Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease in Veterans and its prevalence continues to increase, with the growing obesity epidemic. Hepatic steatosis is a component of NAFLD, wherein there is accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. Recently we published that GDNF transgenic mice fed a high fat diet are protected from obesity and the development of hepatic steatosis despite similar food intake and physical activity. GDNF transgenic mice over express GDNF in glia under the GFAP promoter (GDNF-tg) GDNF (expressed in glia) and its receptors, cRET and GFR-1? are expressed in human and murine hepatocytes. Thus, GDNF present in the liver can act locally on the hepatocytes. GDNF-tg mice demonstrate enhanced energy utilization assessed by indirect calorimetry. Having established a role for GDNF in preventing hepatic steatosis we recently examined the role of GDNF in preventing liver injury. Our preliminary data demonstrate novel effects of GDNF on the liver that include: (i) GDNF prevents HFD-induced liver injury (ii) GDNF-tg mice fed a HFD have increased hepatic levels of autophagy; and (iii) Hepatocytes treated with GDNF have improved mitochondrial function as seen by increased basal and mitochondrial respiration The mechanisms for these potentially beneficial effects of GDNF have yet to be explored. We hypothesize that the mechanism of GDNF prevention of hepatic injury is through promoting hepatocyte autophagy and by improving mitochondrial function leading to increased hepatocyte survival. GDNF can increase lipid droplet turnover, fat oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation in hepatic cells through the autophagic pathway. In this proposal we will establish the mechanism of GDNF regulation of hepatocyte autophagy and improved mitochondrial function. Currently there are no FDA approved drugs for the treatment of hepatic steatosis. We have identified a novel neurotrophic factor GDNF that decreases both hepatic steatosis and injury through enhancing autophagy and mitochondrial function. Using both genetic and pharmacological approaches we will define the role of GDNF in inducing autophagy to lead to oxidative lipid metabolism, fat reduction and reduced hepatic injury. We propose the following interrelated, but independently achievable aims:
Specific Aim 1 : To determine if the mechanism by which GDNF decreases hepatocyte lipid accumulation is through enhanced autophagy mediated lipolysis mediated by suppression of mTOR signaling. Preliminary data indicate that GDNF is a potent inducer of autophagy. We will establish whether autophagy mediates the GDNF-induced reduction in cellular lipid stores by studies of overexpression and knockdown of autophagy related genes. Preliminary data indicate that GDNF suppresses pmTOR signaling which is the prime inhibitory pathway of autophagy. We will determine the mechanism of GDNF up regulation of autophagy focusing on the mTOR pathway. WT and GDNF-tg mice will be fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks and genes regulating autophagy in hepatocytes will be assessed. In vitro the mechanism GDNF regulation of palmitate- induced autophagy will be determined focusing on the mTOR/TFEB/PGC1-? pathway.
Specific Aim 2 : To establish that GDNF promotes hepatocyte survival by enhancing mitochondrial respiration by the mechanism of enhanced beta-adrenergic signaling and mitophagy. Our preliminary data demonstrate that GDNF increases mitochondrial function in hepatocytes as seen by increasing basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration as well as improving the mitochondrial respiration in hepatocytes cultured in the presence of palmitate. GDNF also promotes lipolysis through activation of ?-adrenergic signaling. We will establish the role of GDNF in regulating mitochondrial respiration using the GDNF-tg mice. We will examine the mechanism of GDNF regulation of mitochondrial health focusing on mitophagy and its effects on improving mitochondrial respiration. Taken together our data from this proposal may provide novel targets for the treatment or prevention of hepatic steatosis and injury.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty liver disease is a major health problem for veterans. It involves the accumulation of fat in the liver known as hepatic steatosis. It is seen in obese patients. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may play an important role in the prevention or treatment of hepatic steatosis. Experiments outlined in this proposal will study the mechanism of how GDNF regulates hepatic steatosis. These experiments will not only contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of hepatic steatosis, but may also lead to new therapeutic targets for its prevention and treatment. Impact on Veterans Health Care: Hepatic steatosis is highly prevalent in the Veteran population and the incidence is rising. Results from this study can help veterans by identifying new targets to prevent and treat obesity related liver diseases like steatosis.
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