Transferrin Receptor Functionally Marks Thermogenic Adipocytes

Jin Qiu; Zhiyin Zhang; Sainan Wang; Yanru Chen; Caizhi Liu; Sainan Xu; Dongmei Wang; Junlei Su; Mengshan Ni; Jian Yu; Xiangdi Cui; Lu Ma; Tianhui Hu; Yepeng Hu; Xuejiang Gu; Xinran Ma; Xinran Ma; Jiqiu Wang; Lingyan Xu

doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.572459

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Nov 2020)

Transferrin Receptor Functionally Marks Thermogenic Adipocytes

Jin Qiu,
Zhiyin Zhang,
Sainan Wang,
Yanru Chen,
Caizhi Liu,
Sainan Xu,
Dongmei Wang,
Junlei Su,
Mengshan Ni,
Jian Yu,
Xiangdi Cui,
Lu Ma,
Tianhui Hu,
Yepeng Hu,
Xuejiang Gu,
Xinran Ma,
Xinran Ma,
Jiqiu Wang,
Lingyan Xu

Affiliations

Jin Qiu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Zhiyin Zhang: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, China National Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Sainan Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Yanru Chen: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, China National Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Caizhi Liu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Sainan Xu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Dongmei Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Junlei Su: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, China National Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Mengshan Ni: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, China National Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Jian Yu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Xiangdi Cui: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Lu Ma: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Tianhui Hu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Yepeng Hu: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
Xuejiang Gu: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
Xinran Ma: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Xinran Ma: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
Jiqiu Wang: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, China National Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Lingyan Xu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.572459
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8

Abstract

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BackgroundThermogenic adipocytes, including beige and brown adipocytes, are critical for thermogenesis and energy homeostasis. Identification of functional cell surface markers of thermogenic adipocytes is of significance for potential application in biological and clinical practices.MethodsWith a combination of RNA-sequencing of in vivo and in vitro models, we identified transferrin receptor (Tfr1), a receptor specialized for cellular iron uptake, as a previously unappreciated cell surface molecule for thermogenic adipocytes compared to white adipocytes. The alternation of Tfr1 levels under physiological and pathological stimuli was assessed, and the mitochondria functionality, browning capacity, and iron metabolism of mature adipocytes were examined with Tfr1 knockdown.ResultsTfr1 was expressed predominantly in thermogenic adipocytes versus white adipocyte, and its expression levels were tightly correlated with the activation or inhibition status of thermogenic adipocytes under external stimuli. Besides, Tfr1 gene deficiency in thermogenic adipocytes led to reduced thermogenic gene programs and mitochondrial integrity.ConclusionTfr1 functionally marks thermogenic adipocytes and could serve as a potential thermogenic adipocyte surface marker.

Published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

ISSN: 2296-634X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology

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