Identification of regulatory networks and crosstalk factors in brown adipose tissue and liver of a cold-exposed cardiometabolic mouse model

Abstract

Background: Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has gained attention due to its ability to dissipate energy and counteract cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). Methods: This study investigated the consequences of cold exposure on the BAT and liver proteomes of an established CMD mouse model based on LDL receptor-deficient (LdlrKO) mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose, high-cholesterol diet for 16 weeks. We analyzed energy metabolism in vivo and performed untargeted proteomics on BAT and liver of LdlrKO mice maintained at 22 °C or 5 °C for 7 days. Results: We identified several dysregulated pathways, miRNAs, and transcription factors in BAT and liver of cold-exposed Ldlrko mice that have not been previously described in this context. Networks of regulatory interactions based on shared downstream targets and analysis of ligand-receptor pairs identified fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA) and fibronectin 1 (FN1) as potential crosstalk factors between BAT and liver in response to cold exposure. Importantly, genetic variations in the genes encoding FGA and FN1 have been associated with cardiometabolic-related phenotypes and traits in humans. Discussion: This study describes the key factors, pathways, and regulatory networks involved in the crosstalk between BAT and the liver in a cold-exposed CMD mouse model. These findings may provide a basis for future studies aimed at testing whether molecular mediators, as well as regulatory and signaling mechanisms involved in tissue adaption upon cold exposure, could represent a target in cardiometabolic disorders. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)