Investigating the role of intracellular tension in regulating adipocyte thermogenesis
Brown (BAT) and Beige adipose tissue (BeAT) are intriguing weight loss targets due to their high energy expenditure as thermogenic tissues. While most advancements in understanding the molecular mechanism of adipocyte thermogenesis regulation have primarily focused on classical catecholamine downstream signaling cascade, our research has highlighted the critical role of Myh7-mediated intracellular tension in brown adipocyte thermogenesis. We are now particularly interested in exploring the potential for contractile force-mediated thermogenesis regulation in BeAT and the underlying mechanism.
Integrated regulation of adipocyte thermogenesis by intracellular and extracellular tension
Extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a critical source of mechanical inputs that control cell function through activation of mechanotransducive signaling systems. In collaboration with the Kumar lab at UC Berkeley, we aim to unravel the relation of ECM viscoelastic properties and BeAT thermogenesis capacity using a new multiwell hyaluronic acid (HA) platform that enables modulation of ECM viscoelastic properties in 3D.