White fat cell health, mitochondria, and adiponectin
White Adipose Tissue Physiology, Mitochondrial Function and Adiponectin
['FUNDING_R01'] · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11285330
This project looks at how problems in white fat cell mitochondria and the hormone adiponectin affect metabolism in people with obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DALLAS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11285330 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Scientists will study how mitochondria in white fat cells become stressed and how that changes adiponectin production and cell function. They will manipulate proteins such as amyloid precursor protein, mitoNEET, and mitoferritin and monitor mitochondrial DNA, iron handling, and stress signaling. The team will test the role of the mitochondrial stress sensor DELE1 across mature fat cells, precursor cells, and immune cells found in fat tissue. Most work is done in lab-grown cells and model systems at UT Southwestern to identify targets that could later be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or related metabolic complications would be the most relevant candidates for future trials or to donate fat tissue samples.
Not a fit: Healthy people without metabolic disease or those with conditions unrelated to metabolism may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to new ways to restore healthy fat tissue and improve blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have connected mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in adiponectin to metabolic disease, but this integrated focus on specific mitochondrial stress pathways in white adipocytes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
DALLAS, UNITED STATES
- UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER — DALLAS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SCHERER, PHILIPP E — UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: SCHERER, PHILIPP E
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.