Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 is reduced, whereas its production is increased in a fat depot-specific manner in cold-acclimated rats

Adipocyte. 2018;7(4):238-247. doi: 10.1080/21623945.2018.1504591. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of cold acclimation on circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels, as well as its production and signaling in classical brown and white adipose tissues. Male Wistar rats were cold (4°C) acclimatized for 7 days. Subsequently, liver, interscapular and aortic BAT (iBAT and aBAT), and the Sc Ing and epididymal (Epid) white adipose tissues were extracted. Cold acclimation significantly reduced circulating FGF21 and its liver expression. Conversely, FGF21 content increased in iBAT, aBAT and Sc Ing fat depots, along with the expressions of the Fgf21 receptor and the receptor co-factor β-klotho. Cold acclimation increased FGF21 secretion from Sc Ing and Epid adipocytes, although only iBAT and Sc Ing fat depots enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These findings provide evidence that FGF21 acts in an autocrine/paracrine manner in iBAT and Sc Ing fat depots under cold-acclimating conditions and may contribute to driving depot-specific thermogenic adaptive responses.

Keywords: ERK1/2; FGF21; FGFR; UCP1; adipose tissue; liver; thermogenesis; β-klotho.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cold-Shock Response
  • Eating
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / analysis
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Phosphorylation
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Thermogenesis*

Substances

  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Grant 311818-2011 (to R.B.C.). D.M.S-K. was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral and the Elia Scholarship;Natural Science and Enginnering Research Council of Canada [2016-05358];