Work

Fine mapping of early adipogenesis identifies committed progenitors with dual white and beige potential

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Thermogenic capacity in adipose tissue varies among individuals and declines with age, obesity, and insulin resistance. To investigate the cellular basis of this variability, we performed parallel white and beige adipogenic differentiation using subcutaneous adipose progenitors from six healthy subjects. Beige adipogenesis elicits subject-specific, UCP1-dependent and non-canonical thermogenic programs. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals varied proportions of progenitor populations, defined by differential expression of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal genes. Mapping adipogenic commitment uncovers a continuum of transcriptional states largely shared between white and beige differentiation. Within this continuum, we identify ICAM1-positive committed progenitors contributing to both white and beige phenotypes. Beige induction increases the proportion of structural adipose tissue resident cells with distinct extracellular matrix signatures, suggesting early microenvironmental remodeling primes plasticity in mature cells. These results support a model in which diverse adipocyte fates arise from plastic progenitors, with individual differences in thermogenic adaptation driven by genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.118086

Authors: Sarah Hazell Pickering, Damien Dufour, Natalia M. Galigniana, Philippe Collas, Nolwenn Briand

Institutions: University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240