title: Trefoil factor family member 2 (Tff2) KO mice are protected from high-fat diet-induced obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trefoil factor family member 2 (Tff2) is a small gut peptide, mainly known for its protective and healing functions. As previously demonstrated, high-fat (HF) feeding can rapidly and specifically modulate Tff2 transcription in key tissues of mice, including the duodenum and mesenteric adipose tissue, therefore suggesting a novel role for this gene in energy balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  To explore whether and how Tff2 can influence feeding behavior and energy metabolism, Tff2 knock-out (KO) mice were challenged with HF diet for 12 weeks, hence food and energy intakes, body composition, as well as energy excretion and serum lipid and hormonal levels were analyzed. Finally, energy efficiency was estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tff2 KO mice showed a greater appetite and higher energy intake compared to wild-type (WT). Consistently, they presented lower levels of serum leptin, and increased transcription of agouti-related protein (Agrp) in the hypothalamus. Though energy and triglyceride fecal excretion were augmented in Tff2 KO mice, digestible energy intake was superior. However, KO mice were finally protected from HF diet-induced obesity, and accumulated less weight and fat depots than WT animals, while keeping a normal lean mass. Energy efficiency was lower in HF-KO mice, while energy expenditure and locomotor activity were globally increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present work demonstrates previously unsuspected roles for Tff2 and suggests it to be a mastermind in the control of energy balance and a promising therapeutic target for obesity.
authors.affiliation: Functional Genomics Laboratory, CREMOGH, CRCHUQ and Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moreault
authors.forename: Rose-Guerline
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Cherizol
authors.forename: Aftab Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blin
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Jonny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: St-Amand
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D054369:Agouti-Related Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite; D001823:Body Composition; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012527:Satiation; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2
chemical_list: D054369:Agouti-Related Protein; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; D009077:Mucins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C481546:TFF2 protein, mouse; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2