Transcriptome analysis in chemical-compound induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs)

Brown adipogenesis contributes to controlling systemic energy balance by enhancing glucose and lipid consumptions. We have reported chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) directly converted from human dermal fibroblasts using a serum-free medium. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis was performed in ciBAs in comparison with the control fibroblasts. A broad range of integrated gene expression was enhanced in functional groups including tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transfer chain, triglycerides metabolism, fatty acid and glucose metabolism, and adaptive thermogenesis. The results suggested that the chemical conversion underwent metabolic and mitochondrial reprogramming closely associated with functions in brown/beige adipocytes. ciBAs could be a promising model for human beige adipocytes applicable for basic research, drug development, and clinical uses.

棕色脂肪生成（Brown adipogenesis）可通过增强葡萄糖与脂质消耗，助力调控全身能量稳态。我们曾报道，利用无血清培养基可将人真皮成纤维细胞直接转化为化合物诱导型棕色脂肪细胞（chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes，ciBAs）。本研究针对ciBAs与对照成纤维细胞开展了全基因组转录组分析（Genome-wide transcriptional analysis）。相较于对照成纤维细胞，ciBAs内多个功能基因簇的整合基因表达水平均显著上调，涵盖三羧酸循环（tricarboxylic acid cycle）、电子传递链（electron transfer chain）、甘油三酯代谢（triglycerides metabolism）、脂肪酸与葡萄糖代谢以及适应性产热（adaptive thermogenesis）等生物学过程。上述结果表明，该化学转化过程经历了与棕色/米色脂肪细胞（brown/beige adipocytes）功能密切相关的代谢与线粒体重编程。ciBAs有望成为人类米色脂肪细胞的理想模型，可应用于基础研究、药物开发及临床应用领域。