NF-κB regulates brown adipocyte function through suppression of ANT2

The transcription factor nuclear factor of kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) is expressed in brown adipocytes, but its role remains largely unknown in the cells. This issue was addressed in current study by examining NF-κB in brown adipocytes in vitro and in vivo. NF-κB activity was increased by differentiation of brown adipocytes through elevation of p65 (RelA) expression. The transcriptional activity of NF-κB was induced by the cold stimulation with an elevation in S276 phosphorylation of p65 protein. Inactivation of NF-κB in brown adipocytes made the knockout mice [uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1)-CreER-p65f/f, U-p65-KO] intolerant to the cold environment. The brown adipocytes exhibited an increase in apoptosis, a decrease in cristae density and uncoupling activity in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) of p65-KO mice. The alterations became severer after cold exposure of the KO mice. The brown adipocytes of mice with NF-κB activation (p65 overexpression, p65-OE) exhibited a set of opposite alterations with a reduction in apoptosis, an increase in cristae density and uncoupling activity. In mechanism, NF-κB inhibited expression of the adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (ANT2) in the control of apoptosis. Data suggest that NF-κB activity is increased in brown adipocytes by differentiation and cold stimulation to protect the cells from apoptosis through down-regulation of ANT2 expression.

Recent advance in biomarkers as predictors for conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease / 中华神经医学杂志

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be the early stage of dementia. About 10%-15% of MCI patients eventually develop dementia each year. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, and also the final outcome of most MCI. Early identification and intervention of MCI with high risk of conversion to AD is of great significance for controlling the progress of cognitive impairment. The author summarizes the latest research progress of core and other new biomarkers that predict the conversion of MCI to AD from levels of body fluid, imaging and genetics, to provide guidance for predicting the outcomes of MCI or early diagnoses of AD.