Distinct adipose progenitor cells emerging with age drive active adipogenesis

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Aging Research

Background:

• Middle-aged adults commonly develop visceral adiposity, linked to metabolic disorders.
• Adipose progenitor cells (APCs) in visceral fat are implicated in age-related fat accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms driving age-dependent visceral adiposity.
• To identify specific cell populations and signaling pathways involved in middle-age fat expansion.

Main Methods:

• Lineage tracing in mice to track APCs.
• Quantitative transplantation assays to assess APC function.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing to identify distinct cell populations.
• Pharmacological and genetic manipulation of signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• APCs in middle-aged mice show enhanced, cell-autonomous adipogenic capacity.
• A novel, age-enriched committed preadipocyte (CP-A) population was identified.
• CP-As exhibit increased proliferation and adipogenesis.
• Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor signaling is crucial for CP-A adipogenesis and visceral fat expansion.

Conclusions:

• Adipogenesis is reactivated in middle age via a distinct CP-A population.
• Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor signaling is a key regulator of age-dependent visceral fat expansion.
• These findings provide insights into age-related metabolic diseases.