Figure 4

H. polygyrus infection results in upregulation of UCP1 expression and adipose tissue browning. qPCR analysis revealed that H. polygyrus infection results in a significant upregulation of UCP-1 expression in gonadal fat tissue at mRNA level (a). Immunoblot analysis showed increased UCP1 levels in adipose and liver tissue (b). qPCR results revealed significant upregulation of mitochondrial mass and UPC-1 expression (c). (n = 5–6; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; two-tailed Student’s t-test). (d and e) The adipose tissues showed marked reduction in the adipocyte size and increased expression of UCP1 in helminth-infected HFD fed mice (HFD-HP) compared to non-infected (HFD) mice. Adipose (including brown adipose, subcutaneous and gonadal adipose tissues) from HFD-fed mice with and without helminth infection collected. Ten-μm sections were cut on a Leica CM1850 Cryostat (Leica Biosystem) and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (d) or anti-UCP1 antibody (e). (d) H&E staining: arrows indicate the presence of multilocular lipid droplets in adipocytes in the white adipose tissues of infected mice absent in uninfected obese mice. (e) Immunohistochemical staining of the brown (upper panel) and white (low panel) adipose tissues revealed a markedly intensified UCP1 expression in the adipose tissue of helminth-infected mice compared to non-infected HFD-fed mice.