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Chromatin Immunoprecipitation of Murine Brown Adipose Tissue
Published on: November 21, 2018
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Adipose tissue browning in mice and humans
Carsten T Herz1, Florian W Kiefer1
1Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
The Journal of Endocrinology
|May 31, 2019
Summary
Promoting brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning offers a promising strategy to combat obesity by increasing energy expenditure. Human WAT browning, despite complexities, shows potential for therapeutic interventions.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Obesity research
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- Obesity epidemic necessitates strategies to increase energy expenditure.
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning are potential therapeutic targets.
- Human WAT browning is particularly relevant due to excess WAT in obese individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cellular and molecular aspects of adipose tissue browning in mouse models.
- To summarize evidence for adipose tissue browning in humans.
- To explore potential therapeutic implications of thermogenic adipose tissue.
Main Methods:
- Review of cellular and molecular mechanisms in mouse models (neuronal factors, microbiome, immune cells, hormones).
- Summary of experimental evidence for WAT browning in humans.
- Discussion of pharmacologic approaches for adipose tissue browning.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests WAT browning occurs in both mice and humans.
- Human studies show controversial results regarding BAT and beige fat characteristics.
- Human WAT depots exhibit plasticity and can induce thermogenic adipocytes.
Conclusions:
- WAT browning is a viable concept in humans, offering therapeutic potential.
- Understanding human adipose tissue plasticity is crucial for metabolic health.
- Further research into thermogenically active human adipose tissue is warranted.
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