Possible role of apelin in adipose tissue inflammatory alterations during obesity: a study with macrophages and apelin-deficient mice

• Grant number: 09/10852-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: January 04, 2010
• End date: April 03, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Gambero
• Grantee: Alessandra Gambero
• Host Investigator: Philippe Valet
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III, France

Abstract

Apelin is an adipokine acting on APJ receptor, regulated by insulin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in adipose tissue. APJ receptor is expressed in intraperitoneal and cultured macrophage. But, there is no data about apelinergic system (apelin/APJ receptor) in macrophage from adipose tissue. If macrophage activity could be modified by apelin, it could have a role in inflammation status present in adipose tissue during obesity conditions. Gene modified mice could help us to understanding this role. So, we intend to study the apelin/APJ receptor expression in macrophage from adipose tissue, as well as the inflammatory status (pro- and anti-inflammatory substances) in adipose tissue from two types of apelin-deficient mice (mice completely invalided for apelin and mice specifically invalided for apelin in adipose tissue) that will be either fed a chow or a high-fat diet. (AU)