Dynamic control of adipose tissue development and adult tissue homeostasis by platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha

Adipocytes arise from distinct progenitor populations during development and adult, but little is known about how developmental progenitors differ from adult progenitors. Here, we investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR α) in the divergent regulation of the two different adipose progenitor cells (APCs). Usingin vivo adipose lineage tracking and deletion mouse models, we found that developmental PDGFR α+ cells are adipogenic and differentiated into mature adipocytes, and the deletion ofPdgfra in developmental adipose lineage disrupted white adipose tissue (WAT) formation. Interestingly, adult PDGFR α+ cells do not significantly contribute to adult adipogenesis, and deletingPdgfra in adult adipose lineage did not affect WAT homeostasis. Mechanistically, embryonic APCs require PDGFR α for fate maintenance, and without PDGFRα, they underwent fate change from adipogenic to fibrotic lineage. Collectively, our findings indicate that PDGFRα+ cells andPdgfra gene itself are differentially required for WAT development and adult WAT homeostasis.
Source: eLife - Category: Biomedical Science Tags: Cell Biology Developmental Biology Source Type: research