Restoring age-related beige fat that burns sugar
Deciphering age-dependent beige adipocyte failure
Researchers are trying to bring back special 'beige' fat in older adults so the body can burn blood sugar and fats more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291784 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies how cold exposure normally tells perivascular progenitor cells to become beige fat, which helps burn glucose and free fatty acids. They found that aging blocks this process and that a receptor called PDGFRβ is increased in aged progenitor cells. In mice, removing PDGFRβ in the beige-fat lineage restored beige cell formation and improved metabolism, and the group uses lineage tracing and senescence tests to find alternative cell sources and rejuvenation strategies. The long-term aim is to translate those molecular findings into treatments that help older people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes who are concerned about age-related declines in metabolic health would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Young, healthy people without metabolic problems and those whose conditions do not involve impaired adipose function are unlikely to benefit directly from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that help older adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes burn excess sugar and improve metabolic health.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown that beige adipocytes can improve metabolism and that removing PDGFRβ restored beige fat in aged mice, but human testing of these approaches is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Cornell University — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berry, Daniel Carl — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Berry, Daniel Carl
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.