Single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals heterogeneity among multiple white adipose tissue depots

  • Limin Xie 1,2 ,
  • Wanyu Hu 1,2 ,
  • Haowei Zhang 3 ,
  • Yujin Ding 1,2 ,
  • Qin Zeng 1,2 ,
  • Xiyan Liao 1,2 ,
  • Dandan Wang 1,2 ,
  • Wanqin Xie 4 ,
  • Hannah Xiaoyan Hui 5 ,
  • Tuo Deng , 1,2,6
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  • 1. National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
  • 2. Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
  • 3. The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
  • 4. NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410028, China
  • 5. School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
  • 6. Clinical Immunology Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
dengtuo@csu.edu.cn

Received date: 15 Jul 2023

Revised date: 09 Nov 2023

Accepted date: 20 Nov 2023

Copyright

2023 The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Higher Education Press.

Abstract

Regardless of its anatomical site, adipose tissue shares a common energy-storage role but exhibits distinctive properties. Exploring the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of white adipose tissue (WAT) is crucial for comprehending its function and properties. However, existing single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) studies of adipose tissue heterogeneity have examined only one or two depots. In this study, we employed snRNA-seq to test five representative depots including inguinal, epididymal, mesenteric, perirenal, and pericardial adipose tissues in mice under physiological conditions. By analyzing the contents of main cell categories and gene profiles of various depots, we identified their distinctive physiological properties. Immune cells and fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs) showed dramatic differences among WAT depots, while adipocytes seemed to be conserved. The heightened presence of regulatory macrophages and B cells in pericardial adipose tissues implied their potential contribution to the preservation of coronary vascular function. Moreover, the selective aggregation of pericytes within mesenteric adipose tissue was likely associated with the maintenance of intestinal barrier homeostasis. Using a combination of RNA sequencing and snRNA-seq analysis, the major subpopulations of FAPs derived from these depots determined the site characteristics of FAPs to a certain extent. Our work establishes a systematic and reliable foundation for investigating the heterogeneity of WAT depots and elucidating the unique roles these depots play in coordinating the function of adjacent organs.

Cite this article

Limin Xie , Wanyu Hu , Haowei Zhang , Yujin Ding , Qin Zeng , Xiyan Liao , Dandan Wang , Wanqin Xie , Hannah Xiaoyan Hui , Tuo Deng . Single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals heterogeneity among multiple white adipose tissue depots[J]. Life Metabolism, 2023 , 2(6) : 296 -311 . DOI: 10.1093/lifemeta/load045

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