Cellular heterogeneity in brown adipose tissue
Yasuo Oguri, Shingo Kajimura
Yasuo Oguri, Shingo Kajimura
Published November 25, 2019
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2020;130(1):65-67. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI133786.
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Commentary

Cellular heterogeneity in brown adipose tissue

Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) contains mitochondria-enriched thermogenic fat cells (brown adipocytes) that play a crucial role in the regulation of energy metabolism and systemic glucose homeostasis. It was presumed that brown adipocytes are composed of a homogeneous cell population. In this issue of the JCI, however, Song and colleagues report a previously uncharacterized subpopulation of brown adipocytes that display distinct characteristics from the conventional brown adipocytes in their molecular signature, regulation, and fuel utilization. The present study provides novel insight into our understanding of cellular heterogeneity in adipose tissues.

Authors

Yasuo Oguri, Shingo Kajimura

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Figure 1

Two types of brown adipocytes in BAT.

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Two types of brown adipocytes in BAT. A population of brown adipocytes w...
A population of brown adipocytes with low thermogenic activity and adiponectin expression coexists with brown adipocytes with high thermogenic activity and adiponectin expression.