Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2019, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (2): 217-221.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.244777

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A paracrine role for white thermogenic adipocytes in innervation: an evidence-based hypothesis

Aejin Lee, Ouliana Ziouzenkova   

  1. Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Online:2019-02-15 Published:2019-02-15
  • Contact: Ouliana Ziouzenkova, PhD, ziouzenkova.1@osu.edu.
  • Supported by:

    The project was supported by NIH grants R21OD017244 (to OZ), the National Center for Research Resources UL1RR025755 (to AL), UL1TR001070 (to AL), and NCIP30CA16058 (OSUCCC) (to AL), and the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research (to AL). This research was supported by the SEED Grant from College of Education and Human Ecology, Accelerator Grant from Office for Technology and Commercialization, and Brain Injury program from the Ohio State University (to AL).

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Abstract:

White adipose tissue (WAT) stores energy and also plays an important endocrine role in producing adipokines for communication with the peripheral and central nervous system. WAT consists of the major lipogenic unilocular adipocytes and the minor populations of beige and brite multilocular adipocytes. These multilocular adipocytes express thermogenic genes and have phenotypic similarity with thermogenic brown adipose tissue. According to a current paradigm, multilocular adipocytes have a thermogenic function in WAT. In this mini review, we discuss data revealing heterogeneity among multilocular cell subsets in WAT and their functions beyond thermogenesis. We propose a hypothetical neuroendocrine role for multilocular adipocytes subsets in the formation of adaptive sensory-sympathetic circuits between the central nervous system and adipose tissue, which activate lipolysis and thermogenesis in WAT in high energy demand situations.

Key words: obesity, thermogenesis, innervation, vitamin A, aldehyde dehydrogenase, paracrine, efferent, afferent, brown adipose tissue