A cold-induced GDF15-secreting adipocyte subpopulation regulates energy homeostasis through endocrine signaling
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulates whole-body energy balance through UCP1-dependent thermogenesis and secretion of metabolic factors.  Our single-nucleus RNA sequencing of BAT from cold-exposed Ucp1 knockout mice reveals a distinct brown adipocyte subpopulation (U2).  U2 adipocytes exhibit a secretory profile enriched in batokines like growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), suggesting a shift towards an endocrine role.  Functional analyses reveal that GDF15-GFRAL signaling is required to sustain energy expenditure in adipose tissue (AT).    Additionally, a conserved UCP1-GDF15 regulatory axis in human AT is observed.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulates whole-body energy balance through UCP1-dependent thermogenesis and secretion of metabolic factors.  Our single-nucleus RNA sequencing of BAT from cold-exposed Ucp1 knockout mice reveals a distinct brown adipocyte subpopulation (U2).  U2 adipocytes exhibit a secretory profile enriched in batokines like growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), suggesting a shift towards an endocrine role.  Functional analyses reveal that GDF15-GFRAL signaling is required to sustain energy expenditure in adipose tissue (AT).    Additionally, a conserved UCP1-GDF15 regulatory axis in human AT is observed.
European Bioinformatics Institute