The role of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue development and metabolism

Abstract

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is essential for the hydrolysis and distribution of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein-associated fatty acids among extrahepatic tissues. Additionally, the enzyme facilitates several non-lipolysis associated functions including the cellular uptake of whole lipoprotein particles and lipophilic vitamins. The tissue-speci®c variations of LPL expression have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various lipid disorders, obesity and atherosclerosis. Transgenic technology provided the means to study the physiological response to the overexpression or absence of the enzyme in adipose tissue, muscle and macrophages. The effects of varying LPL expression in adipose tissue and muscle are summarized in this article.

The VLDL receptor plays a major role in chylomicron metabolism by enhancing LPL-mediated triglyceride hydrolysis

“…Our findings complement the data of Yagyu et al (12), who showed decreased VLDL-TG catabolism in vldlr Ϫ/Ϫ mice that had fasted for 16 h. However, they observed no change in the uptake of VLDL-TG by adipose tissue and a reduced uptake by heart and muscle in VLDLr deficiency, whereas we find a significantly decreased uptake of chylomicron-like emulsion TG by adipose tissue with no consistent reduction in uptake of TG by heart or muscle. Although substrate variation (i.e., emulsion particles vs. native VLDL) may have contributed to the observed discrepancy, the differences between the two studies can be fully explained by the natural regulation of tissue LPL levels by the feeding state, as prolonged fasting induces a gradually decreased expression of LPL by adipose tissue whereas that of heart and muscle is gradually increased (13,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Furthermore, under fed conditions, the flux of TG-derived FFAs to adipose tissue is greatly enhanced compared with the fasting state (14).…”

Female mice lacking p47phoxhave altered adipose tissue gene expression and are protected against high fat-induced obesity

“…Some of the sexually dimorphic effects of p47 phox absence on adipocyte hypertrophy appeared to be associated with reduced uptake of fatty acids. Both LPL, which is involved in hydrolysis of serum triglycerides to fatty acids for adipocyte uptake (45), and CD36, which transports free fatty acids into adipocytes (35), were suppressed at the mRNA and protein level. Both enzymes are downstream targets of the transcription factor PPAR␥ (35,46).…”

Association between serum lipoprotein lipase mass concentration and subcutaneous fat accumulation during neonatal period

“…Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is one of the important factors for lipid deposition in adipose tissue (Zechner et al, 2000). An in vitro study with 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes showed that during differentiation, LPL mRNA expression increased sixfold; this resulted in a twofold increase in cell surface-associated LPL and a 10-fold increase in intracellular lipid storage (Gonzales and Orlando, 2007).…”