Cell-to-cell heterogeneity in lipid droplets suggests a mechanism to reduce lipotoxicity

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that collect, store, and supply lipids [1]. LDs have a central role in the exchange of lipids occurring between the cell and the environment and provide cells with substrates for energy metabolism, membrane synthesis, and production of lipid-derived molecules such as lipoproteins or hormones. However, lipid-derived metabolites also cause progressive lipotoxicity [2], accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial malfunctioning, and cell death [2]. Intracellular accumulation of LDs is a hallmark of prevalent human diseases, including obesity, steatosis, diabetes, myopathies, and arteriosclerosis [3]. Indeed, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of abnormal hepatic function among adults [4, 5]. Lipotoxicity gradually promotes cellular ballooning and disarray, megamitochondria, accumulation of Mallory's hyaline in hepatocytes, and inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis in the liver. Here, using confocal microscopy, serial-block-face scanning electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, we show that LD accumulation is heterogeneous within a cell population and follows a positive skewed distribution. Lipid availability and fluctuations in biochemical networks controlling lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and protein synthesis contribute to cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Critically, this reversible variability generates a subpopulation of cells that effectively collect and store lipids. This high-lipid subpopulation accumulates more LDs and more ROS and reduces the risk of lipotoxicity to the population without impairing overall lipid homeostasis, since high-lipid cells can supply stored lipids to the other cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate fat storage compartmentalization within a cell population and propose that this is a protective social organization to reduce lipotoxicity.