Wireless optogenetics protects against obesity via stimulation of non-canonical fat thermogenesis

Nat Commun. 2020 Apr 7;11(1):1730. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15589-y.

Abstract

Cold stimuli and the subsequent activation of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) potently stimulate adipose tissue thermogenesis and increase whole-body energy expenditure. However, systemic activation of the β3-AR pathway inevitably increases blood pressure, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and, thus, limits its application for the treatment of obesity. To activate fat thermogenesis under tight spatiotemporal control without external stimuli, here, we report an implantable wireless optogenetic device that bypasses the β-AR pathway and triggers Ca2+ cycling selectively in adipocytes. The wireless optogenetics stimulation in the subcutaneous adipose tissue potently activates Ca2+ cycling fat thermogenesis and increases whole-body energy expenditure without cold stimuli. Significantly, the light-induced fat thermogenesis was sufficient to protect mice from diet-induced body-weight gain. The present study provides the first proof-of-concept that fat-specific cold mimetics via activating non-canonical thermogenesis protect against obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Adipocytes / radiation effects
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue / radiation effects
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Body Weight / radiation effects
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Channelrhodopsins / metabolism*
  • Channelrhodopsins / radiation effects
  • Channelrhodopsins / therapeutic use
  • Diet
  • Energy Metabolism / radiation effects
  • Locomotion
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Optogenetics / instrumentation*
  • Optogenetics / methods
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / metabolism
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / genetics
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism*
  • Thermogenesis / physiology
  • Thermogenesis / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Channelrhodopsins
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium