Autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with body fat percentage

Abstract

Context

Numerous chronic conditions including obesity exhibit autophagic dysfunction. Association of immune cell autophagic marker regulation by body fat percentage (%BF) is unknown.

Objective

Investigate autophagy activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of adults with distinct %BFs and obesity-related circulating inflammatory markers.

Materials and methods

Sixteen individuals (eight males) with %BF above (n = 8, 36.9 ± 3.6 years, 27.1 ± 8.1%BF) and below (n = 8, 37.1 ± 3.7 years, 13.3 ± 3.7%BF) their age- and sex-specific 50th percentile value based on the American College Sports Medicine guidelines participated. Body fat percentage was calculated from hydrostatic weighing. PBMCs were isolated from venous blood, and PBMC autophagic flux markers (LC3-I, LC3-II, and p62) were measured via Western blot. CRP, resistin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured via ELISA.

Results

LC3-II/LC3-I ratio correlated with %BF (r=–0.56, p=.023). Insulin (p=.05) and CRP (p=.018) were higher in high %BF participants.

Discussion and conclusions

Autophagic activity markers in PBMCs correlate with %BF, but are not different between %BF groups.

Keywords:

• PBMC
• LC3-II/LC3-I
• p62
• insulin
• obesity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Lydia Charlotte Hallam for assisting with British(-ise) spelling and editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

This is a preliminary study; therefore, data are not being made available.

Additional information

Funding

This project was partially funded by internal grants from the University of New Mexico and the College of Education and Human Sciences.