Differential roles of insulin receptor in adipocyte progenitor cells in mice

The development of white adipose tissue (WAT) occurs during distinct embryonic and postnatal stages, and it is subsequently maintained throughout life. However, the specific mediators and mechanisms responsible for WAT development during different phases remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the role of the insulin receptor (IR) in regulating adipogenesis and adipocyte function within adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) during WAT development and homeostasis. We use two in vivo adipose lineage tracking and deletion systems to delete IR either in embryonic APCs or adult APCs, respectively, to explore the specific requirements of IR during WAT development and WAT homeostasis in mice. Our data suggest that IR expression in APCs may not be essential for adult adipocyte differentiation but appears to be crucial for adipose tissue development. We reveal a surprising divergent role of IR in APCs during WAT development and homeostasis.