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Saturated fatty acid-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis are augmented by trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid in liver cells

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Abstract

Lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues leads to cell dysfunction and apoptosis, a phenomenon known as lipotoxicity. Recent evidence suggests that lipotoxicity in hepatocytes involves endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated apoptosis. The present study examined (1) the dose–response and time course characteristics of fatty acid-mediated ER stress and apoptosis in H4IIE liver cells; (2) whether saturated fatty acid-induced apoptosis involved the ER-associated caspase-12; and (3) whether trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid, an inhibitor of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, influenced fatty acid-mediated ER stress and apoptosis. Saturated fatty acids induced ER stress in a dose-dependent manner with a time course that was delayed relative to chemical-induction of ER stress. Saturated fatty acids increased caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity, however increased caspase-12 activity was not observed. Inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, using conjugated linoleic acid (trans-10, cis-12), augmented saturated fatty acid-induced ER stress and apoptosis. These data suggest that saturated fatty acids induce ER stress and apoptosis at physiologic concentrations and with a relatively rapid time course. It would appear that saturated fatty acid-mediated apoptosis occurs independently of caspase-12 activation. Since conjugated linoleic acid inhibited stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity, it is hypothesized that saturation, per se, plays a role in lipotoxicity in liver cells.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant DK-072017.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Gifford 234, Campus Delivery 1571, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1571, USA

    Yuren Wei, Dong Wang & Michael J. Pagliassotti

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  1. Yuren Wei
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  2. Dong Wang
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  3. Michael J. Pagliassotti
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Correspondence to Michael J. Pagliassotti.

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Wei, Y., Wang, D. & Pagliassotti, M.J. Saturated fatty acid-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis are augmented by trans-10, cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid in liver cells. Mol Cell Biochem 303, 105–113 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9461-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9461-2

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