Regulatory T cells in brown adipose tissue safeguard thermogenesis by restraining interferon-γ-producing lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: Whereas visceral adipose tissue (VAT) primarily stores excess energy, brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates it in a process termed nonshivering thermogenesis. Several key VAT features, particularly murine epidydimal VAT, are regulated by a distinct population of regulatory T (T_reg) cells, raising the question of whether BAT hosts an analogous population. Although T_reg cells have been observed in BAT, their properties and mechanisms of action require elucidation. We found BAT T_reg cells to be heterogeneous in subtissular localization and subtype composition. Punctual depletion of T_reg cells unleashed interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing lymphocytes in BAT, but not in subcutaneous or visceral fat depots, leading to IFN-γ-dependent mitochondrial dysfuncti

SUBMITTER: Zammit NW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12363373 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature