Lactate fluxes mediated by the monocarboxylate transporter-1 are key determinants of the metabolic activity of beige adipocytes

Activation of energy-dissipating brown/beige adipocytes represents an attractive therapeutic strategy against metabolic disorders. While lactate is known to induce beiging through the regulation of Ucp1 gene expression, the role of lactate transporters on beige adipocytes' ongoing metabolic activity remains poorly understood. To explore the function of the lactate-transporting monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), we used a combination of primary cell culture studies, C-13 isotopic tracing, laser microdissection experiments, and in situ immunofluorescence of murine adipose fat pads. Dissecting white adipose tissue heterogeneity revealed that the MCT1 is expressed in inducible beige adipocytes as the emergence of uncoupling protein 1 after cold exposure was restricted to a subpopulation of MCT1-expressing adipocytes suggesting MCT1 as a marker of inducible beige adipocytes. We also observed that MCT1 mediates bidirectional and simultaneous inward and outward lactate fluxes, which were required for efficient utilization of glucose by beige adipocytes activated by the canonical beta 3-adrenergic signaling pathway. Finally, we demonstrated that significant lactate import through MCT1 occurs even when glucose is not limiting, which feeds the oxidative metabolism of beige adipocytes. These data highlight the key role of lactate fluxes in finely tuning the metabolic activity of beige adipocytes according to extracellular metabolic conditions and reinforce the emerging role of lactate metabolism in the control of energy homeostasis.

Automated summary

Activation of brown/beige adipocytes through MCT1-mediated lactate fluxes plays a crucial role in regulating glucose utilization and oxidative metabolism, highlighting the importance of lactate metabolism in controlling the metabolic activity of beige adipocytes according to extracellular metabolic conditions.