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Updated: Oct 12, 2025
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Isolation of Adipose Tissue Nuclei for Single-Cell Genomic Applications
Published on: June 12, 2020
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Multidimensional Single-Nuclei RNA-Seq Reconstruction of Adipose Tissue Reveals Adipocyte Plasticity Underlying
Carlos Alberto Oliveira Biagi1,2,3, Sarah Santiloni Cury4, Cleidson Pádua Alves5
1Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-140, Brazil.
Cells
|November 27, 2021
Summary
This study reveals new adipocyte subtypes and their plasticity using single-nuclei RNA sequencing. It characterizes thermogenic adipocyte subpopulations and their transcriptional changes during metabolic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Cellular biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Adipose tissue, classified as white, brown, or beige/brite, regulates systemic metabolism via paracrine and endocrine signals.
- Recent advances in RNA sequencing have identified diverse adipocyte subtypes beyond morphology, based on origin, stress adaptation, and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize adipocyte plasticity, heterogeneity, and secretome profiles.
- To identify and define novel adipocyte subtypes using single-nuclei RNA sequencing data.
Main Methods:
- In-depth analysis of publicly available single-nuclei RNA sequencing datasets from adipose tissue.
- Utilized a workflow template for characterizing adipocyte plasticity, heterogeneity, and secretome.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct adipocyte subtypes, including three subpopulations of thermogenic adipocytes.
- Characterized unique transcriptional profiles along the adipocyte trajectory under thermogenic challenges.
- Provided insights into adipocyte heterogeneity and plasticity.
Conclusions:
- This research offers a valuable resource for understanding adipocyte plasticity and trans-differentiation mechanisms.
- The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of adipose tissue's role in metabolic regulation.
