JAK Inhibition Induces Browning of White Adipocytes

Abstract

The global epidemic of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, posing a severe threat to human health. The accumulation of excess white adipose tissue in obese individuals increases their risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stoke and even cancer. Current efforts manifest the need to identify potential anti-obesity therapeutics. One promising approach is increasing the activity of ‘brown like’ adipocytes in white adipose depots, which has been shown to improve the overall metabolic phenotype of the organism. This report by Moisan and coworkers demonstrates a novel and a promising approach by inhibiting JAK kinases to induce browning in white adipose tissue.