TITLE:
Long-Term Direct Cold Stimulation of Mouse White Adipocytes Induces a Change to Beige Adipose Tissue-Like Cells
AUTHORS:
Naofumi Shiomi, Keiko Watanabe, Yuki Fujiwara, Takae Yamasaki, Hideto Matsuyama
KEYWORDS:
Beige Adipocytes, White Adipocytes, Cold Stimulation, Calcium Ions, Batokines
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Beige adipocytes and browning tissue appear in white adipocyte tissue through signal transduction via the brain when individuals are exposed to prolonged cold stimulation. In this study, we hypothesized that adipocyte browning may occur when mouse adipocytes are directly exposed to cold stimulation. Methods: White adipocytes were incubated under direct cold stimulation, and gene expression associated with transdifferentiation to beige adipocytes was examined. The effects of direct cold stimulation on Ca2+ uptake and gene expression were also examined to clarify the initial signal transduction. Moreover, long-term direct cold stimulation was conducted to examine its effects on transdifferentiation. Results: Under direct cold stimulation, gene expression associated with transdifferentiation to beige adipocytes was enhanced, and Ca2+ uptake occurred, suggesting that white adipocytes possess a pathway for changing to browning cells in response to direct cold stimulation and Ca2+ uptake relates to the initial signal transduction. Under long-term direct cold stimulation of white adipocytes, the color of the obtained cells was brownish, UCP1 and mitochondria content increased, and marker gene expression (Cited1 and Cd137) and several batokines of beige adipocytes were enhanced. These results suggest that long-term cold stimulation induces a change from white adipocytes to beige adipose tissue-like cells.