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Adipocyte and Cell Biology

Insights into the roles of Apolipoprotein E in adipocyte biology and obesity

International Journal of Obesity volume 48, pages 1205–1215 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a multifunctional protein expressed by various cell types, including hepatocytes, adipocytes, immune cells of the myeloid lineage, vascular smooth muscle cells, astrocytes, etc. Initially, APOE was discovered as an arginine-rich peptide within very-low-density lipoprotein, but it was subsequently found in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in humans and other animals, where its presence facilitates the clearance of these lipoproteins from circulation. Recent epidemiolocal studies and experimental research in mice suggest a link between ApoE and obesity. The latest findings highlight the role of endogenous adipocyte ApoE in regulating browning of white adipose tissue, beige adipocyte differentiation, thermogenesis and energy homeostasis. This review focuses on the emerging evidence showing the involvement of ApoE in the regulation of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

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Fig. 1: Linear structural features of APOE.
Fig. 2: ApoE deficiency promotes cold-induced browning of white adipose tissue.
Fig. 3: ApoE-deficient beige adipocytes exhibit increased lipolysis and Ucp1 expression.
Fig. 4: Adipocyte ApoE negatively regulates PPARγ signaling.
Fig. 5: Schematic diagrams depicting the potential mechanism underlying the enhanced browning of WAT in ApoE−/− mice.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (grant number NSTC 111-2320-B-002-037-MY3 to F-JL) and National Taiwan University (grant numbers 110L7243, 111L7218, and 113L894803 to F-JL). We thank Dr. Shao-Chun Lu at National Taiwan University for discussions and suggestions.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Chung-Lin Jiang, Fu-Jung Lin.

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  1. Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chung-Lin Jiang & Fu-Jung Lin

  2. Research Center for Development Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Fu-Jung Lin

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C-LJ conducted the literature search, conceived the project, designed and performed the experiments, interpreted data, prepared figures and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. F-JL conceptualized the article, performed data interpretations, created figures, wrote the manuscript and revised the final version. All authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Fu-Jung Lin.

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Jiang, CL., Lin, FJ. Insights into the roles of Apolipoprotein E in adipocyte biology and obesity. Int J Obes 48, 1205–1215 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-024-01549-9

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