Adipose tissue function is central to overall metabolism. In addition to its energy storage role, adipose tissue secretes bioactive factors (i.e. adipokines) that contribute to regulating food intake, energy expenditure and normal functioning of key organs such as the vasculature, muscle and liver. Excessive expansion of adipose tissue, as occurs in obesity, is associated with cardiovascular abnormalities and systemic inflammation which ultimately may promote development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Adipose tissue expansion involves processes that include adipocyte hypertrophy, adipogenesis (pre-adipocyte differentiation), angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and extracellular matrix remodeling. There is growing interest in targeting these processes as a potentially efficient way to limit adipose tissue mass and obesity. In addition, understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate lipid storage and the nutritional effects on adipose tissue metabolism are important in the pathophysiology of obesity. The Adipocyte Biology and Molecular Nutrition (ABMN) Core was established in 2006 and has since played a central role in facilitating molecular research related to nutrition and obesity by NORC investigators. The core provides NORC researchers, especially young investigators, access to specific equipment and expertise that are difficult to assemble by individual investigators and that can present a barrier to those new to this field. The state-of-the-art research infrastructure and training available through the ABMN Core facilitate and enhance nutrition/obesity related research and maximize resource use for NORC investigators, particularly young investigators who are establishing independent research programs. The core helps clinical investigators who are interested in the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology associated with obesity in conducting molecular studies of biopsy samples obtained from metabolically phenotyped subjects. The ABMN core also creates opportunities for interactions and collaborations that often lead to initiation of new multidiscipiinary projects and help recruit basic and clinical investigators to nutrition/obesity related research (see publication record).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Center Core Grants (P30)
Project #
5P30DK056341-14
Application #
8640151
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-2)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$106,669
Indirect Cost
$36,492
Name
Washington University
Department
Type
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Wolins, Nathan E; DeHaan, Katerina N; Cifarelli, Vincenza et al. (2018) Normalized neutral lipid quantitation by flow cytometry. J Lipid Res 59:1294-1300
Chen, Yana; McCommis, Kyle S; Ferguson, Daniel et al. (2018) Inhibition of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier by Tolylfluanid. Endocrinology 159:609-621
Chondronikola, Maria; Beeman, Scott C; Wahl, Richard L (2018) Non-invasive methods for the assessment of brown adipose tissue in humans. J Physiol 596:363-378
Karner, Courtney M; Long, Fanxin (2018) Glucose metabolism in bone. Bone 115:2-7
Xu, Wei; Mukherjee, Sumit; Ning, Yu et al. (2018) Cyclopropane fatty acid synthesis affects cell shape and acid resistance in Leishmania mexicana. Int J Parasitol 48:245-256
Wolins, Nathan E; Mittendorfer, Bettina (2018) The athlete's paradOXpat. J Physiol 596:755-756
Nicol, Ginger E; Yingling, Michael D; Flavin, Karen S et al. (2018) Metabolic Effects of Antipsychotics on Adiposity and Insulin Sensitivity in Youths: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry 75:788-796
Dean, John M; Lodhi, Irfan J (2018) Structural and functional roles of ether lipids. Protein Cell 9:196-206
Liss, Kim H H; Lutkewitte, Andrew J; Pietka, Terri et al. (2018) Metabolic importance of adipose tissue monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 in mice and humans. J Lipid Res 59:1630-1639
Mayer, Allyson L; Zhang, Yiming; Feng, Emily H et al. (2018) Enhanced Hepatic PPAR? Activity Links GLUT8 Deficiency to Augmented Peripheral Fasting Responses in Male Mice. Endocrinology 159:2110-2126

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