Effect of dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide, on body fat mobilization in normal mice

Dermcidin (DCD), an antimicrobial peptide that is secreted by sweat glands, is reportedly a human homolog of mouse proteolysis-inducing factor. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of DCD on body fat mobilization. The expression level of DCD in the livers of Ad-DCD-injected mice was higher than in those of Ad-β-galactosidase (Ad-β-gal)-injected mice 7 days after injection. In addition, injection with the Ad-DCD virus led to decreased body weight and epididymal fat mass when compared with controls. The plasma triglyceride level was decreased, whereas the free fatty acid and glycerol levels were increased in the Ad-DCD-injected group. Epididymal adipose tissues obtained from Ad-DCD-injected mice consisted of smaller adipocytes than tissues obtained from Ad-β-gal-injected mice. The gene expression profiles revealed an upregulation of hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose fatty acid-binding protein, both of which are involved in adipocyte lipolysis, in Ad-DCD-injected mice, and this lipolytic effect of DCD paralleled the increase of circulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level that was observed. The perilipin levels in adipose tissue were decreased in Ad-DCD-injected mice when compared with those of the control mice. Taken together, these results suggest that DCD-mediated body fat reduction might occur as a result of TNF-α-induced downregulation of perilipin in adipose tissue.