本文采用的英格恩产品: RNA-Entranster-invivo

Transferrin Receptor Functionally Marks Thermogenic Adipocytes

Jin Qiu  ¹ , Zhiyin Zhang  ² , Sainan Wang  ¹ , Yanru Chen  ² , Caizhi Liu  ¹ , Sainan Xu  ¹ , Dongmei Wang  ¹ , Junlei Su  ² , Mengshan Ni  ² , Jian Yu  ¹ , Xiangdi Cui  ¹ , Lu Ma  ¹ , Tianhui Hu  ¹ , Yepeng Hu  ³ , Xuejiang Gu  ³ , Xinran Ma  ^{1   3} , Jiqiu Wang  ² , Lingyan Xu  ¹ Affiliations

• PMID: 33251209
• PMCID: PMC7676909
• DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.572459

Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: Thermogenic adipocytes, including beige and brown adipocytes, are critical for thermogenesis and energy homeostasis. Identification of functional cell surface markers of thermogenic adipocytes is of significance for potential application in biological and clinical practices.

Methods: With a combination of RNA-sequencing of in vivo and in vitro models, we identified transferrin receptor (Tfr1), a receptor specialized for cellular iron uptake, as a previously unappreciated cell surface molecule for thermogenic adipocytes compared to white adipocytes. The alternation of Tfr1 levels under physiological and pathological stimuli was assessed, and the mitochondria functionality, browning capacity, and iron metabolism of mature adipocytes were examined with Tfr1 knockdown.

Results: Tfr1 was expressed predominantly in thermogenic adipocytes versus white adipocyte, and its expression levels were tightly correlated with the activation or inhibition status of thermogenic adipocytes under external stimuli. Besides, Tfr1 gene deficiency in thermogenic adipocytes led to reduced thermogenic gene programs and mitochondrial integrity.

Conclusion: Tfr1 functionally marks thermogenic adipocytes and could serve as a potential thermogenic adipocyte surface marker.

Keywords: Tfr1; brown gene program; iron homeostasis; mitochondrial integrity; thermogenic adipocytes.