Establishing the significance of brite/beige versus classical brown adipocytes in the control of energy metabolism
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Stockholm University
Obesity is not only a significant problem in itself but is also a major inducer of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer. At present there is little understanding of the cause of obesity, except for the self-evident statement that it arises from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Even minor but chronic perturbations in either of these two components can lead to an increase in body weight. The identification of a novel type of adipocytes, so-called brite or beige adipocytes, that appear to possess the ability to increase energy expenditure and that are localized within the white adipose depots themselves, has provided a basis for studying new opportunities for counteracting the development of obesity. It is the goal of the present studies to gain insight into the functional significance of the brite/beige adipocytes by understanding how to reactivate them in a mouse model relevant for human physiology.
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