CB1R regulates soluble leptin receptor levels via CHOP, contributing to hepatic leptin resistance

  1. Adi Drori
  2. Asaad Gammal
  3. Shahar Azar
  4. Liad Hinden
  5. Rivka Hadar
  6. Daniel Wesley
  7. Alina Nemirovski
  8. Gergő Szanda
  9. Maayan Salton
  10. Boaz Tirosh
  11. Joseph Tam  Is a corresponding author
  1. Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
  2. Laboratory of Physiological Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, United States
  3. MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Hungary
  4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
  5. The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
9 figures, 1 table and 2 additional files

Figures

Figure 1 with 1 supplement
Hepatic CB1R regulates soluble isoform of leptin receptor (sOb-R) levels and leptin signaling in DIO.

Serum (A, n = 7–21) and liver (B, n = 6–9) levels of sOb-R are reduced following a 14 weeks consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) in wild-type (WT), but not LCB1 cKO mice. JD5037 (3 mg/kg, for 7 days) reverses the reduction in WT mice. The same trend observed in hepatic mRNA levels of Lepr-s (C, n = 3–12) as well as protein levels of Ob-Rb, Ob-Ra, and Ob-Re (D and E, n = 5–10; G and H, n = 8–10). Despite a comparable weight gain following HFD consumption in WT and LCB1 cKO mice (F, n = 4–20), obese mice that lack CB1R in hepatocytes remain leptin sensitive indicated by increased pSTAT3 levels (I–L, n = 3–4). Transgenic mice, expressing CB1R only in hepatocytes, are protected from DIO (M, n = 3–4). An exclusive hepatic overexpression of CB1R is sufficient for HFD feeding to induce reduction in serum, liver mRNA, and protein levels of sOb-R (N–Q, n = 4) as well as to reduce hepatic leptin sensitivity in response to exogenous leptin stimulation (R and S, n = 7). Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. The blots are representative. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to HFD-fed mice from the same strain. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT mice.

Figure 1—figure supplement 1
LEPR antibody detects isoforms of 75, 100, and 150 kDa.

Western blot analysis and quantification (A and B, n = 3) of LEPR expression levels in HK-2 cell line, infected with either empty vector or mouse LEPR expressing AAV. Vector also expressed eGFP and infection efficiency was approximately 30%, as assessed by fluorescent microscopy (not shown). Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. *p<0.05 relative to control cells.

Figure 2 with 1 supplement
CB1R directly regulates soluble isoform of leptin receptor (sOb-R) levels in hepatocytes.

24 hr treatment with the synthetic CB1R agonist noladin ether (NE, 2.5 μM) induced reduction in sOb-R levels in the culture media of immortalized hepatocytes (blot was quantified using Ponceau staining as a loading control). This was completely ameliorated by 1 hr pretreatment with 100 nM JD5037 (A and B, n = 12–13). Similar results were observed in both mRNA (C, n = 12–17) and protein (D and E, n = 4) levels in hepatocytes lysate (for Ob-Rb, the lower band was quantified). Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of biological replicates. Blots are representative. *p<0.05 relative to vehicle-treated cells. #p<0.05 relative to NE-treated cells.

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
Hepatic expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17.

Hepatic mRNA expression levels of Adam10 (A) and Adam17 (B) in wild-type mice fed with standard diet (STD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks and treated with JD5037 (3 mg/kg, for 7 days) as well as in LCB1 cKO mice fed either STD or HFD for the same period. Data represent mean ± SEM of five to six animals per group.

Figure 3 with 2 supplements
C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) contributes to the metabolic benefits of peripheral CB1R blockade.

mRNA (A, n = 5–19) and protein (B–D, n = 4–6) levels of CHOP show reduced expression following 14 weeks on high-fat diet (HFD) in wild-type (WT), but not LCB1 cKO mice. JD5037 (3 mg/kg, for 7 days) treatment reverses the HFD-induced reduction in CHOP levels. Metabolic assessment of mice revealed diminished effect of JD5037 in CHOP KO mice. Weight (E, n = 10–23), fat and lean mass (F and G, n = 5–19), serum HDL, LDL as well as hepatic triglycerides (TG) (H–J, n = 9–26) were comparable in lean and obese WT and CHOP KO mice. JD5037 treatment was significantly more efficient in reducing weight, fat mass, LDL, and TG in WT mice. Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to HFD-fed mice from the same strain. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT mice.

Figure 3—figure supplement 1
High-fat diet (HFD) induces eIF2α phosphorylation in wild-type (WT) mice.

Western blot analysis (A, C) and quantification (B, D) show increased hepatic ratio between phosphorylated and total eIF2α in WT, but not LCB1 cKO mice. Data represent mean ± SEM of five to six samples in each group. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. Blots are representative.

Figure 3—figure supplement 2
An altered endocannabinoid (eCB) 'tone' in C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)-deficient mice.

Measurements of hepatic AEA (A, n = 6–12) and 2-AG (B, n = 6–12) levels in mice demonstrate an expected elevation of eCB levels in obese mice, and decreased levels following JD5037 treatment (3 mg/kg, for 7 days) in wild-type (WT), but not CHOP KO mice. This observation is partly explained by the changes measured in the mRNA expression levels of their synthesis and degradating enzymes (C–F, n = 6–15). Data represents mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to HFD-fed mice from the same strain. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT mice.

C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) plays a key role in regulating soluble isoform of leptin receptor (sOb-R) by the endocannabinoid (eCB)/CB1R system.

Serum (A, n = 11–18) levels of sOb-R were reduced following a 14 weeks consumption of high-fat diet (HFD). JD5037 (3 mg/kg, for 7 days) reversed the reduction in wild-type (WT), but not CHOP KO mice. Basal hepatic levels of sOb-R were lower in CHOP KO mice and did not change following HFD or JD5037 treatment (B, n = 5–8). A similar trend was observed in hepatic mRNA levels (C, n = 9–17) and protein level of Ob-Rb, Ob-Ra, and Ob-Re (D and E, n = 5–6). Whereas DIO-related hyperleptinemia was comparable between WT and CHOP KO mice, JD5037 was more efficacious in reducing it in WT mice (F, n = 8–16). Lean CHOP KO mice failed to increase the hepatic pSTAT3/STAT3 ratio in response to exogenous leptin administration (G and H, n = 5). Western blots are representative. Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to HFD-fed mice from the same strain. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT mice.

C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) regulates LEPR expression in hepatocytes.

In vitro, 24 hr treatment with noladin ether (NE; 2.5 μM) induced reduction in mRNA levels of Ddit3. (ND – not detected) (A), Ppp1r15a (B), and Lepr-s (C) in wild-type (WT), but not CHOP KO hepatocytes. A similar trend was observed in soluble isoform of leptin receptor protein levels secreted into the culture media of hepatocytes (blot was quantified using Ponceau staining as a loading control) (D and E). Data represent mean ± SEM of 8–20 biological replicates. Blots are representative. *p<0.05 relative to vehicle-treated cells in the same genotype. ^p<0.05 relative to same treatment paradigm in WT.

Figure 6 with 2 supplements
C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) is a positive regulator of Lepr Promoter.

Induction of CHOP mRNA (A, n = 14) and protein (B, n = 3) expression using a 6 hr treatment with tunicamycin (TM; 2.5 µG/mL) was accompanied by elevated soluble isoform of leptin receptor (sOb-R) levels in the culture media (blot was quantified using Ponceau staining as a loading control) (C and D, n = 3) as well as mRNA levels (E, n = 8–21) of wild-type (WT) hepatocytes. A transient CHOP overexpression induced elevation in sOb-R levels in the culture media of WT hepatocytes (F and G, n = 3). Luciferase reporter assay (H, n = 14–16) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) (I, n = 2–7) show increased Lepr promoter activity and CHOP binding to this promoter in WT hepatocytes treated with TM. Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of biological replicates. Blots are representative. *p<0.05 relative to vehicle-treated cells. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT hepatocytes.

Figure 6—figure supplement 1
Trib3 as a possible link between CB1R and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP).

Western blot analysis and quantification (A–C, n = 5) and mRNA of hepatic Trib3 expression levels (D, n = 5) in wild-type (WT) and CHOP KO mice show increased expression in obese WT, but not LCB1 cKO mice. A direct activation of CB1R by using noladin ether (NE) upregulated the mRNA expression of Trib3 in WT, but not in CHOP KO hepatocytes. In vivo: Data represent mean ± SEM of indicated number of replicates in each panel. Western blots are representative. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to high-fat diet-fed mice from the same strain. ^p<0.05 relative to the same treatment group of WT mice. In vitro: Data represent mean ± SEM of 12–15 replicates from at least three independent experiments. *p<0.05 relative to vehicle-treated cells in the same genotype. ^p<0.05 relative to same treatment paradigm in WT.

Figure 6—figure supplement 2
Hepatic ATF4 protein expression is regulated by CB1R and is correlated with C/EBP homologous protein levels.

Hepatic mRNA levels (A) of Atf4 are similarly reduced in wild-type (WT) and LCB1 cKO obese mice. However, western blot analysis and quantification (B–D, n = 5–6) revealed that the ATF4 protein levels in the WT mice are reduced on a high-fat diet (HFD), and reversed by JD5037, whereas they remain unchanged in obese LCB1 cKO mice. Like in WT mice, transgenic mice with CB1R overexpression in the liver (hTgCB1 cKO) have lower levels of hepatic Atf4 mRNA (E) and ATF4 protein (F and G, n = 6–10) levels when fed with a HFD. Data represent the mean ± SEM of the indicated number of replicates in each panel. *p<0.05 relative to standard diet-fed animals from the same strain. #p<0.05 relative to the HFD-fed mice from the same strain.

Figure 6—figure supplement 2—source data 1

Raw data for Figure 6-Figure Supplement 2.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/60771/elife-60771-fig6-figsupp2-data1-v2.xlsx
An illustration that describes the suggested molecular mechanism involving CB1R and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in the regulation of soluble isoform of leptin receptor (sOb-R) levels.

(Left) When overexpressed in the liver, activated by endocannabinoids during diet-induced obesity (DIO) or synthetic cannabinoids, such as noladin ether (NE, green squares), CB1R attenuates cAMP (pink circles) production by inhibiting adenylate cyclase (AC). CB1R also represses the expression of ATF4, as well as upregulates Trib3 expression. As a consequence, CHOP levels are reduced, transcribing less Lepr. (Right) Blocking CB1R in hepatocytes reverses these changes, leading to the activation and translocation of CHOP to the nucleus, which, in turn, directly binds the Lepr promoter and promotes the expression of sOb-R. Red arrows represent downregulation, whereas green arrows represent upregulation. Colored triangles represent activation.

Author response image 1
Author response image 2

Tables

Key resources table
Reagent type
(species) or resource
DesignationSource or referenceIdentifiersAdditional information
Gene (Mus musculus)Lepre!EnsemblENSMUSG00000057722Leptin receptor
Strain, strain background (Mus musculus)Wild typeEnvigo IsraelC57Bl/6N
Strain, strain background (Mus musculus)LCB1 cKOOsei-Hyiaman et al., 2008Liver-specific CB1R KO
Strain, strain background (Mus musculus)hTgCB1 cKOTam et al., 2010CB1R KO, overexpressing CB1R in hepatocytes
Strain, strain background (Mus musculus)CHOP KOThe Jackson LaboratoryB6.129S(Cg)-Ddit3tm2.1Dron/J,
#005530
RRID:IMSR_JAX:005530
Transfected construct (Mus musculus)mCHOP-9E10AddgeneCHOP6: mCHOP-WT-9E10-pCDNA, #21913 RRID:Addgene_21913
Transfected construct (Firefly,sv40)pGL3PromegapGL3-basic vector,
E1751
Luciferase Assay vector
Transfected construct (Mus musculus)Ad-GFP-mLEPRVECTOR BIOSYSTEMS IncADV-263380
Cell line (Mus musculus)Wild typeUzi et al., 2013Immortalized mouse hepatocytes
Cell line (Mus musculus)CHOP KOUzi et al., 2013Immortalized mouse hepatocytes
AntibodyLEPR (rabbit polyclonal)NovusNB-120–5593
RRID:AB_791038
WB (1:2000)
AntibodypSTAT3 (rabbit monoclonal)Cell signaling#9145
RRID:AB_2491009
Phosphorylated Stat3 (Tyr705),
WB (1:1000)
AntibodySTAT3 (mouse monoclonal)Cell signaling#9139
RRID:AB_331757
WB (1:3000)
Antibodyp-eIF2α (rabbit polyclonal)Cell signaling#9721
RRID:AB_330951
Phosphorylated eIF2α (Ser51),
WB (1:1000)
Antibodyt-eIF2α (rabbit polyclonal)Cell signaling#9722
RRID:AB_2230924
Total eIF2α WB (1:1000)
AntibodyATF4 (rabbit monoclonal)Cell signaling#11815
RRID:AB_2616025
WB (1:1000)
AntibodyCHOP (mouse monoclonal)Cell signaling#2895S
RRID:AB_2089254
WB (1:1000)
ChIP (2.5 µg/sample)
AntibodyTrib3 (rabbit polyclonal)Abcamab137526
RRID:AB_2876352
WB (1:2000)
Antibodyβ-Actin (mouse monoclonal)Abcamab49900 RRID:AB_867494WB (1:30,000)
AntibodyH3 (rabbit polyclonal)Abcamab1791
RRID:AB_302613
ChIP (2.5 µg/sample)
AntibodyAnti-rabbit HRP (donkey polyclonal)Abcamab97085
RRID:AB_10679957
WB (1:10,000)
AntibodyAnti-mouse HRP (donkey polyclonal)Abcamab98799
RRID:AB_10675068
WB (1:10,000)
Commercial assay or kitSLR ELISAShanghai Bluegene BiotechE03S0226
Commercial assay or kitTriglyceride Assay KitAbcamab65336
Commercial assay or kitDual-Glo Luciferase Assay SystemPromegaE2920
Chemical compound, drugJD5037Haoyuan Chemexpress Co., LtdHY-18697
Chemical compound, drugNECayman Chemicals621652-Arachidonyl glycerol ether
Chemical compound, drugTunicamycin
(TM)
Holland Moran11089-65-9
Software, algorithmGraphPad PrismGraphPad SoftwareRRID:SCR_002798

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  1. Adi Drori
  2. Asaad Gammal
  3. Shahar Azar
  4. Liad Hinden
  5. Rivka Hadar
  6. Daniel Wesley
  7. Alina Nemirovski
  8. Gergő Szanda
  9. Maayan Salton
  10. Boaz Tirosh
  11. Joseph Tam
(2020)
CB1R regulates soluble leptin receptor levels via CHOP, contributing to hepatic leptin resistance
eLife 9:e60771.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.60771