Single-cell RNA transcriptomics in mice reveals embryonic origin of fibrosis due to maternal obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over 40% of pregnant women in the USA are obese which negatively affects fetal development and offspring health. Maternal obesity (MO) leads to fibrotic infiltration in multiple tissues and organs of offspring during their adulthood although the origin and mechanisms are unclear.

Methods

C57BL/6J female mice were fed a control and high-fat diet to mimic MO condition. Embryonic somatic tissues were obtained at E9.5, E11.5, and E13.5 (equivalent to 6 weeks of human pregnancy) from control (CON) and MO mice for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). To explore the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), AMPK was activated by metformin and A769662, and knocked out in embryonic mesenchymal cells (EMC) using AMPKα1 floxed mice.

Findings

Using unsupervised c

SUBMITTER: Hossain MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11565040 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature