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Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Eosinophil function in adipose tissue is regulated by Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3)
Alexander J Knights1, Emily J Vohralik1, Peter J Houweling2,3
1School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
Researchers discovered that removing Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) triggers the conversion of white fat cells to thermogenic beige fat cells. This process involves eosinophils, suggesting a new target for obesity treatments.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disorders
- Adipose tissue biology
- Immunology
Background:
- White adipocyte to beige adipocyte conversion is a potential obesity treatment strategy.
- The precise mechanisms driving this 'browning' or 'beiging' process are not fully understood.
- Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) is a transcriptional repressor with an unclear role in adipose tissue regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of KLF3 in white to beige adipocyte conversion.
- To identify cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying adipose tissue beiging.
- To explore the involvement of immune cells in thermogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a genetic mouse model lacking KLF3.
- Performed bone marrow transplantation experiments.
- Analyzed cellular and molecular changes in adipose tissue, including transcriptomics of adipose-resident eosinophils.
Main Results:
- Mice lacking KLF3 exhibited profound adipose tissue beiging.
- Bone marrow from KLF3-deficient mice induced beiging in wild-type recipients.
- An accumulation of eosinophils was observed in the adipose tissue of KLF3-deficient mice.
- Adipose-resident eosinophils showed distinct transcriptomic profiles, suggesting KLF3 regulates adipose function via secreted factors.
Conclusions:
- KLF3 plays a critical role in regulating adipose tissue function and preventing beiging.
- Eosinophils are key immune cells involved in KLF3-mediated adipose tissue beiging and thermogenesis.
- Targeting eosinophils may offer a novel therapeutic approach for obesity and metabolic disorders.
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