White adipose tissue undergoes pathological dysfunction in the TDP-43A315T mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Abstract

White adipose tissue (WAT) has a crucial role in maintaining systemic energy homeostasis. Numerous biological pathway studies have highlighted the importance of adipokines in regulating metabolic pathways and contributing to metabolic dysfunction in animal models and patients with ALS. Despite these associations, the specific molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Moreover, the direct contribution of WAT to the energy metabolism abnormalities observed in ALS has yet to be clearly defined. The current study sought to identify perturbances in WAT, main source of leptin, during the clinical course of the disease in TDP-43^A315T mice using histological, proteomic, and molecular biological techniques. We present the first evidence of a significant histological alteration in WAT prior to the symptomatic stage of the disease in TDP-43^A315T mice, providing novel insights into pathological features earlier in the onset of symptoms, and showing WAT as a target organ for ALS. In human ALS cases, we found that circulating leptin levels at the time of diagnosis were lower in the plasma of men with ALS who were overweight or obese and had rapidly progressive ALS, emphasizing the importance of considering sex-specific approaches when analysing adipokines essential for body weight control.