2. Academic Validation
  3. Targeting FABP4 in elderly mice rejuvenates liver metabolism and ameliorates aging-associated metabolic disorders

Targeting FABP4 in elderly mice rejuvenates liver metabolism and ameliorates aging-associated metabolic disorders

  • Metabolism. 2023 Feb 24;155528. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155528.
Jian Lv 1,  Yimeng Hu 2,  Lili Li 3,  Yuan He 3,  Jingjing Wang 4,  Ningning Guo 5,  Yu Fang 5,  Qin Chen 6,  Cheguo Cai 7,  Jingjing Tong 8,  Lixu Tang 9,  Zhihua Wang 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen 518057, China; State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • 2 Department of Endocrinology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China. Electronic address: huyimeng1992@zzu.edu.cn.
  • 3 Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
  • 4 School of Martial Arts, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, China.
  • 5 Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen 518057, China; State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • 6 School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
  • 7 Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China. Electronic address: ccheguo@126.com.
  • 8 School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address: tongjj@mail.ccnu.edu.cn.
  • 9 School of Martial Arts, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address: tanglixu@126.com.
  • 10 Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen 518057, China; State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. Electronic address: wangzhihua@fuwaihospital.org.
PMID: 36842611 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155528
Abstract

Introduction: Aging is characterized by progressive metabolic dyshomeostasis that increases morbidity and mortality. Solutions for optimizing healthy aging are challenged by lacking appropriate biomarkers. Moreover, druggable targets to rejuvenate the aging-associated metabolic phenotypes remain unavailable.

Methods: Proteomics analysis was performed in a cohort of young and elderly adults. Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) were evaluated by ELISA. FABP4 was silenced in elderly mice by adeno-associated virus. Metabolic activities were measured by metabolic cages. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze. Glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated by biochemistry assays with blood samples. RNA-seq in mouse liver was performed for transcriptome analysis.

Results: Among 9 aging-sensitive proteins shared by both male and female, FABP4 was identified as a reliable aging biomarker in both human and mouse. Silencing FABP4 in elderly mice significantly rejuvenated the aging-associated decline in metabolic activities. FABP4 knockdown reversed the aging-associated metabolic disorders by promoting degradation of Cholesterol and fatty acids, while suppressing gluconeogenesis. Transcriptome analysis revealed a restoration of the pro-aging gene reprogramming towards inflammation and metabolic disorders in the liver after FABP4 knockdown. FABP4 overexpression promoted human LO2 cell senescence. Moreover, administration of an FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 delivered metabolic benefits in elderly mice.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate FABP4 as a reliable aging biomarker as well as a practicable target to improve healthy aging in the elderly.

Keywords

Aging; Biomarkers; FABP4; Metabolic disorders; Rejuvenation; Senescence.

Figures
Products