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Despite intensive drug development efforts and public health initiatives, obesity is increasing in incidence and predicted to affect over 50% of all adults worldwide by 2035. Being chronically overweight increases the risk of serious disease co-morbidities that, in turn, increase mortality and healthcare costs. Behavioral approaches to combat obesity, such as diet and exercise, rarely produce lasting weight loss commonly due to compensatory hyperphagia and hypometabolism. These limitations have stimulated interest in pharmacotherapies that target gut-derived peptide hormones involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, such as PYY, GIP, CCK, and GLP-1. These peptides are secreted by different enteroendocrine cells distributed throughout the intestine in response to food intake, subsequently enhancing satiation signaling and ultimately promotes meal termination. However, a major challenge of FDA-approved and experimental weight-loss medications that target GI-derived satiation signals is the frequent occurrence of nausea and vomiting.

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Placental mitochondrial calcium uniporter modulates offspring susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction

Seokwon Jo, Grace Chung, Yu-Jin Youn, Charlotte Hunt, ... Emilyn U. Alejandro

Placental mitochondrial calcium uniporter modulates offspring susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction

Mitochondria are crucial for regulating metabolism, but their role in the placenta and how they may shape offspring metabolism and long-term health remains unclear, despite being commonly associated with pregnancy complications. To investigate this, we used a genetic model with placenta-specific deletion of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (Pl-MCUKO) and assessed the metabolic trajectory of adult offspring. We found that, at baseline, female placental trophoblasts in wild-type animals exhibited higher respiration rates than males. MCU deletion impaired mitochondrial function specifically in female placentas and was accompanied by distinct changes in the metabolomic profiles of protein and lipid metabolism. Transcriptome analysis revealed reduced placental cellular growth pathways, consistent with smaller placentas and reduced embryonic body weights in Pl-MCUKO. Although in utero MCU deletion affected fetal growth, it was insufficient to cause permanent postnatal changes in body weight, as these deficits normalized in adulthood, with normal glucose homeostasis in Pl-MCUKO offspring. However, when challenged with a high-fat diet, Pl-MCUKO females exhibited reduced weight gain, improved glucose and insulin tolerance, smaller fat depots, and increased ambulatory activity compared to controls. This improved metabolic profile was associated with reduced pancreatic β-cell mass but preserved β-cell function. These findings provide direct evidence that placental mitochondrial function can influence the long-term metabolic health of female offspring by modulating key metabolic tissues.

 

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Placental mitochondrial calcium uniporter modulates offspring susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction

Seokwon Jo, Grace Chung, Yu-Jin Youn, Charlotte Hunt, ... Emilyn U. Alejandro

Placental mitochondrial calcium uniporter modulates offspring susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction

Mitochondria are crucial for regulating metabolism, but their role in the placenta and how they may shape offspring metabolism and long-term health remains unclear, despite being commonly associated with pregnancy complications. To investigate this, we used a genetic model with placenta-specific deletion of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (Pl-MCUKO) and assessed the metabolic trajectory of adult offspring. We found that, at baseline, female placental trophoblasts in wild-type animals exhibited higher respiration rates than males. MCU deletion impaired mitochondrial function specifically in female placentas and was accompanied by distinct changes in the metabolomic profiles of protein and lipid metabolism. Transcriptome analysis revealed reduced placental cellular growth pathways, consistent with smaller placentas and reduced embryonic body weights in Pl-MCUKO. Although in utero MCU deletion affected fetal growth, it was insufficient to cause permanent postnatal changes in body weight, as these deficits normalized in adulthood, with normal glucose homeostasis in Pl-MCUKO offspring. However, when challenged with a high-fat diet, Pl-MCUKO females exhibited reduced weight gain, improved glucose and insulin tolerance, smaller fat depots, and increased ambulatory activity compared to controls. This improved metabolic profile was associated with reduced pancreatic β-cell mass but preserved β-cell function. These findings provide direct evidence that placental mitochondrial function can influence the long-term metabolic health of female offspring by modulating key metabolic tissues.

 

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