Welcome to the den Hartigh Laboratory

The prevalence of obesity and associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes is rapidly reaching epidemic proportions. Representing major cellular constituents of adipose tissue, adipocytes and macrophages are regarded as prominent players in the metabolic, hormonal, and homeostatic regulation of adiposity. Despite the fundamental role adipose tissue plays in whole body metabolism, nutritive mechanisms that contribute to its maintenance in the context of obesity remain poorly understood. Dr. den Hartigh’s research focuses on the effects of nutrient excess on cellular metabolism, with particular attention given to the effects of fatty acids on cell types associated with the development of obesity such as adipocytes and monocytes/macrophages.

Inflammation of visceral adipose tissue is thought to be associated with insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis.  Furthermore, adipose tissue inflammation is characterized by immune cell accumulation, with macrophages as the predominant infiltrating cell type. We are particularly interested in the role of excess nutrients derived from glucose, as well as long- and short-chain fatty acids on adipose tissue inflammation and metabolism. We use in vitro systems and mouse models to study how obesity derived by nutrient excess leads to adipose tissue dysfunction. We are also interested in understanding how a variety of obesity-associated adipokines, including serum amyloid A, fibroblast growth factor 21, and sex steroids modulate the development of obesity.

A prominent role for gut bacteria in mediating weight loss is now emerging. The composition of our gut microbiota can be readily altered by particular food products, such as dietary fats, sugar, and fiber. A recent area of focus in the den Hartigh laboratory is to study how particular dietary nutrients may impact gut microbiota to facilitate weight loss. An integrative approach to study the gut-brain-adipose axis in rodent models of obesity and weight loss is coupled with the study of adipocytes in vitro to identify novel dietary nutrients, including pre- and pro-biotics, that modulate the gut microbiota in a manner that benefits host metabolism.

Laura den Hartigh is quoted in Women’s World: What Doctors Want You to Know About Visceral Fat.

Karolline May has received awards for Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition and the Postdoctoral Research Award Competition for her work titled “Combined prebiotic dietary inulin and VSL#3 probiotics modulate gut metabolites to improve energy balance and glucose metabolism in diet-induced obese mice”, for her oral and poster presentations given at the annual American Society for Nutrition (ASN) meeting on June 1st, 2025 in Orlando, FL.

Laura den Hartigh is quoted in Everyday Health: Regular Exercise Can Lead to ‘Healthier’ Belly Fat.

UWMDI Researcher Laura den Hartigh, PhD, has received a 5-year R01 from the NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for her R01 project titled “distinct functions of adipocyte-derived FGF21 in obesity”.

Karolline May has received a UW Nutrition Obesity Research Center ADVANCE Pilot and Feasibility Award.

Laura den Hartigh is quoted in Right as Rain by UW Medicine: The Truth About Body Fat? It’s Not All the Same.

Karolline May has received a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award from the American Heart Association for her project “Adipose tissue as a target for gut-derived short-chain fatty acids to modulate obesity”.

Laura den Hartigh is interviewed on the podcast, Science Vs: Weight: Is Fat Unhealthy?

Laura den Hartigh is quoted in Everyday Health: New Heart Health Guidelines Focus on Belly Fat, Not Just Body Weight.

Dr. Laura den Hartigh, research assistant professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition), has received a 5-year award from the United States Department of Agriculture – National Institute on Food Safety (USDA-NIFA), for her project “10,12 CLA-mediated weight loss and the gut microbiota”. This project is an historic partnership between the NIH and the USDA-NIFA to support research on molecular signatures of dietary intake and exposure.

Laura den Hartigh speaks at the University of Washington’s inaugural Microbiome Symposium, October 2nd, 2018:

https://www.uwmicrobiomesymposium.org/speakers/

Laura den Hartigh receives a University of Michigan MRC2 Pilot and Feasibility Award:

http://mrc2.umich.edu/pf-grant-program-awardees

Laura den Hartigh receives a University of Washington Diabetes Research Center Pilot and Feasibility Award:

https://depts.washington.edu/diabetes/awards/

DOCE Researcher, Laura den Hartigh, Receives NIH K01 Award:

http://depts.washington.edu/doce/1297/doce-researcher-laura-den-hartigh-phd-receives-nih-k01-award/

Kanter JE, Hsu CC, Kramer F, Shao B, Vaisar T, den Hartigh LJ, Reed A, Luo J, Tran A, Tang J, Mangalapalli H, Cervantes J, Shimizu-Albergine, Reaven PD, Koska J, Jensen MK, Davies BSJ, Fisher EA, Davidson NO, Stitziel NO, Mullick AD, Goldberg IJ, Bornfeldt KE. Elevated apolipoprotein C3 heightens atherosclerosis risk by mediatinarterial accumulation of free cholesterol and local inflammation in diabetes. Res Sq [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 16:rs.3.rs-6979508.

Goldberg M, Blevins JE, Woldon-Hanson T, Elfers CT, Chichura KS, Ashlaw EF, den Hartigh LJ, Roth CL, Doyle RP. The chimeric peptide (GEP44) reduces body weight and both energy intake and energy expenditure in diet-induced obese rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 Mar 26;26(7):3032 [Original work]. **Best Researcher Award**

Zhang M, Yin YS, May KS, Wang S, Purcell H, Zhang XS, Blaser M, den Hartigh LJ. The role of intestinal microbiota in physiologic and body compositional changes that accompany CLA-mediated weight loss in mice. Mol Met. 2024 Sept 16:89:102029.

Kothari V, Savard C, Tang J, Lee SP, Subramanian S, Wang S, den Hartigh LJ, Bornfeldt KE, Ioannou GN. sTREM2 is a plasma biomarker for human NASH and promotes hepatocyte lipid accumulation. Hepatology Communications 2023, Oct. 12;7(11):e0265.

den Hartigh LJ, May KS, Zhang XS, Chair A, Blaser MJ. Serum amyloid A and metabolic disease: evidence for a critical role in chronic inflammatory conditions. Front. Cardiovasc. Med. 2023, Jun 15; 10:1197432.

May KS, den Hartigh LJ. Gut microbial-derived short chain fatty acids: impact on adipose tissue physiology. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 5;15(2):272. doi: 10.3390/nu15020272. **Editor’s Choice Article**

Valencia A, Whitson J, Wang S, Nguyen L, den Hartigh LJ, Rabinovitch P, Marcinek D. The aging heart is prone to aggravated hypertrophy by short-term high sugar consumption. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 3;14(21):4645. doi: 10.3390/nu14214645.

Vaisar T, Wang S, Omer M, Irwin AD, Storey C, Tang C, den Hartigh LJ. 10,12 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation improves HDL composition and function in male mice. J Lipid Res 2022 Jun 15;63(8):100241.

Gomes D, Wang S, Goodspeed L, Turk KE, Wietecha T, Liu Y, Bornfeldt KE, O’Brien KD, Chait A, den Hartigh LJ. Comparison between genetic and pharmaceutical disruption of LDLR expression for the development of atherosclerosis. J Lipid Res. 2022 Mar;63(3):100174. **Highlighted in ASBMB Today magazine**

Spann RA, Morrison CD, den Hartigh LJ. The nuanced metabolic functions of endogenous FGF21 depend on the nature of the stimulus, tissue source, and experimental model. Frontiers Endocrinology (Lausanne) 2022 Jan 3;12:802541. Special Section on FGF Peptides and Energy Homeostasis. **Highlighted in an accompanying editorial**

May K, den Hartigh LJ (2021). Modulation of adipocyte metabolism by microbial short-chain fatty acids. Nutrients Oct 19;13(10):3666.

Chait A, Wang S, Goodspeed L, Gomes D, Turk KE, Wietecha T, Tang J, Storey C, O’Brien KD, Rubinow KB, Tang C, Vaisar T, Gharib SA, Lusis AJ, den Hartigh LJ. Sexually dimorphic relationships among serum amyloid A3, inflammation, and cholesterol metabolism modulate atherosclerosis in mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Jun;41(6):e299-e313. **Most cited paper of all time in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine**

Gomes Kjerulf D, Wang S, Omer M, Pathak A, Subramanian S, Han CY, Tang C, den Hartigh LJ, Shao B, Chait A (2020). Glycation of HDL blunts its anti-inflammatory and cholesterol efflux capacities in vitro, but has no effect in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes subjects. J Diabetes Complications Dec; 34(12):107693.

Han CY, Kang I, Harten IA, Gene JA, Chan CK, Omer M, Alonge KM, den Hartigh LJ, Gomes D, Goodspeed L, Subramanian S, Wang S, Kim F, Birk DE, Wight TN, Chait A (2020). Proteoglycans in the control of adipose tissue inflammation in obesity.  Cell Rep Jun 30;31(13):107818.

Chait A, den Hartigh LJ, Wang S, Goodspeed L, Babenko I, Altemeier WA, Vaisar T (2020). Presence of serum amyloid A3 in mouse plasma is dependent on the nature and extent of the inflammatory stimulus. Sci Rep June 25:10(1):10397.

Chait A, den Hartigh LJ (2020).  Adipose tissue distribution, inflammation, and its metabolic consequences, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Front Cardiovasc Med. Feb 25;7:22. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00022.

Rubinow KB, den Hartigh LJ, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Oz OK (2020).  Aromatase deficiency in hematopoietic cells improves glucose tolerance in male mice. PLoS ONE Jan 23;15(1):e0227830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227830

den Hartigh, LJ (2019). Conjugated linoleic acid effects on cancer, obesity, and atherosclerosis: a review of pre-clinical and human trials with current perspectives. Nutrients 2019 Feb 11;11(2).

Kanter JE, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Kramer F, Wietecha T, Gomes-Kjerulf D, Subramanian S, O’Brien KD, den Hartigh LJ (2018, in press).  10,12 conjugated linoleic acid-driven weight loss is protective against atherosclerosis in mice and is associated with alternative macrophage enrichment in perivascular adipose tissue.  Nutrients 2018, 10(10), 1416.

den Hartigh LJ, Goodspeed L, Wang SA, Kenerson HL, Omer M, O’Brien KD, Ladiges W, Yeung R, Subramanian S (2018).  Chronic oral rapamycin decreases adiposity, hepatic triglycerides, and insulin resistance in male mice fed a diet high in sucrose and saturated fat.  Exp Physiol. Aug 16. doi: 10.1113/EP087207

den Hartigh LJ, Gao Z, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Das AK, Burant C, Chait A, Blaser MJ (2018).  Obese mice losing weight due to 10,12 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation or food restriction harbor distinct gut microbiota. J Nutr. 2018 Apr 1;148(4):562-572.

Tannock LR, De Beer MC, Ji A, Shridas P, Noffsinger VP, den Hartigh L, Chait A, de Beer FC, Webb NR (2018).  Serum Amyloid A3 is a High-Density Lipoprotein-associated Acute Phase Protein.  J Lipid Res.  2018 Feb;59(2):339-347.

Wang S, Goodspeed L, Turk KE, Bouston B, den Hartigh LJ (2017).  Rosiglitazone improves insulin resistance mediated by 10,12 conjugated linoleic acid in a male mouse model of metabolic syndrome.  Endocrinology.  Sep 1;158(9):2848-2859.

den Hartigh LJ, Wang S, Goodspeed G, Wietecha T, Houson B, Omer M, Ogimoto K, Subramanian S, Gowda GAN, O’Brien KD, Kaiyala KJ, Morton GJ, Chait A.  Metabolically Distinct Weight Loss by 10,12 CLA and Caloric Restriction Highlight the Importance of Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue for Glucose Homeostasis in Mice.  PLoS One. Feb 28;12(2):e0172912. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172912.

den Hartigh LJ, Omer M, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Wietecha T, O’Brien KD, Han CY.  Adipocyte-specific deficiency of NADPH oxidase 4 delays the onset of insulin resistance and attenuates adipose tissue inflammation in obesity.  Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Mar;37(3):466-475.

Rubinow KB, Wang S, den Hartigh LJ, Subramanian S, Morton GJ, Buaas FW, Lamont D, Gray N, Braun RE, Page ST.  Hematopoietic androgen receptor deficiency promotes visceral fat deposition in male mice without impairing glucose homeostasis.  Andrology. 2015 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/andr.12055.

Averill MM, Kim EJ, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Subramanian S, den Hartigh LJ, Tang C, Ding Y, Reardon CA, Getz GS, Chait A (2014). The Apolipoprotein-AI Mimetic Peptide L4F at a Modest Dose Does Not Attenuate Weight Gain, Inflammation, or Atherosclerosis in LDLR-Null Mice.  PLoS One. 2014 Oct 6;9(10):e109252.

den Hartigh LJ, Wang S, Goodspeed L, Ding Y, Averill M, Subramanian S, Wietecha T, O’Brien KD, Chait A (2014).  Deletion of Serum Amyloid A3 Improves High Fat High Sucrose Diet-Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Hyperlipidemia in Female Mice.  PLoS One. 2014 Sep 24;9(9):e108564.

den Hartigh LJ, Altman R, Norman JE, Rutledge JC.  (2013) Postprandial VLDL lipolysis products increase monocyte adhesion and lipid droplet formation via activation of ERK2 and NFκB.  Am J Physiol Heart Circ 2014 Jan 1;306(1):H109-20.

den Hartigh LJ, Han CY, Wang S, Omer M, Chait A (2013).  10E-12Z-conjugated linoleic acid impairs adipocyte triglyceride storage by enhancing fatty acid oxidation, lipolysis, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.  J Lipid Res. 2013 54:(11) 2945.

Montes VN, Turner MS, Subramanian S, Ding Y, Hayden-Ledbetter M, Slater S, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Omer M, den Hartigh LJ, Averill MM, O’Brien KD, Ledbetter J, Chait A (2013).  T cell activation inhibitors reduce CD8+ T cell and pro-inflammatory macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue of obese mice.  PLoS ONE 2013 Jul 2;8(7):e67709.

Han CY, Umemoto T, Mitra P, Averill MM, Tang C, Goodspeed L, Omer M, Subramanian S, Wang S, den Hartigh LJ, Kim EJ, Kim J, O’Brien KD, Chait A.  Apolipoprotein A-I and HDL have anti-inflammatory effects on adipocyte inflammation via cholesterol transporters; ATP-binding cassette (ABC) A-1, ABCG-1 and scavenger receptor B-1(SRB-1).  Circ Res 2013 Mar 15.

den Hartigh LJ, Altman R, Hutchinson R, Petrlova J, Budamagunta MS, Tetali SD, Lagerstedt JO, Voss JC, Rutledge JC.  Postprandial apoE isoform and conformational changes associated with VLDL lipolysis products modulate monocyte inflammation.  PLoS ONE 2012;7(11):e50513.

Tablin F, den Hartigh LJ, Aung HH, Lame MW, Kleeman MJ, Ham W, Norris JW, Pombo M, Wilson DW.  Seasonal influences on CAPs exposures: Differential responses in platelet activation, serum cytokines, and xenobiotic expression.  Inhal Toxicol 2012 Jul;24(8):506-17.

Han CY, Umemoto T, Omer M, den Hartigh LJ, Chiba T, Leboeuf R, Buller CL, Sweet IR, Pennathur S, Abel ED, Chait A.  NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species increases expression of monocyte chemotactic factor genes in cultured adipocytes.  J Biol Chem 2012 Mar 23;287(13):10379-93.

den Hartigh LJ, Lame MW, Tablin F, Wilson DW.  Endotoxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient fine particulate matter from Fresno, California initiate human monocyte inflammatory responses mediated by reactive oxygen species.  Toxicology in Vitro 24 (2010) 1993–2002.

den Hartigh LJ, Connolly-Rohrbach JE, Fore S, Huser T, Rutledge JC.  Fatty acids from VLDL lipolysis products induce lipid droplet accumulation in human monocytes.  J Immunol.  2010 April 1; 184(7):3927-36.

Tetali SD, Budamagunta MS, Simion C, den Hartigh LJ, Kalai T, Hideg K, Hatters DM, Weisgraber KH, Voss JC, Rutledge JC.  VLDL lipolysis products increase VLDL fluidity and convert apolipoprotein E4 into a more expanded conformation.  J Lipid Res. 2010 Jun;51(6):1273-83.

Wang L, Gill R, Pederson TL, Higgins LJ, Newman JW, Rutledge JC.  Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein lipolysis releases neutral and oxidized FFAs that induce endothelial inflammation.  J Lipid Res.  2009 Feb;50(2):204-13.

Higgins LJ, Rutledge JC.  Inflammation associated with the postprandial lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by lipoprotein lipase.  Curr Atheroscler Rep.  2009 May;11(3):199-205.

We are actively seeking postdoctoral scholars!
To inquire about openings for Postdocs, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students, email: lauradh@u.washington.edu