Obesity affects nearly 40% of Americans, increasing the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A new study from the University of Delaware (UD) aims to address this issue by investigating obesity at the genetic level.
Examining Gene Expression in Fat Tissue
Led by Ibra Fancher, Ph.D., an assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology in UD’s College of Health Sciences, the research highlights significant differences in gene expression within adipose tissue—commonly known as fat.
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Once considered merely a storage site for excess energy, adipose tissue is now recognized as an endocrine organ that plays a critical role in metabolism and inflammation. Dysfunction in this tissue is strongly linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Published in Physiological Genomics, the study analyzed how diet impacts gene expression in adipose tissue using an animal model. One group consumed a high-fat, high-caloric Western diet, while the other followed a standard chow diet for over a year.
“We expected to see robust changes in fat, and indeed, the adipose depots in the high-fat group were significantly different, showing major changes related to poor diet and obesity.”
— Ibra Fancher, Ph.D., UD College of Health Sciences
Key Findings
Funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to UD’s Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Cardiovascular Health, the study identified over 300 genes differentially expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and nearly 700 genes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT).
- SAT (subcutaneous fat) is a less dangerous form of fat located just beneath the skin.
- VAT (visceral fat) surrounds vital organs and poses a greater health risk.
“The comparison of VAT to SAT is stark. The expansion of visceral fat, along with its inflammatory role in obesity and metabolic diseases, is particularly severe. This study highlights how obesity, often caused by poor diet and inactivity, affects specific fat depots—making them prime targets for intervention.”
— Ibra Fancher, Ph.D.
Among the thousands of genes analyzed, researchers identified four genes related to metabolism, calcium handling, and inflammation that merit further investigation.
“We’re already exploring whether these genes could be targeted with existing drugs or lead to new treatments designed to improve adipose tissue function in obesity.”
Advanced Genetic Analysis
To conduct this research, Fancher collaborated with:
- Bruce Kingham, director of UD’s Sequencing and Genotyping Center
- Shawn Polson, director of UD’s Bioinformatics Data Science Core
Their team used RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to pinpoint obesity-related genetic pathways.
“When we analyzed the data, it clearly pointed to obesity-related genes and pathways that varied between VAT and SAT.”
— Shawn Polson, Ph.D.
Implications and Next Steps
Fancher’s next phase of research involves studying gene expression in human adipose tissue. Partnering with Dr. Caitlin Halbert, director of bariatric surgery at ChristianaCare, the team aims to determine whether these findings apply to human samples.
Additionally, the study will explore potential sex differences in obesity’s impact.
“Obesity affects men and women differently, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we found significant sex-based variations. Recognizing these differences is crucial for developing personalized obesity treatments.”
By identifying key genetic changes in fat tissue, this research lays the foundation for new therapeutic approaches targeting obesity at the molecular level.
