Maternal obesity induced impair of fetal brown adipogenesis via attenuating fetal FGF21 signaling (PRJCA025573)

In the this study, we report that the upregulation of maternal liver-derived FGF21 during later pregnancy can transport across placenta and act on fetal BAT. We also found that maternal obesity reduced the levels of serum FGF21 in the fetus and impairs the development of BAT; these conditions were ameliorated by FGF21 supplementation during lactation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the maternal pregnancy-related upregulation of FGF21 stimulates brown and beige adipose tissue development via JMJD3 mediated epigenetic modification during fetal development and enhances their thermogenic function in offspring. Our data suggest that FGF21 surge during the late gestation is required for fetal brown adipogenesis, which improves BAT thermogenesis in offspring. Consequently, FGF21 represents an attractive target for alleviating the impaired development of BAT in fetuses due to maternal obesity.