Objective: Inhibitor of differentiation-3 (Id3) has been implicated in promoting angiogenesis, a key determinant of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced visceral adiposity. Yet the role of Id3 in HFD-induced angiogenesis and visceral adipose expansion is unknown.
Methods and results: Id3(-/-) mice demonstrated a significant attenuation of HFD-induced visceral fat depot expansion compared to wild type littermate controls. Importantly, unlike other Id proteins, loss of Id3 did not affect adipose depot size in young mice fed chow diet or differentiation of adipocytes in vitro or in vivo. Contrast enhanced ultrasound revealed a significant attenuation of visceral fat microvascular blood volume in HFD-fed mice null for Id3 compared to wild type controls. HFD induced Id3 and VEGFA expression in the visceral stromal vascular fraction and Id3(-/-) mice had significantly lower levels of VEGFA protein in visceral adipose tissue compared to wild type. Furthermore, HFD-induced VEGFA expression in visceral adipose tissue was completely abolished by loss of Id3. Consistent with this effect, Id3 abolished E12-mediated repression of VEGFA promoter activity.
Conclusions: Results identify Id3 as an important regulator of HFD-induced visceral adipose VEGFA expression, microvascular blood volume, and depot expansion. Inhibition of Id3 may have potential as a therapeutic strategy to limit visceral adiposity.