M2 macrophages independently promote beige adipogenesis via blocking adipocyte Ets1

Beige adipocytes accumulates mitochondria and alleviates metabolic disorder via activating energy expenditure. Whether the opposing process of mitochondrial biogenesis and clearance are integrated regulated in beige adipocytes is beyond known. Here we show that DNA binding protein Ets1 suppresses beige adipocyte formation via bidirectional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and clearance. The expression level of Ets1 was down-regulated in browning adipocytes, and up-regulated in the subcutaneous fat of obese mice. Adipocyte Ets1 heterozygous knock-in mice showed suppressed beige adipocytes formation under cold stress, while the homozygous knock-in mice are cold intolerance. On the other hand, knocking out Ets1 in adipocytes enhanced energy expenditure and protect the mice from high fat diet induced metabolic disorders. Mechanical assay suggests Ets1 binds to the promoter region of mitochondria complex coding genes and autophagy related genes, transcriptionally suppresses mitochondrial biogenesis and activates its clearance. Our results indicate that Ets1 integrally regulates the balance of mitochondria generation and degradation, hence acts as a pivotal governor of mitochondria content and negatively regulates beige adipocyte formation. Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) for open chromatin in mature beige or white adipocytes derived from SVF cells.