Pref-1 marks very early mesenchymal precursors required for adipose tissue development and expansion

Carolyn S. Hudak, Olga Gulyaeva, Yuhui Wang, Seung min Park, Luke Lee, Chulho Kang, Hei Sook Sul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pref-1 is an EGF-repeat-containing protein that inhibits adipocyte differentiation. To better understand the origin and development of white adipose tissue (WAT), we generated transgenic mouse models for transient or permanent fluorescent labeling of cells using the Pref-1 promoter, facilitating inducible ablation. We show that Pref-1-marked cells retain proliferative capacity and are very early adipose precursors, prior to expression of Zfp423 or PPARg. In addition, the Pref-1-marked cells establish that adipose precursors are mesenchymal, but not endothelial or pericytal, in origin. During embryogenesis, Pref-1-marked cells first appear in the dorsal mesenteric region as early as embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5). These cells become lipid-laden adipocytes at E17.5 in the subcutaneous region, whereas visceral WAT develops after birth. Finally, ablation of Pref-1- marked cells prevents not only embryonic WAT development but also later adult adipose expansion upon high-fat feeding, demonstrating the requirement of Pref-1 cells for adipogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)678-687
Number of pages10
JournalCell Reports
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Aug 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 The Authors.

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