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Differentiation and Imaging of Brown Adipocytes from the Stromal Vascular Fraction of Interscapular Adipose Tissue from Newborn Mice
Published on: February 3, 2023
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The cellular and functional complexity of thermogenic fat
Paul Cohen1, Shingo Kajimura2,3
1Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA. pcohen@rockefeller.edu.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|March 24, 2021
Summary
Thermogenic fat cells, like brown and beige adipocytes, generate heat via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and UCP1-independent pathways. Their roles extend beyond thermogenesis to secretion and metabolic regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Metabolism
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Brown and beige adipocytes dissipate energy as heat.
- Thermogenesis was primarily attributed to uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of thermogenic adipocytes.
- To emphasize their development, functions, and systemic roles.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on thermogenic adipocytes.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular details of adipocyte subtypes.
- Examination of UCP1-dependent and independent thermogenic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Identification of distinct thermogenic adipocyte subtypes with unique origins.
- Discovery of UCP1-independent thermogenic mechanisms.
- Delineation of roles beyond thermogenesis, including secretion and metabolic sink functions.
Conclusions:
- Thermogenic adipocytes have diverse functions beyond heat generation.
- Understanding their development and bioenergetics is crucial for energy homeostasis.
- These cells play dynamic roles in systemic physiology.
![Visualization and Quantification of Brown and Beige Adipose Tissues in Mice using [18F]FDG Micro-PET/MR Imaging](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F62460.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
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