Macrophages are key regulators of adipose tissue plasticity. Obesity impairs brown adipose tissue (BAT) function in humans, yet macrophage-mediated mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we introduce MACanalyzeR, a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) tool designed for comprehensive monocyte/macrophage metabolic profiling. Applying MACanalyzeR to BAT from obese male murine models (db/db and HFD-fed mice), we identify lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) with foamy characteristics. Unlike db/db BAT LAMs, those in HFD BAT correlate with thermogenic gene expression and PPAR signaling activation. A distinct PpargHIGH LAM subcluster progressively accumulates in thermogenically active BAT. Macrophage-specific Pparg depletion disrupts BAT thermogenesis, inducing a white-like phenotype and metabolic dysfunctions. Mechanistically, PpargHIGH LAMs secrete GDF15, a key regulator of BAT identity and lipid metabolism under high-energy demand. Our study establishes MACanalyzeR as a powerful tool for immunometabolic interrogation and identifies PpargHIGH LAMs as critical mediators of BAT homeostasis.
MACanalyzeR scRNAseq analysis tool reveals PPARγHIGH/GDF15HIGH lipid-associated macrophages facilitate thermogenic expansion in BAT / Ninni, A.; Zaccaria, F.; Verteramo, L.; Sciarretta, F.; Silveira, L. S.; Rosa-Neto, J. C.; Carotti, S.; Nevi, L.; Grumati, P.; Patel, S.; Carrera, G.; Sgambato, A.; Lucchetti, D.; Colella, F.; Severi, I.; Senzacqua, M.; Giordano, A.; Bernardini, S.; Di Biagio, C.; Tortolici, F.; Rizzo, G.; Cochain, C.; Chiurchiu, V.; Ivanov, S.; Zhou, B.; Williams, J. W.; Savage, D. B.; Aquilano, K.; Lettieri-Barbato, D.. - In: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 2041-1723. - ELETTRONICO. - 16:1(2025). [10.1038/s41467-025-60295-2]
MACanalyzeR scRNAseq analysis tool reveals PPARγHIGH/GDF15HIGH lipid-associated macrophages facilitate thermogenic expansion in BAT
Severi I.;Senzacqua M.;Giordano A.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Macrophages are key regulators of adipose tissue plasticity. Obesity impairs brown adipose tissue (BAT) function in humans, yet macrophage-mediated mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we introduce MACanalyzeR, a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) tool designed for comprehensive monocyte/macrophage metabolic profiling. Applying MACanalyzeR to BAT from obese male murine models (db/db and HFD-fed mice), we identify lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) with foamy characteristics. Unlike db/db BAT LAMs, those in HFD BAT correlate with thermogenic gene expression and PPAR signaling activation. A distinct PpargHIGH LAM subcluster progressively accumulates in thermogenically active BAT. Macrophage-specific Pparg depletion disrupts BAT thermogenesis, inducing a white-like phenotype and metabolic dysfunctions. Mechanistically, PpargHIGH LAMs secrete GDF15, a key regulator of BAT identity and lipid metabolism under high-energy demand. Our study establishes MACanalyzeR as a powerful tool for immunometabolic interrogation and identifies PpargHIGH LAMs as critical mediators of BAT homeostasis.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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