Xiao-yang Yuan, Hua-long Wang, Bing-chuan Xie, Yan Ding*
This study aimed to assess in vitro the impacts of Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) knockdown on the transformation of adipose phenotype and the possible mechanisms of resistance to aging in 3T3-L1 cells. In the current study, the Nrf2-Knockdown (NK) via siRNA transfection increased the expression of Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) marker genes including Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Coactivator (PGC)- 1α, Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase (DIO2) and Positive Regulatory Domain Zinc Finger Region Protein 16 (PRDM16) and lowered the gene and protein expression of White Adipose Tissue (WAT) marker genes for instance Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4), Resistin and Retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) in adipocytes; NK also altered the protein expression of longevity-related genes, such as Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK ) and Increased Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein (UCP1) and Cytochrome C (CYCS), which are involved in mitochondrial generation. These results support the potential of Nrf2 as a possible therapeutic target for delaying aging through the transformation of adipose-phenotype and the effect of longevity factors.