1, 25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3/Vit D receptor suppresses brown adipocyte differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis (1041.6)

Abstract

Brown adipose tissue, now known to be present in adult humans, is a specialized tissue responsible for heat production through non‐shivering thermogenesis. Understanding of the regulation of the differentiation from the precursors to functional brown adipocytes holds the promise for novel strategies to combat obesity. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D/Vit D receptor on the differentiation and function of brown adipocytes from the immortalized precursor cells derived from interscapular brown adipose tissue of newborn C57BL/6 mice. Here we report that Vitamin D dose‐dependently (1‐100nM) suppressed brown adipocyte differentiation, as measured by both mRNA and protein expression of brown adipocyte markers and oil red O staining of lipid accumulation. Consistently, over‐expression of Vit D receptor also significantly impaired differentiation of the brown adipocytes. Further, results from the cellular bioenergetics measurements showed that suppression of differentiation by Vit D was accompanied by significant impairment of isoproterenol‐induced oxygen consumption rates, maximal respiration and the uncoupled respiration from proton leaks. Together, our results conclude that Vit D signaling suppresses brown adipocyte differentiation and function.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the University of Tennessee faculty start‐up funds to L.Z.