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Diabetes & metabolic disease

Metabolic diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver disease are major health concerns worldwide, with Australia being one of the most affected countries. Diabetes increases cardiovascular risk at least 3-fold, it is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and linked to premature mortality. We are interested in studying the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the development of these metabolic disorders. Further understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis will help us develop more effective therapeutic approaches for these metabolic diseases.

Research overview

While the causes remain complex, there are two molecules that have been recognized as key players in the development of metabolic diseases: i) an enzyme called AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and ii) the neuropeptide Y (NPY) system.

AMPK in health & disease
AMPK is a key regulator of whole-body energy metabolism, including lipid oxidation, cholesterol synthesis and glucose homeostasis. It plays a crucial role in controlling the balance between energy production and energy storage. AMPK is activated by metabolic stresses or hormonal changes that signal low energy conditions and acts to inhibit anabolic and promote catabolic pathways. The suppression of AMPK activity under conditions of chronic over-nutrition has been shown to be a key factor contribute to the development of metabolic diseases. We have developed a sophisticated suite of research tools such as mice that carry mutations in specific parts of the AMPK enzyme to determine the precise role of AMPK in metabolic regulation. We aim to clarify the exact contribution that AMPK makes to the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis in order to find new and more effective ways of treating it.

The NPY system in metabolic cross-talk
The NPY system is one of the most important regulators of appetite and energy balance. The NPY family consists of 3 ligands [NPY, Peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)] and 5 receptors (Y1, Y2, Y4, Y5 and y6). While NPY centrally promotes feeding and reduces energy expenditure, PYY and PP mediate satiety. Recent research has uncovered additional functions for these peptides that go beyond the simple feeding/satiety circuits and indicate a more extensive role in controlling other physiological functions such as pancreatic islet function. By using unique mouse models and cutting-edge techniques, my group aims to uncover new physiological role of the NPY system in the regulation of beta-cell functions and hepatic lipid metabolism and its implications in diabetes and fatty liver disease.

Honours and PhD projects

  • Regulation of cholesterol metabolism by AMPK in immune cells (heart disease)
  • The role of amygdala AMPK in the regulation of appetite and energy expenditure (obesity/metabolism)
  • The role of the NPY system in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism (diabetes)
  • Regulation of pancreatic islet function and survival by the NPY system (diabetes)

If you are interested in applying as a PhD or Honours student for any of these projects, please email Dr Kim Loh for further details.

Research Themes

The role of AMPK in suppressing atherosclerosis

Stemming from dyslipidemia and maladaptive inflammatory responses, atherosclerosis precedes and predicts the development of cardiovascular complications including stroke and myocardial infarction, which account for more than 30% of all deaths worldwide. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of whole body energy metabolism, including lipid metabolism, glucose uptake and mitochondrial biogenesis. It has been shown that the suppression of AMPK activity under conditions of chronic over-nutrition may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases. We have recently shown that activation of the regulatory enzyme AMPK reduces cholesterol production in a way similar to statin therapy (Loh et.al 2019 Hepatology Communications). The main objective of this project is to study how AMPK controls cholesterol production in the liver and macrophages. AMPK’s activation in response to exercise is thought to be part of the protective mechanism against the development of heart disease. We aim to investigate whether by changing the activity of AMPK, using drugs that currently in clinical trial, we can augment the body’s natural control mechanisms and significantly reduce the development of atherosclerosis. Since reduction of AMPK activity was found in response to hyperglycemia, the project also aims to shed light on whether impairment of AMPK signaling responsible toward the pathology of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that pharmacological activation of the signaling cascade which culminates in AMPK activation may serve as an alternative cholesterol lowering therapy and reducing atherosclerosis development.

Investigating a novel mechanism for improving beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes

Current efforts to enhance β-cell function focus mostly on the pathways that stimulate insulin release, very little is known about the inhibitory mechanisms that terminate insulin secretion. Improving β-cell function by inhibiting the counter-regulatory pathway that suppresses the release of insulin remains largely unexplored as a therapeutic option. Peptide YY has been shown to activate neuropeptide Y1 receptor to attenuate insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets. We have identified that the neuropeptide Y1 receptor is also expressed in the β-cells in humans. Our recent published studies (Loh et.al 2017 Nature Communications) have shown that pharmacological inhibition of this receptor using a Y1 receptor specific antagonist, BIBO3304, significantly enhanced β-cell function in human islets. Despite this, the beneficial effects of Y1 inhibition in improving β-cell function and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes remain to be examined. We will now extend our published work with a detailed exploration of Y1 receptor inhibition in type 2 diabetes models. We aim to investigate whether pharmacological inhibition of Y1 receptor signalling will enhance β-cell function and improve glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes.

Honours and PhD Projects

Staff

  • Dr Kim Loh
  • Dr Steve Lin
  • Dr Jessie Yang
  • Shaktypreya Nadarajah (PhD student)

Publication Highlights

  1.  KIM LOH*, Tam S, Murray-Segal L, Huynh K, Meikle PJ, Scott JW, Chen ZP, Steel R, LeBlond ND, Burkovsky LA, O’Dwyer C, Nunes JRC, Steinberg GR, Fullerton MD, Galic S and Kemp BE (2019) Inhibition of AMPK-HMGCR Signaling Leads to Hypercholesterolemia and Promotes Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance. Hepatology Communications. 12;3(1):84-98 *Corresponding author.
  2. Galic S, KIM LOH, Murray-Segal L, Steinberg GR, Andrews Z, Kemp BE. (2018) AMPK signalling to acetyl-CoA carboxylase is required for fasting- and cold-induced appetite but not thermogenesis. eLife 2018:7:e32656
  3. KIM LOH*, Shi YC*, Walters S*, Bensellam M, Lee KL, Dezaki K, Nakata M, Gurzov E, Thomas HE, Waibel M, Cantley J, Kay TWH, Yada T, Laybutt RD, Grey S and Herzog H (2017) Inhibition of Y1 receptor signaling improves islet transplant outcome. Nature Communications. 8:490  *Co-first author
  4. Litwak S, Pang L, Galic S, Igoillo-Esteve M, Stanley WJ, Turatsinze JV, KIM LOH, Thomas HE, Sharma A, Trepo E, Moreno C, Gough DJ, Eizirik DL, de Haan JB and Gurzov EN (2017) JNK Activation of BIM Promotes Hepatic Oxidative Stress, Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in Obesity. Diabetes, 6:574-584
  5. KIM LOH*, Zhang L, Brandon A, Wang QP, Begg D, Qi Y, Fu M, Kulkarni R, Teo J, Baldock P, Bruning JC, Cooney G, Neely G and Herzog H (2017) Insulin controls food intake and energy balance via NPY neurons. Molecular Metabolism, 6:574-584 *Corresponding author.
  6. Dodd G, Descherf S, KIM LOH, Simonds SE, Wiede F, Balland E, Merry TL, Münzberg H, Zhang ZY, Kahn BB, Neel BG, Bence KK, Andrews ZB, Cowley MA, and Tiganis T (2015) Leptin and insulin act on POMC neurons to promote browning of white fat. Cell. 160, 88-104
  7. KIM LOH, Herzog H, Shi YC (2015) Regulation of Energy Homeostasis by the NPY system. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 26(3), 125-135 *Featured Review
  8. Yulyaningsih E*, KIM LOH*, Lin S*, Lau J, Zhang L, Shi YC, Berning B, Enriquez R, Driessler F, Macia L, Khor E, Qi Y, Baldock P, Sainsbury A & Herzog H (2014) Pancreatic Polypeptide controls energy homeostasis via Npy6r signaling in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mice. Cell Metabolism.19, 58-72 *Co-first author
  9. KIM LOH, Fukushima A, Zhang XM, Galic S, Briggs D, Enriori PJ, Simonds S, Weide F, Reichenbach A, Hauser C, Sims NA, Bence KK, Zhang S, Zhang ZY, Kahn BB, Neel BG, Andrews ZB, Cowley MA, and Tiganis T (2011) Elevated hypothalamic TCPTP in obesity contributes to cellular leptin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 14, 684-699
  10. KIM LOH, Deng, H., Fukushima, A., Cai, X., Boivin, B., Galic, S., Bruce, C., Shields, B.J., Skiba B., Ooms L., Stepto, N., Wu, B., Mitchell, C.A., Tonks, N.K., Watt, M.J., Febbraio, M.A., Crack, P.J., Andrikopoulos, S., and Tiganis, T. (2009) Reactive oxygen species enhance insulin sensitivity. Cell Metabolism. 10, 260-272
    *This manuscript was the Featured Article of the issue & an ‘Editor’s Choice’ article in Science Signaling