Search for new adipocyte size regulators

• Grant number: 21/04048-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Alves da Silva Mori
• Grantee: Diogo de Moraes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/10085-8 - Investigating the Role of Novel Mediators of Adipocyte Size in Human Cells, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Cardiometabolic diseases are a public health issue, and they have high incidence in the elderly and obese individuals. Among the demographic, anthropometric and histopathological characteristics associated with cardiometabolic disease risk, adipocyte size is more associated with Diabetes than age or fat percentage. Evidence suggests that large adipocytes can represent a consequence of the loss of preadipocyte differentiation. These hypertrophied adipocytes also cause hypoxia in the adipose tissue. Both of these characteristics are found in individuals with cardiometabolic diseases, the obese and the elderly. Hypoxia can also cause inflammation, which inhibits preadipocyte differentiation, possibly closing up a vicious cycle that leads to metabolic dysfunction. In this way, the better comprehension of adipocyte size regulation may help us to understand and treat these conditions. Therefore, the proposal of the current project is to identify genes that control human adipocyte size. To do this, we will use public databases that contain the transcriptome and adipose tissue slides from heterogeneous human populations to find genes that are associated with adipocyte size. Next, we will validate if these genes are also associated with adipocyte size in independent human and mouse samples. Finally, we will perform a functional validation, to determine if these genes can regulate adipocyte size in vitro. (AU)