Obesity is the result of excessive energy accumulation and is associated with many diseases. We previously reported that universal repression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to brown-like adipocyte development in white adipose tissues, and that these mice are resistant to obesity (Lu X et al. Endocrinology 153: 3123-3132, 2012). Using an adipose-specific VEGF repression mouse model (aP2-rtTR-krabtg/+/VEGFtetO/tetO), we show that adipose-specific VEGF repression can repeat the previous phenotypes, including adipose browning, increased energy consumption, and reduction in body weight. Expression of brown adipose-associated genes is increased, and white adipose-associated genes are downregulated under VEGF repression. Our study demonstrates that adipose-specific VEGF repression can lead to antiobesity activity through adipose browning and has potential clinical value.
Keywords: adipose browning; gonadal white adipose tissue; metabolism; obesity; subcutaneous white adipose tissue.