Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
10.16476/j.pibb.2024.0410
- VernacularTitle:单细胞转录组学视角下的脂肪组织异质性
- Author:
Yong-Lang WANG
1
;
Si-Si CHEN
1
;
Qi-Long LI
1
;
Yu GONG
2
;
Xin-Yue DUAN
1
;
Ye-Hui DUAN
1
;
Qiu-Ping GUO
1
;
Feng-Na LI
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
single-cell transcriptomics;
adipose tissue;
heterogeneity;
cell-cell interaction;
differentiation trajectory
- From:
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics
2025;52(4):820-835
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
