Repression of adipose vascular endothelial growth factor reduces obesity through adipose browning

Obesity is the result of excessive energy accumulation and is associated with many diseases. We previously reported that universal repression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to brown-like adipocyte development in white adipose tissues, and that these mice are resistant to obesity (Lu X et al. Endocrinology 153: 3123-3132, 2012). Using an adipose-specific VEGF repression mouse model (aP2-rtTR-krab^tg/+/VEGF^tetO/tetO), we show that adipose-specific VEGF repression can repeat the previous phenotypes, including adipose browning, increased energy consumption, and reduction in body weight. Expression of brown adipose-associated genes is increased, and white adipose-associated genes are downregulated under VEGF repression. Our study demonstrates that adipose-specific VEGF repression can lead to antiobesity activity through adipose browning and has potential clinical value.