Adipose Progenitor Cells in Thermogenesis and Metabolic Regulation.

Abstract

Thermogenic adipose tissues, including brown and beige, exhibit remarkable cellular and metabolic adaptations to environmental and physiological cues, contributing to improved metabolic health. Among these adaptations, adipose progenitor cells (APCs), a heterogeneous cell population comprising distinct subsets, play a crucial role in generating thermogenic adipocytes and promoting healthy adipose tissue remodeling and metabolic homeostasis. Therefore, targeting APCs offers a potential therapeutic approach for regulating adipose plasticity and remodeling to address metabolic dysregulation. The precise identity of APCs and the roles of specific APC subtypes in metabolic regulation and diseases remain to be elucidated. Here, we summarize recent findings on the lineage of APCs that give rise to thermogenic adipocytes and how environmental conditions regulate their proliferation and differentiation. Finally, we discuss the potential of targeting APCs as an alternative therapeutic strategy to combat metabolic diseases.