6711 Single Nuclei RNA-seq To Map Adipose Cellular Populations And Senescent Cells In Response To A Lifestyle Or Senolytic Intervention In Older Adults With Obesity: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial
Authors: Aslamy Arianne , Connolly Gavin , Nie Jia , Espinoza Sara , Serra Monica , Musi Nicolas 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: A. Aslamy: None. G. Connolly: None. J. Nie: None. S. Espinoza: None. M. Serra: None. N. Musi: None.

It is well established that obese and older individuals are at significantly increased risk for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which increased adiposity and aging predisposes individuals to metabolic disease are not well understood. Recent data suggests that variations in adipocyte cellular populations and subpopulations influence whole body metabolism. Particularly, an increased burden of adipocyte senescent cells (cells that are in a state of replicative arrest) have been implicated in metabolic diseases. To investigate the relationship between adipose molecular signatures and cellular senescence on metabolic outcomes, we will use a novel, high-throughput, high-resolution methodology called single nuclei RNA sequencing (SnRNA-seq) to develop a transcriptomic atlas of human adipose tissue and analyze molecular profiles before and after interventions of lifestyle vs. senolytic vs. placebo. We will recruit a cohort of older obese participants (≥65 years of age; BMI = 30-39.9 kg/m2; n = 72), and conduct a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in which we obtain adipose biopsies to analyze cellular/molecular profiling via snRNA-seq as it relates to phenotypic measures of insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, beta cell function, and hepatic lipid content compared to cohorts of younger lean (18-30 years of age; BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; n = 24) and older lean (≥65 years of age; BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; n = 24) participants. Older obese participants will be randomized to one of three groups for a 10-week period: lifestyle (diet- and exercise-induced weight loss of 8-10% of body mass), senolytic (dasatinib and quercetin), or placebo. Repeat adipose biopsies and metabolic testing will be analyzed before and after intervention to assess potential changes in gene expression and associated phenotypic measures. Inclusion criteria for the older obese participants are the following: ≥65 years of age, BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2, any sex, race and ethnic group, sedentary (≤1.5h of exercise per week), and nondiabetic. Exclusion criteria include history of diabetes, participation in structured exercise &gt;1.5h per week, chronic inflammatory/neurologic/autoimmune/pulmonary disorders, GI or heart disease, use of anti-arrhythmic or weight altering medications, smoking/alcohol use, previous bariatric surgery, and use of/allergy to senolytic agents. Preliminary snRNA-seq analyses of adipose biopsies from our pilot study with non-diabetic participants identified cells with elevated expression of positive regulators of senescence (CDKN1A, CDKN2A, ARG2); notably, one subpopulation of senescent adipocytes, termed NewA1, was increased with higher BMI. Overall, the findings from this study may help us gain better understanding of the aging process and identify potential molecular targets for prevention of metabolic disease.

Presentation: 6/1/2024