# An Encyclopedia of the Adipose Tissue Secretome to Identify Mediators of Health and Disease

> **NIH NIH RC2** · ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $1,613,479

## Abstract

White and brown adipocytes not only play a central role in energy storage and combustion, but are also
dynamic secretory cells that produce signaling molecules that link levels of energy stores to other vital
physiological systems. Disruption of the signaling properties of adipocytes, as occurs in obesity, contributes to
insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Fat cells have been estimated to secrete
more than 1,000 polypeptides and microproteins and even large number of small molecule metabolites. The
great majority of the adipocyte secretome has not been defined or characterized and addressing this gap in
knowledge is the main goal of this collaborative, interdisciplinary team project. A major obstacle has been the
lack of suitable technologies to quantitatively identify circulating proteins and metabolites, determine their
cellular origin, and elucidate their function. Building on compelling preliminary data and key innovations from
members of this team, we will generate the first encyclopedia of the white and brown adipocyte secretome in
mouse models and humans. Specifically, we will (1) Generate an encyclopedia of the secretome of murine
adipocytes, (2) Characterize the adipocyte secretome in response to physiological stress and in pathological
states, (3) Characterize the adipose secretome in humans, and (4) Characterize the function of the adipocyte
secretome. These studies, which span from basic biology to human subject investigation will only be possible
by optimizing tools within diverse disciplines and at their intersection. This project has the potential to address
questions central to the mission of the NIDDK such as the molecular basis for the links between obesity and
type 2 diabetes and understanding whether the anti-diabetic benefits of brown fat are conveyed by secreted
mediators. Our studies have the potential to identify new secreted mediators with roles in obesity, type 2
diabetes and metabolic diseases, catalyze the development of new technologies, provide a crucial new
resource for researchers and clinicians, and lead to new biomarkers and therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10886148
- **Project number:** 5RC2DK129961-04
- **Recipient organization:** ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian T Chait
- **Activity code:** RC2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,613,479
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10886148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10886148, An Encyclopedia of the Adipose Tissue Secretome to Identify Mediators of Health and Disease (5RC2DK129961-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10886148. Licensed CC0.

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