Toward novel molecular targeting strategies for the metabolic syndrome

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In rodents and other animals, brown adipocytes contribute to energy expenditure and heat production, but brown adipocytes of humans have not been characterized in detail, mainly because functional human brown adipocytes that can be propagated in culture have not been available for experimental use so far. We recently established novel procedures to induce human and murine brown adipocytes. In this study we examined gene expression profiles, epigenetic states, and metabolic activities of the brown adipocytes, while we also analyzed regulation of their activities and molecular mechanisms of their induction. The present findings have important implication to novel molecular targeting therapy against metabolic syndromes.