The Role of Cellular Antennas in Regulating Fat Cell Development and Obesity Prevention

Recent research from the University Hospital of Bonn and the University of Bonn has shed light on how primary cilia, tiny cellular structures acting as antennas, influence the development of precursor cells in white adipose tissue. Understanding this process is crucial because fat tissue plays a key role in energy storage and metabolic regulation, directly impacting overall health.

Fat tissue, or adipose tissue, constantly adapts by growing or shrinking based on energy intake and expenditure. This dynamic change is driven by specialized precursor cells that can develop into mature fat cells. These precursor cells possess a small structure called a primary cilium, which receives environmental signals and regulates key signaling pathways like the Hedgehog pathway.

The study reveals that overactivation of the Hedgehog pathway due to primary cilia dysfunction causes precursor cells to deviate from their normal development into white fat cells. Instead, they become connective tissue-like cells, contributing to tissue stiffening and potentially impairing fat tissue function. In models of Bardet-Biedl syndrome—a genetic disorder associated with cilia dysfunction—researchers observed early changes in white adipose tissue, even before obesity manifests. Specifically, the loss of an essential cilia protein (BBS8) leads to a decrease in precursor cell numbers, which increasingly convert into connective tissue-like cells.

Furthermore, the study shows that disrupted cilia function causes the Hedgehog signaling pathway to become overactive, pushing precursor cells away from their intended fate. This imbalance influences whether healthy fat tissue is maintained, highlighting the critical role of cilia in cell fate determination and tissue health.

Implications of this research suggest that cilia and Hedgehog pathway regulation could be targeted for preventing or treating obesity by maintaining proper fat tissue development. This discovery opens new avenues for therapies aimed at controlling fat cell formation and preventing the pathological changes associated with obesity.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-cellular-antennas-precursor-cells-fat.html