Meflin/ISLR is a marker of adipose stem and progenitor cells in mice and humans that suppresses white adipose tissue remodeling and fibrosis.

Identifying specific markers of adipose stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) in vivo is crucial for understanding the biology of white adipose tissues (WAT). PDGFRα-positive perivascular stromal cells represent the best candidates for ASPCs. This cell lineage differentiates into myofibroblasts that contribute to the impairment of WAT function.

Synthetic retinoid-mediated preconditioning of cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages improves cancer response to immune checkpoint blockade.

Background: The proliferation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) hampers drug delivery and anti-tumor immunity, inducing tumor resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. However, it has remained a challenge to develop therapeutics that specifically target or modulate CAFs.

Methods: We investigated the involvement of Meflin cancer-restraining CAFs (rCAFs) in ICB efficacy in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC).

Adiponectin-Receptor Agonistic Dipeptide Tyr-Pro Stimulates the Acetylcholine Nervous System in NE-4C Cells.

The dipeptide Tyr-Pro has physiological potential for intact transportability into the brain parenchyma, prevention of cognitive impairment, and an adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) agonistic effect. The present study aimed to understand the effect of Tyr-Pro on the acetylcholine (ACh) nervous system and its underlying mechanism in NE-4C nerve cells. Concentration-dependent ACh production was induced by stimulation with Tyr-Pro and AdipoRon (an AdipoR1 agonist), along with the expression of AdipoR1 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in NE-4C cells.

Lactate induces the development of beige adipocytes an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species.

Recent studies have indicated that lactate acts as a signaling molecule in various tissues. We previously demonstrated that intake of an amino acid mixture combined with exercise synergistically induced beige adipocyte formation in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) in mice. Moreover, plasma lactate levels remained significantly elevated in the amino acid mixture + exercise group even 16 h after exercise, indicating that a lactate-mediated pathway may be involved in the induction of beige adipocyte formation.