Brown adipocyte modification

摘要

Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells.

主权项

1. A composition for modifying brown adipose tissue to treat obesity comprising: a vector expressing uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and a gene for a receptor selected from the group consisting of: thyroid hormone receptor (TR), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR), β-adrenergic receptor, transforming growth factor receptor, free fatty acid receptor and low density lipoprotein receptor; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.