Adipose tissue secretes many important biologically active proteins called adipokines. A subset of adipokines, called C1q tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related proteins (CTRPs), play a key role in metabolism, inflammation, and cell signaling. C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) increases hepatic fatty acid oxidation, decreases inflammation, and aids in cardiovascular recovery following a myocardial infarction. However, the mechanisms behind CTRP3's protective effects on organ systems are unknown. This exploratory study aims to analyze the circulating oligomeric state of CTRP3 and the circadian regulation of CTRP3 to help understand the role of CTRP3 in preventing disease.METHODSThe oligomeric state of CTRP3 was analyzed in serum separated by size exclusion filtration collected from non‐fasting high‐fat fed hyperglycemic mice as well as low‐fat fed normoglycemic mice. For analysis of the circadian regulation of CTRP3, serum samples were collected from mice at 4 different times throughout the day (early & late dark cycle and early & late light cycle). Circulating CTRP3 levels were then analyzed by immunoblot analysis.RESULTSIn both high fat (HF) and low fat (LF) fed mice CTRP3 was found to circulate as oligomers above 300kDa as well as between 100 and 300kDa, with no detectable amount of CTRP3 observed below the 100 kDa cutoff. Interestingly, although there was no difference in the total amount of CTRP3 between the HF and LF fed mice, the proportion of CTRP3 above the 300 kDa cutoff was higher in the HF fed mice whereas the majority of CTRP3 in the LF fed mice was found between 100–300 kDa cutoffs. Additionally, we found that serum CTRP3 levels varied greatly throughout a 24‐hour time‐period within each mouse, but no consensus circadian pattern was observed.CONCLUSIONIn vitro mammalian produced recombinant CTRP3 protein exists as trimer, hexamer, and high molecule weight oligomer. This is the first study to indicate that CTRP3 circulates in different oligomeric states in vivo, and this is also the first study to observe a difference in the oligomeric state of CTRP3 related to metabolic state. Combined these findings indicate that oligomeric state of CTRP3 may be more metabolically relevant than total amount of circulating CTRP3. In addition, our finding of a high variability of CTRP3 within the same mouse at different times throughout the day indicates that is not regulated by circadian rhythms but is susceptible to variability due to some unknown regulatory factor. Combined, these findings have identified novel unknown aspects of CTRP3 which require further research to understand the role of CTRP3 in human health and disease.Support or Funding InformationNIH‐R15DK105496This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ which secrets several pro‐ and anti‐ inflammatory mediators, collectively called adipokines. Our previous work has identified a novel anti‐inflammatory adipokine called C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3). Localized overexpression of CTRP3 protects myocardial tissue from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced sepsis, indicating a potential protective role of CTRP3. However, endogenous regulation of CTRP3 in response to a sepsis event has not been explored. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to explore the potential role of CTRP3 in sepsis by determining the effects of a sepsis event on circulating CTRP3 levels.METHODSGonadal adipose tissue and serum were collected 8 hours after induction of the cecal‐puncture and ligation (CLP) model of sepsis or sham control mice. The circulating levels of CTRP3 were quantified by immunoblot analysis. The transcription levels of CTRP3 in adipose tissue were measured by Real‐Time PCR. In addition, to explore a potential mechanism for a protective role of CTRP3, thioglycollate‐induced peritoneal macrophages were isolated and binding of recombinant CTRP3 protein was determined by imaging flow cytometry.RESULTSCLP‐induced sepsis reduced circulating CTRP3 levels by ~90%, compared to sham treated mice. However, there was no difference in the CTRP3 mRNA level. Further, imaging flow cytometry demonstrated that CTRP3 binds directly to isolated macrophages.CONCLUSIONThe observed reduction in circulating CTRP3 protein levels combined with the absence of changes to the CTRP3 transcription level, indicate that during sepsis CTRP3 is actively removed from the blood. Combine these data support future research to determine if circulating CTRP3 levels are a biomarker indicative of sepsis prognosis. In addition, as CTRP3 binds to and inhibits macrophage activation future research should also determine if restoring circulating CTRP3 levels could reduce the cytokine storm associated with a sepsis event.Support or Funding InformationNIH NIDDK R15DK105496This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.