Relative Adipose Tissue Failure in Alström Syndrome Drives Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance

Obesity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance (IR) and its attendant complications. The pathogenic mechanisms linking them remain poorly understood, partly due to a lack of intermediary monogenic human phenotypes. Here, we report on a monogenic form of IR-prone obesity, Alström syndrome (ALMS). Twenty-three subjects with monogenic or polygenic obesity underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamping with concomitant adipose tissue (AT) microdialysis and an in-depth analysis of subcutaneous AT histology. We have shown a relative AT failure in a monogenic obese cohort, a finding supported by observations in a novel conditional mouse model (Almsflin/flin) and ALMS1-silenced human primary adipocytes, whereas selective reactivation of ALMS1 gene in AT of an ALMS conditional knockdown mouse model (Almsflin/flin; Adipo-Cre+/−) restores systemic insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Hence, we show for the first time the relative AT failure in human obese cohorts to be a major determinant of accelerated IR without evidence of lipodystrophy. These new insights into adipocyte-driven IR may assist development of AT-targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetes.

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TitleRelative Adipose Tissue Failure in Alström Syndrome Drives Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance
DateFebruary 1st, 2021
Issue nameDiabetes
Issue numberv70.2 p364-376
DOI10.2337/db20-0647
AuthorsGeberhiwot T, Baig S, Obringer C, Girard D, Dawson C, Manolopoulos K, Messaddeq N, Bel Lassen P, Clement K, Tomlinson JW, Steeds RP, Dollfus H, Petrovsky N & Marion V
MTGsMTG5
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