Emerging Complexities in Adipocyte Origins and Identity

Abstract

The global incidence of obesity and its comorbidities continues to rise along with a demand for novel therapeutic interventions. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is attracting attention as a therapeutic target because of its presence in adult humans and high capacity to dissipate energy as heat, and thus burn excess calories, when stimulated. Another potential avenue for therapeutic intervention is to induce, within white adipose tissue (WAT), the formation of brown-like adipocytes called brite (brown-like-in-white) or beige adipocytes. However, understanding how to harness the potential of these thermogenic cells requires a deep understanding of their developmental origins and regulation. Recent cell labeling and lineage tracing experiments are beginning to shed light on this emerging area of adipocyte biology. Here, we review adipocyte development giving particular attention to thermogenic adipocytes.

The Circadian Clock Regulates Adipogenesis by a Per3 Crosstalk Pathway to Klf15

“…It is important to note that we chose to focus our studies on subcutaneous adipose tissue because the tools for identifying and monitoring bona fide APCs in this tissue are robustly validated (Rodeheffer et al, 2008); it is possible that there are context-specific regulation of APC activities in different adipose depots and types of adipocytes (Sanchez-Gurmaches et al, 2016). Future studies are needed to probe this question in detail when the tools for examining other adipose tissues are refined.…”

Adipose tissue in control of metabolism

“…Although interscapular and subscapular BAT are derived from Myf5 + lineage, cervical BAT are partially and peri-renal and peri-aortic BAT are completely from Myf5 − precursors (Sanchez-Gurmaches & Guertin 2014). In addition, Myf5 + precursors have been shown to be present in interscapular and retroperitoneal WAT and are capable of giving rise to some white/ brite adipocytes (Sanchez-Gurmaches et al 2012, Sanchez-Gurmaches et al 2016. Brown adipocytes are specialized cells with multilocular morphology, abundant mitochondria and enrichment of UCP1, and dissipate stored energy in the form of heat (Aherne & Hull 1966, Cannon & Nedergaard 2004.…”

The expanding problem of adipose depot remodeling and postnatal adipocyte progenitor recruitment

“…visceral vs. subcutaneous) seem to originate from distinct precursors of which are programmed to adopt a visceral or subcutaneous adipocyte phenotype. Adding to this complexity are recent observations that individual adipose depots may be heterogenous, with adipocytes arising from multiple origins (Sanchez-Gurmaches and Guertin, 2014; Sanchez-Gurmaches et al, 2016). Sanchez-Gurmaches et al performed elegant quantitiatve lineage tracing studies that demonstrate that Myf5-Cre and Pax3-Cre lines target subsets of white adipocytes in various WAT depots of mice.…”