Hormonal regulators of adipose tissue plasticity (B12*)

• Subject Area: Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 209933838

Adipose tissue is a remarkably plastic organ, which responds to both local and systemic signals by the production of new adipocytes or the enlargement of preexisting adipocytes. In this project, we will elaborate the adipose depot-specific activation of adipocyte precursors in response to thyroid hormone signaling. Furthermore, we will delineate the multidirectional crosstalk between thyroid hormones, sympathetic nervous system, adipokines and the thermogenic response in brown and beige adipocytes and related effects on energy balance. Overall, we expect that this study will provide a better understanding regarding the mechanisms by which thyroid hormones regulate adipose tissue plasticity, thereby potentially suggesting new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1052: Obesity Mechanisms
• Applicant Institution: Universität Leipzig
• Project Head: Dr. Kerstin Krause, since 7/2021