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Macrophage ROBOcalls rattle adipose nerves

Nature Metabolism volume 3, pages 1441–1442 (2021)Cite this article

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Immune cells can promote the thermogenic phenotype of white adipocytes during cold exposure, in a process known as ‘browning’ or ‘beiging’. Wang et al. now reveal a potential mechanism whereby alternatively activated macrophages prompt adipose sympathetic nerve fibres to release norepinephrine and promote adipocyte beiging.

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Fig. 1: Adipose tissue macrophages exert reciprocal regulation of norepinephrine flow from sympathetic nerve fibres to adipocytes.

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges excellent discussions on this topic with laboratory members and relevant funding from the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (grants DK030898 and DK116056).

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  1. Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Michael P. Czech

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  1. Michael P. Czech
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Correspondence to Michael P. Czech.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Czech, M.P. Macrophage ROBOcalls rattle adipose nerves. Nat Metab 3, 1441–1442 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-021-00484-7

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