TGF-β receptor 1 regulates progenitors that promote browning of white fat.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Objective Beige/brite adipose tissue displays morphological characteristics and beneficial metabolic traits of brown adipose tissue. Previously, we showed that TGF-β signaling regulates the browning of white adipose tissue. Here, we inquired whether TGF-β signals regulated presumptive beige progenitors in white fat and investigated the TGF-β regulated mechanisms involved in beige adipogenesis. Methods We deleted TGF-β receptor 1 (TβRI) in adipose tissue (TβRI AdKO mice) and, using flow-cytometry based assays, identified and isolated presumptive beige progenitors located in the stromal vascular cells of white fat. These cells were molecularly characterized to examine beige/brown marker expression and to investigate TGF-β dependent mechanisms. Further, the cells were transplanted into athymic nude mice to examine their adipogenesis potential. Results Deletion of TβRI promotes beige adipogenesis while reducing the detrimental effects of high fat diet feeding. Interaction of TGF-β signaling with the prostaglandin pathway regulated the appearance of beige adipocytes in white fat. Using flow cytometry techniques and stromal vascular fraction from white fat, we isolated presumptive beige stem/progenitor cells (iBSCs). Upon genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of TGF-β signaling, these cells express high levels of predominantly beige markers. Transplantation of TβRI-deficient stromal va

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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