Adipocyte-derived ferroptotic signaling mitigates obesity

Ferroptosis is characterized as an iron-dependent and lipophilic form of cell death. However, it remains unclear what role ferroptosis has in adipose tissue function and activity. Here, we find a lower ferroptotic signature in the adipose tissue of individuals and mice with obesity. We further find that activation of ferroptotic signaling by a non-lethal dose of ferroptosis agonists significantly reduces lipid accumulation in primary adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Notably, adipocyte-specific overexpression of acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4 (Acsl4) or deletion of ferritin heavy chain (Fth) protects mice from HFD-induced adipose expansion and metabolic disorders via activation of ferroptotic signaling. Mechanistically, we find that 5,15-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5,15-DiHETE) activates ferroptotic signaling, resulting in the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α), thereby derepressing a thermogenic program regulated by the c-Myc-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 beta (Pgc1β) pathway. Our findings suggest that activating ferroptosis signaling in adipose tissues might help to prevent and treat obesity and its related metabolic disorders.