The different shades of fat

Abstract

Our understanding of adipose tissue biology has progressed rapidly since the turn of the century. White adipose tissue has emerged as a key determinant of healthy metabolism and metabolic dysfunction. This realization is paralleled only by the confirmation that adult humans have heat-dissipating brown adipose tissue, an important contributor to energy balance and a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disease. We propose that the development of successful strategies to target brown and white adipose tissues will depend on investigations that elucidate their developmental origins and cell-type-specific functional regulators.

Mfn2 is critical for brown adipose tissue thermogenic function

“…Recently, the BAT has gained significant attraction after its identification and localization in humans (for review, see Peirce et al , 2014). Both white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT are characterized by a high lipid storage capacity in intracellular lipid droplets (LDs), but they differ in their physiological functions.…”

“…While WAT is the primary site for lipid storage, BAT is specialized for non‐shivering thermogenic functions by increasing energy expenditure through uncoupled respiration (Nedergaard et al , 2007). Activation of the BAT has been shown to enhance energy expenditure and glucose tolerance in mice and humans (Peirce et al , 2014). Upon cold exposure, β3‐adrenergic signaling ignites the lipolysis process in the BAT, where triglycerides from the LDs are hydrolyzed into glycerol and fatty acids (FAs).…”

Brown adipose tissue and bone

“…For the interested reader, there are several excellent reviews available on the subject. [30][31][32][33][34] Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is a third type of adipose tissue. The function of this tissue, also called yellow adipose tissue, is largely unknown, and a detailed characterization of its adipocytes is still lacking.…”

Overexpression of the adiponectin gene mimics the metabolic and stress resistance effects of calorie restriction, but not the anti-tumor effect

“…During adipogenesis, Ppara and Ppargc1a drive a thermogenic brown or beige phenotype (Peirce V, 2014 In CR mice, fatty acid synthesis is elevated in the WAT within 6…”