Jak-TGFβ cross-talk links transient adipose tissue inflammation to beige adipogenesis

Sci Signal. 2018 Apr 24;11(527):eaai7838. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aai7838.

Abstract

The transient activation of inflammatory networks is required for adipose tissue remodeling including the "browning" of white fat in response to stimuli such as β3-adrenergic receptor activation. In this process, white adipose tissue acquires thermogenic characteristics through the recruitment of so-called beige adipocytes. We investigated the downstream signaling pathways impinging on adipocyte progenitors that promote de novo formation of adipocytes. We showed that the Jak family of kinases controlled TGFβ signaling in the adipose tissue microenvironment through Stat3 and thereby adipogenic commitment, a function that was required for beige adipocyte differentiation of murine and human progenitors. Jak/Stat3 inhibited TGFβ signaling to the transcription factors Srf and Smad3 by repressing local Tgfb3 and Tgfb1 expression before the core transcriptional adipogenic cascade was activated. This pathway cross-talk was triggered in stromal cells by ATGL-dependent adipocyte lipolysis and a transient wave of IL-6 family cytokines at the onset of adipose tissue remodeling induced by β3-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Our results provide insight into the activation of adipocyte progenitors and are relevant for the therapeutic targeting of adipose tissue inflammatory pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes, Beige / metabolism*
  • Adipocytes, Beige / pathology
  • Adipogenesis / genetics
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Janus Kinases / genetics*
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Lipase / genetics
  • Lipase / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Janus Kinases
  • Lipase
  • PNPLA2 protein, mouse