ABSTRACT
Our data demonstrate that estrogens, estrogen receptor-α (ERα), and estrogen receptor-ß (ERß) regulate adipose tissue distribution, inflammation, fibrosis, and glucose homeostasis, by determining that αERKO mice have increased adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis prior to obesity onset. Selective deletion of adipose tissue ERα in adult mice using a novel viral vector technology recapitulated the findings in the total body ERα null mice. Generation of a novel mouse model, lacking ERα specifically from adipocytes (AdipoERα), demonstrated increased markers of fibrosis and inflammation, especially in the males. Additionally, we found that the beneficial effects of estrogens on adipose tissue require adipocyte ERα. Lastly, we determined the role of ERß in regulating inflammation and fibrosis, by breeding the AdipoERα into the ßERKO background and found that in the absence of adipocyte ERα, ERß has a protective role. These data suggest that adipose tissue and adipocyte ERα protects against adiposity, inflammation, and fibrosis in both males and females.
