Adipose Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Regulates Metabolic Homeostasis through Angiogenesis

SummaryVascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Its role, however, has not been fully elucidated. Here, we reveal the metabolic role of adipose-VEGF by studying mice with deletion (VEGFAdΔ) or doxycycline-inducible overexpression of a VEGF transgene (VEGFAdTg) in the adipose tissue. VEGFAdΔ mice have reduced adipose vascular density and show adipose hypoxia, apoptosis, inflammation, and metabolic defects on a high-fat diet. In contrast, induction of VEGF expression in VEGFAdTg mice leads to increased adipose vasculature and reduced hypoxia. The latter changes are sufficient to counteract an established compromising effect of high-fat diet on the metabolism, indicating that metabolic misbalance is reversible by adipose vessel density increase. Our data clearly show the essential role of VEGF signaling for adequate adipose function. Besides revealing insights into the molecular mechanisms of obesity-related metabolic diseases, this study points to the therapeutic potential of increased adipose angiogenesis.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (143 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Two-way modulations of adipose VEGF were generated with aP2-Cre transgene ► Adipose VEGF KO reduces vasculature, increases hypoxia and inflammation in fat ► Adipose VEGF KO accelerates the development of metabolic disease in high-fat diet ► Induced adipose VEGF has opposite effect on fat and restores metabolic homeostasis