Defining the Role of Adipogenesis in Age-Associated Adiposity - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The number of Americans over age 65 is 49.2 million in 2016, and it is expected to be 78 million in 2035
(U.S. Census). People over age 65 typically suffer from increased white adipose tissue (WAT) accumulation,
especially in the visceral (abdominal) area. Visceral adiposity accelerates aging by promoting insulin
resistance, cardiovascular dysfunction, and many other chronic health conditions, significantly shortening
healthspan and lifespan. Thus, preventing or reducing adipose tissue accumulation is critical for healthy aging.
Unfortunately, the relationship between aging and adipose tissue accumulation is poorly understood.
Adipocytes (fat cells) undergo hypertrophy (cell enlargement) during aging, but it remains unclear if adipose
tissue also expands through adipogenesis (the generation of new adipocytes), which will grant adipose tissue
with unlimited potential to grow. The rate of adipogenesis is very low in young mice, similar to that in young
humans. Preliminary data of this proposal show the first cellular evidence that WAT expands with age through
massive adipogenesis. Thus, in contrast to most adult stem cells that exhibit a reduced ability to proliferate and
differentiate, adipogenesis of preadipocytes is unlocked by aging. The goal of this R01 proposal is to determine
when, where, and why does adipogenesis take place during aging. Based on the preliminary findings, the
hypothesis is that aging generates new preadipocytes which undergo adipogenesis to become new
adipocytes, and the stromal microenvironment generated by cellular senescence plays a key role in this
process. Proposed experiments in Aim 1 will utilize the AdipoChaser mice to determine the exact age stage
when adipogenesis takes place, and use MuralChaser mice to determine the percentage of new preadipocytes
generated during aging and their rate of adipogenesis. Unbiased single-cell sequencing will also be used to
identify preadipocyte subpopulations newly generated during aging. Proposed experiments in Aim 2 will
perform both in vitro differentiation assays and in vivo transplantations to determine the contribution of cell-
autonomous effect of preadipocytes, paracrine stimulation, and systemic stimulation to age-associated
adipogenesis. Proposed experiments in Aim 3 will determine whether eliminating senescent cells prevents
age-associated adipogenesis. The proposed research provides new scientific knowledge that adipogenesis is
the major contributor to age-associated adiposity, and mechanistic insights into why adipogenesis is unlocked
by aging. Successful completion of the proposed research will provide new therapeutic avenues for the
prevention and treatment of age-associated adiposity and its related chronic diseases, ultimately promoting
longevity and healthy aging.
