Perirenal adipose tissue contains a subpopulation of cold-inducible adipocytes derived from brown-to-white conversion
Houyu Zhang,
Yan Li,
Carlos F Ibáñez,
Meng Xie
Affiliations
Houyu Zhang
Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, China; Peking University Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China
Yan Li
Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, China; Peking University Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China
Carlos F Ibáñez
Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, China; Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Beijing, China; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Flemingsberg, Sweden
Perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT) is a unique visceral depot that contains a mixture of brown and white adipocytes. The origin and plasticity of such cellular heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we combine single-nucleus RNA sequencing with genetic lineage tracing to reveal the existence of a distinct subpopulation of Ucp1-&Cidea+ adipocytes that arises from brown-to-white conversion during postnatal life in the periureter region of mouse PRAT. Cold exposure restores Ucp1 expression and a thermogenic phenotype in this subpopulation. These cells have a transcriptome that is distinct from subcutaneous beige adipocytes and may represent a unique type of cold-recruitable adipocytes. These results pave the way for studies of PRAT physiology and mechanisms controlling the plasticity of brown/white adipocyte phenotypes.
