Functional Human Beige Adipocytes From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Diabetes. 2017 Jun;66(6):1470-1478. doi: 10.2337/db16-1107. Epub 2017 Mar 7.

Abstract

Activation of thermogenic beige adipocytes has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target in obesity and diabetes. Relevant human models for beige adipocyte differentiation are essential to implement such therapeutic strategies. We report a straightforward and efficient protocol to generate functional human beige adipocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Without overexpression of exogenous adipogenic genes, our method recapitulates an adipogenic developmental pathway through successive mesodermal and adipogenic progenitor stages. hiPSC-derived adipocytes are insulin sensitive and display beige-specific markers and functional properties, including upregulation of thermogenic genes, increased mitochondrial content, and increased oxygen consumption upon activation with cAMP analogs. Engraftment of hiPSC-derived adipocytes in mice produces well-organized and vascularized adipose tissue, capable of β-adrenergic-responsive glucose uptake. Our model of human beige adipocyte development provides a new and scalable tool for disease modeling and therapeutic screening.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes, Beige / cytology
  • Adipocytes, Beige / drug effects
  • Adipocytes, Beige / metabolism*
  • Adipocytes, Beige / transplantation
  • Adipogenesis
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Transplantation
  • Cellular Reprogramming Techniques / methods*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Isoproterenol / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Obesity*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Thermogenesis / genetics*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Glucose
  • Isoproterenol