Cold-Responsive DPP4+ Progenitor Cells Facilitate Thermogenic Remodeling of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

The physiological adaptation to cold environmental temperatures involves the remodeling of energy-storing white adipose tissue (WAT) into an energy-burning thermogenic phenotype, characterized by the emergence of multi-locular beige adipocytes. To date, the full array of cold-responsive cells within WAT that mediate thermogenic remodeling remain undefined. Here, we demonstrate that distinct perivascular PDGFRb+ adipocyte precursor cell (APC) subpopulations are differentially sensitive to cold temperatures in vivo. One day of cold exposure elicits striking transcriptional changes in DPP4+ PDGFRb+ APCs, whereas committed DPP4- PDGFRb+ preadipocytes appear comparatively much less responsive. This adaptation includes beta-adrenergic receptor mediated induction in the expression of the pro-thermogenic cytokine, IL-33. DPP4+ PDGFRb+ cells represent the sole source of IL-33 within inguinal WAT of adult mice. Doxycycline-inducible deletion of Il33 in PDGFRb+ cells at the onset of cold exposure significantly compromises the thermogenic remodeling of WAT without directly impacting the differentiation capacity of APCs per se. Together, these studies reveal the presence of a cold-responsive progenitor cell subpopulation in adult WAT and highlight their ability to regulate tissue plasticity through the production of immunological factors. Overall design: Bulk RNA-seq experiment to analyze gene expression profile in inguinal white adipose tissue DPP4_neg APCs and DPP4_pos APCs freshly isolated from male mice kept at room temperature (22°C) or exposed to cold (6°C) for 24 hours.