A muscle hypertrophy-derived myokine reprograms the stromal vascular fractions differentiation towards thermogenic adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose tissue

Skeletal muscle plays a significant role in both local and systemic energy metabolism; however, the cross-talk between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identify the HIF2α-Bambi-Thbs4 axis as a critical driver of muscle hypertrophy and metabolic improvement. Deletion of Bambi induces muscle hypertrophy and oxidative switching, thereby enhancing local and systemic metabolism under conditions of rodent chow and high-fat diets (HFD). Other than the metabolic regulation of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, we hypothesize that a portion of this improvement may be attributed to the metabolic reprogramming of the stromal vascular fraction (SVFs) of iWAT, promoting the development of beige adipocytes. Leveraging multi-omics approaches, we establish Thbs4 as a newly identified, muscle hypertrophy-derived myokine that serves as an essential regulator of this metabolic reprogramming. Thbs4 is upregulated in skeletal muscle during hypertrophy and aerobic exercise, localizes to the iWAT membrane, and facilitates the transformation of white adipocytes into beige adipocytes under conditions such as cold exposure, muscle hypertrophy, or aerobic exercise. Moreover, overexpression of Thbs4 elevates its plasma levels and leads to the transformation of white to beige adipocytes, therefore offering long-term protection against HFD-induced metabolic disorders. Conversely, Thbs4 knockout ( Thbs4 -KO) disrupts the metabolic reprogramming of SVFs and exacerbates metabolic syndromes induced by an HFD, mirroring the observed decline in Thbs4 levels in aged mice. Therefore, our findings underscore Thbs4’s potential as both a long-term metabolic protective factor and a therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Graphical Abstract Highlights Bambi , a direct target gene of HIF2α in skeletal muscle, when deleted, triggers muscle hypertrophy and the transformation of white into beige adipocytes, improving systemic energy metabolism. The metabolic reprogramming of stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) contributes to the observed improvements in energy metabolism and adipocyte hyperplasia. Thbs4, a novel myokine produced in skeletal muscle during hypertrophy and aerobic exercise, plays a key role in the transformation of white into beige adipocytes. Overexpression of Thbs4 provides enduring protection against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disorders, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic target. Thbs4 deletion abrogates the beneficial metabolic reprogramming of SVFs and exacerbates HFD-induced metabolic syndromes, further underlining its crucial role in metabolic regulation.