al. (2018) ?-Adrenergic receptors control brown adipose UCP-1 tone and cold response without affecting its circadian rhythmicity. FASEB J 32:5640-5646
Razzoli, Maria; Nyuyki-Dufe, Kewir; Gurney, Allison et al. (2018) Social stress shortens lifespan in mice. Aging Cell :e12778
Razzoli, Maria; Pearson, Carolyn; Crow, Scott et al. (2017) Stress, overeating, and obesity: Insights from human studies and preclinical models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 76:154-162
Sahu, Bhavani S; Manna, Paul T; Edgar, James R et al. (2017) Role of clathrin in dense core vesicle biogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 28:2676-2685
Cero, Cheryl; Razzoli, Maria; Han, Ruijun et al. (2017) The neuropeptide TLQP-21 opposes obesity via C3aR1-mediated enhancement of adrenergic-induced lipolysis. Mol Metab 6:148-158
Dandapat, Abhijit; Perrin, Benjamin J; Cabelka, Christine et al. (2016) High Frequency Hearing Loss and Hyperactivity in DUX4 Transgenic Mice. PLoS One 11:e0151467
Razzoli, Maria; Frontini, Andrea; Gurney, Allison et al. (2016) Stress-induced activation of brown adipose tissue prevents obesity in conditions of low adaptive thermogenesis. Mol Metab 5:19-33
Razzoli, Maria; Bartolomucci, Alessandro (2016) The Dichotomous Effect of Chronic Stress on Obesity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 27:504-515

Showing the most recent 10 out of 12 publications