Adipose tissue-derived biological signals in integrative metabolism

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The overall goal of this research proposal is to advance fundamental knowledge of the basic biological processes that occur in adipose (fat) tissue. The traditional view of adipose tissue was that it serves simply as a storage depot for excess energy in the form of lipids. It is now known that adipose tissue has many other important functions in the body. In particular, adipose tissue secretes small molecules called adipokines that act as mediators of various processes in the body, including inflammatory responses and metabolism of carbohydrates (sugars) and lipids. My laboratory focuses primarily on one such adipokine called adiponectin. Currently, we know very little about the basic biology of adiponectin, including how it is modulated (increased or decreased) and how it functions as a "communication signal" between fat cells and other cells, such as macrophages (involved in inflammation), or other tissues, such as muscle. Research has shown that exercise and fatty acids, including fish oil-derived long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can modulate adiponectin, but our basic knowledge is limited. To investigate how fatty acids and/or exercise influence adiponectin and its subsequent role in adipose-muscle or adipose-macrophage communication, my laboratory will use animal and novel cell culture models. This will give us a more comprehensive picture of basic biological processes in adipose tissue. As well, we will gain new knowledge on the effect of specific fatty acids that will have value for agricultural and food sectors interested in optimizing fatty acids in foods in Canada.