Neural Crest Cells Differentiate Into Brown Adipocytes and Contribute to Periaortic Arch Adipose Tissue Formation

OBJECTIVE: Periaortic arch adipose tissue (PAAT) plays critical roles in regulating vascular homeostasis; however, its anatomic features, developmental processes, and origins remain unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Anatomic analysis and genetic lineage tracing of Wnt1 (wingless-type MMTV [mouse mammary tumor virus] integration site family member 1)-Cre(+);Rosa26(RFP)(/+) mice, Myf5 (myogenic factor 5)-Cre(+);Rosa26(RFP)(/+) mice, and SM22 alpha-Cre(+);Rosa26(RFP)(/+) mice are performed, and the results show that PAAT has unique anatomic features, and the developmental processes of PAAT are independent of the others periaortic adipose tissues. PAAT adipocytes are mainly derived from neural crest cells (NCCs) rather than from Myf5(+) progenitors. Most PAAT adipocyte progenitors expressed SM22 alpha(+) (smooth muscle protein 22-alpha) during development. Using Wnt1-Cre(+);PPAR gamma(flox/flox) mice, we found that knockout of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor)-gamma in NCCs results in PAAT developmental delay and dysplasia, further confirming that NCCs contribute to PAAT formation. And we further indicated PAAT dysplasia aggravates Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced inflammation and remodeling of the common carotid artery close to aorta arch. We also found that NCCs can be differentiated into both brown and white adipocytes in vivo and in vitro. RNA sequencing results suggested NCC-derived adipose tissue displays a distinct transcriptional profile compared with the non-NCC-derived adipose tissue in PAAT. CONCLUSIONS: PAAT has distinctive anatomic features and developmental processes. Most PAAT adipocytes are originated from NCCs which derive from ectoderm. NCCs are progenitors not only of white adipocytes but also of brown adipocytes. This study indicates that the PAAT is derived from multiple cell lineages, the adipocytes derived from different origins have distinct transcriptional profiles, and PAAT plays a critical role in Ang II-induced common carotid artery inflammation and remodeling.